DOG OWNERS WARNED TO STAY ALERT AS CASES OF MYSTERY ILLNESS EXPECTED TO REOCCUR We are warning dog owners to stay vigilant for the signs of seasonal canine illness (SCI), a mystery illness which in recent years made a number of dogs walked in woodlands suddenly become ill. Cases of SCI are usually seen from August to November with dogs showing clinical signs of vomiting, diarrhoea and/or lethargy within 24 to 72 hours of walking in woodland. Dog owners are advised to seek immediate veterinary advice should they see these signs in their dog following a woodland walk. Despite no definite cause being recognised, we have identified a number of common themes which may increase a dog’s susceptibility to SCI. We are advising dog owners planning to visit woodlands this autumn to ensure that their pets are up-to-date with preventive treatments for external parasites such as Harvest mites. Products available without prescription may not offer sufficient protection against mites so please contact your local vet to discuss which options are suitable. Distance travelled may also be a factor. If you are travelling with your dog, ensure a supply of fresh water is always available and give your dog plenty of breaks from the heat of the car. Also bear in mind that accommodation such as conservatories and caravans heat up incredibly quickly and may lead to dehydration in your dog. We are continuing to ask dog owners who walk their dogs at any of the five study sites: Sandringham Estate or Thetford Forest, Norfolk, Clumber Park or Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire or Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk, to complete our online questionnaire at aht.org.uk/sci Charlotte Robin, our SCI Research Co-ordinator, said “We desperately need information from dogs which have been walked at any of our study sites, even if they did not become ill. The information we can glean from owners of dogs who walked at the sites and didn’t show clinical signs of SCI is just as important to our investigation, as information from affected dogs.” We want to also highlight that dogs could be a risk of SCI walking at any woodland during autumn, so we are advising dog owners to remain vigilant and to seek veterinary advice immediately if they suspect their dog has SCI. For more information on seasonal canine illness, please click here. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KENNEL CLUB CANCER CENTRE AT THE AHT MAKING PROGRESS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER Since opening its doors in early 2013, the Kennel Club Cancer Centre at the AHT has treated a fifth more patients than it anticipated. More than 250 radiation doses have been administered to 30 individual dogs, from more than 15 breeds with seven different types of cancer. Sue Murphy, Head of our Small Animal Centre and a Specialist in Veterinary Oncology, said: “It’s been a busy six months for the team working within the Kennel Club Cancer Centre, but the Centre is making a big difference for the animals we are seeing through our doors. “We are now able to offer each and every patient the specific treatment for its specific cancer. Being able to combine surgery with chemotherapy and / or radiotherapy on one-site is far better and less stressful.” Benson, a five year-old Golden Retriever (pictured), was one of the first patients to be treated. He was diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma when he was just three years old, when a lump was found on his front right leg. The lump was surgically removed, but two years on the lump returned. After another operation to remove the lump, Benson was referred to us for radiotherapy to treat the disease left behind. Benson needed 12 doses of radiotherapy; three a week for four weeks. Sue added: “Benson tolerated the treatment really well and only developed minimal side effects whilst receiving the treatment. He went home at weekends to be with his family and we are very pleased with his recovery. “When we treated Benson he had a routine blood test taken to make sure he was safe to anaesthetise. His owners consented for the spare blood from that test to be stored. We will be able to access Benson’s DNA from this for research to help dogs in the future. “Every cancer case we treat at the AHT contributes towards clinical and genetic research projects, helping us to better understand the disease and find ways to more accurately diagnose and treat it in the future.” The identification of inherited risk factors for cancer in dogs is one aim of our cancer research, and studies are currently being undertaken in several breeds that appear to have a risk of developing a certain type of cancer. Steve Dean, Chairman of the Kennel Club, said: “Research taking place now at the Centre could revolutionise the treatment of cancers and even help prevent cancer in our dogs in the future, it is very exciting to be a part of this programme.” To find out more about our fight against cancer, please click here. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW CEO APPOINTED AT THE AHT Dr Mark Vaudin, who is currently our Deputy Chief Executive and Head of Research, has been announced as our Chief Executive Officer. He will take the reins from our current Chief Executive Officer, Dr Peter Webbon, at the end of September 2013. Dr Vaudin, said: “I have been a part of the AHT team for nine years and am delighted to be taking on the leadership of an organisation that I know makes such a difference to the health and welfare of companion animals. I am, like everyone at the AHT, committed to fighting disease and injury in animals, which as a charity is what we exist to do. It has been a pleasure working with Peter Webbon and under my leadership, I’m determined that we will continue to make significant scientific and clinical advances that will have a major impact on the lives of all companion animals and their owners.” Dr Peter Webbon, said: “Leading an organisation like the Animal Health Trust, which has such a passionate team of staff and delivers so much for animals across the world, has been both demanding and incredibly satisfying. I am grateful for the commitment, loyalty and hard work of all the staff at the AHT, and extend grateful thanks to all of our supporters who make what we do possible. I wish Mark, and everyone at the AHT, all the best for the future.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OUR VETS GIVE PENGUIN THE GIFT OF SIGHT A 19-year-old Humboldt penguin from Colchester Zoo has had her sight saved after being treated by our ophthalmology team. To watch our video about Wellamy’s story, click here. Wellamy was diagnosed with severe cataracts in both eyes. Surgery was the only option for this poor penguin in order to restore her vision, so that she could continue to live happily at Colchester Zoo with her colony. After delicate surgery in our small animal hospital, Wellamy was kept in isolation at Colchester Zoo for several weeks under the watchful eye of the Zoo’s IZVG Vet John Lewis, and keeper Kate Broad, who monitored how her eyes were healing and administered regular eye drops. Kate Broad, Wellamy’s keeper, said: “We noticed that Wellamy was having difficulties mixing with the other penguins due to the problems with her sight, so we got in touch with Animal Health Trust straight away and were really pleased that they could help her. “The AHT team were absolutely fantastic. Operating on a penguin is no easy task but the AHT team are experts in this kind of procedure and took every precaution to ensure that Wellamy received the very best care.” Claudia Hartley, our Head of Ophthalmology, and her team returned to the zoo several times in the first few weeks after the procedure to monitor how Wellamy’s eyes were healing, and then a month later to see how Wellamy was getting on back with her friends in the enclosure. Claudia added: “Wellamy’s eyes have healed really well. I was delighted to see that she looked fantastic. Really full of herself, crowing with her mates and back to her gobby normal self! The transformation was really quite incredible from my first visit where she was very subdued and wasn’t mixing with the other penguins.” To watch our video about Wellamy’s story, click here. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 60 seconds with… Christine Gird (Events Co-ordinator) How long have you been at the AHT? I joined the Trust in September 2001. Why do you do, what you do? I’ve always had dogs and horses so working at the Trust is the perfect place to be. As Events Co-ordinator, my role is to organize events that will help us raise funds to support the amazing work the Trust undertakes, and to raise awareness of the Trust as a whole. My job is incredibly varied; one day I might be cleaning out dog pens at the AHT Dog Crèche at the Burghley Horse Trials and the next week I could be at a Buckingham Palace reception or putting on an opera production at Tattersalls. It’s this variety, and the people and animals you meet along the way, that for me makes the Trust such a wonderful place to work. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? I have a very devoted German Shepherd called Jake who is well known to many of our supporters – sometimes I think people come to see him rather than me! He takes up a lot of my time, especially brushing up all the hair off the carpet, although I can’t say I actually enjoy that. Otherwise, I enjoy cooking, reading, walking, cycling, camping, and visiting family, who are scattered all over the world – lots of different holiday opportunities! Donate online I would like to donate £ Regularly Single Donation See other ways to help us
Posted on: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 15:48:31 +0000
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