Focus
October 2017
Antimicrobial resistance – an update
Dr Gabriel J Beechinor, director of veterinary sciences, Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) provides an update on European developments to control antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
Paramphistomum spp in Irish livestock
A previously unidentified Paramphistomum spp, has now been identified in sheep flocks and deer herds; Sharon Magnier, ruminant technical adviser, MSD Animal Health, looks at the impact this will have in Irish livestock
Importance of Lignocaine in farm-animal practice
Brendan Smyth, chair of Veterinary Ireland’s animal welfare committee, discusses Lignocaine, its importance in farm-animal practice, and Veterinary Ireland's efforts to ensure that it is made available again to the farm-animal practitioner
September 2017
Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis
The future control of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis in Ireland is outlined by Joanne Cregg, technical adviser – Ruminant Division, MSD Animal Health
Effective liver-fluke control
As liver fluke continues to be a threat to livestock farmers across the country, Matthew Colston, ruminant technical consultant veterinary surgeon, Elanco Animal Health, outlines a four-pronged approach to effective control
Redwater
Rebecca Carroll, programme manager, Beef HealthCheck Programme, Animal Health Ireland, and member of the Animal Health Ireland Parasite Control Technical Working Group, discusses the tick-borne disease, Bovine babesiosis, more commonly known as redwater
Industry Q&A
With over 47 years’ experience in Ireland’s agri-industry, Mike Magan, chairman, Animal Health Ireland, and dairy farmer, discusses herd-health challenges and the unique symbiotic relationship between vets and farmers with Shauna Rahman
August 2017
Weight management for the whole practice
Being overweight can lead to pets becoming uncomfortable and less able to play and exercise. It may also cause or exacerbate other diseases such as osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus and neoplasia. If not addressed, obesity can lead to a shortened lifespan and also affect an animal’s quality of life, writes Shelley Holden RVN CertSAN, Royal Canin weight management specialist
Vets urged to look out for lungworm
Research indicates that nearly three-quarters of Irish and UK vets (74%) have experienced a case of lungworm in their practice, or have heard of a case occurring locally, in the past 12 months. A new campaign is urging vets to encourage monthly lungworm preventative treatment and avoid the tragedy of losing an animal, as this update from Bayer outlines
July 2017
Spay/neuter – what’s the evidence?
Should we still be routinely recommending gonadectomy in all of our patients, asks Laura C Cuddy MVB MS DACVS-SA DECVS DACVSMR MRCVS, specialist in small animal surgery, sports medicine and rehabilitation, Veterinary Specialists, Summerhill, Co Meath
A complete nutritional approach to dermatosis
John O’Connor MVB MRCVS Cert Mgmt (Open), veterinary marketing manager, ROYAL CANIN discusses the importance of healthy nutrition when treating dermatosis in companion animals
Case report: diagnosis complications in an English Bulldog
Tom Mullany MVB Cert VC MRCVS, Nutgrove Veterinary Hospital, Rathfarnham and Louise O’Leary MVB, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University College Dublin, present a case report on the peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia complicating the diagnosis of additional congenital defects in a young English Bulldog
June 2017
Agri-science: the next generation
Following his highly commended entry at this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, second-year student, Niall Lyons, spoke to the Veterinary Ireland Journal about his project submission on the science behind milk proteins
Health Products Regulatory Authority: veterinary medicines report
Lisa Woods BSc, scientific officer and Michael McDonald PhD, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Health Products Regulatory Authority, Dublin, discuss suspected adverse event reports of veterinary medicinal products in the 2015-2016 period
University College Dublin’s Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis
Simon More, professor of epidemiology and risk analysis, University College Dublin’s School of Veterinary Medicine, outlines what the Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis does and how the centre provides scientific advice in support of national policy decision-making on a broad range of issues relating to animal health and welfare
BCF install first new GE Revolution ACT computing tomography system
Dragon Veterinary Centre in Cheltenham is the first veterinary practice to install the latest GE digital computed tomography scanner from BCF Technology
May 2017
Canine diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrinopathy in dogs and can be a frustrating disease to manage, both for the owner and the veterinarian, write Sivert Nerhagen DVM and Carmel T Mooney MVB MPhil PhD, University College Dublin Veterinary Hospital
Introduction to monoclonal antibodies
Biological therapy is the latest area being explored to help improve the health and quality of life of companion animals, writes Lesley Hobson, veterinary manager, Zoetis
Nutraceutical support for dogs and cats with gastrointestinal problems
Dr Daniel Sinteoan DVM, veterinary technical support manager, Mervue Laboratories, provides an in-depth review on the symptoms, causes and treatment of gastrointestinal problems in companion animals
Importance of cattle productivity and national performance in a greener environment
Cara Sheridan MVB MRCVS Cert DHH, vet adviser, MSD Animal Health, discusses the impact of controlling cattle diseases on national cattle productivity, performance and greenhouse gas emissions
Vaccination in the eradication of bovine viral diarrhoea
Niall Jackson MVB MSc, Ruminant Technical Consultant – Ireland, Elanco Animal
Health Ireland, outlines the role of vaccination as we move towards eradication of bovine viral diarrhoea
Practical guidance in providing advice on farm-specific parasite control
Rebecca Carroll, programme manager, Beef HealthCheck Programme, Animal Health Ireland (AHI), discusses a new leaflet developed by the AHI’s Parasite Control Technical Working Group, which provides a framework for veterinary practitioners drawing up a parasite-control plan
April 2017
Diagnostic techniques in two rare canine conditions
Aideen Moore MVB GpDI, locum for the Pet Emergency Hospital, The Irish Blue Cross and Villages Vets, Argyle and Bainbridge, Co Dublin, outlines a case report featuring two rare conditions – perinephric cyst associated with a ureteral fibroepithelial polyp and suspected subclinical chronic pancreatitis in a dog
Stem cell therapy
Dr William McCartney MVB Dipl ECVS DSAS (Orth) PhD MRCVS RCVS VCI and ECVS recognised specialist, North Orthopaedic Animal Hospital, Dublin, discusses mesenchymal stem cells and their role in successful stem cell therapy
UCD Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories: an overview
The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories are an integral part of the UCD Veterinary Hospital with their primary role to support the clinical teaching of the School of Veterinary Medicine, writes Dr Bryan Markey MVB PhD MRCVS, associate professor of veterinary microbiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin
March 2017
Change to EBI base means refocusing of genetic targets
George Ramsbottom, dairy specialist, Teagasc Oak Park, discusses the Economic Breeding Index and how its changes will affect the breeding targets for Irish dairy herds
Herd health challenges in springtime
Eoin Ryan MVB MVM DipECBHM, assistant professor in farm animal clinical studies, University College Dublin and European specialist in bovine health management, writes that is imperative that farm animal veterinarians respond to meet the herd health demand at springtime
Periparturient immune suppression in dairy cows
Niall Jackson MVB MSc, ruminant technical consultant – Ireland, Elanco Animal Health, outlines how to maintain dairy cow health during the critical early lactation period
Beef cow research programme
Assessing the impact of infectious diseases on key reproductive and health traits in Irish suckler beef herds, is outlined by Dr Mervyn Parr BAgrSc PhD and Professor David Kenny BAgrSc PhD DipStat DipMolMed DipLeadDev, Teagasc, Animal and Grassland, Research and Innovation Centre (AGRIC), Grange, Co Meath; and Damien Barrett MVB MVM MSc Cert CHP DipECBHM, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Backweston, Celbridge, Co Kildare