Animal welfare

Veterinary teams have a wide role within society that impacts not just animals, but also humans and the environment

With pet obesity and the accompanying health problems continuing to rise, how can veterinary professionals convince owners to change their behaviour?

With a dramatic increase in animals being slaughtered while conscious over the past four years, should a meat labelling programme be introduced?

Veterinary Practice reports from the latest Animal Welfare Discussion Forum

KELLY FOLEY of Norbrook Laboratories explains why it’s important to act quickly when a cow is down

GEORGIA WOODS looks at the problem of pet obesity from the points of view of the veterinary professional, the owner and the pet – and how to gain compliance

A long-acting pain killer that can be offered to pet owners to safely and effectively treat their animals at home would be the next great step forward in veterinary analgesia, BSAVA members heard at t…

MARION McCULLAGH examines the various factors involved in evaluating and then treating pain in the equine patient – and educating horse owners

RICHARD GARD reports on the achievements so far of the food assurance scheme

Veterinary Practice talks to Louise Clark of Davies Veterinary Specialists about how she has developed an interdisciplinary approach to managing patients with chronic pain

Gwen Covey-Crump discusses the control of pain and explains how a combined approach of pharmacological and non- pharmacologic therapies is required along with skilled recognition.

Sarah Heath discusses the challenges of detecting and managing chronic pain in dogs and cats and how behavioural signs can play an important part in dealing with such cases.

Dr Jo Murrell examines the evidence base for using adjunctive agents in cats and dogs and discusses the clinical application of adjunctives in veterinary practice.

ANDREW KNIGHT reports on a recent meeting which looked at principles of welfare assessment and their application to dairy cattle, farmed pigs, small ruminants, shelter animals and elephants in zoos

Dr JO MURRELL discusses the use of pain scoring tools in various species and says that more widespread adoption of them in veterinary practice would bring significant benefits to animal welfare

STUART CARMICHAEL discusses the need for improved awareness and skill in identifying the signs of pain and discomfort and treating with both pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures

GWEN COVEY-CRUMP examines the myriad of considerations and treatment options available to veterinary surgeons as pets live longer, beginning in the home with client education

JOHN BONNER reports on the latest One Health Congress where it was noted that many in the human medical profession still fail to understand the importance of zoonotic diseases for their patients

David Grant reports on the 16th international companion animal welfare conference held in Istanbul last month – and the introduction of a new award in recognition of the retiring CEO of Dogs Trust.

Pete Wedderburn continues the report of his trip to Delhi with ASHA where he found a high level of ignorance about rabies with many not knowing what to do if bitten by a dog.