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THIS MONTH o What you
think about the new price list
What
YOU Think About the Price List
What did you like least about the price list? You said:-
Sorry about the price increases, like yourselves, we don’t increase prices unless we feel there is no option. In mitigation we also decrease prices whenever we can and there are quite a number of reductions in the price list. The other comments included: too much info, bit cramped; heavier paper; no date on front; no test turnaround times; and no hanger. We do probably try to cram
in too much info. We are working on that problem for the next issue.
Test turnaround times have not been included due to the pressure on space. However it is something we shall look at for future issues. Test turnaround times are available from Client Services and a leaflet is in preparation. See the offer above for a typescript version. The price list used to have a hanger. Unfortunately it was dropped on cost grounds. However we do have some stick-on hangers, you are welcome to one of those. Best comment: “If it were a car it would be a Mercedes”.Thank you to everybody who took the time to answer the questions and return them. Your feedback is very important to us. We do act on your comments and suggestions, good or bad. This is reflected in the answers to the first question. There is still time to return
your questionnaire and enter the draw for a £25 book voucher.
Price
List - Addendum
Section 23 FFE Full Faeces Examination - £26.00 FFE+ Full Faeces Examination Plus - £65.00 Section 25 FPVA Feline Parvo Virus antibody - £10.50 Incorrect sample Section 8 FHM Feline Hyperthyroid Monitor - Samples should include an EDTA Section 12 Do not use Gel tubes for collecting serum for any therapeutic substance. Separate serum before despatch or use a plain tube. Section 20 CYTU a special urine fixative is now available Test time correction Section 25 ASPE Aspergillus antibody – Time on test now 10 days. Index correction MIC Microscopic examination, Code should be MICR Summary of meeting held on 13th January We were pleased to welcome 20 veterinary surgeons to our meeting on 13th January. Interpreting Anaemias The meeting opened with an illustrated presentation from Jane Miller and Alan Bullock on the use of lab test results to interpret anaemias. Case Book Chris Gray of the Moy Farm Veterinary Centre described a rare case of erythro-leukaemia in a 4 yr old Black Labrador. The dog had been presented with sudden onset of vomiting and was pale and depressed. A Standard Profile with Haemogram revealed a moderate anaemia with binucleated normoblasts and some large blast cells and a mature neutrophilia. Biochemistry showed increased Urea (26.5 mmol/l), Creatinine (425 ?mol/l) and Phosphorus (2.8 mmol/l). Myeloproliferative disease was diagnosed on the presence of bi-nucleated normoblasts a feature which is due to asynchrony of cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation. A blood sample 1 day later showed a deterioration. As the prognosis was grave the owners asked for euthanasia whilst the dog was still relatively well. The diagnosis was confirmed by post mortem and histopathology. The presentation was illustrated with transparencies showing the haematological and histological changes courtesy of Jane Miller. Martin Jones a large animal practitioner from the Dimples Lane practice in Garstang presented a case of Leptospirosis in a dairy herd. Martin discussed the difficulties of diagnosis and control. He outlined the problems with current testing methods and welcomed the availability of a new PCR test from NWL for the detection of the causative organism. He also mentioned that farmers were reluctant to face up to the zoonosis implications of Leptospirosis and could be slow in investigating potential outbreaks. He felt that the ability to confirm infection quickly with the PCR test might help to educate them. Liz Ormerod from Fleetwood expressed concern at the risk that Leptospirosis presented to other members of the family, particularly when raw milk was consumed. She suggested that making the farmers wives aware of the risk through local community organisations might be one way of tackling the problem. From the Floor The open discussion session raised a number of interesting topics. Alex Briault from Longridge asked if anyone had an interest in ecotoxicology issues and their effect on disease in the animal population, Alex was particularly interested in the effects of hormone like residues in water. The high incidence of hyperthyroidism in cats was mentioned as a possible consequence. Andrew Mitchell who hails from New Zealand and Scott Martin from Australia, both with the Milne and Shine practice in Poulton, expressed concerns at the high incidence of neoplasia that they had noted in the UK compared with back home, particularly in the Fylde. This raised a question about the availability of epidemiological data for diseases in animals in the UK. David Wadsworth remarked on the work of the RSPB and other such organisations in the collection of data relating to mortality in sea birds and mammals. No one was aware of a national database relating to companion animals. Alistair Parker mentioned that this subject had been raised at the previous meeting. David said he would contact the BSAVA and see if they were aware of any information sources. David has since forwarded
an e-mail from Jeff Little indicating that BSAVA is looking into the subject
of epidemiology. The current situation is that three top epidemiologists
have devised a questionnaire for a pilot study involving a few practices.
This is currently being beta tested before the full survey takes place
during this year. The membership will be kept informed of the study's progress
both through BSAVA News and the web site. The initial survey will be a
pen & paper exercise rather than an electronic one.
NWL
to the Rescue
Balantidium coli is a cilliated protozoa. It is known to occur in man, lower primates and pigs. The organism is considered to be non-pathogenic in pigs. In man and lower primates the infection may range from asymptomatic through diarrhoea to severe dysentery.  Ballantidium
coliDiagnosis is based on the detection by microscopy of the trophozoites or cysts in the faeces. Treatments include: Tetracycline, Iodoquinol and Metronidazole. Continuing
Professional Development
Tail
End
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