Horiba UK Limited have announced that, given the ongoing discussion on raw feeding of pets between their owners and veterinary staff, they have invited regular Veterinary Practice contributor, Ian Wright, MRCVS, to share his expertise on testing best practice in this key area of animal health via a free to attend CPD webinar.
As Head of the European Scientific Council for Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP) UK & Ireland, Ian is well placed to present on “Controlling parasites associated with raw feeding and the role of testing“. This webinar will take place on Thursday 27 January 2022 from 7:30pm, with free registration and further information available through Horiba UK’s website.
Over the past decade there has been an increasing trend across Europe of the feeding of raw diets to pets, with 4 percent of UK cats and 10 percent of UK dogs now being fed raw meat and animal by-products. Much has been discussed about the relative benefits of prepared commercial diets, using raw foodstuffs or a combination of both.
A correctly balanced diet will keep a pet happy and healthy. If an owner chooses to feed any raw components, it is vital to minimise any parasitic or bacterial threats to the pets and also the people around them. This ultimately reduces the risk of zoonotic disease and also economic losses in farming. Testing can play a key part in minimising any possible risk from feeding raw diets.
Although it is not the role of veterinary staff to decide what an owner should feed their pet, they are in a unique position to provide information to help owners make informed decisions. Through this latest Horiba educational webinar, vets, nurses, receptionists, veterinary healthcare assistants and rescue and laboratory staff can learn more about the pathogens and parasites associated with raw feeding and the role of the right test at the right time. Not only is there a need for testing pets who may be affected, but also for the raw materials used in feeding. Stopping the problem at source and preventing infected foodstuffs being fed can also play a part.
“The recent trend of increasing raw feeding opens up new opportunities for pathogen transmission. Where raw feeding is taking place, adequate tapeworm and protozoal parasite prevention is essential to reduce zoonotic risk and economic losses,” said Ian Wright. “Testing forms an essential part of their control and understanding this role and the diagnostic test options available will prove valuable to all veterinary professionals.”
Ian Wright has a Master’s degree in Veterinary Parasitology and is a practising veterinary surgeon and partner at Mount Pets, Fleetwood. He is also ESCCAP Guideline Director. He is an editorial board member for the Companion Animal and VetCPD Journal and regularly publishes in renowned, peer-reviewed journals. In addition to running a veterinary practice, Ian is actively involved in veterinary research, including work on tick-borne diseases and intestinal nematodes.
Following his presentation, there will be an open Q&A session with Ian. In addition, Horiba’s team of veterinary specialists will be available at the end of the webinar to discuss and advise on any testing needs. For example, Horiba’s rapid and easy-to-use, benchtop veterinary PCR system, the POCKIT Central, can help overcome testing challenges and provide an accurate screening tool for the in-house identification of pathogens, including Echinococcus, Toxoplasma, Neospora, Salmonella and E. coli.
For free registration and more information on Horiba’s latest online CPD veterinary meeting on ‘Controlling parasites associated with raw feeding and the role of testing’, see the Horiba UK website.
