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Posted by: **jenvetnurse** on Thu Jan 26, 2012 6:59 pm

Laying down the law

1 January 2012 marked an important day for egg-laying hens across Europe. After years of waiting, an EU ban on conventional barren battery cages came into force.

So does this mean that every hen will be cage-free?

Sadly not! Around 17 million hens farmed for their eggs in the UK are still reared in cages and in conditions that we believe are unacceptable.

While the ban outlaws ‘conventional’ battery cages, it still allows so-called ‘enriched’ battery cages.

These cages give hens a nesting, scratching and perching area and a little bit more usable space, but still amounting to no more than an A4 sheet of paper per bird.

What you can do…

As a consumer you have the power to improve the lives of hens just by the eggs you choose to put in your shopping basket, such as those labelled Freedom Food.

And don’t forget ingredients! Eggs are used in many different types of food, including:

Ice cream, fresh pasta, sandwiches, cakes, yorkshire puddings,

To download your guide to choosing cage-free visit our campaign page where you can also cast your vote ‘do cage-free eggs taste better?'

Listen to our new podcast, which takes to the streets to find out eggs-actly what members of the public think.

Your choice makes a difference to the lives of millions of hens.

Thank you for your support

The Campaigns Team

Posted by: **jenvetnurse** on Tue Jan 24, 2012 10:39 pm

Four sheep killed in Staffordshire bull terrier attack

Four sheep have died and another 15 were injured after being savaged by a dog at a farm in Angus.

The dog, thought to be a Staffordshire bull terrier, attacked the sheep in a field at Newbarns Farm, Inverkeillor, at 12:30 on Tuesday.

Tayside Police said a passer-by had apparently restrained the "powerful" dog before the farmer arrived.

The farmer took possession of the bull terrier, whose owners are not known, and later handed it to police.

Officers said they wanted to trace the dog's owners and a group of people who were in the area at the time.

The animal was described as being large and powerful, and dark brown in colour.

Anyone with information about the dog or the attack on the sheep is asked to contact police.

Attack on young girl now scarred for life.

A man has admitted allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control after a six-year-old girl was mauled in a north-east London park.

Gary Hindley, 56, of Chingford, was held after part of the girl's ear was severed in the attack on Saturday.

Hindley pleaded guilty to a breach of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 at Thames Magistrates Court.

The victim's father said the dog attacked several times, circling them in what he likened to a "shark attack".

Hindley was arrested after handing himself in at Chingford police station.

He has been bailed to appear before the court on 13 February for sentencing.

The dog has been seized. Her family were trying out a new telescope when the dog struck.

The girl's father hit the dog several times but the dog refused to let go. He said the victim and her mother "ended up on the ground and the dog ripped the majority of [her] right ear off".

He continued: "[Her mother] lay across [her] to try and protect her and as a result has suffered multiple injuries to her arms.

"There was a lot of blood." The father said his daughter is "a remarkable little girl who is very popular and full of life and loves to sing and dance".

'Biggest nightmare' He added: "We are reading her stories and trying to keep her upbeat - she understands what has happened to her."

Det Sgt Stuart Cheek, of Metropolitan Police, said: "This was an appalling incident that left a young child with serious injuries which are likely to scar her for life."

Posted by: **jenvetnurse** on Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:03 am

L-2-HGA (L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria) in Staffordshire Bull Terriers

Staffordhsire Bull Terrier sitting by a flowerbed L-2-HGA (L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria) in Staffordshire Bull Terriers is a neurometabolic disorder characterised by elevated levels of L-2-hydroxyglutaric acid in urine, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid.

L-2-HGA affects the central nervous system, with clinical signs usually apparent between 6 months and one year (although they can appear later). Symptoms include epileptic seizures, "wobbly" gait, tremors, muscle stiffness as a result of exercise or excitement and altered behaviour.

The mutation, or change to the structure of the gene, probably occurred spontaneously in a single dog but once in the population has been inherited from generation to generation like any other gene. The disorder shows an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance: two copies of the defective gene (one inherited from each parent) have to be present for a dog to be affected by the disease.

Individuals with one copy of the defective gene and one copy of the normal gene - called carriers - show no symptoms but can pass the defective gene onto their offspring. When two apparently healthy carriers are crossed, 25% (on average) of the offspring will be affected by the disease, 25% will be clear and the remaining 50% will themselves be carriers

The mutation responsible for the disease has recently been identified at the Animal Health Trust. Using the information from this research, we have developed a DNA test for the disease. This test not only diagnoses dogs affected with this disease but can also detect those dogs which are carriers, displaying no symptoms of the disease but able to produce affected pups.

Carriers could not be detected by the tests previously available, which involved either a blood or urine test detecting elevated levels of L-2-hydroxyglutarate or magnetic resonance imaging. Under most circumstances, there will be a much greater number of carriers than affected animals in a population. It is important to eliminate such carriers from a breeding population since they represent a hidden reservoir of the disease that can produce affected dogs at any time.

Staffordshire Terrier puppies sitting on a bed

The test is available now and information on submitting samples is given below.

Breeders will be sent results identifying their dog as belonging to one of three categories:

CLEAR: the dog has 2 copies of the normal gene and will neither develop L-2-HGA, nor pass a copy of the L-2-HGA gene to any of its offspring.

CARRIER: the dog has one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the mutant gene that causes L-2-HGA. It will not develop L-2-HGA but will pass on the L-2-HGA gene to 50% (on average) of its offspring.

AFFECTED: the dog has two copies of the L-2-HGA mutation and is affected with L-2-HGA. It will develop L-2-HGA at some stage during its lifetime, assuming it lives to an appropriate age.

Carriers can still be bred to clear dogs. On average, 50% of such a litter will be clear and 50% carriers; there can be no affecteds produced from such a mating. Pups which will be used for breeding can themselves be DNA tested to determine whether they are clear or carrier.

This test requires 3mls of whole blood in EDTA tube or cheek swab samples (swab kits available free of charge from the address below or e-mail (swabrequest@aht.org.uk)) can be sent. Samples should be sent together with a completed DNA Testing form and payment of £66* inc VAT for each sample to Genetic Services, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU. *if DNA testing for HC is requested at the same time both tests together can be done at a discounted rate of £117 inc VAT.

L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (L2HGA) and Hereditary Cataracts (HC) - DNA Testing for Staffordshire Bull Terriers

With immediate effect - please note the following change to the blood sample requirements for the above tests

Samples from Australia should continue to be sent via Curtin Medical School.

Samples from New Zealand should continue to be sent via Gribbles Veterinary Pathology

Enquiries should be made to Symone Ingram telephone +44 (0) 1638 555621 or fax +44 (0) 1638 555666 or via e-mail to dnatesting@aht.org.uk.

Posted by: **jenvetnurse** on Thu Jan 19, 2012 4:59 am

PERMANENT VET NURSE ROLES:

If you would like any more information on any of the roles below, please feel free to call the Nurse team on 01392 314756

Hertfordshire – Permanent Qualified VN required for sole charge work. No OOH.

Surrey – RVN required on a permanent basis for this 7 Vet, 8 Nurse Practice. 1:8 full weekends and 1:8 Saturday’s.

Hertfordshire – RVN required for this 5 Vet Practice. Minimal on-call.

Hertfordshire – Qualified VN required for this 1 Vet, 1 Nurse Practice.

Wiltshire – RVN required for this busy 5 Vet Practice.

London – RVN required on a permanent basis. No on-call. 1:2 Saturday’s.

Kent – Permanent VN required in this 3 Vet Practice. 1:5 on-call.

South Devon – RVN required to join this team of 7 Vets and 6 Nurse. 1:7 on-call.

Devon – RVN required to join this team of 3 Vets and 4 Nurses. 1:8 on-call.

Surrey – RVN required. No OOH. 1:3 Saturday’s (8.30am-1pm).

Somerset – Receptionist required to work 28 weeks of the year to cover holidays.

Gloucestershire – VN required on a permanent basis. Experience of handling equine is a must.

Portsmouth -Full Time RVN needed to start ASAP, salary dependant on experience. Small animal practice No OOH or sole charge.

Berkshire – RVN required on a locum or permanent basis to work Monday-Friday 9.30am-2.30pm.

Durham- RVN needed on a permanent basis. 40 hours per week, 1 in 4 weekends.

Kidderminster- RVN to work up to 40 hours per week (min 27). Shift patterns work as follows: Week 1: Mon to Fri 10-7. Week 2: 8.30-5.30 Mon, Tues, 9-6 Wed, 9-5 Thurs, Fri off. Week 3: Mon, Tues & Fri 8.30-5.30, Wed & Thurs 8.30-4.30. Weekends on 1 in 3 Sat 9-5, Sun 10.30 -3.30. No OOH or sole charge.

Sheffield- Full time RVN required to start within 2 months. No OOH, Full sole charge. 40 hours per week, Mon – Fri. No weekends.

Middlesbrough-Full Time RVN needed to start ASAP, salary dependant on experience. Small animal practice No OOH or sole charge.

Hove - Full time or Part time Veterinary Nurse needed for brand new surgery in Hove. Weekends will be on a rota basis.

Slough - Full Time RVN required to join our friendly team in Slough. 1 in 3 weekends, no OOH, no sole charge.

New Maldon - Full time Veterinary Nurse required to join our friendly team of 4 Vets and 4 Nurses in our busy surgery in New Malden. Weekends on a rota basis, No OOH, No Sole Charge

Swindon- Full time RVN with minimum years experience, to work 8.30-7.30 Mon, Wed & Thurs and weekends on 1 in 3.

Chingford - Full time RVN needed for small animal practice in Chingford. All experiences considered. Weekends on a 1 in 3 rota basis. No OOH.

Hove- Head Veterinary Nurse needed for a new surgery based in Hove. Full time, no OOH. Previous team management experience desirable.

Taunton- Full time experienced Veterinary Nurse required to join our team of 2 vets and 3 nurses. The weekday hours are variable with a 1 in 3 weekend rota. There are no OOH or sole charge. Medical Nursing experience is essential. The successful candidate will be required to perform Nurse clinics and puppy parties.

Colchester - RVN required for expanding practice, ideally will have some experience.

Salisbury - Full time RVN needed for small animal practice in Salisbury. A range of experiences will be considered. Weekends on a 1 in 3 rota. OOH involved to be discussed at interview.

Farnham - Full time or Part time Veterinary Nurse needed for brand new surgery in Farnham. Weekends will be on a rota basis.

Leicester- Full time RVN to work 40 hrs p/w with 2 vets and 2 nurses, weekends on a 1 in 3 rota, no OOH will be involved in nurse and weight clinics.

Worcester- Full time registered nurse to work Tues- Fri 8am to 7pm & weekends on 1 in 3 rota (Sat 8-5 & Sun 10.30-4). No OOH. Joining a team of 2 Vets and 2 Nurses. Salary approx 18k pa.

Oldham - Full Time qualified RVN. Any level of experience considered. Shifts are 8-4, 8.30-4.30, 9-5, 11.30-7.30 sat 9-6, Sun 11-5 (on 1 in 4 basis).

Colchester - RVN required for expanding practice, ideally will have some experience.

Norwich- Full or part time nurse to work 20/40 hrs per week inc of 1 in 4 weekends. No OOH.

Harrogate – My client in Harrogate requires a qualified and registered Nurse for a period of maternity from end April for a minimum of 6 months. 4 days per week and occasional weekends.

Posted by: **jenvetnurse** on Thu Jan 19, 2012 4:50 am

If you would like any more information on any of the roles below, please feel free to call the Nurse team on 01392 314756

SW London – Locum VN urgently required to start immediately and stay until 8th Feb.

Lincolnshire (South) – Locum VN required from 23rd January on an on-going basis. 1:5 on-call and 1:4 weekends. ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE.

Devon – QVN required from January for 6-12 months to cover maternity. 1:6 on-call.

London (North) – Locum VN required on an on-going basis. Accommodation available.

Essex – VN required from January for 6-12 months to cover maternity. You must be confident at sole charge nursing. The client will discuss either full time or part-time hours if you would prefer.

Surrey – RVN required to start immediately and stay on an on-going basis (min 3 months). Accommodation available.

Somerset – Locum receptionist required to work 28 weeks of the year to cover holidays.

Essex – Locum Nurse required immediately for 6-12 months (maternity cover). 1:8 on-call. 1:6 weekends.

Dorset – Locum RVN required from 26th January – 24th February. No OOH. No weekends.

London – Locum RVN required from 26th March – 29th June. ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE.

Berkshire – RVN required on a locum or permanent basis to work Monday-Friday 9.30am-2.30pm.

London – Locum VN required for approximately 2 months from 16th Jan.

Berkshire – Locum VN or ANA required to work just one day on 6th Feb.

Gloucestershire – Locum VN required to work for up to 9 months.

South Devon – Locum VN required with immediate effect on a full or part-time basis.

London – RVN required for 2 weeks from 23rd January.

Essex (RM) – Qualified VN required to work 8th – 10th Feb, 7th – 9th March, 14th March.

Cambridgeshire – Night Nurse required to work 16th – 22nd January (7pm – 9am).

Cambridgeshire – Locum RVN required to start immediately and work on an on-going basis. 1:3 Saturday’s.

Dunfermline – Maternity Contract available at a small animal practice in Dunfermline. 1 in 5 on call weekends with the following week off. Great rates of pay available.

Charlton – My client in Charlton is looking for a nurse for 6 months from 3rd Jan 2012. Great rates of pay, No OOH or sole charge.

Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen- Nurse required for a number of Locum roles in Scotland. Great rates of pay and accommodation offered in most cases.

London - Floating RVN required to work between a number of branch practices in London from February – ongoing. Driver necessary.

Ulverston, Cumbria- My Client in Cumbria needs a VN to start in February to cover a period of maternity. Full time hours, No OOH or sole charge with 1 in 4 Satudays.

Glasgow – My Client in Glasgow is seeking a VN to start ASAP for at least 1 month, ideally 2-3 months. Accommodation available on-site. No OOH or sole charge. Hours are full time to include Saturday mornings.

Hove – My client in Hove is seeking a full time RVN from 28th January on an Ongoing basis. No OOH or sole charge. Accommodation allowance available.

Lutterworth- My client in Leicestershire is seeking an RVN for 2 weeks from 30th Jan. Monday – Friday 8.30am- 6.30pm.

Speke- My Client in Speke is seeking an RVN for 1 weeks cover week beginning 13th Feb. No OOH or weekends. Accommodation can be supplied.

Falkirk – RVN needed from 2nd April – 13th April in Falkirk. Weekdays only not including bank holiday Monday. Hours are 9am- 6pm No OOH or sole charge.

Reading- RVN needed for 1 week in Reading from 27th Feb – 2nd March. Accommodation allowance available.

Wakefield- My client in Wakefield will require an RVN 6th – 23rd July. Hours TBC.

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