Canine Virus

[weathergirls]

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the latest update from the NGRC 22 / 2 / 08 was no further cases have been reported. THE ANIMAL HEALTH TRUST strongly advise all trainers to continue with the disinfecting and cleansing of kennels and transporters ect

The NNWRF will continue with the precautionary methods we have put in place at all our events i.e VIRKON S foot baths and mats and cleaning and spraying of traps.

it is advisable for all owners to have their own foot washes of either VIRKON S or PARVOCIDE

We have sachets of VIRKON S £1-75 each available at weigh in

 

[weathergirls]

the latest update on the NGRC website is another greyhound death has been reported in a different part of the country (doesn't say where) but does stress the importance of cleansing and disinfecting of all kennels, transporters etc; and the use of footbaths of the reccomended disinfectants VIRKON S or PARVICIDE preferable to have your own to avoid cross contamination

 

[wild whippies]

Just been on the phone again to the nice lady from the NGRC, I just wanted to check if there was anything in the guidelines that are now being issued to the tracks and the trainers that may be different from the press release that we circulated. She says the information we passed around still holds but the guidelines being sent out are more to do with kennels and tracks carrying out a 'spring clean' prior to disinfecting.

Anyone who hasn't got a copy of the press release can view it here> NGRC Press Statement & Guidelines

 

[Vicky]

It should be standard practice now that all racers are not only using the footwashes provided at opens but also using their own footwash before loading their dogs back into their vehicles.

As has been posted Virkon S is available to buy from the NNWRF for their opens, it's also available to buy on the internet and other equine stores.

 

[Strike Whippets]

We've been to Swindons NGRC track today and ALL of the kennels were being power washed and disinfected ....We had to walk the Whippets over a huge disinfectant pad ...Very worrying .....

 

[DavidH]

heard that a few dogs down south where suspected, turned out to be pneumonia.

no proven cases in this country. all in the usa. the virus is from horses that has mutated into a dog virius. do they feed horse meat ??????????

 

[wild whippies]

Your quite right David, the dogs did die of pneumonia. The issue is what caused the pneumonia. Pneumonia is where the lungs are inflammed and/ or fill with fluid, it can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites or fungi.

As yet the Animal Health Trust have not determined the cause of the Pneumonia as it takes a period of time to grow cultures within the laboratory to establish which of the above pathology is responsible.

Your correct again in thinking it is a mutation of equine flu, how it jumped species is debatable, especially as the canine strain is apparently airborne. The advantage of most airborne viruses is that they tend to be weak outside of the body, which gives us all an advantage in preventing an infection as they are usually very vulnerable to disinfection methods.

The lady from the NGRC told me that currently in the USA, animal shelters are rife with it, so it may be meerly a matter of time before the UK is infected - if it isn't already. The longer we can prevent this, the better chance we've got of a vaccine being made so it's in everyone's best interests to use precautions now.

Furthermore as Vicky keeps saying, adhering to the guidelines routinely is good practice, not just against a possible new virus but also against the likes of kennel cough and your mild gastroenteritis bugs that we often encounter unwittingly.

No-one wants their dog to come down with a stomach upset the week before the champs etc and this is probably the best and most simple method of preventing that happening.

 

[Vicky]

bump

Hope everyone's got their buckets ready for tomorrow :thumbsup:

 

[wild whippies]

Just want to draw everyone's attention to most recent NGRC update.

Press Release 4th March 2008

The bacteria, Streptococcus Zooepidemicus is associated with hemorrhagic streptococcal pneumonia. This is a severe infection which can cause sudden death without any visible symtoms. Dogs infected with the equine subspecies strain are particularly vulnerable to severe damage to their lungs.

Horse owners may know this bacteria as equine distemper or strangles. It has a high death rate within horses and is very contagious. Interestingly I've come across some info that the vaccination for this was temporarily out of stock in early 2007 so this may be why it has contaminated horse meat and thus gone on to infect greyhounds?

There's still no details on whether canine influenza has been identified yet but looking on the CDC site (Centre for Disease Control), it seems the bacteria is associated with it as dogs autopsied there also had the bacterium present. The medical citation is here for anyone wishing to read.CDC Canine Influenza

It was good to see everyone on Sunday at the Derby making efforts to protect their dogs, keep up the good work. :thumbsup:

 

[Vicky]

Horse stud i used to go to had a mare with suspected strangles, the measures they took to try and prevent it going further were brilliant and very thorough and the poor thing was in isolation for weeks. All sounds very scary makes you wonder is it really worth racing until this is under control. Please please everyone take extra time before loading your dogs away at racing to give them a thorough washing down, pointless half of us doing it and the other half not.

 

[Paws123]

This is the new disinfectant which is been advised to be used

just ordered ours for the next meeting ...better safe than sorry as the saying goes

DEFRA APPROVED

TRIGENE ADVANCE

Destroys bacteria fungi,bacterial spores and mycobacterie approved for Parvo virus ...Use to wash down floors, walls and animal habitats, all surfaces including worktops sinks and animal housing. Trigene is non selective and is effective against Bacteria, Fungi and Viruses. including:- Listeria, monocytogenes, Salmonella spp, Eschericbia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonasspp. Mycobacterium fortuitum, Bacillus spp, Fungi - Microsporum spp , dandida albicans, Trichophyton spp, Penicillium spp, Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Oldium lactis. Viruses - Hepatitis A and B Herpes, HIV Poliomyelitis, Influenza, Parvovirus, Newcastle desease Trigene wipes are ideal for cleansing and disinfecting of skin areas. May also be used for disinfecting hard surfaces and small instruments. Aldehyde free and Alcholol free.

 

[wild whippies]

It is the disinfectant issued by the NGRC to the tracks and trainers for mass cleaning of their facilities this was done following steam cleaning of such areas.

The Virkon S is still effective and probably more so than skin wipes when it comes to cleaning dogs. The other advantages is that Virkon S is that it isn't an irritant and poses no risks to individuals preparing the solution or animals having repeated contact with it. The other matter that is of relevance is that it is also cheaper to buy.

I did ask the NGRC helpline on Feb 28th about whether we needed to change our current practice to this new disinfectant and I was informed that previous guidelines still held and as of yet there is no need to implicate changes.

If people wish to purchase either of the disinfectants that's fine but neither has greater advantages over another and I wouldn't want to see anyone spending more money when they've already got a suitable disinfectant already.

N.B. Anyone using the Trigene Advance does need to read the instructions on it's use very carefully, expecially when using it as an aerosol.

 

[Paws123]

Both will be available for use at all NNWRF events for the foreseeable future...

As Vicky has said please follow the guide lines with your dogs

 

[Tony Taylor]

Personaly I wouldn't use trigene on a regular basis. I dout there would be much of a problem when used correctly especially in a one off type situation such as full disinfection of kennels but I don't think it's as safe as Virkon.

The guidelines for prevention of canine influenza are admirable but don't go anywhere near far enough to guarrentee the prevention of cross infection IMO.

 

[Towy]

I lost 3 horses to Strangles in 2006, vet couldn t do anything about it. The vaccination has been proved to be worthless and taken off the market. Very worrying. Hopefully mine will have built up immunisation to it now

 

[weathergirls]

This is the new disinfectant which is been advised to be used just ordered ours for the next meeting ...better safe than sorry as the saying goes

DEFRA APPROVED

TRIGENE ADVANCE

Destroys bacteria fungi,bacterial spores and mycobacterie approved for Parvo virus ...Use to wash down floors, walls and animal habitats, all surfaces including worktops sinks and animal housing. Trigene is non selective and is effective against Bacteria, Fungi and Viruses. including:- Listeria, monocytogenes, Salmonella spp, Eschericbia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonasspp. Mycobacterium fortuitum, Bacillus spp, Fungi - Microsporum spp , dandida albicans, Trichophyton spp, Penicillium spp, Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Oldium lactis. Viruses - Hepatitis A and B Herpes, HIV Poliomyelitis, Influenza, Parvovirus, Newcastle desease Trigene wipes are ideal for cleansing and disinfecting of skin areas. May also be used for disinfecting hard surfaces and small instruments. Aldehyde free and Alcholol free.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

The TryGene advance is to be used on the washing of traps before the start of racing the VIRKON S will be used for the foot baths

These are preventative methods only, the organisation can only do so much, it is NOT a widespread outbreak at present lets hope it doesn't become one, it is up to all owners to be vigilant, a few minutes taken to clean your dogs and equipment and a few quid spent sooner could save a lot of heartache and money later.

 

[Paws123]

Greyhound Racing at Cheltenham Cancelled following advice from Animal Health Trust

The NGRC and Animal Health Trust (AHT) investigation into the cause of recent deaths has identified a particular strain of bacterium called ‘streptococcus zooepidemicus', a subspecies of bacteria commonly found in horses.

Given the association of cases known to have been in close proximity to horses, the Animal Health Trust has advised that current recommendations against feeding horsemeat (cooked or raw) and horse contact remain in place.

Following a conference call and an investigation update yesterday, between representatives of the sport and the Animal Health Trust, the decision has been taken to cancel the greyhound event at this year's Cheltenham Festival.

Peter Webbon, chief executive of the Animal Health Trust, previously a Director of Equine Science and Welfare at the former Horseracing Regulatory Authority and for many years a greyhound track veterinarian, summed up the situation at the conclusion of the conference call yesterday afternoon:

“In view of the unique nature of greyhound racing at Cheltenham and taking into account all the circumstances related to our recent investigation it would be ill advised for the greyhound event at Cheltenham to take place this year. Although there have only been a small number of deaths to date, more research is needed to fully understand this disease. This is at a very early stage of the investigation and the next weeks and months will give valuable information about the disease and its significance for greyhound racing.”

Commenting, NGRC senior steward Hazel Bentall said:

“NGRC has worked throughout with the experts in this field and although many people will be disappointed, we and the AHT take the view that the welfare of the greyhounds that would have raced at Cheltenham is of paramount importance and, therefore, the event should be cancelled this year. However, the AHT has not advised that any other greyhound racing needs to be cancelled.

“The sport has united magnificently in responding to the bio-security advice on cleaning and disinfection to the best possible standards which undoubtedly reduces the risk of the spread of the infection. Continued vigilance is critical.”

Edward Gillespie, chief executive of Cheltenham Racecourse said:

“Given the advice we have received I believe that cancelling the greyhound racing at Cheltenham this year is the responsible and necessary precaution. I am of course disappointed but believe that this is the correct decision given the evidence we have to date. We look forward to planning ahead for 2009.”

For the BGRB, chairman David Lipsey added:

"The greyhound races at Cheltenham have been increasingly successfulbut, in the circumstances, I cannot see any alternative but to cancel them for this year."

It has also been established by the Animal Health Trust that greyhounds that had been in close contact with those which have died have tested positive for the same bacteria without showing signs of illness. The nature of the disease requires the sport to carry out a wider survey across the greyhound population in Britain both in coughing and apparently unaffected greyhounds and then take the appropriate action. Planning for this survey is being finalised. There is no doubt that ongoing effective cleaning and disinfection must be maintained to avoid any spread of the bacteria particularly in racing and residential kennels and transporters.

Meanwhile, deliveries of a recommended brand of disinfectant – Trigene Advance – have been made to all 30 NGRC tracks for distribution to all trainers. BGRB Spokesman Peter Laurie added:

"It has taken a couple of days longer than expected but every track has now been sent disinfectant and most importantly it is the right product for the cleaning practices that everyone needs to adopt when they receive it. Any tracks or trainers that wish to purchase additional supplies can do so at a specially reduced rate by calling Medi Chem on 01732 763555."

 

[wild whippies]

NGRC Press Release

NGRC Respiratory Disease Leaflet