General

Recently florinef® (fludrocortisone) has become difficult to obtain. Generic products with uncertain bioavailability are currently prohibitively expensive. Coincidentally a new product, Zycortal®, has been launched by Dechra® and is the UK’s only veterinary registered treatment for hypoadrenocorticism. It is a prolonged release subcutaneous injection containing desoxycortone pivalate (DOCP). There are some differences between DOCP and fludrocortisone. Fludrocortisone…

We are pleased to welcome Laura Macfarlane and Alenka Hrovat Vernik to the NDSR internal medicine team. These additional clinicians increase the capacity of the service to see both routine and emergency cases. Laura MacfarlaneBVMS DipECVIM MRCVSEuropean Specialist in Internal Medicine Laura graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2009. She then completed a rotating…

Did you know that one of the biggest pet insurance groups, Royal & Sun Alliance, has recently made changes to its policies which affects pets that are covered through Tesco and MoreThan? The changes to the policies have created a preferred referral network of just 29 veterinary referral centres across the UK. For affected policyholders…

Babesiosis is caused by infection with a microscopic organism called Babesia which infects red blood cells causing anaemia, fever and splenic enlargement. There are a number of different species worldwide with Babesia Canis Canis being the most common in Europe and this is spread by tick bites by the species of tick called Dermacentor Reticulates.…

Our next complimentary CPD meeting will on 8th March 2016 at the Hilton Maidstone, Bearstead Road entitled ‘The Collapsing Dog’. This talk will be a collaboration between our neurology and cardiology services. Collapse is a challenging clinical sign to investigate in dogs. Ane and Joao will share some of their insights about it by leading…

We are pleased to welcome Rui Pinealas to the team at NDSR. Rui joins our anaesthesia service expanding our team and helping ensure all our patients have the safest anaesthesia, sedation and optimal pain relief. Rui graduated from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Portugal in 2003. After two years in general practice…

Our Cardiology service are currently recruiting patients for two new clinical trials: Role of diet in limiting the progression of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in catsCats with asymptomatic HCM are randomised to receive a new protective heart diet or an alternative life stage appropriate high-quality diet. Cats will undergo serial re-evaluations once every six months. This trial…

Since November 2012 more than 100 dogs have died in the UK from what is thought to be Alabama Rot – a disease which has inflicted greyhounds in the US for over 30 years. Here in the UK, however, this disease shows no predilection for breed, age or sex. Cases have been reported from all…