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News & Reports Animal welfare
BVA warns of the dangers posed by receding flood waters THE BVA is warning animal owners about the dangers that might emerge as water levels in flooded areas begin to fall. The Association says that, while the water level may be beginning to subside in affected areas, dangers to pets and livestock remain. It says that, in areas where water has been contaminated by sewage, chemicals and other waste, farmers and pet owners will need to remain vigilant about potential health threats to their animals. It suggests that animal owners in affected areas should speak to their vet if they have concerns, and check with their local environmental health team, which should be in a position to advise on local levels of contamination. ‘The terrible flooding has devastated many areas and it will be a huge relief for residents to see the waters subside,’ said Robin Hargreaves, the BVA President. ‘Unfortunately, the challenges for animal owners remain, as contaminated water continues to pose a threat to pets and livestock.’
210 | Veterinary Record | March 1, 2014
that their pet was up to date with its vaccinations, to ensure that it had the best possible protection against diseases such as leptospirosis, which could be spread through stagnant water. ‘Farmers need to consider the risks posed by contamination both to drinking water and feed for their livestock,’ he added. ‘Both silage and forage may have been contaminated by chemicals The BVA is warning that, as flood waters begin to recede, new or waste and should not be dangers to pets and livestock could emerge fed to animals if they show signs of spoilage or mould. If alternative water or feed is not available it He advised that pet owners should may be best to consider selling animals and try to keep their animals from drinking reinvesting when conditions improve.’ contaminated water, as effluent and bacteria could be very harmful. He also suggested doi: 10.1136/vr.g1798 that owners should check with their vet
Downloaded from http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/ on March 12, 2015 - Published by group.bmj.com
BVA warns of the dangers posed by receding flood waters Veterinary Record 2014 174: 210
doi: 10.1136/vr.g1798 Updated information and services can be found at: http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/174/9/210.3
These include:
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To request permissions go to: http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions To order reprints go to: http://journals.bmj.com/cgi/reprintform To subscribe to BMJ go to: http://group.bmj.com/subscribe/
News & Reports Animal welfare
BVA warns of the dangers posed by receding flood waters THE BVA is warning animal owners about the dangers that might emerge as water levels in flooded areas begin to fall. The Association says that, while the water level may be beginning to subside in affected areas, dangers to pets and livestock remain. It says that, in areas where water has been contaminated by sewage, chemicals and other waste, farmers and pet owners will need to remain vigilant about potential health threats to their animals. It suggests that animal owners in affected areas should speak to their vet if they have concerns, and check with their local environmental health team, which should be in a position to advise on local levels of contamination. ‘The terrible flooding has devastated many areas and it will be a huge relief for residents to see the waters subside,’ said Robin Hargreaves, the BVA President. ‘Unfortunately, the challenges for animal owners remain, as contaminated water continues to pose a threat to pets and livestock.’
210 | Veterinary Record | March 1, 2014
that their pet was up to date with its vaccinations, to ensure that it had the best possible protection against diseases such as leptospirosis, which could be spread through stagnant water. ‘Farmers need to consider the risks posed by contamination both to drinking water and feed for their livestock,’ he added. ‘Both silage and forage may have been contaminated by chemicals The BVA is warning that, as flood waters begin to recede, new or waste and should not be dangers to pets and livestock could emerge fed to animals if they show signs of spoilage or mould. If alternative water or feed is not available it He advised that pet owners should may be best to consider selling animals and try to keep their animals from drinking reinvesting when conditions improve.’ contaminated water, as effluent and bacteria could be very harmful. He also suggested doi: 10.1136/vr.g1798 that owners should check with their vet
Downloaded from http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/ on March 12, 2015 - Published by group.bmj.com
BVA warns of the dangers posed by receding flood waters Veterinary Record 2014 174: 210
doi: 10.1136/vr.g1798 Updated information and services can be found at: http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/174/9/210.3
These include:
Email alerting service
Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article. Sign up in the box at the top right corner of the online article.
Notes
To request permissions go to: http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions To order reprints go to: http://journals.bmj.com/cgi/reprintform To subscribe to BMJ go to: http://group.bmj.com/subscribe/
