Unique In-House Test Speed Trio FeLV/FIV/FCoV Helps To Protect Scottish Wildcats
8 years ago 
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Speed™ Trio FeLV/FIV/FCoV, a unique in-house diagnostic test combination launched by Virbac earlier this year is being used to help reduce the risk of the spread of fatal disease in wildcat and feral cat populations in Scotland as part of a project to preserve Scottish wildcats.
Scottish Wildcat Action aims to preserve the Scottish wildcat, one of the most elusive and endangered mammals in the UK, by employing a range of approaches to help wildcats thrive in their natural habitat. One of its priorities is to undertake feral cat TNVR (Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return) to prevent hybridisation and disease transfer to wildcats. The donated Speed Trio, which can test for Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) in just 15 minutes, is being used to support this disease surveillance work.
Professor Anna Meredith from Scottish Wildcat Action’s partner the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, explained: “Feline diseases, such as FeLV, FIV and FCoV, pose a real threat to Scottish wildcats, as well as to the health and welfare of feral cats. Because Speed Trio gives such rapid results, it enables us to make quick decisions that can both optimise feral cat welfare and play a key role in ensuring that we can maintain a healthy wildcat population to maximise its chances of survival as a species. We are very grateful to Virbac for its donation of Speed Trio.”
Madeline Haynes, Product Manager for the Speed range, added: “Speed Trio has proved a popular addition to our comprehensive in-house Speed diagnostic range, which has been proven in practice for more than 20 years. We are delighted to donate Speed Trio to the Scottish Wildcat Action team, which is doing great work to conserve our last native cat.”
Founded by a veterinary surgeon, Virbac is dedicated to supporting the veterinary profession through the development of innovative products and services, which help animals to lead longer, healthier lives. One of the largest independent veterinary pharmaceutical companies in the world, its wide product portfolio includes many market-leading and award-winning products for large and small animals.
Note to editors:
Scottish Wildcat Action launched in 2015 and is a partnership project that unites leading experts from over 20 key organisations. The organisations which form the Scottish Wildcat Action Steering Group are: Scottish Natural Heritage; Forestry Commission Scotland; Cairngorms National Park Authority; National Museums Scotland; Royal Zoological Society of Scotland; Scottish Gamekeepers Association; Scottish Wildlife Trust; National Trust for Scotland; and The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies - Edinburgh University. Other organisations which have committed to delivering the Scottish Wildcat Conservation Action Plan: Aigas Field Centre; British Association for Shooting and Conservation; Chester Zoo; Highland Council; Highland Foundation for Wildlife; John Muir Trust; Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority; National Farmers Union Scotland; Royal Society for the Protection of Birds; Scottish Land and Estates; Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Oxford University. It is funded by the Scottish Government and Heritage Lottery Fund. For more information, please visit www.scottishwildcataction.org.
For further information:
Rebecca George
George PR
Tel: 01449 737281/07974 161108
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