Virbac has announced that Ovarid is back in stock following the resolution of a manufacturing problem.
The megestrol acetate tablets are indicated for the postponement or prevention of oestrus and the treatment of hypersexuality in male dogs. In cats they are recommended for the prevention or postponement of oestrus and the treatment of miliary dermatitis and eosinophilic granulomata.
Virbac says that because the product is relied on by the owners of many cats suffering from miliary eczema, it has worked to ensure that their welfare is not compromised by recalling unused Ovarid stock from practices to ensure that it could still be provided to those contacting them with emergency cases since the outage began in February.
Senior Product Manager Chris Geddes MRCVS said: "I'd like to express my thanks to practices for bearing with us and particularly to those which returned unused product. This meant that we were able to supply emergency supplies for the treatment of miliary eczema to every practice that asked for it. We also managed to help out some zoos which needed supplies for frisky sea lions and lions."
Ovarid is available in 20mg and 5mg tablets.
CVS has launched a buying group open to independently-owned practices to benefit from the knowledge, experience and strength of the 250 practices which form CVS.
The new buying group is called MiVetClub. It offers a range of services, including:
Sara Armitage, Director of Product and Buying at CVS, said: "There are many thriving independent practices out there which have the potential to be even more successful if they just had the time and expertise to negotiate better deals and had access to the business resources and support to help them run their practices more efficiently and cost-effectively.
"That's where MiVetClub can help. CVS' stature in the veterinary sector means that we can negotiate the very best discounts and rebates for the group's members. But MiVetClub isn't just about saving money. It's also about helping independent practices raise clinical standards and run better businesses. MiVetClub experts are constantly on-hand to advise members on all aspects of running their practice, freeing up their time to concentrate on what they do best, caring for their patients."
For more information, visit: http://www.mivetclub.com/
Elanco has launched the second issue of its dermatology e-newsletter 'Under The Skin', which focuses on fleas and the problem of flea infestations.
Guest edited by Dr Peri Lau-Gillard DerMedVet CertVD DipECVD MRCVS, European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology, the newsletter reviews the flea life cycle and considers their role as parasite and vector.
Other topics covered include 'seasonal treatment or year round prevention', 'treatment failure - what to consider when the fleas are still alive', 'tips and tricks - flea combing and faecal examination for fleas' and information about spinosad, the active ingredient in Comfortis.
There is also a chance to watch the recent 'real world flea control' webinar presented by flea expert, Dr Mike Dryden, together with a film demonstrating the effect of treatment with a Comfortis tablet on adult fleas.
Issue three of Under The Skin will take a closer look at the flea's role in allergic skin disease and how to manage these sometimes complex and frustrating cases.
To register to receive Elanco's Under The Skin e-newsletter, visit www.thewebinarvet.com/elanco.
Alstoe, maker of a range of veterinary products including Easeflex, Vetergesic, Dolagis and Nelio, has announced that it has changed its name to Sogeval UK Ltd following its acquisition by Sogeval, the French veterinary drug company, earlier this year.
The company says customers will not notice any change to their dealings with the company, because Sogeval UK Ltd will trade from the same premises near York and with the same staff members.
Niall McFerran, Sogeval Country Manager, UK and ROI said: "The change of name to Sogeval UK Ltd aligns the business to one of the world's fastest growing Animal Health companies. Through Sogeval's research and development programmes, we look forward to exciting improvements in the future."
For any questions relating to the change, practices are invited to contact Niall McFerran on 01347 878606.
The British Veterinary Association has appointed David Calpin as its new Chief Executive. David joins the BVA from Defra, where he was a Deputy Director and has held a number of senior management roles. David's policy responsibilities have included climate change, GM crops, sustainable land management, and, most recently, bovine TB. For a period last year David was Acting Director for Animal Health and Welfare in Defra.
David has been in the senior civil service since 2005, and has substantial experience of both staff and financial management. He spent two years working in Brussels representing the UK Government in EU negotiations, and has lived and worked in France, South Africa and Brazil. Prior to joining the civil service, David worked for Barclays Bank.
BVA Chairman Derek Williams said: "David's appointment comes at a very exciting time for the BVA as we respond to the challenges set out by our members in our membership research 'Your BVA, Your Say'. David has a proven track record as a senior manager, extensive experience of managing stakeholder relationships, and an excellent understanding of the political climate in the UK and Europe; all of which will ensure BVA continues to thrive and to represent members effectively."
David Calpin said: "I'm delighted to be joining the BVA. I've worked closely with the BVA in my previous roles and have been hugely impressed. I also know that no organisation can afford to stand still, and that the BVA needs to keep pace with changes in the veterinary profession.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge of leading the BVA through a period of change to become an even more effective voice for the profession and providing services that members value. I have a lot to learn and I'm keen to get out and about to meet as many people as possible and to hear first-hand what the profession wants from the BVA."
Merial has announced the results of a survey which suggests that whilst diagnosis of gastric ulcers in horses is improving, there is still room for improvement.
The survey of 50 equine vets, which was conducted in May this year, showed that the number of practices owning a scope has more than doubled over the past six years. Half of equine practices now own a scope. Over the same period the average number of monthly scopes has risen from 1.5 to 9.25 and referrals from practices without a scope has risen by 65%.
Merial's Louise Radford MRCVS said: "The survey also showed that symptom recognition among vets prompting the need for an endoscopy has also risen. The vast majority of vets now consider changes in behaviour, loss of appetite and poor performance as potential signs. In addition, 100% of those surveyed would consider an endoscopy when presented with the signs of recurring colic.
"However whilst this is great progress, when diagnosis is compared to the incidence of ulcer, we know that more needs to be done. It is believed that up to 30% of leisure horses have some degree of gastric ulceration, and this increases in sports horses, yet just a fraction of this figure represents those scoped."
Richard Hepburn BVSc MS(Hons) CertEM(IntMed) DipACVIM(LA) MRCVS, American and RCVS Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine at B&W Equine Hospital says he is pleased that more horses are being scoped for gastric ulcers but says that further education is needed: "We've seen a huge leap in the appreciation of the incidence of gastric ulceration in non-racing animals, which long term will better our understanding of the individual clinical relevance of particular lesions, and the benefits of treatment and management change.
"This should improve both performance and horse welfare, as well as increasing client satisfaction. Despite the huge increase in the diagnosis and treatment of equine gastric ulcers it is still believed that many horses go undiagnosed."
The British Veterinary Association is asking members to put themselves forward as candidates in the upcoming elections for BVA Council.
In eight of the 12 regions BVA is seeking regional representatives who are willing to gather and represent the views of their peers as part of the BVA's policy-making process.
Nominations opened on 4 November in Northern Ireland, Wales, North-East, North-West, Yorkshire & Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, and London and will run for six weeks (until Friday 13 December).
The remaining four regions (Scotland, South-East, South-West, and East of England) will be up for election in 2015 to allow for a level of continuity on BVA Council.
BVA President Robin Hargreaves said: "BVA Council is the overarching policy-making body at BVA and its success depends in large part on the fantastic work of our regional representatives who ensure that every member of our association has the ability to feed in their views and ideas.
"We're looking for people who enjoy getting involved in current issues and who will work hard to put forward the views of their colleagues and to disseminate information out to the wider membership."
Application packs, including an information sheet, role description, and application form, are available to download from the BVA website www.bva.co.uk/council
Candidates in each of the eight regions will be announced shortly after the closing date. The election process will be run by the Electoral Reform Services on behalf of BVA and all members within a region will be eligible to vote. The election will run from Monday 13 January until Friday 21 February. Winning candidates will take up their role at the April Council meeting.
The BVA has responded to the Written Ministerial Statement from the Defra Secretary of State at the end of the licence for badger culling in Somerset.
BVA President Robin Hargreaves said: "The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has supported the pilot culls in England to determine whether badger culling can be delivered humanely, effectively, and safely by controlled shooting.
"We will not prejudge the report of the Independent Expert Panel (IEP), which will consider data from the initial 6-week pilots in Somerset and Gloucestershire, but we are interested to note the Secretary of State's announcement that current indications suggest that the pilot has been safe and humane.
"Today our Veterinary Policy Group has discussed the issues surrounding the extensions to the licences. We agree with the Chief Veterinary Officer's advice that extensions in order to remove a greater number of badgers and get closer to achieving the 70% rate of the Randomised Badger Culling Trials (RBCTs) are justified to improve the bovine TB disease situation and mitigate the potential impact of badger perturbation.
"Following questions raised by our members we have been assured by Defra that monitoring of the culling will continue to ensure it is being carried out in accordance with the humaneness and safety stipulations in the licences. Although it is important to note that this data will not form part of the information being considered by the IEP.
"We await the report of the IEP and will engage members in considering what impact it will have on the overall bovine TB eradication strategy for England."
According to reports in the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail yesterday, there's a new craze on the Internet called dog shaming, where owners post a photograph of a guilty-looking pet online, together with a witty caption.
A quick Google search reveals a number of websites dedicated to the practice, including: www.dogshaming.com, www.dog-shame.com, petshaming.net and shameyourpet.com.
However, according to research carried out by Bayer to promote Drontal, 40% of owners mistake the behavioural signs displayed in some of the photographs for guilt or shame, when in reality the dog is showing signs of fear.
Predictably, a number of organisations have condemned dog shaming. Caroline Kisko, Secretary of the Kennel Club said: "The idea of shaming a dog is daft. Dogs don't like having the mickey taken out of them and can undoubtedly plug into that. So why would you do that to your pet? You wouldn't mock your family or your friends like this, so why your dog?."
Veterinary surgeon and TV presenter Paul Manktelow had a more balanced take on it all. He said: "It is a positive thing that owners love their dogs enough to make light of bad behaviour at times, and can look back and laugh at their mischievous antics. However, it is important to note that dogs may in fact be expressing apprehension and fear, and not have been misbehaving in the first instance, just doing what comes naturally. People should also recognise the subtle behaviourial signs that indicate stress or an underlying health issue."
MSD Animal Health has announced a new claim for Bovilis BVD and Bovilis IBR Marker Live vaccines which means they can be mixed and administered in a single syringe.
MSD says the new mixing claim will offer significant advantages in herd health planning when controlling two of the more important infectious diseases in cattle.
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) and Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) remain major threats to cattle health and productivity. Vaccinations are commonly given at housing and/or turnout, which are both busy times for veterinary surgeons and on the farm in the herd health planning calendar.
The mixed vaccines are suitable only for booster vaccinations of animals from 15 months of age previously vaccinated separately with Bovilis IBR Marker Live and Bovilis BVD. The mixed vaccine needs to be used within three hours.
MSD says the mixing procedure is clear and easy, but there is an instructional video here: http://www.msd-animal-health.co.uk/Mixing_bovilis_BVD_Bovilis_IBR-Marker_Live.aspx
CVS has announced the acquisition of four further veterinary practices bringing the total number of practices it owns across the UK to 92 operating from 253 sites.
The latest practices to join CVS are: Crescent Veterinary Clinic Ltd, Melton Mowbray; Miller & Swann Veterinary Surgery, Elgin; West Mount Vets, Halifax and Anchorage Veterinary Hospital, Acle.
CVS now employs more than 2,300 staff at its veterinary practices and surgeries across the UK and in its related veterinary businesses, including an online pharmacy, two pet crematoriums and six veterinary laboratories.
Novartis Animal Health has launched Helping Hearts, a competition in which veterinary surgeons have the chance to brush up on their cardiology whilst at the same time triggering a donation to Hounds for Heroes and entering the running to win one of 10 Red Letter Day experiences.
To enter the competition, visit www.notjustoneheart.com.
Each entry triggers a donation of £1 to Hounds for Heroes, a charity which provides specially trained assistance dogs to injured and disabled men and women of both the UK Armed Forces and Civilian Emergency Services.
Hounds for Heroes was set up by Allen Parton, who was himself injured in service. Allen freely admits that he owes his life to Endal - a Labrador that developed skills beyond his initial basic training and who proved so inspiring to everyone who met him and that he was awarded the accolade 'Dog of the Millennium'. With three squadrons of puppies currently in basic training, there are hopefully a few more canine heroes like Endal waiting in the wings.
Senior Category Manager Cardiology/Nephrology Brock Abreu said: "Here at Novartis Animal Health, we are absolutely thrilled to be supporting such a life-changing and life-enhancing cause. I know this is a charity that many vets feel they can relate to and we are encouraging as many of them as possible to take part. I'd be delighted if we were inundated with entries and could make an impressive donation to Hounds for Heroes on behalf of vets across the country."
The competition is open till 31st December 2013.
Animalcare has announced the launch of a new epilepsy monitoring programme to support users of its Phenoleptil (phenobarbital) tablets.
As part of the programme, veterinary surgeons can have patients' phenobarbital plasma levels analysed by Carmichael Torrance Diagnostic Service (CTDS). CTDS Veterinary Director Nick Carmichael (RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Clinical Pathology) and his team will also be available both to interpret results and discuss all aspects of therapeutic monitoring at no extra cost.
In addition, veterinary surgeons can opt for additional chemistry, including bile acids to assess hepatic function plus haematology. All Phenoleptil users are eligible for 50% discount off these services.
Animalcare has also expanded the Phenoleptil range and launched new strength tablets of 25mg and 100mg. Presented as new "snap- tabs" with a four-way score for more accurate dosing, whatever the weight of the dog, this enables fine adjustments to be made thereafter, reducing the risk of sub-optimal dosing.
The 100 tablet packs are designed for quick and easy dispensing with flavoured tablets to aid compliance. The 12.5mg and 25mg strengths are the only phenobarbital tablets licensed for dogs under 12kg and make it possible to treat dogs as low as 2.5kg (assuming a 2.5mg/kg bid starting dose) in weight. The 100mg tablets are useful to treat larger dogs.
For more information, contact your local Animalcare representative.
Zea Sciences has announced that its natural rodenticide has been certified under the European Biocide Directive Program, known as Annex1/1A BPD 98/8EEC.
The rodenticide is made from powdered corn cob (PCC) which, according to Zea Sciences, causes rats and mice to die of hypovolemic shock within 4-7 days of starting to feed on it.
The company says PCC poses no health risk to human or non target animal species, such as cats, dogs and birds. It is also the first of its type and class to be officially acknowledged as using naturally biodegradable and environmentally friendly material.
PCC is available from a number of retail and trade outlets, under various different brand names. However, the company said that if there was sufficient interest by vets in stocking the pet-friendly product, it would look at making it available through veterinary wholesalers.
Martin Holland, Managing Director of Zea Sciences said: ''I hope the profession will help spread the word about PCC-based rodent control - it might mean you have to reach for the vitamin K a little less often."
Zoetis has announced that Suvaxyn MH-One, its vaccine against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in pigs, has a revised licence allowing it to be administered from seven days of age with a two-week onset of immunity.
The company says this means that piglets can be protected by three weeks of age when they are commonly already infected with M. hyo. Duration of immunity extends well beyond the average UK pig slaughter age of 176 days.
Nigel Lodge, National Veterinary Manager for Zoetis in the UK said: "This is a significant step forward, recognising the full efficacy of the Suvaxyn MH-One vaccine against enzootic pneumonia. Trials have confirmed that use of Suvaxyn MH-One at seven days reduces lung lesions - even in the presence of maternally derived antibodies.
"The vaccine, which adds to our large and growing pig vaccine and product portfolio, also benefits from using adjuvants carbopol and squalane."
According to the company, the performance gains from early protection are shown in a field trial with 240 pigs injected at one week of age which showed significantly higher average daily weight gain, providing nearly 5 kg extra weight over the study period to 166 days.
The RCVS has clarified its role concerning new UK veterinary schools, saying that it has no mandate to control student or graduate numbers.
Responding to calls from the profession that it should comment on the desirability of any change in the number of schools or graduates, the College has confirmed that whilst it is committed to setting, upholding and advancing the standards that any new UK veterinary degrees would need to meet in order to be approved by the Privy Council, it has no role in capping student numbers.
The College also points out that the free market and mobility of workers in the EU makes any control at the level of a sovereign state effectively meaningless with respect to workforce management. However, the College says it is committed to ensuring that standards are maintained, and to continue working with bodies such as the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education, which evaluates veterinary degrees across Europe.
The College also seeks to support healthy debate through providing information on the state of the profession - an example of which is the survey that it recently commissioned from the Institute for Employment Studies on job availability for veterinary graduates over the last five years.
The headline results from that survey were released in the summer, and showed that increasing graduate numbers over the last five years have so far appeared to have had little impact on veterinary job prospects, with 94% of graduate respondents seeking a role in clinical practice obtaining work within six months of starting to look.
The full RCVS Survey of Recent Graduates report is now available, and also shows that, of the 43% of veterinary surgeons who graduated in the last five years who responded:
The answers were analysed by year of graduation, veterinary school, age and gender, and the full report is available online at www.rcvs.org.uk/publications.
Rachel Wells, an RVN and Pet Health Counsellor (PHC) from Pype Hayes Veterinary Centre in Birmingham, has won Royal Canin's annual 'Pet Health Counsellor of the Year' Awards 2013.
The ceremony, which took place earlier this month at the Forest of Arden Marriot Hotel in Birmingham, saw Rachel beat 25 other finalists to claim the Gold Award. Royal Canin presented Rachel with £1,500 worth of high-street vouchers at the annual ceremony, which celebrates veterinary professionals for promoting preventative health care and running pet health clinics in practice.
The Erdington-based PHC, was chosen by animal behaviour expert Sarah Heath for her work in weekly puppy parties, general 'nutrition mission' clinics and firework and weight clinics. She was also recognised for her one-off work in running an 'Embarrassing Pet Bodies' workshop in the summer, similar to the 'Embarrassing Bodies' Channel 4 TV documentary.
Royal Canin's Veterinary Sales and Marketing Director, Andrew Doyle, said: "It's a privilege to be able to present Rachel with the award. She has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to Pype Hayes Veterinary Centre, by running a variety of specialist sessions for owners which have proven very popular and beneficial. The Royal Canin Pet Health Counsellor scheme was set up to encourage Veterinary Nurses to advance their professional development, so it was great to see such a high level of entries this year detailing the PHCs who have set up effective clinics and services in their practice."
Rachel said: "It is an honour to receive Royal Canin's Pet Health Counsellor of the Year award. It's a fantastic opportunity and the scheme they run has given me the chance and confidence to develop specialist clinics at Pype Hayes Veterinary Centre. We have set up many sessions including weight and nutrition clinics to give our clients the specific advice and training for their pets' needs."
BCF Technology has published a new clinical guide to the non-reproductive applications of ultrasound in farm animals.
Kimberly Palgrave BS BVM&S, created the booklet with the aim of helping veterinary surgeons understand the value in using ultrasound for more than reproduction purposes.
BCF says On farm ultrasound uses: Beyond pregnancy diagnosis provides key clinical descriptions and tips, along with normal and abnormal ultrasound images to show how ultrasound can aid in diagnosing various on-farm conditions you may be presented with, such as scanning the teat to detect stenosis, the umbilical area for an abscess, and even the thorax for help to diagnose BRD.
Kimberly said: "This clinical guide was created to help vets get more out of on farm ultrasound than just pregnancy diagnosis. There are a range of other uses for ultrasound on farm and this guide explains how to use your equipment for these applications. As always we are happy to receive feedback on any of our clinical materials."
To find out more or to get your copy of the guide, visit the learning section of the BCF website: www.bcftechnology.com
MSD Animal Health has launched Bovilis IBR Marker Inac, an inactivated marker vaccine for use in the control of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR).
The company says the new product complements Bovilis IBR Marker Live and creates a range now offering greater simplicity and additional flexibility for veterinary surgeons seeking optimum control protocols for their clients' herds.
MSD Animal Health ruminant veterinary adviser Drew McGurren MRCVS said: "Farmer compliance is an important part of any successful vaccination programme. With this extended Bovilis IBR Marker programme, farmers can now start IBR vaccination of their cattle from three months of age with a single shot primary course of Bovilis IBR Marker Live, easily followed by boosters every six months using a single dose of either Bovilis IBR Marker Live or Bovilis IBR Marker Inac. Both primary course and boosters can be administered by the same intramuscular route.
"Alternatively, Bovilis IBR Marker Inac can be administered to cattle from three months of age as a primary course of two injections four weeks apart. The programme then follows a six monthly single dose booster regime.
"The availability of Bovilis IBR Marker Inac provides a simple control option in defined farm situations, not least where an alternative to the live vaccine is preferred or required. Overall, we see this development adding convenience, ease of use and flexibility for veterinary surgeons as they work with their clients to control a significant disease threat in dairy and beef cattle in the UK."
Bovilis IBR Marker Inac is a prescription-only medicine (POM-V). The product is available from wholesalers now in 10 and 50 dose vials. For further information, contact the MSD Animal Health Veterinary Support Group on 01908 685685.
The Kennel Club and dog breeding world still needs to take urgent action to improve the health and welfare of pedigree dogs, five years after a BBC documentary highlighted the levels of suffering many animals endure, according to the RSPCA.
Programme maker Jemima Harrison, who produced and directed Pedigree Dogs Exposed, has backed the RSPCA's call for urgent action.
She said: "Five years on from Pedigree Dogs Exposed, the Kennel Club is still in denial about the extent of the problems.
"It is unethical to continue to breed dogs like Pugs and Bulldogs which have such flat faces that they cannot breathe - and yet the Kennel Club registers these breeds in their growing thousands and these dogs continue to be celebrated at Kennel Club shows.
"The Kennel Club has done too little to tackle the suffering these and many other breeds endure, despite an increasing amount of science which both articulates the issues and offers solutions. The dogs continue to pay a huge price."
The RSPCA has acknowledged the progress made by the Kennel Club and dog breeders, including the development of DNA and health screening tests for hereditary diseases and the introduction of veterinary checks on 'high profile' breeds.
However, the charity says it believes much more should have been done in the five years since Pedigree Dogs Exposed was first broadcast on BBC One in 2008.
RSPCA chief vet James Yeates said: "Although some progress has been made by the dog world to address the issues raised in Pedigree Dogs Exposed, it has not been nearly enough. Five years on the problems are still far from being solved.
"We are concerned that many pedigree dogs are still suffering because they're bred and judged primarily for how they look rather than with health, welfare and temperament in mind.
"We believe that meaningful action is urgently needed in order to make a real improvement to the welfare of pedigree dogs."
Some of the changes the RSPCA is calling for include:
The RSPCA's Born To Suffer campaign and petition was launched more than 18 months ago, with a call to change breed standards so that they prioritise the health, welfare and temperament of a dog over its looks. It is hoped this will put an end to the avoidable suffering many dogs endure.
You can still sign the petition by visiting www.rspca.org.uk/borntosuffer
International Cat Care (formerly the Feline Advisory Bureau) is once again raising the issue of cats accidentally poisoned by dog flea products containing permethrin.
The charity is undertaking a campaign to warn owners of the dangers of using dog flea products on their cats because cats are still dying unnecessarily. While the incidents outlined here occurred in the UK, previous reports have shown that this is the most common cause of poisoning of cats in many countries because products are widely and easily available.
Gary Rutland RVN DipAVN(Surgical), Head Nurse and Cat Advocate at the Cat Friendly Millennium Veterinary Practice in Essex was moved to get in contact with International Cat Care after the death of a nine-week-old kitten treated with a permethrin-containing dog spot-on bought at a local pet store. Understandably, both the owners and the practice staff were greatly distressed. The owner used it on her dog and, because it was cheap, assumed it would 'not be strong' and would be fine to use on the kitten. A video of the kitten on the ICC website (www.icatcare.org/permethrin/cat-deaths) shows the resulting seizures.
The second incident concerned two 7-year-old cats treated accidentally after Donna, their owner, bought a dog spot-on containing permethrin from a local shop without wearing her glasses. Someone had placed a dog treatment among the cat treatments and she picked it up. No advice was given to Donna in the shop. She said that the flea treatments were on the shelves, 'just like selling smarties in a children's candy store'.
Although both products had a warning on the packaging, this was either not seen or not taken seriously enough because such products are so freely available and nobody thinks that a drop of a dog product could kill their cat.
International Cat Care is demanding that dog spot-on flea products containing permethrin should not be available without verbal advice at the point of sale. Currently these products are categorised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) in the UK as AVM-GSL, which means that they can be bought directly off the shop shelf without the need for advice. The charity says they should be recategorised as NFA-VPS so that they can only be purchased if there is someone in the shop who is suitably qualified to speak to and advise the buyer. The shop should advise that they are only for use on dogs, and ask if there are any cats in the home which could come into contact with a recently-treated dog. The owners can then be warned to keep the dog and cat apart, or advised to use a different product. Advice must be given with some other current non-permethrin containing spot-on products sold through pet shops under the NFA-VPS authorisation and many of these products have a much safer profile if used accidentally on cats, than those containing permethrin.
Dr Andy Sparkes, Veterinary Director for International Cat Care, said: 'Many practices see permethrin poisoning in cats several times a year but do not contact the VMD because the product is not a POM or they feel that the Directorate already knows about the problem. We feel strongly that the problem is greatly under-reported. Nothing will be done unless the full extent of the problem is realised by the VMD, so please report each one by going on the website at https://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/adversereactionreporting/. These cat deaths are totally preventable - you can sign our petition at www.icatcare.org/permethrin/petition to change the categorisation.'
The charity is also asking the pet trade to voluntarily class these dog spot-on products containing permethrin as NFA-VPS and to provide advice to their customers accordingly. Pets at Home is working with International Cat Care and the company will be adding a till prompt so that the product cannot be sold without customers being asked whether they have a cat and given appropriate advice.
Maeve Moorcroft, Head of Pets at Pets at Home which earlier this year launched its Flea Fight Force said: 'We take the risk of permethrin poisoning in cats very seriously. We are introducing prompts at our tills so that customers are asked during the checkout process if they are aware of the risk to cats in the home when purchasing a permethrin based spot-on dog flea treatment, and also advised to wait at least 72 hours after treating the dog before the dog and cat can come into close contact.'
International Cat Care is urging veterinary practices to ensure that if concentrated permethrin-containing spot-on products are prescribed and dispensed for use on dogs, adequate warnings are given, including when owners come in for repeat prescriptions. Asking if there is a cat in the house each time a product is dispensed is critical in case a cat has recently been added to the home.
Information on the veterinary treatment of permethrin poisoning cases can be found on the ICC website at www.icatcare.org/permethrin/vet-info
Animalcare has unveiled its new logo, introduced to mark the latest stage in the company's development which has seen it move into larger offices and upscale its warehouse facilties to better serve the profession.
The new logo consists of three flags, each representing one of the three core pillars of Animalcare; veterinary pharmaceuticals, companion animal electronic identification and animal welfare. The three flags combine to make a stylized 'A' and the motif as a whole with the word 'Animalcare' combines to make the new logo.
Mindful of the environment, Animalcare says there will be a phased roll-out of the new logo across the customer facing elements of Animalcare. This will begin with the new price list and will extend across the range of packaging, starting with Vitofyllin, and the marketing literature.
To request your new price list either as a PDF or printed copy, e-mail: info@animalcare.co.uk or speak to your local representative.
Merial has launched Merilym 3, the first Lyme disease vaccine available in the UK.
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in Europe and there has been an increase of over 300% in the number of reported human cases in the UK since 20011. Caused by infection with bacteria from the Borrelia burgdorferi group, the disease is transmitted by Ixodes spp. ticks.
Merial says the vaccine contains inactivated antigens from Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia afzelli and Borrelia garinii, so provides broad spectrum immunity against infection. Vaccination with Merilym 3 induces high levels of antibodies against a key bacterial antigen, which are ingested by the tick during blood feeding and subsequently bind to the bacteria in the tick gut, reducing the risk of transmission from the tick to the host.
For use in dogs, the vaccine can be administered to puppies from 12 weeks old, with a primary vaccination course of two injections, three weeks apart, followed by annual boosters. It is available in packs of 10 doses.
For more information, speak to your local Merial Territory Manager.
Reference
Ceva Animal Health has launched a new TV advertising campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of the veterinary behavioural product, Feliway.
The new advertisement, features the new 'Feliway' purple cat playing happily in the home with its family.
The advertisement will appear on the major UK channels including More 4, E4, ITV 1, Sky Channels and the Discovery Channel for one week from 16th September 2013, with an additional three weeks coverage during October 2013. Behind the scenes' footage of the filming of the advertisement can also be viewed on the Feliway YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtAXd5mReYc6JGufxRirvng?feature=watch
A Feliway video on demand and YouTube campaign will be available to viewers between 16th September 2013 and 21st October 2013 and will be repeated between 15th November 2013 and 2nd December 2013.
An Adaptil video on demand campaign will be aired between 21st October 2013 and 11th November 2013 to raise awareness of Adaptil in the run up to and during the firework season. The video on demand will be available across ITV player, Sky Anytime On Demand, 4oD and YouTube.
For more information, call 01494 781510 or contact your local Ceva territory manager.
MSD Animal Health has reintroduced Zanil, the flukicide drench for cattle and sheep.
Based on the active ingredient oxyclozanide, MSD says Zanil is highly effective against the adult fluke responsible for chronic disease and - significantly for dairy farmers - is licensed for use in young, pregnant and lactating animals, with a 72-hour milk withhold period where milk is produced for human consumption.
MSD Animal Health veterinary advisor Matt Haslam said: "The latest independent data1 confirms that fluke is on the increase in UK cattle and sheep. The fluke problem is longstanding, but is being exacerbated by recent wet summer and autumn periods that have created ideal conditions for this parasite to proliferate and infect grazing livestock.
"Chronic liver fluke causes serious economic losses for livestock farmers. In dairy herds, for example, there will be a negative impact on fertility and milk production where cows are affected.
"It is important that farmers have access to the best treatment options given the size of the threat and the scale of potential losses. Zanil is used widely and effectively in Ireland in the control of fluke problems, and there is no known resistance to the active ingredient oxyclozanide. With its re-introduction into the country, we believe Zanil is unique as a flukicide-only treatment that is licensed for use in lactation and in the dry period for the treatment of adult fluke in dairy cows."
Zanil is an oral drench with POM-VPS authorisation, available from both animal health suppliers and veterinary practices. Dosage rate is 3ml per 10kg bodyweight in cattle, up to a maximum of 105ml, and 4.5ml per 10kg bodyweight in sheep, up to a maximum of 20ml.
See DEFRA emerging threats reports in sheep and cattle, Q1 2013: www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/files/pub-survrep-sr0113.pdf