Vetoquinol has released the second set of results from a survey of over 1000 dog owners which the company says has revealed some surprising findings on owner attitudes to pain and pain relieving medications.¹

In particular, Vetoquinol says it thinks veterinary surgeons will be surprised by the depth of feeling expressed by pet owners about the issue, and that there are areas where there is potential for the profession to relate to the concerns of clients and adapt communication accordingly.

The key findings highlight that dog owners are likely to be shocked by a diagnosis of long term painful illness in their pet and are very likely to search for further information on the Internet about the pet's condition. Most dog owners think that NSAIDs are likely to cause side effects, with the perceived risk being much greater than the actual level of risk. The results also indicate that even low levels of risk of side effects may be unacceptable to dog owners.

• In common with many other surveys, most dog owners (68%) felt their dog was a member of the family and another 22% said their dog was their best friend.
• 73% of people selected the word 'devastated' to most accurately describe their feelings if their dog was diagnosed with a potentially painful long-term illness.

Mark Leddy, Marketing Manager at Vétoquinol said that the strength of the bond between pet and owner should always be front of mind: "A diagnosis of osteoarthritis, for instance, is such a common one, often being made several times a day, so it is easy to become matter of fact about it; yet for the client that news may actually be quite traumatic and the impact hugely underestimated."

• Asked to rate pain, dog owners perceived the most painful condition to be a broken leg.
• On a 0 to 10 scale, with 10 being most painful, 57% rated pain due to chronic arthritis in old age as 8 or above and 36% rated post-neutering pain as an 8 or above.
• Fewer people rated pain due to arthritis in a young dog as 8 or above (51%). Vetoquinol says this suggests that owners might not be good at identifying pain levels in individual animals.

Where clients get their information from is important:

• 98% said they would use the Internet to get information about their dogs' illnesses and medication, whilst 67% said they would do this every time they had a concern. Vetoquinol notes that this means there is greater scope for misinformation.

The majority of respondents (95%) felt that treatment of osteoarthritis should be started as soon as signs appear and then long term, either consistently or as needed. However, despite recognising the need for treatment, many expressed concerns about side effects when giving their dog long-term medication, with 77% considering it important or very important to choose a medication with a limited range of side effects. 

• 48% of those polled felt that NSAIDs were good treatments with a risk of side effects
• 15% rated them more positively as good, effective treatments
• 2% claimed they would object to or resist their vet's recommendation to treat with NSAIDs.
• Only 1% felt that pain controlling medications would never cause side effects, with most respondents claiming side effects were most likely to be seen sometimes (67%) or often (19%).

Vetoquinol says the reality is that one in a thousand pets given an NSAID is likely to experience side effects, which vets may feel is not something owners should worry about unduly. The reality for pet owners is that they perceive the risk to be much greater and if informed of the actual level of risk may still experience a significant level of fear that their pet, with whom they have a special relationship, could be that one in a thousand.

Mark Leddy says that, based on these results, there is great scope for the veterinary team to discuss the level and type of risk entailed in administering medication: "Such an approach will help pet owners make more informed decisions about treatment, allay their concerns and provide them with the support they need at what is probably a very difficult time for them."

^1. A survey of 1048 dog owners, carried out by petbuzz, on behalf of Vétoquinol, March 2011

Novartis Animal Health has launched a 0.5L pack of the anthelmintic Zolvix to make the product more readily available for quarantine dosing, and for the smaller sheep farmer.

Novartis says that because Zolvix is a broad spectrum anthelmintic that has the ability to kill all common sheep gastro-intestinal nematodes, including those resistant to existing treatments, it has a key role to play in quarantine treatment to keep parasite infection down to a minimum.

Simon Harris, Endoparasite Brand Manager at Novartis Animal Health, said: "As the first of the new generation of the Orange or 4-AD anthelmintic group, Zolvix has demonstrated effectiveness in killing worms, even those resistant to other products.

"Sheep farmers are being encouraged to use Zolvix as a quarantine treatment that can significantly reduce worm burdens on farm. I would stress that it is essential guidelines are followed in order to preserve Zolvix's ability to combat nematodes that have acquired resistance to other classes of wormers.

"This new pack size is aimed at farmers who are introducing new stock to their flocks, but will also be convenient for the smaller sheep farmer and smallholders who don't require such a large quantity of product."

Novartis says that because Zolvix is a short-acting anthelmintic, it does not encourage resistance to develop through a long duration of action. It has a high margin of safety so can be used to treat sheep and lambs including pregnant or lactating ewes and breeding rams. Its short meat withhold period of just seven days allows flexibility when marketing lambs.

Ceva Animal Health UK has launched a new Galastop iPhone application to calculate the optimal date for spaying in order to reduce the risk of post-operative false pregnancy.

Enter the end of oestrus date (when the last season finished), and the app will calculate when to spay, i.e. 16 weeks later.

Ceva says it is important not to spay a bitch during a false pregnancy as post-operative chronic pseudopregnancy may develop, which can last longer and be more resistant to standard treatment. However, some cases of false pregnancy can be silent and difficult to detect. Product manager at Ceva Animal Health UK, Fraser Broadfoot MRCVS, said: "It is commonly recommended to wait until 12 weeks after the end of oestrus before spaying. However, silent pseudopregnancy can still occur at this stage so, to be on the safe side, many specialists are now recommending spaying later at 16 weeks after the end of oestrus."

Click here for more details, and to download the app in iTunes.

For further information, please contact your Ceva Animal Health UK representative or call the veterinary support team on 01494 781510.

MSD has announced that the broad-spectrum clostridial disease vaccine for sheep and cattle, Bravoxin 10, is now available in a new 6 x 100ml farm vaccination pack. The pack contains enough vaccine for 600 sheep or 300 cattle boosters.

Buyers of the new farm pack will also get a free vaccine applicator worth £20. The new Bravoxin 10 applicator benefits from the sterimatic system, which protects and sterilises the vaccination needle with each injection. MSD says it can also be placed down between doses without risk of needle damage, self-injection or needing to remove the vaccine bottle.

Bravoxin 10 protects both cattle and sheep from clostridial diseases like blackleg and black disease, as well as other conditions caused by clostridial bacteria that usually kill the animal once infection has become established. The vaccine protects against disease caused by the 10 main clostridial bacteria; C. perfringens type A, C.perfringens type B, C.perfringens type C, C.perfringens type D, C.novyi type B, C.septicum, C.tetani, C.sordellii, C.haemolyticum and C.chauvoei. 

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, manufacturer of the equine pergolide Prascend, has joined forces with the British Horse Society, Redwings Horse Sanctuary and World Horse Welfare to launch the 'Talk About Cushing's (TAC)' campaign.

The initiative, which will take place throughout September and October 2011, is aimed at raising awareness of Cushing's Disease and its clinical signs, perhaps the most familiar of which is hirsutism (abnormal hair growth, or delayed shedding). Horse owners can download a £15 money-off voucher from http://www.talkaboutcushings.co.uk/ throughout the TAC initiative, which can be redeemed through their veterinary practice against blood test costs.

Boehringer says Equine Cushing's Disease, also known as Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), is the most common endocrine disorder in older horses and ponies¹ ,and that some estimates suggest over 15% of horses and ponies over 15 years of age are affected².

Unfortunately, the initial stages of Cushing's Disease are often difficult to detect, delaying the maximum benefit of early diagnosis and intervention.  Blood testing is increasingly used to detect the disease and confirm diagnosis, however many horses with clinical signs, including recurrent laminitis, still go undiagnosed.

Craig Beck, vet and equine sales and marketing manager at Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica said: "More than 80% of horses suffering from laminitis may have an underlying endocrine disorder, such as Cushing's Disease³.

"The TAC campaign will raise awareness of Cushing's Disease amongst both veterinary professionals and owners. It should make it easier for vets to go ahead with endocrine testing in horses and ponies with recurrent laminitis, diagnosing and treating earlier in the course of the disease."

Lee Hackett, head of welfare at the BHS, added: "Cushing's Disease is relatively common in horses yet in our experience it frequently goes undiagnosed and untreated.  This is why we are fully behind the 'Talk About Cushing's' campaign - anything that raises awareness and understanding of this disease has to be of benefit to equine welfare."

Redwings' head of veterinary services Nicky Jarvis said: "At Redwings we have many horses over the age of 15, all living very happy and healthy lives. 'Old age' is not in itself a disease so when a geriatric horse loses condition or appears unwell there is always an underlying cause.  If a horse continually succumbs to laminitis or loses weight, Cushing's Disease could be one explanation. However, with early diagnosis, good management and the correct treatment a horse with Cushing's can live comfortably for many years."

"Early diagnosis of Cushing's Disease can be of great benefit, other conditions such as laminitis are often associated with it and it is important that clinical signs are recognised and treated appropriately.  World Horse Welfare supports the 'Talk About Cushing's' campaign as it will help people to recognise the signs and take the right action to prevent horses from suffering," concludes Tony Tyler, deputy chief executive, World Horse Welfare.

Backed by an advertising and PR campaign in the equine consumer media, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica has produced a marketing pack for veterinary practices to use in the run up to, and during TAC. This includes leaflets, invoice stickers, a veterinary practice toolkit featuring an owner evening presentation, editorial copy for newsletters and websites and images to support the campaign.

For further information on TAC or Prascend, the first licensed product for the treatment of Cushing's Disease, please visit http://www.talkaboutcushings.co.uk/, contact your Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica territory manager or call 01344 746959.

References

1. Donaldson et al.  “Evaluation of suspected pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in horses with laminitis”.  JAVMA, Vol 224, No. 7, April 1, 2004
2. McGowan. “Diagnostic and Management Protocols for Equine Cushings Syndrome” In Practice, November/December 2003
3. McGowan. “Epidemiology and Clinical Perspectives of Endocrinopathic Laminitis”, BEVA Congress 2009

An ectoparasitology working group has been set up to provide a set of practical guidelines for veterinary surgeons across Europe.

The group, which has been established to bring together best practice strategies in the light of changing ectoparasite threats met for the first time earlier this year.

Headed by Doctor Marie-Christine Cadiergues, lecturer, researcher and Professor in dermatology at the National Veterinary School of Toulouse in France, and hosted by Virbac, the group of six leading independent experts from across Europe - including Dr Ross Bond from the RVC - has been tasked with developing strategies which can be applied by vets when advising their clients.

 Virbac's small animal ectoparasitology product manager Victoria Hudson explains that using evidence-based data where possible, the aim of the group is to produce a clear, practical set of guidelines: "These will cover treatment efficacy, practicability for client education and compliance, impact in terms of animal welfare, public health and potential resistance, and a decision tree covering a wide range of scenario presentations to define the optimal antiparasitic treatment options."

Dr Bond adds that despite the very common occurrence of flea and tick infestations in pets, control strategies can be challenging depending on individual circumstances of the case: "It is anticipated that these guidelines will assist busy veterinary practitioners in their selection of the optimal control strategy."

An initial report is expected in the press in a few weeks time.

Scientists at the Royal Veterinary College, contributing to a programme to tackle some of the most harmful and widespread endemic diseases that commonly affect farmed animals in the UK, have developed a severity estimation calculator for post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS).

Post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) is a common disease of young pigs in the U.K. It is extremely debilitating, causes considerable suffering and poor welfare, and has a high mortality of up to 30%. It is estimated that the disease costs the UK farming industry £30m per year.

The £2.4m project - headed by Professor Dirk Werling from the Royal Veterinary College and funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) through its "Combating Endemic Diseases For Farm-Animal Sustainability" programme (CEDFAS), the British Pig Executive (BPEX), and two industrial partners, Pfizer Ltd (UK) and BioBest - aims to identify why PMWS occurs and to develop new methods of controlling the disease.

One key-component of the project is the direct involvement of British pig farmers, thereby guaranteeing that pigs in Britain will be the first to benefit from this research, while collaboration with a major international pharmaceutical company will ensure that new veterinary products will be made available to pig farmers worldwide.

Now, two members of the team, Dr. Barbara Wieland and Pablo Alarcon-Lopez, a second year PhD student, have developed a novel approach to quantify severity of PMWS based on morbidity and mortality data and presence of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). They applied factorial analyses, using data collected from 147 pig farms in England to identify variables contributing to variation in PMWS severity in a biologically meaningful way.

Together with other known variables linked to PMWS, the resulting factors were used to derive an algorithm for PMWS severity. The derived algorithm was used to develop a PMWS severity calculator, which now can be used by farmers directly to assess the PMWS severity on their own farm (http://www.bpex.org.uk/articles/300874).

The levels of PMWS severities identified on farm level can now be used to identify risk factors related to the different severity-categories, to assess the efficacy of PCV2 vaccination and to investigate the economic impact of potential control measures on a farm.

Medivet is celebrating its 100th batch collection for Vet Blood Supplies, the north London-based bloodbank set up in 2007 to provide blood products for its branches around the country.

Veterinary nurse Laura Brind, who is responsible for collecting the blood, said: "We are really proud to celebrate the 100th collection. We travel to Retired Greyhound Trust kennels across south-east England who kindly agreed to arrange the donation in return for free preventative treatment for the dogs."

The collection was taken from Barn Kennels, the Portsmouth branch of the Retired Greyhound Trust, which has been donating blood for the past 18 months.

Fidavet has launched Surosolve, a vet wholesaler exclusive, non-prescription ear cleaner for cats and dogs.

Fidavet says the product has multiple uses for complete cat and dog ear cleaning:

• To improve ear hygiene in dirty or smelly ears
• For routine ear cleaning to reduce the chance of ear problems developing
• To enhance the efficacy of topical therapies.

Surosolve maintains healthy ears by acting as an antibacterial flush^{1, 2} and antibiotic potentiating agent^{2, 3} while contributing to restoring the normal microbiological balance of the ear canal.

According to the company, the product has already received positive feedback from veterinary practitioners that have used it: 79 per cent liked the appearance of the formulation and over 80 per cent appreciated the fragrance.

Helen Goldberg, marketing manager for Janssen Animal Health, said: "Surosolve has a unique, powerful yet non-irritant formulation, ideal for the ears of cats and dogs. This non-irritating solution with an almost neutral pH of 6.8 allows cleaning while respecting natural ear physiology.

"Surosolve also contains Tris-EDTA, which gives extra power to concurrent topical antibiotics. EDTA is a chelating agent, active in damaging the cell surfaces of bacteria, while Tris enhances the effect of EDTA by buffering the pH, ensuring the solution is not irritating to the ear and maximising the anti-bacterial effect."

Marion Lannegrace, Janssen Animal Health international product manager for Fidavet said: "The Fidavet range is only available through veterinary wholesalers because we firmly believe these products should be used only with veterinary advice. This gives clients peace of mind that their pet is receiving the best care."

For further information on Fidavet Surosolve, visit www.fidavet.com.

References:

1 Cole LK. Anatomy and physiology of the canine ear. Veterinary Dermatology, 2010, 20 (5-6), 412-421
2 Cole LK, Nuttall TJ. Pseudomonas otitis. Advances in Veterinary Dermatology, Proceedings of the Fifth World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology, 2005, (5), 324-330
3 Roberts NA, Gray GW, Wilkinson SC. The bactericidal action of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microbios, 1970, (7-8), 189-208

Andy Trevan, a veterinary surgeon at the Gayton Veterinary Group in Redhill, has won the VetSurgeon.org prize draw to win an Apple iPad.

The draw was held to raise awareness in the profession of the growing community on VetSurgeon.org, and all UK-based veterinary surgeons that joined the site before 1st November 2010 were entered.

VetSurgeon.org welcomed nearly 600 new members to the site whilst the draw was open, bringing the site to just shy of 6000 members.

Congratulations to Andy - the shiny new toy will be winging its way over in the next few days.

The Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has approved a new Health Protocol, which formalises a more compassionate approach to veterinary surgeons with health problems.

The Protocol will allow - in appropriate circumstances - veterinary surgeons (and, from next year, registered veterinary nurses) who suffer from health concerns affecting their ability to practise safely, to have the matter dealt with confidentially, without going to a full public Disciplinary Committee hearing.

It will allow individuals to access appropriate support and help away from the public spotlight, while ensuring that they do not put animals or the public at risk.

According to independent legal advice sought by the College, such an approach is appropriate and necessary in order for the College to fulfil its regulatory responsibilities - similar systems exist within other regulators.

The draft Protocol was the subject of consultation amongst the profession and the public over summer. Proposed amendments to the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct, to support the introduction of the Health Protocol, were also approved in the November meeting.

RCVS Head of Professional Conduct, Gordon Hockey said: "The Protocol encourages anyone coming into contact with veterinary surgeons - including other veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, members of practice staff, clients and healthcare professionals - who have concerns about a veterinary surgeon's health to report those concerns to the RCVS as soon as is reasonably practicable.

"Veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses who are concerned about the health of a veterinary surgeon must also take steps to ensure that animals are not put at risk and that the interests of the public, including those of their colleagues, are protected."

HMRC has published advice concerning the forthcoming increase in the rate of VAT, from 17.5% to 20% on Tuesday 4th January 2011.

From 4th January, you will need to charge the new 20% VAT rate on all standard-rated sales you make and all retail takings your receive.

The new VAT fraction for the 20 per cent rate is 1/6 (used to calculate the VAT element of standard-rated gross takings).

If your business issues VAT invoices, you must use the new 20 per cent rate for all VAT invoices you issue on or after 4 January, which are issued within 14 days (or longer period that has been agreed with HMRC) of you providing the goods or services.

Supplies that span the rate change
If you supply goods or services before 4 January 2011, but issue a VAT invoice on or after that date, you can choose to charge VAT at 17.5 per cent.

Continuous supplies of services
For a contract that started before 4 January you can choose to charge the old rate, 17.5 per cent, on services actually performed before 4 January, and the new rate of 20 per cent on the value of services actually performed after.

Reclaiming VAT
From 4 January 2011, you may receive VAT invoices with the new 20 per cent rate, as well as VAT invoices with the old 17.5 per cent rate for goods or services you bought before the rate changed. In such cases, you should claim back VAT at the rate shown on the invoice.

Completing a VAT return
The deadlines for submitting VAT returns remain the same, so you should continue to submit VAT returns in the usual way - whether you send them monthly, quarterly or annually. For returns that span the change in rate, you will need to add together both the VAT on sales charged at 17.5 per cent and those charged at 20 per cent. You then put this total in box 1 of your VAT return.

Countering arrangements designed to take advantage of the VAT rate change
In order to counter businesses taking advantage of the VAT rate change by making arrangements that aim to apply the 17.5 per cent VAT rate to goods or services to be delivered or performed on or after 4 January 2011, anti-forestalling legislation has been introduced. Further details of this can be found in the web link below.

Further information
HMRC has published detailed guidance on the rate change, which can be found at www.businesslink.gov.uk/vatratechange/. 

Animalcare has launched Florgane, a novel, patented, long acting florfenicol 300mg/ml suspension which the company says has significant advantages over existing organic solvent-based florfenicol products on the market when used for the treatment and prevention of bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

Florgane is an aqueous, low viscosity advanced formulation, which, claims Animalcare, means that it is easier to inject even at temperatures as low as 5°C. Low temperature syringeability is important, as a large number of calves may need to be treated during colder weather at a time when the challenge from infectious agents is greatest. A syringeability study apparently demonstrated that Florgane is up to five times faster to administer when compared to the leading florfenicol non-aqueous formulation.

A paper on the treatment of naturally occurring respiratory disease with Florgane was presented recently at the British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) Congress in Torquay. According to the company, the multi-centre field studies in Belgium, Germany and Italy, in over 400 cattle with bodyweights ranging between 73-180kg, demonstrated that Florgane given by a single intramuscular injection, at a 25% lower dose of 30mg/kg, is as efficacious as non-aqueous florfenicol 40mg/kg administered by subcutaneous injection, measured by treatment success and relapses.

Post mortem examination at day 27 (meat withdrawal of 37 days) confirmed that, despite being given via the intramuscular route, Florgane is well tolerated at the site of injection due to its aqueous base and physiological pH. Maximum volume per injection site is 15ml allowing calves up to 150kg to be treated.

Animalcare adds that a further advantage of Florgane is that it persists in plasma above the MICs for the three most common pathogens for significantly longer than conventional extended action 300mg/ml florfenicol solution preparations -  thereby prolonging bacterial killing time. Therefore, owing to its improved bioavailability and excellent pharmacokinetics, Florgane can be given at an easy to remember dose of 1ml per 10kg.

Tony Liepman, Marketing Manager at Animalcare said: "Using Florgane will result in faster administration, resulting in less stress for the calves and a saving in time and money for the farmer."

Florgane is presented in polypropylene 100ml and 250ml multi-dose vials with a three year shelf-life.

For more information, visit www.animalcare.co.uk