The study, titled The Veterinary Employment, Engagement and Retention Study (VEER), opened this week and aims to collect data from thousands of veterinary professionals across the United Kingdom and beyond.
Dr Dermot McInerney (pictured right), VetX Head of Research and Partnerships, said: “We will use the data collected to understand the factors influencing career happiness and how they impact on talent attraction and retention.
"We want to share this information with as many people as possible so we can work together to create a better, more sustainable situation for both employers and employees in veterinary practice.”
The study findings will be published later in 2022 and made available to all industry stakeholders.
All participants will receive a special report of the results with customised career advice, and be entered into a weekly draw to win a prize.
To take part in the survey, visit: www.vetxinternational.com/veer.
The new Flock Health Checklist is designed to helps practitioners assess performance across the three crucial time periods and two key management processes which have an impact on the success of sheep enterprises.
Dr Kat Baxter-Smith, veterinary adviser with MSD Animal Health said: “We have developed this new performance checklist drawing on specialist sheep vet working experiences, clinical research studies, economic data and industry recommendations.
"For example, the pre-breeding period is a great time to make sure ewes and rams are as fit and healthy as possible.
"Good practice and preparation in this area will go a long way to minimising stress and problems during a busy lambing period.”
Late pregnancy and lambing period is also a vital time – and is the busiest few weeks on any sheep farm.
Kat added: “Having pre-agreed protocols for this important period in the sheep farming calendar – and keeping a record of issues that arise – will go a long way to making sure subsequent lambing seasons go as smoothly as possible.”
Growth, weaning and sale is the third crucial time period and the Flock Health Checklist incorporates an additional series of audit-based questions designed to pinpoint system strengths and weaknesses.
The Flock Health Checklist also enables vets to ask a series of questions covering two key management processes: disease management and biosecurity; and how flock performance is currently monitored.
Kat said: “Working through a series of 10 questions within each of the three crucial time periods and two key management processes – designed to tease out where a sheep unit is in terms of accepted best management practice – allows vet and farmer to quickly pinpoint any areas needing attention.
"What’s more, repeating the checklist every six or 12 months is a great way to keep things on track, allowing both parties to montor performance against agreed targets.
“Similar types of checklist have been available to dairy youngstock rearing units and beef suckler herds for a couple of years now, with several vets reporting that these tools have proved integral to their productivity improvement work with farmer clients.
"Use of this checklist-based approach is also helping better implementation of preventative health practices such as vaccination. We hope this latest tool will help the GB sheep industry similarly.”
For further information, contact your local MSD Animal Health account manager.
Virbac points to research showing that MCTs are the most common form of skin cancer in dogs, accounting for up to 21% of skin cancer cases1.
This, says the company, means that understanding the challenges surrounding mast cell tumour diagnosis, work up (including the various prognostic panels) and treatment selection for mast cell tumour cases is vital.
The session, entitled ‘Fundamentals of Mast Cell Tumour Management’, will conclude with a review of Stelfonta, walking through cases and how to get the best results.
Dr Neil Mottram MRCVS, Technical Product Manager at Virbac said: "We know that vets are facing webinar fatigue.
"We therefore hope that this brand new style of online learning on one of the most common canine cancers will be more engaging, whilst still delivering high quality CPD."
To register for the live event, visit: https://tinyurl.com/mct-masterclass
For more information, speak to your Virbac Territory Manager, or visit vet-uk.virbac.com/stelfonta
Reference
Dr Mostert admitted to his conviction but denied that it rendered him unfit to practise as a veterinary surgeon.
He also admitted not disclosing his conviction to the RCVS but denied that it amounted to dishonesty or was misleading and that failing to do so amounted to disgraceful conduct in a professional respect.
The Committee first considered whether Dr Mostert’s conviction affected the public interest, which included the need to maintain public confidence in the profession by upholding proper standards of conduct and behaviour for members of the profession.
The Committee noted that the conviction involved dishonesty relating to false statements about the value of goods sent to the USA.
The Committee felt that a conviction for a serious offence involving dishonesty would have a negative impact on public confidence in the profession, and that its reputation would be damaged if proper standards of conduct and behaviour were not upheld.
The Committee also noted that as the products that Dr Mostert imported into the USA were not labelled as coming from a foreign market and were not labelled as needing to be administered by a vet, his conviction also related to animal safety, as anyone who accessed the medications could believe that it was safe for them to be given to an animal.
The Committee then considered Dr Mostert’s failure to declare the conviction to the College on three separate occasions.
Dr Mostert testified that, at the time, he did not believe he had to disclose his conviction as it occurred in a country where he had not practised as a veterinary surgeon.
He also said he had not taken the time to read and interpret the application form accurately.
However, the Committee considered that the wording around convictions on the application and annual renewal forms is very clear and that, as a veterinary surgeon, Dr Mostert would be familiar with such documents.
The Committee considered that it was inconceivable that an experienced veterinary surgeon, making a declaration of this kind to his regulator, would not have understood that a serious conviction in the USA, dating from June 2017, was a conviction that he was obliged to disclose.
The Committee therefore found Dr Mostert’s failures to declare his conviction dishonest.
Judith Way, Chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, noted that in deciding upon the appropriate sanction, the case did not involve any actual harm to an animal or human and that Dr Mostert had had a long and otherwise unblemished career.
However, a key aggravating factor was that the action that led to the conviction resulted in financial gain through the creation of a business enterprise and that Dr Mostert falsely declared the value of goods.
The extent of any financial gain was not known to the Committee, but the business operated on the basis that false declarations were repeatedly made.
Judith said: “After careful consideration the Committee has concluded that in all the circumstances, a lengthy period of suspension would properly reflect the gravity of the case and satisfy the public interest. The Committee has decided that the appropriate length of suspension is one of 18 months.”
The Committee’s full findings can be viewed at www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary
Humanimal Trust is the only organisation in the UK with the sole purpose of progressing One Medicine, driving collaboration between vets, doctors, nurses and researchers so advances in both human and animal medicine can be achieved faster.
The seminar, entitled One Medicine in Action – Awareness, Collaboration and Change, follows on from the Trust’s inaugural symposium last year when a roadmap was created on how to develop closer links between human and veterinary medical and research professionals.
This year’s event will look at ways to put the roadmap into action through awareness raising, increased collaboration and change.
Professor Roberto La Ragione, Chair of Trustees at Humanimal Trust (pictured right), said “We know that when animal and human health professionals and scientists come together, great things happen.
"Last year’s symposium, which was part of our ‘Stronger Together’ campaign, was a huge success.
"It drew an audience from across the UK and Europe, as well as Chile, the United States, Singapore and Australia.
“Not only did it provide a real opportunity to explore ways to achieve more ethical and fair medical progress for all, but it also allowed connections to be made and relationships to be forged that wouldn’t otherwise exist.”
Miss Anna Radford, a Consultant in Paediatric Surgery at Hull University NHS Trust and Leeds Children’s Hospital, who is speaking at the seminar in May, said: “I was introduced to a diagnostics company working in the animal medical care field at last year’s symposium and through them, we have set up a new collaboration with the aim of determining whether this sort of diagnostic technology developed with companion animal medicine in mind, could potentially also be useful to help diagnose urinary, joint and cerebrospinal fluid infections in a busy NHS hospital setting.”
Other speakers at this year’s event include Dr Deborah Thomson, Founder and President of One Health Lessons, an organisation that inspires children and adults around the world to value the interconnection between human health and the health of the environment, plants and animals.
Dr Simon Doherty, a Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Global Food Security at Queen’s University in Belfast will highlight organisations that are successfully working together to improve the sustainability of dairy, meat and fish production to feed a growing global population, as well as the opportunities that exist for collaboration within the agri-food sector.
Dr Doug Brown, CEO of the British Society for Immunology, will share some of the most notable examples of joined-up approaches in human and animal health research from across the Society’s membership, with a particular focus on veterinary immunology.
The seminar, which will run from 2pm until 5.15pm BST, will end with a panel Q&A session, chaired by Humanimal Trust Trustee and Consultant Respiratory Physician at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Ben Marshall.
Attendance is free and registration is now open to all human and veterinary medical professionals and students, and the allied health and scientific disciplines.
To find out more and register, visit www.humanimaltrust.org.uk
Horiba says subclinical hypocalcaemia (SCH) is a significant and under-diagnosed metabolic problem in dairy cattle affecting up to 50% cows annually.
After lactation, total calcium levels in the cows’ blood drop which can lead to sub-optimal health and yield.
The webinar will be presented by James Husband BA, VetMB, DipECBHM, DCHP, MRCVS, who will offer the benefit of his research and experience on the subject.
At the end, there'll be a Q&A session.
During the webinar, Horiba will also introduce its patient-sideLAQUAtwin Ca-11C pocket meter, which measures blood ionised calcium levels fast and is currently on special offer until 30th June 2022.
To register, visit: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6274625209458361872
In addition to working as a clinician in private practice and for charity, Gudrun has worked in several veterinary-related roles in industry, both in management and as a consultant, as well as being the Chair for the British Veterinary Association’s Good Veterinary Workplace Working Group.
In the new role, Gudrun will work support the implementation of the British Veterinary Association’s Good Veterinary Workplaces Code across the business.
Gudrun said: “Having been heavily involved in the work leading up to the Good Veterinary Workplaces Code during my time at the British Veterinary Association, I can fully relate to the many pressures that veterinary workplaces are currently under.
"Through supportive action and using evidence-based tools, I believe we can make a positive and lasting difference.
“It’s an honour to join Vets4Pets as we begin to implement its many commitments to improving the industry.
"I am excited to work towards a positive future for veterinary workplaces and being able to work with Vets4Pets to build a well-resourced and accessible tool for practices to implement good veterinary workplaces will help our practices to attract and retain the best clinical talent.”
The company says more and more CT scanners are being used in general practice, but many teams have been telling them they're not sure if they're using their scanner optimally, or that only some of the team are confident in using it.
The online training aims help teams get the best diagnostic use of CT
The first of the sessions, on 15th June, will cover the indications and benefits of CT in small animal practice.
The second on 22nd June will look at how and when to perform CT reconstructions.
Manuel Pinilla, VetCT Supporting Radiologist and Director of Quality Assurance (pictured right), will be delivering the talks.
Manuel said: “We are seeing a rapid increase in the use of CT in first opinion practice.
"We know CT can provide vital diagnostic information in addition to the more traditional modalities of x-ray and ultrasound.
"However, it can be challenging to optimise the diagnostic capability.
"We’re keen to support veterinary teams to help them get the most out of their machine and do the best for their patients and the owners.”
To register for the training, visit: https://welcome.vet-ct.com/ctcpdwebinars
Suicide postvention is the response and provision of support after a suicide.
It aims to support recovery, and to prevent further adverse outcomes in the aftermath including the prevention of further deaths by suicide.
The new guidance is intended for people who have been affected by the suicide of a veterinary professional, people who support those who have been affected, and for managers and leaders in veterinary workplaces who are working to prevent suicide.
The guidance examines veterinary workplace considerations after a suicide, including immediate aftermath and longer term.
It also covers communication, including talking both with colleagues and clients, and publicly on social media and elsewhere.
It finishes with a checklist of actions for veterinary workplaces affected by suicide considering immediate, short term, and ongoing actions for support and postvention.
As well as providing this guidance, Vetlife can provide individualised support to practices and individuals who have experienced a suicide through its Postvention Service.
If you are a UK veterinary professional who has been affected by suicide or wants support for a veterinary workplace, contact 0303 040 2551.
You can download the guidance here.
As part of the programme, the College aims to form a network of UK-wide rural Mental Health First Aiders in the vet profession starting with rural geographies.
The network will bolster the understanding of common mental health conditions, help individuals identify signs of mental ill-health both in themselves and others, promote self-care and provide the tools for how to effectively support people experiencing poor mental health.
Angharad Belcher, Director of the RCVS Mind Matters Initiative (MMI), said: “Veterinary surgeons working in rural and ambulatory services are often integral members of their local communities with a deep connection with farmers, animal owners and the wider rural community.
"However, as MMI-funded research conducted by Scotland’s Rural College with vets has demonstrated, veterinary work in such areas can often be very challenging which is compounded by working alone or having relatively limited contact with professional colleagues.
“Effective early intervention in cases of mental ill-health and distress can have significant impacts, and so this course will arm participants with the relevant knowledge of how to identify mental health issues and will allow them to signpost people to the most effective and relevant sources of help.”
The free training, fully funded by MMI, will be delivered online in four sessions which are each two-and-a-half hours long.
The dates of the training sessions are Monday 11th, Tuesday 12th, Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st July.
To register for the course, visit: www.vetmindmatters.org/training/
The closing date for registrations is 5pm Friday 10th June.
For those who are unsure about joining the course, MHFA England has organised an online question and answers session ahead of the application date at 7pm on Tuesday 7 June.
To attend the Q & A contact Lacey Pitcher, Mind Matters Outreach and Engagement Senior Officer on l.pitcher@rcvs.org.uk.
Originally known as ‘Our Dumb Friends League’, the Blue Cross was formed in 1897 to help the working horses of London, who were often underfed, struggled to carry heavy loads and became injured on slippery asphalt roads created for new motor vehicles.
Bill Bailey said: “I had a great time transforming into a Pearly King! I love all animals, so having an opportunity to celebrate Blue Cross’ heritage and highlight the support that they have continued to offer to horses, and other animals, since their inception was really special."
Iain Heaton, Deputy CEO and CFO at Blue Cross, says: “We are delighted to share these recreated historic images with our supporters, beneficiaries, and the British public. Bill, David, Lauren, and our hard-working rehoming team have done a phenomenal job at demonstrating how we have supported both pets and people over the last 125 years, and we can’t wait to see people’s response.
To learn more about the Blue Cross's heritage, visit: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/125-years-of-blue-cross
Feeding companion animals with unprocessed products has become increasingly popular, and whilst ready-prepared raw pet foods are produced in highly controlled environments, Horiba says they may still present a bacterial risk.
Conor’s presentation will include discussion about the main pathogens that can cause issues, such as E. coli, Campylobacter and Salmonella.
He will also touch on potential risk to owners, for example raw food associated with zoonotic diseases, including TB; whilst also covering possible benefits too.
Paul Lymer, Veterinary Business Manager at Horiba UK said: “Veterinary teams are in a unique position when it comes to supporting and advising owners on day-to-day care.
“We appreciate though that raw feeding is definitely a topic which prompts discussion amongst both veterinary staff and pet owners.
"So our latest CPD webinar will help to educate and present a balanced view, ensuring that although the choice remains with the owner on what to feed, veterinary staff are armed with the knowledge to help them do so safely.”
To register for the event, visit: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6301418110266818573
James says he is sticking his neck out after seeing a significant increase in cases where dogs with diabetes are referred too late to save their sight.
He said: “If we are given the chance to assess a dog with diabetes as soon as cataracts develop then it is usually pretty straightforward to restore vision with a specialist operation.
“Often, diabetic dogs are referred to us too late because vets unwittingly delay referral while they enhance control of the diabetes.
“Unfortunately, this can mean it can become too late to perform sight-saving surgery and the dog may even have to have their eyes removed on welfare grounds.
“When cataract surgery wasn’t commonplace and as successful, maybe 20 years ago, there was more of a justification to delay surgery. But that isn’t necessary now with advances in veterinary care.
“It’s why it’s so important to improve education about this issue and raise more awareness of what can be done to both vets and dog owners alike.”
Vets4Ukraine2022 is the brainchild of a group of twenty veterinary Specialists who are raising money by offering their knowledge and expertise in the form of free CPD delivered online, via Facebook and Linkedin.
So far, they've raised £2,236 for the British Red Cross.
For details of this group's activities and the free CPD it is offering colleagues, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/1491854917875566/permalink/1497308427330215/
Meanwhile the FECAVA and The Webinar Vet are running the Vets for Ukraine Online Conference, a CPD event online on the 9th April from 10:00am to 10:00pm.
More details of that initiative, which is raising money for the Disasters Emergency Committee and Four Paws can be found here: https://www.thewebinarvet.com/pages/ukraine-veterinary-aid-conference/
Last but not least, British Veterinary Professionals for Ukraine is working to get essential medical supplies - both for animals and humans - delivered to Ukraine.
BVP4U is asking for supplies to be sent to BVP4UA c/o Hoermann Equine,Wrights Lodge East, Oakham Road, Whissendine, Rutland, LE15 7HA.
A list of specific requirements is available on the BVP4UA facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/britishvetsforukraine.
Alternatively, veterinary practices can buy supplies through their regular wholesalers (MWI/Covetrus/NVS) and have them delivered direct to BVP4UA by emailing their wholesaler with details of what they want to donate.
Other companies who do not operate through wholesalers may also be prepared to deliver direct.
Cash donations can be made via gofundme> to allow direct purchasing of the most needed veterinary supplies https://gofund.me/f7f25366.
As part of the scheme, Linnaeus offers one-to-one mentoring, professional and clinical skills development in primary care practices across the UK as part of the scheme.
The group, which now has more than 3,000 employees, delivers all clinical training in-house through its network of specialists, referral clinicians, certificate holders and primary care clinicians.
The 2021 programme applications will remain open until the end of May, unless all positions are filled sooner.
Chloe Roberts, clinical and educational development manager at Linnaeus, said: “This will be the fourth cohort to join our GDP and we’re looking forward to building on the successes we have enjoyed over the last three years.
“This has been a challenging year for obvious reasons, so it has been extremely heartening to see our new vets rise to that challenge and continue their professional journeys with our support.
“We’re excited to hear from the next intake of new vets and look forward to supporting them in their transition to clinical practice and recognise the additional challenges they faced joining the profession in the midst of a global pandemic.”
For more information, visit graduates.linnaeusgroup.co.uk or www.instagram.com/linnaeusgdp.
Last year, the company had more than 37,000 entries from pet owners and the veterinary community for the five award categories:
The winners will be announced later this year and will recognise the remarkable work carried out by some of the best veterinary professionals in the country.
James Barnes, Head of Sales & Partnerships at Petplan (pictured right), said: “Now more than ever it’s important to recognise the lengths the veterinary community goes to in looking after our pets. Every year we’re astounded by the quality and quantity of nominations which are a real testament to the hard work of all of those involved at practices who care for animals and clients all year round.
"The awards are a perfect opportunity for you to showcase your practice and your colleagues. If you haven’t already I’d invite you to nominate someone today.”
Nominate a colleague or your practice at www.petplanvet.co.uk/vetawards.
Aimed at all members of the veterinary team across Europe, the webinar is moderated by veterinary nutrition expert Dottie Laflamme.
The webinar, which will also be available on demand after the event, follows others in the series that allow conversations about nutrition to be integrated into everyday consultations.
Speakers Shoshanah Verton Shaw, RVT, VTS (nutrition), and Marge Chandler (a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the American College of Veterinary Nutrition) will be sharing their tips for handling nutrition discussions in a non-confrontational way that preserves the client bond with the vet and the practice.
Registration for this and another three free webinars is available at https://bit.ly/purinawebinars2022.
35% think the rising cost of living is already making it more difficult to give their dogs all they need.
By far the greatest worry was how they would manage to pay vet bills, which 49% named as their main concern.
The second biggest worry was affording dog food (17%), closely followed by insurance (15%).
Non-dog owners in the UK, meanwhile, were asked whether the rising cost of living would prevent them from adopting or buying a dog. Over half (54%) said that it would.
The Dogs Trust says this research mirrors its own experience, seeing a steady increase in the number of requests from owners who have decided to give up their dog.
It harks back to the year after the 2008 recession, when the increase in the number of stray and abandoned dogs reached over 25% in the UK.
Owen Sharp, Dogs Trust CEO, said: "We know from the experience of the 2008 recession that economic crisis can and will lead to people needing to give up their beloved dogs. Sadly, many loving dog owners simply won’t be able to afford to keep them.
“At Dogs Trust we’re rehoming and fostering dogs as quickly as we can - but as soon as we free up a kennel space, there’s a dog to fill it again.
“We’ve already taken 13,000 calls this year from owners who need to give up their dogs – a 58% increase on last year.
“We know that dog owners need immediate help and we’re working hard to find ways to support them - but it takes time.
“However, there are other ways we help, like our Hope Project, which aims to keep anyone experiencing a housing crisis and their dog together, and helping people find other services such as pet food banks or local charities that could ease the burden.”
“We want dog owners to realise that they don’t have to wait until they are in crisis to call us for help.”
In his new role, Ian will guide the development of interventions, strategies, process changes and campaigns to improve responsible pharmaceutical usage across Mars Veterinary Health’s 2,500+ global veterinary clinics.
Ian was previously Head of Internal Medicine at Hertfordshire-based Davies Veterinary Specialists and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) subject matter expert on the clinical board of Linnaeus.
Mars says that this new role is one of several actions it is taking to promote pharmaceutical stewardship and combat antimicrobial resistance, include the implementation of a formal responsible pharmaceutical stewardship programme across all its veterinary clinics globally during the next several years.
Ian said: “As one of the leading providers of veterinary care in the world, we have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to lead the way toward a more sustainable profession.
“Antimicrobial resistance is a critical One Health issue, and I look forward to continue working with colleagues across more than 2,500 clinics to support responsible antibiotic prescribing.
"Energy and interest in this area is growing profession-wide, demonstrating a reassuring recognition of how we can make meaningful improvements for people, pets, and the planet long into the future.”
The new technique enables the surgeon to suspend a modified acrylic lens from a damaged capsule, which has historically not been possible.
Gary and Chris have published a paper analysing the results of the surgery in the Journal of Small Animal Practice: "Post-operative outcomes in canine eyes receiving a rhexis-fixated prosthetic intra-ocular lens: 30 cases (2014-2020)1"
Surgery was carried out in a total of 30 eyes using a modified acrylic IOL, where the lens capsule could not accommodate a conventional prosthetic endo-capsular IOL.
Over a follow-up period from three to 76 months, 26 of the 30 eyes remained visual.
Chris said: “It’s a novel technique for implanting a prosthetic lens into the eyes of patients who otherwise may have not been suitable for surgery, either saving or restoring their sight.
“Gary developed a method of modifying the lens to fit in the eye in dogs where the lens capsule is damaged.
For more information, visit www.veterinaryvision.co.uk.
The event offers over 80 hours of CPD across seven streams – with everything from hypotension and sepsis to breaking bad news to clients – as well as world-renowned speakers and networking opportunities.
Søren Boysen from the University of Calgary in Canada and Sophie Adamantos from Paragon Referrals in Wakefield, are among several high-profile speakers at this year’s Congress.
Chief Executive for GB Snowsport, Victoria Gosling OBE, will open Congress as keynote speaker where she’ll focus on perseverance, resilience and teamwork.
Also speaking are Prof. John Williams, Richard Casey, executive director at the World Small Animal Veterinary Association and VDS trainer Elly Russell.
Arlene Connor, an RVN and head of clinical operations at Vets Now and IVC Evidensia has planned the programme alongside national ECC lead Dan Lewis (pictured right).
She said: “We’re so excited to be returning to the Royal Armouries for our 19th Vets Now ECC Congress – around a theme which celebrates us all being together again.
"The past two years have been a challenge for all of us in the veterinary professions and we hope to mitigate that with a return to face-to-face learning and networking, as well as the chance to have some fun.
"Events like this can be hugely inspirational — for the organisers as well as the attendees — and we truly can’t wait to welcome everyone through the doors like old times.”
Dan added: “There’s a brilliant line-up of live speakers, workshops, a packed exhibition hall and more opportunities than ever for delegates to meet old friends and make new ones, as well as to learn from some of the world’s leading veterinary experts discussing emergency and critical care.
“Our programme again this year has been carefully tailored to provide an inclusive learning experience for vets and vet nurses no matter what stage they’re at in their career, from students through to specialists.
Tickets range in price from £45 + VAT for exhibition-only tickets, up to £470 + VAT for a vet to attend for 2 days plus the Gala dinner.
To book your ticket, go to www.vets-now.com/congress2022
Dave Dickson MRCVS (pictured right) said: "The ECG series is full of case examples and practical advice, delivered by the friendly cardiologists at HeartVets.
"The course should give you confidence to record and interpret ECGs in practice, knowing how to put the ECG information into context with each case and improving how you manage cardiac cases in practice."
ECGs for Vets and Nurses, an online course offering an introduction to ECGs.
The course, which costs £95 for three month's access, has over seven-and-a-half hours of content, divided up into 20-45 minute webinars, so you can watch at your own pace.
For more information, visit: https://heartvets.co.uk/learning-zone/
This, says the company, suggests that infection could be more common among seemingly healthy dogs than vets or owners realise, which may mean there is a greater risk of perioperative bleeding caused by the coagulopathies associated with A. vasorum2 than previously thought.
Elanco says another recent study indicates that there may be a bigger environmental risk for dogs than previously thought, too.
In the study, by Robbins et al, L3 larvae of A. vasorum and Crenosoma vulpis arising from the gastropod intermediate host were found to be immediately infective to dogs and remain so for up to eight weeks, meaning that dogs may only need to lick the molluscs’ slime to be at risk of infection.3
Elanco says this new data means A.vasorum should be added to many differential diagnosis lists, and that pre-operative testing could also be wise.
Jenny Helm, BVMS Cert SAM Dip-ECVIM CA FHEA MRCVS, European Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine, said: “Owners need to be aware that healthy dogs could be silently carrying and spreading the disease and that asymptomatic carriers could develop clinical signs at any time.
"They need to be aware that dogs don’t necessarily have to eat slugs and snails to become infected, as recent evidence suggest that other routes of transmission are possible.” To improve data on the prevalence of lungworm, Elanco has developed a version of its lungworm map specifically for veterinary surgeons, where you are invited to upload your cases (including asymptomatic positive cases: www.lungwormmap-vet.co.uk.
For those practices which want to run lungworm awareness campaigns in their area, Elanco has a how-to guide, posters and artwork available to download at www.myelanco.co.uk.
References
For the research1, 190 faecal samples were collected from dogs in 140 households (114 samples from raw fed dogs and 76 from non-raw fed dogs).
Salmonella species was detected in 4% of the samples (all raw fed) and antimicrobial-resistant E. coli was detected in 40% of all dogs, but in 62% of raw fed dogs.
The authors say that statistical analysis confirmed that this represented a significantly higher prevalence of AMR E. coli, including multidrug resistance and third generation cephalosporin resistance, and Salmonella species in dogs fed raw compared to non-raw meat diets.
The authors concluded that strategies should be implemented to increase the awareness of the risks of feeding raw meat diets to dogs, to reduce any potential risk to owners, their families, and their pets.
Nicola Di Girolamo, Editor of JSAP says: “In this study, an association between raw meat diets in dogs and faecal carriage of potentially dangerous enteric bacteria has been observed.
"Readers should keep in mind that cross-sectional studies such as this one lay the basis for additional research more suited to prove causality.”
Krka says Milprazon Chewable is the first wormer in its category with proven palatability for dogs based on EMA Testing Guidelines.
In a study¹, more than 85% of dogs ate the tablet ‘voluntarily’, with 75% taking it unprompted from their food bowl.
Milprazon chewable is available in a range of presentations suitable for puppies from two weeks old (0.5kg) and kittens from six weeks old.
Milprazon comes in colour-coded packaging for easier dispensing.
Will Ridgway, Krka’s National Sales Manager said: "Milprazon Chewable is a premium product.
"It offers pet owners the reliability of Milbemycin oxime and Praziquantel, together with enhanced palatability, while supporting practice profitability."