VetSurgeon Jobs has published the results of two surveys designed to give veterinary employers and job applicants some insight into what they want from each other.
The first survey was completed by 139 vets who described themselves as having recently looked for a job, or actively looking for a job, or could imagine looking for a job in the foreseeable future.
Key findings included:
VetSurgeon.org Editor Arlo Guthrie said: "The survey was carried out primarily to help employers create recruitment adverts that better meet the hopes and aspirations of candidates, thereby improving response rates. Whilst some of the conclusions might seem obvious, the report should help you prioritise the things you need to communicate in an advert.
"Of course, employees' hopes and aspirations don't tend to change the moment they get the job (or they shouldn't). So I hope this report will be of interest to ALL veterinary employers, regardless of whether they are actively recruiting."
The candidate survey can be downloaded from VetSurgeon Jobs here ('Advice for Employers' under 'Recruitment Help' in the right hand margin). Come and discuss the findings here.
The second survey was completed by 121 veterinary employers.
By some margin, veterinary employers said that ‘previous experience’ is what makes a CV stand out positively. But there was some solace for the inexperienced. When it comes to the attributes employers are looking for in a candidate, being 'likeable and affable' was reported as being more important than being skilled and experienced.
Respondents were asked to share any tips they have for anyone looking to come and work for them, which are also shared in the full report.
The employer survey can also be downloaded from VetSurgeon Jobs ('Advice for Jobseekers').
Compassion Understood, a new company set up to provide veterinary staff with training in how to help clients deal with pet loss, and provide owners with a new information resource on the subject, launched at BSAVA this week.
The new service has been set up partly in response to a survey which showed a disparity between what veterinary professionals think clients need in relation to euthanasia and what they actually want.
The research1 showed that 60% of owners felt their vet handled the euthanasia of their pet very well, leaving 40% who had a clear desire for veterinary staff to understand more, to help prepare them better for their loss, and to signpost where they can access more support if required.
Compassion Understood Managing Director Douglas Muir said: "Our research showed that 70% of veterinary professionals felt that further training in supporting clients through pet loss would be beneficial, and only 35% of vets felt well-equipped to answer questions from pet owners about the right time to say goodbye.
"This, coupled with a very clear need for more support expressed by the owners in our surveys, led me to see that there was a double need: more training was needed in end-of-life for the practice team, on communication as well as clinical aspects of end-of-life; also some kind of resource was needed for pet owners, so they could access clear and helpful information.
"There are some very good support sites out there, but the information is quite fragmented and not easy to find. We wanted to pull everything together in one place and from there we could signpost them to where to get further help if needed. And so Compassion Understood was born, to help veterinary practices, and pet owners."
The new Compassion Understood Pet Loss Support Training programme has been put together with the help of end-of-life and hospice vet Dr Susan Gregersen. She said: "Speaking to colleagues in the many practices we collaborate with, I’ve learned just how many feel inadequately prepared. They’re unhappy that they’re short of time – and sometimes skills – to do a good job when an often-distraught client needs them most. But if a client is left with bad memories at the end of life, they may not return to the same practice with another pet; as we know, about 1 in 5 do not¹."
The programme includes modules covering the clinical aspects of assessing quality of life, decision-making around end-of-life, pre-euthanasia preparation, and palliative and animal hospice care. Other aspects covered are the emotional and psychological aspects of losing a pet, as well as how to protect the practice team from compassion fatigue or emotional depletion.
The training programme is fully online, and can be completed at the learner’s own pace. The learning approaches and delivery have been overseen by educational expert, Dr Jenny Moffett previously of the University of Surrey, herself a veterinarian with a keen interest in communication and pet loss support.
Susan said: "Vet school training on end of life and euthanasia is still sparse, as many vets will agree. I see the online course as being about learning to care rather than to cure, giving vets the confidence and skill to show real compassion while remaining professional."
Reference
Pet Loss Survey, 2015. Compassion Understood. Data on file.
Pets At Home Vet Group and Dick White Referrals have announced a strategic partnership in order to develop Pets at Home's strategy for providing specialist care.
Pets at Home says it is creating a new divisional structure comprised of the existing First Opinion Division (Vets4Pets and Companion Care joint venture practices) and the new Specialist Division, which comprises Dick White Referrals, Northwest Surgeons, Anderson Moores, and Eye Vet Referrals.
Dick White has been appointed Clinical Director of the new Specialist Division.
Dick will remain as a shareholder in Dick White Referrals. He and three of the Specialist clinicians - Giunio Bruto Cherubini, Federico Corletto and Rob Foale - will retain 24% of the practice.
Sally Hopson, CEO of Pets at Home Vet Group said: "We are delighted to have attracted a colleague of Dick White’s pedigree to join us, not only to help drive the future growth of Dick White Referrals, but also to play a key role in developing our Specialist Division. Professor White is a key figure in the development of the Specialist Veterinary segment; he has trained many of the leading Specialist veterinary practitioners. This is a tremendous step forward for the Vet Group. I’m also very pleased that Professor White and his colleagues have chosen to remain as equity partners in Dick White Referrals."
Dick said: "Forming this strategic partnership provides great opportunities for us to continue to develop Dick White Referrals as a world class referrals centre with a team of leading Veterinary Specialists. I am delighted to be working with a partner that shares our vision for Dick White Referrals and is committed to supporting its future development. Joining the Board of the Specialist Division will allow me to provide clinical leadership and governance across the division, input into the formulation of strategy and support M&A activity and veterinary recruitment."
BEVA has announced that tickets are now on sale for BEVA Congress and members who register before 4th August 2016 can benefit from big discounts.
This year, BEVA Congress is being held at the ICC in central Birmingham.
In addition to the clinical programme, tactics to achieve the elusive work life balance and the applicability of evidence based medicine are recurring themes over the three days of the event.
Five separate programmes will run concurrently in five adjacent halls, deploying a mix of traditional lectures, panel discussions and interactive forums to suit equine vets and mixed practitioners at any stage in their career. Vet nurses, farriers, equine physiotherapists and equine dental technicians can also attend specific sessions focused on their areas of expertise.
There will be daily practical sessions in the exhibition hall: Jonathan Anderson, Will Barker, Tim Barnett, Ollie Crowe, Richard Reardon, Neil Townsend and Thomas Witte will be demonstrating sinoscopy and gastroscopy techniques and delegates will have the chance to roll up their sleeves and get hands on with dead heads and digital models.
Programme highlights include a day of advanced orthopaedics in combination with the European Society of Veterinary Orthopaedics and Traumatology (ESVOT). The sessions will draw on canine and human experience, with speakers including Ian Wright from the Newmarket Equine Hospital, Peter Clegg from the University of Liverpool, Wayne McIlwraith from Colorado State University and Martin Waselau from Equine Hospital Aschheim, Germany.
There will also be career and practice development sessions exploring what you can do with your veterinary degree, how to look after your staff and how to take advantage of smartphone technology in practice. Evidence in surgery and critical appraisal tools will be explored in a series of presentations on two separate days across a wide range of conditions. Speakers will include Will Barker, Bruce McGorum, and Etienne O'Brien.
Kathy Clarke, Professor of Veterinary Anaesthesia at the Royal Veterinary College, will be giving the plenary lecture on from the difficult horse to the demanding surgeon; how effective sedation has revolutionised what is achievable in equine clinical practice. There will be a debate on the Friday with Victoria Harris chairing the promisingly divisive This house believes that lab tests are overused and abused.
There will also be comprehensive sessions on parasitology, laminitis, skin disease, anaesthesia and analgesia, colic, respiratory disease, sports injuries, standing surgery, ophthalmology, diagnostics, wounds, neurology and differentiating lameness from neurological disease, mare and foal, reproduction, dentistry, gastro intestinal disease and nutrition, cardiology and medicine.
Saturday’s vet nurse sessions will cover surgical management, emergency patients, the use of antimicrobials and adjunctive therapies. In addition, daily clinical research presentations will provide exclusive opportunities to hear about novel and exciting research projects.
There's a free BEVA Congress App with the full scientific programme and to help you manage your day. And if you are struggling for time or torn between several lectures you can use the BEVA Congress Encore Room which gives you the chance to play back missed lectures at your convenience.
For more information, visit www.beva.org.uk.
The WSAVA has announced that its Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee (AWWC) has launched two new online training modules designed to provide veterinary surgeons with a solid grounding in contemporary animal welfare issues.
Developed as a resource for everyday clinical use, they are intended to enable practising veterinary surgeons around the world to expand their role as advocates for animals.
The two one-hour modules are based on materials developed by WSAVA partner, World Animal Protection in its Advanced Concepts in Animal Welfare educational resource.
The first module addresses contemporary animal welfare science and ethics and the understandings and definitions of animal welfare.
The second has a more clinical focus, covering aspects of animal welfare in practice, including behavioral and end of life issues. Both modules are now available for free download at http://tinyurl.com/hfs6s3s.
Dr Shane Ryan, co-chair of the AWWC, said: "It is vital that veterinarians possess an in-depth and solid understanding of contemporary animal welfare concepts in order to address both questions from the public and misinformation by non-veterinary groups on animal welfare issues. Veterinarians are the champions of animal welfare and we hope that our new online training modules will support them in this role, offering them the knowledge they need in a concise and easily accessible format."
He added: "We acknowledge the vital support of World Animal Protection and AWWC sponsor WALTHAM, as well as the WSAVA’s Friends of Animal Welfare donors for their generous support of this important work."
MSD Animal Health has announced the launch of KBHH Yard Master – a new preventative healthcare and biosecurity app - as part of its ongoing Keeping Britain’s Horses Healthy (KBHH) campaign.
MSD says KBHH Yard Master has been created to link vets and yards where the majority of horses in Britain are kept. It aims to play a key role in protecting the health and welfare of the herd and in safeguarding the yard’s reputation and business.
Peter Young, Equine Business Manager at MSD Animal Health said: "Good biosecurity is essential in building and maintaining the reputation of a yard which, in turn, impacts on owner satisfaction and retention. It remains, however, a poorly understood subject despite its importance. We’ve therefore invested in the creation of KBHH Yard Master to help vets, yard managers, their employees and horse owners focus on preventative health and biosecurity measures; making best practice seem more achievable and easier to implement.
He added: "We were also fortunate to have input from Professor Josh Slater, who has been heavily involved in developing the content, evaluation and grading system behind the app assessment."
KBHH Yard Master covers all aspects of biosecurity, including everyday husbandry practices, managing new arrivals, running isolation facilities, infection control and personnel movement. MSD says it will frame a dialogue with yard managers regarding preventative healthcare and biosecurity in situ and provide instant feedback on current practices and risk. Following the on-site assessment, a report can be sent to the yard manager with tailor-made recommendations and timings, detailing how they can improve their yard’s biosecurity performance.
Peter added: "Based on the data gathered through the KBHH campaign we know that approximately half of horses are vaccinated for ‘flu. This means that there will be horses on yards, visited by vets, that are not vaccinated. KBHH Yard Master will help identify those horses and allow the vet to recommend appropriate vaccination schedules."
MSD has produced a range of supporting KBHH Yard Master materials to promote understanding, participation and compliance amongst yard staff and owners, including posters and downloadable booklets which explain aspects such as disease prevention, infection control and outbreak control.
A certificate of excellence is also available to be awarded to those yards which, following assessment, have a low overall biosecurity risk.
For more information, contact your MSD Animal Health Equine Account Manager or call MSD on 01908 685685.
Fashion website Lyst caused a bit of a storm amongst pet lovers on the twitosphere this week after announcing the 'launch' of The Canine Collection, a range of puppies sold as accessories to the company's range of fashion clothing.
The Canine Collection was described as comprising 33 different dog breeds, 'from petite XS puppies to oversized companions, in a choice of six wearable colourways'. Visitors to the site were invited to: 'Find the right dog to match your wardrobe from our curated selection of breeds that are as stylish as they are lovable'.
Whilst the launch was obviously a PR stunt (after selecting what size you wanted your new dog in, pressing 'buy' just sent an email), some people were obviously taken in, branding the collection 'DISGUSTING', 'despicable' and 'sick' on Twitter.
Later in the day, the RSPCA stepped in, telling the MirrorOnline: "Whether this is real or just a publicity stunt by Lyst, it sends out an extremely worrying message to people who are looking to get a new canine companion… We have tried to make contact with Lyst to discuss with them the implications a stunt like this might have."
Lyst's website has now been updated with the message: "Of course you can't buy puppies and dogs here, we sell clothes not canines. But unfortunately, thousands of puppies and dogs are bought and abandoned every year. According to Blue Cross, the number of small "handbag" dogs and puppies needing to be re-homed has increased by 120% in the last five years, with "fashionable" toy dog breeds in particular being given up in record numbers. A dog is for life, not just for Instagram."
Whether that was added hastily in response to the reaction, or planned all along, is unclear. Either way, Lyst points out that the number of people talking about puppy farming on Twitter last week was 158, compared to 10,000+ pet owners expressing outrage at the idea of puppies as fashion accessories in just 2 days. So perhaps some good has come of it all.
The offer is timed to coincide with the expected increase in canine pruritis as the warmer weather leads to increased levels of common allergens such as pollen, dust mites and flea bites.
Each practice that buys five packs of Apoquel will get one free, subject to a minimum qualifying purchase.
Apoquel is a fast-acting oral therapy for the treatment of canine pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis.
Zoetis says its novel mechanism of action on the Janus Kinase (JAK) enzyme is specifically designed to target the pruritogenic and pro-inflammatory pathways involved in the itch cycle. This, says the company, allows effective reduction of allergic itch regardless of its cause as well as improvement of skin lesions associated with allergic skin diseases and atopic dermatitis.
For more information about the Apoquel Spring offer, contact your Zoetis account manager.
Hysolv Animal Health has announced the launch of Salmovac 440, a new live salmonella vaccine for poultry which the company claims gives earlier, stronger and longer-lasting immunity than other salmonella vaccines.
The vaccine is given orally through the water supply in a three-dose regime that protects against Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) and Salmonella Typhimurium (ST). It also protects against other SE strains and the newly-emerging monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium strains.
Hysolv says the advantage for farmers is that the vaccine strain is robust and can survive in more hostile conditions. It therefore remains effective where the water delivery system is less than ideal.
The first dose is administered from Day 1 followed by a second dose at six weeks and a third as early as 11 weeks. Salmovac 440 protects chicks after six days and remains effective for up to 63 weeks after the third vaccination, providing an extra four weeks of protection.
Hysolv says another important benefit to egg producers is that the earlier final vaccination at 11 weeks means that the birds can be moved into the laying house as early as 16 weeks old if required — a significant management advantage on some farms.
During the development of the vaccine it was found that the third live vaccination tended to ‘shut down’ any prolonged shedding of the vaccine strain. This, coupled with the earlier vaccination at 11 weeks, helps solve the issue of the vaccine strain being found at transfer to the layer house. Dr Daniel Windhorst, salmonella vaccine specialist with IDT Biologika, said: "If any should be found, the new PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test shrinks the testing time to just two to three hours."
Daniel added: "Although the UK has one of the lowest percentages of salmonella in its flocks, almost one-third of cases were of S Typhimurium. In most continental countries the percentage is much higher, so the extra cover provided by this vaccine is important."
Salmovac 440 has been approved for use by the British Egg Industry Council, which administers the Lion Code.
A bad day for Egyptian veterinary surgeon Dr. Ibrahim Samaha from the University of Alexandria, who not only had the misfortune to board an aircraft that was later hijacked, but was also wrongly identified in the media as the hijacker.
Professor Samaha, who, according to Reuters, heads the department of food health at the University, later appeared on BBC Arabic to protest his innocence.
The Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs later identified the real hijacker as Seif Eldin Mustafa (pictured right), about whom an official from Egypt's foreign ministry was reported to have said: "He’s not a terrorist, he’s an idiot. Terrorists are crazy but they aren’t stupid. This guy is." - though this was later denied.
Dechra Veterinary Products has announced that it will be launching Zycortal, a new medication for the treatment of canine hypoadrenocorticism at the BSAVA Congress in April.
Zycortal is a prolonged-release suspension used as replacement therapy for mineralocorticoid deficiency in dogs with Addison’s disease. Dechra says it has proved highly effective in clinical trials with more than 80% of dogs responding positively to treatment1.
Zycortal contains desoxycortone pivalate (DOCP) which Dechra says controls serum electrolytes more effectively than fludrocortisone2 (the human treatment currently prescribed for dogs with Addison’s disease) and is considered the preferential drug for mineralocorticoid supplementation.
Zycortal is the only European licensed treatment for canine hypoadrenocorticism and adds to Dechra’s existing endocrinology range.
Visitors to the BSAVA Congress will be able to find out more about Zycortal at the Dechra stand (500). Delegates are also invited to attend a presentation by Professor Ian Ramsey BVSc PhD DSAM DipECVIM-CA FHEA MRCVS on Saturday, April 9, at 11.10am.
The presentation, New developments in the diagnosis and management of Addison’s disease aims to give delegates an insight into the condition.
Dechra Brand Manager Craig Sankey said: "We are very excited to be able to bring Zycortal to veterinary professionals in the UK. Addison’s disease can be very hard to diagnose as it mimics so many other illnesses.
"Each injection of Zycortal lasts approximately one month, providing long-term control of primary Addison’s disease. The prognosis for dogs with Addison’s disease is excellent provided that treatment is maintained for life. Our team will be on hand at the BSAVA Congress to explain and discuss the benefits that Zycortal can bring to their day to day practice in the fight against this illness."
References
Improve International has announced that the role of Official Veterinarians in animal welfare is the theme of this year's OV Conference, taking place on the 29th & 30th September.
The conference programme includes lecture streams and round-table discussions on themes relating to both Large Animals and Small Animals, in addition to a series of lectures aimed at Equine Practitioners.
This second OV conference is a collaboration between Improve International, which handles OV registration and training in England, Scotland and Wales; 5m Publishing and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). They say their objectives are to provide a forum to discuss the latest developments in OV work and to offer an opportunity for OVs to network and share experiences and ideas.
Large animal topics to be discussed at the event include Bovine TB, Bluetongue and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea while small animal practitioners will focus on export regulations, certification, the Pet Travel Scheme, together with welfare and exotic disease issues. Equine lectures will include legislation updates and welfare and exotic diseases.
An exhibition of the latest products and services of interest to OVs will again run alongside the conference which will take place at the Alexandra House Hotel and Conference Centre, near Swindon, where Improve International is based.
David Babington MRCVS, Managing Director of Improve, said: "The enthusiastic discussions following many of the lectures at our first conference and the resoundingly positive feedback we received from the 250 delegates attending convinced us of the value of a forum that brings OVs together with experts from private practice, other animal health-related organisations and the APHA.
"Animal welfare is a particularly important topic for OVs so it is the theme for this year's event and all of the speakers will address it within the context of their lectures. We look forward to, once again, welcoming OVs from across the country to Alexandra House in September 2016."
For more information on the Official Veterinarian Conference and Exhibition or to register visit: www.officialvet.com
The BVA is calling for urgent reassurance from the government concerning farm animal welfare.
The association says the government decision to revoke farm animal welfare codes risks undermining public confidence in animal welfare standards.
When Defra consulted in 2013 on proposals to move away from statutory codes to non-statutory, industry-led guidance BVA broadly supported more flexibility to allow for guidance to be updated more regularly and in light of new welfare science, but raised a number of questions regarding enforcement and, critically, around the definition of 'industry'.
BVA emphasised that veterinary surgeons, farmers, animal welfare scientists with species-specific knowledge, industry bodies and other groups must all be involved and consulted.
BVA also warned Defra of implications in relation to the message conveyed to stakeholders by such a change and the value attached to the welfare codes by the government.
BVA President Sean Wensley, said: "It is essential that any changes to the welfare codes do not undermine public confidence in the high animal welfare standards set for English farms. Although BVA broadly supported the idea of moving to a more flexible system that could take account of new animal welfare science, we maintained that a range of expertise must be used to draw up new guidance.
"We are pleased that there will be no changes to the legislation that underpins animal welfare but it is unclear where the checks and balances now lie. It is vital that Defra puts measures in place urgently to provide that reassurance.
"The Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has suggested that it would be possible for the fundamental principles to be laid down in statutory codes which are subject to parliamentary scrutiny with operational details being set out in guidance. This idea may be worth further exploration to allow both the flexibility required to reflect new animal welfare science and the public confidence that the statutory welfare codes currently provide."
CM Research has announced the results of a survey conducted this month in which veterinary surgeons named Osurnia as the best new product of 2015.
290 companion animal veterinary surgeons took part in the survey, which is designed to provide veterinary surgeons with their peers’ unbiased judgement on which new veterinary products, services or devices have made the biggest impact on the industry.
The questions were unprompted to ensure that the respondents were not influenced by pre-set survey options. CM Research points to the fact that many of the products that featured in its rankings were launched before 2015, including 2nd and 3rd placed Apoquel and Bravecto, as evidence of this freedom.
The full list of products named more than once in this year's survey was:
Product
Manufacturer
Number of mentions
% of mentions
Osurnia
Elanco
67
23%
Apoquel
Zoetis
58
20%
Bravecto
MSD
29
10%
Semintra
Boehringer Ingelheim (BI)
13
4%
Amodip
Ceva
10
3%
Nexgard Spectra
Merial
8
Broadline
6
2%
UpCard
Vetoquinol
Zodon
5
Metabolic Diet
Hill's
4
1%
Nexgard
SDMA Test
IDEXX
Comfortis
3
Remend
Bayer
Seresto
Yumove
Lintbells
Bovela
BI
2
Comfortan
Dechra
Hill's y/d diet
Nutraquin
Nutravet
Pexion
Prinovox
Virbac
Pronefra
Thiafeline
Animalcare
Veraflox
Vetigel
Suneris
Cardalis
The BSAVA is warning the profession to steer wide of a website which purports to offer hotel bookings for this year's Congress, but which is in no way affiliated to BSAVA or Congress.
The website - www.bsava2016.org - does have a distinctly fishy smell to it. Aside from the fact that it describes Birmingham as "one of the most beautiful places in the United Kingdom", noted for its "awe-inspiring architecture" and "many food joints", there are other clues that this website may not belong to someone familiar with the location or the event, such as the description of BSAVA being "founded to create an excellent forum that promotes research in Animal Veterinary".
Notably, the site also offers no offline contact details.
The association says it is seeking legal advice, but in the meantime, the Birmingham Convention Bureau is the official BSAVA Congress partner for accommodation and the team has a range of accommodation for all budgets. Their online reservation service has now closed so if you want to make a new reservation or amend an existing reservation, contact the Birmingham Convention Bureau by email at bcb.accommodation@marketingbirmingham.com or telephone on 0844 888 3052.
Goddards, the Greater London-based 46-branch, 3 hospital veterinary group has announced the move of its HQ to a new premises in a former police station in Woodford Green, Essex.
Twenty staff from the practice, including senior managers, the accounts and IT teams and the ProActive Pets Wellness Club, are now based at the new premises.
PC Philip Goddard of Woodford Green said: "After 60 years working within our hospital in Wanstead, our support teams had outgrown the office space available. The move provides a greatly enhanced working environment for them and has also freed up space in the hospital that will be used to improve facilities for staff there, including a new lecture room for our Nursing College and Training Department."
The new address is: Claygate House, Manor Road, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 8BX. Telephone: 020 8506 0703.
Martin Hosegood MRCVS has been selected to run for (your) Vetlife in the Virgin London Marathon.
Martin said: "Through my role at VDS where I assist those on the receiving end of an allegation of professional negligence or professional misconduct, I have seen the fantastic work that Vetlife does to assist anyone in the veterinary community who is having a difficult time. I’ve run the marathon before for other charities but there will be something special about running it to help support my own profession. I feel privileged to have been chosen."
Martin (aka Obed) is a Bristol graduate who worked mainly in large animal practice for 25 years before becoming a VDS claims consultant in 2010. He has also been advising a large safari park on the health, conservation and management of a wide range of zoo species for many years and still continues this role now, albeit in a reduced capacity.
Martin will be running on April 26th with 38,000 other runners – almost five times the number that ran the first race in 1981. Other competitors will include Tim Peake, who will be running the race aboard the International Space Station, Dame Kelly Holmes MBE, James Cracknell and Rosie Allister, Chair of Vetlife Helpline.
Rosie said: "It’s brilliant that Martin is giving up his time and training miles to support Vetlife. People who call Vetlife Helpline can often feel very alone; knowing the profession is behind us and wants to help can make a real difference. I’m hoping Martin waves as he overtakes me on the day! And that more vets and VNs will help us fundraise for Vetlife in the future."
Anyone willing to sponsor Martin can do so at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ObedMartinHosegood
The Royal Veterinary College has launched the Pet Diabetes App - designed to bring diabetes management in animals into the 21st century and help ongoing research into the condition.
The free app - which was designed by Dr Stijn Niessen, a Senior Lecturer in Internal Medicine and pet diabetes expert at the RVC - allows owners to help control their pet's condition by recording the factors that indicate success or failure in diabetes management.
The veterinary care team can then fine-tune treatment according to the data recorded by the owner, thereby avoiding complications associated with low and high blood sugars, as well as the costs associated with such complications.
Stijn says he had two main objectives in designing the new app. Firstly to allow owners of diabetic pets to get actively involved in the medical management of their beloved pet. Secondly to gather strictly anonymous data about diabetic pets to enable further research and development into better treatment options.
The Diabetes Log feature of the app allows users to record and then share various essential parameters with their veterinary surgeon. They include clinical signs like weight, appetite, thirst and urination changes, as well as urine and blood sugar values (for those owners who perform home blood or urine glucose testing).
The app also features:
The Diabetes App is now available for free download onto smartphones and tablets, from Android (http://bit.ly/1q3jCV5) and iPhone App stores (http://apple.co/203OoK2).
The App was developed with the support of the Rumba Foundation which helps pioneer clinical care for companion animals. You can support the work of the Rumba Foundation here: www.justgiving.com/therumbafoundation”
The International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) has launched a new guide on feline stress and health to help veterinary professionals better understand, prevent and manage stress and distress in cats.
Feline Stress and Health: Managing Negative Emotions to Improve Feline Health and Wellbeing is the result of a collaboration between a number of leading authors in feline behaviour, veterinary medicine and welfare, and has been supported by Ceva.
Aimed at veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and veterinary students, the purpose of the guide is to help understand why cats can become stressed and distressed in the many environments where veterinary care is provided, including the veterinary surgery and the welfare environment.
The 160-page guide has been broken down into twelve chapters, covering what stress and distress are, why cats become stressed and/or distressed and how stress impacts on the behaviour and health of the cat.
The guide looks at the causes of stress and distress in different environments, including the veterinary clinic, homing centres, at home and in multi-cat households, and how it can be prevented and managed. The guide also offers some basic ideas, principles and tips which can be implemented by all veterinary professionals, which the ISFM says will make a huge difference to the cats in their care.
Sarah Ellis, co-editor of the guide and Feline Behaviour Specialist at International Cat Care said: "Most of us are well aware that cats can be negatively affected by the veterinary clinic and other confined environments. But how can we really tell what a cat is experiencing and what can we do to improve the situation? This guide offers a great deal of insight into negative emotions underlying the causes of stress and distress in cats and offers practical solutions on how to prevent and manage them."
The guide is available from International Cat Care’s shop (http://icatcare.org/shop), priced at £20.00.
The Waltham Equine Studies Group has published new research which highlights the effectiveness of grazing muzzles as a tool to help with weight management in ponies.
The research, which was conducted in collaboration with Dr Annette Longland of Equine and Livestock Nutrition Services (ELNS) in Wales2, also showed that longer grass can be more difficult for muzzled ponies to graze, and can cause frustration-related behaviour in some individuals.
According to Waltham, grazing muzzles have already been shown to reduce the pasture intake of ponies by around 80% by significantly reducing bite size and intake.1 Ponies fitted with grazing muzzles may spend more time engaging in foraging and eating than their non-muzzled counterparts, yet the majority either lose weight or retain their body condition. This in turn helps reduce susceptibility to obesity and related disorders, such as insulin dysregulation and laminitis.
Four mature ponies were selected for the study. Their dry matter (DM) and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) intakes were measured in spring, summer, and autumn pastures on four, three-hour occasions per pony per season when fitted with or without a grazing muzzle. In addition ponies, with and without muzzles, were allowed to take 10 bites of swards maintained at different heights.
When wearing grazing muzzles pasture intake was reduced by 77% during spring and summer and by 83% during the autumn. Without muzzles the ponies generally reduced the sward length by half with the first bite but when muzzled the reduction was variable and the ponies appeared to experience greater difficulty in accessing the longer versus the shorter swards.
The short (less than 10cm), upright, grass appeared to be the easiest to eat, as leaf blades and stems protruded through the holes in the muzzle. The medium and long swards proved more difficult. They bent under the pressure of the muzzle and became flattened, causing the ponies to adopt various strategies to access the grass. In some cases they pawed the ground to unearth the sward and access it through the muzzle. Alternatively they rammed the solid base of the muzzle hard onto the grass, causing it to buckle and make some blades or stems accessible. These were then yanked vigorously often causing the entire plant to be uprooted and eaten.
Water soluble carbohydrate levels in the sward were similar across the seasons although they were slightly higher in autumn. However, once muzzled the ponies’ intake of WSC wasn’t significantly different across the seasons; strengthening the evidence that the use of grazing muzzles is effective.
Clare Barfoot RNutr and the research and development manager at Spillers said: "While the frustration displayed when the muzzled ponies were on longer grass swards indicates that care should be taken to provide an accessible grass length, grazing muzzles remain an effective weight management tool. They allow turnout over large areas, increasing exercise and allow slow “trickle” feeding, to control weight gain and reduce the risk of obesity-related disorders, without significantly compromising the natural behaviour and wellbeing."
Waltham says grazing muzzles must be used with care, should be properly fitted and horses and ponies should be adapted gradually to wearing them. Group and individual behaviour should be monitored closely to observe any potential concerns caused by changes to the herd dynamics. Ensure that muzzled ponies are confident in drinking and eating through their muzzles before turning them out for prolonged periods. Muzzles must not be used continuously (not more than 10 hours per day) and total exclusion muzzles are not advised. Regular weight monitoring is recommended as some individuals can still gain weight when muzzled.
Two award-winning independent practices, Glasgow-based Pets’n’Vets and Fife-based Inglis Vets, have joined forces to launch what they describe as a pioneering new graduate training programme.
The new.graduatevet programme (or ‘Dot’ programme) provides hands-on surgical training at Inglis Vets' in Cowdenbeath, seminars from Advanced Veterinary Practitioners at the Pets'n'Vets’ Roundhouse Veterinary Hospital in Glasgow and a new website accessible to all new and recent graduates: www.new.graduatevet.co.uk
Inglis Vets senior vet Graeme Eckford (pictured left, above), said: "This innovation has seen Scotland’s two leading independent vets, Inglis and The Pets’n’Vets Family, bring our considerable combined expertise and facilities together to create what we believe to be the best well-rounded, supported and unique new graduate training programme available in Scotland.
"Support is delivered through an integrated mentor system, peer-to-peer learning opportunities and regular case reviews, with the Dot programme designed to integrate with, and augment, the PDP requirements."
Ross Allan, a partner in The Pets‘n’Vets Family (pictured right, above), said: "The Dot programme will see the new graduates undertake advanced training and extra practice on surgery, consultations and general practice to accelerate their surgical skills and confidence at Inglis Vets ‘Care and Save’– Cowdenbeath before attending the Pets'n'Vets Roundhouse Veterinary Hospital in Glasgow’s Southside for a digest of seminars.
"We are proud to work with Inglis Vets to develop the programme which we believe will provide a platform for new graduates to apply the skills they’ve learned at university throughout the previous five years, and allow them to excel in their careers.
"We believe this exciting new venture demonstrates the willingness of progressive independent veterinary practices to work constructively together to allow both our new graduate vets, and in turn our practices, to thrive. There will be considerable opportunities for the new graduate vets when they have completed their training in the 16 practices which comprise our two ground-breaking vet practices."
The new.graduatevet website has been established to run alongside the new.graduatevet programme as an online mentor and with the aim of providing a community and learning space for all new and recent graduate vets; a much-needed resource for the next generation of vet graduates. Its range of blogs, news and advice on a range of relevant topics are available to all.
New veterinary graduates can apply for a place on the Dot programme by logging onto www.new.graduatevet.co.uk
Merial has announced the launch of Nexus (http://merialnexus.co.uk), a new online information resource which offers large animal vets and Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs) CPD training modules, webinars, technical articles, product information, marketing tools and support materials.
Victoria Hudson, Marketing Manager for Merial’s Large Animal Portfolio said: "We know that it can be difficult for busy vets and SQPs to find the time to attend CPD sessions in the evenings. Our new Nexus online portal gives access to resources and training modules that can help vets and SQPs stay up-to-date with the latest thinking, best practice, and enhance their knowledge in the field of large animal health at a time that suits them.
"Merial is committed to providing high quality Continuing Professional Development (CPD); bringing the knowledge, expertise and experience which backs up our well-known brands online, to help support professional development."
The Nexus portal includes a range of online courses and modules aimed at SQPS in particular, participation in which can earn AMTRA points. The company says it will be adding further CPD throughout the year, including AMTRA accredited courses.
Merial is offering the chance to win £200 in Amazon vouchers to eligible individuals who register at merialnexus.co.uk from now until the 22nd April 2016.
XLVets, the collaborative group of 45 independent small animal practices, has announced the launch of 'Scratch Below the Surface', a campaign to raise awareness of skin conditions amongst pet owners.
As part of the campaign, practices within the group - which aims to establish itself as a nationwide 'quality mark' for independent care - will be offering skin check clinics for owners who are concerned that their pet may be suffering from a dermatology issue.
Paul Sands, BSc, BMedVet, CertVD, MRCVS, veterinary dermatologist from Scarsdale Veterinary Group, explained the rationale for focusing on skin conditions: "Skin conditions in dogs and cats have many underlying causes and may require a range of treatments and long-term management strategies to keep a pet healthy and itch-free. Summer can be a particularly bad time for sensitive pets as pollens and other allergens are at their highest in the warmer months.
"The Scratch Below the Surface initiative aims to help pet owners recognise the signs of skin conditions in their pets and encourage them to talk to their vet about preventive measures to carry out at home, such as flea and tick control. They will also receive support from their veterinary team in planning long-term management strategies for pets with ongoing skin conditions."
Practices in the group will also be collecting data about the types of dermatology conditions seen, geographical variances, and common and unusual cases.
XLVets says it will be producing case studies, blogs and articles, designed to benefit practices both within the XLVets group and the wider veterinary community.
To find out more about the campaign, visit: www.xlvets-pets.co.uk.
To find out more about joining the XLVets group, telephone 01228 711788.
Petplan has announced that Richard Williams MRCVS from the Vale Veterinary Centre in Barry has won its Vet of the Year award.
The award is one of a number handed out each year to celebrate exceptional veterinary surgeons, nurses, practices, practice managers and vet support staff who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in keeping pets healthy and giving owners peace of mind.
The independent panel of judges was particularly impressed with Richard’s tireless dedication to veterinary care. They said: "He is considered by both clients and colleagues to be a great communicator, is constantly researching new and improved techniques, is brilliant at motivating staff and proactively encourages the professional development of his team – he truly leads by example."
On receiving the award, Richard said: "I’m completely surprised, overjoyed and humbled that my clients have taken the time out of their busy days to vote. It’s a great feeling."
Other winners included:
Isabella von Mesterhazy, Head of Marketing at Petplan, said: "Through the annual Petplan Veterinary Awards we’re able to pay tribute to the incredible work carried out by members of the veterinary profession across the UK. Their dedication allows pet owners to rest safe in the knowledge that, whether it’s for a routine check-up, an unexpected illness or injury or a simple procedure, their much-loved pets are in safe hands when they visit their vets. We’re elated to be able to announce the deserving winners, and congratulate them on such a fantastic achievement!"
For more information about the awards and to learn more about the winners, please visit http://www.petplan.co.uk/vetawards/winners.asp.
Agria Pet Insurance has announced an 'age amnesty' in May, during which time the company will quote for cover regardless of the age of a pet.
The company says it is common for the owners of older pets to have difficulties finding insurance cover for older pets, and a lack of cover may be a barrier to presenting the animal for regular health checks and disease investigations.
Agria has been offering five weeks free pet insurance plus insurance quotes without an age limit for rehomed older pets from rehoming centres and charities for a year now, in order to give prospective rehomers greater confidence to take on the additional commitment of an older pet.
The company says that opening up the offer to all pet owners through May offers a rare opportunity to insure potentially vulnerable senior dogs and cats.
Alastair Cook, Head of Sales and Marketing, said: "It's a great way to reinforce to clients how much you care. The bond with an older pet is often special and it can be very distressing when they develop a condition that is going to require treatment on an ongoing basis. We don't want cost to be the pet owners biggest worry, or for people to feel that they can't afford to ask their veterinary practice for help. We're asking practices to reach out to pet owners and let them know about this time limited offer so we can help as many pets and people as possible."
Agria has produced an Age Amnesty waiting room poster, available on request by calling its veterinary helpline on 03330 30 83 90 or email admin.vet@agriapet.co.uk. Practices that work with charities are also encouraged to contact the company.
For more information, visit www.agriapet.co.uk/veterinary