The RSPB has reported the results of two studies which revealed that a greater diversity of birds of prey, including some eagles, are killed eating carrion contaminated with diclofenac.

The RSPB says that these findings strengthen the case of banning the use of veterinary diclofenac in livestock across Europe, including Spain and Italy where the drug has already been approved.

In the first paper¹, published in the journal Bird Conservation International, scientists present results of tests carried out on two steppe eagles found dead at a cattle carcass dump in Rajasthan, India. Both birds had diclofenac residue in their tissues and exhibited the same clinical signs of kidney failure as seen in Gyps vultures experimentally given diclofenac. 

Steppe eagles are closely related to the golden eagles found in the UK, the vulnerable Spanish imperial eagle and other globally vulnerable or declining Eurasian eagles. Scientists now fear that all species in this genus, known as Aquila, are susceptible to diclofenac. With fourteen species of Aquila eagle distributed across Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe and North America, this means that diclofenac poisoning should now be considered largely a global problem.

Dr Toby Galligan, RSPB conservation scientist and one of the authors of the paper, said: "We have known for some time that diclofenac is toxic to Gyps vultures, including the Eurasian griffon vulture, but we now know it is toxic to an Aquila eagle too. This suggests that the drug is fatal to a greater number of birds of prey in Asia, Europe and around the world. We had suspected as much from observed declines in non-Gyps vultures in Asia, but this study confirms our worst fears."

In another paper², published in Bird Conservation International, Dr Galligan led an examination of recent population trends in Egyptian and red-headed vultures in India. That study shows population declines of similar timing and scale as the declines observed in Gyps vultures, providing indirect evidence that these species have been impacted by diclofenac as well. 

After years of campaigning by conservationists, the governments of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan banned veterinary formulations of diclofenac between 2006 and 2010. Recently, experts have recorded a slowing of Gyps vulture declines as a result of the bans. However, formulations of diclofenac intended for use in humans are still widely available and illegally used to treat livestock, the carcasses of which are the main food source for vultures in South Asia.
 
It was announced in March that veterinary diclofenac had been authorised for manufacture and use in Italy and Spain and had been distributed to other European countries. Since then, a coalition of organisations including the Vulture Conservation Foundation, the RSPB and BirdLife International have been campaigning for this decision to be reversed.

Dr Galligan continued: "In light of recent developments in Europe, our findings take on an even more worrying meaning. All of Europe's charismatic Aquila eagles, like the Spanish imperial eagle and, closer to home, the golden eagle, are opportunistic scavengers and therefore could be at risk of diclofenac poisoning.  As we have seen in South Asia, wherever free-ranging livestock are treated with diclofenac, population declines in vultures and eagles can occur. The European Commission needs to recognise this problem and impose a continent-wide ban on veterinary diclofenac before it can impact on our birds."

Last week, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) announced measures against the drug. 

In a statement the VMD said: "The UK's Veterinary Medicines Directorate is taking the issue of diclofenac's risks to vulture populations seriously. As a precautionary measure the VMD will not approve any requests from vets to import products containing diclofenac. Furthermore, the VMD has agreed not to issue any export certificates which name diclofenac-containing products in the list of products to be exported."

Sacha Cleminson, Head of International Biodiversity Policy at the RSPB, said: "The announcement from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate is a welcome signal to Europe that the UK is taking the issue seriously. This new evidence underlines the need for a ban across Europe, and ultimately beyond." 

References

1. Diclofenac is toxic to the Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis: widening the diversity of raptors threatened by NSAID misuse in South Asia. Anil K. Sharma et al Bird Conservation International Online. 26th May 2014.

2. Have population declines in Egyptian Vulture and Red-headed Vulture in India slowed since the 2006 ban on veterinary diclofenac? Toby H. Galligan et al. Bird Conservation International Online. 1st April 2014.
   

The RCVS has removed 333 veterinary surgeons from the Register for non-payment of their annual renewal fees.

The final deadline for payment of the annual renewal fee passed on 31 May and the RCVS has written to those who have not paid to inform them of their removal from the Register. In 2013, 369 veterinary surgeons were removed from the Register for non-payment.

A list of the veterinary surgeons who have been removed - and who have not been subsequently restored to the Register - has today been published on the RCVS website (www.rcvs.org.uk/vetremovals2014).

This list is published to alert those veterinary surgeons who have not responded to RCVS communications to check their registration status, and to remind employers to check the registration status of their employees. The registration status of any veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse can also be checked online at www.rcvs.org.uk/check-the-register.

Any veterinary surgeon whose name appears on the list who believes they have paid their fee should contact the RCVS Finance Department as soon as possible on 020 7202 0723.

Veterinary surgeons and employers are reminded that, under the Veterinary Surgeons Act, it is illegal to allow anyone who is not on the RCVS Register to practise veterinary surgery. They can also no longer use the postnominal 'MRCVS' and any professional indemnity insurance the veterinary surgeon may have is also rendered invalid.

Further information about restoration to the Register, and a restoration application form, can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/registration or by contacting the Registration Department on membership@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0707.

In order to be restored to the Register, veterinary surgeons must pay a fee of at least £299, in addition to the outstanding annual renewal fee. The restoration fee increases each successive year a removed member remains off the Register.

The RCVS has issued a summary of the key decisions made at the June Council meeting. 

The summary is below, but for those who prefer, Nick Stace has done a four-minute piece to camera: 

24/7 & Postnominals
Council agreed in principal to changes to the supporting guidance of the Code of Professional Conduct regarding 24/7 emergency care and to put the brakes on a decision regarding the removal of all postnominals from the RCVS Register of Members.

Accounts
Also at the meeting, Council agreed to the 2013 Annual Report and Financial Statements, which is this year in a new format - the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2005) - on the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Committee. The Annual Report will be available to download shortly (www.rcvs.org.uk/publications).

In addition, Council agreed a freeze on retention fees for both veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses for 2015 - the fifth year in a row, and an effective decrease over this period of over £40 for veterinary surgeons.

Charter
Council also agreed to an amended version of the proposed new Royal Charter, which will now go to the AGM on 11 July 2014 for endorsement by members. The updated text, together with an explanation of the changes, can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/newcharter.

Governance review
Nearly a year on from the introduction of the new Operational Board and other governance changes designed to streamline decision-making, Council took the opportunity to review how this new structure was working. It agreed that, going forward, the Operational Board would appoint members of all committees and that papers for Council meetings should include minutes of all committee meetings.

Council also agreed that the Operational Board should take responsibly for registration matters, which are currently within the remit of the Standards Committee. Terms of reference for the Audit and Risk, Specialist Recognition Appeals and Standards Committees will be revised. Whether the Education Committee should be responsible for all decisions on the recognition of registerable degrees (as opposed to Council in its entirety) will be discussed further at the November meeting of Council.

Registration Regulations
The planned discussion on updated Registration Regulations was postponed until the November meeting, as feedback is awaited from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Alternative dispute resolution
Council agreed to the trial of an alternative dispute resolution service to start before the end of the year. The service will help the College to deal with complaints which, while they do not give rise to issues of serious professional misconduct, may have some substance. The trial will be carried out with Ombudsman Services and will focus on concerns relating to small animals received by the Professional Conduct Department. It will be limited to no more than 150 cases at a cost not to exceed £120,000.

Risk Register
Council discussed and approved an updated Risk Register. The Risk Register is confidential.

Practice Standard Scheme update
Council gave approval for the general direction of travel of the review of the Practice Standards Scheme, including a new modular framework; an IT system that would be available to all practices, not just those in the Scheme; new training and assessment for inspectors; and increased practice fees to cover these developments.

Also at the meeting, Amanda Boag was elected Treasurer, a post she will take up at RCVS Day on 11 July.

Reports were also presented from the Audit and Risk, Education, Preliminary Investigation and Disciplinary Liaison, Standards, Preliminary Investigation and Disciplinary Committees, and the Veterinary Nurses Council.

Finally, on behalf of Council, President Neil Smith gave thanks to retiring Council members Christine Shield, Peter Robinson, Clare Tapsfield-Wright and Caroline Freedman, also thanking Peter Lees, in his absence.

More detail about these topics, and other issues discussed at Council, will be available in the minutes in due course. The papers for the Council meeting can be viewed at www.rcvs.org.uk/about-us/rcvs-council/council-meetings/5-june-2014.

See also the June issue of RCVS News, which can be downloaded from www.rcvs.org.uk/publications shortly.

What does a well-known flea & tick collar have in common with the World Cup?

It transpires that the same Bayer MaterialScience technology which is being used by Adidas to make the 'Brazuca' - the new official match ball - more stable, elastic and hardwearing, is also used to allow imidacloprid and flumethrin to diffuse consistently through Seresto flea and tick collars for up to 8 months.

There you go. Bet you didn't know that.

Purina PetCare has announced the launch of the Purina Partners Programme, through which the company will offer practices their own business consultant tasked with giving advice that reflects the unique challenges facing each practice.

Through the Partners Programme, practices will be able to get support and advice in four main areas:

1. Clinic+
   Helping the practice understand how it looks and feels through the eyes of clients, and optimising the layout, design and merchandising to complement the existing clinic brand.
2. Client+
   Advice to help the practice strengthen relationships with clients, with the aim of increasing client visits and sales of pet food, treatment and accessories from the practice.
3. Knowledge+
   Partners will be able to select from a range of learning and CPD options, including staff training, manuals, 'lunch and learn', sponsored congress attendance and webinars which cover Purina's nutritional research and training, and commercial insights into soft-selling and consumer behaviour. 
4. Food+
   Helping the practice to maximise food sales - a proven way to increase turnover and profitability - with tools like product samples and brochures, Kitten and Puppy packs and Point of Sale materials.

Chris Nickson, Senior Brand Manager, Purina Vet Channel, said: "As a Partner, practices will work with a dedicated Purina representative who will develop and implement a tailored business plan which is perfectly suited to their clinic and clients. The Programme is designed to be completely flexible, allowing vets to select and tailor elements to suit themselves. Purina represents a solid business partner and will be able to provide sound advice to any practice by drawing on its extensive business experience as a pet care brand and as part of the global corporation Nestlé."

The Partners Programme is fully funded by Purina, so there is no financial commitment on the part of the practice, however participating practices are required to recommend Purina diets as first choice.

In return, the company says the Programme will help optimise the pet owner experience at your clinic, and could help drive growth, attract new clients and boost turnover.

Nickson concludes: "With absolutely no financial outlay, clinics could see an increase in client numbers and profitability, the Purina Partners Programme provides practice managers with a helpful and effective solution."

To sign up for Purina Partners Programme, call the Purina Petcare Team on 0800 212 161.

Ceva Animal Health has announced the winners of its 2014 Animal Welfare Awards.  

The awards recognise volunteers, charity workers and veterinary professionals who have gone the extra mile in improving animal welfare around the world. Winners were decided by a panel of industry professionals, including Christopher Laurence MBE BVSc and Claire Bessant of International Cat Care. 

The winners of the 2014 Ceva Animal Welfare Awards were as follows:

Christopher Laurence Vet of the Year Award
Marc Abraham, veterinary surgeon and founder of Pup Aid, for his tireless campaigning about puppy farming. He recently gathered more than the 100,000 names required to trigger a parliamentary debate about puppy farming in a record breaking six months.

Volunteer of the Year Welfare Award
Johanna Beumer from Whittingham Kennels, Essex, for dedicating the last 50 years of her life to finding loving homes for retired racing greyhounds. Joanna is one of the Retired Greyhound Trust's longest-serving volunteers.

Farm Animal Welfare Award
Molly McKay from Norfolk Farm Vets Ltd, Norfolk, for her tireless work to ensure the health and wellbeing of her farm animal patients. 

Charity Professional of the Year
Luke Gamble MRCVS from the Worldwide Veterinary Service, for raising awareness about animal welfare and in particular his recent work in launching Mission Rabies, a worldwide campaign to highlight this issue and bring about control.

Charity Team of the Year
Hope Rescue, a small charity dedicated to rescuing stray and abandoned dogs. Last year it successfully rehomed 143 dogs and on top of that placed a further 384 dogs with reputable rescues.

Welfare Nurse of the Year Award
Jodie Foster from Haygate Veterinary Centre, Muxton, for her work helping owners whose pets have behavioural problems, and organising blood drives for the Pet Blood bank. 

International Cat Care Welfare Award
Agnes Dufau from Plataforma Gatera for her work to ensure the welfare of cats in Spain.

Jodie Foster said: "I didn't even know I had been nominated until very recently so I'm still in shock! I'm loving every minute of the night though. Awards like these really help raise awareness of the work veterinary nurses and other veterinary professionals play in improving animal welfare."

Upon receiving their award, Vanessa Waddon of Hope Rescue, winners of the Charity Team of the Year Award, said: "We are so proud to have been recognised for all the hard work that our volunteers and one paid member of staff do. We are a very small charity, and it is amazing to have been picked as winners over hundreds of other larger charities, all deserving of awards for the fantastic work they do in animal welfare. Even though we are a small charity, we do try to make a big impact and it is wonderful that Ceva are here in recognition of the important work that smaller charities, like Hope Rescue, do."

Ceva Managing Director, Alan Doyle said: "The judging panel were overwhelmed by the quality of the entries we received this year. It is truly wonderful to read so many stories about honourable people dedicating their time to improve the welfare of animals both in the UK and internationally. The judges had a tough time whittling down the short list as there were so many well-deserved entries; however we are pleased with the final result."

Claire Bessant CEO of International Cat Care adds: "I began my charity career more than 20 years ago and I only wish awards like these one had existed then as the wonderful work that these people do needs celebrating. Ceva's Animal Welfare Awards provide a real insight into the lengths people are prepared go to improve animal welfare. The stories were both tear jerking and inspiring - each and every one deserves to be a winner." 

The Sutton Bonington Campus, home of the University of Nottingham's School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, has raised £610 for Sport Relief with its annual Science Cake Competition.

There were thirty entries to the competition, in categories which included Animals & Agriculture, Food & Nutrition, Infection, 'Nerdy' Science, Plants, Crops & Environment, and Veterinary Medicine.

A special category this year was 'Cakes for Animals', which Emily Blight, an undergraduate vet student, organised for a panel of dogs to judge on tastiness.

The winner of the public vote was 'What came first, the chicken or the cake?' (pictured right), whilst the overall winner was Alex Burgess with ‘Dave’s Allotment’.

One of the judges, Dr Mike Jones said: "Choosing the winner was extremely hard. Every cake had its own specific merits be it the execution of the design, through to the novelty of ingredients and ideas or how they fitted into the categories." He added that he "was almost put off jelly beans for life - they will be forever associated with sheep back sides."

The cakes are all on display here.

Eli Lilly and Company, which owns Elanco Animal Health, has announced an agreement to acquire Novartis Animal Health for approximately $5.4 billion in cash.

Lilly says that on completion of the deal, Elanco will be the second-largest animal health company in terms of global revenue. It will also solidify its number two ranking in the U.S., and improve its position in Europe and the rest of the world.

As part of the agreement, Lilly will acquire Novartis Animal Health's nine manufacturing sites, six dedicated research and development facilities, a global commercial infrastructure with a portfolio of approximately 600 products, a pipeline with more than 40 projects in development, and an experienced team of more than 3,000 employees.

The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2015, subject to clearance under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, similar requirements outside the U.S., and other customary closing conditions.

John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., Lilly's chairman, president and chief executive officer said: "Animal health continues to represent an attractive growth opportunity for Lilly. We intend to keep Elanco and to take advantage of the substantial synergies between our animal health and human health businesses.

"Significant investments in our animal health business in recent years have enabled Elanco to double its revenue since 2008, leading the industry in growth. Global trends suggest continued sustained demand for animal health products in the years ahead. Through this acquisition, which moves Elanco to top-tier in the industry, we intend to create value for our shareholders by adding to our promising pipeline of innovative animal health assets, increasing sales through a larger commercial footprint, and improving efficiencies and lowering costs."

Bayer Animal Health has launched a new marketing campaign for Drontal that celebrates the special roles pets play in people's lives.

As part of the campaign, the company has carried out research amongst 2,000 cat and dog owners to discover how owning a pet changes behaviour and positively impacts their daily routine.

The survey found that 76% of dog owners say their four-legged friend is like a personal trainer that motivates them to take exercise, with one in four saying they've lost weight since getting their pet. Of these, one in ten say they've lost half a stone or more.

As part of the Special Roles campaign, Bayer has launched a competition to find the nation's most interesting pets. People can upload their favourite pet photo and explain what it is that makes their animal so important to them. The winner of the Special Roles competition will be chosen on the 31^st July by a judging panel which includes the editors of Your Cat and Your Dog magazines.

The winner will receive £500 as well as the chance to appear in a Drontal advertorial. The two runners-up will be decided by public vote and will receive £250 worth of vouchers to spend in Pets at Home. Entries to the competition can be  submitted here: http://woobox.com/uahgp5

The Special Roles theme is being supported by a new TV and print advertising campaign that celebrates the role our pets play in our lives. The ad communicates the importance of regular worming with Drontal, with the tagline: "It's their job to be special, it's our job to keep them that way". The print and TV campaign will run for 2 weeks, from 14th April.

Kathrin Tetzner from Bayer said: "The Special Roles campaign for Drontal celebrates the joy, love and humour pets bring to our lives, while reminding owners that it is their responsibility to keep them happy and healthy in whatever role they play. The Special Roles competition will give pet owners nationwide the chance to show off their pet's special role and help us celebrate a nation of happy and healthy pets."

Mike Brampton, inventor of the CAT Doppler blood pressure system and Managing Director of Thames Medical, is to start the 'Tour de Vet', a 1,300 mile tour of the UK during which he'll be stopping to give BP CPD and coaching to veterinary surgeons and nurses in return for a donation to the charity Canine Partners.

Mike says the CAT Doppler system is the most widely used in the UK. He also lectures at Nottingham Vet School and normally charges something in the order of £600 for talks and training sessions.

During the 'Tour de Vet', however, he'll be giving his talks free, in exchange for a donation to the charity of £250-£300.

Mike said: "At a recent BVNA Congress, 85% of nurses said they would like more skills and information in BP techniques. This is your chance to book some quality, certified, hands-on CPD at a massively reduced price, which will benefit not only your staff and practice but also help train a puppy for Canine Partners".

Mike's target is to raise £10,000.

The tour starts in Worthing on May 19th 2014. It ends three weeks and 1300 miles later at the Vettrust Conference in Stirling.

To book your blood pressure monitoring CPD or nurses' coaching, call Mike on 01903 522911 or email mike@thamesmedical.com.

Alternatively, if you just want to support his efforts, text 70070 with the code TDEV55 and your donation or visit http://www.justgiving.com/Tour-De-Vet

Vétoquinol has announced the return of Navilox powder (isoxsuprine hydrochloride), the only medication specifically licensed in the UK for use in cases of navicular disease in horses.

Navicular disease is a chronic degenerative condition of the navicular bone and associated structures. It is a syndrome with a complex pathogenesis which combines various underlying causes. Vétoquinol says it is a common cause of lameness in the middle aged riding horse.

Robert Simpson, Navilox Product Manager said: "Navilox has been sorely missed by equine vets in the UK which is why I am thrilled to be able to announce that it is available again."

To order Navilox powder, call Vétoquinol on 01280 825424 or contact your wholesaler directly.

MSD Animal Health UK has announced the launch of Bravecto, which it says is the first and only treatment available for fleas and ticks in dogs that is rapidly effective and offers 12-weeks duration of efficacy.

Bravecto (fluralaner) is the first of a new generation of systemically active ectoparasiticides, the isoxazolines, and will only be available on prescription through veterinary practices.  

The new product will be available in five strengths of pork liver flavoured palatable chew for different size dogs - one chew per weight band - which MSD says are readily accepted from the hand.

Jolian Howell, marketing and technical lead at MSD Animal Health UK said: "Bravecto is a truly unique and exciting innovation which will transform the effective treatment of fleas and ticks - providing protection like never before from a single dose. It is the first in a new generation of products that offer a full 12-week protection and will help keep the treatment of fleas and ticks within veterinary practices."

He continued: "Estimates suggest that flea and tick treatments are applied for just 2.8 months per year so just one dose of Bravecto will immediately deliver much improved levels of treatment for dogs in veterinary care, which is good for the animal and good for the vet."

MSD Animal Health says it is investing in the launch of Bravecto with a major marketing and practice support package which aims to raise awareness of fleas and ticks and drive pet owner footfall into practices for flea and tick control.

The new product will be available after BSAVA Congress, where MSD will be giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about it.

The Dogs Trust has officially launched the Free Microchipping Through Vets Campaign through which all owners can get their dog microchipped free of charge through participating veterinary practices.

Microchipping becomes compulsory for all dogs in England in April 2016 and Wales in March 2015, and with 20% of dogs in the UK still unchipped, the charity says it thinks demand for the procedure is likely to be significant over the coming year.

1500 practices have already joined the year-long campaign, as part of which they will be given free microchips in exchange for implanting them at no cost to the owner. The charity says it hopes that up to 75% of the UK's 3075 practices will have joined the campaign within the next few weeks.

Clarissa Baldwin, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust, said: "We are delighted about the proposed new legislation and see it as the start of a very positive movement. From April 2016 in England and March 2015 in Wales it will be compulsory for each and every dog to be microchipped on first change of hands which represents a significant step forward for dog welfare and responsible dog ownership. To show its support for the implementation of this legislation, Dogs Trust is teaming up with vets to make sure that all dog owners can have the procedure done for free. We'd like to say a huge thank you to the vet practices already supporting the campaign and urge others to come on board. An essential element to the success of microchipping is for dog owners to take responsibility for updating their details with the database should their circumstances change.

"Last year 111,986 stray and abandoned dogs were picked up by Local Authorities across the UK, with only 40% reunited with their owners. This initiative will help to reduce that number dramatically."

To join the campaign vet practices should contact Dogs Trust at campaigns@dogstrust.org.uk