New Horse Passport Guidelines come into force from 1 July 2009 which will require horses to be microchipped. However a recent poll on Horse & Hound Online has revealed that 75 per cent of those questioned were unaware of the new microchip legislation.
With this in mind, Bayer has produced a comprehensive marketing support package for equine vets which provides an overview of the new Horse Passport Guidelines 2009 together with a clear and concise summary of its requirements for vets and horse owners.
The Tracer Advance equine package contains a handy laminated bullet point guide to the new regulations, practice posters, client leaflets, client leave pieces, pre-written articles for use in practice newsletters and local press, and PowerPoint presentations for client evenings.
Practices can apply for any of these items by contacting their Bayer Territory Manager.
Intervet / Schering-Plough has announced that its leptospirosis vaccine, Nobivac Lepto 2, is now back in stock at all wholesalers and that the production delay affecting supply has been fully resolved.
David Hallas, general manager, Intervet / Schering-Plough Animal Health, said: "We foresee no further supply difficulties on Nobivac Lepto 2. I very much regret the inconvenience experienced over this difficult period and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of our customers for their patience, understanding and support.
"A combination of advancing production and a very timely batch release process has enabled us to re-introduce Nobivac Lepto 2 ahead of the previously-indicated timing of early May, and we are pleased that we have been able to deliver on the assurances that we made back in January."
The company says that current stock levels and planned deliveries are all in place.
Ken Elliott, Marketing Manager for Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health's Companion Animal Business, said: "Orders should be placed with wholesalers in the usual way but we advise practices that have outstanding orders, or think they may have outstanding orders, to check the status with their wholesaler."
Animalcare has announced that a new indication for chronic renal insufficiency in cats has been approved in the licence for Benazecare 5mg.
Benazecare is a POM-V ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor containing benazepril hydrochloride, which was originally launched in the UK in 2007 for the treatment of congestive heart failure in dogs.
For more information, contact Animalcare at www.animalcare.co.uk
Following a nationwide search to find the UK’s top veterinary professionals for 2009 and judged by an independent panel of experts, Petplan has announced the winners for the Veterinary Awards.
The Petplan Veterinary Awards recognise and applaud staff and practices throughout the country that have delivered an exceptional level of care to the nation’s pets, and their owners.
Simon Wheeler, Petplan’s Head of Marketing, explains: “Britain is known to be an animal-loving nation and with millions of households owning cats and dogs, pets play a central part in family life. The Petplan Veterinary Awards give us the opportunity to thank the veterinary profession for the outstanding level of care they provide to our animals.”
The winners of the 10th annual Petplan Veterinary Awards were:
VET OF THE YEARBen Jones, Ben Jones Veterinary Surgery, Chester, FlintshireBen’s understanding and compassion for his clients’ pets impressed the judges. Whilst being extremely knowledgeable, Ben can reassuringly explain the most complicated procedures to clients. Ben continuously goes above and beyond the call of duty, such as establishing a home visit scheme for pensioners and visiting a nursing home when an owner was there as a day patient.
VET NURSE OF THE YEARKaren McQuoid, The Old Golfhouse Veterinary Group, Watton, NorfolkThe judges believe Karen is an excellent role model for her team of nurses. Karen was noted for her positive attitude and good humour even under extreme pressure of being head nurse of four different practices.
VET RECEPTIONIST OF THE YEAR Yasmin Morowa, Melton Veterinary Surgery, Woodbridge, SuffolkYasmin’s attention to detail made her stand out as the winner of Vet Receptionist of the Year. Yasmin always checks to see how patients have progressed when she returns from holiday so she can help clients appropriately when they call or visit. Her kind approach makes her highly appreciated by both clients and colleagues.
VET PRACTICE OF THE YEAR St Clair Veterinary Group, Kirkcaldy, FifeSt Clair Veterinary Group was described as having exceptional customer care and uses every opportunity to educate their clients. The team stood out for their environmental consciousness.
The UK's first online gastric ulcer risk assessment for horse owners has just been launched as part of the 2009 Gastric Ulcer Awareness Month (GUAM), organised by Merial Equine Health.
Merial has developed the risk online questionnaire to enable owners to evaluate their horse's risk of ulcers. By logging on to the website http://www.gastriculcerrisk.co.uk/, owners, trainers and riders can complete a form which then returns the results via email. Where an animal is considered to be at medium to high risk, owners will be advised to consult their veterinary practice.
The company's Dr Emma Batson said: "Since the first GUAM in 2007, significant progress has been made in developing awareness and understanding of equine gastric ulcer syndrome.
"However there is still more to do! Our goal is to move gastric ulcers further up the diagnostic process, such that the condition is an early consideration for all horses presented with the vague symptoms associated with ulceration. We know that due to the vague nature of the symptoms, many of horses are suspected of other ailments such as back and teeth problems, general poor performance, or behavioural issues prior to being diagnosed with ulcers.
"This new initiative has been developed through consultation with practising internal medicine specialists. We hope it will help to highlight more cases and encourage clients into the practice with horses that are at genuine risk of ulcers. Further diagnosis, treatment and management measures can then be considered in consultation with the client.
"The website also has a veterinary page so that follow up information and any gastroscopy results can be recorded by the vet. We hope that this feedback will help generate some valuable data for the industry."
To help you promote this initiative, Merial has produced an impactful poster for use in practice waiting rooms, along with educational literature. The poster will be available as a loose insert in various publications during April and May.
For those practices which require a referral scoping service, Merial can put you in touch with three specialist consultants; Rachael Conwell (North) Dr.Tim Brazil (Midlands/nationwide) and Richard Hepburn (South West) who each provide a mobile scoping clinic.
Merial is also promising support for the mobile scoping service for the five practices that direct the largest number of clients to http://www.gastriculcerrisk.co.uk/
A number of events are also taking place during the month for vets, trainers and horse owners, including the following CPD events:
GUAM is supported by BEVA and Dr Batson hopes that the 2009 initiatives will further boost awareness, understanding and diagnosis of this underrated condition.
Boehringer Ingelheim has launched a new competition for vets and nurses to win a £1,500 Thomson 'Round The World' travel voucher.
The competition is called 'Celebrate Life with Norman', the knitted star of the Vetmedin advert. To enter, you need to take a photograph of a cardboard cutout of Norman (sent to all practices, and also available from Boehringer Territory Managers) whilst 'on your travels'. Then upload your photo to www.vetmedin.co.uk by June 30th, 2009.
You can then follow Norman on his QUEST (Quality of Life and Extension of Survival Time, geddit), and vote for your favourite QUEST adventure.
The competition is open to UK and ROI practising vets and nurses.
For more information please contact your Boehringer Territory Manager or visit the Vetmedin® website.
To meet market demands and ensure that their customers comply with regulatory requirements, British manufacturer Labcold has released the first models in a new range of vaccine and pharmaceutical refrigerators designed specifically for this use from the ground-up. The company says more models will be added to the range over the next 12 months.
When storing temperature-sensitive vaccines and pharmaceuticals, Veterinary Practices need to ensure compliance with an ever-increasing burden of legislation, regulations and guidelines, such as the latest VMD Code of Practice, (Oct 2007). The BVA Good Practice Guide - Standard Operating Procedure 04 on the storage of medicinal products in permanent premises says as follows:
Refrigerated storage must:
Although this guidance stops short of specifically excluding the use of domestic refrigerators, Labcold says professional products are more appropriate since they are built specifically for vaccine and pharmaceutical storage. Labcold refrigerators all fully compliant and have locking doors plus a host of handy options including capacity, glass doors and a new divided-drawer system.
Robin Gregson, Sales & Marketing Director at Labcold said, "Our whole product range is constantly being updated to ensure that we provide our customers with market-leading solutions. Many previous pharmacy refrigerators have simply been modified designs of domestic fridges, whilst our new range, the result of three years work, is one of the few on the market to be designed specifically for pharmacy use from the ground up."
For full information on all Labcold products, including portable refrigerators suitable for farm vets please visit http://www.labcold.com/ or contact sales@labcold.com / Telephone 0870 3001001 for a free copy of the latest Product Guide.
Siemens will be showcasing its range of technology for veterinary care, from advanced ultrasound, CT and MRI systems to haematological and immunological diagnostics at BSAVA Congress.
The company says MRI and CT are starting to become more influential in the veterinary field. MRI provides a reliable veterinary imaging method when traditional procedures such as X-ray and ultrasound are not able to convey the detail needed. They display small changes in bone and soft tissue and can be complemented with special adjustments such as mini coils for dog and cat paws to make them suitable for application with animals. This allows vets to diagnose more accurately and treat specific complaints. The images produced by MRI systems can be used for tumour diagnosis, nervous complaints or orthopaedic problems as well as intestinal, respiratory or cardiovascular disorders.
Siemens will also be presenting its in vitro range of solutions and assays in chemistry, haematology and immunology.
This will include the IMMULITE® range, a blood testing platform which the company says has an unrivalled immunoassay portfolio, allowing the rapid diagnosis of a broad spectrum of small animal conditions.
Information on the ADVIA® 2120i Haematology System with specific animal software and Dimension® Xpand® Plus integrated chemistry and immunoassay system will also be available.
Product literature and in-depth discussions with Siemens specialists will be available from the stand during the event.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Trust is looking for a vet with a particular interest in veterinary education, professional development and research, to be a new trustee.
The RCVS Trust is an independent small charity that provides two key services to the veterinary profession to further education and animal welfare: an educational grants programme and a Library and Information Service. It is seeking a trustee who can bring new contacts and ideas relevant to the work of the Trust.
The Trust is also seeking further 'lay' trustees with experience of library services, fundraising and grant-making.
The current Board members have a wide range of experience from academia, government, animal health and small and large animal practice, and veterinary nursing. However, there is room for some new Trustees to join and bring the Board up to full strength.
Stephen Ware, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said: "The Trust has an important role in supporting practising vets, veterinary nurses, researchers, students and academics through its grants programmes and library and information resources."
"We are looking for a veterinary surgeon who is actively involved in the wider profession through networks and specialist interest groups, and who is willing to promote the work of the Trust, for example, at veterinary congresses. Given the nature of the Trust's work, the new trustee should also have experience of postgraduate education or research.
"We need someone who has the energy and experience to get things done - and who can work with other trustees in a collegiate style."
Trustees serve an initial three-year term, spending around six days a year at meetings in London and conferences. Reasonable expenses are reimbursed. Experience of charity governance and finance is not necessary as training and support will be given.
Those interested in the role can contact Cherry Bushell, Director of the RCVS Trust, for an informal discussion and an application form. The closing date for applications is 30 April.
CVS Group has announced record half-year pre-tax profits of £1.9m, indicating the robustness of the veterinary sector in harsh economic conditions.
Like-for-like sales were up 2.3% in the first half. However, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph, the company has said revenue from sales of inessentials like preventative flea control may yet fall.
Mike Martin, an RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology, has launched a new reference library of cardiology echo scans on VetSurgeon.org.
The movies show cardiac scans performed on normal dogs, and on cats and dogs with a variety of different conditions, both acquired and congenital.
Mike said: "I hope these movies will be a really helpful reference for colleagues who have an interest in cardiology. They provide so much more information than can be gleaned from a still image in a textbook, now that online video quality has improved so much."
Mike's gallery is an excellent example of the way in which a social networking website like VetSurgeon allows its members to share information and collaborate. Other referral practitioners interested in having their own gallery in which to share videos or images with colleagues in the profession should contact the site editor, Arlo Guthrie for further details.
Click here to visit Mike Martin's Cardiology Gallery
Genitrix has repackaged its palatable, fenbendazole-based treatment for internal parasites, with an easy dose syringe mechanism to allow its accurate administration to rabbits, ferrets, exotic birds and reptiles. To make life simpler for pet owners, it has also provided detailed dosing instructions for worming all the species for which it is indicated.
First launched in 2008, Lapizole is a broad spectrum oral-antiparasiticide for use in the prevention and treatment of infections caused by internal parasites of rabbits, birds, reptiles and ferrets, including Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) in rabbits.
Genitrix' marketing director, Rob Watkins, said: "Lapizole proved itself as a highly effective treatment for E. cuniculi during its first year. Many of our customers have expressed the wish to use the treatment on a broader range of animals and in species groups for which highly accurate dosing and a syringe mechanism would be vital. We've taken their feedback on board and are delighted to be making Lapizole available to them with its new dispenser.
"The combination of efficacy, easy dosage and palatability make it an ideal product for the control of internal parasites in these species."
For more information, visit http://www.genitrix.co.uk/
The Association of Private Pet Cemeteries & Crematoria (APPCC) has launched a new leaflet for bereaved pet owners, which will be distributed to veterinary practices.
Kevin Spurgeon, Director of the APPCC said: "The feelings of grief and loss that pet owners go through after the death of their pet is often not fully appreciated. The idea of the leaflet is to help owners understand and deal with the emotions they are experiencing more. If the pet is part of a family then several people along with other pets may be affected - it may even be the first experience of death for some."
The leaflet was written and produced for the APPCC by Jane Matthews, author of Losing a Pet (http://www.smallbooks.co.uk/), and has had support from several experienced pet bereavement counsellors and the nationwide Pet Bereavement Support Service run by SCAS (www.scas.org.uk). It covers a variety of subjects, including:
According to the APPCC, studies have shown that as many as 1 in 4 pet owners take time off of work after the death of their pet with nearly half of all those surveyed having taking annual leave after their loss. Pet crematoriums have also noticed an upturn in the numbers of people taking a hands-on approach by choosing to arrange an individual cremation for their pet directly with the crematorium.
The APPCC plans to distribute the leaflets to its members, pet bereavement counsellors and veterinary surgeries throughout the UK and believes this is a major step forward in both acknowledging pet bereavement and helping those affected by it. The leaflet will also be available to download from the main APPCC website www.appcc.org.uk as well as through many of the members own sites.
The RSPCA has reported that 11,586 animals were abandoned last year. That's more than 30 a day, and an increase of over 57% compared to the 7,347 animals that were abandoned in 2007.
Is this a precursor for tough times for the veterinary profession? Difficult to know. It conflicts with the record profits announced by CVS only a month ago. And perhaps the sort of people that would consider abandoning their animal under any circumstances are not likely to have been regular visitors to a vet in the first place.
CEVA Animal Health has extended its behavioural range of products with the launch of Senilife®, a nutritional supplement which is specifically formulated to help manage signs of brain ageing in dogs and cats.
Senilife® contains a combination of three essential brain nutrients - phosphatidylserine, vitamin B6 and vitamin E - which the company says help maintain membrane fluidity and normalise neurotransmission. In addition, two natural but potent anti-oxidants - gingko biloba and resveratrol - support brain metabolism and help to neutralise free radicals and reduce amyloid deposits.
According to CEVA, common signs of brain ageing in dogs and cats include playing or interacting less, barking or howling at night, loss of house-training/litter box training, apathy or increased tiredness and disorientation. A study has shown that up to 75% of dogs over seven years of age and 35% of cats 11 years and over suffer from at least one geriatric behavioural problem1.
In a recent clinical study, 86% of owners were satisfied with the results achieved after one month of using Senilife®, with 73% of dog owners and 67% of cat owners noticing fewer signs of brain ageing within the first seven days2.
Juliet Penaliggon, small animal marketing manager at CEVA Animal Health, says: "Many typical signs of brain ageing in dogs can be controlled by nutritional management. Senilife® is a fast-acting, nutritional supplement that contains proven nutrients and neuroprotectives to help manage these signs."Senilife® capsules are easy to administer either directly into the mouth of the pet or emptied onto the pet's food."
For further information, please contact your CEVA Animal Health representative or call 01494 781510.
References1 Behaviour problems in geriatric pets. Lansberg G and Araujo J. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 35 (2005) 675-698.2 Isaka N, Baysse B, Lopez A, Ovaert P and Penaliggon J. CABSTG Spring Meeting April (2009).
Dechra Veterinary Products has launched a range of materials to assist veterinary practices in educating and supporting their clients with hyperthyroid cats.
Available as part of the support package are a range of notice board displays, educational booklets, an owner website (http://www.hyperthyroidcat.co.uk/) and promotional items. The company also offers on-site CPD training for vets and veterinary nurses, which can take place at a time convenient to the practice and which counts for one hour of CPD.
Greg Williams, Veterinary Technical Services Manager at Dechra said "Our experience of the diagnosis and ongoing treatment of cats with hyperthyroidism has shown that it is a daunting and worrying time for owners. It is important that we fully educate and support these clients to achieve the highest possible level of care for the patient and ease owners' concerns."
For more information concerning on-site CPD or to order the client support materials, contact your local territory manager or telephone Dechra Veterinary Products on 01743 441632.
Dechra Veterinary Products has launched a new online fluid therapy distance-learning course for vets and nurses, to help maximise the potential of its Vetivex® fluids range.
The Fluids Knowledge Programme has been created to provide comprehensive and flexible online CPD for companion animal and equine practitioners. The coursework, which counts for six to eight hours of CPD learning, includes the latest thinking from fluid therapy specialists Dr Ava Firth, Karen Humm and Kevin Corley.
Dechra says the course combines theoretical and practical advice on fluid therapy for both small animals and horses, and can be used for training, as a refresher, and to develop thinking on fluid therapy. Self-assessment questions included within the course allow progress to be monitored throughout.
Gwenda Bason, marketing director for Dechra Veterinary Products, said: "We've spent months of research and development producing this online learning portal for professionals. It will enable vets and nurses to improve their knowledge, understanding and patient care. Being online, users can dip in and out of it as and when their schedules allow and additional costs often associated with CPD learning, such as travel or accommodation costs, are eliminated.
"When practices choose Vetivex, they're not just buying bags of fluid, they're benefitting from our investment in practice education which will improve their understanding of the role and management of fluids."
Dechra estimates the programme is worth around £400 per person, and therefore offers savings of over £3000 in CPD costs for an 8 member practice.
To find out more about the Fluids Knowledge Programme visit www.fluidtherapy.co.uk, or contact Liz Rawlings at Dechra on 01743 441 632.
Following two postponed hearings and a stayed Judicial Review, the Disciplinary Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons last week accepted a wide-ranging 18-month programme of undertakings from a veterinary surgeon found guilty of serious professional misconduct, to address his "serious deficiencies" and "practice failings".
In October 2006, Mr Joseph Holmes MRCVS, of the Waltham Veterinary Clinic near Grimsby, was found guilty of serious professional misconduct for performing inappropriate and out-of-date veterinary treatment. Judgment was postponed for a period of two years subject to conditions that were put in writing and agreed by Mr Holmes.
The hearing resumed early, in February 2008, as Mr Holmes had deliberately ceased to comply with these conditions in the hope of forcing an appeal against the Committee's original finding of serious professional misconduct.
At the resumed hearing, Mr Holmes was told there was no legal framework for such an appeal (only against a sanction of suspension or removal from the Register) and that he would be subject to an 18-month period of compliance with the conditions set out at the original hearing; he was also invited to propose a programme of continuing professional development (CPD) and other undertakings for that period.
As Mr Holmes then applied for a Judicial Review of the Committee's decisions, this programme was never proposed. However, at the Royal Courts of Justice in October 2008, Mr Holmes' application for Judicial Review was stayed, by mutual consent, allowing for the DC hearing to be resumed and for him to offer undertakings for the Committee's consideration.
At last week's hearing, the Committee reminded itself of the original four findings of serious professional misconduct against Mr Holmes, which, in each case, it had stated would "be viewed by reasonable and competent members of the veterinary profession to be deplorable...and far below the standards that members of the public were entitled to expect."
In relation to these findings, the Committee was particularly concerned about his deficiencies in the fields of orthopaedics, oncology, radiology and therapeutics and considered that his future CPD should specifically address these areas.
Consequently, Mr Holmes agreed to an extensive range of undertakings over an 18-month period, including: participation in the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme (including two inspections); keeping abreast of changes to the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct; 105 hours of standard and additional CPD; proofs of purchase of up-to-date text books and journal subscriptions; and six-monthly progress reports to the Chairman of the Committee.
Brian Jennings, Chairman of the Committee, said: "The Committee considers that the undertakings in the form that you have offered to it, if fulfilled by you, will serve to ensure that there will be no repetition of the conduct which resulted in our original findings and serve to ensure that animals and the public will not be put at risk.
"We trust that you will enter into these courses with the right mind-set and find that at their conclusion, these tasks have been of advantage to your practice."
Ark Surgical has announced the launch of an 'entry level' reusable retractor ring which the company says is suitable for many routine procedures.
This addition to the range complements the existing disposable system which is widely used for more complex and specialist procedures carried out in practices and referral centres alike.
The reusable Retractor System consists of a rectangular retractor ring, (which can also be configured to a small square as shown) and six 5mm sharp elastic stay hooks, all of which are validated for 20 sterilising cycles or one year, whichever occurs first.
Key areas of surgery where the retractor system is most commonly used include: general, abdominal, neurological, soft tissue and orthopaedic.
For more information visit http://www.arksurgical.co.uk/
Noelle Lowry, a marathon-running vet from Lichfield has raised almost £2,500 for the RCVS Trust in the London Marathon.
Noelle beat her fundraising target of £1,500, to raise money for the Trust to use in its work to support veterinary education and research, and in providing library and information services.
She finished 4,594 out of the 11,037 women runners in the London Marathon, taking 4 hours and 36 minutes to run the 26.2 mile long course - and beating her time last year in the New York marathon.
Noelle said: "A lot of people chipped in at the last minute - my mum has been organising people back home in Ballymena and my friends and colleagues have all put their hands in their pockets - so a huge thank you to all of them.
"I'm a great fan of the RCVS Trust. It's not one of the big charity brands but the grant funding for veterinary research can really make a difference to animals - and we can all use the library and online resources - so I wanted to give it some help."
Click here for more about the work of the RCVS Trust
Plans for the introduction of a disciplinary mechanism for Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) have been agreed by the RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council.
RVNs agree to account for their professional conduct and keep their skills and knowledge up to date: over 70% of eligible veterinary nurses have now joined the non-statutory Register.
The Veterinary Nurses Council agreed to a period of nearly three years between the opening of the Register and the College putting in place a disciplinary mechanism. This was to give RVNs time to get used to their new rights and responsibilities. Plans are now in place to introduce a disciplinary system from September 2010.
Charges could be brought against a veterinary nurse if found guilty of fraudulent registration, criminal convictions which render him or her unfit to practise as a veterinary nurse, or allegations of disgraceful professional conduct.
The sanctions would be the same as for veterinary surgeons, ie to remove a nurse's name from the Register (with the nurse eligible to apply for restoration after 10 months), or to suspend the nurse, with his or her name returning to the Register immediately after the period of suspension. A veterinary nurse would not be able to carry out Schedule 3 tasks while removed from the Register.
Complaints would initially be dealt with by the Veterinary Nurses Preliminary Investigation Committee (VN PIC), which will assess whether the complaints should be taken to the hearing stage. Three RVNs will sit on this committee. They will be joined by three members of the veterinary PIC, including either the RCVS President, or one of the Vice-Presidents, and one Lay Observer.
Meanwhile three RVNs will join existing members of the RCVS Disciplinary Committee (DC) to form a VN DC, to adjudicate on charges against a veterinary nurse. These individuals will not currently sit on VN Council. If the case were against a VN, the sitting panel would include at least one veterinary nurse, one veterinary surgeon and a lay person acting as chairman. A legal assessor would also sit with the Committee to offer advice.
If a case were to concern both a veterinary surgeon and a veterinary nurse, the preliminary investigation would be carried out in tandem but with separate disciplinary hearings.
Applications are invited for RVNs to sit on the new VN Preliminary Investigation or Disciplinary Committees. Anyone who would like further information should contact Lesley Evans, Manager, Executive Office (l.evans@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7222 2001) by 31 May 2009.