Dermatologist Anthony Chadwick, aka the webinar vet, is offering VetSurgeon members a 30% discount on the cost of a forthcoming series of webinars. Just enter the word vetsurgeon in the discount box at webinarvet.com.

The series kicks off on the 17th June, when John Innes from Liverpool University will be talking about diagnosing forelimb lameness. On the 24th, Alan Robinson will be talking about pet healthcare schemes and on July 1st, Pip Boydell will discuss vestibular disease. Finally, on July 8th, Anthony will close the second series with a look at atopic disease, focusing on new and novel treatments.

For those of you that haven't yet experienced a webinar, and would like to 'try before you buy', there is a free webinar on 10th June (9pm-10pm), in which Martha Cannon, one of only 3 feline specialists in the UK, will present an update on feline infectious disease. Click here to register and if you enjoy the presentation, you will still be able to register for the series at the discounted price.

For practices planning to take part in National Microchipping Month, Virbac is providing a personalised poster design service and chip promotion throughout June.

According to product manager Gillian Brown, the idea is to offer additional tailored support to practices during the promotional period: "Obviously many practices will have National Microchipping Month materials in place, but the price each practice offers their clients is individual to them. These posters provide a visual platform to highlight the promotion.

"To take advantage of the scheme, practices just need to notify their territory manager of the price they propose to charge and we will then manage the design and print."

Virbac will also be offering a promotional chip price in June to support National Microchipping Month. Gillian said: "Microchipping is now the official means of pet identification approved by the EU Pet Passport Scheme. This will help practices provide an attractive promotion to pet owners and hopefully encourage greater up-take of microchipping."

Any practice interested in the initiative should contact their local Virbac territory manager or call Virbac on 01379 243243.

The RCVS Trust has announced 34 grants totalling approximately £165,000, being made to veterinary surgeons, universities and higher education (HE) establishments, to fund high-quality research projects in the UK and overseas, and support veterinary education.  

Harper Adams University College and Myerscough College will be the first veterinary nursing colleges to receive funding under the Spencer-Hill equipment grants programme; this was the first time that RCVS-approved HE veterinary nurse training providers were able to apply for this funding. Harper Adams will receive £2,350 to purchase a Humphrey ADE-circle system, and Myerscough, £1,395 for an 'Emily' canine positioning mannequin.  

Severine Tasker MRCVS, from the University of Bristol, and Janet Patterson-Kane MRCVS, from the University of Glasgow each received Blue Sky Awards of £17,000.  Severine will conduct research into constructing defined feline coronavirus strains for determination of the role of virus genetics in the development of feline infectious peritonitis. Janet Patterson-Kane's research will investigate whether a new therapy for treating wounds in humans can be translated for use in horses.

Janet said: "Limb wounds in horses are very common and are notorious for developing masses of exuberant scar tissue - proud flesh - and not healing properly. This can necessitate multiple operations. The findings of current research at University College London by our collaborator, Professor David Becker, suggest that in human patients a protein, connexin 43, is not downregulated at the edges of wounds that are difficult to heal. Use of therapy to reduce connexin 43 expression in human skin wounds in which healing has stalled has been remarkably successful in achieving wound closure. The aim of our research is to determine if connexin 43 plays a similar key role as a 'master switch' for wound healing in horses.  I am extremely grateful to the RCVS Trust for their support."

Six veterinary undergraduates will also receive EMS vacation research scholarships of £700 each, which can be used to fund expenses relating to a research project undertaken in the UK or overseas as part of a UK veterinary school's extra-mural studies requirement.  

Full details of the RCVS Trust grant awards may be found at www.rcvstrust.org.uk/awards

CEVA Animal Health is supplying a free, multi-dose injector gun with a self-sterilising needle system, with the purchase of bulk quantities of its luteolytic and uterotonic prostaglandin Enzaprost, while stocks last.

According to the company, the use of naturally occurring prostaglandins such as Enzaprost play an important role in any fertility management programme, working by causing lysis of the corpus luteum. Enzaprost can be used to control the timing of oestrus and synchronisation for AI; for the treatment of sub-oestrus or silent heat; for the induction of abortion up to day 120; for the induction of parturition and as an aid in the treatment of chronic metritis or pyometra where there is a functional or persistent corpus luteum. Natural prostaglandins also have a uterotonic effect which may be useful in the treatment of 'dirty' cows.

CEVA says any multi-cow injection programme has its risks, and that experience has shown that one in 250,000 injections can result in clostridial infection. Invariably this occurs in sequential animals, with the causal agent found in the bottle as a result of inadvertent needle contamination. Multi-dose syringes reduce the number of needle punctures into a bottle and the Sterimatic caps clean the needle before and after each injection helping to minimise the risk of infection. One Sterimatic cap can be used for 72 hours or up to 100 injections. The covered needle also provides increased safety for the operator, resulting in fewer needle stick and scratch injuries.

To find out how you can receive a free multi-dose injector with the Sterimatic needle protector system, which includes five caps and one needle protector, please contact your local CEVA territory manager

For copies of CEVA's fertility newsletters or for further product information please contact the large animal sales team or CEVA Animal Health Ltd, 90 The Broadway, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 1EG.

Maverick Television is looking for three veterinary surgeons and two veterinary nurses to front a new Channel 4 television show.

Maverick, makers of Embarrassing Bodies and Bizarre Animal ER, says the new show will be about embarrassing animal behaviours and their bizarre or weird medical conditions.

For further information, contact Laura Wolf on 0121 771 1812, or email her your CV and a recent photograph: l.woolf@mavericktv.co.uk.

A team of researchers at the Royal Veterinary College have discovered that many-legged animals control their movement in a surprisingly different way to bipedal animals, following a study on cockroaches using tiny accelerometers and advanced computer models.

The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Biology (JEB) on 14 May 2010, found that four or more legged creatures do not adjust for hard or soft surfaces in the same manner as humans. 

The RVC says the results were surprising because past work had found that running and trotting animals with four-, six-, or eight legs exert forces on the ground that look remarkably similar to two-legged humans.

The study used cockroaches with tiny accelerometer backpacks as the basis of the research before developing advanced computer models to further the findings.

The accelerometers were developed by Andrew Spence while working in the Poly-PEDAL laboratory of Professor Bob Full at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Spence, now following up the research as a Research Council UK (RCUK) research fellow at the RVC, along with his colleague Shai Revzen, attached the device to the cockroaches' back before sending the insects scuttling across a sheet of latex.

The cockroach sank into the soft rubber surface, like humans sink into the mud, but was able to maintain their forward speed, despite the extremely soft going.

Dr. Spence said: "Like humans, four or more legged animals move as if they are bouncing on a virtual pogo stick when running on hard surfaces. However, when humans run over soft surfaces, they effectively "stiffen" their virtual 'pogo stick', so we were keen to discover if this was the same for four or more legged animals."

Following the initial study, a computer-generated model cockroach was developed to help explain how the insect ran on, and sunk into, soft ground, with the 'cyber-roach' confirming earlier findings.

From the 'cyber-roach' the researchers concluded that instead of maintaining the body's centre of mass motion by stiffening the virtual pogo stick leg like human runners, the insect does not change the stiffness of its virtual pogo stick. The reason that the insect is able to run successfully without crashing, despite using the "wrong" leg stiffness, may be due to the change in posture that occurs when a legged animal sinks into a surface, as the legs that are flying through the air hit the ground sooner than they normally would.  

Dr. Spence believes this simplifies the task for the nervous system: "Instead of sending nervous system signals to stiffen muscles, the cockroach may just be able to continue sending the same control signals and take advantage of this change in posture."

Norbrook Laboratories Ltd has launched a new addition to the Loxicom range: Loxicom 0.5mg/ml Oral Suspension for Cats.

Offering alleviation from inflammation and pain, Loxicom Oral Suspension for Cats is billed by Norbrook as 'the new cost-effective treatment for chronic musculo-skeletal disorders in cats that is bio-equivalent to the pioneer.'

The Loxicom range now offers vet practices a choice between 5mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats, 1.5mg/ml Oral Suspension for Dogs and now 0.5mg/ml Oral Suspension for Cats.

Loxicom Oral Suspension for Cats is available in a clear 15ml bottle allowing veterinary surgeons and their clients to monitor product levels and re-order when necessary. The packaging also includes a graduated syringe in 0.5kg increments (from 0.5-10kg) which plugs securely into the bottle allowing accurate, mess-free administration.

Norbrook's small animal range also includes Carprieve, a range of carprofen tablets and injection and Noroclav, the amoxycillin / clavulanic acid range of tablets and injection.

A survey of more than 4,000 members of the public by the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association (PFMA) has revealed that 90% of people think that separation from a pet is traumatic for older people entering residential care or sheltered accommodation.

The TNS research carried out in March 2010 also found 83% agree pets make their owners happier and 54% think pet owners should be able to make the choice about entering care facilities after seeing the accommodation policy. 

According to the PFMA, the benefits of pet ownership for elderly people include a lower risk of heart attack and stroke, reduced blood pressure and cholesterol, improved recovery from heart attacks and strokes, better social interactions in people with dementia, and fewer GP visits. In addition, those who keep pets when entering care homes enjoy a smoother transition into residential care,

The PFMA says this survey has helped shape its goal to ensure all leading UK housing providers implement responsible pet policies that enable older people to make an informed choice about their future.  This commitment is part of the organisation's 2020 vision to 'make a better world with pets', launched to mark its 40^th anniversary.

The PFMA also says it is working closely with SCAS (Society for Companion Animal Studies) and MPs - including Ian Cawsey, Nick Palmer and Nigel Waterson - all striving for fairer treatment of the older pet-owning public.

Ian Cawsey, MP for Brigg and Goole, said: 'Today we have more than 11 million elderly adults living in Britain, of whom approximately 25% are pet-owners. This figure is estimated to rise to 14 million by 2026 and the majority of these people will eventually require some form of residential care. Unfortunately growing older often involves inevitable heartache and loss but being separated from a pet when entering care facilities should not be part of it. This is why I welcome the PFMA's 2020 goal to ensure care facilities implement responsible pet policies over the next decade."

PFMA, Chief Executive, Michael Bellingham, explains: "Having analysed the research and consulted SCAS we are delighted to announce our 2020 ambition to ensure fairer treatment of the older pet-owning public.  The importance of pets to people in care facilities cannot be under-estimated. Over the next ten years we want to make a big difference to the lives of older pet owners."

This latest call to action follows the successful passing of shadow minister for older people, Nigel Waterson's bill - Care Homes and Sheltered Accommodation (Domestic Pets) Bill - which aims for a more "enlightened and responsible" policy for allowing pet owners in residences to keep their beloved animals.

CEVA Animal Health, manufacturer of the veterinary behaviour products Feliway and D.A.P., has launched a guide to the practical applications of pheromones.

The 80 page book, entitled 'D.A.P.^® and Feliway^® Papers and Abstracts', features details of 31 published trials. It includes an introduction to pheromonatherapy by  veterinary behaviourist, Sarah Heath, and covers research into the use of pheromones for a wide range of behavioural issues in both dogs and cats, including feline urine marking, feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), the introduction of new pets to a household, noise phobias and firework fears, and puppy socialisation and adoption.

The guide contains an overview of each behavioural issue, and details of the trials and recommendations on the use of Feliway^® or D.A.P.^® to help prevent and control the problem.

Lucy Brett, product manager at CEVA Animal Health said: "There is considerable data supporting the use of Feliway^® and D.A.P. ^®. The reference guide brings together this research into one comprehensive handbook which is a must for veterinary professionals interested in feline and canine behaviour."

For a copy of the D.A.P.^® and Feliway^® Papers and Abstracts reference guide, please contact your CEVA Animal Health representative or call 01494 781510.

Here’s a gadget I’d love to get my hands on: the Zoombak advanced GPS pet locator, launched in the UK today.

The locator attaches to any dog collar, or indeed your car, husband, wife or teenager, and allows you to get a real time fix of their location by telephone, or on your computer. It costs £99.99 from pet retailers, with an additional £9.99 per month service subscription (£99.99 if paid annually upfront), which allows for an unlimited number of ‘locates’.
Hot on its heels comes the Pawtrack, which will also cost £99.99 with a similar monthly subscription which allows for 1200 locates per month.

Pawtrack is being aimed at both cats and dogs, and whilst it is marginally smaller and lighter than the Zoombak, there isn’t a lot in it. Both are still probably too cumbersome for a cat, which is why Zoombak more pragmatically recommends its product for dogs over 7 kg.

Doubtless it won’t be long before they miniaturise the technology so that it’ll be the width of a nostril hair, thereby solving the problem of pet theft and loss completely. Meantime, these look like a practical and fun gadget for the owners of larger breeds that regularly go AWOL.

For more information on stocking Zoombak please contact Zoombak on 08708 033095.

Beechwood Veterinary Hospital has become the first (and only) place in the country where dogs and people can give blood.

The Doncaster vets has teamed up with the National Blood Service (NBS) and Pet Blood Bank UK (PBBuk) to offer the community the chance to help with these worthy causes.

Mark Straw, veterinary surgeon and associate director said: "I'm a regular blood donor and know how important it is to give. I thought it would be a great if I could do it at work, luckily enough so did the other staff and the owners of our patients. I am proud that Beechwood is now a people and pets lifesaver."

Mark added: "Once we were on the way to arranging our first NBS visit one of the dogs we were treating needed a transfusion so we made some calls and our first canine session takes place in May".

Craig Taylor, spokesperson for the NBS, said: "This is a real first for the country and it is happening here in Doncaster. It just goes to show how generous all it's residents are, I'm sure they will have as much support from their doggy donors as well."

"We would like to thank everyone who gave and everyone at hospital for making us so welcome."

Intervet has announced that its bluetongue vaccine, Bovilis® BTV8 has been granted a licence by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). The licence, which is the first for a bluetongue vaccine in the UK, sets out dose rates and treatment regimes for the product use.

The recommended dose rates for animal over one month of age are as follows:

Sheep – 1 x 1ml, injected subcutaneously.

Cattle - 2 x 1ml, approximately three weeks apart, injected subcutaneously.

In successive years, re-vaccination should be given two weeks prior to the risk period.

Treated animals should have protective immunity three weeks after the initial course. Bovilis BTV8 should only be administered to healthy animals. Treated stock may have a slight swelling at the site of injection.

The vaccine must be stored at between 2ºC – 8ºC and, once opened, should be used within eight hours. The vaccine is available in 20ml and 50ml bottles. The licence recommends the use of multi injection vaccination systems.

Intervet will be supplying a discounted 1ml vaccination gun into the market.

RIP Fleas, the environmental flea treatment from Genitrix, has been given a new formulation to ensure it acts more quickly in the killing of adult fleas and that it continues to kill fleas as they emerge from pupae for up to 12 months.

Now known as RIP Fleas Extra, the product is also licensed for the control of house dust mites in the environment for up to 12 months.

According to Genitrix, the reformulation makes RIP Fleas Extra the only environmental flea treatment to contain three active ingredients while complying fully with new EU Biocides regulations. It is the only such treatment to be fragranced and is also the only product to be presented in a volume which will cover 120 square metres – ie the size of an average house. RIP Fleas Extra contains:

Tetramethrin – a second generation synthetic pythrethroid and a contact insecticide with a rapid knockdown action of insect pests

Permethrin – a potent insecticide with a powerful contact action on insects but with a low toxicity to most mammals

Methoprene – a compound that mimics the insect juvenile hormone and arrests development of fleas and house dust mites in the environment.

When used synergistically, Tetramethrin and Permethrin provide a rapid knockdown and kill of fleas as they hatch from pupae. Studies have shown that this combination works four times more quickly than Permethrin alone.