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."

Improve International has launched four new modules towards achieving a General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert) and Post Graduate Certificate (PgC) in Western Veterinary Acupuncture and Chronic Pain Management.  

The company says the new modules are designed to enable veterinary surgeons in practice to use acupuncture confidently and safely for a range of clinical conditions.

David Babington MRCVS, Managing Director of Improve International, said: "These new modules build on the Foundation course which has already proved very popular. Once delegates have completed this, they can progress to these new modules which focus on the role of acupuncture in relieving chronic pain and can lead to attaining a recognised qualification."

The modules are scheduled to start on 5 August 2015 at Improve's training centre in Swindon. Further modules in the PgC programme will be released in 2016.

For more information or to book, visit www.improveinternational.com or call 01793 759159.

Merial Animal Health has announced the first delivery of its bluetongue vaccine, BTVPUR^TM AlSap, in the UK. The shipment of just over 2 million doses is the first of several batches scheduled over the summer months and forms part of Merial's commitment to Defra to supply 13 million doses for England and Wales.

Despite bluetongue disease not yet re-emerging in the UK this year, Merial strongly encourages farmers to protect their livestock from this potentially debilitating disease. Head of Production Animal Business, Graham Davenport said: "Our experience in continental Europe over the past four years has shown just how imperative vaccination is for vets and farmers in controlling this disease in the field. Recent outbreaks in France are a reminder that there is no room for complacency. Over the past few weeks we have been working closely with the members of JAB (Joint Action against Bluetongue) and strongly advocate that farmers should act on their advice: Don't hesitate, vaccinate."

Information for veterinary professionals and livestock owners on BTVPUR AlSap can be found at www.merial.co.uk. Veterinary surgeons can also obtain information by calling 0800 592699 or emailing ukbluetongue@merial.com.

The RCVS is inviting veterinary surgeons to throw their hats into the ring for the 2024 Council elections. 

Vets who want to stand as election candidates must submit their nomination forms by 5pm on Wednesday 31st January 2024.

There are places for three elected candidates on Council.

This year, the RCVS has put together downloadable information packs for prospective candidates.

The pack explains the role of an RCVS Council member and the candidate nomination process, and contains the candidate nomination and candidate information forms.

The RCVS Council pack is available to download from rcvs.org.uk/vncouncil24.

Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS Registrar and Returning Officer for both elections, said: “RCVS-registered veterinary surgeons of all backgrounds, at all career stages, and with all levels of experience are eligible to stand in the elections.

"So, if you want to help shape the future of veterinary regulation and our Royal College initiatives and activities, please consider standing in next year’s elections.”

Veterinary surgeons who are interested in standing for RCVS Council and who have any further queries should contact Dawn Wiggins, RCVS Council Secretary, on d.wiggins@rcvs.org.uk 

RCVS has launched its Surveys of the Professions, billed as the largest and most comprehensive study of the UK veterinary sector, to inform strategy and policy for years to come.

The two surveys, for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses respectively, ask the professions a wide range of both quantitative and qualitative questions, covering everything from what they do in a typical working day, to career aspirations, to levels of mental and physical wellbeing.

The surveys are confidential and anonymous.

Lizzie Lockett, RCVS CEO, said: “Our Surveys of the Professions are not just a useful and interesting snapshot of the veterinary professions at a particular moment in time, but are really consequential in terms of what we do with the results.

"For example, information from the previous surveys were used to inform our current Strategic Plan, including our mission to be a compassionate regulator, ongoing support for the Mind Matters Initiative, and a focus on workforce-related issues.

"In a similar spirit, this year’s results will inform the forthcoming RCVS Strategic Plan.

“Of course, the quality of the results of the surveys really depends on hearing from as many of you as possible – so we would like veterinary professionals from all parts of the UK as well as our overseas members, from all backgrounds, of all ages and working on all different disciplines to feed into all areas of the surveys and help us with our research.

"Please don’t miss out on having your say, and a huge thank you for taking the time to support this important work.”

The deadline for completing the survey is on or before Friday 16 February 2024. 

Britain's leading equestrian organisations are conducting a survey to find out more about the welfare standards in livery yards. 
 
Livery yards are very popular in the UK for those people who are unable to keep their horses and ponies at home. However, there is no record of how many horses are currently at livery or indeed the number of operating yards and the welfare standards under which they operate. 
 
Representatives from the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), World Horse Welfare, The British Horse Society, RSPCA, Association of British Riding Schools, South Essex Insurance Brokers (who currently insure a total of 8,562 DIY and livery stables), and for local government LACORS and CIEH, set up a working party to carry out some research into UK livery yards to become better informed about standards.   The group took the view that asking vets and the public about their local livery yard would help to obtain information about the number of yards and get a general picture of the range and standard of accommodation and services that livery yards offer. 
 
Veterinary surgeons, horse owners, grooms, yard owners, farriers and other equine professionals are invited to complete the online survey at http://www.liveryyardsurvey.co.uk/.   Please complete a survey for each livery yard about which you have first hand knowledge. Your answers will remain confidential, and the results will be reviewed in September 2008 to establish what further action, if any, is necessary. 

Novartis Animal Health is launching a new in-practice healthcare initiative designed to raise owner awareness about the importance of regularly treating their pet for fleas and ticks. The Flea & Tick Patrol is supported by a range of eye-catching marketing materials to create a talking point with owners.

Rolling out from August 2008, practices can decide when they wish to run their Flea & Tick Patrol campaign. Interested parties should contact their local Novartis territory manager to find out how.

"Our Flea & Tick Patrol initiative focuses on educating owners about the importance of regularly treating their dog for fleas and ticks and raising awareness of the risks to canine and human health if they don't," said Verity Page, brand manager at Novartis. "We're providing practices with the tools to ensure they engage with clients on this subject. This campaign is about responsible pet ownership - reinforcing the benefits about the health and welfare of their dog and family.

Owners should leave the practice with a positive message about flea and tick control and have a greater understanding of the hidden dangers."

The Flea & Tick Patrol campaign could help to increase business and practice revenue. "Previous campaigns we have implemented in practice have shown that these types of awareness initiatives do add value to a practice's existing services as well as establish good client relationships," added Verity.

Marketing materials include a waiting room poster & display kit, window banner, badges, stickers and a public relations tool kit for use in the practice's communications. For more information about the Flea & Tick Patrol campaign, practices should contact their local Novartis Animal Health territory manager or call the Practice Support Line on 0800 854100.

Greater collaboration between disciplines to promote the 'One Health' approach for people and pets could save the NHS 2.5 billion a year, according to Danny Mills, Professor of Veterinary Behavioural Medicine at the University of Lincoln.

Professor Mills, an authority on companion animal behaviour, cognition and welfare, made the claim at Purina’s 'Better with Pets' European Forum in Brussels, where experts in the animal and human relationship gathered recently to discuss the benefits that pets can have to public health.

Professor Mills highlighted how animal assisted activities and therapy (AAT), where animals are used to improve social, emotional and cognitive functioning, supporting recovery and rehabilitation, can play an important role in the cost saving. He also noted how pets have been shown to reduce anxiety in those with autism, while also easing the stress levels of parents and carers.

Attendees at the event heard  an example of AAT in practice at the Sant Joan de Déu-Barcelona hospital in Spain where a functional unit has been in operation for the past six years. Here, sick children receive AAT on the advice of a doctor, both in the emergency room and on an inpatient basis. The hospital reports that the dogs help the children to have a better life and cope more effectively with their illnesses. Purina called on the public health community to recognise the advantages of AAT and to play an active part in supporting this vital element of public health care.

The panel – which also included Andrea Meisser, Vice-President of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research on the Human-Animal Relationship, Ruud Tombrock, Director for the Europe Region of World Animal Protection, and Andrea Gavinelli, Head of Unit at the European Commission’s Health and food safety Directorate General – noted that while the benefits of the bond between people and pets are widely felt, they are sometimes hard to quantify empirically.

Professor Mills noted that it can be challenging for researchers to have papers accepted by journals or funding bodies, making it difficult for policymakers to promote the benefits of pets for public health. The panel agreed that greater partnership between all disciplines – from researchers to veterinarians and policymakers – was crucial to advancing the understanding of the public health benefits of pets and people.

Discussing how policymakers could play a part in promoting the One Health approach, Mr Gavanelli called on the pet care community to work together to provide scientific examples and data highlighting economic and social benefits. He also noted that policymakers in Europe had an important part to play by taking a holistic approach to the issue.

Professor Mills said: "The benefits of responsible pet ownership are clear. I’ve seen pets have dramatic effects on autistic children. Understanding the subtleties and nuances of how people and pets work together is vitally important for the well-being of both, and has the potential to make a massive difference to public health. But it is crucial that the industry is given an opportunity to analyse this further. Ignoring the evidence is a far greater problem than dismissing the research as being at an early stage."

Pfizer Animal Health has launched a dedicated Equine Business Unit to provide a higher level of service and a comprehensive range of products to equine vets across the UK.

Created following the merger with Fort Dodge, the Pfizer Equine Business Unit is headed by Ben Lacey MA Vet MB MRCVS, who has previously held both technical and sales roles at Pfizer. Ben and his team have a brief to offer a breadth of product, support and flexibility not previously available to equine vets.

The product range offered by the Pfizer Equine Business Unit includes the Equest range of parasiticides; the Duvaxyn vaccines for Equine Herpes Virus, West Nile Virus and Rotavirus and products such as Equimidine and Torbugesic.  Also offered are existing Pfizer brands such as the Equip vaccine range, the antibiotic Excenel Sterile Powder, the NSAID Rimadyl for Horses and Depo-MedroneV.

Five experienced account managers with a strong track record in the equine sector have been appointed by Pfizer to build relationships with equine vet practices on a regional basis.  They are:

South East England                            Mark Baker
West Midlands, Cheshire, Wales        Laurie May
East Anglia, East Midlands                 Penny McCann
South West, South Wales                   Anna Cunningham
The North, Scotland                            Alexandra Cox

Ben Lacey said:  "Building our new team and combining the highly regarded products offered previously by both Fort Dodge and Pfizer has proved a stimulating process.  We've also worked closely with many of our existing practice customers to look at how we can develop the service we provide to them. 

"We're now able to offer a product range which I believe is unrivalled in the market and a highly committed team of equine professionals, who share a vision and passion for equine health.  We're looking forward to building our business with both existing and new customers in the months ahead."

Kruuse has announced the launch of two new two new wound dressing products: Kruuse HydroGel and Kruuse Foam Dressing.

Kruuse HydroGel is a clear amorphous hydrogel with Polyhexanide (0.04%). According to the company, HydroGel will help maintain a moist healing environment encouraging autolytic debridement and gentle removal of slough and necrotic tissue. It is presented as a single dose 15g applicator tube. 

KRUUSE Foam Dressing is a non-adhesive; absorbent hydrophilic foam wound dressing coated with bacterial resistant micro porous thin foam backing. The company says it 'breathes' to allow oxygen in, expands as it absorbs exudate and conforms to shallow wound cavities. It is presented in 3 sizes: 5x5cm, 10x10cm and 15x15cm.

Andrew Groom , Managing Director, Kruuse UK Ltd. said: "Both products enhance the Kruuse's wound care product portfolio available to all customers, combined they increase the already extensive range of wound products available to the veterinary practitioner".

Both products will be on dispay and available at BSAVA 2013.

CarefreeCredit, the loan company set up by Somerset vet Stewart Halperin so that practices can offer their clients interest free loans to cover emergency veterinary treatment, has embarked on a national PR campaign to raise awareness amongst pet owners about the service.

First out of the stalls was the Sunday Express, which covered the story last weekend. Further coverage is expected in other national newspapers over the coming few weeks. 

CarefreeCredit provides loans from £250 to £25,000 for use against any veterinary bills. Credit terms offered by CarefreeCredit-enrolled veterinary practices, of which there are now more than 700, are normally 0% over 12 months or 9.9% over 24 months.

Practices pay £10 per month to enrol with CarefreeCredit, plus a small percentage of the amount of each loan made.

Stewart said: “Most vets usually end up discounting their invoices to enable pets to receive the treatment they desperately need when their owners aren’t insured and can’t afford to pay a large bill all at once.  With CarefreeCredit, the owner doesn’t have to worry about paying the bill, the pet gets the treatment it needs and the vet is paid immediately and doesn’t have to worry about bad debts. Experience with this type of finance in the US shows that the average vet can reduce his debtors by up to 60%, improving his cash flow, while increasing his turnover by up to 22% per annum, so everyone’s a winner!”

For further information about offering CarefreeCredit to your clients, visit: http://www.carefreecredit.co.uk.

Elanco Animal Health, maker of Comfortis, Trifexis and Atopica, has launched ScratchTracker, a smartphone app designed to help dog owners with a simple way to monitor pruritus in their pet and share the results with their vet.

Elanco says ScratchTracker uses a scoring scale that has been developed by veterinary dermatologists and is proven to be an accurate and consistent way for pet owners to assess pruritus in dogs.

It's hoped the app will help veterinary surgeons track how a dog is responding to treatment and identify reasons for an increase in the dog's level of itchiness.

After downloading ScratchTracker from the Apple App Store or Google Play, pet owners are asked to rate how itchy their pet is by agreeing to a statement such as 'Extremely severe itching/almost continuous: itching doesn't stop whatever is happening, even in the consulting room' or 'Moderate itching/regular episodes: itching might occur at night, but not when eating, playing or exercising'. The reading will then be submitted and ScratchTracker will convert it to a numerical score tracking history which can be emailed from the app to the veterinary surgeon.

Alice Laurens, DVM MRCVS, product manager at Elanco Animal Health, said: "The ScratchTracker App is a useful tool to track pruritus in dogs for either a short period of time or for dogs suffering from a lifelong condition such as atopic dermatitis as part of a long term management programme."

For further information, contact your Elanco Animal Health key account manager or email: elancoCAH.uk@elanco.com