Each year the WSAVA Congress is held in a different location around the world and attracts over 70,000 veterinary professionals who relish the opportunity to hear from top international speakers on all aspects of practicing small animal veterinary medicine. 

The WSAVA is an international network of associations dedicated to the continuing development of companion animal care around the world. It brings veterinary practitioners and academia together to help enhance the knowledge of specific topics, such as hereditary disease and nomenclature of pathological processes.

To celebrate the Association's 50^th anniversary Professor Michael J Day, chairman of the WSAVA Scientific Advisory Committee, has proposed that this year be the year of 'One Medicine'.  The theme is intended to recognise the importance of the link between the medical and veterinary professions.  It will encompass the human population, domestic animals and wildlife, and the impact that current environmental changes are having on these groups.  Lectures and seminars during this year's congress will reflect the 'One Medicine' topic, looking for an exchange of ideas and to build the foundations for future developments of mutual interest.  For further information please visit http://www.wsava2010.org/.

Veterinary staff can enter the WSAVA prize draw by visiting Petplan at stand 311 during the BSAVA Congress or via the dedicated Petplan veterinary staff website, petplanvet.co.uk.

The BSAVA is highlighting the public consultation currently being carried out by Defra as part of its review of UK legislation concerning the Pet Travel Scheme, and encouraging members of the profession and clients to take part.

Specifically, the review is of The Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order 2011 as amended by the Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals (Amendment) Order 2014.

The consultation is seeking opinions on whether:

• the Order has met its objectives
• the Order's objectives remain appropriate; and if so,
• the Order's objectives could be achieved in a less cumbersome way.

The consultation is not about potential changes to the legalisation following Brexit although evidence collected as part of this review may be relevant to future discussions.

The BSAVA says it is aware that the changes to the Pet Travel Scheme, introduced in January 2012 and December 2014, have significantly increased the number of animals, particularly puppies, entering the UK including those for sale which should not be coming in under the Pet Travel Scheme.

It says it also knows that a significant number of veterinary practices have been presented with animals that do not fully comply with the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme and that contacting the appropriate department in the Local Authority is not always easy. 

The Association is therefore encouraging members of the profession to feed into this consultation and encourage any clients who have experience of travelling to and from Europe with their pets to do so as well.

The BSAVA says it will be submitting a response itself, and if anyone would rather send their comments via the BSAVA, you should email Sally Everitt (Head of Scientific Policy) s.everitt@bsava.com by 20th October.

Just over 17% of the RCVS membership voted in the Council elections – which the RCVS reports is consistent with previous turn-outs.

New faces on the RCVS Council include Richard Stephenson, Charles Gruchy and Catherine Goldie. Dr Barry Johnson (first elected to Council in 1985) and Dr Christopher Chesney (first elected in 1996) have been voted on for further terms. Dr Robert Ellis, who has had three previous periods on Council, has been re-elected.

Defra Minister David Heath has announced the latest bute (phenylbutazone) test results. The presence of bute has been confirmed in 8 samples out of 206 tests.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies has stated that horsemeat containing phenylbutazone presents a very low risk to human health.

Responding to these latest developments the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) have issued the following statement:

"The presence of phenylbutazone (or bute) in horses intended for the food chain will be of concern to consumers who rightly expect the UK food chain to be robust. We are grateful to the Chief Medical Officer for clarifying the very low level of risk that this presents to human health and we will work with the FSA and Defra in any way we can to assist their investigations into these incidents.

"The ability to treat horses with bute is very important for equine welfare. Bute provides affordable, long-term pain relief for horses and is unique in this respect.

"The UK Horse Passport Regulations are designed to facilitate the ongoing medical treatment of horses not intended for the human food chain, whilst ensuring that these animals do not enter the food chain.

"We fully support the concept of the Horse Passport Regulations but have argued for some time that there are problems with the system in terms of the number of Passport Issuing Authorities and the vulnerability of the system to fraud. We are very keen to continue our dialogue with Defra and others to find ways to make the system more robust.

"Our members are aware of the strict rules regarding the regulation of medicines (including bute) and the use of horse passports, and in recent years we have provided clear guidance on the regulations to help both vets and their clients. These incidents will hopefully reinforce these messages amongst horse owners and all of us involved in equine healthcare."

Guidance notes are available via the BEVA website Medicines Page (http://www.beva.org.uk/useful-info/Vets/Guidance/Medicines)

BCF has launched a series of instructional videos demonstrating how to perform an ultrasound examination of the bovine reproductive tract, now available online.

The videos were developed by BCF's in-house vet, Kimberly Palgrave, in collaboration with the University of Bristol Veterinary School. They show everything from machine set up and controls, to scanning techniques and features identified in pregnant and non-pregnant cows.

One hour of CPD can be earned by completing a self-assessment quiz after watching the videos.

Kimberly said: "Following the success of the small animal series of instructional videos, we were keen to bring something similar to the bovine market. Our aim for these videos is to give vets a resource to help them either transition from manual palpation to ultrasound or improve their existing ultrasound skills and gain confidence in their technique, as well as being a useful teaching resource for veterinary students. As always, we welcome feedback and suggestions for the future."

To see the videos, visit the farm animal learning section of the BCF website www.bcftechnology.com.

CEVA Animal Health has launched an arthritis information pack to help support vet practices and their clients.

The pack includes a joint care range brochure, which explores how to recognise and monitor pain in the veterinary practice, and an authoritative eight-page arthritis technical review, which discusses the latest concepts in arthritis control.

In addition, client leaflets are available, which explain some of the measures that can be taken to improve the quality of life for dogs with arthritis, including weight loss and controlled exercise.

CEVA’s range of joint support products includes Meloxidyl®, Carprodyl® and Flexivet®.

To receive a free information pack please contact CEVA's small animal veterinary advisor Fraser Broadfoot MRCVS on 01494 781510, CEVA Animal Health Ltd, 90 The Broadway, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 1EG.

The BVA has welcomed a Scottish Government consultation on the compulsory microchipping of all dogs in Scotland, launched by Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead on 27th December.

Microchipping of all dogs is already a legal requirement in Northern Ireland and will become a requirement in Wales in 2015 and in England in 2016.

BVA President Robin Hargreaves, said: "BVA has long supported the compulsory microchipping of all dogs as a significant welfare measure and so we are delighted that the Scottish Government has launched this consultation.

"Every vet in practice will tell you what a highlight it is to be able to reunite a lost dog and its owner quickly and easily. The more dogs that are microchipped, with correct details on the database, the easier that process becomes meaning fewer dogs sent to kennels and charities."

Ronnie Soutar, President of BVA Scottish Branch, said: "Microchipping is a safe, effective and permanent way to link dogs with their owners and it is an essential part of responsible ownership. It is a small cost in terms of dog ownership with veterinary practices in Scotland offering microchipping at a very reasonable price or at a discount or free as part of a practice promotion. "It is important to remember that microchips are only as useful as the information held on the database and so we must work together with the Scottish Government to ensure that dog owners understand the importance of keeping this information up to date."

The consultation also asks for views on dog licensing and compulsory muzzling of dogs in public areas - measures that BVA has not supported.

Mr Hargreaves said: "We have some serious reservations about the call for all dogs, or dogs of a specific breed, to be muzzled in public areas.

"Under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act dogs are afforded the right to exhibit normal behaviour which could be compromised by the requirement to wear a muzzle at all times outside of the home. We hope that respondents to the consultation reject this idea."

The BVA says it will be consulting its members to respond in full to the consultation.

Amongst the research being presented is 'Stress Reduction in Children', a Mars-funded study in which 75 male children were monitored to see how their levels of the stress-hormone cortisol varied when they were exposed to mild social stresses. The study found that children with a dog present  showed significantly lower levels of the stress-hormone than those with a friendly adult present. In addition, the more the children stroked and interacted with the dog, the further their levels of cortisol decreased.

Sandra McCune, Research Manager for the Human-Companion Animal Bond Research Programme at Mars Petcare's Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition (there's a job title-and-a-half) said: "Pet owners will tell you just how much their pet means to them but it is research such as this that proves just how fundamental and important the bond is between people and pets. These studies provide us with valuable insight into this special bond and the health benefits of owning a pet."

Vets Now, the UK's dedicated Out Of Hours emergency vets with 32 clinics across the UK is launching a new recruitment initiative whereby vets with two years post qualified small animal experience have the opportunity to experience life working at the cutting edge of Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) through a range of new flexible short term contracts.

ECC represents a new, exciting and growing sector in the UK and Vets Now is offering vets a range of short to medium term flexible contracts which will enable you to develop new clinical skills in an exciting, fast paced environment. The contracts will appeal to any vet who is looking to gain experience working in ECC either with a view to pursuing a career in this specialised area or returning to daytime practice equipped with new clinical skills.  

Speaking about the new contracts being offered, Fiona Dewar, HR Director for Vets Now SAid: "The nature of ECC medicine means that there is never a dull moment in our clinics and we tend to attract young, dynamic professionals who are keen to develop new clinical skills and have a more flexible working package.  We know from experience that long term contracts don't appeal to everyone and we want to attract the best vets to come and work for us, whether it's for a three month contract or a twelve month contract with the added option of becoming permanent."

For more information about the range of contracts in one of Vets Now's 32 clinics, please contact Pauline Aitken, Vets Now Recruitment Manager on 0800 033 6466.

Elanco Companion Animal Health, which makes Surolan and Surosolve, has launched a couple of short films to demonstrate to pet owners how to administer veterinary prescribed ear drops and clean their pet's ears.

Filmed with the University of Bristol and published on YouTube, the first shows how to administer ear drops:

whilst the second offers hints and tips on using a veterinary supplied ear cleaner:

As well as being viewed on YouTube, the videos can also be embedded into veterinary practice websites or used on waiting room TV screens. They are available in different formats upon request from your local Elanco Companion Animal Health key account manager.

Matthew Rowe, senior brand manager at Elanco Companion Animal Health, said: "The new YouTube films will enable dog owners to learn more about how to correctly administer ear treatments and cleaners to ensure that the procedure is as positive as possible for their pet. This will lead to better owner compliance and happier pets!"

Elanco has also revised its Surolan and Surosolve client leaflet and is running a special offer for the products offering veterinary practices up to 20% free Surosolve ear cleaner with qualifying purchases of Surolan. 

For further information on the offer, or to ask for the Surolan or Surosolve footage or client leaflets to be sent direct to your veterinary practice, contact your Elanco Companion Animal Health key account manager or email elancoCAH.uk@elanco.com

Ticks infected with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease may be considerably more prevalent in the UK than recent estimates indicate, according to new research from the University of Bristol that used pet dogs as 'sentinels' for human disease risk.

Transmitted by ticks, Lyme disease is a debilitating chronic infection which affects a number of animals including humans and dogs. It is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Clinical signs in humans include a characteristic circular red rash that spreads from the site of the tick bite, followed by a flu-like condition. In dogs, the symptoms can be much more vague and difficult to diagnose. If untreated, the disease progresses to neurological problems and arthritis; chronic forms of the disease can last for many years.

While only occasionally affecting humans, reported cases in the UK are thought to have increased more than fourfold since the beginning of the century - from 0.38 per 100,000 in 2000 to 1.79 per 100,000 in 2009. In 2010 there were 953 reported cases in England and Wales but the level of under-reporting is likely to be considerable.

To obtain a clearer picture of the prevalence of infected ticks, Faith Smith of Bristol's School of Biological Sciences and colleagues recruited veterinary surgeons across England, Scotland and Wales to examine dogs selected at random as they visited veterinary practices. Since pet dogs largely share the same environment and visit the same outdoor areas as their owners, exposure to infected ticks in dogs is likely to provide an index for corresponding risks to humans.

Of 3,534 dogs inspected between March and October 2009, 14.9% had ticks. Of the samples that could be tested, 17 (2.3%) were positive for the Borrelia bacteria. The expected prevalence of infected ticks on dogs is 0.5 per cent, or 481 infected ticks per 100,000 dogs. This suggests that the prevalence of Borrelia in the UK tick population is considerably higher than previously thought.

Faith Smith said: "Lyme disease appears to be a rapidly growing problem in the UK with important health and economic impacts in terms of loss of working hours and potential decrease in tourism to tick hotspots.

"Without considerably better surveillance and routine diagnostic testing, Lyme disease is only likely to become more prevalent. In particular, future warmer winters might well extend the period over which ticks are active seasonally, while growing wild reservoir host populations, such as deer, will allow the tick population to expand."

The study is published today in the journal Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. The research was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and Merial Animal Health Ltd.

Bayer Animal Health has launched its annual tick awareness campaign, this year titled 'No Bite is Right', with results of a survey which found that 44% of pet owners don't use regular preventative tick treatment. 

The OnePoll survey of 4000 pet owners, which was conducted on behalf of the company in January, also found that 60% of pet owners are worried about ticks spreading disease to their pet, and 28% have found one. 

As part of the 'No Bite is Right' campaign, owners are being encouraged to speak to their veterinary surgeon about using preventative tick products to help reduce the risk of their pet becoming infected by tick-borne diseases. 

Jenny Helm, University of Glasgow Veterinary Clinician, said: "In recent years I have noticed and been made aware from owners and other vets, of a steady rise in tick numbers across the country. With this there is an increased risk of potentially fatal tick-borne diseases being transmitted to pets. However, if a tick can be killed before it bites, this avoids the risk and provides vital protection to the pet."

Richard Wall, Professor of Zoology at Bristol University, said: "Research has shown that in recent years, tick abundance has increased and the period of seasonal activity has extended in many areas. Climate change, particularly warmer, wet winters have had direct effects on tick feeding as well as impacting indirectly on vegetation cover and creating a more suitable habitat. The increase in deer numbers, habitat modification by conservation and changes in farming practices have also all contributed to the growth in numbers."

Stella Huyshe-Shires, from charity Lyme Disease Action, says: "Lyme Borreliosis is a rapidly emerging disease in the UK and a number of experienced healthcare professionals believe the increase in reported cases reflects a genuine rise over the last 20 years, and not just increased awareness leading to more diagnosis. There appears to have been an increase in ticks and, in turn, an increase in the prevalence of Lyme borreliosis in ticks."

'No Bite Is Right' is part of Bayer Animal Health’s wider 'It’s a Jungle Out There' parasite protection initiative. A series of campaign roadshows for pet owners will be taking place this year at the Ayr, Devon and New Forest County Shows. You can find out more about how your practice can get involved with the campaign by following the conversation on www.facebook.com/jungleforpets and downloading campaign materials at www.vetcentre.bayer.co.uk.