Dechra Veterinary Products, manufacturer of the leading feline hyperthyroidism treatment Felimazole®, has launched a new website for cat owners about the disorder: www.hyperthyroidcat.co.uk
The website is an online version of Dechra's popular client booklets on feline hyperthyroidism and, since its launch, has averaged 500 unique visitors a month. With pages on diagnosis, treatment and even tips on how to give a pill to a cat, owners now have a place to go for more information and advice on the disease.
Matthew Olsen, product manager at Dechra Veterinary Products says: "This website is perfect for helping owners better understand and manage hyperthyroidism in their cat. It's also useful for practices as they now have somewhere to refer owners to for more information about the diagnosis and management of this complex hormonal disease."
Cards with the new website address are available for practices to hand to clients, along with waiting room posters that will serve as a further reminder of the new site. "The website allows clients to browse the site in the comfort of their own home and is also ideal for practices with limited storage space for client information materials," Dr Olsen continues. "The posters, cards and website enhance Dechra Veterinary Products' existing range of marketing materials available to vets and owners on the subject of feline hyperthyroidism."
Dechra also encourages practices that have their own websites to link directly to http://www.hyperthyroidcat.co.uk/. Practices can order posters and hand-out cards by contacting Dechra on 01743 441632 or email: info@dechra-uk.com
he leaflet has been produced following changes in legislation concerning maternity, paternity and adoption, and covers issues such as:
The leaflet includes timelines for quick reference together with health and safety advice, including a template risk assessment form.
Professor Bill Reilly, BVA past president, chaired the members services sub group which developed the document. He said: "This Guidance tells everyone in the practice team what they need to know about pregnancy in the workplace.
"Developed with the help of human resources and legal experts this Guidance answers common questions, gives a great overview of what should happen when, as well as who has which rights and responsibilities.
"It is specifically tailored to the veterinary environment so vets, vet nurses and practice managers should all find the clear advice useful."
BVA members can download the guide from www.bva.co.uk/guides.
The Kennel Club Charitable Trust has announced that nominations are now open for its new Veterinary Awards for veterinary surgeons, scientists and veterinary students that are carrying out innovative research that will help to improve dog health.
According to the charity, the Awards will identify and encourage visionary thinking, ambition and life-changing accomplishments and those who receive the awards will be passionate about making a difference for dogs. Each award provides a large funding programme to the recipient, which rewards them for their dedication and innovation in the field of canine health and welfare and invests in helping them to continue making a difference for dogs. The awards will be:
The awards will be judged by representatives from the veterinary profession and the world of scientific research, including experts in the nominees' selected fields. Dr. Alan Kelley, Dean Emeritus of The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, will chair the distinguished committee selecting the International Prize Winner.
Vernon Hill, Founder and President of Metro Bank and Shirley Hill, whose Foundation underwrites the Awards, said: "Metro Bank is a visionary, innovative bank, and we support the same spirit in these prestigious awards. Dogs Rule at Metro Bank, and we welcome them in with fresh water bowls, treats and Metro Scarves 361 days a year. We look forward to our gift making a difference and supporting the future leaders in veterinary science."
Rosemary Smart, Kennel Club Chief Executive, said: "We are extremely pleased to be working with Vernon and Shirley in this exciting Awards scheme, which will reward and support those people whose work is making a difference to dogs' lives."
To nominate somebody for these awards contact: cas.oakes@thekennelclub.org.uk or write to:
Cas OakesThe Kennel Club Charitable Trust1-5 Clarges StreetPiccadillyLondonW1J 8AB
Nominations for the Student Inspiration should come from the Deans/Faculty Directors of British Veterinary Schools.
For further information and to find out how to enter visit: www.thekennelclub.org.uk/charitabletrust
A new study from the University of Surrey, published today in the journal PLOS One, has identified the specific effects of a malformation which affects affects toy breeds.
According to researchers, Chiari malformation has become prevalent as a result of selective breeding and affects many toy dog breeds which have been bred to look more doll-like, including Griffon Bruxellois, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Chihuahuas and their crosses.
Researchers took brain, skull and vertebrae measurements of 155 Griffon Bruxellois and compared dogs affected by the condition with normal Griffons. They discovered that Griffons with the disease had taller foreheads and that it had also caused the shape of the brain to change, with severely affected animals having their cerebellum pushed underneath the main part of the brain.
The researchers say that although it can be asymptomatic, in many dogs Chiari malformation can cause headaches, problems with walking or even paralysis.
The condition can also affect humans and the University is working with human geneticists at the University of Montreal, in the hope that better understanding of the condition will lead to improved treatment for both dogs and humans.
Lead author, Dr Clare Rusbridge from the new School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Surrey, said: "Chiari malformation can be described as trying to fit a big foot into a small shoe. It can be very painful, causing headaches and pressure on the brain and can result in fluid filled cavities in the spinal cord. Our latest discoveries will be significant in driving this research forward and hopefully allow us to identify which genes may be associated with the condition.
"Our next steps will be to apply our technique to other breeds with Chiari malformation and investigate more sophisticated ways of screening, so that risk of disease can be detected more easily, at an earlier age and with a single MRI scan.
"We want to engage breeders and give them practical advice about the condition, but it is also important that the public recognises that breeding dogs in a certain way to influence how they look might not be in the animal's best interest. There are responsible breeders out there, who have invested in screening and who are breeding for health as well as producing attractive puppies, and it is vital that people only look to buy from them."
The Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ) has published a free online collection of articles which explain the current understanding of equine antimicrobial resistance and how the profession can preserve the effectiveness of these essential medicines.
The new collection comprises ten clinical reports and studies and three editorials covering current trends on bacterial populations, risk factors and the appropriate use of antimicrobials in practice.
A clinical report on the changes in bacterial populations in foals with sepsis raises the question whether the emergence of resistance in horses has occurred as a result of antibiotic use in humans, with nosocomial spread from human handlers in foals. Studies on the prevalence of faecal carriage of antimicrobial resistant E. coli show their prevalence to be common in normal horses in the community in the UK, although MRSA carriage was rare. Data suggested transmission of resistant bacteria from animals receiving antibiotics may result in carriage of bacteria by in contact animals.
The need for judicious use of antimicrobials is reinforced in a study on antimicrobial-associated diarrhoea in three equine referral practices. Two papers investigate both prescribing practice in the UK and the impact of antimicrobial use on infection and pyrexia in hospitalised horses, concluding that there are opportunities for more targeted, ‘smart’, use antimicrobials in the perioperative period, rather than simply more antimicrobials.
The final study discusses a low-cost syndromic surveillance model for monitoring healthcare associated infection in clinical practice to provide a realistic benchmark against which other hospitals may compare antimicrobial study data.
Three supporting editorials complete the online collection, giving comment on the overall situation of antimicrobial resistance in the horses, including the current political situation and antimicrobials and surgical site infection.
Professor Peter Clegg, Associate Editor of the Equine Veterinary Journal said: "It remains to be determined how big a problem antimicrobial resistance will become for the equine veterinary profession, either through greater difficulties in treating horses, or through political pressure to restrict access to antimicrobials. Meanwhile the EVJ remains committed to the promotion of responsible stewardship to best preserve the efficacy of the drugs we have got for as long as we can."
Mark Bowen, President of the British Equine Veterinary Association and guest editor said: "BEVA has a long-term commitment to promoting responsible antimicrobial use throughout the profession and supporting EAAD through the PROTECT ME brand. This year we have released resources around Education, aimed at the profession through EVJ and to the horse owning public through development of material that can be provided alongside antimicrobial dispensing. The work of the equine profession in preserving the highest priority antimicrobials will ensure efficacy can be retained for as long as is possible."
The antimicrobial online collection is available free online at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1001/(ISSN)2042-3306/homepage/antimicrobial_resistance.htm
The Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Learning Consortium has announced the launch of a new online tutorial (www.ebvmlearning.org) designed to make evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM) accessible to the veterinary profession worldwide.
The online tutorial, funded by the RCVS Knowledge Target Grants initiative and led by Dr Kristen Reyher at the University of Bristol along with Drs Rachel Dean and Marnie Brennan from the Centre for Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nottingham, begins with an introductory module and then focuses on the five key areas of EBVM:
The learning resource, which can be used on various platforms and devices, is suitable for students and practitioners for self-study, and can be used as a stand-alone tutorial or as individual teaching modules to support other EBVM teaching or continuing professional development.
The online tutorial uses best educational practice and includes formative multiple choice questions, short tasks and recommendations for further study. It is intended to be a source of knowledge, bringing together the essentials of EBVM into one place, and highlights many other links to resources and organisations that are available to further learners’ knowledge about the subject.
Dr Kristen Reyher, Senior Lecturer in Farm Animal Science in the School of Veterinary Sciences, who led the project team, said: "It is hoped that the development of this resource will increase awareness of EBVM in the veterinary profession, and allow practitioners the opportunity to develop the skills needed to utilise EBVM in everyday clinical practice."
Future aims of the project team include designing methods of cataloguing and disseminating evidence synthesis to support clinical decision-making and evidence-based veterinary practice, improving and standardising the teaching of EBVM to undergraduate and postgraduate students at veterinary schools internationally, and building a community of practice in this area.
The International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM), the veterinary division of International Cat Care, has announced the publication of the new ISFM Consensus Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of Feline Chronic Kidney Disease in this month's Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery1.
The guidelines represent the consensus of an expert panel of clinicians and academics gathered from the UK, France, Australia and North America. In making their recommendations, the panelists considered various management approaches and graded the quality of the available published evidence with respect to their impact on quality of life and longevity.
The authors say dietary management is supported by good evidence. Notably, specific commercial renal diets have been shown to significantly prolong longevity and improve quality of life. A common problem, however, is poor acceptance of these diets, which are generally less palatable than maintenance diets, and the guidelines include a number of recommendations to assist in transitioning cats to a new diet.
Other interventions with good supportive evidence are routine assessment of blood pressure in cats with CKD, and use of antihypertensive medications (when indicated) to help protect organs at particular risk of damage, such as the eyes and heart.
Given the chronic nature of CKD, the guidelines, which are free to access and download, emphasise how vital it is for the veterinary clinic to establish a good relationship with the cat’s owner. This will facilitate treatment plans to be created that take into consideration the wishes and ability of the owner, as well as the needs of the individual cat.
You can read the guidelines here. There is also a podcast recording of the panel chairman Dr Andrew Sparkes discussing the guidelines is available here.
Reference
The taskforce was established following the EU referendum result on 24 June, with the central purpose of putting the profession in charge of its future by maximising the opportunities and minimising the risks of Brexit.
Almost half of veterinary surgeons registering in the UK qualified from veterinary schools elsewhere in the EU. While the Government issued a statement in mid-July clarifying that as yet there has been no change to the rights and status of EU nationals in the UK or UK nationals in the EU, it is not clear whether this situation will continue once the UK has left the EU.
The Brexit Presidential Taskforce will consider, and proactively engage with, the many possible changes that could shape the future of the UK veterinary profession due to Brexit.
The members of the Taskforce are: the President of the College, Chris Tufnell; the CEO, Nick Stace; the Treasurer, Amanda Boag; Operations Director, Corrie McCann; Junior Vice-President, Stephen May; Acting Registrar, Eleanor Ferguson; Chair of Education, Susan Dawson; Head of Education, Chris Warman; Council member Stuart Reid; Chair of VN Council, Liz Cox; and Director of Strategic Communications, Lizzie Lockett.
The terms of reference include: considering how EU regulations currently impact the regulation of veterinary professionals in the UK, and making recommendations as to which should be maintained; looking at the issue of mutual recognition of veterinary graduates in Europe; considering workforce requirements and the implications of a new system of immigration; understanding the implications for the current RCVS agenda; considering whether a proactive RCVS agenda can influence any new UK legislation; reconsidering the College’s existing international strategy; and studying the financial impact on the College.
It was also agreed that the College should maintain communications with the British Veterinary Association and coordinate approaches where appropriate.
Dr Chris Tufnell, President of the RCVS, said: "Brexit has profound implications for our professions. The Presidential Taskforce is exploring all implications and will develop proposals that will seek to mitigate the risks and maximise the benefits that can flow to the veterinary professions and to animal welfare.
"We are working closely with representative bodies and others so that the veterinary professions have a coordinated and well executed plan in place. We are in discussions with all relevant Government departments, working collaboratively and constructively, ensuring that our voice is heard and our influence is felt."
The next meeting will be held on 15 September, with the third one scheduled for 9 November.
The British Equine Veterinary Association's (BEVA) Equine Rescue Fund (ERF) has taken delivery of 'Howie the Rescue Horse', the UK's first lifesized model of a horse designed specially for training vets and firefighters
Howie will be used for the practical elements of the Rescue and Emergency Medicine Training for Equine Vets courses run by BEVA in partnership with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service's animal rescue specialists. He will also be taken on the road to vet schools and be loaned to fire and rescue services wishing to train firefighters in manual emergency equine handling techniques.
Howie was designed to the animal rescue specialist's exacting specifications by Wales-based company Big Beasts, which more usually creates bespoke models, creatures, and props for the film and television industry, as well as for museums and theme parks.
Howie has been named after Genitrix' managing director, Howard Wilder after the company (which makes equine joint treatments such as irap HY-50®Vet) stepped in to cover the significant production costs of the model.
Howard said: "Horse rescue is a complex and hazardous operation, both for the animal and those trying to rescue it and treat any injuries. As a company actively involved in equine care, we felt it was important to make a significant financial contribution to the Equine Rescue Fund. It's great that Howie has safely arrived and we hope he'll prove an important asset to the ERF."
Picture shows: Howie the Rescue Horse with (left to right) Howard Wilder and Buster Brown and Jim Green, Animal Rescue Specialists, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service
Genitrix has taken on the exclusive UK distribution of the Oxbow Professional range of premium recovery diets for herbivores and carnivores.
The Oxbow range was developed in the USA, covers a wide range of exotic species, and is offered in multiple pack sizes to ensure ease of use and cost effectiveness. Key products within the range include Critical Care, Critical Care Fine Grind and new Carnivore Care.
Carnivore Care is a recovery diet for carnivores including cats, ferrets, raptors and snakes, which are unwilling or unable to eat their normal diet. Developed specifically for carnivorous mammals, reptiles and birds, it contains easily digestible proteins, as well as high taurine and L-carnitine in a powdered formula which is easy to mix. It can be self fed, fed by syringe or even by tube to cats, ferrets, raptors, and other carnivorous small mammals and reptiles. It is used for conditions including malnutrition, severe weight loss, appetite stimulation, gastroenteritis, pre and post surgical care and as a medication carrier.
Critical Care is a recovery diet for herbivores, including rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, tortoises and other herbivorous mammals and reptiles. Formulated to contain all essential nutrients, as well as timothy hay to ensure proper gut physiology and digestion, it can be self fed or fed by syringe and is used in cases including gastrointestinal stasis, severe weight loss, dental disease/post extraction, for gastric hair balls and pre and post surgery
Critical Care Fine Grind is a recovery food which is particularly suitable in cases where tube feeding is required. Formulated to contain timothy hay and essential nutrients, it is offered in a fine particle size to ensure easy flow through nasogastric tubes and syringes. It can be used to feed herbivorous mammals and reptiles unwilling or unable to eat due to illness, surgery or poor nutritional status.
John Chitty BVetMed, CertZooMed, CBiol, MIBiol, MRCVS of the JC Exotic Pet Consultancy said: "In my opinion, the Oxbow Professional Line is the best recovery diet range on the market as it gives vets a variety of high quality options for multiple species. It can make really make the difference in a successful recovery."
Howard Wilder, Genitrix' Managing Director, said: "We're focused on delivering innovative products for companion animals and exotic pets which advance veterinary care and provide revenue opportunities for veterinary practices.
"The Oxbow range covers a uniquely wide range of species giving vets a flexible 'one range fits all' recovery care diet for convalescing pets, which has been well researched and formulated. We're delighted to launch the Oxbow Professional range in the UK and believe many veterinary practices will find it a beneficial addition to their armoury."
Dechra Veterinary Products has launched a calculator which provides vets with an instant analysis of how much they can save when stocking veterinary licensed generic products over an equivalent.
The new margin calculator enables practices to manipulate their mark-ups for a greater increase in profit while also providing cost savings for clients.
Roger Brown, product manager at Dechra Veterinary Products said: "With the rise of veterinary licensed generic products on the market, our calculator provides practices with an added opportunity to increase their own profitability. This can be achieved through a simple re-calculation based on the purchase price of a product, versus its mark-up and how much they are sold on to clients for. In many circumstances, practices will see an increased profit for themselves and cost reductions for the client – everyone wins!"
The margin and profit calculator compares market prices with Dechra’s own generic range – Veterinary Essentials – to show just how much mark-up can be applied to products without impacting on a client’s budget.
Roger added: "It’s a simple, but very effective calculation. The beauty is that this calculator can be run from any computer and does not require supporting software."
For more information about the margin calculator please contact your local Dechra territory manager or call Rachel Horton on 01743 441 632.
The Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA) has launched the European Journal of Companion Animal Practitioners (EJCAP) Online, the first European fully online veterinary journal.
As the official journal of the FECAVA, the EJCAP online is exclusively available to members of national companion animal veterinary associations which are in turn members of FECAVA (which include the BSAVA).
According to FECAVA, the EJCAP online will continue to offer the sort of high quality CPD articles which the magazine was known for during its 21 year history in print. However it will now also be able to offer rich media, such as videos with clinical presentations, endoscopy and ultrasound recordings, diagnostic and surgical techniques, interviews with experts, conference presentations as well as slide shows, interactive quizzes, surveys and animations.
The frequency of publication has also been increased, from three to four issues per year, including one special issue.
The EJCAP online is available in two languages - English and Spanish. More languages are planned in future.
Simon Orr, FECAVA president, said: "Since the momentous decision to publish EJCAP online was taken by our Council in Lille in 2009, we are delighted to offer our members this new and engaging way to gain new information and skills.
As we start work on the next issues, we invite all our readers to give us feedback on this first volume of EJCAP online. On the last spread (page) there is a link to a survey on this new format, to help us further improve and optimize EJCAP online."
To register, visit EJCAP online (www.fecava.org/ejcap).
Twycross Zoo has released a video on YouTube in which Sarah Chapman, Head of Veterinary Sciences, describes the challenges of being a zoo vet, explains why she loves the job and introduces the zoo’s partnership with the vet school at University of Nottingham.
The video is part of a six-part series of behind-the-scenes videos in which viewers can see some of the 500 animals in its care and the people that keep the zoo running from day to day. In addition to explaining the role of the veterinary team, the videos also explore the role of the zoo’s keepers and the research, conservation, education and animal training that takes place.
The studies and articles include a look at the importance of ethics, artificial Intelligence in veterinary practice, retention in the veterinary nursing profession, canine corneal bacterial pathogens, canine appendicular soft tissue sarcomas and mast cell tumours, and autologous mesenchymal stromal cell treatment.
Professor Luisa De Risio, Clinical Research and Excellence Director at Linnaeus, said: “Innovation in clinical research can only happen if we embrace change in society – from new technology to improvements in animal welfare. As well as showcasing the latest research, our new report also brings together experts to consider the opportunities for our profession.”
https://bit.ly/42KFrMK
The event will include empowering talks by Vet Empowered founders Katie Ford and Claire Grigson MsRCVS.
Expert guests include Aoife Smith, an ex-RVN and psychotherapist, Chloé Hannigan from VetYogi and Jo Kelly, a registered veterinary nurse and accredited nutritional therapist.
There'll be hands-on workshops and immersive activities aimed at challenging comfort zones, fostering connections, and cultivating a mindset of growth and empowerment.
The organisers say Vet Empowered Live also offers the chance to connect with like-minded professionals, share experiences, and build a supportive community of peers committed to personal and professional growth.
Katie said: "We're thrilled to bring Vet Empowered Live to life and provide veterinary professionals with a unique opportunity to invest in their personal development.
"Our mission is to empower individuals to unlock their full potential, overcome obstacles, and create fulfilling careers on their own terms.
"We are passionate about providing a safe and inspiring space to do this."
Tickets cost £150 and include six hours of CPD and food and drink throughout the day.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/vet-empowered-live-confidence-beyond-manchester-2024-tickets-775605325407
https://www.vetempowered.com
For the project, the company has developed a Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) clinical assessment tool which can be used by a vet or nurse in practice to make a diagnosis.
The assessment is a holistic one which includes taking a history of the animal, a full physical examination, an exercise test and an examination of the dog’s nostrils.
The results of the assessment are then discussed with the owner to agree on a course of treatment.
During each consultation, vets and nurses also look to talk sensitively with clients about breeding, buying and owning brachycephalic dog breeds, offering welfare advice on how to manage their dog’s lifestyle, including issues such as keeping their weight low and looking after them in hot weather.
CVS says it hopes this will increase a general level of welfare awareness amongst brachycephalic dog owners.
CVS has also created a collection of resources for its teams, including new clinical frameworks and veterinary guidelines, webinars and a CPD day on the subject.
The company has also created materials to help vets and nurses have what can be challenging discussions with clients, including consultation room posters and practice reception TV videos which showing the physiology of the brachycephalic breed.
CVS says that since launch in July last year, the 25 participating practices have conducted nearly 900 brachycephalic assessments, and it aims to have at least 5% of Pugs, French Bulldogs and Bulldogs undergoing assessment across its small animal division by 2028.
CVS has announced that it is to support the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET), a charity initiative run jointly by the BSAVA and the University of Liverpool to monitor health and illness in companion animals using anonymised data from veterinary practices and laboratories.
The group will be linking its practices, of which there are now more than 290, to SAVSNET through their practice management systems in a rollout that will continue until the end of the year.
Through its research and analysis, SAVSNET aims to monitor disease trends over time; identify populations at risk and monitor treatments and outcomes. It also aims to provide data and improve public awareness of small animal diseases and prevention. One of its projects delivers near-real-time (within 24 hours) practice-based syndromic surveillance based on data received from participating veterinary surgeons, who through a single mouse click, record information at the end of each consultation through their practice management system. The data is automatically sent to SAVSNET for secure storage and analysis. The whole process is designed to avoid any impact on a practices already busy work flow.
Dr Alan Radford, one of SAVSNET’s principal investigators, said: "Reusing electronic health data has a massive potential to improve animal and human health. SAVSNET is one project leading the way in this research and it is great to be working with CVS, with its scale and also its focus on high quality veterinary care.
"Working together, SAVSNET and members of the CVS team can really help understand in a new way the diseases seen by the populations under our care. As a small thank you for participation, practices that take part are provided with a secure on-line portal where they can see free anonymised benchmarking statistics including disease data and antibacterial use. Greater knowledge will enable us to target interventions to those animals most at risk, to identify risk factors for disease and to focus veterinary research efforts."
Marcus Evans, Head of Practice Management Systems at CVS said: "We are very impressed at the projects being carried out by the SAVSNET team and are keen to support its work, particularly as our veterinary teams can do it so quickly and easily through RoboVet, our practice management system. As a large veterinary group, and one that is continuing to grow rapidly, our support will add significant weight to SAVNET's efforts and we are delighted to be contributing to such valuable research."
Merial has launched a new website where you can test your NSAID knowledge and get the chance to win a £50 book voucher. There’s a new winner every month.
The website, http://www.osteoarthritisindogs.co.uk is designed to help practice staff understand more about canine osteoarthritis (OA) and effective management of the condition. The site covers every aspect of canine OA, including treatments and non-pharmacological management strategies. There is also a section for dog owners where practice staff can direct their customers for further information.
Merial product manager Claire Parry-Baggott said: “The practice section is password protected but registration is quite straightforward. The test itself consists of 10 multi-choice questions and your test results are returned within a matter of a few seconds.”
Claire added: "Canine osteoarthritis is a challenging area on its own but is further complicated by the choice of NSAIDs that serve the market. All NSAIDs inhibit the COX-2 enzyme which plays the key role in the development of pain and inflammation. However, traditional NSAIDs also inhibit COX-1 to widely varying degrees. This is a beneficial enzyme that plays an important role in normal physiological functioning. The resulting unwanted side-effects of COX-1 inhibition may hinder therapy, however this is not yet recognised by many vet practices.
“This site will help vets and practice staff better understand canine OA, whilst giving a clearer picture of how different NSAID’s interact with COX-1 and COX-2. The new generation NSAID – firocoxib (Previcox®), selects COX-2 whilst sparing COX-1 and so is a real step forward in the treatment of canine OA.”
Merial has launched a 'Vaccination Back on Track' promotion via vet practices that administer Merial vaccines.
Under the scheme, owners of all horses over 12 months of age that have not yet been vaccinated against equine influenza or are overdue a booster obtain a primary vaccination course at an attractive discounted rate. A tetanus component is also available if required.
Dr Emma Batson from Merial said: "With continuing cases of equine flu recorded in the UK, and a global increase in the number of serious outbreaks, it has never been more important to ensure that horses are protected against this underestimated threat.
"It's often not fully understood that equine flu can be transferred indirectly via inanimate objects such as horse boxes, fencing or human clothing. With just 37% of horses in the UK estimated to be vaccinated, this leaves a significant naive and vulnerable population at risk".
Merial says there is no limit on the number of horses that can be vaccinated, making it a particularly attractive offer for those with more than one horse or yard(s).
Participating practices have the option to run the scheme in any month between now and December 2009. For information, contact your Merial Territory Manager.
The University of Bristol and Companion Care have launched The Great Pet Travel Survey 2012 to assess disease risks in the UK following the simplification of Pet Travel Scheme rules.
Companion Care and The University of Bristol say that there is a great deal of concern about what risks changes in the Pet Travel Scheme Rules pose to the health of the human and dog population in the UK.
Robert White-Adams MRCVS from Companion Care said: "At present there is minimal data available to answer this question as current data logging is minimal and paperwork checking at ports can be variable. We therefore have little idea of how many UK-resident dogs travel abroad, where they visit, how long they stay and what they are doing whilst abroad.
The survey will collect and analyse information about the travel patterns of UK resident dogs, in and around mainland Europe, over the last decade.
Robert added: "The data to be collated by the survey will fill the data void and enable us to provide a quantitative assessment of the disease risk, as well as gaining an understanding of owner awareness of risks face by dogs travelling in Europe.
Owners of dogs with Pet Passports are being encouraged to fill in the short questionnaire, which is available now at http://www.greatpetsurvey.co.uk/. All completed questionnaires will be entered into a prize draw to win £100 of Pets at Home vouchers!
The questionnaire will be live online until 30th June 2012 and all data will be analysed by the University of Bristol.
Dr Morgan said: "Without this information we have only a vague idea of the risks that the loss of border controls may pose. The answer could be that there is little additional risk or it could be that the UK dog (and human) population could face some severe disease threats. As it stands now, we just don't know enough to make an informed judgement."
Amy Bergs MRCVS, owner of The Cat Doctor in Surrey and co-founder of the new British Mobile Veterinary Association, has won a week's worth of free advertising for her practice on national TV.
The competition was run by the mobile payments company iZettle, which invited entrants to submit a 15 minute video about their business.
Amy's husband and business partner Robert put the video entry together. It was one of seven winners picked out of hundreds that iZettle said it received.
The resulting advert (below) is being shown on a number of TV channels, including Sky News, Sky Sports and Comedy Central, from today.
Amy said: "We are so excited to have won the competition. We love what we do and would like to help more cats, it’s such an amazing opportunity to share what we can offer on national television!"
watch?v=Vi8SCWcPJoo
ProteqFlu, the live attenuated canarypox equine influenza (EI) vaccine, has had its shelf life extended from 27 to 36 months.
Merial says the increased shelf life is the result of ongoing investment in vaccine research & development, and that the new data underpins the stability of modified live vaccine technology.
Merial highlights that ProteqFlu is the only equine flu vaccine in Europe to include the updated American clade 1 Ohio/03 strain in accordance with the OIE recommendations (2004).
The Disciplinary Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons last week ordered a month's suspension for a veterinary surgeon from Dolgellau for dishonest certification of bovine tuberculin testing in the Gwynedd area in early 2007.
At a hearing that concluded last Friday, Iwan Parry, a partner of The Veterinary Surgery, Bala Road, Dolgellau, and an Official Veterinarian, was charged with serious professional misconduct for certifying on eight separate occasions that he had tested and inspected cattle for clinical signs of bovine tuberculosis (TB), when he had not done so. At the outset of the hearing, Mr Parry denied the charges.
The Committee heard that Animal Health (a DEFRA Executive Agency) had discovered irregularities in TB testing paperwork from Mr Parry's practice. These included two locum veterinary surgeons, who were not Local Veterinary Inspectors (LVIs), having carried out TB pre-movement testing, but the relevant paperwork being signed and certified by Mr Parry. It therefore suspended him from LVI duties and lodged a complaint with the RCVS.
The Committee heard that, at the time, Mr Parry's practice was in difficulty as all eight of his assistant veterinary surgeons had recently left and he was struggling to maintain services. It was also reported that the incidence of bovine TB in Mr Parry's area was very low.
Under questioning, Mr Parry admitted that he had not done the testing, but had allowed non-LVI veterinary surgeons to do so and then signed the certificates himself. Denying the charge of dishonesty, he maintained that he had thought his actions were legitimate, providing he questioned the veterinary surgeons afterwards and checked their results. However, he told the Committee he now deeply regretted this "honest mistake", made at a time of great personal pressure, and that it would not be repeated.
The Committee also heard evidence from a number of character witnesses, including Mr Elfyn Llwyd MP, testifying to Mr Parry's good character, integrity and good standing in the local community and agricultural sector.
Nevertheless, in view of Mr Parry's long experience as an LVI, his understanding of the importance of routine herd testing and accurate veterinary certification and his reputation for keeping up to date with legislative and professional developments, the Committee decided that his actions were not just inappropriate, but were the result of conscious impropriety on his part. It found that he was not only guilty of dishonesty, but of allowing non-LVIs to perform TB testing, both of which amounted to serious professional misconduct.
In passing judgment, the Committee emphasised that the integrity of veterinary certification was of the utmost importance, especially when carried out on behalf of the Government, in order to safeguard animal health and facilitate international trade. It also felt that Mr Parry could not have failed to have been fully aware of what he was signing and that he should not have done so.
It was, however, prepared to take account of some exceptional mitigating factors in this case, including the low risk of TB spread following Mr Parry's actions; that no financial gain had been sought or received by him; his unblemished career and uprightness of conduct to date; the esteem in which he was held in the farming community and the potential (financial) impact on that community if he were to be removed from the Register (therefore unable to practise) for a significant period of time.
Nigel Swayne MRCVS, chairing the Disciplinary Committee, concluded: "We are reminded that the primary purpose of any sanction is not punishment, but the maintenance of public confidence in the profession and to uphold professional standards of conduct.
"Whilst only a reprimand is not an appropriate sanction where dishonesty and false certification have been found proved, and such findings would normally attract at least a long period of suspension, given the wholly exceptional circumstances of this case and the strength of the mitigating factors, we direct that Mr Parry should be suspended for one month."