The 2011 AGM meeting minutes have now been uploaded to the media section of the SAMSoc website on vetsurgeon.org

Alex Gough

See attached document for details of BMUS meeting in Brighton which has a veterinary stream

Hi everyone

thought i would refresh everyones memories of the projects ( looking to recruit samples, cases or complete questionaires) . Listed in the SAMSoc Wiki section. More detail can be found on the project you may find interesting  including contacts etc within the Wiki.

If you have a project that you would like to list please post away or contact me via a vetsurgeon conversation link or by e mailing me directly at iab@vetspecialists.co.uk 

all the best

Ian

Free plasma metanephrines – a novel diagnostic approach for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in dogs

The Royal Veterinary College is investigating whether an increased plasma metanephrine concentration can be used to identify pheochromocytomas in dogs. We hope this will provide a useful indicator for pheochromocytomas, which are otherwise challenging to diagnose and our preliminary data suggests that plasma metanephrine concentrations increase in affected dogs.

We would welcome EDTA plasma samples from dogs undergoing investigation of adrenal masses, especially if pheochromocytoma is strongly suspected. The full cost of this test will be covered by the project grant and HPLC results are usually available within 7 days.

Petplan Charitable Trust PhD Study
to Investigate Feline Infectious Peritonitis-Specific Nucleotide Motifs

A three-year study, leading to a PhD, is being funded by the Petplan Charitable Trust and is available to commence on 1^st February 2011 in the School of Veterinary Sciences, Langford at the University of Bristol.  The aim of the project is to define nucleotide sequence motifs in feline coronaviruses (FCoVs) associated with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and to then develop a diagnostic test for the confirmation of FIP.  The applicant will gain extensive experience in molecular-based techniques and bioinformatic analysis.  Furthermore, the applicant will receive training in the design, conduct and presentation of research. Practical work will be done in the School of Veterinary Sciences, Langford and the School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Bristol. The work will be jointly supervised by Professor Stuart Siddell and Drs Chris Helps and Séverine Tasker, supported by collaborators both within the University of Bristol and in other Universities.  Good computer skills are essential, and some experience of molecular research and feline medicine is desirable.  The successful applicant will have a high level of literacy and numeracy, good organisation skills and a willingness to learn and develop research skills to a high standard.  The successful applicant will also have excellent communication skills and confidence in making contact with cat owners and veterinary surgeons.

Applicants must possess, or expect to obtain, a first class, or good upper second class, degree in a biological related subject, or a degree in a veterinary science, and be able to demonstrate a clear interest in FIP.  This project is available to citizens of a number of European countries (including the UK) who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more.

Informal enquiries about the project are encouraged and can be made to Dr Séverine Tasker (email: s.tasker@bristol.ac.uk).

To apply, please send a CV, cover letter, and the names and addresses of two referees to Alison Foxwell, Head of Department’s Office, School of Veterinary Sciences, Langford House, Langford, North Somerset, BS40 5DU (email: cvs-hod-office@bristol.ac.uk), quoting reference SCH/10/09, by December 15^th 2010.

The RCVS Mind Matters Initiative is to host its fifth biennial mental health research symposium to highlight current contributions to veterinary mental health research from around the globe on Friday 10th October from 9am to 5pm at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, UK.

The theme for the symposium this year is ‘Advancing veterinary mental health research: learning from the past, considering the present, and looking to the future’.

The day will consist of a variety of oral presentations and poster presentations, and there will be a number of exhibitors, including charitable organisations and wider animal health and welfare organisations.

The College is inviting all those interested in the field of veterinary mental health to attend the day.

RCVS Council member and Chair of the Mind Matters Initiative, Dr Louise Allum, said: “Our symposium presents a fantastic opportunity for knowledge exchange in the veterinary mental health sphere so that, together, we can continue to foster a compassionate environment and build a solid evidence-base for veterinary mental health research to grow and evolve.

“This is an inclusive event open to all with an interest in veterinary mental health including vets, nurses, students, practice managers, academics, healthcare professionals, policy makers, mental health advocates and everyone in between.”

MMI Lead Rapinder Newton added: “We have come a long way in developing our understanding of mental health in veterinary professionals over the past ten years but still have a way to go.

“Only through continued collaboration with mental health researchers, and learning from other allied professions, can we efficiently work towards our shared goal of enhancing mental health and support within the veterinary professions.

“This is why events such as our symposium are so important.

"Veterinary mental health is a small but growing field. Creating environments for open discussion and networking are key to advancing our understanding of where the challenges lie.

"By extension, this also plays an invaluable role in learning how research can be applied in a practical manner to help improve the lives of veterinary professionals which, ultimately, aids in upholding animal health and welfare too.”

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mind-matters-initiative-research-symposium-2025-tickets-1247144485729 

WellVet has published a series of films about the menopause which aim to help reduce the impact of physical and psychological symptoms associated with perimenopause for veterinary team members.

The films, which include information and practical advice based on the pillars of lifestyle medicine and the neuropsychology of hormones, are aimed both at individuals who are directly affected and those who want to support them.

Wellvet co-founder Liz Barton said: “We now know that nearly half of veterinary team members experience a moderate-severe impact of perimenopause symptoms on their mental health, and a third report a significant impact on their working life and career."

Dr. Claire Gillvray, GP, Lifestyle Medicine specialist and psychiatrist with a special interest in women’s health, who introduces the films, said: “While we tend to focus on the individual, we all have friends, family, colleagues and clients who will experience symptoms impacting their mental and physical health and relationships.

"Although some women transition through the menopause with no problems, many women suffer a multiplicity of debilitating symptoms.

"These symptoms can be devastating and the medical advice they receive can be extremely variable, with some doctors dismissing perimenopause.

"Though onset can be earlier, symptoms typically occur between the ages of 40-60 years and can last for a decade or more, and there can be severe health impacts including cardiovascular, neurological and orthopaedic disease."

“These videos will empower individuals to take control of their symptom monitoring, have meaningful conversations with medical professionals, and trial lifestyle adjustments that may improve their health and wellbeing.”

The first instalment of nine 5-30 minute bitesize videos are accessible now on the WellVet website: https://www.wellvet.co.uk/resources/menopause-resources-for-veterinary-teams/.

Hi everyone

Jon  Wray presented a seminar on writing a CERTSAM casebook at the meeting this year and he has kindly agreed to allow us to post the notes for this session in the media section of the SAMSOC website. This document is accessible to all SAMSOC members and is password protected. So if you would like the access the document please contact me by the vetsurgeon conversation facility and i will provide you with the password

As a reminder

The following projects have been posted within the SAMSOC Wiki - full details of the projects can be found in the wiki. I am please to report that I am aware of case recruitemnts being made as a consequence of the Wiki. So if you would like to post a project ( takes under 10 mins) please feel free and if you need any help let me know

All the best

Ian

Projects on going at the moment

Free plasma metanephrines – a novel diagnostic approach for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in dogs

Metanephrine and normetanephrine are catecholamine metabolites produced by the cells of the adrenal medulla and detection of an increased plasma metanephrine concentration is the biochemical test of choice...

Genetic Basis of Endocrine Disease in Dogs

As part of the LUPA initiative ( http://www.eurolupa.org ), the Royal Veterinary College, University of London and the Universities of Manchester and Uppsala are collaborating to investigate the genetic...

Exocrine Pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) Treatment Study

Exocrine Pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) Treatment Study Aran Mas DVM MRCVS P-J.M.Noble BSc BVM&S PhD MRCVS, A.J.German BVSc PhD CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS EPI is a common condition in dogs with early...

Congenital PSS in Birman Cats - DNA Project

We are currently looking at the predisposition of Birman cats to congenital portosystemic shunts. The project is being run by myself and Professor Tim Gruffydd-Jones at the Feline Centre Bristol in conjunction...

Feline Chronic Kidney Disease: Use of oral phosphate binders

As part of ongoing research into Feline Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) at the Royal Veterinary College, The Clinical Investigation Centre (CIC) is working with an animal health company to verify the efficacy...

Diabetes Treatment Survey for vets, nurses and owners

Diabetes Treatment Survey When treatment protocols for diabetes are assessed, the focus lies on how good such treatment is in dealing with the disease and this is often measured using objective parameters...

2009

Thought i would let you all know, that we have now reach the milestone of 100  SAMSOC members registered on the site.

The commitee is now starting to look for new ideas to develop within the site that will benefit members. Current features include - the forum, a wiki for listing projects that are recruiting cases and a media section for interesting radiographs/case material.

If you have any good ideas please contact us and we will see what we can do

All the best and see you tommorow

Ian

PS- There are still some members have yet to register on the site. So if you know one of them give them a nudge. 

We're delighted to announce details of the SAMSoc Pre-BSAVA Satellite Meeting:

Date: Wednesday April 1st 2009
Venue: Hall 8a, ICC, Birmingham

Timetable:

Satellite meeting fees (lunch is included) - members £65, Non members £95.
SAMSOC annual membership - £25

We would like to invite submission of interesting case reports. There will be three presentations each lasting 12 minutes (plus 3 minutes for questions). If you have a case that you would like to present please e-mail an outline (up to 500 words) to Alison.Ridyard@ed.ac.uk by the 1^st February 2009. The programme co-ordinators will review the submissions and inform people of the selected cases by the 1^st March 2009. This is a chance for sharing your interesting and unusual cases with the group and we look forward to some interesting submissions. This year in addition to free registration, there will be prizes for the best case reports (first prize £300, second £150 , third £50).

If you are interested in joining the society or attending the meeting contact medicinereferrals@hotmail.com or iab@vetspecialists.co.uk. You may also click here for more details.

SAMSoc Travel Scholarship 2011

• The scholarship, worth £500, can be awarded to ANY SAMSoc member undertaking international CPD in 2011.
• Applicants should describe how they would intend to use the award in no more than 400 words. Recipients of the award are required to undertake the CPD within a 12 month time period.
• Following completion of their trip the recipient is required to write a short summary article (approx. 1000 words) which will be submitted to the Veterinary press for publication.
• The award is ONLY open to SAMSoc members.
• Last year the travel scholarship was not awarded as nobody applied! Applications should be sent to David Walker (dwalker@ndsr.co.uk) to arrive no later than 31st December 2010; the successful applicant will be notified within 8 weeks of this date. 

 The award will be presented at the pre-BSAVA SAMSoc meeting on 30th March 2011. The award is kindly sponsored by Pfizer.

US-based Vet and Tech has announced its 2025 programme of free CPD webinars for vets.

The webinars cover a range of clinical topics, including evaluating Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), cognitive decline in senior dogs, cannabinoid therapy, feline weight loss, corneal ulcers and seizure management.

Vet and Tech says the 10-session series features speakers from top veterinary institutions.

The webinars are available both both live and on-demand.

https://www.vetandtech.com/webinars 

Call for Research Reports / Research Abstracts
2010 ACVIM Forum Scientific Program

SUMBISSION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1, 2009

The ACVIM invites submission of research reports and research abstracts for short communications at the 2010 ACVIM Forum, June 9 - 12, 2010, in Anaheim, California. ACVIM Diplomates, ACVIM Candidates, members of other specialty groups, and those working in areas related to veterinary internal medicine are encouraged to submit. Research reports will be published in the online 2010 ACVIM Forum Proceedings and research abstracts will be published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (JVIM) as well as in the online and CD-Rom 2010 ACVIM Forum Proceedings.

Abstracts may be submitted for consideration in the research report category (25-minute presentation) if presented by an active researcher the field.  PhD candidates, post-doctoral students, and young faculty may be considered, but ACVIM Candidates and other residents may not present in this category.  If a research report is not accepted, the submission form will provide an option for you to have the abstract considered for presentation as a research abstract (15-minute presentation) instead.

Anyone may submit abstracts to be considered in the research abstract category.  ACVIM Candidates may be eligible for award. Awards will be given to selected research abstract presenters (or poster authors) who are active residents in an approved ACVIM training program, or who have completed an ACVIM approved residency within the last 6 months but are not yet ACVIM Board-certified. These abstracts will be judged on the quality of both the research and oral or poster presentation.

Two types of research abstract communications will be available:
- Oral presentation, strictly limited to 12 minutes with 3 additional minutes for questions.

- Posters (4' × 8' in dimension), available for viewing throughout the meeting. During specified periods the posters must be attended by one or more of the authors to answer specific questions. If the poster is entered in the ACVIM resident competition, the author must attend the poster to interact with the judges.

All submissions must adhere to the requirements outlined in the ACVIM Guidelines for Research Reports / Research Abstracts.

Note: Abstracts that exceed the length limit will not be considered. Excessively poor grammar or clarity of writing may be grounds for abstract rejection.

No abstract may be submitted that will have been submitted as a full-length publication before the abstract submission deadline of December 1, 2009. Abstracts that have been published as an abstract and / or presented elsewhere within the 9 months previous to the 2010 ACVIM Forum may be submitted for consideration, but must pass the ACVIM abstract review process as for any abstract.  The place of prior publication and / or presentation and copyright permission must be disclosed at the time of abstract submission.

Abstracts describing a single case report are unacceptable. Abstracts describing a study using clinical cases that lack confirmed, definitive diagnoses are not acceptable. Abstracts that present data “fractionated” into two or more abstracts when they could be combined into one are discouraged (e.g. regarding test validation, methodology development, or establishing a normal range without application to a population with sufficient power to demonstrate statistical significance). Animals used in the described study are expected to have received humane care, i.e. according to the principles outlined in the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and / or the humane care guidelines found at the author’s institution. Authors must attest to this on the electronic submission form.

Deadline: All submissions must be made online using the ACVIM electronic submission form found under the Research Abstracts link at www.ACVIMForum.org. Abstracts must be submitted by 11:59 pm MST, December 1, 2009 to be considered for presentation. The online submission form will be deactivated as of 12:00 am MST, December 2.