The RCVS and the BVA have called on the government to add veterinary surgeons to the Shortage Occupation List as part of the UK’s preparations for leaving the European Union.

The organisations made a joint submission to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) as part of its review into the Shortage Occupation List which began in autumn 2018 and will report back in spring 2019.

The BVA and the RCVS had previously made calls for the profession to be added to the list in 2017 when the MAC held a call for evidence on the impact of the UK's exit from the EU on various professions. The latest submission is a development on this previous submission, focused on the need for the post-Brexit immigration system to recognise the issues affecting the veterinary workforce, which is already under-capacity, and reiterating its importance in areas such as public health, food safety, disease surveillance and control, education, research, clinical practice and animal welfare.

The submission details how the demand for veterinary services does not currently match supply and that the UK is therefore reliant on overseas registrants, particularly from the rest of the EU, who currently make up around 50% of new registrants in a given year.

The RCVS and BVA add that, in the post-Brexit immigration system, this reliance on overseas vets needs to be recognised by adding veterinary surgeons to the Shortage Occupation List, thus reducing the immigration requirements needed for overseas veterinary surgeons to live and work in the UK and streamlining the application process for employers.

Amanda Boag, RCVS President, said: "We wanted to use this submission as an opportunity to reiterate the circumstances currently facing the profession, particularly in light of the uncertainties around the UK’s exit from the EU and the impact this could have on the supply of veterinary workforce from the rest of the EU, which is crucially important in a number of areas. We need, therefore, for veterinary surgeons to be immediately added back to the list so that we can ensure that this flow of workforce continues and that animal health and welfare is protected.

"In the meantime we are continuing to work with BVA and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to look at how we can develop ‘home-grown’ veterinary capacity in the UK through expanding the UK veterinary education sector, increasing retention rates within the profession, and looking at how the veterinary team could be reformed to allow allied professionals, such as veterinary nurses, to take on extra tasks and free up veterinary time. However, these are all long-term projects and not quick fixes to the issues facing the profession."

As well as calling for a future immigration system to prioritise the veterinary profession, RCVS and BVA also recommend that veterinary employers be exempt from the Immigration Skills Charge to avoid additional barriers or burdens to the employment of overseas vets and recommend that there is no minimum earning cap for veterinary surgeons applying for work visas, on the basis that veterinary surgeons are "skilled professionals who may choose to work in the UK for reasons other than remuneration".

Simon Doherty, BVA President, said: "It is in MAC’s gift to reinstate vets on the Shortage Occupation List and this evidence makes a strong case for it to happen as quickly as possible.

"Vets deliver multiple benefits to animal health and welfare, public health and food safety, and they have a crucial role to play in future trade deals and keeping standards and confidence in UK exports high.  The profession is also indebted to a high proportion of skilled EU vets who have chosen to make the UK their home and place of work. 

"With this in mind, the future immigration system must be geared around preserving veterinary capacity rather than introducing new layers of bureaucracy or restrictions on flexible movement between roles. We have raised concerns that extending the Immigration Skills Charge to EU workers would hit some areas of the workforce disproportionately hard, particularly the abattoir industry where 95 per cent of Official Veterinarians hail from overseas.

"With uncertain times ahead and demand for some veterinary services predicted to spiral after Brexit, it has never been more pressing to take decisive action to safeguard against shortfalls in capacity and give a vital vote of confidence in the veterinary workforce."

To read the full submission, visit https://www.rcvs.org.uk/document-library/joint-rcvs-and-bva-submission-to-migration-advisory-committee/ 

Ceva Animal Health has announced the launch of Vectra Felis, a new spot-on flea treatment for cats. 

The new product contains two active ingredients: dinotefuran and pyriproxyfen. The first is an adulticide which Ceva says kills fleas on contact, thereby stopping fleas biting before they die. The second ingredient is an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) which prevents flea reproduction and adult flea emergence, so protecting the cat and its environment from future flea attacks.

According to the company, Vectra Felis ensures that over 95% of fleas are killed within two hours and the effects last for a month.

In addition, Ceva highlights the product's patented applicator, which has an elongated smooth tip for quick and easy application. The company says it also provides accurate dosing and facilitates clean administration as nothing comes out until the tube is squeezed. Kittens can be treated from seven weeks of age (weighing at least 0.6kg).

For further information on Vectra Felis, contact your local Ceva territory manager or call 01494 781510.

Hannah Capon MRCVS and her team at Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) have launched the Big September Walks to raise awareness of arthritis in dogs.

People are invited to organise or join a walk to raise money for Canine Arthritis Management and its work to educate both dog owners and veterinary professionals about how even the smallest of changes can help to enhance the life of a dog with arthritis.

CAM highlights recent work from the Royal Veterinary College and University of Sydney through VetCompass, which highlighted some of the biggest welfare challenges facing our pet population including obesity, dental disease and osteoarthritis, with osteoarthritis identified as one of the most severe conditions.

Hannah said: "We need to start more conversations about arthritis; both dog owners and vets need to be more aware of the steps we can take to help prevent arthritis, and where dogs are affected, how we can take positive action to help them live fulfilled and comfortable lives."

Hannah says that arthritis is currently one of the biggest causes of owners choosing to euthanise their dogs, and she hopes that owners taking part in the walks will help spread the word that arthritis can be managed.

To find out more about the Big September Walks visit www.facebook.com/CAMBigSeptemberWalks  

The BVA has announced that Philip Lowndes MRCVS has become its new Board Chairman.

The BVA Board oversees the performance of the Association and is responsible for corporate and financial governance and for setting the BVA’s strategic direction. It consists of nine members: the three Officers of the BVA, four Directors appointed by BVA Council and up to 2 non-veterinary Directors appointed by the Board. The Chairman is elected by the Board.

Philip, a Bristol University Veterinary School graduate, spent seven years in mixed practice in Sussex, Kent and Suffolk before embarking on a career in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry.

He became CEO of Novartis Animal Health UK Ltd in 1996 (where, incidentally, he was ultimately responsible for signing up a wet-behind-the-ears PR consultant by the name of Arlo Guthrie and giving the go-ahead for the development of vetnurse.co.uk, which in turn led to the launch of vetsurgeon.org). In 2003 he became the company's Head of Global Marketing, and in 2005, Head of Global Business Development. 

Philip has also run business elective training at the Royal Veterinary College, which has provided first-hand experience of the concerns and opportunities facing new graduates within a changing profession.

Gudrun Ravetz, President of the British Veterinary Association, said: "We are delighted to announce Philip Lowndes as the new Chairman of the BVA Board. His experience and expertise in business, knowledge of the veterinary profession and involvement with BVA will be of great value as we continue to grow our membership and expand our services and support for vets, especially during the uncertainty caused by Brexit."

Philip holds previous chair experience, as Chairman of the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) between 1997-2004, and currently sits as Chairman of both the Novartis UK Pension Trustee Board and its Investment Committee. He joined BVA’s Board in 2013 and was re-elected by BVA Council for a second term in 2016. He will be taking over from Derek Williams, who stepped down in March after seven years of tireless work as Chairman.

Gudrun said: "I also want to take this opportunity to thank Derek Williams for all the hard work he has put in over many years. In his role as Chairman Derek’s experience and expertise have been vital in helping BVA grow as an organisation."

Philip said: "I am honoured to be elected as the next Chairman of the BVA and look forward to chairing the Board as it addresses the challenges ahead. The veterinary profession needs and deserves vibrant representation and it is the Board’s role to ensure that the organisation has the ability and the resources to achieve this to the benefit of our membership."

The BVA Board also gained a new non-veterinary Board Director, Steven Anderson Dixon, from April. Mr Dixon brings with him a successful career in newspaper and magazine publishing, which will be an asset as BVA consolidates and continues to develop its portfolio of veterinary journals.

Vale Referrals and Vale Vets in Dursley, Gloucestershire, has completed its 18-month, £2m expansion. 

The expansion has increased the hospital's footprint by 30%, adding three new operating theatres, six new consult rooms and new feline facilities, including a cat-only waiting room, consult room and treatment area.

Hospital owner, IVC Evidensia said the expansion has been driven in part by the pet ownership boom of the last few years and increased demand for the hospital’s services.

To meet the demand, Vale has expanded its office space, adding desk space for a further 25 vets.

There are also new ultrasound and cardiology rooms, a new dental suite and enlarged prep and recovery areas.

The existing kennel area has doubled in size with the addition of nine new walk-in kennels, a bespoke isolation ward and secure outdoor runs.

Richard Artingstall, clinical director at Vale Referrals, said: “We’ve been working on this expansion for a long time and it’s incredible to see it complete.

"Our new and improved facilities mean we can give even more pets across the Southwest the gold standard treatment that they deserve and support our colleagues from neighbouring vet practices with extensive referral services.

"The feedback from pets and owners so far has been very rewarding to hear.”

The feedback from pets?

Really?

VetSurgeon.org contacted recent patient Dougal McDoggins for comment.

He said: "Woof."

www.valereferrals.co.uk.

A new equine parasite supplement to the online peer-reviewed publication Parasites and Vectors has been published by Fort Dodge.

Entitled "Equine parasites: diagnosis and control - a current perspective," it contains papers on a range of topics including a major European resistance study into key anthelmintic molecules.  It is authored by equine parasitology experts and opinion leaders from around the world and was first published in September 2009.  It is freely available at http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/

Essity, the global hygiene and health company, has announced dates for four wound care CPD events being held by the company's Veterinary Academy.

The Essity Veterinary Academy covers four topics of education: Anatomy and Physiology of Wound Healing, Infection Management, Exudate Management and a Wound Assessment Workshop. 

Richard Barker, Account Sales Executive said: "Essity Veterinary Academy events allow us to educate veterinary professionals with a full, comprehensive day of wound management.

"We have run our Academy events for the last two years and the feedback we have had has always been positive, therefore the decision to run four events again this year was an easy one.

"The events offer a great opportunity to share best practice with other veterinary professionals, and to obtain invaluable information from our Medical Education Manager, who has vast experience in dealing with all areas of wound management. We are very lucky to be able to offer these events free of charge and we can’t wait for the first event to begin on 18^th June."

Essity is hosting these events across four venues, with the days running from 09:00 – 16:00, refreshments and lunch provided. The venues available this year are:

• 18^th June, Huntingdon Racecourse

• 9^th July, West Midlands Safari Park

• 17^th September, Durham Cricket Club (Emirates Stadium)

• 24^th September, Edinburgh Zoo

To book your place, email animalhealthcare@essity.com, giving your name, job title, practice details, telephone number and any dietary requirements.

Alternatively, if you would like further information please dial 01482 670124. 

North Downs Specialist Referrals in Bletchingley has announced the launch of a new specialist dentistry and oral surgery referral service led by Rachel Perry, an EBVS European Veterinary Specialist, RCVS Specialist in Dentistry and honorary lecturer in dentistry at the Royal Veterinary College.

Rachel has also qualified as a member of the dentistry chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, and regularly tends to the oral health of zoo and sanctuary animals, including bears, cheetahs, tigers and snow leopards.

She said: "I’m excited to be joining North Downs, which is renowned as a centre of excellence for specialist veterinary care, and I’m really looking forward to this new role. There is a clear benefit in having a multidisciplinary team on site to approach oral surgery cases.

"Dentistry is such a rewarding area and can deliver immediate changes to our patients’ health and well-being.

"Many dental diseases can also be prevented, so I am committed to educating owners about their pets’ oral health and also veterinary surgeons and nurses, about new techniques, best practice, materials and equipment."

North Downs hospital director Terry Emmerson said: "Our aim is always to provide first-class care for our patients and to give an excellent service to their owners and the vets who refer cases to us.

"Rachel’s new dentistry service will be yet another specialist discipline on offer at North Downs to further extend the excellent care and treatment we offer here."

The appointment means that North Downs has a total of 11 specialist services, and makes it one of only a handful of centres in the UK that offer a dentistry service run by a dentistry specialist.

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has welcomed its first cohort of 78 BVMS veterinary degree students, selected using GP veterinary partners and skills based tests for a career in general practice.

Dr Pete Down, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education in UCLan’s School of Veterinary Medicine, said: “We recognise the multifaceted challenges the profession is facing at the moment, but many of us have spent significant time out in practice and recognise that it can be a fantastic career.

“Additionally, first-opinion vets provide essential services to the pet-owning public, equine, and farming industries.

"Our curriculum focusses on the provision of contextual-care and encourages vet students to see general practice as a fantastic career in and of itself.

"Also, whilst diversity in the profession has traditionally been a challenge, our student recruitment practices support an inclusive approach, recruiting students from a wide variety of backgrounds.”

The practically focused curriculum is ‘hands-on’ from year one and the university says it uses innovative digital technologies from the outset: its students will be among the first in the country to use specialist Anatomage vet tables.

 Dr Heather Bacon OBE, Dean of UCLan’s School of Veterinary Medicine, said: “It’s a landmark day for the University as we’ve welcomed our first cohort of veterinary medicine students through the door.

"The demand for places on the first year of our BVMS course was huge and I’m thrilled we’ve been able to enrol so many enthusiastic student vets on to our programme.”

https://www.uclan.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/veterinary-medicine-surgery-bvms  

The RVC has published a qualitative study looking at the impact of owning a dog with idiopathic epilepsy, revealing that almost all owners make substantial lifestyle changes in order to care for their dog.

The researchers say that research thus far has focused on developing treatments to manage idiopathic epilepsy and little attention has been given to the emotional and logistical challenges for owners managing their dog’s condition.

This study used semi-structured interviews to explore how owners’ lives were changed following their dogs’ diagnosis and glean in-depth insights into their lives.

The research discovered that following their dog’s initial seizure, all interviewees recalled feeling negative emotions such as being distraught, fearful or uncertain regarding their dog’s future and disease progression. Prior experience with canine epilepsy was rare, and owners were shocked and distressed by the appearance of their dog’s seizures.

Whilst many owners discussed a very emotionally close dog-owner bond, owning a dog with epilepsy had a significant impact on their lifestyle. Impacts affected many aspects of daily routines, and in some cases, owners’ jobs. The unpredictable and sometimes inconvenient timing of seizures negatively impacted owners’ sleep and wellbeing. This unpredictability also made some owners feel that they were living with “a ticking time bomb”.

Other limitations included strict daily medication schedules and difficulty finding assistance in caring for their dog. This, combined with a fear of leaving their dog unsupervised, had social implications in some instances and led to increased use of the Internet and online groups for peer support. Owners also reported that friends, family and colleagues did not always understand the magnitude of commitment required.

Amy Pergande, Small Animal Intern at the RVC and primary author of the study, said: "We are sincerely grateful to the owners who participated in this study for providing us with such detailed and often emotive accounts of their experiences. Many of the participants had willingly altered many aspects of their daily routine for their dogs, both socially and professionally, and sometimes at the expense of their own quality of life."

This research highlights that further consideration of these factors by veterinary professionals and the friends and families of owners of these dogs could improve owner quality of life and facilitate the provision of additional, much needed support.

Rowena Packer, Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science and research lead in canine epilepsy at the RVC, said: "Epilepsy can be an extremely tough condition for owners to manage, where the love, time and money owners dedicate to their dogs is not necessarily matched by a significant improvement in their condition, with seizures often continuing unabated. Our study has revealed previously unrecognised or under-appreciated impacts that epilepsy introduced to these owners’ lives. Improved awareness and understanding of these challenges by veterinary professionals have the potential to improve communication with clients, to avoid owners feeling that social media is the only place they can go to feel supported and understood”.

These findings increase the understanding of the sometimes negative and often profound emotional effects and lifestyle changes experienced by owners managing a dog with idiopathic epilepsy. With better support and resources, the reported impacts could potentially be minimised to protect owner quality of life.

Zoe Belshaw, independent research collaborator, said: “The welfare of pets and their owners can be closely intertwined. This research exploring how owners’ lives change when their dogs develop epilepsy is another important piece in the jigsaw of understanding both what the veterinary profession can do to best support our clients, but also in starting to appreciate the substantial wider societal impacts of chronic ill health in our nations’ pets”.

The full paper is open access and available at: https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12917-020-02669-w

Reference

1. Amy E. Pergande and Rowena M. A. Packer, Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Zoe Belshaw, PDSA Pet Hospital Nottingham, and Holger A. Volk, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover.

Photo: The Melias Studio

Dechra Veterinary Products has launched an organic line of its 'Specific' pet food aimed at owners looking for a more sustainable way to feed their pets.

The new line, which is available from veterinary wholesalers, is described as a complete feeding solution with everyday wet and dry food and treats. It is made with a minimum of 95% fresh, organic ingredients from controlled and certified origins, presented in an eco-friendly packaging. This, says Dechra, means it is tasty, nutritious and better for the environment.

The wet diets for cats contains organic chicken or fish whilst the dog food contains organic beef or fish.

The Specific treats are made with more than 80% fresh chicken, beef and pork. Dechra says that in taste tests, nine out of ten cats, and 100% of dogs accepted the treats¹.

Dechra highlights that unlike competitor products, which use layers of different plastic in their packaging which cannot be recycled, Specific uses single layers of the same plastic with a gas barrier in between. This makes its dry pet food bags fully recyclable, as well as lighter and stronger than PET/PE laminates of the same thickness².

Once Specific dry pet food bags have been used and recycled, they can be processed into granules and made into a film which can be used to make new things – including dry pet food bags. 

Dechra Brand Manager Claire Morgan said: “The exciting new range of organic food that’s as kind to the environment as it is to pets. 

"The Specific organic range provides a new option for owners who are committed to providing their animals with the optimum chance of good health. The tried and trusted Specific brand is already available for vets to stock so this is a useful addition for practices looking to add value to the service they provide to pet owners. 

"We have committed to making all of our packaging fully recyclable by 2023, starting with the Specific organic range. As well as providing a more ethical and environmentally sound choice for eco-conscious pet owners, it’s part of Dechra’s ‘Circle of Good’ commitment to reduce our business’ impact on the world.” 

For more information visit: www.specific-diets.co.uk.

References

1. In three-day palatability trials with 20 dogs and cats - 90% of the cats accepted their treats, eating an average of five in a minute and 100% of the dogs accepted theirs eating nine in a minute. 
2. When comparing SPECIFIC recyclable dry pet food bags to competitor PET/PE laminates of the same thickness. 

Cats Protection, the UK’s leading cat charity, is looking for an experienced veterinary or animal welfare professional to join its team of Trustees.

The charity, which helps around 200,000 cats and kittens in the UK each year needs someone with animal welfare skills to join its team of nine trustees who are responsible for the charity’s strategy, policy and oversight.

The ideal candidate will have a degree in veterinary medicine, animal behaviour or an equivalent qualification, together with an understanding of the voluntary sector and management experience gained at a large national organisation, university or veterinary practice.

Sue Field, Cats Protection’s Director of Volunteering, said: "This is an exciting role which focuses on further improving cat welfare, whether that be cats in Cats Protection’s care or the services that we offer to cat owners to help them better care for their pet.

"We deliver our work through over 10,000 volunteers and staff so we’re hoping to attract a strong team player who would enjoy the challenge of shaping strategy and policy across our large and multi-faceted organisation.

"In return we can offer the opportunity to develop new and existing skills at trustee level plus the opportunity to make a real difference to the welfare of cats and kittens. If this sounds like a challenge you’d relish, then we’d love to hear from you."

To apply for the role, visit https://www.cats.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering/find-an-opportunity?id=3954.

If you would like an informal chat about the role, contact Clare Radlett on 01825 741211 or email: claire.radlett@cats.org.uk 

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Monday 19^th February 2018. 

The Privy Council has dismissed an appeal lodged against the RCVS Disciplinary Committee’s decision in May 2018 that Dr Horia Elefterescu should be removed from the Register.

The Committee had found Dr Elefterescu guilty of serious professional misconduct in relation to a number of charges which covered issues such as dishonesty, poor record-keeping, and failure to carry out adequate clinical examinations.

The full charges and findings of the RCVS Disciplinary Committee can be found at: www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary.

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council held the appeal hearing in October last year with three Justices of the Supreme Court - Lord Kerr, Lord Carnwath and Lord Kitchin – comprising the Board.

The basis of the appeal to the Privy Council was that the Committee’s findings on the facts of the case were flawed, with his counsel saying that Dr Elefterescu 'strenuously disputes the findings by the Committee of his dishonesty and lack of professional competence and submits that there is no adequate basis for them in the evidence’.

His counsel also told the Board that the Disciplinary Committee’s sanction failed to take into account mitigating factors and that the decision to remove Dr Elefterescu from the Register was disproportionate.

In relation to the appeal against the Disciplinary Committee’s findings on the facts, the Board was not persuaded by any of the arguments put forward on behalf of Dr Elefterescu. These arguments included that the RCVS had failed to call relevant witnesses and had failed to make Dr Elefterescu aware of the significance of some evidential matters, disclosed to him.

In respect of the sanction, the Board was also unpersuaded by the arguments put forward by Dr Elefterescu’s counsel, namely that it was too harsh in its assessment of aggravating factors, did not give adequate weight to mitigating factors, and that it failed to distinguish lack of competence from misconduct.

In its judgment on the arguments put forward by Dr Elefterescu’s counsel, the Board said: "It is the opinion of the Board that these criticisms are not well founded. The Committee considered with care Dr Elefterescu’s proven and admitted conduct in relation to each of the charges and whether it fell below or far below the standard to be expected. It is to be noted in this regard that a number of the charges which were either admitted or upheld were not the subject of any challenge on this appeal. 

"Overall, the Committee found that Dr Elefterescu’s clinical failures were very serious, involved failures in the basics of animal care, resulted in animal suffering and involved widespread breaches of the respondent’s [RCVS] code of professional conduct. It also expressed particular concern about its findings of dishonesty, and rightly so. That conduct was, in its view, ‘at the top end’ of disgraceful conduct in a professional respect. What is more, Dr Elefterescu had a lack of insight into his failings and a wholly unjustified confidence in his abilities which constituted an ongoing risk to animal welfare."

"These were findings which the Committee was clearly entitled to make and, in the light of them, the Board is firmly of the view that the decision of the Committee to direct the removal of Dr Elefterescu’s name from the Register cannot be impeached. The Board rejects the criticisms made of the Committee’s reasoning and the conclusions to which it came. The direction that Dr Elefterescu’s name must be removed from the Register was appropriate and proportionate."

The Judicial Committee’s full findings can be found at www.jcpc.uk/cases/docs/jcpc-2018-0060-judgment.pdf.