Each event is designed to help attendees with:
Each attendee will be given a complimentary annual Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance (VOA) membership.
Kai Crawshaw, Animalcare Brand Manager said: "We had excellent feedback from our first workshops, so we’re pleased to be able to reach veterinary practices in more locations around the UK.
"We also have plans to run more across the rest of the year.
"We hope that these events will lead to veterinary staff becoming more confident in dealing with OA in dogs and helping owners understand the options open to them."
All events start at 7:30pm (arrival from 7pm) and will finish approximately at 9:30pm.
Hot food and drinks will be provided.
https://www.animalcare.co.uk/oa-workshops
Defra has published an epidemiology report into the Avian Influenza outbreak confirmed in Oxfordshire on 4 June. The report concludes that, at as of 11th June, the outbreak was confined to a single premises, and there is no evidence of infection in the Protection Zone or of spread to any other premises. However, investigations continue. The report suggests that it is possible that the Highly Pathogenic H7N7 Avian influenza derived from a Low Pathogenic strain already present on the farm. Analysis and investigations are ongoing, and a number of source hypotheses are being considered. Chief Veterinary Officer, Nigel Gibbens, said: "The UK is at a constant but low level of risk of the introduction of Avian Influenza, and the report highlights the need for flock owners and poultry vets to remain vigilant for signs of disease, including the possibility of low pathogenic Avian Influenza. I would encourage all keepers to maintain good quality records and practise high standards of biosecurity." The Protection and Surveillance Zones remain in place. Further surveillance, testing and epidemiological work on this outbreak are ongoing.
The report can be viewed here:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/latest-situation/index.htm
New and recent graduates and recently qualified vets have the opportunity to attend a CPD graduate symposium specifically designed to provide practical surgical and management advice and solutions for those embarking on their professional careers.
ProStart course director Colin Whiting BVSc CertSAS MRCVS explained: "We're aiming to fast-track new graduates by sharing experience and helping them through that tricky first year in practice. However, whilst the course has a total of 11 hours CPD, it also has a packed fun and social element including zip wire and surf lessons."
Sponsored by Merial Animal Health, the inaugural ProStart CPD graduate symposium is to be held at Lusty Glaze beach adventure and lecture centre, Newquay, Cornwall, Friday 10th to Sunday 12th October 2008.
Mr Whiting said: "The event includes a full-on itinerary of lectures and workshops covering aspects of small animal practice including, practice economics, consultation skills, surgical guides for neutering, maximising therapeutic opportunities, and client and staff interactions - with tips from a head nurse. It's also a great opportunity to network with other new graduates.
"The workshops are run by vets experienced in mentoring new graduates in practice, plus full board & lodging and a vibrant social programme including adventure Zip wire, Surf lesson, and entertainment."
For Merial's Mark Riggs the symposium will help graduates understand the realities of practice environment more quickly. He said: "This course is a neat combination of practical and business skills. Not only will graduates have the chance to sharpen their neutering techniques but advice will be on hand relating to practice finances, client handling and staff management. Delegates will be encouraged to contribute within workshops tackling thorny issues from general practice, before it's wetsuits on and a surf lesson."
Mr Whiting, a referral surgeon and clinical director based at Penmellyn Vet Group in Cornwall has publications and CPD presentations which focus on surgical and practice management topics, and include Surgical Mentoring of Junior Colleagues for In Practice.
"We have a very experienced lecture team, members of which have worked extensively supporting graduates and junior colleagues. Bearing in mind that CPD has to be affordable for practice owners, thanks to our sponsors, Merial, we're able to provide an entire weekend course, including accommodation, for £240+VAT. The venue's proximity to Newquay airport provides easy accessibility for delegates nation-wide and is a fantastic venue for adventure challenges, surfing and various beach activities."
Other members of the ProStart team include Ian Stroud BVSc MRCVS a Medivet partner and new graduate supervisor, and Gareth Cross BVSc, MRCVS who recently lectured to BSAVA congress. Their focus will be promoting safe clinical excellence; illustrating the finances behind a small animal practice; and how graduates can add to a practice in these areas.
If you would like more information on the course or would like to book a place please contact Beverley Archer; beverly.archer@merial.com, or contact your local Merial Territory Manager.
5m Books has announced the publication of Honeybee Veterinary Medicine: Apis Mellifera L. by Nicolas Vidal-Naquet, a new book written to help veterinary surgeons and veterinary students better understand how to preserve honeybees as part of a delicate ecosystem.
Honeybee Veterinary Medicine provides an overview of bee biology, the bee in the wider environment, bee diseases and parasites, veterinary treatment, and actions to help support honeybee health.
Honeybees are an essential part of farming and the wider ecosystem, but since the mid-1990s, bee populations around the world have suffered a dramatic decline through a combination of diseases, intoxication, and unknown causes.
5m says that with the depopulation trend continuing, it’s becoming more and more necessary for veterinary surgeons and qualified animal health professionals to become involved in supporting the ecosystem.
Author Nicolas Vidal-Naquet is a veterinary practitioner who graduated in apiculture and Honeybee medicine, and also lectures on honeybee biology and diseases at the Veterinary School of Alfort in France.
Nicolas’ great interest in honeybees was the driving force behind the book, but he is also concerned by the general loss of bees from the ecosystem. He said: "They have a very important role in the pollination of wild flora, crops and orchards, which means they are key actors in sustaining biodiversity and the pollination of crops to feed both humans and animals."
Honeybee Veterinary Medicine is available now in hardback for £60 from http://www.5mbooks.com/honeybee-veterinary-medicine.html
Teeside veterinary nurses Debbie Rowley and Karen Taylor from Wilton Vets made history yesterday when they were called out to catch a 6ft, 18lb python spotted by the side of the road by a motorist in Guisborough.
Talking to the Guisborough Gazette, Debbie said: "We were shocked it was so big."
The snake is apparently in good shape, and now in the care of Kirkleatham Owl Centre.
Anyone missing a 6ft ft python is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101.
Defra has announced that the Bluetongue Protection Zone will be extended again on Monday 7 July, following the delivery by Intervet of almost 2 million additional doses of Bluetongue vaccine. Vaccination is only permitted within the Protection Zone. In accordance with the Bluetongue vaccination plan, the Protection Zone will be extended to cover all of the East Riding of Yorkshire (including the City of Kingston upon Hull), South Yorkshire (made up of the metropolitan boroughs of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield), Gloucestershire (including the unitary authority of South Gloucestershire) and Warwickshire. Defra will continue to roll out vaccination as vaccine is delivered, in line with the vaccination roll-out plan. The additional vaccine is available for use in the existing Protection Zone from today. Livestock keepers in the areas coming into the Protection Zone will be able to obtain the vaccine from Monday. However, they are encouraged to order vaccine so that they can protect their livestock at the earliest opportunity. Protection Zone restrictions will apply to those keepers coming into the extended zone. Animals can only be moved out of the Protection Zone if they are vaccinated, naturally immune or moving for slaughter, subject to meeting certain conditions. Animals will also be able to be moved between the Protection Zones in Wales and England, subject to the conditions on the transit licence.
The sessions are:
https://www.bsavacongress.com/programme
Animus4Vets has launched a new complete series of training CDs. The new series of 4 CDs is entitled Sales and Merchandising and covers aspects such as consulting room sales, waiting room sales and educational displays.
Animus4Vets says the new CDs have been designed in a similar format as their first Client Care series and aim to enable veterinary practices to run their own in-house training.
For more information go to http://www.animus4vets.com/ and follow the CD training links or phone 01449 775330.
Woodley Equipment Co Ltd has announced the launch of the new, improved i-STAT® 1 Portable Critical Care Analyser. According to the company, the new i-STAT 1 analyser offers the same extensive test menu as the original analyser, plus the new CHEM8+ cartridge. The CHEM8+ panel provides many of the tests typically needed for quick general or emergency assessment, with just one cartridge. The i-STAT 1 analyser also provides new testing platforms, such as immunodiagnostic capability that will allow additional tests to be released in the future. Other improvements include the Cardiac Troponin test and Glucose strip reader, as well as infrared printer connectivity, upgraded storage capacity and ergonomic improvements. The i-STAT handheld analysers are the only handheld analysers available for veterinary medicine that provide vets with critical care electrolyte, blood gas, chemistry and basic hematology results in two minutes, from three drops of blood. Mike Wickham, Managing Director of Woodley Equipment said, “The new i-STAT 1 Handheld Clinical Analyser and original i-STAT analysers enable vets to make critical care decisions for their patients, whether in-practice or in the field.”
CEVA Animal Health is rolling out what it describes as a hard-hitting TV campaign on four national TV channels to highlight awareness of stress related feline behaviour problems and encourage cat owners to talk to their vet about Feliway.
This second bout of TV advertising will run in March and April on ITV2, ITV3, E4 and More 4 and on Channel 4 in the London region and will be seen by over five million people.
Featuring the animated character 'That Purple Cat' who first appeared in CEVA's TV advertising and marketing push at the end of 2009, the new campaign will see 'That Purple Cat' displaying signs of stress in the home environment to raise awareness of the issue amongst cat owners.
Lucy Brett, product manager at CEVA Animal Health said: "Our first TV advertising campaign back in the autumn went a long way to raise awareness. We found that more cat owners were able to recall the advertising for Feliway than for any other animal health brand.
"However, it is clear that in practice merchandising is crucial if practices are to make the most of this opportunity and I would encourage them to get in touch to request a display pack, which includes a waiting room poster and leaflets, as soon as possible."
A limited number of desktop and floor standing merchandising units are also available. For more information or to order your FREE waiting room merchandising materials call 01494 781510.
Research on ovine parasite Toxoplasma gondii, carried out at the University of Salford, could have a significant economic impact on the sheep farming industry - potentially saving the lives of 5% of the UK lamb population.
Postgraduate student Emma Morley has been working as part of a large research team, looking at the importance of transmission routes of T. gondii (the cause of the disease toxoplasmosis) within different mammalian groups.
A scholarship from the Perry Foundation, which funds research benefiting the farming industry, allowed Emma to launch her own study at the School of Environment & Life Sciences.
Salford parasitologist Professor Geoff Hide said: "Emma's research may have some significant impacts on sheep farming. Nearly 5% of lambs are lost to Toxoplasma in the UK so it's of major economic importance as well as an important animal welfare issue."
He said that one of the key things Emma's research has shown is that the advice currently given to farmers may be causing an increase in the level of the disease rather than controlling it. "Farmers are advised to breed from ewes that have lost lambs to Toxoplasma but Emma's results show that what farmers should be doing is breeding from ewes that do not have the parasite," he said.
Virbac has announced the launch of the Compulsory Chipping Support Pack, designed to help veterinary practices raise awareness of the importance of microchipping and the new legislation coming to England, Scotland and Wales in April.
The pack contains a range of promotional and educational items including:
Sarah Walker MRCVS, BackHome Product Manager, said: "Compulsory microchipping comes in this April and awareness needs to be raised among the general public – numerous reports in the media still show a significant proportion of dogs are not yet microchipped. The new BackHome Mini Chip has a 34% smaller needle than our standard needles and is ‘one size fits all animals’, making it easier than stocking different chips for different size pets.
"The resources in our Compulsory Microchipping Support Pack are great for practices to use. We want to help practices and the teams working within them to engage with the public in their vicinity and help to drive practice footfall."
The subscription-based service offers both online and face-to-face training in both clinical and non-clinical subjects, from selected third party training providers.
Emma Hunt, UK Country Manager, MWI Animal Health, said: “This service addresses the regulatory requirements for vets and veterinary nurses to complete mandatory CPD hours, while helping alleviate the all-too-common challenges practice owners face in budgeting and negotiating with multiple training providers.
"By centralising all training under one digital roof, Vet Sphere CPD aims to enhance performance, build team culture and expand the range of services practices can offer."
https://www.mwiah.co.uk/professional-development/vet-sphere-academy
The posters are designed to educate clients about what their pet should be drinking on a daily basis, according to their weight.
The company has also prepared a rehydration social media pack with content for practices to use on their social media feeds.
Posters can be requested and social media packs downloaded at: https://www.animalcare.co.uk/oralade-poster.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition has launched Prescription Diet Feline c/d Multicare, formulated to manage both struvite and oxalate urinary stones. It's appropriate for cats with feline idiopathic cystitis, which accounts for an estimated 64% of all FLUTD cases. The new diet replaces x/d, which will be discontinued.
According to Hill's, a significant benefit is that c/d contains no excess salt and therefore presents no risk to cats that have hidden kidney disease. Libby Sheridan, Veterinary Affairs Manager, said: “It’s something that is always at the back of our minds when cats have shown signs of urinary tract problems: has there been damage to the kidneys that I can’t yet detect? We need to be cautious when it comes to managing urinary disease in cats. Limiting salt with careful diet formulation and therefore avoiding potentially worsening compromised kidneys is important in long term management.”
Feline c/d Multicare contains controlled levels of magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and oxalate to reduce the constituents of crystals and calculi, added citrate to reduce stone formation and enhanced levels of B6 specifically to decrease the risk of oxalate formation. Increases in omega-3 fatty acids help ensure that the inflammatory response is ameliorated, which is particularly important in the management of feline idiopathic cystitis.
Hills continue to recommend s/d for dissolution of struvite calculi and k/d in cases of feline urate calculi. Feline urinary disease is, of course, a condition that requires long term intervention to guard against recurrence and c/d Multicare is available in a variety of flavours and formats, including tender chunks in gravy pouches, 156 g tins and dry in chicken and ocean fish varieties, ensuring there is a enough choice to satisfy the most discerning of cats.
For more information call Hill’s Customer Service on 0800 282 438 or (ROI) 1-800 626002.
CPD Solutions have announced 3 new dentistry and oral surgery course dates, with expert tutor Alex Smithson of the Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Referrals in Lancashire.
All courses will include extensive wet lab sessions, which will cover conditions commonly seen in practice and answer all those questions you always wanted to ask but never had the time to look up!
For details visit http://www.cpd-solutions.com/ or call 0151 328 0444 and ask for Holly.
The Royal College is calling for views on the Day One Competences required of newly qualified veterinary surgeons, via an online survey.
The survey can be accessed from the RCVS website (www.rcvs.org.uk/consultations), and can be completed until 31 May.
The College says that the survey is the first step in a review of the Day One Competences, which define the level to be expected of new veterinary graduates when they first qualify. The competences set out in broad terms what is required of new graduates at the end of their veterinary degree, and provide the foundation for curriculum design and student assessment in UK veterinary courses.
RCVS Council member David Catlow, who chairs the Working Party undertaking the review, said: "The Day One Competences are deliberately general as they aim to convey the important principles that all students must master by the time they graduate, regardless of the precise curriculum they have followed, so they are safe to practise in a range of veterinary contexts from day one after they graduate.
"As it is over ten years since these competences were confirmed, we are reviewing them to ensure they remain valid, and to seek to ensure they reflect current and likely future expectations."
The Working Party will report to the Education Policy and Specialisation Committee (EPSC), and includes representatives from the veterinary schools and the British Veterinary Association (BVA), as well as a recent veterinary graduate.
Since being confirmed by the RCVS, the Day One Competences have also been adopted across Europe, through the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE), and in countries such as Australia.
This year, there were over 41,000 nominations for the five awards which were set up 26 years ago to recognise the nation’s most outstanding veterinary professionals.
The other four winners were:
Vet Nurse of the Year: Rachel Hewson, Belle Vue Veterinary Practice, Cumbria
Practice of the Year: Coastal Veterinary Group, King’s Lynn
Practice Support Staff of the Year: Hannah Reid, Westport Veterinary Clinic, South Queensferry
Practice Manager of the Year: Fiona Leathers, Westport Veterinary Clinic, South Queensferry
Joanna Maclennan, Director of Trading at Petplan said: “A highlight in our calendar, last night was an evening of celebration of the incredible work that goes on in veterinary practices on a daily basis."
A recent UK Mastitis Panel meeting, sponsored by MSD Animal Health, has concluded that a lack of expertise in drying off and teat sealant administration is the limiting factor preventing more widespread adoption of selective dry cow therapy protocols in UK dairy farms
The panel representing practising dairy vets, research and Government agreed that whilst the use of selective dry cow therapy was at a relatively low level in UK dairy herds at the moment, a momentum was building that could see as many as half the nation’s herds adopting the practice within a few years.
Dr Martin Behr, technical manager at MSD Animal Health and chair of the UK Mastitis Panel meeting, said: "There is growing pressure from the milk processors and some supermarkets to see a reduction in antibiotic use on dairy farms, and dry cow therapy is one area under the spotlight.
"We know from our own training workshops with vets and farmers that the level of expertise in administering teat sealants, for example, is relatively low. Only about 30 percent of vets attending these workshops had any experience at all in administering a teat sealant."
The view from many on the mastitis panel was that there was a knowledge gap on farms when it comes to dry cow therapy protocols and that this presented a significant opportunity for vet practices.
Dr Behr added: "Mastitis control in general offers vets an opportunity for proactive engagement with farmers, but it is a notoriously difficult area to establish routine work. With the pressure on farms to adopt selective dry cow therapy and the need for training, there is perhaps a new opportunity for practices with a real interest in mastitis control to build stronger and more preventative strategies with dairy farmers."
Veterinary practices with an interest in training on dry cow therapy and teat sealant use are advised to contact their MSD Animal Health account manager for details of future workshops.
The study first set out to address whether the higher proportional mortality previously reported for Pugs with PLE in referral care is also seen in dogs managed only in primary care by looking at 51 cases from VetCompass data.
In the study, 43% of Pugs died presumed due to PLE, with over half of these deaths occurring within three months of diagnosis.
Most deaths were recorded as euthanasia (64%), with the remainder recorded as unassisted deaths.
The underlying cause for the PLE diagnosis in most Pugs in the study was not identified.
Clinical signs at diagnosis commonly included diarrhoea, vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, weight loss and increased drinking.
At the time of death, additional signs reported included pale mucous membranes, seizures and anaemia, which the authors noted have not been reported in the literature previously.
Treatments prescribed were variable and included dietary therapy, prednisolone, clopidogrel, chlorambucil, cyclosporin and/or cobalamin supplementation.
Pugs treated with prednisolone or clopidogrel were significantly more likely to be alive after three months, but this effect did not persist at one or two years after diagnosis.
Dr Aarti Kathrani, lead author of the study, said: “The results of our study will help to increase awareness and highlight the outcome and various causes of death in Pugs with protein-losing enteropathy.
"We hope the results will also help drive much-needed further research into the mechanism, pathophysiology and consequence of this disease, which is needed to help discover effective therapeutic targets that could help improve the prognosis of this guarded condition.”
Reference
Would-be candidates in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeon Council and Veterinary Nurse Council elections are reminded that the nominations deadline is 5pm on 31 January 2013.
Veterinary surgeons need two nominations from veterinary surgeons, and veterinary nurses two nominations from veterinary nurses, to stand in the respective elections.
Veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses not presently on either Council can nominate one candidate each.
Nomination forms, full instructions and guidance notes are available from www.rcvs.org.uk/rcvscouncil13 and www.rcvs.org.uk/vncouncil13.
Six seats are due to be filled on RCVS Council, and two on VN Council. Those elected will take their seats on RCVS Day next July, to serve four-year terms. Council members will be expected to spend at least six to eight days a year attending Council and Committee meetings, working parties and subcommittees (for which a loss-of-earnings allowance is available).
Understanding profit and loss within a veterinary practice is vital for all employees. That was the message delivered to delegates attending Pippa Reffold's lecture, sponsored by Dechra Veterinary Products, at the VPMA Congress late last month.
Pippa said: "Very few practice managers set targets or share financial data with their employees. Employees have a lot to contribute by improving service and increasing sales."
Roger Brown, product manager at Dechra Veterinary Products said: "Sponsoring Pippa's lecture is part of Dechra Veterinary Products response to market conditions. We have also reduced the price of two key products in our Veterinary Essentials range.
"We realise how significant margin control is right now and constantly review our Veterinary Essentials range. That's why we have reduced prices on Atipam 5ml, the Thyroxyl range and have introduced the Essentials Purchase Plan so practices can make further savings.
Pippa added: "Be open-minded about margin setting and don't apply a blanket mark-up to all products. Consider the contribution to your gross profit and passing on some of the improvement to your customers."
Dechra Veterinary Products offers a margin and profit calculator to compare market prices with the Veterinary Essentials range - to show just how much mark-up can be applied to products without impacting on a client's budget. "It's a simple, but very effective calculation that our Territory Managers can run for you," explained Mr Brown.
To find out more about the Veterinary Essentials range, including further cost savings with an Essentials Purchase Plan and free margin development advice, please call Liz Rawlings on 01743 441632.
MORE TH>N Pet Insurance has released the results of its Pet Theft Census, which looked into the prevalence of pet theft in the UK.
The research shows that in 2012, 833 dogs and 83 cats were reported stolen to the police. That trend has continued into 2013, with 722 dogs and 62 cats reported stolen by the end of October.
MORE TH>N says the average value of a stolen cat or dog is £344.86, which would mean that pets worth £678,000 have been stolen since the start of 2012.
However, according to the survey of 4865 cat and dog owners, 37% of cat and dog thefts in the last 12 months were never actually reported to the police, so the value of stolen pets is likely far greater.
According to the survey, pets left in gardens were the most likely to be stolen (52%), followed by those left home alone (19%). Looking at dogs specifically,16% were stolen by brazen thieves while being walked by their owner. 7% were stolen when left tied up outside a shop and 5% were stolen from a car.
To help tackle the issue, MORE TH>N is giving away 500 free microchips for cats and dogs at five RSPCA centres across the UK. A hundred will be available in each centre on a first-come first-served basis. For more information visit www.facebook.com/morethan.
The three factsheet chapters cover understanding OA, creating a management plan and supporting pets and their owners.
Krka says each section is grounded in evidence-based approaches and was shaped by Professor Carmichael’s extensive knowledge of the pathogenesis of pain in patients with OA and experience in the diagnosis, contextualised treatment, and long-term care of patients with OA.
The resources encourage veterinary teams to adapt their approach to the needs of each case - supporting a flexible, patient-centred mindset in everyday consults.
Stuart said: “What works is the thing that works best for the dog, the owner and the practice in that moment.
“And part of the art is trying to get that right rather than being dogmatic about a certain type of treatment.”
Renzo Di Florio, Krka’s Technical Veterinary Adviser, said: “In first-opinion practice, consult time is limited and there’s a lot to cover.
"These factsheets bring together expert advice in a format that’s quick to reference and easy to apply in consults.
"They’re designed to help vets feel more confident in their approach to OA, especially when time is tight.”
To further support veterinary professionals in managing OA, Professor Carmichael has delivered a webinar, available here: https://membership.elearning.vet/rethinking-canine-oa-login.
He and Renzo will also be presenting together at the London Vet Show this November, delivering a session focused on osteoarthritis in practice on Thursday 20th November at 14.00 in Exhibitor Showcase Theatre 2.
The OA factsheets are available here: https://www.krka.co.uk/veterinary-knowledge-hub/