Vetoquinol has announced that it will continue to offer a wetlab service to support Alfaxan®, its injectable anaesthetic for dogs and cats, throughout 2009.

The company has hosted 101 Alfaxan® wetlabs around the UK since the product was launched in April 2007, and says that they've been very well received. A wetlab day starts with a presentation outlining the purpose of the wetlab service, explaining how the drug works, what to expect and how to use it properly. The day's patients are then anaesthetised using Alfaxan® under the supervision of the Vetoquinol vet, who talks through the procedure.  Following the practical session there is a chance to discuss the morning's events.  The aim is to leave the practice feeling comfortable and positive about using Alfaxan® routinely in its operating theatres.

According to Vetoquinol, anaesthesia is a discipline which carries with it much trepidation, especially when it comes to trying new products. The company says that education has therefore been paramount to ensure that practices use Alfaxan® appropriately and are able to appreciate the benefits that it can give them. Vetoquinol believes it is important that ALL members of staff involved in patient anaesthesia are educated about Alfaxan® before they start using it on a day-to-day basis, and practice meetings and wetlabs have been an invaluable tool to help practices develop a smooth transition between products.

For more information on Alfaxan® and holding a wetlab at your practice, please contact your Vetoquinol representative or telephone the dedicated free Alfaxan® technical support number 0800 345 7560.

Vets Now has announced its selection centre dates for young vets applying for a place on the new 'Cutting Edge' Emergency and Critical Care fast track programme.

With the 20 August deadline for applications fast approaching, Vets Now has confirmed that interviews for the first intake in October will take place on 25^th and 26^th August.  Applications received after this date will be considered only if the applicant meets the necessary criteria and is able to take up a place on the programme if extra places become available.

According to the company, the 'Cutting Edge' initiative is the first training programme of its kind in the UK. It'll see 40 vets who are likely to have graduated between 2006 and 2009 selected for a place on one of two 10 week fast track training programmes which will take them straight to the heart of emergency, working as a veterinary surgeon in a Vets Now clinic.

The induction courses will be held in October and January, each taking up to 20 vets through 10 weeks of intensive ECC training on a robust programme which has been designed by Vets Now Clinical Director and ECC Diplomate, Amanda Boag.

Amanda said: "The recruits who we select will embark upon an intensive period of training over the 10 week period which will give them the necessary skills and knowledge to launch their career in ECC. They will also receive ongoing support during their first two years as a Veterinary Surgeon in a Vets Now clinic with a very generous CPD allowance.  The initial 10 week period will be a combination of lectures and interactive seminars, practical training in our clinical skills laboratory and mentored work in our clinics. Developing clinical expertise and problem solving skills will clearly be the most significant component of the training but there will also be support and training in other vital skills including communication." 

She added: "Initial response to the programme has been very promising and we are delighted to see so many veterinary surgeons interested in developing their career in ECC."

Vets Now will continue to accept applications for the January intake to the 'Cutting Edge' programme throughout September and October.

Graduates who are interested in applying for a place on the 'Cutting Edge' training programme should contact the Vets Now recruitment team on 01383 841181 or email cuttingedge@vets-now.com

The University of Bristol and CVS are launching a 'citizen science' project to assess the impact of companion animal ectoparasiticides on the environment.

The study is being conducted with pet owners and veterinary professionals to develop a greater understanding about how flea and tick treatments are used on cats and dogs.

It will involve two depth surveys to explore the type and format of treatments used, the frequency of application, where treatments are bought, what influences the choice of product, whether there is an awareness of ectoparasiticides’ environmental effect and what preventative steps the public and clinicians would take when using the treatments on animals in the future.

At a later stage, the research project will also include lab assessments of ectoparasiticide residues collected from companion animals to provide more information on their potential environmental impact.

It is hoped the research findings will help the veterinary profession develop the most appropriate approaches to ectoparasiticides in the future, and inform educational strategies to support owners with ‘responsible use’.  

Project leader Professor Richard Wall from the University of Bristol, said: “This is an issue of considerable concern.

"Citizen science and laboratory research evidence is urgently needed so that risk-based assessments of the impact of and requirements for ectoparasite treatment can be made.

"Whilst we can make some assumptions around the impact of routine ectoparasite treatments, these findings are essential for us to truly understand them - and to be able to balance the needs of veterinary patients with their wider environmental impacts.” 

https://forms.office.com/e/mbztbYf4Ru.

Virbac Animal Health is calling on practices to prepare for Canine Prostate Awareness Month (CPAM), being held by the company in November to highlight the prevalence of the disease and to encourage owners and practices to test for it.

Last year, 400 practices sign up to support the event, and the company says that feedback from many taking part confirmed a significant lack of understanding among clients as to the risk of prostate disease in dogs.

Canine Prostate Awareness Month is timed to coincide with 'Movember', when thousands of men grow moustaches to raise funds for male prostate and testicular cancer. During the month, Virbac is providing promotional materials including dog leads; educational and display materials and a press release for local media.

Chris Geddes MRCVS, Virbac Product Manager, said: "With more than 80% of entire male dogs over the age of five suffering from Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)¹, we wanted to give practices a reason to highlight the risk and encourage owners to test for it. Timing CPAM to coincide with Movember seemed a good way to interest dog owners at a time when some might be considering the state of their own prostate.

"The support we received last year confirmed that it was a topic which practices were keen to discuss with dog owners so we're already planning to make the initiative even bigger and better this year."

Stephen Bamber, Principal at participating practice Warwickshire-based Avonvale Vets, added: "CPAM was an attractive campaign as it was a bit different. It offered the opportunity to see some of our older patients with other, less obvious pathologies. Non-symptomatic testicular tumours in particular surfaced in the checks we did. Clients generally had little idea about dogs' prostates so it gave us a good platform to discuss prostate disease with them."

Virbac has introduced Odelis^TM CPSE, the first ELISA test to screen for, diagnose and monitor BPH, available from three UK diagnostic laboratories. The company says it's a cost-effective, precise and reliable alternative to rectal palpation. Virbac also offers Ypozane, a tablet treatment for BPH which takes effect within a week and lasts for up to six months.

Chris added:  "BPH is an unpleasant condition occurring in nearly all entire dogs as they get older, but one which is entirely treatable. We hope that, by running our Prostate Awareness Campaign at a time when the media spotlight is already on the dangers of prostate cancer in men, we can help spread the message that owners should be monitoring older dogs for signs of prostate disease."

For further information on the Prostate Awareness Campaign, email cpam@virbac.co.uk; contact your Virbac Territory Manager or contact the company direct on 01359 243243.

References

1. O'Shea J.D. Studies on the canine prostate gland: Factors influencing its size and weight. J. Comp. Pathol. 1962 72: 321-331.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Charitable Trust is offering a bursary for one delegate to attend the Veterinary Biomedical and Pharma Sciences (VBMPS) Congress on 15 and 16 October 2012 at the ICC in Birmingham.

Members of the RCVS with an interest in 'one health' are eligible to apply. Entrants are asked to explain, in no more than 400 words, their interest in the concept of one health and why they should be granted a bursary.

Entrants should also demonstrate how they would disseminate their learning from the event to the wider veterinary community.

Entries should be sent to grants@rcvstrust.org.uk by Monday 3 September 2012, and the winner will be notified within two weeks.

The bursary winner will be given a delegate pass worth £175 for entry to the conference and admission to all scientific sessions. Reasonable transport costs and accommodation will be reimbursed.

Further details are available at http://trust.rcvs.org.uk/grants-and-collaborations

Purina PetCare has announced the launch of the Purina Partners Programme, through which the company will offer practices their own business consultant tasked with giving advice that reflects the unique challenges facing each practice.

Through the Partners Programme, practices will be able to get support and advice in four main areas:

1. Clinic+
   Helping the practice understand how it looks and feels through the eyes of clients, and optimising the layout, design and merchandising to complement the existing clinic brand.
2. Client+
   Advice to help the practice strengthen relationships with clients, with the aim of increasing client visits and sales of pet food, treatment and accessories from the practice.
3. Knowledge+
   Partners will be able to select from a range of learning and CPD options, including staff training, manuals, 'lunch and learn', sponsored congress attendance and webinars which cover Purina's nutritional research and training, and commercial insights into soft-selling and consumer behaviour. 
4. Food+
   Helping the practice to maximise food sales - a proven way to increase turnover and profitability - with tools like product samples and brochures, Kitten and Puppy packs and Point of Sale materials.

Chris Nickson, Senior Brand Manager, Purina Vet Channel, said: "As a Partner, practices will work with a dedicated Purina representative who will develop and implement a tailored business plan which is perfectly suited to their clinic and clients. The Programme is designed to be completely flexible, allowing vets to select and tailor elements to suit themselves. Purina represents a solid business partner and will be able to provide sound advice to any practice by drawing on its extensive business experience as a pet care brand and as part of the global corporation Nestlé."

The Partners Programme is fully funded by Purina, so there is no financial commitment on the part of the practice, however participating practices are required to recommend Purina diets as first choice.

In return, the company says the Programme will help optimise the pet owner experience at your clinic, and could help drive growth, attract new clients and boost turnover.

Nickson concludes: "With absolutely no financial outlay, clinics could see an increase in client numbers and profitability, the Purina Partners Programme provides practice managers with a helpful and effective solution."

To sign up for Purina Partners Programme, call the Purina Petcare Team on 0800 212 161.

kcs-intervet.swfIntervet / Schering-Plough Animal Health is running a challenge over the next few months to encourage the early diagnosis of Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), a painful disease which leads to permanent blindness (see right).

Practices are being asked to perform a Schirmer Tear Test (STT) on 50 dogs not previously diagnosed with KCS for the chance to win one of 70 Samsung digital cameras. 

Recent studies¹ have shown the incidence of KCS to be 4.6% of the UK dog population, rising to 8.3% in predisposed breeds.  However, 20 veterinary practices have recently participated in an Early Diagnosis Programme and the number confirmed with KCS was 9.7%². 17 of the cases diagnosed had Schirmer Tear Test readings of zero.

KCS is thought to be under-diagnosed because not all cases have the classic 'textbook' appearance but look surprisingly normal despite severely reduced tear production.  In addition, diagnosis usually requires clinical suspicion and a Schirmer Tear Test.

Claudia Hartley, BVSc CertVOphthal DipECVO MRCVS, European Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology believes that: "All sore eyes (except where a descemetocoele is present) should have a Schirmer Tear Test, whether or not there is corneal change."

Melanie Dass MA VetMB CertSAM MRCVS ACIM, Product Manager for Optimmune said: "The results of our Early Diagnosis Programme made interesting reading and supported what we have always suspected - that KCS is under-diagnosed.  It's really important that dogs suffering from this disease are detected promptly as early diagnosis and treatment with Optimmune gives the best prognosis.

"As part of the Early Diagnosis Programme owners of predisposed breeds received a personalised mailing offering them a free Schirmer Tear Test and some practices also elected to test all breeds at routine consultations such as vaccination. The tests were generally performed by veterinary nurses after they had received training, with the diagnosis made by a veterinary surgeon."

For more information about KCS, Optimmune and support in implementing an Early Diagnosis Programme, please contact your local Intervet / Schering-Plough Animal Health Territory Manager or call 01908 685685.

References
¹ Pierce V & Williams D, 2006.  Determination of Schirmer Tear Tests values in 1000 dogs.  BSAVA Abstract 2006.
² Intervet / Schering-Plough Animal Health Practices Study 2009

Genitrix has launched a new Essential Fatty Acids (EFA)-based treatment to aid the management of skin conditions in cats and dogs.

Called Omegaderm+, and offered in an airless pump applicator for mess-free use, it helps to soothe irritated skin and can be used for the long term maintenance of normal skin in pets prone to allergic skin conditions, such as flea allergy dermatitis, atopy and food allergy. It can also be used as a supplement to help prevent shedding, scratching, dull coat and dry flaky skin in cats.

Omegaderm+ has been formulated to be highly palatable to ensure easy dosing by pet owners, an important consideration when client compliance with long term therapy is required. Both products are rich in salmon, sardine and anchovy oil and, in tests, Omegaderm+ Dog offered without food was accepted by 69% of dogs while the majority of cats preferred food with Omegaderm+ on it than the food alone.*

Commenting on the launch of Omegaderm+, Howard Wilder, Managing Director of Genitrix, said: “The value of EFAs in managing skin conditions in cats and dogs is widely recognised but they are a supplemental requirement in dogs and cats due to the inability of mammals to synthesize them.

CarefreeCredit, the loan company set up by Somerset vet Stewart Halperin so that practices can offer their clients interest free loans to cover emergency veterinary treatment, has embarked on a national PR campaign to raise awareness amongst pet owners about the service.

First out of the stalls was the Sunday Express, which covered the story last weekend. Further coverage is expected in other national newspapers over the coming few weeks. 

CarefreeCredit provides loans from £250 to £25,000 for use against any veterinary bills. Credit terms offered by CarefreeCredit-enrolled veterinary practices, of which there are now more than 700, are normally 0% over 12 months or 9.9% over 24 months.

Practices pay £10 per month to enrol with CarefreeCredit, plus a small percentage of the amount of each loan made.

Stewart said: “Most vets usually end up discounting their invoices to enable pets to receive the treatment they desperately need when their owners aren’t insured and can’t afford to pay a large bill all at once.  With CarefreeCredit, the owner doesn’t have to worry about paying the bill, the pet gets the treatment it needs and the vet is paid immediately and doesn’t have to worry about bad debts. Experience with this type of finance in the US shows that the average vet can reduce his debtors by up to 60%, improving his cash flow, while increasing his turnover by up to 22% per annum, so everyone’s a winner!”

For further information about offering CarefreeCredit to your clients, visit: http://www.carefreecredit.co.uk.

Pet owners who believe in preventative healthcare have maintained or increased the money they spend on their pets this year, and 84% visited their vet at least once in 2010, up from 78% in 2007, according to a survey commissioned by the National Office of Animal Health.

According to the survey of 1000 owners carried out by Noesis, 44% of 'preventers' increased their spending on their pets in the last year with only a very small number (5%) decreasing it. There has also been a significant increase in the number of dogs insured by this group since 2007, which now stands at 55% compared to 41% in 2007.

The research covered both 'preventer' and 'non-preventer pet owners and sought to understand: awareness of preventative medicine in cats and dogs; how the decision is made as to what areas of preventative medicine are important and which to adopt; what types of preventative medicine are carried out and the reasons and frequency of this behaviour as well as the sources of information.

In addition to visiting their vet more frequently and spending more on their pets, preventers also visited a pet shop significantly more often than non-preventers with nearly two thirds (61%) of preventers visiting at least once a month compared to 36% of non-preventers, a figure that has decreased from 43% in 2007.

Looking at specific preventative treatments, attitudes to vaccination had not changed between the 2007 and 2010 surveys, with preventers believing that being a responsible pet owner means regularly vaccinating your pet, while non-preventers did not believe vaccination was relevant to their situation. This points to a clear need to educate non-preventers to break habits that have sometimes been handed down from generation to generation.

Most owners from both groups had used a flea treatment on their pets in the past two years although 68% of preventers were much more proactive in their usage of flea products compared to only 40% of non-preventers. Cats (80%) are more likely to have been treated than dogs (69%) among both groups of owners although flea treatment of cats has significantly decreased among non-preventers since 2007.

Use of wormers was also in decline. Although 86% of preventers worm proactively as part of a healthcare routine for their pet, this figure has decreased from 96% in 2007. Non preventers chose not to worm because they did not see the need, citing reasons such as their pet being fit and well or not going outdoors. Likewise, although preventers are more likely than non-preventers to be aware of the zoonotic implications of pet parasites, this awareness had decreased since 2007 pointing to the need for more work to be done on this aspect of pet health. On a more upbeat note, those that were worming proactively wormed their pets more frequently with 50% worming at least every three months in 2010 which was significantly more than compared to 41% in 2007.

When asked where they obtained general healthcare advice, the vet was the most frequently cited source of information with 84% of preventers and 58% of non-preventers referencing their vet. The internet is an increasingly important information channel for non-preventers with almost a third (31%) citing it as their source for pet healthcare advice, an increase from 25% in 2007. 

There was huge interest from both groups (87% of preventers and 79% of non-preventers) in using a dedicated website such as NOAH's http://www.pethealthinfo.org.uk/ which 10% of the pet owners surveyed had heard of.  It was welcomed for providing easy access, immediate, independent advice and being written by veterinary experts.

Commenting on the research, Phil Sketchley, chief executive of NOAH said: "We commissioned the original piece of research in 2007 to understand the differences between both groups of pet owners and understand where they sourced their information in order to influence the pet healthcare habits of the non-preventers in particular. The importance of the internet as a source of information proved that our strategy to launch http://www.pethealthinfo.org.uk/ was on target and the latest survey shows that this channel is increasingly important, particularly among non-preventers.

"The 2011 survey also reveals some positive insights into the preventative healthcare habits of those pet owners that we termed preventers. This group are more likely to insure their pet (45% vs 12%), go to the vet at least once a year (84% vs 30%) and visit a pet shop at least on a monthly basis (61% vs 36%).  And, as a final piece of good news, this group have increased their total spend on their pets in the last year and very few members of either group had decreased their spend.

"Whilst all pet owners consider themselves responsible clearly some do not see regular preventative healthcare as part of that responsibility. So there remains a clear need to educate pet owners, particularly the non-preventers, to change some of the patterns of behaviour and complacency regarding their pet's health that have become entrenched and seem to have been influenced by friends and family."

Shakira Free Miles RVN has been reprimanded and warned by the RCVS VN Council Disciplinary Committee after pleading guilty last year to six counts of theft and one of the attempted theft of animals which she and her co-defendants mistakenly believed were in need of rescuing.

Miss Miles and her co-defendants mistakenly believed that the animals, which included a lamb, hens, piglets, goats, a calf, dogs and a pig, were in poor condition. 

They went to steal the animals from their owners' property after dark, dressed in dark clothing; some in balaclavas.

Miss Miles was sentenced to a community order for a period of 18 months rehabilitation activity requirement and 100 hours unpaid work rehabilitation, to pay £250 compensation, an £85 victim surcharge, and £400 in costs.

The Committee found that the facts of the case were proved on admission by Miss Miles and on the basis that they accepted the copy of the Certificate of Conviction.

Deciding on Miss Miles’ fitness to practise, the Committee considered the evidence before it and the advice of the Legal Assessor.

It also considered the transcript of remarks of the sentencing judge, as well as the fact that the events which led to the convictions occurred while Miss Miles was a registered veterinary nurse with the RCVS.

In terms of mitigating factors, the Committee considered that there was no financial gain associated with Miss Miles’ actions.

In terms of aggravating factors, it noted the risk of injury to animals, that Miss Miles’ behaviour was pre-meditated, that individuals had been targeted in their own homes after dark, the stress and emotional harm to the owners, and that there had been repeated criminal offending.

The Committee also considered Miss Miles’ motivations in respect of animal welfare in coming to its decision.

However, it assessed the offences to be serious, taking into account their nature and circumstances.

Paul Morris, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee was aware that breaches of the Code do not in themselves mean that the respondent is unfit to practise by reason of the conviction.

"However, the Committee took into account the nature and circumstances of the conviction and also considered the wider public interest.

"The Committee was satisfied that the respondent’s behaviour which led to the conviction created a real risk of harm to the animals in question, as was clear from the basis upon which the respondent was sentenced.

“Further, the behaviour which led to the conviction for the repeated offences in the circumstances in question brings the veterinary nursing profession into disrepute.

"To find otherwise would undermine public confidence in the profession and fail to uphold proper standards of conduct and behaviour.

“Accordingly, the Committee found that the conviction, set out in the charge, renders the respondent unfit to practise.”

When determining an appropriate sanction, the Committee considered the same aggravating factors it had evaluated when assessing fitness to practice. However, further mitigating factors, in addition to the fact that Miss Miles had no financial gain, included:

• that there were no concerns about her competence or quality of practice,
• there had been a significant lapse of time since the incidents,
• her guilty plea,
• co-operation with the regulatory process,
• disclosure of the conviction to the RCVS,
• no evidence of repetition of the offending behaviour,demonstration of some insight into the seriousness and impact of the offences on public trust and confidence,
• positive personal character references,
• remorse expressed for upset caused to the owners,
• apology to the RCVS and her profession,
• compliance with the requirements of the criminal sentence,
• and low risk of repetition.

The Committee considered the testimonials and character references which attested to Miss Miles’ exemplary practice, integrity, professionalism, compassionate approach to animals, commitment to animal welfare, work in educating others in animal welfare, and commitment to campaigning for animal welfare.

However, it was noted that Miss Miles gave the impression to the Committee that while she accepted that it was wrong to commit the criminal offences, she also believed that her intention to protect the animals’ welfare was a justification.

Speaking on the sanction, Paul Morris said: “The Committee was of the view that the conviction was particularly serious, in that it involved offences of dishonesty on a repeated basis.

"The Committee also took into account that the respondent has invoked her beliefs to undermine an aspect of the sentencing judge’s remarks and has used those beliefs to justify her actions at the time before this Committee.

“However, the risk of re-offending is low and, as already stated, the Committee accepts the respondent’s assertion that she does not intend to break the law again, and the Committee is assured in this regard by the lack of repetition in the last six years.

"There was insight shown by the respondent into the effect of her conviction on public trust and confidence in the profession.

"The Committee weighed the demands of the public interest, as well as the previously stated mitigating and aggravating factors.

"In all the circumstances of this particular case, the Committee concluded that both a reprimand and a warning as to future conduct is sufficient and proportionate to meet the need to maintain public confidence in the profession and uphold proper standards.”

The Committee went on to consider an order of suspension but decided that this would serve no useful purpose in light of the low risk of repetition of criminal offending, the nature of which was unconnected to her daily role as an RVN.

It could see no identifiable risk to animals now and in the future.

The Committee decided that to impose a suspension would be punitive and disproportionate.

The reprimand and warning sanction imposed on the respondent will remain on her RCVS record indefinitely and will be taken into consideration should there be any future misconduct.

https://www.rcvs.org.uk/concerns/disciplinary-hearings/