Genitrix has launched Libromide, the first licensed formulation of potassium bromide for the treatment of canine epilepsy, following what the company believes to be the largest ever trial of dogs suffering from epilepsy.

Genitrix says the availability, for the first time, of a licensed formulation of potassium bromide should give veterinary surgeons and pet owners the reassurance that the rigorous authorisation process provides.  It ensures, for instance, that the product has been developed especially for dogs and that it is manufactured in accordance with EU regulations. It also ensures that the product has been extensively and independently trialled, proven to be efficacious without adverse reactions, and that the necessary pharmacovigilance is in place to support it.  

The company also says that the availability of a licensed product paves the way for more comprehensive information to be provided to veterinary surgeons on the use of potassium bromide in treating seizures.  The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) imposes restrictions on educational materials supplied by manufacturers of unlicensed products, an approach which has created a 'knowledge gap' among many veterinary surgeons in general practice, according to some canine epilepsy experts.

Libromide tablets are intended for use in epileptic dogs which have already commenced therapy with Phenobarbital. Phenobarbital acts to increase the effects of the GABA inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.  Potassium bromide is synergistic with Phenobarbital and raises the seizure threshold level in epileptic dogs. 

Libromide is classified as POM-V and will be available in 325 mg tablets in packs of 100 and 500 tablets.

Rodolfo Cappello DVM PhD DipECVN MRCVS, RCVS and European Specialist in Neurology and Neurosurgery, Head of Neurology Services at North Downs Specialist Referrals, Surrey, said: "I've been successfully using potassium bromide for the treatment of epilepsy in dogs for over 15 years.  The main problem has been that it's not been licensed as a medicine.  With the launch of Libromide, potassium bromide finally achieves the status of an approved pharmaceutical.  We will now be able to monitor quality, efficacy and side effects which will enable us to offer a more professional approach to the treatment of seizures."

Howard Wilder, founder and managing director of Genitrix, added:  "Canine epilepsy is an all too common disease with estimates suggesting it affects four in every hundred dogs in the UK.  It's also an illness which is not well enough understood with the lack of up to date information available to veterinary surgeons being a contributing factor.

We felt there was an opportunity to bring a licensed product to market and have invested hundreds of thousands of pounds in the process of development and trialling Libromide.  We're delighted to make it available to veterinary professionals and hope its launch will be the first step in improving treatment approaches for this distressing disease."

Willows Referral Service

Locum Internal Medicine Clinician required

During 2010 Willows Referral Service has opportunities for part-time Internal Medicine locum cover.  The successful applicant(s) should either hold an RCVS, European or American Diploma (or equivalent) or have undertaken Residency training and be ready to take their final Diploma examinations.  Candidates must share our aim of providing the best possible levels of care for clients, their pets and for referring veterinary surgeons.

We have an excellent team of support staff who give our clinicians the opportunity to concentrate on their clinical caseload and to work in a pleasant, supportive and good humoured atmosphere.  Facilities include a superbly equipped intensive care unit, kennelling for over 100 in-patients, all-new GE imaging equipment, including 1.5T MRI, top-end 16 slice CT with in-room CT fluoroscopy, two general digital X-ray rooms, mobile image intensifier, high-end ultrasound and Olympus video endoscopy. Our medicine clinicians, Jane Eastwood DSAM and Kirsty Roe DipACVIM, work alongside specialists in the disciplines of soft tissue surgery, neurology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, imaging and anaesthesia, and our philosophy is very much one of friendly co-operation between clinicians in every specialism.

For further information about Willows internal medicine service please visit http://www.willows.uk.net/en-GB/specialist-services/specialisms/internal-medicine 

If you are interested and would like an informal chat about the position, please contact Jane Eastwood on 0121 712 7070

Willows Veterinary Centre & Referral Service, Solihull, West Midlands   www.willows.uk.net

Novartis Animal Health has launched Zolvix, billed as the first truly novel anthelmintic class for livestock to be launched in more than 25 years, together with a new drenching system designed to make drenching faster, easier and more accurate.

Zolvix contains a new active ingredient, monepantel, which kills all key sheep gastro-intestinal nematodes (roundworms), including those resistant to the existing treatments.

According to the company, the development of this new drench follows the persistent challenge from worms that have developed resistance to the three other classes of drench - white (benzimidazole or 1-BZ), yellow (levamisole or 2-LV) and clear (macrocyclic lactone or 3-ML) and combinations of these. Zolvix has a unique mode of action and so forms a fourth generation of anthelmintic, which will be known as the 4- AD, or orange drench class

Novartis Animal Health has prioritised the UK and Ireland as key launch countries for Zolvix to provide their sheep farmers with an answer to the pressing challenge of increasing anthelmintic resistance.

Lesley Stubbings, an Independent sheep consultant and Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) panel member, said: "Resistance has become an ever increasing threat since the last new anthelmintic group was introduced to the UK market more than 25 years ago. Zolvix offers farmers a valuable opportunity to maintain good worm control and prolong the effective life of the existing products. Following the SCOPS guidelines to carefully integrate Zolvix into worm control strategies, before the other groups fail, will allow our sheep industry to reap the full benefits of this new novel group."

A study carried out by Novartis in conjunction with the Hopkirk Research Institute showed that Zolvix treated sheep gained 33.5%, or 2.8 kg deadweight, more than sheep treated with a drench to which they were resistant.

Novartis Animal Health Brand Manager Simon Harris said: "Parasite resistance is a growing problem that decreases the productivity of sheep of all ages. Many veterinarians and farmers are concerned about this, with an increasing number of farmers reporting resistance to the three groups of wormers that have been available up to now, so the introduction of Zolvix is very timely."

At the same time, the company has also launched an award-winning new drenching system designed to offer 'a superior drenching experience for both animal and operator'. The new Optiline Drencher and Optivix backpack system were developed in collaboration with drenching specialists Simcro Tech Ltd.

The Optiline Drencher has already won several design and engineering awards, including a bronze award in the 2009 NZ BEST design awards, a coveted International Forum (IF) 2010 product design award from Germany and the prestigious Bayer Innovators Award for design and engineering.

It was also a finalist in the New Zealand Agritech Innovation Awards reached the finals in three categories of the 2009 New Zealand Trade and Enterprise International Business Awards.

The Optiline drencher is coupled with a durable, light Optivix backpack that has been specially tailored to provide left or right-handed operators with the same wide range of adjustment. It also has two drench cradles - at chest and hip level - to ensure maximum comfort.

Mr Harris said: "This drencher is best appreciated during use. Contact your local Novartis Animal health representative to arrange a trial."

Hill's Pet Nutrition has highlighted recent studies which, the company says, prove that feeding a food enriched with omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils to dogs with osteoarthritis results in a reduction in NSAID dosage of up to 25%¹, owner observed improvements in clinical signs³, and improved weight bearing ability^{2, 7}

The claim that food can effectively support medical treatment follows in the wake of two published and one in press study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association (JAVMA). These demonstrate that omega-3 enriched food (in this case Hill's Prescription Diet j/d Canine) has significant  effects on weight bearing and helps reduce NSAID dosage by up to 25 per cent, when fed to dogs with osteoarthritis ^{1, 2,3}. 

According to Hill's, the research demonstrates that in dogs the high levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from fish oils can down-regulate the cartilage degrading enzyme aggrecanase¹. In vitro studies have also identified that EPA resulted in a reduction in the amount of degraded cartilage residue produced⁴. High levels of omega-3 fatty acids can also help to reduce inflammation^5,6.

The two studies that were recently published confirm that feeding a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids aids in the management of osteoarthritis in dogs^2,3. The randomized double-blinded controlled trials were carried out over three and six months respectively and involved a total of 165 dogs identified as suffering from mild to moderate osteoarthritis. After collating the results from almost 25,000 trial days, researchers were able to confirm a significant 'clinical improvement' from feeding a food fortified with fatty acids.

In the first study described in JAVMA, researchers found evidence that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils resulted in improvements in weight bearing². Objective measurement using force plate gait analysis demonstrated that dogs fed a test food fortified with fatty acids were seven times as likely to show improved weight bearing compared with dogs fed a control food.

In the second study, through a detailed questionnaire, owners also observed significant improvements in their dog's osteoarthritic condition³.  Improvements observed covered the following signs: difficulty in rising from rest, limping, stiffness, soreness when touched, yelping or whimpering in pain, aggression, lagging on walks, reluctance to play and overall activity level.

Adrian Pratt, Veterinary Affairs Manager for Hill's Pet Nutrition, manufacturer of Prescription Diet j/d, which is enriched with omega-3 fatty acids, hailed the results as a breakthrough in the field of nutrigenomics (the study of the effects of nutrition on gene expression): "This research points the way to a new model for the management of osteoarthritis, using a clinically proven food to interrupt the cycle of damage and cartilage degradation, alongside graded levels of NSAIDs and proactive programmes to manage weight and adjust exercise routines. Clinicians now have the conclusive proof they need to recommend feeding omega-3 enriched food to ameliorate the signs of osteoarthritis in clients' pets and to adjust NSAID doses accordingly." 

For further information on Hill's Prescription Diet j/d, please contact your Hill's Territory Manager or call 0800 282438.

References
1. A multicenter study of the effect of a therapeutic food supplemented with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on the Carpofen dosage in dogs with osteoarthritis. Fritsch A, Allen T, Dodd C, JAVMA in press
2. Evaluation of the effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on weight bearing in dogs. Roush J, Cross A, Renberg W, Dodd C, Sixby K, Fritsch A, Allen T, Jewell, Richardson D, Leventhal P, Hahn K, JAVMA Vol 236 No 1, Jan 2010 pp67-73
3. Multicenter veterinary practice assessment of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on osteoarthritis in dogs. Roush J, Dodd C, Fritsch A, Allen T, Jewell D, Schoenherr W, Richardson D, Leventhal P, Hahn K, JAVMA Vol 236 No 1, Jan 2010 pp 59-66
4. Eicosapentaenoate supplementation abrogates canine articular cartilage degeneration in in vitro explant culture systems, Caterson B, Cramp J, Little C B et al, Hills European Symposium on osteoarthritis and joint health 2005 14-19
5.  Dietary modification of inflammation with lipids, P C Calder, Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2002 345-358
6.  Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory mediator production, James M J, Cleland L G, Gibson R A, Am J Clin Nut 2000: 71 suppl 343S- 358S
7.  Vasseur PB, Johnson AL, Budsberg SC, et al. Randomized, controlled trial of the efficacy of carprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, in the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1995; 206 (6): 807-811.

The RCVS is to embark on a communications campaign over the next few months to raise awareness amongst the general public of the difficulties that vets face in providing out-of-hours emergency cover, and the responsibilities incumbent on animal owners to know what to do in a veterinary emergency.

Emergency cover has been high on the College's agenda for some time.

Over the last 18 months, the RCVS 24/7 Working Party has considered the ongoing desire of vets to continue to offer emergency care 24 hours a day, and the feasibility of delivering this, against a backdrop of the Working Time Regulations, geographical variations in animal and vet density, and increasing practice diversity.

Working Party meetings have been supported by a survey of how vets are currently meeting their 24/7 requirements, a seminar of stakeholders and regular informal polls at RCVS Question Time meetings.

It was agreed at the September 2009 meeting of Advisory Committee, to which the Working Party reports, that the majority of vets remain willing to deliver emergency cover 24/7. Advisory Committee recommended that a communications project be undertaken to help raise awareness amongst the general public and animal owners that although the veterinary profession continues to make this voluntary commitment, EU rules, geography and financial constraints impose some limitations.

This campaign will kick off soon and focus on spreading messages via animal-owner publications and websites. The responsibility of pet owners to know how they can access emergency care for their animal in advance of need will be stressed, as will the fact that in the absence of an NHS for pets, emergency care is a service for which practices must charge a realistic fee (which is likely to be higher than for day-time work).

The campaign will also outline vets' responsibilities as part of the Guide, so the public knows what it can reasonably expect. It would be helpful if practices could ensure they have clear information available on their 24/7 arrangements - as outlined in the Guide - should this campaign stimulate requests from clients.

Jerry Davies, who chaired the Working Party, said: "There is overwhelming opinion within the profession that we must continue to provide round-the-clock veterinary care. The main tenet of the Working Time Regulations is that workers should not have their health or, importantly, skills compromised by unreasonable working patterns. Vets, VNs and the animals they care for deserve the same level of protection.

"However, this legislation has made continuing to provide such care at a reasonable cost to the animal owner a significant challenge. Meeting this challenge will require the understanding and cooperation of the animal owning public.

"If clients can be flexible and accept slightly longer response times, an effective service can still be sustained. The key is for all animal owners to establish, in advance, exactly what will be involved should they need to access veterinary care in an emergency. This simple step will help optimise response times and eliminate the frustration, confusion and inevitable dissatisfaction that may arise if ill-prepared."

A Lincolnshire couple desperate to find an alternative to Elizabethan veterinary collars, after their dog Tess suffered a traumatic experience, have invented a new range of wound coverings called Cozi-fit.

According to Terri and Dave Ward from Skellingthorpe near Lincoln, who designed the new product, Cozi-fit is the clear alternative to Elizabethan or Buster collars. It comes in five different sizes, and the couple say that Cozi-fit is already going down well with vets and pet owners alike.

The idea for the Cozi-fit came about after the Ward's dog Tess had a hysterectomy. Dave said: "The hysterectomy was stressful enough, but Tess then had to wear a collar to stop her licking the wound. We also had to isolate her from our other dogs and she quickly became depressed and stopped eating.

"We were so worried about her that I decided to try and make a replacement using a pillowcase which we attached to her collar and fastened round her torso and hindquarters. As the wound was covered she could be around our other dogs and her movement wasn't restricted in any way.

"I was so delighted with the result that I decided to refine my design and took it to our local vet to get his opinion and it kind of grew from there. The wound coverings now come in five different sizes to suit all dogs and cats and are made from durable cotton fabric.

"We now supply over 30 veterinary surgeries including a number of Companion Care vet surgeries as well as the RSPCA and are currently in negotiation with retailers up and down the country."

"Vets perform over three million operations every year in the UK, many of which will be neuters, caesarean sections or other types of abdominal surgery, and Cozi-fit is ideal for these types of procedures.

"It is easy to fit, allows free and natural movement at all times and is a more pleasant experience for both the animal and their owner."

For more information about Cozi-fit please visit http://www.cozi-fit.com/.

The RCVS Trust will take part in National Pet Month (3 April - 3 May) and is asking veterinary practices to put on 'Alice in Wonderland' themed fundraising events.

Cherry Bushell, RCVS Trust Director said: "The Trust aims to improve the health and well-being of dogs, cats, and other popular household pets and over the past five years has put nearly £900,000 into this cause. As a small charity we do rely on our supporters - and National Pet Month is a good opportunity to raise money and have fun."

Why Alice in Wonderland as a theme?  Cherry said: "The Trust supports curiosity and a sense of wonder, so we came up with the Alice in Wonderland idea - which is topical and also has lots of scope for fundraising and publicity."

If you'd enjoy hosting a Mad Hatter's tea party - or raffling off the Queen of Heart's tarts - you can register with National Pet Month and take part.  Further information and a free events pack can be obtained from http://www.nationalpetmonth.org.uk/.  

National Pet Month runs from 3 April - 3 May.  It aims to promote responsible pet ownership, make people aware of the mutual benefits of living with pets, increase public awareness of the role of pet care specialists and raise awareness of the value of working and assistance companion animals.

RSPCA has launched a new website called 'Political Animal' to encourage voters to lobby their prospective parliamentary candidates about animal welfare issues ahead of the General Election.

The site offers an interesting timeline of the last 20 years of animal welfare law, leading up to the Animal Welfare Act 2006, showing landmark changes. It also gives details of the RSPCA's stance on issues like status dogs, higher welfare farming, wild animals in circuses and animals used in experiments.

RSPCA parliamentary officer Stacey Frier, said: "The Political Animal microsite is a unique project allowing our supporters to drive the debate by letting politicians know what they want them to do for animal welfare if they are elected.

"The RSPCA and its supporters have been instrumental in campaigning for change in animal welfare legislation since the Society's creation in 1824 and we're urging the incoming parliament to continue to work with us to achieve further animal welfare milestones."

For more information, please log on to http://www.politicalanimal.org.uk/

Visitors to BSAVA Congress 2010 can navigate the commercial exhibition stands and lectures more effectively this year, thanks to a free iPhone app developed by IT provider, AT Veterinary Systems.

The app includes floor plans of the ICC and the NIA, a list of all the exhibitors and stand locations, details of the presentations being held and the ability for users to create a customised list of 'favourite' lectures.

AT Veterinary Systems says the Congress App is its fifth successive release of software in the last six months and marks a prolific year of development for the company. AT's latest software releases include VISION Email Server, Insurance Claims Manager and the latest SPECTRUM Release (1L). Further products are also in the pipeline and will also be launched at this year's BSAVA.

To find out more about the BSAVA app, please visit: http://vetsystems.co.uk/vetcongress/

The European Parliament has voted 618 votes to 17 for an extension to the transitional arrangements contained within the regulation on the non-commercial movement of pet animals which afford the UK additional protection against rabies, ticks and tapeworms.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) have been lobbying MEPs to support the extension and have strongly welcomed this decision.

The transitional arrangements allow the UK to impose stricter measures on the entry of pet animals and are designed to protect the UK from rabies, ticks and tapeworms (Echinococcus multilocularis).

The vote in the European Parliament today supports an extension of these arrangements until the end of 2011 and puts in place a system so that permanent measures can be imposed in the future for entry to specific Member States based on scientific evidence. The decision will have to be ratified by the European Agriculture Council before coming into force.

Parasitologist Maggie Fisher from ESCCAP said: "This provides the UK with invaluable time to mount a solid scientific case for retaining the requirement for tick and tapeworm treatment indefinitely."

Professor Bill Reilly, President of the BVA, said: "The BVA and BSAVA have worked closely with Defra to secure this extension to the arrangements and we will now be pushing for investment in additional scientific research that will give us a clearer picture of the threat of the parasite Echinococcus multilocularis and other exotic and emerging diseases."

Dr Richard Dixon, President of BSAVA, added: "This decision in Europe is strongly welcomed and we are pleased that veterinary associations across Europe supported our position. The next stage is to gather further evidence to ensure the UK is protected in the future.

"In the meantime, the key message for pet owners is that they must talk to their vets as early as possible to find out how to protect them from disease and parasites when travelling abroad."

CEVA Animal Health has added to its joint care range with the launch of Meloxidyl Injection to help control post-operative pain in cats and dogs and alleviate musculoskeletal pain in dogs.

CEVA says Meloxidyl Injection is bioequivalent to the leading meloxicam injection and dogs can be given Meloxidyl oral suspension 24 hours after Meloxidyl Injection has been administered.

Meloxidyl Injection is available in 10ml bottles containing 5mg/ml of meloxicam.

For further information, please contact your CEVA Animal Health representative or call 01494 781510.

Virbac has launched a reformulated dental chew for dogs.

The company says the new VeggieDent chew is thicker in order to prolong the chewing time, but retain its palatability and characteristic Z shape, designed to facilitate prehension and enhance the mechanical cleaning action.

Product manager Chris Geddes MRCVS says the longer chewing time means increased contact between teeth and chew: "Optimum plaque removal is achieved by physical abrasion of the tooth surface during chewing. What is important is both the nature and the duration of contact between tooth and chew. These chews have been reformulated to optimise both of these factors.

"Whilst regular tooth brushing is always the gold standard, the chews provide enhanced plaque removal above brushing alone, and are particularly suited for those difficult cases where brushing is not possible".

"Many dogs are offered treats or chews during the day with limited nutritional or health benefits. VeggieDent chews are highly palatable, natural, and meat-free. They help to sustain tooth and gum health and are a great way to encourage the provision of treats that have a health benefit".

The chews are available in packs of 15 in sizes suitable for small, medium and large dogs and can be obtained from your veterinary wholesaler. Look out for a relaunch promotion coming soon. For further information please speak to your Virbac Territory Manager, phone Virbac on 01359 243243, or email enquiries@virbac.co.uk.