This, the company says, makes Simparica Trio the only oral moxidectin that is licensed to treat A.vasorum in dogs in the UK.
Louise Longstaff, National Veterinary Manager at Zoetis UK said: “The last time a product was licensed for the treatment of lungworm in the UK was some time ago, so this is an especially important development.
"Simparica Trio offers a new licensed route of administration for lungworm treatment in dogs, giving vets another option to that which is currently available.
"It enables them to tailor treatment based on their patient’s needs while still prescribing within the cascade.”
Simparica Trio is a chewable monthly tablet for dogs containing sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel.
It kills fleas and ticks, treats mites, roundworm and hookworm, prevents and treats lungworm and prevents heartworm disease.
https://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/?id=-485011
The College wants more vets to come and share their ideas and insights into how the role of the veterinary nurse can be strengthened within the team, particularly in the light of data gathered from the RCVS’s 2024 VN Vision workshops which showed that many nurses believe their skills and capabilities, and the scope of tasks that can be performed within the current legal framework, are not fully used.
The first two events, in South Wales and Belfast, were well-attended by veterinary nurses, but only about 10% of attendees were vets who arguably have the most to gain by sharing ways of enabling nurses to perform a more central role and relieve some of their workload.
There are four more events coming up:
RCVS Director of Veterinary Nursing, Julie Dugmore, said: “Last year’s VN Vision events focused specifically on veterinary nurses and resulted in some truly inspiring insights. Now, in this new series of events, we’re taking the next step, and need to get the wider practice team involved in order to understand how strengthening the VN role will feed into team dynamics and the professions as a whole.
“Our latest VN Vision events will play a key role in helping us to define long term goals, identify the practical steps needed to achieve them, and determine how success will be measured and shared with the wider public. To make it happen, we need voices from vets, practice managers, support staff, and VNs alike.”
The VN Vision workshops are free to attend, informal, informative and made up of small groups.
Supper will also be provided for the evening sessions, and lunch for the London day workshops.
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/vet-nursing-vision-events-3253639
Senior educators came from both UK and international veterinary and nursing schools to discuss and agree approaches to teaching contextualised care in first opinion practice for the first time.
The workshop aimed to give delegates an understanding of what contextualised care is and why it is important.
It also covered the types of clinical training settings that are conducive to supporting contextualised care learning.
Delegates then discussed the challenges associated with contextualised care learning in community-based clinical training settings.
They included: perceived conflicts between educational and commercial interests, a lack of previous formal teaching of contextualised care (during education), and the absence of established culture (and experience) of undergraduate teaching in clinical practice.
Workshop co-presenter and CVS’ Equine Development Lead Charlotte Sinclair, said: “Most veterinary graduates will enter primary care practice upon graduation and we know the majority of new graduates and employers agree that graduates are not prepared to practice contextualised care. The consequences of not being prepared include a tension between presumed ‘gold standard’ and the realities of practice, stress and moral distress.
“We hope that our landmark workshop will go some way towards helping trainers to support graduates in developing authentic communication skills, building client rapport, creating shared decision making, and being outcome focused. As true contextualised care relies on all of these skills.”
The guidelines, which are the result of a collaboration between veterinary dermatologists, clinical microbiologists and other specialists, are designed to reduce inappropriate antimicrobial use and help canine welfare.
The team conducted an evidence review and built a consensus of recommendations, combining scientific evidence with real-world insights.
The new guidelines are supported by the ISCAID (International Society for Companion Animal Infections) and provide veterinary practitioners with guidance on the diagnosis and investigation of canine bacterial skin infections.
The guidelines offer recommendations for when antimicrobials should be considered, and which classes of antimicrobials are most appropriate to choose from.
As part of this guidance, recommended drug dosages have also been updated based on newly available information.
The RVC says this will ensure that available antimicrobial drugs can be used as responsibly as possible and remain effective for a long as possible.
RVC has also produced a short synopsis of the main consensus statements and a ‘Seven Moments of Responsible Canine Pyoderma Treatment’ infographic.
Anette Loeffler, Professor in Veterinary Dermatology and Cutaneous Bacteriology at the RVC and chair of the ISCAID author group, said: “After several years of analysing evidence, updating information and evaluating experience, we are excited and relieved to finally see the guideline documents published and free to use around the world.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40338805
According to the researchers, who came from the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Guide Dogs and Feldon Veterinary Centre, this was the first study to compare peri- and postoperative complications, behaviour after surgery, and surgery duration, for the two most common neutering procedures for female dogs; laparoscopic ovariectomy (LAP-OVE) and open ovariohysterectomy (celiotomy) (OVH-CEL).
For the study, the researchers analysed data from 519 bitches neutered by either LAP-OVE or OVH-CEL at four UK veterinary practices.
Fewer bitches developed wound redness or swelling at the surgical site following LAP-OVE (16%), compared to those that underwent OVH-CEL (36%).
Intraoperative complications were reported for 2% of dogs neutered by LAP-OVE and 3% of those neutered by OVH-CEL.
Postoperative complications were reported for 0.5% of the LAP-OVE group and 1% of the OVH-CEL group.
Unusual behaviours (inappetence, discomfort, licking or chewing) in the postoperative period were less common in dogs neutered by laparoscopic ovariectomy.
There was no significant difference in surgical duration between the two techniques.
The researchers say that their findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that postoperative complications, including those related to wound healing and those requiring further veterinary intervention, are lower for laparoscopic than open surgeries for bitches neutered by experienced veterinarians.
Lead author, Dr Rachel Moxon, said: “While there is already evidence from other studies relating to complications following neutering surgeries in bitches, this is the first time that the outcomes have been compared between what are anecdotally reported to be the two most frequently performed neutering surgeries for female dogs in the UK.
"The results will be of interest not only to vets, but for pet owners and others that have to make choices about neutering their dogs. Understanding the surgical risks is an important factor to consider, and decision making is made easier when it can be informed by evidence”.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jsap.70013
This, say the researchers, is the first time in a UK field setting that the effect of early-life exposures, in particular exercise and turn out, on later-life milestones and race performance in Thoroughbreds has been comprehensively evaluated.
The findings can be applied at stud farms to help retain Thoroughbreds within the industry and achieve their athletic potential - outcomes that align with priorities of the Horse Welfare Board’s strategy to support the welfare of horses bred for racing.
The research team, led by Rebecca Mouncey MRCVS, a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the RVC, followed 129 flat race bred Thoroughbred foals, born in 2019 and 2020 on six stud farms across the UK, from birth into training for racing.
Each dam’s reproductive history, and details of her health and management during pregnancy were collected, as were daily records of the foal’s health and management from birth until they left the stud farm.
Race performance records up to the end of their fourth year of life were collated from racing industry databases.
The team then used statistical modelling to evaluate relationships between gestational exposures and early-life experiences and whether or not horses entered training and their subsequent race performance.
Findings suggested that the use of more extensive turnout practices during the first six months of life and later weaning benefited the attainment of career milestones, productivity (the number of races) and financial returns (total prizemoney won).
The main findings were:
The findings demonstrate that the first six months of life is a critical period of development in Thoroughbreds, during which it is essential that turnout and weaning practices provide sufficient opportunity for positive tissue adaptation and optimal development.
Breeders are therefore encouraged to maximise turnout whenever possible, and to consider weaning after this critical period.
https://www.rvc.ac.uk/research/projects/veeph/early-life-determinants-of-performance-and-the-economics-of-thoroughbred-breeding
Reference
Dr De Armas Jimenez faced four charges against him, that:
On or around 22 April 2022 or 23 April 2022, in relation to a cat, he a) failed to obtain informed consent to sedate/anaesthetise the cat and/or did so without the owner’s consent (admitted), b) failed to take adequate steps when the cat required emergency attention (admitted), and c) failed to provide adequate details to the owner following the cat’s death (admitted).
On or around 22 April 2022 or 23 April 2022, he a) failed to record adequate clinical record details of the cat’s sedation/anaesthetic (admitted), b) recorded when the cat became cyanotic, that i) a tube had been passed in order to intubate (proved not to have occured) and ii) chest compressions had been given when this was not the case (not proved that it did not happen), and c) failed to make adequate clinical records in relation to differential diagnoses and proposed treatment plan (not proved).
That his conduct in relation to charge 2(a) and/or 2(b) was a) dishonest and/or b) misleading. (Admitted his conduct was both dishonest and misleading in relation to 2(a), and the Committee found proved that his conduct was dishonest and/or misleading in relation to 2(b)(i)).
Between 22 April 2022 and 23 April 2022, he failed to have any professional indemnity insurance in place (admitted).
Dr De Armas Jimenez admitted most of the charges again him.
The Committee found that his actions had breached a number of sections of the RCVS Code of Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons and amounted to serious professional misconduct.
In deciding on a sanction, the Committee took into account the aggravating factor that Dr De Armas Jimenez had caused actual harm to the animal.
Mitigating factors included that he had no previous disciplinary history, that he had been working for eight years as a veterinary surgeon in the UK without complaint, that he admitted most of the charges, that he'd made subsequent efforts to avoid repetition by no longer working night shifts or locuming, and finally that the incident related to one animal.
The Committee also noted that he'd shown appreciable insight and remorse, and took into account positive character references.
Paul Morris, chairing the Disciplinary Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “Whilst the misconduct in this case involved breaches of the RCVS Code, caused serious harm to both the cat and the client, and involved dishonesty which was concealed, the Committee decided that a lengthy suspension could take account of the seriousness of these matters and meet the wider public interest.”
He added: “In deciding on this period of suspension, the Committee took into account both mitigating and aggravating factors and the mitigation Dr De Armas Jimenez had put before it.
"It was not persuaded that a shorter period of suspension would properly reflect the seriousness of the proven misconduct.
"It concluded that this period of suspension had a deterrent effect and sent a signal as to how serious the Committee had found the misconduct to be.
"It also took into account Dr De Armas Jimenez’s remorse and insight.
“However, in order that the wider public interest was upheld and to reflect the Committee’s view regarding the seriousness of the proven misconduct, the Committee determined that the proportionate sanction and period of suspension should be a suspension order of eight months.”
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/concerns/disciplinary-hearings/
With four sessions having taken place throughout May and June this year, the autumn sessions will focus on:
RCVS Director for the Advancement of the Professions, Angharad Belcher (pictured), said: “We recognise that change cannot happen without collaboration – no one organisation can solve as complicated and multi-factorial an issue as the workforce challenge on their own.
"We hope to welcome you to these sessions to share your insights and contribute to the ongoing conversation around this important topic."
The webinars are free, last an hour and 15 minutes and count as CPD.
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/events/workforce-ambitions-sessions/
The book covers things like the functions of various nutrients, nutrition for different life stages, proactive nutrition strategies and effective communication techniques for discussing nutrition with pet owners.
Natalia Wagemans, the global head of the Purina Institute, said: “Nutritional science has evolved significantly, and there are many facets to consider in a well-pet diet, not just from the pet’s perspective, such as life stage, activity level and body condition, but also the owner’s perspective – their lifestyle, budget and preferences.
“This resource simplifies the process of making informed recommendations and can be a vital tool for veterinary professionals to both facilitate nutrition conversations with their clients and provide informed responses to questions.”
https://www.purinainstitute.com
The 4D heart model, which can be viewed at: https://static.imascono.com/heartViewer, was designed in conjunction with Alejandro Suarez Bonnet, senior lecturer in comparative pathology at the RVC and consultant pathologist at The Francis Crick Institute.
The model demonstrates the structural changes in the mitral valve and associated heart chambers across stages A to D — from dogs at risk (stage A), through preclinical disease (stages B1 & B2), to symptomatic heart failure (stages C & D).
It has been designed to help pet owners understand the condition’s progression and support clearer communication of monitoring and treatment options.
Callum Watkins, brand manager at Dechra, said: “MMVD often catches dog owners unawares due to the silent early signs and the slow progressive nature of the condition.
“Our new 4D heart model will enable vets to clearly demonstrate the different stages of the disease, including the structural changes in the mitral valve and associated heart chambers, to aid discussions on the monitoring and treatment options.”
https://www.dechra.co.uk/companion-animal/internal-medicine/cardiovascular-disease.
The review will consider whether the UK Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, which were were originally derived from EU legislation, protect animal and public health without adding unnecessary regulatory burden.
Anyone is able to share their views and experiences of the regulations, but the VMD is especially interested in hearing from vets, vet nurses, SQPs, marketing authorisation holders, farmers and pet owners.
Responses must be submitted before 23:59 on 26th September 2025
https://consult.defra.gov.uk/vmd-policy-development-and-delivery-office/mmd-act-2021-stakeholder-survey
Once again, there are awards for both individual receptionists and reception teams
The winners will receive trophies and Amazon vouchers.
Emma Coole, Account Manager for the South West of the UK at KRKA UK said: "Reception teams are the glue that holds a busy practice together.
"They’re juggling phone calls, managing appointments, supporting worried pet owners at the front desk - and doing it all with empathy and professionalism.
"I regularly see and hear first-hand how much the wider vet practice depends on their calm, capable presence.
"These awards are a chance to recognise the people who make that happen every single day.”
Practices are encouraged to nominate receptionists or teams who make a real difference – whether through kindness, a cool head under pressure or simply keeping everything running smoothly.
Nominations are now open and will close on Friday 26th September 2025.
Winners and runners-up will be announced on Wednesday 1st October 2025.
To submit a nomination or learn more about the awards, visit https://bit.ly/receptionist-team-hero-awards-2025
The College says the course breaks down the supporting guidance to the Code of Professional Conduct into clear, practical advice that can be easily applied in daily practice.
It covers areas such as advertising, endorsing products and services, and using social media in a way that upholds professional standards, including:
The course begins with a short test to assess your current understanding of the topic, followed by three bite-sized modules and a final reflection section.
The course takes about an hour to complete and counts towards your CPD requirements.
academy.rcvs.org.uk
ParaProtect offers bitesize interactive learning modules, each taking 20 to 30 minutes to complete.
The programme is open to all practice staff, from vets and nurses to client care teams, and aims to advance parasitology expertise and build further confidence in risk-based parasite protection.
Elanco says each module includes expert insights, real-world case studies and practical advice that can be applied immediately in practice.
The first module: ‘Parasite Control in a One Health World’, explores the wider implications of parasite control, including risks to public health from parasites, and consideration for the environment when selecting and using parasiticides.
Later modules will cover topics such as the impact of climate and travel on parasite spread, myth-busting, emerging risks, and how to improve client communication and compliance.
Jacqui Skelly, Head of Veterinary Technical Services, UK & Ireland at Elanco, said: “Parasitology is a field of medicine that most vets are practicing many times a day, yet it’s easy to neglect when it comes to CPD.
“As parasite risks evolve alongside climate and behavioural change, there’s growing demand for CPD that reflects current science and supports evidence-based decision making in practice.
"With ParaProtect, we aim to service that need with a different kind of programme.
"It’s short, practical, relevant and designed to be used straight away in the consulting room.
"It has principles of responsible use of parasiticides built into the core of the learning, and helps teams move beyond routine treatment to deliver advice that protects pets and their families, especially as summer travel increases parasite risks.”
https://my.elanco.com/en_gb/campaign/pet/paraprotect
Photo: www.depositphotos.com
The guide covers the importance of nutrition and nutritional assessment, diet types, feeding for different life stages, feeding for specific situations and feeding for specific diseases.
There are a number of online resources to accompany the guide, including client handouts and videos, available in the BSAVA Library.
Julian Hoad, BSAVA President, said: “The guide has been put together by a panel who are very competent in their field and wish for the reader to become confident and competent as well.
"What really stands out to me is the level of detail included in the guide.
"There is ample explanation of the underlying principles of nutrition, as well as formulae for specific nutritional plans.
"Where there may be confusion, or potential errors in calculating nutritional requirements, there are practical hints and tips for avoiding those pitfalls.”
The BSAVA Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice costs £32.50 for BSAVA members and £50 for everyone else.
www.bsava.com/store
In a survey conducted for the company last year, 31% of pet owners said they would wait 3 days or more before going to a vet if their pet's eye condition hadn’t improved.
The awareness week is designed to make owners more aware of their animals’ eye health, to help understand the signs and when to take action.
The campaign also offers support for veterinary practices to engage with their communities with educational displays and digital outreach.
Dr Emma Hancox, Technical Vet at Dômes Pharma said: “We know that pets often suffer in silence when it comes to eye issues, and it’s often hard for owners to recognise the signs.
“Through this campaign, we aim to equip veterinary professionals with the tools they need to educate pet owners and ultimately help to improve pet eye health across the country.”
Participating clinics can request display materials and shareable content for social media to drive engagement throughout the awareness week.
There is also a prize draw to win an ophthalmoscope for your practice.
https://domespharma.co.uk/national-pet-eye-health-awareness-week
The DC heard how, in December 2022, a labrador called Bella had been stolen from its owner.
That same month, someone who was involved in the theft presented Bella to Dr Kashiv, according to news reports telling him they'd taken the animal because it had been abused.
Dr Kashiv performed surgery to remove her microchip, so she could be re-homed without being traced.
Although there was no suggestion that Dr Khashiv had been involved in the theft, it was alleged that he knew the animal had been stolen.
In January 2024, after pleading guilty, Dr Kashiv was convicted of removing the microchip, contrary to section 5(3) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court.
He was sentenced to a community order with an unpaid work requirement of 50 hours to be completed within 12 months, and ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £114 and costs of £85.
Dr Khashiv faced four charges at the RCVS disciplinary hearing, the first being that his conviction rendered him unfit to practise as a veterinary surgeon.
The second charge was that in July 2024, at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court, Dr Kashiv had been made subject to a 5-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) for failing to keep dogs he owned under control and failing to comply with previous orders.
The third charge was that Dr Kashiv’s conduct with regard to the microchip was dishonest, in that he removed it to conceal the labrador’s identity.
The final charge was that Dr Kashiv failed to keep adequate clinical records for the labrador and his conduct was thereby i) misleading and/or ii) dishonest.
From the outset, Dr Kashiv admitted charges one and two and some aspects of charge four.
However, he initially denied that his conduct was at any stage misleading or dishonest and did not accept that his conviction rendered him unfit to practise as a veterinary surgeon or that the admitted charges amount to serious professional misconduct.
In a later submission, Dr Kashiv no longer disputed that his conviction rendered him unfit to practise, or that his behaviour in charges two, three and four amounted to serious professional misconduct.
The Committee considered that in respect of his conviction, Dr Kashiv had breached paragraphs 1.1, 1.3, 6.1, 6.4 and 6.5 of the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons.
It then took into account mitigating and aggravating factors.
The Committee found no mitigating factors but found the following aggravating factors:
The Committee was satisfied that this conduct fell far below the standard expected of a registered veterinary surgeon and that this rendered him unfit to practise.
In deciding on whether his conduct amounted to serious professional misconduct, the Committee again took into account submissions made both by representatives for the College and for Dr Kashiv, as well as the fact that Dr Kashiv no longer disputed the assertion that his conduct amounted to serious professional misconduct.
The Committee found that Dr Kashiv had breached paragraphs 2.4, 2.5, 6.1, 6.4 and 6.5 of the Code in relation to charges two, three and four.
The Committee again did not find any mitigating factors but found the following aggravating factors:
With regards to charges three and four, Dr Kashiv performed a prohibited procedure on a labrador which was unjustified and resulted in a criminal conviction.
The Committee found that in carrying out the procedure he had acted dishonestly – he had removed the chip in order to conceal the identity of a pet that he knew had been taken from its home.
The dishonesty with regards to not completing any formal clinical records also related directly to his practice as a veterinary surgeon, as part of a cover-up so that nobody would know what had happened to the labrador at the practice.
The Committee was satisfied that Dr Kashiv’s conduct in relation to the labrador amounted to serious professional misconduct.
On deciding on a sanction, the Committee took into account all evidence and documents provided as well as testimonials together with submissions made on behalf of Dr Kashiv and matters of personal mitigation.
In terms of aggravating factors, it found all those already listed in findings for fitness to practise and serious professional misconduct, as well as previous convictions and adverse findings of the College and the fact that Dr Kashiv showed limited insight into his actions.
In terms of mitigating factors, it considered:
Paul Morris, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee was of the view that the nature and seriousness of Dr Kashiv’s behaviour, which led to the conviction, was fundamentally incompatible with being registered as a veterinary surgeon.”
He added: “In light of these conclusions, the Committee decided that the only appropriate and proportionate sanction in this case was removal from the Register.
"This would not be the case if the Committee were considering the CBO matter alone, when a lesser sanction would have been appropriate.
"However, his actions with regard to the labrador, his limited insight and the fear that he could repeat such behaviour meant that removal was necessary in this case.
“In reaching this decision the Committee recognised the negative impact this would have on Dr Kashiv.
"The Committee had considered with great care all the mitigating factors and the positive statements made about him in the testimonials provided.
"However, the need to protect animal welfare, the reputation of the profession and thus the wider public interest, outweighed Dr Kashiv’s interests and the Committee concluded that removal was the only appropriate and proportionate sanction in this case.”
www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15069309/Vegan-vet-Animal-Rebellion-activist-steal-pet-dog.html