The British Veterinary Association has reacted to the Comprehensive Spending Review announced by the Government.

BVA President, Harvey Locke said: "Clearly this is a substantial hit on Defra's overall budget but there are some elements to welcome.

"We are pleased with the commitment to protecting the science base and Defra's clear focus on tackling TB and we await with interest future announcements on how the Government plans to introduce responsibility and cost sharing.

"However, the Government has put a lot of emphasis on securing flood defences within Defra's budget and we remain concerned that other crucial animal health and welfare issues could be further squeezed in this massively reduced budget.

"The BVA will continue to champion these health and welfare issues to ensure they remain a priority for the Department."

Ceva Animal Health has produced a new booklet explaining the discharge procedures for horses that have been treated with Equidronate (formerly called Tildren), a bisphosphonate infusion used for the treatment of bone spavin.

Ceva says the new booklet is designed for vets to give their clients to help convey the most effective post-treatment management protocol. It explains what Equidronate is, how it works and how it is administered. It goes on to cover how owners can help to monitor progress once exercise has commenced, by completing the specially created assessment forms contained within the booklet every couple of weeks.

According to the company, trials published earlier this year show that horses suffering lameness caused by bone spavin can show marked improvement following treatment with an Equidronate infusion, in combination with controlled exercise.

Copies of the new leaflet are available free of charge from your Ceva sales representative. Leaflets on understanding bone spavin, understanding navicular disease and understanding sacroiliac disease are also available.

Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal opened a new ward for canine cancer patients at the University of Edinburgh's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies Hospital for Small Animals last week.

The Kennel Club Charitable Trust provided £30,000 towards the 26-kennel ward, which is specifically designed to provide recuperative care and comfortable kennelling facilities for dogs at the University's Hospital for Small Animals. 

The facilities the new dog ward provides will complement the School's £3 million Riddell-Swan Veterinary Cancer Centre, which opened last year. The cancer care centre houses state-of-the-art equipment including a computerised tomography (CT) scanner and a linear accelerator that can provide radiotherapy treatment. 

Caroline Kisko, Secretary of the Kennel Club, said: "The Kennel Club Charitable Trust is extremely pleased that the money it has given to the University of Edinburgh has helped to ensure that its Canine Cancer Care unit could be built.

"The Trust has supported the groundbreaking research being conducted by the University, which is helping to improve our ability to diagnose and treat cancer in dogs, for some time. The Cancer Care Unit will help in a different way, by providing post-treatment and after care for dogs that have been through cancer therapy.  

"People love their dogs as a member of their family, so this is a vital part of the care process. It is comforting for them to know that there are comfortable kenneling facilities where their dogs will receive the recuperative care that they need, as well as the potentially life-saving treatment.

"The Charitable Trust has given millions of pounds to projects which help to improve the health and welfare of dogs across the UK. This unit has established the University's place as a leader in conducting not only lifesaving but also life enhancing work for dogs, and the Trust exists precisely to help projects such as this realise their goals." 

The canine oncology support ward replaces the old feline ward, and the cats have been moved to a new ward further away from the dogs to help prevent cats from becoming stressed by the noise of barking. 

Professor Elaine Watson, Head of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies said: "The dog ward, along with our new feline ward enhances the facilities for animals receiving treatment at the School's Hospital for Small Animals and we are very appreciative of the tremendous support from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust."

The British Veterinary Association is calling on its members to consider standing in the upcoming elections for the organisation's primary representative body, BVA Council.

According to the association, there has been overwhelming support for changes to the Council structure which will see it slimmed down to 41 members, including 12 regional representatives for the UK. For the first time all UK members will have a directly elected representative on Council.

The BVA is now looking for members to stand as regional representatives in the 9 English government regions, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

• Nominations open on 1^st November and close on 15^th December 2010
• Elections will be held between 10^th January and 18^th February 2011

Ideal candidates must be committed to promoting the ideals of the BVA and the veterinary profession in general and have a willingness to devote time and effort to representing the members in their region. The BVA is developing an online communication structure to help regional representatives reach their members quickly and easily. Representatives will be expected to gather views and ideas to ensure there is a genuine two-way communication process between BVA Council and the wider membership. Regional representatives will also receive dedicated BVA staff support.

The BVA has written to every member with a copy of the role profile and details of how to nominate themselves. Any UK BVA members can nominate themselves for their region with a supporting statement of up to 500 words. All details are available on the BVA website www.bva.co.uk/councilchanges .

The Council will continue to be served by representatives from the BVA's specialist divisions, the chairs of the BVA's five standing committees, two recent graduates, three past presidents and the BVA's three officers. In addition there will be representatives from BVA Scottish Branch and BVA Welsh Branch and two non-voting representatives from BVNA and VPMA.

Harvey Locke, President of the BVA, said: "We want BVA Council to really drive our Association but it can only do that with representatives who are willing to communicate directly with the members in their region, bringing opinions and ideas to meetings and feeding back afterwards.

"Members should not rule themselves out of veterinary politics by saying they are 'just an ordinary vet'. We are looking for anyone who is committed to improving the BVA and who has good communication skills. It doesn't matter what your background is, it's about what you can offer to members in your region."

Andrew Parker, Cornwall Veterinary Association representative on BVA Council, added: "It is a privilege to be a member of BVA Council representing the diverse views of grassroots vets. There is certainly a time commitment, but it is a very rewarding and enjoyable experience and I see it as a way of giving something back to the profession which has given me a privileged working life.

"It is also a fantastic way to meet other veterinary surgeons from a wide range of backgrounds to share thoughts and ideas both on a political front and clinically. I would urge anyone with an interest in the future of our profession and our Association to stand as a regional representative."

Scientists at the Royal Veterinary College, contributing to a programme to tackle some of the most harmful and widespread endemic diseases that commonly affect farmed animals in the UK, have developed a severity estimation calculator for post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS).

Post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) is a common disease of young pigs in the U.K. It is extremely debilitating, causes considerable suffering and poor welfare, and has a high mortality of up to 30%. It is estimated that the disease costs the UK farming industry £30m per year.

The £2.4m project - headed by Professor Dirk Werling from the Royal Veterinary College and funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) through its "Combating Endemic Diseases For Farm-Animal Sustainability" programme (CEDFAS), the British Pig Executive (BPEX), and two industrial partners, Pfizer Ltd (UK) and BioBest - aims to identify why PMWS occurs and to develop new methods of controlling the disease.

One key-component of the project is the direct involvement of British pig farmers, thereby guaranteeing that pigs in Britain will be the first to benefit from this research, while collaboration with a major international pharmaceutical company will ensure that new veterinary products will be made available to pig farmers worldwide.

Now, two members of the team, Dr. Barbara Wieland and Pablo Alarcon-Lopez, a second year PhD student, have developed a novel approach to quantify severity of PMWS based on morbidity and mortality data and presence of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). They applied factorial analyses, using data collected from 147 pig farms in England to identify variables contributing to variation in PMWS severity in a biologically meaningful way.

Together with other known variables linked to PMWS, the resulting factors were used to derive an algorithm for PMWS severity. The derived algorithm was used to develop a PMWS severity calculator, which now can be used by farmers directly to assess the PMWS severity on their own farm (http://www.bpex.org.uk/articles/300874).

The levels of PMWS severities identified on farm level can now be used to identify risk factors related to the different severity-categories, to assess the efficacy of PCV2 vaccination and to investigate the economic impact of potential control measures on a farm.

Medivet is celebrating its 100th batch collection for Vet Blood Supplies, the north London-based bloodbank set up in 2007 to provide blood products for its branches around the country.

Veterinary nurse Laura Brind, who is responsible for collecting the blood, said: "We are really proud to celebrate the 100th collection. We travel to Retired Greyhound Trust kennels across south-east England who kindly agreed to arrange the donation in return for free preventative treatment for the dogs."

The collection was taken from Barn Kennels, the Portsmouth branch of the Retired Greyhound Trust, which has been donating blood for the past 18 months.

Cat Professional is carrying out a survey to assess the use of Zylkène in cats with idiopathic cystitis (FIC), and is looking for owners whose cats are using the treatment to complete an online survey.

Zylkène is a nutritional supplement which has been reported to have positive effects in managing stress in cats and dogs. Zylkène is commonly used for reduction of stress in cats with FIC.

Veterinary practices that agree to help Cat Professional recruit clients whose FIC cats are receiving Zylkène will receive:

• A print copy of our book 'Caring for a cat with lower urinary tract disease' by Dr Sarah Caney and Professor Danièlle Gunn-Moore  
• A supply of flyers to hand out to owners eligible to participate in the survey. The flyer will explain the purpose of the survey and how owners can access it. In return for completing the survey, owners will receive a complimentary electronic copy of our book on FLUTD.

On completion of the survey, participants will receive a free electronic copy of the book 'Caring for a cat with lower urinary tract disease'.

For more information on the study, please visit our website: http://www.catprofessional.com.

The survey is accessible from the home page or directly at http://www.catprofessional.com/urinary-survey.html

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has produced a new medicine record book to help producers effectively document animal health product usage, to coincide with the cattle pneumonia season.

The Resflor-sponsored booklet incorporates space to record all the necessary information to comply with legislative requirements.

Intervet/Schering-Plough livestock veterinary adviser Paul Williams MRCVS said: "If you are in the business of rearing, producing or treating farm animals that will end up as food for human consumption, you must keep a record of any veterinary medicinal product you give or treat them with.

"You must also keep proof of purchase of all veterinary medicinal products and keep all your records for a period of five years. A format for keeping all these records is set out in this book."

To order Resflor medicine record books to give your clients, ring: 01694 731777

The Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has approved a new Health Protocol, which formalises a more compassionate approach to veterinary surgeons with health problems.

The Protocol will allow - in appropriate circumstances - veterinary surgeons (and, from next year, registered veterinary nurses) who suffer from health concerns affecting their ability to practise safely, to have the matter dealt with confidentially, without going to a full public Disciplinary Committee hearing.

It will allow individuals to access appropriate support and help away from the public spotlight, while ensuring that they do not put animals or the public at risk.

According to independent legal advice sought by the College, such an approach is appropriate and necessary in order for the College to fulfil its regulatory responsibilities - similar systems exist within other regulators.

The draft Protocol was the subject of consultation amongst the profession and the public over summer. Proposed amendments to the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct, to support the introduction of the Health Protocol, were also approved in the November meeting.

RCVS Head of Professional Conduct, Gordon Hockey said: "The Protocol encourages anyone coming into contact with veterinary surgeons - including other veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, members of practice staff, clients and healthcare professionals - who have concerns about a veterinary surgeon's health to report those concerns to the RCVS as soon as is reasonably practicable.

"Veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses who are concerned about the health of a veterinary surgeon must also take steps to ensure that animals are not put at risk and that the interests of the public, including those of their colleagues, are protected."

HMRC has published advice concerning the forthcoming increase in the rate of VAT, from 17.5% to 20% on Tuesday 4th January 2011.

From 4th January, you will need to charge the new 20% VAT rate on all standard-rated sales you make and all retail takings your receive.

The new VAT fraction for the 20 per cent rate is 1/6 (used to calculate the VAT element of standard-rated gross takings).

If your business issues VAT invoices, you must use the new 20 per cent rate for all VAT invoices you issue on or after 4 January, which are issued within 14 days (or longer period that has been agreed with HMRC) of you providing the goods or services.

Supplies that span the rate change
If you supply goods or services before 4 January 2011, but issue a VAT invoice on or after that date, you can choose to charge VAT at 17.5 per cent.

Continuous supplies of services
For a contract that started before 4 January you can choose to charge the old rate, 17.5 per cent, on services actually performed before 4 January, and the new rate of 20 per cent on the value of services actually performed after.

Reclaiming VAT
From 4 January 2011, you may receive VAT invoices with the new 20 per cent rate, as well as VAT invoices with the old 17.5 per cent rate for goods or services you bought before the rate changed. In such cases, you should claim back VAT at the rate shown on the invoice.

Completing a VAT return
The deadlines for submitting VAT returns remain the same, so you should continue to submit VAT returns in the usual way - whether you send them monthly, quarterly or annually. For returns that span the change in rate, you will need to add together both the VAT on sales charged at 17.5 per cent and those charged at 20 per cent. You then put this total in box 1 of your VAT return.

Countering arrangements designed to take advantage of the VAT rate change
In order to counter businesses taking advantage of the VAT rate change by making arrangements that aim to apply the 17.5 per cent VAT rate to goods or services to be delivered or performed on or after 4 January 2011, anti-forestalling legislation has been introduced. Further details of this can be found in the web link below.

Further information
HMRC has published detailed guidance on the rate change, which can be found at www.businesslink.gov.uk/vatratechange/. 

Animalcare has launched Florgane, a novel, patented, long acting florfenicol 300mg/ml suspension which the company says has significant advantages over existing organic solvent-based florfenicol products on the market when used for the treatment and prevention of bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

Florgane is an aqueous, low viscosity advanced formulation, which, claims Animalcare, means that it is easier to inject even at temperatures as low as 5°C. Low temperature syringeability is important, as a large number of calves may need to be treated during colder weather at a time when the challenge from infectious agents is greatest. A syringeability study apparently demonstrated that Florgane is up to five times faster to administer when compared to the leading florfenicol non-aqueous formulation.

A paper on the treatment of naturally occurring respiratory disease with Florgane was presented recently at the British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) Congress in Torquay. According to the company, the multi-centre field studies in Belgium, Germany and Italy, in over 400 cattle with bodyweights ranging between 73-180kg, demonstrated that Florgane given by a single intramuscular injection, at a 25% lower dose of 30mg/kg, is as efficacious as non-aqueous florfenicol 40mg/kg administered by subcutaneous injection, measured by treatment success and relapses.

Post mortem examination at day 27 (meat withdrawal of 37 days) confirmed that, despite being given via the intramuscular route, Florgane is well tolerated at the site of injection due to its aqueous base and physiological pH. Maximum volume per injection site is 15ml allowing calves up to 150kg to be treated.

Animalcare adds that a further advantage of Florgane is that it persists in plasma above the MICs for the three most common pathogens for significantly longer than conventional extended action 300mg/ml florfenicol solution preparations -  thereby prolonging bacterial killing time. Therefore, owing to its improved bioavailability and excellent pharmacokinetics, Florgane can be given at an easy to remember dose of 1ml per 10kg.

Tony Liepman, Marketing Manager at Animalcare said: "Using Florgane will result in faster administration, resulting in less stress for the calves and a saving in time and money for the farmer."

Florgane is presented in polypropylene 100ml and 250ml multi-dose vials with a three year shelf-life.

For more information, visit www.animalcare.co.uk

The British Veterinary Association has contacted the BBC programme 'Countryfile' following the broadcast of an item on identifying wild ponies in North Wales using 'ear marking' on 31st October 2010.

The programme visited a farmer in Snowdonia during the annual health check during which the wild ponies are brought into the town with support from the Countryside Council for Wales. During the programme presenter Jules Hudson asked the owner of the ponies, farmer Gareth Wyn Jones, how he can tell which pony is which. Gareth Wyn Jones explained that each pony has 'special ear marks' and there was footage of ponies with both ear tags and ear notches (marks or cuts). However, ear notching is no longer permitted under the Animal Welfare Act.

The BVA contacted Countryfile expressing concern at the programme's contents and asking for a clarification to be made. Countryfile responded to explain they were not aware of the law in relation to ear notching and tagging but that they would undertake to clarify the facts in a future programme.

The BVA has also been contacted by the pony welfare charity People4Ponies expressing concern about the ongoing practice of ear notching and tagging in England and Wales.

In light of the programme the BVA is asking its members to remind horse and pony-owning clients that ear tagging and ear notching are not permitted in Great Britain under the Animal Welfare Act as they do not appear in the list under Schedule 1 of the Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) Regulations 2007 (or under the Animal Health and Welfare [Scotland] Act).

Since July 2010 there has been a legal requirement that all horses and ponies are permanently identified by microchip (with some small exceptions) and the BVA believes this removes the need for any other form of identification, such as ear marking and hot branding, even for wild equids.

The BVA will also contact Local Government Regulation (the new name for LACORS - the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services) and the Welsh Local Government Association to ensure that those with responsibility for policing animal health and welfare legislation in England and Wales are taking the appropriate action.

Harvey Locke, President of the British Veterinary Association, said:  "This is a simple fact of legality and it appears there was widespread ignorance of the rules amongst all those taking part in the programme.

"As veterinary surgeons we have a responsibility to work with clients to ensure they are complying with animal health and welfare legislation. Ear mutilations are not permitted and we must make sure that message is reaching horse and pony owners.

"The BVA will also be contacting those responsible for enforcing the legislation relating to ear mutilations in horses and ponies to make sure the law is being policed."