Kruuse UK has expanded the well-known Buster range of “elizabethan” collars with the introduction of a Buster Comfort Collar. This new design is softer and more flexible and features a soft rubber outer edge for better comfort for the animal and is kinder to its surroundings.
Kruuse says prolonged use can make the edges of strong, rigid plastic collars brittle and ragged, especially with active animals, which is why the Comfort Collar was developed to alleviate this problem in such situations. Manufactured out of environmentally-friendly 100 per cent polypropylene, these collars still feature the quick-fastening system found on the Buster Clic Collar and are fully transparent to allow the animal all-round vision. The Buster Comfort Collars are available in seven sizes ranging from 7.5 to 30cm. For further information, please contact: Andrew Groom, Country Manager, Kruuse UK Ltd. Telephone: +44 (0) 1977 681523. E-mail: andrew.groom@kruuse.com.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition has launched a new website - www.hillsweightloss.co.uk - featuring the company’s weight management programme to help address the UK’s spiralling pet obesity epidemic.
Nearly 50 per cent of pets are obese or overweight and the company hopes that the site will act as a valuable support tool for vets, providing clients with an interactive, tailored weight loss and exercise programme to follow with their cat or dog.
The website also includes a series of animated illustrations and videos to demonstrate how to check a pet’s Body Condition Score (BCS) by feeling its ribs along with feeding and exercise hints and tips.
To help keep pet owners motivated, the site features a weekly weight loss programme email newsletter consisting of additional support, handy tips and helpful reminders.
Libby Sheridan, veterinary affairs manager at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, comments: “Obesity in animals is soaring and the new website is a useful and effective support tool which advises on both diet and exercise regimes and helps keep owners and their pets on track to reach their target weight.”
Hill’s Pet Nutrition's pet foods to aid and maintain weight loss include Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d, m/d and r/d, which has recently been reformulated. In a recent trial, dogs fed Prescription Diet r/d lost 22 per cent of their body fat in eight weeks. Hill’s Science Plan Light can also help pets prone to weight gain. Science Plan NeuteredCat is formulated to meet the needs of cats that have been neutered as they are significantly different in their energy needs.
The BVA has welcomed Defra Secretary of Sate Hilary Benn's announcement on the arrival of the first batch of Bovilis(r) BTv8 vaccine in the UK.
Congratulating Intervet on the speed with which the vaccine had been developed BVA President Nick Blayney said: "This news represents a crucial stage in our fight against Bluetongue. The last few months have been a particularly busy time as the end of the vector-free period approached bringing with it the threat of more cases of Bluetongue."
BTv8 is devastating in its second season and the BVA was delighted to join with organisations from across the livestock sector to launch the Joint campaign Against Bluetongue (JAB).
"Our aim has been to achieve the mass vaccination of Bluetongue susceptible animals, including goats and camelids and since the veterinary profession is the corner stone of the vaccination programme, with responsibility for vaccine delivery, proper usage and monitoring for efficacy, BVA has been in overdrive through much of March and April trying to ensure that vets were fully up to speed in advance of the arrival of the vaccine. Now that the vaccine is here, having been granted a provisional marketing authorisation for use inside Protection Zones and classified as a POM-V, we have further updated our advice to the profession. Our one-page summary sets out key considerations for vets including meeting the "under our care" prescribing requirements, movement controls, doses, off-label use, distribution and storage and communication in the hopefully unlikely event of any suspected adverse reactions."
Mr Blayney was highly complimentary of the co-operation and shared sense of purpose demonstrated by all those involved with JAB and was proud that the message - Bluetongue - Don't Hesitate - Vaccinate! Contact Your Vet Today - had emphasised the unique role of the vet in the protection of animal health and welfare.
Pet Protect has launched a new website which includes a tool to compare the benefits of its pet insurance policies with others in the market.
The comparison deliberately excludes the cost of the policies. Pet Protect says that the aim is to "overcome the current preoccupation with price as principal means by which competitive products are evaluated".
It would be interesting to know what your experience is, talking to clients about insurance. Do you think that clients are receptive to buying insurance for the benefits, or do you think that price will always be their main concern?
Defra has today published reports from the Health and SafetyExecutive and Professor Brian Spratt, of Imperial College London,into the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Surrey. The report is available here.
Initial laboratory tests on the samples taken this morning from the cattle on the holding in Surrey where disease was suspected have indicated the presence of Foot and Mouth Disease. On the basis of these initial laboratory results and clinical symptoms Debby Reynolds, UK Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), has confirmed Foot and Mouth Disease. The farm comprises a number of separate parcels of land and a single Protection Zone will be put in place which extends a 3 kilometres radius from each of them, and a Surveillance Zone of 10 kilometres radius beyond that. Footpaths will be closed in the Protection Zone.
The Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons has unveiled a new logo in response to member feedback and a desire by the society to update its image to tie in with a more modern and campaigning approach. Here it is (roll of drums please):