Companion Care has opened its 80th surgery, within the Ilford Pets at Home store.

Companion Care Vets managing director, Jane Balmain said: "The opening of our 80th surgery proves the success of our joint venture partner business model. At present the majority of our surgeries are located inside Pets at Home stores but we also have four very successful standalone surgeries. Our standalone surgery network is now being developed to create further exciting opportunities for future growth, with our first new standalone surgery opening in Scotland this December."

Joint venture partner and veterinary surgeon at Companion Care Vets Ilford Alberto Arciniega said: "Alongside the fantastic team we have on board, my partners Nick and Claire and I are extremely proud to be opening our second surgery here in Ilford. Having been partners at the Romford surgery since July 2009 we have seen the company grow consistently and successfully. We feel honoured to be opening the groups' 80th surgery and look forward to the challenge of managing both practices and to delivering outstanding veterinary care."

With 102 Joint Veterinary Partners, 83 of whom are veterinary surgeons, 12 veterinary nurses, 6 practice managers and 1 receptionist and a further 789 staff employed by the group Companion Care Vets is one of the largest veterinary employers in the UK. Dividend payments to joint venture partners in the 2010/2011 period totalled £2.181 million and the group says it plans to open a further 10 surgeries across the UK before the end of year.

Elanco has announced the results of a challenge study which the company says demonstrates the ability of Duvaxyn IE-T Plus equine influenza vaccine to cross protect against A/equi-2/Richmond/1/07 (H3N8) two weeks after a two dose primary course¹.

The study, conducted by the Animal Health Trust, involved two groups of EIV seronegative horses. The first group, consisting of seven vaccinates, were given two dose of Duvaxyn IE-T Plus, 28 days apart, and challenged with A/equi-2/Richmond/1/07 (H3N8) virus strain 14 days after the second vaccination. The second group of unvaccinated horses was challenged at the same time. Duvaxyn IE-T Plus caused a statistically significant reduction in both clinical signs of the disease and in viral shedding.

According to Elanco, this is believed to be the first demonstration of cross protection by a current UK equine influenza vaccine against a Florida sub-lineage clade 2 reference strain.

The OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) updated its equine influenza vaccine recommendations in 2010 to reflect the fact that all field strains characterised through 2008 and 2009 were of clade 1 or 2 of the Florida sub-lineage. The antigenic difference between viruses of these clades could potentially compromise the effectiveness of vaccines containing a representative of a single clade².

Anna Jackson, national veterinary manager for Elanco Companion Animal Health, said:  "Whilst no vaccine has been updated to match the current OIE recommendations, the results of this challenge study provide reassurance that horses vaccinated with Duvaxyn will be protected against clinical signs of disease caused by currently circulating strains of equine influenza, including those the OIE have identified as being of concern."

Duvaxyn IE-T Plus is an inactivated whole virus equine influenza vaccine, adjuvanted with an aqueous-based adjuvant. Elanco says that experts in the field of human vaccination have expressed the view that whole virus vaccines have the potential to induce a stronger and more broadly-based response to circulating influenza strains than those contained in sub-unit vaccines because of the presence of the full set of virus proteins in the vaccine³.

References:

• 1. ECAH study: AHT study ID C012/01
• 2. OIE. Office International des Epizooties Bulletin (2010), 2 pp.44-45
• 3. Meeting Notes: 3rd WHO meeting on evaluation of pandemic influenza prototype vaccines in clinical trials, 15-16 February 2007, WHO, Geneva

Petsavers, the charitable division of the BSAVA, is calling for entries to its 2012 digital photography competition, this year themed 'Best Buddies'.

The competition is open to entries from pet owners and veterinary professionals alike. The judges will be looking for qualities like humour and character in the photos, as well as photographic skill.

If you need a little inspiration, you can see the winning images from previous years on the BSAVA website.

The competition has two categories: Adult (16 and over) and Junior (under 16). First prize in each category is £200 in photography vouchers, second prize is £100 in photography vouchers and third prize is £50 in photography vouchers. The closing date is Thursday 26 January 2012. To enter the competition, email your photographs to info@petsavers.org.uk. An application form must also be submitted; this can be emailed with your photograph or alternatively you can print and fax the form to BSAVA at 01452 726701.

Petsavers is also encouraging practices to help promote the competition by displaying leaflets in practice, and telling clients about it.

More information is available by emailing: info@petsavers.org.uk or visiting www.petsavers.org.uk/.

Vets Now Ltd, the provider of out-of-hours emergency vet care has announced the acquisition of Salus Quality Partnerships (QP), a Health and Safety service provider to the veterinary profession in the UK.

Vets Now says this acquisition will extend the range of its services aimed at improving the quality of life within the profession and supporting practices to run more efficiently.

Vets Now currently runs 50 emergency clinics throughout the country including two referral hospitals in Scotland and the South West of England. In recent years Vets Now has extended its offering to the profession to include business services aimed at supporting vet practices. These services include Lifelearn (Client Education & Compliance), Staff Training Services, RCVS Practice Standards support and Practice Web services.

Salus QP, which has been running for over 18 years, offers veterinary practices information and services to help them comply with Health and Safety legislation and an anaesthetic monitoring service.

Richard Dixon, Founder of Vets Now said: "Our core purpose at Vets Now has always been to improve the lives of vets and pets, and the recent addition of Salus QP will help to do exactly that. The Salus QP team, led by Mark Enright and Alison Clark, have extensive knowledge in their field and crucially they fully understand the issues as they specifically apply to veterinary practices. With Salus QP our aim is to keep it simple and practical, helping practices fulfil their obligations without letting the Health and Safety tail wag the practice dog. I am very much looking forward to working with both Mark and Alison in the future as we take a fresh and common sense approach to Health and Safety in our profession."

Mark Enright said: "Salus QP and Vets Now both share a strong commitment to the veterinary profession and I truly believe that together we will be greater than the sum of our parts.  I look forward to a future of innovations and benefits for all, and to continue to form quality partnerships within the veterinary profession."

Eurovet Animal Health has launched Marbiflox 10%, a new marbofloxacin preparation for the treatment of respiratory infections in cattle and pigs.

Eurovet says the product can be used flexibly to provide a single dose treatment, with a concentration-dependent effect and a relatively short withdrawal period. Marbiflox can be administered intravenously, subcutaneously or intramuscularly in cattle or intramuscularly in pigs.

The main indications, with reference to good prescribing practice, are for the treatment of respiratory infections caused by sensitive strains of Pasteurella multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica, and Histophilus somni and acute forms of mastitis induced by marbofloxacin-sensitive Escherichia coli strains, during lactation. In pigs the main indication is in the treatment of MMA (metritis mastitis agalactia syndrome).

Further information about Marbiflox and the complete Eurovet range of products is available from Eurovet Animal Health. www.eurovet-ah.co.uk/.

MSD Animal Health has launched Zuprevo Cattle,  which contains a novel antibiotic molecule to help combat bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

Zuprevo Cattle contains the active ingredient tildipirosin (180mg/ml), a new 16-membered, tribasic macrolide unique to animal health. It is licensed for the treatment and prevention of BRD associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida and Histophilus somni.

According to MSD Animal Health livestock veterinary adviser Paul Williams MRCVS, the new product works extremely quickly in the animal, as well as offering the longest duration of activity in the lungs of all the macrolide antibiotics currently on the market. He says it is also extremely convenient to use: "Zuprevo is readily absorbed by the animal, reaching peak plasma concentrations within 23 minutes of injection. Zuprevo is readily distributed around the body and reaches lung concentration well above MIC₉₀ for all of the three BRD target pathogens within four hours of administration. In addition, it maintains lung concentration above the MIC₉₀ for up to 28 days, which will appeal to many practitioners."

Paul says that it is Zuprevo's 16-membered, tribasic macrolide structure that allows it to deliver these significant pharmacological benefits for the management of BRD in cattle: "Zuprevo works by diffusing into the bacterial cell where its binding action inhibits protein synthesis of the bacterial ribosome. Its unique 16-membered, tribasic structure enables enhanced penetration of the bacterial cell wall, as well as having the ability to bypass some potential bacterial resistance mechanisms."

Paul says Zuprevo also offers vets and their farmer clients important practical usage advantages: "Zuprevo is an easily syringeable solution for injection available in convenient 20ml, 50ml and 100ml vial sizes to suit different usage requirements. At a dose rate of 1ml/45kg, it offers the lowest macrolide dose volume per kg of bodyweight. At 47 days, Zuprevo also has the shortest macrolide meat withdrawal period." 

Further information on this new macrolide antibiotic is available from the MSD Animal Health territory managers or by calling the company's Veterinary Services Group on 01908 685685.

Woodley Equipment has become the UK distributor for the full portfolio of SpotChem products from Japanese manufacturer, Arkray.

The range of products includes:

• The SpotChem EZ, an automated clinical chemistry analyser offering 22 parameters with single and multistrip panels. A maximum of 9 parameters can be tested during a single analysis using dry biochemistry techniques. With its built-in centrifuge and compact design, Woodley says it is ideal for the in-house veterinary laboratory.
• The SpotChem EL, an electrolyte analyser with ion-sensitive electrodes which simultaneously test sodium, potassium and chloride. The EL produces test results in 60 seconds.
• The PocketChem BA, which provides emergency blood ammonia measurement in the palm of your hand. Woodley says the PocketChem UA provides rapid and precise urinalysis results in 60 seconds and provides accurate results with protein/creatinine ratio calculation.

For more information about the new SpotChem analysers, visit: www.woodleyequipment.com/, email: sales@woodleyequipment.com or call on +44(0)1204 669033.

The NOAH Code of Practice Committee, chaired by Mr Guy Tritton, has found Dechra Veterinary Products in breach of three items of the NOAH Code, following a complaint.

The complaint related to an advertisement and detailer promoting Felimazole with the wording "Are you taking a heavy-handed approach to hyperthyroidism?" and "with Felimazole, you don't have to!"

The Committee took the view that by implication this referred to Vidalta because Vidalta is the only other licensed oral treatment on the market for hyperthyroidism.

As a result, the Committee found both promotions in breach of Clause 4.3 because of the implication that Vidalta is less safe than Felimazole.

The Committee did not consider the promotions disparaged the manufacturer as there is no evidence to show it is unsafe.

The Committee also found that the table in the detailer (page 4) suggesting that one dosage of 5 mg per day of Felimazole has the same efficacy as two doses of 2.5 mg, (which is contrary to the dosing statement within the SPC: "If, for reasons of compliance, once daily dosing with a 5 mg tablet is preferable, then this is acceptable although reduced efficacy can be expected compared to a twice daily regime.") was misleading, contrary to Clause 4.3 of the Code.

Full details of the Committee's rulings are on the NOAH website at www.noah.co.uk/code.  The full report of this particular case will be available shortly.

Carl Padgett has been elected President of the British Veterinary Association for 2011/2012.

Carl graduated from Glasgow University in 1989 and spent most of his career as a large animal practitioner. He is now a director of Bay Vets Ltd in Lancaster, and has particular interests in cattle health, production and welfare, veterinary politics and the role the profession has to play in the wider livestock industry and the companion animal world.

A former president of the British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) and recent Chairman of Trustees of the BVA Animal Welfare Foundation, Carl has been involved in veterinary politics for over 15 years.

Carl said: "My representative roles for BVA, and prior to that BCVA, have enabled me to understand and realise my interest in the veterinary profession: ensuring the profession has a voice and our place in society is valued.

"Our multi-disciplinary education and training places the profession in a unique position to deliver a healthy future at many levels: representing the health and welfare of animals committed to our care, protecting the consumer by ensuring food safety and security at national and international levels by working within the agricultural world and ensuring public health in a variety of ways. Vets are not just part of the leisure industry making animals better; we fill a much wider role in underpinning society and its contact with animals at all levels.

"And so to the future. Although we do indeed live in a changing world, many of the challenges we face as a profession continue through from one President to the next, as they span beyond the year-long term of office. Over the last couple of years BVA has made a lot of progress on a number of policy issues and, in some instances, our lobbying efforts have paid off with Government announcements and new legislation reflecting our endeavours. Looking ahead, much of the coming year will be about putting those policies into practice, and that's why the theme of my presidential year will be 'Delivering a healthy future'.

"I am proud and honoured to be elected BVA President to continue serving the membership as part of the BVA Officer team."

Peter Harlech Jones was elected BVA President-elect for 2011/2012 at the same time.

Pfizer is giving away a free equine weigh tape with every purchase of Equest & Equest Pramox (while stocks last), to help encourage accurate treatment against encysted small redworms this season.

According to the company, Equest & Equest Pramox are the only wormers in the UK that treat encysted small redworm in a single dose. Using a weigh tape to work out their horse's weight will help your clients avoid under dosing, which increases the risk of resistance development.

Pfizer says small redworms are the most common worms found in horses today. They can pose a very serious health risk to horses and it's important for owners to make sure that they are treated properly during the autumn or early winter.

Small redworms can grow up to 2.5cm in length and are thin and reddish in colour. Small redworm eggs are passed in the faeces and then hatch on pasture and continue to develop into more advanced larval stages before being ingested by the horse as it grazes. The larvae burrow deeply into the wall of the gut where they encyst and may account for up to 90% of the redworm burden in the horse¹. Encysted small redworm will not show up in a Faecal Worm Egg Count - even if the horse has shown a negative or low count it could still be harbouring several million encysted small redworms².

Encysted small redworms can remain dormant inside a horse for up to two years, but they usually 'wake-up' in late winter or early spring, developing and emerging from the gut wall all at the same time. In severe infestations mass emergence can lead to a disease syndrome known as 'larval cyathostominosis', causing diarrhoea and colic with up to a 50% mortality rate³. Young horses of less than six years of age can often be at higher risk of the disease³ but small redworm can cause life-threatening illness at any time of year and in any age of horse.

Ben Gaskell, Pfizer's veterinary adviser said: "Treating encysted small redworms successfully in the late autumn or early winter is important to avoid the risk of larval cyathostominosis. It's important to advise your customers to choose a product that is licensed to treat the worms they are targeting and that they give the correct dose, by weighing their horse beforehand, as this will help preserve the efficacy of the drug used."

Pfizer's Does your wormer measure up campaign is backed with point of sale materials and a media campaign. To receive a free weigh tape, valued at £7 your clients need to buy a tube of Equest or Equest Pramox, fill in an application form and send Pfizer the batch and expiry flap from the pack. Pfizer will then send them a FREE Weigh Tape while stocks last.

For further information contact your Pfizer Account Manager.

References

1. Bairden K. et al (2001) Veterinary Record 148, 138-141
2. Dowdall S.M.J. et al (2002) Veterinary Parasitology 106, 225‑242
3. McWilliam H. et al (2010) International Journal for Parasitology 40, 265-275

Norbrook has launched a new iPhone app designed to give veterinary professionals essential pharmaceutical product information at the touch of a button.

The Norbrook Veterinary Excellence Tool includes information on the company's full range of animal health medicines including pharmaceutical presentation, uses, dosage and administration, withdrawal periods, contraindications & warnings and pharmaceutical precautions.

Mr Jorge Rodrigues, General Manager at Norbrook said: "Norbrook is committed to providing the best possible service to our customers. Time is a precious commodity for veterinary professionals and with the range of products on the market it can be very time-consuming to access essential product information. We have designed the Norbrook VET app to give our customers a quick and easy reference tool for all our products with the facility to filter searches for product information by species, category or brand. And of course the beauty of the iPhone app is that the information is accessible anytime, anywhere so if a customer is out at a client's premises, in their practice or at home, the information is readily available."

The Norbrook VET app also has a facility which will keep users up-to-date with relevant industry and company news and a dedicated Contact Us section which will allow customers better communication channels with the company.

Katie Norton, Web SEO Marketing Co-ordinator said: "It is our intention that the Norbrook VET app will become a key communication channel with our customers. The app will be updated regularly and we will continue to add new features to enhance the service we offer to our valued customers."

The Norbrook VET iPhone App is available to download direct from the iTunes store.

Parasitologists from ESCCAP (European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites) have been voicing their concern over the implications of the imminent changes to the UK's DEFRA-run Pet Travel Scheme (PETS).

Under the new regulations, which take effect from Jan 2012, tick control will no longer be mandatory. According to ESCCAP, a recent study has demonstrated that a population of exotic tick species has already become established in the south-east of England¹. With up to 15,000 animals travelling under PETS each month, the possibility of exotic ticks (and their associated tick-borne diseases) entering and establishing in the UK becomes increasingly likely. The European Parliament has yet to rule on mandatory tapeworm control. The decision will impact on the future distribution of, and disease threat from, Echinococcus multilocularis.

ESCCAP UK is advising all veterinary surgeons to discuss the risks with their clients and to ensure they make an informed decision about tick control when the new legislation comes into effect.

In addition, the UK branch of ESCCAP is holding a free seminar in Bristol on 28^th October to highlight the role that veterinary practices can play in helping clients understand how the changes could impact upon their pet's health.

ESCCAP says the seminar will provide all the information clinicians need to have an informed dialogue with clients. Presentations will provide an overview of the impact of the changes to PETS in relation to rabies, Echinococcus and ticks, as well as advice about how to communicate the information to pet owners and the tools and support available.

Additional support includes ESCCAP UK's website http://www.esccapuk.org.uk/, which offers updates on the PETS situation, guidelines for parasite control programmes and podcasts for veterinary surgeons, nurses and pet owners. 

The seminar takes place at Engineers' House, The Promenade, Clifton Down, Bristol 
BS8 3NB.

To register, telephone: 01684 568998, or email: info@esccapuk.org.uk

Reference
1. Smith F D, Ballantyne R, Morgan E R, Wall R (2011) Prevalence, distribution and risk associated with tick infestation of dogs in Great Britain. Medical and Veterinary Entomology. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.2011.00954.x

CPD Solutions has launched four topic-specific veterinary webinar clubs for the veterinary profession, available to view at www.veterinarywebinars.com.

For veterinary surgeons, there are three clubs, one focussing on neurology, another on orthopaedics, and a final one on small animal practice. There is a fourth webinar club for veterinary nurses and technicians.  

Susie Coughlan, Managing Director at CPD Solutions said: "We have given a lot of thought to setting up these clubs so that they reflect what people really need from their CPD. Neurology and orthopaedics are always incredibly popular topics and many vets have told us that they feel that in these subject areas, rapid developments and new techniques can really change their approach to cases."

Each club provides a monthly live webinar, in afternoons or evenings and all webinars are available for club members to view after the live event at their convenience. Susie said: "We decided to limit the available webinars to one a month during the annual membership period because with the best will in the world, many vets and nurses have only a limited time available to spend on CPD and there is very little point in paying for a multitude of webinars that they will never have the time to attend. Part of the appeal of webinars is their low cost and value for money, although we know many vets and nurses put flexibility as to when and where they view as the most exciting attribute of webinar clubs."

CPD Solutions is offering a special launch price of £247 + VAT to anyone who joins a webinar club for one year before 10^th October (after which, the price rises to £327 + VAT per club). The offer includes a free CD/DVD which the company says is packed with content relevant to the club topic. All members can also access the full back catalogue of webinars relating to the topic.

For more details or to join a webinar club visit www.veterinarywebinars.com or call 0151 328 0444.