Researchers at the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies are to start testing whether a compound of cooling chemicals, extracted from mint, can be used to treat laminitis, a condition which affects seven per cent of the British horse population.

The new project, funded by The Horse Trust and led by Professor Sue Fleetwood-Walker, builds on recent work that revealed for the first time that, there is significant nerve damage, as well as inflammation, within the hoof of laminitic horses. This explains why anti-inflammatory drugs are so ineffective in treating the pain of chronic laminitis and highlights the need for therapies to treat nerve injury-induced or ‘neuropathic’ pain in horses.

Prof Fleetwood-Walker’s team discovered in 2006 that the ‘mint’ chemicals have a pain–killing effect in laboratory studies of chronic pain. They will now investigate whether this synthetic treatment could help horses with laminitis.

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

Dr Johanna Fink-Gremmels – Professor of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology at Utrecht University – has warned that UK cattle producers need to plan for an on-going struggle with feed-borne mycotoxins, and says vets need to help farmers understand and mitigate the negative impact on animal health.

Speaking to cattle vets at a CPD meeting organised by Alltech, she said: "When you see a general inflammatory response, such as elevated somatic cell count, mycotoxicosis should always be on your radar. The mycotoxin threat to cattle is increasing in the UK, yet it is often the most neglected causative issue on any list of pathogenic suspects."

Johanna explained that natural toxins produced by diverse fungal species are proliferating worldwide, partly as a result of global climate change, but also because of changing agronomic practices in developed countries. 

"Total mixed rations often now contain more than one fungal species, contributing to a complex mycotoxin picture and unresolved health issues in a herd as a result. Cow signals such as reduced feed intake, reproductive disorders, laminitis, mastitis, impaired liver function, a poor response to vaccination programmes and even increased susceptibility to bacterial and viral diseases can all be attributed to ingesting mycotoxin contaminated feed."

Johanna says the biggest challenge for UK dairy farmers is now multiple mycotoxin contamination of grass and maize silage. 

"Cattle health problems with feeding obviously mouldy silage are relatively well understood. But new harder to detect fusarium toxins – such as, for example, Enniatins and Beauvericin contaminating cereal grains – are also now being found in pasture grass in Northern Europe. These will also adversely affect the efficiency and function of the rumen.

"The rumen determines the health and productivity of the cow. When rumen bacteria are suffering the liver does not function correctly initiating a cascade of adverse events; and often a generalised inflammatory response is triggered, which leads to a loss of production."

Johanna added that in the future farmers will need select feed crop plants that are more resistant to fungal invasion and will also have to re-adjust tillage methods to reduce mould contamination. "However, we know that this alone will not stamp out mycotoxin contamination without creating a biological vacuum that will be filled with other micro-organisms.

"Consequently, it will be essential to continue to apply strategies such as rigorous on-farm risk assessment and the use of appropriate in-feed mycotoxin-sequestration agents (binders) to prevent the production-limiting and adverse health effects in our farmed livestock."

Vetlife has announced the launch of Active October, a campaign in which veterinary professionals are encourages to come together, get active and fundraise for the charity during the month of October.

Vetlife says the cost of running its Helpline, Health Support, and Financial Support services for the veterinary community is forecast to exceed the £1million mark for the first time in its history, and it is heavily reliant on donations from fundraisers.

If you'd like to support the charity's work and hold a fundraiser, you can do so individually or as part of a team.

First, you're asked to decide on a goal to set yourself or your team.

This could be an overall distance, a total step count, or to be active each day.

The more adventurous can set walking, running, cycling, swimming, kayaking, rock-climbing, or horse-riding goals.

Then create a fundraising page through JustGiving, so you can share the link and spread the word about your event.

Vetlife asks that you tag the charity in any pictures you share on on social media.

Vetlife Communications Officer Eve Ritchie said: “The links between physical activity and mental health are well documented.

"Active October, is the perfect opportunity to get your friends and colleagues together to boost your wellbeing and raise some much-needed funds for our charity.”

You can buy running vests and t-shirts from Vetlife through its website.

If you have any questions about fundraising for Vetlife, email: fundraising@vetlife.org.uk.

www.vetlife.org.uk 

81% of equine worming strategies are not effective in fight against resistance, because owners are not conducting an adequate level of faecal egg counts (FEC), according to a survey carried out by Countrywide, the supplier of equestrian products.

The company surveyed nearly 1,000 horse owners in collaboration with Westgate Laboratories, Norbrook and BW Equine Vets and found that 47% have never conducted an FEC test.

When asked about their current approach to worming, 59% of respondents said they worm at set times of the year with only 31% conducting regular FEC tests. 

Mark Hawkins, SQP at Countrywide, said: "With worms becoming resistant to some worming drugs, simply dosing all horses with routine wormers is not adequate. A targeted approach, which considers each horse as an individual, is needed."

Gillian Booth owner at Westgate Laboratories said: "The results show that the majority of horse owners are not updating their worming practice to match the increase in resistance and improvement in testing technology. Previous worming practices have led to the resistance problems we now have so it is vital that there is change." 

The survey found that veterinary surgeons and in store advisors are vital to promote change - 65% of respondents actively seek advice from their vet and Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) for worming and general health care.

Mark added: “A huge 99% of people worm their horse at least once a year; despite this 38% of horse owners do not know an accurate weight of their horse. Considering inaccurate dosing plays a large role with the increase in resistance this figure is very concerning. If you do need to treat, accurate dosing is essential.”

The survey found that 86% of respondents had wormed for tapeworm, making it the most wormed for parasite. Despite this, only 6% of horse owners had conducted a saliva test for tapeworm, and only 8% had conducted the more established ELISA blood test through their vet to prove the need for this worming dose. 

For a full breakdown of the survey results, visit: www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk/wormingsurvey.

Vets Now has opened the bookings for the UK’s for its emergency and critical care congress, which will take place online from 3rd to the 6th November 2021.

2021’s event will see over 70 hours of CPD across eight themes, with speakers including Megan Brashear and Helen Wilson, clinical lead for ECC at Langford Vets, University of Bristol.

RCVS President Mandisa Greene will open Congress with reflections from the past year. She'll be followed by the keynote speaker, Marie Holowaychuk, who will be sharing her knowledge and experience around health and wellbeing.

Dan Lewis – ECC specialist at Vets Now, who planned the veterinary Congress programme, said: “In 2020, the world of live events changed, and in November we delivered our first ECC virtual Congress to great success.

"Not only do we feel it is the right decision for everyone to continue our ECC Congress as a virtual event, but the format brings a huge number of opportunities for delegates, exhibitors and speakers, who joined us from all across the world.

"The interactive platform we’re using is cutting edge and it provides so much more than just webinars. Like last year, there will be live content, an interactive exhibition hall and more opportunities than ever for delegates to network and learn from some of the world’s leading veterinary experts discussing emergency and critical care. 

"Our programme again this year has been carefully tailored to provide an inclusive learning experience for vets and vet nurses no matter what stage they’re at in their career, from students through to specialists.

"All being well, we will be back in Leeds for the ECC Congress in November 2022.”
 
Full four-day tickets for delegates will range in price from £60 to £199 and ticket-holders will be able to access all the sessions on-demand for up to a month following the event.

To book your ticket, visit congress.vets-now.com

London-based Nicola Jane Gurrin MRCVS has been reprimanded and warned by the RCVS Disciplinary Committee after she prescribed an acne treatment for a human. 

Ms Gurrin faced two charges, the first being that she had issued prescriptions for Roaccutane tables, indicating they were for the treatment of an animal when they were in fact for a human.

The second charge was that Dr Gurrin’s conduct in relation to the first charge was dishonest and/or misleading, and took place in circumstances where Dr Gurrin was not professionally qualified to write a prescription for a human.

Ms Gurrin admitted the allegation in its entirety and the Committee therefore found it proved.

The College submitted that Dr Gurrin breached fundamental tenets of the Code of Professional Conduct and acted dishonestly and, as such, that the admitted facts amounted to disgraceful conduct.

The Committee accepted that Dr Gurrin’s conduct involved dishonesty, but took into account the context: that Dr Gurrin was seeking to help in continuing a course of medication that she understood to have been properly prescribed by a specialist physician.

Mitigating factors included the lack of artifice or sophistication in the drawing of the prescription and its presentation to the pharmacist, in that Ms Gurrin didn't invent an animal name or species, or any kind of elaboration or backstory when challenged by the pharmacist on the prescription.

In addition, there was no financial or other personal gain, it was a single isolated incident, it was a spur of the moment decision without reflection, no harm was caused or risked to any animal, Ms Gurrin had a long and previously unblemished career and lastly she showed insight into the offence.

The committee also took into account the character testimonials which showed Ms Gurrin not only to be an exceptional vet, but a dedicated professional who had nurtured a very strong team, and someone who is held in extraordinarily high regard by both her clients and colleagues.

There were no aggravating factors.

The Committee considered that the case was too serious to take no further action, but that there was no ongoing danger to the public or risk to animal health.

Kathryn Peaty, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee has reached the conclusion that it is appropriate to impose a reprimand and a warning in this case.

"It would serve no purpose to impose a more severe sanction of a suspension and deprive Dr Gurrin’s clients of her valuable service and to deprive Dr Gurrin of the opportunity to practise for however short a time.

"The Committee considered that it is right to recognise that this misconduct was an aberration in a fine career, which is not characteristic of this veterinary surgeon and which happened when she was off her guard and in circumstances when she was mistakenly trying to help another in what she thought was a safe way.

“The Committee therefore decided, in the particular circumstance of this case, to impose a reprimand and warning on the basis that it would be proportionate in order to maintain public confidence in the profession and declare and uphold proper standards of conduct and behaviour.”

Kruuse has announced that it is now the exclusive veterinary distributor in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand for Nurtured Pets' Anti-LickStrip pet plaster, a natural hypo-allergenic adhesive plaster that deters licking, biting and chewing.

Anti-LickStrip's plaster is made with active ingredients including cayenne pepper, oregano, lemon powder and peppermint that acts as a deterrent to the animal when sniffed, licked or bitten. The veterinary range of Anti-Lick products will be co-branded under the Kruuse 'Buster' brand as: Buster Anti-LickStrip (sizes: small, medium and large) Buster Anti-LickStrip Pro and Buster Anti-LickStrip Pro C.

Andrew Groom, Managing Director, Kruuse UK Ltd. said: "This agreement further expands Kruuse's small animal product portfolio with its customer in Scandinavia, mainland Europe and the UK; increasing the already extensive range of animal tamper deterrents available to the veterinary practitioner."

Lisa Huntsman, President, Lauren Manufacturing & Nurtured Pets said: "This exciting partnership will further expand our products presence within the veterinary industry expanding our delivery of focused health and wellness products to customers, using Kruuse's strong relationships within veterinary practices."

The RCVS has launched the new Practice Standards Scheme (PSS), which is now open for applications for both practice accreditations and the new system of PSS awards.

Speaking after today’s launch at the London Vet Show, which over 200 veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and practice managers attended, Practice Standards Group chair Jacqui Molyneux, said: "The new Scheme is all about offering a pathway to improvement for practices of all shapes and sizes that want to aspire to excellence, and then highlighting these achievements to the animal-owning public in a way that is clear and easy to understand.

"Over half of all veterinary practice premises in the UK are already RCVS-accredited, which is fantastic for a voluntary scheme, but we’d really like to help more practices to get on board. I hope that the improvements and exciting new benefits that we’ve developed will make the Scheme even more rewarding for existing members, and encourage more people to join."

The College says that the main changes to the scheme have been based on feedback from the profession and input from the Practice Standards Group (PSG), with the dual aims of making it more accessible for those practices which aren’t yet PSS members, and even more rewarding for those who are already accredited.

Whilst retaining the existing accreditation levels across small animal, equine and farm animal practices (current RCVS-accredited practices will be automatically transferred to the new Scheme), a new modular structure helps to make the Scheme more flexible and ensure all types of veterinary practice – from ambulatory services to veterinary hospitals – can join. This structure also recognises the contributions of the whole practice team, helping to raise standards across the board.

Once accredited, practices can now apply for a range of optional awards that focus on outcomes and behaviours in specific areas, such as ‘In-patient Service’, ‘Team and Professional Responsibility’ and ‘Client Service’. Designated at either ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’, these awards should help clients understand where a practice excels, and what skills and services are on offer, enabling them to make choices based on their needs and preferences.

The RCVS has also recruited and trained a new team of assessors, who will take more of an interest in listening to practice staff rather than just checking paperwork and equipment. It has also developed an online administration and support tool – nicknamed Stanley – to provide document storage, a calendar and a self-assessment function, to make the accreditation and awards application processes quicker and easier to manage.

As an introductory offer, the RCVS is now inviting applications from practices that would be willing to help with a final round of testing of the new Scheme, to be in with a chance to win one of 20 free assessment days, worth £350. The offer is open until Friday 4 December, and the first 20 practices drawn at random on 7 December will be allocated the free assessments. 

Full details about the draw, the new Scheme and how to apply for accreditation and/or awards are available at www.rcvs.org.uk/newpss. The new promotional video shown above can also be viewed here.

The Royal Veterinary College has been given a Gold award from the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) was introduced by the Government to build evidence about the performance of the UK’s higher education sector, with an analysis of teaching and learning outcomes.

Universities, colleges and alternative providers of higher education voluntarily took part in the TEF, and each provider was rated Gold, Silver or Bronze, or received a Provisional award where there was not enough data for a full assessment.

The TEF awards were decided by an independent panel of experts who measured excellence in three areas: teaching quality, the learning environment and the educational and professional outcomes achieved by students.

Professor Stuart Reid, Principal of the RVC, said: "I am delighted that the award of TEF Gold endorses and builds upon the RVC’s recognition as a global leader in veterinary education. As the only independent, internationally accredited school that offers education for the whole veterinary team, a commitment to delivering quality teaching is at the core of our business. The TEF Gold award is peer recognition that we meet the highest of standards, an achievement of which we can be justifiably proud."

The British Veterinary Association has given a cautious welcome to the merger of the Animal Health Agency (AH) and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) announced yesterday by Secretary of State Caroline Spelman.

Professor Bill Reilly, President of the BVA said: "On the face of it there could be significant benefits in merging these two key animal health organisations. Already, at local and national levels, the two agencies are required to work closely and if done properly we could have one body that is completed committed to animal health.

"However, every veterinary surgeon will want reassurance that the merger will not simply become another way to cut costs by reducing the number of people working on disease surveillance and research. It is vital that both organisations continue to deliver under the new body.

"The merger could have an impact on responsibility and cost sharing plans, the tendering exercise for Official Veterinarian (OV) work, and the future of animal health delivery in the devolved administrations. The BVA is therefore calling for a wide consultation on how the merged organisation will work to ensure the best for the veterinary profession, farming community and all other interested organisations."

The Born Free Foundation, British Veterinary Association, Captive Animals' Protection Society and the RSPCA have welcomed the Government's draft legislation to ban the use of wild animals in circuses in England, to be implemented in 2015.

The groups, which have worked closely together for a number of years on the campaign to seek an end to the use of wild animals in big tops in the UK said that they were "delighted" to see the ban brought forward in concrete terms.

A spokesperson, talking on behalf of all four leading organisations said: "We are pleased to see that the Government appear to have come good on their promise to ban the outdated practice of using wild animals in circuses.

"We have long argued that the complex needs of wild animals cannot be met in a travelling circus environment and were disappointed when the Government introduced a licensing regime earlier this year which appeared to legitimise a practice which we, and our hundreds of thousands of supporters, want to see abolished altogether.

"We are looking forward to seeing the ban fully implemented at the earliest opportunity".

BVA President Peter Jones said: "Whilst there are only 20 wild animals kept by two licensed circuses in the UK, their welfare is emblematic of the way we treat all animals."

The groups said that they would work to support Government in the formal enactment of the Bill and the Born Free Foundation and the RSPCA reiterated their pledge to offer to find safe homes for life for all wild animals currently being used in English circuses.