A three-year scholarship for a residency in Rabbit and Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery has been announced by the University of Edinburgh's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

Based at the only veterinary school in the UK to have a dedicated Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service (EAWS), the post will be jointly funded by Dechra Veterinary Products and Companion Care (Services) Ltd.

The Resident appointed is qualified veterinary surgeon Jenna Richardson, who will undertake training and research over three years and undertake the RCVS CertAVP in Zoological Medicine. Jenna graduated from the veterinary school in 2008.

Head of EAWS, Dr Anna Meredith MA, VetMB, CertLAS, DZooMed, MRCVS, said the collaboration between the veterinary school and the companies would support work to increase the amount of information available to vets, to improve treatments for pet rabbits and exotics. She said: "The main focus of the residency programme will be on advancing clinical practice in the field of rabbit and exotic animal medicine, and disseminating this to the profession. Jenna will be involved in EAWS' ongoing outreach programme to veterinary practices and to rabbit and exotic pet owners to promote animal health and welfare.

"We are extremely grateful to both Dechra Veterinary Products and Companion Care Vets for committing the funding to support this important work in a rapidly expanding field for the veterinary profession."

Dechra Veterinary Products' Brand Manager Carol Morgan said: "We are delighted to be jointly funding this scholarship, with the work to advance clinical practice fitting well with our own commitment to developing services and products which support the veterinary profession."

Jane Balmain, Companion Care Vets' Managing Director, added: "The residency has been created because of the increasing popularity of rabbits and exotics as pets and both Dechra and Companion Care wish to support this growing field whilst providing vital support for the University of Edinburgh."

The Dechra/Companion Care Residency in Rabbit and Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery will also see the Resident's duties include diagnostic and medical management of cases; anaesthetic and surgical management of cases  and radiography and ultrasonography imaging.

Virbac has announced the launch of Canigen Lepto4 vaccine, which covers an additional two strains of Leptospirosis over its existing Canigen Lepto2 vaccine. 

The company says the new product is designed to give practices the flexibility to meet the needs of certain high-risk groups in the UK and in dogs which may be travelling abroad. 

Both vaccines are offered with technical training and support from Virbac. This includes a suite of educational and promotional resources to enable practices to engage with their clients and help to make informed decisions about Leptospirosis vaccination for their dog.

Sarah Walker MRCVS, Product Manager, said: "We are committed both to providing our practices with a full and flexible range of canine vaccines and to offering them all the support they need to advise their clients effectively on this important issue.  

"While Canigen Lepto2 is still perfectly suitable in many cases and provides a broad spectrum of protection, the launch of Canigen Lepto4 helps to offer a solution for those who may needed a broader degree of protection through being at a higher risk or those which travel abroad."

Dômes Pharma has produced a range of support materials to help vets educate pet owners on the early signs of eye conditions during National Pet Eye Health Awareness Week which this year runs from 16th – 22nd September.

The materials include a social media toolkit and a board kit, both designed to encourage owner awareness and more frequent conversations on eye health.

There is also a new CPD module, focused on ophthalmology.

The company is running a webinar on 24th September which focuses on management of dry eye and corneal ulcers for brachycephalic dogs

Campaign materials & VPD module: https://www.tvm-uk.com/national-pet-eye-health-awareness-week 

Webinar: https://thewebinarvet.com/webinars/take-a-closer-look-big-eyes-big-problems-ocular-issues-of-the-brachycephalic 

Pfizer has released the results of its first Performance Index (formerly the Fort Dodge Index) which shows mildly improved trading conditions for the companion animal veterinary market in the first quarter of 2011. 

Those aspects of veterinary business that showed an improvement in the first quarter of 2011 include: turnover growth (+0.8%, up from -0.1% in March 2010); client retention (+0.1%); the average number of visits per year (+ 0.17%); annual transaction value (+ 1.1%); average transaction value (+0.8% to £41.74); fee per product service (+0.2%) and products and services sold per visit (+0.6%).

Leveraged sales (typically pet-care products), which were down 2% (from 40% to 38%) in 2010, have increased 0.9% in the first quarter of 2011 to make up 39% of practice transactions.

Less positively and pointing to the need for veterinary practices to implement ongoing marketing initiatives, the number of new clients coming into practice is down (-0.4%) as is the number of active clients (-0.26%). Revenue from loyal clients (those that visit the practice for additional products and services, particularly vaccination and other preventative healthcare programmes) was static. Although flat growth is an improvement on previous reports, this is still a concern, as it is these clients who are the driver for revenue growth in many practices. 

Pfizer Business Consultant, Simon Fowler said: "Although the figures are only very slightly improved this does mirror what we are seeing in practices that we visit. Practice turnover growth of 0.8%, while only small, is much better than any quarter in 2010. So we may be seeing the first green shoots of recovery, but there's still no room for complacency. Before we all breathe a collective sigh of relief, however, it should be remembered that as this is the first report for 2011 it is only an early picture, while a fuller story will be gleaned from the second report, which will show results from the first six months of the year.

"What is clear is the need for practices to market themselves in order to attract new clients, increase growth from active clients and increase client loyalty. VetSupport+ includes a range of marketing services to help practices in this respect. A practice has already achieved TV coverage via our Public Relations support service, while others are using PressRoom newsletter templates to keep potential and existing clients up to speed with the practice's news."

Further information about Pfizer's VetSupport+ service is available at www.vetsupportplus.co.uk.

RCVS Knowledge has produced a series of free contextualised care discussion guides designed to help communication between veterinary professionals and clients.

The guides have been developed for vet teams to share with their clients and work through together, so that both sides are on the same page about owner values, pet welfare and behaviour, and diagnosis and treatment options.

A member of the veterinary team and the client can then work together to make decisions and provide quality care. 

One of the pet owners who helped develop the guides said: “I always get so worked up with vet consultations that I forget half of what they say, or feel like I didn’t tell them enough about my pet’s history.

"If the vet used these guides at my next consult, they would make me feel very at ease indeed!”

Pam Mosedale, Clinical Lead at RCVS Knowledge, said: “These guides offer a simple, actionable way to help deliver contextualised care in practice.

"To get started, run through the questions in the guide with a client, and see how this can help you devise a treatment plan with the information you’ve discovered.

"This helps you gain a fuller understanding of your patient’s care and wellbeing needs and your client’s circumstances and expectations.

"Ultimately, this will assist you in delivering quality care that aligns with the needs and expectations of your clients.”

There are three contextualised care discussion guides:

• The pre-consultation conversation guide for owners, which is designed to help pet owners prepare for a veterinary consultation and help the veterinary team identify any support areas they may need.
• Your pet’s wellbeing during treatment, which will help pet owners and the veterinary team identify how pets may react to certain treatments, and guide overall decisions on treatment plans.
• Conversation guide for delivering contextualised care, which  can be used to discuss treatment options with the owner, allowing for an in-depth discussion on what treatment will entail, and how this might impact both the owner and the patient. 

RCVS Knowledge is encouraging veterinary teams to adapt the guides to meet their individual needs. 

https://rcvsknowledge.org/contextualisedcare

COMMENT

Anything which helps clear communication between the owner and vet is surely to be applauded, and if owners are prepared to spend the time completing the pre-consultation guide, it would surely leave less room for error. 

However, arguably the greatest cause of friction between owners and vets is cost, and that is something only mentioned fleetingly, in the context of: 'Are there any other factors that may impact on the care of your pet? e.g planned holidays or financial concerns'.

Isn't it time to stop beating around the bush?

Isn't there an opportunity here for greater clarity over the level of spending a client is happy with?

Is there an acceptable form of words here to ascertain whether - regardless of whether they have financial concerns or not - the client is one of those who wants the cheapest solution to the problem, one for whom money is no object, or someone who sits somewhere in the middle?

Wouldn't that be more instructive than almost anything else?

DISCUSS HERE

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Trust is looking for a vet with a particular interest in veterinary education, professional development and research, to be a new trustee.

The RCVS Trust is an independent small charity that provides two key services to the veterinary profession to further education and animal welfare: an educational grants programme and a Library and Information Service.  It is seeking a trustee who can bring new contacts and ideas relevant to the work of the Trust.

The Trust is also seeking further 'lay' trustees with experience of library services, fundraising and grant-making.

The current Board members have a wide range of experience from academia, government, animal health and small and large animal practice, and veterinary nursing. However, there is room for some new Trustees to join and bring the Board up to full strength.

Stephen Ware, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said: "The Trust has an important role in supporting practising vets, veterinary nurses, researchers, students and academics through its grants programmes and library and information resources." 

"We are looking for a veterinary surgeon who is actively involved in the wider profession through networks and specialist interest groups, and who is willing to promote the work of the Trust, for example, at veterinary congresses.  Given the nature of the Trust's work, the new trustee should also have experience of postgraduate education or research.

"We need someone who has the energy and experience to get things done - and who can work with other trustees in a collegiate style."

Trustees serve an initial three-year term, spending around six days a year at meetings in London and conferences.  Reasonable expenses are reimbursed. Experience of charity governance and finance is not necessary as training and support will be given. 

Those interested in the role can contact Cherry Bushell, Director of the RCVS Trust, for an informal discussion and an application form.  The closing date for applications is 30 April.

Bayer Animal Health has produced a take home prescription guide to encourage pet owners to remain compliant with its antimicrobial, Veraflox (pradofloxacin).

The leaflet contains prescription details together with a treatment record and next appointment reminder. Group Product Manager Tracey Dawson said: "There is also a FAQ (frequently asked questions) section explaining why compliance is so important."

Bayer says the leaflet has been developed to help vets and VNs ensure pet owners are encouraged to be responsible with prescribed medicines. Tracey added: "The guide is designed to reinforce the information given by the prescribing vet, and answer further questions owners might have on arrival home or during the treatment."

Bayer highlights that Veraflox's mode of action helps reduce the potential for the development of resistant bacteria¹, but only if it is used correctly. Tracey said: "Although it might seem to be easy for pet owners to adhere to the advice given with prescribed medicines, especially with the more palatable options now available, it is very important that we help preserve the efficacy of the fluoroquinolone class by continuing to encourage strict client compliance through correct dosing, and finishing the course of antibiotics prescribed."

For further information, contact your Bayer Territory Manager or call Bayer Animal Health on 01635 563000.

Reference

1. Wetzstein HG. Comparative Mutant Prevention Concentrations of Pradofloxacin and Other Veterinary Fluoroquinolones Indicate Differing Potentials in Preventing Selection of Resistance.  Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2005;49(10): 4166-4173

    

Hill's Pet Nutrition has reported some early results from its '60 Tonnes in 6 Months' pet weight loss campaign, which started 2 months ago.

The company says that although there is only preliminary data available from 33 practices, it's clear that the campaign is working, with each practice involved reporting on average over 10 Kg weight loss from their patients. However, many practices are holding on to send in results until their patients have reached their final targets, so more data is expected. 

Hill's says that some practices have had great success using its PR kit, generating positive coverage in local newspapers. Sara Locke, Associate Customer Marketing Manager is reminding practices that January is the traditional time for 'dieting fever' to hit the headlines after the indulgencies of the festive season. She said: "If you have one of our PR kits, don't forget to send out your pro forma press release - it's not a big task to customise it with your practice details and you could find yourself making a big splash locally at a time when we know interest will be heightened."

As part of the campaign, Hill's has also produced a series of nurse webinars, the last of which was on exercise and rehabilitation programmes for overweight pets and contains tips on how to develop a personalised exercise programme that fits with the owner's lifestyle and reflects the pet's capabilities and level of mobility. The webinar can be viewed here: https://hillsvet.webex.com/hillsvet/lsr.php?AT=pb&SP=EC&rID=13881732&rKey=E1182C100CB53476

Further information is available from local Hill's Territory Managers or by calling Hill's on 0800 242438 or in ROI 1 800 626002.

Merial is asking veterinary surgeons to take part in a survey about current understanding of and attitudes to feline vaccination, to be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y5BFY96.

The results will complement Give Them Just What They Need, a new report being produced by the company which will contain relevant published data, owner insight, details of the latest vaccination guidelines and expert commentary. 

Vets who complete the survey will be entered into a draw for a £250 Red Letter Day voucher.

Claire Edmunds, product manager at Merial, said: "Our preliminary research has identified that many vets are unaware of the latest developments in feline vaccine technology and the benefits that these developments can offer in terms of important factors such as client compliance.

"This new campaign will gain insight from vets, cat owners and other key opinion leaders to create a report that will ultimately enable practice owners to make better informed decisions about feline vaccinations, communicate more successfully with clients and in turn grow their business.”

The survey will be live until the 13th September.

FMD
There is no change is situation of FMD we still have 7 IPs. The temporary control zone near Maidenhead, Berkshire should be lifted shortly.

Movements between the low risks and the risk areas are allowed using licence 450 but once the animal has entered risk area they cannot leave and become subject to the movement restrictions of the risk area.

BT
A fifth cow has proved positive on clinical signs on a new farm in the Ipswich area, however, it is still not possible to show spread within the country. The OIE is to be notified that cases of Bluetongue are occurring but there is still no evidence of transmission from animal to animal through vectors.

Four of the five animals with BT have been diagnosed on classical clinical signs as outlined in various articles.

For completeness all the signs have been in cattle and include:

• Mild pyrexia
• Depressed appetite
• General stiffness
• Painful reddened coronary bands
• Pitting oedema on head/neck particularly submandibular
• Hyperaemic planum nasale, nasal mucosae and vulva
• White mucopurulent nasal discharge
  
• Red erosions with fibrin tags at mucocutaneous junctions (not vessicles)
  
• Reddened painful teats
  
• Sluggish capillary refill time

Defra has announced the detection of Bluetongue in 18 imported cattle on premises near Bishop Auckland, County Durham.  The animals originated from within the BTV8 Restricted Zone in Germany and were detected as a result of post-import testing carried out by Defra on all Bluetongue susceptible animals arriving from Continental Europe. 

This is the fourth incidence of infected animals being imported to the UK.  Alongside the premises in East Sussex, Hertfordshire and Devon identified in August, the imported animals will remain under restrictions. 

As of 1 September the whole of England and Wales is now in a Protection Zone and approximately 30 million doses of vaccine have so far been made available to farmers throughout England and Wales to protect their stock.  However, it may take up to six to eight weeks from now for livestock keepers in the North of England and Wales to have had sufficient opportunity to vaccinate their livestock and to gain immunity (at least three weeks in sheep, and six weeks in cattle). 

To allow livestock keepers in those areas sufficient opportunity to protect their animals, and while further veterinary investigations are carried out, these particular infected animals will remain under restriction until late October.  Any further positive import cases detected may also be restricted for a period of time depending on veterinary risk assessment, while vaccination continues.

Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Alick Simmons said: "This incident shows how important it is for farmers to consider potential disease risks when buying stock, regardless of source.  Buyers need to consider how best to protect their own businesses and those of their neighbours and make sure they are clear about the stock they are intending to buy.

"I also want to remind farmers about the importance of vaccination.  It is the only effective tool to protect susceptible animals from Bluetongue.  Recent evidence indicates a drop or delay in vaccine take-up in counties recently brought into the Protection Zone. Sales data for some of those counties suggest that the number of animals vaccinated in these areas could be as low as one in three, and in Northumberland and Cumbria, the most recent counties brought into the Protection Zone, as low as one in five.

"The threat from Bluetongue is present and real, as shown by the most recent import cases.  Vaccination as a preventive measure is therefore more important than ever, so the message to the industry remains clear: don't hesitate, vaccinate".

VetSurgeon.org and Clinical Partners have joined forces to offer the profession two new sources of help coping with physical or mental illness in practice.

Clinical Partners is the UK’s largest private mental healthcare partnership, founded by VetSurgeon.org Editor Arlo Guthrie’s brother, Barny.

In addition to providing treatment for a wide variety of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety and addiction, Clinical Partners has now launched a ‘pay as you go' occupational health service through which practice principals and managers can get advice and support in dealing with illness in an employee. 

Helen Humphreys (pictured right), who heads the new service at Clinical Partners, said: "Working with employers, our job is usually to assess an employee’s fitness to work and then smooth their passage back to it, helping both parties through what can be a very difficult time."

In addition, Clinical Partners also offers Occupational Health Audits, for practices that want to make sure they are adhering to the highest standards when it comes to ensuring the health and wellbeing of their staff. 

To provide further support with matters relating to health and wellbeing in practice, VetSurgeon.org and Clinical Partners have launched a new Occupational Health Forum, where both practice owners/managers and employees can come and discuss workplace health issues (anonymously if needs be).

Arlo said: "Our forums have always been a popular place for members to come and seek the support and advice of others in the profession in times of need. My hope is that this new forum will not only continue that tradition, but also help promote and share best practice when it comes to keeping everyone mentally and physically well."

Visit the new forum here: https://www.vetsurgeon.org/uk/practice_management/f/208.aspx