Virbac has announced the launch of what it describes as an affordable ciclosporin for the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis.

Called Cyclavance, the new product will make its debut at the London Vet Show (Nov 20th/21st at London Olympia).

Cyclavance is presented in a liquid formulation for precise dosing, in a container with a new 'AdaptaCap' designed to ensure leak proof dispensing and give the product a 6 month shelf life after being broached. Cyclavance is offered in four size presentations -  5 ml, 15 ml, 30 ml and 50 ml - to give practices maximum flexibility in its use.  

Sarah Walker MRCVS, Product Manager, said: "Atopic dogs present at practices across the country on a daily basis. It is a challenging condition which can be hard to treat successfully because owner compliance is so important. By offering Cyclavance at a great price to give greater appeal, allowing a wider scope of use, and with innovative features, such as the unique AdaptaCap, we aim to help practices achieve better outcomes for their patients and increase the number of clients it is available to.  

The RCVS has announced the candidates standing in the 2020 RCVS Council elections.

Eight veterinary surgeons have put themselves forward to compete for the three available places. They are:

• John Davies MRCVS
• Dr Melissa Donald MRCVS (incumbent)
• Dr Tom Lonsdale MRCVS
• Professor Stephen May FRCVS (incumbent)
• Dr Kate Richards MRCVS
• Peter Robinson MRCVS
• Dr Richard Stephenson MRCVS
• Dr Christopher (Kit) Sturgess FRCVS (incumbent)

The RCVS has uploaded each of the candidates’ biographies and election statements on to its website, at: www.rcvs.org.uk/vetvote20.

The elections will start from Monday 16th March when the ballot papers and candidates’ manifestos will be posted and emailed to all members of the profession who are eligible to vote.

All votes, whether postal or online, must then be cast by 5pm on Friday 24 April 2020. 

As with previous years, the RCVS is also inviting members of the profession to get a better idea of why each candidate is standing by taking part in 'Quiz the candidates' and submitting a question which will then be put directly to the candidates.

Each candidate for both elections will be invited to choose two questions to answer from all those received, and produce a video recording of their answers.

Recordings will be published on the RCVS website and YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/rcvsvideos) on the week the election starts.

The College says only question per person is allowed, and any which it deems offensive, inappropriate, misleading, libellous or otherwise unlawful will not be distributed to the candidates. 

Vets should email their question to vetvote20@rcvs.org.uk or send it to the College’s Twitter account @theRCVS using the hashtag #vetvote20 by midday on Friday 28 February 2020.

COMMENT

With the veterinary profession facing two of the biggest regulatory changes seen in most people's lifetimes, namely changes to the rules over remote prescribing without performing a physical examination and a possible change to the standard of proof used in disciplinaries, there has never been a more important time to make sure that practising veterinary surgeons are properly represented on Council. Nor has there been a time I can remember when a protest vote would represent such a shocking waste. Don't forget, you don't need to use all your votes. Use them wisely.

VetSurgeon.org and VetNurse.co.uk are holding a quick snap survey of vets and nurses to discover what percentage of calls made to veterinary general practices out of hours are genuine emergencies, what percentage could wait (or should have been seen during the day), and what percentage are quite obviously non-urgent.

With the profession currently suffering a staffing crisis, some now question the ability of the profession to provide a blanket OOH service, and whether it should remain a requirement for all practices. 

A logical first step, however, might be to discover just what percentage of OOH calls really are genuine emergencies, and how many are simply the result of society's increasing demands for a 24 hour service, not just from the veterinary profession. Hence the survey. 

The question is open to veterinary surgeons and nurses working in general practice only. 

https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6495987/Out-Of-Hours 

The RCVS Trust is offering vets, veterinary nurses and their friends chance to win a stylish small car - and support this small charity - for a mere £2.00.

On offer in this better-than-the-average raffle is a Fiat 500, the 2008 European Car of the Year winner - and described by Jeremy Clarkson as "practical without being boring". 

You can buy tickets online at http://www.everyclick.com/rcvstrust until 21 August, or ask Sarah Briggs at the Trust (020 7202 0743 or s.briggs@rcvstrust.org.uk) for a book to sell to colleagues, friends and family.

Tickets will then be entered into the Small Charity Car Draw, organised by the Foundation for Social Improvement, with the Trust receiving over 95% of the ticket price. The draw will take place on 1 October 2009. 

CVS Equine practices are undertaking a collaborative clinical study to improve our understanding about the clinical signs and aetiology of equine pastern dermatitis (EPD).

Despite being a common disease, CVS says very little research has been undertaken into EPD in the UK.

In addition, numerous different treatments are currently used for EPD, for which there is not always robust scientific evidence.

The CVS study, which started in 2022 and will continue till early 2024, involves 20 practices.

Samples have been collected from over 70 cases from horses that have been diagnosed by EPD throughout the UK.

Full blood profiles have been assessed, in addition to bacterial culture analysis of the lesions, PCR analysis for dermatophytes (ringworm fungi), microscopy for ectoparasites (mites) and skin cytology.

An owner questionnaire has also been completed to gather information on EDP management.

Each horse’s lesions have been graded and descriptive data relating to the lesions were recorded.

Data collection is now complete and a team of researchers, led by vet Manuela Diaz Ramos, has started analysing the data.

A full report on the findings, along with treatment and management recommendations, is expected to be presented at a scientific conference later this year. 

The RCVS is publishing new Covid recovery guidance for the veterinary professions in the UK.

The new guidance, which can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/coronavirus, will gradually replace the current emergency guidance and aims to help veterinary practices begin a phased return to near-normal operations:

• Professional judgement and biosecurity
  Subject to each government’s plans remaining in place, the new guidance will enable practices to provide services to clients in accordance with their professional judgement, the ongoing requirement to maintain biosecurity and social distancing, and any other relevant government guidelines and restrictions.
• Flowcharts removed
  The College’s Covid flowcharts, which have aimed to support veterinary decision-making throughout the pandemic restrictions, will be removed, and practices will no longer be expected to provide only essential/urgent services.
• Remote prescribe if no suitable alternative
  The College is retaining its temporary guidance that permits remote prescribing of prescription-only veterinary medicines, but only where there is no suitable alternative and still subject to certain guidelines and requirements.

Alongside the College’s guidance, the BVA is also publishing guidance for practices on working safely as lockdown restrictions are eased. [www.bva.co.uk/coronavirus/]

RCVS President Mandisa Greene said: “None of us could have predicted quite what an extraordinary and extraordinarily challenging 12 months this has been for everyone.

"On behalf of the whole of RCVS Council, I would like to thank sincerely once again all our veterinary and veterinary nursing colleagues, and all those in practice teams around the UK, for their awe-inspiring commitment, adaptability, resilience and sheer hard work in continuing to provide essential veterinary services and look after the health and welfare of the nation’s animals, in what have been the most difficult of times.

“Whilst I sincerely hope that we are at last beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel, if there is one thing we have learnt, it is that things can deteriorate rapidly if we don’t all continue to play our part and follow all relevant guidelines.

“I therefore urge my colleagues to continue to use their professional judgement and think very carefully about their gradual return to more normal working patterns over the coming weeks and months, according to their individual circumstances and the best interests of their teams, clients, and the animals they care for.”

RCVS Council has also agreed that the policy and guidance changes made in response to the pandemic over the past 12 months will now be reviewed, and decisions made as to whether to retain, amend or reverse them.

Following Intervet Schering-Plough's launch of Plerion, a chewable, flavoured wormer for dogs, the company has launched a consumer viral marketing campaign in which they invite pet owners to 'Primp Your Pooch' at the website www.plerion.co.uk.

In the press release, the company says: 'educating clients on worming has never been more fun'. Whilst you might not think that an especially big achievement, it is certainly a polished looking website, and there's a novel competition on the site: owners are invited to upload a photograph of their dog, 'primp' it with a variety of hairstyles and fashion accessories, and then get others to vote for them to win £1000 of luxury spa vouchers.

The launch of Primp Your Pooch follows the award-winning Plerion Showtime web campaign which featured a variety of singing and dancing dogs and achieved an average 1,500  hits a month on the Plerion micro site. Sarah-Jane Minter, marketing Manager at Intervet/Schering-Plough said: "We are always trying to create new and interesting ways to engage with pet owners and have found the web to be a useful platform to drive consumer awareness, as owners enjoy the interactive element that this format offers. The site takes an uninteresting topic and gives it interest to owners. The viral aspect is achieved through social media as consumers are able to share the website with friends via Facebook or email."

As well as an extensive online advertising campaign the Primp Your Pooch campaign will be supported by in practice information. Speak to your local Intervet/Schering-Plough Veterinary Business Manager or phone the company's Veterinary Support Group on 01908 685685 for further information.

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association is inviting its members to submit their views on DEFRA's recently revised and published draft Rabies Control Strategy.

The BSAVA says that while the general control options for dealing with a suspected or confirmed case of classical rabies are determined by law there are a number of issues raised in this document on which its members may wish to comment.

Details are in the Consultations area under the Advice link here at bsava.com.

Please return responses to s.everitt@bsava.com by Friday 9th December 2011 to allow time to collate the comments and produce a response.

Following a public consultation, the RCVS Council has voted to adopt all the proposals made by the RCVS Legislation Working Party concerning future veterinary legislation.

The Legislative Reform Consultation took place between November 2020 and April 2021 and asked members of the veterinary profession and the public to give their responses to a package of proposals for future veterinary legislation designed to enhance the role of veterinary nurses, modernise RCVS registration, lead to a modern fitness to practise regime, and ensure the regulation of veterinary practices. 

The proposals represent the biggest legislative reform since the 1966 Veterinary Surgeons Act.

In total the consultation received 1,330 responses, of which 714 (54%) were from veterinary surgeons, 335 (25%) from veterinary nurses, 93 (7%) from veterinary paraprofessionals, 73 (5%) from student veterinary nurses, 58 (4%) from members of the public, 40 (3%) from veterinary and industry organisations, including representative bodies, and the remainder from veterinary students and veterinary practice managers.

An analysis of the consultation responses covering each of the five core areas and their individual recommendations can be found in the final report, which is available at www.rcvs.org.uk/legislativereform.

After considering this report, Council voted by a majority to accept the recommendations, meaning that they are now formally adopted as RCVS policy and will form the basis for discussions on the need for new legislation with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

Professor Stephen May has chaired the Legislation Working Party that developed the proposal since its inception in 2017 when he was RCVS President. He said: “We are very grateful to those individuals and organisations who took the time to complete this very important consultation on recommendations for the future legislative framework for the professions. We also appreciate the candour of those who were unsure about or opposed to the recommendations.

“When the Legislation Working Party met to consider the responses and the report, it decided that, while no substantive changes needed to be made to the principle-based recommendations, the points raised both against and in favour of individual recommendations gave us important material for additional consideration, and food for thought as to how any detailed proposals would be implemented once enabling legislation is in place.

“We look forward to submitting these recommendations to Defra formally, with a view to them becoming, in time, a bill put before Parliament to replace the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. In so doing, this would establish a modern, flexible and comprehensive piece of legislation that would make sure the regulatory structure for the veterinary professions is fit for purpose for decades to come.”

As well as the main report of the Legislative Reform Consultation, RCVS Council also considered a series of interim measures that would be in line with the overall aims of future legislative changes, but which could be implemented without primary legislation.

The proposed interim measures included:

• the establishment of smaller-scale (‘mini’) Preliminary Investigation Committees (PICs) to help streamline the concerns investigation process;
• the establishment of a Charter Case Protocol where certain cases that meet the threshold for a full disciplinary hearing, but which might be likely to attract a lesser sanction, may be concluded, without recourse to a full public Disciplinary Committee hearing, via a system of published warnings; and,
• changing the standard of proof in determining the facts of a case during a Disciplinary Committee hearing from the criminal standard (‘beyond all reasonable doubt’) to the civil standard (‘on the balance of probabilities’).

Council members voted on each of these interim measures on an individual basis – with the mini-PICs and the Charter Case Protocol being accepted by majority vote.

However, Council members voted against implementing the change to the standard of proof at this time, citing a number of concerns about the potential impact of it being implemented under the current concerns investigation and disciplinary procedures. Similar concerns had been put forward by many of those who responded to the consultation itself.

Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS Registrar, said: “The approved procedural changes will, I believe, lead to a significant improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of our disciplinary processes. The Charter Case Protocol will mean that, in suitable cases where a finding of serious professional misconduct at a full disciplinary hearing would likely only lead to a reprimand or to no further action being taken, a more proportionate and less time-consuming and expensive means of resolving cases will be available. However, it will still reflect the seriousness of the matters and continue to protect the public interest, welfare and the reputation of the profession.

“Furthermore, by phasing out the Case Examiner Group stage and instead referring concerns to ‘mini’ PICs, which will decide if the threshold of serious professional misconduct has been met, it will make our concerns investigation processes clearer and more streamlined and therefore more efficient. We look forward to publishing further details on both of these changes in due course.

“Although Council members accepted that a change of the standard of proof would be an integral part of introducing a modern fitness to practise (FTP) regime as part of any future legislation, they had significant concerns about the ‘interim’ recommendation to introduce it under the current arrangements, in advance of implementing a full FTP model, and so a majority felt that they could not vote for it.”

To read the full report of the Legislative Reform Consultation, including analysis of the responses, please visit www.rcvs.org.uk/legislativereform.

Ian Battersby, an RCVS and EBVS European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine and Head of Internal Medicine at Davies Veterinary Specialists is urging the profession to support Antimicrobial Awareness Week.

Ian, who helped devise the PROTECT ME acronym which is now used worldwide to champion the cause of responsible antimicrobial use, said: "Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest threats of our time and it affects all sectors of the veterinary profession.

"While there will always remain a need for the use of antimicrobials for the treatment of bacterial infections, it is the duty of every one of us to continue our good work to protect their usage to ensure they remain effective for the future."

PROTECT ME stands for Prescribe only when necessary, Reduce prophylaxis, Offer other options, Treat effectively, Employ narrow spectrum, Cure appropriately, Tailor your practice policy. Monitor, Educate others.

Ian added: "I discussed the issue of restricted prescribing with my Doctor when he was treating my injury back in 2011

"Discussion on the Small Animal Medicine Society (SAMSOC) forum followed and then we developed a working group.

"I came up the name PROTECT when I was in the shower one day experimenting with acronyms on the shower cubicle wall!

"Collaboration with BSAVA enabled the scheme to launch in 2012 and then BEVA adapted the scheme and added the ME.”

PROTECT ME is now used for BSAVA and BEVA’s antimicrobial resources and campaigns and has also been taken up in New Zealand and been translated into French.

Rachael McGregor, Clinical Director at Calder Vets in Yorkshire asked Ian for help in developing antimicrobial stewardship guidelines for the practice last year. She said: “Ian helped us to set up prescribing guidelines using a traffic light system, supported a programme of CPD and supplied prescribing posters. This has made a significant difference to prescribing behaviour across the practice and over the past two months we haven’t prescribed a single critically important antibiotic.”

Davies has produced a range of resources for vets and for pet owners including an explanatory poster and a webinar series. For further information visit: https://vetspecialists.co.uk/insights/webinars/antimicrobial-webinars/ 

Dunfermline-based Vets Now Ltd has been announced as the winner of the Scotland regional final of the £35 Million Bank of Scotland Corporate Entrepreneur Challenge. The company, based on Pitreavie Drive, is the UK's leading provider of out of hours emergency care for animals and has secured an incredible funding package of up to £5 million, free of interest and charges for three years, to turn their expansion plans into reality.

Richard Dixon, Managing Director of Vets Now Ltd, said, "I am absolutely thrilled that we have won the Scottish regional final of the Entrepreneur Challenge. A lot of time and effort went into our presentation and we knew that the competition was going to be tough. I'm very proud of our team, without who Vets Now would not be what it is today.

"Winning the Challenge is going to have a fundamental impact on Vets Now, taking our business to a completely new level. The funding will allow us to make substantial growth and move the business into Europe. It will also increase the range of services we can provide to customers and increase the overall profile of our organisation."

Richard will now go through to the national final in December, where he will compete against the winners from six other regions across the UK for the chance to be named ‘Entrepreneur of the Year' and the opportunity to benefit from four days mentoring from one of Britain's most successful and high profile entrepreneurs.

Vets Now was chosen as the winner after Richard Dixon presented his business case and plans for the future to a panel of judges, including Willie Haughey from City Refrigeration and John Anderson from The Entrepreneurial Exchange. Willie, John and the rest of the judging panel then questioned Richard in their search for an entrepreneur who displayed flair, vision and creativity, coupled with solid business acumen and impressive plans for the future. The judging was followed by a dinner and award ceremony at Stirling Castle, at which the winner was announced.

For more information visit http://www.theboschallenge.co.uk/

Dog owners who allow their dog to attack people or assistance dogs will face tougher prison sentences from today.

Changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act will also mean dog owners can now face prosecution if their dog attacks a person in their home or on any private property, except if they attack a trespasser.

The maximum sentences for allowing a dog to attack someone in England or Wales have also been increased as follows:

• Up to 14 years, from two years, for a fatal dog attack.
• Up to five years, from two years, for injury.
• Up to three years if an assistance dog is attacked.

Animal Welfare Minister Lord de Mauley said: "Dog attacks can have horrific consequences for victims and families and it is only right those responsible should face tough punishments.

"Irresponsible dog owners will not only face longer prison sentences, but will also be liable for prosecution regardless of where an attack takes place, even in their own home. This will give protection to those who provide vital services in the community - postal workers, nurses, utility workers - as well as people visiting family and friends."

For the first time, the Dangerous Dogs Act also includes a specific offence to protect assistance dogs from attacks.

Guide Dogs Chief Executive Richard Leaman said: "An attack on a guide dog can be devastating. It can rob someone with sight loss of their independence and freedom, leaving them virtually housebound. We're delighted that irresponsible owners can now be given tougher sentences if their dog attacks an assistance dog.

"With an average of 10 guide dogs being attacked every month, we're looking to the police to fully use their new powers to protect vulnerable people from these sometimes life-changing attacks."

The changes will also see new preventative powers for the police and local authorities so they can act early to stop dog attacks before they occur. These measures include steps the dog owner can take to address their own or their dog's behaviour, for example:

Attending dog training classes.
Repairing fencing to their property to prevent the dog escaping.
Requiring their dog to be muzzled in public.

Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker said: "The coalition government is already making real progress in defending the public from out of control dogs and their irresponsible owners. Today's measures will protect individuals and also assistance dogs, which bring security, confidence and independence to their handlers.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: "The Kennel Club sees these amendments as being extremely positive overall for the welfare of millions of dogs in this country, as well as helping to protect the public and the UK's responsible dog owners. For too long, irresponsible owners who consistently allow, or even encourage, their dogs to act aggressively or behave dangerously have essentially been protected by regulations which tend to penalise the dogs rather than their irresponsible owners. This updated legislation makes it absolutely clear that this is not acceptable and owners must take responsibility for adequately training their dogs.

"We have been very careful during our work with Government to ensure that there are adequate defences for those otherwise responsible dog owners who find themselves in unforeseen circumstances. This includes scenarios such as dogs protecting their homes from intruders or responding to provocation.

"Disappointingly however, the issue of breed specific legislation still remains unaddressed, with the government failing to use the opportunity whilst amending the Dangerous Dogs Act to repeal this ineffective element of the law.

"The Kennel Club believes in the principle of 'deed not breed' and that genetics plays only a small part in the temperament of a dog, with breeding, socialisation and environment having a far greater effect. The majority of dog bite incidents are a result of the irresponsible actions of owners who have either not taken the time and trouble to train their dog correctly, or have in fact trained them to behave aggressively. Consequently any legislation based on genetics that ignores the influence of the dog's keeper on its behaviour is highly likely to be ineffective, as has been proven with the Dangerous Dogs Act."