The RCVS has asked 6,700 veterinary surgeons to submit their CPD records for 2012-2014 as part of its second annual CPD audit.
The news came at more or less the same time that VetSurgeon.org announced that it is developing a new feature to make it easy for veterinary surgeons to document time they spend on the website towards their CPD requirement.
Under the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons, members of the profession must undertake at least 105 hours of CPD over a rolling three-year period, averaging 35 hours per year.
Those being audited include 5,568 vets who failed to confirm whether or not they complied with the CPD requirement in this year’s annual renewal process; 488 vets who failed to respond to last year’s audit and did not confirm their compliance this year; 43 pre-2012 graduates who have not yet completed the Professional Development Phase; and 184 veterinary surgeons who specifically declared they were not compliant during this year’s annual renewal process.
In addition to these, a random sample of 400 veterinary surgeons who did declare they were compliant this year will be asked to share their records.
For last year’s audit, the College wrote to 3,975 veterinary surgeons, of whom 82% were found to be compliant. However, 910 veterinary surgeons did not respond to the request at all.
Gordon Hockey, RCVS Registrar, said: “The purpose of the exercise is not only to gauge levels of compliance, but also to gain a greater understanding of why some people are unable to meet the requirement. Therefore, we will be asking those who are still non-compliant to provide us with an explanation as to why, and to submit a learning and development plan outlining the steps they will take to become compliant.
“Since 2012, the Code of Professional Conduct has made it very clear that, as professionals, veterinary surgeons have an obligation to maintain and improve their skills and experience so as to provide a better service to their patients and clients.
“Last year’s audit proved that the majority of the profession do take CPD seriously and do engage with it over-and-above what is required, but a small minority do not. It is important to remind this small minority that persistent failure to comply with CPD requirements, or to respond to requests from the College, may result in them being reported to the Preliminary Investigation Committee.”
Christine Warman, Head of Education at the RCVS, added: “This audit is also an opportunity to remind people that we are not prescriptive when it comes to CPD and that it is not the case that we only count attendance at courses as learning and development.
“Broadly, any activities that you undertake to further your competence and provide tangible learning that can be put to use in your professional life, can be classed as CPD. For example, this could include private reading, webinars, clinical audit activities, mentoring, work-based observation and many more activities besides.
“What we ask is that you record and document these activities, reflecting on what you learnt and how it will affect your practice.”
Veterinary surgeons who are being asked to submit their records can do so by allowing the RCVS to access their online Professional Development Record (PDR) or to send in their CPD record card via email or post. The deadline for responding is Friday 13 November.
Those who wish to sign up to the free, online PDR can do so by visiting www.rcvs-pdr.org.uk. More information about what constitutes CPD and the Code of Professional Conduct requirements can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/cpd.
The International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) has announced that it will be hosting monthly webinars for veterinary surgeons from January 2016.
ISFM says it has selected highly qualified speakers who are passionate about cats to cover a range of topics, including medicine, surgery, behaviour, anaesthesia and ophthalmology.
The first four webinars will be free and open to both ISFM members and non-members. Thereafter the series will be available exclusively to ISFM members at no extra cost.
To introduce the series, there will be two webinars in January. The first talk, A practical approach to the cat with respiratory distress, will be given on the 12th January by Kieran Borgeat, a European and American Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology.
The second webinar, Vaccination in cats – everything you wanted to know but were too afraid to ask, will be presented by ISFM's Veterinary Director Andy Sparkes, a European and RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine, on 26th January.
The webinars will also be available to download later to everyone who registers.
For more information and to register for the January webinars visit: www.icatcare.org/vets/webinars.
To become an ISFM member and access future webinars, go to: www.icatcare.org/isfm-membership.
According to the calculator, the most expensive animal is - by virtue of its longevity - the tortoise (£27,787 over 75 years), followed by a small dog (£19,224 over 15 years), a large dog (£17,234 over 11.5 years) and a medium-sized dog (£16,828 over 11.5 years). A cat comes in at £12,322 over 16 years. A chicken will set you back £4,701 (it's not clear whether they've offset the money you'll save in eggs). The cheapest is a fish, at £914.
According to the Associations, a number of practices have been offering unpaid work, and whilst these offers may seem attractive to newly qualified vets who want to gain access to veterinary workplaces, they devalue the individuals and the veterinary profession.
Offering unpaid roles also exacerbates the problems surrounding lack of access to the profession for those who can’t afford to work for free and contradicts efforts to widen participation in the veterinary sector.
In addition, there are governance issues associated with individuals undertaking veterinary roles before they are registered with the RCVS and there are concerns around individuals undertaking voluntary roles without indemnity insurance.
The Veterinary Defence Society has advised that the Veterinary Surgeons (Practice by Students) (Amendment) Regulations 1993 allow veterinary students to carry out acts of veterinary surgery under the direction and supervision of a veterinary surgeon. After graduating as a vet, individuals are no longer classified as “veterinary students” and must either revert to only doing work which would be delegated to a lay member of staff or register with the RCVS.
Once registered with the RCVS, graduates must abide by the Code of Conduct whether they are volunteering or paid. One such requirement is that veterinary surgeons must have professional indemnity insurance. Veterinary graduates cannot register as a veterinary nurse and if they are not registered as a veterinary surgeon, they must not undertake those acts of veterinary surgery that can lawfully be delegated to RVNs.
BVA President Daniella Dos Santos said: “The Covid-19 crisis has thrown up many challenges for veterinary practices, but we make a plea to the profession not to exploit final year students and new graduates at this difficult time. These individuals are professionals and they deserve to be paid professional new graduate salaries, as we all were. There is a problem to be solved with regard to safe working, particularly in large animal and equine practice, but underpaying and undervaluing people is not the solution.
“BVA has been working with Vet Schools Council and others to champion diversity in our vet schools and the wider profession. If we only provide opportunities for those who can afford to work for free, we will be taking an enormous step backwards.”
Izzie Arthur, AVS President (pictured right), added: “We know that final year students are worried about job prospects and that these offers will be attractive, but we are deeply concerned that it devalues the skills and knowledge that have been built up throughout the degree.
"We’re asking vet practices to champion the next generation by providing paid opportunities for newly qualified (registered) vets and the support needed to get through the professional development phase so that they can become valued members of the team."
Three bursaries are available - two in ruminant and one in companion animal research, each worth up to £4,000.
Annabelle Mohring, Veterinary Advisor at MSD Animal Health said: "We appreciate that the last 18 months have been challenging for many veterinary surgeons and adding new research to this may not be considered a priority. But with the pace of change rapidly increasing, improving business skills and scientific knowledge will become more important than ever for the profession.
"Research forms the foundation of the industry and being awarded a bursary has proved to be a career-changing experience for some participants. We're now welcoming applications as part of our investment in the veterinary community."
Each project should be completed within one to two years and the veterinary surgeon proposals will be judged by objective third party university academics to ensure independent assessment.
The deadline for the MSD Animal Health Veterinary Surgeon Research Bursaries is 30th November 2021.
For further information, visit: www.msdahresearchbursary.co.uk.
Photo: Hattie Barnes who was awarded the 2020 Veterinary Surgeon Bursary in the companion animal sector. She was awarded £4,000 for her analytical, cadaver-based study to investigate different draping protocols in elective orthopaedic surgery. Hattie is currently undertaking a 3-year residency in Equine Surgery at the University of Liverpool.
Millpledge has launched Promodulate Probiotic Powder, which, according to the company, combines beneficial bacteria with a pre-biotic, vitamins and electrolytes to rebalance gut flora, fluid and electrolyte balance in cats and dogs.
The powder is presented in a 5 day course of sachets for ease of dispensing, or in a 50g tub for longer term use.
Millpledge says micro-encapsulated Entrococcus Faecium SF68 NCIMB 10415 - 667 x 106 CFU/g helps to recolonise the gut and maintain competitive exclusion of harmful bacteria whilst the preferred prebiotic Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) provides a targeted source of sugars to fuel the Entrococcus Faecium. Electrolytes are included to help maintain the isotonic fluid balance in the patient, and vitamins to maintain the normal feed conversion ability of the gut to absorb and bind nutrients present in the diet.
Millpledge suggests that Promodulate is beneficial alongside antibiotic therapy and can be used as an aid to maintaining the immune response in newborns as well as animals in the later stages of life. Promodulate is also recommended as an aid to restoring normal digestive function and to help maintain normal cholesterol levels and electrolyte and fluid balance.
For more information, please click here.
National Veterinary Services has announced that from 14th January, veterinary practices will be able to place their daily orders up to 8pm, 7 days a week.
The veterinary wholesaler will also be providing a telephone ordering service on Saturday mornings from 9am until 12pm.
Martin Riley, NVS Managing Director said: "We are always keen to understand practice needs and to deliver on their requests. This is a significant change for the industry and with the introduction of more new tools and services later in the year we believe NVS will make a great difference to our customers."
For further information please contact 01782 770319.
The RCVS has accredited four more universities to assess modules for its Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP). This means that there are now 78 modules for candidates to choose from, with many modules available through more than one university, giving veterinary surgeons a real choice as to how they work towards postgraduate qualifications.
The RCVS CertAVP Subcommittee has approved applications from the Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and the West of England (in partnership with Hartpury College).
A very broad range of modules is now available, covering most species and many disciplines. They include some firsts for the CertAVP - equine modules will be available through both Edinburgh and Liverpool universities, and Edinburgh will also be assessing modules in equine dentistry, laboratory animal science and cattle and sheep medicine, amongst others. Glasgow's range includes modules in veterinary public health, as well as emergency critical care, while the University of the West of England's offering includes the key skills modules, and ‘B' modules in small animal, equine and production animal practice.
These universities now join the Royal Veterinary College and the Universities of Cambridge and Middlesex in being accredited to assess modules. While all of the accredited universities provide courses to support candidates working towards modules, including distance-learning options and online support, they must also offer an assessment-only route for those who prefer self-study, or who want to attend courses elsewhere.
The modular CertAVP was launched during 2007 and gives candidates the benefit of a mix and match style of learning. This aims to meet the needs of those who are committed to planned continuing professional development (CPD) but who need to balance this with busy practice life.
The new Certificate also better meets the needs of those whose practice interests change over the enrolment period, or who want to combine study across different species and disciplines to suit their practice caseload. Previously there was little flexibility built into the examination system.
"We are delighted that the list of modules available has nearly tripled this month," says Freda Andrews, RCVS Head of Education. "Interest in the new certificate is growing, and there are already around 200 people enrolled with RCVS for various modules. So it's great news that these universities are now backing the Certificate and enabling much greater choice for veterinary surgeons studying for the qualification."
Full details of the new modules are available on RCVSonline at www.rcvs.org.uk/modcerts
Burgess Excel has announced the launch of a new app for Android and Apple devices called The Fibrevore Handbook.
The free app, which is available from Apple here, and from Google for Android here, contains a guide to the veterinary care of rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas:
In addition the Fibrevore Handbook contains links to a range of Academic Articles, CPD courses and information on Burgess Excel and its products.
Burgess says the app will be updated on an on-going basis with further research findings, articles, images and general information
Specifically, remote assessments will make sure that practices are continuing to meet Veterinary Medicines Regulations, the Core Standards of the PSS and other key standards relating to the practice's accreditation type and level.
Mandisa Greene, RCVS President and Chair of the Practice Standards Group, said: “We have introduced these remote assessments as a means of being able to quality assure veterinary practices that are either in the Scheme or who wish to join it, while still making sure that public health is safeguarded and that the burden our face-to-face assessments may place on practices is reduced.
"All our Practice Standards Scheme Assessors will be trained in carrying out remote assessments, and practices that are due an assessment will be given the full details of how it will work in advance, just like if a physical assessment of the premises were taking place.
"In the immediate-term we will be prioritising those practices that were due assessment visits in March, April and May this year which were cancelled due to the nationwide lockdown and they are currently being contacted to make arrangements. We will then start a rolling programme of visits for the other delayed assessments over the next few months. We will aim to give all practices at least one month’s notice before a visit takes place."
In order to help veterinary teams at RCVS-accredited practices understand the changes and its implications, the RCVS has produced a list of anticipated FAQs containing the details of how remote assessments will work. These can be found at: www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/practice-standards-scheme/remote-assessments.
Those with any additional enquiries should contact the RCVS Practice Standards Team on: pss@rcvs.org.uk.
The College says the reforms will make for a clearer and more streamlined process, and offer an alternative, more compassionate way of resolving cases that might otherwise go to a full Disciplinary Committee hearing.
The College will now establish ‘Stage 1 Preliminary Investigation Committees (PICs)’ to replace the current Case Examiner Group stage of the concerns investigation process.
Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS Registrar, said: “Setting up Stage 1 PICs will streamline and clarify the early stages of the concerns investigation process and could also potentially, once sufficiently bedded in, reduce the amount of time taken for a number of cases.
“Currently, Stage 1 of a concerns investigation is carried out by a Case Examiner Group who determine if there is an ‘arguable case’ for serious professional misconduct before referring it on to the Preliminary Investigation Committee.
"However, under these reforms, the Stage 1 PICs will close cases where there is no realistic prospect of finding a case of serious professional misconduct.
"Where cases require formal statements and/or expert opinion they will be referred on to Stage 2 PIC to determine if, based on the additional evidence gathered, a case is serious enough to warrant referral to either the Charter Case Committee [see below], or a full, public Disciplinary Committee hearing.
“In essence this change means that there will be one consistent threshold of seriousness in all our investigations, meaning it is likely that fewer cases will be unnecessarily referred to Stage 2 of the process.”
The second reform involves the implementation of the new ‘Charter Case Protocol’ to provide an alternative way to resolve suitable cases meeting certain criteria which, though they meet the threshold to go to the Disciplinary Committee, it is considered that the public interest can still be served without a full hearing.
The ‘Charter Case Committee’ to which these cases will be referred will be able to issue written warning notices.
Eleanor added: “The establishment of the Charter Case Protocol and Committee is important for the RCVS in being able to get the balance right between upholding professional conduct standards and protecting animal health and welfare and public confidence in the professions, while also being a compassionate regulator.
“The type of cases we envisage being dealt with by the Committee are those where the conduct of the veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse has fallen far short of what is expected of them under the Code, but where there is no ongoing risk to animal welfare or public confidence, and where the level of insight and contrition about their conduct is such that it can be resolved without the need for an onerous, stressful and expensive Disciplinary Committee hearing.
"We estimate that the Charter Case Committee will deal with around 20 such cases per year.
“Of course, the most serious cases of professional misconduct, for example around dishonesty and criminality, will continue to be referred to Disciplinary Committee hearings.
“It is worth noting that Charter Case Protocol and Committee are working titles, describing the fact that we are implementing this process under the remit of our Royal Charter.
"RCVS Council has agreed that the name should be changed in due course to something that better reflects its function and remit."
Unlike the Disciplinary Committee, the Charter Case Committee will not issue to the press the full details of cases as a news article.
Instead, it will publish a warning notice on the RCVS website summarising the area of concern, the relevant sections of the Code that were breached and supporting guidance it referred to, and the reasons for issuing the warning.
These warning notices will remain on the RCVS website for a maximum of two years and will not change the registration status of the individual.
The College says that the reforms are likely to take some months to implement and it will be looking to recruit additional Preliminary Investigation Committee members in due course.
In addition to the UK, Vetigel will be marketed and distributed to veterinary surgeons throughout Europe and elsewhere via Veterinary Instrumentation's global distribution network.
Matt Lewis, Vice President of Sales at Cresilon said: "Our partnership with Veterinary Instrumentation will help us provide more veterinary surgeons with a revolutionary hemostatic gel that significantly improves the standard of care for pets and animals.
"Vetigel has been used by thousands of veterinarians thus far and helps veterinary clinics and animal hospitals save time, reduce operating costs, and improve patient outcomes."
https://vetigel.comhttps://veterinary-instrumentation.co.uk
The RCVS is encouraging vets to nominate members of their nursing team for this year's VN Golden Jubilee Award, which recognises exceptional contribution to veterinary nursing.
The award was launched in 2011 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first RCVS veterinary nursing training course and recognises those who have made an outstanding contribution to the profession, animal welfare and/or patient care. Nominees can be registered veterinary nurses, veterinary surgeons or lay people.
Nomination forms need to be submitted by 5pm on Friday 24 April. The principal nominator must be a registered veterinary nurse or veterinary surgeon, although the two supporting proposers can be lay people.
Kathy Kissick, Chair of VN Council, said: "One of the main priorities of VN Council in the coming years is to raise levels of awareness of registered veterinary nurses, and awards which recognise the importance of VNs in the context of the veterinary team and animal welfare are crucial to enhancing the profession's profile.
"Therefore I would encourage veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons to think about those VNs who go above and beyond the call of duty for their cause and who would be excellent ambassadors for the profession and nominate them for the Golden Jubilee Award."
Last year's winner was Hayley Walters who was recognised for her contribution to animal welfare through her teaching, clinical and international outreach work. Previous recipients were Jean Turner in 2011 and Sue Badger in 2012. No award was made in 2013.
The nomination form for the VN Golden Jubilee Award can be downloaded from www.rcvs.org.uk/goldenjubilee
The winner will be chosen by a panel of VN Council members and will receive the Award at RCVS Day - the College's Annual General Meeting and Awards Day - on Friday 10 July 2015.
For further information about making a nomination for the award contact Annette Amato, Deputy Head of Veterinary Nursing, on a.amato@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0713.
As part of the package of measures announced by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak in mid-March, businesses in the retail, hospitality, leisure and childcare sectors are eligible for a 100% business rates holiday for a year in England, Scotland and Wales, offering a vital economic lifeline when many may have had to close or operate with reduced turnover and staffing. In Northern Ireland, all businesses are eligible for a three-month business rates holiday covering April, May and June.
However, veterinary practices, many of which have remained open to provide essential care and treatment for pets and production animals, are not eligible for business rates relief, despite the fact that many are high street businesses and a significant proportion of their income comes from retailing medicines, treatments and other pet products.
The BVA says it has heard directly from hundreds of members who now fear for their future, and a recent survey released by the RCVS indicates that a quarter of practices have seen their weekly turnover reduced by 75%, and about 66% have seen it halved.
The Association has written to the Treasury and devolved government departments to ask why the veterinary profession has so far been overlooked for financial support, while other high street businesses that remain open including food retailers, hardware stores and pet shops are eligible for rates relief.
It has also mobilised its members to contact their local MPs and devolved parliamentarians with their concerns. Several hundred have already downloaded template letters from the BVA website, and parliamentarians representing a wide cross-section of regions and parties have already pledged their support. Ben Lake, MP for Ceredigion, has also tabled a Parliamentary Early Day Motion (#339) recognising the value of vets and pushing for the profession to be given access to business rates relief.
Daniella Dos Santos, BVA President, said: “The Government has repeatedly given thanks to vets for continuing to maintain animal health and welfare and public health and support the food supply chain in these challenging times. But that makes it all the more disappointing that the profession’s pleas for financial support so far seem to have fallen on deaf ears. Veterinary practices are rightly remaining open to provide 24/7 essential care and fulfilling their duty to maintain animal health and welfare, but many are struggling to stay afloat as they grapple with dramatic reductions in turnover and scaling back their rotas to keep colleagues and clients safe.
"It’s been really heartening to see that parliamentarians across the political spectrum value their local vets’ role in their communities and have offered to put pressure on the Treasury and devolved governments to give practices access to vital financial support. We hope that such a strong and united call will be answered soon, and will continue to urge government to help practices to continue their valuable work in these difficult times."
The new Mars Equestrian Veterinary Research Scholar Programme offers the opportunity to conduct research alongside some internationally-renowned experts in equine health and veterinary welfare while pursuing two advanced credentials: the Graduate Certificate in Animal Welfare and Behavior at Penn Vet during year one, followed by the Master of Research (MRes) program at the RVC in year two.
The RVC says the new format offers an exclusive opportunity for the candidate to refine their critical research skills and expand animal welfare knowledge while learning on location at both the RVC in England and Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, United States.
The RVC’s MRes programme gives students the chance to develop into scientists who can work well across interdisciplinary teams, tackling problems of practical relevance to veterinary and medical science. Many of the courses’ graduates go on to work in some of the world’s leading scientific research institutes, as well as within industry and government.
Professor Richard Bomphrey, Interim Vice Principal for Research at the RVC said: “I am delighted that the RVC is able to support this new transatlantic initiative for veterinary graduates following a generous donation from Mars Equestrian. It strengthens the ties between the RVC, the University of Pennsylvania and Mars Equestrian while providing an outstanding training and research opportunity. We look forward to welcoming the successful scholar and helping them to make an impact in equine research."
The Veterinary Research Scholar program is open to interested UK, US and international candidates holding a veterinary degree (DVM/VMD/BVSc or equivalent). The chosen candidate will receive an annual stipend and tuition as well as travel expenses.
The programme will commence in September 2021 in the United States before moving to the UK in October 2022 until its conclusion in September 2023.
The deadline to submit applications for consideration is 30th June 2021 or until an acceptable candidate is identified.
Applications should be sent to the Penn Vet’s Dr. Kyla Ortved atkortved@vet.upenn.edu.
The webinars will be delivered by board-certified equine diagnostic imaging specialists.
The first will cover equine cervical spinal radiographic interpretation presented by Erin Porter, DVM, DACVR, DACVR-EDI. Learning objectives include:
The second webinar will be on 7th February 2024, 1:00-2:00pm, when Marianna Biggi, DVM, PhD, FHEA, DipECVDI, MRCVS, will review a systemic approach to interpreting foot radiographs and the clinical significance of radiographic diagnoses.
In the final webinar on February 26th at 1:00pm, Lucy Meehan-Howard, BVSc, MSc, CertAVP(VDI), DipECVDI, MRCVS, will cover typical injuries to the fetlock in different kinds of horses and the optimal imaging strategy for each type of injury.
Information about all webinars is available here: welcome.vet-ct.com/equine-webinar-series. To learn more about VetCT, plus additional educational content and teleradiology services, visit https://uk.vet-ct.com/.
welcome.vet-ct.com/equine-webinar-series
The BVA says that securing 'Great Workplaces' will be a collaborative assessment process.
Each workplace will have a dedicated, experienced accreditor from a veterinary background, who will work with leadership teams and employees to gather a full picture of their workplace.
Workplaces will be assessed in four main areas: health and wellbeing, leadership and management, culture, and learning and development.
Successful workplaces will achieve either gold or silver accreditation.
Those that don’t meet the criteria yet will be recognised as ‘working towards’ accreditation and will be supported to make the changes needed to achieve success next time around.
Successful workplaces will hold their accreditation for three years and at the end of that period they will be required to undergo reassessment to retain their accredited status.
BVA President Anna Judson said: “As well as attracting more people to join our veterinary profession, ensuring we retain the incredible talent we already have is critical to building a resilient and sustainable veterinary workforce.
"Positive workplace culture is central to achieving this and Great Workplaces by BVA is an innovative new approach that puts the well-being of vet teams front and centre.
"The knock-on impact will be good for vets and vet practices, good for clients and ultimately, good for animal welfare.
Photo: BVA
“Workplaces accredited under this new scheme, will be seen as employers of choice, attracting top talent who seek fulfilling careers and a healthy work-life balance.
"For existing team members, working in a recognised Great Workplace could enhance job satisfaction.”
A number of workplaces have already undertaken Great Workplaces accreditation during a series of pilots in 2023.
Two, Westport Veterinary Clinic in Linlithgow and South Moors in Devon, have become the first veterinary workplaces to receive a silver accreditation.
Fiona Leathers at Westport Veterinary Clinic, said: "At Westport Veterinary Clinic, our collaboration with the British Veterinary Association and its Great Workplaces accreditation scheme has been transformative.
"It has given us invaluable insights into how this initiative positively impacts workplace culture and employee well-being.
“The simplicity of the accreditation process and the approachable nature of BVA’s accreditors facilitated seamless integration of the scheme’s principles into our daily routines.
"The tangible impact of the Great Workplaces accreditation has been profound.
"It's fostered a more inclusive, supportive, and cohesive environment, elevating employee satisfaction and bolstering team morale significantly.
"This experience extends beyond personal growth; it solidifies our belief in cultivating healthy work cultures.”
www.bva.co.uk/great-workplaces
The ‘Ear essentials – a holistic approach to the treatment of canine otitis externa’ webinar will include a presentation by Jonathon Elgie, veterinary technical advisor at Dechra UK and Ireland.
Jonathon will talk delegates through case examples to help them make decisions that can be used in practice and take a clear, practical and holistic approach to treatment.
He will also update vet professionals on Dechra support including the Lifelong Ear Partnership which provides education, tips and assistance to achieve better clinical outcomes and owner satisfaction.
Woodley Equipment Company has become the exclusive Europe-wide distributor for the new Epoc Hand Held Clinical Care Analyser from Epocal Inc
Woodley says the Epoc, developed by the founder of the i-STAT analyser, is the first wireless point of care testing solution to use smart card technology. The Epoc provides immediate blood gas, electrolyte and critical care biochemistry results directly to a hand held PDA (included) and wirelessly interfaces with your in-practice computer. It is a completely affordable analyser that is easy to use and requires no refrigeration of consumables.
Key Features:
For a more information about the Epoc Blood Gas Analyser please email sales@woodleyequipment.com, visit woodleyequipment.com, or call Woodley's customer service team on +44 (0)1204 669033 ~ Option 1
Virbac has announced the launch of a new support pack to help practices promote National Microchipping Month this June.
The pack contains a range of promotional and educational items including:
Sarah Walker MRCVS, BackHome Product Manager, said: "With microchipping soon to become compulsory for dogs across the UK, this year's National Microchipping Month is the ideal platform to raise awareness of its importance in all species and to remind clients that they will soon be required by law to ensure that their dogs at least are protected with a microchip. The new BackHome Mini Chip has a 34% smaller needle than our standard needles and this can minimise any stress and discomfort to pets during implantation.
"The resources in our Microchipping Support Pack are bold, colourful and eye-catching. We hope that, with the creative teams that exist within each practice, you can promote National Microchipping Month successfully using imaginative displays and use this opportunity to engage with your clients."
For more information, contact your Virbac Territory Manager.
The Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, Rebecca Evans, has officially opened the new Wales Veterinary Science Centre.
The centre, which is located on the site of the former Animal and Plant Health Agency's (APHA) Veterinary Investigation Centre, has been established by Iechyd Da, a consortium of independent veterinary practices based in Wales together with Welsh Lamb and Beef Producers Ltd, and Aberystwyth University.
Iechyd Da was recently appointed by APHA as a third party provider to deliver expert post-mortem examinations of new and re-emerging diseases of farm animals. The service has been operational since April 2015.
Deputy Minister Rebecca Evans AM said: "I am pleased to officially open the Wales Veterinary Science Centre, which will significantly strengthen and enhance the important contribution the veterinary profession makes to rural life in Wales and raises standards of animal health and welfare. It will also bolster the rural economy by securing technical jobs for the area, benefit the wider economy by supporting our farming communities, and be an asset to the UK by contributing valuable data to the surveillance network."
Professor Christianne Glossop, Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales said: "The Centre will have a significant role in the protection of animals in Wales and will provide an important contribution to a successful and resilient farming industry, reflecting the essential role of the veterinary profession in Wales."
Phil Thomas, Director of Iechyd Da said: "Iechyd Da now looks forward to building on the post-mortem provision already available so that we can provide a range of services, from running training courses for animal keepers to dissection classes for students, continuous professional development for practicing vets, and supporting disease eradication schemes. The vision is of a One Health institute that recognises the interlocking, overlapping relationships between people, livestock, the wildlife and the environment around us."
Richard Irvine, Head of Scanning Surveillance and the Surveillance Intelligence Unit at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) said: "I look forward to APHA working in close partnership with the Wales Veterinary Science Centre to provide expert diagnostic support and surveillance intelligence for veterinary practices and farmers in Wales. Only by working together can we create an effective disease surveillance network, and I urge farmers and vets in Wales to make use of the considerable expertise that exists within the Wales Veterinary Science Centre and APHA."
The Worldwide Veterinary Service, the charity founded by Luke Gamble MRCVS to support animal welfare charities globally, is celebrating a donation of products including dog and cat wormers, skin and joint supplements and NSAIDs, by Ceva Animal Health.
The donated products were dispatched to the WVS’s own centres and shelters in Thailand, including its 'Care for Dogs' shelter in Chiang Mai, Thailand, as well as to over 60 animal welfare charities around the world, all of which have registered a wish list of items to the WVS.
One of the charities that benefited from the company's donation of over 1,000 Milbactor worming tablets to the WVS was the Liberia Animal Welfare and Conservation Society (LAWCS). Dogs are often kept in horrendous conditions in Liberia and LAWCS provides responsible dog ownership education, free veterinary care and treatment and community outreach feeding programmes to pet owners. The WVS’s donation helped enable LAWCS to reach and provide free veterinary care and treatment to 420 dogs in the country.
Luke Gamble, chief executive and founder of WVS, said: "The donation from Ceva is fantastic and we can’t thank the company enough. Its support means so much to the charity and enables us to help animals in tough places where veterinary support is hard to find. Ceva has always supported WVS and its generosity in giving us another donation like this is simply amazing."
Cuneyt Seckin, managing director at Ceva Animal Health said: "Our donation to WVS helps charities and organisations whose veterinary resources can be scarce or extremely difficult to fund improve the welfare conditions of animals that are often kept in horrendous conditions.
"Treatments like wormers are the most requested items by WVS’s associated charities, so we are delighted that our donation has been able to impact the welfare of individual animals to greatly improve their quality of life."
There are 10 candidates standing this year and vets can vote for up to three of them until 5pm on Friday 21st April 2023:
The biographies and statements for each candidate are available at www.rcvs.org.uk/vetvote23 where each candidate has also answered two questions of their choice submitted by members of the profession.
The three candidates who receive the most votes will take up their four-year terms on RCVS Council at the RCVS Annual General Meeting on Friday 7th July 2023.
Any veterinary surgeons who have not received their voting email should contact CES directly on support@cesvotes.com stating which election they intend to vote in.