BEVA is giving its members the opportunity to participate in a free practice benchmarking survey, to help them ensure their business is being run as efficiently and profitably as possible. The results of the research will be released at BEVA Congress, 7th-10th September 2011.
The Association has worked with Hazlewoods, chartered accountants and business advisors to the veterinary profession, to develop a detailed benchmarking questionnaire for equine veterinary practices, which allows businesses to compare their practice, anonymously, with other similar practices. The report should identify areas for profit improvement, including practice structure and pricing and may also highlight other potential methods of income generation.
Mark Beaney, partner at Hazlewoods and specialist advisor to the veterinary profession, said: "This is a super opportunity for equine practices to obtain helpful, free advice on how to fine-tune their business for maximum efficiency, delivery and profit. The questionnaire should take no more than half an hour to complete and in return we will provide you with a confidential individual report, with your practice data benchmarked."
Mark will present an overall report on the equine veterinary market at BEVA Congress on Saturday 10th September. All participating practices will remain anonymous. The benchmarking survey can be downloaded from the BEVA website at: http://www.beva.org.uk/news/view/59 and must be completed by 30th June 2011.
BEVA Congress runs from 7th-10th September 2011 at the Liverpool Arena Convention Centre, Liverpool. This year BEVA will be celebrating its 50th anniversary - for further information and to register visit http://www.beva.org.uk/.
Benchmark Holdings has announced that it has acquired Improve International limited, the Swindon-based veterinary Continuing Professional Development (CPD) business.
Improve will be added to Benchmark's Technical Publishing division, which provides global knowledge transfer, technical insight, e-learning and market analysis for people and businesses working in agriculture, aquaculture and the food supply chain.
Established in 1998 by a group of veterinary surgeons, Improve organises CPD courses for veterinary professionals across the UK, Republic of Ireland, Scandinavia and mainland Europe from its bases in the UK and Portugal.
Improve's courses are run privately and are accredited by the European School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ESVPS) and/ or Harper Adams University.
In partnership with ESVPS and Harper Adams University, Improve also provides courses and qualifications for Official Veterinarians in England, Scotland and Wales.
Improve's veterinary directors, David Babington (pictured right), Heber Alves and Rui Lobao will all remain with the business.
Benchmark's management says it believes there is considerable scope for online development of the courses within the digital arm of its Technical Publishing division. The division currently offers 15 distance-learning courses, which are tailored to develop core industry skills.
Malcolm Pye, Chief Executive of Benchmark Holdings Plc said: "The acquisition of Improve will enable us to combine our digital and distance learning expertise with Improve's veterinary content across Europe, enhancing our ability to serve the professionals in our key veterinary markets.
"This is a significant step forward for our Technical Publishing division in both of the food and companion animal markets. We plan to take Improve's successful, face-to-face courses and deliver content digitally on an international basis."
Hysolv Animal Health has announced that it is offering a free swine flu laboratory diagnostic service to veterinary surgeons in the UK and Ireland.
The company will supply kits to veterinary surgeons with which to take samples from pig herds they suspect are infected with swine flu. The samples, nasal swabs or blood, will be sent direct to Germany where vaccine and biological company IDT Biologika is using a special facility to detect which viruses or antibodies against certain serotypes are present.
The virological tests will be conducted by the Institute for Virus Diagnostics, part of the Federal Research Institute for Animal Health. Antibody titres against H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, panH1N1 and panH1N2 will be looked for. Hysolv says these tests, including histopathology, can provide the only conclusive proof of influenza infection.
Results from the test — which would normally cost 230 Euros (about £185) to conduct — will be available within a week. IDT is believed to be the first company offering this type of test.
According to the company, the PCR test — from nasal swabs — is much more precise than previous testing regimes and will identify and type circulating strains as well as emerging strains.
Hysolv says that when swine flu strikes a farm, the signs seen are no longer just typically flu-like but a show whole range including fever, coughing, dyspnoea as well as returns to oestrus and abortions in sows. These may be in combination and concurrent with other diseases which makes accurate diagnosis difficult.
IDT will be offering the newly-branded vaccine Respiporc Flu 3 where the veterinary surgeon feels vaccination in indicated.
Hysolv director Richard Brealey said: “IDT is raising the bar in flu testing and this is a significant advance on what has been done in the past. In 2014 one-third of 1353 nasal swabs sent for testing proved positive for swine flu in Germany. In the UK the samples will help give an insight into the epidemiological status quo of the national pig herd.”
The College says that although professional bodies advise their members to value their own wellbeing and seek help if unwell, there has been an absence of senior professionals who have felt able to say 'been there myself'.
By asking senior medical professionals to share their stories of overcoming struggles with mental health, &me aims to encourage other medical professionals to seek help, in part by showing that such experiences do not exclude people from achieving leading roles in healthcare.
With the addition of Dr Cathy Wield in August, there are now seven ambassadors for the &me campaign, and all of their stories can be read at www.vetmindmatters.org/&me:
Lizzie Lockett, Director of the Mind Matters Initiative, said: "Over the past eight months we have seen an incredible level of support for our &me ambassadors. Our Facebook post about Rob Pettitt, for example, reached nearly 25,000 people, many of whom posted stories about Rob helping them navigate veterinary school and better understand their own mental health issues. These kind of role models really do help reduce stigma, and we thank every one of our ambassadors for having the courage to share their own experiences with mental health."
Louise Freeman, Vice-Chair of the Doctors’ Support Network, said: "The &me campaign has really shown how the medical professions can work together when it comes to mental health. Medical professionals face many of the same challenges, and we needn’t face them alone – instead we can work as one to tackle stigma and speak openly about mental health issues. And it’s not just in the UK that health professionals can feel as if they are ‘not allowed’ to experience mental health problems. As a direct result of the &me campaign, health professionals from around the world including Australia and the U.S. have been in contact with DSN to confirm that they have similar issues within their local health culture."
The campaign is still interested in hearing from not only doctors and veterinary surgeons but also nurses, veterinary nurses, dentists, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals who want to open up about their experiences of mental ill health. To participate in the campaign, please email Dr Louise Freeman on vicechair@dsn.org.uk.
On social media tweets about the campaign are sent from @vetmindmatters and @DocSupportNet twitter accounts using the hashtag #AndMe.
Bluevac-3 is an inactivated injectable vaccine indicated for the active immunisation against BTV-3 for use in sheep and cattle.
Ceva says it reduces viraemia, prevents mortality and reduces the clinical signs of BTV-3 in sheep and reduces viraemia in cattle.
In sheep, Bluevac-3 can be administered from two months of age and two doses of 2ml should be administered subcutaneously three weeks apart.
In cattle, the vaccine can be administered from two months of age and two doses of 4ml should be administered three weeks apart.
Onset of immunity occurs 21 days/three weeks after completion of primary vaccination in cattle and sheep.
The vaccine can be used in pregnancy in cows and ewes.
No negative impact on milk-yield after using the vaccine in lactating ewes and cows is expected.
Ceva developed the new vaccine in partnership with vaccine manufacturer CZV Vaccines and launched it in Europe early in the summer, to mitigate the impact of the disease already experienced in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
Craig Wright, ruminant business unit director at Ceva Animal Health, said: “In co-operation with our partner, CZV Vaccines, we have worked tirelessly to bring Bluevac-3 to the UK to help fight bluetongue which has the potential to cause severe financial loss to farmers.
"The availability of an effective vaccine is an essential tool to help suppress future outbreaks by reducing viraemia, preventing mortality and reducing the clinical signs of BTV-3.”
Licences to allow the use of the new vaccine will either be geographically targeted general licences, initially in high risk counties as part of a phased approach, or specific licences which can be applied for through APHA.
General licencing will be subject to risk assessment.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/summary-of-product-characteristics-for-bluevac-3-btv-3-vaccine-in-the-uk.
Quantum Vet Diagnostics (a division of Woodley Equipment Co Ltd) has announced the launch of a new wet chemistry analyser.
The Quantum Saturno is offered exclusively by Quantum with a total maintenance and reagent package. One fixed monthly payment provides all standard reagents for a month, control solution, monthly maintenance visits by an experienced technician, all parts, consumables, repairs and support from a dedicated wet chemistry division. There are also a wide range of special chemistry tests available.
Quantum says the key features of the new analyser are:
For more details contact 01798 813659 or email: sales@quantumvetdiagnostics.com
A new study published this month in the Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ)1 has concluded that toxins from the seeds of the sycamore tree (Acer pseudoplatanus) are the likely cause of Atypical Myopathy (AM) in Europe.
However, to avoid confusion, the authors of the study point out that the American Sycamore (also just called 'the sycamore' in the USA), is a completely different species: Platanus occidentalis. Furthermore, the sycamore found in the UK is also known as the sycamore maple in other countries.
The new research follows on the heels of a study in the USA earlier this year that linked toxins from the box elder tree (Acer negundo) with Seasonal Pasture Myopathy (SPM), the US equivalent of AM2. The discovery marks an important step for the future prevention of this fatal disease.
Atypical Myopathy is a highly fatal muscle disease in the UK and Northern Europe. In ten years, approximately twenty European countries have reported the disease. Incidences tend to occur repeatedly in the autumn and in the spring following large autumnal outbreaks. Horses that develop AM are usually kept in sparse pastures with an accumulation of dead leaves, dead wood and trees in or around the pasture and are often not fed any supplementary hay or feed. SPM is a very similar disorder, prevalent in Midwestern USA and Eastern Canada that is now known to be caused by the ingestion of hypoglycin A, contained in seeds from the box elder tree.
The new European research1 was conducted by an international team led by Dominic Votion, University of Liege and involved 17 horses from Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands, suffering from Atypical Myopathy. High concentrations of a toxic metabolite of hypoglycin A, were identified in the serum of all of the horses. The pastures of 12 of the horses were visited by experienced botanists and the Acer pseudoplatanus, the sycamore maple, was found to be present in every case. This was the only tree common to all visited pastures.
Researchers believe hypoglycin A is the likely cause of both AM in Europe and SPM in North America. The sycamore and the box elder are known to produce seeds containing hypoglycin A and the pastures of the afflicted horses in Europe and the USA were surrounded by these trees.
Hypoglycin-A is found in various levels in the seeds of plants in the genus Acer as well as in various other genera in the family Sapindaceae such as ackee (Blighia sapida). In ackee, hypoglycin-A levels do vary with ripeness of the fruit and, if the fruit is eaten before it is mature, it causes hypoglycaemia to different degrees including a condition called "Jamaican vomiting sickness" (because of ackee's use in Jamaican cooking) and occasionally death in humans.
Researchers at the Universities of Minnesota2 and Liege are continuing their work to try to uncover exactly how the equine disease occurs. Dr Adrian Hegeman of University of Minnesota said: "It is likely that the most important contributing factors to horses becoming poisoned by hypoglycin-A are the availability of seed in the field combined with lack of other feeding options. The seeds from two species of maples (box elder and sycamore maples) that we have tested include significant quantities of hypoglycin-A.
"We know that seeds contain highly variable quantities from seed to seed, even within a single tree. We do not know yet how hypoglycin-A levels vary seasonally, nor do we know how its abundance varies with different levels of stress to the plant, though this may well explain seasonal variability in the occurrence of the malady. It is possible that conditions that stress the plants may contribute to significant seasonal changes in hypoglycin-A levels. At this point we just don't know. It is common held knowledge that trees under stress usually produce more seed."
Dr Jeff Gillman of University of Minnesota said: "Without question, further analysis of the seeds and other tissues from Acer species needs to be performed along with sampling of plant materials over multiple seasons and at various stress levels. Additionally, one cannot rule out more complex explanations for the seasonality of disease occurrence such as: animals may begin feeding on seed materials in response to depletion of more palatable choices under drought conditions; or simple explanations such as high wind events driving seeds into fields. These sorts of explanations for the occurrence of the disease do not depend on botanical variations in toxicity across seasons, sites or stress levels, yet also require consideration.
"Although limited examples are available, the experience of animals at a pasture site might also confer some degree of behavioral resistance to poisoning due to exposure at sub-lethal levels with prior exposure to seeds in the pasture."
Professor Celia Marr, Editor of Equine Veterinary Journal said: "This is an important advancement in our understanding of what causes AM and how it can be prevented. In immediate practical terms owners can take prompt measures to avoid exposing their horses to sycamore seeds this autumn. Where horses are grazing in the vicinity of sycamore trees, it is imperative that they are provided with sufficient supplementary feed as this will minimise the risk that horses might be tempted to ingest seeds containing this toxin. This must be done carefully and leaving wet hay on the ground should be avoided so providing extra carbohydrate feeds may be more practical."
References
Martin Hosegood MRCVS has been selected to run for (your) Vetlife in the Virgin London Marathon.
Martin said: "Through my role at VDS where I assist those on the receiving end of an allegation of professional negligence or professional misconduct, I have seen the fantastic work that Vetlife does to assist anyone in the veterinary community who is having a difficult time. I’ve run the marathon before for other charities but there will be something special about running it to help support my own profession. I feel privileged to have been chosen."
Martin (aka Obed) is a Bristol graduate who worked mainly in large animal practice for 25 years before becoming a VDS claims consultant in 2010. He has also been advising a large safari park on the health, conservation and management of a wide range of zoo species for many years and still continues this role now, albeit in a reduced capacity.
Martin will be running on April 26th with 38,000 other runners – almost five times the number that ran the first race in 1981. Other competitors will include Tim Peake, who will be running the race aboard the International Space Station, Dame Kelly Holmes MBE, James Cracknell and Rosie Allister, Chair of Vetlife Helpline.
Rosie said: "It’s brilliant that Martin is giving up his time and training miles to support Vetlife. People who call Vetlife Helpline can often feel very alone; knowing the profession is behind us and wants to help can make a real difference. I’m hoping Martin waves as he overtakes me on the day! And that more vets and VNs will help us fundraise for Vetlife in the future."
Anyone willing to sponsor Martin can do so at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ObedMartinHosegood
The 45-minute webinar: Debt Management: Prevention Is Better Than Cure is presented by Mike Brooks from veterinary-specialist debt recovery agency, dsl.
VPMA President Renay Rickard (pictured right) said: "Debt can affect any business, but, because of the role vets play as care-giver in an emotionally-based animal-owner relationship, we are particularly vulnerable. This is something that is commonly brought up by members at our regional meetings and events, and it’s a real dilemma for them how to juggle being strict with payment policies against owner expectations and misperceptions of the cost of veterinary medicine.
"This has been a very popular topic in both our regional meetings and with our webinar and we wanted to open it up to more people to help them tackle this topic in their practices. The feedback on this webinar has been very positive. Mike gives clear guidance on how to set up payment protocols that will minimise debt in such a way that maintains the client-practice relationship. There’s also information on how to recover existing debts. It makes sense to prioritise tackling this issue as if we’re not paid, then we can’t deliver the service that we are expected to, and that our patients need.
"We’re pleased to open this webinar up to all practices as a Christmas gift, and hope it will also highlight the support that is available through VPMA membership."
The webinar can be accessed through a link on the home page of the VPMA website www.vpma.co.uk.
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
Dechra Veterinary Products is offering vets free Identichips® worth £100 when they order Equipalazone® Powder 100s. The European Union (EU) has now approved regulations that any equine foal born after July 1 2009 should be micro-chipped, and Defra is currently consulting with equine industry professionals about the best method of implementation. The combination of a micro-chip and horse passport provides a reliable method of identification and also a medical record. Larry King, Dechra's equine product manager said: "We want to make it easier for vets to offer clients the best method of identification and in turn, make it difficult for horses treated with veterinary medicines to enter the human food chain. "We are pleased to support the micro-chipping initiative and the Equine Passport Scheme with our Identichips offer and an owner leaflet about passports to promote responsible horse ownership. They will both help prevent important products like Equipalazone from inadvertently entering the food chain. He added: "We stand to lose up to 70 per cent of veterinary medicines if the industry and horse owners don't comply with EU legislation of horse passports and micro-chipping for every equine". The owner leaflet outlines the importance and benefits of the Equine Passport Scheme and is being inserted into every box of Equipalazone Powder 100s. Further copies are available from Dechra Veterinary Products for practices to distribute to their clients. Practices can claim their free Identichips by ordering boxes of Equipalazone Powder 100s from Rachel Horton at Dechra Veterinary Products on 01743 452 847 before August 31 2008.
Vets Now Limited, the out-of-hours emergency care provider, has been announced as a finalist in the Scottish region of the Bank of Scotland Corporate £35 Million Entrepreneur Challenge. The company will now compete with four other businesses to secure a funding package of up to £5 million, free of interest and charges for three years.
Managing Director, Richard Dixon, must now present his business case to a judging panel featuring two well known and incredibly successful entrepreneurs. Willie Haughey from City Refrigeration and John Anderson from The Entrepreneurial Exchange will be joined on the panel by senior representatives from Bank of Scotland Corporate and Deloitte. The panel will be grilling all five finalists on their future business plans, as well as looking for someone with an entrepreneurial flair, spirit and vision that sets them apart from the rest and makes them an outstanding choice to receive the once in a lifetime funding package that could change the face of the business.
The judging process will take place on Thursday 2 October and will be followed that evening by a dinner and award ceremony at Stirling Castle, where the winner will be announced.
For more information visit http://www.theboschallenge.co.uk/
Fort Dodge Animal Health has announced it is working with the authorities to put measures in place to make its West Nile Virus vaccine, licensed in the United States, available to the European equine market. These measures will ensure a vaccine is readily available in the event of an outbreak in the UK.
This news comes as the Zooprophylactic Institute of Teramo, the Italian National Reference Centre for Exotic Diseases, has confirmed an outbreak of WNV among horses in stables in the northern province of Ferrara. About 20 horses are believed to have been affected.
Fort Dodge was the first company to develop and fully license a vaccine to protect horses against this potentially deadly disease. An inactivated whole virus vaccine, it was the only vaccine available in the United States at the height of the 2002 outbreak, which affected 15,000 horses. The U.S. Department of Agriculture credited the vaccine with contributing to the 70 per cent decline in U.S. equine West Nile cases since the height of the outbreak. WNV is now considered endemic in all areas of North America.
"As this latest outbreak of WNV in Italy highlights, the disease presents an increasing threat to the equestrian sector in Europe," says Helen Barnes, EMEA Equine Business Manager for Fort Dodge. "With little current natural immunity among the equine population, the consequences of a major outbreak could be devastating."
"Until now, horse owners in Europe have perhaps believed WNV is not a disease they should be concerned with but the outbreak in Ferrara came out of the blue, and at a time when a human case of WNV was also reported in the same province. This situation of both human and equine cases being reported is identical to that seen in the outbreaks in the United States. It's a stark reminder of the challenge this disease poses, particularly as environmental factors, such as global warming and heavy rains threaten to create mass breeding grounds for mosquitoes," says Barnes.
"Our experience with WNV in the United States has given us an exceptional understanding of the disease and the importance of vaccination. We now look forward to working in partnership with the European governments, the EU Commission and the veterinary community across Europe to help build understanding and knowledge of this dangerous emerging disease threat."
Genitrix has launched Dentagen toothpaste which, the company says, uniquely both cleans teeth and inhibits the formation of plaque.
Dentagen toothpaste is based on RF2, a plant extract, which is clinically proven to inhibit the formation of dental biofilm or plaque. It has been formulated to a dentrifrice abrasivity (RDA) index of 34 to ensure that it removes plaque while causing no damage to the enamel layer of the teeth. The toothpaste is packaged with a free finger-brush to help introduce the pet to having its teeth brushed. It costs £5.50 for a 70g tube.
The toothpaste completes the range of Dentagen health products - the fastest growing dental products in the UK (according to GFK data in May 2010).
Genitrix says Dentagen is the only veterinary dental system to combine a procedure carried out in practice with a variety of aftercare regimes to ensure owner compliance. In 2008, Genitrix launched the Dentagen plaque protection system. It consists of a RF2-impregnated wax provided to practices in a syringe and applied to the gingival layer and the buccal area of teeth of dogs or cats at the end of dental procedures. Pet owners then maintain the protective coating by using the new Dentagen toothpaste or other products in the range - either the RF2-impregnated vegetable-based palatable Dentagen chews or Dentagen Aqua, a palatable liquid containing RF2, which is added to a pet's drinking water on a daily basis.
Rob Watkins, Genitrix' Marketing Director, said: "Brushing has long been recognised as the 'gold standard' when it comes to dental health care so we felt it was important for the Dentagen range to include this option. Regular brushing makes a significant contribution to the maintenance of oral health and the RF2 in the Dentagen toothpaste actually suppresses plaque formation between brushing which is a further benefit. It sets a new efficacy standard for pet toothpaste.
However, while many owners understand the importance of dental health, many of them find actually brushing their pet's teeth difficult - especially those with cats. This is why the Dentagen range includes a variety of options. It enables pet owners to select the method that is right for them and their pet and thus maximise the likelihood of their compliance with a good preventive health regime."
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has launched its annual search for veterinary surgeons deserving of an award for significantly advancing the care of companion animals.
Nominations are invited for the following awards, which will be presented during the 2011 WSAVA World Congress which takes place in Jeju, Korea from October 14-17 2011.:
WSAVA Hill's Pet Mobility AwardTo recognise the outstanding work of a clinical researcher in the field of canine and feline orthopaedic medicine and surgery. Through improvements in the mobility and quality of life of pets, the research should have contributed significantly to the well-being of pets' lives and to the human-animal bond worldwide.
WSAVA Hill's Excellence in Veterinary Healthcare AwardTo recognise the outstanding work of a veterinary surgeon in promoting companion animal healthcare and the human-pet-veterinary bond through leading-edge clinical nutrition and through advanced medical and surgical techniques which enrich relationships between people and their pets.
WSAVA International Award for Scientific AchievementTo recognise the outstanding contribution of a veterinary surgeon who has furthered the advancement of knowledge of the cause, detection and management of disorders in companion animals.
Professor Jolle Kirpensteijn, President of the WSAVA, said: "Our prestigious awards recognise the achievement of members of the veterinary profession around the world as they continue to push the boundaries of veterinary care for companion animals. The standard of entries is always high, reflecting the ground-breaking research and work being carried out by our colleagues in many countries. We look forward to reviewing the nominations for the 2011 awards.
We are also grateful to Hill's Pet Nutrition for its generous sponsorship of these awards and for its continuing support of the WSAVA. The awards are just one of the ways in which we work to deliver on our joint vision to foster the development of veterinary knowledge on a global scale."
The WSAVA Executive Board also makes a special additional award for service to the profession. The award is designed to recognise exemplary service by a veterinary surgeon to foster and enhance the exchange of scientific and professional ideas throughout the world. For 2011, the award will be sponsored by Dr John Holt, a long-term supporter of the WSAVA, past president (1986-88) and Service to the Profession award winner (1998.)
Nominations for all awards can be sent to the WSAVA Secretariat by e-mail, fax, or post (http://www.wsava.org/Contact.htm ) and should include a covering letter, nominee CV and list of nominee publications. Nominations must be received by the WSAVA Secretariat by 15 November 2010.
RCVS Day - the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Annual General Meeting and Presentation of Awards - will be held on Friday 1 July 2011 at One Great George Street, London.
All members and listed/registered veterinary nurses are invited to attend the day, which will start at 10am with AGM business, followed by the celebration of veterinary and veterinary nursing achievements. Professor Soraya Shirazi-Beechey will be receiving her Honorary Associateship and Dr James Kirkwood and Des Thompson will be accepting their Honorary Fellowships.
A new award to mark the 50th anniversary of veterinary nursing will also be presented, as well as a Lifetime Contribution Award from the RCVS Charitable Trust.
In his last official engagement as President, Peter Jinman will give a review of his year before formally welcoming new Council and VN Council Members, and Dr Jerry Davies to the role of President for 2011-2012.
To celebrate Vet2011, the RCVS is honoured to announce that there will be two guest speakers this year - Dr Christophe Buhot DVM and Professor Gary England FRCVS, who will deliver a talk about the history and future direction of veterinary education.
For tickets, which are free and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, please contact Fiona Harcourt at the RCVS on f.harcourt@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0773.
Virbac Animal Health has launched an extra small version of its VeggieDent dental chews for dogs weighing less than 5kg.
Research commissioned by the company shows that 9% of all dogs in the UK weigh less than 5kg1 and that periodontal disease is over-represented in this group2.
According to the Kennel Club, celebrity culture is boosting the popularity of small breeds. Apparently there was a 25% increase in Kennel Club registrations of Chihuahuas in 2011, following publicity about Paris Hilton and her Chihuahua. Virbac says numbers of other small miniature breeds such as pugs are also growing rapidly.
Virbac says VeggieDent chews are designed to work with the animal's chewing action, 100% vegetable, highly palatable and feature a special design to increase chewing time. A recent study3 showed that a daily XS VeggieDent reduced halitosis as well as significantly reducing gingivitis, plaque, and tartar accumulation.
Chris Geddes MRCVS, Product Manager at Virbac said: "With growing numbers of very small dogs in the UK, we wanted to produce a chew which was exactly the right size for them.
VeggieDent Chews are already popular among dog owners because they are a nutritious and palatable plaque control aid, minimising tartar build up and improving breath odour. With the launch of the extra small size, we now offer the perfect chew for every size of dog."
For further information, contact your Territory Manager or call Head Office on 01359 243243.
References:
Two award-winning independent practices, Glasgow-based Pets’n’Vets and Fife-based Inglis Vets, have joined forces to launch what they describe as a pioneering new graduate training programme.
The new.graduatevet programme (or ‘Dot’ programme) provides hands-on surgical training at Inglis Vets' in Cowdenbeath, seminars from Advanced Veterinary Practitioners at the Pets'n'Vets’ Roundhouse Veterinary Hospital in Glasgow and a new website accessible to all new and recent graduates: www.new.graduatevet.co.uk
Inglis Vets senior vet Graeme Eckford (pictured left, above), said: "This innovation has seen Scotland’s two leading independent vets, Inglis and The Pets’n’Vets Family, bring our considerable combined expertise and facilities together to create what we believe to be the best well-rounded, supported and unique new graduate training programme available in Scotland.
"Support is delivered through an integrated mentor system, peer-to-peer learning opportunities and regular case reviews, with the Dot programme designed to integrate with, and augment, the PDP requirements."
Ross Allan, a partner in The Pets‘n’Vets Family (pictured right, above), said: "The Dot programme will see the new graduates undertake advanced training and extra practice on surgery, consultations and general practice to accelerate their surgical skills and confidence at Inglis Vets ‘Care and Save’– Cowdenbeath before attending the Pets'n'Vets Roundhouse Veterinary Hospital in Glasgow’s Southside for a digest of seminars.
"We are proud to work with Inglis Vets to develop the programme which we believe will provide a platform for new graduates to apply the skills they’ve learned at university throughout the previous five years, and allow them to excel in their careers.
"We believe this exciting new venture demonstrates the willingness of progressive independent veterinary practices to work constructively together to allow both our new graduate vets, and in turn our practices, to thrive. There will be considerable opportunities for the new graduate vets when they have completed their training in the 16 practices which comprise our two ground-breaking vet practices."
The new.graduatevet website has been established to run alongside the new.graduatevet programme as an online mentor and with the aim of providing a community and learning space for all new and recent graduate vets; a much-needed resource for the next generation of vet graduates. Its range of blogs, news and advice on a range of relevant topics are available to all.
New veterinary graduates can apply for a place on the Dot programme by logging onto www.new.graduatevet.co.uk
The new resource, which is sponsored by ManyPets pet insurance, is a complete secondary school lesson in a box.
It is designed in-line with National Curriculum key stage 3 Science, where students will participate in ‘real-life’ veterinary scenarios, performing diagnostic tests similar to those used to diagnose real animals and interpreting scientific evidence.
The project aims to demystify the veterinary professions and some of the perceived barriers to joining it for both young people and their advisors.
The box includes a range of content, from science, critical thinking, communication, mathematics, analytics to problem-solving skills and teamwork.
Aimed at pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9, schools will be able to “book the box” via project collaborators Loughborough University (producers of HE Unboxed) and have it delivered to them for free.
The box is available to all schools, however schools which have a high number of pupils from diverse backgrounds will get booking priority and additional support.
The box will be showcased at the London Vet Show on 17th/18th November at ExCel London and then available to schools from late November.
https://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/he-unboxed/success-box/vet-team-in-a-box/
The judges praised the practice group for leveraging employee ownership (EO) to drive growth and staff satisfaction, protect independence, and champion EO in the veterinary sector.
Pennard Vets, which has eight practices in Kent, says its driving ambition when it took the decision to transfer the business into an employee ownership trust and make its 150-strong team business owners, was to protect its independence and core values.
Pennard Vets has also been eager to spread the word about employee ownership to other veterinary practices.
Matthew Flann, a director from Pennard Vets, said: “Winning this award is a huge coup for our entire industry, who have been searching for ways to secure the future of their independent practices.
"Set against a backdrop of increasing corporatisation of UK veterinary practices, we chose to protect our heritage by becoming an EOT.
“It hasn't been easy, but it has been massively rewarding and our team have passionately bought into their new status as owners, and the results can be seen throughout the practice – from team-led initiatives to the impact on the range of procedures we can now offer to our patients.
"It’s genuinely been transformational and since 2021 we’ve doubled turnover and grown our team by 30%.
"We’ve also welcomed Abbotsley Veterinary Group and Priory Lodge into the group with the two local Kent practices citing our EOT status as a motivating factor for their moves.
“Crucially our EOT structure provided the launchpad to becoming the first veterinary practice in Europe to achieve B-Corp status in 2022, which we see as another step towards becoming the very best practice possible, using input and ideas from our team to provide a better service, give back to our community and protect the environment.
“We’re also determined to make the journey less arduous for other veterinary practices to follow our lead and we regularly hear from practice owners who are exploring becoming EO.
"We’ve established the British Veterinary Employee Owned Association to help guide other practices through the journey of becoming an EOT by networking, attending events and presenting webinars.
"This year we have supported thriving practices to become EO in all parts of the UK, including Arrowfield Vets in Herefordshire, Animal Tails Veterinary Practice in Stirling, Shetland Vets and Cornerstone Veterinary Clinic in Belfast.
“We believe intrinsically in the value of supporting and promoting our team as the best way to grow our business and provide the best possible service to our clients and patients, and that same approach will pay dividends for other veterinary practices. Because of this we fully intend to continue to campaign for the benefits of EO.”
James de le Vingne, CEO of the EOA, said: “Congratulation to Pennard Vets on winning this award.
"The awards recognise businesses and individuals that are delivering great employee ownership. Collectively, great employee owned businesses deliver significant uplift in productivity and performance, outperforming their non-EO counterparts across multiple impacts for employees, society, the environment and the economy.”
The RCVS ERP provides an ethics review mechanism for researchers who are based in practice and don't have access to this process through university and industry connections.
The subcommittee has representation across a range of areas of veterinary expertise, including veterinary nursing, and also includes lay researchers and scientists.
Since its formation as a trial service in 2016, the ERP has reviewed more than 530 research proposals on behalf of the College.
Nicola said: “I am honoured to be offered this position.
"Having been a member of RCVS ERP for the past three years and undertaking a similar role as the Chair of the Clinical Research Ethical Review Board at the Royal Veterinary College, I felt that I had the right expertise to take on the role
“It is vitally important that all research, regardless of where it is undertaken, undergoes ethical review to ensure that robust results are produced especially when they have the potential to influence clinical practice, and so I really welcome the work the ERP has been undertaking.
“As chair of the ERP I hope to build on the success of my predecessor and continue to support those working in clinical practice that is not associated with a university to undertake valuable research and add to the body of evidence that supports our clinical decision-making.”
www.rcvs.org.uk/ethics
LacriProtect is designed to increase the depth of the tear film in the management of dry eye, during anaesthesia, or in case of irritation.
It contains a carbomer-based formula in individual, resealable single-use pipettes, so that each application is hygienic and free from cross-contamination.
This, says Samaxia, is particularly useful in clinical settings.
Lacri+ contains 0.4% cross-linked sodium hyaluronate and urea, and is designed to hydrate, lubricate and protect the ocular surface.
It comes in a multi-dispense bottle with a tip-seal mechanism and multilayer filtration to ensure sterility and give a shelf life of three months after opening.
https://www.samaxia.com
Virbac is launching a nationwide consumer campaign directing pet owners into practice with a special £1 off Indorex voucher promotion.
Indorex product manager Victoria Hudson said: "Participating practices also have the chance to win £250 worth of shopping vouchers for themselves. The practice returning the most client vouchers, plus two runners up, will each win Love2shop shopping vouchers which can be spent at thousands of high street stores, restaurants and attractions across the UK!"
Victoria added: "Indorex is such an easy product to use providing owners with 12 months protection against fleas in their home with just a single application. Even in the summer months, the product is UV stable so it can also be used in sunlit areas such as cars and conservatories."
Vouchers can be obtained from your local Virbac territory manager or downloaded at www.fleafreezones.co.uk/. Following customer redemption each £1money off voucher can be reclaimed by the practice with proof of purchase.
Organisers are calling for entrants for this year's Vet Charity Challenge, an outdoor sporting fundraiser which also serves as a team building event for practices.
Competitors take part in walking, running, cycling and kayaking challenges, along with some orienteering and mental and physical tasks, in teams of four.
The event will take place on Saturday 28th September at Pershore College, Worcestershire.
Organisers say the Vet Charity Challenge has been designed for every level of fitness and success on the day depends very much on how well each team member works together, rather than physical fitness.
Jason Rogers, one of the VCC organisers said: "Teams are registering every day and we are delighted with the response. But there are a few team spaces left, so I urge practices to register a team of four online now at: www.vetcharitychallenge.co.uk."
The Vet Charity Challenge 2012 raised a total of £21,000, which was shared between three animal charities. The event in 2013 will raise funds for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, SPANA and Animals Asia.