Merial has joined forces with the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) promote its "Me and My Dog - Together Against Rabies" social media campaign, designed to raise awareness of the importance of vaccinating dogs against rabies. 

As part of the campaign, pet owners are asked to share photos of themselves with their dog on social media channels, using the hash tags #TogetherAgainstRabies and #MerialMeAndMyDog.

Merial says the increased numbers of pets travelling since the changes to the Pet Travel Scheme rules in 2012 means that awareness of rabies amongst pet owners is important, despite the fact that the disease is not endemic in the UK.

Joanne Maki, Director Veterinary Public Health for Wildlife and Companion Animals for Merial said: "The "Me and My Dog - Together against Rabies" campaign is a unique opportunity for all of us to play a part in spreading the word about eliminating human rabies through the vaccination of animals. The more of us who participate, the stronger we are in this important fight".

Leading human and animal health organisations – the British Medical Association (BMA), British Dental Association (BDA), British Veterinary Association (BVA) and Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) - have joined forces for the first time to promote a ‘One Health’ approach to ensure responsible guardianship of antibiotics and their proper public use on European Antibiotics Awareness Day tomorrow.

Antibiotics are obviously a vital medicine for both animal and human health, and modern health systems rely on the availability and effectiveness of a range of antimicrobials to treat and prevent infections. Yet inappropriate use – such as prescribing for self-limiting infections, not finishing a prescribed course of antibiotics or habitual prophylactic use in healthy animals to prevent disease - all contribute to the development of resistant bacteria in both humans and animals.

Whilst antibiotic resistance in animals does not perhaps present the greatest immediate existential threat, there is a strong argument for a united message to the public coming from doctors, dentists, chemists and veterinary surgeons.

Quite simply, some 13M households own a pet. Pretty much all of them visit a vet at some stage, and most will be a human patient at some point in their lives. So, what a veterinary surgeon says about the use of antibiotics in animals has the potential to help transform how owners think about them when they come to visit the doctor.

A survey of general practitioner doctors last year found that 90% feel pressured by patients to prescribe antibiotics and 28% have prescribed them several times a week when not sure they are medically necessary. If veterinary surgeons refuse to prescribe them for pets unless medically necessary, explaining that they are a precious resource which can no longer be wasted, it could help relieve the pressure on doctors. The same goes for the importance of compliance; if owners learn the importance of their pet taking the full course, there's a greater chance they'll understand why they need to complete their own course of treatment.

BVA President Sean Wensley said: "Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is too important an issue for uncoordinated approaches amongst the medical professions. We need to work together to share knowledge and successful approaches, as well as taking responsibility for not just the immediate clinical situations before us, but also for our role in supporting the health and wellbeing of wider society. An effective approach to tackling AMR is about professions and patients working together for the greater good."

BMA board of science Chair Professor Sheila the Baroness Hollins said: "Doctors have expressed significant concern about the threat of a ‘post-antimicrobial age’. It is vital that we see action to improve antimicrobial prescribing across all disciplines. Only by different professionals working together to improve antimicrobial stewardship will we start to address this major public health issue."

BDA President Professor Nairn Wilson said: "All health professionals have a responsibility to draw a line under inappropriate or unnecessary use of antibiotics. One in ten prescriptions in the UK are provided by dentists, so we’re determined to do our bit. We are facing a clear and present danger to public health, and it will only be overcome if we act together."

For further information about EAAD 2015, visit www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/EAAD  

To mark EAAD 2015, BVA has produced a range of new posters to promote the responsible use of antibiotics for use in veterinary practices or as a source of information for pet owners which can be found on their website www.bva.co.uk/eaad.

Supreme Petfoods has launched a new range of Science Selective Care supplements for rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas.

The range includes Digestive Care, a supplement formulated with natural prebiotics and fibre to support gut motility and promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, and Urinary Care, which contains dandelion, cranberry, and vitamin C to help reduce the risk of urinary issues, such as bladder sludge.

Skin and Coat Care with antioxidant-rich spinach and linseed, is designed to support skin and coat health, while Vitamin C Care combines vitamin C, cranberry and blackcurrant to support immune function and vitality.

Claire Hamblion, Marketing Director at Supreme Petfoods said: "Over half of rabbit owners take their rabbits to the vet at least once a year.

"They are becoming much more engaged with their pet’s health care needs and want to provide high standards of care.

"Our new range meets the growing demand for products that offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition.”

www.supremepetfoods.com

The RCVS Council has decided that the final enrolments for the remaining RCVS Diplomas must be made by 1 November 2012.

According to the College, this is in line with the recommendation made by the Education Policy and Specialisation Committee to Council that the RCVS should speed up the process of phasing out all of the remaining RCVS Diplomas in favour of the increasingly popular European Diplomas.

There are now such small numbers of candidates sitting RCVS Diploma exams that benchmarking and determining a consistent examination standard becomes increasingly difficult, and the examination increasingly indefensible and unsustainable. For example, in each of the past three years, only two candidates have entered the Diploma in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics) exam, and there was only one candidate in 2008.  Similarly, it is now usual for only one or two candidates per year to sit Diploma exams in Zoo Medicine, Cattle Health and Production or Ophthalmology.

A number of RCVS Diplomas have already been phased out, and new enrolments are no longer being taken in subjects such as Small Animal Medicine, Dermatology, Anaesthesia and Diagnostic Imaging.

Examinations will continue to be held for enrolled candidates (including candidates who enrol ahead of the 1 November 2012 deadline). The last Diploma examinations held in each subject will depend upon when its final candidates complete the pre-examination requirements. For candidates enrolling this year, this means 2019 at the latest.

The phasing out of RCVS Diplomas has been an agreed strategy of Council for many years after the then Education Strategy Steering Group recommended greater convergence with European Colleges in a report to Council in 2002 entitled "A framework for veterinary education and training for 2010 and beyond". 

The position of each subject has been under review by the respective subject boards at their annual board meetings for the last few years, and some have already been closed to new entrants. 

Professor Mike Herrtage, Chairman of the RCVS Diplomas and Certificates Subcommittee said: "For some subjects, there had been a perception that the European route required the candidate to follow a residency in an academic institution, which could be a barrier to UK practitioners' chances of completing a Diploma.

"However, all the European Colleges allow an alternate training route for practitioners provided the programme is planned and specified at the time of enrolment and approved by the College before training starts." 

In some subjects, the European Diploma syllabus may not cover exactly the same ground as the RCVS equivalent - for example, small animal surgery encompasses both soft tissue surgery as well as orthopaedics - but the trend for residency positions in both universities and specialists practices has been to take candidates through the European style programmes, which produces more surgical specialists who thereafter can major in one aspect of another.   

Mike said: "Recent experience has shown that many diplomates take the European Diploma first, and this entitles them to apply to join the list of RCVS Recognised Specialists. If they then want to specialise in a narrower field they can do so, by providing supporting data and references to show that they are practising at a specialist level in the area concerned."

Veterinary surgeons will continue to have multiple routes to RCVS Recognised Specialist status - including via European Diplomas, which also offer a route for those not in a standard residency position, American Diplomas, the RCVS Fellowship, or other such high level qualifications.

Data from the Surveillance of Equine Strangles (SES) network confirms that over 370 cases of equine strangles have already been diagnosed in 2025, surpassing the UK’s annual average of around 300.

The increase has prompted a call by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance (EIDS) for equine professionals and owners to strengthen biosecurity and consider vaccination to help reduce disease spread.

EIDS has been monitoring diagnoses reported to SES and says the data indicates a genuine increase rather than normal year-to-year variation.

With the number of confirmed cases climbing, EIDS and the SES network are urging veterinary professionals and horse owners to revisit their yard management practices, saying that simple but consistent actions, such as isolating new arrivals, disinfecting shared equipment, and post-outbreak screening can make a substantial difference in controlling the disease.

In addition, they recommend the Strangvac vaccine, saying that when combined with good hygiene and daily temperature checking, can help reduce both the risk of infection and onward spread.

Dr Richard Newton of EIDS said, “These findings are a clear reminder that strangles remains an ever-present risk to the UK horse population.

"The increase in diagnoses underlines the importance of continued vigilance, prompt reporting, and proactive prevention measures.”

https://equinesurveillance.org/ses/ 

Vets4Pets has announced the opening of its 220th joint venture practice, together with a TV advertising campaign to support the growing business.

The 220th practice, opened with veterinary surgeon Lisa Bensley, is part of what the company describes as a 'healthy schedule of openings over the next few months', including two Companion Care practices in Pets at Home stores by mid June.

Lisa said: "I wanted to open my own practice so that I could to offer the standard of care I would want for my own pet. There are always so many frustrations when working for someone else in their practice.

"I really feel that Vets4Pets and Companion Care practices are the future, people are looking for a step up in veterinary care and services which I feel we can provide. It is so much more affordable than you would think and getting that business loan and the whole journey is made so easy. There is always someone on the end of the phone who will help with any problem and you are supported by so many people, experienced in their specific fields, covering any area you may need in your business ".

The television campaign (see below), which is running throughout June and July, focuses on 'Bug Packs' which are offered to all Vets4Pets clients and include 12 months vet recommended parasite treatments with 25% off.

Leigh-Anne Brown, Partner at Vets4Pets Harrogate and Chair of the Vets4Pets Professional Services Board said: "The reason we can manage to provide such a great deal is because of our size and an excellent commercial relationship with our suppliers which enables us to offer the discount. Now that Bug Pack has taken off we have the media buying power to advertise on national TV while our Online Marketing Team can even promote the package and sell the service online and the Local Marketing Team continue to implement the campaign on a more local level around each practice's community."  

For more information about opening a Vets4Pets joint venture practice, call 0800 0280 513 or email partnership@vets4pets.com

Researchers from the Royal Veterinary College working in collaboration with the University of Cambridge have found that anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) increase appetite in dogs with epilepsy, causing many of them to become overweight. 

The researchers say that although increased appetite has been reported as a side effect of many AEDs in veterinary literature, the effect had not been quantified or studied in detail.

To assess the phenomenon in greater detail, the research team analysed food motivation through a validated Dog Obesity Risk Assessment questionnaire created by University of Cambridge¹.

The study compared 222 dogs diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy with a control population of 7,086 healthy dogs.

The survey was designed to determine if epilepsy and AEDs were associated with increased food motivation, weight gain and decreased activity, and to assess if and how caregivers managed weight gain in this population.

The data revealed that dogs with idiopathic epilepsy receiving AEDs had significantly higher food motivation in comparison to healthy dogs – they had increased interest in food, were less selective about food, were more interested in food between meals, and wanted more food than usually offered.

In response, carers of dogs on medication put greater effort into restricting how much their dogs ate, particularly of human food.

Despite this, these dogs had significantly greater fat mass.

More than half of owners of dogs with epilepsy always used treats to administer their dog’s ASD medication (53%) and did not compensate for it by reducing the dog’s main food ration (34%).

Given the epilepsy treatment often involves medication two or three times a day, this has the potential to increase calorie intake substantially, an issue compounded by epileptic dogs also being less active.

The researchers say it's important that vets and nurses advise owners to monitor their dog's weight and help them manage it. 

Dr Anna Morros-Nuevo of the University of Cambridge, and primary author of this study, said: "Idiopathic epilepsy, and in particular seizure episodes, have such an overwhelming impact on these dogs' families that side effects such as weight gain often get overlooked, both by vets and the pet's families.

"But unfortunately, obesity has lifelong negative impact on health and quality of life, since it predisposes dogs to suffer from joint problems and respiratory diseases, as well as metabolic disorders and urinary incontinence.

"Obese dogs have also been shown to have a shorter lifespan than dogs with a normal weight.

"While ASD are non-negotiable for many of these dogs, their caregivers and veterinarians should be aware of the lifelong impact of their side effects and manage them carefully.

"We hope these findings will help to increase awareness for both veterinary professionals and dog carers of the side effects of ASD and their impact for the patient."

Reference

1. Morros-Nuevo, A., Packer, R. M. A., Reagan, N. & Raffan, E. ‘Caregiver-reported increased food motivation and adiposity in dogs receiving antiseizure dogs’, Vet Record, 195(12) doi: http://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.4907 

BCF has launched the Easi-Scan remote display, designed for on-farm use.

The company says the Easi-Scan offers unprecedented display performance, is very portable (weighing less than 2Kg) and very rugged. According to the company, Its 8.4" transflective LCD screen provides excellent quality images for fertility and pregnancy scanning meaning it can be used as the sole display for BCF's Easi-Scan and Duo-Scan ultrasound scanners. And with a dedicated channel button, you can switch between all available ultrasound channels, allowing you to view a number of examinations at once.

The Easi-Scan is also available with a Gorilla pod allowing it to be attached to railings and a carry strap. 

Gavin Mitchell from BCF said: "At BCF innovation is key; we have invested a lot of time developing a remote display monitor that is well suited to the needs of the market. Through listening to our customers, we feel we have successfully achieved this. It is ideal for training purposes and viewing multiple exams. It is also the only wireless and splashproof remote ultrasound display on the market."

For more information call 01506 460023 or visit http://www.bcftechnology.com/.

The PDSA has announced that it is offering free workshops to help veterinary professionals deliver new welfare checks called 'PetWise MOTs'.

The PetWise MOT checks focus on the five welfare needs, and the workshops count for seven hours CPD. The charity says that while the workshops are suitable for all members of the practice team, they should be of particular interest to nursing teams and those with a keen interest in engaging clients with the needs of their pets.

The aim of the MOT Checks is to improve pet wellbeing in the UK, following reports of a reduced level of awareness amongst the public of the five welfare needs defined by the Animal Welfare Acts.

Richard Casey, PDSA Pet Wellbeing Project Manager, said: "We know there is more to a pet’s wellbeing than just providing for their basic health needs. This unique consultation structure was developed in response to falling awareness among owners of their pets’ welfare needs, with millions of pets suffering unnecessarily. The PetWise MOTs use a simple traffic light system and personalised action plans to reverse this trend by helping to inform and engage owners about what their pets need to be healthy and happy."

The consultations were first trialled on the charity’s mobile PetCheck vehicles, then expanded to PDSA’s 51 pet hospitals. According to the charity, over 100,000 PetWise MOTs and follow up checks have now been completed in the last few years, with outcomes including:

• 45% reduction in the number of pets not having any of their welfare needs met (for example, 30% pets were assessed as ‘red’ for their health needs during their first PetWise MOT, but on the return checks this had reduced to 9%).
• 14% increase in the number of pets having all their needs fully met
• 40% increase in the uptake of preventive services within six months
• 28% of pets receiving a PetWise MOT went on to receive treatment for conditions that would otherwise have gone unnoticed.
• 86% of clients found their PetWise MOT extremely beneficial
• 100% of clients feel every UK vet practice should offer this service.

Alison Case, a Senior Vet at Bow PDSA Pet Hospital, said: "PetWise MOTs give a really practical approach to running clinics based on the pet’s welfare needs. We’ve seen a positive impact on patient care by looking at husbandry at home as well as the clinical concerns of the patient. The consultations help to strengthen the clinic-client bond through professional support and advice. We’ve had great feedback from our clients, who are now much more aware of the routine needs of their pets and often attend for further check-ups as well as regularly purchasing preventive treatments."

The workshops will focus on dogs, cats and rabbits, although the consultations are transferable to all species.

For more information or to book a place, visit www.pdsa.org.uk/petwise or email petwise@pdsa.org.uk. 

The RSPCA has launched a campaign to try and help stamp out puppy trafficking. As part of the campaign, the charity has released the results of a survey of vets (June 2008) which shows that:

23% of you reported an increase in puppies being presented at your practice that may have been bred on a puppy farm (compared to three years ago).

73% of vets are 'fairly' or 'very' concerned about the trade in puppies.

33% of you have seen an increase in puppies presented with canine parvovirus (compared to three years ago), 34% with endoparasites (e.g. worms), 31% for ectoparasites (e.g. mites) and 35% with campylobacter.

54% of you say that you believe there is a higher incidence of parvovirus in puppies from puppy farms, 66% for endoparasites and 65% for ectoparasites and 44% for campylobacter.

36% of you report that there has been an increase in puppies presented at your practices in the last three years that have not been vaccinated at the appropriate age for their primary course.

A separate survey found that nearly a third of 16-24 year olds are contemplating buying a puppy, and that half would consider buying from a pet shop.

The RSPCA said it believes it's high time that people planning on buying a puppy know the risks they face if they don't do their research and get one from either a rescue centre or a responsible breeder.

The RCVS has announced that the first members of its reconstituted Disciplinary and Preliminary Investigation Committees have been appointed and will join the Committees from July 2013.

Beverley Cottrell and Catherine Goldie (pictured right) have been appointed to the new Disciplinary Committee (DC), and are retiring as elected veterinary surgeons on Council to take up the posts. Veterinary surgeons Jane Downes and Charles Gruchy, and lay members Stuart Drummond, Ian Green, Chitra Karve and Mehmuda Mian, will also join the DC.

The new Preliminary Investigation Committee (PIC) members will include veterinary surgeons Andrew Ash and William Reilly, plus lay members Penny Howe, Sarah Pond and Elana Tessler.

These new appointments result from a legislative reform order (LRO) made to separate the RCVS disciplinary committees from the RCVS Council. The Royal College says this will improve the independence of the disciplinary process and bring it into line with regulatory best practice.

The LRO came into force on 6 April 2013, and amended the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (VSA). The VSA now requires that the RCVS PIC and DC are made up of veterinary surgeons and lay members who are not RCVS Council members, and who are appointed independently. The change to the legislation ensures that the same group of people is not responsible for setting the rules, investigating complaints, and adjudication.

The LRO also brings lay people formally into the PIC and will increase the pool of people available to investigate complaints and sit on disciplinary hearings.

RCVS Registrar and Head of Legal Services, Gordon Hockey said: "The LRO fundamentally improves the way the veterinary profession is regulated, and will help to ensure public confidence in our disciplinary processes. I am delighted by the constructive and collaborative working relationship that we had with Defra and the British Veterinary Association (BVA), which has allowed this major reform to be introduced."

To make these appointments, a long-list of lay and veterinary surgeon candidates was put together by recruitment consultants, and a shortlist was referred to an independent selection committee chaired by Sir Michael Buckley and including Christopher Laurence and Dr Joan Martin. The selection committee's choices were then ratified by RCVS Council at the June 2013 meeting.

As part of a transition phase, both committees will also include some Council members; after a two-year period, members of RCVS Council will become ineligible for membership of either committee.

A new quarterly veterinary publication - Companion Animals - has been launched to provide veterinary surgeons with a structured summary of the best international literature published in the past three months.

The peer-reviewed publication is backed by an educational grant from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, which says it is part of the company's commitment to invest in education and continue to support vets in practice.

Companion Animals contains expert commentary and analysis on recent advances in veterinary medicine and has an international editorial and advisory board. The board comprises Virginia Luis Fuentes from the Royal Veterinary College, Daniel Holden from the County Veterinary Clinic, Jacques Penderis from the University of Glasgow, Scott Brown from the University of Georgia, Brice Reynolds from the National Veterinary School of Toulouse, Rob Rayward from Coast Veterinary Referrals, James Oliver from North Kent Referrals, Sarah Smith from Sarah Smith Cardiology, Mark Lowrie from Davies Veterinary Specialists, Marieke De Vries from the Animal Health Trust and Patricia Ibarrola from University College Dublin.

In addition, each issue contains an original review article. The leading article in Volume 1, Issue 1 is titled 'The recognition and management of acute and chronic pain in cats' and is authored by Louisa Slingsby from the University of Bristol.

To register an account and receive all content free of charge, courtesy of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, please contact your local Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica territory manager or telephone 01344 746959.

The WSAVA has announced that its Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee (AWWC) has launched two new online training modules designed to provide veterinary surgeons with a solid grounding in contemporary animal welfare issues.

Developed as a resource for everyday clinical use, they are intended to enable practising veterinary surgeons around the world to expand their role as advocates for animals.

The two one-hour modules are based on materials developed by WSAVA partner, World Animal Protection in its Advanced Concepts in Animal Welfare educational resource.

The first module addresses contemporary animal welfare science and ethics and the understandings and definitions of animal welfare.

The second has a more clinical focus, covering aspects of animal welfare in practice, including behavioral and end of life issues. Both modules are now available for free download at http://tinyurl.com/hfs6s3s.

Dr Shane Ryan, co-chair of the AWWC, said: "It is vital that veterinarians possess an in-depth and solid understanding of contemporary animal welfare concepts in order to address both questions from the public and misinformation by non-veterinary groups on animal welfare issues.  Veterinarians are the champions of animal welfare and we hope that our new online training modules will support them in this role, offering them the knowledge they need in a concise and easily accessible format."

He added: "We acknowledge the vital support of World Animal Protection and AWWC sponsor WALTHAM, as well as the WSAVA’s Friends of Animal Welfare donors for their generous support of this important work."