Vetcel, the veterinary buying group, has announced a partnership with Training Progress, through which it will deliver its health and safety training information to member practices.

Training Progress is a training management system designed primarily so that veterinary managers can track their staff training. The company says the system empowers staff to drive their own training, and devolves training responsibility (where appropriate) away from senior team members. 

The tie-up with Vetcel means member practices will be able to access Vetcel's health and safety training in their own own mini Training-Progress site, where they will be able to track their teams' progress and compliance. 

Chris Bainton said: "The Vetcel group are delighted to be working with Training-Progress to provide a further benefit to our membership. We recognise that Training-Progress will help our members ensure that their team’s staff development and training is promoted and, specifically, that both the staff and the practices themselves are protected and enabled by monitoring and recording the health and safety training of the team.”

Training Progress will be at stand O54 at the London Vet Show.

Bayer Animal Health has signed a sponsorship deal with the celebrated series The Dog Whisperer on Nat Geo Wild and committed to a wide-reaching TV advertising campaign to promote Drontal. 

The sponsorship agreement covers series 5 of The Dog Whisperer as well as repeats of series 1 - 4.  The programme follows Cesar Millan as he goes into the homes of troubled dog owners offering calm and assertive guidance. The Dog Whisperer is broadcast five times a day throughout the week and will be aired from July until December on Nat Geo Wild. Drontal's sponsorship credits will be shown before, during and after each episode and will feature the Schnauzer that's become synonymous with the brand.

An additional TV advertising campaign will run during July and August in the UK and Republic of Ireland, primarily on GMTV and Ireland AM, but also on around 15 satellite channels. All the advertising will centre around the Schnauzer "Absolutely Not" campaign, serving to highlight the benefits of regular worming to a specifically targeted audience.

Drontal product manager, Dan White, says the initiative will increase brand awareness for Drontal amongst pet owners, ultimately resulting in healthier dogs and cats. "We're expecting to see a significant increase in demand once the campaign commences and, as such, have put in place the necessary steps to ensure this extra demand can be easily satisfied."

Deborah Armstrong, Senior Vice President, Media Sales and Partnerships for Fox International Channels says: "We are thrilled Drontal has partnered with our world famous Dog Whisperer TV series. The show, which premieres on Nat Geo WILD, and its star Cesar Millan, has a passionate and loyal fan base in this country which is a key factor for Drontal. The Dog Whisperer is a break-out franchise for National Geographic Channel and the show combines our unique brand values with first class entertainment."

New point of sale materials for veterinary practices to reflect the sponsorship agreement will also be available.

For more information, please speak to your local Bayer Territory Manager.

The University of Glasgow, School of Veterinary Medicine, is calling for help with research into the prevalence of pseudopregnancy in spayed bitches.

The research takes the form of a survey being conducted amongst a representative sample of veterinary surgeons by Pippa Hutchison, Dr Tim Parkin, Caroline Warnes and Dr Philippa Yam. 

In particular, the research aims to gather data looking into how often veterinary surgeons are diagnosing and treating pseudopregnancy, and how frequently the condition occurs both before and after spaying. 

Tanya Leslie MRCVS from Ceva Animal Health, sponsors of the work, said: “Ceva is delighted to have been given the opportunity to support this work to investigate and raise awareness of this important issue”.

The questionnaire is being sent out towards the end of this month. If you're one of the recipients, there's the added incentive of being entered into a draw for a £300 cash prize if you complete the questionnaire and return it by the 13th November.  

The researchers say that after this initial work, they plan a prospective study establishing the wider incidence of pseudopregnancy in both entire and spayed bitches. 

Diagnostic imagers at Davies Veterinary Specialists have been exploring the power and 3D resolution of their new CT scanner, and have come up with a fascinating virtual CT bronchoscopy (VB) that tracks the airways of a dog.

A movie of the bronchoscopy can be seen here: http://www.vetspecialists.co.uk%20/06_Animal_Welfare/Services/Diagnostic_Imaging.html

Using the multiple image slices generated, and considerable computing power, virtual broncoscopy allows the user to navigate through the images as if within the actual airway. In human medicine VB is commonly used in diagnostic procedures such as guided biopsy, pre-surgical planning and teaching. It may be combined with real bronchoscopy to facilitate lesion localisation and sampling.

Jerry Davies, managing director of DVS and RCVS Specialist in veterinary diagnostic imaging explains: “Whilst the usefulness of this technique in veterinary medicine remains to be explored, the exciting potential applications include anatomic assessment of the airway, foreign body localisation and pre-surgical planning.”

Horses suffering from neurological conditions similar to those that affect humans could be helped by a breakthrough from stem cell scientists, according to a study published in the journal Stem Cells and Development.

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh's Roslin Institute took skin cells from a young horse and turned them into stem cells using a technique that was originally developed for human cells. The reprogrammed cells are pluripotent, which means they can be induced to become any type of cell in the body. The team used them to create nerve cells in the laboratory and tested whether they were functional by showing that they could transmit nerve signals in a test tube.

The university says horse stem cells have been produced in the laboratory before but this is the first time that scientists have created working cells of a specific type from them. The advance may pave the way for cell therapies that target conditions similar to motor neurone disease.

In addition, the research could also benefit horses affected by grass sickness, a neurological condition that affects around 600 horses a year in the UK. Little is known about the disease, which causes nerve damage throughout the body. It is untreatable and animals with the most severe form usually die or have to be put down.

Dr Xavier Donadeu from the Roslin Institute, an author of the study, said: "Stem cells hold huge therapeutic potential both for people and animals. Our research is an important step towards realising that potential for horses and provides an opportunity to validate stem-cell based therapies before clinical studies in humans."

CEVA Animal Health has announced that all dogs entering Dogs Trust's 17 Rehoming Centres will now be fitted with a D.A.P.^® collar to help reduce their stress levels while in a kennel environment. This decision was taken following a highly successful trial¹ at Dogs Trust's state-of-the-art Rehoming Centre in West London.

The trial revealed that dogs wearing D.A.P.^® collars while in kennels were less likely to display canine stress indicators, such as barking and pacing around kennels, and were more likely to lie down and rest; signs that dogs are more relaxed.

Chris Laurence, veterinary director at Dogs Trust, said: "Dogs Trust trialled D.A.P.^® collars on dogs being admitted at our Harefield Rehoming Centre.  Many dogs are very stressed by their first experience in a kennel environment and it was shown that the use of a collar significantly reduced their stress levels.

"Centre staff were impressed with the positive changes in behaviour that were shown during the trial. Dogs were far more relaxed and less reactive to the inevitable stressful elements of their environment. We will now be using D.A.P.^® collars on all dogs entering our Rehoming Centres in tandem with the other practices we already employ to reduce kennel stress.

"Stressed dogs are more difficult to rehome so we hope the use of DAP^® to reduce stress levels will be beneficial to both their welfare and our rehoming."

For further information on D.A.P.^®, please contact your local CEVA Animal Health territory manager, or visit www.ceva.uk.com.

CEVA Animal Health has launched the fourth edition of Cardionews, a regular cardiology newsletter written by top experts in the field, featuring upcoming topics of interest in cardiology.

In this edition (click here to download), the renowned cardiologist Adrian Boswood from the Royal Veterinary College discusses cardiac biomarkers, a promising new tool for the diagnosis of cardiac disease in dogs and cats.

Topics covered in future issues of Cardionews will include echocardiography and chest radiography. If you would like to receive the Cardionews newsletters free of charge, please contact CEVA Animal Health on 01494 781510.

The 2012 edition of the NOAH Compendium of Data Sheets for Animal Medicines has been published and a free copy sent to each veterinary practice in the UK.

This edition has a redesigned cover, developed for NOAH's 25^th anniversary which took place this year. It contains data sheets from 32 companies which can be accessed through colour-coded indexes. The book also includes the up-to-date edition of NOAH's Code of Practice for the Promotion of Animal Medicines.

NOAH chief executive Phil Sketchley said: "This book - along with the online version - is a major part of NOAH's efforts to help provide prescribers and users of animal medicines with information to assist the appropriate and responsible use of all animal medicines."

He urged prescribers not to forget the back-up that company advisors can give to assist a prescribing decision: "The compendium also includes another vital resource - the contact details for each company. Company veterinary and technical advisors have detailed knowledge about their company's medicines at their fingertips. They are ready to talk to prescribers about the use of a medicine in a particular animal or in a particular situation, as well as to explain any queries about the data sheet," he said.

If your practice has not received its copy, contact Ruth Herbert at NOAH (r.herbert@noah.co.uk).

Extra copies are also available to order now, for £42. There are special prices for bulk orders.

The BVA is calling for urgent reassurance from the government concerning farm animal welfare.

The association says the government decision to revoke farm animal welfare codes risks undermining public confidence in animal welfare standards.

When Defra consulted in 2013 on proposals to move away from statutory codes to non-statutory, industry-led guidance BVA broadly supported more flexibility to allow for guidance to be updated more regularly and in light of new welfare science, but raised a number of questions regarding enforcement and, critically, around the definition of 'industry'.

BVA emphasised that veterinary surgeons, farmers, animal welfare scientists with species-specific knowledge, industry bodies and other groups must all be involved and consulted.

BVA also warned Defra of implications in relation to the message conveyed to stakeholders by such a change and the value attached to the welfare codes by the government.

BVA President Sean Wensley, said: "It is essential that any changes to the welfare codes do not undermine public confidence in the high animal welfare standards set for English farms. Although BVA broadly supported the idea of moving to a more flexible system that could take account of new animal welfare science, we maintained that a range of expertise must be used to draw up new guidance.

"We are pleased that there will be no changes to the legislation that underpins animal welfare but it is unclear where the checks and balances now lie. It is vital that Defra puts measures in place urgently to provide that reassurance. 

"The Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has suggested that it would be possible for the fundamental principles to be laid down in statutory codes which are subject to parliamentary scrutiny with operational details being set out in guidance. This idea may be worth further exploration to allow both the flexibility required to reflect new animal welfare science and the public confidence that the statutory welfare codes currently provide."

Bayer Animal Health has doubled the number of pipettes in its Advocate all-in-one flea, worm and mite spot-on to provide an additional range of six-month treatment packs for cats and dogs.

Bayer says the doubling of the number of pipettes in a pack is aimed at providing vets with greater prescribing flexibility and to help improve compliance for owners over a six-month period. Bi-annual vet visits will now give a full year’s parasite cover with Advocate.

Advocate is now available in three- and six-pipette packs for small and large cats and for medium, large and extra large dogs, and three-pipette packs for small dogs. The product remains the only combined flea, worm and mite spot-on that is licensed for the treatment of A. vasorum in dogs.

The RCVS and VN Councils Elections are now open for nominations from candidates who wish to stand in 2011.

RCVS Registrar Jane Hern said: "We are always pleased when veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses are prepared to contribute personally to the activities of the College and the governance of their own professions.

"Serving as a Council Member requires a fair amount of an individual's time and effort however, so we are announcing the nomination period in good time to allow people the chance to consider their options and make plans accordingly."

Six seats on RCVS Council and two on VN Council are due to be filled in the 2011 elections. Those elected will take their seats on RCVS Day next July, to serve four-year terms, and will be expected to spend at least six to eight days a year attending Council meetings, working parties and subcommittees (a loss-of-earnings allowance is available).

All prospective candidates need to provide the signatures and registered/listed addresses of two proposers, and should also submit a short biography, manifesto and photograph for inclusion in the RCVS News Extra election specials. Nobody can nominate more than one candidate, and no current member of the RCVS Council or VN Council may make nominations.

Nominations must be made in writing on the prescribed form and received by the Registrar on or before the closing date of 31 January 2011. Full details and guidance notes for both elections are available on the RCVS Council Election page and VN Council Election page. 

Nomination forms and candidate information forms for RCVS Council may be requested from Mrs Gabi Braun (020 7222 0761 or executiveoffice@rcvs.org.uk) and those for VN Council from Mrs Annette Amato (020 7202 0713 or a.amato@rcvs.org.uk).

RCVS Knowledge has launched a new initiative to support the veterinary sector in delivering contextualised care.

The initiative seeks to understand the barriers and enablers to delivering contextualised care in companion animal practices, and to set out what contextualised care looks like when done well.

As part of the initiative, RCVS Knowledge is gathering perspectives from across the veterinary community and from pet owners to design a roadmap for the profession.

The work started last week at the National Forum for Contextualised Care in London, which brought together more than 60 people from across the veterinary sector, including leaders from veterinary associations, veterinary educators, students, practice staff, veterinary charities and rescues, pet insurers, regulators, representatives from corporate and independent practices and animal owners.

RCVS Knowledge will now be working with an independent research partner to conduct focus groups, surveys and interviews to gather a representative range of views from across the sector and pet owners.

The work will culminate in a summit in the summer that will use the findings of the research to design recommendations on:

• How veterinary professionals’ and pet owners’ perspectives and circumstances can be better brought together in reaching decisions about the most appropriate care for the individual animal.
• The barriers and enablers to implementing contextualised care in practice. 
• What needs to be done, and by whom, to support veterinary teams to deliver contextualised care and shared decision-making as part of good-quality veterinary care.

Sally Everitt, Clinical Lead – Evidence at RCVS Knowledge said: “Contextualised care is the way of delivering veterinary care that acknowledges that there are different ways to approach the diagnosis and treatment of an animal, depending on the circumstances of the individual animal and their caregivers and the context in which the care is delivered.

"The term has been used increasingly over the past year, and is now the subject of much debate, alongside other aligned terms such as ‘spectrum of care’ and ‘pragmatic medicine’.

"However, we need to better understand what constitutes good-quality contextualised care, and the barriers and enablers to its delivery in practice.”

Katie Mantell, Chief Executive of RCVS Knowledge, said: “As an independent charity with a mission to advance the quality of veterinary care, we believe RCVS Knowledge is well-placed to bring together all parts of the veterinary community to seek consensus on what good-quality contextualised care looks like and how it can be delivered in practice.

"Our aim is to take a collaborative, robust approach to co-producing a roadmap for contextualised care that will support its widespread delivery for the benefit of animals, the veterinary professions and animal owners.”

To be updated about the progress of this work, and to hear about opportunities to take part in the focus groups, interviews and surveys to follow, sign up to receive RCVS Knowledge’s monthly email newsletter intheKNOW.