Mr Molnar had been convicted at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court in March 2018 of five counts of importing puppies to the UK in contravention of the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and other Mammals) Order 1974.
At that court hearing he also pleaded guilty to one count of keeping premises as a pet shop without the authority of a licence granted by a local authority.
As a result of his conviction Mr Molnar was sentenced to 270 hours of unpaid supervised work and was ordered to pay compensation of £2,683.93 and costs of £250.
The Committee, which proceeded with the hearing in Mr Molnar’s absence, found that the RCVS charges against Mr Molnar were proven and went on to consider whether, individually and cumulatively, they resulted in Mr Molnar being unfit to practice being a veterinary surgeon.
Ian Green, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "The Committee accepts the College’s submission that the fact that they [the puppies] were imported contrary to the law of the UK, because they were underage and had not been properly vaccinated, undermines the integrity of a system which is designed to ensure that effective vaccination and precautions against disease take place in every case.
"The Committee also notes that the convictions in this case were directly linked to the respondent’s veterinary practice, as they related to animals sold from his veterinary practice address. By operating an unlicensed pet shop, and by doing so through an email address that referred to his occupation as a veterinary surgeon, the respondent was abusing his position as a veterinary surgeon, and acting in a way that was liable to undermine the reputation of the profession."
The Committee therefore found that, because Mr Molnar’s conviction was directly linked to his veterinary practice and posed a substantial risk to animal welfare and public health, his conviction meant his conduct fell far short of what was expected of a professional.
In considering the sanction for Mr Molnar the Committee considered that, while he had no previous convictions or adverse professional findings against him, the case against him was very serious "because of the risk of serious harm both to animals and the public, as well as being for financial gain."
Ian Green said: "The Committee considered that the respondent, as a veterinary surgeon, must have known the serious implications and consequences of what he was doing by importing these puppies unlawfully. The public should expect to be able to trust a veterinary surgeon to ensure that his conduct does not put at risk the health of both animals and humans."
Mr Green added that the Committee felt that the only appropriate sanction was to direct the Registrar to remove Mr Molnar’s name from the Register.
However, despite keeping this POM-V drug to hand, only 7% said they would seek advice for minor wounds and over 25% said they would not contact the vet even if their horse was lame.
This, says the company, raises concerns about the appropriate use of bute in wounded horses and suggests that practices should be providing first aid training for horse owners, covering basic wound management and when to seek veterinary advice.
The survey, which was posted on social media groups for horse owners, showed they were most likely to call out a vet if their horse had a deep wound (96% of respondents). However, only a third would seek veterinary advice for a wound that is bleeding.
Vita, which makes the veterinary-exclusive Omnimatrix skin cream, said that 84% of owners keep a topical treatment for minor wounds in their first aid box, but some use barrier creams that do not provide an antiseptic environment.
Tara Evans RVN, Head of Sales at Vita, said: "It is great to see that owners are equipped with a first aid box for their horses. However, our survey highlights that many are not seeking veterinary advice, even if their horse is lame. This raises concerns over horses receiving appropriate treatment in a timely manner. There is an opportunity for practices to review first aid boxes with owners to ensure they're stocking appropriate supplies, and discuss appropriate wound management."
Vita has created an owner guide for wound management in horses which you can download and give to clients, here: https://www.vita-europe.com/animalhealth/news/wound-healing-in-horses/
The strike follows a breakdown in negotiations for better pay and conditions earlier in the year.
Valley Vets, which is owned by VetPartners, offered a 7.27% increase to its lowest paid staff, with smaller increases for higher paid staff.
However, the BVU rejected the offer, describing it as a "derisory real terms pay cut".
A postal ballot was held and 94% of members voted for industrial action, with a 93% turnout.
The BVU says it is open to restarting negotiations in the hope that an improved offer will make the strike unnecessary.
Otomicol contains miconazole nitrate, prednisolone acetate and polymyxin B.
The product targets a range of pathogens including miconazole and polymyxin B-sensitive, Malassezia and Pseudomonas spp.
Renzo Di Florio, technical vet at Krka UK, said: “With its multifactorial aetiology, ear disease is often challenging to manage, causing frustration for owners and significant discomfort for pets.
"Otomicol is a cost-effective solution that veterinary surgeons can add to their treatment toolbox for cases where bacterial and fungal infection are important factors.”
Otomicol ear drops and cutaneous suspension are available in a 15ml bottle with an extended shelf life of six months after opening.
Otomicol is available from veterinary wholesalers.
https://www.krka.co.uk
Reference
A survey carried out by the company in 20151 found that 46% of dog owners were not aware that dogs can potentially suffer from the condition, despite the fact that it affects an estimated 375,000 dogs in the UK.3
The company says ocular conditions account for around one in ten canine consultations in first opinion practice,2 with KCS affecting around 5% of all dogs3, and up to 20% of predisposed breeds.4
To help raise owner awareness, Bayer will be holding the first veterinary Dry Eye Awareness Month in July.
Because early diagnosis and treatment can have a significant impact on prognosis, the focus of the campaign will be on encouraging pet owners to speak to their veterinary surgeon in the hope of increasing early diagnoses and improving the uptake of regular testing of at-risk breeds.
The campaign will include a dedicated social media element, targeting communities of at-risk breeds by inviting them to pledge their commitment to managing dry eye in their pet. A range of practice materials have also been produced for practices to support the drive in their waiting room.
Hannah Watts, Group Product Manager at Bayer said: "With this significant gap in owner understanding of the significance of KCS in dogs, it was clear that more is needed to be done to encourage owners of at-risk breeds to visit their vet practice for early diagnosis.
"The focus of Dry Eye Awareness Month is to support vets in championing the issue amongst their client base, through a range of educational materials. We hope vets will join us in utilising the month as a platform on which to discuss the prevalence and potential seriousness of the condition if left unmanaged."
Bayer’s research also found how poor understanding of the lifelong nature of the condition is one of the main barriers to owner compliance when managing cases, further highlighting the need for education.5
Chris Dixon, Director at Veterinary Vision Ophthalmic Referrals, said: "KCS cases can present acutely, or with subtle clinical signs that will not be detected from initial observations and require a Schirmer tear test to effectively quantify the reflex tear film production. Unless vets are actively discussing the condition with owners, and performing these tests on a regular basis, it is likely that many dogs could remain undiagnosed."
"In any case where ongoing treatment is required, client education is key in successful disease management. Accurate determination of the cause of the KCS will allow for an appropriate choice of medical therapy. When adjunctive tear replacement therapy is required, many owners will admit to not having the time to administer treatments frequently enough, which should factor into the recommendations we make as practitioners. For example, offering a longer acting product which requires less frequent application.”
You can download the Remend ‘Vision Matters – A Focus on Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca’ educational guide for veterinary surgeons here: www.remend.co.uk/vets-area.
Dry Eye Awareness Month practice display materials can be ordered from your Bayer Territory Manager or email: ahmarketing@bayer.com
References
Tim took over the role from Renate Weller at the end of BEVA Congress last week. Lucy Grieve, of Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons became President Elect.
After leaving Bristol in 1989, Tim worked in mixed practice before joining Bell Equine in 1993, becoming a partner in 1995. He led the hospital services at Bell Equine, as well as supervising the practice’s residency, intern and extern programmes, until it was bought by CVS in 2016. He continues to work as a clinician at Bell Equine whilst also working as the Equine Veterinary Director of CVS.
Tim is an RCVS Specialist in both equine internal medicine and equine soft tissue surgery and is a founding diplomate of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine; he became an Associate of the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging in 2011. He is an honorary Professor of the Royal Veterinary College and became a Fellow of the RCVS in 2016.
Editor of Equine Veterinary Education, the official journal of the British Equine Veterinary Association and the American Association of Equine Practitioners for the past 23 years, Tim has particular interests in clinical research, clinical standards and evidence based medicine, and has published widely in the professional veterinary literature, as well as authoring and editing several textbooks. He has been a member of the RCVS Practice Standards Group since 2012.
Tim has been chair of BEVA’s Education Committee since 2014, and says that during his presidential year he is keen to continue to develop BEVA’s educational activities for members at all stages of their careers.
In particular, he says he is particularly looking forward to supporting recent graduates in equine practice with relevant CPD and mentoring. He also hopes to advance the use of evidence-based veterinary medicine, and promote quality improvement in equine practice.
Tim said: "Equine practice is continuing to change and evolve with some rapidity. An important part of my focus will be on our Equine Veterinary Horizons Project, looking at anticipated advances over the next 10-15 years, what they will mean to individual practitioners and to practices and how we can adapt to and accommodate them to best advantage."
For further information visit www.beva.org.uk.
Animalcare has released further information about Vitofyllin (propentofylline), its new CNS stimulant for dogs.
According to the company, Vitofyllin helps restore vitality and willingness to exercise, especially in the senior dog, by improving peripheral and cerebral vascular blood circulation. It is indicated to help improve dullness, lethargy and overall demeanour in dogs. In addition it has a bronchodilatory activity equivalent to amilophylline (a salt of theophylline)
Animalcare says that with dogs living longer, age-related problems are on the increase. The company highlights the example of Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), a neurodegenerative disease that affects older dogs. CDS is characterised by various pathological processes with signs that include disorientation, changing interaction with people or other pets, sleep-wake cycle alterations, soiling in the house and decreased activity levels.
The company says these subtle behavioural changes are unlikely to be picked up at a routine annual check. Indeed, in one study 75% of owners of dogs aged over 7 reported at least one behavioural sign consistent with CDS, however only 12% reported their concerns to a vet.2
Vitofyllin is available in 50mg and 100mg strengths in blister packs containing 56 tablets. Presented as 'easy to administer' four-way split cross-snap-tabs which can be divided into halves or quarters to enable more accurate dosing to be achieved whatever the weight of animal, even down to 2.5kg bodyweight.
Vitofyllin is POM-V licensed and has a 3 year shelf-life. Waiting room posters and client leaflets are available to support recognition of behavioural signs by clients and practice staff.
Further iinformation, and details about a special launch offer are available from local Animalcare representatives.
According to the charity, every year, 250,000 animals are brought to rescue centres around the UK1. Most are much loved pets that through no fault of their own find themselves without a home. They may be an odd mix of breeds, they may not look perfect, but they have so much to give.
Battersea’s research shows that whilst 92% of people say they believe rescue is the right thing to do2, when the time comes to get a new pet, many choose to go online and search for a specific breed instead. In the last 12 months there have been on average 165,000 monthly searches online for ‘French Bulldogs’3. A fifth of people who say they wouldn’t consider rescue say they can’t get the type of breed they want from a rescue centre4 and over half (52%) say the animals in rescue centres often have health or behavioural problems, and you don’t know their full history5.
Claire Horton, Battersea’s Chief Executive, said: "Even though one in four dogs and cats are rescues6, you’re still more likely to hear about French Bulldogs, or Labradors being the nation’s favourite pets. Our preoccupation with breed is fuelling a ruthless pet trade based on looks alone – one that can sadly put profit before animal welfare."
"Battersea is setting out to increase the visibility of rescue animals, to show they’re more common than you think, and are in homes across the nation. They’re the most rewarding, responsible choice for a pet, and we’re hoping to bring them front of mind – to get all generations of animal lovers to think rescue first."
To encourage potential pet owners to be more open to rescue pets and look beyond certain breeds, Battersea has removed breed filters from its own online animal galleries. Initial tests have shown that when visitors to the site were not given the option to filter by breed, they viewed more animal profiles, and a higher percentage of them went on to apply to rehome a dog or cat.
Rob Young, Battersea’s Head of Operations, said: "We know that misconceptions and pre-conceived notions about the traits and behaviours of certain dog and cat breeds can heavily influence people’s rehoming choices. By removing the option to search by breed we’re hoping that visitors to our website will be more open-minded to finding the right match. If someone is looking for an affectionate lap dog, or an energetic, playful pet, then they will find a perfect match regardless of breed. When you go to Battersea, you won’t just get a Ragdoll, or a Labrador, or even a Mongrel. Most importantly, you’ll be getting a Rescue."
Last year Battersea rehomed 2,301 dogs and 2,140 cats. The charity says it has seen a notable reduction in rehoming over recent years as more people search online for fashionable breeds and are influenced by what they see on social media. The charity believes ‘Rescue Is Our Favourite Breed’ will help break down some of the misconceptions people have about rescue animals, encouraging them to see rescue as desirable and a badge of honour.
Rob added: "People think rescue dogs or cats will be harder to train than a puppy or kitten, or that it’s just not as prestigious to own a pet that hasn’t come from a breeder. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. Ask any proud rescue owner and they will tell you that rescue pets are the best pets. They may not be perfect, but they’re worth it."
For more information on the campaign, visit Battersea.org.uk and join the growing community of rescue lovers at #RescueIsMyFavouriteBreed.
The award, which is sponsored by Zoetis, is for early-career vets who have gone above and beyond the usual call of duty or who are making a difference within their community or the veterinary profession. Fabian was picked out of three finalists at a virtual award ceremony last night.
The judges said he'd wowed them with his ongoing proactive contributions to the veterinary profession and his passion for raising awareness around exotic animal care.
Fabian is a practising vet and the latest member of the team on CBBC children’s TV show, ‘The Pets Factor’. He is also a recent graduate member of BVA Council.
In his spare time, he is an active writer. Whilst attending the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Brno, which he graduated from in 2018, he wrote his own student blog, ‘Dready Vet’. Since then, he has published several articles on a variety of topical and important issues such as ethnicity and race, diversity within the profession, feminism, Halal slaughter and reptile health and welfare.
The judges credited Fabian for his passion for communicating the complex welfare needs of non-traditional companion animals to the public.
Fabian said: "First of all I’d like to pay tribute to Nat and Ben and all the nominees. They are really important to where the veterinary profession goes in the future and I’m indebted to them for what they’ve been able to do in a short period of time. They are an inspiration to me.
"Thank you to the judges. It’s really important that we start to celebrate each other and celebrate our wins. This is something I’ve tried hard to do this year.
"Thank you to everyone who’s supported me and been part of this journey. It means a huge amount.”
BVA President James Russell said: "Fabian has made a significant impact within the profession and beyond. The broad reach of his work – on issues that affect our profession and animal welfare – has made a national impact and promoted our profession to new audiences of all ages.
"During a particularly challenging year for all of us, Fabian has shown immense leadership and he is a truly deserving winner of the BVA Young Vet Award 2020."
The main changes announced today are:
In the future, the revalidation interval, which currently ranges from two to five years depending on the course, will be standardised at 4 years.
Currently, there is a two-month window in which Official Veterinarians (OV) can submit their final declarations, on completion of the course, if they want to set their next revalidation interval from the end of the window.
The revalidation window will be extended to a six-month period prior to the completion deadline date. If completed in this window, the date of the next revalidation would be taken from the deadline date and not the date of completion.
APHA is discussing ways of making invigilation more flexible, to help those working in sole-charge or remote practices. One option being investigated with course accreditation providers is remote invigilation, though this would come at extra cost.
All the multiple choice questions in the online exams are being reviewed to make sure they test the ability to perform the role, and in the future, candidates will be given more feedback at the end of the test (ie which questions they answered incorrectly).
In terms of CPD requirements, there will be clarification on what can be considered relevant CPD towards the 10 hours that need to be completed over the four-year timeframe.
Lastly, APHA has announced a raft of changes concerning course content, and that it will itself review all the courses to consider how the number of courses and topics can be rationalised, how to reduce the number of qualifications any OV might need and/or the time spent revalidating, and how to reduce the content without losing quality.
The BVA, which spearheaded the campaign for reform, has welcomed the announcement. Simon Doherty, BVA President, said: "We’re delighted that APHA has taken on board our members’ concerns with the current system and proposed improvements that should make the process much more fair and consistent while continuing to maintain high standards. This is a really crucial time for ensuring that the workforce retains skilled professionals and is at full strength to keep animal welfare standards high, protect public health and meet demand for export certification after Brexit.
"This piece of work is a shining example of what can be achieved when vets pull together to air concerns and make the case for change. We will continue to work closely with APHA to explore and put in place ways of making the revalidation process as fit for purpose as possible for this critical section of the workforce."
Full review: http://apha.defra.gov.uk/documents/ov/Briefing-Note-0519.pdf
Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vets.
During the week, veterinary professionals, retailers and rabbit owners will be encouraged by Burgess and campaign partners the RSPCA, RAWF, Wood Green, PDSA and Blue Cross to sign and share a pledge to move away from muesli on the website: http://www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk.
Alex Thorne at Burgess Pet Care, said: "Muesli should never be part of a rabbit’s diet but, sadly, a widespread lack of understanding and awareness around its risks means it’s often too easy for rabbit owners to make the wrong choice. Research continues to show that there is a lack of understanding around the correct nutritional needs of rabbits, and the continued feeding of muesli is a major outcome of that.
"Feeding rabbits muesli increases the risk of selective feeding. Just like children would typically pick sweet treats when faced with the choice between them or vegetables, rabbits will eat parts of the muesli mix that are high in starch and sugar, whilst leaving behind the more nutritious elements.
"We’re encouraging all rabbit lovers to get involved with this year’s campaign by visiting the Rabbit Awareness Week website and signing the ‘Move Away from Muesli’ pledge, before spreading the word amongst fellow rabbit owners. It’s our ambition to move as many rabbits away from muesli towards a good quality hay-based diet supplemented by a small portion of high-quality nuggets and a few fresh greens, which provides the nutrients rabbits need to be happy and healthy."
Burgess says there will also be campaign packs to help support practices in spreading the word, details of which will be available nearer the time.
A survey of almost 1400 ferret owners carried out by the Ferret Education & Research Trust (FERT) and pet food manufacturers James Wellbeloved has revealed that 40% of the UK's ferret owners never take their animals to a vet, with a further 9% saying they visit the vet only occasionally.
In addition, 76% of ferret owners have not had them microchipped, 64% have not bothered with vaccination against distemper and 74% with vaccination against rabies.
Almost three quarters are registered with a vet for emergency treatment, but 26% are not registered at all.
Ian Kearns from FERT said: "This is quite an alarming picture in terms of ferret welfare; however it offers a clear opportunity for vets to address the issue. Ferrets are growing fast in popularity as pets, and it may be that as their role changes they will visit the vet more - but we believe that vets can seize an opportunity by promoting ferret welfare via the waiting room."
The survey also showed that 65% are fed on mixed biscuits and meat. James Wellbeloved Ferret Complete Food was the clear leader, outselling its' nearest rival by almost five times to one. Over half are kept outdoors, and there is a wide choice of bedding material including commercially made washable fabric, straw and paper.
Peter Lancaster, James Wellbeloved marketing director said: "Ferrets are growing in popularity, but because owners sometimes don't do enough research a worrying number are ending up in rescues. Veterinary practices are of course very well-placed to focus on ferret welfare, and we'd urge any vets and vet nurses who want to know more to get in touch with the team at FERT."
10 THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT FERRETS...
The publishers say that with a global donkey population estimated at around 46 million, it’s imperative for the veterinary profession to stay well-informed about the unique biology and disease susceptibility of this species.
The virtual collection addresses the previous shortfall of pathophysiological information, with articles on pharmacology, diagnostics, disease prevalence and management practices relating to donkeys as working, companion and production animals.
Preventative healthcare is addressed with a study of a companion population of donkeys in the UK and clinicians are encouraged to focus on client education, promotion of vaccination, regular dental care, strategic parasite control programmes and weight management.
Several papers address decision-making around treatment options, emphasising the need for a good understanding of the pharmacology of the available therapeutic agents in relation to donkeys and the pathophysiology of the diseases, as well as the value of pain assessment and control.
Another important aspect of disease detection and management is the availability of accurate diagnostics. Several papers address aspects of diagnostic testing, with emphasis on the caution that must be taken when extrapolating from horses because of the minimal data relating specifically to donkeys.
Donkeys are often described as silent carriers of, or as being more resistant to, infectious agents. Two articles demonstrate that they can in fact develop severe clinical signs when exposed to certain known equine pathogens, raising the importance of surveillance, accurate diagnosis, outbreak management, disease control and clear communication and education.
Less common conditions in donkeys as well as awareness of zoonotic risk are addressed within the collection, emphasising the value of owner-driven reporting as part of a disease surveillance and control programme to inform decision making on relevant interventions.
Professor Celia Marr, Editor of the EVJ, said: “This impressive collection shines a spotlight on the important advances that have been made to donkey medicine and welfare and helps us to identify the research gaps yet to be filled
“By sharing this work, we aim to improve disease prevention and enhance the welfare of donkeys around the world as well as highlight the continued importance of owner education and improve the public perception of this enduring species.”
The virtual issue can be found here: https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1001/(ISSN)2042-3306.donkey-medicine-welfare.vi
It's the second of five new practices that White Cross says it plans to open in a 12-month period.
The Hyde team will be headed up by clinic director Mike Robinson MRCVS, pictured with veterinary nurses Anneliese O'Toole & Aimee Lee.
Located on the site of a former pub, the new Hyde practice opened this month following an investment of £250,000. It is equipped with digital dental x-ray and ultrasound machines, an on-site laboratory, pheromone diffusers to relax pets, ultra-soft bedding and warm, cosy LED lighting in the pet wards.
There are separate, sound-proofed wards for dogs and a specialist cat ward featuring kennels positioned so the cats can’t see each other, to minimise stress-levels. Music specifically composed to reduce anxiety in both dogs and cats is also played in the wards.
Tim Harrison, managing director at White Cross Vets, said: "Hyde is a busy suburb of Manchester with a large number of pets in the surrounding area, which made it the ideal location to continue our expansion into the North West.
"Mike and the team are all highly experienced professionals and bring lots of enthusiasm to their new roles. When this is combined with the practice’s state of the art design, there’s no doubt it will prove to be hugely popular.
"It also offers the potential to expand the team to approximately 20 people in the next five years, which is an exciting prospect."
Southfields Veterinary Specialists in Laindon, which is part of the Linnaeus Group, has recruited the highly-respected Dr Fabio Stabile to join its neurology and neurosurgery unit.
Fabio will start working at the practice's neurology and neurosurgery unit in January, with another specialist, Dr Ane Uriarte from Tufts University in the USA, joining in the spring.
Fabio said: "I am delighted to be joining Southfields Veterinary Specialists in the new year as a Consultant in neurology and neurosurgery.
"It is an extremely exciting time to be joining Southfields and their team of renowned and successful specialists, especially as this is a strong time of growth in their neurology/neurosurgery discipline.
"The imminent move of the Southfields team to a new, state-of-the-art hospital with the possibility of creating a new phenomenal environment and ‘family’ is really exciting!"
Fabio graduated from Padova University in 2003 before completing a three-year PhD in veterinary clinical sciences at the university supervised by Dr Marco Bernardini DVM, DECVN.
In 2009, he moved to the UK and started a Residency in Neurology and Neurosurgery at the Animal Health Trust under the supervision of Dr Luisa De Risio DVM, FRCVS, PhD, DECVN.
Fabio added: "My main area of interest in veterinary neurology and neurosurgery are epilepsies and the treatment of epilepsy and any neurosurgeries.
"Improving antiepileptic treatment for our patients has constituted my main focus of clinical research. It’s a subject I strongly care about."
Dr Stabile also enjoys passing on the benefits of his expertise and experience to the next generation of veterinary surgeons. He has presented several clinical research abstracts at international and European conferences and he is the author of multiple publications in peer reviewed journal Veterinary Services.
"I have always been extremely keen on teaching and I enjoy delivering lectures to young colleagues in training and to colleagues working in general practice."
The BSAVA has announced the launch of a free new online publication: BSAVA Guide to the Use of Veterinary Medicines
Edited by Fred Nind and Pam Mosedale, with contributions from experts in the field, has been developed to provide a comprehensive guide to a wide variety of veterinary medicines issues that affect small animal practice. It looks like a very polished production, and should prove a valuable tool for all members of the practice team.
Many infringements of the law relating to the possession, use and disposal of veterinary medicines are criminal offences, and it was the aim of the Editors to produce an authoritative guide to help practitioners stay on the correct side of the law in an area where this can sometimes be problematic.
LegislationAs Fred and Pam noted in the March 2009 issue of Companion: 'Veterinary Medicines Regulations (VMR) change every year, whilst waste disposal provisions and dangerous drugs regulations seem to be updated even more often. This means that what you learned at a course attended last year or from a booklet published two years ago may no longer be accurate.' The format of the BSAVA Guide to the Use of Veterinary Medicines, means that it is capable of being updated as the rules and regulations change, helping veterinary surgeons, nurses, practice managers, receptionists, students and kennel staff to get it right - first time and every time.
StorageEfficient stock control, ambient storage conditions, stock rotation based on expiry dates and correct labelling are just some of the areas that need to be addressed when considering management of the practice dispensary. The section of the guide on Correct storage and dispensary management provides recommendations on how this can be achieved.
DispensingPrescribing and labelling veterinary medicines are activities that every practitioner performs many times a day, and it is important that the detailed legal provisions governing these actions are adhered to. Covering such areas as: who may write a prescription; breaking packaging; and the additional regulations that apply for the supply of Controlled Drugs, the Prescribing and labelling section helps guide the practitioner through this complicated area.
The BSAVA Guide to the Use of Veterinary Medicines is available to all, not just BSAVA members, and the Editors hope will 'provide balm for all those worrying about the practical and legal constraints on the use of veterinary medicines.'
Click here to download the BSAVA Guide to the Use of Veterinary Medicines (pdf 5mb)
Mr Seymour-Hamilton was originally removed from the Register following an inspection of his Kent practice in 1993 which found that his operating theatre “showed a total disregard of basic hygiene and care for animals and was such as to bring the profession into disrepute”.
Since being removed from the Register, Mr Seymour-Hamilton has made applications for restoration in 1995, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Each was rejected.
In his latest application, Mr Seymour-Hamilton said that he did not want to re-join the Register in order to practise but to facilitate his research in the area of herbal medicine.
The Committee found that while Mr Seymour-Hamilton had accepted some of the findings of the original case, he disagreed with important facts, such as whether or not his surgery was open at the time of the inspection, and showed ‘minimal insight’ into the seriousness of the findings.
The Committee also voiced concerns over public protection and animal welfare should he be restored, saying that he had demonstrated little or no understanding of the purpose of regulation. The Committee also noted that he had, by his own admission, spayed two cats at a practice in Calais in recent years despite his long absence from the Register and unregistered status as a veterinary surgeon in the UK or France.
In considering his conduct since leaving the Register, the Committee found that Mr Seymour-Hamilton had admitted to a number of instances of conduct which it found ‘reprehensible’. This included carrying out spays; not self-isolating after testing positively for coronavirus and, in fact, travelling through France and Spain in breach of the lockdown put in place due to the pandemic; deliberately trying to re-infect himself with coronavirus and then visiting a vulnerable person without maintaining social distancing; treating his own animals with untested herbal remedies; and using his own remedies to treat people, which, in one case, included a nine-year-old boy in Greece.
In summing up Judith Way, who was chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee has concluded that he has not satisfied it that he is fit to be restored to the Register. He has exhibited a disregard for regulation and compliance with the law. He lacks an understanding as to why he has not been restored in the past. He has not set about addressing any of his shortcomings. He relies wholeheartedly on his research, yet he does not support that research with any real peer-reviewed publications and he fails to acknowledge the consequences of being out-of-practice for so long. He has misplaced confidence in his own abilities and does not recognise that his approach and/or actions can represent a danger to animals and to the public. The Committee has therefore reached the conclusion that the applicant is not a fit person to be restored to the Register.”
The full findings of the restoration hearing for Mr Seymour-Hamilton can be found at: www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary
As a result of the new partnership, customers of Bought By Many will have access to free video consultations with UK-registered veterinary surgeons via the FirstVet app.
In their blurb, the companies say that: "Many common pet health issues can be treated in the comfort of their own home, meaning owners only need to take their pet to the vet when absolutely necessary. Bought By Many customers can save time, money and potential stress to their pet by using the free FirstVet service. When a referral to a local vet is needed, FirstVet provides detailed notes of the initial consultation to both the owner and the vet."
David Prien, FirstVet’s CEO & co-founder, said: "FirstVet couldn't be more excited to offer our veterinary video consultation service together with Bought By Many in the UK.
"From our first meeting with the Bought By Many team, we knew that our values were aligned. We both share a mission to bring the best that technology has to offer both to pet owners and to the veterinary care process.
"Offering pet owners the chance to speak face-to-face with an experienced veterinarian via a video call is a great way to make sure that all pets are getting the right treatment, as fast as possible, in the right location."
For more information on Bought by Many, visit boughtbymany.com/pet-insurance.
For the study1, the authors Lucy Norris, Gina Pinchbeck, Peter-John Noble and Alan Radford, analysed data from electronic health records submitted by veterinary practices participating in the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET).
They found that a total of 132 dogs with cropped ears were seen by vets across a sample size of 500 practices between 2015 and 2022, with numbers peaking in 2021.
The breeds most likely to have cropped ears were the American bulldog, Dobermann, Italian mastiff and bulldog.
In more than 60% of the cases, the dogs had been imported from countries where ear cropping is illegal, such as Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, Spain, Poland and Ireland.
The authors acknowledge that the findings of their research are likely just a small snapshot of the true scale of the ear cropping problem: figures from the 2022 PDSA PAW Report suggest that the true numbers of dogs imported with cropped ears could be as high as 26,000.
RSPCA Head of Companion Animals Samantha Gaines said: "The study provides strong evidence to refute arguments for ear cropping to prevent ear infections, as the breed types identified in Norris and colleagues’ study are not generally predisposed to such infections.
"Rather, this finding adds weight to anecdotal evidence suggesting that the motivation for ear cropping in many dogs is driven by appearance rather than any perceived health benefits.
“It is also possible that some dogs were cropped illegally in the UK using legal importation as a smokescreen for this activity.
"Indeed, it is the RSPCA's experience that many dogs stated as being cropped outside of the UK have histories that would make this highly unlikely.”
Vet Record editor-in-chief Suzanne Jarvis said: “One solution to the importation problem is proposed in the Kept Animals Bill, which is currently stalled in parliament.
"Although there could be potential for fraud around grandfather rights initially, a ban on such importations would ultimately mean that the sight of a dog with cropped ears becomes a thing of the past in the UK.”
https://www.bva.co.uk/take-action/ear-cropping-campaign
The Mercury Challenge, which is being conducted by Ceva Animal Health, aims to collect data on 10,000 cats across Europe to provide a new insight into the detection and management of feline hypertension, a frequent and severe condition that is still not routinely checked1.
Vets participating in the initiative need to input five mandatory pieces of information at mercurychallenge.ceva.com: the owner’s name, cat’s name, age, systolic blood pressure and time spent measuring blood pressure. Additional information includes: weight, breed, sex and whether the animal has any concurrent diseases, such as chronic kidney disease or hyperthyroidism, or is on any treatments.
Participating practices will be given exclusive access to the study’s progression and results, as well as acknowledgements for their contribution to the Mercury Challenge, depending on the number of cats entered.
Imane Mahlous, cardiology-nephrology and hypertension product manager at Ceva Animal Health said: "It is quick and easy to take part in the Mercury Challenge, which we hope will revolutionise the way that feline hypertension is understood and treated by both cat owners and veterinary professionals."
For information on feline hypertension or the Mercury Challenge, contact your local Ceva Animal Health account manager or visit mercurychallenge.ceva.com.
Somerset-based veterinary wholesaler, Centaur Services has been bought by US veterinary distributor MWI Veterinary Supply Inc.
According to MWI (the letters stand for Millard Wallace Ickes, the name of the company's founder), the transaction is valued at approximately $47 million, consisting of $45 million in cash and $2 million in a note payable in one year.
Jim Cleary, President and Chief Executive Officer of MWI, said: "MWI has positioned itself to continue its growth within the United States and now internationally. Centaur is a high-quality company that will allow us to serve veterinarians in the United Kingdom. We believe that it will be a great partnership and one that will bring further growth opportunities. We welcome the Centaur team to MWI."Paul Gerring, Managing Director of Centaur, commented: "We are looking forward to working with a strong company that has a great reputation in the animal health industry. Our team is excited to develop this relationship and be part of a company with proven success. Both Centaur and MWI are focused on providing high levels of customer service to veterinarians."
The new editorial team of Ed Hall, David Williams and Aarti Kathrani says the manual has been completely rewritten and reorganised to provide a current, well-structured overview of the main gastrointestinal diseases that challenge both clinical practitioners and academics.
The Manual is divided into four sections:
Diagnostic procedures and techniques: history taking, physical examination, clinical pathology, imaging and biopsy.
Diagnostic approaches to problems: diagnostic approach to complaints/problems affecting the GI tract, pancreas and liver.
Patient management: treatments available for GI, pancreatic and liver disease, including a chapter on fluid and nutritional therapy.
Diseases of specific systems/organs: conditions of organs of the GI tract, including pathophysiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
Ed Hall said: "The busy small animal practitioner is likely to see a dog or cat with GI signs most days and having this Manual as a resource should give them greater insight into the conditions they are treating and hopefully make their job more satisfying."
The BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Gastroenterology is available in a printed edition (£90; £60 to BSAVA members) and an online edition (£75 +VAT; £50 +VAT to BSAVA members).
Discospondylitis describes the infection of an intervertebral disc and its adjacent cartilaginous end plates and vertebral bodies.
It is commonly bacterial or fungal in origin.
The disease can be challenging to diagnose as signs are variable and sometimes vague.
For the research, neurology specialists retrospectively examined cases which presented at multiple referral sites that have furthered the understanding, clinical and imaging features of discospondylitis.
To date MRI has been the imaging modality of choice, with consistent CT imaging features of discospondylitis in dogs and cats not previously reported in detail.
However with the increased availability of CT in clinical practice, the research set out to examine CT features that could support a diagnosis of discospondylitis.
Discospondylitis in cats is uncommon, and very little research had been undertaken in this area. This research group therefore reported clinical presentation and imaging data about a population of cats, to support the future diagnosis of these cases.
During the three studies*, the researchers found that:
The studies
Nutrafibre contains high fibre pellets which use a combination of insoluble and soluble plant fibres, probiotic & prebiotics and fish hydrolysate which, the company says, optimises stool consistency and encourages normal bowel movements.
The company claims Nutrafibre also assists anal gland clearance, helps maintain a sufficient level of fibre in the body, supports pets with sensitive digestion, helps reduce hairball in cats and also helps to balance raw and high meat content diets.
Chris Jones, Director at Nutravet said: “We’re incredibly excited to launch this innovative new fibre product.
"The team have worked in partnership with veterinary practices across the UK to create this high fibre supplement and the feedback has been incredibly positive from both vets and pet owners alike.”
For more information, contact: 0845 604 1688, email: info@nutravet.co.uk or visit www.nutravet.com.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has announced the results of the 2011 RCVS and VN Council elections.
Elected to the RCVS Council are:
Not elected are:
For the first time in eight years, all six successful RCVS Council candidates have served on Council before, although one - Sandy Trees - is currently an appointed, rather than an elected, member.
For VN Council, one existing member has been returned and two new members have been elected:
Not elected to VN Council was:
Following rises in previous turnouts, voting figures have dropped markedly this year in both RCVS and VN Councils elections, to 15.9% (3,887 voters) and 7.6% (723 voters) respectively. The previous turnouts were 18.8% (in 2010) and 11.2% (in 2009).
RCVS Registrar Jane Hern said: "It's certainly disappointing that the turnout has dropped so much this year. It's unclear whether this is due to lack of time, lack of awareness, or lack of interest, but perhaps anyone who didn't vote could let us know why, so we can see what we could do to increase participation.
"Nevertheless, my congratulations to all successful candidates, who I look forward to formally welcoming, or welcoming back, onto the Councils at RCVS Day in July, and my commiserations to those who were unsuccessful this time and who I hope won't be discouraged from standing again next year."
This year's chosen charity - the Veterinary Benevolent Fund - will receive a cheque for £922 arising from the College's pledge to donate 20p for each veterinary surgeon and veterinary nurse who cast a vote.