Pfizer Animal Health has launched Vet Support+ a dedicated veterinary business consultancy team with a brief to boost the profitability and productivity of veterinary practices across the UK. 

Staffed by a team of seven business consultants who have undertaken academic and practical training to add to their experience in the veterinary industry, Vet Support+ will offer tailored support to practices in a format which aims to offer flexibility and a rapid return on investment. The services range across the three critical areas of business operations, client relations and staff management.  Consultants will initially focus on supporting practices operating in the companion animal sector, extending their service to the dairy sector early in 2011.

According to Pfizer, the Vet Support+ service has been developed in response to detailed research among practices to understand their requirements for business advice and support.  It's launched against a backdrop of continued stagnation in the veterinary sector according to latest data from the Fort Dodge Index benchmark of practice performance.  Vet Support+ will operate independently of the pharmaceutical business with no sharing of information or data.

Vet Support+'s consultants are based across the UK in order to be convenient for practices in any part of the country. 

The team is headed by Laura Jenkins, who has held a range of senior roles at Pfizer UK. Laura said:  "Many vets working in practice relish the clinical side of their work for which they have trained so hard.  It can therefore come as a shock to many that they also find themselves responsible for running the business side of the practice for which they may have received virtually no guidance during their training.  They have a real need for objective, practical advice they can trust, which is based on a detailed knowledge of the market.  Many also appreciate 'hand-holding' and coaching through the tough process of making changes required within the practice in order to put it on a more stable and successful footing.  The continuing challenges of the economic climate make it imperative that practices take bold steps now to ensure not only that they're able to withstand the continued recession but are well-positioned to take advantage of the upturn when it comes.

"Our Vet Support+ consultants are highly experienced in the veterinary market and have received very positive feedback from the practices they've worked with during a pilot of the service.  They're focused on demonstrating significant value to their clients and achieving early results on the bottom line. They'll be looking to build a close relationship with their client practices, acting as a coach and 'critical friend' as they help them plan for a successful and profitable future." 

For further information on the Vet Support+ service please contact Laura Jenkins on 01737 330705.

Vétoquinol - maker of Epiphen, the anti-epileptic phenobarbital for the control of epilepsy in dogs - has added a new client brochure and a fridge magnet to its Epiphen support packs, designed to help owners understand the condition and make it easier for them to comply with daily dosage requirements.

The new brochure is called What I need to know and is written for clients that have been prescribed Epiphen for their pet for the first time.

Abbie King, Product Manager for Epiphen, said: ''The inspiration for the new brochure came after spending time at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket and realising how much information an owner needs to take in when their dog is diagnosed with epilepsy."

The new brochure covers the important information owners need to help them understand and manage their dog's epilepsy, including how Epiphen works, what they can do to help their dog, how to monitor seizures, where to find further information and frequently asked questions.

The Epiphen Treatment fridge magnet is designed as a quick reference guide to prescribing information that is needed every day when living with a dog with epilepsy. The magnet leaves space for the owner to write in their dog's name, dosage details and timings and their vet's phone number. Vétoquinol says it is especially helpful as a reference if more than one person is caring for the dog.

The new items enhance the existing Epiphen support pack, which comprises an owner manual, medication record and seizure diary, dog tags, seizure report pads, free serum level monitoring vouchers and a free, online resource at www.epiphenonline.co.uk

Vétoquinol also invites practitioners who are dealing with challenging cases to take advantage of its free Ask the expert scheme on 0800 169 8197 or email a case history to epiphen@vetoquinol.co.uk.

To order the new Epiphen support materials, ring 0800 1698197. Alternatively, visit: www.vetoquinol.co.uk to find out more.

Virbac has launched Nutribound, a complementary feed to help stimulate eating and drinking in inappetent cats and dogs. 

The company says the product has been designed to help animals recovering from surgery or illness and those that are just experiencing a general lack of interest in food or water. 

Nutribound is given alongside the pet’s diet but can also be given by tube or syringe if needed.

Claire Lewis, Product Manager, said: "Pets that lose interest in their food can be challenging for owners to deal with - and a pet that is struggling to eat or drink what it needs, especially after illness or surgery is more likely to have a prolonged recovery.

"Nutribound's palatable formulation aims to 'jump-start' normal eating behaviour by stimulating the animal's appetite and increasing its interest in eating and drinking again.  

"Nutribound is presented in a handy-sized, take-home bottle and is easy for pet owners to administer. It can be given for up to 14 days or until a return to normal eating and drinking behaviour is observed. We are delighted to add it to our nutritional support range, alongside Nutri-Plus gel, our high energy, nutritional supplement for cats and dogs."

The RCVS has accredited four more universities to assess modules for its Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP). This means that there are now 78 modules for candidates to choose from, with many modules available through more than one university, giving veterinary surgeons a real choice as to how they work towards postgraduate qualifications.

The RCVS CertAVP Subcommittee has approved applications from the Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and the West of England (in partnership with Hartpury College). 

A very broad range of modules is now available, covering most species and many disciplines. They include some firsts for the CertAVP - equine modules will be available through both Edinburgh and Liverpool universities, and Edinburgh will also be assessing modules in equine dentistry, laboratory animal science and cattle and sheep medicine, amongst others.  Glasgow's range includes modules in veterinary public health, as well as emergency critical care, while the University of the West of England's offering includes the key skills modules, and ‘B' modules in small animal, equine and production animal practice.

These universities now join the Royal Veterinary College and the Universities of Cambridge and Middlesex in being accredited to assess modules. While all of the accredited universities provide courses to support candidates working towards modules, including distance-learning options and online support, they must also offer an assessment-only route for those who prefer self-study, or who want to attend courses elsewhere. 

The modular CertAVP was launched during 2007 and gives candidates the benefit of a mix and match style of learning. This aims to meet the needs of those who are committed to planned continuing professional development (CPD) but who need to balance this with busy practice life.

The new Certificate also better meets the needs of those whose practice interests change over the enrolment period, or who want to combine study across different species and disciplines to suit their practice caseload.  Previously there was little flexibility built into the examination system.

"We are delighted that the list of modules available has nearly tripled this month," says Freda Andrews, RCVS Head of Education. "Interest in the new certificate is growing, and there are already around 200 people enrolled with RCVS for various modules.  So it's great news that these universities are now backing the Certificate and enabling much greater choice for veterinary surgeons studying for the qualification."

Full details of the new modules are available on RCVSonline at www.rcvs.org.uk/modcerts

Millpledge has launched Promodulate Probiotic Powder, which, according to the company, combines beneficial bacteria with a pre-biotic, vitamins and electrolytes to rebalance gut flora, fluid and electrolyte balance in cats and dogs. 

The powder is presented in a 5 day course of sachets for ease of dispensing, or in a 50g tub for longer term use.

Millpledge says micro-encapsulated Entrococcus Faecium SF68 NCIMB 10415 - 667 x 106  CFU/g helps to recolonise the gut and maintain competitive exclusion of harmful bacteria whilst the preferred prebiotic Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) provides a targeted source of sugars to fuel the Entrococcus Faecium. Electrolytes are included to help maintain the isotonic fluid balance in the patient, and vitamins to maintain the normal feed conversion ability of the gut to absorb and bind nutrients present in the diet.

Millpledge suggests that Promodulate is beneficial alongside antibiotic therapy and can be used as an aid to maintaining the immune response in newborns as well as animals in the later stages of life. Promodulate is also recommended as an aid to restoring normal digestive function and to help maintain normal cholesterol levels and electrolyte and fluid balance.

For more information, please click here.

The BVA is now reaching out to non-members with a three-month, no strings attached, free trial. The offer ends on 31 August.

Over the past few years the BVA membership package has changed significantly in response to the needs of veterinary surgeons across the UK at all stages of their careers.

Harvey Locke, BVA President, said: "The well-documented stresses that put members of our profession at risk of mental health problems are unacceptably high. With their focus on conflict resolution and individual support, however, we hope the BVA legal services will come to be seen as a safety net for BVA members should things go wrong at work.

"These kinds of employment issues can be hard to talk about so we hope by highlighting a few stories it will encourage others to seek the help they need from the BVA.

"The three-month free trial is an opportunity for the BVA to reach out to non-members and show them the impact of our complete membership package - from the legal and employment services and free and discounted CPD to our popular publications and money-saving financial services."

The British Veterinary Association and the Association of Student Vets are asking veterinary practices not to exploit recruitment fears caused by the coronavirus pandemic by offering unpaid or voluntary work to final year students and new graduates. 

According to the Associations, a number of practices have been offering unpaid work, and whilst these offers may seem attractive to newly qualified vets who want to gain access to veterinary workplaces, they devalue the individuals and the veterinary profession.

Offering unpaid roles also exacerbates the problems surrounding lack of access to the profession for those who can’t afford to work for free and contradicts efforts to widen participation in the veterinary sector.

In addition, there are governance issues associated with individuals undertaking veterinary roles before they are registered with the RCVS and there are concerns around individuals undertaking voluntary roles without indemnity insurance.

The Veterinary Defence Society has advised that the Veterinary Surgeons (Practice by Students) (Amendment) Regulations 1993 allow veterinary students to carry out acts of veterinary surgery under the direction and supervision of a veterinary surgeon. After graduating as a vet, individuals are no longer classified as “veterinary students” and must either revert to only doing work which would be delegated to a lay member of staff or register with the RCVS.

Once registered with the RCVS, graduates must abide by the Code of Conduct whether they are volunteering or paid. One such requirement is that veterinary surgeons must have professional indemnity insurance. Veterinary graduates cannot register as a veterinary nurse and if they are not registered as a veterinary surgeon, they must not undertake those acts of veterinary surgery that can lawfully be delegated to RVNs.  

BVA President Daniella Dos Santos said: “The Covid-19 crisis has thrown up many challenges for veterinary practices, but we make a plea to the profession not to exploit final year students and new graduates at this difficult time. These individuals are professionals and they deserve to be paid professional new graduate salaries, as we all were. There is a problem to be solved with regard to safe working, particularly in large animal and equine practice, but underpaying and undervaluing people is not the solution.

“BVA has been working with Vet Schools Council and others to champion diversity in our vet schools and the wider profession. If we only provide opportunities for those who can afford to work for free, we will be taking an enormous step backwards.”

Izzie Arthur, AVS President (pictured right), added: “We know that final year students are worried about job prospects and that these offers will be attractive, but we are deeply concerned that it devalues the skills and knowledge that have been built up throughout the degree.

"We’re asking vet practices to champion the next generation by providing paid opportunities for newly qualified (registered) vets and the support needed to get through the professional development phase so that they can become valued members of the team."

The International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) has announced that it will be hosting monthly webinars for veterinary surgeons from January 2016. 

ISFM says it has selected highly qualified speakers who are passionate about cats to cover a range of topics, including medicine, surgery, behaviour, anaesthesia and ophthalmology.

The first four webinars will be free and open to both ISFM members and non-members. Thereafter the series will be available exclusively to ISFM members at no extra cost.

To introduce the series, there will be two webinars in January. The first talk, A practical approach to the cat with respiratory distress, will be given on the 12th January by Kieran Borgeat, a European and American Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology.

The second webinar, Vaccination in cats – everything you wanted to know but were too afraid to ask, will be presented by ISFM's Veterinary Director Andy Sparkes, a European and RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine, on 26th January. 

The webinars will also be available to download later to everyone who registers. 

For more information and to register for the January webinars visit: www.icatcare.org/vets/webinars.

To become an ISFM member and access future webinars, go to: www.icatcare.org/isfm-membership. 

As part of its Black History Month activities, the RCVS has put together a series of video interviews with black and mixed heritage newly-qualified and student vets and nurses, talking about what inspired them to join the veterinary profession and how they got to where they are today.

The interviews give an insight into the career advice the interviewees got from their school, what steps they took to secure their place to study for their qualification, what hurdles they had to overcome and what can be done to address issues around the under-representation of some groups within the profession.

The College says the aim is to help inspire school age children to consider a veterinary career through frank conversations with role models who have chosen a vet or vet nursing career.

The first film is an interview with Rheanna Ellis, a 2021 Nottingham Vet School graduate who is now working as a veterinary surgeon at a West Midlands practice. In her interview she talks about her passion to become a vet from a young age, how she went about researching and preparing for her job, and the importance of perseverance.

To help promote the videos and the College’s ongoing work on diversity and inclusion, the RCVS has partnered with the official Black History Month campaign and website which will also be hosting the videos. 

Many of the interviews have been carried out by Mandisa Greene, RCVS Senior Vice-President, who helped lead the RCVS Black History Month activities last year as the College’s first ever black President.

Mandisa said: “It’s important that we demonstrate commitment to diversity and inclusion and have a role in acknowledging and accentuating diverse voices within the professions. Throughout these video interviews I’ve had the opportunity to speak to some inspiring newly qualified and student veterinary professionals who are all clearly very passionate about supporting animal health and welfare.

“I hope that school children from all backgrounds who watch these videos will get the chance to see how rewarding and enjoyable a veterinary career can be and that they’ll be inspired to consider becoming a vet or vet nurse in the future.”

The RCVS will be publishing more video interviews on its YouTube channel through October and beyond.

Liphook Equine Hospital in Hampshire has become the first veterinary practice in the UK to perform foraminotomies to address spinal nerve compression.

The procedure has already been performed in the US and Germany, where it is reported to have had a success rate of 70-80% in around 250 cases, many of which were show jumpers, eventers and dressage horses.

The team at Liphook, led by European Specialist Rachel Tucker (pictured), has now performed the procedure on six horses.

Rachel said: “Enlargement of the articular process joints of the lower neck is a relatively common finding in horses, but occasionally this can cause compression and irritation of the spinal nerves.

"The foraminotomy procedure means horses experiencing nerve pain can be made comfortable and have a good chance of returning to ridden work and a competition career.

“The surgery is minimally invasive but it is a very delicate procedure to perform because you are working very close to the spinal cord.

"Due to the location, the surgery is performed down a single portal under direct visualisation using a camera, guided by ultrasound and X-ray.

"What has been remarkable so far has been the rapid recovery of the horses, who have been home and out in a small paddock within a few days of surgery with some showing rapid signs of improved comfort and movement.

“We are very pleased with how the procedures at Liphook went.

"Our patients are continuing to recover well and we are looking forward to following their progress in the future.

https://liphookequinehospital.co.uk 

Virbac Animal Health has developed a 'Yield Wheel' to show vets the additional income that farmers can achieve through taking a tailored and more flexible approach to the management of their dairy herd through the dry period. 

The company says this approach is made easier using its Cephaguard DC dry cow therapy.

While a 60 day drying off period is required for some cows, others may not need to be withdrawn from milk production for the full period, including those with a high body condition score in late lactation, high yielders and older healthy cows with an increased tendency for weight gain. For cows in these categories, a shorter drying off period can mean additional days of milk production and extra income for the farmer with no negative impact on future lactations or the cow's overall health.

The Yield Wheel shows how production and income can be maximised on a sliding scale from a standard 60 day drying off period down to 36 days, the shortest drying off period.  It also shows the benefits which can be gained in terms of reduced discarded milk days in the case of cows with an unclear calving date.

Cephaguard DC dry cow therapy is the most recent entrant to the dry cow therapy market. With its 35+1 day withdrawal period in milk, Virbac says it offers farmers increased flexibility for the management of dry periods.

Brigitte Goasduf, Ruminants Product Manager at Virbac said: "For dairy farmers, it's all about milk. They're looking to optimise production and reduce waste while also ensuring that they treat infections effectively at drying off and prevent new infections which may reduce yield during the next lactation.

We've produced the Yield Wheel to highlight the tangible benefits of taking a customised and more flexible approach to drying off using Cephaguard DC. The data is provided in a practical and straightforward way and demonstrates the potential yield benefits that can be achieved from an overall herd management and income perspective. We hope it will prove a useful tool."

The Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, Rebecca Evans, has officially opened the new Wales Veterinary Science Centre.

The centre, which is located on the site of the former Animal and Plant Health Agency's (APHA) Veterinary Investigation Centre, has been established by Iechyd Da, a consortium of independent veterinary practices based in Wales together with Welsh Lamb and Beef Producers Ltd, and Aberystwyth University.

Iechyd Da was recently appointed by APHA as a third party provider to deliver expert post-mortem examinations of new and re-emerging diseases of farm animals. The service has been operational since April 2015.

Deputy Minister Rebecca Evans AM said: "I am pleased to officially open the Wales Veterinary Science Centre, which will significantly strengthen and enhance the important contribution the veterinary profession makes to rural life in Wales and raises standards of animal health and welfare. It will also bolster the rural economy by securing technical jobs for the area, benefit the wider economy by supporting our farming communities, and be an asset to the UK by contributing valuable data to the surveillance network."

Professor Christianne Glossop, Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales said: "The Centre will have a significant role in the protection of animals in Wales and will provide an important contribution to a successful and resilient farming industry, reflecting the essential role of the veterinary profession in Wales."

Phil Thomas, Director of Iechyd Da said: "Iechyd Da now looks forward to building on the post-mortem provision already available so that we can provide a range of services, from running training courses for animal keepers to dissection classes for students, continuous professional development for practicing vets, and supporting disease eradication schemes. The vision is of a One Health institute that recognises the interlocking, overlapping relationships between people, livestock, the wildlife and the environment around us." 

Richard Irvine, Head of Scanning Surveillance and the Surveillance Intelligence Unit at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) said: "I look forward to APHA working in close partnership with the Wales Veterinary Science Centre to provide expert diagnostic support and surveillance intelligence for veterinary practices and farmers in Wales. Only by working together can we create an effective disease surveillance network, and I urge farmers and vets in Wales to make use of the considerable expertise that exists within the Wales Veterinary Science Centre and APHA."

XLVets, the cooperative of independent practices, has decided to share its resources with independent practices that are not currently members.

XLVets has called on experts in people development, legal, IT and HR, as well as its practice owners, managers and team leaders to develop a package of coronavirus resources. The package includes guidance and best practice, tips offered by XLVets members, expert guidance in the use of technology to support home workers, access to the XLVets Thriving in Practice wellbeing initiative and more. 

To access the resources at www.xlvets.co.uk without charge or obligation, email admin@xlvets.co.uk.

Colm McGinn (pictured right), from XLVets said: "We are very good at working together to develop solutions for problems and supporting each other. This is a national challenge and while our members have faced some difficult decisions, they've been able to share that decision-making process with their peers, calling on them for ideas, guidance and support.

"It's a big ask for just one or two partners to interpret the guidance in a rapidly changing environment and to stay informed about advice from regulatory bodies and associations. We've all benefited from sharing knowledge and it's lifted some of the pressure that comes from taking individual action, while still having freedom to do what's right for your own practice and people. I can't think of a better time for us to share our learning and resources for the greater good."

For more information, visit: https://www.xlvets.co.uk/the-boss.