Teleradiology and teleconsulting company VetCT has released the results of a survey to explore why more vets aren't using computed tomography (CT)

Over 90% of the 156 respondents (predominantly vets, but also managers) believed CT was important in first opinion practice, but nearly half did not have access to a scanner.

25% said they were interested in buying a CT scanner, mainly for the improved diagnostics and desire to keep more cases in-house.

The main reasons for not buying a CT scanner were: space, cost and lack of confidence.

Matt Winter, radiologist and CVMO at VetCT said: “Imaging in first opinion practice is evolving rapidly with innovations in veterinary-specific CT technology, modern machines are more available and affordable than ever.

"We need to build confidence through training and understanding of the technology, and the comprehensive support available to practices.”

While practices with a CT scanner felt they were using it optimally for the most part, specialist radiologist reporting emerged as the most significant factor towards optimising its use.

However, a third of respondents not currently using teleradiology (the remote reporting by specialist radiologists of diagnostic images acquired by a practice), said they did not know enough about it and/or hadn’t considered it.

Matt said: “Expert teleradiology to support with image interpretation is enabling more practices than ever to offer advanced imaging and provide state-of-the-art diagnostics for patients, meeting growing client expectations, elevating patient care and improving outcomes."

VetCT’s webinars on CT optimisation are available on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Vetctspecialists 

Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) has published a three-part webinar series to give veterinary surgeons and nurses the latest advice on diet, neutering, sudden death and infectious diseases in rabbits.

Burgess Pet Care, which organises the event, is encouraging vets and nurses to watch the webinars to ensure they’re aware of the key information concerning this year’s Rabbit Awareness Week, Protect and Prevent campaign, taking place from the 1st to the 9th June.

The webinars are hosted by Dr Richard Saunders BSc (Hons) BVSc FRSB CBiol DZooMed (Mammalian) DipECZM(ZHM) MRCVS, veterinary adviser to the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF).

Richard said: "These webinars provide information across all of the key areas relating to preventative healthcare in rabbits. There is a large number of health issues facing rabbits but thankfully many of these can be prevented. Vets play an incredibly important role in ensuring rabbit owners have all the information they need to correctly care for their pets but unfortunately there is still a lack of awareness and understanding around many basic needs such as diet, husbandry and the importance of vaccinations to protect against dangerous diseases.

"The webinars have been designed to be accessible and engaging to all vets and nurses, regardless of their experience level. We’re urging vets and nurses to watch all three seminars so they’re able to provide the best possible advice to rabbit owners seeking advice on their pets in advance of Rabbit Awareness Week."

To watch the webinars and learn more about this year’s Rabbit Awareness Week campaign, visit: www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk, where you can also request a free vet pack to help promote any activity you're planning for RAW. 

Avacta has announced the launch of Natural VetCare Prescribed, a new range of veterinary exclusive nutraceutical skin and joint supplements.

The range is manufactured in the UK by Natural VetCare and includes four products in total.

Avacta’s commercial manager, Hayley Booth, said: "Cani Flex is designed to support the body’s anti-inflammatory response with a powerful antioxidant formula, which rebalances the system by addressing excess free-radical build up around the joint following injury or wear and tear. Cani Flex Senior also targets joint, heart and brain health and encourages increased activity. 

"With allergies becoming more and more prolific, Cani Skin and Feli Skin target one of the most complex issues facing vets and pet owners in today’s environment. The formulations are designed to resolve the body's hypersensitivity by balancing the immune response.

Hayley added: "To ensure veterinary exclusivity, the unique dispensing method has been thoroughly researched and trialed. The easy-to-feed sprinkle capsules sold in individual gold foil pouches are not for sale individually, and boxes of pouches are available direct from veterinary wholesalers only."

For more information, visit avactaanimalhealth.com/NVCPrescribed, contact your Avacta territory manager or call customer services on 0800 8494 550.

Dechra Veterinary Products has launched Sporimune (ciclosporin), licensed for the treatment of chronic manifestations of atopic dermatitis in dogs. 

Roger Brown, Senior Brand Manager at Dechra Veterinary Products, said: "Around 20% of all small animal consultations involve skin conditions and canine atopic dermatitis can be challenging to diagnose and manage effectively.

"Although incurable, atopic dermatitis can be managed using a multimodal approach which is likely to include treatments to decrease pruritus as well as allergen identification, avoidance where possible and improving skin and coat hygiene."

Sporimune is a 50 mg/ml oral solution administered by syringe, which is graduated to show both bodyweight and ml. Dechra says it is being introduced to veterinary professionals within the company's Partners in Practice programme which aims to support vets and vet nurses as they diagnose, control and maintain complex dermatological conditions.

Mr Brown added: "It is critical that owners are fully involved and educated about their pet's condition for dogs to be treated effectively. So we have also developed support materials around the use of Sporimune for practices, including client information leaflets and a video on how to use the dosing syringe."

Sporimune is now available from veterinary wholesalers. For further information visit www.dechra.co.uk/sporimune.

The RCVS has launched Mind Matters, a new initiative to help address mental health and wellbeing issues within the veterinary profession.

Neil Smith, RCVS Vice-President and Chair of the Mind Matters Initiative said: "Mental Health is a significant issue for the veterinary profession. Most of us have experience of colleagues or ourselves having problems. The Mind Matters Initiative is a pan-profession project, and I am very pleased that there is active engagement from across the various veterinary associations and stakeholders."

"The RCVS already contributes through our Health Protocol and support of the Veterinary Benevolent Fund. The Mind Matters Initiative seeks to work more proactively by increasing the accessibility and acceptance of support, encouraging a culture that is better equipped to talk and deal with stress and related mental health issues, and, ultimately, by helping to reduce such triggers within the profession."

The first Mind Matters Initiative action is providing funding to ensure that callers to Vet Helpline, a completely confidential support service which is part of the Veterinary Benevolent Fund and run by volunteers, are put directly through to a person, rather than having to leave a message.

Rosie Allister, Chair of Vet Helpline said: "We are able to offer confidential, non-judgemental support to many vets, VNs, vet students and members of their families who call us in distress, but we know there are more who are put off by the prospect of leaving a message.

"It takes real courage to reach out for help when you're struggling, and we know it can be especially tough for vets. Although we respond to calls quickly, callers need to speak to someone immediately, and not a message system, when they are in crisis. Through the Mind Matters Initiative funding we are able to put in place a service that connects a caller directly to a human being, which could make a real difference for people who call."

The new Vet Helpline system will be in place on 22 December, in time for Christmas, which can be a difficult time for many people. The Vet Helpline number is 07659 811 118 and there is also a confidential email service, accessible viawww.vetlife.org.uk. 

The Mind Matters Initiative will be sustained over an initial three-year period, and will include five streams of activity:

• Learning and understanding best practice - research within the veterinary profession, for example, into occupational stress factors; and among other related professions and private and public sector organisations that have successfully tackled similar issues
• Changing the culture - a programme of communications activities to help generate a positive environment for discussion, reduce stigma, increase awareness and the ability to identify risks, and encourage help-seeking behaviour
• Intervention: personal level - financial and other support for existing services, such as Vet Helpline and Veterinary Surgeons Health Support Programme, together with an investigation into what more may be required to support those in need
• Intervention: supporting the supporters - training and guidance for those who may be working or living with someone who needs assistance, in order to help supporters spot and understand signs of stress and mental illness, and help the person seek expert help
• Making changes - working closely with the joint RCVS/British Veterinary Association Vet Futures project (www.vetfutures.org.uk) to help identify aspects of how the profession is structured and run (from student to retirement) that exacerbate stress and mental health problems - and consider how they may be addressed

The Mind Matters Initiative is supported by a group comprising the Veterinary Benevolent Fund, the British Veterinary Association, the British Veterinary Nursing Association, the Veterinary Practice Management Association, the Veterinary Schools Council, the Veterinary Defence Society and the Association of Veterinary Students.

Novartis Animal Health has launched Zolvix, billed as the first truly novel anthelmintic class for livestock to be launched in more than 25 years, together with a new drenching system designed to make drenching faster, easier and more accurate.

Zolvix contains a new active ingredient, monepantel, which kills all key sheep gastro-intestinal nematodes (roundworms), including those resistant to the existing treatments.

According to the company, the development of this new drench follows the persistent challenge from worms that have developed resistance to the three other classes of drench - white (benzimidazole or 1-BZ), yellow (levamisole or 2-LV) and clear (macrocyclic lactone or 3-ML) and combinations of these. Zolvix has a unique mode of action and so forms a fourth generation of anthelmintic, which will be known as the 4- AD, or orange drench class

Novartis Animal Health has prioritised the UK and Ireland as key launch countries for Zolvix to provide their sheep farmers with an answer to the pressing challenge of increasing anthelmintic resistance.

Lesley Stubbings, an Independent sheep consultant and Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) panel member, said: "Resistance has become an ever increasing threat since the last new anthelmintic group was introduced to the UK market more than 25 years ago. Zolvix offers farmers a valuable opportunity to maintain good worm control and prolong the effective life of the existing products. Following the SCOPS guidelines to carefully integrate Zolvix into worm control strategies, before the other groups fail, will allow our sheep industry to reap the full benefits of this new novel group."

A study carried out by Novartis in conjunction with the Hopkirk Research Institute showed that Zolvix treated sheep gained 33.5%, or 2.8 kg deadweight, more than sheep treated with a drench to which they were resistant.

Novartis Animal Health Brand Manager Simon Harris said: "Parasite resistance is a growing problem that decreases the productivity of sheep of all ages. Many veterinarians and farmers are concerned about this, with an increasing number of farmers reporting resistance to the three groups of wormers that have been available up to now, so the introduction of Zolvix is very timely."

At the same time, the company has also launched an award-winning new drenching system designed to offer 'a superior drenching experience for both animal and operator'. The new Optiline Drencher and Optivix backpack system were developed in collaboration with drenching specialists Simcro Tech Ltd.

The Optiline Drencher has already won several design and engineering awards, including a bronze award in the 2009 NZ BEST design awards, a coveted International Forum (IF) 2010 product design award from Germany and the prestigious Bayer Innovators Award for design and engineering.

It was also a finalist in the New Zealand Agritech Innovation Awards reached the finals in three categories of the 2009 New Zealand Trade and Enterprise International Business Awards.

The Optiline drencher is coupled with a durable, light Optivix backpack that has been specially tailored to provide left or right-handed operators with the same wide range of adjustment. It also has two drench cradles - at chest and hip level - to ensure maximum comfort.

Mr Harris said: "This drencher is best appreciated during use. Contact your local Novartis Animal health representative to arrange a trial."

The RCVS Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) and the Doctors’ Support Network (DSN) are today marking the first anniversary of their joint '&me' campaign, which aims to tackle mental health stigma in the health professions by encouraging prominent members to speak out about their own experiences.

MMI seeks to address mental health and wellbeing issues within the veterinary profession, while the Doctors’ Support Network provides peer support for doctors and medical students with mental health concerns.

&me was launched this time last year at the Palace of Westminster at an event sponsored by Kevan Jones MP (Labour, North Durham,) who has spoken about his own experiences with depression. 

Overall eleven &me ambassadors have volunteered their own stories with mental ill-health:

• Dr Louise Freeman, tribunal member and vice chair DSN
• Dr Angelika Luehrs, consultant psychiatrist and co-chair DSN
• Dr Jonathan Richardson, group medical director for community services, Northumberland Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust
• Dr Caroline Reed O’Connor, a senior trainee psychiatrist and psychotherapist
• David Bartram, RCVS Council member
• Malcolm Kinnear, consultant psychiatrist and Honorary Senior Clinical Teacher at the University of Dundee
• Rob Pettitt, Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Orthopaedics, University of Liverpool
• Professor Jamie Hacker Hughes, consultant clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, and supervisor
• Dr Cathy Wield, emergency medicine doctor and author
• Dr Susan Atcheson, senior GP
• Steve Carter, Director at Priory Veterinary Surgeons

A number of &me ambassadors will be taking part in an ‘&me live’ session at BSAVA Congress, from 5-8 April 2018 in Birmingham, providing a short overview of their story before taking questions from the audience. The session will take place from 8.30 to 10.10am on Saturday 7 April and will be open to all those attending Congress.

Lizzie Lockett, RCVS CEO and Mind Matters Director, said: "The feedback our &me ambassadors have received is truly heartening.

"Steve Carter, for example, had both an ex-student and colleague comment on his story thanking him for all he’s done, while a Facebook post about Rob Pettitt reached nearly 25,000 people.

"The campaign highlights how it is possible to recover from mental ill-health and flourish in your career, with the aim of encouraging those at the start of their mental ill-health experience to seek appropriate help, whether that is something profession-specific, such as Vetlife or DSN, or their GP."

Louise Freeman, Co-Chair of the DSN, added: "Many healthcare professionals face similar pressures that can lead to mental ill-health, including long hours, intense pressure, and the nature of the job which requires practitioners to constantly provide care for others, without necessarily recognising the need for self-care at the same time.

"A recurring theme that we’ve seen from these ambassadors’ stories has been that they drew on support from friends and family, and we really hope that this campaign encourages other professionals to seek help if they feel they are struggling."

The campaign is interested in hearing from not only doctors and veterinary surgeons but also nurses, veterinary nurses, dentists, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals who want to open up about their experiences of mental ill-health.

To participate in the campaign, email Dr Louise Freeman on vicechair@dsn.org.uk.

Further information about the ‘&me’ campaign can be found at www.vetmindmatters.org/&me, and a blog by Louise, 'Me and #AndMe', can be found at www.vetmindmatters.org/me-and-andme/.

The BSAVA has published the results of a survey which shows that technology used to mitigate the effects of lockdown may lead to long term, beneficial changes to the way practices operate. 

Over 25% of the 1001 veterinary professionals who responded felt that the use of technology for triage and or consultations had either improved efficiency or the service offered to clients.

More than 10% said the pandemic had led to practices taking actions which streamlined client processes such as taking payments and booking appointments online or by phone.

The survey results are included in a presentation at the BSAVA Virtual Congress: "Lessons from Lockdown:Telemedicine is here to stay", which forms part of the current topics stream on Saturday 27th March. Brian Faulkner will take a look at maintaining relationships and changing dynamics with remote consults, communication challenges and opportunities. Matt Flann will follow with: "A practical perspective – how we have used it, what have we learned?"

BSAVA President Professor Ian Ramsey said: “The survey results have given us an important insight on how technology is being deployed to help the profession continue to help pets and their owners safely and to the best of their ability in these difficult circumstances. 

"Vets have embraced innovations in practice such as telephone triage, remote consultations and digital communications. These have shown us that, as within the human healthcare sector, we can continue to deliver our vital services, possibly to an even more efficient and effective standard, despite the restrictions. 

"Our Congress session on lockdown learnings promises to make for compelling listening with important ramifications for veterinary practice even after the pandemic has receded to a bitter memory. As we return to degrees of normality these innovations should not be discarded, but equally must not be allowed to generate the inequalities that go hand in hand with them if some practices and owners are inadvertently left behind.”

To register for BSAVA Congress, visit https://www.bsavaevents.com/bsavacongress2021/en/page/home 

Reference

1. The BSAVA Market Research was conducted online in November/December 2020, with responses from 1001 veterinary professionals.

Craig Mostert MRCVS has been suspended from the Register for 18 months by the RCVS Disciplinary Committee after pleading guilty in the USA to providing false statements about exported flea and tick medicines and subsequently not declaring the conviction to the College.

Dr Mostert admitted to his conviction but denied that it rendered him unfit to practise as a veterinary surgeon.

He also admitted not disclosing his conviction to the RCVS but denied that it amounted to dishonesty or was misleading and that failing to do so amounted to disgraceful conduct in a professional respect.

The Committee first considered whether Dr Mostert’s conviction affected the public interest, which included the need to maintain public confidence in the profession by upholding proper standards of conduct and behaviour for members of the profession.

The Committee noted that the conviction involved dishonesty relating to false statements about the value of goods sent to the USA.

The Committee felt that a conviction for a serious offence involving dishonesty would have a negative impact on public confidence in the profession, and that its reputation would be damaged if proper standards of conduct and behaviour were not upheld.

The Committee also noted that as the products that Dr Mostert imported into the USA were not labelled as coming from a foreign market and were not labelled as needing to be administered by a vet, his conviction also related to animal safety, as anyone who accessed the medications could believe that it was safe for them to be given to an animal.

The Committee then considered Dr Mostert’s failure to declare the conviction to the College on three separate occasions.

Dr Mostert testified that, at the time, he did not believe he had to disclose his conviction as it occurred in a country where he had not practised as a veterinary surgeon. 

He also said he had not taken the time to read and interpret the application form accurately.

However, the Committee considered that the wording around convictions on the application and annual renewal forms is very clear and that, as a veterinary surgeon, Dr Mostert would be familiar with such documents.

The Committee considered that it was inconceivable that an experienced veterinary surgeon, making a declaration of this kind to his regulator, would not have understood that a serious conviction in the USA, dating from June 2017, was a conviction that he was obliged to disclose.

The Committee therefore found Dr Mostert’s failures to declare his conviction dishonest.

Judith Way, Chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, noted that in deciding upon the appropriate sanction, the case did not involve any actual harm to an animal or human and that Dr Mostert had had a long and otherwise unblemished career.

However, a key aggravating factor was that the action that led to the conviction resulted in financial gain through the creation of a business enterprise and that Dr Mostert falsely declared the value of goods.

The extent of any financial gain was not known to the Committee, but the business operated on the basis that false declarations were repeatedly made.

Judith said: “After careful consideration the Committee has concluded that in all the circumstances, a lengthy period of suspension would properly reflect the gravity of the case and satisfy the public interest. The Committee has decided that the appropriate length of suspension is one of 18 months.”

The Committee’s full findings can be viewed at www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary

Voting has now opened in the 2019 RCVS Council election. Eligible veterinary surgeons can now vote online or by posting their paper ballot.

There are nine candidates standing in this year’s elections, including five existing Council members eligible for re-election and four candidates not currently on Council. They are:

• Dr Linda Belton MRCVS
  At a glance: Equine clinician. Director of George Veterinary Group, a 40-vet independent practice. Wants to safeguard veterinary surgeons' clinical freedom and prevent it being eroded as a result of corporatisation. 

• Dr Niall Connell MRCVS
  At a glance: After a career largely in small animal charitable practice, Niall had to retire from clinical practice as a result of MS. Has been a council member since 2013 and now RCVS President-elect. By all accounts, something of a national treasure. Wants the College to: "regulate compassionately in partnership with our profession".

• Mr John C Davies MRCVS
  At a glance: Small animal practitioner who, having had his fingers burned in a failed joint venture arrangement and parts of his election manifesto redacted by the RCVS (it can be read in full here: http://www.johndaviesvet.com), now campaigns for justice, integrity, accountability, freedom of speech and due diligence at the College and in the wider profession.

• Dr Joanna (Jo) Dyer MRCVS
  At a glance: Small animal locum practitioner who was first elected to council in 2015 after successfully lobbying for changes to the CoPC Guidance following Chikosi. An all round good egg. Argues passionately against changes to the Code of Conduct to allow remote prescribing of POM-Vs.

• Professor Timothy (Tim) Greet FRCVS
  At a glance: Widely-published equine practitioner and past-pres of BEVA, BVA and WEVA. In favour of RCVS regulation of para-professionals. Argues that whilst technology is to be welcomed, diagnosis and prescribing must be restricted to animals 'under our care'.

• Professor John Innes FRCVS
  At a glance: RCVS Specialist in small animal orthopaedics (with 85 peer-reviewed papers to his name) and Referrals Director at CVS. Pledges to speak as an independent veterinary surgeon - not a corporate representative - if elected. On record as being pleased that the proposed RCVS telemedicine trial was delayed pending further consultation. In favour of 'nurse practitioner' becoming a regulated option for RVNs.

• Dr Thomas (Tom) Lonsdale MRCVS
  At a glance: Single-issue candidate with a 23-year history of standing for election to draw attention to the supposed evils of commercial pet foods. Based in Australia. 2000-1 outsider. 

• Dr Katherine (Kate) Richards MRCVS
  At a glance: 15 years in farm animal practice before taking up various positions in industry and government. Champions a healthy work-life balance, fair pay, workplace flexibility and supportive work practices.

• Mr Peter Robinson MRCVS
  At a glance: A long career in independent farm, equine and small animal practice, followed by a stint in sole practice in Dubai. Has been on Council for 4 years. Like Jo Dyer, argues that when it comes to remote prescribing and telemedicine, "we must not change the standards of ‘under our care'."

Ballot papers and booklets containing candidates’ details and manifestos have been sent by post to all veterinary surgeons eligible to vote and an email containing a unique link to a secure voting site has also been sent by Electoral Reform Services, which runs the election on behalf of the College.

All votes must be cast, either online or by post, by 5pm on Friday 26 April 2019. 

Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS Registrar and Returning Officer for the election, said: "Last year we saw another very strong turnout for the RCVS Council election with over a fifth of the profession casting votes. The turnout was again helped by regular email reminders and the fact the voting website can be easily accessed by just clicking on a link.

"I would like to remind the profession that, following last year’s changes to our governance structure after a Legislative Reform Order was passed through Parliament, you can now only choose up to three candidates. I do hope members of the profession take this opportunity to influence the governance and policies of the RCVS."

Those who are eligible to vote but have not received either an email or ballot paper should contact Luke Bishop, RCVS Senior Communications Officer, on l.bishop@rcvs.org.uk.

Improve International has announced the launch of its General Practitioner Advanced Certificate (GPAdvCert) in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery.

Accredited by the European School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ESVPS) and due to be validated by Harper Adams University, Improve says the new Cert will be delivered over 14 modules in three blocks of training by globally recognised experts in practical training centres in Sheffield, UK; Cremona, Italy and Madrid, Spain. 

The modules will be supported by an online learning platform providing notes, additional learning resources and the ability for delegates to discuss clinical cases in a closed forum.

David Babington MRCVS, Business Development Director at Improve International, said: "Our GPAdvCert in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery is a natural progression for veterinary surgeons who want to develop their soft tissue surgery skills. 

"The programme focuses on problem-solving to increase confidence in diagnosing and stabilising animals with complex pathologies and delegates will have plenty of opportunity to practise new surgical techniques and advanced procedures under close supervision in a wet-lab environment."

He added: "In common with our other GPAdvCerts in Orthopaedics and Small Animal Medicine, achieving this qualification will help vets in practice to reduce the number of patients they have to refer, enabling them to retain a higher level of income for their practice. The programme will also provide them with skills which they can pass onto their team."

The GPAdvCert in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery is aimed at veterinary surgeons who have already completed a General Practitioner Certificate in Small Animal Surgery (GPCertSAS) or a Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) in Small Animal Surgery.

Improve says the successful achievement of a GPAdvCert enables delegates to progress from a Postgraduate Certificate (or equivalent) to the Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Practice Sciences in the UK, which is awarded by Harper Adams University.  This can, in turn, be used towards the award of a Master’s Degree (MSc) in Advanced Veterinary Practice Sciences.

Defra has confirmed that equine infectious anaemia (EIA) has been detected in two horses in Wiltshire following importation from Romania via Belgium.

The premises is currently under restriction and the two infected horses will be humanely destroyed in line with existing regulations. The other horses on the premises will be subject to epidemiological investigation in the coming weeks. A further two horses have also been under investigation and test results have proved negative.

The animals arrived in a group of 10 horses, nine of which originated from Romania and one from Belgium. The nine Romanian horses were tested for EIA as part of routine post-import testing. Seven horses all tested negative. The horse that originated in Belgium is due to be tested shortly.

Chief Veterinary Officer, Nigel Gibbens said: "This is the first case of equine infectious anaemia infected animals being imported into Great Britain since 1976 and shows the success of our post import testing regime. These were apparently healthy horses carrying a notifiable disease that we are keen to keep out of Great Britain. After considering the risk I have decided to take appropriate action and humanely destroy these two horses that tested positive."

Docsinnovent Ltd has launched what it says is the first ever commercial range of veterinary-species-specific, supraglottic airway devices.

Nicki Glen, Marketing Manager at Docsinnovent said: "v-gel is a truly unique, supraglottic airway management device that represents the culmination of years of extensive research and development. It has exceptional provenance from the human equivalent "i gel" having been used in hospitals around the world for the past 5 years.

"Made from a medical grade elastomer material, the v-gel has been designed to create an anatomical high quality pressure seal around the laryngeal structures whilst avoiding compression trauma."

Initially for rabbits and cats, and subsequently for dogs and horses, each species will have six colour coded sizes supplied in a protective cradle that also helps manage the sterilisation process.

According to the company, the benefits of the v-gel system are:

• The v-gel offers the anaesthetist a new method of airway management which reduces the potential of upper airway trauma and improves patient comfort post operatively.
• The unique, soft gel like material and anatomically mirrored design aids easy insertion and provides a high quality pressure seal whilst reducing trauma risk.
• The design minimises rotation and allows the v-gel to self position during insertion, over the airway.
• Each individual unit facilitates high quality autoclave sterilisation to ensure that there is no risk of cross infection.
• The device has a larger than normal airway channel to reduce airway resistance when compared with endotracheal tubes.

For more information, visit stand 609 at BSAVA Congress or, from 12th April, www.docsinnovent.com.

In addition, there is a clinical research abstract being presented at BSAVA Congress:

Title: Use of a novel Supraglottic airway device to maintain gaseous anaesthesia in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Presented and researched by Kevin Eatwell BVSc (Hons) DZooMed (Reptilian) Dip ECZM               (Herp) MRCVS
Venue: In the Crompton Room, Austin Court under the EXOTICS stream
Time: Thursday 12th April at 12:20pm