The new methods, published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, use a simple swabbing technique to gather samples from the environment which FMD-susceptible animals such as cattle, sheep and pigs commonly make contact with, such as water troughs.
Researchers say the technique requires very little expertise, which makes the sampling method far more accessible, allowing a higher frequency of samples to be collected and processed during an outbreak.
FMD virus is able to survive long periods of time in the environment in the right conditions (up to three months depending on environmental factors such as pH, temperature and relative humidity), so sampling areas where infected animals may have shed virus allows scientists to detect the presence of FMD even if the animals on the farm are no longer showing clinical signs.
The researchers say that novel surveillance techniques such as this can help support a robust response to outbreaks in FMD-free countries, and can also be implemented in endemic areas, such as parts of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as part of surveillance programs to supplement current information about the spread of FMD.
Dr Claire Colenutt, who led the research at Pirbright said: "Current surveillance methods rely on the recognition of FMD infection in susceptible animals in addition to the collection of samples from the animals which requires veterinary expertise. In keeping the approach simple, samples can be taken by individuals without prior expertise, increasing the number of potential samples, and relieving pressure on veterinary services."
Photo: FMD. Dr. D. Denev
'FLUTD and Dysuria – a frustration for many and not just the cat' will be presented by Dr Hanne Friis Lund (DVM) from Idexx and Katy Smith from Royal Canin (pictured right).
Hanne will be talking about diagnostics, focusing on urine analysis and laboratory tests, whilst Katy will discuss nutritional management of the condition.
Hanne said: "Feline lower urinary tract disease is a very common condition in both male and female cats affecting 1-3% of cats every year.
"It goes without saying that FLUTD causes great discomfort and pain for the feline, which is why the webinar will explore how best to manage the condition from a nutritional point of view.
"From the innovative Haematuria Detection by Blücare litter granules which turn blue when a urinary condition is detected to the new urinary range kibble from Royal Canin’s Veterinary Health Nutrition, the webinar will be leaving no stone unturned."
To register for the webinar, go to: https://vetportal.royalcanin.co.uk/cpd/webinar/
The two 60-minute interactive sessions are taking place on Wednesday (21st April) at 12.30pm and 6pm, coinciding with the United Nation’s World Creativity and Innovation Day.
Each session will introduce a range of creative techniques that can be used to spur innovation. Different breakout groups will then have various problems to solve and will utilise these techniques to tackle challenges and issues encountered within everyday veterinary practice.
Sophie Rogers, RCVS ViVet Manager, said: "These creativity techniques are a framework for approaching problems, but the key to developing solutions to everyday tasks and problems is learning how to foster and harness the whole team's creative abilities. These workshops will provide the techniques to help you and your team overcome the common barriers to creativity and gain the tools and mindsets needed to break existing patterns and ways of doing things, generate new ideas, and improve creative self-leadership.”
The workshops will be hosted by Gill Stevens (pictured right), the Founding Director of Level Seven, a consultancy that specialises in merging coaching with design thinking methodology as a way to support innovation and team productivity, and Rick Harris, Founder of Customer Faithful, a research-led consultancy, specialising in customer research, proposition design and employee engagement.
Veterinary professionals can sign up to the sessions, which count towards their continuing professional development (CPD) requirement, via the ViVet website at: www.vivet.org.uk/interactive-workshop-on-creative-thinking/
The College was ranked seventh in the medium-sized company or organisation category (50 to 449 employees) of the Best Workplaces for Women initiative.
This year is the first that the Great Place to Work Institute has run this initiative and, in making its rankings, it looked at a number of factors including the number and proportion of women in leadership positions, pay parity between men and women, workplace policies and how they support female employees, as well as training and development and mentoring.
Amanda Boag, RCVS President, said: "I am delighted that the RCVS has been recognised for being an excellent and supportive place for women to work and pleased that the hard work of the team at Belgravia House in this area has been publicly rewarded in this way.
"One of the key themes of my Presidential year is diversity and I think it is very important that, as a regulator, we reflect the veterinary profession (which is currently 63% female for veterinary surgeons and 98% female for veterinary nurses) as far as possible. With two-thirds of the staff at the RCVS being women it demonstrates that the College is largely reflective of the profession it serves.
"However, it’s not just about the numbers and with 60% of the Senior Team at the RCVS being women, including the CEO and Registrar, it demonstrates that the College has developed a culture in which women can shatter the glass ceiling and pursue leadership roles.
"Also, with policies such as flexible working hours, encouragement of home working, shared parental leave and enhanced maternity and paternity pay, the College goes the extra mile to support working parents."
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has announced the launch of Nuflor Minidose - a 50% more concentrated, but less viscous solution of its proven Nuflor antibiotic.
Nuflor Minidose is licensed for the treatment and prevention of bacterial BRD. Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health livestock veterinary adviser Rosemary Booth MRCVS said: "It delivers all the rapid efficacy entrusted in Nuflor, but at a lower volume. Whereas a 20ml dose of Nuflor will treat a 150kg animal, the same volume of Nuflor Minidose will cover a 225kg beast. Compared with Nuflor, the new Minidose formulation is easier to administer delivering a less viscous florfenicol solution, with a 62% improvement in viscosity at 15°C and 59% at 5°C."
Rosemary added that Nuflor Minidose is effective against the main bacterial causes of pneumonia: P. multocida, M. haemolytica and H. somni. "Florfenicol is the only antibiotic offering 100% sensitivity to these three key BRD causes in recent trials and its kill effect also ensures that within 24 hours bacteria levels are low enough to prevent any re-growth."
She also pointed out that the new, more concentrated florfenicol solution presents vets with an improved batch treatment option for controlling BRD considering Nuflor is recognised as an effective metaphylactic
"Batch treatment prevents BRD from spreading. Trials with Nuflor have demonstrated the benefit of metaphylactic batch treatment of sick calves in a pen once at least 20% of the animals exhibit disease symptoms. Nuflor was significantly more efficacious than a control in preventing the spread of BRD in healthy calves exposed to infected animals," she explains.
"The bacteria responsible for BRD are found in the respiratory tract of healthy cattle and stress or a greater pathogen load - such as exposure to sick calves - can easily trigger disease. BRD bacterial numbers can double every 30 minutes and in 24 hours, one bacterium can multiply to billions. Batch treatment kills the bacteria before they multiply, release toxins and cause permanent lung damage."
New Nuflor Minidose is licensed for injection subcutaneously for the prevention of BRD at a dose rate of 4ml/45kg and has a 64-day meat withdrawal period.
The University of Liverpool's School of Veterinary Science has announced the introduction of a new curriculum designed to enhance undergraduate veterinary teaching and learning.
The University says that the curriculum, which was developed in consultation with staff, current and past students, and other key stakeholders, will provide world-leading clinical training, underpinned with the latest scientific knowledge.
The review also explored new ways of teaching in order to reduce the number of lectures in favour of more dynamic forms of training, such as 'scenario' sessions where students work in groups to tackle clinical problems.
Dr Alex German, programme director for the new curriculum, said: "Instead of a modular format, where subjects are taught in self-contained units, we now integrate subjects throughout the degree programme so that students can seamlessly connect what they have learnt to what they are practising.
"Pre-clinical subjects are taught early on, but then revisited during the later stages of the course to ensure that clinical knowledge is based on sound physiological and pathophysiological principles."
Fundamental research skills, such as basic statistics and scientific writing, are taught in the early years, and then reinforced when students undertake a full honours-degree-equivalent research project in their third year.
Evidence-based veterinary medicine principles also underpin all clinical subjects, enabling undergraduates to review clinical evidence critically, and appraise new data as it emerges.
The most significant changes, however, focus on the teaching of clinical skills, which is now taught throughout the five-year programme. To support this, the School has appointed a number of new lecturers specifically to teach clinical skills, and opened new purpose-built teaching laboratories.
Teaching includes the use of models such as a cattle obstetric simulator, a life-size model of a horse with foam pads for practising injections, and a 'Lambinator' for lambing practise. Many of the models have been designed and built by the new lecturers.
A 'cow laboratory' has also been developed to provide an area for self-directed teaching where students can practise skills such as, haltering and casting a cow, learning how to cast a calf's leg, and perform rectal examination with the use of 'Betsy', the in-house reproductive tract simulator (pictured right).
Alison Reid, clinical skills lecturer, said: "When I qualified ten years ago, I could not confidently perform some of the skills we are now teaching our first year students and I remember how unnerving that was when I first entered practice.
"If we can take away the difficulty associated with performing unfamiliar manual skills under pressure, we will be improving the lives of our graduates, their colleagues and their patients."
The intranasal vaccine can be administered to calves from one week old. It reduces the clinical signs of respiratory disease and viral shedding from infection with Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV) and Parainfluenza-3 Virus (Pi3V).
MSD says that no other UK-licensed BRD vaccine can be administered earlier in life, and claims the vaccine delivers the fastest on-farm protection, with an onset of immunity after administration of 5 days for BRSV and 7 days for Pi3V. Duration of immunity is 12 weeks for both viruses.
MSD Animal Health livestock veterinary adviser Dr Kat Baxter-Smith said: "Having this early life calf pneumonia vaccine available in single dose vials will give farmers more practical leeway to be able to vaccinate vulnerable young calves from as young as a week of age, rather than delaying administration until a batch of calves are available. We know that early-age protection of young calves through intranasal vaccination can help prevent pneumonia and positively impact a beef or dairy calf’s productive future".
The new single dose vials are supplied in packs of five, complementing the five dose vials already available.
For further information, contact your MSD account manager.
The RCVS Disciplinary Committee has directed that the name of a Berkshire-based veterinary surgeon, previously convicted of four offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, should be removed from the RCVS Register of Veterinary Surgeons.
Dr Ohene-Gyan was convicted at Reading Magistrates Court on 13 June 2012 of offences involving causing unnecessary suffering to three dogs and a cat that he had treated whilst working at Woosehill Vets, Wokingham, between February and October 2011. These offences related to failing to provide adequate or appropriate veterinary care or treatment, or failure to investigate and address an animal's poor condition. He was sentenced to 21 weeks' imprisonment concurrently for each offence.
Dr Ohene-Gyan did not attend the one-day Disciplinary Committee hearing and was not represented, although College records showed that he was aware of the dates of the hearing, and had had opportunity to apply for an adjournment. In the absence of any known good reason for Dr Ohene-Gyan's non-attendance, the Committee concluded that it was in the interests of justice that the hearing go ahead.
In considering whether the Respondent's convictions made him unfit to practise as a veterinary surgeon, the Committee depended on the findings of the District Judge and the remarks she had made when sentencing. "I found as a matter of fact that some of your actions were taken simply to run up a bill for the owners of pets," she had said. "You were in a position of special responsibility, trusted by the owners of the animals to treat them appropriately and to alleviate their suffering. You ignored advice from staff. Several animals were affected by your cruel disregard of their welfare. Some of the cruelty arose due to your incompetence. You have demonstrated that you are not fit to be trusted with the care of animals."
The Disciplinary Committee Chairman, Professor Peter Lees, speaking on behalf of the Committee, said: "The Respondent's actions, motivated by financial gain, caused serious actual injury to the four animals over a prolonged period of time. Clients are entitled to expect that veterinary surgeons will treat animals in their care humanely and with respect, and make animal welfare their first priority. The Committee considers that the care described in the District Judge's findings demonstrated a total disregard for the professional responsibilities of a veterinary surgeon."
The Committee concluded that the removal of Dr Ohene-Gyan's name from the Register was the only appropriate and proportionate sanction in this case in order to protect the welfare of animals, maintain public confidence in the profession and uphold proper standards of conduct, and it directed the Registrar to do so.
The company says its new design is modular, allowing veterinary practices to customise kennels to their requirements now, and then upgrade them and add components as their needs change over time.
Options include dimmable daylight lighting or Casco Pet’s DRC Lighting System with three modes: Daylight (white), Recovery (red), and Cleaning (blue UVA), built-in thermostatically controlled heat mats, an illuminated glass whiteboard for easy recording and viewing of patient notes, integrated IV stand and pump holders, an internal ceiling vent and ventilation kit and an integrated plug socket and USB port .
Matthew Bubear, CEO, Casco Pet, said: “Our new generation of WellKennels, which have been designed to meet the dynamic demands of modern veterinary practices, allow practitioners to elevate the care they provide today while ensuring sustained adaptability for the needs of tomorrow."
WellKennels are certified by the International Society of Feline Medicine and are part of FearFree’s Preferred Product Program, the global initiative dedicated to preventing and alleviating fear, anxiety and stress in pets.
The new WellKennels will be unveiled at the London Vet Show, ExCel London, 16-17 November, on Stand H35.
https://cascopet.com/uk/products-and-services/veterinary
The Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has updated the Vaccination Guidelines it offers to veterinary surgeons.
The association says its Canine and Feline Vaccination Guidelines aim to provide globally applicable recommendations to help veterinary surgeons vaccinate in a standard and scientifically justified fashion.
The VGG has also updated the vaccination guidelines it offers to pet owners and breeders, as well as the series of fact sheets it has created on key global vaccine-preventable diseases of dogs and cats.
The original guidelines were published in 2007 as the WSAVA's initial response to the need for globally applicable recommendations on vaccination best practice. They were updated in 2010 and, since then, the VGG, which is supported exclusively by MSD Animal Health, has been focusing on issues relating to small companion animal infectious disease and veterinary education in Asia.
The 2015 release of the Canine and Feline Vaccination Guidelines is based on a new evidence-based classification system for vaccinology. It also includes a number of additional FAQs (110 in total). The guidelines for both vets and owners/breeders are available for free download at http://www.wsava.org/educational/vaccination-guidelines-group. Currently available in English, they are being translated into a number of languages.
Professor Michael Day, Chair of the VGG (pictured right), said: "The vaccination guidelines are one of the most frequently downloaded resources on the WSAVA's website and are gradually driving a change in vaccination practice throughout the world - a change which is set to have a major impact on day-to-day small animal practice.
"We are delighted to launch these updated versions both for veterinarians and for pet owners and breeders. We hope they will prove even more helpful and ensure that more small animals are vaccinated in a more scientifically-based, robust and safer fashion.
"We would like to thank MSD Animal Health which has been the sole sponsor of the VGG since its inception. Its support enables us to undertake our valuable work."
The survey of 2717 horse owners, 56% of which were leisure owners and 35% professionals, found that most horses (62%) were retired between 15-24 years of age, mainly for health reasons.
Mares had a higher risk of retirement than geldings, which the researchers say may be due in part to mares used for breeding not doing much structured exercise.
Just over 1 in 6 horses in the study were affected by low muscle mass according to their owners.
Age, sex, osteoarthritis, laminitis, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), and primary use were identified as risk factors for low muscle mass.
Geldings had a higher risk of low muscle mass than mares, which the researchers say may be a result of low testosterone.
Horses with owner-reported veterinary-diagnosed PPID, osteoarthritis and laminitis had a higher risk of low muscle mass.
Primary use was identified as a risk factor for low muscle mass, with retired horses having a higher risk than horses used for competition or pleasure riding.
Owner-reported low muscle mass was perceived to affect welfare and the ability to work in the majority of senior horses.
Alisa Herbst, who led the study, said: “A prolonged working/active life may not only be desired by owners but is also likely to provide health and welfare benefits to the horse.
"We hope the results of this study may be useful for veterinarians caring for senior and geriatric equines, by helping to achieve this."
“The information may aid in the investigation of diseases affecting senior horses and in establishing senior horse-owner education programs.
"The low muscle mass risk factor list may assist vets in identifying horses at risk of low muscle mass to be selected for close monitoring.
“Vets may also consider inclusion of an objective measurement of muscle atrophy, such as the muscle atrophy scoring system (MASS)***, in annual wellness exams, so that atrophy can be identified and managed as early as possible."
Sarah Nelson, Product Manager at Mars Horsecare added: “This survey has highlighted several interesting retirement trends.
“With a better understanding of when and why senior horses are being retired we hope, eventually, to be better placed to monitor for, prevent (where possible), and treat the underlying conditions early on, to help horses stay active and healthy for longer.”
https://www.seniorhorsehealth.com
Reference
Bell Equine is one of the leading equine hospitals and was the first practice worldwide to install a standing MRI unit for horses.
CVS says the acquisition reflects its increased focus on equine practice, with further expansion of its Equine Division planned in the UK and Europe during 2017.
Equine Director Ben Jacklin said: "The acquisition of such an outstanding hospital is an exciting step for us. Bell Equine has always been at the forefront of the equine profession, both clinically and non-clinically, and as such it is a perfect match for the Equine Division of CVS."
Julian Samuelson, former managing director of Bell Equine, will continue in the role of Clinical Director. He said: "We are delighted to be joining forces with CVS and are very much looking forward to working closely with the Group to help realise the exciting potential of its equine ambitions. We look forward to the opportunity to continue to lead the profession, both within and outside CVS."
The British Small Animal Veterinary Association is celebrating a record Congress, attended by more than 8,000 people. That's 16% up on last year and the largest number ever recorded.
There were 5816 delegates (up from 5028 in 2010), including a record-breaking 634 visitors from more than 50 overseas countries. BSAVA says it expects that figure to snowball when the Association hosts the World Congress next year.
There were over 250 exhibitors in the commercial exhibition, where many millions of pounds worth of business was done (one exhibitor alone reported £5M worth of orders). Outside the exhibition hall, delegates amassed more than 100,000 CPD hours presented by more than 100 specialist speakers.
BSAVA President at the event Grant Petrie said: "It has been a tremendous honour to preside over such a truly world-class Congress, particularly to serve as President on the 250th anniversary of the veterinary profession.
"I am immensely proud to see more delegates and more exhibitors than ever before, together with a fantastic social programme and networking opportunities which created a really special buzz around the event.
"It is a really exciting time for veterinary science and Congress continues to be right at the heart of the profession. I believe it has been the best year yet and the figures certainly support this.
"I have always been impressed by Congress - particularly the commitment to supporting the entire veterinary profession and industry. I would like to congratulate and personally thank the dedicated team of volunteers from within our profession who have worked so hard to put this superb event together. That it is created by vets and nurses for their peers is what makes Congress so unique."
A campaign to reform English libel law to allow for robust criticism of scientific and medical claims without fear of legal action has been launched by journalist and author Simon Singh. It's a campaign which anyone working in the caring professions might wish to support.
The campaign comes as a consequence of legal action taken against Mr Singh by The British Chiropractic Association, which took exception (perhaps unsurprisingly) to an article he'd written in The Guardian. In the article, Mr Singh denounced claims on the BCA website that its members could use spinal manipulation to treat children with colic, ear infections, asthma, sleeping and feeding conditions, and prolongued crying as 'bogus', and criticised the BCA for 'happily promoting' these claims.
Out of curiosity, VetSurgeon rang the BCA press office this morning, and asked to be given the references for studies which it feels would support the original claims made on its site. Non have been forthcoming so far, which is a surprise. Under the circumstances, we'd have expected the BCA would have a raft of supporting evidence readily available.
But this isn't really about whether or not chiropractic works or not. The case seems to hinge upon whether Mr Singh's article implied that the BCA was being deliberately dishonest, or just delusional. He say's the latter. Unfortunately for him, Mr Justice Eady recently ruled the former, leaving Mr Singh with a bill for £100,000 worth of legal fees.
Mr Singh is to appeal. At stake is the freedom to be able to challenge scientific claims without fear of being sued. If you'd like to support this campaign, visit senseaboutscience.com and add your name to the 7000 others (including some pretty illustrious names) who have already done so.
The Blue Cross is calling for nominations from veterinary practices across the country for its Veterinary Nurse of the Year Award 2010.
The annual award is presented at the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) Annual Congress in October. It recognises the contribution of veterinary nurses in educating the public about responsible pet ownership and the welfare of pets in the community.
Last year's award was won by Vania Brasseleur for her outstanding contribution to animal welfare, both within her veterinary practice and among the local community in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire
Vania was nominated for the award by student vet nurse and colleague Emily Martin at Astonlee Veterinary Hospital in Newport Pagnell.
Emily said: "Vania is committed to helping student nurses broaden their knowledge and help them on to the path to qualification. Her charity work, serving the public, helping colleagues and of course her nursing abilities are all truly fantastic! I don't think anybody could ask for a better nurse."
Nominations for this year's award can be made by completing the nomination form on The Blue Cross website at: www.bluecross.org.uk/BVNA2010 or by contacting Sally Leathem on 01993 825577. The deadline for nominations is Friday 20 August 2010.
The competition is open to all UK-based undergraduate veterinary students and offers them the opportunity to work as a team to brainstorm, develop and present an innovative idea to a board of industry professionals.
Students can enter either as a single applicant or as a group (of roughly five members), with single applicants then being placed in a group with other applicants from their university. There can be more than one team representing each university.
Each student’s project can cover any aspect of veterinary health innovation. The RCVS suggests potential projects might include: innovations within veterinary education, innovations to improve sanitation and hygiene, innovations to improve veterinary-public communication and innovations to improve patient safety.
Entries must show how they have improved upon – or extended beyond – current expectations of best practice in their chosen area.
Each applicant will receive support from one of the Association of Veterinary Students’ (AVS) Vet Futures Ambassadors, as well as a mentor session with a chosen industry professional to guide them on their project.
Teams will need to submit three components for judging: a log of their progress throughout the project (which can include social media updates using the hashtag #ViVetStudentInnovation), mentor engagement and feedback, and a five-minute video ‘business pitch’.
The three finalist groups of the competition will be invited to present their pitch to a board of industry professionals at a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style event held at the RCVS ViVet 2019 Innovation Symposium on Tuesday 1 October 2019 in Manchester.
The winning and runner-up groups will then be selected and will be presented alongside the ‘mentor’s choice’ award. The Mentor’s Choice award will be selected by the team mentors. The prize will be awarded to an individual who shows excellence and enthusiasm within their work on the project.
Anthony Roberts, RCVS Director of Leadership & Innovation (pictured right), said: "This competition provides a great opportunity for veterinary students to engage with their fellow classmates across different fields of study and to work on projects that could genuinely make a difference to animal health and welfare and the way veterinary services are delivered. Teams will receive one-on-one mentoring and will be guided through the innovation process, developing skills that will be useful throughout their careers. We look forward to seeing the three finalist teams presenting at the RCVS ViVet Innovation Symposium in Manchester on 1 October."
Zoe Skinner, Vet Futures Student Representatives Team Leader, said: “This competition is a great opportunity for veterinary students to receive mentoring from experienced veterinary professionals and form contacts within our profession. It gives students a way to work together as a team and allows them to learn how to produce and develop innovative, problem-solving concepts as well as skills in delivering presentations. These are all important aspects of our career ahead, which will look brilliant on our CV’s.”
ViVet is now accepting registrations for the competition for the 2018/19 academic year. To enter, applicants must submit an online registration form. For further information, email info@vivet.org.uk.
The company says that recent supply issues have been due to 'incredible' demand for Reconcile since it was launched in the UK in 2022, which greatly surpassed expectations.
Dr Lucy Chadwick, Head of Technical Services & Marketing at Forte Healthcare Ltd said: “We realise that the recent supply issues have been very inconvenient so we thank all of our customers for their patience and support during this challenging time.
"We are confident that our supply issues to date have been resolved and that we have enough stock going forward to meet market demand.“
www.reconcilefordogs.com
Dr Kalisz faced a total of nine charges (including 41 sub-charges).
The first was that in July 2020, she failed to carry out a clinical examination of the dog, failed to adequately interpret test results, failed to ask for help interpreting the results, and undertook an emergency Caesarean section without sufficient need to do so.
The other charges related to undertaking a colotomy without sufficient justification and without exercising sufficient clinical judgment throughout the procedure.
For both the Caesarean section and the colotomy, Dr Kalisz faced charges that she failed to obtain informed consent from the owners and failed to inform them that the colotomy had been carried out, or of the potential risks of the procedure, and also failed to provide enough information about aftercare.
It was also alleged that Dr Kalisz had demonstrated continual lapses in professional judgement, including failing to appropriately manage the spaniel’s worsening condition when it was presented to the practice again later, and that the clinical records in relation to the surgery were dishonest and/or misleading.
Dr Kalisz admitted serious professional misconduct, admitting to 29 of the sub-charges, while the remaining 12 sub-charges were denied.
The Committee found 30 of the sub-charges proven, with the remaining 11 not proven.
The Committee the considered aggravating factors, including the fact that Dr Kalisz's conduct led to the spaniel’s death, the colotomy was reckless and Dr Kalisz did not take steps to inform anybody or make a clinical record for the colotomy.
In mitigation, the Committee considered the fact that it was single and isolated incident (albeit one that spanned a number of days), that no other members of the clinical team involved raised concerns during the procedure, and the effect Covid had upon the veterinary profession.
The Committee found that of those charges proven, the ones relating to performing the colotomy, failing to manage the spaniel’s subsequent care and failing to mention the colotomy amounted to serious professional misconduct.
On deciding the sanction, the Committee took into account the mitigation submitted on behalf of Dr Kalisz and the written testimonials produced including the fact that she was young and inexperienced, had admitted her failings at an early stage, had made subsequent efforts to avoid a repetition of such behaviour and that a significant amount of time had passed since the incident.
The Committee also considered that Dr Kalisz had shown an exemplary level of insight, showing remorse for her actions, undertaking substantial continuing professional development, and finding appropriate ongoing professional mentorship.
The Committee was impressed by the character testimonials from veterinary co-workers, both current and at the time of these events, as well as from clients.
It was, the Committee said, apparent from those testimonials that Dr Kalisz had been open and honest with them about the charges and was considered to be an excellent, committed veterinary surgeon.
Paul Morris, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf said: “The Committee found that this was a single isolated incident, which involved serious lapses of clinical judgement.
"It was therefore concluded that, despite Dr Kalisz’s actions being reckless, the extensive mitigation and the high level of insight, coupled with steps taken to avoid repetition, meant that there was negligible future risk to animal welfare.
“The Committee did not consider it necessary to issue a warning to Dr Kalisz about her future conduct, on the basis that the Committee has concluded that there is little risk of repetition, so considered that a reprimand would be an appropriate sanction in this case.”
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/concerns/disciplinary-hearings
The Elsevier publication is edited by Dottie Laflamme, DVM PhD ACVIM (Nutrition) with an expert team of authors providing practical information on a variety of nutrition topics appropriate for daily practice. https://bit.ly/PurinaEBook2
The Elsevier publication is designed to help veterinary staff expand their knowledge and skills in nutrition topics, from discussing nutrition with clients, to the nutritional management of common health conditions, so that they can be confident in their own nutrition knowledge and ability to communicate about nutritional issues.
The current edition, edited by Dottie Laflamme, DVM PhD ACVIM (Nutrition), is available in English and in Spanish.
Daniel Rodes DVM, PhD, and regional leader for the Purina Institute, said: “The veterinary team is a valued source of nutrition information for pet owners, but vets do not always initiate discussions about nutrition with clients for various reasons, including the concern that owners may be unwilling to change their views on their choice of a pet’s diet1.
"In fact, one recent study reported that most veterinary clients (93%) 'were at least somewhat willing to change their pet’s diet on the basis of a veterinarian’s recommendation if it was phrased as benefiting their pets’ health'2, and in another, the veterinary healthcare team was reported to be the primary (43.6%) and most important source of nutrition information for pet owners3".
Although most articles cover nutrition for dogs and cats, there is also a review on nutrition for ferrets, rabbits and rodents, and another on effective communication, suggesting ways veterinary teams can empower clients to take positive action to support the health of their pets.
https://bit.ly/PurinaEBook2
References
Elanco Companion Animal Health has launched of Dexdomitor 0.1 mg/ml, adding to its range of alpha-2 agonists and antagonists.
Produced and manufactured in partnership with Orion Corporation, Elanco says Dexdomitor 0.1 mg/ml contains all the properties of dexmedetomidine in a formulation that allows accurate and convenient dosing for the smallest patients. It can be used as a sedative for non-invasive, mild to moderately painful procedures and examinations which require restraint, sedation and analgesia in dogs and cats. It can also be used for deep sedation and analgesia in dogs in concomitant use with butorphanol for medical and minor surgical procedures and as a pre-medication in dogs and cats before induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia.
Dexdomitor 0.1 mg/ml has been designed to provide accurate dosing in very small dogs (up to 5kg) for sedation and pre-medication, small to mid-size dogs (up to 20kg) for pre-medication, and small cats (up to 3kg) for sedation and pre-medication.
Ed Whittle MRCVS, technical consultant at Elanco Companion Animal Health said: "With nearly a quarter of dogs weighing less than 6kg and nearly three-quarters weighing less than 23.1kg1, Dexdomitor 0.1mg/ml is ideal for small animals that require low concentration doses of dexmedetomidine for convenient and accurate dosing".
Elanco has has also produced a sedation and pre-medication dosing guide to educate veterinary professionals on the recommended doses for its range of alpha-2 agonists and alpha-2 antagonists.
For further information contact your Elanco Companion Animal Health key account manager or email elancoCAH.uk@elanco.com.
Zoetis has launched Suvaxyn Parvo/E, a combined vaccine which it says provides the earliest protection of gilts against parvovirus and erysipelas.
Parvovirus and erysipelas infections occur primarily in gilts and sows, negatively impacting their reproductive success and the health of their litters - inevitably reducing profitability.
Nigel Lodge, National Veterinary Manager for Zoetis, said: "The combined vaccine will help ensure the health of gilts and sows is not affected by these two infections which are widespread in the pig herd.
"Suvaxyn® Parvo/E gives the earliest protection so that the ability to vaccinate gilts at five months of age will help ensure a good start to their reproductive life. Up to half of all pigs may be carriers of erysipelas and importantly the vaccine has licensed efficacy against both Erysipelothrix serotypes 1 and 2.
"This brings another vaccine to our portfolio, making it one of the largest in the pig sector and confirming the ongoing commitment of Zoetis to the health and welfare of pigs."
Suvaxyn® Parvo/E is an inactivated combination vaccine approved for immunising gilts and sows to prevent reproductive disorders caused by porcine parvovirus and reduce clinical signs caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae.
Primary vaccination is recommended from five months of age, with two injections given three to four weeks apart, ensuring the second dose occurs at least four weeks before mating. Revaccination should take place three to four weeks before each subsequent mating.
The vaccine comes in 10-dose and 2 X 25-dose packs. For more information, contact your Zoetis Pig Key Account Manager.
The poster gives information about common dangers such as:
As well as focusing on common dangers, the poster also reinforces the importance of S.P.E.E.D when dealing with poisoned pets:
Will Peel, Product Manager at TVM UK said: "While most pet owners are mindful of the danger that certain foods and plants can pose, when you’re enjoying the spring sunshine and the long Easter weekend, it can be easy to overlook potential pet hazards. It’s vital to reinforce the dangers that can come with the warmer weather to help protect pets from poisoning which can cause serious illness or worse.’
To get your waterproof poster, contact your local TVM territory manager or email help@tvm-uk.com
The solution, which Virbac says can also help eliminate bad breath, has been given a fresh new blue colour as well as a new bottle with a more contemporary design.
Claire Lewis, Junior Product Manager at Virbac, said: "Vet Aquadent is tried and trusted by many pet owners and relied upon for the contribution it makes to maintaining oral and dental health in dogs and cats.
"Blue is a popular colour in the veterinary dental sector so we wanted to bring Vet Aquadent in line with other related products to help ensure that it is instantly recognisable, both to existing and new users.
"It sits alongside the other products in our ‘at-home’ veterinary dental range, including our Enzymatic toothpastes which inhibit bacterial growth and our highly palatable VeggieDent chews, which are available in four sizes."
"Given the number of pets suffering from periodontal disease, encouraging pet owners to adopt an effective preventative care regime is a simple way for veterinary practices to encourage responsible pet ownership and, in so doing, generate a useful revenue stream from product sales."
Tony Noble, managing director at Noble Futures, said: "We have been working with organisations of all shapes and sizes since our foundation in 2002 and it became clear that while we can ensure that our clients recruit the top people for the job - through finding them the best permanent, contracting or temporary employees - the resources are not always present to ensure that this human resource potential is maximised. The team at The Partners deliver a world-class service and we are 100% confident that their professional and expert support services will make a real difference to our clients’ businesses."
Noble Futures and The Partners have launched three new services:
The Human Resources support service is aimed at organisations that need additional support or more expert advice within the human resources function, whether it relates to a particular employee issue such as managing a long-term illness, or a wider corporate challenge like implementing a company-wide performance management system.
The Psychometric Profiling service is designed to give unique insights into the individual traits of employees, to help with recruitment, promotion, coaching and career development.
Finally, the Management Development service has been developed to help ensure a company’s employees receive the right training for success.
Paula Summerscales (pictured right with husband Graham) from The Partners said: "We are delighted to partner with Noble Futures to deliver our range of people-building services to organisations in the animal health sector. Our unique mix of skills and experience allows us to bring a tailored approach to every single project we work on and we’re looking forward to working with Noble Futures clients to implement innovative solutions that gain commercial results."
For more information, contact Noble Futures on 0161 820 3510 or email: info@noble-futures.com.
Alternatively, contact The Partners directly on 01484 860849
Sedaxylan 20 mg/ml contains the short acting alpha-2 agonist xylazine and is licensed for I/V administration.
It is also licensed for I/M administration in cattle; it has zero milk withdrawal and short one day meat withdrawal and sedation occurs in cattle within two minutes I/V and five to 10 minutes I/M.
Sedaxylan 20 mg/ml joins Dechra’s Nerfasin vet 100 mg/ml solution in the company’s anaesthesia and sedation range. Nerfasin vet also contains xylazine and is licensed for I/V administration for sedation and premedication prior to general anaesthesia in horses and cattle.
Alana McGlade, national sales manager at Dechra, said: “Dechra offers a comprehensive range of anaesthesia and sedation products allowing vets to customise protocols to the individual animal.
"Sedaxylan 20mg/ml and Nerfasin vet 100 mg/ml solution provide vets with flexible and convenient dosing options.”
Both Sedaxylan 20 mg/ml and Nerfasin vet 100 mg/ml are available in 25ml vials.
For more information, talk to your Dechra territory sales manager.
www.dechra.co.uk.