Invicta Animal Health has launched EthyCalm Spray, a cryoanalgesic for minor procedures.
The active ingredient, ethyl chloride, acts as a local analgesic (pain relief) when sprayed or wiped onto the skin.
According to the company, the product is effective in a few seconds and works for a few minutes until the skin warms up again. This makes it suitable for such things as venepuncture, tick removal or placing of PVC's, where it should help reduce stress for the patient and the practitioner.
Ethycalm is presented in a 50ml vial which provides up to 100 applications.
Rob Watkins, Managing Director of Invicta, said: "We are delighted to launch EthyCalm. During theatre training sessions for our product, ChloraPrep, we realised that the busy nurse doesn't have time to use traditional analgesia methods such as creams. They needed something instant yet cost-effective. Seeing the widespread use of ethyl chloride in places like Great Ormond Street Hospital, it was obvious that this product needed to be made available to veterinary practices".
For further information see www.invictavet.com or phone 01403 791313
Each Diagnostic Rounds session will be live-streamed and interactive, with 90 minutes of interpretation of diagnostic images and test results. The BSAVA says the sessions will be packed with cases and images, enabling all vets no matter where they are in their career, to keep developing their interpretation skills.
Lucie Goodwin, Head of Education said: “We are really excited to be launching Diagnostic Rounds and have a great line up of speakers and topics for the next twelve months. Our members have told us that they want more diagnostic imaging and case-based CPD and we are delighted to be able to deliver this in a fun, interactive and accessible way. As interpretation skills are relevant to daily veterinary practice, Diagnostic Rounds will be relevant to all small animal vets with something for everyone, regardless of career stage.”
The Diagnostic Rounds will be delivered by specialist diagnostic imagers, medics, cardiologists, and clinical pathologists. Whilst there will be a strong focus on diagnostic imaging, there will also be sessions on ECG interpretation, endoscopy, and clinical pathology. Speakers will include Mike Martin on ‘Imaging cardiology cases’, Ed Hall on ‘Interpreting endoscopic findings of the GI tract’ and Helen Wilson on ‘Imaging respiratory emergencies’.
There have been major changes to the format for Congress this year.
Sarah Fitzpatrick, BSAVA Head of Partnerships and Events, said: “Last year’s online event proved this can all be delivered in a much more interactive and engaging way.
"Returning to a face-to-face format enables us to take that even further and provide delegates with a truly immersive experience."
Many of the sessions at this year’s event will have two speakers delivering different perspectives on a topic, followed by a Q&A.
With 15-20 minutes to get into the detail, lectures will get straight to the point, be fast-paced and rich in content.
Programme committee lead, Paul Higgs (pictured right) said: “Each subject will be delivered in a mix of formats, lectures, debates and interactive sessions, for example.
"It means delegates won’t find themselves sat for hours passively listening, instead they’ve the opportunity to actively engage with the topics, which will promote deeper learning.
“Where topics overlap subject areas, module delegates will come together to explore diagnostics, treatments and ethics.”
For the first time, delegates will also be able to get hands-on in practical sessions at no further cost.
BSAVA’s President, Sheldon Middleton, said: “I can’t wait to get to BSAVA Congress in 2022.
"The new venue, new format and new exhibition layout will enhance everything that BSAVA Congress is known for.
"Now we’ve got a hybrid format, the on-demand feature means that for the first time I can catch up with friends and not miss the CPD!”
Delegates can also attend online, through an interactive virtual platform, which will run alongside the live event.
To buy your tickets before the touts get hold of them visit: https://www.bsavaevents.com/bsavacongress2022/en/page/home.
The BVA Animal Welfare Foundation (BVA AWF) in conjunction with the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) has announced the launch of an update of its popular Pets and Poisons - Keeping Your Animals Safe leaflet, first produced in 2004.
Based on information compiled by the VPIS, the leaflet provides a valuable and easy reference guide for owners on preventing poisoning in the home, in the garden or in open spaces along with advice on what to do if you think your animal has been poisoned.
Veterinary practices can obtain batches of 50 leaflets for the waiting room, free of charge (although a donation to AWF is encouraged) directly from the BVA agents Ten Alps on 020 7878 2307 or Louise.walpole@tenalpspublishing.com
The European Parliament has voted 618 votes to 17 for an extension to the transitional arrangements contained within the regulation on the non-commercial movement of pet animals which afford the UK additional protection against rabies, ticks and tapeworms.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) have been lobbying MEPs to support the extension and have strongly welcomed this decision.
The transitional arrangements allow the UK to impose stricter measures on the entry of pet animals and are designed to protect the UK from rabies, ticks and tapeworms (Echinococcus multilocularis).
The vote in the European Parliament today supports an extension of these arrangements until the end of 2011 and puts in place a system so that permanent measures can be imposed in the future for entry to specific Member States based on scientific evidence. The decision will have to be ratified by the European Agriculture Council before coming into force.
Parasitologist Maggie Fisher from ESCCAP said: "This provides the UK with invaluable time to mount a solid scientific case for retaining the requirement for tick and tapeworm treatment indefinitely."
Professor Bill Reilly, President of the BVA, said: "The BVA and BSAVA have worked closely with Defra to secure this extension to the arrangements and we will now be pushing for investment in additional scientific research that will give us a clearer picture of the threat of the parasite Echinococcus multilocularis and other exotic and emerging diseases."
Dr Richard Dixon, President of BSAVA, added: "This decision in Europe is strongly welcomed and we are pleased that veterinary associations across Europe supported our position. The next stage is to gather further evidence to ensure the UK is protected in the future.
"In the meantime, the key message for pet owners is that they must talk to their vets as early as possible to find out how to protect them from disease and parasites when travelling abroad."
Dechra Veterinary Products has launched a campaign supporting veterinary professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of otitis externa at BSAVA World Congress.
The campaign includes a range of guidance, information and case studies from key opinion leaders.
The aim of the campaign is to encourage the identification of the organism causing infection through cytology, support the selection of the correct treatment and assist with educating clients on how to apply and use products correctly. The cytology guidance has been produced in association with veterinary dermatologists Peter Forsythe and Ariane Neuber, who is also a speaker at this year's Congress in Birmingham.
A new website www.dechra.com/timetochange is being launched to coincide with the campaign which provides online CPD focusing on skin and ear cytology.
Dechra Veterinary Products' Managing Director Bob Parmenter said: "We are delighted to launch It's Time to Change at the largest international veterinary event ever held in the UK. BSAVA World Congress has a reputation for promoting best practice, as does Dechra in its support of veterinary professionals.
"Amid a growing concern surrounding the issues of antimicrobial resistance, the new dermatology drive will aim to support vets through a holistic best practice approach to managing ear disease."
"Without the appropriate treatment combined with correct owner compliance, antimicrobial resistance could be a major issue for the companion animal veterinary profession. That's why we have launched this campaign and we're looking forward to speaking to delegates about why it's time to change."
Referral Dermatologist Sue Paterson MA, VetMB, DVD, DipECVD, MRCVS, RCVS and European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology is available to speak with delegates at the Dechra Veterinary Products stand on Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14.
Hill's Pet Nutrition has announced an average price reduction of over 5 per cent across almost 80 per cent of its product range from 1st March 2010.
The company says this is the first time in its history that such a big price reduction has been implemented, and it comes with a promise that superior nutritional quality won't be compromised.
The price cut comes following market research by Hill's which shows that after one of the deepest recessions in 50 years, more pet owners are becoming cost-conscious, and many are now buying their petfood in the grocery channel or mixing premium foods with economy products.
Another factor in decision-making for some pet owners is the cost per pack, particularly on the larger bag sizes. From April 2010, some Hill's Prescription Diet products will be resized to make them a more affordable purchase. Canine Prescription Diets c/d, d/d, i/d, k/d and j/d will be moved from a 14 Kg bag to a 12 Kg bag. Feline Prescription Diets c/d, k/d, r/d, i/d and s/d will be moved from a 2 Kg bag to a 1.5 kg bag. The price reduction will also be applied proportionately alongside the smaller bag size, so many clients should see a significant reduction at point of purchase. The smaller bags are also easier for practices to store and can increase frequency of client visits providing more opportunities to offer advice and support.
Blake Hawley, Hill's General Manager for UK and Ireland said, "We would like to thank vets, nurses and support staff for their continued support and dedication. Every pet needs and deserves a nutritional assessment and this price reduction will make it easier for vet teams to recommend the best Hill's product, confident those pets are getting high quality nutrition at new, lower prices. Having listened to what the profession had to say in 2009, this year we will demonstrate our commitment to the veterinary profession in very clear and visible ways."
For an up to date price list and support material to assist in communicating the change to clients, please contact your Hill's Territory Manager or call 0800 282438
CEVA Animal Health has announced the results of a survey which found that nearly half a million UK cat and dog owners never go on holiday for fear of upsetting their pet's routine.
In addition, the research revealed that half³ of pet owners who do take holidays experience guilt as a result of leaving their animal at a kennel or cattery, with nearly two-thirds (62%) considering the experience to be just as stressful or even more stressful for them than for their pet.
Cat behaviour counsellor Vicky Halls said, "We plan holidays in order to relax, yet they are actually a common cause of stress for all concerned - particularly for the pet cat. Even a stay at the best cattery can be unsettling, as their patterns of feeding, play and social interaction will be disrupted. They also have to adapt to a different environment and its new smells, noises and other animals. Of course, cats may experience similar issues if staying with a neighbour."
Indeed, 63% of respondents claim to have noticed a change in their pet when they've returned from holiday, with many animals becoming unsettled and showing signs of confusion or nervousness without their owners around.
According to the survey, going on holiday is one of the most stressful events that a pet can experience, although there are measures that people can take to relieve some of their animal's stress.
Juliet Penaliggon, small animal business unit manager at CEVA Animal Health, said: "Many people become anxious at the thought of leaving their pet in someone else's care while they are away. For some, this means they feel unable to go on holiday at all, even for a weekend, but there are excellent kennels and catteries available.
"It's advisable that owners research the facilities in their area and they shouldn't be afraid to ask questions when they visit the kennels or catteries. Once pets are there, some familiar items and the use of pheromone products D.A.P. and Feliway can help the animal to settle in."
For further information, please visit http://www.dapfordogs.com/ or http://www.feliway.com/.
¹ Survey carried out by Opinion Matters on behalf of CEVA Animal Health, March 2010. Sample size: 1,100.² 464,000 UK cat or dog owners³ 46% of pet owners
Ceva Animal Health has produced a leaflet to help horse owners understand the cause, diagnosis and management of equine back pain.
The company says the management of back pain in the horse can be a particular challenge to vets and a source of frustration for owners. Early diagnosis is likely to be associated with a more favourable outcome but it's important to ensure that other causes of pain and poor performance such as lameness, are not contributing to the horse's clinical signs.
'Understanding back pain' explains the anatomy of the back, as well as the clinical signs of back pain, and how it is diagnosed, including the treatment options and the general prognosis. Copies of the new leaflet are available, free of charge, from your Ceva sales representative. Leaflets on 'Understanding bone spavin', 'Understanding navicular disease', 'Understanding sacroiliac disease' and 'Equidronate discharge instructions', are also available.
For further information contact your local Ceva representative or Ceva Animal Health Ltd, Unit 3, Anglo Office Park, White Lion Road, Amersham, Bucks, HP7 9FB, Telephone +44 (0) 1494 781510.
The studies and articles include a look at the importance of ethics, artificial Intelligence in veterinary practice, retention in the veterinary nursing profession, canine corneal bacterial pathogens, canine appendicular soft tissue sarcomas and mast cell tumours, and autologous mesenchymal stromal cell treatment.
Professor Luisa De Risio, Clinical Research and Excellence Director at Linnaeus, said: “Innovation in clinical research can only happen if we embrace change in society – from new technology to improvements in animal welfare. As well as showcasing the latest research, our new report also brings together experts to consider the opportunities for our profession.”
https://bit.ly/42KFrMK
Luisa (pictured left) said: “We want to further understand the research topics and questions that UK vets believe are most critical to improving veterinary care and advancing the veterinary profession.
“We are particularly interested in the topics, issues and questions that vets think scientific evidence would help when practicing veterinary medicine, whether specific to their role or the entire profession.
"It’s vitally important to highlight potential research gaps, so we can ensure clinical studies have the greatest possible impact to help improve outcomes for our patients.”
The survey will be conducted in two parts.
The first survey will close in early March, with the second survey circulated in April for three months.
The results will be published in an online, open access peer-reviewed journal.
Survey: https://bit.ly/4ko3utN
The company says the main breakthrough in this new authorisation is that the dose for cattle has been reduced from 4 ml to 2 ml, improving convenience and aligning with the latest regulatory data.
In cattle, the vaccine is indicated for active immunisation to reduce viraemia caused by BTV-3.
The onset of immunity is 3 weeks after completing the primary vaccination course.
The vaccine can be given to cattle from 2 months of age in naïve animals, or from 3 months if born to immune dams.
For the primary vaccination, two doses of 2ml are given, 3 weeks apart, intramuscularly.
In sheep, the vaccine is indicated for active immunisation to reduce viraemia, mortality, clinical signs and lesions caused by BTV-3.
The onset of immunity is 4 weeks after completing the primary vaccination course.
The vaccine can be given to sheep from 3 months of age, subcutaneously.
For the primary vaccination, one dose of 2 ml is given.
https://syva.es/en/
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has launched its complimentary blood testing service that allows practitioners to investigate one of the main infectious causes of early embryo loss in sheep flocks.
The annual subsidised Barren EweCheck diagnostic scheme is available from 1st December 2009 until 31st March 2010 for breeding ewe flocks. The service establishes whether Toxoplasma gondii is potentially implicated in any empty or aborting ewes.
ISPAH says that data from the 2009 scheme showed that 69% of flocks had been exposed to the toxoplasma parasite at some point before blood sampling. As a result, practitioners were able to give clients receiving a positive diagnosis timely advice on disease control and the benefits of a Toxovax vaccination regime.
Further information and the 2010 Barren EweCheck pads are available directly from the company's Veterinary Support Group by calling 01908 685685.
MSD Animal Health has launched Expertis Udder Health, a farm management tool for veterinary surgeons to better enable them to monitor and improve udder health in dairy cattle.
Expertis was presented to vets at the International Conference on Udder Health and Communication which took place in Utrecht this week.
Expertis Udder Health consists of a software programme together with educational and communication tools to help veterinary surgeons and farmers find the causes of mastitis more easily.
The Expertis Udder Health program consists of four steps: 1. A farm intake questionnaire about setting goals puts the farmer in a central position, and allows for careful listening in order to align with his/her objectives. 2. The data is analyzed, leading to the identification of the right focus points that are needed to identify areas for improvement. 3. These focus points are presented as fact sheets, i.e. a check list of risk factors for mastitis within the focus point. 4. The information is synthesized into an automatic summary of the actual situation, the udder health objectives and an open space to fill in the tailor-made advice to the farmer for improvement of the udder health status on his farm.
Jantijn Swinkels, DVM, Global Technical Director Pharmaceuticals within the Ruminants Business Unit at Merck Animal Health said: "The structured approach offered by Expertis Udder Health takes into account that mastitis is a multifactorial disease and covers all aspects that influence udder health. To save time, the analysis ensures that the focus is on the most important issues, which can differ greatly from farm to farm. The existing services provided within this tool can be used to optimize udder health on the farm".
Rinse Jan Boersma, MSc, Global Director Dairy Cattle at Merck Animal Health added: "We have developed Expertis to support veterinarians and farmers by improving our service level as well as to contribute to good veterinary practices by implementing preventive measures and prudent use of antibiotics."
MSD says that as a consequence of the reduced milk production, discarded milk, veterinary and treatment costs and extra labor costs, mastitis is considered the most important cause of economic loss for dairy operations. Recent data from Sweden indicates an average economic loss of €278 per case of clinical mastitis and of €60 per case of sub-clinical mastitis.*
The Expertis Udder Health program is being rolled out country to country, and will be distributed to veterinary surgeons via local MSD Animal Health representatives.
Reference
* Nielsen C, Østergaard S, Emanuelson U, Andersson H, Berglund B, Strandberg. Economic consequences of mastitis and withdrawal of milk with high somatic cell count in Swedish dairy herds. Animal 2010;4:1758-70
CVS has announced that it is diversifying into pet grooming, opening grooming studios in its practices across the UK.
The company says the move is in response to the large number of clients that ask its staff to recommend a groomer in their area.
The new service has been branded MiGroomers and the first four studios have been opened at The Priory Veterinary Group and The Orchard Veterinary Centre in Nottingham, at Bridge House Vets in Mansfield, and at Haygate Veterinary Centre in Telford. Further studios are opening the Old Golf House Veterinary Group in Norfolk and in the Southwold-based Fromus Veterinary Group by the end of the month.
CVS says MiGroomers studios offer a full range of grooming services, all carried out by experienced groomers, Diploma-qualified to City and Guilds Level 2 or above.
Barry Brackner, Marketing and Commercial Director at CVS, said: "Given the frequency with which we are asked to recommend local groomers, moving into this growing sector where space in our practices allows it, seems a logical next step towards providing our clients with a one-stop-shop for all of their pet care requirements.
"It also enables us to offer additional career opportunities for our staff - something which is a priority for us at CVS. All of the current MiGroomers studios are being run by existing staff with an interest and qualification in grooming so it's a win/win and initial feedback from clients has been very positive. We will open further additional MiGroomers studios where we have the interest from staff and the potential to provide the appropriate facilities."
Lax-a-Past is a palatable paste that can be administered orally to kittens and cats aged over 6 months.
It can be used weekly to help stop hairballs from forming or in higher doses over a consecutive three-day period to help eliminate them.
Carol Morgan, Brand Manager from Dechra Veterinary Products (pictured right) said: “Hairballs are a well-known issue for cats. Lax-a-Past is a complementary feed that offers a simple, easy-to-administer solution to help relieve the digestion problems caused by hairballs.
“It is very easy for owners to administer as the required dosage can be squeezed out and spread on a front paw or given directly into the mouth."
Lax-a-Past is available in a 70g tube.
For more information visit www.dechra.co.uk.
Dechra Veterinary Products, manufacturer and distributor of Equipalazone®, has launched a new information leaflet to support the Equine Passport scheme.
Since 2005, when equine passports became mandatory, 958,000 have been issued. The passport is a method of identification as well as a medical record and ensures that horses treated with veterinary medicines do not enter the human food chain.
“Many substances used in commonly prescribed equine medicines can only be given to horses not intended for human consumption,” says Giles Coley, Dechra’s managing director. “Under the passport scheme, owners must declare whether their horse is intended for human consumption.
The leaflet, which outlines the importance and benefits of the Equine Passport scheme, will be inserted into every box of Equipalazone Powder 100 sachets. It will also be made available for veterinary practices to hand out to their clients.
Practices wishing or order copies of the Equine Passport leaflet should contact Rachel Horton at Dechra on 01743 441 632.
New Horse Passport Guidelines come into force from 1 July 2009 which will require horses to be microchipped. However a recent poll on Horse & Hound Online has revealed that 75 per cent of those questioned were unaware of the new microchip legislation.
With this in mind, Bayer has produced a comprehensive marketing support package for equine vets which provides an overview of the new Horse Passport Guidelines 2009 together with a clear and concise summary of its requirements for vets and horse owners.
The Tracer Advance equine package contains a handy laminated bullet point guide to the new regulations, practice posters, client leaflets, client leave pieces, pre-written articles for use in practice newsletters and local press, and PowerPoint presentations for client evenings.
Practices can apply for any of these items by contacting their Bayer Territory Manager.
The RCVS Regional Question Time sessions give members of the profession a chance to learn about College projects and initiatives directly from the RCVS Officer team, Council members, and senior staff.
There is also an opportunity for open dialogue, where any queries can be raised with the RCVS, in a friendly, informal environment.
Both events will begin with supper and drinks at 6.30pm.
The College says discussion topics will be audience-led but are likely to cover current important topics including workforce issues, the benefits of a new Veterinary Surgeons Act, extra-mural studies (EMS), governance reform, the impact of VetGDP, the Practice Standards Scheme (PSS), and the Competition and Markets Authority investigation.
RCVS President, Tim Parkin, said: “It’s an exciting time for me as I embark on my presidential year, and I’m truly looking forward to engaging with members of our wonderful professions about the issues that matter most to them.
“As I mentioned previously at Royal College Day, we’re currently facing some significant and ongoing challenges – from the CMA investigation and workforce issues, to the critical need for a new Veterinary Surgeons Act.
“Now more than ever, it's essential that we recognise the need for change and commit to engaging with one another in a clear, compassionate, and respectful way.
"Please do come and speak with us at either event – meaningful change cannot happen in silos; we must work together to make progress and your input is key.”
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/rcvs-question-time-4465993
Alfaxan®, Vetoquinol's injectable general anaesthetic, is one year old this month. To celebrate the occasion, and the product's use by 860 UK practices in over 80,000 procedures so far, Vetoquinol is offering a free Alfaxan party bag.
The party bag includes an Alfaxan anaesthesia monitoring chart and an Alfaxan vet brochure with dosage chart and timer. In addition, everyone who claims a party bag will be entered into a lucky dip. Ten winners will be chosen at random to receive an oesophageal stethoscope kit, containing one normal stethoscope, with a removable head, and three Portex oesophageal stethoscope probes (small, medium and large) for monitoring patient’s heart and respiratory rate.
To claim your party bag, call the dedicated Alfaxan technical support line on 0800 345 7560 or email: MyAlfaxanPartyBag@vetoquinol.co.uk.
Vetoquinol also reports a very positive response to Alfaxan from the profession during its first year. Simon Boulton, one of Vetoquinol’s Veterinary Advisors, has been conducting wet labs across the country for the company. He said: "Vets have used the wet lab service to get me along to anaesthetize patients for the day using Alfaxan. I have had a great deal of positive feedback and the product is becoming more and more widely used. Extremely smooth and reliable inductions, followed by good cardiovascular and respiratory stability were the most noticeable features of Alfaxan anaesthesia, liked by both the vets anaesthetizing the patients and the nurses who monitor them."
The Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA) has published the results of research which found that veterinary surgeons believe 45% of all pets are overweight.
In addition, 77% of the 180 vets surveyed at the London Vet Show 2013 believe that the pet obesity problem is on the rise.
Meanwhile, 93% of pet owners said they would be concerned to discover their pet is overweight, revealing a sharp divide between vets' and owners' perceptions.
To help spread the word about ideal pet weight, the PFMA will launch a new campaign called #GetPetsFit on 7th May.
Michael Bellingham, Chief Executive of PFMA said: "We need to engage pet owners emotionally, helping them realise that feeding and exercising their pet to the optimum level can result in an extra two years of active life. The #GetPetsFit campaign will provide the perfect opportunity to do this and we hope that with the help of vets, we can work to resolve this important issue."
The PFMA is urging practices to promote good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. Zara Boland BVSc BE MRCVS, Founder of Vet Voice Ltd says: "It is encouraging that success rates are high for the 78% of UK vets already running companion animal obesity clinics. However, we must continue pushing the health message until overweight pets are no longer seen as the 'norm'. We need widespread recognition of pet obesity to pave the way for positive action."
One way that the PFMA is encouraging practices to get involved is by running Weigh in Wednesdays from 7th May. To help, the organisation has prepared a free kit that contains campaign posters, website banners and client hand-out materials, including Pet Size-O-Meters (for cats, dogs, rabbits and birds), a pet food diary and weight and body condition log. You can either download the kit here: www.pfma.org.uk/weighinwednesday or visit PFMA's homepage and ask for a free pack to be sent to your practice.
Leading human and animal health organisations – the British Medical Association (BMA), British Dental Association (BDA), British Veterinary Association (BVA) and Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) - have joined forces for the first time to promote a ‘One Health’ approach to ensure responsible guardianship of antibiotics and their proper public use on European Antibiotics Awareness Day tomorrow.
Antibiotics are obviously a vital medicine for both animal and human health, and modern health systems rely on the availability and effectiveness of a range of antimicrobials to treat and prevent infections. Yet inappropriate use – such as prescribing for self-limiting infections, not finishing a prescribed course of antibiotics or habitual prophylactic use in healthy animals to prevent disease - all contribute to the development of resistant bacteria in both humans and animals.
Whilst antibiotic resistance in animals does not perhaps present the greatest immediate existential threat, there is a strong argument for a united message to the public coming from doctors, dentists, chemists and veterinary surgeons.
Quite simply, some 13M households own a pet. Pretty much all of them visit a vet at some stage, and most will be a human patient at some point in their lives. So, what a veterinary surgeon says about the use of antibiotics in animals has the potential to help transform how owners think about them when they come to visit the doctor.
A survey of general practitioner doctors last year found that 90% feel pressured by patients to prescribe antibiotics and 28% have prescribed them several times a week when not sure they are medically necessary. If veterinary surgeons refuse to prescribe them for pets unless medically necessary, explaining that they are a precious resource which can no longer be wasted, it could help relieve the pressure on doctors. The same goes for the importance of compliance; if owners learn the importance of their pet taking the full course, there's a greater chance they'll understand why they need to complete their own course of treatment.
BVA President Sean Wensley said: "Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is too important an issue for uncoordinated approaches amongst the medical professions. We need to work together to share knowledge and successful approaches, as well as taking responsibility for not just the immediate clinical situations before us, but also for our role in supporting the health and wellbeing of wider society. An effective approach to tackling AMR is about professions and patients working together for the greater good."
BMA board of science Chair Professor Sheila the Baroness Hollins said: "Doctors have expressed significant concern about the threat of a ‘post-antimicrobial age’. It is vital that we see action to improve antimicrobial prescribing across all disciplines. Only by different professionals working together to improve antimicrobial stewardship will we start to address this major public health issue."
BDA President Professor Nairn Wilson said: "All health professionals have a responsibility to draw a line under inappropriate or unnecessary use of antibiotics. One in ten prescriptions in the UK are provided by dentists, so we’re determined to do our bit. We are facing a clear and present danger to public health, and it will only be overcome if we act together."
For further information about EAAD 2015, visit www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/EAAD
To mark EAAD 2015, BVA has produced a range of new posters to promote the responsible use of antibiotics for use in veterinary practices or as a source of information for pet owners which can be found on their website www.bva.co.uk/eaad.
The Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Learning Consortium has announced the launch of a new online tutorial (www.ebvmlearning.org) designed to make evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM) accessible to the veterinary profession worldwide.
The online tutorial, funded by the RCVS Knowledge Target Grants initiative and led by Dr Kristen Reyher at the University of Bristol along with Drs Rachel Dean and Marnie Brennan from the Centre for Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nottingham, begins with an introductory module and then focuses on the five key areas of EBVM:
The learning resource, which can be used on various platforms and devices, is suitable for students and practitioners for self-study, and can be used as a stand-alone tutorial or as individual teaching modules to support other EBVM teaching or continuing professional development.
The online tutorial uses best educational practice and includes formative multiple choice questions, short tasks and recommendations for further study. It is intended to be a source of knowledge, bringing together the essentials of EBVM into one place, and highlights many other links to resources and organisations that are available to further learners’ knowledge about the subject.
Dr Kristen Reyher, Senior Lecturer in Farm Animal Science in the School of Veterinary Sciences, who led the project team, said: "It is hoped that the development of this resource will increase awareness of EBVM in the veterinary profession, and allow practitioners the opportunity to develop the skills needed to utilise EBVM in everyday clinical practice."
Future aims of the project team include designing methods of cataloguing and disseminating evidence synthesis to support clinical decision-making and evidence-based veterinary practice, improving and standardising the teaching of EBVM to undergraduate and postgraduate students at veterinary schools internationally, and building a community of practice in this area.
The PDSA has announced that it is offering free workshops to help veterinary professionals deliver new welfare checks called 'PetWise MOTs'.
The PetWise MOT checks focus on the five welfare needs, and the workshops count for seven hours CPD. The charity says that while the workshops are suitable for all members of the practice team, they should be of particular interest to nursing teams and those with a keen interest in engaging clients with the needs of their pets.
The aim of the MOT Checks is to improve pet wellbeing in the UK, following reports of a reduced level of awareness amongst the public of the five welfare needs defined by the Animal Welfare Acts.
Richard Casey, PDSA Pet Wellbeing Project Manager, said: "We know there is more to a pet’s wellbeing than just providing for their basic health needs. This unique consultation structure was developed in response to falling awareness among owners of their pets’ welfare needs, with millions of pets suffering unnecessarily. The PetWise MOTs use a simple traffic light system and personalised action plans to reverse this trend by helping to inform and engage owners about what their pets need to be healthy and happy."
The consultations were first trialled on the charity’s mobile PetCheck vehicles, then expanded to PDSA’s 51 pet hospitals. According to the charity, over 100,000 PetWise MOTs and follow up checks have now been completed in the last few years, with outcomes including:
Alison Case, a Senior Vet at Bow PDSA Pet Hospital, said: "PetWise MOTs give a really practical approach to running clinics based on the pet’s welfare needs. We’ve seen a positive impact on patient care by looking at husbandry at home as well as the clinical concerns of the patient. The consultations help to strengthen the clinic-client bond through professional support and advice. We’ve had great feedback from our clients, who are now much more aware of the routine needs of their pets and often attend for further check-ups as well as regularly purchasing preventive treatments."
The workshops will focus on dogs, cats and rabbits, although the consultations are transferable to all species.
For more information or to book a place, visit www.pdsa.org.uk/petwise or email petwise@pdsa.org.uk.