Vet Futures has published a guest blog by Laura Kidd MRCVS which asks how the profession can increase the number of veterinary nurses entering and staying within the profession?
In her blog, Laura, a VN lecturer and clinical skills tutor for veterinary students, argues that the year-on-year increases in the number of veterinary nurses seems to be insufficient to meet demand. Furthermore, there is a trend towards people leaving the profession relatively early, with the average age being just over 30.
She writes: “Identifying the reasons for VNs leaving the profession at a young age and addressing these, is one potential way of increasing VN numbers in the future.”
Laura argues that poor pay, stress, not feeling rewarded or valued and perceived lack of career progression all contribute to people leaving the profession, although she welcomes initiatives from the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA), BVA, RCVS and others to increase the status of the profession, create more diverse career opportunities and improve the profession’s mental wellbeing.
However, she adds that: “perhaps we may, reluctantly, have to accept that, for the time-being, veterinary nursing is a young profession with a high turnover.”
With this in mind she suggests that training more veterinary nurses will be the key to increasing the number of qualified members of the profession in the immediate future. In order to do this she believes that more practices need to be supported to become RCVS-approved Training Practices offering clinical training and work experience for student veterinary nurses and that an alternative training pathway for veterinary nurses may need to be looked at.
She adds: “The entry requirements for the VN Diploma are relatively low, yet the qualification is academically demanding: the volume and depth of knowledge is considerable for the level and qualification and the requirement to demonstrate critical reflection through academic writing can be challenging.
“It is regrettable that some student veterinary nurses, who appear to have the qualities to be very good VNs, are lost to the profession, unable to pass awarding body exams. Should we be developing an additional VN training pathway which allows more students to demonstrate they have the required skills to provide high quality nursing to their patients?”
In response to her proposal, this month’s poll will ask visitors “Is there a need for another VN training option?” To read the blog, leave a comment and take part in the poll please visit www.vetfutures.org.uk/discuss
Last month’s poll asked if vets always acted as animal welfare advocates. This was in response to an article by animal welfare expect Professor David Main in which he argues that the profession should do more to demonstrate its animal welfare credentials and introduce safeguards against excessive profit-seeking. Although just 22 people took part in the poll, around two-thirds (68%) of them said that vets do not always act as animal welfare advocates.
Petplan has announced the first of three winners for their ‘Get Noticed’ waiting room notice board competition, which runs till the end of July.
The staff at Ayers Vets in Tyne and Wear were the winners but Petplan says it wasn’t an easy decision. Their submission was up against some other very informative and educational notice boards but, as a result of their research and creative ideas, they were the proud winners of a fantastic hamper filled with white and red wine, organic chocolates, coffee, fruit cake and other delectable snacks.
Joy Cook, receptionist at Ayers Vets commented, “We’re delighted to have won the competition. We always promote the benefits of pet insurance to as many pet owners as possible so it is great to be recognised for this. The notice board has certainly caught the interest of our clients and we’ve had lots of comments about how great it looks!”
Practices have the opportunity to create their own notice board using a kit provided by Petplan with a remit to educate their clients about the benefits of taking out pet insurance.
The competition challenges vet receptionists and vet nurses to create an interesting notice board on the theme of insurance and send in a photo of it to Petplan.
The competition is open to all practices, regardless of their regulatory status. The second winner will be chosen at the end of June and the final winner at the end of July. For more information about entering the competition or to order a notice board kit, click here.
The report comes on the back of a survey by the association which found that 93% of vets say sustainability is important to them.
The BVA says the report aims to break down the challenge that both teams and individuals face in working towards net zero emissions.
It explains the impact of climate change, what the veterinary profession’s role is in tackling it and why the BVA thinks it is so important that the profession plays its part.
The report also includes resources and showcases the ways real veterinary workplaces are taking action to reduce their impact on the environment.
British Veterinary Association Senior Vice President Anna Judson said: “Many veterinary professionals have long been concerned about the impact the sector is having on the environment, and many are already taking action to mitigate this.
"However, there is still more work to do.
"Our vision is that by 2050 the profession will have adapted to support the UK’s net zero targets; is trusted on mitigating its own carbon footprint; and is a leading advocate for environmental sustainability.
"This new report is providing vet teams with the tools and the inspiration to do their bit, because small changes add-up to make a big difference.”
There'll be a session on the subject at the London Vet Show this year, chaired by Anna Judson, with panelists Ed Bailey, Clinical Director and Sustainability Lead at George Farm Vets, Laura Binnie, Sustainability Lead at Paragon Veterinary Group and James Bevan, Planetary Health Senior Teaching Fellow Public Health Registrar, University of Southampton.
"Practice what you preach: Reaching net zero is a team effort" will be held at 10.45am - 11.45am on 14 November in the BVA Congress Theatre.
www.bva.co.uk/net-zero-report
The National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) is looking for ‘it shouldn’t happen to a pet’ anecdotes, from the mildly humorous to the downright ridiculous, to highlight the lack of awareness of pet health issues amongst owners.
With a prize of £500 towards a staff Christmas party for the winning anecdote, NOAH will use the stories in a campaign to raise awareness of common pet care misconceptions and to highlight the importance of animal health and welfare considerations amongst owners and potential owners to enable them to make informed decisions about their pets’ healthcare.
Phil Sketchley, NOAH chief executive, said: “From owners who have reported carrots stuck in their hamsters’ throats, not realising that they store their food in pouches in their mouths, to reports of nocturnal chinchillas that sleep a lot during the day, if you have heard a silly pet story then we’d like to hear from you.”
If you have a funny pet-related anecdote, please visit http://www.noah.co.uk/ and enter your details on the ‘it shouldn’t happen to a pet’ entry form. The closing date for applications is Friday 30 May.
UK Veterinary Referral Centre VRCC is working alongside Kenyan veterinary surgeons Dr Zahoor Kashmiri and Nonee Magre to stage a long weekend of small animal lectures on the shores of the beautiful and historic Indian Ocean City of Mombasa.
The event, which will be open to vets and students from throughout East Africa is scheduled to take place in November.
VRCC has been greatly encouraged by the support already received. Theunis de Bruyn, Merial’s Export and Sales Manager for the region, said: "This will be a wonderful, much needed opportunity for East African veterinary professionals to meet, interact and up-date themselves on developments in small animal medicine and surgery."
It is hoped that the specially-tailored CPD weekend will be the first of many. The Directors at VRCC see this as a practical opportunity to increase the level of small animal treatment throughout the region, helping a country that is really working hard to recover from its recent political turmoils.
Companies or individuals who are interested in supporting this project in Kenya should contact VRCC who will welcome co-operation from others keen to help. See www.vrcc.co.uk.
A cat which was lost eight years ago has been reunited with his owner thanks to the RSPCA, and the fact that the animal had been chipped.
'Bigga' went missing at the end of 2002 from his home in High Wycombe. His owner Lorna Fothergill launched a desperate search to find him. She offered a reward, knocked on doors and put up of posters in the hope that someone would recognise him and bring him home. But after weeks of looking she thought all was lost, and gave up the search. She eventually moved away from the area.
Last month however, Bigga was picked up by RSPCA animal welfare officer Julie Britnell. It is believed he had been living feral for some while. His coat was extremely matted, and he looked as though he had been in a few scrapes along the way, but he was well-fed and in good spirits. Thanks to the fact Mrs Fothergill had him microchipped all those years ago, and some dedicated detective work by the RSPCA, Bigga has now been reunited with his long lost family.
Mrs Fothergill, 40, who is a new business director and singer in the band Northsyde, said: "We just couldn't believe it when we got the call from the RSPCA to say they had found our cat. It's unbelievable and I was just astonished and so relieved that I had him micro--chipped all those years ago. We just can't thank the RSPCA enough for how they have managed to reunite us with Bigga, it's so wonderful."
Is this a record? Do you know of any pets that have been lost for longer, and reunited thanks to a microchip? Comment below.
The streams for vets will include six lectures on topics ranging from neurology to dentistry, along with guest speaker Hannah Donovan from Donovan Veterinary Behaviour to discuss behaviour in practice.
There will also be a speaker from Davies’ charity of the year: Vetlife.
Davies' hospital director Ben Orton said: “This is a high-level CPD and networking event aimed at our colleagues in the veterinary industry with a raft of advice and insight from some of the leading specialists here at Davies.
“Some of the topics covered include internal medicine, with EBVS European specialist in small animal internal medicine Katherine Clarke giving her expert opinion on chronic enteropathies with a focus on antibiotic prescribing.
“Head of anaesthesia Frances Downing will focus on anaesthesia and feline cardiomyopathies while head of physiotherapy Diane Messum will discuss a holistic approach to the osteoarthritis patient, so there will be plenty of stimulating and challenging content.”
The day-long event begins at 8.30am with arrival drinks and pastries before the morning session, which runs from 9am to 1.20pm.'
After an hour’s break for lunch and networking, the afternoon session will run from 2.20pm to 5pm.
That will be followed by a complimentary hog roast.
www.vetspecialists.co.uk/davies-congress-2024
IDT Biologika and Hysolv Animal Health have announced the publication of A guide to oedema disease in pigs, a six-page booklet written to help pig producers understand the causes, effects and treatment of this ailment.
Author, F Javier Salquero, an independent European veterinary specialist in porcine health management, outlines the risk factors, how to identify oedema disease, current methods of treatment and prevention strategies. The booklet includes a table of the symptoms to be expected in new-born, suckling, post-weaned, grower-finishers and adult pigs.
The booklet concludes that treatment of oedema disease is generally unsuccessful and most pigs showing clinical signs die. However, preventive measures include adjustment of feeding regimes, stress reduction, improved biosecurity and vaccination.
Hysolv director, Richard Brealey said: "Oedema is a widespread, lethal and economically-important disease in pigs, and there is increasing pressure in Europe to reduce the use of antibiotics in livestock. Fully understanding this disease is a first step to control and prevention".
Hysolv says a German calculation showed a reduction in margin of 83 Euros (£74) per sow, equivalent to 41,000 Euros (£32,500) for a 500-sow herd, due to oedema.
The booklet — printed on heavy duty glossy card – suitable for use in piggeries — is available, free, by visiting the Hysolv website: www.hysolv.co.uk
Improve International has announced that it is to hold the first conference aimed specifically at Official Veterinarians.
Taking place from 22-23 October 2015, Improve says the conference aims to provide a forum to update OVs on the latest developments and thinking on all aspects of OV work and to provide an opportunity to network and share experiences and ideas.
Organised in association with the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA), the Official Veterinarian Conference programme includes a two-day stream of large animal lectures and round-table discussions on topics including Bovine TB, Brucellosis, Anthrax, Sheep Scab and other important diseases.
A lecture stream for small animal practitioners will provide updates on export regulations and small animal exotic diseases, with dedicated lectures for equine practitioners also running on Friday 23 October.
Speakers at the event include Peter Jinman, Chair of the RCVS Certification Sub-Committee (pictured right); Dr Tim Brazil, Directorate of Equine Medicine on the Move and Andy Paterson, Veterinary Head of Intervention Epidemiology. An exhibition of the latest products and services for OVs will run alongside the conference which takes place at the Alexandra House Hotel and Conference Centre, near Swindon, where Improve International is based.
David Babington MRCVS, Managing Director of Improve, said: "The world of the OV is a fast-changing one so this unique event provides an opportunity for OVs to come together in a relaxed atmosphere to hear industry experts deliver up-to-date and practical lectures which will have a positive impact on their work as an OV.
"The programme and content has been developed by our Scientific Committee in collaboration with APHA which is supporting us and we believe it will offer highly relevant content for all OVs."
Are you planning to come to this event? If so, indicate it here, so other VetSurgeon members can see you'll be there!
To book, visit www.officialvet.com
Defra has announced that the Bluetongue Protection Zone will be extended again on Monday 7 July, following the delivery by Intervet of almost 2 million additional doses of Bluetongue vaccine. Vaccination is only permitted within the Protection Zone. In accordance with the Bluetongue vaccination plan, the Protection Zone will be extended to cover all of the East Riding of Yorkshire (including the City of Kingston upon Hull), South Yorkshire (made up of the metropolitan boroughs of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield), Gloucestershire (including the unitary authority of South Gloucestershire) and Warwickshire. Defra will continue to roll out vaccination as vaccine is delivered, in line with the vaccination roll-out plan. The additional vaccine is available for use in the existing Protection Zone from today. Livestock keepers in the areas coming into the Protection Zone will be able to obtain the vaccine from Monday. However, they are encouraged to order vaccine so that they can protect their livestock at the earliest opportunity. Protection Zone restrictions will apply to those keepers coming into the extended zone. Animals can only be moved out of the Protection Zone if they are vaccinated, naturally immune or moving for slaughter, subject to meeting certain conditions. Animals will also be able to be moved between the Protection Zones in Wales and England, subject to the conditions on the transit licence.
CEVA Animal Health, makers of the natural pheromonatherapy product D.A.P.® - Dog Appeasing Pheromone, is supporting National Dog Adoption Month in August and has produced a ‘how to get involved' pack for veterinary practices. During the month, rescue centres throughout the country are hosting open days to raise awareness of the benefits of re-homing rescue dogs and provide people who are looking to re-home a pet with the opportunity to meet the dogs up for adoption. Featuring details on how to join forces with participating rescue centres, including information on giving talks at the events, CEVA's pack is available to download from the National Dog Adoption Month website - http://www.dogadoptionmonth.co.uk/. For more information on National Dog Adoption Month or on how to get involved, please visit http://www.dogadoptionmonth.co.uk/ or phone CEVA Animal Health on 01494 781510.
Burgess Excel has extended its range with what it claims is the UK's most absorbent paper bedding for rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas, and a new 'sensitive' variety of nuggets for rabbits and guinea pigs.
Burgess says the bedding is made from environmentally-friendly high quality virgin wood pulp which locks away moisture and liquids quickly and securely. The company also highlights the fact that it is made using advanced, specialised drying and dust extraction techniques to prevent respiratory problems and eye infections which can occur when there is a large amount of dust present in a fibrevore's environment.
The new rabbit and guinea pig nuggets contain 46% Beneficial Fibre with a grain free recipe for delicate digestive systems.
To find out more about the new products, visit www.excelfeedingplan.com/ or contact 0800 413 969.
Teeside veterinary nurses Debbie Rowley and Karen Taylor from Wilton Vets made history yesterday when they were called out to catch a 6ft, 18lb python spotted by the side of the road by a motorist in Guisborough.
Talking to the Guisborough Gazette, Debbie said: "We were shocked it was so big."
The snake is apparently in good shape, and now in the care of Kirkleatham Owl Centre.
Anyone missing a 6ft ft python is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101.
The company points to research which shows that osteoarthritis can affect up to 40% of dogs 1,2 and managing the disease requires a multi-faceted 1,3, life-long, approach.
Animalcare says its osteoarthritis diary gives veterinary surgeons a practical, client-friendly tool to engage pet owners in their dog’s care journey, promoting adherence to treatment plans and enhancing communication between vets and pet owners.
Pet owners are asked to record three everyday activities to monitor their dog's progress, for example, its ability to get into the car, go upstairs or get up after sleeping, on a scale of 1-4.
This will allow all members of the veterinary team to understand how the patient is responding to treatment.
Kai Crawshaw, Brand Manager at Animalcare said: “This OA Diary is intended to enhance the veterinary practice’s ability to offer comprehensive, contextualised care, without increasing their workload.
"The diary supports both initial treatment plans and long-term management strategies, giving veterinary staff confidence that their patients are receiving the ongoing care they need at home.”
https://www.animalcare.co.uk/oa_diary/
References
Animal training and behaviour experts have joined forces to try and end bad practice by poorly trained individuals.
The Animal Behaviour and Training Council is being launched to regulate the education and training of those working in the animal behaviour modification sector.
The new organisation brings together leaders in the veterinary, welfare, rehoming, animal training and behaviour therapy fields. It aims to set standards for the knowledge and skills required to be a recognised professional.
The agreed standards will be used to assess the competency of practitioners before they are included on the Council's national register of animal trainers and behaviour therapists. The details will be publicly available to help people to find an appropriate expert.
The standards will also help those seeking a career in animal behaviour or further developing the skills of those already practicing the profession.
Council chairman David Montgomery said: "Regulation of this industry sector is long overdue. The formation of the council has been met with widespread enthusiasm and support from professional organisations both in the UK and overseas."
Organisations represented on the Council already include major charities such as RSPCA, Guide Dogs and The Blue Cross, with interest being expressed from organisations in Europe, Australia and Brazil.
Senior lecturer in companion animal behaviour and welfare at Bristol University Dr Rachel Casey said: "There is currently a plethora of groups and individuals providing dog training which makes it difficult for owners to choose the right one to suit the needs of their pet.
"We believe that the ABTC will aim to solve this problem and will be a very important step forward in raising standards in animal training and behaviour."
For more information visit: www.abtcouncil.org.uk
The RCVS has published a video in which the new President Neil Smith outlines his objectives for the year ahead.
In the video, Neil says the presidential task he most looks forward to is admitting new veterinary surgeons and nurses to the Register. There have been 740 registrations made as part of graduation ceremonies across the UK's seven veterinary schools this summer.
Neil said: "It's a great privilege to welcome these new graduates to the College. Graduation represents a culmination of such a long period of hard work - supported by family, friends and vet school staff. It's also the start of what I hope will be satisfying lifelong careers in a profession that is proud to keep animal health and welfare at its heart.
"I hope that this latest generation of veterinary surgeons will benefit from the broad range of career opportunities available, just as the animal-owning public will benefit from their skills and knowledge."
On graduation, all new veterinary surgeons received a memory stick from the College, which included a Guide for New Members, the Code of Professional Conduct, CPD Record Card, information about the Professional Development Phase, which is mandatory for all new graduates working in clinical practice, and other College publications. If any new graduate did not receive their memory stick, they should contact membership@rcvs.org.uk.
The London Vet Show has announced it will be offering delegates the chance to win a £12,000 trip to Thailand with Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) at this year’s event (Olympia Grand, 19th & 20th November).
Delegates will be able to enter the competition by collecting a stamp in their LVS passport from each of the participating sponsors’ stands in the exhibition.
The 13-day working holiday kicks off by flying to Chang Mai in Thailand via Bangkok. The winners will then travel to the Narittaya Resort and Spa where they'll be staying in a private villa with its own pool. Working over the next six days with the WVS team in Chang Mai, they will be supporting an ongoing neutering and vaccination campaign while also training local vets in best practice surgical techniques.
The winners will get the opportunity to explore the temples in the ancient city of Chang Mai and a highlight of the trip will be an overnight visit to the Elephant Nature Park, which is dedicated to providing care and assistance to Thailand’s captive elephant population. The overnight stay will include a full orientation of the park and the elephants and a chance to bathe and swim with the herd in the river and communicate with them.
The winners will also have a chance to go either white water rafting or bamboo rafting.
For further information on the London Vet Show or to register to attend the event visit londonvetshow.co.uk.
The symposium aims to promote effective knowledge exchange and collaboration, the sharing of high-quality evidence-based research, and inclusivity within the veterinary mental health research community.
Dr Louise Allum, Mind Matters Chair, said: “Our fifth symposium in 2025 will centre around the theme of ‘Advancing veterinary mental health research: learning from the past, considering the present, and looking to the future’.
"It is of vital importance that we can collectively learn from recent endeavours to work out how we can collaborate towards creating a brighter future for the professions.
"It is only through events such as our symposia that we can start to understand where those vital research gaps lie, as well as what actions we need to take next in order to advance our understanding of veterinary mental health.
“Our symposium presents a fantastic opportunity for knowledge exchange in the veterinary mental health research sphere so that, together, we can continue to foster a compassionate environment and build a solid evidence-base for veterinary mental health research to grow and evolve.”
All abstract submissions must be completed and sent via email to symposium@rcvs.org.uk by 23.59 GMT on Friday 28 February 2025.
The symposium will take place on Friday 10 October 2025 in Birmingham, UK.
https://vetmindmatters.org/research/mmi-research-symposiums
Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh has opened an emergency clinic for injured animals, to allow the public to bring in wildlife in need of treatment. The Wildlife Emergency Clinic is the first of its kind in the UK.
The new emergency clinic, based at the School's Hospital for Small Animals, will treat animals with the aim of releasing them back into their native habitat. The venture will also enable veterinary students to gain more hands-on training in treating wildlife.
The emergency clinic will treat animals, such as hedgehogs or injured birds, as well as larger animals such as deer. However, people are advised to contact the SSPCA to arrange for an inspector to be sent out for support if they have found a larger injured animal or if an animal seems in too much distress to be transported.
Emma Keeble, a wildlife veterinary expert at the Hospital for Small Animals, said: "At this time of year there may be orphaned hedgehogs found out during the day time, which are not able to fend for themselves or hedgehogs suffering from conditions such as fly-strike. As summer progresses there tend to be lawnmower and strimmer injuries. There are also other animals that may have been injured as a result of road accidents."
The School's Hospital for Small Animals already has an exotic and wildlife ward and works with the SSPCA to treat animals so that they can be released back into their native habitat.
MORE TH>N Pet Insurance has released the results of its Pet Theft Census, which looked into the prevalence of pet theft in the UK.
The research shows that in 2012, 833 dogs and 83 cats were reported stolen to the police. That trend has continued into 2013, with 722 dogs and 62 cats reported stolen by the end of October.
MORE TH>N says the average value of a stolen cat or dog is £344.86, which would mean that pets worth £678,000 have been stolen since the start of 2012.
However, according to the survey of 4865 cat and dog owners, 37% of cat and dog thefts in the last 12 months were never actually reported to the police, so the value of stolen pets is likely far greater.
According to the survey, pets left in gardens were the most likely to be stolen (52%), followed by those left home alone (19%). Looking at dogs specifically,16% were stolen by brazen thieves while being walked by their owner. 7% were stolen when left tied up outside a shop and 5% were stolen from a car.
To help tackle the issue, MORE TH>N is giving away 500 free microchips for cats and dogs at five RSPCA centres across the UK. A hundred will be available in each centre on a first-come first-served basis. For more information visit www.facebook.com/morethan.
Electoral Reform Services (ERS), the independent body that carries out the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' Council election, has offered reassurance that the election was fair, in spite of a number of voters being sent duplicate ballot papers.
According to the College, ERS designs and prints the ballot papers, and receives back votes via the post, internet and text message, but it does not distribute the ballot papers: this was carried out by a separate mailing house contracted directly by the RCVS. Although the exact number of voters who received duplicate papers is not known, it may have been up to 289, as that was the shortfall of voting papers at the mailing house.
ERS carried out a review of voting patterns, including issues such as multiple votes coming from a single IP address, and concluded that it was not possible to say there had been instances of dual voting. Even in the small number of cases where there was a suggestion of dual voting, if those particular votes had been discounted it would not have affected the outcome of the election.
In a letter to the College, Adrian Wilkins, ERS Senior Consultant said: "Our view is... that although a number of members were sent two ballot papers, there is no firm evidence of fraud, and that the result is an accurate reflection of the views of the members of the Royal College. Our recommendation is consequently that the result should be declared as per our election report of 30th April 2012."
As a consequence, the RCVS returning officer, Gordon Hockey, Acting Registrar, declared the election results on 30 April.