Krka has launched Tolracol (toltrazuril), a new prescription product for the control of coccidiosis in sheep, cattle and pigs.

Tolracol is a 50mg/ml suspension of toltrazuril which can be used in all three species to prevent coccidiosis infections in youngstock on farms with a history of the disease.

Krka’s head of sales and marketing, Killian Gaffney said: "Coccidiosis can have a devastating impact on young animals, resulting in ill-thrift, weight loss and potentially death, making its prevention a vital component of herd or flock management.

"Importantly, this is a tri-licence single dose product which requires vet prescription. The involvement of the vet in prescribing coccidiostats is important as their use should be part of a whole management approach to prevention."

Krka says Tolracol should be used ahead of the peak infection period on farms with a pre-existing coccidiosis problem, with it recommended for use in neonatal pigs at three to five days old and as soon as required in calves and lambs.

Mr Gaffney added: "This product has been proven in trials and offers a cost-effective option for farmers, it is also easily administered which farmers will find attractive. Krka is launching a new farmer campaign to support Tolracol.

"With lambing and spring calving now taking place across the country vets are likely to be asked in the coming weeks and months about coccidiosis prevention. Tolracol provides another valuable tool in the armoury when it comes to preventing this nasty condition and should be considered as a first-choice product."

For more information, see the SPC or contact Krka UK Limited on +44 (0) 2071 646 156. 

A new solution to a problem vets encounter when using a conventional, usually human health, laryngoscope on small animals has been devised by Prof Paul Flecknell of Newcastle University in collaboration with Alstoe Animal Health.

Called the Flecknell^TM , this small animal laryngoscope uses a specially-designed, streamline, slimmed-down blade to maximise the view of the larynx, particularly with rabbits in mind. According to Alstoe, the new design also greatly reduces the risk of damage to an animal's gums or pharynx as the blade is inserted.

Prof Flecknell, MA, VetMB, PhD, DECLAM, DLAS, DECVA, (Hon) DACLAM, (Hon) FRCVS said: "Many practitioners have complained that existing blades were not suitable for small animal work and they were not happy with using a blind technique, as they really wanted to see the larynx and intubate under direct vision.

"So, over several years of development, we worked through prototypes and changed both the shape of the blade and the type and position of the light source. As well as trying the prototypes ourselves, Alstoe carried out trial work with vets in practice, resulting in this final design, which we think is much easier to use than other blades currently on the market.

"We hope this will encourage vets to intubate more rabbits, since this will enable them to be anaesthetised more safely. One of the commonest problems seen is depressed respiration progressing to apnoea, and trying to assist ventilation using a face mask often results only in inflation of the stomach, making matters worse. Once an endotracheal tube is in place, ventilation can be assisted easily if needed."

Niall McFerran from Alstoe said: "The Flecknell still requires some practice to master the use of the blade, and so we have produced a DVD and leaflet demonstrating its use. The Flecknell blade can be used to intubate a range of small animals, cats, dogs, as well as the original target rabbits.

"We were delighted to have worked with such an eminent specialist as Prof Flecknell and his team on a genuinely vet-led need to help with animal welfare. And this is just the start, as 2009 is going to be the busiest ever year for new product introductions for Alstoe Animal Health."

For more information, contact Alstoe Animal Health www.alstoe.co.uk

Elanco is highlighting new research which shows that using monensin in dairy cows at high risk of developing subclinical ketosis reduces curative antibiotic use by 25%.

According to the company, good herd management before calving is known to mitigate antimicrobial use in cows suffering from subclinical ketosis related conditions, but to date little research has quantified it.

The new research, by the University of Toulouse, was presented to leading cattle vets, academics and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry by veterinary cattle health specialist, Professor Didier Raboisson at the European Buiatrics Forum in Rome in October.¹ It showed that using a monensin bolus in cows at high risk of getting subclinical ketosis led to a 25% reduction in antibiotics to treat and cure conditions associated with the metabolic condition.

Fiona Anderson MRCVS of Elanco said: "Responsible use of antimicrobials must be the target for veterinary medicine. Reducing use by whatever means could help improve the antimicrobial resistance situation. This new study shows that using monensin, which is available in the form of a Kexxtone bolus, is a powerful way to cut antibiotic use in the dairy herd. This is in addition to monensin already proven to be a valuable tool to reduce the risk of ketosis and subclinical ketosis and its associated losses in dairy herd productivity and profitability."

Subclinical ketosis is very common. It can affect up to 30% of cows in early lactation with a large variation between herds.² It can be very costly for a dairy herd. A study from 2015 found that for a 100 cow herd with 30% ketosis, the direct and indirect costs can be around £10,416 or around £347 per affected cow.³

Cows affected by subclinical ketosis are at a higher risk of getting mastitis and metritis. They are also at higher risk of developing displaced abomasum, retained placenta and cystic ovaries and consequently face a higher culling risk. Subclinical ketosis also lowers milk production, reduces conception rates and lengthens calving intervals.⁴

If ketosis is an issue in a dairy herd, targeted administration of monensin in a Kexxtone bolus to cows at high risk of developing ketosis reduces the incidences of ketosis by 74%.⁶

The bolus is given three weeks before calving and provides coverage during the main risk period for the condition. Kexxtone uses monensin to improve rumen function and increase glucose delivery. This ultimately increases the energy available and buffers the dairy cow against the tendency to drop into negative energy balance.⁵

To make a big difference to clients’ profitability, Fiona encourages vets to not just consider the traditional nutritional intervention and the emergency treatment of ketosis cases, but to develop an effective strategy to highlight cows at risk of subclinical ketosis and to take targeted preventative action. She said: "Vets who can offer positive interventions to subclinical ketosis and its associated losses in the dairy herd are going to be increasingly important to their clients’ herd health planning."

References:

1. Raboisson EBFProceedings 2015 Reducing the curative antibiotic use up to 25 per cent by controlling subclinicalketosis
2. Berge 2014 JDS A field study to determine prevalence of ketosis and herd management in EU
3. Raboisson 2015 The economic impact of subclinical ketosis at the farm level Tackling the challenge of overestimation due to multiple interactions
4. McArt 2012 JDS Epidemiol SCK & LeBlanc 2012 ReproDomAnim Interactions of metabolism inflammation and reproducive tract
5. Elanco clinical trial AA9CEU0801
6. Green 1999 JDS Impact monensinCRC on SCKh

The RCVS has withdrawn from the Stonewall Diversity Champion Scheme, which it joined in 2017.

In a statement given to the Veterinary Record earlier this year, the College said: 

"In 2017, our commitment to equality for our LGBTQ+ employees, members of the professions and other stakeholders, was cemented when we became a Stonewall Diversity Champion, with the aim of ensuring that all people in the community are accepted, without exception, within the veterinary professions.

In subsequent years this commitment has been demonstrated by the establishment of our Diversity & Inclusion Group, for which LGBTQ+ representation is a key component and has been incorporated into both our internal and external diversity and inclusion strategies.

Focusing on our internal diversity and inclusion strategy, the insight from Stonewall and our internal LGBTQ+ group, has aimed to make the RCVS a safe space for people from the LGBTQ+ community by creating a fully inclusive workplace.

These insights have also fed into the profession-facing work of the Diversity & Inclusion Group and its strategy.

After six years as a Stonewall Diversity Champion, we have decided this year not to renew our contract with the organisation, on the basis that we feel we no longer need to work with an external organisation to continue to deliver on our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

The RCVS will continue to demonstrate allyship and be a safe space for all groups within the LGBTQ+ community, as demonstrated by the fact we are creating a staff network representing RCVS colleagues from marginalised communities.

We may in future decide to work with another accredited organisation, but until the staff network is in place, no decisions have been made.
 
For example, we have recently brought in a staff policy regarding how best to support RCVS employees who are going through the process of gender reassignment, reiterating the current legal position, how to report experiencing or witnessing transphobic discrimination, as well as advice for colleagues supporting those undergoing gender reassignment and those who have family members going through the process.
 
We are grateful for Stonewall for working with us over the past six years and helping us, through its Workplace Equality Index, to finesse our policies and procedures in relation to LGBTQ+ rights and issues and drive forward our agenda to be a diverse and inclusive workplace and regulator."

Following MP's vote last month against enshrining the animal welfare provisions of Article 13 of the Lisbon Treaty into UK law, the Government has now published a draft bill for a new animal welfare law that would replace Article 13 post-Brexit.

The new bill - Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Recognition of Sentience) - would increase the maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty tenfold, from six months to five years, in England and Wales.

The draft bill also sets out that the government "must have regard to the welfare needs of animals as sentient beings in formulating and implementing government policy".

Subject to consultation on the draft bill, the government says it will legislate to deliver both aims.

In fact, the draft bill goes further than Article 13 as it applies to all areas of government policy, rather than specified areas of policy. If passed, the law would apply to the whole of the UK.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: "Animals are sentient beings who feel pain and suffering, so we are writing that principle into law and ensuring that we protect their welfare. Our plans will also increase sentences for those who commit the most heinous acts of animal cruelty to five years in jail. We are a nation of animal lovers so we will make Brexit work not just for citizens but for the animals we love and cherish too."

BVA President John Fishwick said: "Vets have been clear in our calls that the duty on the state to have due regard for animal welfare - as captured in Article 13 of the EU Lisbon Treaty - must be enshrined in UK law. This Bill captures the substantive obligation that Article 13 currently puts on the national government to consider animal welfare, as well as explicitly recognising animals as sentient beings."

"Today’s draft Bill lays out in black and white the Government making good on its promises, to ensure the UK remains a global leader in animal welfare post-Brexit."

Zoetis, formerly Pfizer Animal Health has launched Ovatec Plus, which it claims will make equine faecal collection and in-practice worm count testing quicker and easier.

Ovatec Plus is designed to facilitate the in-house detection of worm burdens by enabling the coproscopic examination of parasite eggs, larvae and cysts. Zoetis says the built-in sample collection scoop allows for hands-off, quick, clean sample collection and controlled sample size, while the built-in cap, which can be written on for easy identification, snaps shut to seals the contents safely for contamination-free transport.

The system is based on zinc sulphate flotation technology, with a flotation time of ten minutes to provide rapid analysis. The Ova-Spin feature will break up difficult samples. The positive-locking filter chamber prevents any spill of test samples and reduces operator exposure to potential hazards. The overflow reservoir prevents overfills leaking onto the lab bench.

Zoetis says the high sensitivity and excellent specificity of Ovatec Plus enable informed treatment decisions to be made. A study has shown that samples proving negative with Ovatec Plus provide 95% certainty that the sample is <150epg and 100% certainty that the sample is <250epg, which means treatment may not be necessary¹. Samples that prove positive, with one or more eggs seen, can be verified using a quantitative technique if needed, alternatively treatment may be indicated.

Ben Lacey, equine business unit manager at Zoetis, said: "Ovatec Plus is an excellent addition to our equine worm control portfolio. It's ideal for use in many test situations, giving a quick, easy and convenient solution."

To find out more, speak to your Zoetis Account Manager, call 0845 300 8034 or email CustomerSupportUK@zoetis.com.

Reference

1. Rosyn R.  et al., EVALUATION OF THE OVATEC PLUS FLOTATION METHOD AS A DECISION TOOL FOR SELECTIVE ANTHELMINTHIC TREATMENT AGAINST STRONGYLES IN HORSES.  Joint Meeting of the Belgian and Dutch Societies for Parasitology,  Antwerpen,  Belgium,  19 October 2012

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has announced that it is opening its membership to RCVS registered veterinary nurses for the first time.

BSAVA has always been keenly involved with veterinary nurse issues and has representation on the RCVS nurse Awarding Body Board and observers on VN Council. Membership Development Committee Chair Patricia Colville said: "The association strongly believes that are nurses are integral to the care the profession offers to patients, and we have always taken advice from our members on ways we can support nurses on the many issues that they have been faced with over the last number of years, from the change in nurse training to compulsory CPD and the future change to self-regulation. Now it is time to formally recognise the services we offer to VNs and bring them into a package of benefits that they can collect as a member of the Association".

Patricia added: "There have been many changes over the last 50 years, during which nurse training has developed in its own right. The depth and breadth of knowledge that nurses have, and the amount of work that they have to do to gain the VN qualification is vast and it is a great credit to the veterinary world that this level of dedication has developed. It is fantastic to see the amount of CPD on offer now and the enthusiasm and dedication that nurses show in continuing to develop their skills, which has contributed to the betterment of practice life and animal welfare".

Membership for VNs is being launched at the first year introductory price of £66 in 2011, rising to £100 per annum in 2012. 

Practices interested in how BSAVA membership can support their nursing staff, and veterinary nurses interested in membership should register at http://www.bsava.com/, email administration@bsava.com or call 01452 726700.

Researchers at the Animal Health Trust Equine Clinic have developed an ethogram to help veterinary surgeons, owners and riders identify when a horse is in pain, from its facial expressions when being ridden. 

According to the AHT, there is undisputed evidence that owners, riders and trainers have a poor ability to recognise signs of pain seen when horses are ridden. As a result, problems are labelled as training-related, rider-related, behavioural, or deemed 'normal' for that horse because 'that’s how he’s always gone'.

This, says the AHT, means pain-related problems are often disregarded, the horse continues in work, and the problem gets progressively worse. 

Dr Sue Dyson, Head of Clinical Orthopaedics at the AHT, believes it may be easier to educate riders and trainers to recognise changes in facial expression and behaviour rather than lameness. So she and her team set out to develop and test an ethogram to describe facial expressions in ridden horses and to determine whether individuals could interpret and correctly apply the ethogram consistently.

At this stage in the project, they concluded that their ethogram could reliably be used to describe facial expressions of ridden horses by people from different professional backgrounds (full paper here: http://www.journalvetbehavior.com/article/S1558-7878(16)30184-8/fulltext).

In the next stage of the project, Sue and her team sought to demonstrate that the ethogram could be used to identify lameness. 

The ethogram was applied blindly by a trained analyst to photographs (n=519) of the head and neck of lame (n=76) and non-lame (n=25) horses acquired during ridden schooling-type work at both trot and canter. These included images of seven lame horses acquired before (n=30 photographs) and after diagnostic analgesia had abolished lameness (n=22 photographs).

A pain score (0-3; 0=normal, 1-3=abnormal) was applied to each feature in the ethogram, based on published descriptions of pain in horses.

A total of 27,407 facial markers were recorded, with those giving the greatest significant difference between lame and sound horses including ears back, eyes partially or fully closed, an open mouth with exposed teeth and being severely above the bit.

Pain scores were higher for lame horses than non-lame horses (p<0.001). Total pain score (p<0.05), total head position score (p<0.01), and total ear score (p<0.01) were reduced in lame horses after abolition of lameness.

Severely ‘above the bit’, twisting the head, asymmetrical position of the bit, ear position (both ears backwards, one ear backwards and one to the side, one ear backwards and one ear forwards) and eye features (exposure of the sclera, the eye partially or completely closed, muscle tension caudal to the eye, an intense stare) were the best indicators of pain.

The researchers concluded that application of the ethogram and pain score could differentiate between lame and non-lame horses. Assessment of facial expression could potentially improve recognition of pain-related gait abnormalities in ridden horses (full paper here: http://www.journalvetbehavior.com/article/S1558-7878(17)30019-9/fulltext)

Sue and her team are now working on the development of a whole horse ethogram and its application to non-lame and lame horses, to help to differentiate between manifestations of conflict behaviour, in response to the demands of the rider, and pain. They are also working towards the development of a practical tool for recognising facial expressions, similar to that of a body condition score chart, which they say could dramatically improve the health and welfare of all horses.

Photo: Signs of pain include ears back (pain score of 3), intense stare, muscle tension and mouth. Courtesy Dr Sue Tyson. 

Premier Vet Alliance is hosting 'Managing Challenging People & Handling Difficult Conversations’ a free webinar which will give vet practice staff guidance and practical tips. 

The webinar, which takes place on Thursday 30th June at 7.30pm, is being presented by Debbie Boone, billed as one of America’s most prominent and experienced veterinary communications consultants.

Gerrard Harkins, Premier Vet Alliance’s Commercial Director said: “Many people struggle with managing challenging behaviour and confrontation in the workplace and Debbie will be focusing on providing delegates with pragmatic advice and skills to put into practice.

"She is one of the veterinary industry’s most prominent and successful communicators so we’re extremely fortunate to be able to access her advice.

“We’re also looking forward to gaining a US perspective on this important subject.” 

To register for the webinar, visit: https://tinyl.io/5aIk 

Swadlincote Veterinary Centre in Derbyshire has become the first veterinary workplace to be awarded Gold accreditation through the Great Workplaces by BVA scheme.

The Swadlincote and Melbourne-based IVC practice worked with a Great Workplaces by BVA accreditor during the pilot of the new scheme, to demonstrate its strengths against an accreditation framework covering four key themes: health and wellbeing, leadership and management, culture and learning and development. 

In the report, the accreditor was particularly impressed by the practice’s strong leadership and management; its emphasis on accommodating flexibility for team members in various forms; a robust teamworking ethos; and a focus on continuous improvement.

British Veterinary Association President Elizabeth Mullineaux said: “We’re delighted to see Swadlincote Veterinary Centre become the first veterinary workplace to achieve Gold accreditation through Great Workplaces by BVA scheme.

"Congratulations to the whole practice team for this incredible recognition.

“Creating positive working environments and targeting areas for improvement are the key to tackling ongoing workforce challenges around recruitment and retention.

"We hope this first Gold accreditation inspires others to strive towards gaining recognition as workplaces where vet teams thrive.”

Ingrid Stevenson, Clinical Director at Swadlincote Veterinary Centre, said: “While we knew the practice was doing well, we didn’t go into this process expecting Gold at all.

"My practice manager and I were just both really keen to get some feedback and to find out what more we could do to help the team.

“We have several clinical accreditations in the practice, but it is the team that are responsible for achieving these and maintaining the high standards.

"I believe the team should be looked after, recognised and rewarded for their hard work and going above and beyond when necessary. 

"The team were really pleased when I shared the news.

"It has certainly been good for team morale and a positive outcome to share with potential new recruits. '

“The accreditation process was a thorough assessment of the practice and our accreditor made us feel all at ease during the interviews. 

"While we achieved Gold, which was unexpected, we have also learnt of areas to develop further over the coming months.

"Overall, it was a positive experience for our practice.”

www.bva.co.uk/take-action/good-veterinary-workplaces/

Katharine Power MRCVS has been cleared of serious professional misconduct by the RCVS Disciplinary Committee.

Dr Power faced a number of charges relating to alleged clinical and communications failings surrounding surgery carried out on two separate dogs on two separate occasions.

The first concerned laryngeal tieback surgery carried out on Harvey, a Tibetan Terrier in March 2018, and the second concerned oesophageal surgery carried out on a boxer dog, Boss, in October 2018.

The College withdrew a number of the charges at the start of the hearing, and more later after hearing from witnesses. 

Of the remainder, Dr Power admitted that she had not undertaken pre-operative radiographs before proceeding with the laryngeal surgery, had failed to perform the surgery appropriately (she dissected excessive tissue and had inappropriately placed sutures), and had undertaken the surgery when it was outside her area of competence.

In relation to the oesophageal surgery, Dr Power admitted failing to provide a referral report and/or clinical records to the veterinary practice he was referred from, despite requests from the practice.

The Committee found that the majority of the charges which had not been withdrawn or admitted by Dr Power, not proven.

However, the Committee found that in addition to the admitted charges, Dr Power had subjected the dog undergoing oesophageal surgery to an excessive 9.5 hours of anaesthesia.

The Committee then went on to consider whether the proven charges amounted to serious professional conduct.

Counsel for the College submitted that Dr Power’s conduct breached the part of the Code of Professional Conduct relating to veterinary surgeons keeping within their area of competence and referring responsibly; and providing veterinary care that is appropriate and adequate.

In terms of aggravating factors, the College submitted that there was both actual injury to the animal, as well as actions that posed a risk of injury, that Dr Power financially benefitted from the alleged misconduct as she was paid to perform a procedure outside her competence, and that she occupied a position of increased trust and responsibility as she advertised herself as a practitioner who accepted referrals and was competent to perform soft tissue surgery.

Dr Power’s counsel submitted that the charges that had been found proven amounted to clinical and administrative failings and that this was not a case of a veterinary surgeon deliberately or recklessly acting outside of their capabilities, but rather a case where a diligent and responsible veterinary surgeon had fallen short in discrete areas of her clinical practice and had reasonably believed at the time that she was competent to perform the surgery.

The Committee found that although the conduct within the proven charges fell short of what would be reasonably expected of a veterinary surgeon, it did not fall so far short that her conduct constituted serious professional misconduct.

Paul Morris, chairing the Disciplinary Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee understood that it had a responsibility to consider the wider public interest, taking into account the view of a reasonable member of the public in possession of all the relevant facts and information.

“The Committee considered that such a member of the public would understand that veterinary surgery is a challenging profession. It was of the view that such a member of the public would not expect perfection, but understand that any professional practitioner may make mistakes in the course of their practice.

“It is the judgement of this Committee that the respondent’s conduct does not constitute disgraceful conduct in a professional respect.”

The full findings of the Disciplinary Committee can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary

Pets At Home Vet Group and Dick White Referrals have announced a strategic partnership in order to develop Pets at Home's strategy for providing specialist care.

Pets at Home says it is creating a new divisional structure comprised of the existing First Opinion Division (Vets4Pets and Companion Care joint venture practices) and the new Specialist Division, which comprises Dick White Referrals, Northwest Surgeons, Anderson Moores, and Eye Vet Referrals.

Dick White has been appointed Clinical Director of the new Specialist Division. 

Dick will remain as a shareholder in Dick White Referrals. He and three of the Specialist clinicians - Giunio Bruto Cherubini, Federico Corletto and Rob Foale - will retain 24% of the practice. 

Sally Hopson, CEO of Pets at Home Vet Group said: "We are delighted to have attracted a colleague of Dick White’s pedigree to join us, not only to help drive the future growth of Dick White Referrals, but also to play a key role in developing our Specialist Division. Professor White is a key figure in the development of the Specialist Veterinary segment; he has trained many of the leading Specialist veterinary practitioners. This is a tremendous step forward for the Vet Group. I’m also very pleased that Professor White and his colleagues have chosen to remain as equity partners in Dick White Referrals."

Dick said: "Forming this strategic partnership provides great opportunities for us to continue to develop Dick White Referrals as a world class referrals centre with a team of leading Veterinary Specialists. I am delighted to be working with a partner that shares our vision for Dick White Referrals and is committed to supporting its future development. Joining the Board of the Specialist Division will allow me to provide clinical leadership and governance across the division, input into the formulation of strategy and support M&A activity and veterinary recruitment."