The scheme uses a traffic light colour system of vaccination reminder stickers which veterinary surgeons can place on the front of passports at each vaccination appointment. If the 6-month pilot is a success, the initiative will be rolled out across the UK in the summer.
BEVA says that despite the best efforts of numerous equine welfare charities to address the obesity issue, a significant proportion of owners are either not recognising obesity in their horses, or not being motivated to take action.
For this reason, the Association decided to try and confront the problem in a different way, using knowledge gained from the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) – a government think tank specialising in behavioural economics and psychology.
Lucy Grieve, President Elect of BEVA and part of the Association’s obesity campaign working group, said: "Determined to look at new ways to positively engage with horse owners, we harnessed the BIT’s experience of what methods work most effectively and came up with a simple, practical scheme revolving around vaccination visits, which could be affected by vets themselves."
The idea is to use the routine annual or six-monthly vaccination visit as a time to assess a horse’s body condition. After the vaccination is given and the body condition assessed, a colour-coded vaccination reminder is stuck to the front of the passport, both to remind the owner when the next vaccination is due and to start a conversation about body condition.
A green sticker indicates a ‘healthy’ body condition. Amber means the horse is carrying too much fat tissue and needs moderate changes to diet, exercise, management, rugging and clipping regimes. Red implies that the horse is carrying excessive amounts of fat tissue which are placing the horse in morbid danger.
Amber or red stickers provide the opportunity to talk about the potential impact on the horse’s health and what needs to be done.
If there isn't enough time to talk about it during the appointment, the sticker includes a colour-specific QR code which the owner can use to access additional information via their smartphone in their own time.
One of three short, colour-specific videos will explain the reason their horse has been designated the colour of sticker on their passport, leading to a link to more specific advice on what the owner needs to do next. Having swotted up on the background information beforehand, the owner can then discuss the various management options with their vet at a convenient time.
Lucy said: "The first challenge is helping owners recognise when their horse is overweight. Once this has been established then we can make a plan to correct the problem as a team.
"The owner needs to be on board and committed in order to carry out the tough task of reducing the weight of their horse. We hope that owners will be ‘nudged’ by the sticker intervention to consider the information they have been offered and start to tackle the problem before it causes life-threatening disease."
Nine equine veterinary practices were invited to participate in the pilot scheme, including Loch Leven Equine Practice in Kinross. Managing director Liz Somerville said: "We have been focusing on equine obesity for the last couple of years including running a #FitnotFat campaign last year to try to highlight the growing obesity problem in our horses. Unfortunately, it sometimes feels that we are banging our heads against a brick wall so when BEVA came up with a new approach to try and get the message through to our owners it was too good an opportunity to miss."
BEVA says that at the end of the pilot, it will assess how well the project has worked for the vets involved, what proportion of owners used the QR codes, visited the advice pages and sought guidance from their vets.
For more information, visit: https://www.beva.org.uk/Resources-For-Vets-Practices/Clinical-Practice-Guidance/Obesity-in-horses
Used to treat calf diarrhoea, Locatim is an orally administered product, indicated for the reduction of mortality caused by enterotoxicosis associated with E. coli F5 (K99).
The product is made from the colostrum of high health status cows hyperimmunised against Rotavirus, Coronavirus and E.coli.
Locatim is designed to work alongside the dam’s colostrum, enhancing protection against gastro-intestinal infection and helping to sustain calf health in the critical neo-natal period.
For optimal effect, Forte says Locatim should be given within 4 hours of birth, but can be used up to 12 hours post-natally.
Forte says Locatim is not designed to replace anti-scour vaccination programmes, rather to act as an extremely useful adjunct in cases where the response to vaccines has been less than ideal.
The company says Locatim is also extremely useful in managing outbreaks of scour in unvaccinated herds by protecting those calves born before a new vaccination programme can take effect.
Locatim is available from all UK veterinary wholesalers.
For more information, contact your Forte Territory Manager or enquiries@fortehealthcare.com.
Giles is the professor of molecular neuroendocrinology at the Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit and scientific director of the Genomics/Transcriptomics Core at the University of Cambridge.
He is a well-known broadcaster thanks to his appearances on programmes such as BBC’s ‘Horizon’ and ‘Trust me, I’m a Doctor’ and author of two books: Gene Eating: The Story Of Human Appetite and Why Calories Don't Count.
He also hosts the podcast Dr Giles Yeo Chews The Fat.
Giles and his colleagues at the University of Cambridge recently identified a genetic mutation in Labrador retrievers that significantly increases their propensity for obesity and food motivation.
This mutation, a 14-base pair deletion in the POMC gene, disrupts the production of beta-MSH and beta-endorphin, hormones involved in regulating appetite and energy balance.
The study found this mutation is present in about 25% of Labradors and 66% of flat-coated retrievers, and is also more common in assistance dogs than pet Labradors.
Giles' lecture: "The genetics of obesity: Can an old dog teach us new tricks?" will lay out the evidence for a genetic basis to body weight and explore the role of the leptin-melanocortin pathway in both human and dog obesity, and its conservation through evolution.
Giles said: “It is clear that the cause of obesity is a result of eating more than you burn.
"It is physics.
"What is more complex to answer is why some people eat more than others?
"Differences in our genetic make-up mean some of us are slightly more hungry all the time and so eat more than others.
"I will highlight the fat-sensing 'leptin-melanocortin' pathway, as a key appetite control circuit.
"Not only is the pathway conserved in all mammals and many higher vertebrates, but genetic disruption of the pathway as an evolutionary strategy to influence feeding behaviour has also been conserved. In contrast to the prevailing view, obesity is not a choice.
"People who are obese are not bad or lazy; rather, they are fighting their biology.”
British Veterinary Association President Elizabeth Mullineaux said: “I’m sure our BVA Congress delegates will appreciate both Dr Yeo’s scientific knowledge and his dynamic delivery style and I’m personally looking forward to learning more about this exciting topic.”
https://london.vetshow.com
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica has re-launched its Vetmedin website: www.vetmedin.co.uk.
Boehringer says the new site has been designed as a resource for veterinary professionals to help educate clients with dogs suffering from congestive heart failure. It includes an animation about heart disease, together with hints, tips and videos covering exercise, diet, treatment and how to monitor the condition.
To support the relaunch of www.vetmedin.co.uk, Boehringer is offering veterinary professionals a £25 money-off voucher towards the NEW edition BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Cardiorespiratory Medicine. To qualify for the voucher you need to recommend www.vetmedin.co.uk to two separate dog owners being prescribed Vetmedin for congestive heart failure in their pets and then record any feedback at their next appointment. Faxback forms on which to record this feedback are being sent out to all vets around Valentine's Day but extra copies are available from Boehringer direct.
The company says a Vetmedin eCPD professional resource will also be launching on the new site later in the year, featuring an online radiograph viewer, technical dossiers and information on published studies such as QUEST.
For further information, please contact your Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica territory manager or call 01344 746959.
Ceva Animal Health has announced that it is now accepting nominations for its annual Animal Welfare Awards.
The awards recognise veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and charity professionals who go the extra mile to prevent and reduce welfare problems for animals.
If you think one of your colleagues, vet or nurse, should be recognised for their work improving animal welfare, you'll need to nominate them before the 15th February 2013 deadline.
The awards include:
Winners of all awards will have a choice of luxury prize - ranging from spa weekends, European city breaks, countryside retreats or an animal experience. All individuals who nominate will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win £250 of high street vouchers. Ginette Bryant from Ceva, said: "The Ceva Animal Welfare Awards are an opportunity to recognise the hard work and dedication of individuals in the veterinary and animal charity industry. Our mission 'Together, beyond animal health', recognises that the health of animals, humans and the planet are inextricably linked, these awards are fitting way to work towards improving the health of all. "Whether it is improving animal welfare through client education in practice, championing good causes or helping specific cases, we know there are many people who share our ambitions in preventing and reducing companion animal welfare issues. It is these passionate individuals who are the unsung heroes of our industry and we're really excited to hear the inspiring stories from each nomination."
There are also three awards for people who work outside the veterinary or animal charity sector.
Nominations forms are available from www.ceva.com.
The deadline for entries is 15 February 2013.
For further details or additional nomination forms for your practice call Ceva on 01494 781 510 or email welfare.awards@ceva.com The awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday 3 April 2013 during the BSAVA conference in Birmingham.
The survey has been sent to 984 veterinary surgeons who graduated from one of the UK’s eight vet schools in 2020 to measure how the pandemic may have affected graduates’ employment prospects, clinical & non-clinical skills, and resilience in the workplace.
The survey has a deadline date of Wednesday 16 December 2020 and all responses to it will remain anonymous while helping to inform future policy on graduate support.
Dr Linda Prescott-Clements, RCVS Director of Education, said: “We know that the coronavirus pandemic has had a disruptive impact on the final stages of education for the 2020 cohort, in terms of clinical placements for extra-mural studies as well as teaching. This survey aims to gauge whether this has, in turn, had a deleterious impact on their confidence with both clinical and non-clinical skills as well as their resilience, for example, in asking for help and support from colleagues, managing their time effectively, and managing complex and stressful situations.
“Employment is another area of concern and in any typical year almost all graduate vets would find work or go on to further study after their veterinary degree had finished. Some anecdotal reports have suggested a perceived or real change to employment prospects this year and so we are hoping to gather some further data to see if there has been a discernible impact on this cohort.
“We are mindful that the pandemic is having a significant impact on all students and we are keen to understand how best we can support them moving forward. I would strongly encourage those graduates who have received the survey, which should only take around 10 minutes to complete, to take part, because the results will help the RCVS and the VSC inform future policies on how we can better support veterinary graduates in 2021 and subsequent years.”
Any graduates who have not received the survey or require further information can contact the RCVS Education Department on education@rcvs.org.uk.
The company says the workshop will provide vets with an opportunity to extend their knowledge of Q Fever, a zoonotic disease that not only affects reproductive performance and productivity in cattle but also presents a health threat to farmers, farming families and related professions such as vets, veterinary technicians and abattoir workers.
The workshop will be presented by Raphaël Guatteo (pictured right), Professor in Bovine Medicine and Health Management at the Veterinary College of Nantes (Oniris) in France.
Raphaël will share his wealth of knowledge on Q Fever including his extensive research into the disease.
He'll answer any questions that delegates may have about Q Fever and will discuss case studies, diagnostic challenges and the importance of quick diagnosis, treatment options and prevention through vaccination.
The Q Fever workshop will take place between 4.00pm and 5.30pm on Thursday 20 October in the Shorthorn Room at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham.
The workshop is free of charge, but spaces are limited.
The British Veterinary Association has welcomed the European Parliament vote to improve the labelling of food, including new country of origin labelling and a requirement to label meat from animals slaughtered without stunning (according to certain religious traditions).
The BVA believes that all animals should be stunned before slaughter, for welfare reasons. However, as long as slaughter without stunning is permitted the BVA has argued for any meat from this source to be clearly labelled to enable all consumers to fully understand the choice they are making when buying such products.
Meat from slaughter without stunning currently enters the mainstream food chain without being labelled as such, leaving consumers unaware.
The European Parliament also voted to extend country of origin labelling to all meat, poultry, dairy products and other single-ingredient products as well as all meat, poultry and fish when used as an ingredient in processed food. Importantly, meat labels should indicate where the animal was born, reared and slaughtered.
The UK enjoys some of the highest animal welfare standards in the production of food and the improved country of origin labelling will allow consumers to make a more informed choice.
The BVA is calling for one clear EU welfare label that takes into account the welfare of animals use in food production from birth to slaughter, including the production system, transport and method of slaughter.
Professor Bill Reilly, President of the BVA, said: "This is a huge step forward in improving the welfare of animals at slaughter. The more consumers understand these issues, the more consumer power can make a difference.
"The BVA has argued for some time for meat from animals slaughtered without the more-humane method of stunning should be labelled as such and we are delighted that the European Parliament supports this view.
"However, there are many issues associated with the welfare of animals in food production and the BVA would like to see the development of a clear welfare label that consumers recognise as a mark of higher animal welfare.
"Currently there are too many different labels that mean different things, which can be confusing for shoppers. One higher welfare label would go a long way to improving consumer choice and animal welfare."
The Royal Veterinary College has announced that it is to launch the Online Veterinary Anatomy Museum next Tuesday (20th November).
According to the College, the museum is one of the world's largest online veterinary anatomical resource collections. The College says it hopes the museum will support veterinary students in their studies and inspire learners everywhere to engage with animal anatomy and science in an interactive and informative way.
The Online Veterinary Museum will offer various resources including:
The RVC says that the project, which began in November 2011, is an example of exceptional collaboration within the higher education sector, both in the UK and overseas as well as between the public and private sectors. Led by a small team based at the RVC, the project involved all seven of the UK's vet schools as well as international institutions, educational trusts, commercial publishers and web developers. Student Curators were recruited from the partner institutions involved, enabling students to develop new skills and, of course, contribute to this fantastic resource.
Project Director Nick Short said: "The teaching of anatomy forms a core part of the veterinary curriculum in every veterinary school in the world. With digital media increasingly used to enrich and support conventional lectures it therefore makes sense to share what we have to provide students with the best possible support for their studies.
"More than that the online museum will help to bring the world of veterinary anatomy alive not just for veterinary students but also for anybody with an interest in knowing more about animal's structure and function. OVAM provides access to some of the most amazing virtual resources contributed from all over the world. Here you can explore the 3D anatomy of a horse's foot from London, view beautiful animations of the abdomen of a pig from Spain or watch a selection of lectures from India!"
The resource will be live from the 20th November 2012: www.onlineveterinaryanatomy.net.
Elanco Companion Animal Health has announced that Comfortis (spinosad) flavoured chewable flea control tablets have been licensed for cats.
In addition, the company has extended its range with the addition of two new sizes for toy dogs and smaller cats.
Comfortis chewable tablets for dogs and cats are fast-acting, monthly oral adulticides that start to kill fleas in cats and dogs in 30 minutes and, according to Elanco, rapidly achieve 100% efficacy.
Comfortis chewable tablets for dogs and cats kill adult fleas for a month and Elanco says the fast speed of kill means that adult fleas are killed before they can lay eggs, making Comfortis effective in preventing new infestations.
Patrick Bourdeau, Dip ECVD-Dip EVPC, of the Veterinary School of Nantes (Oniris), France said: "Comfortis offers a highly effective format to those owners who have not had relief with other forms of flea control. The tablet offers a high level of convenience to owners to ensure both cats and dogs receive immediate relief from flea infestation.
"This is especially pertinent to the nearly 30% of cat owners who have reported problems with administering other forms of flea treatment, including spot-ons, which can have an effect on efficacy1. This includes the animal escaping when they sense a topical treatment is about to be administered or during actual administration3".
He added: "Comfortis is a highly effective treatment for flea control for cats and dogs, and one that will aid with compliance because it is easier to administer correctly."
Charlotte Mayne MRCVS, principal and veterinary surgeon at The Mayne Veterinary Clinic in Colchester, Essex, said: "We have used Comfortis chewable tablets for cats in practice, with 94% of clients who were prescribed the product for their pet being able to administer Comfortis and 80% of owners able to give the treatment so easily that they did not need to pill it2. Indeed, all the clients who were able to administer the treatment said they would use it again with comments such as 'it's brilliant - the best product ever' to 'my cat ate it like sweets' and we had 'lots of dead fleas'."
Comfortis chewable tablets for dogs and cats are available in 90mg, 140mg, 270mg and 425mg packs of six. Comfortis chewable tablets for dogs is also available in 665mg, 1040mg and 1620mg packs of six.
For further information on Comfortis, please contact your Elanco Companion Animal Health key account manager or phone 01256 353131.
References
MSD Animal Health has reintroduced Zanil, the flukicide drench for cattle and sheep.
Based on the active ingredient oxyclozanide, MSD says Zanil is highly effective against the adult fluke responsible for chronic disease and - significantly for dairy farmers - is licensed for use in young, pregnant and lactating animals, with a 72-hour milk withhold period where milk is produced for human consumption.
MSD Animal Health veterinary advisor Matt Haslam said: "The latest independent data1 confirms that fluke is on the increase in UK cattle and sheep. The fluke problem is longstanding, but is being exacerbated by recent wet summer and autumn periods that have created ideal conditions for this parasite to proliferate and infect grazing livestock.
"Chronic liver fluke causes serious economic losses for livestock farmers. In dairy herds, for example, there will be a negative impact on fertility and milk production where cows are affected.
"It is important that farmers have access to the best treatment options given the size of the threat and the scale of potential losses. Zanil is used widely and effectively in Ireland in the control of fluke problems, and there is no known resistance to the active ingredient oxyclozanide. With its re-introduction into the country, we believe Zanil is unique as a flukicide-only treatment that is licensed for use in lactation and in the dry period for the treatment of adult fluke in dairy cows."
Zanil is an oral drench with POM-VPS authorisation, available from both animal health suppliers and veterinary practices. Dosage rate is 3ml per 10kg bodyweight in cattle, up to a maximum of 105ml, and 4.5ml per 10kg bodyweight in sheep, up to a maximum of 20ml.
Reference
See DEFRA emerging threats reports in sheep and cattle, Q1 2013: www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/files/pub-survrep-sr0113.pdf
Zoetis Business Consulting has announced the launch of Profitsolver, a software tool designed to boost practice profits.
The software has already been rolled out in the US, where Zoetis says that it has delivered an average of £103,000 extra profit to veterinary practices within a year.
Profitsolver uses the practice's actual data - not benchmarks or accepted norms - to enable the practice to manage costs, set prices and gain return on investments. By using an activity-based costing model and using a variety of data such as practice costs, which staff perform which part of the procedure, how long the procedure takes and what equipment and materials are used, Profitsolver calculates the correct pricing to both cover costs and deliver a predetermined profit margin.
Zoetis says that Profitsolver helps practices to understand how the overall practice profit is being generated. For instance, for price sensitive procedures such as vaccination, the practice can match their prices with the competition, but maintain their profit margin by increasing the price for other clinical services.
Nick Steele, national consulting manager at Zoetis said: "Veterinary practices have no standard method for pricing their services and they are often unable to determine which services make money and which don't. This hampers the practice's ability to accurately value the business and, as a result, profit levels tend to be low for many practices. Profitsolver can turn this situation around and already has a very successful track record in the US."
Zoetis piloted the UK version of Profitsolver with John Goulding at St Georges Veterinary Group. He said: "By and large the veterinary profession still relies on the mark-up of medicines where profits are concerned. Even practices that have made a concerted effort to move away from this type of pricing structure are still making their money from the sale of medicines rather than from vets' fees. For years I have wanted to know exactly how to price our services and this new Profitsolver software does just that.
"Most costs have an element of staff time, an element of fixed assets or equipment and an element of disposable items. Profitsolver takes all of these into account, adds the predetermined profit margin and produces an accurate pricing structure for each procedure undertaken within the practice.
"It's important to take the time at the start to put accurate data in from the practice's latest set of accounts and the Zoetis business consultant will guide practices through this to make the initial set up as easy as possible. For instance, for major pieces of equipment such as X-ray machines, you have to work out how many times a year you are likely to use them.
"By using Profitsolver, we worked out that if we do exactly the same amount of work as last year we can increase our bottom line by at least £200,000 for our 18 vet practice. Since last November, when we installed Profitsolver, we have completely changed our pricing structure moving away from focusing on medicines and the size of the animal to rethink how we charge our clinical care.
"An unexpected benefit is that Profitsolver has made me much more confident about the prices we charge to clients as it is all broken down, so we can see exactly how the invoice is made up. I would be at a loss without it now."
For more information about Profitsolver, contact your Zoetis account manager.
Virbac has launched Nutribound, a complementary feed to help stimulate eating and drinking in inappetent cats and dogs.
The company says the product has been designed to help animals recovering from surgery or illness and those that are just experiencing a general lack of interest in food or water.
Nutribound is given alongside the pet’s diet but can also be given by tube or syringe if needed.
Claire Lewis, Product Manager, said: "Pets that lose interest in their food can be challenging for owners to deal with - and a pet that is struggling to eat or drink what it needs, especially after illness or surgery is more likely to have a prolonged recovery.
"Nutribound's palatable formulation aims to 'jump-start' normal eating behaviour by stimulating the animal's appetite and increasing its interest in eating and drinking again.
"Nutribound is presented in a handy-sized, take-home bottle and is easy for pet owners to administer. It can be given for up to 14 days or until a return to normal eating and drinking behaviour is observed. We are delighted to add it to our nutritional support range, alongside Nutri-Plus gel, our high energy, nutritional supplement for cats and dogs."
Four separate studies are included in the collection, reporting novel risk factors for the disease, identifying key differences between EGS and botulism (questioning the hypothesis that EGS is caused by neurotoxins from Clostridium botulinum), reporting a novel diagnostic technique and showing the value of monitoring weight loss to help predict whether individual horses with chronic EGS are likely to survive.
The publishers say that despite more than 100 years of research, supported predominantly by the The Moredun Foundation Equine Grass Sickness Fund (www.grasssickness.org.uk), the cause of EGS remains unknown. Since it almost exclusively affects grazing horses, a pasture derived neurotoxin is implicated. EGS causes gut paralysis as a result of damage to parts of the nervous system that control involuntary functions. Acute and sub-acute EGS is invariably fatal while around 55% of chronic cases can survive and return to a useful working life. The UK has the highest incidence of EGS in the world; indeed it is estimated that the disease kills between 1 and 2% of horses in the United Kingdom annually. Cases are more common in spring.
In terms of risk factors, the study ‘Equine grass sickness in Scotland: A case-control study of environmental geochemical risk factors’ suggests that the high incidence of the disease in Eastern Scotland may be partly associated with the particular composition of macro and trace elements in the soil in the fields on which horses graze. Further work is required to determine whether interventions to alter concentrations of particular elements in soil could potentially reduce the risk of EGS.1
A second study identified key differences between EGS and botulism, which questions the currently favoured hypothesis that EGS is caused by neurotoxins from Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which commonly inhabits soil. The study ‘Equine grass sickness, but not botulism, causes autonomic and enteric neurodegeneration and increases soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment receptor protein expression within neuronal perikarya’ suggests that EGS is unlikely to be caused by neurotoxins from this bacterium and concludes that further investigation of an alternative cause for EGS is needed.2
While the majority of horses with EGS can be readily diagnosed by experienced veterinary surgeons, some cases present a diagnostic challenge. Indeed the only way to definitively diagnose the disease in a live horse is to demonstrate the characteristic degeneration of nerves within biopsies of the intestine. Unfortunately these biopsies can only be collected by performing abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia. In the study ‘Neuronal chromatolysis in the subgemmal plexus of gustatory papillae in horses with grass sickness’ characteristic degeneration of nerves was identified in small biopsies collected from tongues of EGS horses during post mortem examination. Examination of these biopsies accurately differentiated control horses from EGS cases. While further validation of this technique is required, it could potentially provide a relatively non-invasive method of confirming the diagnosis in a live horse.3
While around 55% of horses with chronic EGS survive, objective criteria for predicting survival of these cases are currently lacking. The study ‘Bodyweight change aids prediction of survival in chronic equine grass sickness’ reported that non-survivors had greater rate and magnitude of bodyweight loss than survivors. Survival prediction curves were published to allow veterinary surgeons and horse owners to use body weight data to help determine whether an individual horse with chronic EGS was likely to survive or die.4
Professor Bruce McGorum, Head of the Equine Section at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies & Roslin Institute in Edinburgh, has been leading much of the research. He said: "Given that our recent research suggests that EGS is unlikely to be caused by neurotoxins from Clostridium botulinum we are now moving on to determine whether EGS is caused by ingestion of mycotoxins produced by pasture fungi. We are very pleased that The Horse Trust (www.horsetrust.org.uk) has provided funding for this three-year investigation."
Professor Celia Marr, Editor of the Equine Veterinary Journal said: “While the cause of equine grass sickness continues to evade us, these papers present an optimistic step in the right direction for the eventual prevention of this dreadful disease. It is only with the support of the Moredun Foundation Equine Grass Sickness Fund and more recently that of The Horse Trust that our world-leading veterinary researchers are able to continue to unravel the mystery.”
The EVJ equine grass sickness collection can be downloaded at http://bit.ly/2dC7Drr
The survey is conducted every four to five years and asks vets to answer questions about a variety of subjects including demographic data (for example, socio-economic background, educational attainment, race/ethnicity, disability), work-related data (for example, employment status, location of workplace, type of workplace, hours of work, position in practice) and information about professional achievement (for example, hours of continuing professional development (CPD) undertaken and extra qualifications earned).
The survey, which is conducted on the College’s behalf by the Institute for Employment Studies, also ask respondents about their views on different aspects of their profession, including career plans, challenges facing the profession, and wellbeing.
This year, the survey also asks for your view of the RCVS, including its values, how it should communicate, and what it should prioritise in future years.
Lizzie Lockett, RCVS CEO (pictured right), said: "The results of the Surveys form a very important ‘snapshot’ of the profession at a given point in time, but they also prove useful for years to come in terms of how the College develops its regulatory and educational policy, the areas it chooses to focus on and the issues it chooses to tackle.
"The ensuing reports are also used by a myriad of other individuals, such as those in academia, government and representative bodies, as well as journalists. It’s therefore really important that we have as accurate a picture as possible. So although completing the Surveys is entirely voluntary, we strongly encourage members of the professions to take the time to complete them. It will, ultimately, help the development of appropriate and supportive policies for your profession."
In addition to the main survey, there will be an additional survey for MsRCVS who practise overseas. This survey aims to better understand why they continue to retain their MRCVS status, what this status means in the countries in which they work, global attitudes towards the RCVS and how the College could improve its communication with them.
Ian (pictured right) qualified from Glasgow University and has a master’s degree in veterinary parasitology. He is head of ESCCAP - the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP) UK and Ireland, guideline director for ESCCAP Europe and editorial board member for Companion Animal. and VetCPD Journal. He is also a practising vet and co-owner of The Mount Veterinary Practice in Fleetwood, Lancashire.
Lockdown has seen a rise in the numbers of dogs and cats in the UK, including imported pets. Horiba says some of these are coming in via the official route, which includes preventative measures to reduce health risks. However, many are moved outside of UK regulations and some will become ill in the days or even months after they arrive. Ian will explain how timely, accurate testing will help detect the threat to these animals.
Lisa Martin from Horiba said: "I hope that as many veterinary surgeons, nurses, students and support staff as possible will join us for our Educational Premiere! We are looking forward to this first webinar in our veterinary CPD series, with expert Ian Wright highlighting the best ways to keep pets and people safe. Join us on 1st July at 7.30pm to hear more and to ask Ian your questions on this very topical subject. Dress code: casual."
To register, visit: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5429203015286962191
Canine Arthritis Management says the service is designed to help address issues with the traditional veterinary care approach, such as short consult times, significant workplace pressure and lack of understanding of the caregiver.
The service offers expert consultations through which veterinary professionals and other caregivers can confer with a dedicated team of experts in canine arthritis for the latest insights and treatment strategies.
The telehealth service can also supplement the veterinary consultation, giving extra time to create personalised care plans for clients, tailored to their dog's specific needs.
Canine Arthritis Management says its care plans are designed with a holistic approach, considering not only the medical requirements of the dog but also its living environment and lifestyle.
Canine Arthritis Telehealth also offers ongoing support and educational resources.
Canine Arthritis Management Founder, Hannah Capon MRCVS said: “One of the biggest misunderstandings surrounding osteoarthritis is that it is simple to manage.
"It is not.
"The long term, waxing and waning nature of the disease, combined with the financial and physical commitments, leads to emotional exhaustion for the caregiver.
"Combining this with a lack of understanding of the disease, confusion regarding the myriad of ways to address it, and anxiety surrounding the future, caregivers of animals with chronic disease need more support, and that is exactly what this service offers.”
caninearthritisteleguidance.co.uk
A new Support Services Guide has been launched by Fort Dodge Animal Health, designed as an aid to the company’s Practice Support Programme. The guide has been designed to provide a comprehensive reference on all the services Fort Dodge offers its practice customers. These include a comprehensive range of client materials, such as pet healthcare records, reminder stationery and pet health information leaflets, as well as various business support initiatives such as the well-respected Fort Dodge (FDI) bench-marking facility, a vaccine amnesty package and Practice PR. This press relations service provided via a professional PR agency has assisted a number of practices with local publicity, helping them increase their visibility in the local community.
Practices wishing to obtain a copy of the new guide should contact Fort Dodge on 01489 774249.
A quick survey of VetSurgeon members1 has found that of those that didn't vote in the 2011 council elections, 37.9% 'did not believe that voting in the RCVS elections will have any impact on my working life'
However, as Wynne Richards pointed out, decisions made by the RCVS, or which have involved the RCVS have had a seismic impact on the profession over the years, things like:
... and so on, and so on.
So perhaps the issue is not whether or not the College is relevant to the working lives of its members. Clearly it is. More to the point, the College and its Councillors need to find ways to engage more with the profession and better demonstrate how the decisions it takes on the issues of the day will impact on its members.
This message is further hammered home by the 26% of voters who didn't vote because they: 'considered the candidates' manifestos / forum posts, but did not feel that any of the candidates deserved my vote'. Again, if the councillors had concentrated on explaining why their work would make a difference, perhaps that number could have been improved.
Of the remainder, 21% 'forgot', 8.7% 'didn't have the time to consider who to vote for, and vote', 4.9% gave other reasons. Again, all things which might be improved if members felt that the RCVS was relevant to their working lives.
1% 'weren't aware that the elections were taking place'.
One wonders if that 1% knows that Clement Attlee is no longer the Prime Minister.
1. VetSurgeon Poll 6th May - 8th August 2011. 103 respondents.
A new animal welfare report by the PDSA has revealed that millions of pets are more aggressive, overweight and misunderstood than ever due to fundamental gaps in pet owners' animal welfare knowledge.
The PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) report, which captures the views of pet owners, the veterinary profession and children, reveals that 1.3 million dogs across the UK are displaying problem behaviour. It also highlights the consequences of an obesity epidemic affecting 18.5 million dogs, cats and rabbits, and draws attention to the 11.2 million pets not registered with a vet and therefore at risk of disease due to not being vaccinated or neutered.
The BVA is urging veterinary surgeons and nurses to read the report which identifies where owners are misinformed or unaware and highlights areas that everyone can work on with their clients to help achieve better wellbeing for pets.
Peter Jones, President of the BVA, said: "This is another excellent report from the PDSA offering real insight into clients' motivations. Understanding what drives owners' attitudes, as well as helping them to understand key health and welfare issues, should help us to clarify misconceptions in the consulting room and hopefully change behaviour at home.
"On the positive side, with pet obesity ever rising it is good to see that there is a slight increase in the proportion of owners starting to recognise obesity in their pets. This is, no doubt, in part due to the tireless work of charities like the PDSA and the veterinary profession as a whole.
"Sadly, despite most owners' awareness of the ill effect that bad nutrition has on their pet this has not led to them cutting out pet treats. The fact that few can identify a healthy body shape shows that much remains to be done.
"The section on preventive healthcare remains worrying with many owners seemingly not believing in the concepts of microchipping, neutering and vaccination. Vets have a real responsibility to help communicate these issues to the pet owning public for the benefit of both clients and their animals.
"The report very clearly identifies where owners are misinformed or unaware and highlights areas that vets in practice can work on with their clients to help achieve better wellbeing for pets.
"The report is very clearly laid out and well worth a read. We would encourage all vets to take a look and identify any new educational resources to promote in the practice, in newsletters and on websites in addition to the ones they already make available to clients. The AWF leaflets, the PDSA's own website, and the Education Alliance are all good starting points."
Click here for the report.
The new resources include the Equine Veterinary Journal’s (EVJ) publication of BEVA’s Primary Clinical Care Guidelines on wound management in horses together with BEVA’s first ever digital CPD course: 'How to Heal Wounds – a masterclass for vets and vet nurses'.
The new guidelines cover three key areas: wound lavage and topical treatments; wound debridement and closure and therapeutics for wound healing.
Sarah Freeman, who led the project, said: "These guidelines are aimed at the vast majority of our membership who are primary care practitioners. Topics covered are voted for by BEVA’s panel of specialists and represent a benchmark in time against the strength and weakness of evidence that support it."
The wound management guidelines follow BEVA’s recommendations on the safe use of analgesia in horses, which were published earlier this year.
BEVA’s new online course: 'How to Heal Wounds' is aimed at mixed and equine practitioners and veterinary nurses who encounter wounds in horses.
Led by Dr Patrick Pollock BVMS, PhD, CertES(Soft Tissue), DipECVS, FHEA, FRCVS along with teaching from leading names including Professor Derek Knottenbelt OBE, BVM&S, DVM&S, DipECEIM, MRCVS, Dr Dylan Gorvy BSc, BVSc, PhD, CertES(Soft Tissue), DipECVS, and Ms Georgie Hollis BSc it will provide key concepts of wound physiology and introduce new treatment ideas and modalities designed to optimise wound healing.
Tim Mair Chair from BEVA’s Education Committee said: “This course is an absolute masterclass for vets and vet nurses. It contains 12 on-demand recorded lectures, together with the opportunity to attend up to three live discussions with the speakers. The final live discussion will provide the opportunity for the delegates to trouble shoot with our speakers after being able to go and practice the skills and knowledge learnt on the course.”
The course will be available from August 2020. It will cost £65 for BEVA members (£130 for non-members), which includes access to course resources for up to a year – meaning if they can’t attend a live discussion, they can watch it later.
Photo: Dr G Quinn.
The two sets of guidance cover:
RCVS President Dr Mandisa Green said: “I would like to reassure my colleagues once again that we understand the extreme challenges and difficult decisions they are facing.
"The College has no interest in taking anyone to task for considered professional judgement, providing they act reasonably in the circumstances, can justify their actions and take reasonable notes.
"Sadly, we’re seeing the pandemic situation deteriorating again in the UK, but to varying degrees across the country. This presents a significant challenge in ensuring our guidance is clear and straightforward, while remaining relevant to as many people as possible.
"We sincerely hope this new guidance achieves that aim and supports veterinary professionals working to uphold animal health and welfare, while maintaining the safety of their teams and clients."
For more information, visit: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/coronavirus-covid-19/
Edited by Philip Lhermette, David Sobel and Elise Robertson, the BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Endoscopy and Endosurgery, Second Edition provides a guide for vets who want to practice minimally invasive techniques.
Seven videos have been added to Chapter 12, Rigid Endoscopy: Laparoscopy, which has been expanded to include more detailed step-by-step guidance on laparoscopic spays. The new videos show a laparoscopic ovariectomy in a bitch and a cat, a liver and a pancreatic biopsy in a cat, and cholecystocentesis in a cat.
Chapter 16, An Introduction to Laser Endosurgery also has a new video showing nasopharyngeal stenosis in a cat being treated with lateral laser resection and balloon dilation. The use of lasers improves the quality of surgical interventions and provides a valuable component for veterinary practices that are already making use of endoscopy and endosurgery.
Philip Lhermette said: "As a minimally invasive technique, endoscopy is an important diagnostic and surgical tool for clinicians. Our new videos provide valuable visual guidance to support the manual, helping our members to develop and revise their skillset using the most current techniques.”
You can watch the videos on the BSAVA library: https://www.bsavalibrary.com/content/book/10.22233/9781910443620
To buy a physical copy of the BSAVA Endoscopy Manual, visit: https://www.bsava.com/Shop/Veterinary-books#!prod/8fa461ab-3119-eb11-8100-005056be4acd/curr/GBP, or for a digital version, visit: https://www.bsavalibrary.com/content/book/10.22233/9781910443620.
The 2023 PAW Report will assess how lifestyle changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis have affected the nation’s pets.
The survey, which is open to vets, veterinary nurses and students, closes on 10th February 2023.
Entrants will be in with a chance of winning a £100 One4all voucher, accepted in over 130 high street stores.
Rebecca Ashman, PDSA’s Veterinary Engagement and Communication Manager said: “The PAW Report provides invaluable insight into key areas of pet wellbeing in the UK.
"Lifestyles had to adapt and change through the pandemic, and now as we navigate a cost of living crisis, this research is more vital than ever before.”
Rebecca added: “It takes less than 15 minutes to complete the survey, and by taking part you’ll be helping us maintain an accurate picture of the biggest welfare issues facing pets in the UK today.”
Survey: https://start.yougov.com/refer/vz7hC0lZ0d10nG
There are 10 candidates standing for the three available elected places on RCVS Council.
The candidates are:
The biographies and election statements for each candidate are available at www.rcvs.org.uk/vetvote23.
Ahead of the start of the election in mid-March, the RCVS is asking veterinary surgeons to email questions for candidates to: vetvote23@rcvs.org.uk in order to better understand them and their views.
You have until Friday 24 February 2023 to submit your question.
The voting period for RCVS Council opens on Monday 13th March and closes at 5pm on Friday 21 April 2023.