Elanco Companion Animal Health has launched Trifexis, an oral tablet to provide dogs with three-in-one protection against fleas, intestinal nematodes and heartworm.
Trifexis contains two active ingredients: spinosad, which is active against fleas, and milbemycin oxime, which is active against intestinal nematodes and heartworm.
Pointing to a survey which found that two out of three owners prefer administering medication in tablet form, Elanco says it is offering the prescription-only product in a beef-flavoured tablet format that delivers vet practices with an exclusive solution many pet owners would choose.2
Matthew Rowe, senior brand manager at Elanco Companion Animal Health said: "By combining spinosad with milbemycin oxime, Trifexis provides the fast speed of flea kill already experienced with Comfortis (killing 100% of fleas within four hours), but now with the added protection against the hidden danger of intestinal nematodes and heartworm disease; of specific concern for owners whose dogs travel to or from heartworm endemic areas."
Prof. Patrick Bourdeau, Dip ECVD-Dip EVPC, of the Veterinary School of Nantes (Oniris), France, added: "Until now, the treatment of intestinal nematodes has often been overlooked. Recent independent research shows that in Europe a majority of dogs (70%) are treated against fleas; whereas the year-round (and potentially zoonotic) threat of intestinal nematodes is commonly overlooked, with only 49% of dogs being treated.2 The benefit of Trifexis is that it aids treatment compliance against these important yet overlooked worms by providing a tablet format, combined with flea control."
In addition, Elanco highlights the fact that the tablet format satisfies a need for those owners who prefer the cleanliness and assured efficacy of tablet administration, have young children or pets in the home, dogs that swim or are bathed frequently or dogs with skin sensitivity or dermatological issues.
For further information about Elanco's new Trifexis three-in-one oral tablet treatment, contact your local Elanco Companion Animal Health key account manager or telephone 01256 353131.
References
The reasons are: above average increases in veterinary salaries, advances in veterinary medicine which mean practices can now offer ever more complex but expensive treatments, veterinary practices becoming more business-focused and now charging fair prices for services that they have in the past subsidised, and the cost of providing out-of-hours care.
One reason for the increase in veterinary salaries is the fact that historically veterinary surgeons and especially nurses have been relatively badly paid, although for vets that was always mitigated by the expectation of practice ownership later in their career, something which is no longer a realistic prospect for many.
Veterinary salaries have also been driven higher by the reduction in EU vets coming to work in the UK post-Brexit, although the report shows that UK trained vets and vets from the rest of the world are starting to pick up the slack.
The BVA report says it recognises that it is 'challenging' for clients to accept that rising bills are in part because of increased salaries, but they need to increase further still, pointing to the fact that NHS consultants earn around £100K per annum after four years, whilst vets earn around half that.
The submission also points to developments in veterinary medicine and technology which allow for far better standards of care, but which come at increased cost, notably in advanced imaging, dental work and laboratory services which increasingly involves specialist input.
The BVA also highlights the fact that veterinary practices have become more business savvy, especially since the 1997 decision by the RCVS to allow people and organisations other than veterinary surgeons to own practices.
With that came an influx of business skills and a prioritisation of financial considerations.
Lastly, the report points to the ongoing burden of providing out-of-hours care.
Unlike in most European countries, British vets must provide 24 hour emergency first aid and pain relief to animals, the costs of which have increased considerably as practices which used to provide the service in house at a loss, have increasingly opted to outsource it to veterinary service providers which charge commercially realistic prices.
The submission also discusses the cost of prescriptions, noting how important it is that veterinary practices are able to charge for the time and work it takes to issue a prescription, which despite an above-inflation increase, still only costs around £18.
Finally, the BVA addressed the issue of transparency over practice ownership, saying that whilst it is not aware of any data concerning whether pet owners select a practice based on its ownership, it nevertheless "supports the principle of improved transparency of ownership to help increase customer awareness and enable consumers to make an informed choice".
British Veterinary Association President Anna Judson said: “In our submission to the CMA, we have explained the complex challenges facing the profession, alongside highlighting the value of veterinary care.
"The CMA’s review will provide valuable insights, but it is essential that any recommendations are informed with full knowledge and understanding of today’s veterinary landscape and the pressures the profession is operating under, including workforce shortages.”
COMMENT
In all, the submission seems a detailed and fair representation of the reasons for increasing veterinary costs, although there is no mention of the impact of the increasing regulatory burden (such as the cascade), other than, ironically, the need for more regulation at a practice level, as well as of individuals.
It will be very interesting to see what the Competition and Market Authority concludes.
After all, there is no reason whatsoever why veterinary practices shouldn't charge a price which reflects the costs of providing the service, or that veterinary professionals should not be paid reasonably for their knowledge, skills and experience.
The problem is that as the industry has started to charge a commercially viable rate for an increasingly higher standard of more advanced care, so the true cost of providing that care has become clear.
Maybe the industry is in danger of trying to sell a Rolls Royce service to marketplace of people who either can't afford or don't want to spend more than the cost of a Ford Focus.
If that is true, the only logical conclusion is that either society will have to accept that pet ownership is a luxury for a smaller group of people who can afford it, or the industry will have to adapt its offering, in other words offer a lower level of cheaper care in order that more people can experience the joys of pet ownership.
The latter of those will be ideologically challenging for a profession bound by its oath that "my constant endeavour will be to ensure the health and welfare of animals committed to my care", not to mention pet owners who often want the best that the profession can offer, despite not always having the wherewithal to pay for it.
https://www.bva.co.uk/media/5459/submission-to-cma-oct-2023.pdf
There were two charges against Mr Staton, the first being that he failed to comply with eight requests from the RCVS sent by letter between November 2014 and August 2017 in relation to his continuing professional development (CPD) records.
The second charge was that between 1st January 2012 and 7th November 2017 he failed to have professional indemnity insurance or equivalent arrangements in place.
Mr Staton’s request to adjourn the hearing and agree undertakings was not opposed by the RCVS. The Committee had regard to advice of the Legal Assessor and submissions from both counsel for the RCVS and legal advisor for Mr Staton. In accepting Mr Staton’s request for adjournment and his undertakings no admissions have been made in respect of the charges against him.
In deciding whether to accept the adjournment and undertakings, the Committee was asked to consider a number of factors including Mr Staton’s age and health, his unblemished career of more than 50 years, the fact that he had closed his practice and retired from clinical practice on 31 March 2018 and that he had no intention of practising as a veterinary surgeon again. For those reasons the Committee felt it would be disproportionate to take Mr Staton through a full hearing.
Ian Green, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "In coming to this decision the Committee considered the respondent’s application to adjourn this inquiry in the light of the evidence he adduced. It had regard to the interests of justice, the public interest in ensuring high standards are maintained by veterinary surgeons and the need to ensure the protection of animals and their welfare."
Should Mr Staton seek to apply to rejoin the Register then the proceedings will become active again and a Disciplinary Committee hearing will be scheduled.
Mr Makepeace faced five charges.
The first charge was that in 2022 Mr Makepeace was convicted at Scarborough Magistrates Court of assaulting by beating his ex-partner.
He was sentenced to a community order and a curfew order and was ordered to pay a £95 surcharge and £85 in costs.
It was alleged that the conviction rendered him unfit to practise as a veterinary surgeon.
The second was that in August 2022, Mr Makepeace submitted a character reference which purported to have been written by his ex-partner saying that they "still live happily together", when this was untrue. It was also alleged that the reference purported to have been signed by Mr Makepeace's ex-partner when he knew that was not the case.
The third charge alleged that Mr Makepeace had sent WhatsApp messages to his ex-partner which were offensive, insulting, abusive, threatening and/or intimidating.
The fourth charge was that was a repetition of the second.
The fifth and final charge was that in relation to charges 2 and 4, that Mr Makepeace’s conduct was misleading and/or dishonest; and that it is alleged that in relation to charges 2,3,4 and/or 5, whether individually or in any combination, that Mr Makepeace was guilty of disgraceful conduct in a professional respect.
The first charge was proven by virtue of a certified copy of the memorandum of an entry in the Magistrates’ Court register.
Mr Makepeace also admitted the facts of all the other charges, meaning they were found proven by admission.
In terms of the conviction, the Committee assessed the incident to be serious – the assault was prolonged, involved strangulation and biting which led to physical injuries, and involved a pursuit.
This was found by the Committee to bring the reputation of the profession into disrepute.
The Committee therefore found that the conviction rendered Mr Makepeace unfit to practise.
With regard to the remaining charges, the Committee found Mr Makepeace’s behaviour serious, saying that it showed a blatant and wilful disregard of the role of the RCVS and the systems that regulate the veterinary profession, and that his actions were intended to dishonestly subvert that process.
The Committee considered that his actions fell sufficiently below the standards expected in terms of honesty and integrity, as well as in terms of the behaviour expected of a registered professional.
All this constituted disgraceful conduct in a professional respect.
When making a decision on the appropriate sanction, the Committee took into account evidence from Mr Makepeace, two character witnesses, and a document bundle including evidence of training, continuing professional development (CPD) and other testimonials.
Aggravating factors taken into account were:
Mitigating factors taken into account were that Mr Makepeace made full admissions at the start of the hearing; he expressed remorse; was shown to be of previous good character; that there had been a significant lapse of time since his conviction; he had made subsequent efforts to avoid repetition of the behaviour which led to the conviction; the financial impact upon Mr Makepeace if he was prevented from being able to practise; and the testimonials.
Neil Slater, Chair of the Disciplinary Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee’s view was that the demands of the public interest in this case were high, and in light of all of the circumstances, removal from the register was the only means of upholding the wider public interest, which includes the need to uphold proper standards of conduct and performance, and to maintain confidence in the profession and its regulation.
“The Committee therefore decided to direct that the respondent should be removed from the Register.
"In coming to this decision, the Committee carefully applied the principle of proportionality and took into account the impact of such a sanction on the respondent’s ability to practise his profession, as well as the financial impact upon him, taking into account his evidence in this regard.
“However, the Committee determined that the need to uphold the wider public interest outweighed the respondent’s interests in this respect.
"In light of the gravity of the conduct, and all of the factors taken into account, any lesser sanction would lack deterrent effect and would undermine public confidence in the profession and the regulatory process.
"Removal was the only appropriate and proportionate sanction.”
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/concerns/disciplinary-hearings
Centaur Services' veterinary wholesale business has been acquired by AHN International. Centaur was founded in 1964 by a group of veterinary surgeons who wanted to increase their buying power and the range of products available to them. Over the next 44 years the business, which was owned by its veterinary surgeon shareholders, grew to a turnover of nearly £140m. The company has recently completed a 3 year programme of modernisation making it one of the most technologically advanced wholesalers in Europe. In September 2007, Centaur Services announced its intention to list its shares on the Alternative Investments Market (AIM). These plans were initially postponed and finally cancelled when the Centaur shareholders accepted the offer from AHN. Paul Gerring, Centaur Services' Managing Director said: "There has been considerable consolidation in the veterinary market over recent years, particularly amongst manufacturers, and this partnership with AHN provides us with an increased presence in the market. Like Centaur, AHN is a vet-focussed business with plans to be active in the veterinary supply market on a European and global basis. We see plenty of exciting opportunities out there". AHN International was established to form the first global coalition of leading animal health wholesalers and distributors. With nearly 700 employees worldwide, AHN International is committed to presenting the veterinary surgeons with an advanced level of product and services. Headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, AHN International will actively build it's network of leading trading companies around the world through acquisitions and business associations.
Cosacthen contains 0.25 mg/ml of tetracosactide which had only previously been available as human-registered or compounded veterinary ‘special’ preparations meaning availability and cost could be unpredictable.
Tetracosactide is used in the ACTH stimulation test to assess the adrenocortical function of patients with endocrine diseases, such as Cushing’s and Addison’s.
Dechra Brand Manager Claire Morgan said: “As experts in endocrinology, we recognise that the testing involved in adrenal conditions can be a costly process for pet owners, which can mean that some cases don’t progress to treatment or have their treatment optimised.
"The launch of Cosacthen gives veterinary surgeons the reassurance associated with a veterinary licensed medicine. As these cases can appear on an irregular basis, Cosacthen is ideal to keep in the practice ready for when a case is presented making it a cost-effective solution that can help offset the cost for owners of long-term treatment of adrenal conditions."
Cosacthen is available in 1 ml single-use vials.
For more information visit www.dechra.co.uk/cosacthen.
Hill's Pet Nutrition has enhanced its portfolio of prescription diets for the management of FLUTD with the launch of Feline c/d Multicare Reduced Calorie and a 'taste upgrade' for Feline c/d Multicare.
Prescription Diet Feline c/d Multicare Reduced Calorie is a new dry product designed to manage the higher incidence of FLUTD in overweight cats (FLUTD is 49% more prevalent in overweight and obese cats2). According to Hill's, the controlled fat and calorie levels in c/d Multicare Reduced Calorie and clinically proven levels of L-carnitine help to reduce fat build up and maintain lean muscles mass. Like c/d Multicare, its formula also dissolves sterile struvite uroliths in 14 days1.
Hill's says Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Reduced Calorie is formulated with omega-3 fatty acids to reduce the distress and discomfort associated with conditions such as FIC (Feline Idiopathic Cystitis); in addition obesity has been associated with systemic inflammation3 for which omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial4,5.
Prescription Diet Feline c/d Multicare Chicken dry kibble has had its taste improved; Hill's says studies show it is now preferred over the leading competitor's brand by a wide margin6. Apparently, the improvement in flavour is partly down to the new shape of the kibble.
Lastly, Hill's is highlighting a prospective study by MacLeay et al, the preliminary results of which were reported at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum in May 2010. In the study, cats with uroliths suspected to be struvite (based on radiographic appearance) were fed Prescription Diet Feline c/d Multicare and rapid dissolution of the stones occurred in as little as two weeks.
MSD's push is being driven by the rising number of cases of Leishmaniasis cases in the UK, including the first report earlier this year of dog-to-dog transmission of the disease.
Caroline Darouj, Product Manager at MSD Animal Health said: "Whilst accurate statistics on the number of cases seen in UK practices are not available, the VMD has reported an annual increase in the number of leishmaniasis treatments imported since records started in 2006.
"Based on applications for Special Import Certificates for Milteforan and Glucantime, there were 27 times as many cases treated in 2018 (439) compared to 2006 (16)*.
"Leishmaniasis is proving to be a significant threat to travelling dogs, a situation that has been widely reported in the vet press, so LetiFend will offer veterinary practices and dog owners throughout the UK reassurance. A single dose primary course given four weeks before travel makes it ideal for non-regular travelers."
Letifend is indicated to reduce the risk of developing active infection and/or clinical disease after exposure to L. infantum from 28 days post vaccination1,2. It offers protection for 365 days after a single annual dose. The company says it has excellent tolerability shown in a wide range of breeds and ages, and in field trials in areas at high risk of infection had an efficacy rate of 72%4.
LetiFend is a non-adjuvanted vaccine which MSD says ensures a targeted immune response with a high level of safety.
MSD says a dog vaccinated with LetiFend is at 9.8 times less risk of presenting clinical signs, at 3.5 times less risk of presenting parasites, and thus at 5 times less risk of developing clinical leishmaniasis1. It can be applied from six months of age via subcutaneous administration.
For further information contact your MSD Animal Health account manager.
*Information from VMD following a Freedom of Information Act request.
The support pack features information on the role anaesthetic induction agents can play in the maintenance of anaesthesia to help veterinary surgeons provide appropriate care for their patients.
The pack includes a user guide to achieving the best outcome when using Alfaxan for the induction and maintenance of anaesthesia, a summary of peer-reviewed key clinical papers on the use of Alfaxan and how it can be used for the maintenance of anaesthesia, an article discussing the use of intravenous agents to maintain anaesthesia in the dog and cat, frequently asked questions and an Alfaxan dosage chart for CRI (Constant Rate Infusion) and intermittent bolus.
To download the pack, visit www.alfaxan.co.uk.
Richard Beckwith, country manager for Jurox (UK) Ltd. said: "We have received a significant increase in enquiries following the isoflurane supply issues.
"The new support pack will provide veterinary professionals with comprehensive information on Alfaxan to help practices develop options in providing appropriate anaesthesia for patients."
For more information, call Jurox customer services on 0800 500 3171, or e-mail: info@jurox.co.uk.
Sue qualified from Cambridge in 1984 and then spent time in mixed practice in Devon before taking her Certificate and then British and European Diplomas in Veterinary Dermatology.
Sue has been an RCVS and European Specialist for more than 20 years. She has recently been elected as a Fellow of the RCVS for meritorious contributions to clinical practice, is an elected member of the RCVS Council and is the Senior Vice President of the European Society of Veterinary Dermatology.
Sue is the Veterinary Director of two companies: Veterinary Dermatological Ltd, a manufacturer of a range of veterinary dermatology supplements, and Virtual Vet Derms, a veterinary telemedicine company. She has published seven text books as well as writing numerous peer reviewed articles and contributing chapters to both small animal and equine text books. She lectures extensively in Europe and America.
During her Presidency, Sue intends to consolidate everything she believes to be great about the Association. She said: "BSAVA has just completed a three-year strategic plan and my Presidency is going to be all about driving this forward. There are so many new initiatives in the pipeline I can’t wait to get started. I am looking forward to working with my dynamic teams of BSAVA officers and our amazing Woodrow House staff to show just how great BSAVA really is."
Professor Ian Ramsey becomes Vice President.
Merial has announced that its canine NSAID, Previcox, is now now uniquely licensed for the relief of pain and inflammation associated with dental surgery in dogs.
According to the company, an estimated 70% of dogs over 2 years of age may have some degree of periodontal disease1, and painful extraction of teeth is often necessary for the successful management of this condition.
Merial says that Previcox has been demonstrated to control the pain associated with dental surgery, in a double-blinded, controlled trial2 in which dogs underwent maxillary canine tooth extraction. The results showed that Previcox treatment significantly reduced pain scores post dental surgery, making it the only NSAID with a specific claim for relief of post-operative dental pain. Results of physical examination and blood testing also confirmed the peri-operative safety profile of Previcox, with no treatment-related adverse effects noted during the trial.
To find out more, contact your Merial Territory Manager on 0870 6000 123. For more information about Previcox visit www.previcoxfordogs.co.uk
1 Wiggs RB and Lobprise HB. Periodontology. In: Veterinary Dentistry, Principles and Practice. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven; 1997. p1872 Merial Internal data PR&D0116401.
The webinar, which will be streamed live at 8pm on Wednesday 20th November and will be available to watch for six months thereafter, is being presented by James Husband, an RCVS Specialist in cattle health & production.
Topics will include oxidative stress, its impact on cattle performance and the role of trace minerals in immunity and cattle health. The webinar will also cover the current complexities of oral supplementation including absorption and mineral antagonism, along with offering information about the latest innovation to boost trace mineral availability during high demand periods in the production and breeding life cycle.
To register for the webinar, visit: https://www.thewebinarvet.com/pages/register-free-role-trace-minerals-cattle-health-performance-new-veterinary-approach-boost-trace-mineral-availability/
All vets who view the webinar, either live or as a recording on the website, will be able to download a CPD certificate.
Neptra has been approved for the treatment of acute canine otitis externa or acute exacerbations of recurrent otitis caused by mixed infections of susceptible strains of bacteria sensitive to florfenicol (Staphylococcus pseudintermedius) and fungi sensitive to terbinafine (Malassezia pachydermatis), by the European Commission.
Mario Andreoli, Head of Marketing at Bayer Animal Health, said: "Otitis externa is a common disease in dogs and a leading cause why owners take their dog to a veterinarian.
"Neptra offers a key advantage, unlike competing products, it requires just one dose, administered by the veterinarian in the practice."
No at-home applications by the dog owner are required. The treatment stays in the hands of the vet who has full control over compliance.
Mario added: "With Neptra we provide a high-quality veterinary treatment that is convenient for the dog owner and ensures the well-being of dogs with a proper, effective application."
VetSurgeon understands the new product will be available in the UK in January 2020.
Hill's says the new diet, which has been through three clinical trials over four years, contains nutrients to help strengthen the skin's natural barrier against environmental allergens and the Histaguard complex with bioactives and phytonutrients to help manage a dog's response to environmental allergens.
Prescription Diet Derm Complete also uses egg as its single intact animal protein source, which Hill's says avoids 96% of adverse food reactions1 and has shown the ability to dampen the inflammatory response in dogs and reduce itching.
Hill's says the new diet represents a real breakthrough, both because it simplifies treatment and because it's the first dietetic food for both adverse food reactions and environmental sensitivities.
Michael Unsworth, Hill’s Vet Affairs Manager, UK & Republic of Ireland said: "Supporting patients with skin sensitivities can be extremely challenging. Not only is it uncomfortable for the pet themselves, but it can cause a lot of distress for owners who just want to give their dogs a happy and healthy life. There can be a lot of pressure to find a quick, effective and affordable solution.
"Our new Prescription Diet Derm Complete is truly a ground-breaking product; the result of years of trials and clinical studies that has seen visible skin healing in dogs with AFR in as little as 21 days2 and not a single dog showing signs of recurrence after using the product.
"We’re thrilled to introduce this innovative, life-changing product to the market, to the benefit of dogs, dog-owners – and of course veterinary professionals - everywhere."
Accompanying the launch, there's a free webinar taking place at 7.30pm on Tuesday 23 February (tomorrow) for veterinary surgeons in which Sarah Warren BVetMed MSc (Clin. Onc.) CertVD MRCVS will look at the complex nature of canine allergic skin disease and the importance of individualised treatment plans. To register, visit: https://www.veterinarywebinars.com/hills/canine-dermatitis-hills/
For more information about Prescription Diet Derm Complete, contact your Hill’s representative.
Reference
Veterinary surgeons are being advised against taking a heavy handed approach to hyperthyroidism by key opinion leaders, including Professor Danielle Gunn-Moore, a Specialist in Feline Medicine at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh.
Professor Gunn-Moore said: "Hyperthyroidism is not a condition that develops suddenly. It is a slowly progressive disease. The cat's body adapts to being hyperthyroid over a relatively long period of time. That is why it is best to return it to a euthyroid state in a controlled manner, rather than trying to crash the thyroxine concentration back down to normal as quickly as possible. Too fast a fall in thyroxine concentration can significantly exacerbate renal compromise and may cause serious harm.
"My recommendation is that you should start with a low dose of anti-thyroid medication and increase it if needed, after assessing the initial response to treatment. Any increase should be made in the smallest increments possible."
Dechra Veterinary Products - makers of Felimazole, the first medical treatment licensed in Europe for feline hyperthyroidism - is inviting vets to stand 700/701 at the BSAVA Congress to find out more about the latest thinking and new research which shows that treatment of hyperthyroid cats can result in iatrogenic hypothyroidism, that hyperthyroid cats are significantly more likely to develop azotaemia than euthyroid cats, and that hypothyroid cats that developed azotaemia have significantly shorter survival times.1
Further information on Felimazole is available by calling 01939 211 200 or visiting http://www.dechra.com/
References:1. Williams, T. et al (2010) JVIM 24: 1086-1092
Vetoquinol has announced the launch of Rubenal®, a new product for use in renal health management for dogs and cats.
Normal kidney function is dependent upon normal nephron and interstitial tissue structure. When the balance of renal health is tipped, this structure can change and fibrous tissue can accumulate.
Simon Boulton, Rubenal®'s product manager said: "Rubenal® is the first palatable veterinary formulation of Rheum officinale available for use in both dogs and cats. It can be used as an aid to the maintenance of the normal renal fibrotic architecture."
The company has also produced a new guide to the management of chronic renal failure in dogs and cats: Chronic Kidney Disease: Addressing quality of life and life expectancy.
Simon said: "Vetoquinol is dedicated to supporting renal health and the guide is designed to illustrate factors which can affect both quality and quantity of life, including hyperphosphataemia, hypertension, proteinuria, azotaemia and fibrosis in renal disease."
The booklet contains guidelines on the appropriate management of these factors including a wall chart reference guide.
For more information about Rubenal, or a free copy of the guide, please contact your Vetoquinol representative or telephone 0800 1698197.
For the studies, the owners of 68 dogs treated with Librela and 44 cats treated with Solensia answered 22 questions in the case of dogs and 20 questions in the case of cats on VetMetrica, a digital HRQL instrument.
With a scale of 0-6, cats were rated on vitality, comfort and emotional wellbeing, and dogs on energetic/enthusiastic, happy/content, active/comfortable and calm/relaxed, over a period of 70 days.
The studies concluded that both Librela and Solensia produced a significant improvement in HRQL within 14 days of initial treatment, which was the first time the QOL impact was measured.
The improvement was maintained for the duration of the study.
Jacky Reid, BVMS PhD DVA, CEO of NewMetrica, now part of Zoetis, said: “Assessing and understanding how OA-related pain impacts emotional and physical well-being in particular circumstances, broadens the perspective in relation to pain management.
“HRQL measurements are not generally implemented in veterinary science at this time, so it’s exciting to see how it’s proving effective at adding value to existing functional measures.
"Particularly, helping us understand how pain management impacts the physical and emotional wellbeing of animals and will ultimately boost pet owner confidence.”
Oya Canbas, Zoetis UK General Manager, explained: “With an ever-growing bond between humans and animals, and pets leading longer lives, pet owners are more motivated than ever to support their pet’s wellbeing.
"However, not all are aware of the negative impacts of chronic disease, with signs of OA pain often mistaken as ‘normal’ signs of aging.
"This is why we need to increase awareness, to tackle under-diagnosis of OA pain.
"Common medications used to treat cases of OA pain that are diagnosed are often Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
"While effective, these can have limitations, such as for middle aged to senior pets which have other diseases, requiring multiple medications.
"Some will not tolerate NSAIDs, and not all pets respond to NSAID therapy.
"So, expanding prescription choices is a privilege.”
The award, which is sponsored by Zoetis, was given online this year at an event hosted by sports television presenter Mark Durden-Smith and Chloe Ryan, the editor of Poultry Business.
William was brought up on a sheep farm in Nottinghamshire and as a youngster bred rare breed poultry, selling eggs to local people in the village. He graduated at Nottingham University, did a poultry internship with a practice in the North West and worked there initially. Four years ago, he set up his own practice Avivets, at High Legh in Cheshire, dedicated to the poultry and game bird sector. He guest lectures at the Universities of Nottingham and Surrey and is an official veterinarian for avian exports. He sits on the RSPCA’s technical standards advisory board and was recently appointed veterinary advisor for the NFU poultry board.
Chloe Ryan said he had impressed the judges ‘with his enthusiasm for poultry veterinary knowledge and entrepreneurship. He has shown an excellent level of dedication, enriching his experience and qualifications through continuous professional development to farms and flocks as evidenced by glowing praise from a long list of clients.’
Lucy Berriman, Zoetis UK poultry national account manager, said: “Zoetis is proud to be sponsors of this new award for the industry’s poultry vets.
"It gives hardworking individuals the chance to shine and illustrate their commitment to the poultry industry. Congratulations to Will for this fabulous achievement, and well done to the other two finalists."
The other finalists were Helena Brewer, who joined the Poultry Health Services team at Sheriff Hutton, near York, after studying at the Royal (Dick) School at Edinburgh and the Royal Veterinary College, and Henry Lamb, who has worked at Crowshall Veterinary Services in Norfolk since graduating at the Royal Veterinary College.
Mark, an Advanced Practitioner in Zoological Medicine, is well known in the profession, having lectured in the UK and internationally, as well as having numerous articles on exotic topics published in peer reviewed veterinary journals.
Mark said: “I’m really pleased to be joining Pennard Vets, which has seven sites across Kent, and is owned by its employees, which made it a particularly attractive place to join, as I now also own a stake in the business and can help shape the future of it. I can’t wait to meet our clients and their pets and hope to make a real difference to their lives.”
Andy Green, Director at Pennard Vets, said: “Mark is the most qualified vet in the South East of England working in exotics, and we are delighted he is bringing so much experience to Pennard Vets.
"We hope to become the go-to practice for all exotic pets in the South-East and believe that our new and existing clients will all benefit from Mark’s unique and thoughtful approach to veterinary care.”
www.pennardvets.com
The new bottle size will last approximately 100 days when treating an average sized cat of 4 kg.
Amy Scott, brand manager for Semintra said: "The new 100 ml bottle size will ensure that Semintra is even more convenient for owners, whilst facilitating long-term compliance that fits in well with recommended recheck intervals for CKD."
Cats with CKD have an overactive renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), which can lead to proteinuria and further progression of kidney disease. Semintra contains the active ingredient telmisartan – the only angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) licensed for use in veterinary medicine. Boehringer says it provides targeted, long-lasting suppression of the RAAS1.
Semintra is a once daily oral liquid. Now available in both 30 ml and 100 ml bottle sizes, it has a six month shelf life after opening.
For further information on Semintra visit www.boehringer-academy.co.uk or contact your local Boehringer Ingelheim territory manager.
The charge against Dr Irvine was that in July 2017, he failed to discuss with the owners alternative treatment options to dental surgery under general anaesthetic, or the risks of dental surgery under general anaesthetic, and failed to obtain informed consent from the owners for the surgery.
Dr Vasilev was also originally charged with failing to discuss alternative treatment options or the risks of the surgery and failing to obtain informed consent. However, at the outset of the hearing, as a result of new information which came to light, the RCVS opted to offer no evidence in relation to these charges. Mr Vasilev was separately charged with failing to maintain clear, accurate and detailed clinical records in relation to his treatment of the dog.
At the outset of the hearing, Mr Irvine denied all aspects of the charge against him; while Dr Vasilev admitted all aspects of the remaining charge.
The Committee heard how Rupert's dental surgery under general anaesthetic was recommended by Mr Irvine on 10th July and performed by Dr Vasilev on 11th July 2017. After the surgery, Rupert was discharged, but vomited in his sleep that same night. He was brought back to the practice on 12th July, where Dr Vasilev administered antiemetic and antibiotic medication.
However, Rupert continued to vomit over the next five days, and was seen by the practice on 17th July and then on 18th when blood tests were conducted. Rupert’s condition deteriorated as he continued to vomit and lose weight and he was brought back to the practice on 22nd July where he was euthanased by Dr Vasilev.
The Committee heard evidence from Rupert’s owners as well as two expert witnesses. It found the first aspect of the charge against Mr Irvine proven on the basis that there was an inadequate discussion with the owners regarding the option of delaying the dental treatment on Rupert because of his recent ascites caused by congestive heart failure.
The Committee found the second aspect of the charge against Mr Irvine proven on the basis that he had not discussed the risks of Rupert undergoing general anaesthetic given the recent diagnosis of congestive heart failure, following which (in relation to the third aspect of the charge against Mr Irvine), it was therefore found proven that he had failed to gain informed consent.
With all aspects of the charge against Mr Irvine being proven, and with Dr Vasilev admitting the charge against him, the Committee went on to consider if the proven and admitted charges against both amounted to serious professional misconduct.
In respect of Mr Irvine, Stuart Drummond, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "The Committee was not persuaded that the failure to obtain informed consent from [the owner] and discuss matters further with her on 10th July 2017 in the circumstances of this case would amount to serious professional misconduct which would bring the profession into disrepute.
"In the Committee’s judgment, the breach of standards, whilst amounting to professional misconduct, was not serious professional misconduct, in the context of other discussions which had taken place…. The Committee further decided that a finding of serious professional misconduct in this case would be disproportionate having taken into consideration the discussions that Mr Irvine had with [the owner] prior to 10th July 2017 and the fact he was dealing with a complex and changing case.
"The Committee therefore found that Mr Irvine was not guilty of disgraceful conduct in a professional respect."
The Committee noted that Dr Vasilev had admitted breaching the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons in respect of failing to keep adequate clinical and client records.
However, in mitigation, the Committee considered a number of factors including that, in failing to maintain adequate notes related to Rupert’s treatment, Dr Vasilev had followed the standard of notetaking in the practice as set out by Mr Irvine who was practice principal; that Dr Vasilev had only worked with Mr Irvine in the UK and his record-keeping was limited to working in one practice; that Dr Vasilev admitted his failures at an early stage of the proceedings; that he had made efforts to avoid repetition in the future by undertaking webinars and research; and, that he had shown insight into the need to ensure full communication and detailed note-taking.
Stuart Drummond added: "In relation to Dr Vasilev, the Committee was satisfied that [his] standard of record-keeping was in breach of the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons and that the breach… amounted to professional misconduct.
"The Committee concluded that the breaches overall, when considering the context and number of mitigating factors, were, in the Committee’s view, insufficient to amount to serious professional misconduct…. Accordingly it found Dr Vasilev not guilty of disgraceful conduct in a professional respect."
The full facts and findings from the case can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary.
The affected batches are: IsoFlo 250 ml 58006XN, 60003XN, 59005XN, 60006XN, 61001XN, 60016XN, 60017XN, 61018XN, 61015XN, 61016XN, 61017XN, 6062216, 6062225, 6062226, 6062217, 6063738 and Isothesia 250ml 6062335, 6063318.
Manufacturer Zoetis says there were a small number of reports of veterinary surgeons having difficulty in re-sealing the bottles after initial opening as the thread on the screw cap had not been fully formed. This defect does not impact the safety and efficacy of the product for animal use but the concern was related to potential evaporation from opened bottles which did not re-seal fully when closed.
Veterinary surgeons are asked to return any unopened bottles to the wholesaler and dispose of any opened bottles in the usual way. They will be fully reimbursed for the stock.
Zoetis says it has already addressed this packaging issue at the manufacturing site so that new batches of the product are unaffected.
Practices requiring further information on the matter should call Zoetis Technical Services on 0845 300 8034.
The company says that CircoMax Myco offers the longest lasting combined protection on the EU market against PCV2 and M. hyopneumoniae pathogens. This reduces the PCV2 viral load in blood and lymphoid tissues, PCV2 fecal shedding, lymphoid tissue lesions associated with PCV2 infection, and lung lesions associated with M. hyopneumoniae infections.
Pig protection was demonstrated against porcine circovirus genotypes 2a, 2b and 2d and lasts for at least 23 weeks after vaccination in fattening pigs for both PCV2 and M. hyopneumoniae.
Monica Balasch, Director, Global Biologicals Development at Zoetis, said: "Porcine circovirus type 2 has demonstrated high mutation and recombination rates and is known to be rapidly evolving in Europe and worldwide. Commercial PCV2 vaccines have been efficacious in controlling the clinical disease, but there is a growing genetic gap between field viruses and vaccines. So far, all vaccines in Europe have been based on one single genotype, PCV2a, while today the most prevalent viruses found belong to other genotypes: PCV2b and especially PCV2d.
“We believe that there is a need for new vaccines, like CircoMax Myco which includes two PCV2 genotypes for a broader coverage. We found excellent results showing reduction of body weight gain losses in field trials in the EU. This innovative one-dose vaccine is a new tool for veterinarians and producers that may improve their PCV2 and M. hyopneumoniae control programs, especially in the face of multi-genotype PCV2 infections.”
Alvaro Aldaz, Director, Global Commercial Development, Swine, Zoetis, said: "For many years, intensive vaccination has contributed to selective pressure and emergence of new PCV2 genotypes. European pig farms are often infected with more than one genotype and subclinical disease is frequent. Commercial vaccines are all based on PCV2a genotype while CircoMax Myco is the first vaccine that includes two PCV2 genotypes (a & b), and the inventive M. hyopneumoniae purified fraction. It is formulated with MetaStim for active immunization, resulting in 23 weeks of protection against these threats."
CircoMax Myco contains inactivated recombinant chimeric porcine circovirus type 1 containing the porcine circovirus type 2a open reading frame 2 (ORF2) protein, inactivated recombinant chimeric porcine circovirus type 1 containing the porcine circovirus type 2b ORF2 protein and inactivated Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, strain P-5722-3.
VetSurgeon member Alex Gough MRCVS, Head of Medicine Referrals at Bath Veterinary Referrals, has published his second historical thriller, Bandits of Rome, available for pre-order now in paperback (£7.99) or Kindle (£1.99) from Amazon.
The book picks up the story of Gaius Valerius Carbo as he leaves Rome with his family for the Italian countryside, only to be set upon by masked bandits.
Alex's first thriller, Watchmen of Rome, went to the top of the Amazon bestseller charts and has achieved reader reviews of an average 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Apparently the more people that pre-order the book before the 26th August, the higher it'll go up the charts. So if this sounds like it could be up your street, buy it today and you'll give a colleague a helping hand up the ladder at the same time.
Vetswap was set up by Luke Ramsden and Euan McKee MsRCVS, two globe-trotting veterinary surgeons who saw the opportunity for colleagues in the profession to combine work and travel without losing the security of their long-term job.
As part of the partnership, VetSurgeon Jobs now includes a dedicated section for VetSwap which contains a link to job swap opportunities posted by the company.
VetSurgeon.org Editor Arlo Guthrie said: "Job swapping sounds like a great way to get a fresh-perspective and gain some CPD, not to mention a holiday in the sun.
"VetSwap is a natural fit with VetSurgeon Jobs, broadening the range of opportunities we can offer.
"On top of that, VetSurgeon.org exists to support veterinary surgeons, so when Euan and Luke contacted me, I was only too pleased to do what I can to try and give them a leg up."
VetSwap is now running a competition to win £200 worth of Amazon vouchers and a free VetSwap. All you have to do is visit their Facebook page and share this post with a colleague: https://www.facebook.com/VetSwapTM/videos/1881120178807211/