Virbac Animal Health is launching an initiative to highlight the prevalence of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), a condition suffered by more than 80% of entire male dogs over the age of five1.
The campaign will take place during November - or 'Movember' as it's called by the thousands of men who grow moustaches during the month to raise funds for male prostate and testicular cancer. Virbac says it hopes the campaign will remind dog owners that men are not the only ones to suffer from prostate disorders.
As part of the campaign, the company will be providing participating practices with promotional materials including free dog leads, owner educational and display materials, a press release for local media and practice educational materials.
Chris Geddes MRCVS, Virbac Product Manager, said: "It's estimated that 20% of the country's eight million dogs remain uncastrated throughout their lives. As dogs age, their prostates enlarge, eventually causing symptoms including constipation, lameness and difficulties in urination. However, most of the time clinical signs are absent or vague so diagnosing BPH can be a challenge."
According to Virbac, the traditional rectal examination technique can be an ordeal for both dog and clinician. It's also sometimes inaccurate even in experienced hands and is impossible in very small or large breeds. As a solution, the company has recently introduced Odelis CPSE, the first ELISA test to screen for, diagnose and monitor BPH, available from three UK diagnostic laboratories. The company says it's a cost-effective, precise and reliable alternative to rectal palpation. Virbac also offers Ypozane, a simple tablet treatment for BPH, which takes effect within a week and lasts for six months.
Chris added: "BPH is a serious threat to the health of entire dogs as they get older but owners are often unaware of the potentially serious health problems it can cause if left untreated.
"We hope that, by running our Prostate Awareness Campaign at a time when the media spotlight is already on the dangers of prostate cancer in men, we can help spread the message that owners should also be monitoring older dogs for signs of prostate disease.
"We're providing practices with all the materials they need to promote the campaign in their locality and hope that those getting involved will find it effective in terms of bringing dog-owning clients into the practice for advice on BPH."
For further information on the Prostate Awareness Campaign and to get your free pack please contact your Virbac Territory Manager or contact the company direct on 01359 243243.
Reference1. O'Shea J.D. Studies on the canine prostate gland: Factors influencing its size and weight. J. Comp. Pathol. 1962 72: 321-331.
Sarah, who is one of twelve recognised Specialists in feline medicine working in the UK, will advise and explore the tell-tale signs of feline diabetes mellitus and how the condition is best managed.
Royal Canin says diabetes mellitus is estimated to affect around 1 in 200 cats and is the second most common endocrinopathy after hyperthyroidism. Risk factors can include gender and neuter status, lifestyle and medication history and most relevant today, obesity.
Sarah said: "The prevalence of feline diabetes mellitus is thought to be on the increase and diagnosis can be made more challenging by the stress hyperglycaemia phenomenon that cats are vulnerable to.
"By exploring and dissecting successful strategies and ways in which diabetic remission can be achieved, this webinar will hopefully assist veterinary professionals how to diagnose and manage effectively with great end results for both owner and cat."
To register for the webinar, visit: https://vetportal.royalcanin.co.uk/cpd/webinar/
The hour-long webinar will be held on Tuesday 18th May from 7.30pm.
Chris is a European and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Equine Dentistry and the founding Director of the Equine Dental Clinic Ltd. Nicole is a European, American and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Equine Dentistry and is a co-director of the Equine Dental Clinic.
Chris and Nicole (pictured right) will discuss key points for examination, diagnostics and treatment, including:
Zoetis Equine Product Manager, Penny McCann said: "Chris Pearce and Nicole du Toit are known worldwide for their consulting, training, educating and CPD, as well as for running the longest established and largest equine veterinary dental specialist practice in Europe.
"We are delighted that they have agreed to share their knowledge with our client practices on 18th May and look forward to welcoming you."
To book your place for the webinar, visit: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/173596806534344203
For more information contact your Zoetis Account Manager or the Zoetis Technical Team on customersupportUK@zoetis.com or 0845 300 8034.
The expert panel consisted of Peter Sandøe (Denmark), Professor of Ethics and Welfare; Helle Friis Proschowsky (Denmark), a veterinary surgeon working with the Danish Kennel Club; Laurent Findji (France/UK), Specialist in Soft Tissue Surgery; Gudrun Ravetz (UK) – Senior Vice President, British Veterinary Association; Kristin Wear Prestrud (Norway) – Veterinary Scientific Director of the Norwegian Kennel Club and Åke Hedhammar (Sweden), Professor Emeritus in Internal Medicine (companion animals), a veterinary consultant for the Swedish Kennel Club and a member of the WSAVA Hereditary Disease Committee.
Kristin Wear Prestrud said: "Vets should dare to speak out. We must educate owners on all health and welfare matters, whether we are simply advising them that their dog is overweight or if we need to give advice on breeding or refuse planned Caesarean sections."
The panel's recommendations are:
At a practice level, veterinary professionals should:
At an organisational level, the veterinary profession should:
Photo: ponpimonsa_bibi/Shutterstock
Students of the five-year degree will spend two years at Aberystwyth University followed by three years’ study at the RVC’s Hawkshead Campus in Hertfordshire. The first cohort will start in 2021.
Professor Stuart Reid, Principal of the RVC said: "We are delighted to be partnering with our colleagues Aberystwyth in providing an offering that will benefit students at both institutions. The RVC’s commitment to the profession in all its manifestations and particularly the rural environment will be bolstered by this important collaboration."
Professor Elizabeth Treasure, Vice-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University said: "Today marks an important and exciting new chapter in the history of Aberystwyth University and Wales. Agriculture and its related industries play such an important part in the Welsh economy and it is incumbent on us as universities to provide the people and the skills that will contribute to ensuring they thrive for years to come. The new School of Veterinary Science adds a vitally important new piece to the jigsaw, one that will build resilience in the rural economy through education and research at a time of great potential change and challenges.
"Our students will enjoy the best of two worlds at universities that offer academic excellence and an enviable reputation for student experience, and I thank everyone who has contributed to finally realising the vision of a school of veterinary science for Wales."
Photo: Left to right, Professor Stuart Reid, Professor Christianne Glossop, Professor Elizabeth Treasure and Professor Tim Woods.
The new facility will have 9 consultation rooms and 4 theatres, and is expected to open in early 2022.
It will be Animal Trust’s 10th veterinary hospital – with existing locations in Wrexham, Yorkshire and North England.
Animal Trust now employs more than 300 vets and veterinary care staff.
A further 15 jobs will be created in Rhyl when the new hospital opens.
Owen said: “Our ethos has always been that every animal deserves access to experienced and professional veterinary care as soon as they become ill.
"That’s why we offer free consultations for sick and injured animals brought to our surgeries.
"Our clients are from all walks of life and they come to us because of what we stand for and in some cases, for the prices we offer.
“As a CIC, we try and make sure that a comprehensive veterinary service is within reach of as many pet owners as possible.
"We build large veterinary hospitals that will serve the needs of the local pet-owning community and make a positive impact on their lives.
"Our new surgery will allow us to extend our services to the residents of the North Wales coastline, many of whom currently have to travel to one of our other existing surgeries.”
Funding for Animal Trust was provided by the £500 million Wales Flexible Investment Fund.
Richard, who works at North Downs Specialist Referrals (NDSR), graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2003.
While working in general practice, he developed an interest in ophthalmology and undertook an internship in the field at the Animal Health Trust in 2013.
Richard said: "Watching cataract surgery for the first time as a student, I was amazed it could be performed through such tiny incisions and an artificial lens could be placed inside the eye.
"My grandmother had cataract surgery around this time, followed later by corneal transplants when I was a recently qualified vet, and this further sparked my interest.
"I was very fortunate during my time in general practice to be able to attend an excellent one-year modular course, with an inspiring teacher, and also to spend some time with two specialist ophthalmologists at NDSR.
"These experiences made me realise it was time to make the leap and try to become a specialist. It was quite a daunting step, but one I’ve never regretted."
Following his internship, Richard undertook a three-year specialist training programme in comparative ophthalmology at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, studying towards the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmology Diploma.
After the successful completion of his training, he remained at the RVC as a clinician for a further year before joining the team at NDSR in July 2018.
Richard says he is now looking forward to further developing ophthalmology services at NDSR, alongside RCVS and American specialist James Histed: "I have already been discussing with James how we can develop the ophthalmology service, with new equipment and treatment options.
"We will soon be taking delivery of a new Zeiss operating microscope, which will have video facilities and eyepieces for an assistant. This will help us to perform more complex surgical procedures, and also help in teaching our interns and visitors to NDSR."
For more information, visit www.ndsr.co.uk.
The BSAVA has launched a series of client information sheets for drugs commonly used off-label.
The information sheets were the brainchild of Professor Ian Ramsey, Editor-in-Chief of the BSAVA Small Animal Formulary. He said: "As a referral vet I write a lot of letters to owners and vets that include instructions about the drugs that I am prescribing or dispensing for a patient. Often these drugs are unusual or cytotoxic, and are very commonly only authorized for human patients. As Editor of the Formulary I am acutely aware of the responsibility that I have for making sure owners understand what these drugs are for and what the side effects might be."
The BSAVA says it hopes the leaflets will overcome the challenge veterinary surgeons have in remembering all the drug information that needs to be related to clients, and the problem of clients forgetting what they have been told verbally by the clinician during a consultation.
In addition to a basic introduction to the Prescribing Cascade, each of the client leaflets provides the following information:
The first batch of client information leaflets, which relate to the following medications prescribed for dogs and cats, is now available for members to download from the BSAVA website (http://www.bsava.com/):
Each of the leaflets has a space for veterinary practices to add their details before distributing them to their clients, and the BSAVA says more may be added during 2011.
Virbac has launched Neoprinil, an eprinomectin pour-on solution indicated for use against internal and external parasites in cattle, including gut and lungworms, mange mites, sucking and chewing lice, horn flies and warbles.
Neoprinil has a zero-day withdrawal period in milk and can be administered using the company's Farmpack and Flexibag.
The Farmpack is a backpack which holds a Flexibag of Neoprinil solution. The Flexibag is a bag designed to protect medication and preserve it once it has been opened. The two together were awarded the 2014 PharmaPack Award for Innovative Packaging.
Neoprinil offers a one year stability period once it has first been opened and requires no special conditions for storage. It is presented in 2.5L, 4.5l and 8l pack sizes.
Product Manager for Large Animals Brigitte Goasduf MRCVS said: "A high worm burden can have adverse effects on the herd's productivity and performance and so it is advisable to ensure infected animals are treated as part of a Herd Health Plan. Eprinomectin is a tried and trusted parasiticide and studies confirm that it can have a positive impact on both milk production and on weight gain. Its zero day withdrawal period is a major benefit for dairy farmers.
"With the launch first of Deltanil and, now, Neoprinil, we are reinforcing our commitment to work with veterinary surgeons and farmers to understand the everyday challenges they face and to provide practical, effective solutions. We offer a comprehensive parasiticide range with a dispensing system that sets a new standard for convenience and ease of use."
The practice says that because thiamine deficiency in cats is generally rare, the number of recent cases seen in the UK has been a cause for concern amongst veterinary surgeons.
Symptoms may include severe weight loss or anorexia, vomiting, impaired vision, dilated pupils, tremors and seizures. Prompt treatment is needed, usually in the form of thiamine injections, an oral supplement and an immediate change of food as a precaution.
Laurent Garosi RCVS & European Veterinary Specialist in Neurology at Davies Veterinary Specialists said: "In 20 years I have only seen a handful of cases. My concern is that there may be many more cats out there in need of a diagnosis which is why we are building awareness and supporting our referring vets in the diagnosis of this condition."
To that end, Laurent posted on the subject on Facebook, which immediately went viral, with more than 1.1 million people reached and 9000+ shares.
Davies Veterinary Specialists has followed Laurent's post with support and advice for pet owners, explaining the symptoms to look out for and the emergency measures to take. The practice has also sent more detailed information direct to its referring practices:
What are the signs of thiamine deficiency in cats? Initially most cats will show anorexia and some degree of vomiting preceding neurological signs which include fairly rapid onset of impaired vision, dilated pupils, ataxia, vestibular signs, tremors and seizures.
How do you diagnose thiamine deficiency? It is based on a combination of factors: clinical presentation, MRI findings, which are fairly typical (although not pathognomonic) and response to thiamine supplementation. Absolute confirmation is technically difficult and not widely available: direct measurement of thiamine in the blood may not reflect deficiency, as this is not a good reflection of tissue concentration of Thiamine. Indirect methods are functional tests looking at effects of thiamine or lack of it: demonstration of reduced transketolase activity in red blood cells which is not readily available for most veterinary practices, or other indirect methods such measuring abnormal metabolites such as organic acids in the urine.
What are the causes of thiamine deficiency in dogs and cats? There are three main causes: 1) inability to absorb thiamine due to gastro-intestinal disease, 2) inability to process thiamine due to liver disease and 3) decreased level of thiamine in food. The latter can be caused by the heating process used for food preparation (thiamine is destroyed by heat), addition of sulphur dioxide or sulphite preservatives to meat which inactivate thiamine and feeding food rich in thiaminase activity such as some raw fish. Therefore all-raw fish diet in cats can be a cause of thiamine deficiency.
What to do if you suspect you have a cat with thiamine deficiency and whose diet consists of a product being recalled? Unless the cat is showing neurological signs, the first step is to stop the diet and switch to another diet not listed in the recall. Thiamine supplementation (intramuscular injection) is advised in the first instance in a case with compatible neurological signs. Other causes for the neurological signs must be considered in the case of failing to respond to Thiamine injections within 24-48 hours.
DVS says it is working closely with their referring vets to raise awareness and diagnose any affected animals.
For more information, visit: www.vetspecialists.co.uk and www.facebook.com/DVSvets/
Developed by Italian tech company, Otech Industry srl, the Onemytis 2 uniquely uses gas ionisation to vaporise tissue at lower temperatures and, claims Excel, with greater precision than is possible with conventional electrosurgery.
The knife works by a strong electromagnetic field through air. This releases plasma which vaporises tissue at a maximum operating temperature of 50°C (compared to more than 118°C in conventional electrosurgery).
During surgery, the electrode does not touch the patient. Plasma is formed when it is between 1 and 2 mm away from the patient, depending on the power setting. This means the surgeon does not apply any pressure when creating an incision, allowing greater precision.
The Onemytis range starts from £4500 +VAT.
West Sussex first opinion vet, Julian Hoad, Head of Crossways Veterinary Group, started using Onemytis last year for a range or procedures including laparoscopic surgery and the removal of masses, often without the need for a general anaesthetic.
Julian said: "I’ve used electrosurgery for 20 years and this is an order of magnitude better. It is more precise, more reliable and results in a much better healing surface."
"I recently removed an enlarged lymph node. The mass was around the mesenteric root. Because Onemytis is so precise I was able to dissect around the blood vessels, removing tissue that was attached to them with no blood loss. Onemytis is also excellent for removing epulides. It cuts though gingival tissue with very limited burning and produces very good, pain-free healing."
"I now routinely use it for performing nostril widening surgery in brachycephalic dogs; it reduces surgery time dramatically and completely abolishes bleeding in most cases."
"I have also used it to remove a large mass from a dog’s spleen and, by using a combination of Onemytis and Ligasure, managed to do so with a total blood loss of less than 2 ml."
Steve Hayden, Director at Excel Lasers, said: “We are delighted to be bringing Onemytis 2 to the UK. An important part of our role is to identify the technological innovations we think are most likely to help vets and their patients and Onemytis really stands out. The feedback we have had from our clients has been extremely positive and we think it has a fantastic future in veterinary surgery.”
To find out more about Onemytis 2 and watch videos of it in action, visit: https://www.excellasers.com/airplasma/
The Oncology Working Group, winningly styled as 'WOW', says it hopes that the glossary will give owners a clearer understanding of the diagnosis and management choices they have, and help them discuss care with their veterinary surgeon from a more informed perspective.
The glossary is the first output from the WOW Group which was formed in 2021 to raise awareness of the latest thinking in cancer therapy and promote best practice globally.
The glossary is available to download free from the WSAVA website at: https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Glossary-WOW-13.11.2021.pdf
WOW Group Member Professor Nick Bacon, a RCVS-Recognized Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Oncology) and a European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, said: “Cancer has a language all of its own and, during our early WOW Group discussions, it became obvious that, in order to improve communication between veterinary professionals and owners, there was an urgent need for a globally accessible resource to help owners better understand cancer terminology.
“Our Oncology Glossary is the result.
"We hope it will enable owners to feel on a more equal footing when they are discussing their pet’s condition with veterinary professionals.
"We hope it will also increase the consistency and effectiveness of communication about veterinary oncology globally.”
He added: “We will update the Oncology Glossary regularly and are now working on the development of further practical and easy-to-use tools to support veterinarians working in this rapidly evolving area of veterinary medicine.
"In the meantime, more resources are available on our web page at https://wsava.org/committees/oncology-working-group/”
The Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA) has announced the online publication of the Winter edition of its journal, EJCAP, which leads on responsible use of antibiotics and is now available free to all members of the veterinary profession.
The latest edition also features articles about indoor ferrets and hyperadrenocorticism, elderly cats and osteoarthritis, and correcting a malocclusion.
As a result of a unanimous decision by the FECAVA Council in October, the journal is now freely available to all veterinary practitioners, students and nurses throughout Europe.
To access the journal, visit: http://ejcap.fecava.org
The new pack includes a 60 minute video presented by leading veterinary behaviourist Jon Bowen BVetMed DipAS(CABC) MRCVS. The film covers hints and tips on the preventative measures that owners can put in place to help manage noise sensitivity and firework fears and also includes information on counter conditioning.
The packs, which are available from your CEVA territory manager, also include a range of waiting room materials including leaflets, leaflet holders, posters and wall displays, a PR toolkit to support individual veterinary practice PR campaigns, copy for websites, veterinary practice newsletters and suggested social media posts for Twitter and Facebook.
Claire Russell, Adaptil and Feliway product manager at Ceva Animal Health said: "The fireworks season can be a scary time for pets. Our new marketing pack will help veterinary practices remind their clients of the preventative measures they can put in place to reduce firework fears, including the use of Adaptil, proven to reduce the intensity of fear suffered as a result of loud noises."
For further information, contact your local Ceva territory manager or telephone 01494 781510.
Liz Leece, an RCVS and EBVS specialist in veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia (pictured right) and Massimo Mariscoli, an EBVS and RCVS specialist in veterinary neurology joined Paragon at the start of this month.
Liz is a past president of the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists, is on the British Small Animal Veterinary Association’s congress organising committee and lectures to vets, nurses and occasionally human anaesthetists, all over the world.
She said: "I’m a keen supporter of the anaesthetist’s role in the referral hospital setting, safeguarding welfare and optimising the hospital experience for all our patients.
"One of my first tasks will be to establish a chronic pain management clinic at Paragon to aid any patients in need of such support.
"I also love teaching both inside and outside clinics and I’m currently involved in clinical research into brachycephalics, neuroanaesthesia and chronic pain."
Massimo grew up in Italy and graduated from the University of Bologna in 1990. He worked as head of small animal surgery and neurology at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Teramo, before spells as lecturer and associate professor at the same centre.
The past president of the Italian Society of Veterinary Neurology (SINVet) moved to the UK in May 2017 to work as a neurology specialist and then head of neurology at a small animal hospital.
His main clinical interests are epilepsy, inflammatory disorders of the central nervous system and neurosurgery.
He said: "I was looking for a new challenge and was very pleased when I learned there was the possibility of setting up the neurology service at Paragon. I first visited the site in February and got a very good impression.
"Neurology has been split between internal medicine and surgery to date, so I will be looking to establish the service in its own right.
"Setting up a new service and new systems can be complex, so I will be taking my time and letting the service take shape naturally."
Paragon managing director Ian Monteith said: "Both Liz and Massimo are tremendous additions to our team and we’re delighted to be adding yet more high-calibre specialists to our ranks."
For more information, visit www.paragonreferrals.co.uk.
The new products are:
Leon Wright, Managing Director, said: "At Vet Direct, we’re always looking for ways to improve our service – making small changes which will have a big impact on the levels of care our clients can provide.
"We know that vets, veterinary nurses and practice managers don’t always have the time to try out new products before purchasing, and that’s why our dedicated team of sales staff test every item before adding them to our catalogue - ensuring that we only stock the highest quality products."
For more information on any of the new products, visit www.vet-direct.com or call 0800 068 3300.
The updated indications reflect the recognition that Stelfonta may be used in any case where surgery may not be an option:
For the treatment of non-metastatic (WHO staging) mast cell tumours that are either non-resectable or those that are resectable but where surgery is not considered the best option, specifically: cutaneous mast cell tumours (located anywhere on the dog) and subcutaneous mast cell tumours located at or distal to the elbow or the hock.
Tumours must be less than or equal to 8 cm 3 in volume, and must be accessible to intratumoral injection.
Neil Mottram MRCVS, Technical Manager at Virbac said: “Stelfonta offers veterinary surgeons a medical option for the successful elimination of mast cell tumours.
"The extended labelled indication demonstrates the wide variety of cases that can benefit where medical treatment is preferred, such as; tumour factors (location and size) making surgical margins difficult, patient factors (concurrent disease and risk of anaesthesia), clinic factors and the simplification of this medical treatment and owner factors, where there is a preference to avoid surgery."
Stelfonta is administered by injection directly into the tumour mass and Virbac say that generally, dogs do not require sedation or local or general anaesthesia during treatment.
The active ingredient, Tigilanol tiglate, works largely through specific protein kinase c (PKC) activation, in which it locally stimulates the immune system, resulting in destruction of the tumour and the tumour’s blood supply, followed by rapid healing of the site with minimal scarring.
www.virbac.co.uk
Mr Ng faced seven charges:
Mr Ng admitted some aspects of the charges against him, including that he had deleted two patient records and that this was dishonest and misleading.
The Committee then determined the facts of the rest of the charges after hearing evidence from witnesses and Mr Ng himself, as well as expert witnesses.
Having considered all the evidence, it determined which elements of the charges were proved, and which were not.
The Committee then considered whether the admitted and charges found proved amounted to serious professional misconduct.
In doing so it considered that the charges against Mr Ng fell into three broad categories – deficiencies in clinical care, deficiencies in record keeping, and dishonesty.
In respect of all three, it found the admitted and charges found proved amounted to serious professional misconduct.
In terms of aggravating factors, the Committee found that Mr Ng’s conduct had directly caused harm to animals and also created risk of further harm, and noted that there were three instances of dishonesty.
Paul Morris, chairing the Disciplinary Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee noted that there were three instances of dishonest behaviour in relation to clinical records.
"The amendment of the clinical record in the labradoodle’s case was particularly serious.
"This alteration was made at a time when the respondent knew that the owner was dissatisfied with the treatment the dog had received and was complaining about the lack of therapeutic intervention.
"The alteration presented a false account of the owner’s attitude towards immediate therapeutic intervention.
"Conduct of this kind was liable to damage trust in the profession.”
In mitigation, the Committee took into account the sense of pressure Mr Ng felt following a financial dispute with his relative in respect of the veterinary practice, his long career as a veterinary surgeon and the high regard with which he was held by those who provided testimonials on his behalf.
The Committee acknowledged Mr Ng’s assertions that he now understood his failings and his expressions of remorse for the harm he had caused and that these indicated the beginnings of insight.
However, in respect of the clinical deficiencies, the Committee found that various aspects of Mr Ng’s approach to treating conditions such as diabetes and cherry eye were inadequate and out-of-date, and that there was little in his continuing professional development (CPD) record or his statements to suggest he had attempted to improve these deficiencies.
Ultimately, the Committee found that Mr Ng’s conduct was so serious that removal from the Register was the most appropriate sanction.
Paul Morris added: “The Committee has concluded that the respondent’s behaviour was fundamentally incompatible with being a veterinary surgeon.
"In view of the nature and gravity of the Committee’s findings in this case, removal from the Register is necessary to ensure the protection of animals and the maintenance of public confidence in the profession and the regulatory process.”
www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary
Virbac has launched Prinovox, a new prescription-only spot-on ectoparasiticide for dogs and cats.
The company says the new product contains the same combination of Moxidectin and Imidacloprid as the market leader, but is offered with a unique and innovative pet owner engagement programme to help practices build loyalty, increase compliance and to encourage repeat purchase.
In dogs Prinovox is licensed for the treatment and prevention of lungworm; for the treatment and prevention of fleas and also for lice, mites, heartworm and roundworms. In cats, the licence covers fleas, mites, roundworm and heart worm. It can also be used for fleas and heartworm in ferrets.
Prinovox is available in six presentations to suit all weight ranges and in packs of four pipettes. The packaging uses the Blippar platform which owners can use to 'blip' interactive icons on the product's packaging with their smartphone to get more information on Prinovox, including a video on how to use it, a reminder system and a game.
In addition, the Prinovox support package includes:
Virbac's Head of Marketing Companion Animal, Simon Boulton MRCVS said: "We see the launch of Prinovox as a gamechanger. The ectoparasiticide market is one of the largest and most competitive in our industry and we are the first company to offer a product with the same efficacy as the market leader for all indications.
"We've gone one step further by increasing the value of the product to practices by developing a comprehensive parasite protection support package which harnesses the latest technology and consumer preferences for receiving information. We believe the efficacy of Prinovox, combined with the innovative support package we're offering, will make it a highly attractive product for practices and owners and we've been delighted at the feedback we've received so far."
Mary Bale, 45, has been banned from keeping animals for five years today after she admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a cat which she dumped in a wheelie bin, in a case brought by the RSPCA.
Bale, of St Michael's Road, Coventry, was also fined £265 and ordered to pay the costs of the case, which totalled £1,171.
Coventry magistrates' court heard how Bale picked up the four-year-old tabby cat, named Lola, outside the cat's home in Brays Lane, Coventry, and put her into the bin on Saturday 21 August this year.
Lola's owners, Stephanie and Darryl Andrews-Mann, discovered their cat inside the wheelie bin the next day. She had been there for approximately 15 hours.
Upon viewing their CCTV the owners saw Bale approach Lola, who was sitting on a garden wall. She then looked both ways before picking the cat up by the scruff of her neck and dropping her into the bin.
The RSPCA was alerted after the footage was posted on the internet and Bale was identified.
District Judge Caroline Goulborn said: "I accept that you were in a stressful situation but that is no excuse. The potential to cause harm to the cat was substantial."
RSPCA inspector Nicola Foster said: "This was a deliberate act and could have had far worse consequences as the defendant had no way of knowing if there was anything like broken glass in the bin, nor how long the cat would be there before she was found, nor if the bin was due to be emptied.
"We are pleased that the Court agreed that a complete disregard was shown for the cat's welfare and that the cat suffered/cat's needs were not met as a result of being stuck inside the bin for so many hours.
"However, we hope that this sentence will act as a deterrent to anyone who feels that it is acceptable to mistreat animals in any way."
In mitigation, Bale said that her father had been taken to hospital following a fall. She said she walked past the house daily and regularly stroked Lola. She said she had asked herself on an hourly basis since the incident why she had put Lola in the bin, but had no answer.
Next year, in collaboration with the International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA), there will be a new category to recognise a veterinary student for his or her contribution towards animal welfare.
The WVA Animal Welfare Award 2019 will be presented to six veterinary surgeons from the WVA 6 geographical regions and to one veterinary student from around the world.
The Award Ceremony will take place during the 35th World Veterinary Association Congress on 28th April 2019 in San Jose, Costa Rica where the selected winners will be invited to collect their WVA Animal Welfare Award and a prize of €5,000.
Ceva and the WVA say they are now actively studying a plan to expand the awards to include veterinary schools, rewarding them for Animal Welfare Excellence in Veterinary Education.
For more information, visit http://www.worldvet.org/news.php?item=356
A bogus vet who pleaded guilty to a number animal cruelty and fraud offences is being sought by Humberside Police after he failed to appear at court for sentencing.
Jayson Paul Wells (pictured right), 30, of Driffield in the East Riding of Yorkshire, is wanted by detectives in Grimsby after he failed to appear at Grimsby Crown Court.
The RCVS assisted Humberside Police with its original investigation and is publicising its appeal to help locate Mr Wells. Police believe that he may be trading as a herdsman in Nottingham or Cornwall and are keen to establish whether he is currently in either location.
Mr Wells was arrested on 2 October 2013 and charged with the following offences:
Mr Wells pleaded guilty to all offences.
Anyone who is aware of his whereabouts is asked to call Humberside Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The Veterinary Record has published what the British Homeopathy Association is calling the first ever systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in veterinary homeopathy.
The review was conducted by Dr Robert Mathie, research development adviser to the association, and Dr Jürgen Clausen from the Carstens Foundation, Germany.
They found 18 placebo-controlled RCTs of veterinary homeopathy, published in the peer-reviewed literature, that were eligible for detailed assessment. Of these, only two were judged to provide reliable evidence. The remainder were unclear or had a high risk of bias.
The two studies which were judged reliable were:
HEKTOEN, L., LARSEN, S., ØDEGAARD, S. A. & LOKEN, T. (2004) Comparison of homeopathy, placebo and antibiotic treatment of clinical mastitis in dairy cows - methodological issues and results from a randomized-clinical trial. Journal of Veterinary Medicine. A, Physiology, pathology, clinical medicine 51, 439-446. In this study, homeopathy was shown to be ineffective.
Dr Mathie said: "Up to now, debates about the efficacy or effectiveness of veterinary homeopathy have been polarised by the absence of any systematic review of the subject. Our work clarifies the nature of the current RCT evidence."
Mr Mark Elliott, immediate past president of the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons, said: "This important study affirms that reliable evidence does exist and that more research should be done, particularly in light of current concerns about antibiotic resistance in production animals."
It seems a remarkable admission, that the entire veterinary homeopathy edifice rests upon one study in piglets. However, if that study did prove the efficacy of homeopathy, it would of course be an order of magnitude more remarkable than today's admission.
So, no pressure then, Camerlink et al!
A shift towards a more outcomes-based model of CPD for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses has been under discussion for a number of years and one of its main proponents has been the current RCVS Senior Vice-President Professor Stephen May (pictured right), who chaired the CPD Policy Working Party.
Stephen said: "There has been increasing recognition over a range of different professions that CPD records based on ‘inputs’ alone, for example, measuring the number of hours attending a lecture, do not necessarily prove that any significant learning has taken place or that this learning will be used to improve professional practice.
"By contrast, research has demonstrated that CPD activities focused on outcomes encourage professionals to reflect on what they have learned, how they will apply their learning and how it will improve their practice, which has a positive impact on professionalism and patient health outcomes. Numerous other professions, including human medicine and dentistry, have moved to this model and the veterinary world has been somewhat ‘behind the curve’ as a result.
"However, as with any significant shift in policy, there has been a recognition that we needed to take the profession with us and not force through change. This is why, in March 2017, we launched a pilot scheme for the outcomes-based model with veterinary and veterinary nurse volunteers, including people who, during the initial consultation stage, had voiced some skepticism towards the concept.
"The overall feedback from volunteers was very positive and supportive towards the changes and I look forward, over the coming years, to talking to the professions at large about the benefits of the approach and how to best engage with the model."
In all, around 120 volunteers took part in the pilot, of whom 70% were veterinary surgeons and 30% veterinary nurses. When the pilot finished in October 2018, volunteers provided feedback as part of the evaluation process. Of the 57% of volunteers (n=70) who responded to the survey:
77% said they would be willing to use an outcomes-based CPD model in the future;
41% found it ‘easy’ or ‘very easy’ to implement outcomes-based CPD while only 11% thought it was either ‘difficult’ or ‘very difficult’;
61% thought that the outcomes-based model made CPD more meaningful for them and 25% said it encouraged them to undertake a wider range of CPD activities than previously;
Other feedback included the need for a better CPD recording system and more information and guidance ahead of any future changes.
Following the feedback, particularly around the need for a new approach to CPD recording, it was also recommended to Council that a new online CPD recording system should be introduced. This system will integrate the current disparate systems, such as the Student Experience Log (for vet students), Nursing Progress Log (for student VNs) and the Professional Development Phase (for recent vet graduates), making it a ‘one-stop shop’ professional development recording platform.
Richard Burley, RCVS Chief Technology Officer, said: "We will be building a new platform, consolidating all professional development-related capability for all members, into a single, integrated solution, seamlessly accessible via our ‘My Account’ online portal, and forthcoming mobile app. We have assembled a new, dedicated, software development team to drive this work and more details about this system will be published in coming months."
Linda Prescott-Clements, RCVS Director of Education, added:"Following the approval of the CPD proposals by RCVS Council, a phased roll-out of the new model and the accompanying IT system will take place. This includes recruiting a group of volunteers from the profession later this year to get some initial feedback around the guidance resources and online CPD platform, with members of the profession being voluntarily able to sign up to the new model and IT system from January 2020 onwards.
"Implementation of the new CPD requirement for all members is expected to start in January 2022 but, prior to that, we will be working hard to talk to the profession about why an outcomes-based model is a more effective and meaningful way of undertaking CPD and this will include workshops, webinars and roadshows. Look out for more news on our plans over the coming months."
For more information about the College’s current CPD policy requirement and policy, visit: www.rcvs.org.uk/cpd
Norbrook Laboratories has launched Norfenicol Solution for Injection (florfenicol), a broad spectrum antibiotic licensed for the treatment of pneumonia in cattle and pigs.
Dr Barry McInerney, Norbrook's GB Veterinary Advisor said: "With many farmers preparing for winter housing, the launch of Norfenicol is timely as pneumonia represents the most common disease of housed cattle in the UK costing the agricultural industry an estimated £80m per year. Norfenicol is an easy to inject, cost effective treatment of pneumonia which kills bacteria quickly, and is available in a durable plastic bottle. Studies have shown florfenicol, the active ingredient in Norfenicol, to have a high bacteriological and clinical efficacy (100% and 96% respectively) against susceptible bacteria in the treatment of calf respiratory tract diseases."
Norfenicol is indicated for the treatment of bacterial respiratory disease in cattle associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Histophilus somniand for the treatment of acute outbreaks of respiratory disease caused by strains of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, and Pasteurella multocida in swine.
Dr McInerney added: "NSAIDs have also been shown to be a beneficial ancillary therapy in treating bacterial pneumonia, to alleviate pain as well as to reduce inflammation and pyrexia. Norbrook has a range of NSAID products which are available as an adjunctive treatment for pneumonia in cattle, including Loxicom 20 mg/ml solution for injection for cattle, pigs and horses."
For further product information, visit www.norbrook.com