Ceva Animal Health has launched Feliway Friends, a new pheromone to help reduce tensions and conflicts in households with more than one cat.

The company highlights a 2014 survey which found that 44% of cat owning households have more than one cat, with nearly a third of those questioned stating that they had experienced fighting and aggression between pets in the household¹.

Feliway Friends is a synthetic copy of the cat appeasing pheromone (CAP) naturally produced by nursing queens to support their kittens after birth. The company says this pheromone helps cats feel safe and secure, and maintains a harmonious bond between them.

Ceva says Feliway Friends is clinically proven to significantly decrease the intensity and frequency of signs of tension in households with more than one cat. According to another study, 84% of cat owners believed there was a significant improvement in how their cats got on after using the product². 

Feliway Friends and Feliway Classic can be used at the same time if the owner is experiencing conflicts alongside other stress-related behaviour problems such as urine marking, scratch marking and general anxiety.

Available as a 30-day diffuser and refill, Feliway Friends lasts for up to 30 days and covers an area of up to 70m².  

Claire Russell, Feliway product manager at Ceva Animal Health, said: "Inter-cat aggression is a major problem in multi-cat households, with many cats experiencing stress in the home due to sharing resources. Feliway Friends is a great support to encourage harmony in multi-cat homes. By introducing the cat appeasing pheromone and educating owners on resource management and how to create a cat friendly home, we can significantly improve feline relationships in our UK multi-cat homes.’’ 

Ceva Animal Health has launched a range of marketing materials to support the launch of the new product, including an eight-page pet owner leaflet and poster. Practices can also request an online toolkit which includes: images, website content, social media assets and articles to help educate clients facing aggression between household cats. 

For information on FELIWAY visit www.feliway.com/uk. 

References

1. Feliway brand equity research, Burke 2014
2. De Porter et al. (2014) Evaluation of the efficacy of a new pheromone product versus placebo in the management of feline aggression in multi-cat households. Proceedings of the ACVB/AVSAB Veterinary Behavior Symposium pp17-18

The RCVS has launched a consultation about Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, which defines what acts of veterinary surgery can be performed by veterinary nurses.

For veterinary nurses, Schedule 3 is arguably one of the most important aspects of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, partly defining what it means to be a nurse, and defining what tasks veterinary surgeons can reasonably delegate. 

Thus far, however, Schedule 3 has only been loosely defined, allowing for veterinary nurses to (under the direction of their veterinary surgeon employer) 'give medical treatment or carry out acts of minor surgery, not involving entry into a body cavity'.

There is evidence from the RCVS/BVNA VN Futures project that uncertainty about what this definition actually means in practice has stopped veterinary surgeons from delegating tasks which could both improve practice efficiency and make the role of the veterinary nurse more interesting, varied and rewarding. 

The consultation - and the broader review of Schedule 3 of which it forms a part - aims to create a 'clarified and bolstered VN role via a reformed Schedule 3'.

Liz Cox, Chair of both the Schedule 3 Working Party and VN Council, said: "The future of veterinary nursing is both challenging and exciting, with the convergence of such factors as Brexit, the development of new technologies, and the increasing specialisation of veterinary surgeons, and we would very much like to know how you think the role of veterinary nurse will evolve.

"In light of this we very much encourage all veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons to complete this consultation. Evidence gathered during the initial stage of the VN Futures project suggested that there is some uncertainty around the interpretation of Schedule 3 in clinical practice. For example, many veterinary nurses do not undertake Schedule 3 work or are uncertain as to whether they do, while some veterinary surgeons are reluctant to delegate Schedule 3 tasks to veterinary nurses.

"With this survey we hope to get a better steer on how Schedule 3 is used and interpreted in practice on a day-to-day basis and gather views on where both veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses feel the current legislation could be clarified. Furthermore, we also want to know if there are areas of practice that are currently prohibited to nurses under current Schedule 3 arrangements that the professions believe could be opened up to veterinary nurses as a means of bolstering the profession."

Liz Cox and David Catlow MRCVS, Chair of the Standards Committee, will also be presenting a webinar on Thursday 11 May from 1pm to 2pm titled ‘The Art of Delegation – Schedule 3 Consultation’. It will focus on Schedule 3 and the role of the veterinary nurse, and explore possible areas to consider when responding to the consultation. To subscribe to the webinar, please visit The Webinar Vet’s website: www.thewebinarvet.com/webinar/art-delegation-schedule-3-consultation/

All eligible veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons have been emailed with a link to survey.

Further information about the VN Futures project can be found at www.vetfutures.org.uk/vnfutures

Forte Healthcare has launched Procapen Injector 3g Intramammary Suspension for cattle, a prescription intramammary for the treatment of udder infections in lactating cows.

Procapen contains a high dose of procaine benzyl penicillin, a narrow spectrum antibiotic which targets the most important pathogens in fresh cases of mastitis in cows and is the drug of choice against benzylpenicillin-susceptible streptococci and staphlococci. 

Marcus Scott, Large Animal Business Manager at Forte said: "With the widespread shortage of intramammary tubes at the moment, Procapen provides a welcome solution for many mastitis cases."

For more information, contact your local Forte Territory Manager or email: enquiries@fortehealthcare.com.

Vets4Pets has launched Project Listen, a survey to find out what challenges, motivations and experiences veterinary surgeons face every day, and what the company might to do lead positive change in the sector. 

The findings will be published in a freely-available and independently-authored report.

Jane Balmain, Chief Operating Officer at Vets4Pets (pictured right), said: “The last 18 months have been indescribably tough for everyone, not least the veterinary practice teams. Soaring levels of pet ownership coupled with recruitment challenges have meant that an already-stretched profession has been almost brought to its knees.

"As a profession, you’ve always put pets first. But now it’s time to also concentrate on you - the vets, nurses and support teams that make up our beloved sector. We want to hear how you’re feeling and give you the power to help us make change.

“By launching this sector-wide survey, we’re kick-starting a vital conversation to protect the wellbeing of vet teams and the future of the profession. We believe that, by sharing experiences openly and honestly from all corners of the sector, we can come together to bring about the much-needed changes to ensure it remains an attractive, long-term career option.”

The survey, which runs until 16th November 2021, can be completed at www.projectlisten.co.uk. Respondents will remain anonymous and no data will be collected via the survey.

Louise Clark, Head of Anaesthesia at Davies Veterinary Specialists has put together seven top anaesthesia tips for colleagues in general practice.

Louise is an RCVS and EBVS European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, and a Past President of the Pain Medicine Section Council at the Royal Society of Medicine. She has also been an invited examiner on the European Diploma examination and a Treasurer of the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists. She has headed the anaesthesia team at Davies since 2007.

Her tips are:

• Be aware of the multiple mechanisms that contribute to chronic pain – this is key to understanding the likely benefit of any pharmacological approach. 
• With ongoing chronic pain, it is unusual for a single medication to result in satisfactory pain relief in a unimodal, stand-alone fashion. 
• Combination pharmacologic treatment is an important aspect of multimodal chronic pain management. 
• A key component of treating pain with medications is finding the balance between effective treatment and acceptable side effects. “Effective treatment” is difficult to define because it will almost never mean a complete remission of pain. 
• Human chronic pain trials suggest that a reduction of pain by 30% is clinically meaningful, because it is at this this level that patient ratings demonstrate “much improved” pain. This returns us as veterinary surgeons to the complex issue of pain assessment. 
• A rational approach is to consider the mechanisms and assess potential targets that might respond to available analgesics; in the periphery, at the level of the spinal cord and within the brain/descending inhibitory pathways.  
• Appreciate the “type” of pain you are treating, the wrong " fire extinguisher" will expose the patient to the potential drug side effects without necessarily positively impacting the patient`s pain.

The British Equine Veterinary Association has announced the launch of a coaching scheme which will pair new grads with experienced equine vet coaches for career support.

As part of the programme, BEVA is giving the coaches workshops, discussion forums and online toolkits to develop their mentoring skills. Having been trained by a specialist mentoring professional, the coaches are then paired with recent graduates to give them guidance and support during the foundation years of their careers.

The project, called 'Leg Up', has been driven by BEVA President Renate Weller, and is being trialled over the next 12 months before being rolled out more widely.

Renate said: "All professionals, but especially new graduates need support in navigating their journey through their chosen career.

"With the veterinary industry’s rapidly changing landscape and rising concern around wellbeing, consistent support and guidance have never been more relevant."

Coaching is open to BEVA concessionary members who have graduated within the past three years. They will be able to self-select a preferred coach on a first come, first served basis from the Leg Up section of the BEVA website.

Renated added: "To date access to targeted careers support has most often depended on where you work and who you know. We hope the scheme will encourage and support those entering the profession, giving them the opportunity to discuss their training, development, career progression and self-care with trained professionals who were once in their shoes."

To find out more and to sign up for the Leg Up programme visit https://www.beva.org.uk/Careers/Leg-Up

MDC Exports had launched a new biodegradable poo bag dispenser, aimed at veterinary practices and pet owners.

The idea is that pet owners can fix the dispenser to a wall, somewhere they'll be able to grab a bag on their way out of the door. The dispenser also has two strong hooks for other essentials such as dog leads or keys.

MDC Exports says their poo bags are generously-sized and feature long handles for simple tying and carrying. For more information, contact MDC Exports Limited on 01582 655600, or e-mail: mdcexports@btconnect.com

Oh I wish I was a travel journalist sometimes.

Bayer Animal Health has announced the launch of Ceffect (cefquinome), for the treatment of bacterial infections in cattle and pigs caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative micro-organisms sensitive to cefquinome.

Ceffect is available as a 25mg/ml suspension for injection of cattle and pigs, and as Ceffect LC, a 75mg intramammary ointment for lactating cows.

In cattle, Ceffect 25mg/ml suspension for injection is licensed for the treatment of respiratory disease caused by Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica, and also for the treatment of digital dermatitis, infectious bulbar necrosis, acute interdigital necrobacillosis, and acute E.coli mastitis with signs of systemic involvement.

In calves, Ceffect 25mg/ml suspension for injection is licensed for the treatment of E.coli septicaemia

In pigs, Ceffect 25mg/ml suspension for injection targets cefquinome-sensitive organisms including Pasteurella multocida, Haemophilus parasuis, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae  and Streptococcus suis which can cause bacterial infections of the lungs and respiratory tract. It is also licensed for the treatment of Mastitis-Metritis-Agalactia syndrome (MMA) with involvement of E.coli, Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp. and other cefquinome-sensitive organisms.

In piglets, Ceffect 25mg/ml suspension is licensed for the reduction of mortality in cases of meningitis caused by Streptococcus suis. For the treatment of arthritis caused by Streptococcus spp., E. coli and other cefquinome-sensitive organisms, and epidermitis (mild or moderate lesions) caused by Staphylococcus hyicus.

Ceffect LC, 75mg intramammary ointment for lactating cows also contains cefquinome and comes in individual 8g prefilled syringes for treatment of clinical mastitis caused by Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli, in lactating dairy cows.

For further product information, visit www.noahcompendium.co.uk or contact your local Bayer territory manager.

Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) has published a three-part webinar series to give veterinary surgeons and nurses the latest advice on diet, neutering, sudden death and infectious diseases in rabbits.

Burgess Pet Care, which organises the event, is encouraging vets and nurses to watch the webinars to ensure they’re aware of the key information concerning this year’s Rabbit Awareness Week, Protect and Prevent campaign, taking place from the 1st to the 9th June.

The webinars are hosted by Dr Richard Saunders BSc (Hons) BVSc FRSB CBiol DZooMed (Mammalian) DipECZM(ZHM) MRCVS, veterinary adviser to the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF).

Richard said: "These webinars provide information across all of the key areas relating to preventative healthcare in rabbits. There is a large number of health issues facing rabbits but thankfully many of these can be prevented. Vets play an incredibly important role in ensuring rabbit owners have all the information they need to correctly care for their pets but unfortunately there is still a lack of awareness and understanding around many basic needs such as diet, husbandry and the importance of vaccinations to protect against dangerous diseases.

"The webinars have been designed to be accessible and engaging to all vets and nurses, regardless of their experience level. We’re urging vets and nurses to watch all three seminars so they’re able to provide the best possible advice to rabbit owners seeking advice on their pets in advance of Rabbit Awareness Week."

To watch the webinars and learn more about this year’s Rabbit Awareness Week campaign, visit: www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk, where you can also request a free vet pack to help promote any activity you're planning for RAW. 

Ceva Animal Health and the World Veterinary Association (WVA) are inviting nominations for next year's Global Animal Welfare Awards, which recognise veterinary surgeons for their efforts to protect and improve the welfare of animals.

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 35^th World Veterinary Association Congress on 28^th 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

The RCVS has launched Mind Matters, a new initiative to help address mental health and wellbeing issues within the veterinary profession.

Neil Smith, RCVS Vice-President and Chair of the Mind Matters Initiative said: "Mental Health is a significant issue for the veterinary profession. Most of us have experience of colleagues or ourselves having problems. The Mind Matters Initiative is a pan-profession project, and I am very pleased that there is active engagement from across the various veterinary associations and stakeholders."

"The RCVS already contributes through our Health Protocol and support of the Veterinary Benevolent Fund. The Mind Matters Initiative seeks to work more proactively by increasing the accessibility and acceptance of support, encouraging a culture that is better equipped to talk and deal with stress and related mental health issues, and, ultimately, by helping to reduce such triggers within the profession."

The first Mind Matters Initiative action is providing funding to ensure that callers to Vet Helpline, a completely confidential support service which is part of the Veterinary Benevolent Fund and run by volunteers, are put directly through to a person, rather than having to leave a message.

Rosie Allister, Chair of Vet Helpline said: "We are able to offer confidential, non-judgemental support to many vets, VNs, vet students and members of their families who call us in distress, but we know there are more who are put off by the prospect of leaving a message.

"It takes real courage to reach out for help when you're struggling, and we know it can be especially tough for vets. Although we respond to calls quickly, callers need to speak to someone immediately, and not a message system, when they are in crisis. Through the Mind Matters Initiative funding we are able to put in place a service that connects a caller directly to a human being, which could make a real difference for people who call."

The new Vet Helpline system will be in place on 22 December, in time for Christmas, which can be a difficult time for many people. The Vet Helpline number is 07659 811 118 and there is also a confidential email service, accessible viawww.vetlife.org.uk. 

The Mind Matters Initiative will be sustained over an initial three-year period, and will include five streams of activity:

• Learning and understanding best practice - research within the veterinary profession, for example, into occupational stress factors; and among other related professions and private and public sector organisations that have successfully tackled similar issues
• Changing the culture - a programme of communications activities to help generate a positive environment for discussion, reduce stigma, increase awareness and the ability to identify risks, and encourage help-seeking behaviour
• Intervention: personal level - financial and other support for existing services, such as Vet Helpline and Veterinary Surgeons Health Support Programme, together with an investigation into what more may be required to support those in need
• Intervention: supporting the supporters - training and guidance for those who may be working or living with someone who needs assistance, in order to help supporters spot and understand signs of stress and mental illness, and help the person seek expert help
• Making changes - working closely with the joint RCVS/British Veterinary Association Vet Futures project (www.vetfutures.org.uk) to help identify aspects of how the profession is structured and run (from student to retirement) that exacerbate stress and mental health problems - and consider how they may be addressed

The Mind Matters Initiative is supported by a group comprising the Veterinary Benevolent Fund, the British Veterinary Association, the British Veterinary Nursing Association, the Veterinary Practice Management Association, the Veterinary Schools Council, the Veterinary Defence Society and the Association of Veterinary Students.

The British Equine Veterinary Association has published the results of a survey it commissioned which found that horse vets in the UK are probably at greater risk of injury than any other civilian profession, including the prison service.

For the study, which was conducted by the Institute of Health and Wellbeing and the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow, 620 equine vets completed a work-related injuries questionnaire. The results of the study indicated that an equine vet could expect to sustain between seven and eight work-related injuries that impeded them from practicing, during a 30-year working life. 

If the 620 respondents were representative of the rest of the profession, the injuries they reported would equate to 26,452 per 100,000 equine vets in employment per year. That compares with 10,760 for people working in the prison service, 8,700 for policemen below the rank of sergeant, 6,980 for welders, metal formers and related trades, and 4,760 for construction workers.

Participants were asked to describe their worst-ever injury. Most were described as bruising, fracture and laceration, with the most common site of injury being the leg (29%), followed by the head (23%). The main cause of injury was a kick with a hind limb (49%), followed by strike with a fore limb (11%), followed by crush injury (5%). Nearly a quarter of these reported injuries required hospital admission and notably, 7% resulted in loss of consciousness. The most common reason for the examination during which the injury occurred was foot lameness, followed by dental and female reproductive. 

BEVA Past-President Keith Chandler said: “We were shocked to discover the extent of the injuries sustained. Of greatest concern is the number of vets who suffered head injuries and unconsciousness. These injuries appeared to be more common when certain procedures were being performed, such as endoscopy of the upper respiratory tract, when vets are often only partly sighted while using examination equipment, or during wound management and bandage-changes, where vets are often crouched-down for long periods, next to the patient.” 

38% of the ‘worst’ injuries occurred when the vet was working with a ‘pleasure’ horse and most frequently (48% of all responses) the horse handler was the owner or the client at the time of the injury. Whilst the number of laypersons or handlers injured at the same time was low, Tim Parkin, vet and lead researcher, pointed out: “This work should act as a wake up call to all involved in the training, employment and engagement of equine vets. The risks associated with handling and working with horses should be the primary consideration for equine vets and horses owners alike, every time a horse is examined or treated. In addition, the experience of the horse handler should be considered when undertaking riskier procedures.”

David Mountford, Chief Executive of BEVA said: “The results are very concerning and justify a careful prospective scientific quantification of the risks.  In the short term, knowledge of these risks allows us to better inform all vets who work with horses.  In turn vets will be able to inform horse owners, horse-keepers and trainers of the risks, and this may provide justification for having trained assistance on-hand or the more extensive use of sedative drugs in practice, potentially reducing the risk of injury.

"The British Equine Veterinary Association will now look to work with the Health and Safety Executive, Veterinary Schools, large employers of vets in the UK and our members to help develop policies to mitigate the risk of serious injury for vets working with horses.” 

Photograph courtesy Towcester Veterinary Centre

Zoetis has been granted a Wholesale Dealer Import Certificate (WDIC) to supply practices with an alternative rotavirus vaccine after being hit by manufacturing delays with this year’s season of Equip Rotavirus.

Practices which want to buy the alternative imported vaccine will need to apply to the VMD for a Special Import Certificate (SIC).

Wholesalers have agreed to stock the alternative vaccine.

Zoetis says it acknowledges the concern and frustration this causes its customers and wants to reassure the equine community that it is working hard to resume Equip Rotavirus supply as soon as possible.

For further information, contact your Zoetis account manager or ring Zoetis HQ on 0345 300 8034.