Last year’s competition saw photographs span a range of subjects from across the UK and overseas, from a common basilisk in Costa Rica and cattle during a TB testing day on the island of Arran, to a meerkat undergoing a vasectomy and a veterinary podiatrist at work.
Small animal vet Mandy Knight’s photo 'Happy Gastrotomy' and mixed-practice vet Jen Rowland’s photo of rare and native North Ronaldsay and Dartmoor sheep grazing under the milky way in Northumberland took the top prizes in their respective categories.
In January this year, the BVA was also invited to showcase 22 of the most commended photographs at an exhibition in the Houses of Parliament, to give MPs and Peers an insight into the varied roles performed by veterinary surgeons today.
This year’s competition, which is open to all BVA members, seeks images that highlight the human-animal bond within a veterinary practice as well as photographs of pets or wildlife taken outside of the working environment. Submissions should promote responsible animal interaction as well positive animal health and welfare.
Photographs can be submitted under one of two categories:
Human-animal bond
All creatures great and small
An expert panel of judges from the veterinary and photography worlds will judge this year’s entries. For the first time, BVA members will get the chance to select their favourite entry for the Members’ Choice Award, which will be open to votes from 27 August to 10 September.
The winner in each category will receive a £250 John Lewis gift voucher and have their photographs displayed at BVA Members’ Day in September, at other BVA events and used in BVA communications.
BVA President John Fishwick said: "The photo competition has created quite a buzz within the veterinary community since it launched two years ago. I have been delighted and amazed by the sheer range, quantity and quality of photographs submitted by our members so far and look forward to this year’s submissions.
"We are all passionate about animal health and welfare, so the way we interact with and capture images of the animal world offers a unique perspective, one that we were proud to showcase to members of parliament earlier this year. Whether you enjoy taking photos on your phone or have all the latest photography equipment, I would encourage all my colleagues within the veterinary family to give it a go and get clicking."
The competition closes at midnight on 19 August. More details about the competition, including terms and conditions, can be found at the BVA Photo Competition page: https://www.bva.co.uk/news-campaigns-and-policy/bva-photo-competition/
The full gallery of BVA Veterinary photographer of the year competition entries from 2016 and 2017 can be seen at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/britishvets/albums/
Photo: 'Happy Enterotomy' © Mandy Knight. CC BY-SA 2.0.
Merial has announced that a recent change of licence means you can now administer the new generation NSAID, Previcox® for the relief of post operative pain associated with soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery in dogs.
Mark Riggs MRCVS, Veterinary Technical Advisor for Merial said: "Previcox (firocoxib) is now licensed for the relief of post operative pain. Oral PREVICOX can be administered starting 2 hours prior to surgery and has a rapid onset of action reaching peak plasma levels within 90 minutes. The palatable tablet can be given without food and is a realistic option which should be seriously considered when choosing pain relief for surgical patients.
"Containing the active ingredient firocoxib, Previcox is also highly COX-2 selective, being 380 times more selective for COX-2 than COX-1. As a result, it offers a highly desirable efficacy and safety profile which is particularly beneficial in cases which have gone through the additional stress of surgery.
"The recently published study by John P. Punke et al strengthens the evidence reinforcing the benefits offered by firocoxib. The research evaluated the in-vivo effects of firocoxib, meloxicam and tepoxalin in target tissues of dogs suffering with chronic osteoarthritis.
"Eight dogs were used in the cross-over study and each dog received each of the treatments (and a placebo) for seven days, with an appropriate wash out period in between. Firocoxib significantly reduced inflammatory mediators within blood and synovial fluid at all time points, whereas meloxicam only showed a significant reduction compared to baseline values at day four.
"With evidence demonstrating the speed of the anti-inflammatory effect of firocoxib, it may be time for vets to reconsider their post operative pain management. Previcox can be administered orally prior to surgery and can be given once daily for up to three days post operatively. For orthopaedic surgery this treatment schedule can be extended after the first 3 days upon judgement of the attending vet."
For further information please contact your local territory manager or call the Merial Customer Support Centre on 0845 601 4236.
The Royal Veterinary College has announced the appointment of Professor Stuart Reid as its new Principal and the successor to Professor Quintin McKellar.
Professor Reid BVMS, PhD, DVM, DipECVPH, FRSE, MRCVS, joins the RVC from the University of Glasgow, where he was Professor of Veterinary Informatics and Epidemiology and Head of the School of Veterinary Medicine. He will take up his new role on 1st January 2011.
Professor Reid began his career in 1987 as an Assistant Veterinary Surgeon before joining the University of Glasgow as a Clinical Research Scholar in 1988. In 1992 he assumed the role of Post Doctoral Research Fellow at the University and was promoted to Senior Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in 1994. He was appointed to the first joint Chair between the Universities of Strathclyde and Glasgow in 1997, as Professor of Veterinary Informatics and Epidemiology. In 2004 he became Associate Dean of Research and, in 2005, he became Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow.
"I am delighted and honoured to be joining the Royal Veterinary College at this important time." said Professor Reid. "The RVC has an enviable heritage and is a world leader in terms of its innovation and leadership in veterinary education, research and clinical service. I recognise that I am enormously privileged to be moving from a great School to a great College and I look forward to building on the successes achieved by RVC under Principal McKellar at the same time as rising to the challenges of a new funding environment."
Professor Quintin McKellar was appointed Principal in August 2004. He leaves the RVC to take the post of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire.
Chairman of the RVC Council, The Right Hon the Baroness Shephard of Northwold, said: "Great strides have been made under Professor McKellar's dynamic leadership, and I am sure I speak for all at the College when I say we will be sad to see him go. We look forward to welcoming Professor Stuart Reid, and firmly believe that his experience and distinguished academic record will assist the Royal Veterinary College in strengthening its position over the coming years."
The finance was raised via a private placement with Sun Life Investment Management.
The College says it chose to finance via the private placement market due to the supportive buy and hold nature of the investor base, the strong demand within it for high quality higher education credits and the negotiated nature of the market.
In the top three of the QS world university rankings and with a strong financial performance history, the RVC’s £45 million senior unsecured note offering generated significant investor interest both within the UK and North America; with the offer four times over-subscribed, the RVC was able to take advantage of highly competitive long-term interest rates.
The secured funding will allow capital developments on both of the College's campuses.
Professor Stuart Reid, the RVC Principal, said: "I am absolutely delighted that we have secured this innovative blue chip financial backing in a deal which reflects our international reputation and leadership in the veterinary and biomedical sciences. We now look forward to investing in the next phase of capital development at the RVC, securing our position for years to come."
Candace Shaw, Head of Private Fixed Income, Sun Life Investment Management, said: "We are pleased to support the continued growth of the RVC, a specialised higher education institution with a renowned reputation both in the UK and internationally. The financing of the RVC represents a sound investment and aligns to Sun Life’s long-term investment objectives in this sector."
Eggshell membrane is rich in proteins and contains collagen type I, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine. Virbac says the components of eggshell membrane help to limit inflammatory processes that occur in osteoarthritis and preserve the existing cartilage structure whilst promoting synthesis. The company points to a study which showed that eggshell membrane contributes to a reduction in pain perception by 25%, improved joint function by 33% and increased quality of life by 35% within 6 weeks1.
Rémi Mandray, Product Manager at Virbac said: "I am delighted to be able to introduce this innovative new ingredient to the Veterinary HPM Joint & Mobility Clinical Diet. This is an addition to an already very comprehensive approach to nutrition in dogs with osteoarthritis, which affects 20% of the adult canine population2. Studies have shown that improvement on mobility is visible as quickly as 2 weeks after diet introduction3 – changing their diet truly can change their life!’
For more information contact your Virbac Territory Manager.
Reference
MSD Animal Health has announced the launch of The Big Tick Project, both to investigate whether ticks are carrying more pathogens and to raise awareness amongst the public.
The company highlights research which shows that nationally, tick distribution has expanded by 17% in the last 10 years and tick numbers have also increased in 73% of locations surveyed.1 In addition, the company says there is evidence that ticks are feeding earlier in the year and feeding for longer2, thus increasing their potential to pass on significant disease to both animals and humans. Lyme disease in particular can be serious health issue for both humans and animals, being increasingly recognised and recorded in the UK recent years3.
So, as part of the project, practices are being invited to collect ticks and send them to the University of Bristol for analysis. In addition, there'll be a national PR and marketing campaign fronted by the naturalist Chris Packham (pictured right).
Practices taking part in the project will receive a tick collection kit and marketing support pack including access to dedicated PR services, postcards and posters to raise awareness of ticks within their clinic and local community. The collection kit includes instructions, collection equipment and Freepost packaging to allow ticks removed from dogs to be sent to the university quickly and easily.
Professor Richard Wall from University of Bristol said: "For accurate results we need as many ticks as possible and I really encourage vet practices up and down the country to get involved. We need data from all types of practices ranging from urban to rural locations to help vets and human health professionals make more effective recommendations and help prevent tick-related disease."
To take part in The Big Tick Project, email a contact name and your practice details to: info@bigtickproject.co.uk.
References
The webinars, which are free of charge, are:
The webinars join 'The gastrointestinal microbiome and its effects', which is already available for free viewing via The Webinar Vet.
Product Manager Kai Crawshaw said: “We’ve received excellent feedback on the webinars from those who have already viewed them through our Learning Alliance platform. We hope that by also making them available via The Webinar Vet, we will make them more easily accessible to a higher number of veterinary professionals keen to refresh their knowledge in these important areas.”
The Animalcare webinars can be viewed here: https://www.thewebinarvet.com/webinars/animalcare
The veterinary group is stumping up more than £100,000 for the initiative, which will enable 20 vets and nurses, and 56 new grads from across the group to work with the Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) and other overseas animal charities.
The grants are for £1,500 and those taking part will also get up to one week of paid time off work whilst they volunteer.
VetPartners CEO Jo Malone said: “We wanted to support colleagues to have a fantastic experience while improving their skills in a different environment.
"It will give people a chance to use their clinical skills to give back to charities which are doing great work.
“If you’re working in a veterinary practice in Europe, you have support from team members around you and great facilities and equipment compared to the more challenging conditions working for a charity overseas.
"Working in these more challenging environments while they are volunteering will help build resilience, as our team members are unlikely to have experienced anything like this before.
“Charities like the World Veterinary Service are working ethically to help animals that may or may not have ever had veterinary care, and are doing a great job so we are delighted to support them.”
Rodolfo said: “We are the only independent specialist veterinary hospital in the area with the equipment and experience to diagnose and manage neurological issues in pets.
"With a custom-built veterinary hospital and the expertise to help vets get the best results for their patients, we will provide the next level of affordable, specialist care for owners and their pets with the transparency that our independent status enables.
“We will work hand in hand with referring vets, consulting with them on the best approach for their clients and always keep them fully updated on progress as each case unfolds.
"Initially, we are offering neurology services, but we plan to quickly upscale our operations and offer other services like orthopaedics soon.”
Pets suffering from symptoms including seizures, pain, difficulty walking and problems with balance and orientation can be referred.
"Any peripheral nervous system problems and neuromuscular diseases outside the spinal cord area can also be identified and treated.
Rodolfo added: “My focus is on pure collaboration with the vets that refer to us and their owners.
"I’m wholeheartedly motivated by providing the very best service at accessible prices.
"With a focus on communication and compassion – we will always work with the first opinion vet to put the best interests of their clients’ pets first.
www.southeastvetreferrals.com
Petplan has announced that nominations for its 2015 Veterinary Awards will open on 1st September 2014.
The awards, which are designed to recognise members of the veterinary profession who have gone 'above and beyond' in their daily roles, will be presented on 9th April 2015.
Petplan's Acting Head of Marketing, Ingrid Wakefield said: "At Petplan, we hear from our customers every day about the exceptional care veterinary staff have given to their pets. The Veterinary Awards provide an opportunity for Petplan to show their support for members of the veterinary profession who go beyond the call of duty in their role, and for pet owners across the UK to say thank you to the veterinary staff who have helped them and their pets."
Last year Petplan received more than 12,000 nominations, with every nominee receiving a certificate of recognition for their hard work.
Nominations can be made at www.petplan.co.uk/vetawards, from the start of September.
Thus far, the hospital has relied on conventional radiographs or referred for MRI for the bulk of its distal limb imaging.
The new Hallmarq standing CT scanner provides information that surpasses the capabilities of radiography, while also reducing radiation exposure to the patients and staff.
The scanning process is also considerably quicker, enabling prompt diagnosis and treatment planning.
Tom McParland, Valley Equine Hospital’s surgeon said: "We are confident that this diagnostic modality will significantly enhance our ability to identify not just thoroughbred fetlock pathology earlier but improve our diagnostic abilities of the distal limb for all our equine patients, racing and leisure alike.”
Valley Equine Hospital says it chose the Hallmarq standing CT scanner due to its ability to scan using just standing sedation which ensures a safer and more efficient experience for the horses compared to general anaesthesia.
www.valleyequinehospital.co.ukinfo.hallmarq.net/focus-on-the-foot
The BetterwithPets Prize invites entries from entrepreneurs whose work focuses on the power of the pet human bond and whose efforts are helping to transform society. Purina runs the prize in collaboration with Ashoka, a pioneer in the field of social entrepreneurship.
StreetVet was shortlisted from 150 applicants from Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Its Accredited Hostel Scheme offers free, accessible veterinary care for pets whose owners are experiencing homelessness and support for hostel managers and staff to adopt and implement positive pet policies.
Jade Statt, co-founder of StreetVet said: “Discovering a competition that celebrates the importance of the human animal bond felt like fate, one the StreetVet team felt compelled to enter. We are so delighted that we did! Going through this process has been really enlightening and we are beyond pleased that our project has reached the final, it is a real privilege."
The finalists will take part in an online pitch on 3rd June 2020, following which, Bernard Meunier, CEO, Nestlé Purina PetCare EMENA will announce the winners.
Mary Sharrock, External Relations Director, Purina, said: "The work StreetVet do is simply amazing and I’m delighted they’ve made the shortlist. Throughout the selection process for the BetterwithPets Prize, we found ourselves inspired by so many of the initiatives which harnessed the pet-human bond in such innovative ways and create positive changes in communities."
Lamond Veterinary Clinic from Livingston, West Lothian has won the first ever Merial Charity Rounders Challenge.
The winning team of vets and vet nurses batted and fielded their way to victory in September's rounders tournament involving practices from the region.
Merial Territory Manager Caroline Fox said: "The winners received a shield acknowledging their sporting triumph. Everyone had a fun day and all proceeds raised from the event went to their chosen charity, the SSPCA."
She added: "Everyone enjoyed the event so much, we are already being asked to organise another tournament for next year."
If any practices would like to participate in future ‘Charity Rounders Challenges', please contact Caroline Fox on 07825624413 or email: caroline.fox@merial.com
The BSAVA reports that two four month old puppies in The Netherlands have tested positive for rabies.
The puppies were imported into The Netherlands from Bulgaria on October 5th. Reports indicate that these puppies, which were both microchipped and travelling under the Pet Passport scheme, originated from a shelter in Bulgaria. They are still trying to trace the driver and passenger who delivered the puppies.
One puppy started showing signs of fever and paralysis on 10th October and was euthanased on 18th October, it has tested positive for rabies on both direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
The second puppy was euthanased because it originated from the same litter, although it was living in a different area of the country by this time. This dog was suffering from haemorrhagic gastro-enteritis (HGE), but showed no neurological signs. However it has also tested positive for rabies on both DIF and PCR.
The BSAVA says this aspect of the case will be of particular concern to veterinary professionals in the UK because HGE is commonly seen in unvaccinated (imported) puppies. Preliminary reports do not make clear the vaccination status of these dogs.
BSAVA President, Professor Michael Day, said: "Not only does this demonstrate the need for pet owners to comply with pet travel legislation, but also for vets to be alert to the possibility of disease with any imported animal.
"Whilst we have been concerned about the issue of illegal imports and the enforcement of the current legislation, this latest incident also raises the possibility of rabies cases in dogs that appear to comply with the current pet passport regulation."
This calls into question whether veterinary staff in first opinion practice should be offered the pre-exposure rabies vaccination. The current recommendations from Public Health England are that all individuals at continuous and frequent risk of exposure to the rabies virus, as well as some groups at infrequent risk, should be offered pre-exposure rabies vaccination. Professor Day said: "Whilst veterinary professionals in companion animal practice are not currently included in this list, this might be a timely point to undertake a review based on a new risk assessment. I would be in support of practitioners who believe they are at risk having the option of the subsidised occupational vaccination."
UK veterinary surgeons are reminded that responsibility for dealing with illegal imports rests with local authorities; usually Trading Standards or Environmental Health. However, if a veterinary surgeon in practice has any suspicion of rabies or any other notifiable disease they should inform their local Animal Health Office.
The letter outlines how the organisations want to work with the government to ensure the best possible outcome for animal health and welfare, public health and the veterinary profession post-Brexit, but also voices concern that perceptions of ‘anti-foreigner’ rhetoric may already be having an impact on the veterinary workforce.
Here is the full text of the letter sent to the Prime Minister on the afternoon of Tuesday 18 October 2016:
Dear Prime Minister,
Like all professions and sectors, we are currently involved in detailed debates regarding how Brexit is likely to affect our members and how we can best harness the opportunities it may present. We are very keen to work with the government to make a success of Brexit within our sector. The veterinary profession plays a crucial role in protecting public health, relies heavily on EU graduates and is already feeling the impact of the EU referendum.
The UK veterinary profession is made up of over 26,000 veterinary surgeons and over 11,000 veterinary nurses, working to improve the health and welfare of animals, to monitor and control the spread of diseases, and to assure the safety of the food we eat. Each year around 50% of veterinary surgeons registering to practise in the UK are from overseas, with the vast majority coming from the EU. EU veterinary surgeons make a particularly strong contribution to public health critical roles such as working in the Government Veterinary Services. In the meat hygiene sector some estimates suggest 95% of veterinary surgeons graduated overseas. Consequently, Brexit and accompanying changes to the mutual recognition system or immigration restrictions could have a profound impact upon the veterinary workforce.
We are currently considering how best to manage the potential impact on the veterinary workforce, and will be very pleased to discuss these issues with the relevant government departments in due course. However, even before Article 50 is triggered we are experiencing a negative impact on the existing veterinary workforce.
We have received reports that the increasing focus on foreign workers is causing personal distress to individual members of the veterinary profession who live and work in the UK. There are also reports of a negative impact on recruitment and retention: those involved in public health critical roles, such as meat hygiene, are having increasing difficulty recruiting much needed EU veterinary surgeons to work in the UK; leading experts from overseas are turning down employment offers from top UK universities; and many others are considering leaving the UK due to a feeling it is no longer welcoming to foreigners. There is a danger that the language and rhetoric around Brexit, alongside the ongoing uncertainty for non-British EU citizens, could seriously impact the veterinary profession’s ability to fulfil its essential roles.
The government has encouraged professions like ours to present factual data on the EU migration issues so that you can fully understand the challenges the country faces. The RCVS has begun the process of commissioning detailed research into the impact that Brexit is having upon those working in the profession and the implications this could have for the veterinary workforce. We will keep your officials informed as to the results of this research.
In the meantime, we reiterate our call for the government to protect the status of non-British EU vets and vet nurses currently working and studying in the UK, and urge Ministers to be mindful of the negative impact of what may be perceived as ‘anti-foreigner’ rhetoric.
We are committed to working with you to identify opportunities created by Brexit for animal health and welfare, public health and veterinary research and to realise our joint vision for the UK to continue to lead in these areas, and we are keen to maintain close communication with you and your colleagues as the negotiations develop.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Tufnell, President, Royal College of Veterinary SurgeonsGudrun Ravetz, President, British Veterinary Association
The booklet contains practical advice on handling rabbits, anaesthetic drugs, procedures and what to look out for from the moment the rabbit arrives into the practice up to recovery and homecare. Special attention is given to reducing anxiety in rabbit patients as much as possible at every stage.
Topics covered in the booklet include: medications in rabbits generally used according to the UK prescribing cascade, preparing for rabbit anaesthesia in clinic, staff training, an overview of anaesthetic drugs, the induction process and important points of difference, monitoring and recovery and adjunctive treatments.
Richard Beckwith, country manager of Jurox said: "Rabbits are prey species and often become stressed in the veterinary practice environment which can have a negative impact during anaesthesia and post-anaesthesia. Our new Considerations for Anaesthetising Rabbits expert panel guidelines booklet will help address this and raise anaesthesia and analgesia standards in veterinary practices."
For more information, visit www.alfaxan.co.uk, contact Jurox customer services on info@jurox.co.uk or telephone 0800 500 3871.
The changes follow a jointly-funded research project by the RCVS and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association to evaluate how effective the PDP is in supporting graduates during the transition from veterinary school to veterinary practice.
The research was carried out by the Work Psychology Group and included online surveys, telephone interviews and a focus group with recent graduates and representatives from practices that are currently employing recent graduates.
The aim was to understand both positive and negative experiences of the PDP amongst veterinary graduates and their employers considering existing obstacles to learning and development, any gaps in support provision and common areas of confusion, anxiety and concern.
Christine Warman, RCVS Director of Education, said: "We are really grateful to everyone that took the time to give us their views and are pleased that this report gives us such a solid foundation on which to base necessary changes. What came across very strongly from the feedback we received was that the overall purpose and aims of the PDP were welcomed by graduates, employers and other stakeholders as something that is useful and good for the profession.
"Most agreed that having a formal support mechanism for graduates is essential for navigating the transition between the structured environment of veterinary school to the ‘coalface’ of veterinary practice.
"However, it was clear that there are issues with the PDP in its current format, including comments around it being a 'tick-box' or 'check-list' exercise in which the number of tasks completed was seen as more important than a focus on qualitative aspects such as confidence and progression as well as a lack of focus on development of non-clinical skills.
"As a result the Work Psychology Group came up with a series of recommendations which were approved by our PDP Working Group in December 2017 and then our Education Committee in February 2018. Some of these recommendations, as set out below, can be actioned in the short-term and we hope that these will rectify some of the concerns that were raised.
"In the longer-term the future of the PDP and the further recommendations of this research are also being considered as part of our Graduate Outcomes Project which is taking a more holistic view on the skills and competences of future veterinary professionals."
The short-term recommendations accepted by the RCVS Education Committee are:
Developing guidance to support graduates and employers through the process of reflection on their progress.
Considering how to build opportunities to capture and record reflective learning into the PDP.
Making it a requirement of the PDP that every graduate who is participating in the PDP has a named workplace mentor assigned to them, as well as a Postgraduate Dean.
Asking assigned mentors to sign-off their graduate’s progress on the PDP on a regular basis (eg every other month) and write a short commentary on the graduate’s progress on a six-monthly or annual basis.
Sharing resources between the BSAVA and RCVS looking at where further resources can be developed.
Gaining feedback from other professions as well as the veterinary schools regarding platforms that have been used for similar purposes and have been successful. This process would consider the key requirements of a PDP platform and ensure that the right questions are asked to gain feedback.
Sheldon Middleton, Chair of BSAVA’s PDP Committee, said: "We’re really pleased with the start we’ve made to help graduates and their employers take positive steps to tackle the challenges of transitioning between university and practice, and we have a plan to improve further, working with RCVS to really make a difference.
"We are also pleased to have this opportunity to reflect on such comprehensive feedback after our first year, this empirical evidence from those involved is invaluable, we have learnt lessons and highlighted areas for further development, so now we’re looking ahead to make sure we implement our improvement plan."
"The BSAVA Resource Bank received positive feedback (1.5.4) however, the majority of stakeholders and graduates were unaware of this resource and we will work to address this."
The full report from the Work Psychology Group can be downloaded from the RCVS website at: www.rcvs.org.uk/lifelong-learning/professional-development-phase-pdp/pdp-research/
Vétoquinol has launched Flexadin, a new range of joint support products for cats and dogs with osteoarthritis (OA)
Robert Simpson, Flexadin Product Manager said: "This new range is made up of two products: Flexadin Plus and Flexadin Advanced, both are dietetic complementary feeds which are members of a small group of joint support products which contain Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E. These ingredients are proven to aid the support of the metabolism of joints in the case of OA. Although many different joint support aids are available, not all of them contain these extra ingredients."
Vétoquinol says that in addition to Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E, Flexadin Plus contains the traditional ingredients: glucosamine, chondroitin and devil's claw. Flexadin Advanced contains the novel ingredient, UCII - a type of undenatured type II collagen which has been manufactured using a patented process.
Flexadin Plus comes in two formulations, the first is specifically designed for cats/small dogs and the other is for medium/large dogs. Flexadin Advanced is specifically for dogs.
Robert added: "Flexadin Advanced has a specific property which means that the administration rate is only one chew per day whatever the weight of the dog. This has an important impact on the price per day for medium and large dogs which may require more than one tablet of traditional joint support products. This property also makes Flexadin Advanced a convenient option for owners. In addition to this benefit, UCII is becoming more and more popular due to the results of scientific studies in dogs, horses and even humans.
"We are all very excited about the advances this range can bring to veterinary practices."
Both Flexadin Plus and Advanced are presented as palatable, shaped, soft chews which come in zip-lock packs to keep the soft chews fresh and tasty. Flexadin Plus comes in packs of 90 chews whilst Flexadin Advanced comes in packs of 30 chews.
For further information about Flexadin, contact Vétoquinol on: 01280 825424.
Kit, or, to give him his full title, Dr Kit Sturgess MA, VetMB, PhD, CertVR, DSAM, CertVC, FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Medicine, has been working as an internist in private referral practice since 2003. In 2006 he became a founding partner in a multidisciplinary referral centre that he saw grow from five to 65 members of staff within five years.
He is also Chair of BSAVA Education Committee, Trustee of Cats Protection and Chair of Trustees of the Wildheart Trust. He was formerly an RCVS Knowledge Trustee and member of RCVS Council.
Kit has authored numerous articles and two textbooks, and presents lectures and research abstracts at conferences worldwide.
Kit will take up the editorship on 2nd September, succeeding Professor Peter Cockcroft. He said: “I am delighted to take on the editorship of Veterinary Evidence. With readers in 150 countries and output that has more than doubled over the past three years, the journal has quickly become a mainstay of evidence-based veterinary medicine, which is a testament to Peter’s enthusiasm and commitment to the development of the journal and its impact on the veterinary community.
"I am excited about leading Veterinary Evidence in its next stage of development, with recent events showing the critical importance of open online access. Veterinary Evidence is ideally placed to support an ever-growing and wide range of veterinary professionals by further developing a multimedia, multiplatform approach facilitating the use of evidence-based medicine in their daily practice."
Veterinary Evidence journal can be read at: veterinaryevidence.org
The company says the new test overcomes a major shortcoming in faecal egg counts: that they can only detect the presence of egg-laying adult worms. The new test, by contrast, can detect all stages of the small redworm life cycle, including the important encysted larval phase.
ADB says the new test will help protect the effectiveness of moxidectin, the only dewormer which is capable of eliminating the encysted stages and against which widespread resistance is not thought to have developed.
Whereas before, routine winter treatment was needed to target the encysted phase, this new test means the drug can be kept for when it is really needed, which will help prevent the development of resistance. ADB says it will also be of great value to equine vets in making differential diagnoses.
The blood test was developed by Prof Jacqui Matthews’ group at the Moredun Research Institute (MRI), with funding from The Horse Trust. She said: "It is great to see the commercialisation of this much-needed test to support sustainable worm control in horses. The test fills an important gap in our diagnostic toolbox and will enable horse owners to work with their veterinarians in targeting anthelmintic treatments against cyathostomin infections and hence help protect these important medicines for the future."
Dr Corrine Austin from ADB said: "ADB is now developing laboratory ELISA kits to enable independent veterinary laboratories to conduct blood testing; these kits are expected to reach market during 2020. Research into the saliva-based test is ongoing and is expected to be commercialised several years from now."
Veterinary practices can contact ADB at info@austindavis.co.uk to register interest in the diagnostic test service.
The new 'SMART goals tool' is an addition to the charity's Farm Vet Champions programme, which supports veterinary teams with knowledge and resources to ensure antimicrobials are used responsibly.
To support the take-up of the new SMART goals tool, RCVS Knowledge will be running a free webinar on Zoom at 12:30pm on Tuesday 17th May (register here).
Fiona Lovatt, Farm Vet Champions Clinical Lead, said: “It is such a critical time to ensure we are using antimicrobials responsibly so that they will work when patients really need them.
"We all have a responsibility to fight antimicrobial resistance. The good news is there is a lot we can do – one of those things is getting involved with Farm Vet Champions, enhancing our skills and adapting our practice.
“I am so excited to see the launch of our SMART goal tool. It is both engaging and simple to use, and I expect it will encourage practice teams to motivate each other to track their progress in their stewardship activities.
Fraser Broadfoot, Head of Antibiotic Use and Stewardship Team at Veterinary Medicines Directorate, said: “We are really supportive of this important initiative.
"In the UK we have seen a 52% reduction in antibiotic use for food producing animals since 2014, and this has been driven by vets and farmers working together to reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics and with a strong focus on disease prevention.
"However, as highlighted in the RUMA sector targets, there are still areas where improvements can be made and where antibiotic use data is lacking.
"This SMART goals tool therefore provides an easy-to-use and practical resource that is designed to help and motivate vets and practice teams to set, monitor and accomplish goals and build on the tremendous progress that they have already achieved.
"This will not only help the livestock sectors to achieve their targets, but will result in improvements in animal health and, by reducing the burden of resistant bacteria, have public health benefits too.”
All veterinary surgeons, nurses and students over the age of 18 were invited to participate by email, which elicited 2,781 complete responses and a further 631 partial responses, 1682 from vets, 328 from vet students, 1,369 from nurses and 553 from student vet nurses.
80% of respondents were female, 16.8% male, 1.4% non-binary, 0.8% genderfluid and 0.9% preferred not to say or to self describe.
93.3% were white, 2% were Asian or Asian British, 0.6% were black, black British, Caribbean or African.
The remainder identified as 'other ethnic group', mixed or multiple ethnic groups, or preferred not to say.
90.4% of participants worked within clinical veterinary practice, three-quarters in small animal practice.
Almost two-thirds worked part time.
Paradoxically, although around 50% of respondents described their physical or mental health as 'good' or 'very good', 75.6% considered themselves to have at least one disability or chronic condition (61% chronic, 48% physical, 39% mental health and 30% neurodivergent).
Female veterinary surgeons were significantly more likely to suffer from a mental health condition (48.3%) than males (19.2%).
Mental health conditions were far more common amongst the young (51% of those aged 18-29), than the old (28% of 50-59 year olds, declining to 9% of 70-79 year olds)
Veterinary nurses were more likely to say they have a mental health condition (47.3%), than veterinary surgeons (27.9%).
As with mental health, the proportion of respondents identifying as neurodivergent decreased with age (42.3% of respondents aged 18-29 vs 6.7% of those in the 70-79 age group).
Whilst overall, 29.8% identify as neurodivergent, the figure was notably higher (83.3%) amongst those who identify as non-binary or genderfluid.
The number of people with a physical condition varied less with age and gender, although of course, broadly speaking, age brings with it an increase in physical problems.
60% of participants said they are affected by their disability/chronic condition every day, and 68% agreed or strongly agreed that they had to make significant changes to their life to continue working.
The most frequently reported symptoms of disability/chronic condition were mental health (45.2%), pain (36.4%), learning, understanding or concentrating (33.8%), and stamina or energy limitations (32.3%).
When asked if they were treated different at work because of their disability or chronic condition, 49.5% said they had not and 34.7% said they had.
Of those who felt they had been treated differently, 45% thought that disclosing their condition had contributed to this.
18% of those in education and 36% of those in work said they had experienced discrimination, bullying or harassment because of their disability/chronic condition.
Discrimination, bullying or harassment was more likely to be reported by those with a mental health condition or who identify as neurodivergent (47% and 46%), than those with a physical or chronic condition (38% and 37%)
Perceived discrimination, bullying or harassment was most likely to have come from managers (76%) and colleagues (64%) compared to clients and 'other' (15%).
63% of respondents believed there was a strong or moderate understanding of the Equality Act at their workplace but 12% thought their employer had no knowledge or understanding.
45% thought their employer had strong or moderate understanding of the Access to Work scheme, while 27% reported no understanding at their workplace.
Examples of good practice were given by some respondents about their existing or previous workplaces. These included reasonable adjustments such as adjusted working hours, environment and task adaptations, alongside good communication, support (from colleagues, managers and external sources), and additional resources.
Gurpreet Gill, Leadership and Inclusion Manager at the RCVS, said: “While there are some sobering elements in this report, and some clear and unfortunate examples of poor practice and discrimination, the overwhelming feeling is that there is goodwill and a desire to help people out there in the professions, but sometimes a lack of understanding and knowledge on how best to do this.
"Of course, there are also some excellent examples of good practice in terms of putting in place adjustments and accommodations for employees and staff with disabilities, as well as for students on placements.
“Overall, this should be taken as a call for more members of the professions to familiarise themselves with the Equality Act 2010 (https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/equality/equality-act-2010) and its provisions.
Under this legislation, it is unlawful to discriminate against people with protected characteristics, including disability.
"The act sets out the legal requirement for workplaces and educational institutions, among others, to make reasonable adjustments to avoid disabled people being placed at a disadvantage.
“We will now be considering how we, as the regulator and Royal College, can best support members of the professions in understanding their rights and responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010, and what further training and education can be provided, looking at the RCVS Academy as a potential vehicle for doing so.”
Olivia Anderson-Nathan, a Director of BVCIS added: “Overall, the report demonstrates that although there are systemic issues that require a shift in workplace culture, there may be some relatively ‘easy wins’.
"For example, improving line manager knowledge of the Equality Act and providing reasonable adjustments that are typically inexpensive and simple to implement, such as providing seating and ergonomic equipment, and rota or shift changes.
"Many changes, like flexible working, will actually benefit everyone.
"Most importantly, employers and educators need to make sure that those with disabilities, neurodivergence, and chronic illnesses understand their rights and are given positive support to identify their needs.
"This means co-designing individualised adjustments and avoiding a one size fits all approach.
“BVCIS will continue our work to educate the profession, offering support and guidance for anyone not sure where to start.
"We also offer community support through our Veterinary Spoonholders Facebook page for disabled, chronically ill and/or neurodivergent people in the veterinary world so – please do come and join us if any of the experiences detailed in the report resonate with you.”
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An amendment to the EU's draft budget for a €2 million pilot research project into homeopathy and phytotherapy for farm animals has been approved today by the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee.
BVA President Harvey Locke, said: "Millions of Euros have already been spent on trying to prove the scientific efficacy of homeopathic medicines. To date we have not seen any data to prove they can be effective in the treatment of bacterial infections.
"Whilst it is unlikely that €2 million will be able to determine whether or not there is a basis for claiming homeopathic products can work, we welcome European investment in veterinary research and hope that the results of the pilot will be useful."
The RCVS has published Fitness to Practise - A Guide for UK Veterinary Schools and Veterinary Students, a guide for veterinary students which aims to introduce them to the concept of fitness to practise and help prepare them for professional life.
The guide was developed by an RCVS working party in conjunction with the UK's seven veterinary schools that currently offer an RCVS-approved veterinary degree. It has also received approval from the Veterinary Schools Council, a new body which represents the interests of the country's veterinary schools.
The guide is split into two parts: the first part provides guidance for veterinary schools on how to recognise and address fitness to practise concerns; the second part sets out the broad principles of fitness to practise that students should follow and which veterinary schools should uphold.
Laura McClintock, an Advisory Solicitor from the RCVS Professional Conduct Department, said: "While we don't regulate veterinary students themselves, we hope that this guidance will prepare future vets for the requirements and standards that we expect from members of a regulated profession and for adhering to our Code of Professional Conduct and its supporting guidance.
"The guide also recognises that each university will have its own specific disciplinary guidelines and procedures, but we hope that this will help promote consistency in their fitness to practise regimes.
"Although we expect any adverse findings made in university fitness to practise proceedings to be declared to us upon application to register, we would take into account the fact that a student is not a fully-fledged professional and would therefore make some allowance for any mistakes and poor judgement when considering whether or not they should join the Register."
The guide can be downloaded for free from www.rcvs.org.uk/studentguide
The RCVS is also in the process of forming a working party to produce equivalent guidance for student veterinary nurses.