A world-first clinical audit which looked at the outcomes of minimally-invasive surgical procedures in dogs, published in The Journal of Veterinary Cardiology, has concluded that the process of performing a clinical audit in veterinary clinical interventions across different centres is achievable.

The audit¹ was led by Paragon Veterinary Referrals’ head of cardiology, Chris Linney (pictured), to review treatment for patent ductus arteriosus. 

He set up the study whilst working at Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service, and the other centres collaborating on the study were Anicura Oslo Animal Hospital, Heart Vets; Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, University Hospital of Companion Animals, Copenhagen and Veterinary Cardiology Consultancy.

Other clinicians taking part included Brigite Pedro, Mike Martin and João Neves, formerly of Willows, along with Jo Harris and Dave Dickson, of HeartVets.

Chris, an RCVS and EBVS specialist in cardiology, said: “This published multicentre prospective clinical audit was a first of its kind in the cardiology world. 

“This type of audit acts as a quality control to improve patient outcomes through systematic review of care, comparing to predefined criteria and then implementing change, and so the process repeats.

“Improving patient outcomes and benchmarking against existing standards is essential for elevating patient outcomes.

In the centres in this study, we are already delivering excellent patient outcomes but with room for improvements, however small, this audit will help future patients but also colleagues across the cardiology world.”

Reference

1. Martin M, Pedro B, Dickson D, Neves J, Harris J, Martinez-Pereira Y, Oliveira MI, Willesen JL, Vatne L, Culshaw GJ, Linney C. Outcome clinical audit: Analyses of interventional closure of patent ductus arteriosus in dogs. J Vet Cardiol. 2022 Jul 5;43:27-40. doi: 10.1016/j.jvc.2022.06.009. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35947914. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35947914/ 

The RCVS Veterinary Nurse Disciplinary Committee has suspended Gwent-based veterinary nurse Samantha Giles from the Register for two months after she failed to respond to repeated requests to provide her CPD records.

At the outset of the hearing, Ms Giles admitted that between 1 August 2012 and 21 June 2016 she had failed to respond to reasonable requests from the RCVS to share her CPD records – these requests amounted to 11 letters, two emails and three telephone calls. Of these attempts to contact Ms Giles, she responded to just one email. This was in May 2016 in which she issued an apology (and an explanation that she had moved address) and offered to provide certificates proving that she had undertaken CPD – despite the fact that no such evidence could in fact be produced.

During the proceedings the RCVS asserted that Ms Giles had failed to comply with several crucial aspects of the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses – namely that all members of the profession are expected to undertake at least 45 hours of CPD over a rolling three-year period in order to keep their professional skills and competences up-to-date, that these CPD records should be provided upon request and that members of the profession must comply with reasonable requests from the RCVS.

In her evidence Ms Giles said that she knew she should have responded to these requests but admitted that she did not originally regard the requests as important and thought that the matter would 'go away' if she did not respond. When it became clear that this was not the case she said she found it difficult to face up to her obligations. She also admitted that her failures to respond were unprofessional and that she now has an appreciation of the importance of undertaking CPD in terms of keeping up with changing practices and advances in veterinary and nursing practice.

Having found the charges against her proved and finding her guilty of disgraceful conduct, the Committee then considered its sanction against Ms Giles. The Committee took into account the seriousness of Ms Giles' failings in that she made repeated decisions not to comply with requests from the RCVS over a protracted period of four years. 

Professor Alistair Barr, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "Your failures show, inevitably, a disregard for the regulatory responsibilities of the RCVS to police veterinary nurses' obligations to fulfil their CPD requirements."

He added: "The RCVS can only seek to ensure compliance with those obligations at one step removed, namely by requesting information from its registrants that they have complied with their CPD obligations. They are in this respect, therefore, heavily dependent on the cooperation of registrants to provide full, honest and prompt responses to their reasonable requests for confirmation of their compliance. It is that which has been sorely absent in this case."

The Committee heard mitigating evidence on behalf of Ms Giles including witness statements and letters from current and former colleagues which complimented her communication skills with work colleagues and animal owners and in which it was accepted that she is a "valued member of the veterinary nursing profession."

The Committee also recognised that she had shown insight into her failings, that she had not attempted to excuse the failures to respond to the RCVS and had been making efforts to keep records of her CPD.

However, the Committee decided that a suspension from the Register would be the most appropriate sanction. Professor Barr said: "The mitigation that has been advanced on your behalf has been considered by the Committee and that has served to reduce the period of suspension that a bare account of the facts pertaining to the charge laid against you might suggest is appropriate.

"In the result that mitigation has persuaded us that we would be acting consistently with our public duty by imposing a period of suspension of two months. In imposing that sanction we have noted the evidence as to your professional competence and your other professional qualities. The Committee trusts, therefore, that once you have served your period of suspension you will return to the practice which you say you love."

Vets with Horsepower, an intrepid band of motorbiking vets, has helped BEVA hit its target of £20,000 to buy generators for colleagues in Ukraine.

Vets with Horsepower is organised annually by Professor Derek Knottenbelt to help raise funds for equine and human charities around the world.

This year the group undertook an endurance motorbike trip of over 1600 miles: from the UK to Germany, across Scandinavia and back, hosting education events for equine vets along the way to raise funds for four charities including BEVA's Power for Ukraine.

BEVA Council member Alison Talbot, said: “Thanks to the generosity of equine vets in the UK we had just hit the halfway mark of raising £10,000, before Vets with Horsepower set off on their epic Scandinavian mission.

"We are so grateful for their donation of £9922 which means we can now buy another five generators, to help twice as many vets and horses in extremely difficult circumstances during enforced power cuts."

The generators will be transported to a collection point in Poland and then on to Ukraine in time for winter.

Donations to the BEVA Trust Power To Ukraine appeal can be made here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/powertoukraine 

Any surplus funds will be added to the general fund to support equids in Ukraine.

Medivet has announced that the Pilgrims Veterinary Clinics based in Dartford and West Kingsdown have become the 100th and 101st practices to join the Medivet Veterinary Partnership

Arnold Levy, Managing Director of Medivet said: "We are delighted to welcome the Pilgrims group. Medivet was founded in 1986, and we have been growing steadily ever since. Our model is based on acquisition or partnership with existing practices. That means we are still entirely vet owned and vet managed - and I strongly believe this traditional partnership model is the reason for our success."

He added: "We invest alongside our partner practices. We share the cost of investment for new equipment, and we share the profits. This has been a consistently successful approach for us. It's given our group the resilience to thrive whatever the competition, or the state of the economy."

The Royal Veterinary College has published a new study which concludes that owners of epileptic dogs value partnerships of care with their veterinary surgeon, and that owner satisfaction could be improved with more educational resources.

For the study, 21 owners were interviewed and transcripts thematically analysed.

Owners who reported positive experiences with their vets described the value of comprehensive initial explanations of their dog’s condition, seeing the same veterinary surgeon for each consult, and individual attributes of vets, including current knowledge on epilepsy management and good communication skills.

The authors say these factors are likely to contribute to improved two-way vet-owner communication, owner satisfaction and adherence to care instructions. 

The implications of a negative relationship were also highlighted by the study.

Owners’ dissatisfaction with perceived insufficient expertise from their general practice vet (resulting in referrals to specialists), and when referred, poor communication between referral specialists and their primary care vet.

Owners’ pre-existing views and values were identified as drivers of negative experiences including strong dog-owner bonds leading to extremely high expectations for veterinary care. 

Another factor was pre-existing distrust and perceived biases of the veterinary pharmaceutical industry.

Owners who had a more negative experience with veterinary surgeons were found to be more likely to perform their own personal research, putting them at higher risk of being influenced by the large amount  of misinformation online.

The authors say that vets often report that they find epilepsy challenging to manage, particularly as a high proportion of dogs do not respond sufficiently to available medications.

This study aimed to help provide a better understanding of owners’ wants and needs.

Dr Rowena Packer, Primary supervisor on this study and Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College, said: “Epilepsy is a challenging condition to manage for dog owners and veterinary surgeons alike.

"Owners’ emotions often run high due to the trauma of witnessing their beloved dog’s seizure, and the ongoing stresses of caregiving for their dog.

"In tandem, vets can feel frustrated at not always being able to reduce seizures as much as they’d hope.

"Combined, the capacity for disappointment and conflict is high.

“Forging strong, trusting partnerships of care between owners and vets is key to maintaining wellbeing for all three members of the ‘treatment triangle’ – affected dogs, owners and vets."

Amy Pergande, Royal Veterinary College Veterinary graduate who conducted this research as part of her Master of Research degree, said: “Improving availability of reliable information sources for epilepsy management could help veterinary teams to confidently prescribe ’information prescriptions’ that boost owner confidence and help them to feel empowered to contribute more actively in decision-making for their dog, in partnership with their vet.”

Dr Zoe Belshaw, EBVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Medicine, of EviVet Evidence-based Medicine Research Consultancy and co-author of the study, said: “Our research suggests owners really value vets taking the time, once the initial shock has receded, to share information, answer questions and signpost to external resources, including peer-to-peer support forums.

"Ensuring that owners feel confident and competent about caring for their dog with epilepsy is likely to benefit the dog, its owners and the veterinary team providing their ongoing care”.

BVA President Gudrun Ravetz has argued that recognising and retaining the vital roles that vets play across animal health, animal welfare and public health is pivotal to securing successful outcomes from Brexit, in her speech at the BVA's annual London Dinner in Westminster last night.

She said: "The veterinary family – which is my focus as BVA President – is part of the international scientific community, and we are a diverse profession with far-reaching influence and impact in so many areas of political and public life ... A healthy veterinary workforce is vital for UK animal and human health."

With the residence or working rights of UK-based EU vets a 'top five' priority for the profession in forthcoming Brexit negotiations, Gudrun highlighted workforce issues: "The UK veterinary profession relies heavily on EU graduates, who have felt the impact of the EU referendum result since day one … In the meat hygiene sector alone, some estimates suggest 95% of veterinary surgeons graduated overseas.

"That’s why our first action after 23 June was to call on UK governments to protect the status of EU veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses currently living and working in the UK. It was encouraging to see some of these key priorities … make it into the Prime Minister’s list of negotiating priorities. But we have said from the outset that our members need certainty and reassurance, so we urge the Government to make that firm commitment now."

"We know vets remain nervous about the changes to come, with many of our members concerned about the threat Brexit poses for UK animal health and welfare … Yet we can also see the opportunities Brexit presents, and BVA is determined to work with the Government to seize these opportunities, where they exist, to improve standards."

Highlighting opportunities that Brexit could offer in terms of improving animal health and welfare, Gudrun suggested a tightening up of the Pet Travel Scheme to reduce the growing trend of illegal puppy imports and improvements for welfare at slaughter. She said:

"The Welfare at Time of Killing or WATOK Regulations for England … are a case in point about the welfare-mismatch that could occur between domestic standards and those of our trading partners under the new Brexit arrangements. By failing to bring in evidence-based parameters for all waterbath stunning of poultry, [the] legislation has rendered it impossible for Official Veterinarians to protect the welfare of all chickens at slaughter. The regulations are simply not for fit for purpose, and could call into question England’s claim as a leader in high animal welfare."

The BVA President then shared a highlight of an early meeting between BVA and the then new Defra Secretary of State Andrea Leadsom MP last July: "We were pleased to hear [the Defra Secretary of State’s] vision to make the unique selling points of 'UK PLC' high animal welfare and food safety standards. It's a commitment that BVA fully backs ... To ensure our high standards continue, it is essential that we maintain existing veterinary certification and controls to satisfy our own consumer demand for quality and safety. Official statistics put the value of UK livestock outputs at £13 billion and not a penny of that could be realised without veterinary input."

Gudrun concluded by saying: "We can only make a success of Brexit if we harness our veterinary resource in clinical practice, public health, government services, conservation, academia, research and industry. We are a small profession but our impact is significant."

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity Lord Gardiner of Kimble responded, saying: "In my role at Defra I am continually reminded of the importance of the relationship between vets and government - most recently in tackling the outbreak of Avian Influenza in the UK. Your thoughts and ideas are invaluable as we manage the many opportunities and challenges posed by exiting the European Union, ensure the highest standards of animal welfare, protect the country from new animal disease threats, and attract the brightest and best into the profession.

"I look forward to continuing to work closely together as we push ahead with our plans to create a world leading food and farming industry based on high standards of animal health and welfare." 

To find out more about the BVA’s work on the UK’s exit from the EU, visit www.bva.co.uk/news-campaigns-and-policy/policy/future-of-the-profession/brexit/

Linnaeus reports that last year, it doubled the funding for its Open Access Publication Charge (OAPC) initiative, through which it covers the fees for its associates to publish open access in prominent peer-reviewed veterinary journals.

The Linnaeus OAPC initiative was launched in 2021 and originally allocated £30K for 2022.

However, that figure was doubled after the company received a growing number of high quality submissions. 

33 papers were accepted for funding in 2022, of which 24 have so far been published and the remainder are undergoing peer review. 

The authors comprise clinicians, specialists, residents and interns across nine referral and primary care sites within the group.

The OAPC was introduced by Professor Luisa De Risio, Clinical Research & Excellence Director at Linnaeus (pictured right).

She said: “By making clinical research open access, we can ensure it makes the widest possible impact – while also supporting the author’s profile and career development.

"We are continuing to offer OAPC funding to our associates in 2023 and look forward to seeing the fantastic research published as a result.”

Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC has announced that it has acquired the entire issued share capital of Genitrix Limited ("Genitrix") from its owner managers for an initial cash consideration of £5.4 million, with a further £0.8 million being payable upon achievement of specific milestones.

Dechra says the acquisition of Genitrix is consistent with its strategy to grow its international veterinary pharmaceutical business. In the year ended 31 March 2010, Genitrix achieved revenues of £2.4 million.

Ian Page, Chief Executive of Dechra, said: "Genitrix range of equine and companion animal products enhances and complements our UK product portfolio.  Furthermore the recently approved canine epilepsy product, Libromide, provides future growth opportunities through potential mutual recognition in Europe.  The acquisition is expected to be earnings enhancing in the first full year following ownership."

RCVS Knowledge has updated and expanded its free evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM) course and it is now available on RCVS Knowledge Learn, the charity's new elearning platform.

The course offers veterinary surgeons and students six hours of CPD covering the five stages of EBVM and an overview of its evolution. 

Users can progress through the six modules in order, or dip in and out of individual sections to deepen their knowledge in particular areas. The course includes a number of practical examples and quizzes, and there's a certificate of completion at the end.

The course can also be used as a reference tool for specific aspects of EBVM, such as how to search the literature effectively.

RCVS Knowledge says the new release of EBVM Learning has been well received by veterinary surgeons and nurses who helped test the course. Lucie Goodwin MRCVS said, simply: “This course is excellent.”
 
Chris Gush, Executive Director of RCVS Knowledge (pictured right), said: “This fresh iteration of our EBVM Learning course is the culmination of a huge amount of committed work from an international network of leaders in EBVM, and we are proud to launch it on our new, accessible platform RCVS Knowledge Learn. The course constitutes an important way in which the charity supports all veterinary practitioners to advance the quality of care they provide through evidence-based veterinary medicine, regardless of their role, location or background.”

EBVM Learning can be accessed for free at http://learn.rcvsknowledge.org/ebvm-learning

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), British Equestrian (BEF) and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) are working together to assess and minimise the impact of a shortage of equine influenza vaccine.

They say that they've been aware of minor interruptions to the supply of such vaccines throughout 2022.

However, a significant, pan-European logistical problem being experienced by Boehringer Ingelheim has raised the prospect of a further reduction in supplies in the coming months.

BEVA is liaising with the three vaccine manufacturers to quantify the impact of the shortage and to consider solutions, both to minimise the threat to equine health and to prevent disruption to equestrian competition.

Marc Laemmer, equine business head at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, said: “We are currently experiencing a European-wide supply issue relating to our equine influenza and influenza-tetanus vaccines. 

"This has been caused by unexpected issues following the implementation of a technology upgrade and is not a product or quality issue.

"This means that some vet practices will have difficulty obtaining sufficient influenza vaccines and there may be a shortage in the UK market. 

"We understand the importance of these vaccines to equine welfare, and we are continuing to work tirelessly to find a solution so that we can return to normal supply as soon as possible.”

Amanda Melvin, equine business manager at MSD Animal Health, said: “Based on prior demand, MSD’s equine vaccines Equilis Prequenza and Equilis Prequenza Te are in full supply.

"MSD have taken steps to protect as many horses as possible at this time.

"We will continue to supply existing customers with the available MSD stock on ‘allocation’ and, where possible, to allocate stock to additional customers. Allocations are being made to our veterinary customers based on their historical demand which we believe is the most efficient way to manage the available supplies.”

Rebecca Cabrejas, equine business unit manager at Zoetis, said: “Demand for our vaccines currently exceeds what we can supply.

"Whilst we have adequate stocks to fulfil current customers’ orders unfortunately, we are not in a position to be able to supply new customers at this time.

"We will continue to work with BEVA to limit the impact of the current shortages.”

MSD Animal Health has launched a new Chronogest CR pack for practices starting a dialogue with sheep producer clients about planned breeding for 2013 lamb sales, and is offering a free applicator with every four packs purchased.

The Chronogest CR intra-vaginal sponges, impregnated with 20mg of cronolone (flugestone acetate) synthetic hormone, are now available in foil wrapped packs of 25. The packs protect the sponges from light and moisture.

MSD is reminding practitioners that sponging programmes must be planned at least six weeks in advance of mating, with PMSG-Intervet injections essential at sponge removal.

The new packs of 25 will be available when existing 25, 50 and 100 pack sizes sell out.

Further information on planned breeding -  including newsletter copy and sheep producer advisory materials - is available from the MSD Animal Health veterinary support group (VSG) on 01908 685685 or via emailing vet-support.uk@merck.com

Pulborough-based Arun Veterinary Group has been awarded the title of Best UK Vets, having achieved the largest number of positive online reviews on www.vethelpdirect.com.

The awards are based on the number of positive reviews (4 stars and above) left by owners on the site over the course of the year, with owners asked to review the practice on five key areas: respect for my animal, professionalism, friendliness, cleanliness and value for money.

Comments attached to the 182 reviews for Arun included: "Nothing is too much trouble", "Fabulous vets" and "More like good friends."

Vet Help Direct said: "A good online reputation is so valuable to both local people looking for a service and to business owners. That's why online vet reviews are at the heart of our vet directories. Vet Help Direct is determined to provide a fair reflection of the vet practices in their online directories; all reviews are subject to rigorous tests of authenticity, all are checked for duplicate IP addresses, email addresses and some reviewers are asked to provide evidence that they are recent clients of the practice."

In second place was St Georges Veterinary Group, Wolverhampton, which is now up to 132 reviews and in third place was Goddard Veterinary Group, Gidea Park in London, with 122 reviews.

VetSurgeon.org and VetNurse.co.uk are conducting a survey to find out how many veterinary surgeons and nurses have been bullied in practice over the course of the last year.

The object of the exercise is simply to find out whether a significant number of veterinary professionals feel that they have been bullied, and look at the impact it has had on them.

If a significant number of people say they have, the hope is that the survey will trigger constructive discussion on the subject, both amongst key opinion leaders in the profession and in practice.

One of the biggest challenges in measuring the incidence of bullying in practice is the highly subjective definition of the word. For this reason, the survey asks whether you've been on the receiving end of very specific types of behaviour, ones which most people would agree are at best unconducive to a happy and effective working environment, and at worst, outright bullying.

VetSurgeon.org Editor Arlo Guthrie said: "Early responses to the survey have already shown, if we didn't know it already, that bullying is going on, and how bullies can make life utter hell at work. We just don't yet know the scale of the problem.

"Either way, there are two ways I think this survey could make a difference. Firstly, by discussing the subject openly, so it creates an environment in which bullying behaviour is less likely to happen. Secondly, I suspect that a significant amount of bullying may happen as a consequence of poor communication. For example, if one member of the team thinks another is underperforming but is uncomfortable having a candid but constructive discussion. If there is no other process in place to resolve the issue, they may resort to other types of behaviour which can have a profoundly negative effect on their colleague."

To take part in the survey, please visit: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3783698/Behaviour-In-Practice