View all veterinary jobs
VetSurgeon.org publishes a curated feed of veterinary news for practising veterinary surgeons, with a primary focus on the UK profession.
We select stories based on their practical relevance, clinical interest, or professional significance — filtering out noise so busy vets can stay informed quickly.
Our coverage includes:
We report across all areas of practice, including companion animal, farm, equine and exotic species.
Our editorial approach is deliberately selective and concise. We prioritise clarity and relevance over volume, aiming to make each story worth your time.
You can follow VetSurgeon News by subscribing to the daily, weekly or monthly email digest, or via our channels on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Animalcare has launched Emdocam (meloxicam 20mg/ml), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the oxicam class for use in cattle, pigs and horses.
According to the company, Emdocam disrupts the inflammatory cascade by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. It is a potent and preferential inhibitor of COX-2, permitting sufficient COX-1 sparing activity. It has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. When administered in a single dose to cattle, it has long acting anti-endotoxic, anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory effects for up to three days.1,2
In cattle, it is indicated for bovine respiratory disease (BRD), clinical mastitis and calf scour. Animalcare says early use of meloxicam for BRD reduces pyrexia and pain, especially in young calves and improves feed intake. Meloxicam plus an antibiotic significantly reduced the extent of lung lesions, leading to improved clinical efficacy and daily liveweight gain in comparison with animals treated with antibiotics alone, for example oxytetracycline,3 florfenicol4and tilmicosin. 5
In the case of clinical mastitis, Animalcare says that used adjunctively with an antibiotic, Emdocam helps relieve local and systemic inflammation, returns the udder to a normal condition and reduces the polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) response. In a large scale, double-blinded study in New Zealand, the addition of meloxicam to antibiotic therapy resulted in lower Somatic Cell Counts and a reduced risk of culling in dairy cows with mild clinical mastitis.6
Calf scour treated with meloxicam, as a supportive therapy, can improve calf well-being and reduce morbidity. In a double-blinded, controlled study, the use of meloxicam improved daily water and feed intake, added greater average bodyweight (bw) gain and helped calves to wean earlier. 7
In horses, administered IV at 3.0ml/100kg bw, Emdocam can be used for musculo-skeletal disorders, as well as colic, resulting in reduced pain and inflammation. In a study of 18 horses comparing flunixin with meloxicam and designed to determine the effect on recovery of ischemic-injured jejunum, meloxicam was found to be a useful alternative for the post-operative treatment of colic. 8
Emdocam is also indicated in pigs for non-infectious locomotive disorders and as an adjunctive therapy with an antibiotic in puerperal septicaemia and toxaemia (mastitis-metritis-agalactia syndrome).
Tony Liepman from Animalcare said: "Emdocam is competitively priced whether used on its own or adjunctively with a long-acting intramuscular (IM) antibiotic, such as Florgane suspension for the treatment of BRD in calves. This, coupled with its long lasting, low volume (2.5ml/100kg bw in cattle), single dose administration, by intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) injection, makes Emdocam a highly efficacious and practical NSAID."
Emdocam is a POM-V medicine and available as 50 and 100ml multi-dose vials. Withdrawal period in cattle for meat and offal is 15 days and in pigs for meat and offal is 5 days. In horses for meat and offal it is 5 days. In Florgane [POM-V], the withdrawal period for meat and offal is 37 days in cattle and not to be used in cattle producing milk for human consumption
References
Cattle
Unlike a normal 2D X-ray system, Adaptix's system fires very low-flux X-rays from many different positions in a sequence.
This allows the system to reconstruct a stack of slices through the patient which can be reviewed like the coronal slices from a CT scan, with only marginally more of a dose than a single 2D X-ray.
Adaptix says this means each side of the jaw can then be seen separately and clearly, in a much easier workflow than taking multiple intraoral 2D X-ray images.
Dr Conrad Dirckx, Director of Product Management at Adaptix said: "The system is both lightweight and simple to install in an existing radiology or treatment room, and it is also very useful for orthopaedic imaging.
"It reduces the workflow time for dental imaging from about 12-20 minutes to less than three.
"On top of that, it offers veterinary surgeons access to advanced 3D imaging for most complex orthopaedic cases without having to buy a CT scanner and sacrifice a treatment room, or refer the patient away."
The system is also being offered with an innovative pay-per-study pricing model, through which Adaptix installs the system with no capital outlay, and charges on a 'per-study' basis which also covers maintenance.
The system is available from Clark Dental Veterinary: www.clarkdentalveterinary.co.uk.
For more information, visit: adaptix.com
Having listened to the recording, it strikes me that the Veterinary Record has misinterpreted Mr Innes, and the danger is that his perfectly valid point will now get drowned in a sea of outrage.
What Mr Innes actually said was: "I think it is time to start creating a more fulfilling, more rewarding career for our nurses, and I think that the Americans are showing us the way. They have vet techs and I think that we can do that; I think that isn't the, necessarily the answer, but one it will create a much more rewarding career for veterinary nurses and also some of the reason that vets leave is because they don't like the mundane stuff, so let's give the mundane stuff to nurses.
Considering the overall context of what he said, it is glaringly obvious Mr Innes champions the idea of giving nurses a more rewarding role. So the idea that he was saying: 'Let's give the shit jobs to nurses' is frankly ludicrous.
It is obvious that what he actually meant was 'Let's give some of the stuff that vets find mundane to nurses.' He just didn't express it as well as he might have done.
Mundanity is subjective. What is mundane for a vet is not necessarily mundane for a veterinary nurse, particularly one who has been relegated to sweeping floors for any length of time.
Mr Innes has come in for quite a lot of flack for some of his comments recently. I'm not sure about the other stuff, but on this, he is clearly not guilty.
You can agree or disagree with his view that nurses could be given greater responsibility and vets could delegate some of the tasks they find mundane.
But it would be a great shame if his point got drowned in a sea of outrage over semantics.
Alphazium TT contains alphalactalbumin and magnesium, which, according to the company, targets the three main neurological pathways involved in the regulation of mood and emotional balance.
TVM says Alphazium TT is highly palatable, so it can be administered as a treat, making the process stress free for veterinary staff, pets and pet owners.
TVM UK’s product manager Will Peel said: "Behavioural problems are becoming increasingly common in cats and dogs and are these problems are likely to get worse with pet owners going back to work as lockdown measures lift, which could cause further stress and anxiety in pets.
"Alphazium TT can help owners address these problems whilst being highly palatable – therefore also reducing the stress of tablet administration all-round."
For more information and support materials, visit: https://www.tvm-uk.com/alphaziumtt/2520/ or contact your TVM UK Territory Manager.
Based at UCLan’s Preston Campus, the new school will deliver foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate courses in areas such as veterinary medicine, bioveterinary science, veterinary clinical practice, veterinary physiotherapy and rehabilitation, and clinical animal behaviour and training.
Professor Graham Baldwin, UCLan Vice-Chancellor, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be creating an innovative and dynamic veterinary school. UK veterinary schools are highly prestigious, so we are thrilled to be launching only the second school in the north of England and one of only 11 in the UK.
“We have taken massive strides in developing all areas of human health provision in recent years, and animal health will now join our ever-expanding portfolio of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, biomedical sciences and optometry.”
Professor Cathy Jackson, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, said: “Our new veterinary school will be focussed on producing much needed industry ready graduates for our region, particularly as recent figures have highlighted a national shortage of vets and a sector heavily reliant on vets educated in the European Union.
"As with our medical and dental schools, we have demonstrated we want to break down barriers and make education accessible to all. It’s no different with our veterinary school and we want to open the doors and offer a pathway for any student, no matter of their background, into this rewarding profession, while maintaining the very highest of education and professional standards.”
The Batchelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS) course at UCLan is a five-year programme with ‘hands-on’ modules from Year 1, rather than in the later years as delivered in more traditional programmes.
UCLan says it is collaborating with Myerscough College for some of its programmes to give students access to state-of-the-art, sector-leading facilities, which have recently benefited from a £35m investment.
In addition, UCLan will become one of the first universities in the world to make use of a digital, virtual dissection platform for teaching animal anatomy using veterinary Anatomage technology.
UCLan is planning to welcome the first intake of UK and international students to veterinary sciences BSc and foundation courses in September 2022 while BVMS students will be welcomed from 2023.
For more information, visit www.uclan.ac.uk/schools/veterinary-medicine.
Meantime, the school was given a “conditional accreditation” for its degree, as it had met only 27 of the 77 RCVS accreditation standards.
The visitation was conducted by an accreditation panel comprising representatives from veterinary academia and clinical practice, as well as student and international representatives.
As part of the accreditation process, the panel considered documents and records, discussions and interviews with students and faculty members, a tour of the teaching facilities, and meetings with other stakeholders.
Based on the evidence, the panel agreed 55 recommendations for improvement which were then discussed, alongside the formal response from the Department, by the RCVS Primary Qualifications Subcommittee (PQSC), the body responsible for considering accreditation reports and making recommendations to Education Committee.
By contrast, the accreditation visit to the University of Bristol this year generated just one recommendation, likewise the visit to the University of Surrey last year.
Due to the unusually high number of recommendations and concerns about the delivery of the Cambridge degree, PQSC recommended that the programme receive conditional accreditation for 10 months, which was then agreed by Education Committee.
An RCVS spokesperson said: “Following careful review of the evidence, during the Committee’s detailed discussions, it was unanimously agreed that the number of standards not currently being met, which extended across all domains, meant that the Committee made the difficult decision to grant conditional accreditation.
“In reaching a decision and timeframe, given the problems identified, and the impact these will have on student learning and experience, Education Committee members firmly agreed on the need to help the vet school support both existing students on, and future applicants to, the Cambridge veterinary programme.”
“At the next visitation in September 2025, a panel will consider the evidence submitted and then a decision will be made on the future status of the degree.”
"In the meantime, we recognise that both students and staff might have concerns about this outcome, so we remain able and very willing to work closely with the Department in the coming weeks to ensure it has appropriate support plans in place.”
The full list of recommendations, suggestions and commendations for Cambridge can be found at: www.rcvs.org.uk/visitations.
Effipro Duo contains fipronil to kill adult fleas and ticks, and pyriproxyfen, an insect growth regulator, to sterilise adult fleas and inhibit the immature life stages. It provides three months protection against flea life cycle completion.
The product is presented in Effipro’s patented ‘drop-lock’ pipette, designed to ensure that the solution is released only when the owner is ready.
Effipro Duo is offered in packs of 4 pipettes and in a 24-pipette dispensing pack to suit practices offering health plans.
Product Manager Kate Woolley MRCVS said: "Because Effipro Duo targets not just the adult fleas on the pet but also the key developmental stages in the flea life cycle often found in the home, it represents an integrated and easy-to-use solution, both for on-animal flea and tick control and for long-lasting protection of the home environment.
"Household flea infestations are common all year round and experts agree that the combination of an adulticide and an insect growth regulator is the most effective way for owners to protect their homes from this unpleasant problem¹. For complete flea control in the home, we recommend that it is used in conjunction with Indorex®, the UK’s no. 1 household flea spray².
"Virbac offers one of the most extensive parasiticide ranges on the market and we believe Effipro Duo will provide a popular addition, offering owners long-lasting protection from fleas and ticks for their cats and dogs, while helping practices to retain vital parasite control sales in-house."
The committee considered 5 separate charges against Dr Radev, relating to his treatment of a Yorkshire Terrier and Shih Tzu cross called Pickles at a Vets4Pets veterinary practice in Oxford between 5 October 2015 and 1 November 2015. The charges related to Dr Radev failing to provide adequate and/or appropriate care to the animal and failure to keep detailed clinical records.
After hearing the evidence from Dr Radev and the complainant, the College submitted that it wished to withdraw charges 1(i) and 1(ii) on the basis of insufficient evidence. In addition, Dr Radev had already admitted charges: 1(iii)(b), 1(iv)(d), 1(v), 4(i)(a) and 4(ii)(a) but denied the remaining charges. Of these remaining charges the Committee found charges 1(iv)(a), 2(i), 2(iv), 3(i) and 3(ii) proven with the rest not being proven.
The charges admitted or found proven were that Dr Radev:
(1) On 5 October 2015, failed to provide adequate and/or appropriate care and/or treatment to Pickles, more particularly in that he:
(iii) Failed to offer and/or undertake adequate investigations into Pickles’ condition, more particularly in that he failed to offer and/or undertake:
(b) urine tests;
(iv) Failed to put in place and/or document an adequate management plan for Pickles, more particularly in relation to:
(a) adequate direction and/or advice regarding a review of Pickles’ condition within a clearly defined number of days;
(d) collection of urine at home for analysis on review at the practice;
(v) Having noted that he suspected renal disease, prescribed meloxicam when the same was contraindicated for dogs with renal disease;
(2) On 28 October 2015, failed to provide adequate and/or appropriate care and/or treatment to Pickles, more particularly in that he:
(i) Failed to take and/or record an adequate history from Mrs Pancott in relation to Pickles’ condition and/or clinical signs since 5 October 2015;
(iv) Failed to provide adequate direction and/or advice regarding a date for a review of Pickles’ condition within a clearly defined number of days;
(3) On 30 October 2015, having been informed that Mrs Pancott had telephoned the practice with concerns about Pickles, including blood in the faeces;
(i) Failed to note the matter in Pickles’ medical records;
(ii) Failed to take sufficient steps to obtain more information from Mrs Pancott or to ensure that Mrs Pancott was advised to seek veterinary attention for Pickles in relation to her concerns;
(4) On 1 November 2015, failed to provide adequate and/or appropriate care and/or treatment to Pickles, more particularly in that he:
(i) Failed to interpret the blood tests adequately and/or take appropriate and adequate action in relation to the results of those blood tests, more particularly with regards to:
(a) blood glucose;
(ii) Failed to offer and/or undertake adequate investigations into Pickles’ condition, more particularly in that he failed to:
(a) offer and/or undertake urine tests.
In considering these charges the Disciplinary Committee found that only charge 4(ii)(a) – namely the failure to correctly interpret and act upon the results of a blood glucose test – amounted to serious professional conduct with the rest not passing the threshold of disgraceful conduct in a professional respect. The Committee did not consider that in addition the cumulative effect of all the proven charges taken together amounted to serious professional misconduct.
In relation to the cumulative effect of all the proven charges Professor Alistair Barr, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "The Committee noted that Dr Radev had made errors in relation to one patient but on four separate occasions. These were, for the most part, individual failures at the lower end of the scale of seriousness. Taking into account all of the failings, the Committee in its judgement did not consider that the nature and number of errors and the period of time over which they took place justified a cumulative finding of disgraceful conduct."
In considering the sanction for Dr Radev the Committee took into account a number of mitigating circumstances including the fact that Dr Radev had undertaken suitable training and development in the areas in which he made mistakes, had demonstrated good insight into his conduct and had made some open and frank admissions early on in proceedings. It also considered that the one charge that was found to be serious professional misconduct was a single, isolated mistake linked to Dr Radev’s inexperience.
Professor Barr said: "The Committee considered that taking ‘no further action’ was appropriate and proportionate having considered the history of the case, the Committee’s overall findings and the good reports of Dr Radev’s performance in the two years since the matter which had led to the finding of disgraceful conduct in a professional respect."
The decision to take no further action was also influenced by the length of time it had taken the charges to be heard by the Committee, the positive character references about Dr Radev from professional colleagues and the fact he was unlikely to repeat such conduct in the future.
The study, which was led by the College's VetCompass programme, found that British bulldog ownership has increased from 0.35% of all puppies born in 2009 to 0.60% in 2013.
At the same time, the study found that British bulldogs suffer more than other breeds from a number of conditions associated with their aesthetic characteristics, including: skin fold dermatitis (7.8%), prolapsed gland of the third eyelid or 'cherry eye' (6.8%), interdigital cysts (3.7%), entropion or inward turning of the eyelid (3.6%), and corneal ulceration (3.1%).
Worse still, only 3.5% of the 1,621 British bulldogs analysed in the study were diagnosed with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), despite an earlier study reporting that 84.8% of tested Bulldogs are affected by BOAS to some extent, with 44.0% exhibiting clinically relevant disease2.
This, say the researchers, suggests owners consider breathing problems such as snoring as normal and are not therefore taking their dogs for needed check-ups.
Other findings included:
12.7% of British bulldogs suffer from ear infections, 8.8% from skin infections and 8.7% from obesity
Males are more likely than females to develop skin infection, interdigital cysts, atopic dermatitis and aggression, whereas females are more likely to develop dental disease and obesity.
The average adult bodyweight for a British bulldog is 26kg.
The average lifespan of bulldogs is 7.2 years.
The most common causes of death are heart disease (11.8%), cancer (10.9%) and brain disorder (9.1%).
The RVC says that the results of the study will support initiatives by the Kennel Club and the UK Bulldog Breed Club to improve breeding and also help owners and vets prioritise tackling the leading issues British bulldogs face.
Dr Dan O’Neill, VetCompass epidemiologist at the RVC and Chairman of the Brachycephalic Working Group, said: "The UK has seen unprecedented increases in the popularity of certain short-faced breeds over the past decade. This has led to a series of well-documented welfare issues relating to how these dogs are bred and sold for the UK pet-owning market, high levels of dumping of unwanted dogs into the UK charities and health problems that are intrinsically linked to the extreme body shape of these dogs.
"This new study gives firm evidence for the first time on the true levels of popularity and also of disease diagnosed in the wider population of bulldogs in the UK. This information can help to move the conversation on welfare from 'what are the issues' to 'how do we deal with these issues'. Reliable evidence is pivotal to good decision-making."
Dr Rowena Packer, BBSRC Research Fellow at RVC, said: "The bulldog is an iconic breed but concerns over the health problems allegedly facing these popular dogs have mounted in the past decade. It is extremely valuable to have solid data on the health problems facing this breed, confirming a number of inherent breed predispositions that need to be tackled.
This data supports current initiatives encouraging breed reform, particularly regarding health problems inherently related to their looks, and the need for selection for healthier body shapes. For example, skin fold dermatitis was common in bulldogs and is associated with the desired wrinkled face in this breed – this calls into question the justification of this and other such breed traits that put dogs at risk of potentially avoidable disease."
Steve Dean, Chairman of the Kennel Club Charitable Trust said: "The Kennel Club has put into place a number of crucial measures over the years to monitor, protect and improve bulldog health and to provide the many responsible breeders with the tools they need to do the same, but this paper highlights there is still work to be done."
The study is published open access in PLOS ONE.
References:
Tialin is licensed for the treatment of dysentery, colitis, ileitis, pneumonia and pleuropneumonia in pigs. It is also suitable for the treatment and metaphylaxis of chronic respiratory disease and infectious synovitis in chickens and infectious sinusitis and airsacculitis in turkeys. Withdrawal times range from zero in eggs to two - six days in meat and offal.
The product is available in two strengths: 25% (250 mg/ml) and 12.5% (125 mg/ml). It can be bought in five and one litre bottles with a shelf life of two years or three months once opened.
Dechra Brand Manager Emma Jennings said: "Any of these diseases could have a widespread effect on a herd or flock of any size so it is vital that veterinary professionals have access to a treatment such as Tialin to offer farmers.
"Its short withdrawal times and long shelf life makes it a cost effective and valuable tool for vets and farmers in their treatments of these diseases. All the products in our premium SoluStab range have been specifically developed with a unique formula to provide the optimum balance of stability and solubility."
For more information, visit www.dechra.co.uk/therapy-areas/food-producing-animal/water-medication.
Dechra also offers an online tool to calculate dosage for SoluStab products at http://calculator.solustab.eu/.
This latest incarnation of the FECPAKG2 is now a battery-powered and wi-fi enabled. This means it can pair with smartphones, tablets and laptops, allowing samples to be uploaded, analysed and results received, virtually anywhere.
Tabitha Allen from Techion said: "The technology allows internet connected and image-based FEC testing to be carried out literally on the job.
"While the current system is able to return results rapidly, samples need to be uploaded via a computer. The upgrade will therefore give users more flexibility, allowing samples to be processed away from the office."
"Samples are then analysed by trained online technicians so we can confidently provide accurate results, which can then help farmers make informed decisions when it comes to worming.
"The new upgrade now includes a digital microscope that enhances image quality further, making it quicker and easier than ever before to provide these accurate results.
For more information, visit: www.techiongroup.com or ring: 01970 821 918
Amy Scott MRCVS, Boehringer Ingehlheim’s performance horse portfolio manager, said: "Arti-Cell Forte is the first 'ready-to-use' stem cell-based product to be licensed in any veterinary species, and the only stem cell treatment to contain induced cells, representing a significant leap forward in both stem cell therapies and medicine as a whole.
"Arti-Cell Forte contains stem cells that have been chondrogenically induced and therefore primed to develop into the cartilage cell lineage. Studies have shown that chondrogenically induced stem cells demonstrate an enhanced clinical outcome compared to un-induced stem cells in the treatment of joint disease in horses¹."
"This makes Arti-Cell Forte a highly targeted and effective treatment for cartilage damage associated with degenerative joint disease."
Arti-Cell Forte is available direct from Boehringer Ingelheim to veterinary practitioners.
It needs to be stored at ultra-low temperatures to maintain its two year shelf life from manufacture, either frozen at -70 ⁰C to -90 ⁰C (dry ice, -80 ⁰C freezer) or -196 ⁰C (liquid nitrogen) until immediately prior to injecting.
The company is providing full training on storage and administration via face-to-face CPD at practice meetings or specific CPD events*.
For more information, contact your local territory manager or ring Boehringer's Technical Services Team on 01344 746957, or email vetenquiries@boehringer-ingelheim.com
Reference
With contributions from 26 leading lights edited by Tanya Stephens, Eddie Clutton, Polly Taylor and Kathy L. Murphy, 'Veterinary Controversies and Ethical Dilemmas - Provocative Reflections on Clinical Practice' is pitched as being designed to 'stimulate undergraduate thought and discussion', and as a reference for practitioners coming to terms with life in a post-truth era.
That, however, is a massive undersell of the importance and value of this book, which should be required reading for everyone in the profession; not just veterinary surgeons, but nurses, regulators and RCVS Councillors, teachers, pharma companies, practice managers (including corporates) and veterinary receptionists, all of whom would benefit from an informed understanding of the most important issues facing the profession today.
There are too many subject areas in the book to list here, but some of the most eye-catching include the questions of:
It would be wrong to say that the veterinary profession is at a turning point. It has already turned. The question is whether it's heading in the right direction. This book provides a timely opportunity for everyone to reflect on that.
More practically, general practitioners should find this book hugely helpful in informing and shaping their own ethical positions on a variety of subjects, and to be able to express them to clients with more confidence, potentially with a real benefit to animal welfare.
The book is available direct from the publisher: https://www.routledge.com/Veterinary-Controversies-and-Ethical-Dilemmas-Provocative-Reflections-/Clutton-Murphy-Stephens-Taylor/p/book/9781032579863
Or from Amazon and all good bookstores: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Veterinary-Controversies-Ethical-Dilemmas-Provocative/dp/1032579862
Photo: A gripping read.
Thiamacare contains 10 mg/ml thiamazole, which is double the concentration of Thyronorm, for a lower dose volume.
Animalcare highlights research which shows that 87.4% of owners prefer liquid medications for their cat1, and that cats find liquid presentations more palatable2.
James Beaumont from Animalcare said: "With the lowest dose volume available, we believe Thiamacare will make the medical management of this condition easier through improved cat acceptance and better owner compliance."
Thiamacare's dosing syringe is marked with a single scale in 1.25 mg increments to facilitate precise dosing in response to total T4 measurement values. The scale does not need converting when switching from other brands or formulations.
Animalcare has developed a range of supporting materials to encourage the use of Thiamacare as the preferred choice for feline hyperthyroid medical management. They include social posts and a post-prescription leaflet to help veterinary teams support owners, particularly through the stabilisation phase post-diagnosis.
A short webinar offering top tips for treating feline hyperthyroidism from feline Specialist Dr Caney will also be available later in October. These resources will all be available at www.the-pac.co.uk.
According to the company, the new injectable form of Vetmedin provides rapid acting treatment for canine congestive heart failure originating from valvular insufficiency (e.g. mitral valve disease, MVD) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Twelve hours after the injection is administered, treatment can be continued by the dog's owner with Vetmedin flavour tablets or Vetmedin hard capsules at the recommended dosage.
Ruth Willis BVM&S DVC MRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Cardiology said: "Parenteral administration of medicines is often preferred in cases of acute congestive heart failure to help minimise patient stress and clinical deterioration. Vetmedin Solution for Injection is therefore a useful addition to our armoury of products for the treatment of acute congestive heart failure due to MVD or DCM."
The injection contains 0.75 mg/ml of the active ingredient, pimobendan, and it is supplied in 5 ml single use vials at the licensed dose of 0.15 mg/kg, with one vial treating a dog up to 25 kg.
In association with the Vets Now emergency treatment service, Boehringer has produced an algorithm which features step-by-step guidance on the recommended treatment protocol for dogs with acute congestive heart failure due to MVD or DCM, together with point of sale material including shelf wobblers for use in practice to raise awareness of the product.
The company is also hosting a free cardiology webinar presented by Ruth Willis entitled 'Acute CHF - a stress free approach'. The online seminar takes place at 8.00pm on Tuesday 19 February and counts for one hour's CPD. The webinar will be available to view after the live event on demand. To register, visit http://www.bi-academy.co.uk/.
For further information, contact your local Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica territory manager or telephone 01344 746959.
The Disciplinary Committee heard three charges against Dr Dhami, relating to events which took place while he was in practice at Vets4Pets in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.
The first charge against him was that, in November 2017, he used excessive force in kicking and stamping on a Staffordshire Bull Terrier he was treating.
The second charge was that, between in October and November 2017, he failed to pay adequate regard to the welfare of a Jack Russell in his care by leaving it in a sink without adequate reason and for an excessive period of time.
The third charge was that, between April and March 2018, he failed to have adequate regard to the welfare of a six-to-eight week old kitten, including providing bedding and warmth.
At the outset of the hearing Dr Dhami admitted to lightly kicking the dog, but denied forcefully kicking it and also denied that he had stamped on the dog, as well as denying the other two charges against him.
In considering the circumstances of the first charge, the Committee heard evidence from two of Dr Dhami’s colleagues stating that the dog had bitten him whilst he was cleaning its ears and, following this, he took the dog out of the consulting room, closed the door and whilst holding the dog’s lead then proceeded to kick her twice, knocking her along the floor both times, and then finally stamp on her when she was prone.
Dr Dhami disputed his colleagues' version of events and stated that he had only delivered two light kicks to the dog’s rump, that neither of these had made her fall to the floor and also denied in categorical terms that he stamped on the animal. Furthermore, he also denied the second and third charges against him.
In considering the evidence as to whether Dr Dhami kicked and stamped on the dog, the Disciplinary Committee found the evidence of his two colleagues to be credible and reliable, and so found all aspects of the charge proven.
Ian Green, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "For the avoidance of doubt, the Committee finds that the admitted kicks administered to [the animal] by the respondent were of significant force. The Committee rejects the respondent’s assertion that the admitted kicks amounted to mere taps on the backside. The Committee finds that the ‘stamping’ was also of significant force."
In regards to the second and third charges, the Committee was not satisfied that the charges had been proven by the evidence it heard and therefore dismissed them both.
Having found all parts of the first charge proven, the Committee then went on to consider whether or not Dr Dhami’s conduct amounted to serious professional misconduct, something that Dr Dhami, following the Committee’s decision on the facts, through his counsel, had admitted.
The Committee identified a number of aggravating factors, including the real risk of physical harm to the animal and the deliberate nature Dr Dhami’s conduct against the animal, committed in anger.
In mitigation, the Committee accepted that this was an isolated incident and that Dr Dhami had been bitten and was in pain. The Committee therefore found that Dr Dhami’s admission of serious professional misconduct was ‘properly and prudently made’.
The Committee then considered what sanction to impose on Dr Dhami. In doing so it took into account some of the written testimonials and character witnesses called on behalf of Dr Dhami. The Committee was also satisfied that Dr Dhami had had a hitherto long and unblemished career, that he had apologised to colleagues immediately after the incident and that, since the events, he had continued to work as a veterinary surgeon without any problems.
In relation to insight about the event, the Committee accepted Dr Dhami had provided some evidence of reflection, in that he admitted kicking the dog and accepted that this conduct, once found proven, amounted to serious professional misconduct.
The Committee decided that suspending Dr Dhami from the Register for four months would be the most proportionate sanction.
Ian Green concluded: "Having regard to all the matters urged by way of mitigation, and having taken into account all the evidence that it has heard, the Committee is satisfied that a period of suspension is sufficient in this case to protect the welfare of animals, maintain public confidence and to declare and uphold proper standards of conduct."
Dr Dhami has 28 days from being informed of the outcome of the hearing in which to make an appeal to the Privy Council.
Mr Adams was convicted at Gorey District Court, County Wexford, Republic of Ireland in March 2015 for:
Nine offences of prescribing animal remedies to animals not under his care;
Five offences of forging entries in official animal remedies records owned by farmers to suggest he had made visits to farms when he had not;
Seven offences of dispensing a prescription-only animal remedy but not preparing a veterinary prescription containing the details of the animals;
Two offences of failing to affix labels in the required form to prescription-only items when selling or supplying animal remedies;
Six offences of failing to annotate the dispensed prescriptions with the word ‘dispensed’ and failing to sign and date them;
Three offences of failing to keep a record or purchases and sales (including quantities administered) in respect of each incoming and outgoing transaction; and
Two offences of selling animal remedies on a wholesale basis without an animal wholesaler’s licence.
The charges related to treatment of animals not under his care throughout 2012 and 2013 which were investigated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine in the Republic of Ireland.
In relation to these convictions Mr Adams received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, was fined a total of €40,000 and ordered to pay costs of €16,400.
Following his conviction his conduct was considered by the Veterinary Council of Ireland’s (VCI) Fitness to Practice Committee and, in September 2017, the VCI a sanction of 12 months’ suspension from its Register. This sanction was upheld by the High Court in the Republic of Ireland in November 2017.
As well as being a registered veterinary surgeon in the Republic of Ireland, Mr Adams was also on the UK-practising Register with the RCVS, so his convictions were considered under the College’s own complaints and disciplinary process.
At the outset of the hearing, Mr Adams admitted the charges and accepted his convictions rendered him unfit to practise. The College also asserted that Mr Adams' convictions rendered him unfit to practise, noting a number of aggravating factors including the risk of injury to animals, dishonesty, premeditation, financial gain and misconduct sustained and repeated over time.
In considering the College’s case and Mr Adams’ own admissions, the Disciplinary Committee agreed that his conduct rendered him unfit to practise veterinary surgery.
Professor Alistair Barr, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "The Committee found the conduct to be at the serious end of the spectrum for such misconduct, it being systematic, prolonged and illegal conduct relating to the supply of animal remedies which posed a significant risk to human and animal health.
"Accordingly, the Committee found that the convictions which led to these charges cumulatively render Mr Adams unfit to practise."
In considering the sanction, the Disciplinary Committee took into account a number of mitigating factors including that he had been practising since 1993 and had no previous disciplinary findings, had made open and frank admissions at all stages to the College and had practised between April 2013, when the matters first came to light, and February 2018, when he was suspended by the Veterinary Council of Ireland, without incident.
It also considered the conditions that were imposed upon Mr Adams by the VCI in terms of notification that he was intending to return to practice, auditing of his practice, his continuing professional development (CPD) and having to undertake personal and professional support programmes and arrangements for professional mentorship for one year after his return to practice.
In view of the sanctions already imposed by the court in Ireland, and his suspension by the VCI, the Disciplinary Committee decided that a period of two years’ suspension from the UK Register of Veterinary Surgeons was the appropriate sanction.
Professor Barr said: "Whilst Mr Adams would be able to practise in the Republic of Ireland before he was able to practise in the United Kingdom again, the Committee considered that the conditions attached to his supervision in Ireland meant that he would be subject to close supervision before he was allowed to practise again in the United Kingdom and that only a longer period of suspension would allow this to happen.
"The Committee therefore decided that only a suspension of two years would maintain public confidence in the profession and declare and uphold proper standards of conduct for the serious nature of these charges."
Mr Adams has 28 days from being informed about the Disciplinary Committee’s decision to make an appeal to the Privy Council.
Forum Animal Health has launched the new Agger's Cattle Pump Lite for oral fluid therapy in cows.
The pump allows one man to deliver 20 litres of fluid into the rumen in just 2 minutes. According to the company, it offers even more benefits: it is robust and lighter to carry, more convenient with its new quick-release connector and more economic: less than half price than the previous version.
Forum Animal Health says the Agger's Cattle Pump is very successful for oral administration of fluids, electrolytes and specific nutrients directly into the rumen. Designed for vets to make oral fluid therapy quick and easy to administer without assistance, many vets have found the Agger's Cattle Pump so useful for routine fluid therapy that they have trained their clients to use it, given them protocols for fluid therapy and supplied them with their own pumps. On-farm training support is available for your clients.
The New Agger's Cattle Pump Lite is available now. For more information, please contact Forum Animal Health on 01737 781416 or animal.health@forumgroup.co.uk.
Merial has published figures which show that gutworm is seriously affecting dairy cow fertility in up to 80% of UK dairy herds1, in order to raise awareness of the damaging impact of Ostertagia ostertagi.
Sioned Timothy, veterinary adviser for Merial said: “The reduction in milk production from a gutworm infection is well documented2. Both animal health advisers (Suitably Qualified Persons – SQPs) and vets recognise the threat such infections cause. However, since cows often show no outward signs of disease, even in the face of a massive challenge, dairy farmers could unwittingly suffer heavy losses in milk yield, reduced fertility and increased heifer rearing costs at a time when they can least afford it.”
Merial points out that the extent of a herd’s gutworm exposure can be easily and simply assessed from a sample taken from the bulk milk tank – using the MOO Test. This test determines the amount of antibody to Osteragia ostertagi present in a sample, giving an assessment of the level of herd gutworm challenge.
The metabolic demands placed on cows during the post-calving period can lead to a negative energy balance, when energy gained from feed intake is less than that used for milk production. This natural ‘energy gap’ leads to weight loss; a parasite burden can make matters worse.
Sioned advises taking action to reduce the effect of this post-calving energy gap to maintain productivity levels. She said: “Management of cows in the weeks following calving should focus on maximising dry matter intake to correct the energy imbalance as quickly as possible. Studies have shown that cows treated for gutworm have improved appetites, and graze for up to an hour longer than untreated cows3. Grass is the cheapest form of nutrition so it makes sense to make the most of it.”
Merial also points towards studies which have shown that effective parasite control may have a beneficial effect4,5. Reduced body condition scores caused by the energy gap after calving may impact on reproductive parameters. In one study, cows treated for gutworm were back in calf 13 days sooner than untreated animals4.
Sioned said: "This has obvious implications for productivity. We need to look at employing a range of practical measures to ensure cows are as productive and efficient as possible, and this includes targeted worming where required.”
According to the company, effective parasite management of the replacement heifer during the rearing period is key to her future performance and productivity. Achieving breed-appropriate target weights throughout the rearing period is a crucial component of heifer rearing. The onset of puberty and the start of breeding are more closely linked to weight, body size and condition score than age. It is therefore critical to ensure that heifers reach approximately 60% of mature weight by 14 months of age in order to achieve a 24 month average age at calving.
Sioned said: “Losses in potential liveweight gain due to poor parasite control during a heifer’s first grazing season will not be recouped during the second year at grass6. She won’t catch up, and this will impact on her ability to meet important milestones.”
Getting heifers in-calf at the optimal time will help to reduce breeding costs and maximises the potential productive life of the animal. Heifers treated for gutworm have been shown to have a 20% higher conception rate at first service than untreated cattle2.
Merial says there is also evidence that parasite burdens exert physiological effects that directly impact on the parameters influencing performance and profitability of heifers, and increased mammary development and earlier onset of puberty have been observed in strategically wormed heifers in comparison to those left untreated7,8.
Sioned said: “Effective worming will mitigate the effect of parasites on fertility levels in growing cattle4, while still allowing them to build the necessary immunity required to prevent clinical disease in adulthood.”
CVS says there has been a steady increase in the number of clinicians offering peripatetic services on the premises of host practices in almost every area of clinical work, including surgery, cardiology, diagnostic imaging and dermatology. It's a model for improving patient access to more advanced levels of clinical care.
The company has appointed Ben Walton BVSc DSAS(Orth) MRCVS (pictured right), an RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics) at Chestergates Veterinary Specialists, to head up the new network (called the Advanced Clinical Services Network, or ASCN). In a previous life, he offered a peripatetic surgery service in the North West of England and North Wales for several years.
Ben said: "I believe that the new network will deliver huge advantages to a number of stakeholders. The peripatetic model is an attractive proposition from a number of perspectives.
"For the host practices, is allows cases to be managed to a greater depth in-house, improving their service offering, and increasing opportunities for development of the practice team. It also allows the retention of revenue from these cases, which in turn justifies investment in facilities.
"For the client and patient, it improves the level of care that they receive at their home practice. Visiting clinicians bring expertise into practices through their own knowledge and experience, but also through development of the practice team, thus improving standards across the board."
Ben believes the model also offers better clinical career progression for experienced vets: "I believe that clinically-satisfying roles can be hard to come by at the moment.
"As a profession, we tend to be good at looking after our recent graduates. CVS, other large groups and independent practices have worked really hard on this over the last few years. There are also plenty of opportunities to develop your career on a management track, especially in the large groups.
"What there is a real lack of, though, are jobs that allow genuine clinical development. Many vets are well-supported to gain certificates and Advanced Practitioner status, but often there isn’t a satisfying caseload at the end of it.
"Within the new network, experienced vets will have a caseload that is predominantly or exclusively within their preferred discipline, and as they will be performing higher-value work than they would in a GP position, better remuneration packages will be justifiable. Ultimately, we want to be able reward experienced vets well, for doing a job that is clinically satisfying, and provides a valuable service to host practices and their clients."
CVS says it intends to develop the Advanced Clinical Services Network in multiple disciplines nationwide over the next few years.
Ben added: "Primarily, the ACSN is being established to service CVS practices, but we envisage that many of the services will also be available to non-CVS practices."
For more information, visit careerswithcvs.co.uk
Zoetis, maker of Zylexis, is highlighting a new review published in Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, which has concluded that immune-modulators may provide a valuable contribution to the reduction of some equine respiratory diseases
The study reviewed the immune-modulators Parapoxvirus ovis and Propionbacterium acnes for the prevention of respiratory disease and other infections in the horse.
Parapoxvirus ovis (iPPVO) and Propionibacterium acnes (P.acnes) are currently used in equine medicine as immune-modulators for prophylactic treatment or adjunct to conventional therapy in order to improve immune defences, to prevent or treat infectious diseases. Their mode of action relies on a non-antigen-specific interaction with the innate and/or adaptive immune responses. iPPVO stimulates and regulates cytokine secretion by a number of leucocytes, while P. acnes acts primarily through activation of macrophages.
The review, conducted by Romain Paillot of the Animal Health Trust, Centre for Preventive Medicine, Newmarket, examined current scientific literature and reports on the use of immune-modulators in horses, particularly for the prevention or treatment of equine respiratory disease.
Stress factors such as weaning, transport and co-mingling predispose horses to infection and increase susceptibility to respiratory pathogens such as Streptococcus zoopidemicus and EHV-1/4. In the past 15 years iPPVO has been tested against several equine infectious respiratory diseases.
The review examined the results of studies on the beneficial use of iPPVO to limit the severity of respiratory infectious diseases in young horses, one of which evaluated the use of iPPVO for protection in yearlings exposed by contact challenge to EHV-1 or EHV-42,3,4. Yearlings treated with iPPVO were co-mingled with horses experimentally infected with EHV-1 and the trial was repeated with horses infected with EHV-4. Horses treated with iPPVO showed a 40% reduction in disease severity in the EHV-1 study and a 61% reduction in the EHV-4 study.
Further studies showed significantly increased frequency of recovery in horses with clinical signs of respiratory disease that had been treated with P. acnes. The decrease in disease severity was also significantly improved in the treated groups5,6.
Romain Palliot concluded: "Non-specific immune-modulators such as iPPVO or P. acnes may not provide protection against direct infection or transmission of respiratory pathogens but they seem to contribute to the reduction of the disease severity, subsequently reducing the frequency of complications and improving the rate of recovery."
The survey follows the launch last year of a new feature on VetSurgeon Jobs and VetNurse Jobs which allows employers to highlight the salary and benefits they offer. Specifically, the system allows practices to display a 'minimum offer', described to the job seeker as the starting point for a discussion, or a salary range.
Still, currently only 10% of job adverts on VetSurgeon.org and 16% on VetNurse.co.uk include the salary, despite some evidence that broadly speaking, advertising a salary can improve response rates.
But do veterinary job seekers want to see the salary advertised, and if so, how much of a different could it make? These are questions this survey seeks to answer.
My guess is that it may be more important to veterinary nurses than veterinary surgeons, because there is probably a greater variability in salaries amongst nurses, and more jobs where you'd struggle to pay the mortgage.
It'll be interesting to see.
To take part in the survey, which is completely anonymous, visit: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5110214/Should-veterinary-salaries-be-advertised. It's 4 quick fire questions which should take you less than a minute.
Furthermore, the research found that among female dogs that had problems giving birth, French bulldog bitches are then 2.4 times more likely to undergo invasive caesarean sections than crossbred dogs.
This compared to brachycephalic bitches in general, which the RVC researchers found are 1.54 times more likely to need a caesarean compared with their longer-nosed pure breed or crossbred counterparts.
As part of the research, academics studied 20,000 bitches that required emergency treatment at 50 Vets Now veterinary clinics between 2012 and 2014.
Their findings, published in two papers in The Veterinary Record, highlight the substantial risks that bitches and their puppies face during the birthing process.
According to the first paper1, 3.7% of female dogs suffer from dystocia. Alongside French bulldogs, other pure breeds such as Boston terriers, chihuahuas and pugs, are also particularly at risk of birthing problems. Compared to crossbred bitches, Boston terriers are 12.9 times more likely to face birthing issues, pugs 11.3 times more likely and chihuahuas 10.4 times more likely.
The second paper2, which is available open access, examines the effects of difficult births more closely. It found that on average, 25% of puppies and 1.7% of the bitches do not survive problem births. Apart from the risk of death, problem births also mean that many bitches have to undergo painful and invasive surgery, with 48.6% of problem births needing caesarean surgery.
Bulldogs (also known as British Bulldogs), border terriers and golden retrievers were the top three breeds at risk of caesarean section once they have difficulty giving birth. Bulldogs are 7.6 times more likely, border terriers are 4.9 times more likely and golden retrievers are 4.1 times more likely to need the procedure compared with crossbreeds.
RVC veterinary epidemiologist and VetCompass researcher Dr Dan O’Neill said: "This new research is another piece of evidence suggesting that mankind may have gone too far in modifying dog breed shapes towards extreme conformation that can interfere with basic biological functions. We all need to fall back in love with dog-shaped dogs and move away from the current fascination with extreme-shaped dogs."
O’Neill, DG., O’Sullivan, AM., Manson, EA., Church, DB., McGreevy, PD., Boag, AK., Brodbelt, DC.(2019) Canine dystocia in 50 UK first-opinion emergency care veterinary practices: clinical management and outcomes Veterinary Record Published Online First:04 February 2019. doi: 10.1136/vr.104944.
Protexin has announced that preliminary data from a clinical trial supports the use of Denamarin® to protect against lomustine (CCNU)-induced hepatotoxicity in dogs.
The study is being performed at the University of California-Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, and the initial results were recently presented at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Annual Forum. Marketed in the UK by Protexin, Denamarin is the combination of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) and silybin.
According to the company, most dogs treated with the chemotherapeutic agent CCNU experience liver enzyme elevation. Elevation of certain liver enzymes such as alanine transferase (ALT) is a key indicator of liver trauma; significant enzyme elevation may lead to a discontinuation, delay, or reduction in chemotherapy. The ongoing clinical trial was designed to evaluate Denamarin as a hepatoprotectant in dogs diagnosed with neoplasia that are undergoing CCNU therapy.
The trial consists of two groups of randomly assigned dogs. Dogs in Group 1 receive Denamarin beginning at the start of CCNU therapy. Group 2 dogs do not receive Denamarin unless they develop a Grade IV hepatotoxicity.
Results of a planned interim analysis completed on the first 30 dogs enrolled revealed that starting Denamarin when CCNU therapy was instituted (Group 1 dogs) appeared to provide hepatoprotection. While the mean post-therapy ALT elevation for Group 1 was 119 IU/L (p=0.1), for Group 2 dogs, the post-therapy ALT level was 815 IU/L (p=0.046). Chemotherapy was altered due to elevated liver enzymes in three Group 2 dogs but only one dog in Group 1.
Janine Barlow, Technical Manager at Protexin said: "We are extremely pleased by the initial findings of this research. The use of Denamarin with chemotherapy looks to help protect liver function allowing for successful completion of therapy and hopefully a longer, happier life for the pet. We look forward to the results of the full study."
Protexin says the SAMe and silybin in Denamarin support and maintain hepatic function by mechanisms including increasing levels of glutathione, the liver's main detoxifying agent; promoting protein synthesis; and stimulating bile flow. Denamarin is useful as part of a polymodal approach to the management of liver health.
Denamarin is available for both dogs and cats in an enteric-coated tablet.
Dr Berwyn Clarke, CEO of PBD Biotech, which developed the bacteriophage-based detection method, says this is significant step forward: "In situations where a farm has had an ongoing chronic bovine TB problem, APHA’s protocol offers a promising new approach to controlling the infection.
"Actiphage is now included within a series of measures that farmers can use in conjunction with their vet and with specific APHA approval as a means to improving their disease management strategy.
"For many farms that have been struggling for years it provides the first step to becoming TB free. This move by the APHA is a really positive step towards tackling this devastating disease."
Much of this new strategy, as part of a private TB eradication plan, has been driven by the success of Devon-based vet Dick Sibley, who incorporated Actiphage into a disease management strategy last Autumn to help clear a dairy herd that had been stricken with TB since 2012.
Dick said: "The approach of directly measuring the presence of live bacteria in the blood in just six hours is a totally different but complementary measurement to other technologies and has enabled enhanced testing, early detection and containment of the infected animals.
"We don’t have all of the answers yet, but it’s about predicting, preventing and managing what we can – and Actiphage has contributed greatly to the outcome we’ve been after for so long."
The Exceptional private use of non-validated tests for TB on cattle in England protocol enables any private veterinary surgeon to request APHA permission for exceptional use of Actiphage and the other non-validated tests, subject to certain criteria that include herd supplementary interferon-γ (IFN- γ) testing, discussions with the APHA Case Vet and the farmer’s written consent.
Berwyn added: "Actiphage is unique in directly detecting live mycobacteria in blood or milk, and it can also distinguish between a vaccinated and an infected animal - paving the way for new types of disease control when vaccines become available in the future.
"We are working with international governments, and the test is being trialled on bovine, ovine as well as exotic species, but we appreciate it is new to the UK market so we’re keen to answer any queries vets or farmers may have."
The new test will be profiled in the Innovation Hub at the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Show next month (27 & 28 June).
PBD Biotech says Actiphage will require further testing before it is officially approved for standard veterinary use in the UK, however under the APHA protocol it is now permitted for private use where herds have experienced persistent breakdowns and this will contribute to the evidence-base required for official validation by the OIE and acceptance by APHA.
Within this protocol, APHA has outlined a number of other non-validated tests that may be proposed for exceptional use in cattle herds with chronic breakdowns, including: the Actiphage assay, developed by PBD Biotech and Nottingham University; the Enferplex TB serological test, produced by Enfer Laboratories Ireland and approved in GB for use in camelids; and the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing of faecal samples. APHA says this is not an exhaustive list and that the protocol covers any current or future non-validated tests for bovine TB.
The comparative intradermal tuberculin skin test and the IFN- γ blood test remain the only ante mortem tests currently approved for the statutory cattle TB testing programme in Great Britain.
The full Exceptional private use of non-validated tests for TB on cattle in England is available on the APHA Vet Gateway: apha.defra.gov.uk/vet-gateway/non-valid-tb-testing