Protexin Veterinary has partnered with Improve International to give its customer practices free CPD.

Vouchers for twelve months' free access to Improve's Online Bitesize CPD series will be offered to veterinary surgeons, nurses and practice managers by their Protexin Territory Manager, based on their use of products in the Protexin range.

Online Bitesize CPD offers veterinary professionals the opportunity to meet their annual CPD requirements in short bursts of learning at a time and place to suit them. Its online modules of 20, 40 and 60 minutes cover a range of clinical topics, including cardiology, ophthalmology, small animal medicine, feline medicine and exotics.

Improve says the modules have been designed to be visually engaging, highly interactive and informative to ensure that the experience is rewarding.

James Kyffin, Veterinary Director at Protexin, said: "We are thrilled to be continuing our relationship with Improve International by offering practices access to its Online Bitesize CPD. We are passionate about education and Bitesize offers a convenient, exciting way for the profession to gain access to high quality CPD."

John Douglass at Improve International added: “We hope that veterinary professionals who have not yet experienced our training will take up the opportunity created by this association with Protexin Veterinary and learn new skills with our Online Bitesize CPD service for twelve months at no cost.

"The interactive modules we have created are led by recognised experts and will help them to refresh their knowledge, learn new skills and achieve their annual CPD points quota online at any time.”

A new book written by a man who is both married to and brother of a veterinary surgeon (not the same one, I hasten to add), offers a husband's take on a vet's life.

Author Steve Ankers is married to Margaret Ankers MRCVS (Acorn Veterinary Surgery) and brother of John Prescott MRCVS (now retired, but remains a consultant to Robson & Prescott).

His book, called It's a Dog's Life for the Other Half, is brimfull of funny anecdotes, including: holding hands with a famous actress inside a cow's rectum; a dog who ate a Cliff Richard cassette; a cat who ate a Chihuahua but spat out the tail and a vulture who travelled hundreds of miles on a car roof-rack.

Terry Jones (you know, the Python) described the book as "Hilarious and eminently readable".

It's a Dog's Life for the Other Half may be the literary equivalent of a busman's holiday for the members of this site, but I'm half way through and it's one of those rare books that's guaranteed to bring a smile to your face at least once a page.

It's a Dog's Life for the Other Half is available now from all good bookshops, including Amazon RRP £12.99. It is also available as an e-book.

The President of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) Jon Pycock is to host the first ever BEVA President's Challenge Cycle Sportive and is inviting cyclists of all abilities to join him in Yorkshire on Sunday 3rd June 2018 to help raise important funds for the BEVA Trust and Vetlife.

Jon (pictured right, in blue) has devised the fundraising event as part of his BEVA Presidential year. He has put together three routes in Yorkshire to suit all abilities, over the same roads used by Ron Kitching, the champion 1930s road racer. Each route starts and finishes at York racecourse and will be supported with signage and feed and watering stops along the way. 

Participants can choose from a 35 mile largely flat 'trot' which takes in the city of York, a 66 mile slightly hilly 'canter' skirting the Yorkshire Wolds and a 91 mile 'gallop' over the Rosedale Chimney, which, according to Jon has "enough ascent to make Sir Chris Bonnington happy!"

There will also be a short family ride on the afternoon of 2^nd June so that children and less practised cyclists can get involved.

To enter visit http://www.wheelsinwheels.com/BEVA_Presidents_challenge_Sportive_UK.php

For further information visit www.beva.org.uk

The RCVS and the BVA have issued a joint statement to help the veterinary profession interpret the guidance released by Government on 19 March about who qualifies as ‘key workers’ in relation to the closure of schools.

The relevant section of the Government advice states: "This [key worker status] includes those involved in food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery, as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (for example hygienic and veterinary medicines)."

The RCVS/BVA statement, which is intended to help veterinary surgeons decide whether or not they can claim ‘key worker’ status and ask for their children to continue to be taken into schools, reminds veterinary surgeons to consider the wider societal picture and ensure that they only claim ‘key worker’ status if absolutely necessary.

The statement also stresses that the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct responsibility of the veterinary surgeon to take steps to provide 24-hour emergency first aid and pain relief to animals according to their skills and the specific situation continues, and veterinary practices will need to continue to carry out this work. It is important that animal owners are able to focus on their own health, and not need to worry about their pets. Both the RCVS and BVA believe that veterinary surgeons who are providing this essential work can be considered key workers.

The statement in full is as follows:

Veterinary surgeons as key workers in relation to school closures

RCVS and BVA appreciate that veterinary surgeons will feel a great deal of uncertainty at the present time, and that many will be facing considerable difficulties due to the closure of schools for most pupils.

The official government advice can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision.

The guidance emphasises that if children can be at home then they should be, in order to help to prevent the virus from spreading.

The government has granted key worker status by sector rather than profession. Some veterinary work will definitely fall into the ‘key worker’ category. RCVS and BVA are therefore providing some additional advice below, following consultation with the UK Chief Veterinary Officer:

• Vets carrying out work linked to food production
  Veterinary surgeons working in food production from ‘farm to fork’ are considered to be key workers. This includes:
  1. Farm vets
  2. Official Veterinarians working in the food chain, including abattoir and other related inspection and certification work
• Vets working in emergency care
  The responsibility of the veterinary surgeon to take steps to provide 24-hour emergency first aid and pain relief to animals according to their skills and the specific situation continues, and veterinary practices will need to continue to carry out this work. It is important that animal owners are able to focus on their own health, and not need to worry about their pets. Veterinary surgeons who are providing this essential work can be considered key workers.
• Other companion animal practice work
  In light of the Government guidance published on 19 March it is not clear that veterinary surgeons working in companion animal practice can be considered key workers. Veterinary surgeons should consider the possibility of reputational damage to the profession if vets doing work which could be regarded as non-essential claim key worker status at this time, given that we are facing a public health emergency. Anyone doing so must be confident that their claim to key worker status is defensible. Practices may need to rationalise their work and ultimately this must be a decision for individual veterinary surgeons and veterinary practices.

Summary
At this time the provision of public health and the maintenance of food production need to take priority, and veterinary surgeons working in these areas should be considered key workers.

Veterinary surgeons working in emergency care can also be considered key workers. This will not apply to every veterinary surgeon in clinical practice, and practices may need to consider rationalising their services to achieve this.

The guidance has been welcomed by both the BSAVA and BEVA. David Mountford, Chief Executive of BEVA said: "As veterinary professionals we are duty-bound to provide essential care, relieve suffering and protect the health of the public. Recognition as key workers in such circumstances is welcomed but we would encourage vets to only add to the burden faced by schools where animal welfare is at risk and all other avenues have been explored."

The RVC has published a new VetCompass study which has concluded that prescribing antibiotics or nutraceuticals at first presentation of uncomplicated diarrhoea in dogs causes no difference in clinical resolution of these cases.

The study¹ suggests that dogs with uncomplicated diarrhoea do not need antibiotics as part of their veterinary care plans. 

The study included a random sample of 894 dogs aged between three months and 10 years old diagnosed with uncomplicated diarrhoea in 2019.

Of these, 355 (39.7%) dogs were prescribed antibiotics, and 539 (60.3%) dogs were not prescribed antibiotics (with or without additional supportive treatment) at first presentation for diarrhoea.

For the analysis, the dogs were balanced for a range of other differences between the groups including age, breed, bodyweight, insurance status, the presence of two or more medical conditions, vomiting, reduced appetite, blood in faeces, raised temperature, duration of diarrhoea, additional treatment prescription and veterinary group.

The researchers say this effectively meant that the only difference between the two groups was that one group received antibiotic treatment while the other did not.

The likelihood of clinical resolution of diarrhoea in the dogs prescribed antibiotics was 88.3%, compared with 87.9% in dogs not prescribed antibiotics.

This tiny difference of 0.4% between the groups was not statistically significant, leading to the conclusion that antibiotic treatment did not cause any beneficial effects in the treatment of uncomplicated diarrhoea in dogs.

Almost nine in 10 dogs with uncomplicated diarrhoea recovered after a single veterinary visit regardless of antibiotic treatment.

As an additional analysis, the study also explored gastrointestinal nutraceuticals (products derived from food sources that aim to restore digestive health such as probiotics and prebiotics) for treatment of uncomplicated diarrhoea in dogs.

Gastrointestinal nutraceutical prescription (with or without other supportive treatment) at first presentation of uncomplicated diarrhoea caused no statistically significant difference in clinical resolution compared to dogs not prescribed gastrointestinal nutraceuticals.

Camilla Pegram, VetCompass PhD student at the RVC and lead author of the paper, said: “This study used an exciting new approach that allowed us to determine ‘cause’ rather than being limited to ‘association’.

"Diarrhoea is a common condition in dogs and is often treated with antibiotics.

"However, this study highlighted that antibiotic prescription at first presentation of diarrhoea caused no difference in clinical resolution.

"Therefore, this arms veterinarians with the evidence-base for restricting antibiotics for uncomplicated diarrhoea in dogs, and owners should be prepared to only have an antibiotic prescription if absolutely necessary.”

Fergus Allerton, project lead for the PROTECT ME guidelines and co-author of the paper said: “Rational antimicrobial use is critical to defend ourselves and our pets against the growing threat from antimicrobial resistance.

"This study provides vital evidence to strengthen recommendations to withhold antibiotics when treating dogs with acute diarrhoea. Knowing that the outcome will be the same without antibiotics should reassure veterinarians to adopt this approach consistently.”

Reference

1. PEGRAM, C., DIAZ-ORDAZ, K., BRODBELT, D. C., CHANG, Y., TAYLER, S., ALLERTON, F., PRISK, L., CHURCH, D. B. & O’NEILL D.G. 2023. Do antimicrobials or gastrointestinal nutraceuticals prescribed at first presentation for acute diarrhoea cause a better clinical outcome in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK? PLOS ONE. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0291057 

Merial Animal Health has launched Locatim, an oral antibody supplement to aid calf scour management.

Manufactured from the colostrum of high health status cows that are hyper-immunised against E.coli, rotavirus and coronavirus, Locatim contains a guaranteed concentration of specific antibodies to enterotoxic E.coli F5 (K99).

Merial says that when given alongside the dam’s colostrum, Locatim provides enhanced protection against infection, reducing calf mortality due to neonatal diarrhoea caused by E.coli F5 (K99), and helping to protect calf health during the critical rearing period.

According to the company, a single 60ml oral dose provides direct transfer of these specific antibodies, giving local protection within the digestive tract and systemic protection following absorption through the intestinal mucosa.

For optimal absorption Locatim should be administered during the first four hours of life, but it can be given up to 12 hours after birth.

Locatim can be administered to every calf born during an outbreak of scour; at times of peak calving, when environmental challenge is high; or it can be used to enhance protection in individual calves identified as being at high risk of disease due to factors such as dystocia, weakness or the poor quality of the dam’s colostrum.

For information on purchasing stock contact your local Merial Animal Health territory manager.  

Boehringer Ingelheim has launched Arthritis AWARE, a campaign to raise awareness that osteoarthritis is much more common in young dogs than previously thought.

Although the disease is commonly diagnosed later in life, a 2022 study of 123 dogs found that 40% of those aged between one and four years old had radiographic osteoarthritis, of which about half had clinical signs and of those only 2 were being treated for pain¹.

Another 2022 study found that 38% of dogs over the age of one had osteoarthritic pain, but only half of them were presented for lameness or stiffness².

Geoffrey Guyot, Pain and Inflammation Franchise Lead at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, said: “Clinical signs of early osteoarthritis can be subtle.

"Some young dogs may present with overt lameness, but many compensate for years and manage to continue to perform their daily activities.

"Common compensations include gait or posture changes to unload the painful joint, which often go unnoticed.” 

Boehringer says the aim of its campaign is to shift the perception of osteoarthritis as an old dog disease, to one which could affect dogs of all ages.​

Boehringer also wants the campaign to bridge the gap between vets and dog owners, making it easier for owners to spot the early signs and initiate conversations about the condition.

Geoffrey added: "We hope the Arthritis AWARE campaign will raise awareness of early OA among owners to create more opportunities for you to diagnose and treat dogs with arthritis and improve their outcome.

"We encourage vet practices to join us on the journey so we can help improve dogs’ wellbeing together.”

Vet practices can help spread the word by downloading the Arthritis AWARE campaign pack which includes a waiting room video, a poster, owner-facing leaflets, and social media assets.

www.metacam.co.uk/aware

References

1. Enomoto et al. Prevalence of Radiographic Osteoarthritis and Associated Clinical Signs in Young Dogs. ACVS Surgery Summit (2022). https://www.eventscribe.net/2022/ACVS/fsPopup.asp?Mode=presInfo&PresentationID=1098164
2. Wright, A. et al. Identification of canine osteoarthritis using an owner‐reported questionnaire and treatment monitoring using functional mobility tests. J Small Anim Pract 63, 609–618 (2022). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jsap.13500

Veterinary practices are being invited to enter their patients into the Healthy Weight Competition run by Royal Canin.

With at least 65% of dogs and 39% of cats reported as overweight ^(1&2), the competition is designed to promote a healthy body shape for cats and dogs, and reward the hard work of pet owners and veterinary nurses for achieving and maintaining a pet’s healthy weight. It is open to patients that are starting out on a weight loss programme, those maintaining a healthy body shape following weight loss and even those who have always been a healthy weight and shape.

Six finalists will be selected from all the entries and invited to attend an awards lunch where the overall winner will be announced. All finalists will receive a £100 shopping voucher and the overall winner will receive a £1000 holiday voucher.

Caroline Burke, Weight Management Specialist at Royal Canin said: "The Healthy Weight Competition is the perfect opportunity for veterinary nurses and owners to tackle this serious disease and prevent it occurring.

"There are many health issues associated with an animal being overweight as well as affecting quality of life, longevity and the welfare of the pet. The Healthy Weight Competition is an ideal opportunity for practices to identify the overweight patients, enrol them on a weight loss programme and enter the competition. It also enables them to reward those cats and dogs who have maintained an ideal body shape and weight over a period of time."

The competition is open until 31^st of August 2018.

For more information, visit: www.royalcaninhealthyweight.co.uk or contact your Veterinary Business Manager.

Reference

1. German, A.J., Woods, G.T., Holden, S.L., Brennan, L. Burke, C. (2018). Dangerous trends in pet obesity. Veterinary Record; 182 (1)
2. Courcier, E.A., O’ Higgins, R., Mellor, D.J., Yam, P.S. (2010). Prevalence and risk factors for feline obesity in a first opinion practice in Glasgow, Scotland. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery; 12(10):746-753

The number of European Specialists in Veterinary Ophthalmology in Surrey has increased by one, following Richard Everson's recent qualification.

Richard, who works at North Downs Specialist Referrals (NDSR), graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2003. 

While working in general practice, he developed an interest in ophthalmology and undertook an internship in the field at the Animal Health Trust in 2013. 

Richard said: "Watching cataract surgery for the first time as a student, I was amazed it could be performed through such tiny incisions and an artificial lens could be placed inside the eye.

"My grandmother had cataract surgery around this time, followed later by corneal transplants when I was a recently qualified vet, and this further sparked my interest.

"I was very fortunate during my time in general practice to be able to attend an excellent one-year modular course, with an inspiring teacher, and also to spend some time with two specialist ophthalmologists at NDSR.

"These experiences made me realise it was time to make the leap and try to become a specialist. It was quite a daunting step, but one I’ve never regretted."

Following his internship, Richard undertook a three-year specialist training programme in comparative ophthalmology at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, studying towards the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmology Diploma.

After the successful completion of his training, he remained at the RVC as a clinician for a further year before joining the team at NDSR in July 2018.

Richard says he is now looking forward to further developing ophthalmology services at NDSR, alongside RCVS and American specialist James Histed: "I have already been discussing with James how we can develop the ophthalmology service, with new equipment and treatment options.

"We will soon be taking delivery of a new Zeiss operating microscope, which will have video facilities and eyepieces for an assistant. This will help us to perform more complex surgical procedures, and also help in teaching our interns and visitors to NDSR."

For more information, visit www.ndsr.co.uk.

The RCVS has announced that over the next few years, it is planning to roll out a new outcomes-based model of continuing professional development (CPD), whereby practitioners will be obliged to reflect upon what they learned and to record their reflections.

A shift towards a more outcomes-based model of CPD for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses has been under discussion for a number of years and one of its main proponents has been the current RCVS Senior Vice-President Professor Stephen May (pictured right), who chaired the CPD Policy Working Party. 

Stephen said: "There has been increasing recognition over a range of different professions that CPD records based on ‘inputs’ alone, for example, measuring the number of hours attending a lecture, do not necessarily prove that any significant learning has taken place or that this learning will be used to improve professional practice. 

"By contrast, research has demonstrated that CPD activities focused on outcomes encourage professionals to reflect on what they have learned, how they will apply their learning and how it will improve their practice, which has a positive impact on professionalism and patient health outcomes. Numerous other professions, including human medicine and dentistry, have moved to this model and the veterinary world has been somewhat ‘behind the curve’ as a result.

"However, as with any significant shift in policy, there has been a recognition that we needed to take the profession with us and not force through change. This is why, in March 2017, we launched a pilot scheme for the outcomes-based model with veterinary and veterinary nurse volunteers, including people who, during the initial consultation stage, had voiced some skepticism towards the concept.

"The overall feedback from volunteers was very positive and supportive towards the changes and I look forward, over the coming years, to talking to the professions at large about the benefits of the approach and how to best engage with the model."

In all, around 120 volunteers took part in the pilot, of whom 70% were veterinary surgeons and 30% veterinary nurses. When the pilot finished in October 2018, volunteers provided feedback as part of the evaluation process. Of the 57% of volunteers (n=70) who responded to the survey: 

• 77% said they would be willing to use an outcomes-based CPD model in the future; 

• 41% found it ‘easy’ or ‘very easy’ to implement outcomes-based CPD while only 11% thought it was either ‘difficult’ or ‘very difficult’;

• 61% thought that the outcomes-based model made CPD more meaningful for them and 25% said it encouraged them to undertake a wider range of CPD activities than previously;

• Other feedback included the need for a better CPD recording system and more information and guidance ahead of any future changes. 

Following the feedback, particularly around the need for a new approach to CPD recording, it was also recommended to Council that a new online CPD recording system should be introduced. This system will integrate the current disparate systems, such as the Student Experience Log (for vet students), Nursing Progress Log (for student VNs) and the Professional Development Phase (for recent vet graduates), making it a ‘one-stop shop’ professional development recording platform.

Richard Burley, RCVS Chief Technology Officer, said: "We will be building a new platform, consolidating all professional development-related capability for all members, into a single, integrated solution, seamlessly accessible via our ‘My Account’ online portal, and forthcoming mobile app. We have assembled a new, dedicated, software development team to drive this work and more details about this system will be published in coming months."

Linda Prescott-Clements, RCVS Director of Education, added:"Following the approval of the CPD proposals by RCVS Council, a phased roll-out of the new model and the accompanying IT system will take place. This includes recruiting a group of volunteers from the profession later this year to get some initial feedback around the guidance resources and online CPD platform, with members of the profession being voluntarily able to sign up to the new model and IT system from January 2020 onwards. 

"Implementation of the new CPD requirement for all members is expected to start in January 2022 but, prior to that, we will be working hard to talk to the profession about why an outcomes-based model is a more effective and meaningful way of undertaking CPD and this will include workshops, webinars and roadshows. Look out for more news on our plans over the coming months."

For more information about the College’s current CPD policy requirement and policy, visit: www.rcvs.org.uk/cpd

The Privy Council has approved a Recognition Order for the University of Surrey’s veterinary degree and it will be formally accredited by the RCVS from late next month.

The new Order will come into force on the 18th February 2020, from when students who graduate with the University of Surrey’s veterinary degree will automatically be able to join the Register of Veterinary Surgeons and to practise veterinary medicine in the UK.

The university’s Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Science (BVMSci Hons) degree will enter the College’s cyclical accreditation process and be subject to annual monitoring for quality assurance.

Accreditation of the degree was a five-year process during which the RCVS worked with the University of Surrey to ensure that its curriculum and programme met the College’s quality standards, including two interim accreditation visitations in 2017 and 2018 and a final accreditation visit in 2019.

Dr Niall Connell, RCVS President, said: “We are very glad that the University of Surrey’s veterinary degree has now cleared the last hurdle and that, as of next month, it will join the roster as the UK’s eighth recognised veterinary degree. I commend the hard work that the faculty, students and the university’s clinical partners have put in to develop the course over the past five years and we look forward to continue to work with them to ensure that the high standards are maintained."

Professor Chris Proudman, Head of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Surrey, said: "I am delighted that the University of Surrey’s School of Veterinary Medicine has become the UK’s eighth provider of veterinary education. The support and enthusiasm of our partner practice network has been essential in delivering our vision of competent, confident and compassionate veterinary graduates."

The full RCVS accreditation standards for veterinary degrees can be found here: www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/accrediting-primary-qualifications/accrediting-veterinary-degrees/accreditation-standards/

Photo: (from l-r) Susan Paterson, Chair of the RCVS Education Committee, Professor Chris Proudman, Head of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Surrey, and Niall Connell, RCVS President.

Zoetis has launched a one-dose vial of Rispoval IntraNasal, in order to offer respiratory health protection in calves as soon as possible after birth without either waiting to batch them in groups or wasting unused vaccine in multi-dose packs.

To make ready for use, the vaccine is reconstituted by mixing a powder with sterile diluent. Once mixed, the licensed shelf life is two hours. This means any that is unused in multi-dose packs must be thrown away. By stocking a combination of one- and multi-dose packs, farmers can eliminate this.

The vaccine protects against two primary viral causes of pneumonia in young calves, BRSv and Pi3v¹. Surveillance of blood samples from 2,145 calves with pneumonia signs found 78% exposed to BRSv, 81% to Pi3v². The product licence allows use from nine days of age, with onset of immunity to BRSv and Pi3v after five and 10 days respectively. The licence also specifies a duration of immunity of 12 weeks.

Zoetis vet Carolyn Hogan says that viruses are the instigator of a majority of respiratory health problems: "Early-life protection also helps reduce the threat from opportunistic secondary bacterial infections, such as Pasteurella.

"Good respiratory health is essential to ensure calves develop to achieve their lifetime potential. But it's estimated that 67% of pneumonia cases occur in calves less than three months of age³.

"Whether suckled or reared, calves that don’t grow effectively in the early weeks are unlikely to catch up later. On both dairy and beef units, proactive management of the calf living space, nutrition and disease resilience is critical to maximise lifetime productivity, which is clearly so important under today's farm business economics.

More information about the benefits of managing respiratory health in calves is available at plantoproduce.co.uk.