They include the launch of the RCVS Academy, reforms to the RCVS concerns investigation process, the publication of the Workforce Action Plan and guidance for universities on supporting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic veterinary students, ongoing work on new under care guidance, the development of new sustainability standards for the Practice Standards Scheme, and the purchase of the future headquarters for the RCVS.
The report also contains an update from the College’s charity partner RCVS Knowledge, details of RCVS financial management policies, and an independent auditor’s report on the College.
The Annual Report and Financial Statements will be formally adopted by RCVS Council at its Annual General Meeting on Friday 7th July at One Great George Street.
Veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses are able to submit questions about the Annual Report.
The College says that subject to time, submitted questions will be answered by the College on the day, or followed up in writing after the event.
Questions should be emailed to Deborah Rowlanes, RCVS Events Manager, on d.rowlanes@rcvs.org.uk no later than 5pm on Tuesday 4th July.
If you want to attend, register at: www.rcvs.org.uk/events.
The VetCT teleconsulting service, which can be accessed via the web and an app-based platform, provides advice from a specialist team.
Typically advice is provided as a written report within 24 hours, with options for text chat or telephone conversations when vets may want to discuss the case with a specialist.
The service can be accessed on a pay-per-case or subscription basis.
Until now, follow-up advice had been capped at two weeks.
Internal medicine specialist and Head of Teleconsulting at VetCT, Kate Murphy, said: “We are delighted to be extending our support for cases that require ongoing management, such as endocrine disorders or complex wound management.
"Our clients have fed back how valuable it will be to partner with us longer term for these patients, to provide guidance and reassurance that care is being optimised and help to keep owners engaged and happy.”
welcome.vet-ct.com/sales
The 'Lifelong Ear Partnership' resources, which were developed in conjunction with a panel of vets, are designed to help vets in practice improve their owner communication and achieve owner buy-in about otitis.
To that end, Dechra has developed various owner communication tools for use in practice or to refer owners to after the consultation.
They include an owner website: www.ear-inflammation.co.uk and a postcard with QR code links to educational videos which cover clinical recommendations, treatment options and the importance of revisits.
There is also a brochure for owners and an online 4D ear model: www.4d-earmodel.com, which demonstrates a healthy ear and an ear with mild, moderate or severe otitis.
Finally, Dechra has also launched an ear cytology webinar series on Dechra Academy: www.dechra.co.uk/academy.
The course consists of tips for everything from greeting the patient to performing and interpreting cytology slides.
Claire Westoby, companion animal brand manager at Dechra, said: “Otitis externa in dogs is not a quick fix and to successfully treat a case several factors need to be considered.
"Most cases call for a thorough investigation of the primary causes, a correct diagnosis and treatment of potential secondary dysbiosis, handling of perpetuating factors and constructing a long-term plan that ensures owner compliance and reduces the risk of recurrent problems.
“Our extensive new range of Lifelong Ear Partnership resources will ensure that vets can refresh their knowledge on otitis externa and educate clients on all aspects of the condition within a limited consult time.”
www.dechra.co.uk/otitis-externa.
Online registration for the BSAVA Congress 2011 is now open at www.bsava.com.
According to the BSAVA, web registration has been enhanced this year to provide a smoother process for individual, group and practice badge bookings. Plus, there is a 5% discount on registration fees.
BSAVA has brought forward the Early Bird deadline this year to 3 January 2011 to coincide with the impending VAT increase, so you'll need to register before this date to get the best price.
There is also a new 'Weekend Rate', which offers delegates access to the Saturday lectures, Party Night ticket, a Sunday exhibition pass, a delegate bag with proceedings, plus delegate lunch and refreshments on both days.
See www.bsava.com for further details and registration fees.
Dechra Veterinary Products has added a new webinar: 'Otitis Externa - Recent advances in the treatment of ears' to The Dechra Academy, the online training suite from Dechra Veterinary Products.
Presented by Sue Paterson, MA VetMB DVD DipECVD MRCVS RCVS & European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology, the webinar accounts for 1.5 hours CPD and covers such topics as ear anatomy, cytology and the creation of treatment plans.
Carol Morgan, Dechra Brand Manager said: "We are dedicated to providing educational resources to support the veterinary profession. The otitis webinar is the latest addition to our range of high quality key-opinion-leader-led CPD on The Dechra Academy."
The webinar is now available to view on demand at www.dechra.co.uk/academy.
Sioned Timothy, Ruminant Technical Manager at Boehringer said: "The financial and production impact of liver fluke should not be underestimated. Recent abattoir research in Ireland, published this year, has shown that a fattening steer with fluke infection will put on 36kg less live weight gain over its lifetime versus a healthy steer, costing the producer around £63, per animal.
"Additionally, analysis of data from cattle at a Scottish abattoir showed that animals with 1 to 10 liver fluke present in their liver took an average 31 days longer to reach slaughter weight, while animals with more than 10 liver fluke present took an additional 77 days longer to reach slaughter weight versus animals without any liver fluke infection2.
"Liver fluke infections can also lead to hormonal and metabolic imbalances, affecting reproduction in female animals and extending breeding targets3. Affected animals may also be more susceptible to secondary bacterial infections, such as Salmonella and Clostridial infections3."
Boehringer says that with cattle being brought in for winter housing, now is an ideal opportunity to remove productivity-limiting parasites that were acquired during the grazing season. The main targets for parasite control at this time of year are gutworms, lungworm and liver fluke, however the specific risk will vary from farm to farm.
The company adds that the choice of treatment for liver fluke at housing is complicated by emerging resistance to triclabendazole. This is the only flukicide that treats the early immature stage of liver fluke, responsible for acute disease in sheep but not of clinical relevance in cattle.
Sioned said: "Prescribing an alternative flukicide for cattle at housing will reduce selection for resistance and, by targeting the later stages of the parasite, control the impact of liver fluke on productivity.
"Flukicides containing clorsulon (contained in Ivomec Super) will remove the adult stages of fluke in cattle, while those containing closantel, or nitroxynil (the active ingredient of Trodax), are effective against both late immature and adult stages.
"To ensure that cattle have no residual fluke burden, they may need to be re-treated at an appropriate interval after the initial housing dose. Diagnostic testing can be used to determine whether a second treatment is necessary. This approach will ensure that cattle are turned back out onto pasture fluke free."
References
CVS says the use of ear cytology in OE is beneficial, both as a diagnostic and to evaluate the response to therapy.
However, in 2019 the company looked at 26,269 of its patients and found that ear cytology was only being used in 19.2% of cases, in line with the rest of the profession.
Only 11% of cases were being provided with in-house point-of-care cytology, whilst 8.2% had it performed externally.
80.8% of patients with OE were being prescribed antibiotics without cytological support, with 5% of these the highest priority critically important antibiotics (HPCIAs).
This low level of cytology use in primary care was suspected to be a major contributory factor to the significant use of unnecessary antibiotics.
To support its practices, CVS first looked at the barriers to performing ear cytology interventions, which were identified as a lack of confidence in using the microscope (particularly focusing on x100 and identification of pathological events), a perceived lack of time, insufficient or poorly working equipment, a lack of access to equipment, and the perception that cytology does not change the treatment choice or outcome.
As a second step, a minimal list of cytology equipment was developed to ensure that all sites had the right kit.
New equipment was then supplied to a practice if it did not meet minimum standards.
The company then produced education and resource materials, including new guidelines, imagery and video guides, to upskill both its vets and nurses.
The training focused on: equipment maintenance, cleaning and troubleshooting, how to use the microscope – including x100 magnification and the slide oil immersion technique, how to identify pathological changes, and time management to get a consultation done – including swabbing, microscope analysis, diagnosis and client consultation.
Each site was then provided with its own data, so that it could monitor progress.
Elizabeth McLennan Green, CVS Clinical Director for the North, said: “One of our goals with this project was to minimise the number of antibiotics prescribed without associated diagnostics, and to use ear cytology to guide therapy and response to treatment for the benefit of our patients and clients.”
“We know that low ear cytology interventions are an issue across the profession. We wanted to do better. So ear cytology has been our first and longest running clinical improvement project.
"We’re thrilled with the brilliant results our colleagues are now achieving.”
There's a video presentation about the project here: https://vimeo.com/875515008/bdc3ee5920
Photo: Emily Spencer, Head Vet at Castle Vets
A new programme to help reduce the stress of pets suffering a reaction to sudden loud noises such as fireworks and thunderstorms, has been launched by the makers of Zylkène.
Intervet / Schering-Plough Animal Health, which manufactures Zylkène, a product to help manage stress in dogs and cats, has developed the programme in association with animal behaviour experts at Bristol University.
The Zylkène Sound Desensitisation Programme, to be used in conjunction with Zylkène, features sound tracks, advice, written and verbal instructions and a practice track designed to help pet owners find a long-term solution to a common and distressing problem. The CD features fireworks, thunder and lightening and gunshots sounds and includes component sound tracks to avoid overwhelming very sensitive pets.
One CD will be given away free of charge with every box of Zylkène purchased between 1 September and 30 November, while stocks last.
The Zylkène Sound Desensitisation Programme complements an educational waiting room display and owner information sheets which provide owners with practical advice and techniques to help pets cope throughout the firework season.
Melanie Dass, product manager at Intervet /Schering-Plough Animal Health, said: "The sad fact is that just under half the UK dog population reacts to sudden loud noises, as do many cats. Stress caused by unexpected sounds manifests in many ways from hiding, house soiling or attempts to escape.
"Unfortunately, if this problem is not correctly managed, firework-related stress reactions can become progressively more severe and can extend to other sounds such as thunder and even everyday noises such as car doors being slammed. Desensitisation is a proven method of changing a pet's response to sudden loud noises. This new Zylkène Sound Desensitisation Programme means we can now offer pet owners short and long term problems to a common and distressing problem."
The British Veterinary Association, some of the UK's largest animal charities, law enforcement agencies and unions have today called on the leaders of the main political parties to work together to introduce improved and updated legislation to protect dog welfare and public safety.
The 20 groups have come together to demand action against irresponsible dog owners by the Government and the provision of necessary resources for those tasked with policing dog control laws.
It comes ahead of the summary of responses from Defra's consultation on dog legislation which is expected this autumn. The consultation received more than 4,000 responses by the time it closed in June, indicating the scale of interest in the subject.
The joint statement will be sent to Prime Minister David Cameron MP, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg MP and acting leader of the opposition Harriet Harman MP.
The statement says: "We believe that irresponsible dog ownership, whether it is allowing dogs to stray, be dangerously out of control or indiscriminately breeding them, causes significant problems for the safety and welfare of both humans and animals. Current legislation is proving inadequate in many cases to ensure sufficient protection.
"We believe that both the provision of sufficient resources at a local level for local authorities and the police, and updated and consolidated legislation that has a genuine preventative effect, are needed to address this problem.
"We call on the coalition Government to act and bring forward legislation that addresses these areas effectively."
BVA President Professor Bill Reilly added: "The Government must not ignore this overwhelming call for action to protect dog welfare and public safety.
"The problems caused by dangerous dogs will never be solved until dog owners appreciate that they are responsible for the actions of their animals. The BVA believes very strongly in the principle of deed not breed - targeting dogs for their actions, not what they look like - and new legislation must tackle the actions of irresponsible pet owners that can cause dogs to become aggressive. Current legislation is not tackling irresponsible owners who increasingly put the public and other animals at risk.
"Compulsory microchipping - and an effective and workable registration system - should be put in place for all dogs, not only to reunite stray dogs with their owners, but also to help prevent puppy farming and to promote responsible ownership.
"I cannot stress too strongly that responsible ownership is the key to resolving the issue of dangerous dogs."
RCVS Council has unanimously elected Mrs Jacqui Molyneux to become its new Junior Vice-President. She will take up office on RCVS Day, 1 July 2011.
Jacqui said: "As I have become more and more involved with the RCVS and the work of its committees I am amazed at the amount of work being done behind the scenes by both Council Members and the RCVS staff. It's sad that many of the profession live in fear of the RCVS as they are only aware of its regulatory function.
"During my time on the Officer team, communication with the profession will be a priority, not for the vocal minority, but with the silent majority who have no idea of the breadth of the work that the RCVS undertakes each year."
Jacqui graduated in 1981 from the University of Bristol and started her career in small animal practice in Liverpool, before moving to the North East, and setting up her own practice. Following its rebuilding, the practice was accredited as a Veterinary Hospital in 2002 and, four years later, has become RCVS Practice Standards Scheme accredited.
Since her election to the RCVS Council in 2005, Jacqui has chaired the Small Animal Certificate Board and served for four years on the Disciplinary Committee. She has also been Vice-Chairman of the Veterinary Nurses Council since 2007.
From 2009, Jacqui has chaired the RCVS Awarding Body Board, including the review of Veterinary Nursing.
Jacqui is currently President of the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS). She is studying for a Masters in Clinical Oncology with the University of Birmingham, and holds an RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery awarded in 2000.
The RCVS Disciplinary Committee has dismissed an application to be restored to the Register of Veterinary Surgeons from a former Kent-based veterinary surgeon, Warwick Seymour-Hamilton.
Mr Seymour-Hamilton was originally removed from the Register in June 1994 for failing to maintain his equipment and facilities such that it evidenced a total disregard of basic hygiene and care for animals, thereby bringing the profession into disrepute.
The restoration hearing on Friday 18 March was Mr Seymour-Hamilton’s fourth application for restoration, with previous applications being submitted but refused in July 1995, June 2010 and January 2015. However, as the Committee made its decision on the merits of the case before it, those previous applications were not admitted as relevant to its decision.
Mr Seymour-Hamilton told the Committee that he currently works as a herbalist and naturopath for humans and wished to be restored to the Register so he could include animals in his research. He had completed a course in herbal and naturopathic medicine at the College of Naturopathic Medicine in Dublin in 2010, and told the Committee that he believed that being restored to the Register would lend credence to his endeavours to secure funding and other support. He stated that he did not intend to work again in a veterinary practice.
However, the Committee rejected his application on a number of grounds, including the impact on animal welfare should Mr Seymour-Hamilton be restored to the Register; the length of time he had been off the Register and the fact that he was therefore not up-to-date with contemporary veterinary practice and professional conduct; and that his efforts to keep up-to-date in terms of knowledge, skills and developments in practice were insufficient.
Judith Webb, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "The Committee is concerned about the length of time that has passed since he last practised and the paucity of the evidence he has provided to establish that, if permitted to return to practice, he would be able to attain the professional standards required of a modern veterinary practitioner, either as regards surgical capabilities/competence or as regards his knowledge of currently available veterinary medicines."
She added: "This Committee’s obligations and duties are to see that the interests of animal welfare are properly protected by ensuring that only those who are properly trained, knowledgeable and experienced are permitted to treat animals and that public confidence in the standards of the profession are maintained. The risks attendant on a restoration of this applicant to the Register are, in the judgement of this Committee, plain and obvious. Accordingly, this application is refused."
Nominations will remain open till 5pm on Tuesday 31 January 2023 and the elections will take place in March and April 2023.
RCVS President Dr Melissa Donald, a member of RCVS Council since 2016, said: “I am a general practitioner by background, and so having the opportunity to serve on Council and be at the heart of decision-making that has a real and consequential impact on how we as vets work and conduct ourselves, has been a real privilege.
“In my six years on Council I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in fascinating debates and discussions, to represent the RCVS and its activities at country fairs and congresses, and to talk to and get the views of peers and colleagues from across the UK.
"Serving your profession in the RCVS is a fantastic opportunity and I would recommend anyone who wants to have a real say and impact on the future of the profession to stand for next year’s Council elections.”
The full eligibility criteria, info and FAQs for vets who want to stand can be found at: www.rcvs.org.uk/rcvscouncil23.
Prospective candidates for RCVS Council can also contact Melissa Donald for an informal conversation about what it means to be an RCVS Council member: president@rcvs.org.uk.
There is also an opportunity for prospective candidates to attend a meeting of the RCVS Council on Thursday 19th January 2023 at the University of Nottingham Veterinary School, as an observer.
Contact Dawn Wiggins, RCVS Council Secretary, on d.wiggins@rcvs.org.uk if you'd like to go.
Fashion website Lyst caused a bit of a storm amongst pet lovers on the twitosphere this week after announcing the 'launch' of The Canine Collection, a range of puppies sold as accessories to the company's range of fashion clothing.
The Canine Collection was described as comprising 33 different dog breeds, 'from petite XS puppies to oversized companions, in a choice of six wearable colourways'. Visitors to the site were invited to: 'Find the right dog to match your wardrobe from our curated selection of breeds that are as stylish as they are lovable'.
Whilst the launch was obviously a PR stunt (after selecting what size you wanted your new dog in, pressing 'buy' just sent an email), some people were obviously taken in, branding the collection 'DISGUSTING', 'despicable' and 'sick' on Twitter.
Later in the day, the RSPCA stepped in, telling the MirrorOnline: "Whether this is real or just a publicity stunt by Lyst, it sends out an extremely worrying message to people who are looking to get a new canine companion… We have tried to make contact with Lyst to discuss with them the implications a stunt like this might have."
Lyst's website has now been updated with the message: "Of course you can't buy puppies and dogs here, we sell clothes not canines. But unfortunately, thousands of puppies and dogs are bought and abandoned every year. According to Blue Cross, the number of small "handbag" dogs and puppies needing to be re-homed has increased by 120% in the last five years, with "fashionable" toy dog breeds in particular being given up in record numbers. A dog is for life, not just for Instagram."
Whether that was added hastily in response to the reaction, or planned all along, is unclear. Either way, Lyst points out that the number of people talking about puppy farming on Twitter last week was 158, compared to 10,000+ pet owners expressing outrage at the idea of puppies as fashion accessories in just 2 days. So perhaps some good has come of it all.
The trial starts on Monday 11 July and will continue for three months to allow the College to determine levels of demand for such a service and, therefore, whether it should be made permanent.
Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS Acting Registrar, said: "This was a potential service identified in our Strategic Plan as a way of allowing veterinary professionals to have informal, confidential, discussions with members of the Professional Conduct Department about potential fitness to practise issues, short of formally raising a concern.
"Although any discussions via the new reporting line or email address will be confidential, if a veterinary surgeon or a veterinary nurse subsequently wishes to raise a formal concern about another veterinary professional, then they generally will need to identify both themselves and the individual in order to take it through our investigation process.
"We have developed a bespoke concerns form for members of the professions who do want to raise concerns about other professionals."
Veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses who wish to contact a member of the RCVS Professional Conduct Department in confidence can do so by calling 07599 958 294 between 9am and 5pm, or by emailing reporting@rcvs.org.uk.
The bespoke concerns from for members of the profession can be downloaded from www.rcvs.org.uk/concerns.
The course helps veterinary practices manage their dispensaries with up-to-date information on medicines regulations. It covers the main aspects of dispensing including an overview and update on legislation, using the cascade and the storing and disposal of medicines. There will also be sessions covering controlled drugs, dispensing mishaps and what to expect from an inspection.
Tutors Pam Mosedale, Donal Murphy, Michael Stanford, Mike Jessop and John Millward will deliver lectures via webinars throughout the day, which ends with a live streamed interactive Q+A session.
The course is suitable for vets, vet nurses and other staff who deal with the dispensing of medicines and the pharmacy.
Attendees will have access to supporting resources for approximately two weeks after the course, including electronic course notes and lectures from the day and an active discussion forum.
The Association says course meets the RCVS practice standards veterinary hospital dispensing course requirements and is ideal for the new PSS Medicines Award CPD requirement.
It is also AMTRA accredited and carries 43 AMTRA CPD points.
Attendance for the day is compulsory and an attendance register will be taken for the Live Q&A session.
Course organiser Pam Mosedale said: “We are very excited to be able to deliver the BSAVA Dispensing Course online and still allow for interaction between speakers and delegates in the live session. With Practice Standards and VMD visits restarting, it is fantastic that we are still able to support practices in these difficult times by ensuring they are complying with the Veterinary Medicines Regulations.”
The course costs £150.00 (incl. VAT) for BSAVA members and £225.00 (incl. VAT) for non-members. To book visit https://www.bsava.com/Education/CPD/Event-Detail/dateId/2099
There'll be tours of the hospital, including the new consulting suite, together with the opportunity to meet NWVS specialists, clinicians, nurses and client care personnel.
Food and refreshments will be served throughout the day, and the practice is also laying on some physiotherapy demonstrations.
Clinical director Prue Neath said: “Our open day for veterinary practice teams is a great opportunity to showcase to the veterinary profession the modern facilities and cutting-edge equipment we have on offer, further enhanced by our major expansion.
“The upgrades ensure we can continue to deliver the very best of care and treatments to our pet patients, while offering a first-class working environment for our valued colleagues.”
To book a place: www.nwspecialists.com/vet-professionals/open-day/registration
International Cat Care (formerly the Feline Advisory Bureau) is once again raising the issue of cats accidentally poisoned by dog flea products containing permethrin.
The charity is undertaking a campaign to warn owners of the dangers of using dog flea products on their cats because cats are still dying unnecessarily. While the incidents outlined here occurred in the UK, previous reports have shown that this is the most common cause of poisoning of cats in many countries because products are widely and easily available.
Gary Rutland RVN DipAVN(Surgical), Head Nurse and Cat Advocate at the Cat Friendly Millennium Veterinary Practice in Essex was moved to get in contact with International Cat Care after the death of a nine-week-old kitten treated with a permethrin-containing dog spot-on bought at a local pet store. Understandably, both the owners and the practice staff were greatly distressed. The owner used it on her dog and, because it was cheap, assumed it would 'not be strong' and would be fine to use on the kitten. A video of the kitten on the ICC website (www.icatcare.org/permethrin/cat-deaths) shows the resulting seizures.
The second incident concerned two 7-year-old cats treated accidentally after Donna, their owner, bought a dog spot-on containing permethrin from a local shop without wearing her glasses. Someone had placed a dog treatment among the cat treatments and she picked it up. No advice was given to Donna in the shop. She said that the flea treatments were on the shelves, 'just like selling smarties in a children's candy store'.
Although both products had a warning on the packaging, this was either not seen or not taken seriously enough because such products are so freely available and nobody thinks that a drop of a dog product could kill their cat.
International Cat Care is demanding that dog spot-on flea products containing permethrin should not be available without verbal advice at the point of sale. Currently these products are categorised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) in the UK as AVM-GSL, which means that they can be bought directly off the shop shelf without the need for advice. The charity says they should be recategorised as NFA-VPS so that they can only be purchased if there is someone in the shop who is suitably qualified to speak to and advise the buyer. The shop should advise that they are only for use on dogs, and ask if there are any cats in the home which could come into contact with a recently-treated dog. The owners can then be warned to keep the dog and cat apart, or advised to use a different product. Advice must be given with some other current non-permethrin containing spot-on products sold through pet shops under the NFA-VPS authorisation and many of these products have a much safer profile if used accidentally on cats, than those containing permethrin.
Dr Andy Sparkes, Veterinary Director for International Cat Care, said: 'Many practices see permethrin poisoning in cats several times a year but do not contact the VMD because the product is not a POM or they feel that the Directorate already knows about the problem. We feel strongly that the problem is greatly under-reported. Nothing will be done unless the full extent of the problem is realised by the VMD, so please report each one by going on the website at https://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/adversereactionreporting/. These cat deaths are totally preventable - you can sign our petition at www.icatcare.org/permethrin/petition to change the categorisation.'
The charity is also asking the pet trade to voluntarily class these dog spot-on products containing permethrin as NFA-VPS and to provide advice to their customers accordingly. Pets at Home is working with International Cat Care and the company will be adding a till prompt so that the product cannot be sold without customers being asked whether they have a cat and given appropriate advice.
Maeve Moorcroft, Head of Pets at Pets at Home which earlier this year launched its Flea Fight Force said: 'We take the risk of permethrin poisoning in cats very seriously. We are introducing prompts at our tills so that customers are asked during the checkout process if they are aware of the risk to cats in the home when purchasing a permethrin based spot-on dog flea treatment, and also advised to wait at least 72 hours after treating the dog before the dog and cat can come into close contact.'
International Cat Care is urging veterinary practices to ensure that if concentrated permethrin-containing spot-on products are prescribed and dispensed for use on dogs, adequate warnings are given, including when owners come in for repeat prescriptions. Asking if there is a cat in the house each time a product is dispensed is critical in case a cat has recently been added to the home.
Information on the veterinary treatment of permethrin poisoning cases can be found on the ICC website at www.icatcare.org/permethrin/vet-info
Set up in 2012, the programme was developed to raise the standards of care and welfare of cats in the veterinary clinic, and to provide veterinary surgeons with practical solutions to problems that they face when dealing with their feline patients. The programme is also designed to boost business by strengthening the bond between the clinic and its feline clients.
Four years later, with 732 practices accredited worldwide (369 in the UK) and a further 1,000 US practices accredited under the American Association of Feline Practitioners scheme licensed from ISFM, the programme has become a well-recognised global standard in feline veterinary care. Last October, it was the winner of the 2016 Veterinary Record Innovation Award.
ISFM says it has now signed six new commercial partners for the scheme: Boehringer Ingelheim, Ceva Animal Health, Elanco, Idexx Laboratories, Merial and Royal Canin, and will be working with these partners to expand the programme further.
Dr Andy Sparkes, Veterinary Director of International Cat Care, ISFM’s parent charity, said: We are delighted to see how many clinics around the world have focused on becoming cat friendly and we can only expect this to grow again in 2017 with our new partners on board. We are looking forward to a very cat friendly 2017!"
Clinics interested in joining the scheme should visit: www.catfriendlyclinic.org for further information, including an extensive library of photographs from already-accredited clinics to provide inspiration and ideas.
Dechra Veterinary Products Brand Manager Craig Sankey said: "Hyperthyroidism is a common endocrine disorder that affects thyroid production in older cats. It’s a lifelong condition that requires careful understanding and management by both vets and owners.
"The video presentation aims to illustrate how, with flexibility and precision, you can take control of hyperthyroidism and restore the natural poise of your hyperthyroid patients."
To watch the film and enter the competition, visit: www.dechra.co.uk/3greatreasons.
Competition closes February 28th 2017.
The Disciplinary Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has refused an application for restoration to the RCVS Register from a Kent-based former veterinary surgeon struck off in 1994 for disregarding basic hygiene at his professional premises and failing to properly maintain a Controlled Drugs Register or patient records.
In June 1994, the Committee found that Mr Warwick John Seymour-Hamilton, at that time the only veterinary surgeon practising at premises at 9 Orchard Grove, Orpington, Kent, was guilty of disgraceful professional conduct and should have his name removed from the Register. The state and condition of the premises were found to be such as to risk the health and welfare of animals taken to the premises, and bring the profession into disrepute. An application made by Mr Seymour-Hamilton for restoration made in 1995 was refused.
At a restoration hearing on 18 June 2010, Mr Seymour-Hamilton told the Committee that he sought restoration to the Register because he wished to further his research work into plants with potential medicinal properties. Restoration, he said, would improve his professional status by giving him more credibility, particularly in terms of recognition by the medical and veterinary professions.
Mr Seymour-Hamilton said that he had no intention of returning to clinical practice immediately, and neither the Committee nor the College had heard of any adverse conduct by the applicant since his removal.
However, Caroline Freedman, Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, noted that if Mr Seymour-Hamilton were to be restored, the Committee would have no power to prevent him from returning to general practice.
Mr Seymour-Hamilton's response to questioning by the Committee raised a number of concerns with respect to the future welfare of animals should restoration be granted. He told the Committee that he had not undertaken any relevant Continuing Professional Development in the past 15 years, and said he lacked knowledge of current relevant legislation, for example, the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and basic 'Cascade' prescribing requirements. He also said that he had not read the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct in the past 15 years and that it would not be satisfactory for him immediately to return to general practice.
Ms Freedman said: "If the Committee were to reinstate the Applicant to the Register, it would have to be satisfied that he is competent and safe to practise immediately. The Committee has an obligation to protect the public and animal welfare and cannot simply accept his assurances that he would take steps to rectify his self-confessed shortcomings at some point in the future."
Having taken all the evidence presented into account, the Committee was not satisfied that Mr Seymour-Hamilton was fit to be restored to the Register and dismissed his application.
Dechra Veterinary Products has launched four new care products, enhancing its Professional Care range, available exclusively through veterinary practices.
The new products are:
Brand Manager Rachel Horton said: "At Dechra we're focused on providing a complete care solution for companion animals. Our Professional Care range provides products which owners can use at home to keep their pets in great condition.
With the launch of these new products, we believe the Professional Care range provides a cost-effective care solution for pet owners while providing significant additional revenue opportunities for practices."
The first steps have begun to find Petplan and The Veterinary Business Journal's Practice Manager of the Year for 2012.
Nominations are now being sought for the most accomplished UK practice managers and recommendations are welcome from any member of the veterinary team.
Three finalists will be chosen and the winner announced at the annual Petplan Veterinary Awards in April 2012.
Robin Fearon, editor of the Veterinary Business Journal, said: "It is a distinct pleasure to launch the awards programme each year knowing that at the end of it we will be able to announce another winning practice manager.
"These awards are so important in promoting the role and highlighting the crucial part that managers play in practice strategy and success - we can't wait to see your nominations."
Judges will assess candidates' applications and choose the three finalists based on their competency in areas such as staff development, financial strategy and marketing initiative.
Last year's winner Denise Coston is practice manager at Castle Veterinary Surgeons in County Durham. She said: "Winning this award has meant a lot to me because it makes you feel valued. I would say to anyone thinking of nominating their practice manager: 'just do it'.
"The role of practice manager varies in each practice and can be hard to quantify with specific measures, but it means a lot to celebrate someone getting it right. It is an excellent way to promote the role of practice manager and it is great to get recognition alongside vets and nurses."
This award is supported by the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons and the Veterinary Practice Management Association.
As well as a plaque commemorating their achievements, the winner will once more receive one year's free membership to the VPMA.
Nominations for this year's award close on 10 February 2012. Application packs are available from: Jackie Morrison, The Veterinary Business Journal, Olympus House, Werrington Centre, Peterborough PE4 6NA, or e-mail jackiemorrison@vbd.uk.com.
Alternatively visit www.vetsonline.com/ to download yours direct.
The BSAVA has announced the publication of its latest practical guide: The BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Abdominal Surgery.
The new manual covers everything from routine ovariohysterectomy to emergency drainage for acute peritonitis and features two new chapters on laparoscopic instrumentation/surgery and urinary incontinence.
The extensively revised and updated second edition equips veterinary surgeons with practical information, illustrations and images, along with step-by-step operative techniques that provide information on patient positioning and preparation, instrumentation and postoperative management for a variety of procedures.
International expertise includes editors John Williams and Jacqui Niles, as well as contributions from vets around the world.
The BSAVA says that hundreds of veterinary surgeons registered interest in advance after the first edition went out of print last year (2014) and a preview copy was made available at the BSAVA Congress in April.
John Williams said: "The BSAVA exists to promote excellence in small animal practice through education and science, and the BSAVA Manuals are instrumental in fulfilling this aim. As editors of this latest edition, Jacqui and I have had the privilege of being able to work with experts in their respective fields, to produce a practical guide packed full of the latest developments in abdominal surgical techniques that will be useful to the whole veterinary profession."
You can now buy a copy from the BSAVA website: www.bsava.com or by ringing: 01452 726700.
Running from 14th-23rd July, the interactive webinars will be delivered in 5 half-day sessions, led by UK pet food consultants, scientists, and vets.
The course includes:
Sarah Hormozi, PFMA Head of Science & Education, said: "With some of the most credible industry experts as our speakers, this is a rare opportunity for pet professionals across the UK and EU to improve and refresh their knowledge of animal nutrition, pet food legislation, marketing regulations and manufacturing methods, from the comfort of their own home or office!”
For the full programme, list of speakers, registration details and prices, visit www.pfma.org.uk/pfma-training-webinar-series.