MWI Animal Health has launched MWI Pet, a digital system to manage the contact between practices and their clients, including appointment bookings and reminders.

The new system integrates with the Merlin practice management system and pet owners can access the MWI Pet portal to view and book available appointments with their veterinary surgeon via any connected device.

David Tinsley, Vice President, MWI Animal Health U.K., said: “As providers continue to navigate a changing industry and evolving consumer expectations, veterinary practices need access to technologies that help them better serve the needs of both their staff and their clients.

“MWI Pet will help practices meet consumer demands for digital-driven convenience and foster deeper relationships with their clients, while freeing up more time for staff to focus on delivering high-quality care.”

To set up a demo of the new system: https://abc1.jotform.com/222564512240850  

In the most recent Petplan Pet Census, an annual study of pet ownership in the UK, 97% of vets reported that a lack of funds had led to owners choosing euthanasia over treatment.  

Whilst some cases are the result of one-off ‘emergency' treatment, manageable long-term conditions are often at the root of much unnecessary euthanasia because owners simply cannot afford the cost of ongoing treatment. Reported increases in pet obesity and diabetes, arthritis and behavioural problems have all been cited in the Pet Census as common causes of increased and ongoing vet bills.

Vets have been reporting a rise in diseases that are related to obesity in companion animals for some time and with the Petplan Pet Census panel of almost two hundred (198) UK veterinary practices reporting that more than one third (36%) of all dogs and one quarter (29%) of cats they treat are obese, the future for many pets looks bleak. More than half (53%) of vets say that cases of cat and dog diabetes are on the increase. Obesity is actually bucking the trend of more historically significant diseases, including kennel cough and feline leukaemia, which are either remaining static or decreasing. 

The number of pets with behavioural problems is also on the rise, with more than half of vets (55%) reporting an increase and most (95%) practices offering support for these animals. Effective treatment is not a quick-fix solution and requires changes to the owner's lifestyle and lengthy work with experts in the field. 

Petplan Vet of the Year, Brian Faulkner said: "I think it is a common misconception that the predicament forcing pet owners to euthanase their pet is the out-of-the-blue, one-off vet fees for emergencies. But in fact we are noticing that owners whose pets have on-going illnesses such as diabetes and even behavioural problems that are very manageable are being faced with the dreadful decision to have to euthanase than face the ongoing financial burden.  It's even more devastating when the owners have actually taken out an insurance policy but the nature of the policy only covers treatment of any one condition for up to one year.  I always advise people to make sure their policies do not cap the time period over which any one condition is covered to avoid this very problem as more comprehensive insurers are then unable to offer cover on a pre-existing condition."

Simon Wheeler, Head of Marketing at Petplan, said: "We receive over 8,700 claims per week and of the top ten claims, six could be recurrent manageable conditions, such as diabetes or arthritis - the very animals that are currently most at risk of being euthanased."

Research announced simultaneously by Sainsbury's Finance has reached similar conclusions. Sainsbury's found that:

• 51% of vets have put down a pet cat or dog in the past five years because the owners couldn't afford to treat them
• 80% of vets have had an uninsured dog or cat owner decline a course of treatment because they couldn't afford it
• 1.6 million people have had to put down at least one pet dog or cat over the past five years because they can't afford treatment. In total, the research shows that 927,000 dogs and 822,000 cats were put down for this reason between 2003 and 2008.

Sainsbury's believes that there are two main reasons for this tragic problem: advances in veterinary care leading to increased costs, and the large number (55%) of pets that remain uninsured.

Ed's note: Isn't it time that pet insurance became compulsory?

Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries, is calling for veterinary nurses, their employers and veterinary organisations to take part in a consultation this winter and help ensure apprenticeships meet their needs.

Jo-Anne Bryan, Project Manager for Apprenticeship Frameworks at Lantra, said: "Lantra is responsible for designing apprenticeships and for ensuring that they meet employers' needs so veterinary practices can continue to benefit from this type of training scheme. The veterinary nursing apprenticeship is now being revised and it is likely that the framework will look very different to the current apprenticeship framework, so Lantra is inviting industry representatives to review and comment on the frameworks that set out what their apprenticeships will involve."

The revision coincides with the introduction of a new national framework for accredited awards, the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). All accredited awards must be either transferred or newly accredited into the QCF in order to be eligible for public funding in 2010 and this includes the apprenticeship framework.

Jo-Anne continued: "We are very aware that the veterinary nursing industry is currently involved with a number of reviews, in particular the review of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Awards in Veterinary Nursing. However, we do still need to review the existing veterinary nursing apprenticeship framework and we are working closely with the RCVS to take the apprenticeship review forward to bring it up-to-date and ensure it is fit for purpose."

"Well-trained veterinary nurses are more important than ever to businesses as they aim to meet today's many challenges. Many businesses offer apprentice places because they understand the benefits that apprentices bring. They are a great way for employers to ensure their workforce has the practical skills and qualifications they need now, and in the future."

The consultation process is starting with an online questionnaire, open now until Monday 4 January 2010, where the qualification aspect of the apprenticeship will be reviewed. The qualifications test the apprentice's knowledge and practical competence and Lantra wants feedback from industry professionals to make sure the framework encompasses the skills required by today's employers.

Jo-Anne added: "These questionnaires will be a great opportunity for industry to let us know what they need from an apprenticeship. But if you can't take part online, there are other ways to get involved as further consultation meetings will take place later this year in various locations across the UK."

For more details on Lantra's apprenticeship reviews visit www.lantra.co.uk/apprenticeships, call 0845 707 8007 or email apprenticeships@lantra.co.uk.

Paisley-based Laura Benson RVN has been suspended for nine months by the RCVS VN Disciplinary Committee for stealing from her veterinary practice and asking a colleague to input false clinical records about her pet.

Ms Benson faced six charges.

The first was that between January 2018 and November 2019 she took a number of bags of dog food and two horse wormer syringes from the practice without paying for them. 

Charge 2 alleged that between November 2018 and November 2019 she took a number of items of animal food and one or more boxes of horse wormer and paid less than the correct amount for them.

Charge 3 was that between October 2018 and November 2019 she arranged for or allowed a friend to receive a discount on items from the practice, without consent from the practice.

Charge 4 alleged that in December 2019 she asked a veterinary surgeon colleague to input details of treatment and/or medicine for her cat into the clinical records of another of her animals that was also registered to the practice.

Charge 5 was that in relation to charges 1, 2 and 3, her conduct was dishonest.

Charge 6 alleged that in relation to charge 4, her conduct was dishonest, potentially compromised the integrity of a professional colleague and was potentially detrimental to animal welfare.

At the outset of the hearing, Ms Benson admitted to charges 1,2,3,4 and 6 of the allegations and the Committee accepted these admissions. The Committee considered evidence from Ms Benson’s colleagues including witness statements, written testimonial and clinical records for her animals.

When asked about taking items from the practice, Ms Benson explained that she did not intend to take items without paying for them and that she had not realised how much she had taken. She also explained that she had paid back in full what she owed to the practice. The Committee considered that Ms Benson’s conduct had involved a degree of premeditation as she had repeatedly taken items over an extended period. They also considered that there had been a potential risk of injury to animals resulting from Ms Benson’s request to incorrectly write up her animal’s veterinary records.

The defence attested that no actual harm had come to any animal because of Ms Benson’s actions and that she previously had an unblemished career in veterinary nursing. She had also admitted most of the charges against her and paid for the items she had taken in full.

Cerys Jones, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee considered that in the case of Ms Benson, there had been a potential risk to animals had her pet’s records been incorrectly completed, although no harm resulted. The request to alter the records had been a short, single event, but the taking of items had been repeated over a period.

"The Committee also considered that Ms Benson had abused the trust placed in her as a senior nurse with managerial responsibility. We took into account that there was some evidence of Ms Benson being overloaded by work, but there was no evidence of any health condition during the time of the misconduct which might explain her actions.”

The Committee therefore found Ms Benson guilty of serious professional misconduct and decided that a nine-month suspension from the Register was the most appropriate sanction.

Cerys Jones said: “The Committee accepted that Ms Benson had developing insight in making her admissions and we give her credit for her long unblemished career. She admitted to a large part of the allegation, expressed remorse for her actions and has repaid the practice. We have also heard a number of positive testimonials which spoke positively of Ms Benson’s recent conduct.

“However, dishonesty is a serious matter in relation to professional practice and taking no action in response to the serious nature of Ms Benson’s disgraceful conduct would not be proportionate or serve to protect animals and maintain public confidence in the profession.

“Having carefully considered matters, the Committee decided that the appropriate and proportionate sanction, was to suspend Ms Benson’s registration for nine months.”

Ms Benson has 28 days from being informed of the outcome of the hearing to appeal the Committee’s decision.

Genitrix has repackaged its palatable, fenbendazole-based treatment for internal parasites, with an easy dose syringe mechanism to allow its accurate administration to rabbits, ferrets, exotic birds and reptiles.  To make life simpler for pet owners, it has also provided detailed dosing instructions for worming all the species for which it is indicated.

First launched in 2008, Lapizole is a broad spectrum oral-antiparasiticide for use in the prevention and treatment of infections caused by internal parasites of rabbits, birds, reptiles and ferrets, including Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) in rabbits.

Genitrix' marketing director, Rob Watkins, said: "Lapizole proved itself as a highly effective treatment for E. cuniculi during its first year. Many of our customers have expressed the wish to use the treatment on a broader range of animals and in species groups for which highly accurate dosing and a syringe mechanism would be vital.  We've taken their feedback on board and are delighted to be making Lapizole available to them with its new dispenser.

"The combination of efficacy, easy dosage and palatability make it an ideal product for the control of internal parasites in these species."

For more information, visit http://www.genitrix.co.uk/

The RCVS has released the results of a competition held at BSAVA Congress earlier this month, in which veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and other members of the practice team were asked to identify three animals from sound only.

The correct answers were a purring cat, a Chihuahua dog (the breed had to be specified) and a guinea pig.

Of 370 entrants, only 104 (28%) were correct. Some of the more outlandish answers included, for the cat noise: elephant, lion, whale and dolphin; and, for the guinea pig noise:  ferret, meerkat, dove, chicken and frog. However, the majority of those getting it wrong were stumped by the requirement to specify the breed of dog, with Jack Russell Terrier or some 'yappy little thing ' proving a favourite.

The winner of the competition was Liverpool-based veterinary surgeon, Anna Rowntree, who won an iPod Nano. She said: "I thought the competition was good fun and a real novelty. It certainly drew me to the stand and was not what I would have expected from the RCVS - it proves they can be approachable! I was very excited to have won and I still can't believe I have."

The noises competition linked to the College's theme for the event, 'Falling on deaf ears?', which examined how the organisation takes account of responses to its consultations, debunking the myth that those who take the trouble to reply are not listened to. The topic was addressed by President Professor Sandy Trees in a presentation on the Saturday of Congress. Visitors to the stand were also given RCVS-branded earphones to reinforce the listening message.

Copies of all three presentations made by the RCVS at BSAVA Congress are now available on RCVSonline (www.rcvs.org.uk/ear_ear). They are:

• 'Falling on Deaf Ears', where President Sandy Trees considered responses to four recent consultations - on Extra-Mural Studies, veterinary nursing qualifications, the Practice Standards Scheme and veterinary legislation - and outlined how the College took account of them
• Senior Vice-President and Practice Standards Scheme Chairman Jill Nute launching the new Practice Standards Scheme Manual, which came into effect on 1 April 2010
• Jacqui Molyneux, Chairman of the RCVS Awarding Body Board, outlining the new veterinary nursing qualifications, which will replace the National Vocational Qualifications when they are phased out by government this summer.

The VET Festival has announced its speaker line-up for this year's event, taking place on the 3^rd & 4^th June at Loseley Park in Guildford, Surrey.

The 21 hand-picked speakers include respected opinion formers from across the USA, Canada and the UK who are veterinary specialists and experts in fields including clinical & surgical orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery, medical & surgical oncology, neurology & neurosurgery, minimally invasive surgery & diagnostics, anaesthesia, diagnostic imaging, physiotherapy, sports medicine & rehabilitation, anaesthesia & critical care, nutrition, feline medicine & surgery and practice management & team building.

The organisers say this is a unique and unrivalled opportunity to hear, learn and network with some of the greatest minds in the veterinary world at a dynamic and engaging two-day outdoor conference designed for veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, veterinary rehab practitioners, practice support staff, managers and allied veterinary professionals working in companion animal practice.

Internationally-based speakers not available on the usual speaker circuit for primary care clinicians, include:

• Dr Kristen Kirkby-Shaw, Small Animal Surgeon & Rehabilitation Specialist at Animal Surgical Clinic of Seattle, USA
• Professor Michael Kowaleski, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Boston Massachusetts, USA
• Dr Julius Liptak, Chief Surgeon in Soft Tissue & Oncology at Alta Vista Animal Hospital in Ottawa, Canada
• Dr Phillip Mayhew, Associate Professor of Small Animal Surgery & Section Chief of Soft Tissue Surgery at UC David School of Veterinary Medicine in California, USA
• Dr Joseph Wakshlag, Associate Professor of Clinical Nutrition and Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation at Cornell University College of Medicine in New York, USA
• Dr Ernie Ward, Founder of Seaside Animal Care in North Carolina, USA  
• Dr Russell Tucker, Associate Professor Faculty of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, USA

The 2016 conference will also welcome thought leaders currently practicing here in the UK, including:

• Professor Noel Fitzpatrick Director Fitzpatrick Referrals and Fitzbionics, and Professor of Veterinary Orthopaedics, University of Surrey, Surrey, UK 
• Dr Tom Harcourt-Brown, Head of Department of Neurology, School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, UK
• Professor Nick Bacon, Senior Surgeon Soft Tissue and Chief of Oncology, Fitzpatrick Referrals, and Professor of Veterinary Oncology, University of Surrey, Surrey, UK
• Dr Paddy Mannion, Specialist at Cambridge Radiology Referrals in Cambridge, UK
• Dr Clare Rusbridge, Chief of Neurology, Fitzpatrick Referrals, and Reader in Veterinary Neurology, University of Surrey, Surrey, UK
• Dr Kelvin Kow Senior Consultant in Medical Oncology, Fitzpatrick Referrals, Surrey, UK
• Dr Brian Faulkner, Veterinary Clinician, Consultant and Confidence Coach, The Colourful Consultancy, Suffolk, UK    
• Dr Elise Robertson Specialist in Feline Practice at Feline Vet Referrals in South East UK 
• Dr Laurent Findji, Senior Surgeon Soft Tissue and Oncology, Fitzpatrick Referrals, Surrey, UK

There will be a focus on minimally invasive diagnostics and surgery lead by Phillip Mayhew from the University of Davis California and Elise Robertson will talk about minimally invasive endoscopy techniques in cats whilst Michael Kowaleski from Tufts University, Boston, and Noel Fitzpatrick will talk about arthroscopy of joints. There will also be a specific focus on diagnostic imaging with Russell Tucker from Washington State University sharing his nearly 40 years of experience with radiography, MRI and CT. Cancer is a huge area of increased interest in small animal practice currently and will be explored by a world-class team including Julius Liptak, Nick Bacon and Laurent Findji. 

The growing importance of practice management and team-building prompted organisers to ask Brian Faulkner from the UK and Ernie Ward from the USA, both internationally recognised leaders in veterinary business training, to set up a mini-symposium in management and motivation. The objective is to keep the lectures practical and give delegates information that they can use every day, not just facts and figures. 

Unlike conventional conferences, the VET Festival is staged outdoors in marquees alongside festival food and drinks and companies and organisations showcasing new technologies and products. Organisers say that this unique ‘fresh air’ festival environment creates a relaxed and fun atmosphere which is more conducive to learning and networking. There will be live music on both nights of the Festival with multiple bands contributing to the festival atmosphere, culminating in the ONE LIVE music concert on the final night.

For more information and to register for an early bird delegate discount visit www.vetfestival.co.uk 

Sonya Miles CertAVP(ZM), CertAqV, MRCVS, an Advanced Practitioner in Zoological Medicine, has announced 'Anaesthesia and Analgesia in Exotic Pets', a day of CPD lectures at The Hive, Weston-Super-Mare on Friday 25th August 2023.

The lectures, which are sponsored by Pinmoore Animal Laboratory Services, aim to dispel many of the myths associated with anaesthetising a wide variety of exotic species, including fish and amphibians, whilst simultaneously providing vets and nurses with the skills to undertake these often challenging and comparatively high-risk anaesthetics.

Techniques, protocols, potential drug options and combinations as well as blood sampling and hospitalisation techniques for a wide variety of exotic species will be discussed at length.

Delegates will also get lecture notes, a CPD certificate, goodie bags, refreshments and lunch, not to mention the chance to discuss the day's content with Sonya,

To book your place or for more information, please email us via info@justexotics.co.uk.

A survey conducted earlier this year by Novartis Animal Health¹ has shown that owners of dogs diagnosed with atopic dermatitis want to learn more about the condition after their veterinary consultation.

When asked about what would help them understand and cope with their dog receiving a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, 42% of dog owners said that they want reliable information about the condition on the Internet that they can read at their own pace. 27% said that hearing or reading about case studies of dogs that were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis would be a source of help and reassurance.

That isn't to take anything away from the importance of the relationship between owner and vet: 49% of respondents said that having enough time to discuss everything with their vet is the most important thing following a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis.

However, the reality of busy small animal practice means that some vets are apparently finding themselves short of time, with 62% saying that they would like to have more time in consultations to explain the diagnosis fully.

To support both vets and owners, Novartis has produced a range of education materials available at www.itchfreepet.co.uk. They include information about a variety of skin conditions in dogs and cats, including causes, clinical signs, diagnostics and treatment options, which can all be used to support recommendations made during consultations.

Novartis says it is also continuing to support vets with the 'Comfort Club' scheme, through which owners get the 2nd, 6th and 12th month of Atopica treatment free of charge. The club also allows clients to try other dermatology products that might help their pet's condition free of charge, including shampoo, EFA's and specialist diets.

Ricardo Garvao, category manager at Novartis said: "By providing reliable information and tools to help re-iterate and expand on the information given to owners by their vets, we hope to help both parties make the most of the face to face time that they have with each other. Ultimately this will strengthen the vet-client relationship, which can only improve long-term clinical outcomes.

"Good client education is vital, demonstrated by the fact that nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of pet owners that admit to giving up on their vet's advice claim that this is because they haven't understood it. A large part of the trust building process is being able to recommend a management strategy with proven efficacy and safety data for long-term use, such as Atopica. Atopica has been keeping dogs with atopic dermatitis comfortable for a decade due to its proven ability to safely provide long-term reduction of pruritus and skin lesions associated with the disease, as demonstrated by the recently published independent paper 'The use of ciclosporin: a decade of experience in veterinary dermatology."

Reference

1. All statistics taken from the Atopica Decade of Comfort surveys, which asked 1000 dog owners and 132 practicing vets across the UK to give their opinions, experience and understanding of canine atopic dermatitis.

RCVS Knowledge has launched a new award to recognise individuals who make significant contributions to the eradication of infectious diseases, named in memory of the eminent veterinary virologist Walter Plowright and his wife, Dorothy Plowright.

Every two years, the Plowright Prize will offer £75,000 to recognise an individual working in Europe or the Commonwealth who has made a significant impact on the control, management and eradication of infectious diseases of animals.

Eligible activity must demonstrate animal, humanitarian or economic benefit. The prize money is intended to support the individual’s ongoing work in the field.

Potential recipients of the prize include veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and research scientists. Awardees may be working in a research setting, in academia, in practice or in other related sectors. Individuals must be nominated for the award, and the prize is not open to organisations.

Nominations are now invited for the inaugural prize, and must be received by 31st March 2020.

Executive Director of RCVS Knowledge Chris Gush said: "We are honoured to be launching the Plowright Prize in memory of one of the world’s most exceptional veterinary surgeons and scientists, and in celebration of decades of dedication to an area of substantial societal significance.

"It is our belief that this prestigious international prize will help stimulate further research and improvement activities, including supporting the development of expertise in the area of infectious disease within the veterinary profession."

Walter Plowright (1923-2010) was an acclaimed veterinary scientist whose major breakthrough in the battle against rinderpest – the tissue culture rinderpest vaccine (TCRV) – provided the key to eliminating the disease. In the year of Walter’s death, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations officially announced the complete eradication of the disease, only the second such feat in human history, alongside smallpox.

The story behind the profession’s eradication of rinderpest, commonly known as cattle plague, can be read in RCVS Knowledge’s publication Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Matters.

In 2023, the prize will celebrate 100 years since Walter Plowright’s birth with a special award of £100,000 to that year’s winner.

Full criteria for the Plowright Prize can be found on the RCVS Knowledge website: https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/grants/available-grants/plowright-prize-2019/.

Photo: Helen Leeds

Animalcare has launched Plaqtiv+ dental wipes, designed to capture minerals and inhibits biofilm maturation to reduce the formation of calculus.

Animalcare says the wipes deliver tartar reduction with some mechanical action without the difficulties that some owners experience when using a toothbrush. The company says they can also help owners grow more comfortable with handling their pets’ mouths before they progress to full toothbrushing. 

Animalcare Senior Brand Manager Eleanor Workman Wright said: “With periodontal disease so common in dogs and cats, supporting owners to help them start and maintain an oral health regime for their pet is essential. 

“Toothbrushing is, of course, the Gold Standard but it must be done frequently to achieve a significant degree of efficacy.

"For many owners this is just not possible and, if they find it difficult, the risk is that they then give up and their pet’s oral health is neglected.

"One of the founding principles of the Plaqtiv+ range is to offer proven technology in multiple formats which can be used daily by owners as an alternative to toothbrushing, as part of a programme to build up to toothbrushing or within a multi-modal framework.

"Launching our new dental wipes is the latest step in achieving this goal.”

To support Plaqtiv+, Animalcare has published a website with content for both veterinary professionals and pet owners. 

For veterinary professionals, there's advice about how to start discussions with clients about dental care and tools to help them recognise signs of dental pain.

The pet owner site offers information on the importance of dental health in pets and advice on establishing a dental care regime.

www.dental.pet

Forte Healthcare Ltd, maker of Locatim, hosting “Fresh Ideas on Neonatal Passive Transfer in Calves: Implications For Scour Prophylaxis”, a free webinar presented by Dr Nicola Gladden, a European specialist in cattle practice and Farm Animal Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Nottingham Vet School, at 8pm on the 29th March 2023.

Lucy Chadwick, Head of Technical Services & Marketing at Forte Healthcare Ltd said: “Neonatal calf diarrhoea is a leading cause of death in the calf crop in the UK and Ireland.

"We are delighted to therefore offer this webinar discussing up to date information on what we can do to boost neonatal defences in the face of an NCD outbreak.

"Tune in to learn more about the importance of colostral antibodies and how the resecretion of antibodies plays a key role in gut protection.

"We will also discuss what factors can influence the effectiveness of a NCD vaccination programme and what this means for your farmers.”

You'll be able to ask questions during the event and the webinar will also be made available to watch on demand afterwards.

https://www.thewebinarvet.com/pages/forte-healthcare-register

BCF, the veterinary imaging company, has launched a competition in which you can test your knowledge on a series of x-ray and ultrasound images for the chance to win a Sony Cyber Shot digital camera.

Visit the BCF website to enter - www.bcftechnology.com/

Entries to be in by 31^st May 2011 and the winner will be drawn at random on the 6^th of June 2011.