Intervet/Schering-Plough has announced that Estrumate®, in both the 10ml and 20ml vial size is back in stock and available to order from your veterinary wholesaler.
The stock out situation had arisen as a result of increased demand during the early part of the year but the company is confident that there will be sufficient stock to supply the increased level of demand in the foreseeable future. Intervet/Schering-Plough would like to thank their clients for the patience and understanding.
Further information is available from Intervet/Schering-Plough Account Managers or the Veterinary Support Group (VSG) on 01908 685685.
kcs-intervet.swfIntervet / Schering-Plough Animal Health is running a challenge over the next few months to encourage the early diagnosis of Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), a painful disease which leads to permanent blindness (see right).
Practices are being asked to perform a Schirmer Tear Test (STT) on 50 dogs not previously diagnosed with KCS for the chance to win one of 70 Samsung digital cameras.
Recent studies¹ have shown the incidence of KCS to be 4.6% of the UK dog population, rising to 8.3% in predisposed breeds. However, 20 veterinary practices have recently participated in an Early Diagnosis Programme and the number confirmed with KCS was 9.7%². 17 of the cases diagnosed had Schirmer Tear Test readings of zero.
KCS is thought to be under-diagnosed because not all cases have the classic 'textbook' appearance but look surprisingly normal despite severely reduced tear production. In addition, diagnosis usually requires clinical suspicion and a Schirmer Tear Test.
Claudia Hartley, BVSc CertVOphthal DipECVO MRCVS, European Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology believes that: "All sore eyes (except where a descemetocoele is present) should have a Schirmer Tear Test, whether or not there is corneal change."
Melanie Dass MA VetMB CertSAM MRCVS ACIM, Product Manager for Optimmune said: "The results of our Early Diagnosis Programme made interesting reading and supported what we have always suspected - that KCS is under-diagnosed. It's really important that dogs suffering from this disease are detected promptly as early diagnosis and treatment with Optimmune gives the best prognosis.
"As part of the Early Diagnosis Programme owners of predisposed breeds received a personalised mailing offering them a free Schirmer Tear Test and some practices also elected to test all breeds at routine consultations such as vaccination. The tests were generally performed by veterinary nurses after they had received training, with the diagnosis made by a veterinary surgeon."
For more information about KCS, Optimmune and support in implementing an Early Diagnosis Programme, please contact your local Intervet / Schering-Plough Animal Health Territory Manager or call 01908 685685.
References¹ Pierce V & Williams D, 2006. Determination of Schirmer Tear Tests values in 1000 dogs. BSAVA Abstract 2006.² Intervet / Schering-Plough Animal Health Practices Study 2009
Vetoquinol has announced that the 50g pack size of Ipakitine will shortly be replaced by a 60g pot.
The company says this will provide the convenience of a 30 day supply for a 5kg cat or dog who is on 1g/5kg bodyweight twice a day (one level scoop twice a day).
The 60g pot will be available from the end of December. Also at this time, the existing 150g size pot will be replaced by a 180g pot.
The new packaging is more eye-catching, easier to read and gives more description. A 300g pot will also be available in February 2012. Pricing will be in-line with increase in pack size, so proportionally a 20% increase for 20% more product.
Ipakitine is a phosphate binder formulated specifically for veterinary use. It is designed for both cats and dogs and is available as a tasteless powder formulation for easy administration with food.
Sogeval has launched Efex, a marbofloxacin tablet designed for veterinary use.
Efex tablets are available in three blister pack sizes of 10mg, 40mg and 100mg that break into halves for cats and halves and quarters for dogs, facilitating accurate dosing for a wide range of patients.
In cats, the flavoured chewable 10 mg tablets allow accurate dosing of 2.5kg and 5kg cats at 2mg/kg once daily. In dogs the 40mg four way break tablet is designed for a 20 kg dog and the 100mg for a 50kg dog.
Efex tablets are chewable and sogeval says that in a palatability study 7 out of 10 cats readily consumed them.
Each tablet contains a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic marbofloxacin for oral administration, which is readily absorbed reaching maximal plasma concentrations within two hours. It exhibits a wide range of activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, including Pseudomonas spp and Mycoplasma spp.
The company says that this year, its focus is on communicating the benefits of microchipping cats, which can roam significant distances from the home. The support pack, which reflects this focus, contains resources that can be used both in the practice waiting room and online.
In addition, the company is running a competition exclusively for cat owners: any that get their animal microchipped with the 8mm BackHome MiniChip in June can enter a prize draw to win a GPS tracker for their collar to help them find out just how far their cat can roam.
Dr Sarah Dixon MRCVS, BackHome Product Manager, said: "There is no legal requirement for cats to be microchipped but the benefits are clear. We looked at a recent study which showed that, in a 24 hour period, cats ranged on average 2 hectares with an average maximum of 7 hectares – or about 10 football pitches.1 One cat roamed nearly 34 hectares! The competition should reinforce the message about why microchipping is beneficial to all pets.
"Whilst compulsory microchipping for dogs has been in place for a year, practices must continue to highlight to owners the advantages of getting their pets microchipped. To enable practices to engage with their clients, and to reward the hard work done by staff in practices to make these campaigns a success, we are hosting a competition for the best displays. Prizes include a 32-inch TV for waiting rooms to the winner and luxury chocolates to the runners up."
Reference
Thomas, R.L., Baker, P.J. & Fellowes, M.D.E. (2014). Ranging characteristics of the domestic cat (Felis catus) in an urban environment, Urban Ecosystem, 17, p911-921.
The opening speaker will be Cassie Leonard (pictured), engineer, best-selling author and executive coach, who will be talking about the value of authentic networking.
The programme, which includes a combination of lectures, panel sessions and interactive workshops, will cover:
On the Saturday, there's a dedicated ‘Grow your business’ day for those thinking of starting up or expanding their business.
New for 2025 will be a Friday morning collaborative ‘Business Club Live’ speed-networking session: an opportunity to discuss a variety of issues on hosted tables.
Also new for 2025 will be a dedicated livestock stream focussing on the unique challenges faced by livestock veterinary professionals.
The accompanying exhibition will host a selection of companies focussed on the business, management, marketing and client-facing aspects of veterinary practice and offering the latest products, services and advice.
Social events include Thursday afternoon's Happy Hour followed by a networking event and Friday night’s Presidents’ party with a reception, 3-course meal and a performance by the party band The Kings.
www.spvs-congress.co.uk
Veterinary surgeons can consider a wider range of options when it comes to neutering cats and dogs. This was the message from veterinary reproduction specialist Angelika von Heimendahl MSc BVM(Berlin) MRCVS DipECAR, at a recent seminar on reproductive health organised by Virbac.
Mrs von Heimendahl, who runs the Cambridge based referral centre, Veterinary Reproduction Service, said: "Globally the approach to neutering varies hugely. Although neutering is considered as part of responsible pet ownership in the UK and performed routinely in every practice in the country, at the other end of the scale, in Germany and Scandinavia for example, this is considered mutilation and is prohibited by law.
"Despite the very low neutering rates - Norway 7% compared to UK around 80% - in these countries they do not have a problem with stray dogs, indicating that there are other factors such as education and attitudes to dog ownership that play a major role."
She added: "In other continental countries, bitch spaying is usually by ovariectomy rather than ovariohysterectomy.
"Some practices are now successfully offering clients a range of options, including medical castration, especially with new reproduction drugs recently introduced onto the market. The non-surgical contraceptive slow-release implant, deslorelin (Suprelorin), a GnRH superagonist lasts for six months, making medical castration a more practical solution for many owners."
Mrs Von Heimendahl also suggested that deslorelin, although off-licence, can be used in bitches as an alternative to spaying: "Whilst neutering can have advantages in terms of reduced incidence of certain cancers, there are also advantages of retaining both male and female dogs intact. Some cancers are less likely to occur in intact animals, for example there is a reduced risk of transitional cell carcinomas, haemangiosarcomas and osteosarcomas. Obesity and its associated problems are also less of an issue, which is a particular benefit for owners where the necessary reduced calorie intake post neutering is difficult to achieve."
Chris Taylor MRCVS, technical director of seminar organiser, Virbac, added that medical castration can offer dog owners the opportunity to 'test run' neutering of their animal, and pointed out that this is particularly useful for behavioural issues in young male dogs: "Twice yearly implants offer a practical alternative for clients, whether as a short or longer-term solution. As a solution focussed business, we are constantly striving to put forward a choice of options which can only have benefits for client and practice alike."
Veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses will be able to try their hands at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons code-cracking competition at the London Vet Show at Olympia on 24-25 November.
At the RCVS breakfast session on the Friday morning (8.30, part of the Business Stream), President Dr Jerry Davies will unlock the secrets of the proposed new Codes of Professional Conduct for vets and VNs.
To promote this breakfast session, the RCVS is inviting visitors to come to its stand (J90) to solve photo enigmas, using clues provided to decipher a series of words that appear in the proposed new Codes. The winner will be in line to receive a pair of super sleuthing video glasses.
VNs who missed BVNA Congress can also get their hands on a 50th anniversary commemorative chocolate medallion by visiting the RCVS stand.
Coffee and pastries will be served at the morning session on Friday - there's no need to book, just turn up.
Vets, consultants and other advisors should encourage dairy farmers to make use of available information to help improve their herd's performance and profitability through breeding. This is the message from DairyCo breeding+ director, Marco Winters, who says farmers should use genetics to improve not only milk production, but also health, welfare, management and type traits.
Breeding briefs, a new booklet from DairyCo, identifies some genetic improvement tools that allow farmers to make better breeding decisions and concentrates on how to use them in practice. And for those who feel confronted by an overload of information, the booklet helps identify the figures to seek out and prioritise.
Breeding decisions are cumulative: their effects build up over the generations so a problem can be introduced or cured over just a few years. A series of poor breeding decisions can mean the difference between profit and loss; even between a business's survival and failure. Yet the time, cost and effort needed for a good breeding decision to be made is much the same as those needed for a bad one.
Mr Winters says: "High quality cattle are at the heart of profitable dairy farming and this requires good quality genetics. Without these, however good farmers' management, there is a ceiling to their herd's performance and profitability. Vets, consultants and other dairy advisers have an important role to play in helping farmers access the information they need to make informed decisions."
DairyCo Breeding briefs is available to download from http://www.dairyco.org.uk/. To request a pdf version by email call 01285 646510 or email: publications@dairyco.org.uk.
Pfizer is giving away a free equine weigh tape with every purchase of Equest & Equest Pramox (while stocks last), to help encourage accurate treatment against encysted small redworms this season.
According to the company, Equest & Equest Pramox are the only wormers in the UK that treat encysted small redworm in a single dose. Using a weigh tape to work out their horse's weight will help your clients avoid under dosing, which increases the risk of resistance development.
Pfizer says small redworms are the most common worms found in horses today. They can pose a very serious health risk to horses and it's important for owners to make sure that they are treated properly during the autumn or early winter.
Small redworms can grow up to 2.5cm in length and are thin and reddish in colour. Small redworm eggs are passed in the faeces and then hatch on pasture and continue to develop into more advanced larval stages before being ingested by the horse as it grazes. The larvae burrow deeply into the wall of the gut where they encyst and may account for up to 90% of the redworm burden in the horse1. Encysted small redworm will not show up in a Faecal Worm Egg Count - even if the horse has shown a negative or low count it could still be harbouring several million encysted small redworms2.
Encysted small redworms can remain dormant inside a horse for up to two years, but they usually 'wake-up' in late winter or early spring, developing and emerging from the gut wall all at the same time. In severe infestations mass emergence can lead to a disease syndrome known as 'larval cyathostominosis', causing diarrhoea and colic with up to a 50% mortality rate3. Young horses of less than six years of age can often be at higher risk of the disease3 but small redworm can cause life-threatening illness at any time of year and in any age of horse.
Ben Gaskell, Pfizer's veterinary adviser said: "Treating encysted small redworms successfully in the late autumn or early winter is important to avoid the risk of larval cyathostominosis. It's important to advise your customers to choose a product that is licensed to treat the worms they are targeting and that they give the correct dose, by weighing their horse beforehand, as this will help preserve the efficacy of the drug used."
Pfizer's Does your wormer measure up campaign is backed with point of sale materials and a media campaign. To receive a free weigh tape, valued at £7 your clients need to buy a tube of Equest or Equest Pramox, fill in an application form and send Pfizer the batch and expiry flap from the pack. Pfizer will then send them a FREE Weigh Tape while stocks last.
For further information contact your Pfizer Account Manager.
References
1. Bairden K. et al (2001) Veterinary Record 148, 138-1412. Dowdall S.M.J. et al (2002) Veterinary Parasitology 106, 225‑2423. McWilliam H. et al (2010) International Journal for Parasitology 40, 265-275
Bob Martin has launched FleaClear (fipronil) for cats and dogs, which will be sold through multiple retailers and leading pet retailers for as little as £4.50 per treatment.
The company says it is backing the launch with 'considerable marketing spend', which will include TV advertising, a press campaign in women's consumer lifestyle titles, PR and social media campaigns.
According to the company's press release: "Not only is it cheaper than Frontline it can be bought off the shelf saving a costly visit to the vets."
Indeed. Not to mention the savings to be made by not having to hospitalise the permethrined cat.
The industry-led Cattle Health and Welfare Group of Great Britain (CHAWG) has published a review which identifies a practical approach to gathering antibiotic usage data on UK cattle farms.
The review outcomes, announced today at a joint conference held by the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), highlight the significant benefits better data could deliver, such as improving the way antibiotics are administered strategically to tackle disease.
But CHAWG’s chair Tim Brigstocke says it’s also important that the industry is able to accurately report usage levels because of the rising levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria which threaten human health.
"We found that while data is already stored at every vet practice and in every farm medicine book, it currently exists in many different forms. It’s also not collected or collated, and is further complicated by multi-species approvals for many of the antibiotics.
"This means we can’t always be sure in which type of animal a medicine has been used. For example, out of 420 tonnes of animal-authorised antibiotic active substance sold in the UK in 2013, only 14 tonnes was authorised solely for use in cattle. However, 63 tonnes was authorised for multi-species use in food producing animals and within the 217 products included in this, 201 are authorised for use in cattle."
Tim says that with the support of the VMD, which requested the review and will now act as secretariat, CHAWG will set up a working group to implement the report’s recommendations.
The starting point is likely to be the survey of vets carried out by the British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA), which formed part of the review. This suggested vets could be using as many as 15 different software programmes to log data, so CHAWG will be working with the BCVA and individual practices to look at how standard sets of data can be anonymised and exported.
"Then we will almost certainly look at how cattle farmers can be supported in migrating records from the physical ‘medicine book’ on the farm, into a spreadsheet or existing cattle management software for anonymous aggregation on a national level.
"There are undoubtedly areas where we can improve the effectiveness of how we use these powerful medicines to improve welfare. But the antibiotic resistance debate is an emotive one and we must also demonstrate accountability to ensure the preservation of antibiotics for future use in humans and animals; any future curbs on usage should be proportionate and informed, and not compromise animal wellbeing."
Mandatory reporting in Europe could be just over the horizon and the European Medicines Agency has focused in the past year on developing a method for data collection on the usage of antibiotics in the EU pig sector. In the UK, the VMD is encouraging the livestock sectors to develop systems appropriate to their own unique circumstances and industry characteristics.
Tim said: "It’s therefore in cattle farmers’ own interests to anticipate the kind of figures it might be asked to supply in the future, and develop a way of collecting that data which suits the way the UK industry works.
"Then we can retain control over the data and the methodology, and ensure the reporting is accurate – and this in turn will help the VMD represent our case better in Europe as this debate continues.
CHAWG says that throughout this project, it will be liaising with others – such as the pig sector – to ensure learnings are shared, duplication avoided and efficiencies realised where possible.
The CHAWG review report is available to download at www.chawg.org.uk.
Janssen Animal Health is encouraging vets and nurses to think 'chicken' this spring.
According to the company, all the evidence suggests that there has been a massive increase in the number of people keeping a few chickens in their garden, resulting in a new breed of chicken owner who often has different expectations regarding healthcare, and views their birds as 'pets'.
Vet Nigel Underwood from Janssen Animal Health said: "It is very tempting for small animal practitioners to think that domestic poultry keepers are the preserve of large animal practices but it is very likely that many cat and dog owners will own chickens too and trust their vet to give them advice about the basic healthcare needs of all their pets."
This spring there is a big opportunity to make poultry owners aware of the need to worm their birds. The return of warmer weather can signal an increase in poultry worm numbers as the ambient temperature increases above 10 degrees centigrade and more worm eggs become infectious. Studies have shown that peak worm counts often coincide with peak chicken egg production. Unless chickens, turkeys and geese are de-wormed there is a risk that egg production could suffer, just when poultry keepers should be enjoying their best yields. Some may even notice smaller eggs and loss of shell and yolk colour. Birds may suffer weight loss, become anaemic or even die.
One study has shown that older birds are more likely to harbour worms and many domestic poultry keepers find themselves with an ageing flock because they allow their birds to live a full natural lifespan. Free range birds are also much more at risk of picking up parasitic worms because of increased exposure to the outdoors, more contact with wild birds and the opportunities to ingest intermediate hosts such as earthworms, beetles and snails.
Janssen Animal Health's Flubenvet® 60 gram pack is an in-feed treatment that, according to the company, is practical even for those with just a few hens in their garden. Flubenvet 60 gram contains enough wormer to treat around 20 chickens, with no egg withdrawal.
While worms are a year-round problem in poultry it is especially important to treat in the spring to tackle the increasing threat of worm infection. Thereafter, poultry owners will also get the best results if they continue to treat regularly in spring, summer and autumn, when new birds are acquired and before putting birds out to pasture. This helps to ensure that contamination of the chickens' environment with worm eggs is kept at a manageable level, reducing the risk of future infections.
Free client leaflets about worms affecting chickens, geese and turkeys are available by calling Janssen Animal Health on 01494 567555.
Pfizer has sponsored the publication of a new English-Polish dairy health guide for vets to give farmers.
The guide has been published to help farm staff from Poland improves their knowledge, skills and performance at work. Topics covered including milking routines, causes and control of clinical mastitis, intramammary tube infusion and dry cow therapy.
Copies are available free of charge from Pfizer Animal Health's Dairy Territory Managers, or by calling 01737 330727.
A survey of more than 3,000 farms has found that 16% employed foreign workers, among whom more than half were from Poland.1 According to Pfizer's livestock business director Tomas Rosival, Polish workers are keen on training and eager to put it into practice and get results.
He said: "Communication is the key. By presenting each topic in English and Polish on facing pages, the booklet helps develop workplace vocabulary and language skills as well as improving technical knowledge."
[1] Farm Business, 2009. The significance of migrant labour in UK agricultural employment. Survey of 3,375 farms.
AT Veterinary Systems has launched the IRIS Imaging Solution, a 'digital hub' for veterinary practices which the company says goes beyond many traditional PACS (Picture Archiving Communications Systems), offering a multi-user and multi-screen imaging solution.
With IRIS Imaging Solution practice staff can archive, access, view, process, manipulate, review and communicate DICOM files and other digital media, as well as entire DICOM studies (constituting multiple files) from any terminal on the network. These DICOM files can be stored together with clinical and patient records as well as text notes, lab reports, forms, photos and images.
AT Veterinary Systems says IRIS is ideal for practices that want a cost-effective, quick and easy to use imaging solution that is especially configured for swift data transfer throughout a network. Added benefits also include a large data storage capacity, off site data storage facility, remote access capability and automated data back up and network synchronisation.
Jacqui Garrett, Business Development Manager at AT Veterinary Systems said: "We work hard at AT Veterinary Systems to offer veterinary practices cutting edge software that meets all of their needs. With IRIS Imaging Solution we have employed the latest technology to provide a professional, dynamic and easy to use imaging and information management system."
For more information about IRIS Imaging Solution please visit http://www.irisimaging.co.uk/
An annual dog licence fee of as little as £21.501 could help reduce the number of strays and help tackle irresponsible dog breeding, according to a new RSPCA report released today.
Owners would face a cost of less than 42p a week per dog, in order to provide huge improvements to dog welfare and dog control services.
The report - 'Improving dog ownership - The economic case for dog licensing' - suggests a licensing scheme could deliver resources to improve dog welfare worth in excess of £107.4 million1. With an estimated 10 million dogs in Britain2, this works out at £21.50 per dog with a compliance rate of 50 per cent1. A compliance rate of 75 per cent would work out even less at £14.30 per dog1.
The new report was written by the RSPCA's director of communications David Bowles and is based on research by Reading University, which was commissioned by the Society.
It makes three recommendations in its conclusion:
David said: "Now is the right time to invest in the future health and welfare of Britain's dogs. A dog licence would raise money which could be targeted into improving enforcement of laws at a local level, improve the welfare of dogs and reverse the use of certain breeds of dogs as a status symbol or weapon.
"The dog licence would achieve three important goals. It would raise money for dog welfare, increase the numbers of responsible dog owners by getting people to think before they get a dog and start to reverse the surplus of dogs on the market by providing incentives such as reduced fees for neutering dogs."
He added that the costs are given as an indication of what the licence fee could cover, and a dog licensing scheme could in reality be set at between £20-30 per dog per year - between only three and four per cent of the annual costs of owning a typical breed of dog.
Twenty-three countries in Europe currently have a dog licence or registration scheme3. In some countries, such as Germany, Slovenia and the Netherlands, the RSPCA says there have been improved dog control provisions and low numbers of strays with compliance rates of more than 50 per cent.
David said: "The RSPCA believes that Britain has slipped behind other countries which have started to tackle and solve the problems of dog over supply and only the introduction of a dog licence could ensure we catch up.
"In countries which have a dog licence it is seen not as a tax, but as an important part of owning a dog. In Britain we know that a dog licence is welcomed by two out of every three dog owners, more than 70 per cent of who are happy to pay more than £30 for the pleasure and responsibility of owning a dog."
References1. Figures taken from Table 2, p16, Improving dog ownership - The economic case for dog licensing (see below).2. Murray, J.K., Browne, W.J., Roberts, M.A., Whitmarsh A. And Gruffydd-Jones T.J. (2010) Number and ownership profiles of cats and dogs in the UK. The Veterinary Records 166: 163-168.3. Tasker, L. (2007) Stray Animal Control Practices (Europe). WSPA and RSPCA.
Braving the elements, a record 12 candidates sat the examinations for the Certificate in Veterinary Practice Management last week, seven of which passed their selected elements, and four of which have been awarded their certificate.
The new CVPMs are, Julie Beacham at Wendover Heights Veterinary Centre in Aylesbury, Liz Howes at The Oxford Cat Clinic in Oxford, Helen Kington from Hungerford and Renay Rickard at the Pelyn Veterinary Group in Lostwithiel. An official presentation of the awards will take place at the Veterinary Practice Management Association Congress Dinner on 28th January 2010 at the Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth, Warwickshire.
The candidates are managers in very different types of veterinary businesses, which the VPMA says is confirmation that the CVPM is applicable and has wide appeal in veterinary management.
Lucy Bartlett of CVS (UK) Ltd, Straight Mile Equine Clinic, Lisa Marter of The Arundel Equine Hospital and Steven Broomfield of The Blue Cross, were also successful in achieving a pass in the written and oral sections of the examination and will be able to complete the CVPM by submitting and passing the portfolio section of the exam next year.
There are now 61 holders of the CVPM since its inception in 1996. The next examination session will be held on 2nd December 2011.
VetNurse.co.uk has officially launched a completely revamped job advertising section designed to make it quite simply the best place to advertise jobs for veterinary staff online.
VetNurse Jobs now allows jobseekers to search for veterinary positions by distance from their front door (or from a city, county or country). Other filters allow them to narrow the search yet further, by job title, contract type, hours or practice/employer type. Each advert now also includes a map of the location, and a link to contact the advertiser at the foot of the page.
Jobseekers can subscribe to receive email or RSS alerts the moment a job advert is posted on VetNurse Jobs. Alternatively, they can now 'follow' or 'like' dedicated VetNurse Jobs pages on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter, to have VetNurse Jobs delivered direct to their timelines.
For advertisers, VetNurse.co.uk remains the largest community of veterinary nurses and support staff to advertise in front of. And its free. But now recruitment adverts are pushed out onto other social networks and there's work being done behind the scenes to push them up the search rankings too. What's more, the advanced new search tool also means that where before users had to sift their way through a long list of vacancies, adverts will now be far better targeted.
Arlo Guthrie, Publishing Editor said: "My aim with VetNurse Jobs has always been to support veterinary practices by eliminating the need to pay for recruitment advertising. But it's not enough just being free. We need to be the best, too."
Norbrook has launched an Android version of its existing free iPhone app: ‘the Veterinary Excellence Tool’ (VET).
VET offers a range of functions to assist veterinary professionals and farmers including a product dosing calculator. The Android version has been developed to meet customer demand and has the same features as the Apple version which is available for both iPhones and iPads.
Norbrook highlights the following features of the app:
The app can be downloaded for free by searching for “Norbrook” in either app store.
For further information please contact Laura Holmes, E-Marketing Manager, laura.holmes@norbrook.co.uk or 01536 741147.
Assistance dog charity Canine Partners is asking the profession to support its work by taking places on a number of fund-raising challenges this year, including the Reading Half Marathon, Brighton Marathon, Tough Mudder, Ride London, Forth Road Bridge Abseil and Para Tri.
Holly Bryan, Events and Challenge Co-ordinator, said: "We are looking for people of all abilities who are willing to take on a challenge this year in aid of Canine Partners. All we ask is that you give something back by raising money for us through sponsorship.
"We have places available for many events during 2016 but we can also support you if you have your own place and wish to fundraise for Canine Partners.
"This year we are delighted to announce that we are an official charity of the Reading Half Marathon and our gold package means that we have 30 guaranteed places as well as use of the Reading FC Players’ Lounge.
"By supporting Canine Partners you will be joining our amazing ‘purple army’ team who are helping us to change people’s lives for the better."
The national charity trains dogs to help with everyday tasks disabled people would otherwise find difficult, painful or impossible including opening doors, undressing, pressing buttons, unloading the washing machine and fetching help in an emergency. The assistance dogs also increase independence, confidence and provide loving companionship.
Paul Sparrow, who ran the London Marathon for Canine Partners last year, said: "The support I have received from the crowds and the charity were fantastic and if one person saw my vest and googled Canine Partners to learn more about them, then it will have been worthwhile."
For more information, visit caninepartners.org.uk/challenges, or contact Holly at: hollyb@caninepartners.org.uk or call 01730 716013.
The RCVS is now accepting applications from veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses who wish to serve as members of the RCVS Ethics Review Panel (ERP).
The ERP has been established by the RCVS in order to facilitate access to ethical review for those wishing to undertake practice-based research outside of a university or industry context. The ERP will begin considering research proposals from veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses from 1 August 2016 and the trial will run for a period of one year. The process will be limited to considering research projects involving cats and/or dogs during the trial period, with the possibility of expanding to other species if the trial is extended or made permanent.
The trial came about following a joint working party established by the RCVS and British Veterinary Association which reported on ethical review and found that an increasing amount of clinical research was being conducted by vets based in private practice. One of the key recommendations of the report was that the RCVS should consider establishing a committee for ethical review of practice-based research.
Ahead of the launch of the ERP, the RCVS is currently looking to recruit four veterinary surgeon members and a veterinary nurse member to the Panel to join a lay member and ethicist Chair.
More details about the roles, the function of the ERP and how to apply can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/workforus and www.rcvs.org.uk/ethics. Those who are interested in applying can also email ethics@rcvs.org.uk for an informal discussion. The closing date for applications is 15 April 2016.
The Human Factors aspect of the course considers how interactions between people and their environment can affect patient care and outcomes.
Systems Thinking looks at how well-designed systems in practice can help achieve better results.
Pam Mosedale, Quality Improvement Clinical Lead at RCVS Knowledge said: “When’s the last time you thought about the impact human interactions between your team are having on your patients?
"What about the processes you use to deliver care?
“Every veterinary professional wants to achieve good outcomes, but the role that Human Factors and systems can play is sometimes overlooked.
"Making sure that your processes are well-designed, and understanding how the people in your team interact with them can optimise the quality of care you provide, while improving team wellbeing."
“That is why we’re delighted to announce the launch of free, practical support on Human Factors and Systems Thinking for all veterinary teams.”
learn.rcvsknowledge.org
The new clinic will be based in Uttoxeter and have an in-house 1.5T MRI, 32-slice CT, and three purpose-built theatres.
Building work has started and clinic is now recruiting for orthopaedic surgery Specialists, neurology Specialists and experienced veterinary nurses.
Mark Lowrie, RCVS and EBVS European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology (pictured), will lead the new site day-to-day once up and running.
He said: “Our ethos is simple: we aspire to be the place that vets take their own pets.
"By focusing on responsive communication, exceptional clinical standards, and fair pricing, we aim to build trust with both veterinary professionals and clients.
"And for those who join our team, we are committed to creating a supportive and positive environment where everyone can thrive and grow."
“This is a rare chance to be part of something special from day one, to join and help build the culture and success of a dynamic, independent practice and a brand new state-of-the-art clinic.
"With cutting-edge facilities and a supportive team, we want fresh expertise and energy to help shape the future of veterinary care.”
https://www.movementvets.co.uk
The RCVS Charitable Trust is seeking two creative and energetic UK-based veterinary students to attend the British Science Festival in Aberdeen from 4-9 September 2012.
The Trust says that the students will be required to use their observations and experiences to help it develop future outreach activities to inform and inspire public audiences about aspects of veterinary clinical practice and research, and will have all their expenses paid by the Trust.
Entrants need to write to the RCVS Charitable Trust to say how they would go about meeting this challenge, ideally giving examples that demonstrate their proven innovative abilities. The deadline for entries is 9 July, after which the entries will be considered by a competition panel who will decide the winners. Entrants must be able to commit to attending the entire festival and to deliver a feedback presentation to the competition panel on 31 October. Entrants should also be willing and able to compile a video diary or blog to feedback their experiences.
Further information and details about how to enter are available at http://trust.rcvs.org.uk/home/. The successful applicants will be announced at the end of July.