The day-long courses, each running from 9.30-5:00pm, will cover: basic mental health awareness; HR employment regulations and the legal position; the role of the line manager in supporting someone with poor mental health; making reasonable adjustments; planning 'return to work'; and designing and putting in place wellbeing action plans.
The courses will be run by Connecting with People, a social enterprise that develops and delivers high-quality training to employees with healthcare or safeguarding responsibilities.
Helen Sanderson, former VPMA President and representative on the Mind Matters Initiative Taskforce, said: "If you do one thing this year for your team I strongly recommend it be attending one of these courses. It provided me with invaluable information in recognising stress and depression in a team, as well as giving useful tools and tips on how to discuss and handle situations. I would encourage anyone to attend."
Lizzie Lockett, Director of Mind Matters, added: "It has been wonderful to see the response from the veterinary profession to our mental health awareness training sessions, but we know that managers can face particular challenges in supporting their team's mental health. Meanwhile, line managers play a key role in whether or not someone feels comfortable discussing a mental health issue, goes on to seek help, and, ultimately, returns to the workforce.
"We therefore designed these courses to provide very practical information for those in managerial positions, covering legal requirements as well as how to implement wellbeing strategies for colleagues."
The courses, which are subsidised by Mind Matters and the VPMA, cost £80 for VPMA members and £120 for non-members.
To book a place, visit the Mind Matters Eventbrite page: www.rcvsmindmatters.eventbrite.com
5m Books has announced the publication of Honeybee Veterinary Medicine: Apis Mellifera L. by Nicolas Vidal-Naquet, a new book written to help veterinary surgeons and veterinary students better understand how to preserve honeybees as part of a delicate ecosystem.
Honeybee Veterinary Medicine provides an overview of bee biology, the bee in the wider environment, bee diseases and parasites, veterinary treatment, and actions to help support honeybee health.
Honeybees are an essential part of farming and the wider ecosystem, but since the mid-1990s, bee populations around the world have suffered a dramatic decline through a combination of diseases, intoxication, and unknown causes.
5m says that with the depopulation trend continuing, it’s becoming more and more necessary for veterinary surgeons and qualified animal health professionals to become involved in supporting the ecosystem.
Author Nicolas Vidal-Naquet is a veterinary practitioner who graduated in apiculture and Honeybee medicine, and also lectures on honeybee biology and diseases at the Veterinary School of Alfort in France.
Nicolas’ great interest in honeybees was the driving force behind the book, but he is also concerned by the general loss of bees from the ecosystem. He said: "They have a very important role in the pollination of wild flora, crops and orchards, which means they are key actors in sustaining biodiversity and the pollination of crops to feed both humans and animals."
Honeybee Veterinary Medicine is available now in hardback for £60 from http://www.5mbooks.com/honeybee-veterinary-medicine.html
The report comes on the back of a survey by the association which found that 93% of vets say sustainability is important to them.
The BVA says the report aims to break down the challenge that both teams and individuals face in working towards net zero emissions.
It explains the impact of climate change, what the veterinary profession’s role is in tackling it and why the BVA thinks it is so important that the profession plays its part.
The report also includes resources and showcases the ways real veterinary workplaces are taking action to reduce their impact on the environment.
British Veterinary Association Senior Vice President Anna Judson said: “Many veterinary professionals have long been concerned about the impact the sector is having on the environment, and many are already taking action to mitigate this.
"However, there is still more work to do.
"Our vision is that by 2050 the profession will have adapted to support the UK’s net zero targets; is trusted on mitigating its own carbon footprint; and is a leading advocate for environmental sustainability.
"This new report is providing vet teams with the tools and the inspiration to do their bit, because small changes add-up to make a big difference.”
There'll be a session on the subject at the London Vet Show this year, chaired by Anna Judson, with panelists Ed Bailey, Clinical Director and Sustainability Lead at George Farm Vets, Laura Binnie, Sustainability Lead at Paragon Veterinary Group and James Bevan, Planetary Health Senior Teaching Fellow Public Health Registrar, University of Southampton.
"Practice what you preach: Reaching net zero is a team effort" will be held at 10.45am - 11.45am on 14 November in the BVA Congress Theatre.
www.bva.co.uk/net-zero-report
New and recent graduates and recently qualified vets have the opportunity to attend a CPD graduate symposium specifically designed to provide practical surgical and management advice and solutions for those embarking on their professional careers.
ProStart course director Colin Whiting BVSc CertSAS MRCVS explained: "We're aiming to fast-track new graduates by sharing experience and helping them through that tricky first year in practice. However, whilst the course has a total of 11 hours CPD, it also has a packed fun and social element including zip wire and surf lessons."
Sponsored by Merial Animal Health, the inaugural ProStart CPD graduate symposium is to be held at Lusty Glaze beach adventure and lecture centre, Newquay, Cornwall, Friday 10th to Sunday 12th October 2008.
Mr Whiting said: "The event includes a full-on itinerary of lectures and workshops covering aspects of small animal practice including, practice economics, consultation skills, surgical guides for neutering, maximising therapeutic opportunities, and client and staff interactions - with tips from a head nurse. It's also a great opportunity to network with other new graduates.
"The workshops are run by vets experienced in mentoring new graduates in practice, plus full board & lodging and a vibrant social programme including adventure Zip wire, Surf lesson, and entertainment."
For Merial's Mark Riggs the symposium will help graduates understand the realities of practice environment more quickly. He said: "This course is a neat combination of practical and business skills. Not only will graduates have the chance to sharpen their neutering techniques but advice will be on hand relating to practice finances, client handling and staff management. Delegates will be encouraged to contribute within workshops tackling thorny issues from general practice, before it's wetsuits on and a surf lesson."
Mr Whiting, a referral surgeon and clinical director based at Penmellyn Vet Group in Cornwall has publications and CPD presentations which focus on surgical and practice management topics, and include Surgical Mentoring of Junior Colleagues for In Practice.
"We have a very experienced lecture team, members of which have worked extensively supporting graduates and junior colleagues. Bearing in mind that CPD has to be affordable for practice owners, thanks to our sponsors, Merial, we're able to provide an entire weekend course, including accommodation, for £240+VAT. The venue's proximity to Newquay airport provides easy accessibility for delegates nation-wide and is a fantastic venue for adventure challenges, surfing and various beach activities."
Other members of the ProStart team include Ian Stroud BVSc MRCVS a Medivet partner and new graduate supervisor, and Gareth Cross BVSc, MRCVS who recently lectured to BSAVA congress. Their focus will be promoting safe clinical excellence; illustrating the finances behind a small animal practice; and how graduates can add to a practice in these areas.
If you would like more information on the course or would like to book a place please contact Beverley Archer; beverly.archer@merial.com, or contact your local Merial Territory Manager.
CEVA Animal Health has updated its practice support materials to include an all-encompassing D.A.P. client leaflet, a website and a new vet detailer.
The new materials, which also include a D.A.P. and Feliway reference guide containing details of 31 published trials into the practical applications of pheromones, focus on using D.A.P. to prevent stress at key stages of a dog's life. Particular attention is paid to the benefits of fitting a D.A.P. Collar during early puppy consults in order to help prepare dogs for the modern world and helping to prevent anxiety-related problems such as separation anxiety and noise phobia, developing in later life. In addition, the vet brochure will draw practitioners' attention to the times in a dog's life when owners are particularly concerned about their dog becoming stressed including events like trips to boarding kennels.
Lucy Brett, product manager at CEVA Animal Health, said: "Over the last three years eight different trials have been published looking at the use of pheromones to reduce canine stress. The latest data backs up what we have believed for some time - that the management of stress during socialisation is vital if dogs are to grow into emotionally balanced and confident adult dogs. We now have a much better idea of the impact of allowing puppies to get stressed or overwhelmed during socialisation and the difference providing pheromone support in the form of a D.A.P. Collar can make."
For further details, or for information on CEVA's range of educational resources for veterinary professionals interested in feline and canine behaviour, please contact your CEVA Animal Health representative or call 01494 781510.
CPD Solutions have announced 3 new dentistry and oral surgery course dates, with expert tutor Alex Smithson of the Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Referrals in Lancashire.
All courses will include extensive wet lab sessions, which will cover conditions commonly seen in practice and answer all those questions you always wanted to ask but never had the time to look up!
For details visit http://www.cpd-solutions.com/ or call 0151 328 0444 and ask for Holly.
CEVA Animal Health is rolling out what it describes as a hard-hitting TV campaign on four national TV channels to highlight awareness of stress related feline behaviour problems and encourage cat owners to talk to their vet about Feliway.
This second bout of TV advertising will run in March and April on ITV2, ITV3, E4 and More 4 and on Channel 4 in the London region and will be seen by over five million people.
Featuring the animated character 'That Purple Cat' who first appeared in CEVA's TV advertising and marketing push at the end of 2009, the new campaign will see 'That Purple Cat' displaying signs of stress in the home environment to raise awareness of the issue amongst cat owners.
Lucy Brett, product manager at CEVA Animal Health said: "Our first TV advertising campaign back in the autumn went a long way to raise awareness. We found that more cat owners were able to recall the advertising for Feliway than for any other animal health brand.
"However, it is clear that in practice merchandising is crucial if practices are to make the most of this opportunity and I would encourage them to get in touch to request a display pack, which includes a waiting room poster and leaflets, as soon as possible."
A limited number of desktop and floor standing merchandising units are also available. For more information or to order your FREE waiting room merchandising materials call 01494 781510.
The project, which launched in September 2022 and was funded by Boehringer Ingelheim, has given subsidised respiratory pathogen investigations to over 300 farms so far.
The investigations revealed a mixture of agents, including: mycoplasma (37%), IBR (6%), P13 (12%), coronavirus (38%), histophilus (48%), RSV (30%), mannheimia (64%), and pasteurella (94%).
Following each investigation, discussions were held between farmer and vet about taking a more preventative approach, considering things like biosecurity, immunity, housing, environmental management, vaccination and treatment protocols.
CVS says the investigations have also enabled its vets to target the right vaccine to the right farm to cover the main risk periods for those animals.
Vaccinations have been timed in relation to peaks in clinical cases and pre-stress periods - such as weaning, group movements or transport to ensure animals are protected against the correct pathogen effectively.
CVS says that taking this preventative herd health measure has resulted in significantly fewer antibiotics being required to treat respiratory infection and disease in the past year.
Steven Carragher, Quality Improvement Farm Lead for CVS and Senior Veterinary Surgeon at Alnorthumbria Vets, said: “Though only running for just over two years, our programme is already yielding significant data, and we’re using this evidence to help each farm successfully implement a range of measures to help prevent and vaccinate against pneumonia – and to reduce antibiotic use.
Photo: www.depositphotos.com
Prac-tic® – the spot-on flea and tick treatment from Novartis Animal Health has added a new claim to its licence.
It now states that adult fleas are killed before they lay eggs for a minimum of four weeks after treatment and, as the product completely eliminates egg production, it also breaks the flea life cycle.
Plans for the introduction of a disciplinary mechanism for Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) have been agreed by the RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council.
RVNs agree to account for their professional conduct and keep their skills and knowledge up to date: over 70% of eligible veterinary nurses have now joined the non-statutory Register.
The Veterinary Nurses Council agreed to a period of nearly three years between the opening of the Register and the College putting in place a disciplinary mechanism. This was to give RVNs time to get used to their new rights and responsibilities. Plans are now in place to introduce a disciplinary system from September 2010.
Charges could be brought against a veterinary nurse if found guilty of fraudulent registration, criminal convictions which render him or her unfit to practise as a veterinary nurse, or allegations of disgraceful professional conduct.
The sanctions would be the same as for veterinary surgeons, ie to remove a nurse's name from the Register (with the nurse eligible to apply for restoration after 10 months), or to suspend the nurse, with his or her name returning to the Register immediately after the period of suspension. A veterinary nurse would not be able to carry out Schedule 3 tasks while removed from the Register.
Complaints would initially be dealt with by the Veterinary Nurses Preliminary Investigation Committee (VN PIC), which will assess whether the complaints should be taken to the hearing stage. Three RVNs will sit on this committee. They will be joined by three members of the veterinary PIC, including either the RCVS President, or one of the Vice-Presidents, and one Lay Observer.
Meanwhile three RVNs will join existing members of the RCVS Disciplinary Committee (DC) to form a VN DC, to adjudicate on charges against a veterinary nurse. These individuals will not currently sit on VN Council. If the case were against a VN, the sitting panel would include at least one veterinary nurse, one veterinary surgeon and a lay person acting as chairman. A legal assessor would also sit with the Committee to offer advice.
If a case were to concern both a veterinary surgeon and a veterinary nurse, the preliminary investigation would be carried out in tandem but with separate disciplinary hearings.
Applications are invited for RVNs to sit on the new VN Preliminary Investigation or Disciplinary Committees. Anyone who would like further information should contact Lesley Evans, Manager, Executive Office (l.evans@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7222 2001) by 31 May 2009.
Each event is designed to help attendees with:
Each attendee will be given a complimentary annual Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance (VOA) membership.
Kai Crawshaw, Animalcare Brand Manager said: "We had excellent feedback from our first workshops, so we’re pleased to be able to reach veterinary practices in more locations around the UK.
"We also have plans to run more across the rest of the year.
"We hope that these events will lead to veterinary staff becoming more confident in dealing with OA in dogs and helping owners understand the options open to them."
All events start at 7:30pm (arrival from 7pm) and will finish approximately at 9:30pm.
Hot food and drinks will be provided.
https://www.animalcare.co.uk/oa-workshops
Virbac has published a compendium of recent independently-published studies relating to its range of dermatology products.
Studies are listed according to the disorders investigated with an impact rating given to each piece of research. The compendium also provides details of the active components, clinical benefits and other information about the company's dermatology products.
European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology Filippo de Bellis said: "Dermatological problems can cause frustration to both clinician and pet owners because of their chronic nature and the wide variety of aetiologies. Best practice is achieved by integrating clinical expertise with the best external evidence.
"Virbac has made a major contribution to the provision of evidence by publishing this Compendium containing scientific information to support its range of pharmaceutical products. It shows commitment to the veterinary profession and to the rule of evidence-based medicine."
Christelle Navarro, DVM, from the Medical Department at Virbac SA, added: "We have spent 30 years working to improve veterinary dermatology with innovative solutions for the profession. Given the complexity of dermatology and the multiplicity of therapeutic offerings, we hope the Compendium will be a helpful tool for clinicians seeking scientific support for the products they use."
Electronic copies of the Compendium are available on request from your Territory Manager or by calling Virbac direct on 01359 243243.
The Royal College is calling for views on the Day One Competences required of newly qualified veterinary surgeons, via an online survey.
The survey can be accessed from the RCVS website (www.rcvs.org.uk/consultations), and can be completed until 31 May.
The College says that the survey is the first step in a review of the Day One Competences, which define the level to be expected of new veterinary graduates when they first qualify. The competences set out in broad terms what is required of new graduates at the end of their veterinary degree, and provide the foundation for curriculum design and student assessment in UK veterinary courses.
RCVS Council member David Catlow, who chairs the Working Party undertaking the review, said: "The Day One Competences are deliberately general as they aim to convey the important principles that all students must master by the time they graduate, regardless of the precise curriculum they have followed, so they are safe to practise in a range of veterinary contexts from day one after they graduate.
"As it is over ten years since these competences were confirmed, we are reviewing them to ensure they remain valid, and to seek to ensure they reflect current and likely future expectations."
The Working Party will report to the Education Policy and Specialisation Committee (EPSC), and includes representatives from the veterinary schools and the British Veterinary Association (BVA), as well as a recent veterinary graduate.
Since being confirmed by the RCVS, the Day One Competences have also been adopted across Europe, through the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE), and in countries such as Australia.
IDT Biologika and Hysolv Animal Health have announced the publication of A guide to oedema disease in pigs, a six-page booklet written to help pig producers understand the causes, effects and treatment of this ailment.
Author, F Javier Salquero, an independent European veterinary specialist in porcine health management, outlines the risk factors, how to identify oedema disease, current methods of treatment and prevention strategies. The booklet includes a table of the symptoms to be expected in new-born, suckling, post-weaned, grower-finishers and adult pigs.
The booklet concludes that treatment of oedema disease is generally unsuccessful and most pigs showing clinical signs die. However, preventive measures include adjustment of feeding regimes, stress reduction, improved biosecurity and vaccination.
Hysolv director, Richard Brealey said: "Oedema is a widespread, lethal and economically-important disease in pigs, and there is increasing pressure in Europe to reduce the use of antibiotics in livestock. Fully understanding this disease is a first step to control and prevention".
Hysolv says a German calculation showed a reduction in margin of 83 Euros (£74) per sow, equivalent to 41,000 Euros (£32,500) for a 500-sow herd, due to oedema.
The booklet — printed on heavy duty glossy card – suitable for use in piggeries — is available, free, by visiting the Hysolv website: www.hysolv.co.uk
Boehringer Ingelheim has launched Care and Connect a free online PPID aftercare service for horse owners, designed to help veterinary practices monitor their PPID case load and streamline the case management process.
The new service is part of Boehringer's 'Talk About Laminitis (TAL)' Awareness campaign.
The company says that PPID is the sixth most frequently encountered disease syndrome affecting equids in the UK1, and the new service should help engage owners and vets post diagnosis, thereby maximising treatment success.
Liz Barrett, equine business manager at Boehringer, said: “PPID is a progressive disease, so it is vital that veterinary surgeons remain at the centre of care, and that horses are monitored carefully following their initial diagnosis. However we recognise the high administrative demand associated with this, and TAL Care and Connect has been designed to reduce this as much as possible.”
TAL Care and Connect will be offered automatically to horse owners who take advantage of this year’s free* ACTH testing scheme, which will be available from July to November. Equine practices can also offer this aftercare service to all owners of previously diagnosed PPID cases.
Owners who join TAL Care and Connect will be able to set up a profile for their horse which allows all their ACTH results to be stored in one place. They will then receive the relevant reminders for follow-up ACTH testing which will make it easier for vets to monitor their patient’s progress over time.
In addition, owners can download an independently-written PPID information pack. Edited by Prof. Catherine McGowan with contributions from Dr Jo Ireland, Prof. Andy Durham, David Rendle and Dr Teresa Hollands, the pack includes advice on monitoring and follow-up ACTH tests, feeding, general care of the PPID patient and the link between laminitis and PPID.
Talk About Laminitis is supported by Redwings, The British Horse Society and World Horse Welfare, and will run from July until the end of October 2015. Horse owners can find out more and obtain their free ACTH voucher code at www.talkaboutlaminitis.co.uk.
For further information contact your local Boehringer territory manager or visit www.talkaboutlaminitis.co.uk.
*Cost of laboratory test
References
Onemytis is an air plasma knife which enables veterinary surgeons to cut, dissect and vaporise tissue at temperatures below 50°C (122°F), which the maker says allows procedures to be performed with greater precision, efficiency and speed.
The manufacturer claims that operating at such a low temperature significantly reduces tissue thermal damage and surgical pain, leading to smoother anaesthesia, faster surgery and recovery times, and fewer potential complications.
Julian Hoad MRCVS was an early adopter of the technology and will lead the workshop.
He said: "I have been using the Onemytis AirPlasma for around five years and I’m still really enjoying it.
"It cuts very precisely, with minimal bleeding, and the healing is excellent.
"I also use it for tissue ablation or removal of small skin masses under sedation.
"I wouldn’t be without it.”
To book a place, contact Douglas McCallum via e-mail at dmccallum@mediproductions.com or call +44 (0)7393 440736.
https://www.onemytis.com
Defra has published an epidemiology report into the Avian Influenza outbreak confirmed in Oxfordshire on 4 June. The report concludes that, at as of 11th June, the outbreak was confined to a single premises, and there is no evidence of infection in the Protection Zone or of spread to any other premises. However, investigations continue. The report suggests that it is possible that the Highly Pathogenic H7N7 Avian influenza derived from a Low Pathogenic strain already present on the farm. Analysis and investigations are ongoing, and a number of source hypotheses are being considered. Chief Veterinary Officer, Nigel Gibbens, said: "The UK is at a constant but low level of risk of the introduction of Avian Influenza, and the report highlights the need for flock owners and poultry vets to remain vigilant for signs of disease, including the possibility of low pathogenic Avian Influenza. I would encourage all keepers to maintain good quality records and practise high standards of biosecurity." The Protection and Surveillance Zones remain in place. Further surveillance, testing and epidemiological work on this outbreak are ongoing.
The report can be viewed here:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/latest-situation/index.htm
Defra has announced that the Bluetongue Protection Zone will be extended again on Monday 7 July, following the delivery by Intervet of almost 2 million additional doses of Bluetongue vaccine. Vaccination is only permitted within the Protection Zone. In accordance with the Bluetongue vaccination plan, the Protection Zone will be extended to cover all of the East Riding of Yorkshire (including the City of Kingston upon Hull), South Yorkshire (made up of the metropolitan boroughs of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield), Gloucestershire (including the unitary authority of South Gloucestershire) and Warwickshire. Defra will continue to roll out vaccination as vaccine is delivered, in line with the vaccination roll-out plan. The additional vaccine is available for use in the existing Protection Zone from today. Livestock keepers in the areas coming into the Protection Zone will be able to obtain the vaccine from Monday. However, they are encouraged to order vaccine so that they can protect their livestock at the earliest opportunity. Protection Zone restrictions will apply to those keepers coming into the extended zone. Animals can only be moved out of the Protection Zone if they are vaccinated, naturally immune or moving for slaughter, subject to meeting certain conditions. Animals will also be able to be moved between the Protection Zones in Wales and England, subject to the conditions on the transit licence.
The company points to research which shows that osteoarthritis can affect up to 40% of dogs 1,2 and managing the disease requires a multi-faceted 1,3, life-long, approach.
Animalcare says its osteoarthritis diary gives veterinary surgeons a practical, client-friendly tool to engage pet owners in their dog’s care journey, promoting adherence to treatment plans and enhancing communication between vets and pet owners.
Pet owners are asked to record three everyday activities to monitor their dog's progress, for example, its ability to get into the car, go upstairs or get up after sleeping, on a scale of 1-4.
This will allow all members of the veterinary team to understand how the patient is responding to treatment.
Kai Crawshaw, Brand Manager at Animalcare said: “This OA Diary is intended to enhance the veterinary practice’s ability to offer comprehensive, contextualised care, without increasing their workload.
"The diary supports both initial treatment plans and long-term management strategies, giving veterinary staff confidence that their patients are receiving the ongoing care they need at home.”
https://www.animalcare.co.uk/oa_diary/
Less than a quarter of veterinary students starting their degrees in 2009 were male (24%), according to figures released today in RCVS Facts.
This is up slightly from 23% last year, but down from just over 30% in 1999: ten years before that, the gender balance of new students was approximately 50:50. Meanwhile, 53% of UK-practising veterinary surgeons are female.
RCVS Facts is part two of the RCVS Annual Report, and presents a statistical picture of the veterinary and veterinary nursing professions. Other headline facts include a 21% increase in the number of practice premises registered with the College since 1 April 2009, bringing the total on the Register of Veterinary Practice Premises to 4,821; some 766 veterinary nurse students completing their training and becoming eligible to register (an increase of 28% compared with those eligible to register during the previous two-year period) and an increase of nearly 10% in the number of complaints received about veterinary surgeons, to 739.
Figures are also available for:
The reporting year is 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010, and part one of the RCVS Annual Report, RCVS Review, takes a more personal look at the activities of the College during the period, through the eyes of some of those involved. Topics include reviews of Extra-Mural Studies and the Practice Standards Scheme, the modular Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing producing the first diplomates, a focus on mental health and wellbeing, fund-raising for the RCVS Trust and the College's joint work with other authorities to bring justice in cases of fraudulent 'veterinary surgeons'.
Both publications are available online at: www.rcvs.org.uk/review and www.rcvs.org.uk/facts.
The College says the course breaks down the supporting guidance to the Code of Professional Conduct into clear, practical advice that can be easily applied in daily practice.
It covers areas such as advertising, endorsing products and services, and using social media in a way that upholds professional standards, including:
The course begins with a short test to assess your current understanding of the topic, followed by three bite-sized modules and a final reflection section.
The course takes about an hour to complete and counts towards your CPD requirements.
academy.rcvs.org.uk
The BSAVA says there unique opportunities and risks to the use of antibiotics in rabbits.
For example, antibiotic combination therapy, which is discouraged in dogs and cats, can be safe and effective in this species.
Also, careful selection of appropriate antibiotics, in terms of active substance, dose and route of administration, is crucial when treating rabbits due to the risk of enterotoxaemia. The new guide gives advice on diagnosing bacterial infections, likely causal organisms and appropriate antibiotic and non-antibiotic management.
The guide covers dacryocystitis, ear disease, facial abscesses, enteritis, urinary tract disease, and upper and lower respiratory tract disease. John Chitty, one of the authors, said: “Choosing an antibiotic for rabbits is not simple.
"Their diseases do not necessarily mirror those of dogs and cats, and they do have gut sensitivities to certain antimicrobials.
"However, like dogs and cats, there are situations where antibiotics are not needed where we once thought they were.
"This is especially important in reducing antibiotic usage in rabbits and, of course, in reducing use of critically important antibiotics in them as well.
"We hope this guide will help practitioners to see when antibiosis is needed, what choices are available and how to sample and select the most appropriate drug if needed.” The new guide is free to all and can be accessed at bsavalibrary.com/protectme.