CEVA Animal Health, makers of the natural pheromonatherapy product D.A.P.® - Dog Appeasing Pheromone, is supporting National Dog Adoption Month in August and has produced a ‘how to get involved' pack for veterinary practices. During the month, rescue centres throughout the country are hosting open days to raise awareness of the benefits of re-homing rescue dogs and provide people who are looking to re-home a pet with the opportunity to meet the dogs up for adoption. Featuring details on how to join forces with participating rescue centres, including information on giving talks at the events, CEVA's pack is available to download from the National Dog Adoption Month website - http://www.dogadoptionmonth.co.uk/. For more information on National Dog Adoption Month or on how to get involved, please visit http://www.dogadoptionmonth.co.uk/ or phone CEVA Animal Health on 01494 781510.
This is the call to Government from an industry-wide stakeholder group that has joined forces and vowed to do everything in its power to stamp out the disease which is seeing upwards of 28,000 cattle a year culled.
The industry stakeholder group has put its name to an eight-point statement of agreement following the non-decision announced by the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, on dealing with bTB.
Included in the eight points is a call for an independent body to take on the future decision making for animal health; a commitment of non-participation in the TB Partnership Group as announced by the Secretary of State; and an industry policy of non-participation in discussions on cost sharing and responsibility on animal health and welfare issues.
The NFU, which hosted the stakeholder meeting, has been heartened by a report, also out today, from the Efra select committee on badgers and cattle TB which says the Government is playing down the serious nature of bovine TB. In its response the committee, chaired by the Rt Hon Michael Jack MP, says:
NFU Deputy President Meurig Raymond said: “The industry feels let down and angered by the Government’s abdication of responsibility around this devastating disease. We have been left with no choice but to walk away from any attempt by Government to validate their ‘policy’ decision and pass responsibility for controlling this disease to the already beleaguered cattle sector. The Efra committee’s report reinforces both the fact that the Government has made the wrong decision and the need for something to be done now rather than waiting for vaccines to become available years down the line which will be too late for many farmers whose businesses are being decimated by this disease. The Efra report recognises the value of the VLA9 culling proposal put together by the NFU and other industry bodies for the South West of England. Hilary Benn has been invited to meet the people involved with VLA9 but has declined to do so which, given the hard work that has been put in on the plan, is very disappointing.”
The Royal Mail has launched Dog Awareness Week (15th-19th July) to raise awareness of dog attacks on Royal Mail's postmen and women, and appeal to dog owners to keep animals under control when the postman calls.
The Royal Mail says dog attacks are a significant hazard faced by postmen and women on a daily basis. Attacks rise during the school holidays and in the summer months when parents and children are at home and dogs are sometimes allowed unsupervised in the garden, or out onto the street without restraints.
Since April 2011, there have been over 5,500 attacks on Royal Mail postmen and women, some leading to a permanent disabling injury. Attacks have resulted in the loss of 4,100 working days due to injuries.
Whilst the number of attacks has fallen by 24% nationally since 2011, over 2,400 postmen and women were still attacked by dogs in the year ending April 2013.
Currently, legal protection against attacks by dogs does not extend 'beyond the garden gate'. This is a particular problem for postmen and women, who each visit hundreds of private addresses every day on their delivery rounds. The Royal Mail says it welcomes the Government's commitment to amend the previous legislation to ensure its postmen and women will be protected when they enter private property, including gardens.
Shaun Davis, Director of Health, Safety and Wellbeing for Royal Mail Group said: "For the first time, we are holding a Dog Awareness Week working with the CWU, animal charities and organisations to raise awareness of the problems our postmen and women face daily when they are delivering the mail.
"We are delighted to be supported by a wide range of organisations and animal charities including Dogs Trust, DEFRA, Blue Cross, Wood Green, and the Association of Dog Wardens.
"We have held a number of previous one day campaigns and the awareness of the issue of dog attacks is growing. Last year the number of dog attacks on our people fell. However there were still over 2,400 incidents and we need to reduce this number further as even one dog attack on our people is one dog attack too many.
"Clearly most dogs are not inherently dangerous, however, even the most placid animal can be prone to attack if it feels its territory is being threatened. Our first priority as an employer is to ensure the welfare and safety of our people who provide a valuable service to our customers and we appeal to owners to keep their pets under control, especially if they know their pets have a territorial nature."
A lecturer of special eminence in veterinary anatomy is sought for the 2013 RCVS Share Jones Lectureship.
This is a biennial award whose recipients give a public lecture on a subject agreed with the College.
Recent lectures have included 'Who says you can't be big and nimble? The fragility of giant land animals,' given in 2011 by Professor John Hutchinson, whose expertise includes the anatomy and locomotion of dinosaurs and crocodiles; and 'Sex and Regeneration: Lessons from Nature,' a study of deer antlers presented by Professor Jo Price.
Jo said: "It was a great privilege to be asked to deliver the Share Jones Lecture and it was an experience that I will remember as one of the highlights of my career. This lecture provides a unique opportunity for those of us with a deep interest in structure-function relationships to showcase the discipline of veterinary anatomy and inspire the next generation of veterinary scientists."
Any lecturer who has achieved special eminence in veterinary anatomy is eligible for nomination; RCVS membership is not a requirement. Nominations will be considered by the Education Policy and Specialisation Committee in February, with decisions made by RCVS Council in March. To nominate a candidate for the lectureship, please email his or her CV, with a letter of recommendation, to Ms Anne Jermey (education@rcvs.org.uk).
Veterinary Practices are being urged to come forward and enter their PR campaigns for this year's Veterinary Marketing Association (VMA) PR Award for 2013.
The aim of the PR Award is to recognise the value that media and public relations can add to the marketing mix, says award sponsor, Jane Manning of Splash Communications.
Jane said: "PR comes in many forms, including social media, but you don't always need big budgets to deliver the most effective campaigns. Regional press, newsletters and radio or local TV broadcasts are all ways that vets can promote their business or specific initiatives. We know that many practices are highly active across many of these mediums, helping to promote the practice or specific initiatives to a local audience."
She added: "The award is given to the company, organisation or veterinary practice that has delivered the most innovative and effective PR campaign during the previous year, as judged by a panel of industry professionals. This can be a single 'one-off' event or article, or a sustained campaign over a given period".
The winner and two highly commended entries will be announced at the VMA Awards on Friday 14th March 2014, at The London Lancaster Hotel.
Deadline for entries is Friday 31st January 2014. Further information on the awards and ticket application forms are available at the VMA's website: www.vma.org.uk or by calling 0844 561 6157.
Joint Care contains glucosamine, rosehip, echinacea, and vitamin C, and Supreme Petfoods says it's been developed in response to growing awareness of osteoarthritis (OA) as a significant yet under-diagnosed condition in small mammals.
Supreme points to a retrospective study which identified osteoarthritic lesions in 40% of domestic rabbits, with prevalence strongly correlated with age and body weight.¹
The company says that while definitive prevalence data in guinea pigs is lacking, OA is considered to be common in this species as well.²
Molly Varga, RCVS recognised exotics specialist, said: “Signs of joint pain are often subtle or masked in prey species.
"Proactive use of nutritional supplements like Science Selective Joint Care can help maintain mobility and may delay progression.
"Nutritional support, combined with appropriate husbandry and veterinary care, can make a real difference to long-term quality of life.”
As well as glucosamine, Science Selective Joint Care also contains rosehip, a botanical with claimed anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective properties and echinacea, which has claimed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity.3,4
Supreme says Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for guinea pigs and beneficial for rabbits, and contributes to normal collagen formation and may help protect joint tissues from oxidative stress.
Claire Hamblion, Marketing Director at Supreme Petfoods, said: “With 45% of pet owners now regularly purchasing supplements for their animals,5 the demand for clinically relevant, species-appropriate products is growing.
"We work closely with veterinary and nutrition experts to ensure our formulations meet emerging needs and Joint Care reflects that commitment.”
Available in 100g packs, Joint Care has a recommended retail price (RRP) of £6.99 and is suitable for rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas.
https://supremepetfoods.com/products/science-selective-care-supplements
References
UK Veterinary Referral Centre VRCC is working alongside Kenyan veterinary surgeons Dr Zahoor Kashmiri and Nonee Magre to stage a long weekend of small animal lectures on the shores of the beautiful and historic Indian Ocean City of Mombasa.
The event, which will be open to vets and students from throughout East Africa is scheduled to take place in November.
VRCC has been greatly encouraged by the support already received. Theunis de Bruyn, Merial’s Export and Sales Manager for the region, said: "This will be a wonderful, much needed opportunity for East African veterinary professionals to meet, interact and up-date themselves on developments in small animal medicine and surgery."
It is hoped that the specially-tailored CPD weekend will be the first of many. The Directors at VRCC see this as a practical opportunity to increase the level of small animal treatment throughout the region, helping a country that is really working hard to recover from its recent political turmoils.
Companies or individuals who are interested in supporting this project in Kenya should contact VRCC who will welcome co-operation from others keen to help. See www.vrcc.co.uk.
The College says that the course is suitable for veterinary surgeons who:
The course does not offer clinical training, but the College says it will help vets identify areas for improvement and support them in building confidence and competence.
It also offers guidance on wellbeing and mentorship.
The snappily job titled Tash Goodwin Roberts, RCVS Projects Implementation Manager in the Advancement of the Professions Team, said: "As part of our commitment to supporting the workforce ambitions this is a course that can support not just the returning vets but also offers insight to those who will be supporting them.
"Vets who have taken career breaks have often gained a huge wealth of skills which, combined with their veterinary training, makes them assets to their new teams and the professions.
“The course covers key topics to bring vets up to date with many of the professional aspects of working as a vet and also includes a range of additional content to support their journey, such as practical tips for returning, important recent updates on prescribing, as well as reflective practice and lifelong learning.
"The course also contains video interviews with vets who have already returned, offering valuable insights into how they approached their journey.
The course takes around three hours to complete.
https://academy.rcvs.org.uk
Research from Bristol University confirms that Angiostrongylus vasorum is spreading in the UK, with 16 per cent of dogs involved in a recent study testing positive for the parasite’s larvae.
The nationwide survey, funded by the RCVS Trust and Novartis Animal Health, was set up to determine the geographical distribution and typical presentation of angiostrongylosis in UK dogs and to elucidate risk factors for infection. The findings are based on examination of 630 faecal samples from dogs (500 sick and 130 healthy) around the country which presented in practice with a wide range of clinical signs for which there was no other obvious diagnosis.
"We received faecal samples from dogs with respiratory and cardiovascular disease, bleeding, neurological and gastrointestinal disorders," explained Eric Morgan, Veterinary Parasitology and Ecology Research Group, University of Bristol School of Biological Sciences. "We also received samples from a smaller number of apparently healthy dogs and examined all of them in the laboratory using the Baermann’s test. The sample was analysed alongside an accompanying questionnaire that recorded history, clinical signs and the vet’s index of suspicion that A. vasorum was the cause of the disease."
More than half (60 per cent) of the dogs that were positive displayed respiratory signs, including coughing. The next most common signs were cardiovascular (including syncope, lethargy and exercise intolerance). The most widespread combination of clinical signs was respiratory and cardiovascular. However, several dogs also presented with haemorrhagic signs and no respiratory involvement, and a wide spectrum of other signs such as diarrhoea, lameness and neurological disease.
Eric said: "Angiostrongylus vasorum is a great imitator and our research proves it can present in a wide variety of ways. Prompt diagnosis is vital but relies heavily on vets being aware of A. vasorum involvement. They should be especially suspicious of dogs that are coughing, lethargic, prone to collapse and presented in practice with unexplained bleeding."
Geographical extent Due to the survey relying on voluntary vet involvement, there was a strong bias in the regions represented, with high numbers of samples coming from South Wales and Surrey. Eric said: "Although these are known hot spots for A. vasorum, there were also positive samples from across southern England demonstrating that the parasite is much more widespread than we previously thought. It’s important that vets outside of the known endemic areas regard this disease as a real threat, to ignore it because you believe dogs outside these areas are not at risk would be a very dangerous assumption indeed. You could already be missing cases."
Risk factors The most significant risk factor was age, with younger dogs more likely to be infected although cases were found in dogs up to 11 years old. “The age profile of positive cases did not vary by region, suggesting that there is no significant build-up of immunity in the dog population,” Eric continues. "Several dogs became re-infected which also suggests that strong immunity does not develop following infection."
More than 40 breeds were represented in the survey with Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Jack Russell Terriers more commonly infected than other breeds. However, when considered alongside all the other risk factors the difference was not significant. "There are certainly no breeds which are resistant to infection, all of them can get it and are therefore at risk!"
Dogs that had not been wormed in the past six months were more likely to be positive (17 per cent of these were positive) than those dogs that had been regularly wormed (12 per cent). "It’s important to realise that even in dogs that are regularly wormed, incidence is still high," concludes Eric. "Vets should pay particularly attention to the worming regimes that they routinely recommend and ensure that the products they prescribe have some activity against A. vasorum. They should also be prepared to consider A.vasorum as a diagnosis even in dogs that are routinely wormed. What we have to remember is that this is a tough worm to get rid of and one we need to take seriously if we are to prevent its spread."
The company says farmers should be vaccinating their flocks to help protect the cohort of ewes that missed last year’s vaccination.
Flock replacements should also be vaccinated this summer ahead of tupping.
Shearlings (one year plus) and older can be vaccinated with Cevac Chlamydia within four months before tupping and no later than four weeks before the rams go in, while ewe lambs can be vaccinated from five months of age.
The vaccine should not be used in pregnant ewes.
Fiona Lovatt BVSc PhD FHEA DSHP DipECSRHM FRCVS from Flock Health Ltd said: “It is really good news to hear that there will be good availability of EAE vaccine this year.
"The lambing season started off with some disappointing news for some farmers who were not able to vaccinate last year as they faced EAE abortions.
"We are emphasising to these farmers and others that it is essential that the youngest two years of the ewes are vaccinated before next tupping to ensure that the cohort that missed last year’s vaccination are fully covered.”
https://ruminants.ceva.co.uk.
The National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) is looking for ‘it shouldn’t happen to a pet’ anecdotes, from the mildly humorous to the downright ridiculous, to highlight the lack of awareness of pet health issues amongst owners.
With a prize of £500 towards a staff Christmas party for the winning anecdote, NOAH will use the stories in a campaign to raise awareness of common pet care misconceptions and to highlight the importance of animal health and welfare considerations amongst owners and potential owners to enable them to make informed decisions about their pets’ healthcare.
Phil Sketchley, NOAH chief executive, said: “From owners who have reported carrots stuck in their hamsters’ throats, not realising that they store their food in pouches in their mouths, to reports of nocturnal chinchillas that sleep a lot during the day, if you have heard a silly pet story then we’d like to hear from you.”
If you have a funny pet-related anecdote, please visit http://www.noah.co.uk/ and enter your details on the ‘it shouldn’t happen to a pet’ entry form. The closing date for applications is Friday 30 May.
A new scholarship on Equine Emergency and Critical Care has been started at a specialist equine hospital in County Kildare, at the heart of Ireland’s horse-racing district. Anna Hollis is the recipient of the scholarship, which is the first of its kind in Europe.
The scholarship gives her the opportunity to specialize in the field of emergency and critical care and to be Board Certified by the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC). The scholarship has been funded by a grant from Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health.
Anna Hollis (BVet Med, MRCVS) will receive the scholarship, for a duration of two years. Hollis just completed a residency in Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (New Bolton Center) and already has several publications. She will be under the supervision of Kevin Corley (BVM&S PhD DECEIM DACVIM DACVECC MRCVS), an expert in the field of equine medicine and Board Certified by the ACVECC who is in charge of emergency and critical care at a large equine hospital in the Curragh area of County Kildare, Ireland.
Anna Hollis will be spending several rotation periods in various institutions in Europe and the USA, before taking the board examination for the ACVECC. This is the only equine Emergency and Critical Care residency in the European Union that is recognized by the ACVECC and one of the few in the world taking place at a private institution.
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health is supporting this two-year initiative, “We are very excited to be working with Dr. Corley to establish this scholarship,” said Roberto Ragni-Alunni, Global Technical Manager for the equine business in Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health. ”The research offers the possibility to reach a rare level of specialization. This will benefit critically ill horses and help push the boundaries of equine medicine even further.”
A Government decision not to embark on a badger cull in England, as reported today, will be the correct one for both badgers and cattle, says the RSPCA.
"This would be the right decision based on compelling evidence, particularly because the most authoritative scientific research ever undertaken on the subject recommended against badger culling as an effective way of controlling TB," said Dr Rob Atkinson, RSPCA Head of Wildlife Science.
"Evidence indicates that the vast majority of badgers are not infected with TB. Our opposition to a badger cull is based on solid science not sentiment. The RSPCA cares as much about cattle welfare as badgers. We are keen to work with farmers and governments to find positive solutions to the challenge of TB in cattle."
The updated content includes instructions on interpreting blood test results and dosing with Felimazole (thiamazole), which is now available as both a tablet and a honey-flavoured oral solution.
The new Felimazole Oral Solution formulation is presented in a syringe graduated in 0.25 mg increments to ensure accurate dosing.
Thomas Johnson, Dechra companion animal brand manager said: “Consistent management and accurate treatment is key to enabling cats with feline hyperthyroidism to lead long and healthy lives.”
Dechra’s Endocrine app already covers Addison’s disease and canine Cushing’s syndrome. The inclusion of feline hyperthyroidism content aims to provide a single resource for veterinarians managing endocrine disorders in companion animals.
Dechra’s Endocrine app is available at the Apple App Store or Google Play Store
https://www.dechra.co.uk/products#/search=Felimazole
ESCCAP - the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites - is calling for veterinary practitioners, pet owners and human health physicians to work in unison to reduce the risks associated with zoonotic transmission of parasitic diseases.
The group, comprising eminent European veterinary practitioners and leaders in veterinary parasitology and public health, have joined forces to develop independent guidelines and educational materials for the optimal control of internal and external parasites that threaten the health of pets and people.
"Our mission is simple - to ensure that parasites are no longer a health issue for pets or humans across Europe," said Maggie Fisher, ESCCAP Director, ESCCAP UK member. "Our data and research clearly outlines the future spread of certain parasites across Europe and what will happen in the UK if preventative measures are not taken seriously. The group has been formed to provide free, scientifically robust and accessible material to every interested party."
Policy guidelines to outline prevention and management strategies for endoparasites and ringworm are now readily available with guidelines on ectoparasites and vector-borne diseases in development. There is a website for veterinary professionals - http://www.esccap.org/ with a pet owner website currently in development. Practitioners also have access to important research and comparison data that shows future trends and the potential threat to the country's canine and feline population.
Maggie said: "The first policy guideline we launched is on the subject of worms. There are a wide range of worms that can infect dogs and cats not only in mainland Europe, but increasingly in the UK. Some of these worms are more important than others due to prevalence, their pathogenicity for the host and their zoonotic potential. This guideline aims to provide an overview of these worms, their significance and, importantly, suggests rational control measures for the most important species. We've looked closely at methods of preventing or controlling infection in the animal, prevention of transmission via environmental contamination to other animals and humans, and prevention of human infection. Our aim is that this guideline policy is adopted in every veterinary practice throughout Europe."
Ringworm control in dogs and cats forms the basis of the second guideline policy. "The presence of dermatophytosis is influenced by a number of factors relating to the animal, environmental issues and the crowding of animals. This guideline recommends a management programme for ringworm and what vets should be considering in the treatment, management and control of dermatophyte transmission."
Vets wishing to obtain a downloadable version of the policy papers can do so free of charge from www.esccap.org.
Practices wishing to sign up to ESCCAP for regular updates and further information should email: queries@esccap.org.uk.
ESCCAP is supported by Novartis Animal Health, Merial and Bayer HealthCare Animal Health.
Vets Now, the UK's only national dedicated out-of-hours veterinary emergency care provider, is set to open its 33rd clinic in July.
The clinic will be located in Portsmouth and will operate from the premises of the Harbour Vet Hospital, 251 London Road, Northend, Portsmouth, PO2 9HA.
Prior to the clinic opening Vets Now will be holding an open evening on the 22 July 2008. The evening is an opportunity for practices in the area or veterinary professionals thinking about working within the clinic to come down and find out more about Vets Now.
Richard Dixon, Managing Director of Vets Now said, "The open evening is an excellent opportunity for the practices in the area who have already subscribed to the service to come down to the host clinic, the Harbour Vet Hospital, and see the facilities that Vets Now will be using. Likewise for those who are interested in using Vets Now as their 0ut-0f-hours provider it is an ideal opportunity for them to come and meet the team, see the facility and find out a little bit more about the service we'll be providing.
He continued, "With regard to staffing the clinic, the open evening is also an opportunity for veterinary professionals who are interested in working with Vets Now either on a permanent or occasional basis to call in and meet our recruitment team and discuss the opportunities which are available."
The open evening on the Tuesday 22 July will be held in the Harbour Vet Hospital, 251 London Road, Northend, Portsmouth, PO2 9HA and will be running from 7.30pm - 9.00pm with drinks and nibbles provided. Vets Now has asked that anyone planning to attend the open evening email marketing@vets-now.com
Merial has published Give Them Just What they Need, a guide to the key considerations concerning the vaccination of cats.
The company says it produced the guide after conducting research in which 76% of small animal veterinary surgeons said they are not fully aware of the most recent feline vaccination guidelines, and 98% said they'd find a guide useful.
The survey1, which was conducted amongst 114 UK small animal vets, also showed that whilst 82% of vets are aware of the existence of feline vaccination guidelines from organisations such as the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD), 58% don’t know the content well, and a further 18% were not aware of the guidelines at all.
In a concurrent survey of 1000 cat owners2, 60% said they would have more confidence in their vet knowing that they were vaccinating according to the latest guidelines. The cat owner survey also found that 80% rely on their vet for information about vaccination, and 60% would like more information about vaccination.
Claire Edmunds, product manager at Merial, said: "Understanding that vets are busy people and using all of the insight that we have gathered from vets and owners to shape the content of the guide, we have condensed previously published vaccination recommendations from organisations such as WSAVA and ABCD into really useful, practical advice. The new guide and complementary support materials will hopefully prove to be really valuable resources for vets, giving them the information they need when reviewing their vaccination protocols, in a quick, easy-access format.
"By being better informed about the latest recommendations, we want vets to feel more confident in discussing all aspects of vaccination with their clients. With the majority of cat owners saying that they rely on their vet for vaccination information and nearly half stating that their vet clearly explaining the benefits of vaccination would increase their compliance in vaccinating their cat, this obviously will be beneficial to both the practice and pet cats."
Merial has also produced supporting materials for use alongside the guide, including a take-home leaflet for owners and digital assets for social media and newsletter use, designed to help vets start discussions about vaccination.
Give Them Just What they Need is available from your regional Merial Territory Manager or for download at https://goo.gl/7Uas3y
Vetoquinol is introducing new flip-off plastic caps on its injectable range to make the products more user-friendly.
Marbocyl 10% is the first product to benefit. The new caps mean it is no longer necessary to have the aluminium caps which were used to protect the rubber bung and were not always easy to remove. Other products in the injectable range will be adapted throughout 2008.
“Vetoquinol is continuously looking at ways to improve its products,” explains Vetoquinol’s Alvin Cerely. “The phasing out of aluminium caps and the introduction of flip-off lids is a definite improvement in the use of our injectable antibiotics.”
Electoral Reform Services (ERS), the independent body that carries out the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' Council election, has offered reassurance that the election was fair, in spite of a number of voters being sent duplicate ballot papers.
According to the College, ERS designs and prints the ballot papers, and receives back votes via the post, internet and text message, but it does not distribute the ballot papers: this was carried out by a separate mailing house contracted directly by the RCVS. Although the exact number of voters who received duplicate papers is not known, it may have been up to 289, as that was the shortfall of voting papers at the mailing house.
ERS carried out a review of voting patterns, including issues such as multiple votes coming from a single IP address, and concluded that it was not possible to say there had been instances of dual voting. Even in the small number of cases where there was a suggestion of dual voting, if those particular votes had been discounted it would not have affected the outcome of the election.
In a letter to the College, Adrian Wilkins, ERS Senior Consultant said: "Our view is... that although a number of members were sent two ballot papers, there is no firm evidence of fraud, and that the result is an accurate reflection of the views of the members of the Royal College. Our recommendation is consequently that the result should be declared as per our election report of 30th April 2012."
As a consequence, the RCVS returning officer, Gordon Hockey, Acting Registrar, declared the election results on 30 April.
Ricochet, one of the UK's leading TV production companies, is on the hunt for dogs with unique personality traits or unusual talents for a forthcoming ITV television documentary.
The hour long programme will look into the characteristics, heritage and personality traits of the most popular dogs in the UK. It'll revolve around dog owners and the extraordinary stories they have about their pets.
Ricochet says it is looking in particular for funny, heart-warming or poignant tales highlighting the bond between dogs and their owners - dogs with unique personality traits or unusual talents, and dogs which have performed amazing feats or changed lives.
If you have an extraordinary dog, or think a client might like to take part, call the Assistant Producer, Beth, on 01273 224800 or email: dogbreeds@ricochet.co.uk
Dechra Veterinary Products is celebrating sales of 100 million sachets of Equipalazone® Powder with a campaign in which customers will get a special deal, and the chance to enter a draw for a VIP, 3-day trip to Badminton 2008.
The Kennel Club has launched the Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust (AHT) to accelerate research into inherited canine disease.
It aims to create further diagnostic tests which, together with breeding advice, will improve the health and welfare of generations of dogs.
Because of the small gene pool in purebred dogs, inherited diseases resulting from single gene mutations are more likely to occur than in their cross bred cousins. This can lead to significant welfare issues. There are more than five million purebred dogs in the UK alone and many of these will benefit from the findings of the Genetics Centre.
Over the next five years, the centre aims to investigate 25 inherited diseases. It will develop, where possible, screening tests to determine affected and carrier dogs that can be performed with simple mouth swabs. In deciding which diseases to investigate, the joint Kennel Club and AHT team will look at their impact on the health and welfare of dogs, but also on the support of breeders and access to data and samples.
Dr Peter Webbon, Chief Executive of the AHT, said: "We're delighted to work in partnership with the Kennel Club on this important welfare issue. Our level of skill and expertise within this field is unparalleled and the new centre enables us to extend our current range of DNA tests.
"We hope, in time, this will equip breeders with essential information so they can plan successful breeding strategies to avoid the birth of affected dogs, and ultimately, to eliminate disease from breeds at risk."
Dr. Cathryn Mellersh and Dr. Sarah Blott, two of the AHT's genetics experts, will lead the Centre. Both have been fundamental in identifying defective genes and developing screening tests which identify a dog's genetic status and minimise the risk of producing affected puppies.
The Centre will also introduce new approaches in dog breeding. One major advance will be estimated breeding values (EBVs). These will enable whole dog populations to be evaluated for inherited disease - even if individuals haven't been scanned or DNA tested themselves.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club spokesperson, said: "The Kennel Club is pleased to support research which improves the health and happiness of dogs. Working in partnership with the Animal Health Trust means we can start to tackle the problem of inherited disease much quicker.
"We have already made significant investment in this area, and are now delighted to step up the scope of this research. It is a very real possibility that through this Centre we will be able to eradicate certain inherited diseases in some dogs."
Dr Ed Hall, President of BSAVA, said: "Inherited disease is one part of a complex issue involved with breeding pedigree dogs.
"I personally welcome any efforts to improve our current understanding of the area and trust that the Kennel Club Genetics Centre will make massive progress in the next five years in order to enable owners to make informed breeding decisions and, in time, to reduce the effect of inherited disease."
Veterinary surgeons who intend to conduct research in the field of gastroenterology in dogs or cats can apply for a grant of up to €20,000 awarded by the European Emesis Council (EEC).
The New Clinical Investigator Grant is open to qualified veterinarians who have obtained their degree within the last seven years and are working in Europe. The award will be made to support an original research into naturally occurring gastrointestinal disease - for a period of up to two years.
The European Emesis Council is a science-driven, non-charitable, not-for-profit group dedicated to promoting best practice in the management of canine and feline emesis and in the wider field of gastroenterology. It consists of specialists from France, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and the UK, who are acknowledged experts in veterinary gastroenterology.
The EEC has decided to award the research grant as part of its on-going commitment to building and developing better practice in the management of canine emesis and associated causes. The group is supported by Pfizer Animal Health.
Applications will be evaluated by the EEC and must be conducted in strict accordance with the highest standards for animal care, including the standards of applicant's national animal research legislation and other relevant European laws, regulations and guidelines.
The New Clinical Investigator Grant recipient will be presented at the ECVIM Congress in September 2010. Closing date for entries is 1 July 2010.
Further details and an application form are available online: www.emesiscouncil.com/eec-grant.