Ceva says the new product is the fruit of research into the composition of the main feline pheromones which pass through the incisive ducts to the Vomeronasal Organ (VNO), which in turn led to the discovery of a new pheromone complex which 'provides an enhanced message of social confidence and safety in the cat’s environment by conveying more impactful messages to it'.
According to the company, Feliway Optimum helps cats with more signs of stress, in more situations and calms cats better than ever. The product is proven to help with more stress-related signs faster than existing pheromones, with all signs of stress showing continuous improvement until day 28 of use and are visible from day 71. These include scratching, urine spraying, multi-cat tensions and conflicts and changes and fears.
Feliway Optimum is available as a plug-in diffuser with 30-day refills.
Abigail King, senior behaviour product manager at Ceva Animal Health said: "We have led the way with research for over 20 years with Feliway Classic and Feliway Friends, but it is now time to go that step further.
"Feliway Optimum is an extremely exciting addition to the range which will help solve all common signs of stress to provide enhanced serenity in a household.
"Nearly 60 per cent of cats show visible signs of stress2 and Feliway Optimum will really help combat this with an over 70% reduction”.
There is a webinar about the new product, presented by Professor Patrick Pageat and Dr Andy Sparkes, which is available by emailing Ceva.
For more information, visit www.feliway.com/uk, call Ceva on 01494 781510 or email cevauk@ceva.com.
References
The recall is due to the fact that particulates have been found in identified batches of product during routine stability testing.
The affected batches are:
This issue only applies to the batches listed above. All other batches and the 20 ml pack size are not affected.
For further information regarding the recall, contact Richard Beckwith on 07584 099536 or: richard.beckwith@jurox.co.uk.
Novartis Animal Health UK has announced a strategic partnership with Procter & Gamble (P&G) Pet Care, maker of the Eukanuba and Iams brands.
As part of the arrangement, the Novartis sales team will start detailing P&G's pet nutrition products to veterinary practices from April 1, 2014 in the UK and at a later stage in Ireland.
Novartis says the partnership brings together two highly complementary portfolios: Novartis is a leader in pet health areas in which P&G's Eukanuba Veterinary Diets have acknowledged strong clinical formulations, specifically dermatology, nephrology, and orthopaedic conditions. The partnership is designed to offer veterinary surgeons a holistic and flexible portfolio in key canine and feline health areas, as well as increased commercial and technical support and partnership from the Novartis sales team.
Simon Harris, sales & marketing manager at Novartis said: "Novartis Animal Health already offers expertise in key companion animal diseases together with innovative veterinary medicines. Based on research done with veterinary customers, we believe nutrition also plays an important role in disease management in pets, making our strategic cooperation with P&G Pet Care a natural fit that offers real benefits to veterinarians and their patients."
Dr. Penny Watson, Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine at the University of Cambridge, said: "Clinical nutrition plays a key role in patient management and is an important complement to medicine in order to achieve a successful outcome. This combination of Eukanuba Veterinary Diets and Novartis Animal Health products helps highlight the importance of dispensing clinical diets as part of a multi-modal approach to effective patient management. Additionally, high quality nutrition is also recommended by vets as part of a normal day-to-day healthy lifestyle."
The partnership will be launched at the BSAVA Congress. The two companies say they'll have a joint presence at the event to showcase the strength and versatility of the combined Novartis and P&G Pet Care portfolio to the veterinary community.
Having had a three-month sabbatical working at Fitzpatrick, Jonathan decided to relocate from New Zealand where most recently he'd been Head of the Companion Animal Group at Massey University.
Jonathan said: "My prime passion is working directly with animals and their families in a supportive and exceptional clinical setting. I enjoy pushing boundaries and not accepting the status quo. I want to identify better ways of improving outcomes for patients, and minimising the impact of the disease (or its treatment) on an animal’s quality of life. My sabbatical at Fitzpatrick Referrals exposed me to their tremendous energy and real passion for patient and client care. From the moment the clients walk in the door, I feel there is an embrace that lets people know we truly care and want to do the best for their animal friend. I am looking forward to discovering what we can achieve together. Cancer management is such an important opportunity, with the power to change both animal and human lives positively. The direction and focus of Fitzpatrick Referrals in this area is already incredibly exciting.”
Clinical Director of Oncology and Soft Tissue, Professor Nick Bacon said: "On Jon’s first day of his sabbatical, he jumped right into the team and made an immediate positive impact. He hasn’t looked back. He carries with him such a good energy, which we all absorb and hopefully reflect back. His knowledge of implant design for dealing with defects in the mandible and elsewhere is exceptional and I am looking forward to watching that develop. I am also very pleased that Jon’s wife Sharyn is able to join the team; she is very experienced in the field of advanced imaging in humans, including Fluoroscopy and PET-CT. This is already benefitting our patients as we improve our diagnostic and treatment abilities, and get ready for the future."
Jonathan has active research interests in several clinical areas including soft tissue sarcoma, injection-site sarcoma, endoprosthetics and haemangiosarcoma. He also supports the concept of One Medicine as his PhD research into soft tissue sarcoma, haemangiosarcoma and endoprosthetics has a potential relevance in improving the understanding of treatment paradigms for humans and animals.
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has launched a new oxytetracycline spray which the company says offers more accurate antibiotic delivery whether the can is used in an upright or inverted position.
Alasdair King MRCVS, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health veterinary manager, says new Engemycin Spray has been developed specifically to address problems reported with traditional aerosol cans:
"Antibiotic sprays are used widely, yet they can become a practical nuisance to both vets and farmers simply because many cans do not perform satisfactorily. All too frequently the nozzle leaks or detaches, the spray pattern is irregular - particularly if the can is held upside down as it so often needs to be - or the valve clogs before the can is empty. This can be a source of great frustration to users, but new Engemycin Spray overcomes all these problems."
Intervet/Schering Plough says Engemycin Spray combines a unique, quick-drying formulation with an innovative, non-clogging spray valve. The quick-drying formulation minimises wastage from the sprayed area, while the new valve - which works as well when the can is upside down - cuts spraying time and ensures more reliable and constant delivery of antibiotic. The valve is unique and designed to enable the can to fully empty.
Engemycin Spray is licensed for the treatment of foot and wound infections in cattle, sheep or pigs following surgery or physical injury. The new product is available now from wholesalers.
A survey of almost 1400 ferret owners carried out by the Ferret Education & Research Trust (FERT) and pet food manufacturers James Wellbeloved has revealed that 40% of the UK's ferret owners never take their animals to a vet, with a further 9% saying they visit the vet only occasionally.
In addition, 76% of ferret owners have not had them microchipped, 64% have not bothered with vaccination against distemper and 74% with vaccination against rabies.
Almost three quarters are registered with a vet for emergency treatment, but 26% are not registered at all.
Ian Kearns from FERT said: "This is quite an alarming picture in terms of ferret welfare; however it offers a clear opportunity for vets to address the issue. Ferrets are growing fast in popularity as pets, and it may be that as their role changes they will visit the vet more - but we believe that vets can seize an opportunity by promoting ferret welfare via the waiting room."
The survey also showed that 65% are fed on mixed biscuits and meat. James Wellbeloved Ferret Complete Food was the clear leader, outselling its' nearest rival by almost five times to one. Over half are kept outdoors, and there is a wide choice of bedding material including commercially made washable fabric, straw and paper.
Peter Lancaster, James Wellbeloved marketing director said: "Ferrets are growing in popularity, but because owners sometimes don't do enough research a worrying number are ending up in rescues. Veterinary practices are of course very well-placed to focus on ferret welfare, and we'd urge any vets and vet nurses who want to know more to get in touch with the team at FERT."
10 THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT FERRETS...
Asked why the CMA had decided to launch the review, its Senior Director for Consumer Protection told BBC R4's Today programme this morning that: "the costs of many vet services are rising higher than the cost of inflation, and it can be really hard to find out how much it's going to cost you, both for routine treatments or if something goes wrong and you need to find emergency care for your pet."
George added: "There's many other [veterinary] services and costs that people cannot have predicted and they can find themselves unexpectedly facing some really high bills, and when other household bills are going up very steeply at the moment we want to do everything we can to make sure that people can predict how much it is going to cost to see a vet, both for routine stuff but also for things if there's a crisis."
The authority is also looking at whether there is enough transparency over practice ownership.
With the percentage of independent practices falling from 89% in 2013 to 45% by 2021, the authority says people may not be clear if their vet is part of a group which owns other vet practices in their area or that the services which are being sold to them (such as diagnostic tests or treatments at a specialist animal hospital) are provided by that group.
This, it says, could impact pet owners’ choices and reduce the incentives of local vet practices to compete.
The CMA is now asking veterinary professionals, people who supply veterinary products and services and pet owners to take part in the review by completing an online questionnaire: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-respond-to-the-veterinary-services-market-for-pets-review
In particular, it wants to hear practitioners' experiences of:
The questionnaire will remain open for six weeks.
The CMA will outline the issues it identifies and announce its next steps early in 2024.
The Kennel Club has announced the results of a survey of 329 Breed Kennel Rescue organisations which has revealed that over 50% of dogs given up for rehoming are given up by women, compared to 17% by men and 27% by couples who made the decision jointly.
The Kennel Club said the survey also revealed lifestyle changes, a lack of training and time to look after the family pet adequately are the main reasons why dogs are rehomed.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: "People really need to explore their reasons for wanting a dog in the first place, do the research properly and invest time into training their dog. We are seeing an increasing number of owners being driven by celebrity trends in choice of dog breed, such as the French Bulldog, owned by Millie Mackintosh, Jessie J and Jonathan Ross.
"Every year dogs are abandoned or given up when the novelty wears off. Dogs are a lifelong commitment and anyone considering getting a pet needs to be sure that they will be able to properly care for the animal for the rest of its life."
Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisations last year rehomed over 20,000 dogs, more than Dogs Trust and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home combined. January was revealed to be the busiest month, highlighting the impact of many families being unprepared for getting a dog and potentially still buying them as a Christmas gift, despite advice to the contrary. More than one in three breed rescue organisations reported an increase of dogs needing to be rehomed compared with 2012.
Caroline continued: "Although not as well-known as other organisations, Kennel Club Breed Rescues work incredibly hard to support their breed. They are set up and run by people passionate about dogs and their particular breed in particular. There is a breed rescue organisation for almost every one of the 212 breeds of pedigree dog in the UK, and more than one in three of the breed rescue organisations also accept crossbreeds as well as pedigrees.
"Breed rescue is a fantastic place to consider when looking for a dog. The expert staff and volunteers will often know the full history of the dogs in their care and provide you with invaluable knowledge on the breed and tips for caring for individual dogs to make sure the dogs find a family for life."
The manufacturer has identified that there is a potential for decreased levels of the preservative Chlorobutanol hemihydrate in the following batch: J2101-03 Expiry 11/2018.
Oxytobel is distributed in the UK by Bimeda UK. Veterinary practices that have purchased this batch number should contact Bimeda to arrange collection.
Any queries in relation to return of the product or credit for the product returned should be addressed to Kay Cowton, Bimeda UK Sales on 01248 725400 or email: uksales@bimeda.com
For further information on the recall please contact Bela-pharm GmbH & Co.KG: +49 (0) 44 41 873 294.
Elanco Companion Animal Health has launched a competition to encourage veterinary professionals to showcase the company's new range of practice support materials for the company's parasiticides, Comfortis and Trifexin.
To enter the competition, you'll first need to order the support materials, which include: waiting room posters, client leaflets and a waiting room leaflet dispenser, modular window hangers, social media artwork and display kits which consist of 19 die-cut colour pieces for waiting room displays. Entry / order forms are available here.
Then create your display and email a digital photograph of it to Elanco before the 29th August 2014.
Matthew Rowe, Senior Brand Manager at Elanco said: "We're asking veterinary practices to use their creativity and imagination when putting up their parasite control displays. Last year's winner, the Animal Health Centre in Torquay, even composed their own song, so the more creative the better!"
The overall winner will win a team celebration worth £1000, and there are £250 Amazon vouchers for 11 regional winners.
For further information contact your local Elanco Companion Animal Health key account manager or email elancocahuk@elanco.com
The Prince's Trust 'creates life-changing opportunities' for those aged 11-30 and Nick has long-held a passion for making a difference to young lives. He has set up three charities for young people: with learning disabilities; who want to campaign to change the world; and who want to break down the barriers to enjoying nature and the outdoors.
Nick has led the RCVS since September 2012. During his tenure, developments at the College include a new Royal Charter, major governance reform, improved regulation of veterinary nurses, the instigation of Vet Futures, the introduction of the alternative dispute resolution service, significant evolution within the Practice Standards Scheme, the refocusing of RCVS Trust into RCVS Knowledge, the launch of Mind Matters, and the recognition of the College as a Great Place to Work.
Nick said: "It has been a great privilege to be CEO of the College and to work with such amazing staff, such a progressive Council and such a decent and caring profession. It is no surprise to me that vets and vet nurses are among the most trusted professionals in this country, and in my view this is due to their professionalism and to the excellence of the Royal College in maintaining and advancing standards. I hope I have played my part in helping the College and the profession navigate through a period of great change and preparation for significant change to come.
"At The Prince’s Trust I will be focused on the next generation, helping to give young people the confidence and purpose they need to make a success of their lives and the world around them. I know from my own personal experiences of school, and the various charities with which I have been involved, how many young people are not given the best chance in life. I cannot think of a better mission to take on."
RCVS President Chris Tufnell said: "I feel very fortunate to have worked closely with Nick over his five years with the RCVS; he has made a tremendous contribution to the College and our professions. With his energy and drive, he has infused the College with a culture of openness, engagement and dedication and has inspired the team through some impressive achievements.
"Nick’s leadership will enable vets and veterinary nurses to fulfil their potential and it's fitting that he's moving on to a role which benefits the lives of others. Meanwhile, there's a considerable amount of important work being done by the RCVS and I am confident that we have a strong team at Belgravia House to manage this until the new CEO is in post."
The RCVS says its Operational Board will be reflecting on Nick’s successes and the future needs of the College, before developing a specification for the new CEO and a recruitment process over the coming weeks.
The vaccine has been developed from Suvaxyn Circo+MH RTU, and also contains MetaStim as adjuvant 1.
MetaStim is an emulsion containing a metabolisable (non-mineral) oil and is used in vaccines to help elicit both humoral and a cell-mediated immune responses. Zoetis says it is thought to preserve the vaccine components so the antigens are released slowly as compared to other types of adjuvants2.
Alvaro Aldaz, Director Commercial Development and Innovation, Swine, Zoetis, said: "The safety and efficacy of MetaStim has been well documented given its use in several swine, cattle and equine vaccines for the past several years.
"In fact, the MetaStim adjuvant is currently used in our bivalent vaccine – Suvaxyn Circo+MH RTU. Suvaxyn Circo is the monovalent PCV2 fraction of the parent vaccine and it delivers a similar performance profile for PCV2 protection."
More than 250 million pigs are vaccinated against Circovirus every year in Europe.
Professor Hans Nauwynck, Director of the Laboratory of Virology at Ghent University said: "Vaccination of piglets against Circovirus has become a standard in pig farms across Europe.
"The goal is achieving strong immunity, both cell mediated and antibodies, against a virus that is always in the farm.
"Veterinarians should consider several factors when deciding the best timing for vaccination, being especially important the levels of maternal immunity in the pigs to be vaccinated, the presence of co-infections like PRRSV and the expected infection pattern in the farm."
Suvaxyn Circo is a new tool for veterinarians and producers who prefer monovalent vaccines. In situations where early vaccination of piglets against M.hyo is preferred, for example using Suvaxyn MH-One which is licensed for administration from one week of age, there will be a need to give a separate monovalent vaccine to cover PCV2. In such cases, Suvaxyn Circo from three weeks of age can be considered as an option.
Suvaxyn Circo is available in 50- and 125-dose vials.
For more information, contact your Zoetis representative.
Alstoe is launching Vetergesic Multidose, a 10ml version of the opiate injection, in a new multi-use vial.
Alstoe Technical Director, Dr Ian Ryder said: "In addition to the new vial size the inclusion of a preservative enables Vetergesic Multidose to be used for up to 28 days following its initial use. Also the product is now licensed for intravenous administration."
Vetergesic Multidose should drastically reduce the amount of product wasted by practices using the old, smaller single-use vial.
Alstoe says that supplying Vetergesic in a multi-use vial was one of the first things discussed with the drug originators, Reckitt Benckiser, when it took over the marketing of the product. However, for a large scale medical pharmaceutical manufacturer to consider producing a veterinary product in a different pack and in much smaller production runs than their medical operating scales, the answer is normally no. But in this case, Reckitts gave the project its full support, so in addition to reduced wastage, the inconvenience of snapping glass necks will become a thing of the past.
Please contact Alstoe Ltd for further information at info@alstoe.co.uk or telephone 01347 878606.
The clinic is being run by Liz Leece, an RCVS and EBVS Specialist in veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia, to offer bespoke pain management plans for clients.
Liz has more than 20 years’ experience in specialist anaesthesia and analgesia and has extensive experience managing dogs and cats with complex problems causing chronic pain.
Liz said: "Our pets are similar to humans in the sense that the longer they live, the greater the chance they will develop conditions causing chronic pain.
"The clinic is available for any pet referred by their primary care vet for management of chronic pain, including osteoarthritis and other orthopaedic conditions, neurological and cancer pain.
"Animals will be assessed and advice given on how the pain can be managed, including monitoring a pet’s response to different treatments and what to expect."
For more information, visit www.paragonreferrals.co.uk.
The Davies Therapy and Fitness Centre has been developed following two years of planning with the intention of supporting referring practices.
Run by a team of Chartered Veterinary Physiotherapists, hydrotherapists and anaesthetists, it has a large hydrotherapy suite, a therapeutic exercise area and gym, an outdoor exercise area, four spacious consultation and treatment rooms and a bright and airy reception.
Services include physiotherapy, rehabilitation, underwater treadmill therapy, soft supports, splinting and orthotics, fitness and conditioning and acupuncture and pain management clinics.
Good rehabilitation is pivotal to the recovery process following injury or surgery and for the management of long-term conditions such as arthritis. DVS says owners are more likely to be compliant with veterinary rehabilitation and fitness programmes if they can fully understand the importance of the process by working with a friendly, professional team, preferably at a bespoke centre.
Diane Messum, Head of Physiotherapy said: "Our mission is to work with referring practitioners to treat every pet, and their owner, with the utmost care and compassion throughout the entire veterinary process. We aim to minimise pain and restore the animals we treat to their maximum physical and mental wellbeing, with the provision of expert therapy, fitness and pain management."
To find out more visit www.vetspecialiststherapy.co.uk
The researchers say that ultimately the study should help with the development of guidelines to help all riders assess if they are the right weight for the horse or pony they intend to ride, to enhance both equine welfare and rider comfort and enjoyment.1
Dr Sue Dyson, Head of Clinical Orthopaedics at the Animal Health Trust’s Centre for Equine Studies, Newmarket, who led the study said: "While all the horses finished the study moving as well as when they started, the results showed a substantial temporary effect of rider weight as a proportion of horse weight.
"The results do not mean that heavy riders should not ride but suggest that if they do they should ride a horse of appropriate size and fitness, with a saddle that is correctly fitted for both horse and rider.
"We must remember that this is a pilot study: further work is required to determine if horse fitness, adaptation to heavier weights and more ideal saddle fit will increase the weight an individual horse can carry. This should help us further in our quest to develop guidelines for optimum rider: horse bodyweight ratios."
As the average weight and height of humans continues to increase there is growing debate about relative rider-horse sizes, with riding school horses epitomising the variety of weights of rider that a single horse may be exposed to.
Numerous inter-related aspects are involved with the horse and rider combination including the age of the horse, its fitness and muscle development, the length of its back and the presence or absence of lameness. The rider’s skill, fitness, balance and coordination are important factors, as is the fit of the saddle to both the horse and rider. The type, speed and duration of work and the terrain over which the horse is ridden must also be considered.2
To date little research has been conducted on the effects of rider weight on equine welfare and performance. To address the shortfall World Horse Welfare, the Saddle Research Trust, the British Equestrian Federation and a number of other organisations helped to fund a pilot study last summer, the results of which have now been analysed.
The influence of rider to horse bodyweight ratios on equine gait and behaviour: a pilot study1 assessed gait and behavioural responses in six horses ridden by four riders of similar ability but different sizes. The riders were all weighed in their riding kit and were subsequently categorised as being light, moderate, heavy and very heavy. Their body mass index (BMI) was also calculated.
Each rider rode each horse in its usual tack and performed a set pattern of exercises comprising mainly trot and canter. Gait, horse behaviour, forces under the saddle, the response to palpation of the back, alterations in back dimensions in response to exercise, heart and respiratory rates, salivary cortisol levels and blink rate were assessed for each combination.
The riding tests for the heavy and very heavy riders were all abandoned, predominantly because of temporary horse lameness. This was likely to have been induced by bodyweight rather than BMI, given that the heavy and moderate riders had similar BMIs, both being classified as overweight, yet only one of the moderate rider’s tests had to be abandoned. An ethogram, developed by Dr Dyson specifically to assess behavioural markers which may reflect pain in ridden horses3, was applied. The scores which may reflect pain were significantly higher in the horses when ridden by the heavy and very heavy riders.
The study also raised the issue of rider height and saddle fit. The owner of one of the test horses had a similar bodyweight: horse bodyweight ratio to the heavy rider and was of similar weight, but significantly different in height (157.0 and 185.5 cm, respectively). This large difference in height has major potential implications for saddle fit for the rider and consequently the rider’s position and weight distribution. The taller rider sat on the back of the cantle, overloading the back of the saddle and making it more difficult to ride in balance, with the heel being in front of a vertical line between the shoulder and ‘hip’.
Roly Owers, Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare, said: "These pilot results are certainly not surprising but are very significant in adding vital evidence to inform an appropriate rider: horse weight ratio. It is common sense that rider weight impacts equine welfare however many might not fully understand or recognise this. What is desperately needed is basic guidance to help riders identify a horse or pony that is right for them and this research is a vital step in that direction.”
The study was generously supported by World Horse Welfare, the Saddle Research Trust, Frank Dyson, British Equestrian Federation, British Horse Society, Pony Club, Polocross, The Showing Council, The Showing Register, The Society of Master Saddlers, Riding for the Disabled, British Eventing, British Dressage, the British Horse Foundation, the Worshipful Company of Saddlers and Endurance GB.
The BSAVA Guide to the Use of Veterinary Medicines has been developed to help veterinary professionals navigate the regulations, changes and issues that face the profession when it comes to the use of veterinary medicines.
Edited by David Harris and Pam Mosedale, there are three new sections which cover:
The BSAVA also highlights that the law in the UK relating to the use of veterinary medicines will be updated when the VMD completes its review.
In addition changes to the RCVS Code of Conduct concerning under care are due to come into force in September.
This, the Association says, will lead to significant changes in medicines use, as well as legal and ethical dilemmas.
As a result, the new guide includes a section at the beginning of the Guide that will be updated as required and the editors encourage all veterinary professionals to stay up to date with the progress of these reviews.
The new BSAVA Guide to the Use of Veterinary medicines is freely available to all via the BSAVA Library.
The company warned last year that Equip Artervac would be out of stock from the end of November 2017 until mid-2018, but says that the re-availability of the vaccine means many vaccinated stallions and teasers should now be able to have their six-monthly booster dose within the normal designated timeframe.
Equip Artervac is indicated for the active immunisation for horses against equine arteritis virus to reduce the clinical signs and shedding of virus in nasal secretions following infection.
For further information, contact your Zoetis Account Manager or the Zoetis Technical Team on customersupportUK@zoetis.com or 0845 300 9084 choosing option 1.
Chanelle's head of sales and marketing, Killian Gaffney said: "The total UK market is around 80,000 bottles annually. However, with the major supplier announcing some re-stocking in March but full availability still under question, there is a real sense of urgency for practitioners.
"The Chanelle team worked throughout December with our manufacturing division to ensure that the UK product shortfall could be alleviated.
"Air freighting supplies seemed the obvious course of action, and ensured we could supply the UK market as quickly as possible."
For further information, contact: Chanelle on 00353 91 841 788.
The materials include eye-catching waiting room bunting, wall displays, posters, leaflets and leaflet holders which offer hints and tips on how to look after pets while fireworks are going off.
Ceva is also launching a series of eight three-minute fireworks videos which offer advice to owners about how they can 'Help take the fear out of fireworks' and more information about Adaptil and Feliway. The videos are presented by Emma Carr, training and charity key account manager at Ceva Animal Health and are available to download via Vimeo and Ceva’s social media tool kit.
Veterinary practices are being encouraged to use the new materials to take part in Ceva’s annual fireworks waiting room display competition, which offers a £200 voucher for the overall best display and luxury chocolate hampers for 10 runners up (hint: entrants get additional credit if they build a display den and plug in an Adaptil Calm Home Diffuser nearby).
Practices taking part in the competition can post pictures of their dens and waiting room displays on Ceva Animal Health UK's Facebook page in October.
Abigail King, senior behaviour product manager at Ceva Animal Health, said: "The extensive marketing support we are putting behind Adaptil and Feliway in the run up to the fireworks season will help educate pet owners on the measures that can be put in place to help their pets with firework fears, while highlighting the benefits of our products."
For further information, or to request the new waiting room material, contact your local account manager or email: cevauk@ceva.com.
Billed as an essential reference, the new guide gives practical information on pain management in a wide range of small animals, emphasizing patient welfare and evidence-based medicine.
The BSAVA Guide to Pain Management in Small Animal Practice is edited by Ian Self, an RCVS and European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia.
Each chapter is written by a specialist in the field, and the guide includes 'Authors’ perspectives' and case examples.
The first six chapters cover key areas in pain management, including the physiology of pain, acute and chronic pain, and pharmacological and physical treatment of pain. The remaining chapters look at specific types of pain, and pain in species commonly encountered in small animal practice.
Ian said: "This Guide is not to be seen as an instruction manual, rather a helping hand. For each case discussed and analgesic approach explained, there are multiple valid alternative approaches… when seeking inspiration or information when faced with a patient in pain, we hope that the information presented here will assist in reaching a satisfactory clinical outcome."
The new book will be given to eligible vet and vet nurse members free of charge as part of the Association's loyalty scheme; a 'thank you' for staying a member for another year. Further details are available from the member benefits section of the BSAVA website.
Sean became interested in animal welfare science as an undergraduate veterinary student, when he was awarded a Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) Vacation Scholarship to investigate the welfare of caged zebra finches housed under typical pet shop conditions.
Six years later, having been instrumental in developing BVA policy in supporting a ban on the importation of wild-caught birds into the European Union to be kept as pets, Sean represented the position in Brussels and an EU-wide ban was introduced in 2007.
As BVA President in 2015/16, Sean initiated and led the production of BVA’s Animal welfare strategy. Developed through consultation with representatives from across the profession and other sector stakeholders, 'Vets speaking up for animal welfare' lays out a number of strategic actions based on the veterinary profession’s unique opportunity and responsibility to advocate animals' best interests at individual, community and political levels.
The strategy aims to further expand BVA’s animal welfare advocacy; provide tools and support to BVA members in areas such as veterinary ethics; and foster collaboration with other animal welfare-focused partners such as the recently launched BVA/British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) position paper promoting analgesic use alongside local anaesthesia for routine surgical procedures on calves. To help build BVA’s international animal welfare agenda, Sean has recently been appointed as a member of the FVE Animal Welfare Working Group.
Another important project during Sean’s BVA Presidency was the jointly led BVA/RCVS Vet Futures project. He assisted in developing the Vet Futures report, which identifies veterinary leadership in animal health and welfare as one of the six key ambitions in its 2030 vision for the veterinary profession. While President he also produced an online video with the international animal welfare organisation World Animal Protection on the importance and relevance of animal sentience to the veterinary profession.
British Veterinary Association President Gudrun Ravetz, said: "Improving animal welfare has always been the focus of Sean’s veterinary career, through veterinary practice and policy and developing the profession’s role in advancing animal welfare. Since his undergraduate research and subsequent postgraduate studies in animal welfare, he has undertaken a wide range of overseas volunteer projects and continues to champion and promote understanding of animal welfare at individual, community, national and international levels on a daily basis.
"Sean also led on BVA’s landmark Animal welfare strategy, championing the role of vets as advocates of animals’ best interests and sending a clear signal that the veterinary profession will be a considerable force for good, for animals and for an increasingly compassionate society in the years ahead.
"Sean has made a difference to the lives of many animals with his dedication to animal welfare. I am delighted that Sean is being recognised on an international stage for his fantastic work in the field of animal welfare with this important award."
On receiving his award, Sean said: "It is excellent that WVA has further underpinned its commitment to animal welfare, in line with global society’s expectation of our profession as animal welfare leaders, through the establishment of the Global Animal Welfare Awards. It’s a great honour to be a recipient, which is tribute to my driven and forward-looking colleagues at BVA and PDSA. I thank them, as well as the many other organisations, institutions and individuals who have given me invaluable opportunities and encouragement during my career to date."
The two best research projects were selected on the awards day with Sara Hillyer from the University of Bristol School of Veterinary Sciences winning the £1,000 top prize for her project on vascular endothelial glycocalyx shedding in clinical disease in cats and dogs.
Nicola Mawson from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies won the £500 runner-up prize for her project on feline tooth resorptive lesions.
The other four successful candidates were Emily Clark from the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine & Science, Luca Fortuna from the Royal Veterinary College London, Jessica Lam from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, and Xaquin Castro Dopico from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. Each were awarded £1000 towards their research.
Michelle Townley, Veterinary Advisor and Bursary Co-ordinator at MSD Animal Health said: "We were delighted that we had so many applications this year and again the standard of research and presentation was extremely high. The winning students presented on a very wide range of research areas and selecting just two winners proved extremely hard. It is very encouraging to see such enthusiasm for research in the vets of the future."
Applicants were judged on the quality and clarity of their research project, and their ability to clearly communicate their conclusions.
Applications for the MSD Animal Health Veterinary Student Research Bursary 2018 will be opened early next year. For further information, visit: www.msd-animal-health.co.uk/company-overview/student-research-bursary.aspx
The company says it has made the test available in response to customer demand and growing evidence that in rare cases pets living with COVID-19-positive humans can be at risk of infection.
The test will be available to veterinary surgeons in North America this week and will roll out across most of the world in the coming weeks, via the company's worldwide network of laboratories.
Jay Mazelsky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Idexx Laboratories said: "We have continued to monitor the rapidly evolving public health crisis worldwide, paying special attention to the effects on pets.
"While there is currently no evidence that dogs or cats play a role in transmitting the disease to humans, it became clear offering the test was the right thing to do when we saw clinical evidence that pets—especially cats and ferrets—can in rare cases be at risk for infection. And, we heard from our customers around the globe that veterinarians needed a testing option."
Idexx recommends the test is used when three specific criteria are met:
Idexx says leading health authorities agree with the company that transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is primarily person-to-person and advise against testing asymptomatic pets. Since mid-February, the company has tested over 5,000 specimens for the virus, from cats, dogs, and horses with respiratory symptoms in 17 countries. To date, it has found no positive results, suggesting that dogs and cats living with infected people generally remain uninfected, except in rare and isolated cases.
For information about the Idexx SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RealPCR Test for pets, visit idexx.com/covid19-pet-test.
The ideal Christmas present for a vet to give a child has just landed on my desk.
It's the Amazing ABC Adventure by Lorna Maxwell, out now in paperback from Long Barn Books and available on Amazon here.
Each letter of the alphabet begins an eclectic list of things to be found within a delightful illustration on the facing page. There's a strong animal theme throughout the book: everything from annoyed armadillos and affectionate alligators to worried wombats and yodelling yaks.
One of those books that it's a pleasure to read a child before bed. A steal at £5.79.