Dave Dickson MRCVS (pictured right) said: "The ECG series is full of case examples and practical advice, delivered by the friendly cardiologists at HeartVets.
"The course should give you confidence to record and interpret ECGs in practice, knowing how to put the ECG information into context with each case and improving how you manage cardiac cases in practice."
ECGs for Vets and Nurses, an online course offering an introduction to ECGs.
The course, which costs £95 for three month's access, has over seven-and-a-half hours of content, divided up into 20-45 minute webinars, so you can watch at your own pace.
For more information, visit: https://heartvets.co.uk/learning-zone/
The money, which was raised from the annual raffle and auction was nearly 50% more than last year's total, which was an already impressive £27,800.
When the total was announced, former Vetlife President and auctioneer for the evening, Graham Dick was visibly moved and rendered temporarily speechless.
Once he's had a chance to recompose himself, he said “Your continued selection of Vetlife as the nominated charity for your now legendary fundraising at your annual conference not only raises much needed funds to enable it to continue to fulfil its mission, but also provides an excellent opportunity to re-enforce its contribution to the wellbeing of so many fellow veterinary professionals.” \
“This amazing sum raised could not have been possible without the provision by so many of such a wide range of raffle prizes and high value lots for auction and the generosity of those who bid unstintingly for them.
"On behalf of those in our veterinary community for whom such generosity may have made a substantial difference Vetlife is extremely grateful.”
Vet Dynamics Director Vicky Robinson said: “Both Graham and I were virtually speechless to see the amazing generosity from our delegates and exhibitors and, of course, the kindness of the donors.
"It's such a pleasure to be able to contribute to a charity who work tirelessly to help our wonderful profession.”
Photo: Vicky Robinson and Graham Dick
New research released today by Petplan has revealed that at a time when marriage is in decline and the average child bearing age is increasing, a new breed of pet owner has emerged: women between the ages of 25 and 34 who bought their pet as a substitute for a child.
More than 10,000 pet owners were surveyed for the research and the results apparently reveal 'pet parenting' as a growing trend. According to the survey, women not only look to their furry friend for companionship but also treat them like they would a child, with nearly 70% buying them birthday and Christmas presents, 28% adapting their homes for their pet and 20% changing their holiday destinations to allow their pet to come along too.
Just like working parents, owners worry about leaving their pet alone when they're working. So much so that they make a concerted effort to make sure their pet is not left alone for more than five hours a day - employing dog walkers and cat sitters to stem their concern (approaching 1 in 7). When an 8 hour working day is the national norm and the average parent only spends 49 minutes a day with their children, this demonstrates considerable pet commitment.
Dr Deborah Wells, expert in the study of the psychology of the pet-human relationship said: "Dogs and cats can offer their owners many of the benefits frequently provided by children, including companionship, entertainment and happiness. For some owners, notably women, pets can provide a useful training ground in 'motherhood', in some cases helping to shape important decisions on whether or not children are to be a part of their future. For others, pets can serve as a child 'substitute', offering people who choose not to have, or cannot conceive, children, an outlet for emotional attachment and nurturing behaviour."
Petplan's marketing manager Alison Andrew said: "This pet parenting theme is one of the most significant trends to come out of Petplan's biggest body of research to date - the Petplan Pet Census - which looks into the realities of pet ownership. We see the amazing lengths that owners go to for their pets every day and the level of worry that goes with it. Our job is to give owners peace of mind through our insurance plans, so they can be confident their beloved companion will always receive the best care and treatment without having to worry about the financial costs. We want to use this research to truly understand modern pet ownership in the UK so that we can better provide help and guidance for our nation of pet lovers!"
If you'd like to take part in the Petplan Pet Census, documenting the picture of pet ownership in Britain, visit www.petplan.co.uk
An amendment to the EU's draft budget for a €2 million pilot research project into homeopathy and phytotherapy for farm animals has been approved today by the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee.
BVA President Harvey Locke, said: "Millions of Euros have already been spent on trying to prove the scientific efficacy of homeopathic medicines. To date we have not seen any data to prove they can be effective in the treatment of bacterial infections.
"Whilst it is unlikely that €2 million will be able to determine whether or not there is a basis for claiming homeopathic products can work, we welcome European investment in veterinary research and hope that the results of the pilot will be useful."
The RCVS has published Fitness to Practise - A Guide for UK Veterinary Schools and Veterinary Students, a guide for veterinary students which aims to introduce them to the concept of fitness to practise and help prepare them for professional life.
The guide was developed by an RCVS working party in conjunction with the UK's seven veterinary schools that currently offer an RCVS-approved veterinary degree. It has also received approval from the Veterinary Schools Council, a new body which represents the interests of the country's veterinary schools.
The guide is split into two parts: the first part provides guidance for veterinary schools on how to recognise and address fitness to practise concerns; the second part sets out the broad principles of fitness to practise that students should follow and which veterinary schools should uphold.
Laura McClintock, an Advisory Solicitor from the RCVS Professional Conduct Department, said: "While we don't regulate veterinary students themselves, we hope that this guidance will prepare future vets for the requirements and standards that we expect from members of a regulated profession and for adhering to our Code of Professional Conduct and its supporting guidance.
"The guide also recognises that each university will have its own specific disciplinary guidelines and procedures, but we hope that this will help promote consistency in their fitness to practise regimes.
"Although we expect any adverse findings made in university fitness to practise proceedings to be declared to us upon application to register, we would take into account the fact that a student is not a fully-fledged professional and would therefore make some allowance for any mistakes and poor judgement when considering whether or not they should join the Register."
The guide can be downloaded for free from www.rcvs.org.uk/studentguide
The RCVS is also in the process of forming a working party to produce equivalent guidance for student veterinary nurses.
Axiom Laboratories has launched MiPetAllergy, a pet allergy test which the company says is not affected by medication and which requires no withdrawal period prior to testing.
Axiom developed the MiPetAllergy in partnership with ALK, which makes Artuvetrin. With its food elimination diet selector tool, developed in association with Royal Canin, it tests against as many as 80 environmental allergens and foods.
Dan Sherry, General Manager at Axiom, said: "Allergies are increasing among companion animals and identifying accurately which allergen is causing the problem in a particular pet can be one of the toughest challenges veterinary staff face in practice.
"MiPetAllergy represents two and half years of research so we are delighted to announce its arrival. Axiom is confident that there will be complete concordance between the screen and panel results that they are offering a money back guarantee if they are discordant. We hope it will help practices dealing with allergy patients to identify and treat for the specific allergens causing their symptoms."
Martyn Carpenter, Director of Axiom, added: "The introduction of the MiPetAllergy testing is timely as it coincides with the change in Axiom’s supplier of immunotherapy. During November and December 2014 the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) started rejecting applications for STC’s and advising that European Licensed immunotherapy products should now be used in the UK as part of the Cascade. Both our new allergy test and new vaccines are manufactured by the same company."
The College says the online library, which is free to access, aims to encourage people to develop their leadership skills, regardless of what stage of their career they are at.
The Library has a range of materials that learners can work through at their own pace, including presentations, interviews, videos, blogs, articles and webinars on key leadership topics such as Delegation Skills, Difficult Conversations and Inclusive Leadership.
The RCVS Leadership Team will be adding more content to the library, and the profession will have opportunities to suggest topics that they would like to learn more about.
Gurpreet Gill, RCVS Leadership and Inclusion Manager, said: “In terms of veterinary CPD, importance often tends to be placed more on clinical and technical capabilities, but leadership skills are a critical aspect of every veterinary practice and organisation.
“It is also assumed that leadership is a condition of status or position, but this is not necessarily the case.
"Leadership is an everyday practice that is applicable to everyone, regardless of their role.
"The Leadership Library provides learning opportunities for anyone looking to develop and reflect on their leadership skills, which will also count towards the annual CPD requirement.”
The Leadership Library can be accessed now from https://www.rcvs.org.uk/lifelong-learning/rcvs-leadership-initiative/rcvs-leadership-library/
The Open Access Publication Charge (OAPC) initiative was introduced in 2021 to cover the fees for the company's employees to publish in prominent peer-reviewed veterinary journals, which can cost up to £3,000 per paper.
Funding was approved for 29 employees to have their work published in eight journals last year, covering topics such as canine mast cell tumours, imaging of canine intracranial intra-axial haemorrhages, electrochemotherapy as a treatment option for feline nasal melanoma and antimicrobial use in female canine urinary tract infections.
The OAPC scheme has now been extended with a fund of at least £30,000 available this year.
The initiative was introduced by Professor Luisa De Risio, Clinical Research & Excellence Director at Linnaeus and a specialist in veterinary neurology (pictured right).
She said: “By publishing in open access journals, we are ensuring that research at Linnaeus is freely available across the veterinary profession and the scientific community.
“Being able to publish high-quality research in prestigious scientific journals supports the career development and job satisfaction of our Associates and fulfils the requirements of those training to become specialists.”
Dr Fabio Stabile, a neurology specialist at Southfields Veterinary Specialists, has been researching how dogs with reactive seizures can be treated with levetiracetam.
He said: “By publishing through open-access journals, I hope to support as many peers as possible with treating canine reactive seizures, which can be extremely stressful for our patients and their owners. It is always great collaborating with Luisa in developing my research, which was as valuable as the OAPC funding itself.”
In addition to the funding scheme, Linnaeus has also appointed Hannah Sargent as Clinical Research Associate to help researchers in areas such as study design, ethical review and statistical analysis.
For more information, visit https://www.linnaeusgroup.co.uk/medical-and-nursing/clinical-research.
To help practices make the most of the week, TVM is providing waiting room displays, client leaflets, social media packs and online information to help educate pet owners on the symptoms of poor eye health.
The company will also be holding an webinar for vets and nurses which will be published during the week.
Will Peel, Product Manager at TVM said: "Eye problems in pets are common and brachycephalic breeds are particularly prone to them due to a number of compounding factors.
"They commonly suffer from corneal ulcers and are nearly four times more likely to develop dry eye than other breeds, so Pet Eye Health Awareness Week is focused on helping pet owners understand the issues, identify eye problems early and seek veterinary advice quickly".
www.tvm-uk.com/eyehealth
The company says the Elekta Infinity linear accelerator is the only one of its kind for pets in England.
It features a multi-leaf collimator for very accurate shaping of the radiation beam and a six-degrees-of-freedom couch top designed so the patient can be positioned to reduce or eliminate radiation doses to critical organs.
CVS says the new machine will allow the centre to offer cutting edge treatments such as stereotactic radiation therapy, where high dose rates of focused beams are delivered with high precision over a shortened treatment course.
This, the company claims, will mean fewer, shorter sessions, fewer side effects and the best possible chance of improved outcomes for the animal.
Delphine Holopherne-Doran, Clinical Director at Bristol Vet Specialists, said: “Our new hospital will be at the forefront of cancer care in animals.
“The linear accelerator is state of the art, and allows us to offer advanced, image-guided radiation treatments - for example intensity-modulated or stereotactic radiation therapy.
"The advantage to these treatments is that they will allow a more “hard-hitting” treatment of the tumour, with greater safety for the patient’s healthy tissue.
"It will draw many tumours into the realm of treatability.”
Based at Central Park, Avonmouth, Bristol Vet Specialists referral hospital is due for completion this Autumn.
Stone Lion Veterinary Hospital, a first opinion and referral practice in Wimbledon, has announced that European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology Dr Sergio Rodenas, DVM DipECVN has joined the team to work alongside the Hospital's existing Veterinary Neurologist Dr Clare Rusbridge BVMS PhD DipECVN MRCVS RCVS and European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology.
The practice says that this will allow it to offer a full neurology referral service five days a week.
Sergio joins Stone Lion from his current post as Clinical Instructor in Neurology and Neurosurgery at the Veterinary College, St Hyacinthe at the University of Montreal. Before moving to Canada, he worked at the Southern Counties Veterinary Specialist (SCVS), a small animal specialist referral practice in Ringwood, Hampshire. He qualified at the Veterinary School, University of Extremadura, Spain, in 1996 and has also worked in both Spain and France.
The Stone Lion Veterinary Hospital is part of the Goddard Veterinary Group. It offers referrals in neurology, ophthalmology and physiotherapy. The Neurology Referral Practice is run by Clare Rusbridge and was established in 1997. She said: "Neurology is our busiest referral practice, drawing patients from across the South East of England and sometimes further afield. We see it as a growth area and wanted to offer our clients a five day a week service to make it easier for them to come to us. Sergio's experience especially in spinal surgery will be a huge asset to us and will enable us to meet this goal. We're delighted to welcome him."
Sergio added: "I am delighted to join the Neurology Service at the Stone Lion Veterinary Hospital. The facilities, team and professionalism of the staff and the track record of the Goddard Veterinary Group will make an excellent environment in which to practice small animal Neurology at the highest level and to offer the best care to patients."
The Stone Lion Veterinary Hospital can be contacted on 020 8946 4228.
From the start of 2016, the RCVS will no longer allow veterinary surgeons or veterinary nurses to enter undocumented continuing professional development (CPD) on their records.
Under the RCVS Codes of Professional Conduct, veterinary surgeons are required to record a minimum of 105 hours of CPD over a three-year period, while veterinary nurses are expected to carry out 45 hours of CPD over the same period.
Historically, vets and nurses have been able to record 10 and 5 hours as undocumented private study per annum respectively. The RCVS Education Committee decided to discontinue the allowance for vets in May and the Veterinary Nursing Committee followed suit in June.
Julie Dugmore, RCVS Head of Veterinary Nursing, said: “As with the veterinary surgeons, this decision was made because it was felt that all CPD, including private study, should be properly documented on the CPD records of veterinary nurses.
“This change, however, is not intended to discourage private study which we recognise extends across a range of different types of learning, including reading, and can be very valuable for personal development, but merely that it should be properly documented.”
The College says it hopes the changes will also clear up uncertainty around the respective allowances for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, as some were under the impression that private study, even if it was documented, could only be classed within that category.
The Education Department is also in the process of reviewing the information available to veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses regarding what counts as CPD, in order to clear up uncertainty and provide more specific examples for each learning category.
Information about CPD for veterinary surgeons can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/cpd, while for veterinary nurses the information is available at www.rcvs.org.uk/vncpd
In the Voice of the Profession survey, 52% of nearly 700 veterinary surgeons said it was their biggest concern, more than double the number that said so two years ago. The figure was even higher amongst veterinary surgeons working in companion animal practice, with 66% citing it as a major issue.
The BVA is highlighting these statistics and encouraging veterinary teams to talk to clients about responsible dog breeding and buying during this year's Puppy Awareness Week, which runs till 10th September.
The BVA and the Kennel Club run Canine Health Schemes which screen dogs for inherited conditions including hip and elbow dysplasia, hereditary eye disease, and Chiari-malformation/Syringomyelia. Dog owners and breeders can use the results to make more informed breeding decisions and help improve the health of breeds susceptible to debilitating or life-limiting inherited conditions.
Pre-breeding testing and screening are not just for purebred pedigree dogs - screening is also important for crossbreed dogs, such as Labradoodles and Cockerpoos, which are becoming increasingly popular.
BVA President Gudrun Ravetz said: "With breeding and hereditary defects emerging as the number one animal health and welfare concern for vets, it is more important than ever to screen before breeding dogs. Vets in practice regularly see cases of inherited conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye problems that are debilitating and distressing for dogs.
"The good news is that we have schemes and tests in place that help breeders and owners make sound judgements about responsible breeding. The BVA/KC Canine Health Schemes and Kennel Club DNA testing services are critical tools for breeders. Anyone thinking of breeding from their dog or thinking about buying a puppy should ask their vet about available health schemes and how they can be used to inform their decisions."
During Puppy Awareness Week, BVA is also working with the Animal Welfare Foundation to promote the use of the Puppy Contract, which contains a section for the breeder to fill out about any health screening or DNA results to offer reassurance to owners.
BVA, in partnership with ITN Productions, has developed a 4-minute film on responsible dog breeding and buying that can be played in practice waiting rooms or on social media channels, which also explains the process and benefits of the Canine Health Schemes.
More details about the BVA/KC Canine Health Schemes can be found at: https://www.bva.co.uk/Canine-Health-Schemes/
Photo: By DodosD - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
The course starts in October 2019 and lasts 12 months.
The programme is based around nine days of expert-led small group hands-on practical sessions at CPD Solutions' Training Centre near Birmingham, where participants will develop their existing dentistry skills and learn new techniques.
The company says decision-making is a key focus, as is reflective application of new skills in practice.
CPD Solutions says its PgCerts have unique benefits and differences from other options available, specifically that:
its courses have a stronger emphasis on practical training with all attendance sessions of a practical nature, and no lecture days.
its attendance days are grouped into three sessions rather than the more common monthly attendance.
its programme runs for 12 months, as opposed to many of the alternatives which run for 2-5 years.
Susie Coughlan, Managing Director at CPD Solutions, said: "Our experience is that vets get the most out of hands-on practical training in a structured and supportive environment, combined with reflective application of their new skills in practice.
"We set out to replicate this with the new PgCert in Small Animal Dentistry – all attendance sessions are practical, and the course provides support for developing reflective work-based learning that vets can then use throughout their careers. The format is in keeping with the RCVS CPD focus on outcomes based learning and critical reflective practice."
For more information, ring 0151 328 0444 or visit www.pgcertdent.com
The virtual collection provides a source of evidence to determine what is or is not of clinical significance in cardiac arrhythmia and what might represent the best course of action, if action is needed, within the requisite parameters of safety and welfare.
With an editorial written jointly by Peter Physick-Sheard and Joann Slack the virtual collection includes:
... and more.
Professor Celia Marr, Editor of the EVJ said: “In terms of day-to-day veterinary work, rhythm disturbances are a frequent frustration during prepurchase examinations or perceived poor performance assessments. This outstanding collection brings to hand the most recent evidence to help clinicians support their observations, facilitating diagnosis and a treatment plan in this challenging area.”
The Virtual issue can be downloaded here: https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1111/(ISSN)2042-3306.irregular-hearts-performance.vi
The BVA has paid tribute to Lord Ballyedmond, founder of the veterinary pharmaceutical company Norbrook Laboratories, after he was killed in a helicopter crash in Norfolk last Thursday.
The life peer (pictured second from left collecting a business award in 2011) founded Norbrook over 40 years ago. It became one of the biggest manufacturers of animal health products globally, and now employs more than 1000 people. Dr. Edward Haughey, as he was previously known, was ennobled in 2004.
Following his death, Norbrook issued the following statement:
"It is with sincere sadness and deep regret that the Company confirms our founding Chairman and CEO, Lord Ballyedmond, was one of four people who tragically lost their lives in an aviation accident at Gillingham, Norfolk at approximately 7.30pm on Thursday 13 March 2014.
Norbrook management and staff also mourn the loss of their friends and colleagues Declan Small (Site Foreman), Captain Carl Dickerson (Pilot) and Captain Lee Hoyle (Pilot).
Our thoughts are with the immediate families and friends of the deceased who have requested privacy at this difficult time.
We take enormous pride in our Chairman's extraordinary legacy in establishing Norbrook as a global veterinary and pharmaceutical industry leader. Management will continue to advance his pioneering vision with a renewed vigor and determination befitting his memory."
BVA President Robin Hargreaves said: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Lord Ballyedmond. He has been a great supporter of the veterinary profession and of BVA, and made an enormous contribution to veterinary medicine. He built opportunity for thousands of people in Northern Ireland and around the world and had a huge commercial and industrial presence throughout my whole career. Above all Lord Ballyedmond was a family man and all our thoughts are with his wife and children at this time."
Barrettine Environmental Health has launched MiteMax, a new treatment for poultry red mite (PRM) with a physical mode of action.
Charles Phillips from Barratine said: "PRM poses a significant threat to laying hens particularly, with infestation costing the UK egg industry in excess of an estimated €3 million per annum through PRM control and lost production. In the UK, PRM is prevalent in varying percentages according to the rearing system used. Caged birds are estimated to have a variable 7.5 to 87.5 % prevalence. Free range systems are estimated to have 60 % prevalence of PRM, with organic systems higher at 78 %. Less intensive systems have a greater prevalence of PRM due to the higher number of cracks and crevices associated with a more enriched environment1."
MiteMax is applied directly to a shed’s inner surfaces via knapsack sprayer, rendering the surfaces sticky and permanently immobilising red mites that come into contact with them.
According to the company, the new product - which is designed to fit into and encourage integrated pest management practices - provides rapid knock-down of poultry red mite.
Charles added: "The physical mode of action of MiteMax makes it effective against pesticide-resistant mites. MiteMax is specifically formulated to penetrate surface dust making it highly effective at reaching mites harbouring deep in crevices."
In conjunction with robust cleansing practices, Ian Whelan an expert in physical insect control techniques says MiteMax fits neatly into an integrated pest management style of husbandry: "Using treatments with different modes of action together as part of a flock health plan ensures each one fulfils its potential."
MiteMax is available nationwide from Barrettine Environmental Health's appointed distributors.
Reference
The British Veterinary Association has responded to the announcement of a recruitment drive by the newly-formed British Veterinary Union (BVU) and Unite.
Harvey Locke, President of the BVA, said: "Those working in veterinary practice have always been able to join Unite or any other trade union, and it is unclear whether vets are actually being offered anything new in this recruitment campaign.
"The BVA provides the majority of services traditionally offered by a union and we are constantly working to improve our services to support the veterinary team. In the last two years we have developed mediation and legal representation services to help members through difficult issues in the workplace. The BVA's 24/7 legal helpline remains one of our most valued services with up to 600 calls year on employment and personal issues. We also produce and update a wide range of advice and guidance on all aspects of veterinary employment.
"All of our services continue to be developed using the expertise and experiences of our members.
"In addition to these support services the BVA package incorporates much more. The BVA is a key stakeholder of the RCVS, Defra, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland administrations, the VMD and other bodies, representing members on issues as diverse as pet travel, bovine TB and medicines regulations. This is not a role Unite could play for our profession."
CVS has announced its acquisition of the Dovecote Veterinary Hospital, a general and referral practice based in Castle Donington near Derby.
The Dovecote offers a range of referral services including digital X-ray, MRI and CT scanning capability. Its directors, Andrew Robinson, a European RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, and Alison Robinson have been appointed joint Clinical Directors.
Dovecote joins ChesterGates Veterinary Specialists in Chester, Norfolk-based Grove Referrals and St David's Veterinary Group in Devon in CVS' referral practice portfolio. The Group also has a new veterinary hospital - Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists - under construction at Alton, Hampshire; opening in October 2015.
In addition to the Dovecote, CVS has announced the acquisition of further first opinion practices based in Yorkshire and Wales. They are:
Simon Innes, Chief Executive of CVS, said: "These latest acquisitions show continued progress towards our goal of building a strong presence throughout all sectors of veterinary practice. It is a particularly exciting time for our referral team and we are delighted to welcome the team from Dovecote, as well as the other new practices which have joined us recently."
The procedure is called radiocatheter ablation. It's used regularly in humans but there are only three or four centres in the world that perform the procedure routinely on veterinary patients and Pedro is the only veterinary cardiologist currently performing it in the UK.
DVS says the procedure can achieve a cure for previously incurable conditions, without the need for further medical treatment with drugs that have potential side effects. It involves inserting catheters into veins in the legs and neck and then guiding them into the heart. Electrical signals can be recorded to show where the abnormal heartbeats are generated ('mapping'). Once this is achieved, heat is used to destroy the tiny abnormal area of the heart muscle and make the arrhythmia disappear ('zapping'). Recovery is straightforward and the condition can be completely cured.
Jake, a three-year-old Labrador Retriever, is one of seven dogs that have been cured by Pedro and the team so far.
Jake suffered from life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia, causing his heart to beat at over 250 beats per minute for prolonged periods. Such an elevated heart rate cannot be sustained for long and may result in damage to the heart muscle. Jake had been diagnosed a number of months ago and initially responded to anti-arrhythmic drugs. However, the drugs stopped working and his heart was sustaining damage and showing early signs of weakness. The radiocatheter ablation cured his condition completely and he can now lead a normal healthy life.
Jake’s owner, Mrs Chapman from Staffordshire, said: "We would like to thank everyone at Davies Veterinary Specialists for looking after Jake during his three day stay in April 2016. Special thanks to Pedro Oliveira and his cardiac team for operating on Jake and correcting his heart condition. Jake is no longer taking any medication and has made a full recovery. We now have a much happier, more energetic Labrador, ready for walks and play at every opportunity. Jake seems to have a smile on his face everyday now and is enjoying life to the full."
Pedro said: "We have treated seven patients in the past year, all with success and without complications. Unfortunately a significant proportion of candidates for these procedures are in desperate situations with failing hearts and after all drugs have failed before they reach us. Hopefully, with greater awareness of the availability of this procedure, we can treat more patients before it gets to be that bad."
Clive Elwood, Managing Director of Davies Veterinary Specialists said: "This is a great example of how our team of specialists can deliver ground-breaking and innovative care, which makes a real difference for both patients and their loving owners."
Pedro is happy to discuss the suitability of cases with vets managing dogs with arrhythmias. Contact him at cardiology@vetspecialists.co.uk or find out more at www.vetspecialists.co.uk
Surrey-based Sarah Taylor and Zoe Daley launched the website earlier this year with a range which includes the Medicat wrap to make it easier to medicate and examine cats, and the Slumberpet Recovery Coat for dogs and for cats, for maintaining temperature during anaesthetics.
In addition, they've got a range of funky scrub caps, plus ID tags for your scissors and stethoscopes, fob watches, scrub hats and pens.
The company announced last month that from 1st January next year, practices will have to order companion animal and ruminant products via either MWI or NVS (who will also fulfil the order), but will be invoiced direct by MSD.
Pig products will join aquaculture and poultry products to be supplied directly to customers by MSD Animal Health.
In its announcement, the company said that the new structure would allow the company to enhance the customer experience and more quickly adapt to changes in the market to better serve its customers.
VetSurgeon.org contacted the company for further clarification about how the customer experience would be improved.
The company explained that the two main benefits of the new structure concern price visibility and stock control.
A spokesperson for the company said: "Currently, customers may get a discount from us and separately a discount from wholesaler. With our new distribution model we will invoice monthly and all discounts will be on one invoice, so it will be easier to determine the actual price paid."
The spokesperson explained that with the old model, once stock was sold to wholesalers it would be allocated to customers, so there would be some held by MSD, some allocated and some in distribution: "The benefit of the new model is we will have full oversight of stock as it will be in our own warehouses or with distribution partners. If there are disruptions in the market, we will have better awareness of in market demand and we can allocate stock appropriately".
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and British Small Animal Veterinary Association have issued a joint statement concerning the postgraduate qualifications CertAVP, PGCertSAM and PGCertSAS.
The statement follows the introduction earlier this year of the BSAVA's Postgraduate Certificates in Medicine and Surgery.
Dr Frances Barr, BSAVA's Director of Education (pictured right) said: "There has been a natural interest in how the BSAVA PGCertSAM and PGCertSAS compare with the RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP). Detailed discussions over the last few months between BSAVA and the RCVS have resulted in agreement that the two qualifications are academically equivalent, as outlined in a formal position statement. Individuals can therefore choose to study for the qualification which suits them best."
For thirty years, veterinary postgraduate qualifications at certificate level have been available within the UK; until recently, these were organised through and awarded by the RCVS. In recent years the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice has been introduced, with assessment of accredited modules by a range of universities, and the final award made by the RCVS. With the development of the BSAVA Postgraduate Certificate programmes, questions have naturally arisen regarding the equivalence of these two programmes, and whether a stated requirement for 'a certificate' for a particular purpose refers to the general level of postgraduate qualification or to one particular qualification. It is natural that prospective candidates and employers should ask such questions when considering options for postgraduate study.
The joint position statement by the RCVS and the BSAVA:Representatives from the RCVS CertAVP subcommittee and BSAVA have therefore discussed the RCVS and BSAVA certificate programmes in detail. The statement here is intended to set out agreed principles which might be needed to allow resolution of any future questions about equivalence or accreditation.
The 'middle tier' postulated in the current RCVS Consultation on Specialisation, and the proposed 'acknowledged veterinarian' status under consideration in Europe, are not currently sufficiently defined to allow a position to be agreed.
The Education team will be talking to delegates about applying for 2013 places for the Postgraduate Certificates, its webinars and the new VN Merit Awards on the BSAVA Balcony at Congress from 11th-15th April.
This pilot was originally launched in February 2017 to trial proposed changes to CPD, which would concentrate less on hours logged and more on interactive, reflective learning and measuring the impact that CPD has on the individual’s practice and patient health outcomes.
Some 115 veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses volunteered, with 60 attending an induction days at the College’s office last year.
The College says the response to its proposals was largely positive, and at its meeting on 2 November 2017 RCVS Council agreed to an extension of the pilot for a further six-to-nine months, in order to increase the breadth of views on the changes and gather further evidence on its impact.
The proposed model for CPD has four key components: planning, doing, recording and reflecting. While an overall majority of the 3,357 people who responded to the College’s 2016 consultation agreed with the proposed changes to the CPD requirement, certain elements received less support than others.
The lowest amount of support was received for the ‘reflection’ component with 35% of respondents disagreeing with it.
Shona McIntyre MRCVS, a teaching fellow in small animal medicine at the University of Surrey and the practitioner representative on the CPD Pilot Working Group, said: "As a general practitioner involved in the initial phase of the CPD pilot I was thrilled that we had so many from the profession engage with the consultation, and later with the pilot.
"By extending the pilot further we are looking to get an even wider range of views on board and fine-tune how we will be asking members of the profession to engage with the reflection element of the proposals. We are looking for a mix of those who support the proposals and those who have a ‘healthy scepticism’ about them and I can only encourage those not yet involved to consider signing up for the extended pilot and make their voice heard."
If you are interested in volunteering, contact Naila Hassanali, RCVS CPD Officer, via cpd@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0701.
Volunteers will be supported by RCVS staff throughout the trial.
Further information, including the CPD Policy Working Party’s response to the consultation, is available on the College website: www.rcvs.org.uk/cpdconsultation/.
The VetGDP, which replaced the Professional Development Phase (PDP), provides a period of structured support to aid the transition of newly-registered veterinary surgeons from veterinary studies to life in the workplace.
VetGDP is being rolled out during 2021 and this year’s veterinary graduates will need to enrol on it.
One of the main features of VetGDP is the requirement for a trained VetGDP Adviser to be available in the practice to provide their new graduate with one-to-one, meaningful support and guidance, to help develop their confidence and capabilities.
In order for veterinary surgeons to become VetGDP Advisers they must complete an online training package being developed by the RCVS and formally commit to supporting new graduates.
Practices that have trained VetGDP Advisers and make this commitment will receive the status of an RCVS-Approved Graduate Development Practice.
The original plan was that practices who wish to employ this year’s cohort of graduates should have obtained RCVS-Approved Graduate Development Practice status by June 2021.
This has now been amended in recognition of the additional pressures that veterinary practice teams are under as a result of the pandemic.
Practices who employ graduates this year will now have until December 2021 to achieve this status, provided they have started to work towards RCVS-Approved Graduate Development Practice status and commit to supporting their new graduate while they do so.
Dr Linda Prescott-Clements, RCVS Director of Education, said: “The ongoing pandemic restrictions, specifically changes made by the government to veterinary professionals’ key worker status on 13 January, means that there are now significant additional pressures on practice teams, particularly in terms of staffing, as many members of the profession will be balancing their work with caring responsibilities. We recognise this and, as such, we have updated the timeframe for the completion of our training for VetGDP Advisers.
“I would also like to personally thank the 850 vets who have already registered their interest in becoming VetGDP Advisers. It is very reassuring to see so many members of the profession committed to supporting new members of the profession, and wanting to engage with the training and with VetGDP to help nurture and develop our future vets through their first few years in practice.”
The College will be holding three VetGDP workshops in February. Each workshop will feature the same content, so there’s no need to attend more than one.
They take place on:
The workshops are open to anyone in the veterinary team including veterinary surgeons who may be considering becoming a VetGDP Adviser, practice managers and others involved in graduate recruitment and anyone else who would like to find out more about VetGDP.
The sessions will be interactive and there will be a significant portion of time given over to Q&As. The RCVS Chair of Education Committee, Dr Sue Paterson FRCVS, and Dr Linda Prescott-Clements, will be available to answer any questions which can be submitted live during the event. You can also submit questions as you register for the workshop at: www.rcvs.org.uk/vetgdpworkshops.
For more information, visit: www.rcvs.org.uk/vetgdp