Dechra Veterinary Products has launched a webcast about feline hyperthyoidism, given by Tim Williams MA VetMB MRCVS from the Feline Research Group at the Royal Veterinary College.

During the ten minute webcast, entitled: 'The highs and lows of feline hyperthyroidism', Tim presents new evidence that overdosing hyperthyroid patients can lead to iatrogenic hypothyroidism, making them more likely to develop azotaemia and consequently have a shorter survival time. He also discusses the diagnosis and potential consequences of iatrogenic hypothyroidism based on recent research conducted at the Feline Research Group, and provides a summary of suggested treatment protocols. Tim said: "I hope the webcast helps veterinary staff optimise their treatment of hyperthyroid cats in practice and avoid a one size fits all approach".

Dechra says that research from 400 first opinion practices has shown that hyperthyroidism is the most commonly diagnosed feline endocrinopathy, with an annual incidence of 6% in cats over nine years old.

Tim's webcast is the latest in a series of online educational materials on endocrinology launched by Dechra as part of its Dechra Academy training suite.The webcast is available at http://www.dechra.co.uk/hyperthyroidism

The Bella Moss Foundation (BMF) has launched a free practice hygiene audit tool.

The BMF Practice Hygiene Self Audit is a web-based assessment tool that allows staff to monitor cleanliness across the practice – from theatre and prep rooms to laundry and waiting rooms.

The tick sheet format allows staff to rate the hygiene protocols in each area, resulting in a room-by-room percentage hygiene score, as well as an overall contamination risk score.

The tool was developed by vet and RCVS Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) expert Pam Mosedale and VN lecturer Louise O'Dwyer, along with Edinburgh academic Tim Nuttall and Chris Laurence.

Pam said: "Given the relaunch of the PSS later in the year, which will include new modules on infection control, the BMF audit tool is especially timely.

"We hope that people will try the audit tool and it will lead them to have more of a team discussion about hygiene routines and protocols in practice. We know some areas get more attention than others - for example, how often do things like the toys in the waiting area really get cleaned?

“By using the audit, staff will easily be able to see what rooms/areas might need a bit more cleaning.

She added: "It's a simple no-frills tool but the whole idea is for it to be helpful and easy to use, so more practices are encouraged to have regular quantifiable monitoring systems in place to keep an eye on their hygiene protocols."

Co-creator Louise O'Dwyer said: “The BMF Practice Hygiene Self Audit will help ensure often overlooked aspects of cleaning and infection control are considered and implemented.

“It needs to be embraced by all members of staff, from non-clinical staff through to veterinary surgeons, as every individual has the potential to make an impact within their practice by taking action on infection control.”

To test the tool and see how clean your practice is, go to: www.thebellamossfoundation.com/practice-hygiene-self-audit 

Zoetis Business Consulting has released figures showing that Profit Solver, its financial analysis tool, has delivered an average EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) growth of 36% for the 28 UK practices that have used the new service since its launch.

Profit Solver was first launched in the USA, where the company says more than 300 practices have now benefited from the service.

Zoetis says that traditionally, veterinary practices have set their prices by simply adding a set mark-up, without knowing which services make a profit or loss and without understanding exactly how overall practice profit is being generated.

Profit Solver instead uses the practice’s own data to calculate the exact cost for the 130 most commonly performed veterinary services, representing 90% of the revenue generated by the practice. It then combines labour, inventory and equipment costs with time-and-motion studies for each service, and assesses the variance between cost and price to reveal profit or loss.

By using a collection of cost data, which staff perform which part of the procedure, how long the procedure takes and what equipment and materials are used, Profit Solver calculates the correct pricing to both cover costs and deliver a pre-determined profit margin.

Implementing Profit Solver is done with a Zoetis business consultant who guides the practice through the process, from data collection to examining the time-and-motion studies. They discuss the level of profitability the practice needs to deliver and help analyse prices to achieve this goal whilst preserving the price-point of highly competitive services and covering all the practice’s costs.

Ian Camm, Group Director of B&W Equine Vets in Gloucestershire heard about Profit Solver from a vet in a neighbouring practice who was impressed with how it had helped his business. Ian discussed Profit Solver with his Zoetis account manager and booked an appointment with Zoetis Business Consultant Anthea Pike who has helped him implement the software across B&W Equine Group.

He said: "Initially I was concerned that Profit Solver would suggest we put prices up where we felt that we would not be able to - people shop around for their veterinary services these days and many services are very price sensitive. The first stage in the process addressed this by looking at our figures, calculating the cost price for each procedure and then, by comparing with our fees charged, identified where we were losing money. The big question was whether we would be comfortable to increase our fees on loss-making procedures. The beauty of the system was that by looking at a large number of procedures which were done frequently, very small increases in fee would total to a significant improvement in the bottom line.

"The software has made us recognise where the real costs are and how to address these areas accordingly, for example we have identified that current stud packages are not profitable. One of the problems in arriving at true costs is the difficulty in accurately allocating time to various procedures when several different vets are involved or an expensive scanner is used, which can have a significant impact on the results. It’s early days, but I can already see the difference that Profit Solver could make to our bottom line and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it providing the practice is prepared to make changes in light of the results. We are looking at improving our bottom line by a six figure sum over a 12 month period with what we hope, will be hardly noticeable price rises.”

For further information visit www.zoetis.co.uk/businessconsulting.

Premier Vet Alliance is hosting a one hour webinar: "The Future Practice – Harnessing Technology To Help Your Team" on Thursday 26th May at 7:30pm.

The webinar is presented by Will Stirling, partner at VetsDigital, a digital marketing agency which supports the veterinary industry across Europe.

Will will offer practical advice and guidance on the growing importance of applying digital marketing and the effect it can have on both team morale and the bottom line.

To register for the webinar, visit to: https://tinyl.io/5aIi

A new study published this month in the Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ)¹ has concluded that toxins from the seeds of the sycamore tree (Acer pseudoplatanus) are the likely cause of Atypical Myopathy (AM) in Europe.

However, to avoid confusion, the authors of the study point out that the American Sycamore (also just called 'the sycamore' in the USA), is a completely different species: Platanus occidentalis. Furthermore, the sycamore found in the UK is also known as the sycamore maple in other countries.

The new research follows on the heels of a study in the USA earlier this year that linked toxins from the box elder tree (Acer negundo) with Seasonal Pasture Myopathy (SPM), the US equivalent of AM². The discovery marks an important step for the future prevention of this fatal disease.

Atypical Myopathy is a highly fatal muscle disease in the UK and Northern Europe. In ten years, approximately twenty European countries have reported the disease. Incidences tend to occur repeatedly in the autumn and in the spring following large autumnal outbreaks. Horses that develop AM are usually kept in sparse pastures with an accumulation of dead leaves, dead wood and trees in or around the pasture and are often not fed any supplementary hay or feed. SPM is a very similar disorder, prevalent in Midwestern USA and Eastern Canada that is now known to be caused by the ingestion of hypoglycin A, contained in seeds from the box elder tree.

The new European research¹ was conducted by an international team led by Dominic Votion, University of Liege and involved 17 horses from Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands, suffering from Atypical Myopathy. High concentrations of a toxic metabolite of hypoglycin A, were identified in the serum of all of the horses. The pastures of 12 of the horses were visited by experienced botanists and the Acer pseudoplatanus, the sycamore maple, was found to be present in every case. This was the only tree common to all visited pastures.

Researchers believe hypoglycin A is the likely cause of both AM in Europe and SPM in North America. The sycamore and the box elder are known to produce seeds containing hypoglycin A and the pastures of the afflicted horses in Europe and the USA were surrounded by these trees.

Hypoglycin-A is found in various levels in the seeds of plants in the genus Acer as well as in various other genera in the family Sapindaceae such as ackee (Blighia sapida).  In ackee, hypoglycin-A levels do vary with ripeness of the fruit and, if the fruit is eaten before it is mature, it causes hypoglycaemia to different degrees including a condition called "Jamaican vomiting sickness" (because of ackee's use in Jamaican cooking) and occasionally death in humans.

Researchers at the Universities of Minnesota² and Liege are continuing their work to try to uncover exactly how the equine disease occurs. Dr Adrian Hegeman of University of Minnesota said: "It is likely that the most important contributing factors to horses becoming poisoned by hypoglycin-A are the availability of seed in the field combined with lack of other feeding options. The seeds from two species of maples (box elder and sycamore maples) that we have tested include significant quantities of hypoglycin-A.

"We know that seeds contain highly variable quantities from seed to seed, even within a single tree. We do not know yet how hypoglycin-A levels vary seasonally, nor do we know how its abundance varies with different levels of stress to the plant, though this may well explain seasonal variability in the occurrence of the malady. It is possible that conditions that stress the plants may contribute to significant seasonal changes in hypoglycin-A levels.  At this point we just don't know.  It is common held knowledge that trees under stress usually produce more seed."

Dr Jeff Gillman of University of Minnesota said: "Without question, further analysis of the seeds and other tissues from Acer species needs to be performed along with sampling of plant materials over multiple seasons and at various stress levels. Additionally, one cannot rule out more complex explanations for the seasonality of disease occurrence such as: animals may begin feeding on seed materials in response to depletion of more palatable choices under drought conditions; or simple explanations such as high wind events driving seeds into fields. These sorts of explanations for the occurrence of the disease do not depend on botanical variations in toxicity across seasons, sites or stress levels, yet also require consideration.

"Although limited examples are available, the experience of animals at a pasture site might also confer some degree of behavioral resistance to poisoning due to exposure at sub-lethal levels with prior exposure to seeds in the pasture."

Professor Celia Marr, Editor of Equine Veterinary Journal said: "This is an important advancement in our understanding of what causes AM and how it can be prevented. In immediate practical terms owners can take prompt measures to avoid exposing their horses to sycamore seeds this autumn. Where horses are grazing in the vicinity of sycamore trees, it is imperative that they are provided with sufficient supplementary feed as this will minimise the risk that horses might be tempted to ingest seeds containing this toxin. This must be done carefully and leaving wet hay on the ground should be avoided so providing extra carbohydrate feeds may be more practical."

References

1. The European study can be accessed at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/evj.12117/abstract
2. Related research from the University of Minnesota can be accessed at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00684.x/abstract

Vetlife is inviting veterinary surgeons to come and take part in a sponsored cold water dip at Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, Margate, at 12:30pm on Friday, May 17th.

The Walpole Bay Tidal Pool is the biggest in the UK, covering four acres.

Everyone taking part is being challenged to raise at least £100 for Vetlife, to go towards its helpline, health support and financial support for the veterinary community.

Sea temperature at this time of year is a decidedly brisk 10 degrees Celsius, but Vetlife says the dress code is reasonably relaxed: anything from a swimming costume to a full diving dry suit!

https://events.more-human.co.uk/event/1713190086537x259173669533122560

Grahame Gardner has launched 'Smitten', a new range of scrubwear for women with a 20% introductory discount.

The company says the new range incorporates the influence of streetwear, resulting in a relaxed scrubwear collection which young and style conscious staff will love.

The fabrics used in the new range have been designed for the working environment. The first fabric to be launched to the UK market is 'Miracle' a stretchable and comfortable fabric which Grahame Gardner says feels great to the touch, but wears well and complements the fashionable garment styles.

James Greenlees, Managing Director at Grahame Gardner said: "There is no question that Scrubwear has come a long way over the past decade and at Grahame Gardner we have played a major part in this evolution, firstly with the hugely popular Urbane Scrubs and now Smitten. Smitten represents the next incarnation of scrubwear, and allows more individuality than ever before within healthcare uniforms. We cannot wait to get this out into the workplace as we know it will certainly make a real impact with our customers."

More information can be found at www.grahamegardner.co.uk, under scrubs and patientwear within the GG Collection.

iCatCare has announced the launch of a new, online feline dentistry course.

Delivered in a case-based style, the course will give students the chance to work through cases and apply practical theory before treating feline patients.

There are four modules: the consultation, further investigations, treatment, and post-operative and preventative care.

ICC says the emphasis is on providing practical skills that can be used in clinic.

On completion, students will have the confidence to identify a range of dental abnormalities, persuade cat owners to consent to further investigation and treatment, and formulate and carry out the ideal treatment plan for each cat.

Dr. Matthew Oxford BVM&S GPCert(SAS) MRCVS, who helped develop the course, said: "Dentistry is poorly represented in undergraduate veterinary courses, with feline specific dentistry perhaps only having one or two lectures, yet dentistry accounts for roughly 25% of all general surgery.

"This transformational course uses a very practical approach to case management taking vets from the initial consultation, through anaesthesia, dental radiography, surgery, and then postoperative care.

"Cases are worked through with extensive teaching material supplemented into cases to provide a pragmatic, case-based approach.”

 Pre-registration for the course is available until 1st November with an early bird price of £299 (+VAT) available using the discount code NEWCBL50 at the checkout.

For more information, to check eligibility and prerequisites, and to sign up, visit https://bit.ly/3GpFXo4

MSD Animal Health has launched a new app for veterinary surgeons based on its paper-based Suckler Herd Performance Checklist tool.

The Suckler Herd Performance Checklist is designed to help veterinary surgeons and farmers work together to draw up a workable action plan to address the main areas influencing optimum herd health and performance.

The new app works on tablet computers, as well as Apple and Android smartphones, and allows vets to e-mail audit results directly to farmer clients following an interactive on-farm assessment.

MSD Animal Health’s beef and youngstock marketing manager Robert Simpson said:  “This additional engagement tool helps a vet assess performance across the five crucial time periods and processes impacting on the efficiency of beef suckler herds. 

“For example, reducing calf morbidity and mortality rates in a suckler herd starts with management practices before conception.

"Optimum performance also requires following proper management protocols throughout the youngstock period from birth to weaning, including effective colostrum administration, vaccination, nutrition and hygiene.

“It can also be used to provide confidence to vets who are less experienced with suckler herds, allowing them to follow a structured evidence-based approach when on farm,” he said.

White Cross Vets, a group with 11 surgeries in the Midlands and the North of England, has picked up two Veterinary Marketing Association awards at an event usually dominated entirely by big pharma.

The group was joint winner of Public Relations Award, alongside Bayer Animal Health.

White Cross Marketing Manager Justin Phillips also walked off with the Young Marketeer of the Year award, fighting off competition from Elizabeth Rawlings from Dechra and Beverly Hammond from Animalcare Ltd.

The practice group won the PR Award for a campaign in which it managed to generate a massive amount of media coverage for the business primarily by spotting a good opportunity, and acting quickly to make the most of it.

The story began last July, when a man spotted an exotic-looking bird walking around Guisely, near Leeds. When he tried to capture the bird, it told him to 'bugger off'. Undeterred, he picked it up and took it to White Cross Vets. Once the vets had examined the bird to make sure it was in good health, White Cross instructed its PR agency to begin a media campaign to reunite the animal with its owner. The resultant story generated over £145,000 worth of branded coverage in local and national media, including the Daily Mirror, Metro, the Yorkshire Post and ITV.

By contrast, Bayer Animal Health's winning campaign, which ingeniously used LED lights strapped to snails to bring the lungworm story to life, was nevertheless the product of month's of planning and what would have been a considerable budget.

The judges felt both entries were impressive in completely different ways, so a draw was the only option.

Picture shows, left to right: Heidi Bruckland (Pegasus), Emma Swain (Pegasus), Helen Moore (Markettiers4DC), Marcus Edingloh (Bayer), Luke Hopkins (Pegasus), Caroline Braidwood (Bayer); Jane Manning (Splash); Tim Harrison (White Cross Vets); Justin Phillips (White Cross Vets)

CVS is running a clinical improvement project in 48 of its small animal practices to improve the use of cardiac ultrasound scans in first opinion heart disease diagnosis and treatment.

The project looked first at how effective CVS small animal first opinion practices were at conducting echocardiography.

It found that a barrier to wider uptake was a lack of up-to-date equipment, along with a lack of current knowledge and training - both in using ultrasound and echocardiography equipment and in interpreting images.

CVS says that as a result, many colleagues were routinely referring suspected cardiac disease cases.

The project leaders then reviewed and recommended practice equipment, so that clinicians had the tools to perform echocardiograms in practice.

This included buying echocardiography tables - so that practitioners could scan an animal’s chest from underneath, more advanced cardiac ultrasound machines and electrocardiogram (ECG) machines. 

The company then produced a range of resources for vets and nurses, to help them to improve echocardiography scan rates and nurse cardiology clinics, including clinical guidelines, machine guides and client resources.

It then held a number of training sessions for its vets and nurses, focusing on the latest advancements in heart disease diagnosis and treatment for vets, and training nurses how to conduct nurse cardiology clinics, how to perform and interpret electrocardiography, how to take blood pressure readings and thoracic point of care ultrasound (POCUS).

Lynsay Morgan, Regional Clinical Lead at CVS who is responsible for the cardiac ultrasound clinical improvement project, said: “We want to empower our first opinion small animal vets to perform more echo evaluations and to work up their cardiology cases to a high standard.

"We also want our nurses to be involved in patients’ life-long care, and provide ongoing support to owners of pets with heart disease.

“We hope this project will improve case identification, increase skills and confidence, and see optimum diagnosis and management of cardiac disease.”

MSD Animal Health Equine is seeking feedback from equine practices about how Horse Health Week, it's annual campaign to promote equine health, can be further improved and developed.

This year’s Horse Health Week, which ran at the end of September, focused on the small things that can be done to help keep Britain’s horses happy and healthy. Equine practices were encouraged to get involved and engage with their clients throughout the week with the support of a toolkit that offered both off and online communication materials.

The toolkit included a social media campaign for practices to run called #BonVoyageBuzz. Horse owners were invited to send 'Buzz' around the (virtual) world by sharing and tagging on Facebook. By the last count, he'd reached Denmark, the U.S., Canada and Saudi Arabia. The final part of Horse Health Week was a survey that gave the views of horse owners on preventative healthcare. 

MSD says the week was welcomed and supported by a number of equine vet practices which reported that the campaign generated high levels of engagement from horse owners.

Peter Young, Equine Business Manager said: "Horse Health Week was created to help practices promote their businesses and educate and promote the benefits of preventative healthcare, so we are delighted that we’ve had such a good uptake of the resources we provided this year. A number of equine practices uploaded the daily animations we created to help encourage maximimum engagement.  Some also reported the animations and posters being mentioned at yard appointments so, together with equine vet practices, we’ve successfully helped raise awareness and are eduating horse owners."

If you would like to provide feedback speak to your MSD Animal Health Equine Account Manager.  For further details, visit: www.healthyhorses.co.uk/horse-week.

Ian Jennings MRCVS from IVC's Rowe Referrals in Bristol has become the first practitioner in the UK to be awarded AVP status in veterinary neurology. 

Ian, who qualified from Melbourne University in 2004 after completing a neuroscience degree at Edinburgh University, first joined Rowe as a general practitioner in 2007.

He said: “Personally this achievement is incredibly rewarding, but I also see it as an important step for veterinary neurology in the UK.

"It’s a fast-growing field with an increasing need for expert treatment and care so it’s exciting to see it recognised at this level.”

https://www.rowereferrals.co.uk