Woodley Equipment has expanded its support team with the appointment of Greg Woloszczuk as the new Wet Chemistry Product Support Specialist.
Greg joins Woodley from the veterinary industry where he worked for 5 ½ years as a Service Manager. He will focus on all areas of customer service, pre and post sales, along with organising servicing, repairs and maintenance of the Woodley wet chemistry analysers.
Dechra Veterinary Products has added to its Veterinary Essentials range of veterinary-licensed post-patent products with the launch of Fiprocat and Fiprodog, a fipronil spot-on solution for the treatment and prevention of on-animal flea infestations in cats and dogs.
Available in packs of 3 or 6 pipettes, Fiprocat and Fiprodog are only distributed through the veterinary channel. Dechra highlights the product's convenient self-standing pipette. which it says makes the process of applying the spot-on easier.
Dechra says it offers a wealth of client support material, and practice promotional support to go with the product.
Fiprocat and Fiprodog can be used as part of a treatment strategy for the control of Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD).
Rob Simpson at Dechra said: "Fipronil has been used in the treatment and prevention of on-animal flea infestations for many years and is one of the most commonly used treatments in practice. Fiprocat and Fiprodog join R.I.P Fleas Extra to offer a cost effective complete flea solution to tackle both on-animal and environmental flea infestations."
Bayer Animal Health, maker of Advocate, has announced that it will be running its 'Be Lungworm Aware' campaign in April.
The company says the campaign aims to help raise awareness of Angiostrongylus vasorum amongst dog owners and support the veterinary practice as a source of further information. The initiative will be backed by a national TV and print advertising campaign. Media vet Joe Inglis will also be supporting the initiative and will be talking about Angiostrongylus vasorum during a series of radio and web broadcasts.
Bayer has produced new support materials, including an updated lungworm PR pack. The materials are designed to allow veterinary practices to educate owners on the disease, whilst helping to raise the profile of the practice in the local community.
Meanwhile, the research carried out by the company has revealed some interesting insights into dog owners' understanding of lungworm.
Despite awareness being fairly high with nearly half of owners claiming to know about the condition, 84% of this group did not know any of the clinical signs associated with the infection, while only 60% were aware that the disease could be fatal if left untreated. Understanding of how dogs become infected was also relatively low with only 24% of owners recognising the role of slugs and snails as the intermediate host for the parasite. As well as playing a vital role in alerting owners to the emergence of the disease, the veterinary practice was cited as the primary source of information that owners would refer to if they needed advice on treating this parasite.
Eric Morgan from the University of Bristol said: "Angiostrongylus vasorum appears to be continuing its spread to new locations in the UK. It is therefore important that dog owners are educated on the infection and the signs to look out for, to enable them to seek treatment before it is too late."
For further details, or to order the new practice materials, please contact your Bayer representative or ring 0845 2574798 quoting 'Be Lungworm Aware'.
Sheila Wills BSc BVetMed CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS, specialist in internal medicine, has joined Wey Referrals, the Surrey-based multi-disciplinary veterinary referral practice.
Professor John Innes, Referral Director at CVS (of which Wey Referrals is a part) said: "We are delighted to welcome Sheila to our specialist team at Wey Referrals. Her experience and knowledge will further strengthen the service we offer and her appointment is another important step in the development of our referral team in the South East. Attracting the highest calibre talent is important to CVS because we want to build a referral team, whose members are not only clinically excellent but who also possess first rate communication and inter-personal skills."
Sheila said: "I am excited to be joining the CVS specialist team and look forward to working with like-minded colleagues who are passionate and dedicated to providing the highest level of patient care and client communication. I am delighted to be able to offer a specialist internal medicine service in both feline and canine medicine and look forward to offering a comprehensive service to CVS clients and expanding the internal medicine service further in the future."
Sheila graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1998 and spent five years in small animal practice before undertaking an FAB Residency in Feline Medicine at the University of Bristol.
Shortly after her residency, she was appointed Head of Small Animal Medicine and the Feline Centre at the Animal Health Trust where she was based for two years before moving to a major veterinary laboratory in December 2009. She recently returned to the University of Bristol as a teaching fellow in feline medicine.
Sheila acquired her ECVIM Diploma in Internal Medicine in September 2010 and is a Recognised European Veterinary Specialist in Internal Medicine. She became an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Feline Medicine in March 2012 and enjoys all aspects of feline medicine with a specialist interest in feline renal and ureteric disease. She is a member of the ICC Feline Expert Panel and an editorial board member for the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.
The deal includes an option for the College to lease the building for up to two years to give it time to consider its options for the future, and how they may have changed as a result of the pandemic.
The decision to sell the property was made back in November 2018, when Council decided that the building was rapidly becoming unfit for purpose and the College needed more up-to-date and modern facilities with more room for a growing workforce. The College’s Estates Strategy Project Board was tasked with managing the process, chaired by former RCVS President Barry Johnson.
RCVS Treasurer Susan Dawson said: “Council recognised that this deal realised maximum value for the building, especially considering the impact the pandemic has had on property prices in Central London.
“It also provides a very valuable opportunity to reflect on the changing needs of the organisation and the professions and public it serves, and to consider the requirements and different working patterns of the College staff going forwards.
“It is likely that many staff members will wish to continue to work at home more than they did pre-Covid, so the need for pure desk-space may not be as great as we had planned for the 10-15 years ahead. However, the importance of in-person meetings for collaboration, creativity and the maintenance of good corporate culture is not to be underestimated, so our new requirements are likely to be different to that anticipated back in 2018.”
The College says it expects to welcome limited numbers of staff back to the office in June, to work in a socially distanced way, including virtual or partly-virtual meetings.
Changes to working patterns over the coming months will also help inform decisions around future remote working policies and the type and size of building that will best suit the future needs of the College and its workforce.
Bringing together people working at the cutting edge of small animal and equine osteoarthritis treatment with the companies driving technology, supplies and services, the Veterinary Osteoarthritis Congress is open to both VOA members and non-members, including veterinary surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists and others engaged in hydrotherapy and rehabilitation.
Day 1 has two small animal streams – session headings include ‘Managing OA’ and ‘Dealing with chronic pain’; and an equine stream looking at ‘Multidisciplinary management of OA’, ‘OA treatment options’ and ‘Unusual presentations’.
On day 2, ‘Biomodulation in OA’, ‘Working dogs’, ‘Mobility clinic’, and ‘Feline OA focus’ will run alongside sessions on ‘Rehab in action’, ‘Surgery in OA’ and ‘Dietary supplements’.
There’ll also be case presentations and interactive sessions on both days, with demonstrations and lectures from some of the leading firms.
Seven sessions in each stream offers two days of CPD.
After the first day’s sessions there’ll be a happy hour followed by a gala dinner in the Kings Hall. The event is being sponsored by Animalcare (Platinum), TVM UK and the Canine Hydrotherapy Association (Gold) with more to be announced soon.
Professor Stuart Carmichael, co-founder and director of the VOA, said: “Exciting developments are happening in veterinary OA, so we felt now is the right time to put this event on.
"There’s nothing specialist about osteoarthritis treatment and management: every small animal and equine practice deals with OA every day.
“There’s a real need and enthusiasm for bringing the latest thinking to as wide an audience as possible, so VOACON offers sessions for all members of the practice, whatever their interest is, along with rehab and physio teams.
"It’s actually been pretty difficult fitting everything in, but we’re confident we’ve got a great programme offering real, practical CPD that will benefit practices, their clients and their patients.”
Delegate rates for VOA members are:
Non-members (who can join the VOA when booking to qualify for members’ rates):
Rates include a hot buffet lunch, congress book and CPD certification.
To book or to download the programme, visit www.vet-oa.com/voacon.
The RCVS Disciplinary Committee has suspended a Co. Tyrone veterinary surgeon from the Register for ten months, having found him guilty of serious professional misconduct relating to three convictions for contravening animal export regulations.
Whilst working as an Authorised Veterinary Inspector in Castlederg for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), William Manson had falsely certified that he had inspected three consignments of sheep presented for assembly at Plumbridge Export Assembly Centre on 16 and 23 August 2009. At this week's two-day hearing, Mr Manson admitted that the convictions he had received at the Strabane Magistrates Court on 26 November 2010 made him unfit to practise veterinary surgery, but said in mitigation that he had examined the sheep nearby at Landahussy, a site he considered more suitable for a large number of animals.
The Committee was satisfied that Mr Manson believed the Landahussy site to be more suitable for large deliveries; the Committee also was satisfied that he did carry out a visual inspection of the sheep at the Landahussy site on 16 and 23 August 2009. However, the information Mr Manson provided on the three certificates was false and misleading. Mr Manson had also been reminded of the importance of complying with government regulations in a disciplinary case in 2004, following convictions for failing to notify DARD about changes in the number of sheep for which he was claiming a premium. The then Committee dismissed the case, deeming the convictions a result of his "genuine but regrettable oversight".
Speaking on behalf of the Committee, Chairman, Prof Peter Lees said: "Mr Manson's actions in certifying that he had examined the sheep at an approved assembly centre when he had not done so amounted to a serious departure from professional standards. If there had been a disease outbreak on either the Plumbridge or Landahussy site, such actions would have rendered contact tracings unreliable and inaccurate."
In mitigation, the Committee accepted medical evidence and Mr Manson's testimony that he was at that time under exceptional stress. He was working long hours in difficult circumstances without an assistant, and was under considerable personal pressure as a result of his wife's serious illness. It also took into account his age (66), exceptional testimonials produced on his behalf, and the impact on the community he served.
Prof Lees said: "The Committee has concluded that the removal of Mr Manson's name from the Register is neither proportionate nor necessary in the public interest nor to protect the welfare of animals. A proportionate sanction in this case is to suspend Mr Manson's name from the Register for a period of ten months."
The Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has approved a new Health Protocol, which formalises a more compassionate approach to veterinary surgeons with health problems.
The Protocol will allow - in appropriate circumstances - veterinary surgeons (and, from next year, registered veterinary nurses) who suffer from health concerns affecting their ability to practise safely, to have the matter dealt with confidentially, without going to a full public Disciplinary Committee hearing.
It will allow individuals to access appropriate support and help away from the public spotlight, while ensuring that they do not put animals or the public at risk.
According to independent legal advice sought by the College, such an approach is appropriate and necessary in order for the College to fulfil its regulatory responsibilities - similar systems exist within other regulators.
The draft Protocol was the subject of consultation amongst the profession and the public over summer. Proposed amendments to the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct, to support the introduction of the Health Protocol, were also approved in the November meeting.
RCVS Head of Professional Conduct, Gordon Hockey said: "The Protocol encourages anyone coming into contact with veterinary surgeons - including other veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, members of practice staff, clients and healthcare professionals - who have concerns about a veterinary surgeon's health to report those concerns to the RCVS as soon as is reasonably practicable.
"Veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses who are concerned about the health of a veterinary surgeon must also take steps to ensure that animals are not put at risk and that the interests of the public, including those of their colleagues, are protected."
The Veterinary Marketing Association has announced details of a new award for public relations, open to veterinary practices and companies.
The VMA says this award is to recognise the value that media and public relations can add to the marketing mix. It will be awarded to the company or veterinary practice that has delivered the most innovative PR campaign during 2011, as judged by a panel of industry professionals.
Organiser Claire Edmunds said: "The VMA Awards has become a coveted event for those involved in the animal health industry to showcase their marketing achievements. A range of categories has evolved since the awards began over 20 years ago, for marketing, creative communication and new media campaigns. However, we felt that an award for PR was required to complete the marketing mix".
Jane Manning from award sponsor Splash Marketing & Communications said: "We felt it was time to give the opportunity for those involved in PR to obtain the recognition they deserve alongside their creative colleagues.
"An effective PR campaign can be a highly influential marketing tool, so it's great news that the VMA has added this new award category. We hope that companies and agencies serving the animal health sector will embrace this new opportunity to showcase their creativity and hard work".
The award is for the most innovative PR initiative published during the year. This can be a single 'one-off' event or article, or a sustained campaign over a given period. The winner and two highly commended entries will be awarded at the VMA Awards on Friday 9th March 2012 at Shakespeare's UnderGlobe Theatre, London.
Further information on the awards and ticket application forms are available at the VMA's website - http://www.vma.org.uk/ or by calling 0844 561 6157. The deadline for entries is Friday 27th January 2012.
Vetoquinol has launched Myo Power, the latest addition to the Equistro Performance range of nutritional supplements.
The company says that Myo Power has been formulated with the performance and convalescent horse in mind, and that it is an excellent source of easily digestible protein enriched with L-Leucine and other key essential amino acids necessary for optimal muscular cell development, specifically via the mitochondria.
Vetoquinol claims the product is extremely beneficial for young horses being prepared for sales, competition horses in training, and the convalescent or older horse following periods of box rest or restricted exercise.
Myo Power is available in 1.2kg and 2.3kg tubs. For further information, please contact your local Vétoquinol Territory Manager.
Procanicare contains three live strains of canine-specific Lactobacillus bacteria, which, according to the company, make it an ideal GI support product to maintain balance in the GI intestinal microbiome of dogs, particularly when an alteration to the intestinal microbiome is a risk.
Animalcare says studies show that the strains of Lactobacillus found in Procanicare have been shown to promote indigenous intestinal commensal populations, reduce numbers of potentially pathogenic bacteria and improve stool consistency.1,2
Dr Shea Beasley, Product Development Manager at Vetcare Ltd said: "The strains of Lactobacillus found in Procanicare have been commercially available in Scandinavia for two years now. It has achieved great success, with Scandinavian vets frequently recommending it in situations where the gastrointestinal microbiota can become unstable such as following antibiotic use and in stressful situations such as travelling and kennelling, as well as when supporting the intestinal microbiome is particularly important, such as during pregnancy and lactation."
Available exclusively through vets, Animalcare has produced a range of waiting room materials to help you educate about and promote Procanicare in practice, including a poster, bunting, leaflet and leaflet holder.
There is also a free webinar for veterinary professionals on the importance of the intestinal microbiome, available to view at www.thewebinarvet.com/webinar/the-gastrointestinal-microbiome-and-its-effects.
To find out more or to try Procanicare in your practice, contact your local Animalcare representative via email animalcare@animalcare.co.uk or telephone 01904 487687 or visit www.procanicare.com.
References
Horiba says subclinical hypocalcaemia (SCH) is a significant and under-diagnosed metabolic problem in dairy cattle affecting up to 50% cows annually.
After lactation, total calcium levels in the cows’ blood drop which can lead to sub-optimal health and yield.
The webinar will be presented by James Husband BA, VetMB, DipECBHM, DCHP, MRCVS, who will offer the benefit of his research and experience on the subject.
At the end, there'll be a Q&A session.
During the webinar, Horiba will also introduce its patient-sideLAQUAtwin Ca-11C pocket meter, which measures blood ionised calcium levels fast and is currently on special offer until 30th June 2022.
To register, visit: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6274625209458361872
On top of that, over 25% of vets said they don't talk to their farmer clients about the disposal of empty pharmaceutical waste.
The survey also found that while veterinary surgeons are aware that both glass and shatterproof plastic vials are incinerated, over 65% of those questioned believed that glass vials were more environmentally friendly, when in fact, the company says its CLAS (Ceva Layered Anti Shatter) shatterproof plastic vials have 33% less impact on the environment from cradle to grave2.
Ceva is producing a range of support materials, including tailored social media and newsletter content, to help vets to raise awareness of their pharmaceutical waste disposal service and drive improvements across the industry.
Peter Keyte, ruminant business unit manager at Ceva Animal Health said: "As an industry we should be doing all that we can to improve our environmentally friendly credentials.
“Ceva will continue to invest in innovative eco-friendly technology for livestock injectables and pioneer improvements to help ensure best practice throughout the industry.”
For further information, or to request a pharmaceutical waste disposal service support pack, contact your local Ceva account manager or call 01494 781510.
Culture Change In Healthcare is presented by Simon Fleming, a trauma and orthopaedic registrar who has a special interest in combating bullying, undermining and harassment in human healthcare, and Sally Everitt MRCVS, the ex Head of Scientific Policy at BSAVA.
Simon will discuss the problem of bullying, the fallout from serious cases, and how you can work to eliminate bullying in your practice.
Sally will present the results of a survey carried out by VetSurgeon.org and VetNurse.co.uk in 2017, to investigate the incidence and impact of unpleasant behaviour in veterinary practice.
The webinar is hosted by The Webinar Vet and sponsored by RCVS Mind Matters. It counts as 1hr towards your annual CPD requirement.
Whether or not you think there is any bullying going on at your practice, I strongly urge you to watch this webinar. There can be few things as harmful to an effective practice team as bullying. Everyone needs to be able to spot it and stamp on it quickly.
Register for the webinar here: https://www.thewebinarvet.com/pages/culture-change-healthcare-2/
The survey is the second stage of a three stage review recommended to RCVS Council by the College’s Standards Committee in 2019, after it looked at the implications of new technologies for both animal welfare and veterinary regulation.
The main areas under consideration include the provision of 24/7 emergency cover and the interpretation and application of an animal being under the care of a veterinary surgeon. The review also encompasses remote consulting.
In stage one of the review, the RCVS commissioned a research agency to conduct a series of focus group discussions with veterinary professionals working in a variety of roles and sectors. The information gleaned from the discussions was then used to develop the questions for this survey.
The survey will ask veterinary professionals to reflect on what, for them, should underpin good regulations and guidelines for practice.
It will then ask respondents how these principles should be applied in particular situations relating to 24/7 emergency cover and 'under care' before inviting their views on how they would like regulations on these two areas to deal with any tensions between different desirable regulatory aims.
The survey results will be used to help produce any changes to the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct and its supporting guidance concerning ‘under care’ and the provision of 24/7 emergency cover, which will then be put out for full public consultation later this year.
Chair of the RCVS Standards Committee, Dr Melissa Donald, said: “This review addresses fundamental questions about how we should continue to interpret ‘under care’ in a profession, and a society, that is largely unrecognisable to the one that first defined the term, and, at the same time, how we can continue to provide 24/7 emergency cover for those animals under our care.
“The original Vet Futures report also emphasised the impact that technological advances may have on the veterinary professions, so we must ensure we have in place a regulatory framework that gives consideration to these potential changes whilst ensuring animal health and welfare remain at its heart.
“These are challenging but hugely important questions on which we are hoping to receive as much feedback as possible. I do understand the huge pressures my vet and vet nurse colleagues continue to work under at the moment, so would like to thank them in advance for taking a little time out of their busy days to send us their views.”
The survey will open on Wednesday, 19th May 2021 for all UK-based veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses.
All responses will be used and reported anonymously, so respondents will not be identified.
The survey will be open for four weeks, closing at 5pm on Wednesday, 16 June 2021.
It should take 15-20 minutes to complete, but can be returned to and completed in stages if preferred.
Further background information about the Under Care Review is available at www.rcvs.org.uk/undercare.
The Congress, which is organised by Improve International, has separate streams for small animal medicine and small animal surgery and a dedicated veterinary nursing stream.
There will also be an exhibition of the latest innovations in veterinary products and services running alongside the lectures.
Helen Richmond, Head of Publishing at Improve said: “While technological innovation has made online congresses much more engaging and accessible over the last year, we felt the time was right to bring Vets North back in a face-to-face environment. Many of our previous delegates have already told us how much they are looking forward to being able to learn and enjoy some social time together again.
“As usual this year’s programme will include presentations and lectures from global experts, who will give advice and share knowledge that can be implemented in practice immediately. We would like to thank Elanco as our lead sponsor of this year’s Vets North and we also thank our other partners and sponsors for their support and loyalty during this difficult year.”
"Naturally, keeping delegates safe is our highest priority so we are working with the venue to ensure that the Government’s recommendations are implemented to the full and that Haydock Park is a COVID-secure venue.”
Early Bird tickets are available until the end of June.
For more information visit www.vetsnorth.com or call 01793 20805.
The UK's first online gastric ulcer risk assessment for horse owners has just been launched as part of the 2009 Gastric Ulcer Awareness Month (GUAM), organised by Merial Equine Health.
Merial has developed the risk online questionnaire to enable owners to evaluate their horse's risk of ulcers. By logging on to the website http://www.gastriculcerrisk.co.uk/, owners, trainers and riders can complete a form which then returns the results via email. Where an animal is considered to be at medium to high risk, owners will be advised to consult their veterinary practice.
The company's Dr Emma Batson said: "Since the first GUAM in 2007, significant progress has been made in developing awareness and understanding of equine gastric ulcer syndrome.
"However there is still more to do! Our goal is to move gastric ulcers further up the diagnostic process, such that the condition is an early consideration for all horses presented with the vague symptoms associated with ulceration. We know that due to the vague nature of the symptoms, many of horses are suspected of other ailments such as back and teeth problems, general poor performance, or behavioural issues prior to being diagnosed with ulcers.
"This new initiative has been developed through consultation with practising internal medicine specialists. We hope it will help to highlight more cases and encourage clients into the practice with horses that are at genuine risk of ulcers. Further diagnosis, treatment and management measures can then be considered in consultation with the client.
"The website also has a veterinary page so that follow up information and any gastroscopy results can be recorded by the vet. We hope that this feedback will help generate some valuable data for the industry."
To help you promote this initiative, Merial has produced an impactful poster for use in practice waiting rooms, along with educational literature. The poster will be available as a loose insert in various publications during April and May.
For those practices which require a referral scoping service, Merial can put you in touch with three specialist consultants; Rachael Conwell (North) Dr.Tim Brazil (Midlands/nationwide) and Richard Hepburn (South West) who each provide a mobile scoping clinic.
Merial is also promising support for the mobile scoping service for the five practices that direct the largest number of clients to http://www.gastriculcerrisk.co.uk/
A number of events are also taking place during the month for vets, trainers and horse owners, including the following CPD events:
GUAM is supported by BEVA and Dr Batson hopes that the 2009 initiatives will further boost awareness, understanding and diagnosis of this underrated condition.
The Small Animal Medicine Society (SAMSOC) and the BSAVA have together produced a new poster containing guidelines for the appropriate use of antibiotics in practice.
In recent years, alongside wider recognition of resistant bacteria such as MRSA in animals, the veterinary profession's use of antibiotics has been under the spotlight as a possible factor contributing to the increasing prevalence of bacterial resistance seen in human patients. Veterinary surgeons are faced with the dual problem of treating more and more resistant bacterial infections, whilst the threat of withdrawal of the right to prescribe certain antibiotics hangs over the profession.
SAMSoc and the BSAVA say they feel the time has come for the veterinary profession to take a coordinated responsible approach to its prescribing practices.
Ian Battersby of the Small Animal Medicine Society (SAMSoc) has sought to address the need for rational guidelines for the most appropriate antibiotics, for the correct duration, to maximise clinical efficacy but minimise selection of resistant bacteria. Collaboration with BSAVA resulted in a set of helpful prescribing guidelines in poster form, being sent to members of both associations. A limited number of copies will also be available from the BSAVA Balcony at Congress 2012, and BSAVA has dedicated the October issue of its membership magazine, companion, to the subject.
Ian said: "Of course these PROTECT guidelines are suggestions based on current knowledge and in the future we hope they will be further refined as our experience grows. This is an evolving situation and hopefully more work will be undertaken, in particular looking at treatment durations, allowing further refinement and optimization of practice policies. The key principles are that by implementing a prescribing protocol in our practices we are treating our prescribing privileges responsibly and maximizing the efficacy of the presently available agents for the benefit of both veterinary and human patients now and in the future.
"I would like to particularly thank everyone who has helped with this project; Andrew Jagoe, Professor Ian Ramsey, Tom Maddox, Jon Camillari, Alison Woodward and Dr Tim Nuttall, and BSAVA for facilitating the production of the poster".
A new study published in Equine Veterinary Journal's (EVJ) in partnership with the American Association of Equine Practitioners, has shown that a wireless, inertial sensor-based system can effectively measure a horse's response to a flexion test.
The authors say that opinions on the value of flexion tests in assessing equine lameness have been divided for many years, but their research should turn what has always been regarded as a subjective process into a wholly objective one.
Flexion tests are used routinely in horses with subtle or imperceptible lameness, to exacerbate the problem and make it apparent to the observer. The test involves applying a short period of pressure to the joints of the limb before re-examination, and evaluating any change in gait. However, flexion tests rely on the ability of the observer to identify and interpret changes in the horse's gait and in that respect these tests are subjective and not necessarily consistent between observers.
The research study was conducted by orthopaedic surgeons based at the University of Glasgow's School of Veterinary Medicine1. A total of 17 healthy adult horses, all in work, were fitted with sensors before being trotted in a straight line. The sensors measured vertical pelvic movement asymmetry for both right and left hind limb strides and the average difference in maximum and minimum pelvic height between right and left hind limb strides. A hind limb was randomly selected for 60 seconds of proximal flexion, after which the horse was trotted for a minimum of 10 strides. Response to the flexion was blindly assessed as negative or positive by an experienced observer.
John Marshall, lecturer in equine surgery at the University of Glasgow, who led the study, said: "A positive response to flexion resulted in significant changes to objective measurements of pelvic symmetry, supporting the use of inertial sensor systems to objectively assess response to flexion tests."
Professor Jim Moore, North American Editor of the EVJ, said: "The introduction of an objective approach to documenting lameness examination will not only help vets and trainers to investigate equine lameness more accurately. It will also serve as an unbiased method of communicating lameness examination findings among vets, trainers, farriers and other professionals."
The next phase of research will be to establish cut-off values for objective assessment of other equine lameness diagnostic procedures, such as nerve blocks.
Reference
The recommendation follows the analysis of data collected as part of the company's Talk About Laminitis disease awareness initiative, which has seen more than 47,000 horses tested for PPID since it was launched in 20121.
The data revealed that, regardless of presenting clinical signs, a horse aged 15-20 is three times more likely to have PPID compared to a horse under 10, and this risk increases with age. For example, a horse of 20-25 is six times more likely to have PPID compared to a horse under 10 and a horse that is 25-30 is 10 times more likely to have PPID.
Boehringer says that despite the high prevalence of PPID in the older horse population, the clinical signs of the disease are insidious in onset and owners may simply associate them with the ageing process.
One study demonstrated that in a single population of horses over the age of 15 only 1.6% of owners reported signs of PPID2. However, when the same group of horses were examined by a veterinary surgeon, 21% were found to have signs of the disease.
Dr Jo Ireland, veterinary surgeon at the University of Liverpool, said: "It is often difficult for owners to spot the signs of PPID as they frequently associate them with the ageing process. However, PPID is now the fifth most commonly diagnosed disease in horses in the UK3.
"We are therefore encouraging veterinary surgeons to routinely test horses over 15 years of age or those that are displaying signs of PPID with an ACTH test."
The 'Talk About Laminitis' disease awareness initiative runs from June until the end of October and aims to raise awareness of the underlying hormonal causes of laminitis – PPID and Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). As part of the scheme, the laboratory fees for the blood test which detects PPID (the basal ACTH test) are free.
Redwings’ head of veterinary and care, senior veterinary surgeon Nicky Jarvis, said: "Any initiative that decreases the incidence of laminitis developing in an older equine is invaluable. Laminitis is an extremely distressing condition for both the horse and the owner and the long-term consequences can be devastating. Knowing the underlying cause is a huge help in tackling the disease and we would encourage anyone to take advantage of this offer and get their veteran checked out."
For further information about 'Talk About Laminitis', visit www.talkaboutlaminitis.co.uk or contact your local Boehringer Ingelheim account manager.
Xavier (pictured right), who graduated from Cardenal-Herrera University in Valencia, Spain, in January 2006, has joined Southfields from the Royal Veterinary College, where he was working on the high profile Mitral Valve Repair Programme.
Xavier moved to the UK in 2009 to specialise in cardiology, first spending two years in Scotland where he completed a general and a cardiology internship at the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, before beginning a cardiology residency at the University of Liverpool which he completed in March 2016.
He then continued at the University of Liverpool as a lecturer in cardiology for 16 months, before becoming a cardiology clinician at the Royal Veterinary College.
Henry L'Eplattenier, clinical director at Southfields, said: “We’re extremely pleased to welcome Xavier to Southfields and look forward to him progressing his career with us.
“He’s a very talented cardiologist who brings with him a wealth of expertise and experience which makes him a very valuable addition to our world-class team.”
Xavier said: “The move to Southfields is a wonderful opportunity for me and I’m really energised and motivated for the challenge ahead.
“This is one of the leading veterinary referral centres in the UK and it is set to become even better when we move into a new, purpose-built building boasting the finest facilities and most up-to-date equipment.
For more information, visit www.southfields.co.uk.
AmpliSpec LAB Mastitis uses isothermal amplification technology, which means laboratories can use less expensive equipment.
It also uses the company's lyophilised bead platform, designed to make the test stable and easy to use.
Biotangents says its new test will offer notable cost, speed and accuracy benefits over the traditional culture and PCR testing used by animal health laboratories and veterinary clinics around the world.
CEO Fiona Marshall said: “With 93% sensitivity and 95% specificity, this is a highly sophisticated assay that will help farmers, vets and laboratories to better treat mastitis.
http://www.biotangents.co.uk
Polypropylene or plastic-based wipes, which have been industry standard due to their reliable nature and compatibility with biocidal active materials, are due to be banned in the UK, because they take up to 100 years to break down.
Byotrol says its new wipes are made using a plastic-free 100% biodegradable substrate that deteriorates 3 months after disposal.
The company adds that the new wipes are proven to destroy bacteria, yeast, enveloped viruses, and fungi on non-porous surfaces and are effective against animal-specific pathogens such as: Brucella canis, Streptococcus equi, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Coronaviruses, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), and Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes
Jane Kiely, Head of Marketing at Byotrol said: “Launching the Anigene Professional Surface Disinfectant Wipes is the final step in removing plastic wet wipes from our portfolio and a significant milestone in Byotrol’s sustainability journey.
"We are proud to be at the forefront of sustainability in the veterinary industry, offering an effective and regulatory-compliant product range that meets the needs of our customers”
Byotrol will be on Stand F18 at the London Vet Show.
https://byotrol.com
Supreme Petfoods Ltd has published the results of tests on small animal petfood which, according to the company, highlight significant problems with the on-pack declarations and contents of a number of the leading brands.
The tests, which were carried out by Campden BRI on behalf of Supreme Petfoods, discovered:
Issues regarding high sugar levels which are not required to be declared under current rules. The highest average levels of sugar were found in Wagg Optimum (4.57%), Beaphar Care + (5.00%), Burgess Supa Fruiti (5.10%), Beaphar Extra Vital (5.35%) and Burgess Excel (4.04%).
In the company's press release, Chris Childs, Managing Director of Supreme Petfood, commented: "The results greatly concerned us. We were shocked to find food that is marketed for rabbits - ie: herbivores - had traces of mammalian and avian DNA in it. In my opinion, this can only be compared to vegetarian food being contaminated with meat. This was our main concern amongst many other issues revealed."
That strikes me as overstating the case somewhat. Aside from the fact that bunnies don't get quite as het up about their diets as vegans, the report does not define what 'trace DNA contamination is'. Going on the shock expressed by Mr Childs, I'm expecting a pork chop or a drumstick in every bag of Burgess Excel at the very least.
Molly Varga, BVetMed, DZooMed (Mammalian), MRCVS told VetSurgeon.org that she would expect rabbits to be exposed to trace amounts of animal DNA naturally and that the amounts found in the tests were not likely to have any effect whatsoever on the health of rabbits. Nevertheless, she did feel that the report highlighted important issues concerning the fibre and sugar content of various diets.
As a consequence of the report, Supreme Petfoods is calling for an overhaul of the rules and regulations which apply to pet food for small companion animals. The company suggests the introduction of an accredited quality scheme aimed specifically at pet food for small companion animals, containing strict conditions for the production, packaging and marketing of food for herbivores.
In response, Burgess Pet Care issued a statement expressing considerable reservations as to the timing, purpose and potential negative outcome for the welfare of pet rabbits of Supreme's report. Commenting on behalf of Burgess, Sharon Redrobe, Head of Veterinary Services, Bristol Zoo Gardens, and Head of Rabbit Clinic, Bristol, said: "Any research into small animal health should focus on the crucial role of fibre in a balanced feeding plan and how this can be communicated to rabbit owners, so discussions centring around the detailed contents of pellets are irrelevant in my opinion to this central welfare issue."
To read Supreme's report, click here.