The association has also compiled free access special collection on backyard poultry in the BSAVA library which is available until the end of December 2019.
The BSAVA's Q&As on avian influenza in backyard poultry are:
What is avian influenza?Avian influenza (AI) is highly contagious viral disease that affects both domestic and wild birds. AI viruses are usually classified into two categories: low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI), which typically causes no or very few clinical signs in poultry, and high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) which typically causes high mortality rates in poultry1.
What are the clinical signs of disease in poultry?The type and severity of clinical signs displayed will be dependent upon the strain of the virus and the species affected; some species such as ducks and geese may show few clinical signs2.
How is the disease spread?Wild bird species are the natural host and reservoir for all types of avian influenza, naturally carrying the virus in their respiratory and intestinal tracts, commonly without developing signs of the disease1,3. The virus is predominantly spread via body secretions, both directly and indirectly2. Migratory birds (predominantly waterfowl and gulls) can spread the disease over a wide geographical area3.
Why is the winter a higher risk period for avian influenza? The UK is at increased risk of avian influenza from migrating birds during winter2. Furthermore, avian influenza viruses are able to survive for prolonged periods of time in the environment, particularly in low temperatures4.
How can I prevent my birds from contracting avian influenza?All keepers of poultry should ensure that they uphold good levels of biosecurity to prevent disease entering their flock. This includes:
maintaining good levels of hygiene and regularly disinfecting hard surfaces;
changing shoes before entering/leaving to avoid transferring faeces in/out of the poultry enclosure;
minimizing contact with wildlife by humanely controlling rodents and deterring wild birds. Contact with wild birds can be minimized by placing food and water in an enclosed area such as the coop, and preventing poultry from accessing ponds/standing water frequented by wild bird populations, for example by erecting temporary fencing;
where possible, keeping birds of different poultry species separate (e.g. ducks and geese should be separate from chickens).
Whilst it is important that all backyard keepers maintain good levels of biosecurity, it is particularly prudent for keepers in areas deemed at higher risk of an incursion of avian influenza. In Great Britain, a number of High Risk Areas (HRAs) have been identified based upon previous experience, scientific expertise and veterinary opinion, and are predominantly areas where large numbers of migratory wild birds gather. To find out whether you are in a HRA, use the interactive map.
What should I do if I suspect avian influenza?Avian influenza is a notifiable disease. If it is suspected, it must be reported immediately:
In England, contact the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301
In Wales, contact your local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) office on 0300 303 8268
In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office
For keepers in Northern Ireland, contact your local DVO.
References
The grant has been awarded to Dr Carri Westgarth, a Lecturer in Human-Animal Interaction at the University of Liverpool, for her project entitled Using citizen science to develop a ‘Canine Ageing and Wellbeing’ tool for use in veterinary practice.
Dr Westgarth’s initiative aims to determine what senior dog preventative healthcare and treatment advice is currently offered in UK veterinary practices and then take steps to build a practical tool to facilitate knowledge-sharing between owners and veterinary professionals.
Carri said: "Dogs are living up to twice as long as they did 40 years ago and there are implications for senior dogs’ healthcare and wellbeing.
"As life expectancy increases, so does the amount of time spent in poor health. Many dog owners may not be aware of the signs of serious age-related diseases as they attribute them to normal age-related changes."
The Citizen Science project will investigate owner expectations, experiences and attitudes to ageing in dogs, including preventative care and general understanding of normal and abnormal changes during ageing.
A number of in-depth interviews and questionnaire surveys with veterinary professionals and dog owners will be conducted, and pet owners will be invited to submit diaries, photographs or videos to share their experiences of living with an older dog. The study will also examine electronic health records of senior dogs reported in the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network.
The findings will be used to develop the Petsavers Canine Ageing and Wellbeing tool, to guide on best practice discussions in consultations with senior dogs.
The removal of names from the RCVS Register of Veterinary Surgeons for non-payment of retention fees is now complete, with 386 veterinary surgeons having been removed, compared with 616 last year.
The RCVS says that the administration involved with removing a name for non-payment is time-consuming and costly. Hence, to be restored to the Register, the veterinary surgeon must pay the appropriate annual retention fee, and the restoration fee, currently £294, which multiplies each time if fees are not paid in successive years.
The College writes to members' Register addresses to remind them when fees are due and, where an email address is maintained by the member as part of their formal record, also sends an email. It is, however, the responsibility of members to inform the RCVS Registration Department of any changes to their contact details and to ensure that payment is made. It is illegal for veterinary surgeons to practise or undertake any veterinary-related activities if their name does not appear on the RCVS Register as a home-practising member.
To help ensure that members removed for non-payment are aware that they have been removed from the Register, the full list of those removed for non-payment and not restored by 10 June can be downloaded from RCVSonline. The current status of individual veterinary surgeons can be checked online (www.rcvs.org.uk/checkregister).
A veterinary surgeon whose name has been removed from the Register and who wishes to restore him or herself should view the information on restoration to the Register.
Alternatively, please ring the RCVS Registration Department on 020 7202 0707. Restorations made since 10 June are not shown on this list.
The survey, which received 2445 responses from BVA members, found that 16% of vets and vet students have personally experienced discrimination within a veterinary workplace or learning environment in the past twelve months, while 20% had witnessed discrimination.
Senior colleagues were most commonly responsible for the discrimination (47% of incidents), with discrimination from clients accounting for 35% of incidents.
Sex discrimination was the most common type reported (44% of incidents) and was particularly prevalent in academic settings and in production animal, equine, and mixed practices.
Race discrimination was the next most commonly reported (27% of incidents).
Respondents also gave details of discrimination in relation to other protected characteristics, including age, sexuality, disability and gender reassignment.
Younger vets were more likely than older vets to have personally experienced discrimination in the past year (27% of those under 35 had experienced discrimination).
Female vets were more than twice as likely to have experienced discrimination than their male colleagues (19% and 8% respectively).
The incidence of discrimination was higher amongst vets from a range of minority ethnic backgrounds. Those who described their sexual orientation as bi, gay or lesbian were twice as likely to have personally experienced discrimination in the past year.
Despite the high incidence of discrimination reported, responses to the same survey showed that only 56% of the profession feel concerned about discrimination.
British Veterinary Association Junior Vice President Daniella Dos Santos (pictured right) said: "This is the first time anyone has collected such a significant body of evidence on this issue and the results are truly shocking. It is completely unacceptable that so many members of the veterinary team are subject to discrimination not just from clients but from members of our own profession.
"Worryingly, it seems that the scale of the issue will come as a surprise to many members of our profession and so it is vital that we all join the conversation and reflect on what role we can play to improve equality and inclusion. The veterinary team must become a safe and supportive environment for everyone. We cannot accept anything less for ourselves, for our colleagues and for our profession."
Only 12% of respondents were satisfied with how their incident had been dealt, rising to 23% among those who felt able to report. Daniella said: "Many of the experiences documented in our report are shocking and distressing and this distress is often compounded by what comes next. It was very saddening to hear that so many people have felt unable to report their experiences or that their reports were handled badly by those who received them.
"Experiencing discrimination can be very traumatic, without the ‘double-whammy’ of having your complaint dismissed or mishandled by managers or senior staff. We need to make sure everyone who experiences discrimination is able to get the outcome they deserve.
"Through the discrimination questionnaire we heard many distressing stories from vets, students, vet nurses and other colleagues. We are incredibly grateful to them for sharing these with us so that we can raise awareness of what’s happening in our veterinary workplaces."
To raise awareness of the scale of the issue, the BVA is inviting all members of the veterinary team to join a "Big Conversation on equality and inclusion in the veterinary professions", starting with the release of its report on the current situation on discrimination, which can be downloaded here, then inviting everyone to join online engagement sessions through social media and BVA members to feed in views via their regional representatives ahead of Council on 24 July.
Lizzie joined the College as Head of Communications in February 2005, in which role she oversaw the launch of the Practice Standards Scheme in 2006, an overhaul of the College’s design and branding in 2011 and the joint British Veterinary Association Vet Futures project in 2014. More recently, she has been the driving force behind the Mind Matters mental health initiative.
Lizzie was appointed as Director of Strategic Communications in November 2015 and Deputy CEO in September 2016. She became Acting CEO when Nick Stace left the position of CEO at the end of September 2017.
The College advertised the position in the Sunday Times online for four weeks, and used a recruitment agency called Saxton Bampfylde. In all, 60 candidates applied.
RCVS President Professor Stephen May said: "This was a very rigorous recruitment process with a very strong field of candidates and so it is a testament to Lizzie’s abilities and achievements that she saw off all the opposition.
"For some time Lizzie has been involved in setting the direction of the College through the Strategic Plan and the initiatives and projects that she has managed, which really have had a very tangible impact on the profession.
"For example, the Vet Futures project has encouraged the profession to think more strategically about the issues that are facing it and how to achieve constructive solutions, while the Mind Matters Initiative has helped get veterinary mental health further up the agenda and reduced the stigma that many feel about it.
"Her drive and her passion has really pushed these projects forward and I believe she will bring this to the role of CEO.”
Lizzie said: "I am delighted and feel honoured to have been chosen to take the College forward into its next stage of development. I see the Council’s choice of an internal candidate, able to maintain momentum for change and help the College continue on our current strategic path, as an endorsement of the amazing work of the staff at Belgravia House.
"Under Nick Stace’s leadership, the College achieved some really excellent things for the profession, the public, and animal health and welfare, and I look forward to our next exciting chapter."
Mr Molnar had been convicted at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court in March 2018 of five counts of importing puppies to the UK in contravention of the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and other Mammals) Order 1974.
At that court hearing he also pleaded guilty to one count of keeping premises as a pet shop without the authority of a licence granted by a local authority.
As a result of his conviction Mr Molnar was sentenced to 270 hours of unpaid supervised work and was ordered to pay compensation of £2,683.93 and costs of £250.
The Committee, which proceeded with the hearing in Mr Molnar’s absence, found that the RCVS charges against Mr Molnar were proven and went on to consider whether, individually and cumulatively, they resulted in Mr Molnar being unfit to practice being a veterinary surgeon.
Ian Green, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "The Committee accepts the College’s submission that the fact that they [the puppies] were imported contrary to the law of the UK, because they were underage and had not been properly vaccinated, undermines the integrity of a system which is designed to ensure that effective vaccination and precautions against disease take place in every case.
"The Committee also notes that the convictions in this case were directly linked to the respondent’s veterinary practice, as they related to animals sold from his veterinary practice address. By operating an unlicensed pet shop, and by doing so through an email address that referred to his occupation as a veterinary surgeon, the respondent was abusing his position as a veterinary surgeon, and acting in a way that was liable to undermine the reputation of the profession."
The Committee therefore found that, because Mr Molnar’s conviction was directly linked to his veterinary practice and posed a substantial risk to animal welfare and public health, his conviction meant his conduct fell far short of what was expected of a professional.
In considering the sanction for Mr Molnar the Committee considered that, while he had no previous convictions or adverse professional findings against him, the case against him was very serious "because of the risk of serious harm both to animals and the public, as well as being for financial gain."
Ian Green said: "The Committee considered that the respondent, as a veterinary surgeon, must have known the serious implications and consequences of what he was doing by importing these puppies unlawfully. The public should expect to be able to trust a veterinary surgeon to ensure that his conduct does not put at risk the health of both animals and humans."
Mr Green added that the Committee felt that the only appropriate sanction was to direct the Registrar to remove Mr Molnar’s name from the Register.
Vetoquinol UK Limited has launched Kefloril, containing 300mg/ml florfenicol for use in cattle and pigs in 100ml and 250ml vials.
In cattle, Kefloril is licensed for preventative and therapeutic treatment of respiratory tract infections. In pigs, Kefloril is licensed for the treatment of acute outbreaks of respiratory disease. Kefloril has the added benefit of traceability stickers which are attached to each vial, designed to make it easier and quicker to record and monitor on-farm usage.
Vetoquinol says the addition of Kefloril to its anti-infective domain provides a cost-effective treatment for respiratory cases this winter.
When you post a job advert, or a shout for assistance on VetSurgeon Jobs, it is emailed to subscribers immediately and fed out onto other social networks. You can further extend the reach of your post by sharing it yourself and (with "Share and reward") encouraging other members of your team to do likewise.
I have taken the decision to drop the charge for advertising because it seems very clear now that we all face a very grim few months ahead, and it has never been more important that we all pull together and support each other, both personally and in business.
Of course, removing the charge for advertising for help on VetSurgeon.org and VetNurse.co.uk is not, in and of itself, going to save anyone from going under, but I hope perhaps other veterinary suppliers might follow my lead and consider dropping their prices until such time as everyone is back on their feet.
I have a number of other ideas in the pipeline, all designed to help bring the profession together and support each other, which I will announce shortly.
In the meantime, there's a forum discussion for sharing ideas to make the next few months more bearable, here: Getting through coronavirus. Do come and share your thoughts, and I will email the best ideas to all members.
And take care, everyone.
The latest figures from 2017/18 reveal that over 120 million animals were slaughtered in England and Wales without being stunned first1.
In an open letter to Environment Secretary Michael Gove, the BVA and the RSPCA urge the UK Government to change legislation in England which currently allows non-stun slaughter for religious purposes, and provide further public transparency on this issue by releasing the comprehensive 2018 slaughter survey results, which Mr Gove himself signalled would be published by Autumn 2018.
Until such legislation is in place the RSPCA and BVA are calling for:
meat to be labelled with the method of slaughter, e.g. stunned or non-stunned, so consumers are fully informed about the meat that they are buying.
non-stun slaughter to only be permitted at levels that meet local religious community demand for this type of meat in the interests of limiting animal pain and suffering.
a ban on export of meat from non-stunned animals or live animals destined for non-stun slaughter.
an immediate post-cut stun for cattle, sheep, goats and deer to reduce the period of pain and distress.
The letter follows a recent, high profile decision to ban the slaughter of animals without prior stunning in the Flanders region of Belgium which came into force at the start of the year. Belgium joins several other European countries, including Iceland, Sweden, Switzerland and Denmark in making this decision, demonstrating that a full ban on non-stun slaughter is possible within EU law.
RSPCA chief executive, Chris Sherwood said: "Until there is a change in the law to end non-stun slaughter, there are several measures the UK Government could introduce to reduce the suffering involved in this practice. For example, by ensuring trade deals with other countries do not include non-stun meat or live animals for non-stun slaughter, clear labelling should be adopted to enable consumers to make an informed choice about the meat they buy and how it was slaughtered."
BVA President Simon Doherty said: "The UK Government has repeatedly stated it would prefer to see all animals stunned before slaughter but has taken no action to address this critical welfare issue that affects millions of animals every year. It is doubly disappointing that data that would have provided a valuable benchmark for levels of non-stun slaughter in the UK has yet to see the light of day despite assurances throughout last year that it would soon be made public.
"There is a huge groundswell of support for a ban on non-stun slaughter, and recent developments in Belgium show that decisive change is possible where public support is matched by political will. Michael Gove has made clear that he wants to maintain and build on the UK’s reputation as global leader on animal welfare; banning non-stun slaughter is a surefire way of showing he will deliver on this commitment.
"If slaughter without stunning continues to be permitted in the UK, then meat and fish from this source must be clearly labelled, to help customers make informed choices about the food that they buy and eat."
You can sign the open letter at: www.rspca.org.uk/endnonstun and join the online debate using the hashtag #EndNonStun.
As the company points out, there is a lot of catching up to do as practices return to the new normal, plus a cohort of pet owners who remain at risk or reluctant to visit their vets. Online consultations, phone consultations and home delivery services such as VetPost can help to get the revenue back in to the practice.
Mark Johnston from Video With My Vet said: "Video With My Vet was designed and developed to enable the client to have consultations with their own practice because the client/patient relationship will already be in place, meaning the clinicians at the practice will have the context of the previous consultations and clinical procedures with the practice to refer to."
Vet-AI/Joii co-founder Robert Dawson, said: “Here at Joii we are looking to develop long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with forward-thinking practices, focused on providing fantastic customer care. As a practice owner for 25 years I am very aware of the stresses and strains of normal vet practice life and once lock down is lifted it may not be practicable for most practices to provide dedicated remote care for their patients and clients. We want to integrate with physical veterinary practices to work together to provide the best possible customer journey, where clients can access telemedicine instantly and where any cases needing face to face care can be triaged seamlessly into practice.”
Essentially, the difference between the two propositions is that 'Video With My Vet" is a platform for practices to provide their own telemedicine service for their clients, whereas Vet-AI/Joii provides clients with advice from its own vets, referring them back to their practice as needed.
For further information, contact your Zoetis Account Manager or Customer Services 0845 300 8034.
This, says the government, would be one of the toughest sanctions in Europe, strengthening the country's claim to be a global leader on animal welfare.
The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill comes after a public consultation held last year which found that more than 70% of people supported proposals for tougher prison sentences. It will allow the courts to take a tougher stance on things like dog fighting, puppy and kitten abuse, and neglect of farm animals.
The new Bill has been welcomed by animal welfare charities.
Chief Executive for the RSPCA, Chris Sherwood, said: "This reform is long overdue. Those responsible for extreme cruelty towards animals or those criminal gangs involved in organised animal crime will now face the tough justice they deserve.
"We need to better protect our animals and the RSPCA hopes that this new Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill will give courts the powers they need to punish those responsible for the most unimaginable cruelty to animals.
"We also believe this will act as a much stronger deterrent to others and help us stamp out animal cruelty once and for all."
James Yeates, Cats Protection’s Chief Executive said: "We very much welcome this announcement which is an important step in ensuring the UK is one of the world leaders on animal welfare issues.
Claire Horton, Chief Executive of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, said: "The introduction of this bill is a landmark achievement, which will make a profound difference to dogs and cats in England and Wales."
The procedure was performed in Canada through an international collaboration between partners from Germany, Canada and the UK, who say that this was a case where the placement of the tumour made it impossible to operate without severely impacting the dog’s quality of life. The most suitable treatment was a total excision of the growth and reconstruction with an implant.
The implant was designed with medical CAD tools by German company, Voxelmed, using 3D imaging from the affected area. The dog's veterinary surgeon, Julius Liptak, contributed to the design to ensure it met specifications and allowing him to plan the procedure in advance.
UK company Renishaw then additively manufactured the patient specific implant (PSI) at the Additive Design In Surgical Solutions (ADEISS) Centre in London, Ontario, Canada.
Ed Littlewood, Marketing Manager at Renishaw’s Medical and Dental Products Division said: "Without the advancements in additive manufacturing technology, this dog would not have had such a long and happy future ahead of him.
"Prior to this case, many veterinary surgeons were unaware that the technology was available. Similar procedures are now being planned in Germany and further research is underway to see how animals can benefit from additively manufactured PSIs.
Jan Klasen, veterinary surgeon, 3D designer and CEO of Voxelmed said: "Without AM technology, it would have been almost impossible to reconstruct the dog’s maxilla after tumour removal, because the area was extremely complex in geometry. The implant had to have a similar shape and functionality as the dog’s existing bone structure.
"Using additive manufacturing to maintain the original shape and function of the oral and nasal cavity ensures a high quality of life for the dog, just as a naturally shaped skull and maxilla helps the dog to breathe and eat easily."
To read the full case study, visit http://www.renishaw.com/en/additive-manufacturing-in-veterinary-surgery-saving-a-well-loved-member-of-the-family--42950.
Mark Morton is an RCVS Specialist in small animal orthopaedics, with a particular interest in cruciate ligament injuries: he developed the RCVS Knowledge ‘Canine Cruciate Registry’, of which he remains clinical lead.
Mark has published peer-reviewed papers in the areas of Achilles tendon injury and clinical outcomes measures, as well as pioneering a novel technique to repair Achilles tendon injuries which is now used internationally.
Prior to joining Movement Referrals, Mark has been the lead clinician at a multi-disciplinary referral centre for the last 3 years.
The other Mark, Lowrie, is RCVS and EBVS European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology.
Mark is a global leader in movement disorders in dogs, and has over 50 peer-reviewed articles to his name.
He has also established novel treatment strategies for meningoencephalitis, a common, disabling brain condition of dogs, which has reduced mortality by over 50%.
Mark Morton (pictured) said: “I am delighted to be joining the management team at Movement Referrals.
"I know the rest of the team very well having worked closely with them all before, I can’t think of a better or more experienced team to develop this practice with.
"We aim to provide exceptional care to our patients, with a real focus on the service we provide and the outcomes we achieve”
The two Marks will join the Board of Directors with Ben Walton and Professor John Innes, both RCVS Specialists, and Dr Brian Beale, an ACVS-boarded Specialist in small animal surgery.
Vetoquinol UK has launched Sodium Salicyl 80%, a water soluble, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Sodium Salicyl 80% contains 800mg of sodium salicylate and is indicated for supportive treatment of pyrexia in acute respiratory disease in calves (of at least two weeks of age). In pigs, Sodium Salicyl 80% is indicated for the treatment of inflammation, in combination with concurrent antibiotic therapy. Vetoquinol says that unlike acetylsalicylic acid (conventional aspirin) which is poorly soluble in water, sodium salicylate is highly water soluble (1 g/ml water), even in the hard water commonly encountered in the UK which makes it ideal for group therapy in any herd.
Sodium Salicyl 80% can be administered orally through the milk replacer or drinking water. Orally administered salicylates are absorbed rapidly and make it easier to treat groups of pigs and calves suffering from stress.
Vetoquinol says it's well known that any focus of pain or discomfort is likely to reduce an animals' feed and water intake, enough to reduce performance and potentially increase the need for the use of antibiotics. NSAID's are ideal for use in times of stress, for example after weaning where they have the ability to reduce inflammation, provide analgesia and reduce pyrexia. Unlike corticosteroids, NSAID's relieve pain and inflammation without the immunosuppressive and metabolic side effects. Stress is a known cause for an acute phase response (inflammation) and viral and bacterial infections are common in this vulnerable period.
Susan Mitchell, Large Animal Product Manager at Vetoquinol said: 'We are delighted to be expanding our large animal range with Sodium Salicyl 80%. We are now able to offer vets and producers a solution for both individual and group situations where an NSAID is required"
Running throughout October, the campaign is designed to raise awareness among dog owners of how Adaptil Calm can help dogs cope during the fireworks and Christmas party season.
The advertising campaign will target 3.3 million pet owners and it will air on over 60 channels including C4 channels (Channel 4, E4, More4, Film4, Drama, Good Food, Really, W and Home), Sky channels, ITV2 and ITVBe.
Abigail King, behaviour product manager at Ceva Animal Health, said: "The fireworks and party season can be an extremely upsetting time of the year for the nation’s pets.
"By highlighting the benefits of Adaptil at this key time of the year we hope to ensure that dogs are better prepared for the challenges of fireworks and loud noises."
Ceva says the TV advertising campaign will be supported by a digital campaign for both Adaptil and Feliway.
To watch the Adaptil TV advertisement visit https://www.adaptil.com/uk/Success-Stories/Finley.
The first charge related to his conviction on two counts of common assault by beating two individuals at an incident in December 2016, as a result of which he was made subject to a community order and a restraining order, as well as being fined and made to pay a victim surcharge and costs.
The second charge related to him undertaking, or attempting to undertake non-emergency surgery on the eyelid of one of the individuals referred to in the first charge, and administering, or attempting to administer, a Prescription-Only Veterinary Medicines to the same person.
The third charged related to an allegation that he had supplied the same individual with a Prescription-Only Medication other than in accordance with a valid prescription.
The second charge and third charges related to incidents which occurred some considerable time before the assault, not as a consequence of it.
At the outset of the hearing Mr Sutcliffe admitted the first and second charges against him and that these constituted serious professional misconduct. He denied the third charge. In relation to that charge the Committee found that, having considered the totality of the evidence, it was unable to be sure that the College had proved the allegation to the requisite standard of proof, namely so that the Committee was sure. Accordingly Charge 3 was dismissed.
The Committee decided that the convictions in the first charge rendered Mr Sutcliffe unfit to practise veterinary surgery and that his conduct in Charge 2 constituted serious professional misconduct.
The Committee then went on to consider sanction.
The Committee considered the aggravating features for both charges. For the first charge it considered the actual injury to one of his victims and risk of injury to the other, noting also that both of his victims were vulnerable people and one was a child, and that the overall incident during which the assaults occurred lasted over a seven hour period.
For the second charge, aggravating factors were that the non-emergency surgery performed by Mr Sutcliffe was wholly inappropriate, that there was a risk of injury to the individual on whom he performed the surgery and that his conduct was reckless.
The mitigating factors considered by the Committee were that Mr Sutcliffe recognised the gravity of the findings against him and demonstrated insight into the allegations, that the incident in charge 1, though prolonged, was an isolated one, that the incident in charge 2 was consensual and did not result in actual harm and that neither charge had any connection with Mr Sutcliffe’s veterinary practice, nor did they affect client care or animal welfare.
Professor Alistair Barr, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "As recognised by the Committee, the respondent has displayed insight as to the seriousness of his behaviour. Having regard to the evidence of all the character witnesses and the written testimonials the Committee accepts that the respondent’s conduct as set out in charges 1 and 2 was wholly out of character and, therefore, there is no significant risk of repeat behaviour. The Committee considers that the respondent would be fit to return to practise, having regard to his excellent track record as a veterinary surgeon to date, after any period of suspension.
"Having regards to the aggravating and mitigating factors in this case, the Committee has decided that it is sufficient to maintain public confidence in the profession and declare and uphold proper standards of conduct to give a direction for suspension of the respondent’s name from the Register of Veterinary Surgeons.
"The Committee considers that the period of suspension must be sufficient to mark the seriousness of the charges but must be proportionate and fair in the circumstances of the case. The Committee has therefore concluded that the appropriate period of suspension is six months."
Mr Sutcliffe has 28 days from being informed of the Committee’s decision to appeal to the Privy Council.
The urinary products, which are made to provide tailored nutritional solutions for cats and dogs with urinary issues, are available in both wet pouches and dry kibble.
The company simultaneously introduced a new urinary diagnostic tool: the Royal Canin Hematura Detection by Blücare.
The tool is made up of granules which are put in a cat’s litter tray and which turn blue if they detect blood in the urine. Royal Canin says it is a revolutionary diagnostic aid that will be able to prevent feline lower urinary tract disease developing any further.
John O’Connor, Corporate Affairs Director at Royal Canin, said: "We are constantly looking to evolve our offer and provide the very best in nutrition. We have simplified our ranges making it easier to navigate and choose the right product for each cat and dog, created a new premium pack design and developed our best veterinary nutritional solutions.
"It was imperative that we worked very closely with the veterinary community in making this bold transformation so we consulted with vets and vet nurses, in addition to pet owners from across the world."
Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Matters: Our Commitment to the Future represents the first time that such a broad and influential group has united in support of a single issue in the veterinary profession.
The publication contains a number of case studies which illustrate the impact that evidence can have – and has had – on animal health and welfare. It also provides a rationale for veterinary professionals to contribute to the evidence base and put evidence into practice, to the benefit of animals, owners and veterinary teams themselves.
The signatories to the commitment are:
Animal and Plant Health Agency
British Cattle Veterinary Association
British Equine Veterinary Association
British Small Animal Veterinary Association
British Veterinary Association
British Veterinary Nursing Association
RCVS Knowledge
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
Royal Veterinary College
University of Bristol
University of Cambridge
University of Liverpool
University of Nottingham
University of Surrey
Veterinary Policy Research Foundation
No sign of the BAHVS, I see.
Jacqui Molyneux, Chair of the Board of Trustees of RCVS Knowledge, said: "Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Matters is a milestone publication for the professions, representing the first time the majority of the key institutions have aligned under the same EBVM banner.
"A celebration of decades of incredible discoveries, achievements and improvements in animal health, it also serves to remind us that even the earliest forms of veterinary medicine were underpinned by evidence."
UK Chief Vet Christine Middlemiss said: "What’s the evidence? An evidence-based approach is vital in all areas of our profession, whatever is keeping you awake at night. For me, it is the threat of African swine fever and avian flu. The evidence I rely on comes from our specialist surveillance monitoring and testing, veterinary epidemiologists and disease modellers. It enables me to make timely, proportionate risk-based decisions that stand up to scrutiny.
"If you are managing veterinary care in practice, the evidence you rely on to underpin your standards of clinical care comes from multiple sources too. Evidence-based veterinary medicine allows us to refine and tailor strategies to be effective and efficient, making full use of existing and new technologies.
"The profession has taken great strides towards embracing evidence-based veterinary medicine and building on this will strengthen the links between clinical decision-making, policy development and future research."
Chris Gush, Executive Director of RCVS Knowledge, added: "We are impressed by the contributions from our co-signatories, which clearly demonstrate the phenomenal impact on patient outcomes that conducting research and using evidence can have. We are also delighted that Sense about Science, a flagbearer for evidence, transparency and rational thinking, has joined with us to highlight the many benefits EBVM can bring.
"The publication also makes a strong case for much-needed funding for research to grow the evidence base, which would put powerful, robust data into the hands of veterinary professionals as they make critical decisions that can affect patient outcomes.
"It is our hope that the calibre, diversity and sheer number of the organisations putting their name to this commitment will galvanise all vets and their teams to expand their use of evidence in practice."
Rebecca Asher, Deputy Director at Sense about Science, said: "This is a showcase of game changers in veterinary care and we hope it will inspire and motivate everyone in the profession.
"We were delighted that RCVS Knowledge approached us to collaborate with them and other leading institutions in the veterinary research community to affirm their commitment to an evidence-based approach to veterinary medicine.
"Everyone expects treatment for humans to be underpinned by evidence. We now expect the same of the whole veterinary community when it comes to the treatment of animals."
The full commitment and portfolio of case studies can be read in Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Matters, available for free online: bit.ly/EBVMMatters.
Dechra Veterinary Products has relaunched Oxyglobin after concluding an exclusive agreement to supply the product across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Oxyglobin is used to stabilise anaemic dogs until the underlying condition can be controlled and the animal's body can produce its own new red blood cells.
Dechra says the treatment, which is now available in both 125ml bags and individual 60ml transfusion bags, maintains tissue oxygenation even when there is severe stenosis of blood vessels. It has a viscosity which is more than water but less than blood for ease of flow through vessels, and also increases circulatory volume.
Dechra Veterinary Products Brand Manager, Carol Morgan, said: "Veterinary professionals have been waiting for Oxyglobin to come back onto the market for some time and we're delighted to be able to relaunch it in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
"It was withdrawn from the market in 2010 when OPK Biotech acquired the assets of manufacturer Biopure Corporation in 2009. But this year, OPK Biotech resumed the manufacture of Oxyglobin and we have stocks available to practices from this month (FEB)."
"Oxyglobin turns around clinical outcomes for dogs with anaemia, regardless of the cause of the condition, which is why it is the objective choice for safety, effectiveness and convenience.
"Oxyglobin is the only oxygen-carrying fluid available off the shelf for dogs in need of oxygen support and no typing or cross-matching of the recipient's blood is required."
Oxyglobin, a sterile formulation of polymerised purified bovine haemoglobin in a balanced salt solution with proven efficacy, is available in single dose 60ml and 125ml infusion bags.
For further information on Oxyglobin, see www.dechra.co.uk
Bayer has announced that it has launched a new bone-shaped version of the Drontal Plus tablet with greatly increased palatability to increase client compliance.
In a field study, new Drontal Dog Tasty Bone proved to be voluntarily consumed by 88% of 150 dogs1.
Vicky McAlister, Group Product Manager at Bayer said: "We want to make it as easy as possible for responsible dog owners to remember to worm their pet at least every three months. To help improve compliance, there is an increased necessity for highly palatable oral dosage forms. To meet this need, the Drontal Plus Tasty tablet has been optimised using a novel formula that has an extremely high level of palatability where the majority of dogs take the tablet straight out of the owners hand like a treat - proving that Drontal is now tasty by nature as well as name!
This combined with the memorable bone-shaped design will help cement Drontal as the wormer of choice in the minds of owners."
Is it just me, or does the name of this product sound a bit like someone who has ingested a series of words, and then regurgitated them in no particular order? I suppose Drontal Tasty Dog Bone means something else, and Tasty Dog Drontal Bone doesn't really work.
Reference
Enrobactin contains enrofloxacin but is uniquely available in 10ml bottles for convenient dispensing in practice.
Enrobactin can be used to treat digestive, respiratory tract and skin and wound infections and features a distinctive caramel aroma.
Madeline Haynes, Product Manager, said: "Offering practices solutions which are efficacious but also easy to use is a key focus at Virbac, particularly given the importance in practice of using antibiotics responsibly and accurately across all species. Enrobactin is a good example of this and we are pleased to launch it."
For the study, which was conducted in 2018 and published this year in Medical and Veterinary Entomology1, practices from around the UK sent in combings from 812 cats and 662 dogs for analysis.
28% of the cats and 14% of the dogs were found to be carrying fleas, with cats from central Wales and the Welsh Borders being more than twice as likely to have fleas than elsewhere in the country. Likewise, dogs from North Wales, the North Wales borders, South Wales and South West England were between 3 and 4.5 times as likely to have fleas as elsewhere.
Of the cats treated with fipronil, 62% (n=57) were still found to be carrying fleas despite treatment. Of the dogs, 44% (n=49) of those treated with fipronil were still carrying fleas. By contrast, 4.1% of cats and 1.4% of dogs treated with fluralaner (Bravecto) were found to have fleas (the lowest of any treatment).
Professor Richard Wall, Veterinary Entomologist at the University of Bristol said: "There is a clear need for greater owner education about the importance of flea treatment and a better understanding of the efficacy of different flea and tick prevention products.
"It is critical for vets to not only recommend the best product for a pet’s needs but to also give a better understanding of the effectiveness and correct application of the different treatments."
Photo: Professor Richard Wall, University of Bristol
Robexera is a COX2 NSAID formulation which delivers anti-inflammatory pain relief with a once-a-day dosing regime2,3,4.
The product is presented as a flavoured chewable tablet for easier administration by pet owners.
For simplicity when dispensing, it comes in four strengths with colour coded boxes, perforated blisters and a set of PIL sheets that convert to prescribing envelopes in each pack.
Charlotte Read, Krka’s UK Key Account Manager, said: “Delivering reliable, cost-effective perioperative pain relief for soft tissue surgery is an everyday concern for veterinary practices, while OA is the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs5.
"This is why we’re particularly pleased to announce the first generic robenacoxib, Robexera.
“Bioequivalent to the originator product6, Robexera provides fast-acting and targeted pain relief, giving enhanced value to veterinary practices and enabling them to offer their clients improved affordability, particularly for those whose animals are on long term pain-management programmes or have other health issues.”
Viktor Kozjan, General Manager Krka UK, added: “The launch of Robexera is further confirmation of Krka’s commitment to develop solutions that are tried and trusted but also flexible and affordable for our customers and their clients.”
Robexera is now available to order from all national UK veterinary wholesalers.
All practices are eligible to register and no FCA authorisation is needed.
Carefree Credit says it will also process applications to make practice administration hassle free.
Mike Aldred, Director at Carefree Credit, said: "With the deepening cost of living crisis, owning a pet has never been more expensive for many pet owners and having these longer terms available will really help their pets get the treatment they need."
To register your practice with Carefree Credit, email office@carefreecredit.co.uk or call 0345 313 0177.
https://www.carefreecredit.co.uk
According to the company, gum disease is five times more common in dogs than humans, as dogs have a more alkaline mouth, promoting plaque formation. The company also says that studies have shown 80% of dogs suffer some form of gum disease before they are three years old.
The survey found most owners associate bad breath, tooth loss and inflamed gums (76%, 67% and 65% respectively) with poor oral hygiene.
However, many dog owners were unaware it could lead to more serious consequences with only 11% identifying heart disease as a potential cost of poor oral hygiene and only 7% understanding the liver can be affected.
The company has produced a YouTube video with Marc Abraham MRCVS and behaviourist Carolyn Menteith about canine oral care and Pettura Oral Health - a gel applied directly to dogs' teeth and gums to help maintain oral hygiene.