Seven graduands from The University of Nottingham's School of Veterinary Medicine and Science have become the first from the new school to become members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Nottingham is the first new veterinary school in the UK for over 50 years, and the process to recognise its degree for the purposes of RCVS membership is currently in its final stages. Following a visitation and audit process, RCVS Council unanimously recommended the degree's approval to the Privy Council, where the final decision lies.
Generally, veterinary graduates become RCVS members - which they need to be in order to practise in the UK - at a ceremony on the day of their graduation. However, sometimes they wish to start work before graduation and can therefore apply to register as graduands, as in this case.
Although formal Privy Council approval of the Nottingham degree is still awaited, RCVS external examiners have overseen the School's final exams during the last year of the course to ensure that they meet the required standards.
The Nottingham graduation ceremony will take place on 22 July, when a further 77 students will graduate, and those wishing to practise in the UK will become members of the College.
The RCVS 2010 Survey of the Veterinary and Veterinary Nursing Professions indicated that, on average, new graduates took one month to find work on graduating, with 63% going straight into clinical practice.
Animalcare has announced the launch of Identichip Ultra, a new slimline microchip with enhanced read range for smaller species
The new microchip is 1.4mm wide and is inserted with a 15 gauge needle which is 50% slimmer than the needle used with standard microchips. The length of the mini microchip has been increased to 10.3mm to accommodate a longer ferrite rod which boosts the signal to the microchip scanner.
Animalcare says Identichip Ultra has been designed to offer a slimline microchipping solution for small species and breeds with a reduced compromise on read range.
Beverley Campbell, Identichip and Anibase Product Manager said: “We recognised the increasing trend for slimmer microchips and the benefit this offers for small species and breeds. We also know that mini microchips have a reduced read range which could ultimately lead to a microchip not being detected so we wanted to challenge this and bring a solution to the market.
"Identichip Ultra is as slim as the other mini microchips currently being offered but the increased length gives us a read range up to 24% further1. We firmly believe that there is a place for mini microchips in the market and while we have enhanced the read range versus other mini brands we still believe that standard size microchips should be used in larger animals. We would encourage implanters to always choose a microchip size suitable for that particular animal in relation to its size now and when fully grown.”
With compulsory microchipping of dogs due to be introduced in England, Scotland and Wales from April 2016 awareness of microchipping is increasing. However, Animalcare says it still feels there is a lot of education needed to ensure dog owners are prepared for the legislation. For this reason, it has produced a range of promotional materials including leaflets, posters, letter templates and digital stickers.
Identichip Ultra is available in a sterile packed syringe style implanter with a detachable needle for sharps disposal.
For further information speak to your Animalcare Representative.
1Based on a laboratory trial comparing mini microchips (1.4mm x 8.5mm), standard microchips (2.1mm x 12.5mm) and idENTICHIP Ultra (1.4mm x 10.3mm) using three different microchips scanners (RT100-V5, Halo Scanner and idENTICHIP Pocket Reader)
The RCVS played a proactive role in Mr Keniry’s arrest and trial after its Chief Investigator, Michael Hepper, was alerted to the fact that he was working at a veterinary practice in Taunton, Somerset.
Within 24 hours Mr Hepper reported this to Avon & Somerset Police and attended the practice with officers to assist in Mr Keniry’s identification and arrest. Mr Hepper continued to assist with police investigations and gave a witness statement.
Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS Registrar, said: "We are grateful to the veterinary professional who voiced her suspicions to us, to our Chief Investigator who reacted quickly to confirm his identity and report the matter to the police and to Avon & Somerset Police for taking matters forward so quickly.
"Mr Keniry was known to the RCVS as we have assisted in previous police investigations into him for similar offences. As with recent cases Mr Keniry impersonated a legitimate member of the veterinary profession using fraudulent documentation and this is why we have previously published photographs of him to raise awareness with veterinary practices and to try and stop him being employed in the future.
"We believe that Mr Keniry is a threat to animal health and welfare. He is a repeat offender and so we are glad that he has been handed a significant custodial sentence.
"While sophisticated and convincing fraudsters like Mr Keniry can be very difficult to prevent, we would urge veterinary practices to be vigilant. For example, we recommend that potential employers contact our Registration Department to make checks, always interview a potential employee face-to-face, ask to see supporting identity documents, prepare questions which confirm where and when they studied, obtain references and, if they are employed, mentor the new member of staff to oversee their performance.
"For members of the public we recommend that, if they have concerns about the legitimacy of their veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurses, they talk to someone else in the practice about their concerns or contact us so that we can make further enquiries. Members of the public can also check on the status of veterinary professionals using our Find a Vet search tool: www.findavet.org.uk.
"We would like to emphasise that cases such as that of Peter Keniry are, in our experience, extremely rare. There are around 23,000 veterinary surgeons registered to practise in the UK who are fully trained professionals dedicated to upholding and improving the health and welfare of animals under their care. We don’t believe that the unprecedented actions of this one fraudulent individual should in any way undermine the confidence and trust that animal owners place in their veterinary team."
The study titled “Electrolyte measurements differ between point-of-care and reference analysers in dogs with hypoadrenocorticism” investigated the performance of two point-of-care analysers (IDEXX Catalyst Dx and IDEXX VetStat) against a reference laboratory method for the measurement of blood sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations, as well as sodium-to-potassium ratios, in dogs diagnosed with and treated for hypoadrenocorticism.
Forty-eight dogs with hypoadrenocorticism were enrolled into a prospective cross-sectional study at the University of Glasgow. In total, 329 paired samples were measured on the Catalyst analyser and by the reference laboratory method called an ion selective electrode (ISE), while another 72 paired samples were tested on both the VetStat analyser and by ISE. The clinical effects of any difference in the electrolyte results were investigated.
Sam Fowlie, corresponding author for the paper, said: “Our results indicate that the sodium, potassium and therefore the sodium-to-potassium ratios, as well as the chloride concentrations measured by the Catalyst and VetStat analysers may not be used interchangeably with those from a reference laboratory analyser using an indirect ISE method. Both analysers tended to give higher results than the reference method for all analytes, except for potassium when measured on the VetStat.”
The clinical relevance of the disagreement between these methods was investigated by assessing how often the point-of-care analysers produced results which fell outside their reference range when the ISE method found them to be within reference and vice versa. For the Catalyst, there were 21 cases (6%) with discordant sodium results, 27 cases (8%) with discordant potassium results and 46 cases (14%) with discordant chloride results. The VetStat, meanwhile produced results which disagreed with the ISE method in 19 cases (26%) for sodium, 3 cases (4%) for potassium measurement and 9 cases (13%) for chloride analysis.
Nicola Di Girolamo, Editor of JSAP added: “This study reveals significant systematic differences (“bias”) between the three analysers in this study. Comparing numerical results from different analytical methods – be they point-of-care or reference laboratories – can be dangerous for patients. Clinicians should always use method specific thresholds and, if these are not available (for example the sodium-to-potassium ratios on some analysers), then they should exercise greater caution in their interpretation.”
The full article can be found in the October issue of the Journal of Small Animal Practice and be read online here, open access: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jsap.13205.
Reference
Photo: Ian Ramsey
The half day meeting will take place on Tuesday 25th May from midday to 4pm BST.
Speakers at the event, which accounts for four hours’ CPD, include: Dr Andy Sparkes, feline medicine specialist; Professor Patrick Pageat, president of IRSEA Group; Dr Nathalie Dowgray, head of ISFM and cat behaviourist, Susanne Hellman Holmström.
The programme is as follows:
There will also be a round table discussion on how to raise the focus on cats, when delegates will have the chance to interact with the speakers.
Abigail King, senior behaviour product manager at Ceva Animal Health, said: “The Ceva Cat Expertise 2021 event is designed for the whole veterinary team and will provide online delegates with comprehensive and up-to-date information on feline hypertension and behaviour, including hands on tips which can be incorporated into day-to-day work in practice, as well as an overview of feline opportunities and trends for the future.”
All delegates will receive a diploma of participation and the meeting will be available on demand after the live event to all registered participants until 1 September 2021.
To register for Ceva Cat Expertise 2021 online event visit https://ceva-cat-expertise-2021.confetti.events/, contact your local Ceva Animal Health account manager or email cevauk@ceva.com.
The current inventory of Equip Artervac has an expiry date of March 29, 2023 and the company is not expecting a new batch to be available until the end of September 2023.
Zoetis says it has been working with relevant organisations to implement a plan to mitigate the impact on breeders.
The Thoroughbred Breeders Association has published advice for a blood sampling scheme at: https://www.rossdales.com/news-events/tba-members-equine-vaccine-advice-regarding-disruption-to-supply-of-equip-artervac, but Zoetis highlights that the advice requires action two weeks after the most recent EVA vaccination.
For more information contact your Zoetis Account Manager or the Zoetis Technical Team on customersupportUK@zoetis.com or 0345 300 8034
If you're attending BEVA this September you can win a place on the CEVA-sponsored Equine Ski-PD break in January 2010, combining a couple of days of first class Continued Professional Development (CPD) with some excellent skiing in the Italian Alps.
The course runs from 13-17 January 2009 and the CPD will be spread over five sessions, equating to two-and-a-half days. Equine vets Jane Boswell, Henry Tremaine, Professor Bruce McGorum, Professor Peter Clegg and Dr Tim Brazil will cover the topics of tendonitis, wound management, ophthalmology, internal medicine and joint disease.
Skiing will be at Courmayeur, a traditional Alpine village on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, where all levels of ability, from beginners to experienced off-piste skiers, can be catered for.
To win your place, which includes flights and four nights b&b accommodation, simply visit the CEVA stand at BEVA and answer a questionnaire on Tildren®, CEVA's bisphosphonate-based treatment for equine bone disease, based on information provided via a short film loop that will be running on the stand.
For further information on equine Ski-PD contact the organisers: ben.mayes@equinevetpractice.co.uk or henry.tremaine@bristol.ac.uk
The charity says that the survey is the largest, most comprehensive insight into pet wellbeing in the UK; an opportunity for veterinary professionals to share their views on the issues affecting the health and welfare of UK pets today.
Vicki Betton, PDSA Policy and Campaigns manager, said: "For the last five years, the PAW Report has provided valuable insight into the reality of pet health and wellbeing in the UK.
"It delivers a robust evidence base for our education programmes, campaigns and collaborative work, and enables us to track our impact on the pet wellbeing issues which are of most concern to the veterinary profession. It also provides an excellent opportunity for everyone to voice their opinions and have their say.
"In 2015, two of the main concerns identified were lack of public understanding of the cost of pet ownership, and a lack of pre-purchase education relating to suitable pet choice. This was reinforced in our survey of pet owners, in which over 95% of pet owners incorrectly estimated the lifetime costs for their pet. As a result, we launched our #PawsFirst campaign to engage pet owners about how to choose the right pet for their lifestyle, while raising awareness of the lifetime costs of different species."
The current survey closes on 4 July. Vicki added: "It only takes 15 minutes, so please help us maintain an accurate picture of the biggest welfare issues facing pets in the UK today."
Take the survey at www.yougov.com/PDSA and help spread the word by sharing on social media - #PAWreport
The strategy, which is available to read at: www.rcvs.org.uk/diversity, lists six areas where the College and other DIG member organisations can work to improve diversity and inclusion within the veterinary professions at all stages – from school-age children who may be considering a career in the veterinary professions, to engendering positive culture change for those already in the professions.
The six areas are:
The RCVS Diversity & Inclusion Group includes representation from the Association of Veterinary Students (AVS), British Veterinary Association (BVA), the British Veterinary Ethnicity & Diversity Society (BVEDS), the British Veterinary LGBT+ Society, the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA), the Major Employers Group, the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) and the Veterinary Schools Council (VSC) and will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating progress within each of the above areas.
Dr Niall Connell, Senior Vice-President of the RCVS and Chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Group, said: "I’ve always been of the opinion that making the veterinary professions more diverse and reflective of British society at large, as well as protecting fellow professionals from discrimination, isn’t just a moral issue, but one that actually improves the quality of the profession and the outcomes we are delivering for our clients and patients.
"If we are losing colleagues to discrimination or just not attracting people from diverse backgrounds in the first place because they think it’s ‘not for people like them’, then we are losing out as a profession, and if we aren’t drawing on a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, and attitudes in our work, then we are also potentially doing a disservice to our patients and clients. This is why this Strategy is not just a case of being seen to be doing something, but is actually crucial for the ongoing vitality and credibility of the veterinary team.
"It’s important to emphasise that this Strategy is a start, and not an end in and of itself. There will be lots of hard work to be done and challenging conversations to be had, and results may not be quick or immediately obvious, but I am proud that we are taking a proactive approach and not just saying ‘things will change with time’.
Dr Mandisa Greene, RCVS President and a member of the DIG, added: “Fulfilling this Strategy will involve a lot of hard work over the coming months and years but I am glad to say that many of the activities it outlines are already underway both at the RCVS and our partner organisations, building on the pioneering work that organisations such as the British Veterinary Association, British Veterinary Ethnicity & Diversity Society, the British Veterinary LGBT+ Society, Animal Aspirations and others have been undertaking.
“For example, we have already held a joint RCVS and Veterinary Schools Council Roundtable with BAME students in which we heard about their experiences, issues that they have encountered and how they felt they could be better supported. These discussions led to the formation of a new RCVS/VSC Working Group that will take forward actions as a priority.
"Our Mind Matters Initiative has also funded a vital piece of research being undertaken by BVEDS and the Royal Veterinary College on the impact of racism on the mental health of BAME veterinary professionals which will no doubt highlight some critical actions to take to better protect members of the professions from discrimination and improve how discrimination is reported and dealt with.
“On a personal level, I have also been undertaking a number of school talks and providing one-to-one mentoring to school students about veterinary careers because I think it is important that children from a wide variety of backgrounds can see me, as a Black British woman of Caribbean heritage, as a role-model for diversity within the veterinary profession and know that the professions can and should be welcoming to all.”
The company says that the campaign has been launched in response to a survey it conducted amongst pet owners which found that more than half had never consulted their vet about their aging pets. 58% admitted that they were unaware of the signs of aging in their pets, and 45% said they were unaware that something could be done to help pets as they get older1.
Karland King, Brand Manager for Established Brands at MSD Animal Health said: "Our Pet Owner Survey reveals missed opportunities for vets to educate their clients, and cat owners to ensure they get the best advice and preventative care for their older cats.
"Our new Be Active campaign has therefore been designed to support vets in this education process and supply a pack of resources for them to actively encourage clients to seek advice and regular checks from their vet. It aims to help vets position themselves as the best source of information and support for clients with older cats, helping older cats stay healthier and more active for longer, starting with a six-monthly health check."
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association recommends that most pets have an annual health check2. As cats get older or start receiving treatment for long-term conditions such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism, it is recommended that the veterinary examination is increased to every six months3.
To support the Be Active campaign MSD Animal Health has produced a range of resources for veterinary practices, including promotional leaflets and posters, and a PR toolkit with advice and materials to help veterinary surgeons promote their practices and support the campaign locally.
For further information, contact your MSD Animal Health representative.
References
The company says it has been working hard to ensure improved supply on a number of brands including Apoquel, Palladia and now Trocoxil, with animal welfare being the key consideration at all times throughout this process.
Ned Flaxman, business unit director for companion animal, equine and innovation at Zoetis said: “It was a really difficult decision to stop production of Trocoxil in favour of Apoquel and Palladia but we felt that it was the right thing to do on animal welfare grounds. As soon as we had full stocks of these products we resumed the manufacture of Trocoxil and I am delighted to say that it will be back in stock in December.
"I would like to thank our veterinary clients for their patience and reassure them that we brought the product back to market as quickly as we could and do not anticipate any further stock issues."
Trocoxil chewable tablets are used for the treatment of pain and inflammation associated with degenerative joint disease in dogs aged 12 months or over.
For more information, contact your Zoetis account manager.
BEVA President, Madeleine Campbell will be announcing plans for a veterinary-led European Transport Forum at BEVA Congress this year (8-11 September 2010), to discuss how the welfare of horses during transport can be improved through the better enforcement of legislation.
Dr Campbell is also the British Veterinary Association representative on the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) working party for transport. The Forum, which will be held in Brussels on 29 November 2010, has been jointly organised by the FVE and BEVA and is sponsored by World Horse Welfare (WHW). It is hoped that it will be attended by over 150 participants, including representatives of EU Member States, CVOs, Members of the European Commission and European Parliament, scientific experts, national veterinary organisations, animal transport associations and animal welfare associations.
The Forum will review the enforcement of the existing European regulations that currently govern the transport of horses for slaughter and for other purposes. Areas for practical improvement will be identified with the key focus on the enforcement of current legislation and the role of vets in ensuring that the welfare of horses in transit is protected. The conference will endeavour to define the critical control points, effective control systems and good practices. It will also look into trade flows, animal health risks, horse identification and the effects of closing horse slaughterhouses.
Dr Campbell said: "It is all very well to campaign for new regulations but at present even the existing regulations are not being enforced adequately. The crux of the matter is enforcement and there are none better placed to help with this than vets. If we can all work collectively we should have the strength to make a real impact. This is what the Forum is about."
Dr Campbell will be speaking about the European Transport Forum at the Congress press conference on 10 September between 9am and 10am.
BEVA Congress runs from 8-11 September 2010 at the International Convention Centre, Birmingham. For further information and to register visit http://www.beva.org.uk/
Elanco has announced the results of a challenge study which the company says demonstrates the ability of Duvaxyn IE-T Plus equine influenza vaccine to cross protect against A/equi-2/Richmond/1/07 (H3N8) two weeks after a two dose primary course1.
The study, conducted by the Animal Health Trust, involved two groups of EIV seronegative horses. The first group, consisting of seven vaccinates, were given two dose of Duvaxyn IE-T Plus, 28 days apart, and challenged with A/equi-2/Richmond/1/07 (H3N8) virus strain 14 days after the second vaccination. The second group of unvaccinated horses was challenged at the same time. Duvaxyn IE-T Plus caused a statistically significant reduction in both clinical signs of the disease and in viral shedding.
According to Elanco, this is believed to be the first demonstration of cross protection by a current UK equine influenza vaccine against a Florida sub-lineage clade 2 reference strain.
The OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) updated its equine influenza vaccine recommendations in 2010 to reflect the fact that all field strains characterised through 2008 and 2009 were of clade 1 or 2 of the Florida sub-lineage. The antigenic difference between viruses of these clades could potentially compromise the effectiveness of vaccines containing a representative of a single clade2.
Anna Jackson, national veterinary manager for Elanco Companion Animal Health, said: "Whilst no vaccine has been updated to match the current OIE recommendations, the results of this challenge study provide reassurance that horses vaccinated with Duvaxyn will be protected against clinical signs of disease caused by currently circulating strains of equine influenza, including those the OIE have identified as being of concern."
Duvaxyn IE-T Plus is an inactivated whole virus equine influenza vaccine, adjuvanted with an aqueous-based adjuvant. Elanco says that experts in the field of human vaccination have expressed the view that whole virus vaccines have the potential to induce a stronger and more broadly-based response to circulating influenza strains than those contained in sub-unit vaccines because of the presence of the full set of virus proteins in the vaccine3.
References:
A survey carried out by Fish4Dogs has found that a 'staggering' 43% of dog owners do not brush their dog's teeth.
As part of the research, 800 people from across the UK were quizzed about their attitude to their pet's dental care in the lead up to the British Dental Health Foundation's 'National Smile Month' (May 20th-June 20th).
The survey also found that:
Graham Smith, Chief Executive of Fish4Dogs said: "This research is definitely an interesting read about people's attitudes and behaviours towards dental care for their dogs. National Smile Month campaigns for healthy and happy teeth and there is no reason this shouldn't apply to our pets too. At Fish4Dogs we have never doubted how important dogs are to their owners, but it is clear that with wider awareness we could encourage teeth brushing to become more regular and an introduction of dry food into dogs' diets and all see improved results."
The RCVS Disciplinary Committee has dismissed an application to be restored to the Register of Veterinary Surgeons from former Wirral-based vet Ian Beveridge.
In May 2013 the Committee had asked the Registrar to remove Mr Beveridge from the Register following a four-day hearing in which he was found guilty of serious professional misconduct after finding that he had treated clients badly, kept inadequate clinical records, was dishonest in his dealings with the RCVS and that animals in his care were placed at risk.
In June 2013 Mr Beveridge, who was not present or represented at the original hearing, then appealed the decision. The appeal was withdrawn in May 2014 which was when Mr Beveridge was formally removed from the Register.
Then, in April 2015, Mr Beveridge applied to be restored to the Register. The Disciplinary Committee met to consider his application in June 2015, however, this hearing was adjourned after new evidence was served to the Committee concerning allegations that Mr Beveridge had ordered prescription-only veterinary medicines when he was not authorised to do so. He was subsequently interviewed by police who took no further action.
In deciding whether Mr Beveridge was fit to be restored to the Register, the Committee heard evidence in regards to the circumstances in which the prescription-only drugs were ordered using his account and delivered to his former practice address which had been taken over by Medivet after he sold the premises to the company.
During the course of the hearing, Mr Beveridge admitted that his account had been used to buy the drugs, but that a part-time member of his staff, who was neither a veterinary surgeon nor a veterinary nurse, had done so without his prior knowledge or approval.
In relation to this evidence Ian Green, chairing and speaking on behalf of the Committee, said: "The Committee takes the view that the unauthorised use of a veterinary surgeon’s drugs account for which he carries the ultimate responsibility is a very serious matter and, of itself, demonstrates that the applicant has at best a cavalier attitude to his work which of itself means that he remains unfit to be on the Register.
"This attitude is further demonstrated by the fact that, even after the first orders were placed in late April and early May 2014, the applicant did not seek clarification from the College of his status following the withdrawal of his appeal against the original Committee’s findings."
In addition to this, the Committee also considered the seriousness of his original failings, the fact that Mr Beveridge’s acceptance of these failings was ‘qualified’, that he had been off the Register for 20 months and the fact that his efforts in terms of continuing professional development had been inadequate and not focused on those areas in need of improvement, among other factors. In mitigation it did consider that Mr Beveridge had demonstrated genuine remorse about previous actions and noted a petition and a large number of letters in support of him from former clients of his practice.
However, the Committee felt that this did not detract from the seriousness of the original failings and, in conjunction with the subsequent unauthorised ordering of veterinary drugs, that the application for restoration must be dismissed.
Veterinary nurses, veterinary surgeons, students and other veterinary professionals are all invited to take part in the anonymous survey and share incidents where they have witnessed discrimination or felt discriminated against.
The survey covers the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act: age, gender reassignment, marital or partnership status, being pregnant, disability, race, religion, sex and sexual orientation. It also includes other forms of discrimination which might not fit under these characteristics, such as body weight and socio-economic background.
BVA Junior Vice President Daniella Dos Santos said: "The veterinary professions should be open, welcoming and supportive of everyone; however, it is clear from the reports we’re hearing that discrimination is still an issue. Worse still, we’re aware that some colleagues have faced a backlash when talking about their experiences of discrimination. This is completely unacceptable.
"If we hope to prompt meaningful change we need to fully understand the scale of the problems our colleagues are facing. To do that it’s important that we provide a safe, anonymous space for everyone to share their experiences. We hope this questionnaire will give people that opportunity and we would like to sincerely thank our colleagues for their willingness to share their personal experiences with us."
The survey was developed with the support of the British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society (BVEDS) and British Veterinary LGBT+.
BVA says it intends to gather further quantitative data on discrimination via its Spring Voice of the Veterinary Profession Survey 2019.
The questionnaire is open from 2 February until 2 March and should take around 10 minutes to complete. A link to the questionnaire is available here.
The winners and runners up will be honoured at a ceremony taking place on the eve of BSAVA Congress on 1st April 2020.
The television presenter Matt Baker will be hosting the Ceva Animal Welfare Awards for the third consecutive year, alongside head judge Chris Laurence MBE FRCVS, who puts his name to the Vet of the Year Award.
The award categories include:
Chris Laurence Vet of the Year – sponsored by Vet Record
Vet Nurse of the Year – sponsored by Agria Pet Insurance
Charity Team of the Year – sponsored by PDSA
Charitable Contribution of the Year – sponsored by Blue Cross
International Cat Care Welfare of the Year – sponsored by International Cat Care
Farmer of the Year – sponsored by R.A.B.I. and Farmers Guardian
Farm Educator of the Year – sponsored by NADIS and Farmers Guardian
Outstanding Contribution to Animal Welfare – sponsored by Your Dog and Your Cat magazines
To nominate someone, visit wwww.cevawelfare.com. They can come from all walks of life and will be assessed on the evidence provided in the original nomination.
Entries must be in by Tuesday 31 December 2019.
Titled ‘The Five Steps of Seizure Management’, the sessions will update veterinary surgeons and nurses on:
Will Peel, Product Manager at TVM UK said: "The Lunch and Learn sessions have proved very popular with veterinary practices. Our aim is to update vets and nurses on diagnosis and management of epilepsy in general practice whilst educating them about products and services which can help them better support their patients."
TVM says it will also provided supporting literature, including guidelines and owner educational tools, designed to help veterinary staff in diagnosing and treating pets with epilepsy.
To book a Lunch and Learn, contact your local TVM UK territory manager or email help@tvm-uk.com.
Improve Veterinary Education will maintain its core mission and quality promise: to deliver all postgraduate training and education programmes for vets and vet nurses through face to face, online learning, blended learning and short course options.
Improve Veterinary Practice offers an online knowledge hub so veterinary professionals can access the latest advice, news and information across all specialties.
Membership also offers ways to keep track of and meet your annual CPD targets.
ISVPS assesses our training programmes and awards globally recognised postgraduate veterinary qualifications to both vets and vet nurses in a range of clinical subjects.
Katie Hungerford, Director of Marketing at Improve International Group, said: “We have modernised all aspects of the Improve International Group to reflect our movement towards providing more online and blended learning choices.
"The experience for veterinary professionals will now feel coherent with simplified graphics and information, no matter which part of the business they need to use.”
The British Veterinary Association has announced the results of the Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey, which found that 84% of veterinary surgeons give up time to work with animal charities and shelters.
72% have a formal arrangement with charities to provide their time and veterinary expertise at a reduced rate, while more than 43% work completely unpaid for animal charities and shelters; treating thousands of abandoned, mistreated or injured animals each year.
The charitable work undertaken by practitioners varied from practice to practice, but included:
On top of all that, veterinary surgeons also provide emergency treatment for stray and wild animals brought in by the public. Although they will sometimes receive a charitable donation towards the cost of treatment through schemes like the RSPCA Initial Emergency Treatment (IET) Scheme, that is by no means always the case.
RSPCA Chief Veterinary Officer James Yeates said: "Vets’ work in this area can go unrecognised but it is appreciated by the RSPCA that they are part of the team trying to help animals. The RSPCA is dedicated to helping animals most in need and relies on vets’ welfare work to help bring a stop to the suffering of all animals."
BVA President Sean Wensley, said: "Behind these statistics are countless stories of veterinary teams – who already often work long, demanding hours – giving their time for free to support animal rescue staff and charities to care for abandoned, injured and neglected animals, as well as help owners to keep and care for much loved animals in times of hardship and crisis. The UK’s network of animal charities and rehoming centres do a fantastic job protecting wild and domestic animals each year. Animal welfare legislation is clear that animal keepers and owners are responsible for meeting their animals’ needs, and prospective animal owners must be aware of the cost and time commitment involved in animal ownership, but we appreciate people’s circumstances can change."
Photo: Javier Brosch/Shutterstock
The new guide, developed in association with Vets Digital, is the latest addition to BVA’s ‘Respect your vet team – end abuse’ campaign, which aims to support vets and veterinary workplaces who experience abuse from animal owners either in person or online.
It will be added to the Respect Your Vet Team toolkit, which offers a range of resources designed to help protect staff and limit the frequency and impact of abuse from clients.
The resources include practical tips on how to protect staff from online abuse, downloadable posters encouraging respectful behaviour from clients and a series of blogs exploring the issues.
BVA President Malcolm Morley said: “The vast majority of clients are hugely appreciative of the care they receive from their vet teams, resulting in thousands of positive reviews every year.
"While we recognise not every client will have a positive experience and may wish to provide critical feedback, a small number are posting deliberately abusive or unfair reviews.
"This is unacceptable and can have a hugely negative impact on individual veterinary professionals and the wider team.
"Protecting the wellbeing of veterinary teams remains a top priority for BVA and this new resource will help vet teams to take practical steps to limit the impact of this type of abuse.”
https://www.bva.co.uk/resources-support/misc-resources/how-to-manage-unfair-and-abusive-reviews-online
Animalcare Ltd has launched Marbocare (marbofloxacin) 100mg/ml solution for injection, a third-generation fluoroquinolone for the treatment of E.coli mastitis and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in cattle, and Metritis Mastitis Agalactia in pigs.
The company highlights the product's unique flexible dosage regimen of once daily injections for 3 days against E.coli mastitis and BRD, plus a single intramuscular (IM) high dose (8mg/100kg) for BRD.
Animalcare says this regimen, coupled with the flexibility of administration afforded by all three injection routes (intravenous IV, subcutaneous SC and IM), a low volume dose and good syringeability, all combine to offer ease of use; resulting in a reduction in handling and less stress for the cattle.
Developed for veterinary use only, Marbocare has broad spectrum activity against Gram+ve and Gram-ve pathogens. Animalcare says the product is especially effective against E.coli mastitis and the key bacterial pathogens associated with BRD, as well as M.bovis.
Marbocare has milk withdrawal times of 36 hours after the last treatment following the 3 day course and 72 hours after a single shot for BRD. Meat withdrawal is 6 days after multiple injections and 3 days after the single shot.
Marbofloxacin has proven efficacy in a comparative international, multi-centre, controlled, randomised field trial1 in 62 dairy cows with E.coli mastitis. Marbofloxacin cure rates were significantly higher than the control product. In respiratory disease it showed a more rapid clinical response in comparison to tilmicosin2, ceftiofur3 and oxytetracycline4. Marbofloxacin was shown to be well tolerated, leading to a fast return to appetite, liveweight gain and associated welfare benefits.
Marbocare is also licensed in the treatment of Metritis Mastitis Agalactia syndrome in pigs, given by IM injection, with a 4 day meat withdrawal.
Tony Liepman, Product Manager from Animalcare said: "Marbocare is competitively priced whether used on its own or alongside a single-dose anti-inflammatory such as Emdocam (meloxicam)."
Marbocare is a POM-V licensed product presented in 50 and 100ml multi-dose vials.
The BSAVA reports that two four month old puppies in The Netherlands have tested positive for rabies.
The puppies were imported into The Netherlands from Bulgaria on October 5th. Reports indicate that these puppies, which were both microchipped and travelling under the Pet Passport scheme, originated from a shelter in Bulgaria. They are still trying to trace the driver and passenger who delivered the puppies.
One puppy started showing signs of fever and paralysis on 10th October and was euthanased on 18th October, it has tested positive for rabies on both direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
The second puppy was euthanased because it originated from the same litter, although it was living in a different area of the country by this time. This dog was suffering from haemorrhagic gastro-enteritis (HGE), but showed no neurological signs. However it has also tested positive for rabies on both DIF and PCR.
The BSAVA says this aspect of the case will be of particular concern to veterinary professionals in the UK because HGE is commonly seen in unvaccinated (imported) puppies. Preliminary reports do not make clear the vaccination status of these dogs.
BSAVA President, Professor Michael Day, said: "Not only does this demonstrate the need for pet owners to comply with pet travel legislation, but also for vets to be alert to the possibility of disease with any imported animal.
"Whilst we have been concerned about the issue of illegal imports and the enforcement of the current legislation, this latest incident also raises the possibility of rabies cases in dogs that appear to comply with the current pet passport regulation."
This calls into question whether veterinary staff in first opinion practice should be offered the pre-exposure rabies vaccination. The current recommendations from Public Health England are that all individuals at continuous and frequent risk of exposure to the rabies virus, as well as some groups at infrequent risk, should be offered pre-exposure rabies vaccination. Professor Day said: "Whilst veterinary professionals in companion animal practice are not currently included in this list, this might be a timely point to undertake a review based on a new risk assessment. I would be in support of practitioners who believe they are at risk having the option of the subsidised occupational vaccination."
UK veterinary surgeons are reminded that responsibility for dealing with illegal imports rests with local authorities; usually Trading Standards or Environmental Health. However, if a veterinary surgeon in practice has any suspicion of rabies or any other notifiable disease they should inform their local Animal Health Office.
The recall was initiated because a visual inspection confirmed the possibility of particulate contamination which is not acceptable for an intravenous use preparation.
The recall is for the following batches only:
108AB Expiry 12/01/2023113H Expiry 16/03/2023
Ceva Animal Health Ltd is contacting veterinary surgeons, retailers and wholesale dealers to examine inventory and quarantine products subject to the recall.
For further information, contact Peter Kyte Business Unit Manager on +44 1494 781510.
The study, which examined cattle farmers’ and veterinary surgeons' opinions of pain-induced distress associated with disbudding, analgesia and attitudes and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), suggests that in particular, vets need to refine their understanding of farmers’ priorities, and how they guide clients on methods to improve calf welfare.
There have been a number of studies into the pain-induced distress resulting from the disbudding procedure. All methods of disbudding (apart from chemical cauterisation) in the UK require the use of a corneal nerve local anaesthetic blockade but there are currently no legislative requirements for the use of NSAIDs for disbudding – it is at the discretion of the farmer or veterinary surgeon carrying out the procedure. NSAIDs are routinely used in companion animals and equine practice, but less so in farm animals.
This new study, conducted by researchers at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in Hertfordshire and Aran Vet Clinic in Gwynedd, looked at the attitudes of farmers and vets on pain perception and pain management methods for disbudding. A total of 118 vets and 140 farmers contributed to the study. Of the respondents:
The study concluded that veterinary surgeons underestimate the influences of welfare and analgesic duration and effectiveness on farmers' decisions, and overrated cost impact. This perception could have a negative effect on veterinary recommendation.
The authors of the study therefore advise that steps should be taken to address the current inadequacies in the communications between vets and clients in conveying the practicalities and potential benefits of using NSAIDs.
Dr Troy Gibson, PhD, PGDipSci, BSc, Lecturer in Animal Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College said: "Despite the large amount of evidence of the benefits of NSAIDs for disbudding, it is disappointing that their use is still not widespread. This may partly be due to the only recent licencing of one NSAID for cattle. However, from our work it is clear that one of the key barriers to wider uptake is the breakdown in communication between veterinarians and their clients in conveying the cost, practicalities and potential benefits of NSAID use for disbudding. The wider use of NSAIDs in combination with local anaesthetics during disbudding would significantly improve calf welfare."