Pfizer's Vet Support+ has launched the Practice Management Academy, which offers online training in the key management disciplines required to run a successful veterinary business.

There are twelve courses which cover four key areas of management: financial operations, staff management, client relations and marketing. Participants can choose to study individual courses, a specific area of management, or enrol in the full Practice Management Academy.

The courses are four weeks in length and contribute up to ten hours of CPD learning through a mix of interactive activities, case studies, questions and a student learning forum. 

Each course is also allocated a Pfizer Business Consultant to work as an online expert tutor, posing questions and stimulating forum discussion amongst the students. 

Pfizer says that the significant cost saving e-learning represents over external CPD is making the Academy a popular choice for all members of the practice team, especially those who may be taking on new management responsibilities or those looking for a refresher. According to the company, one large vet group has already taken twenty places on each of the courses to improve the practice management skills across its extensive team.

Ned Flaxman, Director Business Innovation said: "Using an E-Learning platform is a well-trodden path, ideal for busy individuals wishing to improve or gain new practice management skills  without leaving the surgery, or sofa. However, unlike some e-learning which can leave the participant feeling like they are gaining theoretical know-how only, and working in somewhat of a silo, our Academy offers an 'online campus'. This provides a flexible, convenient and supportive training environment for shared theory and practical learning with other colleagues from the veterinary profession under the guidance of e-tutors and experts."

For further details visit http://www.vetsupportplus.co.uk/

Southfields Veterinary Specialists has appointed Xavier Navarro-Cubas, an RCVS and EBVS specialist in small animal cardiology, as its new head of cardiology. 

Xavier (pictured right), who graduated from Cardenal-Herrera University in Valencia, Spain, in January 2006, has joined Southfields from the Royal Veterinary College, where he was working on the high profile Mitral Valve Repair Programme.

Xavier moved to the UK in 2009 to specialise in cardiology, first spending two years in Scotland where he completed a general and a cardiology internship at the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, before beginning a cardiology residency at the University of Liverpool which he completed in March 2016.

He then continued at the University of Liverpool as a lecturer in cardiology for 16 months, before becoming a cardiology clinician at the Royal Veterinary College.

Henry L'Eplattenier, clinical director at Southfields, said: “We’re extremely pleased to welcome Xavier to Southfields and look forward to him progressing his career with us.

“He’s a very talented cardiologist who brings with him a wealth of expertise and experience which makes him a very valuable addition to our world-class team.”

Xavier said: “The move to Southfields is a wonderful opportunity for me and I’m really energised and motivated for the challenge ahead.

“This is one of the leading veterinary referral centres in the UK and it is set to become even better when we move into a new, purpose-built building boasting the finest facilities and most up-to-date equipment.

For more information, visit www.southfields.co.uk.

Merial has announced the launch of a new Blippar app designed to educate horse owners about gastric ulcers.

By using the app - which is available free from the App Store for iPhone or Google Play for Android phones - to scan the company's Gastrogard (omeprazole) adverts, posters or website, clients can watch an educational film with one of the UK's leading specialists in equine ulcers, Richard Hepburn BVSc MS(Hons) CertEM(IntMed) DipACVIM(LA) MRCVS,  American and RCVS Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine, demonstrating the signs of ulcers and diagnosis via gastroscopy.

Merial's Equine Marketing and Technical Manager Louise Radford MRCVS said: "With 60% of competition horse and 38% of leisure horses & ponies estimated to have gastric ulcers¹^,²^,³, it's important that horse owners are aware of the signs of this under-diagnosed condition.

"We know that the number of horses diagnosed and treated for ulcers falls significantly short of incidence levels. We hope that this app will help to raise awareness and prompt more horse owners to consult their vet about gastric ulceration."

A separate Blippar app is also available for horse owners that have been prescribed GastroGard. By scanning the pack, clients can view educational video footage on gastric ulcers, find management tips on treatment and prevention, and set a reminder for future risk periods.

For more information, visit: http://www.equinegastriculcers.co.uk, contact your local Merial equine territory specialist or call Merial Customer Support on 0870 6000123.

References

1. McClure SR, Glickman LT, Glickman NW. Prevalence of gastric ulcers in show horses. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1999; 215: 8 1130-1133.
2. Mitchell RD. Prevalence of gastric ulcers in hunter/jumper and dressage horses evaluated for poor performance. Proceedings of the Association of Equine Sports Medicine Annual Meeting 2001.
3. Murray MJ, Grodinsky C, Anderson CW, Radue PF, et al. Gastric ulcers in horses:A comparison of endoscopic findings in horses with and without clinical signs.Equine Vet J.1989; Suppl 7: 68-72.

The Veterinary Management Group (VMG), the professional association for people in leadership and management roles in the veterinary sector, is inviting applications for a number of places on its board.

In particular, the association says it is looking for people with expertise in the following areas:

• Veterinary nursing
• Early-career veterinary development
• Not-for-profit fundraising
• Marketing and communications
• Psychology 
• Human resources and/or employment law
• Business finance/commercial modelling and or investments
• Finance director – officer role

VMG President Rich Casey (pictured right) said: “During the last two years alone, we have launched a new suite of ILM-accredited Award in Veterinary Leadership and Management (AVLM) qualifications, together with our evidence-based Leadership Standards Framework. 

"We have also announced our intent to support the specific needs of our members more closely through our own congress and other initiatives, as well as helping to guide the wider veterinary profession through the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

“We’re proud of what we have achieved so far but we have much more to do. 

'We are looking for several new directors with specific skills to help us offer the highest level of support we can to our members in 2023 and beyond.”

The deadline for applications is 3 October 2022.

https://vetmg.com/vmg-new-director-search 

According to a new study, 93% of owners of flat-faced dogs – including the Pug, French Bulldog and English Bulldog – would opt for the same breed again, despite experiencing common and severe health problems in their pets.

The research, led by the Royal Veterinary College in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and Nottingham Trent University, also revealed that 66% of owners would recommend their flat-faced breed to others.

Although previous RVC studies found that owners are initially attracted to brachycephalic breeds due to their distinctive appearance, this latest study has revealed that behaviour traits are a core component of why owners ‘love’ their breed and would recommend them to others; essentially, owners come for the looks, but stay for the personality.

In order to gain a deeper understanding of these views, the study, which included over 2,000 owners of Pugs, French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs, asked owners to describe which aspects of their current breed they would or would not recommend in their own words.

The main reasons for owners recommending their breed included:

• The perceptions that these dogs were loving and affectionate, loyal, comical, ‘clown-like’ and playful.
• A belief that they were suitable for households with children.
• A perception that flat-faced breeds are ‘lazy’ and require little exercise, so are suited to sedentary lifestyles with limited space.

Conversely, aspects of their breed that owners would not recommend included:

• High maintenance requirements.
• Impacts on owner lifestyle including excessive hair shedding and loud snoring.
• Health problems being common and high vet bills.
• Behavioural traits including stubbornness, neediness, and aggression.
• Only a small number of owners cited concerns over ethical and welfare issues associated with breeding flat-faced dogs, such as irresponsible breeding practices and suffering associated with their body shape, as a reason that they would not recommend them.

Dr Rowena Packer, Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College and leader of the study, said: "With a multitude of stakeholders trying to tackle the current brachycephalic boom in the UK, our results are of real concern to these efforts. Understanding how breed loyalty develops towards brachycephalic breeds, and whether it can be changed once established, is key to reducing the popularity of short-muzzled breeds. If first time owners of flat-faced dogs choose these breeds for the rest of their lives, then the current crisis could continue for decades.

"Although strong focus has been placed upon dissuading new puppy buyers from purchasing brachycephalic breeds, as they are now some of the most popular breeds in the UK, attention should also be turned to current owners. Priority should be given to developing evidence-based strategies to help these owners consider lower risk, healthier breeds when acquiring future dogs. Our novel findings start this process by highlighting the key behavioural characteristics that this owner group value."

Veterinary Woman is running a campaign to put challenging health topics on the agenda throughout October and into November.

The campaign comprises of a series of live interviews, articles and surveys aimed at exploring the impact of breast cancer, menopause, infertility and baby loss women, and men, and how the veterinary profession can better support people having to cope with these issues in the workplace.

The campaign includes free access articles and live online sessions with VetYourBreasts campaign organiser, veterinary surgeon Anna Beber, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month; VetMINDS co-founder, vet Nat Scroggie, on 12^th October during Baby Loss Awareness Week; Dr Karen Morton, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist on World Menopause Day 18^th October; and SPVS Senior Vice President, Catriona Curtis, talking about her personal experiences with infertility on 2^nd November during National Fertility Week.

A survey on the impact of the menopause, particularly on working life, is being run in partnership with SPVS in the run up to World Menopause Day. The survey seeks to gain a broad understanding of both awareness and experience across the profession, and responses are encouraged from all ages and genders, whether personally affected or not. The survey can be accessed here until 15^th October: https://bit.ly/2FVXIkv

SPVS President, Anna Judson, said: "Having experienced the effects of the menopause working as a practice owner, I wish I had known more about the impact and that I was not alone in how I was feeling. There is a growing appetite to tackle these issues and we want to hear from anyone affected by the menopause, in order to put the right support mechanisms in place. We're proud to sponsor the menopause webinar and partner with Veterinary Woman on raising awareness about health issues, which are often brushed under the carpet."

Liz Barton, editor of Veterinary Woman, said: "I have been incredibly moved to see the deep empathy and encouragement amongst veterinary colleagues beginning to open up about the impact of health challenges, particularly at work. When I realised the campaigns in October were topics we need to talk about more as a profession, it seemed right to use this as a platform to tackle some of the hidden, emotive health challenges we bear throughout our life and work. We are looking for partners to help us develop the conversations and practical assistance for individuals and practices, to better support those who are silently living with these burdens."

Companies and organisations wishing to support the work should contact liz@veterinarywoman.co.uk. Individuals can register for updates about how to access the sessions by joining the Veterinary Woman email list for updates (www.veterinarywoman.co.uk), or following Veterinary Woman on social media.

The RCVS has published a revised complaints procedure on RCVSonline.

The procedure represents the culmination of 12 months of work from the College's Preliminary Investigations Committee, with the aim of making the decision-making processes more transparent.

There are four information packs about the complaints procedure, all of which are available on RCVSonline. These are for complainants, veterinary surgeons who are complained about, those involved in decision-making at the RCVS and additional guidance for Lay Observers who provide independent, lay input to the process.

View an introduction to the RCVS complaints procedure and download the protocols by clicking here

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A new study, published in the latest issue of the Journal of Small Animal Practice (JSAP), found that ultrasound-guided fine-needle cytological biopsies (FNCB) of gastrointestinal masses provided a clinically useful sample in two thirds of cases, particularly when more slides were provided to the cytologist and thicker lesions were sampled.

“Assessment of the clinical usefulness of ultrasound-guided cytological specimens obtained from gastrointestinal lesions in dogs and cats” retrospectively reviewed GI cytological samples obtained by ultrasound-guided FNCB of 25 dogs and 19 cats from a single institution between February 2014 to August 2016.

The aim of the study was to assess factors that may influence the clinical usefulness of submitted cytological samples collected from gastrointestinal lesions by ultrasound-guided percutaneous FNCB. Ultrasound-guided FNCB included a combination of FNI (non-aspiration) and FNA techniques, as the specific technique could not be determined retrospectively.

Clinical records were evaluated to obtain historical data, clinical findings, diagnostic results and patient outcomes. Clinically useful samples were defined as smears with sufficient cell yield and preservation to allow at least a tentative cytological diagnosis of the lesion character or pathological process.

Factors that may have influenced the retrieval of a clinically useful sample were assessed and included lesion location, sonographic lesion thickness, loss of or alteration to intestinal layer conspicuity on ultrasound, and the number of slides submitted to the cytologists. The thickness of lesions was further categorised as either a mass (≥20 mm thickness) or a thickening (<20mm).

Longbridge-based Blaise Veterinary Referral Hospital is to host its first CPD event: a day focusing on the liver, on Wednesday 13th September 2023 at Herbert's Yard.

The sessions will be delivered by Andrew Kent, clinical director at Blaise and a small animal internal medicine specialist, Lara Dempsey, head of soft tissue surgery, Jacques Ferrerira, head of anaesthesia, Mike Farrell, head of orthopaedic surgery, and neurology clinician, Emma Suiter (pictured).

The talks will cover:

• Diagnostic approach to liver disease (including liver biopsies)
• Gall bladder mucocoeles
• How should we help pet owners understand complex problems?
• Pain management in patients with liver disease (and other chronic diseases)
• Metabolic causes of seizures
• Portosystemic shunts - the medic, the surgeon, the anaesthetist and the neurologist
• The orthopaedic surgeon’s approach to liver disease.

Client communication will also be covered, together with some orthopaedics for those with an interest in that area.

Andy said: “We’re building an incredible team at Blaise and are very excited at the prospect of sharing the specialist knowledge that our clinicians have with our wider veterinary community.

"Treating liver conditions can be incredibly complex and our educational programme presents an unrivalled opportunity to deep dive into this part of an animal’s body and how best to approach it.”

Tickets are available for £48 from https://www.ivcevidensiareferrals.com/Delivering-the-Best, with all profits going to the charity StreetVet.

Blaise Veterinary Referral Hospital in Longbridge is IVC’s first purpose-built pet hospital and will be open to accept referral patients from November 2023.

www.blaise-referrals.com

http://herbertsyard.com 

Vétoquinol, the makers of Zylkène, is offering the chance for a veterinary professional to receive a bursary towards the Centre of Applied Ethnology (COAPE) Behaviour Diploma, worth £5000. 

The company says behavioural training offers a wealth of benefits to veterinary practices and staff, including safer pet handling, improved client loyalty and a more comfortable environment for animals, as well as the opportunity to help increase the clinic's income.

The COAPE Behaviour Diploma is designed to help professionals further their knowledge of behavioural issues and gives them the skills to deal with situations that may arise during the course of their work. It is broken down into 3 one-year-long courses, each costing £5000. 

Jodie Foster of Haygate Vets in Telford was the recipient of last year's bursary and has since been voted the VN Times Welfare Nurse of the Year. She said: "I'd been interested in doing this course for some time, so it was amazing to hear that I'd been selected. I have found it challenging at times, but it's also been very rewarding and has really helped to improve my confidence when dealing with behavioural situations at work.

"The course tutors were fantastic and really fuelled my desire to further develop my knowledge of animal behaviour. The course definitely contributed to being awarded the prize from VN Times so I would strongly recommend that anyone with an interest in pet behaviour applies for the bursary."

To apply, complete the application form at www.zylkenepet.co.uk/COAPE  by 10 August 2014, explaining why you want to further your knowledge of animal behaviour and what you hope to achieve on completing the course.

Central CPD has started delivering CPD for vets live online using Zoom. 

The company says that while attendance CPD events are permitted under UK coronavirus guidelines, it has found that many lecturers and delegates are unwilling or unable to participate in them for the time being.

The main distinction between Zoom and traditional webinars is the ability for members of the audience to see each other and the presenter, which helps engender a sense of community and of a live event. Central CPD says it gives all the feel and interactivity of attending a CPD course in person. 

Central CPD is now delivering day-long events split into four sessions, which gives delegates the choice of joining for a whole day or just selected sessions.

The Zoom presentations are recorded in high definition, with the audience removed, so delegates can catch up on anything they missed later via Central CPD On-Demand.

Two days of CPD have so far been delivered via the new livestream service. Lecturer Mike Rhodes BVM&S CertVOphthal DipECVO MRCVS said: "This was my first time giving a livestream CPD day and compared to my previous experience of prerecorded lectures I found the interaction with the delegates very good fun - this could definitely be the new future with regards to veterinary CPD: COVID or no COVID!"

Livestream courses are free for subscribers or £45 + VAT per event, including unlimited access to the recorded footage afterwards.

Upcoming events for December are:

• Monday 7th December 2020: Nursing the Feline & Canine Diabetic Patient
• Saturday 19th December 2020: “Common Things Are Common” - Logical Investigation & Rational Treatment Approaches for Common Presentations

Details and booking information can be found at https://www.centralcpd.com/categories/30

Animalcare has launched a new broad spectrum fluoroquinolone antimicrobial (Enrofloxacin) which the company says is highly effective in the treatment of a wide range of conditions and easy to inject, with excellent tissue penetration.

Enrocare solution for injection is presented in three strengths: A 25mg/ml (2.5%) injection for dogs, cats and exotic animals including reptiles, small mammals and avian species. The 50mg/ml (5%) injection is licensed for use in cattle, pigs, dogs and cats, whilst the 100mg/ml (10%) injection is licensed for cattle and pigs. In the case of dogs and cats a single daily dose is needed.

Animalcare says it has priced Enrocare competitively. In addition, the range has been launched with three offers: "Buy one get one free on the 50 and 100mg/ml" and "Buy two get one free offer" on the 25mg/ml pack size. These offers will last for four months until the end of September.

In cattle, Enrocare  50mg/ml,  given by the subcutaneous route, is licensed for respiratory disease of bacterial or mycoplasmal origin and the 100mg/ml strength is licenced for both respiratory disease and E.coli mastitis (the latter given by slow intravenous injection). According to Animalcare, its low dose volume makes it particularly suitable for the treatment of respiratory disease in calves. In pigs >25kg Enrocare is licensed for the treatment of the respiratory and alimentary tract diseases of bacterial or mycoplasmal origin and multi-factorial diseases such as atrophic rhinitis and enzootic pneumonia.

Tony Liepman, Animalcare Market Manager said: "The recent successful launch of Cephacare flavour raised Animalcare's profile as a supplier of more up-to-date antibiotics and this is our latest addition which offers excellent efficacy at an attractive price."