The RCVS has appointed Amanda Boag as its new Treasurer, replacing Dr Bradley Viner who will become (junior) Vice-President in July.
Amanda will officially take up her post at RCVS Day - the College's Annual General Meeting and Awards Day - on Friday 11 July.
Amanda is a Clinical Director at Vets Now and is also currently President of the European Society of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. She was elected to RCVS Council for a four-year term in 2012.
As Treasurer she will be responsible for maintaining an overview of the College's affairs, ensuring its financial viability and making sure that proper financial records and procedures are maintained.
Amanda said: "I am very honoured to have been appointed Treasurer for the RCVS and am looking forward to working closely with other Council members and the Belgravia House team.
"I would particularly like to thank my predecessor Bradley Viner for the excellent work he has done over the past four years. This has been a period of great change for the College and during his tenure he has done a huge amount of work to support the improvements in governance, including standardising the way that the College's accounts are reported.
"Our finances are currently in a healthy state despite no increase in the annual renewal fee for several years. I am now looking forward to building on his legacy and ensuring the finances remain healthy, allowing us to move forward with our Strategic Plan."
At RCVS Day on 11 July, Professor Stuart Reid will also be confirmed as President; current President Neil Smith as (senior) Vice-President; Chris Tufnell as Chairman of the Education Committee; and David Catlow as Chairman of the Standards Committee.
The new reader is compatible with all ISO 15-digit (FDX-B) identification microchips. It features an integrated LCD screen that displays microchip numbers in a large, easy-to-read format and it also reports the temperature of temperature-sensing microchips.
Sureflap says the reader is lightweight, ergonomically designed, fits easily into the hand and is easy to operate. The company also says that its small size makes it less intimidating for pets.
Dr Nick Hill, managing director of SureFlap said: "The SureSense Microchip Reader was developed following feedback from veterinary and shelter staff that they often had to share microchip readers.
"The reader is our first professional product, developed exclusively for veterinary professionals, shelters, breeders and pet care professionals. Its affordability and size will ensure that it is possible to have multiple readers in each veterinary practice and shelter."
For further information, contact your wholesaler or the SureFlap team on 0800 9127 114 or via email vet@sureflap.com.
Dechra Veterinary Products is offering vets free Identichips® worth £100 when they order Equipalazone® Powder 100s. The European Union (EU) has now approved regulations that any equine foal born after July 1 2009 should be micro-chipped, and Defra is currently consulting with equine industry professionals about the best method of implementation. The combination of a micro-chip and horse passport provides a reliable method of identification and also a medical record. Larry King, Dechra's equine product manager said: "We want to make it easier for vets to offer clients the best method of identification and in turn, make it difficult for horses treated with veterinary medicines to enter the human food chain. "We are pleased to support the micro-chipping initiative and the Equine Passport Scheme with our Identichips offer and an owner leaflet about passports to promote responsible horse ownership. They will both help prevent important products like Equipalazone from inadvertently entering the food chain. He added: "We stand to lose up to 70 per cent of veterinary medicines if the industry and horse owners don't comply with EU legislation of horse passports and micro-chipping for every equine". The owner leaflet outlines the importance and benefits of the Equine Passport Scheme and is being inserted into every box of Equipalazone Powder 100s. Further copies are available from Dechra Veterinary Products for practices to distribute to their clients. Practices can claim their free Identichips by ordering boxes of Equipalazone Powder 100s from Rachel Horton at Dechra Veterinary Products on 01743 452 847 before August 31 2008.
Vets Now Limited, the out-of-hours emergency care provider, has been announced as a finalist in the Scottish region of the Bank of Scotland Corporate £35 Million Entrepreneur Challenge. The company will now compete with four other businesses to secure a funding package of up to £5 million, free of interest and charges for three years.
Managing Director, Richard Dixon, must now present his business case to a judging panel featuring two well known and incredibly successful entrepreneurs. Willie Haughey from City Refrigeration and John Anderson from The Entrepreneurial Exchange will be joined on the panel by senior representatives from Bank of Scotland Corporate and Deloitte. The panel will be grilling all five finalists on their future business plans, as well as looking for someone with an entrepreneurial flair, spirit and vision that sets them apart from the rest and makes them an outstanding choice to receive the once in a lifetime funding package that could change the face of the business.
The judging process will take place on Thursday 2 October and will be followed that evening by a dinner and award ceremony at Stirling Castle, where the winner will be announced.
For more information visit http://www.theboschallenge.co.uk/
The International Federation on Ageing has published Companion Animals and the Health of Older Persons, a report described as the most extensive literature review to date of research undertaken in the field of companion animals and the health of older people, made possible through an educational sponsorship from Bayer Healthcare.
The report provides a comprehensive literature review into the ways pets contribute to the physical and mental health of individuals and the well-being of our broader society, citing studies which found:
Dr Jane Barratt from the International Federation on Ageing said: "This field of research has important implications across generations and also for the future of our broader society. Many studies have broadly discussed how pets, such as dogs and cats, contribute to health by reducing anxiety, loneliness and depression, but until today, have not yet been published in a single resource. This new report advances our understanding of the value of companion animals in the framework of human health and the broader society."
In the report, investigators acknowledge that the current data on human-companion animal interactions are often predicated on anecdotal evidence and scant qualitative and quantitative data, with poorly-constructed and poorly-controlled study design. This may account in part for the conflicting results found in a number of different studies. Nonetheless, they argue that based on current evidence of considerable positive potential for the health of older individuals, and the associated health and welfare benefits for local communities and societies, more research time and energy should be directed towards this area of research. In particular, they say, there should be much greater involvement from veterinary surgeons, who are well placed to be consulted in studies of companion animals and older people’s attachment, affection and bonding capacities, well-being and social capital.
Ferenc Polz, Head of Bayer Animal Health said: "The therapeutic benefit of companion animals is an area of study attracting increasing interest among health and social science professionals and this sponsored report is yet another example of the life changing potential of human and animal relationships."
The judges praised the practice group for leveraging employee ownership (EO) to drive growth and staff satisfaction, protect independence, and champion EO in the veterinary sector.
Pennard Vets, which has eight practices in Kent, says its driving ambition when it took the decision to transfer the business into an employee ownership trust and make its 150-strong team business owners, was to protect its independence and core values.
Pennard Vets has also been eager to spread the word about employee ownership to other veterinary practices.
Matthew Flann, a director from Pennard Vets, said: “Winning this award is a huge coup for our entire industry, who have been searching for ways to secure the future of their independent practices.
"Set against a backdrop of increasing corporatisation of UK veterinary practices, we chose to protect our heritage by becoming an EOT.
“It hasn't been easy, but it has been massively rewarding and our team have passionately bought into their new status as owners, and the results can be seen throughout the practice – from team-led initiatives to the impact on the range of procedures we can now offer to our patients.
"It’s genuinely been transformational and since 2021 we’ve doubled turnover and grown our team by 30%.
"We’ve also welcomed Abbotsley Veterinary Group and Priory Lodge into the group with the two local Kent practices citing our EOT status as a motivating factor for their moves.
“Crucially our EOT structure provided the launchpad to becoming the first veterinary practice in Europe to achieve B-Corp status in 2022, which we see as another step towards becoming the very best practice possible, using input and ideas from our team to provide a better service, give back to our community and protect the environment.
“We’re also determined to make the journey less arduous for other veterinary practices to follow our lead and we regularly hear from practice owners who are exploring becoming EO.
"We’ve established the British Veterinary Employee Owned Association to help guide other practices through the journey of becoming an EOT by networking, attending events and presenting webinars.
"This year we have supported thriving practices to become EO in all parts of the UK, including Arrowfield Vets in Herefordshire, Animal Tails Veterinary Practice in Stirling, Shetland Vets and Cornerstone Veterinary Clinic in Belfast.
“We believe intrinsically in the value of supporting and promoting our team as the best way to grow our business and provide the best possible service to our clients and patients, and that same approach will pay dividends for other veterinary practices. Because of this we fully intend to continue to campaign for the benefits of EO.”
James de le Vingne, CEO of the EOA, said: “Congratulation to Pennard Vets on winning this award.
"The awards recognise businesses and individuals that are delivering great employee ownership. Collectively, great employee owned businesses deliver significant uplift in productivity and performance, outperforming their non-EO counterparts across multiple impacts for employees, society, the environment and the economy.”
The RSPCA has launched a campaign to try and help stamp out puppy trafficking. As part of the campaign, the charity has released the results of a survey of vets (June 2008) which shows that: 23% of you reported an increase in puppies being presented at your practice that may have been bred on a puppy farm (compared to three years ago). 73% of vets are 'fairly' or 'very' concerned about the trade in puppies. 33% of you have seen an increase in puppies presented with canine parvovirus (compared to three years ago), 34% with endoparasites (e.g. worms), 31% for ectoparasites (e.g. mites) and 35% with campylobacter. 54% of you say that you believe there is a higher incidence of parvovirus in puppies from puppy farms, 66% for endoparasites and 65% for ectoparasites and 44% for campylobacter. 36% of you report that there has been an increase in puppies presented at your practices in the last three years that have not been vaccinated at the appropriate age for their primary course. A separate survey found that nearly a third of 16-24 year olds are contemplating buying a puppy, and that half would consider buying from a pet shop. The RSPCA said it believes it's high time that people planning on buying a puppy know the risks they face if they don't do their research and get one from either a rescue centre or a responsible breeder.
There are four categories of award:
Veterinary practices who feel they have excellence to showcase are invited to submit their nominations via: https://spvs.org.uk/business-excellence-awards, highlighting why they deserve to receive the award against each of the selection criteria.
The deadline for nominations is 5pm on 31st October 2023.
The SPVS Board then will review submissions and shortlist the top 5 nominations in each category.
Shortlisted practices will be contacted by 5pm on the 15th November 2023, and invited to submit a more detailed statement of 750 words or a 90-second video, giving them another opportunity to showcase their accomplishments.
A panel of SPVS members will evaluate the final submissions and vote for a winner in each category.
Category winners will be announced before the end of the year, and will win full day + evening tickets to SPVS Congress 2024 on Thursday 25th January 2024 for three team members, plus overnight accommodation at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.
The overall winner will be announced at the SPVS Congress 2024 opening ceremony (25th – 27th January 2024).
Vetoquinol has announced the winners of the 2008 Marbocyl Achievement Awards. Six veterinary schools took part in the award scheme, which enabled them to recognise the achievements of either staff or students, with a prize fund of £2000 for each university.
Five of the vet schools have announced their 2008 winners, the University of Liverpool will announce its winners in January 2009. Those who have already received their awards this year are:
University of Bristol Dr Catherine Fuller, MRCVSMs Kathryn Murphy, MRCVSMichael Steele, MRCVSChristopher Hudson, MRCVSSamantha Taylor, MRCVS
All of the winners are members of staff nominated by their students for excellence in teaching.
University College DublinDr Carmel Mooney, MVB MPhil PhD DECVIM-CA MRCVS, for an outstanding performance as Clinical Director of the Veterinary Hospital at UCD.
University of CambridgeAdrian Wallace, BVSc (Hons), MACVSc (SAS), MRCVS for his clinical research paper , ‘A biomechanical comparison of six double-loop configurations for use in the lateral fabella suture technique for the cranial cruciate ligament deficient canine stifle', Journal of Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 2008. Catherine Stalin, MA, VetMB, MRCVS for her paper ‘Radiographic morphology of the cranial portion of the cervical vertebral column in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and its relationship to syringomyelia', American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2008 Penny Watson, MA, VetMB, CertVR, DSAM, Dip ECVIM, MRCVS, European Specialist in Small Animal Medicine for her clinical research paper ‘Prevalence and breed distribution of chronic pancreatitis at post-mortem examination in first opinion dogs' Journal of Small Animal Practice, 2007.
University of GlasgowMark Lowrie, MA VetMB MRCVS, for his Clinical Research Abstract - "Acute phase proteins and immunoglobulin A in steroid responsive meningitis-arteritis"
Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies EdinburghLesa Longley, MA BVM&S Cert ZooMed MRCVS for an exceptionally high level of achievement during her residency programme.
Mark Leddy, Vetoquinol's Marketing Department Manager said: "We are delighted to have been able to help these universities recognise and reward the achievements of staff and students over the past three years."
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has produced a new Orf Vaccination Starter Pack to help vets better inform their sheep farmer clients about the disease.
The new campaign Vaccination Starter Pack includes a practical guide to Orf and its control in UK sheep flocks, a DVD profiling vet and farmer experiences of managing the disease, an 'Orf questions answered' handout and a best practice vaccination protocol. Additional practice support materials highlighting the problems caused by Orf and its control with Scabivax Forte are also available.
The Starter Pack and full range of promotional materials are available from local Intervet/Schering-Plough Account Managers or by contacting the Veterinary Support Group on 01908 685685.
Guillaume Fournié and Dr Javier Guitian from the Royal Veterinary College - working with colleagues from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Imperial College - have developed a model to understand how live bird markets act as a "hub" of infection for domestic poultry and if rest days, during which such markets are emptied and disinfected, may reduce transmission.
The results are published today in Interface - the Journal of The Royal Society. PhD student Guillaume Fournié, who led the research, said: "Live bird markets can be a reservoir of infection for domestic poultry and may therefore be responsible for sustaining H5N1 HPAI virus circulation.
"Compared to interventions applied in farms - such as stamping out and vaccination - our model shows that frequent rest days are an effective means with which to reduce H5N1 HPAI infection rates. Furthermore, our model predicts that full market closure - as has been implemented in some countries such as Egypt and Vietnam - would only be slightly more effective than rest days to reduce transmission of the disease."
The models used in the study are based on the live bird market chain in Hong Kong and the analysis restricted to chickens. Fournié, who qualified to be a vet in Alfort in his native France, was awarded fully-funded studentships (tuition fees and a living allowance) in 2007 by The Bloomsbury Colleges - a consortium of six colleges of the University of London: Birkbeck, IoE, LSHTM, RVC, School of Oriental and African Studies, and The School of Pharmacy - to conduct the research.
Since December 2003 outbreaks of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPA1) affecting domestic poultry have been reported in 50 countries across the world. Massive economic losses and the pandemic threat make H5N1 HPAI one of the greatest current public health concerns.
A full copy of the report can be seen in Interface at http://rsif.royalsocietypublishing.org
Petplan has been named the UK's Best Pet Insurance Provider at the Consumer Moneyfacts awards.
Voted for by over 17,000 consumers, the awards recognise the best financial products available to consumers in the UK.
Petplan, which says it has recently strengthened its policies to provide pet owners with more comprehensive cover, was chosen by consumers for its market leading policies and outstanding customer service.
Petplan Director Neil Brettell said: "The award is great recognition for the fantastic job that our team at Petplan does to keep pets healthy and owners happy.
"Our Covered for Life policies truly do what they say, they ensure that a pet can get the best possible treatment throughout its life without the owner having to worry about the cost. It's great to be recognised for the service that we've been providing to the nation's pets for over 35 years."
For information about how working with Petplan can help your practice call Vetline on 0800 316 8800 or visit www.petplanvet.co.uk
The company is now asking farm vets to point their clients in the direction of the FarmComm study and encourage them to take part, share their thoughts and help shape the way we all work together in the future.
Mat Yarnall, senior brand manager at Boehringer said: "With routine visits, practice meetings, herd or flock health planning sessions and farming shows and exhibitions all on-hold, how vets work with their clients is subject to change on a scale never seen before.
“The study is striving to understand what methods of working going forward may work, what won’t work and how people want to work.”
The FarmComm study will be being sent out directly to farmers or can be accessed at https://bit.ly/farm-comm.
Matt added: "Following analysis and interpretation, these findings will be shared with vets as we all move together into new and different times."
Leading industry experts including Faye Murch from Kingsgate Nutrition, Eric Nadeau, Elanco Global Pig Vaccine Advisor, veterinary consultant Daniel Parker and Francesc Molist from Schothorst Feed Research will share their learnings on alternative approaches to managing PWD, including vaccination.
Jack Fellows from Elanco Animal Health says that with 90% of producers using their vet as their first port of call when it comes to PWD1, it is vital they start to encourage producers to consider an alternative prescription to zinc.
He said: “Producers must start to prepare now to avoid being forced to turn to antibiotics when zinc is no longer an option.
"Vaccination will become an increasingly important component of PWD prevention. Amongst other topics on mastering piglet gut health, the seminar aims to support knowledge on the application of in-water vaccines to ensure appropriate and effective use.”
Jack says that while vaccination may appear costly in comparison to zinc oxide, it offers a good return on investment: "Piglets can be vaccinated from 18 days of life, so they are protected from the pathogen at weaning, and we are seeing a growing number of UK herds using vaccines as part of their PWD prevention strategy.
"Farms using the Coliprotec vaccine are no longer using in-water medication to control scours. They’re also noticing that piglets are eating more, and that they’re achieving an extra 2kg of slaughter weight2 while reaching market weights seven days sooner3.”
To register for the event, visit: https://www.myelanco.co.uk/pub/swine-seminar-registration
References
Aimed at all members of the veterinary team across Europe, the webinar is moderated by veterinary nutrition expert Dottie Laflamme.
The webinar, which will also be available on demand after the event, follows others in the series that allow conversations about nutrition to be integrated into everyday consultations.
Speakers Shoshanah Verton Shaw, RVT, VTS (nutrition), and Marge Chandler (a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the American College of Veterinary Nutrition) will be sharing their tips for handling nutrition discussions in a non-confrontational way that preserves the client bond with the vet and the practice.
Registration for this and another three free webinars is available at https://bit.ly/purinawebinars2022.
Topics include applying the principles of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), making confident diagnostic and prescribing decisions, and managing client expectations around antibiotic use within practice.
In the first episode, Tim explores how to apply the principles of AMS in the consulting room, starting with recognising when antibiotics are genuinely needed.
He explores the role of clinical signs and cytology in guiding diagnosis and treatment decisions, while also emphasising the risks of unnecessary prescribing.
The discussion also covers when empirical antibiotic use may be appropriate and how to ensure these decisions are justified.
Each episode offers practical, evidence-based insights which Krka says can be easily implemented in general practice.
The series is accompanied by downloadable Vet2Vet Insights information sheets that summarise the main take-home messages from each episode.
https://open.spotify.com/show/0uphORU03q29WncwmN2EIa
The information sheets are available here: https://www.krka.co.uk/veterinary-knowledge-hub/articles/responsible-use-of-companion-animal-antibiotics
'Evidence-based veterinary medicine at 20 – a commentary on historical, philosophical, practical, and ethical aspects' by David Mills MRCVS, Michael J. Reiss and Madeleine Campbell FRCVS, looks at the history of both evidence-based medicine and EBVM, the moral and ethical arguments for EBVM and the practical barriers.
It concludes that EBVM would be improved by:
Author David Mills MRCVS said: “EBVM has extensively infiltrated the veterinary discourse in the last 20 years and whilst it seems a sensible way of doing medicine, this doesn't always translate into practical improvements.
"Of course we need to base decisions on evidence, and the more reliable that evidence the better the decisions are likely to be.
"But is EBVM the best way?
"Does it serve the individual when the evidence doesn't relate to them or the specifics of their disease?
"Does EBVM help or hinder us in realising welfare improvements for the individual animal?
"In this review of the EBVM movement we examine aspects of the methodology and its practical application and in several areas find it wanting.
"Some of these are practical issues - for example underpowered studies, poor evidence - whilst others are fundamental to the philosophy and practice of EBVM itself such as what is evidence, how it translates to individuals and how we cannot predict the future.
"Evidence-based medicine was forged in the fires of not just accepting eminent pronouncements - in this paper we apply this principle to EBVM itself."
https://veterinaryevidence.org/index.php/ve/article/view/710
Reference
Three new learning aids launched by BVA:
Practical Animal Handling - Online Tutorial The BVA AWF have launched an online tutorial on practical animal handling which has been prepared in conjunction with Newcastle University. The tutorial is primarily aimed at veterinary students and nurses. It features videos of expert veterinary staff demonstrating the correct procedures for handling small animals for clinical examination and medication and its aim is to show that the primary consideration should be for the welfare of the animal. To access the online tutorial visit http://www.bva-awf.org.uk/resources/tutorials/.
Disbudding of Kid Goats The Goat Veterinary Society (GVS) has produced a DVD designed to help veterinary surgeons to disbud goats. Produced in association with the BVA Animal Welfare Foundation the DVD is in memory of the late Mike Teale MRCVS, following a donation from his family. The DVD discusses the potential problems associated with disbudding kid goats and provides guidance on how to avoid them. It shows the best technique for disbudding from start to finish and discusses anatomical considerations, methods of anaesthesia and analgesia and disbudding, with particular attention drawn to the regulatory aspects as they currently apply in the UK. For further information on the GVS DVD, including obtaining a copy, at a cost of £10, please visit http://www.bva-awf.org.uk/headlines/news/Disbudding_of_kid_goats_DVD__2_.pdf.
Bat Care Guidelines - a Guide to Bat Care for RehabilitatorsThe Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) has produced Bat Care Guidelines, in association with the BVA AWF, RSPCA and RCVS Trust, aimed at veterinary professionals, wildlife hospitals and new rehabilitators. The document is split into basic sections including 'health and safety', 'rescue and collection' and 'ailments and treatments' which aim to provide minimum guidelines for bat care. The new initiative is part of an ongoing partnership focusing on the rehabilitation of wild bats in the UK. Visit http://www.bva-awf.org.uk/grants/projects/BCT_workshop_article_08.pdf for further information
The WSAVA's Global Nutrition Committee (GNC) has launched a Nutrition Toolkit for veterinary professionals.
The non-branded toolkit contains the following materials:
The toolkit is available for download at http://wsava.org/nutrition-toolkit.
Based on its importance to overall health, the WSAVA is campaigning to have a nutritional assessment confirmed as the fifth vital assessment in a standard physical examination and for the veterinary healthcare team to provide nutritional recommendations for each animal as an integral component of patient care.
The launch of the Nutrition Toolkit follows on from the Global Nutrition Committee's first initiative, the creation of a set of Nutrition Guidelines in 2011. These were aimed at helping veterinary professionals and pet owners ensure that pets are fed according to an optimal and individually tailored nutrition plan. According to WSAVA, they have been successful, securing endorsements from 19 veterinary organizations in 16 countries. They have been translated into ten languages and are available for download at http://www.wsava.org/guidelines/global-nutrition-guidelines.
GNC Co-Chair Dr Marge Chandler said: "Research shows that more than 90% of pet owners would like nutritional advice but fewer than 15% feel they receive it. In some parts of the world, pet malnutrition remains a major challenge, while in many other countries, pet obesity is an increasing problem. In addition, there is confusion about optimal nutrition because there is now so much conflicting and inaccurate information available online.
Our Nutrition Toolkit is designed to help the veterinary healthcare team address nutrition at every patient visit and to advance the central role of the veterinary healthcare team as the expert source of nutrition information."
Merial has joined forces with the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) promote its "Me and My Dog - Together Against Rabies" social media campaign, designed to raise awareness of the importance of vaccinating dogs against rabies.
As part of the campaign, pet owners are asked to share photos of themselves with their dog on social media channels, using the hash tags #TogetherAgainstRabies and #MerialMeAndMyDog.
Merial says the increased numbers of pets travelling since the changes to the Pet Travel Scheme rules in 2012 means that awareness of rabies amongst pet owners is important, despite the fact that the disease is not endemic in the UK.
Joanne Maki, Director Veterinary Public Health for Wildlife and Companion Animals for Merial said: "The "Me and My Dog - Together against Rabies" campaign is a unique opportunity for all of us to play a part in spreading the word about eliminating human rabies through the vaccination of animals. The more of us who participate, the stronger we are in this important fight".
Martin Hosegood MRCVS has been selected to run for (your) Vetlife in the Virgin London Marathon.
Martin said: "Through my role at VDS where I assist those on the receiving end of an allegation of professional negligence or professional misconduct, I have seen the fantastic work that Vetlife does to assist anyone in the veterinary community who is having a difficult time. I’ve run the marathon before for other charities but there will be something special about running it to help support my own profession. I feel privileged to have been chosen."
Martin (aka Obed) is a Bristol graduate who worked mainly in large animal practice for 25 years before becoming a VDS claims consultant in 2010. He has also been advising a large safari park on the health, conservation and management of a wide range of zoo species for many years and still continues this role now, albeit in a reduced capacity.
Martin will be running on April 26th with 38,000 other runners – almost five times the number that ran the first race in 1981. Other competitors will include Tim Peake, who will be running the race aboard the International Space Station, Dame Kelly Holmes MBE, James Cracknell and Rosie Allister, Chair of Vetlife Helpline.
Rosie said: "It’s brilliant that Martin is giving up his time and training miles to support Vetlife. People who call Vetlife Helpline can often feel very alone; knowing the profession is behind us and wants to help can make a real difference. I’m hoping Martin waves as he overtakes me on the day! And that more vets and VNs will help us fundraise for Vetlife in the future."
Anyone willing to sponsor Martin can do so at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ObedMartinHosegood
Boehringer Ingelheim has released details of research presented at the 29th World Veterinary Congress which shows dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) due to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) live longer when treated with pimobendan (Vetmedin®) compared with a commonly used ACE inhibitor.
The results of the QUEST trial, the largest international study of its kind to be conducted amongst dogs with congestive heart failure, are due to be published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (JVIM) later this year.
The condition myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) accounts for approximately 75% of all cases of CHF in dogs2. MMVD is associated with the thickening of the cusps of the mitral valve (one of the main one-way valves within the heart), affecting the flow of blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Although there is no cure for CHF due to MMVD, there are treatments available to manage the condition, improving the quality and length of the dog's life.
Professor Jens Häggström, lead investigator of the QUEST trial from the University of Uppsala, Sweden, commented that "the QUEST trial is a significant milestone in our efforts to reassure both, veterinarians and dog owners, that there is compelling evidence to show that pimobendan is an effective treatment for CHF that prolongs their dog's life and providing pet and owner with more quality time together."
The QUEST trial was a randomised, positive-controlled, multi-centre trial conducted at 28 sites across 11 countries, and is the largest study of its kind ever conducted in veterinary cardiology. The study compared a pimobendan group with a group treated with benazepril hydrochloride on top of background diuretic therapy. The trial spanned three years and followed dogs to death, euthanasia or treatment failure leading to withdrawal from the trial.
Research by Boehringer has also shown that over 50% of dog owners in the UK are unaware that their dog may be at risk of heart failure. Heart disease affects one in four dogs over seven years of age, and the lack of knowledge about this serious, life-threatening condition suggests that there is a need for better education amongst dog owners on how to recognise the disease, and how to maintain their dogs' heart health.
A team of top equine vets is aiming to raise £125,000 for the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) by travelling 3000 miles through Europe by motorbike between 22nd August and 9th September.
Sponsored by Elanco Animal Health, the seven-strong team is planning to travel through Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Morocco and Spain and deliver lectures to eight European and African veterinary schools in just two weeks.
Led by Professor Derek Knottenbelt from the University of Liverpool, the team also includes Professor Josh Slater from Royal Veterinary College, Dr John Burford from the University of Nottingham, Dr Caroline Hahn from the University of Edinburgh, Dr Michael Hewetson from the University of Helsinki, Ms Joanne Suthers from the University of Liverpool and Dr Edmund Hainisch from the University of Vienna. They are being supported by Jeremy Hulme, chief executive of SPANA, Nic Van Gelder, fundraising and supporter care administrator at SPANA and Cerian Stephens.
All money raised will provide SPANA with diagnostic and surgical equipment for the charity's veterinary clinics for working animals in Mali and Mauritania and for the further development of the Bamako Disabled Riding Centre in Mali.
Mike Brown, Elanco's UK and Ireland country director said: "We are delighted to be sponsoring the Vets with Horsepower European Tour which will raise vital funds for working animals in some of the world's poorest countries. This is just one of the many worthwhile initiatives we are supporting in 2012 which focus on alleviating world hunger, spearheading agricultural leadership, enhancing the human-animal bond and caring for the environment."
For further information on the Vets with Horsepower European Tour visit www.spana.org/horsepower.
Agria Pet Insurance has announced an 'age amnesty' in May, during which time the company will quote for cover regardless of the age of a pet.
The company says it is common for the owners of older pets to have difficulties finding insurance cover for older pets, and a lack of cover may be a barrier to presenting the animal for regular health checks and disease investigations.
Agria has been offering five weeks free pet insurance plus insurance quotes without an age limit for rehomed older pets from rehoming centres and charities for a year now, in order to give prospective rehomers greater confidence to take on the additional commitment of an older pet.
The company says that opening up the offer to all pet owners through May offers a rare opportunity to insure potentially vulnerable senior dogs and cats.
Alastair Cook, Head of Sales and Marketing, said: "It's a great way to reinforce to clients how much you care. The bond with an older pet is often special and it can be very distressing when they develop a condition that is going to require treatment on an ongoing basis. We don't want cost to be the pet owners biggest worry, or for people to feel that they can't afford to ask their veterinary practice for help. We're asking practices to reach out to pet owners and let them know about this time limited offer so we can help as many pets and people as possible."
Agria has produced an Age Amnesty waiting room poster, available on request by calling its veterinary helpline on 03330 30 83 90 or email admin.vet@agriapet.co.uk. Practices that work with charities are also encouraged to contact the company.
For more information, visit www.agriapet.co.uk/veterinary
The offer runs until 17th September 2023 and vets who sign up for the face-to-face programmes will also get 25% off a practical short course.
The Small Animal Surgery course is split over two years, with a significant practical component and 10-days practical wet-lab training sessions.
Delegates learn about orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery, and neurosurgery.
The Small Animal Medicine course is also split over two years and covers all major canine and feline body systems.
On completion, delegates can also earn an ISVPS General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert) or achieve a Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) awarded by Harper Adams University.
Dr Charlotte French (pictured right), UK Head of Business Development, said: ‘When I qualified over 25 years ago, there was very little postgraduate education available.
"Over the years Improve Veterinary Education have been the leaders in development and delivery of world leading CPD.
"This is the opportunity for even more members of the profession to take advantage of that high quality education, enabling them to further their careers and improve animal welfare.’
The flagship programmes are run in various learning formats to support the different learning environments vets operate in and include:
www.improveinternational.com