Ceva Animal Health, maker of Adaptil, has launched a new leaflet on separation anxiety to help ease dogs out of lockdown.

The new leaflet, ‘Separation anxiety as a result of the pandemic. What can you do?’, was written in collaboration with clinical animal behaviourist, Rosie Bescoby, and is aimed at dog owners whose pets are struggling to adjust to the ‘new normal’.

It includes an overview of separation anxiety, including the signs to look out for and how to tackle it, together with training tips to help adult dogs and preventative advice for puppies. 

The leaflet also includes advice on the dog fear ladder, which demonstrates the different levels of fear a dog may exhibit resulting in more extreme reactions being displayed, and information on the Adaptil range of products which help support dogs throughout their lives.

The leaflet is available as both a printed and online version to enable vet practices to distribute it to their clients in a format of their choice. It is supported by a social media toolkit for vet practices consisting of posts, graphics and a video.

Abigail King, senior behaviour product manager at Ceva Animal Health, said: “Lockdowns have been a positive experience for many of our dogs, as they are social animals and love being with their owners.

“However, with the 2021 PFMA annual pet population report confirming that 3.2 million households in the UK have acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic, some pet owners have never left their dogs home alone, so it’s going to be a totally new experience which some pets may struggle with. 

"Our new separation anxiety leaflet will help support both pets and owners as they adjust to the new normal.”

For further information, contact your local Ceva Animal Health account manager or email cevauk@ceva.com.

Elanco Animal Health has announced the launch of Kexxtone this month, a new treatment which it claims can reduce the incidence of ketosis in dairy cows by 74%* following a single treatment.¹

Kexxtone is a targeted solution for any dairy cow or heifer that is expected to develop ketosis around the period of calving. It is administered as a bolus,and provides coverage during the main risk period for the condition.

Ketosis often goes undetected because the signs are not immediately apparent. However, it is a common condition, affecting around 30% of cows² and has a negative impact upon cow health, fertility and milk production. Ketosis can result, on average, in milk losses of around 350-500 litres per cow⁴ per lactation. The cost of production losses and disease related consequential losses due to subclinical ketosis has been estimated at around 250-600 EUR per cow.⁵

Elanco says this new approach is likely to significantly expand the array of options open to vets actively involved in dairy herd health management. Kexxtone comes with the benefit of a zero day milk and meat withdrawal³ and the formulation is based on monensin - a molecule with a long history of beneficial use. 

According to the company, Kexxtone uses novel technology to allow a continuous and regular release of the active ingredient into the rumen which forms a gel when exposed to rumen fluid. This gel is progressively released into the rumen by a pressure sensitive spring in the Kexxtone device. The active ingredient shifts the microbial balance in the rumen to produce more of the glucose precursor propionic acid, therefore increasing glucose delivery and ultimately increasing the energy available to the cow. This improvement in energy utilisation buffers dairy cows against the tendency to drop into negative energy balance during the transition period around calving and early lactation - the major cause of ketosis.

Mike Steele, Technical Consultant at Elanco said: "Kexxtone offers an exciting opportunity in which everyone wins - vets who can offer positive interventions able to make a big impact on the bottom line, are going to be increasingly integral to their farm clients' herd health planning framework. It's no longer just about nutritional intervention and emergency salvage; it's about being able to proactively easily measure the true herd prevalence of ketosis and where appropriate, take preventative targeted action to really make a difference."

Kexxtone is available to order now from veterinary wholesalers - for further information contact the Elanco Territory Manager or call Elanco Animal Health on 01256 353131.

References

1. CVMP assessment report of an application for the granting of community marketing authorisation for Kexxtone (EMEA/V/C/002235)

• Elanco Farm Audit 2011, No. GN4FR110006.

• Kexxtone® Summary of Product Characteristics,

• Ospina 2010. Association between the proportion of sampled transition cows with increased nonesterified fatty acids and ß-hydroxybutyrate and disease incidence, pregnancy rate and milk production at the herd level. J. Dairy Sci. 93:3595-3601.

• Adapted from Esslemont 2012. The Cost of Ketosis in Dairy Cows, World Buiatrics Congress, Lisbon, Portugal

Animalcare has set up a new company called identicare to operate its identibase pet database and identichip microchip business.

The company says the reason for the change is so that it can dedicate additional resources to the business. 

Samantha Williamson, UK Country Manager at Animalcare, said: "Through our identichip microchips and our identibase pet database, we provide one of the UK’s longest-established pet microchipping services and are helping to reunite owners with their lost pets every single day.

"The pet reunification sector is evolving rapidly thanks to technological advances. We believe that the creation of identicare will facilitate the concentration of resources and expert knowledge needed to fuel the growth in our identichip business and continued enhancements to the identibase pet database. identicare will share the same passion and values as Animalcare and there will be no outward change for our customers.

“We look forward to continuing to deliver our ambition of delivering the highest quality pet reunification service under the identicare banner.”

The new company is part of the Animalcare Group.

According to a report in last weekend's Mail on Sunday, documents leaked from Defra have revealed proposals for a range of measures designed to reduce the risk from dangerous dogs.

The proposals reportedly include:

• All owners required to take a 'competency test' to prove they can handle their dog. The cost of the test has been estimated at £60.
• All owners required to buy third party insurance.
• All owners required to microchip their pet

The first of these looks like being a bit of a non-runner. Aside from the subjective nature of deciding what makes a competent owner, the cost is disproportionate to the size of the problem: 703 convictions for dangerously out of control dogs in 2007. The other two seem long overdue.

EQVALAN® manufacturer Merial Animal Health is extending its free egg worm count promotion, allowing practices to re-run the offer this autumn.

During September and October Merial is giving away 20 free faecal egg count tests with each order of 20 tubes of EQVALAN® DUO (ivermectin + praziquantel). In addition, for every 20 tubes ordered, stockists will get a further 4 tubes of EQVALAN® DUO free.

EQVALAN's product manager Claire Edmunds said: "During the spring campaign, over 1000 horse owners took part in the worm egg count promotion, many of whom we believe had never used testing kits before.

"The tests highlight which horses need treatment and which do not, allowing practices to advise specifically on the necessary treatment*.

For those practices with their own testing facilities, Merial is also offering promotional support to help encourage increased uptake and client buy-in. "The autumn campaign will provide participating practices with another opportunity to add value whilst encouraging loyalty from clients.

Claire added: "Promoting a targeted approach to responsible worming means that only those horses which need treatment are wormed with an appropriate wormer selected for the worms identified from the test."

For further information please contact your local territory manager or call the Merial Customer Support Centre on 0845 601 4236.

The RCVS has announced the recipients of this year’s Honours and Awards. 

The Queen’s Medal - the highest honour that the RCVS can bestow upon an individual veterinary surgeon - was given to Dr Mary Stewart MRCVS, a retired academic who spent most of her career at the University of Glasgow where she was responsible for the development of the modern vet school.

Dr Stewart was nominated by Professor Stuart Reid, the Principal of the Royal Veterinary College and former Dean of the Glasgow Veterinary School. In his nomination he said: “Mary Stewart is one of the unsung heroes of the veterinary profession. A veterinarian graduating from Cornell in 1949, Mary has been MRCVS since 1951 and without doubt has been one of the major influencers of ethical approaches in the vet-client-patient environment and, in particular, the impact of euthanasia on both owners and attending veterinarians. Conducting nearly all her professional career in the UK, the vast majority at the University of Glasgow, Mary was of the generation selected by Sir William Weipers to create the modern school at Glasgow, an institution in which Mary played a pivotal role that would have reach nationally and internationally.”

The Inspiration Award is given to vets or nurses to recognise their ability to inspire and enthuse others consistently throughout his or her career. This year, it has been awarded to Dr Freda Scott-Park MRCVS. Freda is a former president of both the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) as well as the current coordinator of the Highlands & Islands Veterinary Services Scheme and a campaigner for identifying the links between animal and other forms of abuse through The Links Group.

The Impact Award is given to vets and nurses who have recently made a considerable impact that has affected the profession at large, animal health or welfare, or public health. This year two Impact Awards have been bestowed. The first is to Dr Rosie Allister MRCVS, a leading campaigner and researcher for and about veterinary mental health, as well as a veterinary educator, the manager of the Vetlife Helpline and a member of the RCVS Mind Matters Initiative Taskforce.

The second Impact Award recipient is Hannah Capon MRCVS, the co-founder and director of Canine Arthritis Management (CAM), a self-funded social enterprise that provides advice to both other veterinary professionals and animal owners on the treatment and management of arthritis in dogs.

This year the RCVS is also awarding three Honorary Associateships, bestowed upon those who are not veterinary surgeons or veterinary nurses but who are making a considerable impact in the veterinary sphere, whether in the field of campaigning, charities, research, politics or journalism, for example.

This year’s first Honorary Associate is Professor Maureen Bain, Professor of Comparative Anatomy and Histology at the University of Glasgow’s Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, and an Associate of Glasgow Vet School who has dedicated her career to research on improving the quality and safety of eggs for human consumption.

The second Honorary Associate is Mike Flynn, the Chief Superintended of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), for his collaborative work with the veterinary profession in areas such as the illegal puppy trade and the Links Group.

The third and final Honorary Associate is Professor Roberto La Ragione, the Deputy Head of the Surrey Vet School where he is also Professor of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology and Head of the Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases. Professor La Ragione was nominated for his contribution to veterinary education and research.

RCVS President Niall Connell (pictured right) said: “My hearty congratulations to all of this year’s award winners. Once again, it was a very strong field of people who have made and are making an indelible impact on veterinary science, the professions, animal health and welfare, food safety, public health, and plenty more besides."

Normally RCVS Awards & Honours are presented at Royal College Day in July. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 awards ceremony will instead be part of the proceedings of a combined Royal College Day and Fellowship Day, which will take at the Royal Institution on 2 October 2020. This event may be subject to cancellation and postponement depending on the latest Government advice and restrictions on the prevention of transmission of coronavirus.

Humane Society International, an animal charity, has launched Vets for Ukrainian Pets, through which refugees can have access to free veterinary treatment in the UK and 38 European countries. 

Vets for Ukrainian Pets will cover the treatment costs of up to five dogs, cats, horses or other pet animals, up to 250 Euros per animal, for acute care and medication, rabies and other vaccinations as well as microchipping and medical examination required for safe passage through the EU.

The initiative is being funded by HSI, with support from Mars.

It is being run collaboration with Federation of Veterinarians in Europe and the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations. 

Reimbursements for participating veterinary surgeons will be available wherever the FECAVA has members, including in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Romania and Poland, as well as Ukraine.

Ruud Tombrock, executive director of HSI/Europe, said: “In Europe’s biggest refugee crisis since WWII, millions of Ukrainians have had to take the decision to leave their country and flee the war.

"Along with a few possessions, many are also taking their pet animals, who they cherish as family members.

"The trauma of war as well as the stress of the evacuation journey, can make animals vulnerable to a variety of illnesses and so HSI’s Vets for Ukrainian Pets program aims to eliminate barriers to accessing veterinary care for the pets of refugees.

"It will provide a much-needed safety net for those families fleeing with their beloved pets so that at no point they feel compelled to leave their pets behind due to concerns about being able to care for them.”

Vets for Ukrainian Pets will run until 21st May 2022 and is open for all licensed veterinary clinics to apply throughout Europe, whether owned privately or as part of a corporate group.

Veterinary surgeons who want to join the program should visit apply.vetsforukraine.com.

Kruuse has launched two products for the treatment of digital dermatitis in cattle: the Bovivet hoof bandage and Kruuse Hoof Gel.  

According to the company, an estimated that 70% of dairy herds suffer with digital dermatitis (DD), and it is a growing problem. If not treated, it can persist for months, causing pain and lameness to infected cows. As well as worrying animal welfare concerns, numerous studies have shown that the disease can have a direct impact on milk production and reproduction with financial implications for the dairy farmer.

Traditionally, treatment has involved thoroughly washing the infected hoof, applying an antibiotic/drying agent such as salicylic acid powder and then applying a dressing that must typically remain in place for three days. This method comes with its own problems, including the difficulty dosing salicyclic acid powder correctly, the risk to the user's health when mixing, and the difficulty ensuring that the dressing is correctly applied at the right pressure and that it stays in place.

To help overcome these problems, Kruuse has introduced two products. The first is the ready-to-apply Bovivet complete Hoof Bandage. It is made from a water-repelling material that keeps out unwanted liquids. Its shape and elasticity are designed to keep the bandage in place. Inside the bandage is a treatment pad that makes for easy dosing. The outer stocking design allows for checking on the progress of treatment and for re-application if necessary. The bandage is available in two sizes, large which fits most cattle breeds, and small for calves and small breeds.

The second product, to be used in conjunction with the Bovivet Hoof Bandage, is Kruuse Hoof Gel 38%, containing 38% salicyclic acid. Kruuse says that dosing with this gel product is easier and more accurate than with the powder, making it more economical per treatment. It also reduces potential health risks to the user from inhalation of the powder when mixing.

Kruuse has produced the following instructional video to demonstrate the new products' ease of use and versatility:

Premier Vet Alliance, a provider of pet health care plans, has announced that having completed its acquisition of Simplyhealth’s animal health business, it is now migrating 2000 practices over to its pet health plan portal. 

The company says that practices transferring to its pet health plan portal will be able to take greater control of their pet health plans and benefit from a range of innovative services for the same cost. They include the VMD-approved Post2Pet home delivery service, a messaging system to advise clients on applying products, attending appointments or renewing prescriptions, reporting to give practice leaders the insights they need to drive plan performance, the ability for pet owners to sign up online rather than visit the practice, and 24/7 access to a marketing hub and the Premier Vet Alliance Learning Academy.

Premier Vet Alliance’s Business Development Director Andy Taylor said: "We are excited to be offering our high performing Premier Pet Care Plan to the many new practices joining us following our acquisition of Simplyhealth’s animal health business. 

"We are working to make the transition seamless and believe that our new customers will be delighted at the expanded range of functionality our portal offers them, together with the reduced administrative burden.  We will continue to invest in its development to ensure that all of our customers can be sure that their pet health plan offers the most powerful set of tools and services available to help them drive up the profitability of their practice, while offering gold standard care to their patients and peace of mind to their clients."

For more information, visit: https://premiervetalliance.com/uk/ 

The exotic species department at Bristol-based Highcroft Veterinary Referrals has been awarded Gold Rabbit Friendly Status by the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF).

The award has been granted to only a handful of practices and requires the achievement of high standards of care and a detailed understanding of the species.

Highcroft has three dedicated exotic species veterinary surgeons, including a European small mammal Specialist and four exotic species nurses, who have either obtained or are studying for their City and Guilds Exotic Species Veterinary Nursing Certificate.

The practice has a dedicated exotic species consulting room, waiting room, ward and an operating theatre, containing state-of-the-art equipment.

In addition to treating rabbits, both vets and nurses in the exotic species team lecture widely to promote the importance of providing a high standard of care to rabbits and to ensure that their welfare is optimised.  

Dr Elisabetta Mancinelli DVM CertZooMed Dipl ECZM (Small Mammal) MRCVS heads the exotic species team at Highcroft.  A European Veterinary Specialist in Zoological Medicine (Small Mammal Medicine and Surgery) and a RCVS Recognised Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, she said: "We are very proud to have been awarded Gold Status by the RWAF. We will continue to enhance the level of care we provide, not just to rabbits but to all exotic species and strive to improve the welfare of all animals under our care, in hospital and at home."

CVS reports that after running a clinical improvement project to improve the diagnosis of periodontal disease in cat and dogs, its participating first opinion practices have tripled the number of patients receiving dental x-rays.

The company points to research which showed that 42% of cats and 28% of dogs have lesions which are only detectable on x-ray¹.

Failing to identify teeth with root lesions can have a significant impact on patient welfare, causing ongoing pain and eventual tooth loss.

The first priority for the CVS clinical improvement project was to review how effective its first opinion small animal practices were at using radiography in dental examinations.

In July 2021, only 16.2% of dental cases had radiography performed and clinicians were mostly using visual examination to guide decision making.

The project then identified the barriers to using dental radiography as: a lack of dental radiography equipment in a practice, a lack of clinician confidence in taking and interpreting the radiographs and a belief that pet owners would not want to pay for it.

To address the first issue, CVS installed new dental radiography machines at over 104 sites, at a cost of £615,000 over the course of the year. 

The company then upskilled its vets and nurses in dental radiography - looking specifically at getting good quality radiographs and interpretation.

Finally, the company conducted an audit of each participating practice’s dental radiology data, updating it each month and sharing the results with the practices..

One year on, CVS says the data shows that 43% of dental cases in project practices are now using dental radiography as part of their consultation.

In the best cases, some practices have been using radiography in 100% of cases.

Hub Clinical Lead Deborah Komianos said: “When you open a patient’s mouth and look inside, seemingly normal teeth are oftentimes not normal.

"So vets and nurses can risk missing periodontal disease.

“Dental radiology has historically been underutilised but we believe it adds valuable information to dental consultations and is an important decision-making tool.

“We’re thrilled with the early results in our practices.

"It shows there’s been a real change of mind-set and behaviour towards using X-rays in dentistry – as well as increased confidence in execution."

Reference

1. ‘Diagnostic value of full mouth radiography in cats’, 1998, Verstraete, Kass and Terpak.

The BVA, the Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) and the RSPCA are urging veterinary surgeons to promote pre-purchase consultations and The Puppy Contract to encourage responsible puppy buying decisions among both current clients and prospective owners.

The Puppy Contract was launched in 2012 to help prospective buyers navigate the steps leading up to the purchase of a new puppy. It includes a ten-step guide which considers things like which type of dog is most suited to a buyer’s situation and specific needs, and the questions to ask a breeder about socialisation, vaccination, microchipping and health tests. 

The latest BVA Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey shows that while awareness of The Puppy Contract among companion animal vets has almost doubled since 2015 (from 29% to 56%), it is thought that no more than 2.5% of clients are actually using it. 

Nevertheless, 85% of vets said using The Puppy Contract benefits and informs owners, and 20% recommend it to clients at least sometimes.

Half of the vets who were aware of The Puppy Contract said that pet owners did not come to them for advice on buying a puppy. That's a missed opportunity, both to start building a relationship with the prospective client at the earliest opportunity and to recommend the contract and thereby have a positive impact on animal welfare.

As regards the latter, it is worth noting some other BVA stats, notably that 10% of vets said they commonly saw dogs last year with health issues linked to where they were bought from, nearly a third noted brachycephalic issues or other congenital and conformation problems stemming from poor purchasing decisions and 22% saw dogs not suited to their environment.

BVA Junior Vice President and AWF Trustee Daniella Dos Santos said: "As vets, we see first-hand the tragic consequences resulting from puppies bought without proper research into breed suitability and welfare needs, the conditions they have been bred in, or vaccination and microchipping records. As a result, many of these puppies often present with disease, welfare issues and behavioural problems, leading to heartache and financial costs for the new owners. 

"It’s extremely encouraging to see that more than half of companion animal vets are now aware of The Puppy Contract and recognise its immense benefits. But with many pet owners still not aware that their vet can be an invaluable first stop for advice on the right pet for them, it’s important that we promote pre-purchase consultations to ensure prospective owners make an informed choice and get a healthy, happy and well-socialised pet from a responsible breeder."

AWF Chair of Trustees Chris Laurence said: "We believe that every dog should be born with the best possible chance of living a healthy and happy life, which is why we created The Puppy Contract as a free tool to empower puppy buyers to make an informed decision when buying a puppy. As trusted experts, vets are in a unique position to use their influence to encourage clients to use The Puppy Contract, whether they are breeding dogs or looking for a new best friend to join the family."

For more information and to download the Puppy Contract, see: https://puppycontract.org.uk/

You can download and display AWF’s Puppy Contract poster in your practice: www.animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk/puppy-contract.

Dassiet, maker of the Upets Splinting System, has published a preliminary study which demonstrated a reduction in casting complications using its wood composite cast.

Eight dogs being treated at three veterinary clinics in Norway took part in the study¹. 

Previous research² has found a complication rate of 55% when fibreglass casts are used, 20% of them severe. In this study using the Upets Splinting System, only 12.5% of dogs (n=1) had complications that required treatment, and the complications were minor.

Dassiet says the results suggest that the new product has the potential to make veterinary casting safer, more sustainable, and can help control costs associated with cast replacement and treatment of complications.  

86% of the veterinary surgeons participating in the study rated the Upets Splinting System as easy to use and said they would use the product on their own dog. 

An earlier poll³ questioned vets on their most common concerns about casting and identified that the most significant were fear of complications (57%), the time-consuming nature of casting (54%) and inconvenience (51 %). 

Dr. Martin Kaufmann, OrthoPets founder and Dassiet VET COO, said: “Complications often result from a cast that does not fit as well as it should.

"The results of this study suggest that Upets might be the ground-breaking tool that veterinarians have been waiting for as it provides them with the means to achieve a cast shape that is more precise."

For the white paper detailing the trial, visit: www.upets.vet/research. 

References

1. Saku S, Kaufmann M, First Eight Dogs Successfully Treated with UPETS Splinting System at AniCura, data on file
2. RL Meeson, C Davidson, and GI Arthurs. Soft tissue injuries associated with cast application for distal limb orthopaedic conditions: A retrospective study of sixty dogs and cats. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol, 24:126–31, 2011.
3. Dassiet survey, details on file