Petplan has launched nominations for its Petplan Insurance Advisor of the Year Award.
The award is to recognise the hard work and dedication that Pet Insurance Advisors (PIAs) do to highlight the importance of insurance to pet owners as a means of financial protection. To nominate your PIA visit http://www.petplan.co.uk/piaaward/
Petplan works with nearly 2000 vet practices to promote pet insurance within practice. Once a practice has received Appointed Representative status, employees can train to become a dedicated Pet Insurance Advisor by registering on http://www.petplan.co.uk/piaaward/
Petplan says that since pet owners often look to vets for advice about where they stand on insurance matters, having a dedicated member of staff there to explain insurance benefits can give an added value service to your practice. Also the PIA scheme can contribute to staff's CPD, and help them develop transferable skills such as confidently promoting products and handling client objections.
Kelly Cummings, the winner of the 2008 Petplan Insurance Advisor of the Year award said: "Encouraging owners to invest in pet insurance early on in their pet's life can help to ensure a stress-free future. The PIA scheme offers good advice about the basics of insurance which are easy to understand for vet staff. This information can then be simply conveyed to clients."
The PIA of the Year will receive a new laptop and their practice will receive £100 in vouchers! Nominations close on 31st August 2009 and the nominees will be judged by industry professionals. The winner will be announced at the annual BVNA Congress on 10th October.
Please note: due to insurance regulation, the PIA scheme is only available to veterinary staff employed at Petplan Appointed Representative practices.
Brand Manager Dr Amy Scott said: "Because pain is often very difficult for owners to spot, the website highlights some of the common signs that indicate their cat or dog is suffering.
"We have also included a range of additional measures that owners can take to improve the quality of life and maintain the joint health of their pet once Metacam has been prescribed. These include weight management, regular and gentle exercise and alternative therapies such as hydrotherapy or the use of joint supplements such as Seraquin."
The website highlights common painful conditions such as arthritis, as well as more acute scenarios such as post injury or surgery. It also describes the changes in behaviour owners should be aware of that could indicate their pet is in pain, for example reluctance to exercise, change in appetite, displays of aggression or depression.
Amy added: "The correct use of NSAIDs is also an important consideration for effective pain management. To help with this, the website contains a section on Metacam administration for owners, featuring a short video on accurate dosing and treatment."
They're holding 80 live prize draws in which each member of its 190-strong team has the chance to win things like a weekend for two in New York, European holidays, festival tickets, a 40” smart TV, an extra weeks’ holiday, an Apple watch, and a chance to be the MD for the day.
Managing director Tim Harrison said: "Every day at 1pm we broadcast a draw from somewhere in the country on Facebook Live where a lucky winner is picked and announced – it’s creating a real buzz around the group. The final draw for the top prize trip to New York will take place on the Saturday night of our annual Congress. Every team member has been entered and anybody new to our practice is added as soon as they join so nobody misses out!
"This year was the fifth consecutive time that we were named as one of the best places to work in the UK, in the 'Sunday Times Best Small Companies to Work For' league table and the 80 prizes in 80 days is just another fun way in which we hope to reward our much-valued team."
You can watch a recording of one of the prize draws being presented by Tim on youtube here - despite the inevitable lower quality of streamed video, the happy vibe at the business and the degree to which it shows genuine care for its people really shines through.
Rebecca Bredbury, veterinary nurse from Walkden, said: "I watched the live draw on Facebook whilst on my hen do in Tenerife and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I won a holiday for two to Barcelona. I am so excited about going. I will be taking my fiancé Ryan who will be my husband by then."
Charlotte O’Gara, student nurse from Walsall, won the Cadburys hamper. She said: "I’m not sharing!"
The BSAVA says the guidelines aim to bridge differing perceptions of welfare around the world and help veterinary surgeons tackle the ethical questions and moral issues which impact welfare. They also offer guidance to ensure that, in addition to providing physical health advice and therapy to their patients, vets can advocate for their psychological, social and environmental wellbeing.
Shane Ryan, President of the WSAVA and former Chair of the WSAVA Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee, said: "As veterinarians, our responsibility extends far beyond the physical health of our patients. Animal welfare as a science is a new and rapidly developing discipline and veterinarians need current, evidence-based information to enable them to maintain the highest welfare standards and to provide knowledgeable, accurate advice for pet owners and communities.
"Our new Guidelines provide recommendations, checklists and other tools to promote optimal levels of welfare throughout the veterinary visit. They also offer guidance on increasing welfare beyond the doors of the clinic through outreach activities.
"As levels of pet ownership increase in many regions of the world, including Asia, it is essential that veterinarians champion animal welfare and the WSAVA hopes that these new Guidelines will encourage our members to adopt best practice and set the highest standards.”
The session will be led by Adam Gregory, Head Nurse, who has experience gained around the world both as a veterinary nurse and a zookeeper.
Adam will take attendees through the basic triaging steps to assess and review treatment that may be needed, as well as covering a range of common presenting problems.
Great Western Exotics says it will be a great opportunity for first opinion vets and nurses to become more familiar with the needs of these birds to ensure they receive the best treatment possible in emergency situations.
To sign up to the talk, email Jess: GWEreferrals@vets-now.com.
https://www.gwexotics.com
The researchers, from the Dick Vet Equine Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Newcastle University, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, and the University of Padova found that affected horses have major abnormalities in the structure of their neuromuscular junctions, microscopic sites of communication between nerves and muscles that are crucial for normal muscle function.
These abnormalities are believed to represent a toxin specific signature, effectively a ‘smoking gun’, for a neurotoxic enzyme termed a phospholipase A2.
Work is now underway to definitively identify the source of the toxin, in the hope that it will lead to novel treatments and improved diagnostics for this devastating disease.
The researchers think the toxin is likely to be produced by a microbe such as a bacterium or fungus growing on the horse’s pasture during the cold and dry weather which commonly precedes the disease.
Neurotoxic phospholipase A2 toxins are also present in the venom of many poisonous snakes, and there are many similarities between the signs of grass sickness and those of snake envenomation.
While there is no suggestion that venomous snakes cause grass sickness, it is hoped that some of the drugs that are currently being developed to treat and promote nerve regeneration in people paralysed by snake venoms can aid recovery of horses from grass sickness.
The researchers say that the neurotoxin most likely also causes the apparently identical diseases (termed animal dysautonomias) which affect cats, dogs, hares, rabbits, llamas, alpacas and sheep, and that their finding contradicts the previous leading hypothesis that grass sickness is a form of botulism.
This breakthrough is summarised in an editorial in the January 2025 issue of the Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ).
The editorial, by Bruce McGorum and colleagues, looks at the implications of their article 'Equine grass sickness is associated with major abnormalities in the ultrastructure of skeletal neuromuscular junctions2".
Bruce said: “Identifying a probable cause of Equine Grass Sickness represents a significant breakthrough.
"We hope that this discovery will lead to novel treatments and improved diagnostics for this devastating condition.
"We are very grateful for the generous support we have received from horse owners, veterinary surgeons, scientists, charities and funding bodies.”
Bruce's editorial is currently available on Early View, free for 12 weeks, and will also be published in the January 2025 print issue of the EVJ.
Reference
Bayer Animal Health has announced it'll be running the 'Be Lungworm Aware' campaign in April 2011. The campaign is targeted at dog owners to raise awareness of the risks associated with the lungworm Angiostrongylus vasorum.
A Bayer spokesman said: "Over the past years, the spread of A. vasorum has been cited by independent experts, and disease caused by this parasite is increasingly diagnosed. Previous lungworm awareness campaigns have been successful in increasing dog owner awareness of A. vasorum and how their dogs can become infected. However, there is still a lack of recognition as to the signs associated with this infection, so the continuing education of dog owners is extremely important."
The national 'Be Lungworm Aware' activity for April includes TV, radio and print advertising in the form of an educational 'public information' style feature. A national awareness day is also planned for 6 April, which will include radio broadcast and web chat TV, and feature veterinary surgeon Luke Gamble and TV presenter Jenni Falconer.
Bayer has produced a package of veterinary support materials to allow practices to take part in the campaign and raise awareness at a local level. Materials include: an educational waiting room wall display and DVD, and client leaflets. A PR pack has also been produced which contains useful images and information which can be used on websites and in newsletters, as well as a press release for issuing to the local media and radio stations. To order these support materials, practices should contact their local Bayer representative or ring 0845 2574798 quoting 'Be Lungworm Aware'.
It was alleged that in September 2015, she had acted inappropriately by striking a Shih Tzu/Toy Poodle cross puppy called Arnie on his head.
The hearing commenced on Tuesday 3 January 2017 with evidence being given by the owner of the animal ("TC"). However, the corroborating witness, who was also the complainant in the case, failed to attend the hearing to give evidence.
Efforts were made by the College to contact the complainant and remind her that she had been summoned to appear before the Committee – however, she still chose not to attend the hearing to give evidence. In response to her non-appearance the Committee decided that her written evidence was inadmissible as there would be no opportunity to cross-examine her about the discrepancies between her account and that of TC.
Miss Faulkner’s counsel then made an application to the Committee that the College had failed to sufficiently prove its case to the requisite standard such that it would not be necessary for her to adduce any evidence in her defence. The Committee granted this on the grounds that there were clear inconsistencies in the evidence given by TC at different stages of the investigation and during the hearing itself.
Chitra Karve, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "The Committee was unable to conclude that TC was a reliable witness. Given TC’s centrality to the case the Committee is unable to be satisfied so that it is sure that her account of events as outlined in her oral evidence is accurate. Accordingly, the Committee is not satisfied that the College has proved to the requisite standard that the respondent did in fact strike Arnie to the head as alleged.
"Accordingly, the Committee accepts the submission made by the respondent that the College has not adduced sufficient evidence upon which it can find the facts alleged in the charge to be proved. Therefore, it is not necessary for the Committee to consider this matter any further. There is no case for the respondent to answer."
The company says the results of the survey of puppy dental health will be shared with industry experts to help advance understanding and evaluate the future impact on veterinary practices.
Veterinary professionals can also sign up for a free webinar on puppy dental disease led by Head of the Dentistry and Oral Surgery Department at the Royal (Dick) Vet School, Ingrid Tundo on 28th April at 7.30 pm at https://veterinarywebinars.com/register/puppy-dentistry-malocclusion.
Cat Henstridge MRCVS, who is fronting the campaign said: “I’m very pleased to be helping to raise awareness of the VisioCare Puppy Tooth Census and this important issue.
"It is so important for all of us in the profession to be helping to identify disease patterns and the scale of the problem. It also provides us with a great opportunity to involve our clients and start discussions about the importance of good dental care.”
VisioCare says the Puppy Tooth Census only takes a few minutes to complete and can be filled in for individual cases or healthy puppy mouths.
Every veterinary respondent will be given a free pack of educational materials to use in the consulting room, including state-of-the art digital animations and dental images that can be used to enhance client communication around the topic, together with explainer videos and puppy owner fact sheets and leaflets.
In addition, each month for the next three months, responses will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win a £50 John Lewis gift voucher.
For further information or to complete the census for a case, visit: http://www.visiocareservices.co.uk/puppy-tooth-census.
The event, which is being organised by Colin Whiting MRCVS and his wife Lizzy (also MRCVS), is taking place at Killaworgey Farm, Black Cross, Newquay, TR8 4LU
Performing on the outdoor stage at the event are the Ceilidh Band and Spit Roast, a covers band.
Catering includes a licensed bar, wood-fired pizzas, log-roasted chicken, pulled pork burritos, pasties and cream teas.
There'll be a quiz night, fancy dress and an outdoor showing of the film Trainspotting.
And if all that weren't enough, you'll be just a stone's throw from Newquay and its nearby beaches, and about 30 mins drive from the Eden Project.
Colin said: "The whole vet world family is welcome.
"We've got people coming from Liverpool vet school straight from rotations, practices bringing their EMS student along: bands, bar, party field, outdoor roasts and burritos, indoor pasties and wood-fired pizzas, and - to cap it all - a 6-shower, 8-loo toilet block newly completed for the camping field, with a 2-metre urinal in the gents as well, but that's not so much of a selling point...
"Visitors are very welcome to come earlier or camp longer too; there's a warm welcome for all at Killaworgey."
Fore more information, visit: https://www.killaworgeyfarm.co.uk/
Open to anyone working in a veterinary setting at any stage of their career, the competition rewards teams and individuals (clinical and non-clinical), who have achieved better outcomes through QI initiatives for patients, clients, the business or the working environment.
Individual winners will be crowned 'Knowledge Champions' and one team will become RCVS Knowledge’s 'Champion Practice'.
Each winner will also receive a £250 reward, tickets to the awards ceremony next calendar year and the opportunity to work with RCVS Knowledge to further promote their quality improvement work.
Candidates can nominate themselves or others for an award.
If you want to nominate a colleague, the deadline is 17thOctober. The deadline to apply on your own behalf or that of your team/practice is 29th November 2019.
Full details are available online: bit.ly/KnowledgeAwards.
Executive Director of RCVS Knowledge, Chris Gush said: "The 2019 awards shed light on the very good work those in the profession are doing to continually enhance quality, so we are delighted to bring the competition back for 2020.
"It is a great opportunity for individuals and teams to showcase their quality improvement initiatives. Whether it is clinically focused or aiming to improve procurement, we are keen to hear about the work that is underway."
Last year's awards highlighted inspirational QI projects such as a drugs audit that led to a ten-fold improvement in usage discrepancy; a quarterly clinical audit that enhanced nursing expertise and trust from veterinary surgeons; and the introduction of guidelines that coincided with the subsequent treatment of 2,639 additional animals.
The case examples submitted by each winner are available to download for free:
'Champion Practice' Vets Now Macclesfield for its anaesthesia audit.
'Knowledge Champion' Louise Northway RVN, Wendover Heights Veterinary Centre, for her anaesthesia audit.
'Knowledge Champion' Alison Thomas MRCVS, Blue Cross, for her case study: Creating clinical guidelines.
'Knowledge Champion' Angela Rayner MRCVS, CVS Group plc, for her case study: Controlled drugs process audit.
For more case examples and QI resources, visit: bit.ly/QIKnowledge
The two-year study aims to better understand the impact of the disease on horses’ and ponies’ quality of life and is hoped to improve monitoring and decision-making regarding treatment.
In particular, the study aims to develop a validated equine quality of life tool to assess the impact of the condition on an individual horse’s quality of life objectively.
This, it is hoped, will help support decision-making related to treatment and euthanasia options for horses and ponies diagnosed with PPID.
The research team is led by Aline Bouquet, PhD Candidate and Research Assistant, and supported by Professor Nicola Menzies-Gow, Professor in Equine Medicine and Professor Christine Nicol, Professor of Animal Welfare.
Participants can have horses and ponies with PPID as well as those without the condition and they must be older than ten years of age (the horses, that is)
The survey will take no longer than 15 minutes to complete, providing an assessment of the animal’s quality of life, clinical signs associated with PPID and any additional veterinary-related problems.
https://rvc.uk.com/PPID-survey-2023-stage1
https://www.rvc.ac.uk/research/projects/objective-assessment-of-the-quality-of-life-of-equines-with-pituitary-pars-intermedia-dysfunction
Marc Abraham MRCVS, the Paul O’Grady Show’s resident vet is setting up a new website for pet owners www.thepet.net, described as being the first to use the power of social networks (think Facebook), to bring pet owners together to share and rate pet experiences, and help each other find the best their pet can get.
I think it'll fly, and if it does, it will be one for many in the profession to keep a close eye on. Reputations can (and have) be made or lost on these kinds of websites.
What's more, previous community sites for pet owners based on the more simple forum model have shown the danger of attracting, well, the nutters. I've seen at least two populated almost entirely by raw meaty bones evangelists firing false (or at least unproven) accusations at everyone from pet food manufacturers to individual vets. Worse than that, the same people seem to advocate alternative therapy for just about every medical condition under the sun. 'Heart failure you say? Wave some of these crystals over its tail'.
I can see pet owners flocking to this kind of site in their hordes. But for it to have any kind of credibility within the profession, I fear Mr Abraham will have to be absolutely ruthless in weeding out those who will inevitably try to use the site as a soapbox for extremist viewpoints. That'll be a challenge. I have first hand experience of just how tenacious some of these people are!
Virbac has launched the BackHome Mini Chip, a microchip which is 8mm long compared to the existing standard which is 12mm.
The new Mini Chips are made of a pharmaceutical grade glass with an anti-migration coating. Because of their smaller size, they can be implanted with a needle that is 34% smaller than the standard needle. Virbac says this can minimise stress and discomfort during implantation.
Virbac has also announced a partnership with VetEnvoy, a service which works with practice management software to enable pet and owner registration details for BackHome Mini Chips to be uploaded to the Petlog database at the press of a button, saving support staff time completing online or paper application forms and reducing the number of errors.
Sarah Walker MRCVS, Product Manager, said: "Microchipping is the most effective way for owners to protect their pets and will soon become compulsory for dogs in England and Wales. Some owners are deterred from undertaking this important and simple procedure because they are concerned that it may be painful. Because our new BackHome Mini Chips are smaller and are implanted with a smaller needle, we hope that practices will be able to reassure their clients that microchipping will not cause their pet discomfort - and that the protection it offers will last a lifetime.
“Our relationship with VetEnvoy will also spare enabled practices some of the administration time spent processing microchip details, and reduce the number of mistakes in registration and any resulting complaints.
"Client information on BackHome Mini Chips is stored on Petlog, the UK's largest pet database, giving owners the best possible chance of being reunited with their pet, as long as they keep their registration details up to date."
Susan Little, pictured left, talks about ‘Low Stress Management of the Diabetic Cat’, Professor Ian Ramsey gives his: ‘Top Ten Tips on Diabetes on a Budget’, and Grant Petrie presents: ‘Patients in Lockdown’: principles to manage diabetes remotely.
John Helps, Senior Veterinary Advisor at MSD Animal Health said: “Pet diabetes continues to be of increasing importance in the UK. Research has shown that up to 20% of diabetic pets die, or are euthanised, within a year of diagnosis1. No-one wants to these figures rise further because of the recent challenges so the topics covered are all particularly relevant to veterinary practice teams at this time.”
To watch the presentation, use this memorable link: https://onlinexperiences.com/Launch/QReg/ShowUUID=ADB18692-C804-40FD-B8C3-5D97C7DBC333&LangLocaleID=1033.
Further information for veterinary professionals from: https://www.msd-animal-health-hub.co.uk/ahp/caninsulin/tools.
For pet owners, the Caninsulin website offers more information about diabetes: www.caninsulin.co.uk.
Dr Vlad Butnaru faced two charges, the first of which was that in May 2021, he had signed a passport and/or passport application for a horse and electronically signed a declaration stating that he “had read the above microchip, which had previously been implanted for the animal” when, in fact, the microchip had not been inserted into any horse and he had not read it.
The second charge was that, in relation to the matters set out in the first charge, Dr Butnaru’s signed declaration was false, and that he had acted dishonestly and misleadingly, he risked undermining procedures designed to promote animal welfare, and failed to take sufficient steps to ensure that the microchip number recorded for the horse was accurate.
Dr Butnaru admitted the first charge on all counts, and that the declaration he had signed was false.
He also admitted that his conduct was misleading and that he had failed to take sufficient steps to ensure that the microchip number recorded for the horse was accurate.
However, he denied that his conduct had been dishonest and that he had risked undermining a procedure designed to promote animal welfare.
In its decision, the committee noted that Dr Butnaru kept introducing new versions of what happened for the first time at the hearing and changed his account as he went along, as well as being evasive when answering questions.
The Committee therefore felt that Dr Butnaru could not be considered to be a reliable witness, and whilst it did not know the true reason why he was prepared to sign a false declaration on a passport application, it was satisfied that he'd made a false declaration dishonestly.
The Committee also found that Dr Butnaru had failed to take sufficient steps to ensure that the microchip number recorded for the horse was accurate as, if the passport had been issued on a false premise because of misleading information provided by Dr Butnaru, then it could not function as it was meant to which, in the Committee’s view, clearly risked undermining procedures designed to protect animal welfare.
The Committee found that Dr Butnaru had breached the parts 6.2 and 6.5 of the Code of Professional Conduct, as well as Principle 1 of the 10 Principles of Certification, namely that ‘a veterinarian should certify only those matters which: a) are within his or her own knowledge; b) can be ascertained by him or her personally; c) are the subject of supporting evidence from an authorised veterinarian who has personal knowledge of the matters in question; or d) are the subject of checks carried out by an Officially Authorised Person (OAP).’
The Committee found there were no mitigating factors.
Aggravating factors, on the other hand, were that Dr Butnaru had participated in premeditated misconduct, made financial gain from his actions as he was paid to make the false declaration, abused his professional position, and showed blatant or wilful disregard of the Horse Passport System and of the role of the RCVS and the systems that regulate the veterinary profession.
The Committee found that all proven charges amounted to Disgraceful Conduct in a Professional Respect.
On considering the sanction, the Committee once again considered the aggravating factors, as well as additional mitigating factors in that Dr Butnaru had no previous disciplinary history, showed limited insight by admitting to some of the charges, showed expressions of remorse, and was provided with a positive testimonial.
Paul Morris, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee was cognisant of the importance of a veterinary surgeon’s signature on any document.
"This should have been obvious to any veterinary surgeon, but particularly someone of Dr Butnaru’s 11 years’ experience (at the time of signing).
"The Committee was well aware of the impact and ramifications for Dr Butnaru of any decision to remove him from the Register, but had to weigh his interests with those of the public.
“In doing so it took account of the context and circumstances of the case, all matters of personal mitigation, Dr Butnaru’s previous unblemished record and the need to act proportionately.
"However, the Committee was of the view that the need to uphold proper standards of conduct within the veterinary profession, together with the public interest in maintaining confidence in the profession of veterinary surgeons and protecting the welfare of animals, meant that a period of suspension would not be sufficient.
"His actions were fundamentally incompatible with remaining on the Register and thus the only appropriate and proportionate sanction in all the circumstances of this case was that of removal from the Register.”
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/concerns/disciplinary-hearings
Virbac Animal Health has launched an interactive didactic atlas on canine dermatoses for practitioners at www.virbacderm.com.
According to the company, the site offers an original approach to a dermatological investigation, with straightforward flowcharts and enlarged schematics of canine skin.
Product manager Chris Geddes said: "The site brings to life many of the topics covered in the clinical handbook, and may prove particularly valuable as client educational tools. It contains several free educational tools for the dermatologist in general practice."
He added: "Virbacderm.com is already proving extremely useful both for investigating a case and also to boost online CPD. Every aspect of an investigation is included, from effective history taking, to the appropriate time for a biopsy.
"There is also an important section on what is normal for a dog. There's some interesting data on the differences between canine and human skin, and why even "baby shampoo" is not appropriate for use on dogs."
The site also provides compliance tools for clients that are free to download, together with materials provided from Virbac Territory Managers. Chris said: "These aim to ensure that the treatment course prescribed by the vet is in fact being followed correctly and fully - surveys suggest that perhaps only 50% of clients do so."
Vets Now, in cooperation with its host practices and the Veterinary Poisons Information Service, is launching a new 'Tox Box' service giving veterinary surgeons 24 hour direct access to the treatments that they are most likely to need, and least likely to stock, in a poisoning emergency.
Vets Now says this new service represents a significant step forward in the ease and availability of care for the intoxicated patient.
Through Tox Box, any vet calling the VPIS advice line after 31st March 2011 will be able to access the drugs required in a poisoning emergency at selected Vets Now clinics and their host practices across the UK. Drugs will be available at cost, plus a small handling charge.
Amanda Boag, Clinical Director at Vets Now said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with VPIS to offer vets this life-saving service for pets across the UK.
"As emergency and critical care practitioners we frequently deal with poisoning cases and are pleased to be able to use our clinics to allow vets access to the treatments they need in a hurry.
"Tox Box is a service which has been designed to help enhance the current VPIS advice service whereby vets can now easily gain access to those drugs they are most likely to need to treat toxicities, but not stock internally, such as plasma and Adder anti-venom. The service VPIS provides is very important for vets, and we hope that this additional provision will greatly benefit them and the pets they are caring for."
Alex Campbell, Head of Services at VPIS said: "We are looking forward to working in partnership with Vets Now to improve outcomes for poisoned animals and their owners.
"Poisons can have deadly affects on animals if not treated quickly. Previously vets may have had to call round several hospitals or practices to source the recommended drug whilst their patient's health deteriorates. Through Tox Box we can help them access the drug without delay and provide case-specific guidance to ensure the animal receives optimum care."
The VPIS 24/7 telephone number to ring is: 020 7188 0200
5638 events were reported spontaneously, mainly by the marketing authorisation holder (61%), with the remainder largely reported by veterinary surgeons.
Of these, 5512 were reports of adverse reactions in animals: 829 concerning suspected lack of efficacy, 4638 concerning safety. The majority of reports concerned dogs (2927), cats (1426) and cattle (386).
In dogs, medicines for the control of epilepsy were most often suspected of not having performed as expected (80 reports) whilst vaccines were most commonly reported as having failed to work (71). However, the VMD points out that in many cases, vaccination failure was attributable to other causes (such as incomplete vaccination schedule).
In cats, flea spot-on products were most likely to be reported as not having worked (21). However, there are many reasons why owners may continue to see live fleas on their animal which are unrelated to product efficacy (such as reinfestation from the environment).
Notably, the majority of efficacy reports in horses (12/19) related to euthanasia products, which the report says should serve as a reminder that alternative means of euthanasia should always be available in case the chosen method does not proceed as planned.
Of the safety reports, 59.6% involved dogs, 31% cats, 4.9% horses and 3.9% rabbits. The majority concerned vaccines (1360 reports, most commonly general signs or symptoms, such as lethargy or pyrexia), parasiticides (472 reports, most commonly lethargy, emesis, inflammation/pruritus, depending on method of administration) and inflammation control (412 cases, most commonly emesis, renal insufficiency and diarrhoea, depending on the drug type).
There were 124 reports of adverse events in humans. Of those involving veterinary professionals (about a quarter):
The VMD says that reports of needle stick injuries involving vaccines with a mineral oil adjuvant are of particular concern, because they often fail to show that the injured party has received prompt and correct treatment, either because they are themselves unaware of the necessity for swift intervention, or because they do not take the product package information leaflet with them when seeking medical treatment.
Similarly, the VMD says that incidents involving injectable tilmicosin seem to be often dismissed as just a scratch, and that if you use these products, you should make sure you are fully aware of the warnings contained in the product leaflets.
To read the full report, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/608968/PhV_Annual_Review_2015_v7.pdf
Norbrook Laboratories has announced Arthritis Awareness Month, which will run from 15th October to 15th November 2011, during which the company will be running a series of special promotions and competitions.
Michelle Jones, Companion Animal Brand Manager said: "At Norbrook, we are focusing on arthritis during October when pet owner and veterinary practices can enjoy special promotions on arthritis treatment, enter competitions with a range of great prizes and receive expert advice from our own inhouse Veterinary Advisors on the dedicated Pet Healthcare section on our website."
Michelle added: "Our product range offers veterinary surgeons and pet owners a wide choice of treatments. Loxicom for cats and dogs is our meloxicam product available as an oral suspension or an injectable while Carprieve is our Carprofen product, available as an injectable for dogs and cats and in tablet form for dogs. We have also recently introduced a new liver-flavoured palatable tablet which is proven to be more successful in getting dogs to take the medication. In addition, Norbrook also supply a glucosamine supplement, Noractive, which can also be used for improving joint suppleness and mobility in cats and dogs."
More details about Arthritis Awareness Month will be sent to practices, or you can visit www.norbrook.com/vet-support/
MSD Animal Health showed off Expertis LivestockPro, its new digital flock health management tool, to sheep producers at the NSA Sheep Event last week.
Expertis LivestockPro is an online website-based computer application designed to make flock vaccine and animal health product scheduling much simpler. MSD says it will provide a platform for vets to help their customers improve flock performance and productivity.
Project co-ordinator Marcus Sanders from MSD Animal Health, said: "Expertis LivestockPro really will make life easier for UK sheep producers. Shepherds will no longer have to rely on memory or written records in a filing cabinet or on a farm office wallchart to schedule animal health treatments. Embracing the new digital system will certainly save time and money, and ultimately reduce livestock losses from key sheep diseases."
The new application also keeps track of vaccine stock levels on the farm and reminds users to order additional product before it is needed. Users can set up various alerts on any Internet-connected device. LivestockPro also incorporates medicinal product information and advice on correct vaccine administration.
For more information, visit www.livestockpro.co.uk or e-mail MSD Animal Health [livestockpro@merck.com].
A 17-year-old collie cross called Barney picked arguably the best place in the world for an old dog to fall into a canal last Saturday, when it was rescued by one of the teams taking part in the kayaking stage of the Vet Charity Challenge, an event where there were at least 150 vets on hand to help.
Barney had wandered off through an unlocked gate and fallen into the canal where he was spotted by a team from Kruuse UK. They managed to haul the struggling animal onto their kayak and take him down the canal towards a waiting group of vets and nurses. From there he was taken to Drove Vets in Swindon to make a full recovery.
Andrew Groom from Kruuse said, "It was sheer luck that we happened to be paddling past at that point. The poor chap was struggling on the steep banks of the canal and kept slipping back in. He was getting very tired and at risk of drowning, and judging by his gums and heart rate, going into shock."
Karien White from Drove Vets said: "Barney was a bit hypothermic when he was brought into us with a lot of bumps and bruises. We managed to warm him up and get him cleaned and after a little while his tail started wagging and he seemed very happy and friendly."
News of Barney was posted onto a Pewsey Facebook page which helped his worried owners trace him to the vets.
The Vet Charity Challenge took place on Saturday 27th September at St Francis School, Pewsey, near Marlborough, Wiltshire. The day consisted of 50 of teams of four orienteering, cycling and kayaking as well as undertaking mental and physical tasks. The charity raised over £70,000 in its first two years, with this year expected to boost the funds even more.
Gavin Mitchell, from founding sponsors, BCF Technology, said: "We never dreamt that while trying to raise money for our partner charities, that we would end up saving the life of a pet in such a direct fashion. Had Team Kruuse not been passing at that point, the dog would almost certainly have drowned. It highlights the real commitment and passion that the vet profession feels towards helping animals. Through our event we hope to reach out to help even more animals. People can donate directly to Vet Charity Challenge by contacting us via www.vetcharitychallenge.co.uk."
In a 2019 BVA Voice of the Veterinary Profession Survey, 89% of vets said that they would like to play a more active role in the UK sustainability agenda.
The new checklist includes four major areas for action that cover practising responsible resource use, being sustainable in your operation, using medicines responsibly, and sustaining the team. Each theme has a list of ways that these actions can be achieved.
Vet Sustain founder and director, Laura Higham said: "Veterinary professionals and members of the vet-led team are extremely well positioned to show leadership in sustainability, in their workplaces and in their communities.
"Our new checklist helps veterinary teams to put their sustainability intentions in to practice, through a number of practical steps that will ultimately support the wellbeing of our patients, ourselves and the natural world."
BVA Junior Vice President, Justine Shotton said: "We know that lots of our members are passionate about the environment, and the ‘Greener Veterinary Practice Checklist’ is a great place to start for any veterinary team wanting to work in a more environmentally friendly way.
Jo Oakden RVN BVNA President said: "Environmental Sustainability is really important to us at the BVNA; we are currently going through the process of Environmental Accreditation. Veterinary Nurses are ideally placed to get involved and drive eco-friendly changes within the veterinary practice."
For more information, visit: https://vetsustain.org/
Protexin Veterinary has launched Cystophan, a new product to aid in the management of Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC).
Protexin says nearly 50% of cats with FIC will have a recurrent signs within one year, so it is important to offer a high quality product to manage the condition correctly.
Cystophan combines 3 key ingredients in a tasty artificial chicken flavour capsule for optimum effectiveness:
Cystophan is available in tubs of 30 and 240 capsules.
For further information please visit www.protexin.com.