The London Vet Show is getting ready to throw open its doors on the 11th and 12th November for what will be the first major vet gathering in two years. 

Rob Chapman, MD of the event organiser, CloserStill Media, said: "The London Vet Show in 2019 was the last major in-person event pre-Covid-19 pandemic

“We are delighted to be gathering once more. We had more tickets booked this September than any other year which has reinforced that there’s a real desire amongst the veterinary community to get back together and that confidence in events is returning.

"Our team is busy putting the final touches in place – including our new Covid-safety features, our speakers are excited to present to live audiences again, the delegates are making plans to see old friends. And, very importantly, our exhibitors are busy organising fantastic giveaways and getting stock ready. There has been so much fantastic R&D in the veterinary sector over the past two years and vet professionals will get to try it out first at the London Vet Show.”

BVA Senior Vice President, James Russell, said: “The London Vet Show is a highlight of the CPD and social calendar. The range of lectures we have on means there’s something for everybody – whether it’s clinical, non-clinical, BVA Congress or our career development stream. But the opportunity to see each other again after two years is something which I am so excited about. 

"I know that there will be some people feeling nervous about the idea of coming together again. But one of the tremendous privileges I’ve had during the past year is being in London and watching it slowly unlock. I have to say that my recent experiences of being out and about in London make me feel very safe here.

"I do recognise that different people are at different points on their journey with that, but I hope that everyone finds a way of getting to the London Vet Show in a way they feel comfortable with. CloserStill have put in measures when we are there that will make us feel as safe and as comfortable as we can do.”

Professor Jill Maddison, who programmes the Royal Veterinary College Clinical’s small animal streams, said: “After almost two years I am beyond excited that we will be back together again at the London Vet Show. As usual we have a great line up of speakers from abroad, the RVC and around the UK who will deliver lectures covering many different aspects of clinical practice.

"I hope that whatever sessions you attend and whatever exhibits you visit at the 12th LVS you will find something to interest, intrigue and inspire you that you can take back to your practice to enhance the welfare of your patients and clients, your team and of course, yourself.”

Rob added: “We also have some fantastic new and returning features in store for delegates. For example, I’m delighted to announce the return of the popular Community Masterminds where online peers can meet in person and discuss topics that matter most to them.

"We are also hosting our very first Very Happy Hour on the exhibition floor from 5.30-6.45 pm on Day 1 where there will be drinks available for everyone to enjoy in a relaxed, spread-out fashion to celebrate being back together again.”

“We do ask that delegates planning on attending pre-register so we can best lay out the event and cater for the audience in a Covid-secure manner.”

One day and two-day tickets are available now. Register before Friday, 22nd October to receive your badge in the post. You can book at: https://london.vetshow.com/, call +44 (0)2476 719 687.  

A new long acting sheep injection has been launched by Fort Dodge Animal Health which the company says will offer significant benefits to sheep farmers for both internal and external parasite control.  

Cydectin 2% LA for sheep is the latest product to join the Cydectin range and follows the long acting injection for cattle.

Based on Moxidectin, the product delivers a long action against worms, up to 111 days and scab, 60 days from a single injection.

Andrew Wylie from Fort Dodge said: "To put this into context, apart from the existing Cydectin range which lasts up to 35 days, no other product is licensed with persistent activity against worms and scab. Cydectin 2% LA for sheep offers three times the worm cover and double the scab cover from a single injection.

"Therefore farmers will benefit from Cydectin 2% LA through the combination of a single injection with extended persistency leading to a reduction in the number of treatments needed for worms and scab and the potential increase in lamb weight gain due to a lower worm and scab challenge."

Fort Dodge recommends the following three key uses for Cydectin 2% LA given the persistent effect and single shot:

• Worm control for ewes in the spring. This will reduce the spring rise of worm eggs from ewes, protecting the lambs and may well lead to a reduction in the number of lamb treatments needed.
• One shot scab prevention or treatment. The persistency will provide a lengthy protection against re-infestation from scab mites and will provide a massive boost in the fight against scab within a single shot.
• Quarantine treatment of incoming sheep against potentially resistant worms and scab mites. Moxidectin has the lowest resistance status of all wormers and with high potency it provides the best option for quarantine treating.

 Administration is by a single sub-cutaneous injection high up the neck at the base of the ear which is designed to limit the withhold period to 104 days. The technique is not difficult and, if used with the multidose applicator supplied, farmers will find it a straightforward procedure.

 Cydectin 2% LA is available in 50ml, 200ml and 500ml bottles and with a dose rate of 1ml per 20kg, a 500ml pack will treat 200 sheep at 50kg. For further, call Fort Dodge on 01489 781711.

The BSAVA has announced that its next Congress (Thursday 24th March – Saturday 26th March in Manchester) will be a hybrid event, with delegates being able to attend in person, or online through an interactive virtual platform.

BSAVA’s new Congress Programme Committee Chair, Paul Higgs MRCVS (pictured right) said: "The new venue provides an opportunity to really shake up the content. It’s the first time BSAVA Congress delegates will have met in two years and we want to deliver an unforgettable experience."

"We’ve thought long and hard about what delegates want and need, as well as the way people like to learn, integrating those approaches within the programme. Delegates will find few long-format lectures, instead there will be lots of opportunities to participate, to discuss, to do and to experience."

He added: “For general practice vets and nurses, we’re offering an immersive experience designed to support the skills required in first opinion practice yet rarely provided in a lecture alone. And while the CPD will provide ample opportunity to learn about the clinical aspects, delegates will also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in true-to-life case management events in a dedicated space to help reflect those paraprofessional skills that are so critical to first opinion practice.”

Delegates will also be able to drop-in to practical sessions and perfect a technique such as undertaking cytological examination, reading radiographs and performing endoscopy in as little as 15 minutes. For the first time, the practical sessions will be included within the ticket price. 

BSAVA will also be giving delegates the opportunity to meet and pick the brains of the speakers in a dedicated space in the exhibition during lecture breaks.

Although some sessions will be more aligned to veterinary nurses, all sessions will be open to both vets and nurses. Paul said: "Nurses are increasingly looking for opportunities to expand their knowledge, horizons and skillsets, while many vets want to, and would benefit from, learning from our excellent nurses. The programme will reflect this."

The BSAVA Programme Committee is also going to incorporate practice management within the programme. Paul said: "Vets and nurses aren’t isolated from the fact practices are businesses and the decisions they make have a financial impact."

“Everyone in the profession has something to give and BSAVA Congress 2022 is a chance for everyone to come together to hear people you’ve never heard before, see things you’ve never seen and do things you’ve never done."

Tickets will be on sale late October. To find out more visit: https://www.bsavaevents.com/bsavacongress2022/en/page/home. 

The Chief Veterinary Officer has declared a Prevention Zone to help protect poultry from a strain of Avian Flu in Europe.

Government Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens has declared a Prevention Zone introducing enhanced biosecurity requirements for poultry and captive birds, in order to help protect them from a strain of avian flu circulating in mainland Europe.

The zone covers England and will remain in place until 6th January 2017. Declarations have also been made by the Scottish Government and Welsh Government.

Keepers of poultry and other captive birds are now required to keep their birds indoors, or take appropriate steps to keep them separate from wild birds.

Outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N8) have been confirmed in poultry and wild birds in several countries across Europe. No cases of H5N8 have been found in the UK and this order is a precautionary measure to help prevent potential infection from wild birds.

Public Health England (PHE) advises that the threat to human health remains very low.

Defra is continuing to monitor the situation closely and has increased its surveillance activity, while keepers are being urged to reinforce biosecurity measures on their premises.

Nigel Gibbens said: "While no cases of H5N8 avian flu have been found in the UK, and PHE advises the public health threat is low, we are closely monitoring the situation across Europe and have scaled up surveillance in response to the heightened risk.

"As a precaution, and to allow time for poultry and captive bird keepers to put in place appropriate biosecurity measures, we have declared a 30-day Prevention Zone to reduce the risk of infection from wild birds.

"Even when birds are housed a risk of infection remains so this must be coupled with good biosecurity - for example disinfecting clothing and equipment, reducing poultry movement and minimising contact between poultry and wild birds."

More information available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-to-protect-poultry-against-avian-flu 

AMTRA says it has recorded the 500th staff member in a veterinary practice to qualify as an SQP, reflecting a growing trend.

According to Stephen Dawson, the organisations's Secretary General, the number of SQPs working at veterinary practices is on the rise, with about two-thirds of these working as veterinary nurses, and the remainder as other members of staff. He said: “Having an SQP in your veterinary practice allows you to offer a wider service to veterinary clients and non-clients alike.

“Vets may see this as an opportunity to get people in through the door to buy medicines and get advice. These customers may be non-clients who at a later stage will seek a veterinary consultation.”

Nicola Ackerman who is Senior Medical Nurse and an SQP at the Veterinary Hospital Group, in Plymouth, and who sits on the Veterinary Products Committee, said the role of vet nurses
has been evolving over a number of years: "More nurses are taking on consulting roles in practice, and the SQP qualification has aided these changes.

“As a nurse who regularly consults, the added SQP qualification allows me to prescribe medications to the patients that I see without the requirement of seeing a veterinary surgeon.

“Many clients seek advice on preventative medicines, and are not always aware that nurses provide these services for clients. Having SQPs in our practice has allowed our nurses to take a more proactive role in
preventative medicines, and has given them a full understanding of the underpinning knowledge required for running a dispensary as many qualified prior to the new VMD regulations occurring.”

For more information about the SQP qualification, visit: http://www.amtra.org.uk/

Vetlexicon has launched Avis, a resource designed to provide comprehensive, up-to-date clinical information to veterinary professionals to support  diagnostic and treatment decision-making in domestic poultry.

Avis includes over 350 articles, images, client factsheets, and diagnostic trees about avian diseases, diagnostic techniques, medications, legislation and parasitology, with a particular focus on domestic poultry.

The publishers say that content on Avis is authored and reviewed by leading avian veterinary specialists, including the St David’s Poultry Team, which has over 350 years of poultry veterinary experience. 

Vetstream CEO, Dr Mark Johnston MRCVS said: We are really delighted to have worked with such a strong contribution from the St David’s Poultry Team whose experience in commercial flocks is provided to veterinarians being presented with smaller flocks.

"We have also had significant additional contributions for this launch edition of Avis across a broad range of poultry veterinary expertise.

"We want as many people as possible to take Avis for a “test flight” and so will be providing free access to all Vetlexicon subscribers for the month of June.”

www.vetlexicon.com

An annual dog licence fee of as little as £21.50¹ could help reduce the number of strays and help tackle irresponsible dog breeding, according to a new RSPCA report released today.

Owners would face a cost of less than 42p a week per dog, in order to provide huge improvements to dog welfare and dog control services.

The report - 'Improving dog ownership - The economic case for dog licensing' - suggests a licensing scheme could deliver resources to improve dog welfare worth in excess of £107.4 million¹. With an estimated 10 million dogs in Britain², this works out at £21.50 per dog with a compliance rate of 50 per cent¹. A compliance rate of 75 per cent would work out even less at £14.30 per dog¹.

The new report was written by the RSPCA's director of communications David Bowles and is based on research by Reading University, which was commissioned by the Society.

It makes three recommendations in its conclusion: 

• The government should establish a dog health and welfare strategy underpinned and funded by a dog licence scheme. This would fund resources to tackle the issues, such as strays, injuries caused by dog bites and the prevention of disease, as covered in the report.
• The scheme could be set at £20-£30 per dog annually, with discounts for selected dogs (e.g. assistance dogs, neutered dogs) and people (e.g. pensioners).
• Microchips would be used to identify the dogs, with details entered on a national database, improving dog ownership and reducing numbers of unwanted dogs.

David said: "Now is the right time to invest in the future health and welfare of Britain's dogs. A dog licence would raise money which could be targeted into improving enforcement of laws at a local level, improve the welfare of dogs and reverse the use of certain breeds of dogs as a status symbol or weapon.

"The dog licence would achieve three important goals. It would raise money for dog welfare, increase the numbers of responsible dog owners by getting people to think before they get a dog and start to reverse the surplus of dogs on the market by providing incentives such as reduced fees for neutering dogs."

He added that the costs are given as an indication of what the licence fee could cover, and a dog licensing scheme could in reality be set at between £20-30 per dog per year - between only three and four per cent of the annual costs of owning a typical breed of dog.

Twenty-three countries in Europe currently have a dog licence or registration scheme³. In some countries, such as Germany, Slovenia and the Netherlands, the RSPCA says there have been improved dog control provisions and low numbers of strays with compliance rates of more than 50 per cent.

David said: "The RSPCA believes that Britain has slipped behind other countries which have started to tackle and solve the problems of dog over supply and only the introduction of a dog licence could ensure we catch up.

"In countries which have a dog licence it is seen not as a tax, but as an important part of owning a dog. In Britain we know that a dog licence is welcomed by two out of every three dog owners, more than 70 per cent of who are happy to pay more than £30 for the pleasure and responsibility of owning a dog."

References
1. Figures taken from Table 2, p16, Improving dog ownership - The economic case for dog licensing (see below).
2. Murray, J.K., Browne, W.J., Roberts, M.A., Whitmarsh A. And Gruffydd-Jones T.J. (2010) Number and ownership profiles of cats and dogs in the UK. The Veterinary Records 166: 163-168.
3. Tasker, L. (2007) Stray Animal Control Practices (Europe). WSPA and RSPCA.

Shakira Free Miles RVN has been reprimanded and warned by the RCVS VN Council Disciplinary Committee after pleading guilty last year to six counts of theft and one of the attempted theft of animals which she and her co-defendants mistakenly believed were in need of rescuing.

Miss Miles and her co-defendants mistakenly believed that the animals, which included a lamb, hens, piglets, goats, a calf, dogs and a pig, were in poor condition. 

They went to steal the animals from their owners' property after dark, dressed in dark clothing; some in balaclavas.

Miss Miles was sentenced to a community order for a period of 18 months rehabilitation activity requirement and 100 hours unpaid work rehabilitation, to pay £250 compensation, an £85 victim surcharge, and £400 in costs.

The Committee found that the facts of the case were proved on admission by Miss Miles and on the basis that they accepted the copy of the Certificate of Conviction.

Deciding on Miss Miles’ fitness to practise, the Committee considered the evidence before it and the advice of the Legal Assessor.

It also considered the transcript of remarks of the sentencing judge, as well as the fact that the events which led to the convictions occurred while Miss Miles was a registered veterinary nurse with the RCVS.

In terms of mitigating factors, the Committee considered that there was no financial gain associated with Miss Miles’ actions.

In terms of aggravating factors, it noted the risk of injury to animals, that Miss Miles’ behaviour was pre-meditated, that individuals had been targeted in their own homes after dark, the stress and emotional harm to the owners, and that there had been repeated criminal offending.

The Committee also considered Miss Miles’ motivations in respect of animal welfare in coming to its decision.

However, it assessed the offences to be serious, taking into account their nature and circumstances.

Paul Morris, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee was aware that breaches of the Code do not in themselves mean that the respondent is unfit to practise by reason of the conviction.

"However, the Committee took into account the nature and circumstances of the conviction and also considered the wider public interest.

"The Committee was satisfied that the respondent’s behaviour which led to the conviction created a real risk of harm to the animals in question, as was clear from the basis upon which the respondent was sentenced.

“Further, the behaviour which led to the conviction for the repeated offences in the circumstances in question brings the veterinary nursing profession into disrepute.

"To find otherwise would undermine public confidence in the profession and fail to uphold proper standards of conduct and behaviour.

“Accordingly, the Committee found that the conviction, set out in the charge, renders the respondent unfit to practise.”

When determining an appropriate sanction, the Committee considered the same aggravating factors it had evaluated when assessing fitness to practice. However, further mitigating factors, in addition to the fact that Miss Miles had no financial gain, included:

• that there were no concerns about her competence or quality of practice,
• there had been a significant lapse of time since the incidents,
• her guilty plea,
• co-operation with the regulatory process,
• disclosure of the conviction to the RCVS,
• no evidence of repetition of the offending behaviour,demonstration of some insight into the seriousness and impact of the offences on public trust and confidence,
• positive personal character references,
• remorse expressed for upset caused to the owners,
• apology to the RCVS and her profession,
• compliance with the requirements of the criminal sentence,
• and low risk of repetition.

The Committee considered the testimonials and character references which attested to Miss Miles’ exemplary practice, integrity, professionalism, compassionate approach to animals, commitment to animal welfare, work in educating others in animal welfare, and commitment to campaigning for animal welfare.

However, it was noted that Miss Miles gave the impression to the Committee that while she accepted that it was wrong to commit the criminal offences, she also believed that her intention to protect the animals’ welfare was a justification.

Speaking on the sanction, Paul Morris said: “The Committee was of the view that the conviction was particularly serious, in that it involved offences of dishonesty on a repeated basis.

"The Committee also took into account that the respondent has invoked her beliefs to undermine an aspect of the sentencing judge’s remarks and has used those beliefs to justify her actions at the time before this Committee.

“However, the risk of re-offending is low and, as already stated, the Committee accepts the respondent’s assertion that she does not intend to break the law again, and the Committee is assured in this regard by the lack of repetition in the last six years.

"There was insight shown by the respondent into the effect of her conviction on public trust and confidence in the profession.

"The Committee weighed the demands of the public interest, as well as the previously stated mitigating and aggravating factors.

"In all the circumstances of this particular case, the Committee concluded that both a reprimand and a warning as to future conduct is sufficient and proportionate to meet the need to maintain public confidence in the profession and uphold proper standards.”

The Committee went on to consider an order of suspension but decided that this would serve no useful purpose in light of the low risk of repetition of criminal offending, the nature of which was unconnected to her daily role as an RVN.

It could see no identifiable risk to animals now and in the future.

The Committee decided that to impose a suspension would be punitive and disproportionate.

The reprimand and warning sanction imposed on the respondent will remain on her RCVS record indefinitely and will be taken into consideration should there be any future misconduct.

https://www.rcvs.org.uk/concerns/disciplinary-hearings/ 

The Government's updated Exotic Animal Disease Contingency Plan was laid in Parliament today.

The revised plan is produced by Animal Health for Defra, and includes changes which have been subject to formal public consultation. This includes a framework response plan for dealing with exotic animal diseases and plans for responding to specific diseases including Foot and Mouth Disease, Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease.

The changes to the plan reflect lessons identified from the incidents handled during 2008 and address recommendations made in Sir Iain Anderson's review of the 2007 outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease and feedback from the public consultation.

Jane Kennedy, Minister for Farming and the Environment said: "An animal disease outbreak can be devastating for those concerned. Defra remains totally committed to ensuring we learn lessons from our experience of outbreaks, so that we can make sure we respond effectively in future".

The Contingency Plan is subject to ongoing revision based on the latest scientific advice, developments in policy, comments from stakeholders and operational partners together with the lessons identified from disease outbreaks. It can be accessed here:www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/control/contingency/index.htm

A new quarterly veterinary publication - Companion Animals - has been launched to provide veterinary surgeons with a structured summary of the best international literature published in the past three months.

The peer-reviewed publication is backed by an educational grant from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, which says it is part of the company's commitment to invest in education and continue to support vets in practice.

Companion Animals contains expert commentary and analysis on recent advances in veterinary medicine and has an international editorial and advisory board. The board comprises Virginia Luis Fuentes from the Royal Veterinary College, Daniel Holden from the County Veterinary Clinic, Jacques Penderis from the University of Glasgow, Scott Brown from the University of Georgia, Brice Reynolds from the National Veterinary School of Toulouse, Rob Rayward from Coast Veterinary Referrals, James Oliver from North Kent Referrals, Sarah Smith from Sarah Smith Cardiology, Mark Lowrie from Davies Veterinary Specialists, Marieke De Vries from the Animal Health Trust and Patricia Ibarrola from University College Dublin.

In addition, each issue contains an original review article. The leading article in Volume 1, Issue 1 is titled 'The recognition and management of acute and chronic pain in cats' and is authored by Louisa Slingsby from the University of Bristol.

To register an account and receive all content free of charge, courtesy of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, please contact your local Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica territory manager or telephone 01344 746959.