Bayer Animal Health has launched Back to Basics, a new guide to antibiotic use which focuses on the concerns raised by vets and vet students about antibiotics in a survey carried out by the company.
465 vets and 40 students took part in the survey in March 2014. Of these:
27% of vets admitted that they struggle to know which antibiotic is the most appropriate for a specific condition. This uncertainty was particularly the case if the patient is un-responsive to the vet's first choice antibiotic, or the condition develops to require a new or additional antibiotic choice. Bayer says it is also clear that many vets may not be aware that pradofloxacin is the least likely of the veterinary fluoroquinolones to select for antibiotic resistance,2 as 23% of vet students and 9% of vets said they believe that all antibiotics carry the same risk of selecting for resistance.
The company says Back to Basics is designed to fill the gaps in knowledge identified by the survey. It presents each of the major classes of veterinary antibiotic and details how they work. It also includes an antibiotics 'jargon buster' to help vets and vet students better understand the commonly used measures of antibiotic activity and make more informed decisions about the use of antibiotics in practice.
Bayer has also developed an online self-assessment quiz that allows vets and students to check their knowledge. The quiz and the guide are both available at www.veraflox.co.uk
References
The elections will again be held completely online this year.
Veterinary surgeons have until 5pm on Monday 31st January 2022 to put themselves forward as candidates for the elections which will take place in March and April 2022.
The full eligibility criteria can be found at: www.rcvs.org.uk/rcvscouncil22, where prospective candidates will also find further information about the role of the RCVS, RCVS Council and RCVS Council members, guidance notes, and frequently asked questions about standing as a candidate.
Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS Registrar and Returning Officer for the elections, said: “We look forward to hearing from prospective candidates and are happy to give further information about what being an RCVS Council member means and what the role entails to those who may be considering standing for office.”
Prospective candidates for RCVS Council can also contact RCVS President Dr Kate Richards for an informal conversation on what it means to be an RCVS Council member on president@rcvs.org.uk
Kate said: “I’m on Council for my second term and can reassure any prospective candidates that it is a wonderful experience, both personally and professionally.
"You will learn new things not only about the College, but also the professions, policy and government; you will have fascinating discussions and debates with colleagues on issues of great importance and consequence; and you will make those important professional 'connections that count' with colleagues across the veterinary world and beyond. It is a career highlight.”
Prospective candidates for RCVS Council are welcome to attend the next Council meeting online, on Thursday 20th January 2022.
Contact Dawn Wiggins, RCVS Council Secretary, if you would like to attend: d.wiggins@rcvs.org.uk.
The ‘2022 AAFP/ISFM Cat Friendly Veterinary Interaction Guidelines: Approach and Handling Techniques’ and the ‘2022 ISFM/AAFP Cat Friendly Veterinary Environment Guidelines’ cover all aspects of a cat’s veterinary experience, including the journey to the practice and interactions with veterinary team members, as well as the clinical environment.
The new guidelines cover things like:
Dr Nathalie Dowgray, Head of ISFM (pictured right), said: "We are extremely proud of our new guidelines; they have been a lot of hard work with large amounts of literature to review and multiple time zones to work across, but the effort has been worth it.
"We hope all veterinarians working with cats will take the time to read them and apply the concepts and ideas to their clinics and to how they personally interact with their feline patients.’
The guidelines are available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/page/jfm/collection/cat-friendly-special-issue
All donations of unwanted clothes, books or bric-a-brac are sent for sale in one of the charity's 55 charity shops around the UK.
Working in partnership with National Veterinary Services (NVS), empty donation bags are given to veterinary practices to fill with goods for NVS to collect and deliver to the charity. The partnership with NVS began in 2011 and so far over 60,000 bags have been collected, with an estimated value of over £1m.
Mark Corbett, Head of Retail at Blue Cross said: "We are extremely grateful to NVS, the vet practices taking part in the scheme and their clients. Although the donated items may be unwanted possessions to some, each bag generates about £20 of income for us. This means the scheme has so far provided an incredible amount of income towards helping the pets in our care.
Blue Cross receives no government funding, so relies on public donations to continue its vital work.
Veterinary practices that receive their stock and drugs from NVS but are not yet part of The Blue Cross donation scheme can sign up now by contacting their NVS representative or email trading@bluecross.org.uk.
The information has been made available amid concerns from behaviourists and animal welfare organisations that there may be a rise in behavioural issues as lifestyle restrictions are lifted.
The Q&A explains what some of the behavioural concerns are and how they can be prevented and managed. Topics include separation-related issues, animals becoming anxious as the world around them becomes busier and noisier, and puppies lacking appropriate skills when greeting animals (including dogs and people) from other households.
The Q&A can be downloaded here.
Dr Hannah Donovan, vet, clinical animal behaviourist and Social Media Officer at the BVBA said: “We hope that this information will help vets to support their clients and their pets when faced with potential challenges as we transition out of lockdown.”
Professor Ian Ramsey, President of the BSAVA added: “This guidance has been developed in collaboration with the BVBA with the intention of supporting vets in practice in an ever-changing environment. It sits alongside other practical BSAVA resources vets can share with pet owners, such as Vaccination Guidance and Neutering Guidance, and follows the BSAVA’s core ethos – ‘By the profession for the profession.”
The BSAVA has also created a collection of resources for veterinary professionals relating to the prevention, management and treatment of behavioural issues in cats of dogs, which is freely available in the BSAVA Library until the end of July.
The collection includes chapters from the BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine; for those wishing to buy the full manual, there is a £10 discount on both the print and online editions throughout July (using code BEHAV10 on checkout).
Further information for vets can be found in the BSAVA’s COVID-19 resources here.
This year’s theme is 'Feline Fine: how to create harmony between physical health and mental wellbeing in your treatment and management of feline cases'.
The scientific programme will include lectures, interactive sessions and in-depth masterclasses from feline experts including Professor Danièlle Gunn-Moore (feline medicine specialist), Dr Sarah Heath (specialist in veterinary behaviour), Dr Matt Gurney (specialist in veterinary anaesthesia) and Professor Clare Rusbridge (specialist in veterinary neurology).
This is the third year that ISFM has hosted an annual congress event online, something the charity says has been a huge success, attracting over 3,000 veterinary professionals from 96 countries in 2021.
Dr Nathalie Dowgray, Head of ISFM said: "Whilst it was fabulous to be back in person in Rhodes this year, we cannot lose sight of the opportunity providing a virtual option gives the veterinary community."
The 2022 ISFM Virtual Congress is open to all veterinary professionals, including nurses, technicians and behaviourists who are interested in the relationship between feline emotions and behaviour, and other disciplines such as neurology, pain management, and internal medicine.
The live launch will feature a short lecture followed by a live Q&A session with iCatCare’s Vicky Halls (Cat Friendly Homing Manager), Linda Ryan (Registered Veterinary Nurse and Behaviourist) and Professor Danièlle Gunn-Moore.
ISFM Veterinary members will automatically receive a ticket to the Virtual Congress as part of their annual membership benefits.
https://icatcare.org/isfm2022congress-virtual/
Animalcare has announced that a new indication for chronic renal insufficiency in cats has been approved in the licence for Benazecare 5mg.
Benazecare is a POM-V ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor containing benazepril hydrochloride, which was originally launched in the UK in 2007 for the treatment of congestive heart failure in dogs.
For more information, contact Animalcare at www.animalcare.co.uk
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has launched its complimentary blood testing service that allows practitioners to investigate one of the main infectious causes of early embryo loss in sheep flocks.
The annual subsidised Barren EweCheck diagnostic scheme is available from 1st December 2010 until 31st March 2011 for breeding ewe flocks. The service establishes whether Toxoplasma gondii is potentially implicated in any empty or aborting ewes.
According to the company, data from the Barren EweCheck and FlockCheck 2010 schemes showed that 86% of flocks had been exposed to the toxoplasma parasite at some point before blood sampling. As a result, practitioners were able to give clients receiving a positive diagnosis timely advice on disease control and the benefits of a Toxovax vaccination regime.
The company anticipates full availability of Toxovax in 2011 and says its Barren EweCheck blood sample submission pads are available directly from the company's Veterinary Support Group by calling 01908 685685.
Bayer Animal Health has organised for prominent clinical microbiologist Dr Joseph Blondeau, from Canada's University of Saskatchewana, to tour the UK in May, giving talks to practitioners about effective antibiotic usage to prevent bacterial resistance.
Bayer's Technical Veterinary Adviser, Lucy Smith, will also be giving a talk: Maximise Treatment Success, which comes at the subject from the practical veterinary side.
Bayer Animal Health Marketing Manager, Dr Markus Edingloh said: "We are incredibly fortunate to work with such an eminent expert. Dr Blondeau is a leading authority on a new parameter that supports a dosing concept to minimise selection of bacterial resistance - the Mutant Prevention Concentration. Fortunately, he is also expert at presenting complex matters in an engaging and memorable way."
He added: "Lucy Smith will share her specific experience of Bayer's recently launched Veraflox (pradofloxacin), the first and only next generation veterinary fluoroquinolone, which has a broad spectrum of treatment which attacks Gram +, Gram - and anaerobic bacteria, in a highly efficacious way.
The evening events take place on: May 14th (Glasgow), May 15th (Derby), May 16th (Swindon) & May 17th (Surrey). Full details in the VetSurgeon Diary.
Each roadshow session is equivalent to 1.5 hours of free Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
To register to attend one of the roadshows, please email animal.health@bayer.com
Vets4Pets says research has shown that 28% of cats between 11 and 15 years show at least one clinical sign of cognitive dysfunction, with this figure increasing to 50 per cent in cats over 15 years of age1.
The prevalence in dogs is also reported to be significant, with some estimates indicating that 28% of 11- to 12-year-old dogs and 68% of 15- to 16-year-old dogs are showing clinical signs of the condition2.
A 2010 study, which used data from pet owner questionnaires, also estimated that the prevalence of cognitive dysfunction was 14.2% in dogs over the age of eight years, yet only 1.9% of older dogs were clinically diagnosed with the condition3.
The survey of 2,000 owners, which was conducted for Vets4Pets by market research company OnePoll, found that half would not be confident identifying the early indicators of cognitive dysfunction, namely: confusion, anxiety, restlessness, and a decreased desire to play.
62% said they would put any significant behavioural changes in their pet down to them getting old, and more than three in five admitted they can find it difficult to understand the signs of when they should be taking their pet to visit the vet.
Up to 33% delay taking their pet to the vet as they worry they might get bad news
However, 35% said they have or will increase the number of routine visits to the vets as their pet gets older.
Dr Huw Stacey, Director of Clinical Services at Vets4Pets said: “It is only natural that many pet owners can have apprehensions about bringing their pet along to the vets, which is just a testament to how much they care.
"But this is also why it’s incredibly important that we as an industry have the expertise and training needed to properly support pet owners with this diagnosis."
“Our ultimate goal is to help educate vets and nurses across the nation and empower them in their decision making when diagnosing elderly pets, as well as helping pet owners to care for their pets so they live a longer, healthier and happier life.”
As part of its campaign, Vets4Pets has sponsored a free CPD webinar in which Dr Sarah Heath, RCVS and European Veterinary Specialist in Behavioural Medicine (pictured right), considers ways in which the veterinary profession can improve the detection of this condition, enabling them to offer practical advice and support for senior pets and their owners.
The recording consists of a 45-minute webinar and a 15-minute Q&A session which will be available for anyone to watch for a year.
To watch the webinar, visit: https://vimeo.com/684610594/3d9d258bcb.
The new brand has a couple of display stands that practices can use to show off the range of memory boxes, paw print kits, paw moulds, fur/hair bottles, plant markers and forget-me-not seeds, and hanging/seasonal decorations.
Oh So Precious is the brainchild of Helen Davies, founder of The Lovely Gift Group (pictured right).
She said: “Having lost pets myself and sold many keepsakes, I know how much emotion and passion we put into our relationships with them.
“When my daughter asked for a keepsake for her best friend I realised their was a gap in the market.
“We also identified a need for good quality, pet related items through our existing gift customers.
"We learn a lot from them and they continually highlight requirements for themselves and as thoughtful gifts for friends who have lost pets.
"The unity among pet owners – that need to convey an understanding and appreciation for those suffering the pain of pet loss - is very real.”
Helen says that as well as providing a new revenue stream, the range will help practices meet client needs and provide new ways to be empathetic to clients in times of distress.
There will be a special show offer for orders taken at The London Vet Show, and in 2023 the team is planning to launch personalised pet keepsakes via links from vet practice websites.
www.ohsoprecious.co.uk
The company says AI Masses will allow veterinary professionals to analyse lesions suggestive of cancer in-clinic and with a fast turnaround.
The AI technology, which has been trained by human clinical pathologists, should enable individualised treatment outcomes earlier for more cases.
Zoetis says AI Masses only needs a single round of sample preparation and the results can, at additional cost, be supplemented with an expert review from a network of specialists through Zoetis’ Virtual Laboratory.
Dr. Richard Goldstein, DVM, DACVIM, DECVIM-CA, Global Chief Medical Officer at Zoetis said: “Waiting for results can be stressful for pet owners – even more so when it involves a cancer screening.
"Our research shows that up to 75% of pet owners find abnormal results highly stressful.1
"AI Masses is yet another point-of-care capability to deliver results in-clinic, further exemplifies Zoetis’ purpose to advance care for animals, shortening anxious wait times to allow for faster care decisions that help provide the best possible outcome.”
Pre-orders will be announced for US customers in Q2 2025.
VetSurgeon.org understands AI Masses will be coming to the UK some time in 2025.
https://www.zoetisdiagnostics.com
Reference
Pedigree® today launched its 2009 Pedigree Adoption DriveTM to highlight the issue of dog abandonment in the UK.
It's estimated that there are 100,000 abandoned or stray dogs in the UK every year. Pedigree surveyed animal rescue homes across the UK and in just 33 centres, found that over the course of just eight days between Christmas and New Year, an average of 12 dogs were abandoned per centre, equalling more than one every day.
Clarissa Baldwin, Chair of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) comments: ‘These statistics illustrate the severity of the situation. As a nation of so-called dog lovers, it is unacceptable that pets are being treated as throwaway commodities. Dog ownership is a privilege, not a right.'
Jane Bingham, Pedigree Adoption Drive Manager said ‘We are saddened by the alarming number of dogs being abandoned each year. Our aim is to help raise awareness of the issue of dog abandonment to ensure that re-homing centres are given support to enable them to continue their wonderful work.
‘The rewards pets provide to responsible dog owners are evident yet the figures show there are still thousands of dogs who are in need of loving homes.'
Pedigree's research has found that over seven million dog owners state that their dog makes them happier and over 1 in 4 (nearly three million dog owners) actually admit they love their dog more than some members of their own family!
The Pedigree Adoption Drive aims to not only increase the public's awareness of dog abandonment, but also to raise funds to help rescue centres and charities across the UK re-home these dogs. Now in its second year, The Pedigree Adoption Drive is aiming to increase monies donated from last year's £489,000 to £600,000 by donating 2p for every single Pedigree product sold during January and February 2009.
For more information visit The Pedigree Adoption Drive website - http://www.pedigreeadoptiondrive.com./
The Government has been forced to scrap plans for compulsory dog insurance less than a two weeks since they were revealed in leaked Defra documents.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has now ruled out the idea.
Apparently, the climbdown followed protests that compulsory insurance was no more than a 'dog tax' which would do nothing to curb the problem of dangerous dogs.
There's a certain irony in the way the story was reported in The Sun newspaper, with the headline: 'Labour forced to ditch pet plan'.
Indeed!
Bimeda has launched Recocam, a 20mg/ml meloxicam preparation licensed for use as a single injection course in cattle, horses and pigs.
Bimeda's Head of Technical Services, Padraig Hyland MVB said: "Meloxicam's anti-inflammatory credentials and safety profile is well proven and it remains rightly popular with large animal vets. With our manufacturing expertise it makes sense to add this widely used product to our portfolio. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive range of both established standards and new innovative products for cattle and equine vets, and this is just another step in that process."
Bimeda says Recocam has a broad range of indications including acute respiratory infections, in combination with oral re-hydration in diarrhoea therapy and acute mastitis, for non-infectious locomotor disorders and lameness in pigs and alleviation of inflammation and pain in both acute and chronic musculo-skeletal disorders and pain relief associated with equine colic. In cattle Recocam can be given by single subcutaneous or intravenous injection.
Founder Jade Statt said: "As StreetVet grows, we are being contacted to help clients outwith our current active StreetVet locations, of which there are now 13. For this reason and to help us continue to expand, we would like to put out a call to the profession to ask any practices that are happy to work with us to get in touch and help us set up a StreetVet Directory of Supporting Practices."
If you'd like to know more about partnering with StreetVet, email: StreetVet.practices@gmail.com
You'll be sent detailed information about the options for working with StreetVet and offered a fundraising pack. If you go ahead, you'll also have your practice logo added to a directory on the StreetVet website.
The new policy has been published ahead of an upcoming review of England’s Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing regulations (WATOK) by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Recommendations in the policy address all areas of the slaughter process, including:
The policy also covers a wider range of species and focuses on some of those species-specific needs.
For the first time its recommendations include fish. In order to improve the welfare of farmed finfish, BVA says that UK Governments should include the effective stunning of finfish as well as general welfare protections in WATOK regulations. It also calls for more research into developing effective and humane methods of stunning for decapods (shrimp, lobsters and crabs) and cephalopods (squid and octopus) as well as wild caught fish.
BVA Senior Vice President, Simon Doherty said: "With millions of animals slaughtered each year to provide us with the food we eat, we have a responsibility to provide them with a life worth living and a humane death. Our updated position aims to do just that by building on existing legislation and guiding the industry in a direction that better protects the welfare of animals destined for the food chain.
"Slaughter processes should be designed to minimise avoidable pain, distress, fear, and suffering and this document looks at all of the ways that we as vets can work with industry bodies and farm colleagues to improve the legislation already in place.”
A snapshot survey carried out in 2018 by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for the period of one week revealed that nearly 20 million animals (excluding fish) were slaughtered across 248 operating plants in England and Wales during that time.
In order to effect change for such a high quantity of animals, BVA’s new position sets out recommendations for a range of stakeholders, government, industry, researchers and the veterinary profession, at each stage of the slaughter process. Improvements to the way that stunning data is captured and reported on is also on the list of asks, as well as improving regulation of non-stun slaughter and working collaboratively with Islamic scholars and Halal certification bodies to promote the acceptability of recoverable stunning.
Simon added: "From making sure that stunning methods are as effective as possible, to looking at the specific needs of each species, revalidation of training for operators, and championing the role of the Official Veterinarian, there is a lot of work to be done but we look forward to progressing these recommendations and working to improve the welfare of farmed animals across the UK."
New statistics from the Voice of the Veterinary Profession Spring 2022 survey showed that while veterinary work is often seen as a vocation, 77% of vets list pay among their top five priorities when choosing a job.
Other deciding factors include geographical location (74%), area of practice (62%), low staff turnover (45%) and structured career progression (28%).
However only 42% of vets who responded to the survey considered their pay and benefits to be either ‘good’, ‘very good’, or ‘excellent’.
BVA President Malcolm Morley, said: “Fair, transparent and equal pay is one of the keystones of good veterinary workplaces.
"Whether you’re an employee, a manager or an employer, it’s vital that everyone feels confident that their workplace approaches pay in a clear and consistent way.
"This isn’t about paying everyone more; it’s about using objective criteria and transparent pay scales to ensure the whole team understands how decisions about reward and recognition are made and what they can do to access higher pay.”
The new resource, created for BVA members as part of its Good Veterinary Workplaces campaign, includes information for veterinary employers on the benefits a clear pay structure can bring for the whole team.
It demonstrates the positive impact transparency around reward and recognition can have on employee fulfilment and retention, and outlines the legal requirements of employers to ensure that pay is equitable.
It also offers tips for employees and managers for approaching conversations about pay and emphasises the importance of considering ‘total reward’ during these conversations.
Total reward is the entire sum of a job’s offering including, but not limited to, salary, commission structure, benefits package, CPD, work/life balance, promotion opportunities, travel expenses, accommodation, and so on.
Malcolm added: “We know that pay can be a fraught, and even somewhat taboo, subject but it is one that we all have a responsibility to tackle if we want to ensure that veterinary professionals are fairly rewarded for their work.
"We hope that this new guide will support all our members and equip them with the knowledge required to ensure they can confidently navigate conversations about pay.”
https://www.bva.co.uk/talking-pay
Heath Vets, a Cardiff-based veterinary group, has announced that is has become the first veterinary group in Wales to appoint designated customer care personnel, enabling it to take on and beat the corporates at customer service.
Leanne Kiddie was appointed Customer Care Manager, tasked with ensuring the group delivers excellent customer service across its four sites, after the veterinary group identified customer service as their key driver to retaining customers, attracting new customers and sustaining growth.
Gavin Hill-John (pictured right with Leanne), Operations Director at Heath Vets said: "We want to put our customers at the forefront of our service. The traditional veterinary practice model was based around territory; you had one vet practice in an area and local people used it. They weren’t challenged on customer service as we are today. Having Leanne as our dedicated Customer Care Manager will help us set Heath Vets apart from other practices. Whilst we may not be able to compete with the buying power of some national chains, we can certainly beat them at customer service."
Heath Vets says it is now developing its engagement with customers regarding future plans; using their comments and feedback to shape the practice.
Gavin added: "We are aiming to deliver a level of engagement with our customers that no other vet practice has seen before. We’re hosting cheese and wine functions where customers can come in, enjoy our festive hospitality, and speak with the staff about their pet’s issues. We not only want to work with our customers, but we want to get to know them."
Gavin says he believes Heath Vets can challenge all competitors when it comes to customer service: "My vision for the role is that across all four sites we should be delivering outstanding customer service, consistently. To achieve that aim, everybody needs to be highly skilled, trained, motivated and engaged. For us, it’s about recognising that we have a hugely impressive team that are focussed on delivering high quality customer service. National chains have investors and shareholders to please; we have our customers."
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall made her first visit to the RVC's Camden campus today, in her role as patron of the College's charity, the Animal Care Trust.
The Duchess became Patron of the Animal Care Trust in 2005, and was visiting to see how funds raised by the charity help to provide cutting edge equipment for the College's hospitals, provide assistance to the College's research teams and support the commitment to excellence in veterinary education.
During the tour of the Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital (BSAH), the Duchess saw how donations from the ACT have helped to purchase laparascopic surgical equipment enabling the hospital to provide key-hole surgery for routine neutering procedures, bringing welfare benefits to the animals and allowing students to develop their first-day skills needed in veterinary practice.
The Duchess also met the specialist exotics team that forms part of a newly launched Small Animals Referral Service based at the BSAH and which receives funding from the ACT.
Professor Stuart Reid, Principal of the RVC, said: "The generous donations to the ACT are invaluable in helping us to deliver the best possible care to our patients and world-leading veterinary education to our students. We were delighted to welcome The Duchess of Cornwall to our teaching hospital in Camden so that she could see just how much of an impact these donations have on the work that we do."
As well as spending time in the hospital the tour also took in the RVC's anatomy museum where the Head of Anatomy Service at the College, Andrew Crook MBE, demonstrated how an investment from the ACT in plastination facilities is helping the College to preserve valuable anatomical samples in a form that can be handled by students without fear of decomposition.
The visit finished with a reception, where supporters and donors of the Trust, as well as some of the College's students had the chance to meet the Duchess.
Before becoming a dragon, Jenny worked in banking for 30 years and will be sharing her experiences as an entrepreneur and business leader. She became CEO of cash machine company Hanco, bought out the business, turned it around and sold it for £50 million.
Jenny is supportive of the move to host BSAVA Congress online. She said: “Veterinary communities, like other professions, have seen the value that online technologies can offer, both for networking and socials, as well as essential CPD. We should all embrace these changes and look at the value that they can bring.”
The Congress programme is currently being finalised and the organisers say the emphasis is on ensuring the experience is an interactive as possible for each delegate. It will deliver more than 100 hours of CPD, delivered by globally recognised speakers.
BSAVA Congress 2021 Programme Committee Chair Andy Green said: ‘Whether a virtual or a live event our entire programme is proudly created by the profession, for the profession and we are committed to providing unrivalled education, with topical, clinically relevant and evidence-based content.”
There'll be a virtual commercial exhibition, where delegates will be able to chat with exhibitors from the comfort of their home or consult room. There will also be the ability to network with others in the profession, in face-to-face chat rooms. Professor Ian Ramsey, President of the BSAVA said: “BSAVA Congress 2021 is going to be one of the most innovative in the history of our events.
"While the pandemic circumstances we continue to find ourselves in are far from ideal, we must continue to evolve and progress as a profession. BSAVA Congress is a unique highlight in our calendar for next year and it is shaping up to be a truly memorable event."
For further information and to register your interest click here: https://www.bsavaevents.com/bsavacongress2021/en/page/home
The webinars are being presented by Sian Tranter MRCVS, who has a business called VetReflect which supports veterinary staff in resolving issues in their day-to-day working life, clinical or non-clinical, with support, guidance and direction.
In the hour-long interactive webinars, Sian will concentrate on providing practical advice to support clinicians and promote both personal and team development.
The first webinar, "Using Clinical Supervision – Looking After Ourselves", will focus on how professionals can improve their job satisfaction and reduce the impact that work has on the rest of their lives.
The session, which will take place on Thursday 31st March at 3.00pm, will include the opportunity to complete a personal audit to identify the actions required to achieve these goals.
To register for the event visit: https://tinyl.io/5aIa
The second webinar, taking place on Thursday 28th April at 7:30pm, is titled: "Using Clinical Supervision – Looking After Our Team", and will focus on applying practical and relevant tools to get the best out of veterinary teams to promote teamwork, performance and positivity.
To register for the event, visit: https://tinyl.io/5aIf
The webinars are free-of-charge and are available to veterinary clinics across the UK and the US, including those not affiliated to the Premier Vet Alliance.
Novartis Animal Health Inc. has completed an agreement with Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. that grants marketing rights for Adequan® Equine to Novartis in all major equine markets outside the U.S. The first launch of Adequan® Equine by Novartis will take place in Canada in June.
Adequan® Equine is indicated for treating joint dysfunction and lameness in horses caused by injury or degenerative problems. It is available for intramuscular and intra-articular administration. Adequan® is also indicated for treating joint dysfunction and lameness caused by injury or degenerative problems in dogs.
Mickey McDermott from Novartis' Communications Dept told VetSurgeon that the timing of Adequan's arrival in the UK depends on how long it takes to complete the registration transfers, but that the company hopes it'll be before the end of the year.
Veterinary surgeons who want to pay in full must do so before before 1st June 2021. For those UK-practising vets who want to pay the fee in three instalments, the first payment should be received before 1st June, the second payment before 1st October and the final payment before the end of the year.
Any vets who do not pay either the fee in full or the first instalment before 1st June will be removed from the Register. If they want to be restored, they'll need to pay an additional restoration fee as well as the registration fee.
Professor Susan Dawson, RCVS Treasurer, said: “Due to the ongoing disruption to the profession because of the lockdown, we are glad to say that RCVS Council has again approved the ability for members of the profession to pay their fee in instalments and therefore spread the cost during this already difficult year.
"We would like to remind members of the profession that the option to pay in instalments is only available to UK-practising veterinary surgeons. For any UK-practising veterinary surgeons who have a Direct Debit set up but who wish to pay by instalments, please make sure to cancel your Direct Debit as soon as possible."
Payments can be made via the My Account area of the RCVS website (www.rcvs.org.uk/myaccount) where you will also need to confirm that you meet the annual continuing professional development (CPD) requirement and declare any convictions, cautions and/or adverse findings.
Any questions, contact the Registration Department: registration@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0707.
For advice about making payments or submitting a remittance form, contact the Finance Department on finance@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0723.
Further details about paying in instalments can also be found in a series of FAQs at: www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/coronavirus-covid-19/retention-fee-faqs/
VetSurgeon member, Rachel Crowe is asking veterinary surgeons to help with a survey looking at the relationship between vets and drug companies.
The survey forms part of Rachel's dissertation for her MBA, titled: In harmony or out of tune? Perceptual gaps between expectations of vets and supplier.
The survey is being carried out in association with VetSurgeon.org. We've agreed to promote it to VetSurgeon members in return for being able to share the bulk of the results with our members, and, importantly, with all veterinary suppliers. Our hope is that as a result, the time you spend carrying out the survey will help influence the way drug companies do business, and help them give you a better standard of service. In addition, the survey is also being supported by Rachel's employer, Virbac Animal Health, which will have first sight of the results.
As a small thank you, everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a draw for one of 5 Marks and Spencer shopping vouchers.
Thus far, 182 members have already taken part in the survey. If you are one of the few that didn't complete it, please do, as Rachel needs as many completed surveys as possible. If you have only partially completed the survey, you should find that the system has stored your previous answers, so you won't need to start all over again.
To take part, please click here.