The World Small Animal Veterinary Association has established a new Foundation with a remit to improve global companion animal care through science and education.
The WSAVA Foundation, a not-for-profit body, is now identifying a range of potential projects, which it says are likely to include:
It is also identifying sources of funding, grants and partnerships with the veterinary pharmaceutical and pet nutrition sectors and other potential donors.
Dr Larry Dee, WSAVA Foundation President, former WSAVA President and co-owner of a large companion animal practice in Florida, said: "The creation of this new Foundation is one of the WSAVA's most exciting initiatives to date. We have an ambitious vision to improve global companion animal care through science and education.
With its establishment, global veterinary medicine now has a wonderful opportunity to utilize the networking resources and global 'connectivity' of WSAVA to deliver on its goal of improving companion care everywhere. We will be announcing details of our first initiatives shortly."
For further information on the WSAVA Foundation, please contact the WSAVA Secretariat at wsavasecretariat@gmail.com.
The Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ) has published a free online collection of articles which explain the current understanding of equine antimicrobial resistance and how the profession can preserve the effectiveness of these essential medicines.
The new collection comprises ten clinical reports and studies and three editorials covering current trends on bacterial populations, risk factors and the appropriate use of antimicrobials in practice.
A clinical report on the changes in bacterial populations in foals with sepsis raises the question whether the emergence of resistance in horses has occurred as a result of antibiotic use in humans, with nosocomial spread from human handlers in foals. Studies on the prevalence of faecal carriage of antimicrobial resistant E. coli show their prevalence to be common in normal horses in the community in the UK, although MRSA carriage was rare. Data suggested transmission of resistant bacteria from animals receiving antibiotics may result in carriage of bacteria by in contact animals.
The need for judicious use of antimicrobials is reinforced in a study on antimicrobial-associated diarrhoea in three equine referral practices. Two papers investigate both prescribing practice in the UK and the impact of antimicrobial use on infection and pyrexia in hospitalised horses, concluding that there are opportunities for more targeted, ‘smart’, use antimicrobials in the perioperative period, rather than simply more antimicrobials.
The final study discusses a low-cost syndromic surveillance model for monitoring healthcare associated infection in clinical practice to provide a realistic benchmark against which other hospitals may compare antimicrobial study data.
Three supporting editorials complete the online collection, giving comment on the overall situation of antimicrobial resistance in the horses, including the current political situation and antimicrobials and surgical site infection.
Professor Peter Clegg, Associate Editor of the Equine Veterinary Journal said: "It remains to be determined how big a problem antimicrobial resistance will become for the equine veterinary profession, either through greater difficulties in treating horses, or through political pressure to restrict access to antimicrobials. Meanwhile the EVJ remains committed to the promotion of responsible stewardship to best preserve the efficacy of the drugs we have got for as long as we can."
Mark Bowen, President of the British Equine Veterinary Association and guest editor said: "BEVA has a long-term commitment to promoting responsible antimicrobial use throughout the profession and supporting EAAD through the PROTECT ME brand. This year we have released resources around Education, aimed at the profession through EVJ and to the horse owning public through development of material that can be provided alongside antimicrobial dispensing. The work of the equine profession in preserving the highest priority antimicrobials will ensure efficacy can be retained for as long as is possible."
The antimicrobial online collection is available free online at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1001/(ISSN)2042-3306/homepage/antimicrobial_resistance.htm
The company says that the number of studies related to the dog and cat microbiome has increased by over 800% between 2012 and 20221, but that practical implementation of the research lags behind.
The event will cover topics ranging from nutrition and faecal microbial transplantation (FMT) for chronic enteropathy to controversies in the use of gastric acid suppressants and the roles of the gut-brain and gut-kidney axes in disease.
Speakers include Jan Suchodolski, MedVet, DrVetMed, PhD, AGAF, DACVM, who has published more than 340 peer-reviewed manuscripts in the field of veterinary gastroenterology and the microbiome, Kathrin Busch, DVM, Dr Med Vet, DECVIM-CA, Head of Small Animal Gastroenterology at Ludwig-Maximilians University, and Jessica Quimby, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), PhD, International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) board member and winner of the IRIS Award 2018.
https://www.microbiomeforumevent2023.purinainstitute.com
For the project, the company has developed a Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) clinical assessment tool which can be used by a vet or nurse in practice to make a diagnosis.
The assessment is a holistic one which includes taking a history of the animal, a full physical examination, an exercise test and an examination of the dog’s nostrils.
The results of the assessment are then discussed with the owner to agree on a course of treatment.
During each consultation, vets and nurses also look to talk sensitively with clients about breeding, buying and owning brachycephalic dog breeds, offering welfare advice on how to manage their dog’s lifestyle, including issues such as keeping their weight low and looking after them in hot weather.
CVS says it hopes this will increase a general level of welfare awareness amongst brachycephalic dog owners.
CVS has also created a collection of resources for its teams, including new clinical frameworks and veterinary guidelines, webinars and a CPD day on the subject.
The company has also created materials to help vets and nurses have what can be challenging discussions with clients, including consultation room posters and practice reception TV videos which showing the physiology of the brachycephalic breed.
CVS says that since launch in July last year, the 25 participating practices have conducted nearly 900 brachycephalic assessments, and it aims to have at least 5% of Pugs, French Bulldogs and Bulldogs undergoing assessment across its small animal division by 2028.
The content covers the main points in the WSAVA’s report and offers up-to-date information and advice.
For example, Virbac highlights how the report raises concerns about increasing moves to early neutering, or for neutering to be used as a method of behavioural control, as not all aggressive behaviours are testosterone related.
For that reason, a “castration trial’ with long-acting GnRH agonist is recommended by the report before irreversible orchiectomy is performed.
In addition, there is also evidence that gonadectomy may contribute to the development of some tumours, which is currently under intense investigation, as is the effect of age at castration
Dr Neil Mottram, Technical Manager at Virbac, said: "There is so much new information coming through that vets need to assimilate.
"So the educational reproductive resource is designed to make that journey easier to navigate and provide vets with easy access to up to the minute information on key issues in the report’.
To access the materials visit: https://vet-uk.virbac.com/home/resource-library.html, or contact your territory manager.
Petplan has announced the winner of the 'ChiWOWhua' competition which took place at BSAVA Congress in April, and offers a guide to pet insurance in practice.
Alfreton Park Veterinary Hospital was chosen out of more than 800 entries from across the UK. The staff at the practice were delighted after winning £1000 which they plan to spend on computer equipment which includes a new laptop and a state of the art printer.
Matt Ingram, Partner at Alfreton Park Veterinary Hospital commented, "We were absolutely ecstatic when we found out that we won the competition. The prize money will allow us to promote pet health through weight watcher clinics by taking before and after photographs of clients' pets and educate our clients about responsible pet ownership. We will also use it to document the progression of a case study as part of our 'Pet of the Month' programme. We are very grateful and would like to thank Petplan for their ongoing support in the veterinary industry".
The competition's objective was to inform veterinary staff about the simple ways for practices to promote pet insurance to their uninsured client. There is still some confusion amongst staff as to what they can and cannot talk about. With this in mind, Petplan has produced a "Siameasy guide" for veterinary practices to show just how quick and easy promoting pet insurance can be. This guide provides ideas on when to mention insurance, the promotional materials available from Petplan as well as guidelines on insurance regulation.
Petplan says all practices can promote the benefits of pet insurance regardless of their regulatory status. For a free copy of the Siameasy guide, email vetline@petplan.co.uk or call Vetline on 0800 316 8800.
The Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA) has launched the European Journal of Companion Animal Practitioners (EJCAP) Online, the first European fully online veterinary journal.
As the official journal of the FECAVA, the EJCAP online is exclusively available to members of national companion animal veterinary associations which are in turn members of FECAVA (which include the BSAVA).
According to FECAVA, the EJCAP online will continue to offer the sort of high quality CPD articles which the magazine was known for during its 21 year history in print. However it will now also be able to offer rich media, such as videos with clinical presentations, endoscopy and ultrasound recordings, diagnostic and surgical techniques, interviews with experts, conference presentations as well as slide shows, interactive quizzes, surveys and animations.
The frequency of publication has also been increased, from three to four issues per year, including one special issue.
The EJCAP online is available in two languages - English and Spanish. More languages are planned in future.
Simon Orr, FECAVA president, said: "Since the momentous decision to publish EJCAP online was taken by our Council in Lille in 2009, we are delighted to offer our members this new and engaging way to gain new information and skills.
As we start work on the next issues, we invite all our readers to give us feedback on this first volume of EJCAP online. On the last spread (page) there is a link to a survey on this new format, to help us further improve and optimize EJCAP online."
To register, visit EJCAP online (www.fecava.org/ejcap).
KISS (which stands for Knowledge, Information, Support and Sharing) will offer: In-Practice Training, The Hill’s Nutritional Ambassador Programme, On-Demand Education and Hill’s Webinars.
There will also be a variety of tailored training sessions designed to help give veterinary professionals the knowledge and tools to broach nutrition.
Michael Unsworth, Hill’s Vet Affairs Manager, UK & Republic of Ireland said: “Vet practices have gone above and beyond during the pandemic, supporting patients and owners alike during extremely challenging times Hill’s wants to extend a helping hand, with support, tips, and tools to stay a step ahead as pet parents return back into the clinic following months of looking out for their pet’s nutrition and wellbeing without the usual level of expert guidance and support from their veterinary team.
“Vets and their teams face multiple challenges on the pet nutrition front, whether it be the plethora of ‘self-appointed experts’ out there, trying to encourage loyalty from their clients, or the long-lasting effects of COVID, all of which are yet to play out over the long haul. The KISS initiative will provide clinics access to a dedicated team of passionate nutritional experts, ensuring vets have the right support and knowledge base - and one less thing to worry about as they strive to improve pets’ lives on a daily basis."
For more information, contact your Hill’s representative.
European Specialist in Veterinary Dentistry Lisa Milella, who revealed last year that she has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, has now announced that she plans to end her life at the Swiss-based organisation, Dignitas, and is calling on MPs to support a Private Members Bill on assisted dying, due for a second reading next month.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Lisa said: "In Britain, we give more dignity in death to our pets than we do human beings. I don't want to suffer a prolonged, lingering death. I want to be able to choose when I die – and I'd like to do that in my home, surrounded by my loved ones with dignity – but British law doesn't allow me to do that and that makes me angry."
Meanwhile, Lisa's campaign to raise money for International Animal Rescue has smashed its original target of £10,000 and now stands at £24,096.83, with a new target of £50,000.
Professor Susan Dawson (pictured right), Chair of the Mind Matters Taskforce, will introduce the event and will be followed by the symposium’s plenary speaker, Rory O’Connor, Professor of Health Psychology at the University of Glasgow and President of the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
Rory's talk: ‘When It is Darkest: Understanding Suicide Risk’ will draw upon his research and work on the psychological processes which precipitate suicidal behaviour and self-harm, an area of expertise that has seen him advise the Scottish Government, as well as other national and international organisations, on suicide prevention strategies.
The next presentation will be from Dr Victoria Crossley from the Royal Veterinary College and Navaratnam Partheeban, co-founder of the British Veterinary Ethnicity & Diversity Society (BVEDS), on their research into the mental health impact of racism and discrimination on Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) veterinary surgeons.
They'll be followed by Professor Neil Greenberg and Dr Victoria Williamson from King’s College London, who will talk about their research into the impact of ‘moral injury’ on the mental health and wellbeing of vets.
The day will then split into different research streams with presentations on a variety of topics including: the impact of cyberbullying and harassment; the wellbeing of veterinary interns and residents; stigma and stress in veterinary nursing; mental health awareness training in the undergraduate veterinary curriculum; and the relationship between ‘patient safety culture’ and staff burnout.
Lisa Quigley, Mind Matters Manager, said: “As with previous years the Mind Matters Mental Health Research Symposium promises to be a very informative and important day in terms of international researchers coming together to share their research, their conclusions, areas for further work and study, and best practice.
"Some of the topics we will be discussing, such as suicide, will be difficult, but research into issues affecting the international veterinary community is a vital first step to putting in place strategies and support mechanisms to help those in need. This is why research will be one of the key strategic priorities for the Mind Matters Initiative and our forthcoming actions in this area will be published later this year in our Mind Matters Initiative Strategic Plan.
“I would like to thank Dr Rosie Allister, a veterinary mental health researcher from the University of Edinburgh and manager of Vetlife Helpline, for putting together an excellent programme.
"As with previous years we are also offering free attendance of the symposium to those who have lived experience of mental ill-health, those who are currently not working, and veterinary and veterinary nursing students. If you have any queries about the event, please don’t hesitate to contact me on l.quigley@rcvs.org.uk to discuss further.”
Registration for those not entitled to a free ticket is £10.
To register for the event visit: www.vetmindmatters.org/events.
The survey was carried out to get an insight into how practices are currently helping clients ensure that their pets continue to enjoy life during their later years.
152 people took part: 60% nurses, 26% vets and 5% practice managers.
Less than 3 in 10 practices run senior pet clinics, and they mostly run them infrequently (biannually or less).
Three quarters of respondents also said that clients don't see the benefits of attending a senior pet clinic regularly.
It seems the current situation, then, is that few practices are providing a service that, er, apparently not many owners want.
Yet few in the profession would argue that a preventative approach is essential in order to give pets the best chance of leading healthier lives for longer.
To that end, Animalcare has produced some time-saving materials to help more practices run senior pet clinics, such as health check materials, handouts on age-related conditions and generic short articles for use in practice newsletters, which can be downloaded at: www.animalcare.co.uk/seniorpet
However, the problem is that these things alone cannot solve the underlying problem of a shortage of time.
The only way to solve that one is probably to find more inventive, efficient ways to engage with the owners of older pets in a way that minimise the time pressures on veterinary practice staff.
Recent changes in the way veterinary schools teach clinical and practical skills, coupled with increasing financial pressure on students and new graduates, have triggered the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to review its guidelines for Extra-Mural Studies (EMS) and clinical education.
A requirement has been in place for the last 75 years that veterinary students ‘see practice' for at least 26 weeks in their clinical years.
The purpose of EMS has always been to ensure that veterinary students have the right mix of practical and theoretical teaching and understand the realities of commercial clinical practice before they graduate. This objective does not change, but the College's Education Policy and Specialisation Committee believes it is now time to look again at what is covered in the clinical curriculum of the undergraduate degree to ensure that guidelines are kept up to date.
EMS was last reviewed in 1996, but in the interim veterinary schools have introduced new ways of teaching practical and clinical aspects of the curriculum. There has also been an increase in the role played by the veterinary schools' own first opinion practices.
In addition, having to carry out EMS not only restricts students' capacity to work during the holidays, but often incurs substantial travel and accommodation expenses. With students facing increasing amounts of debt, the financial impact of EMS needs to be reviewed.
The review group, which will be chaired by RCVS Council Member and practitioner Dr Barry Johnson, will gather evidence from a broad range of stakeholders. It aims to make a report to Council by the end of 2009.
Canterbury-based solicitor Cooper & Co, which specialises in dog law, has launched a series of CPD-qualifying webinars for veterinary professionals available at www.doglaw.tv.
The webinars, which are presented by Trevor Cooper, cover a wide variety of subjects, including:
In addition, the site hosts videos about dog behaviour by the well-known dog trainer and behaviourist Carolyn Menteith. The topics covered in her videos include:
Whilst the videos are CPD-qualifying for veterinary professionals, they are also aimed at anyone else that works with dogs, and dog owners themselves.
To view the videos visit www.doglaw.tv.
Labrador Retrievers are the breed most likely to run away, according to a survey of 2000 pet owners commissioned by the Blue Cross.
In addition, the survey found that the average dog owner has had their pet run off three times. One in five haven't had their dog microchipped and half of those say they probably won't ever have it done.
Only 23% of dog owners know it is already mandatory for dogs to wear a tag when in public, and only half of those knew the tag must bear the owner's name.
1/3rd thought the maximum fine for a dog being without a tag would be £100, when it is actually £5000.
The full list of breeds most likely to do a runner was:
The sample was submitted by the Inglis Veterinary Hospital in Dunfermline, part of the group that has been practising in the area for over 50 years. To mark the occasion, Idexx territory manager Sandie Crawford visited the team at Inglis to present a commemorative plaque and find out what aspects of the service they find most useful.
Rachel Motion MRCVS from Inglis said: "VetConnect Plus allows me to check when a sample has arrived at the lab and what its status is. This can be particularly useful as it allows me to reassure owners that might be worried about the health of their pet. It’s also really helpful to be able to add on any extra tests if they are required."
The review coincided with a move last month from RUMA, the agricultural and food industry alliance which promotes responsible use of medicines in farm animals, to align with the EMA position.
The announcement means that under PVS guidelines, fluoroquinolones, 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins and colistin will retain Class 3 status. This means they are only used when no other options are available and when supported by laboratory sensitivity testing – or exceptionally when all other options have failed.
Class 1 antibiotics form the standard prescribing list within responsible use guidelines and Class 2 are used only when sensitivity tests or clinical experience proves standard antibiotics are not effective. In all treatment decisions the health and welfare of the pigs must always take priority.
Betalactams with betalactamase inhibitors (clavulanic acid) were previously in the highest priority Class 3 but in light of the list defined by the EMA, which has been adopted by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate as well as RUMA, the PVS has reassessed the risk and moved them to Class 2 to align them with plain betalactams. This means they are still subject to voluntary restrictions, but their use would not necessarily be only as a last resort.
PVS president Mark White said that despite the ongoing review process and the potential to reclassify certain products, the Society’s underlying principles remain unchanged: "The total amount of all antibiotics used on pig farms to treat and prevent disease should be minimised, and the types of antibiotics used in pigs should be considered in light of the implications for antibiotic resistance challenges in both pigs and man.
"This policy is proving successful with AHDB Pork’s electronic pig medicine book (e-MB) recently showing that use of colistin appears to have fallen by over 70% in 2016 following its move to a Class 3 antibiotic in late 2015.
"We must also continue to be alert to the possibility of cross resistance, even in older antibiotics that have little or no use in humans. Risk must be acknowledged where it exists and overall reductions are still imperative."
RUMA has welcomed the review and alignment from the PVS. Secretary General John FitzGerald said: "Farmers and vets need boundaries within which to operate and clear objectives to meet, and we would urge all supply chains, from farmer to retailer, to align with the sector position on best practice use of antibiotics, as defined by each sector’s professional veterinary organisation."
ProteqFlu, the live attenuated canarypox equine influenza (EI) vaccine, has had its shelf life extended from 27 to 36 months.
Merial says the increased shelf life is the result of ongoing investment in vaccine research & development, and that the new data underpins the stability of modified live vaccine technology.
Merial highlights that ProteqFlu is the only equine flu vaccine in Europe to include the updated American clade 1 Ohio/03 strain in accordance with the OIE recommendations (2004).
Researchers at the Animal Health Trust are appealing for information from veterinary surgeons who have seen recent Eosinophilic Keratitis (EK) conditions, an emerging issue in UK equine ophthalmology.
The AHT says that despite the increased awareness of EK worldwide, the aetiopathogenesis of the disease remains poorly understood and probably underdiagnosed. The charity is looking to define the pathogenesis and determine why some horses are particularly susceptible to this condition, in particular looking for epidemiological links, environmental factors and parasitic infestation.
Many of the clinical signs of EK are non-specific and similar to other corneal conditions such as blepharospasm, chemosis, conjunctival hyperaemia, epiphora or perilesional oedema. More specific signs include caseous mucoid discharge and white/yellow plaques often localised in the peripheral cornea. The degree of pain varies and concurrent ulceration is almost always present. Conjunctivitis may also occur in association with the keratitis or as a unique disease entity.
EK can have variable clinical presentations, from a thick caseous accumulation to a more superficial plaque of “ground-glass” appearance. They may present as chronic non-healing ulcers that respond quickly to the use of topical steroids and/or ciclosporin, or present with marked ocular discomfort and require superficial keratectomy to resolve the condition.
Two different corneal locations are classically (though not exclusively) involved in EK, the medial perilimbal cornea, often under the third eyelid, or the lateral perilimbal cornea, which may progress axially towards the central cornea.
The charity is also providing free cytology tests for corneal scrapes to help vets diagnose EK earlier, thereby avoiding secondary complications that can lead to permanent visionary impairment.
If you have seen cases that have either been diagnosed as or that you suspect to be Eosinophilic Keratitis this year, contact Sonia Gonzalez-Medina on 01638 751000 Ext: 1203 or sonia.gonzalez-medina@aht.org.uk.
For more information and to download a copy of the submission form to accompany samples, visit www.aht.org.uk/EKstudy.
322 farmers took part in the survey, 83% of which had a flock of over 100 ewes.
Three quarters of them had experienced abortions in their ewes during both the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 lambing seasons. Of those that experienced abortions during the 2019/2020 lambing season, a quarter reported that the problem occurred in more than 2% of their flock and 44% of them did not ask their vet to investigate.
Katherine Timms, Ceva Animal Health’s ruminant veterinary advisor said: “Farmers who decide not to investigate why their ewes are aborting may well experience an abortion storm during the following year’s lambing season as Chlamydophila abortus, the bacteria that causes EAE, has the ability to lay latent in ewes until the next pregnancy.
“This means that one infected sheep shedding at lambing has the potential to infect multiple ewes that will almost certainly abort at their next lambing. The consequences can be financially and reproductively devastating for farmers and it’s advisable that vets raise awareness of EAE testing with their clients to help prevent this from happening. Ceva’s Assure Ewe programme offers farmers subsidised farm serology testing for Chlamydia abortus. Aborted ewes can be tested for Chlamydia abortus, ideally from three weeks to three months after lambing.”
Of the 47% of farmers that are not vaccinating against EAE, 57% said they would consider it. Reasons not to vaccinate included farmers believing that they had closed flocks (59%) and EAE not having been diagnosed (57%). Only 20% decided not to vaccinate because of cost and 25% because they did not feel it was worthwhile.
Ceva is continuing its ‘For Flock’s Sake – Vaccinate!’ initiative during 2021 to help raise awareness of EAE and highlight the importance of vaccination. This year, Ceva is also highlighting the importance of testing aborted ewes through its ‘For Flock’s Sake Get Tested’ campaign which encourages the submission of samples to a diagnostic laboratory or blood sampling after lambing has finished.
For more information, visit www.enzooticabortion.co.uk, contact your Ceva Animal Health account manager, call Ceva on 01494 781510 or email cevauk@ceva.com.
Reference
Photo: Ewe ewe looking at?
The BVA has announced that from 2013, its annual Congress will take place at the London Vet Show.
The association says that the move is being done to bring together political debate and clinical CPD on a large scale and to ensure that the BVA can reach an even wider audience with its representative and educational services.
The BVA and the Vet Show teamed up last year at London Vet Show 2011 to announce the launch of the BVA Careers Fair, which will be hosted at this year's London Vet Show on 15-16 November, and the start of a partnership that would ensure discounted Vet Show rates for BVA members.
2013 will also see two new clinical streams added to the London Vet Show programme creating a comprehensive CPD event for vets in small and mixed practice. Cattle and equine streams for mixed practitioners will be delivered by the BVA to run alongside the popular companion animal stream provided by the Royal Veterinary College.
The partnership will also see substantial discounts being offered to BVA members.
BVA President Carl Padgett said: "BVA's number one value is that our members are at the heart of everything we do. We know that members require good value, high quality and relevant CPD and we believe that our new partnership with the London Vet Show offers the best opportunity for us to provide members with exactly what they want.
"It's a significant move for BVA but one that makes complete sense. From 2013 we will be bringing together the contentious issue streams that are the bedrock of BVA Congress, with a high quality clinical CPD programme covering large and small animals, and one of the biggest and best veterinary exhibitions.
"We know we haven't attracted the delegate numbers we would like to have done in recent years and by partnering with the London Vet Show we have the opportunity to reach a much greater audience. It's a very exciting step forward for BVA."
Rob Chapman, Event Director for the London Vet Show, said: "We are all delighted to be developing our relationship with the BVA. To be able to host such an established and prestigious event as the BVA Congress at the London Vet Show is an honour for the Vet Show.
"Combining the long-standing history of the BVA with the rapidly developing reputation of the Vet Show gives us a great symbiotic relationship. The new clinical content that we will be working on together will help the event and that relationship even further offering great value for both Vet Show delegates and BVA members."
The RCVS has written to the MPs drawn in today's private members' Bill ballot to call upon them to introduce legislation to protect the title 'veterinary nurse' and introduce an effective regulatory system that would ensure that those veterinary nurses found guilty of serious professional misconduct are prevented from carrying out medical treatment to or surgery on animals.
Currently the title 'veterinary nurse' is not protected, so anyone can legally refer to themselves as a veterinary nurse, regardless of their level of training.
Furthermore, veterinary nurses (VNs) are not subject to statutory regulation; the RCVS uses powers under its Royal Charter to award certificates to VNs who have undergone approved training. Qualified VNs (whose names appear in a List of certificate-holders published by the RCVS) are allowed to give medical treatment to, or carry out minor surgery on, animals under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (VSA).
In 2007, the RCVS introduced a non-statutory Register of Veterinary Nurses. Registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) commit to follow a code of professional conduct, keep their skills and knowledge up to date and submit to a disciplinary system.
RVNs found guilty of serious professional misconduct can be suspended or removed from the Register at the direction of the RVN Disciplinary Committee (DC), but the RCVS has no power to remove them from the List. This means they can still legally give medical treatment or carry out minor surgery and perform other nursing duties specified under VSA (although they will then be formally listed as 'DC removal - Listed').
The RCVS has been working for some time to develop a framework for the regulation of veterinary nurses and has sent the ballot MPs a pre-prepared Bill, drafted by leading Counsel.
The statutory regulation of VNs is widely supported by the veterinary nursing profession and the public. This is evidenced by a 2012 HM Government e-petition, calling for the statutory regulation of veterinary nurses, which received over 2,500 signatures. Furthermore, the regulation of veterinary nurses by statute is supported by the British Veterinary Nursing Association and the British Veterinary Association, the representative bodies for veterinary nurses and surgeons in the UK.
RCVS Chief Executive Nick Stace said:"I urge MPs selected in today's Ballot to take forward legislation for the statutory regulation of veterinary nurses and the protection of the title veterinary nurse. The nation's animals and owners deserve better than the current situation.
"There is widespread support amongst the public and profession for such legislation, so the RCVS has had a Bill drafted by leading Counsel and is prepared to offer significant support to any MP willing to pick up this worthy cause."
Novartis Animal Health has launched 'The Wormer Decision Tree', an online tool to help veterinary surgeons in giving sheep farmers the most up-to-date advice about worming.
Lesley Stubbings, SCOPS representative and Independent Sheep Consultant said: “Choosing the right wormer group is hugely important and there remains much confusion especially when it comes to anthelmintic resistance.
“Worms, including resistant and multi-resistant species, are threatening the productivity of sheep farms. However with a well-thought-out worming strategy that uses both the new wormer groups, in association with existing wormers, it is possible to slow resistance.”
Results of the Farming Against Wormer Resistance (FAWR) campaign survey, conducted in 2013, revealed growing concern about wormer resistance among farmers - but confusion about the best course of action to take.
Fiona Anderson, Novartis Animal Health Veterinary Manager said: "This tool has been developed adhering to SCOPS principles and is designed to ensure a consistent responsible approach is used when prescribing anthelmintics.
"Available only to SQPs and vets, it will be a valuable tool to train new staff and use with farmers, to explain which of the five drench classes are appropriate for particular sheep groups at specific times of year."
The Novartis Wormer Decision Tree asks three key questions: the type of sheep being dosed, the purpose of the dose, and the farm's resistance status. It then produces a recommendation of the required active ingredient, along with more detailed information to support the recommendation. There is also a calculator which provides a dose rate and cost per dose based upon the recommendation.
To use the decision tree, you must first register on the Novartis Farm Animal Health website: www.farmanimalhealth.co.uk. Then head here: www.farmanimalhealth.co.uk/wormerdecisiontree
Ian, who qualified from Melbourne University in 2004 after completing a neuroscience degree at Edinburgh University, first joined Rowe as a general practitioner in 2007.
He said: “Personally this achievement is incredibly rewarding, but I also see it as an important step for veterinary neurology in the UK.
"It’s a fast-growing field with an increasing need for expert treatment and care so it’s exciting to see it recognised at this level.”
https://www.rowereferrals.co.uk
Lord Rooker, Minister for Sustainable Food, Farming and Animal Health spelled out the law on dangerous dogs at the RSPCA Conference on Dogs this week, and announced the publication of a Defra leaflet which provides clear, concise and accessible information regarding the law on dogs which are dangerously out of control and dogs which are banned.
He said: "The vast majority of dog owners are responsible and the vast majority of dogs are well behaved, but recent tragic cases of dog attacks underline why we need to give absolute clarity to anyone that owns a dog on their responsibilities under the law.
"This new leaflet explains to dog owners, and people who come into contact with dogs, how the law prevents irresponsible dog ownership. It is important that people understand the law as it may deter irresponsible dog owners from allowing their dogs to be dangerous."
The leaflet outlines the following key points:
The leaflet also deals with the law on banned dogs. It explains that:
A printable version of the leaflet is available on the Defra website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/domestic/dogs.htm
Defra is also currently working on a booklet to provide guidance on the law to those who are enforcing it, including the police and local authorities.
Defra says the public leaflet, in combination with the enforcers' document, is an essential part of its strategy to promote the better enforcement of the law on dangerous dogs.