The symposium, which offers up to 5 hours of CPD, is now available at: https://purinasymposium2022.vfairs.com/en/hall#exterior-view
In the recording, the following six experts share their knowledge:
Viewers can also download the delegate notes which provide a summary of the research explored in the talks.
Petplan Equine is now seeking nominations for the Equine Vet of the Year Award 2009, an award to recognise vets that go above and beyond with their care of horses and their owners.
Andrew Dobson of The Barn Equine and Large Animal Practice in Great Wakering, Essex, is the current 2008 Equine of the Year. He was nominated by a number of his grateful clients and their glowing testimonials impressed the judges enough to give him the edge over his closest rivals for the title.
The 37 year old qualified in 1999 and for the last four and a half years has run his own practice. His involvement with horses evolved from a desire to work with large animals and the outdoor life it would bring.
Andrew said: "I was absolutely stunned. I'm so honoured and amazed to have received the Petplan Equine Vet of the Year award. I really enjoy what I do and would like thank all my clients, Petplan Equine and The Animal Health Trust for their support."
If you feel you know a vet that displays equine clinical excellence and fantastic customer care you can nominate online by visiting www.petplanequine.co.uk/events Nominations close 3rd October 2009. An independent panel will judge the nominations and the winning vet will be announced at the Animal Health Trust UK Equestrian Awards in London, in November 2009.
Denmark-based consulting firm praQtice has launched a subsidiary in the UK to offer veterinary practice management consultancy services. The company says it concentrates on six business areas: strategy and business development, marketing, employee and manager development, finance, research and analysis, and training. praQtice says it has worked with a wide range of practices, from the small local practice to the large hospital, helping them bring together their mission and vision. The company also has the benefit of having an in-house marketing and communication department which it says has had considerable success - not only in Scandinavia, but in the UK when last year praQtice won a Veterinary Marketing Association award. The launch in the UK will primarily be driven by three praQtice consultants - founder and business developer Christian Kolthoff, Marketing Consultant Mario Riewerts and Business Developer Helen Kington.
Helen said: "This will be great for UK vets, largely it has been the same group of consultants working with the same thoughts and ideas for the last 10 years. We need to look beyond our borders in order to evolve. In Scandinavia you can only put a mark up of 5% on your drugs, which does not make you a profit. Thus they have learnt to be much better in delivering and pricing for their professional service, I am sure we can learn a lot from them. What we also see all over Europe is that practices are getting bigger and bigger. But as the practices grow, so does the number of problems and the partner's income rarely follows. praQtice is about quality of life and allowing yourself to dream, we then give you the tools along with helping you through the implementation to make those dreams and ambitions come true.
You can meet the team at the VPMA Congress in Oxford (28th-30th January), where founder and CEO Christian Kolthoff will be speaking. Meantime, if you would like more information about praQtice, visit www.praqtice.co.uk or telephone Helen Kington on 07765 338 607
The Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) reports that its annual Congress, held jointly with the Veterinary Practice Managers Association (VPMA) at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport last week, was a sell out.
Over 470 delegates attended, of which 40% were practice owners, 40% were vets, 30% were practice managers and 10% were nurses.
Held over two days, the line-up of speakers included TV presenter, expedition leader, leadership trainer and ex-Royal Marine, Monty Halls who opened Congress with a talk on the importance of pushing your own personal boundaries. Psychiatrist, broadcaster and journalist, Dr Max Pemberton presented a guide to mental health problems for vets and managers. Celtic Manor’s head of 5 Star Service Delivery, Michael Pagnotta, explained how they ensure all their staff operate to the same consistently high level of service provision and Ian McKelvie, CEO of US consultancy, Becauz, presented a number of leadership and management sessions.
VetSurgeon.org visited the commercial exhibition and ask a random selection of exhibitors: "What's New?"
This is what they said:
In the week that VetNurse Jobs released the results of a survey which found that the most important thing to nurses about a job in practice is to feel valued and appreciated as part of a team, White Cross Vets, the 15-practice, family-run group headquartered in Guiseley, has shown that it's leading the way in this area, taking it's entire nursing team for a 3-day training and team-building event in the South of France
The 29 strong team jetted into Nice for a series of training sessions by Kristie Faulkner focussed around nurse consulting skills. Topics covered included dealing with challenging clients, efficient ways to manage consultations and prescribing health care plans.
The team also attended a presentation hosted by senior managers from Virbac, followed by a tour of the company’s vaccine manufacturing facility in Carros. In the evening, the team went for a guided tour of Monaco and dinner at the Café de Paris in Monte Carlo.
Tim Harrison, Managing Director of White Cross Vets, said: "Every year we run a training event in Nice and each years it’s been an amazing few days, which prove to be hugely beneficial and enjoyable for everyone involved. We have committed to give every White Cross team member across every level the opportunity to enjoy the trip to Nice, and we’re already planning future events for our vets and leadership team."
Bekkii Bridges, a student Veterinary Nurse from White Cross Vets in Northampton, said: "To have a training session in such a fabulous place was out of this world! Everyone involved had an incredible weekend and came away with lots of fresh ideas that will enable us to continue building on the high standards of nursing and client care that we are renowned for."
According to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, the company has identified that there is a small possibility that some syringes from the batches listed below have not been correctly sterilised. These batches are therefore being recalled from the market with immediate effect to the veterinary practice level.
This issue impacts on the following batches that have been placed on the UK market:
Zoetis is contacting wholesale dealers and veterinary surgeons to arrange return of affected batches.
If you have any queries in relation to the recall, or wish to report a suspected adverse reaction, contact Zoetis Technical Services on 0845 300 8034, option 1.
On 9 April, the College published a flowchart to help veterinary professionals to decide whether or not to carry out a particular type of work, whilst ensuring the health of their teams and clients, and working to uphold animal health and welfare.
The flowchart has been updated as follows:
Firstly, the box that previously said:
‘Can you effectively support the case while maintaining social distancing for your team and the public?’
now says:
‘Can you effectively support the case while abiding by the appropriate social/physical distancing guidance for workplaces to protect your team and the public?’
The College says this new wording better reflects the different language and varying guidance in place across devolved nations. It also recognises that the new government guidance is not just about maintaining a 2m distance, for which ‘social distancing’ appears to become a shorthand, but accepts that other biosecurity measures might be appropriate if the 2m rule cannot be followed in the workplace.
Secondly, the box that previously said:
‘Could the planned intervention have animal health and welfare or public health implications if not carried out within two months?’
‘Could the planned intervention have animal health and welfare or public health implications if not carried out?’
This change recognises that this phase of lockdown-exit may carry on for longer than a two-month period; it therefore leaves it to the clinician’s professional judgement in terms of the implications versus the risk, rather than seeing it within a specific time-period.
RCVS President Niall Connell said: "I’m grateful to the members of our Covid-19 Taskforce for continuing to keep under review our key guidance to the profession during the ongoing pandemic. Whilst these latest changes do not represent any significant changes for vets and vet nurses as they continue to care for the nation’s animals, it is important that we continually keep our guidance in line with that of the UK’s governments."
The updated flowchart is available to view and download from www.rcvs.org.uk/coronavirus.
Mr Seymour-Hamilton made previous unsuccessful applications for restoration in 1995, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Mr Seymour-Hamilton was originally removed from the Register in 1994 following an inspection of his veterinary practice premises in Orpington, Kent, that found that the condition of the practice, including the equipment and facilities, were of such a risk to animal health and welfare that it brought the profession into disrepute.
In considering his current application, the Committee had to take several factors into account, including: whether Mr Seymour-Hamilton had accepted the findings of his original hearing; whether he demonstrated insight into his past conduct; protection of the public and the public interest; the future welfare of animals committed to his care should he be restored; length of time off the Register; his conduct since removal; and evidence that he’d kept up-to-date in terms of the knowledge and skills required of a practising veterinary surgeon.
Mr Seymour-Hamilton accepted the facts of the original charges but did not accept the conclusions of the two veterinary surgeons who inspected his practice, who, he claimed, had falsely accused him.
As a result, the Committee concluded that Mr Seymour-Hamilton did not accept the seriousness of the original findings against him, nor had he demonstrated any insight into either the original charges, nor what was required of him to enable a successful application for restoration.
Judith Webb, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee is driven to the conclusion that the applicant has displayed total disregard for rules and regulations. In his evidence he stated that he is professionally competent to spay a cat and he had done so in Calais. This was in recent years and whilst struck off by the RCVS, and after more than 25 years out of the profession. He was unable to see that he had done anything wrong in this.”
As to protection of the public and the future welfare of animals committed to his care, the Committee found that Mr Seymour-Hamilton continued to display a lack of understanding of the role and purpose of regulation. He had shown no insight into previous decisions or of what was required of him to enable a successful restoration, despite being given advice in that regard. He presented no compelling evidence to indicate that he would be safe to practise veterinary surgery were he to be restored to the Register.
Regarding Mr Seymour-Hamilton’s conduct since removal from the Register, the Committee found he did not demonstrate sufficient relevant conduct in relation to his fitness to practise. The Committee noted that, on previous occasions, he had indicated he had illegally practised veterinary surgery and admitted using his own animals to experimentally administer new and untested remedies.
The Committee found that, in relation to the 27 years since removal from the Register, Mr Seymour-Hamilton had not undertaken the prolonged, intensive and formal retraining needed to ensure he was now fit to practise. It also found that, since the last restoration hearing in 2020, Mr Seymour-Hamilton had undertaken very little continuing professional development, maintaining that he was too busy with his work relating to herbal remedies to attend formal veterinary training.
Judith Webb added: “He claimed that he does not find it difficult to keep up-to-date, because he is able to perform online searches if he is in need of information. He thinks that he is competent to operate even after 27 years out of the profession, and maintains that he could operate now. In the view of the Committee, the applicant is totally unaware of current veterinary principles such as it being an evidence-based profession, use of clinical audit and reflective learning. He does not appear to have accepted the purpose of the regulator in protecting public interest, including maintaining public confidence in the profession, nor its role in upholding professional standards and promoting animal welfare.
The Committee considers that where some 27 years have passed since the applicant has practised, there will inevitably be a serious risk to the welfare of animals if he is restored to the Register. In addition, the Committee is firmly of the opinion that it would not be in the public interest for the application for restoration to the RCVS Register to be granted in this case.”
The full documentation from the restoration hearing can be found at: www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary
CEVA Animal Health has produced a leaflet to help horse owners understand the diagnosis and treatment of navicular disease.
Navicular disease can be difficult to diagnose and management of the condition can be a challenge for both vets and horse owners. The new leaflet helps owners get to grips with all aspects of the disease from the clinical signs to the procedures used to obtain a formal diagnosis. It then covers the various treatment options available including corrective farriery, analgesia, bisphosphonates and surgery. Diagrams and photographs help to ensure that the information is clear, concise and easy to follow.
The leaflet is available to equine vet practices as a useful information source for clients. Please order your free copies from your CEVA sales representative.
A research project funded by equine charity The Horse Trust has succeeded in killing equine sarcoid cells in vitro by silencing a gene in the virus that causes sarcoids. The researchers are now hoping to obtain funding for clinical trials using the new technique, which could result in a more effective, non-toxic treatment for sarcoids.
Sarcoids are skin tumors caused by infection with the Bovine Papillomavirus (BPV). They are the most common type of tumour found in horses - the estimated prevalence in the UK is 6-7%. Although the disease is rarely life threatening, many horses with sarcoids are euthanased because the condition is untreatable or because the horse is unsellable. Currently there is no universally effective treatment for sarcoids and if treatment fails the sarcoids will often come back worse.
However, research that was given funding by The Horse Trust offers a potential ray of hope for owners of horses affected by sarcoids. The research was published in Virus Research journal earlier this year.
The research, which was led by Professor Lubna Nasir of the University of Glasgow, found that by inhibiting the activity of a particular viral protein within sarcoid cells, the amount of viral DNA in the cells reduced. This led to a reduction in the growth of the sarcoid cells and caused the cell to die by Programmed cell-death (PCD). The researchers believe that PCD occurs because the sarcoid cells become reliant on the virus.
Professor Nasir said: "This could potentially be a major breakthrough in the treatment of sarcoids. We are now seeking funding to use this technique in clinical trials on horses that have sarcoids."
The research team inhibited the activity of a viral protein called E2, which is needed by BPV to replicate. They used a novel approach termed 'gene silencing' to suppress the activity of the gene that codes the E2 protein. The research was carried out in vitro on fibroblast cells, which had been cultured from sarcoid tissue removed from animals during surgery.
As this research was carried out in vitro, the researchers will now need to see if they can replicate the results in vivo, by developing a way of targeting the sarcoid cells in horses.
"One of the challenges with gene silencing is administering it within clinical setting - as you need to get molecules into every cell. As sarcoids are on the surface of a horse, we think administration should be relatively easy - potentially by injecting or applying a cream to the sarcoid," said Professor Nasir. "If we are able to successfully develop this technique it would be a non-toxic and easy to administer treatment for horses affected by this distressing condition."
Nasir's research could also have an impact on the treatment of lesions in cattle, which are also caused by BPV. Around 50% of cattle in the UK are estimated to have lesions. It may also help with the treatment of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections in humans. HPV, which is similar to BPV, can lead to various cancers in humans including cervical and vaginal cancer.
Paul Jepson, Chief Executive and Veterinary Director of The Horse Trust said: "We are really excited that the research we have funded could lead to a major breakthrough in the treatment of sarcoids."
The Wellbeing Programme, which has been put together in collaboration with British Veterinary Chronic Illness Support, the British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society, British Veterinary Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender+, the RCVS Mind Matters Initiative, Vetlife, the BVA and others, aims to help people create workplaces and teams where everyone can feel they belong and problems are dealt with before they become catastrophes.
Several of the sessions will allow participants to practice skills, which the Association hopes will be transformative experiences.
Alison Speakman, BSAVA President said: “This year has continued to provide increasing challenges both within the veterinary workforce and in the world at large.
"This has challenged our physical, mental and financial wellbeing which are inextricably linked.
"Therefore, we will be covering aspects of all three with a wide range of presenters included in these conversations, from both within and outwith the veterinary arena.”
New for this year are four separate sessions looking at our understanding of hormonal health and some of the difficulties hormone variations might cause, including menstrual issues, polycystic ovary syndrome, fertility, menopause, understanding and support for gender transition and non-binary people, and male aging.
There will also be wellbeing sessions looking at self-compassion as an antidote to perfectionism and self-criticism, learning to work with grief, flexible working, and developing human-savvy teamwork.
Alison continued: “Whether you wish to expand your knowledge to improve personal understanding and support of your own wellbeing, that of a colleague or friend, or to improve workplace practices and culture, there really is something for everyone to learn.
"Please come along to our safe and supportive space at Congress to improve the wellbeing of our veterinary profession.”
BSAVA has also created a free collection on mental health and wellbeing, looking at resources on both an individual basis and as a team perspective: https://www.bsavalibrary.com/content/mental-health-and-well-being.
To see the full Wellbeing Programme: https://www.bsavaevents.com/bsavacongress2023/en/page/wellbeing?&view-type~0=date.
BSAVA Congress tickets: https://www.bsavaevents.com/bsavacongress2023/en/page/registration-pricing.
The nomination period runs up until 5pm on Tuesday 31 January 2017. In order to stand, candidates need to submit a nomination form, submit a short biography and personal statement and supply a high resolution digital photo.
Each candidate also needs two nominators who are veterinary surgeons on the College’s Register but who are not current RCVS Council members.
Dr Chris Tufnell, RCVS President, said: "As someone who has been a member of Council since 2009 I can honestly say that the discussions you have and the decisions you make through both Council and its various committees do have a tangible impact on the future of the profession.
"For example, in my relatively short time as a Council member I have been involved in the review of specialisation in the profession and the setting up of Advanced Practitioner status, the championing of primary care as a valuable discipline in its own right and overseen the delivery of an ambitious Strategic Plan through my position on the Operational Board.
"These are all areas that I never imagined I’d be able to influence from my position as a practising vet in general practice. So, if you are interested in having a say in issues as varied as CPD policy and how we respond to the challenges and opportunities of Brexit, then please put yourself forward for Council."
Prospective candidates are invited to attend a ‘Meet the RCVS Day’ at the College’s offices in Belgravia House, London, on Wednesday 23 November 2016 where they will have the opportunity to talk to RCVS President Chris Tufnell and find out more about the role of the College, its Councils and its committees.
Those interested in attending should contact Emma Lockley, RCVS Events Officer, on e.lockley@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0773. Reasonable expenses for travel will be reimbursed.
The election period starts around mid-March and will run until 5pm on Friday 28 April 2017. Ballot papers will be sent to veterinary surgeons who are eligible to vote in the week commencing Monday 13 March 2017.
Nomination forms, guidance notes and frequently asked questions for prospective RCVS Council candidates can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/rcvscouncil17.
The deadline for candidate nominations for the RCVS and VN Council elections is fast approaching - so please hurry if you plan to stand.
There are six seats on the RCVS Council, and two on the VN Council, due to be filled in the 2010 election, but candidate nominations must be received by 31 January 2010.
Jane Hern, RCVS Registrar said: "Getting regulation right is something that all Members and Listed/Registered VNs have power to influence. We know from the reaction we get when we propose changes or ask for your comments that vets and VNs are not backwards about coming forwards - and, like us or loathe us, what the RCVS does impacts directly on the lives of veterinary surgeons and nurses, their clients and patients."
The elections will be held in March, and decided by all veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses who use their vote. The results will be announced early in May, with those elected taking their seats at RCVS Day in July and serving four-year terms.
All prospective candidates need to provide the signatures and registered/listed addresses of two proposers, and should also submit a short biography, 'manifesto' and photograph for inclusion in the elections booklets. Nobody can nominate more than one candidate, and no current member of the RCVS Council or VN Council may nominate anyone.
Newly elected RCVS Council members should expect to sit on at least one committee which, together with Council attendances, means a time commitment of at least six to eight days a year. Those elected to the VN Council should expect to spend approximately six to eight days attending Council meetings, working parties and subcommittees. Both RCVS Council and VN Council members' expenditures on hotels and travel are reimbursed. Their employers can also claim a standard day-rate for loss of earnings.
Nomination forms and full details relating to RCVS Council nominations can be downloaded from www.rcvs.org.uk or obtained by contacting the Executive Office (020 7222 0761 or executiveoffice@rcvs.org.uk). Nomination forms and details relating to the VN Council can be requested from Annette Amato (020 7202 0788 or a.amato@rcvs.org.uk). All nominations must be made in writing on the prescribed form and received by the Registrar on or before the closing date of 31 January 2010.
The Dogs Trust has released the results of its 2010 Stray Dog Survey, which shows that 51% of stray dogs picked up by local authorities in the UK were reunited with their owners.
According to the charity, this compares with 42% last year and is only the second time the figure has gone through the 50% barrier since survey records began in 1997.
Where the method used to return stray dogs was identified, the proportion of dogs returned through microchipping was 35% - up from 31% last year.
Dogs Trust is repeating the call for the introduction of a compulsory microchipping system for all dogs in the UK. It believes this will help reunite even more owners with their lost pets, trace abandoned pets back to irresponsible owners and ultimately reduce the number of healthy dogs unnecessarily put to sleep in the UK.
The annual Stray Dog Survey, conducted by GfK NOP on behalf of Dogs Trust, shows an overall increase in instances of straying from 107,228 to 121,693. However, taking into account the number of dogs reclaimed or returned to owner (45,329 in 2009 and 61,908 in 2010) we can estimate that this year the number of dogs actually abandoned (approximately 59,785) as opposed to being wanted pets that simply strayed has fallen by 3%.
There has been a considerable decline in the number of dogs being put to sleep by Local Authorities due to ill health, aggression (under the Dangerous Dogs Act) or simply for want of a home. Down from 9,310 in last year's survey to 6,404 this year. Dogs Trust is delighted at the progress Local Authorities have made in bringing down these numbers and their efforts in rehoming and returning so many dogs to their owners.
Dogs Trust Chief Executive Clarissa Baldwin said: "Dogs Trust is encouraged to see that although the instances of straying in the UK has increased in the last two years, the percentage of these dogs being reunited with their owners has increased and, more importantly, the numbers being put to sleep has fallen drastically.
"We are delighted to see that microchipping is having a serious impact on the stray dog situation in the UK. Dogs Trust runs subsidised microchipping campaigns across the country and in particular those areas with the biggest stray dog problems. A compulsory microchipping system would undoubtedly improve the situation further."
Dogs Trust says the introduction of compulsory microchipping would:
Ceva Animal Health UK has launched a range of support materials to help educate veterinary professionals and cat owners about feline stress and the benefits of using Feliway.
For veterinary surgeons and nurses, the company has produced a series of video presentations by the Specialist in Feline Medicine, Danielle Gunn-Moore, in which she discusses feline stress and its link to cystitis. The videos are now available to watch here on VetSurgeon.org.
Also for veterinary surgeons, the company has produced an A3 decision tree featuring the practical approach to cystitis, developed by Danielle Gunn-Moore. In addition, there's a waiting room poster which details what resources are needed to create a cat-friendly home. The resource checklist consists of advice on basic resources such as food, water bowls and litter trays and hints and tips on how to reinforce confidence, develop structural features, stimulate activity and provide appropriate resources for a multi-cat household.
For owners, Ceva has produced a post-operative cat care information sheet. It is a question and answer style document covering advice on caring for a post-operative cat when it returns home.
To help highlight the benefits of Feliway, Ceva is also running a prize draw to win one of three Kindles, with three runners-up winning a Feline Infectious Disease book.
For further information on the new Feliway support materials or the prize draw, please contact your local Ceva account manager or telephone 01494 781510.
The Veterinary Benevolent Fund (VBF) has announced that the new Vet Helpline, which will now be answered by a live person 24 hours a day, has launched in time for Christmas - an especially difficult time for many people.
The new service runs on a new telephone number: 0303 040 2551. Add it to your address book now, if not for yourself, in case you need to pass on the information to a colleague who needs help.
The new Vet Helpline has been made possible with support from the new RCVS joint initiative “Mind Matters”
Rosie Allister, Chair of Vet Helpline said: “It’s so important that people who take the brave and positive step to seek help by calling Vet Helpline are able to connect with one of our trained volunteers as quickly as possible. We know many are deterred by reaching a voicemail, so connecting to a human being is vitally important and can have an important positive impact. We are so grateful for this vote of confidence in Vet Helpline from the Mind Matters initiative.
"Everyone involved in running Vet Helpline is a volunteer and the team is so incredibly passionate and keen to see the service continually improve. The launch of our confidential e-mail service last year, which hides all email addresses (accessible via www.vetlife.org.uk), was a huge positive step forward and now this evolution to live answering is another. We are adamant that although the phone number is changing, the non-judgmental, completely confidential and empathetic support that we offer will not."
As one of the four arms of support offered by the VBF, Vet Helpline sits alongside services offering financial support, help with mental health conditions, including drug and alcohol addiction, and a library of resources aimed at promoting well-being on the Vetlife website - www.vetlife.org.uk.
VetsSouth, the new CPD congress and commercial exhibition being held in Exeter on 11th and 12th February, has announced that it will lead with a discussion about what practices can do to reduce bovine TB in clients' herds in 2015.
The congress, which is open to practising vets throughout the UK but aimed specifically at those in the west and south of the UK, will have three-and-half hours of discussion led by Roger Blowey (pictured right) and Richard Gard, with contributions from a number of practices in Gloucestershire, Devon, Somerset and Cornwall.
During a day on "cattle" on the Wednesday, Roger Blowey will also lead two sessions on "Recent dramatic changes in our understanding of cattle lameness", covering anatomy and foot lesions in the first and moving on to digital dermatitis and other infectious lesions in the second.
The rest of the programme is concerned mainly with small animals, the line-up of speakers including Dr David Williams on ophthalmology, Matthew Oxford on dentistry, Dr Andy Sparkes on feline medicine and surgery, Sarah Health on canine and feline behaviour and Anthony Chadwick on dermatology; plus six speakers from the Bristol veterinary school: Dr Jo Murrell and Gwen Covey-Crump on pain management, Dr Domingo Casamian Sorrosal and Dr Sonia Fonfara on cardiology, and Guillaume Chanoit and Ivan Doran on soft tissue surgery.
In addition, Professor John and Mrs Margaret Cooper will lead a day-long seminar on veterinary forensic medicine; the VDS will be running half-hour one-on-one sessions on improving consultation techniques; and there will be workshops on "ocular examination and pathology", "cat-friendly clinics" and "practical tooth extraction".
Exhibitors include Langford Veterinary Services, Vets4Pets/Companion Care, Protexin, Summit Veterinary Pharmaceuticals, Dechra Veterinary Products, Royal Canin, Bayer Animal Health, Natures Menu, Pet Medic Recruitment/Mi Vet, Teignview Veterinary Group, Henry Schein Animal Health, Axiom Veterinary Laboratories, iM3 Dental, Medimark Scientific, Merial Animal Health, Nova Laboratories, Improve International, DVH Veterinary Sales, Centaur Services, A. Menarini Diagnostics, The Webinar Vet and Improve International.
The event is being run by VP CPD in association with Improve International and The Webinar Vet, with generous sponsorship from Dechra Veterinary Products. Attendance on both days is priced at £145 (plus VAT); one-day passes cost £80 (plus VAT) with additional charges for the workshops and VDS sessions. The prices include speaker notes, refreshments throughout each day and a buffet lunch. CPD certificates will be sent on request after the event.
Full details and a booking form are on www.vetssouth.com.
Every two years, the Plowright Prize will offer £75,000 to recognise an individual working in Europe or the Commonwealth who has made a significant impact on the control, management and eradication of infectious diseases of animals.
Eligible activity must demonstrate animal, humanitarian or economic benefit. The prize money is intended to support the individual’s ongoing work in the field.
Potential recipients of the prize include veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and research scientists. Awardees may be working in a research setting, in academia, in practice or in other related sectors. Individuals must be nominated for the award, and the prize is not open to organisations.
Nominations are now invited for the inaugural prize, and must be received by 31st March 2020.
Executive Director of RCVS Knowledge Chris Gush said: "We are honoured to be launching the Plowright Prize in memory of one of the world’s most exceptional veterinary surgeons and scientists, and in celebration of decades of dedication to an area of substantial societal significance.
"It is our belief that this prestigious international prize will help stimulate further research and improvement activities, including supporting the development of expertise in the area of infectious disease within the veterinary profession."
Walter Plowright (1923-2010) was an acclaimed veterinary scientist whose major breakthrough in the battle against rinderpest – the tissue culture rinderpest vaccine (TCRV) – provided the key to eliminating the disease. In the year of Walter’s death, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations officially announced the complete eradication of the disease, only the second such feat in human history, alongside smallpox.
The story behind the profession’s eradication of rinderpest, commonly known as cattle plague, can be read in RCVS Knowledge’s publication Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Matters.
In 2023, the prize will celebrate 100 years since Walter Plowright’s birth with a special award of £100,000 to that year’s winner.
Full criteria for the Plowright Prize can be found on the RCVS Knowledge website: https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/grants/available-grants/plowright-prize-2019/.
Photo: Helen Leeds
CEVA Animal Health has published an information booklet on Q Fever to help broaden awareness and understanding of the disease.
Q Fever is an emerging, worldwide disease that affects goats, cattle and sheep as well as humans. It is caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii and can induce late abortions, metritis, fertility problems, mastitis and low vitality in neonates born from carrier animals.
The new booklet explains how the disease is transmitted, the symptoms, diagnosis and how it can be managed and prevented. CEVA already have expertise in the treatment of diseases caused by Coxiella burnetii and have developed a vaccine that has been used under temporary license to control outbreaks in France and the Netherlands.
To obtain a copy of the booklet please contact CEVA Animal Health Ltd, 90 The Broadway, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 1EG. The proceedings from CEVA's recent symposium on Q fever, held in Marseilles in December 2009 are also available on request.
The new system integrates with the Merlin practice management system and pet owners can access the MWI Pet portal to view and book available appointments with their veterinary surgeon via any connected device.
David Tinsley, Vice President, MWI Animal Health U.K., said: “As providers continue to navigate a changing industry and evolving consumer expectations, veterinary practices need access to technologies that help them better serve the needs of both their staff and their clients.
“MWI Pet will help practices meet consumer demands for digital-driven convenience and foster deeper relationships with their clients, while freeing up more time for staff to focus on delivering high-quality care.”
To set up a demo of the new system: https://abc1.jotform.com/222564512240850
The event, which took place in Manchester in October last year, saw veterinary mental health researchers from across Europe come together to share their insights into a variety of areas of veterinary mental health including moral injury, suicide and suicide prevention, the impact of racism, veterinary nurse mental health, and workplace stressors for autistic veterinary professionals.
There were 77 attendees, including a mix of academic researchers and veterinary professionals.
Talks included an address from Dr Leah Quinlivan on ‘Evidence-based care for people who have self-harmed: risk prediction, psychosocial assessments and aftercare’, presentations of research into the impact of racism on the mental health of veterinary professionals and the impact of moral injury on wellbeing.
Angharad Belcher, Director for the Advancement of the Professions and of the Mind Matters Initiative gave a talk about the work of MMI, including its newly published 5-year strategy and evaluation documents.
She said: “The fourth Mind Matters Mental Health Research Symposium was a massively inspiring and insightful day.
"The field of veterinary mental health research is still relatively small so it remains of utmost importance that we continue to band together to share our knowledge on this subject, so that we can continue to learn and grow together and put these important learnings into practice.
“For us, it is vital that these new ground-breaking research projects are made available to all who want to learn more about helping to improve the mental health and wellbeing of those working within the veterinary professions.
"There is some truly fantastic work going on which provides us with hope that we can all continue to work together towards a brighter future.
“There is no doubt that there is a long way to go, but improvement starts with education and research so I would urge anybody who is interested in what is being done to help improve and support the mental health of those working within the veterinary professions, and who is keen to help us keep these vital conversations going, to have a look through the report or access videos of the talks.”
https://vetmindmatters.org/resources/videos-from-the-day-mind-matters-initiative-research-symposium-2023
https://vetmindmatters.org/resources/report-mind-matters-initiative-research-symposium-2023
The BSAVA reports that within 20 minutes of the opening of enrolment for its Medicine and Surgery certificates at 9:00am yesterday, both courses were filled and a waiting list had been established.
According to the BSAVA, interest in the courses had been flooding in over recent months, however the number of applications still surprised the Education team, led by Dr Frances Barr.
She said: "There was a lot of confidence in this programme from the start, and we had lots of people requesting information, but until yesterday we did not know for certain that we would meet the maximum number of 30 delegates on each Certificate. So to have a waiting list and pre-registration requests for 2013 is fantastic. As veterinary professionals we want to strive for clinical excellence, to have our achievements recognised, and be encouraged and supported on the way there. This is what BSAVA aims to do with the medicine and surgery certificates".
For more information about all BSAVA CPD visit http://www.bsava.com/ or call 01452 726700.
The Veterinary Nurses Council of the RCVS is seeking nominations from veterinary surgeons and VNs for its Golden Jubilee award by 8 May 2012.
The award recognises an exceptional contribution made to the veterinary nursing profession and/or a positive contribution to animal welfare. The Golden Jubilee award was inaugurated to mark the 50th anniversary of veterinary nurse training, in 2011, and the first award was presented to Jean Turner in 2011 for her lifetime contribution to veterinary nursing.
Liz Branscombe, Chairman of the VN Council said: "This is a prestigious award and a great opportunity to recognise someone who has made a positive impact on our profession.
"VN Council feels strongly that the award should be accessible to a wide spectrum of individuals, so nominees could come from veterinary nurses or veterinary surgeons involved in clinical practice, research, teaching or politics - in fact, any aspect of veterinary nursing."
Both veterinary surgeons and VNs are eligible to make nominations, or to be nominated for the Golden Jubilee award; nominations should be received by 8 May 2012. More information, together with the nomination form, can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/jubileeaward.
The award will be presented at RCVS Day on 6 July 2012.
Pfizer Animal Health, maker of the equine wormers Equest & Equest Pramox, has launched Stable Mate, a new app to help horse owners manage their daily equine healthcare regime and get maximum enjoyment from their horse.
Pfizer says the new app has been described by testers as 'undoubtedly the best equestrian electronic management system you could wish for'. It includes an organiser in which to keep horses' records and details of their management requirements. It also includes Track My Ride, a GPS mapping and exercise planning service, and a news feed direct from Horse & Hound.
Stable Mate allows users to keep records for up to six horses on their iPhone. They just need to enter the information needed to keep track of each horse's health routine, including worm control, vaccinations, dentistry, farriery and feeding regime. The app then creates a calendar of events, appointments and reminders designed to make it easy for owners to keep their horse's essential healthcare needs on course.
Records can be passed to a yard manager or friends when the owner goes on holiday, making a temporary transfer of care straightforward. Stable Mate also offers general equine health advice, from the essentials of pasture management to understanding vaccination protocols.
Track My Ride is a GPS navigation system that allows owners to map the route, duration and speed of each ride. Pfizer says it's a great device for planning and monitoring exercise programmes, that owners can use it to explore new hacking routes safely and that they'll never have to worry about finding their way back to their horse box again when hunting or doing a long distance ride. Details of each ride are stored in a history log and can be shared with friends through social media.
Paul Blanc, Pfizer's equine brand manager said: "We have tried to develop an app that is all about the horse and their owner, making it as easy as possible for owners to keep their equine health care on track as well as add to the fun and pleasure with their horse. Stable Mate has well and truly surpassed our expectations. We hope that owners and riders find Stable Mate useful and enjoyable."
Stable Mate is currently available only for iPhone with Android and Blackberry coming soon.
Stable Mate is available free from the iPhone App Store http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stable-mate/id532341393?ls=1&mt=8. To find out more visit www.wormingyourhorse.info.
The Association says continuing uncertainty over the pandemic was the driving force behind the decision and it feels that a virtual Congress is the best option in 2021. The event will be held from Thursday 25th – Saturday 27th March.
Amanda Stranack, Chief Executive of the BSAVA, said: “A rich programme of content that makes full use of technology means attendees can still expect an event that brings together the veterinary professions for world-class CPD and the opportunity to network with delegates.
"Making this decision now means we can be sure there will be a safe and dedicated space for all our visitors, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors."
Manchester Central, the original venue for the 2021 Congress, is currently contracted as a Nightingale Hospital and that contract doesn’t conclude until 1st March 2021.
Amanda said: "While no one has a crystal ball, there is the possibility cases could increase over the winter and we cannot be certain the venue will be available to host our annual event.
"In order to ensure that delegates and exhibitors will have an excellent experience, moving Congress online is the most sensible option, without the need to worry about travel restrictions, or guidance that might change on a weekly basis.
"The positive is that without the need to travel Congress becomes accessible to a wider audience, with scope for more practitioners to attend more sessions. There’s a level of flexibility and convenience that’s just not possible with a physical event."
The BSAVA has partnered with a leading international provider of large-scale virtual conferences, tradeshows and exhibitions, with interactive elements facilitating one-to-one and group conversations.
The planned programme for 2021’s inaugural Manchester event is currently being repurposed for the virtual format, with a significant focus on ensuring the experience is as interactive as possible for each delegate.
Amanda said: “While we are deeply disappointed that we won’t, as a sector, be able to come together in person, we have made significant educational and financial investments in the online platform, to give us the tools to take the work we’ve been doing to deliver online CPD to the profession to a different level. We intend to make the most of that opportunity and provide a personalised experience, satisfy scientific curiosity and broaden horizons for all attendees.” Ian Ramsey, President of the BSAVA continued: “After months of lockdown, like many of our delegates, I was looking forward to meeting friends at the 2021 Congress at Manchester. Sadly, this is not to be, however BSAVA is going to be investing heavily in this project and I will be excited to welcome colleagues from the widest possible audience to what I think will be the best virtual small animal veterinary conference in the world. Of course, we are still also planning for a slow return to face- to-face events in the future when it is safe to do so, and more details will follow when there is greater clarity and confidence in physical events."