Purina is inviting practices to participate in its inaugural UK Feline Dental Health Month, which starts on 1st July 2014.
As part of the initiative, participating practices are being asked to give their cat-owning clients free dental health checks throughout July to help improve the health of feline patients, build client loyalty and boost revenue.
Purina says Feline Dental Health Month has been created to help practices educate cat-owning clients about the importance of dental health. As many cat owners are unable or unwilling to check their cat's mouth and teeth due to the discreet nature of their pet, they rely on their vet to highlight potential problems. Feline dental disease is estimated to affect around three quarters of cats over the age of three, making it the most prevalent health condition seen amongst pet cats. Often painful and with the capability to cause systemic problems, dental problems in cats can represent a serious welfare problem if left untreated.
To help practices promote Feline Dental Health Month to their clients, Purina has prepared a support pack which includes waiting room promotional materials and client care leaflets with money off coupons. Practices will also be given a step-by-step publicity plan so they can promote the month in their local media and via their existing communications channels.
Purina says that signing up to the Feline Dental Health Month will mean that practices benefit from more contact with a client group that is potentially less engaged with their pet's health and also attract new clients via the promotional activity. This will provide an increase in opportunities to discuss other common health concerns with their clients and offer the potential to boost sales of products and services.
Chris Nickson, Senior Brand Manager, Purina Vet Channel said: "Feline Dental Health Month promotes the idea that prevention is better than cure. To avoid more serious procedures that can put stress on the owner and cat, Purina advocates ongoing management of dental hygiene. Our veterinary support packs provide everything a practice will need to have a very successful Feline Health Month."
Purina has also developed Pro Plan Cat Dental Plus, a diet designed to maintain healthy teeth and gums in cats. As part of Feline Dental Health Month, Purina is offering owners £5 off their first bag.*
To sign up for Feline Dental Health Month, speak to your Purina representative or call the Pro Plan Vet helpline on 0800 032 6418.
NOAH’s Office Manager Joanne Jeffs said: "We know more people are accessing the site using mobile technology and in order that the site can be viewed more easily on mobile phones and tablets as well as traditional desktops, we needed to move the whole complex set of data to a new web platform.
"This is only one of the advantages of the move – it will enable us to finalise our Compendium app, for example, and further down the line will enable more bespoke information access to become available via an API* feed – and we needed to take this major step for progress to be made.
"The most important thing was to maintain the integrity of the data – prescribers and users of animal medicines rely on its accuracy to make their prescribing decisions and guide responsible use. We know this has been done.
She added: "With the move, we know there are some post launch issues that we are addressing. We are working on those as quickly as we can. We know users need to print datasheets, for example and this function will soon be back online. We welcome all feedback and thank all our users for their patience.
www.noahcompendium.co.uk
The day will be led by Sonya Miles, BVSc CertAVP (ZM), CertAqV, MRCVS, RCVS Recognised Advanced Practitioner in Zoological Medicine and WAVMA Certified Aquatic Species Veterinarian.
Lectures will look at techniques, protocols, potential drug options and combinations as well as blood sampling and hospitalisation techniques in a wide variety of exotic species.
Delegates will also be provided with lecture notes, a CPD certificate, refreshments and lunch, as well as goodie bags provided by sponsors Pinmoore Animal Laboratory Services Limited.
Sonya says the aim of the day is to dispel many myths associated with anaesthetising a wide variety of exotic species, including fish and amphibians, whilst simultaneously providing vets and nurses with the skills to undertake these often challenging and comparatively high-risk anaesthetics.
To book your place or for more information, email: info@justexotics.co.uk or book online at https://justexoticsevents.co.uk/dont-miss-out-on-our-latest-event
FMDMost of you will be aware that IP8 was declared yesterday. This is a farm in the POZ that was slaughtered on suspicion after detection during surveillance visits. This has lead to further slight changes in the boundaries of the PZ and SZ. These were early lesions and initial laboratory results confirm this.
The epidemiology of the spread of FMD in the area north of Egham suggests that cattle on 4 premises in the vicinity of IP8 have been exposed to infection either via possible aerosol or fomite spread and are likely to develop disease. These premises will be culled as dangerous contacts.
BLUETONGUEThe various zones for controlling Bluetongue have now been defined. These are difficult to describe because they use roads etc. as boundaries but detailed maps and description of the boundaries are available at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/pdf/declaration-bt-pzcz290907.pdf
When farms straddle a road that is a boundary the whole of the farm is classed as being in the zone. It may be possible to put parts of a holding that is outside the zone as a separate unit with consultation with local Animal Health office.
The movement restrictions between the various FMD and BT zones are available at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/movements/index.htm
Defra are worried that farmers are not reporting cases of BT because they feel there is nothing that can be done so why bother. It is still a notifiable disease and there is a need to monitor spread for various trade implications. There are, of course, likely to be welfare considerations with clinically affected cases. These will need to be addressed with veterinary consultation and may involve symptomatic treatment or euthanasia.
The prevalence of the disease in infected herds/flocks is still low with 1:53 and 1:190 being affected on surveillance.
Until now, research in equine veterinary science has focused primarily on the information needed to prevent and cure disease, with little attention paid to the attitudes and actions of horse owners, veterinary surgeons, and numerous other professionals to implementing science-based advice.
This special EVJ collection showcases studies that seek to understand horse owner behaviour around their horse’s health, supplementing clinical evidence with information about the real-life behaviours of equine owners and professionals and the factors that influence them.
It includes papers on horse owner knowledge and opinions on recognising colic, treating infectious disease, uptake of some of the most basic preventive health measures such as vaccination and deworming as well as attitudes and behaviour around equine obesity and laminitis.
Other studies highlight the importance of professionals other than vets such as farriers, equine podiatrists, physiotherapists, dental technicians, chiropractors, and equestrian organisations such as the British Horse Society.
Guest Editor Tamzin Furtado added: “As our understanding of the drivers of behaviour develops, pre-existing behaviour change models will help us to understand the barriers and enablers to uptake.
“With dissemination of this knowledge, we have a better chance of communicating effectively and implementing change that will have a positive impact on equine welfare at individual, community, and national level.”
Professor Celia Marr, Editor of the EVJ said: “This collection is both compelling and eye-opening.
"It is dangerous to assume an understanding of the motivators of horse owner behaviours and actions; these papers confirm the current lack of comprehension, providing an invaluable insight, which will ultimately help us to accelerate improvements in equine veterinary practice and, most importantly, equine welfare.”
The virtual issue can be found at https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1001/(ISSN)2042-3306.owner-behaviours and will be free to view until 26 December 2022.
The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) welfare award 2008, sponsored by The Blue Cross, has been presented to the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) organisation for their contributions to equine welfare in support of the re-training and re-homing of racehorses.
The award, which was introduced by BEVA in conjunction with The Blue Cross animal welfare charity eight years ago, is a formal recognition of significant contributions made by veterinary surgeons and others to equine welfare.
It was presented to Ron Huggins, trustee of the ROR and an owner and breeder of racehorses, at the 47th BEVA Annual Congress in Liverpool on Friday 12 September 2008, by Kerstin Alford, equine welfare director of The Blue Cross.
Kerstin said: "The financial support that RoR provides for charitable racehorse rehabilitation centres, together with their education programme to help owners and riders of former racehorses, make them very worthy recipients of this award."
Di Arbuthnot, director of operations said: "RoR are delighted to receive this prestigious award to recognise the work the charity does for former racehorses to provide them with a life after racing."
Retraining of Racehorses was established in 2000 by the British Horseracing Authority. Its aim is to raise funds from the British racing industry to provide and maintain facilities for the care, retraining and rehoming of former racehorses. Under the direction of the chairman of the trustees Peter Deal, the RoR has become recognised as a vital component of the racing industry.
The Blue Cross was founded in 1897 to care for working horses on the streets of London, and equine welfare still plays a vital role in its work today. The charity rehabilitates and rehomes over a hundred horses and ponies every year at its equine centres in Burford (Oxon) and Rolleston-on-Dove (Staffordshire). A third facility in Northiam (East Sussex) provides rest and retirement for Blue Cross equines.
Researchers from the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition have published two studies which reveal, for the first time, the most common bacterial species associated with gum disease in cats.
Working with veterinary dentists and the Harvard affiliated Forsyth Institute, researchers used DNA sequencing technologies to identify 267 bacterial species present in feline dental plaque and build a database detailing the differences between bacterial populations in healthy cats and those in cats with gum disease.
Dr. Ian Davis, Oral Health Researcher at WALTHAM, part of Mars Petcare, said: "This knowledge is a first step in understanding the potential for improving oral health of cats through dietary interventions that target disease-associated bacteria."
The studies also revealed that the bacterial species in feline plaque were more similar to those observed in canine plaque than to those found in humans. This suggests that interventions targeted at bacteria which cause oral disease in humans are unlikely to be effective in cats, and there is more potential to learn from interventions that work well in dogs.
Dr. Davis added: "It’s important for pet owners to know that cats are just as susceptible to gum disease as dogs and understand the importance of maintaining a good oral hygiene routine; ideally including tooth brushing and dental treats or a specific dental diet".
The first study was published in Veterinary Microbiology in February 2015. The second was published on 25th November in PLOS ONE, and can be downloaded here: http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0136986.
The Clinical Supervisor course is designed to help veterinary surgeons to guide their students in developing the professional behaviours and Day One Skills they need to join the Register.
The course is also designed to complement any existing training that a vet who is a Clinical Supervisor has received from the college or university for which they are supervising the SVN.
RCVS Director of Veterinary Nursing Julie Dugmore said: “This course will help you undertake your role as a coach and assessor, ensuring your student has achieved the RCVS requirements by the time they have completed the practical elements of their training.
“It comprises modules that include the role and functions of a Clinical Supervisor, the types of professional behaviours SVNs need to develop and understanding of the Day One Skills in which they need to become competent.
"In addition, it will enhance the training Clinical Supervisors will receive from the relevant educational institution by promoting understanding of the RCVS requirements.”
www.rcvs.org.uk/vndayonecompetences
The Centre of Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE) has announced that its first students have completed the COAPE Level 4 Diploma in the Principles of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training and the COAPE Level 5 Diploma in the Practical Applications of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training.
The qualifications are the first and currently only Ofqual-regulated qualifications for those working in the field of companion animal behaviour and training, and these are the first students to achieve the new qualification.
COAPE Co-Director, Prof. Peter Neville said "We are enormously proud of the successful students, 35 at Level 4 and 21 at Level 5, and wishes them all the very best as they embark on their professional careers and pursuits in the field of canine and feline behaviour, be it as behaviourists, trainers or adding to their present roles as veterinary nurses, veterinarians, assistance dog trainers, animal welfare professionals etc."
COAPE Co-Director, Robert Falconer-Taylor, BVetMed, DipCABT, MRCVS said "Our successful students are the first to be awarded these bespoke qualifications and to have validation and recognition of their ability to help owners and their pets, and especially those to be referred by veterinary practices. In addition they have the ongoing support, mentoring and CPD opportunities available to them as members of the COAPE Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers (CAPBT)".
Val Strong (Co-Director of COAPE) said: "This is a historic moment for both COAPE and our awarding body but more importantly for our students. It is also a landmark step in the field of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training Education that is of vital importance for veterinary practices in helping them identify people who have successfully completed a qualification specifically designed for those working in the field of companion animal behaviour and training.
Practices interested in the qualifications for developing behaviour referrals, or their career enhancement value for nurses, visit: http://www.coape.org
Insulation manufacturer Saint-Gobain Isover has published the results of a survey of 2000 homeowners which found that 36% are annoyed by noise made by neighbours' pets.
The Noise Report was commissioned to discover how many homeowners suffered with noisy next-door neighbours, to which the answer proved to be one in four.
According to the survey, which was carried out by Onepoll, Newcastle has the greatest percentage of owners who are disturbed by noise several times per day: 29.76% (click to enlarge infographic right).
In addition to noisy neighbours, 27% of homeowners said they are also disturbed by passing street traffic, while almost a third suffer from the sound of car and burglar alarms, and 36% are annoyed by noise from neighbours' pets.
The findings also suggested that external noise was more than just an irritation for homeowners. Almost a third of respondents said they lose sleep at night due to noise, while 15% claimed it causes them stress and anxiety. More than a fifth reported that they are unable to relax in their own home.
However, despite the impact of external noise on their quality of life, 45% of homeowners say they have not done anything about it. Only 6% report addressing the issue by installing insulation solutions in their homes.
Helen Tunnicliffe, head of marketing at Isover, said: "It is clear that noise from neighbours, traffic and other sources is a big problem for many homeowners. Not only is it irritating, it can have a major impact on people's emotional wellbeing.
"However, in spite of the seriousness of the issue, far too few people are taking measures to address it. There are many simple, easy-to-install solutions that prevent external noise in the home, such as insulation systems, which not only make the house warmer, but offer high acoustic performance too."
Alternatively, I suppose, move to Aberystwyth.
The award is to recognise the dedication of the country’s veterinary nurses and the support they give to their veterinary teams, the nation’s pets and pet owners. It is given to a vet nurse who not only cares for sick and injured pets but also encourages responsible pet ownership and improves pet welfare in their community.
The award will be presented at the BVNA Congress on Saturday 2nd October 2021, which will this year be a hybrid event with live speakers at the event in Telford and remote delegates.
David Catlow, Blue Cross Director of Veterinary Clinical Services said: “The veterinary profession faced difficult times for much of the past couple of years but vet nurses strove on to provide their usual professionalism, compassion and special care for pets and their owners.
"Now, more than ever, we need to recognise their invaluable work and the incredible reassurances and support they offer pet owners and how they are dedicated to helping the welfare of the nation’s pets in their communities.”
Last year, the award went to Chloe Mackintosh (pictured right), a veterinary nurse at RSPCA in Harmsworth, North London, who was nominated for her passion and commitment to animal welfare.
If you know a vet nurse who you believe has gone the extra mile for your pet or you believe they have made a significant contribution to animal welfare, complete the nomination form on the Blue Cross website at www.bluecross.org.uk/bvna.
Hill's has added to its range of Science Plan Snacks with a large biscuit size, big bag version for large breed dogs. The 400 gram packs are available as Large Breed Light and Large Breed Healthy Mobility Snacks at a launch price of £2.49 (normal recommended retail price £4.99).
The company says that this follows fantastic feedback from veterinary practices about Science Plan Snacks, and requests for more variants tailored to fit the needs of their client's pets.
The Science Plan snack range offers products across five areas of functionality which, according to Hill's, have proven to be highly motivating for clients: light, immunity support, healthy mobility, oral care and skin & coat. There are adult variants across the range and puppy variants in immunity support and skin & coat.
For further information, please contact your Hill's Territory Manager or Hill's customer service on 0800 282438.
The panel, chaired by veterinary ethicist Professor David Morton CBE, was established last year on a trial basis as a means of offering an ethical review process for practice-based research projects that may not have the same access to resources as clinical studies in academia or industry.
Since its establishment at the end of July last year it has received 23 applications, mostly concerning small animal clinical studies. However, due to demand from the profession, it will shortly be considering applications for equine or farm animal-based research and will be recruiting new panel members to cover these areas.
Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS Registrar, said: "Although the number of cases considered so far have been relatively small, the service has been very well received as a means of providing ethical review to those who might not otherwise be able to do so and so, therefore, might struggle to get papers published.
"Considering the importance of practice-based research we expect there to be an increase in the number of applications as word gets out about the service and so are happy to extend the trial for another year and for it to consider a wider range of applications."
Further details about the Panel, as well as guidelines for making applications and the application forms, can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/ethics
For an initial discussion about submitting an application to the Ethics Review Panel, contact Beth Jinks, Standards and Advisory Officer, on 020 7202 0764 or ethics@rcvs.org.uk
The company points to research which showed that in the US, and despite the importance of annual health checks, 45.7% of cats did not visit a veterinary surgeon in the year the study was conducted. Of those, 41% cited the reason as their “cats did not get sick or injured.” Only 16% said they did not have the money to pay for a veterinary visit.1,2
Apparently, a more recent poll by International Cat Care (ICC) also found that 50% of cat owners struggle to get their cat into a carrier, which is obviously a barrier to taking their pet to the veterinary clinic.
To help more cats get to the vet, International Cat Care has developed educational materials and a range of training aids including free online training videos, podcasts, emails and giveaways. They're available at: https://icatcare.org/international-cat-day.
Dr. Michael McFarland, Chief Medical Officer at Zoetis, said: "Many cat owners find it incredibly difficult and stressful getting cats into a carrier. As a result, many are reluctant to take their cat to their veterinarian unless they have a major health issue.
“Cats are intelligent animals and we want owners to know that they respond well to training. The ICC survey found that owners who use positive training and rewards find it much easier to get their cats into a carrier, so we are delighted to support the #BeCatCurious campaign this year.
“Visits to the veterinarian and giving medicines when needed are essential if we want to keep our pets healthy and protected, for example against parasites. So, encouraging owners to be more curious and to learn something new with their cat can not only strengthen the bond between them but also make life easier and healthier for cats and their owners.
References
The course will cover reptiles, pet mammals and captive birds.
Marie says the course will teach you how to approach exotic emergencies confidently, from clinical examination and forming differential diagnoses to medical and surgical approaches for common emergency presentations.
Marie will discuss both clinical management and the stabilisation and care of the critical patient, including fluid therapy, analgesia, contra-indicated medications and hospital cage requirements.
Welfare-focused euthanasia approaches will also be covered for different species.
Tickets cost £300 and the course is open to veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and students on a recognised veterinary or nursing course.
Lunch, tea, coffee and biscuits included.
https://evolutionexoticsreferrals.co.uk/cpd-booking-form/
Vetoquinol has launched a pain monitoring system along similar lines to those used in humans, which can be used by vets and owners to measure pain over time and assess different treatment strategies in dogs.
According to the company, it is widely accepted that all mammals experience pain1and that under treatment is a big issue. Guidelines in treating human pain issued by NICE state that: 'evidence suggests that pain caused by advanced disease remains under-treated'. Veterinary medicine faces a harder task in recognising and treating pain effectively as it relies on behaviour rather than verbal communication.
In human medicine, Client Specific Outcome Measures have been used to assess treatment strategies focussing on identifying the degree of difficulty performing daily tasks on an individual patient to patient basis. Vetoquinol says its pain monitoring system is based on similar principles.
Robert Simpson, Product Manager for Cimalgex said: "The objective assessment of clinical outcomes are a continuing challenge in veterinary medicine; this is particularly true in chronic painful conditions such as osteoarthritis. Use of our Client Specific Outcome Measures form will allow vets and pet owners to more efficiently assess treatment to ensure that the patient is receiving appropriate analgesia.
The form can be adapted to give bespoke outcome measures which are agreed in consultation with the owners. This activity will increase interaction with pet owners and could increase loyalty to the practice; it could also be really useful in geriatric clinics etc as a method of assessing pain outside of consultations in practices."
To find out more or to request a monitoring pad for your practice, contact your Vetoquinol Territory Manager or call 01280 825424.
Lindsay Newell, a Derbyshire veterinary nurse, has been struck off by The Veterinary Nurses Disciplinary Committee of the RCVS, after she was found guilty of the unlawful possession of veterinary medicines and failing to give regard to welfare in respect of six animals.
The hearing for Ms Newell, who did not attend and was not represented, concluded on 18th November 2015. It related to two main charges against her. The first was that, on 29 November 2012, she was found in possession of a number of veterinary medicines without lawful permission.
The Committee heard that the RSPCA and police officers had attended Ms Newell’s home on that day, where they found veterinary medicines, including controlled drugs, stored in an insecure cabinet within an insecure shed. It heard that during a police interview, she agreed that she was not allowed to possess some of the drugs and subsequently accepted a police caution, which the Committee took as an admission of the offence and therefore found the charge proved.
The second charge was that, between 1 and 29 November 2012 at the Burton Wildlife and Rescue Centre in Etwall, Derbyshire, she failed to give any or sufficient regards to the welfare of six animals in her care. These charges relate to an RSPCA investigation of the rescue centre on 29 November 2012 which found two animals dead and the rest of the animals emaciated and in poor physical condition.
The animals included a male lamb found dead in its pen, a ‘furry-faced’ lamb which died just over a week after the investigation took place, a female goat which died 12 hours after being taken to a veterinary practice for treatment and a pig which died during the investigation process, as well as an adult ewe and a pony which both survived. The charge against her also cited her failure to supply an adequate diet, obtain any or any adequate veterinary attention and explore and address the cause of the weight loss for these animals.
The Committee found all parts of the second charge proved and was satisfied that Ms Newell failed to give sufficient regard to animal welfare as is required by the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses.
In deciding its sanction, the Committee considered a number of aggravating factors in this case. It found that, in respect of both charges, the misconduct was “sustained over a period of time rather than being a single and isolated incident” and that, in respect of the second charge, that there was “actual harm caused to animals, which resulted in the deaths of four out of the six animals.”
The Committee felt that this constituted reckless disregard for animal welfare rather than deliberate acts but, nevertheless, said that these animals unnecessarily suffered for a period of at least four weeks due to inadequate diet and that, as rescue animals that were already vulnerable, the expectation was that they would be given the appropriate level of care. It also found that Ms Newell had demonstrated limited insight into her behaviour. Furthermore, it considered that a Magistrates’ Court had also disqualified Ms Newell from keeping sheep, goats, pigs, and equines for a period of five years.
In mitigation it considered that Ms Newell did show some insight into her behaviour in relation to the first charge by making admissions during her police interview, as well as the fact that the animal sanctuary, which opened in 2008, had no complaints or cause for concern prior to 2012.
Ian Green, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee is of the opinion that removal of Ms Newell’s name from the Register of Veterinary Nurses is the only appropriate sanction based upon the severity of the facts found proved.”
A series of exchanges between pilots and control towers, which you might find amusing. Would be nice to have some veterinary equivalents, so do feel free to comment beneath this story with any quick-witted exchanges you've heard between vets and vets / nurses / clients.
San Jose Tower to a DC-10 that had come into land too fast, and thus had an exceedingly long roll out after touching down:"American 751, make a hard right turn at the end of the runway, if you are able. If you are not able, take the Guadeloupe exit off Highway 101, make a right at the lights and return to the airport." ***************************************************************
Tower: "TWA 2341, for noise abatement turn right 45 degrees." TWA 2341: "Center, we are at 35,000 feet. How much noise can we make up here?" Tower: "Sir, have you ever heard the noise a 747 makes when it hits a 727?" ***************************************************************
Tower: "Eastern 702, cleared for takeoff, contact Departure on frequency 124.7" Eastern 702: "Tower, Eastern 702 switching to Departure. By the way,after we lifted off we saw some kind of dead animal on the far end of the runway." Tower: " Continental 635, cleared for takeoff behind Eastern 702, contact Departure on frequency 124.7. Did you copy that report from Eastern 702?" BR Continental 635: "Continental 635, cleared for takeoff, roger; and yes, we copied Eastern... we've already notified our caterers." ****************************************************************
A BA 747, callsign Speedbird 206 landed at Frankfurt aiport and was just pulling clear of the runway
Speedbird 206: "Frankfurt, Speedbird 206 clear of active runway." Frankfurt ground: "Speedbird 206. Taxi to gate Alpha One-Seven." The BA 747 pulled onto the main taxiway and slowed to a stop. Frankfurt ground: "Speedbird 206, do you not know where you are going?" Speedbird 206: "Stand by, ground, I'm looking up our gate location now." Frankfurt ground (with quite arrogant impatience): "Speedbird 206, have you not been to Frankfurt before?" Speedbird 206: "Er yes, just the once. It was 1944 ... We didn't land."
Improve International has announced the launch of a new General Practitioner Certificate in Dermatology: GPCert (Derm).
The company says the programme aims to help vets develop their knowledge of dermatology and to assist them in applying these newly learned skills in their everyday dermatology cases.
David Babington MRCVS (pictured right), Managing Director of Improve International said: "Patients with skin problems attend practices almost on a daily basis, making the successful diagnosis and management of skin disease a major component of small animal work and an important way to build client satisfaction and loyalty.
"Our new modular programme offers a thorough, informed case-based approach to dermatology. Through lectures, case discussions and, where appropriate, practical sessions, delegates will learn how to approach dogs, cats and exotic patients presenting with various manifestations of skin disease in a logical and scientific manner."
The GPCert (Derm) comprises 14 taught modules and can be completed over one to two years. The first module on this programme will start in March 2015.
For further information, visit www.improveinternational.com or call 01793 759159.
The programme, which offers six hours of CPD, will cover topics such as damage control resuscitation, the trauma patient and the OOH GDV.
Dan Lewis, Vets Now’s National Clinical ECC Lead (pictured right), who devised this year’s veterinary programme alongside Arlene Connor, Vets Now’s Head of Clinical Operations (Hospitals) and Racheal Marshall, Head of Clinical Nursing said: “At Vets Now, we have the largest emergency caseload in Europe therefore we’re well placed to share best practice with the profession to enable vets and vet nurses to feel confident when dealing with emergency cases. With that in mind, we are committed to bringing relevant and up-to-date CPD and training to veterinary professionals throughout the UK.
“In addition to our internationally-renowned annual ECC UK Congress, which will be held in November 2020, it’s important to be able to make additional CPD available at easily accessible regional locations throughout the UK.”
The 2020 dates and venues are:
The events cost £75+VAT per person if you work for a Vets Now partner practice and £150+VAT if not. Places can be booked at the Vets Now website.
The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) has announced the publication of a book on controlling skin exposure and wet work. The book aims to fill a knowledge gap about dermal exposure risk management in workplaces which are particularly affected, such as veterinary practices.
The consequences of a failure to adequately control dermal exposure to hazardous agents do not always become apparent until years after exposure, and because of this, many employers are either ignorant of the consequences or ignore the potential for ill-health until it is too late. In Great Britain, over 29,000 people are suffering from work-related skin disease and every year over 3,500 new cases are reported. Alongside this, many workers are unaware of the ways in which skin comes into contact with chemicals, or how dermal exposure can contribute to inadvertent inhalation and ingestion exposure.
Healthcare workers are susceptible. Vets and nurses are, for example, at risk from disinfectants, detergents, wet-work, latex gloves, anaesthetics, antibiotics and antiseptics, phenothiazines, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde and liquid chloroxylenol.
The book provides an introduction to the structure and functions of the skin, information about the diseases caused by dermal exposure and the occupations and chemicals involved, regulatory requirements related to dermal exposure at work, exposure and risk assessment, and risk management strategies. It is both comprehensive and accessible, and clearly illustrated with photographs, figures and tables throughout, ensuring that it will be of practical use. As a result, BOHS believes that it will make an important contribution to increasing knowledge about control of dermal exposure, and encourage more effective control measures to be introduced in workplaces.
‘Controlling Skin Exposure to Chemicals and Wet-Work' is available for £19.99 and can be purchased on-line via RMS Publishing, www.rmspublishing.co.uk/BOHS.html and Amazon, or by posting/faxing the order form which can be downloaded from the Publications section of the BOHS website.
BCF has launched the Easi-Scan remote display, designed for on-farm use.
The company says the Easi-Scan offers unprecedented display performance, is very portable (weighing less than 2Kg) and very rugged. According to the company, Its 8.4" transflective LCD screen provides excellent quality images for fertility and pregnancy scanning meaning it can be used as the sole display for BCF's Easi-Scan and Duo-Scan ultrasound scanners. And with a dedicated channel button, you can switch between all available ultrasound channels, allowing you to view a number of examinations at once.
The Easi-Scan is also available with a Gorilla pod allowing it to be attached to railings and a carry strap.
Gavin Mitchell from BCF said: "At BCF innovation is key; we have invested a lot of time developing a remote display monitor that is well suited to the needs of the market. Through listening to our customers, we feel we have successfully achieved this. It is ideal for training purposes and viewing multiple exams. It is also the only wireless and splashproof remote ultrasound display on the market."
For more information call 01506 460023 or visit http://www.bcftechnology.com/.
Virbac Animal Health has launched a special scheme to encourage farmers to have milk samples analysed in line with the industry-wide campaign to promote the responsible use of antimicrobials.
Under the terms of the scheme, veterinary surgeons purchasing Virbac's Cephaguard DC therapy will receive vouchers to distribute to their farmer clients. These vouchers can be redeemed for milk bacteriology to determine the pathogens causing mastitis and so ensure treatment is more targeted and effective.
Brigitte Goasduf MRCVS, Ruminants Marketing Manager at Virbac, said: "Mastitis is a major concern for dairy farmers with reported numbers of cases ranging from 26-50 for every 100 cows.
"Experts agree that individual SCC monitoring and the accurate diagnosis of pathogens causing infection are key to treating mastitis effectively. Unfortunately many farmers are often deterred by the cost.
"Our scheme gives our veterinary customers the opportunity to foster good practice by encouraging farmer clients to submit milk samples for investigation at no cost to them. This will then enable them to treat the bacteria causing the infection in line with industry guidelines for the use of antimicrobials.
"Over time, we believe farmers will come to realise that adopting this more targeted approach is not only more cost-effective but will also preserve their ability to treat their herd, both now and in the future."
For further information on the scheme, contact your Virbac territory manager or call Virbac on 01359 243243.
The company is offering up to £50* worth of vouchers to use at J.A.K Marketing Ltd when purchasing GI diets (including canine and feline recovery packs). It is also offering a ‘buy three get one free’ deal on its recovery packs, which also come with complimentary Get Well Soon counter displays for practice receptions.
To promote its range of complete liquid diets for tube feeding critically ill patients, Royal Canin is giving practices which order three packs a free Vygon Vet Nutrisafe tube feeding kit worth £9.49. The kit contains 12 syringes, a drawing up straw and three different sizes of feeding tubes. The company says its liquid diets are specifically designed for tube feeding, offer precise nutrition for critically ill patients and can be accurately delivered with the Vygon tube feeding kits.
For further information, contact your Royal Canin Veterinary Business Manager.
* Spend £199 on GI diets (including canine and feline recovery packs) and receive a £20 voucher from J.A.K Marketing Ltd., spend £399 and receive a £50 voucher. The vouchers will be emailed direct to the practice from J.A.K. There is a 14 working day lead time on this. All offers are valid for the UK and NI and end on 31 March.