Petplan has announced the first of three winners for their ‘Get Noticed’ waiting room notice board competition, which runs till the end of July.
The staff at Ayers Vets in Tyne and Wear were the winners but Petplan says it wasn’t an easy decision. Their submission was up against some other very informative and educational notice boards but, as a result of their research and creative ideas, they were the proud winners of a fantastic hamper filled with white and red wine, organic chocolates, coffee, fruit cake and other delectable snacks.
Joy Cook, receptionist at Ayers Vets commented, “We’re delighted to have won the competition. We always promote the benefits of pet insurance to as many pet owners as possible so it is great to be recognised for this. The notice board has certainly caught the interest of our clients and we’ve had lots of comments about how great it looks!”
Practices have the opportunity to create their own notice board using a kit provided by Petplan with a remit to educate their clients about the benefits of taking out pet insurance.
The competition challenges vet receptionists and vet nurses to create an interesting notice board on the theme of insurance and send in a photo of it to Petplan.
The competition is open to all practices, regardless of their regulatory status. The second winner will be chosen at the end of June and the final winner at the end of July. For more information about entering the competition or to order a notice board kit, click here.
The RCVS is to embark on a communications campaign over the next few months to raise awareness amongst the general public of the difficulties that vets face in providing out-of-hours emergency cover, and the responsibilities incumbent on animal owners to know what to do in a veterinary emergency.
Emergency cover has been high on the College's agenda for some time.
Over the last 18 months, the RCVS 24/7 Working Party has considered the ongoing desire of vets to continue to offer emergency care 24 hours a day, and the feasibility of delivering this, against a backdrop of the Working Time Regulations, geographical variations in animal and vet density, and increasing practice diversity.
Working Party meetings have been supported by a survey of how vets are currently meeting their 24/7 requirements, a seminar of stakeholders and regular informal polls at RCVS Question Time meetings.
It was agreed at the September 2009 meeting of Advisory Committee, to which the Working Party reports, that the majority of vets remain willing to deliver emergency cover 24/7. Advisory Committee recommended that a communications project be undertaken to help raise awareness amongst the general public and animal owners that although the veterinary profession continues to make this voluntary commitment, EU rules, geography and financial constraints impose some limitations.
This campaign will kick off soon and focus on spreading messages via animal-owner publications and websites. The responsibility of pet owners to know how they can access emergency care for their animal in advance of need will be stressed, as will the fact that in the absence of an NHS for pets, emergency care is a service for which practices must charge a realistic fee (which is likely to be higher than for day-time work).
The campaign will also outline vets' responsibilities as part of the Guide, so the public knows what it can reasonably expect. It would be helpful if practices could ensure they have clear information available on their 24/7 arrangements - as outlined in the Guide - should this campaign stimulate requests from clients.
Jerry Davies, who chaired the Working Party, said: "There is overwhelming opinion within the profession that we must continue to provide round-the-clock veterinary care. The main tenet of the Working Time Regulations is that workers should not have their health or, importantly, skills compromised by unreasonable working patterns. Vets, VNs and the animals they care for deserve the same level of protection.
"However, this legislation has made continuing to provide such care at a reasonable cost to the animal owner a significant challenge. Meeting this challenge will require the understanding and cooperation of the animal owning public.
"If clients can be flexible and accept slightly longer response times, an effective service can still be sustained. The key is for all animal owners to establish, in advance, exactly what will be involved should they need to access veterinary care in an emergency. This simple step will help optimise response times and eliminate the frustration, confusion and inevitable dissatisfaction that may arise if ill-prepared."
The RCVS and VN Councils have each agreed to raise registration and retention fees for the financial year 2011-12 by 2%. This means the annual retention fee for a home-practising veterinary surgeon will increase by £5, and the fee for a veterinary nurse, by £1.
To encourage members who cease to practise to request removal from the Register, rather than simply allow their membership to lapse, the fee for restoration following voluntary removal will be reduced by almost 50%, from £147 to £75.
All fees for the current financial year were, exceptionally, frozen to help mitigate the impact of the difficult economic climate on the veterinary profession. The increases agreed for 2011-12 are below current inflation figures, and in line with the RCVS financial policy of introducing small fee increases on an incremental basis in order to avoid sharp fee hikes resulting from inflationary pressures.
A list of the new fees can be found in the June edition of RCVS News, also available online at www.rcvs.org.uk/rcvsnews.
The European Commission has announced the EU's animal health strategy for 2007-13. The announcement provides the framework for animal health measures over the next 6 years, taking into account feedback from stakeholders and potential challenges in the future.
The overall aim is to put greater focus on precautionary measures, disease surveillance, controls and research, in order to reduce the incidence of animal disease and minimise the impact of outbreaks when they occur. Click here for more ...
Purina says that assessing water intake can be difficult for pet owners and appreciating what is ‘normal’ is of course central to identifying when intake is excessive, requiring further investigation, or inadequate, requiring alternative hydration strategies.
The company developed the water calculator to help vets and nurses give guidance to pet owners on a pet’s recommended daily water intake, depending on lifestage, bodyweight and diet.
Libby Sheridan, Scientific Affairs Manager at Purina said: “All too often a pet has been suffering polydipsia for some time when they are presented at the clinic.
"That may be because water intake isn’t being measured or observed, but often there is a confusion with knowing what is normal for the individual pet.
"Cats, particularly when they are older may struggle to meet their water needs and this tool can be helpful in assessing their intake and suggests some strategies for improving hydration.”
Any member of the clinical veterinary team can email vettechline@purina.nestle.com to get access to webinars on hydration and a short video on how to use the water calculator within Vet Centre.
https://vetcentre.purina.co.uk
The research was carried out by scientists from Wisdom Panel, a pet DNA testing company that is part of Mars Petcare’s Science & Diagnostics division.
The discovery was made by analysing clinical data from Banfield Pet Hospital paired with DNA data from Wisdom Panel.
The researcher say estimates suggest canine atopic dermatitis affects up to 10-30% of dogs, and that these findings could lead to more targeted solutions in the future.
In addition, identification of the SLAMF1 variant presents the opportunity for breeders to breed toward dogs with a lower risk of atopic dermatitis.
Jimmy Barr, DVM, DACVECC, Chief Medical Officer for Mars Petcare’s Science & Diagnostics division said: “This finding could have a real impact on dog health
"While atopy has long been suspected to have a genetic component, this is the first time the SLAMF1 gene has been convincingly linked to this debilitating skin condition.
"This knowledge will help identify dogs at risk and could lead to new therapies and more informed dog breeding practices.”
Wisdom Panel has developed a DNA test that will be offered in partnership with Canine Genetic Testing at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge so breeders can make informed decisions to reduce the frequency of atopic dermatitis while maintaining genetic diversity.
Reference
https://www.cagt.co.uk
Photo: https://depositphotos.com
The Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons has unveiled a new logo in response to member feedback and a desire by the society to update its image to tie in with a more modern and campaigning approach. Here it is (roll of drums please):
CPD Solutions and Onswitch have announced that they have joined forces to offer a new online training course for veterinary receptionists called a Mini Series.
Dr Susie Coughlan, Managing Director of CPD-Solutions, said: "Today's competitive pricing between practices means that securing a client's return spending can depend largely on the quality of their early interactions. However, with such a busy schedule, it's almost impossible for most vets and practice managers to provide dedicated in-house training for frontline staff, even though many appreciate how crucial it is. The mini-series allows receptionists to perfect their skills in their own time and in the comfort of their own surroundings, saving the practice valuable time and resources while enhancing the initial customer experience. At the end of the day, this is what every veterinary practice is striving for - contented clients."
The first course commences on the 19th of February 2014 with a full programme planned for the future. More information is available at www.receptionistwebinars.com, or call CPD Solutions on 0151 328 0444.
The organisers of Rabbit Awareness Week (15th-21st September) are calling on veterinary practices to show their support and sign up to its free health check scheme, to highlight the importance of preventative healthcare for rabbits.
This year's RAW campaign is focusing on vaccinations, to protect one of Britain's most popular small pets from two painful and potentially fatal diseases, myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD).
Participating practices will receive free support packs to help them advertise and run their own health check events, as well as care advice materials to give out to clients who bring their rabbits in.
Rabbit Awareness Week 2012 is backed by Burgess Excel and various partners, including MSD Animal Health, RSPCA, PSDA, Blue Cross, Wood Green The Animals Charity and RWAF (Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund).
Justin Heaton, Head of Marketing at Burgess Pet Care, said: "This September, RAW aims to promote the importance of preventative healthcare, including regular vet health checks and vaccinations for rabbits, to protect them from disease. Rabbits are at risk from myxomatosis and RHD and this year's goal is to highlight how important vaccinations are against these diseases and encourage owners, particularly those not currently registered with a veterinary practice, to bring their rabbits in for free veterinary health checks and vaccinations.
"RAW partners believe that many rabbit owners are unaware that injections for rabbits are a necessity for them to live a long and healthy life. The average rabbit should live at least 8-12 years, but one in three pet owners (38 per cent) estimate a rabbit's maximum lifespan to be five years*. Along with meeting their dietary, behaviour, environment and companionship needs, Britain's rabbits' must be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease to ensure they are healthy and happy. Vaccinations are an important part of responsible pet ownership and will help to ensure that rabbits live a long and healthy life."
If you are interested in supporting RAW 2012, by hosting rabbit healthcare clinics at your veterinary surgery, visit www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk to order your free support kit and register your event.
Charlotte will share practical advice on achieving successful transfusions, in particular looking at how to overcome the challenges in sourcing blood products, especially for feline patients.
The presentation will cover:
There'll be a live Q&A session with Charlotte at the end, when Horiba's experts will also be available to answer veterinary diagnostics-related questions.
https://horiba.link/canine-and-feline-blood-transfusions.
The webinars will be available as live podcasts and will also be able to be viewed on demand on the Dechra Academy.
In the strangles webinar, Dave Rendle, Gayle Hallowell and Richard Newton will explore the current landscape of strangles control, focusing on the role of vaccination, testing and quarantine measures.
In the disease prevention webinar, Gayle Hallowell, Dave Rendle, Tamzin Furtado and others will give an insight into chronic disease management and preventative vaccination to improve uptake and optimise treatment outcomes.
Both webinars broadcast from 8pm GMT, with a live Q&A session from 8:45pm, finishing at 9:15pm GMT.
https://membership.elearning.vet/Dechra-equine-medicine-series.
The report comes on the back of a survey by the association which found that 93% of vets say sustainability is important to them.
The BVA says the report aims to break down the challenge that both teams and individuals face in working towards net zero emissions.
It explains the impact of climate change, what the veterinary profession’s role is in tackling it and why the BVA thinks it is so important that the profession plays its part.
The report also includes resources and showcases the ways real veterinary workplaces are taking action to reduce their impact on the environment.
British Veterinary Association Senior Vice President Anna Judson said: “Many veterinary professionals have long been concerned about the impact the sector is having on the environment, and many are already taking action to mitigate this.
"However, there is still more work to do.
"Our vision is that by 2050 the profession will have adapted to support the UK’s net zero targets; is trusted on mitigating its own carbon footprint; and is a leading advocate for environmental sustainability.
"This new report is providing vet teams with the tools and the inspiration to do their bit, because small changes add-up to make a big difference.”
There'll be a session on the subject at the London Vet Show this year, chaired by Anna Judson, with panelists Ed Bailey, Clinical Director and Sustainability Lead at George Farm Vets, Laura Binnie, Sustainability Lead at Paragon Veterinary Group and James Bevan, Planetary Health Senior Teaching Fellow Public Health Registrar, University of Southampton.
"Practice what you preach: Reaching net zero is a team effort" will be held at 10.45am - 11.45am on 14 November in the BVA Congress Theatre.
www.bva.co.uk/net-zero-report
The webinar will be presented by Will Gratwick BVSc MMedVet MRCVS (pictured), veterinary surgeon at LLM Farm Vets in Shropshire and RCVS Recognised Advanced Practitioner in Cattle Health and Production.
Along with colleagues at LLM, Harper-Keele Vet School and VetPartners, Will carried out an Udder Cleft Dermatitis (UCD) prevalence and risk factors study which demonstrated that over 10% of cows are affected by the condition, drawing attention to the need for improved awareness and management of the condition.
The webinar will cover the causes and risk factors for UCD, as well as how vets can approach the diagnosis and management of this challenging condition in their clients' dairy herds.
To register, email Joely Plunkett, digital marketing manager at NoBACZ Healthcare, on j.plunkett@nobacz.com.
Dechra is expanding its Veterinary Essentials portfolio of veterinary licensed generics with the introduction of five new products.
Flexicam® - a NSAID for the control of pain and inflammation in dogs with acute and chronic musculo-skeletal disorders, joins the range following the acquisition of VetXX. Roger Brown, product manager at Dechra Veterinary Products said: "Flexicam provides vets with all the proven benefits of meloxicam, one of the most frequently prescribed NSAIDs."
Prednidale 25 also joins the fold as the first veterinary licensed 25mg strength prednisolone, which together with Prednidale 5, gives vets a wider variety of treatment options for inflammatory diseases, allergic diseases, some autoimmune diseases and some neoplastic conditions. Roger said: "Under the cascade system, practices currently using non-veterinary licensed 25mg strength prednisolone can now convert to using a veterinary licensed product instead."
Alongside Flexicam and Prednidale 25 is a new combination of sedation and reversal agents (Sedator® and Atipam® respectively). Sedator, which contains the active ingredient medetomidine hydrochloride, is used for sedation, analgesia and anaesthetic premedication in cats and dogs. Roger said: "This product can now be used in combination with Atipam, our new reversing agent and generic partner to Sedator. Atipam is an alpha-2-adrenoceptor antagonist which is chemically identical to the market leader, but can offer practices permanent savings of at least 37 per cent."
For further details on the new products, please contact your local Dechra territory manager or call Rachel Horton 01743 441 632.
Research carried out by the Kennel Club to coincide with Mother's Day has revealed that 35% of dog buyers do not see their new puppy with its mother.
The research also found that one in ten buyers take their puppy home before it is eight weeks old, and that 55% do not see the puppy in its breeding environment.
Bill Lambert, Manager of the Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme, said: "March is the most popular month for searching for a puppy, but we are extremely concerned that so many are not seeing their puppy with its mother. Seeing mum not only helps people to find out how their puppy will be likely to turn out in terms of temperament and characteristics, but it also gives them the reassurance that it has been bred in a loving environment where it has been cared for and socialised properly."
Marc Abraham, TV vet and Kennel Club Veterinary Advisor, said: "Puppies depend on their mums in the early weeks of life, not just for milk but she's also critical for developing their socialisation skills which help set them up for life. If a breeder refuses to show the puppy with its mother without very good reason, then buyers should go elsewhere."
The Kennel Club is urging people to see puppies with their mother as part of its Stop Puppy Farming campaign and is joining with Marc Abraham to support the 'Where's Mum?' campaign. Kennel Club research has shown that as many as one in four could unwittingly be buying their puppy from a puppy farm.
The Kennel Club will be running a National Puppy Awareness Week (PAW) from the 8th - 14th September. To find out more visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/stoppuppyfarming.
The RCVS Council and Veterinary Nurses Council elections are now underway for 2013, and ballot papers and candidates details have been posted to all veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses eligible to vote.
Gordon Hockey, RCVS Registrar, said: "At a time when the College is experiencing a period of significant change, it's more important than ever that the Councils have the right personnel to help steer us along the path to becoming a first-rate regulator. The annual Councils elections represent a key opportunity for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to ensure this happens."
This year, 13 candidates, five of whom are current Council members, will contest the six available seats on RCVS Council, and four candidates are contesting the two available places on VN Council, including one existing member. The candidates are as follows:
RCVS Council
VN Council
*denotes existing Council member
For the first time this year, the College is organising an online hustings for RCVS Council candidates to allow veterinary surgeon voters to put their questions to them directly. This will be run as a free, live webinar by 'The Webinar Vet' and will take place on Tuesday, 19 March at 7pm. Questions need to have been submitted in advance as there are too many candidates to hold a debate, but veterinary surgeons can still register to listen to the hustings at www.thewebinarvet.com/rcvs. The hustings will also be recorded and available to listen again via the same web address until the voting deadline.
Votes in both elections may be cast online, by text message or by post, and must be received by 5pm on Friday, 26 April 2013. Details of how to vote are printed on the ballot papers and candidate information is also available on the RCVS website at www.rcvs.org.uk/rcvscouncil13 and www.rcvs.org.uk/vncouncil13.
Anyone in need of a replacement ballot paper for RCVS Council should contact Ian Holloway (i.holloway@rcvs.org.uk / 020 7202 0727), or for VN Council, contact Annette Amato (a.amato@rcvs.org.uk / 020 7202 0713).
To ensure independence, the elections are being administered by Electoral Reform Services.
Unlike traditional PCR tests, Rhea molecular diagnostic tests need no lab equipment, allowing them to be used directly in the field.
The first panel test in the new range is Rhéa Vector-Borne Diseases, which simultaneously detects four major pathogens in under 40 minutes: Theileria spp., Babesia spp., Anaplasma spp. (including A. marginale and A. phagocytophilum), and Borrelia spp.
Enalees says the Rhéa range addresses a growing need in the sector, enabling vets to act quickly and accurately.
https://www.enalees.com
The new oncology department has a dedicated chemotherapy room, access to a variety of chemotherapy drugs and a fully equipped operating theatre – offering soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery services for surgical oncology cases.
The department also has access to high frequency ocular ultrasound, magnetic resonance (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scan equipment.
The service will be led by residency-trained clinician in Small Animal Oncology, Nina Vigevani DVM MRCVS.
She graduated in 2019 from the University of Milan, completed a rotating internship and worked in general practice in Milan, before moving to the UK to start on an oncology internship at a referral practice in the South of England.
Prior to moving to Chestergates, she completed her Residency in Small Animal Oncology at the University of Liverpool.
To refer a case: https://chestergates.org.uk/referral-services.
The streams for vets will include six lectures on topics ranging from neurology to dentistry, along with guest speaker Hannah Donovan from Donovan Veterinary Behaviour to discuss behaviour in practice.
There will also be a speaker from Davies’ charity of the year: Vetlife.
Davies' hospital director Ben Orton said: “This is a high-level CPD and networking event aimed at our colleagues in the veterinary industry with a raft of advice and insight from some of the leading specialists here at Davies.
“Some of the topics covered include internal medicine, with EBVS European specialist in small animal internal medicine Katherine Clarke giving her expert opinion on chronic enteropathies with a focus on antibiotic prescribing.
“Head of anaesthesia Frances Downing will focus on anaesthesia and feline cardiomyopathies while head of physiotherapy Diane Messum will discuss a holistic approach to the osteoarthritis patient, so there will be plenty of stimulating and challenging content.”
The day-long event begins at 8.30am with arrival drinks and pastries before the morning session, which runs from 9am to 1.20pm.'
After an hour’s break for lunch and networking, the afternoon session will run from 2.20pm to 5pm.
That will be followed by a complimentary hog roast.
www.vetspecialists.co.uk/davies-congress-2024
Defra has announced that the Bluetongue Protection Zone will be extended again on Monday 7 July, following the delivery by Intervet of almost 2 million additional doses of Bluetongue vaccine. Vaccination is only permitted within the Protection Zone. In accordance with the Bluetongue vaccination plan, the Protection Zone will be extended to cover all of the East Riding of Yorkshire (including the City of Kingston upon Hull), South Yorkshire (made up of the metropolitan boroughs of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield), Gloucestershire (including the unitary authority of South Gloucestershire) and Warwickshire. Defra will continue to roll out vaccination as vaccine is delivered, in line with the vaccination roll-out plan. The additional vaccine is available for use in the existing Protection Zone from today. Livestock keepers in the areas coming into the Protection Zone will be able to obtain the vaccine from Monday. However, they are encouraged to order vaccine so that they can protect their livestock at the earliest opportunity. Protection Zone restrictions will apply to those keepers coming into the extended zone. Animals can only be moved out of the Protection Zone if they are vaccinated, naturally immune or moving for slaughter, subject to meeting certain conditions. Animals will also be able to be moved between the Protection Zones in Wales and England, subject to the conditions on the transit licence.