Dechra has launched a new support package to help veterinary surgeons and nurses dealing with otitis externa, and to encourage compliance amongst owners whose dogs are being treated for the disease.
Called the Dermatology Partners in Practice programme, the initiative includes a client compliance pack which contains the Guide to Good Ear Care, a leaflet on handling techniques, a treatment diary and a consultation report.
Roger Brown, Senior Brand Manager at Dechra Veterinary Products, said: "We are committed to supporting vets and vet nurses as they deal with cases of otitis externa at a time when responsible use of antimicrobials is in the spotlight.
"It is essential that owners comply with treatment programmes and that vets are supported with involving owners, which can lead to better outcomes for dogs receiving treatment and can be good for developing the practice business as well.
"We know from our research, and from talking to the vets and vet nurses, that owner compliance can be a barrier to successful first-time management and resolution of otitis externa.
"The new Client Compliance Pack is designed to support veterinary professionals as they diagnose, control and maintain this complex condition."
"All in all, it will provide extra support to the owner as they carry through the professional treatment plan once back home."
Veterinary surgeons are being invited to arrange a Business Support Discussion to find out more about the Dermatology Partners in Practice Programme and how it can benefit their practice. For details and to know more about the pack, call 01939 211215 or visit dechra.co.uk/timetochange.
Featuring imagery of the Great Barrier Reef to demonstrate that the skin barrier is a fragile ecosystem needing care and protection, the new marketing material includes:
The pack is supported by a new vet detailer focusing on the skin as a complex and fragile ecosystem, with a detachable poster covering the range.
For further information on the Douxo range of products, visit www.douxo.eu or contact your local Ceva Animal Health territory manager.
Vets Now has announced its selection centre dates for young vets applying for a place on the new 'Cutting Edge' Emergency and Critical Care fast track programme.
With the 20 August deadline for applications fast approaching, Vets Now has confirmed that interviews for the first intake in October will take place on 25th and 26th August. Applications received after this date will be considered only if the applicant meets the necessary criteria and is able to take up a place on the programme if extra places become available.
According to the company, the 'Cutting Edge' initiative is the first training programme of its kind in the UK. It'll see 40 vets who are likely to have graduated between 2006 and 2009 selected for a place on one of two 10 week fast track training programmes which will take them straight to the heart of emergency, working as a veterinary surgeon in a Vets Now clinic.
The induction courses will be held in October and January, each taking up to 20 vets through 10 weeks of intensive ECC training on a robust programme which has been designed by Vets Now Clinical Director and ECC Diplomate, Amanda Boag.
Amanda said: "The recruits who we select will embark upon an intensive period of training over the 10 week period which will give them the necessary skills and knowledge to launch their career in ECC. They will also receive ongoing support during their first two years as a Veterinary Surgeon in a Vets Now clinic with a very generous CPD allowance. The initial 10 week period will be a combination of lectures and interactive seminars, practical training in our clinical skills laboratory and mentored work in our clinics. Developing clinical expertise and problem solving skills will clearly be the most significant component of the training but there will also be support and training in other vital skills including communication."
She added: "Initial response to the programme has been very promising and we are delighted to see so many veterinary surgeons interested in developing their career in ECC."
Vets Now will continue to accept applications for the January intake to the 'Cutting Edge' programme throughout September and October.
Graduates who are interested in applying for a place on the 'Cutting Edge' training programme should contact the Vets Now recruitment team on 01383 841181 or email cuttingedge@vets-now.com
The Registrar and Secretary of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Jane Hern, has announced that she will be standing down at the end of the year.
After 15 years in the job, Jane says she has been pleased to oversee a number of significant reforms and new initiatives in her time leading the organisation, but has decided that it is time to move on and pursue other interests.
The College says it is now embarking on a comprehensive review of its governance, committee and management structures, during which the Officers and Council will consider how best the executive should be led in future.
Jane said: "I have greatly enjoyed my time with the College and the Trust. Working with a profession held in such high regard by the public has been a real pleasure. I wish veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and all my colleagues all the very best for the future."
The President, Dr Jerry Davies said: "The Royal College has been very fortunate in having the benefit of Jane's wisdom and guidance for so many years, and we wish her every success in the future."
Sogeval has launched Efex, a marbofloxacin tablet designed for veterinary use.
Efex tablets are available in three blister pack sizes of 10mg, 40mg and 100mg that break into halves for cats and halves and quarters for dogs, facilitating accurate dosing for a wide range of patients.
In cats, the flavoured chewable 10 mg tablets allow accurate dosing of 2.5kg and 5kg cats at 2mg/kg once daily. In dogs the 40mg four way break tablet is designed for a 20 kg dog and the 100mg for a 50kg dog.
Efex tablets are chewable and sogeval says that in a palatability study 7 out of 10 cats readily consumed them.
Each tablet contains a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic marbofloxacin for oral administration, which is readily absorbed reaching maximal plasma concentrations within two hours. It exhibits a wide range of activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, including Pseudomonas spp and Mycoplasma spp.
Improve International has announced that several of the Postgraduate Certificate programmes (PgC's) which it delivers in conjunction with Harper Adams University and the European School of Veterinary Studies (ESVPS) have been added to the list of qualifications conferring eligibility for applications for RCVS' Advanced Practitioner status.
The qualifying PgCs are:
These PgC's are accredited at Masters level 7 and provide 60 credits, at least 40 of which are in the designated clinical area. Improve says this places them at the same academic level as those offered by other CPD providers and termed as eligible entry qualifications to RCVS Advanced Practitioner Status.
Improve has welcomed the RCVS' decision to include these PgC's in the list of entry qualifications accepted with no further requirements required. For the PgC Small Animal Surgery and PgC Small Animal Medicine programmes, a further demonstration of professional key skills is required within a five-year period, which the company says it can help with.
David Babington MRCVS, Managing Director, said: "Our clinical taught programmes are led by experts in their field while the European School of Postgraduate Studies (ESVPS) has responsibility for the associated assessments. Harper Adams University brings the Higher Education body quality assurance to our partnership, ensuring that our qualifications meet the strict criteria laid down by the QAA Framework.
"Our programmes utilise a combination of review lectures, case-based discussions and, where applicable, hands-on practical sessions. We are also increasingly offering courses using 'blended learning', a format which combines both face to face and online learning.
"We are delighted that the RCVS has recognised that the content and rigour of the PgC programmes, make them deserving of the same status as other qualifications awarded by other providers. Our delegates can now have full confidence that achieving one of these postgraduate certificates will enable them to meet the requirements of Advanced Practitioner status."
For more information, see the RCVS website, Advanced Practitioner Guidance Notes, visit www.improveinternational.com or call 01793 759159.
The company has updated its waiting room board kit for veterinary staff to create a visual reminder of the importance of prompt diagnosis and management of dental disease and a tailored dental home care regime.
There is also a Pet Dental Health Month social media pack which includes imagery, videos and copy to use on your practice social media channels and client-facing waiting room screens.
Dental charts are also available to help explain dental aftercare in post-op appointments.
Will Peel, Marketing Manager at Animalcare said: "We know that veterinary staff recognise the importance of oral health, so we’ve created this range of materials specifically to support veterinary practices and to help people better understand how they can maintain good dental health in their pets.’
www.animalcare.co.uk/dentalhealthmonth
The Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) has joined forces with the Professional Development Foundation (PDF) to revolutionise higher veterinary education in the UK.
The two organisations – SPVS through its Masters and Doctors Group (MDG) – have officially announced that they will deliver the new modular Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP) and the CertAVP (VetGP) qualifications through the new Vet Learning group.
SPVS recognised that vets were finding it difficult, if not impossible, to combine working in practise with completing the old-style certificates and decided to work with the RCVS to create more flexible and relevant qualifications and the PDF to provide more guidance and support.
Students taking the Vet GP qualification will also work from a syllabus that firmly complements the experience of the practising modern vet.
Richard Hillman, SPVS President Elect and SPVS CertAVP project leader, explained: “I registered for the RCVS Certificate in Welfare and Ethics three years ago as, as a practice owner, I am very interested in these fields but have found it very difficult to juggle work, home life and study.”
He added: “I’ve been on the CPD and I’ve read the books so I’ve done the personal development parts of the certificate but I just can’t get the cases written up. If I had the structure, support and mentoring that the SPVS and Vet Learning will now supply, I could have gone on and got the qualification I wanted. I am delighted that Vet Learning has now been created.”
Both qualifications will be assessed at MSc level and will be quality controlled by the University of Middlesex and the national Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). SPVS will shortly announce the date of a road show that will supply practitioners with further information on this ground-breaking development in veterinary education, including how to structure their CPD.
Genitrix has announced that HY-50 Vet®, a sodium hyaluronate treatment for equine joints, has now been authorised for intravenous (IV) use.
Available until now for intra-articular (IA) use only, the company says HY-50 delivers the highest concentration of sodium hyaluronate on the market for the treatment of non-infectious joint inflammation and the enhancement of joint function.
Genitrix also says that, as IV application requires less specialist preparation than IA, HY-50 is now a practical solution for mixed practices with a smaller equine case load. Injected intravenously, the product will also benefit horses with multiple joint injuries.
HY-50 is presented in a 3 ml pre-loaded syringe, delivering 50 mg of sodium hyaluronate. It costs £55.50.
Rob Watkins, Marketing Director of Genitrix, said: "The efficacy of sodium hyaluronate is well established and we're delighted to be able to offer the IV route of administration. We know it will meet a real need in the market for a lameness treatment which is proven and simple to administer."
"Perhaps most importantly, in these financially difficult times, the high concentration of the product makes it a cost-effective approach compared with competitive products. We believe it will offer an affordable treatment option for owners who are anxious to treat their horses but may be discouraged by the high cost of many treatments."
For further information, see http://www.genitrix.co.uk/ or ring 01403 786345.
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has announced that Metricure is now back in stock and available from the veterinary wholesalers with immediate effect.
Metricure is the only licensed intra-uterine antibiotic for the treatment of endometritis and is specially designed for the anaerobic intra-uterine environment.
The company would like to thank the profession for its patience and understanding, and looks forward to supporting vets striving to improve fertility on clients' farms.
Please contact the Intervet/Schering-Plough Veterinary Support Group on 01908 685685 if you require any further information.
Animalcare has unveiled its new logo, introduced to mark the latest stage in the company's development which has seen it move into larger offices and upscale its warehouse facilties to better serve the profession.
The new logo consists of three flags, each representing one of the three core pillars of Animalcare; veterinary pharmaceuticals, companion animal electronic identification and animal welfare. The three flags combine to make a stylized 'A' and the motif as a whole with the word 'Animalcare' combines to make the new logo.
Mindful of the environment, Animalcare says there will be a phased roll-out of the new logo across the customer facing elements of Animalcare. This will begin with the new price list and will extend across the range of packaging, starting with Vitofyllin, and the marketing literature.
To request your new price list either as a PDF or printed copy, e-mail: info@animalcare.co.uk or speak to your local representative.
The five-minute survey includes questions on the number of otitis externa cases seen in practice, consultation times, common compliance issues, cytology uptake and client behaviour change frameworks.
Completed entries will be entered into a draw for a Fortnum & Mason hamper worth £100.
Charlotte Hill, brand manager at Dechra said: “The otitis externa in dogs survey will provide us with valuable insight into vets’ experiences of the condition.
"It will also allow us to identify any trends that may exist to help us improve how we as a profession approach otitis externa, while supporting owners when treating the condition which can be frustrating to manage.
https://forms.office.com/e/J7frrbL56A
Vets, consultants and other advisors should encourage dairy farmers to make use of available information to help improve their herd's performance and profitability through breeding. This is the message from DairyCo breeding+ director, Marco Winters, who says farmers should use genetics to improve not only milk production, but also health, welfare, management and type traits.
Breeding briefs, a new booklet from DairyCo, identifies some genetic improvement tools that allow farmers to make better breeding decisions and concentrates on how to use them in practice. And for those who feel confronted by an overload of information, the booklet helps identify the figures to seek out and prioritise.
Breeding decisions are cumulative: their effects build up over the generations so a problem can be introduced or cured over just a few years. A series of poor breeding decisions can mean the difference between profit and loss; even between a business's survival and failure. Yet the time, cost and effort needed for a good breeding decision to be made is much the same as those needed for a bad one.
Mr Winters says: "High quality cattle are at the heart of profitable dairy farming and this requires good quality genetics. Without these, however good farmers' management, there is a ceiling to their herd's performance and profitability. Vets, consultants and other dairy advisers have an important role to play in helping farmers access the information they need to make informed decisions."
DairyCo Breeding briefs is available to download from http://www.dairyco.org.uk/. To request a pdf version by email call 01285 646510 or email: publications@dairyco.org.uk.
The University of Bristol's School of Veterinary Sciences at Langford has opened a £2 million state-of-the-art dairy farm.
Wyndhurst Farm's dairy unit has undergone a major rebuild in order to provide a world-class practical teaching environment for around 600 veterinary students, as well as a facility that can be used to support research and the continual professional development of veterinary surgeons, farmers and others involved in the dairy industry locally, nationally and internationally. Professor Jo Price, Head of the School of Veterinary Sciences, said: "This is an exciting time for the Vet School. The new dairy unit will enable our undergraduate and postgraduate students to be taught in a world-class facility. It will provide the best standards of animal welfare for our dairy herd and will support our research on the prevention and treatment of diseases of farm animals."The farm, which is approximately 250 acres, includes numerous features to ensure high welfare standards. The dairy herd will be housed in deep sand bedded cubicles, with parts of the floors covered in soft rubber to protect the cows' feet and when housed cows will be fed a total mixed ration using grass, maize and whole crop wheat silages grown on the farm.Since the new facility has been built the farm's herd of Pedigree Holstein cows have increased in number from 110 to 180 cows and will soon reach 200, with each cow giving over 9,000 litres of milk per year. The farm also has a newly established breeding flock of 100 New Zealand Romney ewes. Since 2010 it has been managed by Velcourt Farm Management.
The WSAVA has launched a petition to save ketamine from being placed under international scheduling, a move which the association says would prevent those who most need the drug having access to it.
The proposal to schedule ketamine is likely to be considered at the 59th UN Convention on Narcotic Drugs (CND) taking place between now and the 22nd March 2016 in Vienna.
Apparently, the proposal stems from a widespread misconception that ketamine is only a recreational drug. WSAVA argues that it is in fact the only anaesthetic suitable for use in middle and low income countries, and it also has particular value 'in the field' for trauma, traffic and sporting injuries. It is also the common and often only product used for sterilization initiatives - instrumental in the feral dog/cat population and critical for the control of zoonotic diseases, such as rabies.
To sign the petition, visit: http://chn.ge/1RFSou6. You can also share the petition post on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WSAVA/.
This annual survey is designed to provide an overview of remuneration levels within the veterinary sector.
It covers everything from basic earnings, bonuses, dividends and overtime, to benefits such as accommodation, car allowances and pensions making it a benchmark for all professionals working in both clinical and non-clinical roles within the veterinary profession.
The main findings of the survey will be published in a report and freely available to all participants who give their email address at the end of the survey.
SPVS members will be able to access the full results with additional commentary and analysis.
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/FRBTUW/
The Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) has launched its 2015 Fee Survey, which enables veterinary practices to review their pricing structure and benchmark it against other practices around the country.
Open to both SPVS members and non-members, SPVS is encouraging all practices to complete a questionnaire to give as accurate a picture as possible of the fees charged by veterinary practices nationwide.
SPVS says the questionnaire does not take long to complete and covers everything from vaccinating, microchipping and neutering small animals to calving and routine on-farm fertility work in livestock practices and performing a five stage vetting and dental work in equine practices.
Peter Brown, author of the survey and SPVS Council member said: "The Fee Survey has become the go to resource for benchmarking pricing in the veterinary profession. The variation in individual fees can be marked and the survey allows practices to see that their fees are calculated in a realistic way to reflect their individual costs and overheads as well as local market conditions."
To take part in the survey, visit: http://www.spvs.org.uk/content/fees-survey-questionnaire-2015 or for a printed questionnaire, ring 01926 410454.
The company points to the well-known veterinary mental health and suicide stats, such as the study by the American Veterinary Medical Association, carried out on 12,000 veterinarians in the U.S. from 1979 to 2015, which found that vets are 3.5 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population.
The company says the new website offers personalised self-care formulas to help veterinary professionals counteract the stress derived from their work.
There are three sections: Emotional Health (Vet Voices), Vet Yogi and Eat Well Vet.
The content is a little thin at the moment, more of a consommé than a thick leek and potato, but no doubt more will be added over time.
For more information, visit https://www.happyvetproject.com
Organisers of the Vet Charity Challenge are calling for more people to take part in the event, to join the 100 that are already set to walk, run, cycle, kayak and orienteer around the grounds of the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester on On 15th September.
Gavin Mitchell from BCF Technology said: "We have entered two teams and already have a £100 bet on which of our teams will gain the most points on the day. This rivalry has certainly had a positive influence on the amount of training we are all doing to prepare for the challenge. The teams are out cycling after work and off for runs during lunchtimes."
Gavin added: "We are keen to ensure we beat the other teams such as those from Vets Now, and Clent Hills Vet Group. No pressure!"
Teams are also starting to gather sponsorship for the three chosen charities of SPANA, Hounds for Heroes and Pet Blood Bank. The team that raises the most amount will win a day's in-practice imaging training with the BCF in-house vet Kimberly Palgrave, BS BVM&S GPCert(DI) MRCVS.
Andrew Groom from Kruuse said: "This is a great focus to help get fit over the summer months, build team spirit within a practice and enhance a practice's profile locally, as well as raising money for some great causes. There is still room for a few more teams, so we urge practices to not wait any longer and sign a team up now."
For more information visit www.vetcharitychallenge.co.uk, call 01727 859 259 or find it at www.facebook.com/vetcharitychallenge
Elanco Animal Health, maker of Comfortis, Trifexis and Atopica, has launched ScratchTracker, a smartphone app designed to help dog owners with a simple way to monitor pruritus in their pet and share the results with their vet.
Elanco says ScratchTracker uses a scoring scale that has been developed by veterinary dermatologists and is proven to be an accurate and consistent way for pet owners to assess pruritus in dogs.
It's hoped the app will help veterinary surgeons track how a dog is responding to treatment and identify reasons for an increase in the dog's level of itchiness.
After downloading ScratchTracker from the Apple App Store or Google Play, pet owners are asked to rate how itchy their pet is by agreeing to a statement such as 'Extremely severe itching/almost continuous: itching doesn't stop whatever is happening, even in the consulting room' or 'Moderate itching/regular episodes: itching might occur at night, but not when eating, playing or exercising'. The reading will then be submitted and ScratchTracker will convert it to a numerical score tracking history which can be emailed from the app to the veterinary surgeon.
Alice Laurens, DVM MRCVS, product manager at Elanco Animal Health, said: "The ScratchTracker App is a useful tool to track pruritus in dogs for either a short period of time or for dogs suffering from a lifelong condition such as atopic dermatitis as part of a long term management programme."
For further information, contact your Elanco Animal Health key account manager or email: elancoCAH.uk@elanco.com
The new facilities use teaching aids and models to allow students to refine their practical skills and build confidence before being let loose on real patients.
As part of the official opening, Princess Anne toured the School of Veterinary Medicine, where she met with staff and students and saw a demonstration of a new equine gut model that offers an alternative to using live animals for research into the gut microbiota of horses and how they are affected by diet, disease and medication.
Professor Chris Proudman, Head of the School of Veterinary Medicine, said: "We are honoured to welcome The Princess Royal to the Vet School today, and very grateful that Her Royal Highness has officially opened the Large Animal Clinical Skills Facilities. Preparing students for life as a vet is our number one priority; the hands-on experience they will get through the use of this facility is invaluable and enables them to give the best possible care to all animals.
"We are also very grateful to the Longhurst family, without whom these teaching resources would not have been possible – their generosity is helping us to teach the vets of the future."
Rather than offering 'death by Powerpoint', where large numbers of delegates are invited to sit and stare at a Powerpoint screen for an hour, followed by a few questions at the end, IVC and VetSurgeon.org invited a smaller, more intimate group to come and discuss a subject on Zoom, a recording of which was then made available for everyone else to watch later.
In the case of VetSurgeon.org, the first such meeting was 'Let's Talk About Small Animal Surgery' with Alasdair Hotston-Moore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1rD3zfcUZE
Meanwhile, IVC has based its recent CPD sessions about equine emergencies on a very similar model. During the event, short case studies were presented in a format which allowed for discussion all the way through.
IVC Evidensia Equine Clinical Board Vice Chair, Mark Tabachnik said: "We decided on a reflective, case-based approach rather than the usual monologue, where so much information is thrown at you, you’re lucky to catch a couple of snippets. I wanted something that was a little more relaxed and more collaborative, like a group of colleagues chatting about the cases from their night on call over a drink or two at the pub.”
It's a format which seems to be proving popular. Chessie Greenham of Fyrnwy Vets in Shropshire said: "Interesting cases that reflected on call life, worked through in an approachable style that is easily applied to real life scenarios."
The awards highlight the special bond between pets and their owners, and brave stories from animals across the UK.
This year, Vets Now has partnered with StreetVet for the awards, donating £1 to the charity for each entry received.
The winner will receive a £500 voucher to spend on a pet friendly getaway at PetsPyjamas, a bespoke ‘Pet of the Year’ trophy and a personalised bundle of vet-recommended pet treats.
Owners can nominate their own pets, or members of the veterinary profession can nominate pets they know or have treated.
The awards will be open for nominations until 6th May 2024.
https://www.vets-now.com/pet-of-the-year
Are small animal vets as immune to recession as undertakers? Probably not, but there is some good news from Petplan, which has found that whilst 60 per cent of people would put off starting a family during the current economic downturn, a quarter would choose a pet instead.
And it’s not a battle of the sexes – the decision to put family life on hold in favour of nurturing a four-legged friend was equally divided between men and women.
According to Petplan, the findings are supported by a recent Mintel report showing that the pet care industry is thriving with animal lovers spending £484million on their cats and dogs this year. Pets at Home also announced its profits have doubled compared to this time last year.
A spokeswoman from Petplan, said: "It seems that pets of all shapes and sizes are now being considered a perfectly sensible alternative to starting a family for cash-strapped couples. We know that many owners develop very strong emotional ties to their pets that are often treated as part of the family. But we do urge all would-be pet owners to understand that pet ownership does come with responsibilities, just like parenthood."
Research shows the cost of raising a child from birth to 21 is £186,0321 – whereas RSPCA figures state that a dog costs approximately £9,600 during its lifetime a cat £8,000 and a rabbit £3,800.
Top 10 most popular child substitutes:
Survey conducted on www.onepoll.com Total number of respondents – 3,000 pet owners
Vetoquinol UK is offering vets and nurses the opportunity to win a day's free CPD by entering its new Marbocyl® P Challenge.
The challenge runs for three months with a prize each month for a veterinary surgeon's one day CPD voucher worth £300 and a nurse's one day CPD voucher worth £200 from Improve CPD. There are also 10 runners up goodie bags available each month.
Each challenge focuses on knowledge of fluoroquinolones. July's challenge involves use in pyoderma, August's challenge focuses on respiratory tract infections and September's challenge will be on canine urinary tract infection.
Russell Roan, Vetoquinol's Veterinary Services Manager said: "Fluoroquinolones are an often-discussed antibiotic in the veterinary and medical world, but all too often they are mentioned as a class rather than as the individual molecules. This can cause the common misconception that all fluoroquinolones are the same. The Marbocyl® P Challenge aims to address this misconception and to highlight the varied uses for fluorquinolones."
To enter, visit http://www.vetoquinol.co.uk/, click on the Marbocyl® P Challenge banner at the top of the home page and complete the short quiz.