The RVC is addressing a worldwide shortage of scientists who have the specialist skills necessary for research into the spread of infectious disease with it’s MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology.
According to the RVC, by June 2008, more than 60 countries had been affected by outbreaks of bird flu, resulting in millions of birds dying or being destroyed. A total of 14 countries had suffered human cases by the end of 2007, with a large proportion of cases being fatal. In 2006, bluetongue virus was introduced to Northern Europe and spread rapidly, so that by the end of 2007 over 50,000 outbreaks were reported from cattle and sheep farms in Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxemburg, Germany, France and the UK.
“The RVC has seen interest in epidemiology increase dramatically, but there still aren’t enough skilled professionals to service this growing global need.” said Professor Dirk Pfeiffer, Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology at the Royal Veterinary College. “The course provides specialist training that integrates scientific knowledge from microbiology, ecology, social sciences and animal husbandry in order to understand how diseases such as avian flu and bluetongue are spreading.”
“At a time when such diseases are increasing globally it is vital that we have scientists that are able to understand how the infections are spreading and how outbreaks can be contained. The RVC is looking to hear from graduates in veterinary science, biological science, medicine, mathematics or statistics, who are ready to take up the challenge of this fascinating field of study.”
The RVC’s course is unique in that it is taught by 4 organisations; the RVC (animal epidemiology), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (human epidemiology), the Veterinary Laboratories Agency – VLA- (veterinary surveillance and epidemiology), and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – Defra - (UK government animal disease surveillance).
The course attracts between 10 and 15 students per year. Successful candidates can move into roles in a variety of UK, European or international governmental organisations such as Defra, the VLA and the World Health Organisation, in addition to the prospect of working in academic or purely research environments.
Funding from the BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council) has enabled the RVC to offer 4 full-time scholarships for students resident in the UK to study veterinary epidemiology at postgraduate level. The scholarships cover the course fees and upkeep for the year of study, and are between £14,000 and £19,000 per candidate.
More information can be found at: http://www.rvc.ac.uk/postgrad
The RCVS has called for comments on a Concept Note which considers how the Practice Standards Scheme might develop in the future.
The Scheme is administered by the RCVS and the detailed Standards are decided in consultation with the Practice Standards Group (PSG), which includes representatives from all of the key veterinary organisations.
The PSG is considering the future direction of the Scheme as part of the second five-year review that has been undertaken - the first resulted in a new Manual and Standards in 2010.
The proposal this time is to move to a more modular approach, with greater flexibility and an increased focus on behaviours. The proposals also aim to address some of the perceived shortcomings of the Scheme, for example, that it is a 'box-ticking' exercise; that the Scheme puts too much emphasis on paperwork requirements; and, that it is inflexible, particularly at Hospital level, meaning that to qualify, practices would have to purchase expensive equipment that they would never use.
PSG Chairman, Peter Jinman said: "Although the fundamental aim of the Scheme remains to raise and maintain high standards, the PSG recognises that it's important to address criticisms that may be acting as barriers to new members joining.
"It is hoped that changes can also be made that will provide a pathway for existing members to attain higher, more meaningful standards, which are directly relevant to animal care."
The Concept Note is available on www.rcvs.org.uk/consultations, and feedback should be sent to Practice Standards Scheme Manager Eleanor Ferguson, at e.ferguson@rcvs.org.uk, or to a Practice Standards Group member (as outlined in the Concept Note), by 20 December 2012.
This feedback will inform the development of more detailed proposals, which will be put out to full consultation in due course.
The RVC’s UK Canine Research Funding Analysis Project was structured in three phases to assess the state of canine health and welfare research funding in the UK.
Phase one identified that animal-directed funders provided nearly 90% of all canine-specific research funding, with wide-scope funders contributing larger grants but primarily focused on One Health research.
Phase two then revealed research gaps, such as the underfunding of studies on responsible breeding, canine behavioural issues and the impact of human lifestyle on canine welfare.
The third and final phase explored the challenges in research design, processes and sector infrastructure.
The third phase was led by the RVC’s Dr Alison Skipper, Postdoctoral Researcher into Canine Research Funding; Dr Rowena Packer, Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science; and Dr Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor of Companion Animal Epidemiology.
The findings revealed a number of common challenges researchers face in securing funding and delivering effective research.
The research team then provided a set of recommendations to help improve canine research in the UK.
These challenges and proposed solutions include:
Dr Alison Skipper, Researcher in Canine Health Research at the RVC and lead author of the paper, said: “This extensive project highlights the need for significant improvements in how we fund and conduct research on canine health and welfare.
"While UK funders have made valuable contributions, our findings show that inefficiencies in funding processes, a lack of collaboration and limited support for early-career researchers are preventing research from having its full impact.
"By streamlining applications, increasing transparency and fostering strategic partnerships, we can ensure that future research is both effective and directly beneficial to dogs.”
The Company of Animals has announced the launch of the CLIX® Car Safe Harness. Designed by Animal Psychologist and founder of The Company of Animals, Dr. Roger Mugford, the CLIX® Car Safe harness has been designed to maximise safety and comfort for dogs while ensuring easy fitting and use for owners.
Ergonomically designed from one continuous loop of approved, safety-standard seatbelt material, the CLIX ® Car Safe Harness provides maximum strength restraint in the unfortunate case of an accident. With a simple buckling mechanism, there is no need to fiddle around with the dog's legs to get them through the harness. Instead, the harness clips from either side of the dog and then plugs into the seat belt socket. Alternatively, it can be looped through the seat belt harness, easily adjusting to any type of car.
The CLIX ® Car Safe Harness has been lined with soft neoprene padding at all points of contact for maximum comfort and safety. Special attention has been paid to the cross design used to protect the dog's chest to ensure that the harness remains in place, even when the dog changes position.
CLIX® Car Safe Harness is available in four sizes and is suitable for most breeds of dog. It comes with a free guide on safe travelling with dogs full of helpful tips on car safety. The CLIX® Car Safe also doubles as a walking harness.
For more information, visit http://www.companyofanimals.co.uk/clix-carsafe.php
Telemedicine can be defined as any clinical healthcare service that is provided using remote telecommunications services.
The aim of the consultation, which starts on the 13th February, is to receive feedback to help the College develop an appropriate regulatory framework for such services in the veterinary sector. The College’s current Code of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance is generally concerned with face-to-face provision of veterinary services.
The consultation will consider issues such as who is responsible for veterinary care if it is provided remotely, how 'under veterinary care' is defined in the context of the telemedicine delivery of services, the potential risks as well as opportunities for improving animal welfare that may arise out of new technologies and the appropriate regulation of veterinary services provided directly to clients using new remote technologies.
Nick Stace, RCVS Chief Executive, said: "We want the UK’s veterinary surgeons to be at the forefront of innovation and to be making use of, and developing, new technology to extend the reach of veterinary services and thereby improve animal welfare.
"However, while the adoption of technology can greatly benefit veterinary services, we also need to develop a regulatory framework that takes into account the questions it poses, for example, in areas such as remote diagnosis and prescribing, to ensure that animal health and welfare is the foremost consideration."
David Catlow, Chair of the RCVS Standards Committee that approved the consultation, added: "What we are looking for in this consultation are comments that will help inform a new position for the College on the use of telemedicine. There are questions that need to be answered around the principles of using telemedicine and we hope that we will get the views of a broad range of the profession.
"I would strongly encourage all members of the profession to engage with this survey so that we can build a better picture of how this technology is currently being used, how it might be used in the future and how we can best regulate it."
The consultation questionnaire will be available to complete for six weeks from Monday 13 February 2017 at www.rcvs.org.uk/telemedicine
The farriery stream will run all day on Saturday 14 September, with content curated by Dr Simon Curtis who is internationally renowned in the hoof-care world for his remedial farriery textbooks and lectures.
Simon said: “Any historical, perceived divide between science of veterinary medicine and the craft of farriery is no longer in existence.
"The overlap is vast which means it is more essential than ever that vets, nurses and farriers understand each other’s roles in order to maximise their patient outcomes.”
“Farriery isn’t sexy, but it beats everything else for improving soundness.
"It is impossible to maintain or regain soundness without farriery being considered as an integral part of the process.
“The impact good farriery can have on a horse’s ability to tolerate conformational, work-related or other causes of lameness associated pathology is all too often overlooked by all parties, and this should no longer be the case.
"Vets and farriers must work as a team to avoid injury and facilitate recovery wherever possible.”
The sessions will cover things like the importance of trimming, the biomechanical effects of horseshoes, why heels collapse, chronic club foot, digital support and toe-trimming.
The farriery stream is part of 90+ hours of live and on-demand CPD on offer at Congress, with interactive discussions, debates and workshops, and an expanded stream for vet nurses.
https://www.bevacongress.org/programme
BEVA members prices for Congress for all three days are £699 for vets (with concessionary prices available for those in their first three years of graduation or earning less than £25,000), £273 for nurse members for all three days and £300 for farriers and other allied professionals for all three days or £110 for one day.
Practice passes are also available.
Vetlife's campaign included talks at various veterinary events, an awareness video, a series of lived experience blogs, and a downloadable resource for individuals and workplaces, all made possible by grant funding from the Zoetis Foundation.
Kirstie Pickles, Vetlife Trustee and project lead for the neurodiversity campaign said: “To be shortlisted was an honour, but to win this award is just incredible and is a testament to the dedication and passion that the team put into the campaign.
"It has been a pleasure and a privilege to lead this project and share this much needed information with the veterinary community.
"It is our hope that this campaign and its resources will enable and initiate discussions within teams to ensure that all within our wonderful veterinary professions can thrive."
https://www.vetlife.org.uk
The sessions will take place in Gallery Suite 17 and are first come, first served.
Dechra will also be sponsoring two equine sessions at LVS:
www.dechra.co.uk/events
https://london.vetshow.com/
A new US colic study, published in Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ), in partnership with the American Association of Equine Practitioners, has identified various risk factors, including delayed faecal output and increasing blood lactate, associated with post-anaesthetic colic.
The study Risk factors associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction in horses undergoing elective procedures under general anaesthesia was conducted by surgeons based at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University, USA.
The authors say that the research should enable vets to implement preventative measures to help reduce incidences of colic in the future.
Gastrointestinal pain has been estimated to occur in 2.8-6% of horses following general anaesthesia for elective procedures, the most common cause being impaction of the large intestine or caecum.
The medical records of 416 horses undergoing general anaesthesia were collected over a two-year period and the potential risk factors were examined. 8.7% of horses were diagnosed with gastrointestinal dysfunction - higher than previous estimates probably because the study included horses requiring treatment for decreased faecal output whereas previous studies did not. Potential risk factors were assessed, including faecal output, which was decreased in 38.9% of cases, blood lactate, position during surgery, rectal temperature and breed of horse.
The results showed that Arabian horses, increasing blood lactate, right lateral recumbency, decreased rectal temperature post-procedure and delayed passage of faeces were significantly associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal dysfunction.
Diana Hassel, who instigated the study, said: "These findings should help the clinician identify higher risk horses and be proactive about their management in the post-anaesthetic period.
"This may include pre-emptive nasogastric intubation and administration of mineral oil and/or water and electrolytes. Although core temperature control in horses is difficult to achieve in adult horses during surgery, further research into this field may prove beneficial."
Professor Celia Marr, Editor of the Equine Veterinary Journal said: "This study brings obvious and immediate practical benefits for clinicians and the horses under their care. Rigorous monitoring of higher risk surgical cases should lead to a reduction in incidences of post-operative colic, making recovery procedures less difficult and outcomes more favourable."
Gordon Hockey has been appointed Acting Registrar at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
He succeeds Jane Hern, who had been Registrar for 15 years before deciding to move on to pursue other interests.
Gordon, who is a qualified pharmacist and barrister, has been at the College for the last 13 years as Head of the Professional Conduct Department and Assistant Registrar.
Meanwhile, the College says it is giving consideration to the future scope of the Registrar and Secretary's roles, as the Officer team begins the recruitment process.
Eleanor Ferguson has taken over as Acting Head of the Professional Conduct Department.
The BVA has called on the Government to introduce a ban on the keeping of primates as private pets.
Veterinary surgeons at the BVA have been considering the potential welfare concerns of such animals in response to an Efra select committee inquiry on the issue. They have concluded that it is almost impossible for private owners to provide primates with appropriate care as defined by the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
BVA President Robin Hargreaves said: "We appreciate that many people who keep primates privately care deeply for their pets and do their utmost to provide for them appropriately. However, primates are long-lived, intelligent, socially-complex animals and we can think of no circumstances where they would benefit from being kept as a pet.
"Primates cannot be kept on their own. They need at least one companion in order to express natural behaviour. They require both an indoor and outdoor enclosure to ensure adequate exercise and exposure to UV light, and each species has specific dietary requirements.
"These animals are not domesticated companions like dogs and cats, or even livestock, and are extraordinarily difficult to care for properly. Very few people can provide the necessary resources to meet their welfare needs. We therefore favour a ban on the keeping of primates as private pets."
The Association says that as part of the consultation, it considered the possibility that primate welfare could be improved through better regulation or licensing but members did not feel these options went far enough given the difficulties involved in meeting primates' basic welfare needs.
The only exception to the ban recommended by the BVA would be to allow individuals who are working in partnership with accredited zoos to breed primates for conservation purposes.
BVA also recognises that a ban could not be enforced immediately and effective plans, including an appropriate transition period, would be needed to secure suitable accommodation for existing pet primates.
The maps provide vets with a visual representation of targeted diagnostic tests conducted in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and the UK, using data sourced from Idexx.
They show the percentage of positive test results for a range of parasites and parasite-associated infections in dogs and cats, including Giardia, roundworm, and whipworm, and Lyme (Borrelia burgdorferi), Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., and Leishmania in dogs.
Data can be filtered by country, region, animal species, parasite type, and time period.
ESCCAP highlights that the data reflects the percentage of positive tests in screened animals, not the overall prevalence of infection.
https://www.esccap.org/parasite-infection-map/
According to the results of DairyCheck 2008, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health's subsidised milk testing service, 65% of herds tested positive for IBR infection, 69% positive for Leptospirosis and the majority of herds tested showed evidence of previous BVD exposure.
According to Intervet/Schering Plough, it is widely known that exposure levels of these three endemic diseases are high, yet many producers don't see the hidden losses. Making use of DairyCheck can demonstrate infection levels on an individual unit and help encourage a control and management programme to be put in place
Vet adviser Ruth Vernon said: "It can be a case of 'out of sight, out of mind'. After the initial infection, cows may appear healthy, but be suffering from the effects of immune suppression as a result of BVD virus infection. This results in herd performance that is often below expected levels."
"When the news is good - and on average around 33% of DairyCheck tested herds were found to be clear of all three diseases - farmers need guidance and advice on keeping a naïve herd clear of disease.
"Taking time to explain how to incorporate biosecurity measures on a day-to-day basis as well as quarantine and vaccination programmes can significantly improve the health status of previously infected units."
Further information on DairyCheck is available from Intervet/Schering-Plough Account Managers.
The awards recognise individuals and teams who drive continuous improvements for better outcomes for patients, better service provision to clients, an improved business or environmental case, or better working conditions for the team. In addition, applicants will be assessed on their passion for QI, and for encouraging and championing QI.
Applications are invited from anyone who works within the veterinary industry or veterinary education, including educators and learners from under- and post-graduate education and everyone working in a practice setting, including the administration team, veterinary nurses, practice managers and surgeons at all levels.
Individuals can nominate themselves, their team, or their colleagues.
Louise Northway RVN and RCVS Knowledge Quality Improvement Clinical Lead (pictured right), said: “QI has completely changed the way I approach my role as clinical lead RVN in practice. It has provided me with helpful tools to help me measure how we are doing and guidance on improving areas that require further work.
“QI is a continuous, reflective process that stops you doing things the way they’ve always been done and enables you to review the systems, measure the outcomes and consider how things can be improved for the benefit of your patients and team.
“I encourage anyone who is passionate about implementing QI to apply for the 2022 Knowledge Awards, or nominate a colleague who is championing QI in your workplace.”
Winners will be named ‘Knowledge Champions’ or ‘Champion Practices’ and receive a £250 prize, tickets to the awards ceremony and the chance to work with RCVS Knowledge to continue promoting their Quality Improvement work.
The winners of the 2021 Knowledge Awards were recognised for a range of QI initiatives:
The deadline for nominating colleagues is 18 October 2021, and the deadline for applications (whether you have applied directly or have been nominated) is 4 December 2021. Winners will be announced in early 2022.
For more information, visit: www.rcvsknowledge.org/KnowledgeAwards/
CPD Solutions has launched a new training CD to help vets refine their skills in the examination of neurological cases.
Authored by neurology expert Simon Platt of the University of Georgia, the multimedia CD gives information and advice on localising the site of a lesion, determining the severity of the disease process and assessing the prognosis for the patient. It includes video footage to show how to perform a full neurological examination and to test for specific spinal reflexes and postural reactions, as well as cranial nerve evaluation and gait evaluation. Examples of normal and abnormal responses are also given.
CPD Solutions’ Dr Susie Coughlan adds: “The video clips, together with the extensive illustration and images that are on the CD will help vets to develop their skills and enable an effective examination to be carried out and interpreted, every time a neurological patient enters the consulting room.”
The Neurology CD is the latest addition to the CPD Solutions range of Keysteps™ training CDs. Already available are CDs on head and neck surgery and joint surgery. More CDs and DVDs are to be launched later this year.
The Keysteps™ CDs, each cost £95 + VAT. For more information, contact CPD Solutions on tel: 0151 328 0444, visit the website http://www.cpd-solutions.com/, or visit the company at BSAVA on stand number 903.
Ark Surgical has completed an exclusive agreement with Cory Bros, the UK's largest independent manufacturer and distributor of surgical devices and instrumentation, in order to offer a new range of operating theatre equipment and consumables.
This takes the range of products available through Ark Surgical to in excess of three hundred, including trocars, laparoscopic instruments, laparoscopic suction and irrigation systems, safe sharps management systems and operating theatre essentials.
Gavin O'Brien, Marketing Director at Ark Surgical said: "This is exciting news for the veterinary community. Since launch, we have been told time and time again about the lack of choice and the high cost of surgical instruments and devices. This is a major step towards our goal of bringing greater choice and better value to surgeons and we are very excited that Cory Bros share our commitment and vision in achieving this."
Gary Hopkins, Sales & Marketing Director at Cory Bros said "We have an excellent track record for innovation, most recently with the development of our extensive range of premium quality, cost-effective Ultimate laparoscopic instruments and devices. Our progressive approach has enabled us to forge successful partnerships with forward thinking distributors, such as Ark Surgical, which has resulted in significant business growth and a far wider choice for healthcare practitioners, both human and animal."
For more information, see: http://www.arksurgical.co.uk/
The RCVS has published a new video which explains the Professional Development Phase (PDP) and highlights the support it provides for new veterinary graduates as they develop their Year One Competences.
In the video, Victoria Henry MRCVS - who works at Mandeville Veterinary Hospital in Northolt - speaks about how the PDP has helped her move from being a newly-qualified graduate to becoming a confident practitioner. She said: “It’s a massive transition coming out of vet school and going into practice – you suddenly have all the responsibility and it’s all on you. The PDP gives you goalposts to work towards and flags up the areas you don’t have much practice in; it helps you to reflect on what you’ve been doing and assess yourself.”
Jeremy Stewart, the Head Veterinary Surgeon at Mandeville Veterinary Hospital, talks about how the PDP helps employers to support and develop graduates like Victoria by building their confidence and helping them gain the experience they need for practice life.
The video also highlights the support available for graduates undertaking the PDP and features Julian Wells, one of the five Postgraduate Deans who help graduates undertaking the PDP by providing advice on any issues they may encounter, checking their progress and confirming when they have completed it. He also describes how the PDP helps graduates to understand the mentoring role in practice, which they can then provide to new graduates as they progress through their own careers.
Christine Warman, Head of Education at the RCVS, said: “With 859 new UK graduates having just joined the Register, we thought this video would be helpful in setting out why the PDP can be so crucial in helping to build the confidence and experience of new graduates, as well as the fact that it can easily be incorporated into day-to-day work.”
More information about the PDP is available by visiting www.rcvs.org.uk/pdp or by emailing pdp@rcvs.org.uk.
Veterinary surgeons who wish to sign up to the Professional Development Record can do so by visiting www.rcvs-pdr.org.uk
The British Veterinary Association has launched two new guides for members on 'Euthanasia' and 'The role of the vet in treatment choice decision-making'.
The guides provide both thought-provoking questions for vets to consider when assisting clients with treatment choice and practical guidance on making the right decisions on euthanasia for individual animals.
The guides are the result of work by the BVA's Ethics and Welfare Group.
'The role of the vet in treatment choice decision-making' tackles issues such as:
The 'Euthanasia' guide includes:
Commenting on the launch of the guides Peter Jinman, Chairman of the BVA's Ethics and Welfare Group, said: "Treatment choice and euthanasia are important parts of veterinary work but are rarely black and white issues. These guides aim to help vets through the often difficult decision-making processes required and cover all aspects from legal issues to the welfare of the animal and the needs of its owner.
"The BVA guide to euthanasia provides a clear, easy-to-use document to help veterinary surgeons make the best decisions for the animals in their care. As well as outlining the various types of euthanasia, the guide provides a Decision Tree designed to help vets work through the available options.
"The guide to treatment choice decision-making explores issues such as where the vet's moral obligation lies and how far he/she can and should influence treatment choice.
"The guides aim to be a practical resource for vets in both small and large animal practice at any stage of their careers. I am grateful to the Euthanasia and Treatment Choice Subgroup, chaired by Richard Jones, for their excellent work setting in context this potentially difficult area of veterinary work."
Bayer Animal Health reports that sales of Drontal have achieved double digit growth following the company's recent advertising campaign.
The company says its marketing push has been so successful that 83% of cat and dog owners now name Drontal ahead of any other wormer.
Apparently, vet practice waiting room posters are most commonly the way pet owners learn about Drontal, while approximately half of those regularly tuning in to the popular TV series The Dog Whisperer and GMTV were aware of Drontal's sponsorship of the programmes.
Dan White, Drontal's product manager said: "Bayer has invested heavily in advertising Drontal direct to pet owners effectively driving them into veterinary practice and producing accompanying practice support materials such as waiting room posters and wormer reminder cards which have really paid off. Three-quarters of pet owners surveyed stated they last purchased their wormer from their veterinary practice," comments.
"We will continue to support veterinary practices through advertising and sponsorship initiatives to help raise awareness of the importance of regularly worming pets with Drontal and boost sales further."
For further information or to order more Drontal practice support materials, please contact your local Bayer territory manager.
The British Veterinary Association is delighted to announce the election of new chairmen for two of its standing committees.
Fred Landeg is the new chairman of the Veterinary Policy Group (VPG) and James Yeates is the new chairman of the Ethics and Welfare Group (EWG).
Both positions were filled at the first meetings of the Association year in November when Richard Harvey and Peter Jinman reached the end of their three-year terms as chairmen on VPG and EWG respectively.
Fred Landeg CBE BVetMed MSc MRCVS qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 1971 and spent some time in veterinary practice before joining the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food in 1975 as a Veterinary Officer. In 2004 he was appointed UK Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer and Director in Defra and became acting Director General and Chief Veterinary Officer in November 2007. He retired from public service at the end of April 2008. Mr Landeg said: "The UK veterinary profession is small and has a very wide range of diverse skills and specialisms. It will continue to become more diverse but in diversifying, if the profession is to continue to have influence, it must have a coherent public voice based on sound policies and respect for each other's specialism.
"The BVA provides that coherent voice and the VPG is a key component in developing BVA policy."
James Yeates BSc BVSc DWEL MRCVS qualified from Bristol in 2004 and worked as a veterinary surgeon, undertaking a bachelors degree in bioethics and starting a PhD in veterinary ethics. He is currently an RCVS diplomate in animal welfare science, ethics and law, an active member of the SPVS, and works as the BSAVA Petsavers/RSPCA Bristol Resident Scholar in Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law. Mr Yeates said: "Bringing together scientific, clinical and ethical insights, the BVA EWG is uniquely placed to give progressive recommendations about how we interact with animals. Animal owners, vets, retailers and our whole society have to make difficult ethical decisions about the millions of animals that rely on them for their care.
"There is so much that the profession does, and even more to do in the future. The EWG can provide a focal point for that progress."
The RSPCA has announced that it will continue its fight to stop the Government's planned cull of badgers after MPs voted against an opposition motion to reverse the Government's strategy aimed at combating bovine TB.
MPs voted 299 to 250 against proposals to stop the cull going ahead in two pilot areas in Somerset and Gloucestershire - a narrower margin than the Government has in the House of Commons despite the three-line whip enforced.
RSPCA chief executive Gavin Grant said: "We fight on. This vote flies in the face of scientific and public opinion. We are grateful to those MPs who spoke out against the cull and particularly those who defied the Government's three line whip.
"There can be little doubt that had MPs been free to express their views through a free vote there would have been a large majority against the cull as there was last October.
"The only real way forward is the vaccination of both cattle and badgers, better biosecurity and control of cattle movements."
The debate follows a report issued by the EFRA select committee which said more investment is urgently needed into vaccination as a solution for bovine TB.
One of the earliest decisions of this government was to cancel five of the six badger vaccination projects planned - a policy the RSPCA believes was short-sighted.
RSPCA chief executive Gavin Grant said: "Much more needs to be done to bring forward the timetable for the development of effective oral vaccination programmes for both cattle and badgers as the EFRA report says.
"Meanwhile we stand ready to work with those who want to vaccinate and save lives rather than cull and kill."
The RCVS has launched a new animated video to help promote Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) accredited practices to the public, and explain the benefits of the scheme.
Launched in 2005, almost 60% of practices are now part of the PSS, which requires them to submit to a rigorous inspection every four years and meet a stringent standards across a wide range of areas including cleanliness and hygiene, facilities and equipment, staff training and development and customer service. Practices may also be subject to spot-checks between inspections.
Jacqui Molyneux, who heads up the RCVS Practice Standards Group said: “Our new video is a light-hearted explanation of the Practice Standards Scheme, how it can help animal owners decide which practice to go to and reassure them about the standards they can expect to find at an RCVS-accredited practice.”
The College says a similar version of the video will soon be available for RCVS-accredited practices to show to their clients, either on their own websites and social media channels, or in the waiting room.
Jacqui said: “Not only do we want to spread the word about the benefits of the Practice Standards Scheme and suggest animal owners look for the RCVS-accredited practice logo, but we also want to give accredited practices an engaging way of telling their clients about their achievement.
“Gaining RCVS accreditation is not easy, so accredited practices deserve every opportunity to demonstrate to their clients their commitment to supporting high standards of veterinary care. This fun two-minute video should help them do just that.”
Animal owners can search for an RCVS-accredited practice in their area, or elsewhere in the UK, using Find A Vet – the College’s online search tool – at www.findavet.org.uk.
Presenters at the webinar will include: Professor Melissa McDermid MD, MPH, division head, Occupational & Environmental Medicine, University of Maryland, Prof. Clare Knottenbelt BVSC MSC DSAM MRCVS, owner and founder of specialist referral service, Hawk and Dove, and previously clinical director of the Small Animal Hospital at the University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Sam Fontaine MSc, lecturer and director of the MSc Advanced Practice in Veterinary Nursing and module leader within the BVMS programme at The Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine. There will also be a video from the oncology centre at The Queen’s Veterinary School, Cambridge University.
The webinar will also look at the use of Closed System Transfer Devices, such as Tevadaptor, to improve safety and break down barriers to treatment across all practices.
Clare Knottenbelt (pictured right) said: “Pets with cancer need to be able to access chemotherapy treatments locally. The advent of new closed administration systems mean that practices can now safely administer chemotherapeutics in house without the need for large investment, but still protecting the health of their staff."
Delegates will be able to to submit questions to the speakers and will receive a certificate for one hour of CPD. The session will be recorded so it can be watched again.
For the full programme or to register, visit: https://aesculap-academia.eventbritestudio.com/160802290981
New research1 conducted by the Donkey Sanctuary, and announced by Spillers has shown that donkeys receiving a high fibre diet are less likely to suffer from gastric ulceration than those fed a cereal-based diet.
Gastric ulceration is now recognised as a significant problem, particularly in actively trained racehorses, but until now there have not been any studies on the incidence of gastric ulceration in donkeys.
"Donkeys have traditionally been thought of as stoic animals that do not display signs of stress or disease," said Faith Burden, veterinary projects and development manager at the Donkey Sanctuary. "However during routine necropsy examination of donkeys at our Devon sanctuary it became apparent that gastric ulcers were common and that ulceration was, in some cases, extensive."
Examination of 426 donkeys revealed that 41% had been suffering from gastric ulcers and that the composition of the diet had had an effect on the prevalence of gastric ulceration. Donkeys that had been fed a diet including cereal-based concentrates were over 20% more likely to have gastric ulcers when compared to donkeys on a fibre concentrate or forage-only diet.
"The results of this study show that donkeys can be maintained on a fibre concentrate diet, with no increased risk of ulceration, when compared to those receiving ad lib forage," explains Faith. "This is particularly encouraging because products such as SPILLERS® High Fibre Cubes, which can be soaked to form a mash, allow the management of ill or elderly animals requiring supplementary or specialist feeding."
For further information on SPILLERS® visit www.spillers-feeds.com. For further information on the Donkey Sanctuary visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk
1FA Burden, AK Thiemann, AF Trawford and J Gallagher: Gastric ulcers in donkeys: prevalence and effect of diet
Boehringer Ingelheim has announced the results of an independent three-year study which demonstrates that dogs suffering from the most common type of heart failure lived longer (average time in the study of 267 days vs. 140 days) when treated with the product Vetmedin (pimobendan) compared with the ACE inhibitor benazepril hydrochloride.
According to Boehringer, results from the QUEST (Quality of Life and Extension of Survival Time) study, published in the September/October 2008 issue of the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, mark a significant milestone in canine cardiac health.
25% of all small to medium-sized dogs over the age of seven are likely to suffer from heart disease at some point in their life, and 75% of those cases are caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), sometimes known as "valvular insufficiency" or "endocardiosis".
Adrian Boswood from the Royal Veterinary College, London, a Veterinary Cardiology Specialist and a lead-investigator on the study, said: "With QUEST demonstrating that dogs treated with Vetmedin live on average nearly twice as long as those on benazepril, it is now time for us as veterinary cardiologists and practising veterinarians to look again at how we are treating our patients suffering from this serious condition."
Dr. Michael O'Grady from the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, a fellow lead-investigator added, "The QUEST study provides compelling evidence that dogs with the most common form of heart failure should be receiving Vetmedin® as an essential part of their treatment regimen."
QUEST is the largest international study ever conducted looking at treatment for congestive heart failure (CHF) caused by MMVD, with 260 dogs studied in 11 countries, across three continents, over a period of three years.
The study was conducted by a team of 32 independent veterinary cardiologists from Australia, Canada, France, Germany and the United Kingdom among other countries.
For more information on the QUEST study and on CHF caused by MMVD, see http://www.questtrial.com/