Chris, who is moving from Willows, will develop both the medical cardiology service and deliver a new interventional cardiology service to complement the existing surgical offering at Paragon, which is investing around £145,000 in ultrasound equipment and operating facilities to support the service.
Chris said: “I’ve had a great time at Willows and couldn’t think of a better place than Paragon to continue my passion for all things cardiology.
“It’s an exciting time to be joining Paragon, which is growing phenomenally to service the region whilst it cements itself as one of the leading referral centres in the north of England.
“The investment and expansion which is taking place at Paragon will allow us to develop another globally-recognised cardiology centre within Linnaeus.”
For more information, visit: www.paragonreferrals.co.uk
The CPD event takes place this Thursday 9th April, from 9:30am to 5:30pm, using the Zoom video conferencing platform. The organisers say that the agenda is still being finalised, but will be split into three streams: Farm Animal, Equine and Small Animal.
Confirmed speakers include:
Although the event is free, participants are asked make a voluntary contribution at justgiving.com/fundrasing/vets-for-nhs.
To register for the event, visit www.vetsfornhs.co.uk
Vets for NHS is supported by Boehringer Ingelheim, MSD Animal Health, Nimrod and the Scottish Vet Fair.
The four organisations have written a template letter which anyone can send to any company they see using brachycephalic breeds, such as the Persian, or Scottish Folds, in its marketing materials.
The letter urges companies that use images of cats to work collaboratively with veterinary professionals and pledge to avoid using such breeds in the future.
Dr Nathalie Dowgray, Head of ISFM, said: “Seeing a cute cat in an advertisement can often be a trigger for people to seek out acquiring a cat of that breed without understanding the welfare concerns associated with some pedigree breeds.
"A rise in demand can lead to an increase in breeding practices that result in severe conformational issues and poorer welfare in these breeds.
"We encourage people to download this letter to use when they see breeds of concern being used in advertising, as health is always more important than looks.”
https://icatcare.org/app/uploads/2023/09/ISFM_FECAVA_FVE_UEVPAdvert_Letter.pdf.
The RCVS is holding a session at the London Vet Show on Saturday 23rd October from 8:30am-9:30am to provide guidance and advice concerning the work your nursing team does in practice.
As the RCVS says, the recent Panorama programme "It shouldn't happen at a vets'" was a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring that all practice staff are working within the appropriate legal framework.
The session will answer such questions as:
Because of the early start, the RCVS is providing breakfast from 8:15am, though I wouldn't get your hopes up for eggs benedict and freshly smoked Loch Fyne kippers.
The RCVS says the session will be relevant for all members of the practice team, but that if you can't make the session, they will be on hand to discuss VN legislation on stand M26.
The survey was carried out by the Institute for Employment Studies (IES), which sent it to 5,572 veterinary surgeons who graduated from a vet school in the EU (excluding the UK) and who are registered as veterinary surgeons in this country, as well as around 100 non-UK EU-trained veterinary nurses.
The survey asked a range of questions about how these individuals felt that the vote to leave the EU had affected them, how they felt about their future working in the UK veterinary sector and how they felt the College had dealt with the issue of Brexit.
3,078 people (including 19 veterinary nurses) responded to the survey – a response rate of 55.3%. The average age of the respondents was 36. 60% were female and 87% were working full-time.
The largest group of respondents (22%) qualified in Spain. 14% qualified in Italy, 10% in Poland, 9% in Romania, 7% in Portugal, 6% in Germany and 6% in the Republic of Ireland.
The remaining 26% qualified in 18 different countries, each of which accounted for fewer than 5% of EU registrants. Although these figures relate to country of qualification and not the nationality of the individuals, in 91% of cases these were the same.
The majority of respondents (78%) worked in clinical practice. Of the 603 who did not work in clinical practice, 38% worked for the Food Standards Agency, 21% worked for the Animal and Plant Health Agency and 18% worked in higher education.
The main findings of the survey were:
RCVS President Chris Tufnell said: "This survey makes the strongest possible case that the Government must act fast to reassure our EU colleagues in practices, universities and industry that they are welcome to stay in the UK.
"EU vets and vet nurses make a massive contribution to the UK veterinary sector and the health and welfare of animals and humans.
"Beyond this commitment we will also be lobbying the Government that, after we leave the EU, suitably qualified vets from overseas are prioritised for UK work visas or equivalent, particularly if they are working in public health and the meat industry.
"I have written to Michael Gove, the new Secretary of State for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, outlining our position and our Brexit Principles and have invited him to visit the RCVS at Belgravia House to discuss these further. I hope that he accepts our offer so that we can have some constructive talks on these matters.
"On a personal note, I am very sorry to see that a significant proportion of respondents had experienced prejudice at work. This is simply not acceptable and we, as a regulator, have been conscious that ‘anti-foreigner’ rhetoric in the country at large could have an effect on hard-working and talented members of our profession, which is why we raised the matter in our letter to the Prime Minister last year."
The findings of interviews with a sample of non-UK EU-graduated veterinary surgeons working in the UK will be published over the summer. Meanwhile, over the next two years, IES will also be carrying out two further pieces of research that will track the opinions and intentions of non-UK EU-graduated veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses over time as Brexit policies are formed and the future status of non-UK nationals made clearer.
To read the IES report and the College’s three Brexit Principles in full, visit www.rcvs.org.uk/brexit
There will now be significant changes to the RCVS Council, as follows:
A gradual reduction in the number of elected members of RCVS Council from the current 24 to 13 by the year 2021.
A change of composition to include six lay members and two veterinary nurse members. Furthermore, the number of Council members appointed by each university whose veterinary degree is recognised by the RCVS will be reduced from two to one and Privy Council will no longer be required to appoint members. From 1 July 2020 university membership will undergo further changes as, from then on, veterinary schools will collectively appoint three members in total to serve on Council.
Members of Council will no longer be able to serve more than three consecutive four-year terms of office and, after serving three consecutive terms, they will not be eligible to re-stand as a candidate for two years.
Members of Council may be removed from office if they fail to satisfy any conditions about fitness to be a member, as determined by their peers on Council. If removed from office they will not be eligible to re-stand as a candidate for two years.
Introducing the LRO before the House of Lords last Tuesday, Lord Gardiner of Kimble said: "The proposed changes… reduce the size of Council and revise the balance of membership between vets and non-vets, including veterinary nurses and lay persons. They will bring the RCVS in-line with many other modern-day regulatory bodies and allow for greater efficiency, transparency and accountability to both members and the general public. For all the reasons I have outlined today, I commend the use of Legislative Reform Order to make changes that will benefit the veterinary profession."
The full text of the Legislative Reform Order can be found on www.legislation.gov.uk and the full transcript of the debate in the House of Lords can be found in Hansard Online (https://hansard.parliament.uk).
Professor Stephen May, RCVS President, said: "We have been looking at reform of Council as an issue of some urgency since 2013, in recognition of the fact that, with the formula-driven growth of Council, it was becoming unwieldy, which has an impact on the cost of each meeting and the frequency with which it could reasonably meet.
"This reform has been long in gestation and so we are glad that this has now been approved and that we can look forward to a more modern, agile and efficient governance structure, aimed as always at benefitting the professions, animal owners and animal health and welfare."
One immediate impact of the LRO relates to the results of this year’s RCVS Council election as the Ministerial sign-off now confirms that only the first three candidates (in order of number of votes) will take up their four-year terms at RCVS Day on Friday 13 July 2018. These are Susan Paterson, Mandisa Greene and Neil Smith, all of whom are current members who were re-elected.
The RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council agreed reforms to its own governance last year, including shortening the term of office from four years to three years; introducing a consecutive three-term limit for elected members; and, reducing the size and changing the composition of VN Council to six elected veterinary nurses, two appointed veterinary nurse members, two appointed veterinary surgeon members from RCVS Council, and four appointed lay members.
Ledston Equine Clinic in West Yorkshire has announced the launch of the Ledston Education Centre, which will provide training for veterinary surgeons, fire and rescue personnel, and horse owners.
The Ledston Education Centre will continue the clinic's "Tuesday evening lecture" series, and training for fire and rescue personnel will be carried out under the Safer Horse Rescues Initiative.
WebLeC is a new development through which the Centre says it will deliver online training for equine veterinary surgeons and students, and high quality equine healthcare information to horse owners across the UK. WebLeC uses web conferencing software to deliver live, interactive lectures and discussion forums to people in the comfort of their own homes.
Forthcoming WebLeC CPD meetings:
Wed 9th March 2011 at 7.30pm: "Strangles and the practical management of infectious disease outbreaks in horses"Prof. Josh Slater, BVM&S PhD DipECEIM MRCVS Professor of Clinical Equine Studies, Royal Veterinary College.Kindly sponsored by Intervet Schering-PloughFee: This meeting is FREE of charge for first 100 applicants
Thu 17th March 2011 at 7.30pm: "Insulin Resistance, Equine Metabolic Syndrome, & Equine Cushings (PPID) - a practical approach to diagnosis and management"Dr. Cathy McGowan, BVSc DipVetClinStud MACVSc PhD DEIM DipECEIM FHEA MRCVS Director of Equine Professional Studies, University of LiverpoolKindly sponsored by Boehringer IngelheimFee: This meeting is FREE of charge for first 100 applicants
Further information can be found at: http://www.ledstonequine.co.uk/weblec_lectures.html. The Ledston Education Centre says details of how to register will be available on the website shortly.
Norbrook Laboratories Ltd has launched Mycinor tablets (clindamycin), an antibiotic for treating soft tissue infections in dogs.
Rebekah Dudek, Norbrook Veterinary Advisor said: "Clindamycin is one of the leading prescription medicines used to treat soft tissue infections and offers very effective treatment particularly for dental and oral infections.
"Mycinor can be used to treat infected mouth cavities and oral infections and to provide antimicrobial cover prior to dental procedures such as tooth removal, scale & polish etc. Beyond dental expertise, Mycinor can also be used to treat soft tissue infections, skin infections in the form of superficial pyoderma and osteomyelitis bone infections. Mycinor is a fast acting antibiotic, rapidly absorbed into the body with effective levels within 30 minutes of administration."
Mycinor is available as 25mg, 75mg and 150mg in packs of 100tablets, and as a 300mg tablet in a pack of 150 tablets. Rebekah added: "Mycinor is a very effective and safe antibiotic and is ideal for long and short term treatments. It can be dosed once daily or at twice daily intervals if preferred."
For more information, visit www.norbrook.com
The speakers include Aldo Vezzoni, a European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, Peter Southerden, a European and RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Dentistry, orthopaedic specialist Daniel Lewis, veterinary physiotherapist Barbara Houlding, neurosurgeon Fred Wininger, Gary England, Professor of Comparative Veterinary Reproduction at Nottingham University, Rob Lowe, the ophthalmologist, Nick Bacon, Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, and Rachel Lumbis, a lecturer in Veterinary Nursing at the Royal Veterinary College, and, of course, Noel Fitzpatrick himself.
Dermatology, dentistry, ophthalmology, endoscopy and hepatobiliary disease have all been added to this year's education streams, together with a new ‘Top Tips’ stream, offering practical advice for immediate use in clinical practice.
In total, Vet Festival will have 18 separate education streams covering small animal clinical topics with dedicated nursing and rehabilitation content a key component of the programme.
The integration of veterinary professionals is a fundamental theme of the festival so, in the rehabilitation stream, surgeons, physiotherapists, rehabilitation specialists and hydrotherapists will offer perspectives in tandem.
Over the weekend, 135 lectures will be offered to suit those at every level of clinical practice. Delegates will collect 14 hours of CPD over the two days.
Also new in 2020 is the introduction of a ‘Wellness and development for you and your practice’ theatre, with speakers from both within and outside the profession, including paralympic champion Rachel Morris MBE, psychotherapist Di Gammage and mindfulness leadership specialist, Natalie Pennicotte-Collier. Various wellbeing activities, such as yoga, movement, fitness and mindfulness, will take place alongside the lectures.
Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, Clinical Chair at Fitzpatrick Referrals, who launched Vet Festival in 2015, said: "Outdoor festivals bring joy to the soul and I have always wanted education and continuing professional development to feel uplifting, inclusive and life-enhancing, both professionally and from a personal wellness perspective. That’s what VetFest is all about – food for the mind, body and soul."
Nicole Cooper, VET Festival Event Director, added: “For veterinary professionals keen to learn about the latest thinking and developments in small animal veterinary medicine, Vet Festival is simply unmissable. The breadth of content on offer and the quality of our speakers increases every year but what really sets VET Festival apart is the opportunity it offers for delegates to learn in a relaxed, fun environment.
Tickets for VET Festival can be purchased here: https://www.vetfestival.co.uk/delegate-info/ticket-information
Vetoquinol is advising vets and farmers to be on the lookout following the discovery of counterfeit Marbocyl on two farms in Northern Ireland.
The counterfeit product contains an unapproved source of Marbofloxacin in an untested formulation which presents an unknown risk to animal and human health if used.
Vetoquinol has informed the national authorities about this situation. It is illegal either to sell or supply the product or to knowingly buy and/or use it.
The withdrawal period of this counterfeit product is unknown. Should the product be used it could be detected in milk or after slaughter. Vetoquinol advises the veterinary community to be aware of the risk, to carefully check the product packaging before use and to continue to source the product from reputable suppliers.
Vetoquinol urges vets and farmers to take the following actions if you find this product on farm or are approached to purchase it:
Vetoquinol says vets can rest assured that it will do all that is necessary to remove this product from the market.
If you need further information or advice, do not hesitate to contact Vetoquinol on 0800 1698197.
Daniel Calvo Carrasco, an RCVS specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine and a European Specialist in Avian Medicine and Surgery, will be heading up the new service, which opens its doors to patients in January.
Daniel graduated from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in 2010. He began his career at first opinion practices in Birmingham and Wiltshire, where he developed his skills as a vet in small animals, while still having the chance to look after small furries from a local pet shop where he was based. He then completed an exotic animal medicine and zoological medicine internship, followed by two years of small animal and exotic practice in the UK.
In May 2016 he gained his RCVS CertAVP(ZooMed) and later that year he completed his European College Zoological Medicine Avian residency.
For the next two years, he worked at Great Western Exotics before joining the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust in 2018, where he combined conservation work with managing and caring for its living collection.
Daniel said: “I’ve always had a passion for zoological medicine and caring for the more exotic mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, and I’m excited to be leading this new service at Southfields.
“I really enjoy all aspects of exotic, zoo and wildlife medicine and have a particularly keen interest in orthopaedics and advanced surgery in exotic species.
“I have treated all sorts of species in my time from parrots and lizards to wading birds such as the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Aldabra tortoise, Hyacinth Macaw, Toucans, Seriemas and many birds of prey.”
Southfields hospital director Daniel Hogan said: “We are delighted to have recruited Daniel to lead this exciting addition to the services we offer.
“He is highly experienced and will lead our new exotic animal service, which is the first such service in the whole of the South East and will be available 24/7 to offer the best and most comprehensive zoo and wildlife care in the region.”
For more information, visit: https://www.southfields.co.uk/
Andrew, who graduated in 2002 from The University of Bristol, started as a farm vet in Devon and Cornwall, which is where he first became interested in cardiology.
He went on to undergo Specialist Training at The University of Edinburgh and then spent four years working in the pharmaceutical industry.
Andrew then spent almost two years as Head of Cardiology at a large referral hospital in Winchester, before leaving to co-found the first ever video consulting platform for pet owners, Pawsquad.
Since then, he has led teams in some of the largest specialist veterinary referral hospitals in Europe.
More recently, Andrew has run his own specialist-led visiting cardiology service, providing clinical consultancy services to 50 veterinary practices across the south of England for the last five years.
Andrew has been an EBVS European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Cardiology and a RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology for 10 years.
At Lumbry Park, Andrew plans to use his new role to provide specialist-led care to pets from across the South of England, and to provide cardiac clinical input for the multi-disciplinary team at Lumbry Park who manage patients with some of the most complex clinical problems in the country.
www.lumbrypark.co.uk
Exclusive to veterinary practices, the new range targets specific health concerns, allowing vets and nurses to offer clients preventative nutrition advice to help their pets maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The Adult diets are designed to support healthy digestion and muscle health with high-quality protein at an attractive price. The wet foods come in cans for dogs and pouches for cats. Meanwhile, as the name suggests, No Grain contains no grain or gluten, to support healthy digestion, vital organ health and a healthy skin and coat.
Hill's says the new products also include a high level of antioxidants to support natural defences and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and a luxurious coat.
For more information, visit: www.hillspet.co.uk/vetessentials
VetSurgeon members Ian and Gillian Mostyn, and the team at Pennine Vets are doing the Coniston Challenge later this year: 30kms of arduous cycling, hiking and canoeing for Guide Dogs.
You can support them with a donation, however small (£2 minimum) at: http://www.justgiving.com/penninevetschallenge.
The review started with a series of focus groups amongst veterinary professionals across multiple sectors.
This was followed by an analysis of the information gleaned from the focus groups, additional stakeholder submissions, data from the College's Covid surveys, independent research studies and formal legal advice to formulate an online qualitative survey to gain the views and feedback of UK-based veterinary professionals.
In this final stage, the public consultation, all veterinary professionals, vet and vet nurse students, practice managers and all those who work in the veterinary practice team are invited to share the extent to which they agree (or disagree) with each element of the proposed new guidance on ‘under care’, their views on the requirements for a 24/7 follow-up service following a remote prescription and other safeguards, and their feedback on the proposed definition of limited-service providers.
There will also be a consultation with members of the animal-owning public, which will likely include questions asking for information about animal owner experiences with remote prescriptions, the perceived advantages and/or disadvantages of remote prescribing, and views on 24/7 care and how important a service this is to respondents.
Dr Melissa Donald MRCVS, RCVS President and former Chair of the Standards Committee, said: “The past two years have shown us that the veterinary professions are highly capable of adopting new ways of working.
"It also revealed that we can adapt our established ways of practice to better respond to shifts in public expectations and advancements in technology.
"However, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that any changes continue to allow us to provide safe and effective care for our patients, and meet the appropriate expectations of our clients.
“Whilst we recognise and reflect on the need for change, the proposed guidance seeks to protect animal health and welfare and maintain public trust by ensuring that decision-making remains firmly in the hands of individual veterinary surgeons, as to what they, in their professional judgement, consider appropriate in a specific situation.
“This consultation, then, while not a referendum on whether RCVS guidance on ‘under care’ and 24-hour emergency first-aid and pain relief should change – that decision having been made by Standards Committee and approved by Council based on the evidence gathered, including the views of the profession and objective evidence, and legal advice – is a crucial opportunity for veterinary colleagues to tell us whether we have got the draft guidance right, whether the proposed safeguards are sufficient, and whether there is anything we might have missed or should amend.”
www.rcvs.org.uk/undercare.
At a hearing in April Dr Johnston had admitted all the charges against him, which related fraudulent claims for the treatment of animals, two of which were fictitious, where he arranged for the insurance claims to be diverted and paid into a personal bank account.
Dr Johnston had admitted all the charges against him as well as admitting that his conduct was dishonest and amounted to serious professional misconduct.
Committee Chair Paul Morris said: “The Committee has no hesitation in concluding that the respondent’s dishonest conduct will have severely undermined the confidence of the public in the veterinary profession and, further, that his conduct fell far short of the standards and conduct properly to be expected of a member of the veterinary profession.
"The Committee is satisfied that this conduct by the respondent brought the profession into disrepute.”
The proceedings were then adjourned to allow a psychiatric report and other mitigation to be prepared.
At its resumed hearing on earlier this month, the Committee considered what sanction to impose.
The Committee found that aggravating features of his misconduct were that it was premeditated, carefully planned and sophisticated in that it involved the creation of numerous and extensive false clinical records to support his fraudulent claims.
It also considered the fact that he implicated an innocent professional colleague who worked alongside him at the practice, that he abused the trust placed in him by clients, that the dishonest conduct was repeated and that it involved significant financial gain in excess of £13,200 to be further aggravating features of his conduct
In terms of mitigation, the Committee accepted that he had made early admissions regarding his conduct to his employer and the College and accepted responsibility.
The Committee also heard that he had made attempts at remediation involving repayments of some of the sums lost by the practice and insurers.
It also considered positive testimonials from family and professional colleagues and the fact that Dr Johnston had taken significant steps to deal with the gambling addiction that was at the root cause of his misconduct.
Having considered all the evidence, the Committee decided to postpone its decision on sanction for a period of 2 years on the condition that Dr Johnston agree to undertakings including refraining from any form of gambling, subjecting himself to a close regime of support and supervision, and repaying some of the sums he had defrauded.
Paul added: “In reaching this conclusion the Committee wishes to make it clear that it has taken an exceptional course in this case.
"Ordinarily conduct of the type covered by the charges which this respondent has accepted will merit the imposition of a sanction of removal from the Register or a period of suspension from the Register.
"In this instance the Committee has found it possible to take the course that it has because it is satisfied that the respondent was, at the time, suffering from a recognisable psychiatric compulsive addiction… and that the fraudulent attempts by the respondent to obtain funds with which to gamble would not have occurred but for this psychiatric condition.
“The Committee further considers that the undertakings offered by the respondent will serve to reduce the risk that he will relapse into gambling again, for his conduct will be closely monitored and he will accept continuing support and guidance from the organisations currently assisting him.
“The Committee is also satisfied of the requirements that neither animals nor the public will be put at risk by this proposed course of action; that the respondent has demonstrated insight into the seriousness of his misconduct and that there is currently no significant risk of repeat behaviour; that his practicing standards are not in need of improvement so long as he continues to fulfil his CPD obligations; that the undertakings offered are capable of being met, are appropriate and are measurable; that there is evidence that his underlying medical problem is being appropriately addressed, will be monitored and reported on; and that he has responded positively to the opportunities for support and counselling which have been offered to him.”
If Dr Johnston fails to comply with his undertakings the Committee will reconvene and consider the charges with the full range of sanctions at its disposal.
www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary
This compares with 38% in 2016 and just 25% in 2012.
The survey found that on average, students are having to make up an annual shortfall of £2000 per annum, and those in the mid and later years of study are more likely to have a part-time job than those in the earlier years.
Significant numbers of students are now also reporting mental health problems: 68% report feeling overwhelmed, 52% experiencing anxiety and 35% reporting depression, with 78% citing their studies as the cause, 57% the lack of free time and 44% financial worries.
As part of the survey, students were asked which area they saw themselves working in after graduation.
Overall, 85% said they intend to go into clinical practice (increasing from 79% in the 1st year to 90% in the final year).
When they think about their first job, 43% said the graduate support offering and 28% the type of practice are the most important considerations.
When it comes to extra-mural studies (EMS), the survey found hands-on experience is the top priority for vet students when choosing their placements and cost is the biggest barrier (37%).
Katie Roberts, AVS President, said: "I’m really pleased that we’ve got an up-to-date overview of the thoughts, concerns and aspirations of our membership population. Our new comprehensive data set on the mental health and welfare concerns of our students is concerning, as are the number of students facing financial concerns during their degree. However, such shocking findings will provide us with really strong, quantitative support when we work to tackle these issues over the coming months."
BVA President, Daniella Dos Santos said: “This survey is a really important snapshot of veterinary student life today. High levels of mental health concerns and funding gaps continue to be a significant worry and it’s essential that both the vet schools and the wider veterinary community provide as much support as possible. We’ll be sharing the results with the vet schools to help them help their students.
"The increasing pressure to work part-time to makes ends meet is a stark reminder that a vet degree can be really expensive. This isn’t only a concern for current vet students who are facing financial hardship but it’s also a significant barrier to widening participation to students from non-traditional backgrounds. It’s an issue that BVA is working on with AVS, RCVS and the Vet Schools Council."
Fluboral controls gastro-intestinal nematodes including Ascaridia galli (adult stages), Heterakis gallinarum (adult stages) and Capillaria spp. (adult stages) in chickens and Ascaris suum (adult and L4 intestinal stages) in pigs.
Dechra says Fluboral’s formula allows it to mix in drinking water quickly and easily with five seconds of stirring.
Fluboral has a guaranteed 24-hour stability without sedimentation of the suspension after dilution in drinking water and Dechra says there is no risk of inhomogeneous mixing.
Johnny Wells West, key account manager – pig and poultry at Dechra, said: “Fluboral is a welcome addition to our Solustab range of water-soluble products, providing effortless and efficient parasite control in drinking water to enable farmers and producers to start medication quickly and cost-effectively, as and when needed.”
https://www.dechra.co.uk/products/livestock/prescription/fluboral#Fluboral.
New research published online by the Veterinary Record suggests that puppies separated from their litters early are significantly more likely to develop potentially problematic behaviours as adults than puppies who stay with the litter for at least two months.
This is important, say the Italian authors, because behavioural problems affect relationships with owners and the risk of subsequent abandonment.
The authors based their findings on 140 adult dogs, half of whom had been taken from the litter and adopted between the ages of 30 and 40 days, and half of whom had been taken from the litter at 60 days.
The dogs' owners, who were clients of several veterinary practices in Naples, Italy, were all asked to complete a telephone questionnaire about their pets, including their provenance, breed, and a range of potentially problematic behaviours.
These included destructiveness, excessive barking, possessiveness around food and/or toys, attention seeking, aggressiveness, play biting, fearfulness on walks, and reactivity to noises.
The dogs were aged 18 months to seven years at the time of the study. Half had come from a pet shop, while one in three came from a friend or relative, and the remainder were sourced from a breeder. None of the dogs had been in a shelter or been obviously traumatised.
Attention seeking and reactivity to noises were the most commonly reported behaviours. And younger dogs (under 36 months) were significantly more likely to be destructive and to tail chase than older animals.
But with the exception of pica eating, aggression towards the owner, paw licking and shadow staring, all behaviours were significantly more likely among dogs who had been separated from their litters before 60 days, irrespective of their breed, neuter status and size.
Similarly, some behaviours were more common among pet shop dogs who had been taken early from their litters than among pet shop dogs taken from their litters at 60 days.
The authors write: "It is generally accepted that dogs go through a sensitive period, the socialisation period, during which social experiences and stimuli have a greater effect on the development of their temperament and behaviour than if they occur in later life."
They say that the evidence increasingly points to a mix of early genetic, environmental and experiential factors that may permanently reconfigure the DNA, so leaving lasting effects. "Early separation from the dam and littermates, especially when combined with housing in a pet shop might affect the capacity of a puppy to adapt to new environmental conditions and social relationships later in life. "Behavioural intervention can address the development of problem behaviours and improve the dog's relationship with the owners, ultimately reducing the number of dogs that are relinquished or abandoned."
Click here to read the paper in full.
It is not the first time Roundhouse Referrals has innovated in this area. Last year, it launched the first 'Fixed Price TPLO' - a guarantee that pet owners will have no additional costs, should complications arise and further treatment be required following surgery.
Ross Allan, RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Surgery and Surgical Lead at Roundhouse Referrals, said: "We loved the idea of providing price certainty for referral clients, allowing those with no or lower levels of insurance to access our services and plan their finances. We also realised that in putting 'Fixed Price Fix' first and foremost we are also immediately highlight the possibility of complications and we felt the very best way to provide context for owners and referring vets would be to be open about our outcomes."
Following on from this Roundhouse Referrals has published the first of what it says will be a series of reports on TPLO+ clinical outcomes and customer satisfaction.
Ross said: "I think we're the first in Scotland to publish this kind of information outside scientific journals in a way that is easily accessible for pet owners, maybe in the whole of the UK."
The clinical outcome data was collected using a previously published questionnaire which enabled clients to give feedback on their pet’s recovery and status following their TPLO+ surgery.
According to Roundhouse, the results show that over 97% of dog owners rated their pets’ outcome as either excellent (85.29%) or good (11.76%) based on the first 70 TPLO+ surgeries performed. A figure which Ross says compares favourably with studies that have been previously published.
Additionally, 94.1% of pet owners agreed that if faced with having to make a similar decision again, they would choose to have the TPLO+ surgery done at Roundhouse Referrals, compared to 84.6% of owners in the previous study.
The results from the Customer Satisfaction Questionnaire showed that 100% of Roundhouse Referrals’ clients felt supported throughout the referral process, 96.97% of clients felt that the TPLO+ surgery was adequately explained and 100% would recommend Roundhouse Referrals to a friend or colleague.
Ross said: "Pet owners whose dogs’ had been through TPLO+ surgery and rehabilitation completed this questionnaire, enabling us to start measuring the outcome of the surgery, our aim being to ensure the surgery is optimal for the pet, and that owners feel supported throughout the entire surgical journey.
"We are delighted with these results, and will continue to monitor our outcomes and commit to publish our TPLO+ clinical outcome and customer satisfaction questionnaire results in the months and years ahead".
Gil Riley of the Pool House Veterinary Hospital in Lichfield, Staffordshire has won the annual Petplan Equine Vet of the Year Award.
The Award was announced at the 21st annual Animal Health Trust (AHT) Equestrian Awards gala dinner held at the Lancaster Hotel in London last Thursday.
Horse owners from all over the UK nominated vets who had gone above and beyond the call of duty. A short list of three finalists was then drawn up and the winner selected by an independent panel consisting of: Peter Webbon AHT Chief Executive and Equine Vet, Alison Bridge Editor-in-Chief of Horse & Rider Magazine, Chris House President of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) and Jo Whitaker Marketing Development Manager for Petplan.
Peter Webbon of the AHT said "We received a record number of nominations this year and the standards were incredibly high. However, Gil was nominated by over 100 clients and we felt he was truly deserving of this award."
Alison Andrew, Marketing Manager for Petplan said: "This award recognises the amazing hard work and commitment of people within the equine veterinary profession and those who provide outstanding service to horse owners."
Gil joined the Pool House Veterinary Group and Equine clinic practice to expand his equine skills after working in a mainly agricultural practice in Wales and is jointly responsible for the Equine part of the Practice. He has subsequently been awarded the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Certificate in Equine Practice and he is particularly interested in lameness and laminitis. He also recently acted as British Team Vet at the International Driving Trials in Germany.
Gil said: "Everyday I feel like I'm pulling the greatest trick in that I get paid for doing what I love. To receive further recognition with this award almost feels greedy. I'm tremendously flattered and indebted to all my clients who nominated me."
In his acceptance speech Gil praised his team for their dedication and support without whom, he said this would not have been possible. Special thanks went to his proud wife Emma on the evening of their fifth wedding anniversary.
The Animal Health Trust Equestrian awards are designed to recognise the outstanding achievements made by horses, riders, owners and trainers throughout the equestrian world. Since the Petplan Charitable Trust was founded in 1994 it has raised over £5million, almost £500,000 of which has been donated to the AHT to fund research and development.
Virbac, maker of Pronefra for the management of CKD in cats and dogs, has launched a free app to help interpret patients' urine test results in line with the latest International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) Guidelines.
The app, which is also called Pronefra, is available for download on both the Play store and Apple store.
Simon Boulton MRCVS, Marketing Manager for Companion Animals, said: "Reference ranges supplied by machines and labs are not always appropriate for the renal patient so we wanted to help practices to interpret kidney-specific results quickly and easily in line with the latest recommendations. The Pronefra app was the result. We have received very positive feedback on the app so far and hope it will help practices improve the quality and length of life of their renal patients."
Virbac is also providing further Pronefra practice support materials, include a pet health recording book for clients to aid in compliance and other educational tools for vets, nurses and clients.
MSD says the new Bravecto Care Programme involves collaborating with charitable organisations and raising awareness of their mission in order to help save and improve lives of dogs and cats around the world.
StreetVet has become the first of these partnerships for MSD Animal Health in the UK, which will be supplying the charity with Bravecto and Nobivac vaccines.
Amanda Melvin, Marketing Manager for MSD Animal Health Companion Animal said: "The bond between people and their dogs can be a profound one so supporting StreetVet is a perfect collaboration for us through our Bravecto Care Programme . Every vet and vet nurse will understand the value of this vital human animal bond and our team at MSD Animal Health is excited to be providing product and looking forward to volunteering on the streets with the StreetVet team."
StreetVet co-founder Jade Statt said: "Life on the streets makes it difficult for these owners to access the care they need for their dogs, so to ensure the health and vitality of these pets we need to go to them. Having the support of MSD Animal Health helps make that care work easier and allows us to access even more homeless people as the problem grows."
For more information, visit: www.streetvet.co.uk.
Tri-Solfen contains lidocaine and bupivacaine to deliver rapid onset and prolonged local anaesthesia, adrenalin to reduce blood loss and cetrimide to lower the risk of infection.
Dechra says the gel is effective in 30 seconds, making it a practical tool to improve animal welfare via cutaneous and epilesional use.
Tri-Solfen was originally developed and launched in Australia by Medical Ethics, a company that specialises in pain management treatments for humans and animals.
According to the company, more than 100 million animals have been treated with Tri-Solfen in Australia, New Zealand and Portugal, where it is licensed for disbudding, dehorning, castration and general wound treatments in cattle, sheep, pigs and horses.
www.dechra.co.uk
The CVS practice aimed to change its prescribing culture by adopting an evidence-based, case-by-case approach and supporting its vets in only using antibiotics where absolutely necessary.
The practice identified the use of antibiotics in the treatment of cat bite abscesses (CBAs) as worthy of investigation.
Cefovecin, a third-generation cephalosporin and critically important antibiotic, is often used in the treatment of CBAs.
The practice first sought guidance from a dermatology specialist with an active research programme involving the study of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
It then developed a clinical guideline advising that if a cat has a discrete abscess, with no pyrexia (raised temperature) and no cellulitis, antibiotics are not required.
White Lodge then conducted an eight-month clinical audit across its Exmouth Hub, with the aim of measuring the effect of the new guideline.
The practice treated patients with CBA’s with NSAIDS, lancing and flushing (if necessary), and cleaning of the abscess.
Owners were advised to flush the affected area at home once daily.
An antibiotic awareness leaflet was given to clients with an explanation of the reasoning behind not prescribing antibiotics.
Cats presented 5-7 days after treatment for a nurse re-examination.
A consultation template was created for both the vet at initial presentation and another for the nurse’s post treatment check, to gather standardised information.
The measure of successful treatment was whether, on re-examination, the CBA site appeared free from infection and wound healing was evident.
If the wound had not started to heal or if there was infection or pyrexia, the treatment was deemed to have failed and further treatment was provided.
Analysis of the results showed that of the 22 cats included in the audit, 19 (86%) did not need antibiotics to successfully treat the abscess.
There was also a 32.6% reduction in the number of times cefovecin was dispensed in the eight-month period after the audit started, compared with the previous eight months.
Emily Parr, Head Veterinary Surgeon at White Lodge, said: “We think, due to lack of confidence in treatment without antibiotics as well as client pressure or expectation, the profession tends to default to the prescribing of antibiotics.
“However, this clinical audit has given our veterinary colleagues increased confidence in treating CBA’s without antibiotics.
"There has also been an improved client understanding in accepting treatment without antibiotics.
"Clients have also been positive when minimal intervention has been required, particularly as it eliminates the cost of antibiotics.
"This has had a positive impact on the vet-client relationship and trust in our practice.
“Antimicrobial resistance is continuing to threaten the efficacy and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections.
"So we hope that our CBA clinical audit outcome results will help to set a benchmark and shape clinical guidelines for the wider veterinary profession in this area.”