MSD Animal Health has launched its Summer Staycation campaign with a range of resources to help veterinary practices keep their clients safe from parasites while holidaying in the UK.

MSD says the Summer Staycation campaign is designed to support the needs of new dog owners and those taking their dogs to areas outside their local region, where parasites risks will be different.

The campaign offers veterinary practices a range of resources, including client emails, a downloadable guide to parasites, social media posts and an interactive risk checker on the Keeping Britain's Pets Healthy website. There is also some training for front of house staff and receptionists at https://www.msd-animal-health-hub.co.uk/cpd/staycation.

Nicola Barclay, Senior Product Manager at MSD Animal Health said: "Summer holidays will be taking a different form this year with most people planning trips in the UK, making it more likely they will take their pets.

"What's important is that seasoned and new owners alike are aware of the parasite risks in the places they're visiting so they aren't putting the health of their pets at risk.

"We're therefore providing a range of resources to help veterinary practices encourage pet owners to make sure there are no breaks in their parasite protection and vaccinations and that they are appropriately protected for the places they'll be visiting."

Dr Ian Wright, Head of ESCCAP UK & Ireland added: "The research findings from The Big Tick Project in 2015 found that 1 in 3 dogs coming into veterinary practices during the summer months had ticks on them.

"Research is also showing many parasites extending their range with an increased risk of human and pet exposure. Warming temperatures mean that ticks can be encountered all year round in the UK, carrying potentially dangerous pathogens to dogs and people including Lyme disease and Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV).

"With so many new dog owners and people being more likely to holiday in the UK, making sure dog owners understand the risks, while keeping them in proportion, and giving appropriate protection advice is vital.''

For more information, contact your MSD Animal Health account manager.

Pneumonia-induced lung damage could be costing some cattle almost 74kg a year in lost lifetime growth potential with even moderate damage resulting in animals losing 39kg over an 18 month beef finishing system.

These are the figures from a major collaborative study between Schering-Plough and Blade Farming, announced yesterday. They suggest that some producers may not be treating cattle pneumonia as effectively as they could. The project also highlights how better abattoir feedback can be used to improve cattle pneumonia management regimes on farm.

In the study, 645 commercial beef animals from 15 units were examined at slaughter for evidence of lung damage. Data on carcase weight, age and grade were also collected to allow estimated daily live weight gains (EDLWG) to be recorded.

According to project co-ordinator Paul Williams MRCVS from Schering-Plough, the research team recorded a significant level of pneumonia-induced lung damage in the slaughtered cattle.

“Nearly half the cattle (48%) examined on the slaughter line had some level of lung damage. But there was also huge variation between units, with all the cattle from one particular farm having damaged lungs,” he said.

The researchers also established that the extent of lung damage was strongly associated with reduced EDLWG. “The more lung lobes that are affected, the greater the potential daily liveweight gain loss and those cattle that had the most lung damage experienced a significant reduction in EDLWG of 202g per day throughout their entire lifetime.

“For the animals with any degree of lung damage (310 cattle), the average reduction in weight gain over 14 months was 15kg – equivalent to a financial loss of £16.90 per animal based on a live weight price of £1.10 per kg. So the overall loss for this group of animals was potentially £5,239 – money the industry simply cannot afford to lose,” Paul Williams stressed.

“In addition, those carcases with lung damage were significantly more likely to have a lower conformation grade and so receive an even lower price,” he explained.

Blade Farming managing director Richard Phelps pointed out that the study had convinced him that paying closer attention to minimising pneumonia-induced lung damage could easily make some beef producers an extra £40-£50 an animal.

“All the cattle we take look healthy, but I’ve been surprised at the level of undetected lung damage once the animals have been slaughtered. This lung scoring trial work in the abattoir is now helping us assess just how much lung damage diseases like pneumonia can cause. The feedback will be able to help producers reassess early stage rearing issues and be more vigilant. It’s not just grading issues that we are concerned about.

Blade Farming consultant veterinary surgeon Rob Drysdale from the Westpoint Veterinary Group stressed that whilst pneumonia prevention should be the number one objective for all cattle producers, having an effective disease treatment protocol in place is increasingly vital – and particularly one that prevents permanent lung damage from occurring. He said: "Pneumonia infections can quickly damage lungs and once this happens the animal will not be able to express its full genetic potential. This means that even if the affected animal survives it is likely to have damaged lungs for the rest of its life, and this will reduce productivity and growth."

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The University of Bristol and Companion Care have launched The Great Pet Travel Survey 2012 to assess disease risks in the UK following the simplification of Pet Travel Scheme rules.

Companion Care and The University of Bristol say that there is a great deal of concern about what risks changes in the Pet Travel Scheme Rules pose to the health of the human and dog population in the UK.

Robert White-Adams MRCVS from Companion Care said: "At present there is minimal data available to answer this question as current data logging is minimal and paperwork checking at ports can be variable. We therefore have little idea of how many UK-resident dogs travel abroad, where they visit, how long they stay and what they are doing whilst abroad.

The survey will collect and analyse information about the travel patterns of UK resident dogs, in and around mainland Europe, over the last decade.

Robert added: "The data to be collated by the survey will fill the data void and enable us to provide a quantitative assessment of the disease risk, as well as gaining an understanding of owner awareness of risks face by dogs travelling in Europe.

Owners of dogs with Pet Passports are being encouraged to fill in the short questionnaire, which is available now at  http://www.greatpetsurvey.co.uk/.   All completed questionnaires will be entered into a prize draw to win £100 of Pets at Home vouchers!

The questionnaire will be live online until 30th June 2012 and all data will be analysed by the University of Bristol.

Dr Morgan said: "Without this information we have only a vague idea of the risks that the loss of border controls may pose. The answer could be that there is little additional risk or it could be that the UK dog (and human) population could face some severe disease threats. As it stands now, we just don't know enough to make an informed judgement."

Staysure Group has launched Petsure, a new insurance product which covers cats and dogs regardless of their pre-existing medical conditions. 

The company says most other providers have restrictions for older pets, commonly for dogs over the age of 8 and cats over 10. As a result, the customer often feels trapped to stay with their current insurer.

Petsure offers cover for a range of veterinary fee levels, from £1,000 to £15,000 regardless of pre-existing medical conditions. Each policy can cover a combination of up to eight cats or dogs on a single policy and gives the option of tailoring the level of cover for each pet, including the option of sharing the bill. There is also a choice of 4 add-on covers including travel and holiday cover.

There are no exclusion periods when switching from an existing insurer with like for like cover.

The company also offers 24 hour video consultations via FirstVet. 

Scott Miller MRCVS said: "Every day I see pets come into my clinics with worried owners. Worrying for the wellbeing of your pet is expected but worrying about the cost of treatment should not be a concern. That's why I'm so thrilled that a product has launched to ensure our furry friends with most pre-existing conditions can be treated and pet-prejudice is no longer an issue."

For more information, visit www.petsure.com or call 03301281862.

VetCT, the vet-to-specialist consulting service is offering all existing and new subscribers food and drink vouchers so they can have a seasonal staff party together. 

The teleconsulting service, accessed via the VetCT App, offers general practitioners 24hr clinical advice and support from specialists in all disciplines.

Practices who subscribe to the service can apply for £15 per person of food and drink vouchers for up to 20 people, to enjoy together.

VetCT says it will also be hosting a virtual party for locum vet subscribers want to take them up on the offer.

Victoria Johnson, Founder and Co-Director said: “We wanted to encourage people to get together - in person or virtually - to enjoy some festive treats and all-important social time, especially after a challenging year.

"We also appreciate how reducing staffing over the seasonal holiday period can leave teams stretched, and want to reassure our clients that we’re here to support them, 24/7, throughout the festive season.”

A member from the VetCT team will join the start of each practice party, to explain how versatile the teleconsulting service can be in providing reassurance and support, with answers to quick clinical questions, as well as advising on complex, multi-disciplinary case queries.

For more information, contact: info@vet-ct.com using the words ‘Staff Party’ in the subject, or visit www.vet-ct.com for more information.

CVS has launched a new clinical improvement project in 25 of its first opinion small animal practices to improve the diagnosis of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) in dogs.

For the project, the company has developed a Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) clinical assessment tool which can be used by a vet or nurse in practice to make a diagnosis.

The assessment is a holistic one which includes taking a history of the animal, a full physical examination, an exercise test and an examination of the dog’s nostrils.

The results of the assessment are then discussed with the owner to agree on a course of treatment.

During each consultation, vets and nurses also look to talk sensitively with clients about breeding, buying and owning brachycephalic dog breeds, offering welfare advice on how to manage their dog’s lifestyle, including issues such as keeping their weight low and looking after them in hot weather.

CVS says it hopes this will increase a general level of welfare awareness amongst brachycephalic dog owners.

CVS has also created a collection of resources for its teams, including new clinical frameworks and veterinary guidelines, webinars and a CPD day on the subject. 

The company has also created materials to help vets and nurses have what can be challenging discussions with clients, including consultation room posters and practice reception TV videos which showing the physiology of the brachycephalic breed.

CVS says that since launch in July last year, the 25 participating practices have conducted nearly 900 brachycephalic assessments, and it aims to have at least 5% of Pugs, French Bulldogs and Bulldogs undergoing assessment across its small animal division by 2028.

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, has launched a new guide entitled ‘Your guide to Exotic Diseases', to educate horse owners on these potentially fatal, insect-borne diseases, some of which are zoonotic.

Joining the company's guides on respiratory disease and vaccination, the leaflet features information on West Nile Virus, African Horse Sickness, Equine Infectious Anaemia (Swamp Fever) and Equine Encephalitis including overviews of each of the diseases and their clinical signs. 

Spread by a variety of insect-borne vectors including midges, mosquitoes and horseflies, climate change is increasing the risk of exotic diseases having a severe impact on the country's equine industry.  What's more, African Horse Sickness is transmitted from animal to animal by infected biting Culicoides midges, the same midges that carry the Bluetongue virus which has threatened UK livestock this year.

"It's essential that horse owners are aware of the threat of exotic diseases coming in from overseas and the clinical signs to look out for, especially during the summer and autumn months when diseases transmitted by insects are more likely to appear." comments Tim Zoch, Marketing Manager at Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health.  "Our new leaflet features easy-to-understand overviews of each of the diseases to help educate owners, and practices can expect strong demand from their clients"

For further information about Intervet/Schering-Plough's range of horse owner guides, including ‘Your guide to Exotic Diseases', please contact your Intervet/Schering-Plough Account Manager or call the Veterinary Support Group on 01908 685685.

The RCVS President and Principal of the RVC, Professor Stuart Reid, has announced that he is to run the London Marathon on 26 April, in aid of the RVC Animal Care Trust, the Veterinary Benevolent Fund (VBF) and Mind.

The RVC Animal Care Trust will use the funds to assist the student bodies at all of the UK veterinary schools. The VBF, through Vetlife, the Vet Helpline and the Veterinary Surgeons' Health Support Programme, offers specific assistance to members of the veterinary team. Mind has been working with the profession and the veterinary schools at all levels in developing approaches to mental health and wellbeing.

Stuart said: "As President of the RCVS and Principal of the RVC I feel that I am in a privileged position and I would like to take every opportunity to help break down the stigma associated with mental health and wellbeing, and to raise what I can to assist these three excellent charities in dealing with what is, sadly, a major issue for us.

"Most of all, I am doing it for the nine people I know personally who are no longer with us, and the many more who have found, and will find, help in time."

If you'd like to help Stuart meet his sponsorship target of £10,000, you can sponsor him at: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/StuartReid.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association has established a new Foundation with a remit to improve global companion animal care through science and education. 

The WSAVA Foundation, a not-for-profit body, is now identifying a range of potential projects, which it says are likely to include:

• initiatives to educate veterinary surgeons and the public globally about disease prevention and improvement of health in companion animals
• creating standardization projects in key areas of companion animal health and welfare
• supporting the development of innovative clinical approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical diseases in companion animals 

It is also identifying sources of funding, grants and partnerships with the veterinary pharmaceutical and pet nutrition sectors and other potential donors.

Dr Larry Dee, WSAVA Foundation President, former WSAVA President and co-owner of a large companion animal practice in Florida, said:  "The creation of this new Foundation is one of the WSAVA's most exciting initiatives to date.  We have an ambitious vision to improve global companion animal care through science and education.

With its establishment, global veterinary medicine now has a wonderful opportunity to utilize the networking resources and global 'connectivity' of WSAVA to deliver on its goal of improving companion care everywhere.  We will be announcing details of our first initiatives shortly."

For further information on the WSAVA Foundation, please contact the WSAVA Secretariat at wsavasecretariat@gmail.com.

The London Vet Show, which takes place on Thursday 19th November and Friday 20th November at the Olympia Grand, has announced the business programme for 2015.

The programme will include:

• ‘Preparing to double your veterinary practice profits and the value of your business in just 12 months, starting today’, by John Sheridan BVetMed CVPM DMS MRCVS (pictured right), business consultant at Veterinary Business Briefing. 
• ‘Making the most of the nursing team in your practice’, by Kirstie Faulkner, RVN Cert. VBM, business development director at Onswitch.
• 'Counting on the people - measuring what your teams and customers think to fuel your business growth’, by Jane Fletcher BA Hons (Business), director at Think Smart Unlimited and Tim Puddle BA Hons (Business), managing director at Think Smart Unlimited. 
• ‘Our digital journey – embracing digital marketing’, by Justin Phillips, marketing manager at White Cross Vets, who will be speaking on

Rob Chapman, group event director of the London Vet Show and France Vet said: "The business programme at the London Vet Show has gone from strength to strength with a plethora of informative lectures from top class industry leaders. The informative content includes hints and tips that veterinary professionals can utilise in practice to help enhance their veterinary teams, increase profits and develop their business.”

For further information on the business programme at the London Vet Show or to register for the show visit londonvetshow.co.uk/business.

Following ongoing lobbying by the British Veterinary Association and others, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate has dropped controversial plans for a new veterinary medicines category - POM EA (prescription-only medicine extended administration).

The proposed category has been discussed at the Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) since 2009. The original purpose was to provide a new category under which a veterinary surgeon would make a clinical assessment and, if appropriate, issue a Veterinary Permission of Extended Administration (VPEA) allowing the animal holder to obtain the prescribed POM EA medicine (from a veterinarian, pharmacist or SQP) for up to 36 months from the date of authorisation.  

The BVA, along with its specialist divisions, says it opposed POM EA from the outset and failed to see that there was any justification for a new category. Veterinary surgeons are already able to write prescriptions for extended use and, as most health plans are reviewed annually, anything beyond a yearly assessment would be unacceptable on health and welfare grounds. An additional category would have also taken the UK even further out of step with the rest of the EU.

The BVA submitted written comments and attended a stakeholder meeting with the VMD to discuss concerns. Despite the VMD suggesting revisions to the original proposal the BVA and other stakeholders maintained that the new category was unnecessary.

Following these consultations, the VPC decided, at a meeting in March, not to progress the proposal any further.

Harvey Locke, President of the BVA, said: "We are extremely pleased that the Veterinary Products Committee has listened to our concerns and decided to drop its plans for POM EA.

"The BVA felt strongly that the proposed new category was unnecessary at best and potentially harmful to animal health and welfare at worst.

"In all fields of practice veterinary surgeons would not feel comfortable prescribing for such long periods without regular contact with the animals they care for."