The threshold values for diagnosis of the disease currently vary dependent on the season, but Waltham says these new findings suggest that diet should also be considered.1
PPID, formerly termed Equine Cushing’s Disease, results from a change in hormone regulation in the pituitary gland, which is situated just below the brain. In healthy equids, the release of some hormones from this gland is controlled through another; dopamine. However, in those with PPID, there is a reduction in the amount of dopamine released. This, in turn, removes the restriction of the hormones from the pituitary gland. One such hormone under this control is adrenocorticotropic hormone, ACTH.
A simple baseline ACTH test is often used to diagnose PPID, with a result above a certain level deemed as positive. However diagnosis is not clear cut as there is a grey area between the threshold for normal and positive results.
Diagnosis can also be challenging because the circulating concentration of ACTH is seasonal, peaking in the Autumn. It is also known to vary with stress, exercise and nutritional state (fasted or fed). When the results lie in the grey zone (between the maximum normal and the minimum disease level), a modified test can be used. This involves measuring the ACTH level before and after administering thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH stimulates the release of hormones from the pituitary gland for all horses. However, the subsequent increase in the circulating ACTH is much greater for those with PPID, even in the early stages of the disease, than healthy animals.
The research investigated the impact of different factors on ACTH levels. Eight senior horses and eight adult horses were all fed grass hay and a rotation of four complementary feed options over seven weeks. The base diet was a low starch and sugar pellet fortified with vitamins and minerals. Horses were fed either the base feed alone or in reduced amounts with one of three options; feeds rich in sugar, starch or fibre. All diets provided the same amount of total energy. The effect of each of these on the ACTH concentrations at specific time points was measured.
As expected, the ACTH in the blood from the senior horses was higher than for the adults. As with previous studies, the level of ACTH was raised in October (Autumn) compared to March, May and August, regardless of age. However, the results revealed that diet can also influence the ACTH levels in horses. The senior horses had much higher levels of circulating ACTH when fed the starch rich diet compared to the adult group at the same time of the year.
Reference
Christine said: "Tests conducted by the Animal and Plant Health Agency have confirmed that the virus responsible for COVID-19 has been detected in a pet cat in England.
"This is a very rare event with infected animals detected to date only showing mild clinical signs and recovering within in a few days.
"There is no evidence to suggest that pets directly transmit the virus to humans. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and will update our guidance to pet owners should the situation change."
Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director at Public Health England, said: "This is the first case of a domestic cat testing positive for COVID-19 in the UK but should not be a cause for alarm.
"The investigation into this case suggest that the infection was spread from humans to animal, and not the other way round. At this time, there is no evidence that pets can transmit the disease to humans.
The pet cat was initially diagnosed by a vet with feline herpes virus, but the sample was also tested for SARS-CoV-2 as part of a research programme at the Centre for Virus Research at Glasgow University. Follow-up samples tested at the APHA laboratory in Weybridge confirmed the cat was also co-infected with SARS-CoV2 , the virus known to cause COVID-19 in humans.
BSAVA advice for practising vets about coronavirus is here and further information about testing is available here.
The webinar, titled 'Creating a positive relationship with cats and their owners in practice', will take place at 8pm on Wednesday 20 November. It will cover understanding of the cat’s natural behavioural patterns and their influence on feline behavioural responses, which are essential in order for veterinary professionals to effectively handle feline patients.
It will also feature advice on how to see things from a feline perspective and consider ways in which confrontational encounters can be prevented. This, says Ceva, is essential for creating a positive relationship with cats and their owners in the practice environment.
To register for the webinar, which accounts for one hour’s CPD, email: cevauk@ceva.com with your full name, practice name and postcode and the name of the webinar.
The link needed to watch the webinar will be sent back via email.
Ceva says that due to high demand, this webinar will be on a first come, first served basis. The company also recommends that delegates log in via the link in good time on the night to ensure a place.
The company says it's not just older horses suffering from joint disease, 36% of horses developed the condition by the time they were eight years old.
In the survey, 69% of horses needed up to five visits to their veterinary surgeon for treatment, while 21% needed as many as ten visits. Horse owners spent an average of £2,104 treating their horse’s joint condition while 5% spent more than £7,500 on the problem.
In addition, 53% said they've missed up to ten competitions due to joint disease, with 17% missing more than 20 competitions.
The survey revealed that joint problems are an ongoing concern for many. 76% of owners said they worry about their horse developing osteoarthritis and 30% had retired a horse earlier than expected owing to joint disease. In addition, 84% admitted that they would not buy a horse if they knew it had joint problems.
In terms of joint care, 74% of respondents said they give their horse a joint supplement. 69% check their horse's legs daily and 90% implement post-competition leg care measures.
Cavalor’s Lieselot Hamerlinck said: "It is good to see that so many horse owners are using a joint supplement but it’s important that they understand what to look for when choosing which product to use. They should look for anti-inflammatory products, not just joint support and for clinical evidence on any product claims. It’s not just about giving a joint supplement every day, it’s more about giving the right product tailored to the horse’s individual needs.
"Also horse owners should be mindful that it is equally important, if not more so, to take proper care of their horse’s joints all year round, not just during competition."
For further information, visit www.cavalor.com.
The study1 suggests that dogs with uncomplicated diarrhoea do not need antibiotics as part of their veterinary care plans.
The study included a random sample of 894 dogs aged between three months and 10 years old diagnosed with uncomplicated diarrhoea in 2019.
Of these, 355 (39.7%) dogs were prescribed antibiotics, and 539 (60.3%) dogs were not prescribed antibiotics (with or without additional supportive treatment) at first presentation for diarrhoea.
For the analysis, the dogs were balanced for a range of other differences between the groups including age, breed, bodyweight, insurance status, the presence of two or more medical conditions, vomiting, reduced appetite, blood in faeces, raised temperature, duration of diarrhoea, additional treatment prescription and veterinary group.
The researchers say this effectively meant that the only difference between the two groups was that one group received antibiotic treatment while the other did not.
The likelihood of clinical resolution of diarrhoea in the dogs prescribed antibiotics was 88.3%, compared with 87.9% in dogs not prescribed antibiotics.
This tiny difference of 0.4% between the groups was not statistically significant, leading to the conclusion that antibiotic treatment did not cause any beneficial effects in the treatment of uncomplicated diarrhoea in dogs.
Almost nine in 10 dogs with uncomplicated diarrhoea recovered after a single veterinary visit regardless of antibiotic treatment.
As an additional analysis, the study also explored gastrointestinal nutraceuticals (products derived from food sources that aim to restore digestive health such as probiotics and prebiotics) for treatment of uncomplicated diarrhoea in dogs.
Gastrointestinal nutraceutical prescription (with or without other supportive treatment) at first presentation of uncomplicated diarrhoea caused no statistically significant difference in clinical resolution compared to dogs not prescribed gastrointestinal nutraceuticals.
Camilla Pegram, VetCompass PhD student at the RVC and lead author of the paper, said: “This study used an exciting new approach that allowed us to determine ‘cause’ rather than being limited to ‘association’.
"Diarrhoea is a common condition in dogs and is often treated with antibiotics.
"However, this study highlighted that antibiotic prescription at first presentation of diarrhoea caused no difference in clinical resolution.
"Therefore, this arms veterinarians with the evidence-base for restricting antibiotics for uncomplicated diarrhoea in dogs, and owners should be prepared to only have an antibiotic prescription if absolutely necessary.”
Fergus Allerton, project lead for the PROTECT ME guidelines and co-author of the paper said: “Rational antimicrobial use is critical to defend ourselves and our pets against the growing threat from antimicrobial resistance.
"This study provides vital evidence to strengthen recommendations to withhold antibiotics when treating dogs with acute diarrhoea. Knowing that the outcome will be the same without antibiotics should reassure veterinarians to adopt this approach consistently.”
VetSurgeon.org member Sam Westhead, a vet from Farnborough, has secured sponsorship from Vets Now and Vet Times in his entry to the grueling Ironman 70.3 World Championship challenge in Clearwater in Florida this November
The two organisations will each sponsor Sam £250 for taking part in the challenge.
Sam, who works at Grazely Vets in Farnborough, qualified for the World Championship event earlier this year in the Singapore Ironman 70.3, coming first in the veterans group and a not too shabby 30th overall!
Clearly not for the faint hearted, the Ironman 70.3 World Championship consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56-mile bike and a 13.1 mile run, adding up to 70.3 miles of total racing.
Speaking about his entry to the race, Sam commented; "The training is going well and I'm trying to focus on keeping up the momentum and enthusiasm for the race as the countdown is now on! I'm obviously looking forward enormously to arriving in Florida in a few weeks time and competing in the event - it's a real achievement to have got to this stage. I would like to say a big thank you to Vets Now and the Vet Times for their extremely kind donations which will go some way to covering the cost of my flights to and from the event."
Richard Dixon, Group Managing Director for Vets Now said; "Sam is an extremely dynamic individual who displays wonderful passion for both his career and in living life to the full. I know he has trained hard to qualify for the event and to get to this stage and Vets Now is delighted to be backing Sam in this particularly grueling and ambitious challenge. We wish him well in his final few weeks of training and of course in the event in November."
Current estimates suggest that around 95,000 calves, 30 million chicks and 3,000 Billy kids are affected per year.
The new position calls for solutions based on the overarching principle that quality of life should take precedence over lifespan, with the longer-term aim to move away from the production of unwanted animals all together. In the meantime, the position calls for further research into solutions to reduce numbers of additional male offspring and for humane methods of killing surplus animals on-farm.
The dairy and egg industries have been advised to adopt a ‘3Rs’ (reduce, replace, refine) approach to the rearing and slaughter of animals which are surplus to the requirements of the specific industries. Reduction recommendations include selecting for sex (a technology used quite frequently within the dairy farming community) and increasing the length of time that an animal can produce milk through selective breeding.
In the absence of these options, the position recommends raising male offspring for meat, with the caveat that calves and billy goat kids should be raised within UK high welfare schemes only.
In the absence of any reduce or replacement options, veterinary experts advise that killing should be undertaken in the most humane way and that all the animal’s welfare needs must be addressed prior to slaughter.
In line with BVA’s sustainable animal agriculture position, this policy recommends that when animals are killed, every effort should be made to make sure that the carcass is used. For example, the carcasses of male chicks killed by controlled atmospheric stunning can be used in animal feed, such as for reptiles and birds of prey.
BVA Junior Vice President, James Russell (pictured right) said: "Unwanted male production animals in the dairy and meat industries are an ethical challenge on a number of levels. Firstly, for the producer who may have animals with little or no commercial value. Secondly, for the consumer who may find the notion of these unused animals a difficulty. Our new joint position is based around the principle of ‘a life worth living’ and looks at ways that the veterinary profession can work with the farming community to reduce the numbers of animals that this affects and ensure that high welfare is always front and centre.
"If slaughter of affected animals is undertaken humanely, it is not a welfare harm per se, but greater measures should be taken to make sure that these decisions are made with minimal carcass wastage and an eye to the economic, emotional and environmental impact at a farm level.
"With greater public understanding of ethical and animal welfare issues faced by the industry, the promotion of farm assurance schemes and further research into alternative breeding options such as selective sex technology, we hope to reduce these numbers and improve the welfare of the animals involved."
BCVA President, Professor David Barrett said: "The number of unwanted male dairy calves has fallen substantially in recent years, due in part to more efficient milk production meaning we now need fewer dairy cows to produce the same volume of milk, as well as the use of breeding technologies that mean we can select for female calves. Nevertheless, surplus males are still produced. Provided these calves’ welfare is protected they should become part of the meat production supply chain either as high-quality UK farm assured veal or beef."
"As we strive for improved sustainability and increase efficient use of resource in food production, we need to use every product from dairying, including calves that can be reared for meat. Our entire industry needs to work together to create a robust supply chains for high quality, farm assured British dairy beef and veal and we need to help consumers understand they should embrace these products. They are very different from intensively reared veal of the type produced in systems previously banned in the UK."
Novartis Animal Health has launched Zolvix, billed as the first truly novel anthelmintic class for livestock to be launched in more than 25 years, together with a new drenching system designed to make drenching faster, easier and more accurate.
Zolvix contains a new active ingredient, monepantel, which kills all key sheep gastro-intestinal nematodes (roundworms), including those resistant to the existing treatments.
According to the company, the development of this new drench follows the persistent challenge from worms that have developed resistance to the three other classes of drench - white (benzimidazole or 1-BZ), yellow (levamisole or 2-LV) and clear (macrocyclic lactone or 3-ML) and combinations of these. Zolvix has a unique mode of action and so forms a fourth generation of anthelmintic, which will be known as the 4- AD, or orange drench class
Novartis Animal Health has prioritised the UK and Ireland as key launch countries for Zolvix to provide their sheep farmers with an answer to the pressing challenge of increasing anthelmintic resistance.
Lesley Stubbings, an Independent sheep consultant and Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) panel member, said: "Resistance has become an ever increasing threat since the last new anthelmintic group was introduced to the UK market more than 25 years ago. Zolvix offers farmers a valuable opportunity to maintain good worm control and prolong the effective life of the existing products. Following the SCOPS guidelines to carefully integrate Zolvix into worm control strategies, before the other groups fail, will allow our sheep industry to reap the full benefits of this new novel group."
A study carried out by Novartis in conjunction with the Hopkirk Research Institute showed that Zolvix treated sheep gained 33.5%, or 2.8 kg deadweight, more than sheep treated with a drench to which they were resistant.
Novartis Animal Health Brand Manager Simon Harris said: "Parasite resistance is a growing problem that decreases the productivity of sheep of all ages. Many veterinarians and farmers are concerned about this, with an increasing number of farmers reporting resistance to the three groups of wormers that have been available up to now, so the introduction of Zolvix is very timely."
At the same time, the company has also launched an award-winning new drenching system designed to offer 'a superior drenching experience for both animal and operator'. The new Optiline Drencher and Optivix backpack system were developed in collaboration with drenching specialists Simcro Tech Ltd.
The Optiline Drencher has already won several design and engineering awards, including a bronze award in the 2009 NZ BEST design awards, a coveted International Forum (IF) 2010 product design award from Germany and the prestigious Bayer Innovators Award for design and engineering.
It was also a finalist in the New Zealand Agritech Innovation Awards reached the finals in three categories of the 2009 New Zealand Trade and Enterprise International Business Awards.
The Optiline drencher is coupled with a durable, light Optivix backpack that has been specially tailored to provide left or right-handed operators with the same wide range of adjustment. It also has two drench cradles - at chest and hip level - to ensure maximum comfort.
Mr Harris said: "This drencher is best appreciated during use. Contact your local Novartis Animal health representative to arrange a trial."
The PAW Report, which monitors pet welfare issues across the UK, is produced in conjunction with YouGov. Over 63,000 pet owners have been surveyed since 2011, providing the most robust insight into the welfare of UK pets.
For the first time, each section of the report ends with a veterinary action area that highlights the main issues, suggests what veterinary surgeons and nurses can do to tackle them, and lists resources that are available to help.
This year's PAW Report shows that just 75% of dogs (7.0 million) and 65% of cats (6.7 million) received a primary vaccination course when young. These are the lowest levels ever recorded by the Report and compares with 82% of dogs and 72% of cats in 2011.
Only 66% of owners (5.6 million cats, 7.3 million dogs, 500,000 rabbits) surveyed in 2017 have protected their pet with annual booster vaccinations.
Rabbits remain the most neglected with only 50% receiving a primary vaccination when young, a decrease from 63% in 2016, and 55% not receiving their annual booster vaccinations.
PDSA Head of Pet Health and Welfare, Nicola Martin, said: "The decreasing number of dogs, cats and rabbits receiving primary and booster vaccinations is a great concern for the health and welfare of the nation's pets."
20% of both dog and cat owners and 10% of rabbit owners who hadn't vaccinated their pets gave 'too expensive' as their reason for not vaccinating.
Nicola added: "While the latest PAW Report confirms that many of us get pets for the companionship and love they bring to our lives, it also highlights many owners continue to misjudge the costs involved in owning a pet. Despite potential lifetime costs of dog ownership easily rising to £21,000, the Report revealed 98% of dog owners surveyed estimated that their dog would cost less than this over the dog’s lifetime. This shows that the veterinary profession and animal welfare organisations need to do more to raise awareness of the financial reality of pet ownership – including preventive care and veterinary treatment – before owners take on a pet."
Of those owners who hadn't vaccinated their pets, 14% of dog owners, 22% of cat owners and 32% of rabbit owners felt vaccinations were unnecessary. 24% of pet owners who hadn’t vaccinated their pets said that this is because their pet didn’t come into contact with other pets.
Nicola continued: "These findings show there’s a real lack of knowledge of the devastating diseases pets are susceptible to if they’re not protected through vaccination. It’s important we improve vaccination levels before we face a resurgence of pets suffering with vaccine-preventable diseases."
John Chitty, President of the BSAVA said: "The current vaccination levels in cats and rabbits are far below the levels expected to provide a 'herd immunity effect' with the consequence that significant reductions in these diseases are further away, and those pets not vaccinated are at even greater risk.
"In particular it is deeply worrying to see the fall in vaccinated rabbits. The recent advances in myxomatosis vaccines mean that it is now much easier and cheaper to ensure more complete protection of pet rabbits from what is a common and lethal disease. The advent of RHD-2 virus in the last couple of years also seems to have failed to stimulate more owners seeking vaccination for their rabbits, especially given the publicity that this has generated."
In response to the report findings, the PDSA is launching ‘Spread the word, not the disease’, a campaign to help raise awareness, spread the word about preventable deadly diseases, and encourage pet owners to get their pets vaccinated and ensure their boosters are up-to-date.
The PDSA is asking people to pledge their support at: www.pdsa.org.uk/spreadtheword
Nicola concluded: "It’s up to the veterinary profession to help educate pet owners on the importance and value of vaccination. This is an area which requires collaboration and a co-ordinated effort across veterinary bodies to ensure owners can make informed decisions about vaccination. By launching this campaign, we hope to raise awareness of the risks these diseases pose, and how important vaccinations are in protecting the long-term health and wellbeing of the nation’s pets."
The full report can be downloaded here: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/get-involved/our-current-campaigns/pdsa-animal-wellbeing-report
About the PAW Report
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 4,153 dog, cat and rabbit owners aged 18+ who live in the UK. Fieldwork was undertaken between 23 February and 6 March 2017. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of the population by pet species (cat, dog or rabbit owners) and the owner’s gender, age and region.
Extrapolations to pet population figures are based on the following estimates of pet populations in the UK: 9.3 million dogs, 10.3 million cats, and 1.1 million rabbits.
The company says it wanted to give vets a chance to kick back and relax with some first-rate comedy talent at the end of what has been an incredibly challenging year.
The Christmas Comedy Cracker is being hosted by stand-up comedian, Rhys James, who regularly appears on Mock the Week and Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central.
The line-up also includes the actress, comedian, ventriloquist and British Comedy Award winner, Nina Conti.
Nina will be joined by special guest comedian, Zoe Lyons, whose TV credits include Mock the Week, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, The Paul O’Grady Show and The Wright Stuff.
The final act is The Noise Next Door, a musical comedy troupe which has performed alongside the likes of Michael McIntyre, Al Murray and Harry Hill.
Jemima Mead, marketing lead at Boehringer Ingelheim said: "There’s no doubt that 2020 has been an incredibly challenging year for the whole profession. We know that COVID-19 has also meant work Christmas celebrations have been cancelled. So, as part of our ongoing support for the profession we are bringing festive cheer direct to the homes of veterinary professionals to help round off the year with first-rate comedy talent and enable them to kick back, relax and hopefully laugh their festive socks off.”
To register for your free place at BI Animal Health’s Christmas Comedy Cracker online event, visit www.christmascomedycracker.co.uk.
Equipalazone is most commonly used to treat lameness in equines and can be prescribed as a treatment for osteoarthritic conditions, acute and chronic laminitis, bursitis and carpitis as well as to reduce post-surgical soft tissue reaction.
The new apple-flavoured version, which contains no added sugar, is presented in 1.5g sachets which are added to feed. The existing unflavoured product is still available as Equipalazone Original.
Dechra Brand Manager Emma Jennings said: “The new apple flavoured Equipalazone is the same tried and trusted popular product that vets have been using for many years but the enhanced apple flavour should improve compliance amongst even the fussiest of feeders.
"Equipalazone has been a best-selling treatment delivering powerful pain relief since we brought it to the market as the first microencapsulated phenylbutazone more than 45 years ago. The new apple flavoured presentation will give vets even more choice when it comes to providing pain relief and anti-inflammatory treatment for equine conditions."
For more information visit www.dechra.co.uk.
The outreach programme began earlier this month at the Devon County Show (pictured right), where the College used the opportunity to spread the word about its petsneedvets campaign, handing out over 1000 promotional bags in the process.
Next on the itinerary is the Royal Welsh Show near Builth Wells from the 23rd to 26th July. From there, the College will be heading to the BBC Countryfile Live event, held in the grounds of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire from the 2nd to 5th August.
Ian Holloway, Director of Communications at the RCVS, said: "Following the success and popularity of our stand at Countryfile Live over the past two years we decided that this year we would broaden our horizons and attend some of the UK’s most prestigious and well-attended regional events.
"We have our ever-popular careers materials available, and it was wonderful to see dozens of young people at the Devon County Show asking us about how they can become veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, as they always have the past two years at Countryfile. This is a really encouraging level of interest in the professions and we’re very happy to provide information to help them fulfil their aspirations.
"Attending more and different public events is a trend we are very keen on continuing with and we will be looking at other events to attend in different parts of the UK for next year."
For more information about upcoming events involving the RCVS visit www.rcvs.org.uk/events
Photo: Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
The Blue Cross is offering a lifeline to even more needy pets across the UK following an extension to its successful veterinary grant scheme.
Relaunched as “The Blue Cross Veterinary Care Fund”, the charity has increased available funding and doubled the maximum grant it will pay towards veterinary costs of a particular treatment, operation or neutering procedure if the owner can't afford it.
The initiative was first launched in 2005 to help pet owners on low incomes who do not live near Blue Cross hospitals or clinics. So far the charity has awarded thousands of grants through 1,100 veterinary practices, 28% of all private vets in the UK. The demand from needy pets around the country prompted The Blue Cross to increase the maximum grant to £200 towards the veterinary treatment costs.
Pet owners must be on a means tested benefit or state pension with no other income to be eligible for support through the Veterinary Care Fund. Those on a very low income may also be eligible for the grant and should contact The Blue Cross for further advice.
The charity is also opening a new veterinary welfare clinic on 3 June 2008. The clinic, based at the animal adoption centre in Tiverton, will carry out basic procedures such as microchipping and vaccinations, and treat minor ailments. More serious or complicated cases will be referred to a local veterinary practice where treatment will be subsidised by The Blue Cross.
For more information about the Veterinary Care Fund or how clients can apply please contact The Blue Cross customer care team on 01993 825593 or email info@bluecross.org.uk
The company says the aim is to identify the most effective ways to minimise the risks this common and debilitating infectious equine virus poses. The survey can be found here.
Equine Herpes Virus is a contagious virus, which can cause respiratory disease, abortion and more rarely neurological disease. In addition, sub-clinical infections can be associated with a syndrome of poor performance and have a potential effect on the health of the whole yard.1
The disease is transmitted from horse to horse through the respiratory tract, by inhalation of the viral particles shed by infected horses. Once a horse is infected with Equine Herpes Virus it is likely to be latently infected for life. Viral reactivation and nasal shedding can occur at any time, particularly during stressful periods such as when mixing with other horses at equine events. This can lead to acute disease episodes. Often affected horses are asymptomatic but if they do show symptoms these may include depression, lethargy, pyrexia, nasal discharge and a dry cough. Reduction of shedding through management and vaccination is key to disease control.2
Wendy Talbot, National Equine Veterinary Manager at Zoetis said: "EHV has potentially serious health, performance and financial implications across every sector of the equestrian industry.
"The aim of our survey is to find out more about current vet protocols in practice. The results should help us to identify and then ensure that the most effective prevention strategies are accessible to vets and their clients."
The survey runs from 4 – 22nd March 2019 in parallel to a separate survey for horse owners.
For further information, contact your Zoetis Account Manager or the Zoetis Technical Team on customersupportUK@zoetis.com or 0845 300 9084 choosing option 1.
References
The Elsevier publication is edited by Dottie Laflamme, DVM PhD ACVIM (Nutrition) with an expert team of authors providing practical information on a variety of nutrition topics appropriate for daily practice. https://bit.ly/PurinaEBook2
The Elsevier publication is designed to help veterinary staff expand their knowledge and skills in nutrition topics, from discussing nutrition with clients, to the nutritional management of common health conditions, so that they can be confident in their own nutrition knowledge and ability to communicate about nutritional issues.
The current edition, edited by Dottie Laflamme, DVM PhD ACVIM (Nutrition), is available in English and in Spanish.
Daniel Rodes DVM, PhD, and regional leader for the Purina Institute, said: “The veterinary team is a valued source of nutrition information for pet owners, but vets do not always initiate discussions about nutrition with clients for various reasons, including the concern that owners may be unwilling to change their views on their choice of a pet’s diet1.
"In fact, one recent study reported that most veterinary clients (93%) 'were at least somewhat willing to change their pet’s diet on the basis of a veterinarian’s recommendation if it was phrased as benefiting their pets’ health'2, and in another, the veterinary healthcare team was reported to be the primary (43.6%) and most important source of nutrition information for pet owners3".
Although most articles cover nutrition for dogs and cats, there is also a review on nutrition for ferrets, rabbits and rodents, and another on effective communication, suggesting ways veterinary teams can empower clients to take positive action to support the health of their pets.
https://bit.ly/PurinaEBook2
The guide reviews the definition and classification of pyoderma, history-taking and clinical examination, and diagnostic testing techniques. It also reviews current thinking on therapy options. Bayer says it hopes the practical and evidence-based guide will be an invaluable resource in veterinary practices.
Ross said: "With pyoderma cases appearing almost daily in veterinary consultations, it is vitally important that vets are well versed in treating cases appropriately and efficiently, particularly to ensure the responsible use of antimicrobials. Canine pyoderma commonly poses diagnostic challenges, due to its varied clinical presentation and tendency to be super-imposed on other skin diseases. We envisage that the article will provide readily accessible, clear and practical advice on diagnosing and treating the condition."
Bayer has also launched a new Veraflox website, where the first and second guides in the Education Now, Safeguarding Antimicrobials series (written by Simon Tappin, Head of Medicine at Dick White referrals, Matt Jones, Head of Microbiology at IDEXX, and Ross Bond), are also available for download in the Vet Training Centre section.
The website also offers a number of other resources in the Vet Training Centre, including webinars, case studies and videos.
Hannah Watts, Group Product Manager at Bayer, said: "The new Veraflox website has been built with the practical needs of vets in mind. We hope this will become a frequent resource for helping them overcome daily challenges in diagnosing and treating cases with an appropriate antimicrobial product."
In addition to being available for download at www.veraflox.co.uk, Focus on Pyoderma is also available in print by contacting your Bayer Territory Manager.
All Schedule 2 controlled drugs (with the exception of quinalbarbitone) and certain Schedule 3 controlled drugs are legally required to be stored in a locked container which is compliant with the Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973; however, the College considers it advisable for all Schedule 3 controlled drugs to be stored in the controlled drug cabinet.
Controlled drug cabinets must only be accessed by a veterinary surgeon, or another nominated responsible person at the practice. In the case of a nominated person who is not a veterinary surgeon removing controlled drugs from the cabinet, the legal and professional responsibility remains with the veterinary surgeon whose direction they are under.
The College’s full guidance, including advice on use, location, and design and construction of cabinets, can be found in the Controlled Drugs Guidance and the Practice Standards Scheme Manual. Many police forces in the UK also have Controlled Drugs Liaison Officers who offer advice on various matters, including safe storage.
To download the Controlled Drugs Guidance, which includes further guidance on areas such as storage and destruction of controlled drugs, please visit the College’s website: http://www.rcvs.org.uk/publications/controlled-drugs-guidance/
To access the PSS Manual, visit the College’s website: http://www.rcvs.org.uk/practice-standards-scheme/
Contact details for Controlled Drugs Liaison Officers by area can be obtained from the Association of Police Controlled Drugs Liaison Officers: http://www.apcdlo.org.uk/contact.html.
The new products are:
Leon Wright, Managing Director, said: "At Vet Direct, we’re always looking for ways to improve our service – making small changes which will have a big impact on the levels of care our clients can provide.
"We know that vets, veterinary nurses and practice managers don’t always have the time to try out new products before purchasing, and that’s why our dedicated team of sales staff test every item before adding them to our catalogue - ensuring that we only stock the highest quality products."
For more information on any of the new products, visit www.vet-direct.com or call 0800 068 3300.
Royal Canin has launched a range of new renal diets to help support cats and dogs with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
According to the company, CKD patients are twice as likely to show signs of anorexia, food intolerance and loss of appetite than non-CKD pets, so the focus with the new diets has been on different aromatic profiles, textures and tastes to provide choice and encourage feeding without compromising the nutritional management of the pets with CKD.
Royal Canin says each of the diets in the new Renal range has been developed with a unique aromatic profile, so that cats and dogs can be attracted to their food bowl even after an episode of food aversion.
The new range also provides two different textures of dry diet for both cats and dogs. In addition to the classic kibbles found in Renal and Renal Special, the new Renal Select diet for cats has a pillow kibble with a thin, crunchy shell and a soft centre for cats who used to love crunching but are beginning to struggle with harder kibbles. The new kibbles for dogs are designed to be easy to rehydrate, providing the taste of a dry diet in a softer, easier to chew format. A new Renal Wet range is also available with a 'loaf' or 'chunks-in-gravy' texture and these can be combined with any dry diet to allow even greater variety of textures.
With CKD causing frequent fluctuations in an animal's sense of taste, Royal Canin has made the feline range available in smaller 500g bags, making it easier for owners to swap between the differing options as their pet's tastes alter.
Royal Canin's Veterinary Marketing Manager, Marianne Lomberg, said: "The efficiency of a renal diet depends upon it being fed on a continuing basis and so our new range provides a complete range of aromatic profiles and textures to keep your CKD patients enjoying every meal without compromising on their nutritional management. Royal Canin has a proven track record of developing innovative diets to help pets, and the new Renal Diets are an exciting new move for us."
Royal Canin is also offering a 'patient compliance guarantee' where vets and their clients can claim their money back if a pet does not like any of the many diet combinations offered by the range.
Janssen Animal Health has launched Domosedan Gel, an oromucosal gel for the sedation of horses.
Janssen says Domosedan Gel, which contains 7.6 mg/ml (40mcg/kg) detomidine, induces sedation and analgesia with the efficacy and recovery comparable to Domosedan injection. Domosedan Gel is administered under the horse's tongue, so it is rapidly absorbed.
The company also says Domesedan Gel can replace physical restraint and improve safety during treatments, diagnostics and transport, and that the gel is ideal for horses that are nervous or needle-shy and when owners need more control during clipping, shoeing, dental treatments and boxing.
Nicki Glen, marketing manager at Janssen Animal Health said: "Domosedan Gel is proven to be both effective and easy-to-administer with 98% of horses accepting the gel and owners finding it easy and convenient to use.
"The gel starts to be absorbed immediately and demonstrates a reliable sedatory effect and high safety margin, making it an ideal solution for sedation and restraint when performing non invasive procedures on horses."
For further information, please contact your Janssen Animal Health territory manager.
Ceva Animal Health has launched Cardio Academy. The company says it's the first international cardiology e-learning programme offering CPD from leading international specialists.
The programme can be accessed at www.cardioacademy.cevalearn.com. It consists of a series of impressively well-produced interactive multimedia presentations lasting around 30 minutes, at the end of which you can download a CPD certificate.
The first two sessions, which are now available online, cover the Pathophysiology of Mitral Valve Disease, by Adrian Boswood, and Clinical Examination of the Cardiac Dog, by Gérard Le Bobinnec.
Product manager, Fraser Broadfoot MRCVS, said: "There have been many advances in the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure in recent years. The aim of this website is to become a practical and up-to-date resource on the management of heart failure in practice."
Dechra says the ability to split Prednicortone into 1.25 mg doses is particularly useful when used alongside Zycortal, the only licensed treatment for canine Addison’s disease in Europe.
Dechra Brand Manager Carol Morgan said: "Dogs with primary Addison’s disease have insufficient levels of natural mineralocorticoids (primarily aldosterone) and glucocorticoids (primarily cortisol). Zycortal contains DOCP, a synthetically produced steroid hormone, which acts in a similar way to aldosterone.
"It causes sodium retention and potassium excretion, helping to maintain water balance but Zycortal only replaces the mineralocorticoid. Therefore, a daily oral glucocorticoid treatment, such as Prednicortone, is needed to address the cortisol deficiency, alongside Zycortal.
"The amount of glucocorticoid administered should be adjusted to the individual dog’s need and it is likely that the dose required will be reduced over time."
She added that a combined approach of Zycortal and Prednicortone allowed independent dose titration of both mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids.
"The advantage of prescribing the two treatments is that the dosage for each component can be tailored to an individual animal’s response. This leads to a reduction in the side effects usually associated with over-supplementation of glucocorticoids."
There are 250 tablets in a pack and Prednicortone offers accurate dosing using a double divisible SmartTab format and accurate dispensing via blister packs. The flavoured tablets also encourage easy oral administration.
For more information, visit www.dechra.co.uk.
Dr Mostert admitted to his conviction but denied that it rendered him unfit to practise as a veterinary surgeon.
He also admitted not disclosing his conviction to the RCVS but denied that it amounted to dishonesty or was misleading and that failing to do so amounted to disgraceful conduct in a professional respect.
The Committee first considered whether Dr Mostert’s conviction affected the public interest, which included the need to maintain public confidence in the profession by upholding proper standards of conduct and behaviour for members of the profession.
The Committee noted that the conviction involved dishonesty relating to false statements about the value of goods sent to the USA.
The Committee felt that a conviction for a serious offence involving dishonesty would have a negative impact on public confidence in the profession, and that its reputation would be damaged if proper standards of conduct and behaviour were not upheld.
The Committee also noted that as the products that Dr Mostert imported into the USA were not labelled as coming from a foreign market and were not labelled as needing to be administered by a vet, his conviction also related to animal safety, as anyone who accessed the medications could believe that it was safe for them to be given to an animal.
The Committee then considered Dr Mostert’s failure to declare the conviction to the College on three separate occasions.
Dr Mostert testified that, at the time, he did not believe he had to disclose his conviction as it occurred in a country where he had not practised as a veterinary surgeon.
He also said he had not taken the time to read and interpret the application form accurately.
However, the Committee considered that the wording around convictions on the application and annual renewal forms is very clear and that, as a veterinary surgeon, Dr Mostert would be familiar with such documents.
The Committee considered that it was inconceivable that an experienced veterinary surgeon, making a declaration of this kind to his regulator, would not have understood that a serious conviction in the USA, dating from June 2017, was a conviction that he was obliged to disclose.
The Committee therefore found Dr Mostert’s failures to declare his conviction dishonest.
Judith Way, Chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, noted that in deciding upon the appropriate sanction, the case did not involve any actual harm to an animal or human and that Dr Mostert had had a long and otherwise unblemished career.
However, a key aggravating factor was that the action that led to the conviction resulted in financial gain through the creation of a business enterprise and that Dr Mostert falsely declared the value of goods.
The extent of any financial gain was not known to the Committee, but the business operated on the basis that false declarations were repeatedly made.
Judith said: “After careful consideration the Committee has concluded that in all the circumstances, a lengthy period of suspension would properly reflect the gravity of the case and satisfy the public interest. The Committee has decided that the appropriate length of suspension is one of 18 months.”
The Committee’s full findings can be viewed at www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary
Companion Care has opened its 80th surgery, within the Ilford Pets at Home store.
Companion Care Vets managing director, Jane Balmain said: "The opening of our 80th surgery proves the success of our joint venture partner business model. At present the majority of our surgeries are located inside Pets at Home stores but we also have four very successful standalone surgeries. Our standalone surgery network is now being developed to create further exciting opportunities for future growth, with our first new standalone surgery opening in Scotland this December."
Joint venture partner and veterinary surgeon at Companion Care Vets Ilford Alberto Arciniega said: "Alongside the fantastic team we have on board, my partners Nick and Claire and I are extremely proud to be opening our second surgery here in Ilford. Having been partners at the Romford surgery since July 2009 we have seen the company grow consistently and successfully. We feel honoured to be opening the groups' 80th surgery and look forward to the challenge of managing both practices and to delivering outstanding veterinary care."
With 102 Joint Veterinary Partners, 83 of whom are veterinary surgeons, 12 veterinary nurses, 6 practice managers and 1 receptionist and a further 789 staff employed by the group Companion Care Vets is one of the largest veterinary employers in the UK. Dividend payments to joint venture partners in the 2010/2011 period totalled £2.181 million and the group says it plans to open a further 10 surgeries across the UK before the end of year.
The marketing pack includes a poster, leaflet and a counter top display which highlight the stress factors facing pets and provide pet owners with an overview of how Feliway and Adaptil help pets cope with challenging situations.
Ceva will also be running a competition for pet owners to win £150 of John Lewis vouchers in a prize draw. To enter, they need to email cevauk@ceva.com with the subject 'Stress Free Christmas' and their name and contact number. The competition closes on 24 December 2017 and the winner will be contacted by telephone in January 2018.
Claire Russell, brand manager at Ceva Animal Health, said: "Big family gatherings, noisy toys and being home alone more often are just some of the stressful situations that pets can find themselves in during the festive period. Our new marketing pack will help highlight these stress factors amongst pet owners and raise awareness of how Feliway and Adaptil can help support their pets."
To request a Christmas marketing pack, contact your Ceva Animal Health account manager, email cevauk@ceva.com or contact customer services on 01494 781510.