Sheppard Robson, the architects behind the University of Liverpool’s Small Animal Teaching Hospital, have been celebrating this week after their design received a prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) North West Award.The Small Animal Teaching Hospital, located at the University’s Leahurst campus in Neston, was completed in 2007 and is considered to be one of the most advanced and complete animal veterinary facilities in the UK. It incorporates clinical services, undergraduate teaching and clinical research under one roof.The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) annually presents regional awards for buildings that make a substantial contribution to the local environment and have high architectural standards.Ian Butler, Managing Partner at Sheppard Robson North, said: "The Small Animal Teaching Hospital at Liverpool University is a fantastic building. It is very strong and bold yet it is also simple and unfussy. It combines truly cutting edge teaching and research facilities with a sustainable building that blends into its environment. It is fantastic for our design to be lauded by RIBA. The Sheppard Robson team is very proud."The Small Animal Teaching Hospital, along with ten other North West buildings recognised by the regional judges, will now be considered for the National RIBA Awards in June.
Pfizer has sponsored the publication of a new English-Polish dairy health guide for vets to give farmers.
The guide has been published to help farm staff from Poland improves their knowledge, skills and performance at work. Topics covered including milking routines, causes and control of clinical mastitis, intramammary tube infusion and dry cow therapy.
Copies are available free of charge from Pfizer Animal Health's Dairy Territory Managers, or by calling 01737 330727.
A survey of more than 3,000 farms has found that 16% employed foreign workers, among whom more than half were from Poland.1 According to Pfizer's livestock business director Tomas Rosival, Polish workers are keen on training and eager to put it into practice and get results.
He said: "Communication is the key. By presenting each topic in English and Polish on facing pages, the booklet helps develop workplace vocabulary and language skills as well as improving technical knowledge."
[1] Farm Business, 2009. The significance of migrant labour in UK agricultural employment. Survey of 3,375 farms.
Pet owners who believe in preventative healthcare have maintained or increased the money they spend on their pets this year, and 84% visited their vet at least once in 2010, up from 78% in 2007, according to a survey commissioned by the National Office of Animal Health.
According to the survey of 1000 owners carried out by Noesis, 44% of 'preventers' increased their spending on their pets in the last year with only a very small number (5%) decreasing it. There has also been a significant increase in the number of dogs insured by this group since 2007, which now stands at 55% compared to 41% in 2007.
The research covered both 'preventer' and 'non-preventer pet owners and sought to understand: awareness of preventative medicine in cats and dogs; how the decision is made as to what areas of preventative medicine are important and which to adopt; what types of preventative medicine are carried out and the reasons and frequency of this behaviour as well as the sources of information.
In addition to visiting their vet more frequently and spending more on their pets, preventers also visited a pet shop significantly more often than non-preventers with nearly two thirds (61%) of preventers visiting at least once a month compared to 36% of non-preventers, a figure that has decreased from 43% in 2007.
Looking at specific preventative treatments, attitudes to vaccination had not changed between the 2007 and 2010 surveys, with preventers believing that being a responsible pet owner means regularly vaccinating your pet, while non-preventers did not believe vaccination was relevant to their situation. This points to a clear need to educate non-preventers to break habits that have sometimes been handed down from generation to generation.
Most owners from both groups had used a flea treatment on their pets in the past two years although 68% of preventers were much more proactive in their usage of flea products compared to only 40% of non-preventers. Cats (80%) are more likely to have been treated than dogs (69%) among both groups of owners although flea treatment of cats has significantly decreased among non-preventers since 2007.
Use of wormers was also in decline. Although 86% of preventers worm proactively as part of a healthcare routine for their pet, this figure has decreased from 96% in 2007. Non preventers chose not to worm because they did not see the need, citing reasons such as their pet being fit and well or not going outdoors. Likewise, although preventers are more likely than non-preventers to be aware of the zoonotic implications of pet parasites, this awareness had decreased since 2007 pointing to the need for more work to be done on this aspect of pet health. On a more upbeat note, those that were worming proactively wormed their pets more frequently with 50% worming at least every three months in 2010 which was significantly more than compared to 41% in 2007.
When asked where they obtained general healthcare advice, the vet was the most frequently cited source of information with 84% of preventers and 58% of non-preventers referencing their vet. The internet is an increasingly important information channel for non-preventers with almost a third (31%) citing it as their source for pet healthcare advice, an increase from 25% in 2007.
There was huge interest from both groups (87% of preventers and 79% of non-preventers) in using a dedicated website such as NOAH's http://www.pethealthinfo.org.uk/ which 10% of the pet owners surveyed had heard of. It was welcomed for providing easy access, immediate, independent advice and being written by veterinary experts.
Commenting on the research, Phil Sketchley, chief executive of NOAH said: "We commissioned the original piece of research in 2007 to understand the differences between both groups of pet owners and understand where they sourced their information in order to influence the pet healthcare habits of the non-preventers in particular. The importance of the internet as a source of information proved that our strategy to launch http://www.pethealthinfo.org.uk/ was on target and the latest survey shows that this channel is increasingly important, particularly among non-preventers.
"The 2011 survey also reveals some positive insights into the preventative healthcare habits of those pet owners that we termed preventers. This group are more likely to insure their pet (45% vs 12%), go to the vet at least once a year (84% vs 30%) and visit a pet shop at least on a monthly basis (61% vs 36%). And, as a final piece of good news, this group have increased their total spend on their pets in the last year and very few members of either group had decreased their spend.
"Whilst all pet owners consider themselves responsible clearly some do not see regular preventative healthcare as part of that responsibility. So there remains a clear need to educate pet owners, particularly the non-preventers, to change some of the patterns of behaviour and complacency regarding their pet's health that have become entrenched and seem to have been influenced by friends and family."
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Charitable Trust is offering a bursary for one delegate to attend the Veterinary Biomedical and Pharma Sciences (VBMPS) Congress on 15 and 16 October 2012 at the ICC in Birmingham.
Members of the RCVS with an interest in 'one health' are eligible to apply. Entrants are asked to explain, in no more than 400 words, their interest in the concept of one health and why they should be granted a bursary.
Entrants should also demonstrate how they would disseminate their learning from the event to the wider veterinary community.
Entries should be sent to grants@rcvstrust.org.uk by Monday 3 September 2012, and the winner will be notified within two weeks.
The bursary winner will be given a delegate pass worth £175 for entry to the conference and admission to all scientific sessions. Reasonable transport costs and accommodation will be reimbursed.
Further details are available at http://trust.rcvs.org.uk/grants-and-collaborations
The RVC has picked up three of the twenty Wellcome Image Awards 2015.
The awards are internationally renowned for showcasing the best in science imaging talent and techniques.
Two of the images (below) were taken at the Lanyon Museum of Comparative Anatomy at the RVC by photographer, Michael Frank. One picture depicts a goat's oesophagus and reticulum, which is the second of four stomach chambers found in cattle, goats and sheep. Michael's second image is called 'Pregnant uterus, equine' and shows a detailed and unique view of a pony foal in its mother's womb.
Nick Short, Head of the eMedia Unit at the RVC, said: "These stunning photographs were taken by Michael Frank to help digitise the extensive collection of anatomical specimens displayed in the Royal Veterinary College museums. As well as providing a unique artistic resource, these digital images are now being actively used to enhance the teaching of anatomy at the College."
Michael added: "I feel immensely proud to be shortlisted with two photographs alongside the RVC in the Wellcome Image Award 2015. I am very pleased that we managed to combine a unique artistic vision with academic necessities and that such an outcome has been valued by the judges."
The third image comes from Structure and Motion Lab PhD student, Sophie Regnault. Sophie's entry is a digital 3D construction of the skull, shoulders and front legs of a Tuatara (pictured top right; click to enlarge).
The Tuatara is a species of rare reptile native to New Zealand, and is all that remains of an ancient group of animals called Rhynchocephalia. These animals shared the Earth with dinosaurs and are now all extinct apart from the Tuatara.
Sophie created the digital 3D model by using virtual X-ray 'slices' of a preserved specimen of the reptile. Using Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), she scanned the whole animal before digitally re-constructing it and separating the skull and front legs from the rest of the body.
Sophie said: "It is a great feeling to even be recognised this year, as some of the images are outstanding. I didn't expect to get through at all as I'm still relatively new to the techniques I used for my image. It is just fantastic to be nominated; there are some really unique and fantastic pictures in the competition."
Images in this year's competition include everything from a micrograph of a greenfly's eye to a picture showing drug-carrying particles in the lungs of a mouse.
The 20 winning images were chosen by nine judges from the Wellcome Images picture library in the past year. They will be awarded at a ceremony on Wednesday 18 March, 2015 where the overall winner will also be revealed. Sophie's image will also be on display at 11 science centres, museums and galleries around the UK and in America.
Catherine Draycott, Head of Wellcome Images and a member of the judging panel said: "This year's selection of winning images is not only beautiful; they bring to life an incredible array of innovative imaging techniques, and hint at stories and ideas that go beyond the visual. We are thrilled that they will be displayed in so many venues, and look forward to seeing the range of exhibitions, as diverse as the images themselves."
Goat's oesophagus and reticulum - photo credit: Michael Frank
Pregnant uterus, equine - photo credit: Michael Frank
The awards highlight the special bond between pets and their owners, and brave stories from animals across the UK.
This year, Vets Now has partnered with StreetVet for the awards, donating £1 to the charity for each entry received.
The winner will receive a £500 voucher to spend on a pet friendly getaway at PetsPyjamas, a bespoke ‘Pet of the Year’ trophy and a personalised bundle of vet-recommended pet treats.
Owners can nominate their own pets, or members of the veterinary profession can nominate pets they know or have treated.
The awards will be open for nominations until 6th May 2024.
https://www.vets-now.com/pet-of-the-year
Vets Now has announced its selection centre dates for young vets applying for a place on the new 'Cutting Edge' Emergency and Critical Care fast track programme.
With the 20 August deadline for applications fast approaching, Vets Now has confirmed that interviews for the first intake in October will take place on 25th and 26th August. Applications received after this date will be considered only if the applicant meets the necessary criteria and is able to take up a place on the programme if extra places become available.
According to the company, the 'Cutting Edge' initiative is the first training programme of its kind in the UK. It'll see 40 vets who are likely to have graduated between 2006 and 2009 selected for a place on one of two 10 week fast track training programmes which will take them straight to the heart of emergency, working as a veterinary surgeon in a Vets Now clinic.
The induction courses will be held in October and January, each taking up to 20 vets through 10 weeks of intensive ECC training on a robust programme which has been designed by Vets Now Clinical Director and ECC Diplomate, Amanda Boag.
Amanda said: "The recruits who we select will embark upon an intensive period of training over the 10 week period which will give them the necessary skills and knowledge to launch their career in ECC. They will also receive ongoing support during their first two years as a Veterinary Surgeon in a Vets Now clinic with a very generous CPD allowance. The initial 10 week period will be a combination of lectures and interactive seminars, practical training in our clinical skills laboratory and mentored work in our clinics. Developing clinical expertise and problem solving skills will clearly be the most significant component of the training but there will also be support and training in other vital skills including communication."
She added: "Initial response to the programme has been very promising and we are delighted to see so many veterinary surgeons interested in developing their career in ECC."
Vets Now will continue to accept applications for the January intake to the 'Cutting Edge' programme throughout September and October.
Graduates who are interested in applying for a place on the 'Cutting Edge' training programme should contact the Vets Now recruitment team on 01383 841181 or email cuttingedge@vets-now.com
The British Veterinary Association has launched a survey of its members: "Your BVA, Your Say".
The focus of the research, which will take place throughout June and July, is to measure and evaluate the levels of satisfaction BVA members have with the Association and examining the value members place on BVA's representative role and benefits package.
A selection of members will be contacted by the external research agency Research by Design to take part in in-depth interviews to explore key themes of the research. Members who are currently practising and those in their final year at veterinary school will then be asked to complete an online survey.
Ahead of the research BVA is urging members to check that the Association has their most up-to-date contact details by visiting the member area of the website www.bva.co.uk/member or contacting the membership team on 020 7908 6350.
The results of the research will be used to develop and adapt BVA member services, activity and communication to ensure the Association meets members' requirements throughout their careers.
BVA President Carl Padgett said: "Our members are at the heart of everything we do, so it is essential we hear directly what our members think about, and want from, their Association.
"I'd like to encourage members to find time to contribute their ideas and opinions which will shape the future direction of the BVA. This is the chance to really make a difference to the Association."
Research carried out by the Kennel Club to coincide with the start of Open for Dogs Week has found that 40% of British people think dogs are a happy alternative to having children.
One reason for this is perhaps because 25% of respondents said that a dog would fit more easily with their lifestyle than a child. Or maybe it's partly because 25% said that whilst their children always come first, they prefer to do things with their dog.
In addition, 80% said their dog is attentive and loving when out and about, compared to only 50% who said the same is true of their other half.
However, despite the central place that dogs hold in their owners' hearts, the Kennel Club says many people experience difficulty taking their dogs out and about, particularly to restaurants. In the survey, 40% said that they have problems finding a place where their dog is welcome while they eat, and almost 50% said that they'd like to see a wider variety of restaurants open their doors to dogs.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: "This research proves what a well loved member of the family a dog is. Given how much we love spending time with our dogs, it is surprising that there are still so many businesses that refuse to allow dogs in their premises, but there is a real appetite for this to change.
"The Kennel Club's Open for Dogs website lists more than 26,000 places throughout the UK and Europe that allow dogs inside, which makes it easier for dog owners to plan days out and holidays without having to leave their dogs behind.
"During Open for Dogs Week we are asking businesses, whether it is a restaurant, hotel, pub, shop or office, to trial a dog friendly policy. There are more than eight million dogs in the UK, so those that get involved will be appealing to a massive customer base, which can only be a good thing in tough economic times." The Kennel Club's Open for Dogs Week runs from 20-26 August 2012 and businesses and public places are encouraged to adopt a dog friendly policy for well behaved dogs.
To nominate your favourite dog friendly venue or town for the Kennel Club's Open for Dogs Awards, visit www.openfordogs.org.uk. The deadline for nominations is 31st August.
The multicentre observational study described 382 placements of catheters across 19 different institutions, recording the placement techniques and tracking resulting complications to determine the associated risk factors.
The majority of the data was collected by veterinary nurses across the country.
The risk factors identified included the number of insertion attempts, whether a second subsequent placement was required, the frequency that the catheter was flushed and if the flush solution was compound sodium lactate.
In addition to identifying the risk factors, the study also found that complications occurred in just over one-quarter of placements, with limb swelling and phlebitis being the most common (11.5%).
The second most common complication observed was PIVC dislodgement/patient interference (7.9%).
As a result of these findings, the researchers are calling for more vigilant monitoring of patients with a PIVC in situ, particularly if they have experienced any of the factors that increase their risk of complications.
Eleanor said: “PIVCs are placed every day in almost all veterinary practices, yet there is little evidence to inform how best to place and manage them.
"I am passionate about providing the best care for cats and dogs, and it was fantastic to work with like-minded nurses and vets who wanted to gather the evidence that we can use to improve the care of our patients.
"I look forward to continuing this area of research, and believe veterinary nurses are best placed to undertake this work as it is part our of daily working lives."
Dr Christopher Scudder, Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Internal Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College and senior author in the study, said: “The hope is that this study will stimulate more research about PIVCs, and that sufficient evidence will be developed to help reduce complications associated with these routinely placed devices.”
Reference
In response to growing demand for graduates equipped for a wide range of careers in veterinary and biomedical science, the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has developed the BSc (Hons) course in Bioveterinary Sciences.
The Bioveterinary Science degree supersedes the BSc Veterinary Sciences that has been offered by RVC since 2002. Graduates go on to pursue careers within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, veterinary-related professions, and biomedical research.
Prospective students interested in finding out more about the course are invited to attend an open day on Wednesday March 12 at the Camden Campus in London. Members of staff will be on hand to discuss aspects of the BSc in Bioveterinary Sciences degree, including entrance requirements and teaching and research facilities. In addition, current students will lead a tour of the London campus and talk about student life at the College. Further information and an online booking form can be found at http://www.rvc.ac.uk/
Bayer Animal Health is to hold a free webinar for companion animal veterinary surgeons about its new fluoroquinolone for cats and dogs, Veraflox.
The one-hour webinar begins with a talk on mutant prevention concentration (MPC) from Dr Joe Blondeau, head of clinical microbiology at the Royal University Hospital & the Saskatoon Health Region, in Canada. He's followed by Dr E Bensignor, President of the European College of Veterinary Dermatology, who will present the findings of clinical studies. The final presentation by Dr Joy Olsen, global veterinary services manager for Bayer Animal Health, reviews the features and characteristics of Veraflox (pradofloxacin) and its use in cats and dogs.
The webinar can be watched live on Tuesday 25 October at 7:30pm, when you'll have the opportunity to put questions to the speakers. Alternatively, a recording of the event can be viewed at any point afterwards.
To register, visit http://nl.webcast3.animalhealth.be/nl/english-subscription#ht=944, to receive a login name and password.
For further information on Veraflox, contact your Bayer representative or call 01635 563000.
The University of Bristol's School of Veterinary Sciences at Langford has opened a £2 million state-of-the-art dairy farm.
Wyndhurst Farm's dairy unit has undergone a major rebuild in order to provide a world-class practical teaching environment for around 600 veterinary students, as well as a facility that can be used to support research and the continual professional development of veterinary surgeons, farmers and others involved in the dairy industry locally, nationally and internationally. Professor Jo Price, Head of the School of Veterinary Sciences, said: "This is an exciting time for the Vet School. The new dairy unit will enable our undergraduate and postgraduate students to be taught in a world-class facility. It will provide the best standards of animal welfare for our dairy herd and will support our research on the prevention and treatment of diseases of farm animals."The farm, which is approximately 250 acres, includes numerous features to ensure high welfare standards. The dairy herd will be housed in deep sand bedded cubicles, with parts of the floors covered in soft rubber to protect the cows' feet and when housed cows will be fed a total mixed ration using grass, maize and whole crop wheat silages grown on the farm.Since the new facility has been built the farm's herd of Pedigree Holstein cows have increased in number from 110 to 180 cows and will soon reach 200, with each cow giving over 9,000 litres of milk per year. The farm also has a newly established breeding flock of 100 New Zealand Romney ewes. Since 2010 it has been managed by Velcourt Farm Management.
Sogeval has launched Efex, a marbofloxacin tablet designed for veterinary use.
Efex tablets are available in three blister pack sizes of 10mg, 40mg and 100mg that break into halves for cats and halves and quarters for dogs, facilitating accurate dosing for a wide range of patients.
In cats, the flavoured chewable 10 mg tablets allow accurate dosing of 2.5kg and 5kg cats at 2mg/kg once daily. In dogs the 40mg four way break tablet is designed for a 20 kg dog and the 100mg for a 50kg dog.
Efex tablets are chewable and sogeval says that in a palatability study 7 out of 10 cats readily consumed them.
Each tablet contains a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic marbofloxacin for oral administration, which is readily absorbed reaching maximal plasma concentrations within two hours. It exhibits a wide range of activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, including Pseudomonas spp and Mycoplasma spp.
Petplan has been voted Best Insurance Provider in the seventh annual Your Cat and Your Dog Product Awards.
This is the sixth consecutive year Your Cat and Your Dog readers have voted Petplan number one, in response to a survey completed by thousands of pet owners.
Isabella von Mesterhazy, Head of Marketing at Petplan said: "To be independently voted number one provider by pet owners means so much, particularly as this is the sixth time we have been awarded this honour.
"Petplan's Covered for Life policy is the original lifetime policy - we were the first insurer to offer this type of policy and cover. This, combined with over 36 years' experience in the pet insurance marketplace means Petplan truly understands what pet owners need and want from their pet insurance. We settle 97% of claims successfully and 90% of customers renew each year. Moreover, we paid out over £180 million in claims in 2013, the majority directly with the vet, which leaves owners able to concentrate on supporting their pet back to full health rather than worrying about vet bills."
Dechra has launched a new support package to help veterinary surgeons and nurses dealing with otitis externa, and to encourage compliance amongst owners whose dogs are being treated for the disease.
Called the Dermatology Partners in Practice programme, the initiative includes a client compliance pack which contains the Guide to Good Ear Care, a leaflet on handling techniques, a treatment diary and a consultation report.
Roger Brown, Senior Brand Manager at Dechra Veterinary Products, said: "We are committed to supporting vets and vet nurses as they deal with cases of otitis externa at a time when responsible use of antimicrobials is in the spotlight.
"It is essential that owners comply with treatment programmes and that vets are supported with involving owners, which can lead to better outcomes for dogs receiving treatment and can be good for developing the practice business as well.
"We know from our research, and from talking to the vets and vet nurses, that owner compliance can be a barrier to successful first-time management and resolution of otitis externa.
"The new Client Compliance Pack is designed to support veterinary professionals as they diagnose, control and maintain this complex condition."
"All in all, it will provide extra support to the owner as they carry through the professional treatment plan once back home."
Veterinary surgeons are being invited to arrange a Business Support Discussion to find out more about the Dermatology Partners in Practice Programme and how it can benefit their practice. For details and to know more about the pack, call 01939 211215 or visit dechra.co.uk/timetochange.
The company points to the well-known veterinary mental health and suicide stats, such as the study by the American Veterinary Medical Association, carried out on 12,000 veterinarians in the U.S. from 1979 to 2015, which found that vets are 3.5 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population.
The company says the new website offers personalised self-care formulas to help veterinary professionals counteract the stress derived from their work.
There are three sections: Emotional Health (Vet Voices), Vet Yogi and Eat Well Vet.
The content is a little thin at the moment, more of a consommé than a thick leek and potato, but no doubt more will be added over time.
For more information, visit https://www.happyvetproject.com
Genitrix has announced that HY-50 Vet®, a sodium hyaluronate treatment for equine joints, has now been authorised for intravenous (IV) use.
Available until now for intra-articular (IA) use only, the company says HY-50 delivers the highest concentration of sodium hyaluronate on the market for the treatment of non-infectious joint inflammation and the enhancement of joint function.
Genitrix also says that, as IV application requires less specialist preparation than IA, HY-50 is now a practical solution for mixed practices with a smaller equine case load. Injected intravenously, the product will also benefit horses with multiple joint injuries.
HY-50 is presented in a 3 ml pre-loaded syringe, delivering 50 mg of sodium hyaluronate. It costs £55.50.
Rob Watkins, Marketing Director of Genitrix, said: "The efficacy of sodium hyaluronate is well established and we're delighted to be able to offer the IV route of administration. We know it will meet a real need in the market for a lameness treatment which is proven and simple to administer."
"Perhaps most importantly, in these financially difficult times, the high concentration of the product makes it a cost-effective approach compared with competitive products. We believe it will offer an affordable treatment option for owners who are anxious to treat their horses but may be discouraged by the high cost of many treatments."
For further information, see http://www.genitrix.co.uk/ or ring 01403 786345.
The Registrar and Secretary of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Jane Hern, has announced that she will be standing down at the end of the year.
After 15 years in the job, Jane says she has been pleased to oversee a number of significant reforms and new initiatives in her time leading the organisation, but has decided that it is time to move on and pursue other interests.
The College says it is now embarking on a comprehensive review of its governance, committee and management structures, during which the Officers and Council will consider how best the executive should be led in future.
Jane said: "I have greatly enjoyed my time with the College and the Trust. Working with a profession held in such high regard by the public has been a real pleasure. I wish veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and all my colleagues all the very best for the future."
The President, Dr Jerry Davies said: "The Royal College has been very fortunate in having the benefit of Jane's wisdom and guidance for so many years, and we wish her every success in the future."
Featuring imagery of the Great Barrier Reef to demonstrate that the skin barrier is a fragile ecosystem needing care and protection, the new marketing material includes:
The pack is supported by a new vet detailer focusing on the skin as a complex and fragile ecosystem, with a detachable poster covering the range.
For further information on the Douxo range of products, visit www.douxo.eu or contact your local Ceva Animal Health territory manager.
Bayer Animal Health and Tracer Advance have launched a new blog about microchips, designed to promote responsible pet ownership.
The blog will be introduced by a new "virtual" pet expert called "Tracey from Tracer", with the character providing information about the importance of microchipping. Weekly updates from Tracey will seek to highlight differences between microchips, the associated databases, and details the whole process of microchipping; including information such as who the pet owner should call if they lose their pet, how a lost pet is reunited with their owner, and what do pet owners need to do to ensure the best possible chance of being reunited.
With over 300,000 pets going missing each year, the blog also aims to encourage owners who have already microchipped their pet to locate their registration documents and ensure they have useful contact details to hand in order to take the necessary action should it be lost or stolen.
Bayer says that according to a survey it conducted recently there is confusion about microchipping, with just under half of those owners who have had their pets microchipped having no idea which brand of microchip their animal is implanted with, and nearly three quarters of those surveyed being unaware which database their details are registered to.
Markus Edingloh from Bayer Animal Health said: "We are delighted to introduce "Tracey" and the new blog which is a method of focusing pet owner's attention on the topic of microchipping their animals. Microchipping pets is an established method to help reunify pets with their owners, but it is also important that owners are fully aware of the range of technology available and the differences in services provided with the microchip, such as the associated database which provides the reunification service. Our new blog aims to provide information about all aspects of microchipping in a bid to increase microchipping awareness and the number of lost pets being reunited with their owners each year".
The blog can be seen at: www.tracermicrochippingblog.co.uk
Woodley Veterinary Equipment has launched a range of eight veterinary stains.
The company says that the range offers a comprehensive product base to suit most requirements, and that they are all quick and easy to use.
The range is made up of the following individual stains for single test use:
Also available is the Automated Slide Stainer, which Woodley says is capable of precise, balanced slide stains for use with Haematology and Gram staining. Maintenance free and self-cleaning the Automated Slide Stainer is also programmable for individual preferences.
For more information, email: sales@woodleyequipment.com or call Woodley's customer service team on +44 (0) 1204 669033 Option 1. Alternatively visit www.woodleyequipment.com
Animalcare has unveiled its new logo, introduced to mark the latest stage in the company's development which has seen it move into larger offices and upscale its warehouse facilties to better serve the profession.
The new logo consists of three flags, each representing one of the three core pillars of Animalcare; veterinary pharmaceuticals, companion animal electronic identification and animal welfare. The three flags combine to make a stylized 'A' and the motif as a whole with the word 'Animalcare' combines to make the new logo.
Mindful of the environment, Animalcare says there will be a phased roll-out of the new logo across the customer facing elements of Animalcare. This will begin with the new price list and will extend across the range of packaging, starting with Vitofyllin, and the marketing literature.
To request your new price list either as a PDF or printed copy, e-mail: info@animalcare.co.uk or speak to your local representative.
The new facilities use teaching aids and models to allow students to refine their practical skills and build confidence before being let loose on real patients.
As part of the official opening, Princess Anne toured the School of Veterinary Medicine, where she met with staff and students and saw a demonstration of a new equine gut model that offers an alternative to using live animals for research into the gut microbiota of horses and how they are affected by diet, disease and medication.
Professor Chris Proudman, Head of the School of Veterinary Medicine, said: "We are honoured to welcome The Princess Royal to the Vet School today, and very grateful that Her Royal Highness has officially opened the Large Animal Clinical Skills Facilities. Preparing students for life as a vet is our number one priority; the hands-on experience they will get through the use of this facility is invaluable and enables them to give the best possible care to all animals.
"We are also very grateful to the Longhurst family, without whom these teaching resources would not have been possible – their generosity is helping us to teach the vets of the future."
Virbac Animal Health is calling on practices to prepare for Canine Prostate Awareness Month (CPAM), being held by the company in November to highlight the prevalence of the disease and to encourage owners and practices to test for it.
Last year, 400 practices sign up to support the event, and the company says that feedback from many taking part confirmed a significant lack of understanding among clients as to the risk of prostate disease in dogs.
Canine Prostate Awareness Month is timed to coincide with 'Movember', when thousands of men grow moustaches to raise funds for male prostate and testicular cancer. During the month, Virbac is providing promotional materials including dog leads; educational and display materials and a press release for local media.
Chris Geddes MRCVS, Virbac Product Manager, said: "With more than 80% of entire male dogs over the age of five suffering from Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)¹, we wanted to give practices a reason to highlight the risk and encourage owners to test for it. Timing CPAM to coincide with Movember seemed a good way to interest dog owners at a time when some might be considering the state of their own prostate.
"The support we received last year confirmed that it was a topic which practices were keen to discuss with dog owners so we're already planning to make the initiative even bigger and better this year."
Stephen Bamber, Principal at participating practice Warwickshire-based Avonvale Vets, added: "CPAM was an attractive campaign as it was a bit different. It offered the opportunity to see some of our older patients with other, less obvious pathologies. Non-symptomatic testicular tumours in particular surfaced in the checks we did. Clients generally had little idea about dogs' prostates so it gave us a good platform to discuss prostate disease with them."
Virbac has introduced OdelisTM CPSE, the first ELISA test to screen for, diagnose and monitor BPH, available from three UK diagnostic laboratories. The company says it's a cost-effective, precise and reliable alternative to rectal palpation. Virbac also offers Ypozane, a tablet treatment for BPH which takes effect within a week and lasts for up to six months.
Chris added: "BPH is an unpleasant condition occurring in nearly all entire dogs as they get older, but one which is entirely treatable. We hope that, by running our Prostate Awareness Campaign at a time when the media spotlight is already on the dangers of prostate cancer in men, we can help spread the message that owners should be monitoring older dogs for signs of prostate disease."
For further information on the Prostate Awareness Campaign, email cpam@virbac.co.uk; contact your Virbac Territory Manager or contact the company direct on 01359 243243.
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