Initial laboratory tests on the samples taken this morning from the cattle on the holding in Surrey where disease was suspected have indicated the presence of Foot and Mouth Disease. On the basis of these initial laboratory results and clinical symptoms Debby Reynolds, UK Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), has confirmed Foot and Mouth Disease. The farm comprises a number of separate parcels of land and a single Protection Zone will be put in place which extends a 3 kilometres radius from each of them, and a Surveillance Zone of 10 kilometres radius beyond that. Footpaths will be closed in the Protection Zone.
The British Veterinary Nursing Association and the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons have launched a waiting room poster to help practices raise awareness of the status of their VNs and promote the welfare benefits that VNs can help provide.
Rolled copies of the A2 posters are available in a tube for £2.50 (to cover postage). Folded copies are free or you may download the poster here.
Contact the BVNA office on 01279 408644 to request a copy.
The Fellowship was relaunched earlier this year with three new routes to entry and a greater focus on giving veterinary surgeons from all parts of the profession the opportunity to become an RCVS Fellow. In total over 50 people applied to become a Fellow through one of the three routes – Meritorious Contribution to Knowledge, Meritorious Contribution to Clinical Practice and Meritorious Contribution to the Profession – of whom 44 were successful.
Those who were successful were honoured at the College’s inaugural annual Fellowship Day on Wednesday 19 October were they received their certificates of Fellowship from RCVS President Chris Tufnell.
Nick Bacon chairs the Fellowship Board which, through its various Credential Panels, assesses each of the Fellowship applications. He said: "The recent Fellowship Day was a great success and celebrated the contributions of many colleagues who had a wide range of veterinary careers and expertise.
"I hope to see many similar days over the coming years and would encourage experienced veterinary surgeons who feel they have made a significant contribution to our profession to apply to become a Fellow – whether you are from teaching, research, industry or clinical practice."
Details of how to apply are on the College’s website at www.rcvs.org.uk/fellowship. Those who are interested in applying can also contact Duncan Ash, Senior Education Officer, for further details on d.ash@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0703.
The materials include a social media toolkit and a board kit, both designed to encourage owner awareness and more frequent conversations on eye health.
There is also a new CPD module, focused on ophthalmology.
The company is running a webinar on 24th September which focuses on management of dry eye and corneal ulcers for brachycephalic dogs
Campaign materials & VPD module: https://www.tvm-uk.com/national-pet-eye-health-awareness-week
Webinar: https://thewebinarvet.com/webinars/take-a-closer-look-big-eyes-big-problems-ocular-issues-of-the-brachycephalic
A new US colic study, published in Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ), in partnership with the American Association of Equine Practitioners, has identified various risk factors, including delayed faecal output and increasing blood lactate, associated with post-anaesthetic colic.
The study Risk factors associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction in horses undergoing elective procedures under general anaesthesia was conducted by surgeons based at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University, USA.
The authors say that the research should enable vets to implement preventative measures to help reduce incidences of colic in the future.
Gastrointestinal pain has been estimated to occur in 2.8-6% of horses following general anaesthesia for elective procedures, the most common cause being impaction of the large intestine or caecum.
The medical records of 416 horses undergoing general anaesthesia were collected over a two-year period and the potential risk factors were examined. 8.7% of horses were diagnosed with gastrointestinal dysfunction - higher than previous estimates probably because the study included horses requiring treatment for decreased faecal output whereas previous studies did not. Potential risk factors were assessed, including faecal output, which was decreased in 38.9% of cases, blood lactate, position during surgery, rectal temperature and breed of horse.
The results showed that Arabian horses, increasing blood lactate, right lateral recumbency, decreased rectal temperature post-procedure and delayed passage of faeces were significantly associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal dysfunction.
Diana Hassel, who instigated the study, said: "These findings should help the clinician identify higher risk horses and be proactive about their management in the post-anaesthetic period.
"This may include pre-emptive nasogastric intubation and administration of mineral oil and/or water and electrolytes. Although core temperature control in horses is difficult to achieve in adult horses during surgery, further research into this field may prove beneficial."
Professor Celia Marr, Editor of the Equine Veterinary Journal said: "This study brings obvious and immediate practical benefits for clinicians and the horses under their care. Rigorous monitoring of higher risk surgical cases should lead to a reduction in incidences of post-operative colic, making recovery procedures less difficult and outcomes more favourable."
Animus Surgical has launched Vetlog, a new temperature data logger designed to be used by the veterinary market. Vetlog will enable practices to prove their temperature compliance to the VMD and RCVS Practice Standards Scheme. Steve Beddall of Animus Surgical said: "data loggers can be easily placed in a fridge and then simply attached to a PC to download data in report or chart format". The company claims that the product is easy-to-use, cost-effective and will provide practices with a permanent record of temperature readings from the day practices start using them.For more information visit http://www.animussurgical.com/ or telephone 01449 775330.
The Kennel Club is hosting its second Puppy Awareness Week to help improve the health and lives of dogs around the UK, and is seeking assistance from the veterinary profession.
Puppy Awareness Week is taking place from 8th - 14th September and aims to help people find a healthy, happy puppy that is right for their lifestyle, whilst raising awareness about the plight of puppies and breeding bitches born into cruel puppy farms.
To help, veterinary surgeons and nurses are being asked to join in the week, putting up posters and literature in client waiting areas, and selling Puppy Awareness Week badges for £2, which will go to the Kennel Club Charitable Trust.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: "It is vitally important that we spread the word about buying puppies responsibly. At veterinary surgeries there is a captive audience of animal lovers and we can't think of anyone better to communicate with. Not only are a vet's clients animal lovers and as such, potential new dog owners, but they may also make great champions of the cause, spreading the message about buying a puppy responsibly further afield.
"Sadly, we are seeing tens of thousands of puppies born each year suffer as puppy farms churn out litter after litter of undernourished and badly cared for puppies, and then selling them on to unsuspecting owners through pet shops, newspaper ads, online adverts and various other means. With help from veterinary practices we want to provide information throughout Puppy Awareness Week to help people understand how to buy a healthy, happy puppy, and to raise money for the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, which supports charities and organisations that are making dogs' lives better."
To get involved in Puppy Awareness Week and receive literature and Puppy Awareness badges, contact the Kennel Club press office at press.office@thekennelclub.org.uk.
Puppy Awareness Week will kick off at Pup Aid on September 8th in Primrose Hill, London and will run until 14th September. To find out more, visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/paw.
The new platform offers video tutorials, podcasts, webinars, scientific studies, blogs and downloadable resources, all designed to ensure users understand how the HT Vista screening device can support their day-to-day work.
Users can also ask for a free one-on-one training call with HT Vista for personalised guidance.
HT Vista’s Managing Director, Liron Levy-Hirsch said: “We’re excited to introduce this new platform for veterinary professionals alongside our latest diagnostic update to the device.
"Our goal with HT Vista Academy is to support users in expanding their expertise, not just in operating the device but also in understanding the technology behind it and learning the best practice of dermal and subcutaneous mass management.
"By offering valuable educational resources and hands-on support, we hope to enhance the overall experience for veterinary teams and, ultimately, the care they provide to their patients.”
The company says the screening device is being widely used in nurse clinics around the world and its academy is suitable for both vets and veterinary nurses.
www.ht-vet.com/academy
Vet Stuart Thorne from Fellowes Farm Equine Clinic in Abbots Ripton has praised the work of the charity-run National Foaling Bank after it helped save the life of an orphan three day old filly foal.
Boehringer Ingelheim has launched Bitesize (www.bi-bitesize.co.uk), an educational website about canine epilepsy for veterinary surgeons.
Boehringer’s Brand Manager Craig Roxburgh said: "We have teamed up with eight neurology experts working in referral centres across the UK. These experts have covered the questions most commonly encountered when managing epilepsy cases in first opinion practice, which we hope will assist vets in their epilepsy case management."
Answers to questions are delivered as short video clips of between one and three minutes, optimised for use on smartphones and tablet devices to make them available in the practice or on the move.
Craig added: "Canine epilepsy can be a complex condition to manage. We hope therefore that when cases present, Bitesize will prove a useful and handy ‘go-to’ resource for vets to access information at the time they need it."
There's a chance to win an iPad if you visit the new site before 29th February 2016.
The awards recognise individuals and teams who drive continuous improvements for better outcomes for patients, better service provision to clients, an improved business or environmental case, or better working conditions for the team. In addition, applicants will be assessed on their passion for QI, and for encouraging and championing QI.
Applications are invited from anyone who works within the veterinary industry or veterinary education, including educators and learners from under- and post-graduate education and everyone working in a practice setting, including the administration team, veterinary nurses, practice managers and surgeons at all levels.
Individuals can nominate themselves, their team, or their colleagues.
Louise Northway RVN and RCVS Knowledge Quality Improvement Clinical Lead (pictured right), said: “QI has completely changed the way I approach my role as clinical lead RVN in practice. It has provided me with helpful tools to help me measure how we are doing and guidance on improving areas that require further work.
“QI is a continuous, reflective process that stops you doing things the way they’ve always been done and enables you to review the systems, measure the outcomes and consider how things can be improved for the benefit of your patients and team.
“I encourage anyone who is passionate about implementing QI to apply for the 2022 Knowledge Awards, or nominate a colleague who is championing QI in your workplace.”
Winners will be named ‘Knowledge Champions’ or ‘Champion Practices’ and receive a £250 prize, tickets to the awards ceremony and the chance to work with RCVS Knowledge to continue promoting their Quality Improvement work.
The winners of the 2021 Knowledge Awards were recognised for a range of QI initiatives:
The deadline for nominating colleagues is 18 October 2021, and the deadline for applications (whether you have applied directly or have been nominated) is 4 December 2021. Winners will be announced in early 2022.
For more information, visit: www.rcvsknowledge.org/KnowledgeAwards/
CPD Solutions have announced 3 new dentistry and oral surgery course dates, with expert tutor Alex Smithson of the Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Referrals in Lancashire.
All courses will include extensive wet lab sessions, which will cover conditions commonly seen in practice and answer all those questions you always wanted to ask but never had the time to look up!
For details visit http://www.cpd-solutions.com/ or call 0151 328 0444 and ask for Holly.
The RCVS reports that its alternative dispute resolution (ADR) trial is now nearing completion with over two-thirds of its target number of cases either resolved or in process.
The year-long trial, which began in November 2014, aims to gather the evidence needed to develop a permanent scheme which would provide a way of adjudicating on concerns raised about a veterinary surgeon that do not meet the RCVS threshold of serious professional misconduct.
The aim of the trial, which is administered by the independent, not-for-profit Ombudsman Services, is to make determinations on around 100 cases in order to gather information about types of concern, time taken to resolve disputes, recommendations and how likely each party is to accept recommendations. As of this week some 72 cases have been referred to the trial scheme, with final decisions made in relation to 54 of these cases.
RCVS CEO Nick Stace was responsible for pushing forward the trial believing that “what is good for the consumer is good for the profession”. The College also says it brings it into line with a European Union Directive on alternative dispute resolution which, while not legally binding, specifies that regulators and other ‘competent authorities’ should have consumer redress systems in place.
Nick said: “The majority of cases are either being determined in the veterinary surgeon’s favour or finding that they need take no further action in order to resolve the dispute. Where recommendations have been made in favour of the client, the suggested remedies have generally been for a small goodwill payment to be made.
“However, the trial has not been without some frustrations so far. The fact that participation in the trial is entirely voluntary has meant that, in many cases, members of the profession have chosen not to take part.
“With this in mind, it is very important to stress the benefits of the trial to the profession – chiefly that many of the vets who chose to take part have had their actions exonerated by Ombudsman Services in a way that a concern being closed by our Professional Conduct Department does not. For clients, where a vet does have a case to answer, it gives them the chance to seek recompense without having to resort to legal action.
“Regardless of which way the decision goes in any of these cases, participating in the trial can bring these often long-standing and burdensome disputes to a close.”
The trial will continue to run until the end of October and a full report and recommendations will be presented to RCVS Council at its meeting on Thursday 5 November 2015. Full details of the trial and its parameters can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/adr
The course offers practical tips and is also designed to help vets understand their obligations under the Code of Professional Conduct when discussing costs with clients.
RCVS CEO Lizzie Lockett said: “Discussions around the costs of veterinary treatment are not always easy and can sometimes give rise to misunderstandings or lack of clarity between clients and veterinary teams.
"We recognise the challenges these conversations present and the pressures veterinary professionals face.
“Meanwhile, the ongoing Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation has highlighted that animal owners are not always satisfied with the level of information they receive in order to make an informed choice about treatment options.
This course supports the development of veterinary surgeons’ and veterinary nurses’ communication skills so that they can discuss treatment costs more transparently with their clients, helping to reduce potential misunderstandings and build trust.”
The course takes 45 minutes to complete and features an interactive scenario as well as expert video advice from experienced veterinary surgeons.
https://academy.rcvs.org.uk
The Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) has inaugurated its new President Iain Richards BVSc CertVA Cert SHP MRCVS, who has outlined the key issues he would like to address during his presidency:
"The reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act will be a big part of the SPVS year. Any changes of the VSA are likely to hit practitioners hardest of all. It was to ensure public confidence that the RCVS was formed, and it is with the public that we have our daily interactions. It is satisfying to note, despite what some of the EFRACOM committee felt, that the proportion of actual complaints in comparison to public interactions is very small indeed. This point must not be lost on the RCVS or government. The profession is already held in high esteem by the public and any new act has to reinforce that.
Alongside the VSA are the closely related aspects of 24hr cover and the Working Time Regulations. Indeed, it is no coincidence that our high public esteem is in part due to the willingness of the practicing arm of the profession to make itself available at all times. The WTR has a long way to go, but has the potential to make this aspect of our work untenable.
Farm practice continues to have its own challenges. Despite opinion suggesting that farms do well in a recession, the challenges are still out there. It is a rapidly changing field with issues of medicines supply still causing problems. TB will spread and more practices will have to look hard at the return LVI work provides. By adopting SPVS advice on fee construction and cost centre analysis, practices can accurately assess the true impact of this and any other revenue stream.
Small animal and many equine practices will potentially feel the recession the most, as both operate in a luxury market. The 2009 Congress theme, and that of the SPVS stream at the BVA Congress in Cardiff, is "Surviving the Recession".
The Society will be at the forefront in providing solid advice to practices to enable them to thrive in such circumstances. Recessions have come and gone and we have a wealth of experience from previous SPVS members to draw upon. One thing is clear, providing a quality service is vital. To the client, this has to be a value for money service as well. Marrying these two is key to business success and SPVS council will be working towards these objectives. It is likely that those practices that adapt and survive a recession will be in a strong position in the future.
Quality and value apply to practices, regardless of their species grouping. At home in Kendal, my practice is pushing standards forwards in equine, farm and small animal work. Because of this I am lucky to be able to indulge in being a mixed practitioner who has a keen interest in all aspects of veterinary work. This places me in a good position to represent the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons at all levels and to all bodies. SPVS is a great society; it is a pleasure to be picked for the team.
My vision goes beyond the year, however, and would encapsulate a desire that SPVS works with the other divisions of BVA to ensure that the veterinary profession provides the foremost view of all aspects of animal welfare and disease."
The European Society of Feline Medicine (ESFM) is expanding the scope and reach of its Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (JFMS) in January 2009 by moving to a monthly schedule and introducing six colourful new clinical issues which will alternate with the now well-established classic issues.
JFMS, the official journal of both ESFM and of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), has an excellent citation index and is ever-growing with record numbers of high quality papers being received. The clinical issues of JFMS will be highly visual and contain commissioned clinical review articles enhanced by case work-ups, self-assessment questions and multimedia online elements to provide practitioners with the latest author guided evidence-based information as a tool for day-to-day feline treatment.
‘As a practitioner-orientated organisation we wanted to do more for the vet in practice. So, for ESFM's 10th anniversary we are again breaking the mould by introducing six new issues a year containing well illustrated clinical reviews, aimed specifically at practice, from the best authors around the world,' said Claire Bessant Chief Executive of the ESFM and its founding organisation the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB).
‘The aim of JFMS ‘clinical' is to turn vision into reality by delivering opinionated reviews, and some ‘outside the box' thinking, from respected clinicians to the front line of veterinary practice,' says JFMS editor Dr Andy Sparkes.
From January, members of ESFM will receive a monthly journal - six classic (the current JFMS) and six JFMS clinical issues - classic and clinical - pure and applied - the best of feline veterinary science.
If you would like a mini-sample of the new journal then contact the FAB/ESFM office Margaret@fabcats.org or go to www.fabcats.org/esfm where you can download a pdf or view it on screen.
Individual membership of ESFM is £110 pa (Euros 145) for UK and overseas. Practice membership is £170 for the UK, £190 overseas (soruE 240). ESFM members are entitled to reduced rates to ESFM congress and gain online access to JFMS papers. Full details are available at www.fabcats.org/esfm.
Vetlife's campaign included talks at various veterinary events, an awareness video, a series of lived experience blogs, and a downloadable resource for individuals and workplaces, all made possible by grant funding from the Zoetis Foundation.
Kirstie Pickles, Vetlife Trustee and project lead for the neurodiversity campaign said: “To be shortlisted was an honour, but to win this award is just incredible and is a testament to the dedication and passion that the team put into the campaign.
"It has been a pleasure and a privilege to lead this project and share this much needed information with the veterinary community.
"It is our hope that this campaign and its resources will enable and initiate discussions within teams to ensure that all within our wonderful veterinary professions can thrive."
https://www.vetlife.org.uk
Ark Surgical has completed an exclusive agreement with Cory Bros, the UK's largest independent manufacturer and distributor of surgical devices and instrumentation, in order to offer a new range of operating theatre equipment and consumables.
This takes the range of products available through Ark Surgical to in excess of three hundred, including trocars, laparoscopic instruments, laparoscopic suction and irrigation systems, safe sharps management systems and operating theatre essentials.
Gavin O'Brien, Marketing Director at Ark Surgical said: "This is exciting news for the veterinary community. Since launch, we have been told time and time again about the lack of choice and the high cost of surgical instruments and devices. This is a major step towards our goal of bringing greater choice and better value to surgeons and we are very excited that Cory Bros share our commitment and vision in achieving this."
Gary Hopkins, Sales & Marketing Director at Cory Bros said "We have an excellent track record for innovation, most recently with the development of our extensive range of premium quality, cost-effective Ultimate laparoscopic instruments and devices. Our progressive approach has enabled us to forge successful partnerships with forward thinking distributors, such as Ark Surgical, which has resulted in significant business growth and a far wider choice for healthcare practitioners, both human and animal."
For more information, see: http://www.arksurgical.co.uk/
"The undersigned veterinary organisations would like to extend New Year’s greetings to all our colleagues in the languages of the EU. We would like to send a message in 2017 that says we value all our colleagues and their invaluable contribution across the UK, wherever they come from in the world.
Happy New YearBonne annéešťastný Nový rokGodt NytÅrGelukkig nieuwjaarHyvää uutta vuottaFrohes neues Jahr Kali chronya Boldog új évetFelice anno nuovoSzczesliwego nowego rokuFeliz año nuevoChestita nova godinaSretna Nova godinaMutlu YıllarHead uut aastatAthbhliain faoi mhaise daoibhLaimīgu Jauno gaduLaimingų Naujųjų metųIs-sena t-tajbaFeliz Ano NovoAn Nou FericitBliadhna Mhath ÙrSrečno novo letoGott nytt årBlwyddyn Newydd DdaUrte berri onFeliç any nouFeliz ano novo
Gudrun Ravetz, President of the British Veterinary Association, said: "My theme for my year as BVA President is the veterinary family and it has never been more important to pull together as one profession, whoever you are, and wherever you come from. We are delighted that there has been such an overwhelming response to this idea from Andrew Cobner, the President of the British Cattle Veterinary Association. Together with the RCVS, BVA has made clear to government our concerns about the working rights of our EU colleagues post-Brexit – as well as the potential impact on standards of animal health and welfare, and public health – and we will continue to do so."
VetSurgeon.org also wishes all its members a very Happy New Year, and in particular that it brings some common sense, clarity and certainty for those affected by Brexit.
Presenters at the webinar will include: Professor Melissa McDermid MD, MPH, division head, Occupational & Environmental Medicine, University of Maryland, Prof. Clare Knottenbelt BVSC MSC DSAM MRCVS, owner and founder of specialist referral service, Hawk and Dove, and previously clinical director of the Small Animal Hospital at the University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Sam Fontaine MSc, lecturer and director of the MSc Advanced Practice in Veterinary Nursing and module leader within the BVMS programme at The Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine. There will also be a video from the oncology centre at The Queen’s Veterinary School, Cambridge University.
The webinar will also look at the use of Closed System Transfer Devices, such as Tevadaptor, to improve safety and break down barriers to treatment across all practices.
Clare Knottenbelt (pictured right) said: “Pets with cancer need to be able to access chemotherapy treatments locally. The advent of new closed administration systems mean that practices can now safely administer chemotherapeutics in house without the need for large investment, but still protecting the health of their staff."
Delegates will be able to to submit questions to the speakers and will receive a certificate for one hour of CPD. The session will be recorded so it can be watched again.
For the full programme or to register, visit: https://aesculap-academia.eventbritestudio.com/160802290981
The company has prepared practice marketing materials to support the campaign to educate pet owners on the signs of anxiety in cats and dogs, which are available from its Account Managers.
The campaign is being fronted by TV personality and radio presenter, Kate Lawler (pictured), who has taken on the role of official ambassador having experienced anxiety in her rescue Terrier cross, Shirley.
Ceva has partnered with Battersea Dogs and Cats Home for the campaign and will be making a donation of £1 for every Adaptil product sold during March.
http://www.petanxiety.co.uk
The survey, which takes about three minutes, will assess horse owners’ experiences of strangles and includes questions on the disease including preventative measures and vaccination.
There will be a prize draw from completed entries and the winner will get two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025.
Rachel Harrison-Osborne MRCVS, equine field manager at Dechra said: “The strangles survey will provide us with a valuable insight into horse owners’ experiences of the disease and will enable us to identify any trends that may exist to help us support owners who wish to put in place preventative measures to help prevent strangles.”
https://forms.office.com/e/85gzEd7J7A
Photo: Redwings Horse Sanctuary
Zoetis has announced that Suvaxyn MH-One, its vaccine against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in pigs, has a revised licence allowing it to be administered from seven days of age with a two-week onset of immunity.
The company says this means that piglets can be protected by three weeks of age when they are commonly already infected with M. hyo. Duration of immunity extends well beyond the average UK pig slaughter age of 176 days.
Nigel Lodge, National Veterinary Manager for Zoetis in the UK said: "This is a significant step forward, recognising the full efficacy of the Suvaxyn MH-One vaccine against enzootic pneumonia. Trials have confirmed that use of Suvaxyn MH-One at seven days reduces lung lesions - even in the presence of maternally derived antibodies.
"The vaccine, which adds to our large and growing pig vaccine and product portfolio, also benefits from using adjuvants carbopol and squalane."
According to the company, the performance gains from early protection are shown in a field trial with 240 pigs injected at one week of age which showed significantly higher average daily weight gain, providing nearly 5 kg extra weight over the study period to 166 days.