The diffuser contains a blend of rose, lavender, and chamomile oils, which the company claims provides stress-relieving benefits during car journeys.
'On The Move' is part of the Calmex range, which includes a plug-in diffuser for the home and two nutraceuticals: a palatable tablet for dogs and a liquid formulation for cats.
Jackie Marshall, Technical Advisor at VetPlus, said: “We’re committed to developing products and solutions that allow vets to give their clients the best management options possible to ensure that pets are happy and healthy all year round.
“Combining the new in-car diffuser with the Calmex supplement and plug-in diffuser can be highly effective at supporting animals affected by many causes of stress, including loud noises, separation related anxiety, car travel, and environmental change.
"This gives vets the ability to recommend a truly multimodal approach to help animals cope better with stressful situations both in the home and on the move.
“The products can be used all year round to offer calming support for potentially distressing situations such as visits to the groomer, training and visits to the vet, as well as in the lead up to potentially stressful or busy events like Christmas or New Year’s Eve.”
VetPlus has also worked with behaviourists to develop a free app called Plasid.
Calmex users can access the app, which includes tracking tools, videos from behaviourists, and calming music to help stressed pets, by scanning the QR code on the product packaging.
www.vetplus.co.uk/product-category/brain-behaviour
The speakers include Aldo Vezzoni, a European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, Peter Southerden, a European and RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Dentistry, orthopaedic specialist Daniel Lewis, veterinary physiotherapist Barbara Houlding, neurosurgeon Fred Wininger, Gary England, Professor of Comparative Veterinary Reproduction at Nottingham University, Rob Lowe, the ophthalmologist, Nick Bacon, Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, and Rachel Lumbis, a lecturer in Veterinary Nursing at the Royal Veterinary College, and, of course, Noel Fitzpatrick himself.
Dermatology, dentistry, ophthalmology, endoscopy and hepatobiliary disease have all been added to this year's education streams, together with a new ‘Top Tips’ stream, offering practical advice for immediate use in clinical practice.
In total, Vet Festival will have 18 separate education streams covering small animal clinical topics with dedicated nursing and rehabilitation content a key component of the programme.
The integration of veterinary professionals is a fundamental theme of the festival so, in the rehabilitation stream, surgeons, physiotherapists, rehabilitation specialists and hydrotherapists will offer perspectives in tandem.
Over the weekend, 135 lectures will be offered to suit those at every level of clinical practice. Delegates will collect 14 hours of CPD over the two days.
Also new in 2020 is the introduction of a ‘Wellness and development for you and your practice’ theatre, with speakers from both within and outside the profession, including paralympic champion Rachel Morris MBE, psychotherapist Di Gammage and mindfulness leadership specialist, Natalie Pennicotte-Collier. Various wellbeing activities, such as yoga, movement, fitness and mindfulness, will take place alongside the lectures.
Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, Clinical Chair at Fitzpatrick Referrals, who launched Vet Festival in 2015, said: "Outdoor festivals bring joy to the soul and I have always wanted education and continuing professional development to feel uplifting, inclusive and life-enhancing, both professionally and from a personal wellness perspective. That’s what VetFest is all about – food for the mind, body and soul."
Nicole Cooper, VET Festival Event Director, added: “For veterinary professionals keen to learn about the latest thinking and developments in small animal veterinary medicine, Vet Festival is simply unmissable. The breadth of content on offer and the quality of our speakers increases every year but what really sets VET Festival apart is the opportunity it offers for delegates to learn in a relaxed, fun environment.
Tickets for VET Festival can be purchased here: https://www.vetfestival.co.uk/delegate-info/ticket-information
Vetoquinol is advising vets and farmers to be on the lookout following the discovery of counterfeit Marbocyl on two farms in Northern Ireland.
The counterfeit product contains an unapproved source of Marbofloxacin in an untested formulation which presents an unknown risk to animal and human health if used.
Vetoquinol has informed the national authorities about this situation. It is illegal either to sell or supply the product or to knowingly buy and/or use it.
The withdrawal period of this counterfeit product is unknown. Should the product be used it could be detected in milk or after slaughter. Vetoquinol advises the veterinary community to be aware of the risk, to carefully check the product packaging before use and to continue to source the product from reputable suppliers.
Vetoquinol urges vets and farmers to take the following actions if you find this product on farm or are approached to purchase it:
Vetoquinol says vets can rest assured that it will do all that is necessary to remove this product from the market.
If you need further information or advice, do not hesitate to contact Vetoquinol on 0800 1698197.
Richard Malik from the Centre for Veterinary Education at the University of Sydney and Mike Lappin from Colorado State University, known for their amusing and questioning presentations, will be joined by experts including Jayne Sykes, Séverine Tasker, Donato Traversa and Francesca Mancianti to present the latest information about the diagnosis and treatment of a veritable smorgasbord of feline infectious diseases, including heartworm, leishmaniasis, toxocara, aspergillus, bartonella, coronavirus, erlichia, anaplasma, rickettsia, lungworm, mycobacteria, FeLV, FIV, haemoplasmas, cryptococcosis, GI disease and emerging feline pathogens.
Together with a mini-symposia organised by the congress sponsors – Idexx, Hill’s, Ceva, Bayer and Boehringer Ingelheim – the five-day event is worth 25 hours of feline CPD.
If you need more in-depth knowledge of feline infectious diseases, there are also three masterclasses planned.
The venue looks drop-dead gorgeous too. Set on a small wooded peninsula embraced by two harbours, Cavtat has a pretty waterfront peppered with restaurants, pebbly beaches and an interesting assortment of artsy attractions, making it one of the most desirable tourist destinations in the region. ISFM says it's a great base from which to explore Dubrovnik and the surrounding area.
The welcome party will take place at the congress hotel’s waterfront restaurant on Thursday evening.
Tickets cost £475 for ISFM members and £605 for non-members. Masterclasses are an additional £50 each.
That seems like an absolute steal to me, and I'm not even a vet. Where do I sign?
Ah, here it is: https://icatcare.org/isfm-congress
Metaxol contains 20 mg trimethoprim and 100 mg sulfamethoxazole per ml and can be added directly to drinking water or used in a concentrated stock.
The new product, which is part of the company's SoluStab range, replaces Methoxasol. Dechra says it is likely to be welcomed by farmers wanting to target entire flocks because of its shorter withdrawal time for broilers.
Dechra Brand Manager Emma Jennings said: "Sulfamethoxazole is a potent sulfonamide and, when combined with trimethoprim, it has a synergistic and bactericidal effect.
"Both active ingredients are rapidly absorbed and distributed widely in tissues making it a highly effective treatment.
"The shorter withdrawal time for broilers will make it an attractive treatment for farmers wanting to target entire flocks."
Metaxol is not suitable for laying hens.
In fattening pigs, Metaxol is suitable for the treatment and metaphylaxis of post-weaning diarrhoea caused by beta-haemolytic K88-positive, K99-positive or 987P Escherichia coli strains susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
It can also be used for secondary bacterial infections caused by Pasteurella multocida, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Streptococcus spp. and Haemophilus parasuis susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
In broilers, it can be used for treatment and metaphylaxis of Colibacillosis caused by Escherichia coli susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or Coryza caused by Avibacterium paraga.
The recommended dosage is 0.25 ml of product per kg body weight per day for four to seven days for pigs and 0.38 ml of product per kg body weight per day for three days for chickens.
For support in calculating dosages, visit http://calculator.solustab.eu/.
As Ceva points out, the change gives veterinary surgeons an opportunity to get more involved in parasite control plans and help farmers develop a sustainable parasite control strategy on their farm.
Eprecis injectable contains eprinomectin, the only molecule with zero-milk withdrawal currently available for cattle on the U.K. market.
Ceva highlights that because Eprecis is an injection, there is no risk of product transfer between in-contact animals caused by licking1,2,3 a natural behaviour of cattle, potentially resulting in sub-therapeutic levels of product being absorbed. There is also no risk of reduction in efficacy if dirt or manure is present on the back of the animal4.
The company says injectable formulation results in less active ingredient per animal treated compared to eprinomectin pour-ons; for example using Eprecis injection, a 500kg animal receives 100mg eprinomectin, while a pour-on delivers 250mg per application.
To support the new POM-V classification, Ceva has launched a vet support pack to help veterinary professionals when talking to their farming clients about Eprecis, worming strategies and their parasite control plans. The pack contains a farmer targeted brochure, farmer Q&A and a practical guide with suggestions of when Eprecis can be used. It also includes an infograph for social media posts, a technical booklet and a vet Q&A to help answer the most common questions they may be asked. A series of social media posts are available for vet practices encouraging their clients to discuss worming with their vet.
Kythé Mackenzie BVSc MRCVS, ruminant veterinary adviser at Ceva Animal Health, said: “Ruminants can be parasitised by a range of nematodes, trematodes and external parasites, all of which can have an impact on health and production. A recent publication considered that helminth infections (GIN, lungworm and liver fluke) cost the UK dairy industry close to £145M per year5. Interestingly, the majority of these costs were attributed to lost production (£131M) rather than treatment costs (£14M).
“There is now documented resistance to eprinomectin in small ruminants6 (Haemonchus contortus in goats) and whilst not yet documented in cattle, action needs to be taken to try and delay/minimise this emergence. This requires the use of more sustainable parasite control plans to assist in managing refugia and allowing animals adequate exposure to the parasites to develop natural immunity. Parasite control plans should maximise health, welfare and production whilst minimising the unnecessary use of anthelmintics.”
In the short-term, orders of Eprecis injectable from veterinary wholesalers will be fulfilled by the current POM-VPS product that is in the supply chain before switching to the new packaging later in the season.
For further information contact your local Ceva Animal Health territory manager or email cevauk@ceva.com.
References
MSD says the new Bravecto Care Programme involves collaborating with charitable organisations and raising awareness of their mission in order to help save and improve lives of dogs and cats around the world.
StreetVet has become the first of these partnerships for MSD Animal Health in the UK, which will be supplying the charity with Bravecto and Nobivac vaccines.
Amanda Melvin, Marketing Manager for MSD Animal Health Companion Animal said: "The bond between people and their dogs can be a profound one so supporting StreetVet is a perfect collaboration for us through our Bravecto Care Programme . Every vet and vet nurse will understand the value of this vital human animal bond and our team at MSD Animal Health is excited to be providing product and looking forward to volunteering on the streets with the StreetVet team."
StreetVet co-founder Jade Statt said: "Life on the streets makes it difficult for these owners to access the care they need for their dogs, so to ensure the health and vitality of these pets we need to go to them. Having the support of MSD Animal Health helps make that care work easier and allows us to access even more homeless people as the problem grows."
For more information, visit: www.streetvet.co.uk.
Exclusive to veterinary practices, the new range targets specific health concerns, allowing vets and nurses to offer clients preventative nutrition advice to help their pets maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The Adult diets are designed to support healthy digestion and muscle health with high-quality protein at an attractive price. The wet foods come in cans for dogs and pouches for cats. Meanwhile, as the name suggests, No Grain contains no grain or gluten, to support healthy digestion, vital organ health and a healthy skin and coat.
Hill's says the new products also include a high level of antioxidants to support natural defences and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and a luxurious coat.
For more information, visit: www.hillspet.co.uk/vetessentials
The review started with a series of focus groups amongst veterinary professionals across multiple sectors.
This was followed by an analysis of the information gleaned from the focus groups, additional stakeholder submissions, data from the College's Covid surveys, independent research studies and formal legal advice to formulate an online qualitative survey to gain the views and feedback of UK-based veterinary professionals.
In this final stage, the public consultation, all veterinary professionals, vet and vet nurse students, practice managers and all those who work in the veterinary practice team are invited to share the extent to which they agree (or disagree) with each element of the proposed new guidance on ‘under care’, their views on the requirements for a 24/7 follow-up service following a remote prescription and other safeguards, and their feedback on the proposed definition of limited-service providers.
There will also be a consultation with members of the animal-owning public, which will likely include questions asking for information about animal owner experiences with remote prescriptions, the perceived advantages and/or disadvantages of remote prescribing, and views on 24/7 care and how important a service this is to respondents.
Dr Melissa Donald MRCVS, RCVS President and former Chair of the Standards Committee, said: “The past two years have shown us that the veterinary professions are highly capable of adopting new ways of working.
"It also revealed that we can adapt our established ways of practice to better respond to shifts in public expectations and advancements in technology.
"However, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that any changes continue to allow us to provide safe and effective care for our patients, and meet the appropriate expectations of our clients.
“Whilst we recognise and reflect on the need for change, the proposed guidance seeks to protect animal health and welfare and maintain public trust by ensuring that decision-making remains firmly in the hands of individual veterinary surgeons, as to what they, in their professional judgement, consider appropriate in a specific situation.
“This consultation, then, while not a referendum on whether RCVS guidance on ‘under care’ and 24-hour emergency first-aid and pain relief should change – that decision having been made by Standards Committee and approved by Council based on the evidence gathered, including the views of the profession and objective evidence, and legal advice – is a crucial opportunity for veterinary colleagues to tell us whether we have got the draft guidance right, whether the proposed safeguards are sufficient, and whether there is anything we might have missed or should amend.”
www.rcvs.org.uk/undercare.
The clinic will be headed up by Dr Ursula Dietrich, an RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology, who will be stepping down as senior lecturer in veterinary ophthalmology at The Royal Veterinary College to take up her new post.
Ursula has held a number of prestigious positions including Chair of the Scientific Committee of European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists from 2007-2012, member of the Examination Committee of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists from 2002-2006 and Associate Editor (Ophthalmology) of the Journal of Small Animal Practice since 2012-18. She also holds Diplomas from the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Opthalmologists.
Ursula said: “I am thrilled to take on this new role, heading up The London Cat Clinic’s new opthalmology centre. The clinic is doing wonderful things in feline veterinary care as the largest specialist practice devoted solely to cats in the UK. The ophthalmology service is the next exciting development in achieving our goal of being a centre of excellence in feline veterinary medicine."
London Cat Clinic Founder, Dr Jeremy Campbell, said: “We are delighted to welcome Dr Dietrich to the team, as she brings with her a wealth of experience in the field of feline ophthalmology. She will be a wonderful asset to The London Cat Clinic, as we embark on an exciting new chapter.”
For more information about referring a case to The London Cat Clinic, visit: https://www.thelondoncatclinic.co.uk/
Vetoquinol UK Ltd is launching a dedicated large animal/equine sales force on the 1st July.
The company says the move reflects the change in cattle and equine veterinary practice to become specialists.
Vetoquinol's large animal brands include: Marbocyl®, Sedalin®, Equistro®, Tolfine®, Pro Rumen and Locatim®.
The new team comprises:
The new sales team will be managed jointly by Hugh Gibson and Stuart Wade.
For further information or to make an appointment please contact your local Territory Manager direct or telephone 01280 825424
The European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS) has announced that it has approved the creation of a new European College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ECVECC).
The 10 Founding Diplomates will comprise the Organising Committee of Amanda Boag, Joris Robben and Nadja Sigrist along with Sophie Adamantos, Marcel Aumann, Andrew Brown, Dan Chan, Cristina Fragio, Isabelle Goy-Thollot and Francoise Roux.
Amanda Boag, Chair of the Organising Committee said: "This is the final milestone for achieving recognition for Emergency and Critical Care as a defined speciality within Europe.
"Over the last 10 years, ECC has grown within Europe and especially the UK. Academic institutions, notably the RVC, have supported and developed ECC through their student and post graduate education.
"Commercial companies such as Vets Now have also grown and have strong internal training programmes such as the Cutting Edge.
"There are multiple opportunities for those working in practice to obtain further skills in this area with the RCVS certificate and the BSAVA/Vets Now ECC certificate and it is fantastic that we will now be able to offer European Diploma training programmes in the UK.
"Alongside this, opportunities for our nursing colleagues are growing including a large number of nurses registered for the City and Guilds Nursing Certificate in ECC delivered by Vets Now.
"Creating a European College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care is the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle and the Organising Committee are delighted that all the hard work of those who have been involved with the development of ECC in Europe has paid off."
The College will be formally launched at the EVECCS Congress in Prague (www.eveccs2014.org) in June.
Melissa graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 and, after working as a food animal intern at Iowa State University in the United States for a stint, in 1990 joined a two-person traditional mixed-animal veterinary practice on the Ayrshire coast. Over the next 25 years she developed it into a 4.5 person small-animal practice with a focus on dentistry, before moving away from clinical work in 2015.
Melissa was first elected to Council in 2016 and re-elected in 2020 and, since joining, has sat on a number of committees including the Education Committee, Finance & Resources Committee, and Preliminary Investigation Committee/Disciplinary Committee Liaison Committee. Since 2019 she has chaired the Standards Committee where she has led the Review of ‘Under Care’ and Out-of-Hours Emergency Cover and also chairs the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice Subcommittee.
As well as her work with RCVS she has also been President of the British Veterinary Association’s Scottish Branch and is currently a Non-Executive Director of the Red Tractor Assured Food Standards Scheme and a Trustee of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Outside of work, she enjoys running, swimming, cooking, reading and hopes to have the patience one day to write children’s books.
Melissa said: “I’m delighted and humbled to have been voted in as JVP from July. Thank you to my peers on Council and, as with everything I have done in my career, you, the profession, will see me put all my energy and commitment into the role.
"Themes that I'm keen to develop as a member of the RCVS Officer Team will be: communication, as that can always be improved; community, including within the profession, within the workplace and within the society in which you live; and continuing with the ‘blame culture’ theme originally set out in Chris Tufnell's presidency by looking into how we can use veterinary human factors to improve patient safety."
Other appointments that were confirmed by election at the same meeting of Council was Dr Niall Connell MRCVS as RCVS Treasurer, a role he will take up at the July AGM after completing his year as Senior Vice-President.
Niall: “It is a tremendous honour for me to be elected Treasurer. The RCVS has an exciting strategy which I am looking forward to playing my part in ensuring we remain on a sound financial footing, supporting projects within the RCVS Strategic Plan and continuing to play a wider role within the RCVS Officer Team.”
In terms of committee chairs, Dr Sue Paterson FRCVS was reconfirmed as Chair of the Education Committee, Dr Melissa Donald was reconfirmed as Chair of the Standards Committee and current RCVS President Dr Mandisa Greene MRCVS was elected as Chair of the Advancement of the Professions Committee, replacing Professor David Argyle in that post from July 2021.
Following Professor Argyle stepping down as Junior Vice-President earlier in March 2021, an election to replace him as Junior Vice-President for the remainder of the presidential year will take place in April 2021. Subject to the usual approval from Council, this person will take up the position of RCVS President 2021-22 following the AGM in July.
Ceva Animal Health has launched Feliway Friends, a new pheromone to help reduce tensions and conflicts in households with more than one cat.
The company highlights a 2014 survey which found that 44% of cat owning households have more than one cat, with nearly a third of those questioned stating that they had experienced fighting and aggression between pets in the household1.
Feliway Friends is a synthetic copy of the cat appeasing pheromone (CAP) naturally produced by nursing queens to support their kittens after birth. The company says this pheromone helps cats feel safe and secure, and maintains a harmonious bond between them.
Ceva says Feliway Friends is clinically proven to significantly decrease the intensity and frequency of signs of tension in households with more than one cat. According to another study, 84% of cat owners believed there was a significant improvement in how their cats got on after using the product2.
Feliway Friends and Feliway Classic can be used at the same time if the owner is experiencing conflicts alongside other stress-related behaviour problems such as urine marking, scratch marking and general anxiety.
Available as a 30-day diffuser and refill, Feliway Friends lasts for up to 30 days and covers an area of up to 70m2.
Claire Russell, Feliway product manager at Ceva Animal Health, said: "Inter-cat aggression is a major problem in multi-cat households, with many cats experiencing stress in the home due to sharing resources. Feliway Friends is a great support to encourage harmony in multi-cat homes. By introducing the cat appeasing pheromone and educating owners on resource management and how to create a cat friendly home, we can significantly improve feline relationships in our UK multi-cat homes.’’
Ceva Animal Health has launched a range of marketing materials to support the launch of the new product, including an eight-page pet owner leaflet and poster. Practices can also request an online toolkit which includes: images, website content, social media assets and articles to help educate clients facing aggression between household cats.
For information on FELIWAY visit www.feliway.com/uk.
Luis Sainz-Pardo, a Spanish vet who migrated to the UK, has started VetAbroad, a new company which will offer advice and support to practices employing foreign vets, and training to non-UK practitioners in order that they are better equipped to work in this country.
Luis says it's not unusual for practice owners and managers to have concerns about how best to mentor and support non-UK veterinary graduates. Teamwork and a sense of what it means to be part of the UK veterinary community are essential. But cultural differences, professional obligations and coping with regional accents and idioms, all present significant challenges for both the non-UK vet and the practice employing them. Luis says he's experienced these challenges from both sides of the fence: first as a vet migrating to the UK and later as the owner of one of the first practices to achieve BSAVA practice standards.
To help foreign vets coming to the UK, VetAbroad has launched a new e-learning course Working as a foreign vet in the UK that trains non-UK vets to practise in the UK. It is suitable for graduates who've recently started to work here, those preparing for work in the UK and graduates who have been in the UK for longer but would benefit from brushing up on the expectations of UK regulatory bodies, clients and practices.
The 140-hour course includes a significant audio element to ensure competence in the understanding of spoken English. It addresses all aspects of life as a vet in the UK, including culture, necessary adaptations, the RCVS Code of Conduct, teamwork & productivity and client & patient care. The course ensures that graduates know what they need to fulfil their obligations of professional conduct, to respond appropriately to UK clients and to fit with the needs of busy UK veterinary practices.
To help practice owners and managers that employ foreign vets, VetAbroad offers a mentor scheme to help deal with their issues or concerns. For a nominal monthly fee, the mentor is able to counsel, provide advice, identify training needs, or liaise between the two parties, taking into account cultural differences, common misconceptions and barriers to communication. VetAbroad says the percentage of vets not adapting to the UK system is close to 50% and providing appropriate support is likely to improve employee retention, client satisfaction and productivity.
For more information, visit www.vetabroad.com
Norbrook Laboratories has announced the launch of Cefimam LC intramammary ointment for the management of mastitis.
Norbrook's large animal vet adviser Stephanie Small MRCVS said: "With such a broad range of treatments to choose from, vets are able to choose the product which best fits the situation. Cefimam® LC brings a powerful antimicrobial to the mix with high penetration for more difficult mastitis cases. Only three applications are required, which means fast resolution and rapid return of affected animals to production.
"This company firmly supports the large animal sector: as well as our commitment to making effective treatments affordable, we are investing in the future of the industry. We have worked closely with leading dairy vets to produce best practice materials for farming clients, and there are more educational tools in development."
Amongst these is a new guide called The Best Practice Guide for On-Farm Mastitis Control which you can now get from your Norbrook Territory Manager.
Cefimam LC is now available at all veterinary wholesalers in packs of 24 x 8g intramammary tubes.
For further information on Cefimam® LC, contact Senior Product Manager Chris Geddes MRCVS on 01536 741147
It is not the first time Roundhouse Referrals has innovated in this area. Last year, it launched the first 'Fixed Price TPLO' - a guarantee that pet owners will have no additional costs, should complications arise and further treatment be required following surgery.
Ross Allan, RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Surgery and Surgical Lead at Roundhouse Referrals, said: "We loved the idea of providing price certainty for referral clients, allowing those with no or lower levels of insurance to access our services and plan their finances. We also realised that in putting 'Fixed Price Fix' first and foremost we are also immediately highlight the possibility of complications and we felt the very best way to provide context for owners and referring vets would be to be open about our outcomes."
Following on from this Roundhouse Referrals has published the first of what it says will be a series of reports on TPLO+ clinical outcomes and customer satisfaction.
Ross said: "I think we're the first in Scotland to publish this kind of information outside scientific journals in a way that is easily accessible for pet owners, maybe in the whole of the UK."
The clinical outcome data was collected using a previously published questionnaire which enabled clients to give feedback on their pet’s recovery and status following their TPLO+ surgery.
According to Roundhouse, the results show that over 97% of dog owners rated their pets’ outcome as either excellent (85.29%) or good (11.76%) based on the first 70 TPLO+ surgeries performed. A figure which Ross says compares favourably with studies that have been previously published.
Additionally, 94.1% of pet owners agreed that if faced with having to make a similar decision again, they would choose to have the TPLO+ surgery done at Roundhouse Referrals, compared to 84.6% of owners in the previous study.
The results from the Customer Satisfaction Questionnaire showed that 100% of Roundhouse Referrals’ clients felt supported throughout the referral process, 96.97% of clients felt that the TPLO+ surgery was adequately explained and 100% would recommend Roundhouse Referrals to a friend or colleague.
Ross said: "Pet owners whose dogs’ had been through TPLO+ surgery and rehabilitation completed this questionnaire, enabling us to start measuring the outcome of the surgery, our aim being to ensure the surgery is optimal for the pet, and that owners feel supported throughout the entire surgical journey.
"We are delighted with these results, and will continue to monitor our outcomes and commit to publish our TPLO+ clinical outcome and customer satisfaction questionnaire results in the months and years ahead".
The event offers over 30 hours of CPD, covering topics which have been chosen to represent the current areas of practical interest for veterinary professionals, from ethics and behaviour to critical care and pain assessment.
The online event was developed after the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of ISFM's annual European Congress.
There will be two separate lecture streams, one for vets and one for veterinary nurses and technicians, alongside several sponsor-led symposiums, live question and answer sessions, and a virtual exhibition hall.
In recognition of attendance, CPD certificates will be available to download from the platform.
In the vet stream, topics include the assessment and management of pain in cats, ethics, analgesia and anaesthesia, point of care ultrasound, nutrition and critical care. International expert speakers will give the latest research in their respective fields, whilst ensuring that their talks and lectures remain practical, with ‘take-home’ information applicable in clinics.
The ISFM is at pains to recognise the generosity of Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ceva, Hill’s, Purina, Idexx and Royal Canin, which has made it possible to provide the congress free of charge.
Registration opens today. For more information and to register, visit: https://icatcare.org/isfm-international-congress/
In response to the question ‘How important is sustainability to you personally?’, 57% of respondents said it was very important making it the most popular choice.
However, in answer to the question: ‘Is your practice team actively working to improve sustainability?’, 20% of respondents said ‘Always/wherever possible’ and 42% said ‘Most of the time’, leaving 38% not actively working to improve sustainability.
IVC says the conclusion to be drawn is that sustainability is a personal priority, but this isn’t always translating to practice and more can be done.
To help with this, the company will shortly Positive Hoofprint, an Equine and Farm specific toolkit to help practices become more sustainable, with resources, checklists and practical advice for prioritising environmentally friendly initiatives.
Mark Tabachnik, UK Head of Equine for IVC Evidensia, said: “It’s clear from our survey that sustainability is still being treated as a secondary concern in practice, and this is something that IVC Evidensia is actively seeking to change.
“With our Positive Hoofprint about to be launched, there has never been a better time to prioritise our sustainability goals and to embed them in our own practices.
“This will give colleagues the tools they need to care for the planet, so we can fundamentally change equine veterinary to be more environmentally conscious for the future.”
The RCVS Disciplinary Committee has dismissed an application for restoration to the RCVS Register from Dr Janos Nemeth, who was struck off in 2009 for fraudulent registration.
This was Dr Nemeth's second unsuccessful restoration application, and the Committee said it would hear no further application unless the Committee Chairman, advised by the Legal Assessor, considered it to have a reasonable prospect of success.
At the original hearing on the 23rd February 2009, Dr Nemeth, who had practised in the Wokingham area of Berkshire, was found to have dishonestly entered his name in the RCVS Register. Although he held a veterinary science degree from the Szent István University in Budapest, he had included a forged document in his registration application. He lodged an appeal with the Privy Council the following month, but did not pursue it; the appeal was dismissed in September 2009 and his name was removed from the Register. Dr Nemeth was ordered to pay costs of £8,904.59, which remain outstanding.
In September 2010, he applied to the RCVS Disciplinary Committee for restoration of his name to the RCVS Register, denying that he had produced a fraudulent document. In refusing the application, the then-Committee told Dr Nemeth that it had no appellate jurisdiction and that the onus was on him to demonstrate that he was a fit and proper person, before his name could be restored. It advised him generally about a future application for restoration.
At this week's restoration hearing, Dr Nemeth told the Committee that he did accept the original findings of the Committee but, at the same time, told them again that he was not party to the forgery. He also said that he held a licence to practise from the Hungarian Veterinary Chamber, and had been employed since October 2011 as a veterinary surgeon in a small animal hospital in Budapest, where he carried out a wide range of work including surgery. He also said he had attended two CPD courses.
The Committee accepted this. However, it continued to be concerned about the absence of evidence. Dr Nemeth had not produced evidence of CPD undertaken or provided letters of support from employers or colleagues, to give comfort to the assertion that he should be permitted to practise in the UK. The Committee rejected Dr Nemeth's argument that his licence to practise in Hungary meant he did not need to do this.
Committee Chairman Professor Peter Lees said: "The Committee is disappointed by Dr Nemeth's continuing lack of insight and is satisfied that he has paid insufficient attention to the guidance given at the previous restoration hearing. The burden remains on him to satisfy this Committee that he is a fit and proper person, before his name can be restored to the Register."
The application was dismissed.
Petplan has announced that it has won a formal tender to become the chosen pet insurance provider for Vets4Pets and Companion Care, as part of a five year deal to provide cover for over 250 practices.
Simon Masding, Petplan's Head of Sales and Partnerships said: "As the leader in the pet insurance market for over 36 years, we have a rich history of working with veterinary practices across the UK and it is fantastic to see our unrivalled support recognised as part of a formal tender process. This partnership demonstrates our passion for working with and supporting the veterinary profession.
"We are delighted to be Vets4Pets and Companion Care's chosen pet insurance provider and look forward to working together to help give even more pets access to quality insurance cover and an excellent claims experience."
Companion Care Commercial Director Andrei Balta said: "Like Petplan, we put pet welfare and owner's peace of mind first. Through the development of the tender process, it was clear that Petplan offers not only a world class service for pet owners, but our businesses share similar values and a deep respect for the industry."
Under the new policy, introduced this month, women who joined the company more than two years ago are entitled to six month's maternity leave on full pay, while those who have been with the company for less than that are entitled to three months at full pay and three months at half pay.
After six months, statutory rates will be paid.
Meanwhile, new fathers are now entitled to four week's paternity leave on full pay.
Mark Ross (pictured right), CEO of Vets Now, said: “Several staff wrote to me about this issue and I agreed to look into it.
"Our previous maternity policy was six weeks full pay, six weeks half pay, followed by statutory rates, while men received 1.5 weeks of full paternity pay, so this is a huge leap forward. The changes cover maternity leave, shared parental leave, adoption and surrogacy.
"Our business has been tremendously successful in the past few years, thanks to the incredible hard work of our people, and we’re always looking at innovative ways of reinvesting our profits back into the business so it’s our people who benefit most.
"We’re also hoping to put in place other improvements and among the initiatives we’re looking at are providing better support for staff returning to work after a period of leave, better provisions for nursing mums, a dedicated resource for parents who are struggling, and additional leave during the first year of returning to work.
"We want to make Vets Now a great place to work for all of our staff, no matter what stage they’re at in life."
VetSurgeon members Ian and Gillian Mostyn, and the team at Pennine Vets are doing the Coniston Challenge later this year: 30kms of arduous cycling, hiking and canoeing for Guide Dogs.
You can support them with a donation, however small (£2 minimum) at: http://www.justgiving.com/penninevetschallenge.
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica has launched Benefortin (benazepril hydrochloride), an ACE inhibitor licensed for the treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs. It is also licensed for the treatment of chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) in cats.
Benefortin uses novel micro-cap technology to mask the taste of the bitter molecule. According to Boehringer, this ensures that Benefortin tastes good1, even if it is bitten, crunched or chewed. The company says taste tests demonstrated 100% palatability in dogs and 92% palatability in cats in home settings1.
Benefortin is available in 5mg and 20mg tablets for dogs and 2.5mg tablets for cats and dogs.
Jemima Scott, Boehringer Ingelheim brand manager said: "The addition of Benefortin to our cardiology portfolio now enables us to provide veterinary practices with two of the cornerstones of canine CHF treatment, and the palatability of Benefortin makes it an excellent choice for vets needing to prescribe an ACE inhibitor."
To support the launch of Benefortin, Boehringer is offering veterinary practices the opportunity to win one of three Bosch microwave ovens in a prize draw by answering three multiple choice questions on the ACE inhibitor.
For further information on Benefortin, contact your local Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica territory manager or telephone 01344 746959.
The company points to a survey of 1000 dog owners it conducted in July which found that 77% would put many of the top ten signs of Cushing's down to ‘old age’.
According to research carried out by CM research in July 2018, for every 100 cases of Cushing’s syndrome treated, a further 57 are suspected but not diagnosed.
The ‘Prime Suspects’ campaign will encourage dog owners to become a ‘Cushing’s Detective’ and look out for signs in their dogs.
To help, the company has developed a series of characters to illustrate the signs of Cushings: Panting Patsy, Leaky Larry, Lazy Lynn, Greedy Gus and Little Patch.
A nationwide pet-focused multimedia campaign will support the ‘Prime Suspects’ initiative and will include TV and print advertising, online banners, pay per click advertising and social media to engage owners and encourage them to seek advice from their vet if they suspect Cushing’s in their dog.
Dechra has also launched Cushing’s Connect, a digital platform single resource hub to help vets keep up to date with current best practice in managing Cushing’s.
The hub has information and tools to enhance diagnostic protocols, advice and literature covering pathophysiology, diagnosis and ongoing case management including treatment protocols and monitoring schedules, and interactive guides and videos by top veterinary specialists.
There's also a client communication toolkit with owner-focused resources to encourage dog owners to spot the signs and seek help from their vet.
https://www.dechra.co.uk/cushings-connect