Some of the most experienced and well-qualified veterinary dentists in the country have agreed to help their colleagues in general practice by answering questions about veterinary dentistry that they post on VetSurgeon.org.

Dentistry Specialists: Andrew Perry, Jose C. Almansa Ruiz, Rachel Perry, and Bob Partridge, together with veterinary dentists Dr Matthew Oxford FRCVS, Evelyn Barbour-Hill and Susan Thorne join the team of Small Animal Medicine Specialists who are also on hand to answer questions posted by GP vets on VetSurgeon.org

All questions asked on VetSurgeon.org are added to a searchable knowledge base for the benefit of everyone in the profession. So anyone who asks a question is not just doing it for their own benefit, but for everyone.

Questions can be case-related, or broader questions asking what the team thinks about a drug, technique or piece of research.  

Anyone who subscribes to the VetSurgeon Digest of questions here, and posts a dentistry question here before 30th September 2023 will have their name put in the hat for a bottle of Moet champagne.

VetSurgeon.org Editor Arlo Guthrie said: “One other thing. Do share this news story with your colleagues in general practice. For them to be able to tap into the minds of some of the leading lights in both dentistry and medicine is a really amazing resource, especially for more recent grads."

The RCVS Veterinary Nurse Disciplinary Committee has suspended Gwent-based veterinary nurse Samantha Giles from the Register for two months after she failed to respond to repeated requests to provide her CPD records.

At the outset of the hearing, Ms Giles admitted that between 1 August 2012 and 21 June 2016 she had failed to respond to reasonable requests from the RCVS to share her CPD records – these requests amounted to 11 letters, two emails and three telephone calls. Of these attempts to contact Ms Giles, she responded to just one email. This was in May 2016 in which she issued an apology (and an explanation that she had moved address) and offered to provide certificates proving that she had undertaken CPD – despite the fact that no such evidence could in fact be produced.

During the proceedings the RCVS asserted that Ms Giles had failed to comply with several crucial aspects of the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses – namely that all members of the profession are expected to undertake at least 45 hours of CPD over a rolling three-year period in order to keep their professional skills and competences up-to-date, that these CPD records should be provided upon request and that members of the profession must comply with reasonable requests from the RCVS.

In her evidence Ms Giles said that she knew she should have responded to these requests but admitted that she did not originally regard the requests as important and thought that the matter would 'go away' if she did not respond. When it became clear that this was not the case she said she found it difficult to face up to her obligations. She also admitted that her failures to respond were unprofessional and that she now has an appreciation of the importance of undertaking CPD in terms of keeping up with changing practices and advances in veterinary and nursing practice.

Having found the charges against her proved and finding her guilty of disgraceful conduct, the Committee then considered its sanction against Ms Giles. The Committee took into account the seriousness of Ms Giles' failings in that she made repeated decisions not to comply with requests from the RCVS over a protracted period of four years. 

Professor Alistair Barr, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "Your failures show, inevitably, a disregard for the regulatory responsibilities of the RCVS to police veterinary nurses' obligations to fulfil their CPD requirements."

He added: "The RCVS can only seek to ensure compliance with those obligations at one step removed, namely by requesting information from its registrants that they have complied with their CPD obligations. They are in this respect, therefore, heavily dependent on the cooperation of registrants to provide full, honest and prompt responses to their reasonable requests for confirmation of their compliance. It is that which has been sorely absent in this case."

The Committee heard mitigating evidence on behalf of Ms Giles including witness statements and letters from current and former colleagues which complimented her communication skills with work colleagues and animal owners and in which it was accepted that she is a "valued member of the veterinary nursing profession."

The Committee also recognised that she had shown insight into her failings, that she had not attempted to excuse the failures to respond to the RCVS and had been making efforts to keep records of her CPD.

However, the Committee decided that a suspension from the Register would be the most appropriate sanction. Professor Barr said: "The mitigation that has been advanced on your behalf has been considered by the Committee and that has served to reduce the period of suspension that a bare account of the facts pertaining to the charge laid against you might suggest is appropriate.

"In the result that mitigation has persuaded us that we would be acting consistently with our public duty by imposing a period of suspension of two months. In imposing that sanction we have noted the evidence as to your professional competence and your other professional qualities. The Committee trusts, therefore, that once you have served your period of suspension you will return to the practice which you say you love."

Veterinary digital marketing agency, VetsDigital, has announced it is merging with two other veterinary marketing companies, Vet Inflow and VetBoost.

The three companies will now offer their services, which include marketing strategy, brand management, search engine marketing, online advertising, email marketing, webchat, social media copywriting, graphic design and web design under the VetsDigital brand. 

Sarah Spinks, Managing Director of VetsDigital, said: "In the pursuit of better animal welfare, we empower animal owners, and bridge the gap between the veterinary professional and the pet parent using the most effective digital channels.

“As one combined company, we become Europe’s leading digital agency that specialises in the veterinary sector. With our current presence in 11 countries, we’ll be able to further develop our network whilst still providing our clients with the same personal service they’ve come to expect and deserve.”

Marcelo Alves, Managing Director of Vet Inflow, will move into the role of Managing Partner for Portugal and Spain at VetsDigital, as the company expands to have bases in both the UK and Portugal. 

Will Stirling, who becomes a Managing Partner at VetsDigital, bringing with him 14 years of experience marketing in the veterinary industry, having previously worked with veterinary group YourVets and CVS, said: "The veterinary industry is buzzing with growth and renewal as many parts of veterinary marketing and management move into the digital realm. It’s the perfect time to combine the talents of our 3 teams, so that together we can offer industry-leading digital marketing services to veterinary businesses across the UK and Europe.

For more information, visit: https://vetsdigital.com 

Following a survey which indicates that veterinary surgeons are largely using unproven supplements to manage early-stage osteoarthritis, Hill's Pet Nutrition is calling upon vets to use evidence-based clinical nutrition to manage the condition.

The survey, which was carried out by independent market research firm Zyman Group, found that vets are more likely to give supplements than any other treatment in early stage osteoarthritis: 66% of cases receive supplements, 45% are given NSAIDs, and only 20% receive dietetic pet food.²

According to Hill's, its Prescription Diet j/d dry is clinically proven to improve mobility in osteoarthritic dogs in as little as 21 days; and 28 days in cats.^3,4 Furthermore, the clinical study assigned to j/d is classified as Grade 1 level evidence - the highest grade reflecting the validity of clinical evidence.  Another study has shown that Prescription Diet j/d also helps reduce NSAID dosage by up to 25 percent in dogs.⁵ This quality of evidence is, says Hill's, in contrast to many supplements.

John Innes, Professor of Small Animal Surgery at Liverpool, was involved in some of the early work on j/d: "Our results showed that the EPA in Hill's Prescription Diet j/d Canine pet food helped to reduce proteoglycan loss from cartilage. This would have beneficial effects in helping to preserve loss of cartilage. By preserving the cartilage, we can reduce pain in the long-term and ensure greater mobility for dogs with osteoarthritis."

Hill's has also announced that because a substantial majority of vets and nurses said that they felt that natural GACs have a positive effect in osteoarthritis¹, its Prescription Diet j/d dry has been enriched with glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate.

Hill's j/d programme is now backed with money off vouchers, to improve client acceptance of veterinary recommendation. Clients who register on the website http://www.hillspetmobility.co.uk/,or http://www.hillspetmobility.ie/, will receive  two £10 (or €10) money off e-coupons to use in clinic on their next purchases of j/d. They will also receive monthly e-mails containing information on how to take care of their pet with mobility problems, and help drive them back into the clinic for check-ups.

Veterinary surgeons who would like more information on the studies proving clinical efficacy, or score cards and trial guides for clients, should contact their Hill's Territory manager or call 0800 242438 or in ROI 1 800 626002. Clients can also fill in the scorecard online at www.hillspetmobility.co.uk  or http://www.hillspetmobility.ie/

References

1. Hill's data on file
2. Zyman group, Hill's funded brand equity research - mobility - Jan 2009
3. Fritsch D, Allen T A , Dodd C E, et al. Dose-titration effects of fish oil omega-3 fatty acids in osteoarthritic dogs. J Vet Intern Med 2010; 24:1020-1026.
4. Sparkes A, Allen T A, Fritsch D, and Hahn K A. Effective dietary management of spontaneous appendicular osteoarthritis in cats. Unpublished.
5. Fritsch D, Allen TA, Dodd C E, et al. A multicenter study of the effect of a therapeutic food supplemented with fish oil omega 3-fatty acids on the Carprofen dosage in dogs with osteoarthritis. J. Amer. Vet. Med. Assoc.Vol 236, No. 5, March 1, 2010; 535-539.
6. Caterson B,Little C B, Cramp J et al. Eicosapentaeonate supplementation abrogates canine articular cartilage degradation in 'in vitro' explant culture systems, in Proceedings, Hill's European Symposium on Osteoarthritis and Joint Health 2005; 14-19.
7. Innes J, Gabriel N, Vaughan-Thomas A. Feline Arthritis: Changes in Articular Cartilage, Development of a Degradation Model, and Testing of Candidate Nutrients. In: Proceedings of Hill's Global Mobility Symposium Sunny Isles Beach,Florida, USA April23-25,2008:pp.24-28.
8. Frantz N. Effect of Prescription Diet j/d^TM Canine on clinical measures, cartilage biomarkers, and metaboloic changes in dogs with osteoarthritis. J. Vet. Int. Med. 2010; 24: 718 Abstract 156.
9. Hill's Data on File.

VetCompass, a new veterinary research initiative at the Royal Veterinary College, has revealed that one in 60 Cavaliers are affected by syringomyelia.

The RVC says that until now, there has been little reliable evidence on the frequency and severity of syringomyelia in the overall dog population, which has limited veterinary surgeons’ ability to diagnose and manage the condition.

It's not just syringomyelia for which there is a lack of data. Scientists have for years struggled to identify the true extent and severity of diseases seen in the wider general dog population because the main source of veterinary health data on dogs has come from universities and referral hospitals.

While this referral data is useful, the types of animals and conditions that are referred to these referral centres is unrepresentative of the wider dog population, making it very difficult to extrapolate any findings to the general population. The vast majority of animals are managed perfectly well by the primary vet practitioners without ever being referred or even being ill at any one time. 

However, through VetCompass, the RVC is now collecting anonymised clinical data from first opinion veterinary clinics across the UK; data which is being analysed to answer a wide variety of previously unanswerable health questions. 

The VetCompass syringomyelia study published in the Veterinary Record is a case in point. It highlights for the first time the frequency and severity of syringomyelia seen in general practice in the UK.

At an overall dog population level, syringomyelia is not that common, affecting just one in 2,000 dogs. But among Cavaliers, the frequency of syringomyelia is much higher, affecting one in every 60 of the breed. VetCompass data reveals that almost 2,000 Cavaliers suffer from clinical syringomyelia in the UK at any one time. 

Syringomyelia is a severe condition for affected dogs, with the VetCompass study showing that 72% of affected dogs were recorded as showing pain. The study showed that these dogs would often yelp or scream when they were picked up or when their necks were touched. Many of them also showed ‘phantom scratching’ where they would try to scratch at their necks with their hindlegs but without ever even making contact with the skin. Some people refer to this action as ‘playing an air guitar’.  

The RVC is urging veterinary surgeons and owners alike to be aware of the symptoms of syringomyelia, so that clinically affected dogs can be recognised and treated earlier and better. Symptoms include:

• Sensitivity around the head and neck area
• Sleeping with the head raised
• Scratching or pawing the head or neck region
• Weak limbs
• Deafness

Dr Dan O’Neill, Companion Animal Epidemiologist at the RVC, said: "I loved being a first opinion practice vet for over 20 years where I could help animals on a one-by-one basis. But now, with VetCompass, we can help animals by their thousands. An example is this syringomyelia study which may lead to many affected dogs getting treatment much earlier and therefore making their lives so much better."

Professor Holger Volk, Professor of Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery, said: “These VetCompass data are an eye-opener; we very frequently see Cavaliers with clinical signs of syringomyelia at RVC’s referral hospital but now we know how common it is in the real world, outside of the referral world."

Dr Ludovic Pelligand, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacology and Anaesthesia, said: “VetCompass allows us to identify how Cavalier King Charles affected by syringomyelia are treated for pain every day, nationwide. This will help us to understand optimal management and we are currently working on new ways to monitor pain and working towards developing new treatment options to further improve their pain relief and quality of life in the future".

The RCVS and the Veterinary Schools Council (VSC) have launched a joint survey of new grads from UK vet schools to determine if and how the coronavirus pandemic has affected them.

The survey has been sent to 984 veterinary surgeons who graduated from one of the UK’s eight vet schools in 2020 to measure how the pandemic may have affected graduates’ employment prospects, clinical & non-clinical skills, and resilience in the workplace.

The survey has a deadline date of Wednesday 16 December 2020 and all responses to it will remain anonymous while helping to inform future policy on graduate support.

Dr Linda Prescott-Clements, RCVS Director of Education, said: “We know that the coronavirus pandemic has had a disruptive impact on the final stages of education for the 2020 cohort, in terms of clinical placements for extra-mural studies as well as teaching. This survey aims to gauge whether this has, in turn, had a deleterious impact on their confidence with both clinical and non-clinical skills as well as their resilience, for example, in asking for help and support from colleagues, managing their time effectively, and managing complex and stressful situations.

“Employment is another area of concern and in any typical year almost all graduate vets would find work or go on to further study after their veterinary degree had finished. Some anecdotal reports have suggested a perceived or real change to employment prospects this year and so we are hoping to gather some further data to see if there has been a discernible impact on this cohort.

“We are mindful that the pandemic is having a significant impact on all students and we are keen to understand how best we can support them moving forward. I would strongly encourage those graduates who have received the survey, which should only take around 10 minutes to complete, to take part, because the results will help the RCVS and the VSC inform future policies on how we can better support veterinary graduates in 2021 and subsequent years.”

Any graduates who have not received the survey or require further information can contact the RCVS Education Department on education@rcvs.org.uk. 

European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology Natalie Barnard MRCVS and Clinical Animal Behaviourist Dr. Emily Blackwell are calling on general practitioners to think more carefully about treating otitis externa to make it a positive experience for both dog and owner.

In a short video produced by Elanco Animal Health, Natalie highlighted how critical pet behaviour is to achieve a clinical cure: "Many of our cases that are referred for surgery are because the owner can’t apply treatment. However, we still treat the majority medically, alongside behavioural therapy.

"Prioritising your diagnostics in the consult, especially ear cytology, being able to identify subtle behavioural cues and potentially taking treatment back into the practice can all help achieve first-line treatment success."

Emily said: "Treatment doesn’t need to be merely 'tolerated'; it should be a positive experience. Just one bad experience can be hard to overcome so it’s important to get it right first time."

According to a survey commissioned by Elanco¹, 45% of owners struggle to administer ear medications at home. 55% of those said the dog finds it stressful, while 43% said their dog hides from treatment. 

Natalie said: "Owners often won’t admit that they struggle to apply ear treatments so it is up to us to ask the right questions and make them feel at ease in order to find out."

Emily added: "Owners often feel guilty and think they should be able to apply the treatment. We frequently underestimate how stressful this can be; having to apply treatment once a day to a painful dog is really difficult for any owner and can seriously affect the bond with their pet."

Natalie says treatment choices should be influenced by subtle behavioural cues in the consultation and in some cases veterinary surgeons should consider taking the burden of treatment away from the owner and into the practice in the first instance, to prevent negative experiences and unnecessary stress. She said: "We often find that applying a long-acting treatment in the consultation can make a big difference. It has less of an impact on the pet-owner bond and can help prevent behavioural issues that develop all too commonly."

Elanco highlights a recent clinical study² which looked at the impact of Osurnia on quality of life, which concluded that: "A veterinarian-administered otic gel provided equivalent efficacy and higher QoL to dogs with otitis externa and their owners, compared to an owner-administered topical otic therapy".

Natalie said: "It’s our responsibility to proactively prevent the negative association with ear handling, making ear treatment a positive and easy experience. By thinking more about how we handle our patients and what we’re dispensing, potentially using a product that can be applied in the practice and less frequently, we can make the whole experience a lot better for dogs and owners."

References

Janssen Animal Health has launched a range of skincare products - Cavalesse^® and Cavalesse^® Topical - to help maintain and support a healthy skin in horses prone to summer skin allergies.

According to the company, summer skin allergies, including sweet itch, which is caused by reactions to bites from Culicoides midges, can be serious and frustrating conditions that affect three to five per cent of all horses in the UK. These allergies can be difficult to manage and are often a real challenge for both horse owners and vets alike.

Cavalesse is a natural food supplement containing a specialised formulation of water-soluble vitamins and minerals, including Nicotinamide.  Once a month the contents of each sachet are dissolved in water to form an oral solution, which can be administered daily via a special pipette, either by sprinkling over a small handful of feed or adding to a treat such as a sugar lump.  The supplement helps horses maintain a healthy skin by reducing histamine release within the skin, moderating the excessive immune response within the skin, reducing anti-inflammatory reactions and suppressing antigen induced transformation.

To complete the Cavalesse skin management range, Cavalesse Topical is a skincare gel that can be used in combination with the Cavalesse solution.  The gel can be applied to the skin to help support natural immunity from the outside, whilst the oral solution works in partnership from the inside.

Helen Goldberg, marketing manager at Janssen Animal Health said: "Summer skin allergies, such as sweet itch, are frustrating conditions that can be difficult to treat. To help prevent the disease, horses are often fully blanketed while out at grass, given limited access to pasture or covered with insect repellents, while treatment has included antihistamines and corticosteroids which can have side-effects.

"Only available via veterinary wholesalers, the Cavalesse range of products will enable owners to protect their horses from the inside, whilst maintaining a healthy skin from the outside."

2ml of Cavalesse should be administered to horses and ponies weighing less than 500kg daily, while horses weighing more than 500kg should be given 3ml per day.  Cavalesse Topical should be applied to the skin according to requirements.

For further information, please contact your Janssen Animal Health account manager or phone 01494 567555.

The International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) is holding its annual congress online again in 2022, launching on 30th July at 1:30pm. 

This year’s theme is 'Feline Fine: how to create harmony between physical health and mental wellbeing in your treatment and management of feline cases'.

The scientific programme will include lectures, interactive sessions and in-depth masterclasses from feline experts including Professor Danièlle Gunn-Moore (feline medicine specialist), Dr Sarah Heath (specialist in veterinary behaviour), Dr Matt Gurney (specialist in veterinary anaesthesia) and Professor Clare Rusbridge (specialist in veterinary neurology). 

This is the third year that ISFM has hosted an annual congress event online, something the charity says has been a huge success, attracting over 3,000 veterinary professionals from 96 countries in 2021.

Dr Nathalie Dowgray, Head of ISFM said: "Whilst it was fabulous to be back in person in Rhodes this year, we cannot lose sight of the opportunity providing a virtual option gives the veterinary community."

The 2022 ISFM Virtual Congress is open to all veterinary professionals, including nurses, technicians and behaviourists who are interested in the relationship between feline emotions and behaviour, and other disciplines such as neurology, pain management, and internal medicine.

The live launch will feature a short lecture followed by a live Q&A session with iCatCare’s Vicky Halls (Cat Friendly Homing Manager), Linda Ryan (Registered Veterinary Nurse and Behaviourist) and Professor Danièlle Gunn-Moore.

ISFM Veterinary members will automatically receive a ticket to the Virtual Congress as part of their annual membership benefits.

https://icatcare.org/isfm2022congress-virtual/ 

RCVS Council has unanimously elected Mrs Jacqui Molyneux to become its new Junior Vice-President. She will take up office on RCVS Day, 1 July 2011.

Jacqui said: "As I have become more and more involved with the RCVS and the work of its committees I am amazed at the amount of work being done behind the scenes by both Council Members and the RCVS staff. It's sad that many of the profession live in fear of the RCVS as they are only aware of its regulatory function.

"During my time on the Officer team, communication with the profession will be a priority, not for the vocal minority, but with the silent majority who have no idea of the breadth of the work that the RCVS undertakes each year."

Jacqui graduated in 1981 from the University of Bristol and started her career in small animal practice in Liverpool, before moving to the North East, and setting up her own practice.  Following its rebuilding, the practice was accredited as a Veterinary Hospital in 2002 and, four years later, has become RCVS Practice Standards Scheme accredited.

Since her election to the RCVS Council in 2005, Jacqui has chaired the Small Animal Certificate Board and served for four years on the Disciplinary Committee. She has also been Vice-Chairman of the Veterinary Nurses Council since 2007.

From 2009, Jacqui has chaired the RCVS Awarding Body Board, including the review of Veterinary Nursing.  

Jacqui is currently President of the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS). She is studying for a Masters in Clinical Oncology with the University of Birmingham, and holds an RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery awarded in 2000.

BVA President Gudrun Ravetz has argued that recognising and retaining the vital roles that vets play across animal health, animal welfare and public health is pivotal to securing successful outcomes from Brexit, in her speech at the BVA's annual London Dinner in Westminster last night.

She said: "The veterinary family – which is my focus as BVA President – is part of the international scientific community, and we are a diverse profession with far-reaching influence and impact in so many areas of political and public life ... A healthy veterinary workforce is vital for UK animal and human health."

With the residence or working rights of UK-based EU vets a 'top five' priority for the profession in forthcoming Brexit negotiations, Gudrun highlighted workforce issues: "The UK veterinary profession relies heavily on EU graduates, who have felt the impact of the EU referendum result since day one … In the meat hygiene sector alone, some estimates suggest 95% of veterinary surgeons graduated overseas.

"That’s why our first action after 23 June was to call on UK governments to protect the status of EU veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses currently living and working in the UK. It was encouraging to see some of these key priorities … make it into the Prime Minister’s list of negotiating priorities. But we have said from the outset that our members need certainty and reassurance, so we urge the Government to make that firm commitment now."

"We know vets remain nervous about the changes to come, with many of our members concerned about the threat Brexit poses for UK animal health and welfare … Yet we can also see the opportunities Brexit presents, and BVA is determined to work with the Government to seize these opportunities, where they exist, to improve standards."

Highlighting opportunities that Brexit could offer in terms of improving animal health and welfare, Gudrun suggested a tightening up of the Pet Travel Scheme to reduce the growing trend of illegal puppy imports and improvements for welfare at slaughter. She said:

"The Welfare at Time of Killing or WATOK Regulations for England … are a case in point about the welfare-mismatch that could occur between domestic standards and those of our trading partners under the new Brexit arrangements. By failing to bring in evidence-based parameters for all waterbath stunning of poultry, [the] legislation has rendered it impossible for Official Veterinarians to protect the welfare of all chickens at slaughter. The regulations are simply not for fit for purpose, and could call into question England’s claim as a leader in high animal welfare."

The BVA President then shared a highlight of an early meeting between BVA and the then new Defra Secretary of State Andrea Leadsom MP last July: "We were pleased to hear [the Defra Secretary of State’s] vision to make the unique selling points of 'UK PLC' high animal welfare and food safety standards. It's a commitment that BVA fully backs ... To ensure our high standards continue, it is essential that we maintain existing veterinary certification and controls to satisfy our own consumer demand for quality and safety. Official statistics put the value of UK livestock outputs at £13 billion and not a penny of that could be realised without veterinary input."

Gudrun concluded by saying: "We can only make a success of Brexit if we harness our veterinary resource in clinical practice, public health, government services, conservation, academia, research and industry. We are a small profession but our impact is significant."

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity Lord Gardiner of Kimble responded, saying: "In my role at Defra I am continually reminded of the importance of the relationship between vets and government - most recently in tackling the outbreak of Avian Influenza in the UK. Your thoughts and ideas are invaluable as we manage the many opportunities and challenges posed by exiting the European Union, ensure the highest standards of animal welfare, protect the country from new animal disease threats, and attract the brightest and best into the profession.

"I look forward to continuing to work closely together as we push ahead with our plans to create a world leading food and farming industry based on high standards of animal health and welfare." 

To find out more about the BVA’s work on the UK’s exit from the EU, visit www.bva.co.uk/news-campaigns-and-policy/policy/future-of-the-profession/brexit/

The International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) have published two new sets of guidelines for vets and practices to promote positive, respectful interactions with feline patients and reduce the stress associated with the veterinary environment.

The ‘2022 AAFP/ISFM Cat Friendly Veterinary Interaction Guidelines: Approach and Handling Techniques’ and the ‘2022 ISFM/AAFP Cat Friendly Veterinary Environment Guidelines’ cover all aspects of a cat’s veterinary experience, including the journey to the practice and interactions with veterinary team members, as well as the clinical environment.   

The new guidelines cover things like:

• Implementing cat friendly interactions and minimal handling.
• Educating cat caregivers about how to reduce distress when travelling to the veterinary practice.
• Creating an experience that considers the cat’s natural behaviours and altering an approach to each individual cat.
• Creating an environment that considers and implements ways to reduce fear–anxiety, and promotes positive emotions and behaviours that cats find comforting.
• Ensuring the entire veterinary team understands species-specific behaviour and individual differences (and how this affects the entire veterinary visit/experience).
• Understanding how to identify the cat’s emotional state and the subsequent behavioural response (and what to do in each situation).

Dr Nathalie Dowgray, Head of ISFM (pictured right), said: "We are extremely proud of our new guidelines; they have been a lot of hard work with large amounts of literature to review and multiple time zones to work across, but the effort has been worth it.

"We hope all veterinarians working with cats will take the time to read them and apply the concepts and ideas to their clinics and to how they personally interact with their feline patients.’ 

The guidelines are available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/page/jfm/collection/cat-friendly-special-issue