Novartis Animal Health has launched Farming against BVD, a new initiative to help in the fight against Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD).
The campaign, which is being carried out in partnership with key industry bodies, will begin with an independent survey of farmers, the results of which will be announced in April.
An expert panel, headed by Professor Joe Brownlie (Royal Veterinary College and Chairman of the BVD Scientific and technical working group), will then come together to analyse the findings, using them to shape and drive an industry response.
Professor Brownlie said: "BVD is a costly and complex disease, spread by a pestivirus that affects the reproductive and immune systems. Persistently Infected (PI) animals are the main source of infection, but can be hard to identify without testing. Only total eradication will prevent the disease from spreading. Eradication Schemes in a number of European countries have already succeeded and Scotland and Ireland have embarked on similar schemes. The information being gathered will help the industry to develop a much needed scheme for England and Wales."
Joining Professor Joe Brownlie on the expert panel will be Dr Peter Nettleton (Moredun Research Institute), Mansel Raymond (dairy farmer and Chairman of the NFU Dairy Board), Caroline Dawson (Novartis Animal Health veterinary surgeon) and Paddy Gordon (veterinary practitioner).
Survey topics will include levels, and methods, of testing for BVD on farm, understanding of the role of PI animals and the financial impact of BVD on dairy and beef units. Farmers will also be asked who they look to for advice and how they view the role of vaccination.
Caroline Dawson MRCVS from Novartis Animal Health said: "Countrywide eradication may not be achieved for a number of years, although individual farmers can control the disease on their own farms within 1-2 years, providing substantial cost benefits. The purpose of this campaign is to encourage farmers to take action now against BVD. By working closely with their vets, identifying and removing PI animals, BVD can be removed. Ensuring adequate biosecurity and a robust vaccination policy will eliminate the risk of bringing BVD back onto the farm."
Professor Brownlie said: "Understanding what farmers understand about BVD, particularly the role of the PI animal, will enable members of the panel and the wider industry, including Novartis and the BVD Stakeholder Group, to meet farmer needs more accurately. Greater awareness of the problem is vital - this is the only way that progress towards eradication will be made."
The RCVS is encouraging vets to nominate members of their nursing team for this year's VN Golden Jubilee Award, which recognises exceptional contribution to veterinary nursing.
The award was launched in 2011 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first RCVS veterinary nursing training course and recognises those who have made an outstanding contribution to the profession, animal welfare and/or patient care. Nominees can be registered veterinary nurses, veterinary surgeons or lay people.
Nomination forms need to be submitted by 5pm on Friday 24 April. The principal nominator must be a registered veterinary nurse or veterinary surgeon, although the two supporting proposers can be lay people.
Kathy Kissick, Chair of VN Council, said: "One of the main priorities of VN Council in the coming years is to raise levels of awareness of registered veterinary nurses, and awards which recognise the importance of VNs in the context of the veterinary team and animal welfare are crucial to enhancing the profession's profile.
"Therefore I would encourage veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons to think about those VNs who go above and beyond the call of duty for their cause and who would be excellent ambassadors for the profession and nominate them for the Golden Jubilee Award."
Last year's winner was Hayley Walters who was recognised for her contribution to animal welfare through her teaching, clinical and international outreach work. Previous recipients were Jean Turner in 2011 and Sue Badger in 2012. No award was made in 2013.
The nomination form for the VN Golden Jubilee Award can be downloaded from www.rcvs.org.uk/goldenjubilee
The winner will be chosen by a panel of VN Council members and will receive the Award at RCVS Day - the College's Annual General Meeting and Awards Day - on Friday 10 July 2015.
For further information about making a nomination for the award contact Annette Amato, Deputy Head of Veterinary Nursing, on a.amato@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0713.
Virbac has announced the launch of a new support pack to help practices promote National Microchipping Month this June.
The pack contains a range of promotional and educational items including:
Sarah Walker MRCVS, BackHome Product Manager, said: "With microchipping soon to become compulsory for dogs across the UK, this year's National Microchipping Month is the ideal platform to raise awareness of its importance in all species and to remind clients that they will soon be required by law to ensure that their dogs at least are protected with a microchip. The new BackHome Mini Chip has a 34% smaller needle than our standard needles and this can minimise any stress and discomfort to pets during implantation.
"The resources in our Microchipping Support Pack are bold, colourful and eye-catching. We hope that, with the creative teams that exist within each practice, you can promote National Microchipping Month successfully using imaginative displays and use this opportunity to engage with your clients."
For more information, contact your Virbac Territory Manager.
At the start of June, the British Veterinary Association (BVA), British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA), Goat Veterinary Society (GVS), and Sheep Veterinary Society (SVS) welcomed the announcement that bluetongue (BTV-8) vaccine would be available by mid-July to support farmers and smallholders in managing the risk of a bluetongue outbreak predicted to reach mainland UK by late summer.
Since the Defra risk assessment indicates a high risk by late summer of a BTV incursion from France, veterinary associations have been involved in discussions with government, farmers’ representatives and manufacturers to ensure vaccine is available to meet potential demand particularly in the south of England where risk is highest. The situation remains under constant review by Defra as the disease develops and the weather warms up, promoting midge activity.
Pharmaceutical companies MSD and Zoetis announced that batches of vaccine would be available from mid-July, which Defra has just confirmed.
Vets across the UK are also contributing to the Joint campaign Against Bluetongue (JAB), helping to make farmers aware of the risk, clinical signs and what action to take, through speaking at local JAB information events and displaying posters and leaflets in practices.
While welcoming the announcement of vaccine availability in June, veterinary organisations also sought clarification about the cost and the amount of vaccine likely to be available in July and thereafter. This information is now available.
BVA President Sean Wensley said: "We welcome the announcement that vaccine will be available in time to meet potential demand. This disease seriously affects animal health and welfare as well as the productivity of livestock, and vaccination is the key control."
Photo by Fourrure (http://www.boulesdefourrure.fr) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
2021’s event will see over 70 hours of CPD across eight themes, with speakers including Megan Brashear and Helen Wilson, clinical lead for ECC at Langford Vets, University of Bristol.
RCVS President Mandisa Greene will open Congress with reflections from the past year. She'll be followed by the keynote speaker, Marie Holowaychuk, who will be sharing her knowledge and experience around health and wellbeing.
Dan Lewis – ECC specialist at Vets Now, who planned the veterinary Congress programme, said: “In 2020, the world of live events changed, and in November we delivered our first ECC virtual Congress to great success.
"Not only do we feel it is the right decision for everyone to continue our ECC Congress as a virtual event, but the format brings a huge number of opportunities for delegates, exhibitors and speakers, who joined us from all across the world.
"The interactive platform we’re using is cutting edge and it provides so much more than just webinars. Like last year, there will be live content, an interactive exhibition hall and more opportunities than ever for delegates to network and learn from some of the world’s leading veterinary experts discussing emergency and critical care.
"Our programme again this year has been carefully tailored to provide an inclusive learning experience for vets and vet nurses no matter what stage they’re at in their career, from students through to specialists.
"All being well, we will be back in Leeds for the ECC Congress in November 2022.” Full four-day tickets for delegates will range in price from £60 to £199 and ticket-holders will be able to access all the sessions on-demand for up to a month following the event.
To book your ticket, visit congress.vets-now.com
The panel will present the latest information on the prevalence of this zoonotic disease, review prevention strategies, and highlight the significance of cystic echinococcosis in humans.
The panelists are:
Dr Carolyn Kyte MRCVS (pictured), Elanco's UK Technical Consultant said: “We are concerned about potential changes in the distribution of Echinococcus granulosus in the UK and a subsequent change in zoonotic risk.
"We are hoping this cross-disciplinary discussion will provide Congress and Expo attendees with the latest insights the profession needs to allow individual, risk-based parasite control in dogs.
"The responsible use of parasiticides needs a true One-Health collaborative approach.”
Paul Aldrige MRCVS has won £2000 from Hill's Pet Nutrition after removing a cluster of uroliths from the bladder of an English bulldog.
He won the prize after sending the uroliths to the Minnesota Urolith Center to participate in a competition sponsored by Hill's UK in support of the launch of new Prescription DietTM c/dTM Reduced Calorie for cats.
Hill's says that although the winner was a canine patient this time, it was good news for the Bulldog that the sample was sent in, as the uroliths in question were found to contain urate. Purine uroliths, including urate, accounted for 6.4% of uroliths submitted to the Minnesota Urolith Center between 1981 - 20071. Staff at Center said that urate uroliths can vary in size, color, and texture: "This particular sample represents a good example of the need to submit uroliths for quantitative analysis. Physical appearance alone is insufficient to characterise mineral composition."
English bulldogs are one of the 66 breeds identified by the Minnesota Urolith Centre known to be affected by urate urolithiasis. Hill's says that foods such as its Prescription DietTM u/dTM can be used to help reduce the risk of uroliths recurrence in the future. Sara Locke, Hill's Associate Marketing Manager said: "We were very pleased to award the prize to Paul and congratulate him on being instrumental in producing such a successful outcome for his patient. Accurate urolith analysis is key. In many cases, these results enable vets to make accurate dietary recommendations that improve the long term prognosis for the patient."
The urolith analysis service is subsidised in part by an educational gift from Hill's Pet Nutrition and is provided to veterinary surgeons at no charge. You can download forms to submit a sample of uroliths at www.hillspet.co.uk/urolith or www.hillspet.ie/urolith or by calling Hill's on 0800 282438 or ROI 1800 626002."
Reference
Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th Edition, Hand, Thatcher, Remillard, Roudebush, Novotny, p833
The pack contains species-specific microchipping law guides, a practice registration guide, a cat chipping cheat sheet, flyers about registration and flyers about Identi’s silent microchipping scanner.
The company has also produced three short videos with more information for vet professionals about Identi, what it does, registering microchips and compulsory cat microchipping.
Tammie O’Leary, commercial lead at Identi, said: “From June 10th, it will be compulsory that owned cats in England are microchipped and registered in the same way.
"With these changes imminent, it is important that staff are up to date with the relevant legislation and the potential consequences of pet keepers not adhering to the law.
"identi’s new Practice Pet Protection Pack will provide busy vet professionals with comprehensive information answering a wide range of microchipping questions in a quick and simple format.”
For a copy of the Practice Pet Protection Pack, email: contact@identichip.co.uk
Fifty young people from low and middle income backgrounds will have the opportunity to learn what it takes to become a vet and prepare to apply to a veterinary school, at a summer school run by the Sutton Trust and the Royal Veterinary College.
The RVC joins nine other UK universities in providing 1900 summer school places this year, helped by a three-year grant of £750,000 to the summer school programme from Barclays.
Each year, around 1,500 applicants apply for 664 places at the seven veterinary schools in the UK.
The 50 successful applicants to the RVC summer school this year will enter a week-long residential course with all expenses covered. The academic programme will focus on Bioveterinary Sciences, Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Nursing taught by full-time academic staff. It will include practical dissections, clinical skills, farm-based sessions and laboratory periods. The participants will also be given sessions on the application process and interviews.
Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of the Sutton Trust and of the Education Endowment Foundation, said: "I'm delighted that the Royal Veterinary College has joined the Sutton Trust UK summer school programme. Veterinary courses are highly competitive, but it is vital that young people from low and middle income backgrounds have a fair chance to access them.
"Veterinary life is an attractive career choice for many bright young people, not just for the interest and variety of the work but also for the earning opportunities. The 50 students who enrol at the Royal Veterinary College this year will be given the best opportunity to prepare for university courses through our highly successful summer school model." Professor Stuart Reid, Principal at the Royal Veterinary College, said: "For many years the Royal Veterinary College has been focused on widening access to veterinary education to the most able students regardless of their background. The Sutton Trust has a long and successful tradition of supporting under-privileged students into higher education and we are proud to be working with the Trust's summer school programme.
"We hope that the summer school will demonstrate the broad range of exciting opportunities available to students with an interest in veterinary science and encourage more students from non-traditional backgrounds to consider a veterinary career."
Young people interested in applying to Sutton Trust summer schools can find more information at http://www.suttontrust.com/students/uk-summer-schools/
Organisers of The Vet Charity Challenge, which last year raised £50,000 for charity, have announced that the event will take place Saturday 27th September 2014 in Pewsey, near Marlborough, Wiltshire.
The event consists of teams of four walking/running, cycling and kayaking as well as some orienteering and mental and physical tasks.
Registration will open at the start of April. Organisers say that spaces are limited and in 2013 filled up very fast, so early booking is advisable.
The charities being supported in 2014 will be Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, SPANA and Cats Protection.
The Vet Charity Challenge is sponsored by BCF Technology, Kruuse and Vetoquinol and supported by the VMPA and Veterinary Practice magazine.
For more information visit www.vetcharitychallenge.co.uk.
As part of its continued support of the 2016 regional events organised by VPMA and SPVS, in partnership with Zoetis, the company is sponsoring the ‘Focus on the Practice Team’ course on Thursday 13 October at Chesford Grange, Warwickshire. Four veterinary professionals will be selected at random to win a place worth £210.
Royal Canin says the day will bring together some of the best experts in leadership, management, employment law and staff training to ensure that practices are ahead of the game when it comes to trained, happy and well managed staff.
The first half of the day will concentrate on the impact front of house employees can have on client communication, whilst the second half will cover HR issues. Guest speakers include Brian Faulkner from The Colourful Consultancy, Nick Steele from Zoetis, Veterinary Mentor, Carolyne Crowe, and Alison Lambert from Onswitch.
To have a go at winning a free place, send an email with your name, job title, the name of your veterinary practice and the reason why you would like to attend to royalcaninvet.gbr@royalcanin.com by Friday 30 September. The company will then select four applicants at random and will inform the winners via email by Friday 7 October.
Places on the course can also be booked by calling 01453 872731 or by visiting www.spvs-vpma-events.co.uk. Focus days cost £175 plus VAT for non-members and £125 plus VAT for VPMA and SPVS members (group/ bulk booking discounts are also available). The cost includes lunch and refreshments.
According to the Associations, a number of practices have been offering unpaid work, and whilst these offers may seem attractive to newly qualified vets who want to gain access to veterinary workplaces, they devalue the individuals and the veterinary profession.
Offering unpaid roles also exacerbates the problems surrounding lack of access to the profession for those who can’t afford to work for free and contradicts efforts to widen participation in the veterinary sector.
In addition, there are governance issues associated with individuals undertaking veterinary roles before they are registered with the RCVS and there are concerns around individuals undertaking voluntary roles without indemnity insurance.
The Veterinary Defence Society has advised that the Veterinary Surgeons (Practice by Students) (Amendment) Regulations 1993 allow veterinary students to carry out acts of veterinary surgery under the direction and supervision of a veterinary surgeon. After graduating as a vet, individuals are no longer classified as “veterinary students” and must either revert to only doing work which would be delegated to a lay member of staff or register with the RCVS.
Once registered with the RCVS, graduates must abide by the Code of Conduct whether they are volunteering or paid. One such requirement is that veterinary surgeons must have professional indemnity insurance. Veterinary graduates cannot register as a veterinary nurse and if they are not registered as a veterinary surgeon, they must not undertake those acts of veterinary surgery that can lawfully be delegated to RVNs.
BVA President Daniella Dos Santos said: “The Covid-19 crisis has thrown up many challenges for veterinary practices, but we make a plea to the profession not to exploit final year students and new graduates at this difficult time. These individuals are professionals and they deserve to be paid professional new graduate salaries, as we all were. There is a problem to be solved with regard to safe working, particularly in large animal and equine practice, but underpaying and undervaluing people is not the solution.
“BVA has been working with Vet Schools Council and others to champion diversity in our vet schools and the wider profession. If we only provide opportunities for those who can afford to work for free, we will be taking an enormous step backwards.”
Izzie Arthur, AVS President (pictured right), added: “We know that final year students are worried about job prospects and that these offers will be attractive, but we are deeply concerned that it devalues the skills and knowledge that have been built up throughout the degree.
"We’re asking vet practices to champion the next generation by providing paid opportunities for newly qualified (registered) vets and the support needed to get through the professional development phase so that they can become valued members of the team."
The survey, which is being conducted in partnership with Hazlewoods accountants, will be used to provide anonymised benchmarking information to enable vets to compare their practice profitability and help identify areas where profitability could be improved.
The survey asks questions around a range of reporting figures including gross profit margin, staffing cost levels and EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation), to allow for benchmarking in greater detail.
The anonymised benchmarking results of the survey will be free to all participants, including non SPVS members.
SPVS members will receive the benchmarking results together with supporting commentary.
The deadline for completion is 4th November 2022.
https://spvs.org.uk/spvs-profitability-survey
The papers in the report cover things like: novel, 3D-printed anatomical implants for orthopaedics, osteoarthritis and clinical outcomes measures, movement disorders and Quality Improvement in cruciate ligament surgery.
John said: "For an independent veterinary practice to publish a report like this is, in my experience, novel, and it speaks to the culture and values of our practice.
"All of the references cited in the report are clinical research outputs that are directly relevant to practising vets so I hope this will be a useful collated resource.”
https://www.movementvets.co.uk/about-us/clinical-research
Niall, who stepped up from Vice Chair to acting interim Chair of the Fellowship Board after the resignation of the previous Chair, has been formally elected as Chair of the Board.
In his role as Chair, Niall will continue to lead the Board, which is responsible for setting the criteria for joining the Fellowship across all three of its routes to entry, as well as the process by which applications are assessed.
An election for the position of Vice Chair of the Fellowship Board will take place in the autumn.
Niall said: “I am honoured beyond words to be elected Chair of the RCVS Fellowship and I'm very grateful for the support received to achieve this.
“I know I have very big shoes to fill, thanks to the great efforts that have gone on before and I will put all my available energy into continuing to work with our Fellows and the College to progress the goals of RCVS Fellowship as a resource of independent knowledge for our professions, to upskill and always innovate, while looking to enrich public awareness and discussion.”
Nicky Paull MRCVS, who has held the position of Chair of the Credentials Panel for the Meritorious Contributions to Clinical Practice pathway for the past three years, was successfully re-elected.
Nicky will continue to be responsible for making assessments of applicants aiming to gain Fellowship through the Meritorious Contributions to Clinical Practice pathway.
She will co-ordinate and oversee a review of the applications by her fellow panel members, as well as chairing any required appropriate panel meetings.
On her appointment, Nicky said: “I look forward to the challenge of continuing to grow the diversity of the Fellowship and celebrate those who, by their contribution to the advancement of the profession by clinical or educational scholarship and leadership, have had a significant impact on clinical practice within the veterinary profession.”
Niall and Nicky will be formally instated into their roles at Fellowship Day, which is due to take place on Thursday 28 November at One Great George Street, London.
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/fellowship/
CEVA Animal Health, manufacturer of D.A.P.® and Feliway®, has launched a new marketing toolkit to assist veterinary practices in educating and supporting clients with noise phobic pets in the run up to the fireworks' season.
The new firework pack features an A3 waiting room poster, a range of colourful notice board display materials, reminder stickers and a pack of educational client leaflets.
Lucy Brett, product manager at CEVA Animal Health said: "Research has revealed that over 49% of dogs in the UK have a fear of loud noises1, but only 50% of their owners will ask their vet for help2.
"Our new marketing toolkit will help veterinary practices remind their clients of the steps that can be taken to reduce firework fear and highlight the use of D.A.P.®, the only non-prescription product proven to reduce the intensity of fear suffered as a result of loud noises3."
As part of this year's awareness campaign, CEVA will be running a regional competition amongst veterinary practices for the best decorated waiting room.
Copies of the fireworks' marketing toolkit can be ordered from you local CEVA account manager or by calling CEVA Animal Health on 01494 781510.
This campaign follows the wildly publicised desensitisation campaign run earlier in 2009 and will include details about using the Sounds Scary CD from Sound Therapy 4 Pets.
The RCVS Charitable Trust is offering up to 10 grants worth around £500 each, to support UK veterinary surgeons looking to pursue themes of clinical or non-clinical research involving short-term visits to veterinary or medical centres, or research institutes, outside the UK.
The Travel Awards are open to registered members of the RCVS, as well as to candidates registered for a PhD at a UK veterinary school. The awards are available for up to 12 months from the award date, and awards cannot be made for projects taking place before 31 October 2011.
The successful candidates will be asked to submit an article to the veterinary press and provide the Trust with a diary record including photographs, and/or short video.
All applications must be received by 5pm on Monday 31 October 2011.
Further information including full application criteria, is available from www.rcvstrust.org.uk/grants/
Alternative, contact grants@rcvstrust.org.uk or call 0207 202 0741.
Petplan has announced the winners of its 2012 Veterinary Awards.
The awards recognise and celebrate staff and practices throughout the country that have delivered an exceptional level of care to the nation's pets and their owners.
Isabella von Mesterhazy, Petplan's Head of Marketing said: "Britain is known to be an animal-loving nation and pets play a central part in family life. The Petplan Veterinary Awards give us the opportunity, on behalf of all pet owners across the UK, to thank the veterinary profession for the outstanding service they provide."
She added: "This was the 13th year of the awards and we received over 3,000 nominations, a record number for the vet awards, which really highlights the high regard that the profession and pet owners have for these awards. We had an outstanding field of finalists and I'd like to congratulate all the winners who thoroughly deserve their title."
The winners for each category are:
VET OF THE YEAR - Zaila Dunbar, Queens Park Veterinary Clinic, London (pictured holding her award)What really stood out was Zaila's brilliant balance of medical knowledge and emotional empathy. She was described as an immensely caring and compassionate vet who goes above and beyond the call of duty.
VET NURSE OF THE YEAR - Lucy Kells, Wildlife Aid Foundation, LeatherheadLucy's dedication and inspiring manner put her above the other finalists. She is described as leading by example and always striving for improvement. Some of her colleagues have even dubbed her the 'Florence Nightingale of the animal world.'
VET SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR - Sarah Bowler, Holly House Veterinary Surgery, KnutsfordSarah's genuine and sincere attitude towards her job and the dedication shown towards her practice really stood out for this year's independent panel of judges.
VET PRACTICE OF THE YEAR - Eastcott Veterinary Hospital, SwindonEastcott's involvement with the community really impressed the judges, which includes charity fund raising. The veterinary hospital recently organised a Team Adventure Challenge raising £10,000 for guide dogs.
For further information please visit www.petplan.co.uk
Centaur Services has announced a new partnership with VBS Direct which will allow the wholesaler to offer USA-based K-Laser products to its customers for the first time.
According to VBS, the K-Laser range can be used to treat a wide range of conditions. However, the company says most practices choose to buy K-Laser so they can start osteoarthritic pain management clinics and improve post-surgical rehabilitation, often using trained nurses or physiotherapists to run the clinics.
Centaur says K-Laser offers the most advanced Class IV therapy laser platform in the world, with the team of scientists and doctors at K-Laser USA having researched, tested and implemented therapy presets that are categorised anatomically and subdivided by clinical indication. The company claims that during treatment, laser energy is absorbed in water, increasing local circulation and thereby drawing oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area. This, it says, creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain.
Apparently, more than 8,000 US veterinary practices and almost 100 in the UK have invested in Class IV laser therapy.
Colm McGinn from Centaur said: "We're committed to finding innovative products and services for our customers so that we can help them to grow their businesses and succeed together.
"K-Laser, as well as being a revolutionary piece of clinical equipment, is also a fantastic revenue generator for veterinary practices and with our flexible payment options our customers are able to reap the benefits to their businesses very quickly. We appreciate that making capital investment in equipment can be a big decision and we want to fully support our customers in improving the services their practices can offer."
For more information, contact Centaur on 01963 350005 or VBS Direct on 0845 528 0336.
The Worldwide Veterinary Service, the charity founded by Luke Gamble MRCVS to support animal welfare charities globally, is celebrating a donation of products including dog and cat wormers, skin and joint supplements and NSAIDs, by Ceva Animal Health.
The donated products were dispatched to the WVS’s own centres and shelters in Thailand, including its 'Care for Dogs' shelter in Chiang Mai, Thailand, as well as to over 60 animal welfare charities around the world, all of which have registered a wish list of items to the WVS.
One of the charities that benefited from the company's donation of over 1,000 Milbactor worming tablets to the WVS was the Liberia Animal Welfare and Conservation Society (LAWCS). Dogs are often kept in horrendous conditions in Liberia and LAWCS provides responsible dog ownership education, free veterinary care and treatment and community outreach feeding programmes to pet owners. The WVS’s donation helped enable LAWCS to reach and provide free veterinary care and treatment to 420 dogs in the country.
Luke Gamble, chief executive and founder of WVS, said: "The donation from Ceva is fantastic and we can’t thank the company enough. Its support means so much to the charity and enables us to help animals in tough places where veterinary support is hard to find. Ceva has always supported WVS and its generosity in giving us another donation like this is simply amazing."
Cuneyt Seckin, managing director at Ceva Animal Health said: "Our donation to WVS helps charities and organisations whose veterinary resources can be scarce or extremely difficult to fund improve the welfare conditions of animals that are often kept in horrendous conditions.
"Treatments like wormers are the most requested items by WVS’s associated charities, so we are delighted that our donation has been able to impact the welfare of individual animals to greatly improve their quality of life."
XLVets has called on experts in people development, legal, IT and HR, as well as its practice owners, managers and team leaders to develop a package of coronavirus resources. The package includes guidance and best practice, tips offered by XLVets members, expert guidance in the use of technology to support home workers, access to the XLVets Thriving in Practice wellbeing initiative and more.
To access the resources at www.xlvets.co.uk without charge or obligation, email admin@xlvets.co.uk.
Colm McGinn (pictured right), from XLVets said: "We are very good at working together to develop solutions for problems and supporting each other. This is a national challenge and while our members have faced some difficult decisions, they've been able to share that decision-making process with their peers, calling on them for ideas, guidance and support.
"It's a big ask for just one or two partners to interpret the guidance in a rapidly changing environment and to stay informed about advice from regulatory bodies and associations. We've all benefited from sharing knowledge and it's lifted some of the pressure that comes from taking individual action, while still having freedom to do what's right for your own practice and people. I can't think of a better time for us to share our learning and resources for the greater good."
For more information, visit: https://www.xlvets.co.uk/the-boss.
Typically, diagnosis of endocrine disease is based on a thorough history and physical examination, followed by laboratory tests.
However clinical signs vary substantially across animals with endocrine disorders, so this new app uses AI and big data from millions of dogs in the RVC VetCompass database to improve the chances of an accurate diagnosis.
Dr Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor for Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC, said: "By applying the latest AI technology, the app is designed to assist primary care veterinary surgeons to better detect and diagnose Cushing’s Syndrome.
"The app provides a guide to the probability of Cushing’s syndrome as an explanation in patients showing both typical and atypical clinical signs for Cushing’s"
The app is free to download on both Apple and Android devices in the UK and EU countries by searching for 'the endocrinology app".
Designed to help veterinary teams make clearer, more confident clinical decisions, the flowchart provides a step-by-step approach to diagnosing and managing ear disease in dogs and cats.
Renzo Di Florio, Technical Veterinary Adviser at Krka UK, said: “It takes you through each step, from diagnosis to treatment and long-term management, including identifying cases that might benefit from referral.
"It can also help practices to develop an otitis externa management plan protocol that’s useful for the whole team, and that’s practical and easy to integrate into existing workflows.”
One of the main messages in the flowchart is the central role of cytology in otitis management.
Tim said: “Cytology is essential to assess the level of inflammation and detect the presence of bacteria or Malassezia.
"This helps clinicians make informed decisions about whether antibiotics are truly needed.
"In contrast, culture and sensitivity testing can be misleading when used to guide topical therapy.”
https://www.krka.co.uk/veterinary-knowledge-hub
Petplan has launched PetPeople, billed as the largest circulation pet focussed customer magazine.
BCF Technology has announced the launch of its new BUG ultrasound goggles. The company says that by using cutting-edge OLED display technology, BUGs deliver significant improvements in viewing images from fertility and pregnancy scanning of cattle, sheep, deer and goats.
BCF also says that BUGs are rugged and reliable, combining unprecedented display performance with excellent peripheral vision, and set a new standard in viewing ultrasound images. Optimised for grey scale imaging, the binocular style viewing features a full resolution display on which every ultrasound pixel is displayed. They are headband mounted for comfort and tough enough to suit any environment.
Gavin Mitchell, BCF’s Sales Director, said: “We spent over a year researching the needs of vets and developing the optimum technology for BUGs. We understand the problems that vets have experienced with monocular and binocular goggles, and we have successfully developed the ultimate solution for ultrasound scanning.”
Andrew Bronson, Cattle Vet, Alberta, Canada, said; "These durable goggles give me great peripheral vision when scanning cattle, which means that scanning is a lot safer. With the larger field of view and improved image quality over monocular goggles, I’ve finally found a permanent solution for portable ultrasound."
Charles Marwood, BVM & S, MRCVS, Clyde Veterinary Group, Scotland, said: "These goggles give a crisp, superior image and a fantastic resolution. They are very comfortable to wear with no safety issues."
BUGs are designed specifically for use with the BCF Easi-Scan ultrasound scanner. For more information, visit: http://www.bcftechnology.com/