The BSAVA has today opened Early Bird registration for BSAVA Alba 2025 which is taking place at the Glasgow Crowne Plaza on September 26th-27th.

Delegates will have the opportunity to gain up to 16 hours of CPD, explore a bustling exhibition with 20+ industry-leading exhibitors, and connect and network with colleagues and renowned speakers.

The programme covers a range of topics including ECC, Cardiology, Imaging, Nutrition, Neurology, Orthopaedics, Dermatology and Professional Development all with discussion sessions to further explore how it all relates to real-world practice.

Programme highlights include:

• Feline Otitis (Debbie Gow) – Common causes of feline otitis using the PSPP system, including diagnosis and treatment.
• Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation (John Ryan) - Indications, modalities, aims, benefits and limitations of physiotherapy in dogs and cats.
• Critical Care Nutrition: Preventing Malnutrition in Veterinary Patients (Georgia Woods-Lee) - The role of nutrition in managing critically ill veterinary patients, with a focus on preventing malnutrition and supporting recovery.
• Making ECGs Work for You (Frane Ivasovic) - The practical steps required to obtain a high-quality ECG recording, including correct lead placement, patient positioning and machine settings.

Amelia Brunt, Events Manager for BSAVA said: “Our Scottish Committee has worked incredibly hard to make this event accessible to vets and nurses within the profession, and this year’s BSAVA Alba has more hours of CPD on offer than before.

Whether you’re local to Glasgow or are travelling to join us, this event promises to be a fantastic chance to gain some high-quality learning in a friendly and inclusive environment.”

Early bird tickets are available until 31st July, with prices starting at £108 for BSAVA Members and £126 for non-members.

www.bsavaalba.com/home/programme 

The RCVS is inviting veterinary professionals to register for its free new Mind Matters mental health and wellbeing app ahead of its launch early this autumn.

The new Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) Kite App is the result of a collaboration with The Kite Programme. It offers a series of bespoke microlearning modules - known as 'kites' - about mental health and wellbeing. 

Microlearning is a type of learning which delivers content in bite-size modules. It usually combines a mixture of interactive activities, images and videos, which can be worked through in as little as five minutes. 

The first ‘Kites’ available on the app will cover subjects like breathing activities, mindfulness, time management and physical activity for mental health.

New modules will be added over the weeks and months ahead, in response to feedback from users. 

Angharad Belcher, RCVS Director for Advancement of the Professions, said: “Veterinary professionals undertake vital work for animal health and welfare, but the intensity and pressure of their work can take its toll on mental health and wellbeing. Sadly, research shows that compared to the general population, veterinary professionals are more likely to experience mental health distress, including depression and anxiety.

“We recognise how hard it can be for veterinary professionals to fit wellbeing activities into their busy workdays and understand that everyone’s mental health needs are different. By collaborating with The Kite Program, we wanted to create a wellbeing platform that was accessible, flexible and had a range of activities to meet a variety of mental health and wellbeing needs. This app will be another useful tool for the professions, and we are pleased to be able to offer it free of charge.

“We are really looking forward to hearing feedback from the professions about the platform and creating more modules based on their wants and needs.”

The College highlights that users cannot input any personal information into the app and the only data it will hold is a record of active users.

To register for the app, visit: https://www.vetmindmatters.org/mmi-app.

The app will also be demoed at BEVA Congress 2021 (5th-7th September, Birmingham ICC). 

Alstoe Animal Health has launched Dolagis, a carprofen tablet for dogs that uses a unique delivery system which the company claims offers palatability and dosage benefits over other versions of this analgesic.

Called Delicament, the delivery system is essentially a clever tablet design which allows a single table to break easily and accurately into four pieces. That allows correct dosing for all dogs above 3kg, from just one tablet size. Delicament has also been designed to be highly palatable, both in terms of flavour (pig's liver, before you ask) and texture.

To further simplify practice stocking requirements, Dolagis comes in only one pack size, complete with dispensing envelopes that explain how to split the tablet.

Dolagis 50mg tablets are packed in individually perforated blister strips of 10 tablets to aid prescribing accuracy and product integrity. This also reduces the chance that high palatability can lead to patient self-consumption. There are 100 tablets per Dolagis pack, which are available from all wholesalers. For further information contact Alstoe on 01347 878606 or email info@alstoe.co.uk.

Veterinary Insights is highlighting VetViewer, its free practice performance benchmarking service, as a way for veterinary practices to simulate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and plan for the future. 

VetViewer is currently used by over 400 small animal, mixed and equine practices in the UK to track their metrics.

The tool also allows users to run simulations - so for instance if the practice has had to stop offering routine consults, or has a reduced number of vets or RVNS available, they can immediately see the impact on the practice top line.

VetViewer can be used by all practices, independent or corporate, or individual branches. It can track performance for the past 18 months, allowing comparisons to be made with before, during and after the COVID-19 outbreak.

VetViewer Director, Alex Arpino, says the service usually helps practices to thrive but right now offers potential to help them survive: "Many clinics are struggling to know what to do for the best and not knowing the magnitude of the economic impact of their decisions doesn't help.

"Everyone wants to protect their staff but also ensure they have jobs to return to. We can link data from nearly every PMS in the UK to VetViewer and the practice's management team is given access to a portal where they can see the data at a glance. Right now, being able to run simulations is central to current and future planning and could help alleviate stress for many practices managers and owners."

In normal circumstances, VetViewer allows practices to look at their performance over time and the effect of any changes they might make. The company says it can also help practices evaluate where they over and under-perform relative to their region and the UK as a whole. 

The data available in VetViewer includes income from food, wormers and flea treatments and other provisions that many practices might find ways to sustain in the coming weeks.

Looking forward to a time when isolation and distancing can be lifted, the tool also shows where there is potential for practices to increase income - whether that's because they are under-charging for consults compared to the regional average, or performing fewer neutering procedures, or under-utilising potential diagnostic or imaging aids.

Such information is likely to be vital to recovery, providing a clear indication of the speed of recovery and the services that are making the biggest contribution to that recovery.

The VetViewer service can be demonstrated remotely by the company's dedicated team of Business Development Managers and the service can be activated at a distance, so practices can set up their account quickly and without any costs, either to set up or maintain.

For more information, visit: www.vetviewer.co.uk / www.veterinaryinsights.com or practice owners or managers can telephone 01403 800135 to make an appointment for an online meeting or to find out more.

Ceva Animal Health has announced the winners of its 2014 Animal Welfare Awards.  

The awards recognise volunteers, charity workers and veterinary professionals who have gone the extra mile in improving animal welfare around the world. Winners were decided by a panel of industry professionals, including Christopher Laurence MBE BVSc and Claire Bessant of International Cat Care. 

The winners of the 2014 Ceva Animal Welfare Awards were as follows:

Christopher Laurence Vet of the Year Award
Marc Abraham, veterinary surgeon and founder of Pup Aid, for his tireless campaigning about puppy farming. He recently gathered more than the 100,000 names required to trigger a parliamentary debate about puppy farming in a record breaking six months.

Volunteer of the Year Welfare Award
Johanna Beumer from Whittingham Kennels, Essex, for dedicating the last 50 years of her life to finding loving homes for retired racing greyhounds. Joanna is one of the Retired Greyhound Trust's longest-serving volunteers.

Farm Animal Welfare Award
Molly McKay from Norfolk Farm Vets Ltd, Norfolk, for her tireless work to ensure the health and wellbeing of her farm animal patients. 

Charity Professional of the Year
Luke Gamble MRCVS from the Worldwide Veterinary Service, for raising awareness about animal welfare and in particular his recent work in launching Mission Rabies, a worldwide campaign to highlight this issue and bring about control.

Charity Team of the Year
Hope Rescue, a small charity dedicated to rescuing stray and abandoned dogs. Last year it successfully rehomed 143 dogs and on top of that placed a further 384 dogs with reputable rescues.

Welfare Nurse of the Year Award
Jodie Foster from Haygate Veterinary Centre, Muxton, for her work helping owners whose pets have behavioural problems, and organising blood drives for the Pet Blood bank. 

International Cat Care Welfare Award
Agnes Dufau from Plataforma Gatera for her work to ensure the welfare of cats in Spain.

Jodie Foster said: "I didn't even know I had been nominated until very recently so I'm still in shock! I'm loving every minute of the night though. Awards like these really help raise awareness of the work veterinary nurses and other veterinary professionals play in improving animal welfare."

Upon receiving their award, Vanessa Waddon of Hope Rescue, winners of the Charity Team of the Year Award, said: "We are so proud to have been recognised for all the hard work that our volunteers and one paid member of staff do. We are a very small charity, and it is amazing to have been picked as winners over hundreds of other larger charities, all deserving of awards for the fantastic work they do in animal welfare. Even though we are a small charity, we do try to make a big impact and it is wonderful that Ceva are here in recognition of the important work that smaller charities, like Hope Rescue, do."

Ceva Managing Director, Alan Doyle said: "The judging panel were overwhelmed by the quality of the entries we received this year. It is truly wonderful to read so many stories about honourable people dedicating their time to improve the welfare of animals both in the UK and internationally. The judges had a tough time whittling down the short list as there were so many well-deserved entries; however we are pleased with the final result."

Claire Bessant CEO of International Cat Care adds: "I began my charity career more than 20 years ago and I only wish awards like these one had existed then as the wonderful work that these people do needs celebrating. Ceva's Animal Welfare Awards provide a real insight into the lengths people are prepared go to improve animal welfare. The stories were both tear jerking and inspiring - each and every one deserves to be a winner." 

Hot on the heels of Vets Now and the BVA, Linnaeus has launched new resources to support the 5000-odd members of its workforce that will going through the menopause.

The resources comprise guidance materials, a health and wellbeing assessment, associate case studies, links to external support and information posters.

The company is also piloting a mindfulness app called Headspace, which is now freely available to everyone at Linnaeus, whether they are experiencing the menopause or have other needs.

Saskia Connell, People and Organisation Director at Linnaeus, said: “Menopause is a stage of life that is unique for everyone who experiences it – and can also affect the people around them.

"For those experiencing the menopause, sadly 45% say they feel their symptoms have had a negative impact on their work, according to the British Menopause Society.

"As an employer, we need to make sure they have our full support and a flourishing career.

One of Linnaeus' practices, Park Vet Group, has taken things a step further and introduced other wellbeing initiatives to support its associates with the menopause.

The practice offers confidential support to all associates who want to talk about any health concerns, plus open sessions to establish conversations about menopause.

Its team, led by Practice Manager Harriet Tims (pictured right), also introduced yellow 'Just to Make you Smile' toiletry bags containing sanitary products, tissues, hygiene wipes, deodorant spray and face wipes.

Anyone at Park can help themselves to the bags, or add products should they wish. 

New research amongst veterinary professionals conducted by CEVA Animal Health, manufacturer of D.A.P.^® and Feliway^®, has revealed that pet owners may be unintentionally fuelling their pets' noise phobias in the run up to the fireworks' season.

According to CEVA's research, up to 95% react inappropriately, for example petting an anxious pet during firework exposure rather than making an effort to ignore the fireworks, thereby reassuring the animal by behaving normally.

The research also suggested that 77% of clients have never taken action to address their pets' noise phobias as fireworks' season is only an annual occurrence. This is despite evidence that noise phobias can affect pets all year round and tend to become worse over time. 

In addition, if owners do seek advice from their vet for noise phobias, it is at the last minute. It is estimated that 46% of clients leave it until the day before the fireworks are due to start before seeking help.

Lucy Brett, product manager at CEVA Animal Health said: "Owners are not doing enough to reduce their pets' firework fears and prevent noise phobias from developing.

"Taking early, proactive action within the practice is the best way to help dogs with pre-existing firework phobias as well as those with mild fears which, if left untreated, may develop into more serious noise phobias."

CEVA Animal Health and Sound Therapy 4 Pets have once again joined forces with the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB) and PDSA to launch a 'Remember, remember your pets this November' campaign to provide owners with advice on how to look after their pets during the firework season and the precautions they should take to help them cope with their fear of fireworks.

The initiative features a wide range of advice including how to use synthetic copies of natural pheromones, D.A.P. ^® and Feliway^®, to help comfort and reassure fearful pets, creating a comforting den for dogs to retreat to during firework exposure and treating noise phobias using behavioural therapy with the Sounds Scary desensitisation CD (which is the only behavioural therapy product for noise phobias supported by the RSPCA).

For further information, please visit www.petfireworkfear.co.uk.

Harrison Family Vets in Reading has become the first practice outside North America to achieve ‘Fear Free Veterinary Practice Certification’.

The Fear Free movement was founded in 2016 by US veterinary surgeon Dr Marty Becker.

Marty said: “Just like with humans, a pet can’t be optimally healthy unless they’re also happy.

"Fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) raise the levels of hormones that are destructive to both the body and mind.

"Fear Free uses clinically proven protocols to remove or reduce FAS triggers, it takes steps to mitigate FAS so that the pet feels safe and calm during a veterinary visit.”

Since launch, over 320,000 veterinary professionals, pet professionals, animal welfare communities, and pet owners have registered for Fear Free’s programmes and courses, and Fear Free says it has become the accepted gold standard within North American veterinary practices.

Yvette Rowntree, Clinic Director at Harrison Family Vets in Reading, said: “This accreditation process has taken everything we do to the next level.

"With open and honest team conversations, development of realistic protocols and a subtle change in behaviours to ensure we always put the pet first within a supportive work environment, our entire team has worked hard to achieve this certification.”

Operations Director, Kristie Faulkner, from Harrison Family Vets, said: “Although it was possible for individuals to be Fear Free certified, this is the first time an entire practice has become certified.

"We have worked very closely with the Fear Free team during the past several months to enable detailed inspection and certification to take place, and we now intend for our other practices, in Dudley, Didsbury, Stockton, and Doncaster, to each reach this standard and become officially certified in the immediate future.”

Fear Free’s CEO, Randy Valpy, said: “Harrison Family Vets’ certification is part of the Fear Free expansion into the UK, New Zealand and Australia and we are absolutely thrilled to have the Reading practice as our first UK Fear Free Certified Veterinary Practice.

"We now plan to certify further practices in the UK and support veterinary professionals who have the relevant knowledge and techniques to practise quality medicine, as well as understanding how to develop the utmost consideration for patient’s emotional health as well.”

https://fearfreepets.com 

Genitrix has launched a free epilepsy faxback advice service for veterinary practices prescribing Libromide. 

A form downloadable from the Genitrix website will enable practices to provide detailed case histories, and challenging canine epilepsy cases will be reviewed by Dr Clare Rusbridge, RCVS and European Specialist in veterinary neurology. Clare runs a small animal neurology referral practice based at the Stone Lion Veterinary Hospital in South London. She is board certified by the European College of Veterinary Neurology.

Launched earlier this year, Libromide is the first and only licensed formulation of potassium bromide for refractory canine epilepsy. Rob Watkins, Marketing Director at Genitrix, said: "When we launched Libromide, it was our goal to ensure that generalist practices, which may not deal with cases every week, were given more accurate guidance and advice on treating canine epilepsy than was possible when only unlicensed products were available.

"Our subsequent launch of the discounted blood test, the dosing wheel and now the Libromide Epilepsy Advice Service through Clare, are examples of our commitment to achieving this goal.

"The advice service is aimed specifically at practices which are finding it difficult to control seizures or which have a patient experiencing unusual side effects, even after receiving dosing advice from Genitrix. I hope that having Clare's experience and expertise 'on tap' for challenging cases will prove reassuring for our customers."

For more information on the Libromide Epilepsy Advice Service, practices are asked to call Genitrix' head office on 01403 786345.

CPD Solutions has launched four topic-specific veterinary webinar clubs for the veterinary profession, available to view at www.veterinarywebinars.com.

For veterinary surgeons, there are three clubs, one focussing on neurology, another on orthopaedics, and a final one on small animal practice. There is a fourth webinar club for veterinary nurses and technicians.  

Susie Coughlan, Managing Director at CPD Solutions said: "We have given a lot of thought to setting up these clubs so that they reflect what people really need from their CPD. Neurology and orthopaedics are always incredibly popular topics and many vets have told us that they feel that in these subject areas, rapid developments and new techniques can really change their approach to cases."

Each club provides a monthly live webinar, in afternoons or evenings and all webinars are available for club members to view after the live event at their convenience. Susie said: "We decided to limit the available webinars to one a month during the annual membership period because with the best will in the world, many vets and nurses have only a limited time available to spend on CPD and there is very little point in paying for a multitude of webinars that they will never have the time to attend. Part of the appeal of webinars is their low cost and value for money, although we know many vets and nurses put flexibility as to when and where they view as the most exciting attribute of webinar clubs."

CPD Solutions is offering a special launch price of £247 + VAT to anyone who joins a webinar club for one year before 10^th October (after which, the price rises to £327 + VAT per club). The offer includes a free CD/DVD which the company says is packed with content relevant to the club topic. All members can also access the full back catalogue of webinars relating to the topic.

For more details or to join a webinar club visit www.veterinarywebinars.com or call 0151 328 0444. 

VetSurgeon Jobs has announced the launch of ‘Share and Reward’, a free new service designed to help practices maximise the word-of-mouth effect when they’re trying to recruit a new veterinary surgeon.

Now, when you advertise a job on VetSurgeon.org, the system can send a message to all your employees (and any contacts in the profession) asking them to pass it on if they know anyone suitable, and to share the advertisement on their other social networks, such as Facebook.

As a further option, practices can also now offer a cash reward for a successful introduction leading to the post being filled. In that case, the message sent to employees and contacts lets them know that there’s a reward for their help.

VetSurgeon.org Editor Arlo Guthrie said: "Since we relaunched VetSurgeon Jobs, I’ve noticed a correlation between the number of times that job advertisements are shared by email or on Facebook, and the success that practices have in filling the vacancy. 

"Of course, there is nothing to stop you emailing staff and contacts yourself, or offering a reward. But I suspect many don’t, and my hope is that this new feature will really help focus the mind, streamline the process and ultimately help you find the person who'll fit in with your team."

"Share & Reward is another feature exclusively available on VetSurgeon Jobs, alongside the VetSurgeon Locums Map and Find Our Jobs on VetSurgeon (a badge for your website that links to just your jobs). 

"There's more on the way!"

VetCT will be hosting its annual series of free winter webinars focused on equine radiology and its clinical applications, starting on 11th December, 6:30-7:30pm.

The webinars will be delivered by board-certified equine diagnostic imaging specialists.

The first will cover equine cervical spinal radiographic interpretation presented by Erin Porter, DVM, DACVR, DACVR-EDI. Learning objectives include:

The second webinar will be on 7th February 2024, 1:00-2:00pm, when Marianna Biggi, DVM, PhD, FHEA, DipECVDI, MRCVS, will review a systemic approach to interpreting foot radiographs and the clinical significance of radiographic diagnoses.

In the final webinar on February 26th at 1:00pm, Lucy Meehan-Howard, BVSc, MSc, CertAVP(VDI), DipECVDI, MRCVS, will cover typical injuries to the fetlock in different kinds of horses and the optimal imaging strategy for each type of injury. 

Information about all webinars is available here: welcome.vet-ct.com/equine-webinar-series. To learn more about VetCT, plus additional educational content and teleradiology services, visit  https://uk.vet-ct.com/.

welcome.vet-ct.com/equine-webinar-series