Ceva Animal Health has produced a leaflet to help horse owners understand the cause, diagnosis and management of equine back pain.

The company says the management of back pain in the horse can be a particular challenge to vets and a source of frustration for owners. Early diagnosis is likely to be associated with a more favourable outcome but it's important to ensure that other causes of pain and poor performance such as lameness, are not contributing to the horse's clinical signs.

'Understanding back pain' explains the anatomy of the back, as well as the clinical signs of back pain, and how it is diagnosed, including the treatment options and the general prognosis. Copies of the new leaflet are available, free of charge, from your Ceva sales representative. Leaflets on 'Understanding bone spavin', 'Understanding navicular disease', 'Understanding sacroiliac disease' and 'Equidronate discharge instructions', are also available.

For further information contact your local Ceva representative or Ceva Animal Health Ltd, Unit 3, Anglo Office Park, White Lion Road, Amersham, Bucks, HP7 9FB, Telephone +44 (0) 1494 781510.

The latest addition to the Tracer® Advance microchip practice support package is a free story book, designed specifically to entertain and educate children in the waiting room, but also to serve as a timely reminder to pet owners of the need to have their pets chipped.

Despite the improved awareness of the benefits of microchipping and year-on-year increases in the numbers of pets being chipped, around 70% of cats and dogs remain unchipped.

Practices can order copies of Lily and the Magic Microchip from their Bayer Animal Health representative. Additional sales support material with an educational theme will be made available later in the year, particularly as the annual fireworks campaign approaches. Tracer Advance is the only polymer microchip available in the UK and is only available through veterinary practices.

Virbac has launched a reformulated dental chew for dogs.

The company says the new VeggieDent chew is thicker in order to prolong the chewing time, but retain its palatability and characteristic Z shape, designed to facilitate prehension and enhance the mechanical cleaning action.

Product manager Chris Geddes MRCVS says the longer chewing time means increased contact between teeth and chew: "Optimum plaque removal is achieved by physical abrasion of the tooth surface during chewing. What is important is both the nature and the duration of contact between tooth and chew. These chews have been reformulated to optimise both of these factors.

"Whilst regular tooth brushing is always the gold standard, the chews provide enhanced plaque removal above brushing alone, and are particularly suited for those difficult cases where brushing is not possible".

"Many dogs are offered treats or chews during the day with limited nutritional or health benefits. VeggieDent chews are highly palatable, natural, and meat-free. They help to sustain tooth and gum health and are a great way to encourage the provision of treats that have a health benefit".

The chews are available in packs of 15 in sizes suitable for small, medium and large dogs and can be obtained from your veterinary wholesaler. Look out for a relaunch promotion coming soon. For further information please speak to your Virbac Territory Manager, phone Virbac on 01359 243243, or email enquiries@virbac.co.uk.

ProteqFlu, the live attenuated canarypox equine influenza (EI) vaccine, has had its shelf life extended from 27 to 36 months.

Merial says the increased shelf life is the result of ongoing investment in vaccine research & development, and that the new data underpins the stability of modified live vaccine technology.

Merial highlights that ProteqFlu is the only equine flu vaccine in Europe to include the updated American clade 1 Ohio/03 strain in accordance with the OIE recommendations (2004).

The London Vet Show, which takes place on Thursday 19th November and Friday 20th November at the Olympia Grand, has announced the business programme for 2015.

The programme will include:

• ‘Preparing to double your veterinary practice profits and the value of your business in just 12 months, starting today’, by John Sheridan BVetMed CVPM DMS MRCVS (pictured right), business consultant at Veterinary Business Briefing. 
• ‘Making the most of the nursing team in your practice’, by Kirstie Faulkner, RVN Cert. VBM, business development director at Onswitch.
• 'Counting on the people - measuring what your teams and customers think to fuel your business growth’, by Jane Fletcher BA Hons (Business), director at Think Smart Unlimited and Tim Puddle BA Hons (Business), managing director at Think Smart Unlimited. 
• ‘Our digital journey – embracing digital marketing’, by Justin Phillips, marketing manager at White Cross Vets, who will be speaking on

Rob Chapman, group event director of the London Vet Show and France Vet said: "The business programme at the London Vet Show has gone from strength to strength with a plethora of informative lectures from top class industry leaders. The informative content includes hints and tips that veterinary professionals can utilise in practice to help enhance their veterinary teams, increase profits and develop their business.”

For further information on the business programme at the London Vet Show or to register for the show visit londonvetshow.co.uk/business.

UK Pet Food has launched the Pet Food & Nutrition Course for Veterinary Professionals which will be hosted by The Webinar Vet and runs from the 6th October to the 4th December 2025.

UK Pet Food says that with pet owners increasingly turning to their vets for nutrition guidance, this course is designed to equip veterinary teams with the knowledge and confidence to offer clear, evidence-based advice.

The course offers 20 hours of CPD comprised of on-demand modules and live Q&A sessions covering pet food formats, clinical nutrition, pet obesity, regulatory frameworks, sustainability, and client communication.

There'll be contributions from independent speakers and chairs from leading academics, veterinary nutritionists, and industry experts

Sarah Hormozi, Head of Science & Education at UK Pet Food, said: “This course is about helping veterinary professionals critically evaluate the science behind pet nutrition.

“We’ve worked with board-certified veterinary nutritionists, academics, industry experts, and veterinary associations to develop a resource that supports everyday clinical conversation - giving the veterinary community practical tools and confidence to talk about pet food and nutrition with clarity and credibility.”

There are early bird tickets for £90 if you book by 15th August 2025.

https://thewebinarvet.com/events/uk-pet-food-2025 

https://www.ukpetfood.org

Photo: www.depositphotos.com

The Advertising Standards Authority has decided not to uphold complaints against the Morrisons Christmas TV advertisement.

The full adjudication can be read here.

Peter Jones, President of the British Veterinary Association, said: "This ruling is disappointing but the ASA has set out its reasons for the decision and we accept those reasons. Thankfully, the advert only had a short shelf life and we hope that Morrisons is now very unlikely to make the same mistakes again. Overall, we hope the whole incident has served to educate Morrisons and the general public about the dangers of grapes and raisins to dogs."

The World Veterinary Poultry Association (WVPA) has announced that nominations are now open for its Young Poultry Veterinarian of the Year 2015 Award, sponsored by Zoetis.

The award, now in its fourth year, is open to qualified poultry veterinarians who are under the age of 35 on January 1, 2015. The winner will be selected by a global panel of judges and will receive a USD$5,000 contribution towards attending international scientific or continued professional development meetings.

The WVPA is calling for nominations to be made on behalf of young veterinarians who have excellent poultry diagnostic and advisory skills, are effective communicators and transferors of their knowledge and can demonstrate a real passion for their industry.

Nigel Horrox, vice president of the WVPA said: "We continue to be impressed by the calibre of entries for this award, and we are confident that this year will be no exception.

"We are looking for an individual who is not only invaluable to their local poultry industry, but who consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty and is a credit to their profession."

Hector Badillo, group director of global marketing at Zoetis, said the contribution made by young poultry veterinarians is vital to the future of the industry. "We are proud to support this award, which recognises top new talent in the global poultry industry and the outstanding contribution made by an individual."

Entries for the award are to be made via the dedicated website: www.wvpa-award.com. Nominees/applicants are asked to describe in 500 words or less their role and achievements in the industry and why they feel they should win the award. The award will be presented at the XIX Congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, Cape Town, South Africa, September 7-11, 2015.

Closing date for entries is March 31, 2015.

A former veterinary officer of the British Horseracing Authority, Miss Bethan Cook, has been struck off by the RCVS Disciplinary Committee after she forged communication from her GP as part of an internal BHA disciplinary process.

Miss Cook was charged that, while in practice at the BHA:

1. She created a report purporting to be from her GP and submitted it to the BHA as part of an internal disciplinary process relating to her conduct.
2. During a telephone call with the Head of Human Resources at the BHA, stated that her GP had provided the report to her when they hadn’t.
3. She created another document purporting to be a letter from her GP and sent it to her head of HR in an email purporting to be from her GP.
4. Her conduct was misleading and/or dishonest.

From the outset of the hearing Miss Cook admitted all parts of charges 1, 2 and 3, and that her conduct had been misleading. 

Having heard Miss Cook’s position, the Committee noted the allegation of dishonesty as being denied and proceeded with the hearing on that basis.

The Committee decided it was sure that Miss Cook had created both documents in the knowledge that they represented themselves as having been prepared by her GP, when she knew that was not the case.

The Committee was satisfied that this conduct would be regarded as dishonest and therefore found charge the charge of dishonesty proved.

On deciding whether Miss Cook’s conduct amounted to serious professional misconduct, the Committee found that her conduct fell far below the standards expected of a veterinary surgeon and breached the fundamental principles of honesty, integrity and professional accountability.

It therefore found the proved charges amounted to serious professional misconduct.

Aggravating factors included:

• Miss Cook had been reckless towards the potential impact on a fellow professional (her GP).
• Her conduct has been premeditated in relation to her actions in charges 2 and 3.
• Her actions had breached the trust of the BHA as part of the employment contract.
• Her misconduct had been sustained in that she had created and forwarded the forged doctor’s report and had continued her dishonest conduct over the phone by creating and sending a further letter and covering email.

In mitigation, the Committee considered:

• Miss Cook had no previous disciplinary findings against her in her long career history.
• She had apologised for her conduct to the Committee and had admitted the factual allegations, bar dishonesty.
• Her conduct had not been for direct financial gain: however, her purpose had been to return to practice, either by avoiding an internal disciplinary process, or minimising its outcome.

Paul Morris, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “Miss Cook had placed her own interests, in seeking to avoid or influence the employment disciplinary process, above the principles of honesty, integrity and professional accountability.

"The Committee concluded that, in all the circumstances, her misconduct in a professional respect was so serious that it was fundamentally incompatible with continued registration.

“The Committee decided that no lesser sanction than removal was sufficient to maintain public confidence in the profession as a whole, or to uphold proper professional standards, and therefore directed that Miss Cook’s name be removed from the Register.”

https://www.rcvs.org.uk/veterinary-professionals/conduct-and-guidance/concerns-for-veterinary-professionals/disciplinary-committee-hearings

Alstoe has launched Easeflex Plus Chews, a development of the original Easeflex Chews joint nutrient supplement for dogs.

According to the company, improvements include the addition of 500mg per chew of green lipped mussel, a source of Omega 3 PUFA's. In addition, the appearance and flavour of the chew has also been improved to enhance its appeal.

Niall McFerran from Alstoe said: "To help practices explain the need to maintain mobility we have devised a fun range of marketing materials featuring Fizz the Easeflex dog and his two friends, Buzz and Scamp."

Easeflex Plus is available from veterinary wholesalers priced at £47.00 + VAT for 120 Chews which is enough for an average dog for approximately four months.

The BSAVA has opened enrolments for a new postgraduate certificate programme in small animal diagnostic imaging.

The programme starts in January 2022 and places are on a first come, first served basis. 

The BSAVA says the new programme is designed primarily for veterinary surgeons working in small animal practice who have a particular interest in diagnostic imaging. The aim is to provide participants with the knowledge and expertise they need to choose the most clinically relevant diagnostic imaging technique confidently and competently.

Participants will also learn how to interpret images obtained with radiography and ultrasonography accurately and enhance their understanding of more advanced imaging techniques.

The programme is designed to allow part time study and comprises 75% core teaching with a 25% elective component, allowing participants to personalise their study to meet their clinical needs. The in-person attendance part of the programme focuses on hands on practicals and workshops.

The online units for the programme will contain both pre-recorded webinars as well as interactive live sessions with the unit teachers. Students can also choose one of the two currently available electives to focus on at the end of the second year: either ‘Enhanced Ultrasonography’ or ‘Enhanced Cardiac Imaging’.

Lucie Goodwin, Head of Education said: “The certificate has been designed to take into account the caseload and facilities in primary care practice ensuring that it is relevant, and the skills students learn can be directly applied to practice. An increased amount of content delivered online means that the certificate is more accessible to vets around the UK and overseas, minimising travelling for attendance days, which are mainly for practical sessions. We are also pleased to be able to offer an elective component to this PGCert and following feedback from students, will look to develop further electives.”

The programme will be assessed by written exams, a case diary and a case book. Successful completion will lead to the award of BSAVA Postgraduate Certificate in Small Animal Diagnostic Imaging (BSAVA PGCertSADI).

To apply, visit the BSAVA website here. If you have any questions about the certificate, you can contact certificate@bsava.com.

CVS has co-presented a Vet Ed workshop with the University of Bristol to explore the teaching of contextualised care during student placements in practice.

Senior educators came from both UK and international veterinary and nursing schools to discuss and agree approaches to teaching contextualised care in first opinion practice for the first time. 

The workshop aimed to give delegates an understanding of what contextualised care is and why it is important.

It also covered the types of clinical training settings that are conducive to supporting contextualised care learning.

Delegates then discussed the challenges associated with contextualised care learning in community-based clinical training settings.

They included: perceived conflicts between educational and commercial interests, a lack of previous formal teaching of contextualised care (during education), and the absence of established culture (and experience) of undergraduate teaching in clinical practice.

Workshop co-presenter and CVS’ Equine Development Lead Charlotte Sinclair, said: “Most veterinary graduates will enter primary care practice upon graduation and we know the majority of new graduates and employers agree that graduates are not prepared to practice contextualised care. The consequences of not being prepared include a tension between presumed ‘gold standard’ and the realities of practice, stress and moral distress.

“We hope that our landmark workshop will go some way towards helping trainers to support graduates in developing authentic communication skills, building client rapport, creating shared decision making, and being outcome focused. As true contextualised care relies on all of these skills.”

US company Midmark is running a UK prize draw to win a Cardell 9401 blood pressure monitor worth nearly £2000.

To enter the draw, click here.