Ceva Animal Health has launched a series of puppy training films to educate dog owners on new puppy ownership, from buying through to training.
The three films, which are available to view in the puppy section of www.adaptil.co.uk are presented by the leading dog trainer and behaviourist Carolyn Menteith and senior veterinary advisor at Ceva Animal Health, Sarah Endersby. The films, which range in length from 5 to 25 minutes, are entitled 'How to pick the right puppy', 'General healthcare of your puppy' and a 'Practical guide to basic training with your puppy'.
The first film - 'How to pick the right puppy' - features information on how to look for a puppy using adoption centres and Kennel Club registered breeders and the considerations to take into account when choosing a dog. These include how much exercise different breeds require, grooming (for example would an owner like a long or short haired dog) and whether a particular breed of dog is good with children. The first film also advises new dog owners on preparing a home for a new puppy and the equipment that they may wish to buy.
The second film - 'General healthcare of your puppy' - consists of information on how to settle a puppy when it is brought home and how to choose puppy classes. It also features details on vaccinations, keeping control of fleas and worms and diet, together with educating dog owners about toilet training their new pet and the importance of socialisation and habituation.
The third film - a 'Practical guide to basic training with your puppy' - features practical demonstrations on how to start training a puppy including teaching a dog to sit, go down, recall and walk on a lead. It also advises owners on what to look for in a puppy class and the importance of training a puppy in a variety of locations, not just at home.Emma Jackson, Adaptil product manager at Ceva Animal Health said: "The puppy training films are ideal tools for animal health professionals to utilise to help educate puppy owners on every aspect of new puppy ownership. They can even be embedded into your own website via YouTube."
The BVA has welcomed Defra Secretary of Sate Hilary Benn's announcement on the arrival of the first batch of Bovilis(r) BTv8 vaccine in the UK.
Congratulating Intervet on the speed with which the vaccine had been developed BVA President Nick Blayney said: "This news represents a crucial stage in our fight against Bluetongue. The last few months have been a particularly busy time as the end of the vector-free period approached bringing with it the threat of more cases of Bluetongue."
BTv8 is devastating in its second season and the BVA was delighted to join with organisations from across the livestock sector to launch the Joint campaign Against Bluetongue (JAB).
"Our aim has been to achieve the mass vaccination of Bluetongue susceptible animals, including goats and camelids and since the veterinary profession is the corner stone of the vaccination programme, with responsibility for vaccine delivery, proper usage and monitoring for efficacy, BVA has been in overdrive through much of March and April trying to ensure that vets were fully up to speed in advance of the arrival of the vaccine. Now that the vaccine is here, having been granted a provisional marketing authorisation for use inside Protection Zones and classified as a POM-V, we have further updated our advice to the profession. Our one-page summary sets out key considerations for vets including meeting the "under our care" prescribing requirements, movement controls, doses, off-label use, distribution and storage and communication in the hopefully unlikely event of any suspected adverse reactions."
Mr Blayney was highly complimentary of the co-operation and shared sense of purpose demonstrated by all those involved with JAB and was proud that the message - Bluetongue - Don't Hesitate - Vaccinate! Contact Your Vet Today - had emphasised the unique role of the vet in the protection of animal health and welfare.
Specifically, the review is of The Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order 2011 as amended by the Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals (Amendment) Order 2014.
The consultation is seeking opinions on whether:
The consultation is not about potential changes to the legalisation following Brexit although evidence collected as part of this review may be relevant to future discussions.
The BSAVA says it is aware that the changes to the Pet Travel Scheme, introduced in January 2012 and December 2014, have significantly increased the number of animals, particularly puppies, entering the UK including those for sale which should not be coming in under the Pet Travel Scheme.
It says it also knows that a significant number of veterinary practices have been presented with animals that do not fully comply with the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme and that contacting the appropriate department in the Local Authority is not always easy.
The Association is therefore encouraging members of the profession to feed into this consultation and encourage any clients who have experience of travelling to and from Europe with their pets to do so as well.
The BSAVA says it will be submitting a response itself, and if anyone would rather send their comments via the BSAVA, you should email Sally Everitt (Head of Scientific Policy) s.everitt@bsava.com by 20th October.
A survey by Hill's Pet Nutrition has concluded that nine out of ten vet professionals believe UK pets are at serious risk of diet related diseases, mirroring the trends seen in human health, and the recession has increased the risk.
The study of more than 100 veterinary professionals suggests their daily case loads are weighed down with a host of serious man-made dietary-related problems including obesity, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, simply because owners are not feeding their pets appropriately. These problems are on the increase as a result of owners switching to lower quality food or feeding a man-made diet of crisps and chocolate.
Pet Obesity Task Force Committee Member and Veterinary Nutritionist, Dr Daniel Chan, DVM, DACVECC, DACVN, MRCVS said: "As a nation, our modern lifestyles of fast food, large food portions, and too little exercise are taking a toll on our health, our children's health, and now our pet's health. Excessive calories and lack of physical activity are leading to alarming rates of obesity, which has become the most common form of malnutrition in pets today. As the links between obesity and disease are becoming clearer, it is vital that pet owners adopt healthier practices such as feeding appropriate portions of food, avoiding too many snacks and treats, and exercise with their pets."
Despite obesity being the most physically obvious diet-related disease in the UK, the vet professionals who participated in the study agreed unanimously that owners do not realise their much-loved but overweight pet is actually suffering from malnutrition.
The vet professionals were also in agreement that not all pet foods are the same, believing to some degree you get what you pay for. Yet worryingly, 83% of vet professionals believe our pet's health has been another casualty of the economic downturn, as cutbacks in the family budget saw trading-down on pet food. Vets suggest the effects of these cutbacks will lead to increases in cases of diet related diseases in the next two years, with a surge in potentially fatal conditions such as diabetes (61%), intestinal problems and pancreatitis (66%).
Adrian Pratt BVSc MRCVS, Hill s Pet Nutrition Veterinary Affairs Manager, said: The results make sombre reading. Almost all (98%) of the vet professionals who participated report seeing a host of preventable diseases in practice which are the result of inappropriate feeding. While obesity tends to be caused by an excess of empty calories and too little exercise, inadequate nutrients or excess nutrients like salt, will also affect a pet s general health and wellbeing, leading to sickness or long-term diet-related diseases.
Other findings of the study included:
The RCVS is calling for its members to nominate veterinary surgeons and non-veterinary surgeons who merit the award of Honorary Associateship or Honorary Fellowship.
Honorary Associates are awarded annually to people, not necessarily vets, by reason of their special eminence in, or special service to, the veterinary profession. Council has agreed that these should only be people ineligible for election as Honorary Fellows.
Honorary Fellowships can be awarded to up to three veterinary surgeons in any year for their service to, or special eminence in, the cause of veterinary science. Nominees for Honorary Fellowships must be members of the RCVS and have been a member, or held a registrable qualification, for at least 20 years.
Nominations must be received by the President, Mr Peter Jinman, by Friday 3 September 2010. Members can obtain nomination forms from the RCVS Executive Office (0207 202 0761 or executiveoffice@rcvs.org.uk).
All nominations need to include the particular reasons why the honour/award should be conferred, along with supporting statements from two referees, at least one of whom must not be a working colleague of the person nominated.
Nominations will be considered at the meeting of the Nominations Committee on 14 October, and awards made at RCVS Day on 1 July 2011. Details of Honorary Fellowship and Honorary Associateship award holders can be found in the Register of Veterinary Surgeons, with the addition since 2 July 2010 of Dr Tony Lawrence and Professor Martin Shirley (Honorary Associates), and Professor Elizabeth Simpson and Professor Peter Roeder (Honorary Fellowships).
CEVA Animal Health has launched an arthritis information pack to help support vet practices and their clients.
The pack includes a joint care range brochure, which explores how to recognise and monitor pain in the veterinary practice, and an authoritative eight-page arthritis technical review, which discusses the latest concepts in arthritis control.
In addition, client leaflets are available, which explain some of the measures that can be taken to improve the quality of life for dogs with arthritis, including weight loss and controlled exercise.
CEVA’s range of joint support products includes Meloxidyl®, Carprodyl® and Flexivet®.
To receive a free information pack please contact CEVA's small animal veterinary advisor Fraser Broadfoot MRCVS on 01494 781510, CEVA Animal Health Ltd, 90 The Broadway, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 1EG.
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.”
Ticks infected with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease may be considerably more prevalent in the UK than recent estimates indicate, according to new research from the University of Bristol that used pet dogs as 'sentinels' for human disease risk.
Transmitted by ticks, Lyme disease is a debilitating chronic infection which affects a number of animals including humans and dogs. It is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Clinical signs in humans include a characteristic circular red rash that spreads from the site of the tick bite, followed by a flu-like condition. In dogs, the symptoms can be much more vague and difficult to diagnose. If untreated, the disease progresses to neurological problems and arthritis; chronic forms of the disease can last for many years.
While only occasionally affecting humans, reported cases in the UK are thought to have increased more than fourfold since the beginning of the century - from 0.38 per 100,000 in 2000 to 1.79 per 100,000 in 2009. In 2010 there were 953 reported cases in England and Wales but the level of under-reporting is likely to be considerable.
To obtain a clearer picture of the prevalence of infected ticks, Faith Smith of Bristol's School of Biological Sciences and colleagues recruited veterinary surgeons across England, Scotland and Wales to examine dogs selected at random as they visited veterinary practices. Since pet dogs largely share the same environment and visit the same outdoor areas as their owners, exposure to infected ticks in dogs is likely to provide an index for corresponding risks to humans.
Of 3,534 dogs inspected between March and October 2009, 14.9% had ticks. Of the samples that could be tested, 17 (2.3%) were positive for the Borrelia bacteria. The expected prevalence of infected ticks on dogs is 0.5 per cent, or 481 infected ticks per 100,000 dogs. This suggests that the prevalence of Borrelia in the UK tick population is considerably higher than previously thought.
Faith Smith said: "Lyme disease appears to be a rapidly growing problem in the UK with important health and economic impacts in terms of loss of working hours and potential decrease in tourism to tick hotspots.
"Without considerably better surveillance and routine diagnostic testing, Lyme disease is only likely to become more prevalent. In particular, future warmer winters might well extend the period over which ticks are active seasonally, while growing wild reservoir host populations, such as deer, will allow the tick population to expand."
The study is published today in the journal Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. The research was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and Merial Animal Health Ltd.
A survey carried out by Cats Protection has found that around a quarter of Britain's cats (23%) are being fed treats despite the fact that their owners consider them overweight already.
The survey of 1,120 cat owners revealed that 70% of cats described as 'slightly' or 'very overweight' are given a special food treat at least once a week by their owners. 28% of them are being given a special treat at least once a day.
The survey also found that all cats - irrespective of their weight - are fed special treats over Christmas that are not suitable for their health. Nearly 8% feed their cats a special Christmas dinner consisting of human food, whilst some cats are given chocolate (2%) stuffing (2%), and Christmas pudding (1%).
Maggie Roberts, Cats Protection's Director of Veterinary Services, said: "The survey showed that Britain's overweight cats continue to be fed too many treats, which owners principally did out of love, habit or a desire to make their cat feel like a member of the family. However, overweight cats are at significant risk of diabetes and arthritis so there is the danger that owners are making a bad situation even worse.
"The survey also shows that it wasn't uncommon for cats to be given treats such as milk, chocolate or cheese. All of these could make cats quite ill."
Defra Minister David Heath has announced the latest bute (phenylbutazone) test results. The presence of bute has been confirmed in 8 samples out of 206 tests.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies has stated that horsemeat containing phenylbutazone presents a very low risk to human health.
Responding to these latest developments the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) have issued the following statement:
"The presence of phenylbutazone (or bute) in horses intended for the food chain will be of concern to consumers who rightly expect the UK food chain to be robust. We are grateful to the Chief Medical Officer for clarifying the very low level of risk that this presents to human health and we will work with the FSA and Defra in any way we can to assist their investigations into these incidents.
"The ability to treat horses with bute is very important for equine welfare. Bute provides affordable, long-term pain relief for horses and is unique in this respect.
"The UK Horse Passport Regulations are designed to facilitate the ongoing medical treatment of horses not intended for the human food chain, whilst ensuring that these animals do not enter the food chain.
"We fully support the concept of the Horse Passport Regulations but have argued for some time that there are problems with the system in terms of the number of Passport Issuing Authorities and the vulnerability of the system to fraud. We are very keen to continue our dialogue with Defra and others to find ways to make the system more robust.
"Our members are aware of the strict rules regarding the regulation of medicines (including bute) and the use of horse passports, and in recent years we have provided clear guidance on the regulations to help both vets and their clients. These incidents will hopefully reinforce these messages amongst horse owners and all of us involved in equine healthcare."
Guidance notes are available via the BEVA website Medicines Page (http://www.beva.org.uk/useful-info/Vets/Guidance/Medicines)
The National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) has launched 'The Happy Healthy Pets Project', designed to encourage owners to prioritise pet healthcare.
At the heart of the campaign is a new online photography gallery at pethealthinfo.org.uk, where owners and veterinary professionals are being invited to upload pictures of happy healthy pets to help build a resource of images and healthcare advice.
To help ensure a high standard of photography, NOAH has partnered with top wildlife and animal photographer Victoria Hillman to create five top tips to help all participants capture the perfect pet photo:
Dawn Howard, Chief Executive of the National Office of Animal Health said: “We’re really looking forward to getting the campaign underway, having seen the fantastic levels of participation in photo-based activity for last year’s ‘I Heart My Pet’ campaign. This year, we’re aiming to taking things one step further by creating the biggest ever gallery of pet portraits in the UK with the help not just of Britain’s pet owners, but also of veterinary professionals and their clients. The campaign is designed to use a simple, fun and familiar mechanic - taking photographs of our pets - to create interesting, engaging content but also to raise awareness of more serious healthcare messages.
“We’re delighted to have partnered with Victoria Hillman so that we can help make sure all pet owners know how to capture the perfect pic and to encourage as many owners and their vets across the UK as possible to get involved. We can’t wait to see the results.”
The RCVS Day held last Friday saw the investiture of Professor Stuart Reid as the new President for 2014/15, the formal adoption of a new Royal Charter that recognises veterinary nurses, and a smorgasbord of awards.
Professor Reid, who graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987, began by outlining three things he wants to pursue during his term in office:
Jacqui Molyneux then stood down as Vice-President, replaced by Dr. Bradley Viner, who in turn was replaced as Treasurer by Amanda Boag.
After approving of the minutes of last year's RCVS Day and the Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for 2013, members of the College were then asked to vote on a motion to adopt the new Royal Charter. The motion, which was proposed by Professor Reid and seconded by Robin Hargreaves, President of the BVA, was passed unanimously. The proposed new Charter was delivered to the Privy Council that afternoon. According to the College, approval should be given later this year or early next.
Introducing the new Charter, Professor Reid said it would better define the objects of the College, provide a clear framework for the existing functions of the RCVS and give Council the power to create new classes of associate.
However, the greatest impact of the new Charter will surely be felt by veterinary nurses, as it formally recognises them as professionals and associates of the College for the first time. Professor Reid said: "Words like 'historic' should be used sparingly, but on this occasion it is justified. We now have some 12,000 veterinary nurses on the books, nine-tenths of them being registered veterinary nurses. Yet the present Charter does not so much as mention their existence.
"The new Charter gives the RCVS a formal duty to keep the Register of Veterinary Nurses and makes the Veterinary Nurses Council responsible for setting standards for their training, education and conduct."
After adopting the Charter, David Bartram, Mandisa Greene and Susan Paterson were formally welcomed on to Council. Amber Richards was welcomed onto VN Council, which Neil Smith is also joining.
Outgoing President, Neil Smith, then conferred a range of awards including:
Nick Stace, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of the RCVS, then gave an update on what the College had achieved in the last year. Among the achievements he noted was the introduction of a new system to reduce the time it takes to process complaints; the imminent launch of the new Advanced Practitioner status; and the development of a new Practice Standards Scheme, due to come into force next year.
He said: "In addition, we have listened and responded to fair criticism from the profession, including a very productive evidence-gathering session on 24/7 emergency care, which has resulted in important changes.
"I believe listening and responding is a sign of strength and confidence. We do not seek to be popular but to be sensible in how we regulate and respectful in how we carry out our Royal College duties."
He also outlined how he wanted the RCVS to be a "force for good" in the world by supporting the very best veterinary practitioners and ensuring that the public feels properly protected.
Esme grew up in Birmingham and spent much time in her teenage years working at the Domestic Fowl Trust caring for a range of rare breed poultry.
She said: "I didn’t grow up on a farm, but worked with chickens as a teenager and I love them to bits.
"They are amazing animals and I’ve wanted to work with them ever since.”
After graduating at the University of Liverpool, she spent two years with Howells Veterinary Services where she worked with clients to foster improved performance under an increasing drive for sustainability.
Now with St David’s Poultry Team in Yorkshire, she helps broiler clients in reducing viral challenge on farm to increase immunocompetence and so decrease susceptibility to other challenges.
She has also just become the youngest vet ever to achieve a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (Poultry), which she gained at the University of Liverpool.
The Young Farm Vet of the Year Awards is sponsored by Zoetis.
New faces on the RCVS Council include Richard Stephenson, Charles Gruchy and Catherine Goldie. Dr Barry Johnson (first elected to Council in 1985) and Dr Christopher Chesney (first elected in 1996) have been voted on for further terms. Dr Robert Ellis, who has had three previous periods on Council, has been re-elected.
AviPro Salmonella vac E, the live oral vaccine against Salmonella enteritidis made by Lohmann Animal Health, is now available in larger size vials of 5,000 doses, supplied in packs of ten. More information from: Anna-Christina Riebau, Lohmann Animal Health, Germany. Telephone: +49 (0) 4721 747 217
Genitrix has announced the launch of Prilben (benazapril hydrochloride). The product joins its 'Standards' range, created to offer veterinary practices cost-effective versions of frequently used products.
Prilben is indicated for the treatment of congestive heart failure in dogs and for chronic renal insufficiency in cats. It is provided in packs of 14 x 5mg tablets at a veterinary list price of £4.50, which equates to 32p per tablet.
Rob Watkins, Marketing Director at Genitrix, said: "Benazapril hydrochloride is a tried and trusted medicine used in countless practices and homes across the country every day. Prilben offers a win for both practices and pet owners because its pricing structure enables practices to maintain profitability on the product whilst still providing their clients with an economical alternative."
The first product in Genitrix' Standards range, Dormilan, was launched in late 2009 and offers fast-acting sedation and analgesia for dogs and cats.
The supermarket Morrisons is to launch new pet food packaging which will alert shoppers to the ideal portion size their cat or dog should be eating, in a bid to tackle the UK's growing pet obesity problem.
Morrisons is the first supermarket to add portion control guidance to the front of their pet food packaging, and it follows research from Petplan which found that 36% of all dogs and 29% of cats treated by vets are obese. In addition, 71% of vets agree that cases of obesity are continuing to rise.
Each packet of Morrisons pet food will provide the correct portion for a healthy weight pet and, according to the company, the packaging will communicate the amount of servings each product provides clearly.
Apparently, 70% of owners believe that their dog or cat has never been overweight, which shows that there is a level of confusion amongst owners as to how much their pet is eating. A further 83% do not even worry about giving their pet too much food. Morrisons is aiming to make it easier for pet lovers to ensure their animal doesn't put on any unnecessary weight especially with Christmas just around the corner and the temptation of being fed leftovers and treats.
According to vets asked by Petplan there are five main reasons for an obesity problem amongst household pets. They are:
John Cannan, New Product Development Manager for Pet Food at Morrisons said: "We've had feedback from our customers which says that they are often in the dark about how much food they should be buying and giving their pet. Our new packaging will ensure that shoppers have a clearer sense of portion sizes whilst also saving them some pennies"
Brian Faulkner Petplan Vet of the Year said: "It's great to see Morrisons taking the lead on this and helping shoppers make more informed decisions about what they are feeding their pet. Whilst it's normal to give your animal a treat every now and then, pets do need to follow healthy regimes just like we do. Keeping your pet fit and healthy will ultimately save you money on veterinary bills as well."
Colonel Neil Smith has been elected Vice-President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. He takes up office at RCVS Day on 6 July 2012.
Neil graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1989, and was commissioned into the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) with the intention of staying for four years. Twenty-two years later, he is now the Director Army Veterinary and Remount Services, effectively the Chief Veterinary Officer for the Army and head of the RAVC, which currently has over 35 Veterinary Officers.
He has held a mixture of clinical, staff and command positions, and has worked in the UK, US and Germany. He has Masters' Degrees in Food Science, Defence Administration and Defence Studies. He has also worked part-time in small animal practice (including the Blue Cross, of which he is now a Trustee), and was heavily involved in the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in 2001.
First elected to Council in 2004, Neil was re-elected in 2010 after a short break. He has served on Education, Advisory, Preliminary Investigation and Planning and Resources Committees, and on VN Council (currently Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Awarding Body).
He has also previously been President of the RVC Student Union Society, the RVC Alumnus Association, Southern Counties, and the Association of Government Veterinarians. He is currently a Council member of the Central Veterinary Society, and has previously sat on the BVA's Veterinary Policy Group.
Neil said: "I am honoured to have been elected as the next Vice-President. The College is about to go through some significant organisational changes, not least because of the proposed legislative reform order. However, I aim to ensure that we remain focused on our primary role in safeguarding the health and welfare of animals committed to veterinary care. The functions of the RCVS are quite diverse, and I am keen that we try to enhance both the profession's and the public's understanding of our remit, including our responsibility for educational, ethical and clinical standards."
Jacqui Molyneux has been confirmed as President, and Dr Jerry Davies as Vice-President, effective July 2012.
The BVA has welcomed a Scottish Government consultation on the compulsory microchipping of all dogs in Scotland, launched by Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead on 27th December.
Microchipping of all dogs is already a legal requirement in Northern Ireland and will become a requirement in Wales in 2015 and in England in 2016.
BVA President Robin Hargreaves, said: "BVA has long supported the compulsory microchipping of all dogs as a significant welfare measure and so we are delighted that the Scottish Government has launched this consultation.
"Every vet in practice will tell you what a highlight it is to be able to reunite a lost dog and its owner quickly and easily. The more dogs that are microchipped, with correct details on the database, the easier that process becomes meaning fewer dogs sent to kennels and charities."
Ronnie Soutar, President of BVA Scottish Branch, said: "Microchipping is a safe, effective and permanent way to link dogs with their owners and it is an essential part of responsible ownership. It is a small cost in terms of dog ownership with veterinary practices in Scotland offering microchipping at a very reasonable price or at a discount or free as part of a practice promotion. "It is important to remember that microchips are only as useful as the information held on the database and so we must work together with the Scottish Government to ensure that dog owners understand the importance of keeping this information up to date."
The consultation also asks for views on dog licensing and compulsory muzzling of dogs in public areas - measures that BVA has not supported.
Mr Hargreaves said: "We have some serious reservations about the call for all dogs, or dogs of a specific breed, to be muzzled in public areas.
"Under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act dogs are afforded the right to exhibit normal behaviour which could be compromised by the requirement to wear a muzzle at all times outside of the home. We hope that respondents to the consultation reject this idea."
The BVA says it will be consulting its members to respond in full to the consultation.
Amongst the research being presented is 'Stress Reduction in Children', a Mars-funded study in which 75 male children were monitored to see how their levels of the stress-hormone cortisol varied when they were exposed to mild social stresses. The study found that children with a dog present showed significantly lower levels of the stress-hormone than those with a friendly adult present. In addition, the more the children stroked and interacted with the dog, the further their levels of cortisol decreased.
Sandra McCune, Research Manager for the Human-Companion Animal Bond Research Programme at Mars Petcare's Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition (there's a job title-and-a-half) said: "Pet owners will tell you just how much their pet means to them but it is research such as this that proves just how fundamental and important the bond is between people and pets. These studies provide us with valuable insight into this special bond and the health benefits of owning a pet."
Ceva Animal Health has announced two additional dates and locations for its ‘Building Success Around the Fertility Routine Visit’ CPD days for young vets.
Part of Ceva’s reprodAction programme, the courses are intended for recent graduates, or those new to dairy practice.
The two upcoming meetings, listed on VetSurgeon.org's new RSVP-enabled CPD & Events Diary, are to be held at The Best Western Dryfesdale Hotel in Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway on 22nd September and the West Lancashire Investment Centre in Skelmersdale, Lancashire on 23rd September.
The company says that the courses adopt a novel ‘physiology first’, practical approach to managing cattle reproduction, and have been set up to support vets in performing routine fertility visits. They cover various topics including: identifying clients’ goals, setting herd targets and increasing pregnancy rates.
Katherine Timms, Veterinary Advisor at Ceva, said: “We have had such positive feedback from the previous events, it has encouraged us to organise more, giving vets from other areas in the UK an opportunity to attend”.
“Routine fertility visits often intimidate recent graduates, as they are normally performed solo, with little or no support. This can make it hard for vets to build confidence, which this course addresses by not only providing knowledge but also by vets who are at the same stage in their careers to interact and share experiences.”
An attendee of the course held in April, Amy Cox from Nantwich Farm Vets, spoke about her highlights of the event, saying: “It really gave me the confidence in my own knowledge of cow reproduction and helped me build on what I’d already got.
“The lecturers were really engaging and the content was highly interactive which I feel helps you learn more. This is the second reprodAction CPD course that I’ve been on so I would recommend them”.
Paddy Gordon, Director of Shepton Veterinary Group, is one of the leaders of the event. He said: “Cattle reproduction CPD can be complex and is usually theory based; these events aim to cover the basics and most importantly, how to implement it all practically. This includes how to communicate concepts to farmers, through group discussion and role play and how to implement treatment protocols practically.”
Vets who are interested in attending either of the upcoming reprodAction Young Vet Initiative CPD courses can apply via Ceva Territory Managers, Bryan Hamilton on 07753 447226 or bryan.hamilton@ceva.com for the Lockerbie meeting and Kimberly Campbell on 07831 359128 or kimberly.campbell@ceva.com for the Skelmersdale meeting.
And if you're going, don't forget to use the RSVP facility on VetSurgeon.org to let other members know you'll be there.
The University of Bristol’s School of Veterinary Sciences has announced the launch of an online map-based tool which forecasts the risk of a Nematodirus outbreak in lambs.
The Nematodirus risk map, which will be updated daily, is designed to help UK sheep farmers assess the risk of outbreaks of the parasite in their lambs and take action before it is too late. It includes treatment and management advice.
The online risk forecast was developed by SCOPS (Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep) and researchers at the University of Bristol’s School of Veterinary Sciences to predict when Nematodirus eggs will hatch and when outbreaks are likely to happen.
Researchers say that predicting when outbreaks might happen is becoming increasingly difficult due to variation in spring temperatures from year to year. Farmers can no longer rely on a standard timetable of treatments to avoid disease. As the damage is done by the larvae, faecal egg counts are of little use in detecting and controlling Nematodirus in young lambs.
The forecast takes advantage of the temperature-driven synchronised hatching of the Nematodirus larvae and uses weather data from 140 weather stations provided by the Met Office and Forecast.io. The interactive Google map allows farmers and advisers to select the nearest or most representative weather station and provides advice on how to relate the predicted risk to their particular farm and treatment options.
Cases of nematodirosis and eggs detected in routine faecal worm egg counts will also be mapped anonymously as they arise to improve the forecasts and SCOPS are asking farmers, advisors and diagnostic labs to contribute to these records by emailing researcher Dr Hannah Rose at the University of Bristol’s Vet School.
Dr Rose said: "In previous years 64 per cent of farmers and advisors surveyed changed the timing or extent of treatment – or advised treatment - after consulting the forecast, which has been running since 2013, and 93 per cent felt that their approach to control of this parasite had changed as a result of the forecast."
UK Government funding provided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council has enabled further development of the forecast and it is hoped that even more farmers will benefit in 2016.
Picture: A Romney sheep with its lambs, courtesy Dr Eric Morgan, University of Bristol
CABI has given VetMed Resource, its online veterinary information service, a new look and some new features. See: www.cabi.org/vetmedresource.
VetMed Resource is a database of over 1.3 million veterinary and animal science research records from 1972 to the present. CABI says searching the records has been made more user friendly with a new design, and improved navigation across the site.
Robert Taylor, Editor of VetMed Resource said: "This newly-launched VetMed Resource has been designed after consulting with practicing veterinarians from around the world. They provided feedback on usability, design, and research needs, and the new look reflects the changes suggested."
The program, which was set up in response to calls for more support and better teaching on the essential non-clinical skills veterinary graduates need for success in veterinary practice, begins in September and is open to any veterinary surgeons who are up to three years post graduation.
VetX features 12 months of intensive teaching, mentoring and peer support for up to fifty graduates and so far has vets from both the UK and USA signed up for places. The class of 2017 will be mentored directly by Program Director Dr. Dave Nicol, who bills himself as one of the most experienced vet coaches on the planet!
Dave said: "I've been running 'in practice' mentoring and training schemes for vets for almost a decade, VetX takes this experience and brings the content online so I can reach, support and help more graduates than ever before.
"Our young vets are crying out for better support and training in the non-clinical skills. They want to learn better communication skills. They want to know how to make dealing with clients and people easier and they want to know how to handle life as a vet so they enjoy it, not get burned out. VetX provides all of these things and more."
Dave says he has set up the scholarship as a way of giving something back to the profession, because he was lucky enough to have been given help from many amazing mentors who gave freely of their time and expertise: "Opening up two fully-funded places for vet graduates on the program is my way of saying thanks - of paying it forwards."
If you are a veterinary surgeon who has graduated in 2015 or later and are interested in applying for a fully funded scholarship in the VetX class of 2017, visit www.drdavenicol.com/vetxscholarship to learn more about the course and apply for a scholarship place. Demand is likely to be high so don’t delay.
Applications will close at midnight on September 7th 2017.
Vets Now, the UK's dedicated Out Of Hours emergency vets with 32 clinics across the UK is launching a new recruitment initiative whereby vets with two years post qualified small animal experience have the opportunity to experience life working at the cutting edge of Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) through a range of new flexible short term contracts.
ECC represents a new, exciting and growing sector in the UK and Vets Now is offering vets a range of short to medium term flexible contracts which will enable you to develop new clinical skills in an exciting, fast paced environment. The contracts will appeal to any vet who is looking to gain experience working in ECC either with a view to pursuing a career in this specialised area or returning to daytime practice equipped with new clinical skills.
Speaking about the new contracts being offered, Fiona Dewar, HR Director for Vets Now SAid: "The nature of ECC medicine means that there is never a dull moment in our clinics and we tend to attract young, dynamic professionals who are keen to develop new clinical skills and have a more flexible working package. We know from experience that long term contracts don't appeal to everyone and we want to attract the best vets to come and work for us, whether it's for a three month contract or a twelve month contract with the added option of becoming permanent."
For more information about the range of contracts in one of Vets Now's 32 clinics, please contact Pauline Aitken, Vets Now Recruitment Manager on 0800 033 6466.