Zoetis has announced that Horse & Country TV (Sky Channel 253) will be airing the Vet Essentials episode on worm control in horses from today until 26th March.

The programme, made in association with Zoetis, follows presenter Jenny Rudall on her mission to explore every aspect of worming horses, including how to tackle encysted small redworm. Jenny talks to vet Ben Gaskell from Minster Vets for the low down on worm control, before heading off to the Moredun Research Institute in Scotland to meet parasitology experts Jacqui Matthews and Thomas Tzelos to find out more about the role of faecal worm egg counts, the damage that can be caused by worm burdens and the growing problem of resistance.

Zoetis vet Wendy Talbot said: "The programme should be a big help to vets when it comes to explaining worming to horse owners. They can tell their clients about it and encourage them to watch. It will help educate them about all aspects of worming and specifically about the threat of encysted small redworm at this time of year. This, in turn, should help protect horses against this potentially fatal parasite."

The company is encouraging the profession to help spread the word about the new to clients by email, via Facebook and by word of mouth. 

The 2012 edition of the NOAH Compendium of Data Sheets for Animal Medicines has been published and a free copy sent to each veterinary practice in the UK.

This edition has a redesigned cover, developed for NOAH's 25^th anniversary which took place this year. It contains data sheets from 32 companies which can be accessed through colour-coded indexes. The book also includes the up-to-date edition of NOAH's Code of Practice for the Promotion of Animal Medicines.

NOAH chief executive Phil Sketchley said: "This book - along with the online version - is a major part of NOAH's efforts to help provide prescribers and users of animal medicines with information to assist the appropriate and responsible use of all animal medicines."

He urged prescribers not to forget the back-up that company advisors can give to assist a prescribing decision: "The compendium also includes another vital resource - the contact details for each company. Company veterinary and technical advisors have detailed knowledge about their company's medicines at their fingertips. They are ready to talk to prescribers about the use of a medicine in a particular animal or in a particular situation, as well as to explain any queries about the data sheet," he said.

If your practice has not received its copy, contact Ruth Herbert at NOAH (r.herbert@noah.co.uk).

Extra copies are also available to order now, for £42. There are special prices for bulk orders.

Bayer Animal Health has announced the results of a survey¹ which shows that despite 80% of dog owners being aware of lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum), 85% of dogs remain unprotected against the parasite.

The survey, which was carried out amongst 1,000 dog owners, also found that more than 5% had encountered lungworm in their own dogs. However, only 15% of owners treat their pet against parasites on a monthly basis, with the remainder admitting to missed routine lungworm worming treatments or not treating at all.

Bayer highlights evidence from the Royal Veterinary College², which confirms the lungworm parasite has spread across the UK from its traditional habitat in the south of England and Wales, and is now widespread in Central England, also reaching northern regions and Scotland, with one in five vet practices nationwide reporting at least one case of the parasite. In another survey of 150 veterinary practices across the UK a total of 952 suspected cases were reported (157 laboratory confirmed), with 81 deaths thought to have been caused by the parasite³.

To encourage more pet owners to take action, Bayer will launch a consumer campaign called 'Act on Lungworm' in March. The campaign will include the world's first 24-hour radio station for dogs and their owners, 'Hound Waves', broadcasting live from Crufts on Friday 7th March. The event will also see the launch of a new television and advertising campaign from Bayer.

For veterinary professionals, the campaign launch will also include online videos detailing the 'ACT on Lungworm' veterinary support and showing the new television advertisement exclusively to vets before the national launch.

Caroline Braidwood, Group Product Manager at Bayer Animal Health said: "After launching the 2013 lungworm awareness campaign and providing owners with a social media platform, we quickly began to recognise the enthusiasm that exists to encourage action.

"We received feedback from owners who had tragically lost their pets to lungworm, and whilst we were pleased that we were helping to raise awareness, we became conscious that we needed to do more to prevent dogs from dying unnecessarily.  Our 2014 campaign focus has come as a direct result of talking to these owners and providing individuals like Sandra Stevens with a platform to discuss their experiences in the hope that more owners will take action before it is too late."

'ACT on Lungworm' is part of Bayer Animal Health's wider 'It's a Jungle Out There' parasite protection initiative. Further information is available at www.facebook.com/jungleforpets 

References

1. Opinion Matters, October 2013, 1000 dog owners
2. Royal Veterinary College survey 2012, 1,419 veterinary practices
3. Opinion Matters, January 2013, 150 veterinary professionals  

VetSurgeon.org today launched a new initiative to increase membership of the online community, as part of which 5 vets could win cash prizes worth a total of £2000.

A new 'Invited by' box has been added to the registration form which new members have to complete when they join VetSurgeon. New members are now asked to complete this box with the e-mail address of the vet that invited them to join the community.

In six weeks time, £1000 will be given to the vet who invited the largest number of colleages over the period. Prizes of £400, £300, £200 and £100 will be given to four runners up respectively.

There is one caveat. For the prize fund to be released, membership of VetSurgeon.org must have reached a grand total of 5000 by the closing date.

I really hope that EVERYONE will chip in and invite a fellow vet, because even if you don't think you know enough vets to win the main prize, inviting just one will help make sure that a vet somewhere is going to be given £1000!

There are other reasons for supporting this initiative.

Most importantly, the more members in the community, the more vibrant, interesting, and valuable it becomes for you, its members. On top of that, once we have 5000 members, we'll be able to start investing in further development of the site to make it an increasingly invaluable tool. 

The Webinar Vet has announced that booking has opened for its third annual online webinar congress, with early bird discounts of up to 61% available for a limited time.

The 2015 congress will take place over 24 hours, with continuous lecture streams starting at midnight GMT on Saturday 10th January. Topics include soft tissue surgery, diagnostic imaging, immune-mediated skin disease, haematology and feline and canine liver disease. All sessions will also be available for those delegates who can't take part in the live event (or don't feel like doing 24 hours of CPD in one sitting) to watch on demand later.

The Webinar Vet founder Anthony Chadwick MRCVS said: "The event has developed very quickly, from the first congress staged in January 2013 attracting over 360 vets from 26 countries, followed in 2014 by the addition of a virtual exhibition and 561 delegates from 42 countries."

For more information, visit www.theinternationalwebinarvet.com.

Pet Protect has launched a new website which includes a tool to compare the benefits of its pet insurance policies with others in the market.

The comparison deliberately excludes the cost of the policies. Pet Protect says that the aim is to "overcome the current preoccupation with price as principal means by which competitive products are evaluated".

It would be interesting to know what your experience is, talking to clients about insurance. Do you think that clients are receptive to buying insurance for the benefits, or do you think that price will always be their main concern?

Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College are seeking the help of veterinary surgeons in the UK who are treating dogs infected with Streptococcus zooepidemicus, a potentially fatal bacterial pneumonia-type disease which they say has been on the increase over the past five years.

The researchers are also trying to raise awareness of the signs of infection amongst vets and dog owners.

Streptococcus zooepidemicus is an infection that manifests itself similarly to human Toxic Shock Syndrome, causing a severe, bloody pneumonia in dogs. It has an acute onset and in a small proportion of cases the disease has been known to kill dogs within 24 hours of contracting the infection.

Outbreaks are sporadic, but particularly occur in situations where dogs mix in groups, such as rehoming or boarding kennels and in hunting and racing greyhound communities.

Although it is rarer in family pets, researchers are still keen to highlight the signs to owners, particularly if they regularly visit kennels or attend events where large groups of animals gather.

In the early stages, signs are similar to those of kennel cough, which is seen in similar environments. However, in Streptococcus zooepidemicus outbreaks, dogs rapidly become very ill and show very severe signs, with a mortality rate of up to 50% reported. In contrast to this, in more typical cases of kennel cough, most dogs will have a relatively mild illness and deaths are rare.

Researcher and veterinary pathologist Dr Simon Priestnall from the Royal Veterinary College said: "Although Streptococcus zooepidemicus was first identified in dogs in the 1970s, veterinarians and researchers have seen the number of cases spiral upwards over the past five years, particularly within rehoming kennels and the greyhound community. This suggests that the bacterium may have mutated to become more virulent and contagious.

"There is currently very limited public awareness of the problem. Signs for owners to look out for in their pets include a fever, which is usually accompanied by sneezing and nasal discharge which is often bloody, and their animal becoming lethargic. If owners notice the rapid onset of these signs, they are advised to seek veterinary help immediately. With prompt identification, medical treatment and supportive care, dogs can make a full recovery."

Dr Priestnall and his colleagues are working alongside the Animal Health Trust (Dr Andrew Waller) and the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science (Drs Jenny Stavisky and Janet Daly) to investigate this potentially fatal bacterial pathogen.

They are developing a test that will allow them to determine, from a nasal or throat swab, how many dogs are suffering from the disease and how many are carriers. The hope is that by detecting patterns within the bacterial isolates or the infected dogs, they can uncover potential risk factors and limit the spread of the disease.

If you would like more information or to submit swab samples to help with the research into this disease, contact: spriestnall@rvc.ac.uk.

Genitrix is offering practices a specially designed dosing wheel to ensure the accurate administration of Libromide (potassium bromide), the company's treatment for refractory canine epilepsy. 

The wheel indicates the dosage required according to the bodyweight of the dog and also provides further information regarding managing epilepsy and bromide serum testing.

Rob Watkins, Marketing Director at Genitrix, said:  "We've consulted canine neurology experts in the design of our dosing wheel and hope it will give practices reassurance and clarity on how to initiate, maintain and review the control of canine epilepsy with Libromide. Following the launch of Libromide and the discounted blood test service, the dosing wheel is an additional initiative to help improve treatment approaches for canine epilepsy."

To receive a free dosing wheel or for more information on Libromide and the discounted blood test service, practices are asked to call Genitrix' head office on 01403 786345 or contact their account manager.

Members of the XLVets, a collaborative group of independent veterinary practices across the UK, have raised over £35,000 in a recent charity challenge to travel the world without an engine.

To mark the 10^th anniversary of XLVets, all 53 member practices together travelled a total of 34,727 miles to complete the challenge, the equivalent of almost one and a half times around the world, by running, kayaking, swimming, cycling and walking their way thoughout the UK. 

Alex Cooper of Pembrokeshire based Fenton Vets raised the most, totalling £1,966.04, whilst his practice also clocked up the furthest distance, travelling 4,516 miles. He said: "The day took some coordinating with a horsebox carrying bikes and kayaks. The enthusiasm created amongst the team meant it became the talking point within the practice for weeks. It even reached the local press!"

He added: "We have already decided that it will become an annual event with invites extended to clients as well as all XLVets member practices."

Organiser Jane Simpson said: "The money raised has been split between member practices’ local chosen charities and Send a Cow, which will receive a cheque for £15,571.00." 

Sophie Porfirio, corporate partnerships manager for Send a Cow is delighted with the donation: "It’s a big fat thank-moo(!) from everyone at Send a Cow to everyone at XLVets who have made this fabulous donation possible. We don’t put cows on planes anymore, so they aren’t doing the mileage the XLVets teams have been achieving in recent months, but we do go to great lengths to provide the skills training, livestock and support so that some of Africa’s poorest families are able to help themselves. This donation ensures hundreds of people have food security and the knowledge to future-proof their families for generations to come. It’s an incredibly special gift and we really appreciate it."

Jane said: "The XLVets practices have shown how independent practices can work together to achieve amazing results. The generosity of all those that have supported our efforts will make a real difference to the charities.  It's a great achievement and I am sure that the resourceful and competitve nature of all of our members will mean that our fundraising efforts will not stop here." 

A study by Gnanadesikan et al, supported by the Waltham Petcare Science Institute and published in Psychoneuroendocrinology has found higher levels of the so-called 'love hormone', oxytocin, in children after they interacted with dogs.

In the study: "Effects of human-animal interaction on salivary and urinary oxytocin in children and dogs¹", oxytocin levels were recorded in 55 children and their pet dogs.

Oxytocin is associated with positive emotions, the reduction of stress and the formation of social bonds.

Oxytocin levels were tracked in both the children’s and dogs’ urine and saliva before and after they interacted.

Researchers say this is one of the first studies to examine the benefits of human animal interactions for both humans and dogs. 

For the study, the children's oxytocin levels were measured when they interacted with their own pet dog, with an unfamiliar dog (a trained therapy dog), and when they engaged in solitary play.

The study found that:

• Interaction with dogs led to higher oxytocin levels in children compared to solitary play.
• Both familiar and unfamiliar dog interactions had this effect.
• Interactions with familiar children may similarly stimulate oxytocin release in dogs.
• Dogs’ cortisol concentrations also decreased markedly from before to after these interactions.

The researchers concluded that the results support the hypothesis that oxytocin pathways may shape and respond to social interactions between children and dogs, highlighting an important role for companion animals in child development.

https://www.waltham.com/oxytocin-children-and-dogs 

Reference

1. Gitanjali E. Gnanadesikan, Katherine M. King, Elizabeth Carranza, Abigail C. Flyer, Gianna Ossello, Paige G. Smith, Netzin G. Steklis, H. Dieter Steklis, C. Sue Carter, Jessica J. Connelly, Melissa Barnett, Nancy Gee, Stacey R. Tecot, Evan L. MacLean. Effects of human-animal interaction on salivary and urinary oxytocin in children and dogs, Psychoneuroendocrinology, Volume 169, 2024, 107147, ISSN 0306-4530, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107147.

The BVA has announced the launch of a new Organisational Membership scheme, following the recent activation of its Affiliate and Associate membership categories which saw the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) and the Veterinary Practice Management Association (VPMA) welcomed as Affiliate members.  

BVA President Nicky Paull said: "The Organisational Membership scheme is a fantastic new initiative that allows an employee, through an employer, to make great savings on the annual BVA membership subscription fee when renewing or joining.

"Simply by registering your practice or organisation for the scheme, staff can benefit from an excellent deal on BVA membership, saving up to 60% off the normal subscription fee of £252 a year".

To qualify for the new membership scheme, all staff holding a veterinary medicine degree must become a BVA member.  The subscription is £1,000 for up to 10 members with increments of £500 for each additional five members.  Suitably qualified associate members (for example, veterinary nurses or veterinary practice managers) also have the option of being part of an employer's scheme membership.  

Nicky said: "Organisational Membership, along with the Affiliate and Associate membership categories, is a reflection of the BVA's awareness of the changes effecting the composition and structure of veterinary practice and the wider veterinary world and of our determination to adapt in order to be able to fully support and promote all members of the veterinary team."