From 1st March vets can sign up to be alerted to all recorded equine influenza cases in the UK, thanks to a new service from the Animal Health Trust (AHT) and Merial Animal Health.

Tell Tail is the UK's first equine influenza (EI) text alert service exclusively for equine vets, set up to provide practices and their clients with what could be invaluable information in the face of a potential outbreak. 

Dr Emma Batson from Merial said: "Vets will be notified of an EI outbreak within 48 hours of confirmed diagnosis. Not only will this allow them to alert their clients, but we believe that it will also help to encourage horse owners to become more compliant with vaccination schedules.

"Currently it is estimated that only a third of the UK horse population is vaccinated for EI. This situation is not only a potential welfare issue, but it also provides practices with a significant opportunity to increase the number of horses protected against EI, resulting in a win-win situation for all."

Dr Richard Newton, Head of Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance at the AHT, believes the text alert service will also help improve awareness and knowledge of EI, and he hopes all equine vets will sign up for the scheme. He said: "We believe that the launch of the alert service for vets marks an important step in the quest to help minimise the risk of an EI outbreak in the UK.

"EI doesn't have a carrier state, which means that it never goes away and re-emerges, instead it circulates continuously. So without continued surveillance we could easily lose track of it.

"We hope that as well as allowing practices to track and respond to outbreaks in their area, the alerts will also encourage vets to send in samples from animals with cold and flu-like symptoms. This is a free service which in turn provides us with more information to circulate within the industry, allowing everyone to be more effective at managing the disease.

"Vaccination is our best defence against EI, but to remain effective the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Expert Surveillance Panel, needs to make any update recommendations based on the latest position in the field. And this information can only be gathered via effective surveillance."

Dr Batson agrees and hopes that the combination of the Tell Tail text alert service and surveillance scheme will help to reduce the risk of an outbreak occurring in the UK. She said: "In the UK we continue to see regular confirmed outbreaks of EI, so we can never afford to become complacent about the risks.

"You only have to look at the relatively recent major outbreaks in Australia, South Africa, India and China, to see the devastating effects which can ripple throughout equine industries, both in financial as well as welfare terms."

Tell Tail is a free service. To register your interest, text your name, practice and postcode to 07797 801863. Alternatively, visit http://www.merial.com/ and click on the Tell Tail link, or speak to your Merial territory manager.

Six mixed-practice veterinary surgeons with over 200 combined years of experience have published a book of veterinary tips which they have collected from practising vets all over the UK in order to raise funds for VBF - the charity that supports veterinary professionals.

Alan Jeans, one of the authors, said: "The tips are ideas and techniques that we all use every day in practice but are the kind of thing that you only learn on the job. A range of vets from recent graduates through to veterinary teaching staff have checked the tips for suitability and, although many of the tips are aimed at new or recent graduates, vets of all ages and levels of experience will find plenty of very useful advice.

"The collection started as a 10-tip presentation on an annual CPD sailing trip in Turkey (pictured right) and grew from there. Throughout our careers we have all been impressed by the way that VBF has stepped in to help some of our colleagues in the profession through personal difficulties so we are delighted that we have found a way to fundraise for them."

Nick Short, VBF Director, said: "We are so grateful to all the authors listed in the book for their efforts on VBF's behalf. The tips can either be purchased as a complete collection in paperback by sending a suggested donation of £10 to VBF, 7 Mansfield Street, London W1G 9NQ or you can subscribe to receive regular e-tips on the Vetlife website at www.vetlife.org.uk.

We will also be taking pre-orders at BCVA Congress where VBF is going to be on the BCVA stand this year together with some of the veterinary surgeons who collected the tips.

Bradley Viner reviewed the book. He said: "I defy anyone, however long qualified, to honestly say that they did not learn something worthwhile from this little treasure of a book. And the cartoons are a great giggle as well!"

The book also received good reviews from two BVA Past Presidents. Peter Jinman said: "This little gem of a book is a distillate of the 'art' of veterinary medicine written by those who daily use the science for the benefit of animals under their care." Carl Padgett said: "A great little book. Easy to read and full of those tips that rarely make the covers of academic texts. Tricks old and new that help get the job done written by those that are doing the job."

Suffolk veterinary surgeon Gerhard Putter is appealing for support for a gala evening on 14th March 2015 to raise funds for a bucket list set up by his colleague, vet Lisa Milella, who has been diagnosed with incurable Motor Neurone Disease.  

Lisa, one of the world’s few specialist animal dental surgeons, has volunteered for charity International Animal Rescue (IAR) for many years. She is also a trustee of the charity. During her time working with IAR, she has worked in countries including India and Indonesia, treating animals including abused bears, orangutans and slow lorises, which have suffered cruelty at the hands of humans. Now, as her health deteriorates, she is unable to work herself, but she is devoting her remaining time to fundraising for IAR to ensure her work can continue when she is no longer here.  

Gerhard, who works at the Mulbery Court Veterinary Centre in Sudbury and is also a specialist veterinary dental surgeon, has worked with Lisa many times. He is now hosting the gala evening at Stoke by Nayland Golf Club to support her fundraising efforts.  Tickets cost £25.00 per person and include a buffet, entertainment, raffle and other attractions.

He said: "Lisa helped 'dancing bears' which had had their teeth knocked out with iron bars to make them easier to control; slow lorises which had their teeth clipped off by illegal traders before being sold as pets and even orangutans, which are sometimes beaten by their captors, leaving them with broken teeth and bruises. I've seen at first-hand how important her work is and have worked with her on a number of volunteer projects.  

"Her diagnosis with MND is a terrible personal tragedy for her but she is focusing on the positive and trying to do what she can for these animals while she still can. The teams at Mulberry Court and the All Animal Dental Centre are determined to support her but the success of our Gala Evening depends on the generosity of people willing to support Lisa’s Mission to raise as much money as possible.

"We hope everyone will get behind us and buy tickets.  We would also welcome gifts for our raffle and any other offers of help."

For more information, please email Gerhard Putter, at Mulberry Court Vet Surgery, allanimaldentalcentre@gmail.com or contact him on 01787 881888.

The RCVS VN Council has developed a definition of veterinary nursing, in order to provide greater clarity both to the veterinary profession and the public about what the role entails. 

The definition agreed by VN Council is as follows:

Veterinary nursing aims to ease the suffering and pain of animals, and to improve their health and welfare. 

This includes providing any medical treatment or any minor surgery (not involving entry into a body cavity) to animals under the direction of a veterinary surgeon who has that animal under their care.

Veterinary nursing can be either proactive or reactive, and autonomous or collaborative. It is carried out in a wide variety of settings, for animals at all life stages, and considers the background and needs of the animal’s owner or keeper. 

Matthew Rendle RVN, the Chair of VN Council, said: “Although it is just a few short lines, this definition of veterinary nursing has been in the pipeline for some time.

"While we as veterinary nurses have always been able to define ourselves by the type of tasks we carry out, or our relation to veterinary surgeons in terms of delegation, there hasn’t necessarily been a clear statement articulating the art and science of veterinary nursing.

“With the RCVS looking to expand its regulatory remit to include other veterinary paraprofessionals over the long term, we thought it was particularly important that we set out the stall for veterinary nursing and we hope that this clear statement will, in particular, aid the public in understanding the role of a veterinary nurse.

“It should be noted that this definition is VN Council’s own considered interpretation of the art and science of veterinary nursing.

"Other interpretations from other organisations, provided they conform with both Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act and the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct, could sit comfortably alongside ours, and we hope there continues to be healthy discussion about the contribution of the profession to the veterinary team, as our role evolves.”

XLVets, the cooperative of independent practices, is looking for female vets to share their thoughts on practice ownership and the wider aspects of leadership in a series of focus groups and interviews conducted using video conferencing.

The research is being carried out by XLChief Operating Officer Kerrie Hedley, building on work she carried out last year which she talks about in a podcast currently hosted on the Veterinary Women website.

Female vets who would like to take part in the research, whether or not they are business owners, are invited to email Kerrie at kerrie.hedley@xlvets.co.uk.

Kerrie says she wants to ensure she hears a wide variety of viewpoints: “If women are averse to leadership or doubtful about the benefits of leadership, they should be heard too. There’s a great deal of support and momentum behind this project within the XLVets community and it’s something we all think is hugely important for the future of the profession. We had a tremendous response to our last call for participants and I’m looking forward to gaining more insight into this important topic and helping to develop innovative solutions.”

CEVA Animal Health is giving away a digital thermometer with every purchase of three bottles of Rehydion gel Formula Plus

According to CEVA, dehydration can be a big problem for farmers, causing weakness, scouring and weight loss but Rehydion gel Formula Plus has transformed the management of this common condition. Historically treatments could not be added to milk as the bicarbonate, citrate and the high levels of glucose in the solutions inhibited milk clotting.  Rehydion gel Formula Plus, however, helps to maintain a low abomasal pH and guarantees milk clotting.

The company says calves with dehydration and diarrhoea still tend to crave milk, which not only provides vital fluid but is also the best possible source of energy for weight gain. Milk also has many other advantages such as helping with gut healing and providing natural antimicrobial actions. Rehydion gel Formula Plus's high palatability and efficient dilution in milk allows weight gain to continue, even in cases of severe scour.

CEVA also has a leaflet to help farmers minimise the problem of dehydration and diarrhoea in beef and dairy cattle. To order copies and for further information contact your CEVA representative or CEVA Animal Health Ltd, 90 The Broadway, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 1EG, telephone 01494 781510 or visit the website at http://www.ceva.uk.com/

Ceva Animal Health has Douxo Care Auricular Lotion, an ear cleaner to remove excess ear wax and debris from the ear canal and skin in cats and dogs.

Douxo Care Auricular Lotion can be used for routine ear cleaning and removal of ear wax and as an ear cleaner prior to treatment in order to clean the ear canal of debris. Ceva says it is fast drying and pleasant to use and the lotion can also be adapted for the routine cleaning of skin folds and around the eyes.

Andrew Fullerton BVSc (Hons) MRCVS, Douxo product manager at Ceva Animal Health, said: “Following requests from dermatologists to launch this product in the UK, we are very excited to add Douxo Care Auricular Lotion to the UK Douxo range. It will provide a gentle yet effective and soothing option for dogs and cats needing regular ear cleaning and all under the Douxo brand we know and love.”

To support the launch of Douxo Care Auricular Lotion, the company is running a buy one, get one free offer (used once and up to a maximum of five units ie pay for five and receive five free of charge). For information on the offer, which runs until 31 October, contact cevauk@ceva.com, use the offer QR code or call 01494 781510 to request an order form or to process an order.

For more information, contact cevauk@ceva.com, call 01494 781510 or visit www.douxo.com/uk.

RCVS Council has decided to delay the implementation of new 'under care' guidance covering the prescription of POM-V parasiticides until 12th January 2024.

The decision was made after Council heard increasing reports that practices have not been keeping records of POM-V parasiticide prescriptions within patient records as has always been required by the VMD.

This created a bit of a problem when the new 'under care' guidance came into force at the start of this month, which requires that veterinary surgeons must perform a physical examination as part of their initial clinical assessment of an animal before prescribing POM-V anti-parasitics.

Failing a record of an existing prescription, that would have meant re-examining large numbers of animals at a time when resources in the profession are already stretched.

RCVS President, Sue Paterson, said: “While it has been both surprising and disappointing to learn of such widespread non-compliance with legislation that has been in place for many years, Council decided to postpone the implementation of this one aspect of our new under care guidance to allow practices additional time to bring their prescribing protocols into line."

The delayed implementation date of 12 January 2024 relates only to the prescription of POM-V anti-parasitics.

The rest of the new under care guidance remains in effect from 1 September 2023

The RCVS has announced that Council has approved a pathway for RVNs to become Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) Assessors.

The change to the Practice Standards rules means that RVNs who have at least five years’ experience within the profession are eligible to apply to become PSS Assessors.

PSS Assessors are employees of the RCVS who are responsible for visiting practices that want to join the scheme, are undergoing their re-accreditation assessment or have applied for one or more of the PSS Awards, to ensure they meet the  criteria.

The decision to allow RVNs to become PSS Assessors had already been approved by both the Practice Standards Group (the steering committee for the Scheme comprising representatives from all of the major veterinary and veterinary nursing organisations in the UK) and the RCVS Standards Committee.

Matthew Rendle is the Chair of VN Council and also sits as a member of RCVS Council. He said: “I am delighted to see that there is now a pathway to recruit veterinary nurses as PSS Assessors and hope that many of my VN colleagues will take up this opportunity to apply to join the excellent team responsible for ensuring that the Scheme’s stringent standards are met.

"We know that, on a practice-by-practice basis, veterinary nurses often play a big role in helping to coordinate and ensure that the requirements of the Practice Standards Scheme are met, for example, by preparing their team for the assessment, liaising with the RCVS and the Assessor and making sure all standards are complied with in advance. It is great to see that the crucial role they often play in meeting standards is reflected in opening up the ability to become PSS Assessors."

Mandisa Greene, RCVS President and Chair of the Practice Standards Group, added: “This is such an important development for the veterinary nursing profession whose role in the Practice Standards Scheme has long been recognised as invaluable. This decision also opens up new career advancement opportunities for the profession as well, which I’m sure is very welcome."

When the next recruitment round for PSS Assessors takes place, RVNs will be invited to apply to join the roster of Assessors.

In addition to approving the role of RVNs as PSS Assessors, Council also approved a new Equine Emergency Services Clinic accreditation to help incorporate the emerging business model of veterinary practices that provide ambulatory emergency services for equids.

The new accreditation would require these practices to meet the applicable PSS Core Standards, plus the requirements contained in an additional Equine Emergency Services module. The full details of the requirements will be published in due course.

For more information about the Practice Standards Scheme visit: www.rcvs.org.uk/pss

A new survey by Petplan has given an insight into how veterinary nurses regard their job.

The survey, conducted at BVNA Congress, found that 73% of nurses feel that clients do not have a sufficient understanding of their role in practice. 

Louisa Baker, the 2008 Petplan Vet Nurse of the Year, said: "Clients are often not aware of the skills required to be a vet nurse. Most clients believe we just handle the animals whereas we are often involved with surgical activities such as stitching and preparing drips."

Arguably, if pet owners under-appreciate the role of the nurse in practice, then they might also be expected to place a lower financial value on the care they provide. If that is the case, then it makes a lot of sense for vets and practice owners to find novel ways of communicating the breadth of work that nurses do, and its importance, to clients. 

Other findings included 40% of nurses agreeing that direct contact with animals, such as caring for them through recovery, is the best part of the job. 54% told Petplan that they find the job extremely rewarding. 

Nearly all nurses (99%) said that they value training and CPD to further their careers.

To support this desire to learn, Petplan has launched its Petplan Insurance Advisor training scheme. Already, over 500 nurses have completed one of the scheme's CPD qualifying modules.

The scheme enables the development of individual skills such as the ability to sell products and gain confidence with clients. Available online, vet nurses can participate in the scheme at work or at home. Visit http://www.petplanpia.co.uk/ for more information. 

The RCVS has announced it will be launching a new nine-month alternative dispute resolution (ADR) trial this autumn which will be administered by the law firm that runs the General Optical Council’s ADR scheme.

Nockolds Solicitors was approved as the new administrator of the ADR trial by RCVS Council at its June 2016 meeting at Cardiff City Hall. The company was identified and approved by the RCVS Operational Board as meeting its requirements, a decision which the RCVS says has been welcomed by the Veterinary Defence Society and the British Veterinary Association, as well as receiving lay and consumer support.

The current trial, which was launched in November 2014 and is administered by Ombudsman Services, will come to a close by 1 October, when the new trial with Nockolds will start.

Nick Stace, RCVS Chief Executive and Secretary, said: "In order to be able to make an informed choice about how we wish to design and implement a permanent ADR scheme we wanted to ensure that we have as many different options and as much data as possible. It is very important that we get the permanent scheme right and this is why Operational Board made the decision to have a second trial. It was also clear that satisfaction levels from consumers for the previous trial were lower than we would have liked and that we therefore need to explore other options.

"It is important to note that this will not just be a re-run of the first trial with a different administrator – there will be some significant differences between this and our first trial with Ombudsman Services.

"First, this will be a truly alternative process as consumers will be able to access the trial directly rather than having to go through the College’s concerns process first.

"Second, this will be a process of mediation meaning that expert advisors from Nockolds will facilitate communication between the complainant and the veterinary surgeon to try and find a satisfactory solution to the concern."

The trial will be promoted to both the public and the profession as an alternative to the College’s formal concerns investigation process and participation in the trial will be voluntary. There will also still be a panel of veterinary advisors overseeing the trial and helping staff at Nockolds with any clinical queries they may have.

Jennie Jones is a Partner at Nockolds and will head up the trial. She said: "We are committed to providing a service that mediates complaints to find a fair, efficient and proportionate resolution. We are looking forward to working with everyone involved in veterinary profession to develop an effective mediation service that can be accessed by both the public and members of the profession.

"The service will focus on finding effective and practical resolutions. Understanding the root cause of the complaint and re-establishing effective communication are the crucial first steps in mediation and helping the parties to find a solution they can both accept. Over the coming months, we will be working with the RCVS, representative bodies for the profession and consumers to launch the service.

"In addition to mediating complaints, we will share insight in mediation and complaint resolution to inform practitioners and stakeholders and to enhance standards at veterinary practices. This enables complaint analysis to be used to help improve client care, avoid complaints and maintain trust and confidence in the profession."

A bespoke website for the trial will be set up in time for the launch on 1 October 2016.

Purina has published ‘New Perspectives on Pet Obesity, Moving to a Behavioural Science Model’, an e-book that explores new ways of tackling weight management with clients.

The book includes interviews with researchers and thought leaders, including Professor Jeff French, Hugues Ruault du Plessis and Professor Thomas Webb.

There's a chapter on ways to influence owner behaviour, an explanation of the ways in which we make decisions and a description of the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation – Behaviour), which Professor Webb argues can be applied to help manage pet obesity, the advantage being that it: “….recognises the importance of motivation, but suggests that people also need to be and feel capable of taking action and have the opportunity to do so.”

Also included are clinical research summaries and practical tips to help communication around these issues in practice.

Purina’s Scientific Affairs Manager for the UK and Ireland, Libby Sheridan, said: “Pet obesity is a challenge that veterinary teams face every day, with six in ten dogs and cats overweight or obese, making obesity one of the most common medical conditions in pets worldwide.1,2

"This e-book delivers a thought-provoking new take on pet obesity which I hope will inspire teams in veterinary practices to adopt innovative approaches to support their clients and achieve positive outcomes for their patients.”

The e-book is suitable for all members of the veterinary team who are involved in weight management clinics or have an interest in developing new strategies to better communicate with and support pet owners. 

Download book here.

References

1. Bomberg E, Birch L, Endenburg N, German AJ, Neilson J, Seligman H, Takashima G, Day MJ. The Financial Costs, Behaviour and Psychology of Obesity: A One Health Analysis. J Comp Pathol. 2017;156(4):310-325. doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2017.03.007.
2. German AJ. Weight management in obese pets: the tailoring concept and how it can improve results. Acta Vet Scand. 2016;58(Suppl 1):57. doi:10.1186/s13028-016-0238-z