Five graduates from St George's University School of Veterinary Medicine (SGUSVM), in the Caribbean island of Grenada, have passed the Statutory Membership Examination of the UK's Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. 

According to the University, SGUSVM graduates have traditionally demonstrated impressive pass rates on this rigorous exam, but this year's 100% pass rate by SGU students - compared with an overall 44% pass rate for candidates overall - is an exceptional result for SGU students, and only the second time it has been achieved in the school's history.

In order to practice veterinary surgery in the UK, all graduates with foreign or Commonwealth qualifications must pass the RCVS examination. The exam consists of two days of written papers, followed by clinical, oral and practical exams at a UK veterinary medical school. Thirty-five St George's graduates have passed into the RCVS since the School's inception in 1999.

The RCVS sets no quota for this Statutory Membership Examination, meaning those who meet the standards will pass, regardless of the number of candidates sitting the exam.  

Austin Kirwan, St George's Associate Dean of UK and Ireland Clinical Affairs stated: "St George's School of Veterinary Medicine once again produces an excellent set of results with a 100 percent pass rate for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Statutory Membership Examination for those SGU students who sat the examination.  This is a credit to the school in the quality of education it provides, but also an indication of the calibre of person SGU attracts in its student cohort - outstanding success abounds by thinking beyond."

Presenting the graduates with a membership certificate at the Ceremony of Admissions at Belgravia House in London, RCVS President Dr Jerry Davies said: "I was delighted to welcome so many of this year's successful candidates to the College. Whether newly graduated or long qualified elsewhere, all of those registering today have succeeded in meeting the educational and professional requirements that enable them to call themselves veterinary surgeons and to practise in the UK."

VetSurgeon.org member Dr Sarah Caney's company, Cat Professional, is conducting a survey of owner experiences of caring for cats with chronic kidney disease and is looking for practices to help recruit participants.

Recruited practices will be given a complimentary print copy of the new client education book 'Caring for a cat with chronic kidney disease' by Dr Sarah Caney and a set of flyers to give out to eligible cat owners.

Owners completing the survey will each receive a complimentary electronic copy of the same book.

The book is aimed at owners and aims to support veterinary recommendations regarding management of this common condition.

To find out more about this survey please visit http://www.catprofessional.com/ or contact Dr Sarah Caney on 07711 390219.

MSD Animal Health has launched Zuprevo Cattle,  which contains a novel antibiotic molecule to help combat bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

Zuprevo Cattle contains the active ingredient tildipirosin (180mg/ml), a new 16-membered, tribasic macrolide unique to animal health. It is licensed for the treatment and prevention of BRD associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida and Histophilus somni.

According to MSD Animal Health livestock veterinary adviser Paul Williams MRCVS, the new product works extremely quickly in the animal, as well as offering the longest duration of activity in the lungs of all the macrolide antibiotics currently on the market. He says it is also extremely convenient to use: "Zuprevo is readily absorbed by the animal, reaching peak plasma concentrations within 23 minutes of injection. Zuprevo is readily distributed around the body and reaches lung concentration well above MIC₉₀ for all of the three BRD target pathogens within four hours of administration. In addition, it maintains lung concentration above the MIC₉₀ for up to 28 days, which will appeal to many practitioners."

Paul says that it is Zuprevo's 16-membered, tribasic macrolide structure that allows it to deliver these significant pharmacological benefits for the management of BRD in cattle: "Zuprevo works by diffusing into the bacterial cell where its binding action inhibits protein synthesis of the bacterial ribosome. Its unique 16-membered, tribasic structure enables enhanced penetration of the bacterial cell wall, as well as having the ability to bypass some potential bacterial resistance mechanisms."

Paul says Zuprevo also offers vets and their farmer clients important practical usage advantages: "Zuprevo is an easily syringeable solution for injection available in convenient 20ml, 50ml and 100ml vial sizes to suit different usage requirements. At a dose rate of 1ml/45kg, it offers the lowest macrolide dose volume per kg of bodyweight. At 47 days, Zuprevo also has the shortest macrolide meat withdrawal period." 

Further information on this new macrolide antibiotic is available from the MSD Animal Health territory managers or by calling the company's Veterinary Services Group on 01908 685685.

Ceva Animal Health has added a new presentation to its Cardio Academy CPD website, entitled: Echocardiography: Common Views.

In the 30 minute multimedia presentation, cardiology specialist Anne French discusses the most common echocardiographic views used in the diagnosis of the cardiac patient.

Veterinary professionals can then receive a CPD certificate by completing a quiz about the session. 

In addition, you can still access the the first five sessions, covering the Pathophysiology of Mitral Valve Disease, by Adrian Boswood, Clinical Examination of the Cardiac Dog, by Gérard Le Bobinnec and three sessions discussing Thoracic X-rays by Nicole Van Israël.

For further information, please contact your local Ceva account manager.

The Small Animal Medicine Society (SAMSOC) and the BSAVA have together produced a new poster containing guidelines for the appropriate use of antibiotics in practice.

In recent years, alongside wider recognition of resistant bacteria such as MRSA in animals, the veterinary profession's use of antibiotics has been under the spotlight as a possible factor contributing to the increasing prevalence of bacterial resistance seen in human patients. Veterinary surgeons are faced with the dual problem of treating more and more resistant bacterial infections, whilst the threat of withdrawal of the right to prescribe certain antibiotics hangs over the profession.

SAMSoc and the BSAVA say they feel the time has come for the veterinary profession to take a coordinated responsible approach to its prescribing practices.

Ian Battersby of the Small Animal Medicine Society (SAMSoc) has sought to address the need for rational guidelines for the most appropriate antibiotics, for the correct duration, to maximise clinical efficacy but minimise selection of resistant bacteria. Collaboration with BSAVA resulted in a set of helpful prescribing guidelines in poster form, being sent to members of both associations. A limited number of copies will also be available from the BSAVA Balcony at Congress 2012, and BSAVA has dedicated the October issue of its membership magazine, companion, to the subject.

Ian said: "Of course these PROTECT guidelines are suggestions based on current knowledge and in the future we hope they will be further refined as our experience grows. This is an evolving situation and hopefully more work will be undertaken, in particular looking at treatment durations, allowing further refinement and optimization of practice policies. The key principles are that by implementing a prescribing protocol in our practices we are treating our prescribing privileges responsibly and maximizing the efficacy of the presently available agents for the benefit of both veterinary and human patients now and in the future.

"I would like to particularly thank everyone who has helped with this project; Andrew Jagoe, Professor Ian Ramsey, Tom Maddox, Jon Camillari, Alison Woodward and Dr Tim Nuttall, and BSAVA for facilitating the production of the poster".

The Veterinary Development Council (VDC) is conducting a survey to investigate the role of paraprofessionals and technicians in veterinary practice, and is asking vets in large animal, equine, and mixed practices to complete a short survey.

The VDC says that information from the survey will help inform discussions on the regulation of technicians.

The survey will take between 5 and 10 minutes to complete and can be found on the BVA website at www.bva.co.uk/vdc. The BVA has also emailed the survey directly to practices.

The survey has been devised by the VDC working group looking at the role of the veterinary-led team, chaired by BVA Past President Professor Bill Reilly. This is one of three working groups that will report to the VDC:

• Veterinary engagement with the food supply chain chaired by Gwyn Jones of the National Farmers' Union (NFU). To consider how the veterinary profession might better engage with the food industry, with a view to better defining what food industry stakeholders need and want in terms of veterinary services, now and in the future and the implications of this for the veterinary profession. The group will also examine ways in which better engagement with food industry stakeholders might be facilitated.
• Business models for the provision of veterinary services chaired by John Fishwick, President of the British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA). To identify and classify different business models for veterinary practices and the provision of veterinary services, to consider the merits and limitations of each of these models and provide case studies of their successful application. This group will examine the whole range of models, recognising that one size does not fit all and acknowledging the differences between large and small practices.
• The role of the veterinary-led team chaired by Prof Bill Reilly, Past President of the BVA. To identify the range of services that could be supplied to the farming community by a veterinary-led team, including those services that could be undertaken by veterinarians and non-veterinarians. To identify how these services are currently delivered and to describe the benefits of bringing non-veterinarians into a veterinary-led team. The working group will also assess desire of veterinarians and non veterinarians to work together to deliver these services.

Professor Reilly said: "The relationship between veterinary surgeons and technicians is vital but it varies from practice to practice.

"The working group on the role of the veterinary-led team aims to take a snapshot of how services, such as artificial insemination and foot trimming, are currently delivered, and gauge how veterinary surgeons feel about other services being delivered by non-veterinarians in the future.

"I hope veterinary surgeons in large, mixed and equine practice will take 10 minutes to complete our survey to help us map the current use of technicians in veterinary practice and help shape our future discussions."

Merial has announced that its canine NSAID, Previcox, is now now uniquely licensed for the relief of pain and inflammation associated with dental surgery in dogs.

According to the company, an estimated 70% of dogs over 2 years of age may have some degree of periodontal disease¹, and painful extraction of teeth is often necessary for the successful management of this condition.

Merial says that Previcox has been demonstrated to control the pain associated with dental surgery, in a double-blinded, controlled trial² in which dogs underwent maxillary canine tooth extraction. The results showed that Previcox treatment significantly reduced pain scores post dental surgery, making it the only NSAID with a specific claim for relief of post-operative dental pain. Results of physical examination and blood testing also confirmed the peri-operative safety profile of Previcox, with no treatment-related adverse effects noted during the trial.

To find out more, contact your Merial Territory Manager on 0870 6000 123. For more information about Previcox visit www.previcoxfordogs.co.uk

References

¹ Wiggs RB and Lobprise HB. Periodontology. In: Veterinary Dentistry, Principles and Practice. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven; 1997. p187
² Merial Internal data PR&D0116401.

Companion Care has opened its 80th surgery, within the Ilford Pets at Home store.

Companion Care Vets managing director, Jane Balmain said: "The opening of our 80th surgery proves the success of our joint venture partner business model. At present the majority of our surgeries are located inside Pets at Home stores but we also have four very successful standalone surgeries. Our standalone surgery network is now being developed to create further exciting opportunities for future growth, with our first new standalone surgery opening in Scotland this December."

Joint venture partner and veterinary surgeon at Companion Care Vets Ilford Alberto Arciniega said: "Alongside the fantastic team we have on board, my partners Nick and Claire and I are extremely proud to be opening our second surgery here in Ilford. Having been partners at the Romford surgery since July 2009 we have seen the company grow consistently and successfully. We feel honoured to be opening the groups' 80th surgery and look forward to the challenge of managing both practices and to delivering outstanding veterinary care."

With 102 Joint Veterinary Partners, 83 of whom are veterinary surgeons, 12 veterinary nurses, 6 practice managers and 1 receptionist and a further 789 staff employed by the group Companion Care Vets is one of the largest veterinary employers in the UK. Dividend payments to joint venture partners in the 2010/2011 period totalled £2.181 million and the group says it plans to open a further 10 surgeries across the UK before the end of year.

Supreme Petfoods has launched the VetCarePlus range of Monoforage® diets for rabbits.

According to the company, the new range represents an entirely new generation of rabbit food, made possible because of a breakthrough in production technology.

The big advance is the level of fibre within a mono-component style diet: 28%-34% across the range, along with the inclusion - uniquely - of essential long fibre particles. Supreme says the result is a less dense food that is beneficial for a rabbit's sensitive digestion system, with the added benefit of extending the feeding time, which is good for dental wear.

The company also says VetCarePlus performs exceptionally well in palatability tests and that it's been widely welcomed throughout the rabbit welfare community.  Molly Varga BVetMed DZooMed MRCVS said:  "This is exactly what convalescing rabbits need, an excellent level of fibre with no chance of selective feeding plus a good slow chew rate".

The range comprises three specific formulas for Weight Management, Urinary Tract Health and Digestive Health.

Supreme says feedback on samples sent to welfare organisations, veterinary schools and practicing vets so far has been very positive. Vets are delighted with the simplicity of the products, and have welcomed the way Monoforage encapsulates all the benefits of hay, with minimal processing compared to other diets.  

Molly Varga added: "All the benefits of hay are preserved while this diet gives more volume of fibre per measurement of food than I have seen before, without increasing the weight (and therefore energy) components".  VetCarePlus delivers the maximum possible crude fibre and long fibre content available to date. 

Claire Hamblion, Marketing Manager for VetCarePlus said: "Supreme Petfoods feels that VetCarePlus is pushing forward the boundaries on specialist diets for rabbits.  Monoforage provides completely unique levels of fibre and we're delighted that all the feedback we have received from a wide range of experts has been exceptionally enthusiastic and welcoming".   

For more information on how to stock VetCarePlus products contact Supreme Petfoods at sales@supremepetfoods.com  or visit http://www.supremeprofessional.com/

Vetoquinol has released the second set of results from a survey of over 1000 dog owners which the company says has revealed some surprising findings on owner attitudes to pain and pain relieving medications.¹

In particular, Vetoquinol says it thinks veterinary surgeons will be surprised by the depth of feeling expressed by pet owners about the issue, and that there are areas where there is potential for the profession to relate to the concerns of clients and adapt communication accordingly.

The key findings highlight that dog owners are likely to be shocked by a diagnosis of long term painful illness in their pet and are very likely to search for further information on the Internet about the pet's condition. Most dog owners think that NSAIDs are likely to cause side effects, with the perceived risk being much greater than the actual level of risk. The results also indicate that even low levels of risk of side effects may be unacceptable to dog owners.

• In common with many other surveys, most dog owners (68%) felt their dog was a member of the family and another 22% said their dog was their best friend.
• 73% of people selected the word 'devastated' to most accurately describe their feelings if their dog was diagnosed with a potentially painful long-term illness.

Mark Leddy, Marketing Manager at Vétoquinol said that the strength of the bond between pet and owner should always be front of mind: "A diagnosis of osteoarthritis, for instance, is such a common one, often being made several times a day, so it is easy to become matter of fact about it; yet for the client that news may actually be quite traumatic and the impact hugely underestimated."

• Asked to rate pain, dog owners perceived the most painful condition to be a broken leg.
• On a 0 to 10 scale, with 10 being most painful, 57% rated pain due to chronic arthritis in old age as 8 or above and 36% rated post-neutering pain as an 8 or above.
• Fewer people rated pain due to arthritis in a young dog as 8 or above (51%). Vetoquinol says this suggests that owners might not be good at identifying pain levels in individual animals.

Where clients get their information from is important:

• 98% said they would use the Internet to get information about their dogs' illnesses and medication, whilst 67% said they would do this every time they had a concern. Vetoquinol notes that this means there is greater scope for misinformation.

The majority of respondents (95%) felt that treatment of osteoarthritis should be started as soon as signs appear and then long term, either consistently or as needed. However, despite recognising the need for treatment, many expressed concerns about side effects when giving their dog long-term medication, with 77% considering it important or very important to choose a medication with a limited range of side effects. 

• 48% of those polled felt that NSAIDs were good treatments with a risk of side effects
• 15% rated them more positively as good, effective treatments
• 2% claimed they would object to or resist their vet's recommendation to treat with NSAIDs.
• Only 1% felt that pain controlling medications would never cause side effects, with most respondents claiming side effects were most likely to be seen sometimes (67%) or often (19%).

Vetoquinol says the reality is that one in a thousand pets given an NSAID is likely to experience side effects, which vets may feel is not something owners should worry about unduly. The reality for pet owners is that they perceive the risk to be much greater and if informed of the actual level of risk may still experience a significant level of fear that their pet, with whom they have a special relationship, could be that one in a thousand.

Mark Leddy says that, based on these results, there is great scope for the veterinary team to discuss the level and type of risk entailed in administering medication: "Such an approach will help pet owners make more informed decisions about treatment, allay their concerns and provide them with the support they need at what is probably a very difficult time for them."

^1. A survey of 1048 dog owners, carried out by petbuzz, on behalf of Vétoquinol, March 2011

Novartis Animal Health has launched a 0.5L pack of the anthelmintic Zolvix to make the product more readily available for quarantine dosing, and for the smaller sheep farmer.

Novartis says that because Zolvix is a broad spectrum anthelmintic that has the ability to kill all common sheep gastro-intestinal nematodes, including those resistant to existing treatments, it has a key role to play in quarantine treatment to keep parasite infection down to a minimum.

Simon Harris, Endoparasite Brand Manager at Novartis Animal Health, said: "As the first of the new generation of the Orange or 4-AD anthelmintic group, Zolvix has demonstrated effectiveness in killing worms, even those resistant to other products.

"Sheep farmers are being encouraged to use Zolvix as a quarantine treatment that can significantly reduce worm burdens on farm. I would stress that it is essential guidelines are followed in order to preserve Zolvix's ability to combat nematodes that have acquired resistance to other classes of wormers.

"This new pack size is aimed at farmers who are introducing new stock to their flocks, but will also be convenient for the smaller sheep farmer and smallholders who don't require such a large quantity of product."

Novartis says that because Zolvix is a short-acting anthelmintic, it does not encourage resistance to develop through a long duration of action. It has a high margin of safety so can be used to treat sheep and lambs including pregnant or lactating ewes and breeding rams. Its short meat withhold period of just seven days allows flexibility when marketing lambs.

Ceva Animal Health UK has launched a new Galastop iPhone application to calculate the optimal date for spaying in order to reduce the risk of post-operative false pregnancy.

Enter the end of oestrus date (when the last season finished), and the app will calculate when to spay, i.e. 16 weeks later.

Ceva says it is important not to spay a bitch during a false pregnancy as post-operative chronic pseudopregnancy may develop, which can last longer and be more resistant to standard treatment. However, some cases of false pregnancy can be silent and difficult to detect. Product manager at Ceva Animal Health UK, Fraser Broadfoot MRCVS, said: "It is commonly recommended to wait until 12 weeks after the end of oestrus before spaying. However, silent pseudopregnancy can still occur at this stage so, to be on the safe side, many specialists are now recommending spaying later at 16 weeks after the end of oestrus."

Click here for more details, and to download the app in iTunes.

For further information, please contact your Ceva Animal Health UK representative or call the veterinary support team on 01494 781510.