The company says its Skinsights Learning Academies help support individuals and practices improve the healthcare outcomes for the 25% of dogs medicalised by skin problems in the UK.
A number of recognised industry professionals will be giving interactive, bite-sized talks at the events, including: Filippo De Bellis, Ian Wright, Jill Maddison, Sarah Warren, Rob Pope, Evelyn Maniski and Emily Robson as well as Zoetis veterinary and business consultants.
Zoetis says all the presentations will be highly practical, presented through case reviews, research, workshops and discussions. They will offer the latest information on game-changing therapeutics, best practice work-ups, effective protocols and insightful case-studies.
The sessions are limited to groups of 30 and Zoetis says places are expected to fill quickly.
To reserve your free place, visit: http://www.zoetis.co.uk/LVS2018
If you are unable to secure a seat in the theatre, headsets will be available on the day so you can listen to the lectures whilst on the stand.
International Cat Care has launched a competition in which veterinary practice staff are invited to take a 'selfie' of themselves with their favourite cat and upload it to the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ISFMcats), where cat lovers from around the world can vote for their favourite.
The Cattitude competition is designed to raising awareness of the charity's global Cat Friendly Clinic initiative.
The photograph that gets the most Facebook 'likes' will be used by the charity to help raise awareness of the Cat Friendly Clinic programme, which aims to promote the wellbeing of cats visiting or being hospitalised in a veterinary practice. Accredited Cat Friendly Clinics fulfil a set of broad criteria that show they recognise the specific needs of cats and their owners, and place cat welfare high in their practice priorities. Cat owners in turn are able to seek out clinics that have taken steps to help them overcome common barriers to clinic visits and reduce the stress of their pet.
The Cattitude competition runs from now until the 24th April. The winning staff member will receive £200 worth of John Lewis vouchers and the practice £400 worth of Thames Medical vouchers to be spent on feline-friendly equipment.
Practices may upload as many photos as they like to the Facebook page, and will be able to encourage clients to 'Like' their photos with campaign support materials which include downloadable in-clinic display posters, a series of supplied posts for their own Facebook page, written copy for their own clinic newsletter or email along with a proforma press release they can send to their local newspapers and publications.
Clinics can find more information on taking part in the Cattitude competition at www.facebook.com/ISFMcats orwww.icatcare.org/cattitude. Details of the ICC Cat Friendly Clinic initiative and accreditation can be found atwww.catfriendlyclinic.org along with a list of already-accredited vet clinics.
Bimeda has announced the launch of Bilovet, a new tylosin-based antibiotic for cattle and pigs.Padraig Hyland, Head of Technical Veterinary Services at Bimeda said: ''It is with great pleasure that I announce the launch of our much anticipated Bilovet 200 mg/ml solution for injection for cattle and pigs as the latest addition to Bimeda's range of essential antibiotics.
Bilovet contains Tylosin 200 mg/ml and is the second Tylosin-based injectable antibiotic to be licensed for cattle - including dairy cattle - in the UK. Bilovet is licensed in cattle for the treatment of respiratory infections, metritis, mastitis, interdigital necrobacillosis and calf diphtheria as well as a range of pig infections, including enzootic pneumonia, haemorrhagic enteritis, erysipelas, arthritis and metritis".
Bimeda's Head of Bimeda R+D, Xavier Molins said: "Bilovet is a completely new development for a product that includes a new species (cattle). Bimeda have made a significant investment in bringing Bilovet to market, including conducting new Environmental Risk Assessment studies according to current guidelines and regulations.''
For more information, ring 01248 725 400 or email: uksales@bimeda.com
Researchers and practitioners working in any field of academia, industry and/or clinical practice are invited to apply for an award of up to £2,000 to fund a research project relevant to the aims of the VMG, which represents veterinary professionals working in leadership and management roles.
The VMG says it has launched the scheme to help veterinary leaders embrace the challenges and opportunities faced by the sector and to help them to continue to meet patient needs effectively while remaining profitable.
VMG Junior Vice President Mr Richard Casey said: "Business landscapes are changing and the veterinary world is no exception. The VMG is ideally placed not only to support our members but also to help the wider profession. We hope that our grant scheme will support research that enhances our understanding of contemporary veterinary business, leadership and management and helps us to develop a solid evidence base for best practice. We are looking forward to receiving some exciting proposals."
Further information, including the Stage 1 application form and guidance notes, are available here: https://www.vetmg.com/vmg-research-awards/
The deadline for applications is 19 July 2019.
The university says it has implemented a range of health and safety measures to meet Government guidelines and allow for the controlled return of 150 first-year undergraduate students to its Sutton Bonington campus.
Since the latest cohort joined the university at the height of the UK lockdown, the school has delivered a programme of technology-assisted Fresher’s Week and teaching activities.
However, the return of the April cohort will enable face-to-face teaching that cannot be delivered remotely, specifically essential animal handling and health and safety skills required before students can embark on the work experience element of their course.
The practical sessions will form part of a blended approach to learning, with other lectures and tutorial support continuing to be delivered remotely to reduce the number of students in teaching buildings at any one time.
Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science Professor Gary England said: “We have missed being on campus with our students tremendously during the coronavirus lockdown and we are excited to be welcoming this cohort to Sutton Bonington in July.
“The health and safety of our students and staff has remained our top priority and has been at the heart of our planning process. Colleagues from across the university have been working intensively on the intricate detail required to ensure that adequate social distancing and hygiene measures are in place to allow this first step in a return to campus.”
Among the measures which have been introduced are:
The university says the return of its vet school cohort and the re-starting of face-to face-education at University of Nottingham Ningbo China at the end of April, where 5,000 students are now back on campus, will form the blueprint for the return of the majority of students to its UK campuses when the new academic term begins on 21 September.
The advice in the new help section has been designed to highlight the shared responsibilities of animal owners and their vet teams, and to support practices by giving this advice for pet owners in a clear and easy-to-read way.
It explains what pet owners can expect from their vet team - and what is expected of them - throughout the different stages of pet ownership.
The information is split into ten sections:
The content in the new resource was informed by the views of the RCVS’s Public Advisory Group (PAG), whose members comprise owners/keepers of companion animals, equine and production animals, as well as other users of veterinary services.
Veterinary surgeon and Chair of the RCVS PAG, Louise Allum MRCVS (pictured), said: "The PAG has performed an essential role in helping to inform the content creation for our animal owner help and advice resource, highlighting the need for greater transparency and support, particularly around veterinary fees, treatment options, and what to expect from vet practices.
"Veterinary professionals work tirelessly to provide the most appropriate care for their patients, and we want to support this by ensuring pet owners have access to clear, accessible information about their rights, responsibilities, and the role of veterinary teams to ensure that expectations are managed.
“We are calling upon veterinary professionals to share this resource with clients far and wide, to help owners understand more about veterinary practice and how they can build a successful partnership with their vet team, ultimately leading to better outcomes for pets, their owners and veterinary professionals alike."
The RCVS will be expanding its help and advice section to include further information for equine and livestock owners in due course.
www.rcvs.org.uk/owner-advice.
Available in packs of 56 (4 x 14 tablet blister packs), Lodisure tablets are divisible for accurate dosing.
The recommended starting dose is 0.125-0.25 mg amlodipine per kg bodyweight per day, which equates to half a tablet for cats weighing less than 4kg (and more than 2kg) and one tablet per day for cats weighing between 4kg and 8kg.
It can be administered directly to the cat or given with a small quantity of food.
Dechra companion animal brand manager, Sarah Musgrave, said: “Feline hypertension is very often part of a more complex diagnosis, therefore it is important that antihypertensive therapies are easy to dose and administer.
"Lodisure is a new, first-line, easy to dose and administer treatment to control systolic blood pressure in cats while the underlying primary cause is diagnosed and treated, which vets can rely on in their day-to-day practice.”
https://www.dechra.co.uk/products/cat/prescription/lodisure.
The Vet Wellbeing Awards, which are now in their fourth year, are designed to highlight positivity within the profession by sharing stories and initiatives from veterinary workplaces that demonstrate commitment to improving staff wellbeing.
The Awards also aim to support all practices to take a structured approach towards evaluating their own wellbeing support systems.
This year, for the first time, feedback will be given to practices that enter about the areas where they are doing well and those where they can improve. The organisers hope that this change to the Awards process will encourage practices to think of wellbeing support as an area of continuous development.
However, they also hope that practices will use the entry process as an opportunity to audit wellbeing even if they don't plan to enter.
Liz Barton, SPVS Board Member, said: "Going through the entry form and evaluation process is valuable for every vet practice, even if they don’t feel they’re ready to enter the Awards just yet. Sitting down as a practice team for a few hours and working through the questionnaire is a highly useful exercise for facilitating celebrating areas where your practice is doing well for wellbeing, and also highlighting some areas for improvement for years to come."
"We recommend all practices get into the habit of going through the process annually and choosing areas to focus and improve on, to build towards better wellbeing across all areas for all staff."
There are three award categories that practices can enter depending on the number of employees: small practice (15 or fewer full time equivalent team members (FTE)), medium practice (16 to 50 FTEs) or large practice (51 or FTEs).
The Award application form covers six aspects of work that, if well-managed, can promote wellbeing and reduce the risk of work-related stress, and the Award judges will be looking for evidence of commitment to enhancing wellbeing for each of these.
They are:
Promoting physical and psychological health at work
Relationships at work
Communication at work
Career development
Workload and work scheduling
Work demands
More examples of the type of evidence and initiatives that the Awards are looking for, together with the entry form, are available on the Vet Wellbeing Awards website: https://vetwellbeingawards.org.uk.
Winning and Highly Commended practices will receive a dedicated logo and certificate for display. The winners in each category will also receive two registrations and banquet tickets for SPVS/VMG Congress 2020.
In addition to the Wellbeing Awards, the RCVS and SPVS are also running the Practice Star nominations, which are open to all veterinary practices.
These nominations aim to support practices to thank someone in their team who has gone the extra mile to make the practice a happy place to work, whether this be through introducing an initiative that makes everyone’s work life better, going out of their way to support a colleague going through a tough time, or just making everyone smile.
To enter, practices need to send in their nominee’s name, job title and contact details, and a short paragraph explaining why they have been chosen. They will then receive a certificate congratulating them for being nominated as the practice’s very own ‘Practice Wellbeing Star’.
The closing date for both the Wellbeing Award entries and Practice Star nominations is Friday 22 November 2019.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: "We are a nation of animal lovers, and the use of these punitive devices can cause harm and suffering, whether intentionally or unintentionally, to our pets.
"Organisations and MPs have campaigned against the use of shock collars passionately and we are listening to their concerns.
"We are now proposing to ban the use of electric shock collars to improve the welfare of animals."
Defra has launched a consultation on the proposals, which you can take part in here: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/animal-health-and-welfare/ban-on-electronic-training-collars-cats-and-dogs/
BVA President John Fishwick said: "We welcome the Government’s launch of a consultation on banning the use of shock collars in England and would like to see it result in an effective ban soon.
"Electronic training devices such as shock collars have been proven to cause pain and unnecessary suffering, and we know from leading veterinary behaviourists that using fear as a training tool is less effective than positive training methods, such as encouragement or rewards, and can take a toll on an animal’s overall welfare.
"We were in Westminster last week along with several animal welfare charities to highlight the issue and call upon Members of Parliament to back a ban on the use of shock collars. We were pleased to see several MPs pledge their support."
BVA will continue to push for an outright ban on the sale and import of shock collars across the UK.
Photo: Electric shock collar / Petrovskii Ian / Shuterstock
The RSPCA has published the results of a survey which found that teachers in the UK are strongly in support of teaching animal welfare in the classroom, with 93% of respondents stating they would teach animal welfare in the classroom if they had the time.
95% also said that they believe that teaching children about animal welfare would help make them more compassionate and socially aware.
According to the survey of almost 800 teachers across England and Wales, 83% felt animal welfare should be part of the national curriculum. However, some had concerns about how it would be integrated into existing frameworks, and whether it would mean more demands on already overworked teachers.
RSPCA formal education manager Claire Morris said: "We felt it is easy to sit on the sidelines and state that animal welfare should be part of the curriculum, but it is far more practical and helpful to show that it can be done."
To address these concerns, the RSPCA says it created over 90 free lesson plans for teachers, which are linked to the English and Welsh Curricula. Many of the RSPCA's lesson plans overlap in subject areas including Science, Citizenship, Literacy and Numeracy, as well as provide springboards for assemblies and student councils.
Claire added: "We urge the government to consider integrating animal welfare into our children's education as a matter of urgency - as skills such as empathy, compassion and social consciousness have value as a child goes through the education system as well as when they enter adulthood and the world of work."
The RSPCA says this is particularly important because only 70% of respondents knew what the five animal welfare needs - which are central to the Animal Welfare Act - are.
As well as looking at the ethical side of animal welfare, 92% of teachers also expressed a strong preference for lessons specifically on animals' role in food and clothing production. It was felt that with young people better connected than ever before, they have an increasing awareness of social issues and expect higher ethical standards from companies.
Adam, who is one of only 17 ECC Specialists in the UK, will be developing an ECC service at Lumbry Park.
Following graduation and an internship at the Royal Veterinary College, Adam worked in hospital and emergency general practice. He completed his residency in Emergency and Critical Care in 2013 becoming board certified the same year. He also completed a Master’s in Veterinary Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College.
Adam became an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care in 2015. In his most recent role, he was Group Head of Emergency and Intensive Care for four RCVS-Recognised hospitals and branches and oversaw standards of out-of-hours provision to 50+ sites. He also led the development of the first specialist 24-hour veterinary intensive care unit in central London.
Ray Girotti, Hospital Director, said: "Adam will be working with our multi-disciplinary team to offer a dedicated point of contact for emergency referrals, a move which will enhance the provision of critical care for our sickest patients. We are delighted to welcome a Specialist of his calibre to Lumbry Park."
Adam said: "The leadership on all issues relating to patient care shown by CVS’ Clinical Advisory Committee was inspiring and, with its full support, I have been offered an unrivalled opportunity to develop a leading ECC service at Lumbry Park. I’m really looking forward to my new role and to participating on the Clinical Advisory Committee to enhance ECC services right across CVS."
Fort Dodge has unveiled an initiative to help practices improve peri-operative care and the management of hospitalised cases with the launch of its Early Warning Scoring System (EWSS) kit.
The kit contains cat and dog anaesthesia and observation charts for the effective monitoring of cats and dogs during operations, post-operatively and for hospitalised medical cases.
EWSS observation charts are widely used in the NHS but this is believed to be the first time that such a system has been developed specifically for use in veterinary practices.
They have been designed by Mike Davies BVetMed CertVR CertSAO FRCVS, Technical Services Manager at Fort Dodge, and are intended to help veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons identify patients whose condition is deteriorating before they reach a critical state.
Mike Davies speaks around the country on preventive medicine and geriatrics and his experience of working closely with practices is that many do not have good protocols in place for nurse monitoring of patients. The EWSS grades parameters such as heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and CNS response and the charts incorporate areas in which the practice can record pain using a visual analogue scale or a numeric scoring system.
The company has also launched Dorbene vet, a new product providing fast-acting sedation and analgesia for dogs and cats. Its active ingredient is the trusted and well proven alpha-2 agonist medetomidine hydrochloride, which affects the nervous system by inhibiting noradrenaline mediated neurotransmission. A dosing guide for Dorbene vet is also included in the EWSS.
The launch of Dorbene vet complements Fort Dodge's existing companion animal products, analgesic Torbugesic and dissociative anaesthetic Ketaset. Used alone it offers dose-related sedation within 10-15 minutes, which is rapidly reversible using the alpha-2 antagonist atipamezole for predictable recovery. It is presented in 10 ml and 50 ml multi dose vials in amber coloured glass which protects the product from light.
For further information on the EWSS or Dorbene vet, contact Fort Dodge on 01489 781711.
John graduated from the RVC in 1973, after which his first job was at a mixed, mainly farm animal practice in Gloucestershire.
From there he moved to a mixed equine/small animal practice in Maidstone before joining Pierson Stewart and Partners, of which he later became a partner and then sole owner. He sold the business in 2018.
John has lectured widely in veterinary dentistry, practice management and cardiology.
He continues to see cardiac cases and carry out breed heart certification.
John invented the word autobiology as it seemed befitting of a life in which animals and plants have been so intricately tied to his work as a veterinary surgeon and his hobbies of gardening and lawn tennis.
He said: "I hope anyone in the profession who is interested in the history of veterinary medicine will enjoy reading how much things have changed in the last 50 years.
"It also has something for anyone interested in practice management, business and finance, not to mention sport.
"I hope it might also help everyone think about their work life balance and mental well being.
"Or you might just enjoy the funny and sometimes tear-jerking anecdotes."
Autobiology of a Vet is priced at £15.99 (hardback) / £8.99 (paperback) / £6.99 (ebook).
For more information, visit: https://www.gbpublishing.co.uk/autobiology-of-a-vet
TwistPak bottles have a hygienic interlock at the bottom, which allows them to be connected with a twist, creating one single mixing chamber which fits in all standard vaccination devices.
Currently, freshly mixing two vaccines requires a transfer needle.
Boehringer says the TwistPak bottle simplifies the mixing process while retaining the flexibility of using the products as a monovalent or combined vaccine.
TwistPak was jointly created with the industrial design and product development company DESIGNquadrat and awarded a Red Dot Design Award 2021 in the product design category.
Eva Joras, Global Brand Manager at Boehringer Ingelheim said: “TwistPak revolutionizes how vaccines are mixed.
"The mixing platform combines the best of both worlds: the unparalleled quality and efficacy of freshly mixed vaccines with the convenience of ready-to-use solutions.
TwistPak will be globally available in all registered presentation sizes starting May this year.
The ISFM says Congress will offer veterinary professionals an extensive scientific programme designed to support a multi-modal and cat friendly approach to caring for feline patients with acute upper urinary tract disease and other emergencies.
Speakers will include Søren Boysen (Emergency & Critical Care), Serge Chalhoub (Internal Medicine), Laura Owen (Soft Tissue Surgery) and special guest Allyson Berent (Non-Invasive Surgery).
Sam Taylor MRCVS, ISFM Veterinary Specialist Lead (pictured right) said: "We seem to be seeing more and more feline urinary cases, urolithiasis and acute kidney injury - and of course the familiar blocked cats!
"In Dublin, I can’t wait to hear how to approach these cases as well as look more in-depth at ECC and discuss cat friendly critical care amongst many other topics from all angles – surgery, medicine, behaviour, imaging and more!’
The 2023 ISFM Feline Congress Dublin is open to veterinary surgeons and nurses of all experience levels.
https://icatcare.org/congress-2023-dublin/
For the study, the RVC interviewed 13 small animal general practitioners, exploring their experience of providing pre-purchase consultations for brachycephalic dogs.
The study revealed a number of barriers to delivering effective pre-purchase consultations and advice about these breeds.
They included limited time and resources, competition for appointment availability, a perception that vets are only there to fix things, public distrust of veterinary surgeons (often over money), fear of damaging vet-client relationships, and the conflicting influence of breeders and the Kennel Club on clients.
Many veterinary surgeons that took part in the research felt that they had little or no power to overcome these barriers which are highly intractable at an individual veterinarian level.
A resulting moral conflict in veterinary surgeons between their perceived ethical and moral responsibilities to animal welfare versus the needs and wants of their clients and businesses was expressed by many vets in the study, and was felt to compromise their professional integrity and autonomy.
The study set out a series of recommendations:
Dr Rowena Packer, Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the RVC and lead author of the study, said: “This is the first time that the impact of brachycephaly on the practising veterinary surgeon has been explored.
"Our concerning results highlight the importance of recognising that the brachycephalic crisis is not only negatively impacting animals, but it is affecting human wellbeing too.
“Our study highlights the conflict that vets are experiencing - bound both by their duty of care to their brachycephalic patients, but also to animal welfare at a population level.
"Trying to balance both of these responsibilities in the current working environment is proving very challenging for some, leading to moral distress.
"It is, therefore, essential that we protect the mental wellbeing of vets on this issue as well as from an animal welfare perspective.
“As the brachycephalic crisis continues to prevail, the support of leading veterinary organisations is vital in providing a united voice regarding the known harms of brachycephaly and support in facilitating PPCs to ensure vets are protected, and potential owners are fully informed when it comes to acquiring decisions.”
Dr Dan O’Neill, Assoc Prof of Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC and co-author of the study, said:
“Over the past decade, the RVC has generated a vast evidence base revealing the true extent of the serious health issues of dogs with brachycephaly.
"This new study now focuses RVC research towards protecting the wellbeing of practising veterinary surgeons who are also shown as victims of the brachycephalic crisis.
"The clear message here is that we all need to ‘stop and think before buying a flat-faced dog’.”
Ceva Animal Health has launched PRID Delta, described as an improved intra-vaginal progesterone device for the synchronisation of oestrus in cycling and non-cycling cattle.
The company says it has used its 35 years of expertise in cattle fertility to develop PRID Delta, and that trials have demonstrated that the new device provides optimal progesterone release, preserved efficacy and high retention rates.
Ceva claims the special triangular shape and bi-material fabric of PRID Delta ensures maximum contact with vaginal mucosa to release optimal levels of progesterone at insertion and during treatment. The new PRID Delta continues to give a bigger progesterone peak after insertion as with the original PRID.
According to the company, clinical and field trials observing oestrus occurrence and fertility at fixed time artificial insemination have shown a preserved efficacy for PRID Delta. PRID Delta is licensed for oestrus synchronisation in both cycling and non cycling cows. It is licensed for fixed time AI. Trials have also confirmed that PRID Delta is quick and easy to insert, is well tolerated and has a retention rate of over 97%.
Ceva has recently introduced a new website www.reprology.com/ for technical advice on the best solutions for the management of cattle reproduction. For further information contact your Ceva sales representative or Ceva Animal Health Ltd, 90 The Broadway, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 1EG, telephone 01494 781510 or visit the website at www.ceva.uk.com/
Woodley Equipment has launched ImmunoComb diganostic test kits for FIP, canine Leptospira and Ehrlichia
Woodley says the kits are easy to use and provide results within 20 minutes. No specialist laboratory equipment is required as the kits are self-contained with all the necessary reagents. The diagnostic kits determine the animal's antibody titre levels, in the case of the canine Ehrlichia as early as 7 days after infection, giving veterinary surgeons the opportunity to act more quickly in developing a prevention/treatment program.
Tests can be performed singly or up to 12 simultaneously.
For more information about ImmunoComb Diagnostic kits email sales@woodleyequipment.com or call: +44 (0) 1204 669033 Option 1. Alternatively visit http://www.woodleyequipment.com/
Dechra Veterinary Products has launched a new 50 ml bottle of its rapid acting dissociative anaesthetic licensed for cats, dogs and horses, Anesketin.
Anesketin solution for injection, containing Ketamine 100 mg/ml, is indicated for induction of anaesthesia.
Dechra Brand Manager Craig Sankey said: "Anesketin has proved to be a very popular product in our range due to its versatility. It can be used in combination with appropriate sedatives and analgesics in cats, dogs and horses for induction of anaesthesia.
"As it does not require any special temperature storage conditions it makes it a very portable product for vets on the move."
He added: "We are very pleased to be able to add the larger Anesketin product to our wide range of analgesics and sedatives. This demonstrates our commitment to offering high quality products that support vets in small animal and equine practice."
Dechra says the product can also be used as a sole agent for restraint and minor surgical procedures where muscle relaxation is not required in cats.
Anesketin is also available in 10 ml vials. For further information, visit www.dechra.co.uk
The Smart Home Monitoring Kit for pets includes an indoor camera which comes with an in-built temperature sensor and night vision, a door sensor and a Smart Plug which can be remotely activated to turn on a radio, lamp, portable heater or fan to help keep animals content.
Although designed primarily for pet owners, Petplan says the kit is also being used by some veterinary practices to help provide additional security and monitoring capabilities within the practice.
The kit also contains an SD card allowing clients to share footage of their pet in the home with their veterinary surgeon when explaining behavioural symptoms. Likewise the practice will be able to record and share footage with their staff or clients.
Isabella Von Mesterhazy, Head of Marketing at Petplan, said: "For Petplan, keeping pets healthy always has been and always will be our priority. Spending time away from your pet can be hard, so the new pet Monitoring Kit addresses this problem by providing welcome peace of mind that they are safe and well. We are delighted to be able to offer Petplan veterinary practices and their staff the chance to get their hands on a Monitoring Kit at an exclusive price."
To find out more about the exclusive offer available for Petplan veterinary practices and staff until 9th December, visit petplanvet.co.uk.
Virbac Animal Health has launched Speed Leish K, a diagnostic test for canine leishmaniosis.
Speed Leish K detects antibodies directed against the kinesins of leishmania using a Kinesin Capture Complex (KCC), a complex of recombinant proteins with strong immunogenic power at all stages of infection. Virbac says that in trials the test has demonstrated 98.5% overall accuracy.*
Virbac Product Manager Simon Boulton MRCVS said: "Leishmaniosis presents a growing threat to UK dogs, particularly those which travel with their owners on holiday to regions where the disease is endemic.
"Speed Leish K should be used as part of the primary CaniLeish vaccination protocol in animals previously at risk of exposure to ensure only health animals are vaccinated. The test can also be used to screen for the disease in animals suspected to be infected."
Speed Leish K is presented in kits of two or six tests and can be stored for 24 months at room temperature.
The British Small Animal Veterinary Association has announced the appointment of Dr Frances Barr as Academic Director, tasked with developing the new BSAVA postgraduate qualification in association with the Open University, ready for launch in 2012.
Frances is a European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging, and a double diplomat of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging. She has worked both in practice and as an academic, with 26 years working in Higher Education, and has a long history of working as a BSAVA volunteer, eventually taking on the presidential mantle in 2007.
BSAVA says it aims to provide the best possible educational offering to the profession, particularly to those in practice. Grant Petrie, BSAVA President, said: "Producing a postgraduate qualification is a natural progression to BSAVA's current CPD offering - there is clearly a need for it and we have a strong legacy as a provider of quality CPD. We want to make sure that the profession is served well - with a programme designed by vets for vets. As a charity with education at the core of our remit, BSAVA is best positioned to create something that will keep investing in the knowledge and talent of the profession. However, we always knew that we would need an exceptional individual to oversee the programme, and, in Frances Barr, we know we have that person."
Frances said: "This will fill a really important need. Many practitioners have a real appetite for learning more about their particular area of interest. Of course, they can currently do this with general CPD courses, but this new qualification will provide a structured and focussed learning programme which is flexible enough to fit around the busiest lifestyle, yet challenging enough to make the qualification a personal achievement, one that will be well respected by the whole profession."
She added: "The proposed new certificates in small animal medicine and surgery will comprise a combination of traditional taught courses, a wide-range of web-based material that will include interactive sessions, and workplace-based projects. This is the way forward for practitioners and will lead the profession into a more secure future."
The qualifications will be aimed primarily at the general practitioner, so they are not designed to replace the European Diploma system or aspiring to provide specialised knowledge. Instead they will be created very much for the interested, busy practitioner for whom an accredited residency programme is not an option. Grant Petrie said: "Encouraging small animal practitioners to embark on a clinically useful, challenging yet achievable, highly regarded postgraduate qualification sits very well with the BSAVA's remit to promote excellence in small animal practice through education and science."
The BSAVA postgraduate programme will launch in 2012, with more information about registration available at Congress 2011 and online from April next year. Frances Barr will begin working with the Open University and the BSAVA team in November.
The judging panel, comprising BVA President Anna Judson, RCVS President Sue Paterson, National Veterinary Lead Ruminant and Equine at Zoetis UK Ally Ward, and last year’s award winner Hannah Hunt, selected the finalists based on their inspirational work which includes supporting clients and colleagues, providing outstanding and consistent care for patients, inspiring others and giving back to their community, championing causes in the profession and going above and beyond the normal call of duty.
Rebecca, who graduated from Bristol in 2015, was nominated for her work co-founding Veterinary Education Malawi, an animal welfare charity which provides free veterinary services to low-income communities and educational support both to the para vets in the country and to the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), its only vet school.
Henry, a commercial poultry and gamebird vet, was nominated for his work tackling outbreaks of avian influenza and encouraging other young vets to take up roles in the poultry industry.
Henry is also a European College of Poultry Veterinary Science resident, mental health first aider and trustee of regional rural mental health charity You Are Not Alone (YANA), co-lead of his practice green group, and deputy rotation lead for the new RVC poultry rotation, which takes its first students in 2024.
Camilla is an equine vet who was nominated for her dedication to promoting the veterinary profession, equine welfare, and for her work setting up the ambulatory equine practice, Perth Equine Vets.
A Glasgow 2015 graduate, Camilla set up Perth Equine Vets in 2020 growing it into the three vet practice it is today.
She organises frequent events, most recently a “get into vet school” day for upcoming vet students, which saw more than 40 potential senior school pupils attend, alongside educational demos for owners to increase their own knowledge. She also regularly creates blogs and videos on the practice social media accounts which helps horse owners learn essential skills.
BVA President Anna Judson said: “BVA’s Young Vet of the Year showcases exceptional vets from across the UK making an invaluable contribution to the profession.
"This year we have been blown away by all the incredible nominations, but these three young vets really stood out for their contribution to their fields and their commitment to their unique causes and passions.
"Congratulations to all of the finalists, you are a credit to the veterinary profession and we know you have bright futures ahead of you.”
The winner of BVA Young Vet of the Year will be announced at BVA's Gala Dinner taking place at the London Vet Show on 16th November.
Photo: R-L, Camilla Church, Henry Lamb and Rebecca Hampson
"Great Workplaces: Raising the Bar (Elevating Skills, Culture, and Leadership)" is a series of four in-depth conversations that will tackle themes that have an impact on recruitment and retention, uncovered through the Great Workplaces by BVA accreditation scheme.
All members of the profession are welcome to join the 50-minute webinar, which will be hosted by Rob Williams, BVA President, and Dr. Kirsten Ronngren, ManyPets Consulting Veterinarian & Vet Engagement Lead.
Rob said: “Effective mentorship is the backbone of any thriving veterinary workplace.
"Whether you’re guiding others or building your own skills, strong mentoring relationships can make all the difference.
"We hope colleagues find the webinars engaging and informative. In our first session, we’ll explore the power of mentoring and work through common gaps revealed by the Great Workplaces by BVA accreditation scheme.”
https://mybva.bva.co.uk/ems-event-calendar/mentoring-matters.html
The RCVS Disciplinary Committee has accepted an application for restoration to the RCVS Register by Gordon Lonsdale, who had been struck off in March 2004 for illegally delegating acts of veterinary surgery to insufficiently qualified members of his practice staff.
At the initial Inquiry, Mr Lonsdale, who formerly worked as a sole practitioner in Shropshire, had admitted three separate charges of serious professional misconduct. These included allegations that he had instructed nurses and support staff to undertake dental extractions, dog and cat castrations, the removal of tumours or masses, the induction and maintenance of anaesthesia, lancing abscesses and suturing wounds.
At yesterday's hearing, the onus was on Mr Lonsdale to satisfy the Committee that he was fit to be restored to the Register, not least in view of his former health problems and the eight-year period for which he had been off the Register.
He provided the Committee with evidence of undertaking continuing professional development, including 130 hours of online courses and seven weeks of seeing practice, letters of endorsement from former clients and testimonials from friends and former colleagues.
The Committee accepted Mr Lonsdale's evidence that he had successfully addressed his alcoholism, which it recognised as being a contributory factor to his poor decision making in an isolated working environment. He assured the Committee of his intention that, should his application be successful, he intended to work only in a multi-handed, rather than single-handed, practice in future.
The Committee found him to be an honest and frank witness who had made a credible attempt to refresh his small animal practice knowledge; it was satisfied that he accepted the findings of the original hearing and that he had put the welfare of animals at risk, and it noted his expression of remorse.
In considering Mr Lonsdale's application, the Committee made a number of recommendations, including that he should register for the RCVS Professional Development Phase, undertake certain parts of the RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice, restrict himself to his recognised areas of competence, investigate communication courses run by the Veterinary Defence Society and continue with the mentoring programme provided by the Veterinary Surgeons Health Support Programme. Mr Lonsdale stated that he was willing to follow all of these recommendations.
Professor Peter Lees, who chaired and spoke on behalf of the Disciplinary Committee, concluded: "In these circumstances, we do not consider that any further period of erasure would be of benefit either to the public or the veterinary profession. Therefore, we direct the Registrar to restore Mr Lonsdale's name to the Register."