Petplan is making a last call for entries to its Veterinary Awards, which recognise members of the veterinary profession who continually go above and beyond what is expected of them.
Nominations for the awards close on 31st January.
Nominations for all categories which include Vet of the Year, Vet Nurse of the Year, Vet Practice of the Year, Vet Support Staff of the Year, Practice Manager of the Year and Petplan Insurance Advisor of the Year are judged by an independent panel of industry experts. Every nominee receives a Petplan certificate so even if your nominee isn't one of the lucky finalists they'll still know and feel appreciated that someone has taken the time and effort to nominate them.
Petplan's Head of Sales and Partnerships, Simon Masding said: "Petplan knows that the veterinary world is full of brilliant professionals. The Petplan Veterinary Awards create a wonderful opportunity to recognise high performance, and demonstrate to your clients and to the wider industry what a great job your staff do. As well as the feel-good factor, there's a commercial benefit for being nominated too, one previous winner saw a 30% growth in their business as a result of winning. So if you would like to be in with a chance, you have just one month left to encourage your clients and staff to nominate!"
Finalists are invited to attend an award ceremony held at the Birmingham Town Hall on Thursday 3rd April 2014.
To nominate a friend or colleague, or register your interest in attending the awards evening, visit www.petplanvet.co.uk.
The Information Commissioner has supported the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' decision not to publish the Overspend Review Group's report (aka the McKelvey Report) in full.
The verdict follows two challenges to the College's decision, one made by the British Veterinary Association and a second by a member of the College.
The College says its original decision not to publish the report in full was based on two sets of external legal advice that to do so would be unlawful under the provisions of the Data Protection Act. However, the College did publish the recommendations from the report (otherwise known as the McKelvey Report), which it says comprise more than half of the total.
The Overspend Review Group was tasked with considering all aspects that relate to the College's budgeting and expenditure processes and to propose lessons that should be learned. It was set up following overspends in two areas: the installation of a new data management system and building development work at the College's premises in London.
RCVS President Jacqui Molyneux said: "This verdict is welcome in that it supports our original decision. But I can appreciate that it may frustrate those members unhappy that they will not see the full report.
"When it was commissioned, it was intended that the report would be published in full; in the event, the document included information that would contravene the Data Protection Act if published. However, I would like to reassure members that the substance of the report was included in the published recommendations, and these have now, in the main, been acted upon."
Questions and answers about the Report, together with the recommendations, can be found here.
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?
With just a few days to go before the first anniversary of bluetongue being detected in England, the JAB campaign group is urging farmers to vaccinate their livestock to stop the disease from taking hold in this country as it has in Europe.
So far this year France has reported 4,543 cases of bluetongue, including cases in Calais, and the Netherlands has just confirmed its first case of the disease in 2008. The affected small holding reported a sick cow found with serotype eight which had not been vaccinated against infection.
With the threat of bluetongue re-emergence in the UK growing by the day, JAB leaders have issued a reminder to farmers to contact their vets as soon as their region is in the protection zone and vaccine is available.
In a statement JAB said: "The amount of cases being reported across Europe shows the disease is on the move. This most recent case in Holland demonstrates that not vaccinating livestock leaves farmers vulnerable to outbreaks now the midge season has started.
"The industry has rallied behind the JAB campaign and has done tremendously well in terms of vaccination. Nearly 19 million doses have already been made available to English farmers, and with another nine million doses planned to be released in the coming weeks we need those areas that are new to the protection zone to vaccinate as soon as they are able. We must remember bluetongue could already be circulating in areas where outbreaks occurred last year so the risks to everyone are very real.
"The explosion in the number of cases on the continent also acts as a timely reminder to those farmers in the current protection zone who have not vaccinated and the dangers this presents to their unprotected livestock
"We are entering the peak period for midge activity so vaccination is the only way to prepare and protect us from any potential outbreaks that may emerge in the coming weeks."
Bayer Animal Health has signed a sponsorship deal with the celebrated series The Dog Whisperer on Nat Geo Wild and committed to a wide-reaching TV advertising campaign to promote Drontal.
The sponsorship agreement covers series 5 of The Dog Whisperer as well as repeats of series 1 - 4. The programme follows Cesar Millan as he goes into the homes of troubled dog owners offering calm and assertive guidance. The Dog Whisperer is broadcast five times a day throughout the week and will be aired from July until December on Nat Geo Wild. Drontal's sponsorship credits will be shown before, during and after each episode and will feature the Schnauzer that's become synonymous with the brand.
An additional TV advertising campaign will run during July and August in the UK and Republic of Ireland, primarily on GMTV and Ireland AM, but also on around 15 satellite channels. All the advertising will centre around the Schnauzer "Absolutely Not" campaign, serving to highlight the benefits of regular worming to a specifically targeted audience.
Drontal product manager, Dan White, says the initiative will increase brand awareness for Drontal amongst pet owners, ultimately resulting in healthier dogs and cats. "We're expecting to see a significant increase in demand once the campaign commences and, as such, have put in place the necessary steps to ensure this extra demand can be easily satisfied."
Deborah Armstrong, Senior Vice President, Media Sales and Partnerships for Fox International Channels says: "We are thrilled Drontal has partnered with our world famous Dog Whisperer TV series. The show, which premieres on Nat Geo WILD, and its star Cesar Millan, has a passionate and loyal fan base in this country which is a key factor for Drontal. The Dog Whisperer is a break-out franchise for National Geographic Channel and the show combines our unique brand values with first class entertainment."
New point of sale materials for veterinary practices to reflect the sponsorship agreement will also be available.
For more information, please speak to your local Bayer Territory Manager.
Scientists from the Animal Health Trust, the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and the University of St. Andrews have pinpointed the genes which allow the bacteria responsible for strangles to thrive, thereby paving the way for the development of a vaccine.
In the study, which the researchers say was the largest of its kind, 224 samples of Streptococcus equi (S. equi) were procured from horses around the globe to try and find a common bacterial ancestor from which modern strains would have developed. Despite the disease first being described in 1251, the researchers were surprised at the genetic similarity of the samples and identified a total population replacement at the 19th or early 20th century. This corresponds to a period when horses from around the world were brought together in global conflicts including World War I, where an estimated eight million horses died on the battlefield.
Dr Simon Harris from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute said: “The mobilisation and mixing of horses in conflicts such as WWI provided perfect conditions for S. equi to thrive. This combined with high mortality rates among the horses and their replacement with young susceptible horses could explain what we see around the world today".
While loss of diversity could be considered detrimental to bacterial populations, S. equi still infects more than 20,000 horses in the UK alone each year. Its success, researchers believe, is due to its ability to persist in some horses for years after they have recovered from strangles, where the bug can evolve to evade the horse’s immune system.
Dr Andrew Waller, Head of Bacteriology at the Animal Health Trust said: “The data we have gathered in this study has enabled us to pinpoint the genes that help the bacteria to persist, spread and thrive in the horse population. This research provides an unprecedented opportunity to reduce the impact of and prevent strangles in future generations of horses.”
The AHT says that the ability of S. equi to adapt to living in a persistent state within its host and still infect new horses mirrors the situation with HIV and the bacteria that causes tuberculosis in humans. Dr Matthew Holden from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and the University of St Andrews said: “Unravelling the complex population dynamics of S. equi sheds new light on the balancing act between acute and persistent infection that is going on in many pathogens. Not only does this collection of whole-genome sequences for S. equi offer hope for an effective strangles vaccine, it also provides us with a useful model for understanding persistent infection in humans.”
The University of Glasgow, School of Veterinary Medicine, is calling for help with research into the prevalence of pseudopregnancy in spayed bitches.
The research takes the form of a survey being conducted amongst a representative sample of veterinary surgeons by Pippa Hutchison, Dr Tim Parkin, Caroline Warnes and Dr Philippa Yam.
In particular, the research aims to gather data looking into how often veterinary surgeons are diagnosing and treating pseudopregnancy, and how frequently the condition occurs both before and after spaying.
Tanya Leslie MRCVS from Ceva Animal Health, sponsors of the work, said: “Ceva is delighted to have been given the opportunity to support this work to investigate and raise awareness of this important issue”.
The questionnaire is being sent out towards the end of this month. If you're one of the recipients, there's the added incentive of being entered into a draw for a £300 cash prize if you complete the questionnaire and return it by the 13th November.
The researchers say that after this initial work, they plan a prospective study establishing the wider incidence of pseudopregnancy in both entire and spayed bitches.
The RCVS Trust will take part in National Pet Month (3 April - 3 May) and is asking veterinary practices to put on 'Alice in Wonderland' themed fundraising events.
Cherry Bushell, RCVS Trust Director said: "The Trust aims to improve the health and well-being of dogs, cats, and other popular household pets and over the past five years has put nearly £900,000 into this cause. As a small charity we do rely on our supporters - and National Pet Month is a good opportunity to raise money and have fun."
Why Alice in Wonderland as a theme? Cherry said: "The Trust supports curiosity and a sense of wonder, so we came up with the Alice in Wonderland idea - which is topical and also has lots of scope for fundraising and publicity."
If you'd enjoy hosting a Mad Hatter's tea party - or raffling off the Queen of Heart's tarts - you can register with National Pet Month and take part. Further information and a free events pack can be obtained from http://www.nationalpetmonth.org.uk/.
National Pet Month runs from 3 April - 3 May. It aims to promote responsible pet ownership, make people aware of the mutual benefits of living with pets, increase public awareness of the role of pet care specialists and raise awareness of the value of working and assistance companion animals.
Hill's has launched Science Plan Snacks: a new range of treats which includes light, immunity support, healthy mobility, oral care and skin & coat variants for adults, and immunity support and skin & coat variants for puppies.
Market research has shown that 76% of UK dog owners feed their pet treats, and that snacks represent 33% of total market value in the dog food segment. Hill's has identified that 84% of pet owners want their pet's snack to be healthy and 67% want the snack to meet a specific need. However, the company says many pet snacks and table scraps are high in salt, sugar and fat and overfeeding can unbalance a nutritionally balanced diet provided by the main meal, as well as being a major cause of obesity.
Adrian Pratt, Veterinary Affairs Manager at Hill's said: "Owners like to treat their pets to snacks as it helps cement their close bond but they are also aware that feeding unhealthy food is a bad idea. We believe that responsible snacking is the way forward and to that end have launched Science Plan Snacks. The range is not only low in calories and made with all the optimal nutrition principles that guides the formulation of Science Plan main meal but also features on-pack guidelines to indicate the number of snacks that can be given per day. "
Hill's says the new range outperforms other mainstream biscuit treats in taste tests, being up to 79% preferred. Science Plan Snacks offer fatty acid ratios and blends to support healthy mobility and patented fibre technology in the oral product, with controlled levels of calcium and salt. The resealable bag maintains freshness and the high impact premium black packaging provides great stand out on shelf.
For further information contact your Hill's Territory Manager or Hill's customer service on 0800 282438.
The National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) has announced the results of a survey of 2000 pet owners which found that 77% believe their pet's health is as or more important than their own, with 16% even claiming to visit the vet more often than their doctor.
The survey marks the launch of NOAH's newly revamped website: www.pethealthinfo.org.uk and the second year of its 'I Heart My Pet' campaign. The campaign is designed to encourage owners to seek expert preventative healthcare advice for their animals and was created in response to NOAH figures which show that despite our love for our pets, many owners neglect to take preventative healthcare measures such as vaccination and worming.
The survey also showed that vets remain the most trusted source of advice about pet healthcare (86%), despite the rise of the Internet. Other pet and animal experts came second at 53%, followed by independent pet healthcare websites in third (47%).
The survey usefully identified the three priorities pet owners have when choosing a veterinary practice:
NOAH Chief Executive, Philip Sketchley said: "Once again we're encouraged by how seriously British pet owners take the healthcare needs of their animals and the love they clearly have for their pets. As we move into the second year of our 'I Heart My Pet' campaign, we're calling on all pet owners in the UK to share this love by getting involved with the campaign and visiting our revamped www.pethealthinfo.org.uk site for independent, expert advice to keep their pets happy and healthy all year round. We're encouraging veterinary and pet professionals to get involved and join the conversation on the site as well as through our social media communities on Twitter (@IHeartMyPet) and Facebook (IHeartMyPetUK).
"The website continues to include a wealth of completely unbranded information on animal healthcare as well as exciting resources for owners, but is now in a fresh new format - much more interactive and designed for use with mobile devices. We still encourage vet practices and pet businesses to link to the site, and to recommend it to support their own advice and information", he added. "In addition, we can offer veterinary and pet professionals materials such as campaign window stickers to help engage their audiences."
The RCVS has published its 2014 Survey of the Veterinary and Veterinary Nursing Professions, a snapshot of the demographics of the profession, and the educational and work status of its members.
The results, which gauge individual views on the current state of the profession, are used to inform the College's future policy and activities.
6,988 veterinary surgeons (27% of the profession), 3,612 registered/listed veterinary nurses (31% of the profession) and 1,792 student veterinary nurses took part in the surveys, which are conducted once every four years by the Institute for Employment Studies.
This year's surveys included a set of questions about 24-hour emergency cover, which contributed to the recent review of the College's guidance in this area, and, for the first time, questions from the government-backed Social Mobility Toolkit, which aim to assess the social background of members of the profession.
Highlights from the survey of veterinary surgeons included:
Highlights from the survey of veterinary nurses included:
Both the Survey of the Veterinary Profession and the Survey of the Veterinary Nursing Profession, together with a report that brings together common themes, can be downloaded from the RCVS publications page.
Stephen was recognised for his services to veterinary education and animals in science.
He served as RCVS President from 2017 to 2018 and has been actively involved in the work of the College for many years, serving a total of 19 years as a Council member, both as a vet school-appointee and an elected member, before retiring in 2024.
During his time on Council, he led the Legislative Reform Working Group which developed the Legislative Reform Proposals, as well as the Graduate Outcomes Project, out of which the Veterinary Graduate Development Programme was developed.
Kulin was recognised for his services to animal health and international trade.
RCVS President, Linda Belton MRCVS, said: “Huge congratulations to both Professor May and Dr Patel on this outstanding achievement.
"Thank you both for your extraordinary contributions to the veterinary profession during your careers, for which I would like to extend my appreciation on behalf of everyone at the RCVS.
“I would also like to extend congratulations to all those mentioned in the King’s Birthday Honours List for contributions to the veterinary world, animal health and welfare, and to the One Health concept more generally.
"We could not do the work we do without vital stakeholder collaboration, and it is fantastic to see outstanding individuals in the field being recognised for all they have contributed to our society.”
To what extent changing diets and adding novel feed additives can cut emissions from beef cattle is being investigated in a new three-year research project.
EBLEX, the organisation for beef and sheep producers in England, has teamed up with Scotland's Rural College, SRUC, in Edinburgh, to look at how changes to feeding regimes can improve efficiency and drive business profitability, while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced as a by-product of rumination.
Steers will be finished on either concentrate based or forage based diets, each with two different feed additives, such as vegetable oils. The role of the rumen microbial population in the responses will be measured to look at how rumen function changes according to diet, additive and breed. Results will be related to the greenhouse gas emissions and feed efficiency, as well as long-term effects of feed additives.
Dr Mary Vickers, senior livestock scientist with EBLEX said: "The animals will be moved into specialist chambers for short periods of time where their emissions can be captured.
"In addition, when they are accessing rations from group pens, special plastic hoods over the feeding stations can measure the specific emissions at those times. Measuring emissions, rumen function, feed intake and growth rates can help us build a picture of any effect the additives have.
"The ultimate aim is to ensure the cattle are having their full nutritional needs met in an efficient, cost effective way while minimising the emissions produced."
In addition, carcase quality, meat quality and shelf life will also be recorded to ensure quality of the final product is maintained. The outcomes of this project will provide producers with independent advice about the efficacy of two feed additives fed in a range of commercial conditions.
The RCVS is reminding veterinary surgeons that the retention fee payment deadline is 31 March. Fee payments received after 1 April are subject to an extra £35, and veterinary surgeons whose fees remain unpaid after 31 May are removed from the Register.
Veterinary surgeons also need to confirm or update their Register details annually as part of renewing their registration. Although the deadline for this is 30 September, members may find it convenient to do this at the same time as making fee payments. UK- and overseas-practising members need to confirm additionally that they have met the continuing professional development (CPD) requirements. Renewals can be made either online or via the form included with the annual renewal notice, regardless of how payments are made.
Fees can be paid through the RCVS website, by cheque, direct debit (which will need to have been set up in advance) or bank transfer. Particularly relevant for those making payments on someone else's behalf, is to remember to write the vet's name and Register number on the back of the cheque, or as a bank transfer reference. The RCVS processes over 22,000 registrations every year and needs to know to whom each payment relates.
For those who have set up a direct debit, the RCVS generally aims to take the payment on 31 March. As this will be a Sunday this year, the payment will be taken as soon as possible afterwards. To set up a bank transfer (which can be from a bank account online, telephone banking, or a branch, depending what the bank offers) the RCVS account details are available by telephoning the Finance Department (020 7202 0723). Payments cannot be taken over the phone.
A veterinary surgeon's registration acts as a licence to practise and those removed from the Register may not practise unless and until they have been restored.
Nominations are now being sought for candidates to stand in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Council and Veterinary Nurse Council (VN Council) elections. The deadline for nominations is 5pm on 31 January 2013.
Nick Stace, RCVS Chief Executive said: "Last year, a record number of veterinary surgeons showed by seeking a seat on RCVS Council that they were willing to help regulate their profession. The RCVS needs the efforts of willing vets and VNs to ensure that their professions continue to be well regulated. If you've thought about standing 'someday' - why not make someday now?"
There are six seats due to be filled on RCVS Council, and two on VN Council. Those elected will take their seats on RCVS Day next July, to serve four-year terms. Council members will be expected to spend at least six to eight days a year attending Council and Committee meetings, working parties and subcommittees (for which a loss-of-earnings allowance is available).
Each candidate needs to find two proposers; any veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse (who is not presently on either Council) may propose one candidate for RCVS or VN Council respectively.
Nomination forms, full instructions and guidance notes are available from www.rcvs.org.uk/rcvscouncil13 and www.rcvs.org.uk/vncouncil13.
For the first time this year the RCVS will organise a webinar-style hustings event for RCVS Council candidates during the election period. This will offer candidates the opportunity to outline his or her manifesto verbally in a live event, with an audio-only recording. It will not be compulsory for candidates to take part, although it is hoped that the event will enable candidates to make their points in a way that will engage a broader range of voters than the paper manifestos alone.
With four sessions having taken place throughout May and June this year, the autumn sessions will focus on:
RCVS Director for the Advancement of the Professions, Angharad Belcher (pictured), said: “We recognise that change cannot happen without collaboration – no one organisation can solve as complicated and multi-factorial an issue as the workforce challenge on their own.
"We hope to welcome you to these sessions to share your insights and contribute to the ongoing conversation around this important topic."
The webinars are free, last an hour and 15 minutes and count as CPD.
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/events/workforce-ambitions-sessions/
Dear SAMSoc colleagues,
Many will remember the talk Prof Martin Bland gave at our meeting last year. His secretary has asked me to post the following advert for a course on statistics for vets this October (four day) entitled 'Introduction to Statistics for Vets', to be delivered by Professor Bland himself at the University of York. Attached is the flyer.
Regards,
Stijn.
A new study has revealed that owners of obese dogs which successfully lose weight notice significant improvement in their dogs' quality of life too.
The study, published in The Veterinary Journal and available online here, was conducted by scientists from the Royal Canin Weight Management Clinic at Liverpool University in conjunction with the Pain and Welfare Group at the University of Glasgow and the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition. It looked at fifty obese dogs that had been referred to Royal Canin's clinic.
The results showed that quality of life improved in the dogs that successfully lost weight, demonstrated by increased vitality scores and decreased scores for emotional disturbance and pain. The improvements in vitality score were greater the more body fat the dogs lost. The research also found that the dogs that failed to complete their weight loss programme had lower vitality and higher emotional disturbance scores than those successfully losing weight.
Dr. Alex German, Royal Canin senior lecturer at the University of Liverpool and lead author of the study, said: "Obesity is a risk for many dogs, affecting not only their health, but also their quality of life. The results indicate that, for obese dogs, weight loss can be important for staying both healthy and happy."
Owners completed a questionnaire to determine the health-related quality of life of their dog prior to weight loss, with a follow-up questionnaire for the owners of the thirty dogs that successfully completed the weight loss programme to reach target weight. The completed questionnaire responses were converted into scores corresponding to a range of factors, including vitality, emotional disturbance and pain.
Dechra has launched a new administration rate guide developed to help vets and nurses administer the haemoglobin-based, oxygen-carrying fluid Oxyglobin at the correct rate (in ml/kg/hr).
"The handy dosing wheel allows you to line up the weight of the dog with the rate of administration in one window and then the ml/hr and drips per minute will be shown in the window below," explains Carol Morgan, product manager at Dechra Veterinary Products. "This rate guide will help vets and nurses to quickly establish the rate they need when giving Oxyglobin to anaemic dogs. It is important, especially during critical care and emergency situations, that these figures are readily available."
According to Dechra, Oxyglobin requires no typing or cross-matching and ensures no transfusion reactions or disease transmissions. Its effectiveness can be measured by a rapid improvement in clinical signs, increased plasma haemoglobin concentration and arterial oxygen content. In addition, it can be stored at room temperature and has a shelf-life of three years. Further details can be obtained from Dechra territory managers or phone for your free Oxyglobin dosing wheel: 01743 441 632.
The RVC’s UK Canine Research Funding Analysis Project was structured in three phases to assess the state of canine health and welfare research funding in the UK.
Phase one identified that animal-directed funders provided nearly 90% of all canine-specific research funding, with wide-scope funders contributing larger grants but primarily focused on One Health research.
Phase two then revealed research gaps, such as the underfunding of studies on responsible breeding, canine behavioural issues and the impact of human lifestyle on canine welfare.
The third and final phase explored the challenges in research design, processes and sector infrastructure.
The third phase was led by the RVC’s Dr Alison Skipper, Postdoctoral Researcher into Canine Research Funding; Dr Rowena Packer, Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science; and Dr Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor of Companion Animal Epidemiology.
The findings revealed a number of common challenges researchers face in securing funding and delivering effective research.
The research team then provided a set of recommendations to help improve canine research in the UK.
These challenges and proposed solutions include:
Dr Alison Skipper, Researcher in Canine Health Research at the RVC and lead author of the paper, said: “This extensive project highlights the need for significant improvements in how we fund and conduct research on canine health and welfare.
"While UK funders have made valuable contributions, our findings show that inefficiencies in funding processes, a lack of collaboration and limited support for early-career researchers are preventing research from having its full impact.
"By streamlining applications, increasing transparency and fostering strategic partnerships, we can ensure that future research is both effective and directly beneficial to dogs.”
With 2024 support payments for farmers in England now at half former levels and significant changes to subsidies for farmers in Scotland and Wales set to come into play next year, Elanco says effective flock health management to maximise efficiency and performance within flocks has become increasingly important.
Elanco's Ruminant Technical Consultant, Matt Colston MRCVS said: “Policymakers recognise the importance of animal health and welfare for better productivity and are putting an increasing onus on vets to deliver improvements, for example via the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway (AHWP).”
“Its crucial vets have the knowledge and confidence to support sheep clients on important flock health issues, with worming programmes high up on this agenda.”
"By developing farm-specific worm control strategies and working closely with clients to better monitor worm burdens, you can help achieve immediate flock performance benefits and manage the longer term risks of anthelmintic resistance on that farm.”
Elanco says that by dosing lambs with its newer Group 4 wormer, Zolvix, at the right time during the mid to late grazing season, farmers can clear out any resistant worms that have survived previous treatments and see an uplift in daily liveweight gain as a result.
Matt added: “We shouldn’t wait for problems to manifest.
"By the time wormer groups have stopped working, or clinical signs of worms are visible, damage is already done; regular monitoring and early intervention is a better option.
“More farmers are Faecal Egg Counting (FEC) but many are unsure how best to go about it.
“A practical demonstration of how to collect samples, and what to collect from which animals, is often the best way to show how easy FEC can be.”
“Farmers can be cautious about change, but by taking small steps and consistently offering sound, practical advice, vets can help farmers adopt more sustainable worm control strategies and improve margins in sheep production.”
Vetlife's campaign included talks at various veterinary events, an awareness video, a series of lived experience blogs, and a downloadable resource for individuals and workplaces, all made possible by grant funding from the Zoetis Foundation.
Kirstie Pickles, Vetlife Trustee and project lead for the neurodiversity campaign said: “To be shortlisted was an honour, but to win this award is just incredible and is a testament to the dedication and passion that the team put into the campaign.
"It has been a pleasure and a privilege to lead this project and share this much needed information with the veterinary community.
"It is our hope that this campaign and its resources will enable and initiate discussions within teams to ensure that all within our wonderful veterinary professions can thrive."
https://www.vetlife.org.uk
Elanco Companion Animal Health, manufacturer of Comfortis chewable tablets for dogs, has developed a Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) algorithm to provide veterinary surgeons with step-by-step guidance on its diagnosis and treatment.
Developed in conjunction with Dr Chiara Noli, DVM, Dip ECVD, a referral dermatologist and dermatopathologist from Northern Italy, the algorithm covers the many complexities and causes of pruritus. It also advises veterinary surgeons to prescribe strict oral flea control if antibacterial shampoo or lotions are used.
Anna Jackson, veterinary manager at Elanco Companion Animal Health said: "Canine patients with dermatological conditions including Flea Allergy Dermatitis are often prescribed topical treatments, such as shampoos, which may compromise the effectiveness of many spot-on topical flea control products. The new Flea Allergy Dermatitis algorithm takes this into account by providing veterinary surgeons with step-by-step advice on the diagnosis and treatment of Flea Allergy Dermatitis including the benefits of using oral flea control if a shampoo is administered."
For a copy of the Flea Allergy Dermatitis algorithm, please contact your Elanco Companion Animal Health key account manager or email elancocah.uk@lilly.com.