The RCVS has announced that 19 people are standing in this year's RCVS Council elections, including, for the first time, more women than men, and a much lower average candidate age.
Of the 19 candidates - believed to be the highest number since records began - ten are women. Not only is this the most women ever to stand, but it is in direct contrast to last year where all 13 candidates were men. Additionally, whereas the average age of all elected Council members in March 2013 was 56.5 (57 for women and 56 for men), the average age of this year's candidates is 47 (45 for women and 48 for men).
The RCVS Council candidates are:
Last year, the all-male candidate list prompted concern from the profession and calls for the College to investigate the reasons behind the lack of women and to take steps to redress the balance. The then RCVS President Jacqui Molyneux invited feedback from the profession about the barriers to joining Council, and set up a working party, chaired by Council member Amanda Boag, to look at how participation could be widened, not only to women, but also younger members of the profession and those actively engaged in clinical practice.
The working party suggested a number of initiatives, including a mentoring scheme, providing more practical information about being a Council member (see www.youtube.com/rcvsvideos), and inviting prospective candidates to the RCVS to discuss the role in more detail.
Amanda said: "The College's efforts to broaden participation in its election process seem to have paid dividends. I'm delighted there is so much more diversity amongst the election candidates this year, and that so many women have decided to throw their hat into the ring, especially as women now form over 50% of the profession. I'm very much looking forward to the outcome of the elections, and hope that this dramatic increase in candidates in turn prompts an excellent turnout."
In a slightly later start to the voting period this year, ballot papers and candidate details will be posted on 19 March 2014, and all votes must be cast, either online or by post, by 5pm on Friday, 25 April 2014.
In the meantime, the College is inviting all voters to think about the one question they would like to put to the candidates and submit it in time for this year's 'Quiz the Candidates', to be broadcast by the Webinar Vet on the evening of 20 March. All questions received will be put to the candidates, who will each then answer two questions of their choice, as well as explaining what they consider sets them apart as a potential Council member. The candidates' answers will be pre-recorded (due to the large number of candidates) and made available online at around 8:00pm on 20th March.
Questions (one per person) for RCVS Council should be submitted to the RCVS by 12 March via its dedicated election websites, available soon at www.votebyinternet.com/vetvote14, on twitter using the hashtag #vetvote14, or by email to vetvote14@rcvs.org.uk.
Mike Brampton, inventor of the CAT Doppler blood pressure system and Managing Director of Thames Medical, is to start the 'Tour de Vet', a 1,300 mile tour of the UK during which he'll be stopping to give BP CPD and coaching to veterinary surgeons and nurses in return for a donation to the charity Canine Partners.
Mike says the CAT Doppler system is the most widely used in the UK. He also lectures at Nottingham Vet School and normally charges something in the order of £600 for talks and training sessions.
During the 'Tour de Vet', however, he'll be giving his talks free, in exchange for a donation to the charity of £250-£300.
Mike said: "At a recent BVNA Congress, 85% of nurses said they would like more skills and information in BP techniques. This is your chance to book some quality, certified, hands-on CPD at a massively reduced price, which will benefit not only your staff and practice but also help train a puppy for Canine Partners".
Mike's target is to raise £10,000.
The tour starts in Worthing on May 19th 2014. It ends three weeks and 1300 miles later at the Vettrust Conference in Stirling.
To book your blood pressure monitoring CPD or nurses' coaching, call Mike on 01903 522911 or email mike@thamesmedical.com.
Alternatively, if you just want to support his efforts, text 70070 with the code TDEV55 and your donation or visit http://www.justgiving.com/Tour-De-Vet
Members of the XLVets, a collaborative group of independent veterinary practices across the UK, have raised over £35,000 in a recent charity challenge to travel the world without an engine.
To mark the 10th anniversary of XLVets, all 53 member practices together travelled a total of 34,727 miles to complete the challenge, the equivalent of almost one and a half times around the world, by running, kayaking, swimming, cycling and walking their way thoughout the UK.
Alex Cooper of Pembrokeshire based Fenton Vets raised the most, totalling £1,966.04, whilst his practice also clocked up the furthest distance, travelling 4,516 miles. He said: "The day took some coordinating with a horsebox carrying bikes and kayaks. The enthusiasm created amongst the team meant it became the talking point within the practice for weeks. It even reached the local press!"
He added: "We have already decided that it will become an annual event with invites extended to clients as well as all XLVets member practices."
Organiser Jane Simpson said: "The money raised has been split between member practices’ local chosen charities and Send a Cow, which will receive a cheque for £15,571.00."
Sophie Porfirio, corporate partnerships manager for Send a Cow is delighted with the donation: "It’s a big fat thank-moo(!) from everyone at Send a Cow to everyone at XLVets who have made this fabulous donation possible. We don’t put cows on planes anymore, so they aren’t doing the mileage the XLVets teams have been achieving in recent months, but we do go to great lengths to provide the skills training, livestock and support so that some of Africa’s poorest families are able to help themselves. This donation ensures hundreds of people have food security and the knowledge to future-proof their families for generations to come. It’s an incredibly special gift and we really appreciate it."
Jane said: "The XLVets practices have shown how independent practices can work together to achieve amazing results. The generosity of all those that have supported our efforts will make a real difference to the charities. It's a great achievement and I am sure that the resourceful and competitve nature of all of our members will mean that our fundraising efforts will not stop here."
The BVA has announced the results of a survey which found that 64% of small animal veterinary surgeons have been injured in the line of duty in the past year alone.
By far the most common injuries were scratches and bites (90% and 78% respectively), however 17% rated their injuries as either 'quite' or 'very' severe.
Whilst small animal vets were shown to be at the greatest risk of injury in clinical practice (compared to 61% of equine vets and 53% of production animal vets), the injuries sustained by production and equine vets were predictably more severe. 19% of production vets and 27% of equine vets rated their injuries as either 'quite' or 'very' severe.
BVA President John Blackwell said: Vets accept the daily risk of injury at work, but these figures highlight just how common injuries are for vets who care for pets. Rather than simply accepting this as an ‘occupational hazard’, veterinary teams should ensure they are taking all appropriate measures to mitigate the risks of working with animals whenever possible. BVA provides guidance for vets, for example on preventing and dealing with dog bites in the practice."
The BSAVA has launched a new guide to help practices navigate compulsory canine microchipping legislation which comes into force on 6th April.
The 18-page guide provides information on all aspects of microchipping, including the differing implications of the legislation across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It explains exemption certificates that veterinary surgeons may be asked to sign, provides clarity on roles and responsibilities and more details on adverse event reporting, which will become a legal requirement under the new rules.
It also contains advice on when it is required or advisable to scan a dog in order to read the microchip and links to the updated RCVS guidance on microchips, microchipping and animals without microchips.
The guide has been accepted by the VMD and is supported by the RCVS.
The new microchipping legislation is aimed at improving animal welfare, promoting responsible ownership and tackling the illegal puppy trade. It is also hoped compulsory microchipping will improve collection of data on inherited diseases and disease outbreaks.
BSAVA President Tricia Colville (pictured right) said: "The BSAVA supports the permanent identification and registration of all dogs and cats, and other companion animals as appropriate, since the ability to individually identify an animal and trace the owner has the potential to improve animal welfare.
"Responsible pet ownership is at the core of the new legislation so as a profession we need to be clear on our responsibilities and do all we can to inform pet owners. We acknowledge that it may take time for the profession to adapt to the changes but this guide brings clarity and will prove helpful to vet practices across the UK."
The BSAVA is inviting members to report any problems they encounter to the BSAVA's Scientific Policy Officer Sally Everitt - s.everitt@bsava.com. The Association plans a further consultation at the end of the year to discover how the legislation enforcement has been received.
The guide will be available to members from the BSAVA website: www.bsava.com
The Wellcome Trust, the UK's largest medical research charity, has announced the launch of a new £10.7m initiative to provide support for a range of activities designed to encourage veterinarians to take up research careers.
The scheme will be run in partnership with the UK's veterinary schools at the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Nottingham, and the University of Oxford (Laboratory Animal Medicine Component).
The programme will deliver 20 Clinical Research Training Fellows, each with a PhD and a clinical or pathology specialist qualification, as well as number of postdoctoral fellows and clinical doctoral fellows, each with a DVM and specialist postgraduate training in laboratory animal medicine. In addition, leading to these centrepiece awards will be 175 Vacation Scholarships, 175 Intercalation Awards, support for 5 Summer Schools, and 9 one-year Research Entry Scholarships.
To coincide with the announcement of the new programme, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has launched The Impact of Veterinary Research, a brochure to promote the key role that veterinary research plays in our lives.
Fitzpatrick Referrals has launched a new sports medicine and rehabilitation centre for dogs at its referral centre in Surrey.
Fitzpatrick Referrals has been running a dedicated rehabilitation centre since the practice opened at Eashing in 2007. It has now extended the offering to include sports medicine clinics and osteoarthritis clinics, creating what it claims is the largest centre of its kind in the country.
Building work has now been completed at the centre and Fitzpatrick Referrals has appointed David Prydie MRCVS, a small animal rehabilitation expert, to head up the centre.
Speaking about the launch of the new service, Noel Fitzpatrick, Managing Director of Fitzpatrick Referrals said: "At Fitzpatrick Referrals, we believe that appropriate rehabilitation is integral to the success of orthopaedic and neuro-surgical intervention and fundamental in promoting pain free functional quality of life.
"Traditionally, the rehabilitation centre has been geared towards treating post-op patients. While the new centre will continue to treat animals which have been referred to Fitzpatrick Referrals for surgical procedures, helping to restore function, reduce pain and speed up the recovery process, we will now offer new dedicated Sports Medicine and Osteoarthritis clinics, of which there are currently only a handful in the UK. This will provide referring practitioners and clients with a new range of options for dealing with sports injuries and the on-going management of Osteoarthritis.
"For the first time, minimally invasive arthroscopic investigation and advanced diagnostic imaging with MRI and CT will be available side-by-side with a team of clinicians who truly understand the unique anatomy, physiology and exercise demands of working and sports dogs and who adopt an integrated approach to achieving maximum mobility for dogs of all ages. We intend that the new centre will create a new standard of integrated care for the active performance or pet dog because we will match function with form and intention with action. Every plan will be tailor made for the individual with sincere attention to the very special environment and demands of the sporting dog. I'm extraordinarily excited about this new horizon."
David Prydie added: "We expect to see cases where there are specific injuries which the canine athlete is prone to and which require specialist knowledge to identify and treat. Our goal is to help the dogs return to their performance event as soon as possible. We will also be offering advice on training regimes for the various activities. The centre will offer a new osteoarthritis clinic, treating osteoarthritis in all ages of dog using a multimodal approach such as weight management, exercise regimes, physiotherapy techniques and use of tools such as the therapeutic laser. There is a wealth of experience already present within the practice and I will be working with Noel and the other surgeons to develop our offering in sports injury management and also with Professor Stuart Carmichael in the development of osteoarthritis management schemes."
The practice will celebrate the launch of the new centre with its first festival for pets, 'Dogfest', built around the theme of the 'Active Dog'. The festival will take place on 10th and 11th of August and will feature a number of agility and flyball events, canine sports medicine lectures delivered by world experts, a range of tents and stalls, 'Have a Go' agility sessions, an agility display by former Fitzpatrick patients who have returned to compete in the agility circuit, a 'Meet the Fitzpatrick Heroes' display and a special '999' display by the Sussex Police Dogs on both days.
For information on the new Fitzpatrick Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre services and to discuss referrals, contact the reception team on 01483 423 761.
The RCVS has announced that its former President, Professor Sandy Trees, will be appointed to the House of Lords as a non-party-political (cross-bench) peer, following recommendation by the House of Lords Appointments Commission.
Professor Trees, who was President of the RCVS in 2009-2010, has served on the College Council for 12 years. He becomes only the second veterinary surgeon to take a seat in the House of Lords, joining Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior.
Professor Trees said: "This is a great honour, and a wonderful opportunity. I look forward to the prospect of ensuring that legislation relating to animal health and welfare is fit for purpose, but I also feel that veterinary surgeons have a great deal to offer society more broadly, and I will relish the opportunity of raising the profile of the profession and what it can contribute.
"Beyond the immediate veterinary sphere, my areas of experience include science, the environment, education, middle eastern politics and tropical medicine, so I hope to be able to contribute to the work of the House of Lords on many fronts."
Dr Jerry Davies, RCVS President, said: "I am delighted to hear that Professor Sandy Trees has been appointed to the House of Lords. I know that he will not only represent the profession on all matters of veterinary science, veterinary education, animal welfare and public health, but as a cross-bencher, he will also bring a breadth of experience to bear on issues outside the immediate interests of our profession. He is a well informed and articulate advocate of whom the profession can be rightly proud."
The BVA also welcomed the appointment. BVA President Carl Padgett said: "The British Veterinary Association is absolutely delighted at Professor Trees' appointment to the House of Lords. He will bring a wealth of experience and scientific expertise into the political arena, not only in the fields of animal health and welfare but also public health, where he has particular knowledge and experience.
"We are pleased that the value of veterinary input in legislative debate has been recognised by the Appointments Commission.
"We are also proud that Professor Trees will be formally opening this September's BVA Congress in Liverpool where he inspired two generations of vets through his teaching and research, and we look forward to working with him to deliver a healthy future for animals, vets and the country."
Dogs which survived the devastating earthquake in the Zun Dao township of Sichuan, China have a new lease on life after the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and local officials announced an agreement to end the cruel killing of dogs and instead address public health concerns through an IFAW sponsored anti-rabies vaccination and veterinary aid programme in the 20,000+ population.“This agreement is a major breakthrough,” said Jackson Zee, IFAW rescue leader. “Chinese media have been filled with reports of people evacuating with their pets, being comforted by their pets, and even saved by their pets after their homes collapsed, so we are delighted to see this next step as local officials are acknowledging that humane care of dogs, cats and livestock can benefit both animals and people.”After the devastating earthquake that claimed around 80,000 human lives, IFAW rushed close to £100,000 in aid and sourced over six tonnes of animal food for some of the hardest-hit areas within Sichuan province.IFAW met with local government officials in Zun Dao and offered humane alternatives to the dog culls presently in effect in much of the devastated areas. Officials agreed to halt any dog culling operations in the area and are welcoming IFAW’s efforts to address the present public health concerns by conducting an anti-rabies vaccination and veterinary care programme in the area.Accompanied by local veterinarians, IFAW began visiting villages immediately and on the first afternoon provided food, collars, leads and appropriate vaccinations for at least 50 family owned dogs. There are an estimated 4,000 owned dogs and 1,000 strays in Zun Dao and surrounding villages and relief efforts are expected to increase in the coming days.In addition to the efforts in Zun Dao, IFAW has been providing humanitarian aid in the region by meeting some of the most basic and urgent needs. From cooking oil to laundry detergent, mosquito repellents and toys for children, these much-needed supplies are helping families get back on their feet and take care of their pets and backyard farm animals. Desperately needed supplies such as 100 water pumps, fencing, generators and other supplies have also been rushed to Mianyang to help rescue animals in advance of anticipated flooding while additional support has been given to the acclaimed Giant Panda Nature Reserve in Gansu province.IFAW is appealing for public support to increase the amount of aid for animals and people in the earthquake region. To donate or view more information on current rescue efforts, visit www.ifaw.org.
Bayer Animal Health has announced the launch of three new educational videos which look at some common concerns in the profession about antimicrobials, including owner compliance, laboratory testing, and prescribing policies in different clinical scenarios.
The videos follow research conducted by Bayer as part of its Veraflox What Lies Beneath campaign in which 73% of veterinary surgeons cited owner compliance as a frequent cause of treatment failure when tackling bacterial infections, and only 5%1 of vets said that they send samples for culture and sensitivity testing routinely in cases where they suspect bacterial involvement.
In the first video presentation, Matt Jones, Microbiology Manager at IDEXX Laboratories, focuses on the importance of culture and sensitivity testing, and how to interpret results from these tests. Matt discusses the merits and drawbacks of various testing techniques available, both in-house and from external laboratories.
In the second presentation, Liz Watkins, founder of Chunk Training, a veterinary training provider which specialises in customer service, provides communication tips to improve consultation technique and increase owner compliance when a course of antimicrobials has been prescribed.
In the final presentation, Ian Battersby, Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine at Davies Veterinary Specialists answers commonly asked questions submitted by vets about antibiotics. Questions include how to adopt a practice antimicrobial policy, how to decide when it is appropriate to use antibiotics in GI disease and how to approach cases that are not responding as expected to antimicrobial treatment.
Hannah Watts, Group Product Manager at Bayer said: ‘‘The issues highlighted by the research need to be addressed in order to help promote responsible antimicrobial use. One of the key findings from the survey was the relatively low number of culture and sensitivity tests that are routinely performed. This may in part be due to financial constraints, but in addition to assisting in appropriate antimicrobial selection, culture and sensitivity tests often save money for the client in the long run, as well as helping to resolve the condition as quickly as possible, leading to improved treatment outcomes for the pet.‘’
Watching the videos can be used to count towards your annual CPD requirement. They're now available at www.vetcentre.bayer.co.uk.
Written by 16 internationally renowned cat welfare experts and endorsed by the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology (ESVCE), the programme is the start of a journey to becoming an iCatCare Behavioural Health Practitioner and replaces the Advanced Feline Behaviour for Veterinary and Cat Professionals courses.
The modular course is designed to fit into a busy schedule and includes up-to-date cat welfare science (including areas of behaviour, cognition, emotions, human-animal interactions and genetics)
On completing each module, participants will earn certificates which build up to the Level 1 Cat Behavioural Health Practitioner, which comprises four learning modules and a final project module.
Planning is currently underway for Level 2, which will build on the skills acquired in Level 1 with a focus on people-centric skills, such as communication, professionalism and ethics, and will include practical case studies.
International Cat Care says the programme will also help those interested in becoming an ABTC Animal Behaviour Technician, because it covers some of the knowledge and understanding requirements.
Sarah Ellis, Head of Cat Mental Wellbeing and Behaviour at iCatCare and course director said: "Across the world are cats that are misunderstood due to a lack of caregiver understanding of their behaviour.
"Sadly, this can lead to inappropriate husbandry and interactions, which can, in turn, lead to problem behaviours.
"Preventative advice and early recognition of problem behaviours are both key to improving cat welfare.
"This programme allows anyone who works with cats, either directly or in a remote advisory role, to gain the knowledge and understanding required to help promote cat behavioural health.’
https://go.icatcare.org/catbehealth
As part of the campaign, vets are invited to share their top tips for maintaining a calm workplace for staff and patients at: https://www.nvsweb.co.uk/products/big-chill.
Veterinary professionals are being asked to share their top tips in two areas. Firstly, on how they prioritise self-care for themselves and teammates, and secondly, on how they best deal with nervous, stressed or anxious patients.
All respondents will be entered into a prize draw for a VetYogi practice subscription.
Gemma Vardy, Senior Category Specialist at NVS Group, said: “Mental health and wellbeing have never been more important within the veterinary industry which is why our dedicated Big Chill campaign supports the wellbeing and mental health of veterinary professionals while also shining a light on animal calming products, such as our select healthcare calming chews, which help support calm and enhance patient experiences.”
https://www.nvsweb.co.uk/products/big-chill
Congress offers two days of lectures and workshops and up to 14 hours CPD delivered by experts on the most cutting-edge OA management, treatment, techniques and technology.
There is also a large trade exhibition showcasing many of the latest products and services, not to mention a happy hour and gala dinner.
The organisers say veterinary surgeons and nurses, physiotherapists, hydrotherapists, and anyone working to prevent, treat and manage osteoarthritis will find the congress hugely rewarding.
This year there’s a focus on comparative disciplines, including human and equine practice.
Tickets cost from £190 to £370, plus VAT.
www.vet-oa.com/voacon
The charity – whose mission is to advance the quality of veterinary care for the benefit of animals, the public, and society – is currently governed by a board of 11 Trustees chaired by Amanda Boag.
It is now looking for driven individuals to help expand its impact and influence in two new roles - ‘Digital and Communications Trustee’ and ‘Lay Trustee (Finance)’.
The Digital and Communications Trustee role will support the development and implementation of an integrated strategic digital and communications plan to advance brand identity of the organisation, and increase its visibility and accessibility across a wider veterinary audience.
The Lay Trustee (Finance) role will support the Treasurer in the overarching strategic management of the organisation’s financial resources.
Trustees are expected to contribute actively to the Board by giving strategic direction; helping shape overall policy; defining goals and setting targets; evaluating performance; ensuring the charity’s effective and efficient administration and financial stability.
Chris Gush, Executive Director of RCVS Knowledge, said: “This is a great opportunity to join the RCVS Knowledge Board of Trustees and help us develop and champion the advancement of veterinary care. We are looking for enthusiastic and committed individuals to contribute to the governance of the charity, focusing on Finance, Digital and Communications. There is no need to have previous trustee experience, as training and support will be provided.”
The posts are unremunerated but reasonable expenses will be paid.
Applications are now open and will close on Monday 9th August. More information about the available roles and how to apply can be found on RCVS Knowledge’s website: https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/home.
Boehringer Ingelheim has announced the results of an independent three-year study which demonstrates that dogs suffering from the most common type of heart failure lived longer (average time in the study of 267 days vs. 140 days) when treated with the product Vetmedin (pimobendan) compared with the ACE inhibitor benazepril hydrochloride.
According to Boehringer, results from the QUEST (Quality of Life and Extension of Survival Time) study, published in the September/October 2008 issue of the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, mark a significant milestone in canine cardiac health.
25% of all small to medium-sized dogs over the age of seven are likely to suffer from heart disease at some point in their life, and 75% of those cases are caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), sometimes known as "valvular insufficiency" or "endocardiosis".
Adrian Boswood from the Royal Veterinary College, London, a Veterinary Cardiology Specialist and a lead-investigator on the study, said: "With QUEST demonstrating that dogs treated with Vetmedin live on average nearly twice as long as those on benazepril, it is now time for us as veterinary cardiologists and practising veterinarians to look again at how we are treating our patients suffering from this serious condition."
Dr. Michael O'Grady from the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, a fellow lead-investigator added, "The QUEST study provides compelling evidence that dogs with the most common form of heart failure should be receiving Vetmedin® as an essential part of their treatment regimen."
QUEST is the largest international study ever conducted looking at treatment for congestive heart failure (CHF) caused by MMVD, with 260 dogs studied in 11 countries, across three continents, over a period of three years.
The study was conducted by a team of 32 independent veterinary cardiologists from Australia, Canada, France, Germany and the United Kingdom among other countries.
For more information on the QUEST study and on CHF caused by MMVD, see http://www.questtrial.com/
Lantra, the UK Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries, has backed a report that addresses veterinary expertise in food animal production.
The 'Unlocking Potential' report, produced by Professor Philip Lowe on behalf of Defra, identifies the potential for veterinarians to increase their role by providing expert advice to the farming and food industries.
Industry Partnership Manager, Lisa Jarvis, said: "Lantra welcomes this report on the farm animal veterinary services, which encourages the discussion of the future of veterinary businesses and services, role of support staff and para-professionals. We are pleased to be recognised alongside Defra, the RCVS, the BVA and the NFU, as a key organisation to drive the development of training and career structures in the industry."
The report highlights that the scale of and demand for veterinary technical services for farm animals and the food sector should be investigated, identifying training needs and obstacles to skills development. This is currently being addressed through Lantra's LandSkills project which is part of the Rural Development Programme for England.
Lantra's National Director for England, Madge Moore, said: "Through the LandSkills programme, Lantra has already engaged with a number of veterinary practices from across the North East, Yorkshire and Humber, East Midlands and West Midlands to deliver practical courses and farm health plans to eligible farming enterprises. So far in Yorkshire and Humber vets have run a number of practical poultry courses where farmers have learnt how to carry out post-mortems on their own flock so they can find out if there is a recurring problem which they may need to rectify. LandSkills West Midlands is also currently recruiting a number of vets in the region to deliver a farm health plan initiative."
Madge continued: "Working with farmers and vets as part of LandSkills means that we are in a great position to look at the demand of these services whilst highlighting the importance of farmers utilising their vets more effectively by showing them what they can offer. However we also look forward to working with partners in leading the continued progression of the veterinary profession."
For more information about LandSkills and how veterinary surgeons are working with the programme visit www.lantra.co.uk/RDPELandSkills or call 08452 788800.
To view the report visit www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/ahws/vservices/index.htm
The Kennel Club has called for greater awareness about child safety around dogs following the release of figures showing that 16% of incidents involving dogs happen to under 10 year olds.
The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) has revealed that under 10's accounted for the highest rate of admissions per age group for bites and strikes from dogs. The Kennel Club is urging people to communicate with their children about safety around dogs with help from the Kennel Club's Safe And Sound scheme.
The Safe And Sound scheme has been specially created by the Kennel Club to educate children about the correct behaviour around dogs. As well as teacher's notes and literature, the scheme includes an online game called the Safety Factor Challenge.
The Safety Factor Challenge takes children through a number of scenarios and asks what they would do in each - such as if a dog is in a child's way and eating its dinner, the game then asks the child what they should do. The Kennel Club says it is not unusual for children to think that moving the dog is a good idea; however the game shows the possible negative reaction a child could get if they chose this option and instead are advised to wait for the dog to finish.
Elaine Quickfall, a home tutor with Gateshead Behaviour Support Service said: "We take it for granted that our children should know how to behave, but if they have no prior knowledge why would they? Games like this are great as they provide a visual example of the consequences of choosing different actions."
HSCIC has revealed that of the 6,450 admissions to hospital for dog bite and strike injuries, 1,040 involved a child under the age of 10. The Kennel Club believes that with better communication with children about appropriate behaviour around dogs could dramatically reduce this figure and is calling on all parents to ensure that their children know how to behave around dogs.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: "Dogs are a big part of our lives and it is likely that every child will come across a dog at some point this year, at home, at a friend's or just out on the street. During the summer holidays is a great time to sit down with your child and speak to them about dog safety, and using the tips and game available through the Kennel Club's Safe and Sound Scheme is a great way to clearly illustrate to your children the best way for them to behave around dogs."
The Safe And Sound Scheme is available online by visiting: http://www.safetyarounddogs.org.uk/.
Defra has launched a public consultation on proposals that would enable the RCVS to reconstitute its disciplinary committees independently of the RCVS Council, to ensure that the same group of people are not responsible for setting the rules, investigating complaints and hearing cases. The Royal College is urging the profession to support the proposals.
The proposed changes will be made by a Legislative Reform Order that will amend a specific part of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, to require the RCVS Preliminary Investigation and Disciplinary Committees to be made up of veterinary surgeons and lay members who are not RCVS Council members, and who are appointed at arm's-length.
RCVS President, Dr. Jerry Davies said: "I am delighted that Defra is consulting on these long-anticipated proposals, which would allow the RCVS to deliver better, fairer and more effective regulation. I would urge members of the profession and the public to respond to this important consultation and to support the changes."
Under the proposals, following a transitional period, the Committees would cease to include Council members. The bodies which consider allegations of misconduct on the part of veterinary surgeons would thus be independently constituted and detached from policy discussions. The proposals would also improve the independence of the disciplinary processes by formally bringing lay people into the relevant Committees.
In addition, the College says that changes would increase the pool of people available to investigate complaints and sit on disciplinary hearings, thus allowing the case-load to be handled more efficiently, and ensuring that complaints are heard swiftly.
The full details of the proposals can be found in Defra's consultation documents, which can be accessed at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/2012/01/16/veterinary-surgeons-1201/
Ceva Animal Health, manufacturer of Feliway and Adaptil, is making a last call for nominations for its awards for animal welfare, which must be received by 27th January 2012.
The inaugural awards, which take place during WSAVA/BSAVA/FECAVA Congress in Birmingham in April, formally recognise veterinary professionals and individuals who have gone the extra mile to improve animal welfare both in practice and beyond. The awards feature three categories:
Prizes include a trip to New Zealand WSAVA in 2013 for the winner of the Chris Laurence Vet of the Year Award, a trip to a European Animal Welfare Congress for the winner of the Welfare Nurse of the Year Award and £1,000 worth of travel vouchers for the winner of the Pet Lover's Welfare Award.
Nomination forms can be downloaded from www.ceva.co.uk. Nominations should consist of full details about why the nominee deserves to win. Judging will be based on support materials such as case studies, examples and pictures, demonstrating the nominee's commitment to animal welfare. Anyone, whether a veterinary professional, pet owner or animal lover can nominate. All those who have nominated someone for an award will be entered into a prize draw to win £250 of high street vouchers.
For further information, telephone Ceva Animal Health on 01494 781510, email welfare.awards@ceva.com or contact your local Ceva territory manager.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has called for comment on a new draft health protocol which aims to deal compassionately with veterinary surgeons who have health problems, such as alcohol or drug addiction or mental health issues, while continuing to protect the public interest.
According to independent legal advice sought by the College, such an approach is appropriate and necessary in order for the RCVS to fulfil its regulatory responsibilities - similar systems exist within other regulators.
RCVS President Peter Jinman said: "At present, where veterinary surgeons suffer from health problems that affect their fitness to practise, they may be referred to a formal and public Disciplinary Committee inquiry and stopped from practising. But it is recognised that this is not always in the public interest, which could be protected by a more compassionate approach, involving medical help, workplace supervision and continued practice, subject to conditions."
As a result, the draft Protocol has been developed by the RCVS Preliminary Investigation and Advisory Committees. It formalises and builds on steps taken by the Preliminary Investigation Committee in the past to help veterinary surgeons to recover from health problems affecting fitness to practise, without referral to the RCVS Disciplinary Committee. Often those veterinary surgeons are also receiving help from the Veterinary Benevolent Fund's Veterinary Surgeons' Health Support Programme.
The Protocol encourages anyone coming into contact with veterinary surgeons - including other veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, members of practice staff, clients and healthcare professionals - who have concerns about a veterinary surgeon's health to report those concerns to the RCVS as soon as is reasonably practicable. Veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses who are concerned about the health of a veterinary surgeon must also take steps to ensure that animals are not put at risk and that the interests of the public, including those of their colleagues, are protected.
A similar protocol would be introduced for Registered Veterinary Nurses when the equivalent disciplinary system comes into force next year.
The draft protocol, together with recommended changes to the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct to support the change, is available online (www.rcvs.org.uk/healthprotocol) and comments are requested by 8 October 2010. The comments will be considered by Advisory Committee and then RCVS Council.
Comments should be sent to Simon Wiklund, Advisory Manager, on s.wiklund@rcvs.org.uk. A hard copy of the consultation document is available on request.
CPD Solutions has announced an eight module course on Feline Medicine starting in September. The company says that the course, with Tim Gruffydd-Jones of Bristol University, will help vets to ensure that their knowledge and clinical skills are up to date in this fast-moving area.
The new course is designed for vets working in first opinion practice, who want to develop their skills and the services that they can offer to their cat-owning clients. A comprehensive grounding in all of the important areas of Feline Medicine is combined with areas in which there have been significant advances recently, such as infectious diseases, emerging endocrine disorders, blood groups and blood transfusions. Problems that owners find particularly distressing, such as adverse behaviour and lower urinary tract disease will be addressed in detail, together with emergency presentations and strategies to cope with them effectively. Vets can enrol on the whole course or select individual modules for their own tailored CPD programme. Susie Coughlan, Managing Director of CPD Solutions said: ‘We have put together key topics in feline medicine, with an emphasis on updating current approaches to the most commonly encountered feline problems. We will also cover the newly recognised disorders that vets are very likely to encounter in first opinion practice. Our aim is to help vets to develop a practical and effective approach to all of their feline patients'.
More information on the course, Keysteps Feline Medicine, is available from CPD Solutions on 0151 328 0444 or on the website at www.cpd-solutions.com.
Ark Surgical has completed an exclusive agreement with Cory Bros, the UK's largest independent manufacturer and distributor of surgical devices and instrumentation, in order to offer a new range of operating theatre equipment and consumables.
This takes the range of products available through Ark Surgical to in excess of three hundred, including trocars, laparoscopic instruments, laparoscopic suction and irrigation systems, safe sharps management systems and operating theatre essentials.
Gavin O'Brien, Marketing Director at Ark Surgical said: "This is exciting news for the veterinary community. Since launch, we have been told time and time again about the lack of choice and the high cost of surgical instruments and devices. This is a major step towards our goal of bringing greater choice and better value to surgeons and we are very excited that Cory Bros share our commitment and vision in achieving this."
Gary Hopkins, Sales & Marketing Director at Cory Bros said "We have an excellent track record for innovation, most recently with the development of our extensive range of premium quality, cost-effective Ultimate laparoscopic instruments and devices. Our progressive approach has enabled us to forge successful partnerships with forward thinking distributors, such as Ark Surgical, which has resulted in significant business growth and a far wider choice for healthcare practitioners, both human and animal."
For more information, see: http://www.arksurgical.co.uk/
The RVC is addressing a worldwide shortage of scientists who have the specialist skills necessary for research into the spread of infectious disease with it’s MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology.
According to the RVC, by June 2008, more than 60 countries had been affected by outbreaks of bird flu, resulting in millions of birds dying or being destroyed. A total of 14 countries had suffered human cases by the end of 2007, with a large proportion of cases being fatal. In 2006, bluetongue virus was introduced to Northern Europe and spread rapidly, so that by the end of 2007 over 50,000 outbreaks were reported from cattle and sheep farms in Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxemburg, Germany, France and the UK.
“The RVC has seen interest in epidemiology increase dramatically, but there still aren’t enough skilled professionals to service this growing global need.” said Professor Dirk Pfeiffer, Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology at the Royal Veterinary College. “The course provides specialist training that integrates scientific knowledge from microbiology, ecology, social sciences and animal husbandry in order to understand how diseases such as avian flu and bluetongue are spreading.”
“At a time when such diseases are increasing globally it is vital that we have scientists that are able to understand how the infections are spreading and how outbreaks can be contained. The RVC is looking to hear from graduates in veterinary science, biological science, medicine, mathematics or statistics, who are ready to take up the challenge of this fascinating field of study.”
The RVC’s course is unique in that it is taught by 4 organisations; the RVC (animal epidemiology), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (human epidemiology), the Veterinary Laboratories Agency – VLA- (veterinary surveillance and epidemiology), and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – Defra - (UK government animal disease surveillance).
The course attracts between 10 and 15 students per year. Successful candidates can move into roles in a variety of UK, European or international governmental organisations such as Defra, the VLA and the World Health Organisation, in addition to the prospect of working in academic or purely research environments.
Funding from the BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council) has enabled the RVC to offer 4 full-time scholarships for students resident in the UK to study veterinary epidemiology at postgraduate level. The scholarships cover the course fees and upkeep for the year of study, and are between £14,000 and £19,000 per candidate.
More information can be found at: http://www.rvc.ac.uk/postgrad
On Tuesday 15 January the RCVS will hold a 'Meet the RCVS Day' for those standing or considering standing for election to RCVS Council or the Veterinary Nurses Council.
The event offers prospective candidates an opportunity to find out more about what the role of a Council member involves, and what would be expected of them, if elected.
Candidates and prospective candidates will have the chance to meet the RCVS Officers and senior staff, and to find out what goes on behind the scenes. The day will start at 10.30am, and finish at approximately 3.30pm, to allow plenty of time for questions. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
For further information, or to book a place, prospective candidates can contact Fiona Harcourt, Communications Officer (f.harcourt@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0773).
Nomination forms for RCVS Council and Veterinary Nurses Council, full instructions and guidance notes are available from www.rcvs.org.uk/rcvscouncil13 and www.rcvs.org.uk/vncouncil13. The deadline for nominations is 5pm on 31 January 2013.
Council and VN 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).
MSD Animal Health has announced the launch of Take a Closer Look, a campaign to encourage dog owners to have their pet checked for dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) this summer.
According to the company, around 1 in every 22 dogs suffer from dry eye which in most cases is caused by destruction of the glands that produce tears needed to lubricate the surface of the eye. In many cases, owners can't see any sign of the early stages of the disease. So, as part of the campaign, owners are being encouraged to complete an online risk assessment and download a voucher for a free diagnostic Schirmer tear test to take to their local vet practice.
Practices can register to take part in the campaign at www.ukvetsonline.co.uk from the 1st June. MSD says that those that do will benefit from the additional footfall as well as the opportunity to make an early diagnosis. Registration also gives practices access to a free online CPD update on dry eye, free Schirmer tear tests and a variety of support materials. Participating practices will also be listed in the 'vet finder' area of the mypetonline website and will be given extra help in the form of client emails, texts and postcards to raise awareness in their local area.
The company is also preparing Informational videos to explain the condition, which practices will be able to embed in their websites and share on social media. There is also a quiz and prizes to win for pet owners visiting the dry eye pages on mypetonline. The summer campaign will open up to dog owners on 1st July and run right through to 31st August.
Zorica Agbabas, Optimmune Marketing Manager said: "There can be few things more likely to bond a pet owner to a practice than the ability to save their pet's sight. We know the vets and nurses are passionate about the health and welfare of the pets under their care and there is nothing more demoralising than the patient being presented after the condition has already progressed. The Take a Closer Look campaign seeks to drive pet owners into practices at an early stage to help vets and nurses do what they do best make pets' lives better."
Practices are encouraged to register early from 1st June to make sure they have all the materials in place to take full advantage of this important campaign. Register at www.ukvetsonline.co.uk