CEVA Animal Health has updated its practice support materials to include an all-encompassing D.A.P. client leaflet, a website and a new vet detailer.
The new materials, which also include a D.A.P. and Feliway reference guide containing details of 31 published trials into the practical applications of pheromones, focus on using D.A.P. to prevent stress at key stages of a dog's life. Particular attention is paid to the benefits of fitting a D.A.P. Collar during early puppy consults in order to help prepare dogs for the modern world and helping to prevent anxiety-related problems such as separation anxiety and noise phobia, developing in later life. In addition, the vet brochure will draw practitioners' attention to the times in a dog's life when owners are particularly concerned about their dog becoming stressed including events like trips to boarding kennels.
Lucy Brett, product manager at CEVA Animal Health, said: "Over the last three years eight different trials have been published looking at the use of pheromones to reduce canine stress. The latest data backs up what we have believed for some time - that the management of stress during socialisation is vital if dogs are to grow into emotionally balanced and confident adult dogs. We now have a much better idea of the impact of allowing puppies to get stressed or overwhelmed during socialisation and the difference providing pheromone support in the form of a D.A.P. Collar can make."
For further details, or for information on CEVA's range of educational resources for veterinary professionals interested in feline and canine behaviour, please contact your CEVA Animal Health representative or call 01494 781510.
Understanding profit and loss within a veterinary practice is vital for all employees. That was the message delivered to delegates attending Pippa Reffold's lecture, sponsored by Dechra Veterinary Products, at the VPMA Congress late last month.
Pippa said: "Very few practice managers set targets or share financial data with their employees. Employees have a lot to contribute by improving service and increasing sales."
Roger Brown, product manager at Dechra Veterinary Products said: "Sponsoring Pippa's lecture is part of Dechra Veterinary Products response to market conditions. We have also reduced the price of two key products in our Veterinary Essentials range.
"We realise how significant margin control is right now and constantly review our Veterinary Essentials range. That's why we have reduced prices on Atipam 5ml, the Thyroxyl range and have introduced the Essentials Purchase Plan so practices can make further savings.
Pippa added: "Be open-minded about margin setting and don't apply a blanket mark-up to all products. Consider the contribution to your gross profit and passing on some of the improvement to your customers."
Dechra Veterinary Products offers a margin and profit calculator to compare market prices with the Veterinary Essentials range - to show just how much mark-up can be applied to products without impacting on a client's budget. "It's a simple, but very effective calculation that our Territory Managers can run for you," explained Mr Brown.
To find out more about the Veterinary Essentials range, including further cost savings with an Essentials Purchase Plan and free margin development advice, please call Liz Rawlings on 01743 441632.
Virbac has published a compendium of recent independently-published studies relating to its range of dermatology products.
Studies are listed according to the disorders investigated with an impact rating given to each piece of research. The compendium also provides details of the active components, clinical benefits and other information about the company's dermatology products.
European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology Filippo de Bellis said: "Dermatological problems can cause frustration to both clinician and pet owners because of their chronic nature and the wide variety of aetiologies. Best practice is achieved by integrating clinical expertise with the best external evidence.
"Virbac has made a major contribution to the provision of evidence by publishing this Compendium containing scientific information to support its range of pharmaceutical products. It shows commitment to the veterinary profession and to the rule of evidence-based medicine."
Christelle Navarro, DVM, from the Medical Department at Virbac SA, added: "We have spent 30 years working to improve veterinary dermatology with innovative solutions for the profession. Given the complexity of dermatology and the multiplicity of therapeutic offerings, we hope the Compendium will be a helpful tool for clinicians seeking scientific support for the products they use."
Electronic copies of the Compendium are available on request from your Territory Manager or by calling Virbac direct on 01359 243243.
The streams for vets will include six lectures on topics ranging from neurology to dentistry, along with guest speaker Hannah Donovan from Donovan Veterinary Behaviour to discuss behaviour in practice.
There will also be a speaker from Davies’ charity of the year: Vetlife.
Davies' hospital director Ben Orton said: “This is a high-level CPD and networking event aimed at our colleagues in the veterinary industry with a raft of advice and insight from some of the leading specialists here at Davies.
“Some of the topics covered include internal medicine, with EBVS European specialist in small animal internal medicine Katherine Clarke giving her expert opinion on chronic enteropathies with a focus on antibiotic prescribing.
“Head of anaesthesia Frances Downing will focus on anaesthesia and feline cardiomyopathies while head of physiotherapy Diane Messum will discuss a holistic approach to the osteoarthritis patient, so there will be plenty of stimulating and challenging content.”
The day-long event begins at 8.30am with arrival drinks and pastries before the morning session, which runs from 9am to 1.20pm.'
After an hour’s break for lunch and networking, the afternoon session will run from 2.20pm to 5pm.
That will be followed by a complimentary hog roast.
www.vetspecialists.co.uk/davies-congress-2024
Norbrook has launched a new iPhone app designed to give veterinary professionals essential pharmaceutical product information at the touch of a button.
The Norbrook Veterinary Excellence Tool includes information on the company's full range of animal health medicines including pharmaceutical presentation, uses, dosage and administration, withdrawal periods, contraindications & warnings and pharmaceutical precautions.
Mr Jorge Rodrigues, General Manager at Norbrook said: "Norbrook is committed to providing the best possible service to our customers. Time is a precious commodity for veterinary professionals and with the range of products on the market it can be very time-consuming to access essential product information. We have designed the Norbrook VET app to give our customers a quick and easy reference tool for all our products with the facility to filter searches for product information by species, category or brand. And of course the beauty of the iPhone app is that the information is accessible anytime, anywhere so if a customer is out at a client's premises, in their practice or at home, the information is readily available."
The Norbrook VET app also has a facility which will keep users up-to-date with relevant industry and company news and a dedicated Contact Us section which will allow customers better communication channels with the company.
Katie Norton, Web SEO Marketing Co-ordinator said: "It is our intention that the Norbrook VET app will become a key communication channel with our customers. The app will be updated regularly and we will continue to add new features to enhance the service we offer to our valued customers."
The Norbrook VET iPhone App is available to download direct from the iTunes store.
The RCVS has appointed Nicola South to the new role of Customer Experience Manager, a new role intended to help improve the experience for vets, veterinary nurses and the public in their dealings with the College.
Nicola said: "I'm extremely excited and proud to be joining the staff at the RCVS, and at such a significant time, just as the First-Rate Regulator initiative is underway, which will lead to a change of focus in how we deliver our services to meet all of our customers' needs. My arrival has been met by a staff made up of extremely dedicated and passionate individuals, and I'm really looking forward to working as a team to deliver an improved customer experience for everyone."
CEO Nick Stace said: "Nicola brings to the College a wealth of customer service experience gained from the hotel and tourism industries. Improving our customer service delivery is a priority, and I am delighted to have Nicola on board who will help to champion these improvements across the organisation."
Nicola joins the RCVS from Orbit Group Ltd, where she was Service Excellence Advisor for the East and South Region.
Would-be candidates in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeon Council and Veterinary Nurse Council elections are reminded that the nominations deadline is 5pm on 31 January 2013.
Veterinary surgeons need two nominations from veterinary surgeons, and veterinary nurses two nominations from veterinary nurses, to stand in the respective elections.
Veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses not presently on either Council can nominate one candidate each.
Nomination forms, full instructions and guidance notes are available from www.rcvs.org.uk/rcvscouncil13 and www.rcvs.org.uk/vncouncil13.
Six seats are 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).
The MonitorME project, launched this month, collects antimicrobial usage data from equine practices around the UK, to better understand how antibiotics are used within the sector.
The project is being led by BEVA President Bruce Bladon (pictured) and it will be the main theme at BEVA Congress (10-13 September 2025, ICC Birmingham).
Bruce said: “Growing resistance to antibiotics is a very serious public health crisis, which is why I have chosen it as the overriding theme for my presidential year and for the forthcoming BEVA Congress.
“The World Health Organisation has the usage of veterinary antimicrobials firmly in their sights and the possibility of legislation being implemented to limit our access to these vital drugs is becoming ever more likely.
“It is important that we demonstrate, as a sector, that our usage of antimicrobials is responsible and proportionate, to ensure continued access.
"Taking part in a project like this is, without a doubt, the right thing to do.”
Practices are being asked to submit usage data from their practice management systems (PMS) to the BEVA office, where it will contribute to nationwide reporting of antibiotic use in UK equine practice.
Ideally, they need to record the total mg of each antimicrobial used, together with the number of horses treated last year (in total, not just those treated with antibiotics) and their average weight if available.
The data is analysed and then collated into annual reports, which are published on the BEVA MonitorME webpage.
The 2023 report is now available and will be updated periodically as practices continue to submit their 2023 data.
2024 data collection has started, so equine practices can send their data to antibiotics@beva.org.uk whenever they’re ready.
https://www.beva.org.uk/Resources/Medicines/Antibiotics/MonitorME#aims
https://www.bevacongress.org
The session is designed for business owners who are considering succession planning and who may be interested in exploring alternative ownership structures.
Speakers include Jeff Lermer from JLA Accountants and Victoria Dorman from HCRLaw, both of whom have helped companies transition to employee ownership.
Matt Flann from Pennards Vets (pictured) will add the perspective of a business that has transitioned to being an Employee Owned Trust.
The session will cover the structure of Employee Ownership Trusts, the benefits of transitioning (including tax incentives) and the legal, financial and operational considerations.
The webinar was also offer practical guidance on the steps and timelines for implementing an EOT in your organization.
https://spvs.org.uk/employee-ownership-trusts-cpd
The RCVS and VN Councils have each agreed to raise registration and retention fees for the financial year 2011-12 by 2%. This means the annual retention fee for a home-practising veterinary surgeon will increase by £5, and the fee for a veterinary nurse, by £1.
To encourage members who cease to practise to request removal from the Register, rather than simply allow their membership to lapse, the fee for restoration following voluntary removal will be reduced by almost 50%, from £147 to £75.
All fees for the current financial year were, exceptionally, frozen to help mitigate the impact of the difficult economic climate on the veterinary profession. The increases agreed for 2011-12 are below current inflation figures, and in line with the RCVS financial policy of introducing small fee increases on an incremental basis in order to avoid sharp fee hikes resulting from inflationary pressures.
A list of the new fees can be found in the June edition of RCVS News, also available online at www.rcvs.org.uk/rcvsnews.
Petplan has announced a new category - ‘Rising Star’ - has been added to its 2016 Veterinary Awards.
The company says its awards, which recognise members of the veterinary profession who have gone above and beyond in their daily roles, have been focussed on established individuals. The idea behind the new award is to recognise someone that is rising within their current practice, showing great aptitude and who has substantially grown in their role within a relatively short period of time.
The award is geared towards employees with less than two years’ experience, who have initiated, coordinated and accomplished a new or improved activity or process during 2015. Petplan says nominees should also show one or more of the following ‘Four C’s’ in their initiative: compassion, competence, communication and commitment.
James Barnes, Head of Sales and Partnerships at Petplan, said: “Petplan understands the importance of committed veterinary staff in ensuring pet safety and care. Working with almost 5,000 vet practices, we see the fantastic work being carried out across the country and these awards are an opportunity for pet owners to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for the support veterinary staff provide to the animals in their care.”
To nominate a colleague for an award, visit www.petplanvet.co.uk/vetawards before 31st January 2016.
Onemytis is an air plasma knife which enables veterinary surgeons to cut, dissect and vaporise tissue at temperatures below 50°C (122°F), which the maker says allows procedures to be performed with greater precision, efficiency and speed.
The manufacturer claims that operating at such a low temperature significantly reduces tissue thermal damage and surgical pain, leading to smoother anaesthesia, faster surgery and recovery times, and fewer potential complications.
Julian Hoad MRCVS was an early adopter of the technology and will lead the workshop.
He said: "I have been using the Onemytis AirPlasma for around five years and I’m still really enjoying it.
"It cuts very precisely, with minimal bleeding, and the healing is excellent.
"I also use it for tissue ablation or removal of small skin masses under sedation.
"I wouldn’t be without it.”
To book a place, contact Douglas McCallum via e-mail at dmccallum@mediproductions.com or call +44 (0)7393 440736.
https://www.onemytis.com
Defra has announced that the Bluetongue Protection Zone will be extended again on Monday 7 July, following the delivery by Intervet of almost 2 million additional doses of Bluetongue vaccine. Vaccination is only permitted within the Protection Zone. In accordance with the Bluetongue vaccination plan, the Protection Zone will be extended to cover all of the East Riding of Yorkshire (including the City of Kingston upon Hull), South Yorkshire (made up of the metropolitan boroughs of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield), Gloucestershire (including the unitary authority of South Gloucestershire) and Warwickshire. Defra will continue to roll out vaccination as vaccine is delivered, in line with the vaccination roll-out plan. The additional vaccine is available for use in the existing Protection Zone from today. Livestock keepers in the areas coming into the Protection Zone will be able to obtain the vaccine from Monday. However, they are encouraged to order vaccine so that they can protect their livestock at the earliest opportunity. Protection Zone restrictions will apply to those keepers coming into the extended zone. Animals can only be moved out of the Protection Zone if they are vaccinated, naturally immune or moving for slaughter, subject to meeting certain conditions. Animals will also be able to be moved between the Protection Zones in Wales and England, subject to the conditions on the transit licence.
The RCVS is to embark on a communications campaign over the next few months to raise awareness amongst the general public of the difficulties that vets face in providing out-of-hours emergency cover, and the responsibilities incumbent on animal owners to know what to do in a veterinary emergency.
Emergency cover has been high on the College's agenda for some time.
Over the last 18 months, the RCVS 24/7 Working Party has considered the ongoing desire of vets to continue to offer emergency care 24 hours a day, and the feasibility of delivering this, against a backdrop of the Working Time Regulations, geographical variations in animal and vet density, and increasing practice diversity.
Working Party meetings have been supported by a survey of how vets are currently meeting their 24/7 requirements, a seminar of stakeholders and regular informal polls at RCVS Question Time meetings.
It was agreed at the September 2009 meeting of Advisory Committee, to which the Working Party reports, that the majority of vets remain willing to deliver emergency cover 24/7. Advisory Committee recommended that a communications project be undertaken to help raise awareness amongst the general public and animal owners that although the veterinary profession continues to make this voluntary commitment, EU rules, geography and financial constraints impose some limitations.
This campaign will kick off soon and focus on spreading messages via animal-owner publications and websites. The responsibility of pet owners to know how they can access emergency care for their animal in advance of need will be stressed, as will the fact that in the absence of an NHS for pets, emergency care is a service for which practices must charge a realistic fee (which is likely to be higher than for day-time work).
The campaign will also outline vets' responsibilities as part of the Guide, so the public knows what it can reasonably expect. It would be helpful if practices could ensure they have clear information available on their 24/7 arrangements - as outlined in the Guide - should this campaign stimulate requests from clients.
Jerry Davies, who chaired the Working Party, said: "There is overwhelming opinion within the profession that we must continue to provide round-the-clock veterinary care. The main tenet of the Working Time Regulations is that workers should not have their health or, importantly, skills compromised by unreasonable working patterns. Vets, VNs and the animals they care for deserve the same level of protection.
"However, this legislation has made continuing to provide such care at a reasonable cost to the animal owner a significant challenge. Meeting this challenge will require the understanding and cooperation of the animal owning public.
"If clients can be flexible and accept slightly longer response times, an effective service can still be sustained. The key is for all animal owners to establish, in advance, exactly what will be involved should they need to access veterinary care in an emergency. This simple step will help optimise response times and eliminate the frustration, confusion and inevitable dissatisfaction that may arise if ill-prepared."
A cat which was lost eight years ago has been reunited with his owner thanks to the RSPCA, and the fact that the animal had been chipped.
'Bigga' went missing at the end of 2002 from his home in High Wycombe. His owner Lorna Fothergill launched a desperate search to find him. She offered a reward, knocked on doors and put up of posters in the hope that someone would recognise him and bring him home. But after weeks of looking she thought all was lost, and gave up the search. She eventually moved away from the area.
Last month however, Bigga was picked up by RSPCA animal welfare officer Julie Britnell. It is believed he had been living feral for some while. His coat was extremely matted, and he looked as though he had been in a few scrapes along the way, but he was well-fed and in good spirits. Thanks to the fact Mrs Fothergill had him microchipped all those years ago, and some dedicated detective work by the RSPCA, Bigga has now been reunited with his long lost family.
Mrs Fothergill, 40, who is a new business director and singer in the band Northsyde, said: "We just couldn't believe it when we got the call from the RSPCA to say they had found our cat. It's unbelievable and I was just astonished and so relieved that I had him micro--chipped all those years ago. We just can't thank the RSPCA enough for how they have managed to reunite us with Bigga, it's so wonderful."
Is this a record? Do you know of any pets that have been lost for longer, and reunited thanks to a microchip? Comment below.
The group was set up in 2019 by veterinary students Stephanie Stapleton and Lavinia Economu, to break down barriers and promote veterinary careers to young people, in part by becoming the role models they wished they’d had in school.
It also aims to correct misconceptions about what vets do, the pathway to becoming a vet and the various job options available in animal-related careers.
Over the years, Animal Aspirations has evolved to provide positive role models and practical advice to diverse students of all ages across the country, with a focus on supporting those from an ethnic minority or on Free School Meals through its school workshops.
It has expanded from nine students at the RVC to a team of 83 students.
The organisation also now has a presence across several leading institutions, including the University of Cambridge, the University of Surrey, Harper Adams University, Keele University and the University of Central Lancashire.
Lavinia said: “I’ve always lived and gone to school in Greater London, and so I was used to being surrounded by people from all backgrounds and walks of life.
"Once I started my veterinary degree, this was no longer the case, as few students came from diverse or ethnic minority backgrounds.
"This pattern seemed to be the same in all vet schools and even the veterinary profession, but there were very few if any, initiatives to address it.
“During my intercalated year at the RVC, I was lucky enough to meet Stephanie Stapleton, another vet student who also shared my passion for increasing diversity in veterinary medicine.
"She introduced me to the Widening Participation team at the RVC, and together, we recruited an amazing group of vet students, and Animal Aspirations was born.
“I truly think this is one of the best professions to be in, and I’d like to see it become more accessible and inclusive to all young people, no matter their background.”
Lharanya Somasundaram, President of Animal Aspirations, said: “It has been incredible to see the impact of our work, how misconceptions that once served as barriers are being challenged, and how young people feel more empowered to pursue their dreams.
“However, there is still much work to be done. The goal is to create such a diverse and inclusive environment that it can sustain itself and the support we provide is the norm. This only becomes possible when everyone, regardless of experience, position or background, is committed to championing diversity.
“We should all be thinking about how we can make ourselves and our workplaces more inclusive.
"With these combined efforts, we get closer to a profession where everyone feels as though they truly belong.”
https://www.animalaspirations.com
The Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons has unveiled a new logo in response to member feedback and a desire by the society to update its image to tie in with a more modern and campaigning approach. Here it is (roll of drums please):
Woodley Equipment Co Ltd has announced the launch of the new, improved i-STAT® 1 Portable Critical Care Analyser. According to the company, the new i-STAT 1 analyser offers the same extensive test menu as the original analyser, plus the new CHEM8+ cartridge. The CHEM8+ panel provides many of the tests typically needed for quick general or emergency assessment, with just one cartridge. The i-STAT 1 analyser also provides new testing platforms, such as immunodiagnostic capability that will allow additional tests to be released in the future. Other improvements include the Cardiac Troponin test and Glucose strip reader, as well as infrared printer connectivity, upgraded storage capacity and ergonomic improvements. The i-STAT handheld analysers are the only handheld analysers available for veterinary medicine that provide vets with critical care electrolyte, blood gas, chemistry and basic hematology results in two minutes, from three drops of blood. Mike Wickham, Managing Director of Woodley Equipment said, “The new i-STAT 1 Handheld Clinical Analyser and original i-STAT analysers enable vets to make critical care decisions for their patients, whether in-practice or in the field.”
A recent UK Mastitis Panel meeting, sponsored by MSD Animal Health, has concluded that a lack of expertise in drying off and teat sealant administration is the limiting factor preventing more widespread adoption of selective dry cow therapy protocols in UK dairy farms
The panel representing practising dairy vets, research and Government agreed that whilst the use of selective dry cow therapy was at a relatively low level in UK dairy herds at the moment, a momentum was building that could see as many as half the nation’s herds adopting the practice within a few years.
Dr Martin Behr, technical manager at MSD Animal Health and chair of the UK Mastitis Panel meeting, said: "There is growing pressure from the milk processors and some supermarkets to see a reduction in antibiotic use on dairy farms, and dry cow therapy is one area under the spotlight.
"We know from our own training workshops with vets and farmers that the level of expertise in administering teat sealants, for example, is relatively low. Only about 30 percent of vets attending these workshops had any experience at all in administering a teat sealant."
The view from many on the mastitis panel was that there was a knowledge gap on farms when it comes to dry cow therapy protocols and that this presented a significant opportunity for vet practices.
Dr Behr added: "Mastitis control in general offers vets an opportunity for proactive engagement with farmers, but it is a notoriously difficult area to establish routine work. With the pressure on farms to adopt selective dry cow therapy and the need for training, there is perhaps a new opportunity for practices with a real interest in mastitis control to build stronger and more preventative strategies with dairy farmers."
Veterinary practices with an interest in training on dry cow therapy and teat sealant use are advised to contact their MSD Animal Health account manager for details of future workshops.
Charlotte will share practical advice on achieving successful transfusions, in particular looking at how to overcome the challenges in sourcing blood products, especially for feline patients.
The presentation will cover:
There'll be a live Q&A session with Charlotte at the end, when Horiba's experts will also be available to answer veterinary diagnostics-related questions.
https://horiba.link/canine-and-feline-blood-transfusions.
Vet Futures has published a guest blog by Laura Kidd MRCVS which asks how the profession can increase the number of veterinary nurses entering and staying within the profession?
In her blog, Laura, a VN lecturer and clinical skills tutor for veterinary students, argues that the year-on-year increases in the number of veterinary nurses seems to be insufficient to meet demand. Furthermore, there is a trend towards people leaving the profession relatively early, with the average age being just over 30.
She writes: “Identifying the reasons for VNs leaving the profession at a young age and addressing these, is one potential way of increasing VN numbers in the future.”
Laura argues that poor pay, stress, not feeling rewarded or valued and perceived lack of career progression all contribute to people leaving the profession, although she welcomes initiatives from the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA), BVA, RCVS and others to increase the status of the profession, create more diverse career opportunities and improve the profession’s mental wellbeing.
However, she adds that: “perhaps we may, reluctantly, have to accept that, for the time-being, veterinary nursing is a young profession with a high turnover.”
With this in mind she suggests that training more veterinary nurses will be the key to increasing the number of qualified members of the profession in the immediate future. In order to do this she believes that more practices need to be supported to become RCVS-approved Training Practices offering clinical training and work experience for student veterinary nurses and that an alternative training pathway for veterinary nurses may need to be looked at.
She adds: “The entry requirements for the VN Diploma are relatively low, yet the qualification is academically demanding: the volume and depth of knowledge is considerable for the level and qualification and the requirement to demonstrate critical reflection through academic writing can be challenging.
“It is regrettable that some student veterinary nurses, who appear to have the qualities to be very good VNs, are lost to the profession, unable to pass awarding body exams. Should we be developing an additional VN training pathway which allows more students to demonstrate they have the required skills to provide high quality nursing to their patients?”
In response to her proposal, this month’s poll will ask visitors “Is there a need for another VN training option?” To read the blog, leave a comment and take part in the poll please visit www.vetfutures.org.uk/discuss
Last month’s poll asked if vets always acted as animal welfare advocates. This was in response to an article by animal welfare expect Professor David Main in which he argues that the profession should do more to demonstrate its animal welfare credentials and introduce safeguards against excessive profit-seeking. Although just 22 people took part in the poll, around two-thirds (68%) of them said that vets do not always act as animal welfare advocates.
The organisers of Rabbit Awareness Week (15th-21st September) are calling on veterinary practices to show their support and sign up to its free health check scheme, to highlight the importance of preventative healthcare for rabbits.
This year's RAW campaign is focusing on vaccinations, to protect one of Britain's most popular small pets from two painful and potentially fatal diseases, myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD).
Participating practices will receive free support packs to help them advertise and run their own health check events, as well as care advice materials to give out to clients who bring their rabbits in.
Rabbit Awareness Week 2012 is backed by Burgess Excel and various partners, including MSD Animal Health, RSPCA, PSDA, Blue Cross, Wood Green The Animals Charity and RWAF (Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund).
Justin Heaton, Head of Marketing at Burgess Pet Care, said: "This September, RAW aims to promote the importance of preventative healthcare, including regular vet health checks and vaccinations for rabbits, to protect them from disease. Rabbits are at risk from myxomatosis and RHD and this year's goal is to highlight how important vaccinations are against these diseases and encourage owners, particularly those not currently registered with a veterinary practice, to bring their rabbits in for free veterinary health checks and vaccinations.
"RAW partners believe that many rabbit owners are unaware that injections for rabbits are a necessity for them to live a long and healthy life. The average rabbit should live at least 8-12 years, but one in three pet owners (38 per cent) estimate a rabbit's maximum lifespan to be five years*. Along with meeting their dietary, behaviour, environment and companionship needs, Britain's rabbits' must be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease to ensure they are healthy and happy. Vaccinations are an important part of responsible pet ownership and will help to ensure that rabbits live a long and healthy life."
If you are interested in supporting RAW 2012, by hosting rabbit healthcare clinics at your veterinary surgery, visit www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk to order your free support kit and register your event.
Research carried out by the Kennel Club to coincide with Mother's Day has revealed that 35% of dog buyers do not see their new puppy with its mother.
The research also found that one in ten buyers take their puppy home before it is eight weeks old, and that 55% do not see the puppy in its breeding environment.
Bill Lambert, Manager of the Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme, said: "March is the most popular month for searching for a puppy, but we are extremely concerned that so many are not seeing their puppy with its mother. Seeing mum not only helps people to find out how their puppy will be likely to turn out in terms of temperament and characteristics, but it also gives them the reassurance that it has been bred in a loving environment where it has been cared for and socialised properly."
Marc Abraham, TV vet and Kennel Club Veterinary Advisor, said: "Puppies depend on their mums in the early weeks of life, not just for milk but she's also critical for developing their socialisation skills which help set them up for life. If a breeder refuses to show the puppy with its mother without very good reason, then buyers should go elsewhere."
The Kennel Club is urging people to see puppies with their mother as part of its Stop Puppy Farming campaign and is joining with Marc Abraham to support the 'Where's Mum?' campaign. Kennel Club research has shown that as many as one in four could unwittingly be buying their puppy from a puppy farm.
The Kennel Club will be running a National Puppy Awareness Week (PAW) from the 8th - 14th September. To find out more visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/stoppuppyfarming.