Dechra Veterinary Products has announced that Intubeaze Oromucosal Spray is now back in stock.
Intubeaze is used for local anaesthesia of the laryngeal mucosa of cats to facilitate endotracheal intubation by preventing the stimulation of the laryngeal reflex.
The product had gone out of stock due to a temporary manufacturing problem which has now been fixed.
Intubeaze is a clear solution containing 2% w/v lidocaine hydrochloride, with 0.1% w/v chlorocresol as an antimicrobial preservative. Intubeaze is now available through all wholesalers.
For further information on Intubeaze please contact Dechra on 01743 441 632 or visit www.dechra.co.uk.
Elanco Companion Animal Health has launched a new ordering process for Recuvyra, its transdermal fentanyl solution for the control of postoperative pain relief in dogs.
The new process will enable veterinary practices to purchase Recuvyra, which is a Schedule Two Controlled Drug, without having to complete the online training programme which was has been mandatory since the launch of the product in April 2013.
The company says that training is still highly recommended for every veterinary professional that handles Recuvyra due to its new delivery system. This can be via the short online training course available at www.recuvyratraining.eu or by reading the training leaflet provided with every vial of Recuvyra. The training leaflet includes information on instructions for use, correct administration of the product and special precautions. In addition, client leaflets and other support materials will continue to be available to vets via the website.
Alice Laurens, Recuvyra product manager at Elanco Companion Animal Health, said: "Veterinary practices will still need to follow their wholesalers' procedures for ordering Schedule Two Controlled Drugs when purchasing Recuvyra, however any vet from the practice can now order and sign for delivery of the product making it easier to purchase."
For further information about Recuvyra or Elanco's surgery and pain management range, contact your Elanco Companion Animal Health key account manager or email elancocah.uk@elanco.com.
Virbac has launched Marfloquin, a marbofloxacin-based antibiotic indicated for the treatment of multiple infectious diseases in cats and dogs.
Marfloquin is presented as a palatable, divisible tablet for once daily administration and is available in three tablet strengths:
Virbac Companion Animal Marketing Manager Simon Boulton MRCVS said: "Marbofloxacin is valued by practices for its efficacy in treating a wide range of skin, soft tissue, urinary tract and respiratory tract infections. The launch of Marfloquin gives them a cost-effective alternative and strengthens our existing antibiotic range, which includes Rilexine (cefalexin) and Enrox (enrofloxacin)."
For more information, contact your territory manager or call Virbac on 01359 243243
Merial Animal Health has launched Veloxa, a palatable broad spectrum dewormer for dogs, effective against roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and tapeworm.
Merial says Veloxa uses a proprietary technology which coats the bitter active ingredients in the beef-flavoured chewable tablets. In the company's palatability tests it achieved 97% acceptance.
Veloxa tablets are scored for accurate dosing and come in two sizes:
Christine Male, Product Manager of Veloxa said: "Merial has a strong heritage in anti-parasitics and understands how difficult it can be for pet owners to administer worming tablets, so we are extremely pleased to be able to offer Veloxa as part of the Merial anti-parasitics range."
The survey polled 671 veterinary surgeons in May and June 2017.
92% of those who are now in non-clinical roles had worked in clinical practice in the past. 73% had previously worked in mixed practice, 49% in companion animal practice, 33% in production animal practice and 8% in equine practice.
32% are now in academia, whilst 21% have moved to work in commerce and industry.
Mostly, veterinary surgeons gave positive reasons for moving to non-clinical work: 43% said they were looking for a new challenge and 33% said they were looking for a different type of work.
Others were looking to improve their work-life balance: 24% said they wanted a role with no out-of-hours work, 14% said they wanted more flexible working hours and 10% said clinical work was incompatible with family or outside commitments.
21% cited difficulty in progressing with their clinical career as a reason for moving whilst 19% said they were looking for less stress at work.
There were some differences between men and women in the timing of their career change and the reasons behind it. Women tended to leave clinical practice earlier in their career; an average of 6.5 years after they qualified compared to 8 years for men.
Reasons related to working hours and flexibility were more prominent motivations for women to move from clinical practice (54% of female vets compared to 31% of male vets). On the other hand, male vets were more likely than female vets to cite reasons related to a desire to do a different type of work (44% of male vets compared to 24% of female vets).
BVA Senior Vice President, Gudrun Ravetz said: "These figures show that there is a sizeable percentage of practising vets who are making the move into non-clinical roles and that there are a variety of reasons behind their decision. There is a huge diversity of career paths open to vets and it’s important both for those who are already in practice and for those considering a veterinary career to be aware of all the options available.
"I have had a portfolio career myself that involved clinical practice in all different business models including charity practice and industry and I know that the most important thing is for vets to feel fulfilled in their chosen roles and understand that there is a wide range of opportunity available to them.
"However, we also know that practices are seriously worried about being able to recruit and retain staff. Looking at the reasons for leaving – including a desire for more flexibility, a better work/life balance, and concerns about stress – this has to be a wake-up call to all employers to think about whether we can do things differently to support our colleagues.
"BVA has a role to play too and many of the Vet Futures actions are designed to address these issues, including the workforce study commissioned by BVA, the development of a careers hub, and our support for the Mind Matters Initiative led by RCVS, amongst others. These are issues that the profession must tackle together."
Firstly, the BVA recommends that more work needs to be done in order to clarify and communicate the duties that can already be delegated to Registered Veterinary Nurses under Schedule 3.
In addition, the Association says that:
there should be an expanded role for RVNs in general anaesthesia, where the veterinary surgeon maintains overall responsibility
consideration should be given to granting RVNs expanded rights to dispense POM-V flea and worming treatments
consideration should be given to expanding the role of RVNs in the management of chronic cases, including repeat dispensing
consideration should be given to the potential role for RVNs in dispensing contraceptives, anthelmintics and vaccines in a zoo setting
it would be beneficial to incorporate the Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) role within RVN training
The BVA also recommends that there should be accessible, flexible and professionally recordable post-registration awards for RVNs from all academic backgrounds, and has reiterated its call for the protection of the title of 'Veterinary Nurse.'
BVNA Junior Vice President Jo Hinde RVN (pictured right) said: "BVNA strongly supports the vet-led approach as we believe working together as a team is the best way to improve both patient and staff welfare. We are delighted to be working on this project with BVA and are using our best efforts to continue to strive to strengthen the role of the RVN.
"We have always believed the VN title needs to be protected and this is increasingly important as the veterinary profession adapts to new challenges. It is vital that owners can be confident that their pet is being looked after by well-trained and RCVS-registered staff, as well as there being more clarity surrounding Schedule 3 procedures.
"The support for the advancement of the nursing role through post-registration qualifications is a welcome development and we believe this will help enable RVNs to follow their passion for a particular subject and allow them to significantly increase their knowledge in specific areas of interest. When following the vet-led model, this would result in a strong team of individuals with in-depth knowledge that can enhance their patients’ care."
Dr Pete Down, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education in UCLan’s School of Veterinary Medicine, said: “We recognise the multifaceted challenges the profession is facing at the moment, but many of us have spent significant time out in practice and recognise that it can be a fantastic career.
“Additionally, first-opinion vets provide essential services to the pet-owning public, equine, and farming industries.
"Our curriculum focusses on the provision of contextual-care and encourages vet students to see general practice as a fantastic career in and of itself.
"Also, whilst diversity in the profession has traditionally been a challenge, our student recruitment practices support an inclusive approach, recruiting students from a wide variety of backgrounds.”
The practically focused curriculum is ‘hands-on’ from year one and the university says it uses innovative digital technologies from the outset: its students will be among the first in the country to use specialist Anatomage vet tables.
Dr Heather Bacon OBE, Dean of UCLan’s School of Veterinary Medicine, said: “It’s a landmark day for the University as we’ve welcomed our first cohort of veterinary medicine students through the door.
"The demand for places on the first year of our BVMS course was huge and I’m thrilled we’ve been able to enrol so many enthusiastic student vets on to our programme.”
https://www.uclan.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/veterinary-medicine-surgery-bvms
Virbac points to how the pandemic has caused a fundamental shift in consumer shopping habits, with e-commerce accounting for more than 30% of retail sales in the UK in 2020 for the first time1.
Alongside the increase in online sales has come an expectation by consumers that all companies should provide a reliable digital service, with 70% saying that they will continue to buy essential goods online post-pandemic2.
At the same time, sales of pet food in the majority of veterinary practices have been hit by the need for social distancing.
Through the new model, when pet owners buy Virbac's low-carb, high protein Veterinary HPM dog and cat food from the company's new web store for home delivery, a commission is paid to the practice.
Remi Mandray, Product Manager at Virbac said: "It’s a win-win for our practices and their clients, who can take advantage of this convenient option to have their pet food delivered to their home, whilst providing the practice with a protected and rewarding business model".
For more information, contact your Virbac Territory Manager.
References
According to the College, other research suggests that comorbidities - such as anxiety and cognitive impairments - are common in dogs with epilepsy, meaning there is a need for new epilepsy management options which help to control seizures and improve behavioural and cognitive comorbidities.
Led by canine behaviour and welfare scientist Dr. Rowena Packer from the RVC and veterinary neurologist Professor Holger Volk from the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo), alongside RVC PhD student Dr. Benjamin Andreas Berk, the team of researchers tested the effects of an oil supplement on seizure frequency in dogs with drug-resistant epilepsy.
Multiple studies from the RVC have shown that medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oils-enriched diets can improve seizure control in difficult to treat, drug-resistant dogs with epilepsy. This controlled clinical study used non-invasive cognitive tests and a validated psychometric tool to show that dogs had improved spatial and working memory when treated with MCTs.
Dr Rowena Packer, Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare at RVC, said: "Our ground-breaking research into the behavioural and cognitive comorbidities of canine epilepsy was the first to identify cognitive impairments in this population. We have now gone one step further and found a promising way to boost the impaired memories of these patients and reduce their seizure frequency, by a simple dietary change."
Professor Holger Volk, Department Chair for Small Animal Diseases at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, said: "Our guts influence how well we think – this study highlights the importance of diets and the power of the gut-brain axis. We are just at the beginning of understanding how diets can influence complex diseases such as epilepsy and dementia. MCT oil could offer a promising addition to our management tool-kit."
Reference
The double-blind placebo-controlled study will examine whether the pheromone collar can help reduce the severity or development of certain potentially problematic behaviours in puppies and it is open to puppies less than 12 weeks of age.
Puppies will have to wear a collar until they are six months of age and their owners will be asked to complete a check sheet relating to their puppy’s behaviour every month. Each month a new collar will be sent direct to their home.
To encourage enrolment, the University of Lincoln is offering veterinary professionals a £10 voucher for every successful sign up to the trial.
Owners who complete all questionnaires will receive a pack of canine health and welfare goodies from Ceva Animal Health. The pack will include Adaptil Junior, Adaptil Transport and Logic Oral Hygiene Gel.
Owners will also be entered into a draw to win an iPad.
A marketing pack is available to raise awareness of the study and includes a waiting room poster, owner leaflets and a social media post for Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
For further information, email the University of Lincoln at puppydevelopment@lincoln.ac.uk.
In the study titled “Outcomes of treatments for keratomalacia in dogs and cats: a systematic review of the published literature including non-randomised controlled and non-controlled studies”, a systematic review of the current literature was undertaken to determine the evidence base for the various treatments of keratomalacia in dogs and cats.
The aim of the review was to assess the evidence base and identify recommended treatment(s) based on globe survival, visual outcome, and time to resolution (while maintaining a globe).
An online literature search found 18 relevant studies which were then reviewed and assigned a level of evidence base as described in the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) Levels of Evidence Working Group.
Each study was assessed for type of study described (e.g. retrospective, prospective, controlled, random/non-random, cohort study, case series/study), the number of animals included, criteria for assessing outcome (e.g. vision, corneal clarity, anatomic repair) and duration of follow-up and time to resolution.
Systematic reviews of randomised trials, randomised trials or observational studies with dramatic effects would have provided the most reliable evidence on which to base recommendations for treatment(s) but none were available for inclusion.
Only one study was classified as level 3 evidence (non-randomised controlled trial) and considered the use of corneal cross-linking (CXL) in the treatment of keratomalacia.
Most studies were level four evidence reporting the outcome of a single treatment, with three prospective studies and seven retrospective studies.
The remaining seven studies were level five evidence (mechanism-based reasoning) and were considered not to provide good evidence for answering the particular study question.
The findings of the study suggest that the evidence for improved outcome of one proposed treatment over another proposed treatment for keratomalacia in dogs and/or cats is very weak.
A combination of treatments – both medical and surgical – may be the most appropriate depending on the individual case.
Studies utilising mechanism-based reasoning would suggest that medical treatment with anti-collagenase treatment is a minimum requirement for keratomalacia cases to prevent globe loss through perforation, with associated pain and suffering.
Nicola Di Girolamo, Editor of JSAP, said: “The findings of this study highlight once more the infrequency of randomised controlled trials in the veterinary literature, and the need for such studies to expand the evidence base in this field.
“Focussing on collecting available evidence in well-conducted systematic reviews is a critical step in order to improve accessibility of the literature for general practitioners and specialists alike.”
The full article can be found in the October issue of the Journal of Small Animal Practice and can be read online here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jsap.13326. It is open access and can be freely accessed by anyone.
Photo courtesy BSAVA
IVC's existing Pet Health Club includes vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, microchipping, health checks and a variety of discounts.
IVC says the new tier, Pet Health Club Plus, has been introduced to encourage owners to bring their pet in early, meaning problems can be diagnosed more quickly and therefore improve the welfare outcome of the pet.
It is also designed to support owners by spreading the cost of their pet’s healthcare.
25,000 pet owners have already joined Pet Health Club Plus, which costs £27.99 for cats and £29.99 for dogs, and it is now being pushed with a national TV advertising campaign which will run till the end of the year.
The awards celebrate the achievements of remarkable people who dedicate their lives to improving animal health and welfare both in the UK and abroad. They are open to vets, vet nurses, farmers, animal welfare professionals and animal welfare teams who can be nominated to receive an award by fellow peers, friends and family or the general public.
There are nine nomination categories including a new one this year to recognise an international individual or team that stands out from the crowd by influencing and significantly contributing to making a visible difference in the world of animal welfare.
The categories are:
Chris Laurence Vet of the Year supported by Vet Record.
Vet Nurse of the Year supported by Agria Pet Insurance
Charity Team of the Year supported by PDSA
Charitable Contribution of the Year supported by Blue Cross
International Cat Care Welfare of the Year supported by International Cat Care
Farmer of the Year supported by R.A.B.I. and Farmers Guardian
Farm Educator of the Year supported by NADIS and Farmers Guardian
Outstanding Contribution to Animal Welfare supported by Your Dog and Your Cat magazines
Outstanding International Contribution to Animal Welfare supported by Ceva International
Nominations can be made at https://www.cevawelfare.com/click-here-to-nominate with nominations closing on Tuesday 31 December 2019.
Finalists will be announced at the beginning of February and winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony in Birmingham in April on the eve of BSAVA Congress.
Cuneyt Seckin, Managing Director of Ceva Animal Health UK and Ireland, said: "As an animal health company, animal welfare is a huge focus for us. The Ceva Animal Welfare Awards are an opportunity to formally recognise and congratulate outstanding animal welfare teams and individuals who contribute to the protection and welfare of animals in their daily lives."
For more information, visit www.cevawelfare.com.
In one case, Tigga, a 17-year-old cat with an itchy and destructive tumour on her nose, was in complete remission within 44 days. In another case, a tumour vanished in a dog where the aim of the treatment was only to shrink the mass before an operation to remove it.
NDSR, which is based in Bletchingley, is the only referral centre in the UK and one of very few in the world offering electrochemotherapy in pets.
Electrochemotherapy is given in two stages.
First, the patient is given a mild dose of intravenous chemotherapy in the normal way and then, using a probe, a precise electrical charge is given to the area on or around the tumour.
This temporarily opens up tiny holes in the cells, big enough to allow the drug to enter, which then close again in microseconds. This means the drug will only attack cancerous cells, unlike normal chemotherapy, which also kills healthy cells.
Gerry Polton, clinical director of oncology at NDSR, said: "Normal chemotherapy works on the principle of being more damaging to cancer than non-cancerous tissue. Some cancers are more resilient, so there are differences in how they respond to treatment, and this can cause more harm to the patient.
"Electrochemotherapy involves clever anatomical targeting of a specific site and is an effective way of protecting healthy cells.
"The results we are seeing in cases like Tigga’s are unprecedented and we are learning about the procedure all the time. We are always looking for better ways of treating cancer without the effect of harming the patient indiscriminately and this has proved to be a very effective way of doing this."
According to NDSR, the results could help inform the development of the targeted treatment in humans, where electrochemotherapy is used in a small number of cases in the NHS.
At present, many clinical trials are carried out on laboratory animals which are bred with no immune system – but dogs have similarities in genetics to humans and have working immune systems, meaning they can provide a more accurate parallel for how the treatment may work in people.
Gerry said: "A pet dog would be a good model for human cancer studies. It's a mammal with a heartbeat, blood supply and working immune system.
"Progress with electrochemotherapy in animals is being made in parallel with progress in electrochemotherapy in the human field, and what we are learning may even inform what is happening in people.
"Electrochemotherapy is a form of treatment which Cancer Research UK describe as 'fairly new' on its website, with limited information about its effectiveness. So maybe something would be gained from learning together."
To be entered into the prize draw, you need to view three short webinars on feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) on the Boehringer Academy website – www.boehringer-academy.co.uk.
The online seminars, which each last for approximately 20-30 minutes, count towards CPD and are as follows:
Tuesday 20 June at 7.30pmThe role of IDEXX SDMA in early diagnosis of feline CKDLearn how you can detect feline CKD earlier and more reliably with the IDEXX SDMA blood testSusan Randell, Head of Internal Medicine at IDEXX Laboratories
Tuesday 4 July at 7.30pmThe importance of early diagnosis in feline CKDUnderstand the importance of early diagnosis in cases of CKD and the impact this can have on progression of the diseaseSarah Caney, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Feline Medicine
Tuesday 18 July at 7.30pmThe balanced approach to feline CKDDiscover more about the balanced approach to managing the progression of feline CKDSarah Caney, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Feline Medicine
The three-day ISFM congress takes place at Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort from 7-9 November. The congress will explore the latest developments in feline medicine and keynote speakers, Carolyn O’Brien and Jessica Quimby, will cover a range of current and challenging feline medicine topics. Local speakers complement the varied programme, which aims to offer practical hints and tips for delegates to take back and use in clinic.
The prize includes flights, transfers and bed and breakfast accommodation for two people for three nights in Phuket, as well as two delegate tickets to the ISFM congress. The prize draw will take place w/c 14 August.
To enter, watch all three new Semintra webinars on the Boehringer Academy website: www.boehringer-academy.co.uk.
Sarah Gasper, BEVA’S Learning Manager said: "Many of us on the BEVA education team understand exactly what it’s like to return to practice whether after a career break, paternity/maternity or sickness leave. We also understand the specific challenges of moving from mixed into equine practice.
"We have created these courses to help make the transition back to work as smooth as possible. We’ve tried to incorporate everything we wish we had had access to when we returned to practice!"
Reinvigorate your approach to equine practice will be held on 12th March 2019 at Lythe Hill Hotel, Haslemere. The lecture and forum based course will explore the latest advances in internal medicine, orthopaedics, and sports medicine, and how to apply them to develop evidence-based clinical approaches to common and emergency scenarios in practice.
Getting (back) into equine practice will be held on 13th March 2019 at Liphook Equine Hospital, Hampshire. This entirely practical day of CPD will all be about improving the confidence of established equine vets and for vets returning to work following a career break. The course will focus on the practical procedures that an established equine ambulatory vet might be expected to perform on a regular basis. In a new approach to CPD we are trialling a system where delegates can shape part of this unique CPD day for themselves, with an online poll pre-course to select from a choice of practicals.
Both courses will have childcare facilities to help support parents wishing to attend CPD.
BEVA will also be running a course on the fundamentals of sedation, field anaesthesia and castration on 27th and 28th March 2019 at World Horse Welfare, Snetterton, Norfolk. This 'hands-on' course is designed for new or recent graduates or those in mixed practice with varied levels of equine work. It comprises evening lectures on the first day to free up more time for hands-on training on day two. It will cover sedation and field anaesthesia required for common field surgery such as castration, both in theory and in a practical session, with the equine welfare charity venue able to provide a high number of colts for castration work. Nerve blocks and regional anaesthesia for other common procedures will also be covered on cadavers.
For further information on BEVA’s new CPD courses visit www.beva.org.uk/cpd
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica has launched Prascend, the first licensed product for the treatment of Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) in horses, commonly known as Equine Cushing's Disease.
Prascend contains pergolide mesylate, and is supplied in 60 and 160 tablet packs of 1mg tablets.
Craig Beck, equine sales and marketing manager at Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica said: "Many horses and ponies with Cushing's Disease benefit from treatment with pergolide, however, with less than 200 people still being treated with pergolide in the UK, many vets and horse owners have expressed concern that they will not be able access treatment in the future.
"We have invested in dedicated veterinary manufacturing of this product, and can assure our customers that the future supply of Prascend is guaranteed irrespective of any changes of in the human generic market."
For further information, visit www.prascend.co.uk or call 01344 746959
The first, carried out by Nanna Luthersson and colleagues and published online in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science in March, evaluated the laminitis risk factors in a group of Danish horses and ponies.1 It confirmed that Cold-blooded type animals <149cm, such as certain native ponies, as well as those being kept on high quality pasture were at an increased risk of developing laminitis for the first time. It also highlighted the important role that a change in grass intake, in terms of both type and amount, may play at any time of the year not only the spring as commonly thought.
The second study, funded in part by the PetPlan Charitable Trust, British Veterinary Association Animal Welfare Foundation Norman Hayward Fund and the Laminitis Trust, was undertaken in conjunction with Nicola Menzies-Gow (Royal Veterinary College) and published online in the Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ) in August. The study evaluated the risk factors for the development of laminitis prior to the occurrence of the disease.2 It identified that low concentrations of the adipose tissue derived hormone adiponectin, together with high serum insulin concentrations (at rest and as part of a diagnostic test for PPID) may predict an increased risk of future pasture-associated laminitis.
It is hoped that future studies will be able to generate more robust cut off values, which will more accurately predict future laminitis development in an individual animal.
The RVC in collaboration with Waltham is now taking this forward through a study in which these markers are measured regularly, in conjunction with a detailed management assessment, in a group of ponies with no known history of laminitis at the start.
Clare Barfoot RNutr and the research and development manager at Spillers said: "The Danish study gives us important practical facts about the susceptibility of cold-blooded types, and is particularly applicable to natives in the UK. The second study gives hope that there may soon be a test or series of tests that will help predict those at an increased risk of suffering from pasture associated laminitis in the future thereby reducing the number of animals affected by this debilitating condition. In the meantime until we fully understand the condition it is sensible to manage all the risk factors we currently know about, in particular keeping your horse at a healthy weight."
Currently Principal of the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, and previously Dean of the University of Glasgow’s School Of Veterinary Medicine, Stuart has been a member of RCVS Council since 2005, and served as RCVS President in 2014-15.
As chair of the Education Policy and Specialisation Committee in 2011, Stuart oversaw the College’s review of veterinary specialisation, which also led to the new Advanced Practitioner status.
He has also been a driving force behind the joint RCVS and BVA Vet Futures project since its inception in 2015.
As Chair of the RCVS Governance Panel, he recently saw through reform of the College’s governance arrangements to improve the efficiency and accountability of its decision-making processes.
Stuart has also chaired the RCVS Science Advisory Panel.
He continues to chair the College’s Mind Matters Initiative, which aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all those in the veterinary team.
A particularly notable achievement during his Presidential year was to allow UK veterinary surgeons to use the courtesy title ‘Doctor’ if they so wished.
Lizzie Lockett, RCVS Chief Executive said: "We have been incredibly fortunate to have someone of Stuart’s calibre, character and international renown on our Council for so many years. His contributions and commitment to the RCVS, as well as to the wider veterinary professions, are as significant as they are often understated.
"On behalf of RCVS Council and all the staff, I should like to say how delighted we are that he has been honoured in this way. Such recognition is very much deserved and we send him our warmest congratulations."
The Stablelab hand-held reader detects and quantifies the biomarker Serum Amyloid A (SAA), an acute phase protein produced by the liver that increases rapidly and dramatically in response to inflammation.
Zoetis says that by measuring SAA, vets can assess the severity of an infection more quickly, often before clinical symptoms start, and are able to monitor the horse’s response over the course of treatment.1
Zoetis vet Wendy Talbot said: “Zoetis is committed to providing vets and horse owners with the most effective health products to better predict, prevent, detect and treat equine disease.
“The Stablelab test kit enables convenient, off-site testing for quick and accurate detection of a reliable indicator of infection in horses.
“Point-of-care testing is one of the fastest-growing areas of diagnostics and this test is rapidly becoming a standard of care in equine practice. SAA testing will help vets to quickly determine an appropriate course of intervention, positively impacting case outcomes.”
For more information, visit: www.stablelab.com. To place an order, contact your Zoetis Account Manager or the Zoetis Technical Team on customersupportUK@zoetis.com or 0845 300 9084 (option 3).
The strange phenomenon was spotted by Veterinary Vision's clinical director Chris Dixon when he examined Dachshund called Margo, which had been referred for the treatment of a corneal ulcer and fungal infection.
Chris said: “I was assessing Margo’s eye and was very surprised to see a face smiling back at me.
"It perhaps doesn't bear quite the same resemblance as the Turin Shroud. Still, I've never seen anything like it before.
"The good news is that it does not appear to have affected her vision at all.”
Apparently the smiling face is still there, even after Chris performed a corneal graft.
Chris added: "I think we can safely say that Margo is a very happy dog, both inside and out!"
A free copy of the compendium has been sent to every veterinary practice in the UK, and it is also available online at: www.noahcompendium.co.uk. A special edition of the book commissioned by AMTRA will also be available for its SQPs shortly.
NOAH chief executive Dawn Howard said: "The NOAH Compendium, in all its formats, remains a major part of NOAH’s efforts to ensure appropriate access and responsible use of medicines for all animals. We are pleased it is even more comprehensive this year, as we continue to expand its list of contributors.
"Every NOAH member, as well as the non-member participants in the NOAH Compendium, is a signatory to the NOAH Code of Practice on Promotion, which demonstrates their commitment to operate above and beyond any regulatory requirements."
She added: “As well as product datasheets, the Compendium includes another vital resource – the contact details for each participating company. Company veterinary and technical advisors have detailed knowledge about their company’s medicines. The NOAH Code includes the requirement for NCAH qualification for NOAH staff in technical dialogue with prescribers and users of animal medicines – meaning their advice can be regarded as a valuable and trusted resource. They are ready to talk to prescribers about the use of a medicine in a particular animal or in a particular situation, as well as to explain any queries about the data sheet."
Veterinary practices that have not yet received a copy, perhaps because they are new or have changed address in the past year should contact NOAH (noah@noah.co.uk).
Extra copies are also available to order, for £47.50. Special prices are also available for bulk orders.
Andrea Tarr, Veterinary Prescriber’s founder and director said: "There is a lot of confusion about the various rules and regulations around medicine storage. This module makes sense of it all. It is an essential read for anyone who deals with veterinary medicines, particularly those preparing for a VMD or RCVS PSS medicines inspection."
Veterinary Prescriber’s reviews are presented as e-learning modules. All the modules are the result of a thorough literature search and collaboration between practising specialists, general practitioners and the publication's editorial team.
Veterinary Prescriber is supported by subscriptions which cost £9.95 per month (cancel anytime) for individuals or £25 per month (for a 12-month contract) for practices. The latter includes 12 months free access to https://cpd.veterinaryprescriber.org for your practice's vet nurses, vet receptionists and SQPs.
To subscribe visit: https://www.veterinaryprescriber.org/subscribe
For further information, contact: carlrussell@veterinaryprescriber.org telephone 07932 044904.
Novartis Animal Health has announced that it will no longer be manufacturing and supplying the enzootic abortion vaccine, Mydiavac.
The company reassures its customers that current stocks will continue to be distributed as smoothly as possible.
Zoetis has launched a 4ml vial of the antibiotic, Convenia.
Zoetis says Convenia gives veterinary surgeons control by providing an assured injectable treatment course, relieving clients of the burden of daily dosing. This avoids missed or mistimed doses, lost tablets, or courses stopped too soon, thereby eliminating a major reason for treatment failure, non-compliance. Poor compliance is also a significant factor in the development of antimicrobial resistance.
Convenia is licensed for skin, soft tissue and urinary tract infections in dogs and cats, as well as severe gingivitis/periodontitis in dogs (as an adjunct to mechanical or surgical periodontal therapy). A 4ml vial can treat up to 40kg of bodyweight, making it appropriate for treating cats and smaller dogs.
Zoetis says that the launch of the new vial demonstrates its commitment to the 'Respect Antibiotics' campaign launched last year. The Respect Antibiotics campaign encourages careful and informed selection of appropriate antibiotic therapies for the treatment of dogs and cats.
Product Manager, Andrew Page, said; "We are committed to encouraging responsible antibiotic usage, and reducing the incidence of antibiotic resistance. Non-compliance plays a key role in the development of antibiotic resistance and we hope that by making Convenia more accessible through the introduction of a 4ml vial we can help alleviate compliance issues."
For further details about Convenia please contact your Zoetis Account Manager.