Anthony Chadwick, a referral dermatologist, has teamed up with other experts to offer a series of web-based seminars with the aim of bringing accessible and convenient CPD to vets. 50 VetSurgeon members can attend the webinars for half price. Just enter the word vetsurgeon in the discount box on the site.
The webinars can be viewed from a practice or office and cover key veterinary topics including:
The webinars will be broadcast between 9.00 pm and 10.00 pm in a series running from 22 April to 27 May 2010.
Anthony said: "Many vets don't finish consulting until 7.00 pm and then have evening or family commitments. This can make finding the time to attend high quality CPD difficult, particularly if it's a long way away.
"Webinars are already proving popular as a convenient but effective form of CPD in many sectors so I'm hoping to help the veterinary profession share the benefits they offer. Certainly my own experience is that they are easy to access and offer excellent value without the hassle of travel and late nights."
To view the webinars vets need a fixed line broadband connection, a PC with a sound card and a headset. Once payment is made, delegates are given instructions online to enable them to view the webinar they have selected.
The cost to view the whole series is £80.
Further information, including the full course schedule, is available at http://www.thewebinarvet.com/ or by contacting Anthony Chadwick on 0151 270 1759.
Vita Referrals has been set up by Rob Quinn, an RCVS and EBVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, and Nick Blackburn and Stuart Cooke, both RCVS Advanced Practitioners in Small Animal Surgery.
They say that their aim is to ensure every pet owner has access to reasonably priced surgical care.
To that end, the clinic lists fixed costs for all of its major surgical specialities on its website, where it says clients should notice a significant reduction compared to other providers.
It also offers a 12-month post-surgical complications warranty.
Rob said: “Many pet-owners are unaware that there are three major companies which own the vast majority of veterinary practices in the UK.
"That is not necessarily of benefit to those using the services, as prices can rise when competition is low.
"Myself, Nick and Stuart felt very strongly that there was a different way to do things.
“No one becomes a vet to see animals suffer or pet-owners struggle to make tough financial decisions.
"We knew it was possible to offer a top quality service, with the best facilities and equipment available, whilst also keeping prices at a realistic level – and that is where the vision for Vita Referrals came from.
"We also wanted the freedom to offer collaborative decision-making, the removal of complex forms and bureaucracy and what we believe is an industry-leading 12-month complications guarantee on routine surgeries.
"It’s time there was more disruption and competition in the sector – and that will, ultimately, only be a good thing for pets, owners and vets.”
www.vitareferrals.co.uk
The clinic will be headed up by Dr Ursula Dietrich, an RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology, who will be stepping down as senior lecturer in veterinary ophthalmology at The Royal Veterinary College to take up her new post.
Ursula has held a number of prestigious positions including Chair of the Scientific Committee of European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists from 2007-2012, member of the Examination Committee of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists from 2002-2006 and Associate Editor (Ophthalmology) of the Journal of Small Animal Practice since 2012-18. She also holds Diplomas from the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Opthalmologists.
Ursula said: “I am thrilled to take on this new role, heading up The London Cat Clinic’s new opthalmology centre. The clinic is doing wonderful things in feline veterinary care as the largest specialist practice devoted solely to cats in the UK. The ophthalmology service is the next exciting development in achieving our goal of being a centre of excellence in feline veterinary medicine."
London Cat Clinic Founder, Dr Jeremy Campbell, said: “We are delighted to welcome Dr Dietrich to the team, as she brings with her a wealth of experience in the field of feline ophthalmology. She will be a wonderful asset to The London Cat Clinic, as we embark on an exciting new chapter.”
For more information about referring a case to The London Cat Clinic, visit: https://www.thelondoncatclinic.co.uk/
CVS has announced the acquisition of four further veterinary practices bringing the total number of practices it owns across the UK to 92 operating from 253 sites.
The latest practices to join CVS are: Crescent Veterinary Clinic Ltd, Melton Mowbray; Miller & Swann Veterinary Surgery, Elgin; West Mount Vets, Halifax and Anchorage Veterinary Hospital, Acle.
CVS now employs more than 2,300 staff at its veterinary practices and surgeries across the UK and in its related veterinary businesses, including an online pharmacy, two pet crematoriums and six veterinary laboratories.
Tramadol has become a controlled drug and has been added to Schedule 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001
The change to the regulations, which was made by the Home Office means that the drug is now subject to special requirements when writing prescriptions.
The RCVS says practitioners should also note that:
Although tramadol is exempt from Safe Custody Regulations, the RCVS advises that all Schedule 3 controlled drugs are locked away.
The Home Office has also reclassified ketamine as a Class B controlled drug. However, it remains under Schedule 4 (Part 1) of the 2001 Regulations meaning that the legal requirements for supply, storage and record keeping remain the same.
The RCVS therefore continues to advise that practice premises should:
Further details about the specific requirements for controlled drugs can be found in the Veterinary Medicines Directorate’s Guidance Note No 20 – Controlled Drugs.
Practice premises can also contact the RCVS Professional Conduct Department for further guidance on 020 7202 0789 or profcon@rcvs.org.uk.
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has announced the launch of PORCILIS AR-T DF, an inactivated vaccine against progressive atrophic rhinitis in piglets with a new adjuvant which the company says is associated with fewer injection site reactions.
PORCILIS AR-T DF uses DILUVAC FORTE (DF), an aqueous vitamin E-based adjuvant and will replace PORCILIS AR-T, a similar vaccine containing an oil-based adjuvant. The newly formulated vaccine is approved to reduce the clinical signs of progressive atrophic rhinitis in their offspring. Progressive atrophic rhinitis is caused by a toxin from the bacteria Pasteurella multocida affecting bone-forming cells in the snout of the young piglet.
Marc Dickie, Senior Director, Global Swine Business Unit at Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health said: "The innovative PORCILIS AR-T DF vaccine combines the proven efficacy of the current PORCILIS AR-T with an improved safety profile and convenience for the veterinarian that is offered by the aqueous DILUVAC FORTE adjuvant. The new vaccine also demonstrates the commitment of our company to continuously improve our vaccines, thereby offering value-added benefits to our customers."
DuoTox is the first product to combine activated charcoal and diosmectite, providing a wider spectrum of absorbency against various toxic substances.
Accidental poisoning poses a significant threat to pets, with vets in the UK reporting over 30001 cases a week and making an average 60 calls a day to the VPIS for assistance2
In 2020, 7.1 million pets fell ill after eating something poisonous1 and the VPIS reported a 40% increase in poisoning enquiries in 20212.
The most commonly used product for accidental ingestion is activated charcoal, but it only has affinity for certain substances.
Diosmectite also only binds to select substances, but is not as widely used.
Up until now, the two have not been used together in one product, leaving situations where the chosen binder has no effect.
NVS says that in cases of potential ingestion, identifying the exact substance consumed, and relying on vets to know which binder to use for each substance, is a barrier to successful toxin binding.
Malcolm Dickinson, Category Manager for Select from NVS, said: “Activated charcoal has affinity for substances that are, for example acidic, non-ionised or poorly water soluble, leaving a gap for substances that are alkaline, cationic, hydrophilic etc.
"This is where the absorbency profile of diosmectite comes in to create one product with a much wider spectrum of adsorbency.”
“This will be hugely beneficial to vets in practice: vets can reach for one product, knowing it will be effective.”
DuoTox is available in both paste and liquid forms, designed with palatability in mind.
https://www.nvsweb.co.uk/product-brand/select-healthcare/
References:
Led by Aarti Kathrani, a senior lecturer in small animal internal medicine at the Royal Veterinary College, and Jennifer Larsen, Professor of Clinical Nutrition at the University of California School of Veterinary Medicine, the presentation will focus on how veterinary professionals in general practice can manage nutritional recommendations for patients that have two or more health conditions with competing or overlapping nutritional needs.
During the webinar, Aarti and Jennifer will share practical insights into making effective clinical decisions when selecting diets for patients with multiple conditions and reflect on how this can support the management of these cases.
They will explore scenarios where the optimal diet for one condition may not be suitable for a concurrent condition, requiring clinicians to prioritise.
The speakers will also address how nutrition and feeding management can be modified to ensure medication delivery without compromising therapeutic efficacy.
The webinar will also address the issue of pet owners seeking non-veterinary recommendations or relying on internet research for advice (something which apparently 78.6% of pet owners do1).
https://webapp.spotme.com/login/eventspace/CollaborativeCareJuly2023
Reference
The newly-formed British Mobile Veterinary Association has announced that it will officially launch alongside the London Vet Show, at The Bird In Hand in Kensington at 7:00pm on the 19th November.
The launch will include an inaugural general meeting (AGM) followed by a networking dinner with special guest, mobile vet colleague, author, LVS speaker and IAAHPC President, Dr. Kathy Cooney, DVM (USA).
Co-Founder and owner of Vets2Home - Peaceful Pet Goodbyes Susan Gregersen said: "Having been a mobile vet for ten years, I am thrilled to see such a massive year-on-year increase in new mobile practices around the UK over the past 10 years and it seems a logical step to organise the growing number of colleagues operating this rather atypical and alternative practice model in an official Association.
Amy Bergs, owner of The Cat Doctor in Surrey and co-founder of the BMVA said: "It is our hope, through the BMVA and the online directory of mobile member practices, that we can help raise awareness among pet owners and vet colleagues alike about the valuable and high standard of services we offer to pets and their owners in their own home."
Susan added: "Offering veterinary health care to our patients in their own home, whenever possible, is a natural progression in a convenience-driven society and where companion animals are now regarded as fully fledged family members seeking only the very best in veterinary attention and health care. Demand for these services are clearly exploding as many owners now turn to dedicated, un-hurried and convenient services such as those offered by personal, flexible mobile vets and as comprehensive services are often offered in collaboration with local, forward-thinking full-service practices."
Amy, who is a cat-only mobile vet in her third year, added: "Providing quality at-home veterinary care is rewarding but not always easy, often requiring skills and techniques that can only be gained through experience. The ability to exchange and build professional knowledge in this developing, niche area is therefore invaluable and we hope all mobile vet colleagues in the UK will join us in this new initiative. By bringing together many like-minded individuals into an official association and online mobile vet directory, we aim to increase awareness of this alternative type of veterinary care – a goal which will benefit not only our members but also the patients and clients that appreciate our services."
For more information, membership enquiries or if you would like to attend the first AGM in London, contact Susan Gregersen on info@bmva.org.uk or call on 01273 842115. The BMVA and Online Directory can be found on www.bmva.org.uk (don't get the letters jumbled up) which will be launched shortly after the inauguration.
The announcement comes as as findings from the BVA’s Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey showed that 45% of vets under 35 had concerns about their mental health in the last year. While under-35s were among the most likely to seek support, half of veterinary surgeons under 35 with concerns did not seek support and 45% of all vets reported that they weren’t sure, or could not recognise, the signs of mental ill health in a colleague.
A Vet Futures survey found that recent graduates actively look for and want supportive working environments in the early stages of their careers, with two out of five students and young graduates rating a ‘supportive workplace’ as a key factor in influencing career choice.
However, in the BVA’s Voice of the Profession survey, 70% of young vets said they did not feel supported in their professional development phase (PDP) during their first year of employment, indicating that more needs to be done across the veterinary profession as a whole to provide such supportive environments. The survey also revealed that 69% had no appraisal, 82% had no mentor and 77% had no time within standard hours of work to update their PDP record and case notes, with over half having none of these.
The BVA says it is investing in the Young Vet Network (YVN) to support recent graduate groups and help individuals make connections with other young vets in their regions. The BVA’s support includes funding to set up regional groups and run meetings, and a dedicated team to act as a point of contact for YVN groups to help to establish and facilitate new groups throughout the UK, both via social media and through physical meetings, and to signpost resources that are available to vets to help them in their early careers, including with their mental health and wellbeing.
As a member of the RCVS-led Mind Matters Initiative, the BVA is also calling on the profession as a whole to help support the next generation of veterinary surgeons and urging employers and managers to make use of a wide range of practical resources available to help with PDP and mentoring recent graduates. These include:
BVA President Sean Wensley said: "These statistics present a sobering challenge to the veterinary profession and it is essential that we all take steps to support our colleagues. We all have a role to play in making veterinary workplaces supportive and nurturing places for recent graduates. Through the Young Vet Network, BVA is taking a lead to help graduates fulfil their potential as veterinary surgeons, helping them cope with the pressures of the job in their early careers.
"We know we are not alone – there is some fantastic work going on, with some employers embracing PDP and practices making innovative and positive use of ideas such as reflective practice sessions. But clearly this isn’t happening everywhere and we need to make sure good practice is widely disseminated and replicated so we urge everyone to make use of the resources and guides available.
"By investing in students and recent graduates we are investing in our future as a profession. We need to ensure that all vets who need support have access to it and know where to seek help if they need it. I would encourage any colleague with concerns about their mental wellbeing to use the Vetlife helpline and confidential email service."
Anyone interested in setting up a YVN group, including funding support, should contact Tim Keen at timk@bva.co.uk or call 020 7908 6343.
The Horse Trust provides a range of services to support working horses, while Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to alert their owners to cancers and other medical conditions, providing pre-emptive non-invasive warning.
Stephen said: "These two charities' work in strengthening and supporting the human-animal bond is truly remarkable. Though The Horse Trust was originally founded in 1886 as a retirement home for working horses, and this remains a core focus of theirs to this day, it has now evolved to provide a whole range of services, from education to research to rescuing neglected equids.
"Medical Detection Dogs, though founded much more recently in 2008, has already done an incredible amount in its short history - 76 of its dogs are now partnered with people with critical medical conditions, ensuring essential emotional as well as medical support."
Jeanette Allen, CEO of The Horse Trust, said: "The Horse Trust is extremely grateful to the RCVS for this enormously generous donation. We care for 130 horses, ponies and donkeys that have either retired from public service or been rescued from appalling conditions. We also provide dedicated training programmes for first responders who have to deal with horses in crisis situations, as well as being the second largest funder of equine specific veterinary research in the UK. We survive as a charity on donations, and this one is most welcome and greatly appreciated."
Claire Guest, co-founder and chief executive of Medical Detection Dogs, said: "We are so grateful to the RCVS for their very generous donation. We receive no government funding for our work, so we rely entirely on the generosity of organisations like the RCVS. Thanks to this donation, we can continue our pioneering research into the detection of human disease using the extraordinary smelling power of dogs."
The President’s Christmas Box donation is made every year in lieu of sending out RCVS Christmas cards. Previous recipients have included Worldwide Veterinary Service, Mind, Riding for the Disabled Association, Canine Partners, Hounds for Heroes, and Vetlife.
This year's competition saw over 400 applications from vets from across the profession with a passion for photography, judged by an expert panel which this year was joined by zoologist and wildlife photographer, Victoria Hillman and Guardian picture editor, Eric Hilaire.
Jennifer Dykes won first prize in her category for a photograph of two sheep seemingly 'in conversation' on a misty morning at Castlerigg Stone Circle in the Lake District. She called it ‘Conversations at Dawn (Sheep at Dawn Lakes)’.
Jennifer: "I am overjoyed that my image has been selected as the overall winner of the All Creatures Great and Small category, especially having seen the high calibre of photographs entered in previous years. I’d come across images of Castlerigg stone circle near Keswick before and so I dragged us all out of bed exceptionally early to try and capture the dawn. The combination of the early light and the mist provided the perfect backdrop to the foreground scene; the sheep seemingly completely unfazed by the presence of a few bystanders. Capturing their normality, amidst such beautiful surroundings, was my intention when taking this photograph."
Judge, Victoria Hillman said: "The composition draws you into the sheep, which are an integral part of the image without being front and centre. The light and mist bring a real atmosphere to the image that beautifully sums up the British countryside. It’s a very well thought out and executed image."
In the ‘One Veterinary Community’ category, Laura Caballero Pastor, a small animal vet from Gateshead, won first place. Her photograph depicts a vet helped by the community to vaccinate a dog against rabies in Nepal. She named it ‘One shot, two lives’ and said that the photo was taken during a project where she was part of a veterinary team working with the community to neuter, treat and educate on managing dog populations for rabies and other diseases.
Laura said: "Receiving recognition for this picture enforces my belief in the responsibility that the veterinary sector has to promote animal health to global communities and society. There is a thin line between humans and animals when we talk about diseases. Also, this photo encourages me to continue working on international projects and to be aware of all the amazing possibilities our profession has to offer."
Judge Eric Hilaire said: "With an expressive framing this meaningful picture has captured two important aspects of veterinary work. On one side, treatment, with this team vaccinating street dogs against rabies, on the other, prevention, with this girl holding tight on her booklet."
BVA President Simon Doherty said: "I was pleased to see such a strong portfolio of entries alongside an incredible diversity of subjects. Many congratulations go to our winners Laura and Jennifer, as well as the highly commended selections, and I’d also like to thank everyone who entered."
"I hope it will inspire more BVA members to dust off their cameras, and go and capture some great images for next year."
The winning and highly commended photographs will be exhibited at Brangwyn Hall in Swansea on Thursday 19th September as part of BVA’s Members’ Day. The images can be viewed here.
Companion Care has opened its 80th surgery, within the Ilford Pets at Home store.
Companion Care Vets managing director, Jane Balmain said: "The opening of our 80th surgery proves the success of our joint venture partner business model. At present the majority of our surgeries are located inside Pets at Home stores but we also have four very successful standalone surgeries. Our standalone surgery network is now being developed to create further exciting opportunities for future growth, with our first new standalone surgery opening in Scotland this December."
Joint venture partner and veterinary surgeon at Companion Care Vets Ilford Alberto Arciniega said: "Alongside the fantastic team we have on board, my partners Nick and Claire and I are extremely proud to be opening our second surgery here in Ilford. Having been partners at the Romford surgery since July 2009 we have seen the company grow consistently and successfully. We feel honoured to be opening the groups' 80th surgery and look forward to the challenge of managing both practices and to delivering outstanding veterinary care."
With 102 Joint Veterinary Partners, 83 of whom are veterinary surgeons, 12 veterinary nurses, 6 practice managers and 1 receptionist and a further 789 staff employed by the group Companion Care Vets is one of the largest veterinary employers in the UK. Dividend payments to joint venture partners in the 2010/2011 period totalled £2.181 million and the group says it plans to open a further 10 surgeries across the UK before the end of year.
Isle of Wight based veterinary surgeon Dan Forster has had his mobile practice named as the best Business to Consumer Start-up at the inaugural Ready for Business Awards 2013.
Dan launched The Mobile Vet in June 2013, since when he has treated patients from across the Isle of Wight and allowed members of the community who may have been unable to take their pets to the vets for years due to illness or age-related conditions access care for their animals. He says his service has also reactivated many dormant patients who had not visited a vet for many years and had fallen behind with vaccinations, plus those who had decided not to visit because their pets were too nervous or aggressive. Apparently, the service has also gone down well with busy families and households with multiple pets.
The judging panel included David Hitchcock of Barclays, Amanda Hurford from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Titus Sharpe, chief executive of MVF Global and winner of the Sunday Times Tech Track 2013. They selected The Mobile Vet as the winner due to its innovative approach whilst still offering all the traditional veterinary services its customers require. The judges were also impressed by its potential for growth, not just in the South East, but possibly throughout the UK and its drive to continually invest in the latest equipment and create additional job opportunities.
Dan said: "We are truly delighted to have our achievements recognised with such a prestigious accolade so soon after launching The Mobile Vet. The help we received to get started and the on-going support available to us has made it possible to develop our idea into a thriving business operation and we now look forward to pushing ahead with our plans for the future."
Kevin Horne, chairman of the Cavendish Consortium added: "In what was a highly competitive category, The Mobile Vet stood out as offering a very difference proposition to its customers and demonstrated a clear understanding of the needs of its clients. We were impressed by the drive and determination shown by Dan and his colleagues to make what is an extremely novel idea a business reality and wish them, and all the other worthy finalists, well as they strive forward."
Ear cropping in UK dogs was exposed by BBC’s Panorama as a growing problem particularly with extreme mix breeds such as American Bullies and XL Bullies.
Dave said: “We need to urgently relook at legislation in the UK to prevent the serious rise in ear cropping which we’ve witnessed in recent years.”
It is currently illegal for a dog’s ears to be cropped in the UK, and proposals for a ban on importing dogs with cropped ears have been put forward by the Government. However, Dave says this legislation doesn’t go far enough to prevent an exponential rise in dogs with cropped ears, which some owners see as a status symbol: “At the moment the legislation in the UK is very hard to enforce unless you actually catch someone in the act of cropping the dog’s ears.
“It’s not currently illegal for someone to own a dog with cropped ears.
"So, if an owner were challenged by enforcement agencies, they’d just say ‘I bought the dog like this’ and there’s no liability.” “We propose that any dogs who already have cropped ears at the time the ban is due to come into force, must be registered on a database, which enforcement agencies and the veterinary profession would have access to.
"And for anyone owning an unregistered dog with cropped ears after the legislation comes into effect, then it’s a criminal offence.”
The Panorama programme also exposed co-ownership – where the breeder and the pet owner share ownership of the dog, often the bitch – as a system which has enabled unscrupulous breeders to get around current laws on dog breeding in the UK.
The breeder retains ownership of the stud dog and uses the network of co-owned female dogs for reproduction purposes. Dave said: “People need to be made aware of the risks of entering into a legal contract as a co-owner of one of these extreme mix breed dogs. “All the contracts I have seen in my role as an expert witness are strongly weighed in favour of the breeder. “So for example if the bitch does not have the requisite number of litters, or becomes ill or injured and has to be put to sleep, then the co-owner is fully liable for the full purchase cost of the dog to the breeder. “Considering that the female dogs are often valued in excess of £12k and the breeder may well have connections to organised crime or have a criminal record, there are huge risks for people entering into co-ownership.”
A Lincolnshire couple desperate to find an alternative to Elizabethan veterinary collars, after their dog Tess suffered a traumatic experience, have invented a new range of wound coverings called Cozi-fit.
According to Terri and Dave Ward from Skellingthorpe near Lincoln, who designed the new product, Cozi-fit is the clear alternative to Elizabethan or Buster collars. It comes in five different sizes, and the couple say that Cozi-fit is already going down well with vets and pet owners alike.
The idea for the Cozi-fit came about after the Ward's dog Tess had a hysterectomy. Dave said: "The hysterectomy was stressful enough, but Tess then had to wear a collar to stop her licking the wound. We also had to isolate her from our other dogs and she quickly became depressed and stopped eating.
"We were so worried about her that I decided to try and make a replacement using a pillowcase which we attached to her collar and fastened round her torso and hindquarters. As the wound was covered she could be around our other dogs and her movement wasn't restricted in any way.
"I was so delighted with the result that I decided to refine my design and took it to our local vet to get his opinion and it kind of grew from there. The wound coverings now come in five different sizes to suit all dogs and cats and are made from durable cotton fabric.
"We now supply over 30 veterinary surgeries including a number of Companion Care vet surgeries as well as the RSPCA and are currently in negotiation with retailers up and down the country."
Peter Munro from Whitegates Veterinary Practice said he was impressed when Terri first came to him with her initial idea: "Cozi-fit wound covers have proved to be a great benefit in protecting abdominal and castration wounds from self-trauma, especially where collars are not well tolerated and we've had some really positive feedback from our clients."
Although the product has been well received since coming on the market Dave says there are still thousands of vets, breeders and pet owners who are unaware of Cozi-fit.
"Vets perform over three million operations every year in the UK, many of which will be neuters, caesarean sections or other types of abdominal surgery, and Cozi-fit is ideal for these types of procedures.
"It is easy to fit, allows free and natural movement at all times and is a more pleasant experience for both the animal and their owner."
For more information about Cozi-fit please visit http://www.cozi-fit.com/.
Saliva was collected from 237 horses at the UK welfare charity, Bransby Horses, where EquiSal Tapeworm saliva testing was used to inform on anthelmintic administration over the course of a year. This diagnostic-led approach reduced the use of anti-tapeworm treatments by 86% compared to 6 monthly interval treatment strategies.
Austin Davis Biologics Ltd, the maker of the EquiSal Tapeworm saliva test, says it accurately diagnoses horses with a tapeworm infection, providing a low, borderline or moderate/high diagnosis.
Treatment is recommended for horses with a borderline or moderate/high result2.
In this latest study, the company says most horses diagnosed below the treatment threshold in the first saliva test remained below the threshold in the following two tests and 168 horses (71%) required no anti-tapeworm treatment at all.
Importantly, no increase in tapeworm infection prevalence was observed during the study period and only seven horses received treatment following all three saliva tests, suggesting that some horses are more susceptible to tapeworm infections.
The EVJ has prepared a podcast summarising the study findings here: https://evj.podbean.com/e/evj-of-the-hoof-podcast-no-1-march-2018-use-of-saliva-based-diagnostic-test-to-identify-tapeworm-infection-in-horses-in-the-uk/.
The study authors have also prepared a video abstract which can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/254338616 .
EquiSal saliva collection kits are available at trade prices to veterinary practices and SQPs. Contact enquiries@equisal.com or visit www.equisal.com for more information.
References
The clinic will assess cats and dogs under six months old where a heart murmur has been detected.
Willows will then recommend a course of action and, if required, carry out keyhole surgery.
Chris Linney, head of cardiology at Willows, said: "This is the first specialist-led, congenital heart disease clinic in the country and will use some of the latest and most advanced equipment available in the veterinary world. As well as advanced ultrasound, we also have state-of-the-art CT available for assessment of complex cases.
"With the support of the 24/7 hospital service and other specialist disciplines here at Willows, it means we can offer excellent care to our patients, their owners and referring vets.
"All young animals with murmurs may benefit from the clinic, but those that are always recommended to undergo assessment are puppies with murmurs grade three (out of six) and over, and kittens with murmurs grade four (out of six) and over.
"By reviewing these animals at a younger age, we hope to be able to put care plans in place that can improve their long-term health.
"We will also offer a precise diagnosis, outlook and prognosis on the cause of the heart murmur and, where needed, carry out minimally-invasive keyhole surgery.
"Often, the earlier these are performed the better the outlook for the patient."
For more information, visit www.willows.uk.net.
The Blue Cross is offering a lifeline to even more needy pets across the UK following an extension to its successful veterinary grant scheme.
Relaunched as “The Blue Cross Veterinary Care Fund”, the charity has increased available funding and doubled the maximum grant it will pay towards veterinary costs of a particular treatment, operation or neutering procedure if the owner can't afford it.
The initiative was first launched in 2005 to help pet owners on low incomes who do not live near Blue Cross hospitals or clinics. So far the charity has awarded thousands of grants through 1,100 veterinary practices, 28% of all private vets in the UK. The demand from needy pets around the country prompted The Blue Cross to increase the maximum grant to £200 towards the veterinary treatment costs.
Pet owners must be on a means tested benefit or state pension with no other income to be eligible for support through the Veterinary Care Fund. Those on a very low income may also be eligible for the grant and should contact The Blue Cross for further advice.
The charity is also opening a new veterinary welfare clinic on 3 June 2008. The clinic, based at the animal adoption centre in Tiverton, will carry out basic procedures such as microchipping and vaccinations, and treat minor ailments. More serious or complicated cases will be referred to a local veterinary practice where treatment will be subsidised by The Blue Cross.
For more information about the Veterinary Care Fund or how clients can apply please contact The Blue Cross customer care team on 01993 825593 or email info@bluecross.org.uk
The website, web-vetneurology.com, has an open access veterinary neurology literature section with up-to-date research on all aspects of neurological diagnosis and treatment.
The website also includes a case study section showing video footage and cross-sectional imaging studies of interesting and illustrative cases.
New, common and rare cases of clinical neurology presentations seen in cats and dogs are added every month.
There's also a range of webinars and podcasts.
The first podcast series - Neurology for Vets and Pets – aims to demystify veterinary neurology in small ‘bite-sized’ episodes, aiming to keep vets up to date on how to diagnose and treat the most common problems in practice and the clinical signs they will see in their cat and dog patients.
The second - Neurology for Specialists - is for vets who have a special interest in neurology, looking at the most challenging neurological problems in dogs and cats, and focusing on the latest publications - often presented by the authors of these studies.
Laurent Garosi said: “The reason behind this website is purely altruistic. We share a passion for neurology and - like the launch of our earlier Facebook page – we wanted to use this platform to share the fifty-plus combined years of experience we have between us.
“We do hope that we have created a comprehensive source of veterinary education and that it will act as an invaluable veterinary neurology resource for vets around the globe for many years to come.”
The website has been developed and supported by PRN Pharmacal in the United States.
Dunhelm Veterinary Group in Durham has been targeted by an unusual protest, parked outside its front door.
According to a report in the Northern Echo, the van appeared outside the practice last Saturday.
One of the partners, Jack Creaner told the newspaper that there were no outstanding complaints against the practice and the protest was unexplained.
Although the van has now gone, the practice still has no idea who was behind the protest. However, it does seems to have backfired spectacularly, unleashing a wave of support on the practice's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dunelm-Veterinary-Group/299184546875132
Jack said: "We are very grateful to all the people who took time to make such lovely remarks on social media."
He added the following advice for anyone else who in the profession who finds themselves at the receiving end of this kind of behaviour: "Try not to let these things get to you on a personal level. As we saw lots more people like what we do than don't. As one client put it - you can be the ripest sweetest juiciest peach in the world but someone out there doesn't like peaches."
The following batches are affected:
Dechra is contacting wholesale dealers and asking practices to examine inventory immediately and quarantine products subject to this recall.
For further information contact Ms Carol Morgan: carol.morgan@dechra.com .
The survey will assess vets’ experiences of the disease, biosecurity and the role of vaccination to help prevent strangles.
It includes questions on the number of strangles cases diagnosed in the last year, how the diagnosis was reached and in what instances they would recommend strangles vaccination.
The survey, which is approximately two minutes long, is at: https://forms.office.com/e/wH1UeVFmVW.
All participants will be entered into a prize draw for a £50 Amazon voucher.
For further information on Strangles Awareness Week: https://www.redwings.org.uk/strangles/strangles-awareness-week.
The company says there is often an increase in admissions of hibernating species at this time of year, particularly hedgehogs, and it is thought that numbers of sick and injured wildlife handed over by the general public may increase this year as people spend more time in their gardens and local parks due to coronavirus restrictions.
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society suggests that if uncertain about a hedgehog’s hydration status, it is always best to assume a degree of dehydration.
Macahl regularly donates Oralade to wildlife sanctuaries where it is in widespread use. One such sanctuary is the Wildlife Aid Foundation, based in Surrey, which says: "We frequently use Oralade to help our patients which are suffering from mild dehydration and are reluctant to eat. It works really well for species such as hedgehogs, foxes and badgers as the smell seems to encourage them to lap. It really does give them a boost and can get them eating solid food again which is critical for their rehabilitation."
Macahl says Oralade GI support is suitable for oral rehydration in many wildlife species, including hedgehogs. The suggested maintenance dose is 50ml per kg per 24hrs, with additional quantities needed to correct a hydration deficit. Identifying dehydration is similar to pet species, and includes assessment of skin tent, gum colour, and capillary refill time.
The new guidelines strongly recommend an overall reduction in the use of all classes of medically important antibiotics in food-producing animals, including complete restriction of these antibiotics for growth promotion and disease prevention without diagnosis. Healthy animals should only receive antibiotics to prevent disease if it has been diagnosed in other animals in the same flock, herd, or fish population.
WHO says that where possible, sick animals should be tested to determine the most effective and prudent antibiotic to treat their specific infection. Antibiotics used in animals should be selected from those WHO has listed as being "least important" to human health, and not from those classified as "highest priority critically important", as they are often the last line, or one of a limited number of treatments available to treat serious bacterial infections in humans.
The new guidelines were informed by a systematic review published in The Lancet Planetary Health which found that interventions that restrict antibiotic use in food-producing animals reduced antibiotic-resistant bacteria in these animals by up to 39%1.
Dr Kazuaki Miyagishima, Director of the Department of Food Safety and Zoonoses at WHO said: "Scientific evidence demonstrates that overuse of antibiotics in animals can contribute to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. The volume of antibiotics used in animals is continuing to increase worldwide, driven by a growing demand for foods of animal origin, often produced through intensive animal husbandry."
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO said: "A lack of effective antibiotics is as serious a security threat as a sudden and deadly disease outbreak. Strong, sustained action across all sectors is vital if we are to turn back the tide of antimicrobial resistance and keep the world safe."
Responding to the announcement, BVA Senior Vice President Gudrun Ravetz said: "We welcome the WHO continuing to tackle this serious global health issue. Their guidelines echo the guidance BVA has long been issuing on the responsible use of antimicrobials.
"We agree that the prophylactic use of antimicrobials in healthy animals to prevent disease is never a substitute for good animal husbandry and management.
"Through cross-sector working, the UK is leading the way in significantly reducing antimicrobial usage, having already achieved the UK Government usage targets set for 2020.
"Critically Important Antimicrobials use is at a very low level in the UK, and, as recent Government data shows, is continuing to decrease. It is encouraging that WHO recognises that these vital medicines are sometimes needed, under veterinary judgment and prescription, as a last resort, to prevent the further spread of disease and to protect animal and human health."
The new guidelines can be downloaded here: http://www.who.int/foodsafety/areas_work/antimicrobial-resistance/cia_guidelines/en/