The invaluable work done by equestrian vets in the UK is to be recognised with a new award sponsored by leading equine insurance provider Petplan Equine at the Animal Health Trust Awards in November. The ‘Petplan Equine Vet of the Year' award people's vote will reflect the huge contribution made by vets to the equine community. Owners and riders will be able to nominate their equine vet for the award if they feel that they are deserving of the recognition that this accolade would bring. Veterinary practice personnel are also encouraged to nominate a colleague who they feel has gone beyond the call of duty. Leaflets have been sent to practices across the UK outlining how to nominate and people can also register through the Petplan Equine website http://www.petplanequine.co.uk/. A short list will be drawn up from the nominations received and an independent panel will decide the winner, who will receive his or her award at the Animal Health Trust Equestrian Awards in London on November 6th 2008. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Animal Health Trust Equestrian Awards, which recognise the outstanding achievements made by horses, riders, owners and trainers throughout the equestrian world. This milestone coincides with Petplan Equine's 20th anniversary and, since 1994 when the Petplan Equine Charitable Trust was founded, it has raised over £5 million, almost £500,000 of which has been donated to the AHT to fund research and development. Jo Whitaker of Petplan Equine says: "It has been a privilege to be involved with the AHT Awards over the years and we look forward to this exciting 20th anniversary year. Petplan Equine has sponsored the Eventing Award for the past three years but this new award will recognise the commitment and hard work of people within the equine veterinary profession and the service they provide to horse owners. Horse welfare is paramount at Petplan Equine and we are committed to promoting responsible horse ownership, through our wide range of policies, our charitable contributions and our Horse Handbook. This award will give the equine community the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the vet who has made the most outstanding contribution to the care of horses." To nominate go to http://www.petplanequine.co.uk/. The closing date for nomination is 3rd October 2008.
Vets Now, the Out Of Hours emergency vets has announced the launch of Winchester's first dedicated 24/7 pet ambulance service. Specifically designed for the comfortable and secure transport of all small animals, the new state-of-the-art ambulance is fully kitted out with the latest in emergency equipment. After completing a course of rigorous training, the fully trained 'Petamedics' (the animal equivalent of Paramedics), took to the streets of Winchester earlier in the month. Gareth Roscoe, Vets Now Ambulance Service Team Leader said: "This service will make a real difference to animals in a distressed or critical situation. We've responded to a variety of cases over the past few weeks; one of the most recent ones being a nine week old puppy who was receiving emergency treatment at the Vets Now clinic in Winchester after his owner accidentally fell on him. Charlie was brought to the clinic collapsed and unresponsive with signs of head trauma. The vets set up an intensive treatment plan for him and by the morning, he was almost back to normal and we took him back to his daytime vet. "The ambulance service provides owners in the Winchester area with the safest and fastest method of transporting their pets to get medical treatment twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. What's more, the service is also available to owners who have routine transportation problems; so whether owners and their pets are visiting their clinic for a veterinary appointment, attending a referral centre or even going to the groomers, the Vets Now Ambulance offers them a reliable solution to all their pet transportation needs." The ambulance is a significant new addition to the already established Vets Now Emergency Clinic which is based at the Mildmay Veterinary Centre, Easton Lane in Winchester. Caroline Hirst, Senior Veterinary Surgeon at the emergency clinic commented; "The dedicated 24 hour ambulance has already been called out to help several of our clients ahead of its official media launch on 25 September. As an emergency clinic, we often admit patients overnight, and a real plus of having the ambulance is that we can ensure that pets can be returned to their regular vet or back to their owner in the morning safely and with the minimum of fuss. From experience, Vets Now knows that there are regular occasions when owners are afraid to move their pet if it is unwell or has been involved in an accident. We hope that being able to offer the ambulance service will be of great benefit not only to pets but also to owners, giving them peace of mind that their pet is being cared for and transported in a safe environment until it receives the necessary veterinary treatment at the clinic."
Following an outdoor advertising campaign that ran earlier this year, Drontal has launched a new national campaign, which will see the iconic Schnauzer featured on over 6,000 outdoor sites across England, Scotland and Wales. Drontal product manager, Dan White said: "The last Drontal outdoor advertising campaign was a huge success in driving pet-owning clients into practices and we're hoping to build on this with our new advertising push.
"Approximately, 20% of the new advertising sites will be located within a 500 metre radius of veterinary practices serving to drive pet owners to visit local practices to purchase Drontal. We're not only highlighting the benefits of regular worming which results in healthier cats and dogs, but we're also improving the health of practice business."
For further information on Drontal, please contact your Bayer territory manager.
CPC, the pet crematorium has opened a new facility for bereaved owners who wish to make their final farewell to a much loved pet in person. The farewell suite forms part of CPC's extended premises on the A505 just south of Cambridge at Thriplow Heath. "Being pet owners ourselves as well as professionals, we appreciate how comforting it can be to say goodbye in a way that best reflects the close relationship between pet and owner," said CPC director Duncan Francis. "Often this is expressed through an individual cremation. This gives the owner a final opportunity to say farewell and helps them to achieve closure. At the same time it provides them with their pet's ashes to retain or scatter as they wish. CPC's new suite comprises a reception area, two private rooms, and a viewing room. It has a separate entrance from the offices, so that people who are attending an individual cremation have maximum privacy. "The enlarged facility also means that they can take their time to compose themselves afterwards and leave when they feel ready," Duncan added. The Heydon and Heathfield suites are furnished in calming shades of green, blue and grey with soft cream walls and light ash woodwork. The reception area includes a plasma screen showing tranquil pictures of the garden of remembrance to welcome visitors, while 'alphamusic', which is carefully composed to calm and relax people, plays in the background. The private rooms have a range of comfortable seating and are decorated with subtle floral arrangements and soft pictures. The viewing room contains a purpose-built catafalque (or raised bier) made from Corian. This material consists of a blend of natural minerals, marble and acrylics to provide a peaceful place for the pet's body to rest upon while owners say their goodbyes. The farewell suite is part of a major extension to CPC's main facility. Formally opened in May 2008, this comprises new office accommodation and production capacity for its veterinary waste services. The company moved to the site in the early 1980s. It is licensed for four cremators together with low emissions rotoclaves for the sterilisation of a range of veterinary and clinical wastes and employs approximately 80 people.
CEVA Animal Health has joined forces with PDSA, Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB) and the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) to launch a 'Remember, remember your pets this November' campaign to provide owners with hints and tips on how to look after their pets during the firework season and the precautions they should take to help them cope with their fear of fireworks.
As part of this year's campaign, CEVA will again be running the 'Promote Your Practice' competition, to help practices get the most out of PR and marketing opportunities in the run up to Bonfire Night. Lucy Brett, product manager at CEVA Animal Health said: "Nearly 90 per cent of veterinary professionals believe that owners could do more to protect their pets from the stress of fireworks. It is therefore important that veterinary practices provide pet owners with the best advice on how to prepare their pets for Bonfire Night and ensure that the firework season is as stress free as possible." Vets are being urged to discuss behavioural modification programs for noise phobic pets well in advance of Bonfire Night and to recommend that dog owners create comforting 'dens' for their pets. The benefit of the dens should be maximised by plugging D.A.P.® Diffusers in the rooms where the dogs usually retreat when frightened. Switching the D.A.P. ® Diffuser on around a week before Bonfire Night will allow the pheromone to build up to significant levels and ensure the animal is as relaxed as possible before, during and after the firework season. In addition, D.A.P.® Spray can be applied to a dog's bedding to give further support on the night of the event. D.A.P.® is also available in a collar formulation, designed to reduce the dog's general level of stress. Cats appear generally more capable of managing their fears. However, owners should ensure that cats can access their favourite boltholes and plugging in a Feliway® Diffuser 48 hours before the festivities will increase the sense of security. To request a copy of the Promote Your Practice information pack, please call Lucy Brett at CEVA on 01494 781510.
Novartis Animal Health is launching a new in-practice healthcare initiative designed to raise owner awareness about the importance of regularly treating their pet for fleas and ticks. The Flea & Tick Patrol is supported by a range of eye-catching marketing materials to create a talking point with owners.
Rolling out from August 2008, practices can decide when they wish to run their Flea & Tick Patrol campaign. Interested parties should contact their local Novartis territory manager to find out how.
"Our Flea & Tick Patrol initiative focuses on educating owners about the importance of regularly treating their dog for fleas and ticks and raising awareness of the risks to canine and human health if they don't," said Verity Page, brand manager at Novartis. "We're providing practices with the tools to ensure they engage with clients on this subject. This campaign is about responsible pet ownership - reinforcing the benefits about the health and welfare of their dog and family.
Owners should leave the practice with a positive message about flea and tick control and have a greater understanding of the hidden dangers."
The Flea & Tick Patrol campaign could help to increase business and practice revenue. "Previous campaigns we have implemented in practice have shown that these types of awareness initiatives do add value to a practice's existing services as well as establish good client relationships," added Verity.
Marketing materials include a waiting room poster & display kit, window banner, badges, stickers and a public relations tool kit for use in the practice's communications. For more information about the Flea & Tick Patrol campaign, practices should contact their local Novartis Animal Health territory manager or call the Practice Support Line on 0800 854100.
Dechra Veterinary Products, manufacturer of the leading feline hyperthyroidism treatment Felimazole®, has launched a new website for cat owners about the disorder: http://www.hyperthyroidcat.co.uk/
The website is an online version of Dechra's popular client booklets on feline hyperthyroidism and, since its launch, has averaged 500 unique visitors a month. With pages on diagnosis, treatment and even tips on how to give a pill to a cat, owners now have a place to go for more information and advice on the disease.
Matthew Olsen, product manager at Dechra Veterinary Products says: "This website is perfect for helping owners better understand and manage hyperthyroidism in their cat. It's also useful for practices as they now have somewhere to refer owners to for more information about the diagnosis and management of this complex hormonal disease."
Cards with the new website address are available for practices to hand to clients, along with waiting room posters that will serve as a further reminder of the new site. "The website allows clients to browse the site in the comfort of their own home and is also ideal for practices with limited storage space for client information materials," Dr Olsen continues. "The posters, cards and website enhance Dechra Veterinary Products' existing range of marketing materials available to vets and owners on the subject of feline hyperthyroidism."
Dechra also encourages practices that have their own websites to link directly to http://www.hyperthyroidcat.co.uk/. Practices can order posters and hand-out cards by contacting Dechra on 01743 441632 or email: info@dechra-uk.com
Nurse Helen Lower has successfully completed the Equine Veterinary Nursing qualification and becomes the first in the North of England to do so under the new direct track training system.
Until recently equine nurse training had an indirect route to qualification involving a two years' training with small animals and an extra year's specialist training to qualify as an Equine Nurse. Now The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons recognises that equine nursing requires specialist knowledge and training. It has responded appropriately with a tailor made training structure which will develop highly skilled nurses for this challenging area of veterinary medicine.
Helen Lower joined Bearl Equine Clinic three years ago. She began her career with BHS exams and taught riding for a while before joining the Hunt Service for two years.
At Bearl Equine, Helen leads a team of four nursing assistants and works closely with Jonathan Wainwright, Head of Nurse Training to implement the in-house training programme across the team.
Bearl Equine Clinic is a six vet first opinion and referral practice based in rural Northumberland. The clinic is equipped with MRI, Scintigraphy and full surgical unit.
The Company of Animals has announced the launch of the CLIX® Car Safe Harness. Designed by Animal Psychologist and founder of The Company of Animals, Dr. Roger Mugford, the CLIX® Car Safe harness has been designed to maximise safety and comfort for dogs while ensuring easy fitting and use for owners.
Ergonomically designed from one continuous loop of approved, safety-standard seatbelt material, the CLIX ® Car Safe Harness provides maximum strength restraint in the unfortunate case of an accident. With a simple buckling mechanism, there is no need to fiddle around with the dog's legs to get them through the harness. Instead, the harness clips from either side of the dog and then plugs into the seat belt socket. Alternatively, it can be looped through the seat belt harness, easily adjusting to any type of car.
The CLIX ® Car Safe Harness has been lined with soft neoprene padding at all points of contact for maximum comfort and safety. Special attention has been paid to the cross design used to protect the dog's chest to ensure that the harness remains in place, even when the dog changes position.
CLIX® Car Safe Harness is available in four sizes and is suitable for most breeds of dog. It comes with a free guide on safe travelling with dogs full of helpful tips on car safety. The CLIX® Car Safe also doubles as a walking harness.
For more information, visit http://www.companyofanimals.co.uk/clix-carsafe.php
ESCCAP - the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites - is calling for veterinary practitioners, pet owners and human health physicians to work in unison to reduce the risks associated with zoonotic transmission of parasitic diseases.
The group, comprising eminent European veterinary practitioners and leaders in veterinary parasitology and public health, have joined forces to develop independent guidelines and educational materials for the optimal control of internal and external parasites that threaten the health of pets and people.
"Our mission is simple - to ensure that parasites are no longer a health issue for pets or humans across Europe," said Maggie Fisher, ESCCAP Director, ESCCAP UK member. "Our data and research clearly outlines the future spread of certain parasites across Europe and what will happen in the UK if preventative measures are not taken seriously. The group has been formed to provide free, scientifically robust and accessible material to every interested party."
Policy guidelines to outline prevention and management strategies for endoparasites and ringworm are now readily available with guidelines on ectoparasites and vector-borne diseases in development. There is a website for veterinary professionals - http://www.esccap.org/ with a pet owner website currently in development. Practitioners also have access to important research and comparison data that shows future trends and the potential threat to the country's canine and feline population.
Maggie said: "The first policy guideline we launched is on the subject of worms. There are a wide range of worms that can infect dogs and cats not only in mainland Europe, but increasingly in the UK. Some of these worms are more important than others due to prevalence, their pathogenicity for the host and their zoonotic potential. This guideline aims to provide an overview of these worms, their significance and, importantly, suggests rational control measures for the most important species. We've looked closely at methods of preventing or controlling infection in the animal, prevention of transmission via environmental contamination to other animals and humans, and prevention of human infection. Our aim is that this guideline policy is adopted in every veterinary practice throughout Europe."
Ringworm control in dogs and cats forms the basis of the second guideline policy. "The presence of dermatophytosis is influenced by a number of factors relating to the animal, environmental issues and the crowding of animals. This guideline recommends a management programme for ringworm and what vets should be considering in the treatment, management and control of dermatophyte transmission."
Vets wishing to obtain a downloadable version of the policy papers can do so free of charge from http://www.esccap.org.
Practices wishing to sign up to ESCCAP for regular updates and further information should email: queries@esccap.org.uk.
ESCCAP is supported by Novartis Animal Health, Merial and Bayer HealthCare Animal Health.
IDEXX Laboratories is offering VetNurse members a chance to go to the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials on Thursday 11th September 2008.
Your day will comprise a full one day entry ticket for one person from your practice, including a course walk with Major Richard Waygood, Riding Master of the Household Cavalry, in the morning. Your day is sponsored by IDEXX Laboratories who will also host your course walk.
Entry is simple, you need to just answer the question below and the first 40 correct answers will receive a day's pass to the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials!
IDEXX Laboratories supports veterinary practices by offering a selection of programmes that help you with best medicine practice for your pet owners. A unique programme to IDEXX In-House users only, links the benefits of speed and point of care diagnosis and IDEXX Reference Laboratory testing to provide your clinic with substantial savings.
QUESTION: Which of the two programmes listed below links both reference and in-house testing and allows you to make these substantial savings? A. IDEXX Advantage Programme B. IDEXX External Quality Assurance Programme Send your answer with your name, practice name, practice address and telephone number to: marketing-uk@idexx.com Terms & Conditions 1. Entrants will be deemed to have accepted these rules by participating in this competition. 2. The closing time and date for entries is 17:30 15th August 2008. 3. No purchase is necessary for entry to the competition. Only one entry per veterinary practice will be entered into the competition. 4. Entry is open to all veterinary practices registered and operating in the UK on the date of redemption of the prize and employees who enter the competition on behalf of the entrant must be aged 18 years and over on the date of redemption of the prize. All persons connected with the competition are excluded from entering. No third party entries, bulk or multiple entries or entries submitted by agents will be accepted. IDEXX Laboratories reserves the right to verify the eligibility of entrants. 5. The prize cannot be exchanged for cash, or any other goods/services. All prizes are non-transferable. 6. The prize winners will be the first 40 correct answers received. The prize winners will be notified by e-mail or telephone. 7. IDEXX Laboratories reserves the right to substitute a prize of similar value should the specified prize become unavailable for any reason. 8. IDEXX Laboratories reserves the right to feature the winner names and details of the competition in any future promotional or publicity material. 9. IDEXX Laboratories reserve the right to alter, amend or foreclose the competition without prior notice. 10. The prize does not cover any travel or accommodation costs. 11. The decisions of IDEXX Laboratories are final and legally binding on all entrants and no correspondence will be entered into. The competition is governed by the laws of England and Wales and all entrants agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
The RSPCA has released the latest figures showing the extent of cruelty to animals in the UK.
In 2007, they show a:
"These animals are the helpless victims of our affluent, throwaway society," says Tim Wass, Chief Officer of the RSPCA Inspectorate. "They're bought on a whim and discarded when the novelty wears off. Today's must-have item quickly turns into tomorrow's cast-off.
"Worse still," added Tim, "some animals are violently abused because they don't meet their owners' unrealistic expectations: like the cat kicked to death for having muddy paws or the dog strangled with its lead for misbehaving."
But the year RSPCA reports that there has been good news too, with the success of the new Animal Welfare Act already starting to take effect. The new Act - which came into force during 2007 - has made it possible to take action sooner than ever before in situations where there are animal welfare concerns.
The Act is already producing powerful results in its first twelve months. Where animal welfare concerns have prompted the RSPCA to give advice to an animal owner, that advice was followed and the problems resolved 92% of the time, meaning that no further action was necessary.
Tim said: "Even in these early days, the benefits of the new law are clear. Without the new Act, this year's cruelty figures could have been even more horrific."
He added: "Dogs have always borne the brunt of cruelty - from violent outbursts to extreme neglect. But that's what makes this year's horrendous 34% increase even more shocking: it's a massive increase on an already high figure."
It was hoped that last year's leap in convictions for cruelty to horses was an anomaly. But this year's figures show that the higher numbers have been maintained - they increased by 33% between 2005 and 2006 - and then increased by a further 13% to 119 in 2007.
The rise in banning orders is a big improvement on the previous year, which had actually recorded a fall. The new Animal Welfare Act obliges courts to explain their reasons if they don't impose a ban and this may have contributed to the increase. The new requirement seems to have focussed attention on preventative action which can prevent suffering and save lives.
Tim said: "The main reason we take people to court is to prevent cruelty being repeated. It's very reassuring to see the courts taking this seriously by issuing more and more banning orders, which prevent those convicted of cruelty from keeping animals in future."
Myerscough College held their presentation of awards ceremonies over two days on Thursday 10th July and Friday 11th July.
The ceremonies see many students presented with outstanding achievement awards, rewarding their efforts over the duration of the course. This year saw eleven veterinary nursing students given awards as the top students on their courses:
Kylie Jones, from Dukinfield, Stockport, won the Myerscough Animal Academy Award for the ABC Animal Nursing Assistant Certificate.
Emily Buchanan, from Palace Green, London, won the Myerscough College Award for the RCVS Level 2 Veterinary Nursing Block Release.
Heather Crewdson, from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, won the Vet Net LLLN Top Student Award for the RCVS Level 2 Veterinary Nursing Day Release September intake.
Nicola Severs, from Bury, won the Myerscough Animal Academy Award for the RCVS Level 2 Veterinary Nursing Day Release January Intake.
Michael Treagust, from Solihull, Birmingham, won the Hutton Award for the RCVS Level 3 Veterinary Nursing Block Release.
Clare Redmond, from Chorley, Preston, won the Vet Net LLLN Top Student Award for the RCVS Level 3 Veterinary Nursing Day Release September Intake.
Kate Abel, from Scarisbrick, Ormskirk won the Hills Pet Nutrition Award for the RCVS Level 3 Veterinary Nursing Day Release January Intake.
Sarah Forster, from Winsford, Cheshire, won the Little Fencefoot Farm Top Student Award for the RCVS Level 2 Equine Veterinary Nursing Course.
Heather Hope, from Penrith, Cumbria, won the Little Fencefoot Farm Top Student Award for the RCVS Level 3 Equine Veterinary Nursing Course.
Danielle Penrose, from Hartlepool, won the Robert Allan Memorial Top Student Award for BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing.
Nicola Casement, from Leigh, Lancashire, won both the Lynwood School of Veterinary Nursing Award and JAK Marketing Top Student Award for BSc (Hons) Clinical Veterinary Nursing. The awards recognise the exceptional dedication and commitment that they have put into their studies.
Heather Crewdson and Sarah Forster will now both progress on to RCVS Level 3 courses at Myerscough. Kylie Jones, Clare Redmond, Kate Abel and Danielle Penrose will look for employment in the Veterinary Nursing Industry. Nicola Casement will remain as Head Veterinary Nurse at Bridgewater Court Veterinary Clinic in Walkden near Manchester.
Hill's Pet Nutrition is offering a 100 per cent money-back guarantee that new Hill's Prescription DietTM Canine r/dTM will help overweight and obese dogs to lose weight in just 8 weeks while still maintaining lean muscle mass.
Libby Sheridan, Veterinary Affairs Manager at Hill's Pet Nutrition said: "We understand that there is a considerable amount of effort required from owners to help their pet lose weight. Along with the additional cost this can make it difficult to convince them to buy in to a prescription weight loss diet.
In order to give vets and pet owners confidence, Hill's is offering a 100 per cent money-back guarantee to pet owners if they don't see any weight loss in just eight weeks."
New r/d, available in 1.5kg, 4kg and 12kg bags, helps with the nutritional management of overweight or obese dogs. According to Hill's, palatability has increased with 9 out of 10 dogs preferring new r/d and its high fibre formula also provides dietary bulk to aid satiety and avoid hunger. New r/d also has high levels of L-carnitine to help burn fat while maintaining lean muscle mass.
Hill's has developed a range of support measures and practice display materials to help raise awareness of obesity and encourage pet owners to try new r/d.
For further information please contact your Hill's Territory Manager or call 0800 282438.
The latest addition to the Tracer® Advance microchip practice support package is a free story book, designed specifically to entertain and educate children in the waiting room, but also to serve as a timely reminder to pet owners of the need to have their pets chipped.
Despite the improved awareness of the benefits of microchipping and year-on-year increases in the numbers of pets being chipped, around 70% of cats and dogs remain unchipped.Practices can order copies of Lily and the Magic Microchip from their Bayer Animal Health representative.
Additional sales support material with an educational theme will be made available later in the year, particularly as the annual fireworks campaign approaches. Tracer Advance is the only polymer microchip available in the UK and is only available through veterinary practices.
Three new learning aids launched by BVA: Practical Animal Handling - Online Tutorial The BVA AWF have launched an online tutorial on practical animal handling which has been prepared in conjunction with Newcastle University. The tutorial is primarily aimed at veterinary students and nurses. It features videos of expert veterinary staff demonstrating the correct procedures for handling small animals for clinical examination and medication and its aim is to show that the primary consideration should be for the welfare of the animal. To access the online tutorial visit http://www.bva-awf.org.uk/resources/tutorials/. Disbudding of Kid Goats The Goat Veterinary Society (GVS) has produced a DVD designed to help veterinary surgeons to disbud goats. Produced in association with the BVA Animal Welfare Foundation the DVD is in memory of the late Mike Teale MRCVS, following a donation from his family. The DVD discusses the potential problems associated with disbudding kid goats and provides guidance on how to avoid them. It shows the best technique for disbudding from start to finish and discusses anatomical considerations, methods of anaesthesia and analgesia and disbudding, with particular attention drawn to the regulatory aspects as they currently apply in the UK. For further information on the GVS DVD, including obtaining a copy, at a cost of £10, please visit http://www.bva-awf.org.uk/headlines/news/Disbudding_of_kid_goats_DVD__2_.pdf. Bat Care Guidelines - a Guide to Bat Care for Rehabilitators The Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) has produced Bat Care Guidelines, in association with the BVA AWF, RSPCA and RCVS Trust, aimed at veterinary professionals, wildlife hospitals and new rehabilitators. The document is split into basic sections including 'health and safety', 'rescue and collection' and 'ailments and treatments' which aim to provide minimum guidelines for bat care. The new initiative is part of an ongoing partnership focusing on the rehabilitation of wild bats in the UK. Visit http://www.bva-awf.org.uk/grants/projects/BCT_workshop_article_08.pdf for further information.
Fort Dodge has unveiled an initiative to help practices improve peri-operative care and the management of hospitalised cases with the launch of its Early Warning Scoring System (EWSS) kit.
The kit contains cat and dog anaesthesia and observation charts for the effective monitoring of cats and dogs during operations, post-operatively and for hospitalised medical cases.
EWSS observation charts are widely used in the NHS but this is believed to be the first time that such a system has been developed specifically for use in veterinary practices. They have been designed by Mike Davies BVetMed CertVR CertSAO FRCVS, Technical Services Manager at Fort Dodge, and are intended to help veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons identify patients whose condition is deteriorating before they reach a critical state.
Mike Davies speaks around the country on preventive medicine and geriatrics and his experience of working closely with practices is that many do not have good protocols in place for nurse monitoring of patients. The EWSS grades parameters such as heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and CNS response and the charts incorporate areas in which the practice can record pain using a visual analogue scale or a numeric scoring system.
The company has also launched Dorbene vet, a new product providing fast-acting sedation and analgesia for dogs and cats. Its active ingredient is the trusted and well proven alpha-2 agonist medetomidine hydrochloride, which affects the nervous system by inhibiting noradrenaline mediated neurotransmission. A dosing guide for Dorbene vet is also included in the EWSS.
The launch of Dorbene vet complements Fort Dodge's existing companion animal products, analgesic Torbugesic and dissociative anaesthetic Ketaset. Used alone it offers dose-related sedation within 10-15 minutes, which is rapidly reversible using the alpha-2 antagonist atipamezole for predictable recovery. It is presented in 10 ml and 50 ml multi dose vials in amber coloured glass which protects the product from light.
For further information on the EWSS or Dorbene vet, contact Fort Dodge on 01489 781711.
The story of ‘Spliff' the Staffy has clinched the title of the National Office of Animal Health nationwide search for the most striking ‘it shouldn't happen to a pet' anecdote.
Submitted by Vets4Pets in Grimsby, the practice will receive a prize of £500 towards the staff Christmas party.
In a campaign to raise awareness of the importance of animal health and welfare considerations amongst pet owners and potential owners, NOAH has recently launched the new Pet Health Information website (http://www.pethealthinfo.org.uk/) to enable them to make informed decisions about their pet's healthcare.
In Spliff's case, the website could have helped solve a number of queries.
For Spliff it all started with a visit to the vet for a minor operation to cure a simple earache.
The problems started as Spliff was about to leave the practice, with a shiny new bucket collar.
However, his owner explained that Spliff is a bit of a snappy dresser, and if it isn't bling, he's not interested. Despite the practice's advice, he insisted the collar was removed so he could take Spliff home to recover.
The very next day, the phone started ringing ‘Spliff's scratching his ear - we need a collar.' Far too busy to bring him round, the owner sent his girlfriend to pick it up.
Problem solved - surely? Nope. The phone continued to ring. Spliff was ‘going nuts!' Apparently the dog was unable to walk, and was getting very distressed.
Finally, after nearly 24 hours of increasingly frantic calls, Spliff's owner brought him in. He arrived insisting that the vet came out to the car, as Spliff still couldn't walk. Not a common side effect of a minor operation on the ear, so it was a worry.
All became very clear when the vet reached the car, the ear was healing up nicely, and Spliff's paralysis was easily solved. They had put his bucket collar on the wrong way round, and every time he took a step - his front feet got trapped in the collar.
Rather than collapse in a heap, Spliff, in one of the first sensible decisions of his life, chose not to move at all. Mystery duly solved, Spliff went on to make a full recovery.
Sounds like the owner should probably smoke a bit less of it.
CEVA Animal Health, makers of the natural pheromonatherapy product D.A.P.® - Dog Appeasing Pheromone, is supporting National Dog Adoption Month in August and has produced a ‘how to get involved' pack for veterinary practices.
During the month, rescue centres throughout the country are hosting open days to raise awareness of the benefits of re-homing rescue dogs and provide people who are looking to re-home a pet with the opportunity to meet the dogs up for adoption.
Featuring details on how to join forces with participating rescue centres, including information on giving talks at the events, CEVA's pack is available to download from the National Dog Adoption Month website - http://www.dogadoptionmonth.co.uk/.
For more information on National Dog Adoption Month or on how to get involved, please visit http://www.dogadoptionmonth.co.uk/ or phone CEVA Animal Health on 01494 781510.
The RSPCA has launched a campaign to try and help stamp out puppy trafficking. As part of the campaign, the charity has released the results of a survey of vets (June 2008) which shows that:
A separate survey found that nearly a third of 16-24 year olds are contemplating buying a puppy, and that half would consider buying from a pet shop.
The RSPCA said it believes it's high time that people planning on buying a puppy know the risks they face if they don't do their research and get one from either a rescue centre or a responsible breeder.
Animal Friends Insurance (AFI), a not-for-profit pet insurance business, has a High Court injunction which paves the way for its customers to make a smooth transition from the company's previous underwriters, Equine and Livestock Insurance Company (E&L), to Red Sands Insurance Company (Europe) Limited.
Equine and Livestock terminated their underwriting agreement with AFI in February 2008, citing unprofitablility of the book for them as the reason.
Negotiations over the transfer of the book to Red Sands Insurance Company (Europe) Limited foundered when E&L demanded £750,000 from AFI for the transfer and for their agreement not to solicit AFI customers.
Following legal advice AFI wrote to its customers offering to renew policies with Red Sands. This spawned letters to AFI customers from E&L which caused great confusion amongst customers as to what was happening with their insurance. The letters also offered first a 10% then a 20% discount to tempt AFI customers to renew with E&L and not to stay with AFI.
AFI therefore applied for an emergency injunction to prevent E&L making further contact with AFI customers (except in agreed situations, notably claims), to stop the escalating confusion and also to require them to acknowledge renewals advised to them by AFI into Red Sands and not to take further payments on those insurances. The application was successful.
Elaine Fairfax, Managing Director and Founder of AFI said: "I am delighted at the Court ruling. It has resolved the terrible confusion that followed E&L's letters to our customers. Unfortunately we know that some customers said they would renew with E&L thinking they were staying with us! Now we can simply renew our customers' policies with our new underwriters as we had originally intended to do at no inconvenience to them as they need do nothing if they want to stay with Animal Friends. They will enjoy exactly the same policy terms and premiums as before and our underwriters will even take on existing ongoing conditions where a policyholder has lifetime cover."
She added: "Although this has been a horrible experience we are delighted to have new underwriters as they have given us authority to handle everything in-house. For vets this means that Animal Friends will now be handling claims at our Wiltshire H.Q. We have a bespoke pet claims software systems and veterinary nurse staff to give the best possible service. We have the facility to pay claims swiftly direct into a customer's bank account or direct to a vet. It is also exciting that we shall be able to draw on Hollard's* international pet insurance experience to introduce some unique new products and ideas into the UK pet insurance market in the near future."
Nurses now have their own dedicated online CPD service. Keysteps Online for Veterinary Nurses was launched by CPD Solutions on the 7th July.
Vets have had access to their version of the programme, for the past four years, which enables them to complete their CPD hours at a time and place of their choosing.
The new site has been developed in response to demand for high quality, easily accessible CPD that is specifically designed for veterinary nurses working with small animals.
‘Nurses have been looking at the vets' version of Keysteps Online and asking us for their own programme' said Susie Coughlan, Managing Director of CPD Solutions. ‘They want the complete flexibility that the site offers, together with tuition on essential nursing topics in video form. Now we've made it available for all veterinary nurses, and Keysteps Online will provide sufficient material for nurses to complete their required 15 hours of CPD each year.'
Keysteps Online provides video programmes by expert speakers in a range of essential subject areas, and combines these with self assessment quizzes to test the viewer's understanding. Additional downloadable and online resources provide support for each topic. New programmes are added on a regular basis, and build into a library of valuable resources that can be accessed at any time by subscribers.
Other features of the new service for nurses include their personal secure CPD diary that automatically logs CPD completed and the option to learn in small or large chunks of time from any convenient location.
For a free 14 day trial nurses can visit http://www.keysteps.net/
Hill's Pet Nutrition is once again seeking high achievers who have made the most of their VHA (Veterinary Healthcare Adviser) qualification.
Colleagues in practice are being asked to nominate VHAs who qualified in 2007 for VHA of the Year. VHAs can also nominate themselves, or be nominated by their Hill's Territory Manager.
Nominees are asked to prepare a submission which can include written evidence, photographs and testimonials from clients or colleagues to demonstrate how the VHA has made a difference to their practice.
The winner of VHA of the Year will receive an award and £1000 of holiday vouchers at a special gala dinner held during BVNA congress, to which all VHAs are invited. On the evening, prizes for the Top Exam Marks from 2007 and runner up for VHA of the Year will also be awarded.
Last year's winner was Jane Bartlett of the Orwell Veterinary Group, who developed new tools to support her nurse clinics, including a client lifestyle questionnaire that helped her formulate tailored advice for the client allowed them to better manage the needs of their overweight pets.
Speaking on behalf of Hill's, Libby Sheridan, Veterinary Affairs Manager described Jane as being a great example of what a motivated VN can achieve in practice.
Submissions for VHA of the Year need to be received by the end of August 2008 and should be sent to Libby Sheridan at Hill's Pet Nutrition, Building 5, Croxley Green Business Park, Hatters Lane, Watford, WD18 8YL.
Nurses who have a thirst for CPD can find out about all of Hill's upcoming courses by registering for Hill's Veterinary Nutrition Academy on-line at www.myhillspet.com/vna.
Enrolment onto the Academy is free and there are also 100 reward points for registering which can be redeemed in the VNA Shop.
The European Commission has published an amendment to Regulation concerning the transitional period under which the UK keeps it's requirements for blood testing, a six month wating period, tick and tapeworm treatment.
The amendment extends the transition period to the 30th June 2010, which means that the current rules applying to pets entering the UK will remain in place until 1st July 2010.