A new study published in Anthrozoos has concluded that military veterans with heightened symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may benefit from an improvement in symptoms by walking dogs. 

The 8-week study¹, which was part-funded by the ISAZ/Waltham Petcare Science Institute Collaborative Research Award and Canines Providing Assistance to Wounded Warriors (C-P.A.W.W.), compared the effects of walking with a shelter dog vs. walking with a human and the impact they had on psychological stress indicators, PTSD symptoms and the stress in reintegrating military veterans.

The veterans in the study who walked with shelter dogs experienced improved rate variability and decreased levels of salivary cortisol – both signs of relaxation and improved stress response.

Waltham points to a Journal of Psychiatric Research estimate that up to 25% of military veterans who have transitioned out of active duty would meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD². This, says the Institute, could mean that up to 625,000 of the 2.4 million³ military veterans currently living in the UK could potentially be living with this mental health issue.

Dr Kay O’Donnell, Ph.D., Vice President of the Waltham Petcare science institute, said: “This study further highlights the potential of dog walking to improve the lives of both veterans and shelter dogs by offering veterans a way to make a difference in the lives of shelter animals – while dogs are simultaneously helping veterans with symptoms of PTSD.

"At the Waltham Petcare Science Institute we believe we have a responsibility to take scientific exploration further when evidence to date shows us that pets can be part of addressing conditions like PTSD. It’s important we undertake rigorous studies to understand how companion animals may provide a benefit and we’re proud to be part of this study, which takes us another step forward in understanding the human-animal bond."

References

1. Cheryl A. Krause-Parello, Erika Friedmann, Kelly Blanchard, Megan Payton & Nancy R. Gee (2020) Veterans and Shelter Dogs: Examining the Impact of a Dog-Walking Intervention on Physiological and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms, Anthrozoös, 33:2, 225-241, DOI: 10.1080/08927936.2020.1719763
2. Mota, NP., et al., 2019 Dec. Posttraumatic stress symptom courses in U.S. military veterans: A seven-year, nationally representative, prospective cohort study. Journal of Psychiatric Research. 119(Dec), pp.23-31.
3. Ministry of Defence. Annual Population Survey: UK Armed Forces Veterans residing in Great Britain, 2017. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/774937/20190128_-_APS_2017_Statistical_Bulletin_-_OS.pdf Last accessed: June 2020.

A study being conducted by the University of Liverpool and CVS has concluded that veterinary professionals have wide-ranging perceptions of what constitutes a workplace injury, with some harms being seen as just ‘everyday norms’. 

Starting in 2022 ‘The context, consequence and prevention of veterinary workplace injuries: a qualitative and quantitative study in the UK’ study aims to explore the context, consequences and behaviours surrounding veterinary workplace injuries - to improve the safety of the profession.

The first phase of the research was a cross-sectional survey of 740 broadly representative veterinary professionals.

Initial analysis, published in Occupational Medicine1, explored how injuries and their context are perceived by veterinary profession. 

Themes identified during this phase of analysis were:

• Injuries have become normalised, accepted and seen as everyday norms in veterinary practice - resulting in many not being reported;
• Differences in how injuries were defined, with small animal vets expecting injuries to involve blood, and equine/farm vets expecting them to reduce their ability to work or require the need for medical treatment;
• Equine and farm animal vets having a high threshold before acknowledging that an incident is a work-related injury. As such dangerous events, such as kicks, are seen as ‘everyday’ events and are not deemed an injury, and so will not be reported.
• Many suggest all injuries should be reported, however minor injuries were often overlooked, for example needlestick injuries;
• A large proportion of colleagues (especially vets) see reporting injuries as too onerous;
• Injuries caused by staff themselves (e.g. trips) were less likely to be reported than injuries that could be blamed on an external factor (e.g. dog bite). 

CVS says the veterinary industry should take note of the discrepancy of perception of what constitutes work-related injury in its practices and reporting protocols.

Practices may need an individualised approach to minimise their workplace injuries: some may need to work on revisiting their ideas around acceptable risk, whilst others may be good at minimising work-related harm, but have a complex or blame-associated reporting system which needs to be simplified.

Dr. John Tulloch, Lecturer and European Specialist in Veterinary Public Health, at the University of Liverpool who is leading the research, said: “Injuries that occur within veterinary practice can tragically at times be life-changing and are often avoidable.

"The objectives of this study are to understand how veterinary professionals define injuries and to understand what injuries they do or do not deem reportable.

"The results of this stage of the research have been both startling and complex.

"They highlight a profession in drastic need of cultural change and personal attitudes, with respect to injury prevention and mitigation.”

Dr. Imogen Schofield, Director of Clinical Research at CVS, said: “Using these findings, we will be able to develop and strengthen injury prevention measures through safety policy, education, and training.

"We anticipate that this project will result in safer workplaces within the wider veterinary community and, indirectly, in improved animal treatment through a fitter, healthier and safer profession.”

CVS says the research will lead to the development of open access educational tools aimed at promoting injury awareness and prevention.

The tools will focus on understanding why reporting injuries is important, how to develop a culture of accountability without blame, and when to seek medical attention and take time off work.

They will also investigate how to encourage clients to be safety ambassadors, and how to empower colleagues in challenging situations regarding restraint, aggressive patients and equine safety.

In addition, they will look at improving cat handling via International Society of Feline Medicine training and Cat Friendly Clinic accreditation, facilitating a rise in usage of hard hats in equine, and raising awareness of the risks associated with sharps plus sharp bin provision.

Reference:

1. T Furtado, M Whiting, I Schofield, R Jackson, J S P Tulloch, Pain, inconvenience and blame: defining work-related injuries in the veterinary workplace, Occupational Medicine, Volume 74, Issue 7, October 2024, Pages 501–507, https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqae068

Southfields Veterinary Specialists in Essex and Davies Veterinary Specialists in Hitchin are launching a new dentistry and maxillofacial surgery service later this month. 

The service will be headed by José C. Almansa Ruiz DVM (Hons) MSc (Vet) MRCVS. 

José qualified from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in 2008, before completing an honours degree in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery while working in an after-hours veterinary emergency hospital in Madrid.

In 2009, he relocated to South Africa where he undertook an internship in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery at the academic hospital of the faculty of veterinary science of the University of Pretoria. In 2011, he relocated to the UK and, in 2012, began the European Veterinary Dental College diploma. 

In 2015, he returned to South Africa, working in referral hospitals, before being appointed as an extraordinary lecturer in veterinary dentistry and maxillofacial surgery at the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria in January 2018. 

This summer, José will sit the exams to become a European Specialist in Veterinary Dentistry.

Tim Richardson, managing director of both Southfields and Davies, said: “We look forward to welcoming José to the teams at both Southfields and Davies. He brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge in his field and is a highly-respected clinician. 

"The launch of dentistry and maxillofacial services at our multi-disciplinary referral centres is another exciting addition and we’re looking forward to accepting referrals from colleagues across the profession as we continue to lead the industry in the breadth of treatments that we can now offer.” 

José said: “I’m delighted to be joining the teams at Southfields and Davies, and my plan is to establish and really grow a dentistry and maxillofacial surgery service over the coming 12 months. 

“I would like to start offering reconstruction techniques for those patients undergoing mandibulectomies, while I have been hoping for some time now to begin using 3D printing as part of the planning for big surgeries. 

“We will be offering a very complete and advanced veterinary dentistry service. From the maxillofacial surgery point of view, fracture repair procedures will see the introduction of non-invasive techniques for repair of maxillomandibular fractures. 

“Craniofacial trauma cases will be worked up more in-depth together with anaesthesia, diagnostic imaging, ophthalmology, critical care and neurology, which will offer a truly multidisciplinary approach.” 

For more information, visit www.southfields.co.uk or vetspecialists.co.uk. 

Everyone (in the veterinary profession) is invited to The Great Vet Together, a social camping festival being held in Cornwall next week from 2nd-5th June. 

The event, which is being organised by Colin Whiting MRCVS and his wife Lizzy (also MRCVS), is taking place at Killaworgey Farm, Black Cross, Newquay, TR8 4LU

Performing on the outdoor stage at the event are the Ceilidh Band and Spit Roast, a covers band. 

Catering includes a licensed bar, wood-fired pizzas, log-roasted chicken, pulled pork burritos, pasties and cream teas. 

There'll be a quiz night, fancy dress and an outdoor showing of the film Trainspotting. 

And if all that weren't enough, you'll be just a stone's throw from Newquay and its nearby beaches, and about 30 mins drive from the Eden Project. 

Colin said: "The whole vet world family is welcome.

"We've got people coming from Liverpool vet school straight from rotations, practices bringing their EMS student along: bands, bar, party field, outdoor roasts and burritos, indoor pasties and wood-fired pizzas, and - to cap it all - a 6-shower, 8-loo toilet block newly completed for the camping field, with a 2-metre urinal in the gents as well, but that's not so much of a selling point...

"Visitors are very welcome to come earlier or camp longer too; there's a warm welcome for all at Killaworgey."

Fore more information, visit: https://www.killaworgeyfarm.co.uk/ 

Virbac is hosting a free webinar on Tuesday 5th December at 8pm to explore the emerging evidence surrounding the effect of gonadectomy on long-term health, with Dr Michelle Kutzler. 

Virbac says Michelle is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading experts in companion animal reproductive biology.

She graduated from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, before completing a residency at Cornell University and becoming board-certified in Theriogenology.

She earned a PhD in physiology at Cornell University and is currently a Full Professor at Oregon State University.

Michelle is also a member of the WSAVA Reproduction Control Committee which recently previewed its new Global Guidelines for Reproduction Control during WSAVA Congress in September. 

Dr Neil Mottram MRCVS, Technical Manager at Virbac said: "The UK has the highest rate of surgical castration in Europe, but with new WSAVA global reproduction control guidelines expected to be published imminently, increasing evidence on the effect of surgical castration on long-term health and even the UK’s leading animal welfare charities updating their guidance on neutering dogs, there’s no better time to review practice neutering policies.

"In line with an evidence-based approach, we want to pose the question: is surgical castration right for every dog?"

www.bit.ly/caninecastration

Hipra has announced that Eravac, its monovalent vaccine for the prevention of rabbit haemorrhagic disease type 2 (RHD-2) in pet rabbits, is now indicated to provide 12 months' duration of immunity.

This, says the company, will make vaccination easier for vets and clients.

Eravac is an injectable emulsion ready for administration without the need for reconstitution beforehand.

Each box contains 10 individual doses which can be given to pet rabbits from 30 days of age.

Buckinghamshire-based Hamilton Specialist Referrals has published the results of a survey of GP vets which reveals which conditions they have found harder to manage during the pandemic.

60 vets took part in the survey. 80% believed they had seen an increase in behavioural problems since lockdown. Over 60% reported an increase in the incidence of obesity and diarrhoea. Nearly 50% had seen an increase in urinary tract disorders and haemorrhagic gastroenteritis.

When asked which conditions had been harder to manage clinically since the start of the pandemic, the top seven conditions were:

• Diabetes in cats (37%)
• Skin disease (36%)
• Diabetes in dogs (32%)
• Hyper- and hypo-adrenocorticism (32%)
• Chronic gastroenteritis (28%)
• Haemorrhagic gastroenteritis (>20%)
• Immune-mediated disease (>10%)

Medicine specialist, Dr Stefanie Mitze (pictured right) said: “We conducted the survey to help us understand changes in disease incidence and the clinical challenges faced by our colleagues in first opinion practice over the last year.

"The fact that the incidence of disorders which can have a stress-related component, including behavioural problems, diarrhoea and urinary tract disease, were reported to have increased by a high proportion of respondents indicates that many pets may be experiencing heightened stress during the pandemic.”

Stefanie is now creating a series of free bitesize CPD videos to help manage these more challenging cases. She said: “We recognise the past year has been challenging, especially with complex staffing issues, reduced vet visits and restricted face-to-face communication with clients. For complex, chronic medical conditions, especially those which require frequent follow up, we wanted to support colleagues in providing the best care possible in the current circumstances. We hope these CPD sessions will provide practical tips to help deliver just that.

The CPD sessions are available at: https://www.hamiltonspecialists.vet 

Vets4Pets has produced a new film to champion the work of all vets, nurses and support teams. 

The company says it thinks the film is an industry first because it depicts veterinary professionals in a way that they have never seen themselves before: cinematically showing the highs and lows of a typical day in veterinary practice.

Vets4Pets also says it wants the film to generate greater recognition for everyone working within the industry, not just its own staff, by showcasing the passion, dedication and commitment that unites them.

Keith Leonard MRCVS, Practice Owner at Vets4Pets Leeds Birstall where some of the video was filmed, said: “While there are no words that can do justice to the sheer passion and determination demonstrated by the entire veterinary community, taking part in this campaign and seeing the result is really emotional.

“After an unimaginably turbulent few years, this campaign makes me feel incredibly proud of my whole team.

"It genuinely shows what it’s like to work in veterinary practice and I can’t thank each and every one of my team enough for their outstanding dedication to the care of our clients – both the pets we care for and their owners.

"We all live and breathe what we do, and I hope they feel a sense of pride when they see this campaign.”

Gordon Dunn, People Director at Vets4Pets, said: “The veterinary sector has experienced immense pressure following years of unprecedented challenges and as an industry we need to do our utmost to ensure that veterinary professionals are supported in their development and careers. But alongside this, we need to understand that recognition goes a long way too. 

Animalcare has launched Hydrocortisone Cutaneous Spray Solution (Hydrocortisone Aceponate 0.584 mg/ml), a topical spray for the symptomatic treatment of inflammatory and pruritic dermatoses and the alleviation of clinical signs associated with atopic dermatitis in dogs. 

Animalcare says hydrocortisone aceponate is a potent, topical anti-inflammatory, proven to quickly relieve itchy and inflamed skin in dogs.

The new product is applied as a spray, designed to make it easy to target affected areas of skin.

Hydrocortisone Cutaneous Spray Solution is presented in a 76 ml size with a two-year shelf life, six months once opened.

Animalcare Product Manager Eleanor Workman Wright said: “Skin problems are extremely common in dogs.

"They can often cause great discomfort to dogs and concern to their owners.

"We believe that Hydrocortisone Cutaneous Spray Solution will be a useful addition to the range of treatment options currently available to vets as they consider the most appropriate care plan for their patients.”

One of the titans of the veterinary profession, Professor Dick White, has announced he is launching Veterinary Specialists Scotland, a small animal referral centre in Livingstone, Scotland, in Spring/Summer 2020 with ECVS Diplomate and RCVS Specialist in surgery, Sam Woods.

Sam and Dick will be joint Clinical Directors of the hospital and co-owners of the business alongside the Pets at Home Vet Group, their Shared Venture Partner.

They say the vision is to create a world-class facility with a team of highly motivated veterinary specialists, nurses and support colleagues providing outstanding levels of service to meet the needs of referring veterinary surgeons, their clients and patients.

The purpose-built facility will offer specialist referral services across a range of disciplines, including anaesthesia, diagnostic imaging, internal medicine, orthopaedics, neurology and soft tissue surgery. Emergency referrals will be accepted seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Sam said: "It is truly exciting to build a new team of experienced specialists who have clinical excellence as their priority. We also relish the chance to develop great relationships with professional colleagues in first opinion practices. This will allow our hospital to deliver an exceptional level of service for referring veterinary surgeons and their patients."

Dick said: “This is a very exciting step and I am delighted to be instrumental in ensuring that our new centre in Scotland offers the very best in veterinary care”. 

The hospital will be based at Deer Park in Livingston, with convenient parking and easy access to the M8 and other major road and rail networks. In addition to clinical services, it will provide a CPD programme, including internship and residency opportunities.

The Privy Council has partially upheld and partially dismissed an appeal submitted to it by Dr Gerhard Schulze Allen against a decision by the Disciplinary Committee in January 2018 to have him removed from the Register.

The Disciplinary Committee had found Dr Schulze Allen guilty of four charges, namely that he had been convicted of the criminal offence of petty theft in the US which rendered him unfit to practise, and that on three subsequent occasions, twice to the RCVS and once to a notary in California, dishonestly represented that he had no criminal convictions. 

Following the DC hearing, Dr Schulze Allen submitted an appeal to the Privy Council. The basis of his appeal revolved around whether, under Californian law, his conviction for petty theft was a conviction for a criminal offence or an infraction, and whether an infraction under US law was a criminal offence.

The RCVS had argued that while the theft is not a criminal felony in California, it would be considered so under English law. 

However, the Board of the Privy Council which heard the appeal – comprising Lords Wilson, Carnwath and Lloyd-Jones, found the College had not proven beyond all reasonable doubt that Dr Schulze Allen was convicted of a criminal offence under Californian law. It therefore upheld his appeal against the DC’s finding that he had committed a criminal offence.

The Privy Council then considered Dr Schulze Allen’s appeal against the third and fourth of the charges against him - that he was dishonest in his representations to the College that he did not have a ‘criminal’ conviction and did not have a ‘criminal record’. The Privy Council found that, since the conviction for petty theft was an infraction, and was not a criminal offence and did not leave Dr Schulze Allen with a criminal record, then, strictly speaking, his representations to the RCVS were not false and so upheld his appeal against these two charges.

The Privy Council then considered Dr Schulze Allen’s appeal against the College’s second charge against him. This charge was that he had, in a written application for restoration to the Register, represented that he did not have any cautions, criminal convictions or "adverse findings". The College argued that he still had a responsibility to make a full and frank disclosure about his infraction, even if it did not meet the threshold of ‘criminal’ under Californian law. 

The Board of the Privy Council said it had, on Dr Schulze Allen’s behalf, done its best to identify some argument that his conviction for a petty theft infraction did not amount to an "adverse finding", but failed. Rather, it found that "the conviction obviously amounted to an adverse finding." 

The Board added that "there is no material by reference to which the Board [of the Privy Council] can depart from the [Disciplinary] Committee’s conclusion that, in answering “no” to that question, he knew that his answer was untrue. In other words, his denial was dishonest."

The Board therefore allowed the appeal against the DC’s conclusion on the first, third and fourth charges. But it dismissed the appeal against its conclusion on the second charge, namely that in that regard Dr Schulze Allen had been guilty of disgraceful conduct in a professional respect."

The Board then set aside the original sanction, that Dr Schulze Allen be removed from the Register, and tasked the Committee with identifying the appropriate sanction in relation to the second charge.

The Disciplinary Committee will now hold a further hearing to decide the sanction, at some time in the future. In the meantime Dr Schulze Allen remains on the Register of Veterinary Surgeons.

The RCVS has pledged £20,000 for the Vetlife Health Support Service through its 'Mind Matters' initiative.

The charity reports that 2020 was its busiest year ever, with 3,921 calls to its Helpline - a 25% increase over 2019.

Similarly, Vetlife's Health Support service saw a record number of referrals in 2020. There were 190 referrals made over the year, compared to 149 in 2019.

At the same time, the charity says it has seen a decrease in income, putting a strain on its resources. 
 
The pledge from the RCVS comes in addition to the annual donation of £100,000 made by the Mind Matters Initiative towards the Health Support service. On top of this, the Mind Matters Initiative also helps to fund other essential running costs for the charity, including the Helpline call directing service and by its contribution to the annual Helpline training for volunteers.

Graham Dick, Vetlife President (pictured right) said: “The last 12 months have brought significant challenges for Vetlife as restrictions in fundraising have combined with a significant uplift in demand for our Vetlife Helpline and Health Support services. Against this background the substantial ongoing financial support provided by the RCVS through MMI, both for the costs of professional mental health support and for the necessary call-handling facilities which underpin our Helpline, continues to be an invaluable contribution to the wellbeing of the veterinary community we serve."