For the project, the company has developed a Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) clinical assessment tool which can be used by a vet or nurse in practice to make a diagnosis.
The assessment is a holistic one which includes taking a history of the animal, a full physical examination, an exercise test and an examination of the dog’s nostrils.
The results of the assessment are then discussed with the owner to agree on a course of treatment.
During each consultation, vets and nurses also look to talk sensitively with clients about breeding, buying and owning brachycephalic dog breeds, offering welfare advice on how to manage their dog’s lifestyle, including issues such as keeping their weight low and looking after them in hot weather.
CVS says it hopes this will increase a general level of welfare awareness amongst brachycephalic dog owners.
CVS has also created a collection of resources for its teams, including new clinical frameworks and veterinary guidelines, webinars and a CPD day on the subject.
The company has also created materials to help vets and nurses have what can be challenging discussions with clients, including consultation room posters and practice reception TV videos which showing the physiology of the brachycephalic breed.
CVS says that since launch in July last year, the 25 participating practices have conducted nearly 900 brachycephalic assessments, and it aims to have at least 5% of Pugs, French Bulldogs and Bulldogs undergoing assessment across its small animal division by 2028.
The group says it has led to 6,086 more clinical metrology questionnaires being conducted at participating practices with their patients, a 1,014% increase.
Developed by John Innes at the University of Liverpool, the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD) questionnaire is a 13-item clinical metrology instrument (CMI) used to assess canine articular disorders like osteoarthritis.
It includes questions on the pets’ medical background, lifestyle and mobility.
Individual question scores are summed to provide an overall “LOAD score” suggestive of the animal’s disease presence and severity.
The questionnaire should be conducted every time the pet is presented to the veterinary clinic, with results tracked over time.
Treatment options - including the benefits and risks of all available modalities – can then be considered and discussed with owners to determine the best course of action, including weight management, diet, supplements, exercise and environmental modification, in addition to medication.
As part of the project, CVS provided a range of supporting resources for its practices, together with training.
Training focussed on diagnosing and managing conditions causing lameness in dogs and cats, using the clinical metrology questionnaire to engage clients in their pets’ treatment plan, offering best practice treatment options and running nurse mobility clinics.
It comprised of a vet CPD day run with Zoetis and the VOA on approach to and management of lame patients, two nurse CPD days on mobility clinics, a feline and canine orthopaedic examination video, First Opinion Clinical Club webinars on canine and feline osteoarthritis and an approach to radiographic interpretation course.
Resources included: new clinical guidelines, IMV resources (radiographic positioning, optimising the image and optimal chemical restraint) and a Mobility Clinic Booklet for clients.
Each site was then provided with its own data, so that they could monitor what they were doing individually.
One year after its nation-wide launch, results reveal that the number of clinical metrology questionnaires being conducted in the 35 participating practices has increased from 6 to 6,092 over a 12 month time period.
CVS says there was also evidence of an increasing incidence of the osteoarthritis drugs Librela and Solensia being prescribed.
Kathryn Patel, Hub Clinical Lead at CVS (pictured), who was responsible for the lameness clinical improvement project, said: “This project uses owner questionnaires to screen for and monitor the impact of lameness on patient quality of life and emphasises the importance of the whole clinical team in patient management.
"Vets and nurses will be supported to improve their ability to reach a diagnosis in every lame case, improve engagement with and compliance of owners with lame pets, and improve the quality of care of lame patients through appropriate medication, surgical intervention, and nurse and physiotherapy support.”
Polypropylene or plastic-based wipes, which have been industry standard due to their reliable nature and compatibility with biocidal active materials, are due to be banned in the UK, because they take up to 100 years to break down.
Byotrol says its new wipes are made using a plastic-free 100% biodegradable substrate that deteriorates 3 months after disposal.
The company adds that the new wipes are proven to destroy bacteria, yeast, enveloped viruses, and fungi on non-porous surfaces and are effective against animal-specific pathogens such as: Brucella canis, Streptococcus equi, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Coronaviruses, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), and Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes
Jane Kiely, Head of Marketing at Byotrol said: “Launching the Anigene Professional Surface Disinfectant Wipes is the final step in removing plastic wet wipes from our portfolio and a significant milestone in Byotrol’s sustainability journey.
"We are proud to be at the forefront of sustainability in the veterinary industry, offering an effective and regulatory-compliant product range that meets the needs of our customers”
Byotrol will be on Stand F18 at the London Vet Show.
https://byotrol.com
The collection draws together a selection of materials, including chapters from BSAVA Manuals, articles from Companion, webinars and Congress lectures.
The collection is divided into four areas: general information, client communication, client support and practitioner support. It includes things like:
Julian Hoad, Chair of the BSAVA Publications Committee said: “Death and taxes are the only two certainties of life, according to Benjamin Franklin! Our pets don’t have the worry of taxation but managing the end of life for them is something that all owners must face. It is probably the most challenging part of our veterinary work also – managing the emotional, sometimes highly charged, aspect of the situation, whilst maintaining an objective focus on the patient.
"This new collection provides a handy resource for this important area of veterinary practice. The collection will enable the recent graduate to gain confidence in dealing with these cases; tips for improvement that even the more experienced clinician will find useful are also included.”
The collection can be accessed via the BSAVA Library https://www.bsavalibrary.com/content/end-of-life---introduction at a cost of £20.00 for BSAVA members or £45.00 for non-members.
The session will highlight the important role nurses play in this environment and look at the benefits of a nurse-led clinical floor in practice.
Hosts Sophie Powell, Emergency OOH Clinical Team Leader, and Hannah McCormick, Emergency OOH Nurse, will share tips and advice based on their own experience on how to manage emergencies, approach the initial assessment and treatment plan, and to increase both confidence and competence in difficult situations.
Andrew Kent, Clinical Director at Blaise, said: “We’re privileged to have such an incredible team here at Blaise and it’s important that they are able to share their expertise and knowledge for others to learn from and grow their own careers.
"We have many more learning and development opportunities and events in the pipeline and look forward to welcoming our veterinary industry colleagues to our hospital.”
www.ivcevidensiareferrals.com/events-and-cpd.
The BVA Voice of the Veterinary Profession research found the most cited welfare issue facing exotics was ‘irresponsible animal ownership’ (82%).
Vets who treat NTCAs reported that 58% of the NTCAs they see do not have their five animal welfare needs met and 26% have seen a rise in the number brought in for treatment in the past year.
BVA Senior Vice President and zoo veterinary surgeon Justine Shotton said: “The welfare of non-traditional companion animals has long been a concern of many vets and this is demonstrated in our recent research.
"It is worrying that a quarter of vets are seeing an increase in the number brought in for treatment and sad to hear that so many cite irresponsible ownership as the top cause behind welfare issues.
"We know people who keep these animals have the right intentions to give them best care they can but their needs are so complex it can be difficult to do so, particularly if they are a new pet and owners are not sure exactly what they need.
"It is so important that potential buyers give careful consideration to buying such an animal before bringing one home.
"We’d also urge any vets who are approached by potential keepers for advice to strongly encourage them to do their research to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to care for them properly before buying an exotic species.”
BVA's new policy position calls for more regulation of online sales and third-party advertising of NTCAs and an end to the import of wild-caught reptiles and amphibians for non-conservation reasons.
BVA also recommends a pre-purchase test, both demonstrating a potential owner’s knowledge on how to properly care for an NTCA, and helping to improve education around the needs of the species.
Past BVA President and Chair of the Working Group Sean Wensley said: “The new policy position makes recommendations which will help to protect the welfare of NTCAs, including calling for improved regulation of their keeping and sale.
"It highlights issues such as the welfare risks of certain breeding practices and stresses the need to move away from the wild-capture of animals for the pet trade.
"Taken together, the 32 recommendations present a clear veterinary view on the ethical sourcing and care of these species.”
www.bva.co.uk/exoticpets
The outbreak, which was widely covered in the media, caused concern amongst cat owners.
The findings of an investigation found a link between high concentrations of trichothecene T-2/HT-2 mycotoxins (both poisonous substances, produced by fungi) in certain cat foods.
The first study, published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, describes 580 cats recorded by the RVC’s database during the initial outbreak, the epidemiology of the cases and the link with mycotoxin exposure.
The cats presented with severe reductions in vital blood cells, including white blood cells responsible for fighting infection and platelets responsible for blood clotting.
The research recounts how analysis of these cats’ data – provided both by pet owners and vets - revealed three diets that had been consumed by the majority of affected cats and how this subsequently led to a UK wide recall in June 2021.
Examining the subsequent analysis of the feed samples and the discovery of mycotoxin contamination, which is known to be toxic to bone marrow, and thereby negatively impacting the production of key blood cells, the study concludes that mycotoxin contamination should be considered as the cause of the outbreak.
The second study examines 50 cats identified as having pancytopenia in more depth, providing a detailed picture of clinical findings to better understand the disease process in these cats affected by the outbreak.
Records and data of 50 of the affected cats were assessed to identify additional clinical signs which indicated contact with mycotoxins.
Following examination of the cats’ bone marrow, it was found that all cats suffered a marked toxic insult to their bone marrow.
From this, the study concluded that a differential diagnosis of mycotoxin-induced pancytopenia should be considered in cats presenting with pancytopenia.
Lead author of the research, Dr Barbara Glanemann, Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College and Co-head of the Small Animal Internal Medicine Service at the RVC’s Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, said:
“These pieces of research involved a great deal of work from many people (noted as authors and acknowledgements in the papers) and we really appreciate the teamwork involved, and the collaborative support we received.
“We know first-hand how much devastation and concern this outbreak caused for many cat owners across the country and so it is our hope that the studies will help people better understand what happened to cause this outbreak and can be used to not only provide some closure to those affected but also reduce the chances of something similar occurring in the future.”
References
Alex is applying the data science he uses in his day job to help local vets at the Olive Ridley Project care for the ancient reptiles.
Six of the seven species of sea turtles are endangered due to human behaviour, many of them killed by poachers for their shells, eggs and meat.
They're also affected by the increasing volume of plastic waste in the sea.
Alex, who normally spends his time leading a team of business intelligence engineers and analysts who provide insights in finance, HR and clinical event reporting, is setting the charity up with practice management software to help it capture clinical records and track the sea turtles.
Alex said: "We’ll be setting up the software, making sure the vets can operate it and then adding all their existing data to it. We’re giving them a powerful tool to capture clinical records and manage turtles over a long period of time.”
“These valuable creatures are hugely important to marine ecosystems and have travelled our seas for the last 100 million years, so I’m delighted to be able to play a part in their conservation.”
For more information on the Olive Ridley Project, visit https://oliveridleyproject.org.
The group is being set up to ensure that the College meets its objective of working in the public interest, initially as a 12-month pilot.
Louise Allum, RCVS Council Member and Chair of the Public Advisory Group, said: “Animal owners and keepers play an essential role in supporting animal welfare, and it is therefore not only right, but necessary, that we actively seek to inform the public of our activities and take their opinion into account when making wide-reaching decisions.
“With the profession's help, we are inviting animal owners and keepers from all backgrounds - from companion animal, to equine and farm – to be a part of our Public Advisory Group to help us actively engage with members of the public and to ensure that the veterinary profession continues to meet the needs of clients and animals alike.
"We also hope that, by involving animal owners and keepers in our work, we can improve the ways in which we communicate our messages to veterinary service users."
Lizzie Lockett, RCVS CEO, added: “Through the Public Advisory Group, we hope to gain greater insight into the experiences and opinions of animal owners and keepers to determine how we can work together to achieve what is essentially, a joint goal.
"We all care deeply about animal health and welfare and should therefore be united in our mission to uphold high standards.
“We are looking for a pool of around 30 individuals, including, but not limited to, owners and keepers of companion animals, and equine and production animals, to join our group.
"We are asking veterinary professionals to help us recruit animal owners and keepers from all walks of life, by kindly sharing information about this initiative with anyone they feel would be an appropriate, enthusiastic and engaged member of the Group.”
For more information on the Public Advisory Group, including terms of reference and how to apply, visit www.rcvs.org.uk/pag or email Lisa Moffatt on l.moffatt@rcvs.org.uk.
The deadline for applications is 7 June 2023.
The Equine Nursing Committee is comprised of members of CVS Equine Nursing practice teams from across the country, supported by senior nursing team members within CVS Group.
The committee’s remit will be for nurses to review and appraise the evidence supporting new-to-market therapies, appraise treatments and equipment, and guidance for practice-level decisions.
CVS says the group will also identify and share the most important clinical developments, provide technical knowledge and feedback on clinical policy, update clinical guidelines and disseminate the clinical decision-making process.
The group is also tasked with developing nursing career pathways and student nurse support programmes, creating psychologically safe working environments and forming support programmes for nurses.
SRUC, which is the biggest provider of veterinary nursing, livestock husbandry and animal care training in Scotland, says it will offer a core veterinary programme to address existing shortages in veterinary provision, in areas such as rural veterinary practice, food production, food safety and animal and public health.
The College is first establishing a working group to progress the plans for the school. The group will be chaired by Professor Sir Pete Downes, former Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee.
Sir Pete will be joined by Sheila Voas, Chief Veterinary Officer for Scotland, former NFUS President Nigel Miller, SRUC Board member Jane Craigie, and Dr Kate Richards, who is a non-executive director on the SAC Commercial Board and currently the junior vice president of the RCVS, in line to become President in July.
Professor Caroline Argo, currently Dean of SRUC’s North Faculty, will lead the project for SRUC.
A report from BiGGAR Economics has found that the vet school could add £26 million GVA and 242 jobs to Scotland by 2030.
Professor Wayne Powell, Principal and Chief Executive of SRUC, said: “We are an ambitious institution with a bold vision for the future. This is a ground-breaking model to expand access to educational opportunities and broaden the range of potential students who would not ordinarily be able to attend a vet school. It will also help solve existing skills shortages across Scotland.
“We see a key role of the new vet school in sustaining primary agriculture and hence food and drink productivity, with the welfare of both livestock and companion animals at its heart. The school will produce champions for best-in-class animal welfare in support of these industries, which will help improve productivity, effectiveness, and sustainability.”
“Building on the excellent new facilities we have already announced for Aberdeen and Inverness, there is a lot of work still to be done, but we are ready to seize the opportunity.”
James Beaumont, Product Manager at Animalcare, said: “Microchipping is an essential but simple way to safeguard the welfare of the UK’s horses. Animalcare was the first company to offer a microchipping service with its identichip microchips, so we know from first-hand experience that microchipping is the most important step owners can take to ensure that lost, abandoned or stolen animals are quickly identified.
“Ensuring the welfare of their patients is a guiding principle for equine vets and we know that they are working very hard to remind owners of the need to ensure that their animals are microchipped and to then keep their contact details up to date. We hope that they will find our social media toolkit useful and that, between us, we can ensure that as many horses as possible are microchipped in time for the new law coming into force.”
To request your social media toolkit, contact your Animalcare Territory Manager or ring 01904 487687.
The case report can be in any area of small animal nursing, from nurse clinics to critical care.
The submission needs to include a short synopsis of the case, using the following outline:
All case report submissions will be assessed with successful candidates chosen to present at BSAVA Congress.
Presentations will be limited to up to eight minutes, with two to three minutes of questions, overall lasting 10 minutes.
There's an award for the overall best-case report, judged on the unique aspects of the case, presentation quality, ability to present within a time frame, and response to questions.
The BSAVA is encouraging submissions from veterinary nurses who have not had the opportunity to lecture before, although everyone is welcome.
Kelly Eyre RVN, BSAVA Congress Committee member said: “The VN Case Reports are a great opportunity for aspiring nurses who would like to become speakers at BSAVA or other events and discuss an interesting case from their career.
To submit your case, email Kelly.eyre@liverpool.ac.uk with ‘Case report’ as the subject line.
https://www.bsavacongress.com/vn-case-reports.
The 2022 programme will include 17 education streams, covering the veterinary and nursing care of companion animals, together with a stream covering veterinary wellness, leadership and management-related topics.
Speakers include veterinary experts and leaders from around the world, and the expected 2,000+ delegates will be able to collect 14 hours of CPD over the two days.
The VET Festival will also offer a Wellness Hub offering things like yoga, movement and mindfulness sessions alongside the lectures.
There'll be a diverse commercial exhibition, with more than 60 leading veterinary suppliers, and all delegates will also have free admission to the VETFest Live Party Night.
Noel Fitzpatrick, Clinical Chair at Fitzpatrick Referrals, who launched VET Festival in 2015, said: “The last 18 months have been tough for everyone but particularly difficult for veterinary professionals, many of whom were already suffering with challenges to their well-being and mental health because of the pressures of their work.
"VET Festival is an oasis of time during which they can relax and rejuvenate themselves; experiencing continuing professional development that is uplifting and inclusive and enjoying social activities and companionship that will replenish their souls.”
Tickets for VET Festival can be bought here: https://www.vetfestival.co.uk/delegate-info/ticket-information
The campaign comprises of a series of live interviews, articles and surveys aimed at exploring the impact of breast cancer, menopause, infertility and baby loss women, and men, and how the veterinary profession can better support people having to cope with these issues in the workplace.
The campaign includes free access articles and live online sessions with VetYourBreasts campaign organiser, veterinary surgeon Anna Beber, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month; VetMINDS co-founder, vet Nat Scroggie, on 12th October during Baby Loss Awareness Week; Dr Karen Morton, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist on World Menopause Day 18th October; and SPVS Senior Vice President, Catriona Curtis, talking about her personal experiences with infertility on 2nd November during National Fertility Week.
A survey on the impact of the menopause, particularly on working life, is being run in partnership with SPVS in the run up to World Menopause Day. The survey seeks to gain a broad understanding of both awareness and experience across the profession, and responses are encouraged from all ages and genders, whether personally affected or not. The survey can be accessed here until 15th October: https://bit.ly/2FVXIkv
SPVS President, Anna Judson, said: "Having experienced the effects of the menopause working as a practice owner, I wish I had known more about the impact and that I was not alone in how I was feeling. There is a growing appetite to tackle these issues and we want to hear from anyone affected by the menopause, in order to put the right support mechanisms in place. We're proud to sponsor the menopause webinar and partner with Veterinary Woman on raising awareness about health issues, which are often brushed under the carpet."
Liz Barton, editor of Veterinary Woman, said: "I have been incredibly moved to see the deep empathy and encouragement amongst veterinary colleagues beginning to open up about the impact of health challenges, particularly at work. When I realised the campaigns in October were topics we need to talk about more as a profession, it seemed right to use this as a platform to tackle some of the hidden, emotive health challenges we bear throughout our life and work. We are looking for partners to help us develop the conversations and practical assistance for individuals and practices, to better support those who are silently living with these burdens."
Companies and organisations wishing to support the work should contact liz@veterinarywoman.co.uk. Individuals can register for updates about how to access the sessions by joining the Veterinary Woman email list for updates (www.veterinarywoman.co.uk), or following Veterinary Woman on social media.
Willows' Head of Imaging Andrew Parry, an RCVS and European Specialist in Diagnostic Imaging (pictured on the left with Clinical Director, Toby Gemmill), said: "There are very few veterinary hospitals anywhere in the country which would have the case-load or the complexity of cases to justify such a sizeable investment. Additionally, this magnet will bring multiple opportunities for clinical research which could ultimately lead to improvements in animal health."
Andrew added: “To my knowledge, we are the only centre in the UK that has fully replaced a high-field magnet MRI with a complete new solution.
"This is very unusual as scanners tend to be upgraded from a high field to higher field, rather than replaced altogether.
"However, our aim wasn’t to purely upgrade the equipment, it was to have access to the best diagnostic imaging equipment available, in order to ensure high quality images are obtained and interpreted, providing the most accurate and rapid diagnosis for our patients. This can make a significant difference to the level of care we are able to provide for pets."
For more information, visit: willows.uk.net
The move enables RVNs to participate in major decision-making processes for the Association.
Marie Rippingale, Chair of BEVA’s Nurse Committee, said: “The resolutions regarding nurses being able to vote and stand for BEVA council are a landmark change and very welcome from the viewpoint of Registered Veterinary Nurses.
“I am very proud to be a part of BEVA. This change will help to empower nurses to speak up and contribute, but more importantly, it will give them an opportunity to collaborate with other members of the equine veterinary profession to bring about change that is positive for all.”
BEVA says that over the last three years, it has been increasing its support for equine vet nurses, demonstrated by the recent introduction of free equine vet nurse student membership and the publication of Schedule 3 Guidelines, describing how RVNs are permitted to work, and showing the extent of the skillset and adaptability of the RVN in equine practice.
In 2023 BEVA introduced the new Vet Nurse Empowerment Award, which highlights the invaluable skills and versatility of equine nurses.
BEVA President Roger Smith (pictured voting for the change), said: “What better way to end my Presidential term than to be able to formally recognise the invaluable role of RVNs within the profession in this way.
"To enable vet nurses to vote and to stand for council can only be a positive step forward for all members.”
Photo: Ian Cooper Photography
MsRCVS Sean Cleary and Richard Thomas, and accountant Jane Platt have opened their first practice, Burford Lane Vets in Cheshire, and now plan to open 10 more practices over the next five years, two in Spring 2022
Burford Lane Vets is headed up by Pieter De Villiers MRCVS, who has become an equity owner, supported by a team of nine vets, nurses and receptionists.
Sean said: “Our vets benefit from our many years of clinical, financial, human resources and procurement experience and have the opportunity to add the finishing touches to a state-of-the-art practice, where no expense has been spared on the fit out and equipment.
"Everything from finding a property, negotiating the lease, fitting out the practice and health and safety is taken care of.
"It means our equity partners can enjoy being fantastic vets and reap the financial rewards that brings, and we are here to support the practice and take care of all the administration, procurement, marketing and everything else that goes into running a successful business."
Sean added: “We have benefited from the shift in the industry that saw veterinary groups acquired by large corporate businesses.
"However, this has inadvertently made it difficult for the next generation of vets to follow the traditional route of buying into a practice as they progress from a junior role to partner, as corporate interest has pushed the values of practices to unaffordable levels for most vets.
"We want to bridge that gap and give a leg up to vets who want to be masters of their own destinies, without the difficulty of starting from scratch or having to find a huge initial investment.”
Sean says he thinks there are a great many vets who would like to launch their own practice.
However, starting from scratch is fraught with risk, expense, and complexity.
Sean added: “Our innovative model helps great vets set up in business as leaders of their own practice and our unique offering is already attracting interest from high-calibre individuals.
"We would encourage any colleagues out there who feel they would like to join us in our new venture to get in touch via our website.”
Sean concluded: “The business acumen we have built up over our many years of working in the industry enables us to provide practical support, mentorship and guidance for vets through every step of the process, and that’s something we’re passionate about.
"The directors will be working across all practices to provide support whenever it’s needed. We are in it for the long haul, not just the initial set up stage, and we will become a part of every practice that opens.
“We take a real pride in being the solution to fix the broken practice ownership model and North Star Vets will empower ambitious vets to enjoy a better and more successful future, which in turn will translate into the standard of care our clients enjoy.”
This year’s programme includes five live streams running in parallel throughout the conference with clinical research presentations also returning after the Covid-enforced hiatus.
The first plenary lecture will be presented by Pat McCue who will review events that have shaped current practice in equine reproduction before looking at what the future holds.
The second plenary lecture, being delivered by Celia Marr, will look at 'evidence in perinatology'.
David Lloyd, Congress Scientific Programme Chair, said: “Whilst we are sure most delegates will be clamouring to attend the lectures and discussions in Liverpool in person, the programme also includes a virtual stream available live online.
“Also, to help reduce our carbon footprint, we are holding one virtual session concurrently across all lecture theatres.
"Global leaders in the field of infectious disease, imaging, nursing, reproduction and sports medicine and rehabilitation, will present virtually to the lecture hall rather than travelling to the congress.
"This session will have 25 of the “best of the best” speakers, presenting and discussing topics that challenge us in practice.”
Early bird tickets for BEVA Congress are available from 28th February 2022.
Early bird BEVA member prices are £187 for vet nurses for all three days (with concessions available for those on a lower salary).
Virtual tickets are £40 for nurses.
BEVA has a 'peace of mind' bookings policy to reassure those who are concerned that the Covid-19 situation may change between booking their ticket and the event.
For more information, or to book, visit http://www.bevacongress.org/
The survey of 2067 past or present adult dog owners, of which 1,170 had experienced the loss of a dog, also found that about half had experienced barriers to opening up about their feelings following the death of their pet.
Some of the reasons given for not opening up included believing others wouldn’t understand their feelings (22%), fear of being judged for being upset (15%), feeling embarrassed about their levels of distress (12%) and not being able to find the right words to describe their feelings (13%).
74% felt they could turn to close family to share feelings of grief over the loss of the dog, but only 13% felt they could discuss it with employers and colleagues.
Samantha Davis, Legacy and In-Memory Manager at Dogs Trust, says: “The loss of a pet dog can be as devastating as losing a family member.
"Dogs hold a special place in our hearts, offering unconditional love and companionship, and when they pass away, the grief can be profound and, sadly for some, isolating.
“It's really important that owners who experience the loss of their canine companions can open up and share their feelings with friends and family.
"Many will find solace in knowing they are not alone."
To support people who have lost a dog, Dogs Trust is holding a 3.5km walk to bring people together to share their memories of their beloved animal.
Walk for Our Old Friends (WOOF) will take place in Salcey Forest, Northampton, on Sunday 6th October 2024 between 4pm-7pm.
As walkers make their way through the forest, there will be opportunities for moments of remembrance and celebration.
The charity will also provide support resources for those participating with a team onsite as well as online information to help people cope with their loss.
Dogs Trust is also providing online resources for people to organise their own walk in memory of their much missed four legged friends.
https://events.dogstrust.org.uk/event/walk-for-our-old-friends
COMMENT
Was this survey desperately flawed, or has our relationship with our dogs become unhealthily anthropomorphic?
It's hard to think of any other explanation for why such large proportion of people equate the death of a dog with the death of a brother, sister, parent or child.
Surely the death of a close family member is in an altogether different league than the death of even the most beloved dog.
If people are developing unhealthily close relationships with their animals, the question is why?
Are they being pushed by commercial interests which encourage people to think of themselves as 'pet parents' in order that they feel compelled to spend more on their 'child'.
Or is there some other factor in play?
Does it matter anyway?
Perhaps not.
But more and more we hear stories of people saddling themselves with crippling levels of debt on treatment because they cannot face the inevitable.
Perhaps it is time to return to a more healthy, more matter-of-fact relationship with our pets.
No less loving, just tempered by the acceptance of the fact that it is not human. It's a dog.
By offering an alternative to face-to-face consultations, VetHelpDirect's online consultation platform provides a means to continue to care for animals while protecting both clients and vet practice staff and still maintaining revenue streams.
The system can be used by clients on most smart phones or tablet devices. Clients can book online or be sent a link by the practice, and payment taken online before the consultation starts.
Transactions on the platform are subject to a 4.8% platform fee and at the end of the 3 month free period, the service costs £20 per month. In addition, to continue using the service, practices need to be registered on the VetHelpDirectory, which costs £38 per month for the first branch and £16 for each additional branch.
For more information, visit: bit.ly/VHD_registration, where you can 'self onboard'. On which note, I will disembark.
The session will provide a practical guide to dealing with various emergencies that may present to vets and nurses across multiple disciplines.
The full schedule includes:
Arlene Connor, Interim Hospital Director at Hamilton Specialist Referrals, said: “Being presented with an emergency patient can be an intense and high-pressure situation, and it’s one that all vet professionals should do their best to prepare for so they are comfortable making decisions under pressure.
"We have a brilliant team here at Hamilton Specialist Referrals, all of whom are well equipped and very experienced when it comes to dealing with emergencies and this is an unrivalled opportunity to learn from them.”
Tickets cost £80+vat, including lunch and refreshments
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-emergency-patient-tickets-861637851007
www.hamiltonspecialists.vet
Procanicare contains three canine-specific strains of Lactobacillus bacteria, which the company says are proven to improve stool consistency, accelerate recovery following acute episodes of diarrhoea and improve well-being.1
The company also points to a number of studies which it says are evidence of the importance of supporting puppies' intestinal microbiomes.
'New puppy diarrhoea' is, it says, typically due to exposure to factors that are known to risk microbiome disturbance, such as diet change and going to a new home, at a time when the microbial population is at its more sensitive.2
Animalcare says other studies show that microbiome disturbances in early life can have a significant impact on health in adulthood.2,3
James Beaumont, Marketing Manager at Animalcare said: “We often hear from breeders, new puppy owners and vets that puppies which have had Procanicare seem brighter, have firmer stools and less flatulence. With the evidence mounting that the adult intestinal microbiome is shaped in early life and knowing the important and varied role that it has in wider health throughout life, we want to help vets proactively support the GI health of their youngest patients by providing Procanicare for them to trial, with no risk.”
The course offers veterinary nurses six hours of CPD covering the five stages of EBVM and an overview of its evolution.
Users can progress through the six modules in order, or dip in and out of individual sections to deepen their knowledge in particular areas. The course includes a number of practical examples and quizzes, and there's a certificate of completion at the end.
The course can also be used as a reference tool for specific aspects of EBVM, such as how to search the literature effectively.
RCVS Knowledge says the new release of EBVM Learning has been well received by veterinary surgeons and nurses who helped test the course. Lauren Sweeney RVN said: “My experience of this course was excellent. I gained a large amount of knowledge and confidence, and it is fantastic to have so much information in one place.” Chris Gush, Executive Director of RCVS Knowledge (pictured right), said: “This fresh iteration of our EBVM Learning course is the culmination of a huge amount of committed work from an international network of leaders in EBVM, and we are proud to launch it on our new, accessible platform RCVS Knowledge Learn. The course constitutes an important way in which the charity supports all veterinary practitioners to advance the quality of care they provide through evidence-based veterinary medicine, regardless of their role, location or background.”
EBVM Learning can be accessed for free at http://learn.rcvsknowledge.org/ebvm-learning
The aim of the survey is to provide a better understanding of the views, experiences and challenges faced by disabled and chronically ill people within the veterinary profession and provide an insight into how the profession and educational institutions can be more inclusive.
You do not have to be disabled or chronically ill to complete the survey, which will take you around 20 minutes to complete.
Claire Hodgson, director and co-founder of BVCIS, said: “Working in the veterinary professions with a chronic illness or disability can be hugely challenging, but there is currently a knowledge gap in terms of understanding exactly where the problems lie.
“A 2019 RCVS survey of the professions found that around 6.7% of vets and 7.4% of RVNs have a disability or medical condition that limits work that they can do, but the true figures are likely to be much higher.
"No reliable data for veterinary students currently exists.
“The purpose of this survey is to close that knowledge gap and help us understand how we can better support disabled and chronically ill people in the workplace and education to create a more inclusive working culture.\
“Those living with disability and chronic illness are often hugely resourceful and fantastic problem solvers because of the day-to-day challenges they have had to learn to overcome.
"They have a great deal to contribute to the sector, and it is important that they feel valued and respected and have access to the tools they need to thrive.
“Diversity makes the workforce stronger, so we are calling on as many different people as possible from across the veterinary community to complete our survey so that, together, we can help create a more inclusive workplace for all.”
The survey will be circulated by email to all RCVS registered veterinary nurses and student veterinary nurses in the near future.
Details will be circulated to students via their educational institutions.
The RCVS says all survey responses will be completely confidential, and results will only be analysed and reported at a level that does not allow identification of individuals in any way.
Completed surveys will not be seen by anyone at the RCVS or BVCIS – the IES will send through a report with key research findings to both the RCVS and BVCIS after the survey has closed.