Matthew’s award is in recognition of his paper Approach to initial management of canine generalised epileptic seizures in primary-care veterinary practices in the United Kingdom, co-authored with Laurent Garosi, which was selected by the BSAVA Committee as being the most valuable to veterinary practice.
James’ study explored data collected as part of the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET) at the University of Liverpool.
In total, clinical records concerning 3,150,713 consultations (917,373 dogs) were collected and analysed from 224 UK veterinary practices.
This included the management of canine generalised epileptic seizures in 517 dogs up to 6 years of age.
The study concluded that 98% of dogs presenting for a single epileptic seizure were not started on long-term therapy, in accordance with the approach recommended by the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force (IVETF).
Other findings from the study included:
The paper also reported on factors potentially associated with prescription of ASDs.
It stated that dogs who presented for cluster seizures (more than one epileptic seizure in a 24-hour period) were more likely to be prescribed ASDs, or to be referred to a specialist, than dogs without cluster seizures.
Dogs that were neutered or microchipped were more likely to be started on ASDs following the initial presentation, perhaps suggesting that owners who take part in regular preventative healthcare prior to the onset of their dog’s seizures could be more willing to start therapy in the earlier stages of the disease.
In addition, more than half of dogs with cluster seizures were not prescribed any ASDs.
Given that the presence of cluster seizures is typically considered an indication to start long-term therapy by the IVETF, Matthew says this may be one aspect of seizure management that could be improved in primary care practice.
Regarding the choice of anti-seizure drugs (ASDs), imepitoin was more frequently prescribed than phenobarbital in response to cluster seizures.
But unlike phenobarbital, the paper highlighted that the market authorisation for imepitoin does not include the treatment of cluster seizures.
Therefore vets should be aware that the use of imepitoin for cluster seizures should be considered as “off-licence” - and has additional implications for obtaining informed consent.
Matthew said: “We believe this research contributes to an improved understanding of the current management strategies for canine epilepsy in general practice and how this compares to the current guidelines advised by the IVETF.
"Given the prevalence of epileptic seizures within the UK canine population, as well as the large proportion of dogs that will be managed entirely within general practice without referral to a neurologist, it is vital to ensure that the level of care being provided is optimal.
"We therefore hope that this research ultimately supports and guides general practitioners in their approach to canine epilepsy, thereby improving the quality of life of affected dogs and their owners.”
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jsap.13543
The Scholarship was set up to continue the legacy of Louise O’Dwyer who passed away in 2018.
Louise worked tirelessly in ECC, spoke at several events to help other veterinary professionals around the globe and she worked as a speaker for Improve Veterinary Education to educate other vet nurses.
This year, the scholarship received over 30 entries across the UK.
Patricia Rigio RVN said: “I was born and raised in Venezuela where I graduated as a marine biologist in 2012.
"I moved to the UK in 2014 because I wanted to improve my English, little did I know I would end up discovering veterinary nursing as a career and falling in love with it.
"I have been working mainly in general practice since I started my training in 2018 but after qualifying, I decided to support Vets Now in my spare time to gain more experience, this has fuelled my passion and interest in emergency and critical care.
"I feel truly honoured and lucky as this programme is an amazing opportunity for me to further my skills in ECC and to apply everything that I can learn through the programme in practice, to the benefit of my patients and to help my colleagues."
www.improveinterational.com.
The pads contain ophytrium and chlorhexidine at 3%. Ophytrium is a purified natural ingredient from Ophiopogon japonicus which, Ceva says, strengthens the mechanical skin barrier1, restores the balance of protective microbial flora2 and reduces irritation, while soothing the skin1. Chlorhexidine is both antibacterial and antifungal.
Ceva says that Douxo S3 Pyo pads, which come in packs of 30, provide antibacterial and antifungal efficacy within one minute and are free from soap, parabens, sulphates, phthalates, colourants and nanoparticles.
They are available in a new, hypoallergenic ‘summertime’ fragrance which pet owners liken to coconut and vanilla.
The pads add to the Douxo S3 Pyo range, which also consists of shampoo and a mousse.
Andrew Fullerton BVSc (Hons) MRCVS, product manager for Douxo S3 at Ceva said: "The new Douxo S3 range has been well received by both veterinary professionals and their clients since its launch, who find that the products are not only effective and well tolerated, but also easy-to-use. The Douxo S3 Pyo pads will enhance this range by offering an easy-to-administer antiseptic action while hydrating and maintaining the skin’s ecosystem.”
For further information, contact cevauk@ceva.com, your local territory manager or visit https://www.douxo.com/uk/Pet-Skin-Care/douxo-s3.
References
First, the practice carried out an infection control audit to ensure its protocols were robust.
The audit covered the cleaning of clinical areas, non-clinical areas (including offices, reception desks, kltchens and bathrooms), and the personal hygiene of staff members (including hand hygiene and work wear).
Using using the Nationwide Laboratory practice cleanliness screening programme, Rosemullion then conducted environmental swabbing of 10 clinical and non-clinical areas around the practice, including theatre tables, kennels, telephones and door handles, to review contamination levels.
Results showed varying levels of bacterial contamination in both clinical and non-clinical areas.
Finally, Rosemullion assessed personal hygiene and the potential for cross-contamination between patients, colleagues and the environment.
Staff were asked to complete an anonymous ‘Hygiene Self-assessment Questionnaire’ which covered ten areas, including; disinfecting hands; wearing gloves, scrubs with short sleeves and dedicated work shoes, and changing into uniforms when arriving at work.
Amongst clinical staff, there was a 66.75% compliance.
The team then discussed the results, consulted a lab microbiologist and formulated an improvement plan, which included updating the practice cleaning processes (including the cleaning of new touch points), introducing new colleague uniform rules (including changing into uniform upon arrival at work), improving hand hygiene (including providing hand gels for all colleagues) and using sanitising wipes in all office areas.
One month after the policy revisions, swab tests were repeated. They found no bacterial growth in any of the 10 previously swabbed areas.
After two months the colleague questionnaire was run again.
It found clinical colleague compliance over eight personal hygiene indicators had jumped from 66.75% to 92.5% compliance.Abi Redfearn, Senior Veterinary Nurse at Rosemullion, said: “When we opened in 2021, we were keen to monitor our infection control - as part of providing a hospital level of care under the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme.
"With around 100 colleagues and hundreds of patients passing through our doors every week, we are an extremely busy practice – so infection control is paramount in maintaining high clinical standards.“By updating our protocols and taking simple steps - such as providing sanitising materials in high-touch areas – we’ve significantly decreased the risk of environmental contamination.
"Our project is now being used as an example to encourage other practices.”
Staffies were by far the most commonly stolen animal, accounting for 25.7% of all reported dogs thefts in the UK between 2017 and 2021.
Meanwhile, Devon and Cornwall had the highest number of pet thefts: 140.6 per 100,000 people.
Northumbria came second, with 61.5 pet thefts per 100,000 people, and Lancashire third (52.9 per 100,000).
On the other end of the scale, one breed that was less likely to be stolen was the pug (4.5%), although that's perhaps not surprising: after all, who'd want to steal an animal whose face you can't differentiate from its backside?
The safest animal in the country is probably an Akita (1.9%) living in Surrey (6.8 pet thefts per 100,000 people).
Full report: https://www.adt.co.uk/blog/the-adt-pet-theft-report
Credelio Plus is a palatable, chewy, monthly tablet which contains milbemycin oxime for the control of the gastrointestinal nematodes: hookworm (L4, immature adult (L5) and adult Ancylostoma caninum), roundworms (L4, immature adult (L5) and adult Toxocara canis and adult Toxascaris leonina) and whipworm (adult Trichuris vulpis). Also for the prevention of angiostrongylosis by reduction of the level of infection with immature adult (L5) and adult stages of Angiostrongylus vasorum (lungworm) with monthly administration. Also for the prevention of heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis).
Credelio Plus also contains lotilaner for the immediate and persistent treatment of ticks (Dermacentor reticulatus, Ixodes ricinus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and I. hexagonus) and flea (Ctenocephalides felis and C. canis) infestations in dogs.
Credelio Plus is licensed for puppies as young as 8 weeks and weighing 1.4 kg or more.
Tina Hunt, General Manager of Elanco UK/Ireland said: "The launch of Credelio Plus represents another exciting evolutionary leap for Elanco’s parasiticide portfolio.”
Cat Henstridge MRCVS, otherwise known as 'Cat the Vet' said: "As a companion animal vet, one of the common challenges I see from pet owners is the need to remember and administer multiple treatments to cover a variety of parasites.
"So a simple, easy-to-remember treatment will be welcomed by my clients who need a combination solution to protect their dogs from ticks, fleas and worms.”
To mark the launch of Credelio Plus, Elanco is inviting vets and nurses to register for an online event at which the astronaut Major Tim Peake will talk about the lessons he’s learnt about leadership and teamwork, performing in high-pressured environments and the future of medicine and science. He'll be followed by Cat Henstridge, who will give a presentation about the power of wider veterinary teams working ‘better together’ to support each other, and how practices can start to reconnect with their clients following lockdown.
Lepha McCartan, BVetMed MRCVS, Veterinary Technical Consultant, Elanco Animal Health, will also speak about Elanco’s ongoing work within the parasite space. There will also be a live Q&A where attendees can put questions to the panel.
To sign up for the launch event, visit https://www.myelanco.co.uk/brand/credelio-plus-launch-registration
Topics covered will include practical applications of enrichment for zoo species, options for reproductive control in pet ferrets, challenges of exotics out-of-hours care, veterinary care of invertebrates and decision-making in wildlife cases.
The Association says that this year, there will be a greater focus on masterclasses, practical sessions and roundtable discussions, and that there will be plenty of new research, case reports, case series and the most recent advancements in the field of zoo, wildlife and exotic animal medicine.
There will be dedicated streams covering zoo health, nursing, exotic pets and wildlife health, together with a stream for students and new graduates.
The social programme includes the student-mentor mixer, a new vet nurse mixer, a wine and canapés evening, a gala dinner and silent disco.
Registration fees have been held at the same level as 2019: vet nurse tickets for non-members range from £185 for one day, to £265 for all three; members get a discount.
www.bvzs.co.uk
The RCVS has announced that its current Treasurer, Dr Bradley Viner, will be the College's next Vice-President after he was elected to the post at RCVS Council last Thursday.
Dr Viner has been an elected member of Council since 2005 and Treasurer since 2010 and will take up his latest position at RCVS Day - the College's Annual General Meeting - on 11 July. He replaces Professor Stuart Reid, who Council confirmed as President for 2014-15, and will take up his new role in July.
During his time on Council Dr Viner has served on all of the major committees with the exception of the Disciplinary Committee. Outside of Council he runs a group of practices in North West London and is Vice-Chairman of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
In his manifesto he set out the nature of his Vice-Presidency, stating: "My personal ethos is very much based upon continual improvement. It is only by having the confidence to discuss openly how things could have been done better that an organisation can learn how to improve.
"I also recognise the vital importance of good communications: with Council; the profession at large; Government; and with other interested organisations. I intend to do my utmost to communicate with them as effectively as possible."
At the same meeting of RCVS Council, Colonel Neil Smith, the current President, was confirmed as Vice-President from July, subject to his re-election in this year's RCVS Council elections.
In addition, Chris Tufnell was re-elected as Chairman of the Education Committee, while David Catlow was elected Chairman of Standards Committee, also subject to his re-election in this year's RCVS Council elections.
The course will cover reptiles, pet mammals and captive birds.
Marie says the course will teach you how to approach exotic emergencies confidently, from clinical examination and forming differential diagnoses to medical and surgical approaches for common emergency presentations.
Marie will discuss both clinical management and the stabilisation and care of the critical patient, including fluid therapy, analgesia, contra-indicated medications and hospital cage requirements.
Welfare-focused euthanasia approaches will also be covered for different species.
Tickets cost £300 and the course is open to veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and students on a recognised veterinary or nursing course.
Lunch, tea, coffee and biscuits included.
https://evolutionexoticsreferrals.co.uk/cpd-booking-form/
Dr David Reese, Director of VetCT Australia and a Diplomate in veterinary diagnostic imaging will present: "Leveraging CT to Diagnose and Manage Unusual Pets", followed by a Q&A session.
David said: “This webinar is a fantastic opportunity to share knowledge about optimising imaging for exotic animals to reach an accurate diagnosis.
"The field of exotics imaging has rapidly advanced in recent years.
"With the increasing use of CT alongside traditional radiography, we can see so much more and provide high-quality reports to our client practices that empower them to give great care.
"We’re excited to support Exotic Vet Support with this CPD programme.”
Attendees will also receive an exclusive discount for the Exotic Vet Support Asia-Pacific (EVSAP) Conference 1st-2nd March 2024 in Sydney.
A recording of the webinar will be available after the live session, and for attendees of the EVSAP Conference.
Register here: https://vetct.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_i_8KgMbPSeGZ-i7AbxaDqw#/registration
The company points to data from the Animal Poison Control Center in the US which showed that in 2022, recreational drugs, including marijuana-based drugs, hallucinogenic mushrooms and cocaine made the list of top ten reasons for animals needing its help, knocking gardening products into 11th place.
In addition, the APCC reports a nearly 300% increase in calls about potential marijuana ingestion over the past five years
With this in mind, TVM has developed guidelines to support vets with these cases, both in terms of treatment options and tips on how to discuss the issue with clients and glean the information needed to help with the diagnosis and treat the animal.
TVM has also launched its new ‘Seasonal Suspects’ board kits to help practices educate pet owners on the common Christmas hazards commonly found around the house at this time of year.
The eye-catching waiting room display, which shows veterinary staff as seasonal superheroes, covers the dangers posed by items such as alcohol, batteries, plants and nuts, and advises pet owners on the necessary action needed should their pet digest any toxic substance.
TVM will also be sharing ‘Seasonal Suspects’ posts on its Facebook page for veterinary staff to share with their followers over Christmas.
For more information, email help@tvm-uk.com, call 0800 0385868 or contact your local Territory Manager.
The service has been free of charge since March 15th 2020, when it first became clear how difficult things would become. However, as life has become less restricted, now seemed an appropriate time to introduce a very modest charge to help with the site's ongoing development and maintenance.
Over the last four and a half months, there has been a significant increase in the number of jobs advertised on VetSurgeon (to the extent that VetSurgeon and VetNurse Jobs now have more jobs advertised than either the Veterinary Times or the Veterinary Record). What's more, feedback from advertisers is that they've received more enquiries both on VetNurse.co.uk and over on VetSurgeon Jobs.
On VetSurgeon, this may be due in part to a number of locum vets seeking permanent positions. However, it also seems likely to be a consequence of a 'virtuous circle' whereby more jobs advertised = more visibility on Google and other social networks = more enquiries = more jobs advertised = more visibility and so on.
For this reason, the plan for the future is to optimise the price of advertising on VetNurse.co.uk at the lowest level needed to encourage the largest number of vacancies, the greatest number of enquiries and the revenue needed to pay for the ongoing running of the sites.
For more information about recruitment advertising on VetSurgeon.org.
Led by Jacques Ferreira, an RCVS and European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia (pictured right), the new clinic will provide a bespoke pain management plan for pets referred both by external first opinion practices or internally by colleagues in other disciplines at the centre.
Jacques, who joined Willows in 2018 having previously lectured in Veterinary Anaesthesia at the University of Liverpool after specialising in the same subject in his native South Africa, said: "Just as with humans, our pets are living longer and, with that, there is an increased risk of developing chronic pain conditions.
"Traditionally, the most common patients are cats and dogs with chronic joint disease such as osteoarthritis but patients with a history of back problems and trapped nerves, cats with chronic cystitis and even those with some forms of cancer may benefit.
"We will work with first opinion vets who refer their patients to us, as well as internal referrals. The management of chronic pain is obviously ongoing but the aim for us would be to get to a stage where pain is effectively managed through the most appropriate avenue and check-ups are only needed every few months.
For more information, visit www.willows.uk.net.
Vets Now launched the service at the start of the pandemic to provide remote veterinary advice, and it has now expanded from eight to nearly 30 emergency vets.
In 2022, Video Vets Now had over 13,000 consultations, with 80% of these occurring out-of-hours. Sundays are the busiest day, with almost a third of all consultations taking place.
Of these total consultations, 17% of pets were discharged normally, 7% were immediately referred in-clinic, and 48% were discharged as non-emergency cases, but with a recommendation to get a daytime vet appointment within 48 hours.
Dave Leicester, Vets Now’s head of telehealth says the fact that so few of Video Vets Now calls are referred on to a face-to-face consultation is a real benefit for pet owners and the veterinary profession: “Over two thirds of cases don’t need to be seen urgently by a vet.
"A lot of the cases are pet owners needing some clinical reassurance.
"As cases are triaged remotely, the service therefore frees up clinical staff for genuine emergencies.
“Additionally, without the service, many clients would have no other option than to attend for a full consultation at an out-of-hours clinic; so, clients save money too, allowing them to save their budget to spend at their daytime practices.
“Following the triage consultation, if the pet does need a non-urgent face-to-face consultation, we always direct clients to their registered vet. The £24 Video Vets Now consultation fee is then refunded.
"We call this our ‘Never Pay Twice’ promise, and it applies regardless of where that follow on consultation takes place.
"We see this as a win-win situation for clients and practices.”
Dave continued: “Over the past three years, Video Vets Now has seen unparalleled growth, providing essential care and reassurance for pet owners during a time of many challenges to traditional veterinary practice.
“As the pandemic has drawn to a close, we have consolidated our position as one of the UK's foremost providers of teletriage.
"Looking to the future, the changes in veterinary regulation will allow us to grow further and expand the range of services we can provide, bringing telehealth to an even greater number of pet owners.”
Phovia, which was launched in the UK last year, is a two-part FLE system consisting of a chromophore gel that is applied to the affected skin and a blue light LED lamp.
Vetoquinol says that when used together they produce light of varying wavelengths that penetrates the skin to different depths, helping to control bacteria and reduce inflammation on the surface of the skin and stimulating regeneration in the epidermal and dermal layers.
The unit is portable, and applications take four minutes once a week.
The authors of the Vetoquinol-funded study say that FLE has already been shown to support and accelerate natural skin healing, but this latest research shows that the benefits go beyond improvement in clinical signs.
The study looked at 35 dogs with a diverse range of skin conditions: 13 had interdigital furunculosis, 10 had deep pyoderma, 6 had wounds, 4 had pyotraumatic dermatitis, and 2 had perianal fistula on presentation.
Eight of 35 dogs were new cases, whereas the remaining 27 were undergoing recrudescence of a prior episode, including pyotraumatic dermatitis, wounds, deep pyoderma, interdigital furunculosis and perianal fistulae.
Thirty dogs (86%) achieved a clinical resolution: 18 with the Fluorescent Light Energy alone and 12 with the concomitant use of FLE and topical antiseptic shampoo.
Five dogs (14%) had a partial response and needed other therapies.
92% percent of owners attested to their pet’s enhanced quality of life, with 74% of dogs displaying at least a 50% improvement in owner-reported behaviour, mood, sleep and playing activities.
The study also reported a 46% reduction in caregiver burden.
Felicity Caddick, Technical Services Manager at Vetoquinol said: “Managing skin conditions often requires the long-term use of shampoos or topical therapies.
"Many owners find this aspect of pet ownership challenging, especially with larger dogs, or less cooperative animals.
"FLE can reduce or in some cases eliminate the need for topical therapies at home, not only simplifying the treatment process but also enhancing convenience and compliance.
"Sharing responsibility for administering ongoing treatment with their vet practice also removes some of the worry associated with their pet’s health.”
Vetoquinol also highlights that Phovia can offer vets a drug-free management option for skin disorders that aligns with the principles of antibiotic stewardship.
Reference
A variety of speakers will presenting over the course of the day, including Wendy Nevins, Past-President of BVNA, Georgie Hollis of Vet Wound Library fame and Sally Harmer, SQP trainer and Consultant. They'll be covering a range of topics from rabbit welfare, nutrition, caring for elderly cats, communication and more.
Delegates will have the chance to talk to interact with exhibitors, and there'll be a number of event offers and competitions.
For those unable to attend all day, the content will be available for 12 weeks after the event itself.
Vetpol Founder and Director, Caroline Johnson said: "Our team felt that offering a virtual event with an emphasis on quality, interaction and fun would be both time efficient for delegates and provide some of the buzz one might expect at a face-to-face event.
"Alongside our Partners offering competitions and prizes, we plan to give delegates access to first-class CPD that will be of value in their professional roles - and also a day to remember.
“We are expecting a good turnout and trust that delegates will feel more than just visitors, but feel part of the day itself!”
Munch & Learn is free-of-charge to SQPs and Vet Nurses. To register: https://whova.com/portal/registration/carol_202109/
Turning Over a New Leaf – How to Make Sustainable Change in the Veterinary Profession includes contributions from a range of organisations including the RCVS, Mars Veterinary Health and Investors in the Environment (iiE).
The report covers upcoming changes to the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme, the value of external accreditation to support sustainability, and how to approach behaviour change within your team.
Two further articles highlight how changes in clinical practice can combat antimicrobial resistance and reduce levels of surgical waste.
The report also features the personal experiences of practice sustainability leads, who discuss how they have worked with others to improve their sites.
Ellie West, Environmental Sustainability Lead at Linnaeus said: “Changing how we work day-to-day, when we are all so busy as a profession, can be a lot to juggle but sustainability brings a huge range of benefits.
"As well as helping the environment, it can promote the wellbeing of our patients and colleagues while also improving our performance as a business.
“It is important, however, to avoid dictating what sustainable change should be made because it will vary greatly between different teams and locations.
"This report shares ideas from contributors with a variety of roles and responsibilities, who have taken different approaches to supporting the environment but are all united in their commitment to delivering excellent clinical care.”
Sue Paterson, RCVS Junior Vice-President and RCVS Council lead for Environment & Sustainability, said: “Contributing to this report highlights the importance of working together as a profession to understand the environmental challenges we face and adopt solutions that will benefit our planet and the animals we care for.
"Upcoming changes to the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme will cover sustainability across a range of areas and we are committed to ensuring the veterinary profession can fully realise the benefits of this new guidance.”
April Sotomayor, Principal Consultant at iiE, added: “This report offers a range of perspectives that highlight how the veterinary profession can become a leader in sustainability and a shining example to other sectors.”
Download Turning Over a New Leaf – How to Make Sustainable Change in the Veterinary Profession here.
The survey of 50 vets carried out in May this year1 found that only half of them are recommending strangles vaccination to their clients.
They also felt that horse owners could be doing more to combat the disease.
Less than half of vets questioned believed that yards and premises operated good biosecurity measures prior to a strangles outbreak, yet 85% brought in more stringent biosecurity after an outbreak, when it was too late.
Dechra says that vets and horse owners can help combat the estimated 300 outbreaks of strangles each year with the following steps:
Sara Barker BVSc CertAVP(EM) MRCVS, equine field support manager at Dechra, said: “Strangles is one of the most common equine infectious diseases both in the UK and worldwide and a multi-factor approach is key to tackling the disease.
"Strangles vaccination is recommended, alongside good biosecurity, quarantine measures and regular temperature checking.
"By working together, vets and horse owners can help to keep horses healthy and prevent the spread of strangles.”
During the day, visiting RVNs will be treated to a tour of the state-of-the-art, £16 million, 40,000 sq ft hospital, which opened last summer.
Nicola Barrigan, Head of Nursing Services at Southfields, said: “The open day will give visitors an informal opportunity to speak to members of our nursing team in relaxed surroundings to find out a bit more about what life is like here at Southfields.
“There will also be the chance for them to attend nurse-led presentations, including Q&A sessions, chat with our clinicians and discuss progression opportunities with the Linnaeus professional development team.
"Information will also be available on our post-registration programme.”
The open day will begin with pastries and refreshments at 8:45am.
Hospital director Daniel Hogan, himself an RVN, will then give an introduction to Southfields after which there will be a presentation about Linnaeus's referral nursing post-registration programme (PRP) and progression at the hospital.
There will then be a meet the team session with both vets and RVNs, plus a Q&A session before a lunch is provided at 12.30pm, followed by a tour of the hospital and oncology building.
To end the day, there is an optional CPD featuring bite-size nursing sessions from 2pm to 4pm.
To sign up, visit: https://southfields.co.uk/nurse-open-day.
The initiative was launched by the RCVS and the BVNA in 2016 to identify and find solutions to some of the specific issues facing the veterinary nursing profession.
In July 2016 it published the VN Futures Report and Action Plan which set out 31 actions under six broad strategic aims.
To follow up these actions, six working groups were formed to look at the broad strategic areas and, in June 2018, it was decided to set up a VN Futures Board to help coordinate and oversee the work of these groups. The Board comprises the RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council Chair and Vice-Chair, Racheal Marshall and Liz Cox, and the BVNA President and Vice-President, Wendy Nevins and Jo Hinde.
Outgoing Chair Wendy Nevins said: "In its first 12 months, the VNF Board has really got to grips with the direction and legacy of the VN Futures initiative. The clarity and direction it has brought is reinvigorating the Working Groups. The next 12 months will see a real focus on delivery of the original findings of the VFN Futures initiative."
The VNF initiative is nearly three years into its original five-year life span and the Board reported that progress thus far has included the development of two new Diplomas in Advanced Veterinary Nursing, more resources to help both VNs and vets navigate Schedule 3 and publication of career case studies to demonstrate the diverse roles available in the profession.
Wendy added: "The VN Futures project has a fixed five-year horizon to make sure we keep focus on what the profession said it wanted – and needed – to be delivered. At the end it will be for the profession to decide how well this has been done – and what comes next."
The Board also confirmed plans to have a presence at the Royal Veterinary College’s Student Veterinary Nurse Fest this summer, as well as events at the BVNA Congress in October and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress in April 2020.
Racheal Marshall said: "The energy and life of the VN Futures initiative comes from veterinary nurses so we are excited to be taking this back out to meet nurses and ask them for their thoughts and comments on how these issues – like career progression, further qualifications, and emerging agendas like One Health – matter to them. We are really looking forward to a busy program of congress events in order to hear from people!"
To download the VN Futures Report and Action Plan and view some of the initiative’s latest blogs, case studies and other online resources, visit: www.vetfutures.org.uk/vnfutures/
This is the first VN Council election since 2017. There was no election in 2018 due to governance changes and there were too few candidates in 2019.
However, this year, 13 registered veterinary nurses have put themselves forward to compete for the two available places. They are:
Samantha Anderson RVN
Jessica Beckett RVN
Kirsten Cavill RVN
Rebecca Clark RVN
Dorothy Creighton RVN
Lindsey Anne Dodd RVN
Emma Foreman RVN
Racheal Marshall RVN (incumbent)
Megan Oakey RVN
Susannah Phillips RVN
Matthew Rendle RVN (incumbent)
Claire Roberts RVN
Cathy Woodlands RVN
The RCVS has uploaded each of the candidates’ biographies and election statements on to its website: www.rcvs.org.uk/vnvote20.
The elections will start from Monday 16th March when the ballot papers and candidates' manifestos will be posted and emailed to all members of the profession who are eligible to vote.
All votes, whether postal or online, must then be cast by 5pm on Friday 24 April 2020.
As with previous years, the RCVS is also inviting members of the profession to get a better idea of why each candidate is standing by taking part in 'Quiz the candidates' and submitting a question which will then be put directly to the candidates.
Each candidate for both elections will be invited to choose two questions to answer from all those received, and produce a video recording of their answers.
Recordings will be published on the RCVS website and YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/rcvsvideos) on the week the election starts.
The College says only question per person is allowed, and any which it deems offensive, inappropriate, misleading, libellous or otherwise unlawful will not be distributed to the candidates.
You need to email your question to vnvote20@rcvs.org.uk or tweet to the College’s Twitter account @theRCVS using the hashtag #vnvote20 by midday on Friday 28 February 2020.
Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS Registrar and Returning Officer for the election, said: "After two years without an election for VN Council it is fantastic to see that a record number of veterinary nurses have put themselves forward as candidates. It demonstrates that there is a desire amongst the profession to engage with VN Council and the important issues it decides on around veterinary nursing education, continuing professional development and registration. It is also the first year that the number of veterinary nurse candidates has outnumbered the number of vets standing for RCVS Council.
"We look forward to launching both elections next month and hope to see record turnouts in both elections. In the meantime please make sure to engage with the process and scrutinise the candidates and their views by submitting a question about an issue of interest to you."
The ophthalmology service, which offers cataract surgery, corrective eyelid surgery and corneal disease management amongst other things, is headed by RCVS and US Ophthalmology Specialist, James Histed (pictured right)
The hospital, which has doubled in size to 30,000ft², now has a purpose-built theatre complex, a new reception and waiting area, 12 additional consulting rooms and a new rehabilitation centre equipped with a water treadmill and a large arena for treatment and gait analysis.
It also has a new lecture theatre where SCVS can deliver its CPD programme and parent company IVC can deliver its intern and residency programme.
The company says that its redevelopment has focused on employee wellbeing, to which end there is a new staff area for the 200-strong team a place to gather, dine and relax.
Kennel space for staff dogs has also been increased to support SCVS’s ‘bring your dog to work’ policy.
The new hospital facility is fully operational and open 24/7 for referrals, supporting colleagues from surrounding vet practices.
www.scvetspecialists.co.uk
The grants, which are for up to £3,500 per annum, are for students - often from disadvantaged backgrounds - who are embarking on a gateway or main veterinary degree course, possibly as a second degree.
Quadstar's latest grantees are Alicia Guarnieri, who is doing a vet degree at the University of Bristol, and Raluca Magadan, a veterinary nurse from Ireland, who is now on the accelerated graduate course at Bristol University.
She said: “Doing a second degree was never going to be easy.
"However, through help from family and locum vet nurse work, I managed to afford my first three years of vet school and made it into final year.
"This is where the difficulty came, as I had to more than forty hours per week of unpaid rotations work, plus clinical EMS during the holiday breaks, which made it very hard for me to earn the money I needed to afford my final year.
"At times it meant I had under £100 to survive an entire month on, which became a big physical and mental challenge.
“That’s when the Quadstar Foundation stepped in and took a weight off my shoulders by helping to pay off my outstanding university fees and providing some financial security in my final months.
"This has been a huge relief and allowed me to finally enjoy my last year at Bristol.
"I can’t thank everyone at the charity enough.”
In addition to funding and mentoring, The Quadstar Foundation helps its grantees with everything from job applications to revision techniques, as well as any mental health crises and helping them to find a place to live.
Nick, who also runs a property and acquisitions company and Animus Surgical, a pet and vet supplies company, said: “Having worked as a vet for many years before setting up my businesses, I have great industry connections and knowledge.
"So, I’m in the privileged position of being able to help committed students to seize the career opportunities they deserve.”
“My main commercial motivation now is to be able to maintain the funding streams required for these grants.
"It’s surprisingly hard to fundraise for individuals.
"That’s why Animus Surgical has just committed to donating 15% of its profits to the Quadstar Foundation.”
He added: “It’s an enormous privilege to support these inspiring young vets who have had such a hard slog to get past the ever-increasing barriers they face. Barriers that back in our day didn’t exist.”
www.quadstar.org
To help veterinary practices engage with pet owners and help them understand the importance of eye health, TVM has produced a range of free educational materials including waiting room displays, informative web pages and social media packs.
The company has also published a page of information at www.tvm-uk.com/eyehealth – where pet owners can find out more about eye problems, how to spot them and learn what can be done about them.
Emma Hancox MRCVS, Veterinary Advisor at TVM said: "It can be easy for owners to miss the signs of problems with their pet’s eyes, but they can be extremely distressing for animals and be a sign of conditions ranging from cataracts and glaucoma through to conjunctivitis - all of which can be painful, and in the worst-case scenario, lead to blindness.
"We hope that National Pet Eye Health Awareness Week will help practices assist owners in understanding the importance of eye health and prevent more serious conditions occurring."
To request your board kit and pet owner leaflets, and download your free social media pack, visit www.tvm-uk.com/eyehealth or contact your Territory Manager.
The company points to research which shows that most dogs and cats whose congestive heart failure is well controlled by medication will have a stable sleeping respiratory rate of less than 30 breaths per minute1,2.
Vetoquinol says SRR is a sensitive indicator of pulmonary oedema or pulmonary effusion which can occur as heart failure patients deteriorate, and that monitoring of SRR is a useful biomarker for veterinary surgeons, allowing you to track progression of congestive heart failure and to detect stability during treatment.
The company also says SRR is most easily detected by the owner when the pet is asleep: using the app to count and record SRR gives clients a good indication of when to seek veterinary intervention and generates data that helps veterinary teams seeking to minimise unnecessary face-to-face contact but still provide emergency care.
While an SRR in the reference range does not exclude heart disease, it reduces the probability that the patient is suffering from left sided heart failure, so may also be a useful measure for remote triage as part of a wider assessment. Other causes of elevated SRR include pain, pneumonia, stress and heatstroke.
Helen Hunter, Product Manager at Vetoquinol and part of the team that developed the app said: "Being able to monitor patients with congestive heart failure is important at any time but during lockdown, with some routine checks having to be postponed, having a means of remote monitoring is more important than ever.
"This tool will help veterinary professionals make the judgement call about whether the pet needs to be seen, especially when the results are provided in the context of monitoring that has taken place over time, providing an assessment of what is normal for that patient."
To complement the addition of the new tool, the site has also launched a webinar delivered by RCVS Recognised Specialist in Cardiology, Dave Dickson of Heart Vets. The presentation discusses the ‘10 Golden Rules of Congestive Heart Failure' and covers topics including the importance of clear radiography and why a cough is not diagnostic of CHF.
Dave said: "Sleeping respiratory rate is one of the most useful ways to monitor an animal in CHF or to look for signs of CHF developing. By encouraging pet owners to monitor and track the dog's sleeping respiratory rate at home, owners can provide vets with a valuable insight into the success of the current treatment regime. The UpLife app is free and will be really helpful to vets and pet owners, both now during lockdown and in the future."
The app can be accessed at www.uplife.uk/srr and it can be communicated to clients at the point when their pet is diagnosed, or shared with clients whose pets already have a diagnosis and are under treatment.
For further information, contact your Vetoquinol Territory Manager, email uk_marketing@vetoquinol.com, or call 01280 814500.