Virbac has launched Cooldent, described as a highly palatable, fast-acting tablet to freshen dogs' breath.
Claire Lewis, Product Manager, explained: "Bad breath in dogs is unpleasant and is most frequently caused by a build-up of plaque and calculus on their teeth.
"Cooldent's natural ingredients have an anti-plaque action and help both to maintain a balanced intestinal flora and to reduce gas production. They also help to freshen dogs’ mouths by contributing to the reduction of volatile compounds, produced by bacteria which can cause halitosis."
She added: "We are delighted to add Cooldent to our comprehensive dental range, alongside our VeggieDent, natural, all-vegetable, highly palatable teeth-cleaning chews for dogs and Vet Aquadent, an easy-to-use drinking water additive which helps to fight dental plaque and tartar formation in dogs and cats."
The RCVS is reminding all veterinary nurses intending to remain on its List/Register of Veterinary Nurses that it needs to receive any outstanding retention fees on or before 31 December.
The College says it will be writing to all VNs whose fees have not yet been received, and will not remove anyone from the List/Register whose fees have been paid and cleared by 31 December.
You can pay your fees online using the individual log-in numbers on the fee letters sent in October.
If you have mislaid your log-in number, you can email webadmin@rcvs.org.uk, including your full name, date of birth, address on the Register/List, and badge number (engraved on the back of your VN badge). Payments can also be made by bank transfer, using the details from the fee letter. If paying by cheque, please write your name and Register/List number on the back. Cheques need to be received by the RCVS before 21 December, and the payment to have cleared by 31 December. The retention fee for veterinary nurses is due annually by 1 November.
This is the first confirmed finding of the virus in the UK this winter and tests have shown it is closely related to the H5N6 strain that has been circulating in wild birds across Europe in recent months. This is different to the strains which affected people in China last year and Public Health England have advised the risk to public health is very low. The Food Standards Agency have said that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Nigel Gibbens, said: "This is the first time avian flu has been identified in the UK this winter and while the disease does not represent a threat to the public, it is highly infectious and deadly to birds.
"As the virus has been circulating across Europe, this finding has not come as a surprise. But it is vital that anyone who keeps birds - whether a few in a back garden or thousands on a farm - is vigilant for any signs of disease, reports suspect disease to APHA and maintains good biosecurity to reduce the risk of their birds becoming infected."
Local measures will be put in place to manage the potential threat. These include a local Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) in Dorset as a precautionary measure to prevent disease spread to other birds. This means all captive bird keepers in the area will have to implement enhanced biosecurity measures such as feeding and watering birds undercover so that wild birds do not co-mingle with kept birds; minimising movement in and out of bird enclosures; cleaning and disinfecting footwear; and keeping areas where birds live clean and tidy.
There are no plans for culling or movement restrictions.
BVA President John Fishwick said: "I’d encourage vets to reassure their clients that this strain of Avian Influenza poses a very low risk to public health and the food chain. Defra have acted swiftly to try and contain further spread of the disease, which has likely come from migratory birds, yet vets and poultry owners should remain vigilant for signs of the disease."
British Veterinary Poultry Association (BVPA) President Phil Hammond added: "It’s really important that all bird keepers heed biosecurity advice issued by Defra, and maintain the highest biosecurity standards. Any suspicion of Avian Influenza should be reported to the APHA as soon as possible."
Up-to-date advice and guidance on Avian Influenza is available on the Gov.UK website, including how to spot it, what to do if you suspect it, and measures to prevent it: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu#about-avian-influenza
For further advice on Avian Influenza contact the Defra Helpline on 03459 33 55 77.
Trade should not be affected following the findings in wild birds, according to the rules of the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE).
Photo: Wild Birds, Shutterstock / aDam Wildlife
Following the latest postal strikes, Petplan is warning vets and customers there may be some delay in policy information and claim cheques reaching them. Royal Mail has suggested that it may take three weeks for them to clear all outstanding items, which means that for Petplan, and other companies in the industry, insurance documentation, claim forms and claim settlements may be delayed. Simon Wheeler, Head of Marketing at Petplan said: "We're asking all vet practices to remind customers that there may be a delay in receiving insurance documentation by post. We're asking for patience and understanding as we know it is a frustrating time. Before requesting claims cheques, insurance certificates and other policy documentation are reissued, we would suggest your customers give the documentation a little more time to get through given the post backlog." Petplan has also recently launched an online Claims Tracking service, a new way for policyholders to find out how their claim is progressing by enabling them to view their claim status on the Petplan website. Online Claims Tracking will show clients when their claim form has been received, if it has been assessed and when it is expected to be settled. Petplan customers just have to enter their policy number and postcode on http://www.petplan.co.uk/claimsTracking/claimsTracking.asp. Alternatively Customer Services can be contacted as always on 0845 071 8000 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday, 9am and 1pm Saturday or by emailing petplan.info@allianz.co.uk
The Company of Animals has launched a new range of battery-powered, illuminated dog leashes and collars called Visiglo. Available in 5 designs ('Bones', 'Macaroni', 'Paws', sport stripe and flashing LED), these look to me at least like an accessory that could sell really well in practice. They look nice, serve a useful purpose (as well as making the dog more visible to traffic, the collars would presumably make it much easier to see where he's gone when out walking off the leash after dark). There's a video here.
Plus, with Christmas coming up, it's the ideal stocking filler for all those people that do their houses up like Blackpool Pier, and want the dog to look like a Christmas tree. Visiglo is (or will be shortly) available from the veterinary wholesalers.
Harper Adams University College is to launch the UK's first clinical Masters course in veterinary nursing this autumn and is inviting prospective students to apply now.
Course manager Dr. Erica Martin from Harper Adams University College, said: "The MSc Veterinary Nursing is an exciting development for the profession. It will allow RVNs with an honours degree to move forward in their qualifications and enhance their value to a veterinary practice."
According to the College, the Masters course has been designed for veterinary nurses in full or part-time work, whether in teaching or in practice. It will be delivered via a blend of day visits to Harper Adams - with seminars, guest speakers and practical workshops where relevant - and supported distance learning.
Erica added: "The MSc also introduces the RVN to clinical research to improve the evidence base we should all be working from. The clinical element of the course is designed to deliver enhanced Veterinary Nursing skills, such as rehabilitation nursing, oncology, pain management, client support, behaviour problem management, which would be an asset to any companion animal veterinary practice.
"There will also be the opportunity to take individual modules as CPD or triads of modules to form a postgraduate certificate if the RVN wants to enhance skills in one particular area without committing to full MSc."
Postgraduate Certificates include Veterinary Oncology Nursing, Veterinary Rehabilitation Therapy and Veterinary Nurse Practitioner.
RVNs who are graduates or those with Dip AVN or equivalent qualification will be eligible to apply for the MSc, which should normally take three years to complete. There will be six taught modules in the first two years and a research project in the final year - but the timing is flexible and the course could be spread over a longer period. The first intake will be in September 2012.
For more information visit www.harper.ac.uk/vnmasters or phone the postgraduate administrator for an application form, on 01952 815289
Researchers from the School of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Bristol have had a study into domestic dogs' fear responses to noise published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
According to the University, the study provides an important insight into dogs' fear of noises, and could improve our understanding of behavioural signs of fear or anxiety.
In the study two approaches were taken to investigate the occurrence of, and risk factors for, behaviours caused by a fear of noise: a postal survey of dog owners to investigate general demographic factors and a structured interview of a sub-set of owners to gather more detailed information.
It seems that while owners are often aware of their pet's behavioural response when exposed to a loud noise, they do not necessarily recognise it as being indicative of fear or anxiety. This has relevance both for awareness of compromised welfare, and the methodology for surveying such behaviour.
According to the researchers, other behavioural signs, such as decreased activity or salivation, may not be as easily recognised by owners as signs of fear, and may be under-reported. Also, signs of urination, salivation and destruction may make owners disappointed or angry, and this may influence their interpretation that such behaviours are associated with fearfulness.
The risk factors for owner-reported fear of noises included:
The researchers suggest a dog's early life experience is an important factor in the development of fear responses to specific loud noises.
Dr Rachel Casey, European Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine and Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Bristol University, said: "Our results suggest that the characteristics of dogs, their early environment, and exposure to specific loud noises are involved in the development of fear responses to noises. Interestingly, less than a third of owners sought professional advice about treatment for their pet's response to noises."
Disappointingly, less than a third of owners currently seek professional advice about treatment for their pet's fear. The researchers recommend there is a need for veterinary surgeons to increase awareness among the general dog owning public that treatment is both available and effective in dealing with fears of loud noises, and to direct them towards appropriate sources of help.
Information for vets and dog owners on finding an expert to help treat behaviour problems including fear of noises can be found at www.rspca.org.uk/findabehaviourist
Paper: Fear responses to noises in domestic dogs: Prevalence, risk factors and co-occurrence with other fear related behaviour, Emily J. Blackwell, John W.S. Bradshaw, Rachel A. Casey, Applied Animal Behaviour Science, published online 22 January 2013.
Vets Now has won the 'Social Entrepreneur of the Year' award in the Scottish Business Awards for Pet Blood Bank UK.
The charity was initiated by a Vets Now employee, Wendy Barnett, following a change in legislation which created the opportunity to establish a pet equivalent of the human national blood transfusion service. After a trial through Vets Now, Pet Blood Bank UK was set up in 2007 as an independent charity, with a loan and ongoing fundraising support from Vets Now.
Pet Blood Bank UK collects blood from donor dogs, processes it and supplies it to the veterinary profession to use in cases such as traumatic injuries or where major surgery is required. Last year 164 specially organised dog donor sessions were held where owners are encouraged to bring along their dog to 'donate a pint'. Each donation has the potential to save up to four lives. Nearly 9,000 units of blood have been collected in the past five years.
The charity, which has an education and animal welfare remit, charges veterinary practices just the costs incurred in collecting, processing and storing the blood. As well as providing blood, the Pet Blood Bank UK team are experts in transfusion medicine and receive numerous calls through their advice service. Regular lectures, educational talks to the profession and guidance is given to enquiries from all over the world on how to set up a blood bank.
Wendy Barnett, who is now Head of Clinical and Professional Services at Pet Blood Bank UK, said: "At the heart of our charity is a real desire to ensure that should a dog need blood there is a supply available and I'm delighted that our work, and the support of our many doggy donors and their owners, has been recognised through this award.
"Literally thousands of dog lives have been saved as a result of the service and this has been a real collective effort with Vet Supervisor Jenny Walton and the team here contributing to our success. However, we can't rest on our laurels. Demand from vets has been such that we've had to increase our donor sessions considerably. Like humans, there is a less common dog blood type and we desperately need dogs with negative blood type - such as Greyhounds, Weimaraners, Flat Coat Retrievers, Airedales, Boxers, Dobermans and German Shepherd Dogs to donate at our sessions."
Richard Dixon, founder of Vets Now, said: "Wendy was instrumental in setting up the charity and through her vision and leadership donation sessions have grown from one to three a week, with a 38% increase in donations year on year. We are proud of what Wendy has achieved and the role that the charity now plays in providing much needed blood and guidance to veterinary practices the length and breadth of the UK."
The requirement to treat animals entering the UK against ticks was dropped in January 2012.
Four years later, in 2016, the UK saw its first cases of Babesia canis in dogs that had not travelled abroad. MSD says it is thought the disease entered the UK carried on ticks from dogs imported from Central, Southern or Eastern Europe where the disease is rife.
Tick Awareness Month aims to highlight the need to use treatments against ticks to protect the health of pets and their owners. Vets and nurses who agree that the campaign is important are urged to write to their local parliamentary candidates explaining why introducing tick control for dogs before, during and after travel abroad is so important.
A sample letter is available on the Big Tick Project website (www.bigtickproject.co.uk).
Amanda Melvin, Marketing Manager at MSD Animal Health said: "With an election looming we want protecting UK pets and borders against non-native ticks to be on the agenda for the new Government team at DEFRA as after June 8th they start to reshape animal health policy in the UK in the build up to Brexit. If you agree that this campaign is important, during Tick Awareness Month you can get involved by writing to your local parliamentary candidates explaining why introducing tick control for dogs before, during and after travel abroad is so important."
For the first time ever, an educational advertisement about the importance of worming cats and the availablity of spot-on treatment, is to be broadcast on TV.
The advert has been produced by Bayer Animal Health, makers of Profender Spot-on, with the aim of driving pet owners to their vet to ask about spot-on worming for their cats.
Bayer product manager Dan White said: "Profender Spot-on solution is a POM-V product. So we have produced a public information style advert which is educational rather than commercial, in accordance with industry regulations on advertising this animal medicine category to the public. It informs and reminds cat owners of the importance of worming, and encourages them to ask their vet for more information.
"In addition, the advert also features details about a competition to find the cat with the biggest personality to celebrate responsible cat ownership, and invites them to upload images and/or videos of their cat onto the website http://www.spotonwormer4cats.com/."
The 20 second advertisement will be broadcast throughout May on ITV1, ITV2, Channels 4 and 5, and Sky One, and is estimated to reach 7 million cat owners.
Practices can obtain a range of campaign support materials by contacting their Bayer Territory Manager or by calling the Bayer Leaflet Line on 0845 2574798 and quoting 'spot-on'.
Some interesting statistics from insurers Petplan today. Turns out that almost a third of 3000 pet owners surveyed by the company admitted accidentally injuring their pet, resulting in an average vet bill of £170. Nearly 6 out of 10 owners admitted stepping on their pet, while 21% confessed to dropping them. The next biggest threat posed to pets by their owners was accidental poisoning. The survey found that dogs are most likely to be stepped on, whilst guinea pigs are most likely to be dropped by their overly affectionate owners. The survey also found that 1/3rd of pets hurt themselves jumping off furniture, and one in five have been injured running in front of a car. More than a third of pets injure themselves eating something they shouldn't, including the dog that swallowed a pair of knickers, which ended up costing £1,200 to retrieve.
Vetoquinol is introducing Equistro Kerabol Biotin, a complementary feeding stuff for horses which the company says can help maintain healthy hoof and hair growth when used daily.
Equistro Kerabol Biotin will replace Biometh Z and will be automatically supplied in its place when wholesaler stocks of Biometh Z are exhausted.
Equistro Kerabol Biotin is a complex of D-biotin, methionine and Ipaligo zinc in combination with organic selenium and Ipaligo manganese.
Available as a powder in a 3kg bucket which will last 200 days, Vetoquinol says Equistro Kerabol Biotin offers a cost-effective method of ensuring good quality hoof horn.
For more information about any Equistro product, please call 0800 169197 or speak to your local equine territory manager.
The RCVS has announced that its Professional Standards Advice Team, which offers advice about the Code of Professional Conduct and its supporting guidance, is now trialling extended hours and remaining open until 7pm Monday to Friday.
The trial will last for three months.
The closing time of 7pm was decided by the RCVS Standards Committee because research conducted by both the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons and the RCVS determined that this is the average closing time for veterinary practices in the UK.
On average the Professional Conduct Department deals with 7,500 calls a year (which includes calls from veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses looking for advice about professional responsibilities and standards) as well as around 2,000 written requests which are dealt with exclusively by the Professional Standards Advice Team.
Laura McClintock, Standards and Advisory Manager, said: "The aim of the trial is to determine if the profession would take advantage of these extended hours and, therefore, if our team should permanently extend its operating hours to provide a better service to the profession.
"However, it must be remembered that this is not an emergency service but an extension to our standard service and advice during the extended hours will not necessarily be any more immediate than at any other time during the day because it may need further research or input from members of the Standards Committee.
"Prior to launching the trial we also liaised with 10 other UK healthcare and professional regulators and found that our current professional advice service compared favourably to others and that we were providing a more extensive service than many."
The team aims to provide clear, concise and consistent advice to help veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses understand their professional responsibilities and support compliance with the Code. It also distinguishes between professional requirements, legal requirements and suggested good practice and may offer suggestions about how professional responsibilities can be applied in practice.
However, there are some areas on which the team is unable to offer guidance. For example, it cannot offer clinical advice or advice on legal matters such as employment law, maternity rights, or contractual or civil disputes.
Advice is also available for members of the public, for example, to help animal owners understand what they can expect from their veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses.
To contact the team call 020 7202 0789 or, alternatively, email profcon@rcvs.org.uk
What is 'quality improvement', you ask? Good question. Sure, it's an improvement in, er, quality. But of what?
'Quality improvement' is a term adopted from the human healthcare sector, variously defined as anything which makes: "healthcare safer, effective, patient-centred, timely, efficient and equitable (NHS)", or "the combined and unceasing efforts of everyone—healthcare professionals, patients and their families, researchers, payers, planners and educators—to make the changes that will lead to better patient outcomes (health), better system performance (care) and better professional development (BMJ)."
The RCVS research project, which is being conducted by RAND EUROPE, will assess current perceptions and adoption of quality improvement in the veterinary profession.
Specifically, it'll look at the drivers, barriers and expectations associated with QI, with the ultimate goal of strengthening the support provided to the profession.
Chris Gush, Executive Director of RCVS Knowledge, said: "We are delighted to be launching this research project with RAND Europe.
"We know that many of our colleagues across the profession have embedded quality improvement into their practice to great benefit, while we are also aware that it can be a challenge to do so all of the time.
"This research will provide an unprecedented body of evidence on the experiences and perceptions of QI, which will be critical to how we work to support the sector in this area going forward."
Integral to the research is a survey which all members of the profession are invited to take part in, here: bit.ly/QIvetsurvey.
The survey will be live for six weeks, closing early April. It takes around ten minutes to complete, with a prize of one £150 Amazon voucher on offer. Responses will be anonymised.
You can read more about Quality Improvement on the RCVS Knowledge website, here: https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/quality-improvement/
The winner will spend a day filming with Petplan’s social media and production team, and will also receive £250 worth of vouchers for their practice.
James Barnes, Head of Partnerships at Petplan, said: "We are really excited to offer a talented veterinary nurse the opportunity to share their expertise with our online community of pet owners.
"We have a strong social media presence with more than 150,000 fans, so this is a great opportunity to help the nation’s pet owners and build your social media profile at the same time!"
Petplan says the video will also name the practice where the winner works, so it's good publicity for the practice too.
Applicants must be a registered veterinary nurse (RVN) with at least two years' experience in the field and work at a practice that is a partner of Petplan.
To enter the competition, you need to submit a 60 second video clip explaining why you deserve to win to social@petplan.co.uk before the 31st March 2018.
Full terms and conditions can be requested from vetline@petplan.co.uk.
The new bill - Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Recognition of Sentience) - would increase the maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty tenfold, from six months to five years, in England and Wales.
The draft bill also sets out that the government "must have regard to the welfare needs of animals as sentient beings in formulating and implementing government policy".
Subject to consultation on the draft bill, the government says it will legislate to deliver both aims.
In fact, the draft bill goes further than Article 13 as it applies to all areas of government policy, rather than specified areas of policy. If passed, the law would apply to the whole of the UK.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: "Animals are sentient beings who feel pain and suffering, so we are writing that principle into law and ensuring that we protect their welfare. Our plans will also increase sentences for those who commit the most heinous acts of animal cruelty to five years in jail. We are a nation of animal lovers so we will make Brexit work not just for citizens but for the animals we love and cherish too."
BVA President John Fishwick said: "Vets have been clear in our calls that the duty on the state to have due regard for animal welfare - as captured in Article 13 of the EU Lisbon Treaty - must be enshrined in UK law. This Bill captures the substantive obligation that Article 13 currently puts on the national government to consider animal welfare, as well as explicitly recognising animals as sentient beings."
"Today’s draft Bill lays out in black and white the Government making good on its promises, to ensure the UK remains a global leader in animal welfare post-Brexit."
Intervet/Schering-Plough has launched Vectin chewable tablets, an ivermectin wormer for horses which is administered as a treat straight from the hand rather than in the traditional paste or granule formulation.
According to the company, syringe handling, horse acceptance and the tendency to spit out some or all of the paste are common problems reported by owners when worming their horses, and more than 55% admit that these issues can result in a mixture of emotions, including frustration, anxiety and upset.
Field studies with Vectin showed more than 70% spontaneous acceptance by horses and the simple calculation of one tablet for every 110kg of a horse or foal's bodyweight helps to reduce wastage as unused tablets can be stored away for future use.
Pharmacokinetics studies have demonstrated improved bioavailability (AUC) and maximal concentration (Cmax) when compared with an equivalent competitor ivermectin paste formulation. Trials have also shown that a more consistent blood concentration of ivermectin when given as a chew which could potentially limit the chance of inducing resistance.
Intervet/Schering Plough says that used as part of a strategic worming plan, Vectin chewable tablets control potentially a wide range of endoparasites including small and large strongyles, stomach worms, cutaneous worms and stomach bots.
Vectin chewable tablets are available as a seven-tablet blister pack, perfect for treating a horse or a couple of ponies. For yards, a tub of 60 tablets is available, containing enough to dispense product for worming approximately 12 horses.
Vectin chewable tablets are recommended for use alongside Pyratape P and Panacur in Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health's Active3 worming plan, a strategic three-year approach to rotating wormers in order to minimize the risk of resistance developing. Visit http://www.intervet.co.uk/ for a copy of the three-year plan.
Animalcare has announced the launch of a new epilepsy monitoring programme to support users of its Phenoleptil (phenobarbital) tablets.
As part of the programme, veterinary surgeons can have patients' phenobarbital plasma levels analysed by Carmichael Torrance Diagnostic Service (CTDS). CTDS Veterinary Director Nick Carmichael (RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Clinical Pathology) and his team will also be available both to interpret results and discuss all aspects of therapeutic monitoring at no extra cost.
In addition, veterinary surgeons can opt for additional chemistry, including bile acids to assess hepatic function plus haematology. All Phenoleptil users are eligible for 50% discount off these services.
Animalcare has also expanded the Phenoleptil range and launched new strength tablets of 25mg and 100mg. Presented as new "snap- tabs" with a four-way score for more accurate dosing, whatever the weight of the dog, this enables fine adjustments to be made thereafter, reducing the risk of sub-optimal dosing.
The 100 tablet packs are designed for quick and easy dispensing with flavoured tablets to aid compliance. The 12.5mg and 25mg strengths are the only phenobarbital tablets licensed for dogs under 12kg and make it possible to treat dogs as low as 2.5kg (assuming a 2.5mg/kg bid starting dose) in weight. The 100mg tablets are useful to treat larger dogs.
For more information, contact your local Animalcare representative.
Before joining Defra, Christine served as the CVO for New South Wales, Australia, a position she'd held since August 2016. During her tenure there, she led the implementation of new outcome-focused and risk-based biosecurity legislation, online animal certification processes and improved evidence- and risk-based disease control approaches.
Christine comes from a farming family in the south of Scotland, with a background in beef cattle and sheep.
Prior to moving to Australia, she worked for a number of years in private practice in Scotland and the north of England with specific interest in research, meat processing and livestock genetics. She then joined the Animal Health agency (now part of the Animal and Plant Health Agency) in 2008 as a Divisional Veterinary Manager in Scotland. She also led Defra’s Animal Traceability and Public Health policy team, detecting and responding to new and emerging diseases such as Schmallenberg and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea.
Christine said: "I am delighted to have been appointed. It is a privilege to take over from Nigel and lead my veterinary colleagues to support our farming and food industry on the UK reputation for high health and welfare of our animals.
"I am very much looking forward to working again with the team at Defra, its agencies, the devolved administrations and all the individuals and groups who will contribute to meet future challenges.
"Our Secretary of State has confirmed he wants to cement the UK’s place as a world-leader on animal health and welfare as the UK leaves the European Union, and I’m delighted to have an opportunity to play a part in that."
Production company Keo Films is on the hunt for a veterinary surgeon that wants to take a year out and help set up a new community in a remote part of the British Isles for a high profile TV documentary series.
The documentary is essentially a social experiment to see whether it is possible to begin again, away from the conveniences and technology of the modern world.
Keo Films, which was behind such programmes as River Cottage and Welcome to Rio, tells VetNurse.co.uk that they've already had applications from people working in a variety of fields, including doctors, builders and engineers. For obvious reasons, they are very keen to recruit a veterinary surgeon.
There is no payment for appearing in the documentary. Still, it might be just the thing for someone who needs a break from it all. And who knows, it might lead to a second career opening supermarkets at the weekend!
If you know a vet who might be interested, get them to email: eden@keofilms.com or call 020 7490 3580
Hill's Pet Nutrition has launched a new website - www.hillsweightloss.co.uk - featuring the company's weight management programme to help address the UK's spiralling pet obesity epidemic.
Nearly 50 per cent of pets are obese or overweight and the company hopes that the site will act as a valuable support tool for vets, providing clients with an interactive, tailored weight loss and exercise programme to follow with their cat or dog.
The website also includes a series of animated illustrations and videos to demonstrate how to check a pet's Body Condition Score (BCS) by feeling its ribs along with feeding and exercise hints and tips.
To help keep pet owners motivated, the site features a weekly weight loss programme email newsletter consisting of additional support, handy tips and helpful reminders.
Libby Sheridan, veterinary affairs manager at Hill's Pet Nutrition, comments: "Obesity in animals is soaring and the new website is a useful and effective support tool which advises on both diet and exercise regimes and helps keep owners and their pets on track to reach their target weight."
Hill's Pet Nutrition's pet foods to aid and maintain weight loss include Hill's Prescription Diet w/d, m/d and r/d, which has recently been reformulated. In a recent trial, dogs fed Prescription Diet r/d lost 22 per cent of their body fat in eight weeks. Hill's Science Plan Light can also help pets prone to weight gain. Science Plan NeuteredCat is formulated to meet the needs of cats that have been neutered as they are significantly different in their energy needs.
The results of the UK's first ever public National Equine Health Survey have quantified non-notifiable healthcare issues affecting horses, ponies, donkeys and mules in the UK.
The survey, which was pioneered by The Blue Cross animal charity and is supported by The British Equine Veterinary Association, was carried out last November following two years of pilot schemes. The intention was to find out more about endemic non-notifiable diseases that have never before been recorded in horses, ponies, donkeys and mules, such as coughs, skin diseases and lameness.
The results were announced at the National Equine Forum by Professor Josh Slater, Professor of Equine Clinical Studies at The Royal Veterinary College, who has been working with The Blue Cross on the survey.
A total of 306 sets of records were submitted from 3120 horses in mainly private ownership, with a balance of representation from competition yards, riding schools, welfare charities and studs. A broad range of syndromes and diseases were assessed including colic, sarcoids, laminitis, wounds, dental issues, eye disease, lameness and weight issues.
The results showed that lameness was the most common problem affecting horses (11% of horses surveyed) but that the foot was not the most common cause of lameness and that laminitis (3%) was less common than the 7-8% total that previous surveys had suggested.
Weight management was the next most common issue for horse owners, with 9% of horses recorded as overweight and 8% as underweight. These figures are lower than previous surveys which may be because they are based on the owner's assessment of their horse's weight which is subjective and may vary according to their perception of 'the right weight'.
Skin disease and wounds (5% and 4% respectively) posed a significant problem and colic (2%) was also a common occurrence, with a 6:1 ratio between medical and surgical cases.
The survey is breaking new ground in Europe as well as the UK. Currently Government agencies in all European countries conduct surveillance for prescribed exotic diseases such as West Nile Virus and African Horse Sickness but currently there are no large scale surveillance programmes for endemic diseases.
Professor Slater said: "The regular collection of such data holds numerous benefits to the UK equine industry. Not only does the survey provide a benchmarking facility for equine disease, welfare, standards of care and codes of practice but it will also underpin standards for yard inspection schemes. Not least it confirms the workability of an important template to monitor the serious threat of infectious and exotic disease in the future."
He added: "It's exciting to see hints in the NEHS 2010 survey that data 'straight from the horse's mouth' might challenge some established ideas. For example; the survey found that lameness was common, as you would expect, but that the foot was not the most common cause of lameness, which you might not have expected. This kind of data has never been collected before and is invaluable to the veterinary profession and wider animal welfare industry, helping to inform our future research, training and education. It will be really exciting to see the results of the larger surveys The Blue Cross are running in 2011."
Kerry Doyle, education officer at The Blue Cross said: "We are thrilled to be involved with this innovative project to enhance the future health of our horses and very grateful to all those who have participated in the survey so far. We now need even more horse owners to sign up for the next round so that we can capture as much useful data as possible."
The National Equine Health Survey is currently funded by The Blue Cross but sponsorship is being sought. It is to be conducted twice-yearly with the next census week planned for 9-15 May 2011. All keepers and owners of horses are urged to participate and details of all horse owners will remain anonymous. It's very quick and easy to complete and should only take around five minutes. To register online visit www.bluecross.org.uk/NEHS or email NEHS@bluecross.org.uk.
Osteopen (pentosan polysulphate sodium) is a semi-synthetic polymer which Chanelle says has anti-inflammatory properties which particularly benefit the cartilage and other components of synovial joints.
The company also says pentosan polysulphate sodium is capable of modifying the metabolism of the joint structures, leading to the production of the lubricating synovial fluid which in turn reduces pain and helps regenerate damaged joint components.
Chanelle advises that normally, a course of four subcutaneous injections is given with 5-7 days between each injection, with beneficial effects normally noticed after the second or third injection and the improvement usually continuing until after the last injection is given. The beneficial effects are usually maintained for a few months after the fourth injection. If some deterioration is noted in future, the course can be repeated, up to three times in a 12 month period.
Chanelle’s Head of Sales and Marketing Killian Gaffney said: "Osteopen is a very significant product launch for Chanelle to the UK and Irish markets, and the product will be the first alternative pentosan polysulphate sodium available."
He added: "The launch of Osteopen offers choice to the practitioner backed up by a thorough support package featuring vet and owner brochures, posters, pens and notepads."
Hill's Pet Nutrition is offering a 100 per cent money-back guarantee that new Hill's Prescription DietTM Canine r/dTM will help overweight and obese dogs to lose weight in just 8 weeks while still maintaining lean muscle mass.
Libby Sheridan, Veterinary Affairs Manager at Hill's Pet Nutrition said: "We understand that there is a considerable amount of effort required from owners to help their pet lose weight. Along with the additional cost this can make it difficult to convince them to buy in to a prescription weight loss diet.
In order to give vets and pet owners confidence, Hill's is offering a 100 per cent money-back guarantee to pet owners if they don't see any weight loss in just eight weeks."
New r/d, available in 1.5kg, 4kg and 12kg bags, helps with the nutritional management of overweight or obese dogs. According to Hill's, palatability has increased with 9 out of 10 dogs preferring new r/d and its high fibre formula also provides dietary bulk to aid satiety and avoid hunger. New r/d also has high levels of L-carnitine to help burn fat while maintaining lean muscle mass.
Hill's has developed a range of support measures and practice display materials to help raise awareness of obesity and encourage pet owners to try new r/d.
For further information please contact your Hill's Territory Manager or call 0800 282438.
Carprodyl Quadri is a pork-flavoured, four-way break tablet, available in two presentations of 50mg and 120mg. Each tablet offers four dosage strengths, designed to help you prescribe more accurately for a dog’s weight with fewer boxes on the shelves.
Part tablets can be kept in the blister pack for up to 72 hours, so clients can take home the exact amount of carprofen they require, thereby reducing cost and waste.
To support the launch of Carprodyl Quadri, Ceva is launching a range of marketing materials for veterinary practices. They include: dosage charts, dispensing envelopes, remember to order stickers to stick on boxes left on the shelves, reminder cards about the change for reception and dispensaries and client letters explaining why their prescription has changed.
Lucy Vernon, product manager at Ceva Animal Health said: "Carprodyl Quadri is an easy to administer carprofen that provides accurate dosing while reducing cost and waste and is a welcome addition to our popular pain management portfolio."
For further information, contact your local Ceva Animal Health territory manager.