The BVNA has announced that Christine Robinson, Bethany Scott and Courtney Scales have won its annual awards. 

The awards were announced during a virtual evening event last Saturday called 'This Is Us 2020', which started with a presentation by Dr Jane Goodall DBE, followed by the award presentation by the BVNA’s Junior Vice President, Jo Oakden.

Christine Robinson won the St Francis Award, which is given to the nurse who has gone above and beyond for their team, for their patients and for the veterinary nursing profession over the past 12 months.

Christine said: "I am delighted to have won this award, and very surprised! In my very long and diverse career, I have never won an award at all. It’s been lovely to have been acknowledged by others and seen as a role model, and for my nursing to be recognised."

Bethany Scott won the Help in the Community Award, which is for a nurse who has gone above and beyond to help animal owners and/or their clinical teams during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bethany said: “I am absolutely shocked and I really wasn’t expecting this! Thank you to those who nominated me and congratulations to everyone else.”

Last but by no means least, Courtney Scales won the VNJ Writer of the Year Award for writing articles which have encouraged positive change, discussions or improved clinical standards in practice.

Courtney said: "This has made my entire year! I am just super super proud, having presented the topic at Congress last year and then going on to write the articles. I really think I have changed quite a few nurses’ perceptions, protocols and patience, and it’s just so exciting."

Jo Oakden said: “It was fantastic to see all the worthy nominees and finalists for our new BVNA awards and Hills and Blue Cross awards.

"The high standards, dedication and resilience of our profession was demonstrated with all of our nominees and winners of the awards, showing they can adapt and overcome to be champions in our profession to help educate and inspire those within and outside of our profession.

"It was a huge honour to be able to present these awards and still keep the celebratory feel in these unusual times. A huge congratulations to all our winners.”

Hear hear!

British shoppers are not losing sleep over the quality of their meat, milk and eggs - at least as far as animal medicines are concerned. They know farmers and their vets do a good job, and trust them to use medicines responsibly, for the health of food producing animals. They do not feel the need to actively seek information about their use. While one fifth have no concerns at all about how their food is produced, factory hygiene and animals' living conditions are at the top of consumers' lists of priorities as far as food production from farm animals is concerned.

These were the conclusions of a recent survey, commissioned by the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH), which examined consumer attitudes toward animal medicines. A total of 1,000 adults, from a range of socio-economic groups across Great Britain, took part.

The survey found that animal medicines and vaccinations are of little concern to consumers, although there is a relatively high level of awareness among shoppers that they are used.

In total, 58% of consumers are aware that farm animals are vaccinated; 58% are aware that farm animals are treated with medicines; and 50% of consumers are aware that farm animals are given preventative medicines. Just 24% of those surveyed were not aware of any medicine use.

The research indicated that, for some shoppers, this lack of awareness was related to a general lack of interest in how food is produced. They make their purchase decisions based mainly on price and appearance.

For those shoppers who do have concerns, hygiene standards in food processing factories and animal living conditions on farms are the most important. Hygiene in factories is the primary concern cited by 22% of respondents, compared with just 4% citing animal vaccinations as their primary concern.

"These results are very encouraging for farmers, vets and the animal health industry alike: they indicate shoppers know they are using medicines responsibly and show a high level of trust by consumers in farmers, veterinarians and animal medicines. They also show that consumers are aware of the need for the careful and responsible use of animal medicines," said Phil Sketchley, Chief Executive of NOAH. "Consumers are reassured by the regulations that exist and the measures that farmers and the animal health industry take".

A study published in Current Biology has demonstrated that there are remarkable similarities in the way that dog and human brains respond to sound, and that dog brains, like those of people, are also sensitive to acoustic emotional cues.

Lead by Attila Andics, researchers from MTA-ELTE Comparative Ethology Research Group in Hungary trained 11 dogs to lay motionless in an fMRI brain scanner. This made it possible to run the same neuroimaging experiment on both dog and human participants - something that had never been done before. They captured both dogs' and humans' brain activities while the subjects listened to nearly 200 dog and human sounds, ranging from whining or crying to playful barking or laughing.

The resultant scans showed that dog and human brains include voice areas in similar locations. Not surprisingly, the voice area of dogs responds more strongly to other dogs while that of humans responds more strongly to other humans.

The researchers also noted striking similarities in the ways the dog and human brains process emotionally loaded sounds. In both species, an area near the primary auditory cortex lit up more with happy sounds than unhappy ones. Andics says the researchers were most struck by the common response to emotion across species.

There were some differences, too: in dogs, 48% of all sound-sensitive brain regions respond more strongly to sounds other than voices. That's in contrast to humans, in which only 3% of sound-sensitive brain regions show greater response to nonvocal versus vocal sounds.

The researchers say that the findings suggest that voice areas evolved at least 100 million years ago, the age of the last common ancestor of humans and dogs. It also offers new insight into humans' unique connection with our best friends in the animal kingdom and helps to explain the behavioural and neural mechanisms that made this alliance so effective for tens of thousands of years.

Andics said: "This method offers a totally new way of investigating neural processing in dogs. At last we begin to understand how our best friend is looking at us and navigating in our social environment."

Photograph: Borbala Ferenczy. Dogs at the MR Research Centre (Budapest).

TVM has launched Carbodote Prime and Carbodote Repeat, two complementary products designed to make dealing with poisoned pets easier, safer and more convenient.

Carbodote Prime is the first activated charcoal product for cats and dogs to contain a cathartic, which speeds up intestinal transit time so that bound toxins are expelled more quickly.

Carbodote Repeat is for those situations where repeated administration of plain activated charcoal is needed due to the type of the toxin involved. 

Carbodote Repeat can be administered to the patient every 4-6 hours over 24-48 hours.

Both products are presented as a ready-mixed, easy to swallow gel formulation, for less mess and reduced risk of aspiration.

TVM says the 60ml ‘dial and dispense’ syringes make administration easy for both veterinary staff and pet owners.

For more information, visit www.tvm-uk.com/carbodote or contact your Territory Manager.

RCVS Knowledge has launched 'Managing Veterinary Medicines: Staying legal and promoting safety', a free online course for veterinary teams to improve their medication safety in practice.

'Managing Veterinary Medicines' teaches safe and responsible use of veterinary medicines and medicine regulations. 

RCVS Knowledge says it will also show you how to put systems in place that will reduce errors, improve patient outcomes and improve practice systems.

It's worth six hours of CPD.

The course has been produced in collaboration between RCVS Knowledge and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), and includes a range of webinars, podcasts and articles.

Executive Director at RCVS Knowledge, Chris Gush said: “In England alone, more than 1,700 people die yearly because of medication errors.

"While we don't know the true figures in veterinary medicine, we do know that 30% of errors reported to the VDS's VetSafe system are due to medication errors.

“That's why we think it's vital to have good robust systems in place in the practice dispensary and to use QI tools like guidelines, protocols, and checklists.

CEO of the VMD, Abi Seager said: “Managing Veterinary Medicines will help teams comply with legislation as well as keep patients, team members and clients safe when prescribing and dispensing medicine.”

The course will also prepare practices for a VMD inspection or an RCVS Practice Standards Scheme assessment.

https://learn.rcvsknowledge.org 

Veterinary Insights, a business intelligence provider, says it calculates that revenue in UK companion animal practices has now recovered to 82% of pre-lockdown levels.

Veterinary Insights gets its data from over 400 practices using Vet Viewer, its benchmarking software which practices use to monitor business metrics.

Apparently, the figures show that while overall turnover has bounced back relatively robustly, sales in certain areas are still lagging, reflecting changed routines in the ‘new normal’. For example, with many practices requesting clients wait in the car park, there has been a sustained drop in the sale of products typically sold in the waiting room, with sales of pet food falling by 44% during early lockdown, and still down by 25% compared with February’s figures.

The company says there are also significant business stresses that may not be captured in current revenue data.

Alexander Arpino, Managing Director of Veterinary Insights, said: “Anecdotally, we’re hearing that vets are increasingly hard-pressed for time, with logistical difficulties arising from social distancing. Consults are taking longer, and there’s an additional headache for receptionists as payments have to be collected afterwards over the phone. While there are some quick fixes, for example using a telemedicine app such as LinkyVet that sets payment expectations up front, there is no doubt that it’s difficult to make all this extra time investment sustainable in the long run.”

Paradoxically, while consults may be taking up more of vets’ time, some clients feel that they are getting less value for money as there is little face-to-face interaction with the vet. Alexander added: "One of the biggest challenges in the current environment is preserving and fostering those positive relationships with clients that are the cornerstone of companion animal practice.

"Ultimately, we want to bring clients back into the consult room, but only as and when it’s safe to do so. Otherwise, the question is: How can we make adjustments to maintain a high level of client satisfaction, without putting undue stress on vets?"

Veterinary Insights says its software can help practices navigate these challenges by presenting up to 24 months of historical data extracted from practice management systems, enabling businesses to draw comparisons with past performance.

For more information, visit www.vetviewer.co.uk.

Former Portsmouth-based vet, Simon Wood, who was struck off in 2018 after a conviction for possessing indecent images of children, has had his application for restoration to the Register refused by the RCVS Disciplinary Committee.

Mr Wood pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children at Portsmouth Magistrate’s Court in December 2017. Following his conviction, Mr Wood was given a community sentence, fined and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for five years.

Mr Wood’s application for restoration was based on the argument that he was professionally competent to be restored to the Register, that he had strong mitigation for his original conviction (for which he had demonstrated remorse), that he had a low chance of reoffending, had engaged proactively with the Probation Service and rehabilitative courses, and that had completed his community service.

In considering Mr Wood’s application, the Disciplinary Committee took into account a number of factors including Mr Wood’s acceptance of the Committee’s original findings, the seriousness of the original findings, protection of the public, the future welfare of animals in his care should he be restored, the length of time off the Register, his conduct since removal from the Register, efforts by Mr Wood to keep up-to-date with his continuing professional development (CPD), the impact of removal from the Register on Mr Wood and public support for his restoration.

However, on balance, the Committee decided that Mr Wood was not currently fit to be restored to the Register.

Ian Arundale, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "In essence, the Committee decided that the facts of the charge justifying removal from the Register and the underlying criminal behaviour were too serious for Mr Wood to be restored at this time. It concluded that because Mr Wood continued to be subject to a sexual harm prevention order, notification requirements for sexual offenders and because he remained on the Barring List by the Disclosure and Barring service until January 2023, he was not fit to be restored to the Register at this time.

"The Committee accepted that Mr Wood had made significant efforts to rehabilitate himself but it was not persuaded that he was fit to be restored to the Register because ancillary orders relating to the underlying criminal offences remained in force. The Committee noted that at the time those orders were made Mr Wood was described as having an addiction and although the Committee accepted that there was a low risk of future reoffending, it decided that because the orders were still in place for public protection reasons, Mr Wood was not fit to be restored to the Register."

The full report of Mr Wood’s restoration hearing can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary

Pegasus, a communications agency, is asking veterinary professionals to take part in a ten minute survey about the future of the industry after, or living with, coronavirus. 

Everyone who takes part in the survey, which is also open to vets, practice support staff and veterinary students, will be entered into a free prize draw for the chance to win a 1 of 3 Amazon gift vouchers (up to the value of £200).

Lizzie Erian-Round, Head Veterinary Healthcare Advisor at Pegasus (pictured right) said: "With lockdown measures easing, it is a good time to take a deeper dive into what the future looks like. And importantly, how veterinary professionals feel about it. No one has a crystal ball but those on the veterinary frontline are already getting a sense of what could lie ahead. And we believe it’s important they get to share their view of what good support and communications look like.

Our last wave of research indicated that COVID-19 could be a major catalyst for future digital innovation and have lasting consequences for the way we practice. With that in mind we’ve focussed our new survey to be more forward facing."

Pegasus's last survey found that 84% of veterinary professionals thought that the coronavirus pandemic would change the way veterinary practices operate in the future. 78% thought more owners will buy their medicines online. 71% worried about their exposure to coronavirus at their work place and 68% worried about the impact of the pandemic on their mental wellbeing. 

The survey closes at 9am GMT Tuesday 30th June  The results will help animal health companies better understand how to best support and communicate with the veterinary profession beyond the pandemic.

To take part in the survey, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DRWSNWT 

For a copy of the results, which will be available in July, email: animal@thisispegasus.co.uk.

Hill's Pet Nutrition has highlighted recent studies which, the company says, prove that feeding a food enriched with omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils to dogs with osteoarthritis results in a reduction in NSAID dosage of up to 25%¹, owner observed improvements in clinical signs³, and improved weight bearing ability^{2, 7}

The claim that food can effectively support medical treatment follows in the wake of two published and one in press study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association (JAVMA). These demonstrate that omega-3 enriched food (in this case Hill's Prescription Diet j/d Canine) has significant  effects on weight bearing and helps reduce NSAID dosage by up to 25 per cent, when fed to dogs with osteoarthritis ^{1, 2,3}. 

According to Hill's, the research demonstrates that in dogs the high levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from fish oils can down-regulate the cartilage degrading enzyme aggrecanase¹. In vitro studies have also identified that EPA resulted in a reduction in the amount of degraded cartilage residue produced⁴. High levels of omega-3 fatty acids can also help to reduce inflammation^5,6.

The two studies that were recently published confirm that feeding a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids aids in the management of osteoarthritis in dogs^2,3. The randomized double-blinded controlled trials were carried out over three and six months respectively and involved a total of 165 dogs identified as suffering from mild to moderate osteoarthritis. After collating the results from almost 25,000 trial days, researchers were able to confirm a significant 'clinical improvement' from feeding a food fortified with fatty acids.

In the first study described in JAVMA, researchers found evidence that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils resulted in improvements in weight bearing². Objective measurement using force plate gait analysis demonstrated that dogs fed a test food fortified with fatty acids were seven times as likely to show improved weight bearing compared with dogs fed a control food.

In the second study, through a detailed questionnaire, owners also observed significant improvements in their dog's osteoarthritic condition³.  Improvements observed covered the following signs: difficulty in rising from rest, limping, stiffness, soreness when touched, yelping or whimpering in pain, aggression, lagging on walks, reluctance to play and overall activity level.

Adrian Pratt, Veterinary Affairs Manager for Hill's Pet Nutrition, manufacturer of Prescription Diet j/d, which is enriched with omega-3 fatty acids, hailed the results as a breakthrough in the field of nutrigenomics (the study of the effects of nutrition on gene expression): "This research points the way to a new model for the management of osteoarthritis, using a clinically proven food to interrupt the cycle of damage and cartilage degradation, alongside graded levels of NSAIDs and proactive programmes to manage weight and adjust exercise routines. Clinicians now have the conclusive proof they need to recommend feeding omega-3 enriched food to ameliorate the signs of osteoarthritis in clients' pets and to adjust NSAID doses accordingly." 

For further information on Hill's Prescription Diet j/d, please contact your Hill's Territory Manager or call 0800 282438.

References
1. A multicenter study of the effect of a therapeutic food supplemented with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on the Carpofen dosage in dogs with osteoarthritis. Fritsch A, Allen T, Dodd C, JAVMA in press
2. Evaluation of the effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on weight bearing in dogs. Roush J, Cross A, Renberg W, Dodd C, Sixby K, Fritsch A, Allen T, Jewell, Richardson D, Leventhal P, Hahn K, JAVMA Vol 236 No 1, Jan 2010 pp67-73
3. Multicenter veterinary practice assessment of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on osteoarthritis in dogs. Roush J, Dodd C, Fritsch A, Allen T, Jewell D, Schoenherr W, Richardson D, Leventhal P, Hahn K, JAVMA Vol 236 No 1, Jan 2010 pp 59-66
4. Eicosapentaenoate supplementation abrogates canine articular cartilage degeneration in in vitro explant culture systems, Caterson B, Cramp J, Little C B et al, Hills European Symposium on osteoarthritis and joint health 2005 14-19
5.  Dietary modification of inflammation with lipids, P C Calder, Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2002 345-358
6.  Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory mediator production, James M J, Cleland L G, Gibson R A, Am J Clin Nut 2000: 71 suppl 343S- 358S
7.  Vasseur PB, Johnson AL, Budsberg SC, et al. Randomized, controlled trial of the efficacy of carprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, in the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1995; 206 (6): 807-811.

Improve International has launched what it says are the first globally accessible distance learning certificate programmes for veterinary nurses, veterinary technicians and veterinary paraprofessionals. 

Veterinary nurses, veterinary technicians and certain veterinary paraprofessionals around the world will soon be able to enrol for the first Distance Learning Veterinary Nurse (NCert)/ Veterinary Technician (VTCert)/Veterinary Paraprofessional (VPP) programmes. 

The NCert, VTCert and VPP are due to launch in March 2021.

They each consist of eight modules, delivered using interactive online learning techniques. Delegates are guided through each module by a module tutor, while a discussion forum offers them the opportunity to share experiences and ideas with colleagues from around the world. Training in study skills and reflective practice is built into the programme to ensure that a holistic approach is taken to the learning experience.

Dr Charlotte French, Head of Curriculum and Quality at Improve International, said: “We wanted to create an exciting, practical and innovative learning experience that would offer the maximum flexibility to ambitious veterinary nurses and veterinary technicians anywhere in the world, who are keen to advance their career but need to fit their learning around their work and home responsibilities.

"We believe the modular structure and phased delivery of our programmes will offer a new level of accessibility and convenience to our delegates while giving them unique features, such as the opportunity to share their learning with colleagues from around the world and to gain support from vets and vet nurses who are specialised in their field.”

Assessment for the certificates will be undertaken by Improve’s assessment partner the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS), and comprises:

• A clinical reflective academic writing assessment (clinical audit)
• A multiple-choice question examination
• A ‘spot test’ examination which incorporates videos and images as appropriate and utilises more innovative question formats to test the application of knowledge.

Both examinations will be taken online with remote invigilation.

Dr Sheila Wills, Director of ISVPS, said: “Following feedback from candidates and our examiners, we have recently enhanced the examination process we offer to candidates to provide a robust assessment, while giving them the opportunity to clearly demonstrate that their learning has been understood and that they can apply it in a clinical setting.”

Further information on both programmes can be found here: https://www.improveinternational.com/uk/distance-learning-nurse/ 

The RCVS has published an interim report of the achievements so far of its VN Futures project to champion and improve veterinary nursing. 

The project was launched as a joint initiative between the RCVS and the BVNA in 2016. Its objectives included highlighting veterinary nursing as a career, encouraging more people into veterinary nursing, improving retention, expanding the scope of the VN role, and providing more opportunity for career progression.

The report begins by highlighting perhaps the biggest challenge facing the profession, that in 2019, 25% of veterinary nurses said they plan to leave the profession in the next five years, largely because of poor pay, because they don't feel sufficiently valued, lack of career opportunities and because of a poor work/life balance.

The main achievements of the project, which should certainly help with some of these issues, include:

• The creation of the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (Cert AVN), to help maximise veterinary nurses' potential.
• The Schools Ambassadors Development Programme, to help get schoolchildren interested in veterinary nursing from a young age.
• The development of a Working Party to look at legislative reform to enhance the role of nurses, and in the meantime, a poster and case studies designed to promote better delegation.
• A campaign by the BVNA in August and September 2021 to support nurses affected by chronic illness.

Jill Macdonald, VN Futures Project Coordinator, said: "The report is a culmination of years of hard work, putting in place measures to champion the veterinary nursing profession and safeguard it for the future. Through the introduction of initiatives like the School Ambassador Development Programme and the introduction of the CertAVN, to name but a few, we have put in place steps to inspire the next generation of veterinary nurses and support the training and development of people currently working in the profession."

You can read the full VN Futures Interim Report at https://www.vnfutures.org.uk/resource-items/vn-futures-interim-report-2021 

MSD Animal Health has launched its Summer Staycation campaign with a range of resources to help veterinary practices keep their clients safe from parasites while holidaying in the UK.

MSD says the Summer Staycation campaign is designed to support the needs of new dog owners and those taking their dogs to areas outside their local region, where parasites risks will be different.

The campaign offers veterinary practices a range of resources, including client emails, a downloadable guide to parasites, social media posts and an interactive risk checker on the Keeping Britain's Pets Healthy website. There is also some training for front of house staff and receptionists at https://www.msd-animal-health-hub.co.uk/cpd/staycation.

Nicola Barclay, Senior Product Manager at MSD Animal Health said: "Summer holidays will be taking a different form this year with most people planning trips in the UK, making it more likely they will take their pets.

"What's important is that seasoned and new owners alike are aware of the parasite risks in the places they're visiting so they aren't putting the health of their pets at risk.

"We're therefore providing a range of resources to help veterinary practices encourage pet owners to make sure there are no breaks in their parasite protection and vaccinations and that they are appropriately protected for the places they'll be visiting."

Dr Ian Wright, Head of ESCCAP UK & Ireland added: "The research findings from The Big Tick Project in 2015 found that 1 in 3 dogs coming into veterinary practices during the summer months had ticks on them.

"Research is also showing many parasites extending their range with an increased risk of human and pet exposure. Warming temperatures mean that ticks can be encountered all year round in the UK, carrying potentially dangerous pathogens to dogs and people including Lyme disease and Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV).

"With so many new dog owners and people being more likely to holiday in the UK, making sure dog owners understand the risks, while keeping them in proportion, and giving appropriate protection advice is vital.''

For more information, contact your MSD Animal Health account manager.

The RCVS is running a survey to get the views and opinions of UK veterinary surgeons about 24/7 emergency cover and the definition of 'under care'.

The survey is the second stage of a three stage review recommended to RCVS Council by the College’s Standards Committee in 2019, after it looked at the implications of new technologies for both animal welfare and veterinary regulation.

The main areas under consideration include the provision of 24/7 emergency cover and the interpretation and application of an animal being under the care of a veterinary surgeon. The review also encompasses remote consulting.

In stage one of the review, the RCVS commissioned a research agency to conduct a series of focus group discussions with veterinary professionals working in a variety of roles and sectors. The information gleaned from the discussions was then used to develop the questions for this survey. 

The survey will ask veterinary professionals to reflect on what, for them, should underpin good regulations and guidelines for practice.

It will then ask respondents how these principles should be applied in particular situations relating to 24/7 emergency cover and 'under care' before inviting their views on how they would like regulations on these two areas to deal with any tensions between different desirable regulatory aims.

The survey results will be used to help produce any changes to the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct and its supporting guidance concerning ‘under care’ and the provision of 24/7 emergency cover, which will then be put out for full public consultation later this year.

Chair of the RCVS Standards Committee, Dr Melissa Donald, said: “This review addresses fundamental questions about how we should continue to interpret ‘under care’ in a profession, and a society, that is largely unrecognisable to the one that first defined the term, and, at the same time, how we can continue to provide 24/7 emergency cover for those animals under our care.

“The original Vet Futures report also emphasised the impact that technological advances may have on the veterinary professions, so we must ensure we have in place a regulatory framework that gives consideration to these potential changes whilst ensuring animal health and welfare remain at its heart.

“These are challenging but hugely important questions on which we are hoping to receive as much feedback as possible. I do understand the huge pressures my vet and vet nurse colleagues continue to work under at the moment, so would like to thank them in advance for taking a little time out of their busy days to send us their views.”

The survey will open on Wednesday, 19th May 2021 for all UK-based veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses.

All responses will be used and reported anonymously, so respondents will not be identified.

The survey will be open for four weeks, closing at 5pm on Wednesday, 16 June 2021.

It should take 15-20 minutes to complete, but can be returned to and completed in stages if preferred.

Further background information about the Under Care Review is available at www.rcvs.org.uk/undercare.