The nursing team at Uplands Way Vets is using bandage art to make clients smile and create a talking point around their practice.

The team originally came up with the idea for a patient who needed bandages changed regularly over a long period of time.

It was so well-received by the dog’s owner that they offered the bespoke bandages to other clients. 

They've been such a hit that nurses Stacey Lamb, Esme Ladds, Charlotte Wright and Amy Howard are now regularly producing the works of art, some of which have gone viral on social media. 

The practice’s head nurse Emily Philpot said: "Our clients love the idea of having their pet’s bandage decorated and it’s very rewarding to see the smiles it puts on their faces.

"We ask if they have any special requests, and they enjoy getting involved in choosing designs for their pets.

"Children get particularly excited about this, and usually ask for their favourite TV characters.

"Sometimes we aim to come up with a design that represents a pet’s name, and we recently decorated a bandage with T-Rex’s for a dog called Rex.

“We have also made rainbows for people who have sadly had to have their pet put to sleep.

"We pop them on the bandage that holds the cannula in place which administers the medication and these have been very popular as well.”

The nurses make all of the designs by hand and cut them from the same material as the bandages, which is light and breathable and won’t interfere with the healing process.

Emily added: “Everyone is so impressed with how creative our nursing team is and the veterinary nurses have enjoyed having an opportunity to show off their talents. They enjoy making a difference, so it’s a great wellbeing boost during the working day.

“They make the designs between appointments and during any quieter periods, and they will often listen to a veterinary podcast while they’re crafting, so they are boosting their knowledge at the same time.

“Luckily, the bandages we use come in lots of different colours, but we did have to search a bit wider to find some that our usual supplier didn’t have available.

"However, it’s worth it for our clients and our patients, as it’s part of our aim to give them the best possible experience when they visit us.”

Carl Gorman has taken over as President of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, continuing the fine tradition that BSAVA has of appointing all-round good eggs to the role.

One of Carl's main presidential tasks will be implementing the BSAVA’s new strategy for 2024, which comes from a current project looking into the wider veterinary profession and how BSAVA can support the community.

Carl is the clinical director of a busy small animal and exotics practice in Newbury, which is also a partner practice for Surrey University, helping to train final year vet students.

He has been a member of BSAVA for 40 years and started volunteering for the Southern Regional Committee in 2013.

Carl said: “BSAVA has always been important to me in my professional life.

"Since becoming a volunteer, I have admired even more the dedication of the staff and volunteers who make up the association.

“I see my time on BSAVA Board as a service to the association and to the small animal veterinary world.

"Becoming President is a huge honour but is part of an ongoing commitment to doing what I can to help BSAVA thrive.”

Entrepreneur and star of Dragon’s Den, Jenny Campbell has been announced as the Keynote Speaker for BSAVA Congress 2-5 April 2020.

As part of an increasing focus on wellbeing at Congress, Jenny will be sharing her thoughts on balancing a successful career with family commitments. Prior to becoming a dragon, Jenny worked in banking for 30 years. She became CEO of cash machine company Hanco, bought out the business, turned it round and sold it for £50 million.

The expanded 2020 Congress programme offers 450 hours of CPD delivered by more than 100 globally recognised speakers. The Association says this year's highlights include more 'open to all' streams, a new range of practical workshops, small group sessions, wetlabs and nurse case reports. There will also be an increased number of AVP streams, an infectious disease stream as well as a popular favourites stream, which will include endocrinology, critical care and trauma medicine, ophthalmology and cardiology. 

New wet labs are being introduced, with a chicken anatomy refresher focussing on linking this knowledge to clinical presentations and common procedures. There's a similar session for rabbit anatomy along with a new dermatology practical and surgery of the small intestine.

BSAVA Congress Programme Committee Chair Sue Murphy said: "Our ethos with the 2020 programme is to deliver unrivalled education, designed to tackle the current needs of the profession, with topical, clinically relevant and evidence-based content. Each stream is devised by our committee of volunteer vets, nurses and practice managers, ensuring our entire programme is created by the profession, for the profession."

BSAVA President, Sue Paterson said: "We are extremely proud to be hosting such an impressive programme of education at our 63rd annual Congress and 30th year in Birmingham. With our prestigious keynote speaker, the small animal focussed exhibition, the BSAVA Awards and a packed social programme including a DJ, band, Bongo’s Bingo and Silent Disco at the V20 Party Night, Congress 2020 celebrates the very best of the profession; a not to be missed date in this year’s veterinary calendar!"

To register for BSAVA Congress visit www.bsavaevents.com. If you book before the 29th January, you'll get 20% off. 

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has had 88% of its research rated as world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*) by the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF).

The impact of the College's research on society was similarly highly-ranked, with 83% being scored 4*, and 7.5 of the 9 impact case studies submitted found to have “outstanding reach and significance”.

Additionally, there has been a 54% increase in the number of full time equivalent academic staff submitted since the last assessment – establishing the RVC as the largest veterinary research institution in the country.

The impact case studies submitted by the RVC covered a range of research areas, including those which advance clinical practice; protect public health by enhancing food safety; inform World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation policy on the control of disease afflicting some of poorest people in the world; and tackle antimicrobial resistance through innovations in drug delivery. 

The College says the results also highlight its holistic and transdisciplinary approach to research, with researchers, teachers, clinicians and pathologists working collaboratively to ensure ‘real world’ impact and advances in clinical practice.

Professor Jonathan Elliott, Professor of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology at the RVC, said: “REF 2021 has recognised the outstanding reach and significance of the impact of our research which is so pleasing to see.

"I know all my academic colleagues are motivated to innovate in order to make a difference to lives of people and those of the animals they keep.

"Our submission truly reflects the breadth of scholarship at the RVC which generates the new knowledge we teach our students, the high quality of which has been endorsed by this external review.”

Vet tech startup Creature Comforts, which two months ago opened its first practice in Notting Hill Gate, London, has now opened its flagship practice in St John’s Wood.

Spread over two floors, the 3,300 sq ft flagship practice is unusually large for a London clinic, and has a dedicated dental suite and laboratory, as well as six spacious and bright consulting rooms.

Notably absent from the practice are a reception desk and continuously ringing telephones.

Instead, customers receive a warm welcome in the members’ area, with separate spaces for cats and dogs.

Shades of lilac on the walls have been carefully chosen to keep animals calm, while a pick and mix wall filled with toys and treats helps pets to develop positive associations with vet visits. 

Co-founders Russell Welsh MRCVS and online estate agent entrepreneur Daniel Attia say that a large portion of Creature Comforts’ customers have signed up as ‘All Access’ members, paying £20 per month to get unlimited access to expert care from vets and nurses.

This includes as many consultations as they need, annual vaccinations and discounted routine treatments e.g. 50% off microchipping.

The remainder have opted to pay as they go for treatment.

Creature Comforts’ chief veterinary officer, Dr Simon Hayes, says: “One of the biggest problems with UK veterinary care is that, due to the expense of consultations, pet owners are understandably reluctant to book in to see a vet until their animals are really sick.

"With a subscription model that includes unlimited consultations, we’ve removed the cost barriers to accessing expertise easily and quickly, so pets are seen more frequently, and conditions can be identified and treated earlier in the disease process, meaning a vastly better outcome for pets and hopefully greater financial savings over their lifetime, too.”

Simon added: “Many people comment on the peace and quiet.

"The absence of phones ringing or receptionists permanently on calls is unusual.

"But because our customers book in, submit queries and request medications via our app, we don’t need these things.

"While our virtual care team can take calls, they’re not based in the practice.

"This frees up our people to welcome customers and make a fuss of their pets so we can turn what has long been a stressful appointment into a positive experience.

"People have told us their pets, who trembled and cried at their previous vet, are now pulling to come inside because they know they’re going to get a treat and lots of attention.

"We’re still doing all the things vets do, in terms of offering excellent care, expertise and advice, but the entire experience around it has been totally transformed.”

Creature Comforts’ third site, also in London, will open towards the end of this year, and the company is keen to hear from veterinary surgeons, nurses and others who may be interested in upcoming vacancies.

The RCVS has confirmed that it commissioned an independent investigation earlier this year which has failed to discover who leaked information contained in confidential Council papers. 

The College first became aware that confidential information had been leaked earlier this year after the Veterinary Record made the decision to publish details. 

The College says it then provided a number of informal opportunities for the person leaking the information to come forward and discuss the reasons for their actions, but nobody stepped forward.

A Council member then made a formal complaint about the leak, which triggered the complaints policy set out in the College’s Code of Conduct for Council Members and instigated the investigation.

The investigation was run independently of the RCVS by an external specialist consultancy, and coordinated by a legal assessor.

Initially, the investigators were asked to focus on a single leak, but following a number of further leaks over ensuing months, it became necessary to widen the scope and depth of the investigation.

The investigators’ report concluded that there had been several separate and deliberate leaks of confidential information by a current or former Council member over an extended period.

However, they were not able to identify who specifically was responsible for the leaks, and because nobody admitted it, no further action under the complaints policy of the Code of Conduct for Council Members was appropriate.

The investigators concluded that the leaks were not the result of poor understanding of College or Council processes, but a deliberate decision to provide confidential information to third parties.

Council members have therefore agreed to review existing training requirements and mechanisms for handling confidential information and to explore in more detail the potential motivation of the person or people who leaked the information, together with the underlying culture of Council that might have influenced their behaviour.

RCVS President Mandisa Greene, said: “There is no denying this is a sad day for the College, and for RCVS Council in particular. As Council members of our professions’ regulatory body, we must maintain the very highest standards of probity and integrity if we are to maintain the trust and confidence of our professional colleagues. In the same way, we must subject ourselves to the same level of scrutiny and investigation if these values and behaviours are ever called into question.

“That someone chose to breach the trust placed in them by their peers is extremely disappointing, especially when they were given every opportunity to come forward to discuss their concerns, and avoid the College having to launch a formal investigation.

"Our default position during Council meetings is to hold as many discussions as possible in public session to ensure Council’s decisions are as open and transparent as possible – something that we will continue to increase as much as possible. Like any organisation, however, there may be a small number of issues that need to be discussed in closed session – for example, those still at concept stage prior to any decision being made public or put out for consultation, or those containing personal or commercially sensitive data.

"I sincerely hope that all of us on Council can learn from this unfortunate and unnecessary episode. We must rebuild and maintain sufficient confidence in each other, and in our processes, that, even if we disagree on certain matters, it is always best to do so in a direct, upfront and honest manner."

Ceva is using Feline Hypertension Month coming up in May to encourage more practices to conduct routine annual blood pressure checks in cats over seven years old. 

The International Society of Feline Medicine advises that blood pressure should be checked annually in cats aged seven years or over, but as they get older they should have their blood pressure checked every six months.

This is particularly important if cats have underlying health conditions such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) or hyperthyroidism.

To support practices who want to take to their clients about feline hypertension, Ceva has produced a new feline hypertension toolkit.

The toolkit, which is available to download from www.easethepressure.co.uk/feline-hypertension-awareness-month, includes: posters, leaflets and stickers to use in practice, waiting room display materials, social media posts and email content and a communications guide.

The company will be holding a waiting room display competition to reward the most creative use of its materials, with a prize of a doppler machine for the winning practice.

Vet influencer ‘Louise the Vet’ will also be supporting the campaign by spreading the word about feline hypertension and the importance of routine blood pressure checks in cats on her social media channels.

Reference

1.  Taylor SS, Sparkes AH, et al.  ISFM Consensus Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of Hypertension in Cats. J Feline Med Surg.  2017.19(3):288-303
   
   

Vets Now Glasgow has launched a neurology and neurosurgery service.

The new service is being headed by Dr Katia Marioni-Henry.

Katia graduated from the University of Parma in 1995 and went on to do a PhD in Clinical Electrodiagnostic at the University of Turin and Scott-Ritchey Research Center in Auburn, Alabama.

Her early career was spent at various American universities, where she became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, with a subspecialty in Neurology and finally an Assistant Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at the University of Tennessee.

Katia came to the UK to work as a consultant in neurology and neurosurgery for a number of large referral practices, before moving to the University of Edinburgh in 2013, where she started the neurology/neurosurgery service, building it from scratch to a nine-strong team.

Katia said: “This is absolutely the best place to be brought in an emergency, but previously we’d have to refer some cases elsewhere for conditions affecting the brain, peripheral nerves or the spine.

“Now some of these debilitating neurological conditions can be diagnosed and treated rapidly here without having to transport the animal.”

“With our CT scanner, for example, we can diagnose slipped discs quickly, especially in small breeds, and treat them surgically.

“And we can use it for brain scans if there is trauma or if we suspect a tumour or severe inflammation in the brain.

“We can do a lumbar tap to rule out inflammation of the central nervous system either on infectious or immune-mediated basis.”

Galliprant from Elanco Animal Health has been awarded ‘Best new veterinary product of the year Award 2019’ by the Veterinary Marketing Association.

The award was due to be presented at the association's annual shindig in March, which was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

VMA Awards chair, Claire Edmunds, said: “This years’ winners will still get their moment of glory on stage next March at the rescheduled event. We can also announce that the event is likely to include some additional categories to recognise campaigns and initiatives undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Carlos Michelsen, managing director of award sponsor, CM Research, added: "Thanks to the continued success of Cytopoint, Zoetis achieved highly commended status. But it was Elanco that came in as award winners, with their novel veterinary pharmaceutical product Galliprant taking the crown. Congratulations to Elanco!"

Rebecca Bryant, Elanco’s marketing manager for Pet Health Therapeutics (pictured right), said “Elanco is delighted to be recognised by the veterinary community with this prestigious award for Galliprant. The UK team is proud to be part of the launch of this innovative, first-in-class product which has already enriched the lives of thousands of pet owners and their dogs living with osteoarthritis. It’s fantastic to hear from vets that managing OA with Galliprant has already made a positive impact on their practices.”

Zoetis product manager, Allison Henry said: “We are very proud to come such close second in this award category as it is a true testament to the lasting innovation Cytopoint has brought to our industry, customers and pets. At Zoetis, we always strive to develop innovative new medicines for the veterinary industry and we are thrilled to see how Cytopoint has done just that.”

This week, veterinary nurses have the chance to ask questions and talk about pain management in the avian patient on VetNurse.co.uk

On hand to answer your questions is Adam Gregory, RVN NCert (Anaesth) DMZAA DipVNZS APVN, Head Nurse at Great Western Exotics.

Before putting your questions to Adam, you're invited to read his article on the subject here: https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/pain-management-in-the-avian-patient 

Then join the Clinical Article Club here: https://www.vetnurse.co.uk/vetnurse-clinical-article-club and post your question or discussion point in the forum. 

Remember, you can claim time spent reading or participating in the discussion towards your annual CPD requirement: press the 'Claim CPD' button at the top right of the discussion thread. 

Neurologist Matthew James from CVS's Dovecote Veterinary Hospital has been given BSAVA PetSavers Veterinary Achievement Award 2024 for research into the initial management of epileptic dogs in first opinion practice.

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:

• Sixty-seven dogs (13.0%) received ASDs at first presentation. Prescription of ASDs was significantly more likely in dogs presenting with cluster seizures.
• Phenobarbital and imepitoin were the most frequently chosen ASDs.
• Eighty-six dogs were presented with cluster seizures; less than half of these were prescribed anti-seizure drugs, most frequently imepitoin (n= 19) and phenobarbital (n=17). Imepitoin was frequently selected in the treatment of cluster seizures despite no authorisation for this purpose.
• Presentation for a single epileptic seizure occurred in 321 dogs; seven were prescribed anti-seizure drugs. Primary care clinicians rarely prescribed anti-seizure drugs following a single epileptic seizure in accordance with International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force recommendations.
• Of the dogs presenting with a single seizure and at least 6-month follow-up (n=165), 33 (20%) did not have subsequent seizures recorded.

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

CEVA Animal Health has launched an arthritis information pack to help support vet practices and their clients.

The pack includes a joint care range brochure, which explores how to recognise and monitor pain in the veterinary practice, and an authoritative eight-page arthritis technical review, which discusses the latest concepts in arthritis control.

In addition, client leaflets are available, which explain some of the measures that can be taken to improve the quality of life for dogs with arthritis, including weight loss and controlled exercise.

CEVA's range of joint support products includes Meloxidyl®, Carprodyl® and Flexivet®.

To receive a free information pack please contact CEVA's small animal veterinary advisor Fraser Broadfoot MRCVS on 01494 781510, CEVA Animal Health Ltd, 90 The Broadway, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 1EG.