The YuMOVE ADVANCE 360 range contains a new combination of ActivEase Green Lipped Mussel extract and purified fish oil to provide a concentrated, sustainable source of Omega 3 EFA’s and higher levels of essential fatty acids, ETA, EPA and DHA.
Lintbells says that these ingredients, together with other additions to the formula, aid the body's own natural anti-inflammatory process to soothe stiff joints. The company says the new product is clinically proven to work within six weeks.1
Lintbells Product Marketing Executive Gemma Cunningham said: "It’s important that the company keeps innovating. This new launch reflects Lintbells commitment to take quality to the highest level and to invest in research and development to constantly improve the products available to practices."
YuMOVE ADVANCE 360 is available as a palatable tablet for dogs that is accepted like a treat by 86% of dogs.2. The cat product is well accepted by 86% of cats3 and is presented in a capsule that is broken to allow the contents to be sprinkled on food.
Lintbells Veterinary Director, James Howie, says YuMOVE ADVANCE 360 can be recommended with confidence as part of a multimodal approach to joint management: "We want to provide practices with the best and most advanced formulations with proven outcomes.
"YuMOVE ADVANCE 360 is highly bioavailable, benefits from full traceability and purity assessments and is made with real expertise using the highest quality ingredients. It makes sense to make it veterinary exclusive and put it into the hands of professionals who can recommend it to the animals that will benefit most."
YuMOVE ADVANCE 360 Dog and YuMOVE ADVANCE 360 Cat are expected to be available to order from veterinary wholesalers on 5th February 2018. For further information, contact your Lintbells Veterinary Business Executive or call 01462 790886.
References
The campaign comprises a series of short videos featuring equine behaviourist Gemma Pearson MRCVS. The videos demonstrate quick and simple ways of teaching horses to be quiet, relaxed and safe for injections, clipping, worming, examinations and other veterinary procedures.
Equine practices can share the video links with clients here.
According to a paper published in the journal Equine Veterinary Education in January, an equine vet may expect to sustain between seven and eight work-related injuries that impede them from practicing, during a 30-year working life.1
This is far a higher figure than other civilian occupations such as the construction industry, prison service and the fire brigade.
Bruising, fracture and laceration to the leg or the head were the most common injuries reported with the main cause being a kick with a hind limb. Nearly a quarter of these reported injuries required hospital admission and 7% resulted in loss of consciousness.
David Mountford, CEO at BEVA said: "Many accidents reportedly occur when vets are trying to work with horses who have learnt to avoid examination or treatment and where handlers are not in full control. Gemma’s work at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and her amazing videos show how a little preparation can have a big impact on horse, owner and vet safety.”
David Catlow, Blue Cross director of clinical services, said: "These videos are a superb resource to help with behaviour training in horses and to help them remain calm and manageable in all sorts of circumstances. Time spent on behaviour training of horses, using positive reinforcement methods such as these, is time well spent for everyone’s safety. Blue Cross invests a great deal of time in behaviour training on the horses we rehome, and it works."
The seven practical videos cover how clients can train and prepare their horse for:
David Mountford added: "These videos make interesting viewing for vets as well as horse owners and build on Gemma’s eBEVA webinar "Practical Equine Behaviour" and the Guidance on Managing Equine Risks that BEVA has produced.”
You can watch the videos here.
Photo: Equine vets Malcolm Morley and Gemma Pearson
MMI seeks to address mental health and wellbeing issues within the veterinary profession, while the Doctors’ Support Network provides peer support for doctors and medical students with mental health concerns.
&me was launched this time last year at the Palace of Westminster at an event sponsored by Kevan Jones MP (Labour, North Durham,) who has spoken about his own experiences with depression.
Overall eleven &me ambassadors have volunteered their own stories with mental ill-health:
A number of &me ambassadors will be taking part in an ‘&me live’ session at BSAVA Congress, from 5-8 April 2018 in Birmingham, providing a short overview of their story before taking questions from the audience. The session will take place from 8.30 to 10.10am on Saturday 7 April and will be open to all those attending Congress.
Lizzie Lockett, RCVS CEO and Mind Matters Director, said: "The feedback our &me ambassadors have received is truly heartening.
"Steve Carter, for example, had both an ex-student and colleague comment on his story thanking him for all he’s done, while a Facebook post about Rob Pettitt reached nearly 25,000 people.
"The campaign highlights how it is possible to recover from mental ill-health and flourish in your career, with the aim of encouraging those at the start of their mental ill-health experience to seek appropriate help, whether that is something profession-specific, such as Vetlife or DSN, or their GP."
Louise Freeman, Co-Chair of the DSN, added: "Many healthcare professionals face similar pressures that can lead to mental ill-health, including long hours, intense pressure, and the nature of the job which requires practitioners to constantly provide care for others, without necessarily recognising the need for self-care at the same time.
"A recurring theme that we’ve seen from these ambassadors’ stories has been that they drew on support from friends and family, and we really hope that this campaign encourages other professionals to seek help if they feel they are struggling."
The campaign is interested in hearing from not only doctors and veterinary surgeons but also nurses, veterinary nurses, dentists, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals who want to open up about their experiences of mental ill-health.
To participate in the campaign, email Dr Louise Freeman on vicechair@dsn.org.uk.
Further information about the ‘&me’ campaign can be found at www.vetmindmatters.org/&me, and a blog by Louise, 'Me and #AndMe', can be found at www.vetmindmatters.org/me-and-andme/.
Tony Noble, managing director at Noble Futures, said: "We have been working with organisations of all shapes and sizes since our foundation in 2002 and it became clear that while we can ensure that our clients recruit the top people for the job - through finding them the best permanent, contracting or temporary employees - the resources are not always present to ensure that this human resource potential is maximised. The team at The Partners deliver a world-class service and we are 100% confident that their professional and expert support services will make a real difference to our clients’ businesses."
Noble Futures and The Partners have launched three new services:
The Human Resources support service is aimed at organisations that need additional support or more expert advice within the human resources function, whether it relates to a particular employee issue such as managing a long-term illness, or a wider corporate challenge like implementing a company-wide performance management system.
The Psychometric Profiling service is designed to give unique insights into the individual traits of employees, to help with recruitment, promotion, coaching and career development.
Finally, the Management Development service has been developed to help ensure a company’s employees receive the right training for success.
Paula Summerscales (pictured right with husband Graham) from The Partners said: "We are delighted to partner with Noble Futures to deliver our range of people-building services to organisations in the animal health sector. Our unique mix of skills and experience allows us to bring a tailored approach to every single project we work on and we’re looking forward to working with Noble Futures clients to implement innovative solutions that gain commercial results."
For more information, contact Noble Futures on 0161 820 3510 or email: info@noble-futures.com.
In one case, Tigga, a 17-year-old cat with an itchy and destructive tumour on her nose, was in complete remission within 44 days. In another case, a tumour vanished in a dog where the aim of the treatment was only to shrink the mass before an operation to remove it.
NDSR, which is based in Bletchingley, is the only referral centre in the UK and one of very few in the world offering electrochemotherapy in pets.
Electrochemotherapy is given in two stages.
First, the patient is given a mild dose of intravenous chemotherapy in the normal way and then, using a probe, a precise electrical charge is given to the area on or around the tumour.
This temporarily opens up tiny holes in the cells, big enough to allow the drug to enter, which then close again in microseconds. This means the drug will only attack cancerous cells, unlike normal chemotherapy, which also kills healthy cells.
Gerry Polton, clinical director of oncology at NDSR, said: "Normal chemotherapy works on the principle of being more damaging to cancer than non-cancerous tissue. Some cancers are more resilient, so there are differences in how they respond to treatment, and this can cause more harm to the patient.
"Electrochemotherapy involves clever anatomical targeting of a specific site and is an effective way of protecting healthy cells.
"The results we are seeing in cases like Tigga’s are unprecedented and we are learning about the procedure all the time. We are always looking for better ways of treating cancer without the effect of harming the patient indiscriminately and this has proved to be a very effective way of doing this."
According to NDSR, the results could help inform the development of the targeted treatment in humans, where electrochemotherapy is used in a small number of cases in the NHS.
At present, many clinical trials are carried out on laboratory animals which are bred with no immune system – but dogs have similarities in genetics to humans and have working immune systems, meaning they can provide a more accurate parallel for how the treatment may work in people.
Gerry said: "A pet dog would be a good model for human cancer studies. It's a mammal with a heartbeat, blood supply and working immune system.
"Progress with electrochemotherapy in animals is being made in parallel with progress in electrochemotherapy in the human field, and what we are learning may even inform what is happening in people.
"Electrochemotherapy is a form of treatment which Cancer Research UK describe as 'fairly new' on its website, with limited information about its effectiveness. So maybe something would be gained from learning together."
Launched in 2016, Simparica kills 95% of fleas within eight hours. It's also indicated for 99% of UK ticks and kills them within 12 hours. Zoetis says the produce provides protection for at least 35 days without losing efficacy at the end of the month.
Scott Wheway, Zoetis Product Manager, said: "As well as being fast acting and long lasting with a very good safety profile, these new claims give Simparica an expanded spectrum of cover for skin parasites. It is indicated for all four major species of ticks, including Ixodes hexagonus, the two species of fleas dogs are most frequently infested with, and three species of mites. This makes it the ideal solution for parasitic management in dermatology cases".
Scott added: "Our anti-parasitic products, including Simparica and Stronghold Plus, are only part of the Zoetis offering. With our dedicated business and veterinary consulting teams we work with practices to help grow their preventative health business by providing better patient outcomes and increased client value."
For more information, contact your Zoetis Account Manager ring 0845 300 8034 or email: customersupportUK@zoetis.com
Ceva says Adaptil Junior has been proven to reduce night crying and whining by 86%2 and helps puppies to adapt to their new homes and unfamiliar situations in three days3, 4.
According to the company, puppies with Adaptil Junior are also less fearful and anxious during puppy classes, resulting in better long-term socialisation3.
Research carried out by the company found that over 60% of dog owners buy their dogs as puppies, with half of those questioned getting their dogs before they are three months old1.
Abigail King, product manager for Adaptil at Ceva Animal Health said: "Adopting a puppy is an exciting, yet challenging time with puppies facing stressful situations such as separation from their mother, socialisation, staying home alone and experiencing new sights, sounds and noises.
"Adaptil Junior is an effective, natural solution to help comfort newly adopted puppies and facilitate their education while helping them to learn and adapt to their new lives. This, in turn, will ensure that puppies get off to the best start in life, which will help keep rehoming numbers down."
Adaptil Junior comes in the form of a translucent blue collar which fits necks up to 37.5cm in circumference. The collar releases dog appeasing pheromone over a period of four weeks and should be worn continuously.
To support the launch of Adaptil Junior, Ceva Animal Health has introduced a puppy party marketing pack to provide puppy party organisers with the tools they need in order to stage puppy parties.
Produced in collaboration with the leading dog behaviourist, Gwen Bailey, the pack features display materials, webinars, gifts and literature including leaflets, puppy party invites and posters and is available with Adaptil Junior orders.
For more information, visit www.adaptil.com/uk.
Written in association with Dr Elinor O’Connor, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Psychology at Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, the guide is designed for anyone with an interest in the wellbeing of the veterinary team. It provides practical advice to veterinary workplaces on managing stress and promoting wellbeing, alongside examples from the three winning practices of the 2016 MMI/SPVS Wellbeing Awards.
Elinor said: "Addressing stress in veterinary work not only has benefits for the health and wellbeing of each person in the veterinary team, but the business case for reducing work-related stress is clear; stress is associated with poorer performance, increased absenteeism and higher employee turnover. The wellbeing guide provides information about proven techniques for reducing stress at work combined with suggestions for how they might be applied in veterinary workplaces."
Lizzie Lockett, RCVS CEO and Mind Matters Director, said: "Stress at work is an important issue right across the veterinary team. It is sometimes considered just an acceptable part of working in an environment that can be difficult to control, but things can change.
"By making wellbeing a priority practices can support individuals and help their team work better together, and thus provide the best treatment for the animals under their care. This leaflet unpacks some of the root causes of work-related stress and may be of particular interest to practice managers, line managers or health and safety officers."
Good to see that the guide includes a recommendation that practices have measures in place to identify and resolve conflict at work and a clear policy on harassment or bullying, something which research by VetSurgeon.org, VetNurse.co.uk and ex-BSAVA Head of Scientific Policy, Sally Everitt MRCVS found correlated with reduced reports of sustained unpleasant behaviour in practice, a significant source of stress.
The guide can be downloaded here: https://www.vetmindmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/MMI-12pp-web.pdf.
The first survey, which was conducted by CM Research, found that male veterinary surgeons get paid more across all levels and roles
Based on 2016-17 salary data collected from 810 vets across the UK, the survey showed that while the average female partner earns £51,315, her male equivalent earns a pre-tax equivalent salary of £69,755 - a difference of £18,440 (36% more).
The survey also found that female full time vets earn an average £41,152 per year while their male colleagues earn £46,921 - a difference of almost £6,000 or 12%.
On average, female part time vets were found to be earning £1,707 less than their male equivalents - around 6%.
Female veterinary nurses also earn less than their male peers, with average salaries of £19,594 being almost £3,000 less than male nurses - a 13% difference.
The second survey was conducted by The Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS). It looked at data from 700 vets and 630 veterinary nurses in the UK and found a 19% difference between male and female veterinary surgeons' annual salaries, with men earning a median salary of £50,750 compared with women at £40,960.
When analysed by hourly rates (but not accounting for period qualified) rates for women were 18.6% lower (male vets had a median hourly rate of pay of £27.90, compared with £22.72 for females).
When salaries were examined by period qualified, a more complex picture emerged. While male full-time salaries are consistently higher, the differences are more pronounced at senior level.
For example, among vets qualified for up to 10 years hourly rates are broadly comparable. But there is a significant difference among vets qualified for 11 years or more, when the median hourly rate for female vets is £28.22 compared with £35.27 for male vets - a 20% difference.
Peter Brown, SPVS president elect said: "The picture would seem to reflect that seen in other professions where women start out on an equal footing with men, but fall behind as they get older. Unless we address those broader issues which militate against women’s career advancement, there is a risk that significant differences will persist."
Adele Waters, Editor of Vet Record said: "These findings clearly show that inequality is a reality for many women working in the veterinary profession day in and day out.
"If male vets get paid more, it follows that they are valued more highly, but why? There is no evidence to justify such a pay differential and there is a legal reason to remove it. The Equality Act 2010 says men and women in the same employment must receive equal pay for equal work."
"There is growing scrutiny on the gender pay divide across all employment sectors in the UK - and rightly so. Vet businesses must act now to resolve these unfair pay differentials so that future generations of veterinary professionals do not face discrimination."
The BVA says the results echo findings from its own surveys. Senior vice president, Gudrun Ravetz described it as "a cause for concern", urging more openness and transparency around pay and calling for "a system based on objective criteria, to ensure equal pay for equal value."
Coincidentally, Gudrun's comments come only four days after VetSurgeon Jobs and VetNurse Jobs announced a new move designed to bring greater transparency concerning salaries: allowing and encouraging veterinary employers to display the salary and benefits they offer as an integral part of their recruitment advertisements.
Photo: Portrait Of Male And Female Vets In Surgery. Shutterstock / Monkey Business Images.
Anesketin solution for injection, containing Ketamine 100 mg/ml, is indicated for induction of anaesthesia. It can also be used as a sole agent for restraint and minor surgical procedures where muscle relaxation is not required in cats.
Anesketin was previously available in 10ml or 50ml bottles. Dechra says it has added the new 5ml vial in response to feedback from veterinary practices.
Dechra Brand Manager Craig Sankey said: "Anesketin is one of our most popular products in our range due to its versatility. It can be used in combination with appropriate sedatives and analgesics in cats, dogs and horses for induction of anaesthesia.
"5ml Anesketin will help practices comply with controlled drug legislation, saving time and effort in denaturing out of date stock and reducing wastage."
He added: "The introduction of the smaller bottle demonstrates our commitment to responding to the requirements of veterinary professionals and providing a range of high quality products that provide the most effective solution within day-to-day practice."
Support tools are available for customers to order online at www.dechra.co.uk, including an Anesketin controlled drug register.
The award has been granted to only a handful of practices and requires the achievement of high standards of care and a detailed understanding of the species.
Highcroft has three dedicated exotic species veterinary surgeons, including a European small mammal Specialist and four exotic species nurses, who have either obtained or are studying for their City and Guilds Exotic Species Veterinary Nursing Certificate.
The practice has a dedicated exotic species consulting room, waiting room, ward and an operating theatre, containing state-of-the-art equipment.
In addition to treating rabbits, both vets and nurses in the exotic species team lecture widely to promote the importance of providing a high standard of care to rabbits and to ensure that their welfare is optimised.
Dr Elisabetta Mancinelli DVM CertZooMed Dipl ECZM (Small Mammal) MRCVS heads the exotic species team at Highcroft. A European Veterinary Specialist in Zoological Medicine (Small Mammal Medicine and Surgery) and a RCVS Recognised Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, she said: "We are very proud to have been awarded Gold Status by the RWAF. We will continue to enhance the level of care we provide, not just to rabbits but to all exotic species and strive to improve the welfare of all animals under our care, in hospital and at home."
You can complete the PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) survey at: yougov.com/pdsa.
Rebecca Ashman, PDSA Policy and Campaigns Manager, said: "Since 2011, our PAW Report has provided valuable insight into pet health and wellbeing across the UK.
"It delivers a vital evidence base for education programmes, campaigns and collaborative work in the veterinary and welfare sectors. It also enables us to monitor the impact of welfare initiatives on pet wellbeing issues which are of most concern to the veterinary profession.
"The survey only takes 15 minutes to complete, and by taking part, you’ll be helping us to capture an accurate picture of the welfare issues that are of the biggest concern for the veterinary profession. You can also be entered into a prize draw to win a GoPro HERO5 Session Action Camera."
For more information and to download the 2017 PAW Report, visit pdsa.org.uk/pawreport.
In the survey of 354 owners, 65% thought their cats get on well with each other. However, 60% reported signs of disharmony, including: chasing (65%), swiping paws (53%), hissing (48%), keeping a distance from one another (31%), fighting and acting aggressively (27%), staring (30%) and sitting in front of resources to block access (25%).
In addition, some of the cats were so stressed that they would often scratch furniture or household items (46%), hide from their housemates (26%), meow excessively (20%) or spray (17%).
Claire Russell, Feliway brand manager at Ceva Animal Health, said: "There is the common misconception that cats need other feline companions, however they are naturally solitary survivors who are more than happy in their own company. Simple environmental changes and using Feliway Friends can help restore harmony between household cats who are displaying signs of multi-cat tension."
Reference
The decision comes after 13 dead wild birds were confirmed to have the virus in Warwickshire.
Last week 17 wild birds were tested positive in Dorset and 31 infected birds have now been identified at the Dorset site. At that time Defra responded by putting a local prevention zone in place and, now it is known the disease is not isolated to the Dorset site, the prevention zone has been extended across the country as a precautionary measure.
The prevention zone means bird keepers across the country must:
Those keepers who have more than 500 birds will need to take extra biosecurity measures that include restricting access to non-essential people, changing clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and cleaning and disinfecting vehicles.
The birds in Warwickshire are still being tested but it is expected that it will be the same H5N6 strain of bird flu that was found in the wild birds in Dorset and has been circulating wild birds across Europe. Public Health England have advised the risk to public health is very low with the Food Standards Agency also offering reassurance that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers. Defra has confirmed that the H5N6 strain is different to the strains which affected people in China last year.
Although it does not represent a threat to public, it is highly infectious and deadly to birds.
British Veterinary Association (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. However, there is clearly a need to try to contain further spread of the disease, which has almost certainly come from migratory birds, and vets and poultry owners should follow the new prevention zone measures and remain vigilant for signs of bird flu."
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.
Photo: Wild Birds, Shutterstock / aDam Wildlife
This pilot was originally launched in February 2017 to trial proposed changes to CPD, which would concentrate less on hours logged and more on interactive, reflective learning and measuring the impact that CPD has on the individual’s practice and patient health outcomes.
Some 115 veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses volunteered, with 60 attending an induction days at the College’s office last year.
The College says the response to its proposals was largely positive, and at its meeting on 2 November 2017 RCVS Council agreed to an extension of the pilot for a further six-to-nine months, in order to increase the breadth of views on the changes and gather further evidence on its impact.
The proposed model for CPD has four key components: planning, doing, recording and reflecting. While an overall majority of the 3,357 people who responded to the College’s 2016 consultation agreed with the proposed changes to the CPD requirement, certain elements received less support than others.
The lowest amount of support was received for the ‘reflection’ component with 35% of respondents disagreeing with it.
Shona McIntyre MRCVS, a teaching fellow in small animal medicine at the University of Surrey and the practitioner representative on the CPD Pilot Working Group, said: "As a general practitioner involved in the initial phase of the CPD pilot I was thrilled that we had so many from the profession engage with the consultation, and later with the pilot.
"By extending the pilot further we are looking to get an even wider range of views on board and fine-tune how we will be asking members of the profession to engage with the reflection element of the proposals. We are looking for a mix of those who support the proposals and those who have a ‘healthy scepticism’ about them and I can only encourage those not yet involved to consider signing up for the extended pilot and make their voice heard."
If you are interested in volunteering, contact Naila Hassanali, RCVS CPD Officer, via cpd@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0701.
Volunteers will be supported by RCVS staff throughout the trial.
Further information, including the CPD Policy Working Party’s response to the consultation, is available on the College website: www.rcvs.org.uk/cpdconsultation/.
In the past, few employers in the veterinary profession have chosen to advertise salary details, perhaps because they don't want to open a negotiation with their cards on the table, or perhaps they've been fearful of their existing employees finding out what they're prepared to offer a new candidate.
However, all the indications are that job advertisements which include salary details generate more, better qualified responses. Reed carried out a survey of 1000 jobseekers in 2016, 2/3rds of whom said they would be more likely to apply when a salary is displayed on the advert. Another company, Smart Recruit Online, found back in 2013 that job adverts which included a salary generated 30% more responses that those that didn't.
In the VetNurse forums, many veterinary nurses have expressed their frustration at the lack of transparency, and the wasted time and effort when they attend an interview to find that the 'competitive salary' on offer was anything but.
There are also indications that in the future, Google may start to prioritise jobs advertised with salary information in its search results.
To try and strike a balance between some employers' reluctance to display what they might be prepared to pay and the need for greater transparency, advertisers can now display a 'Minimum Offer' on VetNurse Jobs, described to the potential applicant as: "The minimum this employer is prepared to offer someone with the skills and experience needed to fulfil the job requirements. They may or may not be prepared to offer more. They may also be prepared to accept someone with a lower level of qualification or experience for an amount less than displayed."
Alternatively, employers can advertise a 'Pay Range', described to potential applicants as: "The employer expects to pay something within the displayed range, depending on their assessment of the value of the applicant's skills and experience to the practice."
In addition, employers can also display other benefits which are likely to be of more or less value to individual applicants, such as a RCVS fees, association subscriptions, health insurance and CPD allowances.
VetNurse.co.uk Editor Arlo Guthrie said: "This is entirely optional, but I do hope as many employers as possible will make good use of this new feature, because all the research and anecdotal evidence suggests it’s what candidates want to hear, and it should lead to a better response. Not to mention how time-saving it is for two people to come to the table with realistic expectations."
The NOAH Compendium is also available online at www.noahcompendium.co.uk. A special edition of the book for SQPs, commissioned by AMTRA, will be also available shortly.
NOAH chief executive Dawn Howard said: "The NOAH Compendium remains a major part of NOAH’s efforts to assist the appropriate and responsible use of all animal medicines.
"Every NOAH member, as well as the non-member participants in the NOAH Compendium, is a signatory to the NOAH Code of Practice on Promotion, which demonstrates their commitment to operate above and beyond any regulatory requirements.
"As always, our free of charge web-based Compendium, which is updated regularly, contains the most up-to-date information. If you have not been on the website lately you will see we have introduced a ‘Company Directory’ as well as ‘datasheets by company’, as well as improving the facility of the site to print individual datasheets.
Meanwhile, NOAH says the app version of the Compendium has been temporarily suspended while certain technical difficulties are resolved. Dawn said: "We have recently faced an unexpected issue with the NOAH Compendium App and have temporarily suspended the App’s availability on both the Apple store and Googleplay.
"The app is currently being updated and we are working to get it back online as soon as possible. If you have already downloaded the app, please note there will be no further updates to the information until we can resolve the issue, and the information it displays may not be the most recent update."
If your practice has not yet received its copy, perhaps because you are a new practice, or have changed address in the past year, contact Amy Davis at NOAH (a.davis@noah.co.uk).
Extra copies are also available to order now, for £46. Special prices are available for bulk orders.
The introduction of the compulsory microchipping law in April 2016 has meant that puppies have to be microchipped by 8 weeks of age and the breeder has to be recorded as the first keeper. This has, up to now, incurred further and often unexpected costs for new puppy owners or breeders who have had to pay an additional fee for the transfer of keepership.
From 1st February practices using BackHome microchips will register their newly implanted microchips with the UK based reunification database, PETtrac, and the online transfer of keepership from breeders to new owners will be free. A postal transfer will cost 50p.
BackHome Product Manager Madeline Haynes said: "We have listened to feedback from the veterinary profession who have stressed the importance of not only providing a fast and reliable service from a pet reunification database, but also the need for free transfer of keepership from a breeder to a new owner.
"We are delighted to have been able to facilitate this through the move to PETtrac."
PETtrac is a UK based, DEFRA compliant reunification database that offers 24/7 customer service, 365 days of the year.
The move to PETtrac will not affect pets already registered with BackHome Microchips, whose lifelong registration with previous database supplier PetLog remains unchanged.
For more information, visit: www.virbac.co.uk
*Postal transfer of keepership from breeder to new owner will cost 0.50p
The protesters, which VetNurse.co.uk understands comprise six veterinary surgeons and 30-40 pet owners, started their march in Parliament Square and are now bearing down on the RCVS Headquarters in Horseferry Road.
The campaigners are, we are told, protesting against the RCVS position statement on complementary and homeopathic veterinary medicines.
No word yet on how the College proposes to defend itself from the hoard; certainly no sign of any cauldrons of boiling oil atop the battlements, nor any riot police yet in evidence.
More news as it happens. VetNurse.co.uk has a photographer on the ground ...
UPDATES
1:00pm: The protesters have arrived at Belgravia House. A couple of protesters are armed with umbrellas, presumably to guard against the ever-present risk of overdose. It's getting messy: we're hearing that they've blocked the pavement. Wait up. Someone has emerged from the College to speak with them. Well hello, Mr President.
1:01pm: We were hoping that some of the protesters might, I dunno, handcuff themselves to Belgravia House or something. But after a tense standoff lasting over 36 seconds, it looks like the protest is petering out already. Apparently they've started dispersing to the park opposite.
1:02pm: Yup, they've all gone off to the park now. This may go down as one of the shortest protests in history.
1:16pm: Word has it they've headed off to the White Horse and Bower.More photos of this momentous occasion to follow ...
1. The seasoned campaigner is always careful to choose any banner that appears over their head with great care.
2. It was a beautiful march. A big march. The bigliest. Haven't seen that many people on the street since Donald Trump's inauguration.
3. The RCVS headquarters under siege.
4. Millie the dog (perhaps better called 'Millie the anecdote') illustrates the flawed thinking behind homeopathy.
5. Nobody told this campaigner than homeopathy wasn't banned in the first place. You can get it from any tap.
6. RCVS President, Professor Stephen May, presumably wishing he'd taken the day off work.
7. It took some hours moments before the crowd dispersed fully and life in London was able to return to normal.
3.43pm: The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has issued a statement following the march, which says:
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons today met a delegation of around 40 animal owners and veterinary surgeons who wished to voice their concern about a recent position statement by RCVS Council on the use of complementary and alternative medicines, including homeopathy.
President Stephen May and CEO Lizzie Lockett received a copy of an online petition that was set up following the statement, which has since received around 15,000 signatures, including around 11,000 from supporters in the UK.
Stephen and Lizzie also took time to hear accounts and stories from the supporters, and to listen to the points they wished to raise.
In view of the cold, wet weather, the College had laid on some hot drinks for all the visitors, and invited the delegation inside, but these were declined.
Stephen said: "We were pleased to be able to meet our visitors today and to receive their petition, although it was a little tricky trying to answer questions on a busy London pavement!
"We continue to recognise that homeopathy and other complementary therapies are popular amongst some animal owners and certain members of the veterinary profession, as indicated by today’s delegation, but it is worth reiterating that the RCVS Council statement does not ban their use.
"What it does state, is that in order to protect animal welfare, we regard such treatments as being complementary, rather than alternative, to treatments for which there is a recognised evidence base or which are based on sound scientific principles.
"This is similar to the position that we have held on complementary therapies for many years, but we will always be happy to receive and consider scientific evidence that demonstrates their efficacy."
I wouldn't hold your breath.
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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."
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
Trade should not be affected following the findings in wild birds, according to the rules of the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE).
The Disciplinary Committee heard four charges against Dr Schulze Allen.
The first charge related to the original criminal conviction in the County of San Bernardino in California dating from September 2013, where Dr Schulze Allen pleaded guilty to petty theft for which he was fined US $435 and ordered to pay a fee of US $35.
The second charge related to the fact that, on or around 3 December 2013 in a written application for restoration to the Register, Dr Schulze Allen was dishonest in representing that he did not have any cautions or criminal convictions.
The third charge related to the fact that on or around 4 December 2013 in a sworn affidavit before a Notary Public in Riverside, California, he dishonestly and falsely represented that he had, at no time, been convicted of a criminal offence in the UK or elsewhere.
The final charge was that, in an email to the RCVS in June 2016, he dishonestly and falsely represented that he had "no criminal record whatsoever".
Having found Dr Schulze Allen guilty of all four charges the Committee then considered whether the conviction rendered him unfit to practise veterinary surgery and whether the remaining charges amounted to disgraceful conduct in a professional respect.
The Committee noted that the conviction was for a minor matter but had regard to all the evidence before it and considered that as an offence of dishonesty it represented a breach of one of the fundamental tenets of the profession. It further considered that Dr Schulze Allen’s dishonesty toward the College and his completing a legal document which he knew would be relied upon by the College was conduct that fell far short of the standard expected of a member of the profession.
With regard to the final charge, the Committee considered this a "clear attempt to deliberately misrepresent the fact that he had a conviction for a criminal offence." The Committee considered that Dr Schulze Allen’s conduct had been aggravated by the fact that it was protracted and repeated over a period of time.
Ultimately the Committee considered that the conviction rendered Dr Schulze Allen unfit to practise veterinary surgery and the remaining charges amounted to disgraceful conduct in a professional respect.
Ian Green, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "His conduct represented a blatant disregard of the role of the RCVS and the systems that regulate the veterinary profession. The Committee also remained particularly concerned at Dr Schulze Allen’s very limited insight into his conduct."
He added: "In mitigation the Committee noted that this is not a case where harm was caused to any animals or humans. It noted that prior to these matters which are before the Committee that Dr Schulze Allen had an unblemished career and that he had been of good character. In respect of purely personal mitigation the Committee noted that Dr Schulze Allen is the main breadwinner of the family."
However, the Committee considered that Dr Schulze Allen’s conduct had fallen significantly short of standards expected of a veterinary surgeon.
Ian Green concluded: "The Committee considered that the only appropriate sanction is that of removal from the Register. Such a sanction is required to send a clear message to Dr Schulze Allen and to veterinary surgeons of the unacceptability of being dishonest to the RCVS. Such conduct undermines public confidence in the profession and fails to uphold proper standards of conduct and behaviour.
"Accordingly, the Committee has decided that removal from the Register is appropriate and proportionate in this case. The Committee will direct the Registrar to remove the respondent’s name from the Register forthwith."
Dr Schulze Allen has 28 days from the date of the decision to appeal the Committee’s decision.
The Committee’s full findings and decision is available at www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary.
The annual renewal fee for veterinary nurses is due for payment on 1 November every year, although you have up to midnight on 31 December to pay before you're removed from the Register.
Of the 295 removed from the register this year, over 25 subsequently applied for restoration to the Register and paid an £118 fee.
Although the number of removals has increased slightly from the previous year, when 247 veterinary nurses came off the Register for non-payment, it is far fewer than 2016 when 692 were removed for non-payment.
Nicola South, Head of Registration at the College, said: "Over the past two years we have been making use of text messages and emails to remind veterinary nurses, and veterinary surgeons, to pay their annual fee to remain on the Register and I think the falling number of removals in the years since we introduced this is testament to the effectiveness of these methods.
"However, there are still some individuals who are slipping through the net and we would remind veterinary nurses that a considerable fee needs to be paid to the restore to the Register if their registration lapses. Furthermore it is then technically illegal for them to practice and perform any procedures that fall under Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act."
A list of those who have been removed from the Register on 1 January 2018, and who haven’t subsequently been restored, has been published to assist practices in making checks to ensure that all their veterinary nursing staff are still on the Register. This list can be found at: www.rcvs.org.uk/registration/check-the-register/about-the-vn-register/
Those with questions about how to restore to the Register should contact the College’s Registration Department on 020 7202 0707 or registration@rcvs.org.uk.
For questions about paying the annual renewal fee or setting up a Direct Debit contact the RCVS Finance Department on 020 7202 0723 or finance@rcvs.org.uk
Each year, Davies Veterinary Specialists helps fund pairs of volunteers to and support the charity Mission Rabies, of which Ian Battersby, an Internal Medicine clinician at Davies, is a Trustee.
98% of rabies cases in humans are a consequence of dog bites from rabid dogs. Mission Rabies works in parts of India, Malawi and Uganda and Sri Lanka, using local teams and international volunteers. The aim is to vaccinate 70% of street dogs for three consecutive years. Current scientific evidence indicates if this is achieved the disease will be eliminated from an area.
Last year, Laura Barham RVN and Emily Prejac RVN (pictured right) were chosen by Davies to help vaccinate dogs in Goa.
Laura is a Patient Care Supervisor at Davies, helping to supervise the nurses and kennel assistants in the wards to make sure all patients receive the best possible care. Emily is a Nurse Supervisor for Diagnostics and coordinates the cases, the nurses and the order of procedures through the diagnostics area.
Although Davies funded their flights, Laura and Emily had to raise £2000 of extra funds, which they did by running sponsored dog walks and holding bake sales, raffles and competitions. Emily also ran the London Marathon in a bright yellow Mission Rabies vest.
Working in India for two weeks was a stark contrast to Laura and Emily's normal jobs. Laura described a typical day in Goa: "The volunteers were divided into six teams, each with a team of Goan dog-catchers, referred to as ‘the boys’ and a driver.
"The skilled boys would catch street dogs using nets and then we would vaccinate them and paint a red line on the top of their heads. This enables them to be counted easily when the surveyor checks an area after it has been done. We also knocked on house doors to ask owners if they would like their pet dogs vaccinated.
"There was a mix of languages spoken, including Hindi, English and Konkani (the local Goan language), so having the boys and driver help with communication was essential. Every vaccinated dog was logged on the app. Once an area had been completed a new team would cover the circuit to vaccinate any dogs that may have eluded being caught the first time. The morning stint lasted until lunchtime and we would get to work again between 3pm and 6pm."
<p">More than 5,000 dogs were vaccinated during the two weeks Laura and Emily were in Goa and over the four weeks of the mass vaccination drive more than 10,000 dogs were vaccinated.
Laura said: "This is the first time I have volunteered to work on a project and I can’t believe I have never done it before especially as it is a privilege to be able to use my nursing skills to help. I can honestly say it is the best experience I have ever had and I am proud to have been a small part of the great work that Mission Rabies does. I would most definitely do it again and recommend to anyone else to do it too."
Emily said: "I really do feel like I have been part of something amazing, even with just the small contribution I made in the two weeks of being there. It was great to see first hand the incredible work Mission Rabies is doing and the effect it is having. I am so pleased I had the opportunity to take part and also use my skills as a nurse to help in this way. I would definitely like to do it again and would urge anyone considering volunteering to go for it, they won’t regret it."
The exhibition comprises 22 photographs showing a range of subjects from across the UK and overseas, including cattle during a TB testing day on the island of Arran, a surprising find during surgery, a look down the microscope at feline myofiber disarray and a practical session of bee veterinary medicine.
The photographs were selected from around 1,000 that were submitted to the association's photo competitions by its members in 2016 and 2017.
The exhibition was officially opened today by Neil Parish MP, Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EfraCom) and BVA Honorary Member, at an opening ceremony attended by parliamentarians as well as many of the veterinary surgeons whose photographs feature in the exhibition.
Neil said: "These photos show the diverse range of things that vets are involved in. What we respect from BVA is that we get good clear, evidence-based advice when we need it."
BVA member and Director of Cambridge Veterinary Group Lucy Crosby was commended for her snake intubation picture last year. She said: "The exhibition is a really exciting opportunity for vets to show that their skills extend beyond the operating room to the arts.
"I personally feel privileged to have my photo shown here. The veterinary profession and what we do is diverse and it's important to broadcast to the general public just how important the profession’s contribution is to the country."
BVA President, John Fishwick said: "It's an honour to have the opportunity to exhibit our members’ photographs in the Palace of Westminster. Vets work in practices across the UK, in government policy, public health and food safety, industry and technology, the armed forces, and beyond.
"As a profession, we play a significant role in many areas of personal and political life; an issue that EU exit has brought into sharp relief. With the political landscape shifting so rapidly, it’s apt that we’re showcasing vets’ work to parliamentarians to make sure it’s at the forefront of their minds as they return for the New Year."
The exhibition will be open daily until Thursday 11 January in the Upper Waiting Room of the House of Commons, an area open to Members of Parliament, Peers and visiting members of the public.
To view the photographs exhibited, and many others from BVA’s photo competitions, visit BVA’s Flickr account: www.flickr.com/photos/britishvets/albums/
The practice is one of few in the UK to use radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy, which, it says, has an average, a 95% success rate in treating cats with hyperthyroidism.
Stephanie Lalor MRCVS (pictured right), an RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine at Willows said: "The new therapy is non-invasive and is the gold standard of treatment for cats with hyperthyroidism. It is safe and highly effective and a single injection can be curative. Patients do need to be screened for their suitability and ideally they are treated with medical therapy prior to the RAI.
"Due to the radioactive nature of the treatment, patients must stay with us for 15 days after the injection. Our patients stay in luxury cat condos during their hospitalisation and their day-to-day care is over-seen by our lead radioactive iodine nurse, Vicky Maund."
The new unit is part of a £1 million investment in Willows which includes a dedicated operating theatre for minimally invasive procedures, a range of specialist treatment rooms and more than 40 new kennels.
Toby Gemmill, clinical director at Willows, said: "We are already extremely well placed to offer a wide variety of specialist treatments and this extension has provided us with the space to expand our services further. The new radioactive iodine unit is very exciting and allows us to build on our gold level cat-friendly clinic status."
For more information, visit www.willows.uk.net.