Stephen has been an elected member of RCVS Council since 2012, having previously been an appointed member of Council representing the Royal Veterinary College between 2001 and 2009.
In 2016 he was re-elected to Council to serve a further four-year term and currently chairs the Legislation Working Party.
Stephen graduated from Cambridge in 1980 and subsequently spent time as a large animal practitioner. After undertaking further training in equine surgery and diagnostic imaging at the University of Liverpool, he studied for a PhD at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) before returning to Liverpool as a Lecturer in Equine Orthopaedics.
He went back to the RVC in 1993 to concentrate on equine clinical services and, in 1997, became Head of the Farm Animal and Equine Clinical Department. He was appointed the RVC’s Vice-Principal for Teaching from 2000 to 2013, Deputy Principal from 2013 to 2017 and currently holds the post of Senior Vice-Principal.
Addressing the need for a learning culture in his speech Stephen said: "Veterinary graduates have never had greater knowledge and technical skills than those graduating this year. But this can make their job so much harder when the certainty of scientific knowledge is confronted with the uncertainties of the sick animal, and the increasing number of possibilities for treatment have to be weighted alongside ethical and economic considerations.
"Of his age, but also prophetic of our age, the philosopher Bertrand Russell commented that 'habits of thought cannot change as quickly as techniques with the result that as skill increases, wisdom fails'.
"So it is important that our young professionals are well-prepared in terms of professional, non-technical skills to cope with the sheer variety of challenges that they encounter, and we, as a profession, within our professional model, provide a nurturing learning culture rather than the blame and cover-up culture that the current emphasis on external regulation fosters, so pervasively and distressingly."
Stephen added that his other priorities would be working with the British Veterinary Association and other stakeholders to uphold the College’s first Brexit principle that 'vital veterinary work continues to get done', a project on graduate outcomes, which flows from the Vet Futures project, and the Legislation Working Party.
Esteban Gonzalez joins the practice in Southfields, Laindon, from Ars Veterinaria in Barcelona, one of the leading veterinary hospitals in Spain.
Esteban (pictured right with VRCC Clinical Director, Henry L’Eplattenier) graduated at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) in 2002. After working as a veterinary emergency in Paris for a year, he did an 18-month rotating internship of at the UAB. He then worked for three years in a veterinary hospital as a soft tissue and emergency surgeon.
In January 2009, he began a three-year residency in small animal surgery in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, under the supervision of Dr Jean-Francois Bardet, one of France’s leading veterinary surgeons.
As part of his training, he made several visits to the US with graduates of American surgery, as well as specialists in oncology, anaesthesia and emergency medicine.
During his residency he published several articles and gave presentations at national and international conferences.
Esteban graduated as a European specialist in surgery and a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS) in February 2014. He then worked as a specialist surgeon in the UK for two years until last year when he joined Ars Veterinaria.
VRCC says his is the first of a number of planned appointments which will result in two veterinary surgeons appointed to each of the practice’s eight specialities.
The business is also undergoing a rebranding and rebuilding operation that will see the practice renamed as Southfields.
Operations manager Daniel Hogan said: "The recruitment plan will ensure we continue to offer state-of-the-art veterinary medicine across the board — in oncology, soft tissue surgery, orthopaedics, internal medicine, feline medicine, anaesthesia, diagnostic imaging, neurology and cardiology."
Clinical director at VRCC Henry L’Eplattenier said: "Esteban is a hugely experienced and well-respected specialist, who we are delighted has chosen to join the team here.
"Having his kind of expertise adds to our already considerable skill-sets and is part of a major drive to attract some of the best people in the industry to VRCC."
For more information, visit www.vrcc.co.uk.
The video has already been viewed a staggering 4.6 million times.
In the Facebook post and subsequent comments Jodie explained that her 12-year-old rescue bulldog collapses every couple of months. She highlights the dangers of walking flat-faced dogs in hot weather and the choking hazards that eating can present for dogs with an abnormal soft palate.
BVA President Gudrun Ravetz, said: "This is a very distressing video that demonstrates just how serious BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome) is as a condition for those dogs living with it.
"No dog should have to endure the distress of regularly collapsing, though sadly this is a reality for many flat-faced dogs. We would strongly advise anyone with a pet suffering these symptoms to talk to their vet urgently to agree the best way to ensure the health and welfare of their pet. This may include opting for surgery and will definitely include taking special measures in hot weather.
"BVA has been highlighting the significant health problems suffered by flat-faced dogs, such as bulldogs, and asking potential owners to choose healthier breeds or crossbreeds."
Hopefully, Jodie's video might just cause a few potential owners to do precisely that.
Photo: Facebook/Jodie Marsh
Prilactone Next is replacing the spironolactone products Prilactone and Tempora, which will be discontinued.
Prilactone Next is available in three presentations of 10mg, 50mg and 100mg. It comes in easy-break, chewable tablets, designed to make it easier to give the required dose. The 10mg tablet has a two-way split for a dog between 2.5kg and 5kg, while the 50mg and 100mg tablets have a four-way patented clover-shaped design with the 50mg for dogs between 18.1kg and 25kg and 100mg for dogs between 37.6kg and 50kg.
Prilactone Next is available in boxes of three blisters of 10 tablets for the 10mg and 50mg presentations and three blisters of eight tablets for the 100mg presentation, for easy dispensing and storage in practice.
Nicola Barclay, product manager at Ceva Animal Health, said: "Prilactone Next is an improved, easy to administer spironolactone that enables owners to accurately treat their pets and will further enhance our existing cardiology range."
For further information, contact your local Ceva Animal Health territory manager.
Kit was appointed by RCVS Council at its June meeting, making him responsible for maintaining an overview of the College’s financial affairs, ensuring the College’s financial viability, and making sure proper records and procedures are maintained.
Kit replaces Dr Amanda Boag who was elected Junior Vice-President by RCVS Council at its March meeting. He has been an RCVS Council Member since 2013 and currently sits on the Standards Committee, as well as lecturing, writing and other projects such as teaching at the local primary school. He also works three days a week seeing clinical cases in both referral and primary care practices.
Kit said: "I am very honoured to have been appointed Treasurer, and look forward to continuing Amanda’s careful stewardship of the College finances with the support of other Council members and the team at Belgravia House.
"Due to uncertainties surrounding the impact of Brexit and increasing inflation, RCVS Council decided at its June meeting to increase the annual renewal fees for veterinary surgeons. I am confident that this will keep the College finances in a healthy state, and I look forward to building on Amanda’s legacy ensuring that the College remains steady over the course of my tenure."
At RCVS Day Amanda will also be made Junior Vice-President, and Dr Stephen May will take up the position of RCVS President for 2017-2018.
In fact, the congress proved so popular amongst veterinary nurses that the organisers had to change venues in order to fit everyone in.
Delegates came from 31 different countries - as far afield as Brazil, South Korea and Singapore - and attended over 28 hours of CPD which included a pre-Congress day, dentistry wetlabs, five sponsor-led symposia, two masterclasses and a main congress stream covering feline endocrinology and feline cardiology.
There were 18 speakers and feline experts, including Dr Mark Peterson and Prof Claudia Reusch leading on endocrinology, and Kieran Borgeat and Prof Virginia Luis Fuentes presenting the latest findings in cardiology.
ISFM says the initial feedback from delegates was extremely complimentary, comments including: "inspiring speakers that made it so enjoyable as well as informative", "the speakers did very high value lectures and the feline spirit was really present" and "excellent conference – lectures were informative but still practical and useful, and there was a lot of love for cats".
Running alongside the scientific programme was a busy commercial exhibition and a poster room showcasing original research, case series and case reports from 17 individuals who all received a 50% discount on the cost of their congress registration.
On the social side, there was a welcome reception sponsored by Hill's which included a ride on the world’s first vertical cable car. Boehringer Ingelheim stumped up for cocktails and canapes on the first evening, and fish and chips with live music on Brighton Pier on the Friday, and Idexx threw in prosecco and cupcakes after lectures on Saturday afternoon.
Sam Taylor, Director of ISFM’s nursing distance education courses who chaired much of the nurse programme said: "It has been a real pleasure to welcome so many nurses to our Congress. We have been overwhelmed by the response and although we will not always be able to have a nursing stream at congress we will certainly ensure that we run ISFM events for nurses in 2018, so watch this space!"
Next year’s ISFM Congress is being held in the city of Sorrento on the Amalfi coast in Italy. Taking place from 28th June to 1st July, the congress will cover feline urology and feline oncology. Full details of the congress are yet to be published but over 250 delegates in Brighton have already registered their interest.
The Vet Futures Action Plan included a series of 24 work-streams to be completed over five years (2016-2020), building on the six core themes of: animal health and welfare; veterinary professionals’ wider roles in society; the health and wellbeing of veterinary professionals; diverse and rewarding veterinary careers; sustainable businesses and user-focused services; and leadership.
Vet Futures reports that over the last twelve months, key activities have included:
VN Futures
The VN Futures project (Action X of Vet Futures) isolated six ambitions to achieve by 2020, with the shorter time-scale reflecting the faster rate of both turnover and training for veterinary nurses.
A number of development groups have been created, focusing on each of these ambitions and creating specific actions to ensure their completion. Of these:
RCVS President, Chris Tufnell said: "When we launched Vet Futures back in 2014, the scope of the project seemed daunting and some were sceptical of our ability to succeed. However, through a robust process of evidence-gathering, analysis, action planning and now taking action itself, we are starting to make an impact on some of those core areas that are so fundamental to the future of our profession, such as animal welfare, technology, veterinary skills and knowledge, and leadership.
"Our Action Plan set out a five-year timeframe and we have made some really excellent progress in year one. This will form the foundation of work yet to come – although it remains important to ensure we scan the horizon for new issues that will have an impact on the profession, navigating our way through challenges as they arise."
BVA President Gudrun Ravetz added: "The excitement was palpable at the Vet Futures Summit last year and it spurred us on to roll up our sleeves immediately to start working on the Action Plan, and so a lot has been achieved already.
"Many of the actions are interlinked and so BVA, RCVS and the VSC are working closely together to oversee their delivery, but we have been particularly pleased at the high level of engagement and enthusiasm from others. The success of Vet Futures will be in the profession coming together to bring about the changes we need for a sustainable future.”
The ten-programme series stars Cat Henstridge MRCVS, a Midlands-based locum, Cheryl Lucas MRCVS, a Vets4Pets JVP from Essex, Bristol-based James Greenwood MRCVS and Rory Cowlam MRCVS from London.
The documentary follows a wide selection of patients and conditions, from routine stuff like lump removal from a dog and dental work on a cat, through to more obscure things like an obstructed python and surgery on a goldfish.
Cat said: "I am hoping the profession will like it. It definitely features the realistic side of the job!"
To watch the show on iPlayer, visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/shows/the-pets-factor
Zoetis says the combined action of selamectin and sarolaner broadens the spectrum and extends the duration of protection so that the product kills fleas and ticks within 24 hours for five weeks, with no drop in efficacy at the end of the dosing period.
Specifically, Stronghold Plus is licensed:
Zoetis says Stronghold Plus is presented in an easy-to-use, low-volume dose that facilitates a gentle, complete application. It is indicated for use in kittens as young as eight weeks.
Alongside the new product, Zoetis has launched a support programme which includes a series of 'Good Medicine Good Business' workshops, designed to help practices grow their preventative health business.
Running throughout the summer months, the workshops will look at the contribution that preventatives make to practice growth and how increasing client engagement via enhanced preventative care can deliver greater medical value.
Scott Wheway, Zoetis product manager said: "Stronghold Plus offers vets a new topical choice that treats the parasites commonly presenting a threat to cats with one convenient monthly dose.
"What’s more, we are underpinning the launch with a practice support programme that will help practices maximise their preventative care by providing better patient outcomes and increased client value."
For further information on the Good Medicine Good Business workshops or an introductory offer on Stronghold Plus, contact your Zoetis account manager or telephone 0845 300 8034.
Lynda Maris, NexGard™ Spectra Product Manager said: "The campaign, which is designed to raise awareness of the rising threat from ticks, lungworm and other parasites that can endanger the health of pets and their owners, is reaching millions of pet owners."
A radio day, during which presenter Jenni Falconer and Merial vet Mike Woodhouse (pictured) discussed parasites and called on owners to visit their practice, apparently reached nearly 3 million listeners via 16 radio stations from BBC Radio Guernsey in the south, to Waves radio in Peterhead and Aberdeen.
The campaign has also been promoted with advertising on Newslink, which broadcasts to 287 stations including: Kiss, Capital, Star, Magic, Talk Sport, Classic and Absolute.
Participating practices have been send campaign support packs and Merial has provided educational and competition social media content to share on Facebook and Twitter. According to the company, its campaign Facebook page has reached reached over 1 million unique users in the last 28 days. Over the same period, Merial says 25,000 unique users have received campaign content on Twitter.
Practices can also direct clients to the campaign website www.petparasiteaction.co.uk.
Pet Parasite Action runs throughout June and July, so there's still time to get involved. For more information, contact your Merial Territory Manager, or call the company on 0870 6000 123.
The company says Euthoxin 500mg/ml is a stronger dose than any other pentobarbital injection products currently available on the UK and Irish markets which means less volume per dose and a better return for veterinary surgeons.
Gareth Carr, commercial manager for Chanelle Vet UK, said: "Our aim is to support UK vets by offering high-quality products at competitive prices.
"We have developed Euthoxin with the veterinarian in mind to offer them a cost-effective, low-volume, reliable euthanasia for a wide spectrum of species."
Euthoxin 500 mg/ml launches officially on 3rd July and will be available from wholesale partners in vials of 100ml.
For further information, download the SPC here, visit www.chanellegroup.co.uk or contact your key account manager for information about a launch offer.
Zoetis says that Cytopoint works by mimicking the activity of natural antibodies which selectively bind and neutralise canine interleukin-31 (cIL-31), a key cytokine involved in triggering itch in dogs.
The company says that because of the precision and specificity with which Cytopoint acts to target and neutralise cIL-31, it has been shown not to interfere with the immune response, meaning that it does not induce unintended immunosuppression or enhancement.
Dr. Emmanuel Bensignor, a specialist in veterinary dermatology in Paris, France, who participated in field studies conducted in Europe, said: "My personal experience with Cytopoint showed impressive speed of efficacy, significantly reducing itch in dogs from 24 hours onwards.
"Atopic dermatitis is a very common disease in dogs, and the owners I meet are desperate to find a rapid, reliable and safe solution for their suffering dogs. With its once monthly injection, I believe that Cytopoint has the potential to meet pet owners' needs for its convenience.
"European veterinary dermatologists and veterinarians will now have access to a new therapeutic class via this first monoclonal antibody treatment for veterinary use. It is a very exciting innovation which brings a notable improvement to the health and quality of life of the dogs and happiness to their families."
The recommended minimum efficacious dose for the treatment of clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis in dogs is 1 mg/kg, which can be repeated monthly. Cytopoint will be available in single dose vials containing 10, 20, 30 or 40 mg/kg of lokivetmab.
For more information, visit the European Medicines Agency.
The event is being held in the Bath Assembly Rooms, right in the heart of the city, on Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd September 2017.
Organiser Simon Guiton MRCVS said: "The programme is based on current hot topics for veterinary surgeons and nurses. We've got a great line up of speakers, not to mention everything else that Bath has to offer by way of culture, restaurants and shopping. It sure beats Milton Keynes on a wet Friday afternoon!"
The programme for veterinary nurses is as follows:
Day One
Day Two
Speakers include Emi Barker, Esther Barrett, Kieran Borgeat, Gwen Covey-Crump, Angie Hibbert, Nicola Kulendra, Shasta Lynch, Natasha Mitchell, Kostas Papasouliotis, Anita Patel, Louise O’Dwyer, Denise Prisk, Suzanne Rudd, Claire Woolford and Holly Witchell.
Early bird tickets on sale at £139 +VAT for one day, £249 +VAT for both days until 30th June.
For more information, visit: http://vetcpdcongress.co.uk
Ms Buttler was charged with having been under the influence of alcohol whilst at work on two separate occasions. On both occasions, she was working as a locum veterinary nurse.
The first occasion was between 25th and 28th April 2016 in Frome, and the second from 3rd July to 4th July 2016 in Salisbury.
It was also alleged that a prior conviction of drunk driving on 19th November 2013 rendered her unfit to practise as a veterinary nurse.
The Committee decided to hear the case in Ms Buttler’s absence as it was satisfied that she had properly been served with the notice of hearing and because she had stated that she was aware of the proceedings but did not wish to engage with the process. The Committee also noted that she had not requested any adjournment.
The Committee heard from five witnesses for the first charge, including three veterinary nurses and one veterinary surgeon. They gave testimony that they had had cause to suspect that Ms Buttler was under the influence of alcohol whilst at work due to her demeanour, and recalled Ms Buttler repeatedly retreating upstairs to her accommodation during the working day. Further, an open wine bottle was found in Ms Buttler’s accommodation and was observed to have been drunk during the course of her shift. The Committee found the first charge proved.
The Committee heard from four witnesses in respect of the second charge. Two of the witnesses stated that they smelt alcohol on Ms Buttler’s breath while she was on duty, with one of them stating that Ms Buttler had slurred speech and a flushed face at the end of a fourteen-hour shift. The other two witnesses also presented evidence to support the assertion that Ms Buttler was under the influence of alcohol whilst at work, while the Committee found that Ms Buttler lacked credibility because she had denied having any alcohol on the premises when originally confronted, but later admitted in an email to the College that she had had an open bottle of wine in her bag. The Committee found the second charge proved.
The Committee then considered the third charge, namely the conviction in 2013. The Committee considered the certificate of conviction obtained from the North East Devon Magistrates Court and was satisfied that Ms Buttler had been convicted of driving with excess alcohol as set out within charge 3.
When considering whether these all amounted to a finding of disgraceful conduct in a professional respect, the Committee was concerned about Ms Buttler showing no insight into her drinking, and the repeated nature of the offences. The Committee also considered that being under the influence of alcohol when working as a veterinary nurse was conduct which fell far short of the standards to be expected of members of the veterinary nursing profession.
It therefore concluded that Ms Buttler was guilty of disgraceful conduct in respect of charges 1 and 2.
The Committee then considered whether Ms Buttler’s conviction (charge 3) rendered her unfit to practise as a veterinary nurse. The Committee concluded that Ms Buttler had not acknowledged the seriousness of her actions in 2013, or learnt any lessons from it. Accordingly, it felt that she continued to pose a risk to animals and the public in the future. The Committee also felt that the conviction undermined the reputation of the veterinary nursing profession because the offence inevitably involved a risk of injury to herself and other road users.
Having found Ms Buttler guilty of misconduct, the Committee went on to consider sanction.
The Committee took into account aggravating factors, including that there was a risk of injury to an animal, the fact that the first two charges involved an element of premeditation, the fact that Ms Buttler was under the influence on more than one shift in each practice, that there is no evidence of insight from Ms Buttler and there is a future risk to animals if she continued to practice unrestricted.
They also considered mitigating factors, including the fact that this is the first disciplinary hearing she has faced, that she did not cause any harm to any animal and that she did not gain financially from her conduct.
In reaching its decision Jane Downes, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "The Committee noted that Ms Buttler said she had worked for twenty years without any problem and that she was previously of good character. However because there was no evidence that Ms Buttler would not repeat the conduct with regards to working whilst under the influence of alcohol she could continue to pose a risk to animals or the public in the future. The Committee therefore was bound to consider her removal from the register.
"Although it noted from the brief email correspondence Ms Buttler had sent to the College that she said she did not intend to practice in the future, the Committee decided that until she had shown insight into her behaviour in 2016, she remained a risk to animals. It therefore decided that the proportionate action was to instruct the Registrar to remove her name from the register of veterinary nurses forthwith."
If Ms Buttler chose to re-engage with the College, she could apply for restoration to the register after ten months.
The case against Jose Ignacio Messa MRCVS related to two heads of charge against him.
The first charge was that, on 13th September 2015, Mr Messa failed to provide adequate and appropriate care to Barney, a border collie. The second charge was that on 14th September 2015 Mr Messa failed to ensure adequate and appropriate on-going care for Barney after his examination of him, including failing to take sufficient steps to ensure that Barney was referred urgently to the care of a referral practice and failing to ensure there were adequate arrangements in place for his ongoing care.
Barney was presented to the Basingstoke practice where Mr Messa was employed having suffered a severe 'stick injury' to his jaw on 12th September.
The Committee heard that, on 13th September, Mr Messa re-examined Barney, administered medication and then discharged him to be cared for at home by his owners. During the examination the owners alerted Mr Messa to the condition of the skin on Barney’s neck, but the Committee heard Mr Messa had felt the area and reassured them it was not something to be concerned about.
The Committee heard that at some point on 13th September, after he was discharged, Barney developed a foetid smell from his mouth caused by an infection and the next day his owners went back to the practice because Barney’s condition had deteriorated – he was unable to walk and had laboured breathing.
On 14th September Mr Messa admitted and sedated Barney and examined him again, noting a hole in the side of his throat that was infected. He recommended referring Barney to a referral practice for further treatment, which was agreed by his owners.
The Committee heard that the referral practice was contacted by a veterinary nurse at the practice and that an appointment for 9am on 15th September 2015 was booked directly with the owner. It also heard that, during his time at Mr Messa’s practice, Barney did not receive intravenous fluids or any further antibiotics.
Barney’s owners said they met with Mr Messa again at around 5pm on 14th September when they came to collect Barney, this was disputed by Mr Messa, and the Committee were not satisfied so as to be sure that it had been Mr Messa who had met the owners and discharged Barney although the Committee found that all the witnesses had been honest and reliable.
Barney was admitted to the referral practice on 15th September but, as a result of sepsis, he suffered a cardiac arrest and died at 10.30pm.
In respect of the first charge the Committee concluded that, on 13th September, Mr Messa made only a rudimentary examination of Barney, and the absence of such basic clinical examination of the temperature, the respiration rate and the pulse of Barney was a failure on the part of Mr Messa and that, furthermore, he did not choose the best course of antibiotic treatment for the wound and infection.
In respect of the second charge Mr Messa admitted that he did not provide fluid therapy to Barney on 14th September before he was discharged.
With reference to the remaining aspects of the charge the Committee took into account the Code of Professional Conduct, particularly in respect of the need for veterinary surgeons to refer cases responsibly and the Code’s supporting guidance on referrals.
The Committee determined that, having delegated the arrangements of the referral to a veterinary nurse, Mr Messa made no attempts to follow up and ensure it was a same-day appointment when this would have better suited the severity of Barney’s condition. The Committee found that he was unaware of Barney’s location or of the time of the appointment and did not make provision for antibiotic or fluid therapy.
Having found the majority of the charges against Mr Messa proven, the Committee then considered whether this amounted to serious professional misconduct.
Disciplinary Committee member Stuart Drummond, who was chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "In the light of the facts found proved and considering that disgraceful conduct in a professional respect is that which is conduct falling far below that expected of a veterinary surgeon, the Committee had concluded that the heads of charge, when taken individually, or collectively, do fall below the standard expected.
"However, as a matter of judgement, the Committee did not conclude that Mr Messa’s conduct fell far below the requisite standard and therefore did not amount of disgraceful conduct in a professional respect.
"Whilst the Committee did not find Mr Messa’s actions fell far below the requisite standard, there were concerns expressed about several aspects of this case. There were a number of missed opportunities which occurred; in particular the Committee notes the failure of the care plan and to take adequate steps to ensure that the referral process has been timeously effected."
The Petplan/Panasonic Monitoring Kit, which was launched last year, allows pet owners and veterinary staff to check on their animals via an app on their smartphone or tablet.
Petplan says is it being used by some veterinary practices to help provide additional security and monitoring capability within the practice.
The kit includes an indoor camera, which comes with an in-built temperature sensor and night vision, a door sensor and Smart Plug which can be remotely activated to turn on a radio, lamp, portable heater or fan to help keep animals content.
The kit also contains an SD card which allows clients to save and share video footage of their pet in its home environment with their veterinary surgeon, and practices to record and share footage with their staff or clients.
Isabella Von Mesterhazy, Head of Marketing at Petplan, said "For Petplan, keeping pets healthy always has been and always will be our priority. We worry about our pets when we are not with them and the pet Monitoring Kit addresses this problem by providing welcome reassurance that they are safe and well. We are delighted to be able to share this exclusive, time limited offer with our customers and veterinary partners to allow them to check in on their pets, from wherever they are."
To find out more and access a discount code, veterinary staff should login to petplanvet.co.uk.
Emma, who completed her training as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2015, was nominated for the City & Guilds Medal by Lite Ltd, the organisation with whom she did her training.
The award was presented to Emma at a ceremony at Kensington Roof Gardens in London last week by City and Guilds.
Mrs Jackie Shopland-Reed from Lite Ltd said: "City & Guilds Medals for Excellence recognise the achievements of learners, lecturers and trainers who have achieved great results by producing exceptional work – going above and beyond what is expected to achieve their goals. It recognises not only excellent results but also those who show a true journey of progression throughout their qualification.
"We felt Emma was deserving of the Medal as she achieved outstanding results for each aspect of this very challenging qualification – showing exceptional skills in assignment writing, examination technique and in her practical ability. Emma proved to be a conscientious, adaptable individual who is an excellent role model, not only for future students but also for the veterinary nursing profession as a whole."
Emma said: "I am honoured to have been nominated for the Medal, particularly as I am the veterinary nurse to receive it. I love my job at Friarswood Vets and I am proud to be recognised for my achievements."
The Prince's Trust 'creates life-changing opportunities' for those aged 11-30 and Nick has long-held a passion for making a difference to young lives. He has set up three charities for young people: with learning disabilities; who want to campaign to change the world; and who want to break down the barriers to enjoying nature and the outdoors.
Nick has led the RCVS since September 2012. During his tenure, developments at the College include a new Royal Charter, major governance reform, improved regulation of veterinary nurses, the instigation of Vet Futures, the introduction of the alternative dispute resolution service, significant evolution within the Practice Standards Scheme, the refocusing of RCVS Trust into RCVS Knowledge, the launch of Mind Matters, and the recognition of the College as a Great Place to Work.
Nick said: "It has been a great privilege to be CEO of the College and to work with such amazing staff, such a progressive Council and such a decent and caring profession. It is no surprise to me that vets and vet nurses are among the most trusted professionals in this country, and in my view this is due to their professionalism and to the excellence of the Royal College in maintaining and advancing standards. I hope I have played my part in helping the College and the profession navigate through a period of great change and preparation for significant change to come.
"At The Prince’s Trust I will be focused on the next generation, helping to give young people the confidence and purpose they need to make a success of their lives and the world around them. I know from my own personal experiences of school, and the various charities with which I have been involved, how many young people are not given the best chance in life. I cannot think of a better mission to take on."
RCVS President Chris Tufnell said: "I feel very fortunate to have worked closely with Nick over his five years with the RCVS; he has made a tremendous contribution to the College and our professions. With his energy and drive, he has infused the College with a culture of openness, engagement and dedication and has inspired the team through some impressive achievements.
"Nick’s leadership will enable vets and veterinary nurses to fulfil their potential and it's fitting that he's moving on to a role which benefits the lives of others. Meanwhile, there's a considerable amount of important work being done by the RCVS and I am confident that we have a strong team at Belgravia House to manage this until the new CEO is in post."
The RCVS says its Operational Board will be reflecting on Nick’s successes and the future needs of the College, before developing a specification for the new CEO and a recruitment process over the coming weeks.
Mrs Angie Scullion (pictured right) from Okehampton joined the Healthy Pet Club in May 2017 at Okeford Veterinary Centre with her Border Collie, Cassie. She was awarded a year’s free membership by the practice to celebrate the milestone.
Launched in 2010 with 11,000 members, the Healthy Pet Club helps pet owners budget for their pets’ healthcare by spreading payments over a year. They also make savings on vaccinations, flea and worm treatments and receive access to a wide range of other benefits.
Mr Mukesh Rughani, Healthy Pet Club Manager at CVS, said: "Pet owners want value so we constantly research the market to check that the discounts and benefits we offer through the Healthy Pet Club are the ones that we know they will find most meaningful.
"We are delighted that the Healthy Pet Club has reached the 300,000-member mark and we have a number of exciting developments planned for later this year which we believe will make it an even more useful tool for our member practices while setting a new standard in value for our clients."
ATOP 7 Mousse and PYOclean Mousse are presented as a ‘dry shampoo’ in foam form for cats and dogs. They join the company's Dermoscent portfolio of companion animal products, developed to help with the management of scaling disorders, atopic or allergic skin disease and infections.
Both products contain a blend of plant extracts and essential oils from Hemp seed, which LDCA says has a moisturising and restructuring action on the skin. Atop 7 contains lemon tea tree extract, which the company says boosts anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic activity. PYOclean contains lavender and manuka, which are claimed to have an anti-bacterial action.
LDCA says it has designed the two non-rinse mousses with owner compliance in mind; that used twice-weekly twice-weekly alone or in combination with other supplements or treatments as part of a skincare protocol, they can extend the time between shampoos. They can also be applied quickly to speed patients’ discharge from hospital or used when animals are boisterous or dislike baths.
According to the company, a 2-week veterinary-supervised study looking at the effect of ATOP 7 Mousse on the skin of flea-allergic and atopic dogs, reported a veterinarian general satisfaction score of 8.7/10. Owners of the dogs on the trial reported an 8.7/10 general satisfaction score and a similar score for the product’s ability to soothe irritated skin.¹
The full Dermoscent range, including the new mousses, is available through Vet Direct as well as Henry Schein (selected products) or as a special order through Centaur. ATOP 7 Mousse and PYOclean Mousse are both available in 150ml packs and are priced at £7.94 + VAT each (list price).
For more information visit: http://www.dermoscent.com. A clinical case study by Dr Jean-Loup Mathet on the use of PYOclean Shampoo, Spray and Mousse in a 14-year old West Highland White Terrier with chronic, recurrent, inflammatory, pruritic and seborrhoeic dermatosis is also available online or by request.
Reference
A survey carried out by the company in 20151 found that 46% of dog owners were not aware that dogs can potentially suffer from the condition, despite the fact that it affects an estimated 375,000 dogs in the UK.3
The company says ocular conditions account for around one in ten canine consultations in first opinion practice,2 with KCS affecting around 5% of all dogs3, and up to 20% of predisposed breeds.4
To help raise owner awareness, Bayer will be holding the first veterinary Dry Eye Awareness Month in July.
Because early diagnosis and treatment can have a significant impact on prognosis, the focus of the campaign will be on encouraging pet owners to speak to their veterinary surgeon in the hope of increasing early diagnoses and improving the uptake of regular testing of at-risk breeds.
The campaign will include a dedicated social media element, targeting communities of at-risk breeds by inviting them to pledge their commitment to managing dry eye in their pet. A range of practice materials have also been produced for practices to support the drive in their waiting room.
Hannah Watts, Group Product Manager at Bayer said: "With this significant gap in owner understanding of the significance of KCS in dogs, it was clear that more is needed to be done to encourage owners of at-risk breeds to visit their vet practice for early diagnosis.
"The focus of Dry Eye Awareness Month is to support vets in championing the issue amongst their client base, through a range of educational materials. We hope vets will join us in utilising the month as a platform on which to discuss the prevalence and potential seriousness of the condition if left unmanaged."
Bayer’s research also found how poor understanding of the lifelong nature of the condition is one of the main barriers to owner compliance when managing cases, further highlighting the need for education.5
Chris Dixon, Director at Veterinary Vision Ophthalmic Referrals, said: "KCS cases can present acutely, or with subtle clinical signs that will not be detected from initial observations and require a Schirmer tear test to effectively quantify the reflex tear film production. Unless vets are actively discussing the condition with owners, and performing these tests on a regular basis, it is likely that many dogs could remain undiagnosed."
"In any case where ongoing treatment is required, client education is key in successful disease management. Accurate determination of the cause of the KCS will allow for an appropriate choice of medical therapy. When adjunctive tear replacement therapy is required, many owners will admit to not having the time to administer treatments frequently enough, which should factor into the recommendations we make as practitioners. For example, offering a longer acting product which requires less frequent application.”
You can download the Remend ‘Vision Matters – A Focus on Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca’ educational guide here: www.remend.co.uk/vets-area.
Dry Eye Awareness Month practice display materials can be ordered from your Bayer Territory Manager or email: ahmarketing@bayer.com
References
The award recognises the dedication of the country’s veterinary nurses and their invaluable support to their veterinary teams, the nation’s pets and their owners. The award recognises vet nurses who not only care for sick and injured pets but also encourage responsible pet ownership and improve pet welfare in their community.
This year the awards will be presented at the BVNA Annual Congress which takes place from 6-8 October at Telford International Centre in Shropshire.
Last year's award was won by Samantha Shand, a veterinary nurse at Quarrington Veterinary Surgery in Sleaford, Lincolnshire. She was nominated for her contribution "above and beyond her role, both for her commitments to charitable work and education."
David Catlow, Blue Cross Director of Veterinary Clinical Services said: "Blue Cross gives this annual award to recognise the commitment of vet nurses across the UK who work tirelessly to improve the lives of our pets. We are looking for vet nurses who really go that extra mile to support pet owners and have a significant impact on animal welfare in their region."
Nominations are sought from pet owners, and can be submitted at:www.bluecross.org.uk/BVNA2017 (deadline Friday 8 September 2017).
The survey was carried out by the Institute for Employment Studies (IES), which sent it to 5,572 veterinary surgeons who graduated from a vet school in the EU (excluding the UK) and who are registered as veterinary surgeons in this country, as well as around 100 non-UK EU-trained veterinary nurses.
The survey asked a range of questions about how these individuals felt that the vote to leave the EU had affected them, how they felt about their future working in the UK veterinary sector and how they felt the College had dealt with the issue of Brexit.
3,078 people (including 19 veterinary nurses) responded to the survey – a response rate of 55.3%. The average age of the respondents was 36. 60% were female and 87% were working full-time.
The largest group of respondents (22%) qualified in Spain. 14% qualified in Italy, 10% in Poland, 9% in Romania, 7% in Portugal, 6% in Germany and 6% in the Republic of Ireland.
The remaining 26% qualified in 18 different countries, each of which accounted for fewer than 5% of EU registrants. Although these figures relate to country of qualification and not the nationality of the individuals, in 91% of cases these were the same.
The majority of respondents (78%) worked in clinical practice. Of the 603 who did not work in clinical practice, 38% worked for the Food Standards Agency, 21% worked for the Animal and Plant Health Agency and 18% worked in higher education.
The main findings of the survey were:
RCVS President Chris Tufnell said: "This survey makes the strongest possible case that the Government must act fast to reassure our EU colleagues in practices, universities and industry that they are welcome to stay in the UK.
"EU vets and vet nurses make a massive contribution to the UK veterinary sector and the health and welfare of animals and humans.
"Beyond this commitment we will also be lobbying the Government that, after we leave the EU, suitably qualified vets from overseas are prioritised for UK work visas or equivalent, particularly if they are working in public health and the meat industry.
"I have written to Michael Gove, the new Secretary of State for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, outlining our position and our Brexit Principles and have invited him to visit the RCVS at Belgravia House to discuss these further. I hope that he accepts our offer so that we can have some constructive talks on these matters.
"On a personal note, I am very sorry to see that a significant proportion of respondents had experienced prejudice at work. This is simply not acceptable and we, as a regulator, have been conscious that ‘anti-foreigner’ rhetoric in the country at large could have an effect on hard-working and talented members of our profession, which is why we raised the matter in our letter to the Prime Minister last year."
The findings of interviews with a sample of non-UK EU-graduated veterinary surgeons working in the UK will be published over the summer. Meanwhile, over the next two years, IES will also be carrying out two further pieces of research that will track the opinions and intentions of non-UK EU-graduated veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses over time as Brexit policies are formed and the future status of non-UK nationals made clearer.
To read the IES report and the College’s three Brexit Principles in full, visit www.rcvs.org.uk/brexit
In the piece, which starts at 1:22:54 here, Gudrun explained that what is seen as “normal” and cute for these dogs, such as snorting and snuffling, is in reality a result of debilitating respiratory problems caused by the squashed faces that have made them so fashionable.
Today also highlighted the fact that flat-faced breeds have experienced a huge boom in popularity recently, driven by celebrity owners, advertising and the media. According to the Kennel Club, the French bulldog is set to knock the labrador off its perch as the UK's most popular breed.
Following the interview Gudrun said: "We shouldn’t be buying and breeding dogs on the way we want them to look - it should always be about prioritising welfare above appearance.
"These are breeds that can suffer just by walking around or eating, which is why we’re calling on the media and advertisers to stop using them in their adverts.
"It is also difficult to turn on the TV, check Instagram or see a celebrity photo without also seeing a brachycephalic breed so it’s not surprising that demand for these dogs is rising."
Gudrun urged anyone thinking about buying a brachycephalic breed to talk to their local vet and think about choosing a healthier breed or crossbreed instead.
Betafuse contains 5mg/g fusidic acid and 1mg/g betamethasone gel. It is available in 15g and 30g polyfoil tubes, designed to reduce the likelihood of splitting and loss of product during use.
Richard Palmer, Global Head of Sales and Marketing at Norbrook said: "We are delighted to be bringing this new product to the market in 16 European countries including the UK and Ireland. Betafuse is particularly exciting for us as we have improved the packaging and we have extended the 'in use' shelf life to eight weeks in comparison to six weeks for the pharmaceutically equivalent pioneer.
"This continued investment in our companion animal portfolio comes on the back of our recent launch in the US of Carprofen Chewable Tablets, an anti-inflammatory also for dogs. Our £40 million multi-year investment programme which we are currently engaged in, includes a significant emphasis on new product development including investment in R&D and our facilities infrastructure."
Lizzie Barnard, UK Product Manager added: "Betafuse offers the prescribing veterinary surgeon greater choice and it complements our existing companion animal skin care portfolio which includes Marbodex, a treatment for otitis externa in dogs.
"“Product support material is available and includes a guide for dog owners on how to apply Betafuse simply and effectively. This leaflet is available by contacting your territory manager or by downloading it from our website."
For more information, visit: https://www.norbrook.com/