Oliver Jackson, Managing Partner at Pets’n’Vets said: "We pride ourselves in investing heavily in the training and enhancing the abilities of our already highly qualified and capable staff. Our latest training programme has been developed in response to a demand from our RVNs for a programme of structured additional training designed to meet their specific needs to enhance and develop their clinical skills.
"The modular programme, which takes place at the award-winning Roundhouse Veterinary Hospital, will feature a line-up of presenters with specialist knowledge delivering a range of learning objectives for participants encompassing such topics as anaesthesia and consulting, will be developed further in future years following feedback from RVNs enrolled on the course."
Ceri Boyd, RVN at the Pets‘n’Vets Family with responsibility for co-ordinating the initiative, said: "There is a growing recognition within the veterinary profession for RVNs to participate in the elevation of the status of veterinary nursing and we want to play an active part in that by helping RVNs blossom and realise their full potential.
"This initiative will endow our RVNs with the confidence they require to progress their skillsets and the initial feedback has been encouraging, with our nurses welcoming this opportunity to enhance their roles and responsibilities, offering the prospect for an even more rewarding career as a consequence of a programme that is not readily available in other veterinary practices."
The procedure was performed in Canada through an international collaboration between partners from Germany, Canada and the UK, who say that this was a case where the placement of the tumour made it impossible to operate without severely impacting the dog’s quality of life. The most suitable treatment was a total excision of the growth and reconstruction with an implant.
The implant was designed with medical CAD tools by German company, Voxelmed, using 3D imaging from the affected area. The dog's veterinary surgeon, Julius Liptak, contributed to the design to ensure it met specifications and allowing him to plan the procedure in advance.
UK company Renishaw then additively manufactured the patient specific implant (PSI) at the Additive Design In Surgical Solutions (ADEISS) Centre in London, Ontario, Canada.
Ed Littlewood, Marketing Manager at Renishaw’s Medical and Dental Products Division said: "Without the advancements in additive manufacturing technology, this dog would not have had such a long and happy future ahead of him.
"Prior to this case, many veterinary surgeons were unaware that the technology was available. Similar procedures are now being planned in Germany and further research is underway to see how animals can benefit from additively manufactured PSIs.
Jan Klasen, veterinary surgeon, 3D designer and CEO of Voxelmed said: "Without AM technology, it would have been almost impossible to reconstruct the dog’s maxilla after tumour removal, because the area was extremely complex in geometry. The implant had to have a similar shape and functionality as the dog’s existing bone structure.
"Using additive manufacturing to maintain the original shape and function of the oral and nasal cavity ensures a high quality of life for the dog, just as a naturally shaped skull and maxilla helps the dog to breathe and eat easily."
To read the full case study, visit http://www.renishaw.com/en/additive-manufacturing-in-veterinary-surgery-saving-a-well-loved-member-of-the-family--42950.
Jon (pictured right, in blue) has devised the fundraising event as part of his BEVA Presidential year. He has put together three routes in Yorkshire to suit all abilities, over the same roads used by Ron Kitching, the champion 1930s road racer. Each route starts and finishes at York racecourse and will be supported with signage and feed and watering stops along the way.
Participants can choose from a 35 mile largely flat 'trot' which takes in the city of York, a 66 mile slightly hilly 'canter' skirting the Yorkshire Wolds and a 91 mile 'gallop' over the Rosedale Chimney, which, according to Jon has "enough ascent to make Sir Chris Bonnington happy!"
There will also be a short family ride on the afternoon of 2nd June so that children and less practised cyclists can get involved.
To enter visit http://www.wheelsinwheels.com/BEVA_Presidents_challenge_Sportive_UK.php
For further information visit www.beva.org.uk
The WellVet Weekend will include a variety of sporting activities, yoga classes, wellbeing workshops and social times, all finished off with a gala dinner. Something for everyone.
Speaking at the gala dinner on the Saturday evening will be Rob Pope. Rob, also known as the 'real-life Forrest Gump' is an emergency vet by night and a marathon runner by day. He's the first person ever to run across the USA four times in one year and he's currently running across the USA for the fifth time. This will be Rob’s first public event following his completion of this epic journey.
Liz Barton, Founder of Vetsnet said: "I love sport and I love this profession, so it's fantastic to be able to organise a weekend dedicated to the physical and mental wellbeing of vets and vet nurses. It promises to be a brilliant weekend, and I’m excited to have Rob Pope join us to share his stories from the road."
Ru Clements, Founding Partner of VetLed said: "We’re excited to create a community which supports veterinary professionals to thrive. The WellVet Weekend is a very special concept with a core mission that we wholeheartedly believe in. We hope we can make a long-lasting positive difference to those who attend the first WellVet Weekend."
For more information and to buy your ticket, visit www.wellvet.co.uk
For the research, Miele commissioned independent market research firm Sapio to interview 1000 pet owners and 100 UK-based vet practices.
Veterinary practices have good reason to worry about complaints: the research showed that 89% of veterinary clients would be quick to tell others if they were dissatisfied with any aspect of the practice or care received. 63% said they would air their grievances on an online review site and 60% said they'd share their views on social media.
Those figures appear to be borne out by the fact that only 10% of vets said they had not seen any negative comments online about their practice.
Interviews with pet owners also found that the top five factors to affect a practice's reputation were: standard of care, a clean and hygienic environment, good customer service, the cost of treatment and waiting times, in that order.
64% of vets agreed that practice hygiene has become increasingly important with cleanliness of staff uniforms and waiting rooms among the first things that customers notice.
The suitably spruce Sam Bailey (pictured right), Sales & Marketing Director for the Professional division of Miele said: "Vet practices are increasingly coming under the same online scrutiny as hotels and restaurants and are being judged on everything from customer service through to staff appearance and waiting times.
"As our research results show, vets are already concerned about their reputations and it’s not just customer service and care outcomes that matter to pet owners, they also have high expectations when it comes to the practice environment too and are looking at cleanliness, hygiene and staff appearance.
"Through our network of approved partners we are working with more and more vet practices throughout the UK to ensure their on premise laundries not only meet WRAS regulations but also support their standards on hygiene, infection control and cleanliness."
The Mayor of Loughton, Councillor Philip Abraham, officially opened the Vets4Pets Loughton veterinary surgery inside Pets at Home at the Epping Forest Shopping Park, before enjoying a guided tour of the bright and modern facility.
Cheryl, who stars in the BBC’s children’s TV show The Pet Factor, said: "It’s fantastic to be able to open the doors to Vets4Pets Loughton and reach a landmark number of practices for the group.
"The opening event gave us chance to meet new clients, and welcome them to the practice."
Cheryl qualified in 2009 and is also a joint venture partner at Vets4Pets Chadwell and Newbury Park in Ilford.
Nick, who qualified in 2008, is also joint venture partner at Newbury Park, Romford, Beckton and Dagenham.
Nick said: "I have always been interested in caring for pets and have several dogs and cats at home.
"I love being a veterinary nurse and I’m delighted to have another opportunity from Vets4Pets to open my fifth practice.
"Once again the process to open a practice has been easy and we’ve had brilliant support on all aspects from Vets4Pets.
"I’m now looking forward to welcoming pets and their owners to Vets4Pets Loughton and providing the highest standard of veterinary care to the area’s pets."
The new practice will create five new jobs, with two vets, veterinary nurse, two pet care assistants and a receptionist.
Chief executive of the Pets at Home Vet Group, Andrei Balta, said: "Cheryl and Nick are two great advocates for the veterinary profession and we’re delighted they are part of the group.
"Wherever we have opened, pet owners have responded enthusiastically to our state-of-the-art practices and convenient opening hours.
"The joint venture model we operate across our practices provides the support vets and vet nurses need to run their businesses.
"It allows them to focus on what they really love, looking after the health of animals, while the support team helps with other areas including marketing, HR and business strategy."
Metacam is the first NSAID to be licensed for use in guinea pigs, and with it come the first guidelines for appropriate pain relief in this species.
Molly Varga, BVetMed DZooMed MRCVS, RCVS Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, said: "Guinea pigs have evolved to hide pain and once obvious signs are visible it often indicates that the animal is no longer coping and its welfare has potentially been compromised. Appropriate pain management in guinea pigs is therefore vital, particularly after soft tissue surgery and regardless of whether signs of pain are visible, to ensure an enhanced recovery and optimal welfare."
Boehringer says that although signs of pain can be difficult to identify in guinea pigs, there are a few which indicate that the patient needs assessment and treatment:
Grinding teeth (a slow steady grind of the molars, different from chattering)
Reluctant to move or walk
Shivers or quivers, can sometimes see rippling along the body
Sits hunched, with hair spiky
Whimpers
Loss of appetite
Breathing may be heavy and laboured
The company adds that as the only licensed NSAID for use in guinea pigs, Metacam 0.5 mg/ml oral suspension should be considered for use in all soft-tissue surgery cases in this species.
Alongside the launch of the new indication, Boehringer has produced:
An interactive online dosage calculator to help with quick dose calculations. The company says higher doses can be used based on clinical judgement, allowing for tailoring of doses to individual cases.
A dosing dish and syringe to help owners administer Metacam at home.
A series of expert short videos, supported and narrated by Zoo and Wildlife Medicine specialist Molly Varga. The video series includes a guide to recognising pain in guinea pigs, dosing regimes and an owner video for accurately administrating Metacam at home.
The dosage calculator and the expert videos are available at https://www.boehringer-academy.co.uk. The dosing dish and syringe can be ordered directly from your Boehringer Territory Manager.
According to the company, canine dry eye affects 1 out of 22 dogs and the early symptoms can be easily missed by pet owners, leading to irreversible damage to a dog’s vision, and eventually resulting in blindness.
If you want to get behind the campaign, MSD will supply your practice with a educational video and a special pair of glasses which mimic the effect of dry eye on a dog, so you can better explain the condition to clients and encourage them to book a screening appointment / Schirmer tear test if their pet is at risk.
Middle-aged to older dogs and certain breeds such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, West Highland White Terrier, Shih Tzu, Cocker Spaniel, Pekingese, Yorkshire Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Pug and Bulldog are more prone to KCS. Dogs with sore eyes and/or affected by conditions such as diabetes, Cushing’s Disease and hypothyroidism may also develop canine dry eye and MSD says they should be tested.
Caroline Darouj, product manager at MSD Animal Health, said: "Certain breeds of dog suffering from pre-existing conditions are at higher risk for canine dry eye and vets should screen regularly for canine dry eye."
“If left untreated, canine Dry Eye can lead to blindness. However, if caught in time, it can be well managed with medication.”
For more information, visit www.optimmune.co.uk
In the Somerset cull area, TB incidence has fallen from 24% before culling started to 12% in year four of the cull, while in Gloucestershire it has fallen from 10.4% to 5.6%.
The Government says the findings are in line with expectation based on the scientific evidence from the Randomised Badger Culling Trial which underpins the approach to tackling bovine TB – and demonstrate progress is being made in delivering the 25-year TB eradication strategy in England to rid our farmers of the impacts of this terrible disease.
Defra has also announced additional measures being taken to help control the disease, including licences for badger control in 11 new areas and the opening of a new round of applications for the Badger Edge Vaccination Scheme grants.
Farming Minister George Eustace said: "Bovine TB remains one of the greatest animal health threats to the UK. There is no single measure that will provide an easy answer which is why we are committed to pursuing a wide range of interventions to protect the future of our dairy and beef industries and eradicate the disease within 20 years.
"No one wants to be culling badgers forever so the progress reported today is encouraging."
BVA President John Fishwick said: "We continue to support a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to tackling bovine TB, including the use of badger culling in a targeted, effective and humane manner. TB is a devastating disease and we welcome the positive results emerging in Somerset and Gloucestershire, where licensed culling has now been in place for four years. The recent results in Dorset, indicating a slight upward trend in the incidence of bovine TB, present some cause for concern and we would like to see further investigation of the cattle and wildlife situation in that area.
"BVA supports the principle of badger controls within the Low Risk Areas (LRAs) of England where there is a demonstrated need and where it is done safely, humanely and effectively as part of a comprehensive strategy. We are largely reassured by the greater clarity provided on the decision-making process on how and where badger controls will be introduced in the LRAs. We recognise the expertise and professional judgement of veterinary and scientific colleagues in government who have made the decision to extend the cull in this area, but we would welcome further evidence regarding the level of TB infection in the wildlife reserve in Cumbria as this becomes available.
"Halting the spread of bovine TB is essential and it is vital that we use every available tool in the toolbox to support the Government’s aim to make England TB free. We therefore welcome both the introduction of tighter cattle controls where needed and the re-commencement of the Badger Edge Vaccination Scheme, particularly if used as a ‘firebreak’ to mitigate the spread of the disease into the low risk areas. We would also like to see a commitment to funding of further research in this area."
Photo: Coatesy/Shutterstock
Veterinary medicines are defined in the Veterinary Medicines Regulations as:
"any substance or combination of substances that may be used in, or administered to, animals with a view either to restoring, correcting or modifying physiological functions by exerting a pharmacological, immunological or metabolic action, or to making a medical diagnosis."
On this basis, the VMD says CBD products for use in animals require a marketing authorisation before they can be sold or supplied in the UK.
There are currently no CBD based products that have been granted a UK veterinary marketing authorisation which means that under the cascade, veterinary surgeons must prescribe a legally obtained human CBD product.
Photo: Shutterstock / Lifestyle discover
The scheme, which is part of the company's Keeping Britain’s Horses Healthy campaign, includes a pack - endorsed by BEVA and World Horse Welfare - to help yard owners and vets educate owners why they should vaccinate and the benefits of preventative healthcare.
The Yard Excellence Scheme pack includes information on vaccination, weight management, worming and biosecurity. It also helps yard owners implement a range of preventative protocols covering things like worming, vaccination and managing new arrivals, and also put infectious disease outbreak protocols in place.
There are also various things to promote the scheme within the yard, such as yard posters, a horse owner checklist, horse records and responsible horse owner booklets.
All the yards that develop and implement appropriate protocols, in collaboration with their vet, will achieve the Keeping Britain’s Horses Healthy Yard Excellence Scheme Standard and will be promoted on the scheme's Facebook page (@keepinghorseshealthy).
Yards can also promote their achievement via social media and on their website.
Fieke Bennett, equine business manager at MSD Animal Health said: "Our KBHH Yard Excellence Scheme is aimed at encouraging yards and vets to collaborate more closely towards excellent preventative healthcare practices.
"By encouraging vaccination and other preventative healthcare practices, livery yards will have a healthier population of horses; achieving an environment with happy horses, happy owners, and excellent yard reputation.
"This collaboration supports a strong relationship between the vet and the yard, a healthy yard means owners can enjoy their love of horses without restriction."
For further information talk to your MSD Animal Health Equine Account Manager, ring 01908 685685 or refer to KBHH social media feeds on Facebook page and Twitter (@keepinghorseshealthy).
Stephen, who works for the PDSA, wowed the judges with his photograph of a pair of wild ponies, entered into the 'All creatures great and small' category. He said: "I had a great day out photographing these wild grey ponies on a similarly grey January dayon the Long Mynd, a heath and moorland plateau in the Shropshire hills. I was simply out on a photo walk to take in the scenery and wildlife, look for a good shot and get a breath of fresh air; I’m chuffed that the judges have selected it as a category winner!"
Peter, who graduated from Nottingham University this summer and works at a practice in Bicester, won in the ‘Human:animal bond’ category with his entry: 'Best part of a job', which shows a laid-back 10-week-old cocker spaniel puppy lounging contentedly on his lap. Peter said: "This photo was taken whilst on placement in Chipping Norton as a student. The puppy was in to have her second vaccinations and a general health check after she had been with her new family for a week, and she was on my lap so that I could calm her, examine her, and socialise her. Working in the veterinary world is by no means easy, which is why moments like this are so important. Everyone needs a puppy cuddle!"
This year, the judging panel included David Tipling, one of the world's most widely published wildlife photographers. He said: "Helping to judge this year’s competition was for me a fascinating insight into a vet’s working life. Photography, like any art form, is subjective, but I was looking for pictures that had been composed and thought about and most importantly would linger in the mind long after they had been viewed. Much debate and discussion led us to some clear favourites from which to choose two overall winners."
"The winning shot [by Stephen] is beautifully composed, has a symmetry and used the dark and light tones of the ponies to complement each other, resulting in a striking image that we were all drawn to. I was drawn to [Peter’s] image partly by its abstract nature; on first view it is not obvious the dog is on someone’s lap. It is a strong, engaging image and because of that slightly abstract feel means it stays long in the memory.”
Peter and Stephen each receive £250 worth of gift vouchers from John Lewis.
Whilst bonfire night has always been recognised as a stressful time for pets, fireworks are now common from October right through to New Year. Occasions such as Halloween, Diwali, Christmas and New Year’s Eve can all add to the stress. Other triggers for stress include parties, house visitors, loud music, changes to routine, even Christmas decorations and excited children with new toys.
Each display pack includes a merchandising unit, two posters, a shelf wobbler, a shelf edge strip and pin badges.
To claim your free display pack, visit: https://tinyurl.com/y6wlsqga
For more information, contact Animalcare on 01904 487687 or email: animalcare@animalcare.co.uk
The College says the speed and accuracy of scans produced by the new scanner will revolutionise the treatment of animals at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (QMHA). It also reduces the need for animals to be anaesthetised before being scanned, with most patients now only requiring partial sedation.
The new scanner has been named the 'Otter Scanner' after a patient of the RVC whose owner was made a significant donation towards the RVC's charity, the Animal Care Trust, which funded the new machine.
Professor Dan Chan, Professor of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine and Medical Director of the QMHA at the RVC, said: "It is very uncommon that such an incredible leap in the care of animals can be achieved with a single innovation.
"Because of the vast improvement in speed and quality of the images produced by the ‘Otter Scanner’ our specialists are now able to obtain much more detailed images of various diseases affecting our patients so that the best possible treatment can be planned.
"At the RVC, one of our most important missions is to always improve the welfare and care of animals and this latest innovation is just another example of that commitment. We are forever grateful to all our supporters who have made this possible."
The new policy has been published ahead of an upcoming review of England’s Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing regulations (WATOK) by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Recommendations in the policy address all areas of the slaughter process, including:
The policy also covers a wider range of species and focuses on some of those species-specific needs.
For the first time its recommendations include fish. In order to improve the welfare of farmed finfish, BVA says that UK Governments should include the effective stunning of finfish as well as general welfare protections in WATOK regulations. It also calls for more research into developing effective and humane methods of stunning for decapods (shrimp, lobsters and crabs) and cephalopods (squid and octopus) as well as wild caught fish.
BVA Senior Vice President, Simon Doherty said: "With millions of animals slaughtered each year to provide us with the food we eat, we have a responsibility to provide them with a life worth living and a humane death. Our updated position aims to do just that by building on existing legislation and guiding the industry in a direction that better protects the welfare of animals destined for the food chain.
"Slaughter processes should be designed to minimise avoidable pain, distress, fear, and suffering and this document looks at all of the ways that we as vets can work with industry bodies and farm colleagues to improve the legislation already in place.”
A snapshot survey carried out in 2018 by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for the period of one week revealed that nearly 20 million animals (excluding fish) were slaughtered across 248 operating plants in England and Wales during that time.
In order to effect change for such a high quantity of animals, BVA’s new position sets out recommendations for a range of stakeholders, government, industry, researchers and the veterinary profession, at each stage of the slaughter process. Improvements to the way that stunning data is captured and reported on is also on the list of asks, as well as improving regulation of non-stun slaughter and working collaboratively with Islamic scholars and Halal certification bodies to promote the acceptability of recoverable stunning.
Simon added: "From making sure that stunning methods are as effective as possible, to looking at the specific needs of each species, revalidation of training for operators, and championing the role of the Official Veterinarian, there is a lot of work to be done but we look forward to progressing these recommendations and working to improve the welfare of farmed animals across the UK."
The research, led by the Royal Veterinary College in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and Nottingham Trent University, also revealed that 66% of owners would recommend their flat-faced breed to others.
Although previous RVC studies found that owners are initially attracted to brachycephalic breeds due to their distinctive appearance, this latest study has revealed that behaviour traits are a core component of why owners ‘love’ their breed and would recommend them to others; essentially, owners come for the looks, but stay for the personality.
In order to gain a deeper understanding of these views, the study, which included over 2,000 owners of Pugs, French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs, asked owners to describe which aspects of their current breed they would or would not recommend in their own words.
The main reasons for owners recommending their breed included:
Conversely, aspects of their breed that owners would not recommend included:
Dr Rowena Packer, Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College and leader of the study, said: "With a multitude of stakeholders trying to tackle the current brachycephalic boom in the UK, our results are of real concern to these efforts. Understanding how breed loyalty develops towards brachycephalic breeds, and whether it can be changed once established, is key to reducing the popularity of short-muzzled breeds. If first time owners of flat-faced dogs choose these breeds for the rest of their lives, then the current crisis could continue for decades.
"Although strong focus has been placed upon dissuading new puppy buyers from purchasing brachycephalic breeds, as they are now some of the most popular breeds in the UK, attention should also be turned to current owners. Priority should be given to developing evidence-based strategies to help these owners consider lower risk, healthier breeds when acquiring future dogs. Our novel findings start this process by highlighting the key behavioural characteristics that this owner group value."
Kit, or, to give him his full title, Dr Kit Sturgess MA, VetMB, PhD, CertVR, DSAM, CertVC, FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Medicine, has been working as an internist in private referral practice since 2003. In 2006 he became a founding partner in a multidisciplinary referral centre that he saw grow from five to 65 members of staff within five years.
He is also Chair of BSAVA Education Committee, Trustee of Cats Protection and Chair of Trustees of the Wildheart Trust. He was formerly an RCVS Knowledge Trustee and member of RCVS Council.
Kit has authored numerous articles and two textbooks, and presents lectures and research abstracts at conferences worldwide.
Kit will take up the editorship on 2nd September, succeeding Professor Peter Cockcroft. He said: “I am delighted to take on the editorship of Veterinary Evidence. With readers in 150 countries and output that has more than doubled over the past three years, the journal has quickly become a mainstay of evidence-based veterinary medicine, which is a testament to Peter’s enthusiasm and commitment to the development of the journal and its impact on the veterinary community.
"I am excited about leading Veterinary Evidence in its next stage of development, with recent events showing the critical importance of open online access. Veterinary Evidence is ideally placed to support an ever-growing and wide range of veterinary professionals by further developing a multimedia, multiplatform approach facilitating the use of evidence-based medicine in their daily practice."
Veterinary Evidence journal can be read at: veterinaryevidence.org
The programme offers employers a variety of options, including antigen and antibody testing, environmental testing, a daily wellness symptom checker app and ongoing site monitoring to identify asymptomatic spreaders and pre-symptomatic spreaders, neither of which are identified by the current routine government testing programmes.
Dr Tony Cooke, lead scientist and director at ReCoVa-19 (pictured right) said: "Businesses, such as veterinary practices are struggling to serve the needs of their clients while also protecting their employees in their role as essential workers. Vets also recognise the value of reliable testing at a sustainable cost and the best practice approach. Concerns over obligations with regard to the health and safety of employees and uncertainty, are significant barriers to normal working practices but with the level of testing and support we can provide that’s no longer necessary.”
The company says the new programme is highly accurate and affordable, and can be tailored for businesses of all sizes.
For more information, visit: www.recova-19.com.
Two hundred members of the profession took part. The main results were:
No word on the absolute number of 'concerns', but they included:
Jennie Jones, Head of VCMS and Partner at Nockolds Resolution (pictured right), said: "The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown period has impacted many pet owners and veterinary practices. The increased use of remote consultations, and online and remote prescription services has been a great help to many during this time, but it also has its challenges as we all adapt to different ways of working. At the VCMS, we are well-equipped to take on complaints that eventuate in these circumstances, drawing on our past experience with prescription-related grievances and their resolution."
During 2018-19, the VCMS concluded 88% of complaints mediated using the ADR process developed by Nockolds.
Nockolds says it anticipates a rise in prescription-related complaints, and welcomes communication from practices and clients regarding these or any other vet-related complaints. Visit: http://www.nockolds.co.uk
Assets coming up for sale via private treaty and online auction include:
For a full list of assets, visit: https://www.bidspotter.co.uk/en-gb/auction-catalogues/timed/gordonbrothers/catalogue-id-gordon10067
Gordon Brothers Valuations & Industrial Director, Simon Bamford said: “Gordon Brothers is pleased to be assisting the Trustees of the Animal Health Trust with the orderly closure of the 100 acre Newmarket facilities, including the sale of the large quantity of associated assets. We are expecting significant interest in the varied array of assets”
The online auction will close at 3.00pm on the 1st October 2020. Viewing is strictly by appointment only on Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th September 2020 from 9.00am to 4.00pm at AHT, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, CB8 7UU.
For further enquires on the sale or to view by appointment please contact, Josh Chivers jchivers@gordonbrothers.com
The competition is part of a campaign called ‘Take it Fleasy', which is designed to support practices by providing education and advice on preventive treatments for fleas. There are also three runner up £50 Amazon voucher prizes.
Vicky McAlister, Senior Brand Manager at Elanco said: "Veterinary nurses play a huge role in advising pet owners on the care and well-being of their animals, especially when it comes to parasite control! They are often the first interaction new pet owners have with a practice, during puppy or kitten clinics, and see pets during routine health checks, including offering advice on all things parasites.
"We wanted to highlight the incredible work they do and give vet nurses the opportunity to shine with our new competition. I am excited to see what they can create!"
To enter the competition all you need to do is record yourself giving your tips and tricks for flea prevention and then upload it to your practice’s social media channels. Once your vlog has been live for two weeks you will be required to submit your engagement statistics (video views, reactions, comments and shares) to your local Elanco Veterinary Business Manager.
For more information, contact your Elanco Veterinary Business Manager.
Preoperative fasting to reduce the likelihood of gastroesophageal reflux, regurgitation, emesis and aspiration of gastric contents during anaesthesia is routine, but research on the topic is currently thin on the ground.
The survey aims to obtain information on current preoperative fasting recommendations and protocols in dogs and cats which will enable the expansion of knowledge on common practice. Kat (pictured right) said: "It will also allow me to compare current practice to the literature to examine the use of evidence-based practice. It may also highlight areas requiring improvement in small animal practice to ensure patient health and welfare."
The anonymous questionnaire is aimed at a number of veterinary staff including registered veterinary nurses, veterinary surgeons, students, animal care assistants, veterinary care assistants and reception/administration staff as all are involved in providing advice and instructions to clients on this topic.
Kat plans to share significant findings with the profession in due course.
To take part in the survey, visit: https://harper-adams.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/preoperative-fasting-duration-questionnaire
The survey will close on Friday 14th August 2020 at 5:00pm.
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Now, when you search Google for something which includes the word 'job' or 'jobs', Google presents an easy-to-filter list of local vacancies. You can also search in other locations.
One of the criteria for a job advert to be listed in Google for Jobs is that it must first have appeared on a webpage written with special code which allows the search engine to read the advert correctly.
VetNurse Jobs has been upgraded to include this code, and jobs advertised on VetNurse.co.uk are now appearing on Google for Jobs.
VetNurse Editor Arlo Guthrie said: "We've known this was coming for some time, so we made sure VetNurse Jobs would be ready as soon as Google unveiled the new system.
It has yet to be seen how widely Google for Jobs will be used by veterinary nurses looking for a job. Back in the day, you'd have to wait for the latest copy of Vet Times to arrive in the post in order to find a job. Then came the internet, and with it a small handful of job websites worth checking for VN vacancies, of which VetNurse Jobs is one.
Now, Google for Jobs provides one-stop search from most of the big players, although not all veterinary job boards are compatible with the new system and notably Indeed is excluded from Google for Jobs search results.
The question now is whether jobseekers will continue to go directly to their favourite job website, or search google first. Either way, though, you'll find jobs advertised on VetNurse.co.uk!
What do you think of the new Google for Jobs feature? Comment below.
Canine leishmaniosis is caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum, which is found in most continents1. L. infantum is most commonly transmitted through the bite of sand flies and Bayer says there is a growing concern among parasitologists that the distribution of the disease is increasing due to climate change and more frequent pet travel.
Dr. Markus Edingloh, Head of Global Veterinary Scientific Affairs at Bayer Animal Health, said: "We are seeing more cases of canine leishmaniosis in areas where the disease had not previously been found. Dogs travelling and imported from endemic areas are of particular concern for introduction of the disease, while climate change is contributing to the spread of the vector.
It is therefore vital that veterinarians are aware of the disease and are recommending appropriate protection for dogs travelling to, or living in, endemic areas."
In dogs, there are a wide range of potential clinical signs associated with leishmaniosis including generalised lymphadenopathy, weight loss, lethargy, pyrexia, cutaneous lesions, ocular lesions and neurological or vascular disorders, while the severity of disease can vary from mild to life threatening2,3. In humans L. infantum tends to be responsible for the most severe form of leishmaniosis, visceral leishmaniasis, which can be fatal.
While distribution is worldwide, L. infantum is particularly prevalent in South America and the Mediterranean, with annual cases of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in people estimated to be 3,500 in Brazil and 875 in the Mediterranean1.
In some areas, over 80% of canine leishmaniosis cases may be asymptomatic1. However, the infection level in asymptomatic dogs is such that these dogs, in addition to the dogs showing clinical disease, can still be responsible for the spread of disease4. Therefore protection against infection to help control spread is vital for both human and dog health, as clinical cases will not always be obvious.
The non-profit scientific association, LeishVet, recommends that prevention should include the use of a long-acting topical insecticide throughout the period of sand fly activity: "Long-acting topical insecticides applied to dogs living in or travelling to endemic areas should be maintained during the entire risk period of potential exposure to/or activity of sand flies."
Bayer says that Seresto, which contains imidacloprid and flumethrin in a slow release collar, has been found to significantly reduce the risk of infection with Leishmania infantum in dogs for up to eight months. Three clinical field studies, performed in endemic areas, indicated a significant reduction in the risk of Leishmania infantum transmission by sand flies in treated dogs compared to non-treated dogs. The efficacy in the reduction of the risk of infection with leishmaniosis ranged from 88.3 to 100% 5,6,7.
For more information, visit www.vetcentre.bayer.co.uk/seresto.
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