Companion Care has opened its 80th surgery, within the Ilford Pets at Home store.

Companion Care Vets managing director, Jane Balmain said: "The opening of our 80th surgery proves the success of our joint venture partner business model. At present the majority of our surgeries are located inside Pets at Home stores but we also have four very successful standalone surgeries. Our standalone surgery network is now being developed to create further exciting opportunities for future growth, with our first new standalone surgery opening in Scotland this December."

Joint venture partner and veterinary surgeon at Companion Care Vets Ilford Alberto Arciniega said: "Alongside the fantastic team we have on board, my partners Nick and Claire and I are extremely proud to be opening our second surgery here in Ilford. Having been partners at the Romford surgery since July 2009 we have seen the company grow consistently and successfully. We feel honoured to be opening the groups' 80th surgery and look forward to the challenge of managing both practices and to delivering outstanding veterinary care."

With 102 Joint Veterinary Partners, 83 of whom are veterinary surgeons, 12 veterinary nurses, 6 practice managers and 1 receptionist and a further 789 staff employed by the group Companion Care Vets is one of the largest veterinary employers in the UK. Dividend payments to joint venture partners in the 2010/2011 period totalled £2.181 million and the group says it plans to open a further 10 surgeries across the UK before the end of year.

Vicki Gates, head veterinary nurse at Vets4Pets in Luton, has been awarded Ceva Animal Health UK's Behaviour Bursary to fund the cost of attending the BVNA's Companion Animal Behaviour Course.

Consisting of four modules, 'Dogs and cats - understanding the difference', 'The front line approach to behavioural problems', 'Common canine conundrums' and 'Frequent feline foibles', the course features well-respected speakers including Sarah Heath BVSc DipECVBM-CA, David Appleby MSc CCAB, Dr Anne McBride BSc PhD FRSA and Jon Bowen BVetMed DipAS(CABC).

Vicki said: "Since Vets4Pets Luton opened in August 2010 we have seen many, many pet owners asking for their pets to be euthanased because of behavioural problems such as cats urinating in the house and dogs biting them while out on walks. It has been a sudden awakening to a huge problem that I have never seen in such devastating numbers and we have a duty to the public to try and help prevent these issues. The course will help improve the advice and services we can give to puppy and kitten owners by providing appropriate information on socialisation and training as well as specific behavioural consultations for both new pets and older animals in need. To further prevent problems, we also hope to hold educational client discussions in the evenings relating to specific areas of interest."

Julia Wood, product manager at Ceva Animal Health UK said: "Vicki is a worthy winner of the Ceva Bursary. Not only is she passionate about pet behaviour, but she is also committed to improving animal welfare through client education."

For further information on the BVNA's Companion Animal Behaviour Course, please visit http://www.bvna.org.uk/.

Petsavers, the charitable division of the BSAVA, is calling for entries to its 2012 digital photography competition, this year themed 'Best Buddies'.

The competition is open to entries from pet owners and veterinary professionals alike. The judges will be looking for qualities like humour and character in the photos, as well as photographic skill.

If you need a little inspiration, you can see the winning images from previous years on the BSAVA website.

The competition has two categories: Adult (16 and over) and Junior (under 16). First prize in each category is £200 in photography vouchers, second prize is £100 in photography vouchers and third prize is £50 in photography vouchers. The closing date is Thursday 26 January 2012. To enter the competition, email your photographs to info@petsavers.org.uk. An application form must also be submitted; this can be emailed with your photograph or alternatively you can print and fax the form to BSAVA at 01452 726701.

Petsavers is also encouraging practices to help promote the competition by displaying leaflets in practice, and telling clients about it.

More information is available by emailing: info@petsavers.org.uk or visiting www.petsavers.org.uk/.

The results of the UK's first ever public National Equine Health Survey have quantified non-notifiable healthcare issues affecting horses, ponies, donkeys and mules in the UK.

The survey, which was pioneered by The Blue Cross animal charity and is supported by The British Equine Veterinary Association, was carried out last November following two years of pilot schemes. The intention was to find out more about endemic non-notifiable diseases that have never before been recorded in horses, ponies, donkeys and mules, such as coughs, skin diseases and lameness.

The results were announced at the National Equine Forum by Professor Josh Slater, Professor of Equine Clinical Studies at The Royal Veterinary College, who has been working with The Blue Cross on the survey.

A total of 306 sets of records were submitted from 3120 horses in mainly private ownership, with a balance of representation from competition yards, riding schools, welfare charities and studs. A broad range of syndromes and diseases were assessed including colic, sarcoids, laminitis, wounds, dental issues, eye disease, lameness and weight issues.

The results showed that lameness was the most common problem affecting horses (11% of horses surveyed) but that the foot was not the most common cause of lameness and that laminitis (3%) was less common than the 7-8% total that previous surveys had suggested.

Weight management was the next most common issue for horse owners, with 9% of horses recorded as overweight and 8% as underweight.  These figures are lower than previous surveys which may be because they are based on the owner's assessment of their horse's weight which is subjective and may vary according to their perception of 'the right weight'.

Skin disease and wounds (5% and 4% respectively) posed a significant problem and colic (2%) was also a common occurrence, with a 6:1 ratio between medical and surgical cases.

The survey is breaking new ground in Europe as well as the UK. Currently Government agencies in all European countries conduct surveillance for prescribed exotic diseases such as West Nile Virus and African Horse Sickness but currently there are no large scale surveillance programmes for endemic diseases.

Professor Slater said: "The regular collection of such data holds numerous benefits to the UK equine industry. Not only does the survey provide a benchmarking facility for equine disease, welfare, standards of care and codes of practice but it will also underpin standards for yard inspection schemes. Not least it confirms the workability of an important template to monitor the serious threat of infectious and exotic disease in the future." 

He added: "It's exciting to see hints in the NEHS 2010 survey that data 'straight from the horse's mouth' might challenge some established ideas. For example; the survey found that lameness was common, as you would expect, but that the foot was not the most common cause of lameness, which you might not have expected. This kind of data has never been collected before and is invaluable to the veterinary profession and wider animal welfare industry, helping to inform our future research, training and education. It will be really exciting to see the results of the larger surveys The Blue Cross are running in 2011." 

Kerry Doyle, education officer at The Blue Cross said: "We are thrilled to be involved with this innovative project to enhance the future health of our horses and very grateful to all those who have participated in the survey so far. We now need even more horse owners to sign up for the next round so that we can capture as much useful data as possible."

The National Equine Health Survey is currently funded by The Blue Cross but sponsorship is being sought. It is to be conducted twice-yearly with the next census week planned for 9-15 May 2011. All keepers and owners of horses are urged to participate and details of all horse owners will remain anonymous. It's very quick and easy to complete and should only take around five minutes. To register online visit www.bluecross.org.uk/NEHS or email NEHS@bluecross.org.uk.

Supreme Petfoods has announced that it is sponsoring the post of Exotic Animal Veterinary Nurse at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, enabling a full time role to be maintained within the school's exotic animal clinic and teaching unit for the first time. 

The initial appointee to the post is Wendy Bament, a Veterinary Nurse who already has significant experience in the role.

Supreme Petfoods' Managing Director Chris Childs said: "We are delighted to sponsor this post. It offers a great opportunity for Supreme Petfoods to provide a combination of practical help for sick animals and support for The Dick Vet's valuable teaching work. We are looking forward to working with Wendy and The Dick Vet and also to developing and extending the relationship in the future."

The Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service at the University of Edinburgh's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies treats a range of animals from skunks to tortoises.  The Dick Vet also has an Exotic Animal Teaching Facility, which includes rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas, lizards, snakes and rats, where students can learn about the best way to care for exotic animals such as the right temperature and diet that different animals may require.

The newly sponsored post involves managing animals during their time at the Dick Vet, preparing and assisting in operations and managing aftercare.  An important part of the role is also to assist in the teaching of veterinary students, providing a practical insight into the specific requirements of small exotics. This includes daily care and dietary needs as well as how to handle sick animals and manage them before, during and after treatment or operations.

Anna Meredith (Head of Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service) said: "The Exotic Animal Teaching Facility was opened in April 2010 and so we are really pleased to have secured this sponsorship so early in the unit's history. The number of exotic animals we see through the hospital is expanding and it is important to give veterinary students as much experience and support in this area as possible. We know that rabbits are the most common household pet after cats and dogs, while guinea pigs and rats are increasingly popular. We are delighted to be working with Supreme Petfoods and to be able to secure this valuable role to assist with caring for exotic animals."

In addition to her duties in the hospital, the sponsorship will also enable Wendy Bament to share some of her insights and expertise both at professional seminars and conferences and via a number of public events that are also sponsored by Supreme Petfoods.

Voting in this year's RCVS and VN Councils elections has now opened, with veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses able to cast their votes online, by post or by text message.

All candidate details and ballot papers have been posted earlier this week so should be landing on doormats imminently. 

As in previous years, there is an opportunity for voters to quiz the candidates on VetSurgeon.org and VetNurse.co.uk. Questions submitted before 24th March will be entered into a draw to win one of three 6-bottle mixed cases of wine. Thereafter, there will be an open forum on both sites. 

As in previous years, the College will make an optional 20p charitable donation to the Veterinary Benevolent Fund on behalf of each person who votes. 

Lydia Brown, President of the VBF, said: "The Veterinary Benevolent Fund is very grateful for funds raised through the elections. We appreciate that life in practice can be stressful, and offer support in a variety of ways to veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses."

RCVS Council comprises 40 members: four are appointed by the Privy Council, 12 by the veterinary schools and 24 by direct election.

Each member is appointed for a four-year term of office. Every year, six members of Council retire at the Annual General Meeting, though may seek re-election.

In 2011, ten candidates are standing for the six seats available, including six incumbent Council members. The candidates are:

• Mr Jon Bray MRCVS
• Mrs Beverley Cottrell MRCVS
• Professor Sheila Crispin FRCVS
• Mr Mark Elliott MRCVS
• Mrs Lynne Hill MRCVS
• Mr Thomas Lonsdale MRCVS
• Mr David Mason MRCVS
• Dr Bob Moore MRCVS
• Mr Adi Nell MRCVS
• Professor Sandy Trees MRCVS

RCVS VN Council comprises 17 members: eight elected veterinary nurses, six veterinary surgeon members (including three from RCVS Council), one Lantra representative and two lay members. 

Two seats are usually available each year, with each member serving a four-year term. 

This year an extra seat for a one-year term is available, due to a member retiring mid-term; this will be filled by the third-placed candidate. 

There are four candidates for the three seats: 

• Miss Liz Branscombe RVN
• Miss Tanya Caley RVN
• Mrs Liz Cox RVN
• Miss Rachel Smith RVN

All votes must be received before 5pm on 27 April 2011 - a slightly earlier deadline than usual, which takes account of the extra public holiday for the Royal Wedding. 

Any veterinary surgeon who has not received their ballot paper should contact Ian Holloway (020 7202 0727 i.holloway@rcvs.org.uk) for an official duplicate; veterinary nurses missing their ballot papers should contact Annette Amato (020 7202 0713 a.amato@rcvs.org.uk).

Practice Plan for Vets, a provider of client loyalty schemes to the veterinary profession, has signed with The Best Friends Group, one of the largest sole principal veterinary groups within the UK.

Best Friends is the latest veterinary group to introduce Practice Plan for Vets' Healthy Pet Plan, and will be rolling it out across its 32 veterinary sites. Healthy Pet Plans allow the owner to budget for the annual preventative health requirements of their pets whilst providing the veterinary practice with a regular income, secured client loyalty, improvements in client compliance and a much needed increase in client footfall. 

Andrew Bennett (pictured right) is partnering with Practice Plan for Vets to advise on the promotion of Best Friends' membership plan and manage the pet owner direct debit collection process. Mike Hadfield from Practice Plan for Vets (pictured left) said: "Practices are realising that clients are shopping around for best price and value for many of the services and products that a practice competes for. When your clients pay monthly, their loyalty is improved significantly. With our veterinary focus, dedicated team and over twelve years' experience, our services are in high demand and are very appealing to all practices."

To find out more about Practice Plan for Vets, visit http://www.practiceplanforvets.co.uk/ or Stand 903 at BSAVA, or ring 0845 371 4495.

Merck and sanofi-aventis, owners of Merial and Intervet Schering-Plough respectively, have announced that they will not be combining the two animal health businesses as had been planned since March 2010.

In a joint announcement today, the companies said they are discontinuing their agreement primarily because of the increasing complexity of implementing the proposed transaction, both in terms of the nature and extent of the anticipated divestitures and the length of time necessary for the worldwide regulatory review process. The companies agreed that ending their plan is in the best interests of both companies and their respective shareholders, as well as the employees of Merial and Intervet/Schering Plough.

Sanofi-aventis says it remains strongly committed to its animal health activities, which it will continue to develop under the Merial brand as a growth platform of its diversified health business. Merial is one of the world's leading innovation-driven animal healthcare companies dedicated to research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of veterinary pharmaceuticals and vaccines, that generated annual sales of US $ 2.6 billion in 2010.

Merck has also stated its commitment to animal health and Intervet/Schering-Plough, a global leader in the research, development, manufacturing and sale of veterinary medicines which generated sales of US $ 2.9 billion in 2010

As a result of termination, both Merial and Intervet/Schering-Plough will continue to operate independently.

Dechra Veterinary Products has picked up a major award at the 2011 Veterinary Marketing Awards for a calendar called 'The Horse in History'.

The calendar, designed to promote all of Dechra's equine products but particularly Equipalazone, also won the award for most innovative use of direct mail. The company's website, http://www.dechra.co.uk/, was highly commended in the New Media category.  

The John O'Hara Award is made to the VMA category finalist which, in the opinion of the judges, best demonstrates a high level of innovation or adventurousness in an aspect of the advertising mix.  Designed to celebrate the unique position of the horse down the ages in culture, art, science and legend, the calendar featured twelve iconic illustrations, from the white horse carved into the chalk hillside in Uffington, Oxfordshire, to Da Vinci's sculpture.

It also included an embedded competition giving practices the opportunity to win practical aids, including wind up torches and water bottles, with the major prize being a trip to Vienna to see the Lipizzaner Stallions at the Spanish Riding School.

Larry King, Senior Brand Manager at Dechra, said:  "Horses have had a unique relationship with man for thousands of years and this is what we wanted to celebrate with our calendar. The monthly competition with 100 prizes on offer and the special prize draw at the end of the year gave it a real point of difference and it proved very popular with our customers.  It was the first time we'd run such a campaign over twelve months and we believe it to be unique in the animal health sector.

"We were delighted and honoured to win both the award for best use of direct mail and the John O'Hara award for The Horse in History.  It will inspire us on our quest to continually set new standards in the way we communicate with our customers."

The Norman Cavalry

Galloping Horse

 
The Uffington White Horse

  
The Anatomy of The Horse 

Incitatus

Bucephalus

 
Altamira Cave Painting

Gran Cavallo

Rocinante

American Carousel Horse

Aethenoth

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association is celebrating a record Congress, attended by more than 8,000 people. That's 16% up on last year and the largest number ever recorded.

There were 5816 delegates (up from 5028 in 2010), including a record-breaking 634 visitors from more than 50 overseas countries. BSAVA says it expects that figure to snowball when the Association hosts the World Congress next year.

There were over 250 exhibitors in the commercial exhibition, where many millions of pounds worth of business was done (one exhibitor alone reported £5M worth of orders). Outside the exhibition hall, delegates amassed more than 100,000 CPD hours presented by more than 100 specialist speakers.

BSAVA President at the event Grant Petrie said: "It has been a tremendous honour to preside over such a truly world-class Congress, particularly to serve as President on the 250^th anniversary of the veterinary profession.

"I am immensely proud to see more delegates and more exhibitors than ever before, together with a fantastic social programme and networking opportunities which created a really special buzz around the event.

"It is a really exciting time for veterinary science and Congress continues to be right at the heart of the profession. I believe it has been the best year yet and the figures certainly support this.

"I have always been impressed by Congress - particularly the commitment to supporting the entire veterinary profession and industry. I would like to congratulate and personally thank the dedicated team of volunteers from within our profession who have worked so hard to put this superb event together. That it is created by vets and nurses for their peers is what makes Congress so unique."

Petplan has announced the winners of its 2011 Veterinary Awards. 

The awards are to recognise and celebrate staff and practices throughout the country that have delivered an exceptional level of care to the nation's pets and their owners.   

Alison Andrew, Petplan's Marketing Manager said: "Britain is known to be an animal-loving nation and with millions of households owning cats and dogs, pets play a central part in family life. The Petplan Veterinary Awards give us the opportunity, on behalf of all pet owners across the UK, to thank the veterinary profession for the outstanding service they provide to our pets.

"This is the 12th year of the awards and this year we received over 2,800 nominations, a record number for the vet awards, which really highlights the high regard that the profession and pet owners have for these awards."

The winners for each category are:

VET OF THE YEAR
Alison Laurie, Crown Vets - Highlands
What really stood out about Alison for the independent panel of judges was her clinical excellence, exceptional ability and compassion towards customers and their pets, all of which were highly praised in her nominations.

VET NURSE OF THE YEAR
Maria Corcoran, Orwell Veterinary Group - Ipswich
Maria's ability to naturally lead by example was a prominent factor for the judges, as well as her ability to always make pet care and comfort her top priority. She also provides great customer service and high clinical standards.

VET SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR
Patty Fraser, Loch Leven Equine Practice - Kinross
The independent panel of judges was really impressed by Patty; she is considered to be the 'hub' of the practice and constantly makes a strong contribution to the team in many ways. Her ability to organise and multitask whilst offering excellent customer service is outstanding.

VET PRACTICE OF THE YEAR
Emersons Green Veterinary Surgery Ltd - Avon
Emersons Green Veterinary Surgery's work to continually educate their customers really stood out for the independent panel of judges. The practice works incredibly hard to provide regular newsletters and updates on their Facebook page, which is run by nurses, whilst maintaining a great level of service for their pets and clients. The practice has also been very successful in helping to re-home dogs.

Dechra has created a new app with the Royal Veterinary College which promises to help vets better diagnose and treat endocrine disorders in companion animals. 

Typically, diagnosis of endocrine disease is based on a thorough history and physical examination, followed by laboratory tests.

However clinical signs vary substantially across animals with endocrine disorders, so this new app uses AI and big data from millions of dogs in the RVC VetCompass database to improve the chances of an accurate diagnosis.

Dr Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor for Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC, said: "By applying the latest AI technology, the app is designed to assist primary care veterinary surgeons to better detect and diagnose Cushing’s Syndrome.

"The app provides a guide to the probability of Cushing’s syndrome as an explanation in patients showing both typical and atypical clinical signs for Cushing’s"

The app is free to download on both Apple and Android devices in the UK and EU countries by searching for 'the endocrinology app".