Cat Henstridge MRCVS has teamed up with Companion Dog World magazine to launch #SeeThemSuckling, a new campaign to combat the puppy farm trade.

The main aim of the campaign is to persuade anyone thinking of getting a puppy that they should always see the animal at least once whilst it is still dependent on its mother, before they buy. That way, they'll be able to reassure themselves that they have seen the real bitch and the environment in which the puppy was bred. It will also help prevent impulse purchases.

In addition, the campaign aims to raise awareness in the veterinary profession, so that veterinary surgeons are giving this same advice to their clients.

To that end, the campaign highlights the RSPCA 'Sold a pup' report which showed that over 400,000 pups are bred for the UK market each year by unlicensed establishments, and imports from Europe have increased to an estimated 30,000 in 2015, following the change in the PETS scheme in 2012.

The campaigners say that many of these puppies are bred in truly awful conditions, often with little or no human contact, before being taken taken from their mothers too early and transported often hundreds or thousands of miles to be sold as 'family' pets. Many will need veterinary care to deal with infections, inherited issues and behavioural problems.

The campaign faces a big challenge. In the Kennel Club PAW survey 2014, 41% of people who bought a puppy didn't see the bitch and 51% didn't see the environment where the litter was bred.

To spread the word, veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and pet owners are being asked to take a pouting selfie with their dog and post it on social networks like Facebook, with the hashtags #PoutForPuppies #SeeThemSuckling, linking to the campaign website: https://seethemsuckling.com 

The RCVS has published an inspiring talk about the future of digital veterinary practice given by Dr Adam Little, DVM, President of Exponential Vet Inc., at this year's RCVS Open Day.

In his talk, 'Digital Veterinary Practice', Adam presents an exciting and compelling vision as to how technology will transform the profession and enable veterinary surgeons to offer better care to more patients. 

His talk begins with an interesting look at how technological change has gathered pace in recent years, before considering some of the emerging technologies that could be applied to veterinary practice.

In particular, he talked about the so-called 'Internet of things': the way more and more 'things' other than computers are connected to the Internet.

There are now about 9bn 'things' connected to the internet, by 2020 there are expected to be 50bn. Adam predicted that more and more of them are going to be worn by animals: to measure reproductive health in farm animals; to track performance in equines; and to monitor behaviour and activity in companion animals.

Adam discussed how there is already a smart litter box which measures an animal’s habits, an oral pill camera that can take 360 degree internal photos, 3D printed drugs and digitised microscopy. By uniting these technologies with increasingly accurate virtual reality technology, he said, long-distance examinations could become a real possibility.

In relation to the role of the RCVS, Adam explored how the profession could be proactive in engaging with these technologies, such as by: using regulation as a mechanism to attract 'disruptors' to work alongside the profession; identifying areas of retraining and creating targeted learning opportunities; fostering an entrepreneurial mindset; creating an early-adopter network of practices to foster initial collaboration; and framing industry challenges as targeted problems whose solutions can be crowd-sourced.

Boehringer Ingelheim has launched a 100ml bottle size for Semintra to help facilitate long-term compliance and convenience for owners of cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

The new bottle size will last approximately 100 days when treating an average sized cat of 4 kg. 

Amy Scott, brand manager for Semintra said: "The new 100 ml bottle size will ensure that Semintra is even more convenient for owners, whilst facilitating long-term compliance that fits in well with recommended recheck intervals for CKD."

Cats with CKD have an overactive renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), which can lead to proteinuria and further progression of kidney disease. Semintra contains the active ingredient telmisartan – the only angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) licensed for use in veterinary medicine. Boehringer says it provides targeted, long-lasting suppression of the RAAS¹.

Semintra is a once daily oral liquid. Now available in both 30 ml and 100 ml bottle sizes, it has a six month shelf life after opening.

For further information on Semintra visit www.boehringer-academy.co.uk or contact your local Boehringer Ingelheim territory manager.

Reference

1. Sent, U. et al. (2015) Comparison of efficacy of long-term oral treatment with telmisartan and benazepril in cats with chronic kidney disease. J Vet Intern Med. 29(6),1479-1487

An online petition set up by the Worldwide Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) as part of a campaign to secure access to ketamine as an essential veterinary medicine has secured more than 11,300 signatures - with 15,000 the next milestone.  

The WSAVA is calling on veterinary surgeons around the world and anyone with an interest in veterinary – and human – medicine to sign the petition to ensure access to ketamine in the face of lobbying by some countries, principally China, to have it put under international scheduling.

According to the WSAVA, proposals for international control stem from the misconception that ketamine is merely a 'recreational drug.' The WSAVA says this is inaccurate and devalues its huge contribution to human and animal medicine. 

Dr Walt Ingwersen, WSAVA President Elect and Member of the WSAVA’s Global Pain Council, said: "In 2015, the WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) stated that the abuse of ketamine does not cause a global public health threat and that control would limit access for those using it as an anaesthetic. This view was confirmed at a meeting of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs in March 2016, helped by strong support view from the global medical and veterinary communities. However, China has repeated its view that ketamine should fall under international scheduling and we have no doubt that it will raise the issue again. This mean the risk to ketamine remains."

He added: "Ketamine is a safe anaesthetic which can be used without oxygen, ventilators, electricity and the support systems required for other products, making it the only anaesthetic suitable for both medical and veterinary use in lower and middle income countries. If developing countries were denied access to it, which would be the effect of international scheduling, the effects on veterinary medicine, human health and animal welfare would be devastating."

Dr Ganga de Silva, President of the Society of Companion Animal Practitioners of Sri Lanka, said: "Sri Lanka is a poor country with an underdeveloped veterinary profession. If ketamine was not available, in my opinion, all surgeries would have to cease as almost all of the veterinarians in the country rely on it for anaesthesia. The result would be suffering for animals and it would also seriously impact our ability to control rabies as we would not be able to carry out spay and neuter programs on stray dogs."

Dr Nancy Shaffran CVT, VTS(ECC), President of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (pictured above), said: “In addition to its use as an anaesthetic agent, ketamine is a critical medication used in the pain management in animals. The mechanism of action of ketamine (NMDA receptor antagonism) delivered as a Constant Rate Infusion has been well established to be effective in the prevention and correction of severe neuropathic pain and spinal cord wind-up. The loss of ketamine in veterinary practice would result in the needless suffering of many patients and we strongly oppose this action. We are very grateful for WSAVA’s efforts to keep ketamine available for our patients."

Dr Walt Ingwersen added: "Ketamine is also used in human medicine as it has a particular value for use 'in the field' - for instance, in treating trauma patients, those with traffic and sporting injuries or affected by natural disasters and conflict. Taking these factors together, it is clear that ketamine is an essential medicine and we are determined to ensure that it remains freely available. We are continuing to harness our global veterinary community to highlight the importance of ketamine because this is a battle our patients can’t afford us to lose. We ask all those agreeing with to sign our petition and help our collective voice grow."

The petition is here: http://chn.ge/1RFSou6.

The WSAVA’s Global Pain Council has produced a range of tools and resources, including an infographic, to support its ketamine campaign. They can be accessed here: http://www.wsava.org/educational/global-pain-council

Agria Pet Insurance has announced an 'age amnesty' in May, during which time the company will quote for cover regardless of the age of a pet.

The company says it is common for the owners of older pets to have difficulties finding insurance cover for older pets, and a lack of cover may be a barrier to presenting the animal for regular health checks and disease investigations.

Agria has been offering five weeks free pet insurance plus insurance quotes without an age limit for rehomed older pets from rehoming centres and charities for a year now, in order to give prospective rehomers greater confidence to take on the additional commitment of an older pet. 

The company says that opening up the offer to all pet owners through May offers a rare opportunity to insure potentially vulnerable senior dogs and cats.

Alastair Cook, Head of Sales and Marketing, said: "It'’s a great way to reinforce to clients how much you care. “The bond with an older pet is often special and it can be very distressing when they develop a condition that is going to require treatment on an ongoing basis. We don'’t want cost to be the pet owner’s biggest worry, or for people to feel that they can'’t afford to ask their veterinary practice for help. We'’re asking practices to reach out to pet owners and let them know about this time limited offer so we can help as many pets and people as possible.”"

Agria has produced an Age Amnesty waiting room poster, available on request by calling its veterinary helpline on 03330 30 83 90 or email admin.vet@agriapet.co.uk. Practices that work with charities are also encouraged to contact the company.

For more information, visit www.agriapet.co.uk/veterinary

Merial has announced the launch of Viral Cats, a national campaign designed to educate one million cat owners about the importance of vaccination.

According to PDSA research, approximately 3.9 million cats in the UK are not up to date with their vaccinations and around 2.7 million cats have never been vaccinated¹.

As part of the campaign, Merial is pushing a series of animations to cat owners via Facebook, which link to the campaign website: www.viralcats.co.uk. The website offers detailed information about the importance of vaccination and interactive content including a 'risk checker' quiz.

The 'risk checker' quiz will ask owners a series of questions to find out whether their cat is up to date with its vaccinations. If not, they'll be directed to speak to their vet. If the vet recommends restarting the primary vaccination course, owners will be able to download an amnesty voucher – directing them to participating practices to get their pet back on track. For those who are up-to-date with their cat’s vaccinations, but want to help spread the word, there will be a competition and prize.

Aiz Baig, product manager at Merial, said: "This campaign is really exciting for Merial, offering us a great opportunity to reach and educate cat owners on the importance of vaccination, which of course will drive footfall into practices."

There are several ways veterinary practices can get involved with the campaign: 

1. Use Merial's animations on your social media channels and encourage your followers to share. All practices that get 100 shares by 31st May will be entered into a prize draw to win a coffee machine worth £500. Speak to your Merial Territory Manager to take part.
2. Like the Facebook page – Viral Cats UK
3. Run your own vaccination amnesty in practice to take advantage of the national offer (materials available via your Merial Territory Manager or via practicesupport.merial.co.uk)
4. You can also download the ‘Give Them Just What they Need’ Guide at practicesupport.merial.co.uk (where you will also find other exclusive materials or ask your regional Merial Territory Manager for a copy

To find out more about the campaign, or take part, contact your regional Merial Territory Manager.

References:

1. PDSA PAW Report 2014

The RCVS has published a guide for student veterinary nurses and providers of veterinary nursing education regarding fitness to practise issues.

The new guide, entitled Fitness to Practise – A Guide for UK Providers of Veterinary Nursing Education and Student Veterinary Nurses, was produced by a Working Party comprising representatives of the RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council as well as representatives from a variety of training providers and the British Veterinary Nursing Association. Although each training provider will have in place its own specific guidelines and procedures for dealing with fitness to practise cases, training providers are encouraged to have regard to this guidance as an example of good practice.

The guide, an equivalent of a previously published guide for student veterinary surgeons, is split into two parts: the first part provides guidance for training providers on recognising and addressing fitness to practise concerns; the second part sets out the broad principles of fitness to practise that student veterinary nurses should follow, and that training providers should expect and uphold.

Kathy Kissick, Vice Chair of Veterinary Nurses Council and Chair of the Working Party that produced the guide, says: “I am delighted with the completion of the student veterinary nurse fitness to practise guide. This guide will enable student veterinary nurses and educators to have clear guidelines and procedures to enable professional standards to be established and maintained throughout training, regardless of the training route being undertaken.

“This guide was produced with the input of veterinary nurse educational institutions and will help all training providers to prepare their veterinary nursing students for the rigours of professional registration and regulation.”

The guide can be downloaded for free from www.rcvs.org.uk/publications.

Royal Canin has announced that it will be launching Multifunction, a new range of veterinary diets designed for cats and dogs experiencing - or at risk of - multiple health conditions.

According to the company, 35% of cats and dogs meet this description¹ and it can be difficult for veterinary surgeons and nurses to recommend a diet which meets all their needs when one diet can't address multiple nutritional priorities.

Officially being launched at BSAVA, Multifunction diets are designed to provide an option for the nutritional management of cats and dogs with more than one condition, thereby eliminating the need to decide which of two conditions take precedence when developing a nutritional assessment for patients.

The company says that the new diets have been developed by combining existing Veterinary Diet formulae. The range includes:

• GFR-AFR which combines the benefits of the Renal and Hypoallergenic diets
• S/O-AFR for the nutritional management of cats and dogs with lower urinary tract disease and adverse food reactions
• S/O-KCAL Control for overweight pets with lower urinary tract issues
• For cats: S/O Biopeptide, designed to help patients by means of urine dilution, emotional balance, struvite dissolution and reduced calorie content. 
• For dogs: C2P+-KCAL Control for overweight dogs with joint issues.  

Marianne Lomberg, Veterinary Marketing Manager said: "As a company, one of the things we are proud of is looking at the pet as a whole, rather than just a clinical condition on legs. For this reason we combine the features of our standard veterinary diets to provide support for other issues that a pet may develop. For example, our Urinary Moderate Calorie diet is lower in calories than standard diets in order to help prevent weight gain in animals predisposed to obesity as a result of living indoors or being neutered. However, until now, we have not been able to provide vets with a diet for a pet that has already been diagnosed with two equally serious concurrent conditions, such as lower urinary tract disease and obesity. Our new Multifunction diets do just this.

"Pets suffering from more than one condition also generally require more regular veterinary care, too, and a unique new ordering system for these diets helps facilitate ongoing contact between the pet owner and their veterinary practice every time they order a new bag of food. More information about the diets and the ordering system will be available on the ROYAL CANIN, stand: 611."

Multifunction will only be available through veterinary practices and all bags will be personalised, including the practice logo and patient name. Further information on how to sign up to the product programme will be available at the show stand.

For more information, visit: http://new.vetportal.royalcanin.co.uk/products/multifunction-2/ 

Reference

1. Survey conducted with practising vets in France, UK and US (n=370) for Royal Canin in 2013. Data for UK (n=120) and France (n=122) averaged to represent Europe.

Rebecca Davies has been struck off by the RCVS Veterinary Nurse Disciplinary Committee after acting without and against the direction of a veterinary surgeon on multiple occasions.

Miss Davies faced four charges:

1. That during a surgical procedure, she failed to follow instructions of a registered veterinary surgeon to increase anaesthesia (not proved), prepared and/or began to administer a bolus of morphine, lidocaine and ketamine by injection without direction (proved) as well as three further boluses (proved), placed a feeding tube despite being told not to by a vet (proved), and administered intermittent positive-pressure ventilation without direction or authorisation (proved).
2. That during a surgical procedure, she administered propofol without direction and/or authorisation (proved) and placed a catheter despite being told not to do so by a vet (proved).
3. That during a surgical procedure, she administered methadone intravenously, despite being instructed by a vet to administer it intramuscularly (proved).
4. That during a surgical procedure, she Davies administered maropitant without direction and/or authorisation (proved).

Miss Davies made no admissions to any of the charges.

Miss Davies wrote to the College prior to the hearing stating that she would not be attending and she was not represented.

The Committee found all charges bar one proved.

Charge 1a, relating to the anaesthesia increase, was found not proved due to lack of evidence.

In deciding on whether the proven facts amounted to serious professional misconduct, the Committee took into account the aggravating factor that all charges caused risk of injury to an animal or human.

There were no mitigating factors.

The Committee found that Miss Davies’ conduct indicated an unwillingness and inability to act according to the veterinary surgeons’ instructions/directions.

It noted that Miss Davies acted on at least seven occasions contrary to the instructions given or without seeking direction or authorisation, despite her position within the surgical team.

It also found that Miss Davies had breached multiple areas of the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses, including the Code obligations that veterinary nurses must make animal health and welfare their first consideration when attending to animals and that veterinary nurses must communicate with veterinary surgeons and each other to ensure the health and welfare of the animal or group of animals.

It therefore found that, with the exception of administering intermittent positive-pressure ventilation without direction or authorisation, the remaining proved facts amounted to serious professional misconduct.

The Committee then went on to consider the most appropriate and proportionate sanction.

In doing so, it took into account aggravating and mitigating factors.

Aggravating factors included that the conduct was sustained over a period of approximately eight months and took place during four separate surgical procedures, and that Miss Davies posed a risk to animals on each occasion.

The Committee considered that there were a number of mitigating factors including the fact that Miss Davies had been on the Register of Veterinary Nurses since 17 January 2006 with no previous disciplinary findings against her, positive testimonials from a colleague working with Miss Davies at the time of the incidents, and the fact that Miss Davies had expressed some remorse in a letter regarding her conduct in relation to charges 3 and 4.

Colin Childs, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee found that the charges represented a serious departure from the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses and also that there was evidence that Miss Davies had put her own interests before the health and welfare of animals either by not following the instructions of veterinary surgeons or by acting unilaterally, in relation to the administration of medicines or the placement of a catheter or feeding tube during four surgical procedures.

“Since the Committee could not assess Miss Davies’ future risk or her insight in her absence, it therefore decided that removal was the only proportionate sanction because any other sanction would not protect animals or the public in the future without those matters having been adequately assessed.

Such a sanction also met the wider public interest.

“The Committee therefore directed that the Registrar remove Miss Davies from the Register of Veterinary Nurses.”

www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary

Dechra Veterinary Products has announced that it will be launching Zycortal, a new medication for the treatment of canine hypoadrenocorticism at the BSAVA Congress in April.

Zycortal is a prolonged-release suspension used as replacement therapy for mineralocorticoid deficiency in dogs with Addison’s disease. Dechra says it has proved highly effective in clinical trials with more than 80% of dogs responding positively to treatment¹.

Zycortal contains desoxycortone pivalate (DOCP) which Dechra says controls serum electrolytes more effectively than fludrocortisone² (the human treatment currently prescribed for dogs with Addison’s disease) and is considered the preferential drug for mineralocorticoid supplementation.

Zycortal is the only European licensed treatment for canine hypoadrenocorticism and adds to Dechra’s existing endocrinology range.

Visitors to the BSAVA Congress will be able to find out more about Zycortal at the Dechra stand (500). Delegates are also invited to attend a presentation by Professor Ian Ramsey BVSc PhD DSAM DipECVIM-CA FHEA MRCVS on Saturday, April 9, at 11.10am.

The presentation, New developments in the diagnosis and management of Addison’s disease aims to give delegates an insight into the condition.

Dechra Brand Manager Craig Sankey said: "We are very excited to be able to bring Zycortal to veterinary professionals in the UK. Addison’s disease can be very hard to diagnose as it mimics so many other illnesses.

"Each injection of Zycortal lasts approximately one month, providing long-term control of primary Addison’s disease. The prognosis for dogs with Addison’s disease is excellent provided that treatment is maintained for life. Our team will be on hand at the BSAVA Congress to explain and discuss the benefits that Zycortal can bring to their day to day practice in the fight against this illness."

References

1. CVMP Assessment report for Zycortal (EMEA/V/C/003782/0000) 2015 pg. 19
2. Baumstark, M.E. et al (2014) Use of plasma renin activity to monitor mineralocorticoid treatment in dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism: desoxycorticosterone versus fludrocortisone. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 28(5): 1471-8

The RCVS Disciplinary Committee has dismissed an application to be restored to the Register of Veterinary Surgeons from a former Kent-based veterinary surgeon, Warwick Seymour-Hamilton.

Mr Seymour-Hamilton was originally removed from the Register in June 1994 for failing to maintain his equipment and facilities such that it evidenced a total disregard of basic hygiene and care for animals, thereby bringing the profession into disrepute.

The restoration hearing on Friday 18 March was Mr Seymour-Hamilton’s fourth application for restoration, with previous applications being submitted but refused in July 1995, June 2010 and January 2015. However, as the Committee made its decision on the merits of the case before it, those previous applications were not admitted as relevant to its decision.

Mr Seymour-Hamilton told the Committee that he currently works as a herbalist and naturopath for humans and wished to be restored to the Register so he could include animals in his research. He had completed a course in herbal and naturopathic medicine at the College of Naturopathic Medicine in Dublin in 2010, and told the Committee that he believed that being restored to the Register would lend credence to his endeavours to secure funding and other support. He stated that he did not intend to work again in a veterinary practice.

However, the Committee rejected his application on a number of grounds, including the impact on animal welfare should Mr Seymour-Hamilton be restored to the Register; the length of time he had been off the Register and the fact that he was therefore not up-to-date with contemporary veterinary practice and professional conduct; and that his efforts to keep up-to-date in terms of knowledge, skills and developments in practice were insufficient.

Judith Webb, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "The Committee is concerned about the length of time that has passed since he last practised and the paucity of the evidence he has provided to establish that, if permitted to return to practice, he would be able to attain the professional standards required of a modern veterinary practitioner, either as regards surgical capabilities/competence or as regards his knowledge of currently available veterinary medicines."

She added: "This Committee’s obligations and duties are to see that the interests of animal welfare are properly protected by ensuring that only those who are properly trained, knowledgeable and experienced are permitted to treat animals and that public confidence in the standards of the profession are maintained. The risks attendant on a restoration of this applicant to the Register are, in the judgement of this Committee, plain and obvious. Accordingly, this application is refused."

Goddards, the Greater London-based 46-branch, 3 hospital veterinary group has announced the move of its HQ to a new premises in a former police station in Woodford Green, Essex.

Twenty staff from the practice, including senior managers, the accounts and IT teams and the ProActive Pets Wellness Club, are now based at the new premises.

PC Philip Goddard of Woodford Green said: "After 60 years working within our hospital in Wanstead, our support teams had outgrown the office space available. The move provides a greatly enhanced working environment for them and has also freed up space in the hospital that will be used to improve facilities for staff there, including a new lecture room for our Nursing College and Training Department."

The new address is: Claygate House, Manor Road, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 8BX. Telephone: 020 8506 0703.