A new study published this month in the Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ)¹ has concluded that toxins from the seeds of the sycamore tree (Acer pseudoplatanus) are the likely cause of Atypical Myopathy (AM) in Europe.

However, to avoid confusion, the authors of the study point out that the American Sycamore (also just called 'the sycamore' in the USA), is a completely different species: Platanus occidentalis. Furthermore, the sycamore found in the UK is also known as the sycamore maple in other countries.

The new research follows on the heels of a study in the USA earlier this year that linked toxins from the box elder tree (Acer negundo) with Seasonal Pasture Myopathy (SPM), the US equivalent of AM². The discovery marks an important step for the future prevention of this fatal disease.

Atypical Myopathy is a highly fatal muscle disease in the UK and Northern Europe. In ten years, approximately twenty European countries have reported the disease. Incidences tend to occur repeatedly in the autumn and in the spring following large autumnal outbreaks. Horses that develop AM are usually kept in sparse pastures with an accumulation of dead leaves, dead wood and trees in or around the pasture and are often not fed any supplementary hay or feed. SPM is a very similar disorder, prevalent in Midwestern USA and Eastern Canada that is now known to be caused by the ingestion of hypoglycin A, contained in seeds from the box elder tree.

The new European research¹ was conducted by an international team led by Dominic Votion, University of Liege and involved 17 horses from Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands, suffering from Atypical Myopathy. High concentrations of a toxic metabolite of hypoglycin A, were identified in the serum of all of the horses. The pastures of 12 of the horses were visited by experienced botanists and the Acer pseudoplatanus, the sycamore maple, was found to be present in every case. This was the only tree common to all visited pastures.

Researchers believe hypoglycin A is the likely cause of both AM in Europe and SPM in North America. The sycamore and the box elder are known to produce seeds containing hypoglycin A and the pastures of the afflicted horses in Europe and the USA were surrounded by these trees.

Hypoglycin-A is found in various levels in the seeds of plants in the genus Acer as well as in various other genera in the family Sapindaceae such as ackee (Blighia sapida).  In ackee, hypoglycin-A levels do vary with ripeness of the fruit and, if the fruit is eaten before it is mature, it causes hypoglycaemia to different degrees including a condition called "Jamaican vomiting sickness" (because of ackee's use in Jamaican cooking) and occasionally death in humans.

Researchers at the Universities of Minnesota² and Liege are continuing their work to try to uncover exactly how the equine disease occurs. Dr Adrian Hegeman of University of Minnesota said: "It is likely that the most important contributing factors to horses becoming poisoned by hypoglycin-A are the availability of seed in the field combined with lack of other feeding options. The seeds from two species of maples (box elder and sycamore maples) that we have tested include significant quantities of hypoglycin-A.

"We know that seeds contain highly variable quantities from seed to seed, even within a single tree. We do not know yet how hypoglycin-A levels vary seasonally, nor do we know how its abundance varies with different levels of stress to the plant, though this may well explain seasonal variability in the occurrence of the malady. It is possible that conditions that stress the plants may contribute to significant seasonal changes in hypoglycin-A levels.  At this point we just don't know.  It is common held knowledge that trees under stress usually produce more seed."

Dr Jeff Gillman of University of Minnesota said: "Without question, further analysis of the seeds and other tissues from Acer species needs to be performed along with sampling of plant materials over multiple seasons and at various stress levels. Additionally, one cannot rule out more complex explanations for the seasonality of disease occurrence such as: animals may begin feeding on seed materials in response to depletion of more palatable choices under drought conditions; or simple explanations such as high wind events driving seeds into fields. These sorts of explanations for the occurrence of the disease do not depend on botanical variations in toxicity across seasons, sites or stress levels, yet also require consideration.

"Although limited examples are available, the experience of animals at a pasture site might also confer some degree of behavioral resistance to poisoning due to exposure at sub-lethal levels with prior exposure to seeds in the pasture."

Professor Celia Marr, Editor of Equine Veterinary Journal said: "This is an important advancement in our understanding of what causes AM and how it can be prevented. In immediate practical terms owners can take prompt measures to avoid exposing their horses to sycamore seeds this autumn. Where horses are grazing in the vicinity of sycamore trees, it is imperative that they are provided with sufficient supplementary feed as this will minimise the risk that horses might be tempted to ingest seeds containing this toxin. This must be done carefully and leaving wet hay on the ground should be avoided so providing extra carbohydrate feeds may be more practical."

References

1. The European study can be accessed at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/evj.12117/abstract
2. Related research from the University of Minnesota can be accessed at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00684.x/abstract

Feline charity International Cat Care (the charity formerly known as FAB) has teamed up with Digital Photographer and Your Cat magazine to launch a photography competition, 'Picture Purrfect Cats', which they are asking veterinary surgeons and nurses to help spread the word about.

The charity, which undertakes feline welfare projects across the globe, is looking for exceptional images of cats, celebrating their unique appeal under the following categories:

• Cats close up
• Cats in action
• The cat-human bond
• The wild side of cats

The winner will be chosen by a panel of judges including International Cat Care CEO Claire Bessant, Digital Photographer editor, April Madden, and Your Cat magazine editor Sue Parslow.

The first prize is a weekend safari break for two at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, Kent, which includes tented accommodation overlooking a watering hole where a variety of African animals, such as zebras, giraffes and rhinos drink - offering plenty of magical photo opportunities. The winner also will be invited to attend International Cat Care's annual event at Altitude 360 in London, where their photograph will be exhibited and they will be presented with their prize.

International Cat Care CEO, Claire Bessant, said: "They say a picture conveys a 1,000 words, so we are hoping for some high quality images which shout to the world about the beauty of cats, and therefore why it's important to ensure they are looked after properly. Our welfare projects are international, working with both owned and unowned cats, pedigrees and moggies. We've reflected this in our categories and are hoping for some very varied entries. Please visit our Facebook page and enter or have a look at our growing gallery of feline photographs and vote for your favourite."

Runners up from each category will receive a framed A3 print of their winning photograph, along with official merchandise from the charity. Young photographers, ages 12 - 17 years, can win a Samsung Galaxy Smart WiFi Compact Digital Camera.

You can help support the competition by tweeting or e-mailing this link to your clients: www.facebook.com/internationalcatcare. Alternatively, add it to your practice website or your newsletter. It'll be fun if one of your clients wins.

The deadline for the competition is 16^th August 2013.

Guidance for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses on client confidentiality and microchipping has been amended by the RCVS.

The amendments deal with situations when a client presents an animal registered in another person's name, and a new flow diagram has been added to provide additional practical advice for vets and VNs dealing with these types of situations.

Animals can be registered in a different name to that of the client for various reasons. For example, an animal may have been re-homed or sold, but the details on its microchip have not been updated; it could have been stolen; or, the owners may be involved in a civil dispute.

Veterinary surgeons in practice may be unsure what to do in these situations. The new guidance informs veterinary surgeons about their options and provides advice on client confidentiality and data protection issues.

The College advises that veterinary nurses employed by a veterinary surgeon or practice should discuss the issues with a senior veterinary surgeon in the practice before breaching client confidentiality.

The amendments apply to Chapter 14 of the supporting guidance to the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct. The supporting guidance and flow diagram are available at: www.rcvs.org.uk/confidentiality.

Maggie Fisher MRCVS, the parasitologist and chairman of ESCCAP (European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites), has highlighted studies which demonstrate an association between the common parasite, Toxocara spp. and human disease, and has called on the profession to help reduce the damaging and widespread effects of this parasite.

Maggie says that many in the profession may not be aware that Toxocara eggs aren't actually infective when they are first passed in an animal's stools, sometimes taking weeks to develop to this stage. Eggs persist long after pet waste has naturally washed away too, so the risk of infection still exists even in environments that appear to be clean and safe. Interestingly, there seems to be only a very loose (and according to some studies, entirely absent) link between owning a pet and an increased risk of human Toxocara infection, suggesting that most infections are acquired from the environment^1,2 . Education of pet owners about responsible pet ownership, including appropriate worming and picking up their dog's waste quickly is essential to reduce this environmental infection risk.

The parasite's larval stages cause disease in humans as they migrate through body tissues, with retinal damage a previously well identified consequence. However, Maggie has identified studies which suggest a whole range of common conditions that may also be attributable to Toxocara infection. One study³ included 425 children displaying signs of a persistent cough and 1600 asymptomatic children as controls. Blood tests confirmed that a statistically significant 32% of the symptomatic group were positive for Toxocara antibodies, compared to just 17% of the asymptomatic control group. What's more, when given a week's course of an appropriate anthelmintic, the vast majority of symptomatic children had a greatly reduced and frequently absent requirement for inhaled corticosteroids to control their symptoms when re-examined by the study team a year later.

Numerous other studies from around the world have shown similar strong associations with asthma, allergies and epilepsy. One nationally representative US study even showed an alarming association with Toxocara infection and reduced cognitive function in children² . Those that were positive for antibodies to the parasite on blood tests (proving prior exposure) scored significantly lower on tests assessing verbal and manual dexterity as well as maths and reading abilities² .

So, what should veterinary staff and SQPs be telling clients? Maggie says you should be advising pet owners to worm pets regularly (at least four times a year) with an effective anthelmintic from an appropriately young age (2 weeks of age for puppies and 3 weeks of age for kittens, because transfer of the parasite to puppies before birth and to kittens via milk is a feature of the parasite lifecycle). Reducing pets' access to raw food and hunting activities can also help. This is in addition to more general recommendations including cooking food well and making sure children wash their hands before eating.

Maggie said: "Vets, nurses and SQPs are perfectly placed to make sure that pet owners are aware of the risks and take precautions to protect themselves and the wider general public."

For further information about effective control of Toxocara and a wide range of other companion animal parasites, visit www.esccapuk.org.uk. To view all the presentations from the 'Everyday Parasites' CPD day, visit www.esccapuk-cpd.co.uk.

References:

1. Taylor, M.R., 2006. Ocular Toxocariasis. In: Toxocara, the enigmatic parasite. Holland, C.V., Smith, H.V., Eds. CABI Publishing, Ch. 9, 127-144.
2. 2. 3^rd US National Health and Nutrition Survey Walsh, M.G., 2010. Toxocara infection and diminished lung function in a nationally representative sample from the United Sates population. Int J Parasitol.41(2):243-7
   Walsh, M.G., Haseeb, M.A., 2012. Reduced cognitive function in children with toxocariasis in a nationally representative sample of the United States. Int. J. Parasitol. 42, 1159-1163
3. Bede, O., Szénási, Z., Danka, J., Gyurkovits, K., Nagy, D., 2008. Toxocariasis associated with chronic cough in childhood: a longitudinal study in Hungary. J. Helminthol. 82, 357 - 63.

The RCVS Disciplinary Committee has directed that Somerset-based veterinary surgeon Dr Marcus Hutber be removed from the Register, having found him guilty of serious professional misconduct following multiple complaints made against him.

During the 11-day hearing, the Disciplinary Committee heard eight, separate and unrelated complaints against Dr Marcus Hutber, made whilst he was the owner of the veterinary company Epivet Ltd, with practices in Williton and Wiveliscombe, in 2009. The complaints involved a series of allegations including lack of adequate professional care, failure to have regard to animal welfare, failure to make or maintain adequate clinical records (and to provide them on request), and failure to treat clients with courtesy and respect.

In the first case, Dr Hutber was found to have performed surgery on a dog inadequately; failed to provide adequate post-operative pain relief; failed to obtain informed consent for the surgery from the dog's owner; and, failed to keep adequate clinical records of the dog's treatment. In a second case of inadequate professional care, Dr Hutber failed to ensure a cat's condition was monitored adequately; failed to ensure that the cat received appropriate fluid therapy; and, failed to keep adequate clinical records.

Dr Hutber was found to have brought the profession into disrepute by speaking rudely to one of his clients. On a separate occasion, a different client was found to have been treated without due courtesy or respect when Dr Hutber told her to come to the practice at once to get tablets and give them to her dog, otherwise the dog would die (of a disease he had diagnosed without carrying out the necessary investigations) - an instruction he then later repeated despite being told the dog was now being treated at a different practice.

One other complaint, where charges were proved, involved Dr Hutber's refusal to provide an animal's clinical records to a former client.

The Disciplinary Committee found Dr Hutber's conduct in respect of the charges proved in relation to each complaint, standing alone and taken collectively, amounted to serious professional misconduct.

In reaching its findings, the Committee considered the oral evidence and written statements of 20 witnesses (including Dr Hutber), two expert witness reports, a large quantity of documentary evidence, Dr Hutber's extensive rebuttal material and Counsels' submissions. Generally, the Committee preferred the evidence of the College's witnesses to that of Dr Hutber. Despite the Committee accepting he was of previous good character, it found him to be unhelpful and uncooperative, frequently lapsing into periods of silence that could last minutes, and staring fixedly (and, in the Committee's view, intimidatingly) at witnesses and College Counsel. There were also inconsistencies between his written rebuttal to the College, his witness statement and his oral evidence, about which the Committee found him evasive and illogical.

The Committee considered Dr Hutber had shown no insight into the allegations, or appreciated the significance or impact of his conduct upon his clients and their animals. He had shown no remorse or regret for his actions, and had continued to assert that he had done nothing wrong.

Further, he had caused actual injury to an animal by subjecting it to unnecessary revision surgery; displayed an inadequate and incomplete understanding of the concept of informed consent; demonstrated a lamentable lack of concern for animal welfare; brought the profession into disrepute with his treatment of his clients; and, exhibited conduct that fell far short of that to be expected of a member of the veterinary profession.

Chairing and speaking on behalf of the Committee, Professor Peter Lees, said: "The Committee has found that there were fundamental failings in the Respondent's clinical competence, and that there were serious defects in his interpersonal skills in relation to clients. He has throughout displayed a tendency to blame others for things which have gone wrong. [The Committee] is not satisfied that there is a realistic prospect of the Respondent having the ability or inclination to remedy his failings [and] remains unconvinced that there is a real possibility of a change in his attitude.

"The Committee is fully conscious that the purpose of sanction is not to punish, but to protect animals and the wider public interest and to uphold the reputation of the veterinary profession. Having regard to the serious aggravating factors [in this case], the Committee considers that the Respondent's conduct, taken as a whole, is so serious that removal of his professional status is the only appropriate sanction."

Accordingly, the Committee directed the Registrar to remove Dr Hutber's name from the Register.

The full details of the Committee's findings and decision are available on the RCVS website (www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary).

The RCVS Charitable Trust, has announced a complete rebranding that includes a change of name - RCVS Knowledge - and the refocus of its mission on supporting the flourishing evidence based veterinary medicine (EBVM) movement across the globe.

For the past 50 years, the charity has been known as a small funder of veterinary research and the home of the only freely-accessible library for the practising veterinary community in the UK.

Nick Royle, Executive Director of RCVS Knowledge said: "RCVS Knowledge is a name that encompasses our three core offerings: historical knowledge represented by our valuable Historical Collection, present knowledge, represented by our library, and future knowledge, represented by the new evidence based veterinary medicine  project, which is underpinned by our grants programme."

The RCVS Knowledge re-launch goes further than a mere name change, and  comes as the charity refocuses its efforts to become a global intermediary for EBVM, a direction reached following a period of consultation, and on the back of a successful symposium on the subject held at the end of 2012.

Nick, a former CEO of the human evidence based medicine resource, The Cochrane Collaboration, said: "Today, veterinary surgeons and nurses are required to take account of an ever-increasing pool of scientific data, the owners' values and preferences, and their own clinical expertise when making clinical decisions. RCVS Knowledge is ideally placed to generate, collate and distribute this information to support evidence based practices. We aim to develop tools to assist practitioners to quickly make well-informed treatment decisions."

As part of the new direction, the Historical Collection will be made accessible and available online, following a start-up grant from the Wellcome Trust. Clare Boulton, Head of Library and Information Services, said: "The Collection contains priceless and fascinating material, covering topics such as early horse-care and management, veterinary expeditions of discovery through Africa, and research that made the British Cavalry horses of 1914 the finest in the world. But this is just the beginning. If you have relevant experience or some funds that could help us, please get in touch."

Meanwhile, RCVS Knowledge's Library and Information Service will be re-designed to make it much more than shelves of journals, but rather a resource with the capacity to steer first-rate care and innovation, and an information engine capable of driving evidence based veterinary medicine at a global level.

The Grants and Awards program, for which the former RCVS Charitable Trust has been known, will be redesigned to celebrate professional excellence, and to address gaps in veterinary knowledge. Nick said: "We are aware of the responsibilities that veterinary surgeons and nurses face every day and feel we are in a position to support their decision making. We would like to urge every veterinary professional with an interest in EBVM, a curiosity about the history of their profession or a need to access up-to-date research to get in touch, so that we can keep you up to date with developments."

Vets Now has published a response to the RCVS DC ruling in which Munhuwepasi Chikosi, a locum working for the company, was struck off for delaying an emergency OOH home visit. 

The response is available in full here: http://www.vets-now.com/news/?item=4191

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica has launched Semintra, a new liquid treatment for cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

The active ingredient in Semintra is telmisartan, the first angiotensin receptor blocker to be licensed in veterinary medicine.

Like benazepril, Semintra is indicated for the reduction of proteinuria associated with CKD in cats. Boehringer says it has a highly targeted mode of action that provides rapid and reliable reduction of proteinuria in cats with chronic kidney disease. The company adds that it is well tolerated and almost exclusively excreted in the faeces, so elimination is not dependent on renal function.²

Above all, Boehringer is highlighting the how easy the treatment is to use, pointing to a study that has shown it is well accepted by more than 90% of cats.^1,3 

Martha Cannon, RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine at the Oxford Cat Clinic, has already used Semintra in cats with CKD. She said: "For us at the Oxford Cat Clinic, ease of use is an enormously important part of any product that we use for cats. From our personal experience, we found that Semintra is very well accepted by cats, with owners finding it very easy to give and to build into their cat's daily treatment plan."

Semintra is available from veterinary wholesalers as a 4mg/ml oral solution. There is one 30 ml bottle size which will last the average 4kg cat 30 days.

A few CKD facts provided by Boehringer:

• Chronic kidney disease is a common disease affecting up to 10% of all cats ^4-6 and approximately 35% of geriatric cats.^7-11 
• It is a debilitating disease that detracts from the quality of life of the cat and owner and the bond between them.¹² 
• Semintra is the first new pharmaceutical to be licensed in this disease area for a number of years.¹ 

For further information on Semintra visit www.semintra.co.uk, contact your local Boehringer Ingelheim territory manager or telephone +44 (0)1344 746959.

References

1. European Public Assessment Report (EPAR): Semintra^® (telmisartan). London: European Medicines Agency, 2013. Available at www.ema.europa.eu
2. Summary of Product Characteristics: Semintra^® (telmisartan). London: European Medicines Agency, 2013. Available at www.ema.europa.eu 
3. Sent, U. et al (2013) Characterisation of telmisartan in cats (abstract). World Feline Veterinary Congress.  Barcelona, Spain, International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM). 
4. Boyd, L. M. et al. (2008) Survival in cats with naturally occurring chronic kidney disease (2000-2002). J Vet Intern Med, 22, 1111-1117.
5. Watson, A.D. (2001) Indicators of renal insufficiency in dogs and cats presented at a veterinary teaching hospital. Aust Vet Practit, 31, 54-58
6. Lund, E.M. et al. (1999) Health status and population characteristics of dogs and cats examined at private veterinary practices in the United States. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 214, 1336-1341.
7. Brown, S. (2005) Urinary System. In: Kahn, C. (ed). The Merck Veterinary Manual. Whitehouse Station: MERCK & CO., INC. 1267-1272.
8. Brown, S. (2007) Management of chronic kidney disease. In: Elliott, J. and Grauer, G. BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Nephrology and Urology. 2nd ed. Gloucester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association. 223-230.
9. Brown, S. (2012) "Managing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): 10 Common Questions", Proceedings of the 83rd Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA) Conference, Tampa, FL, May 4-6, 2012.
10. Krawiec, D. R. & Gelburg, H. B. (1989) Chronic renal disease in cats, in: Kirk, R. W. (ed.) Current Veterinary Therapy X, 1170-1173. Philadelphia: WB Saunders.
11. Polzin, D. & Osborn, C. (1986) Update: conservative medical management of chronic renal failure In: Kirk RW, ed. Current Veterinary Therapy IX, Philadelphia: WB Saunders. 1167-1173.
12. Polzin, D. J. (2013) Evidence-based step-wise approach to managing chronic kidney disease in dogs and cats. J Vet Emerg Crit Care, 23(2), 205-215.

The Centre of Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE) has announced that its first students have completed the COAPE Level 4 Diploma in the Principles of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training and the COAPE Level 5 Diploma in the Practical Applications of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training.

The qualifications are the first and currently only Ofqual-regulated qualifications for those working in the field of companion animal behaviour and training, and these are the first students to achieve the new qualification. 

COAPE Co-Director, Prof. Peter Neville said "We are enormously proud of the successful students, 35 at Level 4 and 21 at Level 5, and wishes them all the very best as they embark on their professional careers and pursuits in the field of canine and feline behaviour, be it as behaviourists, trainers or adding to their present roles as veterinary nurses, veterinarians, assistance dog trainers, animal welfare professionals etc."

COAPE Co-Director, Robert Falconer-Taylor, BVetMed, DipCABT, MRCVS said "Our successful students are the first to be awarded these bespoke qualifications and to have validation and recognition of their ability to help owners and their pets, and especially those to be referred by veterinary practices. In addition they have the ongoing support, mentoring and CPD opportunities available to them as members of the COAPE Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers (CAPBT)".

Val Strong (Co-Director of COAPE) said: "This is a historic moment for both COAPE and our awarding body but more importantly for our students. It is also a landmark step in the field of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training Education that is of vital importance for veterinary practices in helping them identify people who have successfully completed a qualification specifically designed for those working in the field of companion animal behaviour and training. 

Practices interested in the qualifications for developing behaviour referrals, or their career enhancement value for nurses, visit: http://www.coape.org

CVS reports that over 300 RVNs have now completed its recently launched Surgical Schedule 3 Course, designed for nurses looking to upskill and perform minor surgical tasks that were previously undertaken by vets. 

The course covers wound management, making decisions on dressings, drain management, how to complete biopsies and fine needle samples, how to complete a number of suture patterns and how to remove cutaneous masses and complete other surgeries under Schedule 3 legislation.

The course includes eight hours of practical skills training on cadavers as well as 2 hours online training, covering suture selection and legislation.

On completion of the course, CVS nurses are able to recognise what nurses can complete under Schedule 3 legislation, identify the correct dressing for each stage of wound healing, identify the equipment and correct technique for a range of biopsies, complete a number of different suture patterns, and remove cutaneous masses and complete other surgeries under Schedule 3 legislation.

Each nurse has a skills checklist to inform their ongoing training needs and is encouraged to have regular, informal meetings with a local mentor – who is able to support their learning.

The next Surgical Schedule 3 Course is scheduled for 21^st March 2024.

Karen Learmonth, LED Nursing Lead at CVS said: “I am excited about the opportunity that Surgical Schedule 3 provides for nurses within CVS to further their skills and knowledge.

"Advocating nurses’ involvement in Schedule 3 procedures supports improved patient care and provides nurses with rewarding careers.

“It’s fantastic to see so many nurses completing the course to date and we’ll further develop nurse utilisation in 2024 where we’ll rollout both ultrasound and lab skills training.

"We hope this will encourage nurses to utilise all aspects of their role in line with Schedule 3 guidelines.”

Fran Wood, an RVN at Albavet - Rogers, Brock & Barker said: “I have been loving doing surgery and felt the course was the best CPD I have ever been on!

"It has given me the confidence to complete stitch ups, tail amputations and many other procedures.” 

One of the critical factors in allowing vet nurses to use all their skills is having vets who are comfortable delegating.

To that end, CVS has vets who have pledged to support nurses to achieve this work.

The group has also published guidelines for its vets to provide clarity around effective delegation under Schedule 3.

Veterinary Woman has published Champions for Change, a free downloadable ebook which profiles sixteen inspirational people, nominated by their peers, who are making a difference and creating positive change for women in the veterinary sector.

The book highlights some of the ways that action is being taken in the profession to retain and develop female talent, build women’s economic empowerment, support women into leadership, decision-making and business, and create infrastructure that meets the needs of women. 

Profiles include Dr Katrin Jahn, who is paving the way for female veterinary professionals in the Middle East and Dr Jyotika Sangle, who works in regulatory affairs in India, where the veterinary profession is not considered to be a career choice for women, and its importance is not well understood.

Also profiled is Perdi Welsh, who is working to enhance career progression options for veterinary nurses, and Samantha Lympany-Tier, who is advocating for the role of veterinary care assistants and patient emotional welfare in clinical practice.

Veterinary Woman editor, Jenny Langridge, said: “When we’re feeling worn down by work pressures it can be difficult to envisage change for the better, but the veterinary professions are bursting with people driving innovation and development in many different ways.

"I hope that our ‘Champions for Change’ eBook will help vet professionals of all types to find inspiration from the stories of the amazing efforts taking place within the sector to drive new thinking and improvements to wellbeing, career prospects, equality and inclusivity.”

https://www.veterinarywoman.co.uk/2024/03/champions-for-change-e-book 

HT Vista will be offering a prize of one free HT Vista cancer screening device, plus a year's subscription, to one BSAVA delegate this year.

The HT Vista device is used by vets and vet nurses to screen dermal and subcutaneous masses on dogs. 

The company says that with a negative predictive value of 98% clinicians can confidently classify a mass as benign without the need of further invasive tests.

HT Vista also says that, according to a recent client survey, the main features which practices value are the nurse-led ability which is maximising nurse clinics and streamlining efficiency, justification in sampling masses even when they feel innocuous, and the rapid speed of image acquisition and results.

To be in with a chance of winning the device and subscription, delegates must attend the 15-minute Ultra Demo at stand B300 on Friday 22^nd March at 4pm.

The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) has issued a consensus statement which sets new global standards for how primary care and practitioners should treat seizure patients.

The new directive, set out in a consensus statement led by neurologist Dr Marios Charalambous, Neurology Consultant at Blaise Veterinary Referral Hospital, champions a stage-based and prompt approach which targets the abnormal impediments responsible for sustaining seizure activity and establishing refractory stages.

Marios said: "This consensus statement is the culmination of extensive research and experience in managing complex neurological emergencies.

"By formulating clear and universally applicable guidelines for all vets, it presents both a novel perspective in terms of how seizures should be treated, and a huge step forward in this specific field."

Marios was joined by a panel of clinicians including Karen Muñana, Ned E. Patterson, Simon R. Platt, and Holger A. Volk, who have jointly made these recommendations based on prevailing evidence in peer-reviewed literature, as well as their own extensive clinical experience.

It was then validated by the ACVIM Board-Certified Specialists before being distributed globally by ACVIM to form official guidelines for vets across the world.

Marios will be presenting and discussing his findings at the BSAVA Congress 2024 in Manchester this weekend as part of the neurology agenda on Saturday 23 March 2024.

Dan Lewis, National ECC Lead at IVC Evidensia, said: “Being presented with an actively seizing animal can be incredibly stressful for owners and clinicians and has potentially dire consequences.

"Decision-making under such circumstances is often very difficult, even for the most knowledgeable teams, and access to these straightforward treatment guidelines will make a massive difference to how these cases progress.”

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvim.16928.