Vetpol has announced that it has been approved by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate as a regulator of SQPs, and will be offering SQP training, most likely before the end of this month.

Vetpol says its new course, which is delivered online, has been designed to deliver a positive experience for students, as SQP training is acknowledged to be challenging, with a lot of information to assimilate. The course uses the principles of reflective learning, with simple exercises to help embed what is learned, and highlighting of key facts to aid recall.

Caroline Johnson, Vetpol Founder and Director (pictured right) says the team thought hard about how best to match need and application while covering the day-one-competencies required for SQP registration: "There is an increasing number of NFA-VPS medicines available alongside POM-VPS medicines and a growing need to broaden knowledge of companion animals, which we have reflected in the course content. In agriculture too, it has never been more challenging to deliver the kind of service that farmers and stock-keepers need in the 21st century - we have looked at this both from the farmer and outlet's point of view and we have really addressed health and disease with this in mind."

Vetpol will provide companion animal, farm, equine and avian training leading to a Level 4 SQP qualification. Level 4 qualifications are rated above A level (which is a level 3 qualification) and include NVQ Level 4, Higher National Certificates (HNC) and Certificates of Higher Education (CertHE).

The course writers have aimed to make sure the course contains information that is relevant, practical and necessary, building on a solid base of animal welfare and husbandry. They plan regular updates to ensure the course reflects current thinking and keeps pace with changes in medicines legislation.

Caroline says she has concentrated on trying to make sure that SQPs have the knowledge they need to add value to customer and client transactions: "We were especially keen when writing the online course to give SQPs the scope to apply their knowledge in practical day to day situations and to make excellent recommendations."

Future students or employers can register their interest or request further information now at www.vetpol.uk or by emailing caroline@vetpol.co.uk.

Evolution Exotics, a new, independent exotics referral clinic which is opening on the 1st October in Cleobury Mortimer, South Shropshire, is hosting an open day for vets and nurses on Saturday 21st September from 10:00am to 4:00am. 

The new clinic is led by Marie Kubiak, an RCVS Specialist and diplomate in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine and one of only a small number Specialists that are accredited for reptiles, birds, pet mammals, wildlife, zoo species, fish and invertebrates.

The open day offers a chance to see the new clinic, meet the team, find out how it can support your practice and discuss any challenging cases you have. 

Light snacks and drinks will be provided. 

RSVP: evolutionexoticsreferrals@gmail.com

https://evolutionexoticsreferrals.co.uk 

Evolution Exotics Referrals, Tenbury Road, Cleobury Mortimer, South Shropshire, DY14 0AD

Bayer Animal Health has announced that it has been given marketing authorisation in Europe for Neptra (florfenicol, terbinafine hydrochloride, mometasone furoate), a new treatment for canine otitis externa which requires just one dose, administered by the veterinary surgeon.

Neptra has been approved for the treatment of acute canine otitis externa or acute exacerbations of recurrent otitis caused by mixed infections of susceptible strains of bacteria sensitive to florfenicol (Staphylococcus pseudintermedius) and fungi sensitive to terbinafine (Malassezia pachydermatis), by the European Commission.

Mario Andreoli, Head of Marketing at Bayer Animal Health, said: "Otitis externa is a common disease in dogs and a leading cause why owners take their dog to a veterinarian.

"Neptra offers a key advantage, unlike competing products, it requires just one dose, administered by the veterinarian in the practice."

No at-home applications by the dog owner are required. The treatment stays in the hands of the vet who has full control over compliance.

Mario added: "With Neptra we provide a high-quality veterinary treatment that is convenient for the dog owner and ensures the well-being of dogs with a proper, effective application."

VetSurgeon understands the new product will be available in the UK in January 2020.

Purina has announced the launch of Pro Plan Veterinary Diets CC CardioCare, a new diet containing a blend of nutrients to support heart function.

CardioCare is based on research carried out at the Purina Technology Center which explored how nutrients can support the ailing heart. First, a series of metabolomics studies identified  metabolic changes that occur in MMVD. Then the company developed a ‘Cardiac Nutritional Blend’ to address these metabolic changes and evaluated it in a clinical study. 

The main elements of the Cardiac Nutritional Blend include carnitine precursors, antioxidants and medium-chain triglycerides. Purina says the latter provides an alternative energy source that is easy for the struggling heart to use, something which is particularly important as the metabolomics research revealed that dogs with MMVD showed less efficient cardiac energy metabolism¹.

The company highlights a 2019 clinical study, which showed that the Cardiac Nutritional Blend has the potential to delay disease progression in dogs with preclinical MMVD. Over the six-month study period, dogs with preclinical MMVD fed the Cardiac Nutritional Blend showed a reduction in left atrial size, while an equivalent group of dogs fed a control diet showed an increase. Additionally, none of the dogs fed the Cardiac Nutritional Blend progressed from stage B1 to B2 during the study, while 37% of dogs fed the control diet showed progression².

Purina also says that while the research to date has focused on MMVD, the nutrients in CardioCare are recognised to be beneficial under conditions of cardiac stress and the diet may prove a useful tool to provide support in a wider range of conditions. The company recommends that the diet be considered as part of the management plan for any dog with cardiac insufficiency.

Dr Libby Sheridan, Purina Scientific Affairs Manager for the UK & Ireland, said: "Metabolomics research has the scope to drive huge advances in managing a range of conditions. We’re proud to be at the forefront of this exciting field and bring the benefits of our findings to vets in practice.

"CardioCare opens up a new avenue of support for patients with cardiac insufficiency and vets can use this diet as a tool to complement medical treatment."

CardioCare will be available from 30th June. Contact vettechline@purina.nestle.com for more information. 

References

1. Li Q, Freeman LM, Rush JE, Huggins GS, Kennedy AD, Labuda JA, Laflamme DP and Hannah SS (2015). Veterinary medicine and multi-Omics research for future nutrition targets: metabolomics and Transcriptomics of the common degenerative mitral valve disease in dogs. OMICS 19(8):461-470. DOI: 10.1089/omi.2015.0057
2. Li Q, Heaney A, Langenfeld-McCoy N, Boler BV and Laflamme DP (2019). Dietary intervention reduces left atrial enlargement in dogs with early preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease: a blinded randomized controlled study in 36 dogs. BMC Veterinary Research 15(1):425. DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2169-1.

Surrey-based North Downs Specialist Referrals (NDSR) has installed a £55,000 SonoCure ultrasonic surgical aspirator which it says will allow it to take tumour treatment to another level.

NDSR’s director of neurology Rodolfo Capello said: "This technology is one of the most advanced in medicine and helps to surgically remove tumours while also reducing the tissue damage to vital structures.

"The accuracy and control of the system offers us greater versatility and precision, and minimises invasive manoeuvres during both soft and hard tissue dissections.

"Surgeons can therefore be extremely confident of accurate tumour excision with reduced blood vessel and tissue damage which will all help increase and improve the outcome of our surgeries.

"We’ll be using the ultrasonic surgical aspirator for the removal of tumours in the brain, liver and to cut through bone where necessary. It will be a great asset."

For more information, visit: www.ndsr.co.uk

Ms Emma Bowler has been struck off by the RCVS Disciplinary Committee after multiple clinical failings.

Ms Bowler faced four sets of charges, each of which contained sub-charges, summarised as follows: 

• that between August 2018 and March 2022, she failed to provide adequate care to 18 animals on which she had performed surgery.
• that she failed to provide adequate care to a German Shepherd Cross Belgian Malinois in relation to surgery she had performed early in 2020.
• that in May 2021, when speaking to a client about surgery performed on their Jack Russell, Ms Bowler told the client that everything that had been written in the clinical records up to the point of the surgery referred to the right hind being the problem, when this was not the case and/or the veterinary surgeon who had seen the client about the x-rays prior to the surgery had not placed any notes on the file at the time the Jack Russell came in for surgery, when this was not the case.
• that Ms Bowler’s conduct in relation to the third charge was dishonest, and/or misleading.

Despite being served with the Notice of Inquiry, Ms Bowler decided not to attend the hearing due to ill-health but was represented by a counsel and solicitors.

The Committee did not find that Ms Bowler was medically unfit to attend on the basis of the medical evidence before it.

The Committee also concluded that it was in the public interest and interests of Ms Bowler to proceed with the hearing in her absence so that it could be concluded in a timely manner.  

Ms Bowler’s counsel applied for parts of the hearing to be heard in private on health grounds, which was approved by the Committee.

It was also determined that any parts in the Committee’s decision or hearing that referred to Ms Bowler’s health would be redacted. 

At the outset of the hearing, Ms Bowler’s counsel made admissions to five of the sub-charges which the Committee therefore found proven.

She also made some partial admissions in relations to a further 11 sub-charges.

After hearing a wide range of evidence, both written and oral, from Ms Bowler, the College, from clients and from an expert witness, the Committee found all charges proved except for four sub-charges.

On deciding whether the proved charges amounted to serious professional misconduct, the Committee took the following aggravating factors into account.

• In respect of charges 1 and 2, several animals suffered unnecessary injury (these charges encompassed 18 animals).
• In respect of charge 2, Ms Bowler had acted recklessly in performing revision surgery and should have recognised that she was significantly beyond her surgical ability.
• In respect of charges 3 and 4, Ms Bowler’s conduct was aggravated by her lack of integrity.
• That, overall, the misconduct spanned approximately three years and eight months and involved repetition of egregious failings.
• It was also noted that the charges encompassed multiple animals that were either caused injury or were at risk of injury.

In mitigation: 

• Ms Bowler had been working in an atmosphere that generated a highly pressurised working environment, which was somewhat unsupportive to her.
• Regarding clinical record keeping, Ms Bowler had less time available due to her heavy workload.
• Personal circumstances which exacerbated the pressures she faced at work.
• Ms Bowler had no previous disciplinary findings against her.
• She received positive character references.'
• She had made partial admissions in her statement and response to the charges and had apologised to the owners in respect of charge 2 and acknowledged that she was inexperienced in performing total hip replacements.
• Ms Bowler has subsequently made substantial efforts to avoid repetition of some of the matters encompassed in the charges.

In all, the Committee decided that the seriousness of the misconduct meant that a sanction was necessary to meet the public interest.

When deciding on whether to issue a reprimand with or without a warning, the Committee once again decided that the misconduct was too serious to allow for this.

It also decided that a reprimand and/or warning was not sufficient to protect animals and the wider public interest.

It then went onto consider whether a sanction of ‘suspension’ was sufficient but noted that it did not have enough evidence to show that Ms Bowler had shown significant insight to continue to practise unrestricted in the future.

The Committee eventually concluded that Ms Bowler’s conduct was incompatible with remaining on the Register.

Neil Slater, chairing the Disciplinary Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee decided that the broad range of Ms Bowler’s misconduct which had spanned three years and eight months and involving injury or risk of injury to 18 animals, was incompatible with remaining on the Register and the public interest required removal from the Register even when all of Ms Bowler’s mitigation was taken into account.

“The Committee decided that it did not have sufficient evidence overall on Ms Bowler’s insight, current competence and future risk to persuade it that the lesser sanction of suspension was appropriate in this case.

“Although Ms Bowler had shown some insight, the Committee decided that she would need to have provided detailed evidence about her current practice before it could decide that she no longer represented a risk to animals in the future.

“The Committee therefore concluded that ‘removal from the Register’ was the appropriate and proportionate sanction because there had been a serious departure from professional standards, a reckless disregard for professional standards, multiple cases involving harm or risk of harm to animals and because, in Ms Bowler’s absence, it had been difficult to unravel whether she had an attitudinal problem.

“These were all factors in the Disciplinary Committee Sanctions Guidance that indicated that a sanction of removal was the appropriate sanction and, in the Committee’s decision, removal from the Register was the only sanction which would meet the public interest.

"It concluded that a lesser sanction would undermine public confidence in the profession and in the regulatory process.”

https://www.rcvs.org.uk/concerns/disciplinary-hearings 

The Blue Cross has released new figures which show that more horse owners may be struggling financially to keep their horse.

So far this year the charity says it has received 144 requests from people asking for it to take in or help rehome their horse or pony through the Blue Cross Home Direct service.

More than 70% cited personal or financial circumstances as the reason.

In comparison for the full year of 2021, 43 (or around 15%) of a total of 277 intake and rehoming requests specified financial reasons.

In 2020 a total of 32 (around 14%) out of 231 requests stated financial reasons.

Annabelle Taylor, Rehoming Coordinator at Blue Cross, said: “It is distressing to see that the number of people seeking rehoming support because of financial reasons is already more than double last year’s annual total and we still have a third of the year to go.

Purina Petcare has released the results of some research which suggests that the bond between dogs and their owners helped mitigate against some of the negative psychological impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the research, Purina questioned 1535 current and potential dog owners using validated scales assessing depression, anxiety, happiness, attitude and commitment toward their pet, and perceived social support. 

67% of participants said they felt that COVID had had an emotional impact on them.

One-third of participants also felt that their health had been impacted by the pandemic, while 45% had experienced a financial impact. 

However, it was found that dog owners had higher perceived level of social support and lower depression scores.

Francois Martin, M.A., Ph.D., applied behaviour and welfare research section leader at Purina and lead Purina scientist on the project said: "Our research showed that dog owners fared better from a social support and emotional standpoint during COVID than people who like dogs but didn’t own one during the pandemic.

"Our work adds to a growing body of evidence demonstrating the power of the human pet bond, especially in times of stress.”

Libby Sheridan MVB MRCVS, Purina Scientific Affairs Manager for the UK and Ireland  said: "The research aimed to build on prior evidence that suggests that dogs can contribute to their owner’s positive affective state - a psychological term describing when people are in generally positive frame of mind like excited, enthusiastic, and inspired.

"Purina also set out to gain a better understanding of whether the power of the pet-owner bond continued to persist during the pandemic. Not only was the effect of dogs shown to be positive, it was also measurable and statistically significant.”

Purina says the results also provide an opportunity to reflect on the important contribution of veterinary professionals, many of whom continued to work throughout the pandemic to provide much needed services.

For full results, visit: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0260676 

A study from the Royal Veterinary College has revealed how dog owners are deluding themselves about the health and welfare problems associated with brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog breeds such as French Bulldogs, Pugs, and English Bulldogs, and how this is hindering efforts to improve welfare¹. 

The research, conducted with the Blue Cross, analysed data from over 2,000 UK dog owners and identified perceptual barriers to welfare reforms.

The study revealed that many owners normalise health issues associated with brachycephalic conformations, including breathing difficulties, eye conditions, and skin infections.

One in seven owners of extreme brachycephalic dogs said that 'nothing' could dissuade them from owning these breeds, particularly those with a strong preference for flat faces and those that did not believe brachycephaly reduced a dog’s lifespan.

Owners of extreme brachycephalic dogs, such as French Bulldogs, found the perceived trait of 'laziness' to be highly desirable, despite the fact that an inability to exercise is often a symptom of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS).

The researchers propose a series of interventions to overcome these barriers and make campaigning more effective, including: 

• Development of pre-purchase information designed to stop the normalisation of health issues related to brachycephalic breeds. 
• Positive messaging to promote other breeds that meet identified preferences and needs of brachycephalic owners without the associated welfare burdens.
• Greater sharing of real life stories from owners whose dogs have experienced health problems related to extreme conformations.
• More nuanced approaches to tackling the normalisation of health problems among extreme brachycephalic owners, including ‘myth busting’ normalised traits and emphasising the untimely deaths of many brachycephalic dogs, rather than a focusing purely on poor health, which may result in cognitive dissonance and perseverance of false beliefs.
• Further study of related social media content and behaviours to create strategies to counter misinformation and polarisation within online communities.

Dr. Rowena Packer, lead researcher, said: "Future strategies to tackle the brachycephalic crisis must do more than presenting purely health-based data in generic public locations, and instead, positively offering possible alternate breeds, myth-busting false beliefs and leveraging human stories of brachycephalic owners to have greater impact.

"Additionally, specifically targeting these messages on social media and puppy-selling platforms may increase their efficacy.”

Reference

1. Packer, R.M.A.; Wade, A.; Neufuss, J. Nothing Could Put Me Off: Assessing the Prevalence and Risk Factors for Perceptual Barriers to Improving the Welfare of Brachycephalic Dogs. Pets 2024, 1, 458–484. https://doi.org/10.3390/pets1030032 

The RCVS has announced plans to move out of its Westminster offices by 31st March 2022. 

The College sold the premises in March this year, with an option to lease it back for up to two years, giving time for Council to consider the future building requirements of the organisation and how they might have changed following the coronavirus pandemic.

Following easing of government restrictions this summer, the RCVS says that Council members and staff have started using the building for some meetings and day-to-day working, but occupancy has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.

RCVS Council therefore agreed at its meeting earlier this month that there is now a clear financial benefit to moving out at the first opportunity under the existing terms of lease.

Lizzie Lockett, RCVS Chief Executive, said: “As we all gradually emerge from the restrictions of the past 18 months, one of the things we, as an organisation, have learned from the pandemic is that we can cope well with remote and hybrid working, whilst continuing to provide a high level of service to the professions and the animal-owning public.

“Retaining the use of our current offices over the last few months has certainly helped us to do this, but our Estates Strategy Group recommended to Council that there was now little to be gained and much to lose financially if we continued to lease Belgravia House for another year.”

“In the coming weeks, we will be drawing up detailed plans for the safe removal and storage of our effects, including the library, historical collection and archives, which are maintained by RCVS Knowledge.

"To support the team until we can move into a permanent building, we will hire serviced office space and meeting rooms around London and elsewhere in the UK as and when we need them.

“We also plan to take Council meetings ‘on the road’ over the next 12 months to enable Council members to engage with more veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses around the country.

“Meanwhile, we remain fully committed to the purchase of a new permanent London home for the RCVS and are seeking a building that not only meets the needs of the professions both now and well into the future, but also aims to be a sound financial investment for the College in the years ahead.”

TVM had announced that its annual Pet Eye Health Awareness Week will take place from 22nd-28th September this year, focusing on brachycephalic pets which are particularly prone to eye problems. 

To help practices make the most of the week, TVM is providing waiting room displays, client leaflets, social media packs and online information to help educate pet owners on the symptoms of poor eye health.

The company will also be holding an webinar for vets and nurses which will be published during the week.   

Will Peel, Product Manager at TVM said: "Eye problems in pets are common and brachycephalic breeds are particularly prone to them due to a number of compounding factors. 

"They commonly suffer from corneal ulcers and are nearly four times more likely to develop dry eye than other breeds, so Pet Eye Health Awareness Week is focused on helping pet owners understand the issues, identify eye problems early and seek veterinary advice quickly". 

www.tvm-uk.com/eyehealth

Virbac has launched a toolkit to help veterinary practices educate pet owners about the importance of checking their pet for abnormal lumps and bumps. 

The toolkit contains everything a practice needs to create its own lumps and bumps awareness campaign including social media posts, videos, newsletter content and client literature. 

Up to 1 in 4 pets will develop cancer over their lifetimes¹ and mast cell tumours account for 1 in 5 cutaneous neoplasms², so early diagnosis of skin lumps and bumps is of course critical.

Neil Mottram MRCVS, Technical Product Manager at Virbac said: "Making the most of cuddle time with our pets, feeling for lumps and bumps, can make a huge difference to the early detection of skin abnormalities.

"Thanks to innovative new products like Stelfonta, the options available to veterinary surgeons to treat skin tumours in dogs has never been greater, so it’s an ideal time to educate pet owners on the importance of an early diagnosis". 

The toolkit is available on the Virbac Resource Library which can be found by creating an account at https://vet-uk.virbac.com/home.html or from your Virbac Territory Manager. 

References

1. Kidd, C. (2008) The many challenges of veterinary oncology. Canadian Veterinary Journal, 49(11), pp.1132–1135. 
2. Blackwood L. et al. (2012) European consensus document on mast cell tumours in dogs and cats. Vet Comp Oncol. Sep;10(3):e1-e29