Parasitologist Dr Ian Wright, head of the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites UK and Ireland (ESCCAP), has warned of a growing threat from exotic ticks arriving in the UK.

Speaking at Improve International's OV Conference last week, Dr Wright cited increased pet travel and importation as key risk factors, including the growing number of rescued dogs arriving in the UK from countries in Europe and further afield.

Dr Wright highlighted the Rhipicephalus tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) as being a particular cause for concern, as it can transmit Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, Rickettsias, Babesia vogeli and Hepatozoon.

Dr Wright said that Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys are among the most common tick-borne diseases in imported dogs, particularly those arriving from Eastern and Southern Europe. There were also three cases of Hepatozoon canis in 2018, caused by dogs ingesting Rhipicephalus ticks while grooming.

According to figures from a Bristol University Pet Travel survey, 54.5% of dog travel on the Pet Travel Scheme from the UK is to France with Southern European countries also popular destinations. These are all countries in which Rhipicephalus is present and on the increase. Dr Wright said that the ticks are moving north into Austria, Switzerland, Central France, Romania and Bulgaria.

During the last few months, he has also been alerted to ticks found on dogs coming in from North America, Latin America and Africa. These bring with them the risk of new diseases, including a variety of zoonotic rickettssial pathogens, such as Rickettsia Rickettsii, which causes Rocky Mountain Spotty Fever.

To address this issue Dr Wright urged vets to redouble their efforts on tick prevention. In particular, he recommended tick prevention pre/during and post travel, using products that offer rapid kill and repellency in order to reduce transmission, repellents being especially important in Leishmania infantum and Rhipicephalus-endemic countries.

Dr Wright recommended drilling clients and staff on tick removal and reminding them that finding a tick on a pet is not a failure as no product is 100% reliable and it is easy to miss them in long-haired dogs. He also suggested asking clients to take photos of any ticks they find on their pet while abroad so that their vet will know on their return what pathogens they may have been exposed to. If necessary, the Public Health England Tick Surveillance Scheme can help with identification.

Dr Wright suggested that legislation to enforce tick treatment on entry was a poor strategy used in isolation as pets would still be exposed while abroad and no product is completely reliable. It would be useful however, to raise awareness and show that we are taking the issue of tick-borne disease seriously.

He said: "We’re seeing a significant increase in pet travel and import a wider range of countries from which dogs are being imported and this is significantly increasing our exposure to exotic ticks.

"What’s news about this is that while you could argue that diseases such as Lyme Disease are ‘lifestyle’ diseases because people and dogs are exposed to our native ticks while out enjoying the countryside, the Rhipicephalus tick comes to your home, exposing you to a wealth of rickettsial diseases for the first time. We are already seeing instances of this in France, Germany and Scandinavia and, as pet travel continues to grow, the risk here will only increase. It’s equally possible that a dog with a native tick could travel aboard and return hosting a new pathogen.

"The only way to manage this risk is to provide consistent advice to the public and to support increased disease surveillance. Vigilance is key – assume that any travelling dog may have ticks and do not assume that because it is tick-treated, it’s a case of ‘job done.’"

He said: "Put the onus on clients - gently. Remind them to seek advice, to check for ticks and to keep tick treatments up to date. Also remind them to visit the practice with their dog as soon as possible on their return. If you do find exotic ticks, please send them to the Tick Surveillance Scheme for identification."

He added: "If you know an owner who is planning to adopt a dog from abroad, explain the risks to them and encourage them to adopt from the UK. If they are determined to go ahead, work with them to ensure that you reduce the risk of exotic ticks arriving with their new family members. The risk to human and animal health from an infestation should not be underestimated."

Virbac has launched two wet diets for cats, formulated to help prevent and manage Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease.

The new Veterinary HPM Adult Neutered Wet with Salmon (a lifestage diet) and Urology Cat Wet (a clinical diet) have a high-protein low-carbohydrate formulation and a high share of animal protein. 

Virbac points to studies which show that FLUTD is diagnosed in 8% of cats seen by vets for non-routine appointments¹ and that there is a 51% risk of recurrence within one year of the initial diagnosis².

Dr Rémi Mandray DMV MRCVS, Product Manager at Virbac, said: "Feline specialists recognise the importance of nutrition and water intake in the management of FLUTD, so we are delighted to be able to add two high quality wet diets to the Veterinary HPM range and therefore offer advanced nutritional solutions to such an important health issue."

Virbac says that both diets have high levels of animal protein to stimulate water intake, increase the volume of urine and stabilise the pH for a healthy urinary system.

The lifestage diets include supplements to limit phosphorus excretion in the urine for improved prevention of struvite crystal formation.

The company also says the Urology diets in the clinical range meet the PARNUT requirements for dissolution and prevention of struvite stones or crystals, and prevention of oxalate formation. 

Virbac claims the new chunks in gravy wet diets naturally increase water intake by up to 50%, due to their high water content.

Dry and wets can be fed together as part of a mixed nutritional programme, to meet pet owner preferences identified in Virbac's market research: 60% of cat owners use wet food, mostly mixed with kibbles⁴. 

For more information, contact your Virbac Territory Manager.

References 

1. Lekcharoensuk C et al. JAVMA 2001; 218(9): 1425-1435.
2. Gerber B et al. J Fel Med Surg 2008; 10(1): 16-23.
3. Technisens study for Virbac -2019

Cambridge-based Nebojsa Petrovic MRCVS has been suspended by the RCVS Disciplinary Committee for six months for dishonestly providing false information related to the export of horses.

Nebojsa Petrovic faced eight charges, although charge four was withdrawn at the start of the hearing.

At the outset of the hearing, Dr Petrovic admitted a number of allegations, including:

Charge 1 - that in November 2021, he falsely represented to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) that blood samples he submitted in respect of four horses were from the same horses as the samples he submitted on 1 November 2021.

Charge 2 – that in November 2021, he told APHA’s Veterinary Head of Border Control that he had checked the microchips and/or passports of the four horses when he hadn’t done so;

Charge 3 – that in November 2021, he signed Export Health Certificates for the four horses, in which it was stated that blood samples taken from these horses on October 2021 had been submitted to the Veterinary Laboratories Agency laboratory, Weybridge, with a negative result for Leptospirosis when in fact those samples had tested positive;

Charge 5 – that he failed to send the APHA’s Centre for International Trade, within seven days of signing, certified copies of the export health certificates;

Charge 7 – that in January 2022, he told an APHA officer that he was satisfied that he had properly identified the horses for which you had submitted the two samples when he had not done so;

Charge 8c – that he risked undermining government procedures designed to promote animal health and international relations in relation to the charges he admitted; and

Charge 9 – that in February 2022, he failed to have in place any or any adequate Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII).

Dr Petrovic, who was at the time of all the allegations carrying his duties as an Official Veterinarian on behalf of the APHA, denied charge 6 – that in November 2021, he failed to take sufficient steps to prevent the four horses being exported to Serbia, when he had been informed that there were concerns and/or doubts about whether those horses had tested negative for Leptospirosis.

He also denied charge 8 – that in relation to the allegations relating to his submitting the blood samples to the Veterinary Laboratories Agency on 8 November 2021, certification of the Export Health Certificates on 16 November 2021 and his subsequent conversations with members of APHA staff regarding both sets of documentation he had acted in a misleading (Charge 8a) and/or dishonest (Charge 8b) way.

The Committee considered evidence presented by the College including hearing from APHA staff witnesses called by the College and also hearing from a witness and character evidence presented by Dr Petrovic. Dr Petrovic also gave evidence to the Committee.

It found most charges proven with the exception of Charge 6, and also found that Dr Petrovic had not acted dishonestly in submitting the blood samples or certifying the EHC’s as alleged in charges 1 and 3.

The Committee concluded that Dr Petrovic had acted in a dishonest and misleading way in his conversations with the APHA staff as detailed in charges 2 and 7.

The Committee then considered whether the individual proven charges amounted to serious professional misconduct, determining that, with the exception of charges 3 and 5, all proven charges amounted to disgraceful conduct.

Paul Morris, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “In the Committee’s judgement, the respondent’s position as an Official Veterinarian also meant that he had a responsibility to ensure that the trust which was delegated to him was not breached.

"In his role, the respondent was acting in a position of trust, as a representative of the government, and the Committee found that he had breached that trust…. It took these matters into account when determining that the respondent’s behaviour cumulatively amounted to disgraceful conduct in a professional respect.”

Regarding the sanction for Dr Petrovic, the Committee considered his request that it consider suspension, rather than removal, from the Register.

In terms of aggravating factors – the Committee found that Dr Petrovic had acted without integrity, recklessly and without regard for the APHA’s systems relating to the export of animals.

In mitigation, it took into account: the fact that no animal was harmed by his conduct, albeit there was risk of harm; his long and unblemished career in the UK since 1994; admissions he had made to the APHA and Disciplinary Committee at the first day of the hearing; had remediated his lack of professional indemnity insurance by putting in place a retrospective policy; the significant amount of time that had elapsed since the conduct; and six positive character references from experienced fellow veterinary surgeons who held him in high regard.

Paul Morris added: “The Committee took into account that the respondent had continued to work as a veterinary surgeon with no subsequent complaints and that he had a previous long and unblemished record and there was support by several positive character references.

"The Committee also took into consideration the pressures of Brexit and the pandemic which the respondent had faced at the time, but which were unlikely to occur again.

“The Committee had concluded that the respondent was unlikely to repeat similar behaviour or to pose a risk to animals, particularly because he was no longer involved in certifying animals for export.

"Furthermore his admissions to most of the matters it had found proved showed that he had some insight.

"The Committee was also satisfied that the respondent had a genuine concern for the welfare of animals and it noted that the Respondent did not require any further training to continue in practice as a veterinary surgeon.

 “The Committee therefore concluded that a suspension from the Register was the proportionate sanction in this case taking into account the seriousness of the conduct it had found proved but also all of the mitigating factors.”

The Committee recommended that Dr Petrovic be suspended for six months to reflect the seriousness of the conduct and the damage it could do to public confidence in the profession, while meeting the public interest and sending a clear message of deterrence.

www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary

Belinda Andrews-Jones, a Royal Veterinary College (RVC) alumna, has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to veterinary nursing with the 2022 Dr Earl Rippie International Veterinary Nurse Leadership Scholarship from the North American Veterinary Community.

The scholarship was set up to honour the memory of Dr Earl H. Rippie Jnr., a former president of the North American Veterinary Community, who recognised the value veterinary nurses bring to the healthcare team and the significant role they play in promoting the wellbeing of animals.

The award reflects his steadfast belief that veterinary nurses are the spoke in the wheel of the practice and the heart of any veterinary hospital and should be celebrated as equals in the veterinary profession.

The only international recipient, Belinda was given the award for her impressive leadership and impact on growth of the profession and practice.

Belinda said: “I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have been selected to receive this prestigious award.

"I am so honoured to have my work recognised in this way by the Dr Earl Rippie award panel.

"It means so much to me that the work I am so passionate about also resonates with others.”

Professor Stuart Reid, Principal of the RVC, said: “I am delighted that Belinda has been recognised with this prestigious award.

"This international recognition is a testament to her ongoing work and commitment to ensuring veterinary nurses have equal voices and are rightfully acknowledged for the vital role they play in upholding the highest standards of animal care in veterinary practice.”

A Belfast veterinary practice has transferred into an Employee Ownership Trust after reading about Kent-based Pennard Vets doing the same in 2021.

Cornerstone Veterinary Clinic, which was founded by Peter Herold in 2011, currently employs a 15-strong team, who are all now practice owners and shareholders in the business.

Peter got the inspiration from reading about how Pennard Vets had become the world’s largest employee-owned practice in order to protect both its independence and core values.

He then contacted the directors at Pennard Vets, who helped guide him through the process.

Peter said: “After starting Cornerstone 11 years ago, we have developed a longstanding, loyal and dedicated team who are all very popular with our established client base across Belfast and beyond.

"I genuinely love Cornerstone, and so do our team and clients, and although I’m not ready to retire yet, the end of my professional life will come in the next decade, so I wanted to start planning for it.

“The obvious option would be to sell the practice to a corporate chain, but I knew that would change how we worked.

"There would be much more emphasis on profit levels, and we’d be forced to make decisions that we were uncomfortable with.

"We have an amazing team who are full of ideas about how to make Cornerstone even better and to guarantee a successful future, the practice needs to continue growing in a way that works for its people, our clients and their pets.

“When I read about Pennard Vets becoming an EOT, it immediately resonated with me, and I hoped it could be an option for Cornerstone.

"I then attended a webinar with speakers from Pennard Vets, and I kept in touch with them afterwards.

"They explained the set-up and how it benefits their team, as well as putting us in touch with specialists in EOTs.

"Ultimately it was Pennard Vets’ knowledge and enthusiasm that convinced me it was the right route for us.”

Peter added: “Our senior team at Cornerstone are all very skilled and share common values in relation to customer service, veterinary care and client charges, and it’s this ethos that makes us popular with clients.

“Making the business an EOT will ensure this continues by safeguarding the future of the business, whilst giving each member of the team the benefit of being a business owner without them having to buy in.

"It also means I can continue to work as a vet, but share the management side of the practice with the entire team who can help to make the important decisions, which is an exciting prospect for everyone involved.”

Matthew Flann from Pennard Vets said: “We became an EOT to maintain our independence and give everyone in our team both autonomy and a voice, as well as preserving our core values around compassion, client focus and continually improving everything we do.

"This came at a time when it’s increasingly difficult for vets to buy into practices and the traditional partner progression model no longer works, which makes EOTs even more appealing and a positive step for the profession as a whole.

“It’s been genuinely transformational for Pennard Vets, and we now regularly hear from practice owners who are exploring becoming an EOT.

"There are now several other successful businesses currently on the journey and when Peter contacted us, we were happy to offer our help and guidance.

"Cornerstone is a successful practice, with a highly skilled and dedicated team, so its independence is worth protecting, and becoming an EOT will give it a bright future.”

Donal Johnston MRCVS has been reprimanded and warned as to his future conduct by the RCVS Disciplinary Committee after admitting four separate charges related to fraudulent insurance claims.

Each charge related to fraudulent pet insurance claims that Mr Johnston had made for the treatment of animals when he was in practice in Banbridge, County Down, two of which were fictitious, and where he had arranged for the insurance claims to be diverted and paid into a personal bank account, rather than the practice’s bank account.

At an initial hearing, which concluded on  April 2022, Mr Johnston had admitted all the charges against him as well as admitting that his conduct was dishonest and amounted to serious professional misconduct.

The Committee was satisfied that his conduct amounted to serious professional misconduct, with Committee Chair Paul Morris saying: “The Committee has no hesitation in concluding that the respondent’s dishonest conduct will have severely undermined the confidence of the public in the veterinary profession and, further, that his conduct fell far short of the standards and conduct properly to be expected of a member of the veterinary profession.

"The Committee is satisfied that this conduct by the respondent brought the profession into disrepute.”

The proceedings were then adjourned to allow a psychiatric report and other mitigation to be prepared.

At its resumed hearing in November 2022 the Committee considered what sanction to impose in relation to Dr Johnston’s actions.

At this point, the Committee decided to postpone its decision on sanction for a period of two years on the condition that Dr Johnston enter into undertakings to the Committee including refraining from any form of gambling, subjecting himself to a close regime of support and supervision, and repaying some of the sums he had defrauded.

The hearing reconvened in October 2024 to decide on an appropriate sanction.

The Committee noted that Mr Johnston had complied with the undertakings and provided the Committee with the interim reports required of him.

He also continued with the therapeutic interventions and programmes specified, as well as implemented measures designed to minimise the risk of a relapse into gambling.

The Committee also noted that reports from the gambling support services, to which Mr Johnston had signed up, all spoke positively about his involvements and confirmed the progress he had achieved in managing his addiction.

The Committee also took into account a psychiatric report as well as evidence under oath from Mr Johnston’s wife who confirmed his compliance with the undertakings.

As a result, the Committee was satisfied that the prospects of a repeat of the conduct which led to the charges laid against Dr Johnston were now greatly reduced.

The Committee said it was less impressed with the evidence provided by Mr Johnston.

While he had largely complied with the letter of the undertakings he gave in 2022, it remained troubled by his apparent unwillingness or inability, on account of lack of effort, to fulfil the assurances previously given that he was in the process of changing his name to Johnston, from Fegan, on official documentation in order to be consistent with his legal name, when he had not done so.

The only formal name change in place was on the RCVS Register, and he had failed to alter his name on his driver’s licence, on his registration with the Veterinary Council of Ireland, his passport, bank accounts, and one of his email addresses.

As a result, the Committee did not find Dr Johnston to be an entirely satisfactory witness.

Paul Morris, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “Having made the progress that he has over the period since the commission of the charges found proved in 2019, the Committee considers that the imposition of a sanction of suspension on top of the period of postponement would be excessive, in the particular circumstances of this case.

“For the same reasons, as stated above, it is considered that it would be excessive now to impose a sanction of removal from the register.

“That process of reasoning has driven the Committee to the conclusion that the sanction of a reprimand and warning as to future conduct is what the facts and circumstances of this case call for.

"That is because the respondent can be under no illusion about the outcome were he to appear again before this Committee.

"A failure to take advantage of the exceptional course adopted by this Committee on this occasion would be regarded as a serious aggravating factor were he to appear before the Committee at any time in the future.”

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

Hamilton Specialist Referral in High Wycombe has launched a soft tissue surgery service.

The service will be run by European and RCVS recognised specialist in Soft Tissue Surgery, Jane Ladlow, and will begin taking referrals from October 28th.

Jane has nearly 20 years’ experience as a specialist clinician, researcher, teacher and lecturer.

Her main focus for the last 10 years has been upper airway disease in dogs. As the clinical lead of the Cambridge Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) Research Group, she has been instrumental in the introduction of objective, non-invasive assessments of airway function, identifying risk factors for BOAS, clinical diagnosis, breeding guidelines and the development of new surgical techniques (laser turbinectomy and laryngeal surgeries).

She has extensive experience of general surgery, and particularly enjoys oncology surgery, with an emphasis on treatments that are kind to owners and animals. Jane was the 2019 recipient of the BSAVA Simon Award for outstanding contributions in the field of veterinary surgery.

Jane said, “The team at HSR demonstrate a drive for excellence, both clinically and in providing the best experience for clients and their pets. I’m excited to start working as part of the innovative and collaborative team of surgeons, nurses and support staff.”

Director and orthopaedic surgery specialist, Michael Hamilton, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Jane to the team here. Her work has revolutionised the way we diagnose and manage BOAS. Continual learning and innovation are core to our practice, and we know Jane will be a strong driving force helping us continue providing the best outcomes for clients and their pets.”

For more information, visit: www.hamiltonspecialists.vet 

Hot on the heels of Vets Now and the BVA, Linnaeus has launched new resources to support the 5000-odd members of its workforce that will going through the menopause.

The resources comprise guidance materials, a health and wellbeing assessment, associate case studies, links to external support and information posters.

The company is also piloting a mindfulness app called Headspace, which is now freely available to everyone at Linnaeus, whether they are experiencing the menopause or have other needs.

Saskia Connell, People and Organisation Director at Linnaeus, said: “Menopause is a stage of life that is unique for everyone who experiences it – and can also affect the people around them.

"For those experiencing the menopause, sadly 45% say they feel their symptoms have had a negative impact on their work, according to the British Menopause Society.

"As an employer, we need to make sure they have our full support and a flourishing career.

One of Linnaeus' practices, Park Vet Group, has taken things a step further and introduced other wellbeing initiatives to support its associates with the menopause.

The practice offers confidential support to all associates who want to talk about any health concerns, plus open sessions to establish conversations about menopause.

Its team, led by Practice Manager Harriet Tims (pictured right), also introduced yellow 'Just to Make you Smile' toiletry bags containing sanitary products, tissues, hygiene wipes, deodorant spray and face wipes.

Anyone at Park can help themselves to the bags, or add products should they wish. 

Forte Healthcare has announced that Reconcile (fluoxetine), its treatment for separation anxiety in dogs, is now back in stock in all veterinary wholesalers in the UK.

The company says that recent supply issues have been due to 'incredible' demand for Reconcile since it was launched in the UK in 2022, which greatly surpassed expectations.

Dr Lucy Chadwick, Head of Technical Services & Marketing at Forte Healthcare Ltd said: “We realise that the recent supply issues have been very inconvenient so we thank all of our customers for their patience and support during this challenging time.

"We are confident that our supply issues to date have been resolved and that we have enough stock going forward to meet market demand.“

www.reconcilefordogs.com

Colin Whiting MRCVS has resigned his position on the RCVS Council after the College approved a new ‘How we work’ statement requiring Council members to publicly support all decisions taken by Council, even if they disagreed.

In his first year of what would normally have been be a four-year term, Colin served on the College’s Education Committee, PIC/DC Liaison Committee, and on the Advancement of the Professions Committee as Council Deputy Lead for the ViVet innovation programme.

VetSurgeon.org caught up with Colin, who explained: "I've never had any problem with the idea of respecting Council decisions, even those I disagree with.

"However, I questioned the interpretation of collective responsibility when I first joined Council, and was told that in the event of disagreement, it was OK for councillors to say publicly that there was a 'split vote', or 'opinions varied'.

"This new statement would mean that if I disagree with a Council decision, I would now either have to lie in public and say I supported it, or run away and hide.

There were two other aspects of the new statement which Colin was not prepared to sign up to.

The first was a new requirement that councillors "support the College’s vision".

Colin said: "People who actively disagree with the College's vision should be free to stand to join Council, and if the profession disagrees with the College's vision, they'll get elected!"

The second was a requirement for councillors to "Live the College’s values"

Colin said: "Although perhaps inline with a corporate ethos, I think it represents quite a conflict.

"The values someone lives by are a deeply personal matter, and shouldn't be imposed by the majority vote of a committee they happen to sit on - however much they may or may not be likely to align."

Colin's resignation prompted VetSurgeon.org to carry out a quick analysis of the percentage of RCVS Council meeting agenda items marked as 'Confidential' from November 2015 to June 2022, to see whether the requirement to tow the party line reflected a broader lack of transparency at the College. 

In the four Council meetings from November 2015-2016, 12% of the agenda items in the Council minutes were marked 'Confidential'.

By 2022, that figure had more than doubled to 36% (see graph right). 

CVS has launched a new Pregnancy Loss webinar and guidance to help its managers support staff who lose a baby, whether because of a miscarriage, still birth or terminating for medical reasons.

Sally Linghorn, Senior RVN at CVS and one of the team behind the initiative, said: “As far as we know, no other veterinary company has policy, support and specific training and guidance on this topic, in our female-biased profession.” 

“We recognise how devastating pregnancy loss can be.

"Last year we launched a policy to provide special paid leave for pregnancy loss.

"But since implementing this we have noticed a gap.

"We felt our managers needed guidance and support on how to provide the more practical and emotional support on a day-to-day basis, if someone in their team experienced a loss."

The new guidance contains advice on how to understand each individual’s experiences and needs, help in the immediate situation of pregnancy loss at work, treat and record any time off directly related to a loss, understand how pregnancy loss can affect mental health, talk about pregnancy loss, facilitate a return to work and the importance of regular follow-ups and check-ins. 

RCVS Council has voted to make it a requirement that remote prescribing (without physically examining the animal) can now only be carried out by veterinary surgeons who can 'provide [an out-of-hours] follow-up service involving physical examination, plus or minus further investigation, if required’. 

The follow up service ‘can be provided personally by the veterinary surgeon or practice, or by written agreement with a veterinary services provider which is local to the client (as with the current situation for [out-of-hours] care provision)’.

The new rule comes into force on the 1st November, to allow practices to make any necessary arrangements.

The RCVS Council also decided that the temporary derogation from the usual requirement to conduct a physical examination before an animal is regarded as ‘under care’ be reviewed as a standing item at each subsequent Standards Committee meeting, until the normal guidance provisions are fully restored.

CVS and the Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance (VOA) have launched a new project to develop and enhance osteoarthritis management which should have benefits for the wider profession.

The project, which has been supported by Zoetis, came about after 45 vets from 35 CVS practices identified osteoarthritis (OA) as the main clinical area their practice team wanted to develop over the next 18 months.

As a result, the VOA and CVS came together and signed a Memorandum of Understanding under which the VOA will support CVS with training, resources and research.

The goal is to improve the care of OA patients by engaging the whole practice team and clients in their pets’ care.

Professor Stuart Carmichael, VOA Director said: “VOA’s aim is to provide access to the latest research, evidence and technologies and facilitate a multi-professional collaboration supporting practices wishing to improve their management of osteoarthritis.

CVS practices participating in this project will become eligible for accreditation by the VOA in recognition of the training they've undergone.

As the project develops, CVS says it will assess the results of the initiative, learning more about strategies that can improve and enhance management of OA.

This should translate into the development of better long-term approaches for the management of OA that can be used across the profession.

Meantime, the Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance (VOA) has a practice accreditation scheme which is available to any practice which is looking to improve its management of OA.

Further information is available at: vet-oa.com