The RCVS Disciplinary Committee has reprimanded Rahul Shah, a Slough veterinary surgeon, for misconduct after finding him guilty on all three charges of failing to provide adequate care for a dog in his care.

During the four-day hearing, the Committee heard evidence in respect of three separate heads of charge brought against Mr Shah following a castration operation conducted on Shadow, a six-year old Newfoundland dog, which took place on 20 June 2014.

The three charges were as follows:

• That on 20 June 2014, Mr Shah discharged Shadow from his surgery into the care of his owner, Gemma Ballantyne, when Shadow was not in a fit state to be so discharged.
• That, having been alerted in a telephone call to concerns about Shadow’s condition later that evening after he had been brought home, Mr Shah failed to advise Gemma Ballantyne that Shadow should receive veterinary attention as a matter of urgency. Mr Shah accepted in his evidence that he did not give this advice to Gemma Ballantyne, and therefore the issue for the Committee was whether he should have done.
• That, during that telephone call, Mr Shah also failed to ensure that Gemma Ballantyne was fully informed as to out-of-hours care for Shadow.

There was no complaint made as to the undertaking of the operation itself, and the Committee followed the advice from the Legal Assessor that each charge should be considered separately. When making its decision, the Committee did not take into account the fact that Shadow had died as it is impossible to say whether he would have survived had Mr Shah acted differently.

The Committee found each of the allegations against Mr Shah proved. In respect of the first charge the Committee heard from two expert witnesses, Professor Williams and Mr Plumley, who agreed that the decision to discharge Shadow at about 6pm on 20 June 2014, given his condition, was inappropriate.

The Committee considers that discharging Shadow at that time into the care of the owner given his state on discharge, was grossly negligent and a serious error of judgement. It therefore found Mr Shah to be guilty of the first charge.

The Committee then considered that, after being alerted to Shadow’s continued lack of progress by the telephone call from Gemma Ballantyne between 30 and 45 minutes after discharge, Mr Shah exacerbated the situation by the inadequacy of his response in dealing with the concerns raised which, in the Committee’s view, represented a continuation of his previous poor judgement.

The Committee considered that Mr Shah was under a duty of care to advise Gemma Ballantyne to seek urgent veterinary attention for Shadow and by his own admission he failed to do so, and he was therefore found guilty of the second charge.

During that telephone call Mr Shah also gave no further details about the out-of-hours care available to Gemma Ballantyne other than to inform her that there would be an additional cost.

He did not seek confirmation that any such information been supplied by his colleague, Emma Martin (who at the relevant time was a student nurse), however, and at no time did he see Gemma Ballantyne in possession of the discharge sheet. The Committee therefore found Mr Shah guilty of this final head of charge.

The Committee did accept that there was no element of dishonesty, nor was there an aim of financial gain in the case. The Committee also considered that Mr Shah was acting in good faith at all times. It also accepted that Mr Shah was entitled to assume that normal practice had been followed and that a previously compiled discharge sheet, containing the number of the out-of-hours provider, had been supplied to Miss Ballantyne.

Ian Green, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "Balancing all of the factors as the Committee must, it is clear that on this occasion Mr Shah’s conduct fell far short of that which is expected and it therefore finds he conducted himself disgracefully in a professional respect."

Mr Green added: "In imposing the sanction of a reprimand, the Committee urges Mr Shah in the strongest possible terms to ensure that his future conduct by way of training and support systems within his practice are such as to avoid any possibility of a future incident such as this occurring in order to ensure animal welfare and public confidence in the veterinary profession. The Committee notes that in her evidence, Emma Martin said that the working practices at the surgery have been changed and the Committee expects that all animals kept in the care of Mr Shah are fully monitored, examined and assessed in relation to their condition before being discharged."

Royal Canin has announced that it is to host nutrition and weight management lectures at BVNA Congress

Research shows that 73% of hospitalised dogs suffer from an energy deficit² and with nutrition being an important part of managing these patients, the company says it will be showing veterinary nurses how they can play a key role in providing this care.

On Friday 7 October, Royal Canin's Sarah Collins DipAVN(Medical)RVN, VTS(ECC), Cert CFVHNut will be hosting two lectures on assisted feeding. The first (Nutrition Stream, 1:00pm-2:00pm) will explore how, once a patient is stable, nutritional support can significantly impact morbidity and mortality¹.

Sarah said: "Inadequate nutrition may lead to malnutrition which can have negative effects on wound healing, immune function and ultimately on overall prognosis. The consequences of malnutrition are very different in healthy cats and dogs compared to ill ones, with ill or traumatised patients catabolising lean body mass when they are not provided with sufficient calories. This lecture will go on to explain how Veterinary Nurses can select a suitable diet and put a thorough feeding plan in place."

The Assisted Feeding Part 2 lecture (Nutrition Stream, 4:00pm-5:00pm) will look into anorexic or inappetant patients and cases where an animal is unlikely to feed, such as fractured mandible. Sarah will delve into the advantages and disadvantages of different feeding tubes and how an appropriate tube can be chosen.   

Royal Canin's Weight Management Specialist, Shelley Holden RVN, Cert SAN (pictured above right), will also be delivering a lecture: 'Weight Clinics – managing the challenging case' (Friday 7 October, Nutrition Stream, 9:30am-10:30am). Shelley will highlight the difficulties in getting patients to lose weight to nurses already running dedicated clinics in practice. Shelley will also discuss adhering to weight loss plans, challenges that owners can face and how to educate them on the importance of making changes for their pet.

References

1. Holden D. (2003) Nursing Guide to Veterinary Intensive Care. Peterborough: Henston.
2. Remillard et al. (2001) An investigation of the relationship between caloric intake and outcome in hospitalized dogs. Vet Ther. 2001 Fall;2(4):301-10.

To mark World Rabies Day (28 September) the BVA has announced that it is joining the global End Rabies Now campaign that aims to end the tens of thousands of human deaths each year from canine-mediated rabies by 2030.

Almost all rabies cases are as a result of being bitten by an infected dog, with around half of all dog bites and rabies deaths occurring in children under 15 years of age. Rabies, which is preventable, is categorised as one of the 17 Neglected Tropical Diseases by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The End Rabies Now campaign aims to significantly raise the profile of rabies as a global neglected tropical disease with policy makers and journalists, explaining what is being done to control and eliminate the disease. The campaign is led by Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), and has three key messages:

• It is possible to end human deaths from canine-mediated rabies by 2030
• Every rabies death is an avoidable death
• Vaccinating dogs ends rabies

Ahead of the tenth World Rabies Day, BVA has also recognised vet Professor Sarah Cleaveland OBE for her work in rabies control by awarding her the Chiron Award, one of the Association’s most prestigious awards for outstanding contributions to veterinary science.

Sarah said: "Awards like this are recognition of the contributions not only of one person, but the work of many. We are deeply committed to continuing our efforts towards the global elimination of canine rabies and tackling other zoonotic diseases that affect the health and livelihoods of many of the poorest people in the world."

The End Rabies Now campaign is based around the strong scientific evidence that vaccinating dogs is fundamental to disrupting the cycle of rabies transmission to humans. The target of 2030 was chosen because one of the UN’s sustainable development goals, launched in September 2015, includes the ambition to end by 2030 neglected tropical diseases such as rabies.

With 120 countries still affected by canine rabies, the End Rabies Now campaign advocates that collaborative cross-sector efforts are needed to end zoonotic diseases such as rabies: rabies elimination plans must include human and animal government agencies, veterinary and human health professionals, educators, scientists and community groups.

BVA President Gudrun Ravetz said: "The work being done worldwide by vets, human health professionals and others to combat this horrific disease that senselessly kills thousands each year is of the utmost importance and BVA is proud to support the End Rabies Now campaign and help get those key messages out to policy makers and governments worldwide – every rabies death is entirely preventable and we can end rabies by 2030 through vaccinating dogs."

The RCVS has contacted all registered veterinary nurses reminding them that their annual renewal fee for 2016-17 is now due.

As with last year the RCVS has sent the annual renewal notice to the majority of veterinary nurses by email. This year only 1,086 veterinary nurses have been contacted by post – down from last year, when around 3,500 had letters sent to them.

Text message reminders will also be sent to those for whom the College holds a mobile number.

Nicola South, Head of Registration, said: "It is great to see that we have been able to respond to members’ feedback and increase our contact by email and text with veterinary nurses, but I would like to suggest that VNs should regularly check their email for information from the RCVS.

"Unfortunately a larger than normal amount of veterinary nurses were removed from the Register at the beginning of the year, and we would very much like to avoid this happening again. Each year we send the renewal notice at least four weeks before the 1 November deadline, so if you have not received your annual renewal notice, please contact us so that we can arrange for this to be sent to you again."

The annual renewal fee of £61 is due for payment by 1 November. If a veterinary nurse does not pay the annual renewal fee by the end of the year they will be removed from the Register.

Payments by debit or credit card can be made online via the ‘My Account’ area of the RCVS website (www.rcvs.org.uk/login) or by cheque, bank draft or bank transfer. 

All veterinary nurses also need to confirm their Register details and their compliance with the RCVS continuing professional development requirement of 45 hours over a three-year period, and declare any convictions, cautions and/or adverse findings. 

Any veterinary nurses who have not received an annual renewal email or letter by the end of September should contact the RCVS Registration Department on 020 7202 0707 or registration@rcvs.org.uk

Veterinary nurses with any queries about paying the annual renewal fee should contact the RCVS Finance Team 020 7202 0723 or finance@rcvs.org.uk

Blue Cross has announced that in this year's National Equine Health Survey (NEHS), 38% of horses were recorded as suffering health problems and of these 32.9% were categorised as lame.

Consistent with previous surveys, lameness was shown to be more likely to be caused by conditions such as osteoarthritis in the limb rather than problems in the foot.

Blue Cross carries out NEHS in May each year in partnership with the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA). It is sponsored by Dodson & Horrell and Zoetis and supported by the UK’s leading equestrian organisations and charities.

This year saw a 14% increase in participation compared to 2015, with survey records returned for almost 16,751 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules and 5635 people taking part. Most horses were kept in livery or a private yard and used for leisure and hacking.

Lameness has been consistently seen as the most common syndrome affecting horses in the NEHS results year on year. In the latest survey a total of 32.9% (24.4% in 2015) of horses and ponies with health problems were recorded as lame. Overall, as in previous years, lameness in the limb was more common than lameness caused by problems in the foot.

A breakdown of the types of lameness revealed that 47.4% were recorded as suffering from proximal limb lameness, 31.9% from causes of foot lameness other than laminitis and 20.7% from laminitis. Degenerative joint disease (including foot and proximal limb) was the most frequently reported single cause of lameness (41.2% of all lameness) and the most frequently reported joint affected by DJD was the hock (15.3% of all lameness).

Reports of foot lameness (excluding laminitis) more than doubled this year at 10.5% (4.5% in 2015) of all syndromes reported with pus in the foot being the most frequently recorded problem. This could possibly be attributed to the persistent wet weather during and prior to the survey, which can increase susceptibility to the condition.

Josh Slater from the Royal Veterinary College, who is a member of BEVA’s Health & Medicines Committee and analysed the NEHS data, said: "The data gleaned from the survey remains consistent year on year, confirming the reliability of our findings for benchmarking, referencing and research. This year’s increase in overall lameness may be in part attributed to the higher incidence of pus in the foot but may also be because owners are becoming more aware of lameness issues. Ongoing research on lameness has generated significant media coverage over the past year, helping to raise understanding of the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment both from welfare and performance perspectives."

The six most notable disease syndromes identified in the 2016 National Equine Health Survey are:

1. Lameness 32.9% including laminitis (compared to 24.4% in 2015, 21% in 2014, 19.2% in 2013 and 12.9% in 2010-12).
2. Skin diseases (sweet itch, mud fever, rainscald, external parasites, skin tumours and wounds) 25.5% compared to 17.2% in 2015 (18.3% in 2014, 14.6% in 2013 and 15.2% in 2010-12).
3. Laminitis 6.8% compared to 6.4% in 2015 (7.1% in 2014, 4.4% in 2013 and 3.6% in 2010-12).
4. PPID (‘Equine Cushing’s Disease) 6.6%. This is similar to the high prevalence of PPID reported in 2015 (6.4%) and 2014 (5.6%) and possibly reflects increased surveillance through sponsored testing programmes as opposed to true increases in prevalence from the pre-2014 surveys. 
5. Recurrent Airway Obstruction 5.6% compared to 6.7% in 2015 (6.9% in 2014, 4.2% in 2013 and 3.6% in 2010-12).
6. Back problems 5.5% compared to 7% in 2015 (7.7% in 2014, 5% in 2013 and 3% in 2010-12).

Gemma Taylor, Education Officer at Blue Cross said: "The significant increase in participation again this year shows that owners and keepers of horses are really getting behind the survey and recognising its importance in safeguarding the future health and of the UK’s horses. Over the past year NEHS data has been referred to in leading equestrian and veterinary media, showing its credibility as a valuable benchmarking reference."

The 2016 NEHS survey results are now available. To download a copy visit http://www.bluecross.org.uk/nehs2016results  and to register for next year’s survey please visit www.bluecross.org.uk/nehs

VetCompass, a new veterinary research initiative at the Royal Veterinary College, has revealed that one in 60 Cavaliers are affected by syringomyelia.

The RVC says that until now, there has been little reliable evidence on the frequency and severity of syringomyelia in the overall dog population, which has limited veterinary surgeons’ ability to diagnose and manage the condition.

It's not just syringomyelia for which there is a lack of data. Scientists have for years struggled to identify the true extent and severity of diseases seen in the wider general dog population because the main source of veterinary health data on dogs has come from universities and referral hospitals.

While this referral data is useful, the types of animals and conditions that are referred to these referral centres is unrepresentative of the wider dog population, making it very difficult to extrapolate any findings to the general population. The vast majority of animals are managed perfectly well by the primary vet practitioners without ever being referred or even being ill at any one time. 

However, through VetCompass, the RVC is now collecting anonymised clinical data from first opinion veterinary clinics across the UK; data which is being analysed to answer a wide variety of previously unanswerable health questions. 

The VetCompass syringomyelia study published in the Veterinary Record is a case in point. It highlights for the first time the frequency and severity of syringomyelia seen in general practice in the UK.

At an overall dog population level, syringomyelia is not that common, affecting just one in 2,000 dogs. But among Cavaliers, the frequency of syringomyelia is much higher, affecting one in every 60 of the breed. VetCompass data reveals that almost 2,000 Cavaliers suffer from clinical syringomyelia in the UK at any one time. 

Syringomyelia is a severe condition for affected dogs, with the VetCompass study showing that 72% of affected dogs were recorded as showing pain. The study showed that these dogs would often yelp or scream when they were picked up or when their necks were touched. Many of them also showed ‘phantom scratching’ where they would try to scratch at their necks with their hindlegs but without ever even making contact with the skin. Some people refer to this action as ‘playing an air guitar’.  

The RVC is urging veterinary surgeons and owners alike to be aware of the symptoms of syringomyelia, so that clinically affected dogs can be recognised and treated earlier and better. Symptoms include:

• Sensitivity around the head and neck area
• Sleeping with the head raised
• Scratching or pawing the head or neck region
• Weak limbs
• Deafness

Dr Dan O’Neill, Companion Animal Epidemiologist at the RVC, said: "I loved being a first opinion practice vet for over 20 years where I could help animals on a one-by-one basis. But now, with VetCompass, we can help animals by their thousands. An example is this syringomyelia study which may lead to many affected dogs getting treatment much earlier and therefore making their lives so much better."

Professor Holger Volk, Professor of Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery, said: “These VetCompass data are an eye-opener; we very frequently see Cavaliers with clinical signs of syringomyelia at RVC’s referral hospital but now we know how common it is in the real world, outside of the referral world."

Dr Ludovic Pelligand, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacology and Anaesthesia, said: “VetCompass allows us to identify how Cavalier King Charles affected by syringomyelia are treated for pain every day, nationwide. This will help us to understand optimal management and we are currently working on new ways to monitor pain and working towards developing new treatment options to further improve their pain relief and quality of life in the future".

The Waltham Equine Studies Group is highlighting two new studies which suggest that it may soon be possible to better identify horses at greater risk of developing pasture-associated laminitis, not only by looking at breed type, body condition score and associated higher risk environments but also by checking hormone and insulin levels.

The first, carried out by Nanna Luthersson and colleagues and published online in theJournal of Equine Veterinary Science in March, evaluated the laminitis risk factors in a group of Danish horses and ponies.¹ It confirmed that Cold-blooded type animals <149cm, such as certain native ponies, as well as those being kept on high quality pasture were at an increased risk of developing laminitis for the first time. It also highlighted the important role that a change in grass intake, in terms of both type and amount, may play at any time of the year not only the spring as commonly thought.

The second study, funded in part by the PetPlan Charitable Trust, British Veterinary Association Animal Welfare Foundation Norman Hayward Fund and the Laminitis Trust, was undertaken in conjunction with Nicola Menzies-Gow (Royal Veterinary College) and published online in the Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ) in August. The study evaluated the risk factors for the development of laminitis prior to the occurrence of the disease.² It identified that low concentrations of the adipose tissue derived hormone adiponectin, together with high serum insulin concentrations (at rest and as part of a diagnostic test for PPID) may predict an increased risk of future pasture-associated laminitis.

It is hoped that future studies will be able to generate more robust cut off values, which will more accurately predict future laminitis development in an individual animal.

The RVC in collaboration with Waltham is now taking this forward through a study in which these markers are measured regularly, in conjunction with a detailed management assessment, in a group of ponies with no known history of laminitis at the start.

Clare Barfoot RNutr and the research and development manager at Spillers said: "The Danish study gives us important practical facts about the susceptibility of cold-blooded types, and is particularly applicable to natives in the UK. The second study gives hope that there may soon be a test or series of tests that will help predict those at an increased risk of suffering from pasture associated laminitis in the future thereby reducing the number of animals affected by this debilitating condition. In the meantime until we fully understand the condition it is sensible to manage all the risk factors we currently know about, in particular keeping your horse at a healthy weight."

References

1. Luthersson N, Mannfalk M, Parkin TDH, Harris P, Laminitis: Risk factors and outcome in a group of Danish horses, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science (2016), doi: 10.1016/ j.jevs.2016.03.006.
2. Menzies-Gow N.J, Harris P.A. , Potter K. and Elliott J. (2016)Prospective cohort study evaluating risk factors for the development of pasture-associated laminitis in the UK EVJ Version of Record online: 25 AUG 2016 | DOI: 10.1111/evj.12606

In the week that VetNurse Jobs released the results of a survey which found that the most important thing to nurses about a job in practice is to feel valued and appreciated as part of a team, White Cross Vets, the 15-practice, family-run group headquartered in Guiseley, has shown that it's leading the way in this area, taking it's entire nursing team for a 3-day training and team-building event in the South of France

The 29 strong team jetted into Nice for a series of training sessions by Kristie Faulkner focussed around nurse consulting skills. Topics covered included dealing with challenging clients, efficient ways to manage consultations and prescribing health care plans.  

The team also attended a presentation hosted by senior managers from Virbac, followed by a tour of the company’s vaccine manufacturing facility in Carros. In the evening, the team went for a guided tour of Monaco and dinner at the Café de Paris in Monte Carlo.

Tim Harrison, Managing Director of White Cross Vets, said: "Every year we run a training event in Nice and each years it’s been an amazing few days, which prove to be hugely beneficial and enjoyable for everyone involved. We have committed to give every White Cross team member across every level the opportunity to enjoy the trip to Nice, and we’re already planning future events for our vets and leadership team."

Bekkii Bridges, a student Veterinary Nurse from White Cross Vets in Northampton, said: "To have a training session in such a fabulous place was out of this world! Everyone involved had an incredible weekend and came away with lots of fresh ideas that will enable us to continue building on the high standards of nursing and client care that we are renowned for."

You can find current job vacancies at White Cross Vets here.

John Lewis Pet Insurance has announced that it will not be charging its customers the £200 penalty introduced by underwriters RSA for non-urgent referrals outside its Preferred Referral Network.

The company said:"The RSA Referral Vet Network has been established to give customers access to a trusted network of vets that provide a high standard of service and value for money. However we do understand that in some cases where the primary vet recommends a referral practice and circumstances dictate that our nearest Network partner is not suitable, we will allow our customers to make a choice without being penalised.

If the treatment in question is covered under the policy, there will be no additional fee charged whether or not they choose to use a Network practice."

Vets For Choice, a group of referral practices campaigning against RSA's Preferred Referral Network, welcomed the news. 

However other brands, such as MoreThan, Tesco and Argos, have proceeded with the penalty.

Clive Elwood, one of the referral practitioners behind Vets For Choice, said: "The big question to ask now is if John Lewis can opt out of the fines why can’t Tesco and Argos?

"John Lewis clearly does not agree with springing extra charges on their customers at the point of need and this seems to be in line with their reputation for better customer service.

"MoreThan, Tesco and Argos customers should rightly ask why they are being treated differently to John Lewis customers."

In a press release, Vets For Choice highlighted RSA's July announcement that it was extending its then 29-practice strong referral network by 24, noting that only weeks later it announced its group operating profit was up 20% to £312 million.

In a robust response, an RSA spokesperson said: "The handful of vets behind Vets for Choice have point blank refused to discuss the real issue with non-emergency referrals - the huge variation in costs being charged to pet owners by some vets and paid for by insurers. Vets for Choice has refused to address this issue with us either directly or indirectly, and their desire remains to have a complete lack of transparency about their costs and charges. We are no longer prepared to duck the issue of cost and the lack of transparency in vets’ charges. This impacts on pet owners and means their cover limits do not go as far as they should.

"Our network partners recognise that for pet insurance to remain affordable, the veterinary and insurance industry needs to work more closely together on behalf of customers. Vets for Choice are happy to discuss any issue but the real one and they continue to knowingly distort the facts. The reality is that we have now had 12,700 referral claims from our Network partners, with only 79 customers choosing to pay the £200 charge to use a non-Network partner – well under one percent of all customers. The reality is there is no huge public outcry. The reality is that we have not seen any rise in complaints. The reality is that is our customers are more than happy to have our Network partners treat their pets, knowing that their cover limits are going further. 

"Vets for Choice also mentioned our 20% rise in Group Operating Profit. The key word here is Group – the fact is the majority of our profit was made from our international markets. Group operating profit bears no relation to how our UK pet insurance business performed and it is disingenuous to link the two. It is also disingenuous to imply that all brands should act in the same way as their business models differ according to the customer segment they wish to attract. As ever, the choice remains with the customer."

Imprint has announced the launch of graphite-coloured Hoof Repair - a low melt mouldable thermoplastic product used for the repair of cracked and damaged hooves which colour matches the natural hoof for improved aesthetics.

Hand-mouldable into any shape, Hoof Repair is used to create prosthetic hoof extensions and additions that restore foot integrity.

The company says there is no exothermic reaction when the thermoplastic hardens, which eliminates issues caused by excessive heat and makes the product suitable for treating acute laminitis, cracked hooves and horses that have lost a lot of hoof.

When used with Imprint Structural Adhesive, Hoof Repair forms a bond with hoof wall which can be nailed into and rasped, and will stay in place as hoof grows. Hoof Repair is also suitable for treating foal foot deformities.

The company says Hoof Repair is often used in conjunction with Imprint shoes, which are made of the same low melt, long lasting thermoplastic. It allows extensions to be made to the shoes and together the Imprint system protects and supports the hoof allowing the foot to flex and move freely.

Andrew Poynton, Imprint’s Inventor said: "Hoof Repair forms part of a foot care system that has been developed over 20 years by farriers in association with veterinary surgeons. Hoof Repair assimilates hooves precisely to retain the foot integrity and it is particularly useful for treating acute laminitis and cracked or badly damaged hooves."

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

The RCVS has held the first meeting of its Brexit Presidential Taskforce.

The taskforce was established following the EU referendum result on 24 June, with the central purpose of putting the profession in charge of its future by maximising the opportunities and minimising the risks of Brexit.

Almost half of veterinary surgeons registering in the UK qualified from veterinary schools elsewhere in the EU. While the Government issued a statement in mid-July clarifying that as yet there has been no change to the rights and status of EU nationals in the UK or UK nationals in the EU, it is not clear whether this situation will continue once the UK has left the EU. 

The Brexit Presidential Taskforce will consider, and proactively engage with, the many possible changes that could shape the future of the UK veterinary profession due to Brexit.

The members of the Taskforce are: the President of the College, Chris Tufnell; the CEO, Nick Stace; the Treasurer, Amanda Boag; Operations Director, Corrie McCann; Junior Vice-President, Stephen May; Acting Registrar, Eleanor Ferguson; Chair of Education, Susan Dawson; Head of Education, Chris Warman; Council member Stuart Reid; Chair of VN Council, Liz Cox; and Director of Strategic Communications, Lizzie Lockett. 

The terms of reference include: considering how EU regulations currently impact the regulation of veterinary professionals in the UK, and making recommendations as to which should be maintained; looking at the issue of mutual recognition of veterinary graduates in Europe; considering workforce requirements and the implications of a new system of immigration; understanding the implications for the current RCVS agenda; considering whether a proactive RCVS agenda can influence any new UK legislation; reconsidering the College’s existing international strategy; and studying the financial impact on the College.

It was also agreed that the College should maintain communications with the British Veterinary Association and coordinate approaches where appropriate. 

Dr Chris Tufnell, President of the RCVS, said: "Brexit has profound implications for our professions. The Presidential Taskforce is exploring all implications and will develop proposals that will seek to mitigate the risks and maximise the benefits that can flow to the veterinary professions and to animal welfare.

"We are working closely with representative bodies and others so that the veterinary professions have a coordinated and well executed plan in place. We are in discussions with all relevant Government departments, working collaboratively and constructively, ensuring that our voice is heard and our influence is felt."

The next meeting will be held on 15 September, with the third one scheduled for 9 November.

A group of veterinary surgeons and cat behaviour consultants in the USA have published a state-of-the art review of food puzzles used to improve feline wellbeing in this month’s Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.¹

The authors say that domestic cats are very similar in their behavioural needs to their closest ancestor, the African wildcat, and an indoor-only lifestyle, unless managed appropriately, can give rise to health issues (such as obesity and diabetes) and problem behaviours (including aggression, house-soiling and attention-seeking).

One approach to mitigating these potential problems, they say, is with the use of ‘food puzzles’ – devices which release food when an animal interacts with them, originally developed to provide enrichment for captive zoo and laboratory animals. 

Food puzzles take advantage of cats' natural instincts to work for their food. There is a wide range of puzzles on the market: some are mobile (rolled or pushed with the cat’s nose or paws), others are stationary, and they can be used with either wet or dry food. Creative and/or cost-conscious cat owners can even make their own DIY food puzzles by, for example, cutting holes in egg boxes or water bottles. 

The authors reviewed existing empirical evidence of the physical and emotional benefits imparted by food puzzles, and collated details of over 30 cases from their own practices where food puzzles were introduced to aid with a specific health or behavioural concern.

Examples include an obese 8-year-old male domestic shorthair cat who lost 20% of his bodyweight within 12 months of puzzle implementation; a 3-year-old British Shorthair male cat, whose impulsive and frustration-based aggression towards his owner instantly improved and resolved completely within 6 months; and a 2-year-old domestic shorthair cat whose fear of people (his owners included) significantly improved following the addition of both mobile and stationary food puzzles, to the point that he would come when called and was relaxed for cuddles.

The article aims to provide veterinary professionals with the information they need to advise clients on the subject. It is free to read here.

Reference

1. Dantas LMS, Delgado MM, Johnson I and Buffington CAT. Food puzzles for cats: feeding for physical and emotional wellbeing. J Feline Med Surg 2016; 18: 723–732.

Photo courtesy of Mikel Delgado