Henry Schein Inc. has announced an agreement to acquire RxWorks Inc., the veterinary practice management software provider.
Founded in 1988 and with headquarters in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, RxWorks has 68 team members and an installed base of more than 1,500 veterinary clinics in 19 countries worldwide (primarily Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the Netherlands).
Henry Schein says RxWorks will become part of it's Global Animal Health Practice Solutions business, led by its current management team.
Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Henry Schein, Inc. said: "RxWorks has an excellent reputation for helping veterinarians increase practice efficiency and improve quality health care through its innovative practice management software solutions.
"The addition of RxWorks further strengthens our growing practice management software solutions business, which helps deepen relationships in the regions served by RxWorks with our animal health customers, including large corporate customers. The addition of RxWorks will nicely complement our expanding animal health technology businesses. We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues from RxWorks to Henry Schein."
Nathan Basha, Chairman of RxWorks said: "RxWorks software is designed to facilitate consistency of patient care, enable practice growth, achieve enhanced profitability and optimize professional time, all the while improving the quality of life for patients. Aligning with Henry Schein, a global company committed to serving animal health professionals and bringing innovation to the marketplace, allows RxWorks to provide even further value to customers while expanding industry reach."
Henry Schein says it expects the acquisition to close in the second half of January 2016. Financial details and terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Defra has rejected the RCVS petition to protect the VN title, saying that criminalising the use of the term 'veterinary nurse' by other animal carers in a veterinary setting would be unduly harsh.
In rejecting the petition, which had gained nearly 22,000 signatures, Defra made the point that the term is often used colloquially, without intention to deceive or mislead, without undertaking unqualified practice, and without risk of harm to animals.
Noting the existing legal framework which exists to make sure that animals in veterinary care are only treated by trained and qualified individuals, Defra said it would not be in the public interest to prosecute individuals for colloquial use of the term.
BVNA President Sam Morgan said: "The BVNA are very disappointed to read the Government’s response. We feel that they have overlooked the emotions of the British public towards animal welfare and maintenance of trust within the veterinary profession. With no restriction on the use of the title it is confusing for the general public and for the veterinary profession. We hope that this response increases public awareness of the issues faced. As the representative body for Veterinary Nurses, BVNA will continue to work alongside the RCVS and BVA to raise awareness of this campaign and to encourage anyone who is interested to sign the petition."
The RCVS said that whilst the response was disappointing, it was heartened to be asked to work with the Defra to find new ways of bolstering the veterinary nursing profession.
A significant part of this work will be a review of Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, which allows certain minor acts of veterinary surgery to be delegated to veterinary nurses. The RCVS says it hopes that Schedule 3 can be simplified to give VNs more clarity and confidence over what tasks they can undertake, and augmented to strengthen the role of VNs in areas such as anaesthesia.
BVA President Sean Wensley said: “Veterinary Nurses are an essential part of the veterinary team and deserve full recognition for their roles. The VN Title campaign has received strong support from across the sector and with MPs, so it is disappointing that Defra has decided not to recommend that Parliament give legal protection to the hard-earned title.
"Given the current Government’s deregulatory agenda, this response does not come as a surprise yet nor does it signal the end of the campaign. Defra have stated that if this petition reaches 100,000 signatures, the Petitions Committee will consider it for a debate. We therefore ask anyone who supports the campaign but has not yet signed the online petition to do so now.
"In the meantime BVA and BVNA will continue to work with RCVS on the VN Futures project, taking a long-term view on the role of veterinary nurses and seeking to prepare for their future within the profession."
The Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has updated the Vaccination Guidelines it offers to veterinary surgeons.
The association says its Canine and Feline Vaccination Guidelines aim to provide globally applicable recommendations to help veterinary surgeons vaccinate in a standard and scientifically justified fashion.
The VGG has also updated the vaccination guidelines it offers to pet owners and breeders, as well as the series of fact sheets it has created on key global vaccine-preventable diseases of dogs and cats.
The original guidelines were published in 2007 as the WSAVA's initial response to the need for globally applicable recommendations on vaccination best practice. They were updated in 2010 and, since then, the VGG, which is supported exclusively by MSD Animal Health, has been focusing on issues relating to small companion animal infectious disease and veterinary education in Asia.
The 2015 release of the Canine and Feline Vaccination Guidelines is based on a new evidence-based classification system for vaccinology. It also includes a number of additional FAQs (110 in total). The guidelines for both vets and owners/breeders are available for free download at http://www.wsava.org/educational/vaccination-guidelines-group. Currently available in English, they are being translated into a number of languages.
Professor Michael Day, Chair of the VGG (pictured right), said: "The vaccination guidelines are one of the most frequently downloaded resources on the WSAVA's website and are gradually driving a change in vaccination practice throughout the world - a change which is set to have a major impact on day-to-day small animal practice.
"We are delighted to launch these updated versions both for veterinarians and for pet owners and breeders. We hope they will prove even more helpful and ensure that more small animals are vaccinated in a more scientifically-based, robust and safer fashion.
"We would like to thank MSD Animal Health which has been the sole sponsor of the VGG since its inception. Its support enables us to undertake our valuable work."
A group of UK-based investigators from Davies Veterinary Group and the UCL School of Pharmacy has published the results of a study which suggests Keppra (levetiracetam) shows promise for the treatment of feline audiogenic reflex seizures (FARS).
The condition, which was first documented by the same investigators last April, affects older cats which typically exhibit myoclonic seizures (brief, shock-like jerks of a muscle or a group of muscles) in response to certain high-pitched sounds. Both non-pedigree and pedigree cats (in particular, Birmans) may be affected. A range of sound stimuli has been reported, including the crinkling of tin foil and a metal spoon dropping into a ceramic feeding bowl, through to firewood spitting and even texting on a phone. While avoiding the triggering sounds can reduce the incidence of seizures, this is not always practical, so this research is potentially good news for owners of affected cats.
The study, Levetiracetam in the management of feline audiogenic reflex seizures: a randomised, controlled, open label study, has been published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery1.
It compared the efficacy of two antiepileptic drugs, levetiracetam (a relatively novel medication that has proven effective in studies of people with generalised epilepsies that experience myoclonic seizures) and the much older first generation drug phenobarbital, in 57 cats diagnosed with FARS. Cats were treated with one or other drug over a 12 week period; and owners were asked to record the date, number and type of seizures, any signs of illness, side effects and changes in activity or attitude, as well as whether they thought their cat's quality of life had improved, remained the same or deteriorated since starting the medication.
All cats receiving levetiracetam showed a reduction in the number of days that they experienced myoclonic seizures by at least half. In comparison, only 3% of cats showed the same reduction when treated with phenobarbital. The majority of reported side effects, such as lethargy and inappetence, were mild to moderate in both groups and these resolved after about 2 weeks in the cats treated with levetiracetam; in the phenobarbital group, however, side effects were relatively persistent. Owners of cats treated with phenobarbital perceived no benefit from using the medication; in contrast, all of the owners of cats treated with levetiracetam commented that their cat appeared brighter and more responsive after the first couple of weeks of treatment. Moreover, five cats treated with phenobarbital were switched to levetiracetam after the study, as their owners desired improved seizure control.
Having established that levetiracetam is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for cats with hallmark myoclonic seizures, the next step is to identify whether levetiracetam will also prevent so-called generalised tonic–clonic seizures. This is another seizure type seen in cats with FARS, and is what most people think of as a 'seizure', with the cat losing consciousness and its body stiffening and jerking, often for several minutes.
Lead author on the paper, Mark Lowrie, said: "It is great to find a medication that works so well at controlling these seizures. Levetiracetam is not licensed in cats but it has proven to be a very safe drug. For affected cats to benefit, it is important that vets recognise the signs as this newly defined syndrome of FARS and that this medication is used in preference to other, less efficacious, anti-epileptic drugs."
Reference
Defra has announced a consultation which seeks to strengthen the regulations around dog breeding and pet sales in order to improve animal welfare.
The consultation proposes to make it a requirement for anyone producing three more more litters a year to be licensed, and to clarify existing rules that require breeding businesses to be licensed.
The consultation also seeks to formalise the adoption of existing model conditions on good breeding health and welfare by making it a requirement of breeders to comply with the conditions and for local authorities to use them.
It is hoped that a consequence of any new regulations would be that local authorities can better target their enforcement activity by directing less resource at responsible businesses, for example those who are controlled by the Kennel Club’s UKAS-accredited Assured Breeders’ Scheme. This will free up resources to follow-up on reports of poor welfare at backstreet breeding establishments.
For the first time, the consultation will also clarify that online retailers selling puppies should be treated in the same way as high street pet shops by local authorities – meaning they must abide by the same licensing and welfare regulations.
Animal Welfare Minister George Eustice said: "We are aiming to reform the licensing regime we have so that smaller puppy breeding establishments must abide by the same regulations and licensing rules as bigger breeders so that the worst offenders can be dealt with more quickly.
"We are also reviewing other animal related licensed activities such as pet sales to address problems associated with the growing trend for internet sales that can contribute to impulse buying."
BVA President Sean Wesley said: "We welcome the consultation to strengthen the regulations around dog breeding and pet sales. It represents a valuable opportunity to improve licensing regulations and ensure all breeding establishments are producing only healthy, well-socialised puppies. Vets see first hand the tragic consequences that can result from irresponsible breeding, as owners are faced with serious and avoidable health and behavioural problems in their new pets. "
To take part in the consultation online, visit: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/animal-health-and-welfare/consultation-on-the-review-of-animal-licensing
Photo courtesy www.gov.co.uk Crown Copyright
Ceva Animal Health has announced its biggest ever TV advertising campaign, designed to highlight the benefits of using Adaptil and Feliway, will begin on Christmas Day.
The TV advertisement for Adaptil focuses on Meg and her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dude, who is anxious when Meg is away from home. With the strapline ‘Best behaviour starts here’ the advertisement will help educate pet owners on the action they should take to keep their dogs happy when they are left at home alone and Dude’s experience taking Adaptil.
Feliway’s TV advertisement features the strapline ‘Experience the difference in your home’ and focuses on the real life story of Clare and her rescue cat, Mewsli, who was often scared and anxious, so much so that she would hide under the bed and scratch the side of the chair.
The TV advertising campaign, which is aimed at ABC1 women, runs from Christmas Day until 10 January 2016 and the advertisements will air throughout the family films over the festive period with Adaptil featured during ad breaks for Paul O’Grady’s For the Love of Dogs Christmas Special on Boxing Day.
RSA has confirmed the initial 27 practices that have joined its new Preferred Referral Network, launching today.
The creation of the network means that whilst veterinary surgeons can continue to appoint referral practices as they do now, owners of animals needing a non-emergency referral outside the RSA network may need to pay £200 towards the cost of treatment.
The new rules currently apply to holders of policies issued by Tesco Bank and MORE TH>N, however RSA says it is in discussion with other insurance brands about adopting the new network.
RSA says the Preferred Referral Network will enable it to provide competitively priced products and deliver a range of benefits for customers including:
The company is highlighting the fact that its new network fields 178 RCVS, EBVS or AVMA recognised specialists, 49 Diploma holders and 71 Certificate holders or Advanced Practitioners, working at a mixture of large, multi-disciplinary centres (including five with links to university teaching hospitals), independents and corporates.
RSA says that over the last 12 months, vets have directed more than half of all RSA cases to the 27 practices in its network.
Bill Paton, Claims Director for UK and Western Europe said: “We are delighted to have twenty seven practices from around the UK join our preferred referral network. This is a huge step forward and will enable us to continue to provide competitively priced insurance cover with access to the highest standards of veterinary treatment and care.
"We expect further practices to join the Network in due course and we are actively engaged in discussions with a number of referral practices of varying size and scale, which have expressed an interest in joining."
The 27 referral practices are:
South East
South West
Midlands
North East
East
Scotland
* referral arrangements still being finalised
Pets’n’Vets has announced that it is burying a veterinary time capsule under its new Roundhouse Veterinary Hospital being built on the southside of Glasgow.
Brainchild of Pets’n’Vets partner Ross Allan, the idea is that the capsule will reveal to future generations how the cutting edge veterinary facility in Glasgow looked in 2015 and help show just how far veterinary science has developed when it is opened in 2115.
Ross said: "The aim of the time capsule is to document the memories, hopes and dreams of our staff at this exciting point in our story, and preserve them as best we can for discovery in 100 years."
The capsule, which was curated with help from The Veterinary History Society and the British Library, contains:
Ross said: "As an orthopaedic surgeon, I’m used to dealing with cutting edge metal plates, screws and pins when fixing fractured legs, but helping develop this capsule was an entirely new challenge for me. It is very rewarding to use great science to preserve these memories as best we can.
"The time capsule has been designed with this in mind: maintaining optimal humidity, zero oxygen and steady temperature. It will be welded shut before being flushed with argon gas, all measures to help preserve the photos, letters and other contents for those that are lucky enough to open it."
In order preserve the contents as best as possible, Ross sought the advice of Glasgow Museums, which advised including archive quality paper and ink to prevent fading of writing and images, as well as the use of corrosion bags to contain the metallic surgical implants.
"I thought it would be fun to include the implants we currently use for cruciate surgery," said Ross. "This is one aspect of veterinary surgery that has especially progressed over the last 30 years and will doubtlessly continue to progress in the years ahead."
David Thomson, Preventative Conservation Officer, Glasgow Museums, added: "Sending things safely into the future is very like preserving the collections we have in the Museum. The Veterinary Time Capsule meets the highest standards for slowing down the normal ageing effects of our environment and we wish it well on its journey through time."
The time capsule has been registered with the International Time Capsule Society (ITCS) at Oglethorpe University, Atlanta, USA.
Ross said: "This will ensure the capsule is followed up and not, like the majority, lost forever," said Ross. "When opened, the contents should offer a snapshot into Scottish 21st Century veterinary medicine and perhaps it can offer a small legacy to the future of veterinary medicine too.
"Veterinary medicine is going through a huge transition at present – the scope of what is available today is poles apart from what was possible even 10 years ago – and we are delighted to help document its development in Glasgow to this point. Just what might be possible when the capsule is opened in 2115 is mind boggling!"
The BVA and the RCVS are inviting applications from veterinary surgeons to join the new Vet Futures Action Group, set up to drive forward the ambitions identified in the Vet Futures report launched at BVA Congress at the London Vet Show on 20 November.
The Vet Futures report, Taking charge of our future: A vision for the veterinary profession for 2030, was the culmination of a year-long joint project by BVA and RCVS designed to help the veterinary profession prepare for, and shape, its own future. The Action Group is a vital next step in the Vet Futures project, ensuring the delivery of the report’s six ambitions and 34 recommendations.
BVA and RCVS are seeking seven veterinary surgeons and one veterinary nurse to join the Action Group to ensure there is buy-in from across the professions and to drive forward workstreams of activity. The group will be co-chaired by the BVA and RCVS Presidents, and both Junior Vice-Presidents will sit on the group. Action Group members will be independent and will not represent, or be required to report back to, any particular organisation.
Veterinary surgeons or nurses keen to apply for an Action Group role should have experience of working as an active member of a group or committee and the ability to deliver, engage and inspire others. The veterinary surgeon members should have specific expertise, knowledge and experience in relation to at least one of the Vet Futures ambitions or the cross-cutting issue of veterinary education. The ambitions cover:
Successful applicants must be able to attend three all-day meetings in London (9 February, 17 March and 12 May) and an all-day Vet Futures Summit (20 June), with a time commitment totalling approximately seven days between February and June 2016. The group will be supported by BVA and RCVS staff. For the full Vet Futures Action Group role profile and terms of reference, please visit: www.vetfutures.org.uk.
The deadline for applications is 12 noon, 31 December 2015.
Animalcare has launched Vetaclean, a new range of disinfectants which the company says has a notably high kill activity against canine parvovirus and common feline viruses such as FIV, FeLV and FCV.
The range comprises Vetaclean Parvo Advance, a surface disinfectant-cleaner, Vetaclean enzymatic instrument detergent-cleaner, and an instrument disinfectant.
Animalcare Product Manager, Tony Liepman, said: "Veterinary nurses tell us that canine parvovirus is the most challenging and resistant pathogen they work with, and so we set this as our benchmark for the Vetaclean disinfectant products. Tested under EN protocols and having 99.99% + kill activity against parvovirus, our new disinfectants demonstrate high efficacy against a broad range of bacteria, including MRSA/MRSP, fungi, viruses, mycobacteria and spores.
"Infection control is in the spotlight at the moment, highlighted by initiatives from within and outside our industry. Firstly, the new Practice Standards Scheme - launched at the same time as our range - places great emphasis on having a rigorous biosecurity policy. This includes requirements for personal hygiene as well as cleanliness of premises and equipment. High-level decontamination of instruments and equipment is ensured through the Vetaclean two-stage process, which works with even soiled instruments or equipment, and in under 20 minutes. The products have also been designed to be suitable for use on the most specialised equipment seen in today’s practices, including flexible or rigid endoscopes, ultrasonic baths, aspirators, arthroscopes and re-processing machines.
"Importantly, the active ingredients in the Vetaclean range meet the criteria of the new EU Biocides Regulations, policed by the Health and Safety Executive in the UK, which came into effect on 1st September 2015. All products with biocidal activity now need to undergo a complex registration process, ensuring the products are not harmful to people, the environment or animals. The rigorous process may see many disinfectant manufacturers pull out of the market, resulting in less choice. Further, the Vetaclean range does not contain Poly (hexamethylene biguanide) hydrochloride (PHMB). The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is currently proposing that PHMB is listed as a category 2 carcinogen."
The Vetaclean Parvo Advance range includes a 1 litre lavender product in a self-dosing bottle, 5 litre apple and lemon-fragranced liquid concentrates and unfragranced large surface wipes. There are two different dilution rates: a general purpose dilution rate for most pathogens at 1:100 (10ml per litre), and a parvocidal dilution rate at 1:50 (20ml per litre). Animalcare says the alkaline-based formula ensures that the products are compatible with a wide range of materials and are non-staining. Both the enzymatic instrument cleaner and instrument disinfectant are available in 2 litre concentrates (incorporating a calibrated dosing reservoir).
The Vetaclean range is available now in wholesalers. The company has also produced a brochure Hygiene in practice, a guide to veterinary infection control from Animalcare, designed to help familiarise veterinary professionals with the principles and uses of the product range. There is also a special launch offer of Buy-4-Get-One-Free available from Animalcare representatives.
For further information, contact Animalcare on 01904 487687, or speak to your regional Animalcare representative: www.animalcare.co.uk/contact-us.
Zoetis has announced the launch of Ketavet.
The intravenous anaesthetic solution containing ketamine is available in 10ml and 50ml presentations. The new product coincides with the re-classification of ketamine as a schedule 2 drug.
Ketavet is a clear, colourless solution for injection containing ketamine 100 mg/ml (equivalent to 115.36 mg/ml ketamine hydrochloride) with benzethonium chloride 0.1 mg/ml as a preservative. It can be used to induce anaesthesia in horses in conjunction with xylazine, detomidine or romifidine.
Ketavet, along with other ketamine containing products, has been moved to Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations, which took effect from 30 November 2015. This enables tighter controls on the record keeping, prescribing and safe custody of products containing this active. More information on the specific requirements which will need to be met following the schedule change can be found on the VMD website https://www.gov.uk/government/news/amendments-to-the-misuse-of-drugs-regulations-2001
Penny McCann, Equine Product Manager at Zoetis said: "Ketavet is an important product in our anaesthesia portfolio. We are keen to help veterinary surgeons keep up-to-date with the reclassification of ketamine and with this in mind our new product packaging clearly reflects ketamine’s revised status as a schedule 2 drug."
For more information, contact your Zoetis Account Manager.
Zoetis has announced that it has upscaled production of Apoquel, the oral therapy for the treatment of canine pruritus, and it is now available to all UK vet practices on unlimited distribution.
The company says that there was unprecedented demand for Apoquel following its launch last year, so it had to introduce an allocation system to ensure that those dogs that had started on the product were able to remain on it for as long as their vet deemed appropriate.
During this time, Zoetis focused on strengthening its manufacturing capacity to make the product more widely available.
Apoquel is the first Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor approved for veterinary use. Zoetis says it provides rapid and sustained relief of pruritus and improves skin lesions. Its novel mechanism of action on the JAK enzyme is specifically designed to target the pruritogenic and pro-inflammatory pathways involved in the itch cycle. This, says the company, allows effective reduction of allergic itch regardless of its cause as well as improvement of skin lesions associated with allergic skin diseases and atopic dermatitis.
Ned Flaxman, companion animal business unit director at Zoetis said: “We are very grateful to all our veterinary customers for bearing with us through this product shortage. Over the past 18 months we have incorporated a variety of safeguards to ensure that Apoquel supply will better align with demand. We have reduced the length of time it takes to manufacture Apoquel and added further production capacity.
“It’s been a very long 18 months for everyone involved but we’re looking forward to a very good Christmas and New Year with Apoquel fully back in stock and we’d like to thank all of our customers for their patience.”
For more information, visit www.zoetis.co.uk/apoquel.
Merial has published Give Them Just What they Need, a guide to the key considerations concerning the vaccination of cats.
The company says it produced the guide after conducting research in which 76% of small animal veterinary surgeons said they are not fully aware of the most recent feline vaccination guidelines, and 98% said they'd find a guide useful.
The survey1, which was conducted amongst 114 UK small animal vets, also showed that whilst 82% of vets are aware of the existence of feline vaccination guidelines from organisations such as the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD), 58% don’t know the content well, and a further 18% were not aware of the guidelines at all.
In a concurrent survey of 1000 cat owners2, 60% said they would have more confidence in their vet knowing that they were vaccinating according to the latest guidelines. The cat owner survey also found that 80% rely on their vet for information about vaccination, and 60% would like more information about vaccination.
Claire Edmunds, product manager at Merial, said: "Understanding that vets are busy people and using all of the insight that we have gathered from vets and owners to shape the content of the guide, we have condensed previously published vaccination recommendations from organisations such as WSAVA and ABCD into really useful, practical advice. The new guide and complementary support materials will hopefully prove to be really valuable resources for vets, giving them the information they need when reviewing their vaccination protocols, in a quick, easy-access format.
"By being better informed about the latest recommendations, we want vets to feel more confident in discussing all aspects of vaccination with their clients. With the majority of cat owners saying that they rely on their vet for vaccination information and nearly half stating that their vet clearly explaining the benefits of vaccination would increase their compliance in vaccinating their cat, this obviously will be beneficial to both the practice and pet cats."
Merial has also produced supporting materials for use alongside the guide, including a take-home leaflet for owners and digital assets for social media and newsletter use, designed to help vets start discussions about vaccination.
Give Them Just What they Need is available from your regional Merial Territory Manager or for download at https://goo.gl/7Uas3y
Dorset-based homeopathic practitioner Philippa Rodale, who requested that her name be removed from the RCVS Register in July, has been convicted of cruelty at Weymouth Magistrates Court.
The case related to Mrs Rodale's treatment of a female foxhound called 'Dangerous', which had been brought to her after being hit by a car.
The dog was reported to the RSPCA by a member of the public who was alarmed after seeing the dog lying in the surgery, whining and dragging her back legs. The court heard that at this point, Dangerous had already been in the care of the clinic for 10 days without an x-ray to establish the extent of her injuries or adequate pain relief.
RSPCA inspector Marie Griffiths said: "When I found Dangerous she was just lying on a tiled floor with no bedding and only a towel propping up her head, paralysed, and covered in infected pressure sores. She couldn’t even stand up.
"It was a shocking sight and definitely not something that I would ever expect to see anywhere, let alone in a veterinary practice.
"She was clearly in agony and had just not received the level of care and attention that you would expect from a vet. She was suffering so much that sadly a decision had to be made by another veterinary surgeon to do the kind thing and finally put her to sleep.
"The RSPCA exists to protect animals from cruelty and suffering and to defend them when their needs are not being met and we hope that this case goes some way to showing that no-one is exempt from providing animals with the duty of care that they deserve - not only morally, but because it is also the law.”
Mrs Rodale was ordered to pay £4,000 in costs to the RSPCA as well as £520 in court charges and a £15 victim surcharge.
Do you think the RCVS should issue a public statement about homeopathy, and require that veterinary surgeons inform owners about the scientific evidence which demonstrates it is ineffective? If so, visit The Campaign For Rational Veterinary Medicine, and sign the petition.
Picture BNPS
The RCVS has brought out a new publication to help members of the veterinary and veterinary nursing professions understand their legal and professional obligations regarding controlled drugs.
Controlled Drugs Guidance is a consolidation of existing advice and guidance on controlled drugs from a number of organisations including the RCVS itself, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) and the Home Office. The guide also gives details of the existing legislation concerning controlled drugs, namely the Misuse of Drugs Act and associated regulations.
The guidance provides advice on a variety of topics to reflect the common queries the RCVS Advice Team receives, such as storage, destruction and disposal; keys and keyholders for controlled drugs cabinets; controlled drugs in vehicles; and veterinary nurses administering controlled drugs.
The publication also deals with specific controlled drugs such as ketamine which, on 30 November 2015, was rescheduled to a Schedule 2 controlled drug, meaning that it is now subject to the same strict storage, prescription, dispending, destruction and record-keeping requirements as other medicines in this Schedule.
Laura McClintock, Standards and Advisory Manager at the RCVS, said: “We hope that this publication will help members of the profession navigate the often complex legislative and professional requirements regarding controlled drugs, as well as imparting best practice advice on how they should be stored and disposed and so on.
"This publication has also been endorsed by our colleagues in the Home Office, VMD and BSAVA and, because this is an area that is subject to regular change, we will make sure to keep it up-to-date as and when the regulations change."
The publication is available to download from the RCVS website at www.rcvs.org.uk/publications
The RCVS has announced the relaunch of its Golden Jubilee Award, an accolade which recognises those veterinary nurses who are playing a leadership role within the profession.
The relaunch comes after Veterinary Nurses Council agreed some significant changes to the award process and criteria at its October 2015 meeting. This included restricting the award to veterinary nurses only (previously it was open to veterinary surgeons and laypeople) and making the award criteria more focused on leadership.
Liz Cox, Chair of Veterinary Nurses Council, said: “We agreed changes to this award in order to both encourage more nominations and to ensure that those who are nominated are people who are pushing forward the profession, whether that be clinically, politically, or in terms of raising public awareness of what we do.
“Nominees for the award must be people who are proactive and passionate in campaigning on behalf of the profession and who are taking on an ambassadorial role for it – for example, speaking about current issues and initiatives at congresses, events or with local or national media.
“If this sounds like someone you know, then please don’t hesitate to put them forward for the award and help raise the profile of the profession even further.”
The award was founded in 2011 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first RCVS training course for veterinary nurses and its first winner was Jean Turner, a member of the profession since 1971.
Jean said: “I have immense pride in the veterinary nursing profession and am still overwhelmed by receiving the very first award. I frequently look at the certificate mounted in our study and use the lovely engraved bowl. As the first recipient I look on it as an award for all the veterinary nurses who have worked with me and helped me over many years.”
Subsequent winners have been Sue Badger (2012), Hayley Walters (2014) and Dot Creighton this year.
Dot Creighton said: “We are in a great position to identify those natural leaders who are clearly motivational and not only feel passionate about their own career and work, but also of their whole profession. It is these veterinary nurses that need to be supported and encouraged to consider the wider positive impact they can have on the whole profession.
“Taking further qualifications, training our students, educating our profession through publications and lecturing, developing our body of research and considering positions such as being council members on bodies such as BVNA Council, are accessible to all RVNs who want to make this difference. These are the nurses that are ideal candidates to be recognised through the Golden Jubilee Award and I would encourage VNs to consider nominating them.”
Although nominees must be veterinary nurses, the primary nominator can be either a veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse and the two supporting nominators can be laypeople. The deadline for returning nomination forms is Friday 29 January 2016 and nominations will be judged by a panel comprising members of VN Council.
The award will be made at RCVS Day – the College’s Annual General Meeting and Awards Day – in July 2016. The winner will also be given a speaking opportunity at that year’s BVNA Congress in October.
From the 2017 award onwards, the nomination period will be aligned with that of other RCVS honours, such as the Queen’s Medal, meaning that it will run from July to September.
Nomination forms, which include further details about the criteria and other requirements, can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/goldenjubilee. For further information or advice about the award, please contact Annette Amato, Deputy Head of Veterinary Nursing at the RCVS, on a.amato@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0713.
Invicta Animal Health has announced the launch of Ocuvance, a nutritional supplement to support ocular health in dogs and cats.
The company says Ocuvance is formulated to provide an antioxidant complex supporting and maintaining the health of eyes. The tablets contain lutein, a xanthophyll pigment found within the eye. They also contain anthocyanosides derived from bilberry extract to support rhodopsin production. The formulation also contains vitamins C and E, zinc and selenium.
Ocuvance is presented in packs of 30 scored tablets; sufficient for a one month supply for the average sized dog.
Rob Watkins, Managing Director of Invicta, said: "We are delighted to make Ocuvance available to veterinary surgeons in the UK. A recent veterinary study1 has shown there can be significant ophthalmic benefits of antioxidant supplementation.
We carefully formulated Ocuvance to provide a range of high quality ingredients to maintain normal visual function whilst still being affordable for owners”.
Ocuvance is now available from all veterinary wholesalers.
The RCVS has announced that it will be holding a free lunchtime webinar next week about its alternative dispute resolution (ADR) trial and its outcomes.
The webinar, titled ‘Who ADRs wins’, takes place at 1pm on Monday 7 December via The Webinar Vet and will be presented by RCVS Registrar Gordon Hockey and RCVS Council member Niall Connell who was part of the Advisory Panel to the ADR trial.
The trial, which has been administered by Ombudsman Services, began in November 2014 in order to develop a system that addresses the many concerns received by the RCVS about the conduct of veterinary surgeons which it cannot deal with under its statutory powers.
During the webinar, Gordon and Niall will explain the roles of Ombudsman Services and the Advisory Panel, as well as examine the outcomes of some of the concerns handled by the trial.
They will also discuss the future of the ADR scheme. Following the presentation, listeners will have the opportunity to put their questions to the speakers.
Visit www.thewebinarvet.com/the-rcvs-alternative-dispute-resolution-scheme to register for the webinar. A recording of the webinar will be made available shortly after the event.
The RCVS is inviting nominations from veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses who are eligible to stand for RCVS Council and Veterinary Nurses (VN) Council, respectively, in next year’s elections.
The College says next year’s elections will not be affected by the current Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) consultation on the College’s governance arrangements and so, as always, six seats will be contested for RCVS Council, while two places are available on VN Council. Successful candidates are expected to serve four-year terms and will take up their places at RCVS Day in July 2016.
The nomination period for both RCVS and VN Councils runs until 5pm on Sunday 31 January 2016. In order to stand, candidates for either Council will need to complete a nomination form, submit a short biography and personal statement and supply a high resolution digital photo.
Each candidate will also need to have two nominators. For RCVS Council candidates, these should be veterinary surgeons who are on the RCVS Register but are not current RCVS Council members; for VN Council candidates, the nominators must be registered veterinary nurses who are not currently on VN Council.
Gordon Hockey, RCVS Registrar, said: "We are looking for committed and motivated veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses who are dedicated to their respective professions and who, through the Councils and their various committees and subcommittees, wish to have direct input in decisions relating to how the College sets and advances standards of education and professional conduct. If this sounds like you then please find out more about standing as a candidate."
Liz Cox, Chair of VN Council, added: "I would strongly encourage all those want to have a say and play a leadership role in veterinary nursing to stand up and be counted and put themselves forward as a candidate. It is a very exciting time to join VN Council as the new Royal Charter has formalised the Council’s powers to regulate education and our professional standards, meaning that the decisions you make can have a very real impact on the profession."
The election period will start around mid-March and run until 5pm on Friday 29 April 2016. Ballot papers will be sent to all registered veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses who are eligible to vote and, during the election period, the College will be sourcing questions from the professions to put to the candidates.
Nomination forms, guidance notes and frequently asked questions for prospective RCVS Council candidates can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/rcvscouncil16. The equivalent documents for VN Council candidates are available at www.rcvs.org.uk/vncouncil16.
Prospective candidates for either Councils are also invited a ‘Meet the RCVS Day’ at the College’s offices in Belgravia House on Tuesday 15 December 2015, where they will have the opportunity to find out more about the role of the College and RCVS and VN Councils.
RCVS President Dr Bradley Viner and Chair of VN Council Liz Cox will also be on hand to answer questions about the duties and responsibilities of members of the respective Councils. Those interested in attending should contact Emma Lockley, Events Officer, on e.lockley@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0773. Reasonable expenses for travel will be reimbursed.
Researchers from the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition have published two studies which reveal, for the first time, the most common bacterial species associated with gum disease in cats.
Working with veterinary dentists and the Harvard affiliated Forsyth Institute, researchers used DNA sequencing technologies to identify 267 bacterial species present in feline dental plaque and build a database detailing the differences between bacterial populations in healthy cats and those in cats with gum disease.
Dr. Ian Davis, Oral Health Researcher at WALTHAM, part of Mars Petcare, said: "This knowledge is a first step in understanding the potential for improving oral health of cats through dietary interventions that target disease-associated bacteria."
The studies also revealed that the bacterial species in feline plaque were more similar to those observed in canine plaque than to those found in humans. This suggests that interventions targeted at bacteria which cause oral disease in humans are unlikely to be effective in cats, and there is more potential to learn from interventions that work well in dogs.
Dr. Davis added: "It’s important for pet owners to know that cats are just as susceptible to gum disease as dogs and understand the importance of maintaining a good oral hygiene routine; ideally including tooth brushing and dental treats or a specific dental diet".
The first study was published in Veterinary Microbiology in February 2015. The second was published on 25th November in PLOS ONE, and can be downloaded here: http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0136986.
Ceva Animal Health has launched Amodip, described as the first ever cat-friendly amlodipine licensed for veterinary use for the treatment of hypertension in cats.
Amodip is a chicken-flavoured, two-way break chewable tablet; its 1.25mg tablet size is designed for accurate dosing of cats, with a two-way break for administering 0.625mg to smaller cats. Each box contains 100 tablets in blister packs.
Ceva says these features should make it easier for pet owners to be compliant with the recommended treatment protocol and ensure that each cat is getting the right dose, reducing the risk of side-effects.
Amodip will be supported by videos and literature on how to measure hypertension in practice easily and with less stress, written by the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM).
For further information or to request copies of the ISFM hypertension materials, contact your local Ceva Animal Health territory manager or call 01494 781510.
Royal Canin has launched NATOM Explorer, an interactive online tool designed to help the entire practice team visualise and explain the cat and dog anatomy and disease conditions to their clients.
NATOM (‘aNATOMical map’) hosts a library that supports explanations given by the veterinary surgeon or nurse to the owner during or after the consultation. The tool acts as an interactive reference for vets and vet nurses, boasting a 360 degree navigation of the anatomy, three levels of zoom, full image annotation and the ability to print and share bespoke images and save them for future reference.
Users of the charts are able to study the skeletal, nervous, circulatory, muscular, visceral and more superficial layers of the anatomy. In addition, there are ‘special views’ of over 100 common disease processes which graphically describe illness presentation, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment as well as giving pointers on long-term management.
Marianne Lomberg, Veterinary Marketing Manager at Royal Canin, said: "The tool was initially launched to vet students in early 2015 and, excitingly, following its highly successful introduction, we have now rolled it out to vet practices. NATOM Explorer™ is an easy to use, time-saving tool which can help explain all disease conditions in a simplified way, which is particularly key when presenting complex health topics and diseases to clients. We believe the tool will be highly beneficial to practices and look forward to seeing it going on to benefit owners and their pets across the country."
All information on NATOM can be personalised by the user by adding comments, sketches and uploading other files before saving and sharing the information. All the available content is written and verified by experts in anatomy and small animal practice, with significant contributions from Dr Alex German, Professor Tim Gruffydd-Jones and Dr. Kit Sturgess.
Practices interested in the tool can visit www.vetportal.royalcanin.co.uk for further information
The RCVS Disciplinary Committee has dismissed an application to be restored to the Register of Veterinary Surgeons from former Wirral-based vet Ian Beveridge.
In May 2013 the Committee had asked the Registrar to remove Mr Beveridge from the Register following a four-day hearing in which he was found guilty of serious professional misconduct after finding that he had treated clients badly, kept inadequate clinical records, was dishonest in his dealings with the RCVS and that animals in his care were placed at risk.
In June 2013 Mr Beveridge, who was not present or represented at the original hearing, then appealed the decision. The appeal was withdrawn in May 2014 which was when Mr Beveridge was formally removed from the Register.
Then, in April 2015, Mr Beveridge applied to be restored to the Register. The Disciplinary Committee met to consider his application in June 2015, however, this hearing was adjourned after new evidence was served to the Committee concerning allegations that Mr Beveridge had ordered prescription-only veterinary medicines when he was not authorised to do so. He was subsequently interviewed by police who took no further action.
In deciding whether Mr Beveridge was fit to be restored to the Register, the Committee heard evidence in regards to the circumstances in which the prescription-only drugs were ordered using his account and delivered to his former practice address which had been taken over by Medivet after he sold the premises to the company.
During the course of the hearing, Mr Beveridge admitted that his account had been used to buy the drugs, but that a part-time member of his staff, who was neither a veterinary surgeon nor a veterinary nurse, had done so without his prior knowledge or approval.
In relation to this evidence Ian Green, chairing and speaking on behalf of the Committee, said: "The Committee takes the view that the unauthorised use of a veterinary surgeon’s drugs account for which he carries the ultimate responsibility is a very serious matter and, of itself, demonstrates that the applicant has at best a cavalier attitude to his work which of itself means that he remains unfit to be on the Register.
"This attitude is further demonstrated by the fact that, even after the first orders were placed in late April and early May 2014, the applicant did not seek clarification from the College of his status following the withdrawal of his appeal against the original Committee’s findings."
In addition to this, the Committee also considered the seriousness of his original failings, the fact that Mr Beveridge’s acceptance of these failings was ‘qualified’, that he had been off the Register for 20 months and the fact that his efforts in terms of continuing professional development had been inadequate and not focused on those areas in need of improvement, among other factors. In mitigation it did consider that Mr Beveridge had demonstrated genuine remorse about previous actions and noted a petition and a large number of letters in support of him from former clients of his practice.
However, the Committee felt that this did not detract from the seriousness of the original failings and, in conjunction with the subsequent unauthorised ordering of veterinary drugs, that the application for restoration must be dismissed.
London Vet Specialists (LVS), billed as the capital's first complete-service referral centre, has announced its official opening in Belsize Park.
The centre is headed up by senior surgeon and soft tissue specialist, Dr Janet Kovak McClaran DVM DACVS DECVS MRCVS, former head of the department of surgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York.
Janet leads a team of consultants specialising in internal medicine and surgery, diagnostic imaging, emergency and critical care, anaesthesia and analgesia, and minimally-invasive surgery.
Janet says the new centre was set up to enable London-based vets to access close-by expert help across key areas: "When I was first approached about setting up a referral centre servicing central and greater London, I was surprised that a dedicated facility didn’t already exist. Previously, referring clinicians have had to send clients on long journeys outside of the capital, leading to patient stress and hassle and extra expense for the owners. Now, they have the reassurance of access to a highly-experienced secondary and tertiary level referral team on their doorstep."
The LVS facility boasts a state-of-the-art surgical theatre, complete with a Karl Storz operating tower enabling cutting-edge laparoscopic, thoracoscopic and cystoscopic procedures. The minimally-invasive surgery suite is one of only three such facilities in the UK. An onsite CT scanner, the GE Brivio CT 385, forms part of an array of imaging equipment, operated by European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging, Dr Livia Benigni. The immediate interpretation of even the most-complex of images is designed to allow seamless patient investigation and negate the need for repeated patient anaesthetics.
Internal Medicine consultant Dr Kaye Gugich, formerly of Vets Now Referrals in Swindon, together with board-certified Emergency and Critical Care Specialist Dr Adam Mugford, and Dr Karla Borland, a previous resident in anaesthesia and analgesia at Edinburgh University, complete the consultant team.
London Vet Specialists says it is the only facility in central London to offer a full time specialist surgery service alongside a specialist service in emergency and critical care. Emergency stabilisation and intensive care is available around the clock, with experienced clinicians and a nursing team ensuring continuous supervision, day or night. The LVS specialist surgical team is also on call to the hospital overnight should specialist emergency surgery be required out of hours.
Patient and customer care at LVS is based on the model used by Sydney’s SASH Vets (Small Animal Specialist Hospital). LVS Client Relations Manager Claire Newton helped to develop the SASH system during her time at the advanced referral hospital, which concentrates on delivering the highest standards of patient care, alongside a dedicated support system for the client and referring vet.
Claire said: "From the very start of the referral process, customer care is prioritised. In this we consider that we have two customers; the first, the referring vet, who needs to feel that he or she has an integral role in the ongoing management of the case, and that his or her client is well-looked after. Our second customer, the pet owner or client, needs to be looked after with compassion and respect, and have the ability to speak directly to the clinician in charge of their pet, at any point. Excellent two-way communication is key. We ensure that we listen and respond to the needs of both parties through every step of the customer journey."
For more information on London Vet Specialists, or to speak to Claire Newton about referring a patient, visit www.londonvetspecialists.vet, email Claire.newton@londonvetspecialists.vet, or telephone 0207 4330155.
Two new campaigns which call on the veterinary profession to unite against the practice of homeopathy have been launched this week.
Both campaigns raise concerns about the ethics of veterinary surgeons using irrational, unscientific and ineffective remedies to treat ill animals or in place of conventional vaccinations.
The Campaign For Rational Veterinary Medicine presents the case against homeopathy on a new microsite, and asks the profession to unite around a call for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to issue a public position statement that homeopathy is ineffective in animals, bringing it into line with the NHS, the findings of the British government's own review of homeopathy, and the BVA.
The campaign also asks that veterinary surgeons who prescribe homeopathic remedies be required to get owners to sign a consent form, prepared by the College, giving the College’s views on the ineffectiveness of homeopathy.
Lastly, the campaign asks that promotion or advertising of homeopathy by veterinary surgeons should abide by Advertising Standards Authority regulations and carry a statement from the College.
The Campaign for Rational Veterinary Medicine has been set up by a group of practitioners including the BSAVA Past President, Mike Jessop, Alex Gough, Martin Whitehead, Niall Taylor, Phil Hyde, Martin Atkinson and Brennen McKenzie, supported by VetSurgeon.org / VetNurse.co.uk Editor, Arlo Guthrie. It also has the support of the noted author, academic and erstwhile dog owner, Professor Edzard Ernst.
Arlo said: "This is not just about the ethics of prescribing or tolerating the practice of prescribing water to animals that are dependent on us. There are 13m pet owning households in the UK. As well as visiting the vet, they will all be patients at some stage in their lives. So what you and the College say about homeopathy in animals has the potential to affect the choices they make for themselves too. Think how much money and false hope you could save them, and the consequent benefit to human welfare."
By complete coincidence, another campaign against veterinary homeopathy was launched last week. This one, by Danny Chambers MRCVS goes further, calling for a complete ban on the prescription of homeopathic remedies by veterinary surgeons. The petition has already gathered over 750 supporters.
Arlo said: "I think it’s important to say that the two petitions are not mutually exclusive. If you think both represent acceptable solutions, then sign both!"
Visit the Campaign for Rational Veterinary Medicine here, and sign the petition here.
Sign Danny Chambers' petition on change.org here.