Alstoe, maker of a range of veterinary products including Easeflex, Vetergesic, Dolagis and Nelio, has announced that it has changed its name to Sogeval UK Ltd following its acquisition by Sogeval, the French veterinary drug company, earlier this year.

The company says customers will not notice any change to their dealings with the company, because Sogeval UK Ltd will trade from the same premises near York and with the same staff members.

Niall McFerran, Sogeval Country Manager, UK and ROI said: "The change of name to Sogeval UK Ltd aligns the business to one of the world's fastest growing Animal Health companies. Through Sogeval's research and development programmes, we look forward to exciting improvements in the future."

For any questions relating to the change, practices are invited to contact Niall McFerran on 01347 878606.

The Kennel Club has announced the results of some research which shows that children's pester power was behind the decision to buy a dog for one in four households¹.

One in ten said their children chose the breed or crossbreed that they ended up buying. One in ten also said they buy dogs as presents, something which the Kennel Club highlights as a concern in the run up to Christmas.

The Kennel Club's Discover Dogs survey, which has been conducted to highlight the event of the same name which takes place at Earls Court on 9th and 10th November, has also revealed that too many people are buying a dog without realising that there are great differences between the care needs of the different breeds and crossbreeds. One in ten admitted that they did no research about their chosen breed but bought their puppy because of the way that it looked. A further 40% said that they chose their puppy because they liked the way that the breed looked overall.

According to Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisations, 'wrong breed' and 'can't cope' account for 15% of the dogs that need to be rehomed, a situation that could be easily avoided with the right research². Only 17% of people in the Kennel Club's Discover Dogs survey say that their choice of dog was influenced by whether it would suit their lifestyle.

To try and address this issue, the Kennel Club has launched a Discover Dogs homework pack for children, to help them to do vital research about dog ownership.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: "Children have a major influence on their parents' decision to buy a dog in the first place, and then over which type of dog they buy. In the lead up to Christmas we want families to be thinking carefully about whether a dog is right for them, and if so which breed would suit their lifestyle, rather than buying on a whim, and this is what the Discover Dogs event is all about.

"We have released the Discover Dogs homework packs to help children get all of the information that they and their parents need to make the right choice about their lifelong companion. This ranges from the type of dog they buy, where they buy it from, and what that dog will need throughout its life."

Children under 12 years old go free to the Kennel Club's Discover Dogs event, where they will be entertained in the Young Kennel Club Kids' Zone with fun dog displays, face painting, treasure hunts and much more.

The Young Kennel Club is open to children aged 6-24 years old and it helps young dog lovers to learn new skills, understand more about dogs, to build confidence and to make new friends. The homework pack can be found at www.discoverdogs.org.uk/buyingadog.

The RCVS has clarified its role concerning new UK veterinary schools, saying that it has no mandate to control student or graduate numbers.

Responding to calls from the profession that it should comment on the desirability of any change in the number of schools or graduates, the College has confirmed that whilst it is committed to setting, upholding and advancing the standards that any new UK veterinary degrees would need to meet in order to be approved by the Privy Council, it has no role in capping student numbers.

The College also points out that the free market and mobility of workers in the EU makes any control at the level of a sovereign state effectively meaningless with respect to workforce management. However, the College says it is committed to ensuring that standards are maintained, and to continue working with bodies such as the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education, which evaluates veterinary degrees across Europe.

The College also seeks to support healthy debate through providing information on the state of the profession - an example of which is the survey that it recently commissioned from the Institute for Employment Studies on job availability for veterinary graduates over the last five years.

The headline results from that survey were released in the summer, and showed that increasing graduate numbers over the last five years have so far appeared to have had little impact on veterinary job prospects, with 94% of graduate respondents seeking a role in clinical practice obtaining work within six months of starting to look.

The full RCVS Survey of Recent Graduates report is now available, and also shows that, of the 43% of veterinary surgeons who graduated in the last five years who responded:

• The average time taken to complete the Professional Development Phase is 16.3 months
• 76% of new graduates started seeking work as soon as they graduated
• The average time taken for recent graduates to find their first veterinary position was 2.7 months
• 92% of first roles were in clinical practice, of which 53% were in small animal practice, 27% mixed, 10% farm animal and 9% equine
• 58% of first clinical roles were within RCVS accredited practices, although only 16% sought this
• Only 34% felt this first role met all of their needs; the most commonly-cited, as well as the most importantly-rated, reason for dissatisfaction with first jobs was 'I did not receive enough professional support from my employers and colleagues'
• 55% of first jobs were in the graduate's preferred location
• Of the 43% who had already left their first jobs, the most commonly-cited reason was 'poor management'
• For 13% of graduate respondents, their first role came to an end because it was a temporary position. This figure ranged from 9% in 2009 to 21% in 2012.

 The answers were analysed by year of graduation, veterinary school, age and gender, and the full report is available online at www.rcvs.org.uk/publications.

The RCVS Disciplinary Committee has agreed to adjourn multiple charges against a County Durham-based veterinary surgeon following her undertakings to request removal from the RCVS Register and never to apply to be restored to it.

At the hearing held yesterday, Silke Birgitt Lindridge was charged with disgraceful conduct in a professional respect in regard to four separate allegations, spanning the period of June 2011 to September 2012 whilst in practice at the Safe Hands Veterinary Group. Two of the allegations related to failures to euthanase or arrange the euthanasia of a cat and a dog and being dishonest and/or misleading about these failures, with their respective owners. The other two allegations related to administering a vaccine (Fevaxyn) which was more than two years past its expiry date to a cat, and failure to provide or take adequate steps to provide promptly all the relevant clinical information to a veterinary practice taking over the responsibility for the treatment of a Labrador Cross.

However, before the Disciplinary Committee had heard evidence in respect of these charges, Mrs Lindridge, who did not attend the hearing, had lodged her application for adjournment on the basis that she would request that the Registrar remove her name from the Register with immediate effect and undertake never to apply to be restored to it. The Disciplinary Committee made no enquiry into the facts of the four charges and emphasised that they had neither been proved against, nor admitted by, the respondent.

Removal from the RCVS Register removes a veterinary surgeon's right to practise in the UK. The respondent informed the RCVS that she had no wish to return to the practice of veterinary surgery in this country. Should she subsequently apply to be restored to the Register, the Disciplinary Committee would resume its consideration of the charges, along with the breach of her undertaking.

The Disciplinary Committee was advised that the views of the animal owners involved had been sought and that all had agreed with the proposed course of action.

Speaking on behalf of the Disciplinary Committee, its Chairman, Professor Peter Lees, said: "Having considered the information before it, the Committee has decided it would not be in the public interest to proceed to a full hearing. It is satisfied that the undertakings offered by the respondent [Mrs Lindridge] protect the welfare of animals and uphold the reputation of the profession."

Professor Lees added: "The undertakings offered by the respondent to request the Registrar to remove her name from the Register with immediate effect and never to make an application for restoration to the Register, go beyond any sanction that this Committee could impose at the conclusion of a contested hearing. It does not consider that it would be proportionate for either party to incur the substantial costs of a contested hearing."

Animalcare has announced the launch of a new epilepsy monitoring programme to support users of its Phenoleptil (phenobarbital) tablets.

As part of the programme, veterinary surgeons can have patients' phenobarbital plasma levels analysed by Carmichael Torrance Diagnostic Service (CTDS). CTDS Veterinary Director Nick Carmichael (RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Clinical Pathology) and his team will also be available both to interpret results and discuss all aspects of therapeutic monitoring at no extra cost.

In addition, veterinary surgeons can opt for additional chemistry, including bile acids to assess hepatic function plus haematology. All Phenoleptil users are eligible for 50% discount off these services.

Animalcare has also expanded the Phenoleptil range and launched new strength tablets of 25mg and 100mg. Presented as new "snap- tabs" with a four-way score for more accurate dosing, whatever the weight of the dog, this enables fine adjustments to be made thereafter, reducing the risk of sub-optimal dosing. 

The 100 tablet packs are designed for quick and easy dispensing with flavoured tablets to aid compliance. The 12.5mg and 25mg strengths are the only phenobarbital tablets licensed for dogs under 12kg and make it possible to treat dogs as low as 2.5kg (assuming a 2.5mg/kg bid starting dose) in weight. The 100mg tablets are useful to treat larger dogs.

For more information, contact your local Animalcare representative.

Next week, Princess Anne will unveil a new life-sized bronze of the Household Cavalry horse Sefton at the Royal Veterinary College in North Mymms, Hertfordshire.

The statue of Sefton is sited outside the College's Teaching and Research Centre, standing on the footprint of the former Sefton Equine Hospital, a facility which has now been relocated to a new Equine Referral Hospital on campus. 

Sefton suffered terrible injuries in the Hyde Park bombing of July 1982 in which four men and seven horses died. In the aftermath of the bombing, as the most severely injured horse, his story of recovery captured the nation's hearts and the horse came to symbolise the resilience that is characteristic of the armed forces.

Many who knew and rode Sefton have provided the detailed briefings necessary for the sculptor, Camilla Le May, to capture the character and spirit of a great horse. Camilla said: "It was fascinating to talk to those who rode and knew Sefton well and this, along with studying old photos, enabled me to find out some of his individual traits such as the way he often tilted his head, looking back over his shoulder, which I chose to represent in this work. He was by all accounts a strong character and quite a handful, especially in his youth. Perhaps it was partly this strength of character that helped him pull through his appalling injuries." 

Professor Josh Slater, head of the equine clinical group at the RVC, said: "The College has a proud tradition of furthering care and developing innovative treatments through dedicated equine veterinary surgeons and nurses. We were proud to have received a grant from The Horse Trust in 1986 to build our former equine hospital in Sefton's memory. Whilst we may have moved our practice to bigger and better facilities this new statue will serve as a reminder of the bravery and resilience of Sefton that inspired so many."

The new statue was commissioned to recognise and honour the life-time achievements of one of the College's longest servicing senior academics Professor Peter Lees, who retired in 2010. It was funded by RVC Honorary Fellow and Chairman of Norbrook Lord Ballyedmond OBE.

Professor Stuart Reid, Principal at the RVC, said: "I would like to thank the generosity of our friend Lord Ballyedmond for his kind donation in recognition of our esteemed colleague Professor Lees that has enabled us create this statue in memory of a great horse."

Hill's will be announcing the winner of its Drive Nutrition competition at BVNA Congress on 12th October.

As part of the competition, nurses have been rewarded for their nutritional know-how throughout the year, accumulating points for entry into a prize draw for the star prize of a Smart car.

The announcement at 2.20pm on Saturday (Stand P25) will be preceded by a free drinks. In addition, Hill's says there will BVNA Congress bonus give-aways and an award for the highest scorer from each day in the Hill's BVNA Pet Pairs challenge.

For more information visit wwwhillsvet.co.uk or http://www.hillsvet.ie/

The RCVS Disciplinary Committee has suspended a London-based veterinary surgeon from the Register for six months, having found that her falsification of clinical records amounted to serious professional misconduct.

At the two-day hearing, Dr Nicola Ersilova was charged with, and admitted to, three separate incidences of false and dishonest clinical record keeping following her treatment of a collapsed cat, whilst working at Vets Now in Thamesmead, London.

The Committee heard how Dr Ersilova had suspected that Lafite the cat, belonging to Mr Yingzhan Xiao, had been poisoned, so administered fluids and treated her with Lidocaine. A lay colleague, who was assisting with the treatment, subsequently observed Dr Ersilova standing staring at the cat, which had stopped breathing, then leaving the room to go and speak to Mr Xiao. The lay colleague's evidence confirmed to the Committee that Lafite's heart was still beating at this point, and that Dr Ersilova was then heard telling Mr Xiao that Lafite had died while being treated. The lay colleague later discovered that Dr Ersilova had listed calcium gluconate on Mr Xiao's bill and not Lidocaine and, when she questioned the entry, Dr Ersilova told her she was worried about getting into trouble if she had listed Lidocaine.

Whilst reporting these irregularities to the senior veterinary surgeon at Vets Now, the lay colleague noticed that Dr Ersilova had also written "CPR unsuccessful" in the notes, although she was certain CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) had not been attempted.

During a subsequent Vets Now investigation, Dr Ersilova admitted adding this false information concerning Lidocaine, calcium gluconate and CPR, saying during interview that she was aware it was serious professional misconduct and that she was prepared to take the consequences. Vets Now reported the matter to the RCVS.

The Committee considered that all evidence before it fully supported the charges against Dr Ersilova, that her conduct was clearly dishonest, and that her actions were inexcusable, especially for someone as experienced as she was. It stated that a veterinary surgeon's duty to make only truthful and accurate records was so manifest and well known to veterinary surgeons that there could be no real excuse to make such false, misleading and dishonest entries.

The Committee highlighted the comment by Dr Ersilova that she knew she had done something wrong but did not expect her colleague to report her, as providing no explanation, or excuse, for doing something which she knew to be wrong.

A number of submissions were made to the Committee in mitigation, including that Dr Ersilova had admitted her dishonesty to both her employers and the Committee; had an otherwise unblemished record over 22 years of practice; had received no immediate financial gain by her actions; and, did not cause any animal suffering.

Accepting these submissions, the Committee nevertheless felt it needed to balance them against other factors. Dr Ersilova's decision to falsify the records was premeditated and had not been taken without an opportunity for full reflection. There were numerous entries in the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct that highlighted the importance of professional integrity and accuracy, and, given the importance which the Code attached to the duty of veterinary surgeons to be truthful and honest in all their dealings with their clients, the Committee found Dr Ersilova's conduct to be "most reprehensible".

Speaking on behalf of the Disciplinary Committee, its Vice-Chairman, Professor Sheila Crispin, said: "It is of great importance that the public should be able to retain confidence in the honesty and integrity of members of the profession. Both the public and other members of the profession must be entitled to rely on the truthfulness of what a veterinary surgeon has written in the clinical records of any animal [they have] treated.

"It is [our] decision that the sanction of suspension adequately reflects the seriousness of the [Dr Ersilova's] conduct. The sanction imposed is ... the most appropriate to inform the profession how seriously such dishonest conduct will be taken, because such conduct clearly brings the profession into disrepute and ... cannot and will not be tolerated."

The Committee then concluded that the least period of suspension that could be justified was one of six months.

The RCVS needs veterinary nurses to help trial some new practical examination tasks at BVNA Congress (11-13 October, Telford).

On the Friday and Saturday of the event, the College will have a stand in the exhibition area where the team will be testing some new OSCE (practical examination) stations, and gathering the feedback of attendees.

Julie Dugmore, RCVS Head of Veterinary Nursing said: "The new tasks have primarily been developed for the pre-registration examinations but may also be used by RCVS Awards for students completing the RCVS Level 3 Diploma in veterinary nursing.

"Please come along and give us your feedback, as it will help us to ensure that the tasks are as relevant as possible."

Visitors to the stand will also have the opportunity to enter a 'Refresh your Code knowledge' quiz by correctly answering three questions about the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses, to be in with a chance of winning a £50 iTunes or Google Play giftcard.

Meanwhile, Vice-President and Chairman of the Practice Standards Group, Jacqui Molyneux, will be giving a presentation on the future of the Practice Standards Scheme at 15.15 to 16.15 on Saturday 12 October. The Scheme is due to be relaunched in 2015, so this will be an important update for accredited practices and those thinking of joining the Scheme.

The RCVS team will also be on hand to answer any questions delegates may have about VN training and education.

A debate held at BEVA Congress last month ended with more than 70% of voters disagreeing with the motion: this house believes that new vet schools will benefit equine veterinary practice in the UK.

The result reflects a recent industry survey indicating that up to five times as many veterinary graduates may be seeking work in equine practice as there are jobs available.

Chris Proudman, founding head of Surrey University's new School of Veterinary Medicine and Mark Bowen, Associate Professor of Veterinary Internal Medicine at the University of Nottingham's School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, advocated that new UK vet schools are important for the advancement of the profession. 

Mark Bowen said: "New UK vet schools will benefit the profession by improving the standards of veterinary education and creating what the consumer wants." He argued that new schools would help improve teaching methods and clinical training, while the resultant smaller class sizes would provide greater opportunities for hands on training. Competition would also help to drive up standards and inspire other universities to instigate much-needed changes such as focusing on quality of teaching rather than research.  

Chris Proudman emphasised the flexibility of a new vet school to be progressive and innovative in both curriculum design and teaching delivery. He said: "Designing a curriculum from scratch allows novel approaches to partnership working and to the One Health agenda. New schools can deliver veterinary graduates better equipped with the skills and knowledge to be the veterinary leaders of the future."

The proposers also reasoned that if school leavers cannot find a place in a UK vet school they can now attend English language veterinary schools in universities across the EU, many of which do not have European accreditation to ensure standards of education. Therefore the increase in numbers of veterinary graduates is irresistible and the authorities can only influence the numbers trained in the UK and govern the high quality of teaching that is provided in the UK.

Alastair Welch, a partner at Donnington Grove Veterinary Group in Berkshire and Lucy Grieve, vet at Darley Pre-Training in Newmarket, staunchly countered the motion. They maintained that new vet schools would have a detrimental impact on the industry over the longer term and that their introduction demonstrated a slackening of the RCVS's management of the profession. 

Alastair said: "Both anecdotal and empirical data suggest that becoming a horse vet has never been harder. The seemingly endless supply of hard-working, well-qualified school leavers determined to become equine vets provides universities with a reliable income stream for years to come but at what cost? I remain to be convinced that we will not end up educating veterinary graduates who cannot find a position in their intended career."

Lucy contended that it was irresponsible and immoral to allow individuals to commit five or six years, and tens of thousands of pounds, towards a veterinary career without them first being made aware of the limited opportunities available in very popular sectors of the profession such as equine practice.

Paul Jepson, President of BEVA, said: "With more than 70% of voters opposing the motion there is clearly a discernable level of disquiet amongst BEVA members about the current job market in equine practice and the further dilution of opportunities that increased numbers of graduates will create."

To help address the growing challenges faced by new graduates BEVA has recently introduced an Internship Awareness Programme (IAP). The scheme aims to help students and vets navigate the opportunities available as an intern and helps equine veterinary practices to find the most suitable employees for their practice.

You should be able to view the debate here: http://www.fsmevents.com/beva/congress13-session34. If not, the debate can be viewed on the BEVA website by following these instructions. Click the Webinar tab. Then click register. Then complete the £0 transaction and you will be able to access the free webinars. Select 'Free sessions' (Click the + symbol). Select 'Current Affairs: New vet schools - supply and demand?'

Novartis Animal Health has assumed marketing responsibilities for the joint health supplement Dasuquin in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Dasuquin is a veterinary formulation developed to deliver advanced cartilage support in dogs. It contains a combination of glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulphate, avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU), and tea polyphenols. Novartis says these compounds work synergistically to protect the cartilage, thereby playing an important role in supporting and maintaining joint health.

Novartis highlights a 2007 study which, according to the company, demonstrates that the combination of ASU, chondroitin sulphate, and glucosamine hydrochloride delivers incremental benefits compared to the combination of chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine hydrochloride alone.¹

Dasuquin is available in flavoured chewable tablets in 80-count containers. Dasuquin is available in two strengths: small-to-medium dogs weighing between 5 and 25 kg and for large dogs weighing over 25 to 50 kg.

Gaynor Hillier, General Manager UK & Ireland Novartis Animal Health said: "This is a fitting addition to our overall orthopaedic health offering for vets and pet owners. Dasuquin brings vets and dog owners advanced joint health support with the next generation of the popular Cosequin family."

Dasuquin is available from Novartis Animal Health in the United Kingdom and Ireland from licensed veterinary wholesalers. For more information on Dasuquin, contact your Novartis Animal Health Territory Manager

Reference:

1. Au RY, Au AY, Rashmir-Raven A, et al. Inhibition of pro-inflammatory gene expression in chondrocytes, monocytes, and fibroblasts by the combination of avocado soybean unsaponifiables, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate. FASEB, 2007.

Agria Pet Insurance has announced a competition for two veterinary nurses to win tickets and hotel accommodation for the BVNA Congress '00-heaven' Party Night.

BVNA Congress is taking place at the Telford International Centre in Shropshire from 11th-13th October, with Party Night happening on Saturday 12th.

To enter the competition, you need to complete a 2-minute online poll about how your practice uses pet insurance. Click here

The competition closes on 6th October 2013.

Virbac, in conjunction with the European Veterinary Dental Society, has launched an online dental charting system called the Electronic Veterinary Dental Scoring System for use by small animal practitioners.

The system aims to enhance the performance of clinicians conducting dentistry and to encourage a thorough review of the oral cavity during the annual check up.

The system allows you to record clinical findings on online dental charts and build up a history for each patient. There are also a series of tutorials to help in making clinical decisions. Virbac says the e-VDS system also encourages owner compliance with treatment regimes as it provides downloadable materials, including an assessment of their pet and follow up reports.

Dr Gottfried Morgenegg-Wegmüller, who was the EVDS project lead on this development, said:  "It was always my vision to give veterinary dentistry the importance it deserves. The most effective way to achieve this is by targeting the general practitioner and encouraging them to have a closer look at the oral cavity of their patients."

Victoria Hudson, Product Manager for dental products at Virbac, said:  "Poor dental health is a major issue for dogs and cats yet many practices are yet to capitalise on the opportunity to help increase the animal's welfare and health. Many owners are simply unaware of the importance of caring for their pet's teeth. 

"The new e-VDS system is a great leap forward in dental care, offering not just electronic charting but a raft of additional support materials, all of which are practical and easy to use.  We hope many practices will be keen to try it - and will soon be reaping the benefit!"

e-VDS is available free of charge on http://www.my-virbac.co.uk/, Virbac's practice support portal. Practices can also contact their territory manager for more details.