Following last weekend's Mail on Sunday revelation that a number of well-known organisations have been routinely serving meat from animals which have not been humanely slaughtered, the BVA has written to the companies involved, both to express concerns about animal welfare and to renew calls for clearer labelling.
The Mail on Sunday found that meat slaughtered under certain religious rules without pre-stunning (including kosher and some halal meat), is entering the mainstream food chain without being labelled as such. The investigation found that the meat is being used in schools, hospitals, pub chains and sporting venues.
The investigation follows news reports that GateGourmet, one of the largest airline caterers, is considering making the majority of its meals halal.
The BVA is concerned that consumers are confused by existing food labels and supports moves by the European Parliament to introduce mandatory labelling of meat from non-stunned animals, including use of the meat in other products. The BVA also supports the concept of one clear EU-wide label that would indicate higher welfare throughout the food chain.
Professor Bill Reilly, President of the British Veterinary Association, said: "Whilst we understand the need to respect religious freedoms the BVA believes that all animals should be stunned before slaughter to ensure the highest possible welfare for the animals.
"The exemption for religious slaughter should therefore be kept to a minimum. Meat from animals slaughtered according to these religious rules should not used in the mainstream market, particularly if it is not labelled as such.
"Earlier this year the European Parliament voted in favour of the compulsory labelling of meat from non-stunned animals and the British Veterinary Association strongly welcomed this move.
"We believe that consumers do want to make choices based on higher animal welfare and not cause unnecessary suffering. They should have the right information to make those pro-welfare choices."
Dechra Veterinary Products has introduced two additional new products to its Veterinary Essentials range: Alvegesic vet and Clavudale.
Alvegesic vet contains butorphanol, a well-known and widely used drug for sedation, anaesthesia and analgesia in both dogs and cats. In horses, Alvegesic vet is indicated for analgesia and sedation.
Alvegesic vet is available in 10ml multidose vials and is licensed for administration by intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous routes, depending on indication, in both cats and dogs.
The other new addition to the Veterinary Essentials range is Clavudale, which contains the broad spectrum antibiotic amoxicillin, potentiated with clavulanic acid. Clavudale is bactericidal, active against a wide variety of bacterial organisms, including gram-positives and gram-negatives.
Clavudale is effective in treating a wide range of bacterial diseases of cats and dogs. These include: skin disease; soft tissue infections; dental infections; urinary tract infections; respiratory disease and enteritis. Clavudale is supplied in boxes of 24 tablets, with 4 blister strips of six tablets.
Further information on Alvegesic vet and Clavudale is available by calling Liz Rawlings at Dechra on 01743 441 632 or visiting www.dechra.com
Medivet has announced the appointment of John Bower MBE BVSc MRCVS to its Panel of Enquiry set up following coverage of the company on Panorama.
Mr Bower has been President of the British Veterinary Association, the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, and the Veterinary Practice Management Association.
Mr Bower said: "Medivet is a large partnership with numerous branches and I am looking forward to helping the partners assess and review the management of their practice to eliminate the sort of incidents and situations that were alleged in the Panorama programme. This panel will look deeply into the management and I have been convinced by the partners that they are determined to take appropriate measures where necessary."
Adi Nell, Medivet central partner and fellow member of the panel said: "We are delighted that John Bower is to be a part of our panel. John is not only an eminent vet of unquestionable ethical standing, but he set up and ran a medium-sized veterinary partnership for 38 years. His expertise will be crucial to Medivet, as the panel carries out its investigations and makes its recommendations over the next few months."
Mr Bower, who retired from general practice in 2007, is currently Veterinary Advisor to Petplan Insurance Company and a trustee of two national charities - Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and The Petplan Charitable Trust. Mr Bower was awarded the BSAVA Melton Award for meritorious contributions to Small Animal Practice in 1991, the MBE in 2010 for services to the BVA:AWF, and has authored or co-authored a number of books including Veterinary Practice Management, The Dog Owner's Veterinary Handbook and The Cat Owner's Veterinary Handbook.
The Kennel Club Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust has identified a genetic mutation which causes progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) in Golden Retrievers, and developed a DNA test to identify carriers.
PRA is a retinal disease which causes loss of vision and leads to blindness. PRA cannot be treated - the most successful way to combat the inherited condition is to identify dogs that carry the mutation and develop informed breeding strategies.
The new DNA test has been developed following the identification of the mutation which causes the most common form of PRA among Golden Retrievers in Europe - known as GR_PRA1. The mutation which causes a second form of PRA is still to be identified.
Cathryn Mellersh, Head of Canine Genetics at the AHT, said: "Our research shows that this mutation is present in the UK Golden Retriever population, so it's likely that several hundred new carriers are being born each year and that Golden Retrievers are invariably going blind as a result.
"This new DNA test will enable breeders to learn whether their dogs are carriers of the mutation. This, in turn, will enable them to make better informed breeding decisions and therefore produce puppies which will not go blind as a result of this mutation."
Mike Townsend, Chairman of the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, said: "This is a real breakthrough and one which we hope will help to prevent blindness in many Golden Retrievers in the years to come. Every dog deserves to lead a healthy, happy life and it is important that we do all we can to ensure that future generations are given this opportunity. Our knowledge about inherited diseases in dogs is growing every day and the development of DNA tests such as this one allows breeders to ensure that the healthiest genes are passed down through the generations."
The DNA test for PRA follows the success of the AHT's DNA test launched last year to identify carriers of a mutation that causes primary lens luxation. This test identifies carriers in more than 12 breeds of dog, including Miniature Bull Terriers, Jack Russell Terriers, Parson Russell Terriers and Patterdale Terriers. To date more than 6,500 samples from 36 countries have been tested.
The Kennel Club Charitable Trust has committed £1.2 million to the Kennel Club Genetics Centre at the AHT, which will undertake research into approximately 25 inherited diseases over the next five years, facilitating the creation of further diagnostic tests which will improve the health and welfare of generations of dogs.
Full information on the Golden Retrievers PRA DNA test, and information on ordering sample kits, will be available from http://www.aht.org.uk/ from 15 November.
The Kennel Club has announced it will be launching the Veterinary Practice Guide to Dog Health, a new guide to dog health for veterinary surgeons at the BVA Congress 2010 (Sept 23rd - 25th).
According to the organisation, The Veterinary Practice Guide to Dog Health has been specially developed to provide veterinary surgeons and other practice staff with a handy, updatable resource which covers a range of topics including breed specific information for all 210 recognised pedigree breeds and the range of health testing available to breeders and owners.
The guide contains information on the Kennel Club's Accredited Breeder Scheme, which currently has around 5,300 members who commit to good breeding practice, and the Fit For Function: Fit For Life campaign which aims to ensure that all dogs are able to lead their lives to the full by ensuring that they are fit enough to fulfil the function for which they were originally developed.
The guide provides details about the reporting of operations which alter the natural conformation of a dog, and a sample form which veterinary surgeons can copy and then use to report such operations to the Kennel Club. It also contains a full set of Kennel Club information guides covering a wide range of topics and examples of Kennel Club registration certificates for dogs from both standard registrations and Kennel Club Accredited Breeders to help advise puppy owners what to expect when buying a Kennel Club-registered dog.
Other topics included in the manual are a range of Kennel Club initiatives which veterinary surgeons may find useful to pass on to their clients, such as information on the Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme, the UK's largest dog training programme, and Petlog, the UK's largest microchipping and pet reunification database.
The Kennel Club's Veterinary Advisor, Nick Blayney said: "The Kennel Club Veterinary Practice Guide to Dog Health is intended to assist veterinary surgeons and all practice staff gain information about the two hundred or more breeds of dog recognised by the Kennel Club and any related health issues.
"The Kennel Club is very aware that veterinary surgeons are keen to promote the breeding of healthy puppies, but would find it useful to obtain information about the many health tests and screening schemes available and recommended for each breed. This manual is intended to provide detailed advice on these tests and schemes on a breed by breed basis to assist vets in helping clients to understand the different conditions which may affect individual breeds."
The guide will be made available as an A4 ring binder, with the first fifty available at the BVA Congress. Recipients will be asked to agree to a follow-up visit from one of the Kennel Club's Accredited Breeder Advisors, whose role involves inspecting the breeding premises of the scheme's members to ensure that the standards required by the scheme are kept, and also establishing relationships with veterinary surgeons around the country. There are currently 14 Kennel Club Accredited Breeder Advisors across the UK and they will also be responsible for distributing the remaining copies to veterinary surgeries in the future.
Alongside the launch of the guide, a new dedicated area for veterinary surgeons has been added to the Kennel Club website at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/vets. This will include links to many of the subjects contained in the manual, and will initially feature the top 20 breeds registered in the UK. Future updated content will be added to the website as it becomes available, and the manual will subsequently be produced as a computer disk for wider distribution and convenience.
Veterinary surgeons who are not attending this year's BVA Congress, but wish to obtain a copy of the Veterinary Practice Guide to Dog Health, should visit the new section of the website and complete the request form. A representative of the Kennel Club's Health and Breeder Services team will then make contact to establish a suitable date and time for an Accredited Breeder Advisor to visit.
Royal Canin has launched a new urinary range for cats and dogs. There are four new products including the veterinary market's first canine pouch.
The launch also includes a 20 page booklet for owners which explains the urinary system, different types of problem and stone, and why and how diet can make a difference. Royal Canin says this should be a real boost to encouraging owners to adopt the new diet.
According to the company, the pouch format is highly palatable, convenient and easy for owners to use, which will ultimately lead to improved compliance once a prescription has been made.
Canine Urinary S/O comes in a 150g pouch, and dissolves struvite uroliths as well as diluting the urine to decrease oxalate concentration and ensure the bladder is regularly washed out. Feline Urinary S/O Moderate Calorie in a 100g pouch is for adult cats with difficulty maintaining ideal weight (neutered, overweight, low activity levels) and is indicated for the nutritional management of cats with feline idiopathic cystitis, struvite urolithiasis, and the management of recurrent struvite and calcium oxalate stones.
New dry food additions include Canine Urinary S/O Moderate Calorie with the same benefits in formulation to help limit weight gain, while Canine Urinary S/O Small Dog offers benefits for the smaller canine population; particularly important as 50% of all stones analysed in reference laboratories worldwide come from small breed dogs.
Royal Canin Director of Scientific Communications Pauline Devlin said: "Urinary problems are a common reason for veterinary consultation, and this new range brings together our existing products with four new ones, meaning that vets can be even more precise in prescribing the clinical diet which will best suit the owner and the nutritional management of the pet, meaning that compliance levels will improve."
Royal Canin says neutering and obesity are known predisposing factors for urolithiasis, and some patients are more prone than others - Persian and Burmese cats are predisposed to oxalate stones for example. Age and sex have also been recognized factors influencing the risk of both struvite and oxalate stones. In dogs, small breeds such as the Bichon Frise, Miniature Schnauzer, Poodle, Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier are at risk, while Dalmatians have a tendency to ammonium urate stones.
Royal Canin's urinary diets should be fed for a period of five to twelve weeks, and have been proven to dissolve uroliths in as little as 17 days. To avoid recurrence of clinical signs it is recommended their use is continued as required.
The Royal Canin Urinary range is available from all veterinary wholesalers. Find out more by contacting your Veterinary Business Manager, visiting http://www.royalcanin.co.uk/, or by calling 0845 717 800.
Some say he pees Propofol, and that he once proposed to a Black Welsh Mountain Sheep called Blodwen. All we know is he's called The Stinge, and that he's challenged veterinary surgeons and nurses to beat his lap time in an electronic 'reasonably priced car' at the Alstoe Animal Health stand (G40) at the London Vet Show.
Alstoe says that for legal reasons (and because it doesn't have the money), The Stinge's better known cousin from BBC's Top Gear will not be making an appearance.
However the company is able to run to a bottle of champagne for the vet or nurse that sets the best lap time each day of the show.
Niall McFerran from Alstoe said: "Believe me, the Stinge is not a fast driver, so I think it will be very easy for the first contestant to beat him/her! The real question will be who is actually fastest each day. We are looking forward to having some fun".
Dechra Veterinary Products has awarded two prizes to Veterinary Nurse students at Myerscough College in Bilsborrow, near Preston.
The winners of the Dechra prizes were Rebecca Farrow, from Helmsley, North Yorkshire, who was the RCVS Equine Veterinary Nursing Level 3 top student, and Louise Adamson, from Farnworth in Bolton, RCVS Equine Veterinary Nursing Level 2 top student. The awards recognise the exceptional dedication and commitment that they have put into their studies.
Kathy Kissick, Learning Manager for Veterinary Nursing at Myerscough College, says: "We are grateful to Dechra for supporting our Veterinary Nurse students and awarding these prizes. We are pleased with the high levels our students continue to achieve. Both Rebecca and Louise can be very happy with their efforts during their time at the College."
Patrick Markey, Marketing Manger at Dechra Veterinary Products, says: "We recognise the important role Veterinary Nurses have in a vet practice and are pleased to have been involved in sponsoring these awards. We wish the winners every success in their future careers."
CEVA Animal Health has produced Understanding sacroiliac disease, a leaflet to help horse owners understand the cause, diagnosis and management of sacroiliac disease.
CEVA says sacroiliac disease can be a particular challenge because although it can occur in isolation it often occurs in addition to other sources of hindlimb lameness. Acute sacroiliac injury is usually a result of trauma, such as a fall, which may cause pelvic rotation or fracture, resulting in hindlimb lameness and sensitivity to palpation of the tubera sacrale soon after injury. With chronic sacroiliac disease there is usually no history of trauma, rather a prolonged history of poor performance.
Understanding sacroiliac disease explains the anatomy of the sacroiliac joint, the clinical signs of the disease, how it is diagnosed, the treatment options and the general prognosis. The leaflet is available to equine vet practices as a useful information source for clients. You can order free copies from your CEVA sales representative.
Pfizer Animal Health has launched Vet Support+ a dedicated veterinary business consultancy team with a brief to boost the profitability and productivity of veterinary practices across the UK.
Staffed by a team of seven business consultants who have undertaken academic and practical training to add to their experience in the veterinary industry, Vet Support+ will offer tailored support to practices in a format which aims to offer flexibility and a rapid return on investment. The services range across the three critical areas of business operations, client relations and staff management. Consultants will initially focus on supporting practices operating in the companion animal sector, extending their service to the dairy sector early in 2011.
According to Pfizer, the Vet Support+ service has been developed in response to detailed research among practices to understand their requirements for business advice and support. It's launched against a backdrop of continued stagnation in the veterinary sector according to latest data from the Fort Dodge Index benchmark of practice performance. Vet Support+ will operate independently of the pharmaceutical business with no sharing of information or data.
Vet Support+'s consultants are based across the UK in order to be convenient for practices in any part of the country.
The team is headed by Laura Jenkins, who has held a range of senior roles at Pfizer UK. Laura said: "Many vets working in practice relish the clinical side of their work for which they have trained so hard. It can therefore come as a shock to many that they also find themselves responsible for running the business side of the practice for which they may have received virtually no guidance during their training. They have a real need for objective, practical advice they can trust, which is based on a detailed knowledge of the market. Many also appreciate 'hand-holding' and coaching through the tough process of making changes required within the practice in order to put it on a more stable and successful footing. The continuing challenges of the economic climate make it imperative that practices take bold steps now to ensure not only that they're able to withstand the continued recession but are well-positioned to take advantage of the upturn when it comes.
"Our Vet Support+ consultants are highly experienced in the veterinary market and have received very positive feedback from the practices they've worked with during a pilot of the service. They're focused on demonstrating significant value to their clients and achieving early results on the bottom line. They'll be looking to build a close relationship with their client practices, acting as a coach and 'critical friend' as they help them plan for a successful and profitable future."
For further information on the Vet Support+ service please contact Laura Jenkins on 01737 330705.
Genitrix is offering practices a specially designed dosing wheel to ensure the accurate administration of Libromide (potassium bromide), the company's treatment for refractory canine epilepsy.
The wheel indicates the dosage required according to the bodyweight of the dog and also provides further information regarding managing epilepsy and bromide serum testing.
Rob Watkins, Marketing Director at Genitrix, said: "We've consulted canine neurology experts in the design of our dosing wheel and hope it will give practices reassurance and clarity on how to initiate, maintain and review the control of canine epilepsy with Libromide. Following the launch of Libromide and the discounted blood test service, the dosing wheel is an additional initiative to help improve treatment approaches for canine epilepsy."
To receive a free dosing wheel or for more information on Libromide and the discounted blood test service, practices are asked to call Genitrix' head office on 01403 786345 or contact their account manager.
The Bella Moss Foundation (BMF) is to launch the Human to Animal MRSA Advice Service at the offices of the British Veterinary Association on Friday 22nd October.
The charity says this new online service has been created to provide information and advice on resistant bacteria and their effects on animal health to veterinary professionals, pet owners and carers.
BMF clinical advisor David Lloyd, professor of veterinary dermatology at the Royal Veterinary College, said: "There has been a worrying increase in the numbers of pets reported with MRSA Infections. The causes for this seem to be complex, and research to understand this emerging infection in animals and people is continuing. The Bella Moss Foundation has been very helpful explaining to pet owners the complexity of these issues, and the new Animal MRSA Advice Service will be an educational tool for lay people and veterinarians to learn more about resistant bacterial infections in animals."
For pet owners and carers the Animal MRSA Advice Service will provide education on bacteria, the risk factors for transmission between humans and animals, keeping pets healthy, finding a vet, and the importance of hand hygiene in protecting pets and people from unwanted infection.
For veterinary professionals and practice staff the service will also provide academic reports and international research, as well as information on CPD seminars.
If you would like to attend the launch of this new service, please contact info@thebellamossfoundation.com, or call Jill Moss on 07581 736774.
The BVA has welcomed reports that the Government will consult on a cull of badgers in areas worst affected by bovine tuberculosis
Professor Bill Reilly, President of the British Veterinary Association, said: "Reports that the Government wishes to move forward with a badger cull to tackle the spread of bovine TB in England are very welcome. The BVA has been championing the need to tackle the spread of the disease in wildlife for some time and we are delighted that the Government has listened to these calls.
"Bovine TB is a devastating disease in many parts of the UK and action must be taken to halt the spread.
"The BVA will consider the proposals in the consultation carefully, including any detailed information on how a cull will be managed. It absolutely must be humane, targeted in the right places and well managed.
"Whatever the Government proposes must be part of a package of measures to control the disease including controls in both cattle and wildlife."
Virbac has launched the UK's first blood test for BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) which, according to the company, will provide practices with a significant opportunity to improve the prognosis for many of the UK's male dog population that suffer from the condition but go undetected.
Odelis CPSE is the first ELISA test to screen, diagnose and monitor BPH. Virbac Product Manager Chris Geddes MRCVS believes that the test is an important step forward in the diagnosis of the condition: "Not only does Odelis CPSE provide a simple and reliable alternative to rectal palpation, it will also give an objective measure of the degree of BPH present."
According to Chris, although BPH affects over 80% of entire male dogs over five years old, many go undiagnosed until the condition is advanced and symptoms become apparent. "Whilst regular screening is recommended in elderly dogs, rectal palpation is not a particularly popular process to carry out routinely without the presence of symptoms.
"We know that currently diagnosis of BPH falls well below the incidence, however this new test means that practitioners can now routinely monitor 'at-risk' dogs, e.g. stud males, elderly dogs, and those with a previous history of BPH. Bloods can be taken at practice visits, or routinely at vaccination boosters or annual health checks for example. So the test is not only good for animal welfare, it's a great business opportunity too".
There are three labs in the UK selected to carry out the test: Biobest; Carmichael Torrance; and Nationwide Laboratories.
Information is being mailed to all practices. Your first test free, and all positive test results recorded up to 31st October will receive a 'buy one get one free' promotion for Ypozane (osaterone acetate), the first-line treatment for BPH.
Alternatively, contact your local Virbac territory manager, or call Virbac on 01359 243243.
The Dogs Trust has released the results of its 2010 Stray Dog Survey, which shows that 51% of stray dogs picked up by local authorities in the UK were reunited with their owners.
According to the charity, this compares with 42% last year and is only the second time the figure has gone through the 50% barrier since survey records began in 1997.
Where the method used to return stray dogs was identified, the proportion of dogs returned through microchipping was 35% - up from 31% last year.
Dogs Trust is repeating the call for the introduction of a compulsory microchipping system for all dogs in the UK. It believes this will help reunite even more owners with their lost pets, trace abandoned pets back to irresponsible owners and ultimately reduce the number of healthy dogs unnecessarily put to sleep in the UK.
The annual Stray Dog Survey, conducted by GfK NOP on behalf of Dogs Trust, shows an overall increase in instances of straying from 107,228 to 121,693. However, taking into account the number of dogs reclaimed or returned to owner (45,329 in 2009 and 61,908 in 2010) we can estimate that this year the number of dogs actually abandoned (approximately 59,785) as opposed to being wanted pets that simply strayed has fallen by 3%.
There has been a considerable decline in the number of dogs being put to sleep by Local Authorities due to ill health, aggression (under the Dangerous Dogs Act) or simply for want of a home. Down from 9,310 in last year's survey to 6,404 this year. Dogs Trust is delighted at the progress Local Authorities have made in bringing down these numbers and their efforts in rehoming and returning so many dogs to their owners.
Dogs Trust Chief Executive Clarissa Baldwin said: "Dogs Trust is encouraged to see that although the instances of straying in the UK has increased in the last two years, the percentage of these dogs being reunited with their owners has increased and, more importantly, the numbers being put to sleep has fallen drastically.
"We are delighted to see that microchipping is having a serious impact on the stray dog situation in the UK. Dogs Trust runs subsidised microchipping campaigns across the country and in particular those areas with the biggest stray dog problems. A compulsory microchipping system would undoubtedly improve the situation further."
Dogs Trust says the introduction of compulsory microchipping would:
Equine infectious anaemia (EIA) has been detected in a horse in Northumberland following importation from the Netherlands, Defra confirmed today.
The premises is currently under restriction and the infected horse will be humanely destroyed in line with existing regulations. The other horses on the premises are currently subject to epidemiological investigation.
The horse arrived in a group of six horses originating in the Netherlands and all have been tested for EIA as part of routine post-import testing. The other five horses in the group have all tested negative.
Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens said: "This again shows the success of our post import testing regime. These were apparently healthy horses carrying a notifiable disease that we are keen to keep out of Great Britain. After considering the risk I have decided to take appropriate action and humanely destroy this horse."
Meanwhile, equine welfare charity World Horse Welfare is sending out an urgent plea to all horse owners across the UK and mainland Europe to work together in order to stop the increasing threat from this and a number of other diseases.
According to the charity, this case comes only eight months after the discovery of two horses suffering from the disease, which is notifiable, in Wiltshire. Those horses had been transported across Europe from Romania before being imported into the UK. Since the end of August alone, there have been new outbreaks reported in Northern France (directly linked to horses imported from Romania), the Dordogne area, and Germany.
World Horse Welfare Chief Executive Roly Owers said: "While World Horse Welfare welcomes the news that Defra has acted so promptly in dealing with this case, today's news is extremely concerning and demonstrates the changing environment we're living in. This is a real warning to us that we're sailing far too close to the wind. The concerning question is where these horses came from given that Holland to date has not reported a case of EIA.
"With more and more horses moving across Europe, including the significant trade in low value animals, not just slaughter animals, we're facing an increasing threat from the spread of disease. EIA is endemic in both Romania and Italy; Romania being one of the largest exporters and Italy being the largest importer of horses for slaughter in Europe. In spite of the legal requirement for health certification before exporting horses from Romania, which were tightened in June 2010, there continues to be cases of EIA across Europe.
"World Horse Welfare advises owners to undertake rigorous checks when buying a horse from abroad and is discouraging anyone from importing Romanian horses. Owners should also ensure that any horse they buy or that comes on to their yard has a passport, is checked for a microchip and that isolation and biosecurity measures are strictly followed for any new entry onto the yard. If this disease spreads across the UK it could have catastrophic effects on our horse population. Whether it's a child's pony or Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, disease does not discriminate."
Animal training and behaviour experts have joined forces to try and end bad practice by poorly trained individuals.
The Animal Behaviour and Training Council is being launched to regulate the education and training of those working in the animal behaviour modification sector.
The new organisation brings together leaders in the veterinary, welfare, rehoming, animal training and behaviour therapy fields. It aims to set standards for the knowledge and skills required to be a recognised professional.
The agreed standards will be used to assess the competency of practitioners before they are included on the Council's national register of animal trainers and behaviour therapists. The details will be publicly available to help people to find an appropriate expert.
The standards will also help those seeking a career in animal behaviour or further developing the skills of those already practicing the profession.
Council chairman David Montgomery said: "Regulation of this industry sector is long overdue. The formation of the council has been met with widespread enthusiasm and support from professional organisations both in the UK and overseas."
Organisations represented on the Council already include major charities such as RSPCA, Guide Dogs and The Blue Cross, with interest being expressed from organisations in Europe, Australia and Brazil.
Senior lecturer in companion animal behaviour and welfare at Bristol University Dr Rachel Casey said: "There is currently a plethora of groups and individuals providing dog training which makes it difficult for owners to choose the right one to suit the needs of their pet.
"We believe that the ABTC will aim to solve this problem and will be a very important step forward in raising standards in animal training and behaviour."
For more information visit: www.abtcouncil.org.uk
Genitrix has launched Dentagen toothpaste which, the company says, uniquely both cleans teeth and inhibits the formation of plaque.
Dentagen toothpaste is based on RF2, a plant extract, which is clinically proven to inhibit the formation of dental biofilm or plaque. It has been formulated to a dentrifrice abrasivity (RDA) index of 34 to ensure that it removes plaque while causing no damage to the enamel layer of the teeth. The toothpaste is packaged with a free finger-brush to help introduce the pet to having its teeth brushed. It costs £5.50 for a 70g tube.
The toothpaste completes the range of Dentagen health products - the fastest growing dental products in the UK (according to GFK data in May 2010).
Genitrix says Dentagen is the only veterinary dental system to combine a procedure carried out in practice with a variety of aftercare regimes to ensure owner compliance. In 2008, Genitrix launched the Dentagen plaque protection system. It consists of a RF2-impregnated wax provided to practices in a syringe and applied to the gingival layer and the buccal area of teeth of dogs or cats at the end of dental procedures. Pet owners then maintain the protective coating by using the new Dentagen toothpaste or other products in the range - either the RF2-impregnated vegetable-based palatable Dentagen chews or Dentagen Aqua, a palatable liquid containing RF2, which is added to a pet's drinking water on a daily basis.
Rob Watkins, Genitrix' Marketing Director, said: "Brushing has long been recognised as the 'gold standard' when it comes to dental health care so we felt it was important for the Dentagen range to include this option. Regular brushing makes a significant contribution to the maintenance of oral health and the RF2 in the Dentagen toothpaste actually suppresses plaque formation between brushing which is a further benefit. It sets a new efficacy standard for pet toothpaste.
However, while many owners understand the importance of dental health, many of them find actually brushing their pet's teeth difficult - especially those with cats. This is why the Dentagen range includes a variety of options. It enables pet owners to select the method that is right for them and their pet and thus maximise the likelihood of their compliance with a good preventive health regime."
CFH Docmail, a traditional print and posting service that you manage entirely online, has introduced personalised colour postcards to its range.
Docmail mailings - whether a single letter or a personalised mailing to thousands - are written and created on-line by the originator, sent electronically to Docmail where they are printed and delivered via CFH's own Downstream Access (DSA) facility.
Whether for appointment reminders or other practice messages, the remarkable thing about this service seems to be the price: from 27p plus VAT for A6 colour postcards printed on both sides, including production and postage. The postcards can either be designed via a template on the Docmail website, or you can upload your own artwork. There's no minimum order, and Docmail mails the personalised cards out on a two day standard delivery to the address database that you provide.
Dave Broadway, managing director of CFH Total Document Management, creators of Docmail said: "Postcards are of course an established means of communication. What's different about Docmail is that production and mailing costs are considerably cheaper than traditional methods.
"Our user friendly website is quick and easy to navigate, and you have total control over the contents of your mailing."
Fraser Robertson, Financial Director of Docmail customer Eye Tech Group said: "We've been using Docmail for our regular mailings for some time now, and the introduction of postcards will be invaluable for our appointment reminders. We estimate that Docmail is saving us over 60p per letter and crucially is also freeing up administrative time."
For more information, visit: http://www.cfhdocmail.com/vets/index.html
The Dogs Trust has responded to the RSPCA's proposal to re-introduce the dog licence
Clarissa Baldwin, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust said: "Dogs Trust is adamant that a return to the dog licence would provide no welfare benefit to dogs. Dog licensing is little more than a punitive tax on responsible dog owners who already contribute estimated £451 million to the public purse through dog related tax resources.*
"The dog licence is still a requirement in Northern Ireland yet only an estimated one-third of all dog owners currently have their dogs licensed. Despite this Northern Ireland still has the highest number of stray dogs per head of population of any part of the UK. The number of dogs put to sleep in the region represents a staggering 34% of the total UK figure.
"Dogs Trust recommends that a system of compulsory microchipping, linking dog to owner is effective in returning stray and stolen dogs to their owners and which would improve the traceability of battery farmed dogs."
Dogs Trust is the UK's largest dog welfare charity and cares for over 16,000 stray and abandoned dogs each year through its network of 17 Rehoming Centres nationwide.
*Mintel research 2010
An annual dog licence fee of as little as £21.501 could help reduce the number of strays and help tackle irresponsible dog breeding, according to a new RSPCA report released today.
Owners would face a cost of less than 42p a week per dog, in order to provide huge improvements to dog welfare and dog control services.
The report - 'Improving dog ownership - The economic case for dog licensing' - suggests a licensing scheme could deliver resources to improve dog welfare worth in excess of £107.4 million1. With an estimated 10 million dogs in Britain2, this works out at £21.50 per dog with a compliance rate of 50 per cent1. A compliance rate of 75 per cent would work out even less at £14.30 per dog1.
The new report was written by the RSPCA's director of communications David Bowles and is based on research by Reading University, which was commissioned by the Society.
It makes three recommendations in its conclusion:
David said: "Now is the right time to invest in the future health and welfare of Britain's dogs. A dog licence would raise money which could be targeted into improving enforcement of laws at a local level, improve the welfare of dogs and reverse the use of certain breeds of dogs as a status symbol or weapon.
"The dog licence would achieve three important goals. It would raise money for dog welfare, increase the numbers of responsible dog owners by getting people to think before they get a dog and start to reverse the surplus of dogs on the market by providing incentives such as reduced fees for neutering dogs."
He added that the costs are given as an indication of what the licence fee could cover, and a dog licensing scheme could in reality be set at between £20-30 per dog per year - between only three and four per cent of the annual costs of owning a typical breed of dog.
Twenty-three countries in Europe currently have a dog licence or registration scheme3. In some countries, such as Germany, Slovenia and the Netherlands, the RSPCA says there have been improved dog control provisions and low numbers of strays with compliance rates of more than 50 per cent.
David said: "The RSPCA believes that Britain has slipped behind other countries which have started to tackle and solve the problems of dog over supply and only the introduction of a dog licence could ensure we catch up.
"In countries which have a dog licence it is seen not as a tax, but as an important part of owning a dog. In Britain we know that a dog licence is welcomed by two out of every three dog owners, more than 70 per cent of who are happy to pay more than £30 for the pleasure and responsibility of owning a dog."
References1. Figures taken from Table 2, p16, Improving dog ownership - The economic case for dog licensing (see below).2. Murray, J.K., Browne, W.J., Roberts, M.A., Whitmarsh A. And Gruffydd-Jones T.J. (2010) Number and ownership profiles of cats and dogs in the UK. The Veterinary Records 166: 163-168.3. Tasker, L. (2007) Stray Animal Control Practices (Europe). WSPA and RSPCA.
Norbrook has launched Loxicom 0.5mg/ml oral suspension for small dogs, indicated for the alleviation of inflammation and pain in acute and chronic musculo-skeletal disorders.
Loxicom Oral Suspension comes in a clear 15ml bottle which allows vets and clients to monitor levels of the product and re-order when necessary.
Loxicom 0.5mg/ml for Dogs comes with two sizes of syringe, a 1ml syringe graduated from 0.25kg-5kg to treat even the smallest of dog breeds accurately, and a 5ml syringe graduated from 1kg-25kg to treat small and medium dog breeds. The syringes plug securely into the bottle to ensure a tight-fitting connection and minimal leakage when administering the product.
This new oral suspension joins the range of 1.5mg/ml oral suspensions for Dogs and 5mg/ml injections for Dogs and Cats, launched in 2009, and the 0.5mg/ml oral suspension for Cats launched earlier this year at the BSAVA Congress.
CEVA Animal Health is launching a new TV advertising and marketing campaign to promote its veterinary behaviour products, DAP and Feliway, in the run up to this year's firework season.
The campaign will feature a new animated character 'Dap the Dog', who will join 'That Purple Cat' in educating pet owners on the behaviours expressed by pets that are fearful of loud noises during fireworks, and the benefits of using DAP and Feliway. The adverts will be aired throughout October on ITV2, E4, More4 and Channel 4 (London only) starting on Monday 4th October and will be seen by 11.5 million ABC1 women.
A range of firework marketing materials have been produced to support veterinary practices and help educate owners who have noise phobic pets. These include client leaflets, an A4 leaflet holder, waiting room display materials and a firework poster all featuring the characters from the advert. CEVA's petfireworkfear website - www.petfireworkfear.co.uk/ - has also been updated to include the new TV advert, downloadable versions of all materials and tips on how to prepare pets for fireworks. In addition, www.dapfordogs.com/ and www.feliway.com/ will feature a voucher offering pet owners a free 60ml spray when they purchase a DAP or Feliway diffuser from their local veterinary practice.
The support comes in light of recent research1, carried out by CEVA, that revealed 80% of pet owners have had a pet that has been afraid of fireworks, with more than half of dog owners wanting to ban them altogether because they are too upsetting for their animals.
Julia Wood, product manager at CEVA Animal Health, said: "Fireworks are the most stressful event that a pet can experience and, in most cases, owners have noticed their animals becoming visibly unsettled with 49% of dogs shaking1 and 65% of cats hiding1. The new TV advertising campaign and marketing support will educate pet owners on behaviours expressed by pets with a fear of loud noises and the importance of taking proactive action by using DAP and Feliway."
CEVA will be running its annual firework display competition amongst veterinary practices throughout October for the best decorated waiting room.
For further information on CEVA's firework campaign or its marketing support, please contact your local CEVA territory manager or call CEVA Animal Health on 01494 781510.
Time is running out to nominate your fellow staff members for this year's 'Petplan Pet Insurance Advisor Award'.
The award recognises the hard work and dedication that Pet Insurance Advisors (PIAs) do to highlight the importance of insurance to pet owners so that they are protected financially.
Donna Lewis, President of The British Veterinary Nursing Association said: "The PIA in a practice is an important role for a member of staff to fill and the award is just as relevant as the Vet Nurse of the Year or Receptionist of the Year award. The Petplan PIA Award recognises the individual who fully understands and works to help educate clients and staff about insurance, it is also recognises their passion for their role."
To nominate your dedicated PIA for Petplan's PIA of the Year Awards, please visit www.petplan.co.uk/pia. The PIA of the Year will receive a new laptop and their practice will receive £100 in vouchers!
Nominations close on 3rd September and the nominees will be judged by industry professionals. The winner will be announced at the annual BVNA Congress on 9th October.
Pfizer Animal Health is reminding horse owners of the importance of treating encysted small redworm larvae this autumn.
According to the company, these hidden, dormant parasites can account for up to 90% of the redworm burden in a horse (1). Furthermore, encysted small redworm larvae won't show up in a faecal egg count (FEC). Even if a horse has shown a negative or low count it could still be harbouring several million harmful larvae, hidden within the gut wall (2)
Encysted small redworm are a potential time bomb, with the ability to survive inside a horse for up to two years. They usually 'wake-up' in the late winter or early spring, developing and emerging from the gut wall all at the same time. Such a sudden mass emergence can cause a disease syndrome known as 'larval cyathostominosis', causing diarrhoea and colic with up to a 50% mortality rate (2). Treating encysted small redworm successfully in the late autumn or early winter is vitally important in order to prevent this serious risk.
Pfizer says that Moxidectin, the key ingredient of EQUEST, is recognised as the only single dose treatment for encysted small redworm. It has been shown to kill the larvae in-situ, without resulting in severe inflammation of the gut wall that other multi-dose treatments may cause (3). In addition, Moxidectin is licensed for persistent activity against small redworm over two weeks, killing larvae ingested as the horse grazes for up to two weeks after treatment.
Ben Gaskell, Pfizer's veterinary advisor said: "A responsible and sustainable worming programme involves good pasture management, regular diagnostic tests and targeted worming, carefully planned using specialist advice. However, it is also vital to remember the danger of encysted small redworm. Even if a horse's FEC is clear, there could still be a significant encysted small redworm burden that must be treated properly every year in late autumn / early winter."
1) Bairden K. et al (2001) Veterinary Record 148, 138-141 2) Dowdall S.M.J. et al (2002) Veterinary Parasitology 106, 225‑242 3) Steinbach T. et al (2006) Veterinary Parasitology 139, 115‑131