The webinars will take place every Wednesday at 7pm in May.
David Bardell is a European and Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia and will be hosting the first two sessions covering equine pain management for colic and orthopaedic cases respectively.
The 5th May webinar will cover how to recognise and understand the pathology of visceral pain, physical and pharmacological methods of analgesia and dealing with violent or difficult colic cases.
The second webinar on the following Wednesday, will look at how to recognise and quantify pain, the use of pain scales, analgesic medication and techniques.
The other two sessions of the series will be led by Dr. Andy Fiske-Jackson, Deputy Head of RVC Equine and Senior Lecturer in Equine Surgery at the Royal Veterinary College. He'll be running case-based sessions looking at the good, bad and ugly of digital flexor tendon sheath cases and unravelling the diagnosis and treatment of navicular syndrome, the associated biomechanics and treatment options respectively.
Emma Jennings, Equine Brand Manager at Dechra (pictured right) said: “The broad scope of illnesses and conditions facing those specialising in equine care means that it’s important to delve deeper into some key issues, which is what this series of webinars will do.
“We hope the expertise of David Bardell and Dr. Andy Fiske-Jackson will be of key interest to veterinary professionals across the country and would urge anyone interested to register for the sessions throughout May.”
To register for the free webinars, visit www.dechra.co.uk/events.
The FAQs cover everything within the College’s guidance on veterinary medicines, including questions around controlled drugs, their storage, destruction and prescription, supplying medicines under the cascade, and prescriptions in general including topics such as what written information to provide, broach dates, and repeat prescriptions.
Lisa Price, RCVS Head of Standards, said: “Queries about veterinary medicines are some of the most frequent questions that our Standards & Advice Team deal with and we recognise that this is quite a complex and potentially confusing area of practice, with information being contained in a variety of places including the RCVS Codes of Professional Conduct, the Veterinary Medicines Regulations and the Practice Standards Guidance.
“We felt it would be helpful to try and draw much of this information into one place and provide answers to questions applicable to common scenarios that veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses encounter within everyday practice.
“The 17 questions and answers have all been approved by the RCVS Standards Committee and we hope members of the professions find them useful.
"We are also open to feedback and suggestions for further questions to be added to the FAQs and you can contact us on advice@rcvs.org.uk if you have any.”
The full FAQs can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/medicines-faqs
The RCVS Code of Professional Conduct’s chapter of supporting guidance on veterinary medicines can be found at: www.rcvs.org.uk/medicines
The one hour meeting will take place at 8:00pm on Wednesday 5th May. It will be recorded and available after the event. Simon will begin with a brief background to IR35 and how the system has worked historically. He will then explain what has changed and what the options are for locums (and the impact on their income). The meeting will consider things like the criteria that locums need to fulfill to qualify as sole traders, how to use CEST and alternatives to IR35. There will then be an opportunity to ask questions. All registrants are being invited to submit questions in advance, and the plan is that on the night, groups of four participants will be invited to put their questions to Simon together, in a sort of mini discussion. This'll be repeated as many times as possible within the hour. The meeting is the first in a series planned for VetSurgeon and VetNurse members to meet up, share ideas and make better connections with each other. To register, visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rf-GurDIsGdP7UXuJn8TJChZiyXMbdKP_
For more information about Moore Scarrott, see: https://www.moore-scarrott.co.uk
The grant has been awarded to Dr Carri Westgarth, a Lecturer in Human-Animal Interaction at the University of Liverpool, for her project entitled Using citizen science to develop a ‘Canine Ageing and Wellbeing’ tool for use in veterinary practice.
Dr Westgarth’s initiative aims to determine what senior dog preventative healthcare and treatment advice is currently offered in UK veterinary practices and then take steps to build a practical tool to facilitate knowledge-sharing between owners and veterinary professionals.
Carri said: "Dogs are living up to twice as long as they did 40 years ago and there are implications for senior dogs’ healthcare and wellbeing.
"As life expectancy increases, so does the amount of time spent in poor health. Many dog owners may not be aware of the signs of serious age-related diseases as they attribute them to normal age-related changes."
The Citizen Science project will investigate owner expectations, experiences and attitudes to ageing in dogs, including preventative care and general understanding of normal and abnormal changes during ageing.
A number of in-depth interviews and questionnaire surveys with veterinary professionals and dog owners will be conducted, and pet owners will be invited to submit diaries, photographs or videos to share their experiences of living with an older dog. The study will also examine electronic health records of senior dogs reported in the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network.
The findings will be used to develop the Petsavers Canine Ageing and Wellbeing tool, to guide on best practice discussions in consultations with senior dogs.
Andreea Maria Bacaintan was convicted by the Bucharest Court of Law in October 2017 of bribing a professor during her final year at university in order to pass an examination, a charge to which she had pleaded guilty.
Miss Bacaintan was fined and sentenced to a period of one year and four months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, with requirements for supervision and unpaid community service work. The case against Miss Bacaintan was that this conviction renders her unfit to practise veterinary surgery.
However, the Committee also heard and accepted that Miss Bacaintan had been the victim of a dishonest scheme perpetrated by members of staff at the University to extort money from students before they would let them pass the exam.
At the outset of the hearing the respondent admitted the facts as contained in the charge and that her conviction rendered her unfit to practise veterinary surgery. However, notwithstanding Miss Bacaintan’s acceptance that she was unfit, the issue of whether or not she was fit to practice remained one for the Committee’s judgement.
The Committee considered whether or not Miss Bacaintan’s conduct amounted to serious professional misconduct. In coming to its decision, the Committee took into account the submissions it had heard from Nicole Curtis, acting for the College, and from Miss Bacaintan, who represented herself.
Ms Curtis submitted that the nature and circumstances of the offence, which involved an element of dishonesty and which led to the conviction, were such as to render Miss Bacaintan unfit to practise as a veterinary surgeon in the UK. Miss Bacaintan’s conduct was also liable to have a seriously detrimental effect on the reputation of the profession, as it undermined the examination system.
The Committee also considered the mitigating factors associated with the conviction, namely that this was a single, isolated incident and that Miss Bacaintan was clearly the victim of a dishonest scheme perpetrated by staff at the University.
Considering both the aggravating and mitigating factors, the Committee was satisfied that Miss Bacaintan’s conduct fell far below the standard expected of a Registered Veterinary Surgeon.
The Committee then considered what sanction to impose on Miss Bacaintan. In doing so it took into account some of the written testimonials submitted on her behalf. The Committee was satisfied that Miss Bacaintan understood the magnitude of what she had done and was highly unlikely to repeat her dishonest behaviour.
Speaking on behalf of the Committee, Ian Green said: "This was a truly exceptional case where, whilst she had been dishonest, which the Committee in no way condoned, she had felt compelled to act in this way. The Committee was persuaded that Miss Bacaintan had herself been the victim of a corrupt system and had acted out of desperation in the final stages of her degree and with the genuine fear that if she did not “play the game” she would not graduate, thereby throwing away six years of hard work.
"It was notable that she did not succumb to the corrupt scheme until the third time of trying to pass this exam. It was clear from the evidence that she was not alone in paying up to try and pass this exam and that at least 30 and possibly many more students had done the same thing."
In such circumstances and with the significant mitigation, the Committee decided that the appropriate and proportionate sanction was to reprimand Miss Bacaintan and to warn her about her future conduct.
Based on the reported facts, what I'd like to know is why the DC even reprimanded a veterinary surgeon who was clearly being extorted herself, and what action was taken against the University staff?
The Committee’s full facts and findings can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary
In next year's election, there are two places on Council for elected veterinary nurses, with successful candidates serving three year terms.
The nomination period runs until 5pm on Friday 31 January 2020. In order to stand, candidates need to complete a nomination form, submit a short biography and personal statement and supply a high resolution digital photo.
Each candidate also needs to have two nominators who need to be veterinary nurses who are on the RCVS Register but are not current RCVS Council members.
The College says nominations will be particularly welcome for VN Council as, due to governance changes, no election took place in 2018 and there was also no election in 2019, because only two candidates stood for the two available places.
Racheal Marshall, Chair of VN Council, said: "Although we are delighted with the two VN Council members who came on board this year, I think all would agree that it was a shame that there was no opportunity for the profession to exercise their democratic right and cast a vote for their preferred candidates.
"Being a member of VN Council and, latterly, its Chair has been a professional highlight for me – I have helped shape recommendations for how we can take the profession forward through the VN Futures project, have played a part in developing the postgraduate Certificates in Advanced Veterinary Nursing and have welcomed many new veterinary nurses to the Register by taking them through their professional declarations.
"We know that veterinary nurses sometimes feel that they struggle to be seen and heard – being a member of VN Council who can shape policy on education and professional conduct and attend events as an ambassador for the profession all helps give veterinary nursing the voice it deserves. So please consider standing for VN Council and I am very happy to talk to people about what it involves and how to fit it around your work and life."
Veterinary nurses who wish to find out more about becoming a candidate for VN Council can arrange an informal conversation with Racheal by contacting Annette Amato, VN Council Secretary, on a.amato@rcvs.org.uk
Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS Registrar and Returning Officer said: "As always, we would encourage those who are interested in having their say in some of the key debates in the regulatory sphere, such as our under care review, our policies around the impact of Brexit and our vision for new veterinary legislation, to become a candidate.
"RCVS Council is at its best when it encompasses a broad range of perspectives, experiences and knowledge, and so we encourage people from all areas of veterinary life and all levels of experience to put themselves forward and share their expertise and insight."
Nomination forms, guidance notes and frequently asked questions for prospective RCVS VN Council candidates can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/vncouncil20.
Prospective candidates for Council are welcome to contact the Registrar, Eleanor Ferguson (e.ferguson@rcvs.org.uk) and the RCVS CEO, Lizzie Lockett (l.lockett@rcvs.org.uk) for more information about the role of the College and/or Council.
RCVS Council will also be holding its next public meeting on Thursday 23 January 2020, prior to the closure date for Council candidate nominations. Prospective candidates are welcome to attend the Council meeting as an observer. Contact Dawn Wiggins, RCVS Council Secretary, on d.wiggins@rcvs.org.uk if you wish to attend.
The new course equates to 50 CPD hours and is delivered entirely online to give busy vet nurses the flexibility to fit their studies around their job.
The BSAVA Veterinary Nurse Merit Awards are designed for the motivated nurse in primary care practice, offering structured CPD for those who have an interest in developing their knowledge and skills, without the commitment of a certificate or diploma.
To achieve the award certificate and badge students must show understanding through a final online assessment.
BSAVA Head of Education Lucie Goodwin said: "Nurses who have completed a VNMA tell us that they return to practice enthusiastic about putting their new knowledge to work, and feedback shows that practices are keen for their nurses to complete the awards and are sending their nursing teams on multiple courses."
The new Behaviour VNMA, which will be available in early 2020, will be led by IAABC Certified Dog and Cat Behaviour Consultant Linda Ryan RVN (pictured right).
The course aims to give delegates:
an introduction to and grounding in companion animal behaviour.
practical instruction in working with pet behaviour concepts and how to apply them.
veterinary nurse-focused training.
an understanding of pets’ behavioural requirements and learning ability, in the context of their emotion and welfare needs.
an understanding of pet behaviour, which in turn allows effective communication to effect positive changes in human-animal interactions.
a foundation in detecting abnormal behaviours, and how they should be approached for the best patient outcome.
The other VNMA subjects on offer during 2020 are ECC and Anaesthesia (March), Dermatology (April) Wound Management (May) Diagnostic Imaging and Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy (September).
For further information and bookings, visit https://www.bsava.com/Education/VN-Merit-Awards
The flowchart, which was produced in partnership with the National Animal Health and Welfare Panel (NAHWP) and with support from Dogs Trust, outlines what vets and nurses should consider when a client presents an animal with a pet passport and aim to help them navigate client confidentiality, how to report concerns of illegal imports, and an overview of how local authorities are likely to respond.
The Association says that in recent years, vets have mentioned finding it 'difficult' or 'very difficult' to report concerns to Trading Standards in the BVA Voice of the Veterinary Profession surveys. Other concerns included breaching client confidentiality, a lack of proof or sufficient evidence to investigate, a perceived lack of interest from local authorities if a case was reported, and uncertainty about whom to contact and how to report suspicions.
Findings released by Dogs Trust earlier this week show broadly similar concerns about reporting suspected illegal pet import cases.
BVA and NAHWP have issued the following advice for veterinary professionals:
Report any suspicions that the animal in your care does not comply with Pet Travel Scheme requirements to your Local Authority Animal Health Function – either Trading Standards or Environmental Health Services.
Find out how to contact your local authority via a pre-agreed number for your practice. Find a direct contact number for your local Trading Standards or call Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06, who will refer you directly to the relevant local authority.
Note this number down on the joint BVA and NAHWP compliance flowchart and put up the poster in visible locations around your practice for staff to refer to.
BVA is also in talks with local authority forums in Wales and Scotland and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland to launch similar guidance and compliance resources for vets in the devolved administrations.
BVA President Daniella Dos Santos said: "Veterinary teams can often be the first to suspect that an animal may have been illegally imported when an owner takes their pet for its first check-up. But our surveys have identified a compelling need for clearly defined routes and mechanisms for vets to more easily report suspected cases of illegal import.
"Our flow chart and supporting guidance aim to empower vets to report any such cases, thus helping to tackle the scourge of illegal importation and protecting animal welfare, both of the imported dogs and the larger canine population in the UK.
"I would encourage veterinary teams to put up the poster in their practices and use it to help report any suspicions to relevant authorities with ease."
The flowchart is available as a pull-out poster in this week’s Vet Record and can also be downloaded along with accompanying guidance notes here: www.bva.co.uk/illegalimportguidance
The Pitpat was designed in Cambridge, launched in 2016 and is now the leading dog activity monitor on the market, with over 50,000 sold.
I was invited to review the Pitpat by one of the company's non-executive directors, Myra Forster-van Hijfte FRCVS, a European and RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Medicine who was also one of the angel investors.
I wasn't convinced that this was something every dog owner would want to use regularly. You'd have to be a bit obsessed to be routinely reviewing the activity levels of a perfectly fit young dog. But I think there is real potential for it to add value to veterinary nurses' obesity clinics and also to measure a response to treatment for things like osteoarthritis (OA). As such, it is perhaps something for practices to consider buying for themselves, and then loaning it out to the owners of dogs on a weight loss programme or which are getting treatment for OA.
Myra said: "PitPat gives an objective measurement of the actual activity the dog has done and the app gives the owner tailored advice (based on breed, age and sex of the dog) on how much exercise their dog should be doing and an estimate of daily calories their dog has burnt. This will help owners keep their dogs fit and healthy and in the correct body condition.
"PitPat is useful in weight management clinics by improving owner engagement through the associated weight app. Encouraging exercise also provides the owner with a positive contribution towards weight management.
"Monitoring activity pre- and post treatment, for instance dogs with osteoarthritis on NSAID's, provides vet and owner with an objective measure of whether treatment is effective or not."
You can watch the full review here. If you're interested in technology that is designed to make life easier, do subscribe to the channel!
For more information about Pitpat, visit: https://www.pitpat.com/. Veterinary practices that want to buy a Pitpat for use with their clients will get a trade discount. Contact the company for more details.
Animal Friends is launching a pilot programme through which its customers will be able to check their pets' symptoms, get advice on treatment or find out if they need to visit a vet clinic on Joii.
Paul Hallett, co-founder of Vet-AI said: "Animal Friends is a perfect partner for Vet-AI, not only do we share common goals around animal welfare and the profession as a whole, but strategically we are both laser focused on the customer. In the coming few years we will support their customers by providing them with 24 hour expert-led care, at the click of a button. This will drive our business forward, helping us reach more pet owners and improve the care their pets receive."
Wes Pearson, Managing Director of Animal Friends said: "This partnership demonstrates our commitment to provide our pet parents with innovative options to ensure their pet receives the best care. Being able to access professional advice from the comfort of their own home and at a time that suits them can dramatically reduce stress for both the pet and the pet parent. We are excited to be working with Vet-AI and believe that the Joii app will bring expert knowledge and extra peace of mind to our customers."
Oh no, not another company talking about 'pet parents'. Is it just me, or is it not rather patronising?
The new maternity policy will offer enhancement at 100% of full pay for 10 weeks, and 50% of full pay for a further 10 weeks, without any clawback provision should mothers decide not to return to CVS after their leave.
As part of the Time To Change Pledge, CVS will submit a plan for introducing evidence-based interventions and policy to help its employees work in ways that promote positive mental wellbeing.
CVS's plan includes the appointment of 250 Wellbeing Champions who will be trained in first aid for mental health. The company also plans to roll out further training on managing stress and mental health issues for line managers in 2020.
Richard, pictured right, said: "We are proud to be the first major veterinary employer to sign the Time to Change Pledge. The CVS wellbeing working party have made much progress in the last 12 months delivering our plan which has been formalised through participating in the Time to Change pledge.
"We recognise that the pressures in our industry are significant and unique, and that there’s more work to do. We remain committed as a company and wellbeing working party to changing the way we all think and act about mental health in the workplace for the better."
It is not the first time Roundhouse Referrals has innovated in this area. Last year, it launched the first 'Fixed Price TPLO' - a guarantee that pet owners will have no additional costs, should complications arise and further treatment be required following surgery.
Ross Allan, RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Surgery and Surgical Lead at Roundhouse Referrals, said: "We loved the idea of providing price certainty for referral clients, allowing those with no or lower levels of insurance to access our services and plan their finances. We also realised that in putting 'Fixed Price Fix' first and foremost we are also immediately highlight the possibility of complications and we felt the very best way to provide context for owners and referring vets would be to be open about our outcomes."
Following on from this Roundhouse Referrals has published the first of what it says will be a series of reports on TPLO+ clinical outcomes and customer satisfaction.
Ross said: "I think we're the first in Scotland to publish this kind of information outside scientific journals in a way that is easily accessible for pet owners, maybe in the whole of the UK."
The clinical outcome data was collected using a previously published questionnaire which enabled clients to give feedback on their pet’s recovery and status following their TPLO+ surgery.
According to Roundhouse, the results show that over 97% of dog owners rated their pets’ outcome as either excellent (85.29%) or good (11.76%) based on the first 70 TPLO+ surgeries performed. A figure which Ross says compares favourably with studies that have been previously published.
Additionally, 94.1% of pet owners agreed that if faced with having to make a similar decision again, they would choose to have the TPLO+ surgery done at Roundhouse Referrals, compared to 84.6% of owners in the previous study.
The results from the Customer Satisfaction Questionnaire showed that 100% of Roundhouse Referrals’ clients felt supported throughout the referral process, 96.97% of clients felt that the TPLO+ surgery was adequately explained and 100% would recommend Roundhouse Referrals to a friend or colleague.
Ross said: "Pet owners whose dogs’ had been through TPLO+ surgery and rehabilitation completed this questionnaire, enabling us to start measuring the outcome of the surgery, our aim being to ensure the surgery is optimal for the pet, and that owners feel supported throughout the entire surgical journey.
"We are delighted with these results, and will continue to monitor our outcomes and commit to publish our TPLO+ clinical outcome and customer satisfaction questionnaire results in the months and years ahead".
The winners and runners up will be honoured at a ceremony taking place on the eve of BSAVA Congress on 1st April 2020.
The television presenter Matt Baker will be hosting the Ceva Animal Welfare Awards for the third consecutive year, alongside head judge Chris Laurence MBE FRCVS, who puts his name to the Vet of the Year Award.
The award categories include:
Chris Laurence Vet of the Year – sponsored by Vet Record
Vet Nurse of the Year – sponsored by Agria Pet Insurance
Charity Team of the Year – sponsored by PDSA
Charitable Contribution of the Year – sponsored by Blue Cross
International Cat Care Welfare of the Year – sponsored by International Cat Care
Farmer of the Year – sponsored by R.A.B.I. and Farmers Guardian
Farm Educator of the Year – sponsored by NADIS and Farmers Guardian
Outstanding Contribution to Animal Welfare – sponsored by Your Dog and Your Cat magazines
To nominate someone, visit wwww.cevawelfare.com. They can come from all walks of life and will be assessed on the evidence provided in the original nomination.
Entries must be in by Tuesday 31 December 2019.
Neptra has been approved for the treatment of acute canine otitis externa or acute exacerbations of recurrent otitis caused by mixed infections of susceptible strains of bacteria sensitive to florfenicol (Staphylococcus pseudintermedius) and fungi sensitive to terbinafine (Malassezia pachydermatis), by the European Commission.
Mario Andreoli, Head of Marketing at Bayer Animal Health, said: "Otitis externa is a common disease in dogs and a leading cause why owners take their dog to a veterinarian.
"Neptra offers a key advantage, unlike competing products, it requires just one dose, administered by the veterinarian in the practice."
No at-home applications by the dog owner are required. The treatment stays in the hands of the vet who has full control over compliance.
Mario added: "With Neptra we provide a high-quality veterinary treatment that is convenient for the dog owner and ensures the well-being of dogs with a proper, effective application."
VetSurgeon understands the new product will be available in the UK in January 2020.
The new voice skill offers three main features, a chocolate toxicity calculator for dogs, the nearest emergency vet finder, and answers to Vets Now's commonly asked pet health questions.
Head of clinical intelligence at Vets Now, Dave Leicester said: “With many people reluctant or not able to leave their homes due to the coronavirus pandemic, we're making veterinary advice accessible to everyone, through as many channels as possible including our website, video vet service, and now smart speakers.
"We fast-tracked our plans for the innovative voice skill in response to Covid-19 as we know how much pet owners are relying on remote veterinary advice just now — we’ve seen a huge spike in calls to our emergency contact centre and the uptake of our new video triage consultation service has been exceptional, with more than 500 video calls from worried pet owners since its launch in April.
"Our new voice skill is the next step in helping pets and their owners as much as we can during this incredibly difficult time. It’s a first release of the skill but we will continue to build and add advice to it in the weeks and months ahead.”
More information on the veterinary advice skill and how to access it can be found here www.vets-now.com/smart-speaker.
COMMENTI've just tried the new skill, and my first impression is that vets don't have to fear this is going to put them out of a job any time soon.
As with all things Alexa, there is a sporting chance she'll mishear what you said. But the bigger problem is that it may be a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.
I've had a dog for the last decade, and I could count the number of times I had a question for the vet that could be answered by an app on the fingers of one finger.
In fact, it was the time our dog ate chocolate.
But would I download a voice assistant just to answer the chocolate question?
No, I wouldn't.
Nor would I download a voice assistant to explain veterinary conditions, simply because I don't have questions of that nature more than once a decade. Who does? And if I wanted to know where the nearest emergency vet was, I'd either Google it or I'd ask Alexa herself (as opposed to summoning the Vets Now voice assistant specifically).
The sentiment behind this idea - making advice more accessible - seems sound, but I suspect that unless this assistant becomes truly encyclopaedic, it is never going to be useful enough to warrant installing on a smart speaker. Even then, one has to wonder whether the average pet owner has enough animal-related questions every month to warrant having an assistant to answer them.
The recommendations were proposed by the Legislation Working Party (LWP), which was set up in 2017 to consider the principles governing any new legislation affecting veterinary regulation and come up with recommendations for what innovations could and should be included in any future replacement for the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.
The LWP comprises members of RCVS Council, RCVS staff and representatives from the BVA and the BVNA.
The approved recommendations were grouped into five key headings: embracing the vet-led team; enhancing the veterinary nurse role; assuring practice standards; introducing a modern ‘fitness to practise’ regime; and, modernising RCVS registration processes.
The recommendations include:
Professor Stephen May, RCVS Council member and Chair of the LWP since its inception in 2017, said: “The scale of the changes that are recommended in this report are very significant indeed and, if implemented via new primary legislation, would really change the face of veterinary regulation, bringing it up to date with that of other healthcare professions, and ironing out many of the oddities and closing many of the gaps in our current regulatory regime.
"Changes to the legislative framework for veterinary regulation have been mooted for some time. While the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 has served the profession well for over 50 years, and we have been able to make some changes to it – for example, reducing the size of Council, the separation of the Disciplinary Committee from Council and introducing the concept of delegation to veterinary nurses via Schedule 3 of the Act. However, there are limits to how much we can continue to tinker around the edges, and it has become increasingly clear that new legislation is needed if we are to make progress.
"I have been very grateful to my colleagues on the Legislation Working Party for their hard-work over the past three years. There has been a lot of robust debate on how we can move veterinary regulation forward, but ultimately we have a consensus that there are significant deficiencies, imperfections and blind-spots in the current regime and, in order to ensure that the professions are able to best fulfil their mandate to protect animal health and welfare, and that the RCVS is able to meet its mission to set, uphold and advance veterinary standards, significant changes are needed.
"I am delighted that members of RCVS Council have agreed to put our recommendations to a full consultation and I look forward to seeing how this report and its, sometimes quite radical, recommendations will spark important debate of these big ideas.”
A full public consultation process on the recommendations is expected to take place later this year. After this has taken place, and depending on its outcome, and Council’s final decision on how to proceed, a full set of proposals on legislative reform will be put to the Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs in the hope of seeking support for new legislation.
While RCVS Council approved, in principle, the report as a whole, there was a separate debate on some of the report’s recommendations concerning reform to the RCVS disciplinary regime which do not require changes to primary legislation, but could be made through powers granted to the College via its 2015 Royal Charter. Further details on this will be announced separately.
The full Report of the LWP is available to view in the papers for the June 2020 meeting of RCVS Council at: www.rcvs.org.uk/document-library/rcvs-legislation-working-party-report-to-council-2020
The RCVS has also published a blog from Professor Stephen May explaining, in more detail, the workings of the LWP and the rationale behind its recommendations. This is available to view at: www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/blog/a-step-change-in-veterinary-regulation
Professor May’s presentation from the Council meeting is also available to view on the RCVS YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/rcvsvideos
The event offers over 30 hours of CPD, covering topics which have been chosen to represent the current areas of practical interest for veterinary professionals, from ethics and behaviour to critical care and pain assessment.
The online event was developed after the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of ISFM's annual European Congress.
There will be two separate lecture streams, one for vets and one for veterinary nurses and technicians, alongside several sponsor-led symposiums, live question and answer sessions, and a virtual exhibition hall.
In recognition of attendance, CPD certificates will be available to download from the platform.
In the veterinary nurse and technician stream, lectures will cover pain assessment and anaesthesia, geriatric cats, ethical dilemmas, specific to veterinary nurses and techs. Additionally, there will be two emergency and critical care lectures. All of this is complimented by a variety of other speakers, who will give talks on behaviour, dentistry, neurology, endocrinology plus many more topics to reflect the diverse and important role vet nurses have in clinics.
The ISFM is at pains to recognise the generosity of Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ceva, Hill’s, Purina, Idexx and Royal Canin, which has made it possible to provide the congress free of charge.
Registration opens today. For more information and to register, visit: https://icatcare.org/isfm-international-congress/
The 2020 OV Conference will offer up to 25 hours of CPD with lectures, workshops and Q&A sessions from world-class speakers in streams covering small animals, farm animals and equines. There will also be exclusive offers from industry sponsors and online networking opportunities.
The OV Conference provides an opportunity for OVs to discuss current topics of interest and recent developments in their work. Themes this year will include notifiable diseases, biosecurity and disease control, and export certification.
In addition to the live lectures, delegates will be able to view recordings of all the sessions on-demand for three months following the conference. The CPD on offer counts towards OV revalidation qualifications with the event open to all vets, as well as animal health paraprofessionals, nurses and practice managers.
David Babington MRCVS, Business Development Director at Improve International, said: "Moving the OV Conference online has given us an opportunity to harness the technology we use regularly in all of our veterinary training to bring OVs an exceptional but affordable CPD experience.
"Our excellent speakers are looking forward to sharing the latest updates in all aspects of OV work with our delegates and to discussing the challenges ahead, particularly in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic and with the UK moving inexorably towards leaving the EU at the end of the year.
"We’re looking forward to meeting our delegates old and new online at the OV Conference in September.”
The full programme and tickets are now available from https://officialvet.com
The first 150 tickets will get an ‘Early Bird’ 25% discount from £160 to £120+ VAT using the code UK.OV.EARLYBIRD.
Paragon’s clinical director, Sophie Adamantos, said: "Nursing Skills is aimed at our nursing team and student nurses, addressing issues like performing CPR, radiography interpretation and enhanced support for bereaved pet owners.”
The first Nursing Skills Club is on Wednesday 24th June, when ward team leader Lydia Barry will discuss how to perform CPR. Then, on Thursday 13th August, Nick Coleman RVN will discuss endoscope care.
To sign up for the CPD sessions, visit www.paragonreferrals.co.uk/veterinary-professionals/cpd
Dilaterol is an oral syrup containing 25 mgs/ml clenbuterol hydrochloride, indicated to treat respiratory disease in horses. It causes intense bronchodilation, inhibits histamine release and increases ciliary mucous clearance. It can be used as a frontline or adjuvant therapy.
Dilaterol is administered via food and comes in a 355 ml bottle with a pump dispenser for easy and accurate dosing.
Emma Jennings, Equine Brand Manager at Dechra said: “We are very pleased to have added Dilaterol to our comprehensive range of equine therapies as it is an established and effective treatment for bronchial conditions.
"It is particularly useful in cases of respiratory allergy, bronchospasm and equine asthma and is already regarded as a valuable tool for veterinary professionals."
Dilaterol will be available to order through wholesalers. For more information, visit www.dechra.co.uk.
Veteran campaigner and RCVS Councillor Danny Chambers MRCVS (pictured right) has started a petition to George Eustice on change.org that: Future trade deals must not compromise animal welfare and public health.
The petition has gathered an impressive 21,984 signatures, of which Danny says that more than 500 are from veterinary surgeons.
Meanwhile VetPartners is calling on the retail and food service sector to give priority to British produce, even if future trade deals enable the import of foods produced to lower standards.
Ian Cure, farm director at VetPartners, is contacting the UK’s main retailers to discuss how they can support British farmers in the months and years to come. He has the backing of the clinical directors at each of the 28 farm or mixed practices within the group, which collectively look after the health and welfare of over 30% of the UK’s dairy population and 45% of the pig population.
“We are asking retailers to prioritise a range of Red Tractor certified produce at varying prices, while avoiding designating shelf space to imports of a lower quality. Likewise, the food service sector can choose to source from UK food supply chains.
“These sectors have a high level of influence, as consumers will pick from what is clearly available, which is why we see it as the best way to support our farmers.
“We are incredibly concerned about how the higher welfare and production standards in UK agriculture will be protected long term, given that MPs failed to enshrine that protection in law when voting against the recent amendment to the Agriculture Bill last month.
“Future trade deals to allow the import of cheap food from countries outside of the EU would be a step in the wrong direction, as our farmers will not be competing on an even playing field as they attempt to compete with countries with lower costs of production.”
However, Ian adds that this is not just a welfare issue: "If the UK livestock sector is forced to adopt practices that are frowned upon in Europe to compete, such as the American applications of hormone growth treatments and chlorinated chicken, we would be severely risking our local, lucrative European export market.
“While trade with countries such as the USA and Australia may have benefits from an economical perspective, the carbon emissions associated with longer distance transport of food is a real concern.
“We see it as imperative that higher welfare standards are maintained, while reducing the carbon footprint of our food supply – it's the right, sustainable thing to do. As MPs have let down the sector, we are now calling on retailers and the food service industry to back UK farming."
Ian also discusses the most effective treatment and prevention strategies: "“With surveys showing deworming frequencies below those recommended by ESCCAP and concerns surrounding over treatment of cats and dogs, there has never been a more important time to examine the importance of routine roundworm prevention. Without adequate control of Toxocara canis and Angiostronglyus vasorum, the impact on owners and their pets can be considerable."
The webinar can be viewed here: https://www.elearning.vet/watch/65
The data shows a stable population of 12m pets, as follows:
There were also:
The survey also provides an interesting point at which to note some historical trends. Whilst cats and dogs have always been the most popular pets, 50 years ago it was budgerigars that held third place. Since then, the dog population has grown 76% and the cat population has grown 63%, whilst rabbits have moved into third place.
Nicole Paley, PFMA Deputy Chief Executive, said: "Almost half of UK households are benefitting from pet ownership and whilst cats and dogs continue to be the most popular pets, rabbits came in at third place followed by indoor birds, guinea pigs and domestic fowl.
"A key role of PFMA is to provide educational resources on how to ensure the full range of pets get the right nutrition and we really value the role of vets and vet nurses being at the front line to pass this information on.
"At PFMA we are here to support the veterinary profession and we have a series of factsheets on popular feeding topics such as ‘Do all small mammals eat the same food’ and ‘Nutrition for indoor birds. Our pet companions fill our lives with love and joy and in return, it’s important we provide the care they need. "
For more information, visit www.pfma.org.uk/statistics
References
The review, announced earlier this year, was recommended to RCVS Council by its Standards Committee following its exploration of the implications of new technologies for both animal health and welfare and veterinary regulation.
The main areas under consideration include the provision of 24-hour emergency cover and the interpretation and application of an animal being under the care of a veterinary surgeon.
The initial stages of this review had been drafted for Standards Committee to consider at its meeting on 9 September, where the outline timetable was also discussed.
Standards Committee Chair Melissa Donald, said: "This is set to become one of our most fundamental reviews of RCVS guidance in recent years.
"Considering the complexity of the issues in question, and their importance to animal owners and the professions alike, it is vital that we allow ourselves enough time to ensure this review is as thorough and comprehensive as possible.
"We have a clear responsibility to seek, understand and, where we can, accommodate the opinions and experiences of as many different people from within and around the professions and the public as possible. I would urge my fellow vets and vet nurses to please find some time to consider these issues very carefully over the coming weeks and months, and to send us their views."
The review will comprise several stages and is expected to take around 12 months to complete. The outline timetable, which may be subject to change, is as follows:
October 2019 – January 2020: six-week Call for Evidence, followed by independent qualitative analysis of all evidence received
February – March: Select Committee-style meetings and independent qualitative analysis of additional evidence gathered [NB this stage is subject to Standards Committee requirements, depending on the evidence gathered.]
April – June: Consider all evidence and draft any new policy
July – August: six-week public consultation on draft policy
September – October: independent review of consultation responses, and production of any proposals for change
November 2020: Finalise any proposals for change and publish any new guidance
To support and promote the various stages of the review the College is also planning a programme of stakeholder engagement, and will also provide regular updates on progress to both Council and the wider profession.
Members of the professions and the public will be able to follow the progress of the review via the RCVS website at: www.rcvs.org.uk/undercare
Nerfasin vet is available in two concentrations - a 100 mg/ml (10%) solution for cattle and horses and 20 mg/ml (2%) solution for cattle, horses, cats and dogs.
Nerfasin vet is on sale in 25 ml vials.
For more information visit: www.dechra.co.uk.