The RSPCA has released the latest figures showing the extent of cruelty to animals in the UK.
In 2007, they show a:
"These animals are the helpless victims of our affluent, throwaway society," says Tim Wass, Chief Officer of the RSPCA Inspectorate. "They're bought on a whim and discarded when the novelty wears off. Today's must-have item quickly turns into tomorrow's cast-off.
"Worse still," added Tim, "some animals are violently abused because they don't meet their owners' unrealistic expectations: like the cat kicked to death for having muddy paws or the dog strangled with its lead for misbehaving."
But the year RSPCA reports that there has been good news too, with the success of the new Animal Welfare Act already starting to take effect. The new Act - which came into force during 2007 - has made it possible to take action sooner than ever before in situations where there are animal welfare concerns.
The Act is already producing powerful results in its first twelve months. Where animal welfare concerns have prompted the RSPCA to give advice to an animal owner, that advice was followed and the problems resolved 92% of the time, meaning that no further action was necessary.
Tim said: "Even in these early days, the benefits of the new law are clear. Without the new Act, this year's cruelty figures could have been even more horrific."
He added: "Dogs have always borne the brunt of cruelty - from violent outbursts to extreme neglect. But that's what makes this year's horrendous 34% increase even more shocking: it's a massive increase on an already high figure."
It was hoped that last year's leap in convictions for cruelty to horses was an anomaly. But this year's figures show that the higher numbers have been maintained - they increased by 33% between 2005 and 2006 - and then increased by a further 13% to 119 in 2007.
The rise in banning orders is a big improvement on the previous year, which had actually recorded a fall. The new Animal Welfare Act obliges courts to explain their reasons if they don't impose a ban and this may have contributed to the increase. The new requirement seems to have focussed attention on preventative action which can prevent suffering and save lives.
Tim said: "The main reason we take people to court is to prevent cruelty being repeated. It's very reassuring to see the courts taking this seriously by issuing more and more banning orders, which prevent those convicted of cruelty from keeping animals in future."
IDEXX Laboratories is offering VetNurse members a chance to go to the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials on Thursday 11th September 2008.
Your day will comprise a full one day entry ticket for one person from your practice, including a course walk with Major Richard Waygood, Riding Master of the Household Cavalry, in the morning. Your day is sponsored by IDEXX Laboratories who will also host your course walk.
Entry is simple, you need to just answer the question below and the first 40 correct answers will receive a day's pass to the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials!
IDEXX Laboratories supports veterinary practices by offering a selection of programmes that help you with best medicine practice for your pet owners. A unique programme to IDEXX In-House users only, links the benefits of speed and point of care diagnosis and IDEXX Reference Laboratory testing to provide your clinic with substantial savings.
QUESTION: Which of the two programmes listed below links both reference and in-house testing and allows you to make these substantial savings? A. IDEXX Advantage Programme B. IDEXX External Quality Assurance Programme Send your answer with your name, practice name, practice address and telephone number to: marketing-uk@idexx.com Terms & Conditions 1. Entrants will be deemed to have accepted these rules by participating in this competition. 2. The closing time and date for entries is 17:30 15th August 2008. 3. No purchase is necessary for entry to the competition. Only one entry per veterinary practice will be entered into the competition. 4. Entry is open to all veterinary practices registered and operating in the UK on the date of redemption of the prize and employees who enter the competition on behalf of the entrant must be aged 18 years and over on the date of redemption of the prize. All persons connected with the competition are excluded from entering. No third party entries, bulk or multiple entries or entries submitted by agents will be accepted. IDEXX Laboratories reserves the right to verify the eligibility of entrants. 5. The prize cannot be exchanged for cash, or any other goods/services. All prizes are non-transferable. 6. The prize winners will be the first 40 correct answers received. The prize winners will be notified by e-mail or telephone. 7. IDEXX Laboratories reserves the right to substitute a prize of similar value should the specified prize become unavailable for any reason. 8. IDEXX Laboratories reserves the right to feature the winner names and details of the competition in any future promotional or publicity material. 9. IDEXX Laboratories reserve the right to alter, amend or foreclose the competition without prior notice. 10. The prize does not cover any travel or accommodation costs. 11. The decisions of IDEXX Laboratories are final and legally binding on all entrants and no correspondence will be entered into. The competition is governed by the laws of England and Wales and all entrants agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
ESCCAP - the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites - is calling for veterinary practitioners, pet owners and human health physicians to work in unison to reduce the risks associated with zoonotic transmission of parasitic diseases.
The group, comprising eminent European veterinary practitioners and leaders in veterinary parasitology and public health, have joined forces to develop independent guidelines and educational materials for the optimal control of internal and external parasites that threaten the health of pets and people.
"Our mission is simple - to ensure that parasites are no longer a health issue for pets or humans across Europe," said Maggie Fisher, ESCCAP Director, ESCCAP UK member. "Our data and research clearly outlines the future spread of certain parasites across Europe and what will happen in the UK if preventative measures are not taken seriously. The group has been formed to provide free, scientifically robust and accessible material to every interested party."
Policy guidelines to outline prevention and management strategies for endoparasites and ringworm are now readily available with guidelines on ectoparasites and vector-borne diseases in development. There is a website for veterinary professionals - http://www.esccap.org/ with a pet owner website currently in development. Practitioners also have access to important research and comparison data that shows future trends and the potential threat to the country's canine and feline population.
Maggie said: "The first policy guideline we launched is on the subject of worms. There are a wide range of worms that can infect dogs and cats not only in mainland Europe, but increasingly in the UK. Some of these worms are more important than others due to prevalence, their pathogenicity for the host and their zoonotic potential. This guideline aims to provide an overview of these worms, their significance and, importantly, suggests rational control measures for the most important species. We've looked closely at methods of preventing or controlling infection in the animal, prevention of transmission via environmental contamination to other animals and humans, and prevention of human infection. Our aim is that this guideline policy is adopted in every veterinary practice throughout Europe."
Ringworm control in dogs and cats forms the basis of the second guideline policy. "The presence of dermatophytosis is influenced by a number of factors relating to the animal, environmental issues and the crowding of animals. This guideline recommends a management programme for ringworm and what vets should be considering in the treatment, management and control of dermatophyte transmission."
Vets wishing to obtain a downloadable version of the policy papers can do so free of charge from http://www.esccap.org.
Practices wishing to sign up to ESCCAP for regular updates and further information should email: queries@esccap.org.uk.
ESCCAP is supported by Novartis Animal Health, Merial and Bayer HealthCare Animal Health.
The Company of Animals has announced the launch of the CLIX® Car Safe Harness. Designed by Animal Psychologist and founder of The Company of Animals, Dr. Roger Mugford, the CLIX® Car Safe harness has been designed to maximise safety and comfort for dogs while ensuring easy fitting and use for owners.
Ergonomically designed from one continuous loop of approved, safety-standard seatbelt material, the CLIX ® Car Safe Harness provides maximum strength restraint in the unfortunate case of an accident. With a simple buckling mechanism, there is no need to fiddle around with the dog's legs to get them through the harness. Instead, the harness clips from either side of the dog and then plugs into the seat belt socket. Alternatively, it can be looped through the seat belt harness, easily adjusting to any type of car.
The CLIX ® Car Safe Harness has been lined with soft neoprene padding at all points of contact for maximum comfort and safety. Special attention has been paid to the cross design used to protect the dog's chest to ensure that the harness remains in place, even when the dog changes position.
CLIX® Car Safe Harness is available in four sizes and is suitable for most breeds of dog. It comes with a free guide on safe travelling with dogs full of helpful tips on car safety. The CLIX® Car Safe also doubles as a walking harness.
For more information, visit http://www.companyofanimals.co.uk/clix-carsafe.php
Nurse Helen Lower has successfully completed the Equine Veterinary Nursing qualification and becomes the first in the North of England to do so under the new direct track training system.
Until recently equine nurse training had an indirect route to qualification involving a two years' training with small animals and an extra year's specialist training to qualify as an Equine Nurse. Now The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons recognises that equine nursing requires specialist knowledge and training. It has responded appropriately with a tailor made training structure which will develop highly skilled nurses for this challenging area of veterinary medicine.
Helen Lower joined Bearl Equine Clinic three years ago. She began her career with BHS exams and taught riding for a while before joining the Hunt Service for two years.
At Bearl Equine, Helen leads a team of four nursing assistants and works closely with Jonathan Wainwright, Head of Nurse Training to implement the in-house training programme across the team.
Bearl Equine Clinic is a six vet first opinion and referral practice based in rural Northumberland. The clinic is equipped with MRI, Scintigraphy and full surgical unit.
Dechra Veterinary Products, manufacturer of the leading feline hyperthyroidism treatment Felimazole®, has launched a new website for cat owners about the disorder: http://www.hyperthyroidcat.co.uk/
The website is an online version of Dechra's popular client booklets on feline hyperthyroidism and, since its launch, has averaged 500 unique visitors a month. With pages on diagnosis, treatment and even tips on how to give a pill to a cat, owners now have a place to go for more information and advice on the disease.
Matthew Olsen, product manager at Dechra Veterinary Products says: "This website is perfect for helping owners better understand and manage hyperthyroidism in their cat. It's also useful for practices as they now have somewhere to refer owners to for more information about the diagnosis and management of this complex hormonal disease."
Cards with the new website address are available for practices to hand to clients, along with waiting room posters that will serve as a further reminder of the new site. "The website allows clients to browse the site in the comfort of their own home and is also ideal for practices with limited storage space for client information materials," Dr Olsen continues. "The posters, cards and website enhance Dechra Veterinary Products' existing range of marketing materials available to vets and owners on the subject of feline hyperthyroidism."
Dechra also encourages practices that have their own websites to link directly to http://www.hyperthyroidcat.co.uk/. Practices can order posters and hand-out cards by contacting Dechra on 01743 441632 or email: info@dechra-uk.com
Novartis Animal Health is launching a new in-practice healthcare initiative designed to raise owner awareness about the importance of regularly treating their pet for fleas and ticks. The Flea & Tick Patrol is supported by a range of eye-catching marketing materials to create a talking point with owners.
Rolling out from August 2008, practices can decide when they wish to run their Flea & Tick Patrol campaign. Interested parties should contact their local Novartis territory manager to find out how.
"Our Flea & Tick Patrol initiative focuses on educating owners about the importance of regularly treating their dog for fleas and ticks and raising awareness of the risks to canine and human health if they don't," said Verity Page, brand manager at Novartis. "We're providing practices with the tools to ensure they engage with clients on this subject. This campaign is about responsible pet ownership - reinforcing the benefits about the health and welfare of their dog and family.
Owners should leave the practice with a positive message about flea and tick control and have a greater understanding of the hidden dangers."
The Flea & Tick Patrol campaign could help to increase business and practice revenue. "Previous campaigns we have implemented in practice have shown that these types of awareness initiatives do add value to a practice's existing services as well as establish good client relationships," added Verity.
Marketing materials include a waiting room poster & display kit, window banner, badges, stickers and a public relations tool kit for use in the practice's communications. For more information about the Flea & Tick Patrol campaign, practices should contact their local Novartis Animal Health territory manager or call the Practice Support Line on 0800 854100.
Juliet Whatley has joined the RCVS Veterinary Nursing External Verifier (EV) team. The EV team is responsible for verifying the performance of Veterinary Nursing Approved Centres (VNACs), to assure the quality and consistency of NVQ training and assessment against national requirements.
Juliet replaces Susan Newham, and was previously Head of Centre at Hartpury College. She is not a new face to the RCVS - she was part of the team in 1999 under a different structure of 17 ‘sessional' EVs - and we are pleased to welcome her back.
The changes to the EV team have provided the opportunity for the centre roster to be reviewed, so that relationships can stay fresh and objective. The new EV territories will take affect in the New Year and VNACs will be notified of any changes shortly.
There is still time for VNs to apply for funding to the RCVS Trust under its 2009 grants round.
The College's charitable arm aims to make a total of £250,000 available in March and is inviting applications across a range of project areas.
VNs are eligible to apply for some of the funding, including that available under the Small Grants programme.
Small Grants of £500 to £5,000 are available and applications must be received by 21 January 2009. For more information, visit www.rcvstrust.org.uk
Pedigree® today launched its 2009 Pedigree Adoption DriveTM to highlight the issue of dog abandonment in the UK.
It is estimated that there are 100,000 abandoned or stray dogs in the UK every year. Pedigree surveyed animal rescue homes across the UK and in just 33 centres, found that over the course of just eight days between Christmas and New Year, an average of 12 dogs were abandoned per centre, equalling more than one every day*.
Clarissa Baldwin, Chair of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) comments: ‘These statistics illustrate the severity of the situation. As a nation of so-called dog lovers, it is unacceptable that pets are being treated as throwaway commodities. Dog ownership is a privilege, not a right.'
Jane Bingham, Pedigree Adoption Drive Manager said ‘We are saddened by the alarming number of dogs being abandoned each year. Our aim is to help raise awareness of the issue of dog abandonment to ensure that re-homing centres are given support to enable them to continue their wonderful work.
‘The rewards pets provide to responsible dog owners are evident yet the figures show there are still thousands of dogs who are in need of loving homes.'
Pedigree's research has found that over seven million dog owners state that their dog makes them happier and over 1 in 4 (nearly three million dog owners) actually admit they love their dog more than some members of their own family.**
The Pedigree Adoption Drive aims to not only increase the public's awareness of dog abandonment, but also to raise funds to help rescue centres and charities across the UK re-home these dogs. Now in its second year, The Pedigree Adoption Drive is aiming to increase monies donated from last year's £489,000 to £600,000 by donating 2p for every single Pedigree product sold during January and February 2009.
For more information visit The Pedigree Adoption Drive website - www.pedigreeadoptiondrive.com.
Available for download now, the MobiVet Veterinary Formulary App is designed to make drug calculations and prescribing faster, easier and safer. It contains dose rate and interval data for over 250 drugs commonly used in small animal practice.
Searchable by drug name or trade names, with species-specific dosing information, the app calculates doses based on the patient type, weight, or body surface area as appropriate. MobiVet also provides a checklist of known relevant drug interactions for each medication, to prevent prescribing errors.
Stuart says an iOS version is in production.
To download the Android version, visit: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.project.user.drug_formulary&hl=en
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed the Kennel Club's confirmation that, from January 2010, all dog owners and breeders wishing to participate in the Kennel Club/BVA Canine Health Schemes (CHS) for eye disease and hip and elbow dysplasia will be required to have their dogs permanently identified with either a microchip or tattoo.
BVA President Nicky Paull said: "This move has been introduced at the express wish of the veterinary profession through the BVA and we are delighted that the Kennel Club has taken our view on board.
"In November, following discussion at our Ethics & Welfare Group, we called, along with an independent review of the breeding of dogs, for the permanent identification of all registered pedigree dogs. The inclusion of this requirement for participation in the Canine Health Schemes is hopefully the first step."
The Royal () School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh has awarded its 2007 Marbocyl Achievement Award to Geoff Culshaw, BVMS, CertVC, MRCVS, Head of the School's small animal cardiology unit, and Diane MacDonald, VN, Head Nurse in the Hospital for Small Animals.
Companion Care has launched a new section on its website for vets and nurses that want to know more about current partnership and career opportunities in its small animal veterinary surgeries.
The new section includes:
Companion Care Services Managing Director, Jane Balmain added: "Our business goes from strength to strength, confirming that we are here to stay and present a genuinely attractive option for vets and nurses looking at different routes to business ownership. The Group, which now numbers 39 surgeries across the country, is forecast to turn over in excess of £28 million this year, and is achieving annual like-for-like sales growth of 17%. We estimate that dividend payments to our 50 plus partners will total £1.5 to £2 million this year."
Just had an e-mail from TV production company Fever Media, forwarded to us by the BVA. It's looking for vets to appear on a new programme for Channel 5 called Animal House.
"Animal House is a four to eight week television event set in a clinic (a studio set built on location or incorporating an existing practice) where a team of animal experts deal with the variety of animal problems and ailments seen in the day to day running of a veterinary practice.
We will have a broad range of experts on hand to deal with a wide variety of animals and ailments. We are looking for all kinds of animal experts - from vets to animal behaviorists to psychologists."
Anyone interested needs to contact Chloe Sarfaty on: 0207 428 5744 or by email: chloe.sarfaty@fevermedia.co.uk
Horse owner Cate Ashton has launched a new website http://www.manage-my-horse.com/ for 'conscientious horse owners, yard managers and equestrian professionals'.
The impressive-looking (and free) site allows members to record almost every facet of their horse's life in one place - breeding, training and exercise journals, accident and rehabilitation records, health, wellbeing, worming, vaccination and medical information, weight and condition scoring, competition records and all expenses and income.
In addition there is a diary to store appointments, an address book for personal and business contacts and a forum. The feed section allows for management of diet and nutritional needs and the reporting section gives printouts and reports instantly.
Worth recommending to your clients?
The RSPCA has come out against Slentrol, Pfizer's new dieting drug for dogs, in the Daily Mail this week.
The charity's senior scientist, Dr Jane Cooper told the Mail that the drug could cause side-effects such as vomiting and diarrhoea, and that the tests needed to bring the drug to market had led to the suffering of many dogs, cats and other animals, some of which were subsequently put down.
Given that just about every drug has potential side-effects and all are required by law to undergo testing, it seems the only purpose of these highly emotive and calculated comments is to inflict the maximum damage to Pfizer.
In an ideal world, all dog owners would feed their pets correctly, and take them for a brisk walk every day. But we don't live in an ideal world, and the reality is that whatever the RSPCA has to say on the matter, there will remain a significant number of pet owners that only ever get off their backsides to go and get themselves a beer, and the dog a treat.
Is it right or responsible that the RSPCA should, through this kind of statement, deny these animals some relief from their owners? Is it responsible for the RSPCA to pan a drug the moment it comes to market, or would it have been a more pragmatic move for the charity to work behind the scenes to try and ensure that it is used appropriately?
To discuss these issues, and the broader question of lifestyle drugs, visit the VetNurse 'Life In Practice' forum now.
Here's the latest horror to hit the shops in time for Halloween this year:
Form an orderly queue please, everyone.
The Kennel Club has been working with Petlog and the people behind: http://www.themissinglist.co.uk/ to provide a new service to help track down missing pets. Not sure whether it'll take off or not. These sorts of initiatives rely on massive public awareness, and going on the volume of 'lost' and 'found' listings on the site, they still have some way to go.
Response Medical, a leading UK healthcare supplier, today launched SuretyTM Needle.
It's a new retractable safety needle developed specifically to address the growing threat of needlestick injuries - the second most common cause of accidents to NHS staff.
MDC Exports had launched a new biodegradable poo bag dispenser, aimed at veterinary practices and pet owners.
The idea is that pet owners can fix the dispenser to a wall, somewhere they'll be able to grab a bag on their way out of the door. The dispenser also has two strong hooks for other essentials such as dog leads or keys.
MDC Exports says their poo bags are generously-sized and feature long handles for simple tying and carrying. For more information, contact MDC Exports Limited on 01582 655600, or e-mail: mdcexports@btconnect.com
Oh I wish I was a travel journalist sometimes.
VRCC veterinary referral centre, the leading European veterinary cancer treatment centre, has announced that it has installed what is believed to be the first and only new 'Human' CT scanner in a UK private small animal veterinary centre, at a cost of nearly £500,000. The announcement came less than a year after the centre's 6 million volt linear accelerator went online - currently the only veterinary radiotherapy facility in the UK. Apart from routine scans required by all the clinicians at the centre, VRCC also takes referrals in medicine, surgery and oncology. Its CT will also be used in conjunction with the linear accelerator, offering sophisticated cancer treatments previously not available in the UK. In another first for VRCC, the centre has appointed Tom Jackson BSc Radiography (T), a therapeutic radiographer from Guys & St Thomas Westminster, a centre of excellence in oncology. Tom will be working under the direction of the centre's clinical director, Dr Susan North, the most highly qualified and experienced veterinary oncologist in the UK and the only qualified radiation veterinary oncologist in the UK. For more information about the referral services available from VRCC, visit http://www.vrcc.co.uk/, or ring 01268 564664.
Following the latest postal strikes, Petplan is warning vets and customers there may be some delay in policy information and claim cheques reaching them. Royal Mail has suggested that it may take three weeks for them to clear all outstanding items, which means that for Petplan, and other companies in the industry, insurance documentation, claim forms and claim settlements may be delayed. Simon Wheeler, Head of Marketing at Petplan said: "We're asking all vet practices to remind customers that there may be a delay in receiving insurance documentation by post. We're asking for patience and understanding as we know it is a frustrating time. Before requesting claims cheques, insurance certificates and other policy documentation are reissued, we would suggest your customers give the documentation a little more time to get through given the post backlog." Petplan has also recently launched an online Claims Tracking service, a new way for policyholders to find out how their claim is progressing by enabling them to view their claim status on the Petplan website. Online Claims Tracking will show clients when their claim form has been received, if it has been assessed and when it is expected to be settled. Petplan customers just have to enter their policy number and postcode on http://www.petplan.co.uk/claimsTracking/claimsTracking.asp. Alternatively Customer Services can be contacted as always on 0845 071 8000 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday, 9am and 1pm Saturday or by emailing petplan.info@allianz.co.uk
Interesting research from The Pet Market, a new market assessment report from market intelligence providers Key Note Ltd., which shows that the decline in pet ownership over the last ten years is being offset by an increasing trend towards pampering pets. According to Key Notes exclusive research, the number of respondents that owned any type of pet fell from 48% in February 2005 to 40% in February 2007. However the total market for pet products, including insurance, was £2.2bn in 2006, and increase of 11.1% on 2002. Factors cited by Key Note as behind the drop in pet ownership included the trend towards smaller households and busier lifestyles. However, this has been offset by growing divorce rates, and an increase in people living alone who buy a pet for companionship. There has also been a trend towards having children later, with many people buying pets as 'surrogate children'. In both cases, owners seem to be prepared to spend more on their pet, for example buying them Christmas presents as they would for a friend or child. The survey also revealed that 89% of owners are prepared to spend 'a bit extra' on premium food for their pet, in order to ensure it provides all the nutrients it needs. Interestingly, it was those in the lower social grades that were prepared to spend more on pet food: 97% of DEs, versus 83% of ABs. Fewer than 7% said they looked for the cheapest pet food available. 58% of owners said they only bought accessories when absolutely necessary. Despite this, half bought items such as toys at least twice a year. Key Note predicts no major changes to these trends over the forthcoming 5 years. The full report can be bought from Key Note for £880. Telephone 0208 4818750, or email: sales@keynote.co.uk
Following the launch of its equine range to the UK, Grand Meadows Animal Health has announced the launch of a range of canine food supplements, including: Mobility, Grand Tranquility, Grand Vitality, Grand Coat and Grand Complete. New stockists will also be given a 25% discount to kick off the relationship, and will be provided with a striking counter display. Grand Meadows products are distributed exclusively by Horse Specialities in the UK - contact Simon Haythornthwaite on 07899 953683 / 01772 682045, or info@horsespecialities.co.uk for further information.