View all veterinary jobs
VetNurse.co.uk publishes a curated feed of veterinary nursing news for registered veterinary nurses (RVNs), students (SVNs) and veterinary nursing assistants, with a primary focus on the UK profession.
We select stories based on their practical relevance, clinical interest or professional significance — filtering out noise so busy veterinary nurses can stay informed quickly.
Our coverage includes:
We report across all areas of practice, including companion animal, referral and specialist settings, with a focus on issues affecting veterinary nurses in clinical and professional roles.
Our editorial approach is deliberately selective and concise. We prioritise clarity and relevance over volume, aiming to make each story worth your time.
You can follow VetNurse news by subscribing to the daily, weekly or monthly email digest, or via our channels on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Defra has confirmed that equine infectious anaemia (EIA) has been detected in two horses in Wiltshire following importation from Romania via Belgium.
The premises is currently under restriction and the two infected horses will be humanely destroyed in line with existing regulations. The other horses on the premises will be subject to epidemiological investigation in the coming weeks. A further two horses have also been under investigation and test results have proved negative.
The animals arrived in a group of 10 horses, nine of which originated from Romania and one from Belgium. The nine Romanian horses were tested for EIA as part of routine post-import testing. Seven horses all tested negative. The horse that originated in Belgium is due to be tested shortly.
Chief Veterinary Officer, Nigel Gibbens said: "This is the first case of equine infectious anaemia infected animals being imported into Great Britain since 1976 and 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 these two horses that tested positive."
The Blue Cross is calling for nominations from veterinary practices across the country for its Veterinary Nurse of the Year Award 2009.
The annual award is presented at the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) Annual Congress. It recognises the contribution of veterinary nurses in educating the public about responsible pet ownership and the welfare of pets in the community. This year's Congress will take place on 9-11 October at the Kettering Conference Centre, Northamptonshire.
Last year's award was won by Rebecca Darbyshire for her outstanding contribution to animal welfare, both within her veterinary practice and among the local community in Pocklington, York.
Rebecca Darbyshire was nominated by vet and colleague Matt Brash at Battlefields veterinary clinic in Pocklington.
Mr Brash said: "Rebecca is an outstanding, unassuming professional nurse. She runs all of the clinics that a modern day nurse does, but still has the time for anybody - whatever they need, whenever they need it. She has developed such a close relationship with our clients that they would often rather see her than a vet!"
Nominations for this year's award can be made by completing the nomination form on The Blue Cross website at: www.bluecross.org.uk/BVNA2009 or by contacting Sally Leathem on 01993 825577. The deadline for nominations is Friday 14 August 2009.
The Blue Cross has taken the lead in animal care for over a hundred years. Its four animal hospitals provide a lifeline for pet owners on low incomes. Its community vet services also cater for elderly and disabled people. Without the charity's hospitals, and the services they provide, many people would be without the benefits that pet ownership can bring.
CEVA Animal Health has announced that all dogs entering Dogs Trust's 17 Rehoming Centres will now be fitted with a D.A.P.® collar to help reduce their stress levels while in a kennel environment. This decision was taken following a highly successful trial1 at Dogs Trust's state-of-the-art Rehoming Centre in West London.
The trial revealed that dogs wearing D.A.P.® collars while in kennels were less likely to display canine stress indicators, such as barking and pacing around kennels, and were more likely to lie down and rest; signs that dogs are more relaxed.
Chris Laurence, veterinary director at Dogs Trust, said: "Dogs Trust trialled D.A.P.® collars on dogs being admitted at our Harefield Rehoming Centre. Many dogs are very stressed by their first experience in a kennel environment and it was shown that the use of a collar significantly reduced their stress levels.
"Centre staff were impressed with the positive changes in behaviour that were shown during the trial. Dogs were far more relaxed and less reactive to the inevitable stressful elements of their environment. We will now be using D.A.P.® collars on all dogs entering our Rehoming Centres in tandem with the other practices we already employ to reduce kennel stress.
"Stressed dogs are more difficult to rehome so we hope the use of DAP® to reduce stress levels will be beneficial to both their welfare and our rehoming."
For further information on D.A.P.®, please contact your local CEVA Animal Health territory manager, or visit www.ceva.uk.com.
Only a quarter of nurses and about a third of vets believe in a God, according to a poll carried out amongst the members of www.vetnurse.co.uk and www.vetsurgeon.org
The poll offered four possible responses to the question: Does God exist? The results from 120 members of VetNurse were:
Interestingly, the results were more polarised amongst vets than nurses. More vets described themselves as either believers (32.3%) or atheists (44.4%), with fewer describing themselves as agnostic (18.5%).
The VetSurgeon poll suggests that vets and nurses are less likely to believe in God than the general population. In 2004, a survey commissioned by the BBC found that 56% of Britons believed in God, and in 2005 a survey by the European Commission found that 38% of Britons believed in God.
A survey announced by Penguin books yesterday to mark the publication of 'Killing God' found that only 34% of those aged 13 to 18 believe in God.
Another survey in 2008 found that only 3.3% of Royal Society fellows believed in God, causing researchers to conclude that people with a higher IQ are less likely to have faith, a finding which tallies with a previous Gallup survey which showed that American postgraduate degree holders were less likely to believe in God than those who had been through high school only.
Good to see that the God complex is alive and well in the veterinary profession: 2.5% of nurses and 4.8% of vets voted for the fourth option in the VetNurse / VetSurgeon poll, which was: "Don't be so silly, I AM God"
Intervet/Schering-Plough has launched Vectin chewable tablets, an ivermectin wormer for horses which is administered as a treat straight from the hand rather than in the traditional paste or granule formulation.
According to the company, syringe handling, horse acceptance and the tendency to spit out some or all of the paste are common problems reported by owners when worming their horses, and more than 55% admit that these issues can result in a mixture of emotions, including frustration, anxiety and upset.
Field studies with Vectin showed more than 70% spontaneous acceptance by horses and the simple calculation of one tablet for every 110kg of a horse or foal's bodyweight helps to reduce wastage as unused tablets can be stored away for future use.
Pharmacokinetics studies have demonstrated improved bioavailability (AUC) and maximal concentration (Cmax) when compared with an equivalent competitor ivermectin paste formulation. Trials have also shown that a more consistent blood concentration of ivermectin when given as a chew which could potentially limit the chance of inducing resistance.
Intervet/Schering Plough says that used as part of a strategic worming plan, Vectin chewable tablets control potentially a wide range of endoparasites including small and large strongyles, stomach worms, cutaneous worms and stomach bots.
Vectin chewable tablets are available as a seven-tablet blister pack, perfect for treating a horse or a couple of ponies. For yards, a tub of 60 tablets is available, containing enough to dispense product for worming approximately 12 horses.
Vectin chewable tablets are recommended for use alongside Pyratape P and Panacur in Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health's Active3 worming plan, a strategic three-year approach to rotating wormers in order to minimize the risk of resistance developing. Visit http://www.intervet.co.uk/ for a copy of the three-year plan.
Veterinary nurse Kelly Lane, a second year nurse at Woodward Veterinary Surgery in Ashby-de-La-Zouch, Leicestershire has won a £1500 Multipurpose Rigid Telescope Kit for her practice in a MediChem International competition.
She also received £75 of M&S Vouchers and a bouquet of flowers for herself.
Correctly completing a competition at the company's stand at the BSAVA Congress, Ms Lane recently received her prize from Bernadette Haley of MediChem International and Cheryl Steer, managing director of Veterinary Endoscopy Services.
Ms Lane said: "It's an amazing piece of kit to win and I am thrilled to be adding to the services already offered by my practice."
Practice owner, David Woodward added "Everyone in the practice is delighted to receive this prize. It's a piece of equipment that has been on our wish list for some time."
The RCVS Trust is offering vets, veterinary nurses and their friends chance to win a stylish small car - and support this small charity - for a mere £2.00.
On offer in this better-than-the-average raffle is a Fiat 500, the 2008 European Car of the Year winner - and described by Jeremy Clarkson as "practical without being boring".
You can buy tickets online at http://www.everyclick.com/rcvstrust until 21 August, or ask Sarah Briggs at the Trust (020 7202 0743 or s.briggs@rcvstrust.org.uk) for a book to sell to colleagues, friends and family.
Tickets will then be entered into the Small Charity Car Draw, organised by the Foundation for Social Improvement, with the Trust receiving over 95% of the ticket price. The draw will take place on 1 October 2009.
Three veterinary nurses have won £50 worth of M&S shopping vouchers and a free bottle of shampoo from Virbac Animal Health, after entering the company's Soggy Moggie And Doggie photo competition held on VetNurse.co.uk from May to July. Members of the site were invited to submit a captioned photo of their soggy moggy or doggy and state which of Virbac's Dermatology Range they felt would be most suitable for their pet. The winners were: Nicola Hopkins from Vets Now and Jennifer Venni from Sunnyside Vet Clinic, who both asked for a bottle of Sebocalm, and Jo Page from Summer Lane Vets, who gets a bottle of Allermyl along with her £50 voucher. Rachel Crowe, Product Manager at Virbac said: "The standard of entries was very high, so we decided to pick a further five winners and give them all a big box of chocolates too."
New research amongst veterinary professionals conducted by CEVA Animal Health, manufacturer of D.A.P.® and Feliway®, has revealed that pet owners may be unintentionally fuelling their pets' noise phobias in the run up to the fireworks' season.
According to CEVA's research, up to 95% react inappropriately, for example petting an anxious pet during firework exposure rather than making an effort to ignore the fireworks, thereby reassuring the animal by behaving normally.
The research also suggested that 77% of clients have never taken action to address their pets' noise phobias as fireworks' season is only an annual occurrence. This is despite evidence that noise phobias can affect pets all year round and tend to become worse over time.
In addition, if owners do seek advice from their vet for noise phobias, it is at the last minute. It is estimated that 46% of clients leave it until the day before the fireworks are due to start before seeking help.
Lucy Brett, product manager at CEVA Animal Health said: "Owners are not doing enough to reduce their pets' firework fears and prevent noise phobias from developing.
"Taking early, proactive action within the practice is the best way to help dogs with pre-existing firework phobias as well as those with mild fears which, if left untreated, may develop into more serious noise phobias."
CEVA Animal Health and Sound Therapy 4 Pets have once again joined forces with the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB) and PDSA to launch a 'Remember, remember your pets this November' campaign to provide owners with advice on how to look after their pets during the firework season and the precautions they should take to help them cope with their fear of fireworks.
The initiative features a wide range of advice including how to use synthetic copies of natural pheromones, D.A.P. ® and Feliway®, to help comfort and reassure fearful pets, creating a comforting den for dogs to retreat to during firework exposure and treating noise phobias using behavioural therapy with the Sounds Scary desensitisation CD (which is the only behavioural therapy product for noise phobias supported by the RSPCA).
For further information, please visit www.petfireworkfear.co.uk.
The latest solution to the perennial problem of cat mess has arrived in the UK; CatGenie is the world's first self-flushing, self-washing cat loo.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here it is...
According to CatGenie UK, the loo eliminates the need for pet owners to touch, smell or change dirty cat litter again, or carry heavy bags of cat litter home from the supermarket.
Once hooked up to a water connection and plugged into an electrical socket, CatGenie is ready to use. Instead of litter, it uses washable granules that look and feel like litter. Liquid waste drains and solids get scooped. All get liquefied for disposal down the drain, out of the home. The washable granules and cat box interior are then washed with water and SaniSolution. A built in dryer blows hot air through the granules to dry them completely for the cat's comfort. Sensors monitor when a cat visits the box and the CatGenie can be set to clean automatically at intervals throughout the day, or manually whenever required.
CatGenie costs £289.99 including VAT and shipping. The company says that annual running costs are lower than traditional cat litter methods which cost approximately £155/year, with more than 30 hours a year spent on buying and carrying litter, changing and disposing of dirty litter. CatGenie's on-going costs are less than £100.
CatGenie is offering vets the opportunity to take advantage of this product launch in the UK. By displaying CatGenie leaflets in your practice, you can earn £10 for every unit sold. There's no financial outlay and no need to store bulky items. Your leaflets will include a promotional code, unique to your practice. If one of your clients buys a CatGenie online and types in the code from one of your leaflets, you automatically receive £10 and they receive a £10 discount off the purchase price.
For further information on how to sign up to the promotional offer and for leaflets to display in your practice, please email courtney.morgan@catgenie.co.uk
Police have advised veterinary practices to be on their guard following a spate of break-ins in the South East, linked to the theft of controlled drugs.
PC Steve Doswell, Controlled Drugs Liaison Officer in the East Sussex police area said: "Criminal elements in the South East are targeting practices in Surrey, Hampshire and East Sussex. They may well have targeted, or will target, other practices in all of the neighbouring counties".
"Methadone, Ketamine, Alprazolam and Diazepam are all commonly-abused by drug users, and nationally there have been a lot of problems with users buying street heroin that has been cut with Alprazolam," he added.
PC Doswell offered the following advice to practices:
More detailed information about the correct storage of controlled drugs can be found in the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme Manual: www.rcvs.org.uk/practicestandards
VetNurse.co.uk has launched a survey to discover what veterinary professionals think of the food available for small furries, and how it is labelled.
The survey closes on 22nd September, when one completed survey entry will be drawn from the hat to win £50 worth of John Lewis shopping vouchers.
The survey consists of nine quick questions, which should only take a few moments to complete.
Click here to take part in the survey.
The College of Animal Welfare (CAW) has gained approval from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to run a two and a half year long full-time veterinary nursing course from this October.
For many years, unless students were undertaking a higher education programme, the route to qualifying has been via employment in a training practice alongside part-time study at college. It has become increasingly difficult for prospective students to find trainee positions leaving many people unable to pursue a career in their chosen field.
Students do not need to be employed whilst on the CAW course, as blocks of work placement are incorporated into the programme alongside blocks of classroom tuition. In addition to the small animal syllabus students will also cover equine subjects and develop more general veterinary nursing subject skills across the species.
To enrol onto the programme students will need to be a minimum of 16 years of age and have 5 GCSEs at grades C or above including English Language, Maths and a Science subject or equivalent.
The courses will be held from the College's Leeds and Edinburgh centres. Home based practice work placements can be requested by those students not normally resident near to Leeds or Edinburgh. The College does not have accommodation available on site although can assist in sourcing local accommodation where necessary.
Leslie Heaton-Smith, Strategic Director at CAW, commented 'After a 10 year absence of full time NVQ level veterinary nurse training, CAW are delighted to have gained RCVS approval to offer such a programme from its Leeds and Edinburgh centres. As a course provider and VNAC we are well aware of the difficulty many prospective students have in finding trainee positions in a TP in order to commence their training. This programme will provide such students with the opportunity to follow their chosen career path when they would have otherwise been unable'.
For further information on the programme please call Sarah McAlister or Donna Clark on 01480 226180.
Urging vets to 'get off their backsides and respond to a VMD consultation' on the introduction of a new POM-EA category (Vet Times, 19th October) is premature.
Contrary to the report, the VMD has not yet launched a formal consultation.
Jo Cawthorne from the VMD said: "In fact, we've only launched an informal consultation on a concept note amongst a small group of key stakeholders from the RCVS, BVA, RPSGB, AMTRA, AHDA and NOAH, in order to decide whether this is a viable idea and merits a formal consultation."
She added: "There is no need for vets to respond to a consultation which doesn't yet exist. If there is a formal consultation, it will be announced formally on our website and everyone will be given the opportunity to respond."
The Blue Cross animal charity has presented its Veterinary Nurse of the Year award to Vania Brasseleur for her dedication to improving animal welfare, both within her veterinary practice and among the local community in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire.
The award was presented during the BVNA annual congress in Kettering, Northamptonshire by Mark Carwardine, zoologist and presenter of the BBC2 series 'Last chance to see' and Christian Bamber, Blue Cross director of service delivery.
Christian Bamber said: "This annual award is an opportunity for The Blue Cross to recognise the hard work of veterinary nurses across the UK and applaud those who go the extra mile to improve the lives of Britain's animals. Vania's enthusiastic approach to fundraising activities and her dedication to educating the local community is an inspiration to us all. Well done Vania for winning this year's award!"
Vania Brasseleur was nominated by student vet nurse and colleague Emily Martin at Astonlee Veterinary Hospital in Newport Pagnell. Emily said: "Vania is committed to helping student nurses broaden their knowledge and help them on to the path to qualification. Her charity work, serving the public, helping colleagues and of course her nursing abilities are all truly fantastic! I don't think anybody could ask for a better nurse."
The Blue Cross is one of the UK's leading animal welfare charities and has a long history of educating the public in responsible animal care. This award celebrates the essential work of veterinary nurses, in both educating the public and promoting pet welfare. Veterinary practices and pet owners all over the country were invited to nominate a nurse who they felt had made an important contribution to their local community.
Commenting on her award, Vania said: "I was really surprised to find out I had won the award this year, I think I'm still a bit shocked. I'd like to thank my family for their continued support, and everyone at Astonlee. I really enjoy working at the practice and educating the public about animal welfare. I love my job as a vet nurse, I just hope I can carry on doing this forever!"
The new Aberdeen clinic will be based at Ardene House Veterinary Hospital, Kingswells in Aberdeen and will provide the out-of-hours cover for a number of veterinary practices in the Aberdeen area, treating their clients' pets at nights, weekends and bank holidays.
Vets Now was founded in 2001 when vet Richard Dixon, saw a gap in the market for not only providing an alternative to the 'on call' service which vets are required to provide by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, but to providing a dedicated emergency service for pets, similar to A & E for humans. Vets Now now treats around 100,000 small animal emergencies every year with clinic teams working purely out-of-hours, to ensure that they are always fresh and ready to provide life saving treatment to pets who are injured or critically ill.
Richard said: "Vets Now has a clinic in Edinburgh and we have recently opened the first of our Vets Now Hospitals in Glasgow which combines emergency care with a range of specialist referral options, serving the whole of Scotland so we're looking forward hugely to extending our service in Scotland by bringing the dedicated emergency service to Aberdeen."
Vets Now will be working with Ardene House Veterinary Hospital, Abervet, Ashgrove Veterinary Centre, Bridge Veterinary Group and Swan Veterinary Practice to deliver their Out Of Hours emergency care.
Veterinary practices who would like to find out more about using the new Vets Now service in Aberdeen should contact Vets Now on 01383 620064.
The Blue Cross is to be the first animal charity to star in a BBC Lifeline appeal to help raise funds for animals in need.
Presented by actress Felicity Kendal and her cocker spaniel George, and featuring community vet nurse Laura Liversedge, the short film shows the work of the charity which helps thousands of sick and homeless animals every year.
Felicity Kendal said: "I'm delighted to be able to help publicise the work of this wonderful charity. The Blue Cross does so much to help animals in need and they rely almost entirely on public donations. I hope lots of people watch the BBC appeal to see just where the money goes and why this is a charity worthy of their support."
The BBC Lifeline appeal featuring The Blue Cross will be broadcast on BBC2 on Wednesday 28th October at 2pm.
The film will also be available to view on the BBC website until the end of November at www.bbc.co.uk/lifeline. Thereafter it can be viewed on The Blue Cross website at http://www.bluecross.org.uk/.
Petplan, the pet insurance provider has been selected as a Which? Best Buy. The independent consumer guide selected Petplan's 'Covered For Life' policy that covers animals for accidents and illnesses, including reoccurring conditions, such as diabetes and glaucoma, year after year, as long as the policy is renewed annually.
Alison Andrew, Petplan's Marketing Manager said: "The Which? report is crucial to being acknowledged as a worthy pet insurance provider. We feel being selected as a Which? Best Buy reflects how we treat our customers by offering excellent customer service, paying claims quickly, discounts on pet products and regular information about pet care through our magazine PetPeople."
Petplan provides insurance cover for dogs, cats, rabbits and horses and is the largest provider of animal health insurance in the world.
Vetoquinol is introducing Equistro Kerabol Biotin, a complementary feeding stuff for horses which the company says can help maintain healthy hoof and hair growth when used daily.
Equistro Kerabol Biotin will replace Biometh Z and will be automatically supplied in its place when wholesaler stocks of Biometh Z are exhausted.
Equistro Kerabol Biotin is a complex of D-biotin, methionine and Ipaligo zinc in combination with organic selenium and Ipaligo manganese.
Available as a powder in a 3kg bucket which will last 200 days, Vetoquinol says Equistro Kerabol Biotin offers a cost-effective method of ensuring good quality hoof horn.
For more information about any Equistro product, please call 0800 169197 or speak to your local equine territory manager.
The Recruitment Investment Group (RIG) has established a new recruitment agency that specialises in the supply of skilled professionals to the veterinary animal health market.
The newly formed RIG Animal Health Recruit will be working in the "industry" side of the profession to provide a permanent and temporary recruitment service in areas such as sales, technical product, academia, and laboratory work. The company's activities will not be confined to the UK alone, but, due the nature of this work, it will also operate in Europe.
The new company is headed up by James Roadnight, who has over 14 years' experience in working in specialist recruitment within professional and high integrity industries.
James said: "There comes a time in some vets or vet nurses' careers when they can want a change from working in practice and would like to move their skills to industry or academia. And we can help with this transition. Similarly, companies and institutions have a need to recruit personnel and will benefit from working with an agency that specialises only in this sector and should therefore have the strongest candidates available."
For more information, see www.rigahr.co.uk
The University of Liverpool's CPD Vets has designed and set up a new online course: Professional Skills for Veterinary Nurses, which it says covers many vital areas of professional development.
Jill Macdonald from the University said: "This course provides veterinary nurses with a sound background in many key areas, helping them to effectively manage other staff, create new practice policies, make informed decisions on a welfare and ethical issues, advance their own professional and personal development and ultimately enable them to be more effective in their role and deal with the everyday stresses that practice places upon us!"
She added: "You will work alongside other nurses throughout the course, which provides a valuable opportunity for fellow professionals to share problems, ideas and solutions. We use novel, exciting, practical and applicable learning and teaching methods such as discussion boards, formation of new protocols and information sheets for practice, critical reflection and journal clubs to name a few. The course is delivered and assessed 100% online over a 23 week period, which is great for busy VNs who need the flexibility to study around work and home life."
The module is also University of Liverpool approved at level 7 (Masters) and is credit bearing, meaning that credits can be accrued towards ultimately achieving a Masters degree. According to Jill, this level of CPD paves the way and opens up new opportunities for VNs to really push forward their education and career.
For more information, either contact Jill on 0151 795 6005 / jillos@liv.ac.uk or visit the CPD Vets website: www.liv.ac.uk/cpdvets
CEVA Animal Health has announced the results of a survey which found that nearly half a million UK cat and dog owners never go on holiday for fear of upsetting their pet's routine.
In addition, the research revealed that half³ of pet owners who do take holidays experience guilt as a result of leaving their animal at a kennel or cattery, with nearly two-thirds (62%) considering the experience to be just as stressful or even more stressful for them than for their pet.
Cat behaviour counsellor Vicky Halls said, "We plan holidays in order to relax, yet they are actually a common cause of stress for all concerned - particularly for the pet cat. Even a stay at the best cattery can be unsettling, as their patterns of feeding, play and social interaction will be disrupted. They also have to adapt to a different environment and its new smells, noises and other animals. Of course, cats may experience similar issues if staying with a neighbour."
Indeed, 63% of respondents claim to have noticed a change in their pet when they've returned from holiday, with many animals becoming unsettled and showing signs of confusion or nervousness without their owners around.
According to the survey, going on holiday is one of the most stressful events that a pet can experience, although there are measures that people can take to relieve some of their animal's stress.
Juliet Penaliggon, small animal business unit manager at CEVA Animal Health, said: "Many people become anxious at the thought of leaving their pet in someone else's care while they are away. For some, this means they feel unable to go on holiday at all, even for a weekend, but there are excellent kennels and catteries available.
"It's advisable that owners research the facilities in their area and they shouldn't be afraid to ask questions when they visit the kennels or catteries. Once pets are there, some familiar items and the use of pheromone products D.A.P. and Feliway can help the animal to settle in."
For further information, please visit http://www.dapfordogs.com/ or http://www.feliway.com/.
¹ Survey carried out by Opinion Matters on behalf of CEVA Animal Health, March 2010. Sample size: 1,100.² 464,000 UK cat or dog owners³ 46% of pet owners
Members of Parliament have recognised the British Veterinary Association's contribution to the promotion of microchipping dogs and the campaign for compulsory microchipping through an Early Day Motion (EDM) tabled by Andrew Rosindell MP (Conservative, Romford).
The EDM is gaining signatures from across all political parties as MPs show their support for a compulsory microchipping scheme that would have a significant and positive welfare impact on dogs by:
The EDM is also supported by Dogs Trust (who coordinated the EDM), Cats Protection, Blue Cross, and NOAH (National Office for Animal Health).
Earlier this week Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones AM announced proposals for the compulsory microchipping of all dogs and puppies sold or homed by licensed breeders, to improve traceability.
Professor Bill Reilly, President of the British Veterinary Association (BVA), said: "Microchipping is part of responsible pet ownership and the BVA believes that all dogs should be permanently identified by microchip before the first change of ownership or at the first veterinary examination.
"Compulsory microchipping allows stray dogs to be reunited with their owners and would help the authorities to crack down on shameful puppy farms, where the health and welfare of both puppies and bitches is compromised, by improving the traceability of the animals.
"It could also assist with the reporting of hereditary health problems and surgical procedures to help us gain as much knowledge and research as we can to improve the health of all dogs.
"I would urge all Members of Parliament to show their support for dogs and their owners by signing this EDM."
I know it's a little way off yet, but if you feel like a good night out and contributing to a good cause, VetNurse member Leigh Fisher is organising the "Moon Bear Dinner Dance" which is to be held in Warwickshire later in the year.
Leigh says the aim of the evening is to bring veterinary personnel from around the country, together to celebrate the role of the veterinary nurse as well as raise much needed funds and awareness for BVNA's charity of the year: the Animals Asia Foundation. Intervet Schering-Plough and Bayer Animal Health are both lending their support with sponsorship.
Although being publicised throughout VN Week, the event itself is being held on Saturday the 2nd of October at The Cameo Suite, Coleshill Hotel, 152-156 High Street, Coleshill, Warwickshire, B46 3BG. It's open to all veterinary personnel, Animals Asia supporters and the general public. Tickets are £25 per person which includes:
Raffle tickets will be sold on the evening for fantastic prizes including free days out, wonderful artwork, meals at an array of different restaurants and beauty vouchers to name but a few! Guests are asked to arrive for 7pm in order for dinner to be served promptly at 7.30pm.
If you would like to book tickets or have any further questions please contact Leigh at moonbeardinnerdance@hotmail.com or ring 07834 267053.
Petproject is updating its ProReward 100% Liver treats and have added three new varieties to the range, a low fat 100% Chicken, hypoallergenic 100% Venison and 100% Icelandic Cod which is high in Omega-3 fatty acids.
Petproject says that after speaking with vets and dog owners it found that many customers had switched on to ProReward because it had helped their dog through a stressful situation such as a trip to the vet or meeting strangers.
ProReward treats are fresh cuts of unprocessed meat and fish that are gently dried to enhance the flavour and lock in the nutrients. Petproject says the intense flavours are similar to those you experience when eating a dried strawberry.
According to the company, the new design uses less packaging and the new varieties will provide veterinary practices with more choice for customers wanting to avoid feeding processed derivatives to their dogs. ProReward is also available in large tubs for use in the consulting room.
Petproject will be embarking on a number of activities to raise brand awareness to get dog owners looking for ProReward products. A free sample pack is available for practices wanting to try ProReward, to request yours or for more information please email info@petproject.co.uk or call 020 8444 1800.