A new study published in the Veterinary Record suggests that one of the keys to a fulfilled life in veterinary practice lies in taking pleasure in overcoming the full range of challenges that are thrown up in practice, not just the clinical ones.

For the study¹, which was carried out by Professor Stephen May and Dr Liz Armitage Chan, Senior Lecture in Veterinary Education (pictured right) at the Royal Veterinary College, twelve new grads were enrolled in a private social media discussion group, and their identities investigated through narrative inquiry.

The authors found that participants typically adopted one of two professional identities: the academic identity or a broader 'challenge-focused' identity.

Those who identify as academic prioritise and place greatest value on things like definitive diagnosis and best-evidence treatment.

The problem, say the authors, is that although there are opportunities for this, they are rare in general practice, where a veterinary surgeon's typical work environment more frequently involves seeing lots of clients who aren’t interested in a diagnostic work-up for unnoticed issues in their pets; who can’t afford further treatment; have pets with conditions that don’t require treatment; and themselves need emotional support.

Vets who therefore exclusively value patient diagnosis from an academic viewpoint foremost are therefore more likely to feel career dissatisfaction.

Meanwhile, the other professional identity type is one where a sense of achievement is linked to overcoming the full range of professional challenges thrown up by the work environment in which vets typically operate as well as their technical competence at their job. These vets are therefore more suited to work in all types of practice.

Liz said: "The negative impact on wellbeing of an identity emphasising diagnosis and treatment was a surprising outcome, but it is easy to see how this identity develops. So much of veterinary education is focused on this area and it has always been the focus of students’ exams: if a student is ambitious and wants to achieve top grades and high-level faculty recommendations, they will inevitably prioritise their attention in this way."

The authors say the research has important implications for veterinary and other clinical degree programmes, and has already influenced the structure of the curriculum at the RVC to ensure students are well prepared for the veterinary workplace and can make an informed choice about where they choose to work.

Liz added: "Now we recognise the detrimental effect this can have on our graduates’ wellbeing, we have implemented changes to our curriculum and exams, so students are encouraged to think more holistically about the veterinary role and identify the different ways career satisfaction can be achieved. It is important to recognise that all the graduates experienced stress as they encountered complex contextual challenges, but for those who saw these challenges as part of their identity, this stress turned into a sense of satisfaction at a challenge overcome, rather than being ongoing and debilitating."

Reference

1. Armitage-Chan, E., May, SA. (2018) Identity, environment and mental wellbeing in the veterinary profession. Veterinary Record Published Online First: 27 June 2018. doi: 10.1136/vr.104724

Tree of Life For Animals, a charity set up by veterinary nurse Rachel Wright, has been announced as one of five finalists for this year's Animal Star Awards.

The awards were set up to give recognition to animals and humans alike for the amazing things that they do for each other.

Tree of Life For Animals, which runs a veterinary hospital and rescue centre in Rajasthan, Northern India, has been shortlisted in the ‘UK Charity of the Year’ Category from a selection process that saw over 500 hundred nominations.

Awards founder Mary Burgess said: "I created the awards to give recognition to those that truly deserve it for their work with animals, and also to give animals recognition for the things they do for humans. We can’t wait to celebrate with the amazing TOLFA animal charity at the ceremony."

The awards ceremony takes place on Saturday 3^rd November at the Mandolay Hotel, Guildford. The judging panel includes chairman of the Badger Trust Dominic Dyer, Lisa Baldock MBE & IAPWA founder Nicky Stevens and other industry experts.

To learn more about the Animal Star Awards and to buy tickets visit www.animalstarawards.com.

To find out more about Tree of Life For Animals, visit www.tolfa.org.uk

Photo: Rachel Wright

Paragon Veterinary Referrals has opened its doors in Wakefield, offering multidisciplinary treatment for pets across the north of England.

The 18,000 sq ft centre's facilities include a £1 million imaging suite with state-of-the-art MRI and CT scanners, five operating theatres and extensive kennelling facilities and cat wards. It is also equipped with fluoroscopy equipment with additional mobile C-arm, mobile digital radiography, a Phaco machine and Mindray WATO anaesthetic equipment.

A total of up to 80 staff will be employed at Paragon, including up to 18 referral veterinary surgeons and 32 nurses. Treatment will include ophthalmology, orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery, cardiology, neurology, medicine, oncology and dermatology.

The centre, which is part of Dewsbury-based Calder Vets, which has 12 practices across Yorkshire, is being led by managing director Ian Monteith and clinical director Adam Bell.

Adam said: "The opening of Paragon is the culmination of an 18-month project to bring the very best quality referral veterinary centre here to Wakefield.

"We’re delighted to open our doors and the team here at Paragon Veterinary Referrals are totally committed to, and looking forward to, providing excellent care for patients using the latest veterinary techniques."

For more information about the services Paragon will be offering, and for details of the vacancies on offer at the vet centre, as well as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities, visit www.paragonreferrals.co.uk. 

The government has today launched a call for evidence which seeks views on the banning of third party sales of puppies, which would mean anyone wanting to buy or adopt a dog would have to deal directly with a breeder or one of the country's rehoming centres.

Interested parties are invited to share their views by the 2nd May 2018. 

The ban is being explored by the government as part of a package of reforms designed to drive up animal welfare standards.

A number of other measures to tighten up the regulation of puppy breeders are also being laid before Parliament today, to come into force later in the year:

• Banning licensed sellers from dealing in puppies and kittens under the age of eight weeks;

• Ensuring that licensed dog breeders show puppies alongside their mother before a sale is made;

• Tackling the sale of weak underage puppies and the breeding of unhealthy dogs and dogs with severe genetic disorders;

• Introducing compulsory licensing for anyone in the business of breeding and selling dogs;

• Requiring puppy sales to be completed in the presence of the new owner, preventing online sales where prospective buyers have not seen the animal first;

• Insisting licensed dog breeders can only sell puppies

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: "We need to do everything we can to make sure the nation’s much loved pets get the right start in life. From banning the sale of underage puppies to tackling the breeding of dogs with severe genetic disorders, we are cracking down on sellers who have a total disregard for their dogs’ welfare.

"This is a further step to raise the bar on animal welfare standards. We are also introducing mandatory CCTV in all slaughterhouses and increasing maximum prison sentences tenfold for animal abusers."

BVA President John Fishwick said: "As vets, we see first-hand the tragic consequences that can result from poorly bred puppies so it’s encouraging to see the Government announce this raft of measures to improve dog welfare.

"We support the principle that puppies should not be sold by third parties, but this is a complex area that must consider advertising, internet sales and pet owners’ buying habits to ensure illegal puppy sales won’t be driven underground.

"Effective legislation must be backed by enforcement, so it’s essential that local authorities are equipped with adequate resources to help guarantee the welfare of millions of dogs across the UK.

The consultation can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/banning-third-party-sales-of-pets-in-england-call-for-evidence 

Two candidates for the 2017 RCVS Council elections have had their challenge of the results dismissed by a committee tasked with assessing their claims.

John Davies and Tom Lonsdale MsRCVS both objected to edits made by the College to their candidate statements.

Mr Davies explained in his statement how he'd been subject to "bewildering, unfounded and damaging allegations" from two veterinary nurses, one of which he says resulted in his dismissal from a practice at which he was a partner. He went on to explain how, in addition to taking the dismissal case to an employment tribunal and winning, he had also raised concerns with the College about the nurses who'd made the allegations against him. Mr Davies outlined the way he felt that the RCVS mismanaged his case and how that had driven him to stand for Council to try and address the grave concerns he now had about the governance of the profession. However, the Returning Officer redacted the details on the grounds that they were considered to be defamatory and/or factually misleading.

The main grounds for Mr Lonsdale’s challenge was that the election had been furthered by corrupt practices, namely undue influence (all in terms of the Misrepresentation of the People Act 1983). In addition, the Returning Officer edited Mr Lonsdale’s candidate statement before circulation to the electorate, refusing to include hypertext links and removing references that the Returning Officer believed to be defamatory. The Returning Officer also declined to publish his ‘Quiz the candidates’ video on the RCVS website and/or YouTube channel when requests to make minor amendments considered defamatory were refused.

Both challenges were lodged with the RCVS last July, after which the College set up a Challenge Committee in accordance with the election challenge procedure, approved by Privy Council. It comprised  three members of Council nominated by RCVS President Stephen May.

Sitting with one of the RCVS Legal Assessors – Mr Richard Price OBE QC – the Challenge Committee was required to decide whether to declare the election void, based on whether the alleged irregularity in question rendered the election substantially not in accordance with the RCVS Council Election Scheme, or that the irregularity concerned significantly affected the result of the election (in which Mr Lonsdale and Mr Davies came 15^th and 16^th respectively out of 16 candidates).

Following written submissions from both the RCVS and Mr Davies, the Challenge Committee dismissed Mr Davies’s challenge, stating that there was no irregularity in the conduct of the election on the part of the Returning Officer, and that there was no valid basis for challenging the validity of the election.

The Challenge Committee (comprising the same members as for Mr Davies’s challenge) also dismissed Mr Lonsdale’s challenge, stating that it considered it to be 'totally devoid of merit'.

Prior to reaching this decisions, however, two preliminary challenges made by Mr Lonsdale were also considered and dismissed.

The first related to the members of the Challenge Committee, whom Mr Lonsdale argued should stand down on the basis of actual or apparent bias based on his allegations of connections with the pet food industry.

The Committee considered that a fair-minded and informed observer, having understood the facts, would conclude that the connection of committee members to the pet food industry were '….remote, indirect and, in the case of one panel member, virtually non-existent'.

Each committee member was satisfied that there was '…no real possibility of their judgement being distorted or influenced by any interest in, or links with, the pet food industry.'

The second challenge was to The Legal Assessor, who had been appointed to advise the Committee. Mr Lonsdale had alleged that Mr Price had displayed bias in the way that he had given advice to the Committee in relation to the challenge to the Committee membership. This was also dismissed.

The veterinary dermatologist Sue Paterson has launched Virtual Vet Derms, an online advice service which aims to give general practitioners the advice they need to manage cases within their own practice, without the need for referral.

Virtual Vet Derms has been set up to be able to give advice to veterinary surgeons on any aspect of skin or ear disease whether it is allergy, otitis media, cutaneous neoplasia or endocrine-based in any species, including dogs, cats, small furries, exotic pets including raptors, birds and reptiles, horses, camelids, zoo and farm animals. 

Sue, herself an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology, is supported by a team of veterinary dermatology colleagues as well as veterinary specialists in exotic medicine, internal medicine (including endocrinology) and consultants with expertise in oncology. 

Sue said: "We recognise that not every veterinarian has got access to a local dermatology specialist and that not all clients can or want to travel to a referral centre. The aim of the service is to formalise the advice that dermatology clinicians give to veterinary surgeons to allow them to get detailed help to manage difficult or challenging dermatology cases within their own practice."

The service has been set up under the RCVS Vivet initiative, is approved by all of the major insurance companies and supported with Veterinary Defence Society Insurance cover. 

Virtual Vet Derms offers support in a range of ways. 

• Quick questions
  Short questions that veterinary surgeons can submit via the online form on the Virtual Vet Derms website that just require a brief reply. This may be a dose of a drug, a parasite you want identifying, or the interpretation of a blood sample such as an ACTH stimulation test.

• Veterinary reports
  Veterinary surgeons can use online request forms on the Virtual Vet Derms web site to submit a brief history of the animal and the problem and some good quality photos of the skin condition. There is also the ability to upload histopathology reports, blood samples and any other pertinent information. A detailed written report is sent back to the vet within 48 hours which will describe clinical signs, differential diagnoses, recommended diagnostic tests and treatment option where appropriate. Where possible, Virtual Vet Derms aims to pass the advice request to the nearest dermatologist but vets can ask for advice from any of its specialists. 

• Telemedicine consultations
  For new cases or for cases where initial advice has been sought, in the client's own primary care veterinary practice via the internet. The Virtual Vets Derms specialist can consult with the owner to provide even more specific advice and support. After each teleconsultation the Virtual Vet Derms specialist will produce a report in the same format as the veterinary report to allow the primary care veterinary surgeon to continue to manage the case more effectively. 

• Face to face consultations
  Can also be arranged via the owner’s vet at the specialist's own practice if there is the need for more specialist investigation that may not be available in the primary care veterinary surgery. In these cases, the specialist will take on the direct care of the case and work with the owner and vet on the best course of action.

• General advice 
  Also possible if the vet wishes to direct an owner straight to Virtual Vet Derms. 

For more information, visit: https://virtualvetderms.com

MSD Animal Health has announced the launch of Bravecto Plus, a topical endo- and ectoparasiticide for cats.

Bravecto Plus contains fluralaner (280 mg/ml), an ectoparasiticide which provides systemic activity against ticks (lxodes ricinus) and fleas (Ctenocephalides felis), and moxidectin (14 mg/ml), an endoparasiticide which provides systemic activity against a range of internal worms, including heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis), intestinal roundworm and hookworm.

Bravecto Plus is applied topically using the "Twist'n'Use" pipette. Once applied, the product kills ticks and fleas for 12 weeks, while also treating intestinal roundworm and hookworm and preventing heartworm disease for eight weeks.

Bravecto Plus can also be used as part of a treatment strategy for flea allergy dermatitis.

Bravecto was first launched in 2014 as a chewable tablet for dogs. In 2016 Bravecto spot-on was launched as a topical solution for dogs and cats. More than 80 million doses of Bravecto have been sold in 72 countries since 2014.

Amanda Melvin, marketing manager, at MSD Animal Health, said: "We are pleased to introduce the latest innovation in feline parasite protection to the Bravecto family."

For more information, refer to the summary of product characteristics or contact your MSD account manager.

Sky News reports that IVC, the Bath-headquartered corporate veterinary group, is putting itself up for sale for a cool £1.5 billion.

IVC was formed in 2011, the result of a merger of several independent veterinary hospitals. Under the leadership of David Hillier, and with backing from Summit Partners in 2014, it grew to over 300 practices before being acquired by the Swedish EQT Partners in January 2017.

In August last year the company merged with Evidensia Group, another veterinary corporate group with practices around Europe, bringing the total to more than 850 clinics and hospitals in eight countries. 

EQT has reportedly now instructed Jefferies Investment Bank to auction the business in the first week of November. 

No word yet on where the auction will take place. If you go, be careful not to scratch your nose at the wrong moment ("1.7 billion from the gentleman at the back. Yes, that's YOU, Sir."). 

Zoetis has acquired Virtual Recall, a software business that helps veterinary practices improve their service offering and communication with pet owners.

Virtual Recall's products include vaccination, neutering, appointment and healthcheck reminders, customer feedback, telemedicine and post operation surveys, and healthcare advice communications. 

Jamie Brannan, Senior Vice President UK, Ireland and Nordics said: "This is an exciting opportunity for Zoetis to add a new solution for veterinarians with an innovative service that will support clinics in increasing their level of compliance, education and engagement at the pet owner level.

"As we expand our comprehensive offering across the continuum of care for veterinary clinics, Virtual Recall will enhance the level of pet owner services that can be offered to their pet owner customers in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

“Our studies have shown that veterinary customers are keen to reduce administrative workload and find new ways to engage with pet owners. We believe that Virtual Recall will achieve that, helping to educate and improve pet owner compliance and adding financial benefits to the veterinary practice.”

Jamie Crittall, Co-founder, Virtual Recall said: “As a company we’ve always been restless – constantly looking at new ways and developing new technologies in which we can drive animal healthcare compliance. Zoetis’ thoroughly well-earned reputation for always putting their customers first – wanting them to thrive and be successful – combined with a commitment to enhance the lives of people and animals, is infectious. It is a very exciting new chapter for Virtual Recall and fellow co-founder Charlie Barton and I are thrilled to continue at the helm."

AMufacture has launched The Ear Protector, designed to make face masks more comfortable for people working in public-facing businesses. 

The Ear Protector sits on the back of the head and hooks onto face mask strings, pulling them backwards and away from the ears, thereby relieving pressure and stopping chafing. 

The product was designed by AMufacture's Chief Operating Officer, William Howden, a former Olympic sailor who competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. He said: "Early in the pandemic, it became apparent to us that there was a serious need to address an unresolved problem with face masks – people were really beginning to suffer and were getting distracted from their work."

The Ear Protector is sterilisable in a dishwasher. It is also recyclable when it reaches the end of its life.

For more information, visit: http://www.theearprotector.com 

Dechra Veterinary Products has added Lax-a-Past – a complementary feed designed to help eliminate the problem of hairballs in cats – to its portfolio. 

Lax-a-Past is a palatable paste that can be administered orally to kittens and cats aged over 6 months.

It can be used weekly to help stop hairballs from forming or in higher doses over a consecutive three-day period to help eliminate them. 

Carol Morgan, Brand Manager from Dechra Veterinary Products (pictured right) said: “Hairballs are a well-known issue for cats. Lax-a-Past is a complementary feed that offers a simple, easy-to-administer solution to help relieve the digestion problems caused by hairballs.  

“It is very easy for owners to administer as the required dosage can be squeezed out and spread on a front paw or given directly into the mouth."

Lax-a-Past is available in a 70g tube.

For more information visit www.dechra.co.uk.

The RCVS has confirmed that it commissioned an independent investigation earlier this year which has failed to discover who leaked information contained in confidential Council papers. 

The College first became aware that confidential information had been leaked earlier this year after the Veterinary Record made the decision to publish details. 

The College says it then provided a number of informal opportunities for the person leaking the information to come forward and discuss the reasons for their actions, but nobody stepped forward.

A Council member then made a formal complaint about the leak, which triggered the complaints policy set out in the College’s Code of Conduct for Council Members and instigated the investigation.

The investigation was run independently of the RCVS by an external specialist consultancy, and coordinated by a legal assessor.

Initially, the investigators were asked to focus on a single leak, but following a number of further leaks over ensuing months, it became necessary to widen the scope and depth of the investigation.

The investigators’ report concluded that there had been several separate and deliberate leaks of confidential information by a current or former Council member over an extended period.

However, they were not able to identify who specifically was responsible for the leaks, and because nobody admitted it, no further action under the complaints policy of the Code of Conduct for Council Members was appropriate.

The investigators concluded that the leaks were not the result of poor understanding of College or Council processes, but a deliberate decision to provide confidential information to third parties.

Council members have therefore agreed to review existing training requirements and mechanisms for handling confidential information and to explore in more detail the potential motivation of the person or people who leaked the information, together with the underlying culture of Council that might have influenced their behaviour.

RCVS President Mandisa Greene, said: “There is no denying this is a sad day for the College, and for RCVS Council in particular. As Council members of our professions’ regulatory body, we must maintain the very highest standards of probity and integrity if we are to maintain the trust and confidence of our professional colleagues. In the same way, we must subject ourselves to the same level of scrutiny and investigation if these values and behaviours are ever called into question.

“That someone chose to breach the trust placed in them by their peers is extremely disappointing, especially when they were given every opportunity to come forward to discuss their concerns, and avoid the College having to launch a formal investigation.

"Our default position during Council meetings is to hold as many discussions as possible in public session to ensure Council’s decisions are as open and transparent as possible – something that we will continue to increase as much as possible. Like any organisation, however, there may be a small number of issues that need to be discussed in closed session – for example, those still at concept stage prior to any decision being made public or put out for consultation, or those containing personal or commercially sensitive data.

"I sincerely hope that all of us on Council can learn from this unfortunate and unnecessary episode. We must rebuild and maintain sufficient confidence in each other, and in our processes, that, even if we disagree on certain matters, it is always best to do so in a direct, upfront and honest manner."

Ceva Animal Health has launched Feliway Optimum, a new pheromone product for stressed cats. 

Ceva says the new product is the fruit of research into the composition of the main feline pheromones which pass through the incisive ducts to the Vomeronasal Organ (VNO), which in turn led to the discovery of a new pheromone complex which 'provides an enhanced message of social confidence and safety in the cat’s environment by conveying more impactful messages to it'. 

According to the company, Feliway Optimum helps cats with more signs of stress, in more situations and calms cats better than ever. The product is proven to help with more stress-related signs faster than existing pheromones, with all signs of stress showing continuous improvement until day 28 of use and are visible from day 7¹. These include scratching, urine spraying, multi-cat tensions and conflicts and changes and fears. 

Feliway Optimum is available as a plug-in diffuser with 30-day refills. 

Abigail King, senior behaviour product manager at Ceva Animal Health said: "We have led the way with research for over 20 years with Feliway Classic and Feliway Friends, but it is now time to go that step further. 

"Feliway Optimum is an extremely exciting addition to the range which will help solve all common signs of stress to provide enhanced serenity in a household. 

"Nearly 60 per cent of cats show visible signs of stress² and Feliway Optimum will really help combat this with an over 70% reduction”.

There is a webinar about the new product, presented by Professor Patrick Pageat and Dr Andy Sparkes, which is available by emailing Ceva. 

For more information, visit www.feliway.com/uk, call Ceva on 01494 781510 or email cevauk@ceva.com.

References

• Field efficacy study results 2019. 145 cats recruited with at least one sign of stress
• Ceva Animal Health internal report 2020