Winners of the 2008 Petplan Veterinary Awards, which recognise and applaud staff and practices for their outstanding excellence and service, will feature on Natasha Kaplinsky's Channel Five news slot from tonight at 5:00pm, and then again at 7:00pm.
Tonight's news will cover the story of the Veterinary Practice of the Year: Orwell Veterinary Group, and there'll be more coverage on Tuesday and Wednesday as follows:
Tuesday 13th May 5pm & 7pm - Vet of the Year - Brian Faulkner of the Melton Veterinary Surgery
Wednesday 14th May 5pm & 7pm - Vet Nurse of the Year - Louisa Baker of the Priors Leaze Veterinary Centre.
Should be great publicity for the profession, and it is difficult to achieve this sort of thing, so hats off to Petplan.
606 veterinary professionals took part in the research, mostly Practice Managers (34%), Head Nurses (23%) Head Vets (22%) and Administrators (9%)
Of all the respondents, which included those newly-promoted, early career, middle management, senior management and principal leaders, 33% of respondents described their competence as ‘intermediate’, 47% as intermediate, 18% as 'advanced' and only 2% as ‘expert’.
The VMG says its report raises fresh concerns about the preparedness of those tasked with steering veterinary teams through an increasingly complex and demanding landscape.
Rebecca Robinson MRCVS (pictured), incoming VMG President, said: “This year’s report again highlights the urgent need to equip both current and future leaders with the skills and support they need to thrive.
"While there are encouraging signs of progress, we must act with greater urgency as a profession to embed leadership development at every level - especially for those stepping into leadership roles for the first time."
“We encourage all members of the veterinary team to invest in developing their communication and influencing skills well before they take on leadership roles.
"Gaining experience in these areas early on will better prepare them for the demands of leadership and empower them to take charge of their career journeys.
“We also call on employers to make leadership development a priority."
The VMG offers a range of Institute of Leadership and Management-accredited qualifications – the Award, Certificate and Diploma in Veterinary Leadership and Management.
https://vetmg.com/qualifications/cvlm/
The project was launched in 2016 to identify and find solutions to some of the specific issues facing the veterinary nursing profession.
However, the organisations say that whilst they both want to make sure veterinary nursing remains a vibrant, rewarding and sustainable profession, they now recognise the benefits of the regulator and the representative body working more independently.
Lyndsay Hughes, BVNA President, said: “The joint decision to end the project marks an end of an era, but also the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
"We will continue to work with each other on activities and projects that support the veterinary nursing profession on an ongoing basis.”
To that end, the RCVS and BVNA have identified the need to continue to drive the effective use of veterinary nurses within the wider veterinary team, in order to promote job satisfaction, progression opportunities and excellent standards of patient care.
The BVNA published resources earlier this year designed to help maximise the RVN role within the current legislation, and there's a ‘RVN utilisation champions’ campaign launching later this year, and streams on the subject at BVNA Congress in October.
The association is also preparing a ‘Nurse Utilisation Toolkit’ which is due to launch in late 2025/early 2026 - to provide members with access to resources on how to implement and support effective use of nurses in the workplace.
The RCVS has recently launched the second phase of the VN Vision initiative which aims to inspire a cultural shift in how veterinary nurses can be more effectively integrated within multidisciplinary veterinary teams, and explore why doing so is essential for the future of veterinary healthcare.
A series of workshops ‘A vision or a necessity: strengthening the role of veterinary nurses in team-based veterinary healthcare’ is being held across the UK for all members of the veterinary team this year, with an additional session being held at BVNA Congress.
https://vnfutures.org.uk
Based at UCLan’s Preston Campus, the new school will deliver foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate courses in areas such as veterinary medicine, bioveterinary science, veterinary clinical practice, veterinary physiotherapy and rehabilitation, and clinical animal behaviour and training.
Professor Graham Baldwin, UCLan Vice-Chancellor, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be creating an innovative and dynamic veterinary school. UK veterinary schools are highly prestigious, so we are thrilled to be launching only the second school in the north of England and one of only 11 in the UK.
“We have taken massive strides in developing all areas of human health provision in recent years, and animal health will now join our ever-expanding portfolio of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, biomedical sciences and optometry.”
Professor Cathy Jackson, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, said: “Our new veterinary school will be focussed on producing much needed industry ready graduates for our region, particularly as recent figures have highlighted a national shortage of vets and a sector heavily reliant on vets educated in the European Union.
"As with our medical and dental schools, we have demonstrated we want to break down barriers and make education accessible to all. It’s no different with our veterinary school and we want to open the doors and offer a pathway for any student, no matter of their background, into this rewarding profession, while maintaining the very highest of education and professional standards.”
The Batchelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS) course at UCLan is a five-year programme with ‘hands-on’ modules from Year 1, rather than in the later years as delivered in more traditional programmes.
UCLan says it is collaborating with Myerscough College for some of its programmes to give students access to state-of-the-art, sector-leading facilities, which have recently benefited from a £35m investment.
In addition, UCLan will become one of the first universities in the world to make use of a digital, virtual dissection platform for teaching animal anatomy using veterinary Anatomage technology.
UCLan is planning to welcome the first intake of UK and international students to veterinary sciences BSc and foundation courses in September 2022 while BVMS students will be welcomed from 2023.
For more information, visit www.uclan.ac.uk/schools/veterinary-medicine.
The device emits low dose 265 nanometre (nm) ultraviolet C light at a targeted area.
In a 2022 in vitro / ex vivo study to evaluate the therapeutic potential of 265nm UVC for infectious keratitis1, UVC was found to inhibit all tested bacteria and fungi, including mixed culture and strains linked to antibiotic resistance.
In the study, no evidence of infection was found from 4 hours onwards, ulcers responded significantly in under 24 hours, and at the end point, those treated with UVC performed as as well as those treated with ciprofloxacin.
Photon Therapeutics says that in simple cases, one five-second treatment will suffice, but more complex cases can be re-treated after 24 hours.
Currently, there are two main barriers to the successful treatment of eye infections in dogs.
The first is the difficulty diagnosing the infection and identifying the right antimicrobial to use, highlighted by a 2017 study: Bacterial Isolates from Canine External Ocular Disease and their Antimicrobial Sensitivities 2.
The second is whether the owner is able or willing to administer a topical treatment.
Here the evidence suggests that even when treatment is possible, people do not comply with clinical advice anything like as much as they claim.
Photon Therapeutics points to what it says is the nearest study there is, in which carers of young children with uveitis did not give the correct treatment in 75% of cases3.
If the device is as effective as claimed, then both these issues simply evaporate.
PhotonUVC costs £4,995.
https://photon-therapeutics.com
VetNurse.co.uk product briefing: https://www.vetnurse.co.uk/nursing/m/veterinary-product-briefings/156724
References
The practice will offer 24/7 care with the same team managing both daytime and out-of-hours emergencies to offer continuity and familiarity for clients and their pets.
Facilities at the practice include heated hospital cages for small mammals such as rabbits and rodents, custom-built vivaria with species-appropriate UV lighting tailored to different reptile requirements and advanced diagnostic and surgical equipment specifically designed for exotic animal care.
Molly said: "We know that exotic pets require highly specialised care and our mission is to provide that expertise with compassion.
"Our entire team is trained and experienced in handling, treating, and advising on a diverse range of exotic species.
"We are committed to providing the highest standard of care for every animal that comes through our doors.”
The practice is now open for new client registrations.
www.theexoticanimalvets.co.uk
Across Europe, the company has over 30 technical experts who get over 2,500 technical calls each year about Cushing’s.
The company also publishes the Dechra Academy, which provides a range of free online courses for vet nurses.
There's also Dechra’s endocrinology app which was developed using data from the Royal Veterinary College’s VetCompass database to help vets diagnose and manage the endocrine disorders Addison’s disease (hypoadrenocorticism) and Cushing’s syndrome.
For owners, Dechra publishes the 'Suspecting Cushing’s' website and has created the Cushing’s monitoring app to help simplify the management process, improve compliance with medication and increase engagement in the dog’s care.
Sarah Musgrave, companion animal brand manager at Dechra, said: “Dechra has extensive experience in endocrinology.
"Cushing’s can be a challenge to identify, diagnose and manage and our ‘They’ve got Cushing’s. You’ve got us’ initiative demonstrates the comprehensive support that we have available for both vets and dog owners to help ensure that dogs with Cushing’s live long and healthy lives.”
https://www.dechra.co.uk/cushings-connect
The report comes on the back of a survey by the association which found that 93% of vets say sustainability is important to them.
The BVA says the report aims to break down the challenge that both teams and individuals face in working towards net zero emissions.
It explains the impact of climate change, what the veterinary profession’s role is in tackling it and why the BVA thinks it is so important that the profession plays its part.
The report also includes resources and showcases the ways real veterinary workplaces are taking action to reduce their impact on the environment.
British Veterinary Association Senior Vice President Anna Judson said: “Many veterinary professionals have long been concerned about the impact the sector is having on the environment, and many are already taking action to mitigate this.
"However, there is still more work to do.
"Our vision is that by 2050 the profession will have adapted to support the UK’s net zero targets; is trusted on mitigating its own carbon footprint; and is a leading advocate for environmental sustainability.
"This new report is providing vet teams with the tools and the inspiration to do their bit, because small changes add-up to make a big difference.”
There'll be a session on the subject at the London Vet Show this year, chaired by Anna Judson, with panelists Ed Bailey, Clinical Director and Sustainability Lead at George Farm Vets, Laura Binnie, Sustainability Lead at Paragon Veterinary Group and James Bevan, Planetary Health Senior Teaching Fellow Public Health Registrar, University of Southampton.
"Practice what you preach: Reaching net zero is a team effort" will be held at 10.45am - 11.45am on 14 November in the BVA Congress Theatre.
www.bva.co.uk/net-zero-report
The company has prepared practice marketing materials to support the campaign to educate pet owners on the signs of anxiety in cats and dogs, which are available from its Account Managers.
The campaign is being fronted by TV personality and radio presenter, Kate Lawler (pictured), who has taken on the role of official ambassador having experienced anxiety in her rescue Terrier cross, Shirley.
Ceva has partnered with Battersea Dogs and Cats Home for the campaign and will be making a donation of £1 for every Adaptil product sold during March.
http://www.petanxiety.co.uk
1,500 volunteers were surveyed for the study, which was led by Dr Francois Martin.
As well as having lower depression scores, dog owners were more likely to report feeling loved and valued during the pandemic than those who did not own a dog.
Owners also had a significantly more positive attitude toward and commitment to pets.
The full study is available open access here: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0260676
Reference
Whilst you're there, the company will doubtless use the opportunity to bend your ear about how its technology can save time, drive revenue, and strengthen patient care.
Still, all in a good cause, and the company says it expects to be making a significant donation towards supporting members of the veterinary community who are experiencing financial and mental health challenges.
ezyVet Chief Growth Officer Pete Brown said: ““As innovators in the veterinary software space, we’re passionate about bettering the lives of veterinary professionals and we recognise the critical work Vetlife is doing to support the hard-working veterinary community.
"We’re going to be donating £1 to Vetlife for every person that visits the ezyVet booth at the London Vet Show, so we encourage everyone to come down and help us support this very worthwhile cause.”
The update includes a new scoring system of low, moderate or high cancer risk which replaces the original numerical HDI scores and simplifies interpretation for clinicians, making the screening process easier to communicate with pet owners.
HT Vista says the device can now categorise cancer risk levels, based on malignant probability, with a sensitivity of 90% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 98%.
The company says this translates to a “low cancer risk” result having a malignant probability of 10% or less, allowing veterinary teams to rule out cancer of lumps and bumps without the need for invasive procedures.
The tool can also now provide alerts for some of the low-risk cases, identifying them as lipomas, sebaceus adenomas or benign epithelial masses.
Liron Levy-Hirsch DVM MRCVS, Managing Director at HT Vista, said: "I am incredibly excited to enhance our already powerful HT Vista screening tool with a new diagnostic capability, providing veterinary teams with an even more comprehensive decision-support system.
"Our screening technology has already been a game-changer in early detection, and now, with the ability to flag specific tumour types, we are taking another significant step forward.
"This advancement empowers veterinary professionals to make even more informed decisions, supports shared decision-making with pet owners, and ultimately improves patient outcomes.
"By reducing the time from suspicion to diagnosis and treatment, we can detect cancer earlier, avoid the ‘wait and see’ approach, and help save more lives."
On the other end of the scale, a “high cancer risk” result has a malignant probability of 50% or more and indicates a stronger likelihood of malignancy.
HT Vista says these cases require additional diagnostic tests for mass identification.
The company highlights a big distinction between this and other screening modalities is that it can be nurse-led.
HT Vista will be on display and there will be live demonstrations at BSAVA Congress from the 20th to the 22nd of March 2025.
https://bit.ly/ht-vista-screening-tool
The patented system is made from lightweight carbon fibre and can be installed and removed from the back of the car in minutes.
The makers point to research carried out by Hartpury University in 2018 which concluded that allowing dogs to repeatedly jump clear from vehicles with high boot compartments may be inadvisable1, suggesting that it could contribute to ligament and joint injury.
In addition the system would logically be helpful for owners of older, less mobile dogs, or perhaps those recovering from surgery.
Prices start at £1995.
https://www.doganddrive.co.uk
The videos cover a range of topics including imaging, neurology, endoscopy and endosurgery.
BSAVA members will automatically have access to over 80 videos relating to Companion articles.
If the user does not have access to a particular video, they will be able to use a BSAVA library pass to gain access to the parent chapter and all the videos it contains.
Alternatively, they can buy access to an individual chapter or a full manual.
Ian Mellor, Head of Publishing at the BSAVA said: “We are delighted that we can bring this new feature to the BSAVA Library, giving our audience easier access to great video content.
"This is part of a few enhancements to the library where we hope to give users a better experience.
“Users will also be able to see more easily how many library passes they have left, and they will now be able to see recommended related resources next to the content, meaning that they can easily find information under the same topic without having to search extensively.”
The video library can be accessed through the BSAVA Library here: https://www.bsavalibrary.com/videos
The event will include empowering talks by Vet Empowered founders Katie Ford and Claire Grigson MsRCVS.
Expert guests include Aoife Smith, an ex-RVN and psychotherapist, Chloé Hannigan from VetYogi and Jo Kelly, a registered veterinary nurse and accredited nutritional therapist.
There'll be hands-on workshops and immersive activities aimed at challenging comfort zones, fostering connections, and cultivating a mindset of growth and empowerment.
The organisers say Vet Empowered Live also offers the chance to connect with like-minded professionals, share experiences, and build a supportive community of peers committed to personal and professional growth.
Katie said: "We're thrilled to bring Vet Empowered Live to life and provide veterinary professionals with a unique opportunity to invest in their personal development.
"Our mission is to empower individuals to unlock their full potential, overcome obstacles, and create fulfilling careers on their own terms.
"We are passionate about providing a safe and inspiring space to do this."
Tickets cost £150 and include six hours of CPD and food and drink throughout the day.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/vet-empowered-live-confidence-beyond-manchester-2024-tickets-775605325407
https://www.vetempowered.com
Nutramega contains omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA, which the company says are critical for the overall health of animals, with many health benefits, including joints & mobility, skin & coat, heart health, the kidneys and brain health.
Nutramega comes in two sizes, 100ml and 200ml, with prices starting from £20.00.
Pet Ready LifeStages are health chews designed to provide daily support for puppies, adult dogs and senior dogs.
Each LifeStage product comes in 30 and 90 chew packets and prices range from £19.99 to £34.99.
www.nutravet.co.u
Virbac says this is the only wet product to provide separate species-specific dog and cat convalescence diets tailored to the unique nutritional needs of both species.
In an internal study conduct by Virbac, 86% of dogs with digestive issues improved within a week of using the diet1
The new diets are high in protein and low in carbohydrate and they can be used alone or in combination with the company's dry diets (suggested 50/50 split).
Andrew Connolly, Marketing Director – UK & Ireland at Virbac said: “We’re thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive feedback we've received on our new Veterinary HPM Digestive Support wet diets.
“Practices and pet owners alike are commenting on the extraordinary palatability of the diets and their effectiveness, particularly with convalescing and inappetent pets”.
The maps provide vets with a visual representation of targeted diagnostic tests conducted in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and the UK, using data sourced from Idexx.
They show the percentage of positive test results for a range of parasites and parasite-associated infections in dogs and cats, including Giardia, roundworm, and whipworm, and Lyme (Borrelia burgdorferi), Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., and Leishmania in dogs.
Data can be filtered by country, region, animal species, parasite type, and time period.
ESCCAP highlights that the data reflects the percentage of positive tests in screened animals, not the overall prevalence of infection.
https://www.esccap.org/parasite-infection-map/
Great Workplaces by BVA is an accreditation scheme designed to recognise and reward positive workplace culture in both clinical and non-clinical veterinary workplaces.
The first webinar: 'How to have more good days at work' will be hosted by BVA Junior Vice President, Rob Williams (pictured), and VDS Training’s Carolyne Crowe.
The speakers will discuss strategies to support physical and psychological wellbeing at work and explore how to create a safe and inclusive team environment that supports everyone's needs.
Rob said: “This webinar series is designed to help your team identify practical steps to improve your veterinary workplace and create a working environment that allows the whole team to thrive.
"We’ll be diving into the first session with lots of practical tips and strategies and I hope to see many of you there.”
https://www.bva.co.uk/great-workplaces
https://mybva.bva.co.uk/ems-event-calendar/building-great-workplaces-how-to-have-more-good-days-at-work.html
The company conducted the survey of 404 owners after news that the bio-pharma company Okava plans to trial a weight-loss drug for dogs that mimics the effects of weight-loss drugs like Wegovy, tapping into a potential $10 billion market.
Of the pet owners who responded, it was the younger group aged 25-34 who were most receptive to the idea of a weight-loss drug for their pet (56%).
That figure fell to 21% of 45–54-year-olds and 20% among those aged 55 and above, most of whom were probably holding up their hands in horror: "Whatever next".
Alicia Hempsted, pet insurance spokeswoman from MoneySuperMarket, said: “If GLP-1 style treatments for obesity become available for dogs in the future, it’s likely that owners will have to pay out of pocket for them, which may affect their availability."
https://www.moneysupermarket.com/pet-insurance/
Photo: www.depositphotos.com
Paragon’s gardens feature bee and insect hotels, bird feeders, bat boxes and robin hides, plants for pollinators and long grass to suit hedgehogs.
The garden at Dalston has a bog garden and pond.
Children from the local primary school visit to plant trees and scatter wildflower seeds.
Paragon’s most ambitious project is at Newbiggin where, with the help of a grant from Forestry England, it is planting a three-hectare native broadleaf woodland, reinstating hedgerows and incorporating a wildflower meadow.
Gardeners’ World’s Frances Tophill presented the framed certificate and trophy at the Britain in Bloom Awards at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester.
Laura Binnie, small animal vet and sustainability lead at Paragon, said: “When we set out to create wellbeing gardens for our staff to enjoy, and to do it as sustainably as we could, we never thought it would go this far.”
“In the veterinary profession, we’re at that unique intersection where people, planet and animals come together.
“We feel a responsibility to do something for the community, for nature and for our clients and staff, and to lessen our impact on the climate crisis.”
https://www.paragonvet.com
Conducted as a multicentric international study involving board-certified veterinary dermatologists, the trial included 35 dogs with CIF in at least two paws.
Each dog acted as its own control, and was treated with systemic antibiotics, with one paw being treated with FLE and the other paw without.
Paws were allocated based on a coin toss, and the study was single blinded: the principal investigator was responsible for the assessment of lesions, and the co-investigator was responsible for administration of FLE treatment.
The dogs were assessed over an 8-week period with check-ups every 14 days.
At every check-up the paws treated with FLE showed a greater improvement than paws without FLE treatment.
The lesions were assessed and scored with the global lesion score, the pruritic visual analogue scale, a cytological scoring, and photographic documentation.
The results of the study demonstrated that FLE combined with systemic antibiotics significantly reduced the time to clinical resolution compared to antibiotics alone.
By week four, 50% of paws in the FLE group had reached clinical resolution compared to 17% in the control group.
By week eight, 88% of paws in the FLE group had healed compared to 54% in the control group.
Dr Anja Lange, DVM, Department of Dermatology, AniCura Kleintierspezialisten Augsburg GmbH, Augsburg, Germany, said: “Canine interdigital furunculosis is a challenging condition to treat that can be prolonged and frustrating.
"Having FLE as an additional management tool is very exciting, not least because it speeds up time to healing, but it also requires us to use less antibiotics.
"The use of FLE was well accepted by all of the dog owners from the study and the dogs themselves tolerated it well, showing it can be a very useful adjunct to cases in clinical practice.”
The company now expects the vaccine will not be available until June 2025.
The company apologised for the disruption and inconvenience and says it will provide more information as soon as it becomes available.
For further information contact your Zoetis Account Manager or call Head Office on 0345 300 8034.
According to the researchers, who came from the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Guide Dogs and Feldon Veterinary Centre, this was the first study to compare peri- and postoperative complications, behaviour after surgery, and surgery duration, for the two most common neutering procedures for female dogs; laparoscopic ovariectomy (LAP-OVE) and open ovariohysterectomy (celiotomy) (OVH-CEL).
For the study, the researchers analysed data from 519 bitches neutered by either LAP-OVE or OVH-CEL at four UK veterinary practices.
Fewer bitches developed wound redness or swelling at the surgical site following LAP-OVE (16%), compared to those that underwent OVH-CEL (36%).
Intraoperative complications were reported for 2% of dogs neutered by LAP-OVE and 3% of those neutered by OVH-CEL.
Postoperative complications were reported for 0.5% of the LAP-OVE group and 1% of the OVH-CEL group.
Unusual behaviours (inappetence, discomfort, licking or chewing) in the postoperative period were less common in dogs neutered by laparoscopic ovariectomy.
There was no significant difference in surgical duration between the two techniques.
The researchers say that their findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that postoperative complications, including those related to wound healing and those requiring further veterinary intervention, are lower for laparoscopic than open surgeries for bitches neutered by experienced veterinarians.
Lead author, Dr Rachel Moxon, said: “While there is already evidence from other studies relating to complications following neutering surgeries in bitches, this is the first time that the outcomes have been compared between what are anecdotally reported to be the two most frequently performed neutering surgeries for female dogs in the UK.
"The results will be of interest not only to vets, but for pet owners and others that have to make choices about neutering their dogs. Understanding the surgical risks is an important factor to consider, and decision making is made easier when it can be informed by evidence”.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jsap.70013
The HT Vista device is used by vets and vet nurses to screen dermal and subcutaneous masses on dogs.
The company says that with a negative predictive value of 98% clinicians can confidently classify a mass as benign without the need of further invasive tests.
HT Vista also says that, according to a recent client survey, the main features which practices value are the nurse-led ability which is maximising nurse clinics and streamlining efficiency, justification in sampling masses even when they feel innocuous, and the rapid speed of image acquisition and results.
To be in with a chance of winning the device and subscription, delegates must attend the 15-minute Ultra Demo at stand B300 on Friday 22nd March at 4pm.