Each year, the company invites veterinary surgeons, practice managers and practice principals to enter the competition by telling them what makes their nurse or nursing team outstanding, and deserving of special thanks, at: http://www.glvets.com/thank-a-nurse.asp
In 2016, the winning nomination for an outstanding nurse was Louise Cornford (pictured right) from Withy Grove Veterinary clinic. Her manager said: "Louise works tirelessly in the practice promoting better standards for all our patients and is always around helping the students and advising them on inpatient care. She gives up her own time to come back and nurse overnight patients when clients have difficulty finding out-of-hours care for their pets. She is also a full-time mum to three children. She became a vet nurse as a career change studying whilst caring for the family and then went on to get an additional qualification in critical care."
The winning nurse team last year was from Ribble Vets. Their nomination read: "I would like to nominate my team of hard-working nurses for all the support they give to their colleagues, clients and especially the patients in their care. We have a wide age and experience range within the team and there is interest and expertise in surgical, medical, behavioural, rehabilitation and emergency nursing. Every patient counts and every nurse goes the extra mile on a daily basis. I am so proud of the team and they deserve a little thank you for all those bleary- eyed moments in the early hours dealing with an RTA, GDV, whelping or other emergency. They take it all in their stride - even the farm animal emergencies!"
Is your team, or a member of your team, deserving of a special thanks? If so, nominate them here: http://www.glvets.com/thank-a-nurse.asp
Ceva Animal Health has launched Libeo, a new four-way break, palatable furosemide for the management of heart failure in dogs.
According to the company, furosemide - a diuretic - is the most frequently used treatment for the management of heart failure because it helps reduce pulmonary oedema and its quick onset of action is associated with a noticeable reduction in clinical signs.
However, Ceva highlights the fact that long-term under or over-dosing can have profound health implications for the patient, and says that current recommendations are to reduce the dose to the minimum effective dose as soon as the animal is stable and only increase it if required due to deterioration in heart function.
Ceva says that unlike other furosemides, Libeo has been designed solely for the veterinary market - specifically to facilitate easy and accurate dosing.
The four-way break tablet is available in a traditional 40mg tablet size as well as a unique 10mg size for small patients. The clover-shaped tablet is chicken-flavoured, designed to make it easier for owners to dose their pets and help improve long-term owner compliance. Each box of Libeo contains 120 blister-packed tablets, removing the need for someone to have to count out tablets.
Rob McLintock MRCVS, Companion Animal Business Unit Manager at Ceva Animal Health said: “87% of vets in the UK believe that the dose of furosemide given to pets by their owners is adversely affected by how difficult it is to split the tablets1. This is especially likely to affect pets whose owners are less dextrous or have difficulties using their hands. Libeo is both easy to administer and effective, thereby improving owner compliance and the long term health and welfare of their pets.”
Reference
The Veterinary Marketing Association has announced a Practice Marketing Award, with a prize of £500 worth of CPD, for which entries are now being sought.
The award, which is sponsored by Merial, is open to companion and farm animal practices that can demonstrate effective marketing to their clients during the course of 2012.
For more information, visit: www.vma.org.uk/awards, or email: secretary@vma.org.uk for entry details.
The guidelines, launched during WSAVA World Congress 2018 in Singapore, aim to bridge differing perceptions of welfare around the world and help veterinary surgeons and nurses tackle the ethical questions and moral issues which impact welfare.
They also offer guidance to ensure that, in addition to providing physical health advice and therapy to their patients, veterinary surgeons and nurses can advocate for their psychological, social and environmental wellbeing.
Dr Shane Ryan, incoming President of the WSAVA and former Chair of the WSAVA Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee, said: "As veterinarians, our responsibility extends far beyond the physical health of our patients. Animal welfare as a science is a new and rapidly developing discipline and veterinarians need current, evidence-based invformation to enable them to maintain the highest welfare standards and to provide knowledgeable, accurate advice for pet owners and communities.
"Our new Guidelines provide recommendations, checklists and other tools to promote optimal levels of welfare throughout the veterinary visit. They also offer guidance on increasing welfare beyond the doors of the clinic through outreach activities.
"As levels of pet ownership increase in many regions of the world, including Asia, it is essential that veterinarians champion animal welfare and the WSAVA hopes that these new Guidelines will encourage our members to adopt best practice and set the highest standards.
"I would like to thank the members of the Animal Welfare Guidelines team, who worked so hard to create them and, of course, our sponsor, Waltham, whose constant support was instrumental in enabling us to deliver them."
The Animal Welfare Global Guidelines for Companion Animal Practitioners and the Veterinary Team are available for free download at: https://bit.ly/2D3RAoc.
Norbrook has launched palatable pork liver flavoured Carprieve tablets to help make dosing dogs a stress-free experience for dog and owner.
Offering Cox-2 preferential pain release, Carprieve Flavoured Tablets are indicated for chronic inflammation, such as degenerative joint disease in dogs, as well as post-operative pain management. According to Norbrook, tests have shown 75 per cent of dogs will take them voluntarily.
Sascha van Helvoort MRCVS, international veterinary adviser for Norbrook Laboratories, said: "Palatability is an important consideration for owners, especially for dogs with chronic inflammation, who often need regular tablets.
"Success is often hit-and-miss, with dogs leaving tablets given in food or spitting them out. This led to us testing pork liver tasting carprofen tablets on dogs who needed treatment, and the vast majority ate them from a bowl. This means vets can prescribe them with all confidence that the dogs will get their medicine.
Sascha added: "Studies undertaken by Norbrook covered a wide range of breeds, and included dogs from one year old to 14. In addition, the majority preferred the Pork liver flavour to top brand 'palatable' tablets.
"Getting the dosage right is also easy. That's why we decided to introduce our Carprieve Flavoured Tablets in blister packs rather than in tubs to aid dosage administration."
For more information, visit: http://www.norbrook.co.uk
The International Federation on Ageing has published Companion Animals and the Health of Older Persons, a report described as the most extensive literature review to date of research undertaken in the field of companion animals and the health of older people, made possible through an educational sponsorship from Bayer Healthcare.
The report provides a comprehensive literature review into the ways pets contribute to the physical and mental health of individuals and the well-being of our broader society, citing studies which found:
Dr Jane Barratt from the International Federation on Ageing said: "This field of research has important implications across generations and also for the future of our broader society. Many studies have broadly discussed how pets, such as dogs and cats, contribute to health by reducing anxiety, loneliness and depression, but until today, have not yet been published in a single resource. This new report advances our understanding of the value of companion animals in the framework of human health and the broader society."
In the report, investigators acknowledge that the current data on human-companion animal interactions are often predicated on anecdotal evidence and scant qualitative and quantitative data, with poorly-constructed and poorly-controlled study design. This may account in part for the conflicting results found in a number of different studies. Nonetheless, they argue that based on current evidence of considerable positive potential for the health of older individuals, and the associated health and welfare benefits for local communities and societies, more research time and energy should be directed towards this area of research. In particular, they say, there should be much greater involvement from veterinary surgeons, who are well placed to be consulted in studies of companion animals and older people’s attachment, affection and bonding capacities, well-being and social capital.
Ferenc Polz, Head of Bayer Animal Health said: "The therapeutic benefit of companion animals is an area of study attracting increasing interest among health and social science professionals and this sponsored report is yet another example of the life changing potential of human and animal relationships."
A new study published in Equine Veterinary Journal's (EVJ) in partnership with the American Association of Equine Practitioners, has shown that a wireless, inertial sensor-based system can effectively measure a horse's response to a flexion test.
The authors say that opinions on the value of flexion tests in assessing equine lameness have been divided for many years, but their research should turn what has always been regarded as a subjective process into a wholly objective one.
Flexion tests are used routinely in horses with subtle or imperceptible lameness, to exacerbate the problem and make it apparent to the observer. The test involves applying a short period of pressure to the joints of the limb before re-examination, and evaluating any change in gait. However, flexion tests rely on the ability of the observer to identify and interpret changes in the horse's gait and in that respect these tests are subjective and not necessarily consistent between observers.
The research study was conducted by orthopaedic surgeons based at the University of Glasgow's School of Veterinary Medicine1. A total of 17 healthy adult horses, all in work, were fitted with sensors before being trotted in a straight line. The sensors measured vertical pelvic movement asymmetry for both right and left hind limb strides and the average difference in maximum and minimum pelvic height between right and left hind limb strides. A hind limb was randomly selected for 60 seconds of proximal flexion, after which the horse was trotted for a minimum of 10 strides. Response to the flexion was blindly assessed as negative or positive by an experienced observer.
John Marshall, lecturer in equine surgery at the University of Glasgow, who led the study, said: "A positive response to flexion resulted in significant changes to objective measurements of pelvic symmetry, supporting the use of inertial sensor systems to objectively assess response to flexion tests."
Professor Jim Moore, North American Editor of the EVJ, said: "The introduction of an objective approach to documenting lameness examination will not only help vets and trainers to investigate equine lameness more accurately. It will also serve as an unbiased method of communicating lameness examination findings among vets, trainers, farriers and other professionals."
The next phase of research will be to establish cut-off values for objective assessment of other equine lameness diagnostic procedures, such as nerve blocks.
Petplan is giving away a VIP trip for two people to this year's 'Petplan Veterinary Awards' in Birmingham on 31st March.
The prize includes two admission tickets to the awards ceremony, as well as accommodation at a top hotel in Birmingham.
Veterinary staff can be in with a chance at winning this exclusive opportunity by nominating their practice or a member of staff for the following awards:
Alison Andrew, Petplan's Marketing Manager, said, "Veterinary professionals up and down the country show great commitment and dedication to our pets everyday and the awards are an opportunity to recognise all their hard work. By nominating a colleague you can not only show them your appreciation but you can also going into the draw to win a fantastic night out"
By making a nomination at www.petplan.co.uk/vetawards you'll automatically be entered into the draw to win the VIP tickets to the evening.
Nominations for the awards close on the 4th February and the winner of the VIP tickets will be announced in late February.
The RCVS Officers will be heading to Somerset, home ground of President Bob Moore, on Thursday 22 May for RCVS Question Time.
The Shrubbery Hotel in Ilminster is the venue for the final Regional Question Time of Bob Moore's Presidential year, where he looks forward to seeing lots of familiar faces for a lively debate.
Veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and others involved in the profession are all welcome to attend the meeting, which kicks off at 6:30pm with a relaxing drink, a bite to eat and a chance to catch up with colleagues, followed by Question Time at 7:15pm. The meeting will finish at approximately 10:00pm.
Bob Moore will be chairing the meeting and the panel will be made up of the Officer team and Veterinary Nurses Council Chairman Andrea Jeffery, who will be answering your questions and concerns regarding the veterinary profession.
Hot topics expected to be raised on the night include the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme, a new Veterinary Surgeons Act, RCVS modular certificate, 24-hour cover, the Professional Development Phase and the non-statutory Register for veterinary nurses. To book your place contact Fiona Clark at the RCVS on 020 7202 0773 or f.clark@rcvs.org.uk before 9 May 2008, or download an invitation at http://www.rcvs.org.uk/ and post it to the address supplied. All veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses living within reasonable travelling distance of the meeting venue will be sent a personal invitation. If you are unable to attend the meeting, but have a question you would like to raise, please do write in.
Genitrix is encouraging practices to capitalise on the growing market opportunity for dental treatments by offering a free pack of its Dentagen Dental Wax and a special offer of six products for the price of five for the rest of its Dentagen dental range during March 2010.
The company is also urging practices to declare March 'Dental Care Month' and to use it as a platform to step up the education they offer to pet owners on this important welfare issue.
According to Genitrix, the Dentagen range uses a plant extract called RF2 which operates as an 'anti-biofilm' treatment, modifying the membrane of oral bacteria to prevent them from producing plaque even at low concentrations. Dentagen Wax is applied to dogs or cats at the end of dental procedures in practice, while the animal is still sedated. It forms a protective coating over the teeth, which lasts for several days.
Each pack of wax contains five syringes enabling practices to offer free wax applications to pets during Dental Care Month. Pet owners can then maintain the protective coating by giving their pet either Dentagen plaque prevention chews every other day or the Dentagen Aqua drinking water additive.
For dogs, the chews are supplied in two sizes with the larger size designed for dogs over 8 kg and a smaller size for dogs less than 8 kg. Dentagen Aqua is a drinking water additive containing RF2. The company says the palatable liquid, which is added to a pet's drinking water, has proved particularly effective in treating cats which don't respond well to tooth-brushing or dental chews.
Rob Watkins, Genitrix' marketing director said: "It's well known that dental disease affects 80% of pets over three years' old and, if left untreated, can go on to cause serious health problems.
"Data from veterinary practices also confirms that many of them are not achieving the revenue they could from offering dental treatments to their clients. We want them to get their teeth into this important revenue opportunity so we're calling on practices to make March 'Dental Care Month' and are offering them a special deal on Dentagen products to get them started.
"The efficacy of the Dentagen range in inhibiting plaque formation has been proven in clinical trials and it has proved popular with pet owners, increasing their compliance with preventative health regimes."
To order your free pack of Dentagen Wax and to take advantage of the special offer on the rest of the range, contact Genitrix on 01403 786345 or by email at mail@genitrix.co.uk
Merial has announced the launch of Oncept IL-2, the first veterinary immunotherapeutic product in Europe for the management of cancer in pets.
Described by the company as a true breakthrough in the field of veterinary oncology, Oncept IL-2 is an adjunct immunotherapy for feline fibrosarcoma.
Merial says the product is based on recombinant canarypox vector technology it developed collaboratively with veterinary oncologists, and which is used in several of its vaccines, including PUREVAX FeLV and PUREVAX Rabies.
Oncept IL-2 is indicated for cats with fibrosarcoma (2-5 cm diameter) without metastasis or lymph node involvement, in order to reduce the risk of relapse and to increase the relapse-free interval. It should be used in addition to surgery and radiotherapy.
Kevin Whelan, Merial's Technical Manager said: "Following injection around the tumour surgery site, the recombinant canarypox vector virus enters the cat's cells, which then produce interleukin-2. The presence of this cytokine stimulates an anti-tumour immune response by a variety of mechanisms, including the induction of T-lymphocytes and natural killer cells."
In a field efficacy trial, a treatment course with Oncept IL-2 (consisting of 6 subcutaneous administrations in the tumour bed over a 7-week period), as an adjunct to surgery and radiotherapy, was shown to significantly reduce the risk of relapse and to increase the time to relapse.
The product is available in packs of 6 doses, which is sufficient for a treatment course. Please contact your local Merial Territory Manager for further information or email oncept@merial.com
The Sutton Bonington Campus, home of the University of Nottingham's School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, has raised £610 for Sport Relief with its annual Science Cake Competition.
There were thirty entries to the competition, in categories which included Animals & Agriculture, Food & Nutrition, Infection, 'Nerdy' Science, Plants, Crops & Environment, and Veterinary Medicine.
A special category this year was 'Cakes for Animals', which Emily Blight, an undergraduate vet student, organised for a panel of dogs to judge on tastiness.
The winner of the public vote was 'What came first, the chicken or the cake?' (pictured right), whilst the overall winner was Alex Burgess with ‘Dave’s Allotment’.
One of the judges, Dr Mike Jones said: "Choosing the winner was extremely hard. Every cake had its own specific merits be it the execution of the design, through to the novelty of ingredients and ideas or how they fitted into the categories." He added that he "was almost put off jelly beans for life - they will be forever associated with sheep back sides."
The cakes are all on display here.
Virbac has launched Inflacam, a meloxicam-based NSAID for the alleviation of pain in both acute and chronic musculo-skeletal disorders in dogs and horses.
Inflacam is presented both as an oral suspension and as a chewable tablet for dogs. The suspension is available in 200ml, 100ml, 42ml and 15ml sizes with a measuring syringe provided. The tablets come in two sizes - 1 mg and 2.5 mg - and are available in packs of 100. It is available for horses as an oral suspension.
Virbac Product Manager Chris Geddes MRCVS, said: "Virbac is well known for launching innovative products in areas such as dermatology and reproduction but we also aim to support practices by offering tried and trusted practice 'standards' for everyday use. Inflacam fits this brief well - meloxicam is the most commonly-used NSAID in dogs and we are delighted to add it to our range."
For more information contact your territory manager or call Virbac on 01359 243 243.
The first ever survey of Registered Veterinary Nurses' Continuing Professional Development has found that the average RVN appears to do substantially more than the minimum required amount of CPD.
Libby Earle, RCVS Head of Veterinary Nursing said: "The CPD requirement for RVNs is to complete at least 45 hours in any three-year period - an average of 15 hours a year. As the requirement was only introduced in 2007, it is particularly encouraging to see that in the first two years of obligatory CPD, the average RVN appears to be doing considerably more than the minimum."
However, not all cards were filled in correctly and some RVNs were including more than the permitted five hours of undocumented self-directly study annually. The number of hours recorded in the survey data was accordingly reduced in order to correct this. Taking into account this reduction, the survey found that the RVNs responding completed an average of 23 hours of CPD 2007, and 28 hours in 2008.
The RCVS asked 509 RVNs - a random sample of 10% of all RVNs qualified for more than three years - to submit a copy of their CPD Card. Of these, 460 returned a copy of their card - a response rate of 96%.
Libby said: "I would like to thank the RVNs who submitted copies of their cards as requested. As the purpose of this exercise is to collect baseline data for use in the future, we will be contacting the small number of RVNs who failed to submit a copy of their CPD card when asked."
All RVNs should ensure that they are familiar with the CPD requirements. Guidance is printed on the RVN CPD Record Card which can be downloaded from www.rcvs.org.uk/vnregister.
A new paper by D J Bartram and D S Baldwin, published in this week's Veterinary Record, has found that veterinary surgeons are four times as likely as the general public, and around twice as likely as other healthcare professionals, to die by suicide as opposed to other causes.
Professor Bill Reilly, President of the British Veterinary Association, said: "David Bartram's research in this difficult area is to be applauded. The more we can understand about the reasons behind the high suicide rate amongst veterinary surgeons, the more the BVA and other bodies can do to support vets in crisis.
"As part of the Vetlife Steering Group, the BVA supports fantastic initiatives such as the 24-hour Vet Helpline for vets, vet nurses and veterinary students, and the Veterinary Benevolent Fund.
"The BVA's Member Services Group (MSG) also spends a lot of time looking at practical initiatives to improve individual vets' day-to day lives. The recent introduction of the mediation and representation services to help resolve issues between veterinary employees and veterinary employers is a good example of the positive ways in which the BVA can support its members in difficult situations.
"The MSG also recently produced a helpline sticker for all veterinary practices to display on the medicines cabinet and other prominent places to act as a constant reminder that help is available.
"Ours is a small profession and many vets will know a friend or colleague who has taken their own life. It is essential that this issue is kept in the open so that those who are struggling know where to turn for help."
This pilot was originally launched in February 2017 to trial proposed changes to CPD, which would concentrate less on hours logged and more on interactive, reflective learning and measuring the impact that CPD has on the individual’s practice and patient health outcomes.
Some 115 veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses volunteered, with 60 attending an induction days at the College’s office last year.
The College says the response to its proposals was largely positive, and at its meeting on 2 November 2017 RCVS Council agreed to an extension of the pilot for a further six-to-nine months, in order to increase the breadth of views on the changes and gather further evidence on its impact.
The proposed model for CPD has four key components: planning, doing, recording and reflecting. While an overall majority of the 3,357 people who responded to the College’s 2016 consultation agreed with the proposed changes to the CPD requirement, certain elements received less support than others.
The lowest amount of support was received for the ‘reflection’ component with 35% of respondents disagreeing with it.
Shona McIntyre MRCVS, a teaching fellow in small animal medicine at the University of Surrey and the practitioner representative on the CPD Pilot Working Group, said: "As a general practitioner involved in the initial phase of the CPD pilot I was thrilled that we had so many from the profession engage with the consultation, and later with the pilot.
"By extending the pilot further we are looking to get an even wider range of views on board and fine-tune how we will be asking members of the profession to engage with the reflection element of the proposals. We are looking for a mix of those who support the proposals and those who have a ‘healthy scepticism’ about them and I can only encourage those not yet involved to consider signing up for the extended pilot and make their voice heard."
If you are interested in volunteering, contact Naila Hassanali, RCVS CPD Officer, via cpd@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0701.
Volunteers will be supported by RCVS staff throughout the trial.
Further information, including the CPD Policy Working Party’s response to the consultation, is available on the College website: www.rcvs.org.uk/cpdconsultation/.
The lower age limit for student veterinary nurses - previously set at 17 - has been removed by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, in order to comply with age discrimination legislation. The entry requirements remain unchanged: five GSCEs at grade C or higher, or five Scottish Standards at grades one to three (including English Language, Maths and a Science subject). Candidates must also have a place with an RCVS-approved Training Practice or on a recognised veterinary nursing degree course. "We hope that the removal of this age barrier will be seen as a positive step that will serve to improve access to training," says Libby Earle, Head of Veterinary Nursing. "Practices remain free to recruit as they see fit to meet the particular demands of their business," she adds. New veterinary nursing careers leaflets have been produced to reflect the change and are available from vetnursing@rcvs.org.uk / 020 7202 0711, or to download from RCVSonline: www.rcvs.org.uk/publications
VetSurgeon.org visited a random selection of stands in the commercial exhibition at BSAVA Congress, and asked: "What's new and exciting?"
Here's what they said:
Featured companies:
The RCVS List of Veterinary Nurses Incorporating the Register of Veterinary Nurses 2008 is now available. This is the first time that the publication distinguishes between Listed and Registered Veterinary Nurses, following the introduction of the non-statutory Register in September 2007.
The publication includes 4,808 Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs), although the figure continues to rise and is currently around the 5,000 mark. The data used in the List/Register is correct as of 10 March 2008. It is possible to check the most up-to-date information on RCVSonline: www.rcvs.org.uk/vnlist
RVNs indicate a willingness to be accountable for their professional practice, by following the Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses, and keeping their skills up-to-date through Continuing Professional Development.
Only Registered Veterinary Nurses are able to use the letters RVN after their name. Veterinary Nurses who have not yet registered and would like to, should contact the RCVS Veterinary Nursing Department for a transfer pack: 020 7202 0788 and vetnursing@rcvs.org.uk. Transfer is free of charge.
"I look forward to seeing the RVN section of the publication increasing in size year on year, as veterinary nurses signal to the public and their colleagues that they wish to be recognised as accountable professionals," commented Andrea Jeffery, Chairman of the RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council.
The publication has been posted to all Listed and Registered Veterinary Nurses and Veterinary Nursing Approved Centres. It is also available to purchase from RCVSonline (www.rcvs.org.uk/publications).
Hill's Pet Nutrition has launched 'Drive Nutrition', a new initiative in which Registered and student VNs can earn the chance to win various prizes, including a smart car, for taking part in online activities at www.hillsvet.co.uk or www.hillsvet.ie.
Activities on the site range from the light-hearted, such as photographing your pet wearing a bandana supplied by Hill's, to more serious nutrition training. Each activity you take part in earns competition entries that the company says can be thought of as similar to lottery tickets. In other words, the more competition entries the participant has, the greater the chance of winning, although someone with just one entry could win the car.
In addition to the car, there are other prizes including Wiis, iPods and cameras. Some are 'instant wins' that are given to someone who just happens to be logged in at the time, whilst others are weekly competition prizes.
Competition entries can also be earned by linking through with to Facebook and Twitter accounts, sharing a top tip, making a recommendation using quick reco at www.hillsvet.co.uk or www.hillsvet.ie, registering a client on the puppy or kitten programmes, or referring friends to Drive Nutrition. There will be scavenger hunts and trivia questions, as well as lots of opportunities to engage with friends and colleagues.
Michelle Nelson, RVN C&G Cert SAN, VetEssentials Brand Manager said: "I'm a qualified veterinary nurse myself and I know when I worked in practice I would have been really excited about this programme. I love the idea that nurses can share ideas and network with colleagues. With the opportunity to access quality CPD and win prizes too, I think Drive Nutrition has something to offer everybody. I encourage nurses to sign up as soon as possible to start clocking up entries and increase their chances of winning our great little smart car!"
Last year's pass rate has been maintained by VN candidates taking their Level 3 Practical exams - with the number of VN students sitting exams having seen an increase across the year.
The RCVS sent out the results of the Level 3 Practical exams last Wednesday, to the 352 student VNs who sat the exam in November. A total of 348 candidates took the small animal option and four candidates the equine.
With 64% of candidates succeeding, the pass rate was similar to December 2008.
The number of VN candidates overall has increased significantly compared with 2008, with 1188 candidates taking exams in 2009, and 878 in 2008. There has also been a welcome increase in the number of VN students enrolling with the RCVS; student enrolment figures for 2009 were up by 5%, at 1,114, compared with 1,060 in 2008.
RCVS Head of Veterinary Nursing, Libby Earle said: "Congratulations to all those who have now qualified. Once you've received your certificates - and completed your 3,290 hours' training at approved training practices - you can List as Veterinary Nurses and join the Register to start careers as qualified professionals."
A list of all the successful candidates is available from RCVSonline (http://www.rcvs.org.uk/), along with information about how VNs eligible to List and Register can do so.
Bimeda has announced the launch of Butagran Equi (phenylbutazone), to join its range of analgesics and anti-inflammatories.
Bimeda says that Butagran Equi provides rapid onset of activity with the added convenience for horse owners or professionals of being presented as an easy-to-administer sweetened powder.
Indications include musculo-skeletal conditions that require relief from pain and a reduction in the associated inflammation, including lameness associated with osteoarthritic conditions, bursitis, laminitis and soft tissue inflammation.
Head of Bimeda technical services Padraig Hyland MVB said: "Butagran Equi is particularly suited where continued mobility is considered desirable. It is also of value in limiting post-surgical inflammation, myositis and other soft tissue inflammation and can be used as an anti-pyretic where this is considered advisable, such as in viral respiratory infections. And being a sweetened powder it's quite straightforward for horse owners to administer and dose as prescribed."
He added: "Butagran Equi follows the launch of a number of new products and is proof our desire to provide a comprehensive and relevant equine portfolio backed up with first class technical support."
A bogus vet who pleaded guilty to a number animal cruelty and fraud offences is being sought by Humberside Police after he failed to appear at court for sentencing.
Jayson Paul Wells (pictured right), 30, of Driffield in the East Riding of Yorkshire, is wanted by detectives in Grimsby after he failed to appear at Grimsby Crown Court.
The RCVS assisted Humberside Police with its original investigation and is publicising its appeal to help locate Mr Wells. Police believe that he may be trading as a herdsman in Nottingham or Cornwall and are keen to establish whether he is currently in either location.
Mr Wells was arrested on 2 October 2013 and charged with the following offences:
Mr Wells pleaded guilty to all offences.
Anyone who is aware of his whereabouts is asked to call Humberside Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.