The UK's first online gastric ulcer risk assessment for horse owners has just been launched as part of the 2009 Gastric Ulcer Awareness Month (GUAM), organised by Merial Equine Health. 

Merial has developed the risk online questionnaire to enable owners to evaluate their horse's risk of ulcers. By logging on to the website http://www.gastriculcerrisk.co.uk/, owners, trainers and riders can complete a form which then returns the results via email. Where an animal is considered to be at medium to high risk, owners will be advised to consult their veterinary practice.

The company's Dr Emma Batson said: "Since the first GUAM in 2007, significant progress has been made in developing awareness and understanding of equine gastric ulcer syndrome.  

"However there is still more to do! Our goal is to move gastric ulcers further up the diagnostic process, such that the condition is an early consideration for all horses presented with the vague symptoms associated with ulceration. We know that due to the vague nature of the symptoms, many of horses are suspected of other ailments such as back and teeth problems, general poor performance, or behavioural issues prior to being diagnosed with ulcers.

"This new initiative has been developed through consultation with practising internal medicine specialists. We hope it will help to highlight more cases and encourage clients into the practice with horses that are at genuine risk of ulcers. Further diagnosis, treatment and management measures can then be considered in consultation with the client.

"The website also has a veterinary page so that follow up information and any gastroscopy results can be recorded by the vet. We hope that this feedback will help generate some valuable data for the industry."

To help you promote this initiative, Merial has produced an impactful poster for use in practice waiting rooms, along with educational literature. The poster will be available as a loose insert in various publications during April and May.

For those practices which require a referral scoping service, Merial can put you in touch with three specialist consultants; Rachael Conwell (North) Dr.Tim Brazil (Midlands/nationwide) and Richard Hepburn (South West) who each provide a mobile scoping clinic.

Merial is also promising support for the mobile scoping service for the five practices that direct the largest number of clients to http://www.gastriculcerrisk.co.uk/

A number of events are also taking place during the month for vets, trainers and horse owners, including the following CPD events:

• A CPD seminar entitled 'Inside Out' includes presentations on intestinal conditions, gastric ulceration, respiratory diagnostics, and Equine Metabolic Syndrome. Held on Tuesday 19th May 2009, at the National Water Sports Centre, Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham, the event will include sporting activities in the afternoon.
• A BEVA CPD gastroscopy training forum to be held on 12th May and hosted by B&W Equine Group at the Willesley clinic is already fully booked. However other initiatives include a seminar for racehorse trainers to be held in Yorkshire which boasts a demonstration of the new revolutionary remote endoscopy system and a photo call at Badminton Horse Trials.

GUAM is supported by BEVA and Dr Batson hopes that the 2009 initiatives will further boost awareness, understanding and diagnosis of this underrated condition.

Pfizer Animal Health has launched a new range of diabetes support materials, including a DVD, post-prescription leaflet and home recording chart for owners of diabetic cats and dogs; a vet detailer, poster and blood glucose monitoring chart for the practice.

The company says that diabetes is on the increase in pets, as the level of obesity in cats and dogs escalates. Current estimates put the disease prevalence at 0.32% in the dog population¹ with similar levels suggested for cats with some being as high as 1 in 100². With increasing economic pressures and busy lifestyles, many owners are reluctant to take on the challenge of a diabetic pet, yet most pets respond extremely well to treatment.

Susan Mitchell, Insuvet® Product Manager at Pfizer Animal Health, believes that communication is key: "Helping owners to understand that treatment need not be difficult and that routines can be flexible enough to fit in with their lifestyles is critical. Time and time again it has been shown that cost is not always the primary consideration when it comes to treating the pet that is viewed as a much loved member of the family.

"Ensuring that owners understand exactly what will be expected of them is likely to be pivotal to the success of diabetes management than might first be assumed. Our new range of support material focuses on that need and takes the owner right the way through the process, from that initial diagnosis when decisions hang in the balance, to improving compliance by providing all the tools necessary for effective day to day management of the disease."

The new support materials include a DVD that explains all that clients need to know about the condition. This, says Pfizer, is the ideal choice after initial diagnosis, to reinforce and support the dialogue that takes place in the clinic environment. Shock, fear and confusion may mean that many owners will simply fail to take in all that their vet has to tell them after the initial diagnosis. This, in turn may prevent the owner from making an objective decision about their pet's future. 

Once emotions have settled the client can watch the DVD in their own home, start to approach the future more rationally and decide what adaptations may have to be made. A post prescription leaflet is available to provide reassurance about the daily routine of monitoring a diabetic pet and a home recording chart to aid long-term compliance.

Of course, diabetic patients can be just as challenging in the practice environment so a comprehensive vet detailer is available along with blood glucose monitoring charts, a poster detailing what to do in a keto-acidotic emergency, a veterinary nurse discharging list and a clinic letter.

For further information on the Insuvet® range or to request support materials for diabetic clinics or individual patients, vets and nurses should contact their Pfizer Business Account Manager. For any technical questions about the Insuvet range call the Pfizer Animal Health Technical Support Line on 0845 3008034.

The Association of Private Pet Cemeteries & Crematoria (APPCC) has launched a new leaflet for bereaved pet owners, which will be distributed to veterinary practices.

Kevin Spurgeon, Director of the APPCC said:  "The feelings of grief and loss that pet owners go through after the death of their pet is often not fully appreciated. The idea of the leaflet is to help owners understand and deal with the emotions they are experiencing more. If the pet is part of a family then several people along with other pets may be affected - it may even be the first experience of death for some." 

The leaflet was written and produced for the APPCC by Jane Matthews, author of Losing a Pet (http://www.smallbooks.co.uk/), and has had support from several experienced pet bereavement counsellors and the nationwide Pet Bereavement Support Service run by SCAS (www.scas.org.uk). It covers a variety of subjects, including:

• the act of having your pet euthanased
• understanding the range of emotions you will experience after the death of your pet
• ways of coping with grief
• children and pet bereavement
• information on pet cemeteries & crematoria
• ways other family pets can be affected by the death of a pet
• organisations offering support

According to the APPCC, studies have shown that as many as 1 in 4 pet owners take time off of work after the death of their pet with nearly half of all those surveyed having taking annual leave after their loss.  Pet crematoriums have also noticed an upturn in the numbers of people taking a hands-on approach by choosing to arrange an individual cremation for their pet directly with the crematorium.

The APPCC plans to distribute the leaflets to its members, pet bereavement counsellors and veterinary surgeries throughout the UK and believes this is a major step forward in both acknowledging pet bereavement and helping those affected by it. The leaflet will also be available to download from the main APPCC website www.appcc.org.uk as well as through many of the members own sites.

CEVA Animal Health has extended its behavioural range of products with the launch of Senilife^®, a nutritional supplement which is specifically formulated to help manage signs of brain ageing in dogs and cats.

Senilife^® contains a combination of three essential brain nutrients - phosphatidylserine, vitamin B6 and vitamin E - which the company says help maintain membrane fluidity and normalise neurotransmission.  In addition, two natural but potent anti-oxidants - gingko biloba and resveratrol - support brain metabolism and help to neutralise free radicals and reduce amyloid deposits.

According to CEVA, common signs of brain ageing in dogs and cats include playing or interacting less, barking or howling at night, loss of house-training/litter box training, apathy or increased tiredness and disorientation. A study has shown that up to 75% of dogs over seven years of age and 35% of cats 11 years and over suffer from at least one geriatric behavioural problem¹.

In a recent clinical study, 86% of owners were satisfied with the results achieved after one month of using Senilife^®, with 73% of dog owners and 67% of cat owners noticing fewer signs of brain ageing within the first seven days².

Juliet Penaliggon, small animal marketing manager at CEVA Animal Health, says: "Many typical signs of brain ageing in dogs can be controlled by nutritional management.  Senilife^® is a fast-acting, nutritional supplement that contains proven nutrients and neuroprotectives to help manage these signs."Senilife^® capsules are easy to administer either directly into the mouth of the pet or emptied onto the pet's food."

For further information, please contact your CEVA Animal Health representative or call 01494 781510.

References
1 Behaviour problems in geriatric pets.  Lansberg G and Araujo J.  Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 35 (2005) 675-698.
2 Isaka N, Baysse B, Lopez A, Ovaert P and Penaliggon J.  CABSTG Spring Meeting April (2009).

Following two postponed hearings and a stayed Judicial Review, the Disciplinary Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons last week accepted a wide-ranging 18-month programme of undertakings from a veterinary surgeon found guilty of serious professional misconduct, to address his "serious deficiencies" and "practice failings".

In October 2006, Mr Joseph Holmes MRCVS, of the Waltham Veterinary Clinic near Grimsby, was found guilty of serious professional misconduct for performing inappropriate and out-of-date veterinary treatment. Judgment was postponed for a period of two years subject to conditions that were put in writing and agreed by Mr Holmes.

The hearing resumed early, in February 2008, as Mr Holmes had deliberately ceased to comply with these conditions in the hope of forcing an appeal against the Committee's original finding of serious professional misconduct.

At the resumed hearing, Mr Holmes was told there was no legal framework for such an appeal (only against a sanction of suspension or removal from the Register) and that he would be subject to an 18-month period of compliance with the conditions set out at the original hearing; he was also invited to propose a programme of continuing professional development (CPD) and other undertakings for that period.

As Mr Holmes then applied for a Judicial Review of the Committee's decisions, this programme was never proposed. However, at the Royal Courts of Justice in October 2008, Mr Holmes' application for Judicial Review was stayed, by mutual consent, allowing for the DC hearing to be resumed and for him to offer undertakings for the Committee's consideration.

At last week's hearing, the Committee reminded itself of the original four findings of serious professional misconduct against Mr Holmes, which, in each case, it had stated would "be viewed by reasonable and competent members of the veterinary profession to be deplorable...and far below the standards that members of the public were entitled to expect."

In relation to these findings, the Committee was particularly concerned about his deficiencies in the fields of orthopaedics, oncology, radiology and therapeutics and considered that his future CPD should specifically address these areas.

Consequently, Mr Holmes agreed to an extensive range of undertakings over an 18-month period, including: participation in the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme (including two inspections); keeping abreast of changes to the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct; 105 hours of standard and additional CPD; proofs of purchase of up-to-date text books and journal subscriptions; and six-monthly progress reports to the Chairman of the Committee.

Brian Jennings, Chairman of the Committee, said: "The Committee considers that the undertakings in the form that you have offered to it, if fulfilled by you, will serve to ensure that there will be no repetition of the conduct which resulted in our original findings and serve to ensure that animals and the public will not be put at risk.

"We trust that you will enter into these courses with the right mind-set and find that at their conclusion, these tasks have been of advantage to your practice."

Noelle Lowry, a marathon-running vet from Lichfield has raised almost £2,500 for the RCVS Trust in the London Marathon.

Noelle beat her fundraising target of £1,500, to raise money for the Trust to use in its work to support veterinary education and research, and in providing library and information services.

She finished 4,594 out of the 11,037 women runners in the London Marathon, taking 4 hours and 36 minutes to run the 26.2 mile long course - and beating her time last year in the New York marathon.

Noelle said: "A lot of people chipped in at the last minute - my mum has been organising people back home in Ballymena and my friends and colleagues have all put their hands in their pockets - so a huge thank you to all of them.

"I'm a great fan of the RCVS Trust. It's not one of the big charity brands but the grant funding for veterinary research can really make a difference to animals - and we can all use the library and online resources - so I wanted to give it some help."

Click here for more about the work of the RCVS Trust

A donation of 200 Tracer microchips by Bayer is helping to save one of the world's largest and rarest species of frog against extinction. A deadly fungal disease, responsible for decimating global amphibian populations, is threatening the last known wild population of the 'mountain chicken' frog (Leptodactylus fallax).

The eastern Caribbean island of Montserrat is the last global stronghold for this species - known locally as mountain chicken due to its taste. As recently as 2002, chytridomycosis wiped out the majority of mountain chicken frogs on the island of Dominica. Recent tests on dead frogs found in the west of Montserrat have confirmed the presence of this disease.

The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust has been working in Montserrat since the early 1990s to support the local government in the protection of the island's vast biodiversity. The mountain chicken has been an important species, and Durrell holds the largest safety net population at its Jersey headquarters.

In response to the positive identification of the disease, Durrell has launched an emergency plan to rescue healthy frogs and put in place longer treatment and management plans for the protection of the species.

Bayer's donation of 200 Tracer microchips will be used to individually identify the captive mountain chickens held by Durrell to help manage a breeding programme. Durrell is also testing the feasibility of treating the frogs with antifungals in their natural habitat, and the use of the donation of microchips will be essential to allow individual frogs to be monitored to assess the outcomes of treatment regimes.

Durrell's head of veterinary services, Javier López, has worked with mountain chickens for a number of years, and explains that the disease could very quickly wipe out the species. Captive populations of healthy frogs, such as the one in Jersey, could be used to initiate re-introductions back to the wild or in disease-free areas.

The Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) has inaugurated its new President Iain Richards BVSc CertVA Cert SHP MRCVS, who has outlined the key issues he would like to address during his presidency: 

"The reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act will be a big part of the SPVS year. Any changes of the VSA are likely to hit practitioners hardest of all. It was to ensure public confidence that the RCVS was formed, and it is with the public that we have our daily interactions. It is satisfying to note, despite what some of the EFRACOM committee felt, that the proportion of actual complaints in comparison to public interactions is very small indeed. This point must not be lost on the RCVS or government. The profession is already held in high esteem by the public and any new act has to reinforce that.

Alongside the VSA are the closely related aspects of 24hr cover and the Working Time Regulations. Indeed, it is no coincidence that our high public esteem is in part due to the willingness of the practicing arm of the profession to make itself available at all times. The WTR has a long way to go, but has the potential to make this aspect of our work untenable.

Farm practice continues to have its own challenges. Despite opinion suggesting that farms do well in a recession, the challenges are still out there. It is a rapidly changing field with issues of medicines supply still causing problems. TB will spread and more practices will have to look hard at the return LVI work provides. By adopting SPVS advice on fee construction and cost centre analysis, practices can accurately assess the true impact of this and any other revenue stream.               

Small animal and many equine practices will potentially feel the recession the most, as both operate in a luxury market. The 2009 Congress theme, and that of the SPVS stream at the BVA Congress in Cardiff, is "Surviving the Recession".

The Society will be at the forefront in providing solid advice to practices to enable them to thrive in such circumstances. Recessions have come and gone and we have a wealth of experience from previous SPVS members to draw upon. One thing is clear, providing a quality service is vital. To the client, this has to be a value for money service as well. Marrying these two is key to business success and SPVS council will be working towards these objectives. It is likely that those practices that adapt and survive a recession will be in a strong position in the future.

Quality and value apply to practices, regardless of their species grouping. At home in Kendal, my practice is pushing standards forwards in equine, farm and small animal work. Because of this I am lucky to be able to indulge in being a mixed practitioner who has a keen interest in all aspects of veterinary work. This places me in a good position to represent the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons at all levels and to all bodies. SPVS is a great society; it is a pleasure to be picked for the team.

My vision goes beyond the year, however, and would encapsulate a desire that SPVS works with the other divisions of BVA to ensure that the veterinary profession provides the foremost view of all aspects of animal welfare and disease."

The British Veterinary Dental Association has officially launched its own new section on VetSurgeon.org to help its members share ideas and experiences amongst each other.

The new BVDA section on VetSurgeon contains a dedicated forum for discussing veterinary dentistry. There's also a photo and video sharing gallery in which to share and discuss interesting cases. Members can also catch up on association news and hold private 'conversations' between each other using VetSurgeon's sophisticated peer-to-peer networking system.

All veterinary surgeons can visit and read content in the BVDA section on VetSurgeon. However, only BVDA members can join and participate.

A downloadable application form for BVDA membership is available from the 'About us' section.  

Lisa Milella MRCVS, BVDA President said: "We're very excited about the potential that VetSurgeon offers us to share information about veterinary dentistry both amongst ourselves and with the wider profession" 

Arlo Guthrie, editor and publisher of VetSurgeon said: "I'm really pleased to welcome the BVDA to VetSurgeon. They now sit alongside the Small Animal Medicine Society on the site, and I hope will be joined by more veterinary associations in the future, so that they are all conveniently in once place for easy availability to all practitioners."

Click here to visit the new BVDA section on VetSurgeon.

Pet Blood Bank UK (PBBuk) launched its new mobile blood collection unit, donated by Royal Canin, at the University of Nottingham's School of Veterinary Medicine and Science on Wednesday, simultaneously collecting enough blood to save the lives of up to 32 dogs. 

The blood collection session offered third-year university students an opportunity to learn about transfusion medicine and to practice their clinical skills on real life subjects, as they performed the pre-donation checks and tests under the supervision of Pet Blood Bank UK veterinary advisers.

Vanessa Ashall, Pet Blood Bank UK welfare officer and veterinary surgeon, said: "It is great for students to be able to see these animals. Transfusion medicine is a new science and I certainly wasn't taught about it as a veterinary student. Collaboration with veterinary schools is such a positive step, as we are able to educate the vets of the future on the benefits of transfusion medicine and blood typing, whilst giving them some real hands-on experience."

Veterinary support manager for Royal Canin, Chris Geddes, said: "We are really pleased to be able to assist Pet Blood Bank UK become more mobile and reach more donors. The charity's work is so important to the emergency and critical care of patients, as shown by the tremendous gratitude of the owners of blood recipients."

Golden retriever Beau was one such recipient who had received a transfusion last month after suffering a haemorrhage after surgery for gastric dilatation and volvulus. His owners, Janet and David Liggins, attended the event with a fully-recovered Beau and their other golden retriever, Lotti who gave blood.

Mrs Liggins said: "We can't speak highly enough of all the vets and vet nurses that cared for him - they did a tremendous job looking after Beau, and us! The Pet Blood Bank provided the blood that saved Beau's life. We are really pleased that Lotti was able to give blood. She was a star - the perfect donor!" 

Veterinary practices wanting to encourage their clients to put dogs forward as donors, or which would like to support the work of Pet Blood Bank UK, should visit http://www.petbloodbankuk.org/ or contact Pet Blood Bank UK on 01509 232 222 or 0844 800 9925 (5p/min). Blood donors are needed for a second blood collection session at the Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Sutton Bonington campus, on Saturday, May 23: 10-4pm.

Fort Dodge has announced that a challenge study has demonstrated the ability of Duvaxyn^® IE-T Plus equine influenza vaccine to cross protect against A/equi-2/Sydney/07 (H3N8) two weeks after a two dose primary course.  This strain was responsible for the financially devastating equine influenza outbreak in Australia in August 2007.

Duvaxyn IE-T Plus is an inactivated whole virus equine influenza vaccine, adjuvanted with an aqueous-based adjuvant.  According to Fort Dodge, experts at a recent WHO meeting on human vaccines expressed the view that whole virus vaccines have the potential to induce a stronger and more broadly based response to circulating influenza strains than those contained in sub-unit vaccines because of the presence of the full set of virus proteins in the vaccine*.

The study, conducted by the Animal Health Trust, involved two groups of EIV seronegative horses.  The first group, consisting of seven vaccinates, were given two dose of Duvaxyn IE-T Plus, 28 days apart, and challenged with A/equi-2/Sydney/07 (H3N8) virus strain 14 days after the second vaccination.  The second group of unvaccinated horses was challenged at the same time.  Duvaxyn IE-T Plus caused a statistically significant reduction in both clinical signs of the disease and in viral shedding.

Helen Barnes, EMEA Equine Business Manager for Fort Dodge, said: "The results of this challenge study provide reassurance for owners that horses vaccinated with Duvaxyn will be protected against circulating strains of equine influenza, including the Sydney strain which proved so damaging.

"As the benefits offered by whole virus technology are increasingly recognised, the popularity of vaccines based on this technology is re-emerging, particularly to combat a potential pandemic.

"The entire Duvaxyn range of equine vaccines, including the recently licensed Duvaxyn WNV for West Nile Virus, are based on the whole virus approach as we believe it offers a broad and  consistent level of protection."

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.