Members of Parliament have recognised the British Veterinary Association's contribution to the promotion of microchipping dogs and the campaign for compulsory microchipping through an Early Day Motion (EDM) tabled by Andrew Rosindell MP (Conservative, Romford).
The EDM is gaining signatures from across all political parties as MPs show their support for a compulsory microchipping scheme that would have a significant and positive welfare impact on dogs by:
The EDM is also supported by Dogs Trust (who coordinated the EDM), Cats Protection, Blue Cross, and NOAH (National Office for Animal Health).
Earlier this week Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones AM announced proposals for the compulsory microchipping of all dogs and puppies sold or homed by licensed breeders, to improve traceability.
Professor Bill Reilly, President of the British Veterinary Association (BVA), said: "Microchipping is part of responsible pet ownership and the BVA believes that all dogs should be permanently identified by microchip before the first change of ownership or at the first veterinary examination.
"Compulsory microchipping allows stray dogs to be reunited with their owners and would help the authorities to crack down on shameful puppy farms, where the health and welfare of both puppies and bitches is compromised, by improving the traceability of the animals.
"It could also assist with the reporting of hereditary health problems and surgical procedures to help us gain as much knowledge and research as we can to improve the health of all dogs.
"I would urge all Members of Parliament to show their support for dogs and their owners by signing this EDM."
The EU Commission has approved the marketing authorisation variation of Boehringer Ingelheim's PCV2 vaccine Ingelvac CircoFLEX. This approval allows the combined use of the pig vaccines Ingelvac CircoFLEX and Ingelvac MycoFLEX in the European Union.
Boehringer says it will market this unique vaccine concept under the name FLEXcombo. The company highlights that protection against two of the most prominent and costly pig diseases, Porcine Circovirus Disease (PCVD) and Enzootic Pneumonia, can now be achieved with a single injection instead of up to four injections. More than 70% of European pigs are currently vaccinated against both these diseases.
According to the company, the combined use of Ingelvac CircoFLEX and Ingelvac MycoFLEX is already registered and widely used in North America and Asia. It is globally the first and only product combination of its kind.
Dr. Joachim Hasenmaier, global head of Animal Health within BI said: "We are very proud that we can now also supply EU veterinarians and farmers with this latest innovation that will help tremendously in reducing the number of injections to pigs, supporting the wellbeing of the animals and the farm economics by saving a substantial amount of labour."
Animalcare has launched a new broad spectrum fluoroquinolone antimicrobial (Enrofloxacin) which the company says is highly effective in the treatment of a wide range of conditions and easy to inject, with excellent tissue penetration.
Enrocare solution for injection is presented in three strengths: A 25mg/ml (2.5%) injection for dogs, cats and exotic animals including reptiles, small mammals and avian species. The 50mg/ml (5%) injection is licensed for use in cattle, pigs, dogs and cats, whilst the 100mg/ml (10%) injection is licensed for cattle and pigs. In the case of dogs and cats a single daily dose is needed.
Animalcare says it has priced Enrocare competitively. In addition, the range has been launched with three offers: "Buy one get one free on the 50 and 100mg/ml" and "Buy two get one free offer" on the 25mg/ml pack size. These offers will last for four months until the end of September.
In cattle, Enrocare 50mg/ml, given by the subcutaneous route, is licensed for respiratory disease of bacterial or mycoplasmal origin and the 100mg/ml strength is licenced for both respiratory disease and E.coli mastitis (the latter given by slow intravenous injection). According to Animalcare, its low dose volume makes it particularly suitable for the treatment of respiratory disease in calves. In pigs >25kg Enrocare is licensed for the treatment of the respiratory and alimentary tract diseases of bacterial or mycoplasmal origin and multi-factorial diseases such as atrophic rhinitis and enzootic pneumonia.
Tony Liepman, Animalcare Market Manager said: "The recent successful launch of Cephacare flavour raised Animalcare's profile as a supplier of more up-to-date antibiotics and this is our latest addition which offers excellent efficacy at an attractive price."
Dechra Veterinary Products has produced a pair of presentations, aimed at pet owners, for vets to use in receptions and at client events. The presentations cover canine hyperadrenocorticism, aka Cushing's syndrome, and feline hyperthyroidism.
Matthew Olsen, Product Manager, said: "We are committed to delivering a wide range of support materials and tools to enable vets to provide help and information to their customers. We have developed an owners' booklet on both Cushing's and hyperthyroidism and have now backed this up with PowerPoint presentations for vets to use with their clients. Some veterinary practices are using technology to revolutionise waiting room displays and we have responded to their needs by producing a presentation they can use on their waiting room information screens."
The Dechra Hyperadrenocorticism presentation covers what Cushing's is, what causes it and what owners need to look for. The presentation also explains the treatment options available. The Hyperthyroidism presentation details what the condition is and gives information on the thyroid gland. It highlights what cat owners need to look out for, including weight loss in spite of a ravenous appetite, increased fluid intake and increased restlessness. The presentation also advises people of what to do should they suspect their cat has hyperthyroidism and what the treatment options are.
Garden Lodge Veterinary Clinic in Holywood, County Down, has used the Hyperthyroidism presentation at both its practices. Partner Tom Fitzsimons said: "We have used the presentation on our reception information screens. The presentation has raised owners' awareness and shown them it is a manageable condition. It's led to an increase in the number of cats we are now testing for Hyperthyrodism. We also plan to run the Cushing's presentation in the future."
Veterinary Practices interested in getting hold of a free copy of the Hyperthyrodism and Hyperadrenocorticism presentations should contact Matthew Olsen at Dechra on 01743 441 632 or email matthew.olsen@dechra.com
For veterinary surgeons and VNs who missed out on the BVDA 'Improving Periodontal Health' lecture tour last year, a further six have been organised for this autumn.
Speakers include Norman Johnston BVM&S, MRCVS, Ex President of the European Veterinary Dental College, John Robinson BDS (Lond) Dentist to the Veterinary Profession and Lisa Milella BVSc, MRCVS President of the British Veterinary Dental Association (BVDA). This year's events see the content extended to include resorptive lesions, fractured teeth and dental radiography with greater emphasis on feline oral care.
According to Lisa, the 2010 lecture series helped alert vets and VNs to the importance of oral health, benefitting both pet and practice. "It takes five years at vet school to qualify yet only three or four days are devoted to dentistry, so it's no surprise that many vets and VNs enter the profession with only a basic understanding of oral health.
"We know that four out of five dogs over the age of three show signs of periodontal disease but unfortunately many go untreated. This is mainly because the problems that this can lead to are not fully understood."
She added: "These seminars will not only help delegates to recognise early signs of oral disease but also offer practical guidance on how practices can educate pet owners in the importance of oral care."
Lisa believes that both practices and owners benefit from good oral hygiene programmes. "As a profession we need to do more to help educate pet owners in the value of good oral care. Practices should be talking to their clients from day one about preventative programmes, rather than wait until the damage is done."
The six UK events are:
The evening seminars, which are open to both vets and nurses, contribute two hours CPD and cost £35 per person and £25 for each subsequent delegate. A special group rate of £100.00 is available for any practice that wishes to send a group of four. For anyone wanting to reserve a place, please call the BVDA lecture tour reservation line centre on 01664 415 503.
John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, oficially opened the award-winning £10.5 million Small Animal Hospital for the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow today.
Designed by Archial Architects, the Small Animal Hospital provides state of the art services for animal owners and referring practitioners throughout Scotland and Northern England, including advanced diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical techniques.
Archial's design for the Small Animal Hospital has already won a string of awards, including the prestigious RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award, a RIBA Regional Award and the Supreme Award from the Glasgow Institute of Architects.
Archial Architects has confirmed that it is to donate £2,500 from the Andrew Doolan Prize fund to the Small Animal Hospital.
The findings of a Canine Vector Borne Disease (CVBD) prevention field study, published in Veterinary Parasitology today, have demonstrated the efficacy of Advantix in repelling ticks and sandflies, thus reducing the risk of potentially deadly diseases.
The study, conducted over two years by a team headed by Professor Domenico Otranto of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Universitá degli Studi di Bari) Italy, with diagnostic support from a team led by Dr. Edward Breitschwerdt at the North Carolina State University, USA, found that dogs treated regularly with Advantix spot-on had a greater than 90% reduction in CVBD cases, including a 100% reduction in new cases of potentially deadly leishmaniosis and a 94.6% decrease in ehrlichiosis.
The study also found that Advantix provided 97.9% protection against tick infestation, compared to untreated dogs, where 100% were infested at the peak of the season. The level of protection offered by Advantix was apparently all the more notable because of particularly large numbers of ticks and sand flies and high prevalence of associated diseases like leishmaniosis or babesiosis in the area of the study.
Prof. Otranto said: "Our study shows the importance of protecting dogs with an effective treatment that repels as well as kills parasites like ticks and sand flies. Despite the high challenge faced by the dogs in our study, nearly all our treated dogs remained free from ticks throughout most of the study, and more than 90% remained free from CVBDs for the whole study time.
"Because we included naïve sentinel beagles in the study, we were also able to model what would happen to dogs travelling to areas where CVBDs are present. We found that by the end of the study, only the Advantix-treated beagles remained protected from infection, while 80% of the untreated beagles were infected with a CVBD. This demonstrates the very real need to protect dogs that are travelling to endemic areas."
According to Bayer, the study showed some interesting results with dogs that were positive with CVBDs when they entered the study. Of these, half of those treated with Advantix were negative for CVBDs at the end of treatment, compared with only 13% of untreated dogs. This suggests the potential for natural clearance of CVBDs if a repellent treatment is used to prevent new transmissions.
Bayer says the study was extremely comprehensive, studying both indigenous and introduced naïve puppies, monitoring for several CVBDs and working with Dr. Breitschwerdt's team in the USA to use highly sensitive molecular testing techniques to ensure optimal diagnostic accuracy. Dr. Breitschwerdt said: "This is the most comprehensive study, to my knowledge, ever conducted testing the efficacy of a repellent ectoparasiticide to prevent the transmission of a spectrum of CVBDs in young dogs."
Leading parasitologist Dr. Luis Cardoso of the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal said: "Thanks to this study we can see just how effective a treatment that repels as well as kills can be."
Amongst the research being presented is 'Stress Reduction in Children', a Mars-funded study in which 75 male children were monitored to see how their levels of the stress-hormone cortisol varied when they were exposed to mild social stresses. The study found that children with a dog present showed significantly lower levels of the stress-hormone than those with a friendly adult present. In addition, the more the children stroked and interacted with the dog, the further their levels of cortisol decreased.
Sandra McCune, Research Manager for the Human-Companion Animal Bond Research Programme at Mars Petcare's Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition (there's a job title-and-a-half) said: "Pet owners will tell you just how much their pet means to them but it is research such as this that proves just how fundamental and important the bond is between people and pets. These studies provide us with valuable insight into this special bond and the health benefits of owning a pet."
Genitrix has taken on the exclusive UK distribution of the Oxbow Professional range of premium recovery diets for herbivores and carnivores.
The Oxbow range was developed in the USA, covers a wide range of exotic species, and is offered in multiple pack sizes to ensure ease of use and cost effectiveness. Key products within the range include Critical Care, Critical Care Fine Grind and new Carnivore Care.
Carnivore Care is a recovery diet for carnivores including cats, ferrets, raptors and snakes, which are unwilling or unable to eat their normal diet. Developed specifically for carnivorous mammals, reptiles and birds, it contains easily digestible proteins, as well as high taurine and L-carnitine in a powdered formula which is easy to mix. It can be self fed, fed by syringe or even by tube to cats, ferrets, raptors, and other carnivorous small mammals and reptiles. It is used for conditions including malnutrition, severe weight loss, appetite stimulation, gastroenteritis, pre and post surgical care and as a medication carrier.
Critical Care is a recovery diet for herbivores, including rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, tortoises and other herbivorous mammals and reptiles. Formulated to contain all essential nutrients, as well as timothy hay to ensure proper gut physiology and digestion, it can be self fed or fed by syringe and is used in cases including gastrointestinal stasis, severe weight loss, dental disease/post extraction, for gastric hair balls and pre and post surgery
Critical Care Fine Grind is a recovery food which is particularly suitable in cases where tube feeding is required. Formulated to contain timothy hay and essential nutrients, it is offered in a fine particle size to ensure easy flow through nasogastric tubes and syringes. It can be used to feed herbivorous mammals and reptiles unwilling or unable to eat due to illness, surgery or poor nutritional status.
John Chitty BVetMed, CertZooMed, CBiol, MIBiol, MRCVS of the JC Exotic Pet Consultancy said: "In my opinion, the Oxbow Professional Line is the best recovery diet range on the market as it gives vets a variety of high quality options for multiple species. It can make really make the difference in a successful recovery."
Howard Wilder, Genitrix' Managing Director, said: "We're focused on delivering innovative products for companion animals and exotic pets which advance veterinary care and provide revenue opportunities for veterinary practices.
"The Oxbow range covers a uniquely wide range of species giving vets a flexible 'one range fits all' recovery care diet for convalescing pets, which has been well researched and formulated. We're delighted to launch the Oxbow Professional range in the UK and believe many veterinary practices will find it a beneficial addition to their armoury."
The British Veterinary Association has given a cautious welcome to the merger of the Animal Health Agency (AH) and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) announced yesterday by Secretary of State Caroline Spelman.
Professor Bill Reilly, President of the BVA said: "On the face of it there could be significant benefits in merging these two key animal health organisations. Already, at local and national levels, the two agencies are required to work closely and if done properly we could have one body that is completed committed to animal health.
"However, every veterinary surgeon will want reassurance that the merger will not simply become another way to cut costs by reducing the number of people working on disease surveillance and research. It is vital that both organisations continue to deliver under the new body.
"The merger could have an impact on responsibility and cost sharing plans, the tendering exercise for Official Veterinarian (OV) work, and the future of animal health delivery in the devolved administrations. The BVA is therefore calling for a wide consultation on how the merged organisation will work to ensure the best for the veterinary profession, farming community and all other interested organisations."
CEVA Animal Health has announced the results of a survey which found that nearly half a million UK cat and dog owners never go on holiday for fear of upsetting their pet's routine.
In addition, the research revealed that half³ of pet owners who do take holidays experience guilt as a result of leaving their animal at a kennel or cattery, with nearly two-thirds (62%) considering the experience to be just as stressful or even more stressful for them than for their pet.
Cat behaviour counsellor Vicky Halls said, "We plan holidays in order to relax, yet they are actually a common cause of stress for all concerned - particularly for the pet cat. Even a stay at the best cattery can be unsettling, as their patterns of feeding, play and social interaction will be disrupted. They also have to adapt to a different environment and its new smells, noises and other animals. Of course, cats may experience similar issues if staying with a neighbour."
Indeed, 63% of respondents claim to have noticed a change in their pet when they've returned from holiday, with many animals becoming unsettled and showing signs of confusion or nervousness without their owners around.
According to the survey, going on holiday is one of the most stressful events that a pet can experience, although there are measures that people can take to relieve some of their animal's stress.
Juliet Penaliggon, small animal business unit manager at CEVA Animal Health, said: "Many people become anxious at the thought of leaving their pet in someone else's care while they are away. For some, this means they feel unable to go on holiday at all, even for a weekend, but there are excellent kennels and catteries available.
"It's advisable that owners research the facilities in their area and they shouldn't be afraid to ask questions when they visit the kennels or catteries. Once pets are there, some familiar items and the use of pheromone products D.A.P. and Feliway can help the animal to settle in."
For further information, please visit http://www.dapfordogs.com/ or http://www.feliway.com/.
¹ Survey carried out by Opinion Matters on behalf of CEVA Animal Health, March 2010. Sample size: 1,100.² 464,000 UK cat or dog owners³ 46% of pet owners
Merial Animal Health has been found in breach of the NOAH Code of Practice for literature promoting the wormer Ivomec Super.
In the literature, Merial stated that Closantel injection (Janssen Animal Health) was effective against flukes aged 9 weeks or older, when in fact, at the time the undated brochure was distributed, Closantel was effective against flukes aged 7 weeks or older.
Merial did not dispute the facts alleged: the company had relied on an out-of-date detailer. The NOAH Code of Practice Committee emphasised the need for members to ensure, when giving comparative data in promotions, that up-to-date data is used. The SPC of any authorised product can be viewed on the VMD's website.
The Committee did commend Merial Animal Health for taking corrective action within two days of notification by the Complainant.
NOAH encourages those interested in finding out more to read the full details of the Committee's rulings on the NOAH website at www.noah.co.uk/code.
Medivet Veterinary Partnership has announced the acquisition of a two-branch practice in Bedfordshire, Ridgeway Veterinary Centre, Flitwick, and Kempston Veterinary Clinic, Bedford, belonging to John Wakely, BVetMed MRCVS.
Current practice vets, John Wakely and Leo Weindrich, as well as all the nursing and reception staff, will remain at the practices. John said: "We are very pleased to be joining the Medivet Group. We will be able to offer our clients a wider range of services and expertise, as well as pass on price reductions for some services, which being part of a larger group enables us to do."
"On a practical level, our clients won't notice much difference. Our staff will remain the same and I will still be their main vet. On a professional level, because the day-to-day administration will be handled by the Medivet head office, I am looking forward to spending more time being a vet. It will give me the time to acquire more expertise in the areas I have always been interested in."
Medivet partner John Smithers said: "John Wakely's practices enjoy an excellent reputation. They will remain local veterinary practices, based, as they always have been, on the high standards of care and strong relationships the staff have developed with their patients and clients over many years. Becoming part of a group will give the practices access to additional skills, facilities and support of staff at other local branches."
This acquisition brings the total number of practices Medivet owns in Bedfordshire to four, the others situated in Biggleswade and Sandy, and brings the total number of practices in the Medivet group to 80.
Bayer Animal Health has launched four short youtube films about parasites, fronted by celebrity veterinary surgeon, Scott Miller.
The press blurb says the films "will provide pet owners with an amazing and educational journey into the world of parasites and highlight the need for the control of these often unwelcome pests", which I would normally translate as: "will provide anyone with too much time on their hands with a rather dull five minute advertisement for our flea treatment".
But no. The big surprise is that in addition to the slick production values, these films actually are rather interesting. I've just watched the first, and learned a bit about the vampire bat. There's some compelling infra-red footage of some of them feeding on a sleeping horse.
Elsewhere in the You Tube clips, Scott discusses other parasites including fleas, ticks and worms, and shows the harm they can inflict if owners don't sufficiently protect their cats and dogs with appropriate treatments. On that score, he urges owners to seek veterinary advice. Scott also discusses the threats posed by the increasing urbanisation of foxes and by exotic diseases that are now being found much further north as a result of climate change.
Matt Frost, UK marketing manager at Bayer Animal Health, says: "The clips, all of which are around four minutes in length, provide an opportunity for pet owners to learn more about parasites in a novel and entertaining way. We hope that viewers will learn more about the inherent dangers some of these creatures pose to pets and the steps that can be taken to protect against them.
The other clips can be viewed online at www.youtube.com/user/parasitesundercover1. You might even like to embed them from youtube into your own practice website.
Genitrix has reformulated and repackaged its Lacto B range of broad spectrum probiotic supplements for the maintenance of normal digestive function in pets.
The products are provided in a powder formulation for direct application onto food or to be dissolved in water. They are available in five-day sachets or in 75g tubs suitable for longer term use.
Genitrix says that unlike single-strain formulations, the Lacto B range contains live freeze-dried cultures of three probiotic organisms which, when ingested, colonise the gut, helping to re-establish normal function. The three strains of probiotic organisms occupy the same sites in the gut as certain pathogenic bacteria thus preventing their attachment.
Indicated for dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, reptiles and birds, the Lacto range is formulated to provide a guaranteed concentration of 1x109 CFU/g probiotic organisms.
Genitrix suggests that the Lacto B range can be particularly helpful in:
Rob Watkins, Marketing Director at Genitrix, said: "The Lacto range has been tried and trusted in small animal practice for twelve years and feedback shows that its multi-species indication make it a flexible and cost-effective solution."
"With its new formulation and new packaging, we believe it will prove even more attractive as a high potency probiotic supplement."
For more information, please click here.
In order to prevent tail injury in one dog you'd need to dock 500, according to research published in this week's Veterinary Record.The study1 was based on 138,212 dogs seen by vets at 52 veterinary practices across Britain between March 2008 and March 2009. 281 were treated for a tail injury - a rate of 0.23%, adjusted for sampling. The owners of 224 of these injured dogs, as well as a random sample of 799 owners whose dogs had not been treated for tail injury were sent a questionnaire on dog tail injuries and docking.Only 97 of the owners whose dogs needed treatment and 227 of those whose dogs had not been injured replied.Their responses indicated that around one in three tail injuries (36%; 35 cases) had occurred at home as a result of the dog knocking its tail against a wall, kennel wall or other household object.A further 17.5% (17 cases) were sustained outdoors, while 14.4% (14 cases) were caused by the tail being caught in a door. In 15 (15.5%) other causes were cited; and in 16 (16.5%), the cause was unknown. Almost half of the injuries (44%) were recurrent.Over half the cases were treated with drugs and dressings, but in almost one in three cases, amputation was required. Eleven dogs did not need any treatment.Certain breeds seemed to be more at risk, with springer and cocker spaniels almost six times as likely to sustain a tail injury as labradors and retrievers. Greyhounds, lurchers, and whippets were almost seven times as likely to do so, possibly because of the lack of protective hair on their tails, say the authors. Dogs with a wide angle of wag were also almost four times as likely to be injured in this way, while dogs kept in kennels were more than 3.5 times as likely to sustain a tail injury. Only 35 owners said their dogs had had their tail docked, and on the basis of their overall findings, the authors calculated that tail docking would reduce the risk of injury by 12%.But in absolute terms, 500 dogs would need to have their tail docked in order to prevent one tail injury.
Reference1Risk factors for tail injuries in dogs in Great Britain. G. Diesel, D. Pfeiffer, S. Crispin, and D. Brodbelt. The Veterinary Record 2010 166: 812-817.
Neuro orthopaedic veterinary surgeon Noel Fitzpatrick has been having a busy old time: hot on the heels of his world-first procedure to implant a prosthetic hip and femur in an American Bulldog comes the news that he has now fitted a cat with titanium prosthetic paws in another world-first.
Oscar the cat was minding his own business, basking in the late summer sun, when a passing combine harvester chopped off his hind paws.
Unlucky.
However, Oscar's luck turned when his veterinary surgeon, Peter Howarth from St Saviour in Jersey, referred owners Kate and Mike Nolan to Fitzpatrick Referrals to investigate the possibility of giving Oscar a pair of prosthetic paws.
Kate said: "We had to do a lot of soul-searching and our main concern has always been whether this operation would be in Oscar's best interests and would give him a better quality of life". Having decided it would, the Nolans asked Noel to go ahead. And so he came to give the two-year-old cat a pair of new artificial feet in a single, three-hour surgical procedure - something he says has never been done before by any team anywhere in the world.
The revolutionary design of the feet uses custom-made implants to 'peg' the ankle to the foot and mimics the way in which deer antler bone grows through skin. These pegs, or ITAPs (intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthetics), were first developed by a team from University College London led by Professor Gordon Blunn, Head of the Centre for Bio-Medical Engineering at UCL's Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science. Working in partnership with UCL, Fitzpatrick has pioneered the use of these weight-bearing prosthetic implants.
During the operation, the veterinary surgical team had to insert the ITAPs by drilling into one of the ankle bones in each of the back legs - an extremely delicate feat, which could have fractured the ankle joint before the procedure had even begun, and even more challenging because it had to be performed twice. These artificial implants which are attached to the bone at an amputation site are coated with hydroxyapatite, which encourages bone cells to grow onto the metal. The skin then grows over the special umbrella at the end of the ITAP to form a resilient seal against bacteria and potentially fatal infections. The ITAP itself protrudes through the bone and skin, allowing the custom-built artifical paws to be attached securely. Click here to see x-rays and other case photos in the VetSurgeon media gallery.
Following successful surgery in November last year, the focus of the veterinary team has turned to the slow process of rehabilitation and helping Oscar to learn to walk again - firstly using external scaffolding anchored to the tibia to protect the new implants until the ITAPs integrated into the bone and the skin grew onto the ITAP. Remarkably Oscar was trying to stand within a day of the operation and despite some problems with infection that had to be overcome, in less than four months Oscar could stand and bear weight equally on all four limbs. He has since been fitted with a series of prototype new paws to ensure the best possible long term fit.
What makes this procedure so complicated is that Oscar's feet were severed at the junction of the tarsus and metatarsus. Noel said: "The real revolution with Oscar is because we have put a piece of metal and a flange into which skin grows into an extremely tight bone, with very narrow tolerances in the region of nanometres, rather than millimetres. We have then successfully managed to get the bone and skin to grow into the implant and we have developed an exoprosthesis that allows this implant to work as a see-saw on the bottom of an animal's limbs to give him effectively normal gait. Oscar can now run and jump about as cats should do.
Noel Fitzpatrick and the team at Fitzpatrick Referrals are the focus of a new six part documentary series: The Bionic Vet to be broadcast on BBC 1 at 10.45 pm every Wednesday starting on 30 June 2010. The programmes will focus on the multi million pound state-of-the-art vet practice in Surrey as well as the ways in which Noel is pioneering revolutionary new surgical techniques.
The RCVS and VN Councils have each agreed to raise registration and retention fees for the financial year 2011-12 by 2%. This means the annual retention fee for a home-practising veterinary surgeon will increase by £5, and the fee for a veterinary nurse, by £1.
To encourage members who cease to practise to request removal from the Register, rather than simply allow their membership to lapse, the fee for restoration following voluntary removal will be reduced by almost 50%, from £147 to £75.
All fees for the current financial year were, exceptionally, frozen to help mitigate the impact of the difficult economic climate on the veterinary profession. The increases agreed for 2011-12 are below current inflation figures, and in line with the RCVS financial policy of introducing small fee increases on an incremental basis in order to avoid sharp fee hikes resulting from inflationary pressures.
A list of the new fees can be found in the June edition of RCVS News, also available online at www.rcvs.org.uk/rcvsnews.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is warning veterinary surgeons to be on their guard after it came to light that a fraudster is charging a £150 'non-refundable application fee' for an RCVS 'internship' which does not exist. Apart from anything else, the RCVS does not offer internships.
Information about the fake internship has been sent to individuals registered with German website http://www.vetcontact.com/. It includes details about the Royal Veterinary College and the RCVS, but is basically fiction. It refers to a made up 'RCVS Hospital' in the 'Flint Hills of London'.
Gordon Hockey, RCVS Head of Professional Conduct said: "So far, only a handful of veterinary surgeons - all based overseas - have contacted us regarding the internship and queried the request for a non-refundable 'application' fee, although we are concerned that others may have been caught out.
"We would advise any veterinary surgeon to think twice before paying for a third party to facilitate an application for any placement or internship, and reiterate that the RCVS does not offer any such programmes."
The College is following up the situation with http://www.vetcontact.com/ and, if appropriate, will notify the police. In the meantime, anyone who is concerned that they may have fallen victim to the hoax should contact the RCVS Professional Conduct department on 020 7202 0728.
Graham Gardner has launched its summer collection of scrubwear in the form updated versions of its Urbane and Easiphit Collections, with new colour combinations added to the range.
The Urbane Collection, pictured right, is designed specifically for the female form. Easiephit is a contempary unisex collection.
Simon Ward, Sales Director said: "Scrubwear is becoming a firm favourite with veterinary staff in the UK. The relaxed comfort offered by scrubs is very attractive to staff, and the smart image of colour coded garments is very well received by managers seeking a unified department look. With the increased stocks and increased colour combinations, customers can now get their hands on the new uniforms more quickly than ever before!"
Other colour combinations are still available as special imports. Non-stocked colour requests will be directed to Grahame Gardner's USA Partners and the sales team will ensure that customers are kept updated as to delivery times.
Both Easiephitt and Urbane have also increased their stocked size range. Grahame Gardner now aim to hold sizes from extra, extra small to extra, extra large.
For further information on Urbane, Easiephitt or Grahame Gardner Ltd, please call 0116 255 6326, or visit http://www.grahamegardner.co.uk/.
Less than a quarter of veterinary students starting their degrees in 2009 were male (24%), according to figures released today in RCVS Facts.
This is up slightly from 23% last year, but down from just over 30% in 1999: ten years before that, the gender balance of new students was approximately 50:50. Meanwhile, 53% of UK-practising veterinary surgeons are female.
RCVS Facts is part two of the RCVS Annual Report, and presents a statistical picture of the veterinary and veterinary nursing professions. Other headline facts include a 21% increase in the number of practice premises registered with the College since 1 April 2009, bringing the total on the Register of Veterinary Practice Premises to 4,821; some 766 veterinary nurse students completing their training and becoming eligible to register (an increase of 28% compared with those eligible to register during the previous two-year period) and an increase of nearly 10% in the number of complaints received about veterinary surgeons, to 739.
Figures are also available for:
The reporting year is 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010, and part one of the RCVS Annual Report, RCVS Review, takes a more personal look at the activities of the College during the period, through the eyes of some of those involved. Topics include reviews of Extra-Mural Studies and the Practice Standards Scheme, the modular Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing producing the first diplomates, a focus on mental health and wellbeing, fund-raising for the RCVS Trust and the College's joint work with other authorities to bring justice in cases of fraudulent 'veterinary surgeons'.
Both publications are available online at: www.rcvs.org.uk/review and www.rcvs.org.uk/facts.
The Disciplinary Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has refused an application for restoration to the RCVS Register from a Kent-based former veterinary surgeon struck off in 1994 for disregarding basic hygiene at his professional premises and failing to properly maintain a Controlled Drugs Register or patient records.
In June 1994, the Committee found that Mr Warwick John Seymour-Hamilton, at that time the only veterinary surgeon practising at premises at 9 Orchard Grove, Orpington, Kent, was guilty of disgraceful professional conduct and should have his name removed from the Register. The state and condition of the premises were found to be such as to risk the health and welfare of animals taken to the premises, and bring the profession into disrepute. An application made by Mr Seymour-Hamilton for restoration made in 1995 was refused.
At a restoration hearing on 18 June 2010, Mr Seymour-Hamilton told the Committee that he sought restoration to the Register because he wished to further his research work into plants with potential medicinal properties. Restoration, he said, would improve his professional status by giving him more credibility, particularly in terms of recognition by the medical and veterinary professions.
Mr Seymour-Hamilton said that he had no intention of returning to clinical practice immediately, and neither the Committee nor the College had heard of any adverse conduct by the applicant since his removal.
However, Caroline Freedman, Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, noted that if Mr Seymour-Hamilton were to be restored, the Committee would have no power to prevent him from returning to general practice.
Mr Seymour-Hamilton's response to questioning by the Committee raised a number of concerns with respect to the future welfare of animals should restoration be granted. He told the Committee that he had not undertaken any relevant Continuing Professional Development in the past 15 years, and said he lacked knowledge of current relevant legislation, for example, the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and basic 'Cascade' prescribing requirements. He also said that he had not read the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct in the past 15 years and that it would not be satisfactory for him immediately to return to general practice.
Ms Freedman said: "If the Committee were to reinstate the Applicant to the Register, it would have to be satisfied that he is competent and safe to practise immediately. The Committee has an obligation to protect the public and animal welfare and cannot simply accept his assurances that he would take steps to rectify his self-confessed shortcomings at some point in the future."
Having taken all the evidence presented into account, the Committee was not satisfied that Mr Seymour-Hamilton was fit to be restored to the Register and dismissed his application.
Janssen Animal Health has launched Domosedan Gel, an oromucosal gel for the sedation of horses.
Janssen says Domosedan Gel, which contains 7.6 mg/ml (40mcg/kg) detomidine, induces sedation and analgesia with the efficacy and recovery comparable to Domosedan injection. Domosedan Gel is administered under the horse's tongue, so it is rapidly absorbed.
The company also says Domesedan Gel can replace physical restraint and improve safety during treatments, diagnostics and transport, and that the gel is ideal for horses that are nervous or needle-shy and when owners need more control during clipping, shoeing, dental treatments and boxing.
Nicki Glen, marketing manager at Janssen Animal Health said: "Domosedan Gel is proven to be both effective and easy-to-administer with 98% of horses accepting the gel and owners finding it easy and convenient to use.
"The gel starts to be absorbed immediately and demonstrates a reliable sedatory effect and high safety margin, making it an ideal solution for sedation and restraint when performing non invasive procedures on horses."
For further information, please contact your Janssen Animal Health territory manager.
Boehringer Ingelheim has launched a cat-specific presentation of Metacam Injection combined with a new indication which permits the company's existing oral suspension (0.5mg/ml meloxicam) to be used for up to four follow-on days.
The company says this will give veterinary surgeons increased flexibility for managing feline post-operative pain, and that the new Metacam 2mg/ml Injection helps accurate dosing. Used at the recommended dose rate of 0.2mg/kg, the injection can be followed by Metacam 0.5mg/ml Oral Suspension to provide up to five days of analgesia following surgical procedures in cats. The licensed claims for Metacam 5mg/ml Injection for dogs and cats have not changed.
Boehringer added that Metacam is now the only brand which enables vets to offer their feline patients several days of post-operative analgesia, as well as being approved for long-term use for chronic musculoskeletal disease.
Claire Fowler, Boehringer Ingelheim's companion animal marketing manager, says that the new presentation and indication are significant developments in feline post-operative pain management: "Around half of all dogs undergoing surgery receive an injectable NSAID followed by a follow-on oral NSAID. In cats this figure is around 22%, yet there is no evidence to suggest that pain perception in cats should be any different to that of dogs".
Royal Canin has introduced Feline Satiety Support diet in 1.5kg and 3.5kg bags to complement the existing packs of 28 sachets.
Royal Canin veterinary support manager Lepha McCartan said: "As every vet and vet nurse knows, obesity is an ever-increasing problem in cats. We have found that once owners are used to the idea of portion control provided by the existing 28 sachet packs, they are happy to continue to help get their cat's weight down. Bigger packs offer more convenience and value for money for the customer, particularly those who have a few cats with weight issues."
Royal Canin says Feline Satiety Support helps cats feel fuller for longer, offering a greater food volume compared to standard diets. A satisfied cat is less inclined to beg for food, which in turn helps prevent owners giving in to demands from a complaining cat. According to the company, vets recommending Feline Satiety Support have found that the sachet packs help owners understand the correct amount of kibbles per meal, and once this has been established the larger packs offer owners greater choice.
Feline Satiety Support is available in packs of 28 x 20g sachets and 1.5 and 3.5kg bags from all veterinary wholesalers. For more information, contact your Veterinary Business Manager or visit http://www.royalcanin.co.uk/.