Janssen Animal Health has released the results of a survey which suggests incorrect worming strategies on many pig units in the UK are costing the industry dearly.
Most state they do not worm weaners, growers or finishing pigs at all and, while most sows are wormed, only a third treat newly-arrived gilts and boars in quarantine.
Phil Macdonald, UK and Ireland pig business manager at Janssen said: "Worm infestations can harm growth rate and feed efficiency, they can reduce abattoir returns and increase the cost of medication".
According to the company, the survey responses point to confusion among some producers on what constitutes a strategic worming programme. Most, 68 per cent, state they have implemented strategic programmes, but fewer than two-thirds of these cover all pigs on a unit and even fewer correctly base their programmes on the pre-patent period of worms.
Phil said: "It's important that all pigs on a unit are covered by the programme, otherwise there is a higher potential for reinfection. To be effective, the anthelmintic treatment periods need to be based on the pre-patent period of worms, so that treatment interrupts their life cycle.
"It requires a strategic worming programme with a broad spectrum anthelmintic such as Flubenol and Solubenol 100mg/g, which is the first and only water-soluble benzimidazole in the market. These are effective against larvae and worm eggs of a number of worm species as well as the large roundworm, Ascaris suum. Migrating larvae of the large roundworm cause Milk Spot lesions in pig livers, which are damaging to animal welfare and unit economics."
The make-up of UK units in the survey was 58 per cent breeder/finisher, 39 per cent finisher, 3 per cent weaner/finisher. Most, 68 per cent, use dry pelleted feed, 16 per cent wet feed and 16 per cent have both feed systems.
There is wide variation in worming programmes among producers. Most breeders worm their sows - 17 per cent once a year, 56 per cent twice and 11 per cent three times. With boars, 28 per cent worm them once a year, 44 per cent twice and 11 per cent three times. But only one-third (34 per cent) of breeders worm newly-arrived gilts and boars in quarantine.
72 per cent of producers with breeding sows who responded do not worm weaners and 80 per cent do not worm growers. Of the total responses, including specialist finishers, 68 per cent do not worm finishing pigs.
Most producers, 81 per cent, stated that they are aware that livers with Milk Spot lesions have to be trimmed or totally condemned, adding significant annual costs for disposal.
68 per cent admit to Milk Spot lesion levels of 25 per cent in consignments of pigs. Another 10 per cent experience up to 75 per cent livers with Milk Spot damage, and 3 per cent have had every pig liver in a consignment trimmed or condemned because of lesions. The feedback to producers comes from the BPEX Pig Health Scheme, of which 88 per cent of producers are members.
Only 58 per cent of producers are aware that more traditional worming methods allow pigs continuously to reinfect each other and their environment. Traditional programmes do not take the worm's life cycle into account.
The detrimental effect of worm damage that causes most concern to producers is lost growth/poorer feed conversion (29 per cent). Others considered the most important to be:
Phil says research shows that losses in daily liveweight gain alone add up to £2.31 per slaughter pig where liver condemnations are 30 per cent. "The frightening fact is that the loss is for every slaughter pig, not just those with Milk Spot lesions.
"In a 300-sow herd producing 23 pigs per sow per year that's a loss of £15,939 a year. On a 1,000-sow unit that exceeds a horrendous £53,000 annually, and these figures take no account of other areas of loss mentioned."
An adult female worm can shed hundreds of thousands of eggs each day, which pigs pass out in their dung. Worm eggs can remain infective for up to 10 years. Other pigs ingest them and the reinfection process begins.
Phil said: "A strategic worming programme that treats all pigs on a unit simultaneously is the only effective way to almost completely eliminate the problem. The survey has shown there is considerable potential for a large proportion of producers to improve productivity and cut costs by focusing on this critical area of management."
VetSurgeon.org welcomed its 4000th member to the online community last night, and recorded it's 1 millionth page view since the site was first launched late in 2007.
Use of the site didn't really start to take off until after the installation of a state-of-the-art social networking software platform late in 2008, and the site is now well on target to reach it's 2 millionth page view well inside the next year.
There was another significant milestone last night when VetSurgeon.org was contacted by a solicitor and asked politely to remove a part of a forum post on the site. Unlike Private Eye, I don't have the resources to argue in court, so I removed the offending paragraph.
Whatever else, it's flattering that someone thinks the VetSurgeon community is now important enough to wheel out a solicitor. Still, I hope it doesn't become a regular occurance. It's something of a heart-stopping moment when the person at the other end of the telephone introduces themselves 'as the solicitor acting for ...'
The Department for Environment Food and Rural affairs has marked the 10th anniversary of the Pet Travel Scheme with the release of some interesting facts and figures...
The scheme started on 28 February 2000 when owners were first able to travel to and from the UK without placing their pets in quarantine, as long as they fulfilled certain important disease control criteria.
A pug called Frodo Baggins was the first animal to travel with a pet passport and since then, 660,000 pet journeys have been made using pet passports.
60 per cent of the pets that have travelled under the scheme belong to UK owners. Animals from Ireland, France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands make up about another 20 per cent.
According to Defra, the scheme was set up in response to growing demand from owners to travel with their pets, and the declining risk of disease allowed these changes to be made. In 2004 the European Union followed the UK's lead and introduced a similar system for all Member States which has also proved very successful.
Defra says the success of the scheme is fully demonstrated by the fact that it has not been associated with a single case of rabies. Animal Welfare Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "The Pet Travel Scheme was set up to enable British animal owners to enjoy travelling with their pets when they need to. The success of the scheme shows that responsible pet ownership makes a large contribution to managing disease risks effectively."
As rabies in Europe steadily reduces, and with EU harmonised rules continuing to successfully control rabies, Defra says it is monitoring developments in vaccination and disease management in the EU and round the world to ensure that the UK has the most effective and proportionate controls possible as circumstances continue to change.
150 graduates will get the opportunity to work in knowledge intensive companies across London and the south east following the announcement today that a joint bid by UCL and the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has been awarded £240,000 of Government funding as part of a national scheme designed at helping young people into work.
UCL will administer some 115 internships in the digital industries, advanced manufacturing, engineering and financial services, while the RVC will deliver around 35 life science internship placements. In line with all of the HEFCE-supported work experience schemes, places on the UCL-RVC will be available to graduates of all universities, with priority being given to those that graduated last year and have yet to find stable employment and for those graduating in 2010.
The paid internship placements will help recent graduates to develop vital employability skills, through both work based learning and skills training sessions, and allow both small and large companies to preserve novel research, development and commercial projects during the economic downturn.
The award will help both institutions to build on their existing programmes. UCL already planned to offer 50 work experience places this summer following from their successful scheme, first run last year. The grant similarly allows RVC and The London BioScience Innovation Centre to continue to grow its reputation as an employer by helping life science graduates make the transition from higher education to the commercial bioscience sector through work experience placements and skills development.
Jim Gazzard, Enterprise and Technology Executive at the RVC said: "Recent graduates have much to offer knowledge intensive companies. In our experience these companies are looking to recruit talented graduates but are restricted in their ability to do so in the current economic climate. Graduate internship schemes help to solve this problem, allowing companies to continue to explore exciting commercial projects and graduates to gain a foothold in the job market while developing essential employability skills."
To date the RVC has received over 1,000 applications for 60 internship placements on its ORBIS internship scheme. This shows the significant demand from graduates seeking careers in leading bioscience and bio-veterinary companies.
MDC Exports has launched a new Soft E Collar specifically designed to help greyhounds recover, post-op.
MDC says the new Soft E Collar has been designed to take into account a greyhound's long fragile neck and to make wearing a medical collar much more comfortable. It also features a drawstring design to prevent the animal from being able to back out of the collar, something the company says is a particular problem when greyhounds wear conventional collars.
According to MDC, the Soft E Collar acts as an effective barrier to a treatment area while ensuring an animal can eat, drink and sleep comfortably. It allows free movement of the head, neck and body so the animal can carry on as normal. And unlike traditional "Elizabethan" collars, the Soft E Collar is made out of soft fabric that is non-allergenic, non-toxic and water repellent. It is tough and easily able to withstand persistent clawing and chewing. Lastly, it is lightweight and very flexible, folding flat for ease of storage and springing back to its original shape when you are ready to use it.
The Soft E Collar for greyhounds is priced from £7.95. For more information visit http://www.mdcexports.co.uk/
Petplan has announced the 2010 finalists for the Petplan Veterinary Awards.
The company says it has been inundated with over 1,800 nominations this year and wasn't disappointed in its quest to discover veterinary staff that go far beyond the call of duty. Each year there is an astonishing public response, with tales ranging from midnight rescues to simple acts of kindness. This year was no exception.
The finalists for each of the categories are as follows:
Vet of the YearGirish Thakral, Blacks Veterinary Group, West Midlands Mike Hewitt, Wendover Heights Veterinary Centre, Buckinghamshire Stuart Jackson, Jackson Veterinary Clinic, Oxfordshire
Vet Nurse of the YearAmy Floyd, Fivelands Veterinary Centre, BirminghamLisa Strickland Viking Vets, BristolLouise Want, Feldon Veterinary Centre, Warwickshire
Vet Receptionist of the YearCarole Dawson, Kingsteignton Veterinary Group, Devon Linda Workman, Summerleaze Veterinary Hospital, Berkshire Sue Snodin, Towerwood Veterinary Group, Leeds
Vet Practice of the YearAshfield House Veterinary Hospital Ltd, Nottingham Mill House Veterinary Surgery and Hospital, Norfolk Priors Leaze Veterinary Centre, West Sussex
Alison Andrews, Petplan's Head of Marketing said she was thrilled by the number of nominations received and the quality of this year's finalists: "This year we are celebrating the eleventh anniversary of the Veterinary Awards which were launched so pet owners could thank their practice for the tireless and wonderful work they carry out. We are delighted that the awards, which we often hear referred to as the 'Vet Oscars', are still going strong. This year we have received a great number of nominations and the quality and standard really challenged the skills of our esteemed judging panel. We would like to wish those short listed every success on the night."
All finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony taking place on 8th April at the Birmingham Town Hall, where the winners will be announced!
A new publication into the benefits of spironolactone (Prilactone - CEVA Animal Health) has supported its use as part of first-line therapy for the treatment of dogs with congestive heart failure caused by mitral heart disease, according to CEVA.
The double-blind placebo-controlled study1 involved 212 dogs on either spironolactone or a placebo, in addition to conventional therapy including an ACE inhibitor and furosemide. It revealed that over a 15 month period 25.5% of dogs either died, were euthanased or severely worsened in the placebo group compared to 10.8% in the spironolactone group. This represents a 55% reduction in the risk of cardiac morbidity-mortality and a 69% reduction in the risk of cardiac-related death or euthanasia.
Further research2 has also revealed that aldosterone antagonists, such as spironolactone, help to prevent myocardial fibrosis, a pathogenic process involved in the progression of heart failure.
For more information, 'Start Conversation' with Fraser Broadfoot MRCVS at CEVA Animal Health, or ring 01494 781510.
1 Efficacy of spironolactone on survival in dogs with naturally-occurring mitral regurgitation caused by myxomatous mitral value disease. Bernay F, Bland JM, Häggstrőm J, Baduel L, Combes B, Lopez A, Kaltsatos, V. (2010). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.2 Aldosterone receptor antagonists - how cardiovascular actions may explain their beneficial effects in heart failure. Ovaert P, Elliot J, Bernay F, Guillot E, Bardon T. (2010). Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
ECM, a French manufacturer of ultrasound devices, has launched Exago, a new mobile veterinary ultrasound device which the company says is particularly suited for use with horses and pets.
ECM says the main features of the new device are:
For more information, visit: http://www.agroscan.com/
According to Mandadeals.co.uk, CVS has agreed to buy Veterinary Enterprise and Trading, including it's 27 surgeries in the South East of England which operate under the Pet Doctors brand and Greendale, its diagnostic and laboratory business, for £12.2M.
Janssen Animal Health is advising vets to be on the look out for coccidiosis as the spring lambing season approaches: cases usually rise in March and peak in April and May.
According to the company, some reports also suggest that the incidence of coccidiosis in calves may apparently increase during the grazing months. However, vets are reporting that interpretation of laboratory tests used to confirm diagnosis, such as oocyst count, can be problematic due to the ubiquitous nature of the Eimeria parasite in the UK.
Young animals may be infected by oocysts shed by asymptomatic carriers or infected older cohort animals. Low levels of challenge can help young animals develop immunity but exposure to high oocyst numbers, particularly in combination with stress can lead to clinical and subclinical forms of the disease. Diagnosis can be problematic, particularly in subclinical cases of disease where failure to gain weight is the main presenting sign and in clinical cases the differential diagnoses include all causes of scour in young animals.
Janssen Animal Health has suggested a few indicators that may be useful in identifying cases of coccidiosis. The Vecoxan Coccidiosis Survey in 2008 and 2009 asked farmers about their experiences of coccidiosis and identified that bad weather was a major trigger particularly in lambs; while castration and weaning were also factors in calves. As the parasite life cycle is 21 days, vets should be alert to disease 2-3 weeks after a stressor event.
The company has also suggested a few guidelines to aid interpretation of laboratory results:
Janssen says Vecoxan (diclazuril) does not interfere with the development of immunity and kills all stages of the parasite in the host.
Vetoquinol has announced the launch of its new support package to help vets and owners manage canine epilepsy with Epiphen, the company's phenobarbital medication.
Each Epiphen support package contains:
Accurate information is vital to help control epilepsy patients and the Owner Record Manual will enable owners to keep on top of this information. It contains charts to monitor seizure frequency and patterns, medication changes, blood test results and seizure characteristics.
The new "ask the expert" scheme offers vets the opportunity to ask for advice on epilepsy cases. Email epiphen@vetoquinol.co.uk with the query (and your contact details) and you will be put in touch with a neurology expert at a leading referral centre. Vets can also contact the Technical Helpline on 0800 1698197.
The Seizure Reports for vets provide a much more detailed tool for use at initial presentation or for owners to fill in when seizures differ in character. There is a pad of 30 tear-off sheets in each Epiphen support package.
Simon Boulton, Epiphen product manager said: "We understand that epilepsy is an emotional condition and wanted to provide vets and owners with more than just a tablet. I am convinced that with the Epiphen Support Package we are providing them with the tools they need to make the most of epilepsy management."
Epiphen also offers a free phenobarbital monitoring service. There is a voucher in each 30mg pack and 2 in each 60mg pack.
For more details on the Epiphen Support Package, to obtain a free practice starter pack or get extra copies of materials, please contact Vetoquinol on 0800 1608197 or contact your Vetoquinol representative.
The British Veterinary Association's Members' Services Group has devised a Vet Helpline sticker as a practical way to promote the help and support available to members of the veterinary profession suffering from anxiety or depression. It will be sent out with the 20th February edition of the Veterinary Record.
The suicide rate within the veterinary profession is around four times higher than in the general population and around twice that of other high risk groups including farmers and medical practitioners. Research has shown that long hours, the risk of professional mistakes and rising client expectation and administrative work lead to high levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Ready access to and knowledge of lethal means such as medicines and firearms may also be contributing factors in the increased suicide risk.
The Vet Helpline sticker acts as a constant reminder to veterinary professionals that a confidential helpline, manned by trained volunteers from the veterinary profession, is available around the clock on every day of the year to offer support and direct them to specialist help where appropriate. In addition to the Vet Helpline phone number the sticker also gives the number for the Samaritans and includes the address of the Vetlife website which is a "one stop shop" for all the help available.
BVA President, Professor Bill Reilly, said: "Please remember that if you're feeling depressed, lonely or under pressure, or are perhaps worried about a colleague, you can talk it over in confidence with trained volunteers from the veterinary profession. The Vet Helpline is there for all veterinary surgeons, nurses and students.
"Ours is a small profession and sadly most of us know someone who has suffered mental ill health or taken their own life. We hope that by reminding colleagues how to get help and continuing to publicise the Vetlife website and the Veterinary Benevolent Fund support services the BVA can play its part in supporting vets in crisis."
Novartis Animal Health's year long campaign to drive pet-owner awareness of the importance of worming pets regularly got off to a rather damp start in London today, with 63 people in doggy suits - mostly company employees I gather - running around the capital accompanied by two 'pooch vans'.
The 'Worm Patrol' team will be visiting veterinary practices over the summer to help promote, set up and run Pet Worming Awareness Days and attend practice open days. Veterinary practitioners will have access to the Worm Patrol support kit including the branded pooch van, Chewy the dog mascot and a worm patrol ambassador. Additional support will include educational leaflets for owners, giveaways and waiting room materials.
Maggie Fisher, Chairperson of the European Scientific Counsel for Companion Animal Parasites is backing the campaign. She said: "Raising awareness of worm control throughout the life of cats and dogs is important, particularly when it is reported that 80 percent of children kiss their pet and 21 percent let them lick their fingers after sharing food. While the risk may be relatively low, the consequences can be serious, especially in children.
"It's important that pet owners take responsibility for their animals and we are pleased that initiatives such as the Worm Patrol and 'Pet Worming Awareness Days' will help practices highlight the risk that endoparasites pose to humans and companion animals in a novel and light-hearted way."
To arrange for the Worm Patrol to visit to your practice, or for further information about setting up a Pet Awareness Worming Day, please contact your Novartis Animal Health Territory Manager or Novartis Animal Health UK Ltd on +44 (0)1276 694402.
From 1st March vets can sign up to be alerted to all recorded equine influenza cases in the UK, thanks to a new service from the Animal Health Trust (AHT) and Merial Animal Health.
Tell Tail is the UK's first equine influenza (EI) text alert service exclusively for equine vets, set up to provide practices and their clients with what could be invaluable information in the face of a potential outbreak.
Dr Emma Batson from Merial said: "Vets will be notified of an EI outbreak within 48 hours of confirmed diagnosis. Not only will this allow them to alert their clients, but we believe that it will also help to encourage horse owners to become more compliant with vaccination schedules.
"Currently it is estimated that only a third of the UK horse population is vaccinated for EI. This situation is not only a potential welfare issue, but it also provides practices with a significant opportunity to increase the number of horses protected against EI, resulting in a win-win situation for all."
Dr Richard Newton, Head of Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance at the AHT, believes the text alert service will also help improve awareness and knowledge of EI, and he hopes all equine vets will sign up for the scheme. He said: "We believe that the launch of the alert service for vets marks an important step in the quest to help minimise the risk of an EI outbreak in the UK.
"EI doesn't have a carrier state, which means that it never goes away and re-emerges, instead it circulates continuously. So without continued surveillance we could easily lose track of it.
"We hope that as well as allowing practices to track and respond to outbreaks in their area, the alerts will also encourage vets to send in samples from animals with cold and flu-like symptoms. This is a free service which in turn provides us with more information to circulate within the industry, allowing everyone to be more effective at managing the disease.
"Vaccination is our best defence against EI, but to remain effective the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Expert Surveillance Panel, needs to make any update recommendations based on the latest position in the field. And this information can only be gathered via effective surveillance."
Dr Batson agrees and hopes that the combination of the Tell Tail text alert service and surveillance scheme will help to reduce the risk of an outbreak occurring in the UK. She said: "In the UK we continue to see regular confirmed outbreaks of EI, so we can never afford to become complacent about the risks.
"You only have to look at the relatively recent major outbreaks in Australia, South Africa, India and China, to see the devastating effects which can ripple throughout equine industries, both in financial as well as welfare terms."
Tell Tail is a free service. To register your interest, text your name, practice and postcode to 07797 801863. Alternatively, visit http://www.merial.com/ and click on the Tell Tail link, or speak to your Merial territory manager.
Novartis Animal Health has launched a chewable formulation of Milbemax wormer, for dogs.
According to the company, clinical studies have shown that the chicken-flavoured formulation and chewy texture of Milbemax Chewable Tablets is highly palatable, with more than 94% of dogs showing spontaneous acceptance from hand. Novartis says this should help make worming simpler and improve compliance, something which is particularly important given market research which shows that difficulties in administering medications often leads to missed treatments.
Containing milbemycin oxime and praziquantel, the new tablets deliver the same broad spectrum efficacy as existing Milbemax formulations, effective for the treatment of roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, lungworm and tapeworm, and for the prevention of heartworm.
Folkert Kamphuis, Chief Operating Officer at Novartis Animal Health said: "The new EASYCHEW™ formulation represents Novartis Animal Health's latest innovation. It will make worming a treat whilst providing tried-and-trusted Milbemax efficacy. With Milbemax chewable tablets we give pet owners a wormer that is easy to administer and veterinarians the trusted efficacy of Milbemax."
Milbemax Chewable Tablets are available for both dogs and puppies, in four and forty-eight tablet packs.
Bayer Animal Health is currently sponsoring GMTV's Pet Clinic feature to promote its wormer, Drontal.
Running until Friday 19 February, the All About Pets short programmes feature TV vet Emma Milne who will be advising viewers on a variety of topics from choosing the right pet to hidden illnesses.
All About Pets will be aired twice daily and Drontal will be featured after the short programmes.
Bayer says the advertising will target the product's core target audience - housewives with children during half term - with key messages on the importance of regular worming with Drontal. In addition, GMTV will also include details on Drontal on its website - www.gm.tv - and pet owners will be able to follow a link to the award-winning website www.drontal.com.
Hill's has added to its range of Science Plan Snacks with a large biscuit size, big bag version for large breed dogs. The 400 gram packs are available as Large Breed Light and Large Breed Healthy Mobility Snacks at a launch price of £2.49 (normal recommended retail price £4.99).
The company says that this follows fantastic feedback from veterinary practices about Science Plan Snacks, and requests for more variants tailored to fit the needs of their client's pets.
The Science Plan snack range offers products across five areas of functionality which, according to Hill's, have proven to be highly motivating for clients: light, immunity support, healthy mobility, oral care and skin & coat. There are adult variants across the range and puppy variants in immunity support and skin & coat.
For further information, please contact your Hill's Territory Manager or Hill's customer service on 0800 282438.
Veterinary Nurse Nick Shackleton has started a campaign to protect the title Veterinary Nurse
The campaign has a section on Facebook where Nick explains: "The title veterinary nurse at present is not a protected title. A lot of people who work in practice call them selves veterinary nurse, when they have no theoretical training in such a position. As qualified nurses we feel that this issue should be addressed so that the general public are no longer confused as to the qualification and hopefully make them more aware of the hard work it is to gain the qualification. As we are heading for autonomy within the profession I think it is right and fitting that the title should be protected."
The group has already gained an impressive 781 members.
In addition, Nick has started a petition on the Prime Minister's website: Number10.gov.uk, which has gained 139 signatories so far.
If you'd like to sign the petition on Number10.gov.uk, I recommend you add the letters after your name (MRCVS / RVN).
A rural social scientist has argued in this week's Veterinary Record that the dwindling influence of vets in the public health arena threatens food safety in the UK. Philip Lowe, from the Centre for Rural Economy at the University of Newcastle, argues that a shift in practice from treating animals used for food on farms to looking after pets in urban communities, is largely to blame. The proportion of time vets in private practice spent treating animals used for food halved between 1998 and 2006. Most vets run their own businesses, and pet owners have proved a more sustainable and lucrative source of income than farmers. Professor Lowe sympathises with the need to make money, but laments this drift towards the profession turning into "another private sector service industry." He says this fails to make use of vets' considerable and wide ranging expertise, adding: "I would argue that it also diminishes the public standing of the whole profession. I certainly couldn't imagine the medical establishment in this country accepting a role that marginalised public health, even if the NHS did not exist. More seriously for all of us, I believe that not involving vets in this important area also puts food safety in the UK at risk. "At the same time we live in an age when there is real and widespread public concern about welfare standards for farm animals, threats from animal diseases old and new (such as blue tongue, bird flu and swine flu), and food safety." Professor Lowe says that in the past, the veterinary arm of government traditionally provided leadership for the profession that was embodied by the Chief Veterinary Officer and was underpinned by the proportion of vets' income derived from public funding. But this is no longer the case, and is further undermined by the percentage of vets employed by government having shrunk from 11% to 4% over the past 40 years. Professor Lowe argues that the profession needs to rethink its role and the direction in which it is travelling. He says there needs to be more specialist support and training for student vets and novice practitioners so that they are not put off from farm practice before they have had a chance to develop their skills and confidence in this area. However, he cautions against returning to the stereotype popularised by the fictional James Herriot vet, who was depicted as a mainstay of the rural community: "The farm vet's position and respect for their expertise needs to be restored, but not in the old Herriot mould. He or she has to take on the much greater challenge of risk and welfare regulation and management across the whole food system".
Hill's Pet Nutrition has announced an average price reduction of over 5 per cent across almost 80 per cent of its product range from 1st March 2010.
The company says this is the first time in its history that such a big price reduction has been implemented, and it comes with a promise that superior nutritional quality won't be compromised.
The price cut comes following market research by Hill's which shows that after one of the deepest recessions in 50 years, more pet owners are becoming cost-conscious, and many are now buying their petfood in the grocery channel or mixing premium foods with economy products.
Another factor in decision-making for some pet owners is the cost per pack, particularly on the larger bag sizes. From April 2010, some Hill's Prescription Diet products will be resized to make them a more affordable purchase. Canine Prescription Diets c/d, d/d, i/d, k/d and j/d will be moved from a 14 Kg bag to a 12 Kg bag. Feline Prescription Diets c/d, k/d, r/d, i/d and s/d will be moved from a 2 Kg bag to a 1.5 kg bag. The price reduction will also be applied proportionately alongside the smaller bag size, so many clients should see a significant reduction at point of purchase. The smaller bags are also easier for practices to store and can increase frequency of client visits providing more opportunities to offer advice and support.
Blake Hawley, Hill's General Manager for UK and Ireland said, "We would like to thank vets, nurses and support staff for their continued support and dedication. Every pet needs and deserves a nutritional assessment and this price reduction will make it easier for vet teams to recommend the best Hill's product, confident those pets are getting high quality nutrition at new, lower prices. Having listened to what the profession had to say in 2009, this year we will demonstrate our commitment to the veterinary profession in very clear and visible ways."
For an up to date price list and support material to assist in communicating the change to clients, please contact your Hill's Territory Manager or call 0800 282438
The Veterinary Wound Healing Association (VWHA) has become the third veterinary association to make a new home on VetSurgeon.org.
VWHA President Jacintha Wilmink said: "We're very excited about joining VetSurgeon.org and how it will allow our members to connect with each other and share information quicker and more easily than ever before".
In common with the other associations, the VWHA is making its content available for all VetSurgeon members to access, however only VWHA members can submit cases to its section for discussion, or participate in the VWHA forum. Jacintha added: "We hope that the cases and discussions in our section of the site will be of value to all practitioners, and that many more of you will want to join the association and participate".
Information about the benefits of joining the VWHA is available here.
Virbac Animal Health has launched a new pet owner information pack to help practices raise awareness of reproductive health issues in dogs and cats.
The pack consists of a leaflet holder with four different leaflets covering unwanted sexual behaviour, castration, prostate disease and misalliance. The holder has a small footprint so will sit nicely in any practice reception area.
Product manager Chris Geddes MRCVS says that the pack will make it easier for vets and VNs to raise the sensitive issue of pet reproductive health with owners. "For example, prostate disease in men is well documented and public knowledge is high, but we believe that few people know that it can affect pets too.
"It is estimated that 80% of male dogs over the age of five suffer from prostate problems, but experts agree that it is underdiagnosed at present. This is possibly due to a combination of a lack of awareness and client unease on discussing reproductive subjects at their vet practice."
To obtain your free pack or for further information, please contact your local territory manager or call Virbac on 01359 243243.
CEVA Animal Health is rolling out what it describes as a hard-hitting TV campaign on four national TV channels to highlight awareness of stress related feline behaviour problems and encourage cat owners to talk to their vet about Feliway.
This second bout of TV advertising will run in March and April on ITV2, ITV3, E4 and More 4 and on Channel 4 in the London region and will be seen by over five million people.
Featuring the animated character 'That Purple Cat' who first appeared in CEVA's TV advertising and marketing push at the end of 2009, the new campaign will see 'That Purple Cat' displaying signs of stress in the home environment to raise awareness of the issue amongst cat owners.
Lucy Brett, product manager at CEVA Animal Health said: "Our first TV advertising campaign back in the autumn went a long way to raise awareness. We found that more cat owners were able to recall the advertising for Feliway than for any other animal health brand.
"However, it is clear that in practice merchandising is crucial if practices are to make the most of this opportunity and I would encourage them to get in touch to request a display pack, which includes a waiting room poster and leaflets, as soon as possible."
A limited number of desktop and floor standing merchandising units are also available. For more information or to order your FREE waiting room merchandising materials call 01494 781510.
The Disciplinary Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons last week directed that the name of a man who had been illegally practising as a veterinary surgeon in the North West of England be removed from the RCVS Register, having found him guilty of fraudulent registration.
In March 2008, Russell Lewis Oakes had been charged with fraudulent entry onto the Register of Veterinary Surgeons, on the basis that he had (either (A) knowingly, or (B) unknowingly) submitted a fake degree certificate and letter of 'good standing' from Murdoch University, Australia. Mr Oakes agreed that the hearing could proceed in his absence provided the Committee confined itself to consideration of charge B alone.
The hearing commenced on 18 April 2008, but the Committee decided to adjourn, as Mr Oakes was also subject to a police investigation which required that the hearing be held in private. The Committee felt that it was in the public interest for an open hearing to take place in respect of both charges at a later date. Mr Oakes' bail conditions prevented him from practising as a veterinary surgeon at this time.
On 16 October 2009, Mr Oakes was convicted at Liverpool Crown Court, on a guilty plea, of a substantial number of offences, including those under consideration by the Committee: he was sentenced on 11 January 2010 to two years in prison.
The RCVS Disciplinary Committee's hearing resumed and concluded on 5 February 2010. Mr Oakes was not present.
The Committee was provided with evidence from RCVS staff regarding the registration process, and received statutory declarations from representatives at Murdoch University. The latter confirmed that signatures on the certificate submitted by Mr Oakes were fake and that there had never been a student with his name at the University. Furthermore, a letter purporting to be one of support from Professor Edwards of Murdoch University contained text he would not have written and was signed with a false signature.
The Committee was also provided with evidence from equine veterinary surgeon Seamus Miller, who had become suspicious of Mr Oakes' qualifications and membership of the College. He outlined incidents which had cast doubt on Mr Oakes' competence. Mr Miller's complaint had initiated enquires which led to the charges against Mr Oakes by the College, and the Committee recorded its commendation of Mr Miller, and his colleagues.
Having found that Mr Oakes knowingly submitted fraudulent registration documents, the Committee was bound, under Sections 14 and 16 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, and paragraph 17 of the 2004 Rules, to direct that his name be removed from the Register.
Alison Bruce, Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, said: "Even if it retained any discretion by virtue of Section 16 of the Act in respect of sanction, the Committee would have had no hesitation in directing Mr Oakes' name to be removed from the Register in this case. This was a deliberate and dishonest offence by a man without the necessary qualifications to practise as a veterinary surgeon, and it had the effect of exposing members of the public to his fraud, and their animals to harm."
The College has revised its registration procedures in the light of this case, and now requests that all registrants produce original copies of certificates and letters of 'good standing' at the registration ceremony.
Somerset-based veterinary wholesaler, Centaur Services has been bought by US veterinary distributor MWI Veterinary Supply Inc.
According to MWI (the letters stand for Millard Wallace Ickes, the name of the company's founder), the transaction is valued at approximately $47 million, consisting of $45 million in cash and $2 million in a note payable in one year.
Jim Cleary, President and Chief Executive Officer of MWI, said: "MWI has positioned itself to continue its growth within the United States and now internationally. Centaur is a high-quality company that will allow us to serve veterinarians in the United Kingdom. We believe that it will be a great partnership and one that will bring further growth opportunities. We welcome the Centaur team to MWI."Paul Gerring, Managing Director of Centaur, commented: "We are looking forward to working with a strong company that has a great reputation in the animal health industry. Our team is excited to develop this relationship and be part of a company with proven success. Both Centaur and MWI are focused on providing high levels of customer service to veterinarians."