The company says Dormazolam works in synergy with other induction agents to provide an extended duration of anaesthesia without adversely affecting the quality of recovery 2,3,5.
Benzodiazepines are commonly incorporated into anaesthetic regimens to alleviate issues seen with the administration to ketamine alone2,3,4, including inadequate muscle relaxation2,3,4, anaesthesia not lasting long enough2 and induction failure2.
Despite the issues caused by the sole use of ketamine, it remains the primary anaesthetic induction agent of choice for more than 90% of equine vets2.
Dechra Brand Manager Emma Jennings said: “Using Dormazolam as part of an equine anaesthesia protocol will give optimal general anaesthetic conditions every time, including a rapid onset of action1.
"Anaesthetic co-induction with ketamine and midazolam has been shown to provide a superior quality of anaesthesia compared to ketamine alone3 and midazolam is equally as effective as diazepam when used as a co-induction agent alongside ketamine4. It also cuts down on the number of ketamine ‘top-up’ doses required compared to using ketamine3 alone.
"Additional benefits include no clinically significant differences in cardiopulmonary function1 or recovery times1 between midazolam and diazepam and it can be mixed in the same syringe as ketamine for ease of use4.”
Emma added: “The introduction of Dormazolam provides an exciting new option for equine vets. It delivers enhanced anaesthetic and surgical conditions by improving anaesthetic induction quality2,3,4 and giving better surgical relaxation scores2,3,4. It also reduces involuntary movements because, as a co-induction agent, midazolam only causes minimal cardiovascular and pulmonary depression2,4.”
Dormazolam is available in a 20 ml vial. It has a shelf life of four years and a broached shelf life of 28 days.
For more information, visit: www.dechra.co.uk/therapy-areas/equine/anaesthesia/analgesia.
References:
The Group has trained almost 100 of its staff as 'mental health first aiders'.
Michelle O’Connor, the Linnaeus Group’s people and culture director (pictured right), said: "Veterinarians are three to four times more likely to die by suicide than workers from any other industry.
"Because of this alarming statistic, we have put wellbeing at the very forefront of our strategy and have so far trained nearly 100 mental health first aiders within the group.
The Linnaeus volunteers, who are taken from both office and clinical roles, have all attended a training course run by Mental Health First Aid England (MHFA) to acquire the skills to support their own and others’ wellbeing.
The MHFA course trains people to identify the signs of mental ill health, to break down the stigma and barriers surrounding mental health and listen to colleagues in a non-judgemental way, and to help direct those suffering from issues to the support and guidance that’s available.
Michelle added: "We realise training on how to spot signs of a crisis and become a mental health first aider alone does not address the prevailing stigma around mental health in the workplace.
"So, in addition, we are developing a culture where support and conversations about mental health are normalised, so that colleagues feel able to reach out for the important support they need."
Royal Veterinary College research, published in the journal PLOS ONE, has revealed that 1 in 4 cases of Diabetes Mellitus in domestic cats are caused by excess secretion of pituitary growth hormone.
According to the researchers, this is much more common than previously thought. Furthermore, they say that cats with this condition are easily misdiagnosed as having primary (type 2) diabetes mellitus but do not respond to the standard treatment to that condition, resulting in increased morbidity and ultimately leading to euthanasia on welfare grounds.
Researchers collected data between 2003 and 2011 on cats treated at vet practices across the UK, to estimate the prevalence of hypersomatotropism or acromegaly in the largest cohort of diabetic cats to date and look how easy this is to recognise.
Findings revealed that the presence of Diabetes Mellitus in 1 in 4 domestic cats can be explained by hypersomatotropism, which is caused by a pituitary benign tumour and can be effectively treated by one operation in specialist centres.
However only 24% of clinicians who submitted samples suspected that this was the case, as most hypersomatotropism cats did not display typical signs, instead displaying symptoms indistinguishable from cats with primary (type 2) Diabetes Mellitus. This suggests that hypersomatotropism screening should be considered when treating diabetic cats.
Lead researcher, Dr Stijn Niessen from the Royal Veterinary College, said: "It has been common practice to automatically suspect a cat with Diabetes Mellitus to be suffering from a form of diabetes akin to human type 2. The current study suggests that this is an oversimplification. Approximately one in four of assessed diabetic cats were actually found to be suffering from hypersomatotropism-induced Diabetes Mellitus, which requires specific treatment and manifests itself very differently as it develops.
"Interestingly, only a small proportion of clinicians reported they strongly suspected acromegaly to be present on the basis of the clinical picture. These data therefore highlight the need for veterinarians working with the spontaneously diabetic cat to consider routinely screening for the presence of hypersomatotropism-induced Diabetes Mellitus, given the significant clinical consequences of its presence.
"Should the hypersomatotropism be diagnosed and treated with one operation, most cats will enter a state of diabetic remission. If it remains undiagnosed, diabetic cats tend to be difficult to regulate glycaemically which often results in euthanasia, or in the long-term, they will suffer from other growth hormone-induced negative conditions such as heart disease, as well as central nervous system problems."
Evaluation of serum fructosamine was offered free of charge for all diabetic cats attending any veterinary practice in the UK from October 2003 till April 2011. Veterinary surgeons were asked to record clinical data about the patient, including age, breed, gender, current body weight, current administered insulin dose and whether they clinically suspected acromegaly/ hypersomatotropism. Diabetic cats were screened using serum total insulin-like growth factor-1, followed by further evaluation through pituitary imaging and/ or histopathology.
In total, 1221 diabetic cats were screened; 319 (26.1%) had a blood IGF-1 suggestive of hypersomatotropism. Of these cats a subset of 63 (20%) underwent pituitary imaging and 56/63 (89%) had a pituitary tumour on computed tomography; an additional three on magnetic resonance imaging and one on necropsy. These data suggest a positive predictive value of serum IGF-1 for hypersomatotropism of 95%, suggesting the overall hypersomatotropism prevalence among UK diabetic cats to be 24.8%.
The paper also suggests that although great opportunities exist for comparative research between primary (type 2) diabetes in cats and humans, researchers should exercise caution in light of these new findings.
Stijn added: "The similarities between feline and human type 2 diabetes emphasise great opportunities for valuable comparative research benefiting all species into this major disease, which is fast becoming a global epidemic. However our latest research proves that there is a need for more regular hypersomatotropism screening, to identify the root cause of diabetes in domestic cats before samples are used, so as not to corrupt results."
The study, which was led by the College's VetCompass programme, found that British bulldog ownership has increased from 0.35% of all puppies born in 2009 to 0.60% in 2013.
At the same time, the study found that British bulldogs suffer more than other breeds from a number of conditions associated with their aesthetic characteristics, including: skin fold dermatitis (7.8%), prolapsed gland of the third eyelid or 'cherry eye' (6.8%), interdigital cysts (3.7%), entropion or inward turning of the eyelid (3.6%), and corneal ulceration (3.1%).
Worse still, only 3.5% of the 1,621 British bulldogs analysed in the study were diagnosed with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), despite an earlier study reporting that 84.8% of tested Bulldogs are affected by BOAS to some extent, with 44.0% exhibiting clinically relevant disease2.
This, say the researchers, suggests owners consider breathing problems such as snoring as normal and are not therefore taking their dogs for needed check-ups.
Other findings included:
12.7% of British bulldogs suffer from ear infections, 8.8% from skin infections and 8.7% from obesity
Males are more likely than females to develop skin infection, interdigital cysts, atopic dermatitis and aggression, whereas females are more likely to develop dental disease and obesity.
The average adult bodyweight for a British bulldog is 26kg.
The average lifespan of bulldogs is 7.2 years.
The most common causes of death are heart disease (11.8%), cancer (10.9%) and brain disorder (9.1%).
The RVC says that the results of the study will support initiatives by the Kennel Club and the UK Bulldog Breed Club to improve breeding and also help owners and vets prioritise tackling the leading issues British bulldogs face.
Dr Dan O’Neill, VetCompass epidemiologist at the RVC and Chairman of the Brachycephalic Working Group, said: "The UK has seen unprecedented increases in the popularity of certain short-faced breeds over the past decade. This has led to a series of well-documented welfare issues relating to how these dogs are bred and sold for the UK pet-owning market, high levels of dumping of unwanted dogs into the UK charities and health problems that are intrinsically linked to the extreme body shape of these dogs.
"This new study gives firm evidence for the first time on the true levels of popularity and also of disease diagnosed in the wider population of bulldogs in the UK. This information can help to move the conversation on welfare from 'what are the issues' to 'how do we deal with these issues'. Reliable evidence is pivotal to good decision-making."
Dr Rowena Packer, BBSRC Research Fellow at RVC, said: "The bulldog is an iconic breed but concerns over the health problems allegedly facing these popular dogs have mounted in the past decade. It is extremely valuable to have solid data on the health problems facing this breed, confirming a number of inherent breed predispositions that need to be tackled.
This data supports current initiatives encouraging breed reform, particularly regarding health problems inherently related to their looks, and the need for selection for healthier body shapes. For example, skin fold dermatitis was common in bulldogs and is associated with the desired wrinkled face in this breed – this calls into question the justification of this and other such breed traits that put dogs at risk of potentially avoidable disease."
Steve Dean, Chairman of the Kennel Club Charitable Trust said: "The Kennel Club has put into place a number of crucial measures over the years to monitor, protect and improve bulldog health and to provide the many responsible breeders with the tools they need to do the same, but this paper highlights there is still work to be done."
The study is published open access in PLOS ONE.
The pack includes a new leaflet written by the dog behaviourist, Gwen Bailey, and supported by Blue Cross, Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), Wood Green, Puppy School, International Cat Care and Cats Protection.
The leaflet explains the signs of firework fears in both dogs and cats, how to keep pets calm and safe while fireworks are going off and the importance of ensuring that puppies become accustomed to loud and sudden noises gradually. It also highlights the benefits of pheromone support with Adaptil Calm Home Diffuser and Feliway CLASSIC Diffuser.
The company has also provided a leaflet holder, wall display, bunting and social media tool kit containing online banners, suggested social media posts, pet owner email text, PR and presentations.
Vouchers will be available for free Adaptil and Feliway for pet owners already purchasing product.
Abigail King, behaviour product manager at Ceva Animal Health said: "Our vibrant new fireworks marketing and display pack will help raise awareness of the signs of firework fears and the preventative measures that owners can carry out at home to help them keep their pets calm and safe during the fireworks season."
To request a copy of the fireworks marketing and display pack, contact your Ceva Animal Health territory manager or telephone 01494 781510.
The study, titled ‘Physics of animal health: On the mechanobiology of hoof growth and form’, represents the fruit of a collaboration between researchers in equine medicine, maths, physics and stem cell biology. It was conducted by the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at University of Nottingham in collaboration with the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition and the Royal Veterinary College.
Lead author Dr Cyril Rauch said: "With new scientific inputs from physics, mathematics and biology, this study provides an entirely new paradigm regarding hard growing tissues such as the horse hoof, which can be applied across cattle, sheep and other species, to unify a set of apparently disparate conditions and clarify the roles of physics and/or biology."
Using hooves from horses euthanased for non-research purposes, the study revealed how it is possible for the hoof growth rate to be greater than the potential proliferation rate of epithelial cells. It also explained how the synthesis of the hoof capsule starts from the coronet and that the soft papillae undergo gradual transition through three interpapillary regions into hard keratinised tissue.
Mathematics, physics and cell biology were then used in the study to explain and describe how the dorsal hoof wall can grow in a curved manner rather than the usual straight manner as a result of faster growth from the coronary band at the quarters compared to the toe region.
Evaluation of the feet from live underweight and obese subjects (assessed using Body Condition Scoring) allowed the influence of body weight on the balances of the stresses affecting hoof growth to be evaluated. The results suggest that being proportionally heavier may promote straighter hoof growth and that being too lean may precipitate poor hoof growth and the development of a hoof with a dorsal curved shape.
The study also showed that a high concentration of insulin stimulated equine progenitor keratinocytes (the outermost layer of cells on the hoof wall) to grow in culture. If this also happens chronically within the live animal, it is possible that it could affect the growth stresses within the hoof and so promote a dorsal curved hoof shape.
Co-author Nicola Menzies-Gow said: "These results taken together can explain how the hoof grows and how it is possible for it to develop a dorsal curvature. However, it should be acknowledged that this does not take into account the genetic or metabolic influences on hoof growth nor the role of hoof trimming and shoeing in maintaining a mechanically healthy hoof. It is appreciated that the underlying biology of hoof growth remains an essential factor for hoof pathologies."
Dr Cyril Rauch continued: “Given that the hoof is a weight bearing element it is essential to untangle the biology from the physics in this system; only then can meaningful biological and/or physical causes be prescribed for particular hoof shape. Removing the cause(s) when physically or biologically possible is essential to resolve hoof conditions."
Reference
The company says that the effervescent tablet presentation was designed to significantly improve vaccination practices for poultry producers while maintaining reliable virus protection.
Boehringer says this dispensing form reduces the risk of stock solution contamination and, when compared to glass vials, the small blister packs make vaccine management safer for operators, take up less room in the fridge and reduce packaging waste by 90%.
HatchPak IB H120 NeO will be available shortly in packs of 10 tablets of 1000 doses or 10 tablets of 2000 doses.
Callum Blair, Boehringer Ingelheim Avian and Swine Brand Manager, said: "The addition of HatchPak IB H120 NeO to our NeO product portfolio is evidence of our continued investment in the poultry sector."
The company is making the claim based on a £20,000 study it conducted with three dermatology specialists from three different clinics, in different parts of the country.
Trevor Hardcastle, Vet-AI’s chief data scientist said: "We have undertaken a small-scale trial of remote diagnosis of dermatology conditions by veterinary dermatology specialists in canine patients, which has resulted in almost perfect agreement. No significant evidence was found that veterinary dermatology specialists are measurably compromised in their ability to accurately diagnose common dermatology conditions by being remote from the patient."
Strangely, given the strength of the claim, its importance and Vet AI's obvious vested interest in the result, there was no other information contained within the company's press release. No mention of who the specialists were, nothing about the study design, and nothing about the basis on which the claim is made.
However, presuming the company meant Specialists not specialists, it would be very unusual if they had agreed for an announcement of this importance to be made without the evidence being reasonably robust. So it's probably worth suspending judgement until the study is published in full.
Meantime, the company also says its own research into online diagnosis amongst pet owners has shown that more than 50% of people have avoided taking their pets to the vet for cost reasons, yet more than 65% have tried online self-diagnosis. Again, Vet AI doesn't reveal how many pet owners were asked, or how they were sampled.
Vet-AI co-founder Sarah Warren said: "Things like dermatological issues are beautifully aligned to remote consultation because they’re visual so we can gain a wealth of information from images and distribution maps and easily recommend treatments.
"This needs to happen in a regulated, ethical and correct way with a view to improving animal welfare.
"The RCVS has a chance to ensure that people have access to quality vet help online in an effective way. They can do this, or they can allow them to continue accessing poor-quality advice. As a profession, it’s vital we respond to the needs of pet owners."
Speaking at a press briefing at BSAVA Congress 2017, Dr Cathryn Mellersh, Head of Canine Genetics at the Animal Health Trust and a member of the WSAVA Hereditary Disease Committee, also urged vets not to shy away from telling owners if they have made a bad choice to try to deter them from making the same mistake again.
During her briefing Dr Mellersh explained that concern about hereditary disease, particularly in dogs, had grown significantly in recent years, thanks to an increased awareness of the risks it poses to animals.
Dr Mellersh also explained that this heightened awareness had coincided with a period of rapid progress in the development of tools and resources to tackle hereditary disease, including the online DNA database, created by the WSAVA’s Hereditary Disease Committee and supported by Mars Veterinary, which is accessible, free of charge to veterinary surgeons around the world.
She said: "We ask vets to advise breeders to use DNA test results to avoid breeding clinically affected dogs and to reduce the frequency of mutation within a breed, over time, without damaging genetic diversity. When selecting a test, it is important that they ensure that the test they are using is based on sound science and on the right mutation for the breed being tested."
Dr Mellersh also warned veterinary surgeons not to advise against breeding with carriers and said that dogs should not be excluded from breeding on the basis of a single mutation that they could test for. She said: "The disease mutation that the DNA test is for is not the only mutation that a carrier has. Most dogs carry at least 50 recessive mutations so, if carriers are not bred from and only clear dogs used then there is a risk that other mutations carried by these clear dogs will increase in frequency within the breed and new inherited diseases could emerge."
"The ranges of resources available to help vets in this area is growing all the time and includes the WSAVA database hosted by PennGen and a Kennel Club database which lists the DNA tests recommended or required by Assured Breeders.
"For those looking to increase their knowledge in this area, hereditary disease is one of the key issues to be discussed during this year’s WSAVA World Congress in Copenhagen from 25-28 September. Many of the world’s experts will be there and a full lecture stream is planned."
"I ask vets to work with us and to contribute to the very real progress that is being made to tackle hereditary disease, particularly in dogs. Advances in technology are driving this progress and it is also being supported by many breeders and by the Kennel Club.
"The greatest challenge we face is that of educating the general public that they should be mindful of hereditary disease when choosing a puppy and should seek out those whose breeders have had the appropriate DNA tests and clinical screens.
"It is, of course, not always possible to reach owners before they buy a puppy but should their dog later go on to develop a condition that is well-known in the breed, then I ask them to explain this to owners so that, should they buy another dog, they do not make the same mistake. As a vet, you will also often be the first port of call for advice by first time breeders and this gives you a golden opportunity to advise them as to the tests they should undertake and, depending on the results, whether they should go ahead with breeding or not.
"Working together as a profession, being willing to discuss difficult issues with owners and breeders and utilising the resources and tools created by organisations such as the WSAVA, are all required to ensure that we increase the momentum we are already achieving in tackling canine hereditary disease in the UK and around the world."
The group’s Board, led by outgoing president, Renay Rickard and incoming president, Julie Beacham, decided to change the trading name to better reflect the diverse nature of the organisation’s membership and promote inclusivity.
The VMG says that in parallel with evolving models of veterinary business management, it has seen its membership expand to include clinical and non-clinical team members from practice, as well as those from industry and academia.
Renay said: "We are seeing a trend where the veterinary practice manager role is now complemented by - and in some cases superseded by - tiers of team leaders, many with management responsibilities and interests.
"This is reflected in our membership, which is increasingly diverse – we have growing numbers of members from the clinical side of practice, such as head nurses and vet team leads, as well as involvement from front-of-house and administration teams. In larger group practices, we have operations staff, marketing managers, finance teams and so on all joining up.
"Part of the success of our organisation is that we have attracted and catered for these diverse roles. Our New to Management series of CPD webinars last year was one example, and we will build on this in 2018, adding in new content. 2018 will also see a new structure for our regional group meetings, with roadshows and day events.
"This diversity in membership brings vibrancy and new ideas with it, vital to the life-blood of any organisation. Our aim is to be inclusive and cater for the needs of anyone with an interest in management through development and support."
The VMG has also launched a new website, www.vetmg.com with a private members’ area which offers various resources, from CPD to protocols.
Jonathan will be taking part in the VETFest Conversation on the Friday evening: a relaxed conversation with event founder Professor Noel Fitzpatrick in an intimate setting which organisers say allows delegates to really feel and be part of the conversation.
Noel and Jonathan will be reflecting on some of the common experiences, fears and thoughts all people from all walks of life share.
Noel said: "We are so excited that Jonathan has agreed to join us for the official launch of the VETFest Conversation on Friday night. Jonathan will offer an illuminating new perspective on some of the matters we will all relate to professionally and personally. This is so much more meaningful than just a chat between two people. We want everyone present to feel part of the conversation and converse together as openly and comfortably as is we were in your living room. This is what the VETFest Conversation is about, a really special experience.
"VET Festival has always and will forever be about providing a dynamic and engaging event that empowers all veterinary professionals who attend to leave the field with not only educational development but deep personal enrichment too. We all feel the stresses and strains of failure, financial stress, management challenges, difficult interpersonal relationships, self-confidence, fear and even depression. We lose our connectedness to each other with the weight of these burdens.
"This conference isn’t just about Veterinary Education for Tomorrow – it’s about looking after each other. With the VETFest Conversation, we are aiming for something new; something that depends entirely on raw emotion, passion, knowledge and willingness to share. We want to be the best we can be, together in the open air surrounded by kindness and collegiality.
"Together we hope to entertain and inform, and in doing so join together with everyone present not only as a profession but as a global community. If you are struggling, professionally and/or personally, we want to reach out a hand and reassure you that you are not alone – we are all in this together.
"Whether you are a vet, a nurse, a rehab professional or a TV presenter, we share fears and disappointments as well as joy and fulfilment. Our motivation is to collectively become a positive force for good, so that every one of us, our friends and family, our work colleagues, our businesses, our profession and even our world may benefit.
"There is nothing out there like this – and we want to lead the way in setting the agenda that this really does matter and create a lasting and meaningful community of compassion."
The VETFest Conversation is open to all delegates at VET Festival and takes place after the clinical programme on Friday 8th June at 6.00pm – 6.45pm.
VET Festival tickets are available to buy on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/vet-festival-2018-tickets-35876825551
Remote consultations and prescribing have been the subject of much debate in the profession of late. A motion to conduct a trial of prescribing without a physical examination was considered by the RCVS Council in November, when a large number of serious concerns were raised.
However, none of those concerns related to the provision of remote consulting services for existing clients with animals who are already under the care of the veterinary surgeon. That's where systems like this could add real value to the service offered by veterinary practices.
George Kyriacou, Director at VVG said: "Telemedicine is happening, and it’s happening in a big way. Virtual consultations are becoming more and more popular with pet owners who are not really sure if they need to see a vet and would simply like some reassurance.
"An option to have a qualified vet in your pocket at anytime of the day is attractive. However, the option to have a convenient consultation with your own trusted vet is the holy grail."
The system allows those practices who wish to charge for online consults to take payment online. Some, however, offer free consultations, in particular post-op, because it saves everyone time.
VVG points out that the system can also be used to deliver nursing consultations, too.
Simon Power, Commercial Manager at Vets One referrals in Crimplesham, Norfolk said: "Since adopting the system we have had a number of post-op and medication reviews virtually; it not only saves us a consulting room but also allows our clients to have the expert advice our team provide from the comfort of their own home."
VVG costs £249 to set up, plus from £59 per month thereafter, per practice.
For more information, contact George Kyriacou at George@thevvg.com or call 01842558022.
To enter the competition, VetSurgeon members just needed to post a 'top tip' that could in any way make life easier, quicker, better or happier for a colleague.
Making use of the new feature on VetSurgeon.org where members can click a link marked 'thank you' to show their appreciation of something useful shared by someone else, VetSurgeon offered five £50 Amazon Vouchers for the most thanked tips shared before the end of November.
The winners are:
Mark Rowland for his tip that Mikki Muzzles make great anaesthesia masks for guinea pigs.
Emma Robinson for her solution to the problem of opening a new bottle "that has one of those annoying little metal caps".
Kate Richardson for her tip, which was to use an elastic band to 'tie' your et tubes in.
Julie Innes for her suggestion to use an elastic/ Velcro back support wrap from the Pound Shop when doing hip scores.
Gillian Mostyn for things you can do with a latex glove.
Merial has launched Merilym 3, the first Lyme disease vaccine available in the UK.
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in Europe and there has been an increase of over 300% in the number of reported human cases in the UK since 20011. Caused by infection with bacteria from the Borrelia burgdorferi group, the disease is transmitted by Ixodes spp. ticks.
Merial says the vaccine contains inactivated antigens from Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia afzelli and Borrelia garinii, so provides broad spectrum immunity against infection. Vaccination with Merilym 3 induces high levels of antibodies against a key bacterial antigen, which are ingested by the tick during blood feeding and subsequently bind to the bacteria in the tick gut, reducing the risk of transmission from the tick to the host.
For use in dogs, the vaccine can be administered to puppies from 12 weeks old, with a primary vaccination course of two injections, three weeks apart, followed by annual boosters. It is available in packs of 10 doses.
For more information, speak to your local Merial Territory Manager.
Pfizer Animal Health has launched Zylexis for horses, the first and only immunomodulator licensed in the UK to reduce the clinical signs of equine respiratory disease associated with over-crowding and stress.
Zylexis contains inactivated parapox ovis virus (iPPOV), a super-antigen which Pfizer says boosts a horse's immune system to reduce the effects of infectious respiratory disease1,2 - bridging the gap between potential and performance.
According to the company, Zylexis acts by stimulating the horse's non-specific immune system, inducing antiviral interferons and interleukins and stimulating innate immune cells. In this way it bridges the gap until the horse's adaptive immune system can develop a pathogen-specific response.3-5
Pfizer highlights research which has shown a 40.3% reduction in the clinical signs and duration of respiratory disease in young horses under conditions of crowding and stress and a significant reduction of purulent nasal discharge when using Zylexis.6,7 No local or systemic adverse events were observed in a 999 dose study.8
Wendy Talbot, National Veterinary Manager at Pfizer, said: "Zylexis has been licensed in the States and in Germany for a number of years. We believe Zylexis plays a pivotal role in helping to minimise the severity of respiratory disease outbreaks in these countries, therefore helping to maintain performance potential. It's a very welcome addition to the medicine box of UK vets."
The administration of Zylexis is recommended as a course of three single dose intramuscular injections on days 0, 2 and 9. The first dose should be administered shortly before the over-crowding or stressful situation.
References
Norbook has added a 200ml oral suspension for dogs to its Loxicom range.The company says the new presentation provides a cost-effective way to supply long-term dosing for pain management in dogs. It also says the new size will allow vets to be more efficient with stock space and animal owners will save money with less frequent repeat purchases.
Norbook veterinary advisor Rebekah Dudek said: "With winter upon us, the colder weather can cause symptoms of arthritis to worsen. With over 20% of dogs, 50% of adult cats and 60% of horses affected by arthritis now is the time to find out why so many vets are choosing Loxicom as their choice for pain management.
"This extension to the popular Loxicom range allows vets the opportunity to offer users a range of options when dispensing pain relief medication. The 200ml bottle is a cost-effective solution for long term treatment which will please both vets and pet owners."
For more information, visit: www.norbrook.com.
Registered VN Lindsay Newell has been found guilty of six counts of cruelty to animals at Stafford Magistrates' Court, following an investigation by the RSPCA.
The charges related to a ewe, two lambs, a Welsh pony, a goat and a pig at the Burton Wildlife and Animal Rescue Centre, a sanctuary founded in 2008 by the 27-year-old nurse in memory of her murdered grandparents.
The pig had made headlines in the Daily Mail in 2012 when Newell rescued it from a Derby council house.
Newell was given a 2-year conditional discharge, ordered to pay £2000 in costs, and disqualified from keeping sheep, equines, goats or pigs for five years.
Passing sentence, district judge David Taylor said: "These were not deliberate or intentional acts. They were a consequence of you trying to take on too many animals of a wide range."
Newell was cleared of 25 other charges of failing to feed the animals in her care properly.
RSPCA inspector Jayne Bashford who led the investigation said: "We are satisfied that the court has found the defendant guilty of six charges of unnecessary suffering. The scene the RSPCA discovered when they visited with Police, Derbyshire Trading Standards and an independent vet were quite shocking.
"This was an extremely disturbing case where there was clear neglect and mistreatment of animals by a registered veterinary nurse.
"I am sure she set up this centre with the best intentions but things got totally out of control."
More on this story
Outcome of temporary tracheostomy tube-placement following surgery for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in 42 dogs1 was undertaken at Dick White Referrals, UK. A retrospective case series of dogs that had a temporary tracheostomy tube placed in the post-operative period following surgery for BOAS was obtained from the referral hospital.
Of the 42 dogs, 11 had a tracheotomy tube placed electively and 31 had one placed as an emergency. The overall postoperative complication rate in the study was 95%. The minor complication rate – defined as resulting in no observable compromise of the clinical status and/or self-limiting, such as a cough - was 71%. The major complication rate – defined as resulting in discernible harm to the patient, such as cyanosis and dyspnoea - was 83%. 41/42 dogs were classified as having successful tracheostomy tube management.
Marius Stordalen, lead author of the paper said: "Contrary to what had been previously thought, this manuscript shows that in an appropriate clinical setting, temporary tracheostomy tube placement following multi-level airway surgery for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome carries a good prognosis for the majority of patients."
Nick Jeffery, editor of JSAP added: "Whilst overall mortality rate was low following placement of a tracheostomy tube in the postoperative period, there was a high overall complication rate. This finding demonstrates the need for continuous monitoring and intensive care for patients following placement of tracheostomy tube.”
The full article can be found in the May issue of the Journal of Small Animal Practice which is free for BSAVA members. It can also be read online here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jsap.13127
The apple-flavoured, gastro-resistant granules can be mixed with dry feed to make administration easier for owners.
Animalcare says that up to 37% of leisure horses and 93% of race horses are reported to be affected by gastric ulcers1, for which the most prescribed treatment is omeprazole.
Equizol’s granule formulation has been developed to support owners who find syringe administration difficult or wasteful. It is presented in packs of 28 sachets, each containing sufficient omeprazole to treat 200 kg body weight. Owners mix the appropriate number of sachets into a small amount of the horse’s feed.
Animalcare Product Manager James Beaumont said: “Offering innovative product solutions which better meet our customer’s needs is our goal and Equizol is a perfect example. Our established equine healthcare range includes products for pain management, infusion therapy and microchips. Now, with the launch of Equizol, we are offering an innovative, easy-to-use and cost-effective solution to the common problem of gastric ulcers, based on tried and trusted omeprazole. We are delighted to add it to our range.”
The company’s NEMO Cardiac Health Screening test detects heart disease using AI to analyse microRNAs - biomarkers that manage the immune system and its responses and act as regulators for disease progression or resolution.
MI:RNA says the new test, which can be taken from blood or urine samples, will help vets diagnose and monitor disease progression more effectively and give cats and dogs with heart disease 18 months more life.
Eve Hanks, CEO and founder of MI:RNA (pictured) said: “The use of precision medicine in veterinary diagnostics will help pet owners and breeders alike to ascertain where to direct their efforts and finances accordingly.
"There is massive potential to use this technology to help breeds who have real problems with heart and other diseases, and will consequently help owners and breeders to identify affected animals more quickly.
Professor Joanna Dukes-McEwan, Head of the Cardiology Service at the University of Liverpool said: "From our cardiac investigations, we knew exactly the underlying heart disease and the severity of this, so our data was used as a training set for the MI:RNA panel analysis.
"We have previously collected samples from dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease and are currently collecting samples from cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
“I think the MI:RNA panels are most useful for vets in primary care practice to identify and confirm the severity of underlying cardiac disease in their patients.
"A simple blood test which could confirm that the cause of a heart murmur is MVD, and also indicate its severity, and whether the patient would benefit from treatment would be really helpful for primary care vets in practice.
"They might indicate which patients may benefit from referral, or indicate when a specific treatment is indicated.
"Future research with miRNA panels may also indicate novel pathways in progression of disease which might increase our understanding of the disease, or novel therapeutic options.”
The UK has now seen a total of 169 confirmed cases of Alabama Rot across 38 counties, since 2012. Six cases were confirmed in 2012, climbing to 40 in 2017 and 46 so far in 2018.
The new research, which was carried out in conjunction with the Royal Veterinary College, found that almost 95% of confirmed cases of Alabama Rot have occurred between November and May, with the highest number of cases being reported in February.
It also found most of the cases have been confirmed in western and southern parts of England, with the highest number found in West Sussex, Dorset, southern Hampshire, Greater Manchester and Monmouthshire. Far fewer cases have been reported from the eastern half of the country and East Anglia in particular.
David Walker, Head of medicine at Anderson Moores and co-author of the research, said: "This research, which was funded by the New Forest Dog Owners Group and the charity Alabama Rot Research Fund, was designed to look for geographical patterns, as well as environmental and climatic risk factors.
"A distinct seasonal pattern is suggested, with the vast majority of cases occurring between November and March, and limited cases over the summer months – just 6.5% of cases have been confirmed from June to October.
"In the scientific world a lot of research is not earth-shattering, but it all builds together and little by little we make progress.
"This information is good in terms of how we manage the next stage of research, however we need to be careful and not jump to any conclusions at this point".
Researchers say the disease has been reported in a wide range of breeds (35 in total) but, due to the small number of cases, it is not yet possible to say with any certainty whether a specific breed has an inherently increased or decreased risk of the disease. Any patterns may simply be the result of varying breed populations in different parts of the country.
Dr Huw Stacey, vet and director of clinical services at Vets4Pets, has been supporting research on the condition for a number of years. He said: "Since we held the first Alabama Rot conference in May 2017, vets and relevant professionals have been working hard to understand more about the condition.
"We know how the disease presents and how it affects dogs internally, and this research adds some interesting information that may help to increase vets’ index of the suspicion for the disease.
"The information on climate and ground type will help us further explore possible triggers for the disease, but at the moment we can’t say if any breeds are more likely to develop the disease.
"The first sign of the disease that is normally seen is a skin sore or lesion that isn’t caused by a known injury. Most commonly these sores are found on the lower half of the leg and appear as a distinct swelling, a patch of red skin or are open and ulcer-like.
"With 46 cases in 2018 already, it is understandably very worrying for dog owners, but we think the increase in cases is partially due to an increased awareness of the disease.
"However, this disease is still very rare, so we’re advising dog owners to remain calm but vigilant, and seek advice from their local vet if their dog develops unexplained skin lesions.
"While this research may be a stepping stone to finding the cause of Alabama Rot, there is currently no known way to prevent a dog from contracting the disease."
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Furthermore, the research found that among female dogs that had problems giving birth, French bulldog bitches are then 2.4 times more likely to undergo invasive caesarean sections than crossbred dogs.
This compared to brachycephalic bitches in general, which the RVC researchers found are 1.54 times more likely to need a caesarean compared with their longer-nosed pure breed or crossbred counterparts.
As part of the research, academics studied 20,000 bitches that required emergency treatment at 50 Vets Now veterinary clinics between 2012 and 2014.
Their findings, published in two papers in The Veterinary Record, highlight the substantial risks that bitches and their puppies face during the birthing process.
According to the first paper1, 3.7% of female dogs suffer from dystocia. Alongside French bulldogs, other pure breeds such as Boston terriers, chihuahuas and pugs, are also particularly at risk of birthing problems. Compared to crossbred bitches, Boston terriers are 12.9 times more likely to face birthing issues, pugs 11.3 times more likely and chihuahuas 10.4 times more likely.
The second paper2, which is available open access, examines the effects of difficult births more closely. It found that on average, 25% of puppies and 1.7% of the bitches do not survive problem births. Apart from the risk of death, problem births also mean that many bitches have to undergo painful and invasive surgery, with 48.6% of problem births needing caesarean surgery.
Bulldogs (also known as British Bulldogs), border terriers and golden retrievers were the top three breeds at risk of caesarean section once they have difficulty giving birth. Bulldogs are 7.6 times more likely, border terriers are 4.9 times more likely and golden retrievers are 4.1 times more likely to need the procedure compared with crossbreeds.
RVC veterinary epidemiologist and VetCompass researcher Dr Dan O’Neill said: "This new research is another piece of evidence suggesting that mankind may have gone too far in modifying dog breed shapes towards extreme conformation that can interfere with basic biological functions. We all need to fall back in love with dog-shaped dogs and move away from the current fascination with extreme-shaped dogs."
O’Neill, DG., O’Sullivan, AM., Manson, EA., Church, DB., McGreevy, PD., Boag, AK., Brodbelt, DC.(2019) Canine dystocia in 50 UK first-opinion emergency care veterinary practices: clinical management and outcomes Veterinary Record Published Online First:04 February 2019. doi: 10.1136/vr.104944.
CEVA Animal Health is giving away a key ring torch with every three bottles of Rehydion gel®, its product for scouring calves.CEVA says the deal is to highlight the fact that Rehydion gel® is currently the only oral rehydration treatment that can be added to milk, with guaranteed milk clotting. According to the company, Rehydion gel® has faster, guaranteed milk clotting and helps to maintain a low abomasal pH. Its high palatability and efficient dilution in milk allows weight gain to continue, even in cases of severe scour. It also has a high Strong Ion Difference (SID) which effectively suppresses acidosis. Rehydion gel® is fast to mix by simply shaking the hand-held bottle. Rehydion gel's® consistency means that precise doses of alkalinising agents and electrolytes can be squeeze-delivered with ease. In beef systems the product is time-saving, convenient and minimises stress as it can be given neat, meaning there is need for the calf to be separated from its dam. One bottle provides enough for eight, two-litre calf feeds or 160 feeds for lambs. The distinctive yellow top also acts as a handy measuring cap.
Further information and product literature is available from Martin Gough on 01494 781510.
The RCVS statement, which can be read in full here, highlighted the fact that there is no body of evidence that homeopathy is effective and nor is it based on sound scientific principles. It should therefore be considered as complementary rather than alternative to treatments which are based on sound scientific principles, or for which there is a recognised evidence base.
In fact, the RCVS statement said nothing new. The principle that veterinary surgeons must first prescribe licensed medicines tested for safety and efficacy is enshrined in the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, which say that if there is no veterinary medicine authorised in the United Kingdom for a condition in a particular species the veterinary surgeon responsible for the animal may treat with a veterinary medicine authorised for use in another animal species or for another condition in the same species, or, failing that, either a medicine authorised in the UK for human use, or a veterinary medicine authorised in another member state for use with any animal species in accordance with the Special Import Scheme, or a specially prepared (extemporaneous preparation or special) medicine, or exceptionally a medicine imported from outside the EU.
There are no homeopathic treatments listed by the VMD as 'authorised', just a handful of homeopathic preparations listed as 'registered', something which, as the BAHVS itself points out, means they have not been subjected to the same evaluation as authorised medicines or tested for efficacy.
The BAHVS is fond of using anecdote as evidence of efficacy (see the endorsements at the foot of this page: http://www.bahvs.com/), so one veterinary surgeon has been inviting colleagues to share their experiences of homeopathy causing harm on social media, in order to produce an infographic (pictured above right, click to enlarge) highlighting the very real harm caused when, for example, owners 'vaccinate' against parvo with homeopathic nosodes, only to have a dead litter on their hands.
The draft infographic can be found here.
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Cancer Care for Pets offers both clinical and palliative care for pets with cancer, supporting the work of the first opinion team at Donaldson's and taking referral cases from far and wide.
Neil and Kirsty have worked in practice together in the Yorkshire area for seven years, working with owners and families to create treatment plans involving diagnostic investigations, specialised imaging, surgery, chemotherapy and palliative care.
Neil said: "As far as we know, we are one of very few services to offer this combination of veterinary and nurse-led consultations, where comprehensive cancer treatment and care plans are developed together with owners. We have worked hard to instil our team approach where, following surgery and treatment, the Cancer Care team, the owner and the referring practice are all involved in the pet’s ongoing care and wellbeing."
Kirsty said: “Neil and I do many of our consults together. Neil will give his clinical overview and I will help owners to process and understand the treatment and the next steps for their pet.
“It was incredibly important to us to create a friendly, welcoming environment in our new dedicated consultation area at the hospital. We need people to trust us and be honest about how fit and well their pet really is, in the knowledge we are not automatically going to tell them there is nothing we can offer them. Treating cancer is about life, not managing a death, and making sure that the pet’s life – even if it is limited – is as good as it can be.”
Neil said: "The Cancer Care for Pets team will be working alongside the wider Donaldson’s veterinary and nursing teams and we are keen to learn from each other. The facilities at the hospital are second to none, particularly our new purpose-built consultation area, the practice’s new CT scanner and the high spec operating facilities. Donaldson’s also has a well-respected rehabilitation and pain clinician with whom we can work closely to help our older patients to keep mobile, flexible and maintain activity levels.”
Neil and Kirsty are supported by a third member of the Cancer Care for Pets team, oncology nurse Jenna Carrick RVN.
Cancer Care for Pets is now accepting referrals. Contact: info@cancercareforpets.co.uk or 01484 242911.