Improve International has launched a two-day masterclass on tibial-plateau-leveling osteotomy (TPLO).

The company says the masterclass will equip veterinary surgeons with an understanding of how TPLO fits into the range of treatments for one of the commonest causes of serious hindlimb lameness in the adult dog: cranial cruciate ligament failure.

The course will take place on 13 and 14 September at Improve’s HQ, Alexandra House, Swindon, and will be led by Dr Steve Butterworth, MA VetMB CertVR DSAO MRCVS and RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics).

Improve’s Veterinary Operations Manager Juliet Pope MRCVS, said: "We are delighted to offer this new masterclass, created for a maximum of ten delegates to ensure true one-to-one tutoring, and we thank the team at Freelance Surgical for supporting its development.

"The combination of lectures and practical sessions led by Steve Butterworth will revise relevant surgical anatomy to enable delegates to undertake TPLO procedures with confidence. We are particularly pleased to be able to offer radiography as an integral part of the course so that delegates can see the results of their new surgical skills before taking them back to their clinics."

The RCVS Disciplinary Committee has refused an application from Leeds-based Gary Cassius Samuel for restoration to the Register on the grounds that his history of causing harm to animals means that he poses a continued risk to animal welfare.

Mr Samuel had been removed from the Register in 2018 for causing unnecessary harm to numerous animals.

After being tried and convicted of several animal welfare offences alongside his former partner at Leeds Magistrates Court, Mr Samuel was sentenced to 12 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12-months on the condition that he did 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay a £100 fine and subjected to a disqualification order under the Animal Welfare Act for three years.

Mr Samuel’s application for restoration was based on the facts that he accepted the seriousness of his actions and that he did not challenge the DC’s 2018 decision.

The Committee also heard evidence that since his removal from the Register, Mr Samuel - who had run a first opinion veterinary practice for nine years prior to being struck off - has undertaken 340 hours of work experience with other veterinary surgeons and 20 hours of CPD. 

Dr Samuel was represented by Counsel who outlined in his submissions to the Committee how Dr Samuel’s former partner had sole responsibility for the animals and that she was involved in rehoming dogs and cats and that their relationship was ‘stressful’, that this made Dr Samuel neglect his professional obligations, and that Dr Samuel was now in a different relationship and his life had been ‘transformed’ since his conviction.

The College opposed Dr Samuel being restored to the Register.

Ms Curtis, Counsel on behalf of the College, submitted to the Committee that Dr Samuel continued to represent a risk to the welfare of animals and that to allow him to be restored to the Register would undermine public confidence in the profession.

She explained that even though his sentence and Animal Welfare Act Disqualification Order had come to an end, and he was now legally able to own animals, this should not be equated with him now being fit to return to the Register.

Dr Austin Kirwan MRCVS, chairing the Committee, and speaking on its behalf, said: “Where a veterinary surgeon has shown himself to be capable of such indifference to the welfare of multiple animals, there remained, in the Committee’s view, a real risk of that indifference manifesting itself again.

"A registered veterinary surgeon is entrusted with the care of animals, often when they are at their most vulnerable, and sometimes for prolonged periods of time.

"Given the nature of the animal welfare offences committed by Dr Samuel, the Committee considered there would be a real and significant risk to animals if the high level of responsibility and trust that comes with registration were returned to him.

“For a veterinary surgeon, conduct involving neglect of animals is at the highest end of the spectrum of serious professional misconduct.

"For the reasons outlined above, the Committee considered Dr Samuel continued to represent a risk to animal welfare and thus allowing him to be restored to the Register would seriously undermine public confidence in the profession.

"For all these reasons the application to restore Dr Samuel to the Register is refused.”

The Committee’s full findings can be viewed at www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary

Yorkshire-based Animal Trust, the somewhat controversially named not-for-profit veterinary practice, has announced it is opening a second practice in Dewsbury, less than a year since it opened the first one up the road in Tingley.

Set up by veterinary surgeons, Animal Trust trumpets the fact that its main focus is on the welfare of animals. How that makes it different to any other practice in the country is hard to see, however Animal Trust also says that it reinvests all profits back into the business for the benefit of its patients. 

Owen Monie, the founder of Animal Trust, said: "We couldn’t be prouder to be opening our second clinic in Yorkshire.

"The success of our Tingley clinic has increased demand across the county, therefore we identified the need of a not-for-profit veterinary clinic further west in Yorkshire."

"Unlike most veterinary clinics, we offer free consultations with experts to enable patients to access care and advice on treatment exactly when they need help."

No doubt the practice's charitable-sounding name and positioning will continue to grate others in the profession who also do so much pro-bono work.

Still, you've got to credit Dr Monie: it's a powerful consumer proposition he's got there.

The RCVS has announced the recipients of this year’s Honours and Awards. 

The Queen’s Medal - the highest honour that the RCVS can bestow upon an individual veterinary surgeon - was given to Dr Mary Stewart MRCVS, a retired academic who spent most of her career at the University of Glasgow where she was responsible for the development of the modern vet school.

Dr Stewart was nominated by Professor Stuart Reid, the Principal of the Royal Veterinary College and former Dean of the Glasgow Veterinary School. In his nomination he said: “Mary Stewart is one of the unsung heroes of the veterinary profession. A veterinarian graduating from Cornell in 1949, Mary has been MRCVS since 1951 and without doubt has been one of the major influencers of ethical approaches in the vet-client-patient environment and, in particular, the impact of euthanasia on both owners and attending veterinarians. Conducting nearly all her professional career in the UK, the vast majority at the University of Glasgow, Mary was of the generation selected by Sir William Weipers to create the modern school at Glasgow, an institution in which Mary played a pivotal role that would have reach nationally and internationally.”

The Inspiration Award is given to vets or nurses to recognise their ability to inspire and enthuse others consistently throughout his or her career. This year, it has been awarded to Dr Freda Scott-Park MRCVS. Freda is a former president of both the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) as well as the current coordinator of the Highlands & Islands Veterinary Services Scheme and a campaigner for identifying the links between animal and other forms of abuse through The Links Group.

The Impact Award is given to vets and nurses who have recently made a considerable impact that has affected the profession at large, animal health or welfare, or public health. This year two Impact Awards have been bestowed. The first is to Dr Rosie Allister MRCVS, a leading campaigner and researcher for and about veterinary mental health, as well as a veterinary educator, the manager of the Vetlife Helpline and a member of the RCVS Mind Matters Initiative Taskforce.

The second Impact Award recipient is Hannah Capon MRCVS, the co-founder and director of Canine Arthritis Management (CAM), a self-funded social enterprise that provides advice to both other veterinary professionals and animal owners on the treatment and management of arthritis in dogs.

This year the RCVS is also awarding three Honorary Associateships, bestowed upon those who are not veterinary surgeons or veterinary nurses but who are making a considerable impact in the veterinary sphere, whether in the field of campaigning, charities, research, politics or journalism, for example.

This year’s first Honorary Associate is Professor Maureen Bain, Professor of Comparative Anatomy and Histology at the University of Glasgow’s Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, and an Associate of Glasgow Vet School who has dedicated her career to research on improving the quality and safety of eggs for human consumption.

The second Honorary Associate is Mike Flynn, the Chief Superintended of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), for his collaborative work with the veterinary profession in areas such as the illegal puppy trade and the Links Group.

The third and final Honorary Associate is Professor Roberto La Ragione, the Deputy Head of the Surrey Vet School where he is also Professor of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology and Head of the Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases. Professor La Ragione was nominated for his contribution to veterinary education and research.

RCVS President Niall Connell (pictured right) said: “My hearty congratulations to all of this year’s award winners. Once again, it was a very strong field of people who have made and are making an indelible impact on veterinary science, the professions, animal health and welfare, food safety, public health, and plenty more besides."

Normally RCVS Awards & Honours are presented at Royal College Day in July. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 awards ceremony will instead be part of the proceedings of a combined Royal College Day and Fellowship Day, which will take at the Royal Institution on 2 October 2020. This event may be subject to cancellation and postponement depending on the latest Government advice and restrictions on the prevention of transmission of coronavirus.

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica has added a cardiology CPD section to its Vetmedin website. The section also includes a number of owner education resources to be used in practice.

The site, which is billed as a one-stop-shop on canine heart disease, includes an interactive radiology viewer, the Vetmedin atlas of cardiac radiology, radiology interpretation and diagnosis, an interactive MVD seminar and online downloadable Vetmedin dosage calculator to assist veterinary surgeons in prescribing the optimum dose.

Owner education materials include an animation explaining how to monitor a dog's resting respiratory rate, a video about heart failure and downloadable charts to help owners monitor their dog's condition.

For further information, visit www.vetmedin.co.uk, contact your Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica territory manager or call 01344 746959.

Dogs Trust has temporarily changed its famous strapline to: ‘A Dog Is For Life, Not Just For Lockdown’ after searches for 'buy a puppy' went up by 120% in March. 

According to data from Propellernet, there was an even bigger rise in searches for the term 'Adopt a puppy'.

Whether people are getting a dog for companionship or because they’re around more to train them, the charity says it is concerned there may be a spike in people giving up their dog when normality resumes and reality sinks in. 

In order to try and prevent that, the charity has created an online quiz for potential new dog owners to test themselves on whether they are really ready to: 

• completely change your schedule (& give up lie ins!)
• spend more time at home or pay for a dog sitter/walker
• go walking in all weather
• devote time to training, games and fun
• spend £££s every month on food, treats, insurance & other doggy essentials
• have furniture covered in fur
• think for two - a night out, a holiday or a weekend away
• To be chief pooper scooper
• To give the dog everything they need 

Owen Sharp, Dogs Trust’s Chief Executive said: "We’re encouraging potential dog owners to carry out our new test to see if you’re Dog Ready. Are you ready to be chief pooper scooper? Are you ready to forego a lie in ever again? As well as more serious questions around vet treatment and preparing for emergencies.” 

Graham Norton, owner of Labradoodle Bailey, TV presenter and Dogs Trust supporter is supporting the campaign. He said: "As a dog owner myself, I know how much joy four-legged friends bring to our lives. I’ve certainly found that my gorgeous dog, Bailey, has taken the boredom out of lockdown for me, and I’ve really enjoyed spending even more time with him than usual.  

"However, whilst the thought of introducing a cute, fluffy pooch to your family right now might be appealing, I fully support Dogs Trust’s important message that ‘A Dog Is For Life, Not Just For Lockdown’. Don’t forget that you still have to walk a dog on a rainy evening, and pick up their poo in the dark!"

For more information, visit dogstrust.org.uk/dogready.  

VetCT has published a white paper on the use and potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in veterinary medicine.

The paper details the current and potential uses of this rapidly developing technology, and its benefits and risks.

It provides an introduction to AI and its uses in human medicine, small animal, farm and equine practice, radiology and veterinary education.

It also looks at the potential impact on the wellbeing and working life of veterinary teams.

Results from VetCT’s recent survey on the opinions of AI within the veterinary profession are included in the paper.

Julien Labruyère, Chief Innovation Officer at VetCT, said: “This is a crucial moment in the veterinary industry to ensure we have the knowledge and safeguards in place to apply AI safely, effectively and with confidence to support good clinical practice and ultimately, improve animal welfare.

"This white paper aims to provide a firm foundation for understanding AI and stimulate discussion on how it may impact both people and animals.”

The paper also calls for the development of industry-wide guidance, standards and regulations to safeguard veterinary teams and animal health and welfare as these tools are deployed.

Julien added: “AI development is accelerating rapidly, with global governments and industries racing to regulate to ensure the benefits outweigh the potential negative impacts of this far-reaching technology.

"It’s vital that opinion leaders, organisations and regulators from across the veterinary world come together and develop guardrails so we can have confidence that AI tools will benefit our teams and our patients.”

https://5345458.hs-sites.com/vetct-ai-white-paper 

The BSAVA has published the third edition of the BSAVA Guide to Procedures in Small Animal Practice, updated with new video content.

Four new procedures have been added: cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), and wet-to-dry dressings.

The new video content, access to which is included with the printed book, has been designed as a ‘go to’ resource to reference prior to performing a procedure.  

Nick Bexfield, one of the editors of the new edition, said: “We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed.”

Print copies are available through the BSAVA store, you can also access the digital version in the BSAVA Library.

Prices are £45.50 for BSAVA members; £70.00 for non-members.

The RCVS Disciplinary Committee has decided to take no further action against London-based Eleonora Corsi MRCVS after a hearing regarding the care of a pregnant Chihuahua named Kika.

Dr Corsi consulted with Kika's owners about the management of her pregnancy at the end of November 2017, finding at least 4 puppies on an x-ray taken at the time. 

The first of five charges against Dr Corsi was that on the 14th December, after being advised by Kika's owners that the dog had produced two live puppies and one dead puppy the previous night, she failed to advise them that Kika needed an immediate veterinary examination.

The second charge was that, having been telephoned for a second time by the owner, she still failed to advise the owners that Kika required an immediate veterinary examination.

The third charge was that, following an examination of Kika that afternoon, and having ascertained that Kika required a caesarean section to remove one undelivered puppy, Dr Corsi failed to perform the caesarean section that day and advised the owner that Kika could undergo the caesarean section (at the practice, performed by her) the next day (or words to the effect).

The charge also stated that she failed to advise the owner that Kika’s health and welfare required the caesarean section to be performed that day; and that she failed to advise them that, if she or another veterinary surgeon at the practice could not perform the surgery that day, Kika needed to be referred to the out-of-hours clinic so that the caesarean section could take place on the 14th December.

The fourth charge was that Dr Corsi failed to recognise that Kika’s health and welfare required a caesarean section to be performed on 14th December.

The fifth charge was that, on 16th December 2017, having been telephoned by the owner at about 5pm and having been informed that Kika was weak and had not been eating post-operatively, Dr Corsi failed to advise the owner that Kika should be presented urgently for a veterinary examination.

The Disciplinary Committee considered the facts of the case and heard evidence from a number of witnesses including the owners of Kika and Dr Corsi, and from Mr Maltman MRCVS who was called as an expert witness on behalf of the College and Mr Chitty, who was called as an expert witness on behalf of Dr Corsi. 

Having considered all of the evidence, the Committee found all aspects of the first and second charges proven in their entirety.

The Committee found the majority of the third charge not proved, with the exception of the fact that it found that Dr Corsi did advise the owner that she could undertake the Caesarean section on 15 December 2017.

In light of the Committee’s findings in respect of the aspects of charge three that were not proved, charge four was also found not proved.

Finally, the Committee considered that charge five was found not proved.

The Committee then went on to consider whether the charges that were found proven amounted to serious professional misconduct either individually and/or cumulatively.

Committee Chair Cerys Jones said: "In light of the evidence of both parties’ experts, the Committee was of the view that there was a risk of harm or injury resulting from Dr Corsi’s failure - the Committee decided that this was an aggravating factor.

"However, the Committee took into account that, at the time of both calls, Dr Corsi had a rationale for her decision, that she asked appropriate questions and received answers which led her to make what she considered to be a reasoned assessment.

"She had also made arrangements in both calls to be kept updated either at a pre-arranged time or sooner if Kika’s condition changed. On this basis, the Committee was satisfied that, while this was an error of judgement, it did not fall so far short of what was expected as to amount to disgraceful conduct."

Therefore, the Committee decided that while Dr Corsi’s conduct in Charges 1 and 2 demonstrated a departure from professional standards,  the falling short was not so grave as to amount to disgraceful conduct in a professional respect.

The full decision can be read here: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/concerns/disciplinary-hearings/

The BVA has announced the launch of 'Back to Practice', a new CPD series designed to help veterinary surgeons increase their skills and confidence prior to returning to practice after a career break.

Sessions in the 'Back to Practice' series will include updates on changes in practice, and refresh knowledge in key areas such as ophthalmology, dermatology and veterinary medicines. 

The BVA says its research has found that around one in five veterinary surgeons who started their careers in clinical practice report that they do not currently work in practice.

There are, of course, various reasons why veterinary surgeons take a break from practice or change their career path, including having a family, working abroad, taking a sabbatical, because of health reasons, or to search for a new challenge.

Whatever the reason for taking a break, returning to practice can be both exciting and daunting.

Natalie Russell MRCVS is a companion animal veterinary surgeon who has taken time off on maternity leave. She said: "For me the main challenge about returning to practice was the self-confidence. Not only in my knowledge but also in my people skills. Many of those skills hadn’t gone and the knowledge was still there but a course like the 'Back to Practice' series would have helped me prepare and feel more confident in what I knew and how to apply it."

Ex-BVA President Robin Hargreaves also returned to practice after his year away on presidential duties. He said: "It was quite a shock when I returned and, on reflection, I think it would have been valuable to have attended a course like the BVA Back to Practice series.

"Firstly, because after a year there were new approaches and medicines with which I wasn’t familiar and, secondly, because a course like this would have helped to reassure me that I hadn’t forgotten everything and also highlight what I needed to brush up on. It would perhaps have been easier to do this in a collegiate environment with fellow vets rather than in the consulting room."

The first Back to Practice CPD session: 'Return to work with confidence and clarity', will be held on 20 February 2018 at the BVA offices in central London. There will be five other sessions in the series and the BVA is offering a three-for-two offer on the courses.

Zoetis has launched Stronghold Plus (selamectin/sarolaner), a topical combination of parasiticides that treats ticks, fleas, ear mites, lice and GI nematodes and prevents heartworm disease in cats.

Stronghold Plus contains the same selamectin found in common-or-garden Stronghold, licensed for the treatment of fleas, flea allergic dermatitis, ear mites (Otodectes cynotis), roundworm (Toxocara cati), intestinal hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme), biting lice (Felicola subrostratus), and for the treatment of heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis. 

To that has been added sarolaner, a new acaricide and insecticide which is also effective for five weeks against Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes hexagonus, and for four weeks against Dermacentor reticulatus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus.

Clint Lewis, Executive Vice President and President International Operations, said: "The launch of  Stronghold Plus enables Zoetis to offer veterinarians in the European Union a new topical choice that treats the parasites commonly presenting a threat to cats with one convenient monthly dose.

For the first time, we have combined our new, versatile parasiticide sarolaner with the active ingredient in Stronghold, selamectin, resulting in the first approval of sarolaner for use in cats. We see sarolaner as a promising platform for future product lines and lifecycle innovations and are pleased with the positive data that sarolaner and its combination continue to generate in studies.”

Domenico Otranto, Professor of Parasitology at Bari University in Italy, who has reviewed the product data of Stronghold Plus, said: "A number of laboratory and field studies show the efficacy of the single spot-on application of Stronghold Plus for at least one month. Veterinarians in Europe now have a very effective option for the treatment and control of four prominent species of ticks commonly found on cats while maintaining proven efficacy against fleas, GI worms, heartworms, ear mites and lice. Ultimately, pet owners and practitioners have a new tool for improving health and welfare of cats."

The RCVS and the BVA have called on the government to add veterinary surgeons to the Shortage Occupation List as part of the UK’s preparations for leaving the European Union.

The organisations made a joint submission to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) as part of its review into the Shortage Occupation List which began in autumn 2018 and will report back in spring 2019.

The BVA and the RCVS had previously made calls for the profession to be added to the list in 2017 when the MAC held a call for evidence on the impact of the UK's exit from the EU on various professions. The latest submission is a development on this previous submission, focused on the need for the post-Brexit immigration system to recognise the issues affecting the veterinary workforce, which is already under-capacity, and reiterating its importance in areas such as public health, food safety, disease surveillance and control, education, research, clinical practice and animal welfare.

The submission details how the demand for veterinary services does not currently match supply and that the UK is therefore reliant on overseas registrants, particularly from the rest of the EU, who currently make up around 50% of new registrants in a given year.

The RCVS and BVA add that, in the post-Brexit immigration system, this reliance on overseas vets needs to be recognised by adding veterinary surgeons to the Shortage Occupation List, thus reducing the immigration requirements needed for overseas veterinary surgeons to live and work in the UK and streamlining the application process for employers.

Amanda Boag, RCVS President, said: "We wanted to use this submission as an opportunity to reiterate the circumstances currently facing the profession, particularly in light of the uncertainties around the UK’s exit from the EU and the impact this could have on the supply of veterinary workforce from the rest of the EU, which is crucially important in a number of areas. We need, therefore, for veterinary surgeons to be immediately added back to the list so that we can ensure that this flow of workforce continues and that animal health and welfare is protected.

"In the meantime we are continuing to work with BVA and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to look at how we can develop ‘home-grown’ veterinary capacity in the UK through expanding the UK veterinary education sector, increasing retention rates within the profession, and looking at how the veterinary team could be reformed to allow allied professionals, such as veterinary nurses, to take on extra tasks and free up veterinary time. However, these are all long-term projects and not quick fixes to the issues facing the profession."

As well as calling for a future immigration system to prioritise the veterinary profession, RCVS and BVA also recommend that veterinary employers be exempt from the Immigration Skills Charge to avoid additional barriers or burdens to the employment of overseas vets and recommend that there is no minimum earning cap for veterinary surgeons applying for work visas, on the basis that veterinary surgeons are "skilled professionals who may choose to work in the UK for reasons other than remuneration".

Simon Doherty, BVA President, said: "It is in MAC’s gift to reinstate vets on the Shortage Occupation List and this evidence makes a strong case for it to happen as quickly as possible.

"Vets deliver multiple benefits to animal health and welfare, public health and food safety, and they have a crucial role to play in future trade deals and keeping standards and confidence in UK exports high.  The profession is also indebted to a high proportion of skilled EU vets who have chosen to make the UK their home and place of work. 

"With this in mind, the future immigration system must be geared around preserving veterinary capacity rather than introducing new layers of bureaucracy or restrictions on flexible movement between roles. We have raised concerns that extending the Immigration Skills Charge to EU workers would hit some areas of the workforce disproportionately hard, particularly the abattoir industry where 95 per cent of Official Veterinarians hail from overseas.

"With uncertain times ahead and demand for some veterinary services predicted to spiral after Brexit, it has never been more pressing to take decisive action to safeguard against shortfalls in capacity and give a vital vote of confidence in the veterinary workforce."

To read the full submission, visit https://www.rcvs.org.uk/document-library/joint-rcvs-and-bva-submission-to-migration-advisory-committee/ 

The following small animal medicine dentistry CPD events have been announced for 2019.

If you are speaking at or hosting a small animal CPD event in 2019, please email details to press@vetsurgeon.org for it to be considered for addition to this list.

This list includes events from CPD Solutions, Improve International, the Veterinary Poisons Information Service and the Small Animal Medicine Society.