In current regional anaesthesia procedures two operators are often needed, with an assistant using 'feel' to inject the anaesthetic solution at the required pressure. This, says the company, means anaesthetic solutions can be injected at unsafe pressures. The new device incorporates a safety system that limits injection pressure, to reduce the risk of nerve injury.
Dr. Federico Corletto, Consultant Anaesthetist from Dick White Referrals said: “By turning regional anaesthesia into a one-person procedure, the technology also removes the challenges of communicating with an assistant regarding subjective injective pressure feel, thus removing the unpredictability of an untrained hand.”
Medovate says the use of ultrasound guided regional anaesthesia is becoming more common practice today, with the technique – which can help provide a higher level of visualisation for the practitioner – increasingly seen as a ‘gold standard’.
However, there are limitations and challenges that are not always present in the practice of adult human medicine. Nerve parathesia, for instance, is harder to ascertain in animals. Small animals such as cats also have increased sensitivity to local anaesthetics when compared with other species, necessitating much lower maximum doses be used.1
Brett Hughes, Homecare & Veterinary Business Manager at Vygon UK, said: "The device infuses at 0.5ml/second, and to vets the technology offers a valuable tool that can control injection small intervals at a time. This allows the veterinary practitioner to titrate appropriately to see the anaesthesia spread around a nerve bundle.
"There are a significant number of regional anaesthesia blocks completed in veterinary practice per annum globally, so potentially this NHS developed device could play a major role in the future of veterinary practice."
For more information, visit: https://www.medovate.co.uk/veterinary/safira-for-veterinary-applications and https://www.vygonvet.co.uk/
Reference
The survey is very quick: sub two minutes. It asks simply whether you agree or not, and what you think are the benefits and drawbacks of remote consulting without otherwise knowing or seeing the animal.
All individual replies are strictly confidential and will not be shared with anyone. Your name is only asked for validation purposes.
To take part: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7235757/Remote-Consultation-Survey
The results will be published within a week.
The company says that Daxocox achieves significant improvement of clinical signs associated with the pain of osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs1,2 and also helps reduce the risk of breakthrough pain.
Breakthrough pain is defined as “an abrupt, short-lived, and intense pain that breaks through the analgesia that controls pain”3. Risk factors for breakthrough pain in cases of canine OA include poor owner compliance, variable plasma drug levels between doses, natural or exercise induced flare-ups and disease progression.
According to research carried out by the company, veterinary surgeons estimate that nearly half of their canine OA cases on daily NSAIDs experience breakthrough pain4, whilst owners put the figure much higher at 80%5.
Animalcare says that as well as compromising patient welfare and increasing the risk of clinical consequences such as wind-up pain (hypersensitisation), breakthrough pain risks owners losing confidence in their vet and/or the recommended treatment plan for their dog. This may lead owners to independently stray from the treatment plan, with potentially damaging consequences. In its research, 87% of vets agreed that avoiding breakthrough pain is critical to the management of canine OA4.
Animalcare adds that because of the pharmacology, there is no risk of risk of over-accumulation or need for mandatory treatment ‘breaks’6. Also, adverse effects were found to be no different from any other NSAID1,2 and there was no increase in treatment-related adverse effects at up to 5 times the recommended dose7, so Daxocox has a broad margin of safety and is well tolerated by dogs7.
James Beaumont, marketing manager at Animalcare said: “Daxocox’s weekly administration of a flavoured tablet addresses some of the challenges of managing canine OA that I’m certain most vets will identify with. Breakthrough pain is a real problem and by being able to provide consistent pain control, in a compliance friendly formulation, Daxocox is a real game changer for canine OA management.
For more information, visit: www.animalcare.co.uk, or contact your local Animalcare territory manager, or Animalcare’s head office on 01904 487687.
References:
Is it right to keep treating an animal just because the technology is available? This is a question that Noel Fitzpatrick, aka the BBC's Bionic Vet, will be addressing at this year's British Veterinary Association (BVA) Congress, in a debate titled 'Treatment too far?' on Friday 24th September at 4pm.
The BVA Congress will take place in the Glasgow Marriott Hotel on 23-25 September 2010 under the theme 'Vets and the Public Good', looking at the role of veterinary surgeons in all aspects of society.
Organisers say that Congress will be a truly Scottish event, led by BVA President Professor Bill Reilly (born and bred in Glasgow and a graduate of Glasgow Vet School) with clinical CPD sessions delivered by Scotland's finest research and academic institutions.
This year also boasts a full non-clinical stream of lectures tackling employment law, management skills, and mental health.
Highlights include:
Vets and the public good: the broader perspective (Wooldridge Memorial Lecture)Professor Stuart Reid, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow will deliver the keynote Wooldridge Memorial Lecture. He will consider the extent of the veterinary contribution to society, which extends into areas such as public health, infectious disease control, scientific research, public education, food production, national security, disaster management, care of the environment, and international development. (Fri 24 Sept, 12.15-13.25)
Pets and society: turning a blind eye to abuse?It is nearly a decade since attention began to be drawn to evidence of links between animal abuse and domestic violence towards humans. This session will examine the dilemmas confronting practising vets, asking at what stage should suspicions of abuse be reported and to whom? (Fri 24 Sept, 11.00-12.00)
Four into one must go Following last year's highly popular session, the UK's four CVOs will again come together to debate and discuss current issues in veterinary politics and animal health and welfare, under the chairmanship of BVA President Professor Bill Reilly. (Sat 25 Sept, 9.30-10.30)
Responsibility and cost sharing - where are we now? This session will include a progress report from Rosemary Radcliffe, chair of the independent committee that will be advising the Government on establishing new arrangements in England, and a discussion of what this might mean for practising vets. (Sat 25 Sept, 16.00-17.00)
In addition there will be contentious issue debates on the role of vets in promoting farm animal welfare, the practical difficulties of current dangerous dogs legislation, and the role of vets as experts witnesses in cases of abuse or neglect.
Under the theme of 'public good' there will be a session looking at the role of vets in international development 'Improving the livelihoods of farmers in resource-poor countries', and a session on the zoonotic infections that impact on public health, such as E. Coli and Chlamydia, and what organisations like open farms can do to minimise the risks.
Professor Bill Reilly, President of the BVA, said: "Vets and the public good has been the theme of my presidential term because I believe that the role of vets in all aspects of society should receive more attention.
"Our Congress programme combines the world-renowned expertise of Scotland's academic and research institutes with significant topical issues of debate to capture the widest possible definition of the veterinary contribution to society."
For more information on BVA Congress 2010 (including the full agenda and online registration) visit the BVA website www.bva.co.uk/congress
The study "Influence of dietary restriction and low-intensity exercise on weight loss and insulin sensitivity in obese equids" was carried out by Nick Bamford and colleagues at the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Science, in collaboration with Spillers.
A total of 24 obese horses and ponies were randomly divided into two groups; 'restricted diet only' or 'restricted diet plus exercise'. All horses and ponies were fed the same diet of restricted hay (no grazing), a small amount of alfalfa chaff and soya bean meal, and a vitamin and mineral supplement.
The exercise programme, which was designed following feedback from horse owners to help ensure it could be implemented relatively easily in the real world, consisted of 15 minutes of brisk trotting (with a five minute walk before and after) five days per week for 12 weeks.
The 'restricted diet only' group showed an overall reduction in body weight and body condition score. They had increased levels of adiponectin – a hormone produced by fat cells, low levels of which are a risk factor for laminitis. They had decreased baseline insulin, high levels of which have been linked to an increased risk of laminitis, and decreased leptin, high levels of which are associated with obesity.
Although exercise did not increase weight loss, it did produce additional benefits that were not seen in the 'restricted diet only' group, the most important one being improved insulin sensitivity. More insulin sensitive horses and ponies need to produce less insulin in order to control their blood sugar. This is important because high levels of insulin in the blood and/or reduced insulin sensitivity are risk factors for laminitis. Horses and ponies in the exercise group also had decreased levels of ‘serum amyloid A’, a protein that is a marker for inflammation.
Clare Barfoot RNutr, the research and development manager at Spillers said: "Reducing calorie intake and feeding a diet low in starch and sugar should be the priority for overweight horses and ponies. However, the results of this study suggest that exercise may offer additional health benefits for obese horses and ponies and/or those with ‘EMS’ that cannot be achieved by cutting calories and weight loss alone."
Photo: Spillers/Steve Bardens
The survey polled 671 veterinary surgeons in May and June 2017.
92% of those who are now in non-clinical roles had worked in clinical practice in the past. 73% had previously worked in mixed practice, 49% in companion animal practice, 33% in production animal practice and 8% in equine practice.
32% are now in academia, whilst 21% have moved to work in commerce and industry.
Mostly, veterinary surgeons gave positive reasons for moving to non-clinical work: 43% said they were looking for a new challenge and 33% said they were looking for a different type of work.
Others were looking to improve their work-life balance: 24% said they wanted a role with no out-of-hours work, 14% said they wanted more flexible working hours and 10% said clinical work was incompatible with family or outside commitments.
21% cited difficulty in progressing with their clinical career as a reason for moving whilst 19% said they were looking for less stress at work.
There were some differences between men and women in the timing of their career change and the reasons behind it. Women tended to leave clinical practice earlier in their career; an average of 6.5 years after they qualified compared to 8 years for men.
Reasons related to working hours and flexibility were more prominent motivations for women to move from clinical practice (54% of female vets compared to 31% of male vets). On the other hand, male vets were more likely than female vets to cite reasons related to a desire to do a different type of work (44% of male vets compared to 24% of female vets).
BVA Senior Vice President, Gudrun Ravetz said: "These figures show that there is a sizeable percentage of practising vets who are making the move into non-clinical roles and that there are a variety of reasons behind their decision. There is a huge diversity of career paths open to vets and it’s important both for those who are already in practice and for those considering a veterinary career to be aware of all the options available.
"I have had a portfolio career myself that involved clinical practice in all different business models including charity practice and industry and I know that the most important thing is for vets to feel fulfilled in their chosen roles and understand that there is a wide range of opportunity available to them.
"However, we also know that practices are seriously worried about being able to recruit and retain staff. Looking at the reasons for leaving – including a desire for more flexibility, a better work/life balance, and concerns about stress – this has to be a wake-up call to all employers to think about whether we can do things differently to support our colleagues.
"BVA has a role to play too and many of the Vet Futures actions are designed to address these issues, including the workforce study commissioned by BVA, the development of a careers hub, and our support for the Mind Matters Initiative led by RCVS, amongst others. These are issues that the profession must tackle together."
In 2009, Chiara (pictured right) was the first to be awarded by examination the title of European Veterinary Specialist in Oncology after completing a one-year small animal internship at the University of Glasgow and a three-year residency in internal medicine and oncology at the University of Edinburgh.
Alongside her clinical work, Chiara is an honorary lecturer at the University of Liverpool and a multi-lingual specialist consultant, writer and lecturer at events in the UK and Europe. Her focus is on postgraduate training in small animal oncology and internal medicine and online education of pet owners and animal carers. Chiara is a member of the general and oncology examination committees of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ECVIM).
She said: "My aim is to provide veterinarians and owners on a daily basis with the most up-to-date information on cancer diagnosis and treatment options so pets can spend more time with their families whilst protecting their quality of life and preventing suffering."
Samuela is a European Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology with a special interest in ocular pathology as well as corneal disease and surgery.
She said: "Working at Willows allows me to be part of a talented and passionate team, and a chance to become the best ophthalmologist I can. Willows offers a very high level of patient care, and working here gives me the opportunity for constant scientific and clinical development."
The pads contain ophytrium and chlorhexidine at 3%. Ophytrium is a purified natural ingredient from Ophiopogon japonicus which, Ceva says, strengthens the mechanical skin barrier1, restores the balance of protective microbial flora2 and reduces irritation, while soothing the skin1. Chlorhexidine is both antibacterial and antifungal.
Ceva says that Douxo S3 Pyo pads, which come in packs of 30, provide antibacterial and antifungal efficacy within one minute and are free from soap, parabens, sulphates, phthalates, colourants and nanoparticles.
They are available in a new, hypoallergenic ‘summertime’ fragrance which pet owners liken to coconut and vanilla.
The pads add to the Douxo S3 Pyo range, which also consists of shampoo and a mousse.
Andrew Fullerton BVSc (Hons) MRCVS, product manager for Douxo S3 at Ceva said: "The new Douxo S3 range has been well received by both veterinary professionals and their clients since its launch, who find that the products are not only effective and well tolerated, but also easy-to-use. The Douxo S3 Pyo pads will enhance this range by offering an easy-to-administer antiseptic action while hydrating and maintaining the skin’s ecosystem.”
For further information, contact cevauk@ceva.com, your local territory manager or visit https://www.douxo.com/uk/Pet-Skin-Care/douxo-s3.
References
To mark today's European Antibiotic Awareness Day 2010, the British Veterinary Association is warning veterinary surgeons in the UK that failure to use antimicrobials responsibly could result in their use being restricted.
The BVA promotes the responsible use of antimicrobials and last year published a poster and guidance for vets: 'Responsible use of antimicrobials in veterinary practice: the 8-point plan'. According to the association, the poster received very positive feedback from across the UK and from the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE).
Concerns regarding resistance to antimicrobials and antibiotics span both the human and animal medicine fields and in 2008 the Chief Medical Officer called for a ban on the use of certain types of antibiotics in animals in order to protect their activity in humans.
Furthermore some EU Member States already restrict the availability of antimicrobials to veterinary surgeons and adopt a strict formulary approach to the medicines that they can prescribe. The BVA says it is concerned that this trend will reach the UK and the freedom of vets to prescribe according to their clinical judgement will be restricted.
Harvey Locke, President of the BVA, said: "Antimicrobial resistance is an enormous problem for both human and animal health. As veterinary surgeons we have a duty to use these medicines responsibly for the good of animal health and welfare as well as public health.
"The BVA's poster on responsible use should be displayed in veterinary practices across the UK as a constant reminder, and I would urge all vets to refer to it.
"Failure to heed the message of responsible use could result in vets losing the right to prescribe certain medicines, which could have a significant impact on animal health and welfare.
"On Antibiotic Awareness Day our message to vets is clear: use them responsibly or lose them."
Dechra says phenobarbital is effective as a monotherapy in 60 to 80 per cent of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, but that in 40% of dogs, seizures cannot be controlled with phenobarbital alone. In these cases the company's potassium bromide treatment Libromide, is licensed to be used alongside Soliphen as a concurrent therapy.
According to the company, the combination of phenobarbital and potassium bromide has been shown to reduce seizure number and severity in dogs with refractory idiopathic epilepsy; in tests, the combination treatment reduced the mean seizure rate from 27.4 seizures per month to 2.2 seizures.
Dechra Veterinary Products Brand Manager Craig Sankey said: "Epilepsy is the most common chronic canine neurological disorder, affecting around 0.62 per cent of dogs.
"It can be a distressing condition for both the animal and its owner so we are launching a therapy that can reduce the number of seizures in even the most challenging cases.
"We have also produced new guidelines for prescribing vets, detailing step by step how the treatments can act alone or concurrently. We believe using Soliphen as a sole therapy or in conjunction with Libromide will make a positive contribution to veterinary professionals in their ongoing treatment and management of dogs with epilepsy."
For more information, visit www.dechra.co.uk
Whilst the decision has been welcomed by the BVA and leading animal charities, it has not been entirely free of controversy. According to various reports, the Press Association has seen a letter from Defra to the Royal Veterinary College in February this year, which said the scientific studies it had commissioned were 'not strong enough to support a ban'.
Talking to the BBC, Ian Gregory, a lobbyist for pet collar manufacturers said that charities had also exaggerated the shock delivered by the collars, which at typically one millijoule is 1000 times less than cattle fencing. He argued that: "The anecdotal problems reported with pet collars can be resolved by product standards rather than by banning a proven technology".
The government has stopped short of banning invisible fencing systems which can keep pets away from roads, saying that the devices are particularly useful for cat owners and animals often respond well to invisible fencing and quickly learn to stay within a boundary without receiving a static pulse.
BVA President John Fishwick said: "As we review the latest evidence on the welfare impact of pulse pet containment fences, we would like to see them covered by a code of practice, as well as the regulation of the sale of these devices and manufacturer’s instructions, to ensure that the potential adverse effects of use are highlighted to animal owners and consumers."
Photo: Shutterstock
Skin diseases and palpable masses are a common presentation in guinea pigs brought for veterinary care2.
However, few studies have thus far looked at the prevalence of spontaneously arising diseases in pet guinea pigs.
"Lumpy bumpy guinea pigs: a retrospective study of 619 biopsy samples of externally palpable masses submitted from pet guinea pigs for histopathology" retrospectively analysed 619 biopsy samples submitted for histopathology from pet guinea pigs that had presented with externally palpable masses.
The purpose was to determine the most common tissue origins of these masses and the most frequent pathological diagnoses, together with signalment data for the most commonly diagnosed lesions.
Of the 619 samples submitted from 493 animals, 54 (8.7%) had arisen from the mammary glands3 and 15 (2.4%) from the thyroid glands, with the remaining 550 (88.9%) involving the skin and subcutis, muscle (n = 1), salivary glands (n = 4), lips (n = 2), ears (n = 4) and peripheral lymph nodes (n = 23).
Forty-seven (7.6%) of the masses were diagnosed as inflammatory in nature, including dermatitis, panniculitis, lymphadenitis, cheilitis, myositis, sialoadenitis, abscess and chronic inflammation with osseous metaplasia.
Non-neoplastic, non-inflammatory lesions accounted for a further 31 (5.0%), namely cysts, hamartomas, hyperplastic lesions, polyps, ectopic bone formation and salivary gland steatosis.
The remainder of the samples were neoplastic in nature (541; 87.4%), with 99 masses classified as epithelial in origin, 347 as mesenchymal, 23 as round cell, five as melanocytic and eight as unclassified malignant neoplasms.
Of these, mesenchymal neoplasms were further subdivided into benign (288) and malignant (59).
Lipomas were the most common neoplasm diagnosed, accounting for 286 of all samples submitted.
Of all 619 samples included in the study, the eight most commonly diagnosed lesions were lipoma (46.2%), trichofolliculoma (12.3%), sarcoma (of various subtypes: 9.5%), inflammation (all sites 7.6%), lymphoma / leukaemia (3.4%), mammary carcinoma (4%), mammary adenoma (3.2%) and thyroid carcinoma (1.5%).
Overall these eight diagnoses accounted for 87.7% of all submissions from the externally palpable masses from the pet guinea pigs submitted for histopathology.
Melanie said: “Guinea pigs are an increasingly popular household pet.
"Skin diseases, including palpable masses, are a common reason for veterinary presentation. But few studies have been published to date that provide information for clinicians about these conditions.
“This study illustrates the importance of neoplasms of the skin and subcutis in pet guinea pigs, with over 87% of the cases analysed having one of eight diagnoses.
"While most of these neoplasms are benign, a substantial minority are malignant and identifying those lesions is especially important in treatment planning.
"Clinicians dealing with pet guinea pigs should also be aware that some externally palpable masses may arise from the thyroid or mammary glands rather than the skin or subcutis, and that male guinea pigs may also develop mammary lesions.”
The paper has been selected as ‘Editor’s Choice’ by the Journal of Comparative Pathology and will be free to access until September on Lumpy, bumpy guinea pigs: a retrospective study of 619 biopsy samples of externally palpable masses submitted from pet guinea pigs for histopathology - ScienceDirect.
Novartis Animal Health has launched Onsior®, a coxib NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) for the relief of pain and inflammation in both cats and dogs.
According to the company, NSAIDs traditionally inhibit both COX-2 and COX-1 enzymes which can result in common side effects involving the gastrointestinal tract and the kidneys. Onsior, however, targets the pain-causing COX-2 enzymes while sparing the protective actions of COX-1 and is the only coxib licensed for cats as well as dogs.
Novartis says tissue selectivity is a further benefit of Onsior. The drug travels rapidly through the bloodstream to the site of injury or irritation. It then concentrates at the point of inflammation, while exiting the bloodstream very quickly.
Dosed once daily, Novartis says Onsior has an excellent safety profile and fits different administration routes with pain and inflammatory indications, which are:
Kelly Doucette, DVM, Global Technical Services Manager with Novartis Animal Health said: "With the benefits of being tissue selective, sparing COX-1, and having a short blood half-life - as well as being approved for both cats and dogs - Onsior will stand out as the new pain reliever of choice for vets."
Folkert Kamphuis, COO Novartis Animal Health added: "Onsior covers multiple indications, works for cats and dogs, comes in two formulations - oral and injectable - and is very simple to dose, which allows veterinarians to use it as the cornerstone of pain management in their clinics. With this complete range, Onsior will offer veterinarians a convenient solution addressing all their different needs."
Eurovet Animal Health has launched Cardisure, a new look pimobendan which the company claims will help deliver more precise dosing in the treatment of cardiac disease.
Dogs have the widest range in bodyweight of any species, and it's long been a problem accommodating the wide variation in dosage requirements that this leads to. Having to give too many tablets in a day or the need to split small tablets can be very discouraging to owners and may lead to poorer rates of compliance.
Cardisure is available in 1.25 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg tablets and a 10 mg tablet size. Eurovet says the tablets are easily divisible and palatable, making it easier all round for pet owners to administer the right dose of medication to their pet.
Eurovet says the benefits of treating heart disease with pimobendan are well-established and that Cardisure gives clinicians a few more client-friendly options when it comes to treating heart disease, as well as being available in smart and professional blister packs for easy dispensing.
The webinar, which is presented by equine internal medicine specialist David Rendle from Rainbow Equine Hospital, challenges some of the current perceptions of worm control in horses and explains why veterinary surgeons need to engage more with horse owners on the topic to ensure a sustainable approach to parasite control.
Supported by Virbac, maker of Equimax and Eraquell horse wormers, the webinar is free to BEVA members at http://www.ebeva.org/webinar74.
Novartis Animal Health has announced the launch of Strenzen, an oral water medication for pigs, indicated for the treatment of gastrointestinal infections caused by Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens and Salmonella Typhimurium, and for respiratory tract infections caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Pasteurella multocida and Streptococcus suis.
Strenzen contains contains a combination of amoxicillin trihydrate (500 mg/g) and potassium clavulanate (125 mg/g) in ratio of 4:1. Novartis says it is ideally suited for the treatment of post-weaning infections in pigs.
According to the company, the combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid broadens the performance of amoxicillin1,2, especially against resistant strains of bacteria capable of producing ß-lactamase enzymes. Certain bacteria are able to produce ß-lactamase enzymes as a protection mechanism, making the amoxicillin molecule ineffective against them. The clavulanic acid in Strenzen binds to the molecules of the ß-lactamase enzyme, ensuring the amoxicillin remains unaffected and free to attack bacteria. Prof. Dominiek Maes, DVM, MSc, MS, PhD, Dipl. ECVPH, Dipl. ECPHM, from the Porcine Health Management Unit of the Ghent University, Belgium said: "Weaning is a stressful event for piglets and there are several opportunistic diseases that can impact them during this period. The challenge with E. coli and S. suis infections is that in many countries there are currently no commercial vaccines available with proper efficacy. I believe Strenzen can indeed be very helpful in managing those infections which are so prevalent after weaning."
Novartis says Strenzen is rapidly excreted, leading to a withdrawal period of one day, which in turn maximizes production flexibility for pig producers. In addition, the water-soluble formulation of Strenzen ensures that treated pigs get a therapeutic dose even when they stop eating, making it an ideal treatment for sick pigs with compromised appetites.
Recent field trials on infected farms in Spain and the Czech Republic demonstrated that Strenzen-treated pigs give better production performance, better economic returns and require less medical intervention3,4,5. The reduction of the overall amount of antibiotics needed to treat severe post-weaning infections not only saves producers the costs of the labour and the medication, but is also important in regard to the development of resistance in bacteria.
Dr. Ulrich Klein, Global Technical Services Manager, Novartis Animal Health said: "With the launch of Strenzen, Novartis Animal Health demonstrates its commitment to continually broadening our product portfolio to address the specific needs of farmers and food producers. Strenzen has the ideal spectrum for the treatment of post-weaning infections, delivering better productivity results than current therapies for those infections."
The Lintbells Mobility Matters initiative provides materials designed to help improve communication and client understanding of their pet’s condition. It includes a guide on how to set up a mobility-focused nurse-led clinic, together with a step-by-step guide in a flip chart format to help RVNs recommend dietary supplements or modifications.
To help launch the clinic, Lintbells Veterinary Business Development Executives can provide lunch and learn sessions. Practices can also become approved Mobility Matters practices with certified CPD for the whole team to ensure that the process of recommendation and referral to the clinic occurs seamlessly and involves everyone in the practice.
Yumove Brand Manager Gemma Cunningham said: "Feedback about the pack is that it helps vets and vet nurses explain mobility problems to owners in a simple but structured way to improve buy-in to a multimodal approach".
Practices that want to register an interest in the initiative can contact their local Lintbells Veterinary Business Development Executive or visit www.lintbellsvet.com.
MSD Animal Health has announced the launch of Cepralock, a new teat sealant to complement its dry cow intramammary product Cepravin Dry Cow and wider Dairy Herd Health portfolio.
The company says the new product is designed for use at drying off, with or without a dry cow intramammary antibiotic, and provides an important inert barrier in the teat canal to reduce significantly the risk of bacterial infection of the udder during the dry period.
Cepralock is supplied in tubes with the option of short nozzles that are designed to help avoid the risk of teat damage and incorrect administration beyond the teat canal.
The launch is also being accompanied by dry cow therapy training and a support programme for veterinary practitioners and their dairy farmer clients. This will include diagnostics and data analytics, and training will have a significant focus on correct administration and removal of teat sealant after calving, allowing vets to provide adequate reassurances to their clients around product use.
MSD Animal Health technical adviser Martin Behr said: "The dry period is a critical time for vets as they seek to help their clients in the battle to combat mastitis, which remains a significant drain on dairy herd profitability. It provides an ideal opportunity to clear up existing bacterial infections in the udder with the use of intramammary antibiotics, but it is also vital to prevent new infections over the period.
"Cows do have their own natural physical defence against infection in the form of the keratin plug that forms in the teat canal after drying off, but this is not always sufficiently effective. In a recent study it was shown that only 50% of 500 examined quarters had a fully developed keratin plug within 10 days of drying off, whilst 20% of teats remained open into the second half of the dry period. This is significant because the majority of clinical cases of mastitis that occur during the dry period do so within the first three weeks.
"Correct use of a teat sealant at drying off, immediately after the administration of the dry cow intramammary if used, will provide an effective physical barrier for the duration of the dry period, significantly reducing the chances of new infections of the udder."
According to MSD, it is estimated that less than half of dairy cows are currently given a teat sealant at drying off, despite the concept being established for a number of years and numerous farm studies providing strong evidence of their efficacy.
Martin added: "The potential return on investment for dairy farmers of correctly applied teat sealants is clear. A single case of mastitis is estimated to cost between £70 and £250 and the average UK dairy herd suffers somewhere in the region of 50 to 60 cases per 100 cows per lactation. A correctly applied dry cow therapy programme, including the use of teat sealants, will significantly reduce the incidence of clinical mastitis, thereby providing a demonstrable return on investment.
"At MSD Animal Health we are keen to help veterinary practitioners promote best practice in dry cow therapy, including the adoption of the correct protocols and application procedures. Therefore we are supporting the launch of Cepralock with the offer of Continuous Professional Development for veterinary practitioners on all aspects of dry cow therapy, including correct use of teat sealant and its removal after calving."
Cepralock teat sealant is available to veterinary practices in packs of 24 tubes and 120 tubes.
For more information about Cepralock or MSD's Dry Cow Management Support package for vets and farmers, contact your Account Manager.
The study was part of a research project called VetCompass, through which the RVC, in collaboration with Vets Now, collects anonymised clinical information on over 6 million companion animals under veterinary care in the UK.
The study investigated bitches presented with difficulty giving birth (dystocia) from among almost 20,000 bitches attending 50 Vets Now surgeries. Researchers found that out of 20,000 bitches receiving emergency veterinary care, 3.7 per cent of these were treated because of difficulties encountered giving birth.
The most commonly affected breeds were the French Bulldog (15.9 times more likely), Boston Terrier (12.9 times more likely), Chihuahua (10.4 times more likely) and Pug (11.3 times more likely).
Dr Dan O’Neill, a companion animal epidemiologist within the VetCompass Programme, said: "Giving birth in dogs is not always a benign process and our research shows this risk is especially exacerbated in some common brachycephalic and toy breeds. Prospective owners should bear these welfare costs for high risk breeds in mind when choosing their new puppy."
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: 'VetCompass' research will not only enable dog breeders to make responsible breeding choices to improve the health of these dogs, it will help to highlight what puppy buyers need to be looking out for if they are intent on owning one of these breeds. If people are choosing a breed simply for its looks and are not going to a reputable breeder, they are likely to face high vet costs and a lifetime of heartache."
This study builds on previous 'purchasing' research by the RVC which found that appearance is the number one reason why owners purchase flat-faced breeds, even though their large, round, wide-set eyes, and flat rounded faces are linked with a variety of inherited diseases.
Dr Rowena Packer, lead author of the study and Research Fellow at RVC, said: "Potential puppy buyers attracted to the appearance of these breeds should seriously consider whether they are emotionally and financially prepared to take on a breed with high risks of health complications, and consider whether alternative, lower-risk breeds would better fit their lifestyle."
Vétoquinol has released the results of a survey of 1000 dog owners, which looked into their attitudes towards long-term medication for their pet1.
Owners were asked to rate how important various factors were to them when it came to giving medicine long term to their dog. They were also asked to consider what they felt was most important to their vet when it came to choosing a medicine.
Vétoquinol says the fact that dog owners rate the effectiveness of a medication much more highly than the cost means there is very little reason to compromise on treatment based on a presumption of what clients will want to pay. These findings are also largely very positive in that they suggest that dog owners believe that in many areas vets are making decisions based on criteria that are important to owners. The area where there is the greatest mismatch is over the risk of side effects of medication.
Pet owners think that vets may take the risk of side effects from long-term medications less seriously than the owners themselves might prefer. It suggests that the risk of potential harm, no matter how small the risk of actual harm is, may be more unacceptable to the dog owner than vets and nurses might otherwise presume. When prescribing long-term medication there is a need to talk about the risks associated with medication more openly and to take the client's attitudes to risk into consideration.
1. A survey of 1048 dog owners, carried out by petbuzz, on behalf of Vétoquinol, March 2011
Sarah Gasper, BEVA’S Learning Manager said: "Many of us on the BEVA education team understand exactly what it’s like to return to practice whether after a career break, paternity/maternity or sickness leave. We also understand the specific challenges of moving from mixed into equine practice.
"We have created these courses to help make the transition back to work as smooth as possible. We’ve tried to incorporate everything we wish we had had access to when we returned to practice!"
Reinvigorate your approach to equine practice will be held on 12th March 2019 at Lythe Hill Hotel, Haslemere. The lecture and forum based course will explore the latest advances in internal medicine, orthopaedics, and sports medicine, and how to apply them to develop evidence-based clinical approaches to common and emergency scenarios in practice.
Getting (back) into equine practice will be held on 13th March 2019 at Liphook Equine Hospital, Hampshire. This entirely practical day of CPD will all be about improving the confidence of established equine vets and for vets returning to work following a career break. The course will focus on the practical procedures that an established equine ambulatory vet might be expected to perform on a regular basis. In a new approach to CPD we are trialling a system where delegates can shape part of this unique CPD day for themselves, with an online poll pre-course to select from a choice of practicals.
Both courses will have childcare facilities to help support parents wishing to attend CPD.
BEVA will also be running a course on the fundamentals of sedation, field anaesthesia and castration on 27th and 28th March 2019 at World Horse Welfare, Snetterton, Norfolk. This 'hands-on' course is designed for new or recent graduates or those in mixed practice with varied levels of equine work. It comprises evening lectures on the first day to free up more time for hands-on training on day two. It will cover sedation and field anaesthesia required for common field surgery such as castration, both in theory and in a practical session, with the equine welfare charity venue able to provide a high number of colts for castration work. Nerve blocks and regional anaesthesia for other common procedures will also be covered on cadavers.
For further information on BEVA’s new CPD courses visit www.beva.org.uk/cpd
The webinar will cover the entire disease process of MMVD in dogs from pathology to current treatment approaches and future advancements in therapy, and will include the following presentations:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QyfUofLgRG-YsaXQbkT7Tw#/registration
Eurovet Animal Health has announced that it is bringing a veterinary licensed vitamin K1 (phytomenadione) injectable preparation to the UK.
Eurovet says the new preparation, available from the wholesalers by Monday at the latest, will ensure that the previous supply problems of vitamin K1, will be overcome.
According to the company, the intravenous route is the only route to ensure a 100% bioavailability of vitamin K1 almost immediately and in a crisis situation is the best route of treatment. During anticoagulant poisoning, the coagulation factors are present in the body but are not functional. The faster vitamin K1 enters the blood flow, the quicker the coagulation function is restored.
Ruth Vernon, Technical Services Manager for Eurovet said: "We also plan to bring veterinary licenced vitamin K1 tablets to the UK market later in the year, allowing them to be ordered direct from veterinary wholesalers. The future continuity of supply represents a significant improvement on the current situation."
Anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning is the second most common query received by the VPIS. Alexander Campbell, Head of Service at VPIS, said: "The Veterinary Poisons Information Service receives well over 1000 telephone enquiries per annum from UK veterinary professionals seeking advice on how to manage potential and accidental exposures to anticoagulant rodenticides in a variety of animals - mainly pet dogs. Whilst most cases require basic assessment, first-aid and precautionary laboratory tests, an inevitable few develop serious intoxication and need long-term treatment. Vitamin K1 is a mainstay of therapy in these instances, and the availability of licensed veterinary-specific products in the UK is a major advance. Previously, preparations licensed for human use were often the only option when these could be sourced. Anything that ensures ready supply and facilitates speed of therapy for severe cases has to be welcomed."
There are over 500 anticoagulant rodent killing preparations available across Europe. They are available ready to use, as coated cereals, bait blocks, tracking powders, semolina formats or concentrates (which are reserved for professional use). Following cut backs in local council spending on pest control, the National Pest Technicians Association identified in a recent survey* that there is a 'worrying increase in poorly-managed DIY rodent control'.
*The NPTA National Rodent Survey 2009/2010
Representatives from all sectors of the veterinary profession are encouraged to apply for the role, which is to represent veterinary surgeons in those regions to BVA Council and help shape the association's strategy and policy development.
Candidates are required to be based in the region they represent and to have time available to commit to gathering members’ views on key policy areas, representing those views at three meetings per year in London, and one elsewhere in the UK (attached to BVA Members’ Day). They will also need to meet members at local events where possible, and promote the good name and values of BVA. All of this work is supported by BVA headquarters.
The term of the BVA regional representative role is for three years. It suits motivated individuals who are interested in current issues affecting the profession. BVA pays your expenses and you’ll get free BVA membership for the duration of your term.
Daniella Dos Santos, President of the British Veterinary Association (pictured right), said: "BVA Council plays a key role in helping us to achieve our mission as the leading body representing, supporting and championing the whole UK veterinary profession. Our regional representatives are integral to that mission and to the activities of Council - contributing to effective horizon scanning on matters of veterinary policy and providing an informed steer to BVA’s Policy Committee.
"With an increasingly complex veterinary landscape, and wide range of issues and potential outcomes for animal health and welfare and the veterinary profession it’s essential that members have the best person to represent them at the highest level within BVA."
Emma Callaghan, BVA Scottish Branch regional representative and 2019 Bleby Cup winner, added: "I am currently in the middle of my first term on BVA Council and I would encourage anyone who is considering taking part to put themselves forward for election. This is a fantastic chance to represent the views of your region and to help BVA members to get their voices heard. I’m really enjoying my time as a regional representative - it’s been such a wonderful opportunity to meet a range of people from across the profession and to develop new skills outside my day-to-day role."
BVA members who are interested in becoming a representative for their area can apply before 9am on 16 December 2019 when nominations close. For more information or to submit your application, visit www.bva.co.uk/council/
The consultation, which was held by the College early in 2017, asked for the views of veterinary surgeons and nurses, animal owners, and stakeholders on the use of telemedicine in veterinary clinical practice.
The consultation was designed to help identify potential risks associated with telemedicine, identify areas where it may help address the needs of both clinicians and the public, and support the potential development of new professional standards and guidance.
The online survey of veterinary professionals received 1,230 responses, while the public consultation received 229 responses and the survey of organisations/stakeholders received eight responses.
The headline question asked of veterinary professionals was whether RCVS 'supporting guidance to the Code of Professional Conduct' should be amended to allow remote examination to take the place of physical examination in certain circumstances. 41% said 'Yes', 40% said 'No' and 18% were unsure.
Veterinary professionals and organisations were then asked a series of questions in order to establish how they rated the risk associated with telemedicine according to activity type, practice type, clinical sign or syndrome, mode of technology, and familiarity with client, animal or environment.
Unsurprisingly perhaps, the majority felt that providing just general advice presented a low risk. At the other end of the scale, most felt that the use of telemedicine to diagnose disease or injury would be either 'high risk', or 'not appropriate at all'.
Likewise, the majority said the risks would be low or medium where the client and environment were known and the animal seen before, for the same problem. By contrast, the majority said telemedicine would be either 'high risk' or 'not appropriate at all' when the client, animal and environment were all unknown.
When asked whether the current definition of 'under care' should be extended to allow veterinary surgeons to prescribe veterinary medicines where there has been no physical examination of the animal, 69% said 'No', 16% said 'Yes' and 15% were unsure.
However, when asked whether certain types of veterinary medicines should be able to be prescribed without a physical examination of the animal, the majority of respondents to the professional survey (52%) were in favour.
The results of the consultation were first considered at a special meeting of the Standards Committee in August 2017, where it was noted how the consultation had revealed significant confusion around current supporting guidance to the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct and that, at a minimum, clarification as to what was currently permissible was needed.
The Committee determined a key issue going forward was whether to change the Supporting Guidance to the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct regarding 'under care' to allow veterinary surgeons to prescribe POM-V medicines based on telemedicine alone.
Given the complex nature of the issues and the wide-ranging implications, the Standards Committee presented a range of options for amending RCVS Guidance to RCVS Council at its meeting in November 2017. After discussion, Council asked the Standards Committee to continue their review and to present more detailed proposals to Council regarding the future of telemedicine in clinical veterinary practice.
Anthony Roberts, RCVS Director of Leadership and Innovation, said: "We would like to thank all those who took the time to respond to the consultation – although Council has not yet made any firm decisions, we felt it would be useful to share our research so far.
"The use of telemedicine is growing rapidly in human healthcare and it is only right the RCVS assesses the opportunities it could bring to improve access to veterinary services. It is critical, however, that we understand the issues it presents 'at the coal face' and consider all the available evidence before making any changes to our Guidance. The RCVS should ensure its regulatory framework fosters innovation and maximises the opportunities to improve the quality, efficacy and accessibility of veterinary services, whilst at the same time protecting animal health and welfare."
The Standards Committee will meet again in April 2018 to take further evidence and develop proposals to take the issue forward.
Meanwhile, the full summary is available on the College’s website: www.rcvs.org.uk/telemeds-summary/.