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

Ceva Animal Health has added a new session to its Cardio Academy CPD website entitled 'Thoracic X-rays: Normal Features'.

In this 30 minute multimedia presentation, the cardiology specialist Nicole Van Israël discusses how the normal thoracic radiograph should appear, as well as the differences observed between breeds.  Participants can then receive a CPD certificate by completing the quiz for this session. The Cardio Academy CPD website is free of charge and can be accessed by visiting http://www.cardioacademy.cevalearn.com/.

The first three sessions in the series can still be viewed on the website. They cover the 'Pathophysiology of Mitral Valve Disease, by Adrian Boswood, 'Clinical Examination of the Cardiac Dog', by Gérard Le Bobinnec and 'Thoracic X-rays: How to Proceed' by Nicole Van Israël.

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica has launched new, more palatable Metacam Chewable Tablets.

According to the company, the tablets are proven to be taken by 90% of dogs voluntarily¹ and 80% will even take them from the floor¹ which aids compliance. Available in pop-through blister strips of seven for easy dispensing and administration, the 1mg and 2.5mg Metacam Chewable Tablets are packed in boxes of 84 and priced the same per tablet as the current tablet range.

Claire Fowler, companion animal marketing manager at Boehringer Ingelheim, said: "The existing Metacam Chewable Tablets are readily accepted by most dogs. However, to appeal to as many dogs as possible, we have launched an even more appetising 'beefed up' meaty flavour."

For further information on the new flavoured Metacam tablets, including special offers, please contact your Boehringer Ingelheim territory manager or call 01344 746959.

BCF Technology has launched a competition in which the person who submits the best photograph with the theme of: All in a day's work - animal imaging, will win an iPad 2.

To enter the competition, you need to post your photographs, (and tell BCF a little about the story behind the images) at www.facebook.com/bcftechnology or email them to: info@bcftechnology.com

Jason Rogers, Marketing Manager at BCF said: "We wanted to create a fun way to show just how interesting and different each days work is when imaging animals. We have made the competition open to all that work with animal imaging including our staff, dealers and vets, vet nurses, animal contractors, etc from all over the world.  

"It is great to see the BCF office in the States and our international dealers also promoting the competition in their own countries, making the competition truly international. Response to the competition has been fantastic - see our facebook page to some entries for yourself."

The closing date for the competition is 30^th September 2011.

For more information, visit: www.bcftechnology.com

Dechra Veterinary Products has added to its Veterinary Essentials range of veterinary-licensed post-patent products with the launch of Fiprocat and Fiprodog, a fipronil spot-on solution for the treatment and prevention of on-animal flea infestations in cats and dogs.

Available in packs of 3 or 6 pipettes, Fiprocat and Fiprodog are only distributed through the veterinary channel. Dechra highlights the product's convenient self-standing pipette. which it says makes the process of applying the spot-on easier.

Dechra says it offers a wealth of client support material, and practice promotional support to go with the product.

Fiprocat and Fiprodog can be used as part of a treatment strategy for the control of Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD).

Rob Simpson at Dechra said:  "Fipronil has been used in the treatment and prevention of on-animal flea infestations for many years and is one of the most commonly used treatments in practice. Fiprocat and Fiprodog join R.I.P Fleas Extra to offer a cost effective complete flea solution to tackle both on-animal and environmental flea infestations."

Defra has announced that new rules on pet travel will be introduced from 1^st January 2012. The changes will mean that the rules on rabies vaccination for entry into the UK will be in line with the rest of Europe.

Defra has carried out a risk assessment to find out how the changes will affect the level of risk of rabies entering the UK. Although the probability of rabies introduction into the UK will increase, the assessment found the risk will remain very low after the increase.

The British Veterinary Association and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association are informing their members of the new rules so that the right advice can be given to pet owners planning to travel abroad with their animals.

Dogs, cats and pet ferrets entering the UK from an EU or 'listed' third country from 1 January 2012 must:

• be microchipped
• be vaccinated against rabies
• have waited 21 days after vaccination before entering
• have an EU Pet Passport

The current requirement to carry out a blood test followed by a six-month wait before entry into the UK will no longer be required.

From 1^st January pets entering from a non-listed third country must pass a blood test 30 days after vaccination followed by a three-month wait.

Until now, the UK, Ireland and three other Member States have had derogations from EU pet travel rules to allow for additional controls to protect against rabies, ticks and tapeworms.

Successful vaccination programmes in wildlife in mainland Europe have now allowed the UK to consider whether the additional controls for rabies are still necessary.

The BVA and BSAVA have continued to lobby in Europe for additional controls to be maintained for tapeworms, which could introduce Echinococcus multilocularis to the UK - a significant public health concern.

Although a final decision has not yet been made the European Commission has indicated that it will support the UK case for additional tapeworm controls.

Harvey Locke, President of the BVA, said: "It is vital that any controls on animal movements are proportionate to the risk.

"Due to the highly successful vaccination programme in wildlife in mainland Europe there has been a huge reduction in the incidence in rabies. Research carried out by Defra reveals that the risk of introducing rabies under the new rules is very low.

"However, it is essential that pet owners get good veterinary advice when planning to take their animals abroad because pets can be exposed to a number of diseases not currently endemic in the UK, for example leishmaniasis, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis.

"As part of responsible ownership we would always advise pet owners to visit their vet for a pre-travel consultation to discuss how to protect the health and welfare of their animals when travelling abroad."

Andrew Ash, President of the BSAVA, added: "The Pet Travel Scheme has been highly successful in keeping the UK free of rabies. BVA and BSAVA have been working closely with Defra to ensure that any changes to the pet travel rules do not threaten our disease-free status.

"The rabies vaccine has advanced and now has a longer duration of immunity and we welcome the continuing requirement for all pets to be vaccinated before travel."

Merck has announced that its animal health division, formerly known as Intervet/Schering-Plough, has changed its name to MSD Animal Health in countries outside the United States and Canada from today.

Intervet/Schering Plough will now be known as Merck Animal Health in the United States and Canada.

Raul Kohan, President of Merck Animal Health said: "The name change reflects Merck's commitment to animal health and its complementary role to the overall business. We are unwavering in our commitment to veterinarians, producers, pet owners and society as a whole. We aim to generate additional value and sustained growth by continuing to provide integrated solutions with innovative animal health products and services to meet the evolving needs of our customers."

Mr. Kohan continued: "With the scientific and business backing of Merck, Merck Animal Health possesses the necessary mix of resources to enhance our position as an industry leader."

Merck says it values the diversification that Merck Animal Health brings to its portfolio, and sees growth opportunities in the business that can be leveraged across both animal and human health. The company intends to capitalize on Merck Animal Health's broad and innovative portfolio going forward, and to develop the unit into a best-in-class global animal health leader.

The name change follows the joint announcement on March 22, 2011 by Merck and sanofi-aventis that ended plans to form a new animal health joint venture. Both companies mutually decided to discontinue their agreement primarily because of the increasing complexity of implementing the proposed transaction.

The Disciplinary Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has dismissed a case against a Staffordshire veterinary surgeon, having found that his convictions under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and the Public Order Act 1986 did not make him unfit to practise veterinary surgery.

At the one-day hearing, the Committee heard that Mr Richard Conlon of Warrendale Veterinary Care Centre, Biddulph, was convicted of one instance of common assault and one public order offence involving threatening, insulting or abusive language, both of which occurred during an altercation in a public house in Biddulph on 28 November 2009.  The court ordered Mr Conlon to pay two fines of £300 each, a victim surcharge of £15, and £700 of court costs.

As the facts involved in Mr Conlon's offences had been proved by the court that convicted him, and Mr Conlon admitted to his convictions, the Committee considered only whether these offences made him unfit to practise veterinary surgery.

The Committee was advised that although the convictions were unrelated to Mr Conlon's professional practice, any criminal conviction may call into question a veterinary surgeon's fitness to practise if the conduct for which they are convicted raises doubts over their capability as a veterinary surgeon. Convictions that damage the wider public interest in the good reputation of the profession and public confidence can also raise questions about fitness to practise and may be considered.

Speaking on behalf of the Disciplinary Committee, Vice-Chairman Professor Sheila Crispin said: "In reaching our decision, it is important to emphasise that the Disciplinary Committee does not condone Mr Conlon's behaviour in any way. We accept the submission of the College 'that it is incumbent on any veterinary surgeon to act with decorum and not to engage in any violent, aggressive or intimidating behaviour,' and, on any view, for a veterinary surgeon to get involved in a brawl in a public house is unacceptable behaviour.

"In the Committee's judgment this was a one-off incident of brief duration with no premeditation on Mr Conlon's part; fortunately no significant injury was suffered by anybody involved. From the nature of the charges and the sentence of the court, it can be seen that this was at very much the lower end of seriousness and, as is accepted by the College, involves no concern about Mr Conlon's ability to practise as a veterinary surgeon."

The Committee ordered the charges be dismissed.

Vets are being asked to help pig producers assess their health status and biosecurity measures, as part of BPEX's new National Pig Health Improvement Project (PHIP).

The national programme is currently running alongside existing programmes in East Anglia, Yorkshire and the East Midlands and will cover all the remaining regions. BPEX will now start to combine all programmes into the National PHIP. So all English pig producers and vets can join the industry-wide drive to improve pig health and reduce costs.

BPEX says the national Pig Health Improvement Project (PHIP) project will need the support of veterinary surgeons to:

1. encourage clients to take advantage of the free scheme
2. complete and submit surveys of disease prevalence on farms
3. complete the biosecurity audit, designed by pig vets, to help producers assess how they can improve defence against infections

BPEX regional health coordinator Helen Clarke said: "The surveys are filled in by vets during quarterly farm visits to gather information on prevalence of four key diseases - swine dysentery, PRRS, enzootic pneumonia and mange. This is then used to populate a confidential online mapping service, which PHIP members can use to keep informed of health challenges in their area.

"The biosecurity audit is a series of simple to answer questions about current biosecurity practice of a unit. This then forms the basis for biosecurity planning and discussions to help clients make improvements and review their impact."

A further benefit when producers sign up to the PHIP is free-of-charge post-mortem information from the BPEX Pig Health Scheme (BPHS). The BPHS provides producers with detailed post-mortem health reports when they submit pigs to participating abattoirs.

Clients who are:

• members of the regional programmes in Yorkshire and East Anglia will now need to register with the National PHIP to continue their membership and receive the additional benefits
• members of the East Midlands programme are already aligned with the new National project.

Practices can claim £50 per unit for completing the survey and biosecurity audits. This still needs to be claimed through specific regional systems because of current funding contracts.

Contact Helen Clarke for details:  helen.clarke@bpex.ahdb.org.uk or 07973 701369. Visit http://www.pighealth.org.uk/

The National Office of Animal Health has completed its annual review of its Code of Practice for the Promotion of Animal Medicines, and a number of changes will come into effect on 1st July 2011.

One change spells out the way antimicrobial medicines are promoted to farmers, with a firm emphasis on correct use and education.

Advertisers will be required to describe the condition the product is aiming to treat, and to promote an understanding of the treatment of the disease.

The phrase "use medicines responsibly" will always be included in text, making the voluntary strapline introduced in 2009 a formal part of the NOAH Code. As with all promotions to people other than prescribers, farmers will always be reminded to consult their veterinary surgeon.

Advertising text will always state clearly the name of the company and the brand being promoted, and promotion must not be designed to disguise its real nature.

Withdrawal periods for products will be stated, but these must not be unduly prominent and not in a font size greater than the body copy containing recommended dosage and species description.

The changes were proposed by NOAH within its formal response to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate's consultation on the Veterinary Medicines Regulation 2010. The Minister decided in December 2010 to continue to allow the advertising of antimicrobial veterinary products to farmers.

Phil Sketchley, NOAH Chief Executive, said: "Whilst welcoming the Government's decision in December not to further restrict the advertising of animal medicines, we feel that the industry should take a proactive role to ensure the system works properly. We believe it is important for farmers, who are legally responsible for the health and welfare of their animals and the food produced from them, to be aware of the medicines that are available to protect the health of their animals, and at the same time we want them to know that these medicines must be prescribed and used responsibly.

"The issue of antimicrobial resistance is one that affects us all. The way to promote best practice is through education by maintaining all lines of communication between farmers, vets, scientists and animal medicine producers.

"Antibiotics are essential for maintaining the health and welfare of all animals, but like any medicine they need to be used responsibly in order to maintain their effectiveness, and their availability for future generations."

Ceva Animal Health UK has announced that following the success of it's TV advertising campaign for Feliway earlier this year, which boosted sales by 30%, it'll be running the Feliway campaign again, throughout July.

Featuring 'That Purple Cat', who is liked by over 2,300 people on Facebook, Ceva says the campaign will help raise awareness of the signs of behavioural issues in cats, such as vertical scratching, and highlight the benefits of using the pheromone. The advertisement will target Feliway's key audience and will be seen by over 5 million people when it appears on channels such as Dave, E4, Gold, More4 and Yesterday.

For further information or to view the TV advertising campaign, visit www.secrettohappypets.com.

The BSAVA has announced that Nottingham Trent University will be the accrediting body for the new Postgraduate Surgery and Medicine Certificates being launched in January 2012.

BSAVA says the planning for this new education initiative has been exhaustive, ensuring that the needs of the profession and the individual vet can be met by a provider with an excellent legacy in veterinary education. And also, an organisation with a genuine interest in seeing the highest scientific standards are matched by a relevant, cost-effective, and accessible programme that fits with life in practice today. To that end, finding the right validation partner was a crucial part of the planning.

Dr Frances Barr, BSAVA Academic Director, said: "This is an exciting new venture in postgraduate CPD, and will ultimately lead to qualifications which are achievable for those in practice and directly relates to their experience. Yet of course, these qualifications must remain challenging enough to merit the respect of the profession and meet the standards of the clinical excellence we all want to see.

"We are confident that BSAVA is the provider to deliver just this, but finding the right partner to validate the programmes was especially important. We want to know that we can move forward with the support and backing of an accrediting body that encourages academic excellence and at the same time understands the need to remain relevant and engaging to busy professionals."

These new qualifications are primarily aimed at veterinary surgeons in small animal practice, who have a particular interest in small animal medicine or surgery. So busy professionals is exactly who they are designed for. This appeals particularly to BSAVA President Andrew Ash, who as well as running the Association heads a six site practice in Sussex. He said: "As an employer I see more and more people who want some recognition for the time they spend fulfilling their professional CPD requirement - and with these discipline-based certificates I can see a way that at any point in your career you can now be rewarded with not only a greater breadth of knowledge and confidence, but with a certificate to show for your efforts.

"I am a great advocate of continual education, and having made a commitment to postgraduate study myself in the past I know how important supported learning is, and how essential it is to have an environment that both acknowledges your other commitments and gives you the support to achieve your ambitions. We are determined to do that.

"Of course I am delighted that this is being launched in my year as President. I am even more delighted that we have Frances Barr to lead this - her experience and enthusiasm is as impressive in this role as it was when she was BSAVA president".

Gill Richards, Director of Professional Development at Nottingham Trent chaired the validation visit at Woodrow House. She said: "Nottingham Trent is especially interested in working with professions in this way to help ensure the quality of provision on postgraduate education for people at all stages of their careers. It was our pleasure to confirm validation today and we look forward to working with the team at BSAVA. It is unusual for anyone to receive the number of commendations that were made today, and what has impressed us most about BSAVA is the impressive quality of the teaching team and materials, and the innovative response to meeting a national demand for a course of this quality".

Enrolment will opening October. The courses will be limited to 30 in each programme. Anyone interested in enrolling for one of these certificate programmes can email academicdirector@bsasva.com or call 01452 726700.

It's the final call for comments on the draft new RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons, as the consultation closes on Friday, 24 June 2011.

The new draft Code, which is intended to replace the existing RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons, was produced by a Working Party set up by the RCVS Advisory Committee.

The new Code is a short, principles-based document using the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe's Code of Conduct as the starting point. It will be supported by additional advice on specific areas of veterinary practice or issues, for example, clinical governance. 

New requirements in the Code include compulsory continuing professional development, the RCVS Health Protocol and more on clinical competence. It also contains an updated declaration to be made by veterinary surgeons, which gives increased emphasis to animal welfare.

The new Code, together with the consultation paper, can be downloaded at www.rcvs.org.uk/codeconsultation.

Comments, which are welcomed from the profession and the public, should be sent by email to Christopher Murdoch, Secretary to the Guides Review Working Party, at c.murdoch@rcvs.org.uk by Friday, 24 June 2011.

A separate consultation will open shortly on a draft RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses.