Elanco, a division of Eli Lilly and Company, has launched into the UK companion animal market with a pledge to listen to vets and provide a highly personalised level of support.  

The company will initially offer recognised brands such as equine vaccines from the Duvaxyn range, Felocell vaccine for cats and equine wormer Strongid P. It says it is also developing a range of innovative new products designed to address the unmet needs of companion animals, the first of which are expected to be launched during 2011.

Mrs Tina Hunt, a Glasgow Vet School graduate and most recently, Veterinary Business Director at Fort Dodge UK, has been appointed with a remit to build the Elanco Companion Animal Health organisation in the UK.  Reporting to Jannes Nijland, Director Elanco Western Europe, she will spearhead the company's growth and relationship building with veterinary practices across the country.

Tina said: "Recent changes in the animal health sector make it an exciting time to be launching a new companion animal brand. The opportunity to be in at the start and to shape a completely new business from scratch was too good to miss. My team shares a passion to combine the best of our experience with new approaches and new ways of working which are more closely attuned to what vets actually want. This means doing things differently and this is a challenge we relish.

We seek a genuine partnership with the profession and look forward to building close, individual relationships with vets and practices, helping them to enable companion animals to live longer, healthier and higher quality lives.  While we're a newcomer in this sector, we benefit from the track record and resources available to Elanco, the fifth largest animal company in the world.  We're determined to make Elanco Companion Animal Health a trusted and valued partner to vets working in companion animal practice."

Elanco develops and markets products to improve animal health and food-animal production in more than 75 countries. The company employs more than 2,300 people worldwide, with offices in more than 40 countries, and is a division of Eli Lilly and Company, a pharmaceutical corporation.  Additional information about Elanco is available at www.elancopet.com and the company can be contacted via email: elancoCAH.uk@lilly.com 

A research project funded by The Horse Trust has discovered that a racehorse's performance does not markedly change after it has recovered from a tendon injury.

The research was led by Bryan O'Meara, who is in the final year of a three year clinical training scholarship funded by The Horse Trust.

Mr. O'Meara carried out the research at Donnington Grove Veterinary Surgery in Newbury, under the supervision of epidemiologist Dr Tim Parkin from University of Glasgow.

Tendonitis is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in racehorses, with a prevalence of 11-30%, according to earlier research.

Mr. O'Meara examined the clinical records and racing histories of 400 racehorses who had been treated for superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendonitis injuries over a five year period (2003-2008).

The race records of horses affected by tendon injury were compared with 400 matched control horses that had never suffered SDF tendon injuries.

The controls were horses training in the same establishment at the time of injury and of the same age and sex as the case horse.

The research looked at the performance of the racehorses in races before and after treatment for the injury, and at the performance of the control horses before and after the treatment date. The Racing Post Rating (RPR), which is published by the Racing Post after every race, was used as a measure of performance.

Mr. O'Meara found that there was no significant difference in RPR before and after the treatment date in case and control horses.

According to The Horse Trust, this result is unexpected as in vitro studies have found that healed tendon tissue has reduced elasticity due to the presence of scar tissue. This suggests that a horse with a healed SDF tendon would need to work its muscles harder to compensate and would therefore be expected to have lower performance.

Mr. O'Meara said more research is needed to back-up his finding that performance isn't significantly affected by tendon injury: "It could be that using Racing Post Rating to measure performance isn't sensitive enough to pick up a change in the horse's performance. However, it's encouraging that there's no marked change in performance after a horse has recovered from a tendon injury. These findings show that there's no need to give up on a horse that has a tendon injury - they can still come back and perform well, or can be used for other, less demanding riding activities."

The research also found that there was no significant difference between case and control horses when returning to racing and completing three races. Only after completing five races, or three years post treatment, was a significant difference found between case and control horses. This finding is a step towards developing a more accurate assessment of tendon treatment. Outcome after five races or three years post treatment is a better indicator of the outcome of treatment.

Mr. O'Meara said: "At the moment, some tendon treatments state their success as the percentage of horses that return to racing after treatment. However, we've shown that there's no significant difference between case and control horses at this time. At the moment, there are a myriad of treatments available to treat tendonitis. Hopefully this finding will be used in further research to learn which treatments are most effective."

Mr O'Meara's research also found a link between SDF tendon injury and the racehorse competing at its maximum performance level: the case horses were significantly nearer to their pre-injury maximum performance level in the race immediately before injury (compared to matched controls), suggesting that they were competing nearer their individual maximum performance level when the SDF tendon injury occured.

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has launched Posatex (1% Orbifloxacin, 0.1% Mometasone Furoate Monohydrate and 0.1% Posaconazole, Otic Suspension), a new once-a-day treatment for otitis externa in dogs.

Posatex combines an antibacterial, an anti-inflammatory and an antifungal medication in one, seven-day treatment which the company describes as the 'next generation' treatment for severe otitis externa in dogs, designed to make compliance easier and bring fast relief to dogs suffering from this painful condition.

Allan Weingarten, Director, Pharmaceutical Research, and Posatex R&D Project Leader, said: "As every dog owner knows, this is a 'nightmare' disease. As experts in otic products, we feel a special responsibility to keep improving medications and continuing to make the course of treatment more effective, quicker and easier for both dogs and their caregivers. The novel triazole antifungal posaconazole, new to animal health, is the latest example of innovation in this product area."

Posatex Otic Suspension, available in 7.5, 15 and 30g plastic bottles, is indicated for the treatment of otitis externa associated with susceptible strains of yeast (Malassezia pachydermatis) and bacteria (coagulase positive staphylococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis).

According to the company, posaconazole, the newest element in the three-in-one combination, has been shown to be particularly effective against Malassezia pachydermatis and more potent than other veterinary antifungals. Mometasone furoate monohydrate is a potent and safe anti-inflammatory and Orbifloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic with proven efficacy against bacteria.

Dechra Veterinary Products has launched Ketodale, an anti-inflammatory injection for cattle, horses and swine.

Ketodale contains the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ketoprofen 100mg/ml.  It is indicated for use in cattle and swine for diseases associated with inflammation, pain or fever. In cattle these include respiratory diseases, mastitis, osteoarticular and muscular-skeletal disorders, such as lameness and arthritis, and to ease pain post parturition. Ketodale can be used to treat swine suffering from Mastitis Metritis Agalactia (MMA) Syndrome and respiratory tract infections. 

In horses, Ketodale is indicated for diseases affecting the osteoarticular and muscular-skeletal system associated with pain and inflammation. These include naviculitis, arthritis and laminitis. It can also be used for post-surgical inflammation and symptomatic therapy of colic and fever.

Ketodale is available in 50ml and 100ml vials.

To coincide with the product's launch, Dechra is carrying out a direct marketing campaign. Practices can take advantage of a special launch offer where they can purchase four vials and get a fifth free. The offer is available for a limited period only. 

To find out more about Ketodale, call Dechra on 01743 441 632 or visiting www.dechra.com

Boehringer Ingelheim has produced an calculator to help veterinary surgeons prescribe the most appropriate dose of Vetmedin for canine congestive heart failure patients.

The company says the calculator is particularly relevant because Vetmedin has a wide dose range of 0.2-0.6mg/kg/day, giving vets the opportunity to tailor and alter the prescribed dose according to clinical signs. Overall, the recommended dose is 0.5mg/kg/day. The daily dose of Vetmedin should be divided into two equal doses and given 12 hours apart, ideally one hour before food.

Boehringer's Vetmedin product manager, Jemima Scott said: "We hope that the calculator will help veterinary surgeons prescribe the most appropriate starting dose for Vetmedin, and provide guidelines on how to continue to tailor the dose as the condition progresses."

The dose dial will be mailed out to vets in October. Additional copies are available from the company directly on +44 (0) 1344 746959.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has launched its annual search for veterinary surgeons deserving of an award for significantly advancing the care of companion animals.

Nominations are invited for the following awards, which will be presented during the 2011 WSAVA World Congress which takes place in Jeju, Korea from October 14-17 2011.:

WSAVA Hill's Pet Mobility Award
To recognise the outstanding work of a clinical researcher in the field of canine and feline orthopaedic medicine and surgery. Through improvements in the mobility and quality of life of pets, the research should have contributed significantly to the well-being of pets' lives and to the human-animal bond worldwide.

WSAVA Hill's Excellence in Veterinary Healthcare Award
To recognise the outstanding work of a veterinary surgeon in promoting companion animal healthcare and the human-pet-veterinary bond through leading-edge clinical nutrition and through advanced medical and surgical techniques which enrich relationships between people and their pets.

WSAVA International Award for Scientific Achievement
To recognise the outstanding contribution of a veterinary surgeon who has furthered the advancement of knowledge of the cause, detection and management of disorders in companion animals.

Professor Jolle Kirpensteijn, President of the WSAVA, said:  "Our prestigious awards recognise the achievement of members of the veterinary profession around the world as they continue to push the boundaries of veterinary care for companion animals.  The standard of entries is always high, reflecting the ground-breaking research and work being carried out by our colleagues in many countries.  We look forward to reviewing the nominations for the 2011 awards.

We are also grateful to Hill's Pet Nutrition for its generous sponsorship of these awards and for its continuing support of the WSAVA.  The awards are just one of the ways in which we work to deliver on our joint vision to foster the development of veterinary knowledge on a global scale."

The WSAVA Executive Board also makes a special additional award for service to the profession. The award is designed to recognise exemplary service by a veterinary surgeon to foster and enhance the exchange of scientific and professional ideas throughout the world.  For 2011, the award will be sponsored by Dr John Holt, a long-term supporter of the WSAVA, past president (1986-88) and Service to the Profession award winner (1998.)   

Nominations for all awards can be sent to the WSAVA Secretariat by e-mail, fax, or post (http://www.wsava.org/Contact.htm ) and should include a covering letter, nominee CV and list of nominee publications. Nominations must be received by the WSAVA Secretariat by 15 November 2010.

Seven veterinary surgeons who took their final assessments at the University of Liverpool on 6 September have become the first to receive the postgraduate RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice with equine designations.

Dr Mark Holmes, a member of the RCVS sub-committee for the CertAVP who observed the assessments at Liverpool said: "I was very impressed by the quality of all the candidates and the diligence of the examination process.

"It is clear that candidates putting themselves forward for 'named' certificates have demonstrated particular interest in their chosen fields and place considerable value on passing their synoptic examination."

The modular certificates were introduced in 2007 to be a more flexible replacement for the old-style postgraduate certificates. Vets can now choose from 79 subject modules, with RCVS-accredited assessments offered by a range of universities. These institutions may also offer associated courses which vets can take to support their studies, although candidates are free to choose where and how they wish to study.

To build their credits into the full CertAVP qualification candidates must first enrol with the RCVS, which keeps a record of modules achieved.  Candidates need to take two compulsory modules, and several of a range of optional modules, within ten years in order to receive the award. Candidates aiming for a designated award must choose specific modules from amongst the options, and additionally pass an overarching 'synoptic' assessment.

For more information about the individual modules and the qualification as a whole, prospective candidates can visit www.rcvs.org.uk/modcerts.

The University of Bristol's School of Biological Sciences has published* the results of a study which concludes that young dogs and those that are not wormed regularly are significantly more likely to be infected with the life-threatening, parasitic lungworm, Angiostrongylus vasorum.

In the independent study, which was led by Dr. Eric Morgan,  the faeces of 900 dogs was tested to look for factors which may increase a dog's risk of infection and to identify signs of infection. Lungworm was found to be a common cause of disease in Southwest England and Wales - 16 per cent of dogs presenting symptoms tested positive for lungworm, as well as 2 per cent of seemingly healthy dogs.  However, this is likely to be an underestimate. Dr Morgan said: "We used the Baermann's test to identify infected dogs, which is thought to be only 50% accurate, so the true figures may be as much as double those reported."

Dogs under 18 months were found to be 8 times more likely to have lungworm than dogs over 8 years old, and dogs between 18 months and 8 years old were 4 times more likely to have lungworm than dogs over 8 years old.  Dogs tested positive for lungworm year-round but there was an increase in numbers diagnosed during the winter and spring.

According to Dr. Morgan, infected dogs may display a wide range of symptoms: while over half of infected dogs were reported to be coughing or having difficulty breathing, lungworm infection is not always associated with respiratory signs. Infected dogs may present any combination of a wide range of symptoms including lethargy, tiring easily with exercise, and gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting and diarrhoea.  A significant number of infected dogs displayed signs of bleeding disorders such as excessive bleeding from small wounds or following surgery, blood in the urine and vomit, pale skin and bleeding in the eyes and skin.

Dr. Morgan added: "This parasite is spreading, reaching many new areas (including Bristol and Scotland) in the last few years.  Disease can present in a variety of ways, not necessarily involving respiratory signs, so pet owners and their vets should be aware of the risk.  Disease is most common in younger dogs, though age is not a barrier to infection.  On the bright side, dogs that are treated regularly with appropriate wormers are at lower risk, so we can act to protect our pets' health."

*Morgan, E. R., Jefferies, R., van Otterdijk, L., McEniry, R. B., Allen, F., Bakewell, M. and Shaw, S. E. 2010. Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in dogs: Presentation and risk factors. Veterinary Parasitology. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.06.037

The Disciplinary Committee of the RCVS has refused an application for restoration to the RCVS Register by Dr Janos Nemeth, who had previously been found to have fraudulently registered with the RCVS and struck off.

At the original hearing, in February 2009, Dr Nemeth - the holder of a veterinary science degree from the Szent István University in Budapest, who had practised in the Wokingham area of Berkshire - was found to have dishonestly entered his name in the RCVS Register using a forged document (a Certificate of Membership and Good Professional Behaviour from the Hungarian Veterinary Chamber). The Disciplinary Committee at that time found the evidence that the document was a forgery to be "overwhelming" and concluded that Dr Nemeth had been lying to them about his knowledge of the forgery. It directed that his name should be removed from the Register.

Dr Nemeth lodged an appeal against this decision with the Privy Council, but then took no further steps. Accordingly, the Privy Council dismissed Dr Nemeth's appeal and he was struck off in October 2009.

On lodging his application for restoration, Dr Nemeth had asserted he was not guilty of the original charge. The Committee was disappointed with this aspect of Dr Nemeth's application saying that he would be "well-advised to demonstrate some insight into the seriousness of the original findings."

The Committee emphasised that a finding of dishonesty against a member of the College is "one of great seriousness and never made lightly" and accepted that it may be considered "fundamentally incompatible with being a veterinary surgeon."

Questioning Dr Nemeth, the Committee was further disappointed to learn that he had not made himself more familiar with the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct, or made a greater effort to keep up to date with veterinary practice in the UK, or provided documentary evidence of attendance at continuing professional development (CPD) meetings.

After considering all the facts presented to it, including the severe personal and financial impact on Dr Nemeth of his removal from the Register, the Committee was not satisfied that he was fit to be restored and did not consider it in the public interest to grant his application.

Acknowledging she could not bind a future Committee as to any further application for restoration by Dr Nemeth, Committee Chairman Mrs Caroline Freedman advised: "Dr Nemeth should provide supporting evidence where possible, including records of CPD, testimonials from other veterinary surgeons or employers, or a more incisive knowledge of the Guide to Professional Conduct. We would remind Dr Nemeth that the onus is on him to establish his fitness to be restored to the Register."

Online veterinary pharmacy Vet-Medic has announced the results of a survey which showed that veterinary practices are charging pet owners 100% more than online pharmacies for well-known drugs.

The survey compared the prices charged by veterinary practices, online pharmacies, pet superstores, supermarkets and veterinary medicine suppliers. Amongst other things, it found a six-pack of Frontline for cats available online for £16.33, vs £38.95 in practice. Optimmune was available for £23.86, compared to a practice in North London selling it for £59.81.

Andrew Evans, Managing Director of Vet-Medic said: "This research offers huge insight into the pricing structures of pet medication. When we commissioned the research to help us keep our own pricing competitive, we made an assumption that online shopping should come out cheaper but were staggered by how much."

He added: "Not many pet owners are aware that vets are obliged, in most circumstances, to provide them with a prescription when asked. How and where the prescription medicine is purchased is actually the owners' choice."

The BVA responded to the survey yesterday. President-Elect Harvey Locke said: "The Vet-Medic claim that veterinary practices are over-inflating the price of veterinary medicines is an unfair accusation.

"Veterinary practices will mark up the cost of the medicines they supply in order to cover the costs of keeping and dispensing them. This includes having trained staff available, buying the necessary equipment, and storage facilities that are governed by strict rules, and covering the cost of wasted medicines that have a short shelf life.

"Online pharmacies have similar overheads but are able to buy in much larger quantities than the average veterinary practice due to the much higher volumes sold. Many of the internet prices revealed in the survey are around the same cost as veterinary practices can buy the medicines from wholesalers suggesting that some of the internet companies are sourcing cheaper drugs abroad.

"As with many products buying online can be cheaper and consumers have a choice. Many pet owners choose to use the veterinary practice pharmacy because a lot of advice and assistance is available, including demonstrations on how to administer the treatments.

"Vet-Medic's assertion that pet owners don't know that they can obtain a prescription from their veterinary surgeon is also false. Over 50% of UK practices are registered under the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme. One of the conditions of the scheme is that a notice must be displayed in the waiting room informing clients that prescriptions are available on request, the price of a prescription, and the price list of the top ten medicines that the practice has dispensed in the last three month period.

"It's important to remember that under the law veterinary practices are not allowed to fix the price of medicines. As they are independent businesses this means that it is up to each practice to charge according to their own circumstances to cover their individual overheads."

Following last weekend's Mail on Sunday revelation that a number of well-known organisations have been routinely serving meat from animals which have not been humanely slaughtered, the BVA has written to the companies involved, both to express concerns about animal welfare and to renew calls for clearer labelling.  

The Mail on Sunday found that meat slaughtered under certain religious rules without pre-stunning (including kosher and some halal meat), is entering the mainstream food chain without being labelled as such. The investigation found that the meat is being used in schools, hospitals, pub chains and sporting venues.

The investigation follows news reports that GateGourmet, one of the largest airline caterers, is considering making the majority of its meals halal.

The BVA is concerned that consumers are confused by existing food labels and supports moves by the European Parliament to introduce mandatory labelling of meat from non-stunned animals, including use of the meat in other products. The BVA also supports the concept of one clear EU-wide label that would indicate higher welfare throughout the food chain.

Professor Bill Reilly, President of the British Veterinary Association, said: "Whilst we understand the need to respect religious freedoms the BVA believes that all animals should be stunned before slaughter to ensure the highest possible welfare for the animals.

"The exemption for religious slaughter should therefore be kept to a minimum. Meat from animals slaughtered according to these religious rules should not used in the mainstream market, particularly if it is not labelled as such.

"Earlier this year the European Parliament voted in favour of the compulsory labelling of meat from non-stunned animals and the British Veterinary Association strongly welcomed this move.

"We believe that consumers do want to make choices based on higher animal welfare and not cause unnecessary suffering. They should have the right information to make those pro-welfare choices."

Dechra Veterinary Products has introduced two additional new products to its Veterinary Essentials range: Alvegesic vet and Clavudale.   

Alvegesic vet contains butorphanol, a well-known and widely used drug for sedation, anaesthesia and analgesia in both dogs and cats. In horses, Alvegesic vet is indicated for analgesia and sedation.

Alvegesic vet is available in 10ml multidose vials and is licensed for administration by intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous routes, depending on indication, in both cats and dogs. 

The other new addition to the Veterinary Essentials range is Clavudale, which contains the broad spectrum antibiotic amoxicillin, potentiated with clavulanic acid. Clavudale is bactericidal, active against a wide variety of bacterial organisms, including gram-positives and gram-negatives.

Clavudale is effective in treating a wide range of bacterial diseases of cats and dogs.  These include: skin disease; soft tissue infections; dental infections; urinary tract infections; respiratory disease and enteritis. Clavudale is supplied in boxes of 24 tablets, with 4 blister strips of six tablets.

Further information on Alvegesic vet and Clavudale is available by calling Liz Rawlings at Dechra on 01743 441 632 or visiting www.dechra.com