The President of the British Veterinary Association has written to the Badger Trust to clarify the BVA position on the pilot badger culls in England, stating that it will not be supporting the Trust's application for a judicial review.
The BVA Council agreed a position on the continuation of controlled shooting in the pilot areas on 16 April. The position states that the BVA could only support further culling using controlled shooting in the pilot areas if steps are taken to improve both its effectiveness and humaneness and if there is robust monitoring and collation of results and independent analysis and auditing by a non-governmental body. It also states that the BVA supports the Independent Expert Panel's (IEP) recommendations for improving effectiveness and humaneness and urges Defra to implement all the IEP's recommendations fully.
The BVA says that since 16 April, it has been in dialogue with Defra to seek assurances that these issues will be addressed, and those discussions are ongoing. It will not be taking a further position on the pilot culls until BVA Council has had the opportunity to consider Defra's plans in full, when they are made available.
In a press release dated 20th May, The Badger Trust CEO Dominic Dyer said: "It is not acceptable for the DEFRA Secretary of State to now push aside the concerns of both the Independent Expert Panel and the British Veterinary Association, by moving ahead with a further badger cull in Gloucestershire and Somerset this summer without any independent monitoring in place."
The BVA says it is concerned that this misrepresents its position, and has led to some media reports suggesting that the BVA has withdrawn its support for badger culling as part of the overall strategy to eradicate bovine TB. It has not. The BVA says it continues to believe that the TB eradication strategy for England will only be successful if we are able to use all of the available tools, including targeted, humane badger culling.
Kellie Price, a Kent-based Registered Veterinary Nurse has been suspended from the Register for nine months by the RCVS RVN Disciplinary Committee after she admitted dishonestly creating four prescriptions, one of which was then fraudulently presented to a pharmacy.
The Committee heard that in January 2013, Miss Price, who did not attend the hearing and had no representation, had dishonestly created a prescription for two inhalers while working at a veterinary practice in Kent.
This prescription had been written and signed in the name of a locum veterinary surgeon, Cristiana Tudini MRCVS, without her knowledge or consent. The false prescription was subsequently presented to a pharmacy for dispensing.
In addition, in March 2013, Miss Price dishonestly created a further three prescriptions - one of which was written in the name of her colleague Cormac Higgins MRCVS, and two written in the name of Cristiana Tudini MRCVS without either's knowledge or consent. All four false prescriptions had been made out for Miss Price's Jack Russell terrier.
Upon discovering the false prescriptions, Mr Higgins asked Miss Price for an explanation and subsequently suspended her from her position pending further investigation. However, after being interviewed by Mr Higgins, she resigned before any in-house disciplinary hearing could take place. The allegations were then reported to both the RCVS and the police, the latter giving Miss Price a formal caution in respect of the false prescription made in January 2013.
In considering Miss Price's sanction, the RVN Disciplinary Committee took into account a number of aggravating and mitigating factors. In mitigation, it accepted Miss Price's explanation that, in the early hours of 6 January, she had suffered an asthma attack and that she had created the false prescription at work in a panic after realising her inhaler was empty and fearing a further asthma attack. The Committee also took into account a witness statement from Cormac Higgins MRCVS which described her as a "great nurse" and "good with patients and clients".
However, the Committee also considered aggravating factors including Miss Price's dishonesty and the fact that she then made further false prescriptions in March, although these were not then presented to a pharmacy.
Professor Noreen Burrows, who chaired the RVN Disciplinary Committee and spoke on its behalf, said: "The Committee is... satisfied that the admitted dishonesty amounts to disgraceful conduct in a professional respect [and] is satisfied that the respondent's conduct fell far short of the conduct to be expected of a registered veterinary nurse."
On deciding the sanction she added: "Taking into account all of the circumstances, the Committee has concluded that the suspension of the Respondent's name from the Register for a period of nine months is the proportionate sanction in this case."
The Committee's full findings and decision are available on the RCVS website (www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary).
The Westpoint Veterinary Group and Eville & Jones, a veterinary control provider, have joined forces to form Xperior Farm Health, which will bid for appointment as a Delivery Partner for bovine TB and other farm animal disease testing under AHVLA's Veterinary Delivery Partnership Programme.
The Delivery Partnership Programme, under which the AHVLA will cease to contract OVs directly and instead procure disease testing services from around ten Delivery Partners, is expected to roll out in the summer.
Eville & Jones is an experienced service provider in inspection and testing services in the fields of animal health, public health and animal welfare. The company employs more than 450 veterinary staff nationwide and already provides fully managed Official Veterinarian (OV) services to UK Competent Authorities.
Westpoint Veterinary Group is a specialist, farm-animal-only veterinary practice operating from 17 sites countrywide to provide farmers with specialist and locally based services. It is the largest veterinary group in the UK specialising in production animals, employing more than 50 veterinary surgeons.
Veterinary Director Phil Elkins MRCVS says the resources and experience of the two parent companies in both farmer-facing and back office dimensions make Xperior Farm Health well equipped to fulfil a Delivery Partner service expected by AHVLA. He said: "Our ambition is to provide an exemplary standard of accurate and trustworthy on-farm animal health testing services, where possible using subcontracted practices. If appointed, of course, these will be farmer friendly, provide an ongoing source of work and revenue to subcontractor Official Veterinarians, and represent excellent value for money to the taxpayer."
XLEquine and the Animal Health Trust (AHT) have launched Plan, Prevent, Protect, billed as the UK's first equine biosecurity booklet for horse owners and yard managers to work through with their veterinary surgeon, to minimise disease risk on yards and maintain the health and welfare of the horses in their care.
Mark Tabachnik MRCVS, of XLEquine member practice Wright & Morten Veterinary Surgeons said: "For many yard and horse owners, biosecurity is just not on their radar. It only becomes important after they have had an outbreak! Strangles in particular can have devastating effects which impact not only on horse welfare, but the disruption and paralysis of animal movement has significant consequences with relationships on the yard, not to mention the financial costs in some cases.
"We wanted to develop a practical guide that pre-empts these issues by helping owners to set in place simple and in many cases common sense, plans and procedures to prevent a disease outbreak, along with practical steps should the worst happen, and an outbreak occurs.
"Our veterinary farm colleagues and the medical profession are well ahead in terms of biosecurity measures. It's about changing people's mind-sets. For example the NHS "Catch it Bin it Kill it" campaign has been highly successful in adapting our thoughts and actions towards disease spread, and consequently many of us are more aware of the importance of good biosecurity in one way or another."
Dr Richard Newton, Head of Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance at the AHT was also involved in the development of the booklet. He said: "I hope that this will encourage all equine practices to raise their game, it is so important for the whole equine community."
The booklet is available to all equine clients of XLEquine member practices, or it is available to view at http://www.xlequine.co.uk/content/plan-prevent-protect
Merial has announced the launch of a new Blippar app designed to educate horse owners about gastric ulcers.
By using the app - which is available free from the App Store for iPhone or Google Play for Android phones - to scan the company's Gastrogard (omeprazole) adverts, posters or website, clients can watch an educational film with one of the UK's leading specialists in equine ulcers, Richard Hepburn BVSc MS(Hons) CertEM(IntMed) DipACVIM(LA) MRCVS, American and RCVS Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine, demonstrating the signs of ulcers and diagnosis via gastroscopy.
Merial's Equine Marketing and Technical Manager Louise Radford MRCVS said: "With 60% of competition horse and 38% of leisure horses & ponies estimated to have gastric ulcers¹,²,³, it's important that horse owners are aware of the signs of this under-diagnosed condition.
"We know that the number of horses diagnosed and treated for ulcers falls significantly short of incidence levels. We hope that this app will help to raise awareness and prompt more horse owners to consult their vet about gastric ulceration."
A separate Blippar app is also available for horse owners that have been prescribed GastroGard. By scanning the pack, clients can view educational video footage on gastric ulcers, find management tips on treatment and prevention, and set a reminder for future risk periods.
For more information, visit: http://www.equinegastriculcers.co.uk, contact your local Merial equine territory specialist or call Merial Customer Support on 0870 6000123.
References
Registered VN Lindsay Newell has been found guilty of six counts of cruelty to animals at Stafford Magistrates' Court, following an investigation by the RSPCA.
The charges related to a ewe, two lambs, a Welsh pony, a goat and a pig at the Burton Wildlife and Animal Rescue Centre, a sanctuary founded in 2008 by the 27-year-old nurse in memory of her murdered grandparents.
The pig had made headlines in the Daily Mail in 2012 when Newell rescued it from a Derby council house.
Newell was given a 2-year conditional discharge, ordered to pay £2000 in costs, and disqualified from keeping sheep, equines, goats or pigs for five years.
Passing sentence, district judge David Taylor said: "These were not deliberate or intentional acts. They were a consequence of you trying to take on too many animals of a wide range."
Newell was cleared of 25 other charges of failing to feed the animals in her care properly.
RSPCA inspector Jayne Bashford who led the investigation said: "We are satisfied that the court has found the defendant guilty of six charges of unnecessary suffering. The scene the RSPCA discovered when they visited with Police, Derbyshire Trading Standards and an independent vet were quite shocking.
"This was an extremely disturbing case where there was clear neglect and mistreatment of animals by a registered veterinary nurse.
"I am sure she set up this centre with the best intentions but things got totally out of control."
More on this story
Dog owners who allow their dog to attack people or assistance dogs will face tougher prison sentences from today.
Changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act will also mean dog owners can now face prosecution if their dog attacks a person in their home or on any private property, except if they attack a trespasser.
The maximum sentences for allowing a dog to attack someone in England or Wales have also been increased as follows:
Animal Welfare Minister Lord de Mauley said: "Dog attacks can have horrific consequences for victims and families and it is only right those responsible should face tough punishments.
"Irresponsible dog owners will not only face longer prison sentences, but will also be liable for prosecution regardless of where an attack takes place, even in their own home. This will give protection to those who provide vital services in the community - postal workers, nurses, utility workers - as well as people visiting family and friends."
For the first time, the Dangerous Dogs Act also includes a specific offence to protect assistance dogs from attacks.
Guide Dogs Chief Executive Richard Leaman said: "An attack on a guide dog can be devastating. It can rob someone with sight loss of their independence and freedom, leaving them virtually housebound. We're delighted that irresponsible owners can now be given tougher sentences if their dog attacks an assistance dog.
"With an average of 10 guide dogs being attacked every month, we're looking to the police to fully use their new powers to protect vulnerable people from these sometimes life-changing attacks."
The changes will also see new preventative powers for the police and local authorities so they can act early to stop dog attacks before they occur. These measures include steps the dog owner can take to address their own or their dog's behaviour, for example:
Attending dog training classes.Repairing fencing to their property to prevent the dog escaping.Requiring their dog to be muzzled in public.
Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker said: "The coalition government is already making real progress in defending the public from out of control dogs and their irresponsible owners. Today's measures will protect individuals and also assistance dogs, which bring security, confidence and independence to their handlers.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: "The Kennel Club sees these amendments as being extremely positive overall for the welfare of millions of dogs in this country, as well as helping to protect the public and the UK's responsible dog owners. For too long, irresponsible owners who consistently allow, or even encourage, their dogs to act aggressively or behave dangerously have essentially been protected by regulations which tend to penalise the dogs rather than their irresponsible owners. This updated legislation makes it absolutely clear that this is not acceptable and owners must take responsibility for adequately training their dogs.
"We have been very careful during our work with Government to ensure that there are adequate defences for those otherwise responsible dog owners who find themselves in unforeseen circumstances. This includes scenarios such as dogs protecting their homes from intruders or responding to provocation.
"Disappointingly however, the issue of breed specific legislation still remains unaddressed, with the government failing to use the opportunity whilst amending the Dangerous Dogs Act to repeal this ineffective element of the law.
"The Kennel Club believes in the principle of 'deed not breed' and that genetics plays only a small part in the temperament of a dog, with breeding, socialisation and environment having a far greater effect. The majority of dog bite incidents are a result of the irresponsible actions of owners who have either not taken the time and trouble to train their dog correctly, or have in fact trained them to behave aggressively. Consequently any legislation based on genetics that ignores the influence of the dog's keeper on its behaviour is highly likely to be ineffective, as has been proven with the Dangerous Dogs Act."
Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College are seeking the help of veterinary surgeons in the UK who are treating dogs infected with Streptococcus zooepidemicus, a potentially fatal bacterial pneumonia-type disease which they say has been on the increase over the past five years.
The researchers are also trying to raise awareness of the signs of infection amongst vets and dog owners.
Streptococcus zooepidemicus is an infection that manifests itself similarly to human Toxic Shock Syndrome, causing a severe, bloody pneumonia in dogs. It has an acute onset and in a small proportion of cases the disease has been known to kill dogs within 24 hours of contracting the infection.
Outbreaks are sporadic, but particularly occur in situations where dogs mix in groups, such as rehoming or boarding kennels and in hunting and racing greyhound communities.
Although it is rarer in family pets, researchers are still keen to highlight the signs to owners, particularly if they regularly visit kennels or attend events where large groups of animals gather.
In the early stages, signs are similar to those of kennel cough, which is seen in similar environments. However, in Streptococcus zooepidemicus outbreaks, dogs rapidly become very ill and show very severe signs, with a mortality rate of up to 50% reported. In contrast to this, in more typical cases of kennel cough, most dogs will have a relatively mild illness and deaths are rare.
Researcher and veterinary pathologist Dr Simon Priestnall from the Royal Veterinary College said: "Although Streptococcus zooepidemicus was first identified in dogs in the 1970s, veterinarians and researchers have seen the number of cases spiral upwards over the past five years, particularly within rehoming kennels and the greyhound community. This suggests that the bacterium may have mutated to become more virulent and contagious.
"There is currently very limited public awareness of the problem. Signs for owners to look out for in their pets include a fever, which is usually accompanied by sneezing and nasal discharge which is often bloody, and their animal becoming lethargic. If owners notice the rapid onset of these signs, they are advised to seek veterinary help immediately. With prompt identification, medical treatment and supportive care, dogs can make a full recovery."
Dr Priestnall and his colleagues are working alongside the Animal Health Trust (Dr Andrew Waller) and the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science (Drs Jenny Stavisky and Janet Daly) to investigate this potentially fatal bacterial pathogen.
They are developing a test that will allow them to determine, from a nasal or throat swab, how many dogs are suffering from the disease and how many are carriers. The hope is that by detecting patterns within the bacterial isolates or the infected dogs, they can uncover potential risk factors and limit the spread of the disease.
If you would like more information or to submit swab samples to help with the research into this disease, contact: spriestnall@rvc.ac.uk.
A short film about Ami Sawran MRCVS, who simultaneously works as a vet, an actress and the editor of a lesbian magazine called Reprobait, is being released in Vue West End and Vue Piccadilly cinemas from today.
The film, being shown ahead of big screen blockbusters, is part of a series which make up 1000 Londoners, a project to create a digital portrait of the city.
Each film dips into the life of a Londoner for three minutes. The first ten films being shown over the next two months include one about an entrepreneurial hula-hooper from Hoxton, another featuring the last cloth trader in Shoreditch, one about a cage-fighter on the day of his first professional fight and another about a Big Issue seller who works on the Strand.
Rachel Wang, director of 1000 Londoners, said: “This release gives the people of London an opportunity to see these fascinating documentaries in the greatest way to watch any film in London – on the big screen in the West End. By making this possible Vue Entertainment have been extremely open and forward-thinking in their programming.”
The 1000 Londoners films are currently being released weekly on 1000londoners.com The latest film "Danny" looks below the city into Bazalgette's Victorian sewers, where professional 'flusher' Danny Brackley works. Forthcoming Londoners include an ex-SAS author, a third generation blacksmith from Stepney and a woman who has withdrawn from mainstream society to live on a canal boat.
Supreme PetFoods has published a series of rabbit lectures for veterinary surgeons and nurses by world-renowned experts.
The lectures, which were held at London Vet Show last year, covered a variety of topics in rabbit medicine and surgery, including dental disease, digestive disorders, calcium metabolism, urinary disease and 'sticky bottom' syndrome. The round table of case-based discussions also provided an opportunity for the audience to have their questions answered by rabbit specialists and discuss the complexities of some example cases.
Claire Hamblion, Marketing Manager at Supreme Petfoods said: "The success of Think Rabbit Month really highlighted that raising awareness and expanding rabbit-related expertise is becoming increasingly important for vets. However, in comparison to cats and dogs, specialist information is less widely available - even though rabbits can often be the trickiest patients! This is why we're so thrilled to able to make contemporary thinking from world-class specialists available at the click of a few buttons."
In addition to the lectures, vets and nurses also have access to an array of free Supreme support materials including a series of professional waiting room videos and a variety of downloadable practice documents, available at http://www.supremepetfoods.com/vet-zone/.
Expert speaker, Molly Varga, BVetMed DZooMed MRCVS,RCVS Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, whose lecture was entitled, 'Rabbits and Calcium: how much is too much?'said: "With current concepts in rabbit medicine and surgery rapidly evolving, access to convenient, concise and cutting edge information is crucial for the whole veterinary team. The only way this is possible is through initiatives such as this seminar series, which drives our knowledge and expertise forwards."
Other speakers in the seminar series included, Charly Pignon DVM (pictured right), Head of the Exotics Medicine Service at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vétérinaire d'Alfort in France, Professor Anna Meredith MA VetMB CertLAS DZooMed MRCVS, Livia Benato MRCVS, Lecturer in Rabbit and Exotic animal Husbandry and Nutrition and Wendy Bament RVN BSc (Hons) MSc, Exotic Animal Veterinary Nurse.
Claire added: "Not only are these specialists regarded as academic leaders in their profession but they are also renowned successful speakers, which makes for superb presentations. The watch-again capability of the online seminars makes it easy for vets and nurses to dip in and out at their leisure, gaining maximum value for minimum effort."
RCVS CEO Nick Stace has published a refreshingly candid acknowledgement of recent concerns voiced by the profession on his blog, www.nickstaceblogs.org.
In his post, he gives a firm commitment to listen to the profession, asking just that in return, MsRCVS get more involved in College matters, such as voting in the elections and getting involved in consultations (starting with this one).
Definitely worth reading the full post: http://nickstaceblogs.org/2014/05/06/receiving-you-loud-and-clear/
The European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS) has announced that it has approved the creation of a new European College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ECVECC).
The 10 Founding Diplomates will comprise the Organising Committee of Amanda Boag, Joris Robben and Nadja Sigrist along with Sophie Adamantos, Marcel Aumann, Andrew Brown, Dan Chan, Cristina Fragio, Isabelle Goy-Thollot and Francoise Roux.
Amanda Boag, Chair of the Organising Committee said: "This is the final milestone for achieving recognition for Emergency and Critical Care as a defined speciality within Europe.
"Over the last 10 years, ECC has grown within Europe and especially the UK. Academic institutions, notably the RVC, have supported and developed ECC through their student and post graduate education.
"Commercial companies such as Vets Now have also grown and have strong internal training programmes such as the Cutting Edge.
"There are multiple opportunities for those working in practice to obtain further skills in this area with the RCVS certificate and the BSAVA/Vets Now ECC certificate and it is fantastic that we will now be able to offer European Diploma training programmes in the UK.
"Alongside this, opportunities for our nursing colleagues are growing including a large number of nurses registered for the City and Guilds Nursing Certificate in ECC delivered by Vets Now.
"Creating a European College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care is the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle and the Organising Committee are delighted that all the hard work of those who have been involved with the development of ECC in Europe has paid off."
The College will be formally launched at the EVECCS Congress in Prague (www.eveccs2014.org) in June.
Vetsonic has launched Otimectin vet, an ivermectin-based topical preparation for the treatment of Otodectes cynotis infections in cats.
The new product offers a once-weekly dosing alternative to traditional ear mite treatments, which commonly require twice daily administration over 7 to 21 days.
Presented as a gel in a 10g tube complete with application spout, Otimectin vet is a 1 mg/g ivermectin preparation. It does not contain an antibiotic or steroids.
VetSurgeon.org member, Martin Atkinson MRCVS has had his first book, A Test of Patients, published on Amazon Kindle (£6.59).
Described as the experiences and musings of a veterinary surgeon, the book is a collection of anecdotes collected over the period since Martin qualified from Liverpool in 1975 up until his more recent self-appointed sainthood (or not, as the case may be), as the owner of St Martin's Veterinary Clinic.
Martin said: "This book is a collection of short stories recording some of the more entertaining aspects of my veterinary career plus one or two fantasies and musings. It is meant to be amusing but also carries some serious messages. It is illustrated in a suitable quirky way by my daughter Alice.
"This book has been a labour of love rather than a commercial enterprise and has not been professionally proof read or edited so there are one or two typos and formatting bloomers including one in the very first sentence! I hope this dos not detract from the reader's enjoyment".
Limited signed copies of the book are also available direct from the author (£8.99 inc p&p) by emailing your details to: martin@gconnect.com.
Martin is donating earnings from the book to animal charities, including Cats Protection, BSAVA Petsavers, The Dogs Trust and the PDSA.
The RCVS has announced the results of the RCVS Council and VN Council elections.
Re-elected to three of the six seats available on RCVS Council were current President Neil Smith (1,687 votes), incoming Standards Committee Chairman David Catlow (1,656) and Vice-President Jacqui Molyneux (1,304); and, from RCVS Day on 11 July 2014, they will be joined by new members David Bartram (1,674), Susan Paterson (1,496) and Mandisa Greene (1,296).
The two available places on VN Council were taken by existing member Hilary Orpet (611 votes) and new member Amber Richards (371).
Notably, half of the successful RCVS Council candidates this year were women, two of whom being elected for the first time.
Overall turnouts in both elections fell, with 4,137 (16.1%) veterinary surgeons and 1,157 (10%) veterinary nurses voting. These turnouts and voter numbers compare with 4,661 (18.8%) and 1,329 (12.5%) last year, and ten-year averages of 3,927 (17.4%) and 869 (9.9%), respectively.
RCVS Registrar Gordon Hockey, said: "It was always going to be tough to beat last year's record turnout, even with a record number of candidates standing this year, but it's encouraging that voter numbers are still the third highest in the last ten years.
"I'd like to be amongst the first to publicly congratulate all the successful candidates this year, and to encourage those who weren't successful this time to stand again in the future. I'm very much looking forward to working with our three new RCVS Council members whilst, at the same time, delighted that the profession has returned three existing members to their seats, enabling them to continue their work for the College."
Chair of VN Council, Kathy Kissick, says: "Many congratulations to Hilary, who has been returned to the VN Council for the third time running, and to Amber, who I'm looking forward to welcoming to VN Council in July. Hilary's experience and Amber's fresh input will, I'm sure, combine to provide an excellent contribution to our ongoing work."
Elanco Companion Animal Health has launched a new ordering process for Recuvyra, its transdermal fentanyl solution for the control of postoperative pain relief in dogs.
The new process will enable veterinary practices to purchase Recuvyra, which is a Schedule Two Controlled Drug, without having to complete the online training programme which was has been mandatory since the launch of the product in April 2013.
The company says that training is still highly recommended for every veterinary professional that handles Recuvyra due to its new delivery system. This can be via the short online training course available at www.recuvyratraining.eu or by reading the training leaflet provided with every vial of Recuvyra. The training leaflet includes information on instructions for use, correct administration of the product and special precautions. In addition, client leaflets and other support materials will continue to be available to vets via the website.
Alice Laurens, Recuvyra product manager at Elanco Companion Animal Health, said: "Veterinary practices will still need to follow their wholesalers' procedures for ordering Schedule Two Controlled Drugs when purchasing Recuvyra, however any vet from the practice can now order and sign for delivery of the product making it easier to purchase."
For further information about Recuvyra or Elanco's surgery and pain management range, contact your Elanco Companion Animal Health key account manager or email elancocah.uk@elanco.com.
Ceva Animal Health has added a new CPD module to its Cardio Academy website which focuses on common heart diseases in cats.
The 20 minute online seminar is hosted by Virginia Luis-Fuentes, Professor of Veterinary Cardiology at the Royal Veterinary College. After viewing the module, you can claim a CPD certificate by answering questions relating to the session.
Fraser Broadfoot MRCVS, product manager at Ceva, said: "Cardio Academy is going from strength to strength with over 1500 UK vets registered to the site which now includes 15 hours of free on-demand cardiology CPD with leading specialists."
For more information, visit: www.cardioacademy.cevalearn.com.
Pulborough-based Arun Veterinary Group has been awarded the title of Best UK Vets, having achieved the largest number of positive online reviews on www.vethelpdirect.com.
The awards are based on the number of positive reviews (4 stars and above) left by owners on the site over the course of the year, with owners asked to review the practice on five key areas: respect for my animal, professionalism, friendliness, cleanliness and value for money.
Comments attached to the 182 reviews for Arun included: "Nothing is too much trouble", "Fabulous vets" and "More like good friends."
Vet Help Direct said: "A good online reputation is so valuable to both local people looking for a service and to business owners. That's why online vet reviews are at the heart of our vet directories. Vet Help Direct is determined to provide a fair reflection of the vet practices in their online directories; all reviews are subject to rigorous tests of authenticity, all are checked for duplicate IP addresses, email addresses and some reviewers are asked to provide evidence that they are recent clients of the practice."
In second place was St Georges Veterinary Group, Wolverhampton, which is now up to 132 reviews and in third place was Goddard Veterinary Group, Gidea Park in London, with 122 reviews.
Northumberland vet Rory Thomson from the St Clair veterinary practice in Blyth reports that he's been able to release an injured seal back into the North Sea, thanks in part to donations of fresh fish from Tesco and Asda which kept her well-fed during her recovery.
Rory is a volunteer Marine Mammal medic for the British Diver and Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) charity and was called to help the seal, named Primrose Possum, when she was found lying on Blyth beach on 3 April. A volunteer medic called to check her noted that there was something wrong with her right eye and arranged for her to be taken to a vet in North Shields for initial treatment. She was then transported to St Clair in Blyth on 8 April.
Rory said: "When I examined her, I could see that her right eye was enlarged and cloudy. I began a course of treatment and arranged for a veterinary ophthalmologist to exam it. Sadly he determined that it was blind but seals can manage perfectly well with one eye and, once I'd treated the infection, it was no longer causing her pain. We released her back into the sea on 15 April at St Mary's Lighthouse where BDMLR volunteer medics can watch over her for the first few weeks."
He added: "Seals can be aggressive when on land so we had to be careful but Primrose was generally very well behaved and enjoyed free run of our isolation facility. During her stay she devoured more than 2.5 kg of fresh fish every day - with whole fresh herring and mackerel her favourite. We are grateful to Asda and Tesco for providing much of this for us free of charge. Now that she's recovered, we hope she'll live a long and happy life, most of it under the sea!"
More information on the work of British Diver and Marine Life Rescue is available at www.bdmlr.org.uk.
The RCVS Operational Board has announced that it will ask Council to review its decision to remove postgraduate postnominals from the Register, following the largely negative response from the profession to the idea, including a petition from Derbyshire surgeon, Victoria Lilley.
The original decision was made by Council in June 2012 as part of a package of measures aimed at developing clarity around postgraduate skills and knowledge.
The College says that the removal of postgraduate postnominals from the Register was intended to help dispel confusion amongst the public and some members of the profession about the level of various qualifications, by introducing the Advanced Practitioner status alongside the existing Specialist list.
Chairman of the Operational Board, CEO Nick Stace, said: "Over the last few days we have listened to the disquiet amongst the profession - which has included direct contact with staff and Operational Board members, a petition and discussion on fora and social media - and feel that we should address some misunderstandings but also give Council the opportunity to review the decision at its 5 June meeting.
"Many good points have been made by members of the profession and I am pleased that the Operational Board has agreed to reflect on them and consider whether there is a better way to achieve the clarity we were seeking for the public and the profession.
"The introduction of Advanced Practitioner status is a positive move for both the profession and the public, and underlines the College's commitment to lifelong learning.
"It is important to have the profession's support for the direction we are taking in advancing standards across the sector."
The College has also provided some Q&A's concerning the original decision made by Council in 2012, as follows.
Bayer Animal Health has launched a new marketing campaign for Drontal that celebrates the special roles pets play in people's lives.
As part of the campaign, the company has carried out research amongst 2,000 cat and dog owners to discover how owning a pet changes behaviour and positively impacts their daily routine.
The survey found that 76% of dog owners say their four-legged friend is like a personal trainer that motivates them to take exercise, with one in four saying they've lost weight since getting their pet. Of these, one in ten say they've lost half a stone or more.
As part of the Special Roles campaign, Bayer has launched a competition to find the nation's most interesting pets. People can upload their favourite pet photo and explain what it is that makes their animal so important to them. The winner of the Special Roles competition will be chosen on the 31st July by a judging panel which includes the editors of Your Cat and Your Dog magazines.
The winner will receive £500 as well as the chance to appear in a Drontal advertorial. The two runners-up will be decided by public vote and will receive £250 worth of vouchers to spend in Pets at Home. Entries to the competition can be submitted here: http://woobox.com/uahgp5
The Special Roles theme is being supported by a new TV and print advertising campaign that celebrates the role our pets play in our lives. The ad communicates the importance of regular worming with Drontal, with the tagline: "It's their job to be special, it's our job to keep them that way". The print and TV campaign will run for 2 weeks, from 14th April.
Kathrin Tetzner from Bayer said: "The Special Roles campaign for Drontal celebrates the joy, love and humour pets bring to our lives, while reminding owners that it is their responsibility to keep them happy and healthy in whatever role they play. The Special Roles competition will give pet owners nationwide the chance to show off their pet's special role and help us celebrate a nation of happy and healthy pets."
The British Association of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care has released the results of a survey into practitioners attitudes to 24-7 and OOH home visits.
360 veterinary surgeons took part in the survey, nearly all of whom have been practising for more than 2 years. 70% work in small animal practice, 12% at a dedicated OOH provider, and the bulk of the remainder in referral or mixed practice. 81% described the work they do as small animal first opinion, and 76% were employees. 35% said they had already responded to the RCVS call for evidence on the provision of 24/7 emergency cover.
26% said they work for a practice that outsources its OOH to a dedicated provider, and more than 85% of those said they would not return to an on-call system.
In terms of dedicated out-of-hours providers, a clear pattern emerged. Namely those practitioners who outsource their OOH feel that patient care, staff safety and professional well-being are all enhanced by dedicated OOH services, but that dedicated OOH comes at a cost of reduced value for money for the pet owner. Customer service between the different OOH provisions is perceived to be similar (on-call better 25%, same 48%, and dedicated better 27%).
Among those practitioners who work for a dedicated OOH service, dedicated OOH services perform best in all categories. 68% responded that OOH customer service is better with a dedicated OOH service compared to an on-call system (12% responded that on-call provided better customer service on average). 44% responded that customer value for money was better with dedicated OOH service compared to 19% who responded that customer value for money was on average better with an on-call system.
Among those practitioners who do their own on-call, customer service and value for money were perceived to be better with an on-call system (42% v 26% and 61% v 15% respectively). In the other categories dedicated OOH services again out-performed an on-call system.
Whether routine or emergency, 'owner demands' were felt to be the biggest reason for home visit requests (41% and 30% respectively). However, 'genuine clinical need' was the main reason cited by 19% of respondents as the main reason for emergency home visits. Inability to move the animal was given as the main reason by a further 28%.
Participants in the survey were asked to score (out of 10) how much their decision to perform a home visit was affected by the threat of a complaint, either to their employer or to the RCVS. Interestingly, 37% said a complaint to their employer weighed heavily on the decision (ranking it 8 or higher) where, by comparison, 52% said the threat of a complaint to the College ranked 8 or higher in their decision making.
69% of respondents said they make visits alone, either sometimes or always. When asked if they had ever felt threatened whilst performing an OOH visit, 48% said yes. This compared to 23% who said that they had felt threatened when performing a visit in normal hours.
When asked to rank (out of 10) the stress home visits cause, 7% said none at all and 36% said 8 or above.
72% said they believe that the profession should continue to be obligated to provide 24/7 for animals.
Respondents were then asked to say whether they support or disagree with the suggestion that the need to perform house visits is removed from the CoPC. 59% were strongly for the idea (scoring it up to 3), compared to 22% who were strongly against it (scoring it 8 or above).
Opinions about whether the College should clarify the need to perform house visits was far more clear cut. 77% strongly supported clarification (scored up to 3), whereas only 16% said there was no need (scored 8 or above).
However, an overwhelming 93% said that they would continue to perform visits in the case of genuine clinical need even if the Code of Professional Conduct was changed to make it dear that there was no risk of disciplinary action for not attending off-site.
Eli Lilly and Company, which owns Elanco Animal Health, has announced an agreement to acquire Novartis Animal Health for approximately $5.4 billion in cash.
Lilly says that on completion of the deal, Elanco will be the second-largest animal health company in terms of global revenue. It will also solidify its number two ranking in the U.S., and improve its position in Europe and the rest of the world.
As part of the agreement, Lilly will acquire Novartis Animal Health's nine manufacturing sites, six dedicated research and development facilities, a global commercial infrastructure with a portfolio of approximately 600 products, a pipeline with more than 40 projects in development, and an experienced team of more than 3,000 employees.
The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2015, subject to clearance under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, similar requirements outside the U.S., and other customary closing conditions.
John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., Lilly's chairman, president and chief executive officer said: "Animal health continues to represent an attractive growth opportunity for Lilly. We intend to keep Elanco and to take advantage of the substantial synergies between our animal health and human health businesses.
"Significant investments in our animal health business in recent years have enabled Elanco to double its revenue since 2008, leading the industry in growth. Global trends suggest continued sustained demand for animal health products in the years ahead. Through this acquisition, which moves Elanco to top-tier in the industry, we intend to create value for our shareholders by adding to our promising pipeline of innovative animal health assets, increasing sales through a larger commercial footprint, and improving efficiencies and lowering costs."
Derbyshire surgeon Victoria Lilley BVSc CertSAM MRCVS has launched a petition calling on the RCVS to abandon its plans to remove Certificate and Diploma holders' post nominals from the RCVS Register at www.rcvs.org.uk.
Under the current plan, which followed a consultation in 2011 and a submission to Council in 2012, the College will only distinguish the new "Advanced Practitioners" and "RCVS Recognised Specialists" in the Register from some time after the autumn. Vets with old-style RCVS Certificates can apply for "Advanced Practitioner" status but must complete module A of the CertAVP or 100 hours of equivalent CPD and pay £50 to apply, plus £110 per year to maintain the status.
Victoria said: "I want to spread the word that this is happening, as I don't feel the RCVS has publicised it well enough. I did my certificate in practice, it was a lot of hard work and I feel that the RCVS removing my CertSAM post-nominals from the register undermines this. Whilst I acknowledge that I could apply for "Advanced Practitioner" status, I strongly feel that spending a large proportion of my CPD time and budget learning about ethics and public safety is not going to help me improve my small animal medicine knowledge or skills. I also don't feel that I should be penalised by having to pay to be an "Advanced Practitioner" when the Royal College should be supportive of vets who undertake further study. My biggest objection is to post-nominals being removed from the register, which I feel is very unfair."
Speaking at the RCVS's online Question Time on thewebinarvet.com, RCVS Treasurer and Vice-President-elect Dr Bradley Viner said: "To clarify the situation with the Register: the Register no longer goes out to members routinely as a printed document. It is now primarily online, and in line with other regulators such as the GMC, the only information that is in the official part of Register is whether that person is a Member or a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and their registrable qualifications, in other words the primary qualification they achieved which entitled them to become a Member or Fellow of the Royal College.
"But we are certainly not going to be inhibiting people from using their post-nominals freely. They can use any of the post-nominals that they have achieved as long as they are not misleading.
"But I think there is confusion between a qualification and a status. A qualification is something that you obtain and you've got for life, and of course the old style Certificate is one of those, the new RCVS CertAVP is another. A status is something that a qualification within our context might enable you to attain, but it is something that has to be maintained.
"So what is going to be happening, hopefully from autumn this year, is that in line with the recommendations of the Specialisation Working Party, [there will be] an extra tier. So there will be Practitioners, there will be Advanced Practitioners and there will be RCVS Recognised Specialists, and there will be lists of those available via the Royal College. An Advanced Practitioner will be somebody who has a relevant qualification in the area of their advanced practice, and that may well be an old-style Certificate, certainly the CertAVP but there are also other qualifications which can also be relevant and used for that purpose. But they also have to prove that they are working actively in that area of practice, and they have an advanced requirement for CPD.
"Now in the case of old style RCVS Certificate holders, that qualification will be in line with the qualification they require to be listed as an Advanced Practitioner, but within the first three years they will have to show that they have either done the RCVS A module which is part of the new RCVS Certificate, or have done work that is equivalent to that in various areas such as communications, teamworking and personal and professional development, because we think from a Royal College point of view that it is really important that those areas are included within the Advanced Practitioner Status."
To sign the petition, visit: http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/royal-college-of-veterinary-surgeons-keep-post-graduate-qualifications-on-the-rcvs-register?recruiter=89624244&utm_campaign=mailto_link&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition
The Privy Council has overturned an RCVS Disciplinary Committee to strike Leeds-based Dr Gary Samuel MRCVS from the Register following his conviction for theft, common assault and a public order offence at Cardiff Magistrates' Court in November 2011.
The Disciplinary Committee had agreed the sanction following a hearing in February 2013, at which it decided that Dr Samuel's conviction made him unfit to practise veterinary surgery.
Dr Samuel appealed the decision and the Privy Council heard the case on 26th March.
Dr Samuel had been sentenced by Cardiff Magistrates' Court to concurrent terms of 28 days' imprisonment for theft and common assault and 12 weeks' imprisonment for the public order offence, all suspended for 12 months. He had also been ordered to carry out 140 hours' unpaid work and to pay compensation of £75 and costs of £625. The charges related to an incident involving Dr Samuel and his neighbour, described by the Privy Council as "a spontaneous outburst in the course of an angry quarrel between neighbours", for which it felt that the Disciplinary Committee's sanction of removal from the Register was "disproportionately severe."
The Privy Council felt that, in making its decision, the Disciplinary Committee followed too closely the verdict reached by the Magistrates' Court, and did not take mitigating circumstances sufficiently into account, including whether the attack by Dr Samuel on his neighbour had been provoked by racial abuse.
Delivering the Privy Council's judgment, Lord Toulson said: "It is apparent from the reasons given by the Committee, both on the question of fitness to practise and on the question of sanction, that it was considerably influenced by the fact that the magistrates imposed a suspended prison sentence.
"Although Dr Samuel pleaded guilty to the theft of the camera and he was not in entitled to go behind his plea, it is nevertheless difficult to understand on the evidence how the prosecution would have proved that there was an intent permanently to deprive [the victim] of it. In all the circumstances, it is hard to conceive that the court would have considered that the offences truly passed the custodial threshold for a person of good character, if it had not had the power to suspend the sentence... Dr Samuel's conduct was thoroughly reprehensible, but the Board [Privy Council] does not consider that its gravity was such that it would be in the interests of the public now to remit the case to the Committee".
Dr Gary Samuel will not now be removed from the Register
The Privy Council's judgment can be read in full at http://jcpc.uk/decided-cases/index.html