238 veterinary surgeons responded to the survey which found that 52.3% of practices reported that they do not have all the veterinary surgeons they need, with the average shortfall being 21.6% or approximately 1/5th of the workforce.
28% reported that this lack of vets meant that they are unable to cover their OOH without unacceptable levels of overtime.
88% of practices had tried to recruit in the past 12 months, 31% of which had failed to find a candidate at the time of the survey.
SPVS carried out a similar survey in 2015 and a comparison between the two showed a worsening situation with only 22% of practices finding a new recruit within three months compared to over 30% two years ago. 90% of respondents also felt the recruitment situation had worsened since four years ago.
An unwillingness to do OOH and dissatisfaction with working hours was cited as the most common reason for candidates not accepting a position, mirroring the results of a survey carried out by VetSurgeon Jobs in 2016. This, combined with most respondents saying that personally they planned to reduce their working hours suggests that the crisis can only deepen and that to succeed in recruitment, employers will have to consider more flexible working.
Brian Faulkner, SPVS President said: "This survey provides valuable evidence to support the profession as they work with government and the colleges to try and counter this crisis in recruitment which threatens to get worse with Brexit. If not tackled it will become increasingly difficult for vets to provide a satisfactory 24 hour health service for the UK’s pets, horses and farm animals."
VetSurgeon.org Editor, Arlo Guthrie said: "This is precisely why recruitment adverts on VetSurgeon.org Jobs run for two months rather than the one month typically offered on other websites. In these difficult times, it is also important to try and use every trick in the book to spread the word about your job, and present it in a way that really stands out. On that score, we're working on some new features designed to help good employers stand out from the crowd. Watch this space."
The full survey is available on the SPVS website at: www.spvs.org.uk
Lizzie joined the College as Head of Communications in February 2005, in which role she oversaw the launch of the Practice Standards Scheme in 2006, an overhaul of the College’s design and branding in 2011 and the joint British Veterinary Association Vet Futures project in 2014. More recently, she has been the driving force behind the Mind Matters mental health initiative.
Lizzie was appointed as Director of Strategic Communications in November 2015 and Deputy CEO in September 2016. She became Acting CEO when Nick Stace left the position of CEO at the end of September 2017.
RCVS President Professor Stephen May said: "This was a very rigorous recruitment process with a very strong field of candidates and so it is a testament to Lizzie’s abilities and achievements that she saw off all the opposition.
"For some time Lizzie has been involved in setting the direction of the College through the Strategic Plan and the initiatives and projects that she has managed, which really have had a very tangible impact on the profession.
"For example, the Vet Futures project has encouraged the profession to think more strategically about the issues that are facing it and how to achieve constructive solutions, while the Mind Matters Initiative has helped get veterinary mental health further up the agenda and reduced the stigma that many feel about it.
"Her drive and her passion has really pushed these projects forward and I believe she will bring this to the role of CEO.”
Lizzie said: "I am delighted and feel honoured to have been chosen to take the College forward into its next stage of development. I see the Council’s choice of an internal candidate, able to maintain momentum for change and help the College continue on our current strategic path, as an endorsement of the amazing work of the staff at Belgravia House.
"Under Nick Stace’s leadership, the College achieved some really excellent things for the profession, the public, and animal health and welfare, and I look forward to our next exciting chapter."
Simon Boulton MRCVS, Marketing Manager at TVM said: "Traditional activated charcoal is slow, complex and often messy to prepare. Carbodote is different – a simple, ready-to-use preparation that can be quickly and easily administered to patients when they have eaten something that you want to help adsorb. Carbodote coats the gut wall where it adsorbs elements non-specifically - thus limiting the absorption of unwanted molecules, whether solid, liquid or gaseous. Studies have also shown that Carbodote also has greater adsorbancy that other products on the market1."
Carbodote is stable and homogenous solution with no mixing required. TVM says it will even pass down nasogastric tubes. It comes pre-prepared in bottles of 100ml - enough for a 20kg dog.
TVM says activated charcoal can be used as an aid to the management of multiple poisonings and the company has created a list of the adsorbancy potential of activated charcoal for a variety of poisons.
For more information about Carbodote, speak to your local Territory Manager, email help@tvm-uk.com, visit www.tvm-uk.com, or call TVM on 01737 781 416
Reference
With regard to all types of complementary and alternative medicine, the statement says that the College expects MsRCVS to offer treatments that "are underpinned by a recognised evidence base or sound scientific principles."
The new position statement states very clearly that homeopathy falls below this benchmark: "Homeopathy exists without a recognised body of evidence for its use. Furthermore, it is not based on sound scientific principles."
The full statement reads:
RCVS President Professor Stephen May said: "It is fair to say that debates on either side of this issue have been passionate and this too has been reflected in the debates that we have had amongst Council members as to how to best articulate the College’s position on complementary and alternative medicines.
"What we have is a statement that reinforces the evidence-based and sound scientific foundations of our profession and our commitment to put animal health and welfare at the forefront of all we do.
"I am very pleased that the overwhelming majority of Council members agreed with this statement and that the College has a firm and clear position on this important topic."
Outstanding veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, animal welfare professionals and animal welfare teams can now be nominated to receive an award by their peers and the general public. Nominees can come from all walks of life, all ages, and from anywhere in the world.
The award categories include:
The Chris Laurence Vet of the Year Award supported by Your Dog and Your Cat magazinesThis award is in recognition of a veterinary surgeon working in practice that follows the footsteps of head judge, Chris Laurence, by educating pet owners and consistently demonstrating their commitment to the continued improvement of animal welfare.
Vet Nurse of the Year supported by Agria Pet InsuranceThis award is to give recognition to a veterinary nurse working in practice, who has shown real commitment to improving and championing excellent animal welfare within their surgery.
Charity Team of the Year supported by PDSAThis award is for an awe-inspiring team whose drive, passion and dedication has changed the lives of animals for the better, improving the standard of animal welfare where they can and working tirelessly to promote and champion their cause.
Charitable Contribution of the Year supported by Blue Cross This award is for an individual who works within a charity, either in a paid or voluntary role, who is consistently driven to the best of their ability, with a single-minded goal of helping save and improve the lives of animals in need.
Farm Animal Welfare Award supported by R.A.B.I. and NADISThis award is for an individual or team which have dedicated their careers to the health and welfare of production animals.
International Cat Care Welfare Award supported by International Cat CareThis award recognises an individual who has made a significant contribution to the development of feline welfare. The recipient of the award is chosen by International Cat Care and therefore the category is not open to nominations.
Since the first Ceva Awards in 2010, hundreds of people and teams have been nominated, with the winners decided by a panel of judges including Christopher Laurence MBE BVSc and James Yeates, chief veterinarian at RSPCA.
The winners and runners up will be honoured at a ceremony taking place on the eve of BSAVA Congress on 4th April 2018.
Ceva Animal Health managing director, Cuneyt Seckin said: "Over the last eight years we have been consistently humbled by the inspirational nominations that we receive from all over the world and we envisage this year to be no exception.
"The Ceva Animal Welfare Awards champion people involved in animal welfare, but they also raise awareness of this important work to wider audiences."
If there is a veterinary surgeon, nurse, animal welfare professional or animal welfare team that you feel deserves to be recognised for their ongoing commitment to animal welfare, visit www.cevawelfareawards.com to nominate.
Entries must be in by Friday 26 January 2018.
The new spot on, which is complementary to the Bravecto dog chew, is the only one to provide 12 week protection for both fleas and ticks, including Rhipicephalus sanguineus.
The company highlights research it carried out which showed that the convenience of Bravecto's 12 week flea and tick killing treatment improves compliance over monthly alternatives1.
The new product means practices now have more choice if they prefer to offer a spot-on or clients find compliance easier to achieve with a spot-on rather than a chew.
Amanda Melvin, Marketing Manager at MSD Animal Health said: "Our research has shown that convenience is the key to improving compliance and successfully eradicating fleas and ticks. By offering a new formulation of a 12 week treatment, Bravecto Spot-on for dogs further increases the opportunity.
"It improves the choice for vets and pet owners depending on the client’s lifestyle and type of dog.
"This new innovation also offers vets the opportunity to raise the topic of fleas and ticks with clients that have been more reluctant to use existing products.”
The applicator for Bravecto Spot-on for dogs has been designed so there is no need to remove a loose cap and no sharp edges that can scratch the pet's skin.
The launch is also supported by a range of materials for veterinary surgeons, nurses and pet owners, including information guides, a quick-fact flip book, waiting room materials, Bravecto 3+1 card and post-prescription client leaflets.
For more information, contact your MSD Account Manager.
The consultation invited members of the professions to explain how they currently understand and interpret Schedule 3 in practice, how it could be clarified and how it might be amended to bolster the veterinary nursing profession.
11,625 people responded to the consultation, the highest number that has ever responded to an RCVS consultation. 6,873 were veterinary nurses (around 35% of the profession and including 1,665 student veterinary nurses) and 4,752 were veterinary surgeons (around 21% of the profession).
The report on the consultation, which is published today by the Institute for Employment Studies, found that 92% of veterinary nurses and 71% of veterinary surgeons think veterinary nurses should be able to undertake additional areas of work.
However, neither vets nor nurses seem to have an especially good understanding of the current scope of Schedule 3 and how it applies in practice, rating their personal understanding at 5.6 and 6.7 out of 10 respectively.
When asked what prevented the full utilisation of veterinary nurses, the majority of both vet and vet nurse respondents highlighted a lack of understanding of what tasks can be delegated under Schedule 3, with around 60% of veterinary surgeons also admitting that they are not good at delegating.
61% of veterinary nurses and 50% of veterinary surgeons thought that the RCVS gives sufficient support and advice about Schedule 3, though the relatively poor level of understanding amongst veterinary surgeons in particular suggests more needs to be done.
In corresponding comments both veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons said they would like more clarity, especially around 'grey areas' such as the meaning of the term 'minor surgery', as well as further communication from the College about Schedule 3 and for more training for veterinary nurses to ensure they have the competence and the confidence to carry out delegated procedures.
Liz Cox, Chair of RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council, said: "Thank you to all those who responded to the consultation in such large numbers and who shared their views on this topic. The consultation grew out of the government’s suggestion that we review Schedule 3 as a means of bolstering the VN profession, and from the VN Futures project last year, when Schedule 3 was identified as an area where there could be some additional work to clarify the rules around delegation to veterinary nurses.
"There was a clear consensus that veterinary nurses could do more in their role and under Schedule 3 and so we will be feeding the findings back to the RCVS Legislation Working Party, which will be looking, in the round, at possible changes to the framework of veterinary legislation, including how it applies to veterinary nurses and other paraprofessionals.
"In terms of the understanding of Schedule 3 and how it applies in practice it is clear that we need to do some further work to clarify the rules and develop guidance to assist both veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons in exercising their professional judgement in respect to delegation, for example, through case studies and other examples."
Looking at the tasks currently performed by veterinary nurses, the survey found the five most commonly performed are: clinical cleaning (92%), administration of medicines by subcutaneous injection (91%), administration of medication (90%), monitoring of anaesthesia (86.5%) and administration of medicines by intramuscular injection (86%).
The consultation also found that the majority of veterinary nurses are involved in clinics aimed at educating animal owners on various different aspects of animal health and welfare. The most common include puppy/kitten care (66.5% of respondents), nutrition (65% of respondents), general check-ups (62.5% of respondents) and dental care clinics (57% of respondents).
Post-survey interviews with 10 veterinary nurses and 10 veterinary surgeons found a number of recurring themes, including: limited career paths for veterinary nurses; poor pay for VNs relative to their training and complexity of work; lack of recognition and appreciation for the VN role; enthusiasm for advanced practitioner and specialist status for VNs; and difficulty recruiting experienced VNs.
The College says the results of the consultation will now be considered by the RCVS Schedule 3 and Legislation Working Parties, which are reviewing the efficacy of the current Veterinary Surgeons Act and whether changes need to be made to bring the legislative framework for the profession up-to-date, including consideration of the part played by allied professions like veterinary nurses in the veterinary team.
The full report can be downloaded here.
The Veterinary Capability and Capacity Project (VCCP) is co-chaired by the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens, RCVS Senior Vice-President Dr Chris Tufnell, and BVA Senior Vice-President Gudrun Ravetz. The project board also comprises the CVOs for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Sheila Voas, Christianne Glossop and Robert Huey, as well as the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Food Standards Agency.
The project’s objective is to work with the veterinary sector to better understand the UK’s workforce needs and ensure that both the Government and veterinary businesses can continue to protect animal health and welfare, safeguard the food chain and maintain levels of public health and public services, and enable trade in animals and animal products.
The project will include a joint BVA-RCVS submission to the Migration Advisory Committee’s call for evidence on workforce issues post-Brexit. Three working groups have been set up within the project to look specifically at issues of veterinary resources, recruitment and retention.
The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Nigel Gibbens, said: "Leaving the EU provides us with an opportunity to develop gold standard policies on animal welfare. The UK Government is determined to get a good Brexit deal for Britain and Ministers have been absolutely clear we will maintain our world-leading animal welfare standards.
"The VCCP is a great example of collaborative working between government, professional bodies and regulators to prepare for our exit from the European Union.
"I am pleased the Prime Minister has set out the government’s aim to secure the status of the veterinary workforce as a top priority as we leave the EU. The UK’s vets - both Official Veterinarians and those in the private sector - play a key role in protecting our country from endemic and exotic diseases, tackling outbreaks when they occur, safeguarding our animals and tackling global challenges like antibiotic resistance."
Chris Tufnell said: "Since the vote to leave the European Union last year the RCVS has been working in partnership with BVA to highlight to Government and others the potential workforce shortages that could arise from a loss of non-UK EU-qualified vets, particularly in public health work where they tend to predominate. Our position was highlighted in our Brexit Principles published earlier this year and at an event organised by us and the BVA at the Palace of Westminster for MPs and Peers.
"We are very glad that Defra is working proactively with us and BVA to understand the scale of the issues and map out the risks and opportunities and to help us plan for a number of different scenarios in advance so that we do not find ourselves in a position whereby animal health and welfare or public health might be compromised by workforce shortages."
BVA Senior Vice President Gudrun Ravetz said: "Vets provide the foundation for the UK’s high animal health and welfare, and make an essential contribution to the UK economy and wider society. Veterinary teams up and down the country support the UK’s 11 million pet-owning households; not a penny of the UK’s £12.7 billion livestock industry could be realised without vets; and vets are vital to facilitating UK trade, through health certification and controls, so that consumers have confidence in the food safety and welfare of the products they buy.
"Non-UK EU vets make up around 50% of our new workforce each year yet, since the EU referendum; we are facing increasing problems in recruiting and retaining EU colleagues to the UK. The impact of the loss of even a small percentage of the veterinary workforce could have serious repercussions on the practices, communities and industries that vets serve. This profession-wide project is pivotal to ensuring we have a veterinary workforce that can serve the UK’s needs post-Brexit."
The BVA’s Brexit and the veterinary profession report can be found at www.bva.co.uk/news-campaigns-and-policy/policy/future-of-the-profession/brexit/
To read the College’s Brexit Principles in full visit www.rcvs.org.uk/brexit
The Prime Minister has set out the government’s offer for EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals in the EU on their rights and status after the UK leaves the EU: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safeguarding-the-position-of-eu-citizens-in-the-uk-and-uk-nationals-in-the-eu
The government’s response to House of Lord’s EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee’s inquiry into Brexit: Farm Animal Welfare also addresses veterinary capability post-Brexit:https://www.parliament.uk/documents/lords-committees/eu-energy-environment-subcommittee/Brexit-farm-animal-welfare/Gov-Brexit-farm-anim.pdf
The support pack is available now for existing stockists; others can sign up for a pack (whilst stocks last) at the London Vet Show in November, where Lintbells will be at stand U50.
According to the company, an estimated 15% of canine cases presented at first opinion practices are musculoskeletal and cats are also commonly affected.1
The Mobility Matters support materials are designed to help practices communicate the issues to clients, both in the waiting area and consulting room and online. There are also resources to help behind the scenes with setting up the clinics, including the new guide.
Gemma Cunningham, Lintbells Product Marketing Executive said: "We’re keen to bring attention to nurse-led clinics, which are not just great for patients but great for business too. Measurable outcomes include client satisfaction, incremental sales and improved patient comfort or quality of life. We’ve taken into account existing barriers based on what veterinary teams have told us and created the pack to address those needs. Our Mobility Matters referral cards, which help vets signpost clients to the clinics are a brilliant example of how the pack can help teams work more effectively together."
For more information, contact Lintbells on 01462 790886.
To enter the competition, you need to upload a photo or share a YouTube video of a recent dermatology case, together with a description or case notes, in the new Dermatology Gallery on VetNurse.co.uk.
Examples of two cases already submitted to the competition can be seen here, and here.
The BSAVA Nurse Merit Award in Dermatology course, which is delivered in conjunction with Vetruus, is taught by renowned specialist dermatologists, Sue Paterson and Natalie Barnard. It comprises two days of theory and a practical day at Bristol University. In addition to the study, each nurse is required to submit a case project.
Cathy Gurney, Managing Director at Vetruus said: "The latest course was fully booked and we already have a waiting list for the next course, a testament to the quality of training on offer and the high regard in which a BSAVA Veterinary Dermatology Award is held."
On passing the BSAVA Nurse Merit Award, in Dermatology, each nurse also automatically qualifies to become a Vetruus Dermatology Nurse Advisor.
Cathy added: "We are keen to support nurses and practices with both formal training and informal tutorials, such as Vetruus Bites online videos. We want Vetruus Dermatology Nurse Advisors to become a key part of patient care."
The BSAVA Nurse Merit Award in Dermatology course normally costs £510 to BSAVA members and £763 to non-members and the competition closes on 31st December 2017.
Photo: John Redbond
Headed by Esteban Gonzalez-Gasch, a European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, the new department enables the practice to undertake a wide range of complex small animal procedures.
Injuries and conditions treated include fracture fixation, including complex and simple fractures; cruciate disease, including tibial osteotomies and extracapsular repair; arthroscopy; arthrodesis of chronically painful joints; elbow dysplasia; lameness investigation in adults and juveniles; treatment of growth deformities including distraction osteogenesis; osteoarthritis and musculo-skeletal neoplasia.
Esteban, who joined Southfields earlier this year from the leading Spanish veterinary hospital Ars Veterinaria, in Barcelona, said: "These new facilities really do put Southfields at the cutting edge of 21st century veterinary science and practice in the UK."
Southfields is also carrying out a full refurbishment of its existing facilities and recruiting a number of additional specialist veterinary surgeons, nurses and support staff.
Southfields’ operations manager Daniel Hogan said: "This is a very exciting period for us. We are growing in every possible area and working more closely with referring practices to continue to develop our bespoke and exceptional service for patients and clients.
"Our aim is aspiring and simple: to create the very best referral centre possible by bringing together the expertise of the very best of veterinary professionals supported by the very latest in technological innovation."
As well as orthopaedics, the practice accepts referrals in soft tissue surgery, internal medicine, oncology, neurology, feline medicine and cardiology. For more information, go to www.southfields.co.uk.
Rabbits are the third most commonly anaesthetised pet in the UK, however they have a seven times greater overall risk of perioperative death than dogs1.
Jurox says Alfaxan 10mg/ml solution for injection provides a wide safety margin, an excellent cardio-respiratory profile and is dosed to effect, making it an excellent choice for the anaesthetic induction of rabbits.
The company also says Alfaxan provides smooth and rapid induction and recovery, painless administration and good muscle relaxation with low impact on ventilation and blood pressure.
Richard Beckwith, country manager of Jurox (UK) Ltd said: "Rabbits are a growing pet population and increasingly play a more important part in UK vet practices, which is why Jurox has invested in research in this species.
"We are happy we can now support our vet and nurse clients by providing a new and reliable choice for induction of anaesthesia in pet rabbits that has been extensively trialed and researched.
"Alfaxan is a very versatile product as it is convenient for any type of situation, whether it is surgery on healthy animals or high risk patients such as pet rabbits. With Alfaxan we hope to make a contribution to the future of veterinary anaesthesia in the UK and are confident our clients will be able to deliver the best practice anaesthesia they believe in."
For more information, visit: Alfaxan.co.uk. Alternatively, contact your local Jurox technical sales representative, telephone the customer services team on 0800 500 3171 or e-mail: info@jurox.co.uk.
References
The company, which has added over 50 practices to the business this year alone, puts its success down to the group's family feel, and the 'hub and spoke' model it operates.
Arnold Levy, CEO at Medivet, said: "There are lots of things that have led to us being in the position we are now: our wonderful team and partners across the country, our passion for offering the best treatment, and the opportunities we offer vets wanting to run and own their practice."
"Much of that stems from our unique hub and spoke model. Without it, we wouldn’t be where we are – it really is central to all we do."
Medivet’s hub and spoke model is comprised of nine 24-hour centres (hubs) located around the UK with state-of-the-art facilities. The rest of the Medivet group consists of an integrated network of practices, or 'spokes'.
Medivet says the model allows smaller branches to offer pet owners services that otherwise wouldn’t be possible – referrals or specialist diagnostics, for example, can be passed on to another nearby practice or the bigger 'hub' if needs be.
Alison Jones heads up Medivet’s 200th practice in Gloucester and celebrated the opening in October with the practice team and other senior partners from Medivet.
Alison said: "The vast expertise in both the clinical and management fields that Medivet has to offer can take a huge strain off a busy practitioner. In addition, the inter-site communications, along with help via the Support Centre from a team of specialists in areas such as health and safety, employment law and marketing means each clinic can still operate as a local practice, but has the back-up of the whole Medivet team when needed.
"I have been impressed by how even the managers have not forgotten what it means to be a practising veterinary surgeon and have not lost their compassion for animals or passion for our profession. I feel I am working with people 'like me' and that makes me feel secure and understood."
Ms Gatehouse faced two charges, the first being that she inaccurately assured another veterinary surgeon that she had vaccinated a horse against influenza and tetanus when she had not, and she subsequently failed to undertake adequate checks to confirm whether she had done so.
The second charge was that she later made a false entry in the same horse’s clinical records to cover up her previous inaccurate statement.
Ms Gatehouse admitted the facts alleged in relation to both charges and also admitted that in relation to the second charge she was guilty of disgraceful conduct in a professional respect.
The Committee, having heard submissions from Counsel for the RCVS and Ms Gatehouse found her guilty of disgraceful conduct in relation to the first charge.
Under the first charge the Committee found that she had breached the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons by not keeping clear, accurate and detailed clinical and client records, and by acting in a manner that was likely to undermine public trust in the profession.
They also considered that her falsehood was unpremeditated, and that the decision was made in a moment of panic. Ultimately, however, by claiming the horse was vaccinated to another veterinary surgeon and not taking the necessary steps to confirm this, she failed to put the welfare of the animal first, potentially endangering it and any other horses it came into contact with, as well as potentially jeopardising the position of the veterinary surgeon she confirmed it to.
Having found Ms Gatehouse guilty of serious professional misconduct in relation to both parts of the charge the Committee then considered its sanction against her. In mitigation the Committee considered the fact that she had been in practice for 22 years without any untoward conduct, the testimony of three witnesses who attested to her being an honest and trustworthy practitioner, and the fact that Ms Gatehouse was in a troublesome relationship with the complainant until June 2014 which led her to be reluctant to contact him to correct her initial confirmation.
In summing up Stuart Drummond, Chair of the Committee, said: "The Committee has considers that it is material to have regard to the general emotional state to which the Respondent was reduced by the controlling and debilitating conduct of her then partner when they were living together and the consequential loss of self-esteem and ability to stand up to him and his demands. The deleterious effect of an abusive relationship lingers after such a relationship ends.
"Taking into account this knowledge, the Committee considers that the period of suspension that would, in other circumstances, be entirely merited, can properly be reduced in this instance to reflect the fact that this veterinary surgeon would not have acted as she did during this period but for the fact that her judgement was adversely affected by her experience at the hands of her then former partner.
"The decision is that, whilst it is necessary, in order sufficiently to protect animals and the wider public interest, to impose a period of suspension from practice, that period can be reduced to one of two months. In so concluding the Committee wishes to make it clear that this decision reflects the special features of this case."
Ms Gatehouse can choose to appeal the decision after a period of 28 days.
The new app, which is being being made available in the run up to Pet Diabetes Month in November, allows owners to track water and food consumption, exercise, glucose levels and insulin injections on their smartphone or tablet. It can also send reminders for veterinary appointments and insulin injections, and creates charts that clients can share with their veterinary surgeon.
MSD says the Pet Diabetes Tracker will help improve client reporting and compliance, resulting in improved pet welfare and a reduction in risk to pets through its alert system.
Caroline Darouj, Product Manager at MSD Animal Health said: "To help ensure the long-term health and well-being of a pet, successfully managing the various facets of the disease and treatments is critical.
"With proper management and monitoring a dog or cat with diabetes can lead a healthy, happy and active life, and the Pet Diabetes Tracker can help make it happen. This is an incredibly useful tool that links the pet owner with the vet and puts all the pertinent diabetic health information at their fingertips. It’s all about setting habits that save lives!"
The Pet Diabetes Tracker can be downloaded from iTunes, here: https://itunes.apple.com/uk/app/pet-diabetes-tracker-uk/id1284472796?ls=1&mt=8.
MSD says an Android version will also be available soon.
For more information, visit www.petdiabetesmonth.co.uk or contact your MSD Animal Health account manager.
The RCVS played a proactive role in Mr Keniry’s arrest and trial after its Chief Investigator, Michael Hepper, was alerted to the fact that he was working at a veterinary practice in Taunton, Somerset.
Within 24 hours Mr Hepper reported this to Avon & Somerset Police and attended the practice with officers to assist in Mr Keniry’s identification and arrest. Mr Hepper continued to assist with police investigations and gave a witness statement.
Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS Registrar, said: "We are grateful to the veterinary professional who voiced her suspicions to us, to our Chief Investigator who reacted quickly to confirm his identity and report the matter to the police and to Avon & Somerset Police for taking matters forward so quickly.
"Mr Keniry was known to the RCVS as we have assisted in previous police investigations into him for similar offences. As with recent cases Mr Keniry impersonated a legitimate member of the veterinary profession using fraudulent documentation and this is why we have previously published photographs of him to raise awareness with veterinary practices and to try and stop him being employed in the future.
"We believe that Mr Keniry is a threat to animal health and welfare. He is a repeat offender and so we are glad that he has been handed a significant custodial sentence.
"While sophisticated and convincing fraudsters like Mr Keniry can be very difficult to prevent, we would urge veterinary practices to be vigilant. For example, we recommend that potential employers contact our Registration Department to make checks, always interview a potential employee face-to-face, ask to see supporting identity documents, prepare questions which confirm where and when they studied, obtain references and, if they are employed, mentor the new member of staff to oversee their performance.
"For members of the public we recommend that, if they have concerns about the legitimacy of their veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurses, they talk to someone else in the practice about their concerns or contact us so that we can make further enquiries. Members of the public can also check on the status of veterinary professionals using our Find a Vet search tool: www.findavet.org.uk.
"We would like to emphasise that cases such as that of Peter Keniry are, in our experience, extremely rare. There are around 23,000 veterinary surgeons registered to practise in the UK who are fully trained professionals dedicated to upholding and improving the health and welfare of animals under their care. We don’t believe that the unprecedented actions of this one fraudulent individual should in any way undermine the confidence and trust that animal owners place in their veterinary team."
The research on which the new indication is based is described by Boehringer as the largest and most cutting-edge study in veterinary cardiology.
The EPIC study (Effect of Pimobendan in Dogs with asymptomatic MVD and Cardiomegaly)1 demonstrated that Vetmedin delayed the onset of heart failure for dogs with asymptomatic MVD, providing on average 15 months additional symptom-free time, as well as extending overall survival.
Indeed, Boehringer says the worldwide study was so conclusive - involving 360 dogs, in 36 centres, in 11 countries across four continents - that it was terminated early as it was deemed unethical to withhold Vetmedin from dogs in the placebo group.
Panny Morgan, Vetmedin brand manager at Boehringer Ingelheim, said: "Vetmedin delays the onset of heart failure in dogs with asymptomatic MVD and cardiomegaly, providing 15 months extra symptom-free time; that’s almost 10% of a dog’s lifetime.
"Prescribing Vetmedin to dogs with an MVD murmur and enlarged heart will not only extend a dog’s lifespan, but it will also have a major impact on their quality of life."
For further information on Vetmedin, contact your Boehringer Ingelheim territory manager or visit www.vetmedin.co.uk.
Since 2014 the RCVS has trialled two different ADR services with the aim of helping resolve complaints between animal owners and veterinary practices that do not meet its threshold for serious professional misconduct.
Since October 2016, this has been in the form of the Veterinary Client Mediation Service (VCMS), administered by Nockolds Solicitors. The VCMS is free for both animal owners and veterinary professionals and cases will only be taken with the consent of both parties.
Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS Registrar, said: "We are very pleased that ADR in the form of mediation has received the unanimous support of RCVS Council members as part of the process for handling veterinary complaints.
"Throughout its trial period the VCMS has very much been complementary to our concerns investigation and disciplinary process. While we are bound by statute to investigate concerns, it has allowed our Professional Conduct Team to 'triage' cases, and to signpost complainants either to the College or the VCMS as appropriate. This has allowed greater time and resources to investigate concerns that could constitute serious professional misconduct.
"We also believe that the VCMS is good for both the public and the profession because it encourages both parties to communicate, find areas of agreement and come to constructive solutions, rather than being an adversarial process that assigns blame and adjudicates remedies."
Jennie Jones, a partner at Nockolds Solicitors which administers the VCMS, said: "The service is here to help veterinary clients and practices find a resolution for complaints that cannot be resolved within the practice. Complaints are referred to the VCMS by clients and practices where the relationship has become strained or communication may be difficult. Importantly the service does not look at who is right or wrong, but focuses on finding an outcome that both parties can live with and bringing an end to the complaint.
"In our experience this has ranged from reassuring clients and helping them to come to terms with what has happened, refunding fees, further explanations, apologies, small goodwill payments, securing procedural changes at the practice and agreement by the client to settle outstanding fees which have been withheld because of the complaint.
"We understand complaints are highly emotional and stressful for both parties, so the VCMS team will not ask parties to speak to one another directly. It is also not about assigning blame but is about moving forward to allow both parties to bring the complaint to a conclusion. When we hear from practices and clients alike that they can now sleep at night, or their relief that a complaint is resolved, I know ADR and the VCMS does help and make a difference."
The College says that during the trial period, 165 of the 870 enquiries received by the VCMS went to mediation. Of these, 129 were successfully mediated with the other 36 remaining unresolved. Of the other enquiries 297 resulted in the animal owner being referred back to the practice so that internal complaints processes could be exhausted first, 93 did not progress because the animal owner did not pursue the complaint, 73 were dealt with through advice, 66 did not progress as the practice declined to engage, 76 were outside the service’s remit and 100 are currently ongoing.
Taking into account the overall feedback received from both animal owners and veterinary professionals and the positive responses on the independence and fairness of the VCMS, Council agreed that Nockolds continue administering the scheme, with a review starting in 18 months’ time to take into account experience and learning as the scheme continues to evolve. During the Council meeting statements of support for the VCMS were also heard from a representative of the Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) and an independent consultant on consumer affairs.
A spokesperson for the VDS said: "The VDS assisted over 150 practices that agreed to participate in the ADR trial and developed a constructive working relationship with the VCMS staff. In the vast majority of cases mediation has resulted in a satisfactory outcome with little or no financial consequences.
"The Society considers this voluntary scheme particularly suited to the many client care complaints that are directed at the RCVS due to public misunderstanding of the College’s role, but the investigation of which creates disproportionate concern to the professionals involved. The independent nature of the VCMS has been a key feature of the trial, although access to experienced, non-judgemental, veterinary advice has provided the necessary professional expertise when necessary."
More information about the VCMS and its processes can be found on the service’s dedicated website: https://www.vetmediation.co.uk/
To contact the service directly call 0345 040 5834 or enquiries@vetmediation.co.uk
TVM says Emedog provides less wastage, provides easier dosing and is a solution designed specifically for veterinary use.
Simon Boulton MRCVS, Marketing Manager at TVM said: "The use of apomorphine in practice is a vital first-line response when emesis is required due to the ingestion of unwanted substances.
However, 86% of vets questioned thought that wastage was an issue with Apometic and many thought that dosing was difficult in very small animals due to tiny volumes. The new solution is Emedog. Practitioners must be aware that the dose of Emedog is different to that of Apometic and use accordingly."
TVM have provided a dosing guide as part of a changeover pack to aid in the transition. For a copy, contact your local TVM territory manager, email them via help@tvm-uk.com, download from www.tvm-uk.com or ring 01737 781416.
The practice, which is part of the Linnaeus Group, achieved 'outstanding' status in diagnostic service, in-patient service and emergency and critical care service, after scoring above 80% in each area during the RCVS assessment.
Ian Monteith, managing director of Calder Vets, and also Paragon Veterinary Referrals; a new £5 million plus state-of-the-art referral centre being launched in Wakefield at the end of the year, said: "The team here at Calder take great pride in providing the highest possible level of care for our patients and their owners, often using cutting-edge techniques. We have some hugely experienced and talented professionals who always go the extra mile to ensure our patients and clients have the best possible experience.
"Our veterinary specialists and caring support teams, are totally committed to ensuring Calder Vets continues to provide outstanding standards and as such we are very proud to have achieved these additional accreditations by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons."
Norbrook has verified that the pH of certain batches has increased over time and is out of specification.
This issue impacts the following batches:
A spokesperson said: "There has been no increased risk to animal safety identified but we take quality extremely seriously so we initiated a voluntary recall. We have informed all of the competent authorities and we are working with our distributor to advise immediate quarantine of any remaining inventory."
If you have any questions concerning the recall, contact Ms. Anita Vanderlaan Tel: +44 (0)28 3026 4435, Email: anita.vanderlaan@norbrook.co.uk
John said: "This is a great opportunity to raise awareness for what is a very serious problem in our profession - we all know someone within the veterinary community who has had mental health problems - and I am very proud that it is a strong community trying to tackle this issue.
"But it is not just about one day – we can’t forget about it for the rest of the year. We all live extremely busy lives and if we are not functioning as people, we are not going to function as professionals."
John says veterinary professionals must take a balanced and holistic view of their lives and develop strong teams at local, regional, national and even international level, to build resilience in dealing with stress and dispelling the stigma about mental illness that may prevent people seeking help.
Mental ill-health will affect one in four people over the next 12 months[i] and in England, one in six people experience a common mental health problem (such as anxiety and depression) in any given week[ii]. There are particular issues within the veterinary profession, with higher than average rates of suicide, and patterns of distress, anxiety and depression, among other illnesses.
The BSAVA will launch a new ‘Beyond the Clinics’ personal development stream at Congress next April, including a non-clinical series of lectures on physical and mental health, and, with RCVS, it hosts a series of Mind Matters CPD courses across all 12 regions – all of which were sold out in 2016.
John added: "I’m looking forward to inviting colleagues to Beyond The Clinics on the Sunday of Congress, which is a great opportunity for the whole profession to think more deeply about how we look after each other, by increasing knowledge about mental wellbeing, building resilience in dealing with stress and dispelling the stigma about mental illness that may prevent people seeking help.
"I’m also very proud of the BSAVA’s involvement in the Mind Matters initiative, set up by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. All 12 of our regions hosted sold out courses during 2016, which is part of the profession’s response to research showing that the stress of working in modern veterinary practices has taken a heavy toll on the mental wellbeing of many staff."
Limited places are available for the BSAVA’s Mind Matters regional meetings – more information is available at www.bsava.com/Education/CPD/Mind-Matters
The meetings provide training for all members of the practice team to help them recognise any signs of mental problems in their colleagues – and, perhaps, in themselves. The training aims to help individuals know how to communicate with people they are concerned about and offers tips on stress management and staying well.
John, who has suffered mental health difficulties himself, says it is important to reach out and respond as a profession to this serious problem.
"My main advice is to be aware of others, be supportive, understand and appreciate them, notice when someone isn’t acting normally, and also remember that you are in a team together with people to talk to and you should do that. You can’t take stress away completely but you can’t put everything on the practice owner, this is a whole team responsibility – upwards, sidewards and downwards."
The expert panel consisted of Peter Sandøe (Denmark), Professor of Ethics and Welfare; Helle Friis Proschowsky (Denmark), a veterinary surgeon working with the Danish Kennel Club; Laurent Findji (France/UK), Specialist in Soft Tissue Surgery; Gudrun Ravetz (UK) – Senior Vice President, British Veterinary Association; Kristin Wear Prestrud (Norway) – Veterinary Scientific Director of the Norwegian Kennel Club and Åke Hedhammar (Sweden), Professor Emeritus in Internal Medicine (companion animals), a veterinary consultant for the Swedish Kennel Club and a member of the WSAVA Hereditary Disease Committee.
Kristin Wear Prestrud said: "Vets should dare to speak out. We must educate owners on all health and welfare matters, whether we are simply advising them that their dog is overweight or if we need to give advice on breeding or refuse planned Caesarean sections."
The panel's recommendations are:
At a practice level, veterinary professionals should:
At an organisational level, the veterinary profession should:
Photo: ponpimonsa_bibi/Shutterstock
Atilla was presented with the concerned owners of an eight year old Staffie at the end of August this year, having found blood in the dog’s urine. He said: "Fortunately the owners were extremely vigilant and noticed the blood. They phoned on a Sunday and arrived in the surgery as an emergency two hours later, bringing with them a urine sample. The urine was dark red and remained so when spun. I then carried out an in-house peripheral blood smear and found the Babesia piroplasms. Treatment started immediately with Imizol injections."
"Having just seen the dog two weeks later for its second injection, the lucky Staffie is thankfully doing very well. This dog was fortunate though as we were not seeing it regularly at the practice so it had not been receiving regular tick treatment. This meant it was exposed to the dangers of tick-borne diseases even though it hadn’t travelled outside the UK."
Hannah Newbury, Technical Manager at MSD Animal Health said: "This case is a reminder of the value of vets remaining vigilant to the possibility of Babesiosis being present in dogs that have not travelled outside the UK or had contact with dogs that have.
"It also highlights the need for vets to discuss parasite risk with owners to ensure that dogs are given regular tick-treatments throughout the year to reduce the risks to pets and owners.”
"As we learnt from the cases of canine Babesiosis in Essex last year, there are established populations of the tick Dermacentor reticulatus acting as vectors of the introduced pathogen Babesia which is a major concern for animal health. It also demonstrates the potential dangers from the inadvertent introduction of novel disease pathogens if vigilance and surveillance are not maintained."
According to the BVA, the problem is usually related to the cost of treatment, with 90% of vets saying that they or a member of their team have been challenged over their fees or charges and 98% saying that at some time they feel under pressure to waive fees or accept the promise of late payment.
Predictably, the problem is more commonly reported by those working in companion animal or mixed practice, with 89% reporting some form of intimidating experience. Younger vets and female vets were also significantly more likely to have experienced some form of intimidation.
The survey has prompted the BVA and the British Veterinary Nursing Association to issue advice concerning how to deal with intimidating clients.
BVNA President Sam Morgan said: "These statistics make for sad reading, but are certainly not surprising. Working within practice we have all either been subject to or witnessed that 'difficult' client, but we must remember any form of harassment is unacceptable. It’s important not to feel alone in these situations and to ensure there is awareness and support throughout the veterinary team."
BVA President John Fishwick, said: "Every situation is different and has to be dealt with on an individual basis, but it’s concerning to see the figures around challenging client behaviour and fees. Owning an animal is an important responsibility and will cost tens of thousands of pounds over its lifetime.
"It’s important for everyone in the vet team to take pride in the healthcare and treatment they deliver, and, equally, they must feel valued for their services. These figures emphasise the importance of managing expectations around fees by ensuring a two-way discussion about options and costs so clients can make a decision in collaboration with the veterinary team."
The BVA/BVNA advice for dealing with intimidating clients is as follows:
Photo: Dimitry A / Shutterstock