The company says that recent supply issues have been due to 'incredible' demand for Reconcile since it was launched in the UK in 2022, which greatly surpassed expectations.
Dr Lucy Chadwick, Head of Technical Services & Marketing at Forte Healthcare Ltd said: “We realise that the recent supply issues have been very inconvenient so we thank all of our customers for their patience and support during this challenging time.
"We are confident that our supply issues to date have been resolved and that we have enough stock going forward to meet market demand.“
www.reconcilefordogs.com
The paper details the current and potential uses of this rapidly developing technology, and its benefits and risks.
It provides an introduction to AI and its uses in human medicine, small animal, farm and equine practice, radiology and veterinary education.
It also looks at the potential impact on the wellbeing and working life of veterinary teams.
Results from VetCT’s recent survey on the opinions of AI within the veterinary profession are included in the paper.
Julien Labruyère, Chief Innovation Officer at VetCT, said: “This is a crucial moment in the veterinary industry to ensure we have the knowledge and safeguards in place to apply AI safely, effectively and with confidence to support good clinical practice and ultimately, improve animal welfare.
"This white paper aims to provide a firm foundation for understanding AI and stimulate discussion on how it may impact both people and animals.”
The paper also calls for the development of industry-wide guidance, standards and regulations to safeguard veterinary teams and animal health and welfare as these tools are deployed.
Julien added: “AI development is accelerating rapidly, with global governments and industries racing to regulate to ensure the benefits outweigh the potential negative impacts of this far-reaching technology.
"It’s vital that opinion leaders, organisations and regulators from across the veterinary world come together and develop guardrails so we can have confidence that AI tools will benefit our teams and our patients.”
https://5345458.hs-sites.com/vetct-ai-white-paper
She said: “My theme will be focussed on recruitment and particularly widening participation, as one of the three themes of the RCVS Workforce Action Plan.
"I want to get out during my presidential year and talk to school children and teachers, especially head teachers at their conferences, to make them aware of the opportunities that are available to a veterinary science graduate.
“I want to continue to work with the Veterinary Schools Council’s Widening Participation Vet Schools Network to make school children from all backgrounds aware, whether they are from a large, single-sex private school, or a mixed-faith inner-city comprehensive, that veterinary science is accessible to them.
“A veterinary science degree equips graduates with the appropriate skillset to follow a myriad of different career paths.
"For example, in clinical practice caring for people’s beloved pets or working with farmers to produce high-welfare food in an economical and sustainable way. Not to mention groundbreaking research into human and animal diseases, public health to help safeguard food security, the pharmaceutical industry to develop new and innovative treatments, and the armed forces to maintain the health and welfare of military working animals. I could go on.
“As professions, and this means not just veterinary surgeons but veterinary nurses, we need to get out there and sell ourselves to the wider public.
"We have made a start, but we need to become more inclusive and diverse.
"We need to do some myth-busting about the real requirements needed to be a vet or vet nurse.
"There is no doubt you do need to have good A levels to study veterinary medicine, but, beyond that, bright students from any background can join our professions.
"You can be a veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse if you are black or white; Muslim or Christian; and from any socioeconomic background.”
Sue's speech is available to read in full at www.rcvs.org.uk/features.
Designed for the whole practice team, the Congress theme will be Smarter Working – better outcomes: focussing on how individual and veterinary practice life can be transformed through consistent incremental gains.
Congress will be opened by Cath Bishop (pictured), Olympic rower turned business coach, with an insight into how working smarter revolutionised her rowing career, and the importance of continued learning to help achieve the marginal gains required to help thrive in practice.
The Smarter Working non-clinical lecture and workshop programme will incorporate the following streams:
Saturday workshops are also included in the full congress ticket price.
The social programme includes an afternoon Happy Hour in the exhibition hall, a networking event and the President’s Party with a reception, three course meal and party band.
There will also be a commercial exhibition.
www.spvs-congress.co.uk
Mr Seymour-Hamilton was removed from the Register after his Kent practice was found to have unhygienic and unsterile conditions as well as poor record keeping, although he has always disputed this, maintaining that he was not actually practising at the time of the inspection.
Mr Seymour-Hamilton made an application for restoration on the basis that he did not want to be restored to the Register in order to practise veterinary surgery, but so that he could more easily achieve recognition from academics and drug companies for his work on herbal and natural remedies.
Mr Seymour-Hamilton's dispute over the original findings of the 1994 case was ruled inadmissible.
In considering his application, the Committee took into account the fact that he had not accepted the original findings from 1994 nor had he, over the course of his various applications for restoration, shown any insight into his original conduct or the serious concerns about his fitness to practice raised in previous restoration hearings.
It also considered that Mr Seymour-Hamilton had been off the Register for 29 years and would need to have demonstrated prolonged, intensive and formal training to ensure he met the Day One Competences required of a veterinary surgeon.
The College submitted that he had made no such attempts and so would pose a significant risk to animal health and welfare if he were allowed to practice again.
The Committee also considered that Mr Seymour-Hamilton had indicated that he had practised veterinary surgery while off the Register – including conducting two spay procedures in Calais, France – and had used his own animals to try out new and untested ‘herbal remedies’.
The College submitted that this indicated someone who didn’t have due regard to the importance of the current level of skills, experience and qualifications required in order to undertake veterinary surgery competently, and therefore posed a risk to animal health and welfare.
Dr Kathryn Peaty MRCVS, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The College invited the Committee to consider that where, as here, some 29 years have passed since this veterinary surgeon has practised, there has been no intensive, and prolonged re-training, no acceptance of the original findings and no insight into concerns about his fitness to practise, there will inevitably be a serious risk to the welfare of animals and the wider public interest if the applicant is restored to the Register.
The Committee agrees, and considers that the applicant has not shown the required insight as to the steps he needs to take to return to safe veterinary practice.”
Accordingly, the Committee decided that it would not be in the public interest to restore Mr Seymour-Hamilton to the Register.
www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary
Believed to be the first course of its type produced specifically for the veterinary sector, it aims to help educate colleagues about the subject of Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and is relevant to anyone working in the veterinary community, including non-clinical staff.
The course looks at how to create a more inclusive environment for colleagues and clients.
It also covers definitions of diversity and inclusion, and investigates the difference between equity and equality - and why it is so important.
Course learning materials also consider the topics of bias, prejudice, protected characteristics and discrimination - and how colleagues might challenge any non-inclusive behaviours through interactive veterinary context scenarios.
Nimisha Patel-Cook and Claire Dennison, Learning Partner and Employee Experience Lead at CVS, who jointly developed the course, said: “We want to increase the levels of diversity within the veterinary community, but to achieve and sustain more diverse workforces we know we need to foster inclusive and equitable workplaces.
"Everyone plays a part in that.
“So we have created this new course and are making it available to any colleague working the veterinary community.
"In time we hope that it contributes to an inclusive and psychologically safe culture for all within the sector.”
The course is available at https://knowledgehub.cvsukltd.co.uk.
Evidence given to the Women and Equalities parliamentary committee by BUPA last year suggested that 900,000 women may have left the UK workforce in recent years as a result of menopausal symptoms.
With the veterinary profession increasingly female in composition it is hoped that the hub will support more women to stay in the profession and therefore retain their vital skills in the workforce.
Statistics from the Voice of the Veterinary Profession Spring 2023 survey showed that only 14% of vets are aware of a menopause policy at their workplace, while 46% say there is no policy and 39% are unsure.
The survey also revealed that only 59% of vets would feel confident supporting a colleague experiencing menopause.
The new menopause hub provides veterinary specific menopause content to support everyone working in practice including colleagues, managers and partners of people experiencing menopause.
BVA recently signed the Menopause Workplace Pledge – committing to take positive action to make sure everyone experiencing menopause is supported - and is now urging other veterinary employers to do the same.
British Veterinary Association Junior Vice President Anna Judson, said: “We know that menopause is of growing importance to our profession, with female vets now making up more than half the workforce, and we know that issues with managing menopause symptoms prompt a significant number of women to move away from clinical work.
“As part of our Good Veterinary Workplaces campaign we’re committed to supporting all veterinary staff affected by menopause, allowing them to remain in post, and to providing relevant resources to improve employer engagement in this area.
"We urge all veterinary workplaces to sign the pledge and consider what more they could be doing to support their staff in managing menopause symptoms in the workplace.”
BVA members experiencing menopause are also eligible for 3 months free access to the Stella app, which includes a personalised plan to manage your specific symptoms, real-life coach support, menopause resources, progress tracking, and a supportive community.
Content on the Stella app is created in collaboration with a range of clinicians and healthcare professionals and goes through a rigorous fact-checking and review process.
https://www.bva.co.uk/menopause-hub
Each site can accept up to 16 candidates at a time, with at least two intakes in April and September.
Linnaeus is now encouraging new recruits both from within the group and from surrounding practices outside the group to enroll for the next two-year training course in April.
All three centres will deliver onsite practical sessions in conjunction with virtual theory sessions, whilst the theory exams can be taken remotely online.
Students can use the facilities at each referral hospital for their practical RCVS Day One Skills training while completing an e-portfolio of evidence to demonstrate competency.
This complements the virtual theory training at CAW and the workplace experience gained in their practices.
Trish Scorer, Lead Pre-Registration Experience Manager at Linnaeus, said: “Students will be studying for a VetSkill Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing that, on completion, will enable them to register as a veterinary nurse with the RCVS and to use the post nominals RVN. This means students will be in the fantastic position of training alongside our highly-qualified vets and nursing teams within our state-of-the-art referral hospitals.”
www.linnaeusgroup.co.uk/careers/nursing.
Dr Guillaume Leblond, an American specialist in veterinary neurology at NDSR said: “Traditionally, bone cement has been used to provide support and stabilisation when treating veterinary spinal instability cases.
“Polyaxial pedicle screws have proven a very reliable and efficient way of treating such spinal problems in human medicine.
“These special screws can be inserted in the vertebrae and connected to strong metal rods instead of bone cement and we’re now very excited to be offering this new service to our patients.
“The main advantage to this cutting-edge procedure is its flexibility.
"Once cement is set in place it is obviously very hard to move, manipulate or remove should you need to adjust or correct.
“With the metal rod and screw system, it is more adaptable and you can adjust it far more easily and quickly.
“It may also be less prone to infection compared to cement, which has been known to harbour bacteria sometimes causing infections several years after the surgery.
"Another hope we have for this system is that it will be less prone to failure compared to cement, especially on extended stabilisation constructs.
Guillaume added: “The neurology team at NDSR has been training in applying this new system as soon as it became available and we have already used it to treat two dogs, both of them having surgery on the same day.
“One was a golden retriever treated by my colleagues Rodolfo Cappello (head of neurology) and Natalie West (neurology resident), and the other was a whippet under my care.
"They were two very different sizes of dog but both operations went well.
“We are grateful to OrthomedTM, the company manufacturing the stabilization system, provided all necessary details to plan the surgeries as precisely as possible.
“We also collaborated with Vet3DTM to create patient specific 3D printed guides to ensure the precise placement of screws and it proved a great solution in both cases.”
“Admittedly, it is still early days for the introduction of this new spinal stabilisation system but we are optimistic it will prove a significant advancement in treating many spinal problems.”
www.ndsr.co.uk
Ceva says the aim of the course is to enable vet nurses to get the most out of their ocular exams and gain confidence in identifying ocular lesions associated with feline hypertension.
The course is presented by Dr Ben Blacklock BVSc (Hons), Dipl. ECVO, MRCVS, senior lecturer in veterinary ophthalmology at the University of Edinburgh.
It comprises of 10 short videos grouped into four sessions, along with a self-assessment quiz to consolidate learning for each module.
The course counts for a total of two hours’ CPD.
Course content includes: the patient/equipment set up and getting the most from an ophthalmoscope; determining what is normal and what is abnormal during ocular examinations; an overview of ocular pathologies associated with hypertension; avoiding common pitfalls and mistakes; and hints and tips on how to take photographs of the fundus on a mobile phone.
To register, visit www.veterinarywebinars.com/community/ceva.
The programme covers everything from diagnostic imaging and ophthalmic emergencies to practical nursing skills and using echocardiography to help with day-to-day decision-making in practice.
SCVS says the programme has been made possible by the addition of a new lecture theatre during SCVS’s recent expansion, which was supported by the hospital's owners IVC Evidensia.
Stephen Collins, SCVS Hospital Director and IVC Evidensia’s National Cardiology Lead, said: “We’re proud to announce one of the UK’s most comprehensive CPD programmes and share the vast knowledge that our specialist team has with the rest of the veterinary community.
“Our programme is packed full of informative and practical sessions that everyone can benefit from - whether that’s specialist skill development or improving everyday advice and practices in clinic.”
A full list of CPD events is available here: https://www.ivcevidensiareferrals.com/events-and-cpd.
www.scvetspecialists.co.uk
Meanwhile, the BVA has published the results of its latest Voice of the Profession survey which found that 99% of vets have seen pets in the last 12 months which should have been brought to them for treatment earlier, with 91% reporting that financial reasons were the main factor.
52% of vets also said the number of clients reporting difficulty covering the cost of preventative veterinary care for their animal had increased compared to 2021.
This figure rose to 70% when it came to covering the cost of diagnostic care and treatment.
The Dogs Trust survey, which was carried out by YouGov, asked owners how easy or difficult they would find it to pay vet bills of varying amounts.
10% of pet owners said they would find it fairly difficult to pay unexpected vet bill of £100.
5% said they would find it very difficult.
Overall, 13% said they either cannot afford, or are struggling to afford, the costs of owning a dog in the current climate.
Meanwhile, the charity reports it is getting record numbers of owners asking to hand over their dogs: an average 188 handover requests per day in February compared to an average 141 handover requests per day in 2022, which was itself a record-breaking year (ending in over 50,000 rehoming requests).
In response, Dogs Trust has set up dog food banks at some of its rehoming centres across the UK, which are open to anyone struggling to feed their dog.
The charity has also started a petition asking the Chancellor to Paws the VAT on pet food and veterinary services: https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/support-us/campaigns-appeals/cut-vat-petition
When pet owners were asked in the YouGov survey to what extent they would support or oppose the Chancellor removing VAT from vet care and pet food in next Wednesday’s budget, 61% said they would support it, with 36% of those saying they would strongly support it.
www.dogstrust.org.uk
This year, there have been over 30,000 nominations for the awards.
The finalists this year are:
Vet Nurse of the YearCaroline Jones, Battle Flatts Veterinary Surgery, YorkHelen Rooney, Pet Blood Bank, LoughboroughLesley Ramsey (pictured right), Debenham Veterinary Practice, Stowmarket
Vet of the YearAndrew Hayes, Towcester Equine Vets, TowcesterClare McCabe (pictured right), Claymill Veterinary Clinic, CookstownLaurence Behrens, Goddard Veterinary Group, Dagenham
Practice Support Staff of the YearRhiannon Lewis, Streatham Hill Vets, StreathamLaura Cameron, Lomond Veterinary Clinic, HelensburghLouise O’ Reilly, Vets4Pets, Llanrumney
Practice Manager of the YearKristen Lorimer, Blue House Veterinary Centre, Stoke-on-TrentLouise Newman, Blue Cross Vets, MertonNicki Ridgeway, Vets4Pets, Ridgeway
Practice of the YearHollybank Veterinary Centre, NorthwichLanes Vets, PoultonMilfeddygon Williams Vets, Gwynedd
The awards will be hosted at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, Manchester on 23rd March.
Bella von Mesterhazey, Sales & Marketing Director at Petplan, said: “This year’s finalist line-up includes an outstanding array of veterinary professionals and practices, and Petplan is delighted to be celebrating the highest achievements in pet healthcare once again."
To get involved, you can use the downloadable fundraising pack, which includes ideas, tips and tricks to help you fundraise.
In return for taking part, your practice will have its logo published on the BSAVA website, and BSAVA PetSavers will promote any fundraising posts on social media, using the hashtag #TeamPetSavers.
Shelby Tunstall, Fundraising Coordinator for BSAVA PetSavers said: “We are really delighted to be launching this campaign which will help PetSavers fund more research projects for companion animals."
If you want to get involved, you're encouraged to register online here, or contact Shelby Tunstall, Fundraising Coordinator at petsaversadmin@bsava.com.
https://www.bsava.com/petsavers/get-involved/petsaversinpractice.
Dr Stephen Hearns, a consultant in aeromedical retrieval (human) medicine, who delivers pre-hospital critical care for major trauma patients, will open Congress as the keynote speaker.
He'll also present a limited-seat session where he’ll focus on performance under pressure.
Joining Stephen in the speaker line up are Simon Cook from the RVC, Megan Brashear from Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, Tim Travail, Chloe Fay, Dan Tipney, Jenny Guyat, Ashton Hollworth and Dr Craig Joyce, an educational psychologist who will be offering his insights into dealing with imposter syndrome.
Racheal Marshall, RVN and head of clinical nursing at Vets Now, teamed up with Simon Hagley, ECC specialist at Vets Now hospital in Manchester, to create this year's veterinary and nursing programmes for Congress.
She said: “We have carefully tailored our programme again this year to provide an inclusive learning experience for vets and vet nurses no matter what stage they’re at in their career, from students through to specialists and everything in between.
"The biggest change this year, in our 20th year of running the ECC Congress, is an entire day dedicated to advanced referral nursing, and a very hands on approach during all the CPD and practical workshops.”
This year, participants will have the opportunity to follow a trauma case from arrival to departure on the first day of Congress, gaining real-time insights into the decision-making process and management strategies.
On day two, speakers will delve into lessons learned, allowing attendees to deepen their understanding of emergency and critical care practices
Simon said: “Get ready for a fantastic speaker line-up, an array of workshops and learning experiences, a bustling exhibition hall and more opportunities than ever for veterinary and nursing delegates to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
"Brace yourselves to absorb knowledge and tips from some of the world’s leading veterinary experts discussing emergency and critical care.”
The ECC Congress programme for 2023 is open to veterinary professionals of all levels, including veterinarian surgeons, vet nurses, students and graduates.
Tickets range in price from £50+ VAT for exhibition-only tickets, up to £520+ VAT for a vet to attend for 2 days plus the Gala dinner.
https://www.vets-now.com/congress/
Participating practices will learn about dental disease pathophysiology and diagnosis, gain insights in pet owner behaviour and learn how to increase client engagement while implementing a dental home care plan.
Animalcare has also made available free social media packs and waiting room materials to help educate clients on pet dental health.
Will Peel, Marketing Manager at Animalcare said: ‘We know that UK veterinary surgeons consider dental disorders to be one of the most important health related welfare issues currently affecting UK dogs.
"We’ve introduced our CPD sessions to help the entire veterinary team learn more about dental disease and to help them educate their clients about implementing an at home dental regime which works for them and their pets.'
To book your Lunch and Learn or request a social media pack and other materials, contact your local Animalcare territory manager or email animalcare@animalcare.co.uk.
The journal publishes original peer-reviewed papers of international or global significance that improve the veterinary care and welfare of domestic cats.
Until this year, access to JFMS for most veterinary practitioners was dependent on membership to the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) or the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), or a separate paid subscription.
Now that the journal is open access, there are no restrictions on who can access the journal and all articles past and present are free to view.
The journal's editors say that making it open access greatly improves their ability to improve the health and welfare of cats by providing high-quality peer-reviewed information.
The AAFP and ISFM say they have already seen the positive impact this has had, with low- and middle-income countries now accounting for a quarter of the 20 most common geographic locations for visitors to the JFMS website.
Head of ISFM Nathalie Dowgray said: "Transitioning JFMS to an open access journal helps ISFM fulfil our parent charity’s (International Cat Care) mission of creating a cat friendly world through ensuring the latest knowledge in feline medicine and welfare is available to the global veterinary community."
For those interested in submitting to JFMS, authors can get a 50% discount on the article processing charge until 4 July 2023; after this date, a 22% discount will be in place for authors who are a member of ISFM or the AAFP.
Click here for more information about submitting an article to JFMS: https://journals.sagepub.com/author-instructions/JFM
https://journals.sagepub.com/home/jfm
VetTeamAMR includes a learning platform with information about responsible prescribing practises for the whole practice team, and an audit tool designed to support continuous improvements in national antimicrobial stewardship efforts.
The new companion animal materials complement the equine and farm animal resources which were launched earlier this month and in 2021 respectively.
RCVS Knowledge is launching VetTeamAMR for veterinary teams who treat companion animals at a free online event on Tuesday 20 June 2023 at 7:00 pm (BST).
The event is open to all to attend, and will include talks from:
Chris Gush, Executive Director at RCVS Knowledge said, “AMR is a hugely important issue for us at RCVS Knowledge and we are pleased to be able to provide veterinary teams with free tools and resources to support the responsible use of antimicrobials.
“Antibiotics remain the primary treatment for potentially fatal bacterial infections.
"Yet inappropriate use of antibiotics has led to resistance that has created a global animal and human health emergency.”.
“With busy veterinary practices in mind, we have worked alongside veterinary experts to create accessible and user-friendly VetTeamAMR tools and resources and we encourage all UK veterinary practices to get involved.”
To register for the online launch: https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-events/events/vetteamamr-companion-animal-launch-event/
One of Carl's main presidential tasks will be implementing the BSAVA’s new strategy for 2024, which comes from a current project looking into the wider veterinary profession and how BSAVA can support the community.
Carl is the clinical director of a busy small animal and exotics practice in Newbury, which is also a partner practice for Surrey University, helping to train final year vet students.
He has been a member of BSAVA for 40 years and started volunteering for the Southern Regional Committee in 2013.
Carl said: “BSAVA has always been important to me in my professional life.
"Since becoming a volunteer, I have admired even more the dedication of the staff and volunteers who make up the association.
“I see my time on BSAVA Board as a service to the association and to the small animal veterinary world.
"Becoming President is a huge honour but is part of an ongoing commitment to doing what I can to help BSAVA thrive.”
The symposium will be launched by Dr Leah Quinlivan (pictured right), a research fellow and chartered psychologist at the University of Manchester.
Her talk ‘Evidence-based care for people who have self-harmed: risk prediction, psychosocial assessments, and aftercare’, will outline the importance of improving mental health services for patients who have harmed themselves, via discussion of evidence, policy, and practice for risk prediction, psychosocial assessment, and aftercare.
Leah's talk will be followed by presentations delivered by veterinary mental health researchers from across the UK and Europe.
Topics will include post-Covid wellbeing amongst veterinary professionals, the impact of companion animal euthanasia, workplace stressors and how they change with career stage, and the quality of mental health support received by veterinary nurses.
Lisa Quigley, Mind Matters Initiative project manager, said: “This year, the event promises once more to be a supportive and thought-provoking event, where we can gather to share findings, information and best practice for the good of the professions.
“The recent publication of MMI’s five-year strategy has outlined our recognition that we need to expand the conversation beyond mental health awareness and into looking at more systemic and cultural issues, as well as exploring how the insights gained from research might be implemented in practice.
"These ambitious aims are reflected in the breadth of the talks and presentations at the symposium and so I look forward to hearing more from those who share our values and aims, and to continuing the conversation about how and where we can do more.
Her display used a toy cat with a cuff around its leg to demonstrate how quick and easy it is to get a cat’s blood pressure checked and included cat case studies and feline hypertension facts and figures to really bring the reality of feline hypertension home to practice clients.
Sarah Caney BVSc PhD DSAM(Feline) MRCVS, RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine and one of the competition judges, said: “The Albavet Veterinary Hospital waiting room display was a great example of creatively highlighting the importance of feline hypertension, which affects approximately one in five cats nine years or over1.
"This fantastic educational display also showcased the ease of taking blood pressure which the ISFM advises should be checked at least once a year in cats aged seven years or over2.”
Lisa To said: “The team at Albavet and I are really grateful to Ceva for the doppler blood pressure monitor.
"We’ll be using it to keep up our high standard of clinical care provided for every cat that walks through our doors, ensuring we raise awareness with clients of the risks of hypertension."
"Go team Albavet!”
References
Preliminary results, which recorded a decline in the quantities of antimicrobials prescribed from 2014 to 2018, were published in 2022.
A further audit has now been undertaken in all 22 of the company's first opinion practices to investigate the age, breed and estimated weight of each horse, the clinical indication for antibiotic use, the drugs prescribed, their dose rates, the route of administration and whether culture and sensitivity were used to guide antimicrobial selection.
Data collection was completed in August 2022.
This secondary audit was conducted using a ‘point prevalence’ survey, in which each CVS Equine first opinion Quality Improvement Lead gathered information about all systemic antibiotics prescribed by each of their practices on one day a month for 12 consecutive months.
The project yielded information on 331 cases where systemic antimicrobials were prescribed.
Complete data about the first line-drug selection were available for 261 prescriptions.
The commonest prescribed antimicrobial was sulfadiazine/trimethoprim (41%), followed by oxytetracycline (23%), procaine penicillin (16%), doxycycline (13%), gentamicin (4%), metronidazole (1%), ceftiofur (1%) and enrofloxacin (1%).
Highest priority critically important antimicrobials (ceftiofur and enrofloxacin) were only prescribed in four horses (clinical indications for these included possible sepsis, skin infection, lower respiratory tract infection and a wound complication – in none of these cases was the first-line drug selection based on the results of culture and sensitivity.
Overall, the clinical indications for antimicrobial use were recorded in 246 cases; the commonest indications were cellulitis/lymphangitis (27%), uncomplicated wounds (19%), surgical prophylaxis (15%), respiratory infections (11%) and skin infections (8%).
Hattie Lawrence, Director of CVS Equine, said: “Though the impact of this work is yet to be documented, there is anecdotal evidence that it has raised awareness amongst our veterinarians of the importance of antimicrobial stewardship.
"Taken together, the results of both pieces of work will be used to help develop and inform clinical audits and clinical guidelines of antimicrobial use in horses.”
Reference
Francesca's initiative was recognised with a RCVS Knowledge ‘Highly Commended’ status at its 2024 awards.
The idea for the audit came about after Francesca noticed a trend for patients to become hypotensive during anaesthesia for routine feline neutering and need additional treatment.
CVS says clinical evidence suggests a minimum value of 60mmHg for perfusion of vital organs such as the brain, heart and kidneys.
So a clinical audit was undertaken to look at perioperative blood pressure in both cats and dogs having routine neutering procedures.
The target was for patients to maintain a mean arterial blood pressure of 60mmHg during their anaesthetic.
The animals chosen for auditing were to be classed ASA 1 and under 5 years old.
They received a pre-operative health check including a blood pressure reading to ensure they were normotensive.
A first audit looked at a standard premedication protocol of ACP at a dose rate of 0.02mg/kg combined with methadone at a dose rate of 0.3mg/kg.
A second audit initiated a change to the pre-medication drugs, using 0.005mg/kg medetomidine combined with the same dose of methadone.
Both received anaesthesia induction with Propoflo at a dose rate of 6mg/kg for cats and 4mg/kg for dogs.
All patients under anaesthetic were maintained using isoflurane and kept at a surgical plane of anaesthesia appropriate for that patient.
The patients were monitored throughout their surgical procedure using an oscilliometric monitoring machine - for systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure – and measurements recorded on an anaesthetic chart.
The collected data revealed that in the first audit, where patients received ACP and methadone, 42% (50% of cats and 38% of dogs) had a mean arterial blood pressure lower than 60mmHg after the first five blood pressure readings post induction.
In the second audit, with medetomidine combined with methadone, only 11% of patients (0% of cats and 15% of dogs) with a mean arterial blood pressure lower than 60mmHg.
In addition to the reduction in hypotensive patients during anaesthesia when the medetomidine/methadone combo was used, Francesca says the audit suggests a link to hypotension with ACP used as a premedication in anaesthetised patients.
Francesca said: “My passion in veterinary nursing is anaesthesia. And there is always room for improvement and striving to achieve gold standard care.
“These results clearly show that a change from our current premedication protocol of ACP and Methodone to Medetomidine and Methadone decreased the number of patients having hypotension during anaesthesia. The change means fewer patients were at risk of developing the side effects associated with hypoperfusion of the vital organs.
“Our quality improvement initiative has made a really positive impact in practice for both patient care and clinical team.”
In the study: "Effects of human-animal interaction on salivary and urinary oxytocin in children and dogs1", oxytocin levels were recorded in 55 children and their pet dogs.
Oxytocin is associated with positive emotions, the reduction of stress and the formation of social bonds.
Oxytocin levels were tracked in both the children’s and dogs’ urine and saliva before and after they interacted.
Researchers say this is one of the first studies to examine the benefits of human animal interactions for both humans and dogs.
For the study, the children's oxytocin levels were measured when they interacted with their own pet dog, with an unfamiliar dog (a trained therapy dog), and when they engaged in solitary play.
The study found that:
The researchers concluded that the results support the hypothesis that oxytocin pathways may shape and respond to social interactions between children and dogs, highlighting an important role for companion animals in child development.
https://www.waltham.com/oxytocin-children-and-dogs
The materials include pet owner guides, reception posters and slides to display on waiting room TV.
They complement the Krka veterinary professional guide on responsible risk-based parasiticide use for cats and dogs that was developed in conjunction with Ian Wright BVMS MSc MRCVS and launched last year.
Renzo Di Florio, Krka’s Technical Veterinary Adviser said: “In first opinion veterinary practice, where the majority of consultations last 15 minutes or less, time is short and in-depth discussions are not always possible.
"The guides provide comprehensive information on common parasites, practical advice on prevention and treatment and information on risk assessment.
"And by aligning with ESCCAP guidelines, the guides help address the delicate balance between animal health, human health and environmental protection – a true One Health issue.”
https://www.krka.co.uk/veterinary-knowledge-hub/articles/risk-based-parasiticide-use-for-cats-and-dogs