The Kennel Club has confirmed that the BBC has pulled out of broadcasting Crufts next year.
According to the Kennel Club, the decision was reached following what it described as 'unreasonable demands' from the BBC, including the exclusion of certain breeds of dog from the group competition at the show.
The Kennel Club says the BBC's demands took no account of the measures it has in place to improve the health of pedigree dogs, or of the fact that judges will be trained to help ensure that all dogs being awarded prizes at Crufts will be healthy representatives of their breed.
Ronnie Irving, Kennel Club Chairman, said "I am very sorry that BBC audiences around the world will not be able to join us in celebrating all dogs in 2009 and to see the remarkable diversity of dogs and activities on show at Crufts; ranging from the show classes to agility displays, the Friends for Life competition and the unsung heroes who take part in breed rescue.
"However, we have been forced to reject the insupportable conditions imposed by the BBC, who have told us they will only televise the show in 2009 if certain breeds are excluded from participating.We are unable to agree to these demands, as it would compromise both contractual obligations and our general responsibility to dog exhibitors and our audience and we believe it would be inappropriate and counterproductive to exclude any recognised breed from Crufts.
"We are obviously disappointed and confused with this outcome as we hoped the broadcast would have supported our focus on health and welfare issues, given advice about caring for and training dogs and showcased the charitable work that we support. This TV exposure would have benefited all dogs and given viewers a well-rounded picture of what the new Crufts in 2009 is all about."
In October 2008 the Kennel Club announced a strategy to show how it is focusing its activities on the health and welfare of all dogs. It announced mandatory compliance with a strict code of ethics for all breed clubs registered with the Kennel Club.
Earlier this month, it completed a review for each of the 209 pedigree dog breeds in the UK and announced revised standards that it says will have far-reaching benefits for the health and welfare of dogs. These new breed standards and health plans will benefit from research that has been funded by the Kennel Club in conjunction with veterinary research centres over a number of years. The overall aim is that all pedigree dogs should be fit for function and that breeders and judges should not reward dogs with obvious conditions or exaggerations, which would be detrimental in any way to their health.
The disease, which originally appeared in the late 1980s, was first detected in the UK in 2012. It affects the kidneys and has a 90% mortality rate.
The team at Anderson Moores, which has been leading research into this disease, wants to alert colleagues to these new cases, which have been confirmed since 1st January.
By comparison 18 cases were reported in the whole of 2018, 19 in 2019, and 47 in 2020.
The new cases have been identified in Herefordshire, Greater London and Exeter.
David Walker, American, RCVS and EBVS European specialist in small animal internal medicine, leads the team at Anderson Moores Vet Specialists and is the UK’s foremost authority on the disease. He said: “We’re very sad to confirm three new cases of CRGV already in 2021. Unfortunately, we find ourselves at the time of year when cases are most commonly identified.
"As well as these confirmed cases, we are awaiting results on a number of other dogs that have sadly been euthanised with suspected CRGV. It is understandably a worrying time of year for dog owners with regards to CRGV; however, the disease remains rare.
"We’re advising dog owners across the country to remain calm but vigilant and seek advice from their local vets if their dog develops unexplained skin lesions.”
Previous cases have been identified in Gloucestershire, Surrey, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cornwall, Devon and Staffordshire.
Mr Walker added: “If a dog becomes affected by CRGV, the best chance of recovery probably lies with early and intensive veterinary care which may be best provided at a specialist facility such as Anderson Moores.
“Treatment primarily revolves around intensive management of the acute kidney injury and is sadly only successful in around 10% of cases.
“However, the team here at Anderson Moores successfully treated a suspected case of CRGV in a Labrador Retriever. Molly was referred to our internal medicine team just before Christmas due to limb swelling and a deep, painful ulcerative lesion on one of her legs.
“Following four days’ intensive treatment, her condition started to improve and we began to cautiously hope she would survive the disease.
“Molly continued to slowly improve and, after two nerve-wracking weeks, she was discharged to continue her recovery at home."
To find out more about CRGV, visit www.andersonmoores.com and the Alabama Rot Research Fund at www.arrf.co.uk.
Colin graduated from the RVC in 1992 and has worked as a clinical veterinary surgeon in a variety of first opinion practices and referral centres. He trained as a veterinary anaesthetist at Bristol and Cambridge Universities before moving into the pharmaceutical industry, gaining experience in drug development and technical support, and pre- and post-marketing, at a number of companies.
Colin said: “Animalcare is introducing a number of new and innovative medicines, such as Daxocox, its weekly NSAID to reduce breakthrough pain in dogs with osteoarthritis, to the veterinary sector. This makes it an exciting environment in which to provide technical support.
“I’m looking forward to exploring how my experience can be most useful in supporting Animalcare’s expansion and, more importantly, ensuring that the company’s customers receive the guidance and advice they need to optimise the effectiveness of Animalcare’s product range in treating their patients.”
For technical support, email: technical@animalcare.co.uk
Omniotic combines three ingredients to remove ear wax and debris: a detergent, a solvent and an emulsifier. It also contains Octoxynol-9, lactic acid, salicylic acid and parabens, which Vita says have anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.
The product is sold in 120ml bottles with a transparent flexible tip designed to be comfortable even in stenosed, tender ear canals.
Omniotic can be used for regular daily cleaning, especially in predisposed breeds such as spaniels and lop-eared rabbits where ear conformation increases the risk of ear disease.
The product can also be used alongside other antibiotics or anti-fungal medications, something which Vita highlights as being especially important in rabbits, the ear canals of which are less prone to inflammation and stenosis, and for which topical treatment can be very effective.
Tara Evans, RVN and sales manager said: "Omniotic is an ear cleaner for dogs, cats and rabbits which combines features to meet the needs of owners and vets at the same time. The feedback from our customers is very positive; they are finding the soft, flexible applicator tip is easy to use and well tolerated. The unique combination of ingredients and the multi-species use means Omniotic can be used to support ear health across a wide variety of indications."
For more information and for the latest promotional offers, contact Tara Evans, via email: info@vitaanimalhealth.com, or telephone: 01256 591032.
The poster gives information about common dangers such as:
As well as focusing on common dangers, the poster also reinforces the importance of S.P.E.E.D when dealing with poisoned pets:
Will Peel, Product Manager at TVM UK said: "While most pet owners are mindful of the danger that certain foods and plants can pose, when you’re enjoying the spring sunshine and the long Easter weekend, it can be easy to overlook potential pet hazards. It’s vital to reinforce the dangers that can come with the warmer weather to help protect pets from poisoning which can cause serious illness or worse.’
To get your waterproof poster, contact your local TVM territory manager or email help@tvm-uk.com
The Group has trained almost 100 of its staff as 'mental health first aiders'.
Michelle O’Connor, the Linnaeus Group’s people and culture director (pictured right), said: "Veterinarians are three to four times more likely to die by suicide than workers from any other industry.
"Because of this alarming statistic, we have put wellbeing at the very forefront of our strategy and have so far trained nearly 100 mental health first aiders within the group.
The Linnaeus volunteers, who are taken from both office and clinical roles, have all attended a training course run by Mental Health First Aid England (MHFA) to acquire the skills to support their own and others’ wellbeing.
The MHFA course trains people to identify the signs of mental ill health, to break down the stigma and barriers surrounding mental health and listen to colleagues in a non-judgemental way, and to help direct those suffering from issues to the support and guidance that’s available.
Michelle added: "We realise training on how to spot signs of a crisis and become a mental health first aider alone does not address the prevailing stigma around mental health in the workplace.
"So, in addition, we are developing a culture where support and conversations about mental health are normalised, so that colleagues feel able to reach out for the important support they need."
Sarah is a Professor of Veterinary Surgery at the University of Nottingham’s School of Veterinary Medicine & Science, and leads the Nottingham Equine Colic Project, which works with organisations such as the British Horse Society to raise awareness of the condition.
Sarah's talk, 'Generating an evidence-based educational campaign on colic', will discuss new evidence from the project, and how it led to the REACT colic campaign. She will also be sharing experiences of how the campaign has worked and asking whether we can change people's attitudes and behaviours.
The evening starts at 6.15pm with food and refreshments with Sarah's talk starting at 7pm, after which there will be an update on the College’s latest projects and initiatives. That'll be followed by a question and answer session with senior officers and staff from the RCVS - including RCVS President Dr Niall Connell, and Chair of RCVS Veterinary Nurses (VN) Council Racheal Marshall.
Dr Connell said: "Thank you to Professor Freeman for agreeing to speak about the colic project which, through its Colic Awareness Week, is helping to raise knowledge of the early signs of colic amongst horse owners, allowing them to get their horses treated in good time and saving their lives.
"I also look forward to talking to members of the profession about some of the issues currently on their minds – the evening is very much led by what those who attend want to discuss – from mental health, to our under care review, to the Practice Standards Scheme. Attending the event can also count to up to three hours towards your continuing professional development (CPD) requirement."
The event is open to all members of the practice team including veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, practice managers and others. The event is free and places can be booked via the RCVS website at www.rcvs.org.uk/nottingham.
In the afternoon before the event, between 12 noon and 5pm, the College will also be holding a series of free 45-minute Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) surgeries with PSS Lead Assessor Pam Mosedale.
The surgeries are open to both RCVS-accredited practices and those considering joining the Scheme and allows delegates to discuss the assessment process, how to apply for awards, how to meet particular requirements and any other questions they may have about the PSS.
Places at the surgeries are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. They can be booked at: www.rcvs.org.uk/PSSsurgeries
The awards were announced during a virtual evening event last Saturday called 'This Is Us 2020', which started with a presentation by Dr Jane Goodall DBE, followed by the award presentation by the BVNA’s Junior Vice President, Jo Oakden.
Christine Robinson won the St Francis Award, which is given to the nurse who has gone above and beyond for their team, for their patients and for the veterinary nursing profession over the past 12 months.
Christine said: "I am delighted to have won this award, and very surprised! In my very long and diverse career, I have never won an award at all. It’s been lovely to have been acknowledged by others and seen as a role model, and for my nursing to be recognised."
Bethany Scott won the Help in the Community Award, which is for a nurse who has gone above and beyond to help animal owners and/or their clinical teams during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Bethany said: “I am absolutely shocked and I really wasn’t expecting this! Thank you to those who nominated me and congratulations to everyone else.”
Last but by no means least, Courtney Scales won the VNJ Writer of the Year Award for writing articles which have encouraged positive change, discussions or improved clinical standards in practice.
Courtney said: "This has made my entire year! I am just super super proud, having presented the topic at Congress last year and then going on to write the articles. I really think I have changed quite a few nurses’ perceptions, protocols and patience, and it’s just so exciting."
Jo Oakden said: “It was fantastic to see all the worthy nominees and finalists for our new BVNA awards and Hills and Blue Cross awards.
"The high standards, dedication and resilience of our profession was demonstrated with all of our nominees and winners of the awards, showing they can adapt and overcome to be champions in our profession to help educate and inspire those within and outside of our profession.
"It was a huge honour to be able to present these awards and still keep the celebratory feel in these unusual times. A huge congratulations to all our winners.”
Hear hear!
In addition, BEVA is also giving free access to one of its most popular online CPD courses, ‘How to heal wounds’, for the duration of May to all nurse members.
The course covers the main concepts of wound physiology and introduces new treatment ideas designed to optimise wound healing.
The course includes 12 on-demand lectures, presented by Dr Dylan A Gorvy, Ms Georgie Hollis, Prof Derek Knottenbelt and Dr Patrick J Pollock.
David Mountford, Chief Executive of BEVA, said: "We are delighted to be able to do something practical and supportive to celebrate the vital role RVNs play in every equine practice.
“We know how much our members value our online learning and hope that RVNs everywhere can enjoy a month of first class free membership benefits as well as access to our one of most highly subscribed courses.”
To become a BEVA member and to subscribe for your free membership during May, visit: https://www.beva.org.uk/Nurses
This year the congress is being organised in collaboration with the British Veterinary Dermatology Study Group and will form the Group’s autumn meeting.
The main scientific topics are skin and ear surgery, skin biology, host-microbial interaction, dermatophytosis, exotics dermatology and clinical pharmacology. There will be a three-tiered programme:
Basic level: providing updates on the topics covered
Intermediate level: advanced information for those with a good grounding in veterinary dermatology
Advanced level: more specialist subjects, including human dermatology
For the first time, there will also be a dedicated nurses programme, taking place on Saturday 28th September.
Laura Buckley CertVD DipECVD MRCVS, Local Organising Committee (pictured right), said: "Congress is always a major event in the veterinary dermatology calendar, featuring some of the world’s leading specialists, and this year showcases some of Liverpool’s spectacular historic sites.
"As always there will be commercial and poster exhibitions featuring state-of-the-art veterinary products and leading research in veterinary dermatology respectively."
This year’s social programme includes the Welcome Reception on Thursday 26th and the Dinner Dance on Friday 27th September. The Welcome Reception will be held at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. It is the largest Cathedral in the UK and the fifth largest in the world.
The Dinner Dance will take place at Revolución de Cuba overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Albert Dock.
For further information and to register please visit the congress website: www.esvd-ecvdcongress.com
As part of the new arrangement, Battersea will give StreetVet operational and logistical support, including advice from its staff, clinical support, and kennel space for animals in urgent need of care.
Battersea also plans to work with StreetVet on a range of projects that will help the charity to reach more dogs in need. For example, providing advice and training to hostel staff to promote and facilitate hostels accepting dogs – creating more safe places to sleep for both dogs and their owners.
Battersea’s Deputy Chief Executive, Peter Laurie, said: "I’m excited at the prospect of Battersea and StreetVet coming together for a partnership that aligns both organisations’ strategic values. Both of us care deeply about the welfare of dogs, particularly those most in need. StreetVet relies almost entirely on the support of a growing network of volunteers, including members of the Battersea clinic team, and is a great example of a volunteer-led organisation delivering significant impact on a wide geographical scale. By working together, we can increase our collective impact and help more animals in need."
Sam Joseph MRCVS, a co-founder of StreetVet, said: "We are really excited about the official partnership between StreetVet and Battersea. As a small, growing charity, StreetVet will hugely benefit from the expertise, infrastructure and resources of one of the country's most loved and respected animal charities."
He added: "This partnership will help StreetVet continue to provide free, accessible veterinary care to those most in need, while further increasing the impact that Battersea has on the welfare of dogs and cats across the UK."
Photo: L-R Peter Laurie (Battersea), Jade Statt and Sam Joseph (StreetVet), Shaun Opperman (Battersea) and Blue the Staffie
Kathryn hosts one of Ireland’s highest rated TV programmes which helps people to improve their health, lose weight and get fit. As part of the campaign, she will be encouraging pet owners to think about their feeding habits and sharing top dietary tips with over 100,000 followers on her Instagram feed.
John O’Connor MRCVS, Corporate Affairs Director at Royal Canin said: "There are some simple steps pet owners can take to help manage their pet’s weight. For example, measuring cups can lead to pet owners potentially feeding up to 80% more than they should1. Using digital kitchen scales to weigh the food ensures they are feeding their pet exactly the right amount."
John continued, “While it can be hard to resist the temptation to give our pets a little extra treat to show we love them, feeding a dog a rawhide bone could provide them with 67% more calories than they need each day and feeding a cat just 30g of cheese increases their daily energy intake by 60%."
Reference
The research project, which is being carried out by RVC student Collette Taylor for her PhD, is looking at the development of novel diagnostic targets to establish the specific leptospira implicated in canine clinical cases.
Collette said: "Existing leptospirosis diagnostics have a number of limitations. MAT serological testing may provide information that can be supportive of a serogroup diagnosis but may also provide false positives due to previous vaccination or indeed be confounded by cross-reactivity. It can also be difficult to interpret serology in the absence of paired samples.
"PCR tests are sensitive, usually specific, but are dependent on timing of sampling and do not tell you which serovar is concerned.
"My research is focused on offering more specialised diagnostic tests which can differentiate antibodies associated with infection from those due to vaccination. Extending this theme, our group is interested in further typing of samples where the Leptospiral DNA is identified using Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). I am now at the stage of validation and we are able to offer additional testing of serum or blood test samples from confirmed clinical cases."
If you'd like to send in a sample for further tests, you will need to complete a questionnaire, and samples must be from confirmed cases of leptospirosis that have already undergone leptospirosis diagnostics from another laboratory.
John Helps, Senior Technical Manager, Companion Animals, MSD Animal Health said: "As a 3rd year PhD student Collette has two main areas of study. The first is looking at the risk factors of leptospirosis including ecological niche modelling for specific serogroups in different regions across the country. The second part is the development of new specialised diagnostic tests that can provide better targeted serological approaches to diagnosis of this disease."
Pockit Central is a benchtop analyser which completes tests in 85 minutes.
The new PCR tests include: Lyme disease, Dirofilaria immitis, Neospora caninum, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mec A gene for MRSA, IBR and C. difficile. The system has tests tailored to small animal, equine and farm practice, with specialist assays also available for poultry and aquaculture.
The new additions extend the capabilities of the Pockit to more than 190 assays, testing up to 8 pathogens in one run. Horiba says the Pockit is so easy to set up that a laboratory can be up and running within 30 minutes with staff training provided.
Horiba has also published its recent veterinary CPD webinar in which the value of in-house PCR analysis for pathogen screening is discussed with the Head of ESCCAP (European Scientific Council for Companion Animal Parasites) UK & Ireland, in conjunction with the importance of screening imported dogs: The webinar is available to watch on-demand at: https://www.horiba.com/en_en/veterinary/support/webinars/
Last year, the company had more than 37,000 entries from pet owners and the veterinary community for the five award categories:
The winners will be announced later this year and will recognise the remarkable work carried out by some of the best veterinary professionals in the country.
James Barnes, Head of Sales & Partnerships at Petplan (pictured right), said: “Now more than ever it’s important to recognise the lengths the veterinary community goes to in looking after our pets. Every year we’re astounded by the quality and quantity of nominations which are a real testament to the hard work of all of those involved at practices who care for animals and clients all year round.
"The awards are a perfect opportunity for you to showcase your practice and your colleagues. If you haven’t already I’d invite you to nominate someone today.”
Nominate a colleague or your practice at www.petplanvet.co.uk/vetawards.
According to the Associations, a number of practices have been offering unpaid work, and whilst these offers may seem attractive to newly qualified vets who want to gain access to veterinary workplaces, they devalue the individuals and the veterinary profession.
Offering unpaid roles also exacerbates the problems surrounding lack of access to the profession for those who can’t afford to work for free and contradicts efforts to widen participation in the veterinary sector.
In addition, there are governance issues associated with individuals undertaking veterinary roles before they are registered with the RCVS and there are concerns around individuals undertaking voluntary roles without indemnity insurance.
The Veterinary Defence Society has advised that the Veterinary Surgeons (Practice by Students) (Amendment) Regulations 1993 allow veterinary students to carry out acts of veterinary surgery under the direction and supervision of a veterinary surgeon. After graduating as a vet, individuals are no longer classified as “veterinary students” and must either revert to only doing work which would be delegated to a lay member of staff or register with the RCVS.
Once registered with the RCVS, graduates must abide by the Code of Conduct whether they are volunteering or paid. One such requirement is that veterinary surgeons must have professional indemnity insurance. Veterinary graduates cannot register as a veterinary nurse and if they are not registered as a veterinary surgeon, they must not undertake those acts of veterinary surgery that can lawfully be delegated to RVNs.
BVA President Daniella Dos Santos said: “The Covid-19 crisis has thrown up many challenges for veterinary practices, but we make a plea to the profession not to exploit final year students and new graduates at this difficult time. These individuals are professionals and they deserve to be paid professional new graduate salaries, as we all were. There is a problem to be solved with regard to safe working, particularly in large animal and equine practice, but underpaying and undervaluing people is not the solution.
“BVA has been working with Vet Schools Council and others to champion diversity in our vet schools and the wider profession. If we only provide opportunities for those who can afford to work for free, we will be taking an enormous step backwards.”
Izzie Arthur, AVS President (pictured right), added: “We know that final year students are worried about job prospects and that these offers will be attractive, but we are deeply concerned that it devalues the skills and knowledge that have been built up throughout the degree.
"We’re asking vet practices to champion the next generation by providing paid opportunities for newly qualified (registered) vets and the support needed to get through the professional development phase so that they can become valued members of the team."
Judges for the UK Rabbit Vet of the Year, the Rabbit Nurse of the Year and the Rabbit Veterinary Practice of the Year awards will be looking for exceptional knowledge of rabbit care and husbandry, and evidence of the winners’ continued commitment to educating the public on how to care for rabbits correctly.
Dr Suzanne Moyes MVB MRCVS, awards judge and Veterinary Director at Burgess Pet Care said: "These awards are our way of saying ‘Thank You’ to the veterinary professionals that are helping to improve the lives of pet rabbits."
Rae Todd, Director of the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund said: "Rabbits make absolutely fantastic pets but research continues to show that there are still too many rabbit owners failing to meet the correct needs of their rabbits. We’re incredibly grateful for the growing number of vets and nurses that are working hard to address this, whether that’s by utilising the available rabbit CPD, taking part in events like Rabbit Awareness Week or generally making their practices more suitable environments for rabbit-owning clients."
Veterinary nurses and surgeons can self-nominate for these awards, and nominations are also being sought from the public.
The winners will each receive a cash prize of £500.
To enter the awards, visit www.burgesspetcare.com/excel-vet-awards.
Assets coming up for sale via private treaty and online auction include:
For a full list of assets, visit: https://www.bidspotter.co.uk/en-gb/auction-catalogues/timed/gordonbrothers/catalogue-id-gordon10067
Gordon Brothers Valuations & Industrial Director, Simon Bamford said: “Gordon Brothers is pleased to be assisting the Trustees of the Animal Health Trust with the orderly closure of the 100 acre Newmarket facilities, including the sale of the large quantity of associated assets. We are expecting significant interest in the varied array of assets”
The online auction will close at 3.00pm on the 1st October 2020. Viewing is strictly by appointment only on Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th September 2020 from 9.00am to 4.00pm at AHT, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, CB8 7UU.
For further enquires on the sale or to view by appointment please contact, Josh Chivers jchivers@gordonbrothers.com
As a result of the new partnership, customers of Bought By Many will have access to free video consultations with UK-registered veterinary surgeons via the FirstVet app.
In their blurb, the companies say that: "Many common pet health issues can be treated in the comfort of their own home, meaning owners only need to take their pet to the vet when absolutely necessary. Bought By Many customers can save time, money and potential stress to their pet by using the free FirstVet service. When a referral to a local vet is needed, FirstVet provides detailed notes of the initial consultation to both the owner and the vet."
David Prien, FirstVet’s CEO & co-founder, said: "FirstVet couldn't be more excited to offer our veterinary video consultation service together with Bought By Many in the UK.
"From our first meeting with the Bought By Many team, we knew that our values were aligned. We both share a mission to bring the best that technology has to offer both to pet owners and to the veterinary care process.
"Offering pet owners the chance to speak face-to-face with an experienced veterinarian via a video call is a great way to make sure that all pets are getting the right treatment, as fast as possible, in the right location."
For more information on Bought by Many, visit boughtbymany.com/pet-insurance.
Laura Padron Vega was struck off in December 2018 after dishonestly backdating two statutory Certificates of Competence submitted to the Food Standards Agency under the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing Regulations 2015.
She was also found to have failed in her duties as an OV because she was unprepared for, and unaware of, the new regulations and did not take adequate steps to ensure that the two people for whom she had given veterinary certification were licensed to perform slaughter in accordance with the regulations.
At the outset of the restoration hearing, Ms Padron Vega admitted her guilt and made representations that she appreciated the seriousness of her actions and that there was no chance of her repeating them. She also produced a number of testimonials, including some from former veterinary colleagues, in addition to evidence that she had endeavoured to keep up-to-date with her continuing professional development while off the Register although this had been difficult due to her financial circumstances.
In considering her application for restoration, the Committee found that Ms Padron Vega had accepted the reasons for her removal from the Register and the seriousness of the findings. It found that she was unlikely to repeat the behaviour and that her conduct had been entirely acceptable since she was removed from the Register. It also considered her financial and personal circumstances, noting the difficulty she had in securing well-paid, full-time employment since her removal from the Register, and the impact that this had on her being able to keep up-to-date with her continuing professional development.
However, the Committee expressed concerns over her efforts to keep up-to-date with the knowledge and skills she would need to return to practice and said she demonstrated “no real appreciation of what she needed to put in place to demonstrate that she can return to work safely”.
In particular it found that the CPD she had undertaken was unstructured and insufficient and that therefore she had not done enough at the present time to demonstrate that she was fit to be restored to the Register, especially as she signalled that, if restored, she hoped to work in small animal practice, an area that she had not worked in for some time.
Cerys Jones, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “While the Committee did not consider that the applicant was in a position to return to practice at this point, it did consider that if the applicant applies herself to a properly structured and focused Return to Practice Plan and is able to produce evidence of how she has fulfilled the requirements of that plan, then her application could prove successful within a short time.
"The outcome of the plan for a return to practice will need to ensure the continued protection of the welfare of animals as well as the interests of clients whose animals she might be called upon to treat and, most importantly, the public interest which is founded on a belief that the veterinary certification processes are beyond question or doubt."
In order to allow Ms Padron Vega sufficient time to develop this plan, the Committee adjourned the restoration hearing for seven months (until July 2021).
Ms Jones added: “This adjournment will afford [Ms Padron Vega] an early opportunity to reflect on the concerns of the Committee… and to return with a properly supported programme for the future which will show her understanding of the problems that are likely to face her on her return to practice and her proposals to meet those inevitable difficulties.”
The new pathway shows the opportunity to progress through either clinical or team leadership and how nurses can move into management roles.
Behind each level in the pathway there's a curriculum of learning which starts at the stage of being newly qualified and then moves into three clinical activity levels.
Level 3 nurses for example, would regularly undertake advanced Schedule 3 nursing procedures - such as tail amputations and mass removals, as well as diagnostics - such as MRI and ultrasound.
Beyond this, there are opportunities to become a CVS clinical or team lead, with the former leading a defined area of clinical practice and the latter responsible for line managing some of the nursing team.
In CVS multi-disciplinary hospitals and practices there will also be a new role of Nurse Manager, who will be responsible for the management of a larger team.
Tara Ryan, Chief Veterinary Nursing Officer, said: “There are so many good reasons to provide structure and clarity around nursing careers.
“The nursing career progression will enhance the role of the RVN in our practices and ensure we utilise the skills of our nurses.
"It should give more confidence to vets when delegating to nurses and it will enable nurses to do more for clients whether that be consulting or procedures.
“Most importantly it will support nurses in taking the direction in their career that they want to take.
"There are multiple different options for nurses to progress within CVS – whether it be in practice, procurement, client services or learning, education and development. It means nurses can truly have a life-long career at CVS.”
According to data from Propellernet, there was an even bigger rise in searches for the term 'Adopt a puppy'.
Whether people are getting a dog for companionship or because they’re around more to train them, the charity says it is concerned there may be a spike in people giving up their dog when normality resumes and reality sinks in.
In order to try and prevent that, the charity has created an online quiz for potential new dog owners to test themselves on whether they are really ready to:
Owen Sharp, Dogs Trust’s Chief Executive said: "We’re encouraging potential dog owners to carry out our new test to see if you’re Dog Ready. Are you ready to be chief pooper scooper? Are you ready to forego a lie in ever again? As well as more serious questions around vet treatment and preparing for emergencies.”
Graham Norton, owner of Labradoodle Bailey, TV presenter and Dogs Trust supporter is supporting the campaign. He said: "As a dog owner myself, I know how much joy four-legged friends bring to our lives. I’ve certainly found that my gorgeous dog, Bailey, has taken the boredom out of lockdown for me, and I’ve really enjoyed spending even more time with him than usual.
"However, whilst the thought of introducing a cute, fluffy pooch to your family right now might be appealing, I fully support Dogs Trust’s important message that ‘A Dog Is For Life, Not Just For Lockdown’. Don’t forget that you still have to walk a dog on a rainy evening, and pick up their poo in the dark!"
For more information, visit dogstrust.org.uk/dogready.
The RCVS has announced plans to celebrate veterinary nursing's Golden Jubilee in style this year.
The first nurses to qualify, 50 years ago in 1961, were known as registered animal nursing auxilliaries (RANA). The term 'veterinary nurse' was not used until over twenty years later, in 1984.
Today, veterinary nursing is thriving. The RCVS List/Register of Veterinary Nurses includes 1,715 listed veterinary nurses, and 8,101 who have gone a step further to become registered veterinary nurses (RVNs).
Liz Branscombe, RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council Chairman said: "Still often referred to as a 'young profession' - perhaps because the average age of VNs is a youthful 31- veterinary nursing has reached its half century and has achieved a great deal in a relatively short period. It is moving ever closer to recognition as a fully fledged profession.
"We should be proud of what we have achieved, but it's no time to be complacent: we plan not only to celebrate our history but also to consider what the next decades will hold for veterinary nursing."
The RCVS's plans for the year include, among other things:
The RCVS invites any of the pioneering veterinary nurses who received their qualification in the 1960s to get in touch, so they can play a part in the celebrations. Contact Lizzie Lockett, Head of Communications, on l.lockett@rcvs.org.uk.
The review, announced earlier this year, was recommended to RCVS Council by its Standards Committee following its exploration of the implications of new technologies for both animal health and welfare and veterinary regulation.
The main areas under consideration include the provision of 24-hour emergency cover and the interpretation and application of an animal being under the care of a veterinary surgeon.
The initial stages of this review had been drafted for Standards Committee to consider at its meeting on 9 September, where the outline timetable was also discussed.
Standards Committee Chair Melissa Donald, said: "This is set to become one of our most fundamental reviews of RCVS guidance in recent years.
"Considering the complexity of the issues in question, and their importance to animal owners and the professions alike, it is vital that we allow ourselves enough time to ensure this review is as thorough and comprehensive as possible.
"We have a clear responsibility to seek, understand and, where we can, accommodate the opinions and experiences of as many different people from within and around the professions and the public as possible. I would urge my fellow vets and vet nurses to please find some time to consider these issues very carefully over the coming weeks and months, and to send us their views."
The review will comprise several stages and is expected to take around 12 months to complete. The outline timetable, which may be subject to change, is as follows:
October 2019 – January 2020: six-week Call for Evidence, followed by independent qualitative analysis of all evidence received
February – March: Select Committee-style meetings and independent qualitative analysis of additional evidence gathered [NB this stage is subject to Standards Committee requirements, depending on the evidence gathered.]
April – June: Consider all evidence and draft any new policy
July – August: six-week public consultation on draft policy
September – October: independent review of consultation responses, and production of any proposals for change
November 2020: Finalise any proposals for change and publish any new guidance
To support and promote the various stages of the review the College is also planning a programme of stakeholder engagement, and will also provide regular updates on progress to both Council and the wider profession.
Members of the professions and the public will be able to follow the progress of the review via the RCVS website at: www.rcvs.org.uk/undercare
Laxatract is indicated for the treatment of constipation and symptomatic treatment of diseases which require facilitated defecation such as partial obstructions.
The recommended dosage is 400 mg lactulose per kg bodyweight per day, which corresponds to 0.6 ml veterinary medicinal product per kg body weight per day. Approximately two to three days of treatment may be necessary before a treatment effect occurs (preferably divided into 2-3 doses over the day).
Laxatract is available in a 50 ml bottle complete with a 5 ml syringe for easy administration. It can be mixed with food or given directly into the mouth.
Dechra Brand Manager Carol Morgan said: "Cats and dogs may need to be treated for constipation for a number of reasons including intestinal atony after surgery, hairballs, or massive intestinal contents and Laxatract provides a safe and effective solution to facilitate that.
"Laxatract can also be used when facilitated defecation is required such as partial obstructions due to tumours and fractures, rectal diverticulum, proctitis and poisoning."
For more information visit: https://www.dechra.co.uk/new-from-dechra.