Animalcare has announced the launch of Fungiconazol (ketoconazole), the UK's only veterinary licenced antifungal tablet for dogs, indicated for the treatment of ringworm.
Each Fungiconazol tablet contains 200 or 400mg of ketoconazole, to be administered at a dosage of 10mg per kg bodyweight once daily. Each tablet can be split into quarters or halves, allowing accurate treatment for dogs from 5kg (¼ x 200mg tablet daily) to 60kg (1½ x 400mg tablet daily) and beyond. The hypoallergenic chicken flavoured tablets mean that Fungiconazol is also suitable for dogs with food allergies or atopic dermatitis.
Animalcare Product Manager Tony Liepman said "This is a great addition to our antimicrobial range, and shows once again that it’s possible for us to be innovative without breaking anyone's budget. With the supply of the first and only licensed canine antifungal tablet on the market, we have ensured that all veterinary practices have access to Animalcare’s Technical Support department for further advice on treatment or its use in their patients."
Both 200mg and 400mg presentations of Fungiconazol, in 100 tablet blister packs, are now available from wholesalers.
For further information contact Animalcare on 01904 487687, or speak to your regional Animalcare representative (found at www.animalcare.co.uk/contact-us).
Zenifel contains synthetic feline facial pheromones which imitate the facial F3 pheromone which has been found to be significantly important when it comes to cats creating areas they feel safe and relaxed in1.
According to the company, Zenifel contains a 48ml vial of the same synthetic F3 feline facial pheromone as the market leader, but, thanks to its own diffusion system and a higher concentration of F3, lasts up to 6 weeks; i.e. 50% longer. This, says Virbac, means that Zenifel is both more economical and more environmentally friendly.
Alongside the launch of the new product, Virbac is offering a practice support pack which includes things you need to create a calm area for feline visitors and promote the benefits of pheromones to pet owners. The company is also running a promotion in which practices could be eligible for a year’s free supply of Zenifel.
For more information, contact your local Virbac Territory Manager.
Reference
Throughout November and December Petplan is offering its Appointed Representative (AR) practices the chance to win an extra 5000 Portfolio credits worth £200, by arranging an annual policy using Petplan's RapidApp.
Using the individual practice number on the RapidApp, Petplan will automatically enter the surgery into the prize draw.
To redeem your credits, choose an item from the newly updated Portfolio catalogue and give the Petplan Helpline a call on 01920 462 100. Practices or staff can receive anything from Love2shop vouchers to an Apple iPod Video and there are 50 pages full of items that credits can be redeemed against.
Practices can still earn Portfolio credits every time they issue a cover note but only those using RapidApp will be entered into the draw. Furthermore, if you use RapidApp, the owner will benefit from the first two months cover absolutely free.
The Petplan Portfolio scheme rewards practices for introducing their clients to Petplan. The number of Portfolio credits awarded varies depending on whether practices issue an annual policy or a 6 week cover note, and practices can exchange credits for a multitude of items including practice equipment and high street vouchers.
To be included in the draw practices need to be an Appointed Representative (AR) of Petplan and issue cover through RapidApp. To discuss becoming an AR, please contact Petplan's exclusive veterinary support line, Vetline on 0800 316 8800 to arrange for a local Business Developer to contact you.
The RCVS Disciplinary Committee has suspended a London-based veterinary surgeon from the Register for six months, having found that her falsification of clinical records amounted to serious professional misconduct.
At the two-day hearing, Dr Nicola Ersilova was charged with, and admitted to, three separate incidences of false and dishonest clinical record keeping following her treatment of a collapsed cat, whilst working at Vets Now in Thamesmead, London.
The Committee heard how Dr Ersilova had suspected that Lafite the cat, belonging to Mr Yingzhan Xiao, had been poisoned, so administered fluids and treated her with Lidocaine. A lay colleague, who was assisting with the treatment, subsequently observed Dr Ersilova standing staring at the cat, which had stopped breathing, then leaving the room to go and speak to Mr Xiao. The lay colleague's evidence confirmed to the Committee that Lafite's heart was still beating at this point, and that Dr Ersilova was then heard telling Mr Xiao that Lafite had died while being treated. The lay colleague later discovered that Dr Ersilova had listed calcium gluconate on Mr Xiao's bill and not Lidocaine and, when she questioned the entry, Dr Ersilova told her she was worried about getting into trouble if she had listed Lidocaine.
Whilst reporting these irregularities to the senior veterinary surgeon at Vets Now, the lay colleague noticed that Dr Ersilova had also written "CPR unsuccessful" in the notes, although she was certain CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) had not been attempted.
During a subsequent Vets Now investigation, Dr Ersilova admitted adding this false information concerning Lidocaine, calcium gluconate and CPR, saying during interview that she was aware it was serious professional misconduct and that she was prepared to take the consequences. Vets Now reported the matter to the RCVS.
The Committee considered that all evidence before it fully supported the charges against Dr Ersilova, that her conduct was clearly dishonest, and that her actions were inexcusable, especially for someone as experienced as she was. It stated that a veterinary surgeon's duty to make only truthful and accurate records was so manifest and well known to veterinary surgeons that there could be no real excuse to make such false, misleading and dishonest entries.
The Committee highlighted the comment by Dr Ersilova that she knew she had done something wrong but did not expect her colleague to report her, as providing no explanation, or excuse, for doing something which she knew to be wrong.
A number of submissions were made to the Committee in mitigation, including that Dr Ersilova had admitted her dishonesty to both her employers and the Committee; had an otherwise unblemished record over 22 years of practice; had received no immediate financial gain by her actions; and, did not cause any animal suffering.
Accepting these submissions, the Committee nevertheless felt it needed to balance them against other factors. Dr Ersilova's decision to falsify the records was premeditated and had not been taken without an opportunity for full reflection. There were numerous entries in the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct that highlighted the importance of professional integrity and accuracy, and, given the importance which the Code attached to the duty of veterinary surgeons to be truthful and honest in all their dealings with their clients, the Committee found Dr Ersilova's conduct to be "most reprehensible".
Speaking on behalf of the Disciplinary Committee, its Vice-Chairman, Professor Sheila Crispin, said: "It is of great importance that the public should be able to retain confidence in the honesty and integrity of members of the profession. Both the public and other members of the profession must be entitled to rely on the truthfulness of what a veterinary surgeon has written in the clinical records of any animal [they have] treated.
"It is [our] decision that the sanction of suspension adequately reflects the seriousness of the [Dr Ersilova's] conduct. The sanction imposed is ... the most appropriate to inform the profession how seriously such dishonest conduct will be taken, because such conduct clearly brings the profession into disrepute and ... cannot and will not be tolerated."
The Committee then concluded that the least period of suspension that could be justified was one of six months.
Zoetis Business Consulting has announced the launch of Profitsolver, a software tool designed to boost practice profits.
The software has already been rolled out in the US, where Zoetis says that it has delivered an average of £103,000 extra profit to veterinary practices within a year.
Profitsolver uses the practice's actual data - not benchmarks or accepted norms - to enable the practice to manage costs, set prices and gain return on investments. By using an activity-based costing model and using a variety of data such as practice costs, which staff perform which part of the procedure, how long the procedure takes and what equipment and materials are used, Profitsolver calculates the correct pricing to both cover costs and deliver a predetermined profit margin.
Zoetis says that Profitsolver helps practices to understand how the overall practice profit is being generated. For instance, for price sensitive procedures such as vaccination, the practice can match their prices with the competition, but maintain their profit margin by increasing the price for other clinical services.
Nick Steele, national consulting manager at Zoetis said: "Veterinary practices have no standard method for pricing their services and they are often unable to determine which services make money and which don't. This hampers the practice's ability to accurately value the business and, as a result, profit levels tend to be low for many practices. Profitsolver can turn this situation around and already has a very successful track record in the US."
Zoetis piloted the UK version of Profitsolver with John Goulding at St Georges Veterinary Group. He said: "By and large the veterinary profession still relies on the mark-up of medicines where profits are concerned. Even practices that have made a concerted effort to move away from this type of pricing structure are still making their money from the sale of medicines rather than from vets' fees. For years I have wanted to know exactly how to price our services and this new Profitsolver software does just that.
"Most costs have an element of staff time, an element of fixed assets or equipment and an element of disposable items. Profitsolver takes all of these into account, adds the predetermined profit margin and produces an accurate pricing structure for each procedure undertaken within the practice.
"It's important to take the time at the start to put accurate data in from the practice's latest set of accounts and the Zoetis business consultant will guide practices through this to make the initial set up as easy as possible. For instance, for major pieces of equipment such as X-ray machines, you have to work out how many times a year you are likely to use them.
"By using Profitsolver, we worked out that if we do exactly the same amount of work as last year we can increase our bottom line by at least £200,000 for our 18 vet practice. Since last November, when we installed Profitsolver, we have completely changed our pricing structure moving away from focusing on medicines and the size of the animal to rethink how we charge our clinical care.
"An unexpected benefit is that Profitsolver has made me much more confident about the prices we charge to clients as it is all broken down, so we can see exactly how the invoice is made up. I would be at a loss without it now."
For more information about Profitsolver, contact your Zoetis account manager.
The RCVS Disciplinary Committee has directed that the name of a veterinary surgeon who formerly practised in Norwich should be removed from the Register, having found him unfit to practise veterinary surgery following his Crown Court conviction for fraud.
During the one-day hearing, the Disciplinary Committee heard how Francisco da Cruz had abused his position whilst practising as a veterinary surgeon at Hellesdon Vets, his then workplace in Norwich, by defrauding a insurance companies of around £10,000 with fictitious claims for veterinary treatment on non-existent pets.
Following an investigation by the City of London Police's Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), Mr da Cruz was convicted on five counts of fraud by false representation on 21 February 2013 at the Old Bailey in London, and later sentenced to eight months' imprisonment (suspended for two years) and 200 hours of unpaid community work; he was also ordered to pay just over £10,000 in compensation and costs.
Although Mr da Cruz had left the UK for Brazil shortly after his sentencing and was therefore not present at the hearing, the Committee was satisfied that he was deliberately evading the disciplinary proceedings, rather than being genuinely unable to participate in them, and so the hearing proceeded in his absence.
First accepting the copy certificate of conviction against Mr da Cruz as true, the Committee then had no hesitation in concluding that these convictions rendered him unfit to practise as a member of the veterinary profession. It found that the five counts of fraud were deliberate crimes of dishonesty, committed over a significant period of time and for significant financial gain. He had abused his position as a veterinary surgeon and abused the trust which the insurers placed in him as a professional.
Chairing and speaking on behalf of the Committee, Professor Peter Lees, said: "The Committee has no real confidence that there is no significant risk of repeat behaviour from the Respondent. His conduct subsequent to the criminal proceedings gives it no confidence that he has reformed himself to the extent that he will in the foreseeable future be fit to return to practice. So far from satisfactorily completing his criminal sentence, it appears that the Respondent has deliberately gone abroad to avoid doing so."
Bearing in mind that the purpose of any sanction it imposed was not to punish Mr da Cruz, but to maintain public confidence in the profession and uphold proper standards of conduct within it, the Committee concluded that the convictions were too serious to allow any sanction other than removal from the Register.
The full details of the Committee's decisions are available on the RCVS website (www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary).
NOAH's third Brexit Barometer found that where in the last report, 17% of its members reported feeling 'very' or 'somewhat pessimistic', that figure has now risen to 32%.
Meanwhile, the National Audit Office has revealed in its 'Progress in Implementing EU Exit' report that Defra has been prevented from consulting with the veterinary market by DExEU.
The report states that Defra is one of the government departments most affected by EU Exit and looks in detail at four of Defra’s main workstreams, including ‘import of animals and animal products’ and ‘exports of animals and animal products’.
In an accompanying press release, the National Audit Office notes that in a no-deal scenario there will be a significant increase in certificates needing to be processed by veterinary surgeons. It says: "Without enough vets, consignments of food could be delayed at the border or prevented from leaving the UK. Defra intended to start engaging with the veterinary industry in April 2018, but has not been permitted to do so and now plans to launch an emergency recruitment campaign in October to at least meet minimum levels of vets required. It plans to meet any remaining gaps through the use of non-veterinarians to check records and processes that do not require veterinary judgement."
The BVA says it has previously outlined concerns about the potential for diluting veterinary certification, and is calling on the Government to fully engage with the veterinary profession before making any changes that could impact the UK’s ability to trade animal products safely and in line with high animal welfare standards.
The RCVS has also weighed in. Amanda Boag, RCVS President, said: "We are glad to see the National Audit Office report recognises that a ‘no deal’ Brexit scenario would be likely to reduce the supply of EU veterinary surgeons to the UK and cause uncertainty regarding the status of those EU veterinary surgeons who are currently living and working in the UK and that this would have a particularly serious impact on necessary veterinary work in public health and certification.
"We continue to engage with Defra and, like the BVA, we want to emphasise the essential need for Government to consult with the profession to ensure their plans meet requirements, including maintenance of the high veterinary standards for which the UK is known. We also want to highlight the importance and value of the veterinary profession in other areas of society including caring for pets, horses and farm animals as well as research, education and industry, and emphasise the impact of workforce shortages on all sectors."
Virbac has taken over the distribution of the prescription-only topical ectoparasiticide range, Activyl.
Activyl is available in three spot-on preparations: Activyl for Dogs and Activyl for Cats (flea control) and Activyl Tick Plus for tick and flea control in dogs. Based on the active ingredient indoxacarb, they are effective against developing flea life stages in the immediate environment of the pet.
Virbac Product Manager Kate Woolley MRCVS said: "Virbac is a global leader in parasitology and is using its knowledge and expertise to develop a portfolio of award-winning products. We are delighted to add Activyl to our range of parasiticides."
For more information, contact your Virbac Territory Manager.
The Company of Animals has announced the launch of the CLIX® Car Safe Harness. Designed by Animal Psychologist and founder of The Company of Animals, Dr. Roger Mugford, the CLIX® Car Safe harness has been designed to maximise safety and comfort for dogs while ensuring easy fitting and use for owners.
Ergonomically designed from one continuous loop of approved, safety-standard seatbelt material, the CLIX ® Car Safe Harness provides maximum strength restraint in the unfortunate case of an accident. With a simple buckling mechanism, there is no need to fiddle around with the dog's legs to get them through the harness. Instead, the harness clips from either side of the dog and then plugs into the seat belt socket. Alternatively, it can be looped through the seat belt harness, easily adjusting to any type of car.
The CLIX ® Car Safe Harness has been lined with soft neoprene padding at all points of contact for maximum comfort and safety. Special attention has been paid to the cross design used to protect the dog's chest to ensure that the harness remains in place, even when the dog changes position.
CLIX® Car Safe Harness is available in four sizes and is suitable for most breeds of dog. It comes with a free guide on safe travelling with dogs full of helpful tips on car safety. The CLIX® Car Safe also doubles as a walking harness.
For more information, visit http://www.companyofanimals.co.uk/clix-carsafe.php
A study by Janssen Animal Health has, according to the company, demonstrated that a leading herbal wormer had no demonstrable efficacy against common poultry worms1.
The trial, done to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Standards, involved 48 chickens that had become naturally infected with three different poultry worms - Capillaria (Hairworm) species, Heterakis gallinarum (Caecal worm) and Ascaridia galii (Large roundworm). The birds were randomly assigned to one of three groups:
A. Flubenvet treated groupB. Herbal wormer treated groupC. Control (untreated) group.
The herbal treatment was administered for 3 days in-feed, as required by the 'on-pack' instructions and Flubenvet was given for 7 days as required on the product data sheet. Droppings were collected from individual birds and group pens at intervals for 2 weeks and examined for the presence of worm eggs
Table 1: Worm Count Summaries
Group
Minimum
Maximum
Median
A (Flubenvet treatment)
0.00
19.00
B (Herbal treatment)
108.00
1327.00
425.00
C (no treatment)
74.00
958.00
302.00
The results showed that very few worm eggs were present after one 7-day treatment with Flubenvet. In contrast, those that had no treatment or the herbal treatment still had hundreds of worm eggs in their droppings, suggesting that there were still many adult egg-laying worms present inside the chickens.
Janssen says poultry keepers who rely on preparations like this particular natural wormer may well be building up problems, as the additional numbers of worm eggs in the environment add to the infection pressure and can result in greater worm burdens for their birds. Birds with high worm burdens are more likely to become ill.
According to the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2009 any product making veterinary medicinal claims needs to be licensed by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. A licensed product has to show proven efficacy and safety for the animal species involved. Licensed veterinary medicines can be identified by their Vm number, which is shown on-pack. Products termed 'nutritional supplements', that are not licensed do not require the manufacturer to produce any proof of efficacy or safety. It is often easy to buy such products 'off the shelf' because they are not subject to any controls. Any poultry keeper who cares about the health and welfare of the birds is advised to think carefully about their choice of wormer and to seek advice from a vet pharmacist or Suitably Qualified Person (SQP).
1 Evaluation of the efficacy of flubendazole in comparison with a herbal wormer in the treatment of naturally acquired infections of Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum, and intestinal Capillaria spp in Chickens, Janssen Animal Health
Merial has announced the launch of a new Blippar app designed to educate horse owners about gastric ulcers.
By using the app - which is available free from the App Store for iPhone or Google Play for Android phones - to scan the company's Gastrogard (omeprazole) adverts, posters or website, clients can watch an educational film with one of the UK's leading specialists in equine ulcers, Richard Hepburn BVSc MS(Hons) CertEM(IntMed) DipACVIM(LA) MRCVS, American and RCVS Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine, demonstrating the signs of ulcers and diagnosis via gastroscopy.
Merial's Equine Marketing and Technical Manager Louise Radford MRCVS said: "With 60% of competition horse and 38% of leisure horses & ponies estimated to have gastric ulcers¹,²,³, it's important that horse owners are aware of the signs of this under-diagnosed condition.
"We know that the number of horses diagnosed and treated for ulcers falls significantly short of incidence levels. We hope that this app will help to raise awareness and prompt more horse owners to consult their vet about gastric ulceration."
A separate Blippar app is also available for horse owners that have been prescribed GastroGard. By scanning the pack, clients can view educational video footage on gastric ulcers, find management tips on treatment and prevention, and set a reminder for future risk periods.
For more information, visit: http://www.equinegastriculcers.co.uk, contact your local Merial equine territory specialist or call Merial Customer Support on 0870 6000123.
References
Vets Now, the Out Of Hours emergency vets has announced the launch of Winchester's first dedicated 24/7 pet ambulance service. Specifically designed for the comfortable and secure transport of all small animals, the new state-of-the-art ambulance is fully kitted out with the latest in emergency equipment. After completing a course of rigorous training, the fully trained 'Petamedics' (the animal equivalent of Paramedics), took to the streets of Winchester earlier in the month. Gareth Roscoe, Vets Now Ambulance Service Team Leader said: "This service will make a real difference to animals in a distressed or critical situation. We've responded to a variety of cases over the past few weeks; one of the most recent ones being a nine week old puppy who was receiving emergency treatment at the Vets Now clinic in Winchester after his owner accidentally fell on him. Charlie was brought to the clinic collapsed and unresponsive with signs of head trauma. The vets set up an intensive treatment plan for him and by the morning, he was almost back to normal and we took him back to his daytime vet. "The ambulance service provides owners in the Winchester area with the safest and fastest method of transporting their pets to get medical treatment twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. What's more, the service is also available to owners who have routine transportation problems; so whether owners and their pets are visiting their clinic for a veterinary appointment, attending a referral centre or even going to the groomers, the Vets Now Ambulance offers them a reliable solution to all their pet transportation needs." The ambulance is a significant new addition to the already established Vets Now Emergency Clinic which is based at the Mildmay Veterinary Centre, Easton Lane in Winchester. Caroline Hirst, Senior Veterinary Surgeon at the emergency clinic commented; "The dedicated 24 hour ambulance has already been called out to help several of our clients ahead of its official media launch on 25 September. As an emergency clinic, we often admit patients overnight, and a real plus of having the ambulance is that we can ensure that pets can be returned to their regular vet or back to their owner in the morning safely and with the minimum of fuss. From experience, Vets Now knows that there are regular occasions when owners are afraid to move their pet if it is unwell or has been involved in an accident. We hope that being able to offer the ambulance service will be of great benefit not only to pets but also to owners, giving them peace of mind that their pet is being cared for and transported in a safe environment until it receives the necessary veterinary treatment at the clinic."
CVS has announced its acquisition of the Dovecote Veterinary Hospital, a general and referral practice based in Castle Donington near Derby.
The Dovecote offers a range of referral services including digital X-ray, MRI and CT scanning capability. Its directors, Andrew Robinson, a European RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, and Alison Robinson have been appointed joint Clinical Directors.
Dovecote joins ChesterGates Veterinary Specialists in Chester, Norfolk-based Grove Referrals and St David's Veterinary Group in Devon in CVS' referral practice portfolio. The Group also has a new veterinary hospital - Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists - under construction at Alton, Hampshire; opening in October 2015.
In addition to the Dovecote, CVS has announced the acquisition of further first opinion practices based in Yorkshire and Wales. They are:
Simon Innes, Chief Executive of CVS, said: "These latest acquisitions show continued progress towards our goal of building a strong presence throughout all sectors of veterinary practice. It is a particularly exciting time for our referral team and we are delighted to welcome the team from Dovecote, as well as the other new practices which have joined us recently."
ECC vet Shailen Jasani has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for further development of his pet bereavement website, www.theralphsite.com
The Ralph Site is a non-profit pet bereavement support online resource and Facebook community which Shailen set up in 2011 after the loss of his cat Ralph.
Shailen says that over the past three years, the site has proved to be a much needed resource, with many pet carers benefiting from what it offers and a growing number of practices referring their bereaved clients to the site for information and support, and a sympathetic and empathetic virtual ear. So far, the site has had approximately 60,000 visitors and the Facebook community now stands at an impressive 34,000 Likes.
Shailen manages the site by himself and has has also personally funded all of the expenses to date including design, development, on-going management and promotion costs, to the tune of £30,000.
However, he says he now needs further funds to make the site work properly on smartphones and tablets, improve the memorial section and promote it more widely to pet owners, for which he is turning to crowdfunding and hoping that members of the profession will support what he is doing, both with contributions and by helping spread the word amongst family, colleagues and clients.
Shailen said: "The issue of pet bereavement and the impact of pet loss on their carers is a serious one which is slowly but surely gaining increasing recognition. A resource such as the Ralph Site is invaluable for practices to be able to link and refer clients to. I very much hope colleagues will get behind my campaign."
To find out more about the campaign, visit: http://igg.me/at/theralphsite/x
The acquisition takes the combined number of sites in the Linnaeus Group to 57.
Brendan Robinson, Village Vet director, said: "When looking for investment, there were a number of options open to us, however, we wanted to ensure we partnered with a group which had the same ethos and ethics as ourselves, who are dedicated to providing an excellent all-round service.
"Having chosen Linnaeus, we look forward to the partnership providing great opportunities for collaborating in CPD, sharing best practice, forming relationships with Specialists and other teams within the group, as well as being part of a bigger family."
Lynne Hill, chief executive of the Linnaeus Group (pictured right), said: "Both Village Vet and its referral centre, London Vet Specialists, will be very welcome additions to the Linnaeus team and complement our existing practices, especially those located in the South East.
"All three existing Village Vet directors will be continuing with the practice and remain committed to its success, working alongside the Linnaeus Group."
For more information about the Linnaeus Group, visit www.linnaeusgroup.co.uk.
Scrubs Etc Limited has announced the launch of Steribond, a new skin adhesive notable for the fact that it is sterile and can be stored at ambient temperature for up to 18 months.
The product has so far only been launched to a limited number of people at the London Vet Show last November.
According to the company, Steribond is as strong as a 3.0 suture for external sutures and can therefore be used in place of sutures and staples. It has a 10 second setting time, and will stay in place for between 5 to 10 days, depending on the site of injury and other factors.
The product has a precision applicator with a transparent reservoir, allowing the user to see how much adhesive is available and that the applicator is primed. The company says that it allows for a cosmetically neater wound closure, which can be important to customers. In addition, it is a no-sting product which Scrubs Etc says can remove the need to sedate the animal in come circumstances, thereby reducing costs. Steribond is also showerproof.
Steribond is currently on special offer, priced at £83.64 (usual price £102.00 incl. VAT).
For more information, contact Scrubs Etc Ltd on 0870 080 2332 or see: http://www.scrubsuk.com/steribond-veterinary-skin-adhesive-box-of-10-devices.html
IDEXX Laboratories has unveiled the Angio Detect Test, a world-first diagnostic test which allows veterinary surgeons to detect the lungworm Angiostrongylus vasorum in clinic, with almost immediate results.
Until now, vets have had to rely on the Baermann method to detect A. vasorum, which can present with varied and confusing clinical symptoms. However, the Baermann test has had limited use because it requires faecal samples from the same dog to be collected on three successive days, and the results can be compromised by the intermittent shedding of larvae. IDEXX says this leads many experts to believe that A. vasorum is widely under-diagnosed.
The Angio Detect Test works by detecting an A. vasorum specific antigen in the animal's blood. The test can be used in-clinic using a serum or plasma sample and returns results within 15 minutes. Depending on results, you can offer a licensed treatment or talk about a preventative treatment regime and refer the client to a source of further information, such as lungworm.co.uk.
IDEXX suggests that because the test is inexpensive, it can be used for the diagnosis of A. vasorum suspect dogs and in those with non-specific signs. Indeed, in market research1, 94% of veterinary surgeons said they would use the test in dogs presenting with A. vasorum signs.
In endemic areas, it can be considered as an additional pre-surgical measure to avoid complications associated with coagulopathy.
This test comes at a time when concern about A. vasorum has been growing. A survey of 150 veterinary practices across the UK in January 2013 recorded a total of 952 suspected cases (157 laboratory confirmed), with 81 deaths thought to have been caused by the parasite2. The Angio Detect Test should help to improve the picture, as confirmed cases are logged onto incidence maps so vets can check prevalence in their area.
Ian Wright from the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP) said: "In recent years, there has been spread of the A. vasorum parasite across the UK with cases now being reported as far north as Scotland. It was initially thought this may be due to increased reporting rather than genuine spread, but this pattern in the UK has been mirrored in many other countries and would appear to represent a true emergence of disease. Although the cause of this spread is not known for certain, increasing slug and snail numbers combined with increased pet movement and urbanisation of foxes are all likely to have played a significant part. These factors make A. vasorum a year round rather than seasonal threat.
"Any new diagnostic test that can quickly confirm a case of lungworm is a fantastic development and will help save dogs' lives and give us even greater insight into the extent of the spread of the parasite."
Graham Bilbrough, veterinary surgeon and European medical affairs manager for IDEXX Laboratories, said: "Up until now, testing methods have been time consuming to the client and costly, so the launch of the Angio Detect Test, together with recognition of clinical signs and early treatment will really help to prevent A. vasorum related fatalities in dogs. We also know that some dogs have subclinical angiostrongylosis, and this new test will help uncover this hidden problem before the surgical blade makes a cut. Difficulties in diagnosis have also meant that the full prevalence of A. vasorum in the UK has been relatively unknown. This test will allow veterinary surgeons to quickly identify the parasite and treat it if found. They shouldn't forget that other dogs in the household and the area are also at particular risk from the parasite."
The Angio Detect Test is available now in the UK, and will be launched in other European countries later this year. For more information on the test, visit www.idexx.co.uk/angio or speak to your IDEXX sales representative. For further information and free CPD on A. vasorum and other parasites, visit www.jungleforvets.co.uk or speak to your Bayer territory manager.
The first survey, which was conducted by CM Research, found that male veterinary surgeons get paid more across all levels and roles
Based on 2016-17 salary data collected from 810 vets across the UK, the survey showed that while the average female partner earns £51,315, her male equivalent earns a pre-tax equivalent salary of £69,755 - a difference of £18,440 (36% more).
The survey also found that female full time vets earn an average £41,152 per year while their male colleagues earn £46,921 - a difference of almost £6,000 or 12%.
On average, female part time vets were found to be earning £1,707 less than their male equivalents - around 6%.
Female veterinary nurses also earn less than their male peers, with average salaries of £19,594 being almost £3,000 less than male nurses - a 13% difference.
The second survey was conducted by The Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS). It looked at data from 700 vets and 630 veterinary nurses in the UK and found a 19% difference between male and female veterinary surgeons' annual salaries, with men earning a median salary of £50,750 compared with women at £40,960.
When analysed by hourly rates (but not accounting for period qualified) rates for women were 18.6% lower (male vets had a median hourly rate of pay of £27.90, compared with £22.72 for females).
When salaries were examined by period qualified, a more complex picture emerged. While male full-time salaries are consistently higher, the differences are more pronounced at senior level.
For example, among vets qualified for up to 10 years hourly rates are broadly comparable. But there is a significant difference among vets qualified for 11 years or more, when the median hourly rate for female vets is £28.22 compared with £35.27 for male vets - a 20% difference.
Peter Brown, SPVS president elect said: "The picture would seem to reflect that seen in other professions where women start out on an equal footing with men, but fall behind as they get older. Unless we address those broader issues which militate against women’s career advancement, there is a risk that significant differences will persist."
Adele Waters, Editor of Vet Record said: "These findings clearly show that inequality is a reality for many women working in the veterinary profession day in and day out.
"If male vets get paid more, it follows that they are valued more highly, but why? There is no evidence to justify such a pay differential and there is a legal reason to remove it. The Equality Act 2010 says men and women in the same employment must receive equal pay for equal work."
"There is growing scrutiny on the gender pay divide across all employment sectors in the UK - and rightly so. Vet businesses must act now to resolve these unfair pay differentials so that future generations of veterinary professionals do not face discrimination."
The BVA says the results echo findings from its own surveys. Senior vice president, Gudrun Ravetz described it as "a cause for concern", urging more openness and transparency around pay and calling for "a system based on objective criteria, to ensure equal pay for equal value."
Coincidentally, Gudrun's comments come only four days after VetSurgeon Jobs and VetNurse Jobs announced a new move designed to bring greater transparency concerning salaries: allowing and encouraging veterinary employers to display the salary and benefits they offer as an integral part of their recruitment advertisements.
Photo: Portrait Of Male And Female Vets In Surgery. Shutterstock / Monkey Business Images.
Dechra Veterinary Products has launched Myorelax, a guaifenesin 100 mg/ml solution for infusion for horses which, the company says, relaxes skeletal muscles within minutes.
Dechra's Equine Brand Manager Emma Jennings said: "Myorelax is indicated for the induction of muscle relaxation and immobilisation, as an adjunct to balanced anaesthesia.
"We're delighted to launch this product, which can be combined with a number of sedatives and anaesthetics including detomidine, ketamine and propofol plus local and volatile anaesthetics.
"Myorelax is a centrally acting muscle relaxant which is effective within a few minutes and does not affect the animal's respiratory muscles at therapeutic doses. It can be used in combination with a sedative and local anaesthetics for short procedures and together with appropriate general anaesthetics for induction and maintenance of muscle relaxation during anaesthesia."
Dechra says that horses are able to stand within 45 minutes after single administration, and the product can be used in a 'triple drip' protocol for total intravenous anaesthesia.
Myorelax is available in 500 ml bottles from veterinary wholesalers.
For further information, visit www.dechra.co.uk
The course, which comprises two days of theory and a practical day at Bristol University with course tutors Sue Paterson and Natalie Barnard, is designed to provide nurses with useful and practical dermatology knowledge that can broaden their skill base and extend the services of the practices they work for.
In addition to the study, each nurse was required to submit a case project.
Cathy Gurney, managing director at Vetruus said: "The course was fully booked, a testament to the quality of training on offer and the high regard in which a Veterinary Dermatology Award is held.
"I’m delighted that all the nurses passed. It is not an easy course but they worked hard under the expert guidance of Sue and Natalie."
As well as the Veterinary Dermatology Award, each nurse automatically qualifies to become a Vetruus Dermatology Nurse Advisor. Cathy added: "We are keen to support nurses and practices with both with formal training and informal tutorials, such Vetruus Bites online videos. We want Vetruus Dermatology Nurse Advisors to become a key part of patient care."
The course, which includes diagnostic techniques, practical sessions, allergies, ectoparasites, hormonal skin disease and Otitis Externa, will be run again in 2017. More information on course content, timings and financial support for attendees can be obtained from the Vetruus Territory Managers.
It’s very significant because it’s the first time the College has produced material for practices that highlights the responsibilities of pet owners, as well as those of veterinary surgeons and nurses.
As such, it should be a really useful tool to support the advice given by veterinary surgeons and nurses in practice.
In other words, don’t just stick it on the wall in some hidden part of the waiting room. Display it prominently by the reception desk, and point to it when explaining why owners need to make their own arrangements to bring the animal into the practice in emergency, for example. Or why you can’t prescribe drugs when you haven’t seen the animal for 8 years.
The idea for the poster was first mooted by Jonathan Wray MRCVS in the forum on VetSurgeon.org, after he’d seen a similar thing produced by the French regulator for veterinary practices in France.
VetSurgeon.org decided to produce an English version with input from vets as to what they would like a UK version of the poster to say.
On reflection, however, it was always something which would carry so much more clout if it came from the regulator, so we turned the idea over to the RCVS.
To its great credit, the College ran with the idea and had the poster designed and put through its Standards Committee. The result has now been posted to all practices in the UK, with a pdf version available to download from www.rcvs.org.uk/poster.
The RCVS is now inviting feedback about the poster at communications@rcvs.org.uk.
If you like the poster, I really do urge you drop the College a quick line at that email address and say so. Better still - and I will probably be put on the naughty step for saying this - cc L.Lockett@rcvs.org.uk and i.holloway@rcvs.org.uk. It was they who took the idea forward and made it happen. I think they deserve a round of applause.
Pets’n’Vets has announced that it is burying a veterinary time capsule under its new Roundhouse Veterinary Hospital being built on the southside of Glasgow.
Brainchild of Pets’n’Vets partner Ross Allan, the idea is that the capsule will reveal to future generations how the cutting edge veterinary facility in Glasgow looked in 2015 and help show just how far veterinary science has developed when it is opened in 2115.
Ross said: "The aim of the time capsule is to document the memories, hopes and dreams of our staff at this exciting point in our story, and preserve them as best we can for discovery in 100 years."
The capsule, which was curated with help from The Veterinary History Society and the British Library, contains:
Ross said: "As an orthopaedic surgeon, I’m used to dealing with cutting edge metal plates, screws and pins when fixing fractured legs, but helping develop this capsule was an entirely new challenge for me. It is very rewarding to use great science to preserve these memories as best we can.
"The time capsule has been designed with this in mind: maintaining optimal humidity, zero oxygen and steady temperature. It will be welded shut before being flushed with argon gas, all measures to help preserve the photos, letters and other contents for those that are lucky enough to open it."
In order preserve the contents as best as possible, Ross sought the advice of Glasgow Museums, which advised including archive quality paper and ink to prevent fading of writing and images, as well as the use of corrosion bags to contain the metallic surgical implants.
"I thought it would be fun to include the implants we currently use for cruciate surgery," said Ross. "This is one aspect of veterinary surgery that has especially progressed over the last 30 years and will doubtlessly continue to progress in the years ahead."
David Thomson, Preventative Conservation Officer, Glasgow Museums, added: "Sending things safely into the future is very like preserving the collections we have in the Museum. The Veterinary Time Capsule meets the highest standards for slowing down the normal ageing effects of our environment and we wish it well on its journey through time."
The time capsule has been registered with the International Time Capsule Society (ITCS) at Oglethorpe University, Atlanta, USA.
Ross said: "This will ensure the capsule is followed up and not, like the majority, lost forever," said Ross. "When opened, the contents should offer a snapshot into Scottish 21st Century veterinary medicine and perhaps it can offer a small legacy to the future of veterinary medicine too.
"Veterinary medicine is going through a huge transition at present – the scope of what is available today is poles apart from what was possible even 10 years ago – and we are delighted to help document its development in Glasgow to this point. Just what might be possible when the capsule is opened in 2115 is mind boggling!"
Direct Line made Freedom of Information requests to 44 police forces in the UK, of which 38 were able to provide usable data.
The number of dogs reported stolen in 2017 was 7% up on 2016, which in turn was 14% higher than in 2015.
In second place after Staffies (210 thefts) came crossbreeds (82 thefts), followed by French Bulldogs (61 thefts).
Geographically, the canine crime capital of the UK is, wait for it ... Yorkshire. Eeh by gum.
There were 346 reported dog thefts in Yorkshire and the Humberside, compared to 312 in the North West and 216 in the South East.
If you want to reduce your chances of being the victim of crime by owning the least stolen dog in the safest area, the data suggests you should buy a Springer and go and live in Wales.
Photo: English Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Nieuwland Photography / Shutterstock.
The International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force (IVETF), a group of 26 veterinary practitioner, neuropharmacology, neuropathology and neurology experts led by Holger Volk, Professor of Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery at the RVC, has issued new guidelines for treating and caring for dogs with epilepsy.
The guidelines have been adopted by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and published in the form of a ‘consensus statement’ in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (JVIM).
Professor Volk, who co-chaired the consensus statement process, said: "I was honoured to have been asked to co-chair such an important forum in American veterinary practice. This will be another landmark paper to help improve the care vets deliver for the patients with epilepsy, both in America and beyond.
"Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases encountered by veterinary surgeons and practitioners around the world. The prevalence of the condition means there have been numerous research studies carried out over the years. But, despite such frequent research, there has been a lack of consistency when it comes to diagnosis and treatment.
"This lack of cohesion and collaboration made it difficult for owners and veterinary professionals to communicate effectively on the issue of pet epilepsy. This has led to the global veterinary community changing its approach and, in recent years, working more closely together."
Professor Volk says the aim of these latest guidelines is to provide joined up and collaborative thinking, teaching and learning on various different aspects of the condition that specifically affect America. These include the development of treatment strategies and any potential issues with chronic anti-epileptic drug treatment.
The ACVIM guidelines follow on from seven in-depth consensus statements produced by the IVETF and published open access in BMC Veterinary Research last year, outlining recommendations and classifications on all aspects of canine epilepsy. It was the first time this many veterinary neurology clinicians and neuroscientists formally agreed on the key aspects of the condition.
Professor Volk, who is also the Clinical Director of the RVC’s Small Animal Referral Hospital, added: "There is a real exciting buzz around canine and feline Epilepsy currently. Finally getting to global consensus from the international veterinary community will accelerate research and lead to improved patient care and quality of life for owners and patients alike."
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica has launched a unique and natural muscle building supplement for horses, Equitop Myoplast Power Pearls, containing 18 key amino acids.
The company says maintaining muscular condition in performance and sports horses can be challenging, especially when work load is increased or during periods of convalescence, as feeding high levels of concentrates can often lead to horses becoming 'fizzy' and bulking up on fats and oils.
Scientifically designed to support lean muscle growth, not bulk, Equitop Myoplast Power Pearls is great for optimising performance in horses in intensive training and competition, as well as bringing on young, breeding and injured animals, and for older horses which lose condition easily.
The product is endorsed by top British show jumper, Ellen Whitaker and veterinary surgeon and dressage rider, Christel Robbins BVSc MRCVS.
Craig Beck from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica said: "Equitop Myoplast Power Pearls is already one of the most popular equine supplements sold in Germany and is used by top riders in all disciplines to help ensure their horses reach their full athletic potential. We are certain that with the support of riders such as Ellen Whitaker, Equitop Myoplast Power Pearls will prove just as popular in the UK."
Equitop Myoplast Power Pearls is available in a 1.5kg tub (RRP £65) and can be fed separately or mixed with feed. Horses weighing less than 500kg should be fed one scoop (25g) per day, while larger horses should receive two scoops (50g). Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica recommends that Equitop Myoplast Power Pearls is fed for at least a month as results are normally visible within 3-4 weeks.
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica is committed to supporting veterinary practices and Equitop Myoplast Power Pearls will be distributed exclusively by veterinary wholesalers. An extensive advertising campaign in professional equine publications will help raise awareness of Equitop Myoplast Power Pearls and, for a limited period, horse owners and equine professionals can download a voucher from http://www.equitop-myoplast.co.uk/ offering a £15 rebate against their first purchase. Veterinary practices can redeem these vouchers by returning them to Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica via a freepost address.
For further information on Equitop Myoplast Power Pearls, please contact your local Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica representative, visit www.equitop-myoplast.co.uk or call 01344 746959.