Centaur has launched a new service on the MyCentaur website which allows for 24-hour ordering from any broadband enabled computer.
A secure practice shopping list with controlled staff access to ordering and management information enables practices to safely control any buying.
According to the company, a key feature of the website is that any orders placed on line by 9pm will be delivered the following day, which gives practices even greater flexibility on ordering times over any existing vet wholesaling ordering service. As well as greater convenience, a financial benefit in using this method of ordering is that all on-line orders attract an additional two per cent discount.
The results of a new study1 highlighting the prevalence of Angiostrongylus vasorum infection as seen by UK veterinary surgeons, combined with the low awareness amongst dog owners of this parasite2 has led Bayer Animal Health to launch a nationwide 'Be Lungworm Aware' initiative.
Backed by a hard-hitting national advertising, PR and radio campaign which kicks off in April, the initiative aims to highlight the prevalence of this potentially, and often fatal infection, and to drive pet owners to their veterinary practices for further information.
The initiative also sees the launch of a new educational website for dog owners - http://www.lungworm.co.uk/. The site offers further information on the infection, including likely signs, how to obtain treatment and a video of the lifecycle of the parasite showing the threat posed by the lungworm's intermediate hosts - slugs and snails.
The study revealed that 16% of vets questioned had one or more confirmed cases of the disease. A further 10% had seen dogs that they suspected had the infection. However, only 6% of dog owners questioned in a UK wide survey had unprompted awareness of the parasite.
Bayer's Chris White said: "These results are no surprise following the reports last year of confirmed cases of Angiostrongylus vasorum as far north as Glasgow. The disease has seen a rapid rise in importance over the past few years highlighted by the number of vets and nurses that attended the Advocate CPD meetings held around the country at the end of last year.
"The 'Be Lungworm Aware' initiative aims to educate owners on the risks associated with infection, to encourage them to visit their vet for further information and discuss their dogs' parasite protection plan."
For further details, or to order the supporting practice materials, including a new educational waiting room display and practice PR pack to help raise awareness locally, please contact your Bayer representative or ring 01635 563682.
1Insight Track, 2008 2Insight Track, 2009
Juliet Drummond, the veterinary nurse leader from Park Veterinary Hospital in Sheffield, has won a luxury spa weekend worth £900 in the Dechra Veterinary Products Vetivex® fluids competition.
The weekend break is for up to four guests at the health spa of her choice and Miss Drummond was picked from over 560 entrants. She said: "I am delighted to have won this prize and will be taking three members of the practice nursing staff with me to Spa 1877 in Sheffield for a well-earned treat."
Roger Brown, product manager at Dechra said: "We're delighted with the level of entries to the competition and the increased profile for Vetivex fluid therapy amongst veterinary practices. More practices are now aware that Vetivex fluids come in the most extensive range of bag sizes for treating dehydration in cattle, calves, horses, cats and dogs."
High street vouchers worth £50 also went to Mr John Davison of Davison Veterinary Surgeons and Mrs Vicki Cook of Mount Road Vets in Manchester for correctly answering questions on fluid therapy in the December and January monthly draws respectively.
A total of 16 runners-up prizes of £25 and £15 high street vouchers were also awarded in December and January as part of the three-month long competition.
Janssen Animal Health is encouraging vets and nurses to think 'chicken' this spring.
According to the company, all the evidence suggests that there has been a massive increase in the number of people keeping a few chickens in their garden, resulting in a new breed of chicken owner who often has different expectations regarding healthcare, and views their birds as 'pets'.
Vet Nigel Underwood from Janssen Animal Health said: "It is very tempting for small animal practitioners to think that domestic poultry keepers are the preserve of large animal practices but it is very likely that many cat and dog owners will own chickens too and trust their vet to give them advice about the basic healthcare needs of all their pets."
This spring there is a big opportunity to make poultry owners aware of the need to worm their birds. The return of warmer weather can signal an increase in poultry worm numbers as the ambient temperature increases above 10 degrees centigrade and more worm eggs become infectious. Studies have shown that peak worm counts often coincide with peak chicken egg production. Unless chickens, turkeys and geese are de-wormed there is a risk that egg production could suffer, just when poultry keepers should be enjoying their best yields. Some may even notice smaller eggs and loss of shell and yolk colour. Birds may suffer weight loss, become anaemic or even die.
One study has shown that older birds are more likely to harbour worms and many domestic poultry keepers find themselves with an ageing flock because they allow their birds to live a full natural lifespan. Free range birds are also much more at risk of picking up parasitic worms because of increased exposure to the outdoors, more contact with wild birds and the opportunities to ingest intermediate hosts such as earthworms, beetles and snails.
Janssen Animal Health's Flubenvet® 60 gram pack is an in-feed treatment that, according to the company, is practical even for those with just a few hens in their garden. Flubenvet 60 gram contains enough wormer to treat around 20 chickens, with no egg withdrawal.
While worms are a year-round problem in poultry it is especially important to treat in the spring to tackle the increasing threat of worm infection. Thereafter, poultry owners will also get the best results if they continue to treat regularly in spring, summer and autumn, when new birds are acquired and before putting birds out to pasture. This helps to ensure that contamination of the chickens' environment with worm eggs is kept at a manageable level, reducing the risk of future infections.
Free client leaflets about worms affecting chickens, geese and turkeys are available by calling Janssen Animal Health on 01494 567555.
Janssen Animal Health has launched a range of skincare products - Cavalesse® and Cavalesse® Topical - to help maintain and support a healthy skin in horses prone to summer skin allergies.
According to the company, summer skin allergies, including sweet itch, which is caused by reactions to bites from Culicoides midges, can be serious and frustrating conditions that affect three to five per cent of all horses in the UK. These allergies can be difficult to manage and are often a real challenge for both horse owners and vets alike.
Cavalesse is a natural food supplement containing a specialised formulation of water-soluble vitamins and minerals, including Nicotinamide. Once a month the contents of each sachet are dissolved in water to form an oral solution, which can be administered daily via a special pipette, either by sprinkling over a small handful of feed or adding to a treat such as a sugar lump. The supplement helps horses maintain a healthy skin by reducing histamine release within the skin, moderating the excessive immune response within the skin, reducing anti-inflammatory reactions and suppressing antigen induced transformation.
To complete the Cavalesse skin management range, Cavalesse Topical is a skincare gel that can be used in combination with the Cavalesse solution. The gel can be applied to the skin to help support natural immunity from the outside, whilst the oral solution works in partnership from the inside.
Helen Goldberg, marketing manager at Janssen Animal Health said: "Summer skin allergies, such as sweet itch, are frustrating conditions that can be difficult to treat. To help prevent the disease, horses are often fully blanketed while out at grass, given limited access to pasture or covered with insect repellents, while treatment has included antihistamines and corticosteroids which can have side-effects.
"Only available via veterinary wholesalers, the Cavalesse range of products will enable owners to protect their horses from the inside, whilst maintaining a healthy skin from the outside."
2ml of Cavalesse should be administered to horses and ponies weighing less than 500kg daily, while horses weighing more than 500kg should be given 3ml per day. Cavalesse Topical should be applied to the skin according to requirements.
For further information, please contact your Janssen Animal Health account manager or phone 01494 567555.
The RCVS and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) will be holding a free Masterclass offering practical guidance on the requirements of the Veterinary Practice Premises Register, on Saturday 4 April, at BSAVA Congress.
If you are concerned about medicines inspections and would like further information about complying, this is your chance to find out what you need to do.
By 1 April, all practice premises from which medicines are supplied should be registered with the RCVS. All such premises are then subject to inspection - by either Practice Standards Scheme inspectors, if accredited under the Scheme, or VMD inspectors. Will you be ready if an inspector calls?
Suitable for veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and practice managers, the interactive session will be held from 10am - 12noon, with presentations from VMD and the Chief Inspector of the Practice Standards Scheme, followed by group discussion and plenty of time for questions and answers.
Attendance at the Masterclass, which will be held in Hall 6 of the ICC in Birmingham, is free to BSAVA passholders.
For your free ticket, contact Fiona Harcourt on 020 7202 0773, f.harcourt@rcvs.org.uk, or during Congress visit the RCVS Stand, number 918, opposite the catering stand in the Exhibition hall.
Bayer has introduced a new microchip scanner which is capable of reading all chips, including encrypted ones.
The company says the new Tracer Advance Isomax V scanner offers exceptional reading distances of more than twice those of other scanners on the market, making it a very versatile tool ideally suited for use in companion animal practices or for detecting microchips in larger animals such as horses.
The technology that gives this scanner its backward compatibility with non ISO standard chips means practices can now save money by only having to buy one scanner, whereas previously two were required to be able to read all types of chip.
Other features of the device include digital signal processing (DSP), which protects against radio interference from TVs and PCs, and connectivity via USB, RS232 or optional Bluetooth interface.
The Tracer Advance Isomax V scanner is available from Bayer and is priced at £499.95. It comes with a 30-month warranty. Contact your Bayer territory representative for further details.
The 2009 RCVS Continuing Professional Development Record Cards have been sent to all practising vets and Registered Veterinary Nurses.
Undertaking and recording Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is a mandatory professional requirement for these vets and RVNs. Vets must average at least 35 hours of CPD per year and RVNs 15 hours, although many will do far more.
The RCVS can ask to see CPD records - and they may be checked during practice inspections as part of the Practice Standards Scheme. For newly-qualified veterinary surgeons, completing the Professional Development Phase also fulfils the CPD requirements in their first year of practice.
Jill Nute, President of the RCVS, said: "CPD is about maintaining professional competence. Vets and RVNs are expected to make continuous improvements in their knowledge and skills, which will have benefits for their patients and clients, their own development and the profession at large. Undertaking CPD allows vets and RVNs to demonstrate their commitment to maintaining the highest professional standards."
As professionals, vets and RVNs are expected to evaluate what knowledge and skills they need to develop, and how they will do this. This may include activities such as going to particular case-conferences or asking for some in-house training. Getting together with other practices to organise training sessions or secondments or finding a mentor can also be useful.
Personal study - documented in a learning diary detailing the aims of the study, what was studied and the outcomes, for example, a change made to a practice protocol - can also be used. There is no limit on properly documented study, but vets cannot count more than 10 hours, and veterinary nurses five hours, each year of undocumented study.
All CPD activity should be systematically planned to meet identified professional needs, and clear records must be kept of what has been done.
Further information about CPD requirements for veterinary surgeons and Registered Veterinary Nurses can be found on the back of the CPD Record Card, and at RCVSonline (www.rcvs.org.uk).
VetNurse members Faye Eaton and Gillian Mostyn, and the team at Pennine Vets are doing the Coniston Challenge later this year: 30kms of arduous cycling, hiking and canoeing for Guide Dogs.
You can support them with a donation, however small (£2 minimum) at: http://www.justgiving.com/penninevetschallenge.
Bayer Animal Health has signed a deal to sponsor GMTV's pet clinic to promote its market-leading wormer, Drontal.
Running from Monday 16 February to Friday 20 February, the pet clinic will feature TV vet Emma Milne advising viewers on the health and welfare of their pets.
The pet clinic slots will run twice a day throughout the week on GMTV and Drontal will be featured in the end credits. The advertising will target the product's core target audience - housewives with children - with key messages on the importance of regular worming with Drontal. In addition, GMTV will also include details on Drontal on its website - www.gm.tv, where pet owners will be able to follow a link to www.drontal.com.
Dan White, Drontal's product manager said: "By sponsoring GMTV's pet clinic, Bayer is highlighting the benefits of worming and encouraging pet owners to regularly worm their pets. The advertising features the iconic schnauzer (the face of Drontal's "Worms? Absolutely Not!'' campaign) and will serve to drive clients into practices asking for Drontal. This will not only result in healthier dogs and cats but also ultimately reduce the environmental reservoir of eggs."
CEVA Animal Health has launched Diarsanyl Plus, a new intestinal support paste for dogs, cats and small animals containing prebiotics.
Diarsanyl Plus contains the same unique combination of ingredients as Diarsanyl - montmorillonite, Na+, Mg2+ and K+ ions and dextrose - but now also contains prebiotics called fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS).
According to the company, montmorillonite maintains intestinal function by coating and protecting the enterocytes and absorbing toxins, Na+, Mg2+ and K+ ions help maintain electrolyte levels and dextrose provides a much needed energy source for the small intestine. The prebiotics help maintain normal intestinal flora by promoting the growth of good bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli and stimulating the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) - acetate, propionate and butyrate - which are important energy sources for the large intestine.
Fraser Broadfoot, product manager at CEVA Animal Health said: "Diarsanyl Plus will build on the proven efficacy of Diarsanyl by including prebiotics that naturally balance the intestinal flora of animals with digestive upsets and diarrhoea. The new easy-to-use syringes and palatable formulation will also make it easier for pet owners to administer."
Diarsanyl Plus is available in 10ml, 24ml and 60ml pack sizes for a variety of species, from small animals to large dogs.
For further information, please contact your CEVA Animal Health representative or call 01494 781510.
Understanding profit and loss within a veterinary practice is vital for all employees. That was the message delivered to delegates attending Pippa Reffold's lecture, sponsored by Dechra Veterinary Products, at the VPMA Congress late last month.
Pippa said: "Very few practice managers set targets or share financial data with their employees. Employees have a lot to contribute by improving service and increasing sales."
Roger Brown, product manager at Dechra Veterinary Products said: "Sponsoring Pippa's lecture is part of Dechra Veterinary Products response to market conditions. We have also reduced the price of two key products in our Veterinary Essentials range.
"We realise how significant margin control is right now and constantly review our Veterinary Essentials range. That's why we have reduced prices on Atipam 5ml, the Thyroxyl range and have introduced the Essentials Purchase Plan so practices can make further savings.
Pippa added: "Be open-minded about margin setting and don't apply a blanket mark-up to all products. Consider the contribution to your gross profit and passing on some of the improvement to your customers."
Dechra Veterinary Products offers a margin and profit calculator to compare market prices with the Veterinary Essentials range - to show just how much mark-up can be applied to products without impacting on a client's budget. "It's a simple, but very effective calculation that our Territory Managers can run for you," explained Mr Brown.
To find out more about the Veterinary Essentials range, including further cost savings with an Essentials Purchase Plan and free margin development advice, please call Liz Rawlings on 01743 441632.
40% of Brits are more likely to trust their vet's advice above that of other health practitioners such as GPs, dentists and opticians, according to research announced today by Petplan.
The younger generation are the least trusting in their human healthcare providers with a resounding majority of those surveyed in the 16 to 24 age group saying they are most likely to trust their vet's advice over their doctor's.
Nationally, nearly four out of ten pet owners put more faith in vets than doctors, rising to 7 in 10 in some parts of the country.
Talking of which, my mother needs a new hip. Any of you up for it?
A special interest group has been established for vets, veterinary nurses and chartered physiotherapists interested in the rehabilitation of diseased and injured animals. 'Physiovet UK' aims to provide practical training in the field of veterinary rehabilitation and pain management.
The group's inaugural CPD meeting takes place on Wednesday 20th May this year in Cardiff and will be led by specialist in small animal surgery (orthopedics) Steve Butterworth and veterinary rehabilitation specialist Lowri Davies. Sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition and Merial Animal Health, the meeting will cost £80 for members or £100 for non-members (ex VAT) for the day long event. Membership of the group costs £50.
Lowri Davies, a founder member of Physiovet said: "At this first meeting, the focus is on helping to develop a protocol for diagnosis and management strategies for conditions of the hock, shoulder and lumbosacral cases. Practitioners will recognise that these are commonly occurring conditions that are often managed conservatively but treatment need not stop with a prescription of 'rest'. We will be describing a range of active interventions that build strength, flexibility and general fitness appropriate to lame animals to help restore function and mobility."
For a downloadable registration form for the event, to join as a member or for further information about the group visit http://www.physiovet.co.uk/. Places at the meeting can also be booked by calling 01626 867614 or by contacting kathrin@linhayvet.co.uk.
Hill's Pet Nutrition and National Tourist Boards, Enjoy England, VisitWales and VisitScotland have announced the UK's 21 top dog walks.
Voted for by more than 5,500 members of the public, the list includes places all over the UK, stretching from the Fife Coastal Path all the way down to the Portsmouth Seafront. Amanda Smyth, Head of Marketing at Enjoy England says: "With the current economic climate and weak pound making holidays abroad much more expensive, we expect the number of families choosing to holiday in their own country next year to increase dramatically. What's more, a domestic break is often the easiest and best way to holiday with a pet, and with these 21 walks, if you holiday in the country, coast or even a city, there's no excuse not to take the dog!"
Now into its second year, the 21 Top Dog Walks campaign was set up to help increase awareness of canine obesity, which now affects up to 50 per cent of dogs.
The 21 top dog walks for 2008 are (in alphabetical order):
More details at: http://www.21topdogwalks.co.uk/
Vetoquinol has announced the launch of Rubenal®, a new product for use in renal health management for dogs and cats.
Normal kidney function is dependent upon normal nephron and interstitial tissue structure. When the balance of renal health is tipped, this structure can change and fibrous tissue can accumulate.
Simon Boulton, Rubenal®'s product manager said: "Rubenal® is the first palatable veterinary formulation of Rheum officinale available for use in both dogs and cats. It can be used as an aid to the maintenance of the normal renal fibrotic architecture."
The company has also produced a new guide to the management of chronic renal failure in dogs and cats: Chronic Kidney Disease: Addressing quality of life and life expectancy.
Simon said: "Vetoquinol is dedicated to supporting renal health and the guide is designed to illustrate factors which can affect both quality and quantity of life, including hyperphosphataemia, hypertension, proteinuria, azotaemia and fibrosis in renal disease."
The booklet contains guidelines on the appropriate management of these factors including a wall chart reference guide.
For more information about Rubenal, or a free copy of the guide, please contact your Vetoquinol representative or telephone 0800 1698197.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed the Kennel Club's confirmation that, from January 2010, all dog owners and breeders wishing to participate in the Kennel Club/BVA Canine Health Schemes (CHS) for eye disease and hip and elbow dysplasia will be required to have their dogs permanently identified with either a microchip or tattoo.
BVA President Nicky Paull said: "This move has been introduced at the express wish of the veterinary profession through the BVA and we are delighted that the Kennel Club has taken our view on board.
"In November, following discussion at our Ethics & Welfare Group, we called, along with an independent review of the breeding of dogs, for the permanent identification of all registered pedigree dogs. The inclusion of this requirement for participation in the Canine Health Schemes is hopefully the first step."
Pedigree® today launched its 2009 Pedigree Adoption DriveTM to highlight the issue of dog abandonment in the UK.
It is estimated that there are 100,000 abandoned or stray dogs in the UK every year. Pedigree surveyed animal rescue homes across the UK and in just 33 centres, found that over the course of just eight days between Christmas and New Year, an average of 12 dogs were abandoned per centre, equalling more than one every day*.
Clarissa Baldwin, Chair of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) comments: ‘These statistics illustrate the severity of the situation. As a nation of so-called dog lovers, it is unacceptable that pets are being treated as throwaway commodities. Dog ownership is a privilege, not a right.'
Jane Bingham, Pedigree Adoption Drive Manager said ‘We are saddened by the alarming number of dogs being abandoned each year. Our aim is to help raise awareness of the issue of dog abandonment to ensure that re-homing centres are given support to enable them to continue their wonderful work.
‘The rewards pets provide to responsible dog owners are evident yet the figures show there are still thousands of dogs who are in need of loving homes.'
Pedigree's research has found that over seven million dog owners state that their dog makes them happier and over 1 in 4 (nearly three million dog owners) actually admit they love their dog more than some members of their own family.**
The Pedigree Adoption Drive aims to not only increase the public's awareness of dog abandonment, but also to raise funds to help rescue centres and charities across the UK re-home these dogs. Now in its second year, The Pedigree Adoption Drive is aiming to increase monies donated from last year's £489,000 to £600,000 by donating 2p for every single Pedigree product sold during January and February 2009.
For more information visit The Pedigree Adoption Drive website - www.pedigreeadoptiondrive.com.
There is still time for VNs to apply for funding to the RCVS Trust under its 2009 grants round.
The College's charitable arm aims to make a total of £250,000 available in March and is inviting applications across a range of project areas.
VNs are eligible to apply for some of the funding, including that available under the Small Grants programme.
Small Grants of £500 to £5,000 are available and applications must be received by 21 January 2009. For more information, visit www.rcvstrust.org.uk
Juliet Whatley has joined the RCVS Veterinary Nursing External Verifier (EV) team. The EV team is responsible for verifying the performance of Veterinary Nursing Approved Centres (VNACs), to assure the quality and consistency of NVQ training and assessment against national requirements.
Juliet replaces Susan Newham, and was previously Head of Centre at Hartpury College. She is not a new face to the RCVS - she was part of the team in 1999 under a different structure of 17 ‘sessional' EVs - and we are pleased to welcome her back.
The changes to the EV team have provided the opportunity for the centre roster to be reviewed, so that relationships can stay fresh and objective. The new EV territories will take affect in the New Year and VNACs will be notified of any changes shortly.
Dogs at a Shropshire rescue shelter received an early Christmas present when students from Harper Adams University College handed over more than £800 to help care for them. Veterinary nursing students from all years of the HND and degree courses took part in sponsored dog walks in October and November at the Dogs Trust home at Roden, raising money for the charity and lightening the load for the staff and volunteers there.
Three final year students visited the kennels this week to hand over a cheque for the funds raised.
Despite the credit crunch, which has led to an increase in the number of dogs in need of new homes, the students' friends and families, and college staff dug deep to support them to the tune of £825.67.
Home Manager Louise Campbell was ‘overwhelmed' by the sum raised and said: "I'd like to thank all the students and everyone who helped them to raise this much money. It's an amazing amount and will make a real difference to the dogs. It's not often I'm stuck for words, but this is just wonderful, thank you so much! I hope you had fun doing it."
Dechra Veterinary Products is running a competition for veterinary nurses and practice staff to win a luxury spa weekend with four guests to the value of £900.
For three months all correct entries in the Vetivex competition will also be entered into a monthly draw. Veterinary nurse Alix Berry, from The Vet, Rothwell, Leeds has won £50 worth of high street vouchers in the first monthly draw, by correctly answering questions on fluid therapy.
Of the 500 entries in November, three runner up prizes of £25 high street vouchers and five prizes of £15 high street vouchers were also awarded.
The monthly draw will be repeated in December 2008 and January 2009 and the grand competition prize will also be drawn at the end of January 2009 to win the luxury spa weekend.
For a copy of the entry form, call Becky Morris at Dechra Veterinary products on 01743 441632 or for an electronic version email: marketing@dechra.com.
Two veterinary nurses are looking forward to expanding their career horizons thanks to a bursary from Pfizer Animal Health.
Donna Buzzeo RVN and Serena Fox (who holds an Australian certificate in Veterinary Nursing) were judged to be the strongest candidates because of the commitment they had already shown to developing their skills in dentistry. The bursary, worth £1500 each will allow both nurses to enrol for the BVNA Certificate in Dentistry course and covers course and examinations fees as well as a substantial contribution towards travel or accommodation during the residentially based parts of the course.
Donna Buzzeo works at Mulberry Court Vets in Sudbury with vet Gerhard Putter who is studying towards a diploma with the European College of Veterinary Dentistry. Since the practice has a special interest in dentistry and oro-facial surgery, Donna has been able to develop her skills further and she is currently running a successful programme of nurse clinics promoting oral health. Both Gerhard and Donna have completed the AntirobeTM Dental Leadership courses for vets and nurses respectively. This distance learning course is available through Pfizer's Territory Managers and is recognized as providing 10 hours of CPD time.
Serena Fox has been working towards increasing her knowledge of dentistry for some time while working at the Well Pet Clinic in London. She has attended a dentistry workshop and given talks to other staff members based on her new learning and in 2008 attended the Nursing Masterclass in Dentistry at BSAVA Congress where she found out more about the Certificate.
Marcon Tigges, Antirobe Product Manager commented, "For many years now we have awarded this bursary to champion the cause of further learning in dentistry and also to encourage nurses who want to progress their careers. We wish Serena and Donna the best of luck with their course."
For further information on the Antirobe Dental Leadership course nurses and vets can contact their Pfizer Business Account Manger.
Petplan has issued a last call for entries to the 2009 Petplan Veterinary Awards, and announced that comedian Jason Manford, best known as team captain on Channel 4's 8 out of 10 Cats, will be the compere.
The Veterinary Awards aim to honour the special stars within the veterinary profession and nominations remain open under four different categories:
Petplan says it has already received hundreds of nominations from clients and industry professionals alike. To make sure your colleagues are considered for the accolade log onto www.petplan.co.uk/vetawards to nominate. Entries must be in by 6th February 2009.
The Petplan Veterinary Awards are to be held on Thursday 2nd April on the first evening of BSAVA.
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.