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FEBRUARY 2010 Volume 41 Number 12 Keeping tabs on BSAVA congress delegates

BSAVA congress delegates will take should be alot more Mr Williams said the Delegates will be able astep into the futureofacademic accurate than people association did investigate to explore the frontiers meetings as they enter the doorsof trying much later on to other options suchas of veterinaryscience the scientific sessions at the remember exactly what supermarket-style bar with sessions on association’sannual congress in they have attended and codes on the attendees’ emerging topics suchas Birmingham from 8th to 11th April. then writing it down in a badges (suchasthe system the use of blood Forthe first time at amajor paper-based log.” used at the London Vet transfusions in small European veterinaryconference,new Thesystem will Showlast November) but animal practice.There security technologyisbeing tested obviate the need for paper found that lining up the will also be anumber of old favourites whichwill scan those entering the vouchers for delegates scanner caused suchasbehaviour,feline orthopaedics, lecture halls and automatically identify picking up lunchbags. unacceptable delays in gastroenterologyand cardiology. And them and record their presence. Staff will point the letting people through. for VNs there will be aseries of parallel John Williams. “It is not likethe full body scanners scanner at the badges of “The firmhas assured sessions offering CPD in areas suchas that are being introduced at airports; the people queuing for their meal whose us that this will not be aproblem: the wound management. scanner is likeamobile phone which names will then be tickedoff the list in badges can be read at ashortdistance, Thecongress will open with a the door stewards hold in their hands the central database. the device will bleepand they can go public lecture from mountaineer Joe and which, over ashortdistance,reads a Thesystem is also intended to help straight in.” Simpson, best-selling author of the chip embedded in eachofthe delegate exhibitors,allowing them to record the When delegates arrive inside the true-life adventure, Touching the Void, badges,” explains John Williams,the names of people visiting their stands for lecture hall they will knowexactly what whichrecounts the storyofhis near congress committee chairman. follow-up discussions later,rather than to expect: the same high standard of fatal accident when attempting to climb Thetechnologyshould benefit relying on memoryorscribbled paper CPD presentations that has built the the previously unconquered Siula everybody by ensuring that those going messages,MrWilliams says. reputation of the congress as the Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985. into the CPD sessions have aright to be Visitors to the North American biggest and best small animal veterinary Centrepiece of the social there –but there should also be a VeterinaryConference will already have meeting in . programme is alwaysthe Congress number of other benefits,hesays. seen the technologyinaction and the Among the highlights this year from Banquet where diners will be “The idea is that the information BSAVA has hired the same US firm, atypically wide-ranging programme will entertained by aperformance from the will go to acentral serverwhichthe ITN-International Inc.ofBethesda, be asession on animals that have not first and most famous of all tribute attendees can download and keep as a Maryland, as there is no firmyet previously featured at BSAVA meetings bands,the BootlegBeatles.Formed in record of their ownCPD activities.It providing asimilar service in Europe. –the pet chickens,pigs and goats kept 1980, this “almost as FabFour” are all in increasing numbers by “hobby” highly talented musicians in their own Mercury 3 CPD pages 13 Anaesthesia 33 farmers across Britain. There will also right and their playing career has lasted Cross-words 4 Products 21 Equine pages 38 be astrong emphasis on neurological almost three matters with sessions on the times longer than Periscope 6 Behaviour 23 Livestock 42 management of seizures,spinal surgery the band they BVA president 7 Conservation 26 Travel 46 and the use of advanced imaging emulate with News pages 8 Motoring 31 Business &finance 50 techniques. uncanny accuracy. IN THIS ISSUE

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BRITAIN’scurrent economic profile our way out of this dilemma. surgeons,among the unemployed. is intriguingly similar to that which To generate economic growth one Independent forecasts the landslide Thatcher government has to produce something and sell it to for unemployment inherited from Callaghan some 30 someone else.Our economic cycle is figures seem to agree that yearsago. based on aneed to generate constantly it should peak at around 2.7 With sombre economic prospects, increasing GDP whichother people will million by the spring, which snail-pace growth and adepressing buy alongside anational need to import might encouragethe incumbent outlook for employment, suchan less and exportmore. Cabinet to rush out asnap assessment could equally have been None of it is rocketscience and election early this year. penned by Geoffrey Howe as by Alistair none of it is new to us.Since Thatcher’s Whenever it Darling and mayyet be the poisoned time in office we have repeatedly sold happens,however, chalice awaiting achangeof off national assets and closed down the most of us who have government next spring. boilers of industrybecause they were seen it before knowthat Thedifference maywell be that uncompetitive. elections are atime of Thatcher provedherself to be the Iron At no stagecan Irecall anyone seismic uncertainty which, to Lady whose policies maynot have been saying that we needed to invest in together with the inevitable understand universally popular but were,atleast in uncompetitive industries to ensure that rise in interest rates,will have an effect consumer behaviour and the early days,effective, we had anational future on consumer confidence and an to harness that understanding in the while Cameron, should because it waseasier increased pressure on the family purse. branding and the retail promise which he succeed (and one THE MERCURY and more personally our practices are offering. wonders whyhemight lucrative to press the Re-assessmentofspending No one doubts that consumers want to), has already COLUMN delete button for ugly We have seen that, in most cases,the will continue to bring their sickand been branded as in which aguest industries in favour of economic recession has forced people broken animals to the vetbut if we “slippery” in the press columnist takes opening shiny new to re-assess their spending and, if want them to buy their elective pet and, as yet, has the temperature of offices selling financial even they have not been forced to cut purchases from us,the messageis everything to prove. the profession – services whichwere backdramatically,most families have clear:wehavenochoice but to take Callaghan’s “winter and the world around alwaysgoing to be a made considered choices about what the trouble to understand the rules of discontent” in 1979 pig to police and they buy and where they buy it. and to playthe same game as our wasverymuchthe whichonly have aplace Growth in pet-related spending in competitors,whether they are fellow product of domestic inefficiencies and in aworld where investors’ confidence the supermarket and pet retail veterinarians or retailers in other an unwillingness to changeinorder to is high. channels has come at the expense of channels. compete.Our chaos has been brought elective purchases through the vet, as As historyshows,King Canute about by massive governmental Tail-endCharlie consumers find that they can buy the mayhavebeen “King of all England intervention to shore up aterminally No great surprises then that Britain is same or,intheir eyes,verysimilar and Denmark and the Norwegians sickfinancial system whichhas the tail-end Charlie in emerging from products in amore convenient and of some of the Swedes”, as he represented the epitome of commercial this recession as we have nothing to shopping outlet. pronounced himself in aletter to arrogance and has still, in some corners, makeand very little to sell that anyone This really is the time for Rome for his owncoronation, but light years to travelbefore it could be might want while the world is in such veterinarypractices to takethe trouble even he couldn’t hold backthe tide. described as reasonable or fair. turmoil. Howwill this affect us at home? Terminal aneurism Realistically,weshould expect that the RCVS surveys of veterinarians and nurses Moreover, the financial system would next six months will be critical to have suffered aterminal aneurism economic recovery as the government VETERINARY surgeons, veterinary nurses and VN students are being invited to anyway even if it hadn’t happened at the will have to demonstrate some degree of take part in an RCVS survey of their professions and, for the first time, these point when it did because it wasclearly recovery in order to salvagewhat’sleft surveys will endeavour to measure “mental well-being at apopulation level”. out of control and wasbeing policed by of our international credit rating and “Both surveys are being undertaken on our behalf by the Institute of agovernment with atick-boxmentality this will inevitably takethe formof Employment Studies, an independent research organisation,” says Jane Hern, the and for whom substance wasclearly less public sector wage restraint whichis RCVS Registrar. “As in previous surveys, all the data will be anonymised by the IES material than appearances. equally likely to lead to astrengthening before being shared with us, to ensure individuals cannot be identified.” The information is expected to provide asnapshot of the veterinary professions Thereal problem, one might of union action and awinter and spring and help the RCVS to understand and analyse changing trends. Some data will be suggest, is not that our government of discontent among those who feel the shared with researchers at DEFRA and at the School of at the University intervened at afiscal level whichwe pinchhardest. of Southampton, who will analyse selected topics. could not afford –all governments We’realready seeing unprecedented Forms can by sent back in the freepost envelope (provided), or completed involved did the same –but that levels of unemployment among the online at www.employmentresearch.co.uk/vs2010.htm (vets) and Britain’s economic cupboard wasnot middle classes with record numbers of www.employmentresearch.co.uk/vn2010.htm (VNs). The deadline for submissions only already bare but also that we had solicitors and other professionals, is 8th February. no prospects of being able to produce including anumber of veterinary The findings of previous studies can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/surveys.

Veterinary Practice is an independent monthly publication for members of the veterinary profession in the UK. It is mailed free to all veterinary surgeons in Website: www.veterinary-practice.com practice and is available on subscription (£36 ayear) to others interested. Published monthly by Advertising and subscriptions: ©VPPublishing Ltd (2010): no part of Editor: David Ritchie, BA, HonAssocRCVS this publication may be reproduced in VP Publishing Ltd JCA Media Group Ltd ([email protected]) any form (except for 30 Diamond Ridge, Camberley, 24 The Diss Business Centre, Editorial consultant: John Tandy, BVSc, review purposes) VP Surrey GU15 4LD Scole, Diss, Norfolk IP21 4HD MRCVS without the express PUBLISHING LTD Telephone: 01276 686654 Telephone: 01379 651607 Advertising contact: Jennie Watson permission of the editor. Fax: 01276 63307 Fax: 01379 643204 ([email protected]) Printed by Buxton Press E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Design: Simon Wyatt Buxton, Derbyshire 4 CROSS-WORDS VETERINARY PRACTICE FEBRUARY 2010

Iamnot defending over-treatment Counting the various costs... here.That is aseparate issue. This brings us round to our IAMwriting this during the them biscuits and began my best scalpel in hand, and remarked, “You professional quandaryofour income extremelycold spell in early January attempt at acharmoffensive. After seem alittle tense.” being tied to howwetreat our patients 2010. Schools have been closed for some time my partner,who is normally If we had swapped places he might –that old chestnut and one whichhas days and Ihaveresorted to walking very straight and can turnonthe charm have realised why. Ihavemuchmore been much aired in the veterinaryand the dogwearing crampons Ilast when needed, breezed in. Iwas running empathywith our patients after having national press by acertain member of used as astudent in the Scottish out of steam and wasready for atag- this experience and can definitely state our profession recently. Highlands. team style swap over. that, for patients,“White Coat When it comes to costs,the Christmas is over and Ihave “This shouldn’t taketoo long,” Syndrome” is very real. Competition Commission would not dismantled our faketree and put it and commented the inspector to my partner. Anyway,after the event the GP allowustofix costs across the nation (if the rest of Christmas into twobody “Good, we’vegot abusiness to drove me home and Ipost-op- it did ande w all charged the same,how bags in the loft. Thepractice is quiet as run,”was my partner’sresponse. medicated with half abottle of wine.I would Panorama,the Daily Mail,etc., be people cancel due to ice-bound roads Theatmosphere chilled noticeably. recounted my experience several times able to runall those “vets are shockers” and pavements.Ivisited an elderly client “Another coffee anyone?” I over to my wife as the Valium had stories). who washousebound due to icy volunteered, and left him to it. reduced my short-termmemorytothat TheRCVS has no remit to set cost pavements.Onthe table in her living Afterwards we were joking about of agoldfish. She gave up on me guidelines so we are on our ownthere.I room wasapile of asthma inhalers pepping up their beverages with abit of eventually and left me alone in adrug- cannot imagine the RCVS or BVA propping up apile of tobacco pouches diazepam or something, just to help induced coma on the settee.The next divisions laying down clinical protocols and cigarette papers.Iwas glad to be them along.Orfrusemide to distract morning Itold her everything again. to followlikethey have nationally in the her vetand not her them… Comparisons with the NHS, NHS (and if they did, tell me honestly, GP! Of course this was doctors,vets and our patients are would youfollowthem?). Ispent an hour just foolish jesting and sometimes useful, sometimes So deciding howwetreat and how clearing our drive last using the practice exasperating and often misleading.I much to chargefor it is inevitably down night so Icould getin drugs is aline Iwould have receivedanumber of e-mails (on to individual practices and individual and out as Iwas on- never cross,ever. Many [email protected]) after my last vets.Inthe fact that we makemore call. Iwonder what the vets do,unfortunately, article whichdiscussed an experience we money on more complex cases and get RCVS would makeof although usually on had at our local hospital. more income the more we do,weare non-attendance to out- themselves and not to Some e-mails were sympathetic, not so different from many other of-hours calls due to drug the tax inspector. some shockedatthe service level we professions and trades –for example, weather conditions? GARETH CROSS Ihavehad the received, and one or twosympathetic to private medical practitioners (e.g. It might be an faces up to another occasion to take our experience but with acaveat about osteopaths,chiropodists,etc.), garage excuse to getthat mid- inspection and muses Valium once: it was comparing NHS and vets. mechanics,builders,plumbers,etc., all life-crisis 4x4 through upon the NHS, tests, prescribed by my GP Here is an extract from one suche- work with the temptation to “over- the practice books. costs and charges... as apre-med before a mail: “[I] have some issues with the treat” in their ownfield. (Maybe those of you minor op to be carried comparison to the NHS.When yousee We are all individually responsible more inclined to the out under local an NHS medico,you do not have to be for this,there is no mechanism for the mid-life-crisis sports car anaesthetic by him at the concerned that awhole rangeof veterinaryprofession as awhole, or motorbikecould tryitonasan GP surgery. It wasscheduled to happen unnecessaryand expensive tests are nationally,todefine costs and treatment emergency response vehicle?) just after both our evening surgeries had being performed in order to maximise protocols. Due to school closures we have also finished. hospital income,and that What is one vet’s“unnecessaryand been doing some home schooling and I He suggested arangeofdoses of recommendations for treatment have a expensive tests” is another’s“minimum have runsome rudimentaryphysics Valium to takeand after abrief better chance of meeting the needs of database”. If youwant conformity in experiments for the children in the consideration of the the diagnosis first and foremost, rather treatment methods,that means kitchen. My star pupil did comment at of the situation (i.e.Ihadn’t enough than the aforementioned income someone has to set them and someone one point when things were bubbling, time between taking it and going under considerations…” has to enforce them, but who…? fizzing and spilling everywhere,“What’s the knife for it to work properly) I Does anyone want more regulation? happening nowDaddy? I’m abit opted for the higher end of the dose Opposite problem Thevet who has caused much of scared.”Itwas certainly more Hogwarts rangetobes wallowedimmediately after Theproblem the NHS has is directly the fuss recently referred to an than Eton. the phones had been put through and the opposite one we have:namely,that upcoming exposé in Panorama of how As asuper special Christmas treat the front door of the practice was treatment options are limited due to awful/expensive,etc., etc., vets are.He we were the lucky winners in the locked. their cost rather than made more challenged vets to strive to have “… HMRCrandom PAYE inspection Unfortunately,Iwas then cornered attractive to the clinician. TheNHS as a nothing to fear from programmes like lottery. Their computer picks out by amember of staff about an whole has afixed budget to deal with its Panaroma…”. Well, I’m there already: I random businesses to inspect and ours employment issue and Iamnot sure patients (and GP practices have a have nothing to fear from them. I, and wasselected. what kind of response she gotfrom me. budget individually) and treatment may most of youreading this,will practise Theinspection started just before At the clinic,the doctor and Iwere the well be limited, slowinsupply,not with aclear conscience in what we do Christmas,whichwas nice.They had only ones there. available locally,etc., due to costs. and howmuchwecharge. requested aroom to themselves for the After last month’sslightly critical This is the opposite to our private There is no national conspiracy so morning and we had allocated aconsult look at the NHS,this is agood example system that provides instant healthcare if afew vets are exposed as charlatans, room whichinthe event they did not of them providing amuchmore as supply meets demand and the more the majority of us are not obliged to use.This waslucky as the temptation to customer-focused service: late evening treatment we provide the better for us share their shame.IfIwatched an book afew anal gland empties in there surgical appointments.Whether this has financially.Offering more treatment may episode of Rogue Traders,itwouldn’t first thing wasverystrong. anything to do with the fact that GP well benefit the patient if not the client. makemethink all plumbers and They sat themselves in the office practices (likevet practices) have their So costs are afactor in treatment in builders were crooks,I’d keep using the space only recently occupied by the ownbudgets,enjoyquite alot of any system, but in the NHS they have a ones Itrust. Practice Standards inspector who now autonomyand are paid by results we retarding effect on treatment and As always, it boils down to us all seemed amuchless daunting character can only wonder. conversely in our,orany other private giving the clients the best service and by comparison. Theother thing that wasdifferent system (e.g.USA insurance-based doing the best clinical job we can. My partner wasconsulting initially up there washow sinister asurgical kit human healthcare system) they may What some rogue vetdoes somewhere so Inaively volunteered to startoff with can look when youare its intended have apositive or exaggerating effect on else is nothing to do with me or you, them. Imade them coffee and offered subject, not its user! Thedoctor stood, treatment offered. or our clients and patients. VETERINARIAN Patient: Maltese age: 9yrs Page no. 1 of 1 REPORT-SummaRy Diagnosis: Hyperadrenocorticism

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AFLURRYoflettersinanother of genuine concernatwhat he sees is a diplomacy can achievewhat the threat and find that this requires expensive publication from apoplectic vets profession that has foregone its of violence has failed to deliver. equipment that has somehowgot to be condemning the “rogue vet” principles for the sakeofmoney,and NowIdon’t for amoment believe paid for. Matthew Watkinson makes his desire for abit of free publicity to that many vets are trying to deliberately Most vets also have clients who interesting and franklyriveting tryand sell his book. rip-off clients or recommend require little more than first-aid for reading. Most of us behave the way we do treatments that are not in the interests their pets and would rather have them To my shame,Iliketowatcha for avariety of reasons,some of which of the animals themselves,and I’m not euthanased than spend “vast” sums of good punch-up (verbal or physical) as are more noble than others,and there certain that Mr Watkinson is saying this money on them. much as the next man. It brings out the are few totally altruistic saints amongst either.Ofcourse there are afew bad Youcan already see from the above packinstinct, whichIfind makes one us. apples but that is inevitable and statements where some of the feel momentarily excited and alive. Trying to look at the brouhaha unavoidable and one would be naïveto dilemmas will occur through no fault of Isay momentarily because with the objectively,Iconclude that Mr think otherwise. the vet, but whichcould be perceived passageofjust ashortperiod of time I Watkinson has raised some valid points. And Idon’t wholeheartedly buy Mr to be the fault of the vetincertain am usually left feeling bewildered and It is apity that they have largely been Watkinson’s assertion that the medical circumstances if they misread the not alittle ashamed by my willingness lost in the ensuing rowbecause of the profession goes searching for the “bad desires and intentions of aparticular to be caught up with the “mob”. way in whichhechose to air them. eggs”. Don’t forget that Harold client. Ishudder to think Having been young Shipman wasconvicted only 10 years what Imight be capable once myself (and Ido agoafter years of his colleagues failing Managing shades of grey of giventhe right PERISCOPE not mean this to be as to spot and/or question what wasreally Finally,totry and answer the question, (wrong) set of continues the series condescending as it going on. And whilst there have been should vets alwaysput animal welfare circumstances,and of reflections on issues will undoubtedly changes in the medical profession as a first? Generally speaking, Iwould say historyshows us that I of current concern sound), Ihavebeen direct result of his activities,wecan yes but with some caveats.And if that (and Isuggest most of less than diplomatic in never be sure that there isn’t another puts me in breachofthe oath Itook you) would do well to be the past. Shipman out there,similarly going on entrytothe RCVS,then so be it. I worried. Dreadful things have been Ageleads one to be slightly more unchallenged by those who might have learnt that life is rarely blackand done by perfectly “normal” people circumspect, whichIadmit is not already have suspicions. white and that the skill in getting caught up in the frenzy of the pack. alwaystothe good. To changesome Ido, though, believethat Mr through it with any sense of satisfaction That’swhy Iamloath to start things requires the determined self- Watkinson is quite right when he says is in learning howtomanaget he shades sounding off about Mr Watkinson’s belief of someone young enough not that there is aconflict of interest of grey.Soinwhat situations might somewhat polarised view of the to understand or perhaps fear the between business and animal welfare. these shades of grey arise? profession. Idon’t fully understand his consequences of abacklash to his or This is not necessarily of our making Well, there are undoubtedly clinical motivesbut Isuspect they are amixture her views.Sometimes,though, alittle but it is areal ethical dilemma and one cases where what is in the best interests that Ithink deservescool, calm debate of the animal just isn’t clear.Sometimes in order to tryand thrash out an ethical it is very difficult to decide whether and practical approach. recommending euthanasia is preferable Vets have historically been passive to offering treatment. We are not God safe about many animal welfare issues, with an all-seeing, all-knowing whichhas not shown the profession in appreciation of howevery particular the best light in my view.Perhaps this is case is likely to turnout. achance to makeamends. Ihavecertainly had cases where in Let’sstartthe debate then by stating retrospect Iwished Ihad recommended what Iperceive to be the obvious: most euthanasia far sooner.This leads me to vets became vets because they were conclude that there are other cases interested in animals and waonted t where the euthanasia Iperformed spend their livesworking with animals would have proveninretrospect to and helping them to live healthy, have denied the animal in question the “happy” and/or productive lives. chance to recover. And as another example Ican Reasonably lucrative categorically state that there are Most vets also became vets because occasions when for compassionate they thought it wasaway to makea reasons human welfare should be put in the knowledge that reasonably lucrative living (everybody ahead of animal welfare.Ofcourse one it’s a Swann-Morton who knew no better complained to should do all one can to guide the them about the hugeamounts of owner to the decision that one believes money vets earned!), therebygiving is best but Irepeat we are not God and them adecent lifestyle. we are not infallible. Most vets became vets without any Sometimes,owners (as is usually the When they rely on you - we know you can clue about the general public’s case with mothers of young children) All medical devices are CE marked FM 73368 rely on us for the accuracy and precision in accordance with the Medical Device Directive (93/42/EEC) you demand time after time. perception of their pets and howthat knowbest. But even in cases where our As the preferred choice of Vets everywhere, wastochangeoverthe last 10 or 15 best thought-out advice is ignored, we the range of Swann-Morton surgical blades years. can still do all in our powertoalleviate and scalpels provide a consistent quality, precision and performance to satisfy the Most vets became vets not realising an animal’ssuffering. greatest demands associated with today’s that veterinarypractice does,by In summary, Iwould ask Mr modern practices. necessity,involvetrying to keep clients Watkinson to come down alittle way Where only Swann-Morton will do. happy at the same time as treating their from his high horse and see things animals. from adedicated practitioner’s Owlerton Green, Sheffield S6 2BJ Telephone: 0114 2344231, Sales: 0114 2344223, Most companion animal vets now viewpoint. Iwould ask the rest of us to Fax: 0114 2314966 [email protected], [email protected] find themselves needing to offer high- stop choking on our indignation and to techtreatments to satisfy acertain startrationally discussing the real issue ‘Swann-Morton’ and the ‘Ring Pattern Logo’ are the registered www.swann-morton.com trade marks of Swann-Morton Limited and related companies. percentageoftheir clients’ demands that Mr Watkinson has raised. FEBRUARY 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE BVA 7 Adifficult subject but one to talk about... MENTAL illness and suicide are nurses) will include questions on mental surgeons,none of whichwill come as a personal development reviews and difficult subjects to talk about in any health and well-being.This is apositive surprise.W ork-related stress,the contracts of employment, the BVAis walk of life, but it’snosecret that stepand one whichIhope colleagues transition from undergraduate study to helping to remove some of the the veterinaryprofession will takeseriously. practice (including high levels of debt), difficulties faced in the workplace. is suffering morethan It can be difficult attitudes to euthanasia, ready access to Other initiatives–suchasthe most. Thelikelihood to admit when you’ve and knowledgeofthe means to regional Graduate SupportScheme,run is that youwill know had problems,inyour commit suicide and self-selection (i.e. by the BVAand its territorial divisions, someone in the job or in your the idea that the risk factors are already and the Young VetNetwork’s(YVN) profession who has personal life,but the present in those who are attracted to New Graduate Guide –target vets at the taken his or her own more information we the career). Thepresentation concluded very startoftheir careers,providing life or who has can gather about that ready access to and knowledgeof advice,guidance and supportatavery depression. It is not mental health in the lethal means is probably not operating difficult time. something that we profession, the more in isolation to increase suicide risk. If you’re not already involved in can or should ignore. we can do to help Work is continuing on these studies, your local Graduate SupportScheme, But what can we Professor those in crisis. involving in-depth interviews with or one doesn’t exist in your area, please do? As individuals we BILL REILLY This work will add respondents to explore the possible getintouchtodiscuss howyou can have aduty to support president of the BVA, to anumber of factors in more detail and also the help (or be helped) on our colleagues in the reviews the help studies and surveys barriers to seeking help.Inthe memberservices@ bva.co.uk or visit workplace and outside; available to the already under way.At meantime,the BVAisworking on these www.bva.co.uk/youngvetnetwork. to be aware of those profession last year’sBVA issues both as amember of the Vetlife Within the next month, BVA who maybehaving congress in Cardiff, Steering Committee (encompassing the members will receive aHelpline sticker, problems and point David Bartram, Rosie VetHelpline,VeterinaryBenevolent to be displayed in their practice or them in the direction of help.Asa Allister and Rachel Dean presented Fund and VeterinarySurgeons’ Health workplace,giving the phone numbers profession, the most useful response is stark evidence of the higher levels of SupportProgramme) and through its for the VetHelpline and the Samaritans. to supportefforts to find out about the anxiety and depression amongst vets Member Services Group (MSG). It’sasmall gesture but we hope it will problem and to find practical waysto and vetstudents,ahigher prevalence of TheMSG has recently been serve as aconstant reminder that help makeadifference to vets who are suicidal thoughts and ahigher working on anumber of initiativesto is out there and there is always struggling with the day-to-daystresses proportion of at-risk drinkers improve working conditions for vets in someone to talk to. of their jobs. compared to the general population. order to reduce some of the stress Remember,ifyou or someone you In Januarythe RCVS announced David Bartram also outlined a related to employment issues.By knowneeds help,please call the Vet that its regular surveys of the hypothetical model to explain the focusing on providing practical Helpline on 07659 811 118 (local call profession (veterinarysurgeons and increased risk of suicide in veterinary employment resources,suchasthe rates apply). Water damage ?No,leaky pipes

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New data sheet This,saysthe firm, is an important Reproduction tour as agreat speaker who provides compendium achievement and demonstrates the roadshows informative content that everyone can great strength and success of the use in daytoday practice. published “inside Pets at Home” joint venture VIRBAC Animal Health is to runa Thedates and venues are: 9th THE 2010 edition of the NOAH business model. series of roadshows on Small animal FebruaryatHolidayInn, Belfast; Compendium of Data Sheets for Animal Companion Care finished 2009 reproduction in general practice: options and 23rd FebruaryatAnimal Health has been published and a with 54 surgeries,three in the alternatives,focusing on advances in Trust, Newmarket; 2nd MarchatHall copy sent to eachveterinarypractice. advanced build phase and afurther 15 reproductive medicine. Garth CountryClub,Darlington; 9th Thebook contains the full data at the planning permission/agreement Lectures will be delivered by MarchatThistle Hotel, Exeter; and sheets/SPCs for products from 33 stage. Thecompany is targeting at least Angelika vonHeimendahl, who runs 16th MarchatHilton Hotel in companies.Itincludes colour-coded 15 new surgeryopenings in 2010 with the VeterinaryReproduction Service in Cobham. indices for easier reference,aguide to new partners signed up for the Cambridge. and has been acclaimed by Theevents startat7.30pm with a the cascade,and the up-to-date edition majority of the sites. previous attendees of the 2009 lecture buffet supper and the cost is £20, of NOAH’s Code of Practice for the Promotion of Animal Medicines. Practices whichhavenot receiveda copy should contact Emma Tombling at NOAH ([email protected]). Extra copies are also available to order at £39.50 eachwith special prices for bulk orders. •Donal Murphy, who qualified in Dublin in 1999, has joined NOAH as technical executive. One of his major roles will be to deal with the review of the European veterinarymedicines directive,which starts this year. African trek for animal charity HUMAN CARE FOR ANIMAL KIND VETERINARYsurgeons and practice supportstaff are invited to takepartin a100km trek in Africa’sGreat Rift Valley from 11th to 21st June,inaid of the Blue Cross. Participants,accompanied local Maasai warriors as guides,will trek through wild African country, have the chance to climb the volcano Kitumbeine,and visit LakeManyara Park to experience agame drive. To takepartinthe challenge, people need to register for £249 and pledgetoraise aminimum sponsorship of £2,995 for the charity. All travel, accommodation, refreshments,guides and medical supportare included. Full fitness training to prepare for the challenge and fundraising supportwill be provided through the organiser,Global Adventure Challenges. Further information regarding the event can be found at www.maasaichallenge.co.uk or by calling 0800 840 7139 or e-mail [email protected]. Joint venture group expanding COMPANION Care reports that it has signed its 80th joint venture We constantly strive to care for animals because they are what matter to you. By offering best-in-class products veterinarypartner to open the we deliver quality solutions from prevention to treatment, across therapeutic areas, for horses and all other species. company’s58th surgeryinSwindon With high value added services and technical support we earn the trust of veterinary surgeons, farmers and pet owners. early this year. From animal health to animal well-being, we aim to be your preferred partner everyday. Building a new Pfizer Animal Health. In addition to signing nine partners for new surgeries in 2009, Companion Anticipating market changes. Meeting your needs. Our commitment, a new era of partnership. Human Care for Animal Kind. Care also helped 10 joint venture partners realise the proceeds from the sale or partsale of their businesses. FEBRUARY 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE NEWS 9

refundable against an order for a secretariat since 1994. with the firmfor Virbac reproduction product placed This year’sWorld VeterinaryDay, more than 10 at the event. organised by the WVA, will be on years. Fordetails and/or abooking form, Saturday24th April. Thenext WVA Dr Mugford e-mail [email protected]. congress is to be held in Cape Town is to continue from 10th to 14th October 2011. working on new FVE link with WVA product THE Federation of Veterinarians of New MD appointed development as Europe (FVE) is nowhosting the STEVE Driverhas been appointed as well as secretariat of the World Veterinary managing director of TheCompany continuing to Association (WVA). TheDanish of Animals,taking over from Dr defend dogs and VeterinaryAssociation in RogerMugford who founded the their owners in Copenhagen has hosted the WVA business in 1984. Mr Driverhas been courts. Eastcott Veterinary Clinic and Hospital, based in Old Town, Swindon, has achieved the Bronze level in the Investors in People scheme. The practice was first recognised as an Investor in People in 2006. At its recent re-assessment by Recognising Excellence Ltd, the Investors in People Centre for the South West, the practice was awarded the higher status. Jan Sangster, practice manager, said the practice was extremely proud of this achievement, especially as it is the first veterinary business in the south- west to achieve Bronze. The photo shows director Pete Southerden and client care team member Claire Webster with the Bronze award FOR ANIMAL KIND certificate. VAAJ becomes the BVFLA THE VeterinaryAssociation for Arbitration and Jurisprudence (VAAJ) has been re-named as the British VeterinaryForensic and Law Association (BVFLA). This,saysthe secretary, Graham Cawley,isamore accurate description of the association’s interests and activities. “Aswell as the more obvious areas likeanimal welfare,weare interested in all areas where the lawaffects our profession. “This includes developing agreater understanding of the relevant laws, developing the expertwitness skills of members and also becoming active in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), whichcovers awide rangeof recognised techniques for settling disputes between parties without resorting to courthearing. “Aswehavethis interest and also have members who are certified mediators and arbitrators,wealso offer the profession amediation service either directly or through the BVA. “Wehavealso become affiliated to the Academo y fExperts,with its head office in Gray’sInn, London, which will help to further develop the knowledgeand skills of members.” For further information please contact Pfizer Animal Health, Walton Oaks, Dorking Road,Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 7NS. TheBVFLA is keen to hear from Use medicines responsibly (www.noah.co.uk/responsible) anyone interested in joining or using AH010/10 its services.See www.bvfla.org.uk or contact Mr Cawley at [email protected] or telephone 01228 521450. 10 PRACTICE VETERINARY PRACTICE FEBRUARY 2010 Group model ‘has long-term implications for profession’

OVER the past 25 years, the Medivet continues: “On the ground each curative approach, partnership has developed asmall partnered practice has in effect two can drive up the cost animal health-caredelivery system partners: the clinical partner (the of delivering a which it believes has long-term practising vet) and amanaging partner cutting-edgeservice, implications forthe veterinary (Medivet). All costs and profits are without improving profession as awhole. shared equally whichguarantees both overall levels of While many businesses are finding parties’ interest in ensuring the success service. the current economic of the branch.” His solution wasa climate tough, Medivet Being partofalarge network of more has reduced its average group has distinct specialised clinics chargeper case by advantages,asMrLevy serving anumber of 17% and seen a30% explains: “Medivetis peripheral clinics increase in case load able to negotiate rather than anumber Medivet’s Edwin Hohn, marketing director, and Arnold talks to Medivet Levy, one of the managing partners. over the last 12 about its substantial discounts of stand-alone months. development and its from suppliers,which service providers (Diagram 1). has been built between the client and vision for the future are passed on to all our “The model works likeahub and eachofthe members of staff in a History partners.Italso givesus spoke,”hesays. “Wewanted to achieve practice,” says Mr Hohn. “It has also In 1990, the late Asher the ch ance to invest in integration of services so that made nurses and reception staff amore Teper of Hendon joined John and access the very latest technology. accessibility wasappropriate to the level integral partofthe client relationship. Gladstone,Richard Leonard, Arnold Forexample,wework with acompany of operation. This meant that we could They have been trained to give advice Levy and David Fluss (nowretired) of offering amobile MRI scanning service. reduce the amount of expensive on worming, vaccination and insurance Watford to create the Medivet We also help our partners in other ways equipment at grass roots level but, and as aresult feel more valued.” VeterinaryPartnership.Medivetnow has by providing administrative and training equally,weavoid spending time on over 70 partner practices,40% of which services at our central supportcentre in disease prevention and immunisation Thefuture are wholly owned by the group,with the Watford.” when patientsare being scanned. Erwin Hohn emphasises Medivet’s remaining 60% being joint ventures,and Marketing director Erwin Hohn is “Wealso have an efficient referral of ethical stance.“Everything we do is is continuing to grow. keen to emphasise Medivet’snon- cases both up and down the skills about improving the longevity and Arnold Levy,one of Medivet’s corporate approach. “Our overall pyramid (Diagram 2). It is nurses who quality of life of our clients’ pets. managing partners,states,“We now branding givesusamarket presence and give health and dietaryadvice and the When this is combined with the have 14 central partners and 39 branch our infrastructure does offer our more experienced clinicians who do professional excellence and personal, partners amongst ateam of 158 partners alot of support, but each scans,for example.” caring service that we pride ourselves veterinarysurgeons and over 300 branchisessentially aHigh Street vet Financial viability is crucial to the on, we see abright future for Medivet.” supportstaff,including qualified, trainee practice.” success of the hub-and-spokemodel. Arnold Levy concludes,“We work and newly enrolled veterinarynurses Mr Hohn says the approachcould “Wecould only begin to build this hard to ensure that our levels of and receptionists.The Medivet provide the profession as awhole with a model once we had achieved acritical practice matchthose prescribed by Partnership is owned and managed model for long-termsustainability that mass.Our profitability lets us invest in leading academic institutions,aswell as entirely by practising vets who place might otherwise be hampered by the very latest technologies,services and those of the RCVS,but we are also clinical excellence and ethical conduct increasing costs of capital-intensive facilities,” Mr Hohn adds. ambitious about setting new standards high on their agenda.” technology. Medivetnow has six 24-hour centres in veterinaryhealthcare provision in the TheMedivetapproachto “Our model mirrors successful and serving atotal of 49 peripheral UK.” partnership is unusual. Mr Levy efficient health-care delivery systems veterinarypractices.MrLevy comments: ■ Medivet’sbranches are located in within human medicine and it is this “Todate,few practices in the UK offer Bedfordshire,Berkshire, that makes us unique in animal health- this level of integrated 24-hour care.” Cambridgeshire,East Sussex, Essex, care.One of the cornerstones of our Greater London, Hertfordshire,Kent, Lincolnshire,Norfolk, Oxfordshire and business model is our 24-hour centres Wellnessprogramme Surrey.The supportoffice is in whichprovide high-techsupportfor a Following recent trends in human PHC, Watford, Herts.Details are on number of satellite clinics and Medivethas launched “The Wellness www.medivet. co.uk; for further practices.” Programme”, whichaims to create a information, e-mail It waswhile studying for an MBAin better relationship between the vetand [email protected]. South Africa in the 1980s that Erwin the client, and to encourageclients to began to see aparallel between human takeamore active partinthe healthcare and animal primaryhealth-care (PHC). of their pets.Itisbased on: Client service charter He witnessed howfar evolving •primaryprevention, whichincludes MEDIVET has a“client service Diagram 1. TheMedivet charter” which sets out its technology, coupled with aclinical- health promotion and client education; infrastructuremodel. commitment to the standards of and specific prevention, whichinvolves service it aims to provide to clients. It activities likeimmunisation and parasite reads (in part): control; and, “We aim to: •secondaryprevention, subdivided into ■ Develop an organisation where early diagnosis,using the latest clients are respected and valued and technologyand specific and, above all, their pets are cared for as family timely treatment, where disease is either members. cured or the sequelae limited to a ■ Regularly train and develop our minimum. staff in order to provide the highest “The Wellness programme has seen standard of service and care. Instil in all our staff the awareness ahugeleap in client receptivity to all ■ that every activity ultimately impacts aspects of health promotion and has on our quality of service to you.” Diagram 2. Resource allocation within the Medivetpartnership. increased client bonding, because trust Like you, a Miele will keep on operating for years to come.

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FEBRUARY 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE CPD 13 Facing up to several fresh challenges

WITH growing numbersofpets commonly across the USA and is IFAtesting (indirect Table 1. Disease in dogs travelling under PETS travelling abroad and with the ever strongly associated with arthritis in fluorescent (2005-2006 period) present threat of climate change humans; however, in Europe the strain antibody). Apositive University of Bristol DACTARI lurking,emerging and vector-borne more commonly encountered is B. serologyresult, disease in dogs and cats within the burgdorferi sensu lato,whichwas first howeve r, does not 2005 2006 2005 2006 UK has become an increasingly hot identified in the UK in 2005¹. Lyme alwaysmean the dog Babesiosis 35 28 6 13 topic.But what does that actually disease is nowendemic in many parts of has clinical Lyme mean forpractising vets and how the UK and Ireland, suchasthe New disease,only that it E. canis 15 20 4 12 should we advise our clients Forest and Thetford Forest. As a has been exposed. In Filarial 2 2 1 1 responsibly? zoonotic disease,dogs act as asentinel addition, there are TOTAL 52 50 11 26 Merial Animal Health of human infection. several less No information on carriers/sub-clinical infections recently organised an Themain vector pathogenic or non- evening CPD event, in the UK is Ixodes pathogenic species of Borrelia circulating is areal concernthat government policy with three eminent ricinus,commonly in Europe,infection with whichmay regarding pet travelmay be revised speakers discussing the known as the sheep lead to positive test results using based upon these apparently inaccurate current contentious or castor bean tick. In serology. Thus,other possible causes of figures. issues in the field of endemic areas,more clinical signs should also be considered emerging diseases.The than half of adult in dogs testing positive. Leishmaniasis speakers included Dr ticks maybeinfected. Bloodwork and urinalysis could be Leishmaniasis is caused by aprotozoan Jane Sykes,from the Mice,squirrels, offered in dogs testing positive that are carried by the sandfly,whichisnot University of California, hedgehogs and game asymptomatic,but treatment with currently endemic in the UK. However, Davis; Susan Shawand RACHEL BALLANTYNE birds all act as antibiotics is not recommended if there there have been afew cases of Dr Eric Morgan, both reports on arecent reservoir hosts. is no evidence of abnormalities suchas leishmaniasis dogs that have never from the Bristol seminar where It is important to thrombocytopaenia or proteinuria. If a travelled abroad, but have been in close veterinaryschool. current issues on remember that ticks dog is found to be positive for one tick- contact with another infected dog.This Thespeakers,all emerging diseases need to be attached borne disease,the possibility of co- raises concerns as to whether this experts in their fields, were discussed for at least 24- 48 infection with other tick-borne disease could be directly transmitted delivered awealth of hours in order to pathogens should be seriously from dog to dog via other routes such practical advice and tips transmit the Lyme considered, and tickprevention should as biting. on dealing with diseases that disease-causing organism, B. burgdorferi. be discussed with the owner. Theadoption of straydogs from practitioners maynot be used to This leavesusanimportant windowin Treatment of sickdogs with SouthernEurope is responsible for diagnosing and are sometimes still not whichtoremove or kill attached ticks to doxycycline (Ronaxan, Merial) for four many of the cases nowbeing seen in fully understood. This ranged from prevent infection from occurring. weeks mayresolveclinical signs; the UK. Often these dogs are at high discussion of risk factors for individual Signs of infection then take however, complete elimination of the risk of infection, being in poor body dogs for Angiostrongylus vasorum infection, approximately twotofivemonths to spirochete maynot occur.Inthe UK condition and obviously with no history to current treatment schedules for appear,and include fever,inappetence, prevention of the disease is very of use of sandfly preventives. imported vector-borne diseases suchas thrombocytopaenia and lameness,which dependent on the use of acaricides,as These dogs can even be imported leishmaniasis and babesiosis. mayinitially be localised to the joint well as minimising tickexposure and into the UK already on treatment for nearest to the site of the tickbite.A speedy removalofvisible ticks once leishmaniasis,their new owners being Lyme disease small percentageofdogs maydevelop attached. unaware of the difficulty of obtaining An international speaker in the truest more severe complications,including further medication in the UK, the long- sense,Jane Sykes qualified from chronic treatment-resistant arthritis or Imported diseases termnature of the treatment and the Melbourne University in her native protein-losing nephropathy, whichis Susan Shaw’ssubject was Managing potentially largecost. Australia and has nowspent many years thought to be immune complex imported exotic diseases in UK dogs 2009. Symptoms including skin lesions practising in the USA. Thecombination associated. It is no surprise that with 670,000 (alopecia, scaling and ulceration) are has certainly givenher abroad wealth of However, whilst many dogs do not animals,the majority being dogs,having common, particularly involving the head experience to drawfrom and an showany signs of being infected, they entered the UK under the pet travel and pressure points.These occur in intriguing accent to engagedelegates still provide areservoir of infection for scheme (PETS) since the year 2000, the combination with lymphadenopathyand with! Her subject was Lyme disease,Ixodes ticks and hence other dogs. veterinaryprofession is nowregularly splenomegaly,weight loss,polyarthritis, and the dog. In dogs,adiagnosis is made by diagnosing and treating vector-borne panophthalmitis and renal disease. Lyme disease wasnamed after the detection of antibodies via serology, imported diseases suchasleishmaniasis, It is also important to remember town of Lyme where its association either using an ELISA test whichis babesiosis,ehrlichiosis and dirofilariasis. that the incubation period for this with tickbites wasfirst recognised, available through IDEXX, or through Athorough travelhistoryabroad disease can be months to years and many years after the first reported case and within the UK should alwaysbe in 1883 in .Arecent re- obtained during the initial examination, emergence,most probably prompted by as it maygivevital hints to which changes in land use with people pathogens should be given adopting more rural living, nowsees consideration. Lyme disease as the most common tick- DEFRA has set up avoluntary borne disease in both the USA and the reporting scheme known as DACTARI UK –evenGeorgeBush has had Lyme (dog and cat traveland risk information) disease! It is nowestimated to cost the to carry out surveillance of exotic USA around $1 billion eachyear. disease in cats and dogs in Great Britain. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto is found Susan Shawwas keen to stress,however, that currently there are far fewer cases reported on the DACTARI scheme Rachel Ballantyne, BVSc(Hons), compared with those diagnosed at the CertEM(StudMed), MRCVS, is Bristol veterinaryschool (Table 1). Merial’s technical manager for Frontline. This implies that there is an under Dr Jane Sykes. reporting of cases to DACTARI and it Susan Shaw. 14 CPD VETERINARY PRACTICE FEBRUARY 2010 leishmaniasis should be considered in Table 2. Treatment of leishmaniasis. definitely better than cure. any dog that has travelled up to 7-10 Drug Trade name Dose rate Interval/ Notes / Tickcontrol can be years previously,especially to countries mg/kg duration toxicity achieved not only through surrounding the Mediterranean suchas timely application of Spain and .Itisusually most Pentavalent **Meglumine 100mg/kg Once daily for 30 Pain, swelling at topical acaricides,but also commonly associated with animals that antimonials + antimonate subcut days injection site, by regularly checking dogs have spent relatively prolonged periods allopurinol (Glucantime, hepatotoxicity, following possible (weeks to months) in an endemic 300mg/ml sol, exacerbation renal exposure and removing country; however, acase has been Merial) dysfunction any ticks found with atick reported of acute disease in adog that Alkylphospholipid + **Miltefosine 2mg/kg orally Once daily for 28 Vomiting, diarrhoea hook. Clients travelling spent just four days in Spain. allopurinol (Milteforan, days with their pets should be Diagnosis is most commonly made Virbac) strongly encouraged to by the demonstration of protozoal Purine analogue *Allopurinol 10-15mg/kg 12-24 for months- Increase in uric acid takeappropriate measures organisms in tissue biopsy specimens (Zyloric,100mg, orally years for control levels to protect them from ticks using both light and electron 300mg tab., Glaxo throughout the whole microscopy.Serological tests are Wellcome) duration of the trip,not available.PCR, particularly of bone just to comply with the marrow, offers asensitive and specific *Drugs are not licensed for this purpose in the UK. **Drugs require importation, SIC. PETS regulations when re- diagnostic tool for this disease and can entering the UK. also be useful in monitoring response to **Authorisation and importing into the UK treatment. ■ Veterinarysurgeons wishing to importeither meglumine or miltefosine need to Angiostrongylosis There are no licensed treatments apply to the VeterinaryMedicines Directorate (VMD) for aSpecial ImportCertificate Angiostrongylosis –anemerging canine disease available in the UK, therefore treatment (SIC). Theapplication requires information about the veterinarysurgeon, the animal, in the UK wasEric Morgan’s subject. usually involves the combination of the product and the amount required. When he asked whether many of us drugs requiring aspecial importlicence ■ An online web-based service for SICs is available for veterinarysurgeons at the had seen cases of A. vasorum, VMD’sSpecial Importsite,www.vmd.gov.uk/sis/default.aspx. as shown below(Table 2). These approximately athird of the audience ■ If aveterinarysurgeon has never applied for an SIC before,then apostal difficulties and potential associated high application is required (forms on the website). Once confirmed, the certificate will be responded “yes”. However, when he costs should be seriously considered sent to you. asked if these cases had been before dogs from endemic areas are ■ If aveterinarysurgeon has applied previously for an SIC,irrespective of the drug confirmed, the response was adopted. imported, then RCVS details,etc., will be registered at the VMD and the online facility significantly lower. can be used for the application. This is aquickand convenient process.When With increasing awareness of the Tick-borne disease completed and accepted as valid on the website,the certificate can be printed out and parasite thanks to the recent publicity With an increasing number of our used. surrounding the disease nowthat patients travelling abroad it is essential ■ In addition to applying for an SIC,the veterinarysurgeon will need to either: licensed treatments are available, to consider tick-borne diseases as a 1. Identify aUK-based importing drug wholesaler to importthe drug on their behalf clinicians are nowfar more likely to potential diagnosis for relevant medical from another EU country, or consider A.vasorum as adifferential 2. Arrangetoimportitthemselves direct from awholesale drug supplier in an EU cases.The possibility of co-infection diagnosis; however, they maynot always countrywhere the product is licensed. with more than one tick-borne disease confirmtheir suspicions with laboratory ■ If using aUK-based importing drug wholesaler,they will require copy of avalid should also be considered. SIC as partofthe ordering process.Ifthe drug is being imported direct by the tests.Thus,wecannot be absolutely sure veterinarysurgeon from an EU wholesale drug supplier,the SIC mayalso be required that the apparent rise in cases is atrue •Babesiosis (piroplasmosis) or at least confirmation that the importer is aregistered veterinarysurgeon. reflection of the current epidemiology Babesiosis is caused by the protozoal of the parasite,ormerely areflection of organisms Babesia canis and Babesia gibsoni mayinduce asudden onset of clinical German Shepherds are particularly increased awareness. and is transmitted by ticks of several signs.This means that dogs could predisposed to serious disease and may It is thought that the organism is species,some of whichare found in the develop clinical signs ayear or more develop afatal formofinfection. endemic in most of the southernhalf UK. At present there has only been one after travelling to countries suchas Transmission by blood transfusion also of the UK with afew sporadic cases of reported fatal case of babesiosis in the where the disease is endemic. occurs. infection further north. It is also UK –inanuntravelled dog in 2005. Diagnosis is by demonstration of Clinical signs are predominantly interesting to note that within endemic However, proposed changes to the the protozoal organisms in blood, those of ableeding disorder: areas,infection remains very patchy, PETS derogation, eliminating the need lymph node,bone marroworsplenic haematuria, epistaxis and retinal with some practices seeing lots of cases for ticktreatment before entryinto the aspirates in combination with clinical haemorrhage. Thrombocytopaenia is and others nearbyseeing none.Indeed, UK, could see this disease becoming signs.Molecular (PCR) testing is marked and platelet function is also it can even be that clients’ dogs from established. available from several commercial impaired. Reliable diagnosis can be certain parts of aneighbourhood are at Worryingly,there have also been laboratories and provides areliable achieved with PCR testing on a risk (perhaps all walking their dogs in reports of transmission of Babesia gibsoni diagnostic test. peripheral blood sample. the same park), whereas those afew by blood transfusions and dog bites in There is no licensed product for the Doxycycline (Ronaxan, Merial) is the streets away are not. other parts of the world suchas treatment of dogs in the UK but a treatment of choice and response in the Slugs and snails arethe intermediate Australia. So vets should takeextra care cattle treatment, imidocarb,isavailable early stages of infection is reported to host for A. vasorum.Toacquire an not to be bitten when examining through the cascade.This usually elicits be excellent. infection the dog or foxmust actively or imported dogs. an excellent clinical response within 48 Prevention of all tick-borne disease inadvertently eat aslug or snail. Eating Dogs with babesiosis present with hours and anegative PCR test within 2- through good tickcontrol is most larvaeininfected dog or foxfaeces does signs associated with haemolytic 4weeks. not pose arisk! After ingestion of the anaemia including high fever,lethargy, slug or snail the larvaethen migrate to weakness,red and, in severe cases, •Ehrlichiosis the right ventricle and pulmonary collapse.Once jaundice is clinically Ehrlichiosis is caused by tick-transmitted arteries where they develop into adults. recognised there is apoor prognosis for intracellular bacteria, the most common Thefirst stagelarvaethen penetrate survival. Babesiosis should alwaysbe and important of whichindogs is the alveoli, are coughed up,swallowed, considered in cases of haemolytic Ehrlichia canis,transmitted by the tick and passed out in the faeces.The exact anaemia, especially where there is a Rhipicephalus sanguineus.This tickisrare role of the foxinthe spread of the historyoftravel. in the UK but is well adapted to kennels parasite is unknown, howeverthe Some dogs with partial immunity and indoor environments,socould presence of foxesinthe dog’s mayremain carriers for years,when potentially establish if imported in environment no doubt increases the risk stress through surgeryorother disease significant numbers. Dr Eric Morgan. of infection. IT WASTHE PET WIN OWNER WITHTHE A MURDER

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THE latest series of Dechra by the production of excessive amounts feature strongly. AcademyCPD events provedtobea of ; and that in 80-85% of cases Throughout his talk, Grant great attraction at five venues across this is the consequence of over- emphasised that definitive diagnosis of the UK. Meeting rooms were filled stimulation of the adrenal glands by a the syndrome is areal challengeand that to capacity as vets and vetnurses benign ACTH-secreting tumour situated to all intents and purposes,certainly in gathered to hear Grant Petrie tackle in the pituitarygland. Less commonly – its early stages,one is dealing with a the subject of Canine and mainly in larger breeds of dogs – “clinically-well dog”. Indeed, it is often hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) –a there maybeatumour in the adrenal discovered when dogs are presented for diagnostic challenge. glands themselves. other reasons or for routine vaccination. Right from the start, Grant’s Regardless of its cause,overtime,a messagewas clear.“We are dealing with dog suffering from HACwill develop a Presentingsigns dogs that showsome clinical signs but combination of clinical signs which There is often alow level of owner that are generally well,”hesaid. “There clients mayinitially simply associate with concernbecause progressive external Grant Petrie. is no substitute for thorough history the ageing process.These signs are signs –suchaschanges to coat texture – of deposition in the skin too taking, observation variable in extent and are slow, and polyuria/polydipsia and and this so-called “calcinosis cutis” is and aproper physical result from the effects of polyphagia are sometimes perceivedas almost pathognomic for the syndrome. examination, because excessive cortisol on being positive things (owners will worry Indeed, calcium deposition can occur in there is no single target organs leading to if their dog stops eating but are other soft tissues including the kidneys, diagnostic test for gluconeogenesis,lipolysis, generally quite happy if it has what they tracheobronchial tree and the “great” Cushing’ssyndrome protein catabolism, anti- consider to be a“healthy” appetite). blood vessels. (HAC). We use reports from a inflammatoryresponses HACdogs rarely have apoor appetite different tests to seminar on canine and immunosuppressive or vomiting and diarrhoea; panting and Initial screeningtests confirmadiagnosis.” hyperadrenocorticism activity.There mayalso muscle weakness are put down as being Turning to the question of the routine In an innovative be signs resulting from partofthe ageing process. work-up in suspected cases of HAC, the two-hour presentation, the physical presence of Polyuria/polydipsia is common in speaker reminded his audience that they the speaker assumed the role of adog the tumours themselves. HACcases and often it is the marked would be looking for elevated levels of owner and interacted with the audience Certainly ageisafactor and dogs increase in the frequency of urination “stress hormones” in clinically normal as he visited their “practice” with Otto, over nine years old are prime candidates that owners first mention. In nine out of dogs.Therefore,any concomitant his 12-year-old miniature Dachshund, for HAC. Some breeds are predisposed 10 cases,polyphagia is observed, disease should be ruled out first as sick eachtime developing the diagnosis a to the condition too,including Bichon together with scavenging without any dogs will already have increased “stress stagefurther. Frise,Dachshunds,Miniature Poodles other gastro-intestinal disease.The hormone” levels anyway. He explained that the clinical signs and Terriers.Ofthe larger breeds, reason for this is unclear,but it may So in uncomplicated HACcases,the exhibited by dogs with HACare caused Boxers and German Shepherd dogs represent adirect effect of the increased classic haematologic changes are a levels. “stress leukogram” with amature Emerging diseases –frompage 14 infection in their area. neutrophilia, eosinopaenia, Sixty-three per cent of cases of Eric also highlighted that two lymphopaenia and monocytosis.The A.vasorum present with signs of thirds of clinical cases seen in his red blood cell count is usually normal coughing or dyspnoea. This maybe recent work occurred in dogs that and there maybeanincrease in the accompanied by lethargy, exercise receivednoregular worming number of platelets. intolerance,and signs associated with treatments.Inaddition, whilst A. Serum biochemistrymay showmild coagulopathies,suchashaemoptysis vasorum will infect more mature dogs, hyperglycaemia, decreased blood urea, and haematemesis. there has been found to be amuch mild increases in ALT, moderate to Theexact mechanism underlying higher risk of infection in dogs less marked increases in ALKP,elevated these coagulopathies is not fully than 18 months old –possibly as cholesterol/triglycerides and amild understood, but A. vasorum should be they maybemore curious about hypophosphataemia. Electrolyte levels considered in all dogs with bleeding tasting slugs and snails! Owners mayalso reportthat their are usually normal. disorders. These factors mayhelp clinicians dogs are showing signs of poor exercise Urine is usually dilute (SG <1.020) Adefinitive diagnosis can only be build up apicture of at-risk dogs for tolerance,panting, weakness and with proteinuria (UPC ratio <5) and in made by recovery and identification whichthey can prescribe routine lethargy. These are linked to the about 5% of cases glucosuria may of larvae, either from the respiratory treatment accordingly. underlying protein catabolism which, in feature.Uptohalf of HACcases will tract by tracheal wash or There is currently no licensed turn, leads to muscle wasting. have urinarytract infection; so although bronchoalveolar lavage,orfrom the preventative for A. vasorum,only Thus,panting is aconsequence of the sediment mayappear to be inactive, faeces by Baermann testing.Larvae products licensed for treatment of the weakened respiratorymuscles; the this is often the anti-inflammatoryeffect survive reasonably well in faeces for a infection. These treatments have been increased frequency of ruptured of the increased levels and it is few days at room temperature,so found to be very effective,especially if cruciate ligaments,seen in smaller advisable to culture the urine anyway. postal diagnosis by aspecialist lab is used early in the course of the disease. breeds,isthe result of reduced joint Putting imaging procedures into feasible –atleast 10g should be There are still largegaps in knowledge stability and ligament weakness; and a diagnostic context, Grant Petrie submitted for maximum sensitivity. about the parasite’sepidemiologyand combination of heavier abdominal suggested that radiologyhad modest Eric suggested trying to ascertain lifecycle,into whichresearchison- contents and weakened abdominal if an individual practice wasina going. muscles manifests itself as the classical high-risk area by testing dogs being This seminar highlighted the need to “pot belly”. There mayalso be some seen in practice (using an in-house consider cases based on accurate history redistribution of fat. Baermann test). This could be done and assessment of known risk factors Theskin and coat in HACcases will irrespective of whether or not they for these emerging and vector borne invariably showclassic changes too – were showing clinical signs,but diseases.Clinicians need to use this non-pruritic alopecia, poor hair re- sensitivity would be greater if dogs information to makebalanced decisions growth, hyperpigmentation, skin showing respiratorysigns were in their choices of parasite treatments thinning, more prominent blood vessels, sampled. This would help clinicians most pertinent to individual animals. and the appearance of keratin plugs,or to getafeeling of the level of 1. Shaw, et al,2005. comedomes.There maybesome areas -8> )/05 ,7*949317 .<805 .86=<487

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Epiphen® 30mg Tablets contain 30mg of phenobarbital, Epiphen® 60mg Tablets contain 60mg of phenobarbital, Epiphen® Solution contains 4% phenobarbital. Foruse in the control of epilepsy in dogs. POM-V. *Based on MAToftotal veterinarysales of licensed epilepsy drugs in the UK reported on GFK data December 2009

Further information is available on request from: Vetoquinol UK Limited, Vetoquinol House, Great Slade, Buckingham Industrial Park, Buckingham, MK18 1PA. Tel: 01280 814500 Fax: 01280 825460 Email: offi[email protected] Website: www.vetoquinol.co.uk 18 CPD VETERINARY PRACTICE FEBRUARY 2010 but limited value,inthat There is no single gold proportion of Thehigh dose DXM suppression test is the adrenals are usually standard test for the dogs that do not another alternative. invisible unless calcified, diagnosis of have the although generalised hyperadrenocorticism, disease). ManagementofHAC osteopaenia and signs of However, such At many points during his presentation, dystrophic calcification but combining tests of an ideal test Grant stressed the importance of could be useful differing sensitivities (with high communicating clearly and openly with indicators. and specificities will sensitivity and the owners of potential HACdogs.This Abdominal improve accuracy. specificity) does is particularly important once apositive ultrasound can be useful not exist. diagnosis has been made and treatment to help differentiate between pituitary “There is no single gold standard results.Itisthe only test to distinguish options are under consideration. All and adrenal forms of HAC. Thenormal test for the diagnosis of iatrogenic from spontaneous HACand options should be discussed with the left adrenal gland is peanut-shaped and hyperadrenocorticism,”hesaid. “But it is useful as abaseline test for owner and dialogue established. typically <7.5mm in width, whereas the combining tests of differing sensitivities monitoring responses to medical Thedecision maybeaffected by the right adrenal is oval-shaped. and specificities will improve accuracy. therapy.However, it does not bias of the clinician, financial Establish normal ranges for your usual differentiate pituitary-dependent considerations,factors in the owner’s Confirmingthe diagnosis laboratoryand never base the diagnosis hyperadrenocorticism (PDH) from a lifestyle and aconsideration of the In summarysofar then, dogs suspected of HACsolely on endocrine tests.” functional adrenal tumour (FAT). benefits versus the risks.Ifthere are no of having HACshould have an Thefirst test –whichhas good Thelow dose clinical signs,should we treat? Or are appropriate history, with some sensitivity but poor specificity –isto (DXM) suppression test is based upon there benefits from treating sooner? compatible physical findings and determine the urine cortisol:creatinine the principle that, in normal dogs, What are the consequences of not suspicious clinico-pathologic results. ratio (UCCR). In order to reduce the administration of alow dose of DXM treating the patient? Confirming the diagnosis requires the effects of stress,this should be inhibits pituitaryACTH and suppresses Certainly,HAC has been associated application of screening adrenocortical performed on home-collected, morning, cortisol production. with conditions suchasdiabetes function tests and these tests would “free-catch” urine.Levels of <10 x10-6 Pituitarytumours,however, are mellitus,pulmonarythrombo-embolism, ideally be both sensitive and specific. likely rule out HAC. resistant to the feedbackeffects of calcium oxalate urolithiasis and systemic Thespeaker explained that TheACTH response test assesses cortisol –otherwise PDH would not hypertension. sensitivity is defined as the proportion adrenal gland reserve in response to a develop –and exogenous DXM does Although surgical management is of cushingoid dogs with apositive test pharmacological dose of ACTH. It is a not suppress pituitaryACTH. FATs possible (adrenalectomyfor FATor result (i.e.ahighly sensitive test that simple and quicktest and, in general, secrete autonomously, trans-sphenoidal hypophysectomyfor correctly identifies ahigh proportion of normal dogs stimulate to independent of pituitaryACTH, and PDH), the majority of cases are dogs with the disease) and specificity <450nmol/litre whereas HACcases DXM will, therefore,not suppress managed medically.The veterinary relates to the number of normal dogs stimulate to >600nmol/litre. cortisol production. licensed product in the UK is with anegative result (i.e.ahighly It is auseful screening test although Normal dogs suppress to (Vetoryl, Dechra). specific test correctly identifies ahigh asignificant number have false negative <40nmol/litre at three and eight hours. Trilostane competitively inhibits Cortisol levels >40nmol/litre at eight steroid synthesis by blocking 3β- hours is consistent with HAC. hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.“The Thespeaker said that the lowdose aim is to control serum cortisol levels, DXM supression test washis preferred not stop cortisol production,”said initial screening test in that it giveshim Grant Petrie. great confidence in anegative test result Starting with alow dose initially, and is extremely sensitive if used in administered with food, the trilostane appropriate candidates.Itis, however, dose is increased if necessaryuntil a poorly specific and one should not test good clinical and biochemical response “sick” patients until the associated is achieved. illness has been resolved. Normally,metabolic signs of HAC - D4D8 ABBADFG@AA=4F4@G?58D A9 H8F8D<@4DK Having made apositive diagnosis of resolvewithin amonth and BD46F<68E" 2;8 B4DF@8DE ;4H8 =<@7>K 4:D887FA 4>>AIGE 58;<@7 HAC, it is sometimes useful when dermatologic signs improve after about F;8 E68@8E 4@7 I<>> 78E6D<58 EA?8 A9 F;8 BDA5>8?EF;8K 94687 considering the alternativesofmedical four months,but eachcase must be 4@7 ;AI F;8K EGD?AG@F87 F;8?" 2;>8@68 <@ BD46F<68 78E<:@ 4F 6>AE8 between HACresulting from PDH and It is recommended that the ACTH CG4DF8DE" that arising from aFAT. response test is performed 10-14, 30 Adrenal gland ultrasonographyis and 90 days after starting initial )I8EL CE46G<68 G;4G J8 4E8 I?8L +BHF8 endogenous ACTH (eACTH) can be adjustment, and then, once the patient 28G8E 84E?L% 1;8 I8A7 84E8 6A@F46F F;8 .3/- 186D8F4D<4F at Sandy Park Conference Centre, Exeter, with Professor Penderis; and 23rd March 0;A@8 #)+(( +#$($+! 94J #)*$% +$'+'&! at Newport Hilton with Professor Penderis. Registration is at 7pm for 7.30pm and abuffet will be provided. For further AD 8?4<> A99<68,5H;4"AD:"G= information or to reserve aplace, contact Carmen Bateman on 01280 814500 or see www.vetoquinol.co.uk/Academia/Academia.asp. AOPD Use Vetmedin A.S.A.P ASTITCH IN TIME SAVES LIVES

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†Plus furosemide as required. *Dogs treated with Vetmedin† had a median survival** of 267 days compared with 140 days for dogs receiving benazepril†1. Must-have medicine **Survival was defined as the composite endpoint of cardiac death, euthanasia due to heart failure or treatment failure. Reference 1. Häggström J et al. Effect of pimobendan or benazepril hydrochloride on survival times in dogs with congestive heart failure caused by naturally occurring myxomatous mitral valve disease: The QUEST study. J Vet Intern Med; Vol 22:1124-1135, 2008. Vetmedin contains pimobendan. Prescription only medicine. Further information is available on request from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Bracknell, RG12 8YS, UK. Tel: +44(0)1344 746959. E-mail: [email protected]. www.vetmedin.co.uk. Date of preparation 01/10. AHD6245. 20 CPD VETERINARY PRACTICE FEBRUARY 2010 Fresh ideas to take back to practice

THE historic vineyards of Bordeaux clear that over-activation of MR and the elegant Château Giscours contributes to the progression of heart Speakers and delegates at the cardiology meeting. were the stunning backdrops to a disease and failure. recent gathering of Europe’s Aldosterone is known to have a models to canine clinical disease was this study is complicated foremost veterinary profibrotic effect and debated during this and the subsequent and can be difficult to understand, but cardiologists. chronic activation of presentation from Professor Robert wasexpertly explained by Professor Theoccasion wasa MR has been Hamlin of Ohio State University.While John Bland from the Department of symposium, hosted by associated with cardiac models cannot truly replicate either Health Statistics at the University of CevaAnimal Health, fibrosis,endothelial myxomatous mitral valvedisease York. bringing together dysfunction and (MMVD) or dilated cardiomyopathy, His analysis revealed that the specialists in human vascular wall both speakers argued that the pathology estimated survivalrates for dogs treated and animal science to remodelling.These of end stageheartfailure is similar with placebo or spironolactone at 15 discuss the role of effects are,however, regardless of the cause and that canine months were 66% and 84%, aldosterone in heart seen regardless of models,including those in whichheart respectively (P<0.05). Thehazard ratio, failure and the Dr TIM WATSON plasma aldosterone failure is induced by rapid pacing, whichisanindication of the efficacy of therapeutic benefit of reports on concentrations and are chordectomyormicro-embolism, do treatment, was0.45 (P<0.05). blocking its activity. proceedings at a independent of blood have value. This meant that there wasa55% Cardiologists’ recent symposium on pressure,suggesting reduction in the risk of death or interest in aldosterone heart failure that it is increased MR antagonists worsening of cardiac disease in dogs has largely been expression and/or Developments in the use of MR treated with spironolactone. stimulated by the fact activation of MR, antagonists in humans were reviewed by When only cardiac death or that the aldosterone rather than Professor Bertram Pitt from the euthanasiae w re considered, the survival antagonists,spironolactone and hyperaldosteronism, that is responsible University of Michigan School of rate for spironolactone-treated dogs eplerenone,substantially reduce for cardiovascular pathology. Medicine,who led clinical studies was92%, compared with 73% for the cardiovascular mortality in humans. Thepathogenic role of these demonstrating that spironolactone placebo group (P<0.01), and there was These benefits are not related to any receptors in cardiac tissues is highlighted reduces three-year mortality by over a69% reduction in risk of mortality diuretic or blood pressure effect of by the observation that blocking MR 30% in patients with chronic severe (P<0.05). aldosterone blockade,but appear to be a with lowdoses of spironolactone heartfailure. consequence of blocking the prevents cardiac and vascular He stressed that clinical benefits are Substantially greater mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) that remodelling in humans and avariety of greater the sooner that therapy is Putting these results in context, mediate the remodelling activity of animal models of heartfailure.This started and are in addition to other Professor Bland indicated that the aldosterone. includes dogs,with arecent study cardiac therapies,including angiotensin magnitude of benefit wassuchthat, Scientific understanding of the role showing that spironolactone reduces converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, had it been ahuman clinical trial, the of aldosterone and its receptors in the atrial fibrosis and prevents conduction angiotensin II receptor antagonists, β study would have been stopped on heartwas the subject of the defects in dogs with congestive heart blockers,loop diuretics and digoxin. ethical grounds so that all patients symposium’sfirst twopresentations, failure induced by rapid ventricular On-going studies are examining the could receive spironolactone. whichwere givenbyDrNicolette pacing.1 efficacy of spironolactone in patients The69% reduction in 15-month Farman and Dr FrédérickJaisser from with mild heartfailure and Professor mortality is substantially greater than the FrenchNational Institute of Health Conundrum re-examined Pitt expressed the firmbelief that, in that seen in the equivalent human and Medical research(INSERM) in Thescience linking experimental MR the future,MRantagonists will playa study,whichamounted to 31% over Paris. studies with clinical benefits wasfurther keyrole in preventing many forms of three years.2 Their researchgroup has been explored by Dr Johann Bauersachs from heartfailure. In closing proceedings,Mark pivotal in showing that MR are the University Hospital in Würzburg, Thespotlight then switched to Prikazsky, the president and CEO of expressed in cardiomyocytes and in Germany. veterinaryexperiences with CevaSanté Animale,remarked that the endothelial and smooth muscles cells of He began by re-examining the spironolactone and Dr Claudio symposium wasinspired by the coronaryblood vessels,the aorta and conundrum that, while aldosterone Bussadori from Milan, Italy,who is philosophyof“one medicine” and the resistance arteries.Although the exact induces cardiac fibrosis and plasma dually qualified as aveterinarian and advances that might be accrued by function of aldosterone and MR in levels predict the risk of mortality in medical doctor,described alarge exchanging expertise between human these tissues is poorly understood, it is humans suffering acute myocardial clinical trial of spironolactone in dogs and veterinaryfields. infarction or congestive heartfailure, with moderate to severe mitral valve Judging from the buzz over dinner Tim Watson, BVM&S, PhD, MRCVS, benefits from MR antagonists are seen regurgitation caused by MMVD. later that night, it certainly achieved graduated from Edinburgh in 1987 in patients with normal aldosterone Atotal of 221 dogs entered into a that goal and left all those who and spent seven years at the concentrations. double-blinded, placebo-controlled attended with new thoughts and ideas University of Glasgow followed by Dr Bauersachs’ ownresearchhas study that took place in 32 veterinary to takebacktoboth the laboratory four years at the Waltham Centre for shown that cardiac MR expression is practices across France,Germany, and clinic. Pet Nutrition. He returned to Scotland in 1998 and is now apartner increased in heartfailure patients, and Italy.The dogs received in The Equine Veterinary Clinic in therebyindicating that it is over- either spironolactone at adose of 1. Yang, S-s., et al.(2008) Effects of Houston, Renfrewshire. He has written expression of the receptor,rather than 2mg/kg/dayorplacebo,and were spironolactone on electrical and widely for scientific journals as well as increased production of aldosterone, monitored for 15 months.All dogs structural remodeling of atrium in veterinary and lay publications, and that is deleterious. were concurrently receiving an ACE congestive heartfailure dogs. Chinese provides technical writing services for Other contributing factors might inhibitor and approximately 50% were Medicine Journal 121:38-42. clients in the veterinary and animal include activation of MR by on frusemide. 2. Pitt, B., et al.(1999) Theeffects of health sectors through his company ,oxidative stress,and Theprimaryend points were spironolactone on morbidity and wordvet (based at Townhead of changes in gene expression –so-called cardiac-related death or euthanasia, or mortality in patients with severe heart Aber, Gartocharn, Alexandria, “foetal switching” –inthe failing heart. severe worsening of disease. failure. New England Journal of Medicine Dunbartonshire G83 8NQ). Therelevance of experimental Analysis of clinical trials suchas 341:709-717. FEBRUARY 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE PRODUCTS 21

Distributionrights directly through the wholesaler VSSCo. Allergic skin disease in the cat and dog– Genitrix. Designed to be pinned on JANSSEN Animal Health has acquired Theproducts include dust mite diagnosis and therapy,highlighting the the consulting room or dispensary the distribution rights to market the checkkits; an anti-dust mite sprayfor importance of dust mite control in wall, the poster sets out keydata, sedativesand anaesthetics for small carpets and soft furnishings; and Petal many allergycases. including active ingredients,species and largeanimals from Orion Cleanse,acoat conditioner to reduce information and application advice Corporation whichwere previously allergies to pet dander. Dispensing guide poster for the company’srangeofanti- distributed by Pfizer. Thecompany recently hosted a APOSTER-sized treatment and parasite treatments for rabbits, Theproducts include,for small CPD lecture in Belfast where dispensing guide for small animals is ferrets,rodents,reptiles,birds and animals,the sedativesDexdomitor and Professor Richard Halliwell discussed being offered free to practices by other exotic pets. Domitor,aswell as the antagonist Antisedan, and for largeanimals, predominantly horses,the sedative injection Domosedan.

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Dental chewsreturn VIRBAC has reintroduced VeggieDent Visit our chews as partofits dental range. The chews are available in packs of 15 in NEW website sizes suitable for small, medium and largedogs.The chews contain petplanvet.co.uk chlorhexidine and have atexture and shape designed to optimise plaque removalbyphysically abrading the tooth surface during chewing, says the product manager,Chris Geddes.

Allergy treatments AVACTA Animal Health reports that its rangeofproducts for treating allergies in pets and owners is now available to vets in NorthernIreland Accident-prone toys GET Well Friends is arangeoftoys, unveiled at the London VetShow, whichrepresent anew retail opportunity for veterinarysurgeries, according to Kes(achildren’s author) Petplan’s dedicated veterinary website gives you and Claire Graywho are marketing 24 hour access to claims information, top tips for them. Thesoft toys are accident-prone promoting insurance in your practice and a new animal characters. online stock service, which allows youtoorder “For all kinds of reasons ayoung materials at your own convenience. child mayhavetoleave their pet with a vet. Under suchcircumstances,they Visit our new website today can nowdepartfrom the surgerywith asoft toyanimal character that they petplanvet.co.uk themselves can nurse backtogood health,”say the founders. “The spinner is our recommended displaymethod,”saysClaire Gray. “It has astrong and colourful retail presence.Itholds 15 toys and 15 picture books,and can be bought for £157.50.” Fordetails see the Get Well Friends.com website,whichincludes activity playsheets available free for Petplan is a trading name of Allianz Insurance plc, which is authorised and regulated surgeries to print off,ore-mail by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Registered office: 57 Ladymead, Guildford, Surrey GU1 1DB. [email protected]. If accuracy, speed, and small sample size are important to you...

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1 UKALPHA-019 Data on file. February 2009 ©2009 Abbott Laboratories FEBRUARY 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE BEHAVIOUR 23 Seeking consistency from owners in dealing with problems ANOTHER stimulating day began followedwith “Adherence to advice of Apacked hall of attentive delegates [photo courtesy Mat Ward] with three interesting papersrelated horse behaviour counsellors”, before rise to possible risks of compromised indicators of the state of anxiety?” to “Influences of the client on Kate Thompson, apractising behaviour welfare with repetitive/compulsive He wasfollowedbySagi Dagenberg, behaviour”, evidentlyanimportant counsellor and valued full member of behaviour development one potential nowacolleague of GaryLandsberg in issue in anyfield of veterinary the Association of PetBehaviour indicator.The presented study Toronto,with “Longitudinal magnetic endeavour but of especial relevance Counsellors (APBC), concluded the compared the traditional system resonance spectroscopy changes in aged when working with those owners session with “Training engagement and wherebycalves between twoand six Beagle dogs”, obviously atopic of who areexperiencing problems with the development of behaviour problems months of ageare permanently tethered particular interest due to our expanding their pets’ behaviour. in the dog: alongitudinal study”. in stalls with an population of geriatric Despite their best efforts there is alternative system pets and the rightly invariably asignificant management and Rabbits,calves andcats where animals are increased expectations relationship component to any such Next, a“Stress management” theme housed in groups and demands of their problem and it is after all upon them gave us Natalie Lisiewicz, aUK according to current owners. that the burden of instigating and veterinarian, introducing alapine legislation. Another French consistently maintaining any dedicated dimension with her study of “Social Illustrating her colleague,the ever behaviour programme necessaryto stress in rabbits”. She began by presentation with entertaining Patrick resolvetheir difficulties falls. explaining that she had chosen this video footagefeaturing Pageat discussed “the Jenna Kiddie,aninaugural member species because she likes rabbits and the restful sounds of effect of feline of the FAB’sbehaviour expertpanel, “thinks they are often badly treated”, a contented cattle,the FRANCESCA interdigital who is nowatthe RVC, discussed view with whichwewould all no doubt passion that drivesher RICCOMINI semiochemicals with “Owner reported coping styles and concur. professional continues her reports primers in relation to occurrence of undesirable behaviours in After this,Maria Christina Ossella endeavours wasall too from the recent scratching marking”, domestic cats”. reminded us that it isn’t only the apparent in Maria International before the concluding Ruth Jobling, another member of behaviour of companion animal species Christina’s Veterinary Behaviour presentation ahead of the University of Chester’steam, then that deservesscrutiny,particularly in accompanying Meeting abreak from the same welfare terms, commentary. institution, “The Take-home points when she Interestingly,she maternal cat appeasing ■ Owner inconsistency is important in the development of introduced explained that some of the results pheromone: exploratorystudy of the problem behaviour and its resolution. Arhant’s another “novel” provedsurprising and more complex effects of aggressive and affiliative questionnaire-based surveydemonstrated that older owners, species with than might have been expected with interactions in cats” with Alessandro those with along dog-owning historyand those who rely on “Behaviour and stereotypic behaviours,suchastongue Cozzi. media suchasnewspapers and television, are more welfare in rolling, being seen in the group of Forthose of us who qualified when inconsistent than people whose sources of information are Valdostana calves housed animals to agreater degree than women in the veterinaryprofession trainers,books and journals.Inaddition, Thompson’s results (Castana and those tethered, although the latter were were far outnumbered by men, it was showedthat attendance prior to six months of ageatpuppy Pezzata Rossa physically able to performthem. something of asurprise to realise that parties/socialisation/training groups wasassociated with breeds): a It waspostulated that this was we had reached the afternoon of the lowertotal problem behaviour scores in dogs when comparison of influenced by the fact that they still had second dayofaninternational compared with attending another type of training or none at twohousing contact with other cattle and sufficient conference before we had encountered all. Good news for members of the veterinaryteam systems”. space to stand up,lie down and for any male speakers! involved in socialisation groups and who gettoknowand She explained exercise. supportdog trainers whose methods are non-abusive and that these two Our brief bovine sojournover, we Animal managementand effective. Italian breeds are returned to cats with Gemma Patel behaviour ■ However, the former study also emphasises the need to selected primarily from Liverpool University and her Another Lincoln-ite,Laura Dixon, resist assumptions that an owner’sseniority means they for milk for “Pilot study to investigate whether a began the last session asking, “Is knowwhat they’re doing! And as positive punishment, an production of the feline pheromone analogue reduces space important?” Her question was obvious welfare issue and additional complication in these local Fontina anxiety-related behaviour during clinical posed in relation to “assessing the cases,was increasingly adopted by owners whose ch eese in the examination of cats in arescue shelter”. spatial needs of pet rabbits”. She was relationship with their dog wasunder strain, who had more Alpine summer Theafternoon resumed with followedbythe first of Joanna than one dog, or were relying on friends for information, pasture system. “Behavioural psychology”. One of the Hockenhull’scontributions related to the need for us to intervene successfully at averyearly stage Apparently they doyennes of the behaviour field, the her PhD thesis: “Management is again confirmed. also have a USA’s ownKaren Overall, discussed her routine risk factors associated with ■ Thedifficulty in correctly identifying canine lineagebased secondary work “Phenotypic determination of handling and stable-related behaviour on appearance alone is likely to be increasingly debated in purpose as meat noise reactivity in three breeds of problems in UK leisure horses”. Her view of the current “epidemic” of “weapon dogs” and and milk working dogs: implications for colleague and supervisor Emma another unfortunate child’sdeath as aresult of the actions producers in these identifying genomic regions of interest”, Creighton presented this and her of an allegedly illegal animal. Thepresentation by Voith and regions where the whichwas inspired by the sterling second contribution, “Equipment and Marder wasthus especially pertinent and enlightening, land and weather efforts of the searchand rescue dogs in training risk factors associated with although it emphasises canine identification is no easy task. conditions are not the aftermath of the 9/11 attackonthe ridden behaviour problems in UK Of the 20 mixed breed, ex-shelter dogs recruited into Voith conducive to World Trade Centre in New York. leisure horses”, in Joanna’sabsence. et al’s study,where DNA analysis wasused in comparison outdoor early Belén Rosado then reported on a Lastly came awelcome returnto with visual identification, 16 had been identified as having rearing. Spanish team’sstudy “The role of the felines with Sarah Ellis,another FAB one or twospecific breeds in their ancestry. However, “the Theneed to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in behaviour expertpanel member,and majority of breeds suggested by the adoption agencies were house young canine aggression towards humans”, “The effects of anovel feeding not indicated in the DNA analysis”. animals indoors after whichFrance’sClaude Beata asked, device on the behaviour of domestic evidently gives “Are T4 or prolactin levels good cats”. 24 BEHAVIOUR VETERINARY PRACTICE FEBRUARY 2010 Similar themes underlie different problem behaviours

IT always seems fortunate when the Whichjust goes to showthat it behaviour last case that rounds off ayear never pays to assume longevity of reinforced the view involves committed, caring owners ownership,depth of affection and a that one cat was and lovely cats. It’s even more of a roll of honour of deceased pets “the boss” and bonus when their situation is numbered in the twenties and above is wanted to dominate. interesting and challenging. any indication of real understanding The“playfights” At theend of 2009, however, mine of the chosen species.Tact maywell they frequently also illustrated anumber of themes be required, especially when young observedwere Even well-bonded cats may control that to agreater or lesser extent had veterinarians are dealing with those simply interpreted as normal activity, con-specifics thereby creating stress runthrough most of the other cases considerably older than they are.But not the boiling over of severely at times. This is often overlooked or seen last year.Inaddition, it if we feel that clients need behavioural elevated feline stress levels,which misinterpreted by owners unless the highlighted some advice,wemust be these aggressive encounters actually problems upsets or inconveniences significant issues that willing and able to give represented. them. we should all it without hesitation. Thefact that at mealtimes the When homes are the target of constantly bear in FRANCESCA Another stumbling three cats ate together,apparently inappropriate actions,whether mind. RICCOMINI blockwas the comfortably,all in arow from the damaged by urine and faeces or claws continues her series professional input same small traywas taken as further and teeth, animals are invariably Experience does on small animal already received. evidence of companionship and restricted to smaller and smaller areas. not equal behaviour problems Despite the harmony.Until that is we put down When the problem behaviour has knowledge and ways of dealing involvement of awell- some food and observedthe so-called at its core relationship difficulties with What wassospecial with them respected, high-profile “top cat” slink towards it, pressed up other pets in the household, whether about this retired behaviourist with the against the interposed obstacles as far they are of the same or adifferent couple and their three previous feline group away from the others as he could get, species,“banging them up” together in posh pedigree felines? Firstly,they had 15 or so years ago, what the clients and most significantly without once one small area generally does nothing owned cats for 30-odd years.Secondly, were doing now, particularly howthey engaging eye contact. Abetter example to improve the situation. But such they had alwaysfavoured amulti-cat were interpreting their cats’ behaviour, of acat being attracted to high-value solutions makeperfect sense to household and had plenty of lovely waswoefully out of date.My treats that could only be accessed by beleaguered owners. photos depicting various combinations goodness,has the field movedon braving close proximity to con- Of course,wemust help them take of the creatures to prove howwell since then! Th eowners’ understanding specifics it would rather avoid would steps to prevent further deterioration their pets gotontogether. and management had not! have been hard to come by. of their property whilst specialist Well, if youdidn’t look too hard But these three unrelated adult cats advice is sought. But where groups of and don’t knowmuchabout feline Observations toooften confirm are sometimes found curled up cats are involved, it is essential to make body language! But at least some of misconceptions together in one basket, generally first sure that resources,especially multiple them appeared to be having agood Thus,through no fault of their own, thing in the morning.Surely asign hiding places and elevated retreats,are time and they had been well loved. everything they observedoftheir pets’ they all love eachother? Well it may provided in the meantime –and be,but they are nowcorralled together feeding stations should alwaysbespilt New member of the APBC in one small room –not unreasonably up.Otherwise things invariably get as the consultation wasactually worse and adifficult situation may PENARAN Higgs has become afull member of the Association of Pet Behaviour arranged to address asevere house- become irresolvable. Counsellors and is available for veterinary referral behaviour consultations for dog soiling problem. and cats in London and Cambridgeshire. They all have thin fur and an Owners usually respond to Afull-time pet behaviourist and dog trainer, she has been practising since 2007 inadequate number of beds for a behaviours that inconvenience and holds adegree in human psychology as well as the post-graduate Diploma in three-cat household, this winter is the them Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling from Southampton University. coldest we’vehad for along time and Don’t getmewrong, these are great She works on veterinary referral from anumber of practices in both areas and their one room, mainly composed of owners.They genuinely love their runs weekly puppy classes through the franchise of Puppy School (www.puppyschool.co.uk). glass,isthe most exposed in the house. pets and are anxious to makethem For more information, go to www.petshrink.co.uk. Does the evidence not suggest, happy.They just didn’t have the therefore,that warmth rather than the knowledgetomakethings work, and company of feline companions is the likeall of us they had made mistakes. main attraction on suchoccasions? Not least the use of asmelly,old cloth and ammonia-based cleaner to We take things away,when more “get rid of ”inappropriately resourcesare desperately needed deposited urine –orinreality to Whichillustrates twoother commonly spread it around abit and make encountered consequences of problem things worse! But their pre- behaviour. consultation questionnaire beautifully Whatever the species,when illustrated another common fact. damageoccurs,things are taken away There wasnomention at all of the from animals,for example if toys are significant level of aggression shown pulled to pieces,most owners stop by this multi-cat group.Itwas the providing playthings. soiling that caused the owners to act. Abetter option is to simply Because it wasthe soiling that exchangeexpensive items that matter, affected them. or mayharmthe pet, for lowcost or Tragically,the lot of many free toys,suchasrecycled cardboard troubled companion animals is to tubes,boxesand plain paper bags.This carry on struggling because no one usually needs pointing out! actually realises they need our help. Introducing a breakthrough for anyone dealing with feline diarrhoea.

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come up with the following four-point Harsh effects of the big freeze plan to help the most vulnerable BY the time youread this the “big This flurry of early morning activity is species; aplan that will probably have freeze” will morethan likelybeover repeated again in the late afternoon, this relevance for the rest of the winter in but it is still worthreflecting on the time in order to build up food reserves order to help all those birds surviving to dramatic and sometimes lasting for the night ahead. Themiddle of the fully recoverasquickly as possible. effects that such harsh and dayisspent resting and conserving 1. TheRSPB is organising emergency prolonged periods of cold weather energyand digesting the food feeding of several threatened species at can bring about to wildlife, consumed during the first hours of locations across the UK. This includes particularly birds. daylight. feeding bitterns and cirl buntings,the One of the things that has Natural food suchasinsects,berries, former by laying out sprats at keysites happened in my owngarden is that the wormsand slugs become much harder where bitterns are finding it hard to fish number of birds of certain species has to find in snowy and frosty weather and in ice-lockedwetland habitats. increased dramatically.Whilst we always birds use more and more energytofind 2. Thepublic is being urged not to have arobin or twoflitting from bird less and less food, a disturb flocks of wetland table to hawthornhedge, in the last few vicious downward birds suchasducks and stepupthe feeding of birds in their weeks I’venoticed that there are now spiral. Artificial feeding A Veterinary Practice geese in order to enable owngardens to help as many individuals five or six in residence. in our gardens can correspondent urges them to conserve and species as possible ride out the This leads to alot of activity when really be the lifeline readers to spare energythey would find freezing temperatures.The RSPB has the bird food is first put out in the they need in order not thoughts, and food, hard to replace,and had numerous reports of unusual birds, morning.Robins are fiercely territorial just to survive but to for birds otherwise perhaps including snipe and woodcock, turning and they are constantly chasing each survive in asuitable pushing them to the up in gardens. other away from the food, though I condition to allowa brink. 4. Farmers are being asked to put out fancy with not quite the venom that one successful breeding season once the As an adjunct to the above,in supplementaryfood in the formof might expect if the breeding season spring arrives. Scotland and NorthernIreland a grain tailings or residues from last year’s were just around the corner. TheRSPB is very concerned about statutorytemporaryban has been crops to help birds likecornbuntings Another thing of note is that the the current cold snap recalling that the placed on the shooting of ducks,geese and yellowhammers getthrough the birds suddenly appear tamer.Blackbirds hard winter of 1962-63 wasarguably the and waders likewoodcockand snipe. freeze. arrive at the feeding stations before I’ve single event with the greatest impact on TheBritish Association for Shooting By way of warning, Dr Mark Avery, movedevenafew yards away,an Britain’s wildlife in living memory. It and Conservation (BASC) is urging its the RSPB’sconservation director,says: indication of course as to just how fears that if the cold weather continues members to exercise voluntaryrestraint “It is likely that the legacy of this hard hungry they are after having used a much longer,then this winter could be on shooting these species across the winter will be seen in bird populations significant amount of energyovernight the single greatest wildlife killer of the whole of England and Wales until the for many years to come.” Fortunately, generating heat to survive the -15ºC new millennium. weather improvesconsiderably. there is plenty that all of us can do to temperatures we’vebeen experiencing. Bearing this in mind, the society has 3. Thepublic are being encouraged to keep this legacy to aminimum. THEATRE Films of predictability, tragedy and adventure

UNDOUBTEDLYthe big cinema the irritating red/green glasses to be my people...”you can bet that the sixth an AcademyAward, Ihope not to miss it. release overChristmas wasthe much- replaced by more substantial, comfortable occasion is on its way and after the novelty Kodi Smit-McPhee is excellent, too,as vaunted Avatar.Written and directed by ones that utilise the polarised light system of the film’sinteresting initial concept, the child and there are cameos from Robert James Cameron (Titanic, Te rminator, to produce their stereoscopic effect. most of what follows is unsurprising. Duvall and Guy Pearce.The images of a Te rminator II, True Lies), particular Avatar is set in 2154 on amoon of a Afilm of an altogether different dying America are haunting and the air of interest wasdrawn by its 3-D format. distant planet where an extremely valuable complexion is The Road,directed by John despair and danger is tangible. The Road Theuse of 3-D images in cinema is not mineral is being mined by humans and the Hillcoat and based on the 2006 novelby mayhaveone less dimension than Avatar new.The earliest systems indigenous population, Cormac McCarthy, author of No Countryfor on the screen, but as awork it has far,far for 3-D filming were the Na’vi, are getting in Old Men.Set in apost-apocalyptic USA in more. patented in the 1890s.It Dr COLIN ROBERTS the way.Good science the near future,itfollows the journey of a Finally this month, Iwould liketo wasperhaps most is more impressed by fiction usually deals with man and his son through the dangerous mention Wherethe Wild Things Are, popular in the 1950s The Road than Avatar issues relevant to our land that their countryhas become. ostensibly achildren’s storybut one with when numerous 3-D ownplanet and the All too often one is disappointed by much in it for the adult viewer.Itisadapted films were produced, but displacement of the cinematic interpretations of novels that one from ashortstorybyMaurice Sendak and interest in it soon waned Na’vi from their has enjoyed but this wasnot the case with concerns Max, aboy with tendencies to due to the technical problems of dual homelands for the commercial motivesof The Road,whichcaptures well the emotion disruptiveness,who runs off and finds projection, the difficulties associated with humans is reminiscent of the way in which and bleakness of the original work. It is not strangeadventures in astrangeland. The the red/green glasses needed to view it and the American Indians were treated by the an easy film to watchbut it is one that one bizarre creatures that he encounters have the appearance of new 2-D formats. settlers in the nineteenth century, but this ought to watch, not merely because it relevance to his ownprocess of growing up Many films made in 3-D,most notably issue has been discussed far more presents us with aharrowing vision of the and learning the values of areasonable Alfred Hitchcock’swonderful Dial Mfor eloquently by others,for example by Ray world after aman-made catastrophe,but adult. Murder,were only released in “flat” form. Bradburyinhis wonderful book The Silver because it examines the responsibilities of Wherethe Wild Things Are is acharming There have been attempts to popularise Locusts. love and what one will do and should do film that will leave youfeeling far more the format both in cinema and on Avatar has done extremely well at the for aloved one. optimistic about life than The Road.In television but it has never really caught on boxoffice,rapidly becoming the second contrast to the super high-techimages of as yet. Thecurrent incarnation of 3-D used biggest grossing movie ever after Titanic Deservingofaward Avatar,the creatures are far less perfect and in Avatar is,however, impressive. Gone are (although allowing for inflation, probably The Road is asuperb film, it is gripping, more tatty and that is just what they should none has yet beaten Gone with the Wind). It moving and terrifying.Viggo Mortenson be in this story. Colin Roberts, BVSc, PhD, FRCVS, is a is spectacular and action-packedbut Icame givesanexcellent performance as the man Themost lovedtoysofour childhood freelance consultant in equine away disappointed due to the predictability desperately trying to protect his young son are often the most battered and simple ones medicine and an affiliated lecturer in of the story. whilst still coming to terms with the and Wherethe Wild Things Are scores by its veterinary anatomy at the University When acharacter says,“This has only enormous tragedy that has occurred. If a use of this notion in preference to flashy of Cambridge. ever happened five times in the historyof performance this year is more deserving of CGI effects. F ebruary 2010 J.A.K Update

FEBRUARY BLADE SHARPENING OFFER BLADE SHARPENING FOR AS LITTLE AS £1.00 per blade when you send 10 or more blades at one time.

When we return your blades we will send you one FREE BLADE SHARPENING VOUCHER per blade for use on future blade sharpening from J.A.KMarketing Limited. We will also enclose a new freepost mailing bag. Next time you require blades sharpening, send them in the freepost mailing bag enclosing one voucher per blade sent. We will then allow you £3.00 off each blade sharpened to the number of vouchers/blades sent.

Should you like a mailing bag for your blades, please contact us on 01347 878697 and we will send you a freepost bag.

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Number of Price Price with blades voucher 1 - 2 £5.50 £2.50 3 - 9 £4.50 £1.50 10+ £4.00 £1.00 Carriage 1 - 5 blades £1.50 6 - 10 blades £3.50

J.A.KMarketing Limited cannot be held responsible for lost voucher. One voucher must be returned with each blade Vouchers valid until 31st July 2010

J.A.K Marketing Limited Telephone 01347 878697 Fax 01347 878308 Email [email protected] www.jakmarketing.co.uk Anaesthetic Unit Single Gas Anaesthetic Unit Single Gas J.A.K Tec3 Type Vaporiser Deluxe

This economically priced This model includes a Based on the Tec3, now with one single gas anaesthetic highly accurate Rotameter piece chamber. machine is both mobile type flowmeter and Brand new 5 % Isoflurane and versatile being emergency Oxygen Flush. vaporisers, either cagemount or capable of dealing with selectatec fittings, funnel or keyfill small and large animal Stand available for one or options. patients. two ‘F’ size Oxygen With a 3 year recommended service Stand available for one or Cylinders. saving time and money. two ‘F’ size Oxygen For service exchange units and Cylinders. conversion prices, please contact us.

3 Year Recommended Service Interval Price excludes Vaporiser and Cylinder Price excludes Vaporiser and Cylinder 01-0445 One Cylinder £520.00 01-0455 One Cylinder £890.00 01-0450 Two Cylinder £570.00 01-0465 Two Cylinder £935.00 SAVE up to £55

Anae-Masks Selectatec Cagemount 15mm Male Re-useable face Top Connector MONTHLY 01-2030 Cagemount Pourfill List £525 £495.00 30mm 40mm mask suitable 25mm 01-2035 Cagemount Keyfill List £550 £515.00 for anaesthesia, DRAW ventilation and 50mm 60mm 65mm 01-2040 Selectatec Pourfill List £625 £575.00 J2270 J2271 J2272 aerosol therapy, 01-2045 Selectatec Keyfill List £650 £595.00 with silicone Every time you order from

125mm 01-0590 Compatibility Block £165.98 115mm

diaphragm. The 93mm significant J.A.K Marketing Limited flexibility of the 93mm 13.5mm 140mm diaphragm J2273 J2274 J2275 during February and quote permits a minimal air Reference Number VP DS leakage during ventilation. The specially designed shape Fluosorber of the cone assures low air resistance. Minimal skin you will be entered into a damage is guaranteed by the soft flexible interface. Fluosorber’s Latex free material. An optional harness is available, draw to win a Nintendo contents readily made of a resistant elastic material, to enable the mask absorb excess to be fixed to the animal’s face. DS Lite with a Nintendogs Halothane and game Isoflurane (Nitrous 01-0420 Mask Small Cat - with diaphragm £13.78 Oxide is not readily absorbed). 01-0680 Replacement Diaphragm Ss Cat £8.60 To determine 01-0410 Mask Medium Cat - with diaphragm £15.50 whether the 01-0670 Replacement Diaphragm M Cat £8.89 Fluosorber is still operating 01-0400 Mask Large Cat - with diaphragm £17.23 efficiently, simply 01-0660 Replacement Diaphragm L Cat £8.60 weigh it. 1.4 kilo is the expired weight. 01-0425 Mask Small Dog - with diaphragm £18.95 Approximately 20 01-0685 Replacement Diaphragm S Dog £9.75 hours constant use. 01-0415 Mask Medium Dog - with diaphragm £20.67 Adaptors and 01-0675 Replacement Diaphragm M Dog £9.75 connectors for conversion of BUY 6 for £18.45 each 01-0405 Mask Large Dog - with diaphragm £22.89 a saving of £2.05 existing circuits are or 01-0665 Replacement Diaphragm L Dog £9.75 available. Buy 12 for £17.45 each 01-1930 Six Anae-Masks (1 of each size) £97.62 Colour may vary a saving of £3.05 from shown 01-0430 Anae-Mask Harness £5.07 Offer only available 01-1650 Fluosorber - single £20.50 to UK veterinary practices

Semi-Disposable Circle Circuit Ayres Tee Piece + APL Circuit Breathe Safe III Anaesthetic Semi-Disposable Apnoea Monitor Suitable for patients weighing 10kg and above. Cannister can be refilled with soda lime. Suitable for smaller animals, Easy to use:Just connect Breathe Safe Comes complete with 2L re-breathing bag and supplied with a 500ml between the endotracheal tube and your patient tubing rebreathing bag and anaesthetic machine and it’s ready to use. APL valve. Fresh Specification: Just 3cm in diameter and gas flow rate - 2 Buy 2cm high, mounted on a convenient elbow 01-0565 Circle Circuit Complete £159.50 1 to 2 ⁄2 times the 2 for adaptor. 01-0560 Cannister Only (Mark 1) £110.00 patients minute £17.90 Breath Monitor: Breathe Safe’s sophisticated volume. Patient analysis algorithm will recognise and beep to indicate a 01-1985 Twin Tube &Y Connector £10.95 each weight up to 7 kilos. breath from a 1.5kg Kitten to a 90.7kg St Bernard. 01-1880 2 Litre Rebreathing Bag £3.95 01-1675 Long Extension £16.74 01-0520 Ayres Tee Piece £19.90 01-0535 Breathe Safe Monitor £130.00

J.A.K Marketing Limited Unit 2 The Industrial Estate Sheriff Hutton York YO60 6RZ www.jakmarketing.co.uk Anti-LickStrip™

Protects post-surgical sites or wounds against licking, biting and chewing.

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In clinical trials the Anti-LickStrip™ proved successful in over 90% of dogs showing All Natural aggressive behaviour towards bandages. Active Ingredients

Anti-LickStrip Pro™ and Anti-LickStrip Pro C™ Available on 96” (2.4m) rolls.

The Pro is a gold coloured bandage suitable for application directly to pet fur. Useful for securing catheters, IVs or as a wrap over injection sites or around perimeters of post-surgical sites. NOT for use directly on wounds or stitches.

The Pro C is a burgundy coloured bandage which is designed to be used OVER Vetwrap, gauze or cast material. NOT for use directly on animal’s fur or skin.

J.A.K NVS Centaur Dunlops Description Size Price SSP Code Code Code Code 08-1520 307580 30311021 JKANT01 Anti-LickStrip Pro™ (Apply to Hair) 96” roll £6.95 08-1525 307579 30311032 JKANT02 Anti-LickStrip Pro C™ (Apply to Dressing) 96” roll £6.95

Anti-LickStrip Prevent™ Anti-LickStrip™ is also available in 3 sizes of easy to use Strips for use within the practice or as a profitable revenue source to clients.

The Anti-LickStrip™ provides a perfect natural solution to the age-old problems connected to obsessive licking, biting and chewing, which may lead to more serious problems such as “hot spots” or acral lick granulomas.

Available in eye-catching counter top display packs.

J.A.K NVS Centaur Dunlops Description Size Price SSP Code Code Code Code Starter Pack 08-1530 307567 30311043 JKANT06 Anti-LickStrip Prevent™ - Starter Pack £58.01 contains: 2 of each Retail Packs, 08-1495 307364 30311054 JKANT03 Anti-LickStrip Prevent™ - Retail Pack Small (6) 4” x 1.5” £7.04 £11.74 2 of each Trial Packs and 25 brochures 08-1505 307610 30311065 JKANT04 Anti-LickStrip Prevent™ - Retail Pack Medium (6) 5” x 1.5” £7.80 £13.00 price includes 08-1515 307592 30311076 JKANT05 Anti-LickStrip Prevent™ - Retail Pack Large (6) 6” x 1.5” £8.84 £14.74 08-1490 307609 30311087 Anti-LickStrip Prevent™ - Trial Pack Small (2) 4” x 1.5” £2.58 £4.30 10% discount. 08-1500 307622 30311098 Anti-LickStrip Prevent™ - Trial Pack Medium (2) 5” x 1.5” £2.87 £4.78 08-1510 307555 30311101 Anti-LickStrip Prevent™ - Trial Pack Large (2) 6” x 1.5” £3.10 £5.17

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J.A.K Marketing Limited Telephone 01347 878697 Fax 01347 878308 Email [email protected] www.jakmarketing.co.uk Microchip Identification J.A.KDisposable Drapes 60 x 40cm The Pet Detector Chip is one of the smallest, yet one of the most reliable and powerful chips on the market. Non-Sterile BUY 4 Boxes Disposable Drapes. BOX CONTAINS: for £48.95 60 x 40cm 10 Sterile Microchips pre loaded into needles and registration per box Packed in 200 forms. WHILST Each Sterile Blister Pack contains: Also available in a range of sizes. STOCKS FREE Life long pet registration on Petlog • 6 Barcode labels • Ultra thin needle. LAST

Pet-detect® can be read by all I.S.O. Scanners. 01-0535 Drapes (200) 60 x 40cm £30.00 New generation Microchip Scanner. Reads ALL ISO chips PLUS all “foreign” animal Microchips. No need to use multiple scanners any more, just reach for detect-a-chip.

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Tests show that small chips are less likely to migrate. Ideal for most post- This chip is fully compliant to: Reads All operative nursing. The ISO Chips temperature attained is ISO 11784/11785 requirements and is ideal for the Pets similar to the animal’s Passport. FREE blood temperature. IMPLANT Other uses includes weaning young animals. 02-2445 Microchips 1 – 3 boxes per box (£4.99 per chip) £49.95 GUN 13w - 15” x 17” 02-2440 Implant Gun £8.50 WITH ORDERS Use with the Reflect-A-Therm Table Cover to spread heat FOR 4+ BOXES OF over a greater area. 02-1445 Scanner - Read Anywhere £125.00 MICROCHIPS 02-3115 ScannerProtect-A-Case £9.99 02-2255 Flexible Pad £21.95

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Oster A5 Clipper PURCHASE AN OSTER A5 The most popular CLIPPER AND RECEIVE 3 veterinary clipper, the Oster £9 OFF A5 comes complete with BLADE BLADE SHARPENING either a size 40 blade or size VOUCHERS WORTH £9.00 50 blade (for an even closer SHARPENING clip). PURCHASE ANY OSTER BLADE AND 04-0680 Clipper & 40 blade £95.81 RECEIVE 1 BLADE SHARPENING VOUCHER 04-0685 Clipper & 50 blade £95.81 WORTH £3.00 04-0675 Clipper without blade £90.45

All prices are exclusive of VAT, there may also be a small carriage charge on some equipment. E&oe FEBRUARY 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE ON THE ROAD 31 Abold step forward...

BY the time this article is published her family are assassinated when adrug youare purchasing, we should all have recoveredfrom deal goes badly wrong. Ibelievethe 4007 the Christmas and New Year Perhaps the most memorable thing provides exceptional festivities, though some of us may when watching this film is the sense of value for money. still be attempting to quintessential cool What surprised work offboth the with whichJean Reno me most about the financial and depicts the film’s 4007 wasthe way in nutritional excesses eponymous character. whichitdrives. indulged in overthe There are little things Before my week with it, Iwould never holiday period. whichmakethis role have believed that Peugeot could make Model tested: Peugeot 4007 XS I’m confident that work so well suchas adriver’scar and would have laughed Sport HDi 156 one activity we all got Leon’s fondness for in the face of any claim that aPeugeot involved with over the drinking milk and 4x4 would be suchanaccomplished Transmission: 6speed manual gearbox festive break would watching Gene Kelly vehicle. Power output: 156bhp ROBBIE TIFFIN have been the musicals which Not for the first time,however, I Torque: 285 lb ft @200rpm inevitable family tries out Peugeot’s excellently juxtapose am being forced to eat my words and CO emissions: 194g/km debate,overChristmas 4007 Sport and finds the ruthlessness of admit that Igot it totally wrong, for the 2 pudding, about putting it both versatile and his dayjob as ahit 4007 is an absolutely cracking car.I 0-60: seconds: 9.9 seconds our favourite efficient man. wascompletely taken abackbythe Top speed: 124mph films/books/albums Whilst Ithink the excellent 15 bhp diesel engine featured Fuel consumption: 38.7mpg (as tested) into adefinitive top 10 film’sscreenplayand in this test model. Price as tested: £24,695 list. dialogue is good enough to carry a Our family has done so for as long British or American leading actor,I Amazinglyfrugal OVERALL: ++++/5 as Ican remember and it servesasa would struggle to think it would work This diesel unit wassuitably torquey great way of testing out proposed new anything likeaswell without a and provided more than sufficient pull avoids the initial sluggishness in the members to the family before it is too Frenchman’s je ne sais quoi in the leading and overtaking prowess right through automatic gearboxwhichhas notable late.For example,ifyour daughter role.Ibelievethat this thinking also the rev range, yet wasalso quiet, refined lag between the first few gear changes. brings her boyfriend over as ameans ties in nicely with the car Ihavebeen and amazingly frugal. Forthe majority The4007 in XS SportTrim is an of marketing him as potential marriage reviewing this week: the distinctly of the test period, Iused the 4007 to aggressive looking car and is deceptively material and he reveals,mid-mouthful, FrenchPeugeot 4007. carry my colleagues,our golf clubs and able.Performance wassprightly and 0- that his all-time favourite films are The4007 is marketed as Peugeot’s me around the countryside for a 60 wasaccomplished in 9.9 seconds, Jurassic Park 2, Coyote Ugly and Meet the first attempt at an SUV crossover number of social events over the with amaximum speed of 124mph Fockers,you will knowinstantly that he vehicle and can be considered abold Christmas break. available to those in ahurry while,at won’t staythe distance and begin the stepforward for the company as it During this time Inever averaged higher speeds,the car felt totally secure process of letting your daughter down attempts to compete in this already less than 38mpg, areal testament to the and very well planted on the road, gently. busy and popular market whichboasts versatility and efficiency of this car.A unlikemany competitors in this market. If,however, he eloquently puts a the likes of the excellent VW Tiguan, point that should be hammered home There wasalso very little in the way of case across that a Touch of Evil should Nissan Qashqai and VolvoXC60. to the espadrille-wearing hippies who cabin or wind noise,enabling the driver be considered as one of the best films Themodel Itested wasthe 4007 would have us believethat any car with to makethe most of Peugeot’sexcellent ever produced, youmay feel marginally SportXSmodel whichadds an more than 3bhp,two-wheel drive and a CD/ MP3 sound system, and the ride better about forking out for the element of style to the 4007’s wheelbase larger than apostagestamp wasalso very smooth. wedding in afew years’ time. otherwise slightly bland looks.For an is the spawn of Satan. We don’t really expect Frenchcars extra £1,350, the XS models are fitted Fitted with aslicksix-speed manual to be as cool as Jean Reno but they do Nigh-on impossible with leather upholstery, 18-inchalloy gearbox, it waspossible to drive the car have an excellent reputation for comfort As an avid film fan, Ialwaysfind this wheels,chrome mirror covers,door very economically,ifsowished, as the and the 4007’sinterior could be likened process anigh-on impossible challenge handles and sidebars,front and rear engine provided sufficient pull to be left to the character’ssofter side as it wasa as Ifind it extremely difficult to pin spoilers and the twin chrome exhausts in ahigher ratio without the need for lovely place to sit, and predictably down 10 films that would remain in my as standard, and help give the car afar constant gear changes . comfortable. top 10 for more than asix-month more aggressive image. Peugeot does also offer atiptronic It wassomewhat surprising to find period. Personally,itismuchmore of a This is combined with areal sense automatic gearboxwhichenables the out that this car wasactually launched movable feast. of premium quality within the drivertomanually over-ride the gear in August 2007 and has been available At present, one film that Iwould spacious interior whichfeatures the changes if desired. for purchase for more than twoyears. be confident in listing would be the same sortofquilted leather Itested aversion of this automatic Personally,Ihaveseen very few 4007s excellent Luc Besson film – Leon. upholsteryone would normally boxonthe Peugeot 308 CC but would on Britain’s roads,whichsurprises me Released in 1994, this French(English associate with aBentley Continental recommend that any prospective buyers as it really is an excellent option for language) film tells the storyofa GT.Far more Coco Chanel than Coco stickwith the manual version, where those wishing to purchase aSports Frenchhitman (or “cleaner”), working the Clown, if youget my drift. possible,asitmakes for amuchmore Utility Vehicle. Très tranquille,Monsieur in New York’sLittle Italy district who Priced at just under £25,000, many engaging and enjoyable drive. It also Reno,n’est ce pas? befriends ayoung American girl after mayc onsider this rather expensive for aPeugeot and it is near the top end Out-of-hours group opens 37th clinic of the model VETS Now opened its 37th out-of-hours emergency clinic in Preston on 25th range. However, January. when compared The clinic is based at Vets4Pets in Moor Lane in Preston and will initially be against other providing an out-of-hours service for five practices: Vets4Pets, the Arcade competitors in the Veterinary Centre, AJ Hutcheson, Abbey Veterinary Centre and the Riverbank same sector,and Veterinary clinic. considering the Vets Now reports that it is currently working with over 400 veterinary practices amount of car in the UK. The only difference between us and more expensive brands? Vets prefer us.

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Intravenous anaesthesia with inhibitor omeprazole in preventing studies to compare the the effects of prior administration of propofol and fentanyl in dogs sudden reductions in oesophageal pH pharmacokinetic and ephedrine on arterial blood pressure Valentina Andreoni and Lynne caused by reflux. Among 47 dogs pharmacodynamic properties of a in cats and dogs givenstandard Hughes, University College Dublin undergoing elective surgery, there was new aqueous formulation with the combinations of anaesthetic agents. Propofol is commonly used for total an 18% incidence of pH changes in standard product. Their findings show In cats givenacepromazine, intravenous anaesthesia in human the treated group,compared with 52% that there are no significant butorphanol, ketamine and medicine and offers anumber of in the controls.Soomeprazole is differences between the two isoflurane,systolic arterial pressure potential benefits over inhaled agents effective in preventing reflux. formulations.However, the inclusion wassignificantly belowthe baseline in veterinarypractice.These include Journal of Small Animal Practice 50 (10): of an antimicrobial preservative in the level but remained above 80mmHg smoother recovery and less 540-544. novelproduct will minimise the until 25 minutes after induction of cardiovascular depression and there is potential for bacterial contamination. anaesthesia. So prophylactic none of the operating room pollution Cardiovascular effects of Journal of VeterinaryPharmacology and ephedrine delayed but did not associated with gases.However, dexmedetomidine and atropine Therapeutics 32 (5): 436-445. prevent the onset of hypotension. propofol is not appropriate for use as combinations in cats Canadian VeterinaryJournal 50 (2): 179- asingle agent due to its poor analgesic Eduardo Monteiroand others, Effects of remifentanil on 184. properties. University of Vila Velha, Brazil anaesthetic immobility and Theauthors examine the effects of Alpha-2 adrenoreceptor are analgesia in cats Evaluation of Alfaxan-CD as an propofol used in combination with widely used in clinical practice for RobertBrosnan and others, intravenous anaesthetic in fentanyl and atropine in dogs that chemical restraint and analgesia for University of California, Davis young cats were premedicated with acepromazine minor procedures.However, they can An effective anaesthetic agent must Sanaa Zaki and others, University and carprofen. Themean time to have adverse effects on cardiovascular achieveanumber of distinct of Sydney sternal recovery was65minutes and function whichmay only be partially pharmacologic end points,including Alfaxan-CD is anew formulation of the recovery wassmooth and quiet. ameliorated by using them in centrally acting immobilisation, the water-insoluble,synthetic steroid Overall, the propofol and fentanyl combination with anticholinergic analgesia and amnesia. Theauthors anaesthetic alfaxalone.The authors infusions provided stable agents,suchasatropine.The authors examined the anaesthetic properties evaluate this agent in inducing cardiovascular function and assess these interactions in six cats. of remifentanil at different anaesthesia in young cats,then satisfactoryconditions for surgery, They found that atropine concentrations by assessing the maintained with isoflurane.Aniv although some modifications to the premedication prevented bradycardia responses of treated cats to athermal injection of Alfaxan-CD resulted in a infusion rates mayberequired to in dexmedetomidine-treated cats but threshold test. Their findings suggest mean time to intubation of 122 reduce the long recovery times. also induced hypertension and that immobility and analgesia were seconds. VeterinaryAnaesthesia and Analgesia 36 increased myocardial oxygen independent anaesthetic end points in There wasnoevidence of (6): 523-531. consumption. these cats and so the results of hypoxaemia in the 35 treated cats and Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 11 minimum alveolar concentration they had arapid recovery from Factors associated with recovery (10): 783-792. evaluations should not be used to anaesthesia. In some cats times in isoflurane- infer analgesic . premedicated with acepromazine and anaesthetised horses Effects of fentanyl on minimum American Journal of VeterinaryResearch butorphanol, the recovery scores Debra Voulgaris and Erik alveolar concentration of 70 (9): 1,065-1,071. were better than those givenno Hofmeister,University of Georgia isoflurane in horses premedication. Recovery from general anaesthesia is Heather DiMaio Knychand others, Gas exchange in horses Australian VeterinaryJournal 87 (3): 82- dangerous in horses with arangeof University of California, Davis mechanically ventilated with 87. potentially fatal complications.The In addition to their analgesic effects, oxygen or oxygen/helium risk of post-anaesthetic lameness is opioid drugs can reduce the Francesco Staffieri and others, Seizures during medetomidine known to correlate with the duration concentration of inhaled agents University of Pennsylvania sedation with local anaesthesia of anaesthesia and so the authors needed to achievegood anaesthesia. General anaesthesia in horses affects in two dogs investigated the factors associated Theauthors analyse the effects of pulmonarygas exchangeleading to Joanne Rainger and others, with prolonged recovery in 381 horses administering the opioid fentanyl at a retention of carbon dioxide and University of Sydney undergoing surgery. target concentration of 16ng/ml on compromised oxygen uptake. Studies Twodogs whichpresented for Along with the duration of the minimum alveolar concentration in other species have demonstrated multiple skin biopsies were sedated anaesthesia, the other factors which of isoflurane required for anaesthesia that giving an oxygen richmixture with intravenous medetomidine, determined the time to standing were in horses. can further impair gasexchange. The while lignocaine wasgiven as alocal hypothermia and intra-operative They found that fentanyl produced authors gave either pure oxygen or an anaesthetic for the procedures.Both hypotension. However, these factors no discernable isoflurane sparing oxygen/helium mixture to dogs developed seizures,one during only explained aproportion of the effects even at plasma concentrations anaesthetised horses maintained with the biopsy and again immediately observedvariability. up to 32ng/ml and so routine use of isoflurane.Their findings suggest that following reversal of medetomidine VeterinaryAnaesthesia and Analgesia 36 fentanyl as an anaesthetic adjuvant is lung function is better preservedin with atipamezole,while the others (5): 414-420. not recommended. patients ventilated with the oxygen occurred twohours after the biopsies American Journal of VeterinaryResearch helium mixture than with pure were taken. Theauthors suspect a Effect of omeprazole on 70 (10): 1,193-1,200. oxygen. drug interaction between the oesophageal pH in Equine VeterinaryJournal 41 (8): 747- medetomidine and lignocaine,which anaesthetised dogs Evaluation of anovel aqueous 752. mayberelated to the relatively large Ambra Panti and others, University formulation of propofol in cats dosages of the local anaesthetic. of Cambridge Ralph Cleale and others, Fort Assessment of ephedrine in Australian VeterinaryJournal 87 (5): Oesophageal stricture is arare but Dodge Animal Health, Princeton, preventing anaesthesia- 188-192. serious post-anaesthetic complication New Jersey induced hypotension whichisbelieved to result from In its conventional formulation, Christine Egger and others, oesophagitis due to gastro- propofol is administered as an oil-in- University of Georgia Next month’s subjects: oesophageal reflux. Theauthors water macro-emulsion which h as a Hypotension is acommon problem ■ Canine medicine and surgery in vestigate the effects of pre-operative limited shelf life after the bottle is in patients receiving ageneral ■ Bovine respiratory disease administration of the proton pump broached. Theauthors describe anaesthetic.The authors investigate blah blah

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UKSEVO-027 December 2009 1. DS Galloway JCH Ko, HF Reaugh, RE Mandsager, ME Payton, T Inoue, E Portillo. JAVMA (2004) Vol 255, No 5, 700-704 ©2009 Abbott Laboratories 2. Authorised in EU since 2002 FEBRUARY 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE ANAESTHESIA 35 Agent solubility: differences between sevoflurane and isoflurane

THERE aresubtle differences the patient asleep. setting would be needed to increase the between sevoflurane and If yourun acircle circuit with very inspiratorymixture to the 2% needed isoflurane. Once youfactor in high fresh gasflow, it behavesvery for anaesthesia. some financial considerations, much likeaparallel Lack. With Youcan certainly do this.With low these differences lead to anumber sevoflurane youcan dial 2.5% on the flow youcan easily have 3% on the of clearly defined practicalities in vaporiser,the dog breathes in 2.5%, it vaporiser mixing with recycled 1.5% to their usage. breathes out 2.3% and youdump that getyou the 2% needed in the Thebasic 2.3% into the inspiratorygas to keep your patient difference is one of atmosphere to asleep. solubility.Isoflurane augment global So youmight have alabrador on is more soluble in PETER warming and deplete 500ml/min fresh gasflow, the vaporiser tissues than DOBROMYLSKYJ your finances. set to 3% (or even 4%), the dog sevoflurane.The presents the first in With amore breathing in 2% and breathing out consequence of this an occasional series of soluble agent, suchas 1.5%, whichisre-converted to the is that, under the articles on various isoflurane,under high desired 2% by mixing with the 3% in sorts of time scales aspects of anaesthesia fresh gasflow the fresh gasflow. we work over in conditions,you would All very fascinating, if youlikethis Peter Dobromylskyj general practice, perhaps dial 2% on the sortofthing.But not what most patients become vaporiser for your patient people have going through their head whatever settingo y uwant the patient saturated with sevoflurane much to breathe in. Because isoflurane is when they are doing abitchspay. to breathe,usually 2.5-3% depending more rapidly than they become somewhat more soluble than on whichother drugs youhaveon saturated with isoflurane. sevoflurane,the expired breath might Lowersolubility board. only contain 1.5%. Ignoring concerns What happens with alowersolubility Howlow is lowfresh gasflow? Whydoesthis matter? about man-made global warming, the agent likesevoflurane? As youturn Howlow do youwant to go?You When apatient is saturated with an cost of isoflurane allows youtowaste down the fresh gasflowonce your absolutely must supply at the basal inhalation agent, the amount it this to scavengewith reasonable patient is stable (this is only amatter metabolic requirement for oxygen to breathes out is almost the same as equanimity. of minutes with alow solubility your patient. Agenerous estimate of the amount it breathes in. It is the Thesituation is quite different when agent), it breathes in the 2.5% from this is 5ml/kg/min. That’s expired concentration whichmost using lowflowrates into the same circle the vaporiser,and breathes out 150ml/min for a30kg labrador. closely represents what is present in circuit. Under high flow there is very somewhere around 2.3% whichis At 150ml/min, your concerns are the brain and whichactually keeps little recirculation. As the fresh gasflow largely recirculated. Adding alittle about the accuracy of your is reduced, there is 2.5% from asmall progressively more fresh gasflowwill mixing of the still give youa expired gaswith the concentration lowerfresh gasflow whichislikely to and so less wastage keep your patient through the spill asleep. va lveofthe circuit. So the rule is In this example that under low using isoflurane, flow conditions, most recirculated with alow gaswill be 1.5%. solubility agent the This maywell not setting on the keep your patient vaporiser is still asleep. Adding a very close to what This is ahigh flow situation using ahigh solubility lowflowof2% the patient will be The expired gas from alow solubility agent can agent. The expired gas (in brown) is unable to maintain isoflurane to this breathing, both in virtually maintain anaesthesia but it is wasted under anaesthesia but will be eliminated to scavenge. high flow conditions. cannot getthe and out. With inspired sevoflurane you concentration can markedly remotely high reduce the fresh enough to do the gasflowwithout job.Soamuch having to change higher isoflurane the vaporiser from

The rule is that under low flow conditions, with alow solubility agent the setting on the vaporiser is still very close to what the Under low flow most expired gas is recycled, very little patient will be breathing, Under low flow only asupply of oxygen and alittle extra gas is added, inspired concentration falls to a both in and out. extra agent is needed. Low flow becomes concentration which will allow your patient to wake up... straightforward and economical. 36 ANAESTHESIA VETERINARY PRACTICE FEBRUARY 2010 rotameters and vaporiser.Rotameter New edition of book on after the anaesthetic period. Ihope that accuracy depends on whether your this fully updated edition ... will help anaesthetic machine is designed to anaesthesia for veterinary nurses those starting out in their career to work at this lowgas flow. navigate the essential physiological, If in doubt youcan alwaysjust run THE second edition of Anaesthesia for emergencies (Kirstin Beard); Rabbits, pharmacological and physical principles 10-20% higher than this.Accuracy VeterinaryNurses waspublished by ferrets and rodent anaesthesia (Simon of anaesthesia, while acting as auseful becomes less important if youare using Wiley-Blackwell last October.The 400- Girling); Avian anaesthesia (Simon reference to those dealing with the even alittle above the basal oxygen pagebook is priced at £39.99. Girling); Reptile anaesthesia Simon daily challenges of anaesthetising requirement. Edited by Dr Liz Welsh, who Girling); Largeanimal anaesthesia patients. Thesecond mechanical problem is qualified at Glasgow in 1989 and is (Fiona Strachan). “In addition, Ihope this book accuracy of your vaporiser at these nowanhonoraryfellowatthe Royal Suitable for students,itwill also be provides aplatformfor the increasing flows. This should not be an issue as (Dick) in Edinburgh, this is a useful as areference by nurses in number of nurses specialising in the sevoflurane vaporisers are designed to comprehensive update of the first practice.AsDrWelsh writes in the field of anaesthesia and undertaking runatlow flow rates. edition whichappeared in 2003. preface,“Theveterinarynurse has a further qualifications to advance their So,issevoflurane as simple as “get As before there is detailed coverage pivotal role in anaesthesia, being knowledgeinthis challenging and ever- your labrador stable at reasonable flow of the physiological, pharmacological directly involved before,during and changing discipline.” rate and then drop the fresh gasflowto and physical aspects of anaesthesia, 300ml/kg”, less for asmaller patient? dealing with dogs,cats,rabbits,rodents, Nursing the post-operative and Almost. birds,reptiles and largeanimals. There are 15 chapters,the headings anaesthesia patient What arethe problems? and authors being: Therole of the No nitrous oxide.Just don’t. veterinarynurse in anaesthesia (Joan “THE post-operative period is the most recovery period. In addition to the Response time is slow. If youneed Freeman); Physiologyrelevant to common time for dogs and cats to die; ABCs,breath sounds are auscultated; to changethe circuit concentration you anaesthesia (Dr MaryFraser); Pre- the most frequent time of death occurs temperature obtained; surgical wounds, cannot do it quickly with lowfresh gas operative assessment and preparation within three hours of the termination of dressings,tubes and catheter sites flow.Changing the vaporiser to 4% with of the patient (Dr Joan Duncan); the operative procedure,” said Howard inspected. afresh gasflowof300ml/min will not Anaesthetic machines and ventilators Davis,quoting the findings of Among general post- stop alabrador kicking the surgeon if (Dr Craig Johnson); Breathing systems Broadbelt and Blissit in their reporton operative/anaesthetic complications and youhaveunderestimated its need for and airwaysmanagement (Dr Craig the confidential enquiryinto peri- treatment, Mr Davis listed sevoflurane. Johnson); Anaesthetic drugs (Derek operative small animal fatalities, agitation/rough recovery,aspiration To rapidly adjust depth youreally Flaherty); Analgesia (Derek Flaherty); published in VeterinaryAnaesthesia and pneumonia, cardiac arrhythmias, need to increase fresh gasflowto Intravenous drugs and fluid therapy Analgesia (2008, 35:365-373). hypothermia, hyperthermia, deliverthat higher concentration rapidly. (Dr Liz Welsh); Monitoring the Mr Davis,aveterinarytechnician hypotension, hypoxaemia and Then turnthe fresh gasflowbackdown anaesthetised patient (Louise Clark); who manages the emergency and critical cardiopulmonaryarrest. again. Nursing the patient in recovery care service at the veterinarymedical When recovering, some patients Intrinsic to alow solubility agent is (Nichole Hill); Cardiopulmonary teaching hospital at the University of experience an excitatoryphase similar to the ability to overdose very rapidly. cerebral resuscitation and other California, Davis,was speaking at the the excitement phase of induction, he Putting the vaporiser to 4% and FGF to Vets NowEmergency and Critical Care said. These patients can often be observed 2.0l/min will put your patient’sblood Choice of drugs for Congress last November on Nursing paddling uncontrollably and vocalising; the pressure through the floor within surgical treatment of management of the post-operative and goal is to restrain the patient to prevent minutes if youleave the settings here by anaesthesia patient. self-induced trauma, with tranquillisation accident. the GDV case Thefirst priority in the post- an option in some cases. Theconverse of this is that hitting IN apaper on management of the op/anaesthetic recovery period, he said, It is imperative,hecontinued, to be the oxygen flush button might well GDVdog, presented at the London wastoassess the ABCs: airway, observant of signs associated with pain. result in your patient waking up. VetShowlast November,Daniel breathing and circulation. “One should assume that if the So,issevoflurane worthusing? With Brockman, head of the department Once these have been assessed, a procedure is painful for ahuman, it is alow flow circle approachitis of veterinaryclinical services at the baseline physical examination should be likely to be so for an animal. Waiting for undoubtedly economical for even quite RVC, briefly discussed the choice of performed. Th is establishes the baseline apatient to showsigns of pain is apoor largesized dogs.It’sanice agent to use. anaesthetic drugs for surgical for further comparisons during the approachtopain management.” Once youare set up to use it effectively intervention. youare in asituation to decide if you “Ideally,” he said, “the protocol Comprehensive information would likeittobeyour main volatile that has minimal deleterious effects agent. on the cardiovascular and respiratory SMALL Animal Anaesthesia and techniques can be used on every That’sawhole different decision- systems should be used. Opioids Analgesia,edited by Professor patient, and will enhance the reader’s making process. suchasfentanyl or methadone Gwendolyn Carroll of Texas A&M knowledgeand thus ability to safely combined with diazepam provide an University,was published by Wiley- anaesthetise animals,whilst also Petro (always known as Peter) adequate pre-medication. Induction Blackwell just over twoyears ago. The providing for their comfort”. Dobromylskyj, BVetMed, BSc, DVA, of anaesthesia and endotracheal 283-pagevolume is priced at £37.99. Chapter headings are: Anaesthesia MRCVS, qualified from the RVC in intubation maybeachieved by a It givescomprehensive information equipment; Monitoring; Ventilation; 1981, having also completed an further bolus of the fentanyl and about anaesthetic equipment, Pre-operative preparation; intercalated BSc degree in diazepam combination. anaesthetic and analgesic drugs and Premedicants; Induction agents and physiology. He gained his “Propofol titrated to effect may techniques,and monitoring.Particular totalintra venous anaesthesia; Inhalant Certificate (1991) and then Diploma also assist in anaesthetic induction. It emphasis is placed on indications and anaesthetics; Local anaesthetic and (1997) in Veterinary Anaesthesia is important to remember that in from general practice. He is a contraindications for drugs and analgesic techniques; Analgesia; Non- most dogs areduced volume of techniques.Anaesthesia with steroidal anti-inflammatorydrugs; diplomate of the European College induction agent is needed due to of Veterinary Anaesthesia and concurrent conditions and for chronic Support; Cardiopulmonary circulatorycompromise in the Analgesia (ECVAA); he was an RCVS pain is also covered. resuscitation; Anaesthesia for patients anaesthesia board member from patient. Thedog should be It is aimed at veterinarysurgeons in with special concerns; Physical 1999 to 2002 and an examiner for maintained using isoflurane or small animal practice as well as medicine and its role in recovery; the Certificate in Veterinary sevoflurane in oxygen. Nitrous oxide veterinarystudents.AsAlicia Karas Clinical techniques for anaesthesia. Anaesthesia (CertVA) from 2003 to should be avoided until permanent states in the foreword, the book Twoappendices deal with 2006. He is currently based in gastric decompression has been “effectively dispels the notion that ‘one Recommended resources and Blood Glasgow. achieved.” size fits all’ anaesthetic regimes or transfusions. NEW Vetergesic® Multidose

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VM.AD.01. 06/08 38 INTERVIEW VETERINARY PRACTICE FEBRUARY 2010 Seeking to remove asource of serious discomfort for horses EQUINE veterinarian Bob Cook the stresses of competition. So this leisure riders in the US and abroad and has spent adecade battling against could be asignificant causative factor in his website contains alargenumber of what he regards as abrutal up to 40 separate disease states unsolicited testimonials on the throwback to aBronzeage culture. including exercise-induced pulmonary beneficial effects that this simple device Thestrugglehas been lonelyand haemorrhage, epiglottal entrapment and has had on the experiences of the frustrating but he nowbelieves that dorsal displacement of the soft palate. owners. the equestrian world Moreover, he insists This acceptance of the new may at last be ready that the fatigue technologyhas,however, largely to accept his claim resulting from resulted from word of mouth that putting ametal asphyxia during recommendations –there has been bit into an animal’s competition may minimal supportfrom his veterinary mouth to control its predispose ahorse to colleagues in his campaign to change Professor Bob Cook. movements the sortof the technologyused to control their Certified Horsemanship Association endangersthe health catastrophic client’sanimals. conference in October 2008 in which and safety of both musculoskeletal “The profession in the US and UK the horses carried out twofour-minute horse and rider. injuries that can prove has taken very little notice of the work exercises with the same rider,which Professor Cook fatal for both the Ihavedone over the past 10 years.I were viewed by an independent judge. became interested in JOHN BONNER horse and its rider. don’t think they have wokenuptothe Twoofthe horses had never been the behavioural and talks to Professor A1952 RVC fact that the bit can explain so many of ridden with abitless bridle before and in physiological effects of Bob Cook about his graduate,Bob the idiopathic diseases that equine the overall group there wasanaverage the traditional bitted passion for a conducted researchon practitioners have worried about for 75% improvement in the performance bridle in the late 1990s bitless bridle conditions affecting generations. after switching to the new bridle. after retiring as head of the horse’shead and “I can’t really explain why. Isuspect Professor Cook hopes that nowthe equine surgeryatTuft’s respiratorysystem at that most veterinarysurgeons have study has appeared in areputable University veterinaryschool in three UK veterinaryschools and at the regarded the bit as amysterywhichisn’t journal, other equine scientists will be Massachusetts.Hewas asked to Animal Health Trust before crossing really their province and have left these persuaded to conduct researchonthe investigate an unconventional bitless the Atlantic.Heworked for twoyears at issues to the horse owners.” behavioural and physiological effects of bridle which, through acrossover the University of Illinois before being Theattitude of the regulatory the bit. Even more importantly,the arrangement beneath the horse’schin, recruited by the newly formed Tuft’s authorities for equestrian sports has equine sports authorities have begun to applies pressure on the side of the head school in 1979. been even less encouraging.The United showawillingness to consider achange rather than the delicate structures of He wasintroduced to the concept States Equestrian Federation insists that in the rules. the mouth. of the bitless crossoverbridle by a bitted bridles are used by all riders In 2008, the Dutchequestrian He became convinced that the Californian horseman, Allan Buck, who competing in all dressagecompetitions authority became the first association to conventional bit is acontinuous source wasselling aversion that he called the organised under its jurisdiction allowthe use of the crossunder bridle in of serious discomfortfor vast numbers “Spirit bridle”. But the basic idea has although, curiously,these are not its dressageand driving competitions of horses.Hehas catalogued around certainly been around since the 19th mandatoryrequirements for the cross and the South African association 100 behaviours suchasbolting, bucking century. There are also anumber of countryorshowjumping disciplines. followedsuit last year. and rearing whichhebelieves are other designs whichdispense with the If the international body,the FEI, caused by the presence of this alien traditional bit including those devices Wooden-headedness and the larger national associations can object in the horse’smouth. known as hackamores,bosals and “I haven’t been able to persuade the US be persuaded to review their rules,the “You can call these vices or negative sidepulls. authorities to even look at my data. You bitless bridle could eventually be behaviours but Iwould argue that they Yetthese share the same flawsas can put it down to the conservatism and permitted in all equine sports.A are neither,they are just anormal the crude technologyoriginally tradition that is partofthis world but proposal wasbeing considered by the reaction on the partofanimal to its developed by the Scythian horsemen of there is also abig dose of sheer US Equestrian Federation as this issue feelings of fear and pain.” central Asia in about 5000 BC.Eachis wooden-headedness,” he says. of VeterinaryPractice went to press. More importantly,his research used to cause pressure on the mouth or Tworecent developments have “I don’t knowwhether they are indicates that abitted bridle can have the bridgeofthe nose –the crossover givenProfessor Cook hope that ready to accept this changejust yet but serious ill effects on the horse’sability design is the only one that controls the professional colleagues and the Iamoptimistic and feel we have to breathe properly,particularly during horse without causing it pain, he says. competitive horse world maybeready reached atipping point. But even if it He carried out studies on the to accept his arguments for the benefits doesn’t happen this time,Iwill still impact of this basic bridle on horses of bitless bridles.The November 2009 keep hammering away.Iam78and may whichshowedsigns of distress when edition of the Equine VeterinaryJournal be getting on alittle but Ihaven’t ridden using traditional tackle.Very carried apaper co-written with Daniel finished yet.” quickly he became convinced that many Mills,professor of of the clinical conditions that he has veterinary seen throughout his career were aresult behavioural of the problems caused by the bit. medicine at the He made afew modifications to the University of design whichwere patented in the US Lincoln, directly and formed acompany whichsells this comparing the kit through his website, performance of www.bitlessbridle.com .Similar four horses ridden products are available from other with a companies whichhavesprung up in conventional various countries around the world, snaffle bridle and including the UK. his ownd esign. Theidea of using bitless tackle has Thestudy took been taken up with great enthusiasm by place at the US Metacam contains meloxicam. Prescription only medicine. Further information is availableonrequest from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Bracknell, RG12 8YS, UK. Te l: +44 (0) 1344 746959. E-mail [email protected]. AHD 6056 Date of preparation: 07.09 Reference: 1. De Grauw et al. EquineVeterinary Journal. In press. DOI: 10.2746/042516409X436286

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Oral suspension & Injection for horses MAKING THE RUNNING 40 FUND-RAISING VETERINARY PRACTICE FEBRUARY 2010 BEVA Trust aiming to raise substantial amounts through a ‘silent auction’ THE BEVATrust, the charitable Trust to traveltoGambia to help the armofthe British Equine Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust deal VeterinaryAssociation, is presently with the current, devastating ep idemic offering some fabulous, money- of African Horse Sickness. can’t-buy opportunities and unique In the UK, the Trust offers a prizes in its silent auction to raise number of awards and travel Lot 188: aprint by renowned equine artist Lydia Kiernan. money forits work to improve not scholarships.The largest of these is of his extensive yard and veterinary behind-the-scenes tour to meet trainers onlythe well-being of some of the the ResearchFellowship,anew,three- facilities,including watching the use of and jockeys.Anyone visiting Boston is 100 million working year position being the over-ground endoscope,ahorse offered abreathtaking ride in a equidae in the offered at Selwyn jacuzzi and equine swimming pool. Jetranger helicopter,either an aerial world, but also, by College, Cambridge, in Dinner and accommodation is tour,orajourney of up to 100 miles. extension, help to conjunction with the included in Middleham. Forarewarding and fulfilling address the poverty Cambridgeveterinary Or perhaps apersonal tour of the getaway,aweek working at the Animal of the families school. Theappointed Hyde Park Barracks and the Kings Care Egypt hospital, followedbya whose livelihoods fellowwill conduct Troop with Brigadier Andrew Parker week seeing the sights of Luxor is sure depend on these researchstudies Bowles himself,followedbylunchat to be aworthwhile holiday. Whocould horses, donkeys and focused on infectious Greens,sounds more intriguing and fail to be tempted by along weekend in mules. disease,with exciting? an apartment in the best location in By working important outcomes Sportsmen and women can choose beautiful, romantic Budapest, alongside some of the SARAH BEARDALL relevant to the welfare from these various opportunities.For overlooking the Danube? large, established urges readers to dig of working equids. those who love fishing, from complete Howabout taking tea with the charities,the BEVA deep and bid for He or she will also beginners to experienced anglers,there internationally renowned fiction writer Trust works some amazing lots in actively promote is aday’s guided salmon fishing on one Alexander McCall Smith? Theauthor internationally to help aid of working equine welfare issues, of the world’sgreatest salmon rivers, will also sign and present copies of provide the expert equidae establishing acohort the RiverTweed, all equipment three complete series of his books, The veterinarycare, of graduates with the provided. No .1Ladies’ Detective Agency,44 Scotland investigators and awareness and Street and The Sunday PhilosophyClub –a educators that are crucial in providing motivation to improve the day-to-day Golf andcarriagedriving truly fabulous offer! on-going equine healthcare in livesofequids in the developing Golfers will love the opportunity of a Artlovers will appreciate being able developing countries. world, and therefore also the round of golf,and lunch, at either The to bid on some really beautiful prints, Forexample,the Trust helps to livelihoods of those families who Links Golf Club,Newmarket, or The offered by highly renowned equine send vets to the Animal Care Egypt depend on them. Royal Worthington, one of the top artist Lydia Kiernan. These are utterly Centre in Luxor to treat working Clearly,the BEVATrust is courses in the country. Or howabout delightful, and would immediately equids suffering from amyriad of elemental in providing, literally,life- experiencing the elegance and grace of enhance ahome or office.Similarly,a conditions,from wounds and sores to saving assistance to amultitude of carriagedriving, with alesson from framed photograph of Katchit, winner emaciation and exhaustion, and also to animals,and subsequently benefiting Claire Bourne,aBritish Driving Society of the 2008 Champion Hurdle,with give free veterinaryeducational courses the people whose livelihoods depend qualified Light Harness Horse the rider’sand trainer’ssignatures,isa in acountrywhere the death of a on those animals,and also in educating Instructor? unique and appealing addition to a mule,whichcan cost ayear’ssalary, those associated with equine health, so Forall those single malt whisky racing fan’s collection. mayspell financial ruin for afamily. that the welfare of the animals is lovers,aunique opportunity on offer is Alternatively,the private PA to the TheTrust also supports World greatly improved. apersonal tour of the Macallan former Chairman of Conde Nast Horse Welfare’sprogramme,Project Distillery, overlooking the RiverSpey, International is offeringtocome to Romania, whichisanextensive,five- Significant followedbyanosing and tasting with your home to give ahelping hand and year series of practical courses and TheSilent Auction will help contribute the Macallan WhiskyTaster himself, be your personal assistant for the day. seminars designed to raise the standard significantly to these projects,thereby with accommodation provided that is So,please supportthe BEVA of veterinaryeducation for those easing the suffering of animals in the usually reservedfor celebrities likeJesse Trust’sincredible auction, and help involved in caring for the one million developing world. Spencer and Gore Vidal. ease the suffering of innumerable working equids in Romania. Forracing fans,afabulous Racing enthusiasts visiting Hong horses,donkeys and mules that give In addition, the Trust opportunity is provided by Kong could have the chance of a their livestotheir human families in works with the Society for Lot 2, something that lifetime by bidding for an evening at the developing world, by visiting the Protection of Animals money cannot buy,the Happy Valley races,with dinner and a www.beva.org.uk and placing abid. Abroad (SPANA) to chance to spend amorning provide access to at Ballydoyle,the racing arm educational materials and of Coolmore,then the BEVA running two core skills workshops training in developing afternoon at Coolmore,with THE BEVA Trust is running an AI core skills workshop for new graduates, led by Dr countries,and runs a dinner and B&B at Hotel Madeleine Campbell, at the RVC, Hawkshead, on 10th February, and BEVA is tetanus vaccination Minella. running aRed Dot equine radiology core skills workshop at Northwick Park programme in Mali. The Another lot on offer, Hospital in Harrow, London, on 11th and 12th February. Speakers in the latter are medicine resident from the donated by Mark Johnston, Jane Boswell, Tom Hughes, David Lloyd and Tim Phillips. Royal VeterinaryCollege sounds fascinating: the Details of both are available from the BEVA: telephone 01638 723555 or e-mail wasalso assisted by the opportunity of aguided tour [email protected]. 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ON the first day of the BCVA animal production and public health at understand howproduct work indicate the value congress thereare the initial Glasgow,reported that “veterinary logos on labels relate to of aNet Lameness opening presentations forall surgeons are not seen by consumers as production systems.Itis Index (NLI), which delegates that settle everyone down influencing animal welfare”. concluded that monitors dairyherd and open up the little Asurveyin veterinarysurgeons are mobility over time. grey cells. Scotland and the north able to improve and It is recognised that Decision time soon of England asked audit welfare on-farm the observervaluation arrivesasthe talks split members of the public and are arespected link of mobility scoring is into the various who had the most in the dairyfood chain. similar to the approach locations and the powertoaffect animal Thechallengeistoprovide with fluctuations in somatic cell count headings do not always welfare and the meaningful, understandable,dairy and the information can be viewed in offer agood indication responses indicated: welfare indices and an interdisciplinary the same way.Familiarity with NLI will of the content and government (38%), approachincluding producers,retailers, allowdeterioration in the incidence of quality that follows. consumers (27%), psychologists and veterinarians is lameness in aherd to be plotted and Thefringeareas are a farmers (13%), proposed. appropriate targets set and intervention voyageofdiscovery RICHARD GARD supermarkets (13%), levels established. and it wasadelight to reports on papers vets (4%) and animal Thecow’s view High yielding cows are more likely share the discussions presented at the 2009 charities (4%). The If abovine is to be examined or tested, to be lame and aseverely lame cow in the Hereford room congress of the BCVA surveyconcentrated the farmer and vethavetobeable to within amonth of calving, and after tea. on UK dairy handle the beast. Miriam Parker of persistently lame for seven months, Many people will production methods, Livestockwise Ltd gave an enthusiastic loses 1,000kg of milk production. A nowhavebecome familiar with the welfare issues,dairyproduct purchasing appraisal of baler twine and beyond. reduction in yield has also been issue of Mr Evan’s friend’scow that and recognition of quality assurance An understanding of the view as observedfour to six months after a Professor JoeBrownlie uses to highlight logos. the cowsees it is essential to effective lameness incidence.However, lame the important debate about ownership Interestingly,alargenumber of the handling, she said. Thecow has limited cows generally yield more than other of disease.Itwas reported by Mr respondents (93%) said they would pay vision, sees the vetasapredator and cows and the detection and treatment Evans that his friend had aherd that more for dairyproducts if it led to does not likemoving from alight to a of early lactation lameness is well worth wasnot under TB restriction but that good animal welfare.Half of the dark area. Using aseries of pictures to the effortofregular monitoring by close neighbours had recently failed the people gave UK dairyanimal welfare a demonstrate the practicalities,the use of mobility scoring the herd. skin test and that the time for testing positive rating, roughly aquarter said curveswith crush facilities and Thefour presentations stimulated the herd wasagain due. they didn’t knowand aquarter a awareness of the flight area brought some interesting discussions,which Mr Evan’s friend expected to fail negative rating.Age of respondents did home some handling basics. were chaired with aplomb by Carolyn the test, and be under restriction for an not appear to influence the answers. Theyounger the animal becomes Hogan. What appeared on the indefinite time,sohesold some of his used to handling events,the better the programme to be disparate topics cows while he waslegally entitled to do Commonattributes outcome in later life.Itisimportant moulded well. One of the advantages so.So, who owns the disease? Themost common attributes associated that the handler is on the inside of the of asmaller delegate group is the ability We do not knowwhether the cows with animal welfare were stated as: curve and that the cattle work around to have an in-depth interchangeof were pre-movement tested but the appropriate feeding (39%), good the person. Positive handling events views and experiences. principle is set that the farmer believed stockmanship (35%), plenty of space should be put between negative events. his cows to be infected but yet he was (26%), free range(19%) and Theexample givenwas weighing as Practitionerassessments prepared to risk passing on the disease environmental cleanliness (20%). Life apositive event and TB testing as a Twopresentations from practitioners to other cattle.Should that be his expectancy of adairycow ranged from strong negative. Theemphasis wason were particularly helpful in advancing decision? He owns the cattle but does 1to75years with eight and 10 years the physical requirements and the the knowledgeofdelegates.Both are he ownthe disease? What is the role of being representative of the majority of psychologyofthe cowbut it seems within the proceedings and deserve to the state,the animal owner and the views. likely that the approachofthe farmer be read in full. Early on in the congress veterinarysurgeon? Vets were giventhe highest rating to the task mayalso define whether an programme,Peter Orpin highlighted an for reliability when providing event is positive or negative. effective and novelapproachtoJohne’s Decision pathway information on animal welfare (76%), Disease for cattle practices and Paul There is adecision pathway where with farmers (65%). Themedia and Netlamenessindex Rodgers,inthe final paper on the final some disease restrictions remove the supermarkets were considered Simon Archer and ateam at the day, gave his view of the on-going ability of the animal owner to sell the unreliable sources of information. University of Nottingham have been control of bovine TB in Wales. infected cattle and those decisions Education of consumers via researching the association between Acombination of quarterly testing include clinical effect, economic effect, labelling is considered as “flawed” by mobility score and milk production. of milk samples,taken for milk risk to human health, etc.With some the researchers ,asfew people Preliminaryfindings from this on-going recording (www.nmr.co.uk), and risk- diseases the detection of disease is effective and with others more hit and miss. Ownership indicates responsibility but the responsibility cannot lie purely with the animal owner if he does not have afull understanding of the risks. Does the vetassume responsibility for farmanimal diseases? There was, as expected, mention of BVD transfer between herds.Disease ownership is a major topic and, as Professor Brownlie pointed out, “a challengefor the whole livestockindustry”. Kathryn Ellis,from the division of Congress speakers (from left): Kathryn Ellis, Simon Archer, Carolyn Hogan, Professor Joe Brownlie and Miriam Parker. FEBRUARY 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE LIVESTOCK 43 based health planning Thethree legs are: testing and cattle measures will not work. without acull of infected badgers. (www.myhealthyherd.com) have been removalofinfected cattle and deer; Detailing individual farmfindings,as Within the programme,£4million shown to be well accepted by clients. control of movement from infected well as the overall situation, the has been earmarked for culling badgers Thetwinned programme allows herds and areas of high risk of disease; indications are that the £27 million within a300 sq km area (300 farms) veterinarysurgeons and farmers to control of vector populations. allocated by the Welsh Assembly that borders the Whitland practice.The develop apractical approachtocontrol It is the third leg that is missing Government over three years to final geographyhas not been defined MAP (Mycobacterium paratuberculosis). from the current approachand the eradicate bTB will not be effective in but it is likely that some clients’ farms Importantly,all cattle clients can be paper clearly states that without it, the reducing the £30 million annual cost, will be within the IAPAand some involved with this programme,to prevent and control, rather than working only with those farms where the disease has been diagnosed. There are major difficulties with the spread of MAP,both within herds from infection transfer in the calving facilities and pooled milk or colostrum, and disease entryfrom purchase of replacements (36% of surveyed herds). Johne’sDisease is not an easy subject and groups of 15-20 vets have been found to be the effective size to discuss aspects of the disease and develop knowledgeofthe tools to create appropriate control strategies for The Vetoquinol solution clients. to respiratory infections Effectiveprogrammes Veterinarypractice farmer meetings spelt out... have followedthe veterinarytraining sessions.Further seminars are planned and with more veterinarysurgeons within eachpractice agreeing on the practical and technical issues,effective local programmes have been developed. Theprogramme combines the experiences of those who have been working to control MAP since the introduction of the industryscheme five years ago. Following avisit to New Zealand to discuss the “three-leggedstool” approachtobovine TB control, Paul otolia.com

Rodgers has produced an assessment of /F the TB situation within the Whitland

practice in Carmarthenshire and the on- otolia.com, pgm going programme in Wales. P/F His conclusions are worthy of note otolia.com, Claude

and general agreement: “The Intensive /F Action Pilot Area (IAPA) in Wales will demonstrate that applying all three legs asterfile, Aubrée Belin

of the control stool can give gains in /M egner

bTB that are economically justified but Ru it will require co-operation and enthusiasm from all parties to succeed. unch stock, Martin There hasbeen enough researchand /P trials,now is the time for innovative action.”

...the indications are ART2799 Photo Credits: PhotoAlto that the £27 million allocated by the Welsh Assembly Government over three years to A REPUTATION BUILT ON RESULTS

eradicate bTB will not Marbocyl® Solo in a single injection, has proven efficacy to rapidly be effective in treat bovine respiratory disease1,2.,3 Marbocyl Solo concentrates the power of marbofloxacin in aconvenient way,which enhances its reducing the £30 effect4. Marbocyl® Solo contains marbofloxacin. Legal Category: POM-V References: 1. Vallé M. et al. 2005. Nouvelle approche du traitement des infections respiratoires bovines par la marbofloxacine en injection unique Journées de la Société million annual cost, française de Buiatrie, Paris, France. 2. Grandemange E. et al. 2006. Field evaluation of the efficacy and the safety of a one shot marbofloxacin solution for injection administered by the IM route to treat bovine bacterial respiratory diseases. Vetoquinol SA study no. 9206C1B2. 3. Roy O. et al. 2008. Comparative field clinical efficacy of a single intramuscular injection of marbofloxacine in the treatment of bovine respi ratory disease. Poster. World Buiatrics Congress, Budapest, Hungary. 4. Vallé M. et al. 2005. without acull of Nouvelle approche du traitement des infections respiratoires bovines par la marbofloxacine en injection unique. Journées de la Société française de Buiatrie, Paris, France. Further information is available on request from: Vetoquinol UK Limited, Vetoquinol House, Great Slade, Buckingham Industrial Park, Buckingham, MK18 1PA. Tel: 01280 814500 Fax: 01280 825460 infected badgers. Email: offi[email protected] Website: www.vetoquinol.co.uk 44 LIVESTOCK VETERINARY PRACTICE FEBRUARY 2010 outside and it is likely that some Promoting responsible farmers will have land within and without. use of wormers THE BVAhas published aposter with astrong Nearingcompletion messagetoveterinarysurgeons to encourage Theapplication of acurrent skin test the responsible use of anthelmintics in grazing for all herds in Wales is nearing animals.The misuse of these products,leading completion and 90 herds that were to resistance,isanincreasing problem, which negative for bTB have been shown to has nowbecome aserious threat to the health be positive. Theon-going programme and welfare of the animals,the association will include an increase in testing states. frequency with abiannual test. In response to growing concerns the BVA’s Thepractice took partinthe Medicines Group has produced aposter that biosecurity visits to clients (37 of 86 wasdistributed to BVAmembers last month farms within the area targeted) and use and is available to download from the BVA of this tool has been revised to makeit website. easier to apply and motivate clients. Theposter,accompanied by additional Analysis of the practice farmtesting online guidance,clearly outlines dos and don’ts records is available via TB Master (Lilac in the use of anthelmintics and carries the Technology). message“Think twice before prescribing anthelmintics”. Theposter is intended for Success essential displayinveterinarypractices as areminder to Forveterinarysurgeons within bTB vets and their clients of the need for positive areas,the Welsh initiative has responsible use of these medicinal products. to be successful if the disease is to be Theposter carries advice on encouraging controlled. Many vets and farmers in farmhealth planning and worming strategies, areas that have seen minimal bTB will targeting the drug used to the parasite,the be concerned that the detection of importance of not underdosing, quarantining the disease has been limited by the incoming animals,and investigating and testing interval. reporting suspected cases of resistance to the There is an underlying point that VMD.Ittells vets not to treat unnecessarily the control of badgers,utilising past and not to blanket treat. researchapplications of trapping, will Launching the poster,Peter Jones,chairman be very expensive and that there will of the Medicines Group,said: “Everyuse of “Vets must also promote good worming practice to need to be industryparticipation. anthelmintics increases the risk of resistance ensure dosageisbased on accurate weight measurements. Culling details and other practical developing.Veterinarysurgeons have aduty to ensure Underdosing is amajor factor in the development of considerations will become more anthelmintic use is judicious and limited to resistance.” important in the near future and circumstances when treatment can be effective, Thelaunchofthe poster follows the publication in there will be intense discussions that targeted and based on sound veterinarydiagnosis. November of the poster with the BVA’seight-point plan for should include members of “The BVAadvises all vets to work with their the responsible use of antimicrobials.This,saysthe BVA, veterinarypractices. farming clients to develop afarmhealth plan that has been welcomed by many interested parties in the UK ■ Copies of the congress encompasses an effective worming strategyand afull and by the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe.Itis proceedings are in Cattle Practice, grazing management programme to reduce the need currently being considered for use in other European volume 17 (www.bcva.org.uk). for treatment. countries. ODE TO SOME MINISTERS OF STATE

Norman W. Leslie, BA, MVB, MRCVS, On Blair’ssay-so! Perhaps he is aTORY-TOFF,itmatters not turns to verse to express Youwent away,toforeign parts, But can he showushow to TOIL his feelings... To parley with, some horrid farts! In order to restore the SOIL That really matters,one helluvalot! Tune: Flower of Scotland) III (with apologies to Scotland’sRugbyXV) Then BLAIR went out, VI And BROWNcame in, And so this Tory PAICE-man, I He sent youout, Can he dare to tackle, Oh FlowerofDEATHRA From whence youcame, All this crap of H&S and P-C cackle? When will we see, So youlost your grin! Or maybe not, perhaps the ANGEL of the North, Your likeagain? Done to aturn, we gotbrowned-off! Will inspire one yet as unknown from Newcastle, That spakeand paid for But somehow, we hung on in! To free us all from this dreadful hassle! Your weebit copse and hedge! And stood against them, IV VII Proud KENDALL’s armee, But lowinthe East, Those days are gone now, And sent them FARM-WARD, Above the snow, the first faint glow, And in the past, Taethink again! Ashaft of yellowlight, They must remain! Thedaysgrowlonger,and the nights grow light! But we can still rise now, II So in the East, we hope for CHANGE And free the FARMS and HOMESTEADS again, Oh Pride of DEATHRA, Whichaman called PAICE, mayusher in! And send them backwards, Howglad were we, Proud DEATHRA’s ARMEE, To see yougo! V Taethink again! Youcockedusup, so youhad to leave, Aman called PAICE, aFensman of the soil, GREATFLAMING BALLS OF FIRE!!! Expert treatment for DAMAGED BODYWORK

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THE dizzying,snowy heights of Mt comfortable trainers and hiked the since closed, but Blanc du Tacul rose steeplyfromthe blissfully oxygenated, warm and snow- still providing a glacial plain. Expansive views to the free valley trails,insearchofyeti spoor. welcome beacon of left were broken onlybydistant It wastime to startPhase II of my light on the peaks as jagged as teeth. training: Yeti Biologyand darkening mountain Immediately to the right of the Husbandry.Whilst Tibetan yetis have side. rocky outcrop on whichthe Cosmiques been intermittently sighted for decades, As the dusk hut and Iperched at 3,613 metres,the much less is known about the fabled rapidly faded, Iran Bossons glacier tumbled through a European yeti,Gigantopithecus modernis faster and faster, succession of precipitous ice-falls to the yetii.Far shyer than its Asian chasing the last eventual depths of the Chamonix counterpart, it inhabits only the most dregs of daylight Valley,some 2,500 metres below. isolated of mountains ranges.That down the mountain. Apossible yeti lair discovered in the mountains. Through the steam of would have to mean Whilst Iwas still up high, alargedark long board, whilst his human servant twoexceedingly strong those beyond the shape suddenly sprung up from the provided locomotorypedal power. blackcoffees,I furthest Chamonix shadows,just to the right of the trail. I Doubtless,asyetis decline,dogs surfing watched small groups cable-car lift at La instinctively leapt to the left, balancing on melted glaciers are destined to of tiny blackdots Flégère,Iconcluded. above acliff,whilst straining to identify become increasingly common. carefully zig-zagging Furthermore,such features in the shaggy mass,which All too soon, however, duty called, their way down the creatures were towered at least as tall as me. and we were off to resume our search mountain. Theclosest probably nocturnal. Frozen, we stared at one another for yetis.The four kilometre high appeared almost to be And so,late the for long, still seconds,until Irealised it North Face of the Eiger loomed sleep-walking across next afternoon, Ihiked waswearing ajacketverysimilar to terrifyingly from ahole in the cloud as a the glacier.When the to the valley hamlet of mine.Mypounding footsteps had, in steady drizzle fell, frustrating both my roped figure at the end ANDREW KNIGHT La Flégère,catching fact, disturbed aFrenchhiker named searchand my plans to climb at least its stumbled, Iknew just continues his attempt the last lift up around Jacques on averybudget tour of the first few metres.Australians cannot howhefelt. to locate, and study, 5pm. Once again the Alps.Having failed to makeLac Blanc possibly be expected to work in rain, Not even after my the little-known forests,rocks and before darkness,hewas attempting to and so we drove instead to Zermatt, worst nights on call, European yeti, streams dropped away bivouac by the trailside.Itwas nice to gateway to the feared and famous had Ieverfelt so Gigantopithecus beneath, as I exchangepleasantries with my first Matterhorn. wasted. Due to an modernis yeti approached the heights fellowhuman for many hours,before I One glance assured me that yetis unfortunate above. Arriving at hastened downwards once again. would not be found on the Matterhorn fitness/ambition 1,877 metres,Ihiked At La Flégère Ifinally conceded itself –itwas far too steep. Aside-trip imbalance,the 10-hour the remaining 90 minutes defeat and donned my head torch. The to the sobering Climbers’ Cemetery hikeoverthis mountain and the even to remote Lac Blanc,at2,352 metres, 15-minute lift descent would nowtake convinced me that with so many steeper peak beyond to the summit of where Iunexpectedly discovered a several hours along winding mountain climbers falling off,there would be very Mt Blanc had been the hardest thing I’d rustic mountain hut serving bread and trails,before the safety of the valley was little left to eat. Hence,Iwas forced to ever done. steaming vegetable soup. reached. As Idescended into the don skis and explore the high-altitude However, Ididn’t choose veterinary Theevening light faded gradually spookily quiet forest, Iwondered how summer skiarea around the medicine because it waseasy,and as a throughout my second dinner,and by lowyetis roamed, in their doubtlessly Matterhorn. veterinarycryptozoologist Iwas my third the upper peaks were turning insatiable searchfor food. There wasconsiderably more yeti- determined to develop my ability to pink –revealing the source of their Close to Chamonix, apair of eyes food available in this playground for care for sickyetis and other species name: the Aiguilles Rouges,orRed gleamed from the tree line,s0 ome 5 the richand famous.However, woefully neglected by conventional Needles. metres to the left. Fortunately,they although acareful searchofthe medicine.After reaching 4,807 metres,I On exploring the lakes after dessert, were at knee height, and disappeared as brightly-coloured masses revealed nowhad the ability to conduct home Iobservedaninteresting phenomenon: Idrew close.Soon after midnight I many interesting costumes,yetis, visits to yetis throughout the Alps –at as the last sensible people left, rushing reached the safety of my climbers’ unfortunately,appeared lacking. least in theory. All Ineeded nowwere downwards to makethe final lift off hostel in Chamonix town. Where could they possibly be hiding? some yetis. the mountain, the animals came out, Having failed to locate asingle yeti Clearly,tofind ayeti Iwould have to And besides,the mountain had not one by one.Fascinated, Istalked with on the Mt Blanc rangeorAiguilles think likeone... been unkind to me.At70mph and - my camera alargebuckthat appeared Rouges,itseemed clear that remoter And then it struckme, as Igazed 10ºC,her breath had been unusually to delight in leading me in circles. mountains would be needed. Hence, across the ski fields! Just uphill from gentle and warm,allowing me to Iclambered over rocky outcrops with my long-suffering partner Iduly one of the quieter runs,adeep, dark staggerbriefly onto the summit. And and through streams,until Irealised the proceeded to the infamous North Face with the exception of the inevitable entire rangewas alive with mountain of the Eiger,inneighbouring hypoxia-induced cerebral necrosis,I deer.Encouraged, Isearched keenly for . appeared to have suffered little signs of Gigantopithecus activity. It wasprofoundly disturbing to permanent damage. It would, however, Excitementa w sgenerated by the witness the global warming-induced takesome time for the skin to regrow footprint of some largeanimal in the glacial recession as we drove across on my heelsand cheeks,and for the mudbyamountain lake, but Switzerland, dramatically illustrated by conjunctivitis and bloodshot eyes to unfortunately closer examination the retreat of the Rhone Glacier.Yetis, recede. revealed it to resemble the shape of a likepolar bears,are increasingly Itherefore swapped my unyielding boot, oddly similar to mine. endangered by climate change. mountaineering boots for super- By 9pm true night wasfast Indeed, the mid-summer weather approaching, and Iwas forced to wasunusually hot, and we briefly swam London-based veterinary concede defeat. Yetis maywell be in the top few centimetres of the cryptozoologist Andrew Knight, nocturnal, but I, unfortunately,amnot; Thunersee,produced from the melt BVMS, MRCVS, hopes to become the and uncertainty about their possibly water of those same glaciers.Itwas first RCVS-registered specialist in the carnivorous nature began to haunt me. then that Isaw asight never previously medicine and surgery of supposedly Itherefore retraced my steps down witnessed in all my years of Australian mythical animals (DipCrypt). towards the La Flégère lift –now long- surfing: adog cruising regally by on a Amountain deer grazing in the area. FEBRUARY 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE TRAVEL 47 Alanguage-learning sabbatical

IPLANNED atrip to France to budget and ambitions.Using an gap-year students and over 50s.My learnFrench fortwo reasons. established agency also provided choice entailed 30 45-minute lessons Iwanted an extended break assurance of the quality of the school per week: 20 “standard” and 10 between finishing my PhD (studying and an expectation of supportshould “intensive”lessons. howadult stem cells could be used to aproblem arise while attending classes Standard course teaching washeld repair tendon) and starting my next in France. MondaytoFridayand eachlesson academic position. Secondly,for many Iarranged aflat-share (with French included grammar points, years achieving fluency in Frenchhas speakers) readily using conversation, oral and written been apersonal goal Appartager.com, comprehension exercises,and usually The author flanked by two fellow –not least since I although CESA can also finished with agame (suchas Scrabble students in Montpellier. have aFrenchname, arrangeavariety of or Twenty questions). changeclasses,upordowninskill but limited ability to accommodation My first four weeks of “intensive” level, depending on one’sprogress. speak the language. placements including in lessons,held three times aweek, were Teaching wasentirely in French, Therefore,with student residencies,with preparation for the DELF examination and all conversations in the classroom great expectations I Frenchhost families or and were well constructed. Initially, amongst students were expected to be arrivedin in private hotels. passing this exam seemed likeavery the same.The students were,onthe Montpellier on 19th Ichose an tall order,but after practice in class whole,highly motivated and the July 2009 for eight “intensive”course and alot of homework the exam was teachers consistently impressed me weeks of French involving preparation not difficult. TheDELF B1 is held by with their energy. lessons followedby ETIENNE O’BRIEN for the DELF B1 some sources to be equivalent to Outside of classes,students of a aweek of takes time out from examination. DELF is GCSE level, but having achieved an A wide rangeofnationalities met relaxation. veterinary work to an abbreviation for grade at GCSE, albeit many years frequently and the school offered Keypreparations try and achieve Diplôme d’études en langue previously,Ifelt that the vocabulary activities suchaswine tasting and for the trip included fluency in French française and B1 is the and rangeofwritten and oral sightseeing trips whichwere also good selecting the third of six levels of the comprehension waswider at the B1 opportunities to socialise. location and school, Common European level. Montpellier,the eighth largest city finding Framework of Reference In my experience the 30 lesson in France and growing, is an excellent accommodation and budgeting.I for Languages.Atthe sixth level (C2) schedule wasoptimum; although a choice of destination both in terms of chose to book through CESA, an students are considered to have small number of students took city life and as abase to explore agency based in Cornwall whichplaces masteryofthe language. additional private lessons,Iwas fully France.This city is astudent centre for students in multiple languageschools Of course,there are many types of stretched learning the new vocabulary most of the year but during summer abroad to learnlanguages ranging course packages offered by language and grammar and completing the months students are replaced by from FrenchtoArabic in situ. schools in France,many of whichdo homework for my 30 lesson schedule. tourists from the north. Over many e-mails,starting six not feature examinations.Other Idid regret not having agood months prior to departure,this options include Fr enchwith surfing, digital French-English dictionaryasI Trulyvibrant company helped me identify the Frenchfor business and courses spent alargeamount of time flicking Access from the UK is convenient: location whichbest matched my targeted at specific agegroups suchas through the hard copy of the Ryanair and Easyjet flydirectly from dictionary, when Icould have spent Stansted and Luton respectively. this time memorising! It is atruly vibrant place.The beating heartofthe city is the Place de Electronictranslation la Comedie containing many terraced Many students used portable electronic eateries.During my staythere were translation tools in class and at home. public events several times weekly Ithink, however, that alaptop or throughout the city,including outdoor netbook (the latter would takeupless cinema and classical and reggaemusic desk space in class) running the concerts (all of whichwere free to Collins RobertFrench-English attend). dictionarywould be abetter Apersonal highlight wasthe street investment. (break)dancers who performed most After the DELF B1 exam (week 6) nights in the Place de la Comedie –I One of many stunning views encountered during the quest for the yeti. the “intensive”classes no longer crevasse yawned from the bridges loomed above amysterious focused on exam preparation, and Etienne O’Brien, BVM&S, CertVA, mountainside.Ileft my skies and cavern,but unfortunately it appeared consisted instead of oraland written CertEP, PhD, MRCVS, graduated cautiously approached the edge, that any yeti residents were out to comprehension exercises and from Edinburgh in 1999 and gingerly testing the snowdepth with lunch. conversation with minimal homework. completed an internship and my poles.Icicles and collapsed snow One,however, does not succeed In addition to developing our language residency in equine practice and within the demanding world of skills,the material in this and the orthopaedics at the Royal Veterinary veterinarycryptozoologybygiving up standard class improvedour College. Thanks to aHorserace readily.And so Iremain determined knowledgeofFrenchpolitical and Betting Levy Board Veterinary Research Training Scholarship, he to continue my quest to bring the cultural life. studied for aPhD at the University of benefits of modernmedicine to our Ienjoyed all the classes,but Manchester which was awarded in neglected yetis and other supposedly receivedthe greatest satisfaction from 2009. His thesis title was An mythical animals,regardless of how the appreciable improvement which evaluation of whether multipotent many alpine trips I’m forced to make, followedthe exam preparation classes. mesenchymal stromal cells may be or howmuchskiing I’m forced to do. Prior to arrivalthe school required used to improve the quality of After all, yetis deserve our care as an online languageskill assessment test tendon repair. He is currently apost- much as cats and dogs,somypractice to be completed. This test determined doctoral fellow at the McCaig will just have to managewithout me whichstandard class eachstudent first Institute for Bone and Joint Health at Unusual sight in the Thunersee. for awhile. joined. However, it wassimple to the University of Calgary, Canada. 48 TRAVEL VETERINARY PRACTICE FEBRUARY 2010 found their athleticism and artistry In Arles,atemporaryresidence for pulled by tractor spellbinding.Elsewhere,every Friday VanGogh and where he severed part around the backof during the summer several hundred of his ownear,Istumbled upon an the arena to just people enjoyed Les Estivales,awine- afternoon of bull fighting.This wasa belowour vantage tasting festivalwith stalls serving local lowpoint as Icould not share the point. After food and live music. excitement of most people around me butchering, the Thecity is compact and the tram for what Ifelt wasabarbaric spectacle. carcases were system makes travelsimple,and bikes My first exposure waslate morning transferred to can be rented from many locations when Iwalked past the Breton/cob refrigerated lorries. city-wide for just €4 per day; youcan cross ponies tied up outside the arena. This cycle was even cycle to the beach. There are Ilearnt that the role of these animals repeated at less than several beaches to choose from, the wastodrag the slaughtered bull from 30 minute intervals nearest is only 20 minutes by bus. the arena. Iwas invited to returnafter on at least four Other features of Montpellier are lunchtowatchthe picadors’ horses occasions.Perhaps I the well-maintained Olympic pool and being prepared. could have spent athletics track. It wasnecessarytokeep this daymore windows closed at night due to the Uneaseand curiosity happily visiting bustling nightlife followedlater by Thetask of these performers is to wineries along the street cleaning and refuse collection. lance the bull’snecksothat the animal Rhone. My flatmates told me that it was tends to lowerits head and chargeina In conclusion, difficult to sleepduring June without straight line.The horses are protected my trip wasa fans or air conditioning but during July from the bull’shorns by heavy,padded success: it provided and August the city wascomfortably canvasblankets. the break whichI hot. September wasnoticeably cooler With amixture of unease and needed and An eye-catching sculpture in Montpellier. with occasional showers. curiosity Ijoined acrowd on ahigh although Ihavenot Paris,surprisingly,isonly 3.5 hours point outside the arena whichoffered yet achieved fluency in French, I and food, in particular ice-cream. I away with the TGV from Montpellier. both aclear view of the centre and an made significant progress towards would happily returntoMontpellier Imade several trips outside of my even closer view of the butchers’ hall this goal. Having seen Jonny but Iwill probably trytoextend my adopted city,but concentrated on the at the back. Although the coup de grace Wilkinson being interviewed in experience of France by choosing local areas.Nimes contains the best occurred off centre,outside of our French, after signing for Toulon, I another destination for my next trip. preservedRoman amphitheatre in the view,weheard cheers and sawthe bull think our skill levels are,inthis On the next occasion Iwill world which, according to the audio fighters collecting bouquets from the regard, comparable. ensure that the course again includes guide,has been voted by Spanish appreciative crowd after the animals Ialso enjoyed learning about preparation for aDELF exam and, if journalists as offering the best bull had been dispatched. Frenchculture,both in lessons and possible,will visit for longer and take fighting spectacle outside of Spain. Minutes later,the dead bulls were expanding my knowledgeofwine abreak from lessons midway.

Under the 2,000th donor for blood bank skin PET Blood Bank UK (PBBuk) reports that it welcomed its 2,000th donor recently when afive-year-old greyhound from Dudley visited the charity’s blood collection Online learning programme session at Manor Vets in Cradley Heath, in the West Midlands. PBBuk was launched at Crufts in March 2007 by Vets Now, after achange in legislation in October 2005 made it possible for vets to store pet blood. ‘Pet Factor’ competition run by NOAH An 8 hour CPD programme in THE National Office of Animal Health is running acompetition via its consumer companion animal dermatolodermatologygy – website, www.pethealthinfo.org.uk, to find an animal with “the Pet Factor”. NOAH is inviting owners, vets and vet nurses to go onto the website and put forward with the compliments nominations, in no more than 200 words, of animals that have staged an amazing of the PfiPfizerzer Academy recovery, shown exceptional bravery or set themselves apart in some other way. The closing date for entries is 28th February (2010). A recent study1 shows that around The winning pet and its owner will receive aphoto shoot worth over £1,000 with 25% of your daily case load is likely renowned animal photographer Sam Lunt. to be skin-related, and that the most frequent cause of such problems is bacterial infection. So as part of Pfizer’sPfizer’s commitment to Disposable Waterproof ongoing veterinary education, we have developed a free online learning CAGELINERS ● ●● programme in this important fifield.eld. To complete the modules and achieveachieveandmodulesthecomplete no more old newspapers or washing CPD accreditation please visit and drying blankets, etc for re-use www.undertheskin.com Three layer construction helps keep brought to you by Pfizer Animal Health, animals clean, dry and comfortable manufacturers of Convenia® ● soft non-woven top sheet ● absorbent cellulose wadding Practical Products for Surgery &Waiting Room ● polythene backing sheet

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THIS MONTH: ■ Business interruption insurance ■ BTEC award for receptionist ■ What makes awinner? ■ Providing pensions for the ladies ■ Using apension fund to buy premises Insurance: is your practice covered against ‘disruption’?

UNDERWATER in November 2009 during the businesses face is that if,for example,the premises maintain the level of net profits that the practice had floods in Cockermouth? Affected by the are flooded, destroyed in afire,orblown up because insured for. Buncefield Oil Depot explosion in December of terrorist activity,time is required to getthe 2005? Remember the bomb that ripped the business fully functioning again. What insurerslook for centreofManchester apartin1996? Or were you Costs will still beincurre d while production is Should abusiness need to claim on its BII policy,it caught unawaresbythe snowwhich blanketed down or non-existent –staff still need to be paid needs to be aware that the insurers will need to see the countryonlylast month? even if the business cannot use them accounts before any payments are made. Apartfrom the obvious human in the shortterm. This becomes Insurers use avariety of accepted accounting miserycaused by these disasters,a particularly acute as the business is principles to establish their liability to payaclaim. common bond that they share is not in astate to bring in any money. They would look for information on variable costs that innocent businesses were suchasraw materials,etc., that rise or fall prevented from operating through What is BII? depending on the required production or sales; no fault of their own. Some BII operates in three ways. Firstly,it data on fixed costs suchasbusiness rates –things survivedbut many did not. covers the fixed, or on-going, costs that do not vary according to the level of sales; net As abusinessman or woman, of abusiness whichcannot be met profit; revenue levels; and gross profit –the common sense,ifnothing else,tells out of any financial reservesthe difference between revenue and variable costs. youthat to operate abusiness business mayhave. Themajority of So makesure that once you’vetaken out aBII without insurance –whether ADAM BERNSTEIN these need to be paid irrespective of policy that youkeepit, the documentation and buildings,contents,motor or discusses the whether work is possible.This might detailed business accounts information safe employers –would be tantamount importance of include leasing and staffing costs, because without the official paperwork youmay to commercial suicide. business interruption business rates,and mortgages. have adevil of ajob proving what you’re entitled Yetwhy do so many businesses, insurance Secondly,BII policies will cover to. including veterinarypractices,cover any increased or new costs that are It might seem bureaucratic at the time,but no those elements but not covertheir required to getthe business up and insurer will payout aclaim unless the loss can be businesses against unforeseen interruption? Business running.This could coverfinding anew site, quantified. So if youhavenot gotcopies of your Interruption Insurance,BII, is what they are missing. redirecting post and telephones,acquiring new accounts,expect to have to prove the claim some BII has many facets but, in its ultimate aim, it equipment, paying overtime,using “friendly other way. seeks to maintain the business’sprofits in the event competitors” to complete orders,buying new Payment times do vary.Itisdifficult to quantify of disaster of some kind. Theproblem that all supplies possibly at ahigher rate,and advertisements the time it takes to payaclaim since everycase is to tell your customers of the temporarychangein different. However, insurers will process the claim Adam Bernstein is afreelance writer on business, business circumstances. on receipt of accounted losses so that they avoid finance and industrial issues. Finally,aBII policy will payenough money to any further liability for losses.

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Could it happen to you? depending on business sector and location, will cost Thepractice profile in the March2008 issue of Veterinary from £150 per year. Practice looked at howPaul Meiring’sCompanion Care Formore information on the insurer for you, the surgeryinChesterfield recovered after extensive flooding best advice is to find agood broker.Local offices and damageinJune 2007. can be found in the Yellow Pages. Thewinner of the refurbishment categoryinthe 2009 Practice Design Awards runbythe BVHA and BTEC award for VeterinaryPractice,Robson &Prescott of Morpeth, Northumberland, wasfeatured in the November 2009 receptionist issue.Refurbishment wasforced on the practice after water nearly six feet deep(pictured)flowedthrough Kate Worner,a the downstairs area in September 2008 after the nearbyriver burst its banks. receptionist at The Charter Veterinary Checkthe policy and suppliers who will help the business restart Hospital Group’s When choosing aBII policy,orany other insurance quickly.Atthe very minimum, the plan will showthe BridgeHouse policy for that matter,itisvital to checkthe wording areas of risk where pre-emptive action can be taken. VeterinarySurgeryin used by the insurers.Bytheir very nature,insurers Update and test it regularly. Barnstaple,North use terminologywhichisneither vague nor open to Also,makesure that youregularly review the Devon, wasrecently confusion. level of coverrequired. Insurers reckonthat most presented with acertificate and flowers to mark Forexample,apolicy maynot coverany policy holders are underinsured. If they find that this her achievement in becoming the 150th student subsidiarycompanies so if abusiness acquires is the case with you, they’ll only payout aproportion to successfully achievethe BTEC Award in another,itwill need to changethe terms of the of the claim. One way of preventing this is to make VeterinaryPractice Client Care.The award was policy.Itwill detail what it will and what it will not sure that the policy is “declaration linked”. presented by Mark Moran, project director for payfor –makesure it matches your needs. the BTEC Award. Premiumlevels Since its launchthe BTEC Award, whichisa Reducing the premium Naturally,the amount you’ll be charged for BII will nationally accredited level 2client care There are ways, as with any other type of insurance, depend on the type of business and the length of qualification specifically for the veterinary of reducing the premiums charged. time that you’ll want to be paid for.Insurers term profession, has attracted students from practices Risk, and therefore premium, can be reduced by this as the Maximum Indemnity Period. However, all over the country. Kate said she had found either greater fire protection or by separating areas youcan expect to paybetween £300 tor £400 pe that working through the different units had of the working environment; by planning very year based on agross profit of £250,000, depending provided her with some keytips to help with carefully the organisation of the work processes; and on business sector and location. everyday issues that arose at work, “especially if by writing adetailed contingency plan. It goes without saying that the premium is I’m having abad daybecause it prompts me to Theplan should coveractions to be taken dependent on the information supplied by the carry on being professional and making clients following the disaster,keeping adetailed log of proposer.Terrorism coverisgenerally excluded but feel welcome and special”. contact names and numbers of favoured contractors it can be bought as an additional option and, again Thetop dog.

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OVER the years, Hill’shas by example or cultivating their own ■ Hard work and persistence identify successful characteristics in sponsored anumber of awards that niche and developing aspeciality within Our winners did not accept barriers to themselves and other vets they admired. have identified outstanding the practice that they then took getting the job done.They persisted, Interestingly,work-life balance and individuals in the veterinary responsibility for,sothey were not looked for waysround obstacles and howthe individual integrated this into profession. Often the awards are alwaysleaders in the traditional sense. achieved their goals,evenifittook his or her plans wasconsidered to be as based on nominations made by We took alook backatsome of our longer than they initially envisaged. For important as conventional definitions of membersofthe public or colleagues nursing winners and tried to pickout a instance,runner up VHA of the Year success,suchasincome and and it’snot unusual to find that each few defining characteristics that set 2008, Andrew Lipscombe,first professional profile or status. time thereare three or four them apartfrom others. established that clients wanted nurse MargeChandler,asenior lecturer in nominees who quite quicklyemerge appointments using aquestionnaire and internal medicine and clinical nutrition as the top candidates. ■ Enthusiasm, energyand passion then turned an occasionally used store at the Royal (Dick) School of Thetremendous effortmade by All of our winners had areal passion room into adedicated nurses’ consulting VeterinaryStudies in Edinburgh, had these individuals goes far beyond the for animals to suchanextent that work room. this to say, “The truly successful are call of duty,clearly easily overflowedinto Describing another one of our those who contribute to the well-being differentiating them their personal lives; most winners,one colleague exclaimed, “Her of others,people and animals,and find as “winners”. But had animal-related work ethic amazes me!” joyand satisfaction in doing so. just what charitable commitments, Whether this is primarily in characteristics drive fostered young animals ■ Learning,innovation and focus professional life or also outside of the people to become and cared for waifs and Being keen to learnnew skills is one profession maynot matter,aslong as successful? Is a strays.Most also still had thing, but all of our winners had dedication to the profession is not a successful person the energytoinvolve completed many more than their fair mask for an inability to have alife someone who cruises other members of the share of courses.What we also found outside of work. through life,gilding practice and organised wasthat they were then quite analytical “In my ownlife Idofind joyboth everything they touch team-building events and about what could be implemented at within the profession and outside of it, and elevating the ADRIAN PRATT nights out. It could be their practice when they wanted to put and would feel limited if Ididn’t have ordinarytothe veterinary affairs assumed that suchgung- new ideas into action. They also tended outside interests,sofor me,trying to extraordinary; or manager at Hill’s Pet ho enthusiasm could get to be constantly evaluating what worked obtain abalance is important. While I simply the right Nutrition, looks for alittle wearing but, on and what didn’t and would put wasaresident it was100% professional person in the right the common traits the contrary, these were additional improvements into time,and it did take place at the right individuals who seemed place. If you’ve lost me three years after time? to sweepothers along Jane Bartlett, who was the residency to realise Atrawl through the literature will with them. VHA of the Year in 2007, your get up and that Ineeded to soon help youpickout the developed tools which go, what would rethink that lifestyle!” characteristics of an effective leader or ■ Optimism and resilience included aclient lifestyle make work fun an entrepreneur.Good leaders tend to Presumably our winners had bad days questionnaire that helped for you again: Energy, be respected, visionary, confident, can likeeverybody else,but we were left her provide tailored advice enthusiasmand drawout good qualities in others; they with the feeling that anyone else would and feeding programmes for playing music passion are analytical and showsound find it hard to identify when that was pets with problems with while you Yetagain the need to judgement. Entrepreneurs tend to be the case.The word cheerful wasused to their weight. operate, be committed to risk-taking, highly energetic people who describe our winners with astounding If youassociate success working every what youdobecause remain resilient in the face of setbacks. regularity and they weren’t averse to with leadership youmight Sunday and youenjoyitwas They tend to be very confident, spreading their positive attitudes around. find it surprising that these highlighted as being impatient, hands-on, reluctant to qualities made our award having Fridays important if you delegate and focus more on people’s ■ Building rapport winners good team players. and Saturdays want to be successful. skills than their feelings.They are Communication skills appeared to be In many cases their efforts off? Increasingly,those comfortable with changeand high-stress highly developed in all of our winners paid dividends,resulting in in education are situations.Ofcourse,there can be and it wasclear that they had an ability the individuals being promoted to realising that the enthusiasm which considerable overlap depending on the to empathise with people and to win leadership positions within their children bring to play-time helps them context –atsome stages the them round to their cause.One client practices. to learnand are nowintroducing ways entrepreneur will need to adopt more had this to sayabout VHA winner 2008, However, they were obviously to makelessons enjoyable and fun. traditional leadership skills to managea Lisa Nix, “Lisa alwaysencouraged and viewed by others as being contented, If you’velost your getupand go, larger workforce –but think of it this praised my efforts whichinturngave well-balanced individuals and many what would makework fun for you way:ifaleader is likeasteering wheel, me the confidence to become abetter spent significant amounts of time again: playing music while you the entrepreneur is more likethe engine. dog owner,” while acolleague identified contributing to charities and helping operate,working everySundayand Barak Obama is aleader,Alan Sugar is her “knackofgetting owners to relax”. those in need. In others words, having Fridays and Saturdays off?If an entrepreneur. Relationships with the team matter professional success did not come at a youlovethe adrenaline rush of snow too: Louise Toomey wastop Animal cost to their personal lives. boarding, would working as avet in Lessons to be learned Nursing Assistant (ANA) 2008 in emergency medicine be abetter Success though, is about more than NorthernIreland and wassingled out As for vets... option? pure leadership.Factors suchas for making time to listen to others and Of course all of these “winning” happiness,fulfilment and satisfaction being the first to bring in abirthday characteristics are based on our Self-esteem should surely feature in any definition of cakewhen the occasion demanded. observations and interpretations and are This enabled individuals to think about success.Leadership is just one of the These skills proveduseful when our therefore very subjective,sowethought their ownneeds and accept that those symbols that the developed world uses winners wanted to introduce new ideas it would be useful to look further and needs matter in the grand scheme.Self- to short-hand achievement and or waysofworking in the practice: see if aconsistent picture would esteem has been described as an professional success. opposition wasminimised and other emerge. We carried out an informal poll individual’sacceptance,respect, Some of the Hill’saward winners members of the team were co-opted to amongst vets and those who worked confidence and satisfaction as aperson. were veterinarynurses who were leading help. closely with vets and asked them to In addition to showing higher self- FEBRUARY 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE BUSINESS &FINANCE 53 esteem, successful vets were ...successful need and empowering we should allbedoing. said to be grounded and people are clear them to runthe Thesame characteristics crop up Spanish group able to detachorswitchoff about what is practice in her absence, when we talk about people who are links with UK guru from work and those things important to she has been able to successful, regardless of whether they could be related. them and they leave for months at a are leaders,entrepreneurs who have AGESVET (the Spanish Association People with high self- time and travelto achieved great financial success,orjust for Veterinary Practice esteem are generally work hard to exotic places without people who are admired for their Management which was established agreed to be better at self- keep that the practice falling positive and life-affirming outlook and in June 2009), has agreed terms care and letting go of past objective in over!” more modest achievements.But they with John Sheridan, principal of failures,while still sight. Caroline went on are all characteristics most of us show Veterinary Business Briefing and accepting the lessons they to explain, “The one to some degree or another in different the Veterinary Business Video have learned from them. defining characteristic situations. Show, to work together to achieve Hard work, integrity,focus and (from my perspective)isthat To some people,acting this way in their common objectives to determination successful people are clear about what the workplace maycome naturally but promote and enhance the business of veterinary practice and to are all admirable qualities and were is important to them and they work we can all learnnew habits and new provide arange of business tools seen to contribute to avet’ssuccess.It hard to keep that objective in sight.” waysof“being”. There are many and services to assist their suggests that it is still accepted that writers who have talked about success members. people have to strive to achieve Finalthoughts but perhaps one of the best quotes Specifically, AGESVET will enrol a success and that it doesn’t “just Muchismade of the need to have a comes from Stephen Coveywho wrote number of its members as full happen”. vision for abusiness,anidea of the book, 7Habits of Highly Effective members of the Veterinary Business where it should be heading and the People:“Youcan work harder and Briefing community and has Clear vision andpriorities overarching values and beliefs that harder at climbing the ladder of granted John Sheridan preferential Having not just aclear vision of what supportthat vision, yet howmany of success only to discoverit’sleaning rights over possible translation and they wanted to do professionally,but us have apersonal vision of what we against the wrong wall.” adaptation of the business tools also personally,meant that individuals want to achieveinlife? We are all capable of deciding under development by AGESVET for the English speaking market. could work towards what wasreally Perhaps that vision should not be what success means to us as John Sheridan, afounder member important to them. Caroline Johnson something that focuses purely on an individuals and ensuring that we have and past president of the VPMA, of VetProfessional identified vetSue end goal, suchasretirement at 50, the tools to getthere. will attend AGESVET meetings in an Shuttleworth as one of her “heroes”. but things that youcan do in the here Footnote:For those concerned about advisory role and has granted “When she set up her business she and nowtoimprove your physical, feeling unfulfilled, unhappy or AGESVET preferential rights for the combined her desires to build afirst mental and social well-being. stressed, David Bartram’sexcellent translation and adaption of class practice with the vision of It might have become abit of a article published in In Practice on “The Veterinary Business Briefing travelling the world. She has done cliché that one should plan to Science of Happiness” is business tools and other resources both. Through employing the right succeed, but without labouring the recommended reading and is available for the Hispanic markets (Spain and people,giving them the supportthey point, perhaps that’ssomething that at www.vetlife.org.uk. Latin America).

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Call 0131 556 0555 www.vetsolutions.co.uk 54 BUSINESS &FINANCE VETERINARY PRACTICE FEBRUARY 2010 Providing pensions for the ladies WITH all the warnings from the need to be taking action to ensure that can be done by obtaining aState money they have identified for Government that state benefits in the independence they currently enjoy pension forecast from ThePension additional pension contributions. futurewill onlybeprovided to doesn’t end when they reach Service. In fact, this situation maynot be those who areunable to make retirement. Youwill need to complete aBR19 unusual with married couples in that provision forthemselves, it is It is worthnoting that current UK formwhichcan be found online at many women mayberelying on the interesting that recent statistics tax legislation allows personal www.thepensionservice.gov.uk or by pension planning of their husband. indicate that we arenot saving contributions of up to the higher of contacting the state pension Although it should be recognised enough towards our retirement. £3,600 or 100% of UK relevant forecasting team on 0845 300 0168. that relying on your husband’spension Arecent reportcompleted by the earnings,attracting income tax relief at maybesufficient whilst youremain well-known insurance the individual’shighest Considerdeferring retirement married, the statistics showthat one in provider,Scottish rate of marginal andworkinglonger three marriages ends in divorce. Widows,indicates that income tax. Statistically,women have alonger life Divorce maynot be afinancial 26% of women are In addition, there expectancy than men and married problem from the point of view that not making any is no tax to payon women are,onaverage, three years we nowhavepensions sharing, but in retirement provision investments held younger than their husband. This, reality the pension is not often shared, whatsoever compared within aregistered therefore,raises the question as to as offsetting means that it is much to just 15% of men. pension plan and whether it is sensible to takepension more likely that the female keepsthe This comes as little benefits can either be benefits at the same time as your house and the male keepsthe entire surprise as in very taken entirely as husband. pension or,atthe least, the majority general terms women pension income or as It is an unfortunate fact that as share. have less income to ANDREW NEALE areduced pension women live longer than men, they So,inreality,although the tax spare to help them believes women income with atax free have lowerannuity rates applied to situation maymean that it makes more makeprovision for should be paying cash sum. This tax- their pension funds.Inother words, sense for Anthony to have all of the retirement savings. much more attention free lump sum is untilannuit y rates are the same across pension investment, from apractical This can be for a to their provision for usually limited to 25% the sexes,women will need alarger point of view,Sheila mayprefer to number of reasons: retirement of the total pension pension fund than men to paythem have apension in her ownname.It 1. Women often earn fund value,although the same level of pension income. should also be recognised that pension less.The average some older pension sharing only takes place on divorce (or earnings for full-time male employees contracts enable the individual to take Make use of tax reliefsavailable dissolution or acivil partnership). At were £521 per week in April 2008; for an increased amount as atax-free lump to your partner present, there is no splitting of a females the figure was£412 per week. sum. In many cases,however, the pension pension if there is afall-out with your 2. 82% of men aged 30-50 work full statistics probably don’t takeinto boyfriend or “live-in partner”. time.This drops to 47% of women. What canbedone? account any family tax planning.Any 3. Fewerwomen (34%) than men There are anumber of steps that pensions saving maybebetter invested Conclusion (41%) are members of acompany women can starttotaketoensure that by the main earner.This is illustrated Theimprovedlife expectancy statistics pension scheme. they enjoyahappy and prosperous in the example below: (a woman aged 65 in 2006 is projected 4. Women are likely to spend more retirement. Forexample,look at your Anthony and Sheila are married. to live for another 23.1 years, time out of the labour market or work state pension shortfall. Antony is ahigher rate taxpayer whilst according to National Statistics part-time earning less than the Thenumber of qualifying years Sheila, who has been adedicated Online) could mean up to athird of a National Insurance lowerearnings needed to receive the full basic state housewife for the last lifetime without any limit and therefore will not qualify for pension is reducing for women who 15 years,has apart- Awoman aged income other than state afull state pension. TheScottish are retiring after 6th April 2010 from time job and is abasic 65 in 2006 is benefits if women make Widows reportstates that in 39 to 30. If,for whatever reason, you rate taxpayer. projected to live no further retirement September 2008, 34% of female have not paid national insurance They have recently for another 23.1 provision. pensioners (2.3 million women) contributions for sufficient years and looked closely at their years, according Forthose who refuse received60% of the full basic state youhaveashortfall, then it maybe finances and decided to makeextra provision pension or less,compared with just worthconsidering paying voluntary that although Anthony to National for themselves,the value 2% of male pensioners (under 0.1 contributions to increase the benefit. has areasonable Statistics Online. of today’sstate pension million). It would be prudent to find out pension fund, Sheila has could fall by half in 20 These statistics provide atelling your contributions record and details asmall pension she built up before years’ time.The official view appears insight and clearly showthat women before paying for added years.This they started their family.They have to be that those who can save for their seen the recent statistics and decided retirement have the responsibility to that they should concentrate on do so and that the state must provide building up Sheila’spension fund to sufficient benefits for those who makeprovision for her retirement. cannot. Part Time Vet - Berkshire Statistically,women need to be Advantage contributing more to pensions,and As Sheila is abasic taxpayer,for her to ideally everyone should have their own We arelooking forapart time Vettoworktwo have £1,000 invested into her pension pension plan; however, if youare fund will cost £800. However, for the married (or in acivil partnership) be days a week in our busy small animal practice same net cost (£800), £1,333 could be aware that for tax planning purposes it based in Wokingham. invested in apension fund for maymakemore sense for pension Anthony as he is ahigher rate taxpayer contributions to be paid by your If you are interested in finding out more please and gets more tax relief. partner. contact Jo Oliver on 01252 864115 If Anthony and Sheila’smain ■ Theauthor can be contacted at: consideration is to have as largea AllchurchBailey Wealth, 93 High or emailyourCVto [email protected] pension pot as possible as acouple, Street, Evesham, Worcs.WR11 4DU; then perhaps they should be making telephone 01386 442597, e-mail the statistics worse by ensuring that [email protected]; website Anthony,not Sheila, invests any www.abwealth.co.uk. FEBRUARY 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE BUSINESS &FINANCE 55 Using apension fund to buy premises

IN the articles Ihavewritten to date whichIwill be covering over the retirement provision which, in broad pension comprising only of business for VeterinaryPractice,Ihavelargely coming months are: investing in terms,can be quantified as an additional premises,orshare thereof,isnever a focused on what might be termed emerging markets,and alternative assets. 50% for everyfiveyears that the good idea –all of your eggs in one “mainstream” areas of financial Iamalso keen to tryand focus my topic planning is put off. basket, etc! Problems could arise at planning such as pensions, ISAs, material on areas whichare of specific And to heap some further misery retirement if youcannot sell the income investing,etc. interest or concerntoreaders of this upon you, with the anticipation of property or share in aproperty. Iamall too well aware from my magazine so,ifany of youhaveissues further increases in life expectancy,the Howwould youextract your tax- many meetings with new and existing that youwould likemetoaddress, actual cost of making adequate free cash entitlement and what if the clients that, in the light of various mis- please let me know. retirement provision is likely to rise in rental income wasless than an annuity selling issues,the demise of Equitable Forthe remainder of this piece, the future if we wish to retain the same could provide? Worse still, what if the Life,the twopronounced however, Iamgoing to retirement ageexpectations.The rental income ceased when youfinished bear-markets during returntothe crusty alternative is to simply accept alonger because no one wanted the property? this past decade and old subject of working life –not so easy if youwork This is where the role of your sundryother matters, pensions in the with largeanimals,asseveral of my financial adviser in building atrusted many people have lost context of buying clients have testified over the years. relationship over time can be so faith both in my your practice premises. important. In my experience,eventhose industryand those who Ever increasing Work out the need individuals who consider themselves offer advice within it. numbers of vets, Sad person that Iam, though, Iactually capable of managing their ownfinancial As aconsequence, whether in small or enjoysitting down with clients and affairs,can makesome fundamental there are those who largepractices,are working out what they need to do to mistakes,often through alackof have (wrongly) simply looking to buy their help them actually achievetheir targets objectivity. decided not to bother GORDON NICOLL business premises and it is hugely rewarding to be able to Iwould argue that virtually all of us making any provision discusses the merits through their pension tell aclient who has been planning to can benefit from having an external towards their ownlong- of buying business funds.The attractions retire,for example at age60, that he can viewpoint put to us. termfinancial security, premises through a of doing so are fairly actually afford to give up earlier than ■ Forfurther information or to discuss and there are others pension fund obvious when you that. any aspect of financial planning, contact who have decided to consider that It is interesting how, for many the author,afounder member of The do their ownthing, commercial property people,work becomes less of aburden Ellis McComb Partnership,3Mortimer perhaps by building owned through aSelf when they knowthey are in aposition Street, Birkenhead, Wirral CH41 5EU; their ownshare or property portfolios Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) to continue out of choice,not of telephone 0151 650 6520, e-mail or by dabbling in whatever else happens becomes entirely free of UK taxation, necessity. [email protected], website to “float their boat”. prior to taking benefits. Ishould also point out that a www.sjpp.co.uk/ellismccomb. But the reality remains for most There are no Capital Gains Tax people that they do not have enough implications upon subsequent sale of time,interest, knowledge, confidence or the property,and the rental income, whatever else to construct their long- whichisnormally afully deductible Are you termescape from work strategy. business expense,isnot subject to tax Nor should anyone forget the either,making this averyattractive and looking for fundamental point that, for a40% efficient way to ownyour premises. taxpayer,apension contribution (subject Where there is more than one clinical to the restrictions introduced in 2009 individual in apractice,asyndicated for “high-earners”) is the only way in SIPP arrangement can be employed and freedom? whichwecan obtain 40% tax relief the partners can hold different shares in (20% immediately with the additional the property.The only small downside is Don’tbeshackled 20% being reclaimed via the individual’s that the rules for borrowing money to by your present tax return). Anet cost of £60 givesa help finance the acquisition are less £100 gross contribution – a66.6% uplift. generous than they used to be. position. Equally,ISAs,with the increased An individual can borrowthe #'4 53 *'-1 805 2'%-+3' annual contribution limit of £10,200 a equivalent of 50% of his,orher, 8052 (5-- 104'/4+%-7+4* 4*' year (this applies immediately if 50 or pension fund value –insimple terms, ! 0://.86 <8 ,:+7-2 8=< 87 @8=: over this tax year or for everyinvestor that means that if youhaveapension 8?7! ,=< ?3<28=< ;28=5./:371 +55 to an equities ISA from 6th April 2010) fund of £100,000, youcan borrowa <2/ :3;4 should not be casually ignored. maximum of £50,000 to acquire ! 0://.86 <8 800/: + 73-2/! Astrategyofpursuing capital property valued at £150,000. ;9/-3+53;< ;/:>3-/ #)% 2+>/ +55 growth during our working livescan <2/ :/;8=:-/; <8 ./53>/: easily be converted at retirement to a Startearly ! 0://.86 <8 .8 @8=: 8?7<2371! ,=< regular tax-free income stream whilst It, therefore,follows that it is probably ?3<2 ;8=7. ;=998:<<8,+-4 @8==9 retaining full access to the invested fairly sensible to startmaking reasonable ! 0://.86 <8 4//9 +2/+. 80 <2/ 1+6/ ?3<2 9:8>/7 $*% ;=998:< capital. Of course,the favo urable tax pension provision at an early ageifyou Recruitment & treatment giventoISAs is subject to envisageacquiring your ownpremises, Employment $*' 014+0/3 %2' -+.+4-'33! Confederation changes in legislation. tax efficiently,atsome point in the '0 @8=+:/ +9:+-<3;371 >/

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