RCVS: can it be ‘an impartial source Can general practice continue to Do you understand the world of informed opinion’? be affordable for clients? of financial derivatives? – page 6 – page 24 – page 54

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DECEMBER 2010 Volume 42 Number 10 Winners of 2010 250th anniversary of founding of Front-of-House awards announced profession to be celebrated WILLIAMS Veterinary Surgeons in VETERINARY associations from veterinary training institutions Details of World Tywyn, Gwynedd, and Cheadle around the world have joined – he was also involved with Veterinary Year 2011 can be Hulme Veterinary Hospital in together to declare 2011 as World the founding of the second found on www.vet2011.org; a Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, have won Veterinary Year. school at Alfort four years list of major veterinary the two categories in this year’s They include the World Veterinary later – he was instrumental in events in 2011 is on page 14. Front-of-House Awards run by Association, the Federation of creating the veterinary n The organising committee Veterinary Practice and sponsored by Veterinarians of Europe (FVE), the profession itself, so that 2011 for World Veterinary Year Royal Canin. Federation of European Companion will also mark the profession’s 250th adds: “As a result of Claude Bourgelat’s Williams Veterinary Surgeons Animal Veterinary Associations anniversary. fruitful collaboration with surgeons in won the category for practices with (FECAVA), the American Veterinary The first official event of the year Lyon, he was the first scientist who no more than 10 full-time or FTE Medical Association (AVMA), the will be an opening ceremony in dared to suggest that studying animal staff, with Sundean Veterinary Clinic International Veterinary Students Versailles on 24th January. Other major biology and pathology would help to in Lydney, Glos., the runner-up and Association (IVSA), and national events include: a world conference on improve the understanding of human Zasman Veterinary Clinic in associations from Africa, Asia, the veterinary education to be held at the biology and pathology, so 2011 will also Islington, London, in third place. Middle East and Australasia. Companies veterinary school in Lyon from 12th to mark the 250th anniversary of the Cheadle Hulme Veterinary such as Pfizer and Merial have also 16th May; and an international closing concept of comparative pathobiology, Hospital won the category for declared their support. UK involvement ceremony during the World Veterinary without which modern medicine would practices with more than 10 full- is as yet unclear. Congress in Cape Town from 10th to never have emerged. time or FTE staff, with de Montfort The year marks the 250th 14th October. “Therefore, it is not just the Veterinary Hospital in Evesham, anniversary of the founding of the Other significant international anniversary of the creation of veterinary Worcs., the runner-up and world’s first veterinary school in Lyon, events during the year include the 5th training in France that we should be Cherrydown Vets in Basildon, France, in 1761 (30 years before the Pan Commonwealth Veterinary celebrating in 2011. Essex, third. founding of the RVC in London), at the Conference in Accra, Ghana, from 21st “The entire world should join with Judges commented on the very initiative of French veterinarian Claude to 25th March and the WSAVA us in celebrating our veterinary high standard of the entries, which Bourgelat. congress in Jeju, South Korea, from profession, which has been working to came from all over the UK, and the Organisations 14th to 17th October (starting the day improve both animal and human health tremendous improvements in recent which have the World Veterinary Congress finishes). for the past 250 years.” years in the public areas of committed to practices. support the Mercury 3 Viewpoint 20 Neurology 36 n A report on the prize year are Cross-words 4 Diary and events 21 Recent graduates 40 claiming that presentations, with details of the Royal College 5 Conservation 26 Livestock pages 42 winning practices and photos of the by setting up Out and about 16 Latest products 26 Equine congress 49 runners-up – is on pages 11-14. the world’s Claude Bourgelat. Income survey 19 CPD pages 31 Business & finance 50 first IN THIS ISSUE

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† Feedback analysis from surgeries DECEMBER 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE COMMENT 3 Time to throw away the rule book and do something new THERE was an interesting snippet review, and possibly change, the way in consumers are beginning to make of TV footage on the BBC World which our practices are organised in choices about their real level of need for news as I watched it in my hotel order to remain profitable and the things we’ve chosen to change our room in Brno. It featured a series of competitive. business model to provide them. adult, and otherwise employable Both points of view are absolutely Many of these clients are beginning men who were helping establish a in line with the overriding business to question their real need to keep pilot scheme to interest the long- premise that survival is for the fittest vaccinations current, whether to go on term unemployed in doing voluntary amongst us and that bemused inertia buying flea and worm products from making no decision work in return for their will only lead us down a one-way street. their vet when there appear to be is the easiest thing to do because it unemployment benefit. It is refreshing to see people actually remarkably similar options available in allows clients to keep their options open The item was of real interest for admitting that it is getting tough out Tesco, and whether the quality of the by doing nothing at all. several reasons: because it finally called there and at the show I spoke to several food they’ve been buying for Tiddles or Isn’t that why, as a nation, we love time- out on the practitioners who said Towser really is quite so critical in these insurance as it gives us the security to be unsustainable practice that, despite a chilly difficult times. able to fiddle while Rome burns? of paying anyone for THE MERCURY start when many There was a time when, perhaps, organised inactivity, COLUMN clients simply didn’t Bonded clients some of us in small animal practice because it recognised manage to get into the For some, these are not difficult looked at our large animal colleagues that the long-term in which a guest practice, life has been decisions and they are so bonded to the with just a frisson of schadenfreude – unemployed have columnist takes bumping along all veterinary advice they’ve been receiving wondering where had it all gone wrong pride too and are the temperature of the year, more or less that there is no question about their and why hadn’t they forecast this profession – willing to do cheerfully, until hitting commitment to continue but, as has collapse of the old world which had led and the world around something, and a brick wall in August. been pointed out before, these are the to such a pressing need to re-think their maybe almost The same people who make up the main body of business model? anything, to re-establish their self expression and the same timing were our existing client base. Now, several decades on, we in the esteem, and because it trumpeted a expressed so many times, I began to We already have these small animal camp, willingness to throw away the rule book wonder if this comment had been people and we need to be Re-thinking the have an increasing and start with a clean sheet of paper to orchestrated by some outside force but extremely watchful to large animal need to do something plan the future. the situation links back to public anxiety, ensure that nothing business model similar, to re-assess It was even more interesting because an indecisive election and the slow, happens to allow them to really did work the business model I was in Brno, talking to Czech students numbing spread of more and more even think momentarily and to throw away the about doing things differently in practice depressing media coverage of our about changing their vet! and we need to rule book before it is and, time and time again, the comment financial future. It is the other group that find enough too late. came that in Eastern Europe people Who can blame someone, employed we need to worry about. consensus among It isn’t perfect in have less disposable income. in what now appears to be a high-risk When the FAB talked ourselves to large animal practice occupation such as local government or about having around 10% adopt the same and with farm gate Change behaviour any of the public services, for thinking of pet owners solidly prices at such low My argument probably fell on deaf ears that this was never their game plan. bonded to their vet and a process of brave levels, dairy farming is but it was simply that to effect change Many people who seek employment further 40% floating thinking in small becoming less in the market, you have to change in the local authority are simply not around, fully cognisant of animal practice. attractive all over behaviour. To do that, you may have to creative, entrepreneurial or risk takers the need, the scientific again, but re-thinking change your own behaviour too. and, faced with a real threat of the argument and their responsibility to do the large animal business model really At the London Vet Show, several of widespread culling of up to 500,000 all the right things for their pets but did work and we need to find enough the speakers commented on the jobs, which of us might seek any other governed by inertia rather than action, consensus among ourselves to adopt business environment becoming solution than battening down the these comments were made against a the same process of brave thinking in tougher and one, Arnold Levy, hatches as the storm approaches? backdrop of comparative, universal small animal practice. advocated the need for constant affluence within the UK but now, in Without consensus, we cannot observation of the business Making choices face of real public anxiety about the agree even on the size of the blank environment and a willingness to adjust It is somewhat galling for those of us nation’s and their own financial futures, piece of paper needed to draft a new and fine tune one’s business offering who chose to be entrepreneurial and to these data suddenly make chilling sense. approach. along the way. Most definitely, don’t just develop our practices to accommodate It is this 40% who will choose It’s ironic, isn’t it? As a profession, sit back and hope for the best! the radiant consumer demand by whether to buy their elective purchases we should know all about chickens and Another, Alan Robinson, made it making available more elective services from us, from a more competitive eggs but even now we find it clear that the current changes in our and products, to have to recognise that, veterinary practice or from a different impossible to agree on which should business environment will force us all to in battening down the hatches, retail channel altogether. Alternatively, come first.

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 a year) to others interested. Published monthly by Advertising and subscriptions: © VP Publishing 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, Lion Lane, Needham Market, Editorial consultant: John Tandy, BVSc, review purposes) Surrey GU15 4LD Suffolk IP6 8NT MRCVS without the express VP Contact: 01276 686654 (tel) Contact: 01449 720881 (tel) Advertising contact: Emma Devine permission of the editor. PUBLISHING LTD 01276 63307 (fax) 01449 722772 (fax) ([email protected]) Printed by Buxton Press [email protected] [email protected] Design: Simon Wyatt Buxton, Derbyshire 4 CROSS-WORDS VETERINARY PRACTICE DECEMBER 2010 New pension scheme in the offing... I WAS asked recently to continue to As the proposals appear to stand at Employment Savings Trust” or NEST, current private one? How will that even bring some humour to the veterinary present, it looks as if practices will have which promises low costs and charges. out with my contributions to other press via this column. Last month I to contribute 1% of salary rising to 4% However, other financial institutions will employees from their gross wages? chose to write about a library and in 2017 and staff will have to contribute get on the bandwagon and we have Can I offer it and make it this week I am writing about 1% of pay rising to 4% by 2017 to their already been contacted by our bank compulsory? What happens if the pensions. pension scheme. offering to “Help” with this and telling provider I choose fails in the future? This is not a very funny subject and So by 2017, 8% of an employee’s us that they will administer their own Can I enforce the new scheme if an the news I am reporting will not bring a wages will find its way into a pension scheme; I wonder how their fees irresponsible member of staff would smile to many employers’ faces. So you scheme. Clearly this must be “a good compare...? rather just have a higher salary now and may have to get your laughs elsewhere thing”, encouraging all of us to put not have the pension taken off his or this month I am afraid. money aside for our retirement, but the A positive thing her wages? How did I manage to sleep It’s not all bad news though and sceptics amongst us will wonder The establishment of a sound all through all the pensions’ law lectures at these things are often a matter of whether there is a hidden agenda from [political] party agreed base employee vet school? Please can I just go back to perspective. I could the government pension has to be considered a just making animals better? It’s much lead off with a variety (current and past) to positive and good thing both from a easier. of headlines so I’ll let reduce the need for national point of view and from the Joking aside, the government is you take your pick state funding. 13-14 million private sector employees expecting a lot from employers as all from the selection There are mixed in the UK. It has been broadly the above will be asked by staff and we below depending on messages: “We are welcomed by the pensions industry will have to bring in someone to advise your status as increasing the State and the financial services sector us. To help answer some of the above employer/employee Basic Pension” yet on generally. queries, here are a few words from a and age. the other hand “the But the real problem of finding recently retired pensions manager of a For the new graduates State Second Pension the contributions has been left large manufacturing company (also and younger vets and nurses (formerly SERPS) will unanswered and will no doubt have to more importantly my dad, so he’s free). and lay staff: “Great GARETH CROSS become a flat rate be met by increased costs to “The one word of advice I gave to Gareth news, your pension and finds little to smile benefit instead of consumers and further deceleration of when he first mentioned that he was thinking retirement income is about in the being earnings- pay rises over the next few years. As about writing about pensions was ... DON’T! [possibly] assured, proposals and related”. I wonder how the government is painfully finding My years in occupational pensions, often now employers are finally wonders where the many saw this coming out more generally, money has to seemingly called ‘workplace’ pensions, taught obliged to enrol you in money will actually when the name was come from somewhere. me that there is never ONE answer ... a pension scheme and come from changed? Inicidentally, For these new pension especially if the state has any influence. help you contribute to company directors arrangements, you can’t just allocate “So what can I, as a retired pensions it.” should check that they 8% of a salary to a pension and manager, add to Gareth’s musings? Certainly For the same people and other employees: are paying enough national insurance to expect the employee to live on 8% less I will not ‘advise’. Yes I agree that anything “Terrible news, your pension and fund their state pensions. nor the employer to suddenly find the that encourages employees to build up a retirement income is assured, employers wages bill rising by 8%. financial reserve to draw on in retirement is a are finally obliged to enrol you in a Compulsory from 2012 The government has also been good thing. Over the past 40 years I have been pension scheme and help you contribute The new arrangements must be adopted reported to be suggesting a future flat fortunate enough to work with companies to it... By the way that means your by every “body” which employs people, rate state pension of £14,560 which have wanted to encourage that too with employers can’t afford to give you a pay however small, but not the self- (Guardian newspaper, 6th November the result that both employer and employee rise next year (or any year until 2017).” employed. There is also a three-month 2010). When? It hasn’t said, nor where were prepared to pay to fund ‘final salary’ For employers: “Great news, feel good grace period for new employees. the money is coming from, but the pensions, but depressingly they were accused of as you help fund your employees’ In this profession we don’t have a state second pension (formerly being paternalistic so were forced to abandon retirement (but feel bad as you have to particularly rapid staff turnover rate but SERPS) may well be axed. compulsion back in the late 70’s, leaving many raise prices and cut wages to do it)”; or I imagine in many other sectors (e.g. The state provisions for the future employees without provision because they chose “Terrible news, more red tape.” catering, construction, etc.) there will be are likely to be designed as a minimum not to contribute and hastening the demise of For older employees: “More paperwork, a lot of three-month agreements level of income on the basis that all solid pension provision. but your employer will be obliged to (informal of course!) being drawn up. employees will compulsorily be “Now we see the tide of change that they contribute to your pension ... even if it Every employee earning £7,500 providing some retirement income call ‘pensions reform’ but as they say ‘there is is too late.” upwards who becomes a member has to from their own pension pot. no gain without pain’. DON’T DELAY. I For temporary staff: “Terrible news, contribute too. The new arrangements urge all of you who are ‘employers’ to seek the you’ll now get sacked after three months are compulsory from 2012 for large Added hassle services of a good independent financial not six.” firms and from 2014 for small firms As well as funding the scheme itself, adviser (often ‘free’ if they benefit from Etc., etc. Unfortunately, the picture with the introduction being phased in there will be added administration hassle commissions) who will be able to set up your is still somewhat blurred, despite being over a period based on PAYE and expertise needed. In a stable pension arrangements; they will probably also several years in the making – and references (to be known as “staging practice with not too many employees sit down with your employees to encourage beware anyone who tries to give any dates”). and low staff turnover (like mine, pray it them to participate rather than opt out for the advice if he or she is not properly The government will write to carries on like that), it will be a one-off wrong reasons. To those of you reading this as registered (e.g. me). But the least I can employers around 12 months before hassle and I will be genuinely pleased to an ‘employee’ or ‘sole trader’, I hope that you do is to alert readers to the coming their staging date so that they know be helping my employees (and myself) have seriously thought about where your changes. when they are expected to automatically save and plan for the future. retirement income will come from and are not enrol their staff. Three months before For bigger practices, which may relying simply on the state to provide. Obligations the employer’s staging date, the have a more detached interest in their “For the letters of the law, you will do no So it is that employers will be obliged to government will write again to remind staff, it will have much less reward. better than refer to the Regulator’s pension contribute and to enrol staff in a them of the new duties and the need to I also worry about how we are going website, www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/ pension scheme and staff will be register. to be able to best advise staff, for pensions-reform, where you will find other obliged to automatically be enrolled Most small-size employers (which example those who already have links to useful related sites such as the actual (although they can opt out if they will include most veterinary businesses) pensions, what should they do? If they rules; there is also a very useful FAQ section choose to make their own are likely to use a government-backed opt out of these new arrangements, will which may help to answer some of the arrangements). scheme called the “National I be compelled to contribute to their questions Gareth poses.” YourYYooour path to the right righ diagnosis Cardiopet® proBNP

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Questions for readers 1. Do you think the Royal College What should the role of can or should become “an impartial source of informed opinion on relevant veterinary matters”? 2. If so, how would it implement the Royal College be? this and who should speak on behalf of the College? AT its meeting on 4th November, “The role of the RCVS is to meeting of the Council before leaving 3. What veterinary matters would the Royal College Council approved safeguard the health and welfare of the RVC) also highlighted the difference you consider relevant for the College a new “strategy plan” for the next animals committed to veterinary care between “impartial” and “informed” to give opinions on? three to five years. through the regulation of the opinion and he believed the College had 4. What veterinary matters would This stated at the beginning that the educational, ethical and clinical the potential to be a genuine learned you consider irrelevant? overall aim is “to confirm the Royal standards of veterinary surgeons and society. n Please send comments by e-mail to College of Veterinary Surgeons as an veterinary nurses, thereby protecting Returning to this subject later in the [email protected] or effective regulator and to develop its the interests of those dependent on meeting, he commented: “We should by post to Veterinary Practice at 30 role as an influential scientific body – animals, and assuring public health. have a learned society for the veterinary Diamond Ridge, Camberley, Surrey trusted equally by the public and the It also acts as an impartial source of profession, not an august scientific GU145 4LD. profession to be impartial and informed opinion on relevant body.” Alison Bruce, a lay member of authoritative – and to ensure that the veterinary matters.” – statement on the the Council, then said, “We have an pleased and surprised by the Minister’s veterinary profession makes a positive RCVS website (15/11/2010) aspiration to be a learned society, rather positive response but it is important that contribution to society”. than an objective.” the College is aware of the caveats in Further on, under the heading change the role of the RCVS and it was Professor Duncan Maskell said the terms of DEFRA resources and “Framework”, the necessary to define a clear College should aim to provide scientific parliamentary time, which could impede document called for the role for the College. data and information – but not the progress of wholesale reform of the Royal Charter to be The chief veterinary opinions. “It is very, very important to Act.” updated “to establish a office at DEFRA, Nigel use appropriate wording, but I’m not n The RCVS Strategy Plan document clear Royal College role Gibbens (a Privy sure what that is.” He added there might lists the following (presumably hoped as a scientific body Council appointee to be cases where there was no for) outcomes: complementary to, but reports on one of the the Council), said the straightforward, definitive answer. 1. to maintain accurate and reliable distinct from, the main issues discussed RCVS had to ask some registers of veterinary regulatory role, to by the RCVS Council fundamental questions, Call for complete surgeons and veterinary provide a research and last month such as: What is it review nurses who are properly evidence base for trying to achieve? and Dr Bertie Ellis took a qualified and veterinary medicine and How is it going to different tack: accountable for what surgery and to provide more positive achieve it? “Preparing for a new they do, now and in the support for members”. “We probably all have slightly Veterinary Surgeons future; Discussion on these matters took different views of what the College Act is like organising a 2. to safeguard the place after an announcement by the should do, both as regulator and as a car crash,” he said. “I’m health and welfare of president, Peter Jinman, that the RCVS source of scientific advice.” very concerned with the animals committed to had been invited by Chris Tufnell was way we keep pushing veterinary care through DEFRA to prepare a concerned about the for a new Act: we could the regulation of the draft Bill for the words “impartial source end up with something educational, ethical and regulation of veterinary of informed opinion”: “I we don’t want. It is not Nigel Gibbens – “what is it clinical standards of service providers as don’t think there is such clear even in this room trying to achieve?” veterinary surgeons and there was a possibility of a thing as an impartial what we want the veterinary nurses, moves towards a new opinion,” said he. “I College to do or achieve.” thereby protecting the interests of those Act within the lifetime don’t think we can come He called for the College to carry dependent on animals, and assuring of this Parliament (i.e. up with opinions on out a complete review of its role and public health; by 2015). behalf of the profession, what it wants to achieve. 3. to be recognised as an effective David Catlow (a but the College should After further discussion the regulator and as an impartial source of former BVA president) be a source of informed “strategy plan” was approved by the informed opinion on relevant veterinary said a new Veterinary opinion.” Council by 29 votes to five, with one matters; Surgeons Act had the David Catlow – “necessary Professor Quinton member, the CVO, abstaining. 4. to be seen to be fair, open, potential to significantly to define a clear role” McKellar (at his last Later in the meeting, Mr Gibbens understanding, accountable, consistent said that if there is a new Veterinary and forward thinking. Surgeons Act (or Veterinary Services Health and welfare? Act), “we will start again; everything will THE second part of the declaration which every veterinary surgeon makes on be up for consideration”. Informed source... admission to the Royal College reads: “I promise above all that I will pursue During a discussion of the minutes The draft strategy plan approved by the work of my profession with uprightness of conduct and that my constant of the public affairs committee, further the RCVS Council refers to the endeavour will be to ensure the welfare of the animals committed to my comments were made on the role of the College working through care.” College and the possibility of a new professional bodies such as the The word “health” is, rightly, omitted from this declaration though it Act. It was stated in the minutes that British Veterinary Nurses appears several times in the strategy plan and is included in the College’s Jim Paice, the Minister of State at Association (BVNA). mission statement. DEFRA, had said he would be willing That might be tricky as no As “welfare” encompasses health, the use of the term “health and to request parliamentary time for a organisation with that name exists. welfare” is, of course, unnecessary –though whether it’s a solecism or Veterinary Services Act to replace the There is, however, the British tautology or both is open to debate by wordsmiths. current Veterinary Surgeons Act – but Veterinary Nursing Association. As DEFRA has tried to separate the inseparable by developing “an animal the onus would be on the College to one councillor pointed out after the health and welfare strategy” and the term has been accepted by various develop proposals for new legislation. meeting, if the College intends to be professional organisations, but it is difficult to fathom why the RCVS and The minutes went on to say: “The a source of informed opinion, it BVA, among others, should feel the need to go along with such nonsense. CVO noted that the DEFRA team were needs to get its basic facts correct. Meeting the challenges...

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constructive suggestions. New Council gets down to business The new protocol will enable the PIC to intervene at an earlier stage THE November meeting of the agreed to “look into this” – which is helpful insight into how we should view when members are found (suspected) to Royal College Council is the first what I say when I don’t intend to do the VN List and the “rights” of those have alcohol/drug/suicidal/health occasion since the AGM in July anything but I hope Mr Jinman has a people entered therein, the essence of problems, avoiding the need for a which new members have an different approach. which is: “There is no general right for a formal referral to the DC. Members will opportunity to attend. veterinary nurse to carry out minor be directed into an appropriate care It is a reflection of the extraordinary RCVS Strategy Plan surgical procedures. The right exists if programme and /or will be expected to length of the election process that The plan had already been debated in all and to the extent that a veterinary offer “undertakings” to the PIC such as nominations for next year’s Council RCVS committees and the final version surgeon … permits the nurse to carry submitting to blood testing for alcohol election have opened before the members was largely uncontroversial – although I out the procedure.” or drugs, joining AA, refraining from elected this year have fully “taken their suspect the commitment “to achieve In other words, employing a VN alcohol, not working alone, etc. seats”! revision of the Veterinary Surgeons listed under Schedule 3 confers the right Breaches of these will be liable to result David Catlow, previously BVA Act” is more of an aspiration than a on the veterinary surgeon to delegate in a full disciplinary hearing. president, is perhaps the “plan” – despite the acts of veterinary surgery to that nurse. Council approved the protocol best known of the new positive noises being The exemption to the general without further debate and the members who include made by the new prohibition on lay veterinary practice is necessary amendments to the Guide to four new lay members: Minister of State. enjoyed by the VN only under the Professional Conduct to bring the changes Rachael Jennings, In the event the supervision and control of the VS. The into effect. Judith Webb, Andrea plan was surprisingly “List” itself does not confer statutory Council also approved a Jeffreys and Professor controversial with Mr rights on the VN. memorandum of understanding with Peter Lees. Catlow being Counsel advised that: “It would be the Veterinary Surgeon’s Health Support I’m not sure if it particularly vocal in sensible for a warning to be given that Programme. was the experienced opposition. It was there may be disciplinary consequences chairmanship of the argued that the RCVS to a veterinary surgeon who permits a EMS new president, Peter RICHARD needs to better define nurse to undertake surgical procedures The heads of veterinary schools Jinman, or the absence STEPHENSON its role in acting as a under his direction in circumstances (HOVS) had considered the status of of Bob Partridge but an elected member of source of scientific where that nurse has a EMS at their recent away the meeting proved the RCVS Council, information before disciplinary record...” The heads of day. They felt it was somewhat more sedate reflects on the latest approving a strategy. Counsel was veterinary unsustainable for EMS to than usual – although meeting I argued that the unambiguous that the schools felt continue to be compulsory. no shorter. Bob had, College must respond RCVS not only can but The universities had a however, given the to numerous HMG should do this. it was responsibility to ensure president a comprehensive list of consultations at present – these arrive The College is currently unsustainable students gained Day One questions which were faithfully asked thick and fast. A better system needs to acting ultra vires when for EMS to skills and the RCVS should and in one instance resulted in a change be put in place – so whilst not making any bye-law continue to be assess this outcome rather to the proposed document. disagreeing with Mr Catlow, I felt this concerning post- compulsory than enforcing compulsory These reflections “reflect” some of was an instance in which the cart needs qualification regulation of EMS. the things that interested me at the to be put before the horse. “listed” nurses, and Counsel This view hadn’t found Council meeting (and frankly a few that What is proposed is that the public urged the College to deal with this “as a much favour in the education did not) and are not necessarily a affairs committee will establish small matter of some urgency”. This can be committee which had agreed to instigate complete picture of the proceedings. boards including outside experts who done by a Statutory Instrument under an EMS recording system similar to the There was a poignant start when are capable of providing both Section 19(5) of the VSA. PDP and integrated with it (two councillors remembered members who considered and rapid responses to Thus, it was proposed and agreed by universities indicating that they don’t had died since the last meeting – a requests for information when required RCVS Council to introduce the new wish to participate). special tribute to Mary Brancker having by the Council to do so. VN bye-laws coupled with a change to The approach to EMS by the been circulated prior to council. the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct HOVS caused considerable debate. Dr At the end of the meeting, the VN bye-laws. which will effectively prevent a Barry Johnson was particularly exercised president announced that proposals will The vexed question of the lawfulness of veterinary surgeon authorising a VN that they had suggested that compulsory be discussed after the next Council the RCVS removing a nurse’s name who has been removed from the EMS could be dropped. He felt it was meeting (in March) to create a two-year from the Schedule 3 Statutory List of Register from performing Schedule 3 essential to graduates gaining the presidential term. VNs (following a finding of disgraceful tasks (even if still on the List). Both the necessary day one skills and had only conduct by the VN DC) has been a bit List and Register will be clearly recently been reviewed. The Budget of a bugbear in previous meetings. annotated so that the name of any This was backed up by Roger Eddy The College continues to operate in the The initial plan was to set up a VN removed person will be readily and Jacqui Molyneux who both pointed black with increased retention fee over DC (similar to the vet DC) with powers identifiable. out that in gaining practical skills EMS budget due to greater membership to remove VNs not just from the new An amendment proposed by Bob was vital – a “gem” in UK veterinary numbers; this, however, is almost exactly voluntary register but from the Schedule Partridge to give the registrar authority training. Dr Bertie Ellis, however, offset by decreased interest and 3 List – thereby preventing them from to keep a list of disciplined RVNs was disagreed: his daughter had qualified investment income. The projected undertaking Schedule III tasks. This had approved by Council without a vote. from Grenada without EMS and was, operating surplus will now be £174,163 been questioned by a previous registrar he said, a perfectly good vet. (as opposed to £186.871). and the College had produced a rather New health protocol I cited the recent manpower survey I raised the issue of the watered down proposal that removal I have highlighted this very positive which showed that employers had little “confidential” classification of the draft would only be from the Register and development before. A consultation confidence in the current day one budget report. Apart from the fact that not the list. exercise had been held since the last competencies of UK grads and that it doesn’t contain anything that is In committee, a large majority of meeting which was inundated with 11 clients were also reporting severe confidential, it seems to me that such a members had indicated they would not responses. To be fair these did include deficiencies. Dr Eddy proposed, designation is liable to misinterpretation support this approach and it had been SPVS, VDS, VBF, BVA and interestingly seconded by myself and Christine when applied to a document of a agreed to seek a third (written) opinion the embryonic Vets4BVU. All were Shield, that Council reaffirms its financial nature in a public body. It gives from Queen’s Counsel to determine the basically supportive (except Vets4BVU commitment to EMS: this was not the impression that there is something extent of the College’s powers. who felt it would not be helpful to voted on but found general favour with to hide when there is not. The president Counsel provided a useful, fresh and veterinary surgeons) with some the whole Council. Have you thought about tomorrow ?

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For more information about the Royal Canin Urinary range please contact your Veterinary Business Manager. www.royalcanin.co.uk / www.royalcanin.ie DECEMBER 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE FRONT-OF-HOUSE 11 Winning practices collect their prizes in the 2011 awards for the

The four representatives from Cheadle Hulme Veterinary Hospital receiving design and their certificate, trophy and cheque for £500 for winning category 2 (for practices with more than 10 full-time staff) – (from left) Andrew Doyle appearance of the public (veterinary sales and marketing director of Royal Canin), Lee Danks (veterinary marketing manager at Royal Canin), Fiona Knight (customer care manager at the practice), Lindsay Johnson (head receptionist), Paula areas of their premises Hammett (receptionist), Clare Hulme (receptionist), Claire Cahill (Royal WILLIAMS Veterinary Surgeons in A bumper crop of entries came in Canin’s veterinary business manager for the north-west) and John Alborough Tywyn, Gwynedd, and Cheadle from all over the UK, which a (managing director of JCA Media Group, which handles the advertising and Hulme Veterinary Hospital in preliminary judging panel assessed production for Veterinary Practice). Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, have under 10 different headings – from won the two categories in this exterior appearance and signage to year’s Front-of-House Awards, run merchandising and noticeboards – by Veterinary Practice and sponsored after which a “mystery shopping” by Royal Canin. phone call was made to all those The purpose of these awards is to considered likely to make the final. recognise excellence in front-of-house Not all the calls were answered in a design, appearance and facilities. manner likely to endear the practice to Williams Veterinary Surgeons won existing or potential clients and three the category for practices with no entries were eliminated on this alone – more than 10 full-time or FTE staff, even though the written entry and for its recently opened new premises. photographs looked highly promising. Sundean Veterinary Clinic in Unannounced visits were Lydney, Glos., was declared the subsequently made to each of the runner-up with Zasman Veterinary finalists for on-the-spot assessments. Clinic in Islington, London, in third Judges commented on the high The four representatives from Williams Veterinary Surgeons, the winning entry place. standard of the entries overall and the in category 1 (for practices with no more than 10 full-time staff) – Tara Pugh Cheadle Hulme Veterinary Hospital tremendous improvements in recent (receptionist), Maggie Turner (veterinary surgeon and partner), Gwenan won the category for practices with years in the public areas of practices, Roberts (student veterinary nurse) and Jude Evans (practice manager) – more than 10 full-time or FTE staff though a number of faults were receiving the prizes from Gemma Cairns (right), Royal Canin’s veterinary for its recent refurbishment and highlighted. These ranged from poor business manager for the West Midlands. addition of on-site parking. placement of signs and notices The de Montfort Veterinary (including letters missing in some Hospital in Evesham, Worcs., was signs) to the cluttered and disjointed named as runner-up with Cherrydown layouts in some waiting and Vets in Basildon, Essex, third. merchandising areas What the judges looked for: n clear, attractive signage outside (and inside) the practice n adequate and well-marked parking bays n a smart, well-maintained exterior and gardens (if any) well-tended and tidy n a well-defined, easy to reach entrance with disabled access n a welcoming reception area for dealing smoothly and efficiently with clients and patients arriving and leaving n clean, comfortable waiting area(s) with informative noticeboards, etc. n well-laid-out merchandising area(s) Part of the prize for being a category winner in the Front-of-House Awards Any clinic/surgery/hospital built, renovated, refurbished, extended or was a gourmet meal for four members from each practice along with moved since 1st January 2008 was eligible to enter. representatives from Veterinary Practice and Royal Canin. The venue chosen The categories were: was Rhodes W1, Gary Rhodes’ brasserie in the Cumberland Hotel near 1. practices with no more than 10 full-time or FTE staff Marble Arch in London’s West End. This is, according to the website 2. practices with more than 10 full-time of FTE staff www.rhodesw1.com, where the celebrity chef showcases his considerable Practices were invited to submit statements of up to 200 words as to why talents in a slick contemporary environment, with the emphasis on modern they deserved to win the award, along with up to 10 photographs, from European dishes with a British twist. The photo shows the group assembled which judges selected the finalists. in a private room in the restaurant ready for the festivities to begin. 12 FRONT-OF-HOUSE VETERINARY PRACTICE DECEMBER 2010 Improved parking and impressive reception area following refurbishment THE Cheadle Hulme Veterinary Hospital, which won the category for larger practices (those with more than 10 full-time or FTE staff) in the 2010 Front-of-House Awards, is part of the long-established Woodcroft Veterinary Group. There are currently seven veterinary surgeons at the Cheadle Hulme branch, along with 35 support Knight, the practice’s customer care from a distance and with a little staff – comprising RVNs, trainees manager. “Now we have a fantastic more thought the merchandising and modern apprentices – plus the car park and we get many appreciative areas could be even better. practice manager and office staff. comments from clients about it.” n The photos show (clockwise As well as handling first opinion The main parking area is to the from top): most of the staff work, the practice runs a very busy rear of the building but a disabled bay gathered in the spacious referral and out-of-hours service and has been added at the front, right reception-waiting area for a group has made sure it has large, very clear beside the ramp which was installed photo; the “pet club” display and well-lit signs outside so people some years ago to provide easy access board at one end of the waiting can quickly locate the premises in an for wheelchairs or clients who had area; one of the two emergency. problems with steps. merchandising areas, with a During last December and The practice has a large waiting considerable range of products on January, the practice undertook a large room, which is now sectioned off display and easy to select; one of refurbishment, with the main into dog and cat waiting areas . “This the plasma emphasis on improving its parking is clearly marked and works very screens displaying facilities. Previously, there was very well,” says Mrs Knight. “The poor information for limited parking available and the little cats are not as terrified – the clients; the majority of clients had to use a public separate waiting area plus Feliway reception desk – car park – for which the practice works a treat.” showing the reimbursed them. These separate waiting areas location of the “It was far from ideal,” says Fiona incorporate species-specific plasma screen merchandising areas – (one judge one of very few commented that practice entered for the placing of the awards to have signs on the front such an arrangement. of the desk The area has well- looked a little tended , neat and untidy and it was imaginative display not necessarily the boards which are most visible place regularly updated; also for them); the in the waiting room solid access ramp; are TV screens to the disabled dispense information. parking bay close There’s also a drinks to the ramp; and dispenser for clients a section of the and “treat tins” for new parking area dogs. at the rear with One judge the well-marked described the front-of- practice van on house as “very the right. impressive and welcoming” with a great reception area – large and well-staffed. But even the winning practices came in for some criticism – one judge suggested that the quality of the information on the TV screens was a little disappointing and a little hard to follow DECEMBER 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE FRONT-OF-HOUSE 13

‘Fabulous’ facilities... WILLIAMS Veterinary Surgeons, the 1983 by Edward Williams, a farmer winner in the smaller practice category who graduated from the Bristol of the Front-of-House Awards, is veterinary school in 1964 and who is unusual in a number of respects. now in partnership with his daughter these include the small animal facilities manager), Maggie Turner (nee Williams – One of the few mixed practices to Maggie (qualified from Liverpool in along with a large animal room which partner), Edward Williams (founder and be entered this time, this is a real family 2000) and son Hugh (a 2001 London has been designed especially to cater for partner) and Tara Pugh (receptionist); business: the practice was founded in graduate). the busy lambing season in this upland the small animal entrance; a close-up of After 25 years of working out of area of Wales. The practice also deals one of the well-kept noticeboards; the the family home near Tywyn, Gwynedd, with beef cattle and horses. brilliant, eye-catching solid stone sign at the family decided to move to purpose- The judges liked the large, airy the entrance; the welcoming two-level built premises to accommodate the premises, one describing the facilities as reception desk in the small animal area; facilities required to offer a better “fabulous”. The entrances have ramps and two of the merchandising displays, service to its clients. with big doors; there are separate also in the small animal section. The practice now has five full-time waiting areas for vets (a new graduate joined recently) dogs and cats and runs two surgeries – at Machynlleth and also separate in Powys and the new premises on the merchandising Pendre Enterprise Park in Tywyn. areas, which are The new building (entered for the laid out very award) has a spacious car park (still neatly indeed. being marked out and landscaped when This practice entries closed for the competition) with was awarded the easy access to the separate entrances for highest marks of large and small animal clients. all the entries. Spacious reception areas have n The photos displays and wall-mounted flat-screen show (clockwise TVs which, says Jude Evans, the from top left): practice manager, the front of the allow maximum new building, comfort and the with the two provision of entrances; staff further veterinary in the waiting information area (from left) while clients wait Rhian Davies to see one of the (assistant vets. veterinary Rooms surgeon), Hugh branch off the Williams central (partner), Jude preparation area; Evans (practice 14 FRONT-OF-HOUSE VETERINARY PRACTICE DECEMBER 2010

Runner-up in the category for larger practices was de Montfort Veterinary Hospital in Evesham, Worcs. The Sundean Veterinary Clinic in Lydney, Glos., was placed second in the smaller reception area was refurbished in 2008 practice category. Situated on the outskirts of the Forest of Dean, there is a to change its somewhat dated spacious and colourful reception/waiting area with an eye-catching mural at appearance into a comfortable, one end with “hidden” fish and the key to a treasure chest for youngsters to modern, light, airy and inviting space find. Staff photos are on display adjacent to noticeboards which cover with a large and well-stocked subjects ranging merchandising area. The cat waiting from worming to room is not just a space in the general pet travel, with waiting area but has its own well- fresh promotions marked door – this room has, says the each month. Food practice, proved popular with feline displays are kept owners, exuding calmness and well-stocked and tranquillity. Hanging baskets by the there are collars entrance change with the seasons. and toys, etc., on sale. Disabled parking and access is at the rear. Third in the smaller practice category was Zasman Vet in the London suburb of Islington, the newest branch of a four-practice group. The practice gives clients complimentary vouchers so they can park in the bays outside the Third in the larger practice category distinctive was CherrydownVets of Basildon, exterior. A buzzer Essex. The building was refurbished in 2009 with a complete overhaul of the system for client reception and waiting areas with an extended merchandising area and large and staff safety informative signs suspended from the ceiling; other facilities include a lets visitors into vending machine for clients and a bereavement/quiet room. For disabled the spacious, air- clients there is parking, a toilet, ramp, automatic door and lower desk. conditioned reception/waiting area with its well- stocked shelves. Nelio®...tailor-made benazepril

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1. Gfk data January 2010 2. King JN & Font A (2002) Effect of benazepril in chronic renal insufficiency in cats: Interim results from the Benric clinical trial WSAVA Congress 3. The Bench Study Group (1999) The effect of benazepril on survival times and clinical signs of dogs with congestive heart failure: Results of a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, long-term clinical trial Journal of Veterinary Cardiology 1 (1) pp 7-18 Science is improved understanding

NO.01.03/2010 16 OUT AND ABOUT VETERINARY PRACTICE DECEMBER 2010

Firm appoints first the past year in the teaching hospital at needs of the veterinary profession. Non-executive post the Edinburgh veterinary school. The firm reports that it has a veterinary surgeon BCF’s Gavin Mitchell said the growing base of veterinary clients and DOUGLAS Hutchison has been KIMBERLY Palgrave has joined BCF appointment “will allow a significant decided to build on its experience in appointed as a non-executive director Technology as clinical development change in the way we work and this sector by putting together a team of Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging. manager – the company’s first in- communicate with vets in the future. of legal experts who can offer advice Mr Hutchison, who graduated house veterinary surgeon. Originally With Kimberly’s help we will be on every aspect of running a practice from Glasgow in 1980, was the from Texas, she has been working for developing a huge range of clinical from start-up to disposal, partnership founder of Veterinary Business materials and case studies, adding real agreements, employment issues, Development value in the development of the use of professional indemnity and negligence which he sold ultrasound and x-ray within the claims through to property, in 2000. He is veterinary industry”. commercial, health and safety currently n Annie Makin, who previously compliance and private client matters. chairman of worked with ultrasound with Siemens The firm has a “total legal care” BioMedical in the human market, has joined BCF (TLC) service which has been re- Business as the new ultrasound sales engineer designed, it says, to appeal to Partners, The for the Midlands. She has taken over professionals in practice. Private Sarah Shone’s role as Sarah has been Jeremy Redfern, who heads the Investors’ promoted to international business veterinary team, says: “TLC is the Group, development manager. affordable way to protect your budget VetpulseTV, Photique Images, and a and balance sheet from legal partner in US-based publisher misfortune and a way of cost- Veterinary Solutions. Legal advice service effectively controlling bills.” Hallmarq MRI scanners are now PARKINSON Wright LLP, solicitors For details contact Mr Redfern on used at 46 veterinary surgeries and with offices in Worcester, Droitwich 01905 726789, e-mail universities around the world, 13 of and Evesham, has launched a [email protected] or see the them in the UK. Kimberley Palgrave. “veterinary team” to service the legal website www.parkinsonwright.co.uk. Outpatient imaging FITZPATRICK Referrals of Can this profession Conference speaker Godalming in Surrey, has introduced NICK Thompson is to present a paper an “outpatients diagnostic imaging on the use of herbs in animal service” for primary care veterinary refuse such a challenge? husbandry at the 2011 Animal Health surgeons who can make an Distributors Association (AHDA) appointment at a time convenient to The gauntlet has been thrown down by golf Conference to be held in Hinckley, them and their patient without the enthusiasts in the dental profession to a Leics., on 18th and 19th January. need of referral. Mr Thompson is veterinary The service for MRI and CT scans challenge match of golf in France next May consultant to Paddocks Farm will be available seven days a week, GOLFERS are well-known for seeking 8.30am and then drive to Caen – full Partnership in Somerset which markets from 9am to 9pm. fresh challenges so here is one that is directions will be given at the briefing. Verm-X products “for natural control Detailed imaging reports will be certainly a little different: the chance to The journey is 90% dual of internal parasites”. created and sent electronically by Vet spend some leisure time with your carriageway/motorway and should take The company reports that the CT Specialists, a teleradiology friends and colleagues and round it off about an hour and a half – with no demand for natural parasite control company headed by Victoria Johnson. with a fun match against the dental need to rush. There will be very little continues to grow and the products Appointments can be booked by fraternity. additional driving to do because we sail were recently awarded Ethical phone on 01483 423761. An online Full details will be published in the back from Caen and the port is under Accreditation by the Ethical Company booking service is soon to be New Year but meantime here is brief 10 minutes drive from the golf course. Organisation. introduced. information on how the event will We will meet at the clubhouse at unfold but please note that you will be noon and enjoy a leisurely two-course welcome whether you have a low brunch and a glass of wine (included Retirement party for BVA president handicap or a duffer at the game – or in the package price) before we play BEFORE taking over the presidency of the BVA in September, Harvey Locke you would just like to watch what goes golf. retired from the practice he had helped to found 34 years ago. on. We will then drive to the port via Staff at the Woodcroft Veterinary Group in Cheshire booked a local hotel You are requested to arrive at the hypermarket if desired and enjoy a for a “surprise” party at the end of August. Brittany Ferries check-in at superb four-course meal (again all in A spokesperson for the practice said Mr Locke had always given 100% to the Portsmouth to catch the early evening the package price) at a quayside clients and the staff and remained enthusiastic throughout his time there. “We sailing which will depart at 8.30pm on restaurant where our prizegiving will will all miss his energy and dedication, and strive to keep up the standards he Wednesday 18th May. take place. We will board the ferry at taught us.” Take your own car on the ferry or around 10.30pm. Participants can A raffle was held with prizes share with others. enjoy a night cap or two before retiring donated by Royal Canin, Boehringer, You and your guests are requested to their cabins and wake in Ceva, Novartis, Petplan, Hill’s, to attend a briefing on board where Portsmouth on Friday 20th May at Pfzier, Centaur Services, Janssen, you will receive your tee times and approximately 7.30am – most having and Intervet/Schering-Plough and gifts from the sponsor. You are then taken only one complete day out of practice. Idexx. In all, £500 was raised for a free to enjoy the entertainment, bars All of this for just £159 per local hospice, St Ann’s, and the and excellent shopping facilities on person. money was sent in memory of Mary board. Later, retire to your cabin (with Full details will be advertised in Little who passed away in March en-suite facilities) and sleep while the future editions but bookings can be this year; she was the wife of Geoff ship sails slowly to St Malo. made at any time. Little, another of the former Breakfast is available on sale in the The dedicated booking line (the partners, who retired from the ship’s restaurant, although many take only way this trip can be booked) is practice in 2002. on a coffee and croissant en route. 0871 244 0617; be sure to quote n The photo shows Harvey and wife We disembark at approximately reference PG80GB. Margaret about to cut a cake. DECEMBER 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE NEWS 17

to take up the post of vice-chancellor of Exeter hospital sold to this year’s qualifying the UK offering a full-time the University of Hertfordshire. examinations and is one of dedicated oncology referral CVS 10 diplomates in veterinary service headed by a CVS has purchased St David’s Oncology diplomate oncology in the UK. diplomate in oncology. Veterinary Hospital (SDVH) in Exeter, GERRY Polton, head of oncology at Terry Emmerson, a “It progresses our aim for Devon. North Downs Specialist Referrals director of NSDR, said the all our referral services to be The hospital, which is the centre of (NDSR), has been made a Diplomate practice was proud to now be headed by recognised the small animal part of the St David’s of the ECVIM (Oncology) following one of two private referral centres in specialists in their field.” Veterinary Group, one of the longest established veterinary groups in the UK, recorded turnover £1,858,000 in the year ended July 2009, with a pre-tax profit of £430,000. Peter Attenburrow, the practice principal, is to remain in charge of the business, with CVS providing managerial support. The hospital has seven vets and 28 staff in total. The UK’s The acquisition brings the total † number of surgeries acquired by CVS in favourite pet 2010 to 45, including a laboratory and a insurance referral centre, and the group now provider operates 214 surgeries, six diagnostic labs, one pet crematorium and an online dispensary. CVS announced recently that in the year ended 30th June 2010, it had an 11.6% rise in revenues to £85.5 million, with pre-tax profits down 13.6% to £3.8 million but with a small after-tax profit increase to £3.1 million. New principal for RVC in new year PROFESSOR Stuart Reid is to succeed Professor Quintin McKellar as principal of the RVC on 1st January. He is currently professor of veterinary informatics and epidemiology and head of Stuart Reid. the School of Frances de Moraville - Vet at Hale Vet Hospital Veterinary Medicine at Glasgow. Professor McKellar was appointed principal in August 2004 and is leaving Surgery opened Your clients need a lifetime of cover for a lifetime of care Not all pet insurance is the same, so it is important your clients choose their insurance policy wisely. With no time limit on how long your clients can claim for each illness and injury*it’s no wonder veterinary staff scored Petplan Covered for Life policies 9 out of 10 for quality of cover.**

Andrew Robathan, MP, has opened Call 0800 316 8800 the latest Companion Care Vets surgery in the new Pets at Home or visit petplanvet.co.uk store at Fosse Park in Leicester. The joint veterinary partners are Shabbir Shariff and Sameer Bheda. The surgery houses an operating theatre, digital x-ray facilities, in-house † laboratory and a hospital ward. This Datamonitor 2009. *As long as the policy is renewed each year with no break in cover. ** Headcount 2010. Petplan is a trading name of Allianz Insurance plc, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services brings the number of surgeries in the Authority (FSA). Registered offi ce: 57 Ladymead, Guildford, Surrey GU1 1DB. Registered in England No. 84638. group to 67. IHGFEDCBFAF@D?>FID=EF B<;;:987?65?483:21 02)03*/ 02+,+20%/*03)2 4#32.00)2 02/ 34 /&&020+22,+,,)02
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543214302/.-431,+/4.2*/)/+2((('&0+%4$'43$'#"!*0+)2432 ,%%2  2 2 DECEMBER 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE SURVEY 19 Nearly one in ten vets earning less than £10 an hour IN July, CM Research, through This year’s incomes also seem to VetsPanel, asked over 1,000 have stabilised as most vets consider veterinary surgeons their financial situation questions related to to be equal or better their income, job than last year’s. Only a seem to be very concerned about the The high levels of stress are leading satisfaction, stress third considers it to be long hours. many vets to consider leaving the levels, amongst other worse. It’s therefore While half of vets claimed to be profession. Currently, about a third of topics. A total of 500 not a surprise then that stressed, this was not due to their long vets often think about leaving the vets replied. reports on a recent these vets are also the hours, but rather due to the inadequacy profession while only a quarter never The average yearly survey of income and most stressed. of the income they received. do. income (before tax) for what it takes to have a Overall working Stress seems to be the main cause all the surveyed vets stress-free work life hours are long, with Inadequate of this as most of those who do think was £43,016. Half of the average being While 39% of those who were frequently about leaving have high the vets earned up to about 47 hours worked completely unstressed said their levels of stress. They also work the £38,000 with the rest earning more. per week. This, however, does increase income was inadequate, this increased longest hours. The highest yearly income was in some cases up to 90 hours a week to 76% amongst those who were very Not surprisingly, those earning over £300,000 but that came from a vet (apart from the one doing 140)! When stressed. And how much is a stress-free £50,000 a year tend to never think who declared to work 140 hours a also taking income into account, then work life worth a year? £85,000 is the about leaving the profession. week! On average vets worked 47 the hourly pay rate is £18. There are, magic number. Earn that much and For more information on this hours a week, with 25% claiming to however, 9% of vets who earn less you are almost guaranteed to be stress survey, contact CM Research at work 50 or more hours a week. than £10 an hour – but they don’t free! [email protected]. Bursaries to enable CPD costs to be reduced IMPROVE International, which is (ESVPS) examination. Attendance will information pack. programmes covering key business and celebrating 12 years in business, is be at either the Wiltshire or Cheshire Improve International is currently in clinical topics; launching a bursary award scheme in learning centres as appropriate. the final stages of developing a n ESVPS examination costs are association with Veterinary Practice. The scheme is simplicity itself, says partnership with Hartpury College, a included; The scheme is aimed at helping Nick Fowler, general manager of faculty of the University of the West of n up to 26 awards are available with up veterinary surgeons who wish to attend Improve International. England. to 70% off the published course and the Improve International series of This will allow candidates to also examination costs; species and discipline modular Twelve programmes study for important compulsory ‘A’ and n there is a simple application and programmes and gain a valuable Successful applicants will be able to ‘B’ modules from the RCVS Certificate interview process; postgraduate certificate qualification. select from 12 structured programmes, in Advanced Veterinary Practice. n the deadline for applications is Friday The company will grant up to 26 pick the subject of their choice, enjoy Further details on this scheme will be 31st December, 2010. bursary places to those who successfully two days a month of classroom-led available shortly. Those interested are invited to call complete the application process; in instruction over a nine- month period, Modules available will include Nick Fowler on 01793 208062 or e-mail return the successful applicants will be sit the appropriate ESVPS examination “Professional Key Skills”, “Equine him at nickfowler@improve- entitled to attend the species and upon conclusion, and only be asked to Practice”, “Small Animal Practice” and international.com to receive an discipline modular programme of their assist in the development of “best “Production Animal Practice”. The information pack together with an choice at a vastly reduced price that will practice” and the collation of delegate Bursary scheme is available to help in application form and full details of the include the cost of sitting the feedback in return. these studies. awards available. appropriate European School of Full details of obligations under the In summary: n Further details on the scheme can be Veterinary Postgraduate Studies bursary scheme are available in the n there are 12 one-year modular found in the panel on page 26.

Troy’s owner is staying on longer to enjoy the sun in France... luckily Troy won’t need his monthly Trocoxil dose* for 2 more weeks

*Initial therapy uses a ‘Jump-Start’ dosing regime where the second dose is administered 14 days after the fi rst dose and thereafter, monthly. This thereby provides continuous pain relief within the treatment cycle (7 consecutive doses).

For further information please contact Pfi zer Animal Health, Walton Oaks, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 7NS Trocoxil contains mavacoxib. POM-V Use medicines responsibly (www.noah.co.uk/responsible). AH561/10 20 VIEWPOINT VETERINARY PRACTICE DECEMBER 2010 A traumatic decade ending but what of the next one? WITH the end of the year comes chance of success and would never be been steadily eroded as the the end of the noughties. pursued if the complainants had to risk borders in Europe have A decade to remember for perhaps their own money in fees? come down with the all the wrong reasons: swine fever; foot- One of the consequences of the development of the single and-mouth; the twin towers on 9/11 (or proposed change to the legal aid rules is market. 11/9 as it would be known over here); that barristers involved in civil cases are Of course, the European the rise and rise of TB (Tony Blair and projected to see a 42% drop in their Union has brought us many tuberculosis); the Iraq war; Afghanistan; income. Seems like a lot when put like benefits in terms of free trade the Asian tsunami; Hurricane Katrina that but am I really bothered about such and free travel but there are and New Orleans; the global banking a reduction in the income of people warnings out there for us too. crisis; bankers’ continually high bonuses; who can earn in a month what many Take, for example, Haiti, another Gordon Brown; European and US vets don’t make in a year? Somehow I island state, that has recently for the first recession; the MPs’ don’t think so. I could time in recorded history suffered an expenses scandal; the even be persuaded to outbreak of cholera. What really concerns me, though, is prospect of future PERISCOPE wear a silly wig and Current thoughts are that it arrived Echinococcus multilocularis, a common austerity and job losses; continues the series black tights myself for on the island just a few weeks ago with parasite of foxes in France, Germany the seemingly of reflections on issues a slice of their Nepalese peacekeepers. We too can no and other parts of Europe but currently insurmountable of current concern particular pie. longer rely on being surrounded by absent from the UK. The disease in problem of global The cuts, though, water to keep out any one of a number humans, alveolar echinococcosis, is warming; the earthquakes are not going to stop at of previously unrecorded and unwanted serious and frequently fatal. in Pakistan and Haiti. the legal aid budget but are already diseases. Whilst the risk of introduction is Has there ever been a decade in biting into the fees paid out to many currently considered to be extremely recent history when so many man-made hard-pushed vets in practice for routine Fraught with risk low, if it were to find its way here the and natural disasters occurred in such a government veterinary work such as TB The movement of pet dogs and cats high population density of foxes and short space of time? testing. between mainland Europe and the UK their close association with human There were some good things too. How many rural practices are going continues to grow and is fraught with habitation in the UK would make it a England won the rugby world cup; we to survive in their current form certainly the risk of introducing exotic disease, potentially highly risky zoonosis. were all very prosperous whilst the beats me and there will almost certainly rabies probably being the least likely and I hope that in general terms the next financial madness lasted; and Andy be knock-on effects on animal welfare the most easily controlled should it decade proves to be less traumatic than Murray managed to convince some of and disease surveillance as a result. occur. the current one. us at least that a British player would at That’s the trouble with cuts: they are DEFRA’s voluntary reporting scheme to Let us hope that those vets in last win Wimbledon in our lifetime. Oh fine when someone else is feeling the monitor exotic disease in dogs and cats positions of power and influence in the happy days. pain but difficult to take when it is your (DACTARI) has already recorded the profession make their voices heard and own eyes that are watering. presence of leishmaniasis, babesiosis, do not simply doff their caps when Robust manner One radical proposal from the new ehrlichiosis and dirofilariasis in dogs in asked to comment on new proposals as So with the end of the decade and with Government is that of licensing farmers the UK. and when they occur. a new government fresh in power and to cull badgers in areas of high TB champing at the bit, what do the next incidence in cattle, a proposal that is 10 years hold in store for us? Well, currently out for consultation. One has What has happened to VetAid? whatever your political persuasions, one to applaud the coalition for tackling this DOES anyone know what has happened (or is happening) to VetAid? Recent has to admit that the Coalition has issue head on when it has been pussy- attempts to open the charity’s website (www.vetaid.org) have been greeted wasted no time in taking the bull by the footed around by successive Ministers with the words “invalid hostname” and the telephone (0131 445 6241) at its horns and setting about tackling the for many years. base on the Pentlands Science Park at Penicuik – home of the Moredun deficit in a very robust manner. Group – has gone unanswered. I am not an economist (and if I Will it work? VetAid was set up by veterinary surgeons in 1989 and should currently be were I would be none the wiser as Whether the proposal is able to celebrating its 21st anniversary. Its extremely valuable work is continuing in economists seem to be pretty polarised withstand the full force of public Somalia and other parts of Africa such as Kenya and Tanzania. Down the as to whether we should tighten our opinion that may surface against the years it has received funding from individual veterinary surgeons and various belts or borrow even more to keep us approach, or the powerful lobby of the veterinary organisations as well as considerable support from the EU and is a going), but my gut instinct tells me that badger protection groups, remains to be member of Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Europa. much of what is being proposed must seen. And if a major cull does Its basic aim has been to improve the livelihoods of farmers and pastoralists be right. materialise, will it have the desired effect in developing countries by improving access to livestock health and One such proposal announced anyway as the science still appears to be husbandry resources, using traditional livestock practices as a foundation recently is to dramatically change the somewhat contradictory? wherever possible. way that legal aid is to work. Having But full marks for not sitting on But what now? Reports reaching Veterinary Practice indicate that donors are seen first hand the current waste in the their hands and instead trying to bring being told not to make any further donations and the charity is quietly being legal system, I for one am very happy some sort of urgency to the subject of wound down. VetAid had a Scottish charity number but no longer shows up with this proposal. And whilst justice bovine TB control, the cost of which, on the website of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator. for all, regardless of one’s ability or like legal aid, is currently out of control. Back in 1996, the charity published the highly entertaining VetAid Book of otherwise to pay, is an essential pillar of One of the other threats that is Veterinary Anecdotes; edited by Peter Fry, it carried a foreword by the a modern democracy, I have no doubt exercising my own thoughts is the risk Princess Royal who wrote: “Vetaid has an important that the current legal aid budget is badly of the incursion of exotic disease over role to play alongside other established agencies, out of control. the next decade. Foreign travel is so delivering cost effective and very specific aid.” After all, why should the average common and so easy now and borders Can any reader(s) shed light on what is going on and working man or woman contribute to are currently non-existent in many why this worthwhile work looks like being brought the legal costs of divorce “fights” or instances. The UK has the advantage of to a stop? petty litigation cases that have little being an island state but that luxury has DECEMBER 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE DIARY 21

MAJOR veterinary and veterinary- 4th-5th April 16th-19th July 29th September-2nd October related events planned for 2011 62nd Annual Conference of the American Veterinary Medical Southern European Veterinary include: Association for Veterinary Teaching Association Convention Conference & Research Work (AVT&RW) St Louis, Missouri Barcelona, Spain 15th-19th January Jubilee Campus, University of Nottingham www.avmaconvention.org www.sevc.info The North American Veterinary www.avtrw.co.uk Conference 14th-18th August 7th-9th October Orlando, Florida, USA 13th-15th April 17th Congress of the World British Veterinary Nursing www.tnavc.org Spring meeting of the Association of Veterinary Poultry Association Association Annual Congress Veterinary Anaesthetists Cancun, Mexico Kettering Conference Centre, Northampton Bari, Italy 27th-29th January www.wvpc2011cancun.org www.bvna.org.uk www.avabari2011.com VPMA Congress 2011 10th-14th October Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth 7th-10th September 27th-29th April 30th World Veterinary Congress www.vpma.co.uk BEVA Congress 2011 European Veterinary Conference – Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre in association with 11th World Voorjaarsdagen www.beva.org.uk Veterinary Dental Congress 4th-5th February RAI Exhibition and Conference Centre, Cape Town, South Africa European College of Equine Internal Amsterdam 7th-10th September www.worldvetcongress2011.com Medicine Congress www.voorjaarsdagen.org 17th FECAVA (The Federation of Hannover, Germany European Companion Animal 14th-17th October www.eceim.info 12th-15th May Veterinary Associations) 33rd WSAVA Congress with FASAVA SPVS Congress 2011 Eurocongress Jeju, Korea 20th-24th February Royal County Hotel, Durham Istanbul Lütfi Kirdar Convention and www.wsava2011.com 83rd Annual Western Veterinary www.spvs.org.uk Exhibition Centre, Istanbul, Turkey Conference www.fecava2011.org 2nd-6th November Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las 12th-16th May 12th Congress of World Equine World conference on veterinary Veterinary Association Vegas, Nevada 8th-10th September education HICC, Hyderabad, India www.wvc.org ESVD/ECVD (European Society Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, France Details: www.weva2011india.com www.vet2011.org and European College of 4th-6th March Veterinary Dermatology) 10th-11th November Veterinary Christian Fellowship Annual Congress 2011 19th-20th May 8th Vets Now Emergency and Critical Conference Square Brussels Meeting Center, Brussels, Fourth EU Veterinary Week Care Congress Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Belgium Brussels, Begium Majestic Hotel, Harrogate Derbyshire www.fve.org www.esvd.org www.vcf.org.uk www.vets-now.com 10th-12th June 8th-13th September 24th-25th November 21st-25th March 10th Congress of the European 17th International Veterinary London Vet Show 5th Pan Commonwealth Veterinary Veterinary Emergency and Critical Emergency and Critical Care Grand Hall, Olympia, Hammersmith, Conference Care Society Symposium London Accra, Ghana Utrecht, The Netherlands Grand Hyatt, San Antonio, Texas www.londonvetshow.co.uk www.5pancomvetcon2011.com www.eveccs2011.org www.veccs.org 24th-26th November 24th-27th March 24th-25th June 22nd-24th September British Cattle Veterinary Association AAHA (with Ontario Veterinary Northern Vet Show BVA Congress 2011 Congress Medical Association) Conference Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds Royal College of Physicians, London Southport Metro Toronto Convention Center, Toronto, www.northernvetshow.com www.bva.co.uk www.bcva.org.uk Canada www.aahanet.org 24th-26th June ISFM European Feline Congress Sales and marketing manager appointed Hilton Vienna, Vienna, Austria 31st March-3rd April GURMAIL Singh has been appointed UK sales and marketing manager of www.isfm.net 54th Annual Congress of the BSAVA Chanelle Vet UK Ltd and Chanelle Animal Health. He will be responsible for the amalgamation and development of both companies. Mr Singh previously International Convention Centre (ICC) and 1st July National Indoor Arena (NIA), worked for Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Novartis. The Chanelle Group’s chairman, RCVS Day Michael Burke, said: “We are expanding rapidly and need to manage and Birmingham One Great George Street, London consolidate our UK business in order to move forward successfully.” www.bsava.org www.rcvs.org.uk

Troy’s owner is suffering after a night on the town... luckily as his osteoarthritis dose is monthly* Troy doesn’t need to worry

*Initial therapy uses a ‘Jump-Start’ dosing regime where the second dose is administered 14 days after the fi rst dose and thereafter, monthly. This thereby provides continuous pain relief within the treatment cycle (7 consecutive doses).

For further information please contact Pfi zer Animal Health, Walton Oaks, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 7NS Trocoxil contains mavacoxib. POM-V Use medicines responsibly (www.noah.co.uk/responsible). AH563/10 22 EVENTS VETERINARY PRACTICE DECEMBER 2010 Big attendance at emergency and critical care congress CLOSE to 550 veterinary surgeons, Paul Mahoney from the Willows evidence that is nurses and exhibitors attended the Veterinary Centre and Referral available and 7th Emergency and Critical Care Service. make a critical Congress run by Vets Now in A number of senior Vets Now assessment of Harrogate last month. The number staff were among the lecturers: its quality and of veterinary surgeons was well Amanda Boag, clinical director; relevance; over 200. Professor Stuart Carmichael, director identify the There had been doubt about the of referral services; Richard Coe and ‘holes” in the use of the customary venue, the Yvonne McGrotty, from the Vets Now knowledge base; Majestic Hotel, following a fire in May referral hospital in Glasgow; and understand the which caused extensive damage but David Smith and Andrew Parker from limitations of apart from a loss of bedrooms head office who discussed current evidence necessitating many delegates having to “communications techniques”, with and don’t over- stay in nearby hotels, the congress was the emphasis on how to make better interpret results; able to use all the usual facilities. use of websites, and “how to get a and admit “we The event started with the annual good work-life balance”. don’t know” The managing director of Vets Now, Richard Dixon, awards ceremony for staff, recognising There were three lecture streams when evidence congratulates Laura McDermott from the Doncaster branch of outstanding achievements in nine for both veterinary surgeons and is lacking. Vets Now, who was named “Star Senior Veterinary Surgeon of different categories, followed by two nurses on Thursday, with an advanced She finished the Year” in the annual MAD (for made a difference) awards full days of lectures and workshops – stream on the Friday designed for by calling on all presented on the first evening of the congress. Among the starting at 8.30am each day. those with more extensive experience veterinary other presentations, Mauro Ghihnoni, of Winchester received The main themes were ultrasound in ECC. surgeons to get the Star Veterinary Surgeon of the Year Award; Sharon and trauma. Keynote speakers A session on evidence-based involved in Murtagh of Preston won the Star Senior Veterinary Nurse of included Sophie Adamantos, lecturer veterinary medicine drew a small evidence-based the Year Award; and Sarah Rance of Northampton the Star in emergency and critical care audience. It began with a presentation research. Veterinary Nurse of the Year Award. Each of the winners received a £100 Red Letter Day prize. Twenty-two Vets Now medicine at the RVC; Dr Matt Beal, from Dr Rachel Dean, director of the Dr North staff also received long-standing service awards for over five associate professor of emergency and Centre for Evidence-based Veterinary was followed by years’ service. critical care medicine at Michigan Medicine at the Nottingham veterinary Amanda Boag State University; veterinary technician school, who asked “Why do you do who discussed steroid use. antibiotic therapy and wound Alison Gottlieb, who chairs the what you do?” Acknowledging that the evidence base management, especially in relation to continuing education committee for She went on to say that there was was limited, she went through the surgical site infections. He noted that the New Jersey Veterinary Technician a dearth of evidence for veterinary evidence for and against the use of there were some serious difficulties in Association; and Dr Jennifer Devey, a emergency and critical care work with steroids in various groups of critically using an evidence-based medicine diplomate of the American College of a lot of the methods used based on ill animals. One of her conclusions approach when considering these as Emergency and Critical Care, who human work and not validated for was that, according to the evidence many of the interventions had never writes and lectures extensively; and veterinary patients. gleaned so far, corticosteroids should been tested in randomised double- Dr North said not be used routinely in the treatment blind controlled clinical trials because it was important of head injury. they were too well established. In to: critically Richard Coe was the final speaker addition, the rate of such infections in appraise the in this session and he discussed “clean” surgery was very low. The key gap in our knowledge, he said, is the incidence of infection following surgery in the general practice environment. n The exhibition at the congress was the largest ever with more than 40 stands and quite a number of names new to the event.

Among the exhibitors were newcomers St James’s Place Vets Now in brief Wealth Management (left) and Covidien Animal Health n service launched in December UK, a subsidiary of the American multinational which sells 2001 a wide range of human and animal health products. Below: n 46 emergency clinics nationwide Brightleaf Recruitment had this eye-catching panel on its Adjacent stands in the exhibition were headed Lifelearn and stand. Achievet. Vets Now acquired the licence for the Lifelearn n 428 veterinary staff brand in the UK and Europe in 2009 and has been n 42,000 cases treated this financial developing the product into “a client communication tool to year support veterinary practices in growing and retaining their n 524 main veterinary practices customer base”. Lifelearn can provide practices with more subscribing to the out-of-hours than 800 articles which they can customise and personalise service, plus 254 branches for their clients through Client Education Online, which was n turnover for 2009-10 was £17.4 introduced at this year’s BSAVA congress; around 100 active million trials are currently underway. Lifelearn also offers a website n the most common emergencies building service, Web 4 Vets, which gives a choice of three online platforms with content which practices can adapt and seen are vomiting puppies, RTAs, manage internally. Achievet is being introduced as a wounds such as stick injuries, consultancy service to practices which want to achieve whelping problems, blocked cats, accreditation under the RCVS practice standards scheme. lameness, collapsed dogs and Almost all Vets Now practices have joined the scheme. chocolate poisonings in dogs ative Portfolio

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f m o e r g D na en Ma tal Disease

For further information please contact Pfi zer Animal Health, Walton Oaks, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 7NS. ConveniaTM contains cefovecin, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, propyl parahydroxybenzoate and benzyl alcohol, AntirobeTM contains clindamycin, Rimadyl® contains carprofen. *Rimadyl is indicated for analgesia or control of post-operative pain. Rimadyl Palatable Tablets and Rimadyl Tablets are contra-indicated for use in cats. All these products are POM-V Use medicines responsibly (www.noah.co.uk/responsible).

AH478/10 24 EVENTS VETERINARY PRACTICE DECEMBER 2010 Can practice continue to be ‘affordable’? INFLATION in veterinary fees has trust shelters, he has witnessed an 8 to has all gone and we reached unsustainable levels and the 10% inflation rate in veterinary fees are expected to pick only solution is to change the over the past six to seven years. This up the pieces.” structure and expectations of small trend simply cannot continue as the He maintained animal practices, members of the general public would not accept an that while referral British Veterinary Hospitals effective doubling of fees every 10 practices charged Association were told at their annual years, he said. much more for their meeting in London in October. Mr Laurence blamed this problem time than first The meeting discussed on the current structure of opinion practices, the changing face of first opinion practices this was usually The new BVHA president, Ian Harris veterinary services in which were all trying to much better value for money for the (left), is congratulated by his the UK and the provide the same high client. predecessor, Chris Trickey. Below: developing role of out- level service, requiring BVHA members, however, Dr Clive Elwood. of-hours emergency expensive equipment recognised that practitioners will vary centres and specialist reports on the recent that cannot be cost considerably in their willingness to refer referral practices. annual meeting of the effective. “They all want cases. Some believed that inexperienced Chris Laurence, BVHA the same toys,” he said. practitioners may often lack the veterinary director of Instead, confidence to tackle unusual but the Dogs Trust (and a practitioners must accept relatively straightforward cases and will past president of the BVHA), warned that it is usually in the best interests of sometimes refer cases unnecessarily. that this stratification in veterinary the client and the patient to refer the This was a reflection of how society provision must continue if the case on to an appropriate specialist. He has become highly risk-aversive and profession is to continue offering an pointed out that the role of general now demands that children wear safety affordable service. practitioners in the National Health glasses before they can play conkers, As the person responsible for the Service was essentially that of a filter, one suggested. welfare of 4,000 chronically sick dogs in dealing only with the more straightforward cases. Everything else Developing skills was sent to the local hospital where it The availability of clinical cases on would enter a triage system, which which young graduates can develop would determine which patients needed their professional skills is an important to be seen at a specialist centre. issue in the development of emergency approaching 50%. services. Amanda Boag, clinical director It was no surprise that the majority Need to reassess policies of Vets Now, said the biggest problem of those practices that still provided Dr Clive Elwood, managing director of facing her company was in recruiting their own out-of-hours service were Davies Veterinary Specialists in veterinary surgeons with the necessary concentrated in areas of low population Hertfordshire, agreed that many first competencies for this specialised branch density, north of the Scottish central opinion practices needed to reassess of veterinary practice. belt, in Wales and the south-west of their policies on referring patients. If newly qualified vets are unwilling England. “There are lots of cases that we see to risk taking on more challenging cases, She reminded colleagues that the where money has not been spent this will only exacerbate the problems concept of specialist practices was still Amanda Boag. wisely,” he said. “The insurance money caused by the European working time very young and she believed that the regulations, which are likely to become profession had the ingenuity to develop acute if the rules on rest breaks and on- new business models designed to deal Call for entries for 2011 awards call time are interpreted more strictly. with the challenge of maintaining high Chris Laurence believed that the standards of service for clients. NOMINATIONS are now open for the “Petplan Veterinary Awards 2011”. claims of more senior veterinarians that Now into their 12th year, these awards are often referred to as the “Veterinary their younger colleagues were unwilling Challenges Oscars”, says the firm. to participate in on-call rotas was a The BVHA was also facing challenges Anyone who nominates a practice or member of staff could win tickets to myth. in providing an appropriate service to its attend the awards ceremony in Birmingham and a night’s stay at a top hotel. He believed that newly qualified vets members, noted the outgoing president, The categories are: Vet of the Year (someone who combines clinical were very keen to put in the extra hours, Chris Trickey. Acknowledging that the excellence with a consistently high level of customer care and demonstrates knowing that this was the only way that introduction of the Royal College dedication and compassion in all aspects of his or her work); Vet Nurse of the they would gain vital experience now practice standards scheme had taken Year (an enthusiastic, organised and conscientious qualified nurse respected in that on-duty hours were restricted to a over part of the BVHA’s role in and out of practice); Vet Support Staff of the Year (an animal nursing assistant, maximum of 48 hours a week. encouraging practitioners to improve receptionist or student vet nurse who is calm, compassionate, dedicated, and But other members insisted that for the standards of their facilities, he said who provides colleagues with the highest level of support); Practice of the Year a traditional small animal practice, that as a consequence the association’s (a practice with a motivated and committed team, open to new ideas, providing providing an out-of-hours service was a executive would be reviewing its future a consistently high level of service, offering a variety of services and serious problem. Once they had been role and activities over the coming informative, professional and progressive). qualified for a few years, colleagues were months. There were more than 1,800 nominations from across the UK for the 2010 no longer prepared to accept a one-in- One major initiative was the practice awards. Closing date for entries for the 2011 awards is 4th February. All the three rota. design guide which will be published finalists (three in each category) will be invited to attend the awards ceremony Amanda Boag pointed out that there shortly and give advice to members on in Birmingham on 31st March 2011, where the winners will be announced. were no official figures on the numbers how to redevelop their premises. The The winners will be selected by veterinary association presidents, based on of small animal practices that now used print version will be sent out to all the evidence given on the nomination forms. To make a nomination, see specialist out-of-hours service providers, members who will then be sent www.petplan.co.uk/vetawards. but she estimated that it was electronic updates at regular intervals. NEW &NOW IMPROVED!

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UKALPHA-055 January 2010 ©2010 Abbott Laboratories 1Data available on request. 26 CONSERVATION VETERINARY PRACTICE DECEMBER 2010 Five-year project to help red squirrels MUCH has been written about alien was that of the South American coypu However, the Red Squirrel Survival in the sand will have to be drawn, species and the threat they pose to in Norfolk which, after having escaped Trust, in collaboration with a number metaphorically if not literally. Squirrel- native wildlife. from fur farms in the 1920s, developed of other conservation organisations, proof fences are not possible, of Alien introductions can occur in into a serious pest. Whilst the wetlands has been involved in a number of course, but the targeted and sustained several ways, some accidental and of East Anglia were very much to the control programmes in recent years killing of greys, removing them from others by intention. Escapes of captive coypu’s liking, it did much damage to with a large degree of success. and then keeping them out of red exotics such as mink and ring-necked dykes and drainage channels as well as This has culminated in the launch squirrel strongholds, certainly is. parakeets are well documented foraging amongst crops in fields of a new initiative early last month: a It is estimated that there are already examples of the former. Intentional neighbouring water courses. An five-year project backed by more than some 1,500 volunteers working in red releases include the intensive trapping and £3 million of funding, known as Red squirrel conservation so there are cane toad in Australia destruction campaign Squirrels Northern England (RSNE). certainly a lot of people already out (in an attempt to A Veterinary Practice funded by MAFF led This project will be based around there dedicated to making this project control the pests of correspondent to its eradication in the 17 red squirrel forest strongholds in work. sugarcane crops), and returns to the 1980s. northern England as well as providing And it has also been shown that if the rabbit taken there problems experienced The species to funding for grey squirrel monitoring you remove grey squirrels from an area, by European settlers as by a troubled species come under close across a wider area. It may cause then reds will move back into it to a food source and a scrutiny in modern disquiet amongst some “animal lover” utilise the newly opened up habitat. reminder of home. times is that “much communities, but if the red squirrel is To find out more, log onto the Red Some aliens settle into their new loved” and frequent inhabitant of our not to be further marginalised (perhaps Squirrel Survival Trust website at home with little detrimental impact on town parks and suburban gardens, the even become extinct in England), lines www.rsst.org.uk. the natives. Rabbits are not native to grey squirrel. Unfortunately, it has not Britain but their introduction here, confined itself to such places but has PRODUCTS probably in the Middle Ages, had little spread out throughout England and ‘Easier’ injection for BVD Hepatosyl Plus, a liver support effect on native herbivores and may Wales and into several parts of ANIMALCARE has introduced supplement. have encouraged the proliferation of Scotland. Florgane (florfenicol 300mg/ml) for The product contains the same carnivores such as stoats and foxes who The main problem with this is that the treatment and prevention of bovine ingredients as the original Hepatosyl could (until persecuted by man) thrive our native red squirrel has been pushed respiratory disease (BRD). but now also includes silybin, which is on the abundant food they provided. out, largely due to infection with The product is an aqueous, low- described as the most active isomer of In Australia the situation was very squirrel pox virus which causes only viscosity formulation which, says the Silybum marianum (milk thistle) which different and the “rabbit-proof fence” mild or asymptomatic infections in firm, means it is easier to inject even at acts as an antioxidant by increasing extending across the outback was a greys but high mortality in reds – plus temperatures as low as 5°C. It is cellular superoxide dismutase. monument to the European bunny’s the more robust nature and more presented in polypropylene 100ml and Hepatosyl Plus is available in 50mg, fecundity and destructive power. aggressive feeding habits of the greys. 250ml multi-dose vials with a three year 100mg and 200mg sprinkle capsules. Eradicating alien species usually In the past, control of grey squirrels shelf-life and is given at 1ml per 10kg. When used for anaesthetic support, it proves costly and frequently futile if has sometimes proved problematic, A paper on the treatment of should be administered for one week not impossible. One notable success partly because of public opinion. naturally occurring respiratory disease prior to and following anaesthesia; for with Florgane was presented at the long-term use, the capsules should be Improve International 2011 Bursary BCVA congress in Torquay last month. given once daily for 2-3 months and Field studies in Belgium, Germany then reduced to every other day for on- Programme and Italy, in over 400 cattle with going maintenance. in association with Veterinary Practice bodyweights ranging between 73 and 180kg, demonstrated that when given Marketing change by a single intramuscular injection, at a CYCLO Spray, the POM-V Applications are invited for bursaries on the following GP Cert modular 25% lower dose of 30mg/kg, is as chlortetracycline spray for pigs, cattle programmes: efficacious as non-aqueous florfenicol and sheep, is to be marketed by Discipline subjects: Business and species subjects: 40mg/kg administered by subcutaneous Eurovet UK from 1st January. Cardiology Business & Professional Studies injection, measured by treatment The product has been distributed by Diagnostic Imaging Equine Practice success and relapses. Ceva for the last four years but will Emergency Medicine & Surgery Small Animal Practice now return to its parent manufacturer, a Endoscopy and Endosurgery Feline Practice Liver support supplement Dutch company which recently set up a Ophthalmology Exotic Animal Practice CEVA Animal Health has introduced UK operation based in Cambridge. Dermatology Production Animal Practice

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FForor mormoremore information on our prproductsroodducts andand seservices,rvices, please www.mutneys.com contact us and we will be happhappyy 0845 4 686467 to send you out a catalocataloguegue . DECEMBER 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE CPD 31 An effective communicator... IMAGINE the scene. Incarcerated things skin-related – “wound powder”! and wipes again. in a couple of dimly lit rooms, with These have now fallen from grace Then there is the favourite of 20 or so delegates, waiting to learn with the advent of H&S storm pubescent teenagers everywhere – about ear disease and topical skin troopers decreeing any particulate benzoyl peroxide. As Paxcutol, it’s well treatment. All the ingredients there airborne material to be too dangerous known to be a first choice antibacterial for one hell of an evening! Did I in the absence of PPE. shampoo but did you know it can be really have nothing better to do? Technology has moved on and we very beneficial in the management of There must be better ways of now have emollients, lotions, demodicosis, and can be useful for spending a Wednesday evening after a embrocations and balms. feline acne? long day at the coal face – collating Unfortunately, these are now so Of particular interest was the role one’s CPD records for example. Ah effective at penetrating the skin that of humectants in atopic disease. These yes, those CPD records and finding the person applying such treatments hygroscopic agents maintain skin courses which you don’t have to visit with fingers is just as likely to absorb hydration, which has been shown to be the bank manager before attending. the actives as the patient. Which a major factor in controlling the Like this one, which was sponsored by brought us to shampoos. absorption of particulate allergens. Virbac. Twenty-five years ago there were Sprays such as Humilac can therefore Fortunately, all expectations of two types of shampoo kept in most have beneficial effects in atopy. And if Filippo De Bellis, DVM, CertVD, dirge were misplaced on this occasion. practices: “anti flea” and you get desperate, Humilac is not bad DipECVD, MRCVS, the course tutor. First, the one thing which always “conditioning”. Now there are around as an antifreeze, as it contains attracts us to these 20 different propylene glycol, sister to ethylene, ear disease, types of infection, events arrived – food! therapeutic shampoos, and considered the safer alternative. diagnosis and approaches to treatment. What we hadn’t NICK TREMLETT each tailored to Did we know that German expected however was reports on an specific conditions, New generation Shepherds are prone to ear canal Dr Filippo De Bellis enlightening and a major A recent advance in the topical arena cartilage mineralisation, and there is a or, more accurately for refresher course on component of any is the use of minimally systemic Japanese ear fibrescope which makes those of us who had otitis externa in dogs skin disease corticosteroids. Dermatologists have visualisation of the lower ear not met him before, a and cats and topical management strategy. long been wary of using topical structures much easier? We do now! typically loquacious therapy in veterinary Filippo went on to steroids for fear of significant systemic When considering treatment Italian with an dermatology explain what all the effects but a new generation of strategies there were several nuggets to infectious enthusiasm various agents used in steroids, headed by hydrocortisone take away. We all know that systemic for dermatology. Unlike shampoos were aceponate (HCA), look likely to make agents have a poor penetration into many lecturers on the CPD circuit, appropriate for. Much of what he said them fashionable again. the ear canal, but few of us knew Filippo not only knows his stuff but was known to us but had been stored HCA is slowly biotransformed in frusemide was right up there as a cause he can also communicate such in that area of our brain labelled “to the skin to hydrocortisone with of ototoxicity. Conversely, we were all knowledge to lesser mortals such as keep for a rainy day” or been sent to minimal systemic effects. This means it taught at college never ever to use me. the recycle bin after leaving college. is not contraindicated, when used at aminoglycosides if there was any I didn’t envy him the task of the licensed dose and frequency, in chance of tympanic perforation. making Topical therapy in dermatology Pearls to ponder concurrent NSAID use, pregnancy or However, Filippo brought our sufficiently engaging to hold our There were many pearls which made diabetes. As Cortavance it has also attention to a study in which no interest for nearly an hour but engaged us think, “Ah that’s why that didn’t been shown to have a consistent damage was caused by the direct we were. work as well as I had hoped!” For potency irrespective of hair length, instillation of gentamicin into the He opened with a few remarks on example, chlorhexidine is a very and so can be used on haired skin middle ear of dogs. Gentamicin, it the pharmacology of topical effective antifungal agent, but only at without the need for shaving. turns out, is a very useful topical agent treatments, highlighting the concentrations of at least 2%. Something else new to most of us in the ear. pharmacokinetic factors influencing Conversely, when was Tacrolimus, a There is low incidence of resistance the potency of surface acting agents. used for open macrolide in Pro and in common with other antibiotics, wounds, Topic. This has the concentration achieved after topical Difference explained concentrations great potential in application is so high it makes culture Of particular note was the difference above 0.5% can the treatment of and sensitivity relatively unhelpful. The between healthy and diseased skin in inhibit granulation immune-mediated sensitivity of most bacteria is dose the absorption and efficacy of a drug. tissue formation. disease, particularly dependant, and choice is best based on Diseased and inflamed skin has It was a surprise perianal fistulas and clinical factors and cytology. different absorption properties to to learn that a one atopic dermatitis. And then while EpiOtic is a healthy skin, and any concerns over part vinegar one After a short cleaner of choice, containing as it does secondary systemic effects must take part water mixture break Filippo the antibacterial parachlorometaxylenol account of this. can kill Pseudomonas launched into ear (or PCMX as it’s too long a molecule Efficacy is also dependant on the aeruginosa in one disease. So a deep name to write let alone pronounce!), it mode of delivery of the drug to the minute, and a breath and in we should not be used in cases of skin surface. Powders were historically stronger solution go – anatomy first tympanic membrane damage, whereas important – those of us suffering can take care of and another trawl chlorhexidine at a concentration of frontal alopecia or follicular coagulase positive through ancient less than 0.2% is safe. depigmentation fondly remember what staphs. Filippo was dormant parts of Filippo is clearly a big fan of the clients believed was the panacea for all not specific about the brain. With the Virbac range, and one had to admit whether balsamic or lost files suitably that he had a point – it is the only Nick Tremlett, MA, VetMB, MRCVS, cider vinegar was restored, Filippo veterinary company committed to qualified at Cambridge in 1983. He is a better – but one then gave us a producing a comprehensive range of partner at Kynoch Vets’ Barkham Grove suspects balsamic! I synopsis of otitis topical skin disease therapies. And Veterinary Centre in Wokingham. will need to think externa covering after his exhortations, they are Berkshire; his special interests are dermatology and exotic pets. about stocking the various factors undoubtedly useful weapons in our Malacetic shampoo Nick Tremlett – and exotic friend. involved in eliciting armoury. 32 CPD VETERINARY PRACTICE DECEMBER 2010 Gems of wisdom and thinking WE can sometimes think that we are exaggerated arousal. Their experiences Common things are common; most Looking deeper pretty much up to date on a clinical in utero and during kittenhood may also pruritic skin disease will be the result David Church’s lecture on “The subject and steer away from CPD in be important. Often they will be living of superficial inflammatory disease, complicated diabetic – what are the certain fields, feeling we will gain in a chronically stressful environment with ectoparasitic disease, microbial options?” was a goldmine of useful more from attending lectures where and one to which they have been unable infections or overgrowth, and information and tips on managing these we have recognised gaps in our to adapt – classically living with another hypersensitivity disorders (namely flea often frustrating cases and he knowledge. cat they don’t like. bite hypersensitivity, atopic dermatitis highlighted common factors causing But taking this approach can mean These cats lack cortisol and are and dietary hypersensitivity) seen most difficulties with diabetic control. that we sometimes miss out on some unable to cope in the normal way commonly. He categorised these complicated real gems of wisdom and thinking and (interestingly, black and white cats Don’t forget, however, that a diabetics into two situations: one where opinion can change appear predisposed, but combination of causal factors is the insulin appeared not to work, and a markedly in even a few gingers remain frequently seen, and if you find one second where the animals were years. nonchalant!). Rather factor, don’t stop there. It’s important presenting with inappetance, vomiting than hiss or show to rule out or control any parasitic and depression and were severely unwell Stressed cats typical fight or flight disease and/or microbial infection early as a result of their diabetes (most One such personal responses, they show on, as these make assessment of any commonly ketoacidosis). example came from displacement activities other underlying disease more difficult. A typical scenario of the former Professor Danielle when stressed and For parasitic disease, using the very situation was where, despite increasing Gunn-Moore’s lecture often stereotypical effective products we have available to insulin doses, there was a minimal at the London Vet behaviour, such as us is a wiser use of the owner’s money response and persistent hyperglycaemia. Show: “Feline lower increased eating, than using cheaper, less effective Typically this is the result of insulin urinary tract disease in LIBBY SHERIDAN drinking, grooming or products. resistance caused by concurrent disease the 21st century – what brushes up on FLUTD, urination. Some may For microbial disease, where money which he categorised into non- we know now and itchy dogs and just freeze. But owners is a concern, there is no evidence to endocrine (for example, renal failure, didn’t know then”. diabetes – at the of susceptible cats may show that a superficial pyoderma will urinary tract infections or heart disease) Prof. Gunn- London Vet Show be able to spot respond any better to a and endocrine disorders. Moore’s whistle-stop impending FIC combination of ...it helps us to If a dog has both tour through the episodes by observing systemic and topical manage the diabetes mellitus and condition covered clinical signs, causes, early stereotypical changes in their cat’s treatment than to client’s hyperadrenocorticism, the diagnosis and treatment and highlighted behaviour. systemic treatment expectations, latter will manifest itself how much more we have discovered Excessive grooming of their tummy alone. through lack of response about the condition in the last 10 years. – often attributed to fleas – may in Once under control, which these to insulin (where the The disease is seen most in young- these cats be an early marker of pain, if there is a risk of days may be cortisol interferes with to middle-aged, neutered, over-weight becoming evident before haematuria or recurrence, following up just as insulin action) long before cats, with restricted access to outside dysuria is seen. systemic treatment important as typical cushingoid signs and eating a dry diet. The most immediately with a anything we do are seen. common form of FLUTD, feline Stretched pockets topical on-going Acromegaly in cats is idiopathic cystitis (FIC), seems to Looking at a commonly discussed treatment may help to clinically. also now thought to be directly relate to stress and an alteration subject from a different perspective limit costly flare-ups. much more common than in the affected cat’s nervous system and also allows insights to surface. Anke She discussed the hypothesis of previously thought, with the RVC inputs to and from the bladder. Hendrick’s lecture, “The chronically “summation of effects” (where diagnosing the condition in about 25- As previously recognised, these cats itchy dog owned by the financially different pruritogenic stimuli can add 30% of the diabetic cats tested there. will often be living in a multi-cat challenged client – what are the together to give an overall level of The classical presentation of the fat- household and it is interesting to note options?”, hit to the heart of a very pruritus) and the concept of the headed cat with the thick tongue that the cat’s stress level may not be common dilemma in practice. pruritic threshold (where an individual presents in less than 10% of cases and directly proportional to the number of In this era of financial austerity, only starts to show pruritus once its most will look like normal cats. Typically cats in the house per se, but rather how how can we ensure that we don’t own threshold has been reached). they will be difficult to manage diabetics many groups of cats there are (a group sacrifice good clinical practice? Anke Taking one or two factors out of who are passionately hungry. being identified by observing its gave some clear advice to help avoid the equation can mean that an Knowing about any concurrent members sleeping together, grooming costly inappropriate investigations and individual might drop below its pruritic disease allows us to suggest treatment, each other and sharing resources such as highlighted where cost savings could be threshold and you may not have to of course, which may or may not work food, water, litter trays, resting and made in the treatment of certain treat or address every problem. For in all cases (radiotherapy treatment for hiding places). conditions. example, a dog with atopic dermatitis acromegaly improves the diabetic In managing these cases, the owner She made the point very clearly compounded by a staphylococcal or control in about 80% of cases), but will need one set of resources per early on that to successfully treat the malassezia overgrowth might not need more importantly it helps us to manage group, rather than per cat (unless, of chronically itchy patient, a diagnosis any treatment once these secondary the client’s expectations, which these course, each group consists of just one should always be sought. This doesn’t pruritic factors have been brought days may be just as important as cat). always need to involve lengthy trial under control. anything we do clinically. The cat’s individual response to treatment or a myriad of expensive stress is determined in part by genetics blood tests or biopsies. and part environment. The phrase, Rather, she recommended stepping which seems to be increasingly back and carefully prioritising the applicable to many diseases these days, differential diagnoses and giving is that clinical disease results when there thought to what is most likely in this is a combination of a “sensitive particular case. Take into account the individual in a provocative pattern, change and progression of the environment”. pruritus and response to previous Cats which develop FIC tend to treatment, along with assessment of respond differently to stress and show the lesion type and its distribution. A lecture in progress during the London Vet Show in October. TOUGH BUT The skin GENTLE! remains intact. A potent steroid without the ‘potent’ side effects*

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Contact us if you would like a copy of the references: 1. Nuttall et al. (2009) Effi cacy of a 0.0584% hydrocortisone aceponate spray in the management of canine atopic dermatitis: a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. Veterinary Dermatology. Vol. 20, No. 3. 2. Bonneau et al. (2009) Therapeutic effi cacy of topical hydrocortisone aceponate in experimental fl ea-allergy dermatitis in dogs. Australian Veterinary Journal. Vol. 87, No.7. Cortavance contains 0.0584% hydrocortisone aceponate POM-V . * When used at recommended label dose. Virbac Animal Health Tel 01359 243243 Email [email protected] www.virbac.co.uk 34 ABSTRACTS VETERINARY PRACTICE DECEMBER 2010

with other abnormal urogenital features. fluoroscopic-guided placement of a Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 24 Papers on The authors investigate the frequency of balloon catheter caudal to the foreign (4): 832-842. developmental abnormalities in a body. The inflated balloon allowed the small animal population of 53,258 dogs and 32,660 object to be retracted from the trachea Femoral component failure in two cats spayed at clinics throughout North with uninterrupted ventilation of the canine total hip replacement America. Anomalies were reported in patient. cases surgery 0.09 % of cats and 0.05% of dogs. The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Guy Yates and others, University of Effects of pheromone therapy on authors remind surgeons that they Association 237 (6): 689-694. Melbourne post-operative stress in small should examine the kidneys of any Fracture of the femoral stem is a animal surgical patients patient found with such an abnormality. Effect of different oxygen recognised complication of cemented Carlo Siracusa and others, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical concentrations on lung aeration total hip replacement in human patients University of Barcelona Association 237 (5): 542-546. and gas exchange but has not been reported before in Changes in behaviour and biochemical Francesco Staffieri and others, dogs undergoing similar procedures. indicators suggest that patients Aspiration of barium- University of Bari, Italy The authors report two canine cases in experience stress in the immediate post- impregnated polyethylene Atelactasis, a collapsed or airless state in which surgical salvage was achieved by operative period. In other situations, spheres by a dog parts of the lung tissue, may occur in extirpation of the proximal component such as noise phobia, the use of Valentina Greci and others, response to general anaesthesia and is a of the femoral stem, resulting in synthetic appeasing pheromone has University of Milan major cause of impaired gas exchange acceptable limb function. They discuss been shown to be useful in minimising Barium-impregnated polyethylene during surgery. It has been suggested the factors that may have contributed to stress responses. spheres are radio-opaque markers that high fractions of inspired oxygen this unsatisfactory biomechanical The authors investigated the effects swallowed as a diagnostic aid in studies during inhalant anaesthesia may performance, through comparisons with of pheromone treatment on 46 dogs of gastrointestinal disorders. The encourage pulmonary atelactasis. the same complication in human which were undergoing surgery. Treated authors report a case in which a dog Computed tomography imaging was patients. dogs were much more likely to be alert inhaled at least 16 of these 1.5 to 5 mm used to assess lung aeration in cats Australian Veterinary Journal 88 (6): 225- and show exploratory behaviour after diameter spheres. The 11-year-old undergoing surgery with isoflurane and 230. surgery than control dogs given sham Belgian malinois presented with an either 40% or nearly 100% oxygen. This treatment. Reductions in serum acute cough and pneumonia following showed that the higher oxygen level Biomechanical properties of a prolactin concentrations in response to an investigation for suspected gastric significantly impaired lung aeration and low-modulus mesh canine perioperative stress were significantly dilatation. Attempts at bronchioscopic gas exchange. prosthetic hip stem smaller in the treated dogs. retrieval were largely unsuccessful but Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia 37 (6): Denis Marcellin-Little and others, These findings demonstrate that most of the spheres were coughed out 483-490. North Carolina State University synthetic dog-appeasing pheromone and swallowed over a one month Electron beam melting is a novel affects behavioural and neurological period. Chylothorax associated with computer-aided fabrication process used responses to stress by modifying Australian Veterinary Journal 88 (5): 166- thrombosis of the cranial vena in producing surgical implants. It lactotropic axis activity. Using this 168. cava involves using an energy beam to melt treatment in a clinical setting may Ameet Singh and Brigitte Brisson, metal powder, which is improve the recovery and welfare of Computed tomography and University of Guelph, Ontario built up in layers over an alloy mesh to surgical patients. cross-sectional anatomy of the Chylothorax is the accumulation of form complex shapes. The authors used Journal of the American Veterinary Medical head in healthy rabbits chyle within the thoracic cavity as a this method to create hip implants Association 237 (6): 673-681. Annemie Van Caelenberg and result of disturbance to the thoracic which were tested in vitro in bones taken others, Ghent University, Belgium duct or its tributaries. Chyle is an irritant from canine cadavers. The authors Transvenous occlusion of patent Computed tomography is an extremely which can cause inflammation and suggest that because of its relatively ductus arteriosus in 56 dogs useful technique in the investigation of fibrosis to the pleura and associated simple manufacturing process and Julie Blossom and others, Colorado dental problems, which are a common structures. The authors review four acceptable mechanical performance, the State University finding in rabbits. Understanding the cases of chylothorax associated with prosthetic hip stem design used in this Patent ductus arteriosus is the most normal anatomy is important in cranial vena caval thrombosis in dogs study may have clinical applications. common congenital heart defect in correctly identifying any lesions and so and cats and found that implantation of American Journal of Veterinary Research 71 dogs. The defect can be closed either by the authors carried out post mortem a jugular device was a predisposing (9): 1,089-1,095. surgical ligation via thoracotomy or by scans on healthy rabbits and compared factor for the thrombosis in each case. minimally invasive transvascular the results with anatomical sections. The development of chylothorax will Comparison of absorbable and occlusion. They conclude that the method depend on the location and extent of non-absorbable sutures for The authors describe the results provides detailed and reliable the thrombus. intradermal skin closure using the latter method in 56 information on the skull and Canadian Veterinary Journal 51 (8): 847- Lysimachos Papazoglou and others, consecutive dogs. The approach was surrounding soft tissue structures, useful 852. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, made through the femoral vein and the to guide investigations into dental and Greece defect closed using a coil, or with cranial disease. Diagnosis and staging of tracheal The buried continuous intradermal skin vascular plugs/duct occluders for larger American Journal of Veterinary Research 71 collapse in dogs closure method has become increasingly defects wider than 4 mm. The (3): 293-303. Dimitra Pardali and others, Aristotle popular among small animal surgeons. procedure was safe and effective with a University of Thessaloniki, Greece Although more technically challenging mortality rate of 1.7% and major Unusual method for removing a Tracheal collapse is a common cause of than traditional percutaneous sutures, it complication rate of 7%. foreign body from the trachea of respiratory distress in the smaller dog offers considerable technical and Journal of Veterinary Cardiology 12 (2): 75- a cat breeds. It is usually diagnosed through cosmetic advantages. The authors 84. Michelle Goodnight and others, tracheoscopy but this requires a general compare the results of using a non- Ohio State University anaesthetic and may cause further absorbable polypropylene suture with an Uterine anomalies in cats and Endoscopy is the normal method used irritation to the airway. The authors absorbable glycolide/e- dogs undergoing elective to remove a foreign body in the trachea. describe the use of tidal breathing flow- caprolacton/trimethylene-carbonate ovariohysterectomy But the authors describe a case in which volume loop analysis, a non-invasive product. The macroscopic and Robin MacIntyre and others, that method was unsuccessful in technique originally developed for use in histological appearance of the University of Florida extracting a piece of landscaping gravel human infants. Tested in 28 dogs with polypropylene sutured wounds Uterine anomalies such as a unicornuate from the trachea of a nine-month-old naturally occurring disease and 10 compared favourably with those using uterus and segmental agenesis have cat, due to its shape and smooth healthy controls, the method proved to absorbable sutures. been described in a range of domestic surface. Rather than resort to open be an accurate, quick and safe method Canadian Veterinary Journal 51 (7): 770- species and often occur in combination chest surgery, they attempted for detecting tracheal collapse. 772. For their ears – and your noses! SUROSOLVE™

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1 Farca AM, Piromalli G, Maffei F and Re G. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 1997, (38), 243-245 TM 2 Cole LK, Nuttall TJ. Pseudomonas otitis. Advances in Veterinary Dermatology, Proceedings of the Fifth World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology, 2005, (5), 324-330 3 Roberts NA, Gray GW, Wilkinson SC. The bactericidal action of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microbios, 1970, (7-8), 189-208 4 Stasinopoulos SJ, Seviour J, Fauer D. Inhibition of fungal exopolysaccharide production by chemical antifoams. Letters in Applied Microbiology, 1989, (8), 91-93 For more information please contact Janssen Animal Health, a division of Janssen-Cilag Ltd, 50-100 Holmers Farm Way, High Wycombe, Bucks HP12 4EG, UK Caring for your life’s companions Tel: +44 (0)1494 567555 Fax: +44 (0)1494 567556 Email [email protected] 36 NEUROLOGY VETERINARY PRACTICE DECEMBER 2010 Use and abuse of steroids in neurological patients GLUCOCORTICOIDS are widely effect is the increase in blood glucose However, there remains no convincing nerve – results of MRI scanning used in clinical practice, concentration, brought about by evidence that these treatments are certainly support this view. Although predominantly as anti-inflammatory upregulation of genes involved in the superior to prednisolone alone and the balance of evidence indicates that drugs and in immunosuppressive breakdown of glycogen, fat and GCs should remain the cornerstone of glucocorticoids improve outcome in regimens. They have a number of protein reserves. treatment. people with facial neuropathy, there is possible applications in Clinically, this catabolism is Autoimmune diseases affecting no equivalent evidence that the same neurological patients manifest as muscle other neuromuscular tissues can also occurs in companion animals. and are clearly wasting, thinning of respond well to prednisolone treatment beneficial in certain skin and osteoporosis; – polymyositis and masticatory myositis Role in neoplasia conditions. the risk of diabetes is are good examples. Where the benefit In the late 1950s and early 1960s, There are, also elevated. In becomes less clear is in inflammatory Joseph Galicich and Lyle French noted however, many addition, conditions affecting the peripheral that patients with glioma given conditions in which glucocorticoids nerves. dexamethasone could improve benefit is presumed or increase blood A relapsing inflammatory dramatically, sometimes overnight. expected, yet there pressure, can cause polyneuritis that responds to They later showed that this remains no convincing gastrointestinal prednisolone is well recognised but improvement tended to continue for evidence to support ulceration, increase the seems to occur relatively rarely. several days, usually reaching a plateau their use; in other Dr PETER SMITH risk of infections and Polyradiculoneuritis, in which there is after around five days, and calculated cases, outcome can be discusses cases in stimulate both an inflammatory response centred on the most effective dose for achieving worsened. which glucocorticoids appetite and urine the nerve roots as they arise from the this. This article will are indicated and formation – arguably spinal cord, is more common but Subsequent studies showed that emphasise those cases some where they are the most difficult seems not to respond to prednisolone. dexamethasone acted by reducing the in which best avoided adverse effects that One could take the view that steroids severity and extent of peritumoural glucocorticoids are owners have to are worth trying anyway, but the oedema, a feature of many brain indicated and will contend with. adverse effects of muscle weakness and tumours, including mengingiomas and highlight some of the cases in which For some time, it was hoped that wasting need to be considered when gliomas that are common in they are best avoided. the beneficial effects of GCs were trying to treat these cases. companion animals (Figure 1). controlled by the action of GC Focal cranial neuropathies are Although there are no studies to Mechanism of action of monomers on intracellular signalling, sometimes treated with glucocorticoids confirm the beneficial effect of glucocorticoids whereas detrimental effects were but the evidence for their use is not steroids in dogs with brain tumours, The predominant use of predominantly triggered by dimer convincing. Idiopathic facial paralysis in few would argue against their use in glucocorticoids (GCs) as anti- binding to DNA. Researchers therefore dogs seems likely to be an such cases. inflammatory medication makes it targeted drug discovery towards those inflammatory condition affecting this Glucocorticoids also have a well- tempting to think of them as drugs that would act as monomers but not as that simply reduce the activity of dimers, in the hope of avoiding side various components of the effects. Unfortunately, such drugs are inflammatory response. not the golden bullets once hoped for This is far from the truth – GCs and, for the time being at least, it have widespread negative and positive seems we shall have to accept the influences on a variety of different adverse effects. genes, upregulating and downregulating DNA transcription and interfering with Role in autoimmune and intracellular signalling pathways. inflammatory diseases GCs act by binding to the Glucocorticoids form the mainstay of glucocorticoid receptor (GR). The therapy in conditions in which the receptor-ligand complex acts either as a immune system turns its attention on dimer, binding to DNA and modifying the body’s own tissues. gene transcription, or as a monomer, Good examples of this include interfering with intracellular signalling steroid responsive meningitis-arteritis and modifying activity of other cellular (SRMA), which – as the name suggests transcription factors, including many – tends to respond well to treatment that are active during inflammation. with prednisolone. The beneficial effect of this is a Treatment of granulomatous reduction in inflammation and meningoencephalomyelitis (GME) – a suppression of the immune response, presumptive autoimmune disease in but this is accompanied by a number of which there is an aggressive immune Figure 1. A and B. Transverse MR images of the head from a dog presented for adverse effects. One such adverse cell infiltration into the brain and/or seizure investigation. A tumour is clearly delineated on the T1-weighted scan spinal cord – also relies heavily on following contrast administration (arrow, A), with extensive oedema throughout Peter M. Smith, BSc, BVM&S, PhD, prednisolone. the left forebrain apparent on the corresponding T2-weighted image (B). DipECVN, MRCVS, European Supplementary immunosuppression Glucocorticoids are beneficial in reducing this oedema. C, D and E. Sagittal (C) Specialist in Veterinary Neurology, using drugs such as cytosine and transverse (D and E) MR images of the spinal cord following an explosive graduated from Edinburgh in 1992 arabinoside occasionally seems to be intervertebral disc herniation, showing hyperintensity at the lesion side (arrow, and is a senior lecturer in veterinary beneficial in patients with GME, since C and D) compared with adjacent spinal cord (E). Although oedema develops neurology and neurosurgery at the the response to treatment with following CNS trauma, there is little convincing evidence of benefit in University of Liverpool. prednisolone alone can be poor. administering glucocorticoids after naturally occurring injury. DECEMBER 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE NEUROLOGY 37 established therapeutic role in the Surprisingly, there was no The temptation to reach for palliative treatment, GCs are often treatment of lymphoma, since they improvement in outcome in patients dexamethasone as an alternative to useful. Dogs with brain tumours often stimulate apoptosis of neoplastic given the higher doses – only an methylprednisolone should also be improve with prednisolone – not lymphocytes. In this respect, CNS increased risk of infection. avoided. unusually alongside anti-seizure lymphoma is no different from Around the same time, Retrospective analysis of dogs medication. lymphoma elsewhere in the body – in experimental studies showed that very given dexamethasone not only shows In cases with type II intervertebral fact, steroids are arguably more high doses of methylprednisolone no evidence of benefit but the risk of disc disease, when owners choose not important in the former because of the sodium succinate (MPSS) were gastrointestinal adverse effects and to treat surgically, GCs can also prove difficulty many other anti-neoplastic required to improve recovery – far urinary tract infections increases. helpful, though any improvement is drugs have in achieving a therapeutic higher doses than had been used in the In general, many clinicians – both limited and tends to be relatively short- concentration in the CNS. initial trial described above. Another medical and veterinary – now avoid lived. A similar direct impact of GCs on human clinical trial was therefore using glucocorticoids following spinal Recently, Janssens et al described the growth of primary brain tumours is established, using an equivalent dose cord injury, since the increased risk of the use of epidural steroid injection in not likely to be significant in most of MPSS in people, and the initial adverse effects outweighs the dogs with confirmed lumbosacral cases. Some studies show a reduction conclusion was that steroids are (unproven) benefits. disease; this shows some promise, in glioma growth, whilst others show a beneficial. though further evaluation of the reduced susceptibility to apoptosis in Critical care clinicians were urged Brain trauma technique is necessary. tumour cells as a result of GCs, which to use the drug in human patients with For the same reason that spinal cord might hinder the benefit of other spinal cord injury and this study is injury patients have been treated with Practical application of steroids chemotherapeutic agents and widely used as the rationale for using glucocorticoids (i.e. to reduce oedema), When confronted by an animal with radiotherapy. the drug in companion animals those with head trauma have tended to neurological disease, it is tempting to suffering spinal cord injuries. be treated similarly. reach for corticosteroids. However, in Role in trauma However, the clinical improvement Whilst there is little evidence in the absence of confirmed autoimmune The reduction in peri-tumoural noted in this trial was scant and there companion animals to support or disease or of a brain tumour, the oedema with GC treatment prompted are statistical reasons to be suspicious refute their use, large scale medical adverse effects can easily outweigh any many human clinicians to adopt GCs that even this result was spurious; as a trials in human patients generally potential benefit and may even be to treat the oedema that follows CNS result, most now consider this trial to indicate a poorer outcome for patients detrimental. Use of GCs before trauma. show no evidence for using high dose given GCs – i.e. an increased mortality undertaking diagnostic tests can also The only question for many was GCs. in treated patients. It is therefore hamper efforts to reach a definitive what dose to give and a study was In the veterinary world, the difficult to justify using these drugs diagnosis. therefore established comparing high available evidence also shows no following head injury. Whilst the impact can be dramatic and low doses of dexamethasone – no benefit for using high dose when used appropriately, these factors placebo arm was included, since it was methylprednisolone, even with Role in chronic disease need to be weighed carefully before deemed unethical to deny patients the adherence to the high doses shown to For clients who elect not to pursue a embarking on a course of drugs with presumed benefit of steroids. be necessary in experimental studies. definitive diagnosis and simply require such wide-ranging effects. Water damage ?No, leaky pipes

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It practical, feasible and above all realistic. sold their homes and sunk their life counsellors encounter daily. is just as intellectually challenging, There is rarely anything simple, savings into a dream that has rapidly Enter Ruth to demonstrate just how emotionally draining, tiresome and quick and easy about resolving problem become a nightmare. difficult it can be to sit and listen to rewarding as any other behaviours that are often In the same way pets with problem several members of a family advancing aspect of veterinary the result of a behaviours may be inherited; a carefully different views of where they are, and practice. combination of considered choice – which, of course, why; where they want to get to; and the In fact it requires inappropriate choice of does not always equate with sensible – best way to get there – just so in our all the same skills plus pet or pets, owners’ or acquired on the spur of the field. a number of others. In unrealistic moment. Different household members often addition to a relevant expectations, poor Like many of the animal have differing perspectives, views on background, environments that fail companions presented to behaviour appropriate management and experience and good to cater adequately for counsellors, these vast homes are well- significantly disparate levels of current understanding the physical and loved, and as a result those involved commitment, both to the process and of the behaviour of behavioural needs of with both pets and properties are the pet or pets. the species under FRANCESCA the species involved incredibly reluctant to give them up. Watching the programme it’s all discussion, they RICCOMINI and/or ill-informed there, and throughout Ruth Watson include a liking and finds parallels management. Programmes must be viable listens, reflects back what is said, respect for people and between behaviour But of course, no Naturally, the difficulty in both attempts to reconcile differences and pets; an approachable, counselling and a word of criticism must scenarios comes from the fact that the accurately identify not only the empathetic manner; series on the box on ever escape the problems seem overwhelming to those underlying problems but the best and good observational an unrelated topic counsellor’s lips. struggling to cope with them. most realistic way forward. skills – what is not Unconditional positive The people, pet or “palace” owners, actually said being as regard, and bags of it, come from varying backgrounds. Some Experience and non-judgemental important as what is clearly articulated; is the order of the day – and the weeks, clients are experienced owners with attitudes can make all the sensitive handling techniques – these months, even years that follow. good handling skills and the knowledge difference are usually troubled pets and distressed When things go well, there really is to get their charges’ husbandry more or Using her own knowledge, and clients; and the ability to educate, no more satisfying professional activity. less right, others get by on a wing and a referring to the experiences of others in enthuse, empower and support owners, Sadly, however, even the most caring, prayer and their pets pay the price. similar circumstances, she helps the while taking care to engender realistic committed, well-intentioned and So too the participants in this country pile owners come up with expectations. motivated owners with the nicest pets programme. A proportion have the viable plans and then not uncommonly Behaviour programmes are usually and easiest problems can require hours background and experience needed for knocks herself out getting everyone life-long and require significant of support and reassurance. their sensible proposed “turnaround” “singing from the same hymn sheet”. commitment – cure being a difficult And, as with any other area of life, plans and the energy, enthusiasm and And throughout, this admirable word in this context; replication of the nothing, no matter how apparently relevant skills to make a success out of woman remains calm, polite, tactful, circumstances that gave rise to the straightforward, is ever guaranteed. the B & B, self-catering or activity and no matter how difficult people are problems and backwards we slip, all too Disappointment always lurks around holidays, workshop accommodation, being, or frankly bonkers their ideas easily. the corner. photo or film shoots they propose as seem, Ruth fairly oozes unconditional, As a result, patience and good the answer to their problems. positive regard, sometimes in situations communication skills are essential. And Different topics may have similar They just require guidance, where it seems pretty obvious she’d like anyone without these, plus time, should themes confirmation and support. Others to simply bash their heads together. carefully consider whether they can do It may seem fanciful to suggest that simply do not. Their ideas are generally This really is a wonderful an adequate, let alone a good, job. anyone tempted towards this field of inappropriate, inadequate, outdated, and demonstration of what our sort of Not only must we extract professional endeavour, or who just unrealistic and they themselves are counselling involves, how difficult it information – usually lots of it – and wants a better idea of the process and lacking the necessary abilities for the sometimes is and fortunately on many gather evidence, but it is generally skills required to conduct a behaviour task. occasions just how rich the rewards can essential to change owners’ perceptions consultation, might benefit from They need a complete rethink and be. of their pets’ behaviour. These are watching a television programme on an usually struggling animals, not the bad unrelated topic. little humans those affected by the But in my opinion, Country House behaviour have often come to regard Rescue seen recently on an independent them as being. channel really fits the bill. Ruth Watson, the presenter, is a successful and Critical approach inevitably wealthy (as a result of her own efforts, undermines trust it appears) hotel proprietor with a Once attitudes have changed, enlisting history of turning round the fortunes the sympathy and support of carers on of crumbling, country properties, the pet’s behalf is a crucially important renovating, revamping and re-launching them as thriving hostelries. Francesca Riccomini, BSc(Hons), Underpinning the programme are BVetMed, CCAB, MRCVS, Ruth’s attempts to help people who DipAS(CABC), is a Certified Clinical own similarly vulnerable, decrepit large Animal Behaviourist, a member of the houses. For one reason or another, they Association of Pet Behaviour are all struggling to survive financially Whatever the species involved, the Counsellors and the Feline Advisory while around them their bricks and skills needed to counsel pet owners Bureau’s Behaviour Expert Panel. She mortar disintegrate due to the and those whose large homes need also lectures and writes extensively on combined actions of neglect, weather, taking in a new direction are companion animal behaviour. insects and fungi. surprisingly similar. CHOOSE A POTENT ...WITH ADDED BRONCHODILATOR BENEFITS

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Undergraduates are now forums to discuss clinical protocols and hard and develop but noticed a her ability to combine personal formally taught communication skills CPD. significant deterioration in personal and experiences, stories from friends and business: the importance of The first few months Alex worked professional relationships in the and a vivid imagination in a regular practice meetings to address were everything that could have been practice; it was not his intention to coherent and entertaining fashion. issues prophylactically, the importance imagined: the job was a 50-50 split, criticise but instead to try and improve, One hopes not to of clinical and support was available and the clients practising the principles and ideas that fail miserably so please financial audit and seemed receptive and were even opting Springfield had instilled. be gentle in your appropriate marketing, for diagnostics they had previously Unfortunately, it seemed these opinions if reading to name but a few. declined. attempts to practice evidence-based this is less interesting We are all aware of Alex was excited about the medicine had been perceived badly. than the latest the issues we have: upcoming practice forum where a new With this deterioration, Alex noted instalment of How to high numbers of idea for the treatment of diabetes more and more of the daily workload watch paint dry. recent graduates could be discussed before finding out became farm work. Each day, his The veterinary leaving practice within that only one of the monthly forums interest in equine work became more profession is a five years; a suicide had actually gone ahead in the last year. unfulfilled and gradually work became privileged and rate that is infinitely more work and less of the vocation all respected one and the RICHARD worrying; the number Suggestion rejected vets enter the job for. fallout from the recent SANDERSON of recent graduates Alex decided instead, therefore, to Many an evening Alex spoke with Panorama documentary turns storyteller to who move practice discuss this idea with the principal, “Mr fellow classmates who were in practice. would likely not have portray some of the within the first two Skinner”, informally but unfortunately They still loved their jobs and were been as problems that can be years. In addition to the suggestion was rejected excited to go into underwhelming in any faced by people in these are the issues on the basis that this was During this very work, develop and other profession: we their early years in discussed recently in “not how it is done progress. Alex’s operate so much on practice the veterinary press: here”. stressful event, workload was no the goodwill and trust the responsible use of Alex, inquisitive in Alex needed a longer allowing the of the public. It is these antibiotics; the trade nature however, had hand around the desired work and, attributes which allow us the privilege union debate; animal ethics; and been taught at university shoulder but worse still, clinical skills to self-regulate and to enjoy life in continued professional self-regulation. to constantly try to instead was and acumen were no practice – using common sense and gut Every episode of South Park starts improve and develop longer developing and, instinct alongside evidence-based with a disclaimer: that all characters, practice protocols to shouted at for for the first time in a medicine and CPD in our clinical stories and similarities are entirely ensure that they were up- being short career, Alex decisions. fictional and coincidental. to-date and so was so incompetent and became disillusioned. The profession is moving fast, like I will start my story like this in the surprised at this left to deal with Multiple situations a racehorse picking up its speed over hope that as people read on they think rejection. His EMS foster the owner, who occurred where clinical the last furlong. of a funny South Park moment and practice had regular decisions were guarantee at least one laugh, just in forums and just how was renowned in questioned or not Providing the tools case my attempt at story writing valuable they could be the practice for supported and soon Veterinary education is no longer doesn’t quite reach the dizzy heights of was clear. being difficult. Alex felt isolated and focused on purely teaching disease Harry Potter! I should warn readers Alex was a unsupported. One day recognition and treatment and instead that the last story I wrote was for my conscientious vet and remembered the he was asked to anaesthetise a dog with incorporates understanding the AS Level English! So let’s explore these highly animated lecture series received respiratory issues but when induced it underlying aetiologies, its relationships issues through Alex, a fictional recent from Mr Burns on responsible use of required a tracheotomy due to with other management practices and graduate. antibiotics and the rational and complications. With no tracheotomy kit providing recent graduates with the reasoned use of fluoroquinolones and in the practice, he turned to the tools to critically assess evidence-based Different advice fourth generation cephalosporins. principal who cut down and placed an medicine more thoroughly. Alex graduated from the University of Worried about the way these drugs E-T tube without preparing the site It is also keen to install ambition Springfield in 2008 and wanted to go were sold over the counter to farm with any clip or aseptic technique. and drive to look at every case, even into mixed practice, even though his clients, particularly for enteric disease those with “successful” outcomes to father, who had been a small animal where fluid therapy is widely Nightmare scenario improve management of the next vet, advised him differently! A trusting recognised as the most appropriate During this very stressful event, Alex similar case and to ensure that only the recent graduate, Alex found the perfect therapy, and without client education, needed a hand around the shoulder but most appropriate diagnostics and job: 50% companion animal, 50% large Alex also mentioned this during the instead was shouted at for being treatment strategies are used: just animal, and agreed to start work informal chat – again without success. incompetent and left to deal with the straight away. Richard O. Sanderson, BVSc, MRCVS, The contract was agreed verbally graduated from Liverpool in 2009, and at the interview Alex had been Sources of help and advice where he received the Alumni award very honest about the level of support n Information: www.vetlife.org.uk for academic excellence, and was n Vet Helpline: telephone 07659 811 118 (local call rates apply, recently elected as chairman for the he needed. He remembered the SPVS Liverpool Veterinary Alumni final-year seminar about getting a 24-hour rapid response answerphone) Association. He has published on written contract, making sure there was n Veterinary Surgeon’s Health Support canine OA and completed his elective adequate and appropriate support and Programme: contact the VSHSP national co- in equine orthopaedics, writing his the importance of the work-life project on stem cell therapy. After 16 balance. ordinator on 07946 634220 (7am to 10.30pm months in mixed practice and a short He was quite happy the contract daily including weekends) or e-mail equine locum, he recently moved into would soon be provided and the [email protected] companion animal practice. He can be opportunity to develop would be n The Samaritans: telephone 08457 909090, e- contacted on plentiful given the progressive nature [email protected]. mail [email protected] of the practice in preventive medicine, DECEMBER 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE RECENT GRADUATES 41 owner, who was renowned in the week and was suddenly five hours just after graduation and self-belief and was no practice for being difficult. from home and very alone, even utilised the support of longer able to enjoy the job Alex soon became the “nightmare outside of work. the pro-active alumni who or life in general. Quickly scenario” described in many a lecture With no regular forum and the had close links with the he became depressed, work – feeling unsupported, isolated and complete failure of the attempted undergraduate body. was a chore and evenings disillusioned. It was like being back at informal meetings, Alex and the Unfortunately, were spent drinking wine, school where he had been bullied. It practice became further and further Springfield’s prestigious smoking cigarettes and had taken years for the self-confidence estranged; so much so that he felt alumni association was in listening to Mozart. to develop and day by day it was each clinical judgement was being a transition period of re- Each evening was also evaporating once again. watched so any inventing itself and as a Readers are invited spent re-counting the As a result, Alex Alex lost self- mistake could be used shy and retiring individual to share their events and deterioration at sought less advice belief and was no in performance Alex couldn’t lean on frustrations in work, self-blame and within the practice as it longer able to reviews. anyone there. practice in these loathing developing more would only heighten For the first time Without any allies at columns: e-mail and more. With no one to enjoy the job or editor@veterinary- the untrusting and he compromised work and not wanting to speak to and feeling so practice.com. unsupportive life in general. ethical and moral burden friends who were bullied and isolated, Alex behaviour of the Quickly he responsibilities, using doing so well in their jobs, Alex had became the statistic we all fear principal; if nothing became antibiotics in a cow no one to talk to – if only there was hearing about. else, Alex felt betrayed depressed, work with enteric disease – a trade union that could provide Only then did his family and that the progressive, was a chore and just in case (Mr Burns support at this time! friends realise the reason for the supportive practice would have been most Unfortunately, there isn’t one and distant attitude; and the colleagues described at the evenings were disappointed!). the privilege of self-regulation means who had made work and life so interview had spent drinking Eureka! Alex there is no external audit of disheartening appreciate their failures abandoned its wine, smoking remembered the BVA standards and attitudes. For Alex, of responsibility and the lack of responsibility. cigarettes and legal advice line and who had been in the position under professionalism in their behaviour. listening to would be able to talk. 12 months, there wasn’t even much Luckily, Alex is just a fictional Relationships Unfortunately, the protection via the law, unless there character and didn’t become a sad suffered Mozart. practice didn’t provide was a suggestion of discrimination. statistic. I just hope this story Alex began to revert to BVA membership and He felt isolated and alone with no encourages all of us to be supportive the “old-school” type; very serious the student membership had run out one to turn to, part of an of our colleagues, be open-minded about work and less able to relax and soon after graduation and so Alex “unprofessional profession”. and receptive to personal and use the dry sense of humour was alone again. Feeling bullied for wanting to professional development. developed during university. Private Alex had one good friend at improve and demanding the Then Alex can remain in the relationships suffered; Alex split from school who had returned to the states continued improvement in clinical archives under “fiction” rather than his long-term partner met in freshers’ for university. They had some issues management of all cases, Alex lost “documentary”.

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The new vet-exclusive range TM for companion animal care Caring for your life’s companions 42 LIVESTOCK VETERINARY PRACTICE DECEMBER 2010 Fighting TB on another front THE Goat Veterinary Society stock was considered to be low but it meeting at Taunton Racecourse was observed that there has not been a brought together more than 60 detailed assessment. veterinary surgeons and goat At the Goat Veterinary Society enthusiasts to share their Vomiting outbreak of mainly first parity goats meeting (from left): Graham knowledge and expertise. Members of the society really enjoy a took place 4-6 weeks before the due Duncanson, Dr Tony Andrews Important aspects of disease were good clinical puzzle and Ed Powell parturition date. Bacteriology indicated (chairman), Fin Twomey, Nick presented and discussed, with the Jackson (Kingfisher Veterinary acid fast bacilli from placentas, with Clayton, Mike Coffey, Nick Perkins, chairman, Dr Tony Andrews, keeping Practice) detailed an outbreak of PCR confirming Coxiella burnetti. Kat Bazeley (programme secretary) the presentations and observations vomiting in four goat kids. The Advice was given to dispose of any and Chris Livesey. moving along with plenty of smallholding involved borders a infected materials and bedding. and snatch kidding immediately after opportunities for those housing estate. The Prophylactic antibiotics for other birth was discussed. Milk powder, to important enquiries goatkeepers live pregnant goats was not thought to be replace suckling, was used by some over coffee and lunch. elsewhere and the of value and no human ill health was goat keepers but the use of artificial The TB policy goats have access to reported. Thirty three goats were blood colostrum was considered to be “very officer for the Welsh “rough grazing”, sampled and 23 showed high titres, risky”. More information is required Assembly including unmown indicating a high prevalence for Q about how to eradicate Johne’s from Government, Daffyd grass, thistles, nettles fever within the herd. goat herds. Glyn, outlined the and brambles with In October 2008 further samples intended programme shelters constructed from aborting goats showed mixed Free programme under the banner, mainly from pallets. infections but Coxiella burnetti was not The SAC Goat Health Scheme is “Leading the fight RICHARD GARD In August 2010 considered to be the likely cause. Blood requesting volunteers to take part in a against TB”. The reports on the latest the pygmy goat kids samples from 23 abortions in 2009 free pilot programme of faecal concern about TB in meeting of the Goat were in good health indicated C. abortus exclusively. Because sampling. Contact Nick Clayton (hon. goats and the earlier Veterinary Society when seen by the the herd was expanding, the secretary of the GVS) for details: outbreak in Wales has owners the night introduction of replacement goat kids [email protected]. led to a testing before but were raised questions about seroconversion Dr Mike Coffey (SAC) updated programme on 40 goat observed the next day despite a vaccination programme and delegates on progress towards a sire herds with local veterinary surgeons to be salivating profusely, reluctant to over two years placenta samples were referencing scheme. Preliminary carrying out the tests. Deer are also move, with sudden projectile vomiting, collected and stored: 62 samples (not analysis of 2,405 whole lactation being sampled post mortem. no diarrhoea or blood in the normal all from abortions) yielded 57 positives, records from 829 dams and over Where there is a cattle TB looking droppings, no straining with indicating a high secretion rate to the 350,000 individual day milk records breakdown, the opportunity is taken to mild dehydration. The owners and the placenta. from 7,272 dams have indicated that test goats, presumably on the same or kids were in distress. Over 500 abortions have been goats have a genetic basis for milk close contact farms. Currently there is The vomit was foul smelling and recorded over the past five years. A yield. It will be possible to determine no compensation for goats slaughtered brown. Rehydration therapy was severe Q fever abortion outbreak leads families and individuals that on suspicion of having TB but a administered with relief for abdominal to a loss of breeding stock and the outperform counterparts. A substantial consultation is on-going about discomfort and in case of inhalation, purchase of more stock compromises improvement in milk yield is possible: compensation for camelids, deer and antibiotics, as well as multivitamins. All biosecurity. this may mean more milk produced or goats. drinking water and feed was replaced the same volume from smaller herds. and the kids were taken back to the Johne’s disease It is proposed to form a goat Eradication plan house for tender loving care and close Some thoughts were outlined by improvement group and to create a An eradication plan for 2011 has been observation. The kids made an Benjamin Dustan (Westmorland genetic improvement plan with an submitted to the Government, uneventful recovery with no further Veterinary Group) on eradicating organised and planned movement of adopting a risk-based approach and vomiting. Johne’s disease from a goat herd. genetic improvement between herds. changes in terminology. A In the field there was no evidence Giving the example of a farm Traits that are of economic significance comprehensive programme for of access to poisonous plants or fly producing Boer goats for meat and would be incorporated. reducing the disease in cattle is being tipping. The owners had cleaned pygmy goats for the pet market, with An in-depth appraisal of copper developed and full details are available troughs with bleach and left them in the owners wanting a high-health was presented by Nick Perkins at www.wales.gov.uk/bovinetb. Simon the sun to dry. Later, deadly nightshade status, the question was raised whether (Delaware Veterinary Group) and Chris Rolf (veterinary adviser) joined in with was found that was not evident at the a Johne’s control programme can be Livesey (VLA). A deficiency of copper the discussion, which raised some time of the incident. At this time the delivered for goats. can lead to weak kids at birth and challenging aspects. cause of the incident is unknown and Three sudden deaths on the farm initially bright kids can be affected later The impact on goat testing, where further discussion failed to yield a followed a history of unexplained ill up to 28 weeks of age. It is important herds have been vaccinated against definitive answer. thrift. The whole herd (100 goats) was to have the correct level in the diet of Johne’s disease, was a concern with no blood sampled and one positive was the doe. Effects on the immune system definitive solution, although the topic is Q fever isolated, the test repeated and then the increase the susceptibility to disease. being looked into. It was agreed that The details of a Q fever abortion animal culled. Good liver function is important with there was “a healthy debate” about the outbreak in an expanding 1,000 diary Diagnostic tests for goats are copper toxicity and young kids are justification for the costs of M. bovis goat herd was presented by Fin considered to be poor with ELISA more susceptible than adults. control with consideration of the Twomey (VLA Starcross). The goats showing negative until the disease is Extensively grazed animals are human health risks. were permanently housed in large, clinical. There are variable clinical signs more at risk than concentrate fed and It would appear that the clean, well-bedded pens. The pens were due to the gut being unable to absorb breed differences in cattle and sheep expenditure to date justifies continuing not washed and disinfected between nutrition and there is no treatment or are recognised. Liver parasites and efforts to control the disease. The batches of goats but this may not be a cure. outwintering stress are known to occupational health risk to farmers and relevant observation. Preventing faecal contamination for reduce copper metabolism. Teart others in close contact with diseased In February 2007 an abortion kids is an important practical measure pastures are an issue in Somerset and it DECEMBER 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE LIVESTOCK 43 Team approach leads to awards for practice and clients SYNERGY Farm Health, a member that fit with the farmer’s requirements, of the XL Vets group, is a relatively whilst continually striving to improve new company founded just over a their own operational efficiencies. The team of five paraprofessionals with directors Jon Reader and Mark Burnell. Centre: a scene during the practice’s busy open day. Below: part of the stand at year ago. The practice results from The practice employs a total of 21 this year’s South West Dairy Event. merging the livestock large animal vets, three of divisions of whom are dedicated to Kingfisher and TB, but with 11 Southfield who support staff, five together had long paraprofessionals and histories servicing three dedicated SQPs, farms in Somerset, reports on the the practice is fully Dorset and East successful merger of equipped to offer what Devon. the livestock divisions they describe as a The team of six of two practices in the totally holistic approach veterinary directors south-west to improving health comprises Trevor and productivity within Green as chairman, the herds and flocks Mark Burnell, Alastair Hayton and under their care. Jonathan Reader who hold Diplomas in A team approach both within the Cattle Medicine, plus Jereme Darke and practice and on farm, particularly for Andrew Davies with RCVS Certificates the larger herds, is core to their in Cattle Health and Production. management principles. The practice’s One year on, they are now able to five paraprofessionals perform routine reflect on their original vision for the farm management tasks such as foot practice currently serving approximately trimming, mobility scoring, freeze 40,000 dairy cows in the region, which branding plus a comprehensive heifer is to provide excellent clinical solutions rearing service. to 11 cases per 100 cows per year and Bartlett Country Stores, where it Mark Burnell was recently awarded lameness down to 6.9%, but the targets provides SQP sales staff within three Goats - from previous page the title of Farmers Weekly Adviser of have now reduced to zero. stores. As the practice SQPs, they are is recognised that the uptake of copper the Year. He recognised ahead of their The paraprofessionals perform also able to ensure that best practice is is variable from field to field. Cull business merger that to succeed and mobility scores on his herd every maintained and that appropriate animals can be an important resource equip the business effectively for the fortnight. Neil’s focus is on prevention diagnostics are employed to support for monitoring copper status and when future, they not only needed to provide and he admits that, “with this many drug use wherever possible. investigating clinical problems. excellent service (without relying on the cows, you’ve got to do it right”. The practice also manages the “Don’t waste cull animals and profit margins provided by drug sales) Alan King, Synergy’s commercial dispensing and delivery of POM-V check trace elements,” was one useful but also operate on a larger scale to manager, has many years’ experience products to one of eight collection message. make cost savings. within farming and retail sectors and points within the practice’s territory for In addition to this advisory award, fully recognises that IT and data capture same day collection by farm clients. Nodules two of Synergy Farm Health’s own is a crucial part of their business and Synergy actively participates in A whole range of experiences clients were also awarded Beef and service angle going forward. education and research across the including goat warble (Asia), wattle Dairy Farmer awards at the same event. The paraprofessionals are equipped country. Alastair Hayton heads the cysts, and storing wine in goat scrotum The Beef Farmer of the year, John with “ruggedized” laptop computers consultancy and research division of the bags (Germany) were amusingly Hoskin, was also named overall Farmers allowing them to directly record business and also sits on several detailed by Graham Duncanson. His Weekly Farmer of the Year 2010. The mobility scores on farm and instantly examination boards. title was “Nodules in goats with judges commented that he was “a great provide printouts to graphically Andrew Davies is one of the XL specific reference to the Norfolk advert for modern farming – with demonstrate herd trends and provide Vets’ group directors and all Synergy Wenn”. emphasis on quality food production lists of cows that require foot trimming. vets participate in the XL Farm Skills He explained that a Wenn referred whilst retaining traditional values”. The foot trimmers are equipped with LANTRA training. The practice offers to actinobacillus lesions in sheep on Jonathan Reader recently took the state-of-the-art crushes, making them as large animal extramural veterinary the marshes that respond to award for “best poster” at the 2010 efficient and effective as possible. student teaching for the Bristol, streptomycin injections. In general, the British Mastitis Conference and also Nottingham and London veterinary point was made that nodules may look consults for the 2010 Farmers Weekly Diagnostic facilities schools. insignificant but every lesion should be Dairy Farmer of the Year, Neil Baker, Full diagnostic facilities are provided at This year Synergy Farm Health was taken seriously. where he is an integral part of the farm the practice laboratory in Evershot, present at the South West Dairy Event Graham indicated that for diagnosis team. Jon, supported by Jereme Darke, Dorset. Here, two fully qualified lab and has also held a highly successful of nodules, go to the VLA. His serious is on farm twice a week and helps to technicians conduct a full array of open day for clients at its headquarters approach to medicine is tinged with shape the way the farm progresses. services. The practice is also able to in Evershot. humour. He is impressed by a free Synergy believes that a farm vet offer post mortem services to other The practice supports all its routine sample of a product, the name of should be part of the business structure practices within the Frome Vale fallen communications with a comprehensive which escaped him, that was very good within larger dairy units such as this. stock scheme. website – www.synergyfarmhealth.co.uk for sunburn on the noses of goats. Neil Baker manages 1,000 dairy cows Appreciating the importance of – and maintains that business growth in n Full details of the papers will be and accepts that health performance, drug sales and accurate on-farm use, this sector comes from developing new published in the Goat Veterinary with KPIs to match, is crucial to his Synergy has developed a partnership initiatives for existing clients and by Society Journal. business development. Mastitis is down with a local agricultural merchant, working smarter. 44 LIVESTOCK VETERINARY PRACTICE DECEMBER 2010

Papers on bovine up to calving. Their findings suggest damage to sperm cells can produce evaluation could not distinguish that omitting the dry period leads to oocytes which fail to cleave normally incomplete healing from recurrence. medicine an improved energy balance. There and leads to embryos with reduced Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Effect of biotin supplementation were increases in glutathione competence for developing into Association 237 (5): 555-560. on claw horn growth in young, peroxidise in continually milked cows healthy blastocysts. healthy cattle but signs of oxidative stress revealed Australian Veterinary Journal 88 (8): 307- Case-control study of an Luiz da Silva and others, Federal by changes in blood enzymes did not 310. outbreak of anthrax in cattle in University of Goias, Brazil appear to be detrimental. Saskatchewan Biotin is a B-complex vitamin which is Journal of Dairy Research 77 (3): 273- Diclofenac sodium and flunixin Tasha Epp and others, University of essential in two stages of the 279. meglumine as adjuncts to Saskatchewan, Calgary keratinisation process that produces antimicrobial therapy In 2006 a major outbreak of anthrax in skin and horn tissue. Until recently, it Clinical and pathological Murat Guzel and others, University Saskatchewan affected several species was assumed that cattle at all ages findings in cases of bovine of Mustafa Kemal, Hatay, Turkey but the main losses occurred in cattle. receive sufficient quantities of biotin lymphosarcoma Co-administration of non-steroidal The authors investigate potential risk to meet their needs from their diet and Alexandra Burton and others, anti-inflammatory drugs along with factors contributing to these incidents through synthesis by their rumen Cornell University, New York antimicrobial therapy has become through a questionnaire sent to 117 bacteria. Lymphosarcoma is the most common commonplace in treating bovine case farms and 259 control premises. The authors investigate the effects multicentric neoplasia in cattle with respiratory disease because of their The occurrence of flooding, wetter of providing a daily supplement of clinical signs which will vary according analgesic, antipyretic and anti- pastures, shorter pasture grass length 12.5mg biotin to one-year-old cattle of to the main organ system affected by inflammatory effects. The authors and higher density of livestock on the the local Girolando dairy breed. After tumour metastases. The authors compare the effects of using pasture appeared to be associated with 40 days the average hoof growth of describe the clinical history and diclofenac sodium and flunixin an increased risk. Case farms were treated cattle was shown to be pathological findings in 112 adult cattle meglumine in calves with natural BRD more likely than controls to have been 11.3mm, while the hooves of presenting over three decades. The infections receiving tulathromycin. The vaccinated more than one week after untreated control cattle had grown by predilection sites were similar to those results show that a single intramuscular the first local case. an average of 7.2mm. Wear in the sole reported in previous studies but with a dose of diclofenac sodium was as Canadian Veterinary Journal 51 (9): 973- region of treated cattle was higher incidence of renal tumours and effective as three intramuscular doses 978. significantly less than that of the a lower frequency of retrobulbar of flunixin meglumine in adjunctive untreated controls. tumours. Such knowledge of therapy. Genetic analysis of bacterial These findings show that daily common presentations will aid Australian Veterinary Journal 88 (6): 236- isolates in an epidemic of biotin supplementation has a positive decisions on appropriate diagnostic 239. Neospora caninum abortion effect on the growth of the dorsal tests. Walter Basso and others, Friedrich hoof wall, the hoof sole length and on Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 24 Review of clinical trials assessing Loeffler Institute, Wusterhausen, resistance to abrasion in extensively (4): 960-964. antimicrobial treatments for Germany managed young cattle. respiratory disease Neosporosis is an important cause of Canadian Veterinary Journal 51 (6): 607- Effects of 50% dextrose solution Annette O’Connor and others, Iowa reproductive failure in cattle worldwide 610. on energy balance in post- State University and may occur as both endemic or partum dairy cows Many features can be included in the epidemic infections. The authors used Indicators for the early diagnosis Sarah Wagner and Daniel Schimek, design of a clinical trial to prevent the microsatellite typing and avidity of bacterial pneumonia in post- North Dakota State University likelihood of producing biased results. analysis to investigate the causative weaned calves In the first few weeks following Such safeguards are important to agents in five epidemic abortion Gregg Hanzlicek and others, calving, cattle face metabolic inform clinicians of appropriate outbreaks in Germany. A common Kansas State University challenges which may sometimes result treatment choices. The authors microsatellite pattern was seen in each Mannheimia haemolytica is the pathogen in ketosis, a complication of negative examined the trial design for 41 studies outbreak, and was unique for each most frequently isolated in cases of energy balance. Treatment with of antimicrobials used against bovine herd. The low avidity IgG response bovine respiratory disease complex. intravenous 50% dextrose solution is respiratory disease in feedlot cattle. against Neospora caninum in the dams, Successful treatment of this condition sometimes recommended and the They found that many studies did not together with the shared genetic requires early diagnosis and so the authors assess the effects of such report key design features necessary for pattern, suggests that these were recent authors examined experimentally therapy on electrolyte and energy critical evaluation of the results. It is infections from a common point infected cattle for physiological, balance in healthy cattle. Their findings not always clear whether this was due source. behavioural and pathological changes suggest that a single 0.5 or 1 litre to failures in the design or merely the Veterinary Parasitology 173 (1-2): 24-31. which might provide reliable indicators treatment with dextrose solution will reporting of the study. of pre-clinical infection. Routine have little effect in preventing ketosis Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Bovine besnoitiosis identified for laboratory tests were not useful as and may have negative effects in Association 237 (6): 701-705. the first time in Germany indicators of the progress of creating a risk of hypophosphataemia. Ana Rostaher and others, Ludwig- pneumonia but activity, measured American Journal of Veterinary Research Topical treatment with two Maximillian University, Munich objectively with pedometers, did 71 (9): 1,074-1,080. different antimicrobial drugs in Bovine besnoitiosis is a potentially appear to show some promise. cattle with digital dermatitis fatal condition caused by the American Journal of Veterinary Research Consequences of oxidative Steven Berry and others, University protozoan parasite Besnoitia besnoiti 71 (3): 359-369. stress on bovine sperm samples of California, Davis which is ubiquitous in many African for resulting embryos Digital dermatitis is a painful condition and Asian countries and has been Oxidative stress and metabolic Katherine Hendricks and Peter in dairy cattle causing lameness, reported in Europe in France, Spain, changes in response to omitting Hansen, University of Florida reduced production and decreased Portugal and Italy. The authors the dry period The degree to which sperm cells are reproductive efficiency. The authors describe the first reported case in Roberto Mantovani and others, vulnerable to damage after ejaculation compare the efficacy of lincomycin Germany in a three-year-old Charolais University of Padua, Italy is unclear but there is some evidence and oxytetracycline as topical cow with skins lesions of multifocal Omitting or reducing the dry period that oxidative stress may impair treatments in cows from a commercial hypotrichosis, alopecia, lichenification, has been shown to compromise milk embryo viability. The authors exposed herd. They found that clinical erythema and seborrhoea. yield in later lactations. However, some frozen-thawed bovine sperm to responses to the two treatments were Histopathology revealed characteristic researchers proposed this as an oxidant chemicals menadione and the same. There was agreement cysts of Besnoitia species and the alternative model for dairy butyl-hydroperoxide and assessed the between gross visual and histological specific diagnosis was made using management. The authors looked at development of resulting embryos. findings before treatment but less so PCR analysis. the effects of continuous milking right Their results confirm that oxidative one month after treatment. Histological Veterinary Dermatology 21 (4): 329-324. NEW CLAIM! i.v. indication against

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Baytril® Max=<;:987:6=5:4;3=;28<7:=10/.=-,+86+=4+*+4=9;=8))4;)4789+=(898=6'++9&=*%49'+4=7:*;4$897;:=76=8#87,8",+= Baytril Max ;:=4+!%+69.= 6+= +(7<7:+6=+6);:67",=.:;8'.<;.%4+6);:67",+.==+769+4+(=48(+= 84=;*=8+4=.= 8+4=),<&=:7$8,=+8,9'=7#767;:&=8+4=;%6+&=948"+44=7,,&=+"%4=1 =1 .=+, =01 = 000.==-  Fast and effective  0.0;:+ 46 LIVESTOCK VETERINARY PRACTICE DECEMBER 2010 Useful information to apply over the winter MORE than 100 delegates attended messages of best practice are not drying-off and an injection given at the Hannah Pearse (NMR). The range of this year’s mastitis conference, held getting through. The challenge is to same time for Strep. uberis infections by organisms able to be identified from a in the different venue of Worcester improve communication and “to go the farmer and for Staph. aureus later by sample is greater with antibiotic Rugby Club. The conference back to basics”. the vet at the next visit. The use of sensitivity results available at the same facilities overlooked the pitch which Andrew Bradley (QMMS Ltd) combination therapy for problem cows time. was receiving careful grooming provided an update of the DairyCo. is worthy of further understanding. The application of PCR is expected throughout the day. Mastitis Control Plan since it was James Montgomery, a cheese to improve the efficacy of therapy A third of the delegates were launched last year. The aim is to provide producer with a Friesian and a Jersey through a more informed approach to veterinary surgeons from practice and targeted mastitis control measures for herd, based his decisions on mastitis treatment. James Allcock identified from the presentations contained useful the situation on individual dairy units, to control according to effects on the the National Mastitis Survey that a third information that could be applied over assure cost-effective mastitis control. quality of cheese. The plan has only of the farmers do not utilise this winter. The event was organised by Veterinary surgeons and consultants been in place for a few months but bacteriology and that two-thirds use The Dairy Group, Dairy Co. and the undertake a two-day training environmental bacteria in the dry period more treatments than advised by University of Nottingham, with an programme. Principles of the plan and are recognised as a problem source. pharma. impressive list of sponsors representing electronic resources are covered on the Deep straw dry cow beds have been Alison Clark (GEA Technologies) consultancy, pharma, milking machinery first day and then the plan is installed as part of a new dairy. presented a detailed paper on the 12 interests and dairy implemented on at least Assessment of performance is active ingredients in teat disinfectants, hygiene. one farm before the linked to aspects of the plan but which is available in the proceedings. The poster second day of training. practical advice is required, not old Iodophor-based products are still the competition is voted A total of 132 vets and messages of losses against zero cell most popular on UK farms. on by the delegates 31 consultants have counts. The point was made that the With reference to various and won by a study of reports on the taken part with 50 more bigger the plan, the lower the feelings of calculations and common sense a 1,000 cow dairy herd proceedings at this vets and eight involvement by farm staff. observations, Jamie Robertson in Somerset combining year’s British Mastitis consultants due to The most likley route for infection (Livestock Management Systems Ltd), veterinary (Synergy Conference attend further courses. of the mammary gland by Strep. uberis pointed out that ventilation of buildings Farm Health) and farm To October 2010, 428 was identified by Professor James Leigh can directly influence the survival rates management assessments farms have been enrolled (University of Nottingham) as from gut of E. coli and Strep. uberis. (Bakers of Haslebury Plucknett). The on the scheme. to environment to teat end. There is great potential to improve poster asked the question: “Large herd Initial data indicate that only 23% of Not all strains of Strep. uberis are existing buildings by creating good mastitis – how low can you go?” the farms are implementing two-thirds able to cause mastitis airflow and recognising This herd is milked through an 80- or more of the recommendations but after introduction into In the past work the role of temperature point rotary parlour with nine Polish despite this some 3,000 fewer cases of the mammary gland. has been carried differences between the milkers working in shifts of five people, clinical mastitis have been recorded and Once within the gland out mainly on inside and the outside. two farm managers and three times a the aim is to achieve a 20% reduction in the organism has to be strains derived Bacteria within aerosols, day milking. The milk goes for cheddar disease. able to grow in milk from the flowing over a straw bed cheese production and no Orbeseal is It is too early to draw conclusions and dry cow secretions, or cubicle, can lose permitted. but the initial signs are positive and survive host defences mammary gland microbial activity with The rolling annual clinical mastitis uptake is ahead of the targets originally including phagocytic but as a great evaporation. Moisture incidence is eight cases per 100 cows planned. Wholehearted industry support cells and be able to deal of Strep. management of bedding and at a valuation of £200 per case, the is requested for the plan to have a long- induce disease. By uberis comes out is assisted by ventilation. cost of clinical mastitis in 2006 was lasting benefit. deleting or mutating It was emphasised £180,000, which fell to £18,600 in 2009. Mike Kerby (Delaware Vet Group) genes, it is possible to of the back end of that removal of heat The dry cow new infection rate is 9% has 10 herds on the scheme and finds determine how this the cow, these and moisture from a (target 10%) and the dry cow cure rate that the structured approach to specific alters function of the isolates are also cow area is more 92% (target 85%). areas is well accepted but completing organism as an worthy of important for mastitis The conclusion is that “this study the data and reviewing the analysis can approach to control. attention. control than stocking demonstrates that with good facilities, be daunting to some clients. There is It would be possible rate. following standard operating flexibility within the plan and there is to produce an antibody that inhibits the “The role of the milking machine in procedures, the highest levels of also room for clinical judgement, function of Strep. uberis and thereby mastitis” was outlined by David Reid stockmanship and attention to detail, described as “the art of veterinary immunise the cow. In the past work has (BouMatic, Wisconsin). In considering udder health can be maintained to the practice”. been carried out mainly on strains change he advises, “Always do what is highest level even under intensive derived from the mammary gland but as best for the cows.” Removing the milk conditions in the UK”. Further Detailed awareness a great deal of Strep. uberis comes out of gently, completely and quickly will information from Jon Reader (office Enthusiasm and willingness to try the the back end of the cow, these isolates reduce the new infection rate, combined @synergyfarmhealth.com). plan is important initially and also to are also worthy of attention. with consistency of cow handling and The opening conference have success and improvements. It is The organism cycles from the gut, udder preparation. presentation was given by John Sumner, not only the herds with high cell counts to the environment, to the gut, with Citing examples of kinked hoses, who looked back over the past decades and a high incidence of clinical mastitis occasional detours to the mammary liner squawks, vacuum stability, pulsator and reviewed the progress in mastitis that can benefit from the detailed gland. The question arises whether more performance and peak milk flow claw control against the background of a awareness. strains of non mastitis-causing organism vacuum, the point was made that it is dairy industry undergoing political and Dan Norris (Delaware practice prevent the establishment of infective important to complete the physical rapid structural change. client) was unable to present his paper strains. It may be possible to utilise examination of the system before In 30 years the average herd size has but the content is in the proceedings. natural strains that are unable to infect arriving at a diagnosis. doubled, cell count has more than This farm has a particular approach to the udder as probiotics. The professor Some of the problems are solved by halved but the incidence of clinical therapy for high cell count cows and concluded that the application of minor changes but it is sobering that his mastitis remains high at 47-65 cases per specific infections at the end of technology is getting closer to being conclusion is that “most milking 100 cows per year. The question was lactation. able to control Strep. uberis. systems do not function correctly”. raised as to whether the well-recognised One week prior to drying-off, a The use of PCR technology to n Further information and a copy of control methods are being adequately sample is assessed for bacteriology; dry identify pathogens, as an alternative to the proceedings can be sourced through implemented. It would appear that cow therapy and teat seal are inserted at bacterial culture, was promoted by www.britishmastitisconference.org.uk. DECEMBER 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE LIVESTOCK 47 DEFRA publishes findings on TB vaccination and culling DEFRA has made public supporting detrimental effects of culling. for at least four years to realise a clear breakdowns (whilst this is not the case data behind the successful licensing However, the combined strategy benefit. However, low rates of land for vaccination). of the first tuberculosis vaccine for requires about twice as much effort access for culling, or low culling n The results of the research have been badgers (Badger BCG), which was than either single approach done in efficiency, or the early cessation of a published on the DEFRA website and licensed by the Veterinary Medicines isolation. culling strategy was likely to lead to an are available at ww2.defra.gov.uk/food- Directorate in March this year. (b) Culling of badgers should continue overall increase in cattle herd farm/animals/diseases/tb/. The studies were carried out by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) and the Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA). The laboratory studies with captive badgers demonstrated that the vaccination of badgers by injection with BCG significantly reduces the progression, severity and excretion of Mycobacterium bovis infection.

Big reduction A key finding of the field study, conducted over four years in a naturally infected population of more than 800 The Vetoquinol solution wild badgers in Gloucestershire, was that vaccination resulted in a 74% reduction in the proportion of wild to acute mastitis badgers testing positive to the antibody blood test for TB in badgers. spelt out... But a number of reservations are listed: (1) the blood test is not an absolute indicator of protection from disease, so the field results cannot give the degree of vaccine efficacy; (2) data from the laboratory and field studies do not lend themselves to giving a definitive figure for BadgerBCG vaccine efficacy; (3) the data do not provide information on the effect of badger vaccination in reducing TB incidence in cattle. A paper summarising the results of the research has been accepted for publication by the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B (Biological Sciences) and will be published shortly.

Computer modelling DEFRA has also published the results of new computer modelling by the

FERA which has examined different pgm / Fotolia.com Claude P / Fotolia.com, le, Aubrée Belin / Fotolia.com, strategies for controlling TB in badgers, including both culling and vaccination. The results of the modelling were consistent with the conclusions of the Randomised Badger Culling Trial indicating that there were both positive and negative effects of culling. The modelling shows that badger vaccination could make a positive / Masterfi stock, Martin Ruegner Photo Credits: PhotoAlto / Punch ART2885 contribution to disease control in its own right and was consistently positive when used in combination with culling in a ring vaccination strategy. The results of the modelling were that: A REPUTATION BUILT ON RESULTS (a) A combined strategy of vaccination in a ring around a culling area was more Marbocyl® 10% has proven effi cacy to rapidly and safely treat acute Escherichia coli mastitis. Thanks to its bactericidal action which does successful than the cull-only strategy, not liberate endotoxins, Marbocyl® 10% administered intravenously, which in turn was more successful than provides rapid improvement and an early return to milk production. the vaccination-only strategy, both in Marbocyl® 10% contains marbofl oxacin. Legal Category: POM-V reducing the number of TB infected 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 badgers and cattle herd breakdowns. Email: offi [email protected] Website: www.vetoquinol.co.uk Ring vaccination partly mitigated the 48 LIVESTOCK VETERINARY PRACTICE DECEMBER 2010 Senior lecturer at RVC takes over as president of BCVA TORQUAY hosted the 2010 BCVA steriodal anti-inflammatory drug congress in its Riviera Centre and Meloxicam into the treatment of the delegates enjoyed the mix of clinical mastitis, reduced somatic cell four parallel technical sessions, the count and the risk of culling”. BCVA people (from left): Sam Cutler, Keith Cutler (outgoing president and now commercial exhibition and the The commercial exhibition formed senior vice-president), Kate Richards, John Fishwick (the new president), Andrew Praill (the new junior vice-president) and Jane Praill. Below: a view various social functions. the hub of the congress where across the exhibition. At the AGM, John Fishwick, a delegates gathered for refreshment senior lecturer at the RVC, was elected throughout the day and there was as president with Andrew Praill plenty of space to have conversations standing down as secretary to become and small meetings. Laptop the junior vice-president. presentations and discussions were Keith Cutler is now senior vice- much in evidence together with several president and in his summary of the activity games such as “trap the year thanked the badger” from My members of Council, Healthy Herd and rally the staff at head office car simulated driving and particularly the with the Moore membership of the Scarrett accountancy association for the reports on last month’s partnership. outstanding support he congress of the British With so much received in his Cattle Veterinary change being talked presidential year. Association about because of Gareth Hateley is pharmaceutical the new secretary and companies’ mergers The opening reception bar at the For the final evening, a selection of Declan O’Rourke and acquisitions, it was Grand Hotel and the dinner were casino style tables with croupiers continues as treasurer. refreshing to bump into two businesses supported by Norbrook Laboratories. encouraged delegates to lose their chips The Tuckey Award for the best exhibiting at the BCVA for the first Before the President’s Dinner on day without having to part with hard cash. paper by a practitioner at the 2009 time and getting to grips with the two there was a drinks reception n Next year’s congress will be in congress was presented to Paul Rogers relaxed atmosphere. Hypra is a large sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health and Southport from 24th to 26th (Allen & Partners, Carmarthenshire) Spanish group with a new UK office in the evening was marked by an November. for “A practising vet’s view of bovine Nottingham and Animalcare is based in exhibition of dancing by the current TB control in Wales”. The President’s York. amateur champions, supported by “one Award for the best overall paper went There was a buzz around the of the best dance bands in the Research to Mark Bryan (Vet South, New exhibition and over 20 of the technical country”, the Ross Mitchell orchestra partnership in Zealand) for “Incorporating the non papers were sponsored by exhibitors. and singers. This demonstration of various dances, with many changes of Scotland costume, was quite simply breathtaking. Centre for production animal health Afterwards delegates were PFIZER Animal Health and the opened at Glasgow school encouraged to have a go under the Easter Bush Research Consortium tutelage of former ballroom and Latin (EBRC) have announced a A SCOTTISH Centre for Production Animal Health and Food Safety has been champions Cheryl and Jeffrey partnership aimed at finding better opened at the Glasgow veterinary school. The £2.4 million centre, at the Dobinson. These professional ways of preventing and managing Garscube campus, was opened last month by Richard Lochhead, Cabinet instructors were well-known to the then disease and advancing sustainable Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment. president. Keith and Sam Cutler animal agriculture and welfare. Professor David Logue, of the division of animal production and public entered in with enthusiasm and the The initiative, which will be health at the school, said: “This is a marvellous facility for training both vets and sparkling shirt that Keith donned at one backed by funding of other scientists, advisers and workers interested in production animal health and point added to the cheerful atmosphere. approximately $US2 million over welfare, as well as food safety, whether in Scotland or further afield.” five years, was formally launched n The photo Congress competition when the Princess Royal visited the shows veterinary Vétoquinol held a competition on University of Edinburgh. student Pete its stand at the BCVA congress The collaboration involves the Dillon examining with a Selekt Cattle Pump & four EBRC partners: the Moredun a cow in the new Drench Set to be won each day. Research Institute, the Roslin building under Vets were asked to correctly Institute, the Royal (Dick) School the watchful eyes complete some statements on a of Veterinary Studies and the SAC. of Professor single injection short-acting Professor Elaine Watson, head Anton antibiotic (SiSAAB) and Marbocyl of the Royal (Dick), said the Muscatelli, Solo. All correct entries were partnership would provide the principal and entered into that day’s prize draw. financial investment to develop vice-chancellor The winners were Geoff Lloyd world class veterinary education in of the University of Camlas Vets, Welshpool; George a research-led environment and of Glasgow, and Austin of South Moor Vets, ensure that Edinburgh grew as a Richard Ivybridge; and Hollie Dale of centre for international scientific Lochhead. Wright & Morten, Macclesfield. excellence and knowledge transfer. DECEMBER 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE EQUINE 49 Perinatology: time-lines and teamwork

DYSTOCIA in the mare is one of gently and carefully as possible. his views on “Identification and the true emergencies that occurs in The veterinary surgeon needs to management of the high-risk foal in equine practice. have a full dystocia kit ready in the practice”. Madeline Campbell, president of car. This should include foaling ropes It is important to establish the the BEVA, who practises in Sussex, and handles, a generous supply of value of the foal before starting on outlined “Dealing with dystocia in the obstetrical lubricant (complete with a intensive treatment as this is likely to field” in a paper presented during the stirrup pump and a sterile stomach be expensive and prolonged and the BEVA congress in September. tube to get it into the uterus), drugs outcome is uncertain. The condition In thoroughbreds, about 4 % of for sedation and anaesthesia of the of the mare, her uterus and the parturitions give rise to mare and revival of environment in which the foaling took dystocia with a higher the foal, an place all need to be considered. incidence, around “Ambibag” foal It is useful to know the history of 10%, in draught resuscitator, and a previous foalings and also to know mares. Normal birth foal oro-tracheal whether the mare had suffered any in the mare happens cuffed tube. A illnesses during the pregnancy. Any rapidly and foal fetotomy kit deviations from normal in the foal survival is inversely completes the need to be recognised and acted on proportional to the picture. quickly. length of second stage There are four The normal foal should achieve labour. stages of sternal recumbency within 30 minutes It is essential for MARION intervention in of birth. It should stand and feed the owner to recognise McCULLAGH dystocia. The first is within two hours and it should have when the mare is in concludes her reports assisted vaginal urinated and defaecated within six to trouble so the practice on papers presented delivery (AVD). The 10 hours. Madeleine Campbell, the president needs to have done at this year’s mare is standing and If the foal is seen to be straining of the BEVA. good work on client BEVA congress may be sedated. Be with its back arched, it has problems education well in aware of human with defaecation; if its back is dipped, Any foal that shows lack of advance of the safety when treating the problems are with urination. interest in its mother is a cause for expected date of foaling. the mare: she can be distressed and A weak foal that takes too long to concern. It may take eight days from There are basic time-lines: the may behave unpredictably. get up is more exposed to pathogens being born for any evidence of the mare should foal within 24 hours of from the ground, potentially leading neurological dysfunction caused by waxing up and second stage labour Action plan to sepsis and is more likely to suffer hypoxia to become apparent, though should take no more than 20 minutes. There needs to be an action plan hypothermia or trauma from getting this usually shows at around 24 to 48 The owner needs to know that any agreed with the owner before the trodden on. hours. dripping milk is abnormal, colostrum foaling. Is the priority to save the mare Is the foal a potential athlete? that is produced before foaling must or the foal? What are the financial Radiographs taken early on can Huge risk be saved and given to the foal, which constraints? Will the owner want the determine whether the animal is The dummy foal that wanders off is at risk of insufficient intake of mare referred for hospital treatment if structurally sound and worth working and hides its head in a corner and is antibodies and energy. the situation cannot be resolved by with. A foal with fractured ribs is in not sucking is at huge risk, and this AVD? severe pain and will breathe shallowly. can be underestimated by the owner. Avoid suffocation Plans as to where the mare can be Ultrasonographic examination Seizuring is obvious and, again, a In normal circumstances the allanto- referred and how she is to be should be used to monitor for major problem. chorionic membrane ruptures at the transported need to be made in haemorrhage. Ultrasound is also Several parameters that are beginning of second-stage labour. If advance. The referral hospital needs to useful in evaluating the bladder. reliable in the adult are not in the the foal is born without rupture of be able to assemble a team for a Healthy bladders do not rupture so if foal. The heart rate and respiratory the amnion, a human needs to break caesarean at short notice. Delay and there is any leaking sepsis of the rate, PCV and CBC are all the membrane or the foal will indecision can mean death to mare or bladder wall should be suspected. untrustworthy though the blood suffocate. foal or both. lactate level is useful. The umbilical cord should not be The next stage is controlled Don’t overfeed The foal must be kept warm, broken as the foal needs all of the vaginal delivery (CVD). The mare is In general, foals do not show pain as using blankets, insulated covers or blood that drains from the placenta. If anaesthetised, her hind legs are an adult would. If the foal appears to bags of warmed fluid. It must not be the cord is broken and bleeding it elevated and the delivery is totally be depressed, look for sepsis, overheated and if it is hypovolaemic needs to be clamped. under the control of the clinician. starvation, hypoxic ischaemic this must be corrected with In the condition known as “Red CVD is best done in the anaesthetic encephalopathy, neonatal appropriate fluid therapy or the bag” there is premature placental induction area of the hospital while isoerythrolysis, as well as surgical warming will increase the peripheral separation and a red velvety the mare’s abdomen is being clipped lesions. circulation at the expense of the membrane marked with the white and prepared for surgery. Always look at the mare’s udder to blood pressure and so cause harm. cervical star appears at the vulva. The If the foal can be delivered, all is establish whether the foal has sucked. Restoring the fluid volume also helps foal can be felt inside it and the well, otherwise no time is lost in going A sick foal should not be overfed: it the brain. membrane needs to be ruptured and for the next stage which is caesarean can only take 10% of its bodyweight Feeding needs to be parenteral if the foal extracted quickly. section. If the foal is dead, the fourth daily as milk. the foal is cold as the perfusion of Advice covering this sort of stage, fetotomy, can be carried out in The sick foal demands close the gut will be inadequate for proper situation needs to be given by the the standing, sedated mare. inspection: for example, it is necessary absorption of the nutrients. veterinary surgeon, perhaps while to examine its eyes and inside its So, overall, care of the mare and driving to the foaling, as rapid action Survival mouth and ears. A septic foal may new foal needs good strategy, a is essential to save the foal. The mare’s Having delivered the foal, the next show haemorrhage in the sclera which practical plan that can be put into future reproductive career is the other thing is to make sure that it survives. may indicate thrombocytopaenia. action at speed and followed by consideration: any intervention needs Peter Morresey of Rood and Riddle Haemorrhage inside the mouth may dedication and co-operation from to treat the reproductive tract as Equine Hospital in Kentucky gave us be due to trauma. everyone concerned. VETERINARY PRACTICE DECEMBER 2010

THIS MONTH: n Tips to help you through the festive season n A look at some of the latest Apps n Recent employment law issues n What are ‘financial derivatives’ all about? n A more adventurous approach to investments Ten pointers for the festive season... THE Christmas-New Year period is a time for 2. Alcohol that you can only play it with the appropriate festivities. But your well-intentioned plans can The provision of alcohol, not unsurprisingly, has its permissions from both the Performing Rights Society easily turn into a nightmare if detail is ignored. own rules. The good news is that no licence is (www.prs.co.uk) and Phonographic Performance Whether it’s the staff party, playing required where alcohol is supplied Limited (www.ppluk.com). These two bodies are not festive music or taking account of free, but do bear in mind the law the same. The PRS distributes royalties to music the bank holiday disruptions, you on supplying alcohol to under composers and publishers whilst PPL looks after need to think ahead. Here is a 10- 18s. payments to the record companies and performers. point checklist to making merry – You may need a Temporary They are two sides of the same coin and they have whilst you make money. Events Notice from your local different fees for different events and sizes of authority if you plan to sell audience. You may find it more cost effective to buy 1. The staff party alcohol and do not already have a an annual licence. Top of the list for many businesses, even Premises Licence. It’s quite easy Failure to purchase licences could land you in hot in these hardened times, is the staff to apply for and only costs £21. water with heavy legal costs. Christmas party. But organising this isn’t But don’t wait until the last as simple as it sounds. Apart from the ADAM BERNSTEIN minute before applying, as two 4. Posting days logistics of the event itself, your biggest offers some copies need to be sent to the local Despite the advance of the internet, post is still very concern may be how HMRC deals with suggestions to help you authority with another copy being important. The run-up to Christmas is a very busy your expense claim for the party. through this period sent to the police – who need to time of year and so if you want to be assured of Sadly, HMRC has specific rules on not object – at least 10 days timely delivery of cards, payments to suppliers, your what can be claimed on staff before it’s needed. postal bank account deposits or delivery of stock and entertainment. In simple terms, a There are conditions that apply supplies, you need to be mindful of the posting Christmas party – and other similar events – is to a Temporary Events Notice such as the event must deadlines. exempt from a benefit in kind tax charge for run for 72 hours or less and there must be a break of Royal Mail, as in previous years, has published its employees, and national insurance liability for 24 hours before the next Notice can start. list of latest posting dates employers, but only if the event is open to all If in doubt, apply for a Temporary Events Notice: (www.royalmail.com/portal/campaign/content1?catId employees, or all employees at a particular location, you risk a fine of £20,000 or six months in jail =1000002&mediaId=111000771) for those who want and the cost per attendee (not just staff) is under otherwise. If you permanently retail alcohol you will to beat the Christmas rush. £150 (including VAT). need a Premises Licence. For example, second class letters need to be posted “Cost” includes all costs, including travel and by 18th December, first class by 21st December and accommodation, before employee contributions. Also, 3. Music international airmail by 6th December for some the £150 limit is an annual amount for one or more Silent Night or Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – it’s countries. events, and the whole cost of an event which causes your choice. If you want to play music in a workplace, Remember that bad weather such as the deluge of the limit to be exceeded is taxable. such as your reception area or prep room, for the snow we had over the last winter could quite easily You may want to take advice from your accountant benefit of your clients or employees, you will need to come between you and your deliveries. or see www.hmrc.gov.uk/guidance/480.pdf. be licensed. Adam Bernstein, BSc(Hons) is a freelance writer on Music, whether played via an iPod, CD or the 5. Banks and their holidays business, finance and industry. radio, is invariably subject to copyright and this means Banks, as usual, will be closed on a number of days

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Companion ccvets.co.uk Carevets DECEMBER 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE BUSINESS & FINANCE 51 over the Christmas period. The days that should old rate. will serve you well. You will see plenty – almost too concern readers in England, Wales and Northern There are, however, rules on what HMRC will let many – tips on the latest deals for bank or savings Ireland are Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th December your supplier get away with: HMRC is concerned accounts, credit cards, insurance and even shopping and also Monday 3rd January, all of which are about losing tax. For more information, see vouchers. substitute days as Christmas Day, Boxing Day and www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/forms-rates/rates/rate- Also, a little time spent at the British Bankers New Year’s Day all fall on a weekend – and readers in increase.htm. Association website at http://bba.moneyfacts.co.uk/ Scotland will know that there is always an extra day’s will show you that there’s a huge disparity in the holiday at New Year! 7. Christmas gift packs charges levied by the banks. See if it’s worth your This may disrupt your cashflow, so work to ensure Christmas is a time for giving so why not enhance while moving. that you have funds, in good time, in the right places your “merchandising” by bundling up certain products so that you can stay on the right side of your overdraft into gift packs? 10. Christmas gifts for staff limit, pay your staff or suppliers, or pay your tax bills Buy in some quality packaging and offer a free Finally, Christmas is a time of giving so think about without delay. wrapping service and you may be able to sell more thanking your loyal and hard-working staff with a gift. Remember that some banks will make you wait product, albeit with a slight discount, and increase your Again, there are rules on what you can and cannot give until the fourth day after a cheque is deposited before turnover and profit at the same time. staff tax-free. allowing you to draw down funds as cleared. Try to make the deals look attractive and also put Fundamentally, a gift to an employee is not taxed an end date on the promotion to give your clients a as a benefit providing it is “trivial”. This means that 6. VAT changes “call to action” so that they buy now. the cost of the item is deductible in your accounts and As we get closer to the New Year, you’ll hopefully not you can reclaim VAT on the cost of the gift. However, miss all of the publicity that is bound to surround the 8. New Year sales where a business makes gifts in excess of £50 or increase in the VAT rate to 20% on 4th January. And, of course, the start of a new year is a great time makes a series of gifts to one person exceeding £50 The increase is going to have plenty of to clear out old stock whilst raising cash to bring in per year, HMRC states that it should account for VAT ramifications for your business even though more new product – and you might even consider special on the value of the gifts as if it had been sold at cost. likely than not you’ll be reclaiming the input VAT on offers on certain procedures as well as products. If gifts are over £50, or not “trivial”, you also have your purchases. Use this time to prepare: create the signage, print to pay Class 1A National Insurance on the value of You’ll need to check your new VAT flat rate point-of-sale material, re-price products and if those gifts. Trivial items can include seasonal gifts such percentage, if that applies to you, and you’ll certainly necessary re-programme the PMS/invoicing system as a turkey, an ordinary bottle of plonk (not fine need to adjust your prices unless you intend to absorb while you have a lull. vintage or champagne), or a box of chocolates. the costs on behalf of your customers. Where you are considering making larger gifts to On a personal level – or if you aren’t registered for 9. A new financial start? each employee, such as a Christmas hamper, you can VAT – consider bringing forward any large purchases Could the New Year also prompt you to see if you can include the cost of those gifts in a PAYE Settlement or at the minimum, try to sign deals (with payment get a better deal on your financial arrangements, both Agreement with the tax office. The PSA allows you to and completion by the end of June) while the old VAT personal and business? A little time flicking through pay the tax and NI due on behalf of your employees. rate is in force. Doing this means that you may be able websites such as www.moneysavingexpert.com, If in doubt, as with nearly all the other issues to get the supplier to invoice you, in advance, at the www.moneyfacts.co.uk, www.moneysupermarket.com raised, take advice from your accountant.

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RxWorks Ltd 14 Kingfisher Court, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 5SJ Tel: 0845 4747 445 Fax: 0845 280 2626 Email: [email protected] Web: www.rxworks.com 52 BUSINESS & FINANCE VETERINARY PRACTICE DECEMBER 2010 How about these for stocking fillers? CHRISTMAS is coming and Vouchercloud home. If this is a hopefully – depending on your We live in hardened times. Time is bugbear for you, perspective – business will be money and money is, er, money. consider investing in getting a little quieter. No doubt Discount vouchers are everywhere, if Postman. you’ll be wondering what to do with only you care to look. Sure, there are It’s a cracking the extra time on your hands. websites such as idea: combine the Well, if the statistics are to be www.vouchercodes.co.uk/printable- photographic and believed, there’s a fair probability that vouchers.html where a quick search will design features of you own an iPhone. If that’s the case, find a voucher for, say, a two for one the iPhone with the you’ll have time to scan Apple’s iTunes pizza meal. But by definition, this rules speed of the App Store looking for something out the impromptu dining experience internet. With useful or a little because you need a Postman, you create different. So with the computer and printer to your own two-sided season in mind, what get the voucher. Enter postcards, are the must-have Vouchercloud. electronically, with a apps? The premise is easy photo you’ve taken to understand: the app with your iPhone for RedLaser tries out a variety of finds deals according to the front, to which It must be hard to be the latest Apps in your locality and the you add your own a retailer now. With search of what readers chosen category using greeting and a town centres in might find useful the in-built GPS or the message on the rear. a landline, but make the call from a trouble, the impact of location you’ve told it As if to rub salt into the wound of mobile and you’ll get a shock when the lookalike high streets, to search on. Once the stay-at-home recipients, Postman bill arrives. The solution? Either don’t the economy and competition from you’ve found the deal you want, tap a will let you add an image depicting the make the call or use an app such as rivals and the internet, retailers must button and an electronic code will be weather. It also allows customisation of 0870. be quaking in their boots at the presented which you can give to the the card style and typeface. 0870 looks just like the iPhone’s thought of the first app we’re going to restaurant (or trader). A brilliant idea that will save a phone app, but the difference is that look at – RedLaser. The app will also give you the fortune in postcards, stamps and time. when a number is entered 0870 goes In simple terms, this app is a contact details – phone and address – so n Price: £1.79 online to its database and searches for a barcode scanner which, when that you can make that all important geographic alternative. combined with an iPhone, is an booking. Light It doesn’t always find a number, but absolute killer product. How many Categories include food, drink, days The iPhone 4, since its launch at the when it does, the number can be dialled times have you wandered around the out, health and beauty, online end of June, has been at the top of the directly from the app, and of course, the shops and bought a product only to (shopping), services, travel and hotels, best-seller lists. Of its many features, call should come out of your inclusive find out later that it was (significantly) home and DIY, leisure, retail and film one that is often not written or talked minutes. A huge saving and one in the less expensive elsewhere? and theatre. So much to choose from… about is the built-in LED flash. eye for sharp business operators. With RedLaser, you’ll be able to n Price: free Apart from being used for its n Price: free run a price comparison in three designed purpose – a short-range flash seconds. The app uses the iPhone’s Postman for the iPhone’s camera – it’s a great Flixster camera to zap a barcode to source The art of letter writing is dying. With pocket torch which, considering its Getting the lowdown on movies – information on what the product is, electronic devices and SMS texting, it’s diminutive size, is incredibly bright. times and reviews – in your local area who sells it and at what cost. Price all too easy to send a message by Even better, Light can be set to flash isn’t hard, but it’s not always comparison made easy – and lethal! tapping away, ignoring the pen. “SOS” in Morse code should trouble convenient. Invariably you’ll need a • Price: free However, postcards seem to be arise. Lost keys in a cinema, walking copy of the local paper or, alternatively, surviving; we all like to tell our family around at night, fiddling with cables in you’ll need to go online. But if movies and friends just how lucky we are to be the dark – none is a problem with Light. are of interest, then you really ought to on holiday, somewhere else. n Price: free get Flixster. But even so, it can be a chore to As with other apps featured here, have to trawl an unfamiliar town looking 0870 this app uses the built-in GPS to find for postcards and stamps so that news A pet hate of many is the use of cinemas in your local area and their of your escape can be broadcast. And it premium rate or non-geographic phone showtimes. But that’s not all. must be quite galling to find that the numbers by those in business. It’s bad Want to see reviews of the films postcard arrives days after you’ve got enough paying to make these calls from you could be booking? Touch a tab on the bottom and you can view what’s on, what the critics and public think. Further, you can also view trailers. The only downside is you need to remember that the app pulls the ratings from the US. Other than that, it’s well worth the price. n Price: free DECEMBER 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE 53 Employment issues Provision of a poor reference is timely that Chartered Institute for The Employment Appeals Tribunal Personnel and Development has issued (EAT), in Bullimore v. Pothecary a new guide entitled What the law says. Witham Weld Solicitors and another, This highlights the legal found that an employer who victimised obligation on employers in a former employee by providing a poor identifying and managing stress at reference to the person’s prospective work and explores the potential legal employer, was liable to compensate that ramifications of employers ignoring employee for future loss of earnings these obligations. The CIPD has also when an offer of employment was focused on delivering advice for subsequently withdrawn. those employers looking to tackle Following stress through good termination of her management. former employment, n www.cipd.co.uk/ Miss Bullimore had subjects/health/ brought a claim for stress/_work-related- unfair dismissal and stress-what-law-says.htm sex discrimination. Despite these Associative proceedings pregnancy eventually settling, the discrimination claim former employer rejected referred specifically to GARETH EDWARDS The EAT, in them in the reference reports on recent Kulikaoskas v. MacDuff that he later provided developments in the Shellfish and another, to Miss Bullimore’s field of employment held that no claim for prospective new law associative pregnancy employer. discrimination could be As a consequence, brought by an employee the new employer withdrew Miss allegedly dismissed because of his Bullimore’s offer of employment and partner’s pregnancy. she brought a claim against both her K and his partner were both former and prospective employer for employed for approximately a month sex discrimination. before K was dismissed on the The tribunal held that that the grounds of poor performance. K actions of both employers amounted to brought a claim for associative Looking for a unlawful victimisation. pregnancy discrimination on the basis However, despite the tribunal that he was dismissed after informing new job? awarding Miss Bullimore compensation his supervisor that he had been for injury to feelings, no compensation helping his pregnant partner lift Let us help you for future loss of earnings was awarded. heavy weights whilst at work. This The former employer was held not claim was rejected by an employment We have a liable as it was the actions of the tribunal and K appealed to the EAT. prospective employer that had resulted The EAT dismissed K’s appeal. In dedicated team in Miss Bullimore losing the prospect of determining the applicability of the Sex ready to find jobs employment. Discrimination Act 1975, it held that On appeal, the EAT held that the pregnancy discrimination relates to the for you decision of the prospective employer to “woman” on the grounds of the withdraw the offer of employment was woman’s pregnancy. “evidently foreseeable” considering the The EAT held that the European “damaging” nature of the reference Equal Treatment Directive did not provided. support associative pregnancy The EAT highlighted that as discrimination as it specifically limits damaging references are used fairly protection against pregnancy-related commonly as a form of victimisation discrimination to a woman. European Qualified Vets needed in the UK against former employees, such law was intended to protect the employees should, as a matter of policy “biological condition” of a pregnancy
Nationwide coverage and fairness have the opportunity to and could therefore not be extended to seek to recover damages, for subsequent men.
Practice and commercial positions loss of employment, from their former However, discrimination by employer. association is now prohibited under
Confidential service the Equality Act 2010. Pregnancy and Work-related stress maternity are “protected With work-related stress becoming an characteristics”, meaning that increasingly topical area for employers, it someone associated with a pregnant rig person could claim discrimination. Call 01392 314070, Gareth Edwards is a partner in the That being said, the draft European employment team at Veale Commission on Human Rights Code or visit www.rigvets.co.uk Wasbrough Vizards: e-mail seems to suggest otherwise, taking [email protected]. the same line as this case. 54 BUSINESS & FINANCE VETERINARY PRACTICE DECEMBER 2010 Understanding financial derivatives THIS month I am continuing on can be achieved. my journey of enlightenment Typically there are two kinds of through the often confusing world derivatives traded in markets: futures of investment options and and options. opportunities in an attempt to demystify Disadvantages some of the jargon n Derivatives are and concepts with complicated and which you may even many fund already have a degree managers may not of passing understand them acquaintance but sufficiently to be which, in reality, all using them wisely. still sounds far too They should only be tricky and confusing. used if individuals Figure 2. This month’s GORDON NICOLL have a full subject matter is explains the understanding of What are the margining system paid is known as the premium. This “financial derivatives” terminology and what them, otherwise they and clearing house? represents the maximum profit for the but what is a derivative? is involved in this should seek expert In order to ensure the credibility and writer (seller of the option) and the Derivatives are so type of investment advice. liquidity of the futures market an maximum loss the buyer will experience called because their n Some derivatives independent body is required to oversee if the option is not exercised. value is derived from are relatively low risk, and facilitate transactions. The clearing an underlying such as US Treasury house satisfies this requirement by “Put” and “call” options investment. These include shares, futures, but others carry greater guaranteeing the fulfilment of each A “call” option gives the holder the indices, bonds and currencies as well potential for volatility. contract. right to buy an asset from the option as commodities such as oil and metals. n An investor should know whether a The clearing house requires each writer. A “put” option gives the right to An investor can gain exposure to fund they have a position in is trader to make a deposit, known as the sell an asset to the option writer. an underlying investment without investing in derivatives. It may not be a initial margin, to cover the maximum A holder of a call option expects having to own it directly. This can bad thing, but it does increase risk likely daily loss from each futures the value of the asset on which the reduce expenses and ease within a portfolio so it is important contract. option is based to rise above the administration. A derivative based on that you make sure this still fits their At the end of each trading day the exercise price plus premium. When it the FTSE 100 index would allow objectives. clearing house will collect payment achieves this it is said to be “in the investment in the FTSE 100 without from those traders who have made a money”. The higher the value rises having to buy each constituent share. What is a future? loss and pay those who above this, the greater Derivatives can add risk but also A future is a contract to buy or sell an have made a profit. This An option the profit made. reduce it. Many fund managers now asset at a future specified date for a daily amount is known as contract gives The holder is able to use them as a matter of course to gain specific price. the variation margin. the holder the buy the assets from the exposure to investments in a cost Each futures contract will specify In the event of a writer and sell them in effective and easily administered way. the amount of the asset to be trader not being able to right to buy or the market to make the exchanged. Futures contracts are non- pay this margin, the sell an asset at a profit. If the underlying Advantages negotiable, i.e. they are an obligation. clearing house has the specified price value does not rise The use of derivatives, rather than The buyer of a futures contract is deposit or initial margin (the exercise or above this, the option is buying the underlying asset directly, taking a “long” position and is seeking to fall back on and does strike price) by, “out of the money” and offers a number of advantages: to make a gain if the value of the asset not lose out. the option holder will let n transaction costs are lower; rises above the specified maturity price. Most contracts are or on, a the option lapse and will n derivative contracts are often more The seller of a futures contract is settled by cash payment. specified date – only have suffered the liquid than the market for the said to have taken a “short” position as This is known as “closing the holder is not premium (Figure 2). underlying asset; he or she will make a gain if the value out”. In a large number obligated to buy Conversely, the n transactions can be executed more of the asset falls or doesn’t reach the of cases the positions are buyer of a put option is rapidly; specified price and will have a closed out before or sell the asset expecting the value of n short positions (benefiting from guaranteed selling price above the maturity. Leveraging is and may let the the underlying asset to falling prices of assets you don’t own) market value (Figure 1). possible since traders only option lapse. fall below the exercise need to find the initial price minus the and variation margins, not premium. The further the full cost of the contract. the value falls below this, the greater the profit. If the value does not fall What is an option? sufficiently, the holder will not exercise An option contract gives the holder the the put option and only lose the right to buy or sell an asset at a premium. specified price (the exercise or strike n For further information or to discuss price) by, or on, a specified date. any aspect of financial planning, However, as the name suggests, the contact the author, a founder member holder is not obligated to buy or sell the of The Ellis McComb Partnership, 3 asset and may let the option lapse. Mortimer Street, Birkenhead, Wirral Options may be European style, which CH41 5EU; telephone 0151 650 6520, can only be exercised on a specific e-mail [email protected]; maturity date, or American style, which website www.ellismccomb.co.uk. The may be exercised any time before or on Ellis McComb Partnership is an the maturity date. appointed representative of St James’s Figure 1. When buying an option the price Place Wealth Management plc. DECEMBER 2010 VETERINARY PRACTICE BUSINESS & FINANCE 55 A more adventurous approach... WITH the recession still far from most to global economic growth, with 6. Superior profitability massive growth potential for investors being over, many of us are still Russia, Brazil and India also among the High GDP growth typically translates willing to expose themselves to this feeling the pinch on our finances. top eight contributors. Higher economic into higher return on equities held investment market. Combine this with the imminent growth tends to lead to higher equity within that nation. Statistically, the arrival of Christmas and I am sure market returns. profitability of emerging markets’ Conclusion that the last thing on anyone’s mind companies is superior to that of It is clearly evident from the eight is to look at increasing contributions 2. Favourable demographics companies in developed markets. points listed above that there is into their pensions and investments. Emerging markets represent significant potential for investment Indeed, many people may have approximately 75% of the world’s land 7. Similar volatility; higher returns growth via exposure to the emerging stopped paying into their schemes due mass and house more than 80% of the It is perhaps a common misconception markets. But in order to provide a to a lack of surplus global population. Most of that investment in emerging markets is balanced view- point, it is also worth income and will defer the future population thought of as being very volatile and noting that these markets are deemed by the recommencement growth is expected to be certainly as being more risky than many investment advisers to be far of premiums until we in emerging markets, investment in developed markets. more volatile and illiquid than more enter a more stable where the population is However, over the past 10 years, a mature markets and therefore your economic climate. expected to grow five blended portfolio of emerging markets investment will be at greater risk. However, even if times as fast as in and developed markets exposure would In addition, political risks and you have stopped developed countries. have demonstrated a similar level of adverse economic circumstances are paying premiums, This means volatility (i.e. fluctuations in value) but more likely to arise, putting the value of there is still plenty emerging markets tend provided far superior returns. your investment at risk and the market that can be done to to have a high – and value of investments and the income ensure your money is DYLAN JENKINS growing – proportion of 8. Market capitalisation from them can go down as well as up. made to work as hard suggests a change of young, skilled people. Despite their dominance in terms of Shares may be subject to sudden and as possible. In this tack with investments world population, land mass, foreign large falls in value and you may get back article I will look at to help ensure your 3. A high and exchange reserves and GDP growth, less than the amount invested. the possibility of objectives remain on growing number of emerging markets have just 10% of It is therefore imperative that you taking a more track consumers world equity market capitalisation. This consult the services of a professional adventurous By 2030, more than one has been growing over the past decade, investment manager before making any investment approach billion people in and with it equity market returns have investment switches and that your with your funds in order to make up for emerging markets are forecast to join risen. portfolio is structured to meet both the lack of regular contributions and the ever-increasing consumer middle This trend is likely to gather pace your attitude to investment risk and ensure your retirement and investment class. Currently, personal consumption over the coming years leading to overall financial objectives. planning objectives stay firmly on track. in China accounts for only 37% of In particular I will be focusing on GDP, compared with more than 60% the possibility for investment in the and 70% in Europe and the US emerging markets equities sector. This is respectively. There is, therefore, scope tipped by many analysts to be one of for significant further spending. the key areas for investment growth over the medium to long term. 4. Increased consumer spending Emerging markets are considered to power be nations with social or business The world’s savings are concentrated in EQUIPMENT FINANCE activity in the process of rapid growth emerging markets, which hold 75% of and industrialisation. Currently, there are the world’s total foreign exchange I.T. & IMAGING FINANCE 28 emerging markets in the world, with reserves. Emerging economies are also the colossus economies of China and far less indebted than their developed REFURBISHMENT FINANCE India considered as being by far the peers. largest. Importantly, banks in emerging Outlined below are eight reasons market countries have emerged from why I believe it is more important than the recent credit crisis relatively ever for investors to have sufficient unscathed as they generally had little or exposure to emerging market growth no exposure to the “toxic assets” within their pensions and investments. associated with the sub-prime mortgage fallout in the US. This provides strong 1. Drivers of global growth foundations on which to build future When combined, the emerging markets, growth. including the Middle East, comprise the largest economic sector, accounting for 5. Reduced dependence on around 36% of the global economy in developed economies terms of gross domestic product Emerging markets have a wealth of (GDP). natural resources, including more than According to the International 90% of oil and gas reserves, 70% of Monetary Fund’s latest estimates, China coal reserves and 60% of copper, nickel, is the single country that contributes the iron ore and bauxite reserves. “South-south trade” (not involving Dylan Jenkins can be contacted at: RT developed economies) has proved Financial Planners Ltd, Mercia House, resilient, and emerging markets are fast t: 01536 52 96 96 High Street, Winchcombe Glos. GL54 becoming the largest commodity e: info@performancefinance.co.uk 5LG; telephone 01242 604066, e-mail consumers as the urbanisation process w: www.performancefinance.co.uk d.jenkins@ rtfp.co.uk; website (linking urban and rural populations) www.rtfp.co.uk. continues apace.  
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