20th February 2013
The RSPCA has revealed that caring for its abandoned rabbits costs over £500,000 a year.
"Looking after just one rabbit costs £4 a day, so when you take in to account all the RSPCA branches and centres - we spend over £500,000 a year caring for these animals," said Paul Reed, an RSPCA rabbit campaigner.
"We desperately need to raise awareness about the number of rabbits we have that need rehoming. Our rabbits get the best care we can give them but it's no substitute for a loving permanent home and family."
"Looking after just one rabbit costs £4 a day, so when you take in to account all the RSPCA branches and centres - we spend over £500,000 a year caring for these animals," said Paul Reed, an RSPCA rabbit campaigner.
"We desperately need to raise awareness about the number of rabbits we have that need rehoming. Our rabbits get the best care we can give them but it's no substitute for a loving permanent home and family."
18th February 2013
The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) is calling nurses to nominate representatives to sit on their association's Council.
The BVNA is also encouraging its vet nurses to consider standing for election themselves.
Candidates are asked to have a strong commitment to promoting the ideals of the BVNA as well as the veterinary nursing profession and a willingness to devote time and effort to representing their fellow members.
Click here to nominate and vote. Results will be announced at the Annual General Meeting in October.
The BVNA is also encouraging its vet nurses to consider standing for election themselves.
Candidates are asked to have a strong commitment to promoting the ideals of the BVNA as well as the veterinary nursing profession and a willingness to devote time and effort to representing their fellow members.
Click here to nominate and vote. Results will be announced at the Annual General Meeting in October.
15th February 2013
ACTT allergy drops - Needle free allergy treatment. This new product, introduced by Bio-Medical Services allows treatment to be tailored to the temperament of the patient, and the lifestyle of the pet owner. It is a sublingual immunotherapy treatment that gradually builds up the body's tolerance to the sensitising allergens causing symptoms.
14th February 2013
ULTRA Duramune - Introducing the very first 0.5ml canine vaccine line. This new product from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc (BIVI) reportedly offers improved patient comfort at 50 per cent less volume per dose. Innovative improvements to the manufacturing process include better purification processes and tighter manufacturing profiles. "ULTRA Duramune is like no other vaccine," says Dave Hustead of BIVI.
13th February 2013
The Radical-7 monitor launched at the 2013 NAVC conference is designed to improve patient outcomes and reduce the cost of care. According to creators it can obtain more reliable and significantly faster SpO2 measurements, optimise fluid management with PVI and enable reliable detection of respiratory depression with RRa. The gesture-control and touchscreen allow for easy operation and instantly adaptable functionality. The device can be wireless handheld for monitoring during transport and ambulation.
12th February 2013
Seresto - Flea & tick control that lasts eight months. Bayer HealthCare announced the launch of Seresto earlier this year. It uses a patented formulation to repel and kill fleas, and is effective for eight months. The treatment comes in an innovative collar form, featuring a sustained release technology which allows a continuous release of imidacloprid and flumethrin in low concentrations. According to Bayer, the product kills fleas within 24-hours and ticks within 48-hours. The aim of the product is to get pets closer to year-round protection by negating the need for owners to apply monthly treatments.
11th February 2013
CutoGuard Long-Lasting Liquid Bandages were introduced at the NAVC conference this year by AllAccem. The product is aimed at keeping wounds clean and free of contamination during the healing process, by forming a protective layer over lick granulomas, lesions, sores and hot spots. According to AllAccem, the bandage dries rapidly and forms a flexible and durable barrier coating and uses a bitterant to discourage licking or chewing of the affected site.
8th February 2013
An innovative nutritional supplement called TriCOX was announced at the NAVC conference this year. The drug promises a new approach to the management of osteoarthritis, and contains a patented ingredient named UC-II. Recent research showed autoimmune inflammatory attacks to the joint in response to exposed joint cartilage are a major perpetuating factor in the condition. UC-II is an immunomodulator that will desensitise the organism to cartilage proteins, preventing further damage and pain.
7th February 2013
New product Synergy was launched at the 2013 NAVC conference in Orlando. This is "the next generation biocompatible bone graft, [and] perfect for dental applications." Introduced by Veterinary Transplant Services and Dentalaire Products, Synergy is a superior alternative to bioglass synthetics. It is a combination of βeta Tri Calcium Phosphate (β-TCP) and Hydroxyapatite(HA), both found naturally in real bone. The β-TCP resortbs concurrently with new bone formation, whereas the HA resorbs slowly, providing osteoconduction.
6th February 2013
Nominations for the RCVS and VN Council elections closed on 31 January, and the nominees for both have now been publicly announced. There are 13 candidates for the RCVS elections, and four for the VN Council. Candidate information and manifestos will be circulated to veterinary surgeons and nurses in early to mid-March, and will also be available online in due course. Votes close on 30 April 2013.
5th February 2013
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has held a canine welfare meeting to cover the issues relating to the breeding and sale of dogs.
Discussion surrounded puppy farming, the increasing number of puppies coming from abroad, and whether banning the sale of puppies in pet shops and introducing controls on Internet sales would help prevent the problem.
It was acknowledged that charities and volunteer organisations face much of the burden of these issues and it was agreed that the use of puppy contracts should become mandatory, though this is unlikely, unless a single format is used.
Discussion surrounded puppy farming, the increasing number of puppies coming from abroad, and whether banning the sale of puppies in pet shops and introducing controls on Internet sales would help prevent the problem.
It was acknowledged that charities and volunteer organisations face much of the burden of these issues and it was agreed that the use of puppy contracts should become mandatory, though this is unlikely, unless a single format is used.
4th February 2013
Four vets and two vet nurses are planning to fly to India later this month to help vaccinate, treat and neuter stray dogs.
The team are set to spend two weeks in clinics in the state of Sikkim, which are run by Vets Beyond Borders, an Australian charity that aims to improve animal welfare.
The vets and vet nurses fly out during February in order to begin their work.
"The team members are very concerned about the plight of these dogs and so can't wait to get out there and do their bit for the developing community of Sikkim," said a colleague.
The team are set to spend two weeks in clinics in the state of Sikkim, which are run by Vets Beyond Borders, an Australian charity that aims to improve animal welfare.
The vets and vet nurses fly out during February in order to begin their work.
"The team members are very concerned about the plight of these dogs and so can't wait to get out there and do their bit for the developing community of Sikkim," said a colleague.