Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Free practice resources to ‘Make Senior Easier’
The Make Senior Easier campaign is highlighting the importance of offering appropriate care to ageing pets.
Tools developed to improve owner awareness of ageing pets.

Veterinary health firm Animalcare has developed a suite of resources for practices to enhance the care professionals provide to ageing pets.

The resources form part of the ‘Make Senior Easier’ campaign, highlighting the importance of offering appropriate care to ageing pets. Practices can request their free resource pack by visiting animalcare.co.uk/makesenioreasier

Besides helping professionals build stronger client relationships, AnimalCare hopes the resources will also support owners in caring for their animals as they get older. They include:
  • a video offering top tricks and tips to help practices get the best out of the campaign
  • health check materials, including a senior triage form to be completed by owners, and a senior pet assessment form, which can act as a checklist for practice staff
  • condition handouts for owners, detailing common age-related problems
  • engaging social media posts 
  • generic short articles on age-related issues for use in e-newsletters and on websites.
Kirsty Cavill RVN commented: ''In my role as an RVN and canine rehabilitation therapist, I often come across senior pets with underlying conditions which are adversely affecting their health but could be managed successfully through a multimodal approach and structured treatment plan. 

"By adopting a proactive approach to senior pet care and by helping owners to understand how to best support their pets through this life stage, we will strengthen the bonds with our clients, to ensure the highest standard of care is afforded to all senior patients.''

James Beaumont, Animalcare brand manager, added: “Unfortunately, some signs of a gradual decline in the health of senior patients can go unnoticed. Other changes, perhaps behaviour-related or toileting accidents, can have a significantly adverse effect, not just on the animals but on their owners too. This is why proactively addressing some of the signs of an animal ‘just getting old’ is an important tool for building existing client relationships, as well as making a difference both to animals and their owners.

“As life expectancy increases and numbers of senior pets continue to grow, veterinary care tailored to the needs of these animals has never been more relevant and it is also a huge business opportunity for practices. To help them capitalise on this opportunity, we have created our Make Senior Easier campaign and hope that the resources we have created will improve owner awareness and give practices the tools they need to achieve the best clinical outcomes for older pets and their owners.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.