Dechra has announced its acquisition of a Invetx, a biotech company.  Invetx specialises in developing protein-based therapeutics for chronic conditions in companion animals, with a focus on monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Dechra says these therapies have targeted modes of action and therefore are often more effective, provide an extended duration of activity and have fewer side effects, all of which help to extend and improve the quality of life for companion animals while decreasing the care burden for pet owners. Jesper Nordengaard, Chief Executive Officer of Dechra, said: "I regard ..read more

Dechra has launched Lodisure, a 1mg chicken-flavoured amlodipine tablet for the treatment of feline hypertension.  Available in packs of 56 (4 x 14 tablet blister packs), Lodisure tablets are divisible for accurate dosing. The recommended starting dose is 0.125-0.25 mg amlodipine per kg bodyweight per day, which equates to half a tablet for cats weighing less than 4kg (and more than 2kg) and one tablet per day for cats weighing between 4kg and 8kg. It can be administered directly to the cat or given with a small quantity of food. Dechra companion animal brand manager, Sarah Musgrave ..read more

HeartVets, the UK’s largest cardiology referral practice has become an Employee Owned Trust (EOT). The practice, which has nine clinicians (including three RCVS Recognised Specialists), eleven RVNs, two human-trained cardiac physiologists and a dedicated referral administrator is the first referral practice in the UK to become an EOT. Dave Dickson, a director alongside Jo Harris, said: "The decision to transition the clinical side of the business into employee ownership was led by the core values of the team and the desire to preserve our independence as a referral service. "In an industr ..read more

CVS is embarking on a new study to investigate and document the clinical and clinicopathological features, treatments and outcomes of colitis in UK adult horses. A team of researchers led by Tim Mair, CVS Equine Veterinary Director and Specialist in both Equine Internal Medicine and Equine Soft Tissue Surgery at Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic, will review 100 cases of colitis in adult horses and 100 controls referred to seven equine veterinary hospitals in the UK: five CVS equine veterinary hospitals as well as Rossdales Equine Hospital and University of Liverpool’s equ ..read more

Staff at South Wales-based, VetPartners-owned Valley Vets have gone on strike for two weeks after pay negotiations broke down earlier in the year and 94% of British Veterinary Union members at the group voted in favour of industrial action.  VetPartners says Valley Vets has around 200 employees, less than half of which are members of the union, although the BVU says 50% are required for recognition. Suzanna Hudson-Cooke MRCVS, Branch Chair at BVU said: “Fees at Valley Vets have increased by 25% in two years, which is hurting pet owners whilst some staff at Valley Vets are being paid ..read more

The RCVS is hosting a free one-hour webinar about self-compassion, presented by Mind Matters research grant recipient Dr Katherine Wakelin, Clinical Psychologist, and Sarah Corthorne, trainee Clinical Psychologist, at 7:00pm on Tuesday 3rd September 2024. The webinar will discuss the importance of self-compassion and provide an overview of Katherine and Sarah’s research into the effectiveness of an online compassion focused therapy (CFT) intervention in improving the mental wellbeing of veterinary professionals. Katherine and Sarah will also go into more detail about how to get the m ..read more

Following the publication of the new WSAVA Guidelines for the Control of Reproduction in Dogs and Cats earlier this year, Virbac (maker of Suprelorin) has produced a range of learning content on the subject. The content covers the main points in the WSAVA’s report and offers up-to-date information and advice. For example, Virbac highlights how the report raises concerns about increasing moves to early neutering, or for neutering to be used as a method of behavioural control, as not all aggressive behaviours are testosterone related. For that reason, a “castration trial’ with long-act ..read more

In her inaugural address as RCVS President for 2024-25, Linda Belton said she wants to focus on the core remit of the RCVS as a regulator, and the importance of good regulation for public trust and keeping pace in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI). Linda gave her address at the Royal Institute of British Architects, venue for the RCVS Annual General Meeting last Friday. Linda, an equine vet and director of the Wiltshire-based George Veterinary Group, said: “A Royal College and a regulator – it’s a challenge but this combined role is also an opportunity for us. “In the t ..read more

Dechra is hosting a one-hour canine otitis externa webinar at 7:00pm on Wednesday 31st July to share practical tips on otitis externa, how to choose the right treatments and the latest guidelines for using antibiotics responsibly. The ‘Ear essentials – a holistic approach to the treatment of canine otitis externa’ webinar will include a presentation by Jonathon Elgie, veterinary technical advisor at Dechra UK and Ireland. Jonathon will talk delegates through case examples to help them make decisions that can be used in practice and take a clear, practical and holistic approach to tre ..read more

CVS has published a study1 which has identified the main factors that are predictive of resignations by support staff team members, including receptionists, patient care advisors and other support staff in companion animal practice.  For the study, 12 month's worth of anonymised data from CVS practices was analysed2.   The study concluded that lower engagement between a practice and its staff or clients, recent parental leave, shorter practice employment tenure, and younger age were all associated with an increased likelihood of support staff resignations. Lower practice cl ..read more