With a long heritage of traditional and on-line CPD provision to vets and nurses dating back to 1998, CPD Solutions has brought that experience to the fore in setting up the clubs. They have identified which expert speakers are rated most highly for their engaging and informative style and which topics stimulate the greatest interest. The clubs benefit from the latest webinar technology, which lends itself to multimedia platforms, including smooth streaming of video, while still being incredibly easy to operate and access.

Anyone joining before 10^th October can benefit from a special launch offer of £247* (+ VAT) to join a webinar club for one year, which includes a free CD/DVD packed with content relevant to the club topic. This means each live webinar costs just over £20, which is hard to match using more traditional CPD formats. All members can also access the full back catalogue of webinars relating to the topic.

Susie Coughlan is Managing Director at CPD Solutions, “We have given a lot of thought to setting up these clubs so that they reflect what people really need from their CPD. Neurology and orthopaedics are always incredibly popular topics and many vets have told us that they feel that in these subject areas, rapid developments and new techniques can really change their approach to cases.”

Each club provides a monthly live webinar, in afternoons or evenings and of course all the webinars are available for club members to view after the live event at their convenience, making them very accessible across different time zones. There is a good rationale for the scheduling, as Susie Coughlan explains, “We decided to limit the available webinars to one a month during the annual membership period because with the best will in the world, many vets and nurses have only a limited time available to spend on CPD and there is very little point in paying for a multitude of webinars that they will never have the time to attend. Part of the appeal of webinars is their low cost and value for money, although we know many vets and nurses put flexibility as to when and where they view as the most exciting attribute of webinar clubs.”

For more details or to join a webinar club visit www.veterinarywebinars.com or call 0151 328 0444.

*Price after 10^th October is £327 (+ VAT) per webinar club, which equates to just over £27 per webinar. The offer price represents a saving of £80.

With a long heritage of traditional and on-line CPD provision to vets and nurses dating back to 1998, CPD Solutions has brought that experience to the fore in setting up the webinar clubs. They have identified the expert speakers nurses relate to most positively and which topics nurses find most useful. The club benefits from the latest webinar technology, which lends itself to multimedia platforms, including smooth streaming of video, allowing those essential practical skills to be demonstrated. Webinars are really easy to access – all that’s needed is a PC or MAC and broadband access – and full support is available by telephone and email from CPD Solutions to make the process as smooth as possible.

An early rush to sign up is on the cards, as there is a special launch offer for nurses joining before 10^th October and at just £247* (+ VAT) to join the nurse webinar club for one year it’s a real bargain, saving £80 on full price membership. This means each live webinar costs just over £20, which is hard to match using more traditional CPD formats. But that’s not all: each membership comes with two log-ins, meaning that two nurses can benefit from the nurse webinar club for the price of one! The launch offer also includes a free CD/DVD packed with content relevant to the club topic. All members will also enjoy access to four webinars from the recent archive.

Susie Coughlan is Managing Director at CPD Solutions, “We know that for nurses, CPD can be a big challenge. Time and cost are a real consideration and many nurses are not able to travel to distant venues to study the topics of their choice due to family or work commitments. In winter, travelling alone in cold and dark conditions becomes even less attractive. This webinar club offers a way for nurses to access relevant high quality CPD, safely, easily and cost effectively, to fit with their busy lifestyles.”

The nurses club provides a monthly live webinar, in afternoons or evenings and of course all the webinars are available for club members to view after the live event at their convenience, making them very accessible across different time zones. There is a good rationale for the scheduling, as Susie Coughlan explains, “We decided to limit the available webinars to one a month during the annual membership period because with the best will in the world, many nurses have only a limited time and money available to spend on CPD and there is very little point in paying for a multitude of webinars that they will never have the time to attend. Part of the appeal of webinars is their low cost and value for money, although we know many nurses put flexibility as to when and where they view as the most exciting attribute of webinar clubs. It’s another small but important step towards helping nurses maintain and build upon their professional skills.”

For more details or to join a webinar club visit www.veterinarywebinars.com or call 0151 328 0444.

*Price after 10^th October is £327 (+ VAT) per webinar club, which equates to just over £27 per webinar. The offer price represents a saving of £80.

There are also new look point of sale materials and leaflets to help vet practices and retailers to support the initiative. Once again Dr Monkey, the charismatic Border Terrier, will be adding his woof to the debate on the blogosphere, encouraging pet owners to make sure that their pet stays relaxed and mellow throughout the firework season.

Pet owners eagerly viewed Dr Monkey’s diary of his day-to-day life leading up to firework night last year. The personality of the cheeky Border Terrier shone through and the blog highlighted just how easy it was for Dr Monkey and his friends to stay calm and relaxed in the face of firework fears and phobias, albeit with a little help from Dorwest’s herbal treatments. See Dr Monkey on Facebook, Twitter and at http://dorwestdrmonkey.blogspot.comfrom mid September and don’t forget to bring his amusing yet educational antics to the attention of pet owners.

The campaign’s positive approach emphasises how pets can be helped to adopt a laidback attitude and the theme is developed in new leaflets with updated advice in an easy to read format. To help stockists make a big noise with the campaign there is a ‘Dorwest Say Relax’ fireworks promo kit containing leaflets, leaflet holder, poster, shelf wobbler and stickers, which will be sent on request free of charge from Dorwest while stocks last. Simply contact Dorwest, telephone 01308 897272 or email trade@dorwest.com.

For those that like to take the technical approach there is a new technical sheet describing the likely mode of action of Scullcap & Valerian Tablets and Organic Valerian Compound with information on some of the latest published studies.

With a recent survey showing that over 90 per cent of customers would buy these products again, Scullcap and Valerian Tablets and Organic Valerian Compound are set to fly off the shelves during the busy firework period, so remember to stock up early!

Under the new regulations, which take effect from Jan 2012, tick control will no longer be mandatory. A recent study has already demonstrated that a population of exotic tick species has already become established in the south-east of England¹.With up to 15,000 animals travelling under PETS each month, the possibility of exotic ticks (and their associated tick borne diseases) entering and establishing in the UK becomes increasingly likely. The European Parliament has yet to rule on mandatory tapeworm control. The decision will impact on the future distribution of, and disease threat from,  Echinococcus multilocularis.

ESCCAP UK is advising all vets to discuss the risks with their clients and to ensure they make an informed decision about tick control when the new legislation comes into effect.

The seminar provides all the information clinicians will need to have this informed dialogue with clients. The presentations will provide an overview of the impact of the changes to PETS in relation to Rabies, Echinococcus and ticks, as well as advice about how to communicate the information to pet owners and the tools and support available. The ESCCAPUK website www.esccapuk.org.uk is a useful resource for both vets, nurses and pet owners. It includes information, updates on the PETS situation, guidelines for parasite control programmes and podcasts.

The seminar takes place at Engineers’ House, The Promenade, Clifton Down, Bristol 
BS8 3NB. Places are limited so those wishing to attend are advised to register as soon as possible by contacting ESCCAPUK on Tel: ++44 (0)1684 568998 Fax: ++44 (0)5603 102013, E-mail: info@esccapuk.org.uk

1. Smith F D, Ballantyne R, Morgan E R, Wall R (2011) Prevalence, distribution and risk associated with tick infestation of dogs in Great Britain. Medical and Veterinary Entomology. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.2011.00954.x

Matt Gurney BVSc CertVA DipECVAA MRCVS, European Recognised Specialist in Anaesthesia & Analgesia and Dr Jo Murrell , BVSc PhD CertVA DipECVA MRCVS will explain how to use methadone safely and effectively in dogs for the management of acute pain at three venues including the Village Hotel, Manchester Cheadle on Tuesday 15^th November, Novotel at Newcastle airport on Tuesday 22^nd November and The Gables, Falfield, near Bristol on Wednesday 30^th November.

Each meeting starts at 7.30 pm with a buffet supper, followed by presentations at 8 pm. 

To secure a place costs just £25, for an hour and a half’s CPD. Book by contacting Eurovet on Tel 01223 257933 or E mail office@eurovet-ah.co.uk.

Comfortan® contains methadone 8.9 mg per ml, equivalent to methadone hydrochloride 10 mg.  Legal category POM-V. This product falls within the regime of controlled drugs Schedule II. 

Use Animal Medicines Responsibly  http://www.noah.co.uk/responsible/

Eurovet Animal Health: From Vets For Vets

Eurovet Animal Health is an animal health company based in Cambridge, for further information contact Eurovet Animal Health, Compass House, Chivers Way, Histon, Cambridge, CB24 9AD Tel 01223 257933 E mail office@eurovet-ah.co.uk www.eurovet-ah.co.uk

Hailed as Gold Standard Management CPD, the event runs across three streams and delegates are free to attend the presentation that best meets their own personal training needs or addresses an issue relevant in their practice. 

This year, delegates can choose from a HR Boot Camp delivered by two award winning speakers from the US; a marketing and retailing stream covering everything from social media to selling skills and a stream entitled ‘Impact on People’, delivered by vet and business coach Anne-Marie Svendson Aylott, that looks at behaviours, why people act and react the way they do and how they can be managed more effectively.

With an increasing number of overseas delegates attending the event, VPMA Congress can rightly be claimed as one of the foremost congresses globally that is completely dedicated to practice management. Anyone interested in owning or managing a practice now or in the future would be well advised to attend this vibrant event that will help all practices and individuals to reach their potential.

Register Today!

The 2012 Veterinary Practice Management Association Congress (VPMA www.vpma.co.uk) will take place in Kenilworth in Warwickshire in the UK on 26^th- 28^th January 2012 at Chesford Grange Hotel, a four star manor house hotel with 17 acres of grounds.

Delegates can register or see further information about the congress at www.vpmacongress.co.uk or by calling 01727 859259 or sending an email to events@mojoconsultancy.com. Non-members are welcome to attend.

The VPMA wish to thank the following sponsors for their support:

Norbrook, Principal Sponsor

Dunlops, Nestle Purina, Pfizer Animal Health, Enhanced Sponsors

Hill’s Pet Nutrition, MSD Animal Health, Novartis, VetShare, Onswitch, Standard Sponsors

St Francis Group, online sponsor

Supreme has addressed this concern by increasing the fibre content of their Science Selective Rabbit food to 23 per cent fibre – the highest of any concentrate for small furries in the UK. The new VetCarePlus range, based on the innovative monoforage® technology developed by the company, contains up to 34 per cent fibre. Fibre is vital for small furries, playing an active role in gastro intestinal health, dental health, weight management and behavioural factors.

The survey also revealed that vets and nurses are feeling optimistic about the impact of small furries on veterinary practice. A massive 70 per cent of respondents felt that, even in the face of the recent recession, small furries/exotics had made a growing contribution to their business profits over the last five years and 90 per cent felt that there was potential for them to make an even bigger contribution to practice profits in the future. The biggest barrier to more small pets being brought forward for treatment was felt to be the cost of treatment relative to the cost of the pet – 55 per cent felt that this was the most significant stumbling block – but another 45 per cent felt that lack of education and an inability to recognise illness were the main factors.

Supreme’s Marketing Manager Claire Hamblion has recently launched a trial programme in a limited number of practices to provide the tools needed to help grow the small pets sector, “Our experience to date indicates that having the right tools and providing a warm welcome to owners of small furries that projects a willingness to treat them, can make a difference. We would love to hear more from those who have successfully grown this part of their business and those who are looking to expand their capabilities in this exciting area.” Interested parties, or those who would like to pre-register for the further roll out of Supreme’s business programme can send an email with their contact details to b2b@supremepetfoods.com.

The company has also been delighted by the positive response to the lunch and learn webinar format and more events are being scheduled for the winter months. Those interested in attending future events, or receiving educational material, can register their interest by email at cpd@supremepetfoods.com to receive priority notification of dates and availability.

* A survey of 246 vets and nurses and students attending a lunch and learn webinar on 15th September 2011

In field trials, over 90 per cent of per owners and vets identified that animals experienced excellent analgesia post operatively*. Available in a highly accepted, chewable, splitable tablet, Cimalgex® can be given with or without food, helping owner compliance.

The excellent tolerability and efficacy profile and ease of use of Cimalgex® means that veterinary patients could benefit from pain relief in situations where clinicians are worried about the risks versus the benefits of prescribing a NSAID for pain management.

*E. Grandemange: Field evaluation of the efficacy and the safety of cimicoxib in the relief of peri-operative pain in dogs; 2008,

study number n°3008C2F1

Further information about assessing pain and decision making when it comes to prescribing NSAIDs, will be presented in a free webinar on 19^th October at 8.30pm. To register go to www.thewebinarvet.com/vetoquinol and enter code CIM1.

Cimalgex® 8mg,30mg,80mg chewable tablets for dogs contains cimicoxib. Legal category:UK: POM V; IE: POM

To be supplied only on veterinary prescription.

Cimicoxib under licence from PALAU PHARMA, Spain.

For further information contact Vetoquinol UK Limited, Vetoquinol House, Great Slade, Buckingham Industrial Park, Buckingham, MK18 1PA. Tel: 01280 814500, Fax: 01280 825460 Email: office@vetoquinol.co.uk website: www.vetoquinol.co.uk

Vetoquinol Ireland Ltd, Vetoquinol House, Great Slade, Buckingham Industrial Park, Buckingham, MK18 1PA

Tel:1800 406117, Fax: 1800 406116, Email:Ireland@vetoquinol.co.uk ,Website: www.vetoquinol.co.uk.and www.cimydog.co.uk

Use Animal Medicines Responsibly  http://www.noah.co.uk/responsible/

Feedback received from participants after the event was unanimously positive. “Quite simply the most useful and thought provoking management seminar I have ever been on!” commented Doug Alexander, Partner at AlphaPet.

“A good environment was created for us to talk and discuss ideas.  Some exciting thoughts to take back into practice for now and for future development” suggested Andy Nelson, Partner at Leonard Brothers

“Some vets believe that they just need to hold out for the recession to finish” explains Ashley Gray, Managing Director of the host company, Total Veterinary Insurance Ltd. “The reality is that, when the recession finally ends, we will awake in a world that is completely different. To some, such changes are very frightening, for others, they present exciting opportunities.”

“Whichever camp you fall into, planning, preparation and collaboration between like-minded vets are all critical for success” continues Ashley.  “We thank everyone for their participation and look forward with pleasure to doing this again in the future.”

Since last year, Norman has been a member of a study group made up of seven European specialists who have been reviewing the literature around this topic in an attempt to reach some conclusions based on evidence based medicine. The initial findings have confirmed the multifactorial nature of the condition and during the webinar Norman will present management protocols for individual treatments, tackling such contentious issues as elective teeth extraction and the use of feline recombinant interferon omega.

Norman is an accomplished speaker and teacher, so this promises to be a riveting session and based on the numbers already registered, there is likely to be a full house for this webinar. The Hill’s free webinar series ends on the 8^th June with Duncan Lascelles, Assistant Professor in Small Animal Surgery at North Carolina State, speaking on feline arthritis.

About Hill’s Pet Nutrition

Hill’s Pet  Nutrition Ltd. manufactures Hill’s™  Prescription Diet™ brand pet foods, dietetic pet foods available only through  veterinary surgeons, and Hill’s™ Science Plan™ brand pet foods sold through  veterinary practices and specialist pet  shops. Founded more than 60 years ago with a unique commitment to pet  nutrition and well-being, Hill’s™ is committed to its mission to help enrich  and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets.  Hill’s™ produces high quality, great-tasting pet foods owners can trust and  give to their canine and feline companions as part of a veterinary health  care team recommendation. This ultimately improves patient health and the  health of the practice. For more information about Hill’s Pet Nutrition Ltd,  and Hill’s Evidence-Based Clinical Nutrition™ visit HillsPet.Co.UK <http://www.hillspet.com/our-company/who-we-are.html>  .