BSAVA Companion - 2019, 6, June

A PDF of the full June issue of Companion.

BSAVA mourns loss of inspirational Vet Nurse; PetSavers launches client information leaflets; Congress 2019 podcasts now available; A warm welcome to Wales!

The new Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 came into place in October 2018 replacing previous licensing guidelines for breeding dogs and pet shops, and also include newer activities such as doggy day care, home boarding, and online pet vendors. Previously unlicensed animal shows/exhibitions also now require a license. As a part of these requirements, the licensee must be registered with a veterinary surgeon and, for day care, boarding and home boarding, must have a Preventative Health Plan. Such a formal plan is new for many licensees and so they will require the help of their veterinary surgeon in formulating one. John and Kate Chitty of Anton Vets look at what is involved and how to draw up a plan for a license-holder.

Experienced receptionists and nurses, often given responsibility for many of the tasks involved in running a veterinary practice, are being encouraged to formalize these administrative skills. John Bonner reports from the SPVS/VMG congress held in January this year.

If a virtual specialist can be summoned at the touch of a button, will that improve the quality of care provided in small animal practices – or is there a danger that it might undermine the self-confidence and job satisfaction of the first-opinion practitioner? John Bonner reports.

Australian veterinarian Dr Shane Ryan is a practice owner in Singapore where he has lived and worked since 1984. Until recently Chair of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s (WSAVA’s) Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee, Shane is now President of WSAVA.

Curtailing irresponsible dog breeding will not provide a simple solution to the problem of unhealthy and poorly socialized pets, cutting off the demand is equally important, BSAVA members were told at Congress 2019 in Birmingham.

Brendan Godley is a marine biologist and self-confessed ‘turtle geek’. His research has taken him around the globe to many of those countries with breeding populations of this ancient reptile group. He has worked to help ensure the survival of turtles in Cyprus, Ascension Island, the West Indies, Brazil, Congo and Gabon… all places a very long way from the Glasgow veterinary school where he began his scientific career.

Article abstracts from the latest issue of JSAP.

News and events from the BSAVA’s regions.

A calendar of forthcoming central and regional CPD events June - November 2019.

This month, Kieran Borgeat, Clinical Lead in Cardiology at Langford Vets, takes a closer look at the incidence of heart murmurs in cats, their causes and why they should not be disregarded.