This year RCVS Day will be held on 6th July at the Royal College of Physicians, London

Pfizer have recently announced the next step in it's review of strategic alternatives for Pfizer Animal Health

The latest report is now available online along with all previous reports

PPE

  Nick Stace has been appointed Chief Executive and Secretary of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and will take up his post on 3 September 2012.   Mr Stace leaves CHOICE, Australia's equivalent of consumer group Which?, after three and a half years as Chief Executive Officer. At CHOICE, Nick led the modernisation of the organisation, this year taking it to the number one spot as the most trusted media entity in Australia. A long-standing consumer champion, Nick also held the post of Deputy CEO at Which?, he was a director at Consumers' International and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Director of Strategic Communications.   "I am delighted that Nick Stace will be joining the College," says RCVS President Jerry Davies.  "With his impressive track-record, I believe that we have a Chief Executive who will lead the College into a new phase of modernisation and development. I am grateful to the Interview Panel, led by Council member Dr Barry Johnson, for all their hard work in securing this excellent ...

Clydesdale horses would benefit from owners knowing more about the likely causes of bog spavin

The OIE and FEI called for new protocols for the movement of "high health, high performance" sport horses at the 80th General Session of the World Assembly of World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) Delegates in Paris last week. The OIE and FEI are continuing their collaboration to define and create a sub-population of horses to reflect the high health status of top level, international equestrian sport horses. The recognition of a lower disease risk among these horses would better facilitate their cross-border movement by national Veterinary Services. "As a result of the high increase in international equestrian sport, important constraints to the movement of horses have been revealed. It is clear that there is a need to define the criteria for healthy, high performance horses as a sub-population, which reflects the low level of disease risk involved in their movement," explained OIE Director General, Dr Bernard Vallat as he opened the General Session on Sunday 20 May. His comments reflect the growing aw ...

New research indicates the potential for tangible benefits

A survey of equine veterinary practices in Queensland Australia has shown that some veterinarians have stopped doing equine work because of the risks posed by Hendra virus. Hendra virus (HeV) infection primarily affects fruit bats, but was first reported in horses in 1994. During the initial outbreak 14 horses died. Seven other horses were shown to have been infected and were humanely destroyed. Human infections, although uncommon, most  often affect people in contact with horses. Of seven cases of human HeV infection, five have involved equine veterinary personnel conducting post mortem  or endoscopic examinations. In three cases the infection was fatal. A study, published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, explored the issues faced by  staff of equine veterinary practices relating to HeV infection-control and workplace health and safety. The research team from James Cook University, in Townsville, Queensland, was led by Diana Mendez. They interviewed 21 veterinarians and other staff from 14 e ...

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has today  launched its Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme with the award of the VMD's first Accredited Internet Retailer logos to 7 retailers responsible for a total of 10 websites selling veterinary medicines. In welcoming the first retailers to be accredited, Professor Pete Borriello, Chief Executive of the VMD said: "The VMD's Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme will be of great help to people who want to buy appropriate and effective medicines for their animals from the internet.  It gives them confidence that they are dealing with VMD accredited retailers whose websites and retail operations have been inspected against the UK's Veterinary Medicines Regulations. This will significantly reduce the risk of people buying veterinary medicines that are not authorised for use in the UK or are not suitable for their animals. It is excellent news for animal owners that 10 websites have achieved accreditation.  The VMD is keen to see even more retailers apply for accr ...