The essential publication for BSAVA members

How To
Approach the
anorexic cat
P13
Wildlife Welfare
New initiative at the
Royal Dick
P20
companion
NOVEMBER 2010
Petsavers Project
Results of urine
culture study
P23
Farmyard to
backyard
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3 Association News
Latest news from BSAVA
4 Thanks to Frank Beattie
Karen Wendlandt describes how the Frank Beattie Travel
Scholarship award helped her
58 Poultry Passions
Increasing numbers of clients are keeping poultry as pets;
John Bonner reports on what practitioners need to know
912 Clinical Conundrum
Consider investigation of laboured breathing in a young
Springer Spaniel
1317 How To
Approach the anorexic cat
1819 Small Animal Medicine Modular
An overview of BSAVAs forthcoming modular courses
2022 Publications
New venture at Edinburgh
2324 Petsavers
Latest fundraising news
2527 WSAVA News
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association
2829 The companion Interview
Harvey Locke
30 Spotlight on Scottish Congress
Report on the recent 25th Annual Scottish Congress
31 CPD Diary
Whats on in your area
Additional stock photography Dreamstime.com
Andrey Davidenko; Dmitry Kalinovsky; Marazem; Minyun9260; Reddogs;
Richard Thomas; Selenka; Vasiliy Vishnevskiy
companion is published monthly by the British Small
Animal Veterinary Association, Woodrow House,
1 Telford Way, Waterwells Business Park, Quedgeley,
Gloucester GL2 2AB. This magazine is a member
only benefit and is not available on subscription. We
welcome all comments and ideas for future articles.
Tel: 01452 726700
Email: companion@bsava.com
Web: www.bsava.com
ISSN: 2041-2487
Editorial Board
Editor Mark Goodfellow MA VetMB CertVR DSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
Senior Vice-President Richard Dixon BVMS PhD CertVR MRCVS FRSE
CPD Editorial Team
Ian Battersby BVSc DSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
Esther Barrett MA VetMB DVDI DipECVDI MRCVS
Simon Tappin MA VetMB CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
Features Editorial Team
Caroline Bower BVM&S MRCVS
Andrew Fullerton BVSc (Hons) MRCVS
Design and Production
BSAVA Headquarters, Woodrow House
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission
of the publisher. Views expressed within this publication do not necessarily represent
those of the Editor or the British Small Animal Veterinary Association.
For future issues, unsolicited features, particularly Clinical Conundrums, are
welcomed and guidelines for authors are available on request; while the publishers
will take every care of material received no responsibility can be accepted for any loss
or damage incurred.
BSAVA is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its publications wherever
possible and companion is printed on paper made from sustainable resources and
can be recycled. When you have finished with this edition please recycle it in your
kerbside collection or local recycling point. Members can access the online archive of
companion at www.bsava.com .
OFFICE OPENING TIMES
FOR CHRISTMAS
Apart from the seasonal bank holidays, Woodrow House will
be open over the Christmas period, though will operate with
reduced staff on 2731 December. On 3 January (a bank
holiday) the office will be open for Congress queries only, as
this is the Early Bird deadline. Of course, you will be able to
access all your online benefits 24 hours a day all over
Christmas, including ordering Manuals, booking courses, or
registering for Congress.
A date with
membership
You get more every year with your
BSAVA membership. Members who
renew for consecutive years are going to
be rewarded for their loyalty in stages
with benefits including online journal
access and Congress podcasts on CD.
Y
ou will get full details of your entitlement in your
membership renewal information. As an additional
benefit, once you have renewed you will receive a
useful free calendar with key association dates for 2011.
If you have any questions about your renewal or
which benefits you are entitled to please email
administration@bsava.com or call 01452 726700.
Watch your
mail box
In the next few weeks you will be getting two
key pieces of mail from BSAVA your
membership renewal information, and your
Congress booking pack.
L
ook out for both or check our website to make sure you dont
miss out on loyalty bonuses for renewing members or the
lowest prices for Congress booking.
If you have any questions or concerns about your membership
renewal then please email administration@bsava.com or call
01452 726700 and our team will be happy to help you.
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
More online tools
downloadable forms
F
rom December members will be able
to download useful forms from
www.bsava.com including anaesthetic
record forms and dentistry charts. They can be
downloaded and even personalised from the
Advice area of the website (within the For the
Practice section). Feel free to comment on the
forms and suggest additions or amendments,
and let us know what other similar resources
BSAVA can help members with. Email
marketing@bsava.com to comment.
JSAP
gets bigger
impact factor
T
he Institute of
Scientific
Information
(ISI) has published
this years Journal
Citation Report,
which provides data
on citation
performance for
peer-reviewed
journals across all
subject areas.
JSAPs Impact
Factor, which is a
measure of recent
citations to articles published in the preceding
two years, rose to 0.965. Articles from JSAP were
cited more than 2,350 times during 2009. BSAVA
members get free access to the online JSAP
archive via www.bsava.com.
Neurology
roadshow
T
here are a few places available in each
location of the Neurology Roadshow with
Simon Platt and Laurent Garosi this month.
Visit www.bsava.com or call 01452 726700 for
more information or to book.
Derby 18 November
Yorkshire 19 November
South Wales 22 November
Surrey 23 November
BVOA website
from BSAVA
T
he British Veterinary Orthopaedic Association
have launched their new website at
www.bvoa.org.uk, with the help of the IT and
creative team at BSAVA. As a much-valued affiliate
group to BSAVA, BVOA called on Woodrow House
resources to establish a more functional website and
a new logo which features a stylised canine knee
joint. Speaking after the launch Gareth Arthurs of
BVOA said, We now have a new logo and website
that has a clean, fresh and very contemporary feel,
and is easy to navigate.
RCVS
nominations
N
ominations have now opened for candidates
who wish to stand in the 2011 elections to
RCVS Council and RCVS Veterinary Nurses
Council. Visit www.rcvs.org.uk or get nomination forms
and candidate information forms from
executiveoffice@rcvs.org.uk.
D
ont forget that the Early Bird
deadline for Congress 2011 is even
earlier than usual. You might be
used to it being in February; however, due
to the complications and added expense
coming with the new VAT value, weve had
to bring it forward. So you need to register
for Congress before 3 January to benefit
from early booking discount and save a
further 5% on your registration by booking
online at www.bsava.com. Early Bird reminder
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FRANK BEATTIE AWARD
Thanks to Frank Beattie
O
n graduation day from vet school at the ripe
old age of 40, I stood there waiting to enter
the Usher Hall in Edinburgh and thought,
Here I am, starting a new career in a new country.
The rest of my life would be just icing on the cake.
I could have dropped off the perch the next day and
still would have had no regrets. I had arrived in a new
life and the next years, no matter how many, were
going to be better.
Since then Ive worked with some great people,
and been very fortunate to develop my passion for
ophthalmology, all thanks to Frank and Annie Beattie.
Maintaining enthusiasm
When youve worked in general practice for over a
decade you can become entrenched in just getting
through a days caseload. Its not easy to step back
and look at the forest rather than the trees and try to
identify the pathway forward. We all need that
intellectual drive to keep the enthusiasm and growth.
Some can even experience a mid-career crisis. But
how do you take time out to pursue that interest? For
me, this is where Frank Beattie and the BSAVA
stepped in.
In June 2008, as a fifty-something, I used the
Frank Beattie Travel Scholarship to attend the Eighth
Biannual William Magrane Basic Science Course in
Veterinary and Comparative Ophthalmology and
Histologic Basis of Ocular Disease in Madison,
Wisconsin. After several attempts I passed the
Certificate Examination in Veterinary Ophthalmology
in 2009.
Scholarship support
The travel scholarship Mrs Beattie set up in memory of
her husband has helped many veterinary surgeons
pursue varied areas of interest, and given, as in my
case, that leg-up to further qualification. The travel
scholarship opened doors and introduced me to
international specialists I otherwise would not have met.
Friendships forged on CPD courses can last a lifetime,
theyve certainly added to the quality of my life. After
all, we are but a summation of our experiences.
Taking up this opportunity was not without its
sacrifices. Using holiday time for a three week CPD
course requires an understanding family and
employer. There were young mothers on the course
with adolescent children being cared for by husbands
and grandparents. Plus, for myself and others, the
travel distance was another factor. Delegates from all
over the world came to Wisconsin University for this
intensive course.
The non-American contingency made up about a
third of the numbers and came from Australia,
Belgium, Columbia, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan,
Latvia, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. The
majority of the North American participants were
residents in ophthalmology at American and Canadian
veterinary schools.
There is a great sense of job satisfaction that
comes with additional knowledge in clinical work.
I started out on this journey with one purpose in mind
to make a difference for my clients and their animals
in first-opinion practice. My priority is treating the
whole animal and developing my understanding of
ophthalmology substantially increases that ability; the
eye is after all the window into the body. Every day
I continue to learn with each new challenge. This is
the most gratifying journey I have ever struggled
through. Its been my own private Mt. Everest. If you
have a passion, dont let age stand in your way
from pursuing it. n
Karen Wendlandt, winner of the 2008 BSAVA Frank
Beattie Travel Scholarship, describes how the award
helped develop her interest in ophthalmology, and
why after graduating as a mature student she still
loves to learn more about the profession she entered
in her middle years
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POULTRY
T
here has been phenomenal growth over the past
20 years in the number of households keeping
backyard chickens, according to Victoria
Roberts, who has a lifelong interest in poultry rearing
and lectures on avian health and welfare to her
veterinary colleagues.
Small hobby flocks dont have to be registered with
Defra and so there are no precise figures on the
numbers of birds but all the indirect indicators are
pointing in the same direction. Membership of poultry
clubs has risen and three new publications for poultry
enthusiasts have been launched in the past five years,
all of which continue to thrive. And a glance inside
one of these publications shows that there are a
growing number of companies offering livestock,
housing or feedstuffs.
Motivation
Each new keeper of chickens may have slightly
different reasons for becoming involved but there are
many who are drawn to the idea of a pet that also
provides something as useful as fresh eggs. If I
thought about the time and effort that goes into
keeping birds, it would be cheaper and make more
sense to buy the eggs at the supermarket but I do
think our own taste so much better, says Rowena
Evans, who started with three chickens at her home
near Canterbury, and now keeps 40 laying hens and a
smaller flock of Pekin bantams as pets for her children.
Branwen Davis, a small animal practitioner in South
Wales, believes that concern about the welfare of
farmed birds is another major factor in this growing
popularity. Getting the eggs is a part of it because
people want to know that their food comes from
animals living in conditions that they have some
control over.
Poultry passions
Why did the chicken cross the road? Well, it may have been
that she was being taken by her owners for treatment at
their local veterinary practice. That is because increasing
numbers of clients are now keeping poultry as pets,
rather than just to provide them with eggs and meat.
John Bonner asks what practitioners need to know if
they want to provide a good service to these clients
Figure 1:
(A) Light Brahma
pair. (B) Silver grey
Dorking cock
Reproduced from the
BSAVA Manual of Farm
Pets
A
B
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POULTRY
Poultry passions
There are many more benefits not just fresh eggs
for breakfast. Keeping chickens fits in well with
vegetable growing, providing a weeding service plus
first class manure. Chickens are generally friendly,
easily bribed and interesting. And they make good
pets for children to learn about the responsibilities of
pet ownership, Victoria notes.
Breed and benevolence
There are similarly worthy reasons behind the choice
of birds. In the past 10 years, rescuing spent battery
hens has been heavily promoted and this is how
many recent chicken keepers have begun. It is
reckoned that 250,000 ex-bats have been re-homed
so far, she explains. Commercially reared birds dont
usually live very long in an outdoor environment, but
by then the experience of keeping poultry will often
encourage owners to look for hardier outdoor
hybrids, or they may progress on to fancy breeds,
many of which produce unusual and attractively
coloured eggs.
Keeping friends and neighbours supplied with
these eggs will often encourage new owners to
increase the size of their flock, as happened in
Rowenas case. I am from a farming background and
I suppose that I am quite pragmatic about the laying
hens. With the Pekins, it is different they
are there for the children and there
have been a few tears when one of
those birds dies. I think you cross the
threshold when you start to give your
chickens names.
Poultry in practice
Large-scale poultry keepers will
often know a good deal about
maintaining a healthy flock, but
the less experienced keeper may
well need to bring a sick individual in
for treatment at their veterinary
practice. Branwen is one of the vets with
a developing interest in this area but like
most small animal colleagues, she will admit
that her veterinary degree left her ill-
prepared for dealing with chickens. I think
we had a few lectures on pigs and poultry
but that was really just an introduction and was more
geared to dealing with health issues in a commercial
situation. Moreover, few cases have turned up in her
consult room since graduation. Her former boss, Jean
Morris, has a reputation in South Wales as a poultry vet
and clients would naturally demand to see her.
So if a chicken appears on their consulting room
table for the first time, what does a small animal vet
need to know? First of all, you need to handle and
examine a chicken competently and know the normal
signs of health, Victoria explains. Then, you should
have knowledge of the most common husbandry
and/or disease problems and whether there is a
successful treatment. For example, the older
battery hens are prone to egg peritonitis, which
is generally untreatable.
Figure 2: How poultry should be held
Reproduced from the BSAVA Manual of Farm Pets
Owner know-how
However, veterinary surgeons should appreciate that
they may not be the only source of information that is
available for an inexperienced poultry keeper. John
Sinclair keeps a smallholding near Bradford and was
given his first chicken to look after in 1941. Over the
subsequent years he has built up a huge base of
practical knowledge and rarely needs to see his vet,
except when it is necessary to obtain wormers and
other prescription medicines.
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POULTRY
As well as asking for advice from people like
Mr Sinclair, keepers will also share information among
themselves on internet discussion groups and in local
poultry clubs. Most of the causes of ill health in
backyard hens are well characterised conditions like
red mites and respiratory disease due to Mycoplasma
infection and so it is usually pretty clear what steps
need to be taken.
Challenges and threats
Overall, the standard of care provided by backyard
poultry keepers is fairly good and chickens may be
less likely than some pets to suffer problems when the
novelty of having them wears off. Lack of interest
does not seem to be a problem. Lack of knowledge
can be, but most people are willing to learn, Victoria
explains. Those supplying poultry to new owners will
usually give basic instruction and there are plenty of
paper and web-based information sources, although
some websites are just based on beginners
experience, which can be confusing, she warns.
Inexperience is likely to be the main reason for
health problems. Things are likely to go wrong if the
birds are fed by throwing food around in the garden,
as that is going to attract wild birds and rodents that
are the most probable source of a new disease,
Mr Sinclair suggests.
However, the major threat to any backyard poultry
is the fox, and new keepers may not appreciate the
dangers until they find a bloody pile of feathers or,
worse, they leave their hen house open and lose the
whole flock. Victoria has drawn up guidelines on
biosecurity for birdkeepers, which are disseminated
via the Poultry Club (www.poultryclub.org) and the
Animal Oracle websites (www.animaloracle.com).
The latter is a decision tree for poultry keepers which
will give guidance on the seriousness of any health
problems and indicate when it may be necessary to
contact their veterinary practice, she says.
Figure 3: Nebraskan Spotted turkey with
mycoplasmosis. The sinus is swollen (arrowed)
Reproduced from the BSAVA Manual of Farm Pets

Figure 4: Chicken ark

Reproduced from the BSAVA Manual of Farm Pets
Growing trend
Provided they are able to keep Reynard at bay, the
likely trend is for new poultry keepers to want to
acquire more and more birds.I suppose it is rather
addictive, Rowena admits. And not just for the public,
as some members of the profession have also got the
bug. Fife-based vet Jan Dixon started off five years
ago with three birds and now has about a dozen hens
of different breeds, nine ducks and five peafowl. Jan
also has a batch of eggs in an incubator, bought to
compensate for the feckless parenting that is
sometimes a feature of the old rare breeds. So it can
be very easy to slip largely unnoticed across the
threshold of 50 birds at which the flock should be
registered, she warns.
Having a large flock will not be so much of a
problem for a small animal practitioner when sourcing
medicines from their normal wholesaler for their
clients or their own birds. Many of the products
licensed for use in poultry are mainly directed at
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POULTRY
Look out for a backyard chicken clinical
conundrum next month which will further
explore some of the issues raised in
this piece.
commercial flocks and so it may be necessary to
break down a large pack into smaller volumes and to
copy the data sheet for hobby keepers. Yet the growth
in the numbers of small-scale poultry keeping does
make it increasingly easy to obtain drugs in
economical amounts.
Treatment
Products like the wormer Flubenvet are now
dispensed in pack sizes appropriate for the backyard
flock. Of course, where there is no licensed treatment
for birds it is always possible to apply the cascade
system, notes Branwen, who recalls using Canaural
ear drops to treat a condition very similar to canker in
a clients birds.
Of course, you need to make sure the client
understands what you are doing and signs an
off-licence consent form. They must also appreciate
that they shouldnt allow anyone to eat the eggs from a
bird that is being treated in this way.
As that case demonstrates, there will be the
occasional situation in which the appropriate course
of action may not be immediately obvious even to an
experienced practitioner with an active interest in
poultry medicine. So for complete newcomers to the
field there will be a need for guidance. Probably the
most practical source of information on the health
and welfare of backyard birds is the BSAVA Manual
of Farm Pets. However, there many other useful
sources of CPD on chickens and the other domestic
poultry species. It was standing room only for the
lectures that Victoria gave on chickens at 2010s
BSAVA Congress, so there are plans for a whole
session in 2011.
FARM PETS AN
ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR
SMALL ANIMAL VETS
From the backyard chicken to the pet llama, an
increasing number of farm animals are kept in
small numbers by hobby farmers or as purely
companion animals. These animals often require
a different type of care to large flocks and this
may well fall to the predominantly small animal
veterinary surgeon. The BSAVA Manual of Farm
Pets provides practical information on health,
husbandry, medicine and surgery of companion
animals more commonly regarded as farm
species.
Health and husbandry chapters include:
Management
Nutrition and feeding
Health planning
Legal considerations.
Medicine and surgery chapters detail:
The clinical approach to the farm pet patient
(history taking, physical examination,
diagnostic tests)
Common medical conditions
Surgical procedures.
The chapters for each group are organized in
a consistent format to aid information retrieval. A
separate chapter on post-mortem examination of
galliform and anseriform birds shows how
diseases manifest in the appearance of the
internal organs of these birds. An introductory
chapter sets the scene within a framework of
animal health and welfare and associated
legislation, and the final chapter of the Manual
shows how organic farming practices relate to the
keeping of livestock.
this is an excellent book which is well worthy of
a place on the shelves of veterinary surgeons
especially those dealing with the occasional farm
animal. It is full of vital information. Journal of
Small Animal Practice
Member price 49.00
Non-member price 75.00
Poultry passions
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CLINICAL CONUNDRUM
Clinical
conundrum
Alex Lynch, intern at Dick White Referrals, invites
you to consider investigation of laboured breathing
in a young Springer Spaniel
Case presentation
An 18-month-old male neutered
English Springer Spaniel is
presented with a 5 day history of
depression, inappetence and
laboured breathing. No previous
medical problems have been
reported. He is thin, weighing
16.6 kg (body condition score 2/5),
and is quiet, alert and responsive.
He is cardiovascularly stable (heart
rate 120 beats/minute) but with
obvious increased breathing effort
and tachypnoea (50 breaths/
minute) at rest. Rectal temperature
is 39.8C. Bilateral dullness is
noted ventrally on thoracic
auscultation and percussion, but
harsh respiratory sounds are heard
more dorsally. Abdominal palpation
is resented but the rest of the
physical examination is normal.
Upper airway dyspnoea tends to be
associated with increased inspiratory
effort and respiratory sounds (e.g.
stridor, stertor). Coughing and sneezing
may also be noted. The physical
examination findings were not
suggestive of upper airway pathology.
Potential differentials include inhalation
of a foreign body, inflammation,
abscessation and neoplasia.
Lower airway (i.e. bronchi and
bronchioles) disorders may be
associated with tachypnoea and the
auscultation of abnormal respiratory
sounds (e.g. crackles). Differential
diagnosis would include bronchitis,
bronchopneumonia and smoke
inhalation.
Pleural space disorders may be
associated with tachypnoea, increased
breathing effort and sometimes
exaggerated abdominal movement. The
ventral dullness noted on thoracic
auscultation is also highly suggestive of
a pleural space disorder. Potential
aetiologies to consider are
pneumothorax, pleural effusion,
diaphragmatic hernia/rupture and
neoplasia. A pleural space disorder was
therefore considered likely in this case.
Parenchymal disease may be
associated with auscultation of harsh
respiratory sounds. There are numerous
potential causes for parenchymal
disease, e.g. cardiogenic and non-
cardiogenic pulmonary oedema,
pneumonia, aspiration pneumonitis,
adult respiratory distress syndrome
(ARDS), pulmonary thromboembolism,
neoplasia, pulmonary haemorrhage/
contusions and inflammation. Clues
from the history and physical
examination help to refine the potential
differentials. For instance, no
abnormalities in the cardiovascular
system were appreciated, making
cardiogenic pulmonary oedema less
likely. No apparent history of trauma
made pulmonary haemorrhage or
contusions appear less likely.
Non-respiratory causes of dyspnoea
may reflect elevation in body temperature
(hyperthermia or pyrexia), pain,
hyperadrenocorticism/exogenous steroid
administration or acute haemorrhage.
Elevated body temperature may reflect
hyperthermia (e.g. due to elevated
environmental temperature, anxiety or
over-exertion) or pyrexia (e.g. infectious
disease bacterial, viral, parasitic or
fungal, immune-mediated disorders,
inflammatory or neoplastic conditions).
How would you investigate this
case further?
The patient must be stable before
pursuing further diagnostics. Oxygen
supplementation delivered in a minimally
stressful way is advisable, along with calm
patient handling. Baseline laboratory
information (complete blood count and
biochemistry profile) and thoracic imaging
are required. Given the strong suspicion of
a pleural space disorder based on
physical examination findings, diagnostic
thoracocentesis is also indicated.
Thoracocentesis may be performed in the
emergency management of unstable
dyspnoeic animals (especially feline
patients) prior to thoracic radiography,
where restraint for radiography may prove
potentially life-threatening. The dog was
sedated using low-dose acepromazine
and butorphanol. When dealing with
dyspnoeic patients, the clinician must be
prepared to perform endotracheal
intubation if necessary.
What are the dogs main
problems?
The dogs main problems are dyspnoea
and elevated body temperature.
Depression and inappetence are likely
secondary to an underlying primary
disease process.
Consider differential diagnoses
for his problems tailored to the
physical examination findings
Dyspnoea may occur due to respiratory or
non-respiratory causes. Classification of
respiratory causes of dyspnoea by
anatomical location is useful.
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CLINICAL CONUNDRUM
Clinical conundrum
Parameter Value Reference range
Haemoglobin 13.9 12.018.0 g/dl
RBC 5.92 5.58.5 x 10
12
/l
HCT 0.40 0.370.55 l/l
MCV 66.9 60.077.0 fl
MCHC 35.1 30.038.0 g/dl
MCH 23.5 19.525.5 pg
White cell count 17.5 6.015.0 x 10
9
/l
Neutrophils 11.6 3.011.5 x 10
9
/l
Lymphocytes 3.6 1.04.8 x 10
9
/l
Monocytes 2.1 0.21.4 x 10
9
/l
Eosinophils 0.2 0.11.2 x 10
9
/l
Basophils 0.0 0.00.1 x 10
9
/l
Nucleated red cells 0.3
Platelets 296 200500
White cell morphology Neutrophils have slightly foamy cytoplasm
Red cell morphology Occasional polychromasia
Platelet morphology Platelets consistent with analyser count. No clumping seen.
Table 1: Haematology
Parameter Value Reference range
Total protein 64 5477 g/l
Albumin 18 2540 g/l
Globulins 46 2345 g/l
Urea 3.2 2.57.4 mmol/l
Creatinine 59 40145 mol/l
Potassium 4.4 3.45.6 mmol/l
Sodium 144 139154 mmol/l
Sodium:Potassium ratio 32.7 > 27.0
Chloride 112 105122 mmol/l
Calcium 2.2 2.32.9 mmol/l
Magnesium 0.62 0.620.86 mmol/l
Inorganic phosphate 1.3 0.601.40 mmol/l
Glucose 4.3 3.35.8 mmol/l
ALT 13 1388 IU/l
AST 26 049 IU/l
ALP 63 14105 IU/l
GGT 1 010 IU/l
Bilirubin 3 016 mol/l
Bile acids 1.1 010 mol/l
Cholesterol 5.7 3.87.0 mmol/l
Triglyceride 0.8 0.561.14 mmol/l
Creatine kinase 85 0190 IU/l
Table 2: Biochemistry profile
How would you interpret the
laboratory results shown in
Tables 1 and 2?
Haematology:
Evidence of mild neutrophilia and
monocytosis suggests an established
inflammatory response
Biochemistry:
Moderate hypoalbuminaemia may
reflect reduced albumin production
(i.e. liver dysfunction), increased losses
(e.g. protein-losing enteropathy,
protein-losing nephropathy, secondary
to chronic exudation) or be a feature of
the acute phase response.
Mild increase in globulins was thought
likely to reflect chronic inflammation or
immune stimulation
Mild decrease in calcium was likely
attributable to low albumin
Describe the radiographic
changes in Figures 1 and 2
The lateral radiograph shows evidence of
lung lobe retraction and scalloping, due to
the presence of a ventral soft tissue
opacity, consistent with a pleural effusion.
The dorsoventral view confirms bilateral
but asymmetrical effusions, with fissure
lines and retracted lung lobes visible. The
fluid appeared predominantly right-sided.
Thoracocentesis
Thoracocentesis was performed to assess
the character of the pleural effusion and
hence determine the likely underlying
aetiopathogenesis:
Transudate
Hypoalbuminaemia
Modified transudate
Neoplasia
Diaphragmatic rupture
Right-sided heart failure
Vasculitis
Pancreatitis
Exudate
Septic inflammation
Non-septic inflammation
Neoplastic
Haemorrhagic
Trauma
Coagulopathy
Neoplasia
Lung lobe torsion
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CLINICAL CONUNDRUM
Chylous
Idiopathic
Ruptured thoracic duct
Neoplasia
Right-sided heart failure
Diagnostic thoracocentesis yielded
purulent material. Table 3 contains
clinicopathological information regarding
the effusion sampled. The fluid was
hypercellular with abundant degenerate
neutrophils. Frequent intracellular bacteria
(morphologically resembling rods) were
seen (see Figure 3). This is consistent with
a septic exudate.
What are the potential causes
of pyothorax in the dog and
how would you further assess
this case?
The aetiology of pyothorax in the dog is not
always clear. Haematogenous bacterial
spread, the presence of foreign material
and penetrating wounds are all potential
routes of infection, but the aetiology may
remain elusive despite extensive
investigation. Thoracic ultrasonography was
performed in this instance, which revealed
areas of echogenic fluid (see Figure 4) but
without an obvious inciting cause, such as
a foreign body or pulmonary abscess. In
addition abdominal ultrasonography was
performed, which revealed generalised
lymphadenomegaly, but was otherwise
within normal limits. Fine needle aspirate
cytology of these lymph nodes was
consistent with reactive hyperplasia.
Parameter Result Interpretation
Appearance Cloudy, pale yellow
Fluid nucleated cell count 113 x 10
9
/l <1.5 x 10
9
/l transudate
1.57 x 10
9
/l modified transudate
>5 x 10
9
/l exudates
Fluid red cell count 0.04 x 10
12
/l >1 x 10
12
/l significant haemorrhage
PCV of fluid 0.2%
Fluid protein 35 g/l <25 g/l transudate
>25 g/l modified transudate
>30 g/l exudates
Table 3: Laboratory analysis of effusion
Figure 2: Dorsoventral thoracic
radiograph
Figure 1: Right lateral thoracic radiograph
Figure 3: Example of septic exudate showing degenerate
neutrophils and abundant bacteria
Picture courtesy of Elizabeth Villiers
Figure 4:
Thoracic
ultrasound
image
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CLINICAL CONUNDRUM
Clinical conundrum
If available, alternative imaging
techniques such as computed tomography
(CT) may be useful in providing further
information in the investigation of
pyothorax. CT is a sensitive imaging
modality for identification of underlying
septic foci (e.g. foreign bodies or
abscesses) and intrathoracic pathology
(e.g. lung lobe consolidation). Concurrent
CT of the lumbar spine may enable
sublumbar abscesses to be identified,
which may be associated with migrating
foreign bodies.
CT is also useful in helping to pinpoint
cases where surgery may be indicated.
Exploratory thoracotomy may be required
to remove foreign material from the pleural
cavity, if medical treatment proves
unsuccessful or in relapsing clinical cases.
However the recommendation for surgical
intervention must be made on a case-by-
case basis.
How would you manage this
case?
Whether to manage cases of pyothorax
medically or surgically is an ongoing
debate. Surgery was not felt necessary in
the initial management of this case, since
there was no obvious source of infection
(e.g. foreign body) that would require
surgical correction, and good results have
been obtained with medical management
alone. In this instance bilateral
thoracostomy tubes were placed under
anaesthesia to enable closed drainage of
the thorax, alongside aggressive antibiotic
therapy. However, good results have also
been reported with one-off thoracocentesis
and administration of long courses of
antibiotics without thoracostomy tube
placement. Thoracic radiographs were
obtained after placement to ensure
appropriate positioning (see Figure 5).
Initially fluid drainage was difficult due
to the inherent turbidity of the fluid and fluid
pocketing within the pleural cavity. Thoracic
lavage was performed twice daily over the
next 5 days using 500 ml of normal saline.
Thoracic drainage was performed four
times daily. Opioid analgesia was provided,
based on regular assessment of pain
scores, and bupivacaine was administered
via the thoracostomy tubes for intrapleural
analgesia. In addition carprofen was
administered.
Which antibiotics would you
choose and for how long would
you advise administering them?
Common bacteria implicated in pyothorax
in the dog include Escherichia coli,
Nocardia and Actinomyces. Broad-
spectrum antibiotic cover, to include
antimicrobials effective against anaerobes,
is advisable as first-choice therapy.
Intravenous potentiated amoxicillin and
metronidazole was begun, although
alternative antibiotic combinations have
also been used successfully.
A more detailed in-house assessment
of the fluid could have been undertaken,
and can enable the clinician to target
empirical antibiotic therapy whilst awaiting
culture results. For example, Gram staining
*Editors note: Readers are reminded that not
all drugs described are authorized for use in this
species. Veterinary surgeons should adhere to
the prescribing cascade when choosing drugs
for use off licence.
of pleural fluid may also be useful in making
antibiotic choices. Identifying a Gram-
negative bacterium would justify selection
of antimicrobials with good activity against
Gram-negative organisms, whereas the
presence of sulphur granules within the
pleural fluid would suggest Actinomyces
and/or Nocardia infection. Samples for
culture and sensitivity testing should always
be obtained before starting antibiotics.
In this case culture of the pleural fluid
did not yield bacterial growth, which may
reflect the difficulty in culturing anaerobes.
Indeed, some clinicians inoculate pleural
fluid into blood culture bottles to facilitate
identification of more fastidious organisms.
Irrespective of the organism identified, a
long course of antibiotics is recommended
a 6-week course was initially prescribed
in this case.
Over the next 5 days the dogs
demeanour improved dramatically and he
regained his appetite. Repeat analysis of
the pleural fluid was performed, revealing
progressive improvement in cellularity and
gross appearance. In addition serum
albumin increased to 24 g/l by the fifth day
of treatment. The improvement in
hypoalbuminaemia was attributed to
slowing the protein losses into the septic
exudate within the pleural cavity.
However, mild hypoalbuminaemia and
hyperglobulinaemia are also seen as part of
the acute phase response in dogs. Repeat
thoracic radiographs were obtained on day
5 and showed resolution of most of the
effusion; both thoracostomy tubes were
removed. No complications associated with
thoracostomy tube placement occurred in
this case. The dog was discharged on oral
potentiated amoxicillin and metronidazole.
Thoracic radiographs were obtained a
further 3 weeks later, which showed further
resolution of pleural effusion. Antibiotics
were stopped after a complete 6-week
course. Surgical exploration of the thorax
was not required in this case as the dog
continued to do well without recurrence of
his clinical signs.
Figure 5: Dorsoventral thoracic
radiograph following thoracostomy tube
placement note pleural space on left
now appears wider compared to original
radiographs but with overall reduction in
fluid volume
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HOW TO
How to
Approach the
anorexic cat
Allison German from the
University of Liverpool helps
get us started with these
tricky cases
C
ats will often present at the veterinary surgery
with loss of appetite. Feeding is a focal
interaction for owners with their cats, so refusal
of food can be very distressing. Cats also tend to be
non-demonstrative when they are ill, so anorexia is
often the first presenting sign of a wide number of
disease processes (Figure 1). The cat who
communally feeds ad libitum may have pronounced
anorexia and weight loss before a problem is noticed
by the owner.
Appetite is controlled by a wide spectrum of
neurotransmitters and involves multiple centres in the
brain. It responds to the action of the autonomic
nervous system on peripheral and central receptors.
Satiety occurs during the absorptive phase after food
ingestion when nutrients become available from the
gastrointestinal tract. Hunger occurs during the
post-absorptive phase when energy is derived by
gluconeogenesis from stored nutrients. The hunger or
feeding centre is located in the lateral hypothalamic
nuclei. It is modulated by a satiety centre in the
ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei.
Anorexia is defined as a loss or lack of appetite.
Anorexia may be partial or complete and is
recognised in two forms:
True anorexia occurs due to a decreased appetite,
where the animal has no interest in food. This can
be secondary to various systemic diseases, pain,
neoplasia, neurological diseases reducing cerebral
arousal, or cranial trauma. Chemotherapeutics
causing nausea and opioids inhibiting the
orexigenic (appetite-stimulating) network can also
inhibit or reduce appetite. Animals receiving total
parenteral nutrition (TPN) may mimic an absorptive
state, decreasing hunger and promoting satiety.
True anorexia can be subdivided into primary and
secondary anorexia. Primary anorexia can occur
with central neurological disorders affecting the
satiety centre. Secondary anorexia occurs due to
the influence of a disease process on the cytokine,
endocrine or neurological control of appetite.
Secondary anorexia is the most common cause of
anorexia in cats.
Pseudoanorexia occurs secondary to conditions
that do not directly affect the appetite centre. Thus,
the animal will still have a central drive to eat
but this is overridden by another factor. Such
conditions include: environmental stress (change
in housing/family members/furniture) or
psychological distress (fear, anxiety); diet change
or poor palatability; anosmia; upper respiratory
tract/nasal disease reducing the ability to smell;
lower respiratory tract disease causing difficulties
in breathing; swallowing dysfunction (lingual,
pharyngeal, oesophageal, neurological); and oral
pain (tooth root abscess, fractures, periodontal
disease, neoplasia, oral foreign body).
More recently, the term hyporexia has been
introduced, to describe a reduction in rather than a
complete loss of appetite.
Figure 1: An anorexic cat with multiple clinical
problems at the time of presentation, including
hepatic lipidosis, glomerulonephropathy,
hypokalaemia and thiamine deficiency. Note the
neck ventroflexion and weakness. This cat was
managed with an oesophagostomy tube and made a
steady recovery after 6 weeks of supportive care
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HOW TO
Approach the
anorexic cat
The clinical examination can help define a tighter
differential list by: assessment of any physical
abnormality; observation of behaviour; assessment of
the ability to smell; palpation to investigate pain;
assessment of dental health; and evaluation of the
respiratory tract. The possibility of systemic disease
should be investigated, particularly if the cat has fever,
pale mucous membranes, abdominal discomfort,
orthopaedic pain, masses, respiratory abnormalities or
a cardiac murmur. Ocular examination is important
when considering infectious diseases (FeLV, FIV,
toxoplasmosis, FIP) and lymphoma.
The diagnostic work-up will be directed by the
clinical findings. This may entail a complete blood
count, biochemistry panel, urinalysis, feline pancreatic
lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI), cobalamin and virus
screening; more complicated cases may require
diagnostic imaging, cytology/histopathology or more
advanced procedures (depending on indication) such
as bone marrow biopsy and exploratory coeliotomy. In
the majority of cases, the cause of anorexia can be
identified through a thorough clinical examination and
minimum database. A minimum of packed cell
volume, total protein and electrolyte measurements
should be repeated once the cat is rehydrated and at
regular intervals for monitoring.
Bodyweight and body condition score (BCS)
should be recorded on admission and then daily
(twice daily for more critical patients). Bodyweight
alone does not give information on body condition and
will be affected by faecal mass (anorexic cats are often
dehydrated and constipated) and effusion volume (the
long-term anorexic patient will be protein-deficient and
prone to effusion development, particularly following
rehydration). BCS is measured on either a 5 point
(Edney and Smith, 1986) (Figure 2) or 9 point
(Laflamme et al., 1994) scale.
Intervention
Feeding an anorexic patient prevents malnutrition.
Malnutrition compromises the immune system, delays
healing, decreases hepatic detoxification and
increases intestinal permeability. Ensuring adequate
nutrition thus enhances recovery rates and reduces
morbidity and mortality. Intervention should occur
early, once fluid and electrolyte imbalances have been
corrected. Current advice is to intervene when weight
loss is above 10% (including in obese patients) or
when there has been partial (<85% calculated energy
requirements) or complete anorexia for more than
3 days. In addition, those patients in a catabolic state
(burns, severe inflammation, major surgery or trauma)
require nutritional support.
Management is based on identifying and treating
the underlying cause. Some general treatment
goals follow:
The patient should be rehydrated and reassessed.
Sometimes, once fluid balance has been restored,
the cat will eat.
Electrolytes should be supplemented as indicated
from regular monitoring, particularly potassium.
Body Condition Score Feline
Body Condition Score
Very Thin
More than 20% below
ideal body weight
Thin
Between 10 and 20%
below ideal weight
Ideal Weight
Overweight
20% above
ideal weight
Markedly Obese
40% above
ideal weight
1
2
3
4
5
Characteristics
Ribs, spine and pelvic bones are easily visible (in short haired pets)
Obvious loss of muscle mass
No palpable fat on chest
Ribs, spine and pelvic bones visible
Obvious waist
Minimal abdominal fat
Ribs, spine and pelvic bones not visible but easily palpable
Obvious waist
Little abdominal fat
Ribs, spine and pelvic bones are hardly palpable
Waist is absent
Heavy abdominal fat deposits
Massive fat deposits on chest, spine and the abdomen
Obviously distended abdomen
The Body Condition Score combines the evaluation of visible characteristics and palpation of certain areas of the body. The scoring systemoffers the advantage of being easy to use by the
veterinary surgeon of veterinary nurse and also by the owner and can be applied both for diagnosis of obesity and active prevention. Nutritional recommendations may be made following
body condition scoring which will vary in relation to the cats lifestyle (indoors, outdoors), his age and level of activity.
Figure 2: Royal Canin 5 grade body condition scoring system
Modified from Edney and Smith, 1986. Reproduced with permission from Royal Canin,
Crown Pet Foods Ltd., UK
Serum
potassium
Amount to add to 250 ml 0.9% NaCl
<2 mmol/l 20 mmol
22.5 mmol/l 15 mmol
2.53 mmol/l 10 mmol
33.5 mmol/l 7 mmol
5 mmol represents the minimum daily
requirement in anorexic cats
Adequate analgesia, for example sublingual
buprenorphine 0.010.02 mg/kg q612h,
should be provided for cats in any painful
condition. Recognising pain in cats can sometimes
be difficult. If in doubt as to whether a patient
would benefit from analgesia, a therapeutic trial
can be instituted and behaviour monitored to see
whether analgesia results in improvement.
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HOW TO
Cats that have been anorexic for 3 days or more
should have a feeding tube placed (see below).
Timely nutritional support is essential, to prevent
both malnutrition and the development of hepatic
lipidosis, which is becoming more widely
recognised in the United Kingdom.
Appetite stimulants should be avoided until the
underlying disease has been identified and
treated. If a feeding tube is in place there is no
need to worry about nutritional status, as the cat is
adequately supported without stimulants.
APPETITE STIMULANTS*
Cyproheptadine (Periactin): An antihistamine with
serotonin antagonistic effects. 0.10.5 mg/kg orally
q812h. Therapeutic levels are reached after
approximately 3 days. Some owners report cats
that become anorexic again if the dose is
suddenly stopped, so tapering treatment should
be considered. Reported side effects include
lethargy or agitation.
Mirtazapine (Zispin): An adrenergic and
serotonergic anti-depressant that acts as an
appetite stimulant and anti-emetic. The soluble
form can be administered through feeding tubes,
but should not be given orally. 1.8753.75 mg per
cat q72h. Reduce dose by 30% in cats with renal
or hepatic compromise. Monitor blood pressure as
can cause hypertension.
[Diazepam: A benzodiazepine used as an
appetite stimulant, anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and
skeletal muscle relaxant. 0.51 mg/kg slow i.v.
Use of diazepam is not advised as an appetite
stimulant due to the risk of fulminant hepatic
necrosis.]
[Prednisolone is sometimes recommended as
an appetite stimulant; however it is not suitable
for this purpose. Prednisolone can mask some
diseases and make them more difficult to
diagnose and treat in the longer term (e.g.
lymphoma). Rather than inappropriate use of
prednisolone, the underlying disease should be
identified and treated and appetite stimulated by
other means.
[Nandrolone is sometimes given as an appetite
stimulant, although there is limited supportive
evidence. It is a testosterone with anabolic and
anti-catabolic actions. 15 mg/kg i.m., s.c.
q21days. Maximum dose of 2025 mg for the
cat. It may cause hepatotoxicity.]
ANTI-EMETICS*
Maropitant (Cerenia) 0.5 mg/kg s.c. q24h
Metoclopramide 12 mg/kg constant rate
infusion; protect from light
Mirtazapine 3.75 mg per cat every 3 days
Chlorpromazine 0.10.5 mg/kg s.c. or i.m.
q812h (for intractable vomiting). May cause
sedation and hypotension
In nauseous cats with systemic disease, it is best
not to tempt the patient to eat until it is stabilised
and recovering. Offering food items early in
disease can contribute to food aversion and make
it more difficult to get the cat eating. Once the cat
is feeling better, it will often start eating voluntarily.
Using feline facial pheromone fraction F3 (Feliway)
in the cattery can help reduce anxiety.
Tempting a cat to eat should be done with small
food items, which can be warmed to enhance smell.
Syringe feeding cats can be stressful and lead to food
aversion so, in this authors opinion, is best avoided.
Sometimes placing food in the mouth or on the lips can
stimulate the cat to eat, but this method is only suitable
for cats that are stable and improving, as again this can
encourage food aversion and heighten stress. Some
cats respond well to food hides; other cats prefer
company and encouragement to start eating.
Getting a cat to eat within a hospital environment
can be difficult due to the limitations of space and food
placement. For anorectic long-stay patients, large
cages are preferable. Utilising vertical space in the
cage environment with platforms or boxes can help
well-being, but may not be practical if the cat is on
intravenous fluids. Cats prefer wide shallow ceramic
bowls that are placed at a distance from their litter tray
and from their water. Offering a patient only the
appropriate prescription diet may be counter-
productive. In the short term, the aim is to get the cat
eating; a switch to an appropriate diet can be done at
home once the cat is stable.
Feeding tube placement
Feeding tubes enable enteral nutrition, involving use of
all or part of the gastrointestinal tract. Enteral nutrition
is preferable to parenteral (intravenous feeding) as
enterocytes derive 50% of their nutrients directly from
the intestinal lumen. If the enterocytes are starved, the
intestinal mucosa becomes hypoplastic and
*Editors note:
Readers are reminded
that not all drugs
described are
authorized for use in
this species.
Veterinary surgeons
should adhere to the
prescribing cascade
when choosing drugs
for use off licence.
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HOW TO
Approach the
anorexic cat
hypofunctional, with increased permeability.
Furthermore, parenteral nutrition is technically
challenging, requires good asepsis and should be
reserved for malabsorption syndromes, acute severe
pancreatitis and severe persistent vomiting.
Practically, enteral nutrition is suitable in most
situations and can be achieved in a number of ways.
When choosing the method of enteral nutrition
delivery, the site of tube placement should depend
on the anticipated duration of support and the site of
the disease (tubes should be placed distal to the
problem area).
Short-term support
Naso-oesophageal (NO) tube (Figure 3). Use for
patients without oral, nasal, pharyngeal or
oesophageal disease and that are not vomiting.
The advantages are that placement of an NO tube
is quick and easy, and does not require anaesthesia
or sedation in most cases. However, NO tubes are
only suitable for a short duration of use, diet choice
is limited by what can pass through the narrow tube
diameter, and some cats do not tolerate the
positioning of the tube around their face.
affect the whiskers or grooming as much as the
naso-oesophageal tube.
Gastrostomy tubes are most practical for
long-term feeding (such as in hepatic lipidosis) and
are suitable for prolonged use (12 months or more).
Tubes can be placed surgically or endoscopically
(PEG). Gastrostomy tubes are contraindicated in
gastroduodenal disorders, especially where
persistent vomiting is present.
Jejunostomy/enterostomy tubes (Figure 5) are
rarely indicated and require placement by an
experienced surgeon. Consider use in gastric
Figure 3: Naso-oesophageal tube in a cat diagnosed
with multifocal alimentary lymphoma, FIV infection
and hepatic lipidosis. Naso-oesophageal tubes can
be used for short-term support, as in this case, for a
few days at home before euthanasia
Figure 4: Oesophagostomy tube in a cat with
vestibular disease, secondary to polyp surgery
and total bulla osteotomy. Foley catheters can be
used if there are no appropriate oesophagostomy
tubes available
Figure 5: Jejunostomy tube in a cat with hepatic
lipidosis, vomiting and severe malnutrition. The tube
attaches to a syringe driver for continuous food
infusion. These tubes require intensive
management. This cat was supported for 4 weeks
until it started eating voluntarily
Longer-term support
Oesophagostomy tube (Figure 4). Very useful
and well tolerated in cats. Suitable for cats with oral
and nasal disease but not those with vomiting or
oesophageal disease. A wide-bore tube can be
used, making feeding easier. The tube is
comfortably bandaged at the neck and does not
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HOW TO
disorders where small intestinal function remains
normal. As the stomach is bypassed, food is not
mixed and stored appropriately, so the patient is
more prone to complications such as vomiting,
diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Similarly,
continuous infusions are required to trickle food
into the intestine.
Feeding guidelines
How much should I feed?
Food requirements are based on energy, as this is the
most important factor. Calculation of energy
requirements is controversial in both human and
veterinary patients. For critical care patients, the daily
requirements are best calculated from estimated
resting energy requirement (RER). The main
controversy involves how much this RER differs in
critical illness. Correction factors used to be applied,
but there is no validation for these factors. A better
approach is to work with RER and monitor the
patients weight and body condition and adjust the
intake as necessary. For cats that have not fed for a
prolonged period, slowly introduce feeding over a
3-day period, starting at 1/3 RER divided into
multiple small meals. This is particularly important in
hepatic lipidosis and severe malnutrition cases, to
help avoid refeeding syndrome (where metabolic
and fluid disturbances occur within 4 days of
reinstituting feeding).
matter produced, although the cat should be
monitored closely and hydration kept optimal to
ensure against constipation.
How long should I tube feed?
Patients should be supported until their voluntary
intake is >85% of maintenance requirements.
Gastrostomy and enterostomy tubes must remain
in place for at least 710 days to allow a seal to
form with the abdominal wall.
Oesophagostomy and gastrostomy tubes can be
managed on an out-patient basis, allowing owners
to feed their cat at home. This is particularly useful
for cats with hepatic lipidosis, chronic kidney
disease or those with severe rostral trauma.
What diet do I choose?
Use any tasty food to get the cat interested initially.
Ask the owner for the cats preferences. For tube
feeding, it is best to use a commercial diet as these
will satisfy energy, protein and micronutrient
requirements. A high-energy, high-protein, easily
digestible diet is recommended, although this may be
manipulated depending on the underlying disease.
Liquid enteral diets (such as Fortol) are best for
small-diameter feeding tubes. Larger-bore tubes
can carry liquidised prescription diets. As enteral
diets are low residue, there will be little faecal
Readers are reminded that a comprehensive
guide to the placement of oesophagostomy tubes
and more information on calculating energy
requirements can be found in companion
February 2010 and in the BSAVA Guide to
Procedures in Small Animal Practice.
CASE
STUDIES
To see how these
principles can be applied
to patients in practice,
take a look at the new
BSAVA Manual of
Rehabilitation, Supportive
and Palliative Care. As
part of the books holistic
approach to patient
management, feeding
considerations are just
one aspect considered
for cats (and dogs) in a range of situations from
postoperative care to trauma. Each case also
includes information on: medical/surgical
management; pain management; fear and stress;
physical therapies; nursing and homecare.
Member price: 49
Non-member: 75
Options for calculating RER
RER (kcal) = 70 x (current bodyweight in
kilograms)
0.75
OR
For animals >5 kg: RER(kcal) = 30 x BW
kg
+70
1 kJ = 4.185 kcal
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CPD
CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
How to save the sickest
27 January
Speaker: Amanda Boag
including hypoadrenocorticism,
insulinoma, diabetic ketoacidosis and
calcium disorders; and the endocrine
effects on blood
pressure. There will
be a series of tutorials
interspersed with
case examples for
participants to work
through in order to
allow as much
interaction as
possible and to
provide veterinary
surgeons with
practical information
and useful tips that
can help them in their
clinical practice.
CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
Interpretation of biochemical data
and an introduction to diagnostic
cytology 26 May
Speaker: Elizabeth Villiers
This course will focus on interpretation of
biochemical data and cytology. The
morning concerns data interpretation and
is case-based, with plenty of questions
from the speaker to help the delegates
work through the cases. These will focus
on liver and pancreatic disease, renal
disease and electrolyte disturbances. In
the afternoon, lectures will cover
techniques such as fine needle aspiration
and tips on staining and using the
microscope, as well as an introduction to
cytological interpretation. This is followed
by a practical session in which delegates
use good-quality microscopes to examine
cytology slides with accompanying
questions and answers.
GIT I
Diseases of the canine and feline
liver and pancreas: Is diagnosis and
treatment a waste of time or can I
really make a difference? 30 June
Speaker: Penny Watson
This module will discuss the diagnosis,
potential causes and treatment of hepatic
and pancreatic diseases in dogs and cats,
ENDOCRINOLOGY I
PU/PD and alopecia: Why dogs and
old men are different 17 February
Speaker: Ian Ramsey
Small Animal
Medicine Modular
The BSAVA offers a
modular programme
that will allow you to
get a broad new
perspective in 2011
Critically ill patients can be some of the
most challenging yet rewarding patients we
treat. Advances in in-house diagnostics
and increased availability of therapeutic
options means we are now able to support
and treat many more critically ill patients.
A successful outcome is most likely when
the clinician understands when and how to
use advanced critical care techniques
whilst never losing sight of the importance
of doing the basics well. This one-day
course will use a mixture of lectures, case
examples and interactive discussion to
explore how to maximize survival in the
critically ill.
This course is aimed at small animal
practitioners who have some experience of
endocrine disorders but wish to improve
their confidence at dealing with these
patients. The course will provide a focus for
veterinary surgeons to reflect on current
thinking and trends. Every delegate should
come away with ideas to put into use in their
own practices. Endocrinology can pose
many problems, some clinical and others
practical, in private practice. This course will
provide lots of useful tips for dealing with
these cases and help delegates feel more
confident when confronted with a dog or cat
with PU/PD and/or endocrine alopecia. This
will be the fourth year that Ian Ramsey has
presented this course. Previous delegates
found the course to be both intellectually
stimulating and useful for dealing with cases
in private practice.
ENDOCRINOLOGY II
Endocrine emergencies, collapse
and effect on blood pressure
28 April
Speaker: Michael E. Herrtage
Endocrinology II specifically deals with
three important problems in veterinary
endocrinology: management of the
unstable diabetic dog and cat; the
approach to episodic collapse,
concentrating particularly on the endocrine
and metabolic causes of collapse
A
t the Radisson Blu (SAS) Hotel,
near Manchester Airport, between
January and November next year,
you can take part in any or all of 8 courses
that will offer insight in many aspects of
small animal medicine, from emergency
care to nutrition.
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19
CPD
with a focus on chronic hepatitis in dogs,
hepatic lipidosis and cholangitis in cats
and chronic pancreatitis in both species.
The challenge of differentiating primary
from secondary liver disease will be
addressed. Medical management of
congenital and acquired portosystemic
shunts will also be considered, along with
controversies in the treatment of acute
pancreatitis. There will be some new
insights into potential causes of idiopathic
canine chronic hepatitis and canine
chronic pancreatitis, and many case
examples will be used to illustrate diseases
and treatments. Delegates will be
encouraged to perform more biopsies and
to read pathology reports more thoroughly.
By the end of the course, they should have
a better understanding of decision-making
in the diagnostic work-up and treatment of
those frustrating liver cases.
GIT II
Diseases of the oesophagus,
stomach and intestines
29 September
Speaker: Alex German
HAEMATOLOGY
Anaemia 27 October
Speaker: Clare M. Knottenbelt
Delegates with an interest in small animal
internal medicine will develop a clear
methodical approach to the investigation
and management of red cell disorders. The
course will equip delegates with a logical
approach to interpreting the haemogram
and investigating patients with anaemia or
polycythaemia. The investigation of blood
loss anaemia, haemolytic anaemia and
non-regenerative anaemia will be covered
in detail. The management of different
causes of anaemia including the role of
blood transfusions and immunosuppresive
agents will be discussed. The format will
primarily be problem-oriented and
lecture-based; however, case-based
examples of the approaches learnt will
provide opportunities for discussion.
CLINICAL NUTRITION
Let food be your first medicine
24 November
Speaker: Penny Watson
Penny Watson will share her nutrition
expertise to explain how nutritional
BOOK EARLY TO SAVE
Book before 13 January 2011 to get a 5% discount on course fees to get more from
your CPD budget.
Prices from 13 January 2011 BSAVA Member
Fee (inc. VAT)
Non Member Fee
(inc. VAT)
Full modular 1433.76 2150.64
Individual module 213.83 320.74
4 Modules booked at the same time 813.24 1219.86
Clinical Pathology Individual 238.41 357.62
Early Bird Price 5% discount on all
Small Animal Medicine Modular
bookings received by 12 January
BSAVA Member
Fee (inc. VAT)
Non Member Fee
(inc. VAT)
Full modular 1362.07 2043.11
Individual module 203.14 304.70
4 Modules booked at the same time 772.58 1158.86
Clinical Pathology Individual 226.49 339.74
management is as central to the effective
treatment of most diseases in dogs and
cats as is drug therapy. In some diseases,
effective nutrition has been shown to
speed recovery and reduce complications
and hospitalisation times. But, how many
vets know as much about diets as
pharmaceuticals and respect dietary
modification as much as other treatments?
Good and sufficient feeding speeds
recovery from most diseases and surgeries
and yet how often do we monitor dietary
intake as closely as fluid intake? Clinical
diets should not be used without a good
knowledge of the indications and possible
side effects inappropriate use of clinical
diets can lead to severe and potentially
life-threatening reactions such as acute
pancreatitis. It is therefore important not
just to reach for the bag with the name of
the disease on it, but also to understand
what is in the bag!
This module will consider disorders of the
canine and feline oesophagus, stomach
and intestines. Initially, approach to
diagnosis and management will be
reviewed, followed by in-depth discussions
about current GI tests and investigating
problem cases. The latest information (and
controversies) on various gastrointestinal
disorders will also be covered. Interactive
case-based sessions will also be used to
illustrate approach to diagnosis and
management.
For more information or to book
visit www.bsava.com,
email administration@bsava.com
or call 01452 726700
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PUBLICATIONS
New venture
at Edinburgh
In June of this year the Hospital for Small
Animals at the Royal (Dick) School of
Veterinary Studies opened its doors to the
public to receive and treat injured wildlife.
Emma Keeble, the driving force behind this
new initiative, explains further
T
he opening of the wildlife emergency clinic at
Edinburghs veterinary school is a new and
exciting venture, the first of its kind at a UK vet
school, and aims to help teach veterinary students
about wildlife medicine and surgery. The hope is to
encourage an interest in treating wildlife when in
general practice and to provide basic training of all
students graduating from Edinburgh in this subject. It
also enables full case responsibility and encourages
self-thought and decision-making.
The clinics are student-led, with final year students
on clinical rotation responsible for each case from the
point of admission to release or rehabilitation.
Veterinary surgeons with specialist knowledge in the
field are at hand to advise and supervise the students
at all times, but the overall aim is to encourage the
students to manage their own cases at all levels. This
will lead to experience in wildlife triage assessment,
practical emergency first aid skills and wildlife
handling skills as well as an understanding of the
unique biology and ecology of each species.
Funding
The clinic relies entirely on donations from the general
public and the money generated from fundraising
activities. The students were asked to help raise an
initial fund to start the clinic. Members of the student
Edinburgh Veterinary Zoological Society rose to the
challenge, organising cake stalls, raffles and
sponsored events. With the money these events
raised, as well as generous donations from the Dick
Vet Fundraising Committee and a member of the
public, the students raised over 500 towards the
set-up costs of the clinic.
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21
PUBLICATIONS
Wildlife casualties
Encounters with wildlife casualties are sadly
increasingly commonplace (Figure 1). Whether these
are due to natural occurrences or manmade problems,
such as road traffic accidents in owls, fishing hook
injuries in swans or litter entanglement in hedgehogs,
there is a duty of care for the welfare of that animal.
With the facilities and expertise available at the clinic,
immediate assessment to determine the extent of the
problem and triage to deliver emergency first aid care
are possible.
We have a dedicated wildlife ward at the Dick Vet
with facilities to house all wildlife casualties, from
heated incubators for baby mice and hedgehogs, to
isolation pens for deer, foxes and badgers. There are
specially designed pens with pools for injured
waterfowl and a larger outdoor pool for injured seal
pups. We also have facilities for washing birds and
mammals covered in oil.
Figure 2: Eye examination of a roe deer involved in a
road traffic accident
Courtesy of Livia Benato
June also saw an influx of roe deer injured in road
traffic accidents. Head trauma is commonly seen and
early triage with full clinical examination is essential in
these cases (Figure 2). Central blindness is often
diagnosed and carries a poor prognosis. Severe
internal haemorrhage and bruising may not be evident
externally but are extremely common and also carry a
poor prognosis. Deer that can be easily handled or
clinically examined without sedation are likely to be
either juvenile or severely injured. Euthanasia should
be considered in severely injured cases. There are
also considerable welfare issues associated with
keeping deer in captivity. Deer should be kept away
from other animals, ideally in specialist facilities, since
they are easily stressed. Extreme care is required
when handling deer to avoid injury to the handler. In
cases with injuries requiring long-term rehabilitation,
the decision whether to euthanase or to treat should
be carefully weighed.
Figure 1: Juvenile sparrow presented at the wildlife
emergency clinic
First visitors
To date the clinic has been busy. In June the most
common admissions were fledgling birds, the majority
of which had been attacked by cats. Superficial
wounds were treated with topical antiseptic, cleaning
and systemic analgesia and antibiotics. Septicaemia
is a common secondary problem in birds injured by
cats and systemic antibiotics are essential in these
cases. Pasteurella multocida is the organism most
commonly isolated.
Summer admissions
In July a juvenile badger was admitted to the clinic
after being observed by a local badger group as lame
and outside the sett during the day. After sedation,
radiography revealed a greenstick fracture of the
femur, possibly secondary to a bite wound (Figure 3).
Analgesia, systemic antibiotics and a support
bandage were used and the badger cub recovered
well, being released back to its own sett 3 days later.
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PUBLICATIONS
New venture at Edinburgh
Figure 4: In-patient hedgehog at the clinic
Courtesy of Jo Hedley
reserves to survive the winter. Myiasis is common in
weak, debilitated hedgehogs out during the daytime.
Treatment consists of manual removal of eggs and
maggots under isoflurane anaesthesia. Wounds
should be irrigated and cleaned. Analgesia, antibiosis,
fluid therapy and ivermectin are indicated. Severe
cases may require euthanasia.
The future
It has been a busy start to the clinic, with a variety of
interesting cases and species seen by our students.
Treating wildlife is varied and challenging and provides
an amazing opportunity to see these animals at close
quarters. We hope to encourage all vets to take an
interest in assessing and treating wildlife casualties
presented at their clinics. n
Figure 3: Radiograph of a badger cub showing a
greenstick fracture of the femur
Badger group members were able to observe the cub
integrating back into the group and to monitor it for
several days post-release.
In August and September the majority of cases
were hedgehogs (Figure 4), most commonly with
injuries (from road traffic accidents, garden strimmers
or lawnmowers) or blow-fly strike. Underweight
hedgehogs may require over-wintering at a
rehabilitation centre (if under 550 g bodyweight by
November); otherwise they will not have sufficient fat
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author would like to thank the BSAVA for their kind
donation of a copy of the BSAVA Manual of Wildlife
Casualties for student use at the clinic.
EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR
BSAVA MEMBERS
Save 15 off the normal member price of the
BSAVA Manual of Wildlife Casualties, edited by
Elizabeth Mullineaux, Dick Best and John Cooper,
until 31 January 2011.
n For practices with injured, diseased or
apparently abandoned wild animals
n Capture, release and transportation
n Assessment and first aid
n Management in captivity
n Rehabilitation and release: principles
and practice
Member price: WAS 49 NOW 34
Non-member price: 74
Wildlife rehabilitation is as much an art as a
science, and different viewpoints and techniques
are always welcome. I recommend this book to
any veterinarian, technician, biologist, or
rehabilitator interested in or involved with wildlife
rehabilitation. Veterinary Information Network
Offer ends 31 January 2011
Buy online www.bsava.com
or call 01452 726700.
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23
PETSAVERS
Improving the health of the nations pets
Focus on
Petsavers
project
B
acterial culture of urine is commonly performed
in veterinary practice. It is accepted that
cystocentesis is the most reliable method of
collection of urine to avoid false positive bacterial
cultures but the optimal method of submission of
urine to the laboratory remains controversial. The
addition of boric acid to urine samples is
recommended by some laboratories, as it is
suggested that this may prevent bacterial growth
during transit to the laboratory, therefore preventing
accidental bacterial contaminants from producing
Rachel Burrow details her
Petsavers grant awarded
project, undertaken at the
University of Liverpool with
Laura Blackwood and Mary
Rowlands, looking at the effect
of boric acid on bacterial
culture of cat and dog urine
submitted to the laboratory by
rapid service postal delivery
false positive
results;
however, this
remains unproven. The aim of this study,
funded by Petsavers, was to identify the
optimal method of canine and feline urine
submission to the laboratory for culture.
In this study, urine specimens were obtained by
cystocentesis from dogs and cats suspected of
having urinary tract infections. Each specimen was
divided into three aliquots. The first provided our true
reference test result and was collected without
preservative. This was analysed on site at the
University of Liverpool Veterinary Pathology
Laboratory, with urine culture and cytological
examination of the urine sediment performed within
2 hours of collection. The other two aliquots were
stored at room temperature for up to 7 hours and then
posted by guaranteed next day delivery to Idexx
Laboratories, UK, where culture was performed.
One aliquot was placed in a sterile container
without preservative; the other aliquot was placed in a
sterile container containing the preservative boric
acid. Urine bacterial counts higher than 1x10
3

colony-forming units/ml were considered significant.
The results of this study revealed that there was no
significant difference between reference test results
and those of samples posted without preservative.
However, samples posted in boric acid were
significantly less likely to give a positive result,
suggesting that the addition of boric acid can actually
mask a true bacterial infection.
In-house cytological evaluation of the reference
urine samples demonstrated that 17% of samples
with a positive culture had normal findings on
sediment examination.
In conclusion, the findings of our study suggest
that to maximise the chance of achieving a true
positive identification of a urinary tract infection it is
better for veterinary surgeons to submit urine samples
in plain rather than boric acid tubes for overnight
posting. This study suggests that urine sediment
examination is not very sensitive at predicting urinary
tract infection and hence urine cultures should always
be recommended to confirm a suspected diagnosis of
urinary tract infection.
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PETSAVERS
P
etsavers produces the Coping with the loss of
your pet leaflet, which gives useful advice to
clients on pet loss. This leaflet is available from
Petsavers free of charge; however, donations to cover
postage are always welcome. If you would like to
order a supply of these leaflets then please call
01452 726723 or email info@petsavers.org.uk.
A difficult decision
The decision to have a pet euthanased is one that
many pet owners will be faced with. It can be difficult
and emotional, especially since many people
consider their pet to be part of the family. It is
therefore vital that all options are explained
by the veterinary surgeon to the pet owner,
on whom the decision ultimately rests, so
that they can make an informed choice.
Caring for a chronically ill pet is time-
consuming for the client and may be
financially draining. Where there is no
chance of recovery, clients need to be
advised about the degree of care needed to
give their pet a comfortable life so that they
can use this information in making their
decision. Many clients will understandably
be extremely upset and embarrassed at
the emotion they are displaying; it could
therefore be worth considering making
appointments for euthanasia at quiet times in the
practice to minimise their distress. Some owners may
also want to stay with their animal during the
procedure, so its important to give this option.
Harder for some
Certain clients may be more affected by the loss of
their pet because of their circumstances. For elderly
clients, their pet may be their only companion and may
be the focus of all their attention and affection. Their
pet may have been a source of security and,
particularly in the case of dogs, a source of exercise
and socialisation. If you feel that an elderly client may
be particularly vulnerable after the loss of their pet,
then it may be worth directing them to the Cinnamon
Trust, a charity specifically designed to help elderly
people and their pets www.cinnamon.org.uk.
Young children may also be greatly affected by the
loss of a pet as they may consider them to be their
best friend and this will in many cases be their first
experience of death. It is therefore worth being
prepared for any questions that the child may have
about the process, and it might be beneficial to speak
to the parents beforehand with regards to dealing with
any questions that may come up.
Extra help
Most people will be able to rely upon friends and
family to help them get through their grief, but if you
feel that your client may need further help then you
can direct them towards the Pet
Bereavement Support Service (PBSS).
This is a confidential telephone and email
service run by The Blue Cross in
conjunction with The Society for
Companion Animal Studies (SCAS). The
Pet Bereavement Support Service is a
member of the British Association for
Counselling and Psychotherapy and The
Helplines Association. The PBSS is manned
by trained volunteers and provides advice
to adults and children.
The PBSS support line is open every day
from 8.30 am to 8.30 pm and the number is
0800 0966606. Alternatively, the email
address is pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk.
Coping with
the loss of
your pet
Petsavers leaflet helps
you to help your clients
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25
Get ready for
WSAVA World
Congress 2011!
O
n behalf of the 2011 WSAVAFASAVA World
Congress Organizing Committee, I am
delighted to invite you to the 2011
WSAVAFASAVA World Congress, to be held on 1417
October 2011 in Jeju Island, the Republic of Korea. The
Organizing Committee is preparing to make this event
a great forum for exchanging the latest information on
veterinary medicine and making friends among fellow
veterinary surgeons from all over the world.
The 2011 WSAVAFASAVA World Congress will be
a top-class congress that offers lectures by first-rate
scholars and experts in veterinary science around the
world and will cover the latest trends and information
on advanced technologies in veterinary science. In
order to present a high-quality academic congress,
the Organizing Committee has cooperated consistently
and closely with various international veterinary
associations, assisted by the WSAVA Headquarters.
As a result, the congress will feature some 250
lectures delivered by 91 scholars in 33 topics.
The congress will be held for four days from Friday
to Monday for the convenience of all participants,
including veterinary practitioners and scholars. All
participants will be given a certificate of participation.
Those from Korea and the United States will be
awarded continuing education credit. English will be
the official language during the congress, but a
simultaneous interpretation service in Japanese,
Chinese and Korean will be available for certain
lectures. In addition, multi-language services will be
provided during the congress for the convenience of
the participants from non-English-speaking countries.
Jeju Island, the venue of the 2011 WSAVAFASAVA
World Congress, is a beautiful place designated as a
World Natural Heritage site by UNESCO for its natural
beauty, unique culture and clean and comfortable
resorts. Korea is a dynamic country with 5000-year
history, boasting numerous historical and recreational
sites. We look forward to welcoming you in 2011!
Jong-Il Kang, DVM
9th President, Korean Animal Hospital Association/
Director of Committee At-Large,
2011 WSAVAFASAVA World Congress
Jong-Il Kang, President of the Korean Animal Hospital Association,
gives a warm welcome to Jeju Island, Korea
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WSAVA NEWS
PRACTICE,
ENLIGHTENMENT,
WELCOME AND HOPE
We have used the image of the Korean
traditional lantern, chung-sa-cho-rong to
emphasize the Korean image of practice,
enlightenment, welcome and hope. Within this image,
small animals and the bright light become one to
symbolize the light of hope this congress brings. By using
a brush technique and the red and the blue of the yin and
yang, we tried to differentiate the symbol for the Korean
congress from meetings in previous years.
REGISTRATION
Early-Bird Registration: 1 January to
28 February 2011
Pre-Registration: 1 March to
30 September 2011
Please contact wsava2011@unineo.com
or visit www.wsava2011.org for more
information:
JOON-HO JUNG
APPOINTED
HONORARY
AMBASSADOR
FOR WSAVA 2011!
Joon-Ho Jung has been appointed as honorary
ambassador for the 2011 WSAVAFASAVA World
Congress by the Korean organizing committee. Jung
was chosen not only because he is a renowned film star
who has performed in many smash hit dramas, but also
because of his animal-friendly and warm personality.
Acupuncture / Herbal Medicine
Animal Welfare
Behaviour
Cardiology and Pulmonology
Critical Care and
Anaesthesiology &
Traumatology
Cytology, Haematology &
Clinical Pathology
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diagnostic Imaging
Ear-Nose-Throat
Endocrinology
Exotics
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Hepatology
Hereditary & Genetic Diseases
Parasitic Diseases
Medicine (Standards of Care)
Nephrology & Urology
Nutrition
Pharmacology
Reproduction
Surgery (Soft Tissue Surgery)
Surgery (Orthopaedic Surgery)
Surgery (Onco-surgery)
Veterinary Management
NAVC Oncology
NAVC Ophthalmology
WSAVA Award Lectures
FASAVA
FACTS
FASAVA is a non-profit
organization that was
formed to encourage communication
and cooperation between veterinarians
throughout the Asian Pacific region and
to promote the adoption of new
technology and techniques. Its objective
is to develop and increase the status of
veterinary knowledge in the Asian
Pacific region in order to substantially
improve the welfare and health of
animals in the Asian region. It holds a
Congress every two years and member
countries include Australia, Hong Kong,
Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand
and Taiwan.
WSAVA STATE OF THE ART LECTURES
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WSAVA NEWS
major public health issues and needs in the next 15
years. Many of these issues are with us now, especially
those driven by environmental factors such as global
warming and increasing pressures on land usage and
freshwater requirements. We need to approach these
issues in a holistic and cooperative way if we want to be
able to predict and respond to outbreaks of emerging
diseases with greater certainty and speed and, in so
doing, ensure that our world remains a healthy
environment for future generations.
Michael Day and Diane Sheehan will represent the
WSAVA One Health Committee to give presentations on
Positioning Companion Animals in Global Infectious
Disease Surveillance and Promoting Comparative Clinical
Research the Value of the Companion Animal Model.
The host city, Melbourne, is renowned as a global
sports capital and the surrounding area offers something
for everyone. So the invitation goes beyond the science
and thought and extends to enjoying all that Australia has
to offer as a unique venue for such meetings. We look
forward to sharing this with you in February 2011. Visit
www.OneHealth2011.com for more information.
T
his inaugural International One Health Congress
will focus on the risks and challenges brought about
by the interactions between animal and human
health and the environment. It will consider these in the
general context of the science and research being
undertaken, but critically it will focus on the outcomes
that need to be achieved to manage effectively the
growing risks to global health.
The congress aims to provide an opportunity to think
outside the box and into the future in order to make
recommendations on policy and organizational changes,
using the underlying science to inform and drive the
process. For the first time it is envisaged that a global
consideration of interrelated issues of animal and human
health and the relationship with the environment can take
the science to the policy-makers, and thus drive real and
profound change. We see this as setting a pathway that in
the next 1015 years will result in a seamless approach to
infectious disease management, with a close link between
the resources and those with the skills and knowledge.
We expect the meeting to define the current situation
and, based on this knowledge, to develop a vision of the
The first International
One Health Congress will be
held in Melbourne, Australia, on
1416 February 2011
One Health
Congress
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THE companion INTERVIEW
Harvey
Locke
BVSc CertSAC MRCVS
Harvey Locke was born and brought up in Stockport. His father was a company director and
his mother stayed at home to bring up the family. He has one brother who has worked for
Intervet all his career and lives in Norfolk. Harvey was educated at Stockport Grammar
School, as were both his daughters. A 1969 Liverpool graduate, he spent four years in mixed
practice in Staffordshire before returning to his home town and entering small animal
practice. There are now five generations of vets in the family. His great grandfather was
president of the RCVS 190910 but tragically died during his year of office and his
grandfather was also RCVS President in 193536, and was an equine practitioner with a
practice in the centre of Manchester, looking after the citys working horse population.
Harveys uncle Richard and his son David both devoted their careers to the State Veterinary
Service. The dynasty has continued with his niece Samantha joining the profession in 2005
and going into mixed practice in Suffolk. Harveys younger daughter Helen qualified from
Liverpool in 2009 and is in small animal practice in Lancashire. Her elder sister Rachel works
for Mars Petcare at Waltham and has just completed a three year management training
programme. Harvey was BSAVA President 19992000 and is now President of BVA.
Q
What do you consider to be your most
important achievement?
A
This has to be the success of my practice,
Woodcroft Veterinary Group. In 1976, I bought
a rather dilapidated house in Heaton Moor,
slapped some paint on the walls, put my plate up
and waited for the first client. This happened to be a
friend with a budgie which had to be put to sleep and
I hadnt the heart to charge her a fee. I thought this
had better not become a habit or I would end up
bankrupt. The practice started to grow and I joined
up with David Skilton who had a single-handed
practice on the other side of town and then shortly
afterwards Geoff Little joined us. The partnership
thrived and the group now has 18 vets, a central
veterinary hospital and five branches. The practice
also provides a multidiscipline referral service and
an emergency clinic providing 24 hour cover for
21 local practices.
What has been your main interest outside work?
I love being outdoors, whether it is walking in the Peak
District or the Lakes with our local walking group or
sailing with friends around the Balearics in the Med
where I have a share in a yacht.
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THE companion INTERVIEW THE companion INTERVIEW
If you were given unlimited political power, what
would you do with it?
Ensure everyone is given the same opportunities in life;
then what they do with them is a personal choice.
I would also like to stamp out government corruption,
especially in third world countries where so many people
are suffering often needlessly because resources are
being siphoned off before getting to the needy.
Which historical or literary figure do you most
admire?
Nelson Mandela without a doubt what an amazing
person, to be able to suffer so much and so long for
his beliefs and, when he was finally released from all
those years incarcerated on Robben Island, to have
such an influence not only on his native South Africans
but on a global scale by showing no desire for
retribution and only goodwill.
If you could change one thing about yourself what
would it be?
I would like to think that I am not a vain person so I am
happy with my appearance but if I could change one
thing it would be not to prejudge people at the first
meeting and always try to appreciate that another
persons views are always worthy of consideration.
What is your most important possession?
This has to be my family, although during my BVA
presidential year my laptop and mobile phone run a
close second. They have become permanent
appendages.
What would you have done if you hadnt been a vet?
This is a difficult one as I have never wanted to do
anything other than follow a veterinary career, but I have
always had a love of flying and obtained my private
pilots licence back in the 1970s. However, the pressure
on disposable income when the family came along
meant the flying had to stop. If I had not been a vet then
being an airline pilot would have been the next choice. n
When and where are you happiest?
At the end of a strenuous days sailing, anchoring up
in a quiet cove and sharing a beer or two with friends
on board.
Who has been the most inspiring influence on your
career?
When I was 14 years old I asked our local vet, a
charming Scot called Angus Andrew, if I could
come and do some work experience. I spent as much
time as possible in his practice at weekends and
school holidays.
He was a brilliant mentor, always having time to
teach and inspire me about life as a vet. Providing
work experience to young people can sometimes
seem a nuisance in a busy clinic but I always remind
myself of the patience that Angus showed to me when
we have students in our practice.
What is the most significant lesson you have
learned so far?
To decide what you want to achieve and go for it.
There will be set backs but persistence will pay off in
the end.
What do you regard as the most important
decision that you have made?
Getting married to Margaret and being blessed with
two lovely daughters. On a professional basis an
important decision was allowing myself to be
persuaded by Ian Hughes to get involved with the
running of North West BSAVA this has led to 25 years
of involvement in veterinary politics in BSAVA, in
Europe and now with BVA. I have made many great
friends. I would urge younger vets to get involved with
association work it is very rewarding and gives you a
much broader insight into our profession.
What is the most frustrating aspect of your work?
The increasing bureaucracy of health and safety
regulations and employment law can be very
frustrating. Dont get me wrong, I appreciate that many
of these laws are necessary but some do seem to go
over the top. Increasing client expectations are tending
to drive vets to practice defensive medicine which is
not always in the best interest of the animal.
if I could change one
thing it would be not to
prejudge people at the
first meeting and always
try to appreciate that
another persons views
are always worthy of
consideration.
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SCOTTISH CONGRESS
F
rom its beginning in Crieff to a
number of years at St Andrews,
Scottish Congress has had a number
of homes, and the latest move to Edinburgh
was influenced by feedback from delegates
and exhibitors, as well as the changes in
the type of CPD requested.
The key guiding principle of BSAVA
regional CPD has always been providing
world-class affordable science to small
animal veterinary practitioners. This year
Scottish committee did not disappoint with
their annual weekend.
Super Scottish science
The keynote speakers were: Derek Flaherty,
the renowned anaesthetist and speaker from
Glasgow Vet School who lectured to the vets
and nurses on anaesthesia and analgesia;
Amanda Boag, double boarded diplomate
in Medicine and Emergency & Critical Care,
who gave a very lively and engaging lecture
stream to the veterinary nurses; and Sue
Paterson, specialist in dermatology based at
Rutland House referrals, who spoke to the
vets on skin disease, from the routine to the
more weird and wonderful.
One stream of the scientific
programme was dedicated directly to
veterinary nurses, and this proved very
popular with delegates. Again the seminar
stream provided delegates with the
opportunity to see some world-renowned
speakers, such as Professor Stuart
Carmichael who gave a thought-provoking
and informative talk on arthritis in dogs,
and also newcomers to the lecturing world
who no doubt will be of similar renown in
years to come.
Great new venue
Edinburgh Conference Centre is based at
Herriot Watt University campus, and the
facilities were one of the factors influencing
the switch of venue, along with the ease of
transport and reduced costs. Delegates
and Exhibitors were pleasantly surprised
by the facilities, with the committee
overhearing comments such as, I couldnt
believe the range of food available for
breakfast or the amount you could have,
and, I had so much at breakfast Im too
full for lunch.
BSAVA Scottish Congress has always
been very grateful for the support of many
commercial companies, and this year with
over two hundred delegates in total the
exhibitors were kept occupied informing
delegates of the options for veterinary
equipment, services and technology.
The social side of Scottish Congress is
critical to its appeal, and this years gala
dinner in Dynamic Earth lived up to the
expectations with over 250 people
attending. Nestled between the Scottish
Parliament building, and the imposing
Arthurs Seat, the venue was a great
appeal, especially for those delegates
who had travelled from as far as Australia
and Canada.
After a drinks reception within the
museum itself, the bagpipes called the
diners to take their seats for a three-course
dinner in the stunning venue. This was
accompanied by an address to the diners
by Grant Petrie, the current President of
BSAVA. He took the opportunity to
highlight passionately the provision of CPD
by BSAVA throughout the UK, the launch of
the BSAVA Certificate, and to pay thanks
on behalf of all those attending to the
volunteers without which the weekend
could not have occurred.
After dinner there was much
celebration, with a lively ceilidh until late in
the evening, and a friendly bar as many
delegates reinforced old acquaintances,
while others made new friends.
Please email b.dales@bsava.com
if you would like to be kept informed of
the date, venue and CPD for next
years Scottish Congress, or visit
www.bsava.com n
Spotlight on
Scottish Congress
The 25th Annual BSAVA
Scottish Congress in
Edinburgh was a huge
success and delegates
delighted in the new
venue, the great science,
and the superb social
HEARD AT
CONGRESS
Its been a great weekend and you
should be proud of what you have
achieved Exhibitor
Excellent value for money, and super
location Delegate
I really enjoyed the congress, I will
certainly try to go again next
year Delegate
The lectures have all been excellent,
the venue is great and it was ideally
situated for me Delegate
Well done to Scottish committee for a
well organised and informative
Congress this year Delegate
Congratulations to the Scottish
Region volunteers for what they
achieve year after year and for putting
on yet another great meeting in 2010
Grant Petrie, BSAVA President
SCOTTISH CONGRESS
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companion
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31
CPD diary
EVENING MEETING
SURREY AND SUSSEX REGION
Thursday 11 November
Pancreatitis
Speaker: Penny Watson
Leatherhead Golf Club, Kingston Road,
Surrey KT22 0EE
Details from surreyandsussexregion@bsava.com
EVENING MEETING
SCOTTISH REGION
Thursday 18 November
Chronic diarrhoea
Speaker: Rory Bell
Glasgow Vet School, 464 Bearsden Road,
Glasgow G61 1QH
Details from scottishregion@bsava.com
EVENING MEETING
SOUTHERN REGION
Wednesday 24 November
Medical mystery tour: challenging
medical cases
Speaker: David Church
Potters Heron Hotel, Romsey SO51 9ZF
Details from southernregion@bsava.com
DAY MEETING
NORTH EAST REGION
Sunday 28 November
Feline itchy
Speaker: Peter Forsythe
Thorpe Park Hotel, 1150 Century Way, Leeds,
West Yorkshire LS15 8ZB
Details from northeastregion@bsava.com
EVENING MEETING
SOUTH WEST REGION
Wednesday 1 December
Toxicology
Speaker: Alex Campbell
Alveston House Hotel, Alveston, Thornbury,
Bristol BS35 2LA
Details from southwestregion@bsava.com
EVENING MEETING
NORTHERN IRELAND REGION
Thursday 2 December
Neurology
Speaker: Nick Jeffery
VSSCo, Lisburn, Co Antrim
Details from nirelandregion@bsava.com
DAY MEETING
EAST ANGLIA REGION
Sunday 21 November
Feline lower urinary tract disease
(FLUTD)
Speakers: Jane Ladlow & Martha Cannon
The Cambridge Belfry, Cambourne,
Cambridge CB23 6BW
Details from eastanglia.region@bsava.com
DAY MEETING
METROPOLITAN REGION
Saturday 13 November
Practical ultrasonography: the
abdomen
Speaker: Francisco Llabrs Diaz
Davies Veterinary Specialists, Manor Farm
Business Park, Higham Gobion,
Hertfordshire SG5 3HR
Details from metropolitanregion@bsava.com
DAY MEETING
NORTH WEST REGION
Wednesday 17 November
Chronic vomiting and diarrhoea
Speaker: Clive Elwood
Holiday Inn, Haydock
Details from northwestregion@bsava.com
DAY MEETING
SOUTH WALES REGION
Wednesday 17 November
Cats, canines, creatinine and
calcium: renal disease through
the eyes of a pathologist.
Introducing IRIS
Speaker: Nick Carmichael
SMART Clinic, Cardiff CF3 2EQ
Details from southwalesregion@bsava.com
ADDITIONAL CPD COURSES
Visit www.bsava.com for full details
EVENING MEETING
NORTH EAST REGION
Wednesday 8 December
An approach to the hot dog and cat!
Speaker: Roger Wilkinson
EVENING MEETING MIDLANDS REGION
Thursday 9 December
Top tips in abdominal surgery
Speaker: Liz Welsh
DAY MEETING
Thursday 11 November
Angry eyes: uveitis, glaucoma and
orbital disease
Speakers: Christine Heinrich & Claudia Hartley
Kettering Park Hotel & Spa,
Northants NN15 6XT
Details from administration@bsava.com
DAY MEETING
Thursday 25 November
Canine and feline medical
neurology
Speaker: Jacques Penderis
Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa, Leeds LS15 8ZB
Details from administration@bsava.com
DAY MEETING
Thursday 2 December
Poor vision: diseases of retina,
lens and beyond
Speakers: Christine Heinrich & Claudia Hartley
Kettering Park Hotel & Spa,
Northants NN15 6XT
Details from administration@bsava.com
DAY MEETING
Tuesday 7 December
Medicine, surgery and emergency
care of retiles
Speakers: Simon Girling & Romain Pizzi
Mottram Hall, Cheshire SK10 4QT
Details from administration@bsava.com
DAY MEETING MIDLANDS REGION
Wednesday 17 November
Steps towards more successful
dentistry
Speaker: Norman Johnson
Yew Tree, Kegworth, Derby DE74 2DF
Details from midlandregion@bsava.com
DAY MEETING
Thursday 18 November
Neurology for Busy Practitioners
Roadshow
Speakers: Simon Platt &
Laurent Garosi
Yew Tree, Kegworth,
Derby DE74 2DF
Details from administration@bsava.com
DAY MEETING
Friday 19 November
Neurology for Busy Practitioners
Roadshow
Speaker: Simon Platt &
Laurent Garosi
Oulton Hall, Rothwell
Lane, Leeds LS26 8HN
Details from administration@bsava.com
DAY MEETING
Monday 22 November
Neurology for Busy Practitioners
Roadshow
Speakers: Simon Platt &
Laurent Garosi
Miskin Manor Country
Hotel and Health Club,
Miskin, nr Cardiff CF72 8ND
Details from administration@bsava.com
DAY MEETING
Tuesday 23 November
Neurology for Busy Practitioners
Roadshow
Speakers: Simon Platt &
Laurent Garosi
Gorse Hill, Hook Heath
Road, Woking, Surrey
GU22 0QH
Details from administration@bsava.com
DAY MEETING
Tuesday 23 November
Clinical nutrition: let food be your
first medicine
Speaker: Penny Watson
BSAVA Headquarters, Gloucester GL2 2AB
Details from administration@bsava.com
30-31 Diary.indd 31 20/10/2010 14:31
British Small Animal Veterinary Association
Woodrow House, 1 Telford Way, Waterwells Business Park,
Quedgeley, Gloucester GL2 2AB
Tel: 01452 726700 Fax: 01452 726701
Email: administration@bsava.com
Web: www.bsava.com
For more information or to
order visit www.bsava.com,
email administration@bsava.com
or call 01452 726700.
Order online to save on
Postage & Packing
NEW Manuals
From BSAVA Publications
BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline
Rehabilitation, Supportive
and Palliative Care:
Case Studies in Patient Management
Edited by Samantha Lindley and Penny Watson
Published September 2010 416 pages
Member price 49
Price to non-members 75
BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline
Reproduction and
Neonatology, 2nd edition
Edited by Gary England
and Angelika von Heimendahl
Companion animals are undergoing previously uncontemplated treatments
and surviving what would once have been rapidly fatal conditions. This truly
innovative Manual is aimed at the whole veterinary team, and includes:

The principles behind pain and its management, clinical nutrition and
physical therapies

Clinical applications with reference to published evidence

Case Studies presenting a range of canine and feline patients,
designed to illustrate the considerations to be made and the
options available
Published October 2010 240 pages
Member price 45
Non-member price 75
This fully updated new edition covers:

The reproductive cycle

Infertility

Pregnancy and parturition

Neonatology

Clinical approach to common conditions
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