VetNI

Veterinary Northern Ireland

Your new BVNA Regional Representative

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Dear Member,
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as your new BVNA Regional Representative for Northern Ireland region.
I have worked in the veterinary profession since 2000. I qualified as an RVN in 2006, working as a Senior Nurse in a busy small animal clinic. I have always enjoyed the training and development of student nurses, which lead me to complete a certificate in teaching. I am currently employed as a VN Lecturer, and am part of the quality assurance team on the L3DVN course, along with carrying out TP approvals, student support and clinical coach training.
I also enjoy locum nursing, having worked in an out of hours role, worked with referral cases, and in clinical research. I recently completed my Advanced Certificate in the Veterinary Nursing of Avian patients, and I am currently working on my Advanced Certs in Reptile, Wildlife and Small Mammal Nursing too. I believe that in this career, we must continue to learn and develop ourselves, and I hope that as the Regional Representative for our area I can be part of the provision of worthwhile CPD for both student and qualified Veterinary Nurses, along with other members of the practice team. I will be led by your requests for CPD subjects.
I am also one of the founding members of the Vet Support Northern Ireland team, we are a group of Vets and Veterinary Nurses who have been specifically trained to provide mental health support to the veterinary community http://www.vetsupportni.co.uk/
I currently live in Newtownards, Co.Down, and outside of work, I keep a small herd of sheep, some pedigree Blonde d’Aquitaine cows – which I breed and show, two very naughty horses, some goats, three cats, a dog and a tortoise! I also have two lovely children and a very supportive partner.
I am looking forward to this new challenge and to meeting you all in the near future at our first meeting.
Kind regards
Louise Patterson RVN

AVSPNI Endocrine Meeting – 7th February 2019

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“A brilliant night’s CPD” was one of the comments received about the February meeting on Endocrinology. There was a full house to hear Barbara Gallagher deliver an excellent talk on common conundrums in Endocrine disease. Addison’s disease, feline hypothyroidism and feline diabetes were among the topics discussed. Barbara discussed a diabetes case where the patient achieved remission and shared the factors which influenced this outcome. Barbara also shared other useful tips with the delegates. The evening was made all the more enjoyable with an excellent supper provided by Alex Berry. The desserts certainly seemed to hit the spot!!

Our grateful thanks go to Barbara who had a long drive home after the event.

Why not join the Committee for the next meeting on Thursday 7th March when Laura MacFarlane will be delivering a presentation on anaemia.

For further details click here

BVA NI Branch vacancies – here’s why you might want to volunteer!

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Joining Northern Ireland Branch Council is a great way to help shape the future of the veterinary profession in Northern Ireland and to ensure the voices of your peers are heard. These voluntary positions provide a fantastic opportunity for networking, a chance to attend the annual political dinner with Assembly Members at Stormont, and the work carried out can count towards CPD.

The role description is attached and the application form is here https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BVAComAp

Applications close 9am on Monday 20 August.

BVA NI Branch vacancies – here’s why you might want to volunteer!

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Joining Northern Ireland Branch Council is a great way to help shape the future of the veterinary profession in Northern Ireland and to ensure the voices of your peers are heard. These voluntary positions provide a fantastic opportunity for networking, a chance to attend the annual political dinner with Assembly Members at Stormont, and the work carried out can count towards CPD.

The role description is attached and the application form is here https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BVAComAp

Applications close 9am on Monday 20 August.

Avian flu – talk to your clients, particularly the backyard flock owners

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There has been a case of bird flu detected in Tipperary this week as well as multiple cases in England over the last few months. Although this may seem like an annual event,  the current strain is slightly different to previous years and this is a serious disease with potentially devastating consequences to poultry keepers and to the extensive NI poultry industry. We would therefore ask practices to remind their clients to ensure that they are registered with DAERA as this allows quick flow of information to the client. Enhanced biosecurity is vital to try and prevent the spread of this disease from wild birds to domestic flocks and the help of practices to spread this message, especially to backyard flock owners, would be much appreciated. More information is available on the DAERA website.
Biosecurity leaflet can be downloaded here.
A poster for your surgery can be downloaded here.

Armitage Pet Care Flea and Tick Drops for Dogs and Armitage Flea Drops for Cats and Kittens: Product defect alert

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We have been made aware of a Product defect alert issued by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate relating to

BVD Eradication Programme – PVP Update

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Please find below an update and key points for PVPs which have arisen recently.

Identifying blood samples:
The majority of blood samples received, related to the BVD Eradication programme, are inadequately labelled and without  supporting AHWNI paperwork which is negatively impacting on turnaround times. The full animal ID and the details of the submitting PVP MUST be provided  together with the appropriate submission form sent to the herdowner by AHWNI.
The PVP should clearly declare that the sample relates to the BVD Eradication Programme.

Retest Samples:
These should be collected 3-4 weeks after the initial ear tag sample as this will allow TI animals to become negative. These animals  should be strictly isolated from notification of an initial positive result pending the result of retest. PVPs are encouraged to also test dams of positive or inconclusive calves for BVDV. Movement of DAMPI animals is restricted . PVPS can choose a designated laboratory but should be aware that NOT all laboratories offer PCR testing which is essential on blood samples of calves<75 days old. Failure to test by PCR will lead to rejection of a result by the database and you will be charged by the laboratory.

Upload of other BVD test results to the AHWNI database:
Any BVD virus test results can be uploaded to the AHWNI database by a designated laboratory. They may require certain data permissions from the herd owner.  Assuming the animal is negative, the herd owner could create a negative declaration for the animal from within the AHWNI database. You will find further information regarding this process at the following links: https://www.afbini.gov.uk/articles/ni-bvd-eradication-programme
https://www.afbini.gov.uk/publications/afbi-data-release-form-bvd

AHWNI database Management:
If you are unsure of your practice login, contact [email protected]. which is also useful for viewing herd results and accessing submission forms or negative declarations.
If a herd owner wishes to change their veterinary practice, they must contact AHWNI directly.

Inaugural Balmoral Show Breakfast Reception

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An invitation to DAERA’s inaugural Balmoral Show Breakfast Reception on Thursday 12 May 2016 was extended to Cahir King, President of AVSPNI and Seamus O’Kane, President of NIVA. 
It was also attended by a number of executive ministers joined by Greg Burton, the US Counsel General, and the new Chinese Consul General, Madam Wang Shuying. Members of the agri food industry and farmer representatives made up the audience.

IMG_1445 IMG_1446 Balmoral Breakfast 2016 Madam Wang

RCVS launches new Practice Standards Scheme

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The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) launched the new Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) on 20 November 2015 to the veterinary and veterinary nursing professions.  It is now open for applications for both practice accreditations and the brand new system of PSS awards.

The new Scheme is all about offering a pathway to improvement for practices of all shapes and sizes that want to aspire to excellence, and then highlighting these achievements to the animal-owning public in a way that is clear and easy to understand.  Over half of all veterinary practice premises in the UK are already RCVS-accredited. The main changes to the Scheme, which was established in 2005, have been based on feedback from the profession and input from the Practice Standards Group (PSG), with the dual aims of making it more accessible for those practices which aren’t yet PSS members, and even more rewarding for those who are already accredited.

Whilst retaining the existing accreditation levels across small animal, equine and farm animal practices (current RCVS-accredited practices will be automatically transferred to the new Scheme), a new modular structure helps to make the Scheme more flexible and ensure all types of veterinary practice – from ambulatory services to veterinary hospitals – can join. This structure also recognises the contributions of the whole practice team, helping to raise standards across the board.  Once accredited, practices can now apply for a range of optional awards that focus on outcomes and behaviours in specific areas, such as ‘In-patient Service’, ‘Team and Professional Responsibility’ and ‘Client Service’.

As an introductory offer, the RCVS is now inviting applications from practices that would be willing to help with a final round of testing of the new Scheme, to be in with a chance to win one of 20 free assessment days, worth £350. The offer is open from 20 November until Friday 4 December, and the first 20 practices drawn at random on 7 December will be allocated the free assessments.

Full details about the draw, the new Scheme and how to apply for accreditation and/or awards are available at www.rcvs.org.uk/newpss