VetNI

Veterinary Northern Ireland

AVSPNI Spring Conference – open for registrations!

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Behaviour, GI medicine, endocrinology, orthopaedic surgery, wildlife, wounds and suturing and more . . . AVSPNI Spring Conference programme can be accessed HERE. Pull up a chair, pour yourself a coffee and take 5 minutes to browse through it – we think you’ll find something of interest! On-line registration can be accessed HERE.  Things to note:
  • No price increase for AVSPNI members since this event started!
  • Discounted lecture prices for vets who graduated in or since 2014
  • Recent grads who book 2 days’ lectures and are also AVSPNI members get a Party Ticket thrown in too
  • Special rates for VI members (VCI points applied for)
  • Discounted rates for BVNA members or nursing staff from an AVSPNI practice but . . .
  • The very best rates for nurses are for those who are BVNA members AND from an AVSPNI practice.

CRGV – “Alabama Rot”

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VETS!!! BE AWARE . . .
A case of Alabama Rot has been diagnosed in Northern Ireland. This is a devastating disease so your dog-owning clients may well be concerned. Please be ready to advise them of symptoms. Though the syndrome is not fully understood, an environmental link may be implicated therefore possible preventative measures such as rinsing dogs after a muddy/woodland walk may be helpful. Alabama Rot is still thankfully very rare and prompt action, ideally before renal symptoms occur, improves the chances of a successful outcome therefore be vigilant for any unexplained cuts/skin lesions, particularly on the legs and lower body.

CRGV – “Alabama Rot”

By

VETS!!! BE AWARE . . .
A case of Alabama Rot has been diagnosed in Northern Ireland. This is a devastating disease so your dog-owning clients may well be concerned. Please be ready to advise them of symptoms. Though the syndrome is not fully understood, an environmental link may be implicated therefore possible preventative measures such as rinsing dogs after a muddy/woodland walk may be helpful. Alabama Rot is still thankfully very rare and prompt action, ideally before renal symptoms occur, improves the chances of a successful outcome therefore be vigilant for any unexplained cuts/skin lesions, particularly on the legs and lower body.

Spot anyone you know on BBC 2?

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A new BBC series, Mountain Vets, airs on Friday 15th November, 8pm.  It follows three County Down practices as they do what they do best.  Whilst we suspect that most visitors to the VetNI site know what happens in a vet practice on a day-to-day basis (!) why not tune in and see who you know?  Vets, vet nurses, reception staff and the wider practice team – all serving their local community with warmth and sensitivity.  The spectacular Mourne Mountains and County Down are shown in all their glory too so it won’t do NI tourism any harm! 

  • Programme Name: Mountain Vets – TX: n/a – Episode: Mountain Vets – ep 1 (No. 1) – Picture Shows: Downe Veterinary Clinic Maurice King – (C) Rare TV – Photographer: William Kelly
  • Programme Name: Mountain Vets – TX: n/a – Episode: Mountain Vets – ep 3 (No. 3) – Picture Shows: Castle Veterinary Surgery Martin Fitzpatrick – (C) Rare TV – Photographer: William Kelly
  • Programme Name: Mountain Vets – TX: n/a – Episode: Mountain Vets – ep 2 (No. 2) – Picture Shows: Downe Veterinary Clinic Rachel Frew – (C) Rare TV – Photographer: William Kelly
  • Programme Name: Mountain Vets – TX: n/a – Episode: Mountain Vets – ep 1 (No. 1) – Picture Shows: Tullyraine Equine Clinic Inge D’Haese, Samantha Hamilton – (C) Rare TV – Photographer: William Kelly
  • Programme Name: Mountain Vets – TX: n/a – Episode: Mountain Vets – ep 1 (No. 1) – Picture Shows: Downe Veterinary Clinic Hazel McKelvey – (C) Rare TV – Photographer: William Kelly
  • Programme Name: Mountain Vets – TX: n/a – Episode: Mountain Vets – generics (No. n/a) – Picture Shows: Tullyraine Equine Clinic Hugh Suffern – (C) Rare TV – Photographer: William Kelly
  • Programme Name: Mountain Vets – TX: n/a – Episode: Mountain Vets – generics (No. n/a) – Picture Shows: Downe Veterinary Clinic Miriam Campbell – (C) Rare TV – Photographer: William Kelly
  • Programme Name: Mountain Vets – TX: n/a – Episode: Mountain Vets – generics (No. n/a) – Picture Shows: Castle Veterinary Clinic Aidan O’Hare – (C) Rare TV – Photographer: William Kelly
  • Programme Name: Mountain Vets – TX: n/a – Episode: Mountain Vets – generics (No. n/a) – Picture Shows: Downe Veterinary Clinic Cahir King – (C) Rare TV – Photographer: William Kelly

VSSCO Educational Bursary

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Applications invited for this £2000 Educational Bursary open to N.I. Veterinary Practitioners to further expertise in any field of clinical veterinary science. The award was founded by the Veterinary Surgeons Supply Company in 1982 to encourage practitioners to further their expertise in a chosen discipline or project.
Applications must be submitted by 15th November.
Full rules can be found HERE and an application form can be found HERE.

Red Tractor Dairy Standards Changes

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As you know Red Tractor assured dairy members will be assured against a new version of the standard (V4.2) from Tuesday 1st Oct. Over the past few weeks Red Tractor have been working to ensure all are aware of the changes and what this may mean in terms of changes to current practices/documentation etc prior to their next assessment. A summary document can found at this link
https://assurance.redtractor.org.uk/contentfiles/Farmers-7032.pdf?_=637007928013074058

Red Tractor have updated a number of the templates on the website to reflect the amends along with adding templates for any ‘new’ requirements– the library of templates can be accessed here
https://assurance.redtractor.org.uk/tools-and-library/templates

There is also an updated pre assessment checklist available which reflects the changes https://assurance.redtractor.org.uk/contentfiles/Farmers-7046.pdf?_=637045208286914680

Should you have any questions about any of the standards or changes please do come back to our Dairy Technical Manager Kate Cross kate.cross@redtractor.org.uk

Sunshine and smiles at the NIVA Summer Social!

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A fantastic time was had at the NIVA Summer Social in beautiful Tollymore Forest Park. Thanks must go to Angie Drayne, supported by Janette Adams , for the nature walk – so much fascinating information was shared. Mandy and Gavin made everyone welcome at their gorgeous wee country pub, Dolly’s Brae Inn, and great BBQ food (oh, those salads!) was supplied by Alex Berry and served by Brian Berry of Simply Irresistible. The quiz was lively and competitive with great questions from quizmaster Stewart Holden that gradually sorted the front runners from the wooden-tops – thank you Stewart! Congratulations to the winning team “The Folks on the Hill” from Rathfriland vet clinic. Special commendation goes to Phil and Pauline Walsh who came second despite being the smallest team!! Lovely etched wooden spoons went to the team with the lowest score but we are too diplomatic to mention who took these home.
We are still counting the money made for Marie Curie in memory of Sam Nelson – thank you to all those who supported this event, either through draw ticket purchases or by turning up on the day. The big prize (a week in a choice of two luxury Donegal holiday cottages, Whispering Willows) was won by Annette Doyle with Gemma Daly winning the weekend in the beautiful Tollymore Gate Lodge. Thanks also to NIVA Council for their help on the day and to those who gave prizes for the draw and raffle – Fiona McFarland, The Vet Service, the Drayne family, Joanne at Virbac, Gavin and Mandy at Dolly’s Brae, Tim at Shanaghan Photography, Seamus O’Kane, the McFarland family, Sean from Botanica, CVS, Pollyanna’s Gift Shop, Julie from Idexx and Chris from Boehringer Ingelheim. Our sponsors also deserve recognition – Lintbells, Botanica, Lloyd & Cowan, IMV Imaging, McEvoy Hoofcare Ltd., IVC – thank you all!