PPRRAACCTTIICCEE

AUGUST 2015 $6.95 GST INCL.

Living legendFrom country practice to global brand: the incredible

journey of vet (and Hollywood actor) Rick Fenny, page 18

Taking coverThe importance of protection, page 14

Follow the leaderImproving your

practice with strong management,

page 26

Corporate cultureThe upside to

big business, and what you can learn

from it, page 10

Staying powerGreat staff and how to keep them, page 22

MONTHLY FLEa aND TICK PROTECTION, IN a SIMPLE TaSTY CHEW.Introducing the next-generation of flea and tick protection for dogsNEXGARD® is different, innovative and effective:

� Simplified dosing regimen with one chew, once a month

� NEXGARD kills fleas and ticks, including paralysis ticks, for a full month*

� The tasty beef-flavoured chew can be given as a monthly treat with or without food

Kills fleas

Kills ticks

Dose duration

Tasty chew

Month

For more product information,contact Merial Customer Solutions on

1800 808 691

AVAILABLE IN 1-PACKS†, 3-PACKS AND 6-PACKS

* See product label for full details of claims. † Veterinary professionals only. Merial Australia Pty Ltd 12-24 Talavera Road, Macquarie Park NSW 2113.

ABN 53 071 187 285. ®NEXGARD is a registered trademark of Merial.©2014 Merial Limited. All rights reserved. NXGD.14.11.0199

NexGard Vet Trade advert_210x297 Pan Pac.indd 1 12/03/2015 3:51 pm

AUGUST 2015

Cover storyRed Dog’s vet 18Dr Rick Fenny has made an impact on rural veterinary practice, and starred in a film along the way

News + eventsTackling animal disease 4Racing licence impacts country race meetings; how to identify smart animals, and much more

Your worldGoing corporate 10Pros and cons of increasing corporatisation

Your businessTake cover 14Is your business protected? We break down the types of insurance your business should invest in

The revolving door 22High staff turnover can have a devastating effect on a business but there are ways to attract great staff—and to keep them for the long term

Learning to lead 26Vets don’t often get into the profession to be managers but owning or running a practice requires a strong set of leadership skills

Your toolsNew products 8Go north for the Clinical Dermatology Conference

Product guide 31Vet Practice’s guide to the best large animal products to make your work easier and more efficient

Tools of the trade 43Reviewed by your peers

Your lifeArtistic licence 46As an aside to her role as a vet nurse, Kylie Howlett moonlights as a photorealist artist, taking inspiration from the animals she sees each day

Contents

C O N T E N T S

18

14

26 46

PRACTICE Editorial Director Rob Johnson

Digital Director Ann Gordon

Contributors Natasha Phillimore, Tracey Porter, Chris Sheedy, Charmaine Teoh, Angela Tufvesson

Commercial Director Mark Brown

For all editorial or advertising enquiries:Phone (02) 9660 6995 Fax (02) 9518 5600info@vetpracticemag.com.au

Vet Practice magazine is published 11 times a year by Engage Media, Suite 4.17, 55 Miller Street, Pyrmont NSW 2009. ABN 50 115 977 421. Views expressed in Vet Practice magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or Engage Media. Printed by Webstar.

22

10

Sales Director Adam Cosgrove

4,557 - CAB Audited as at March 2015

MONTHLY FLEa aND TICK PROTECTION, IN a SIMPLE TaSTY CHEW.Introducing the next-generation of flea and tick protection for dogsNEXGARD® is different, innovative and effective:

� Simplified dosing regimen with one chew, once a month

� NEXGARD kills fleas and ticks, including paralysis ticks, for a full month*

� The tasty beef-flavoured chew can be given as a monthly treat with or without food

Kills fleas

Kills ticks

Dose duration

Tasty chew

Month

For more product information,contact Merial Customer Solutions on

1800 808 691

AVAILABLE IN 1-PACKS†, 3-PACKS AND 6-PACKS

* See product label for full details of claims. † Veterinary professionals only. Merial Australia Pty Ltd 12-24 Talavera Road, Macquarie Park NSW 2113.

ABN 53 071 187 285. ®NEXGARD is a registered trademark of Merial.©2014 Merial Limited. All rights reserved. NXGD.14.11.0199

NexGard Vet Trade advert_210x297 Pan Pac.indd 1 12/03/2015 3:51 pm

Sub-editor Kerryn Ramsey

Editor Mitchell Oakley Smith

Art Director Lucy Glover

4

news + events

1. vs. the current Hill’s Prescription Diet™ k/d™ Feline formula, taste preference test, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc, Topeka, Kansas, USA, 2013™shown are trademarks of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. © 2015 Hill’s Pet Nutrition Pty Limited. HIMA-GV-1519B1F9. HPA2468/Com. 05/15. GHG.

NEW AND IRRESISTIBLE HILL’S PRESCRIPTION DIET™ k/d™ The only renal solution with breakthrough Enhanced Appetite Trigger (EAT) Technology™ that significantly increases appetite. Together we can improve the lives of more cats with chronic kidney disease.

For more information, talk to your Hill’s Representative.

KIDNEY DISEASE

Together we will restore more than her appetite

IMPROVES AND LENGTHENS QUALITY OF LIFE

IMPROVES APPETITE IN CATS WITH KIDNEY DISEASE

STIMULATES GREATER CALORIC INTAKE1Kcal

MyHillsVet.com.au

Tackling animal disease

Researchers from the University of Sydney have painted the most detailed picture to date of major infectious diseases shared between wildlife and livestock, finding a large gap in knowledge about diseases which could spread to humans.

Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the world-first study has found that just 10 diseases account for around 50 per cent of all published knowledge on diseases at the wildlife-livestock interface. It is based on an analysis of almost 16,000 publications spanning the past century.

In the wake of recent virus outbreaks of wildlife origin, such as Hendra virus in Australia, Ebola virus in West Africa, and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus in the Arabian Peninsula, more research must focus on this wildlife-livestock interface to evaluate risks and improve responses to disease epidemics in animals and humans, the researchers argue.

“Often we don’t prioritise animal health until it impacts on humans, which means we miss the opportunity to manage diseases at the source,” said co-author Dr Siobhan Mor from the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Veterinary Science. “In the case of emerging diseases, we tend to react to large outbreaks of disease in humans,

rather than preventing or managing the infection in animals, likely because we still don’t know a lot about the role of these microbes in the ecology of wildlife and livestock disease.”

Researchers applied new methods only recently used in the animal health realm to identify which diseases and types of animals were most prevalent in available published literature. They measured how research has changed over time and how the diseases and animals involved differ by geography.

The results show the bulk of published research over the past century has focused on known zoonoses—diseases that are shared between animals and humans—to the detriment of studies on diseases affecting only animals.

“We know far less about the range of diseases that impact on animal health and welfare. This is particularly true for wildlife, which remains very poorly funded,” added co-author Dr Anke Wiethoelter.

“In the case of Hendra virus in Australia, for instance, there are still big question marks around how the virus is transmitted between bats and horses, and factors influencing its transmission. And we now know that bats can harbour many germs, but the research investment into wildlife disease ecology simply isn’t there.”

Racing licence impacts country race meetingsDr David Johnson from Coffs Harbour, NSW, has been providing race day services to his local race club for over 30 years, but has regretfully informed the club that this will not be the case after August 1, 2015. “I have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with many stewards and have always cooperated fully with any requests that they or Racing NSW have asked of me,” Dr Johnson said.

“Unfortunately, I cannot in good conscience apply for a licence as I’m already licensed by the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board. This licence contravenes my responsibilities as a practising veterinarian under the Veterinary Practitioners Act as well as the Protection of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Stock Medicines Act.”

Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA) reports that country racing is starting to feel the impact of a decision by Racing NSW to impose a licence on veterinarians from July.

EVA vice-president, Dr Ian Fulton, says that imposing a second licence on veterinarians is not the way to address integrity concerns, and that the Veterinary Practitioners Board should be the only regulator for vets in this instance.

“Dr Johnson is not alone. Our members feel so strongly about this that many have told us that they will have no choice but to end their involvement with racing as a result,” he said.

Researchers have uncovered a knowledge gap on animal disease

Researchers are arguing for greater research into the

wildlife-livestock interface.

1. vs. the current Hill’s Prescription Diet™ k/d™ Feline formula, taste preference test, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc, Topeka, Kansas, USA, 2013™shown are trademarks of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. © 2015 Hill’s Pet Nutrition Pty Limited. HIMA-GV-1519B1F9. HPA2468/Com. 05/15. GHG.

NEW AND IRRESISTIBLE HILL’S PRESCRIPTION DIET™ k/d™ The only renal solution with breakthrough Enhanced Appetite Trigger (EAT) Technology™ that significantly increases appetite. Together we can improve the lives of more cats with chronic kidney disease.

For more information, talk to your Hill’s Representative.

KIDNEY DISEASE

Together we will restore more than her appetite

IMPROVES AND LENGTHENS QUALITY OF LIFE

IMPROVES APPETITE IN CATS WITH KIDNEY DISEASE

STIMULATES GREATER CALORIC INTAKE1Kcal

MyHillsVet.com.au

6

Australia’s live cattle export business could benefit from a groundbreaking international animal welfare project at University of Queensland [UQ].

UQ’s School of Veterinary Science has been working with partners in China, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand to build awareness around improving animal welfare at slaughter and during transport in Asia.

Director of UQ’s Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, Professor Clive Phillips, and project manager Michelle Sinclair have returned from a mission to China, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia, where they were joined by other internationally recognised animal welfare experts.

Sinclair said much of South and East Asia did not yet have legislation

or monitoring for animal welfare.“Environmental factors and

consumers’ growing concern for animal welfare has the potential to jeopardise trade, so it’s the right time to offer support in developing animal welfare standards and capacities towards improvement in the region,” she said.

“We are also conducting research to better understand the knowledge levels and attitudes of key stakeholders such as slaughter workers and vets.”

Sinclair said that the project included high-level workshops with government officials, senior veterinarians and university lecturers in each country, and workshops with key industry stakeholders.

Guiding animal welfare standards in Asia

University of Adelaide researchers have shown that intelligence in animal species can be estimated by the size of the holes in the skull through which the arteries pass.

Published online ahead of print in the Journal of Experimental Biology, the researchers in the School of Biological Sciences show that the connection between intelligence and hole size stems from brain activity being related to brain metabolic rate.

“A human brain contains nearly 100 billion nerve cells with connections in the trillions,” said project leader Professor Roger Seymour. “Added together the whole brain uses about 20 per cent of a person’s resting metabolic rate.

“It is possible to estimate brain metabolic rate from the size of the arteries [because they] continually adjust their diameter to match the amount of blood that an organ

needs. If an artery passes through a bone, then simply measuring the size of the hole can indicate the metabolic rate of the organ.”

Professor Seymour, and former honours student Sophie Angove, measured the carotid foramina (which allow passage of the internal carotid arteries servicing the brain) in primates and marsupials and found large differences.

“During the course of evolution, body size increased from small animals through larger monkeys and finally the largest apes and humans,” said Professor Seymour.

“Our analysis showed that relative blood flow rate increased much faster in primates than in marsupials. The result was that blood flow rate and presumably brain metabolic rate increased with brain volume much faster than expected for mammals.”

Pet Industry Association of Australia (PIAA) chief executive officer Mark Fraser has told the joint select committee hearings on companion animal breeding practices in NSW that the pet industry needs government regulation to help stamp out puppy farms.

“We are calling for increased government regulation of our industry through the establishment of a mandatory licensing system for all retailers, brokers and breeders of dogs. The licensing system would be enforced by government and funded by industry,” he said.

Fraser told the hearing the pet industry is currently self-regulated and while NSW has a strong code of practice, a lack of resources and ownership of the code’s implementation has not supported the best welfare outcome for all animals.

“The lack of mandatory inspections needs to be addressed within the current legislation,” he said. “Under our proposed licensing model, proactive enforcement by government would ensure industry compliance. We wish to work with the government and relevant bodies to stamp out puppy farms and implement a long-term solution that will ensure transparency, compliance and the highest standards of animal welfare.”

Fraser advised the hearings of the positive role pet shops play in ensuring the transparency of puppy sales and that banning the sale of puppies through pet shops would risk forcing unscrupulous breeders underground, making regulation and enforcement even more difficult.

“We must have zero tolerance for puppy farms. Whether a dog is pure-bred or cross-bred, or bred by a registered or hobby breeder, PIAA does not condone puppy farms.” For more information, visit www.animalwelfarestandards.org.

How to identify smart animals

Please end puppy farms, says PIAA

news + events

[Agency Code]

Reference: 1. Tipold A. Clinical efficacy and safety of imepitoin in comparison with phenobarbital for the control of idiopathic epilepsy in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2014. 2. Löscher W et al. Epilepsia 2004; 45(10): 1228−1239. 3. Rieck S et al. Vet J 2006; 172: 86−95.Australia: Boehringer Ingelheim Pty Limited. Abn 52 000 452 308. Animal Health Division, 78 Waterloo Road, North Ryde Nsw 2113. Toll Free 1800 038 037. Fax Number 02 8875 8715. New Zealand: Boehringer Ingelheim (NZ) Ltd. Animal Health Division, Level 1, Unit 9, 42 Ormiston Road, East Tamaki, Auckland. Toll Free 0800 802 461. Fax Number 09 271 0629. Restricted Veterinary Medicine. Access is only through a Veterinary Authorisation. Pexion® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, 55216 Ingelheim/Rhein.For further information relating to transition, dose adjustment and treatment protocols, please contact our Technical Services Veterinarians on the toll free number.

Reason 125: His nose gets into everything.

There are a million reasons why owners love their dogs

NONE OF THEM ARE WORTH GIVING UP

Introducing Pexion® for canine epilepsy.For years, the treatment of canine epilepsy has remained unchanged. Treating an epileptic dog is important but conventional therapy can leave much to be desired. Now there is Pexion®, a new and innovative anti-epileptic medication that provides highly targeted seizure suppression,1,2,3 allowing pets to be more like their old selves again.

Be a part of the change.

BIPPEX0002_DOMINO_297x210_VETPRAC_AW04.indd 1 14/05/15 12:08 PM

l Clinical dermatology conferenceSeptember 14–18, 2015 | Port DouglasHad enough of winter? Join University of Sydney’s Centre for Veterinary Education for its major conference in the tropical climes of Port Douglas, north Queensland.

Speakers: From USA: Drs Wayne Rosenkrantz and Rusty Muse. From Australia: Drs Mandy Burrows (conference convenor), Greg Burton and Michael Shipstone.

Concentrating on cats and dogs, the program focuses on controversial areas in the diagnosis and management of common skin disorders from recent advances in targeted therapies for canine atopic dermatitis to the best way to diagnose feline food allergies.

By combining considerable talent in veterinary dermatology from overseas and locally, the conference will allow for juxtaposition of ideas, such as risk factors for MRSP, and a USA-versus-Australia perspective.

For more information, visit www.cve.edu.au.

N E W P R O D U C T S

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If your practice would benefit from a suite of powerful business development and communication tools plus online training and BILD loyalty rewards, then talk to your

Boehringer Ingelheim Territory Sales Manager or call 1800 038 037.

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GoingY O U R W O R L D

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corporate

Going

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DESPITE ITS RECENT SHARE PRICE woes, Greencross’s corporatisation of the veterinary industry in Australia has been a success. With over 130 clinics and over 200 retail stores around the country, acquisition rates have been impressive. No matter where you stand on the matter, the experience of corporatisation for the industry tosses up a lot of interesting and valuable questions and lessons. One of those is around why so many vets running independent practices have decided to take the corporate path.

For veterinary business consultant Jane Bindloss who, with her veterinarian husband, owned Pets At The Vets in Melbourne’s North Ringwood, the decision to sell to Greencross was simply to do with timing.

“We believed ours was a model veterinary practice,” says Bindloss, who is now director of Sane Management Solutions for Veterinary Practices. “We focused very much on team strengths amongst staff, and on doing what was best for the pet when it came to customer service and pet welfare. But my husband was due to retire and I was focusing more on Sane at that time, so it was a good opportunity for us when Greencross came along.”

After selling to Greencross, Bindloss stayed with the business for a further six months and her husband stayed for another two years. In that time they witnessed first-hand the offerings of the corporate space.

Because their practice was already well managed, there were few immediate and obvious benefits of the corporate model. But for a business that is in need of management assistance, she says, there are several learnings to be taken from the corporate world.

“If a team within a practice does not have strong, shared core values then the introduction of such values can be a wonderful thing,” says Bindloss, who has held the positions of national president of the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia and president of the Australian

What has happened in other professions, including dentistry and optometry, is now happening in veterinary. So, what can independent operators learn from big businesses? By Chris Sheedy

There are lessons to be learned from the success of corporate providers.

Veterinary Business Association. “But if a team has had deeply entrenched, shared core values for several years, the introduction of new values delivered down from an external management can be difficult for the team to adopt.”

Also, the introduction of centralised data services, inventory control, staff management systems and other processes that reduce staff workload and increase efficiencies can be a blessing for a struggling vet practice. It is these systems that often attract practice owners to corporates in the first place, Bindloss says. However, such efficiencies can also be a great benefit for independent practice owners who can implement similar systems without selling up.

“In the last few years we [Bindloss and Sally Boyle, her business partner at Sane Management Solutions for Veterinary Practices] have recruited about 10 business managers for veterinary hospitals,” she says. “These are people with an MBA who are logging in at $100,000-plus. That decision is usually a result of us working with a practice for one or two years and coming to the conclusion with the owners that they really do need a business management expert on board.

“We also often recommend the outsourcing of such processes as payroll and bookkeeping. At the end of the day, managing people is a time-consuming job. If you want a healthy team, you have to apply yourself. Sometimes owners are not the best people to do that because they don’t have the training or they don’t have the desire.”

Playing it safeDr Greg Chapman, award-winning author and small business transformation expert from Empower Business Solutions, says people in various industries are often attracted to buying or selling into a franchise or corporate model because it’s a safer, easier way of going into business.

“You’re buying a business in a box,” he says. “Everything is laid out. You pay for it, of course, but everything you need is there and a lot of the marketing is done for you. But you also have to follow the

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rules because the bigger business doesn’t want you to damage its brand. So, they want the service provided in a particular way. That’s not to take away from their model at all—I’m sure it’s quite good. But for some people, they might feel it’s more of a straitjacket. They might be more entrepreneurial and want to try different things. And of course, they’re always paying franchise fees.”

Chapman agrees with Bindloss that the corporate model introduces many valuable lessons for independent operators. If you buy a franchise, the franchise owner hands you a book on how to run the business, he says. They provide training and guidance to assist in running the business and to ensure your business is compliant. If you build your own practice, you have to write your own manual, and that will happen a lot more quickly and successfully if you borrow some ideas from the corporates.

“Think of things like the policies and procedures around how you take payment, what are your policies on credit, what are your staff management and HR policies, etc,” he says. “If you somehow got your hands on a copy of the corporate manual, you would probably do well

to go through it and take two-thirds of the content—all of the back-office stuff around managing the finances, ordering supplies, managing staff, etc. Then the other third would be about doing your own thing, doing things your way.”

My way‘Doing things your way’ is the likely reason a practice owner would choose not to sell into a corporate, while the argument for the corporate model is often around not having to do the things you don’t enjoy doing. But there is plenty of ground in between, Bindloss says.

“There is an absolute need for management support for veterinary practices in Australia,” she says. “This is well known in the industry, and it is an issue internationally, too. But vets in Australia are doing quite well. We’re doing much better at it now than we did five or six years ago. We have acknowledged that certain things are not a part of our core business expertise or are simply not things we want to do.

“So, we are outsourcing and we are taking in people to help us, and when a practice decides on this strategy, the effects are immediately obvious.”

“At the end of the day, managing people is a time-consuming job. If you want a healthy team you have to apply yourself.”Jane Bindloss, Sane Management Solutions for Veterinary Practices

If you buy a franchise,

the franchise owner gives

you a book on how to run the business.

Y O U R B U S I N E S S

14

AT 12.30AM ON 29 AUGUST 2014, the pizza parlour three doors away from Better Pet Vets in Andergrove, Queensland, exploded into flames. Firemen did their best to put out the blaze but within an hour, Better Pet Vets and three surrounding businesses were destroyed.

“There were eight animals in the practice at the time, including my cat,” says Dr Holly Goldring, the co-owner of Better Pet Vets along with her husband Dr Ashley Young. “The firemen managed to save six of them, but my cat and another animal died.”

Better Pet Vets also lost assets worth an estimated $750,000 in the fire, and the site itself was so badly damaged, it had to be demolished.

While the community was supportive in the weeks after the fire, Dr Goldring acknowledges that people have to move on. “People will wait for you for a period of time but they need to get on with their own lives,” she says. “Our business is our life and we were acutely aware we needed to get back to normal operations as soon as we could. Time was critical.

“We also had 20 employees and we didn’t want to lose any of them,” says Dr Goldring. “Our staff is like our family. They were not only traumatised over the loss of the clinic and animals, but were

Are you and your practice properly insured? Charmaine Teoh looks at the personal and professional insurance vet practices should consider

Take cover

15

more than 30 years, which has resulted in us developing a deep understanding of the veterinary profession. For example, we have an Emergency Animal Disease Response insurance policy that provides specialist cover to veterinarians if they become involved in an outbreak of a notifiable quarantinable disease with livestock. No other provider offers this policy,” he says.

Essential business insuranceHere are some types of business insurance that all vet practices should have.

n Professional indemnity insurance Although there is no legal requirement

for veterinarians to have professional indemnity insurance, Fisher says that whether you are an employee, consultant, contractor, locum or business owner, this insurance is absolutely essential.

“Veterinarians are operating in a much more litigious environment than they have done in the past,” says Fisher. “In Australia recently, the number of litigators and reported incidents have increased, as has the cost to defend our customers. Without having specialised, industry-specific, professional indemnity insurance in place, vets are putting their own name, business and personal assets at risk.”

n Workers’ compensation insurance Practice owners are legally required to

insure direct employees and in many cases, contractors, and the insurance

accountant who does a lot of

strategy planning with vet clinics,” says Dr Goldring. “It made me realise what could happen if we didn’t have our insurance up to date.

“I came home and went over our insurance policies thoroughly. Ash and I discussed all the possible scenarios: if I get sick and can’t work, what would he need? People need to think about worst-case scenarios and how they are going to financially protect themselves.”

Dr Goldring also advises people not to cut corners when it comes to insurance. “Saving a couple of thousand dollars on your premium isn’t going to be worth it if something happens and you find your policy doesn’t cover you,” she says.

“When you’re evaluating your insurance program, it is important to understand the insurer’s approach to paying claims, their experience in your industry, ability to provide you with the necessary service when you really need it, and what other support they provide to your profession,” says Drew Fisher, head of client partnerships at Guild Insurance, the principal partner of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA).

“Guild has maintained an exclusive national partnership with the AVA for

“Without having specialised, industry-specific, professional indemnity insurance in place, vets are putting their own name, business and personal assets at risk.”Drew Fisher, Guild Insurance

Take cover

also worried about their jobs. We wanted to make sure they were looked after.”

With her business on the line, Dr Goldring rang her insurance provider, Guild Insurance, on Friday morning, who sent an assessor straightaway to review the damage.

“Guild was impeccable,” says Dr Goldring. “They understood that time was critical, and asked, ‘What do you need to get up and running and how do we help you make this happen?’ Together, we came up with a plan for a temporary facility.”

While the forensic investigation was taking place, Dr Goldring began sourcing new vet equipment while her husband worked on the fit-out for the new facility. They also started a house-call service to stay in touch with clients and keep staff motivated.

Nine weeks after the fire, Better Pet Vets was up and running in a temporary location behind its old premises. The couple are currently building a new stand-alone animal hospital—“We don’t want to be next to another building again”—which will open next year.

Choosing the right coverBetter Pet Vets’ experience highlights the importance of having a comprehensive insurance policy that covers all contingencies, and of regularly reviewing the policy.

“I went to a conference about four years ago and heard a sobering lecture by an

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Drs Ashley Young and Holly Goldring of Better Pet Vets.

must be in place before you hire any workers.

n Management liability insurance

If you own your practice, management liability insurance protects you against employment practices liabilities, statutory liabilities, directors and officers liabilities, and theft by staff.

n Public liability insurance All businesses should hold

public liability insurance in case they have to pay compensation for personal injury and/or property damage, as well as legal expenses.

n Business asset insurance Business asset insurance generally

covers assets, including buildings and machinery, which have to be repaired or

replaced due to disaster, criminal acts or, in some cases, accidents.

In Better Pet Vets’ case, business asset insurance enabled the practice to pay for the fit-out of the temporary facility, including three consulting rooms, two surgeries, a reception area and 35 cages. Business interruption insurance also covered lost revenue while the fit-out was taking place, as well as staff wages.

“It’s important to review your policies annually to ensure the level of cover matches your circumstances and requirements,” advises Dr Goldring. “Because we provided our revenue figures to our provider on a regular basis, when the fire happened, the insurance sum was right where it should be.

“If you purchase new equipment, make sure your insurance is updated as well,” she adds. “Our practice is only

six years old so I knew how much our equipment was worth. Our cover was within five per cent of the actual value of the equipment we needed to replace.”

Personal coverInsurance can also help cover costs if you are unable to work due to illness, injury or total and permanent disability. You or your beneficiary can use the funds to pay off debts and/or create an income stream.

For instance, income protection insurance provides a monthly income of up to 75 per cent of your current annual income in the event that you can’t work due to illness or injury. Life insurance provides a lump sum to your nominated beneficiary in the event of your death, while total and permanent disability insurance pays a lump sum to your beneficiary in the event you become totally and permanently disabled.

The last word goes to Dr Goldring: “We left our practice at 4.30pm on Thursday to go away for the weekend and on Friday morning, we had nothing. It can happen to anyone at any time.”

Y O U R B U S I N E S S

Ever wanted some one-on-one time with a specialist? Now you can indulge your dream by bidding in our charity auctions taking place all through June and July. VetPrac is the premier education business teaching a community of better vets and vet nurses the skills required to thrive in a competitive market. VetPrac bears a close relationship with Vets Beyond Borders and we have partnered with Veterinary Specialists from all over Australia and New Zealand to raise much needed funds for the care of animals affected by the devastating earthquakes in Nepal. Some of these specialists include:

Each specialist has created a unique profile and will be inviting the winning bidder to shadow them in practice and/or receive a tutorial of their choice. You can bid for these specialists by visiting the VetPrac Website Social Responsibility Page: http://www.vetprac.com.au/social-responsibility/

Just follow the links to the E-Bay Auction sites for each specialist. Remember the more you bid, the more good you do. Not only will you benefit from the experience of learning from the best, you will also be helping some of the worlds poorest communities rebuild after heartbreaking experiences.

And if the specialist you wish you could spend a day with isn’t on the site, please contact us. We’ll invite them to participate so more animals can receive care where they need it most. VetPrac exists so animals and those that care for them can have a healthier life. We are proud to be part of this initiative and grateful to live in a society that lends a hand where it is needed most.

Dr Kersti Seksel Dr Aaron Moles Dr Chris Preston Dr Brad Gavaghan Dr Mark Billson

Dr Natalie Webster Dr Bruce Smith Dr David Vella

And more....

VETPRAC CHARITY AUCTION TO RAISE $50,000 FOR NEPAL’S ANIMALS

www.vetprac.cominfo@vetprac.com+61 414 581 600Photography: Navesh Chitrakar

Disclaimer: The advice provided here is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs. Speak to an accredited insurance provider for more information.

CONTROVERSIES IN DERMATOLOGY Applying evidence to practice – trust is more than skin deep

Our experts will share the most practical and important updates to immediately influence your care of dogs and cats with common skin conditions.

Each days focus topic: § The Scratching Dog § The Overgrooming Cat § The Infected Dog § Managing Itch

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Mandy Burrows BSc BVMS MACVSc(Canine Medicine) FACVSc(Dermatology)

Greg Burton BVSc(hons) FACVSc(Dermatology) MACVSc(Small Animal Surgery)

Rusty Muse DVM Diplomate ACVD MANZCVS

Wayne Rosenkrantz DVM Diplomate ACVD

Michael Shipstone BVSc FANCVS(Specialist)

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Veterinary Science Conference Centre Level 2 B22 Regimental Drive, The University of Sydney NSW 2006

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18

C O V E R S T O RY

Dog, but Rick was one of the few who not only knew him, but was connected to the story,” recalls Woss. “He’s the guardian of the real Red Dog story.” As Woss watched Dr Fenny’s face during a preview of the film’s final scenes, he knew he’d nailed it.

Red Dog is not only a pretty accurate portrayal of the life and times of the Pilbara dog who united a disparate community, but also of the region itself; of the epic distances, the isolation, and the red dirt-dusted camaraderie forged by them.

It was here, in Roebourne, Western Australia, that Dr Fenny opened his first clinic, using a 16-foot caravan as a surgery to service the remote northern areas of the state—from next-door Cossack, the resting place of Red Dog, to Paraburdoo, a seven-hour hop down the highway. Today, the Rick Fenny Group owns 11 Pets and Vets clinics, with two of them in the United Kingdom. It’s a long way from a dusty caravan in the Kimberleys.

“Five years ago, I thought it was getting too much, because I was doing it all myself,” says Dr Fenny. “Now that I have a general manager for the brand, and a well-structured office and policies, it’s easier and I am in expansion mode.”

One exciting development in the Pets and Vets training program is the first of its kind, offering fifth-year practical

Rural veterinarian and local personality Rick Fenny, straight talking as he is successful, shares his journey from country vet to hospital empire, and what Red Dog was really like. By Natasha Paulini

Red Dog’s vetRICK FENNY IS NOT YOUR AVERAGE veterinarian. For most, running a clinic, maybe conducting some research on the side, is more than enough to keep them busy. Dr Fenny would consider that a pre-breakfast project.

“I just like to keep myself motivated, alert, on the ball—and happy. And not bogged down,” he says, in the understatement of the decade.

The man admits he’s probably employed more vets than anyone —“certainly in WA, if not Australia”—with 400 full-time vets in a 40-year period, at last count, and about 1000 other non-vets. He has owned 15 separate practices, ran a locum service sending Australian vets to Britain and even had his own internal drug company. “It’s been quite an interesting journey,” he says.

Trust is a big part of Dr Fenny’s DNA—both what he has for people and, of course, what the animals have for him: most famously, the Pilbara mining community’s kelpie mascot, Red Dog, the lone canine made famous in Louis de Bernières’s 2002 novel, and again in the eponymous film nine years later.

“The ’70s in this region was a very different time,” he says of the era in which he treated, and ultimately euthanised, Red Dog. “No safety gear or clothing, a lot of drinking. Women were

scarce, and treated differently to today. It was the Wild West, and that’s the real Red Dog. He was like those rough-and-ready single guys: red-blooded, rough around the edges, hard-drinking and hard-living. Everything of the miners wrapped up in a dog. Koko [who played Red Dog in the film] was much more polished. Koko was like Leonardo DiCaprio; the real Red Dog was more like Russell Crowe.”

Perhaps, but Koko laid on enough charm to be officially adopted by producer Nelson Woss and his family, until his death in 2012 of congenital heart failure. Dr Fenny is currently penning his own novel about the famous kelpie, and says his will be the real deal. As Hollywood is wont to do, the reality of Red Dog was somewhat rougher than the silver screen.

“Not everyone liked him,” admits Dr Fenny. “He tried to steal food off the barbecue; he thought he had the right to go wherever he liked. And he picked his friends. I was privileged to be one of them. He shared himself around, but he knew my car. I’d be way out in the middle of the bush, hammering along in the car, and he would just walk out in front of it. He knew that I would stop.”

When Red Dog’s story ignited the imagination of Woss, he hunted out the one man who could help bring it to life. “A lot of people had stories about Red P

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Red Dog’s vet

Dr Rick Fenny pictured with an energetic Kelpie, Jarrah.

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C O V E R S T O R Y

placement scholarships to every university veterinary faculty in the country.

“We realised that there was definitely a need for it. There’s not enough prac offered to vets in rural areas,” says Pets and Vets general manager Celeste Holtzhausen. “We find that given our practices are so rural, given the travel expenses, it puts people off. We want to show how much there is to gain, not only in the beauty the Pilbara offers, but most of all the opportunity to experience very varied and interesting case loads and surgeries. Plus, working rurally can be very rewarding financially.”

The group, in conjunction with the university, will pick a student and cover transport from their nearest city to the Pilbara, along with accommodation and expenses. As

with most rural postings, the experience, says Holtzhausen, is incredibly hands-on. Students are able to perform surgeries they would never have access to as a new grad in a metropolitan hospital.

“All under the care of a mentor, of course; knowing there’s someone to catch you if and when you fall is always very important,” she says.

It’s a project close to Dr Fenny’s heart. The veterinarian prides himself most on his history launching hundreds of careers, encouraging young vets “to have a go”, as he calls it. “I have done this in what well might be a unique way

of giving them responsibility, putting them in places where they can make their own decisions,” he says.

The program is rolling out this spring, and with all his ducks now in a row, Dr Fenny is nothing if not pragmatic. “If I drop dead tomorrow, the brand and core businesses would operate without me,” he says. “My family or my partners could keep it going. It’s a saleable commodity that way, too. I’ve had to be very adaptable.”

Dr Fenny’s picture could easily feature in the Macquarie Dictionary as the definition of adaptability. Alongside his incredibly successful veterinary business, he also runs the luxury retreat Maitraya, a self-catering residence on the Albany coastline—airstrip included, should you wish to take the private jet.

“It’s a personal luxury, the best place in the country and it represents something I aim towards; a holy grail,” he says.

The main homestead is flanked by the

Dr Fenny’s practice has spanned much of Western Australia.

One of the Pets and Vets vans used for emergencies and rural home visits.

“A lot of people had stories about Red Dog, but Rick was one of the few that not only knew him, but was connected to the story.”Nelson Woss, Red Dog film producer

21

Fisherman’s and Aviator cottages. All told, the retreat sleeps just 16 lucky people at full capacity on 200 hectares of secluded bushland. No surprise, then, that when Lady Gaga had to escape the hordes during her sold-out 2010 Monster Ball tour, her minders chose to take her there. She reportedly flew in under the cover of darkness, detouring from Brisbane, for the kind of people-free getaway Dr Fenny says took her a day to process.

“It’s not a destination; it’s a feeling —a very spiritual place,” he says, one that apparently inspired the pop princess to pen two songs. A message from her and a photo hang above the lounge piano, and she left this message in the visitors’ book: “Thank you so much for the freedom and the beauty of this estate. I’m leaving rested, happy and inspired.”

Dr Fenny also part-owns Ocean Park Aquarium in Shark Bay with elder son and manager Ed, a marine scientist—“He and I have a love affair with the ocean and all things marine”—as well as Carbala, a 325,000-hectare sheep station nearby, with younger son Sam, who shares his love of the rangeland.

Anything else? “I do the simple stuff. I like people and feel I can relate to them. As any successful vet will [say], ‘You don’t treat the animal—you treat the client’. I treat the human animal the most.”

And this is true of any of Dr Fenny’s enterprises—in fact, of anyone’s business at all. Treat the people right, be it client or staff, and the rest will follow. “You might be the best vet technically, be really good with animals, but take a close look at yourself. If you don’t like other people, get out and do something else. People ask me how I’ve done it, and it’s by trusting people—to my detriment sometimes. Empower them. I enjoy what I’m doing. And I have always believed in persistence.”

It’s a kind of dogged persistence that has led a young vet from the outback Australia to build a veterinary empire that crosses continents, and a luxurious retreat fit to lure MTV royalty … plus, adds Woss: “If you watch Red Dog, you might spot Rick as an extra.” Hollywood actor: another string to add to the Rick Fenny bow.

i PA D

Our iPad edition of this article features more incredible images. Search for Vet Practice Magazine in the App store.

Dr Fenny tends to a racehorse at the 2015

Ladies Day at Nor West Jockey Club, Roebourne.

Y O U R B U S I N E S S

22

Poor staff retention can have a devastating effect on SMEs but the cost is not merely financial. Tracey Porter looks at what you can do to make your practice a place where employees are eager to stay

The

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23

ON ANY GIVEN DAY KIM DALE IS responsible for the physical and mental wellness of more than 20 adults and countless animals.

As the Orange Vet Hospital’s (OVH) practice manager, it falls to the busy mother-of-three to help ensure each of the practice’s seven vets and 14 support staff are operating at the top of their game so that when the doors are opened each morning, incoming patients can expect the very best care the staff have to offer.

The 41-year-old’s dedication to her job is part of the reason OVH enjoys low staff turnover with flexible working arrangements, regular appraisals, open lines of communication, educational opportunities, frequent social gatherings and all-inclusive meals. These are all part of the ongoing commitment OVH offers its staff.

“We don’t have difficulty finding staff as we have always employed for attitude

and trained for skill. If you look after your staff well, it isn’t that hard to keep them. We encourage our staff to continue their education and challenge themselves.

“It is natural for staff to turn over and while it is always disappointing when you lose a team member, if you have developed a strong team, they can pick up the pieces and fill the gaps easily.”

Research by various human resources firms both here and abroad suggests 50 per cent of the people recruited to an organisation will leave within two years. One in four will leave within six months.

Besides having a negative impact on a small business’s reputation to attract and retain great staff, frequent employee turnover can also have a catastrophic effect on productivity, morale and the company’s bottom line.

While it is difficult to pinpoint the true financial cost of employee loss, Australian insights group Mercer estimates that staff turnover costs range from 50 to 150 per cent of an individual’s annual salary depending on the role and level of seniority they enjoyed.

Even at its most conservative, a practice employing a veterinary nurse on around $40,000 a year would need to find around $20,000 in recruiting and training expenses to replace them.

Employment law barrister Edward Mallett, whose consultancy Employsure works with several Australian vet practices on employment relations and workplace health and safety, says while some staff turnover is normal, questions need to be asked when a

small practice is losing “anything over 30 per cent of their staff” every year.

Staff turnover can be influenced by numerous factors with location, the age of the business and the seniority of its workforce each playing a part, he says.

The Frawley Report, a review of rural veterinary services in Australia published in 2003, found rural vets had to contend with a lot of unique factors that vets based at urban practices did not—all of which impacted on their willingness to live and work in rural areas. These included rising costs, a reluctance of producers to utilise their services, long hours, limited social opportunities and available schooling for their families.

Mallett argues that spikes in staff turnover in new businesses are common as these businesses have yet to cement themselves as an employer in quite the same way as more established businesses.

In addition, the age cross-section of a business can also have an impact on staff members’ willingness to remain at their place of employ.

“You tend to see higher turnover in younger staff—it’s often referred to as the Generation Y phenomenon. A couple of generations before that, jobs were seen as something you probably did two or three times in your career. Now it’s not unusual at all for someone younger to spend a year at a job and think that’s a decent amount of time.”

While the introduction of the Fair Work Act and other enterprise agreements—in particular the Animal Care and Veterinary

Research suggests 50 per cent of staff will leave within two years.

Service 2010 Award—have resulted in a more level playing field when it comes to the remuneration and entitlements offered by the sector, Mallett says few staff are compelled to leave a workplace simply because “one down the road may be offering a higher salary”. More likely their dissatisfaction will be driven because there is an issue with the culture of the work space or it is a personnel issue, he says.

There is scant evidence to suggest that other tactics such as offering additional annual leave, volunteer days or overseas sabbaticals have a large impact on a worker’s willingness to remain loyal to their employer, he says.

“We’ve got about 6000 SME [small- to medium-sized enterprise] clients and very few, if any, of those clients would have lots of structured perks in place, such as additional parental leave. That’s just not the reality for most small business.”

Instead, Mallett argues, practices seeking to stem the tide of high staff turnover should think long term rather than employing quick-fix solutions.

The starting point for retention is always selection, he says. “If you keep picking the wrong people and keep having to move them on or they keep leaving, you’ve probably got something wrong with your recruitment process.”

He also cautions against the “Googlising” of the workplace, where items such as bean bags and ping pong tables are introduced as an incentive to make the business more relevant and encourage staff to stay.

“That is not the way to do it,” says Mallett. “Check the foundations are right—are you paying people correctly and are you treating people right, fairly and safely? If you’ve got that right, then you get into the cultural stuff that typically doesn’t mean lots of expensive things. It may mean just displaying an open and flexible attitude when someone asks for additional time off, creating a culture

in the business of honesty, making it absolutely clear that it’s fundamental for all your employees that they have to be honest with you and you’ll be honest with them in return.

“If you create that culture where people are honest and not dancing in shadows, you’ll go a long way.”

Y O U R B U S I N E S S

Staff retention tips in brief n Provide a nice working environment

via a purpose-built practicen Ensure your equipment is

in good working order and regularly updated

n Offer new staff a good inductionn Build your practice to ensure it has

a client base that is prepared to pay for proper work-ups

n Encourage your staff to be supportive when dealing with difficult or upset clients

n As an employer, encourage case continuity and don’t take difficult or interesting cases from your team

n Try to be an employer who is regularly seen on the ‘shop floor’

n Offer continuing education programs

n Conduct regular meetings and staff reviews

n Encourage your staff to have time off to have fun.

* Source: Dr Mark Eagleton, owner of Australian-based specialist recruitment agency Vetlink Employment Service.

24

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26

How you lead your staff is just as important as how you treat clients. So, why do so few practice owners get it right, and what can you do to

improve your management style? By Angela Tufvesson

Learning to lead

27

IN A CLASSIC ANTHROPOLOGICAL study, researcher Dr Lionel Tiger discovered that the average baboon looks at the alpha male two or three times per minute for guidance. Humans aren’t much different—we look to those in charge for cues about what is acceptable behaviour and what is not in any given situation.

In veterinary practices—as in most workplaces—all eyes are on the boss to set the standard for behaviour. As a small business owner, one of your primary roles is to lead your staff but, worryingly, many vets aren’t equipped with adequate leadership skills. Why? Because university education and on-the-job training mostly focuses on animals, not people.

If you’re new to being the boss or if leading doesn’t come naturally, the good news is there is a lot you can do to improve your leadership skills.

Trouble at the topAccording to Diederik Gelderman, president of the Australian Veterinary Business Association, many vet practice owners have a leadership style that is akin to “herding cats” rather than a method that uses coherent management techniques.

“Most vets aren’t out the front leading the team by weight of vision, belief and passion,” he says. “They need to be able to engage their team to be passionate and focused on patient outcomes. Unfortunately, they don’t usually have the skills, especially communication skills.”

Gelderman says the main culprit is a lack of training and focus on leadership as an essential skill required to run a practice. “People go into veterinary science to be vets—they don’t go into veterinary science to be leaders,” he says. “Realistically, they’ve had no training at university. Most training at university

leadership and management skills in a workplace can have significant direct effects on productivity. Indirectly, good leadership also improves an organisation’s ability to adapt to changing business conditions and innovate.

These findings are just as important for small businesses such as vet practices as they are for global conglomerates as effective leadership will help to improve your bottom line. “Being a good leader of a vet practice is something that’s really going to boost your business,” says Schmidt. “It’s not just nice to have, it’s something that’s going to help you attract and keep clients. So, rather than looking at it as something you do when you have time, it’s something that you really need to prioritise.”

Gelderman says many practice owners aren’t focused on leadership because they’re satisfied with the progress of their business, but he warns that this approach can lead to complacency. “For many vets, often their practice is at a good level, they can meet their mortgage repayments and go on holidays, but they’re stuck in that mould,” he says.

“If you really want to have a practice that stands out and becomes a workplace of choice then you need to have leadership skills and you need to learn how to be a leader. That’s the difference

focuses on individual achievement and certainly not group achievement.

“They’re not taught leadership or chosen based on leadership. Most of the time they’ve got no idea leadership is necessary to run a team. What’s more, if they do realise that leadership is important, they don’t know where to get the training.”

Specifically, leadership consultant Karen Schmidt says vet practice owners often struggle to understand staff motivation. “The big one is not being clear on expectations and assuming that other people will be as passionate and dedicated to their business as they are,” she says. “Nobody is ever going to be as invested in the business as the owners.”

Highlighting negative behaviour and failing to recognise achievement is also a common leadership error.

“In a lot of cases in small businesses, the bosses are really good at pointing out when people are doing things wrong but not very quick to point out when people are getting things right. It becomes a negative situation where the only time the owners are talking to staff is when they’ve done something wrong,” says Schmidt.

Why leadership matters

Of course, problems with workplace leadership aren’t confined to veterinary practices. Research by the Centre for Workplace Leadership at the University of Melbourne that tracked employee perceptions of management and leadership in workplaces revealed a whopping 75 per cent of employees believe workplaces need better managers and leaders.

And an increasing body of international evidence suggests that the quality of

“Being a good leader of a vet practice is something that’s really going to boost your business.”Karen Schmidt, leadership consultant

between ordinary practices and the practices that excel.”

Psychologist Peter Doyle, director of Guidelight Psychology, agrees. “Obviously the bread and butter work is fixing sick animals but the reward, momentum and longevity of a business is determined not only by that service delivery model but by how well you create a healthy workplace by growing your leadership capacity.”

Be the bossSo, what can you do to improve your leadership skills?

First, Gelderman says, it’s important to understand that leadership can be learned. “There are born leaders who can do it well naturally, but all leadership can be learned and even people who don’t have many natural attributes can learn them,” he says. “It’s not about being a better vet—it’s all about how you inspire and motivate your team. That’s what leadership really is.”

If you’re keen to undertake formal training, Doyle says, it needn’t be

expensive. “You don’t need a lot of money to learn to be an effective leader,” he says. “Start with small steps within your budget. Getting around the basics is a good starting point to help you operate more strongly and efficiently. Too many people in small business don’t start the journey because they think they need to undertake formal training like an MBA.”

Schmidt says that consulting with a senior member of staff or an external organisation with more knowledge in a particular area, such as recruitment or people management, is an effective strategy. “Getting advice from people who are more experienced than you is exactly what business is all about,” she says. “You don’t have to do it all yourself.”

When it comes to staff management, Doyle says, helping staff to develop a clear purpose for coming to work—for example, to improve their technical skills or help clients—will improve staff morale and productivity. “Truly stepping people into their highest level of potential means the

business will flourish and stress levels will diminish,” he says.

Doyle says focusing on having “win-win” conversations with staff where both parties gain something positive from the interaction will improve communication in the practice. He suggests describing situations in terms of patterns of behaviour rather than personal judgement. So, ‘keeping clients waiting for their appointment is an inconvenience that we try to avoid’ is preferable to, ‘you take too long with clients, which means that everyone else has to wait and I lose money because clients are unhappy’.

And just like oxygen masks on airplanes, looking after yourself first will help you to better lead others. “You can’t lead people well and develop your staff if you’re not looking after your own emotional journey,” Doyle says. “Make sure you sleep well, your self-talk is positive, focused and task-oriented, and that you don’t let the emotional rollercoaster [of running a business] intrude on your conversations or interactions with staff.”

Y O U R B U S I N E S S

28

Does your management style look like herding cats?

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cats. Melendez LD, Yamaka RM, Forrester SD, et al. J Vet Intern Med 2011; 25:683 (abstract). 3. Titration of dietary iodine for maintaining normal serum thyroxine concentrations in hyperthyroid

cats. Melendez LD, Yamaka RM, Burris PA. J Vet Intern Med 2011; 25:683 (abstract).4. Effects of an iodine-restricted food on client-owned cats with hyperthyroidism. van der Kooij

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PRACTICE

Through the keyholeWhy minimally invasive

surgery is gaining popularity, page 10

Bright futureWhat you need to

consider to future proof your practice, page 14

Taking the leadWinner of the recent Vet Nurse of the

Year Award, Tiffany Swift, shares what

it takes to be the best Social policyLearn how to manage your workplace social

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31

Large animal product guide

An insightful showcase of the best new tools and

products in the market

A D V E R T O R I A L

Large animal Product guide

32

Castration of CattleCastration of male calves intended for beef production is an ancient and common routine surgical procedure carried out in Australia and overseas. There are many reasons for castration and some of the benefits include facilitation of management, improved meat quality and fewer injuries in confinement operations by decreasing aggressive and sexual behaviours. A number of methods of castration are available but the application of rubber rings and surgery are the recommended practices in Australia. While castration may appear brutal and unnecessarily painful to the general public, the Cattle Standards and Guidelines Writing Group recently reviewed the reasons for castration and the methods used and agreed that the procedure is necessary for cattle husbandry.

Pain Management in Production AnimalsPain is a subjective experience that can only be measured indirectly and identification of pain responses can be difficult in animals such as calves as they are genetically wired to conceal pain as a survival mechanism. Studies in calves have shown that all methods of castration are acutely painful and induce pain related distress that can be divided into physiological responses, behavioural responses and a production response. Furthermore, the risk of local or systemic disease after castration is increased by stress and postsurgical immunosuppression (Coetzee et al. 2011). The assessment of pain, however, is an inexact science. The types of pain and their perception are often not understood and are known to vary at different ages and between individuals.

Meloxicam—The Drug of ChoiceThere is widespread acknowledgement

from beef producers, consumers, and industry and government bodies that pain associated with surgical or non-surgical husbandry practices in cattle must be managed effectively (MLA website). NSAIDs prevent inflammation by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes and thus the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins associated with the COX-2 enzyme are linked with pain and inflammation that result from tissue injury.

The NSAID meloxicam exerts anti-inflammatory, anti-exudative, analgesic and antipyretic effects. It inhibits leukocyte infiltration into the inflamed tissue and prevents bone and cartilage destruction. To a minor extent it also inhibits collagen-induced thrombocyte aggregation. Unlike traditional non-selective NSAIDs, meloxicam preferentially inhibits the activity of COX-2. The resulting decrease in prostaglandin synthesis is responsible for the therapeutic effects of meloxicam. This makes meloxicam the drug of choice for use in young calves with developing

rumen function, as it will interfere less with normal homeostatic processes.

Ilium Buccalgesic OTMIlium Buccalgesic OTM is an APVMA registered ready-to-use formulation containing 10 mg meloxicam/mL and designed to provide pain relief in calves undergoing castration. Formulated for oral trans-mucosal (OTM) absorption, the dose volume is applied into the sulcus between the molar teeth and the inside of the cheek. A WHP of 14 days and an ESI of 21 days are approved. In a pharmacokinetic study, Ilium Buccalgesic OTM was found to be bioequivalent in area under the curve (AUC) to a meloxicam SC injection. Another study showed that there was a clear trend in the majority of variables assessed that Ilium Buccalgesic OTM resulted in pain mitigation in calves undergoing surgical castration.

For more information contact Phone: +61 2 8808 3600, Email: sales@troylab.com.au www.troylab.com.au

Pain management

A D V E R T O R I A L

Large animal Product guide

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The First Stand Up Portable DR NEXT Equine DR has evolved the imaging experience. The industry first monitor elevation system enables and enhances image review and communication with clients while standing. Reviewing images on a large screen with gesture controls allows for easy zoom and window level optimisation, improving client communication and diagnostic confidence when making tough decisions in the field.n Industry First Monitor Elevation Systemn <5 Sec Image Acquisitionn Mobile Workstationn MUSICA Intelligent Image Processing

Industry Leading SMART DRTM Software

SMART FlowThe easiest, most intuitive imaging experience ever created specifically for veterinary use with speed, effciency and accuracy in mind.

Introducing NEXT Equine DR™This is the Evolution of Equine Digital Radiography

Durable Hardshell Case n Integrated Battery Charger n Integrated Power System n Monitor Elevation System

18” Removable Tablet

n Mobile DICOM Workstation

n MUSICA Image Processing

n Smart DR TM Software & Workflow

10” X 12” Varian Panel

n Cesium Wireless Autosense

n Custom Equine Handle System

SMART Protocols Pre-packaged and simple user defined protocols optimise workflow for every user.

SMART User Placing advanced features at the fingertips enabling novice to expert to get more out of digital radiography than ever before.

MUSICA Intelligent Image Processing MUSICA knows how to automatically tune for any patient, species, or size, delivering consistently high image quality. n Balanced presentation of soft tissue and

overlapping bone structures n Realistic representation of anatomy, not

over processed n Confident comfortable readingn Gold standard in human and veterinary

radiology n A truly innovative “hands free” medical

image processor

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Equine DR™

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The SPRINT BOLT Ultralight DR™ sets up quickly, is reliable and rugged enough to handle the daily challenges of the mobile equine practice.

Call: 1300 785 401Email: sales@dlc.com.auDLC is a proud sponsor of theEVA Bain Fallon Conference

A D V E R T O R I A L

Large animal Product guide

36

VetScan VS2The VetScan VS2 is simple, intuitive, portable and easy to navigate with a simple user interface and the ability to run rotors in minutes. The VS2 can be used in the field with its own 12v adapter making it ideal for the equine ambulatory practitioner. Now you can effectively start pre-purchase exams, monitor fluid therapy, evaluate organ function and easily measure other important parameters in one easy-to-use instrument. With its small footprint and rugged stability, the VS2 is an excellent investment for your clinic, and it also tolerates the rigours of mobile practice.

Equine Profile Plus rotorThe Equine Profile Plus rotor for the VetScan VS2 is designed to provide the equine practitioner with comprehensive point-of-care chemistry results in minutes. When time is of the essence, the information provided by the rotor enhances patient care especially in critical case management. The ease of use and utility of the Equine Profile Plus not only allows the practitioner to diagnose the ill patient, but provides baseline data, which leads to improved medical management while incorporating a comprehensive care plan for each patient. Built in quality control and calibration on every run provides peace of mind on quality of results. General chemistries, electrolytes and tCO2 run simultaneously without additional equipment, maintenance costs or labour.

The VetScan VSproNow you can actually get rapid, automated fibrinogen testing without the hassles, delays and costs associated with the old manual protocol of testing or usingcommercial lab services. The VetScan Fibrinogen Test is designed for use with the simple and portable VetScan VSpro specialty analyser—delivering lab-quality results right in your office, or barn-side. Fibrinogen is an acute phase protein that is widely used as a marker for inflammation

and various types of infections in equine medicine. Elevated levels of fibrinogen in horses indicate a degree of systemic inflammatory response and often occur before clinical evidence of disease.The VetScan Fibrinogen Test provides the rapid, accurate results you need to evaluate and monitor your patients.

Features of the new VetScan VS2, benefiting you and your patient, include: • Quantitative results in less than 15 minutes• State-of-the-art microfluidic technology• Minimal maintenance required• Available with a carrying case for portable, in-field use.

VetScan VS2: Automated, cost effective and easy to use

Top: VetScan VS2 can be used in the field with its own 12v adapter making it ideal for the equine ambulatory practitioner. Above left: The Equine Profile Plus rotor. Above right: VetScan VSpro.

Some of our Equine clinics that use Vetscan are: Adelaide Plains Equine Clinic Gympie Vet services Tableland Veterinary Services Murray Vet services Warwick and Allora Vet Clinic Agnes Banks Equine Clinic Stabler and Howlett Veterinary Surgeons Westvets Marburg EquiBreed Oz Acacia Vet Surgery

Blood gas, lactates, criti cal care

Biochemistry and Electrolytes

Hematology

Fibrinogen and coagulati on

Your in-clinic pathology specialists

Why change to Vetscan for in-clinic pathology?Save up to 30% on running costs. = More $ for the clinic

Call 1800 737 222 to find out how you can save money on running in-house pathology instruments.

Vetscan VS2 (published list price)

Similar Competitor Pathology consumable each price.

Comprehensive Rotor VS similar competitor product $35.52 ea $55.25 ea

Pre-anesthetic profile $20.43 ea $30.20 ea

REMstream.indd 1 9/04/2014 11:15 am

Why change to Vetscan for in-clinic pathology?Save up to 30% on running costs. = More $ for the clinic

Call 1800 737 222 to find out how you can save money on running in-house pathology instruments.

Vetscan VS2 (published list price)

Similar Competitor Pathology consumable each price.

Comprehensive Rotor VS similar competitor product $35.52 ea $55.25 ea

Pre-anesthetic profile $20.43 ea $30.20 ea

REMstream.indd 1 9/04/2014 11:15 am

EquiBreed Oz Acacia Vet Surgery

Call us for a free in-house demonstrati on and trial to learn how you can start saving ti me and money.

1800 737 222

REM_August_2014.indd 1 6/08/2015 11:01 am

A D V E R T O R I A L

Large animal Product guide

38

Coopers Animal Health’s Trifecta, the only triple active oral drench available in Australia for sheep and cattle, now has a registered treatment to calving interval of 28 days, enabling use in dairy cattle.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Management Authority (APVMA) has published the updated label, which now includes a Dairy Cattle WHP. 1

Trifecta is suitable for both sheep and cattle, providing powerful protection against worm resistance in both species. It now offers Australian dairy and beef cattle producers a best practice strategic rotational drenching option that treats and controls internal parasites resistant to mectin drenches.

Warrnambool Veterinary Clinic director and ceterinarian, Dr Jon Kelly, welcomed the announcement, adding that an oral drench with multiple actives is definitely needed for dairy producers.

“Resistance to drenches is an issue all cattle and sheep farmers need to get on top of, and this is a more powerful tool for dairy farmers to use to fight worms. An oral drench with multiple actives is something that we definitely need for young dairy cattle; there is increasing resistance to single active drenches.”

Parasites of livestock cause diseases of major socio-economic importance worldwide, including Australia. Resistance to drenches is detected via faecal egg count reduction tests and occurs where parasites are able to survive treatment doses that would normally kill parasites of the same species and lifecycle stage.2

Dairy cattle veterinarian at the Maffra Veterinary Centre, Dr Stephanie Bullen, comments that drench resistance is an increasing issue the dairy industry should be concerned about due to productivity and welfare issues.

“Recent local research here in Gippsland suggests drench resistance is much more widespread on dairy farms than we ever thought previously. I have three dairy farms which have resistance to all three available classes as single-actives. Previously, it was not practical for them to treat with three individual products to achieve the same effect as the use of a ready-to-use combination such as Trifecta.”

Dr Bullen says Trifecta encompasses all she recommends in a drench product.

“Trifecta is an oral drench, so gets directly to the site of parasites without any reliance upon absorption through the skin or blood stream. It is short-acting, so kills the parasites quickly without prolonged exposure to chemical and potential sub-lethal concentrations at the end of the efficacy period. It is a combination drench—so it is useful on farms where resistance is already present and is more effective at slowing resistance than regular rotation of single-active drenches.”

Latest research indicates oral drenches deliver the highest dose of drug to the target worms, which is often associated with higher efficacy against resistant types of worms than either pour-on or injection

routes.3 Oral drenches also appear less inclined to resistance than pour-ons or injectables.

Trifecta is ideal to use when introducing any new stock to the property, as a weaning drench, when routine worm egg counts indicate drenching is required, and as an “exit” or “tail-cutter” drench where a long-acting drench has been used close to the end of the product’s period of persistent efficacy (or sooner if worm egg counts indicate drenching is required).

Coopers Animal Health sales and technical team provides wide-ranging support to sheep and dairy/beef producers including on-farm consultations, advice based on local knowledge and market conditions, and worm egg testing with drench recommendations on some farms.

The full details of the updated Trifecta label are available on the APVMA website: www.apvma.gov.au. Please refer to the full label details before use. For further information about Trifecta, call TOLL FREE 1800 226 511 or visit www.coopersanimalhealth.com.au.

Trifecta now registered to defend dairy cattle against drench resistance

References 1. As per APVMA approval no. 67327/61112. 2. Besier, R.B., Love, S.C.J., 2003. Anthelmintic resistance in sheep nematodes in Australia: the need for new approaches. Aust. J. Exp. Agric.43, 1383-1391. 3. Leathwick, D.M., Besier, R.B., (2014) The management of anthelmintic resistance in grazing ruminants in Australasia – strategies and experiences Vet. Parasitol 204 (1-2), 44-54.

About Coopers Animal Health Coopers Animal Health was founded in 1843 and has been at the forefront of providing quality animal health care products to Australian livestock producers for more than 150 years. Coopers is dedicated to protecting and improving the health of Australian livestock and the company holds a unique place in the Australian market—and in the minds of Australian farmers—with its heritage of working with more than seven generations of farmers. Over time the Coopers product range has been extended and developed to include preventative vaccines, worm control, lice protection, fly and tick treatments, trace element supplements, disinfectants and antibiotics, which can be found in the unique Coopers gold drums or Coopers packaging. www.coopersanimalhealth.com.au

Rotate to tRifecta®

▹ Treats and controls internal parasites resistant to mectin drenches in sheep, dairy and beef cattle *

▹ Strategic rotational drench: oral drenching can often be more effective against resistant worms than pour-ons or injectables ^

Toll Free 1800 885 576 www.coopersanimalhealth.com.au® Trifecta and Coopers are registered trademarks of Intervet Australia Pty Ltd (known as MSD Animal Health). ABN: 79008467034.* See label for full details. As per APVMA approval no. 67327/61112. ^ Leathwick, D.M., Besier, R.B., (2014) The management of anthelmintic resistance in grazing ruminants in Australasia –

strategies and experiences Vet. Parasitol 204 (1-2), 44-54.

AU/TRIF/0415/0001

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A D V E R T O R I A L

Large animal Product guide

40

Since 1979 Radincon has been a specialised diagnostic imaging supplier to veterinary sector in Australia and overseas. They provide imaging solutions including digital X-ray systems, CR and DR, PACS servers, viewing software and review workstations.

They have a range of quality X-ray hardware, full systems, portables and mobiles—plus all radiographic supplies, consumables and accessories.

Radincon offers a significant number of portable and sturdy imaging systems perfect for field and specifically for the large animal vets, included in this is our latest offering with the RAD-X DR system from Canon.

The RAD-X DR Large Animal/Portable System Features:A detachable 23 x 28cm (actual image area) Canon 60G or 60C DR sensor panel. Included in the standard package is a high resolution screen 15.4” laptop computer for the control and storage of digital radiographs during and after an exam. It has storage for up to 3000 images.Features are:• Lenovo ThinkPad W540 Laptop

provides a complete, portable DICOM workstation.

• It comes with a high resolution 15.4” WS display, Windows 7 64 OS (or similar)

• Unique multi-frequency image processing algorithms

• Field-replaceable DR sensor cable• Durable ballistic nylon padded carrying

case or pelican hard case.• X-ray synchronization interface for one

portable generator if required• DICOM 3.0 connectivity• One-year Return to Factory warranty• Merge eFilm WorkStation Viewing

Software—allowing multi-modality viewing

• Including Ultrasound, MR, CT, NM and Digital Endoscopy.

• Grid Suppression software• ImageExpress Scripting Software to

automate pre-purchase and other routine exams

VetRocket X1—Wireless Canon DRThe Vet Rocket X1 represents a new generation of portable X-ray systems and is the industry’s first fully battery powered DR solution designed specifically for veterinary applications. Enjoy the

freedom of wireless technology without dependence on AC power and cables. It offer market leading panel connectivity—the most reliable panel laptop connection in the market.

Porta 100HF High Frequency Portable X-ray UnitThis is the light weight yet powerful choice in portable high frequency X-ray units. At only 7.8kgs you get 20mA all the way to 100kV. With its built in collimator, twin laser pointers, compact size, weight and power, the Porta 100HF is the ideal solution for the equine or mixed practice veterinarian. The display is reversible for either small or large animal work. The 100HF is ready fast between exposures making it the perfect unit to use with any DR system. A large number of clients have combined this unit with the RAD-X Compact Vet tables and mobile stands to complete their functionality in and out of the practice. The unit comes with a well developed technique chart and has a compact travel box Call now to see how Radincon X-ray can assist you with all your imaging needs.Phone: 1300 721 734 Email: sales@radincon.com.au

Think Radincon X-ray for your portable imaging needs…

The RAD-XDR60G/C soft case VetRocket X1DR The unique Porta 100HF

SPECIALIST IMAGING SUPPLIERSWHEN EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & SECURITY COUNTS

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Phone: 1300 721 734 Fax: 1300 721 735sales@radincon.com.au - www.radincon.com.au

RADINCON X-RAYRADINCON X-RAYEst1979Est1979

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Canon and Merge efilm are the combination that made the Eklin name famous. We took our years of experience with Eklin, became distributors for Canonand Merge efilm, engaged much of the original Eklin design and support team to bring you this range. We are locally supported by both Canon and Merge. We continue to bring you THE GOLD STANDARD.

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RAD--XR

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Recent upgrades at Randwick Equine Centre, Scone Equine Hospital, Goulburn Valley Equine Centre,Silver Pines Vet Clinic, Dr Ken Jacobs, Manly Road Vet Hospital, Dartbrook Equine.

RAD--XR

Portable wireless DR System

Exceptional Image QualityDaylight Readable DisplayRugged ConstructionGlove-friendly Touch ScreenNew Capture SoftwareBattery OperationBuilt-in eFilm ViewerWireless High Performance Dectectors - Low Dose

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• Same day servicing and life long after sales support

• Oil free compressor, reducing maintenance• Autoclavable suction• High speed handpiece with LED light• Low speed handpiece with tangle free

prophy cups• Air water syringe with CLS at your � ngertips• Made in Australia by iM3

Elite LED U3500$7,950 + gst

iM3 Pty Ltd THE VETERINARY DENTAL COMPANY Sydney, Australia p +61 2 9420 5766 f +61 2 9420 5677 e sales@im3vet.com www.im3vet.com

iM3 Dental Systems…the complete solution for your practice.

The new LED Advantage swivel handpiece provides fatique-

free working thanks to easy 360 degree rotation of the

handpiece. LED light illuminates the working

area and the triple coolant spray provides

superior bur cooling.

iM3 has developed a variable suction dental unit

that is totally autoclavable.

What percentage of pets receive the dental care they need?

80% of dogs and 70% of cats over 3 years of age su� er from

periodontal disease.* Left untreated, it may a� ect the heart, liver, kidneys

and cause severe pain.

*American Veterinary Medical Association, 2006

iM3 dental machines can pay for themselves in 2 months!

iM3 12pc Dental Extraction Kit (D4000)

The iM3 Extraction Kit includes all the surgical and dental instruments required for companion animal dental extractions. Designed with the help of leading veterinary dental specialist, the kit contains the following items:

• One set of six S/S winged elevators with stubby handles. The set includes 1-6mm. These are sharp and have a fine edge. They have a unique spoon shape that hugs the animal’s tooth and gives added leverage with a side to side twisting or rocking motion when elevating.

• One pair of LA Grange Scissors curved, one serrated blade. These are helpful in a veterinary dentistry practice to lengthen and trim the gingival flap as well as cut sutures in the animal’s mouth.

• One molt 2-4 periosteal elevator. This is a double-ended instrument used for elevating gingival flaps in feline and canine dentistry.

• One small extraction forceps, 4.5”. Used as an extraction forceps.

• One needle holder, tissue forcep and scalpel blade handle with ruler on one side in mm.

The above instruments are made using French and Japanese stainless steel and are supplied in a stainless steel autoclavable case.

RRP $340 delivered

DENTAL MONTH SPECIAL! ONLY

$249 

inc GST delivered

Pentax video endoscope and Linvatec otoscopeby Dr Gus Braniff, Eltham Veterinary Practice, VIC

Often, when a vet gets a new tool, it makes our job easier or faster. Occasionally, a new tool can drastically change what we do. This was the case when we purchased our new video endoscope with the otoscope attachments.

What’s good about itVideo endoscopy allows the whole team to see what I see, while multiple people can manipulate instruments in a coordinated way. This makes it much easier to explain what we need to do next and often the nurses are pre-emptively preparing equipment based on what they observe.

Our video otoscopy unit displays a large, clear image on a 23-inch screen. The tympanic membrane can be magnified to about 20 centimetres across. This makes it possible to scrape minute pieces of wax off the canal wall and pull out individual hairs. In 15 years as a vet, I found three ruptured ear drums. In the five years since getting the video otoscope, I am finding one or two a month. Not only am I finding more disease, I can treat it better as the video otoscope allows me to get close to the action and clean the canal thoroughly.

Our Pentax video endoscopy system comes with a gastroscope, colonoscope and bronchoscope. The Linvatec video otoscope allows you to put the camera onto older endoscopes with eye pieces. We also have a multi-channel otoscope attachment that enables flushing fluid and instruments into the canal. However, we often just use the naked 2.5mm or 4mm scope and pass flushing tubes and instruments past it towards the area requiring treatment.

What’s not so goodIf you are going to purchase a video endoscope and otoscope, make sure you also buy good biopsy forceps and look after them. If they rust, they are then useless.

Where did you get itAttachments can be bought separately, but we purchased the video endoscope, video otoscope, monitor and a high-quality printer as a package from Austvet Endoscopy (www.austvetendoscopy.com.au).

43

Y O U R T O O L S

A new tool that will drastically change what you do; a customisable nurse’s pouch and much more are under review this month

TOOLS TRADE

of the

RAD-X DR large animal portable systemby Dr Anthony Dredge, Yea Veterinary Hospital, VIC

We are a fairly small practice and this was a very expensive purchase but I truly believe it’s worthwhile. This portable, digital X-ray machine can be used in multiple situations and the image quality is superb.

What’s good about itThis is a DR unit so when a plate is held next to a patient and exposed to an X-ray beam, the image comes up immediately on a laptop computer. You can assess the results very quickly and if the image needs to be retaken, you can do it on the spot.

We purchased this unit with a floating table. The X-ray plate fits neatly under the glass tabletop and the glass moves independently of the base, which makes it extremely easy to X-ray animals.

However, for a large breed of dog with a potential GDV or a twisted stomach, we don’t need to lift them onto the table. We just take the plate out of the table and position it next to the standing dog. Some of these dogs can weigh 50 or 60 kilos so it really can save your back.

It comes with a heavy-duty, canvas carry bag that you can sling over your shoulder when going out for a home or farm visit. It’s great for equine pre-purchase examinations as images can be emailed at the time of examination.

When we purchased the Rad-X DR, Radincon also upgraded our main unit that actually generates the X-rays. They wanted to ensure we had no issues with the quality of our images. That’s great customer service.

What’s not so goodYou can’t add more images to a study once it has been closed. Instead, you have to re-enter all of the patient details. This is slightly annoying if you are doing serial

images (such as a barium study) and you need to image a different patient

between the time frames. It also means that the full study is not integrated into the one image file.

Where did you get itRadincon

(www.radincon.com.au).

Nurse pouchby Isabelle Fenton VN, Bulimba Vet Surgery, Hawthorne, QLD

This is a nurse’s kit in a small pouch that attaches to the belt around my waist. It looks just like a standard bum-bag and can hold quite a lot of material.

What’s good about itThe big advantage of this pouch is that you can customise it to hold exactly what you need, depending on the kind of work you are doing. We are mainly a small animal clinic so I’ve got things like bandages, a thermometer, stethoscope, pieces of string, paper and pens—basically, all the bits and pieces I could possibly need to take notes, do a TPR or anything like that. It also has a place for scissors, a small tape measure and I always have a watch clipped to the front for checking heart rates.

Occasionally, I’ll forget to wear it and then I really notice how much I rely on it. When I have it on me, it doesn’t matter where I am in the clinic. I have easy access to just about everything I need.

I sometimes get called out on house calls and it’s great not having to put together a bag at a minute’s notice. The pouch contains all the staples I need for an average day at work. If I know I’m going to do a long procedure or if I have a number of catheters to put in or take out, I can just quickly add whatever is required.

What’s not so goodWhen I’m running around, it gets caught on things occasionally. But, really, that’s a minor problem compared to being constantly prepared for anything a busy practice can throw at me.

Where did you get itI purchased the pouch off eBay but they’re available everywhere. Most of the contents were purchased from Provet (www.provet.com.au).

Y O U R T O O L S

continued from page 43

44

SK-600IB infusion pumpby Dr Susan Roberts, Mossman Veterinary Surgery, QLD

The SK-600IB allows us to introduce a very accurate infusion of fluids to sick animals. It’s a vast improvement over the old gravity feed and is extremely easy to use.

What’s good about itWe can set the amount of fluids we want to have infused from the bag and it will deliver that amount very accurately. Once the infusion rate for an animal has been calculated, the amount is programmed in and the pump administers it. An alarm sounds if anything goes wrong, such as air in the line or a blockage, so we are free to move onto other things. It’s a vast improvement on constantly checking the bag and counting drops.

If an animal has low blood pressure or terrible veins, the pump allows us to administer fluids fairly quickly. It’s also possible to increase the rate if it’s needed. The pump keeps a record of the fluid infused, the fluid to be infused and the drip rate. It has a low range that’s suitable to be used with birds.

We’ve had this unit for a couple of years and had no problems with it during that time. There’s virtually no maintenance, it takes any size line and is simple to use but very accurate. It’s also battery operated and can be moved from place to place. Charging the battery overnight will give enough power to run the pump all day.

What’s not so goodThis is such a simple machine that I can’t really see any negatives. There are more expensive and more complicated infusion pumps on the market but we chose this one because of its simplicity. There’s actually very little that could go wrong.

Where did you get itWhiteley Diagnostic (www.whiteleydiagnostic.com.au).

Optional � oor stand

CR7 VET - Small, Compact Dental Scanner Highest resolution veterinary dental scanner available Flexible image plates in 7 sizes Largest HD plate 5.7 x 9.4cm available, suitable for extremities Images can be viewed throughout the clinic No service contracts, iM3 technical support for life of scanner

The Revolution 4DC features the latest technology and the full-swivel ball-joint is revolutionary in every sense. The tube head revolves freely around the sphere, so that practically any position can be achieved, including vertical. An automatic touch-sensitive lock-on/lock-off device enables effortless repositioning of the tube head between exposures.

Another iM3 Veterinary First! Smallest focal spot available 0.4mm - better image quality DC technology reduces radiation dosage compared to AC Wireless remote control - activate x-ray oustide of room Approved for use in all states of Australia Max arm extension 230cm from wall

The ultimate dental radiology package:Revolution 4DC X-ray (wall mount) and the CR7 with size 2 & 4 plates and software

$17.995+GST

OR $145 per week.(3 year nil residual - subject to T&C)

Simple wireless control

T h e V e t e r i n a r y D e n t a l C o m p a n y

iM3 Pty Ltd - The Veterinary Dental Company21 Chaplin Drive, Lane Cove, Sydney NSW 2066 Australiap +61 2 9420 5766 f +61 2 9420 5677 e info@im3vet.comwww.im3vet.com

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46

Y O U R L I F E

“I’m just about to travel around Australia airbrushing artworks onto classic hot-rods. These are serious car shows and the work will be streamed live onto the internet. Over 200 high-end vehicles will be on display and each one is worth a small fortune. I’m going to be doing a lot of filming, a lot of photos, and liaising with the artists. When the tour reaches Adelaide, I’ll be painting a car there.

“I’ve been drawing since I could pick up a pencil. My parents were always very supportive and encouraging; they gave me art books all the time. I did art throughout school and won the subject prize for Year 12. I started visual art at uni but wasn’t impressed with the direction students were being pushed. I decided to drop art and instead concentrate on vet nursing.

“I kept drawing and painting over this period and in 2010, I used an airbrush for the first time. I had always wanted to create photorealistic images but was never able to achieve it with drawing and painting. I was determined to translate the images I saw in my head onto paper.

“I began a basic airbrushing course and worked my way up to colour

photorealism. I then completed an advanced course and a course using automotive paints.

“Fortunately for me, my boss at the veterinary clinic is the bomb. She’s completely supportive of my art. My airbrushing business started growing in 2013 so I was able to go from being a full-time vet nurse to part-time. I’ve often had to take leave without pay so I can travel around Australia airbrushing.

“I like to airbrush portraits of celebrities and often go to events like Comic-Con for inspiration. Of course, animals and pets are a big part of my work. There was a dear old labrador receiving chemo in our clinic and everybody in the practice fell in love with her. When she finally got put to sleep, all the staff at the clinic were in the room with the owner. I was able to paint a lovely portrait of her and her sister. Quite often, clients who have lost a pet ask me to paint a portrait as a memorial. It’s sad but satisfying work.

“I now have my own airbrushing website and more commissions than I can handle. I feel very fortunate to live a life full of animals and art.”

Put an airbrush into the hands of vet nurse Kylie Howlett of Old Reynella Veterinary Clinic in South Australia and beautiful, realistic artworks appear

i PA D

Our iPad edition of this article features more

wonderful images. Search for Vet Practice

Magazine in the App store.

As a vet, you are used to handling your patients with care and understanding, (especially if their bite is worse than their bark).

At BOQ Specialist, we adopt the same approach.

We’ve spent nearly 20 years working closely with vets and we’ve come to know your world as well as we do our own. We know your idiosyncrasies and we can anticipate your needs. So, unlike a conventional bank, we’ve developed products and services that are carefully designed to meet your business and personal banking requirements.

When you call us, you’ll always feel you are dealing with one of your own breed.

Visit us at boqspecialist.com.au/ava or speak to our financial specialists on 1300 131 141.

Snarling, growling, snapping. Sounds like you need a new bank manager.

Products and services are provided by BOQ Specialist - a division of Bank of Queensland Limited ABN 32 009 656 740 AFSL and Australian credit licence No. 244616. All finance is subject to our credit assessment criteria. Terms and conditions, fees and charges and eligibility criteria apply.

Equipment and fit-out finance / Credit cards / Home loans / Commercial property finance / Car finance / Practice purchase loans SMSF lending and deposits / Transactional banking and overdrafts / Savings and deposits / Foreign exchange

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theadvantagefamily.com.au* When used according to product label directions. The risk of tick paralysis cannot be entirely eliminated. © Bayer Australia Ltd 2015. Advantix – Do Not Use On Cats. The Advantage Family™ and We understand each other™ are trade marks and Advantix® is a registered trade mark of Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany. Bayer Australia Ltd (ABN 22 000 138 714) 875 Pacific Highway, Pymble NSW 2073. The Advantage Pet Care Line – 1800 678 368 from anywhere in Australia 9.00am to 6.00pm EST Monday to Friday. BAY3158/VPM. 07/15. GHG.

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