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Mustering science
University of Sydney researcher Dr Elizabeth Arnott explains the Farm Dog Project and why it matters
to the economy, page 20
You’re not aloneHow you can help manage grief, page 28
Taking a back seatWhen sitting down is good for your health, page 24
Offshore demandAustralian veterinarians are being sought after for Asian placements, page 12
Annual reportOur guide
to the best products at the
2015 ASAVA conference,
page 31
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1. Lekcharoensuk C, Osborne CA, Lulich JP. Epidemiologic study of risk factors for lower urinary tract diseases in cats. JAVMA 2001; 218:1429-1435; 2. Kruger JM, Lulich JP, Merrills J, et al. A year-long prospective, randomized, double-masked study of nutrition on feline idiopathic cystitis. Proceedings. ACVIM Forum 2013; 3. Lulich JP, Kruger JM, MacLeay JM, et al. Struvite urolith dissolution in cats: A doublemasked randomized clinical trial of two foods. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2013. TM Trademarks owned by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. © 2015 Hill’s Pet Nutrition Pty Ltd. HIMA-HB-151A4C66. HPA2380. 03/15. GHG.
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Cover storyAway to me 20Dr Elizabeth Arnott explains the importance of the Farm Dog Project
News + eventsPet ownership figures released 6The cost of caring for pets keeps rising; racehorses at risk from misuse of cobalt, and much more
Your worldAsia: The land of opportunity? 12Offshore demand for Australian vets is increasing
Your businessRed flags 16Businesses never go bad overnight—there are always warning signs
Stand down 24Standing on your feet all day can lead to a range of nasty health complaints, but there is a lot you can do to ease the load
Seeking counsel 28Dealing with clients’ grief is a regular part of being a vet, but knowing what support services are available can make a world of difference
Your toolsNew products 10Latest and greatest gear for your practice
Product guide 31Vet Practice magazine’s guide to the best products at the 2015 ASAVA conference
Tools of the trade 43Reviewed by your peers
Your lifePersonal best 46After achieving her lifelong dream of working at Australia Zoo, Dr Melanie Panayiotou soon found another passion—as a world-class marathon runner
Contents
C O N T E N T S
20
24
16 46
PRACTICE Editorial Director Rob Johnson
Sub-editor Kerryn Ramsey
Editor Nicole Hogan
Digital Director Ann Gordon
Art Director Lucy Glover
Contributors John Burfitt, Chris Sheedy, Natasha Phillimore, Angela Tufvesson, Blake Dennis
Commercial Director Mark Brown
For all editorial or advertising enquiries:Phone (02) 9660 6995 Fax (02) 9518 [email protected]
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.
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• Dissolve struvite stones in as little as 7 days (average 28)3
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1. Lekcharoensuk C, Osborne CA, Lulich JP. Epidemiologic study of risk factors for lower urinary tract diseases in cats. JAVMA 2001; 218:1429-1435; 2. Kruger JM, Lulich JP, Merrills J, et al. A year-long prospective, randomized, double-masked study of nutrition on feline idiopathic cystitis. Proceedings. ACVIM Forum 2013; 3. Lulich JP, Kruger JM, MacLeay JM, et al. Struvite urolith dissolution in cats: A doublemasked randomized clinical trial of two foods. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2013. TM Trademarks owned by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. © 2015 Hill’s Pet Nutrition Pty Ltd. HIMA-HB-151A4C66. HPA2380. 03/15. GHG.
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If there was ever any doubt about how much Australians love their four-legged friends, recent statistics from Roy Morgan Research should set it straight: a higher proportion of us live in households with a dog and/or cat than with a child. That’s right: 50 per cent of Aussies live in a household with at least one cat and/or dog in it, whereas 35 per cent share their household with at least one child aged under 16.
Dogs are more popular than cats: 38 per cent of the population lives in a household with a canine companion, compared with 23 per cent who cohabit with a cat. Folks in households with at least one cat and one dog account for 12 per cent of the population.
Tasmania is the State with the highest incidence of pet-ownership, with 44 per cent of its residents living with at least one dog, 34 per cent living with at least one cat, and 16 per cent living with at least one of each.
NSW/ACT lags behind the rest of the country for cats (19 per cent), dogs (35 per cent) and both (nine per cent).
Pet ownership figures released
6
news + events
While 20 per cent Australian dog owners and 14 per cent of cat owners pay for pet-care services in an average four weeks, this can vary noticeably between States (particularly when it comes to dogs). For example, while 22 per cent of dog owners in Queensland pay for pet-care services in an average four weeks, only 16 per cent of Tasmanian dog owners do the same.
Although NSW has the lowest rate of cat ownership in Australia, the residents who do own cats (16 per cent) are slightly more likely than those in other States (all 14 per cent) to shell out for pet-care services.
But the cost of caring for our furry family members doesn’t stop there. On top of pet-care services and food (of course), 11 per cent respectively of dog and cat owners buy pet supplies* in any given four weeks. The average amount spent in this period is $90 for dogs and $87 for cats, but this too appears to depend on state of residence.
Paying an average of $118 for dogs and $131 for cats in an average four weeks, South Aussie pet owners pay the most for pet supplies. In contrast, Tasmanian pet owners pay an average
of $70 for dogs and $56 for cats, the lowest in the country.
Norman Morris, Roy Morgan Research’s industry communications director, says, “Ownership of cats and dogs has remained relatively stable in Australia over the last five years, with dogs the perennial favourite. Although the affection and companionship they give us is priceless, our pets do come at a cost: not only is there food to buy, but other pet supplies, such as kitty litter, toys, food bowls, collars, leads and so on, as well as pet services such as veterinary treatment, dog walking, pet grooming and so on.
“Considering how high-maintenance dogs are compared with their more independent feline counterparts, it is not surprising to learn that dog owners are more likely than cat owners to pay for pet-care services in any given four-week period. In general, dog owners also pay more than cat owners for pet supplies.
“Pet-care service providers and pet supply brands need to understand not only how dog- and cat-owners differ, but how the market for their products varies around the country.” *NB: Pet supplies do not include food.
During its annual World Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, in May, the World Small Animal Veterinary
Association (WSAVA) announced the winners of its
prestigious awards, which recognise veterinary excellence and achievement around the world. They are:WSAVA International Award for Scientific Achievement Dr Michael R Lappin, Professor of Small Animal Clinical Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University, USA. WSAVA Global One Health Award Dr Nalinika Obeyesekere, CEO of Blue Paw Trust, an organisation which
contributes to human health and advances animal welfare in Sri Lanka.WSAVA Global Meritorious Service Award Nepalese veterinarian Dr Mukti Narayan Shrestha—the first Nepalese vet to hold senior ranks in the Nepalese government.WSAVA President’s AwardThis award was made posthumously to Professor Jan Gajentaan, who died last February. Professor Gajentaan championed the role of the companion animal veterinarian, founding first the Dutch Voorjaarsdagen (Spring) Congress before co-founding the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA).
WSAVA Hill’s Excellence in Veterinary Healthcare Award This year’s recipient is Dr S. Sivagurunathan, whose commitment to driving up standards of veterinary care has contributed significantly to the increase in the quality of small-animal medicine in his home country of Malaysia. WSAVA Hill’s Next Generation Award The first recipient of the award is Dr Pantakarn Onnak (pictured left), from Chonburi, Thailand. WSAVA Henry Schein Cares International Veterinary Community Service Award: Dr Nantarika Chansue from Nonthaburi, Thailand.
WSAVA 2015 award winners
The cost of pet care
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news + events
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Wedge-tailed eagle Eva has found a new home with Australia Zoo, following treatment from a University of Queensland (UQ) vet.
The eagle was rescued from a roadside and was thought to have survived an attempt to domesticate her by removing her talons and a toe.
Specialist avian veterinarian Associate Professor Bob Doneley treated the juvenile bird at UQ’s Gatton Campus.
He said Eva the eagle was rescued by a farmer and the Granite Belt Wildlife Carers group, and initially was treated at Stanthorpe Veterinary Care Services. “It appears someone may have tried to domesticate Eva by cutting her talons to keep her from scratching or injuring when handled by humans.
“As a result, both her feet were swollen and painful and her left hallux—the big toe at the back—has been clipped so short that the last bone in the toe has been cut
off and her right hock joint is mildly unstable,” Dr Doneley said.
Unable to use her right foot, Eva was standing mostly on her left foot, where she had developed pressure sores from the stress.
Dr Doneley, one of only two bird medicine specialists in Queensland, consulted with Professor Patrick Redig of the University of Minnesota Raptor Center, a world leader in the treatment of this type of bird.
She’s since been transferred to the Australian Wildlife Hospital at Australia Zoo. When her rehabilitation is complete, she will be able to be placed in a zoo and be used as an educational tool to teach people why wildlife can’t be kept as pets.
Staff at the centre are dealing with a rising number of injured wildlife cases.
“They are brought in after collisions with cars or attacks by cats, dogs or feral animals,” Dr Doneley said.
“We also regularly see evidence of human attempts at domestication, despite the protection of these animals by legislation.
“These attempts often result in the serious injury or death of the animals.”
The University of Queensland Veterinary Medical Centre receives no government funding to treat injured wildlife, and relies on community donations and in-kind support.
Donations can be made through: www.uq.edu.au/giving/donations/fund/School_of_Veterinary_Science.
Eva set to soar again
Racehorses at risk from misuse of cobalt, new study findsIn a new study published in The Veterinary Journal, scientists from the University of Surrey, UK, warn about the numerous risks posed to racehorses from the misuse of cobalt chloride, a banned performance-enhancing agent that has been used illegally by trainers in Australia and the USA.
The team of researchers have uncovered that when excessive levels of the alleged performance-enhancing substance are administered to a horse, it can cause serious cardiovascular issues, potential nerve problems, thickening of the blood and thyroid toxicity. The researchers also pointed to the lack of evidence for enhanced performance in horses and human athletes.
Cobalt, required by all horses in order
to survive, is normally present at very low levels through various feedstuffs. However, excessive amounts of impure formulations of the substance, which can be administered easily as a powder, feed supplement or injection, can lead to severe side effects. This includes long-term damage to vital organs such as the heart.
Indeed, in humans, cobalt salts have been used in the past to treat rare forms of anaemia. However, it has been associated with a variety of adverse effects, including gastrointestinal neurologic, cardiovascular, and thyroid problems. As a result, its use has been discontinued.
“We have grave concerns over a potentially lethal practice in
the racehorsing industry, and are most concerned that some trainers continue to use Google as their source of information,” said lead author Professor Ali Mobasheri from the University of Surrey.
“It is the duty of veterinary surgeons working in the industry to ensure that horse trainers are aware of the dangers of its ‘amateur’ use.
“Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that cobalt chloride can enhance human or equine athletic performance. It is our hope that this study will increase greater awareness and prompt a broader discussion about the misuse of this substance.” This post is reprinted from materials provided by University of Surrey.
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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.
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Asia: The land of opportunity?
Y O U R W O R L D
There are many opportunities for Australian vets, and for Australian-trained vets, in Asia. But if you’re going to make the move, it’s important to know how to do it right. Chris Sheedy reports
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FOUR YEARS AFTER GRADUATING FROM THE University of Queensland in 1980, Dr Shane Ryan accepted a position with a vet practice in Singapore. Five years later he established his own practice, the Companion Animal Surgery. Today that business is one of Singapore’s largest and best respected vet clinics, open 24 hours with 24 staff, including nine fully licensed vets and seven vet technicians.
Having spent several years as the president of the Singapore Veterinary Association, Dr Ryan is now the president of the Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations and vice-president of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. So, he knows a thing or two about the veterinary industry in Asia.
“In Singapore, we now have a large number of Australian-trained veterinarians. Not necessarily Australian veterinarians, but Australian-trained,”
Asia: The land of opportunity?
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in the past nine months, he has visited Malaysia three times as well as Singapore, Thailand, and Manila and Cebu in the Philippines, plus numerous journeys around Australia. Having also served for 15 years as the chief veterinarian of the RSPCA, Dr Lawrie’s overview of veterinary medicine at home and abroad offers a unique insight into opportunities.
“In South and East Asia, there is rising pressure on the profession and
Dr Shane Ryan (far right) receiving a gift from Dr Jason
Shi during the FASAVA congress in Beijing in May last year.
1. Dr Mark Lawrie in a boning room in Bahrain, investigating the live export industry. 2. Happy Tails vet hospital owned by Dr Umesh Karkare in Mumbai. Many of the Bollywood starlets bring their dogs to him. 3. Dr Lawrie at an animal shelter in South Korea. 4. A buffalo dairy near Hyderabad, India. 5. Dr Lawrie with Maneka Gandhi, a famous politician and animal welfare advocate in India, and part of the Gandhi family.
Dr Ryan says. “When I first went to Singapore, there weren’t many. Vets were more likely to seek training in the UK, for cultural and historic reasons. Over the following 15 to 20 years, there was a big shift to Australia thanks to convenience and money. The Australian education system was not only perceived as high quality, but it was less expensive.
“Australian vets have typically been very popular in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia—the old British Commonwealth territories. We’re also finding they are being a little bit entrepreneurial and are going into places like China. But now in territories such as South-east Asia, as veterinary services have matured, those local markets haven’t needed as many expats. So, you still see some Australian vets, but probably not the percentages we’ve see in the past.”
Where demand is increasing, Dr Ryan says, is in areas of specialisation, whether it be related to small animal, large animal or academia, but particularly in relation to companion animals.
“We have very small numbers of recognised specialists and there is a demand for them, particularly in companion animal medicine. This may be simply because that’s where the money is,” he explains. “The urbanised middle classes of South-east Asia and East Asia have emerged with new-found wealth. They want to spend money on better services. So if you’re a specialist-trained veterinarian, there is certainly work for you.”
Dr Mark Lawrie, now general manager Asia Pacific for RxWorks, graduated as a vet from the University of Sydney in 1983 and, like Dr Ryan, has also spent his fair share of time in the Asian market. His current role means he sees the industry from a different perspective, and
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on universities to increase the quality of veterinarians, and there is much strategic work that has already been done,” says Dr Lawrie.
“There are also a lot of Australian vets who take up various jobs in Asia. There are a number of different animal welfare organisations for wildlife and dog control programs, as well as vets in more traditional practices and industry roles. Then there are senior Australian veterinarians who work in high level programs with FAO [Food & Agriculture Organization of the UN] and OIE [World Organisation for Animal Health], working on issues such as bird flu, epidemiological management and rabies.”
Dr Lawrie highlights opportunities in academia, clinical work, voluntary work and in the research and treatment/prevention of emergent diseases. For veterinarians looking to experience other cultures, Asia could well be the land of opportunity.
But before you pack your bags, first do some research around the practicalities of the situation.
“Asian nations have developed, or want to develop, their own capabilities locally,” Dr Lawrie says. “So, there are opportunities for Australian graduates, and the expat grads who come from overseas then return after being educated in Australia. Having said that, you really need to spend some time in Asia to become more attuned to the opportunities.
“There has traditionally been demand in Hong Kong and Singapore, then there’s also emerging demand in Malaysia, India, Thailand and the Philippines. But how much are you going to earn when you’re there? In some areas, it’s difficult to find high-quality vets because they can earn a lot more somewhere else.”
Don’t simply consider Asia as somewhere you can expand your current business by splitting your time between Australia and the other territory. It takes a lot more
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commitment than that, explains Dr Ryan.“You have to be on the ground full-
time from the beginning,” he says. “This is very important. If you’re selling your qualifications or your expertise as an Australian, the clients and other veterinarians need to see you and get to know you. They need to know that you are indeed as good as you say you are. You need to earn your respect and develop a rapport within the veterinary community.
“Sometimes we have the unfortunate case where people come in and basically say, ‘I’m the specialist. I’m from overseas and I know what I’m doing.’ This alienates the veterinary community. So, you need to
get there, learn the culture, learn how it all fits together, and do what you do very well.”
Finally, Dr Ryan says, never consider opening a vet practice in an Asian nation without bringing a local partner on board, or at least developing a relationship with a local expert. Dr Ryan is looking at opening a clinic in Cambodia’s Phnom Penh and is practising what he preaches.
“You certainly need to develop a relationship with somebody who can guide you through all the intricacies and hurdles in various countries,” Dr Ryan says.
“I’ve been helping out the Royal University of Agriculture in Phnom Penh as they develop a new Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. They have very little in the way of facilities so we decided we would set up a clinic and use it as a teaching hospital. It saves them money and time and is also hopefully a good business decision, and they help me develop that business along the way.”
Dr Mark Lawrie out the front of Karuna Animal Shelter—the RSPCA equivalent in Bangalore, India.
“You certainly need to develop a relationship with somebody who can guide you through all the intricacies and hurdles.”Dr Shane Ryan, Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations president
Dr Shane Ryan (far right) at a veterinary clinic south of Manila, with colleagues from
the Philippines, Vietnam and Pakistan.
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Y O U R B U S I N E S S
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Businesses never go bad overnight—there are always warning signs. So, what to do if you are seeing red flags every way you turn? Blake Dennis finds out
Red flags
17
SOMETIMES, IT IS JUST A FEELING; other times it is what you are seeing within the walls of the practice. It could be as simple as those disturbing figures on the balance sheet that refuse to lie.
The signs are there, letting you know something is not right with the financial state of the business. The action you take once those signs are spotted, however, can make all the difference to how you weather the storm.
“Way too many small businesses are in set-and-forget mode when it comes to financial management,” says David Henderson, chief executive of accountancy group, ROCG Asia Pacific.
“It is not unusual to find many rigidly sticking to certain ways of doing things, even when small warning signs should start to trigger major alarms. Far too many claim they are too busy running the practices to worry about things such as cash flow.”
If the signs are there, this is not the time to bury your head in the sand. We asked a number of financial experts about what are the signs to look out for and, most importantly, what to do about them.
Cash-flow forecast“It is important to understand your cash flow,” says accountant Mark Williams of Sydney’s Caunt and Lowbeer. “By maintaining an accurate forecast you will be able to identify if your business is turning bad. By comparing your actual income and expenses with your forecast, you will be able to identify areas where your business is under performing. It is imperative you are able to pay your staff and your creditors, and determine if you could survive if you had no cash flow at all for 28 days. If not, a new plan needs to be implemented.”
Less than three months of readily available cash“Maintaining a buffer of cash [emergency
funds] is most important,” says Smart Advice financial planner Peter Horsfield. “If you are financially stressed, this will most likely affect how you react to others, your decision making process, personal health and your wellbeing. Knowing you have at least three months of cash reserves to cover your personal/business expenses allows you to ride out the ebb and flow of business seasons.”
Difficulty paying creditors“It never makes good financial sense to pay your suppliers early, unless you are specifically offered a discount to do so,” advises Rhondalynn Korolak, Imagineering Now business coach and the author of Financial Foreplay. “Every day you can keep money in your bank account and not pay it out is very valuable to your practice. Bills should be paid consciously and deliberately after first examining your bank balance and your cash flow forecast.”
Not paying yourself a salary“If you’re not paying yourself a salary then you need to seriously ask yourself what immediate actions need to be initiated,” Horsfield suggests. “Managing income and expenses is the life blood of business. However, as the owner, you are taking on all the risk. It is essential you pay yourself first. If this means you have to relocate to a smaller and lower cost premises, this should be considered. Keeping your business expense and income ratios well balanced also adds to the resale value of your business.”
An overflowing storeroom“Inflated inventory holdings are a key place where cash can get trapped,” Korolak says. “Never carry more than one month’s worth of demand. One person at the practice should be charged with
the task of analysing product sales each month—keeping slow-moving items to a minimum, liquidating dead stock and preventing the re-ordering of unnecessary stock. If assets are not productive, the return on assets will decline, indicating the business is making less profit.
A lack of operating systems“Within 24 months of opening the doors, the practice should be moving to a systemised process,” Horsfield advises. “If a practice wants to build scale and leverage time, it must implement processes that either are automated or allocate minor tasks to staff with a lower cost base. For example, if a vet practice owner is treating patients and then also ordering stationery, the system needs attention. These tasks can be designated to support staff, freeing up the higher income generating practitioner to maximise their time doing more profitable activities.”
High staff turnover“If you are losing staff regularly, this is a very real warning sign you need to take stock,” Williams says. “You need to create a culture where staff want to stay. Whenever an employee leaves, they are taking with them business knowledge. A receptionist who has been with your business for over one year has probably become familiar with your systems and
“Far too many claim they are too busy running the practices to worry about things such as cash flow.”David Henderson, ROCG Asia Pacific
has come to know your patients. The loss of a practitioner may also result in patients leaving.”
Rapid pace expansion“Vet practices are among the most profitable businesses to run in Australia,” Korolak says. “It’s easy to get caught up
in the momentum and take on debt to expand quickly without having a strong foundation and management systems in place. It makes sense to ask for help to ensure that you have systems in place to grow profitably and create enough operating cash flow to survive the growth phase. An over-reliance
on borrowed funds can lead to wealth erosion and bankruptcy.”
No new patients in months“This is an early warning and serious sign your business may be failing,” says Williams. “Even if you currently have many patients, change can happen quickly as existing clients relocate or decide not to visit as regularly. It is crucial to keep attracting new clients. Conversely, if your existing clients are not returning after 12 months, then this could also be a warning sign that your business is not doing well.”
Increased marketing over a prolonged period“This often indicates the business is chasing new customers and not retaining current ones,” says Korolak. “Focus should be on re-bookings and offers to get customers to return. Asking each customer for a referral costs nothing and is infinitely more likely to result in a new customer than money spent buying advertising to an audience who may never read your advertisement.”
Y O U R B U S I N E S S
Be cautious of taking on debt to expand quickly.
T he Adelaide Veterinary Specialist and Referral Centre (AVSARC) is seeking expressions of interest for a Surgical
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AVSRAC was first opened in July 2000 and was the first facility in South Australia offering a multi-disciplinary small animal referral service by veterinarians with specialist training.
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The major clinical pathology laboratories are all located close by with fast turnaround times.
Our collaborative approach to medicine allows for the highest quality of patient care as well as continuous learning.
The ideal candidate is an experienced surgeon with outstanding communications skills and a desire to raise the bar of veterinary medicine.
Adelaide, the capital of South Australia is simply enchanting, a treasure trove of shopping, fine arts, gastronomy and outdoor activity. South Australia is home to long summers, stunning beaches and award-winning wine, events and festivals. It is the gateway to the Barossa, Flinders Ranges and Outback and Kangaroo Island.
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Adelaide Veterinary Specialist and Referral Centre seeking Board Certified Surgeon
For further information and expressions of interest, please contact Rohan Lawson, General Manager at [email protected]
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C O V E R S T O RY
Studying the different traits of working dogs on Australian farms has the potential to improve efficiency for farmers and the welfare of their dogs. Natasha Phillimore talks to Dr Liz Arnott about the Farm Dog Project
Away to me
21
“Really, it’s about defining the economic contribution of working dogs. The major phase of the project is identifying what are the valuable and desirable traits, whether these traits are inherited and to what degree, and what the environmental influences might be. The degree to which these traits are inherited surprised me. As someone who was naïve about working dogs, I assumed many of the behaviours were trained. After speaking to experienced dog people, I’ve learnt that natural ability is a large part of the game. Very good dogs are bred to be that way.”
Like many vets and animal lovers, Dr Arnott is someone who believes strongly in the importance of reducing numbers of unwanted dogs and cats. So, working on a dog breeding study throws up its own internal dilemma.
“It does go a little against the grain for me,” she admits, “but I’ve learnt the importance of experienced breeders [working] with valuable breeding stocks, and dog users who are prepared to pay for quality dogs. This is important to reduce ad hoc mating and increase the perceived worth of the animal. Results in our 2013 survey found a third of the dogs were given away or obtained for free, which means a lot of farmers are picking up dogs that could be perceived as dispensable.”
If a dog is not worth anything, an owner—particularly a farmer who expects work in exchange for food and board—is less encouraged to spend money on health care.
However, in regards to breeding, there is one important thing to note, says Dr
Away to me
DR ELIZABETH ARNOTT MAY HAVE come to veterinary science in a conventional way—“such a boring story; I always had an interest in animals and animal welfare, and I really enjoyed science”—but her upbringing cast the career die long before it was a conscious decision.
“My parents were always big softies when it came to animals,” the 34-year-old says from her home in the Australian country-music stronghold of Tamworth in northern NSW. “We were always second in line after the pets in terms of priority! As a kid I remember my mother caring for wildlife and having the occasional joey in a pillow sack on the back of a door handle. I think I’m a product of my environment.”
Perhaps it’s surprising to learn that her upbringing was nowhere near as rural as her existence now. Dr Arnott breathed the rarified air of Sydney’s north shore until taking a year’s sojourn in the UK as a mixed-animal practitioner.
Moving from Sydney to Tamworth (via the UK) was a learning curve, not least the need to offer emergency and after-hours responsibilities which Dr Arnott says takes its own toll on rural vets.
“It’s not a financially rewarding set-up to offer that service but there’s an obligation to the community—one that’s undervalued by the public,” she says. “In terms of the work itself, in regional areas—especially in a large referral practice, such as where I work—case diversity is interesting and challenging. Fewer clinics means there’s a large case load; this is a very good way to develop skills. You do, however, need to be cognisant of dealing with people’s financial situations. As a result, there can be a slightly different attitude to animal care, which can be upsetting.”
She admits the job is as much dealing in humanities as animal care, but her love of the practice hasn’t dimmed throughout the years. “It’s an extremely challenging,
unusual environment,” she says enthusiastically. “You’re advocating for an animal on the paediatric model, but have a quandary as it’s an owned animal so there’s sometimes a disparity in dealing with the requests and limitations of the owner, and the needs of the animal. For the vet, this can be a source of significant emotional stress.”
The diversity has always appealed to Dr Arnott. Whether it’s a difficult case physically or mentally, working inside a practice or out in the battlefield, the range from clinical practice to industry is huge. “For someone trying to get across it all, it is challenging,” she says, “in comparison to the medical field, which can become super-specialised.”
That said, the vet has channelled her energies into one area in particular—she’s focusing on an animal that has a long and intimate relationship with Australia and its farmers (and now international celluloid fame): the cattle dog. The Farm Dog Project seeks to better understand the contribution of stock working dogs to the rural economy, an impact that is significant but undocumented.
Based on the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics data, the ‘Contribution of the Pet Care Industry to the Australian Economy’ report compiled by the Australian Companion Animal Council assumed that every farm with sheep has two working dogs. Using that assumption means there were over 83,000 dogs working on Australian farms in 2005.
“It’s an area that hasn’t received a lot of research interest,” Dr Arnott says. P
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C O V E R S T O R Y
Arnott. “It’s the difference of breeding for form—say, a pushed-in nose or very short legs—over function. When it comes to breeding for form, there may be health issues if you neglect to prioritise them. A working kelpie is a good example; it is selected for health, fitness, stamina and ability rather than appearance. We found its average retiring age is 10 years.”
Dr Arnott hopes to shine a light onto the importance of dogs to the livestock industry; to show that they have a specific skill set not easily replaced by man or technology. She also wants to assist farmers and breeders in achieving their goals, saving them time and money in the process and, as she says diplomatically, reducing the numbers of “unsuitable dogs that are bred”.
It’s a delicate balance—the gruff farmer for whom a dog works for his keep and wouldn’t dream of coming inside the house, and urban veterinarians more used to a ‘whatever it takes, doctor’ mindset—and budget.
“Because these dogs are so motivated and driven to work, and they’re valued for their toughness and stamina, they don’t receive the same level of spoiling or comfort as pets, and are kept in different ways as a result of this,” Dr Arnott says. “Farmers can own large numbers of dogs, and this impacts on how they’re able to house and keep them. I’ve been to properties where people value their dogs and will work to keep them happy and healthy, but you can see the difference. There’s also sometimes a belief that overly pampered dogs won’t work as well, but our research reveals owners who do spend a lot of time with their dogs get more out of them.”
That said, when the farmers were put on the spot, the results were less indicative of the head, and more of the heart. “One of the questions to the farmers was how they viewed their dog—as a workplace resource, a companion, an employee or a workmate,” says Dr Arnott. “The majority of farmers said as a workmate or companion. This tells us that there is definitely a relationship there beyond a resource.”
Despite being hard at work on the Farm Dog Project, Dr Arnott still finds
the time to practise part-time at Greencross Vets South Tamworth Animal Hospital, with boss and mentor Peter Best.
“He’s a specialist in anaesthesia, which is pretty special here,” Dr Arnott says. “He told me that I wouldn’t enjoy practice if I didn’t continue to learn and study.” Now that he’s lost Dr Arnott at least partly to a research lab, Dr Best might feel that the advice was perhaps to his own detriment.
“That is true,” he muses, “but every practice owner has an obligation to encourage vets towards further education, and if they happen to grow and leave as a result, that’s the price you pay. It’s a duty to the practice.”
Dr Best has no shortage of respect for Dr Arnott, but does take the opportunity to share what he calls “her ‘special’ animal relationships”. Take Minty the sheep who, following extensive radiation on a squamous cell carcinoma of the eye, is now recovering on a lush paddock opposite Dr Arnott and feed-lot-consultant husband Dr Tony Batterham’s home in Quirindi, an hour south of Tamworth. “She also has a pet cow she rescued at university. If you become an animal
member of the Batterham-Anrott household, you’ll want for nothing. It’s quite extraordinary.”
So what’s next? “I’m looking for a job,” she says. “I’m going to continue working in practice while looking for opportunities. I have a keen interest in animal welfare policy and legislation. And I’ll always have a bit of a passion for practice.”
Any job opportunity, she says, will probably be in Sydney, which means big changes ahead. “I love a good restaurant,” Dr Arnott says, “but you can definitely indulge your pets [here] with all the space.”
Ultimately, Dr Arnott’s pets are the truest reflection of who she is as a vet. Kelpies, right? “No,” she says with a laugh. “I foster dogs, all the strays! I currently have a Rott-cross-labrador looking for a home. The big lug.”
Above: Dr Liz Arnott with Minty
the sheep at a property near
Tamworth. Right: At Greencross
South Tamworth Animal Hospital.
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24
Standing on your feet all day can lead to a range of nasty health complaints, but there is a lot you can do to ease the load. Angela Tufvesson reports
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND standing at work? If you’re anything like most veterinary professionals, chances are you spend a considerable period on your feet treating patients, talking to clients and in the operating room.
Much is known about the long-term health risks of sedentary behaviour, especially for desk-bound office workers, but it turns out that spending too much time standing at work in the name of animal welfare can also lead to serious health problems such as joint troubles, back pain and aching feet.
On your feetStanding is part of the job for everyone from retail salespeople to security guards, waiters and healthcare workers, and the effects are similar across all industries. Prolonged standing is linked to a range of health conditions, including lower back pain, neck and shoulder stiffness, muscle soreness and fatigue, varicose veins and knee problems.
Keeping the body in an upright position requires considerable muscular effort, and after long periods of time, the muscles
Stand down
25
whopping 96 per cent complained of a musculoskeletal problem somewhere in the body. Another study published in the Australian Veterinary Journal revealed 52 per cent of veterinary nurses suffer from chronic back or neck pain.
Maintaining awkward standing postures and carrying out repetitive or forceful tasks while in these postures is believed to have a significant effect on the health of Australian veterinary professionals. “Sustaining an awkward posture in standing compounds the ill-effects on the musculoskeletal system,” says Dr Pynt.
Lifting an animal while standing in an awkward posture is especially risky. “Lifting in an awkward posture also invites injury, particularly in the low back,” she says. “If you’re in a position of sustained forward bending for five minutes and have a previous history of low back pain, when you straighten the back it’s unable to reposition itself to neutral, rendering it vulnerable to injury.”
Reduce the risksSo, what can you do to ease the effects of too much standing? Unsurprisingly, the experts recommend sitting down to rest whenever you can—when you’re chatting to a client at the end of a consultation, during staff meetings and when you’re updating electronic records. “Freedom to sit changes
Stand downtire, fatigue sets in and the joints can become temporarily immobilised. When this happens regularly, tendons and ligaments can be damaged, which causes soft tissue injuries. Research shows that people whose jobs require standing for more than half an hour in every hour will develop lower back pain.
Standing still reduces the blood supply to the muscles, which accelerates the onset of fatigue and causes pain in the leg, back and neck muscles. According to Dr Ronald McCoy, a spokesperson for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the effects are much worse when you’re motionless. “When people are standing in the same position for a long period of time, that’s where you get problems,” he says.
“Circulatory and musculoskeletal problems are the main issues, including muscle aches and pains, and wear and tear on the joints. In the long term, people can get foot problems relating to things like tendinitis, and something that has been identified as an occupational hazard is an increased risk of varicose veins.”
Manipulative physiotherapist Dr Jennifer Pynt, a researcher at the Education for Practice Institute at Charles Sturt University, agrees. “Standing stationary for prolonged periods has been demonstrated to create pain in the soles of the feet, greater fatigue in the calf muscles and greater discomfort in the lower limbs than occurs in those with the freedom to move.”
In the surgeryOn top of this, vets are faced with additional industry-specific challenges that increase the likelihood of standing-induced pain. In a recent study investigating vets in New Zealand published in Applied Ergonomics, 73 per cent of respondents complained of lower back pain and a
Circulatory and musculoskeletal problems are the main issues,
including muscle aches and pains, and wear and tear on the joints.
The oncology service at the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre (MVSC) is seeking expressions of interest for an
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posture, reduces weight bearing and, providing the sitting posture is one that supports the lumbar spine, may reduce low back pain,” says Dr Pynt.
Marcus Dripps, national president of the Australian Physiotherapy Association, says it’s worthwhile sacrificing a little productivity to give your body a rest.
“Plan your work day so you’re alternating between sitting and standing tasks,” he says. “Even if it might affect your productivity slightly, it’s a very effective way to change the pressure on your body throughout the course of the day.”
When you can’t sit, keep your body moving. “Avoid standing still for prolonged periods but if you have to do so, try static muscle exercises such as clenching and releasing the buttocks, and tightening and relaxing the quadriceps,” says Dr Pynt. “Other exercises include rising on the toes, rocking back onto the heels, and forward and backward tilting of the pelvis.”
Adjusting the height of your work
bench—electronically or with the help of a foot stool—will help avoid those awkward postures. “If you’re doing heavy work, it’s better if it’s a bit below elbow level,” says Dr McCoy. “If it’s fine work, you want it to be a few centimetres above your elbow height so you don’t have to bend down too much. And make sure you’re in a position where you have the maximum mechanical advantage for the work that you’re doing. It’s really important that when you’re standing, you don’t bend too far or stretch or twist a long way.”
Supportive footwear is essential—make sure you have good arch support and lots of room for your toes. Softening the surface underfoot can also help. “Use anti-vibration mats on top of concrete floors,” says Dripps. “Standing on a softer surface, rather
Y O U R B U S I N E S S
than a firmer one, helps distribute load.”Ultimately, he says, you can rest
assured that too much standing has fewer health risks than the dreaded sedentary behaviour. “The cumulative effects of lots of sitting for long periods of time have been shown to be harmful to people’s health,” says Dripps. “It’s really important that we try to minimise that and fortunately, it’s not such a challenge for vets.”
“Plan your work day so you’re alternating between sitting and standing tasks.”Marcus Dripps, national president of the Australian Physiotherapy Association
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Y O U R B U S I N E S S
Dealing with clients’ grief is a regular part of being a vet,
but knowing what support services are available can
make a world of difference. John Burfitt reports
Seekingcounsel
imperative in handling the situation. “Slow the process down so the client has time to take in everything that is going on,” she says. “I have heard stories of people who felt they were rushed through the process and that made it worse. Others have then told me of good experiences when their vet gave them the time when they needed to grieve and say goodbye to their pet.
“Have a separate room in the clinic so the vet can leave the client and animal alone, and the privacy to sob if they need to. Allowing people to have that time can make it so much easier, rather than rushing because you need the surgery room back for the next round of clients.”
Dr Rod Straw of the Brisbane Veterinary Specialist Centre and animal Hospital has been referring clients dealing with grief to Clark for years. He says it’s imperative for vets, who already record such high stress levels in the job, have this support.
29
IT CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT times ever in the relationship between a vet and the client. However, it can also be one of the most important.
Dealing with the sudden death of a beloved pet or coping with the decision to euthanise their animal is a traumatic time in the life of a client. It is often just as distressing for the vet in charge, who may face this situation many times a week.
How the vet deals with the client through this time of crisis can signal a make-or-break time for both parties.
“If the client feels like the vet can’t cope and they are rushing them through the process to get them out the door, the client will never forget that,” Perth grief counsellor Tracey Quayle says.
“But if the vet is sensitive to what is going on, allows them time to grieve and then offers referral support, it can make a world of difference to the kind of relationship you have with that person into the future.”
Quayle is one of the referral counsellors associated with the Vetwest Animal Hospitals in Perth. In this capacity, vets refer clients to her when they are in times of distress over the loss of an animal.
Not only is it an added healthcare service offered by the hospitals, but it also saves the staff vets from having to take on the added responsibility of becoming a counsellor through what is already a difficult time.
“Vets need to remember that being a counsellor is not their role, and it should not be expected of them,” Quayle says. “The best thing they can do is to be empathetic with the client, reassure them it is indeed a difficult time and then refer them to someone who can help. It does not mean the vet, on top of all the treatment they have done for the animal, also has to become the client’s main supporter.”
Counsellor Eileen Clark fulfils a similar role through her association with the Brisbane Veterinary Specialist Centre and Animal Hospital. She says one of the most important aspects of her role is not just to work with clients in grief, but to also support the vets dealing with emotional distress.
“I believe it is reassuring for the vets to know they can hand the matter over and say, ‘Here is a person for support if you feel you need it’, rather than feel they need to do it all themselves—which can place enormous strain on them,” she says.
“This becomes a matter of vet self care, as it is so draining for some vets who go through this on a daily basis. It is about being empathetic and sympathetic in the role of a vet, but also knowing how to hand it over so you can cope with the ongoing process of doing this kind of work.”
The issue of timing is, Clark stresses,
Referring grieving clients to an external counsellor is good for the both of you.
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“Vets have a real need for this, as this issue of grief is something not fully addressed in our training,” Dr Straw says. “Some vets feel they need to be everything to the clients, while others are overwhelmed and have no idea what to do.
“Referring them over can be the best solution as the counsellor is a professional who is independent and can help facilitate their emotions through the process with an impartial point of view. It is involving the people who know this area well to help our clients through this difficult time.”
The issue of grief has been of particular interest to Queensland’s Australian Veterinary Association president Dr Michael O’Donoghue since he was completing his training in the US in the early 1990s. He recalls being allowed to listen in to the callers on a pet loss support telephone hotline, and was astounded by the level of distress expressed by the callers.
“I realised then that grief over pet loss is substantial and some people really battle with it,” Dr O’Donoghue says. “I also understood why this kind of care is something we need to offer, as a pat on the back and saying you’re sorry as
they walk out is not enough for a lot of clients.”
About a decade ago, Dr O’Donoghue began two services to offer such support. One is the website, www.people-and-pets.com, which offers specific information for vets dealing with this issue, while his other site, www.petsandpeople.com.au, is for pet owners grieving for their pets
His other initiative is Pet Sympathy Cards, which allows vets to hand grieving clients a gesture of support that also contains a list of referred counsellors. Last year, Dr O’Donoghue distributed 20,000 cards around the country.
“It seems a lot of vets like this idea as it allows them to refer the client onto someone they recommend, rather than tell the client good luck as they try to find a counsellor on Google,” he says.
“It also shows the vet takes what they
Y O U R B U S I N E S S
are going through seriously and that can mean a lot in that really difficult time. It is an attempt to handle this the right way, rather than be awkward in a grief situation and not know what to do.
“Throw in the fatigue of being a vet, then expect them to also deal with grief, and that combination can overwhelm some vets. This is a way of giving clients the care they deserve.”
“Vets have a real need for this, as this issue of grief is something not fully addressed in our training.”Dr Rod Straw, Brisbane Veterinary Specialist Centre and Animal Hospital
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31
QUEENSLAND’S GOLD COAST IS CONSIDERED FAMOUS for fun but for those who attend the ASAVA conference in August this year, it will also be famous for finding ways to deal with problem patients in practice.
The 42nd annual conference of the ASAVA is all about looking at ways to deal with all those patients who present with conditions that are challenging to diagnose, treat and manage, especially those complicated cases we see in our practices.
This year, we have multiple streams covering emergencies, surgery, endocrinology, imaging, neurology, oncology and cardiology.Our speakers, just to name a few, include: * Dr Chris Tan from the University of Sydney who will look at
surgical issues * Dr Graham Swinney from IDEXX, who will give an update on
endocrine emergencies * Dr Fiona Campbell who will look at emerging issues in
cardiology * Professor Mary Barton, who will discuss one of our many
hot topics—antimicrobial resistance.* Professor Daniel Chan from the Royal Veterinary College of
London, who will investigate issues in emergency medicine.
Yet again, the schedule of social events provides a great accompaniment to the education elements of the conference. Our breakfasts, dinners and happy hours will offer you the opportunity to catch up with colleagues and meet and make friends, old and new.
The Party Night at Warner Bros Movie World will offer you the chance to get up close and personal with some creatures you may never see in practice—a Tasmanian devil, the odd coyote, a cat with a severe lisp and even a leghorn chicken! I can’t imagine the problems they would present.
As for the other ‘fun’ you may have on the Gold Coast, well, you can always go off the beaten track. Some of the less well-known attractions include the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, the David Fleay Wildlife Park and the Toolona Creek circuit.
Of course, there are many other wonderful things the Gold Coast is known for including the beaches, the beaches and the beaches.
How can you miss this wonderful event? We look forward to seeing you there.
Why you must visit the Gold CoastASAVA president Dr Adrian Choi explains why this year’s annual conference is so important
A D V E R T O R I A L
ASAVA Conference 2015 Product guide
32
There are more cats than ever, and they’re living longer than ever—which means more cases of osteoarthritis. But for many vets, the treatment for osteoarthritis seemed to be as bad as the disease.
There has been an increase in the cat population both across Australia and New Zealand, partially because of urbanisation, and also because people want to have smaller pets.1 And with better healthcare, the life span of pets is increasing.
It’s known that one in three cats will develop some form of degenerative joint disease,2 and that cats above the age of 12 years have a greater chance of developing arthritis.3 It’s something that is going to happen at some point in a cat’s life.
The treatment to manage the pain of osteoarthritis includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can be associated with serious side effects, if not used appropriately. For this reason clinicians have an association of NSAIDs being harmful to the kidneys, especially in cats. However, there are studies that have shown to effectively treat cats with impaired renal function with a NSAID. This has been achieved through proper screening and monitoring of patients. Specialist feline practitioners suggest that clinicians test the renal parameters regularly, and if these parameters are stable and there’s no
Managing the pain of Feline Osteoarthritisdrastic deviation, then NSAIDs can be used safely and effectively in cats that have renal problems.3,4
The fact that NSAIDs for cats are relatively new compared to dogs—the first being only registered in 2008 —means there is very limited information available on guidelines for safe use of NSAIDs in cats. The International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) offer great advice on long term treatment with NSAIDs and also recommend lowest effective dose to reduce any potential side effects. The alternatives—either avoiding the use of NSAIDs, or pulse dosing—are not ideal, even if the latter seems to be a safer way of managing side effects.
Just like any other drug, the goal of treatment is to ensure that you give the right amount of medication at the right intervals. Given the possible variations in weight, age, concomitant disease and current medications in the effected cats, that initial dose in going to vary from patient to patient.
That initial dose will be based on the cat’s lean or ideal body weight. It is recommended that this dose be maintained for at least one week for maximum clinical response, and then titrate down once a clinical response has
been observed. By monitoring the response to treatment on a daily basis, you will be able to determine the lowest effective dose without compromising the efficacy of the drug. Based on the studies that have already been published, plus what the international feline specialists are saying, Boehringer Ingelheim has developed some guidelines for Metacam, which is their NSAID, for the clinician to work with once he or she has decided to titrate the dose.
If you do the right checks at regular intervals, clinicians can reduce the adverse drug events associated with NSAIDs and more importantly improve the quality of life for the cat.
References1. Animal Health Alliance – Pet Ownership in
Australia 20132. Clarke SP et al, Prevalence of radiographic
signs of degenerative joint disease in a hospital population of cats, The Veterinary Record, 2005
3. Hardie E M, Radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease in geriatric cats, JAVMA, Vol 220, No.5, 2002, 628-632
4. Gunew M N et al. Long-term safety, efficacy and palatability of oral meloxicam at 0.01–0.03mg/kg for treatment of osteoarthritic pain in cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 2008;10(3): 235-241. Gowan A R et al. A retrospective analysis of the effects of meloxicam on the longevity of aged cats with and without overt chronic kidney disease. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 2012;14(12): 876-881
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At the lowest effective dose, Metacam can be taken daily, without compromising effi cacy.1-3
A little dose of
1. ISFM & AAFP Consensus Guidelines: Long-term use of NSAIDs in cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 2010;12:519 2. Gunew M N et al. Long-term safety, effi cacy and palatability of oral meloxicam at 0.01–0.03 mg/kg for treatment of osteoarthritic pain in cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 2008;10(3): 235-241. 3. Gowan A R et al. A retrospective analysis of the effects of meloxicam on the longevity of aged cats with and without overt chronic kidney disease. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 2012;14(12): 876-881. 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. Metacam® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, 55216 Ingelheim/Rhein. BIMET0025.
BIMET0025/01_VET_PRACTICE_297x210_AW02.indd 1 15/12/14 12:29 PM
A D V E R T O R I A L
ASAVA Conference 2015 Product guide
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Diet is the cornerstone of the management of cats with chronic kidney disease however, because of the nausea that accompanies kidney disease, these cats often feel sick and
don’t feel like eating. So, how can the appetite of cats with chronic kidney disease be improved?
Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d™ Feline Kidney Care (dry) now has a new breakthrough appetite
technology for cats with kidney disease. This new technology is called Enhanced Appetite Trigger (EAT) Technology™. To develop this new technology, Hill’s scientists first measured food preferences that are unique to cats with chronic renal disease. Key aromas and flavours that
trigger food intake were then identified, and finally the taste profiles of cats with kidney disease
were mapped against a database of ingredients that matched these profiles to create maximum
appetite improvement. Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d™ Feline Kidney Care,
with breakthrough Enhanced Appetite Trigger (EAT) Technology™, significantly increases appetite in cats with kidney disease stimulating greater caloric intake when compared to current k/d™ Feline1, as well as lengthening and improving quality of life and preserving lean body mass2. In addition, Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d™ Feline Kidney Care is now available in a variety of different flavoured cans and a new chicken and vegetable stew for added appetite enhancement!
What does this mean for you and your clients? It means an easier dietary transition, better compliance, more happy nephrons and cats with kidney disease living better quality and longer lives. Together we will restore more than just appetite!
Getting cats with kidney disease to eat
™ shown are trademarks of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. © 2015 Hill’s Pet Nutrition Pty Limited.HIMA-DA-150D81A0
1. Vanchina M, Jewell D, H. Schiefelbein H. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., Topeka, Kansas, USA. Data on file, 2013 2. Ross S, Osborne CA, Polzin DJ et al. Clinical evaluation of dietary modification for treatment of spontaneous kidney disease in cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2006;229:949-957.
Breakthrough Nutrition to Support Feline Thryoid Health!Hyperthyroidism is recognised as the most common endocrinopathy of older cats and now, after more than a decade of research and development, a limited iodine therapeutic food, Hill’s Prescription Diet™ y/d™, will soon be available as an option for managing cats with hyperthyroidism in Australia.
Visit the Hill’s Pet Nutrition stand
to hear about our latest innovations to transform the
lives of your Feline patients
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
A D V E R T O R I A L
36
Kingsway Veterinary Centre is a veterinary clinic located in the northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia. Part of the local community for many years, the three vet practice has treated thousands of cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and birds, and is known for providing sound advice and affordable services.
As an established business operating in a very competitive market, Kingsway’s biggest challenge is acquiring new customers and building loyalty across their existing customer base.
“Like most veterinary clinics, we deal with a mix of scheduled appointments and emergency visits. Our biggest challenge is convincing customers of the value of proactive preventative care – such as annual health checks, regular dental cleans and vaccinations,” says Danielle Simpson, Head Nurse at Kingsway.
Until recently, the practice sent out reminder letters in the mail to let customers know that their pet was due for a check-up or vaccination, followed by a phone call a month later. Finding this approach very time and labour intensive and not particularly effective, Kingsway was looking for a better way to encourage return visits and build customer loyalty.
After researching potential solutions, Kingsway migrated to VisionVPM practice management software in late 2014.
“It was clear that VisionVPM could add significant value to our practice,” says Danielle. “It offered an efficient, effective and proven way to manage customer contact, build loyalty and grow our business. Importantly, it was very easy to use.”
Leveraging global research into customer loyalty, VisionVPM has been designed to
drive customer loyalty by communicating with customers regularly using their preferred channel.
The most common communication a veterinary practice will have with its customers relates to reminders – VisionVPM allows clinics to manage this process via SMS and email reminders as well as more traditional methods such as mail.
With return visits acting as a key revenue driver for many veterinary clinics globally – loyal customers may comprise up to 80% of all consultations – increasing the frequency of these visits and reducing the incidence of ‘no shows’ is vital to practice financial performance and growth. An SMS reminder sent within 24 hours of the visit is a useful prompt for the customer and minimises appointment wastage for the clinic.
The average person checks their mobile
phone 221 times each day (or once every 6.5 minutes) and 91% of smartphone users have their device within reach 24/7 – so it makes sense to use SMS and email as primary communication channels.
“It’s important to us that our customer experience is as personalised as possible, and that includes giving our customers control over how we contact them and the way that they respond to us,” says Danielle. “With SMS and email rapidly becoming preferred communication channels, particularly for younger customers, the benefits of VisionVPM were obvious.”
The team at Kingsway is now able to send reminder messages in minutes, saving hours of time and the costs of printing and postage.
“The marketing component in VisionVPM is great,” says Danielle. “It’s easy to use and sending out SMS reminders is hugely effective – often after sending an SMS I get a call back immediately. We’re certainly finding it a lot more successful than our old approach”.
Visit www.provetahps.com to find out more about VisionVPM, or call 1800 150 264 to speak to an expert.
Using effective communication to create loyal customers and grow your practice
Rapport: connect with your customers like never beforeVisionVPM is about to take client
communications to the next level with their innovative new product – Rapport.
Rapport is a complete client communications suite that will
transform the way you communicate with your customers.
It works seamlessly with VisionVPM practice management software and
combines online booking, bi-directional client communication, practice websites,
mobile apps, customer satisfaction measurement and much more.
Discover a better approach to client communication - visit
www.hsrapport.com to learn more.
ASAVA Conference 2015 Product guide
A D V E R T O R I A L
ASAVA Conference 2015 Product guide
38
DLC began supplying Shorline cages to meet the needs of veterinarians.
Shorline have continued to improve their animal cages, evolving with veterinary, boarding and shelter professionals.
If you need cages, we can find a solution! Our standard cages are made in 6” increments, starting with 18”W x 18” H. All cages are 28 1/4” deep, not including the latch.
Your best value comes with purchasing standard sizes, but if you can dream it, we can build it.
Our cages are often handed down from practice to practice because they are so durable. There is a reason why animal professionals have been purchasing our cages for almost three decades.
Talk to DLC Australia for all your caging, Kennel and surgery requirements
Some info on the stools.It is specially designed to prevent physical stress while prolonged standing operating• Protects the back from postural problems.• Relaxes and takes the weight off your legs.• Prevents problems with your neck and back (spine
and lumbar region) and the circulation in your legs.• A wide range of movements extends your
radius of action.• You can concentrate better on your work, as
your posture is more relaxed and you have a greater sensation of wellbeing.
They do not suffer with back problems. Pain is gone!!!
Contact details:
Southern OfficePO Box 4438,17-19 Horne StHoppers Crossing VIC, 3029Phone: 03 9360 9700Fax: 03 9360 9994Toll Free: 1300 785 405Email: [email protected]
Northern OfficePO Box 833,Unit 6/1 Lear-Jet Dr,Caboolture, QLD 4510Phone: 07 5428 3666Fax: 07 5428 3777Toll Free: 1300 785 401Email: [email protected]
Dynamic standing supportNew
T h e D y n a m i c S t a n d i n g S u p p o r t C h a i r
T h e d y n a m i c s t a n d i n g s u p p o r t
e n c o u r a g e s a n d f a c i l i t a t e s
n a t u r a l m o v e m e n t . O n c e t i l t e d
t h e S D d y n a m i c s t a n d i n g
s u p p o r t e n a b l e s y o u t o m o v e
e a s i l y a n d t a k e u p a c o m f o r t a b l e
p o s i t i o n w i t h i n y o u r r a d i u s o f
a c t i v i t y .
D L C A u s t r a l i a P t y L t d h a v e
b e e n d i s t r i b u t o r s f o r
S h o r - L i n e f o r a n u m b e r o f
y e a r s . W e s t o c k a r a n g e o f
t h e i r p r o d u c t s i n c l u d i n g
p r o c e d u r e l i g h t s , c a t c o n d o s ,
c a g e s , T K e n n e l R u n S y s t e m s
a n d m u c h m o r e .
F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n o r
p r i c i n g o n o u r S h o r - L i n e
p r o d u c t s p l e a s e d o n ’ t h e s i t a t e
t o c o n t a c t o u r o f f i c e f o r a
q u o t a t i o n .
W W W. D L C . C O M . A U17-19 Horne Street, Hoppers Crossing, Victoria, 3029
Tel 1300 785 405 Fax 03 9360 9994
A D V E R T O R I A L
ASAVA Conference 2015 Product guide
40
As the ultimate veterinary professional aid in the science of hydrotherapy, the canine HYDRO PHYSIO underwater treadmill series has been designed with continuous veterinary input. A ‘no compromise’ approach, coupled with many unique features, has made these canine water walkers the market leader and the first choice for veterinary surgeries and rehabilitation facilities worldwide.
• Twin doors open either end - designed specifically to aid patient confidence and comfort
• 360 degree viewing - allows patient analysis and patient confidence within the treadmill
• Side platforms - allow therapists to work directly with the patient and support them in the water
• Temperature, speed, depth and direction control - all can be tailored to each individual patient
• Computer controlled - for ease of use and accuracy of operation
The canine underwater water walker has many applications including: rehabilitation from injury, fitness training, cruciate ligament and TPLO repair, hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis and weightloss.
Features: • Push button or touch screen user
controls with remote • Stride length and water height indicators • Ramp entry with two patented outward
opening doors • Larger treadmills available to suit larger
breeds
Canine water walker market leader
Having a hydrotherapy system allows the vet to offer a complete rehabilitation package to their clients. It improves client retention and satisfaction while adding an additional revenue stream to the practice.
Whats in the box? The Canine HYDRO PHYSIO Underwater treadmill package includes: treadmill, storage tank, plant pack, starter pack, computer control panel, remote control, delivery and installation (Australia only) For more details, or to discuss your requirements, please contact DLC Australia Pty Ltd on 1300 785 405
Contact details:Southern OfficePO Box 4438,17-19 Horne StHoppers Crossing VIC, 3029Phone: 03 9360 9700Fax: 03 9360 9994Toll Free: 1300 785 405Email: [email protected]
Northern OfficePO Box 833,Unit 6/1 Lear-Jet Dr,Caboolture, QLD 4510Phone: 07 5428 3666Fax: 07 5428 3777Toll Free: 1300 785 401Email: [email protected]
Looking Forward
to seeing you
at the ASAVA
Conference on the
Gold Coast!
» Single hand door opening » Full remote control » Twin doors - walk through » Turn & push handles » Unique easy clean conveyor » Safe, powerful low voltage treadmill » 1800 x 730 x 1260 mm (lwh) » Length including ramps - 2700 mm » 1000 litre water capacity » 330 kgs » Storage tank -
1600 x 730 x 1630 mm (lwh) » Speed range - 0 - 8 kph » Water supply requirements -
cold plus drains
Please Contact Our Office for Further InformationP. 1300 785 405 · E. [email protected]
www.dlc.com.au
HYDROTHERAPY
C ANINE UNDER WATER HYDROTHER APY TREADMILLS The Original &
the Best HYDRO PHYSIO
Simple Push Button Control
Hydro Physio has a multitude of users, including rehabilitation, wellbeing & training. An ideal environment to utilise the properties of water, offering an extremely effective hydrotherapy setting for patient care & treatment. Exercise in water is proven to be an effective method to gain faster results
The Original & the Best
HYDRO PHYSIO
Hydrotherapy assists in Rehabilitation, Circulation, Balance & Stability, Gait & Posture, Psychological Wellbeing & Pain Management.
Developed at the request of clients, the new control intuitively guides users through the water height & speed settings & is available with cameras.
» Single hand door opening » Full remote control » Twin doors - walk through » Turn & push handles » Unique easy clean conveyor » Safe, powerful low voltage treadmill » 1800 x 730 x 1260 mm (lwh) » Length including ramps - 2700 mm » 1000 litre water capacity » 330 kgs » Storage tank -
1600 x 730 x 1630 mm (lwh) » Speed range - 0 - 8 kph » Water supply requirements -
cold plus drains
Please Contact Our Office for Further InformationP. 1300 785 405 · E. [email protected]
www.dlc.com.au
HYDROTHERAPY
C ANINE UNDER WATER HYDROTHER APY TREADMILLS The Original &
the Best HYDRO PHYSIO
Simple Push Button Control
Hydro Physio has a multitude of users, including rehabilitation, wellbeing & training. An ideal environment to utilise the properties of water, offering an extremely effective hydrotherapy setting for patient care & treatment. Exercise in water is proven to be an effective method to gain faster results
The Original & the Best
HYDRO PHYSIO
Hydrotherapy assists in Rehabilitation, Circulation, Balance & Stability, Gait & Posture, Psychological Wellbeing & Pain Management.
Developed at the request of clients, the new control intuitively guides users through the water height & speed settings & is available with cameras.
asava 42nd annual conference
Register online now!asavaconference.com.auT 02 9431 5055 or [email protected]
A special interest group of The Australian Veterinary Association Ltd ABN 63 008 522 852
Leading edge education for small animal practitioners
GOLD COAST CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE, QLD
AVA PLATINUM CORPORATE SUPPORTER
AVA GOLD CORPORATE SUPPORTER
AVA GOLD CORPORATE SUPPORTER
AVA SILVER CORPORATE SUPPORTER
Multiple streams covering emergencies, surgery, endocrinology, imaging, neurology, oncology and cardiology
Over 80 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services
Superb social and networking opportunities
asava 42nd annual conference
Register online now!asavaconference.com.auT 02 9431 5055 or [email protected]
A special interest group of The Australian Veterinary Association Ltd ABN 63 008 522 852
Leading edge education for small animal practitioners
GOLD COAST CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE, QLD
AVA PLATINUM CORPORATE SUPPORTER
AVA GOLD CORPORATE SUPPORTER
AVA GOLD CORPORATE SUPPORTER
AVA SILVER CORPORATE SUPPORTER
Multiple streams covering emergencies, surgery, endocrinology, imaging, neurology, oncology and cardiology
Over 80 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services
Superb social and networking opportunities
asava 4 2nd annual conference
Register online now!asavaconference.com.auT 02 9431 5055 or [email protected]
A special interest group of The Australian Veterinary Association Ltd ABN 63 008 522 852
Leading edge education for small animal practitioners
GOLD COAST CONVENTION & EXHIB IT ION CENTRE , QLD
AVA PLATINUM CORPORATE SUPPORTER
AVA GOLD CORPORATE SUPPORTER
AVA GOLD CORPORATE SUPPORTER
AVA SILVER CORPORATE SUPPORTER
Multiple streams covering emergencies, surgery, endocrinology, imaging, neurology, oncology and cardiology
Over 80 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services
Superb social and networking opportunities
asava 4 2nd annual conference
Register online now!asavaconference.com.auT 02 9431 5055 or [email protected]
A special interest group of The Australian Veterinary Association Ltd ABN 63 008 522 852
Leading edge education for small animal practitioners
GOLD COAST CONVENTION & EXHIB IT ION CENTRE , QLD
AVA PLATINUM CORPORATE SUPPORTER
AVA GOLD CORPORATE SUPPORTER
AVA GOLD CORPORATE SUPPORTER
AVA SILVER CORPORATE SUPPORTER
Multiple streams covering emergencies, surgery, endocrinology, imaging, neurology, oncology and cardiology
Over 80 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services
Superb social and networking opportunities
asava 4 2nd annual conference
Register online now!asavaconference.com.auT 02 9431 5055 or [email protected]
A special interest group of The Australian Veterinary Association Ltd ABN 63 008 522 852
Leading edge education for small animal practitioners
GOLD COAST CONVENTION & EXHIB IT ION CENTRE , QLD
AVA PLATINUM CORPORATE SUPPORTER
AVA GOLD CORPORATE SUPPORTER
AVA GOLD CORPORATE SUPPORTER
AVA SILVER CORPORATE SUPPORTER
Multiple streams covering emergencies, surgery, endocrinology, imaging, neurology, oncology and cardiology
Over 80 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services
Superb social and networking opportunities
Hwato acupuncture needlesby Dr Michael Kidd, Hurlstone Park Veterinary Hospital, Dulwich Hill, NSW
I use acupuncture for most musculoskeletal conditions—arthritis, hip problems, knee, shoulder and elbow injuries. It works very well on back injuries and I’ve often had great success when nothing else has worked. Acupuncture isn’t as effective with skin conditions but the results can be dramatic with anything involving the skeleton. For all my acupuncture work, I use Hwato needles.
What’s good about itThey are sharp, sterile and single use. There is virtually no pain when they are put into position. They come in two lengths, 13 millimetre and 25 millimetre. I generally use the 25mm needles though there are a few situations when the 13mm is more suitable. Smaller animals generally need smaller needles but it also depends on the spot they are going in. Anything near the toes, even on big dogs, requires a 13mm needle.
Most animals tolerate the needles very well. Even if they are noisy at the start, they tend to calm down and sit quietly in their cage after treatment. Whereas humans can be scared at the thought of a needle, animals simply don’t have those fears. I often use acupuncture in conjunction with more mainstream treatments such as injections and tablets.
The Hwato acupuncture needles are reasonably priced and work extremely well.
What’s not so goodAcupuncture needles are such a simple, effective tool, it’s almost impossible to see a negative. There is a bit of a movement towards using laser light on the pressure points instead of needles but there has been some debate about the effectiveness. All things considered, I think that needles are still a better option.
Where did you get itAcuneeds (www.acuneeds.com).
43
Y O U R T O O L S
Soothing beeps; a flawless orthopaedic system; a tolerable probe, and much more are under review this month …
TOOLS TRADE
of the
Please note: The MEC-1200Vet has since been superseded by the iMEC-8Vet. This is a modern improvement with touch screen, additional options and improved accuracy.
Mindray MEC-1200Vet by Dr Michel Doney, The Margaret River Vet Hospital, WA
This ECG machine came with the practice when we purchased it in 2008. It assists in monitoring the patient whether awake or under anaesthesia. The unit is very accurate and gives the vet plenty of information to be fully aware of the patient’s condition.
What’s good about itThere is a three-lead ECG trace and pulse oximetry to measure blood oxygen levels. We can also measure non-invasive blood pressure, the respiratory rate and the temperature of the patient.
It’s a very accurate monitoring system that proceeds second by second. I love hearing the beeps when working on an animal under anaesthesia; the beeps soothe you and let you know everything is fine. While no ECG unit can take the place of good manual monitoring, it’s a great little addition to our anaesthesia.
We would use this machine at least 10 times a day. It’s used on every surgery case, all of our heart patients, most of our sedations and on quite a few of our hospital patients as well. It’s reliable, accurate and a valuable addition to our clinic.
What’s not so goodWe have had no problems with the Mindray since 2008. In all that time I’ve only had to replace the ECG leads once and the pulse oximetry lead twice. The only thing I feel that is missing from the unit is capnography. When I eventually upgrade to a new machine, it will definitely include a capnograph monitor.
Where did you get itAvailable from BCF Ultrasound (www.bcfultrasound.com).
asava 4 2nd annual conference
Register online now!asavaconference.com.auT 02 9431 5055 or [email protected]
A special interest group of The Australian Veterinary Association Ltd ABN 63 008 522 852
Leading edge education for small animal practitioners
GOLD COAST CONVENTION & EXHIB IT ION CENTRE , QLD
AVA PLATINUM CORPORATE SUPPORTER
AVA GOLD CORPORATE SUPPORTER
AVA GOLD CORPORATE SUPPORTER
AVA SILVER CORPORATE SUPPORTER
Multiple streams covering emergencies, surgery, endocrinology, imaging, neurology, oncology and cardiology
Over 80 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services
Superb social and networking opportunities
InnoVet Specialist with built-in DIRA CCD DR digital X-ray systemby Dr Annabel Vargas, Monash Vet, Oakleigh East, VIC
This is a real-time imaging system that brings up the results straight away. During a consult, it’s very handy to be able to show clients exactly what’s happening with their pets.
What’s good about itI’m very interested in orthopaedics, and digital X-rays add a whole new dimension to the process. It’s great to feel the patient and then actually see what you have been feeling. There are times when I have felt for osteophytes and expected something terrible to be going on in there. Then the X-ray reveals it’s not actually that bad.
Recently, I had a case of a dog attack where a little chihuahua had it’s whole face punctured, a tooth falling out and I thought I could feel movement. The X-ray revealed that the only problem was the missing tooth. It was great to be able to give the client the good news straight away.
The contrast and brightness of the image can be changed to help bring out detail. You can also zoom in on a particular area which is great when looking for bone proliferations. We deal with a lot of hip and elbow dysplasia at our clinic and the digital X-rays give a great amount of detail.
The nurses are also very competent with this machine and can take the
X-rays if required. However, when I have time, I like to take the
X-rays myself, especially for AVA and PennHIP special procedures or any dysplasia cases.
What’s not so goodYou have to be careful of excessive radiation exposure because it is so quick and easy to take
an image. Part of this problem stems from that fact that
I’m a new graduate and am always trying to get the very best
image possible.
Where did you get itRadiographic
Supplies (www.radiographicsupplies.com.au).
Y O U R T O O L S
continued from page 43
44
TonoVetby Dr Amanda Nott, Inner South Veterinary Centre, Narrabundah, ACT
This is an instrument for measuring intra-ocular pressure, the marker for glaucoma in animals. Prior to owning this tool, I’m sure a lot of glaucoma cases were going largely undiagnosed in our practice. When the condition was diagnosed, it was usually well advanced. The beauty of this machine is that we can pick up problems early and potentially save vision.
What’s good about itThere is a tiny probe that bounces against the cornea when a button is pressed. It measures the speed of the rebound and calculates the intra-ocular pressure. For accuracy, six measurements are taken and an average is determined from those six readings.
The animals tolerate this process extremely well. The probe touches the cornea very gently and the movement is almost unnoticeable. In fact, I’m sure the animals don’t feel anything. There have been very few cases where we have been unable to use the TonoVet.
Even though the readings are accurate, you should be aware of factors that can interfere with that. Basically, anything that raises the animal’s blood pressure should be avoided. When holding the animal, it’s important not to restrain it too heavily around their neck or hold it too tightly by the collar.
The results are displayed on a small screen on the unit. It uses replaceable batteries that last for ages and the small probes are used once and thrown away. They are easy to obtain and very cheap. The TonoVet has really enhanced our understanding of ophthalmology in animals.
What’s not so goodIt’s a beautiful instrument and I have not found any faults with it. We have had it for several years now and it has never failed on us.
Where did you get itSound Veterinary Equipment (www.soundveterinary.com.au).
For more information on the VetQuip “PRO” Anaesthesia System visit www.vetquip.com.au or call 1300 888 427
VetQuip “PRO” Anaesthesia SystemFEATURES
New slim line design, with monitor shelf Powder coated, impact resistant chassis Pistol grip directional handle Balanced, polished alloy 5 star base, with platform
height adjustment 0 - 8lpm precision medical grade rotameter with
graduated scale High volume 80lpm flush valve Polycarbonate circle absorber Coaxial F circuit and rebreathing bag Paediatric ayres T-piece 2 metres of oxygen hose with hand wheel 2 metres of scavenge tube Optional monometer guage available (pressure check
your machine & monitor circuit pressure) Optional pole mounted O2 cylinder holder (D size)
† Vaporiser and monitor sold separately.
Vaporiser Options VQ1499 VetQuip III Iso Vaporiser (NEW) VQ1335 Penlon Delta Iso Vaporiser (NEW) VQ1336 Penlon Delta Iso Vaporiser (Refurbished) VQ1337 Blease B Series Iso Vaporiser (Refurbished)
Anaesthetic Accessories VQ3099 O-Series Oxygen Regulator VQ3100 Key Fill Bottle Adaptor VQ3169A Active Scavenge System VQ3220 Aldasorber Waste Gas Absorber (200g) VQ3222 Clean Air Filter Waste Gas Absorber (50G) VQ3190 Pink Corrugated Scavenge Tube 22mm VQ3145 SodaSorb LF Soda Lime 4.5kg
Vaporiser ServicingVetQuip’s vaporiser service centre offers full service for all models of:
Ohmeda Blease Penlon Drager
Conversions to Isoflurane and Sevoflurane now available for a wide range of vaporisers.
Our experienced biomedical technicians service and repair an extensive range of medical equipment. VetQuip’s commitment to quality and customer care is established throughout all departments within the company. Professional, friendly and helpful staff, are always available to discuss your requirements and to provide answers to your technical questions.
For extremely competitive prices and exceptional service contact VetQuip on 1300 888 427
VetQuip anaesthesia systems now feature a
5 year warranty*
*5 year warranty excludes vaporiser calibration, misuse, normal ware & tear polycarbonate absorber & circuits.
VetQuip offer
a full range
of mobile
and modular
anaesthetic
machines.
VetQuip prides
itself on supplying
quality and reliable
equipment to its
customers. Unlike
some, we won’t
sacrifice quality over
price. Customers
can be confident
knowing our
products are backed
and supported
by our after sales
service and support
team.
Looking forward to seeing you at the 2015 ASAVA
Conference
Personal best
Inte
rvie
w:
Ker
ryn
Ram
sey
46
Y O U R L I F E
“It all started when I moved to the Sunshine Coast as a zoo veterinarian in mid-2011. There are so many athletes on the coast, the whole atmosphere is really inspiring. I quickly saw myself training a lot more and improving quickly. My first big win was at the Brisbane half marathon and then the Sunshine Coast half marathon in 2013.
“I became pretty hooked so I decided to have a crack at running a full marathon. I entered the Melbourne Marathon in October 2013 and I was quietly confident. What I didn’t expect was to come third, running a Commonwealth Games qualifying time. It was a huge shock! People were hugging me, asking, ‘Who do you train with; who’s your coach; who are your sponsors?’
“After that, I started working with Dick Telford, who’s one of the best distance coaches in the world. Back then, I was doing about 80 kilometres a week but before long, I was running 140 kilometres a week.
“Dick trained me up for the next marathon—this time in Japan in March last year. I ran a personal best [PB], taking three-and-a-half minutes off my Melbourne time. That secured my spot on the Commonwealth Games team. After that, it was all a whirlwind.
“The whole experience in Glasgow last year was amazing. I ran a PB time of 2:35:01, finishing in eighth place. Now when I look back, I just think, ‘Oh gosh, was that me? That was so cool!’
“My main goal is to run the marathon at the Olympic Games next year in Rio. First, I want to be selected for the World Championships in Beijing in August. If this goes perfectly, I should qualify for the Olympics.
“My most recent run was at the Rotterdam Marathon in April. I came fifth with a PB time of 2:34:33. It’s a really flat, fast course so it was great but the strong winds in the second half of the race made it tough and slowed me down a fair bit.
“My next run is a lot more relaxing—it’s a fun run at Australia Zoo with all the funds going directly into the wildlife hospital. It helps to be fit in my job at the zoo. The hospital is based a little distance from all the animals. We’re constantly running back and forth, so it would be pretty tough if you weren’t physically fit.
“Before I started working here in the zoo, I never thought this would happen in my wildest dreams. Then running marathons also changed my life. I feel really lucky that I get to do both.”
After achieving her lifelong dream of working at Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland, Dr Melanie Panayiotou soon found another passion—as a world-class marathon runner
Dr Panayiotou at the Perisher training camp.
Melbourne Marathon.
Dr Panayiotou with a cheetah at Australia Zoo.
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MASTER_A4P_Welcome.indd 1 6/15/2015 10:45:05 AM
Antioxidant Therapy in Hepatobiliary Diseases
NEWTO BLACKMORES
ANIMAL HEALTH
VET ONLY
• Antioxidant Hepatic Support Therapy • Aids in liver detoxification mechanisms• Main Active: S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe)• Glutathione Precursor• Unique formulation of SAMe that guarantees stability• X30 Enteric coated tablets• May protect against negative effects on the liver
caused by some medications• DENOSYL® is the leading SAMe supplement used in
published veterinary research studies
Also supports healthy cognitive function in senior dogs
For further information visit www.pawbyblackmores.com
DEVELOPED BY VETS. INSPIRED BY NATURE.
For further information call 1800 803 760 or visit www.pawbyblackmores.com
DEVELOPED BY VETS. INSPIRED BY NATURE.
Available soon at leading Veterinary Wholesalers
Product Name W/S List Price (ex GST)
PAW Denosyl® Cats and Small Dogs – 90 mg $37.50
PAW Denosyl® Medium Dogs – 225 mg $57.00
PAW Denosyl® Large Dogs – 425 mg $93.30
The liver performs many critical functions, such as production of bile for digestion, drug metabolism and excretion, gluconeogenesis, glycogen storage, production of blood clotting factors and many more. Whilst the liver has strong regenerative capacities, in chronic inflammatory disease or advanced neoplasia, liver disease becomes incurable, and require supportive treatments indefinitely. A key part of the therapy for the management of hepatobiliary diseases is to reduce and prevent oxidative damage as oxidative stress plays a major role in pathogenesis of liver disease.
Antioxidant Therapy in Hepatobiliary Diseases
NEWTO BLACKMORES
ANIMAL HEALTH
VET ONLY
• Antioxidant Hepatic Support Therapy • Aids in liver detoxification mechanisms• Main Active: S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe)• Glutathione Precursor• Unique formulation of SAMe that guarantees stability• X30 Enteric coated tablets• May protect against negative effects on the liver
caused by some medications• DENOSYL® is the leading SAMe supplement used in
published veterinary research studies
Also supports healthy cognitive function in senior dogs
For further information visit www.pawbyblackmores.com
DEVELOPED BY VETS. INSPIRED BY NATURE.
For further information call 1800 803 760 or visit www.pawbyblackmores.com
DEVELOPED BY VETS. INSPIRED BY NATURE.
Available soon at leading Veterinary Wholesalers
Product Name W/S List Price (ex GST)
PAW Denosyl® Cats and Small Dogs – 90 mg $37.50
PAW Denosyl® Medium Dogs – 225 mg $57.00
PAW Denosyl® Large Dogs – 425 mg $93.30
The liver performs many critical functions, such as production of bile for digestion, drug metabolism and excretion, gluconeogenesis, glycogen storage, production of blood clotting factors and many more. Whilst the liver has strong regenerative capacities, in chronic inflammatory disease or advanced neoplasia, liver disease becomes incurable, and require supportive treatments indefinitely. A key part of the therapy for the management of hepatobiliary diseases is to reduce and prevent oxidative damage as oxidative stress plays a major role in pathogenesis of liver disease.
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