THE London Vet Show takes place on 24th and 25th November in the Grand Hall at Olympia. This is its third year. Speakers in the clinical programme, arranged with Jill Maddison of the RVC, include: Arthur House, Harriet Syme, Paul Crawford, Lisa Milella, Dan Chan, Elizabeth Villiers, David Church, Kate Borer, Noel Fitzpatrick, Francesca Riccomini, Pete Mantis, Stijn Niessen, Sophie Adamantos, Anke Hendricks, Brendan Corcoran, Claire Hargrave, Simon Girling, Amanda Boag, Victoria Roberts, Lucy McMahon, Elaine Holt and Michael Day. Speakers in the business stream include: Alan Robinson, Mark Moran, Susie Samuel, Mark Johnston, Riz Akhtar, Jerry Davies (RCVS president), John Sheridan, Zara Boland, Brian Faulkner, Graeme McConnell, Alison Lambert and Martin Gore. There will be a number of workshops, enabling delegates to obtain hands-on experience with specific technologies and, also new for this year, are “association rooms” hosted by the APBC, ISFM, SPVS, VPMA and BVDA. The expanded exhibition includes all the major names within the profession and some that may be new to delegates, ranging from A1 Locums to Zenopa, covering everything from practice management software to imaging equipment and referral services. For details see www.londonvetshow.co.uk.
VBF supports revival of play
If the veterinary profession wants to lose its dreadful reputation as the group with a four times higher than average suicide rate, then who must take responsibility for dealing with the underlying emotional problems facing
practitioners? The obvious answer is the profession itself, according to those responsible for an event being held at the London Vet Show. With support from the Veterinary Benevolent Fund, Nick Short of the RCV and Hertfordshire practitioner Jade Stott have organised the revival of John Somer’s play Practice Imperfect. The play follows the progress of Rachel, a new veterinary graduate, as she struggles to cope with the stresses of practice life. These lead her from being a carefree and able practitioner to a stressed professional contemplating serious self-harm. The story is based on the real tales told when he was researching the play to Somers, a retired lecturer in drama at the University of Exeter, who has family connections with the veterinary profession. In this interactive performance, the small cast is joined by the
audience in discussing the issues raised. Nick Short hopes that by improving awareness of the causes and effects of stress and depression – especially among vulnerable, newlyqualified vets – members of the profession will learn to recognise the early signs of mental health problems and provide the emotional and practical support that the sufferers will need in helping them overcome their difficulties. The first and most difficult step for many of those affected is in overcoming the stigma that is still attached to mental health issues and being prepared to talk about them with friends and colleagues. The play was first performed at the RVC in 2006 and had a profound effect on many members of the audience. “Extremely thought provoking. It would be good to show other practice staff, especially practice managers who are often closely involved with dealing with issues in practice,” said one recent graduate. If the organisers are able to raise the necessary funding, that young graduate’s wishes may be fulfilled. Nick and Jade have plans to take the production on a tour next year of the UK veterinary schools and major professional conferences.
Evening marketing seminar
The Veterinary Marketing Association (VMA) is running a free seminar on Thursday 24th November from 5-7pm for delegates at the London Vet Show, or those in the vicinity, who wish to learn about the principles of marketing. The Principles of Marketing seminar will aim to address the basics in marketing, with an emphasis on the veterinary sector. It is taking place at the Hilton Hotel, London Olympia, which is only a few minutes walk from the show. The speaker will be Paul Fifield, visiting professor in marketing strategy at the Southampton University School of Management. This event is open to anyone (with a maximum of 60) and entry is free. For more information or to register,
see the website www.vma.org.uk. The seminar will be followed by a free buffet and time for questions.
Firm to mark 25 years
Virbac reports it will be featuring “innovation” at the LVS. Products launched this year including Allerderm spot on for topical skin care, Microbex, a POM-V shampoo for the control of Malassezia and Suprelorin 12, the longer-lasting reversible medical castration product. The company is also celebrating 25 years of supporting the veterinary profession in the UK. Visitors to their stand will also have another opportunity to play their hugely popular game featured at BSAVA congress. Using touchscreen monitors, players help ‘Cortavance Clive’ in his battle against pruritic dermatoses; the delegate with the highest score over the two days will win an Apple iPad 2. “2011 has been an exciting year for us with the start of our 25 year
celebrations and the launch of several ground-breaking products,” commented Chris Liggett, Marketing Director at Virbac. “We’re looking forward to meeting with customers – current, past and future – at the London Vet Show and showing them how our product range can provide solutions to many of the cases they see daily in practice.”
Attack on ringworm
MDC Exports is to launch a collaboration with Medichem International and Trigene Advance at the show to eradicate ringworm in cats by introducing the first cat cage that can be properly sterilised after use. The cage has been tested for materials compatibility with a highlevel surface disinfectant which, says the firm, makes the survival of any
type of bacteria, virus or fungi virtually impossible. “Trigene Advance is the only disinfectant in the animal health sector to provide infection control across such a broad spectrum and, when combined with our stainless steel cat cage, offers unrivalled protection against ringworm,” the firm states.
Focus on rabbits
Supreme Petfoods, a platinum sponsor of the LVS, says there will be plenty on offer for those interested in small furries and exotics. The company aims to raise skills and interest in treating small furries and will be sponsoring with two hands-on workshops at the event. At 12.30pm on the Thursday, veterinary surgeon Molly Varga and veterinary nurse Wendy Bament will lead a workshop on Rabbits – clinical examination and techniques including fluid therapy, drugs and assisted feeding. The next day, at 3.30pm, the workshop
topic is Rabbits: examining, medicating and formulating diets and interpreting xrays revealing common conditions. Places at the workshops are limited, but Supreme has arranged to film the sessions which will be available to watch on-line free after the conference. There will be an on-stand competition to win prizes of Graze healthy snack boxes and the opportunity to sign up for the firm’s new “Bunnies for Business” programme, which is said to provide
surgeries with the tools to develop the small pets sector of their business and can track financial and other measures to quantify which techniques really work to improve practice business models.
