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Continuing efforts to improve working conditions and management practices in the profession the British Veterinary Association (BVA) is offering new management seminars on
•Getting the most out of your veterinary practice team – 22 April
•Getting the most out of your job – 23 April

Both courses include a mental wellbeing element and both offer advice on contracts of employment and employment law.

The practice team seminar also looks at management and communication techniques to help prevent stress, distress, anger and conflict. This course teaches managers skills which can help improve the mental health of the whole practice team.

The second seminar and workshop is aimed at giving junior vets a solid background in their legal rights. It also shows skills and techniques for taking control of their veterinary career and how to perform well under pressure to help achieve and maintain good mental health.

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With the release this week of research showing that pigs can catch the deadly Hendra virus, the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is calling for more funding for biosecurity research.

The Canadian study which will appear in the journal Veterinary Research shows that pigs are susceptible to Hendra, and points to the threat of pigs as intermediate hosts of the virus.

“This research is a clear pointer to the potential risks of the spread of the disease from pigs to humans,” said Dr Mark Lawrie, President of the AVA.

“Cases of the spread of disease from bats to pigs to humans have already occurred in Australia with a serious outbreak of the Menangle virus in the late 1990s,” said Dr Lawrie.

“The same method of transmission for the closely related Nipah virus occurred in Malaysia.

“This new research reveals a real risk that the same might happen with Hendra virus. But we need much more research to know how big the risk is, and the best way to manage it.

“This is an important public health issue” said Dr Lawrie.

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AVMA policy

Minimize unused pharmaceuticals:
- Maintain close inventory control to decrease expired/unused drugs.
- Write prescriptions for infrequently used drugs to prevent expirations.
- Consider assigning responsibility for inventory control and disposal to one or a limited number of staff members.
- Whenever possible, return drugs nearing expiration to the distributor.

Follow federal and state guidelines for disposal of controlled substances and hazardous waste.

Incineration typically provides the highest level of best management.

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AVMA, new Chinese VMA reach out to each other in partnership
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February 1, 2010
"This is an important event for veterinary medicine across the globe."

So said AVMA CEO W. Ron DeHaven as he congratulated one of the world's ancient cultures on forming its first national veterinary association.

In Beijing for the Oct. 28, 2009, launch of the history-making Chinese Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. DeHaven presented a gift from the AVMA at the opening ceremony. As a guest speaker at the inaugural seminar, he shared words of inspiration and a pledge of collaboration.

"AVMA is one of the oldest, largest veterinary medical associations in the world. We understand the value and power of organized veterinary medicine. We are able to speak for all veterinarians in the United States of America. My hope is that the Chinese Veterinary Medical Association will assume the same position in China," Dr. DeHaven said.

Chinese veterinarians already have local organizations such as the Beijing Small Animal Veterinary Association, but the Chinese VMA is their first national association. Government approval was required to establish it.

Dr. Jia Youlin is the new association's chairman. Dr. DeHaven began a working relationship with Dr. Jia while on a 2004 trip to China. They had held corresponding positions as chief veterinary officer in their respective countries, Dr. DeHaven as director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Dr. Jia as director of the Veterinary Bureau of China's Ministry of Agriculture. When Dr. Jia retired, he took on the challenge of forming a national association. Now, each is CEO of his association. The connection the colleagues developed as they worked together and shared ideas is a testament to what two veterinarians can set in motion.

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The national contribution made by the veterinary profession is reflected in this year’s Australia Day Honours with four Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) members receiving awards.

Dr Mark Lawrie, AVA President, said: “We are very proud of the achievements off these four outstanding individuals.

“Their contributions highlight how important veterinarians are to our agricultural industries in preventing and responding to disease, and to Australian communities.”

The AVA members who have received Australia Day Honours are:
Dr Helen Scott-Orr received a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to agricultural and veterinary science, particularly in the area of animal disease control.

Dr Hugh Millar received a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to the general public and livestock industries as Chief Veterinary Officer, Victoria.

Dr Ted Fisher was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in the General Division for service to veterinary science, and to the community of Gympie.

Dr Julian Mullins was recognised for over 50 years of work in veterinary science.

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The BVA is rolling out an attractive membership drive, with benefits for both the existing and new member.

BVA President Professor Bill Reilly said “Over the next few weeks BVA members will receive an email asking them to recommend a friend to receive a £150 CPD voucher for RVC courses. With more vets joining we can give the veterinary profession a more powerful voice and provide better services.”

For new members claiming £150 worth of free CPD is as easy as receiving an email from an existing BVA member, providing the friend or colleague’s BVA membership number and joining the BVA - and that’s it. Both existing and new member each receive their £150 voucher for a wide range of 2010 Royal Veterinary College CPD courses for vets.

Even vets whose employers pay CPD could benefit from the career-advancing CPD on offer. This offer is in addition to the discounted BVA management seminars running in April as part of the BVA membership package.

More information is available at www.bva.co.uk/cpdoffer (terms and conditions apply).

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Preventing and treating disease in livestock is crucial to keeping our meat, eggs and dairy products safe.

In the latest Chew on This podcast, Dr. Christine Hoang, assistant director of the AVMA’s Scientific Activities Division, talks about the methods and treatments used to keep livestock healthy and discusses the important relationship between animal and human health.

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The Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti, a join initiative led by WSPA and IFAW, has been working hard to protect Haiti’s vulnerable animals. Click through for a photo slideshow of their efforts so far.

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