Новости

Microchip Committee

With regret, WSAVA has received the resignation of Dr Walt Ingwerson (Canada) as Co-Chairman of the Microchip Committee. Walt has taken up a commercial position which he feels could lead to a conflict of interest. During his years of involvement with the WSAVA Microchip Committee, Walt has been extremely effective in enhancing its profile. The Committee's achievements in promoting the use of ISO standard microchips worldwide have been largely the result of his hard work and dedication to the cause. Walt hopes that in his new position he can provide direction that will facilitate the adoption of ISO microchips in North America. WSAVA has been most grateful for Walt's contribution and wishes him well in his new venture. The WSAVA Microchip Committee will continue to be chaired by Dr Marc Buchet (Belgium).

News from around the world

Chile
The Association has begun a round of lectures in primary and high schools in Santiago, in order to educate pupils about pet welfare and well-being. It is also participating in discussions in the Legislative Camera regarding the development of new legislation on the Human Animal relationship.

Santiago de Chile is to be proposed as the venue for the 2007 WSAVA World Congress. The vote will take place during the next Assembly Meeting in Bangkok, October 2003.

Norway
As well as via the Norwegian Veterinary Journal and the NSAVA newsletter "The small animal practitioner", members can now communicate through a discussion forum on the Internet. The discussion forum has been a great success with 290 of 415 members registered. Main topics for discussion have been: Organ specialisation based on species specialisation; co-ooperation with dog and cat breeders; organisations on hereditary diseases; quality control and accreditation of veterinary clinics; and ethics in companion animal practice.

South Africa
The National Veterinary Clinicians Group and the SAVA Natal Branch have made donations towards the Community Veterinary Clinics that are now being established all over the country. These will assist with the development and the essential equipment of the CVCs. The essential services of sterilisation and vaccination are crucial to address the problems of animal cruelty and abuse that stem from over population and communicable diseases. Veterinarians in private practice give several hours on a regular basis to spend time in assisting in this venture. Veterinary nurses also have a role to play in the provision of primary veterinary health care.

Veterinarians manned two stands at the very successful World of Dogs and Cats exhibition in Durban. They gave advice to pet owners and attended to show animals. This was an excellent PR exercise.

A system of monitoring and recording CPD hours is now in place but as yet is not compulsory. A private group prints a free bi-monthly journal including CPD articles, and has taken time in a Digital TV Channel to provide monthly interactive programmes. This is an innovative and exciting development.

The KwaZulu Natal Branch of the South African Veterinary Association has hosted a National Veterinary Cricket Tournament for many years. Regional teams from the Midlands, Durban and Coastal, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Onderstepoort and teams from Industry and the State have traditionally participated in this event, which is designed to foster camaraderie within the profession. Coinciding with the official Cricket World Cup in South Africa in February and March 2003, it was decided to expand the competition to include more teams from South Africa and to generate international veterinary fellowship by extending the invitation to other cricket playing countries with which we have close ties. The event took place in Hilton College, one of South Africa's top private schools. Situated on a magnificent estate in the beautiful midlands of Kwa Zulu Natal, it boasts world class cricket playing facilities in a relaxing country setting. As well as teams from various provincial teams from within RSA, Onderstepoort University, Industry and the State Vets, a team from India took part. This event came to an end over the week ending 23 February 2003 and was an enormous success.

UK
BSAVA has given a cautious welcome to the Government's response to the Independent Review of Dispensing. This was set up to review the procedures by which prescription only medicines (POMs) for veterinary use are classified and sold in the UK, and the impact current prices may be having on availability and prices.

The Government has rejected the recommendation that veterinary surgeons be permitted to prescribe unlicensed generic treatments for companion animals.

In addition, BSAVA has given both oral and written evidence to the Competition Commission's enquiry into the cost and supply of veterinary medicines. BSAVA strongly supports the notion that a "one stop shop", where diagnosis and treatment is available under one roof, has undeniable advantages on welfare and client convenience grounds. There is every reason to believe that the proposed introduction of another tier in the supply chain, namely the pharmacy, will only increase costs to the consumer.

With the expansion of the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) to North America and Canada, the Government has announced the setting up of "The Dog and Cat Exotic Disease Surveillance Scheme", a case recording scheme, which will involve voluntary reporting by veterinary surgeons in practice. BSAVA welcomes the scheme although they believe that the surveillance be more active and targeted. If the Department of Agriculture were to ask veterinary surgeons to take a blood sample from dogs after entering or re-entering the UK after travelling, it would provide good evidence of exposure to a variety of exotic/zoonotic infections and make definitive risk assessment, accurate risk communication and effective risk management possible.

USA
In Colorado, proposed legislation which would have elevated the status of pets, from property to companions, has been withdrawn. Under the landmark bill, pet owners could have sued veterinarians and animal abusers for up to $100,000 for loss of companionship. In addition, the bill sought to impose standards for vaccination of dogs and cats and made it compulsory that owners be fully informed of any veterinary procedure that might involve a substantial risk to their pets. The Colorado VMA opposed the legislation, saying it would raise the cost of veterinary care.

Zimbabwe
Veterinarians in Zimbabwe have an enormous task in their endeavours to assist with the welfare of animals that are suffering because of neglect, lack of food and medication. Many owners have no choice but to move out as quickly as possible, leaving their animals behind. The welfare societies and veterinarians have a full time job attending to these neglected animals. The National Veterinary Clinicians Group of South Africa has made a worthwhile donation to this cause. Drugs, spay-kits, and other necessities are sent to the Zimbabwe National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and wherever the medication is necessary. Dog, cat and horse Feed are also sent to Zimbabwe to assist with the starving and neglected animals.