Companion Q1 - Australian Veterinary Association

3
ASAVA MEMBERS’ MAGAZINE | Q1 2015
Featured member:
PAUL DAVEY
‘Twenty
something years
in and I am
still absolutely
enthused’
40-year anniversary
of Cyclone Tracy
PETS
IN THE PARK
Helping our homeless clients
Member benefit:
AVA’S
VETED
CALENDAR
PLUS
*Find out what the new kids
on the block are doing:
we hear from our students
*Our accredited hospitals
*Caring for grieving clients
NEW
in 2015
Download Companion
to iBooks
SCAN THE
QR CODE
then browse
AVA resources
– Companion
*Facing a Senate Committee
*VNCA Conference: we talk to
President Elect Helen Power
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COMPANION | Q1 2015
W
O EN R!
N V E
E TT
BE
Change his food. Transform his weight.
From the President 4
From the Editor 6
Help your patients join the 88% of pets that lost weight at home.
1
Watch this space – VetEd calendar launching soon 7
News in brief 8
ASAVA happenings 10
WSAVA Congress and ASAVA achievements at a glance 11
In support of our homeless clients with pets 12
Caring for grieving clients 13
Remembering Tracy – 40 years on 14
Provet - Mastering first impressions in 2015 17
Featured Member – Paul Davey 18
A day in the life of Paul Davey 20
VNCA Conference – a grand prix event
21
The good fight 22
Hills – When words fail, numbers talk 25
New kids on the block 26
Contains our MOST ADVANCED
ANTIOXIDANT FORMULA EVER
to help combat the inflammation
associated with obesity.
n
n
Canine and Feline Treats
now available
3
Companion is the quarterly members’ magazine of ASAVA.
Helps defend cells against free radical oxidation
Selected nutrients to help counteract oxidative stress
and inflammation
For more information contact your Territory Manger or the
Hill’s Helpline on 1800 679 932.
1.Data on file. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. US, 2011. TM’s owned by Hill’s Pet nutrition, Inc. ©Hill’s Pet Nutrition 2015. HIMA-HB-1409D3A9. HPA2391. 01/15. GHG.
Student scholarship winners 30
ASAVA accredited hospitals 32
Got problem patients? We have the answer – Adrian Choi 34
ASAVA event calendar 35
THE ASAVA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President
Adrian Choi
Honorary Treasurer
Graham Swinney
Northern Representative
Michael O’Donoghue
Eastern Representative
James Thompson
Southern Representative
Caitlin Horwood-Skelton
Western Representative
David Mason
General committee member
David Neck (Ex-Officio AVA Board)
Geeta Saini
Mark Kelman
Publisher
The Australian Veterinary Association Ltd
Suite 40, 6 Herbert Street
St Leonards NSW 2065
Telephone: +61 2 9431 5090
Facsimile: +61 2 9437 9068
www.asava.com.au
Executive Officer
Monika Cole
asava@ava.com.au
Editor
Juanita Golland
juanita.golland@ava.com.au
Advertising
Melissa Ode
melissa.ode@ava.com.au
Design & Production
Southern Design
www.southerndesign.com.au
Printing & Distribution
Lindsay Yates Group
www.lyg.net.au
Editorial Material
Editorial contributions from members and other interested
readers are welcome, and should be emailed to the Executive
Officer. The Publisher does not hold itself responsible for
editorial or advertising material in The Companion. Unless stated,
material in The Companion does not reflect the endorsement or
opinion of the AVA or ASAVA. Advertisers are responsible for
complying with the Trade Practices Act and amendments.
Elanco – Comfortis® flea treatment 36
Just for fun 37
A dog called Gus 38
ASAVA is a special interest group of The
Australian Veterinary Association Ltd (AVA)
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COMPANION | Q1 2015
From the
PRESIDENT
Lately I have been reflecting on the things
I really enjoy doing in my veterinary career
and of course one of these is being ASAVA
President. However something else I
have really appreciated has been my role
as an inspector for the ASAVA Hospital
Accreditation Scheme.
ADRIAN
Choi
2015 IS WELL UNDERWAY AND I
AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE
EXCITING YEAR AHEAD. THE PAN
PACIFIC VETERINARY CONFERENCE
IN BRISBANE PROMISES TO PROVIDE
SOME EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS AND
PLANNING FOR OUR OWN ASAVA 42ND
CONFERENCE – PROBLEMS PATIENTS
IN PRACTICE - IS WELL UNDERWAY.
DON’T FORGET TO LOCK AWAY THOSE
DATES IN MAY AND AUGUST.
Last year our team of inspectors were busy
visiting 16 hospitals that are members of
the scheme, or those looking to become
accredited, and this has taken them to
Adelaide, country New South Wales and
Queensland, and also to my home town,
Melbourne.
It always surprises me how much I gain
from the experience of spending time in
my colleagues’ hospitals, and how these
inspections always provide a positive
experience. What I have learned is that this
process delivers 360-degree feedback.
While I am at these hospitals to provide a
positive critique, I have learned many things
that I have also taken back for the benefit of
my own practice. And while I may be there to
assess a hospital for ways it could improve
to meet the requirements of the scheme,
many practitioners rely on inspectors to
give valuable feedback to assess how they
are travelling more generally. I have found
that this role allows me to work as a conduit
between hospitals that may never speak with
each other. I can pass on valuable advice that
I have learned from another practice.
I find that having an inspector visit often
provides the motivation hospitals require to
keep moving forward. The hospitals I visit
vary from those which may be part of a larger
group and have some number of vets working
within them, to the smaller clinics with two or
three vets, as well as the sole practitioners.
All are striving to be the best they can, and
the staff work hard at, and are proud of their
status as an accredited hospital.
Accreditation is not difficult, but takes time
and effort. It is most easily achieved when
the process is undertaken amongst a group
of enthusiastic vets and nurses spreading
the workload. The scheme is expanding,
changing and always looking at selfimprovement from feedback of members.
I would urge anyone thinking of accrediting
to contact the ASAVA office as the initial
point of contact and start the ball rolling –
we’re waiting for you!!
The Pan Pacific
Veterinary Conference
only happens once
every five years.
Don’t miss this one!
Early
se s
bird clo
y
Monda il
20 Apr
2015
» International speakers including small animal specialist
Dr Daniel Chan (USA)
» Over 200 scientific sessions
» Workshops, field trips and forums
» More than 80 exhibitors
» Network with colleagues from Australia and New Zealand
» A social program not to be missed
Brisbane Convention
& Exhibition Centre
Brisbane, Queensland
Australia
panpac2015.com
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3
COMPANION | Q1 2015
COMPANION | Q1 2015
watch this space
– VETED CALENDAR LAUNCHING SOON
From the
EDITOR
This quarter we have also included an article
on another member who works to improve
the standards for vets. Last year AVA Senior
Policy Officer, Debbie Neutze fronted the
Senate Committee looking into higher
education reforms. This article looks at the
work Debbie and the team did to present
the case of veterinary graduates and the
financial impost these reforms would have on
them well into the future.
JUANITA
WELCOME TO THE FIRST EDITION
OF COMPANION IN 2015. AS THE
NEW EDITOR I LOOK FORWARD TO
CONTINUE BRINGING YOU NEWS OF
ASAVA EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS IN
THE SMALL ANIMAL WORLD. I WOULD
ALSO ENJOY HEARING FROM YOU
SO IF YOU WANT TO DROP ME A LINE
PLEASE DO SO. MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS
AT THE END OF THIS COLUMN.
Christmas 2014 marked the 40-year
anniversary of the day Cyclone Tracy ripped
through Darwin and destroyed the city. This
is a subject very close to my heart. I was a
young child there at the time and became a
‘refugee’, evacuated on a Hercules aircraft
in the days after Christmas. Many pets were
euthanased following the cyclone as families
were forced to abandon their lives in Darwin.
My father stayed on to help in the immediate
aftermath and fortunately was able to care
for our beloved pets – a cat called Cleo and
her son Boofy. Look out for a photo of my
sisters and I with our animal family taken in
early 1975.
This edition provides a bit of a mixed bag
of stories, highlighting the work done by
veterinarians across the board. Our featured
member this month is Paul Davey from Western
Australia. Paul’s ongoing work to support the
mental health of veterinarians is well known
and his drive and enthusiasm to improve the
‘wellness’ of vets continues to grow.
Remembering this time got me thinking
about how vets coped after Tracy and I was
honoured to speak with AVA life member Jan
Hills about both her experiences at that time,
but also about her life as a pioneering vet
in the Northern Territory. On a side note Jan
who has now retired from veterinary practice
is in the process of setting up a museum in
her spare time.
Golland
3
This Tracy feature also includes an interview
with Northern Territory Division President
Laurelle Bates and her experience with the
Cyclone, and takes a look at where we are
at now when it comes to the emergency
management of animals in the NT.
Mark Kelman writes about being part of Pets
in the park - looking after the animals of
homeless clients. It offers a wonderful insight
into a particular kind of voluntary work that
some vets are involved in.
The largest conference for vet nurses in the
Australasian region will be held in Melbourne
in April. I spoke with President Elect of the
VNCA, Helen Power about the importance of
this conference to the vet nursing community.
Finally, the year has started very
enthusiastically for our students if their
submissions to Companion are any
indication. Aashima Auplish writes about
her time implementing a rabies-based
educational program in the Himalayas and
then heading to the WHO for an internship
to learn more about global public health.
Christine McGuiness, from Adelaide
University, offers some advice to vets about
preparing for students on placement in their
clinics. And there is so much more!
IN THE LAST EDITION OF COMPANION,
AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL’S
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT AND AVA EDUCATION
COORDINATOR LILIANE CABRAL SPOKE ABOUT
THE FEATURES OF THE VETED LIBRARY. IN
THIS EDITION WE ASK HER TO TALK ABOUT
THE NEW VETED CALENDAR WHICH IS IN ITS
FINAL DAYS OF DEVELOPMENT.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CALENDAR?
This is designed to be a comprehensive
calendar and will feature a myriad of
opportunities for all veterinarians to meet
their continuing professional development
(CPD) requirements.
WHAT CAN MEMBERS EXPECT TO FIND IN IT?
WHAT ARE THE OTHER FEATURES OF THE CALENDAR?
Members will find large national and
international conferences, smaller local
meetings and interactive workshops, as
well as webinars and much more. It’s a
comprehensive listing of what is going on
in the education world for vets.
The VetEd calendar will have a brand new
design and improved search functionality
to make it easy to see what’s going on at a
glance and for members to find what they
need quickly.
WHO DELIVERS THE CPD ACTIVITIES?
The CPD activities featured in the calendar
are delivered by AVA state divisions
and branches, special interest groups,
international veterinary organisations or other
CPD providers whose programs have been
reviewed and approved for VetEd points by
the AVA.
HOW DO VETS CLAIM THEIR POINTS?
WHO CAN USE THE CALENDAR?
This is designed for all of our members,
from the busy city small animal practitioner
or practice manager to equine, cattle
and wildlife veterinarians. There really is
something for everyone.
VetEd-approved CPD activities are directly
added to your VetEd statement making it
easier for you to keep track of your VetEd
points throughout the year. It’s really about
simplifying the whole process.
There is good news for CPD providers too.
The process to have CPD activities reviewed
for VetEd points will be more streamlined
so that approved activities can be put in the
calendar sooner.
The key thing is that members will be able
to take advantage of the VetEd calendar and
plan their CPD well ahead!
HOW DO MEMBERS VIEW THE CALENDAR?
Once it’s all up and running all members will
have to do is visit http://www.ava.com.au/
Calendar and everything will be available
to them.
Again, if you have any suggestions or
comments please feel free to email me at
juanita.golland@ava.com.au. I look forward to
hearing from you.
Photo: Julie Watson Photography
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COMPANION | Q1 2015
COMPANION | Q1 2015
IN BRIEF
News from the small animal world
“The research could have a translational impact in human medicine.
Though the diseases may start for different reasons, human kidney
disease progresses in a similar manner to its feline counterpart,”
Jessica said.
RECOGNISING THE VALUE OF THE
HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND IN CANADA
The researchers are keen to point out that stem cells cannot repair
the irreversible kidney scarring prominent in later stages of the
disease. However they hope to find that they can improve overall
kidney function, even when the organs are damaged.
We all know the significance of the human-animal bond, but
what impact will new and emerging technologies have on these
relationships? The University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College
(OVC) have recently announced a new CAD$1.5m (A$1.554m) chair
position to better understand the connection.
(source: CSU News)
THE SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR LAPDOGS OF
ARGENTINA.
This five year chair role is designed to advance the standards of
care within the veterinary profession, taking into consideration the
‘availability of new and emerging information’.
The chairperson will create and teach new ways to recognise and
reinforce the importance of animals in their owners’ lives. They will
also aim to develop ‘a world-class research and graduate training
program connecting veterinary medicine and epidemiology with
emerging technologies, including social media and web-based care’.
“Our student veterinarians are open to embracing new ways of working
and communicating,” OVC dean Elizabeth Stone said. “But they need
more experience and expertise in using technology to increase
their effectiveness and productivity. This will help them build positive
relationships with their clients and within the veterinary practice team.”
Prof. Cate Dewey, chair of the Department of Population Medicine at
the University believes this indicates an exciting new era for vets.
“Pet owners receive information from a variety of sources and expect
exceptional veterinary care during their pet’s visit,” Dr Dewey said.
“As a profession, we know that the human-animal bond is so strong.
Therefore, owners are looking for bond-centered (sic) care to reflect
this reality,” she said.
KEEPING PETS ‘APPY’
There are a lot of pet related apps for smart
devices now available. People can install
apps that offer advice on pet care. There
are apps that help manage a pet’s profile,
including keeping track of vet appointments
and vaccinations. There is an app for pet
first aid, which includes video instructions
and CPR information. There are apps
which allow people to adopt a virtual pet
to play games and feed. There is even a
dog whistle app, designed to ‘train’ dogs,
and more bizarrely, absolute pet lovers
can download a dog translator app - which
surprisingly is free.
One of the more interesting animal related
apps that is now available and has been
suggested as being perfect for practice
waiting rooms is called Paint for Cats.
Designed to be downloaded onto an iPad,
once activated, an aerial view of a mouse is
seen running across the screen. Apparently
this is attractive to cats who try to catch the
mouse and leave a paw print on the screen
in the form of a paint blob. Once finished the
blobs are saved to the iPad and this can be
printed as artwork with practice logo
and details.
8
3
In previous clinical trials, a few cats with more advanced stages of
disease showed little disease progression years after treatment. The
findings of those studies encouraged CSU researchers to launch a
new one focusing on later stages of the disease.
To end 2014, Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner
signed off with a Facebook announcement stating that from
January 2015 the national carrier Aerolineas Argentinas would allow
passengers to carry their dogs on board.
The leader posted photos of herself on the presidential plane with
Lolita, her Toy Poodle.
DOGS IN THE DRINK
Scientists presenting at an American Physical Society Meeting late
last year gave evidence that animals with ‘incomplete cheeks’ such as
dogs and cats move fluid against gravity into their bodies.
As suction for drinking (as in humans) is impossible in cats and dogs,
scientists have been puzzled as to how our pets physically quench
their thirsts. Researchers from Princeton University and Virginia Tech
found cats touch their tongues to the water’s surface to pull up a
column of water and dogs use their tongue to break through the
surface to scoop up a mouthful.
Argentinians are well known for the having well loved and
highly pampered pets and lap dogs are very popular. These hand
held companions are often found with their owners in cafés in
Buenos Aires.
“No te vayas a aparecer a bordo con un mastín de 50 kg! (Don’t try to
board with a 50 kilo mastiff.”
The President was keen to remind passengers there would be a
weight limit for pooches and that Lolita weighed only 2 kilos.
(source: Reuters)
Technically the dog sets its tongue into a curl
posteriorly while plunging into the fluid and then
quickly pulls back the tongue into its mouth.
‘During this fast retraction fluid sticks to the
ventral part of the curled tongue and is drawn
into the mouth due to inertia.’
The scientists were so inspired they have
discovered several variations of this drinking style
among the varying breeds and have considered
the ‘relationship between tongue dynamics and
geometry, lapping frequency, and dog weight.’
This different mechanism for drinking explains
why dogs seem to splash about when quenching
their thirst and cats appear to quaff elegantly.
STEM-CELL THERAPY – NEWS
FROM COLORADO STATE
UNIVERSITY
Colorado State University (CSU) has recently
announced it is launching a new clinical trial to
explore stem cell therapy to treat kidney disease
in cats. The research aims to explore the power
of stem cells to improve organ function.
The researcher leading the trial, Jessica Quimby
and her colleagues have been seeking
cat patients with stable, stage 4 chronic
kidney disease.
The clinical trials will give patients additional
treatment options using therapies still
under development.
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COMPANION | Q1 2015
COMPANION | Q1 2015
ASAVA HAPPENINGS
FROM THE ASAVA OFFICE
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT COMPLETED OUR END OF
YEAR COMPANION SURVEY. THE LUCKY RECIPIENT OF OUR
SIX PACK OF WINE, COURTESY OF WINEDIRECT.COM.AU
WAS TRISTAN ROBINSON.
The brief summary of the
responses to our survey are in
the table below.
In 2015, we will be making
Companion available to all
our members in both hard
copy as well as being able to
download as an I-book - twice
the opportunity for you to obtain
all the latest information on what
is happening in the profession,
our member stories and product
updates.
We welcome our new editor Juanita Golland, who has been a
long standing staff member of the AVA. Juanita has an extensive
background in communication and we are very much looking forward
to having her on board as part of the ASAVA team.
Over the next few months our AHC inspectors will be kept quite busy
with hospital visits. This year we have seven new hospitals and 10
existing hospitals starting their accreditation/reaccreditation process.
A huge thank you to all our inspectors and assessors and the AHC
Committee for their dedication and efforts to ensure the scheme is
ever evolving and relevant. With a special thanks to Adrian Choi who
has been the convener of the hospital accreditation scheme for the
past eight years, and our go to person for numerous enquiries.
Monika Cole
ASAVA Executive Officer
monika.cole@ava.com.au
The top three strategic priorities
are to:
T: 02 9431 5092
Would you
prefer to
receive
Companion:
Do you
consider
Companion
a member
benefit?
Yes: 5
Hard copy: 5
Yes: 5
No: 1
Electronic: 1
No: 1
What has
been your
favourite
article?
What other
articles/stories
would you like to
see?
Member
profile
Classifieds
Everything
Impressed by
what we have.
Vets guide
to pet
insurance
Practice
Management, Bus
Development, Vet
Lifestyle
Clinical case work
Army vet
Supporting
WA vet
graduates
How the vet
industry is coping
with influx of new
vet schools
What do you think the
purpose of Companion
should be?
Other comments
• establish a Regional Ambassador Liaison Committee to connect
with veterinary associations in each region, to improve member
engagement and input
The new Vision Statement is ‘All companion animals worldwide
receive veterinary care that ensures their optimal health and welfare.’
The new Mission Statement is ‘To advance the health and welfare of
companion animals worldwide through an educated, committed and
collaborative global community of veterinary peers.’
Other initiatives of WSAVA AWWC launched at the Congress were:
• Friends of Animal Welfare: This is a fund-raising initiative. A group
of no more than 20 pledge to donate US$1500 each annually
to be used exclusively for WSAVA animal welfare initiatives. Six
donors signed up prior to the Congress, including ASAVA Executive
Committee member, Geeta Saini. More information can be found on
the WSAVA website (www.wsava.org).
Future WSAVA congresses will be held in:
• Bangkok, Thailand: 15-18 May 2015
• Cartagena, Colombia: 27-30 September 2016
• Copenhagen, Denmark: 25-28 September 2017
• Singapore, 2018
ASAVA ACHIEVEMENTS
AT A GLANCE
EACH YEAR, THE ASAVA AWARDS HONOUR THE BEST IN
SMALL ANIMAL VETERINARY PRACTICE ACROSS AUSTRALIA,
WHILE THE ASAVA STUDENT AWARDS GIVE US A GLIMPSE
INTO THE FUTURE OF OUR PROFESSION WITH “THE ONES
TO WATCH”. IN TURN, ALL AWARD RECIPIENTS ENJOY
CONSIDERABLE PROFILING WITHIN THE VETERINARY
COMMUNITY AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
At the Congress, the WSAVA Animal Welfare and Wellness Committee
(AWWC) launched the Global Veterinary Oath which states:
To inform, entertain and
enlighten all veterinary staff
As a global veterinarian, I will use my knowledge and skills for
the benefit of our society through the protection of animal welfare
and health, the prevention and relief of animal suffering and the
promotion of ‘One Health’. I will practice my profession with dignity
in a correct and ethical manner, which includes lifelong learning to
improve my professional competence.
VetEd
Love the webinars!
A bit of light reading to
accompany serious journal
articles
I want to like this
magazine but I don’t
understand its purpose
or its true audience!
To better connect vets
to their field of work,
colleagues and services
Keep up the good
work!
Deb and Geeta signing the Global Veterinary Oath
10
DEBORAH
Osborne
• establish a member-only on-line network as a member benefit and
to improve member engagement.
Informing vets of what is
happening in the profession
A huge banner, with the oath printed in 25 languages, was available
at the congress for delegates to sign.
• The WSAVA AWWC Travel Grant: A grant of up to $5000 will be awarded
annually to a veterinarian to enable them to travel to gain experience in
animal welfare. The first recipient will be announced at the 2015 WSAVA
Congress. More information is available on the WSAVA website
(www.wsava.org). Applications close on 28 February 2015.
• establish a central secretariat
to relieve the workload on
volunteers
*Error in last issue – Feline Conference in 2015 is at the Crowne Plaza, Coogee Beach 12/13 October (not Noosa)
Do you like the
changes we
have made to
Companion this
past year?
THE 2014 WSAVA CONGRESS WAS HELD IN CAPE TOWN,
SOUTH AFRICA, LAST SEPTEMBER. AMONG THE 80
AUSTRALIANS WHO ATTENDED WERE MANY OF OUR
ASAVA CONFERENCE REGULARS.
WSAVA has recently undertaken
a year-long strategic planning
exercise, mostly conducted via
email with representatives from
around the world. At the WSAVA
Assembly meeting held the day
before the congress started, the
new Strategic Plan was adopted
along with a new
vision statement and a new
mission statement.
As always, if you have a query or need assistance in any way, please
let us know. In the meantime, we will keep in touch via our member
emails, and Facebook posts until the next issue.
MONIKA
Cole
WSAVA CONGRESS UPDATE
3
Dr Richard A. Squires presenting to
Caitlin Canning, James Cook University
Professor Richard Read presenting to
Kadie O’Byrne, Murdoch University
Dr Nick Sangster presenting to
Rosemary McKean, Charles Sturt University
Sara Pitts,
University of Queensland
Dr Caitlin Horwood-Skelton – ASAVA Committee member
presenting to Matthew Munro, University of Melbourne
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COMPANION | Q1 2015
COMPANION | Q1 2015
IN SUPPORT OF OUR
HOMELESS CLIENTS WITH PETS
Every day, all over Australia, people take
their dogs to the park. The dogs enjoy
socialising with their doggy mates, the
people talk to their friends, then they all
go home to a hot shower and a nice meal.
But some people don’t go home. Some pet owners have “no home”
to go to. Their home IS the park. And sometimes their pets get sick
but they don’t have the capacity to do anything about it.
This is an issue that many people face, not necessarily through any
fault of their own, but as a result of their circumstances.
As vets, this puts us in a difficult situation and one that there is not an
easy answer for.
Sometimes a client comes in with a pet with a minor ailment, or for a
routine checkup or vaccination - but in the consult we see that their
animal is riddled with fleas, or has terrible teeth, yet they are adamant
that they cannot afford the preventative care. And the pet goes without.
Or sometimes it’s a client who brings in a pet with a more serious
condition - like a puppy infected with parvovirus, or a condition that
is clearly causing pain and discomfort for the animal - and they can’t
afford the cost of treatment.
Often, though we may know it or not, this client could be homeless
already, or at a severe risk of homelessness. In Australia, it is recorded
that 5% of our human population is homeless (1 in 20 people, or
around 100,000 people) and this number is rising. Many homeless
people have pets - and in some cases, a pet is the closest companion
they have.
While there is no solution to this societal issue, many vets (if not all)
provide ad-hoc pro bono support to clients that cannot afford their
bills by taking on some of the financial burden themselves.
Now there is another answer for some in this situation, with a growing
charity called Pets In The Park (PITP for short).
PITP was founded just over 2 years ago by Mark Westman and a team
of colleagues in Sydney where they set up a clinic ’in a park’ for a few
hours once a month in Parramatta and Darlinghurst, and administered
preventative healthcare and some treatments to the pets of people
who are homeless, or at severe risk of homelessness. By providing
preventative therapy, it’s hoped that conditions like parvo and
flea allergies can be averted in homeless pets. And through the
community that is created that meets once a month, people who
‘society forgets’ can come to an environment where everyone is
accepted and the animal bond can bring people together.
Vets, vet nurses and pet-loving people give their time to attend the
clinics, while donations and some financial support is generously
provided by a range of companies including Elanco (Platinum
sponsor) and Virbac (Gold sponsor) and many others.
PITP also provides a desexing service for homeless pets, supported
by Princess Highway Vet Clinic - who generously provide a surgery
for the operations - and Hanrob Pet Hotels who kindly drive the pets
to and from the clinic.
Now into its third year, PITP, has just started in Melbourne through a
couple of clinics in Frankston, and there are plans to start working in
two others areas as well.
It is hoped that by being pro-active in supporting our homeless pets,
both owners and animals can be given a hand - and ultimately people
can get back on their feet.
For more information on PITP, to donate, to offer support, or if you
would like to look at setting up a support clinic in your area, check
out the website at www.petsinthepark.org.au or www.facebook.com/
petsinthepark.au.
Mark Kelman
1 Source: ABS http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/MediaRealesesByCatalogue/0DB52D2445
0CC7ACCA257A7500148E4C?OpenDocument
I have a strong interest in the human animal bond and a particular
desire to help people grieving the loss of their pet. When I was a
vet student back in 1992 I attended UC Davis in California and
listened to some people talking about the death of their pets and
I realised the depth of emotion involved in losing a beloved
creature, often considered a family member. When I returned to
Australia the following year I was determined to set up a system
to support people in pet loss and grief.
As part of my ongoing interest in this area, last year I did a survey of
veterinary clinics and hospitals across Australia to ask them how they
responded to their client’s grief. Here are some of the results:
• 95% of vet surgeries said they mostly always send a sympathy card,
and would also send flowers to a special client, some clinics just
send flowers.
• Some surgeries send a special ‘pet loss pack’.
• Only 30% of clinics would consider ringing a client after euthanasia.
One clinic said they had a nurse that used to ring, but so often felt
uncomfortable that they gave up the practice.
• Only 50% knew of someone else they could refer their client to if
they felt the client was not coping.
My biggest concern is that a lot of people really suffer after losing
their pets. While the initial response of most veterinarians is excellent
and compassionate, so much more help may often be needed. Most
people grieve in their own way but some people find they are unable
to continue normal living, and their own spouse or partner cannot
help them either.
This might be especially true if the pet was a ‘substitute child’ or
the only companion they have in their house. However, with that
knowledge, comes the awareness that some grieving pet owners
will need extra support.
Owners will feel a profound sense of loss and may come across
people who just don’t ‘get it’. This is particularly difficult, especially
when they are told by others to ‘get over it’ or ‘just buy another one’.
They can feel isolated and alone in their grief.
Even when a couple loses a beloved pet they may not be able to
communicate their grief to each other in a way that is helpful. They
need help... professional help.
12
3
Pet Loss survey results
95% do send a card
70% don’t call later
55% don’t have a recommended
pet loss counsellor
some people also send flowers,
poems or paw prints
Meeting a family friend some years ago - Penny Carroll, who is a
counsellor - was an important step forward in the interest I have in
this topic. Penny too, had an interest in supporting people who are
grieving after the loss of a pet.
Counsellors are a great option for grieving individuals, couples and
families. Sadly, though not all counsellors are the right fit. Not all
counsellors specialise in grief... and not all grief counsellors specialise
in pet loss. I have spoken to quite a few counsellors who do not feel
comfortable in talking to people about pet loss.
Some vets, like me, may be fortunate enough to find a counsellor to
whom they can send grieving clients. Finding the right counsellor to
make referrals to may be beneficial to many practices. It will take time,
but may build positive relationships with clients and the community.
I would appreciate hearing from more veterinarians about how they
help their clients in this time of grief. You can contact me
at 0437 334 450 or mike@petsympathycards.com.au.
Michael O’Donoghue
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3
COMPANION | Q1 2015
Remembering Tracy
40 years on
COMPANION | Q1 2015
3
by Juanita Golland
It’s a strange anniversary, an anniversary of an event which saw a city and it’s people changed. Christmas Day 2014 marked 40 years
since a cyclone called Tracy decimated Darwin. For those involved, sharing the odd story of survival provides catharsis and familiarity.
For those who weren’t, Tracy is an interesting event in Australian history.
Around 71 people were killed in the storm and around 33,000 were evacuated from the city in the days after Christmas, leaving their
houses, their cars and sadly, their pets. Two veterinarians share their experiences of Tracy, one as a practitioner, AVA life member,
Jan Hills, and the other as someone who grew up in Darwin post Tracy and is now involved in planning for emergency management,
Northern Territory Division President, Laurelle Bates.
Then and now
- Laurelle Bates
Northern Territory Division President,
Laurelle Bates was only five years old
when Cyclone Tracy blew through
Darwin. Her family had been away on
holidays, however her father was with the
Department of Transport and Works and was
called back to the devastated city immediately.
“Our house in Darwin was completely destroyed in the cyclone so I
went and stayed with my grandparents out at Noonamah (about 40
kilometres from Darwin) while dad helped with the clean up.
“I have strong memories of the time. My grandfather had a stable of
racehorses that all survived the cyclone unscathed. However our ponies
were kept in a paddock and one of those got a star picket through her
eye. My grandfather had to cut off her eye, which was hanging out. I
remember looking after this pony – she ended up in a stable.
“I also remember going into our house in Moil (one of the northern
suburbs devastated by the cyclone) and walking over our bird aviaries
that had been completely flattened. I also remember Mum and I going
through stuff that was in what had been our lounge room.
“It’s a funny thing. We took both of our dogs on holiday with us that
year. We had never taken them before when we went on holidays,
so they survived.”
Laurelle says her partner, Robert, who also grew up in the top end
and was living at Tipperary Station (180 kilometres south of Darwin)
remembers dogs rescued from Darwin being flown into the station.
“He believes the dogs were taken from the RSPCA to board at the
station, and all the kids there were given responsibility of looking
after them. They made up cages and fed and wormed them. He
remembers there was about 40 dogs.”
Laurelle believes if an event like Tracy ever occurred again, the
capacity to transport animals with their owners, is much greater.
“Darwin has changed since then. Our airport is much bigger and
animals could be more easily shipped with their owners. Owners
can now take their animals to certain cyclone shelters - the
underground car parks – they just need to be controlled and have
their own lead, cage, bowls and food.
14
“The AVA NT Division Committee get together to discuss the
cyclone season each year in October. We put out a media release
to advise the public of the information available, to contact their vet
for more, what to put in their emergency kits and whether to take
their pets or to leave them if they decide to go to a shelter.
“Our former President and now committee member, Alex Burleigh,
developed a ‘Cyclone, Storms and Floods’ handout for clients to
help people prepare for their animals.
“The Committee also has also helped put together a post cyclone
disaster management plan with the DPI and Fisheries, and animal
welfare organisations. It outlines who is in charge and when.
“There is a provision for vets generally to become involved and
we have found that we can generate a lot of people who can
be involved. The Committee has discussed our liabilities in the
instance of a disaster, so we know what we can and can’t do
legally. It’s an important point around ethics and what we can do to
ease pain and suffering.”
Laurelle is well aware of the difficulties that can occur when animals
become separated from their owners following a crisis.
“In my clinic I advocate for 100 percent microchipping because
not only is this part of being a responsible pet owner it would also
help if such an emergency ever occurred again. Unfortunately
microchipping is not compulsory across Darwin. It depends on the
council and their policy.
“One of the big problems we see is with such a large defence
force population, people are being transferred in and out all
of the time with their pets. As there is no national database for
microchipping we would struggle to reunite animals with their
owners if we had to.
“A national database would help us connect pets with their owners,
this is why microchipping is so important for everyone and I
personally feel should be compulsory Australia wide.”
Laurelle has concerns about the general preparedness of people
should another cyclone of Tracy’s magnitude occur again.
“Darwin is built differently now and I think this is why my clinic
doesn’t get many calls about from people asking how to prepare
their animals for an emergency. I hope this doesn’t indicate
complacency about cyclones and the damage they can do.”
15
3
COMPANION | Q1 2015
Being there
– Jan Hills
AVA life Member Jan Hills is a survivor of Cyclone Tracy. A
pioneering vet, the first person to set up a full time practice in the
Northern Territory in 1964, she still lives just outside Darwin. Jan
has vivid memories of the night the storm wreaked havoc on the
city, and the days that followed.
COMPANION | Q1 2015
“I had another client, a woman who was also being told to
evacuate with her family and was due to fly out. She said to me,
‘there is no way I am not taking my dog. The kids are petrified and
have already been through enough. Can you give me something
to sedate it?’ So I did and she carried the dog in her bag onto the
plane. You could get away with that in those days.”
Jan says she is unsure of where the order came to shoot dogs that
had been left as families were evacuated.
“I remember we kept hearing these boom boom boom noises and
Ron, my husband said they were implosions in the ceiling caused
by the wind. We got up and moved under the staircase of our
recently finished house. Luckily we did as a piece of timber came
through the window and landed on the bed.
“Local police weren’t randomly shooting dogs. However when the
NSW police arrived they did go a bit mad about shooting them.
People went to work leaving their dogs at home to guard their
property and would come home to find them shot. It’s no small
thing to leave a dog to guard a property and then loose it after all
the terror of Christmas Day and properties were being looted at
the time.”
“I remember I spent all of Christmas day collecting water and
organising lunch for the people all around us.
And if another Cyclone with the devastation of Tracy came through
Jan is adamant she would stay.
“The grocery shop across the road opened on Christmas day
so I took some cans and other things.”
“I had a friend who was quite well off say to me, ‘we lost a lot but we
were lucky in that we had a lot to lose.’ However they just got on
with their work in the medical field. That has always stuck with me.
Unlike other young families who were evacuated in the days
immediately after the Cyclone, Jan and Ron stayed on in Darwin.
“We didn’t leave until March. I had two young children, my Stuart
Park practice and we also had a medical and laboratory supply
company so there were so many things we had to look after.
“We were also quite fortunate that our house, which my
husband and I built on weekends and after hours, was relatively
undamaged, so we had somewhere to stay. We also provided
accommodation to our neighbours and the vet who was working
with me at the time – George, and his wife Ursula.
At her practice George and Jan spent most of the time initially
treating pets with wounds.
“A lot of small animals were brought to us but it was initially hard to
travel around. Roads were blocked with trees and debris and there
was no fuel. Our waiting room became a distribution point for pet
food. I remember that the RSCPA in Queensland sent food and we
handed it out as people came in.
“We used the equipment from our medical supply business to
collect drinking water and utilised water from our neighbours
swimming pool for all of our washing.
“We just did the best we could. We had no capacity to sterilise and
we didn’t get power back until the 29th of January so that was
when we could use the autoclave again.
“Funnily enough the surgery phone rang at 3pm on Christmas day.
It was friends from Melbourne ringing to check if we were okay. For
some reason the phone kept working and we had people come in
and ring all over the world to let family know they were okay. I still
haven’t received a bill for that.”
Jan has a few cases she had to deal with immediately after the
cyclone that she recalls quite vividly.
“I got a call out to East Point (about six kilometres away) to come
and see a horse and as I was heading out there it was like nobody
else was alive in the world. When I got there a guy I met told me
that a lot of horses had been swept off the cliffs, that the wind had
just pushed them over. I didn’t want to look. Interestingly enough
the horses that had survived had only minor problems.
“As people were called to evacuate I remember a client who was
also a friend brought in her adored poodle. She was hysterical
because she was driving out and had to leave her pet behind. She
asked me to put the dog down. It was really difficult because
I knew how much this animal meant.
16
“If another cyclone came through I would want to stay around to
look after things and contribute in whatever way I could. I like to be
involved and can still do so.”
3
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17
3
COMPANION | Q1 2015
FEATURED MEMBER
COMPANION | Q1 2015
IT’S FORTUNATE FOR THE
VETERINARY PROFESSION THAT
HAVING TO EUTHANASE A
HIGHLY PRIZED OSTRICH – PART
OF A RECENTLY PURCHASED
BREEDING PAIR – WASN’T
ENOUGH TO PUT PAUL DAVEY
OFF HIS VETERINARY CAREER.
“I was a second year graduate and my boss
sent me out to assess a broken wing. Two
blokes brought the ostrich in for me to see,
but it reacted and started to bounce around
even with these two men attached. Next thing
I heard a gunshot sound as its tibia fractured.
However, the bird was oblivious and continued
to fight. The next hour was my worst in practice.
This bird continued to struggle. I had to put
it down with the whole family watching.
They had just bought them as part of a new
business venture. Despite this I stuck with it.
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
Paul, who graduated from Murdoch
University in 1992, says his inspiration to
become a vet originated from his father’s
habit of taking him to look under rocks in the
bush land of south-west Western Australia.
“Dad was a farm advisor, working with the
Rural and Industries Bank, providing advice on
a range of things including stock and crops,
so I had exposure to farms and farm practice.
This gave me an acute interest in biology,
and apparently from about the age of three I
expressed an interest in being a vet.”
And Paul is still as inspired. He and his business
partner, Cameron Murray, manage two clinics
in the western suburbs of Perth and he has
interests in two others. From 2010 to 2014 he
was WA Division representative on the AVA
Policy Council. From 2011 to 2013 he was
President of Western Australian Division of the
AVA. He is currently a senior adjunct lecturer in
Professional Practice at Murdoch University.
“Twenty something years in and I am still
absolutely enthused. My strong involvement
with the AVA has kept me highly passionate.
It has allowed me to pursue a range of
avenues and to help find ways to make our
profession better for current vets and the
next generation of vets.”
Paul Davey
One of Paul’s passions continues to be
improving those things which impact on the
mental health of veterinarians.
“This was born out of my involvement in the
mentoring scheme in 1998 and I became
coordinator in 1999. We discovered that the
safety net for vets is limited and that we need
to influence their training to make them
more resilient.
“In 2002 we heard from a number of
vets who said they were struggling – and
speaking out was an incredibly brave thing
to do given the lack of understanding and
acceptance of mental health issues back
then. So we set up some support resources
which developed into Vet Health initiative
and then the Wellness Centre held each year
at the AVA national conference.”
Paul’s role with the university relates to
the formal training of final year students in
practice situations. Murdoch has a strong
belief in mentoring programs and Paul has
been heavily involved in many activities
within their Veterinary Professional Life
stream, which fits well into the AVA WA
mentoring scheme.
“Through my role at the university we
have created a program where we involve
students in the consultation experience
to allow them to review and refine their
technique. Interestingly enough, I have found
the students give as much to us as we give
to them. While we are aiming to give them
the best possible start to their career, their
feedback gives us a different perspective
of our clinic and they often point out our old
school techniques.”
In 2013 Paul received an Order of Australian
Medal ‘for service to veterinary science’. His
good friend and fellow veterinarian, David
Neck, nominated him for the award.
“Standing in Government House to receive
the award was something I will remember
forever. It was an incredible honour and
completely unexpected. It was amazing to
be recognised in that manner. I hope those
working with me can take some satisfaction
from our teamwork. I don’t see this as an
individual award.
“What occurred to me as I listened to the
other recipients’ lists of achievements is
that every vet probably deserves a medal,
specifically for all of the voluntary work we
do. And we don’t realise how much we do on
a daily basis.”
3
Paul talks glowingly about his role as
President of the Western Australian Division.
“I really enjoyed the role. It was immensely
challenging. As a member of the AVA you get
a superficial appreciation of the work done.
As a committee member you get a look in
the window. As President you get the whole
picture of many amazing people work on
the various campaigns that are happening
across the country. In this role you have the
opportunity to create change and that is a
great privilege.
“I did have some unpleasant moments and
I didn’t realise the impact social media can
have on you when you are in a public role like
this. But it was a great ride and you are never
too far from the action. I have pulled back from
my role on the committee now as I have a
young family I need to spend time with.”
Paul is very keen to promote down time and
reinforces to his students the need for a work
life balance. He is himself an enthusiastic
hockey player.
“I try to reinforce to my students the need
to do something active to counteract the
emotional aspects of the job, and team
sports are a great outlet.
“I find hockey is a great mechanism for
relaxing. It’s also great to have a few beers
afterwards and sit around with other blokes
who aren’t vets and talk about other things.
“I did sustain a ripper of an injury whilst
playing in South Australia when I was younger.
I copped a hockey ball in the left eye and
sustained a fractured orbit, hyphaema and
nerve damage to the left side of my face
and it took some months to restore. I think
the isolation I experienced laying in the
deserted country hospital bed with no friends
or family, goes some way towards fuelling
my motivation to support new graduate
veterinarians in an ongoing manner.”
As for the future, Paul has a plan to keep
himself busy with his practices and with
AVA matters.
“One of the things I have noticed is that
some of the rural branches of the AVA died
some time ago. I am keen to give general
rural practitioners some voice. We need a
forum to cover their needs. This is something
I want to take responsibility for because it’s
something I feel needs to be developed and
resourced. I hope this will be my legacy.”
OUR FIRST FEATURED MEMBER FOR 2015 IS PAUL DAVEY OF GRANTHAM STREET
VETERINARY CLINIC, LOCATED IN PERTH. HE TELLS COMPANION EDITOR JUANITA
GOLLAND ABOUT HIS CAREER TO DATE, STARTING IN THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN RIVERLAND
TO HIS TIME LEADING THE WESTERN AUSTRALIA DIVISION OF THE AVA AND HIS ONGOING
COMMITMENT TO THE HEALTH OF VETERINARIANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
18
19
3
COMPANION | Q1 2015
COMPANION | Q1 2015
3
A day in the life of…
Paul Davey
I arrive at the clinic at
around 8.00AM (ish),
a little late. I am hoping I
haven’t upset anyone by
keeping them waiting.
I have a few consults
and admissions to do
before I can move
on to my morning
surgeries.
Today my list includes
general procedures,
a dental treatment
and a mass removal
as well as a couple
of spays. I also
have an acute
lameness work
up and a diabetic
blood glucose
assessment
as part of the
hospital list.
Around
1.00PM I
AS USUAL, IT’S A 5.45AM
WAKE UP. I HAVE A QUICK
READ OF THE PAPER WHILE
EATING MY CEREAL AND THEN
WAKE SLEEPING BEAUTY,
AKA ISABELLA, MY TWO AND
A HALF YEAR OLD DAUGHTER.
WE NEED TO LEAVE HOME BY
7.00AM TO GET EVERYTHING
DONE ON TIME. I DROP ISABELLA
AT HER DAYCARE CENTRE, AND
THIS OFTEN INVOLVES TEARS
AS SHE STICKS TO ME – LIMPET
LIKE. TODAY IS ANOTHER ONE
OF THOSE DAYS WHERE THE
WONDERFUL CHILD CARERS
HAVE TO PEEL HER OFF ME.
20
grab a quick
lunch of snow
peas, carrot, ham and cheese – a
traditional ploughman’s lunch. I eat the same
thing every day and my staff think this makes
for a good laugh.
From 2.00PM I move onto consultations.
We are fully booked, so I am kept on my
toes. Among some routine vaccines, I have
an appointment and check up on a very
cranky eight-year-old German Shepherd,
who tries to eat my face off every time I see
him. As usual his owner acts surprised and in
fact, feigns ignorance every time they visit.
There is also Lucy, a lovely seven-yearold Cavalier with severe airway disease.
Despite specialist surgery four years ago, her
situation has deteriorated and I fear for her
future. Lucy’s elderly owner is a little forgetful
and doesn’t remember that Lucy has had
surgery on her airway before. This creates
an awkward stand off before the owner
admits she has ‘had trouble remembering
things lately’.
A long discussion regarding the latest
options for arthritis with the owner of Bella
– a 12-year-old Kelpie cross - is next on the
schedule. Bella’s owner tries to give her as
much assistance as possible as she has only
three legs.
Two ‘summer skin problem’ consultations,
a cartrophen booster and a few discharges
round out the afternoon. It’s been a solid day
with about 15 client interactions for me, and
about 50 for the clinic.
7.00PM Tonight is sports night. I play
veterans hockey at the Hale School. This
is the school I went to. I play with a random
collection of enthusiastic blokes. I am
supposed to play three nights a week but
its rare for me to achieve this with my other
commitments. I have been playing hockey for
well over 30 years now and still enjoy it for
the stress relief and down time it offers me.
It’s a real counter-balance for the emotional
aspects of the job.
We win the game 4-2, with one goal from
me. The goal came from a fairly standard
breakaway play. I am a bit of a ‘Jack of all
trades’ on the field, though I usually find
myself in the midfield or inside-forward. I
consider myself able to make up for a lack
of skill with a bit of extra pace! Tonight it has
worked in my favour.
After we finish playing at around 8.30PM
I have a beer with some of the other blokes,
none of them are vets. We sit around joking
and talking about the game we have just
played and lots of other things and I am
feeling quite relaxed.
I am back home at around 9.30PM and
grab some dinner. I use this time to catch
up on some emails. I then head off to bed
sharing a few monosyllabic words with my
wife Fleur, who as a busy internal medicine
specialist at Murdoch University is as equally
exhausted.
VNCA President Elect and Conference Chairperson Helen Power
REACHING 21 IS A SPECIAL
TIME AND USUALLY ONE WELL
CELEBRATED. HOLDING THEIR 21ST
CONFERENCE IN MELBOURNE THIS
YEAR, THE VETERINARY NURSES
COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA (VNCA)
ARE MARKING THE MOMENT,
CALLING THEIR CONFERENCE A
GRAND PRIX EVENT. COMPANION
EDITOR JUANITA GOLLAND
CAUGHT UP WITH VNCA PRESIDENT
ELECT AND CONFERENCE
CHAIRPERSON, HELEN POWER TO
TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF
THE CONFERENCE IN THE WORLD
OF VETERINARY NURSING.
“Twenty one years is very special for us. We
have some vet nurses who come every year
to the conference because they use it as
an opportunity to catch up with each other.
Some of them are life long friends who only
see each other when they’re at conference
each year. I always get a warm feeling when I
hear about this.
“Our conference is designed for all levels
of vet nursing, from students, to those like
myself who have been doing this for 30 years.
And after 30 years I am still getting things
out of the lectures. The other thing it does is
reinforce how I am doing the right thing.
“This year we’re running some advanced
level lectures for those who have been doing
the job for a while but it doesn’t matter what
level you are at.”
The international guest speaker for the
Conference is Amy Breton, Emergency Head
Technician at BluePearl Massachusetts.
Amy is the President Elect of the Academy
of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care
Technicians.
“We always get a vet nurse or technician as
our international speaker because we think
this is the best way to promote the profession.
We think it gives nurses something they can
aspire to be. We want to remind our delegates
that this person is ‘just like you’ and they deal
with the stuff that you deal with every day, but
look what they have done.
“Quite a few of our delegates save up every
year to come to the conference, taking time
off, using their holiday leave just to be there so
if we can inspire them then it makes it worth it.
“This year we are expecting around 450+
delegates to attend, including some from
New Zealand and Hong Kong. We are the
biggest conference just for nurses in the
Australasian region.
“Because we are in Melbourne and because
we now offer three days of lectures, we are
finding some local practices will be sending a
different nurse each day. It’s a great way for a
practice to share the learning around.
“And that’s what we are finding, practices who
send nurses are empowering them because
having attended a conference nurses are
often more likely to take ownership of learning
they can take back to the clinic.
“Many practices help fund conference
attendance as a way of rewarding staff
and encouraging continuing professional
development. Employers understand the benefits
that come with having trained and fulfilled staff.
“Over 50 percent of our delegates are first
time conference goers. Sometimes if can be
a hard thing for nurses to come on their own
because they don’t know anyone or have
existing social networks but we look after
them and try to get them to come to all of our
social events.
Helen says the speakers for this year’s
conference will provide a range of specialist
and practical information.
“We are running nine streams this year,
with a good mix of workshops and lectures
and we’re covering everything from clinical
and surgical, to communications and
management, and exotics.
“We have David Clarke, looking at advanced
dental procedures. David has lectured for
quite a few years for us at the conference.”
Other vets lecturing this year include
Brendan Carmel and Rob Jones, both talking
about the exotic patient and Professor
Bruce Parry presenting both a lecture and a
pathology workshop.
“We also have high profile speaker and business
coach Debra Templar with us this year. People
still talk about her from a presentation she
did at conference five years ago.
“We identified early on that management and
communications are crucial to the practice
environment and in the past three years we
have looked at the role social media plays
in our practices. And this isn’t just managing
social media in clinics but also about how we
individually use social media. Things like ‘can
you talk about your clients on your personal
Facebook page’?
“One of the things we’re keen to encourage is
for our vet nurses with specialist knowledge to
become speakers at conferences. It’s a nice
environment because it’s not too threatening
and we look after them.
“We really have a variety of topics,
information and skills our delegates can take
back to their practices and use in their daily
lives, not pie in the sky stuff.”
The VNCA Conference runs from
April 20 – 22 at the Pullman Albert
Park, Melbourne. More information
and the conference programme is
available at vnca.asn.au
21
3
COMPANION | Q1 2015
COMPANION | Q1 2015
“In the past we had a lot of experience advocating on animal
welfare and health issues but weren’t doing as well advocating for
the profession. This has been a big change for us.
“It’s all about the research and evidence. Our submission to the
senate was based around AVA policy so we knew that part of it
was strong. Our modeling was robust. We also did our research to
get an understanding of the senators we might face - what stance
they were taking on this issue and what they may be after from us.
“And you also need to be ready for questions from left field,
something you just aren’t expecting. At one point I was being
asked about vet nursing courses and that was not something I
had expected. It’s a bit of learning on the run. Fortunately you can
take questions on notice and then provide the answer in writing
which is something I had to do.
The good fight
LATE LAST YEAR, THE SENATE REJECTED THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSED CHANGES
TO HIGHER EDUCATION. THE AVA CAMPAIGNED AGAINST THE REFORMS BECAUSE OF THE LIKELY EFFECT
ON THE FUTURE VIABILITY OF THE VETERINARY PROFESSION.
22
• Veterinary courses are expensive to deliver with
significant laboratory, technological, clinical and live
animal inputs.
• Veterinarians have lower earning potential than other
similar professions with a starting salary of $47,330 and
average total income of $77,000 (2011-12 tax return
data). Veterinary remuneration compares unfavourably
with graduates of similarly-priced courses – for example
average total income for medical GPs in 2011-12 was
$149,000 and for dentists was $147,000.
• Veterinary schools are already underfunded and this was
acknowledged in the report of the Review of the DemandDriven Funding System.
“While I was there representing the AVA, I shared the table with
representatives from two other industry groups. At one point one
of the senators was quite aggressive in their questioning of one of
these groups. Fortunately that was spared for me on this occasion.”
• Veterinary students are predominantly females (around
80-90%) who often reduce their employment while
looking after children. The new arrangement will severely
disadvantage these women.
Debbie’s enthusiasm to fight for the veterinary profession
stems from the years she spent in working and managing three
practices. She has been more recently involved in policy and
advocacy work for the AVA. She was also President of the NSW
Division in 2007.
• As the course requires a large amount of face-to-face
class time and clinical placements, veterinary students
find it extremely difficult to maintain any reasonable casual
employment to help fund their education.
Debbie says she reacted immediately when the proposed reforms
were announced in the budget in May last year.
(Source: AVA Submission to the Inquiry into the Higher Education and Research
Reform Amendment Bill 2014)
“Straight away it was obvious to me that these reforms were going
to be a big impost on vets well into the future. And it’s not just new
students. It’s anyone with an existing HECS debt. So the team got
to work immediately.
So how does a vet find themselves in front of
a senate committee speaking against these
reforms? Companion Editor Juanita Golland
speaks to the AVA’s Senior Policy Officer,
Debbie Neutze, to find out.
“One case we could easily see was that the proposed changes to
the HECS debts to a rate the same as the yield on 10 year bond
rate would really effect all vets. But in particular this affects our
female vets because if they take time off to raise families, while
they aren’t earning, their loans would have continued to increase.
And given women are now entering our workforce at high rates
this is a terrible situation.
“We had prepared our written submission, we had spoken with
the various minders of ministers, shadow ministers and cross
benchers to outline our position and then I was there, fronting
the Committee.
“It would be a scary prospect for a woman to be out of the
workforce to spend time with young children to see her education
debt rise and rise. And this would affect anyone who had to take
time out for any reason.
“To be honest, it’s a bit scary, sitting in a room facing a group of
senators, and a range of other people and not really knowing who
all of them are or what their vested interests may be. I did notice
that one of the Minister’s Senior Advisors, someone we had met
with to discuss our issues with the reforms, was sitting directly
behind me.
“As a mother of two now grown up boys, I know how hard it
can be to balance the demands of work and family. We need to
reduce the amount of stress, and this includes financial stress that
comes with this profession.”
Debbie says the key thing she has learned when facing a senate
committee is to be prepared - for anything.
• Veterinary qualifications require 5-7 years of university
training.
“Actually I was so keen I sent my response to a question on notice
even before they sent me the details on how to respond.
“Having a sustainable workforce is already one of the priorities of
the AVA. With the announcement of these reforms we immediately
started modelling the impacts this would have on the profession.
“However, I was proud to be there and to be representing my
profession, to get to this point required a lot of work for a lot
of people, from our National Public Affairs Manager, Marcia
Balzer, who worked with me on the modeling and submission,
our President, Julia Nicholls who was out facing the media and
pushing the AVA’s objections to the reforms, and Graham Catt our
CEO who met with various politicians. It really was a team effort.
3
The AVA argued the following reasons why the impacts
of the reforms would be severe:
At the time of writing this article, it looks like the Government
has given up on this part of the legislation saving future vets and
those with outstanding HECS loans a lot of money.
“Becoming a vet is often a ‘calling’. We know that over 60 percent
of people decide they want to be a vet by the time they are
10 years old. When people apply to do vet science they aren’t
looking at the fees and income so it’s often not until they are
finished the course that these become an issue.
“It would be a very sad situation to find that the return on
investment might be so poor that you are simply better off not
doing something you are so passionate about.”
What Deb said at the inqu iry:
In response to a question of cutting funding to university
to increase competition: “I am suggesting that those cuts [to
university funding], if we take them alone, are too big, but if we
actually put them in amongst everything else and compound that
with what everything else in this bill generates, then it is a real
failure for the veterinary profession.”
In response to Senator Kim Carr’s question about workforce
planning: “… the trouble is that the demand-driven system relies
on the fact that, because there are no jobs, people will not
apply for the course. That will never be the case in veterinary
science. The demand for veterinary science is very driven by the
passion to work with animals. We already know that we have
low salaries.”
In response to Senator Rhiannon’s question about how fee
deregulation would ‘play out’: “Once we increase these fees
significantly, we know that the people who come from rural areas
will be unlikely to take up positions in universities where they
know they are going to have a large debt. They are the people
who tend to return to rural practices.”
In response to Senator Rhiannon’s statement that the AVA’s
modeling was ‘very interesting’: “The assumptions in the
modelling that is in our submission for CPI and the 10-year bond
are based on the paper that was put together by Bruce Chapman
and Timothy Higgins.”
(Source: Hansard, Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Higher Education and
Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014, Wednesday, 8 October 2014)
23
3
COMPANION | Q1 2015
COMPANION | Q1 2015
3
ADVERTORIAL
Introducing your new
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When words fail, numbers talk.
Introducing the Hill’s™ Healthy Weight Protocol
TRADITIONAL METHODS OF BODY
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INACCURATE ESTIMATIONS OF IDEAL
BODY WEIGHT IN OVERWEIGHT
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DIAGNOSE THE IDEAL BODY
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OVERESTIMATION OF THE CALORIES
REQUIRED FOR WEIGHT LOSS. AS
A RESULT, PETS WILL BE “SET UP”
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That is why we are pleased to introduce
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HOW THE HILL’S™ HEALTHY WEIGHT
PROTOCOL WORKS
CANINE MORPHOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS
FELINE MORPHOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS
Perform measurements using a tailor’s tape.
For measurement of circumference, wrap
tape snugly.
Perform measurements using a tailor’s tape.
For measurement of circumference, wrap
tape snugly.
1 Cranial length
Measure from the level of the medial canthus
equidistant between the eyes to the external
occipital protuberance.
1 Head circumference
Measure circumference by placing the tape
equidistant between the eyes and ears at the
widest part of the head.
2 Thoracic circumference
Measure the girth at the level of the heart
(6th-7th rib, just behind elbow).
2 Head circumference
Measure circumference by placing tape
equidistant between the eyes and ears at the
widest part of the head.
With just two simple steps, the Hill’s™ Healthy
Weight Protocol gives you a new, objective
and clinically proven diagnostic tool to help
you talk about weight.
3 Front leg circumference
Measure circumference at the midpoint
between the carpus and the elbow.
Step 1
Weigh the patient and take a few easy
measurements
4 Front leg length
Measure from the proximal edge of the
central foot pad to the point of the elbow
(olecranon process). Carpus must be straight.
3 Front leg length
Measure from the proximal edge of the
cranial foot pad to the point of the elbow
olecranon process). Carpus must be straight.
Step 2
Go to the Hill’s™ Healthy Weight Protocol
e-tool at www.hwp.myhillsvet.com.au
5 Hind leg length
Measure from the proximal edge of the central
foot pad to the tip of the hock (dorsal tip of the
calcaneal process). Tarsus must be straight.
• Calculate ideal weight
• Receive customised feeding plans
Post questions, read answers, and comment on
discussions around all aspects of anaesthesia
in this free, online, global anaesthesia community of your colleagues and peers.
find out more at alfaxan.com.au/community
or talk to your Jurox Territory Manager
• Access tools to monitor progress and keep
patients on track
• Ensure a healthy weight for a lifetime
4 Hind leg length
Measure from the proximal edge of the central
foot pad to the tip of the hock (dorsal tip of the
calcaneal process). Tarsus must be straight.
6 Body length
Starting from the base of the tail, measure
along the dorsal midline following the
contours of the back, neck and head to the
proximal edge of the nose pad.
THE HILL’S™ HEALTHY WEIGHT
PROTOCOL ALLOWS YOU TO:
• More accurately assess an overweight
patient’s ideal body weight
• Engage pet owners with objective numbers
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• Provide tools to monitor progress and keep
patients on track to successful weight loss.
www.jurox.com.au
Customer Service 1800 023 312
® Registered Trademark of Jurox Pty Ltd
24
™’s owned by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. © 2014 Hill’s Pet Nutrition Pty Ltd. HIMA-HB-1400C690.
Repeatable. Reliable. Relax.
25
3
COMPANION | Q1 2015
COMPANION | Q1 2015
New kids
ON THE BLOCK
•E
NCOURAGE US TO FIND OUR OWN ANSWERS AND
INVOLVE US IN YOUR CASES
Christine McGuiness
Adelaide University
Student Christine McGuiness with Brian O’Donohoe
Tips to help future
companion animal veterinarians
Feedback is a valuable thing. It often provides insight
into points we sometimes miss. Here, Adelaide University
student Christine McGuniness offers some advice for
practitioners who accept students for placements in
their clinics.
You’ve all been there. Whether it was last year or last millennia, I’m
sure many of you look back on your days at Veterinary School quite
fondly…the practicals, the parties and the inspirational lecturers.
Now you’re a registered veterinarian, and a student has bravely
requested to spend some time at your clinic on placement. How do
you connect with them? How can you impart your years of wisdom
and understanding onto these students who may have an extremely
different experience of veterinary education? Here are some things
that you can do to most effectively teach the next generation of
companion animal veterinarians:
26
Aashima Auplish
University of Melbourne
Aashima in the Himalayas teaching about post-exposure
prophylactic steps taken for rabies prevention
Seeing the
veterinary world
Alas, it seems being a ‘vet’ student isn’t quite all about endlessly
cuddling puppies and fostering stray kittens. While consensus is
generally something akin to the aforementioned, I have recently been
fortunate enough to uncover yet another realm of veterinary science.
We have been raised next to the internet. Most of us carry it in our
pockets on a daily basis. We learn best when we have to search for
ourselves, and actively engage with information. Don’t be afraid to
afford us partial ownership of a case by letting us draft a management
plan or history that you can later tweak. University can only offer us a
limited amount of practical skills training. The opportunity to increase
our experience and dexterity is always appreciated.
Admittedly, we all commence the degree convinced we will become
clinicians, and I was guilty of such, that is until this year. Being a
recipient of the University of Melbourne Dreamlarge Grant in April
2014, two other vet students and I set about implementing a
two-week, rabies-based educational intervention program in the
foothills of the Himalayas in northwest India.
Furthermore, our careers are predicted to be undermined by the ‘Dr.
Google disease’ and our reputations will likely be under continuous
and instantaneous scrutiny. We need your help in preparing for
this plague, help us understand why you use particular information
sources, and how to delineate reliable from defective.
Working in collaboration with the Australian-based non-for-profit
organisation, Vets Beyond Borders, we educated an estimated
9,000 students, covering several regions of urban and rural Sikkim.
Simultaneously, questionnaires were administered in order to
measure the efficacy of the educational approaches and baseline
levels of awareness amongst participants.
•U
NDERSTAND WHAT LEVEL WE’RE AT, AND PUSH US
PAST THAT POINT
A ten-minute conversation at the start of placement will easily
establish what knowledge you expect of us, and what we have
actually been taught. This will also prevent you incorrectly making
assumptions about our skill level, and throwing us in the deep-end
before we’re ready to swim. We are also extremely grateful of any
time taken to teach us new skills, and often delight in the challenge of
being pushed.
• BE PATIENT
it may seem obvious, but we’re still learning. Please remember
that a veterinary practice is an incredibly intimidating place for
most students. We are continually under pressure to maintain
professionalism, display a high level of knowledge and complete
tasks we may have only performed a few times previously. We will
make mistakes, but would greatly appreciate it if you turn these into a
teaching opportunity.
3
It was found that certain approaches used resulted in improvements
of knowledge by up to 40% following the educational portion of the
sessions. The months upon months of preparation had been well and
truly worthwhile, and it was then I recognised that public health was
path for me to follow.
Many zoonoses such as rabies commonly fall under the neglected
category, establishing endemicity in poor, low-resourced rural
communities throughout the developing world. The official World Health
Organization list of neglected tropical diseases includes a subset of
endemic, or ‘neglected zoonotic diseases’, inclusive of rabies. Through
my work and my research, and this new-found personal interest, I
found myself applying for a student internship at the World Health
Organization Headquarters in Geneva. And I was successful.
Georgia Ladmore
Charles Sturt University
ASAVA 2014 student scholarship recipient
Graduates
- where are they now?
After registering as a veterinarian in August 2014, I must have missed
the memo that Charles Sturt University graduates are supposed to
tend to ruminants for a living. I excitedly took a job as a primarily small
animal veterinarian in a small practice. I am spoilt to have a referral
hospital literally minutes away, and a very supportive, close-knit team
within the practice. There are always smiles, often laughter, and
usually bad puns within the walls of our clinic.
Some days I peak through the window and see sunshine that makes
me crave farm visits in the sun, whilst other days I gladly watch a storm
from inside. Some days I palpate uteri that make me feel like I’m in
bovine practice like many of my classmates, but often I am glad that the
beast objecting to my clinical exam weighs 40kg rather than 1000kg.
WHICH CASES HAVE PROVED THE MOST SATISFYING AS
A NEW GRADUATE?
For me, many of the most satisfying cases have not been sick puppies
that bounce back to health, nor surgeries completed to textbook
perfection. Instead, the cases have surprisingly given me the most
personal satisfaction have been the palliation of much loved family
pets through their final weeks and months.
There is something very heartening in being able to share within
the bond between clients and pets, and to comfort clients with
opportunities to farewell their beloved family pet. This aspect of
veterinary medicine was one that I never fully appreciated as a
student whizzing through fortnightly placement blocks.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR VETERINARY STUDENTS
AND NEW GRADUATES?
Placement is exciting for a student. It is the privilege of learning from
clinicians with a wealth of knowledge, experience and prowess.
These simple things can help us get the most out of our placement,
and ensure we have a positive experience of your clinic and the
industry overall. Additionally, students who are so actively engaged
will likely afford your clinic greater benefits.
From October to December 2014, I immersed myself, head first
into the global public health realm and had the opportunity to meet
a series of mentors and inspirational individuals that allowed me
to appreciate exactly why I was studying veterinary science – to
participate in the control and eradication of these diseases of
poverty – securing livelihoods and saving lives. I couldn’t stop asking
myself, what could be better? The One Health approach, of close
collaboration between human and animal sectors had now become
a philosophy and I have no hesitation in concluding that it was one of
the most enriching experiences of my veterinary journey, thus far.
On behalf of all students you’ve hosted, taught and mentored, thank
you for your time, generosity and commitment to raising the next
generation of veterinarians.
So back I go to university in 2015, where despite being trained to
be a clinician, I will continue to dream about veterinary public health,
waiting to continue my pursuit into this realm.
Also, prepare your significant other for the animals that will be brought
home from work. Some may be for a short while, whilst others may be
indefinite. I firmly believe that this is a practice reality that should be
embraced rather than avoided!
Christine McGuiness
Aashima Auplish
Georgia Ladmore
A wise friend suggested that I undertake an emergency placement in
final year. Every day in practice, and even more often on call, I reflect
upon the skills and wisdom gleaned on this placement.
When you reach practice, understand that it will be tiring. On my first
day, a senior vet told me that the first few months were going to be
spent feeling completely exhausted by day’s end. Five months in, and
those days are less common. I am grateful for his insightful comments
which helped to manage my self expectations.
27
3
COMPANION | Q1 2015
COMPANION | Q1 2015
Samantha Ellis
Sydney University
Genevieve Teo
Sydney University
Sam Ellis pets, Oreo the goat, and Tibby and Martha
Sydney University 4th year students expose their talents
Changing paths
It’s the first year of my vet degree. We are in a
Professional Practice class and the lecturer makes the
comment that, obviously, all of us have been dreaming
about becoming vets since we were really young. Most of
the room agrees. I however feel guilty, as I am a recent
convert to the profession. Does that mean I won’t make
as good a vet as the others?
The short answer is no.
I may have taken the long road. I may have had my heart set on a
different life for myself. I may have already completed a degree in
science, and like all other scientists wanted to follow the path of
medicine or research. But things happen that we can’t help. Life
pushes us in directions that we never expected and all of a sudden
we are going down a very different path.
That divergence from my plan came from something as simple as a
sick rooster. Seeing him suffering and desperately wanting to help, my
mind was changed at that moment. I want to dedicate the rest of my
life to helping those that cannot help themselves.
28
While I have only been on this path for a short time, it has been the
most exciting and rewarding of my life. I have a future mapped out
that I am passionate about, I have made some great friends, and the
best part is, I have no idea where I will end up in my veterinary career.
It is an exciting prospect.
In the meantime, I enjoy every day - even the enjoyment and absolute
satisfaction that I get from spending time with the new additions to my
family. My sheep and goats, which is an odd choice for a companion
animal, but they are the most fascinating creatures I have ever
had. If it weren’t for my recent career change I would never have
contemplated such animals as pets. And they are definitely enjoying
their current lifestyle.
So whether someone has been dreaming about becoming a vet
since they were six or has only recently made the decision to follow
this path, in the end we will all make amazing vets as it is the one
profession where you can let your heart control you, and dedicate all
your time to helping creatures that ask for nothing in return.
Lastly, as someone once told me, ‘It is not what we think and feel
about animals, it’s what we do’. And as future or current vets, out
potential to ‘do’ has no limits.
Samantha Ellis
A peak under the overalls
In 2014, the University of Sydney’s fourth year vet
students stripped their white coats for the faculty’s 10th
annual charity calendar, not expecting that they would
soon be baring all to the world.
The nude calendar, Under the Overalls, was an effort to raise funds
for Greyhound Rescue, a Sydney-based organisation that aims to find
homes for ex-racing greyhounds. It featured a total of 34 students
posing with a tasteful assembly of dogs, horses, calves, sheep,
alpacas and even a fish!
Students who did not model for the calendar helped in the planning
and organisation of the shots and took on and other behind-thescenes roles.
The calendar is a long-standing tradition at the university and doubly
serves as a fantastic bonding experience for the students in their final
months together as a class.
“Working with animals was the best part of the shoot and made the
whole experience much less awkward. Concentrating on getting
the animals in the right place and keeping them happy was the
3
main focus for everyone so a lot of the awkwardness was lost in the
process”, Kara Altman, one of the student organisers said.
“Our animals often chose the exact location of the shoot by sitting
down in the middle of it and on multiple occasions, walked off the set
entirely leaving their human model alone.”
This year, the students took it upon themselves to extend the
outreach of their fundraising efforts and raise awareness for their
cause among a wider community. The success was overwhelming as
the calendar received unprecedented international recognition. In just
under a week after its debut on Facebook, the calendar went global,
hitting the Daily Mail in the United Kingdom and making the front page
of BuzzFeed. Articles featuring the students going the ‘full monty’
were published in more than nine languages in at least 22 countries,
covering every continent except Antarctica. The country that bought
the most calendars after Australia was Germany.
Kara, on behalf of her class, acknowledged the tremendous support
they received as the main reason for their fundraising success.
“We, and the greyhounds, would like to thank each person involved
in producing the calendar, and every one from around the world who
has purchased one and sent us messages of support. We hope you
loved the finished product as much as we do.”
Genevieve Teo
29
3
COMPANION | Q1 2015
COMPANION | Q1 2015
3
T
N
E
D
U
T
SHIPS
S
L
SCHO
AR
The ASAVA student scholarship offers our
student members valuable continuing
education as well as an opportunity to
network with like- minded professionals.
It’s our way of thanking our student
members for their commitment to the
veterinary profession.
Please send your written submission
addressing the above criteria together with
your resume and outline, in no less than
1500 words, why you would benefit from
receiving the Student Scholarship.
In return, we ask that each recipient:
If you require assistance with your
application, please contact Melissa in the
ASAVA office on 02 9431 5090.
• Provide a written report of 500 words in
relation to the ASAVA 2015 conference for
publication in the post conference issue of
Companion
• Personally present at an on campus event,
provide a report on the ASAVA 2015
conference, or publish a report on a nominated
student website/social network site.
There are three ASAVA Student Scholarships
on offer for the ASAVA 42nd Annual
Conference on the Gold Coast, 9-13 August
2015. We urge all our ASAVA Student
Members to apply for this scholarship to
benefit from an outstanding continuing
education program and networking
opportunities.
Each scholarship will include:
• Full registration to the ASAVA 42nd Annual
Conference
• 5 nights accommodation in Broadbeach on
the Gold Coast
• Return airfares from the capital city nearest
the student’s campus.
Selection criteria:
• The scholarships are open to current
ASAVA Student Members across Australia
• Applicants should ideally demonstrate
involvement in and commitment to small
animal practice and/or the ASAVA
• Applicants may provide examples of
specific involvement and use supporting
references where available
• Applicants should demonstrate an intention
to develop career opportunities in the
small animal veterinary profession, and
may provide examples of proposed or
completed work experience gained.
30
Please send applications to melissa.ode@
ava.com.au or mail to: Suite 40, 6 Herbert
Street, St Leonards NSW 2065.
Applications close 15 June 2015.
Nominations for these Awards will be
open online from April 2015
www.asavaconference.com.au
Some feedback from past scholarship
recipients:
“ASAVA set the bar spectacularly high. The
‘happy hours’ and breakfasts throughout
the week were a great way to socialise.
Wednesday night’s entertainment at
Dreamworld was filled with food, extreme
rides and dancing, followed the next evening
by the Annual Awards Dinner which was all
class.”
Marianne
Hevern
from The
University
of
Melbourne,
2014
Scholarship
recipient
“As a final year
veterinary
student
from
Charles
Sturt
University,
I had the
good luck
and incredible
experience of
attending the ASAVA conference on the
Gold Coast in August, 2014. Four jampacked days, three subject focuses, and
two other student representatives made for
one incredible, educational, social week
as a student on an ASAVA conference
scholarship!.”
“During the week of the 19th August to the
23rd of August, I was fortunate enough to
attend the 40th Annual ASAVA Conference
on the Gold Coast. As a student nearing
the end of my undergraduate degree, this
opportunity provided by the ASAVA was very
exciting and beneficial to my learning.”
Georgia Ladmore from Charles Sturt
University, 2014 ASAVA Scholarship
recipient
Jess Pendlebury from Charles Sturt
University, 2014 ASAVA Scholarship
Thomas Vowell, 2013 ASAVA Scholarship
recipient
“The snapshot I was given into ‘life after vet
school’, has definitely excited me and given me
new enthusiasm towards working hard to finish
uni and to do well. I can now see the ‘light at
the end of the tunnel’, which although I am still
a few years away, I am more excited than ever
to reach. I cannot thank ASAVA enough for the
incredible opportunity I was given.”
Exclusive Insights
KENT, UK
Veterinary Tour
23 - 26 November 2015
+ attend the London Vet Show!
“I am honoured to have been selected and
thank everyone at the conference for being
so welcoming. It is a real credit to Monika
and the ASAVA team for putting on such a
successful event. I encourage all vets and
veterinary students to get involved with
ASAVA. I look forward to being involved in
many more.”
Dennis Woerde, 2013 ASAVA Scholarship
recipient
ASAVA Companion January 2015 - AVAPM.indd 1
1/23/2015 9:49:09 AM
31
3
COMPANION | Q1 2015
ASAVA accredited hospitals
The ASAVA Hospital Accreditation Scheme recognises companion animal practices that achieve the highest levels of quality
health care and practice management in innovative, state-of-the-art hospital facilities. Those hospitals that gain
accreditation set a benchmark to inspire other small animal practitioners when assessing their own facilities
and standards. It also operates as a kind of quality assurance program for clients, promoting excellence in
veterinary practice in three main areas – medical records, radiological records and the facility itself.
In this edition of Companion we look at two hospitals that are at different points in their accreditation history.
Bundoora Veterinary Clinic and Hospital located in the northern suburbs of Melbourne is a doyen, having been an
accredited hospital since 1988. Kirrawee Veterinary Hospital has a different story, having been accredited in the past they
were re-accredited in 2012.
Bundoora Hospital
building to improve our traffic flow and
efficiency. It made us examine our customer
service and treatment regimes and gave us
the confidence for external examination.
“My business partner, Roger Clarke, was
President of the ASAVA and also became
President of the AVA, so we obviously had a
lot of interest in the scheme. There were a lot
of things we had to do to become accredited
and it took some time, but it was one of the
best things we have ever done and was well
worth the money we spent.”
Brian believes that his current staff rise to the
task of maintaining their accreditation status.
“Accreditation has resulted in numerous
improvements to our hospital. Initially it
encouraged us to spend money on our
32
from 2004 and Hospital Director, Simon Ilkin
says when their accreditation lapsed a few
years later it was a difficult thing.
“I have always had a little bit of regret that we
stopped being an accredited hospital, and
we were always planning to reapply. We’d
gone through a lot of staff changes and so it
was put on the backburner. I came into the
practice in 2010 and spent 2011 working on
the accreditation process.
“This is one of the things I really wanted
to achieve because it really reinforces our
quality control. So we were very excited
when we became accredited again and
received our plaque at the Conference in
Perth in 2012.
“We were fortunate
that we didn’t have to
make extensive changes.
We started to grow in
staff numbers and we
needed to adjust and
keep up with standards.
The most important thing
when we decided to
apply was to make sure
our staff were involved.”
Brian O’Donohoe knows the importance of
ASAVA accreditation. His practice first joined
the scheme 27 years ago. The Bundoora
Veterinary Clinic and Hospital, located 16
kilometres north of central Melbourne,
provides surgical, medical and critical care as
well as general health care for small animals.
It has a staff of 15 full-time vets and 18 vet
nurses, and they are available 24 hours a day.
Roger started the clinic in 1969 and has run
the practice since opening. Brian joined the
staff in 1979 and became a partner in 1981.
COMPANION | Q1 2015
“We have found that many of our clients
recognise accreditation is about hospital
standards, as in human hospitals, and not just
being part of a veterinary group.”
“It encouraged our staff to strive to improve
our hospital standards and gave them
confidence to recommend and believe in
our service.
“They enjoy the challenge. They think it is
a good thing to work to improve standards.
We give a staff member a part of the scheme
to get up to scratch and that becomes their
task. It’s a very important part of keeping our
standards going.
“We also find that being members of the
scheme is helpful for new graduates.
They feel more comfortable knowing they
are going to a practice where there is going
to be good standards and a positive
learning environment.
This is no mean feat. Kirrawee Veterinary
Hospital employs 29 staff in total, including
ten vets and ten full time nurses as well as
casual staff.
“We assigned different aspects of the
accreditation process to individual staff. If any
staff member had a particular field they were
interested in we would assign that to them.
“We also found that staff were assessing their
colleagues and making suggestions on how
to continue to develop our standards.
“One example of how we worked was we left
a copy of the standards in the pharmacy and
we assigned two people to work on it, but
allowed others to review it. It meant we were
getting input from across the clinic.”
Practice Manager Leanne Hogan says having
their full time nurses working on a rotation
system helped greatly in the process.
“Because of the rotation system our nurses
understand all aspects of the clinic. This
means they are all trained at a high standard.
And while this is important for the long term
running of the clinic it also means they can
comfortably make suggestions on how to
improve the way we are doing things.
“What is also interesting is that some our long
term nurses who had previously been full-time
employees, and are now working with us on a
casual basis also contribute. They come in to
work on the weekends and often see things
we can improve that we miss.”
“It’s like the Red Queen in
Alice in Wonderland,
you always need to
keep running
and you
have to
run twice
as hard if
you want to
get somewhere
else.
3
“Having an internal
review and an external
assessment really puts you
on the right track to meeting a
high standard. We also find the
ASAVA manual is a great help.
“Having accreditation means we can
use the accredited hospital logo and
clients can recognise the high standard
awarded to us and that we aim for each day.
And that can only help to build our business.”
For more information on the
accreditation process, visit
www.ava.com.au/asava/hospitalaccreditation for full details including
the manual of standards and
frequently asked questions,
or contact the ASAVA office
on (02) 9431 5090
or asava@ava.com.au
Simon acknowledges that things are
changing constantly and there is a need to
keep up.
Kirrawee Hospital
“As Principal, being in the scheme makes
you look objectively at what you are doing.
No one really likes being examined by their
peers, but the inspectors see things you
don’t see often they point out things that are
quite obvious.
“It may become harder for us to remain in
the scheme as our clinic ages. We will need
to spend money to change and continually
improve. But we know it’s a good thing and it
forces you to keep a standard.”
Kirrawee Veterinary Hospital is located about 25
kilometres south of Sydney CBD in ‘the Shire’.
It was established by Bill Ilkin in 1975 who was
determined to make it not only one of the
best clinics in the country, but also one of the
happiest. The clinic was an accredited hospital
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COMPANION | Q1 2015
COMPANION | Q1 2015
Got problem patients?
We have the answer.
THE GOLD COAST IS CONSIDERED
‘FAMOUS FOR FUN’ BUT FOR
THOSE WHO ATTEND THE ASAVA
CONFERENCE TO BE HELD THERE IN
AUGUST THIS YEAR, IT WILL ALSO BE
FAMOUS FOR FINDING WAYS TO DEAL
WITH ‘PROBLEM PATIENTS IN PRACTICE’.
This, 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;
•C
hris Tan from the University of Sydney
who will look at surgical issues
•G
raham Swinney from IDEXX, who will give
an update on endocrine emergencies
•F
iona Campbell who will look at emerging
issues in cardiology
•D
aniel Chan from the Royal Veterinary
College of London, who will investigate
issues in emergency medicine
• And Mary Barton, who will discuss one of our
many hot topics – antimicrobial resistance.
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 Movieworld 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 or the Tooloona
Creek circuit.
ASAVA
EVENTS
CALENDAR
april
8th
Webinar
8pm
Diagnosing haemolytic anaemias
- with a focus on IMHA
Karen Jackson
february
march
11th
Webinar
8pm
Behaviour modification
Katrina Ward
25th
Webinar
8pm
Complications experienced during
anaesthesia in common surgeries
Thierry Beths
11th
Webinar
8pm
Chronic kidney disease in cats
Marcus Gunew
may
6th Webinar
8pm, Urinalysis Sediment Exam
24th - 29th PANPAC Conference
Brisbane Convention and
Exhibition Centre
29th Small Animal
Veterinarians Workshop
Sponsored by B Braun
9am to 5pm, 9.5 Vet Ed points.
Room P5, Plaza Level, Brisbane
Convention and Exhibition Centre.
3
june
10th
Webinar
8pm
Thyroid & parathyroid disease
Darren Fry
Topic 1: Latest Advances in Open Wound
Management. Topic 2: Complex Wound Closures.
http://conference.ava.com.au/workshops.
Of course there are all the other wonderful
things the Gold Coast is known for including
the beaches, the beaches and the beaches.
Oh and the odd theme park.
How can you miss this wonderful event?
I look forward to seeing you there.
Adrian Choi, President ASAVA
july
August
september
15th
Webinar
8pm
Otitis
Linda Vogelnest
9th - 13th
ASAVA 42nd Annual Conference
Problem patients in practice
Gold Coast Convention and
Exhibition Centre
Topics: emergency medicine,
surgery, endocrinology, imaging,
neurology, oncology and cardiology
www.asavaconference.com.au
16th
Webinar
8pm
In house cytology
Karen Jackson
19th | Webinar | 8pm | FELV
and FIV review | Julia Beatty
october
november
december
12th - 13th
ASAVA Feline Conference
Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach,
Sydney
Julia Beatty and Vanessa Barrs
11th
Webinar
8pm
Mediastinal shift in thoracic rads
Cathy Beck
9th
Webinar
8pm
Use of NSAIDS in cats
Richard Gowan
14th
Webinar
8pm
Congestive heart failure
Rita Singh
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3
COMPANION | Q1 2015
COMPANION | Q1 2015
3
ADVERTORIAL
Comfortis®
The #1 canine flea treatment recommended by Australian veterinarians1
WITH MORE THAN 13 MILLION DOSES
DISPENSED SINCE LAUNCHING IN 2009,
COMFORTIS® HAS EARNED THE TRUST
OF VETERINARIANS THROUGHOUT
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND AND
IT’S NOT HARD TO SEE WHY.
Studies show that Comfortis starts to kill fleas
within 30 minutes in dogs and cats and is
100% and >95% effective in 4 hours in dogs
and cats respectively,2,3 providing rapid and
lasting relief from fleas for a whole month.4-6
Comfortis kills fleas so quickly that it
minimises the opportunity for fleas to feed
and reduces the clinical severity of skin
disorders including flea allergy dermatitis
(FAD) and pruritus in dogs and cats.4-8 Due
to its proven efficacy and speed of kill,
supported by trial data2-8, and borne out by
field use experience, Comfortis has earned
a reputation as a trusted solution to
flea problems.
Pet owners trust their vet’s recommendation
and, as such, it’s important that you continue
to recommend a product that works first time,
every time.
With dual dog and cat branded packaging
about to hit the Australian marketplace,
Comfortis will be convenient for pet owners
trying to eliminate fleas without requiring
veterinarians to stock additional lines of flea
products to cover both species.
Combined with the convenience of a beef
flavoured chewable tablet, oral administration
ensures Comfortis won’t rub or wash off over
the summer months.
Elanco, the manufacturers of Comfortis,
understand the key role veterinarians play
in assisting pet owners to help their pets
live longer, healthier, higher-quality lives and
we work hard to drive sales back through
veterinary clinics and in turn, deliver on our
mission statement; ‘Helping vets help pets
live longer, healthier, higher quality lives’.
Just for
FUN
To book a
training session for
your staff or discuss
your point-of-sale needs,
please contact your local
Elanco representative,
or call Elanco Technical
Services on
1800 995 709.
Elanco lives this mission statement though
the support of vet-driven charitable
organisations such as Pets In The Park
and veterinary-exclusive pet owner
promotions designed to keep product
sales in your practice.
We would like to
take this opportunity to thank the veterinary
community for your continued support of our
full range of products and services.
ARGENTINA’S DOG WALKERS
THE FIRST TIME YOU COME ACROSS THEM CAN BE QUITE DAUNTING THEY TRAVEL IN A GROUP, TAKE UP THE WHOLE FOOTPATH AND SOME
APPEAR QUITE MENACING. BUT TAKE A MOMENT TO LOOK CLOSELY AND
YOU NOTICE A SENSE OF CALMNESS - SOMETHING A WESTERNER MIGHT
NOT EXPECT IN A PACK OF EIGHT, NINE AND SOMETIMES TWENTY THREE
DOMESTICATED DOGS TETHERED TOGETHER.
They are waiting for their human overseer to return. He, or she, has
hitched them to a post on the footpath, away from motorised traffic,
while collecting or returning them to their home - usually in an inner
city apartment block. On return, the overseer gathers their leads and
continues on their journey, peacefully.
This overseer is one of the many somewhat romantically titled
‘Paseadores de perros’, and this strange collection is a very common
phenomenon in the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires.
These dog walkers work in the more influential suburbs of Buenos
Aires, the profession beginning after the economic crisis of 2001.
Having a dog walker is considered a status symbol, and with around
500,000 dogs living in Buenos Aires the paseadores are kept busy.
Some dog walkers travel around 16 kilometres a day.
And while there is often an obvious leader in the animal pack (that’s
the one who is always at the front), the dog walker keeps a tight reign.
The dogs know the rules, they rarely bark or fight and will stop and wait
politely if one of the group just can’t hold on until they get to the park.
DID YOU KNOW?
IN THE UK…
Australian cats are not permitted to enter the United Kingdom unless
they have a certificate from Australian veterinary authorities confirming
they have not been in an area where Hendra virus has been confirmed
in the 60 days before their planned trip. (Source Gov.UK).
IN CHINA…
With the growing numbers of middle class Chinese families, the
pet care industry in China is booming. While only 7% of households
have a dog, over $1.5 billion is lavished on pets each year, and this is
expected to grow by 43% over the next five years. (Source: CNN).
IN PERU…
When visiting Peru you often see cages housing many guinea pigs.
However ‘cuy’ is a very popular dish served up in many Peruvian
households and restaurants particularly in rural communities. It is
estimated that around 65 million of the furry creatures are part of the
menu each year. Eating guinea pig makes great economic sense.
They take up little space and breed very quickly. The meat is a great
source of protein and contains little fat. As for the taste, well it is said
to be a bit like rabbit.
It’s a way of socialising animals that appears to work well.
References:
1. Cegedim: Veterinarians Comfortis Survey December 2012 (Australia) commissioned by Elanco. Survey data on file. Statistically significant difference in one-tailed test versus the number two veterinary
recommended flea product for dogs. 2. Elanco study T9C060330, data on file. 3. Elanco study T9CUS100015, data on file. 4. Elanco study T9CAL0401, data on file. 5. Elanco study
T9CAL0403, data on file. 6. Elanco Study T9CAU100039, data on file. 7. Dryden MW, Ryan WG, Bell M et al. Assessment of owner-administered monthly treatments with oral spinosad or topical spot- on
fipronil/(S)-methoprene in controlling fleas and associated pruritus in dogs. Veterinary Parasitology, 2013; 191(3-4): 340-346. 8. Paarlberg TE, Wiseman S, Trout CE et al. Safety and efficacy of spinosad
chewable tablets for treatment of flea infestation of cats. JAVMA, 2013; 242(8):1092- 1098.
©2014 Elanco, a division of Eli Lilly and Company Limited. Elanco and Comfortis are trademarks owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates.
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COMPANION | Q1 2015
COMPANION | Q1 2015
3
A dog called Gus
Late last year Companion Editor Juanita Golland heard
about a letter, a eulogy to a recently lost companion. This
letter was written in the days following the death of a
beloved beagle named Gus. The letter’s author, Dennis
Brown paints a picture of his life with ‘Gus’. He speaks of
the care Gus received in his final days and the appreciation
Dennis and his wife Helen have for their veterinary
specialist Max Zuber of Gladesville Veterinary Hospital. With
permission we have printed excerpts from this tribute to Gus.
Make great, greater
With VetConneCt® Plus, you Will Change the Way you do business
VetConnect® Plus is the online diagnostic tool that makes it easier for your clients to say yes*, easier for you to identify abnormalities and easier
for you to communicate with your colleagues and to the pet owner. With VetConnect Plus you can have Any Result, Any Time, Any Where.
To find out more about VetConnect Plus and how IDEXX can help you change your practice for the better, visit vetconnectplus.com.au
or call IDEXX on 1300 44 33 99
*Obtaining a baseline normal for the individual animal can be important. (ASAVA Standards of Care April 2013)
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© 2015 IDEXX Laboratories. Inc. All rights reserved. All ® / ™ marks are owned by IDEXX, Inc or its affiliates in the United States and / or other countries.
The IDEXX Privacy Policy is available at idexx.com
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COMPANION | Q1 2015
a s ava 4 2 n d a n n u a l c o n f e r e n c e
GOLD COAST CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE, QLD
Leading edge education for small animal practitioners
Multiple streams covering emergencies, surgery, endocrinology,
imaging, neurology, oncology and cardiology
AVA PLATINUM
CORPORATE
SUPPORTER
Over 80 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services
Superb social and networking opportunities
AVA GOLD
CORPORATE
SUPPORTER
Save the date!
asavaconference.com.au
T 02 9431 5055 or events@ava.com.au
AVA GOLD
CORPORATE
SUPPORTER
AVA SILVER
CORPORATE
SUPPORTER
A special interest group of The Australian Veterinary Association Ltd
ABN 63 008 522 852