Communication, pet identification and the impact of disease outbreaks on vets
‘Communication’ was the main key word identified by a Mentimeter survey during the general assembly of the Union of European Veterinary Practitioners (UEVP), held on 29 November in Brussels. The word cloud represented suggestions to the question about what the association could do better.
UEVP app: reaching vets in the field
Communication was indeed the buzz word at the meeting in Brussels, as the UEVP board proudly announced its news app, available for both iOS and Android systems. ‘We are working with Euralia for input, but please send us any news or issues you would like to share,’ Giovanni Guadagnini (UEVP board) urged during the presentation of the app. ‘The app will be in English and will be public,’ Ann Criel (UEVP board) added. UEVP president Volker Moser invited the assembly to make suggestions for improvement. He also announced that there would be a content strategy. ‘We aim to share information and reach the vet in the field, and we would also like to reach the younger generation, who are more likely to use their smartphone than to read an online newsletter.’
Insufficient resources to combat PPE and sheep pox in Greece
‘The situation in Greece is critical,’ Athina Trachili (UEVP board) reported, describing the epidemics of peste des petits ruminants and sheep pox that had recently arrived in her country. ‘The extremely high morbidity and mortality and the forced culling of tens of thousands of animals are causing a significant blow to the country’s economy,’ she said, speaking during the session ‘The impact of disease outbreaks on the daily life of practitioners’. ‘Our veterinary services are severely understaffed, and volunteer veterinarians are being called upon to help. Unfortunately, the farm visitation programme is not being implemented.’
Unworkable biosecurity for ASF in Italy
It’s difficult once African Swine Fever actually arrives in your practice, shared Giovanni Guadagnini, pig practitioner in Northern Italy, recounting his recent personal experience with the epidemic. ‘My clients are suffering, due to the ban on the movement of animals, leading to overcrowding and animal suffering. But the worst is that vets are forbidden from entering the farms, too. I can no longer visit my clients and advise them about the new and often incomprehensible biosecurity measures, making me feel helpless and making the farmers feel abandoned. There is a 7 days’ waiting period for practitioners after each farm visit, although it’s only two days for official veterinarians. But worst of all, the official veterinarian was unavailable and never called me back. This is a nightmare.’
Increased burden for Belgian practitioners and farmer vaccination against BT
In Belgium, vaccination against Bluetongue currently is voluntary, recounted Kwinten Gielkens, bovine practitioner from Belgium. While an estimated 80% of sheep are vaccinated, this is only the case for 10-15% of cattle. ‘The disease has increased our workload tremendously, with over 50 phone calls a day, three times more visits than usual, 16-hour working days and an increased administrative burden. It takes a particular toll on our younger colleagues as we also need to provide psychological support to our farmers.’ From 2025, vaccination will be mandatory, he added, but farmers with a contractual veterinarian will be allowed to vaccinate themselves. ‘This will likely have an impact on the efficacy of vaccination, possibly increasing the risk of outbreaks – and an even higher workload for us.’
Vaccination hesitancy and horse owner pressure regarding EHV
‘In contrast to other species, horses often travel world-wide for competition, so the diseases travel, too,’ explained Heidi Kellokoski-Kiiskinen, equine practitioner from Finland, reporting on the difficulties of combating equine herpesvirus (EHV, rhinopneumonitis). Additional challenges with EHV are that the virus can persist latently and that the window for diagnosis is short. Owners are sometimes reluctant to vaccinate, or worry about the 21-day quarantine and don’t want a diagnosis, which can all contribute to the spread of disease. ‘Additionally, infected foals most likely die no matter what you do. The pressure from clients, the extra workload and self-doubt in the absence of a confirmed diagnosis – am I making the right decision? – have a major impact on our mental health,’ she stressed.
Lack of legal treatment against FIP
Another animal disease with an impact on vets is feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), reported Ann Criel (FECAVA and UEVP board). Although certain antivirals were found to be able to cure the disease, there is currently no legal option for vets to stock, prescribe or administer the medication. ‘This has damaged the owner-veterinarian relationship, as it can be perceived as if we are not willing to treat this lethal disease.’ The fact that FIP diagnosis is complex does not help. ‘The right diagnosis is vital,’ she stressed. ‘We should use antivirals prudently, like antibiotics, as indiscriminate use could contribute to viral mutation and resistance.’ She noted that most EU countries do not offer access to the treatment of FIP, except for compounded drugs or experimental use. She urged policymakers to allow veterinarians legal access to GS-441524 or remdesivir.
Pet identification: different systems
In France, identification of dogs had been mandatory since 2000, with over 95% of dogs and 50% of cats now identified, Pierre Buisson (France) explained during the ‘hot topic’ session on animal identification and registration. ‘Our iCAD database is managed by vets and co-owned by the French Veterinary Association and the French Kennel Club. This system enables vets to be a key player in pet data, and generates income,’ he added. ‘The Norwegian system, DyreID, was created in 1993 and is owned for 95% by vets,’ reported Ellef Blakstad (Norway). ‘Part of the profit is set aside for the CPD of vets and nurses.’ ‘In Belgium, microchipping is considered a veterinary act, and there is a unique link with the pet passport,’ informed Ann Criel (Belgium). Vets are the central link in the systems DogID and CatID, and are the only persons with access to the database, she added. ‘Although microchipping is also a veterinary act in the Czech republic, the microchips themselves are freely available from the internet,’ noted Jan Bernardy (Czech republic). ‘In our country, it’s the Veterinary Chamber who centralises the pet database.’
Pet identification: lack of harmonisation
‘There is a lack of competent authorities for companion animal identification in most countries, as well as a lack of know-how on all levels and a lack of coordination and harmonisation,’ observed Sven Hüther, veterinarian and expert in animal identification. ‘This means there is a risk of duplication and fraud. We need one single, reliable system.’
Remi Gellé (France) presented Europetnet, a network of nearly 50 national and local associations in 28 countries. ‘Our sole job is to help reunite lost pets with their owners – free of charge and 24 hours a day.’ As pet identification and registration will soon be mandatory in the EU, he suggested that Europetnet serve as the so-called Index Database, storing the ID numbers of cats and dogs of national databases, without accessing personal data of the owners.
Veterinary nurses training standards
‘Veterinary nurses are a very vital part of our profession,’ confirmed Jan Bernardy (UEVP board), introducing the special session after the general assembly. Veterinary nurses don’t want to be mini-vets, stressed Matthew Rendle RVN (UK), speaking on behalf of the Accreditation Committee for Veterinary Nurse Education (ACOVENE). He outlined the role of veterinary nurses in practice and explained how ACOVENE aims to set consistent standards for veterinary nurses throughout Europe. ‘We need clearer guidelines on the roles and responsibilities of veterinary nurses, including what they can and cannot do under veterinary supervision,’ noted Krista Arnold (UK). ‘Countries should review their frameworks to recognise nurses as an integral part of the team, with vets leading this important discussion.’
And also:
- Welcome: Albania and North Macedonia were accepted as new members of UEVP.
- Education: Veterinary practitioners will not only be reimbursed but also earn CPD credits for time spent on visitations of veterinary schools.
- Support: on behalf of the Greek Veterinary Association, Athina Trachili thanked the UEVP, FECAVA and FVE for their successful support against legislation which required mandatory sterilisation and blood sampling for DNA testing of all owned pets.
- Celebrations: next year, the UEVP will celebrate its 55th anniversary (and the FVE its 50th).
- See you soon: The next GA will be held in Leuven, Belgium, on 26 June 2025.
