🖥️ Big Changes To Telemedicine in the UK

Hi 👋 

It's January 22nd, and I don't know about you, but we're feeling a bit like a bear in hibernation... we're fed up with the sun setting early, we're getting barely enough vitamin D, and we're either working or watching mindless sitcoms on Netflix.

But like the mighty grizzly bear conserving energy and emerging in the Spring, we're still bringing you a weekly round up of the latest veterinary news.

Here's what's on the agenda today:
🎓 New certificate program from Not One More Vet
🐸 Toadzilla
🖥️ Telemedicine changes in the UK
👍 Good vibes only

🎓 New certificate program from Not One More Vet

Merck Animal Health is teaming up with Not One More Vet (NOMV) to introduce a new certification program that will train staff to establish and maintain work environments that place a priority on wellbeing and mental health. The CLEAR Blueprint (Compassion, Listening, Energy, Action, Resources) will be accessible everywhere in the world in any clinic or specialty setting.  

The CLEAR Blueprint was created by an interdisciplinary team of veterinary and mental health professionals with the mission to inspire a mentally healthy culture within the veterinary profession. Domains include aligning practice with a succinct mission statement, fostering brave leadership throughout the workforce, integrating healthy ways to manage workplace conflict, helping staff learn stress management and emotional balance tools, and designing clinic-client protocols for positive engagement.In order for a clinic to receive their certificate, 80% of a clinic’s paid staff needs to complete an anonymous survey to share their experiences in the workplace.

The results will allow clinics to focus on areas to become sustainable workplaces for mental wellness in collaboration with NOMV. 

Our take: In theory, the certification makes a lot of sense. We should absolutely be giving clinics tangible steps to create healthy environments at work and train employees to succeed. As with the AVMA well-being certificate the question will be, how will staff be afforded the time to complete the work? In their paid time we hope. One downside is that the certification costs between $499-$899 for first time clinics. It’s not a huge price tag, but does strike us as a bit odd given the program’s deep pocketed corporate partner that could help offset costs even further...

🐸 Toadzilla

A record-breaking giant toad is thought to have been discovered by Australian park rangers while exploring a dense rainforest in Queensland. Dubbed "Toadzilla", the invasive speices of cane toad weighed in at 2.7 kg (6 lbs). With no natural predators they have become a threat to native Australian species after cane toads were introduced to Australia in 1935 to control cane beetles and other pests. A female cane toad of Toadzilla's size could lay up to 35,000 eggs.

Check it out:

🖥️ Telemedicine changes in the UK

In a landmark decision, professional regulators will allow vets in the U.K. to prescribe medicine over the internet without needing to see a patient in the flesh first. The new rules do come with some caveats including that a physical examination is required "in all but exceptional circumstances" when veterinarians prescribe antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs.

If no physical examination occurs, vets must ensure that a 24/7 follow-up service involving physical examination is immediately available to the client. The change comes into effect as regulators worldwide are struggling to regulate veterinary telemedicine amid pushback from some about the potential impacts on animal welfare. The decision by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) followed an "extensive review process" that commenced in 2019 and included consultations with veterinary professionals, animal owners, and legal experts, and may be viewed as precedent or influential in other countries debating telemedicine rules.What do you think? Is this a good decision by the RCVS?

👍 Good vibes only

It's not all sunshine and roses out there, but a few good news stories caught our eye this week:

Canada is set to ban cosmetic testing on animals

Canada is moving towards a ban on animal testing of cosmetics products by the middle of 2023, bringing it in line with more than 40 other countries, including Mexico, that have eliminated the controversial practice. Critics say the move is long overdue, but we'll enjoy this moment of good news and hope that Health Canada officials continue to make the legislative changes necessary to prohibit the testing of cosmetics on animals. 

Dolphins have returned to Bronx River 

After years of conservation efforts by the Environment Protection Agency and local organizations like the Bronx River Alliance, dolphins were spotted in the Bronx River earlier this week. It's far from Planet Earth level footage, but here's some proof.

PetSmart Charities of Canada Commits $18 Million to Improve Access to Veterinary Care 

To help address issues stemming form the inability to access veterinary care, PetSmart Charities of Canada has committed $18 million over the next five years to help break down the geographic, cultural, and financial barriers to veterinary care. Read more about how PetSmart plans to create innovative solutions to address the veterinary shortage, veterinary deserts and cultural inclusion, economic challenges and regulatory challenges.

Oh, and PetSmart America is currently looking for one cat and one dog to become the first ever 'Chief Toy Testers'. So that's fun

🚀 Quick hits

Here are some stories we're following this week from around the veterinary world and animal kingdom:

The biggest animal welfare crisis you’ve never heard of [Vox]

New Study Shows Staggering Increase in Heatstroke-Induced Chicken Culls [Sentient Media]

2023 Veterinary Photographer of the Year competition open now [Vet Surgeon]

Dog walkers making over 100k a year?!? [NYT]

Advice for folks looking to taxidermy their pets [NYT]