Category: News

AFSCAN BSAVA Scholarship Report for 2023 BSAVA Congress Scholar: Goodluck Mwangawa Gaudence

Dear AFSCAN Board/BSAVA

I would like to express my sincerely gratitude to AFSCAN BSAVA for this opportunity to attend extraordinary BSAVA 2023 Veterinary Congress in Manchester. I have got wonderful life experience had not yet attended such a big Vet congress before in my carrier. Care from people was of high standard making sure that I don’t get lost all the way from home and also I don’t get bored in Congress. I have learned a lot from wonderful speakers, face to face conversation with Vets while networking, attending lectures, panel discussion, exhibition and hand on practice at the practical Village. Receiving BSAVA Annual membership opportunity together with Small animal formulary book is such a great thing where I can have access to missed sessions in the congress. I tell you that what I have learned will not only end up with me in my facility but rather far to reach over 150 Small animal Veterinary Practitioners in Tanzania who are members of Tanzania Small Animal Veterinary Organization (TASAVO) where we meet monthly.

From this opportunity I learned and keep learning a lot. I can’t mention all, Antimicrobial Stewardship.

Proper use of antimicrobial including antibiotics for the purpose of getting good outcome from the patient while reducing microbial resistance therefore lowering spread of infections caused by multidrug resistant organisms. This is important in my environment where the rate of infectious diseases is high.

End of life care.

After deciding Euthanasia, Pet Parent has to be well informed including expectation of action. Helps to accept what might sometime happen while ending life. Taking time talk to parent is crucial as well as revising protocol used for the action. On my experience this has been a difficult part of my Carrier in my working environment because of some factors however now Clients are getting to know why Euthanasia has to be done when it’s time to do so.

Allergic Dermatitis.

Proper history taking and thorough physical examination to clinical signs presented will lead to proper diagnosis to cause of allergy hence multimodal treatment approach can be applied.

General practice presentations.

Clockwise Ovariohysterectomy (OH) in dog, fast and saves much time compared to convention OH. Proper way of managing Animal hoarders will help me to plan and make strategies for the control of animal population among hoarders.

Practical Village.

Ilearned proper way of using microscope and cleaning after use. Also I examined different microscopic slides with the presented history coming into diagnosis. I Practiced how to use endoscope and how to take biopsy. Different positioning for dental radiographs. Also proper preparation of surgical sites together with practicing suturing different techniques and applying different knots e.g modified miller’s knot.

Leadership skills.

Time management, prioritization, language used in team communication and maangement, quick adaptations to changes, importance of feedback are few to mention from leadership skills session.

From all these and much more, Scholarship is worthful for development of African Small Animals Veterinary practitioners and the future leaders of Veterinary Field in Africa.

2020 NAVC-AFSCAN Colin F. Burrows International Scholarship Report by DR. AMID ADETAYO

2020 NORTH AMERICAN VETERINARY COMMUNITY-AFRICAN SMALL COMPANION ANIMAL NETWORK

COLIN F. BURROWS INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP REPORT

BY DR AMID ADETAYO

INTRODUCTION

I am indeed honoured and privileged to be chosen as the 2020 North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) Colin F. Burrows International Scholar and African Small Companion Animal Network (AFSCAN) Scholar. I am Dr. Amid Adetayo from Nigeria. I work primarily as lecturer, researcher and veterinary surgeon at the Department of Veterinary Surgery & Radiology, University of Ilorin and the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the same university.  It was an exciting moment for me when I arrived in Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, USA on January 17, 2020. The event saw an estimated 18,000 participants including veterinarians, nurses, technicians and office managers, as well as more than 500 exhibitors.

I departed Lagos, Nigeria at exactly 11:55pm on Thursday, January 16, 2020 and arrived in MCO, Orlando, FL, USA at about 2:18pm. After a week of educative, informative, eye-opening fun-filled events, I finally left Orlando, FL, USA on Thursday, January 23, 2020 to arrive in Lagos, Nigeria at 3:30pm on Friday, January 24, 2020.

THE EVENTS

I will like to give account of day-to-day events that took place at the 2020 Veterinary Meeting and Expo (VMX).

Day 1: Saturday, January 18, 2020

We had a VMX welcome session with Terry Crews at 10:15am, which was followed by VMX conference opening ceremony that featured Howie Mandel at exactly 7:30pm. We ended the day with a wonderful NAVC President’s reception at 9:00pm.

On this day, at Rosen Centre Hotel from 1:30pm to 5:30pm, I had a hands-on workshop on Regenerative Medicine and Intra-articular Injections of Platelet-Rich Plasma Protein in dogs.

Day 2: Sunday, January 19, 2020

I attended clinical review on laser focus healing delivered by Marlene Siegel before going for my Sunday breakfast. Cryosurgery for Small Animal Practices session that I had later in the evening was so educative and informative.

Day 3: Monday, January 20, 2020

We started this day off with a guided tour of Expo Hall at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC). It was filled with over 500 exhibitors from across the world. The evening was fun-filled featuring entertainment and concert anchored by Jake Owen.

Day 4: Tuesday, January 21, 2020

An hour with Meslin Yimam on Botanical Alternatives for Reducing Inflammation and Protecting Cartilage in Cats and Dogs was incredibly amazing because I was pretty much exposed to innovative botanical treatments of joint diseases in Cats and Dogs.

The day ended fun-filled at Hyatt Regency Ballroom with a Game Night which started at 7:30pm.

Day 5: Wednesday, January 22, 2020

North American Veterinary Community board held a meeting with both the international scholars and their hosts to give a recap of events at the conference. The day ended with a Finale Party at exactly 7:00pm

CONCLUSION

Let me first and foremost ascertain that I am now highly dexterous in intra-articular injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Dogs and I would like to be a resource person for WSAVA, AFSCAN and SAVAN for continuing education to maintain professional knowledge and skills. VMX has also given the greatest opportunity to painstakingly examine how lecture sessions were strategically scheduled to accommodate that huge number of participants in various specialties and specializations. I make bold to say that it would not be difficult to adjust what I had learnt from the VMX experience to fit into the cultural norms and expectations of Africa. I also learnt that turning a veterinary association to a community of not just veterinarians, but also nurses, technicians, animal lovers and advocates would increase its strength and participation from these incredible creatures in the spirit of one health and one profession. It is noteworthy to say NAVC have chosen Orange County Convention Centre, Orlando, FL, USA as their permanent home for the VMX, which encourages easy organization of events and facilitates planning. This is a take-home message for me to be replicated in my home country Nigeria and Africa at large.

APPRECIATION

I am indebted to my mother and my late father, who encouraged me to follow my passion-Veterinary Medicine. All thanks to my wonderful wife-Rukayat, my daughter-Maryam and my sons, Adam and Ikram.

I will like to extend my sincere appreciation to the following people listed below.

  • Professor Colin F. Burrows
  • Cheryl Good, NAVC President
  • K. Leann Kuebelbeck, NAVC Immediate Past President
  • Paige Allen, NAVC President Elect
  • Harold Davis, NAVC Vice President
  • Laurel Kaddatz, NAVC Treasurer (My Host)
  • Sally Haddock, NAVC Director
  • Bob Lester, NAVC Director
  • Jonathan Townsend, NAVC Director
  • Karen Kline, NAVC Director
  • Mark Russak, NAVC Director
  • Jackie Hagenaar Kaddatz (My Host)
  • Jorge Guerrero
  • Gatz Riddell
  • Eugene O’Neill, NAVC Interim Chief Executive Officer
  • Jackie D’Antonio, NAVC Vice President of Media, Strategy & Operations
  • Suzanne Savage, NAVC Vice President, Governance & Administration
  • Meghan Golden, NAVC Vice President, Partnership & International Relations
  • Gabriel Varga, AFSCAN President
  • Professor Michael Day, AFSCAN Vice President
  • Kunle Abiade, SAVAN President
  • Tunji Nasir, SAVAN Vice President
  • Aziz Nedum, SAVAN Financial Secretary
  • Bolu Sarumoh, SAVAN Publicity Secretary
  • Adekoye Adeaga, SAVAN General Secretary

BSAVA gives free library access to vets in developing nations

MEDIA RELEASE –  15 February 2019

BSAVA gives free library access to vets in developing nations

Vets in developing nations can now access free educational resources from the British Small Animal Veterinary Association’s online library.

Vets working and training in countries with limited resources, where conditions are challenging or training is expensive, can now access the BSAVA’s ‘Foundation Collection’, via a partnership with WSAVA, the WSAVA Foundation, and FECAVA.

More than 70 items of content are available for free, including articles, lectures and book chapters, covering a variety of topics such as management of infectious diseases, basic handling skills, working on a budget and emergency triage.

Countries set to benefit include WSAVA’s list of tier 1 member associations which also includes some FECAVA member associations: Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Cambodia, Georgia, Indonesia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. It also includes some African countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria and Zambia, which have joined WSAVA as Associate members through their participation in the WSAVA Foundation’s AFSCAN project.  Veterinarians in Uganda and Tanzania will also benefit through their participation in AFSCAN.

Nicolette Hayward, of BSAVA International Affairs Committee said the altruistic gesture aims to help the global veterinary profession: “Our mission is to promote excellence in small animal practice through education and science, so we are delighted to work with WSAVA, the WSAVA Foundation and FECAVA to share these high quality resources to the veterinary profession in low and middle income countries.”

Lawson Cairns is a Scottish vet involved in welfare and education in Africa as part of his role of WSAVA CE Coordinator for Africa. He has lived and worked in South Africa for many years and said: “The welfare of animals is our primary concern and we are making steady (but slow) progress, so maintaining the impetus we have managed to create is very important; these resources will be a vital contribution which we hope to facilitate on a face-to-face basis, I would like to express a very big thank-you for your continuing support.”

Klajdi Nallbani, WSAVA representative for Albania said: “The opportunity to have access to the BSAVA library is very useful, for me it is the most wanted library that every veterinarian should have to access, and I think it could make a helpful difference in Albania.”

The content will be available via the WSAVA website (www.wsava.org) , a new WSAVA Foundation website which is nearing completion (www.wsavafoundation.org) and the Vetlexicon website (www.vetstream.com/vetlexicon), and can be accessed by clicking on banners that are only  visible to vets from the above countries.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

BSAVA

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) exists to promote excellence in small animal practice through education and science.  BSAVA is a not-for-profit professional body, founded in 1957 to serve veterinary surgeons treating companion animals, and now includes veterinary nurses.  BSAVA has over 11,000 members, the majority work in practice as veterinary surgeons or veterinary nurses. www.bsava.com

Contact BSAVA: PR & Communications Office, press@bsava.com or call 01452 726729.

WSAVA

The WSAVA works to enhance the clinical care of companion animals globally, representing more than 200,000 veterinarians around the world through 110 member associations.  Its core activities include the creation of Global Guidelines which set standards for veterinary care and providing continuing education (CE) and other educational resources for its members, particularly those in countries in which companion animal veterinary care is still emerging.

The AFSCAN  project

The AFSCAN project was developed by the WSAVA Foundation with the backing of the global animal health company Zoetis, global veterinary equipment company KRUUSE and a Consortium of other supporters.  Its Project Board is chaired by Dr Gabriel Varga, President of the WSAVA Foundation and Director at Zoetis and includes Emeritus Professor Michael Day (WSAVA); Dr Theo Kanellos (Zoetis); Dr Remo Lobetti (referral practitioner, South Africa); Dr Kevin Stevens (practitioner, South Africa) and Dr Patrick Bastiaensen (OIE).

FECAVA

The Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA) represents more than 25,000 companion animal veterinarians in 40 European countries. It is the platform for the promotion of professional development and the representation of companion animal veterinarians in Europe.

Mission Rabies: Vaccinating in Malawi is underway

Mission Rabies is currently underway in Malawi. To give you a personal idea, some volunteers with the Mission Rabies team in Malawi have set up their own blogs, keeping us up to date on how we are progressing. These volunteers have worked in both stationery clinics and going door to door through the local neighbourhoods vaccinating hundreds of dogs.

Use these links to catch up on their journeys:

Announcing the 2019 AFSCAN Research Awards

The African Small Companion Animal Network (AFSCAN), a project of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Foundation, works to raise standards of veterinary care in Sub-Saharan Africa through enhancing the education offered to veterinarians.  It is also capacity building through facilitating the creation of a sustainable network of companion animal veterinary associations and specialist groups.

We are pleased to announce the fourth year of our AFSCAN Scientific Research Grants.  These Grants will support the training and development of both veterinary students and academics working in Africa today and, we hope, inspire a new generation of African veterinary researchers and future educators from Africa.  Importantly, we hope that they will also increase the current knowledge base of diseases and welfare issues affecting companion animals in African and build links between African veterinary researchers and laboratories around the world.

Thanks to generous support from our sponsors Zoetis, PetPlan and the Swiss Small Animal Veterinary Association, we are offering two types of grant:

The AFSCAN Research Award

This gives African academics working at a veterinary school in AFSCAN-participating countries  [Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda and expanded recently to Zambia] the opportunity to secure a grant to fund a clinical research project of their own devising.  The project should seek to answer a specific question related to disease or the welfare of small companion animals in Africa and would be carried out in the applicant’s laboratory within their veterinary school.  Through these applications, AFSCAN aims to foster research collaboration with research laboratories outside of Africa working in a similar field so applicants may nominate proposed partner laboratories as part of the application process.

In 2019 AFSCAN offers funding to a maximum of US$10,000 for each successful project.

All applications will be considered through a formal peer-review process undertaken by the WSAVA Scientific Advisory Committee with potential projects reviewed for scientific novelty and validity, ethical basis and relevance to the African situation.  The final decision will made by the AFSCAN Project Board.

The AFSCAN Studentship Award

This grant will enable African undergraduate veterinary students to spend time during their last two years of study participating in a research project in a laboratory, either at their own veterinary school or elsewhere.  It is important that the chosen project addresses issues related to disease or the welfare of companion animals of relevance to African society.

Successful applicants will receive a studentship of $1,000 to cover their living expenses for the period of the award and bench fees or consumables for the research project.

This Award is open to all veterinary undergraduates (in the final two years of study) in the AFSCAN-participating countries with applications made not by students, but by their veterinary school.  Each veterinary school is able to put forward ONE application for their top student.

All applications will be considered through a formal peer-review process with potential projects reviewed for scientific validity.  The final decision will made by the AFSCAN Project Board.

Full details of the Awards, including selection criteria, application processes and terms and conditions are available at http://www.afscan.org/.  Applications are now open and the closing date is 28th February, 2019.

Please note that for Research Awards, each application must be accompanied by a letter of endorsement from the National Small Animal Veterinary Association (where such an Association exists).

Completed applications must be submitted by e-mail (profmjday@gmail.com) with the subject of the message clearly indicating ‘AFSCAN Research Proposal’.  The review and decision process will take up to three months, after which, successful applicants will be informed.  In the case of the Studentship Award, successful applicants will be informed through their veterinary school and/or local AFSCAN Ambassador.

More information on the AFSCAN initiative is available here.

AFSCAN Concluded A Pan-African Infectious Disease Surveillance Program

AFSCAN concluded a Pan-African Infectious Disease Surveillance Program

 

The African Small Companion Animal Network (AFSCAN), a project of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s (WSAVA’s) charitable Foundation, has concluded amulti-country infectious disease surveillance studythat providednovel data on the prevalence and distribution of ectoparasites (fleas and ticks) and vector-borne pathogens in dogs and cats in six sub-Saharan African countries: Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda.

Based on thecollection of biological samples (ectoparasites, blood andserum), the study attempted to answer the following questions:(1) To which extent do ectoparasite and their pathogencommunities vary macro-geographically? (2) Are parasitecommunities in urbanized areas similar to those of ruralareas? (3) Which additional extrinsic risk factors and hostcharacteristics (age, sex, health status, anti-parasite treatment)are related toectoparasite infestations and pathogenprevalence (within the group of ectoparasite-infestedanimals)?

Each country provided samples of dogs and cats from urban and rurallocations.The surveillance program, led by Emeritus Professor Michael J Day, was launched at a meeting of the participants, held in Arusha, Tanzania, on December 5th, 2018, and was supported by Bayer Animal Health.

As a result of the project, two studies (one for dogs and one for cats) were published in the scientific journal Parasite and Vectors, and can be downloaded for free here:

https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-021-05014-8

https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-022-05436-y

This is the largest and most significant research programme to emerge from the highly successful AFSCAN project.