Former British Royal Marine Has ‘Mixed Emotions’ After Returning to the UK Without Afghan Vet Team
Pen Farthing, a former British Marine, and founder of ‘Nowzad’ (an animal charity based in Kabul) has said he has ‘mixed emotions’ after returning to the UK without his team.
Although Mr. Farthing was able to transport over 150 animals from the Afghanistan capital, he was unable to transport his 69 staff members after being blocked at the airport. This led to a high-profile row between Mr. Farthing and the Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace.
Dominic Dyer, who has been handling communications between Mr. Farthing and the UK government, commented that:
‘There should never have been a case where we were flying dogs out of an airport on an empty airplane instead of being filled with people.’
‘But that was not our making. Pen is being used as a scapegoat to try to draw attention away from the failed evacuation attempts.’
The Ministry of Defence declined to comment.
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CVM Urges Vets To Spread Public Awareness Around Ivermectin Misuse
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has asked vets to educate their clients of the harms of using ivermectin to treat Covid-19.
Across the US there has been a surge in hospitalizations as a result of the drug’s misuse.
According to a letter from the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), people have been buying the substance (intended for horses, cattle, and sheep) and using it on themselves, via various means.
Although some animal drugs are safe for human consumption, ivermectin has not been approved for such use.
The CVM has created a downloaded sign (which you can get here), for vets to distribute to their clients.
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Tributes Pour In For Legendary Vet Dr. D
The famed neurologist and anatomist Dr. Alexander de Lanhunta (affectionately known as Dr. D), has received several tributes in light of his passing on August 17th.
Dr. D is survived by his children Scott, Harry, Brian, and Leslie.
The former Cornell professor had an ‘infectious’ enthusiasm for veterinary medicine which inspired students from all around the world.
‘Such an inspiring teacher with such incredible energy. I am so glad I was lucky enough to experience rounds with Dr. D!’ said Dr. Emma O’Neill, a veterinarian at University College of Dublin.
‘His towering mind was intimidating, but I’ll never forget how he calmed my fear during his oral exams to get to the right answer’ added Dr. Elisa Salas, an anatomic pathologist in Lincoln, Nebraska.
It is evident that he will be sorely missed by the profession.
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VetPartners Announces First German Practice Acquisition
Vetpartners has announced its first German practice acquisition amid its European expansion.
The UK-based company has already expanded its operations into France and Italy and has over 160 small-animal, mixed, farm, and equine practices.
In a statement, VetPartners chief executive Jo Malone said:
‘I am so pleased to see the start of our family of practices growing in Germany. Sabine [the German practice’s partner] and Niklas [VetPartners German development director] share my passion for the veterinary profession, creating a great place for our team members to work, as well as looking after our clients and patients in the best way possible.’
‘I look forward to working with them and supporting the growth of our group in Germany.’
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Non-Urgent Vet Appointments On Hold In New-Zealand
A Temporary lockdown across New Zealand has brought veterinary clinics to a standstill. The whole country is currently under level-four restrictions, amidst several covid-19 outbreaks.
‘Under Alert Level 4 restrictions, veterinarians can only provide care that can’t be postponed’ said the Veterinary Council of New Zealand’s (VCNZ) Advisor Dr. Seton Butler.
‘As a result, non-urgent healthcare, routine vaccinations, and regular checks need to be postponed until the situation changes.’
Although business operations are limited, for now, many regions are looking to transition into a level-three lockdown over the next week.
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How To Manage Chronic Work Stress
Being a vet can be seriously stressful- trust us, we know. Here are some tips on how to manage it.
Take Your Stress Seriously
Occasionally being stressed is normal- but constantly being stressed to the point that you practically need it to hit your deadlines? Not great.
Chronic stress is serious and may have severe impacts on your long-term health. It has been linked to several physical and mental conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
If you’re struggling, you need to reach out for help- don’t suffer alone.
Find Solutions That Work For You
If you are stressed- you’re probably dealing with quite a lot, and therefore pressed for time. A whole new self-care routine or treatment plan simply might not be on the table for you, given your limited resources.
This is why finding solutions that work for you (no matter how small) can help. If you feel able to seek professional help- great! But if not, small practices (i.e, taking a short walk after work to decompress) can be just as good.
Don’t Underestimate The Basics
As humans, there are some fundamental needs that we need to meet. We need to be properly fed, watered, and rested. You’d be surprised how many people neglect these fundamental needs to ‘get ahead’ at work.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to even start, always go back to the basics.
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