Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

WSAVA to launch certificate in pain management
"The certificate provides recognition to professionals advancing their knowledge on pain management." - Dr Bea Monteiro

Course will promote the importance of companion animal pain management.

Veterinary professionals are invited to register their interest for a new certificate in pain management which is being launched by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) with support from Zoetis.

The certificate will promote the importance of companion animal pain management as a discipline, and give individuals an internationally recognised qualification in the subject for the first time.

It is based on the updated Global Guidelines for the Recognition Assessment and Treatment of Pain that were released by the WSAVA Global Pain Council (GPC) at the end of 2022. The GPC says that despite rapid advances in pain management, pain in companion animals is underdiagnosed and undertreated.

The online course is available free of charge to all companion animal veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses/technicians and includes content that’s tailored to their different roles. 

The course includes three modules that will be delivered via recorded lectures from members of the GPC and other global experts. The modules will cover:

  • Understanding and assessing pain 
  • Preventing and treating pain 
  • Pain management in practice 
The International Veterinary Academy for Pain Management (IVAPM) is supporting the dissemination of the Certificate.

Chair of the WSAVA Global Pain Council Dr Bea Monteiro said: “The new WSAVA Certificate in Pain Management will help veterinary professionals to understand the critical importance of pain management for companion animal health and welfare. It will show them how to assess pain using the latest knowledge of pain-related behaviors and validated pain scales. Finally, it will guide them in treating pain effectively, using the most appropriate drug and non-drug therapies, based on the availability of particular analgesics and other therapies in the region of the world in which they are in practice. 

“The Certificate provides recognition to professionals advancing their knowledge on pain management. It is the next step in the Global Pain Council’s campaign to raise awareness of the importance of pain management and to support veterinary teams in diagnosing and treating it effectively – a development which will benefit companion animals around the world and the humans who gain so much from their companionship. We are grateful to Zoetis and the IVAPM for their support and hope that WSAVA members will enjoy the course we have created.”

Those who are interested in the new certificate can register their interest online.

 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.