The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) are to give a talk on the future of the Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) at the forthcoming SPVS/VPMA Congress.
Pam Mosedale, a member of the Practice Standards Group, will discuss the ongoing review of the PSS and its aim to make the initiative more flexible and focused on behaviours and clinical outcomes, as well as assessing the benefits these changes will bring to the profession and the public.
The 2014 joint Congress for the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons and the Veterinary Practice Management Association takes place at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales from January 31 to February 1. Pam Mosedale's talk entitled "PSS: What will it look like in 2015?" is scheduled for Saturday 1st at 9am.
The RCVS will also be holding free 45-minute surgeries with PSS Inspector Bob Lehner at the Congress.

A DNA testing scheme for Ichthyosis (ICT-A) has been approved for golden retrievers. The scheme has been approved by the Kennel Club following consultation with the breed council. Future test certificate results will be sent to the Kennel Club, who will add the result to the dog's registration certificate, and to the next available Breed Records Supplement.

THE International Society of Feline Medicine is hosting its third Asia-Pacific cat congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The two-day congress is aimed at practitioners and this year's theme is feline kidney and feline liver disease. Speakers include two RCVS Specialists in feline medicine, Martha Cannon and Andy Sparkes. Martha, a partner at a cat-only practice in Oxford, will address the clinical and laboratory evaluation of feline liver, kidney and pancreatic disease. She will also discuss the causes and practical management of feline liver disease and the importance of proteinuria in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Andy, veterinary director for International Cat Care, will look at the long-term management of CKD and how the Cat Friendly Clinic is an asset in managing chronic conditions. Rachel Korman, a former International Cat Care resident at the University of Bristol who now works with Veterinary Specialist Services,Brisbane, Australia, will take a close look at acute kidney injury in cats covering aetiology, diagnosis and assessment, practical management and prognosis. She will also discussthe aetiology, diagnosis and stagingof CKD, together with non-dietary therapies and the management of hypertension and other co-morbidities. Fabienne Dethioux who heads-up the Royal Canin scientificcommunications for the Asia Pacific zone will look at the health implications of obesity. The congress venue is the state-of-the-art convention centre at the Kuala Lumpur Renaissance Hotel, which boasts stunning views of the Petronas Twin Towers. The congress will take place from February 26-27, 2014 and is supported by partners Royal Canin and Boehringer Ingelheim. The cost for the whole congress for ISFM members is 180 (250/980MYR) and non-members 200 (260/1100MYR). Delegates registering before December 31 will receive a 15 (20/70 MYR) discount. For the scientific programme and to register, go to www.icatcare.org/asia-pacific-congress

According to a survey by YouGov, Britain is losing its faith in pre-prepared food. According to the results, 46 per cent of people who took part in the survey said that their trust in pre-prepared food had decreased since the horse meat scandal. According to Freedom Food, sales of food bearing its logo have risen by 36 per cent in the last three years and they have reported an increase in the number of farmers wanting to join its higher welfare scheme.

A revision to the licence for vaccine Suvaxyn MH-One will allow pig producers to protect piglets against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae from an earlier age, according to Zoetis. The vaccine has been approved for use from seven days of age with a two-week onset of immunity, meaning piglets can be protected by three weeks of age.

According to the animal health company, the duration of immunity extends well beyond the average UK pig slaughter age of 176 days. Nigel Lodge, national veterinary manager for Zoetis in the UK, commented: "Trials have confirmed that use of Suvaxyn MH-One at seven days reduces lung lesions - even in the presence of maternally derived antibodies."

Keepers at Edinburgh Zoo are still observing signs that that Tian Tian, their female giant panda, is in the late stages of pregnancy.

Simon Girling, head of veterinary services for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said: "Tian Tian, our female giant panda, is still continuing to show signs of being in the late term of pregnancy. Her behaviour has mellowed out over the past few days, which is a very positive sign and she has also started to produce colostrum."