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New resources address menopause in veterinary workplaces
"We must do more to provide meaningful support." - Liz Barton
WellVet has published a series of videos.

WellVet, a not-for-profit initiative, has published a series of free videos designed to address the impact the perimenopause has in a veterinary workplace.

The resources include information and practical advice from professionals aimed at people impacted directly as well as those who wish to support them.

It is inspired by the findings of the 2020 Report on Menopause in the Veterinary Profession, co-authored by WellVet founder Liz Barton, which revealed that nearly half of veterinary colleagues had experienced at least a moderate impact from perimenopause symptoms. A third of respondents felt this had significantly impacted their career.

The survey also found that 90 per cent of respondents wanted more information about the menopause from a personal or team perspective.

The videos are tailored specifically for those in the veterinary industry, and feature advice from a range of experts. The information will be founded on concepts from lifestyle medicine and the neuropsychology of hormones.

The first instalment consists of nine videos, each five to 30 minutes long, on the WellVet website.

It will include content from Claire Gillvray – a GP, psychiatrist, lifestyle medicine specialist and founder of Gillvray Health. Dr Gillvray will provide an introduction to the menopause and explain potential treatment options.

Dr Gillvray says that her sessions will empower individuals to take control of their symptom monitoring. Those experiencing menopause symptoms will be encouraged to have meaningful conversations with medical professionals and try lifetime adjustments.

VetYogi founder Chloe Hannigan, who is also a veterinary surgeon and qualified yoga instructor, will provide practical sessions on symptom management through breathwork, meditation and yoga.

Dr Hannigan believes that, through mindfulness and movement, symptoms caused by perimenopause and menstruation can be alleviated.

There will also be sessions from neuropsychologist Libby Kemkaran, detailing how hormones can impact the brain, and how to mitigate the symptoms. Dr Kemkaran’s sessions will give attendees knowledge about biochemistry in the brain, as well as suggesting somatic interventions.

The first nine episodes of the series are accessible for free on the WellVet website. A further two instalments will be released in September and October, with 27 videos to be made available in total.

Dr Barton said: “In a predominantly female profession facing a workforce crisis, it’s vital we support team members in the workplace. The perimenopause years are the peak ages for women to die by suicide, and the most common perimenopause symptoms are psychological.

“We must do more to provide meaningful support.”

The video series can be found on the WellVet website.

Image © WellVet

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BEVA gives RVNs right to vote

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 The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is to allow its registered veterinary nurse (RVN) members the right to vote.

RVN members will now be able to take part in key decision-making processes and stand for BEVA council.

Marie Rippingale, chair of BEVA's Nurse Committee, said: "I am very proud to be a part of BEVA.

"This change will help to empower nurses to speak up and contribute, but more importantly, it will give them an opportunity to collaborate with other members of the equine veterinary profession to bring about change that is positive for all." 

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Farmer survey to reveal on-farm impact of bluetongue

A nationwide survey has been launched to better understand how the bluetongue virus is affecting UK farms.

Results will inform the support that farmers receive for bluetongue, as well as preparing the livestock industry for the future.

The short online survey is open to all livestock farmers, regardless of whether they've had a confirmed case of bluetongue on their farm. It asks how many animals have been affected, the severity of their clinical signs and how it has impacted farm business.

The survey takes five minutes to complete and is fully anonymous.

It is led by Fiona Lovatt, of Flock Health Limited, and the Ruminant Health & Welfare bluetongue working group, in collaboration with AHDB and the University of Nottingham.

Dr Lovatt says: "We need to find out what level of clinical signs farmers are seeing in their animals, whether they are experiencing mortality with BTV-3 cases, and what their appetite is to vaccinate in future for bluetongue serotype 3."

The survey can be found here.