MSD Animal Health has reported an increase of 121% in calls from veterinary practices requesting support for diabetes cases alone during the first five months of the pandemic (1^st March to 1^st August 2020)¹. With this in mind, MSD Animal Health has decided to dedicate its focus during Pet Diabetes Month in November on the CPD and support resources available, to better equip practices with the tools and skills they need.

Amanda Melvin, Marketing Manager for the Companion Animal Team at MSD Animal Health comments: “Research has shown that up to 20% of diabetic pets die, or are euthanised, within a year of diagnosis² so we want to do everything we can to prevent any further increases in this figure. Recent circumstances have put most practices under a great deal of strain and it’s become clear from the increase in calls we’re receiving that there is a high demand for more information and resources to support the care of diabetic pets. We’ve therefore decided that with Pet Diabetes Month in November, our best way of supporting veterinary practices is to make them aware of, and know how to access the resources we have available to help them.”

Veterinary practices can access a range of resources including:

• veterinary nurse clinics and training
• getting the best out of VetPen
• diabetes monitoring support tools
• case advice and support.

Practices can either subscribe as individuals or as a whole team to grant them direct access to the materials.

Further support is available for the veterinary profession on the MSD Animal Health Hub (https://www.msd-animal-health-hub.co...ninsulin/tools). Useful information and resources are available for owners of diabetic pets on the Caninsulin^® website (www.caninsulin.co.uk), as part of MSD Animal Health’s 'With You and Your Pet for Life' campaign.