We are thrilled to announce Samaxia as a new partner for MerlinVet-cel Buying Group, offering exclusive UK non-prescription pet health products to all members. As a dedicated family-run team, mother and son, Sam and Max (and occasionally roping in Justin – still smarting that his names not included in the company!) have passionately built Samaxia over the past two years. Committed to personalised service, Samaxia are excited to meet MerlinVet-cel members virtually or face to face. No matter where you are in the country, they’re happy to connect with you, ensuring your practice can fully benefit from their innovative health solutions for pets and unique novel practice disinfectants. . Discover the full range of Samaxia’s products below. Visit the Samaxia website here . Contact Samaxia here . MerlinVet-cel members can benefit from discounts on a number of products through Samaxia. To find out more, please check your latest MerlinVet-cel Member Newsletter or visit the Portal . If you're not yet a member of MerlinVet-cel, but would like to benefit from joining our Buying Group, please contact us today.

The scheme’s aim is to ‘ensure the provision of an adequate veterinary service to prevent & eradicate animal diseases for all animals kept for agricultural purposes and belonging to crofters and others of like economic status.’ The Highlands & Islands Veterinary Services Scheme supports large animal veterinary practices in remote areas of the Scottish Highlands and Islands to provide practical veterinary cover to crofters and their animals, which is vital in the role of preventing & identifying anim al disease. Clarification on the Law in Scotland Andrew Voas, Scottish Government Veterinary Head of Animal Welfare spoke on the updated legislation of lamb tail docking and castration. As distributors of Numnuts , the MerlinVet team were able to demonstrate to vets the advantages and ease of use of the device, thus being able to support their farmers when the time comes later in Spring. Andrew Voas reaffirmed that it is legal in Scotland to use rings for lamb marking up to 12 weeks of age provided that a local anaesthetic is used. Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) officers in attendance stated that now that there is a legal and approved means of applying local anaesthetic at the time of ringing, then farms who are ringing at over 7 days and not using local anaesthetic will be penalised. This clarification brings significant relief to Scottish farmers and veterinarians seeking reassurance on the legality of using Numnuts. This innovative method minimises the pain and distress typically associated with traditional rubber ringing procedures. Scottish legislation allows this practice up to 3 months, ensuring adherence to animal welfare standards and providing a compassionate alternative to older methods. Current legislation is more restrictive in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with rubber rings for castration or tail docking being prohibited on lambs older than 7 days. We are hopeful that the situation will change - please consider petitioning your local MP or NFU Representative to align the legislation across the UK. Numnuts® Numnuts® is a 2-in-1 device that administers an Elastrator® ring along with a pre-calibrated dose of local anaesthetic. This device makes giving fast-acting targeted pain relief for castration and tail docking of lambs easy, fast, and safe. The Numnuts® Device allows farmers and vets to provide best practice without compromising on safety and efficiency. No other device exists that allows farmers and vets to provide targeted pain relief to lambs during tail docking and castration. View more information on Numnuts here Order Numnuts here Other sessions also included the eradication of sheep scab, and Glasgow Vet School gave a demonstration of their calving simulator used for vet students and farmers. Hector Low from Stornoway Vets, pictured below with Jane, won the prize raffle competition on the stand, taking home a bottle of MerlinVet-branded Caorunn Gin.

We have launched our new MerlinVet Group Website - a one-stop shop for all the Merlin Family. This includes easy links to ordering through our MerlinVet UK Warehouse and MerlinVet Export sites, viewing the benefits of our MerlinVet-cel buying group and MerlinSPS Health Plan Solutions, as well as MerlinSalus PAM personal anaesthetic monitoring. Use our website to find out the latest product news, learn more about all parts of Merlin, as well as view the events where you can meet the team in 2025. Get to know how we can help add some animal magic to your practice by visiting our new Group website today: https://merlinvetgroup.com/

Every workplace faces challenges, but with WorkNest by your side you don’t have to tackle them alone. As our trusted Employment Law, HR, and Health & Safety partner, WorkNest is here to help with your everyday queries, pressing concerns, and any unexpected issues that may arise. Resources at your fingertips: Your membership gives you access to a great range of useful resources to support you with Employment Law, HR and Health & Safety issues. You can find some of WorkNest’s recent and most popular documents below: Employment Facts & Figures Reference Guide 2024/25 Guide to the Employment Rights Bill Preventing Sexual Harassment at Work Checklist Guide to Fair and Unfair Dismissals Upcoming webinars – free to join: WorkNest regularly host webinars to keep you updated on key topics across Employment Law, HR and Health & Safety. Save the date for these two sessions in January: Employment Rights Bill | your questions answered 16th January, 2pm In this session, WorkNest will answer employers’ common queries and help you prepare for change, ensuring your business stays compliant in 2025 and beyond. Register here What’s in Store for Health and Safety in 2025? 30th January, 11am In this webinar they will explore the key changes and trends that employers and OHS professionals should watch out for in 2025. Plus, they’ll update you on the HSE’s priorities and review several significant prosecution cases from 2024 to help keep your workplace safe and compliant in the year ahead. Register here How to access support: You can contact WorkNest’s experts directly through the advice line to help you manage issues, which is included as a part of your membership. Call: 0330 912 4783 Email: vetcel@worknest.com Need support? WorkNest offers an unlimited fixed-fee service that delivers tailored, comprehensive Employment Law, HR, and Health & Safety solutions to organisations of all sizes. This includes hands-on guidance from a dedicated Health & Safety Consultant, covering workplace inspections, risk assessments, policies, and more. You’ll also benefit from personalised support from a dedicated team of Employment Law experts who can assist with employee issues and ensure your employment policies, contracts, and handbooks are robust, up-to-date, and provide maximum protection for your organisation. To find out more about this tailored service, contact WorkNest on 0345 226 8393 or email enquiries@worknest.com quoting MerlinVet-cel.

Both the MerlinVet UK/Export office and the MerlinVet-cel office will be open as usual up to and including 24th December. We will then be closed on the 25th & 26th December, with us operating normally on the 27th, 30th and 31st December. We will be closed on the 1st and 2nd January, reopening on 3rd January 2025. The last day for placing orders through MerlinVet UK for normal products is Friday 20th December 2024. Please note that there could be delays with couriers over the festive period. We thank you for your continued business throughout the year and look forward to working with you in 2025. We wish you a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need us.

On Thursday 14th – Friday 15th November 2024, MerlinVet will once again be exhibiting at London Vet Show at the ExCeL Halls S3 – S15 in London. Visit Stand T50 to meet up with us, where the MerlinVet team will be on hand to demonstrate the full breadth of our business and operations from our wholesale and import activities to our health plan solutions, buying group & anaesthetic monitoring. And we have a few new tricks up our sleeve for this year! Phone Charging Station: Pop by Stand T50 to recharge your phone while you catch-up with the team. We’ll have a number of sockets available to get some extra juice in your devices – plug in, recharge your phone, and most importantly recharge yourself as you give your feet a rest! Passport Competition: This year we’re participating in the London Vet Show Passport Competition – tick off a visit to 15 stands, including our own, to get your LVS passport stamped and be in with a chance of winning a £12,000 holiday of a lifetime! Now if that’s not a reason to swing by Stand T50, then we don’t know what is! Cornhole Game: And while you’re visiting us, why not have a go at our cornhole game? Back for 2024, all you need to do is grab a beanbag from one of us, and make sure your aim is on point! Successful throws will get yourself either a MerlinVet-branded bag or possibly the most popular item at LVS 2022 and 2023, one of our MerlinVet-branded water bottles! What went down in 2023? Last year was an amazing year at LVS, and we can’t wait to repeat it again this time round.

Thursday 24th October 2024 Celtic Manor Resort, Wales On Thursday 24th October 2024, MerlinVet-cel will be hosting a CPD Day at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales. The event will run from 09.00 - 17.00 with the morning playing host to clinical sessions, while the afternoon will focus on business operations. We understand how busy practice staff can be, so you are welcome to attend the full day, or pick and choose the sessions which interest you most between the clinical morning sessions and business afternoon sessions. MSD will be leading the morning clinical sessions, with the first being small animal-based focussing on their new Bravecto Injection for Dogs. The other is large animal-focussed with an introduction to the Bovilis Cryptium Vaccine. Hazlewoods LLP Accountants will lead the first afternoon business session on practice accounts, followed by HR specialists, WorkNest, looking at Health & Safety issues within practice. Please register your interest to attend as soon as possible by emailing either Jon Baker ( jon@merlinvetcel.com ) or Donald Ramsay ( donald@merlinvetcel.com ). This event is open to both members and non-members from independent practices. Proposed Agenda 08.30 Delegates arrive - welcome coffee 09.00 - 10.30 Clinical Session 1 - Small Animal: Bravecto Injection in Dogs by MSD Speaker: Sian Stockford, Companion Animal Technical Lead 10.30 Break 10.45 - 12:00 Clinical Session 2 - Large Animal: Large Animal Bovilis Cryptuim Vaccine by MSD Speaker: Kat Baxter-Smith, Ruminant Business Unit Veterinary Advisor 12.00 - 14.00 Lunch 14.00 - 15.00 Business Session 1: Hazlewoods LLP Accountants, Practice Accounts Speaker: Mark Harwood, Partner, Hazlewoods 15.00 Break 15.15 - 16.15 Business Session 2: WorkNest, Health & Safety Speaker: Andrew Hall, Health & Safety Consultant, WorkNest 16.15 - 17.00 MerlinVet-cel Q&A Speakers Kat Baxter-Smith BVetMed CertAVP(EM) MRCVS, Ruminant Business Unit Veterinary Advisor, MSD Kat graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 2010. She worked in mixed practices (equine and farm animal) in the UK for 7 years and completed an advanced certificate in large animal and equine internal medicine. She has been with MSD for 7 years, firstly as a field veterinary adviser and now as Sector Veterinary Adviser for Sheep and Beef. Her main field of interest is cattle youngstock health and she has published several papers in this area. Recently she has been focussing on respiratory health, specifically thoracic ultrasound in calves which she has pioneered as a diagnostic technique in the UK. Sian Stockford, Companion Animal Technical Lead, MSD Sian Stockford spent 20 years in mixed then small-animal practice before joining MSD as a Field Veterinary Advisor in 2017. In 2022 she took on the role of Lead Technical Vet and manages the small-animal Technical Team. Sian lives and breathes Bravecto and has a particular interest in tick lifecycles. Andrew Hall, Health & Safety Consultant, WorkNest Andrew's role is as a Senior Client Manager and Health & Safety Lead at WorkNest. He has been a health and safety practitioner for 15 years with a wealth of experience across a range of sectors and aspects of health and safety. With a background in construction, engineering, shipping, ports and logistics, Andrew is able to provide advice on new processes and systems that drive health and safety compliance. He has cross-sector knowledge, providing best-in-class advice and recommendations to SMEs and some of the UK’s largest organisations. Andrew is a Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (CMIOSH). Mark Harwood, Partner, Hazelwoods LLP Accountants Mark has been with Hazlewoods since 2003 and works solely with veterinary practices. He advises on a whole range of matters including profit improvement, tax planning, valuations, ownership change and buying and selling practices. He regularly writes for the veterinary press and lectures to the profession. Partners: MSD Hazlewoods WorkNest Register your interest View agenda & speakers

At this year’s BCVA Congress on 17th – 19th October at Celtic Manor Resort in Wales, MerlinVet will be exhibiting with several innovations on display to attendees. These include the BoviLab portable blood analyser from FarmLabo, the Pulsator V, the most advanced electronic bull ejaculator available, and the Ram E-JAC, a battery-operated electro-ejaculator for collecting semen from small ruminants – designed, developed, and distributed by MerlinVet. These three products are all available to purchase through MerlinVet UK. Merlin will also be showcasing the Dynescan portable semen motility analyser from Dyneval. BoviLab Portable Blood Analyser BoviLab is a portable blood analyser from FarmLabo. This tabletop device brings you lab-quality results from anywhere, making blood analysis on-site quick and easy. BoviLab allows vets to support dairy farmers to improve transition management and ultimately improve overall cow health. BoviLab is designed for simultaneous testing of 6 parameters, including NEFA and BHBA, in just 7 minutes, providing highly accurate analysis on whole blood, heparin blood, or serum blood, with simple operation and automatic calibration. Product Highlights: On-farm convenience​ - perform tests without the need for a laboratory Get comprehensive blood analysis in just 7 minutes Measure six key inspection items simultaneously (including NEFA & BHBA) Designed for easy operation by anyone – simple operation, automatic calibration, low maintenance & durable Early disease detection​ - identify health issues in cattle before they escalate Protective Case and lightweight (2kg) for easy transportation Online data transmission Centrifugation is not required View BoviLab in action here Find out more and purchase here Ram E-JAC The MerlinVet E-JAC is a battery-operated self-contained electro-ejaculator designed for collecting semen from small ruminants. The E-JAC Ram Probe features: rechargeable battery with USB charger ergonomic design, suitable for all hand sizes high-low setting allowing versatility when collecting semen from different breeds, ages, and species lightweight with rubberised handle precision control on/off button & power on light protective carrier case and one year warranty specialist electrode technology the unit will operate for around 500 rams on a single charge The Ram E-JAC was developed with Lane Manufacturing, who have been setting the standard in the manufacture of large animal reproductive equipment and supplies since 1972. Find out more and purchase here Pulsator V The Pulsator V is the most advanced electronic bull ejaculator available, allowing users to collect bull semen in a safe and controlled environment. Manufactured by Lane Manufacturing & distributed by MerlinVet, features include: Improved battery and charging Smoother signal to the bull State of the art electronics Multiple, pre-programmed programs designed for specific breeds Stimuli counter The newest in bull probe technology, the two-electrode probe delivers a smoother signal to the bull and is a more durable construction than the older three-electrode probe. All two-electrode probes are weighted, gentle and efficient, while the shielding of the electrodes reduces back arching, hind limb extension & vocalisation. The nose now has additional weight, helping the probe to sit securely in the ‘sweet spot’ area. It’s also easier to clean, enhancing biosecurity and has improved water resistance. Find out more and purchase here Dynescan – Portable Semen Analysis Pen-Side Dynescan revolutionises portable semen analysis with the first-ever measurement of semen motility under quasi-in-vivo conditions. Featuring the new fertility marker, Sustained Motility Lifetime (SML), Dynescan delivers unmatched insights into sperm behaviour, directly correlating with improved conception rates. This versatile QC tool is ideal for on-farm use in research, semen production, pre-breeding tests, import/export certification, training, and more—offering lab-quality analysis anytime, anywhere. Dynescan, a portable QC from semen production to insemination: Precise - Standard deviation < 3% Reproducible – Automated analysis provides user-independent results Sustained Motility Lifetime – New fertility Marker Broad concentration range - 2 to 550 million cells/mL Integrated sample warmer – Sample protected from thermal shock Evidence – PDF report and data backed with video evidence Data Retrievable 24/7 – Secure cloud storage Multi-species – Bovine, ovine and equine Portable - Providing lab-quality results to anyone, anywhere Practical - Intuitive user interface requires minimal training Robust - Protective casing for equipment and accessories Boost fertility management with unique semen quality insights. Order your Dynescan now at www.dyneval.com Robert Anderson, Director at MerlinVet, said: “We’re really looking forward to returning to BCVA this year – the MerlinVet team will be on hand to answer any questions about our fertility products, as well as providing practical advice to attendees. BCVA Congress is an event we attend every year and it’s a great opportunity to catch-up with fellow veterinary professionals. Make sure you visit our stand to view the Ram E-JAC, Pulsator V, BoviLab and Dynescan.” BCVA Congress at Celtic Manor will feature discussions and demonstrations to offer interactive learning, with practical workshops, as well as socials on the Thursday and Friday nights. For the full conference programme, please click here. Register and more information available here . About MerlinVet: At MerlinVet UK , we offer a customised pharmaceutical service, importing pharmaceuticals and farm fertility equipment to UK vets. We stock an extensive range of Special Import Products that other wholesalers are unable to source, providing solutions to vets in times of stock shortages. We can guide you through the entire Special Import process to ensure you get the products you need. The MerlinVet family includes: MerlinVet UK: offering a customised pharmaceutical service, importing pharmaceuticals and farm fertility equipment to UK vets. MerlinVet Export: supplying veterinary medicines, equipment, and accessories globally, providing vets around the world with quality products of great value. MerlinVet-cel: our buying group. MerlinSPS: providing simple subscription & health plan solutions. MerlinSalus PAM: monitoring anaesthetic exposure in your workplace. By listening to the needs of vets we provide products, services, solutions and, above all else, the support needed to add a touch of animal magic to your practice. With over 100 years industry experience between us, get in touch to find out how we can transform your practice’s journey today. Here's what happened last year at BCVA:

Vet Dynamics is targeted at independents in the UK, with this year’s event focusing on the importance of a healthy work-life balance in the veterinary industry. There will be CPD sessions on the Thursday morning with strategies and insights for start-ups, as well as how to grow your practice by identifying issues and opportunities. In addition, the event will allow for plenty of networking with delegates and exhibitors. This year’s guest speakers are Dr. Sam Bowden, author of ‘The Abundant Practice’, a practice owners success manual, and Dr. Tim Hill from Accelerate Practice Academy in Australia. On the Thursday there will be a quiz night and karaoke, while the Friday will see the Gala Dinner, Awards, Vetlife Raffle and Auction taking place, with a disco until late. Make sure to visit Merlin’s stand to meet the team and see how we can add a touch of animal magic to your practice. Amy from MerlinSPS will be on hand to demonstrate how SPS can provide payment solutions to your practice, and to take visitors through Talon, our practice portal. You’ll also be able to speak with Jon from MerlinVet-cel , who can talk through the benefits of joining our buying group, or if you’re already a member, how you can maximise the benefits. MerlinVet UK will also be represented, so if you’re keen to find out more about our pharmaceuticals and farm fertility equipment, then you’ll know where to go. You can view the full conference agenda here . If you can’t make the event, then make sure you catch us at BCVA in October or London Vet Show in November. MerlinSPS We provide simple subscription & health plan solutions with optional home delivery of prescription products. MerlinVet UK At MerlinVet UK, we offer a customised pharmaceutical service, importing pharmaceuticals and farm fertility equipment to UK vets. We stock an extensive range of Special Import Products that other wholesalers are unable to source, providing solutions to vets in times of stock shortages. We can guide you through the entire Special Import process to ensure you get the products you need. We offer a customised pharmaceutical service, importing pharmaceuticals and farm fertility equipment to UK vets. Our range includes the Pulsator V, the most advanced electronic bull ejaculator available, and the Ram E-JAC, a battery-operated self-contained electro-ejaculator designed for collecting semen from small ruminants, designed, developed, and delivered by MerlinVet. MerlinVet-cel Our buying group is the oldest in the country and improves practices’ profitability through competitive rebates, ongoing support, and reduced administration costs.