The Seller’s Declaration has been revised with the support of British Equestrian (BEF) and British Horse Society (BHS) to make the purchase process more efficient for both buyer and seller.
BEVA says the new Declaration is a more extensive, stand-alone document which the buyer should request from the seller directly before the formal process of the PPE commences.
In this way the seller is obliged to disclose any pertinent information, such as previous lameness, stereotypies, specific management requirements, previous veterinary interventions and details of preventative dental care and worm control, prior to the PPE proceeding.
Lucy Grieve, Veterinary Projects Officer at BEVA, said: “BEVA’s new Seller’s Declaration will iron out the PPE process to make it smoother and more efficient for all three parties involved: buyer, seller and vet.
“The advantage is it cuts out the vet as a middleman… asking if the horse has received any medication, or coughs on dry hay and so on.
“The new Seller’s Declaration means that the seller should declare those things to the buyer straight off.
"If completed in advance, it should give the buyer more robust information on which to base proceeding with the PPE or not.”
https://www.beva.org.uk/Resources/Clinical-resources/PPE-toolkit
Fabio Procoli DMV MRCVS, Senior Clinical Training Scholar in Small Animal Internal Medicine RVC
The Royal Veterinary College
As part of the LUPA initiative ( http://www.eurolupa.org ), the Royal Veterinary College, University of London and the Universities of Manchester and Uppsala are collaborating to investigate the genetic...
Exocrine Pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) Treatment Study Aran Mas DVM MRCVS P-J.M.Noble BSc BVM&S PhD MRCVS, A.J.German BVSc PhD CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
We are currently looking at the predisposition of Birman cats to congenital portosystemic shunts. The project is being run by Angie Hibbert and Professor Tim Gruffydd-Jones at the Feline Centre Bristol
Stijn Neissen RVC
Published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, the model is a "hybrid causal Bayesian network" designed to enhance existing tools by analysing complex relationships between risk factors1.
It combines data from electronic health records, owner questionnaires, previous studies and veterinarian expertise.
Waltham says the model confirms the importance of risk factors including breed and size, age, head shape and quality of home dental care, and quantifies the probability of a dog having periodontal disease based on the presence of these factors.
Dr Stephen Makin, Vice President Waltham Petcare Science Institute, said: "This breakthrough is more than just a scientific achievement; it's a potential game-changer for canine oral health.
"Supported by AI, we are moving from detection to prediction, empowering veterinarians and owners with the ability to provide proactive and personalised oral care.
"This could fundamentally change the health and wellbeing of our canine companions."
The new model is now being used within the Linnaeus group to flag risk for newly-registered clients.
It has also been deployed on a risk checker at: https://www.uk.pedigree.com/gum-disease-risk-checker.
In both cases, Linnaeus says the objective is to get information to pet owners earlier, particularly for breeds where risk is substantially higher, to help drive early preventive care.
However, the company says this is only a fraction of what this kind of foundational model can do, and that it is exploring a range of further applications — including how it might work in combination with other clinical tools and diagnostics to support decision-making more directly at the point of care.
Reference
Dr De Decker is the RVC’s Professor in Neurology and Neurosurgery and has led the QMHA Neurology and Neurosurgery service since 2016.
A Ghent University graduate (2005), Dr De Decker completed a rotating internship and a PhD focused on diagnosing and treating disc-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy (wobbler syndrome) in dogs.
He joined the RVC in 2010 and is a European- and RCVS-Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Neurology.
His clinical and research interests include spinal cord disorders, neurosurgery and clinical reasoning in dogs and cats.
His published work has included studies on thoracic vertebral malformations in French Bulldogs, Pugs and English Bulldogs (with and without neurological deficits), diagnostic imaging in intervertebral disc disease, and immune-mediated inflammatory brain disorders.
Alongside clinical work, Dr De Decker teaches BVetMed and postgraduate MVetMed students and delivers continuing professional education nationally and internationally.
He is Past-President of the British Veterinary Neurology Society and currently chairs the Education Committee of the European College of Veterinary Neurology.
Dr De Decker said: “It is an enormous privilege to take up the role of Clinical Director… I look forward to contributing to the further development and growth of the QMHA and its community.”
The new line incorporates integrated sound-dampening materials to reduce noise both within and outside the kennels both for the patients and clinical teams.
It also features a proprietary antibacterial polymer and toughened safety-glass doors, which Casco says improve biosecurity and support more efficient cleaning protocols.
According to Casco, testing has shown CareKennels take around 40% less time to clean than stainless-steel cages.
Casco Pet CEO Matthew Bubear said: "CareKennels bring together many of the strengths our products are known for - design quality, thoughtful construction and a wellness-first approach - while offering an accessible option for clinics looking to improve their housing standards."
"Creating calmer, more comfortable spaces for patients supports better clinical outcomes as well as contributing to a more positive working environment for veterinary professionals."
https://cascopet.com
The clinical team at the RVC analysed anonymised clinical data from dogs from the UK, Europe and the USA undergoing mitral valve repair at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals at the RVC.
One study evaluated the anaesthetic management and outcomes of 176 dogs undergoing surgery, focusing on complications during and around the time of anaesthesia1.
The second study assessed 66 dogs to identify features on heart scans that could help predict whether the heart would remain enlarged after surgery2.
The findings showed that mitral valve repair is associated with significant intraoperative and postoperative risks.
Longer cardiopulmonary bypass duration was associated with increased risk.
Dogs with greater pre-surgical heart enlargement and higher body weight were more likely to have persistent left heart enlargement after surgery.
Close perioperative monitoring and rapid-response protocols were found to be essential in managing anticipated complications.
The study also found that recovery outcomes vary, meaning individual patient factors must be considered when advising owners.
Finally, the research demonstrated that most beneficial changes in heart size, known as reverse remodelling, occurred within the first three months after surgery.
Professor Dan Brockman, Professor in Small Animal Surgery and Director of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Service at the RVC, said: "Establishing and maintaining open heart surgical capability at the RVC has been both the most challenging and the most rewarding activity of my 36 years as a specialist small animal surgeon.
"Our team are rightly proud of what we have achieved, but we all know that the route to even greater consistency of results lies in the constant process of reflection, refinement and improvement in every aspect of what we do."
The RVC is currently the only centre in the UK offering this specialist surgical procedure.
https://www.rvc.ac.uk/small-animal-vet/specialist-referrals/advanced-techniques/cardiothoracic-surgery/mitral-valve-disease
References
In particular, the event will highlight how the veterinary profession can shift from a model focused on reactive treatment to one centred on proactive, preventive care, strengthening the human–animal bond, improving vet–client partnerships, and supporting longer, healthier lives for pets.
Speakers at the summit include:
Daniel Rodes, Innovation and Renovation Lead at Purina Europe, said: "Pet owners increasingly expect personalised, preventive care shaped around the human-animal bond.
"The Purina Institute Global Summit will equip veterinary teams with practical communication strategies and emerging tools to improve client adherence and ultimately deliver better long-term patient outcomes."
All presentations will be available free for veterinary professionals to view later on demand, and provide up to 8.5 hours of CPD.
Live translations will also be available.
https://globalsummit2026.purinainstitute.com
The programme includes lectures by recognised experts in exotic animal and aquatic medicine.
Topics include “Ferret Emergencies: A Practical Approach to the Critical Patient”, “Hoppy Rabbits – The Role of the Veterinary Nurse in Creating a Rabbit-Friendly Practice”, “That’s a Lot of Axolotl!” – Care and Common Conditions of Axolotls”, and “No Vein, No Gain: Catheters, Intubation and Minimising Blood Loss in Exotic Surgery”.
The conference includes live Q&A sessions with speakers.
All sessions will be recorded, with access provided to attendees after the event.
A Zoom link will be sent to registered delegates in the week before the event.
Ticket sales end 14 May 2026.
Tickets cost £200.
https://justexoticsevents.co.uk/product/16th-17th-may-2026-just-exotics-virtual-conference-2026
Veterinary surgeons will also be asked to verify each horse’s health status via a brief questionnaire (around 4 minutes).
The results of the questionnaires will be used to develop a scoring algorithm to measure the impact of health on a horse’s quality of life.
Zoetis says support from the veterinary profession is going to be pivotal to its ability to deliver a valid and reliable measurement tool, one that has the potential to transform the welfare of horses worldwide.
To that end, vets who contribute will gain early insight into a scientifically validated HRQL instrument designed to:
If you would like to participate, of if you would like more information contact Dr Cory Noble at cory.noble@zoetis.com.
The new online resources have been compiled by BEVA in collaboration with the RSPCA, World Horse Welfare, the SSPCA and the National Equine Crime Group, together with national Police and Local Authority representatives.
BEVA President Imogen Burrows said: “It can be an intimidating process when visiting an equid without an owner, but our new resources aim to address the potential stress factor and make the rules around the provision of care very clearcut.
“We have produced all the documents the attending vet should need, no matter their location or circumstances.
"Most importantly, if they are attending alone, they will know how to access the right help at the right time, secure in the knowledge that they are following appropriate, validated procedures.”
The resources include a decision tree for quick checking correct procedures, an overview of stakeholder roles and responsibilities, a ‘what if’ section for troubleshooting and an essential contacts registry.
There are also examination and treatment worksheets, and euthanasia certification forms.
Imogen added: “We have put significant thought and effort into producing these new resources, especially from an ambulatory veterinary perspective.
“It should make all the difference for vets, knowing that they have the all the information they need, to hand, In the unlikely event of a callout to an equid of unknown ownership.”
https://www.beva.org.uk/Resources/Clinical-resources/Welfare-toolkit/Managing-equids-of-unknown-ownership
The collection, which is free to read until 7th January 2026, explores:
Laura Nath said: “This collection highlights important and exciting work and improves our understanding of arrhythmogenic mechanisms, diagnosis of arrhythmias and recognition of cardiac pathology in both clinical and research settings.”
https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1001/(ISSN)2042-3306.current-progress-in-equine-cardiology
Thought i would let you all know, that we have now reach the milestone of 100 SAMSOC members registered on the site.
The commitee is now starting to look for new ideas to develop within the site that will benefit members. Current features include - the forum, a wiki for listing projects that are recruiting cases and a media section for interesting radiographs/case material.
If you have any good ideas please contact us and we will see what we can do
All the best and see you tommorow
Ian
PS- There are still some members have yet to register on the site. So if you know one of them give them a nudge.
Hi all,
Just wanted to thank everyone again who came along to the satelitte meeting. I am sure you will agree it was a great day and we heard some interesting talks.
The results for the case report competition are below - Much to the relief of the presenters i forgot my camera so there is no photo to follow.
1st Place - Deoxycorticosterone-producing adrenal carcinoma causing signs of mineralocorticoid excess and hypokalaemic myopathy in a dog
Ruth Gostelow (RVC - Medicine resident )
Second Place - Abdominal mycetoma in a dog caused by Scedosporium apiospermum Rosanne Jepson (RVC - Medicine Resident)
3rd place - Colonic candidiasis in a dog - Caroline Kisielewicz (Glasgow University - Medicine Resident)
4th place - Four cases of feline hyperprogesteronism - Natasha Hetzel (Bristol University - Medicine Resident)
In total we had 10 excellent submission from practioners and residents - whioch ave the commitee a nice but difficult task of slecting the top 3 . infact we expanded it to four. We hope to secure funding for the competition, so keep the competition in mind when you are on clinics.
Other news is that the commmitee has had alittle re shuffle
Marge Chandler and Clive Elwood have stepped down. Again the Commitee would like to thank them for their hard work and input over the last 4-5 years.
New members of the commitee
Mark Dunning - has joined the program commitee
David Walker - has taken over the PR role from me
My role will change and I will be keeping an eye on the website and hopefully coming up with some new ideas to make it more interesting ( let me know if you have any) and focusing on the antibiotic usage project.
All the best
Science in brief: Equine Infectious Disease and Microbiology is edited by Julia Kydd and Celia Marr with guest editors Macarena Sanz, Tessa LeCuyer and Laura Peachey.
The issue groups papers around national disease surveillance, the need for definitive diagnosis in some infections, and cross-species comparisons for pathogens affecting multiple species.
Diagnostics papers cover techniques for equine fever, equine influenza and equine gastrointestinal parasites, with the editors noting these developments should help speed biosecurity implementation to limit transmission.
Gastrointestinal papers include metabolic profiling for earlier insights into equine proliferative disease in foals, potential colitis aetiology, and the importance of additional testing for chronic hepatitis and liver failure in hepacivirus cases.
Two antimicrobial papers address resistance, one suggesting that prophylaxis beyond 24 hours is unnecessary to prevent post-surgical complications after colic surgery.
Respiratory studies include multiple strangles papers concluding prevention needs thorough screening, consistent quarantine, close monitoring and interconnected reporting.
The section also includes a special collection on the equine microbiome, updating EVJ’s 2019 collection and flagging progress over the past seven years.
Julia Kydd said: “The considerable and diverse research efforts within this Special Focus will ultimately improve the detection, diagnosis, treatment and control of many pathogens.
“The eventual aim is to prevent or minimise the impact of future outbreaks.”
https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/20423306/2026/58/2
Focusing on “The Gut-Brain Axis in Practice", the symposium will use talks, discussions and case studies to explore how gut–brain science, the pet–human relationship and probiotics may relate to canine behaviour.
Registration is open to veterinary surgeons, vet techs, RVNs, behaviourists and nutritionists.
Speakers named include Dr Clara Palestrini (University of Milan), Dr Sarah Heath (European Veterinary Specialist in Behavioural Medicine), and Dr Marta Amat Grau and Dr Xavier Manteca Vilanova (University of Barcelona), among a total of 10 speakers.
The programme also includes a round-table discussion and a session focused on evidence-based insights and real-life case reports.
Simultaneous translation will be available in French, Spanish, German, Italian and Portuguese alongside English.
https://www.vet-center.eu/pro-plan-calming-care-symposium
For the study1, which was led by Professor David Gardner and Dr Rebecca Brociek and published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, researchers analysed opportunistically collected kidney samples from 58 domestic cats, seven domestic dogs, 24 Scottish wildcats and three zoo wildcats.
Using chemical analyses, the team discovered that cats accumulate a rare group of modified triglycerides, some with unusual chemical bonds or branched structures, that are very rarely observed in other mammals.
Dogs did not show this pattern at all, and the feral Scottish Wildcats showed it only occasionally.
Dr Brociek said: "Why these types of unusual fats accumulate in domestic cat kidneys, even from an early age, may offer an important clue as to why domestic cats are particularly prone to chronic kidney disease, one of the most common and serious illnesses affecting older cats."
The researchers say that this distinctive lipid buildup inside kidney cells could be an early sign of long‑term stress within the kidney, potentially contributing to tissue damage over time.
Professor Gardner added: "We are hopeful that soon we will understand why these unusual fats accumulate in domestic cats - we just have to collect the evidence to find the proof.
"If true, we believe we could develop a supplement or modified diet to help prevent these unusual lipid structures from accumulating, ultimately benefitting the long-term health of our companion animals."
The discovery opens a new area of investigation into feline biology, suggesting that cats’ unique metabolism may predispose them to kidney problems. It could eventually lead to better diagnostic tools, improved diets, and new treatments for protecting cats' kidney health.
Free plasma metanephrines – a novel diagnostic approach for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in dogs
The Royal Veterinary College is investigating whether an increased plasma metanephrine concentration can be used to identify pheochromocytomas in dogs. We hope this will provide a useful indicator for pheochromocytomas, which are otherwise challenging to diagnose and our preliminary data suggests that plasma metanephrine concentrations increase in affected dogs.
EDTA plasma samples are being submitted for metanephrine measurement by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and we also plan to validate a radioimmunoassay for metanephrine measurement.
We would welcome EDTA plasma samples from dogs undergoing investigation of adrenal masses, especially if pheochromocytoma is strongly suspected. The full cost of this test will be covered by the project grant and HPLC results are usually available within 7 days.
For further information or to discuss submitting a sample for analysis, please contact:
Ruth Gostelow BVetMed (Hons) MRCVS
Senior Clinical Training Scholar in Small Animal Internal Medicine
Email: rgostelow@rvc.ac.uk
Or call the RVC Clinical Investigations Centre on 01707 666605
Fellow investigator: Harriet Syme BSc BVetMed PhD MRCVS D-ACVIM D-ECVIM
Other projects listed in the SAMSOC Wiki
SAMSoc Travel Scholarship 2011
The award will be presented at the pre-BSAVA SAMSoc meeting on 30th March 2011. The award is kindly sponsored by Pfizer.
The workshops have been co-authored with a workplace wellbeing company called Ultimate Resilience, and will be delivered by two of the company's clinical psychologists: Dr Felicity Baker and Dr Jackie Allt.
The sessions will focus on leadership skills, recognising early signs of stress and burnout, and practising conversations to support colleagues.
The workshops will run for designated groups across the profession during March, April, May and June.
Places are limited to 16 per workshop and cost £150 per person and online places cost £120.
The RCVS is also running a free ‘Work, mental health and mood’ webinar on Monday 30 March, 6.30pm to 7.45pm.
The webinar will cover recognising mood and affective disorders at work, supporting colleagues, reducing stigma, and signposting to help.
Speakers are clinical psychologist Dr Marco Vivolo, veterinary mental health researcher James Glass MRCVS, and wellbeing instructor Emma Sadler RVN.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-mental-health-in-the-workplace-for-everyday-veterinary-leaders-tickets-1981567626112
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/events/mmi-work-mental-health-and-mood-webinar
Richard completed his specialist training at the Royal Veterinary College and remained there for a further year as a clinician before spending seven years gaining referral experience at a multi-disciplinary referral hospital in Surrey.
From the Sevenoaks hospital he provides ophthalmology services including cataract surgery, corneal ulcer management, treatment of feline corneal sequestra, tear film disorders such as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), and emergency ophthalmic cases.
South East Veterinary Referrals has installed a Zeiss operating microscope to support procedures including cataract removal, corneal ulcer repair and corneal transpositions.
Richard said: "Eye problems in dogs and cats can progress rapidly.
"Cataracts linked to diabetes, deep corneal ulcers, or trauma can threaten sight within days.
"Until now, many complex cases in Kent had to be referred many miles away.
"SEVR provides a seamless pathway for assessment and surgery, whilst ensuring pets return to their first referral vet for follow-up care when appropriate."
www.southeastvetreferrals.com
We're delighted to announce details of the SAMSoc Pre-BSAVA Satellite Meeting:
Date: Wednesday April 1st 2009Venue: Hall 8a, ICC, Birmingham
Timetable:
8.30 - 9am
Registration
9 - 10
Thoracic CT
Charlotte Whatmough (UK)
10 - 11
Thoracoscopy for medics
Eric Monnet (USA)
11 - 11.30
Break
11.30-12.15
Case Reports - sponsored by Vetoquinol
12.15 - 1.15
Current management of Diabetes Mellitus in people
Dr Aldibbiat (UK)
1.15 -2.30
Lunch
2.30-3.30
A logical approach to changed mental status
Natasha Olby (USA)
3.30-4.30
Interpretation of bone marrow cytology
Reinhard Mischke (Germany)
4.30-5pm
AGM
Satellite meeting fees (lunch is included) - members £65, Non members £95. SAMSOC annual membership - £25
We would like to invite submission of interesting case reports. There will be three presentations each lasting 12 minutes (plus 3 minutes for questions). If you have a case that you would like to present please e-mail an outline (up to 500 words) to Alison.Ridyard@ed.ac.uk by the 1st February 2009. The programme co-ordinators will review the submissions and inform people of the selected cases by the 1st March 2009. This is a chance for sharing your interesting and unusual cases with the group and we look forward to some interesting submissions. This year in addition to free registration, there will be prizes for the best case reports (first prize £300, second £150 , third £50).
If you are interested in joining the society or attending the meeting contact medicinereferrals@hotmail.com or iab@vetspecialists.co.uk. You may also click here for more details.
For the research, published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, the team studied osteoarthritic tissues from dogs with osteoarthritis treated with total hip replacement surgery at the RVC's Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, using ultra-high-resolution micro-computed tomography to map the entire femoral head in three dimensions.
Using this technique, as opposed to more localised analysis previously conducted on human samples, researchers identified that different areas of the femoral head simultaneously responded differently.
In particular, the findings revealed that in the earliest stages of osteoarthritis, the inner regions predictably change their bone structure pattern, allowing early identification of osteoarthritis.
As the disease progresses, the dense layer of bone immediately below the joint surface becomes more porous in proportion to the increasing severity of osteoarthritis, distinguishing mild from severe changes.
The researchers say that the next step is to match these changes with clinical scans to develop improved non-invasive approaches to assessing joint health at much earlier stages of disease.
Professor Richard Meeson, Professor of Orthopaedics at the RVC, and senior author of the paper, said: "Osteoarthritis is a devastating disease affecting both people and our pets.
"Every day in our orthopaedic referral clinic, I see dogs suffering from its severe effects.
"What is truly exciting is that through our clinical work, we can transform the lives of dogs through hip replacement surgery, and we have also been able to drive forward pioneering research at the RVC.
"This research has provided new insights into the disease and, crucially, brings us closer to diagnosing osteoarthritis at a much earlier stage."
Julia Albright, MA, DVM, DACVB, and Martha G. Cline, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition) will share the latest insights on how nutrition influences behaviour, cognition, and learning in dogs and cats.
https://events.purinainstitute.com/login/purinainstitute/CollaborativeCare-2026
After a record number of submissions we are please to announce that the 3 finalists have been selected. In no particular order they are
The cases will be presented during the SAMSOC day and audience voting will select the winner.
Registration forms and the speaker schedule for the SAMSOC meeting 1st April 2009 can be found on the website ( alternatively contact medicinereferrals@hotmail.com or iab@vetspecialists.co.uk ).
Note - we are unable to provide a lunch for registrations received after March 12th
In the first report1, which concerned an outbreak on a busy competition yard after the introduction of a new horse without an isolation period or pre-movement blood ELISA screening for recent S. equi exposure, no horses developed signs of strangles after the second vaccination with Strangvac was administered.
In the second report2 strangles was confirmed in three unvaccinated and unwell horses and 17 healthy horses on the same yard were subsequently vaccinated with Strangvac.
Blood samples in this group of vaccinated horses demonstrated that over half had recent exposure to S. equi, despite which, none of them developed strangles.
Bex Glasgow, veterinary surgeon and equine veterinary advisor at Dechra said: “Strangles vaccination, alongside good biosecurity measures, are essential tools in disease prevention and recent studies have also demonstrated its protective effect during outbreak situations.”
Strangles Awareness Week, which is supported by Dechra, takes place from 4 to 10 May 2026.