The three-day event, for which super early-bird discount tickets are now available, will offer more than 90 hours of CPD across advanced imaging, orthopaedics, reproduction, behaviour, ambulatory care and practice management.
The 2026 programme is chaired by Edd Knowles, who said: "We want people to leave Congress thinking differently about how they approach cases.
"That might be a new diagnostic approach, a different way of managing a case, or simply more confidence in the decisions they’re already making."
Programme highlights include "How Does Advanced Imaging Help Interpret Basic Imaging" on Saturday at 13:30, "Modern Equine Veterinary Businesses" on Thursday at 08:30, "From Stress to Success for Horses and Humans" on Saturday at 16:00, "On the Road with Responsibility: Ethics in Ambulatory Equine Nursing" on Friday at 15:40, "The First Year of Life" on Friday at 10:45, and "Controversies in Orthopaedic Surgery" on Friday at 15:30.
Super early bird tickets are now available with an additional 15% discount over the 50% that BEVA members get until Wednesday 1 July 2026.
The discounted three-day pass for BEVA veterinary members is £627.90, with a concessionary price of £376.74 for recent graduates and those on lower incomes.
http://www.bevacongress.org
The webinar will focus on how vaccination programmes can be successfully integrated into dairy herds.
The session will explore how the five-point cryptosporidiosis control plan can guide client discussions, how extended colostrum feeding can be implemented on-farm, and practical strategies covering hygiene, transition milk, and wider scour control.
Alex Cooper MRCVS from Fenton Vets (pictured) and his client, dairy farmer Lottie Wilson from Mountain Park Farm, Pembrokeshire, will talk about the challenges they faced with cryptosporidiosis and how they implemented management changes to overcome these issues, resulting in a herd now largely free from scour.
MSD Veterinary Adviser, Kat Baxter-Smith MRCVS, said: “Vaccination plays a crucial role in controlling cryptosporidiosis, and strong vaccine sales reflect the clear demand for effective on-farm solutions.
"This webinar will explore those challenges, share the latest research and provide first-hand farm experience to help vets move scour management from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.”
https://thewebinarvet.com/webinars/making-cryptosporidiosis-vaccination-work-on-farm-practical-insights-for-vets
The clinic, which is led by RCVS Recognised Specialists in Small Animal Orthopaedics, Andy Moores and Chris Jordan, focuses on delivering affordable care and supporting general practitioners.
Last year, the team sent over 900 free advice emails to UK vets who had asked for guidance.
Clinical Director Andy Moores said: "We would like to thank all of our referring vets for their ongoing support and for putting their trust in us.
"Our goal at The Moores Orthopaedic Clinic has always been to provide excellent, affordable care, and I am pleased to say that we deliver that day in day out."
He added: "We are in a unique situation at The Moores Orthopaedic Clinic, whereby our veterinary team consists solely of RCVS Specialist surgeons.
"This allows us to be efficient and offer great value TPLOs and hip replacements for example but also to offer cutting-edge services such as 3rd generation TATE elbow replacements and be entirely confident in the level of service we provide.
"We are supported by our incredible nursing team and support staff who all have a deep knowledge and understanding of orthopaedic issues in pets."
For case advice, email: info@mooresortho.com
www.mooresortho.com
The funds were raised through donations from dog owners who accessed the team's on-site service during the event.
One of the team, Rita Johnson RVN, said: "After learning about the challenges facing veterinary teams in Ukraine, the Crufts volunteer vet team wanted to support this appeal to help them continue their vital work."
Mark Johnston, Vice President of the Prosalus Foundation, said: "We were deeply moved to receive this generous donation from the volunteer vet team at Crufts.
"We thank them for their concern for veterinary teams in Ukraine and the millions of animals caught up in the conflict."
He added: "We hope more vets in the UK will follow their example and help us to help our dedicated Ukrainian colleagues through these desperate times."
UK veterinary professionals can support the campaign by donating veterinary medicines, equipment and supplies, making a cash donation online via The ProSalus Foundation's website, or bidding in a silent auction of Ukrainian art.
www.prosalusfoundation.org
Specialist-led veterinary ophthalmology care is now available at The Pet Vet's Waltham Forest surgery, saving London-based pet owners the need to travel to Optivet's specialist hospital in Hampshire for advanced ophthalmology treatment.
The Pet Vet and Optivet will remain fully independent organisations, with Optivet delivering specialist ophthalmology services within The Pet Vet surgery.
Optivet London will be led by Dr Gemma Turner BSc DVM MANZCVS FANZCVS MRCVS, Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology, working in collaboration with The Pet Vet Waltham Forest Head Vet, Dr Katarina Krasna MVDr CertAVP MRCVS.
Optivet's services will cover a wide range of ocular conditions including distichia and ectopic cilia correction, entropion surgery, medial canthoplasty, superficial keratectomy, corneal crosslinking, cataract surgery, retinal reattachment surgery, enucleation and evisceration, orbitotomy procedures, and retrobulbar abscess management.
Optivet.com
Behind the redesign was one simple question: what will make prospective candidates more likely to respond to a job advert?
Everything has been designed to reduce friction and present the information candidates want to see in a clear, professional format.
There is no requirement to create an account or apply through a messaging system.
In an increasingly impersonal world where CVs are often filtered by algorithms, many candidates simply want to pick up the phone or send an email directly to the employer.
The new format also addresses some of the limitations of recruiting through social media platforms such as Facebook, where jobs posted into feeds can quickly disappear from view and are only seen by people who actively use those platforms.
By contrast, jobs posted on VetSurgeon remain live for a month, are optimised for Google search, shared with subscribers, and featured roles are highlighted in the VetSurgeon newsletter.
At the same time, each advert provides a professional “shop window” that practice teams can easily share across their own social media channels.
VetSurgeon Jobs is currently free to use while the new advert format is beta tested.
Practices interested in trying the new format can post a vacancy now and see how their advert appears both on the site and when shared across social media.
https://www.vetsurgeon.org/veterinary-jobs
BEVA said the guidance is intended to help vets ensure good welfare during the necessary euthanasia of horses insured for mortality.
Led by Ian Beamish, the Association reviewed its guidance with input from vets and representatives from the insurance industry.
Ian said: "The veterinary surgeon's primary responsibility is undoubtably to ensure the welfare of the horse, regardless of whether the horse is insured.
"The new guidelines are a modernised version of the outdated 2009 guidelines, with a carefully revised List of Conditions and their prognoses, updated language, and revised protocols on grounds for euthanasia."
He added: "It is important to note that whilst we may advise euthanasia, we may not advise on the insurance policy conditions; this is a matter for the insured and insurer to discuss."
The Equine Insurance Providers Group has approved and adopted the new guidance.
https://www.beva.org.uk/euthanasia-guidelines-for-insured-horses
The award, sponsored by Zoetis, is now in its ninth year and recognises early-career vets.
The winner will be announced at the BVA Awards Dinner at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Thursday 11 June 2026, the first day of BVA Live.
Jade Urquhart-Gilmore, a small animal vet, is shortlisted for the second consecutive year.
A 2021 Royal Veterinary College graduate, she is lead vet at Crofts Veterinary Practice in Haslemere, Surrey, and is also studying for a Master’s in Clinical Animal Behaviour.
The BVA said she was nominated for the care she gives patients, clients and colleagues, her work to improve communication between clinical and client care teams, and her advocacy around chronic illness, neurodivergence and disability in the workplace following a brain injury in 2025.
Anna Hewison, a farm vet at Shepton Vets in Somerset, qualified from the University of Nottingham in 2022. She was shortlisted for her standards of care, commitment to development and support for colleagues, particularly in surgery.
She also runs the practice’s Youngstock Club, which the BVA said she has developed into a more collaborative programme bringing vets, technicians and farmers together on youngstock management.
Rachael White, a small animal vet at Emerson’s Green Veterinary Surgery in Bristol, qualified from the University of Bristol in 2019. The BVA said she was nominated for her clinical and surgical progress, attention to detail in planning and performing procedures, and leadership within the practice.
The BVA announced the Young Vet of the Year finalists alongside shortlists for its Wellbeing Awards and three newer categories: the Veterinary Mentor Award, the Veterinary Leader Award and the One Health and Sustainability Award.
BVA president Dr Rob Williams said: “Vet teams have a profound impact both on the lives of individual animals and people, but also on society at large.
"The BVA Awards enable us to take a moment out of our busy schedules to recognise these achievements and celebrate the fantastic work of our community.
"This year’s award finalists stand out as shining examples of the very best of the veterinary profession and it’s going to be very difficult to choose winners for each award.”
This year's theme is: "Patient Safety in Action: Being a Champion for Safe Patient Care".
Over the course of the day, delegates will take part in practical workshops, shared experiences, expert-led discussions, and have the chance to connect with colleagues who are equally passionate about improving veterinary patient safety.
Hannah Godfrey, Client Relationship Lead at VetLed, said: “This year’s theme really focuses on patient safety in the real world. It is more than a day of discussing theoretical concepts; we want our delegates to leave feeling inspired, empowered, and equipped.”
There are 30 Early Bird tickets priced at £135 inc. VAT available until midnight on 15 June 2026.
Once sold out, the price will be £145 inc. VAT until 31 July 2026.
Group discounts for five or more tickets are also available.
https://vetled.thinkific.com/courses/vpss2026
The programme features more than 30 speakers from the UK and overseas covering ECC anaesthesia, advanced surgical techniques, oncology, diagnostics, sepsis, nursing care and complex case management.
This year's keynote speaker is Professor Patrick Pollock, Professor at the University of Glasgow, and confirmed speakers also include Professor Kate Hopper, Associate Professor Claire Sharp and Marlaina Hrosch.
The programme includes practical workshops, case-based discussion and non-technical sessions on communication, teamwork and wellbeing.
The event includes access to session recordings after the congress, allowing delegates to revisit content.
Tickets are available now.
www.vets-now.com/congress-2026
Among the programme highlights is "Managing complaints post-CMA, what do you need to know?", featuring BVA President Rob Williams, Jennie Jones, Head of Veterinary Client Mediation Service, and Gavin Durston, Director of Thrums Vets.
In another session, "Hot topic: CMA remedies - what do they mean in practice?", Rob Williams, Kate Higgins, owner and Director of Village Vets Formby, and Lyndsay Hughes, BVNA Senior Vice President, will debate where we are with the investigation, what comes next, and the possible impact of the CMA remedies on practices.
The programme also includes sessions on clinical practice, leadership in the workplace and the role of vets in ethical decision making.
Clinical stream highlights include euthanasia in small mammals, birds and reptiles, anaesthesia in comorbid patients, updates in ocular pharmacology, optimizing hospital care for long-term patients, and managing anxiety in "pandemic puppies".
The BVA Interactive Zone will also return, with President Rob Williams, Senior Vice President Elizabeth Mullineaux and Junior Vice President Gwen Rees leading debates on overtreatment, managing and improving a toxic workplace and contextualised care.
Rob said: "As the profession emerges from the CMA investigation, BVA Live will be one of the first opportunities for vet teams to come together to access practical CPD to move forwards and comply with the CMA remedies."
https://bvalive.vetshow.com/conference-programme
The new edition includes five new chapters covering acute myelopathies, chronic myelopathies, emergency protocols, neurotoxicology and neuro-oncology.
The accompanying videos offer demonstrations of neurological examinations, clinical presentations, diagnostic procedures and case management.
Nicola Lloyd, Publishing Manager said: "Whether you're a general practitioner seeking practical guidance, or a specialist aiming to refine your expertise, this edition remains an indispensable reference for anyone involved in the care of neurologically compromised dogs and cats."
The manual is available to buy from the BSAVA store, priced at £61.75 for BSAVA members and £95.00 for non-members.
https://bsavaportal.bsava.com/s/store?#/store/browse/detail/a1BTw0000097b5hMAA
Daxocox is a COX2 selective NSAID administered orally, with a dosing interval of seven days.
When given preoperatively, its weekly duration of action means postoperative analgesia is already in place, with the NSAID being active throughout and following the surgery.
Colin Capner, Animalcare Senior Technical Vet, said: "Administering analgesia ahead of surgery can be an important part of perioperative planning.
"This licence extension enables Daxocox to be used pre-operatively with the confidence that the NSAID contribution to analgesia is available even during surgical preparation (often neglected) in suitable patients.
"That continuity of analgesia can also provide reassurance beyond discharge, supporting a smoother transition from practice to home.
"For veterinary teams, knowing analgesic cover remains in place may help provide additional confidence when patients leave the clinic.
"For owners, it may help reduce concerns around managing a dog recovering from surgery, particularly where discomfort could affect behaviour, mobility or appetite during the first few days at home."
Full prescribing information is available in the GB/NI Summary of Product Characteristics.
www.animalcare.co.uk
The new materials include a downloadable guide to each CMA remedy and short videos on providing information about ownership, prices, services and treatments, on prescribing veterinary medicines, managing complaints and offering cremation services.
Whilst the CMA's detailed Orders have not yet been released, with more information expected over the summer, the BVA said its information will continue to be updated.
BVA President Dr Rob Williams MRCVS said: "Given the CMA's starting point, following significant pushback from BVA, the final remedies now better balance the needs of the pet-owning public, with practical delivery of vet services."
He added: "However, we understand that the next steps may still feel a bit daunting.
"The first thing to say is that most of you will already be undertaking many, if not most of the measures required by the CMA in your day-to-day work and this next step will be about formalising these processes.
"We're here to support the profession as it gets ready for change later in the year with practical resources to help you comply."
Further discussion of the changes is also planned at BVA Live at the NEC Birmingham on 11 and 12 June, including sessions on complaints handling after the CMA outcome and what the remedies mean in practice.
https://www.bva.co.uk/resources-support/misc-resources/competition-and-markets-authority-measures-for-vet-businesses-get-ready-get-compliant
The three-storey development includes Research Laboratories, Student Laboratories, teaching rooms, a 400-seat lecture theatre and social learning areas for students and staff.
https://www.rvc.ac.uk
As part of the arrangement, I am stepping down as Editor, with Veterinary Edge editor and VetEdge Congress organiser Chris Ritchie taking over day-to-day editorial responsibility for VetSurgeon.org and VetNurse.co.uk.
The collaboration is designed to broaden editorial reach, strengthen the range of services offered to veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, and create additional value for advertisers.
David Kimberley will become the main point of contact for advertising across VetSurgeon.org, VetNurse.co.uk, Veterinary Edge, VetIndex and VetEdge Congress.
After more than 25 years running the communities, I will remain publisher of the sites, working behind the scenes to support Chris and his team.
Alongside that, I’ll be focusing my attention on a new journalism venture, reviewing and explaining consumer technology, AI and gadgets for mainstream audiences: www.arlo-guthrie.com
My resignation letter in full: https://www.vetsurgeon.org/p/announce
Photo: It's bye bye from me.
The study, published in Veterinary Record, compared observations made during unloading with those carried out later in lairage holding pens1.
Over the course of the study, thousands of animals, including cattle, sheep and pigs, were observed at a UK abattoir.
The research was led by the RVC team including final-year veterinary student Sayaka Mochizuki and Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Public Health Kurt Arden, with assistance from Declan Arden from the University of Plymouth.
They found that observing animals during unloading significantly increased the detection of welfare issues such as lameness, slipping and falling.
Across all species, welfare problems were far more likely to be identified at this stage, with detection rates increasing more than tenfold in some cases.
This, say the researchers, is largely because issues become much easier to spot while the animals are in motion, rather than while they are stationary.
As a result, the research team propose a new, practical inspection approach called Animal-Based Measurement (ABMs), which implements simple visual checks during unloading to identify potential health issues.
Incorporating this strategy could enable vets to identify problems earlier, provide more effective feedback to farmers and transporters and take action to reduce suffering.
It also offers a straightforward, evidence-based way to improve food safety standards.
Importantly, this method can be implemented in real-world settings without disrupting abattoir operations.
Sayaka Mochizuki said: "Animal transport ultimately serves the human economic and commodity interests.
"While the experience is relatively brief, it defines the final moments of the lives of production animals and the nature of their death.
"We have a moral obligation to undertake this process as ethically as possible, and our proposal provides a simple but effective way toward a more improved norm."
Kurt Arden said: "Improving animal welfare does not always require complex solutions, sometimes all it requires is a new perspective.
"This study demonstrates how simple, practical changes can reduce suffering, and underscores the important role veterinary students play in producing research that delivers real-world impact."
Reference
The annual survey captures data including basic salaries, bonuses, dividends, overtime, and benefits such as accommodation, company vehicles, car allowances and pension contributions.
SPVS is inviting responses from everyone working in the veterinary sector, including veterinary surgeons, nurses, practice managers, support staff, and those working in industry or non-clinical roles.
The main findings will be published in a summary report, which will be made freely available to all participants who provide their email address at the end of the survey.
SPVS members will be able to access the full report, including detailed analysis and expert commentary.
Participants will also have the chance to enter a prize draw to win a Bose SoundLink Plus portable speaker.
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/3YMX1O/
WellVet was founded in 2019 and was established and run as a not-for-profit by vets Liz Barton, Ru Tipney, Nat Scroggie and Katie Ford.
It provided in-person and online events to help people build their own wellbeing toolkit.
It also developed and hosted free expert-led resources on perimenopause.
Vet Empowered is a coaching and wellbeing platform run by Claire Grigson and WellVet team member Katie Ford, and it will host the WellVet resources on its website.
Liz said: "WellVet was developed at a time when the conversation around wellbeing was growing, but many resources were not reaching colleagues who could benefit.
"Our aim was to connect people with solutions to live happier and healthier in mind, body and soul.
"We have been honoured to host outstanding expert speakers and to receive many moving testimonials demonstrating real positive impact.
"However, securing funding for WellVet’s activities has become increasingly challenging in the current climate.
"Bringing WellVet’s resources into another established wellbeing platform is the best way to ensure these materials remain freely available and continue to benefit the veterinary community.”
https://www.vetempowered.com/wellvet
Presented by Dr Sam Taylor BVetMed(Hons) CertSAM DipECVIMCA FRCVS, the series is aimed at the whole practice team, from new grads to experienced surgeons and nurses.
The sessions are:
Virbac says the series "provides a practical, flexible learning format that fits around busy clinical schedules, offering clear guidance on diagnosis, treatment and longterm management."
https://www.virbac-hub.co.uk
The first episode features equine veterinary surgeon Fiona Farmer, BreathEazy Director and veterinary surgeon Jon Slattery, and international event rider Harry Meade.
They discuss the impact respiratory health can have on performance horses and the practical management of respiratory challenges in competition settings.
The opening episode also focuses on the relationship between respiratory health, performance and recovery, and on how veterinary understanding can inform everyday horse management.
The episode also explores the science behind nebulisation, and Jon Slattery discusses its role in administering medications and in broader respiratory management in horses exposed to dust, pollen and other environmental particles.
Fiona said: "By combining veterinary knowledge with real-world experience from the top of the sport, we hope to share useful insights that riders, owners and vets can apply."
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7FHQ6XRR3VYUawgH6sppsP
The webinar, Beyond Antibiotics: Navigating Otitis Management, will be presented by Ellie Wyatt BVSc DipECVD MRCVS, EBVS and RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology (pictured).
The session will focus on current best practice in otitis management, including antimicrobial stewardship and the role of targeted, anti-inflammatory-led therapy.
Delegates will be guided on how to apply antimicrobial stewardship principles when diagnosing and managing otitis externa without compromising clinical standards or patient outcomes.
The webinar will also cover the role of topical steroids in addressing the underlying inflammatory process and how early inflammatory control can resolve acute flares of otitis externa and help prevent long-term structural ear pathology.
The session will look at how to construct treatment plans that combine acute flare management with proactive, long-term therapy, as well as practical clinic protocols and client communication strategies to support consistent management of otitis cases.
Registration is free and includes access to the live session and on-demand viewing.
https://bit.ly/NavigatingOtitis
The poster, by Lucy Williams BVSc MRCVS, Marketing and Veterinary Technical Services Manager at Carus Animal Health, Tristan Cogan BSc (Hons) PhD FHEA FRSBHE, Christina Maunder BVM&S CertSAM DipECVIM-CA FRCVS FHEA, Helen Howell PhD DSc (Hons) from Bristol Veterinary School, was based on a study from Carus Animal Health and the University of Bristol.
Data presented at VOACON demonstrated that faecal calprotectin was elevated in some dogs receiving oral NSAIDs, even in the absence of obvious GI signs.
The findings build on previous validation work from the University of Bristol.
The research was conducted using GIQuest, Carus Animal Health's patient-side faecal calprotectin test.
Lucy said: "Veterinary teams are becoming increasingly proactive in how they manage osteoarthritis patients.
"We know NSAIDs can have a hugely positive impact on quality of life, but clinicians are also looking for ways to monitor patients more closely and identify potential issues before they become clinically significant.
"The response to this research at VOACON reflects the profession's growing interest in objective biomarkers that can support more informed treatment decisions and enhance patient care."
Jolian Howell, Chief Business Officer and Director of Carus Animal Health, said: "This award is a significant achievement, not only for Carus but also for the wider field of gastrointestinal biomarker research. It recognises the value of building an evidence base around earlier detection, patient monitoring and preventive healthcare.
https://carusanimalhealth.com/giquest
The study1 was led by Dr Zoe Davies, a former Postdoctoral Researcher at the RVC, supervised by Jim Usherwood, Professor in Locomotor Biomechanics at the RVC, and co-authored by Aimee Savage, who was an RVC undergraduate at the time.
It involved six dogs with forelimb amputations and six with hindlimb amputations recruited from across the UK through the RVC's social media channels.
Using a 3D motion capture system and force plates in the RVC's Structure and Motion Laboratory, researchers analysed how the dogs adapted their bodies at different speeds.
At higher speeds, the dogs used a gallop-like gait similar to that seen in four-legged dogs.
At slower speeds, the dogs adopted two different movement strategies.
One involved a slowed-down version of the gallop.
The other involved a gait in which the pair of remaining limbs moved in a walking pattern, while the single remaining limb contacted the ground more than once during each stride.
When analysing forces acting on the limbs, the researchers found that forelimb amputee dogs placed around 50% of their bodyweight through their single remaining front limb, whereas weight in hindlimb amputee dogs was distributed more evenly across their three remaining limbs.
The RVC said the research provides a foundation for future work into rehabilitation and mobility support for canine amputees and may also inform the development of adaptive legged robots capable of responding to limb loss.
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article/293/2069/20253159/481426/Locomotion-on-three-legs-the-tripedal-gaits-of
The web-based Selective Nutrition Guide was developed in partnership with specialist veterinary expert Molly Varga from The Exotics Animals Vets (pictured).
In addition to weight and body condition, the guide takes into account whether the rabbit lives indoors or out, is a picky eater or not, and whether it has any clinical issues such as dental problems or digestive issues.
Claire Hamblion-Jennings, Supreme Marketing Director, said: "Rabbits and guinea pigs are intelligent, social, and deeply rewarding companions, and we know that most pet owners want to do the right thing."
"But our research has shown that what's been missing until now is definitive, actionable feeding guidelines.
"Our simple, expert-led approach should finally clarify any confusion, and the new app will put precise, expert-level nutritional guidance in the palm of everyone's hand."
https://app.supremepetfoods.com