The Yumivet VH2500 measures 57 parameters including Complete Blood Count (CBC) with a 9-part differential, reticulocyte analysis, and dual platelet measurement methods.
The analyser enables open tube or continuous sample loading and includes pre-configured species profiles with automatic selection or easy switching between species.
It also has an intuitive touchscreen interface, a simplified reagent system, and automated quality control features.
The Yumivet VH2500 is compatible with a slide maker and stainer called Yumivet SPS, a track system called Yumizen T6000, and middleware called Yumizen P8000, and offers connection to laboratory and practice management systems (LIS/PMS).
The Yumivet VH2500 is built on a hybrid analytical platform combining electrical impedance, fluorescence, flow cytometry and spectrophotometry, which Horiba says delivers robust and reliable performance across a wide range of sample types, including challenging or low-volume samples.
https://www.horiba.com/int/veterinary/products/detail/action/show/Product/yumivet-vh2500-7004/
Cellular haemoglobin concentration mean gives clinicians a direct measurement of the average haemoglobin concentration within individually analysed red blood cells.
Unlike mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, which is a calculated value, cellular haemoglobin concentration mean is measured optically, which Zoetis says provides a more reliable indicator needed when a patient is anaemic and when endogenous interferents, such as haemolysis, are present.
The expansion also includes plateletcrit (PCT) measurement.
Plateletcrit provides the volume percentage of blood occupied by platelets – functionally similar to how haematocrit (HCT) reflects the red blood cell fraction.
Zoetis says PCT helps clinicians better assess platelet production, consumption, and evidence of destruction.
Both new parameters are expected to be available to Vetscan OptiCell users in 2026.
https://www.zoetisdiagnostics.com/uk
The initiative is aimed at increasing screening throughout the year and helping identify cats living with untreated hypertension.
Challenge 20 encourages vet professionals to screen and record over 20 new feline blood pressure measurements per practice in cats at increased risk, including those with concurrent diseases such as chronic kidney disease and hyperthyroidism, those with signs of target organ damage and all cats over seven years of age.
After the feedback session, the Ceva vet will work with the practice to identify any training requirements and create a tailored plan, before repeating the challenge to track progress and fine-tune the approach.
Ceva is also providing marketing materials focusing on hidden hypertension and concurrent disease, including a cat owner poster, leaflet, owner email content and a social media toolkit.
The company is also offering dedicated time and guidance from its territory managers to help implement better screening protocols.
A feline hypertension bitesize video CPD series is also available at the Ceva Academy: https://ceva.vbms-training.co.uk
Andrew Fullerton, senior product manager at Ceva, said: "Over 1,200 cats were screened during Ceva's 2025 feline hypertension campaign and a third of them were identified as hypertensive1."
He added: "We continue to encourage vet professionals to test for feline hypertension in all cats over seven years of age, with a particular focus on those more susceptible to high blood pressure, such as those with concurrent diseases and those with signs of target organ damage through our Challenge 20 initiative."
https://easethepressure.co.uk
Reference
The study was led by Ruby Chang, Associate Professor of Statistics at the RVC, and carried out by Dr Hanya Ahmed.
The team compiled a databank of images, including 100 equine fracture cases from two UK equine hospitals and published literature, alongside 70 feline cases from hospital databases and around 4,000 human fracture images from a public database.
Using these images, the researchers built a three-stage AI system that first identifies the scan type, then recognises the image angle, before detecting and precisely localising fractures.
The system used transfer learning, enabling it to be trained on the large human dataset before being adapted for equine cases.
Using this method, the system achieved a reported fracture localisation accuracy of between 71 and 84% without requiring an unrealistically large number of equine images.
The RVC said the findings demonstrate the potential for AI-assisted tools to strengthen fracture diagnosis across veterinary practice.
It said faster and more reliable detection could reduce uncertainty in clinical decision-making and enable earlier treatment for racehorses and companion animals.
Building on the work, the team has expanded its collaboration with the Hong Kong Jockey Club to investigate whether AI can identify early bone changes before fracture occurs.
The study has been shortlisted for the STEM for Britain 2026 award and was funded by the Horserace Betting Levy Board.
The one-hour session is aimed at veterinary staff undertaking radiography.
It will focus on hands-free techniques, with practical approaches to stable patient positioning and producing consistent, repeatable images without relying on manual restraint or complex setups.
It will also cover will also cover what defines a good radiographic image, using real-life examples such as ‘what a lateral elbow should look like’.
The webinar will include an overview of legal obligations around ionising radiation.
The session will be presented by VET.CT radiologist Dr Lisa Friling (pictured), who said: "Improving radiation safety in practice does require change, which can be challenging.
"However, this change is important - to improve health and welfare of patients and the safety of staff, and it is absolutely possible with the right support and guidance.”
The recording will be added to VET.CT’s free X-Pert Radiation Safety Centre, which includes downloadable toolkits for small animal and equine practice, including positioning guides, top tips, chemical restraint protocols and case studies.
Morning registration: https://events.zoom.us/ev/AoUvrzk-_2uzZnp4qAmFOGXmRcK1aTTw-6qvuXG9dcE1R9P6nekq~Anw9-XhUxtsFzbNTgw72jB-z7T3VYWaNeeenRj7ewgvpDl2-SZXIsQQCoA Evening registration: https://events.zoom.us/ev/AhNUeTTJeRFdCzhNTqhFXC51TVI4oiPcHToPFDrNJGeKzxSD9KjG~As1a8XpiRKr-QcSd8p2-ki8MyicKNFrSRGNG8ZTRBTLssfxmt46S5Xfv9Q
The X-Pert radiation safety resources for small animal practice: https://uk.vet-ct.com/welcome-to-x-pertEquine resources here: https://uk.vet-ct.com/welcome-to-x-pert-equine
Although feeding tubes are widely used in practice, there has previously been no agreed radiographic criteria to confirm correct positioning, creating uncertainty and increasing the risk of serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia and pneumothorax.
The new guidelines address this gap by providing an evidence-based framework for interpreting lateral neck and thoracic radiographs.
Led by Andrea Vila Cabaleiro, Small Animal Diagnostic Imaging Resident at the RVC, the research team collected 256 lateral neck and chest radiographs of dogs and cats with nasoesophageal or nasogastric feeding tubes in place.
The images were sourced from ten private and academic institutions, including the RVC’s Queen Mother Hospital for Animals.
Expert veterinary radiologists then verified whether the tubes were correctly placed in the oesophagus or incorrectly in the trachea.
From this dataset, the researchers developed a three-point radiographic checklist to confirm correct tube placement:
To assess the clinical value of the guidelines, six veterinarians with varying levels of experience reviewed the same radiographs on two occasions, first using their usual judgement and then, after a minimum seven-day interval, using the new guidelines.
Diagnostic accuracy improved from 82% to 96%, while uncertainty fell from 14% to 2%.
Agreement between clinicians also improved from moderate to almost perfect.
The guidelines performed consistently across dogs and cats, a wide range of patient sizes and multiple clinical settings.
The authors concluded that this structured, evidence-based approach improves both accuracy and confidence without requiring additional equipment, making it suitable for use in general practice, referral hospitals and emergency and critical care environments.
An accompanying step-by-step infographic has been produced to support uptake of the guidelines in day-to-day clinical practice: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/Media/Default/VetCompass/260105%20RVC%20Infographic%20-%20Radiographic%20guidelines%20on%20feeding%20tube%20placment.pdf
Vista IQ is designed for non-invasive screening of dermal and subcutaneous masses commonly seen in veterinary practice.
Building on the original HT Vista, Vista iQ retains the same Heat Diffusion Imaging (HDI) technology.
The new device features faster calibration, improved imaging resolution and Wi-Fi connectivity to tablets and smartphones.
HT Vet says Vista iQ has been designed with clinical workflow in mind, with an ergonomic design, full portability and multi-user functionality intended to support use during routine consultations.
Updates include a redesigned user interface for faster navigation, improved light and vibration indicators for real-time feedback, and built-in precision tools including a laser grid and accelerometer for accurate measurements.
Alongside the device, the Vista iQ application includes enhanced case documentation features, allowing clinicians to record mass characteristics, case histories, diagnostics and treatment plans within a single system.
HT Vet has confirmed that the original HT Vista device will be discontinued, with future development focused on Vista iQ.
Practices currently using the original device will continue to receive full technical support.
https://ht-vet.com
The company makes GIQuest, a patient-side lateral flow faecal calprotectin test, which it says can be used to guide next steps in dogs and cats with chronic GI conditions, including chronic enteropathy (CE; previously IBD), food responsive enteropathy (FRE) and GI side-effects associated with NSAID use.
Carus says that a validation study conducted at the University of Bristol has shown that its GIQuest can reliably distinguish dogs and cats with inflammatory enteropathy from healthy controls, with high sensitivity and specificity.
The company says faecal calprotectin is already well established in human medicine as a non-invasive marker of intestinal inflammation and is increasingly being adopted in veterinary practice to support diagnostic decision-making and treatment monitoring.
Lucy Williams MRCVS, from Carus Animal Health, said: “Individual case experiences often highlight nuances that don’t always come through in formal studies.
"Bringing these together can help illustrate how faecal calprotectin testing is being applied in different clinical scenarios, from refining diagnostic pathways to supporting monitoring and owner communication.
"By sharing practical insights from everyday cases, the profession can collectively build confidence around when and how this tool is most useful in practice.”
Case studies can be submitted by both veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses and may include, but are not limited to: dogs or cats with chronic or recurrent GI signs, suspected inflammatory enteropathies, monitoring response to dietary or treatment trials or identification of GI inflammation in patients receiving long term oral NSAIDs.
As a thank you for taking part, the five strongest submissions will each receive a £100 gift card, and the first 20 eligible entries will receive free access to a GI-focused CPD course with The Webinar Vet.
In addition, entries submitted before 31st January will be entered into a draw to win a delegate ticket to SPVS Congress (Birmingham, 26–27th February), worth £675.
Entries close on 1st March.
Further information and case study form/guidelines available here: https://carusanimalhealth.com/giquest/prizes
https://carusanimalhealth.com/giquest
The webinar explores the practical application of thoracic ultrasound to support earlier, more accurate identification of BRD in the field.
The webinar demonstrates how integrating thoracic ultrasound into routine assessment can help clinicians identify cases earlier, target treatment more precisely and avoid the use of blanket metaphylaxis – supporting both herd health and antimicrobial stewardship.
George said: “Recent research suggests that nearly one third of UK dairy calves experience BRD and subclinical pneumonia, and a significant proportion may remain undiagnosed when assessed by clinical signs alone.
"One of the clearest indicators of pneumonia is lung consolidation.
"Thoracic ultrasound enables us to detect this early, grade its severity and provide a meaningful prognosis.
"It’s easy to do in the field with minimal patient preparation and gives a level of clarity that helps manage BRD much more effectively.”
Alongside the main webinar is a series of four bite-sized sessions which address common clinical scenarios, including when initiating antimicrobials is justified in BRD cases and how thoracic ultrasound can be used to monitor treatment progress.
Krka has also developed a new Vet2Vet Insight guide on creating an on-farm BRD protocol, together with a downloadable, editable template that practices can tailor to their own herd health plans.
https://www.krka.co.uk/veterinary-knowledge-hub
Vidas Equine Insulin provides insulin levels in approximately 20 minutes, which the company says will help with the diagnosis and management of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), commonly associated with insulin dysregulation in horses.
Vidas Equine ACTH provides dysregulation level testing of the adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) hormone related to the development of Equine Cushing’s Disease (aka Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction - PPID) in about 45 minutes.
Pierre Rouppert, Global Veterinary Product Manager at bioMérieux, said: “Our new endocrinology tests, because of their rapidity and ease of use, will bring clinical value for veterinary practices, directly at the Point of Care.
"Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Cushing’s Disease are chronic conditions that often evade detection in their initial stages, making early testing crucial in achieving proper management and animal care.”
David Smart, Global Veterinary Business Developer at bioMérieux, said: “This dedicated equine immunoassay test for insulin and ACTH represents a transformative step forward in animal care.
"Veterinary practitioners will be able to achieve fast, reliable and cost-effective laboratory grade results that can aid early detection and subsequent diagnosis for two prolific and debilitating medical conditions in horses.
"The fast and accurate results from these two new tests will allow quicker clinical decisions that will ultimately help more horses receive an improved standard of care and reassure horse owners.”
https://www.biomerieux.com/corp/en/our-offer/clinical-products/vidas-equine-insulin.html
Camilla, who was shortlisted as a finalist for Innovator of the Year at the 2025 Digital Women Awards, says her mission has always been to give first-opinion vets the tools and confidence to get the most from ultrasound in everyday practice – and the new tool is a big step forward in that vision.
The tool:
Camilla says the final report is fully editable, but much of the “heavy lifting” is done — saving time, reducing second-guessing, and producing reports that are more useful for colleagues, clients, and patient care.
https://www.fovu.co.uk/
https://www.fovu.co.uk/fovu-report-video
Mike Ellinger, Business Unit Director, UK Diagnostics at Zoetis said: “VPG’s national reputation for quality and deep expertise strengthens our ability to innovate and expand our diagnostic offerings to better serve the veterinary community in the UK and Ireland.
“Our shared commitment to service excellence means we can continue to support veterinary customers seamlessly from day one.
"This acquisition strengthens our ability to innovate and expand our diagnostic offerings to better serve the veterinary community’s point-of-care and reference lab needs in the UK and Ireland.”
https://thevpg.co.uk
Zoetis says AI Masses delivers fast, accurate, in-clinic screening of common lymph node and skin/subcutaneous masses in minutes, making Vetscan Imagyst the most capable veterinary AI analyser in the world.
AI Masses uses an algorithm to identify and classify common skin/subcutaneous mass and lymph node aspirates at the point of care.
At additional charge, for added diagnostic confidence, Zoetis also offers expert clinical pathologist reviews via Digital Cytology and Add-on Expert Review within hours.
Abhay Nayak, President, Global Diagnostics at Zoetis said: “By empowering veterinary teams with valuable insights into potentially cancerous cells, we are helping to reduce waiting times and alleviate stress for pet owners facing some of the most challenging moments with their beloved pets.
https://www.zoetisdiagnostics.com/uk/point-of-care
The company says that over that time, it has invested £122 million in sites, equipment and technology, but for some vets and nurses, a lack of training and confidence and a perceived lack of time has been a barrier to getting the most out of it.
The new CVS ‘Equipment Optimisation’ project will focus on CT, X-ray, dental X-ray, microscopy, endoscopy and laparoscopy, aiming to maximise its value and longevity.
The project plans to do this by helping to increase colleague confidence in the equipment’s ability, and to improve its maintenance - thereby reducing down time.
Each CVS practice will select one piece of equipment as a focus area for the next 12 months.
Each practice will create a plan, set project goals and then evaluate and share what works.
To support practices in their work, CVS has created a new clinical projects hub offering information and guidance on equipment set up, use, clinical interpretation, maintenance and troubleshooting.
The company is also offering additional training in the form of in-practice mentoring, radiation protection supervisor training, and a variety of online courses.
Lizzie McLennan Green, CVS Companion Animal UK Veterinary Director, said: “We’ve invested significantly in clinical equipment to improve patient diagnoses.
"And this project will help teams to feel confident in using and maintaining it.
"It offers a huge opportunity to continuously improve; offering better treatment and improved services to our clients and their animals.
“Each practice is being given the chance to select a piece of equipment that best fits their client base, their team and the way they work.
"We’re getting everyone involved from the start to tailor their own project – to make the process more targeted and meaningful.
“And to help colleagues, our clinical projects hub will be the go-to space containing all of the information, tools and support they need to get involved.
"It’ll also allow colleagues to connect with others, share ideas and build confidence as a wider team.”
Faecal calprotectin is a calcium-binding protein released into the gut lumen predominantly by neutrophils, and to a lesser extent by monocytes and macrophages, during intestinal inflammation.
Its presence in faeces reflects the degree of neutrophilic infiltration in the gut mucosa, making it a useful biomarker for identifying intestinal inflammation.
Faecal calprotectin lateral flow testing is already used in human health and included in the NICE guidelines for the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)1.
Determining the underlying cause of chronic diarrhoea, vomiting and weight loss in cats and dogs can be complex, often requiring invasive procedures such as endoscopy or biopsy - both of which carry cost, risk, and sometimes practical limitations in general practice.
GIQuest is designed to offer a non-invasive, rapid alternative to support clinical decision-making.
Carus says that whilst not a replacement for histopathology, faecal calprotectin concentrations have been shown to correlate with disease severity in dogs and cats, as measured by tools such as the Canine Chronic Enteropathy Clinical Activity Index (CCECAI).2
New data from the University of Bristol Vet School appears to confirm the test’s ability to differentiate dogs with histologically-confirmed inflammatory enteropathy from healthy controls with high sensitivity (94%) and specificity (96%) using a score threshold of 3mg/kg.2
Carus says the test also performed well in cats, distinguishing those with inflammatory enteropathy from healthy controls with a specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 92%.
In addition, the test detected elevated calprotectin levels consistent with inflammatory gastroenteropathy in 25% of dogs receiving oral NSAIDs, which highlights its potential not only in long-term monitoring but also early in treatment when GI side effects may first emerge.
Jolian Howell of Carus Animal Health said: “Faecal calprotectin testing can provide additional clarity in a range of clinical scenarios.
"It is particularly useful when diagnosing and managing suspected inflammatory enteropathy or food related reactions and for monitoring or screening for GI side effects of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatories in long term OA therapy regimes.”
The Bristol study also showed that dogs with food-responsive enteropathy had a significant drop in calprotectin concentrations following dietary change, reinforcing the test’s role in tracking treatment response.
Georgie Louca, Veterinary Business Manager for Carus Animal Health, added: ”By providing a measurable, visual indicator of intestinal inflammation, GIQuest also helps support client communication and can improve compliance during treatment or dietary trials.”
GIQuest is designed for use in practice, including during consultations, delivering colour-coded results in 15 minutes.
GIQuest is now available to veterinary practices across the UK and can be ordered through veterinary wholesalers NVS, Covetrus and MWI.
References
The new Tosoh AIA 900 analysers have been trialled for the last 18 months at Liphook Equine Hospital, which was the first practice to introduce ACTH testing for horses 25 years ago and gets hundreds of blood samples every week from veterinary practices all over the UK and Europe.
Professor Andy Durham, who heads up the laboratory at Liphook, said the test period has shown that the new machine produces more accurate results primarily because it’s less sensitive to ACTH degrading in blood samples between collection and receipt by the laboratory.
Andy said: “There are several analytic methods available for use in horses, and we wanted to see if this alternative machine had diagnostic benefits over the ones we’d used previously.
"The ACTH molecule we test for immediately begins to break down after a blood sample is taken, even if you handle it carefully and place it in chilled packaging, but this new analyser is able to detect much more of the degraded ACTH molecule, and therefore it gives a more accurate result.
“As a comparison, ACTH values measured using the previous method suffered about three to four times more degradation over 24 hours.
"What this means for horse owners is that it will reduce the risk of false negative results in ACTH tests, so more horses suffering from Cushing’s disease will receive the treatment they need.”
In testing, the new analysers also demonstrated greater accuracy when measuring insulin levels in blood samples.
https://liphookequinehospital.co.ukhttps://www.rainbowequinehospital.co.uk https://www.rossdales.com
The project, which launched in September 2022 and was funded by Boehringer Ingelheim, has given subsidised respiratory pathogen investigations to over 300 farms so far.
The investigations revealed a mixture of agents, including: mycoplasma (37%), IBR (6%), P13 (12%), coronavirus (38%), histophilus (48%), RSV (30%), mannheimia (64%), and pasteurella (94%).
Following each investigation, discussions were held between farmer and vet about taking a more preventative approach, considering things like biosecurity, immunity, housing, environmental management, vaccination and treatment protocols.
CVS says the investigations have also enabled its vets to target the right vaccine to the right farm to cover the main risk periods for those animals.
Vaccinations have been timed in relation to peaks in clinical cases and pre-stress periods - such as weaning, group movements or transport to ensure animals are protected against the correct pathogen effectively.
CVS says that taking this preventative herd health measure has resulted in significantly fewer antibiotics being required to treat respiratory infection and disease in the past year.
Steven Carragher, Quality Improvement Farm Lead for CVS and Senior Veterinary Surgeon at Alnorthumbria Vets, said: “Though only running for just over two years, our programme is already yielding significant data, and we’re using this evidence to help each farm successfully implement a range of measures to help prevent and vaccinate against pneumonia – and to reduce antibiotic use.
Photo: www.depositphotos.com
Unlike traditional PCR tests, Rhea molecular diagnostic tests need no lab equipment, allowing them to be used directly in the field.
The first panel test in the new range is Rhéa Vector-Borne Diseases, which simultaneously detects four major pathogens in under 40 minutes: Theileria spp., Babesia spp., Anaplasma spp. (including A. marginale and A. phagocytophilum), and Borrelia spp.
Enalees says the Rhéa range addresses a growing need in the sector, enabling vets to act quickly and accurately.
https://www.enalees.com
Biomérieux says the new test, which is used on the Biofire Spotfire System, detects seven infectious respiratory pathogens (six viruses and/or a strain of bacteria*), from a nasopharyngeal swab, in under 20 minutes.
The company says the new test’s ability to distinguish between viral and bacterial infections is important for ensuring antibiotics are used appropriately to reduce the risk of resistance.
Biomérieux says VetFire can be used to make informed decisions about when to isolate and treat animals when respiratory infections are suspected, to mitigate the impact of an outbreak in a contained area, such as a yard, by allowing rapid quarantine measures, and perhaps in time as a standard test ahead of animals travelling for competition, to ensure they are fit and healthy.
VetFire is commercially available in United Kingdom, Ireland and France, with possible expansion plans to other countries in the near future.
https://www.biomerieux.com/corp/en/our-offer/clinical-products/vetfire.html
*Equine Herpesvirus type 1, Equine Herpesvirus type 4, Influenza A, Equine Rhinovirus A, Equine Rhinovirus B, Equine Adenovirus 1, Streptococcus equi equi
Apparently the commonly reported use of AI technology was for radiography diagnostics and reporting (44%), followed by laboratory diagnostics and reporting (27%), communications with clients (11%) or to assist with administrative work (7%).
Vets were asked about the benefits and risks of using AI technology in their work.
The most common reported benefit was data interpretation (55%), followed by diagnostic testing (49%), saving time more generally (40%) and for routine admin tasks or note taking (38%).
The most commonly reported risks of AI were the possibility that results are interpreted without context (83%) or that AI is used incorrectly, without follow up checks (82%).
The other reported risks were an overreliance on AI undermining human skills (68%) and a lack of data protection (25%).
BVA Junior Vice President Rob Williams said: “It’s fascinating to see how many vet teams are already using AI technology in their daily work.
"The massive boom in the use of these tools represents an exciting opportunity for the profession, particularly around diagnostics and interpreting large data sets.
"But as well as benefits there are clear challenges and risks, so this timely session is a great opportunity to address some of the ethical questions around the use of technology when it comes to treating animals and ensuring their welfare.
"It’s set to be an interesting debate, with the chance for delegates to pose questions to our incredibly knowledgeable panel, and I hope many of you will join us to add your voice to the discussion.”
On the AI discussion panel at BVA Live will be: Nick Jackson, Director, Veterinary Surgeon, Council Member - NGJ Locum Ltd, Ben O'Halloran, Policy Officer - BVA and Nicolò Frisiani, Co-founder and CEO - Lupa Pets.
https://bvalive.vetshow.com/conference-programme
The update includes a new scoring system of low, moderate or high cancer risk which replaces the original numerical HDI scores and simplifies interpretation for clinicians, making the screening process easier to communicate with pet owners.
HT Vista says the device can now categorise cancer risk levels, based on malignant probability, with a sensitivity of 90% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 98%.
The company says this translates to a “low cancer risk” result having a malignant probability of 10% or less, allowing veterinary teams to rule out cancer of lumps and bumps without the need for invasive procedures.
The tool can also now provide alerts for some of the low-risk cases, identifying them as lipomas, sebaceus adenomas or benign epithelial masses.
Liron Levy-Hirsch DVM MRCVS, Managing Director at HT Vista, said: "I am incredibly excited to enhance our already powerful HT Vista screening tool with a new diagnostic capability, providing veterinary teams with an even more comprehensive decision-support system.
"Our screening technology has already been a game-changer in early detection, and now, with the ability to flag specific tumour types, we are taking another significant step forward.
"This advancement empowers veterinary professionals to make even more informed decisions, supports shared decision-making with pet owners, and ultimately improves patient outcomes.
"By reducing the time from suspicion to diagnosis and treatment, we can detect cancer earlier, avoid the ‘wait and see’ approach, and help save more lives."
On the other end of the scale, a “high cancer risk” result has a malignant probability of 50% or more and indicates a stronger likelihood of malignancy.
HT Vista says these cases require additional diagnostic tests for mass identification.
The company highlights a big distinction between this and other screening modalities is that it can be nurse-led.
HT Vista will be on display and there will be live demonstrations at BSAVA Congress from the 20th to the 22nd of March 2025.
https://bit.ly/ht-vista-screening-tool
The company says AI Masses will allow veterinary professionals to analyse lesions suggestive of cancer in-clinic and with a fast turnaround.
The AI technology, which has been trained by human clinical pathologists, should enable individualised treatment outcomes earlier for more cases.
Zoetis says AI Masses only needs a single round of sample preparation and the results can, at additional cost, be supplemented with an expert review from a network of specialists through Zoetis’ Virtual Laboratory.
Dr. Richard Goldstein, DVM, DACVIM, DECVIM-CA, Global Chief Medical Officer at Zoetis said: “Waiting for results can be stressful for pet owners – even more so when it involves a cancer screening.
"Our research shows that up to 75% of pet owners find abnormal results highly stressful.1
"AI Masses is yet another point-of-care capability to deliver results in-clinic, further exemplifies Zoetis’ purpose to advance care for animals, shortening anxious wait times to allow for faster care decisions that help provide the best possible outcome.”
Pre-orders will be announced for US customers in Q2 2025.
VetSurgeon.org understands AI Masses will be coming to the UK some time in 2025.
https://www.zoetisdiagnostics.com
To date most of these imaging procedures have been performed by vets within the group’s small animal first opinion veterinary practices.
The company says its Foundations in Diagnostic Imaging for Nurses training is designed to give its nurses more clinical stature in first opinion practice.
The programme will teach nurses the workings of an x-ray machine, common X-ray positions and contrast material.
It will also cover the principles of CT and MRI, showing how to set up and operate each piece of equipment, and how to support patients through these imaging procedures.
Finally, the course will provide the training nurses need to be able to perform ultrasounds within the current RCVS legal frameworks.
CVS says it believes this is a first in the veterinary profession
Tara Ryan, Chief Veterinary Nursing Officer at CVS said: “Imaging is a brand new area that we are starting to delegate to our nurses.
"Having heavily invested in our small animal first opinion practices over the last decade, we have a wide range of imaging equipment at many of our sites.
“Excitingly, this programme will open up the ability for nurses to start to contribute more information - to help vets identify and diagnose conditions and diseases in patients.
"It is another big step that we are taking to empower our brilliant nurses and to enable them to make a great clinical contribution towards the care of our patients – and to be the nurses they want to be.”
CVS is prioritising the consulting room and Schedule 3 delegated tasks as important areas for improving what it calls 'nurse optimisation'.
The company recognises that 'buy in' from veterinary surgeons is vital to the success of its efforts to optimise the role of its nurses, and the group has also published guidelines to provide clarity around effective delegation under Schedule 3.
Ki-67 is a proliferation marker used for assessing tumour aggressiveness, however the traditional method of assessing Ki-67 scores involves manually counting the proliferating cells, which is subjective, time-consuming and prone to variability.
Finn says its new AI-assisted Ki-67 scoring test represents a significant advancement in veterinary diagnostic oncopathology.
The AI algorithm analyses Ki-67 labelling across the entire section of tumour.
Positively labelled cells are highlighted, scores are calculated, and the results are validated by a pathologist before reporting.
This more automated analysis enables the evaluation of large volumes of histological data, ensuring consistent and reliable prognostic assessments.
Finn says it also removes the subjectivity and variability associated with identifying areas of highest cell proliferation, which is a crucial aspect of tumour scoring.
https://www.finnpathologists.com
The company has created the X-Pert Radiation Safety Centre, with free downloadable toolkits for both small animal and equine practice, including positioning guides, top tips, chemical restraint protocols, and a series of case studies with equine and small animal clinics, including Pennard Vets.
Dr Victoria Johnson, CEO and radiologist (pictured), said: “Radiation safety breaches represent a significant health and safety incident and a risk to the health of veterinary team members and their patients.
"Despite this, we know that breaches are not uncommon in clinical practice.
"To help meet the challenge of improving safety in busy practice workflows, VET.CT has created a comprehensive suite of practical resources to support veterinary teams in applying best practice to ensure the health of their personnel and patients.
"We have also partnered with clinics from around the world, including GP, equine and specialist hospitals, to provide some great case studies of how the principles can be applied in practice.”
Victoria added: “Good radiation safety practice also encourages habits that lead to better diagnostics.
"We know that taking extra care to ensure good patient preparation, positioning and optimising settings results in fewer exposures and higher quality diagnostic images for more accurate interpretation.
"This all contributes to improved efficiency, patient management and outcomes, greater satisfaction, and of course, happier owners.”
The X-Pert radiation safety resources for small animal practice: https://uk.vet-ct.com/welcome-to-x-pert
The X-Pert radiation safety resources for equine practice here: https://uk.vet-ct.com/welcome-to-x-pert-equine