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VetSurgeon.org publishes a curated feed of veterinary news for practising veterinary surgeons, with a primary focus on the UK profession.
We select stories based on their practical relevance, clinical interest, or professional significance — filtering out noise so busy vets can stay informed quickly.
Our coverage includes:
We report across all areas of practice, including companion animal, farm, equine and exotic species.
Our editorial approach is deliberately selective and concise. We prioritise clarity and relevance over volume, aiming to make each story worth your time.
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SPVS had over 1600 responses to the survey, which ran from February to May 2025.
The majority of responses came from either veterinary surgeons (72%) or vet nurses (22%), 81% of whom were female and 18% male.
SPVS notes that as well as salary increases slowing, locum rates have also slowed as recruitment is slowly becoming less of a problem and there is a move towards permanent positions being more favourable.
In addition, the overtime and out of hours work has increased significantly which SPVS says may be because of new start ups doing their own out of hours and a shift with some practices being fully staffed now and able to take back their own out of hours.
SPVS members have access to the full survey results, plus there is a Nurses Salary Survey and Highlights summary report available too: https://spvs.org.uk/spvs-survey
Mr Ng faced seven charges:
Mr Ng admitted some aspects of the charges against him, including that he had deleted two patient records and that this was dishonest and misleading.
The Committee then determined the facts of the rest of the charges after hearing evidence from witnesses and Mr Ng himself, as well as expert witnesses.
Having considered all the evidence, it determined which elements of the charges were proved, and which were not.
The Committee then considered whether the admitted and charges found proved amounted to serious professional misconduct.
In doing so it considered that the charges against Mr Ng fell into three broad categories – deficiencies in clinical care, deficiencies in record keeping, and dishonesty.
In respect of all three, it found the admitted and charges found proved amounted to serious professional misconduct.
In terms of aggravating factors, the Committee found that Mr Ng’s conduct had directly caused harm to animals and also created risk of further harm, and noted that there were three instances of dishonesty.
Paul Morris, chairing the Disciplinary Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee noted that there were three instances of dishonest behaviour in relation to clinical records.
"The amendment of the clinical record in the labradoodle’s case was particularly serious.
"This alteration was made at a time when the respondent knew that the owner was dissatisfied with the treatment the dog had received and was complaining about the lack of therapeutic intervention.
"The alteration presented a false account of the owner’s attitude towards immediate therapeutic intervention.
"Conduct of this kind was liable to damage trust in the profession.”
In mitigation, the Committee took into account the sense of pressure Mr Ng felt following a financial dispute with his relative in respect of the veterinary practice, his long career as a veterinary surgeon and the high regard with which he was held by those who provided testimonials on his behalf.
The Committee acknowledged Mr Ng’s assertions that he now understood his failings and his expressions of remorse for the harm he had caused and that these indicated the beginnings of insight.
However, in respect of the clinical deficiencies, the Committee found that various aspects of Mr Ng’s approach to treating conditions such as diabetes and cherry eye were inadequate and out-of-date, and that there was little in his continuing professional development (CPD) record or his statements to suggest he had attempted to improve these deficiencies.
Ultimately, the Committee found that Mr Ng’s conduct was so serious that removal from the Register was the most appropriate sanction.
Paul Morris added: “The Committee has concluded that the respondent’s behaviour was fundamentally incompatible with being a veterinary surgeon.
"In view of the nature and gravity of the Committee’s findings in this case, removal from the Register is necessary to ensure the protection of animals and the maintenance of public confidence in the profession and the regulatory process.”
www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary
The College points to data gathered from its 2024 VN Vision workshops which showed that many nurses believe their skills and capabilities, and the scope of tasks that can be performed within the current legal framework, are not being fully used.
This new project aims to gather insights and empower nurses to play a more central role in the sector by promoting greater involvement in:
Session dates, times and locations are as follows:
Julie Dugmore RVN, RCVS Director of Veterinary Nursing, said: “Informed by conversations with professionals across the sector and a deep understanding of current practice, this new project recognises that achieving meaningful change requires a fundamental cultural shift.
"Clear guidance, structured support and open dialogue will be key in empowering veterinary teams to adapt to a new way of working.
“An additional crucial focus will be on enhancing public understanding of the Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) role, alongside support for developing stronger interprofessional and public-facing communication.”
Jill Macdonald RVN, VN Futures Lead, added: “These interactive sessions will play an important role in this new branch of VN Vision work, helping to define long term goals, identify the practical steps needed to achieve them, and determine how success will be measured and shared with the wider public.
“We were honoured to have so many fantastic nurses come together last year to help shape the future of the profession, and we’re looking forward to many more engaging conversations with vet team members this time around.
"This is more than just a conversation though – it’s a national effort to strengthen the RVN role through collaboration, clarity and confidence.”
The ‘A vision or a necessity: strengthening the role of veterinary nurses in team-based veterinary healthcare’ workshops are open to all practice team members, including, but not limited to, veterinary nurses, veterinary surgeons, practice support staff, directors, managers, and practice owners.
Workshops will be informal, informative and made up of small groups.
Supper will also be provided.
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/vet-nursing-vision-events-3253639
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/publications/vn-vision-the-future-of-team-based-veterinary-healthcare/
The research was carried out by scientists from Wisdom Panel, a pet DNA testing company that is part of Mars Petcare’s Science & Diagnostics division.
The discovery was made by analysing clinical data from Banfield Pet Hospital paired with DNA data from Wisdom Panel.
The researcher say estimates suggest canine atopic dermatitis affects up to 10-30% of dogs, and that these findings could lead to more targeted solutions in the future.
In addition, identification of the SLAMF1 variant presents the opportunity for breeders to breed toward dogs with a lower risk of atopic dermatitis.
Jimmy Barr, DVM, DACVECC, Chief Medical Officer for Mars Petcare’s Science & Diagnostics division said: “This finding could have a real impact on dog health
"While atopy has long been suspected to have a genetic component, this is the first time the SLAMF1 gene has been convincingly linked to this debilitating skin condition.
"This knowledge will help identify dogs at risk and could lead to new therapies and more informed dog breeding practices.”
Wisdom Panel has developed a DNA test that will be offered in partnership with Canine Genetic Testing at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge so breeders can make informed decisions to reduce the frequency of atopic dermatitis while maintaining genetic diversity.
Reference
https://www.cagt.co.uk
Photo: https://depositphotos.com
The researchers say that previous research suggests that approximately 10% of diabetic cats are euthanised at the time of diagnosis, making it a significant cat welfare issue.
However, this figure was largely based on questionnaire-based research from several global locations.
This new study followed the survival of 1,053 cats with confirmed diabetes mellitus under UK primary-care practices in 2019, providing the most up-to-date baseline data on early death among diabetic cats in the UK, as well as examining risk factors for the development of diabetes among UK pet cats.
The study found:
Based on these findings, the researchers encourage veterinarians to more actively discuss diabetes mellitus risk with cat owners, particularly those with Burmilla and Burmese breeds, in the hope that raising awareness of the disease might improve outcomes through earlier diagnosis, and by taking actions that might prevent diabetes mellitus development in the first instance, such as preventing cats becoming obese.
Dr Oliver Waite, Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine at Murdoch University, and primary author of the paper, said: “We hope that this new, large scale epidemiological study, investigating the second most common endocrine disease in cats, will help to highlight current as well as future areas to improve cat welfare.
"This is an exciting time for the management of diabetic cats but more work is still needed!”
Dr Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC, and co-author of the paper, said: “This new VetCompass study shows the value of everyone working in primary care practice sharing their anonymised clinical data to get a better understanding of real-world animal health.
"Awareness of the scale of the diabetes mellitus issue revealed here can empower veterinary professionals to engage in more conversations with owners about diabetes mellitus prevention in predisposed cats.”
The practice was officially opened by the TV presenter and newspaper columnist, Adrian Chiles, who faced a lot of criticism from the profession a couple of years ago when he wrote an article about increasing veterinary fees and upselling tactics.
Adrian said: “I have never received such a volume of correspondence to one of my newspaper columns.
"One of the people that wrote to me was Movement Director, Professor John Innes, and we had very useful subsequent discussions that made me realise I had unfairly blamed vets for the issues I had felt as a pet owner.”
The new centre is led by Mark Lowrie, Specialist veterinary neurologist, who is joined by orthopaedic surgeons, Kinley Smith and David Thomson and neurology residents, Callum Golding and Rebecca Clark.
https://www.movementvets.co.uk
The company says the two main benefits of the liquid formulation are precise dosing and ease of administration.
Vetmedin oral solution comes with a kg-bodyweight calibrated syringe to make it easy to give the preferred dose of 0.25 mg/kg twice daily to the nearest 0.5 kg bodyweight.
The maximum syringe volume is for a 12 kg dog.
The solution has a sweet taste to make it palatable and Boehringer says it is also ideal for dogs that need dental work but require treatment for their heart disease before general anaesthesia.
These dogs might struggle to eat chewable tablets due to oral discomfort, so a liquid treatment might be a better option.
The company highlights the EPIC1 and PROTECT2 studies which showed that Vetmedin delays the onset of CHF for dogs in the asymptomatic stage of heart disease and improves both the quality and length of life for dogs with MVD and DCM.
Vetmedin oral solution comes as a 50 ml bottle (each bottle lasts a 5 kg dog approximately 30 days), doesn't need to be refrigerated, has an 8-week shelf life once opened, and a 2-year shelf life as packaged.
VetMedin oral solution is now available to order from wholesalers.
References
Krka says Arocenia provides fast, broad-spectrum anti-emetic efficacy with a 24-hour duration of action following a single daily dose.
It can be administered intravenously or subcutaneously and is supplied in 20 ml multi-dose vials, allowing up to 40 punctures per vial and a 60-day open vial shelf life.
Renzo Di Florio, Krka’s Technical Veterinary Adviser, commented “Vomiting is one of the most common presenting signs in small animal practice, and maropitant is a medication you’ll find on just about every vet’s dispensary shelf. With Arocenia, we’re adding a cost-effective formulation to the available options.”
https://www.krka.co.uk//products/our-products/animal-health/arocenia-10mgml-solution-for-injection
The BSAVA says there unique opportunities and risks to the use of antibiotics in rabbits.
For example, antibiotic combination therapy, which is discouraged in dogs and cats, can be safe and effective in this species.
Also, careful selection of appropriate antibiotics, in terms of active substance, dose and route of administration, is crucial when treating rabbits due to the risk of enterotoxaemia. The new guide gives advice on diagnosing bacterial infections, likely causal organisms and appropriate antibiotic and non-antibiotic management.
The guide covers dacryocystitis, ear disease, facial abscesses, enteritis, urinary tract disease, and upper and lower respiratory tract disease. John Chitty, one of the authors, said: “Choosing an antibiotic for rabbits is not simple.
"Their diseases do not necessarily mirror those of dogs and cats, and they do have gut sensitivities to certain antimicrobials.
"However, like dogs and cats, there are situations where antibiotics are not needed where we once thought they were.
"This is especially important in reducing antibiotic usage in rabbits and, of course, in reducing use of critically important antibiotics in them as well.
"We hope this guide will help practitioners to see when antibiosis is needed, what choices are available and how to sample and select the most appropriate drug if needed.” The new guide is free to all and can be accessed at bsavalibrary.com/protectme.
UK Pet Food says that with pet owners increasingly turning to their vets for nutrition guidance, this course is designed to equip veterinary teams with the knowledge and confidence to offer clear, evidence-based advice.
The course offers 20 hours of CPD comprised of on-demand modules and live Q&A sessions covering pet food formats, clinical nutrition, pet obesity, regulatory frameworks, sustainability, and client communication.
There'll be contributions from independent speakers and chairs from leading academics, veterinary nutritionists, and industry experts
Sarah Hormozi, Head of Science & Education at UK Pet Food, said: “This course is about helping veterinary professionals critically evaluate the science behind pet nutrition.
“We’ve worked with board-certified veterinary nutritionists, academics, industry experts, and veterinary associations to develop a resource that supports everyday clinical conversation - giving the veterinary community practical tools and confidence to talk about pet food and nutrition with clarity and credibility.”
There are early bird tickets for £90 if you book by 15th August 2025.
https://thewebinarvet.com/events/uk-pet-food-2025
https://www.ukpetfood.org
Photo: www.depositphotos.com
The merger brings together Improve International’s global reach and postgraduate qualification programmes with Central CPD’s practitioner-led Continuing Professional Development training and digital learning infrastructure.
Improve says the merger will better position the two companies to meet the growing and evolving needs of the profession.
However, the veterinary training marketplace has been hit recently by news that IVC Evidensia has opened two in-house training centres, one in Scotland and one in the Midlands, perhaps precipitating some consolidation, especially since IVC has announced plans to offer CPD to the wider profession later this year.
Jonathan Hill, UK country manager at Dômes Pharma said: "Dômes Pharma is really excited to be extending our pet anxiety range to help vets manage cases in this complex area.
https://domespharma.co.uk/products/fluoxevet/
In the webinar, which is sponsored by Horiba, Ian will present an update on new exotic parasite infections and distribution across the UK and Europe, and what this means for pets, livestock and the people that care for them.
“New Exotic Parasites – Worming Their Way In?” is suitable for vets, nurses, students and veterinary care assistants.
https://horiba.link/4h2.
The solution is designed to streamline Animal Health and Welfare Pathway (AHWP) reviews, from on-farm sampling through to laboratory results, reporting, vet attestation and DEFRA compliance, by integrating faecal egg count testing at Sandhill Laboratories with the VetDX app,
VetDX says that by integrating every stage of the review process into a single digital workflow, the VetDX platform allows practices to carry out efficient, compliant visits with a reduced administrative burden.
Laura Eden MRCVS (pictured), farm animal vet at Bishopton Vets said: “What’s really improved the process for us is how straightforward it is to submit samples and how quickly we get results back from Sandhill.
"It takes a lot of the hassle out of coordinating AHWP visits and lets us focus on the clinical side.”
Rachel Kirkby MRCVS, Business Development Director at VetDX, said: “The AHWP is a real opportunity to tackle issues like anthelmintic resistance in a structured, funded way - but only if the process is workable on the ground.
"That’s why we’ve built the platform to fit naturally into how vets carry out these visits, supporting accurate on-farm data capture with features like in-app QR code scanning.
"It means lab results are securely linked to the right animals or groups, without the risk of transcription errors or lost paperwork.”
https://vetdxs.com
The new resource is designed to help dog owners understand the risks of cancer, recognise the importance of early detection, and learn how HT Vista’s cancer detection device supports veterinary teams in screening suspicious masses.
It includes guidance on the early warning signs of cancer in dogs and explains how acting quickly can improve outcomes.
Dr Liron Levy-Hirsch, Veterinary Surgeon and Managing Director at HT Vista said: “We believe informed pet owners are key to driving earlier diagnosis.
"This new page is all about bridging the gap between innovative veterinary technology and the people it’s designed to support.
"By empowering pet owners with clear and trustworthy information, we hope to strengthen understanding of the diagnostic process, support clinical decision-making, and ultimately help more dogs receive timely treatment.”
www.ht-vet.com/petowners
Julia, who came to the UK in 2016, graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2021.
She then completed a master’s degree in animal welfare in Canada, before returning to the UK to join Crowshall in 2024.
Her interest was initially in companion animals, but she decided to focus her career on animal welfare and population medicine.
The judges said: “She has quickly become a dynamic leader in poultry health and welfare, helping farms achieve dramatic reductions in antibiotic use and improved performance.
"Her commitment to evidence-based advice, education and industry advocacy has earned widespread recognition.”
Photo: Julia presented with her award by Shaun Williamson and Emily Wilton from Zoetis.
Mr Seymour-Hamilton was originally struck off in 1994 after his Kent practice was found to be unhygienic and unsterile with poor record keeping.
However, he has always maintained that the reason his premises were unhygienic and unsterile was because they were closed.
As in previous applications, he said his reason for applying for restoration was to help him gain recognition for his alleged herbal and natural remedy discoveries and that he had no intention of going back into general practice.
As with previous applications, the Committee said that Mr Seymour-Hamilton has shown no real insight into the conduct underlying the original findings and nor has he shown insight into matters identified by previous restoration hearings.
The Committee also considered that Mr Seymour-Hamilton has been off the Register for some 31 years and would therefore need prolonged, intensive, formal retraining to ensure that he was now fit to practise, without which he might pose a risk to animal welfare.
Mr Seymour-Hamilton's case was not helped by the fact that he indicated that he had practised veterinary surgery while off the Register – including conducting two spay procedures in Calais, France, and treating two of his own dogs for cancer.
He also referred to having cultured faecal bacteria in a witness’ kitchen.
The Committee felt it was concerning that Mr Seymour-Hamilton thought these things were compatible with being on the Register and upholding the professional standards expected of a veterinary surgeon.
Paul Morris, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “Mr Seymour-Hamilton still lacks an understanding as to why he has not been restored in the past.
"Apart from additional CPD, he has not set about effectively addressing any of his shortcomings.
"He relies passionately on his research, yet he does not support that research with any peer-reviewed publications, indeed all his attempts to gain recognition have been rebuffed.”
He added: “The Committee is firmly of the view that after such a prolonged period of failing to be reinstated as a veterinary surgeon, Mr Seymour-Hamilton has to face the reality that his continued applications, taking up time, resources and expense (which is ultimately borne by all those veterinary surgeons who are on the Register), are vexatious and ultimately unlikely to succeed.
“Whilst the College cannot prevent him from continuing to apply to be restored to the Register, Mr Seymour-Hamilton should by now realise that this is not a good use of the College’s finite resources.
"He is now 86 years old and has not practised for over thirty years and in fact has now been off the Register for longer than he was on it.
"This is now the twelfth time he has been found to be not fit to be restored to the Register.
"The Committee hopes Mr Seymour-Hamilton will now take time seriously to reflect and take into account the impact to all concerned of his continued applications, before deciding to submit any more.”
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/concerns/disciplinary-hearings
The company says the main breakthrough in this new authorisation is that the dose for cattle has been reduced from 4 ml to 2 ml, improving convenience and aligning with the latest regulatory data.
In cattle, the vaccine is indicated for active immunisation to reduce viraemia caused by BTV-3.
The onset of immunity is 3 weeks after completing the primary vaccination course.
The vaccine can be given to cattle from 2 months of age in naïve animals, or from 3 months if born to immune dams.
For the primary vaccination, two doses of 2ml are given, 3 weeks apart, intramuscularly.
In sheep, the vaccine is indicated for active immunisation to reduce viraemia, mortality, clinical signs and lesions caused by BTV-3.
The onset of immunity is 4 weeks after completing the primary vaccination course.
The vaccine can be given to sheep from 3 months of age, subcutaneously.
For the primary vaccination, one dose of 2 ml is given.
https://syva.es/en/
The library currently has 28 on-demand recordings, covering a range of sessions on three main themes: people, planet and animals.
They include: ‘Managing emotions in stressful situation’ and ‘Shaping practice culture as a team’, and BVA Congress recordings, such as "Is neutering dogs doing more harm than good?".
BVA President Elizabeth Mullineaux said: “All veterinary professionals will understand the crucial role that CPD plays in maintaining and enhancing our knowledge and skills.
"Whether you're catching up on missed sessions or looking to revisit key topics, the new BVA CPD library can help members stay up to date throughout your career.”
https://mybva.bva.co.uk/cpd-library.html
The service is designed to make vital support more accessible to those clients who may face challenges visiting the practice, whether that's down to limited mobility, transport difficulties, or simply a pet’s anxiety with travel.
Led by experienced RVNs, the service includes:
Judith Lee, Small Animal Director at Oakhill Veterinary Centre, said: “Our Community Vet Nurse service is all about making it easier for our clients to access the help they need."
https://www.oakhill-vets.com/pets/community-vet-nurse/
The Awards are open to all organisations and practice teams across the UK who are using recognised QI techniques to improve outcomes.
The Award categories are as follows:
Ashley Doorly, Head of Quality Improvement at RCVS Knowledge, said: “Now in its seventh year, the RCVS Knowledge Awards continue to highlight the incredible work being done across the veterinary professions to improve patient safety and outcomes, boost team morale, embed evidence-based veterinary medicine, and support more fulfilling careers.
"Over the years, we’ve seen how strong team culture lays the foundation for successful Quality Improvement projects.
“This year, we’re especially excited to receive applications that explore emerging priorities such as sustainability, One Health, and contextualised care.”
https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/awards/rcvs-knowledge-awards
The company's teleradiology and education services are not affected, and will continue as normal.
VET.CT's CEO, Victoria Johnson said: “We are deeply sorry to have to close our teleconsulting specialist case advice service.
"Despite many loyal clients loving it and using the service to the full, wider adoption of teleconsulting has been variable globally since its launch in 2018.
"We have continued to consult, invest in, iterate and adapt the service over the past 7 years to unlock the demand.
"However, despite our efforts, we now have to take the painful and difficult decision to close our client-facing service.
"There are a multiplicity of factors that contribute to the issue and sadly, the ongoing economic pressures mean that the teleconsulting service is no longer sustainable.
"We want to reassure our clients that our quality-focused radiology reporting and education services are unaffected by these changes and continue to grow.
https://resources.vet-ct.com/statement-about-teleconsulting-service
The webinar, which is exclusively for veterinary professionals, will include a Q&A session addressing common concerns around vaccination timing, use in Johne’s-positive herds, the role of extended colostrum feeding, and the growing issue of antimicrobial resistance.
Speakers for the event are:
Kat Baxter-Smith, Veterinary Advisor at MSD Animal Health (pictured), said: “Vaccination has an important role to play in cryptosporidiosis control, but we know that for some practices, concerns remain — particularly around colostrum management and use in herds with Johne’s.
“This session is about opening up those discussions, sharing the latest research, and addressing the barriers that may be holding back wider adoption.
"Our aim is to support vets in moving scour management from reaction to prevention.”
https://view6.workcast.net/register?cpak=7702733614498733
The Ageing Canine Toolkit, which was developed from research carried out by the University of Liverpool, aims to help both vets and owners provide the best care for senior and geriatric dogs.
It includes information about common health problems that affect ageing dogs and a colour-coded checklist to help owners know when to seek advice from a veterinary practice and how to guide discussions during consultations.
As part of the partnership, NationWide Laboratories will be distributing the toolkit to its clients, helping raise awareness and make sure that the owners of older dogs know how to look for signs of disease which could enable treatment to be started earlier.
Alison Selby, Fundraising Manager for BSAVA PetSavers said: “We are thrilled to be embarking on this partnership with NationWide Laboratories.
"By supporting the print and distribution costs of this invaluable resource, they will help us reach more pet owners across the UK.
"Working together in partnership, we hope to equip owners with the knowledge and confidence to support their dogs through the ageing process, ultimately improving their quality of life.”
https://bsava.com/petsavers/our-impact/citizen-science-project
The one-day course covers a variety of procedures, from forelimb, hindlimb and tail amputations, to enucleations and simple eyelid mass removals.
Graduates will also begin learning about the use of basic skin flaps to close larger wounds.
They will also be taught how to recognise a patient requiring urgent or emergency care and initiate evaluation and management.
Sarah Rutherford, Head of Clinical Education at CVS, said: “When we spoke to our graduates, they told us that they were keen for us to run this course, so that they could build experience and confidence in these common procedures, post their university and extra mural training.
“These are GP procedures. So, thinking about contextualised care, we felt it was important for all of our companion animal veterinary General Practitioners to offer these treatment options - no matter how many years they’d been practicing.
"It’s great to empower our new graduates to conduct these salvage-type procedures - rather than book them in with experienced, certified and advanced vets, or even a referrals specialist.
“It was also important for us to have GP vets Frances and Andy teaching our new surgical GP course, as they appreciate the challenges and practicalities of first opinion practice (FOP).
"It hopefully shows the opportunities that are available in teaching within CVS for all of our general practitioners.”
Hannah Spooner BVSc MRCVS, New Graduate Programme Lead said: "I recently took at poll at the Cambridge AVS congress this spring and this course came out on top - as the course students would ‘most be looking forward to’ if they were to join the CVS New graduate programme in the future. So that’s very encouraging to know!”
www.careerswithcvs.co.uk