The event will introduce a new live discussion format, ShareSPACE Live, alongside its main lecture programme.
ShareSPACE Live will run on Thursday and will allow delegates to set the topics themselves, based on the leadership and management issues they are currently facing.
Sessions will be peer-led and focused on practical problem-solving, with agreed actions supported by the VMG after the event.
The keynote speaker will be polar adventurer and author Victoria Humphries, who will talk about how her “Anything is Possible” approach helped her lead the world’s first all-female expedition to the North Pole and build a commercial career after setting three Guinness World Records.
The lecture programme, under the theme “United in Leadership”, will include both new and returning speakers.
New speakers include Rapinder Newton, RCVS Mind Matters Initiative Lead, speaking on mental health in the workplace; Andrew Whitfield-Roberts RVN, who will talk about listening skills based on his work with the Samaritans; and veterinary social worker Rebecca Stevens, who will explain the support veterinary social workers can offer to teams and clients.
A current and a former student from the VMG/ILM Certificate in Veterinary Leadership and Management will also speak about topics they explored during their studies.
Friday will be Community Day, with opportunities to meet CVLM tutors, talk to VMG directors about membership and support, and take part in the group walk along the River Avon.
https://vmgevents.co.uk
In the UK-wide online study, 1,772 dog owners assessed short clinical “vignette” scenarios describing 30 common canine conditions, based on VetCompass patient records.
Each owner reviewed three scenarios and judged both the likely condition and how urgently veterinary care was needed.
Their responses were compared with consensus opinions from experienced veterinary surgeons.
Owners were highly accurate at recognising conditions with clear visible signs, including epilepsy, kennel cough, flea infestation, anal gland disease and osteoarthritis.
However, they were less accurate with conditions that have more variable or subtle signs, such as mast cell tumours, glaucoma, diabetes and gastrointestinal foreign bodies.
Owners also underestimated the urgency of treatment in 28.4% of responses.
Conditions most often rated as less urgent than veterinary surgeons advised included ear infection (otitis externa), corneal ulcers and heatstroke.
Underestimating urgency is a major welfare concern because it can delay treatment, prolong suffering and, in severe cases, result in death.
Participants also reported which information sources they used, both for the vignette scenarios and habitually for their own dogs.
The most commonly used sources for their own dog’s health were personal knowledge or experience (73.7%), contacting their local veterinary practice (61.1%) and internet searches (49.2%).
Reputation (66.8%), factual correctness (65.6%) and availability (39.5%) most influenced their choice of information source.
Using online dog health groups—either habitually or to identify vignette conditions—reduced the accuracy of assessments.
Habitual use of these groups also increased the risk of underestimating urgency by 30%.
However, when used specifically to help answer the vignette scenarios, dog health groups reduced the risk of underestimating urgency by 50%.
General internet searching improved condition recognition but had no effect on urgency assessment.
Owners who habitually contacted their veterinary practice for advice were more likely to judge urgency in line with veterinary recommendations, highlighting the importance of strong working relationships between owners and practices.
The researchers suggest that telephone triage, telemedicine and veterinary-endorsed information resources may play an increasing role in supporting better decision-making.
Emerging AI tools may also help in future, although further research is needed to assess the reliability and risks of such systems.
Dr Rowena Packer, Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at RVC, said: “This study highlights a welfare gap between what dog owners observe and how they perceive the need for veterinary care.
"Problems without obvious external signs are most at risk of having urgent treatment underestimated.
"With better triage support, including telemedicine and carefully designed AI tools, there is an opportunity to improve awareness and reduce harmful delays.”
Reference
Canixin L is an inactivated bacterial vaccine used to stimulate active immunity in dogs against two serogroups of Leptospira interrogans: Canicola and Icterohaemorrhagiae.
The new vaccine is licensed to reduce infection, clinical signs, kidney colonisation, renal lesions and shedding in the urine.
Virbac says Canixin L will play a crucial role in minimising the risk of the disease in both the individual and other animals that may come into contact.
It is licensed for use in dogs from 8 weeks of age, with a second injection administered 3 to 4 weeks later.
Virbac says that for the Canicola serogroup, Canixin L offers the highest level of protection, including prevention of mortality.
Rain Beckles – Product Manager, said: “Virbac is pleased to be able to offer Canixin L, allowing those using Canixin DHPPi/L to vaccinate with L2 only in the intermediate years.
“It also provides an excellent opportunity for practices with clients specifically requesting an L2 vaccine.”
https://uk.virbac.com
The course, which is designed to equip learners with essential leadership and management knowledge and skills, is aimed at those who are new to leadership, taking on additional responsibilities, or aspiring to lead within their organisation.
The course covers leadership theory, emotional intelligence, communication styles, motivation and workplace wellbeing.
The VMG says the iVLM offers a flexible and effective way to build leadership capability without the time or cost commitment of more advanced programmes.
The iVLM also provides a route into the VMG’s ILM accredited Qualified Veterinary Leader programmes: the VMG/ILM Level 5 Award (AVLM), the Certificate (CVLM) and the Diploma in Veterinary Leadership and Management (DVLM).
Alongside the new course, the VMG has re-launched an updated series of ten standalone CPD modules for those looking to build confidence or deepen their expertise in specific aspects of leadership.
Topics include understanding leadership styles, navigating team communication and supporting wellbeing.
Each module provides 25 hours of CPD and is aligned to Level 5.
Amy Martin RVN MA, Learning and Development Manager at the VMG (pictured), said: “Supporting VMG members and non-members alike to learn and grow is our goal and we’re committed to making high-quality training and development accessible to everyone in the sector, wherever they are on their leadership journey.
https://vetmg.com/product/vmg-cpd-course-intro/
The survey seeks to assess GP vets' confidence and experience in feline dentistry and their access to feline dentistry equipment.
Rachel said: "Dental and oral disorders are amongst the most diagnosed diseases in UK’s feline population under first opinion practice, with reported annual prevalence of 20-21%.
"Despite this, relatively little is known about vets’ confidence, experience and access to appropriate resources when diagnosing and treating feline dental conditions.
"Access to dental radiography is considered vital for optimal diagnosis and treatment planning, yet its availability, use and training may vary considerably between clinics.
"Understanding how vets perceive their own competence, and identifying potential barriers is important in improving standard of dental care provided to felines in first opinion practice."
Everyone who takes part in the survey will entered into a draw for a £100 John Lewis voucher, and for every entry completed, Rachel and Joanna will donate £1 to International Cat Care.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XMZMXMK
The new book is written and edited by leading international experts, including John Chitty, Deborah Monks, Anna Meredith, and Bob Doneley.
The manual begins with chapters on the fundamental needs of guinea pigs, offering guidance on adapting routine examinations, basic techniques, and diagnostic processes for this species.
It then explores anaesthesia and analgesia, nursing care and hospital management, diagnostic imaging, and both soft and hard tissue surgery.
The final section focuses on the management of diseases and disorders across all the body systems.
There are three appendices which provide a step-by-step guide to investigating thin and anorexic guinea pigs, a formulary of drugs with doses and usage notes, and a guide to toxic plants and substances.
John Chitty BVetMed CertZooMed CBiol MRSB MRCVS, Editor of the manual said: “Guinea pig ownership has evolved significantly in recent years, with many owners deeply committed to providing the very best care.
"This manual delivers the essential knowledge needed to meet those expectations.
"If you see guinea pigs in your practice, you’ll find this resource invaluable.”
The BSAVA Manual of Guinea Pigs costs £58.50 for BSAVA members; £90.00 for non-members.
Print copies are available through the BSAVA store, you can also access the digital version in the BSAVA Library.
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 awards celebrate talented veterinary professionals who are going above and beyond for their patients and clients, supporting wellbeing and positive workplace culture, driving positive change across sustainability, delivering inspirational leadership and mentoring, and pushing the boundaries of veterinary science.
The winners will be announced at a special awards dinner at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Thursday 11 June 2026, as part of BVA Live.
BVA President Dr Rob Williams MRCVS said: "Our new BVA Awards event is a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on our outstanding vets and veterinary teams.
"If you know an inspirational vet or vet team who always goes the extra mile, this is your chance to nominate them and give them the recognition they deserve.”
The Awards:
The nomination deadline is 16 March 2026.
https://www.bva.co.uk/membership/bva-awards-2026/
To help practices engage with pet owners on the topic, Animalcare has developed a collection of educational waiting room display materials, social posts and a national competition for the best practice-to-client dental communication.
For the competition, practices are invited to submit photos of their waiting room display and/or social media videos which show how Plaqtiv+ dental care products are used as part of a home oral hygiene routine.
Each element counts as an entry, so submitting a video and a photo of a practice waiting room display counts as two entries for the prize draw to win a Nespresso coffee machine and pods worth £180.
Submit your entries to animalcare@animalcare.co.uk, including your name, practice name, practice postcode and photos of your waiting room display or a link to your social media video.
animalcare.co.uk/dentalhealthmonth
That'll bring the GB list price down from £434 to £347.20, something which can only be good news at a time when the veterinary profession is facing greater scrutiny over the cost of care than ever before.
The company says it will also be increasing the product discount, which can be discussed with its Account Managers.
MSD says the price drop makes Bravecto Injectable the most affordable way to protect dogs with Fluralaner and highlights the convenience of annual dosing and the fact that it avoids tricky discussions about where to buy the product.
https://www.msd-animal-health.co.uk/
HaemoVet haemostats are individually sterile packed in a variety of forms ranging from dental cubes, flex dressings and flowable powder.
Invicta says the range is affordably priced with dental cubes costing £1 each, packaged in 24 individual blistered packs with a three-year shelf life.
Rob Watkins, Managing Director of Invicta, said: “Most practice staff are familiar with using absorbable haemostats in routine and emergency surgery.
"However, statistics show that just 17% use them regularly1.
"Many staff cited price as a reason and this coupled with the rising costs of consumables spurred us to bring an affordable option to practices.”
The HaemoVet range comprises of sponges, powders or flowable syringes of gelatin matrix designed to provide rapid and safe haemostasis2.
For dental applications, there is also a sponge impregnated with colloidal silver.
Rob added: “The HaemoVet range provides practices with a much more affordable option and are carefully packaged in individual sachets to avoid waste to make it the economic and environmental product of choice.”
HaemoVet is available from Invicta Animal Health, which will also give training and information on its use.
T: 01403 791313Email: mail@invictavet.comW: invictavet.com/haemovet
References
The advice includes how to:
The BVA says its position on AI is to encourage vets to have a positive, proactive and open-minded approach to veterinary AI technology while being aware of its potential ethical risks.
As well as urging all veterinary professionals to understand AI and follow the above principles when using it, recommendations in the policy position call for all veterinary workplaces to develop AI use policies, to undertake thorough risk assessments and develop resources to help vets understand how AI tools work and how they can be evaluated.
The policy position also calls for the wider sector to create international governance and explainability standards for veterinary AI tools, to develop active regulation of veterinary AI tools used in the UK by the country’s veterinary regulators and for AI tech developers to provide transparent validation data.
British Veterinary Association President Dr. Rob Williams MRCVS said: “The AI revolution is here to stay and brings with it both important opportunities as well as challenges for the veterinary profession.
"Having a positive and open-minded approach that views AI as a tool to support vets and the wider vet team is the best way forward to make sure that the profession is confident applying these technologies in their day-to-day work.
"The general principles developed in BVA’s new policy position offer a timely and helpful framework for all veterinary workplaces considering the safe and effective use of AI technologies.
“Vets must also be involved in the development process for AI tools as early and as frequently as possible so the profession can lead from the front when applying these emerging technologies, to ensure we continue to deliver on our number one priority of supporting the highest levels of animal health and welfare.”
Data from BVA’s Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey shows that 21% of vets working in clinical practice are already using AI tools, with the most commonly reported benefits being data interpretation, improved diagnostic testing and time saving.
However, vets also noted potential risks, most commonly the possibility that results are interpreted without context or follow up checks, an over-reliance on AI undermining human skills, and a lack of data protection.
To help tackle this, BVA has developed a risk pyramid that classifies the risks of some of the more common or considered AI use cases in different veterinary settings from ‘minimal’ to ‘unacceptable’.
The organisation has also published a set of questions that vets should ask software companies when undertaking risk assessments.
Rob added: “We know that the degree of risk in AI use exponentially increases with the degree of autonomy an AI tool has.
"This risk pyramid is a handy reference for vets looking to incorporate AI in their work, with tasks lower down the pyramid such as marketing or clerical tasks able to be undertaken with more confidence of safety than those closer to the top, such as automated diagnosis or clinical decision making.
"As use cases move closer to the top, the importance of following the principles set out in BVA’s policy position becomes more critical as the impacts on animal health and welfare, professional standards, and people will be more significant.
I’d urge all colleagues to take a look at this risk pyramid alongside the general principles.”
www.bva.co.uk/artificial-intelligence
Veterinary surgeons will also be asked to verify each horse’s health status via a brief questionnaire (around 4 minutes).
The results of the questionnaires will be used to develop a scoring algorithm to measure the impact of health on a horse’s quality of life.
Zoetis says support from the veterinary profession is going to be pivotal to its ability to deliver a valid and reliable measurement tool, one that has the potential to transform the welfare of horses worldwide.
To that end, vets who contribute will gain early insight into a scientifically validated HRQL instrument designed to:
If you would like to participate, of if you would like more information contact Dr Cory Noble at cory.noble@zoetis.com.
In the first episode, host Ian Wolstenholme will be joined by Dr David Reader, Senior Lecturer in Competition Law at the University of Glasgow, and Dr Scott Summers, Lecturer in Law at the University of East Anglia.
David and Scott, who've used the CMA investigation as a focus for their research, will talk about what prompted their investigation, what the CMA is seeking to understand and why this scrutiny matters for practices, clients, and the wider veterinary sector.
They'll provide insights into things like transparency, pricing, consumer trust, and how regulatory attention may influence day-to-day clinical and business decisions.
Ian said: “We will try and hone in on what the changes will mean in reality for independent practices with advice and guidance on implementation and delivery, drawing on the experience of our own team and other experts in the profession.”
FIVP Practice Matters is available from Spotify, Apple, and the FIVP website.
The study analysed 321 canine cases reported to the VPS for electronic cigarette or e-liquid exposure, to assess the risk of nicotine toxicosis in dogs.
53% of dogs remained asymptomatic after oral exposure to e-liquid and 41% developed only mild signs.
Among the 47% that developed clinical signs, emesis, hypersalivation, and tachycardia were the most common.
Other potential signs of nicotine toxicity, such as tremor, ataxia, or tachypnoea, occurred in less than 7% of cases.
Clinical signs generally resolved within a few hours, with a median recovery time of 3 hours, varying from 10 minutes to 6 days.
28% of the dogs received no treatment or observation only, and 45% received gut decontamination, most commonly activated charcoal only or oral lavage only.
Two dogs required the removal of a foreign body (an electronic cigarette and an e-liquid refill bottle).
A moderate, severe or fatal outcome was reported in 6% of cases.
Two dogs died; one after chewing a bottle of e-liquid, and experiencing progressive tachypnoea, persistent tachycardia and hypotension, and one was euthanised due to financial constraints.
The severity of poisoning wasn’t related to the reported dose, and it’s not clear why large doses didn’t cause severe nicotine toxicosis.
The authors conclude that the majority of dogs exposed to e-liquids can be managed conservatively and treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
Nicola Bates, lead author of the study, said: “Although severe effects following exposure to e-cigarettes or e-liquid is uncommon in dogs, each case should be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine if any decontamination or treatment is required”.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jsap.70014
The partnership is designed to help Petgevity policyholders make their cover go further by lowering ongoing medication costs, while keeping more of their insurance “claims pot” available for the unexpected.
Petscribers compares prices from government-accredited online pharmacies, offering claimed savings of between 30–50% on long-term or repeat prescriptions, which Petscribers says account for around 40% of ongoing claims.
Emma said: “As vets, we see firsthand how quickly a pet’s health can change and how fast the bills can stack up when it does.
"By helping owners save on regular medication, we’re protecting what really matters: their ability to afford care when their pet truly needs it.”
petscribers.co.uk
www.petgevity.co.uk
Photo: Emma Pemberthy (L) and Angela Jones (R)
Mr Ghinescu faced three charges:
Mr Ghinescu admitted the facts of charges 1 and 2 but denied that this rendered him unfit to practise as a veterinary surgeon, although Dr Ghinescu has had the status of a non-practising Member of the RCVS since May 2021.
Regarding Charge 3, Mr Ghinescu said that the failure to declare the conviction had been a genuine misunderstanding about whether he needed to declare a driving conviction as part of his annual renewal.
The Committee found that while his position was ‘plainly unreasonable of him and wrong’, it could not be sure beyond all reasonable doubt that his mistaken beliefs were genuine or not – therefore it found it not proven that he had been dishonest.
Nevertheless, it found that Mr Ghinescu had been misleading by failing to declare his convictions, even if unintentionally.
Having found Charges 1, 2 and part of Charge 3 proven, the Committee considered Mr Ghinescu’s fitness to practise, taking into account the part of the Code of Professional Conduct that says veterinary surgeons ‘must not engage in any activity or behaviour that would be likely to bring the profession into disrepute or undermine public confidence in the profession.’
It found that the convictions outlined in Charges 1 and 2 rendered him unfit to practise as a veterinary surgeon and that whilst Charge 3 demonstrated carelessness, it did not amount to serious professional misconduct.
Mitigating factors included having had no previous disciplinary history with the RCVS, admissions at both court and to the College and developing insight into his behaviour, with an acceptance he had acted shamefully and had no mitigation for his behaviour.
Hilary Lloyd, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee was of the view that the nature and seriousness of Mr Ghinescu’s behaviour, which led to the convictions, particularly the assault on his wife, was fundamentally incompatible with being registered as a veterinary surgeon.
"They are clearly serious offences as reflected in the prison sentence Mr Ghinescu was required to serve.
“There were two separate assaults on [his wife], one in the car and then a prolonged attack in the house, involving repeated punches to the face and kicks to the body, followed by threats to kill.
"The Committee considered this to be disgraceful conduct of the most grievous and reprehensible kind.
“The conduct represented a serious departure from professional standards; it was inexplicable, abhorrent behaviour, resulting in injuries to his wife.
"In light of these conclusions, the Committee decided that the only appropriate and proportionate sanction in this case was removal from the Register.”
Mr Ghinescu has 28 days from being informed of his removal from the Register to appeal the Committee’s decision.
www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary
For the challenge, Wendy had to run for at least 20 minutes every day.
On a previous attempt, she reached day 605 before being put out of action with a skiing injury.
Wendy's work takes her to all sorts of interesting places and sticking to the challenge has had her running in the African bush, through the jungles of Sumatra and on the ice in Japan, braving temperatures as low as -20C in Finland, to 35% during an Italian heatwave.
It has also meant running on through a 10-day bout of dysentery!
At the end of it all, Wendy raised over £3000 for The Painted Wolf Foundation, a charity working to reverse the decline of painted wolves.
Wendy said: ‘I first saw painted wolves in Botswana twenty years ago – a pack ran out in front of us and I hadn’t seen them before.
"They were stunning.
"The more I learned about them – how they work together, collaborate and look after each other – the more drawn I was to them.
"They are on the IUCN red list, which means they are critically endangered, with only around 6,500 left spread across southern and eastern Africa.
"I decided to use my 1,000-day streak to raise money for the Foundation to support the work being done to help these amazing animals.’
https://www.gofundme.com/f/running-for-1000-days-for-painted-wolves
https://paintedwolf.org
Marketed since 2016, Thyronorm is an award-winning liquid formulation that simplifies administration compared to tablets and enables precise dosing for both veterinary surgeons and pet owners.
During the product handover veterinary practices can continue to buy Thyronorm from their usual wholesaler, and all practice support activities and retrospective commercial rebates remain unchanged.
Virbac says it is working closely with Norbrook to make sure all practice support activities are smoothly handed over from Norbrook Account Managers to Virbac Territory Managers.
The course, which starts on the 26th March 2026, will be delivered through the association's e-learning hub and combines small group face-to-face coaching, online learning and digital content.
The programme has been developed help both new leaders and those looking to strengthen their confidence, self-awareness, and practical leadership capabilities.
Topics include:
Pete Orpin, SPVS JVP and Course Facilitator said: “Veterinary leadership can be a daunting place, without appropriate support and training.
"Leaders do not automatically have all the answers.
"The course aims to provide delegates with peer-to-peer support and practical tools to take back to practice and implement.”
The course costs £2695+VAT for SPVS members and £3,465+VAT for non members.
Price includes one full day SPVS Congress delegate pass where the group will meet at the end of the course
https://spvs.org.uk/spvs-elevate
Providing an opportunity to present new research to the veterinary community, the Clinical Research Abstracts can be on any veterinary subject, whether it’s the preliminary results of a new study, a discussion of a new technique or a description of an interesting case.
Each application should be based on high-quality clinical research undertaken in industry, practice or academia, and summarised in 250 words
Applications are welcome from vets, veterinary nurses, practice managers and students, with applications from those working in general practice especially encouraged.
Researchers with research of direct relevance to veterinary practice may also submit an abstract for consideration.
Those who are selected to present will receive a free complimentary ticket to BVA Live.
The Clinical Research Abstract awards will also give researchers the opportunity to present their winning abstract at London Vet Show 2026.
Julian Hoad, BSAVA President said: "We’re delighted to invite veterinary professionals to share their latest research with the wider community.
"The Clinical Research Abstracts offer a unique platform to showcase innovation, spark discussion, and contribute to the advancement of veterinary medicine. We look forward to seeing fresh ideas and emerging techniques that can shape the future of clinical practice. It’s an opportunity not to be missed!"
Submissions are open until 6th March 2025.
https://www.bsavaclinicalabstracts.com
The survey is part an initiative designed to bring together the UK ruminant sector to co-develop a roadmap which will champion animal health and welfare solutions that promote and demonstrate responsible antibiotic stewardship.
It is also designed to find out exactly what ruminant antibiotic use data is needed at both farm-level and national reporting level so that data collected delivers value to farms and vet practices.
Mark Jelley, Chair of Cattle Antibiotic Guardian Group (pictured) said: “Farmers are already required to record their purchase and use of veterinary medicines but turning this requirement into evidence of responsible use while also being confident that data is being used responsibly is challenging.
“Other food producing species in the UK can demonstrate their medicine use with confidence and many competitor nations are now legislating for this data collection too - the ruminant sector is at risk of being left behind.”
Anyone working in the UK ruminant sector - from vets and farmers to government employees and academics - is encouraged to complete the survey, which is open till 28th February 2026.
https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/rvc/uk-ruminant-antibiotic-stewardship-roadmap
The new online resources have been compiled by BEVA in collaboration with the RSPCA, World Horse Welfare, the SSPCA and the National Equine Crime Group, together with national Police and Local Authority representatives.
BEVA President Imogen Burrows said: “It can be an intimidating process when visiting an equid without an owner, but our new resources aim to address the potential stress factor and make the rules around the provision of care very clearcut.
“We have produced all the documents the attending vet should need, no matter their location or circumstances.
"Most importantly, if they are attending alone, they will know how to access the right help at the right time, secure in the knowledge that they are following appropriate, validated procedures.”
The resources include a decision tree for quick checking correct procedures, an overview of stakeholder roles and responsibilities, a ‘what if’ section for troubleshooting and an essential contacts registry.
There are also examination and treatment worksheets, and euthanasia certification forms.
Imogen added: “We have put significant thought and effort into producing these new resources, especially from an ambulatory veterinary perspective.
“It should make all the difference for vets, knowing that they have the all the information they need, to hand, In the unlikely event of a callout to an equid of unknown ownership.”
https://www.beva.org.uk/Resources/Clinical-resources/Welfare-toolkit/Managing-equids-of-unknown-ownership
The Statutory Membership Examination needs to be taken by overseas vets who hold veterinary degrees that are not recognised by the RCVS.
The exam is made up of two components: a written theory exam, and a clinical, practical exam.
Candidates must also have demonstrated their English language competence and professional good standing before being entered into the exam.
53 of those who passed the exam attended a ceremony earlier this month, hosted by Clare Paget, RCVS Registrar and Director of Legal Services, and RCVS President Professor Tim Parkin, at Central Hall, Westminster.
Tim said: “Presiding at the Statutory Membership Exam Ceremony is one of the best jobs we get to do as Officers of the College, and I feel very fortunate to be able to share this special day with you and your friends and family at this magnificent venue.
He added: “You should all be very proud of your achievements here today, especially as I know some of you came to the UK under difficult circumstances.
“The UK veterinary profession is very lucky indeed to have you joining it and I know that you will make a massive difference – you’ve already demonstrated amazing energy and drive, and you will also no doubt bring fresh and different perspectives with you - that, as I said, will only serve to enrich all of our lives.”
Among those who attended the day was Zahra Mohammedi MRCVS, who came to the UK after fleeing Afghanistan four years ago.
She said: “It wasn’t easy. When I first arrived in the UK, I still had the trauma from everything that had happened in my country.
"I struggled a lot because I’d never left my family before and when I arrived in the UK, I was alone.
“I’ve had a lot of support from many people to get me to where I am today, and I feel like one of the luckiest people to have all these wonderful people around me.
"There are millions of girls in Afghanistan who don’t have this opportunity. I never gave up because I didn’t want the Taliban to win. Now I feel like I’ve won and they’ve lost.
"I’ve proven that Afghan women are worthy to study and work and can do whatever they want.”
Sohail Idrees MRCVS from Pakistan said: “Completing the Exam was always a dream. When I was in Pakistan working as a veterinary surgeon I used to go on the RCVS website and say one day I’ll get there.
"I’ve always wanted to work in the UK as a veterinary surgeon, and I would like to thank Sonia Green and Chorley Vets for all their support throughout the exam process.
“I’ve already secured a job – working as a veterinary surgeon in Birmingham, but I plan to go for my advanced veterinary practitioner qualification, in soft tissue surgery and orthopaedics.”
Chibuzor Onyekwelu MRCVS, from Nigeria, said: “I dreamt of becoming a vet from the age of seven. When I qualified in 2016, I practised in Nigeria for five years but then I decided I wanted to work at a global level – I love a challenge and wanted to do something new.
“Having passed the exam I’ll now be able to work in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Ireland so that one certificate will allow me to practise in four other countries.”
This takes total investment to £21 million, following a £6 million Seed round in August 2023.
Hello Vet was founded in 2022 by healthcare entrepreneurs, James Lighton and Alessandro Guazzi, and veterinary surgeon Oli Viner.
They opened their first site in London Fields in July 2024.
VetSurgeon.org spoke to Oli, who explained some of the things Hello Vet is doing to offer greater transparency and tangible value whilst remaining affordable:
Oli said: "We're using technology to reduce the amount of time we spend on admin and mundane stuff, so we can concentrate more on those things which deliver better value for our clients.
"For example, our clinicians make clinical notes as normal, but they are translated by AI into treatments plans which, after a once-over by our nursing team, we give to clients both as an aide-memoire and as a tangible presentation of the advice they've bought from us.
"When we used to do this manually, it would take 10 minutes. With AI, that's down to 90 seconds.
"We also use WhatsApp to foster a better connection between clinicians and clients, and to triage cases.
"We don't charge for interactions on WhatsApp, so it saves clients time and money whilst allowing us to focus our efforts where they are most needed and offer greater value.
Hello Vet reckons its WhatApp triage service has saved clients more than £75K in fees alone in the last year.
Another novel side to the practice is that it allows clients into its procedure rooms to hold their pets’ paws as anaesthesia is administered and to be present when their pets wake up.
Oli said: "This reduces stress for both pets and people and there are studies1 which have shown it improves outcomes and speeds recovery.
"As importantly, it shows tangible value to the client when they can see all the equipment we've invested in.
"Allowing clients to be there at the start of a procedure strengthens relationships with the team and builds trust."
Hello Vet now plans to launch clinics across the UK and hire a team of 200 vets and vet nurses over the next two years.
James Lighton, co-founder and CEO, said: “We know that most veterinary professionals come into this industry because they love working with animals.
"But too many good people are leaving this vocation.
"We want to become Britain’s best place to work, to ensure working in a vet clinic feels like the dream job it should be.
https://www.hellovet.co.uk