Pete Wedderburn MRCVS is reporting on the latest veterinary developments in the USA, with a daily blog from the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas.
You can read / subscribe to Pete's engaging blog here.
The Bella Moss Foundation and the Royal Society of Medicine have announced 'One Health', a conference which will bring together experts from the veterinary and medical sectors to collaborate on infectious disease.
Subjects under discussion will include infection control, antimicrobial resistance and the threats posed by emerging zoonotic diseases. Amongst the speakers will be Professor Peter Borriello, Chief Executive of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and Professor Anthony Kessel, Director of Public Health England. The audience will include policy makers and clinicians together with researchers and academics from both human and veterinary medicine.
Jill Moss, President of the Bella Moss Foundation, said: "With antimicrobial resistance and updated protocols hitting the headlines regularly, our speakers will discuss the key issues. For instance, what exactly is the current status of antimicrobial resistance? How is it affecting our lives? What are the veterinary, medical and research professions doing to resolve the challenges we face - and how can they persuade policy makers to take a united stand on the issue?"
Tom Keith - Welsh president of comparative medicine network, Royal Society of Medicine, said: "Antimicrobial resistance is a global issue requiring education, information and action. The conference programme will provide anyone with an interest in antimicrobial resistance a current and rounded perspective on this important and pressing issue."
For more information, visit: www.onehealthbmf.com.
The company says the new framework is designed to help veterinary teams make prescribing decisions which balance animal welfare, public health, and environmental sustainability, the latter especially in the light of recent research which found significant levels of imidacloprid and fipronil - which are toxic to invertebrates - in waterways1,2.
The Lifestyle Parasite Risk Assessment considers the following factors before recommending treatment, including:
Alongside the new assessment, CVS has launched a training course for all staff who interact with parasiticides, so they can confidently explain the benefits of lifestyle-based prescribing.
References
This year, there were over 41,000 nominations for the five awards which were set up 26 years ago to recognise the nation’s most outstanding veterinary professionals.
The other four winners were:
Vet Nurse of the Year: Rachel Hewson, Belle Vue Veterinary Practice, Cumbria
Practice of the Year: Coastal Veterinary Group, King’s Lynn
Practice Support Staff of the Year: Hannah Reid, Westport Veterinary Clinic, South Queensferry
Practice Manager of the Year: Fiona Leathers, Westport Veterinary Clinic, South Queensferry
Joanna Maclennan, Director of Trading at Petplan said: “A highlight in our calendar, last night was an evening of celebration of the incredible work that goes on in veterinary practices on a daily basis."
WellVet suggests a variety of activities that practices might like to run, including coffee and chat sessions where everyone can sit together, have an informal chat and share experiences about the menopause.
That might provide a perfect opportunity for everyone to watch the WellVet animation which summarises the impact of the menopause on veterinary teams.
In addition, practices can use the free educational videos on the WellVet website to learn how the symptoms of perimenopause can be managed through lifestyle adjustments.
Alternatively you might like to just share the link to the WellVet Menopause Resources page with your team, allowing individuals to explore the information at their own pace.
Liz Barton, Director of WellVet, said: “Creating an open and understanding environment around health topics like perimenopause is crucial for the well-being of our teams.
“While perimenopause is a natural life stage, symptoms and long-term effects of hormonal changes adversely affect a significant portion of the workforce, yet it is a topic that is rarely discussed.
"There is growing interest from veterinary teams about how to start this conversation and provide peer support.
"We hope that by highlighting World Menopause Awareness Day, we can encourage colleagues in the veterinary community to take a moment to explore these resources to help individuals and foster a more supportive culture.”
https://www.wellvet.co.uk/resources/menopause-resources-for-veterinary-teams/
BBC Entertainment is looking for fresh veterinary talent to be part of an exciting new show that it is developing.
If you're passionate about pet health and would jump at the chance to help animals on screen, please call 0161 244 3718 as soon as possible or alternatively email alexis.price@bbc.co.uk
Topics include:
Merel Taal, MRCVS DVM CHPV, Founder and Director at Dignipets, said: “Veterinary receptionists are often the unsung heroes of practice life.
"They are the first voice clients hear and often the last person they see when saying goodbye to a beloved pet.
"That emotional weight can be immense, which is why we believe in equipping them with training, resources and support to carry out their role with confidence and compassion.”
https://www.dignipets.co.uk/login
The first one-day courses will take place in Yorkshire in 2026, offering practical teaching in subjects that can currently only be found by traveling abroad:
As these are small group practical courses, places will be limited.
https://awecpd.co.uk
The campaign aims to demonstrate the direct link between proactive parasite management and flock performance, while also providing tools for vets to engage farmers in conversations around worm control on-farm.
Fiona Hutchings (pictured), ruminant technical manager at Elanco Animal Health, said: “The Better Butt campaign encourages vets and farmers to work together to strategically plan mid- to late-season break doses and quarantine treatments, using the newer group wormers, such as Zolvix, to minimise worm burdens and support healthy growth.”
Fiona says the campaign advises farmers to move away from solely relying on visible signs of worm burdens before taking action, because lamb performance has already been compromised by the time visible signs are present: “Even the best stockman, or experienced sheep person, will struggle to spot an early worm burden, and by the time it’s visible, the burden is usually high.”
“Reductions of up to 50% in growth rates can occur before visible symptoms appear1, resulting in extended finishing times and higher feed demands.”
The campaign uses a traffic light system to help farmers understand worm burden impacts and encourages treatment interventions when animals tip into the amber zone.
“When lambs have a low worm burden, they’re in what we call the green zone, which means they have enough energy for both maintenance and growth.
“However, when this burden increases and they tip into the amber zone, this is when you’ll start noticing changes in the time taken for lambs to finish as worms begin to damage the gut meaning the lambs can’t utilise their feed as well.”
Fiona added: “Many sheep farmers are already doing a brilliant job of managing their stock, but we want to show them that there could be an opportunity to unlock more potential from their flock.”
https://farmanimal.elanco.com/en_gb/sheep/sheep-worms/zolvix-worth-every-penny
The BVA Council Impact Award (Bleby Cup) is presented annually to the BVA Council member who has made an outstanding contribution at Council.
This year, the award went to Veselina Trufcheva.
Having qualified as a vet in 2006 from Trakia University in Bulgaria and with experience in both EU and UK practices, Veselina has been working as a small animal vet in the UK for 13 years, most recently as a senior vet in a West London small animal practice.
She was first elected for BVA Council as the representative for London in February 2023 and has since contributed actively to debates, and hosted many visits for BVA’s team, to give them an invaluable insight into veterinary life.
Veselina said: “I am honoured and at the same time deeply moved to receive the John Bleby Cup.
"I am grateful to be part of an organisation that shapes the future for the veterinary profession and honoured to represent the diverse voices of our London region.
"Working with like minded and passionate individuals, channelling all BVA tools to support others and representing members at council meetings to shape new policy, has been an empowering experience, both personally and professionally.”
Natalie Bubenheim has been awarded the BVA Research Travel Scholarship (Harry Steele-Bodger Memorial Scholarship Fund), to assist with her contribution to the project ‘Analysis of Performance and Health Indicators in a Commercial Goat and Sheep Herd/Flock in Malawi’.
Natalie has a strong interest in wildlife and livestock health in low-income regions.
During her first degree, she spent six months studying in South Africa, an experience that inspired her pursuit of veterinary medicine and a commitment to improving animal health in Southern Africa.
She is also a committee member of the Edinburgh Farm Animal Veterinary Society, and a member of the Dick Vet Wildlife and Zoological Society.
Natalie said: “I’m incredibly grateful for the funding which has made this project possible.
"Without this support, I would not have been able to travel to Malawi to carry out the research on-site.
"The opportunity to collaborate directly with local students and staff, visit the farms, and understand the real-world conditions is essential to the success and impact of the project.
"This funding is not only enabling valuable research into herd health and productivity but also helping strengthen veterinary education and food security in the Lilongwe community.”
The charity says it is facing serious financial pressures, with the cost of caring for rescued animals having increased by £17M over the last 5 years.
Meanwhile, claims for emergency treatments payments have dropped by 87% in the last two years because of a greater awareness by vets of their responsibilities under the RCVS Code in providing treatment to injured wildlife and stray animals.
Rebecca Ashman, the RSPCA’s Head Vet for Operations, Partnerships and Prevention, said: "Thanks to this, and better understanding of the role and remit of the RSPCA, we have been able to focus our charity resources on managing cases of cruelty and neglect."
She added: “The RSPCA has always worked closely with the veterinary professions and we are very grateful for the ongoing support of practices with our work.
"Colleagues will be aware that we have increasingly needed to focus on our core work of rescuing and rehabilitating neglected and cruelly treated animals, in the face of growing demand.
“We have seen the number of animals in our care grow; we are now caring for double the number of cats and dogs since the pandemic, many of whom need longer, more complex rehabilitation due to the nature of why they came into our care.
“Despite work to put the RSPCA on a more sustainable footing, between 2020 and 2024, the annual cost of rescuing and caring for animals has gone up by £17m, due to rising energy prices, veterinary costs, the increased need to pay for private boarding and the increase in the number of animals in our care.
"Alongside this, unforeseen costs such as the hike in national insurance, high inflation, rising fuel and increase in the cost of living, means it is a challenging climate for all charities, putting us under pressure at a time when donations are slowing across the sector.”
The RSPCA says it will continue to allocate log numbers for IET until the end of 2025 and vets have until the end of January 2026 to make any requests for payment in the usual way.
The project aims to produce evidence to help reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury, one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in racehorses worldwide.
The researchers say that despite significant advances in understanding of injuries that occur in horses on a racecourse, there is currently limited information on injuries that happen during training.
The study aims to identify modifiable risk factors and inform practical, evidence-based recommendations for trainers and equine vets.
Over a three-year period, the RVC-led research team will conduct prospective cohort studies in flat and national hunt (jump) thoroughbreds in training.
The researchers will estimate the incidence of the most common types of musculoskeletal injuries in racehorses in training, including fracture and tendon and joint injuries, develop novel measures of training workload that can be used to monitor training over time, and investigate how training regimes can be optimised to reduce the risk of exercise-induced injury.
The study will also trial the use of wearable technology to establish its practical usefulness for large-scale application in measuring horses’ training workload.
Professor Kristien Verheyen, Professor of Veterinary Clinical Epidemiology at the RVC, said: “This large-scale study will fill key knowledge gaps on injury occurrence in racehorses in training.
"Its findings will directly impact racehorse welfare by identifying opportunities for intervention based on ‘best practice’ in current training regimens to reduce the likelihood of injury.”
https://www.rvc.ac.uk/research/projects/training-injury-prevention-study
The films, which include information and practical advice based on the pillars of lifestyle medicine and the neuropsychology of hormones, are aimed both at individuals who are directly affected and those who want to support them.
Wellvet co-founder Liz Barton said: “We now know that nearly half of veterinary team members experience a moderate-severe impact of perimenopause symptoms on their mental health, and a third report a significant impact on their working life and career."
Dr. Claire Gillvray, GP, Lifestyle Medicine specialist and psychiatrist with a special interest in women’s health, who introduces the films, said: “While we tend to focus on the individual, we all have friends, family, colleagues and clients who will experience symptoms impacting their mental and physical health and relationships.
"Although some women transition through the menopause with no problems, many women suffer a multiplicity of debilitating symptoms.
"These symptoms can be devastating and the medical advice they receive can be extremely variable, with some doctors dismissing perimenopause.
"Though onset can be earlier, symptoms typically occur between the ages of 40-60 years and can last for a decade or more, and there can be severe health impacts including cardiovascular, neurological and orthopaedic disease."
“These videos will empower individuals to take control of their symptom monitoring, have meaningful conversations with medical professionals, and trial lifestyle adjustments that may improve their health and wellbeing.”
The first instalment of nine 5-30 minute bitesize videos are accessible now on the WellVet website: https://www.wellvet.co.uk/resources/menopause-resources-for-veterinary-teams/.
Animalcare says that failing to attend to dental care at home results in 9 out of 10 dogs needing advanced dental treatment or procedures at the vets.
Plaqtiv dental sticks are designed to complement dental care by helping reduce plaque and tartar build-up and freshen breath in a tasty, once-daily treat.
Animalcare says the five-point star shape helps target hard-to-reach areas and the length and width of each stick means that teeth can be reached front to back and top to bottom during chewing.
In addition, the active algae ingredient contained within each stick is scientifically proven to help prevent plaque and the inclusion of zinc helps freshen breath.
Rachel Smithson, Country Manager at Animalcare, said: "The addition of the Dental Sticks to the Plaqtiv+ range gives practices and pet owners another option for maintaining oral health.
"With multiple formats now available, the Plaqtiv+ range caters to individual pet needs and owner preferences while supporting long-term home dental healthcare."
https://dental.pet
The new study will examine the genetic changes that occur in osteosarcoma tumours.
By understanding which genes drive the disease, researchers hope to identify biomarkers – genetic clues that could help diagnose the cancer earlier, predict prognosis for individual patients, and ultimately lead to new treatment options.
The study is looking for dogs with a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of osteosarcoma, whose treatment plan includes surgical removal of the tumour at the QVSH.
With the owner’s permission, tissue samples will be collected from the amputated limb after surgery, as well as from nearby healthy tissue for comparison.
The researchers say participation involves no additional procedures, discomfort, or hospital visits for dogs, and there is no cost to owners for the research elements of the study.
Dr Louise Van Der Weyden, study co-lead at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said: “Our new study aims to apply genomic sequencing techniques, which have benefited humans, to canine osteosarcoma to uncover what drives these bone tumours and gain a deeper understanding of why they happen.
"We hope that by doing so, we can pave the way for the development of potential biomarkers to help early diagnosis and possibly provide future treatment options for dogs who currently have no cure.”
https://www.hospital.vet.cam.ac.uk/news/new-research-improve-diagnosis-and-treatment-canine-osteosarcoma
oncology@vet.cam.ac.uk
The nine-month course, which starts on 15th October, is designed to address the non-clinical challenges faced by vets in general practice — many of which SPVS says are still underrepresented in traditional CPD, including:
The course includes a two-day in-person launch in Solihull, monthly online group sessions till July 2026 and a mix of in-person, virtual and self-paced learning.
The course costs £1250 for SPVS members, £1,500 for non members.
https://spvs.org.uk/gp-mastery/
The Clinical Research Project grants support the undertaking for small-scale research projects in companion animals, with the ultimate objective of advancing understanding of the causes and/or management of a clinical disorder.
The awards include funding for:
The projects are expected to be completed by 2028.
https://bsava.com/petsavers
The bundle includes:
To be in with a chance of winning, take the Lec Medical voucher from the Vet Show voucher book to stand T64.
https://www.lec-medical.co.uk/en-gb
The webinar will be presented by Jenny Helm Cert SAM Dip ECVIM-CA FHEA MRCVS EBVS and RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Medicine.
Jenny will explain the latest knowledge about lungworm in dogs, including an update on prevalence, clinical case management and treatment and prevention options.
Louise Longstaff, National Veterinary Manager at Zoetis said: “Jenny will not only cover some of the challenges with diagnosing lungworm but will also discuss the latest prevention strategies including the use of Simparica Trio."
https://cloud.mc.zoetis.com/LungWormWebinar2025
The awards are an opportunity to acknowledged unsung heroes within the veterinary profession, celebrating those who have made significant contributions to veterinary science, research, clinical practice, education and the welfare of small animals.
The award categories are:
Nominations are welcome from both BSAVA members and non-members.
Nominations will close on 9th January 2026 and the winners will be announced in February 2026.
Adam Gow, BSAVA Honorary Secretary said: “Each year, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on individuals who have truly made a difference in our profession.
"Nominating a colleague is a meaningful way to show appreciation and celebrate the impact they’ve had, so we encourage everyone to get involved and put forward those who inspire them.”
https://www.bsava.com/awards
The Seller’s Declaration has been revised with the support of British Equestrian (BEF) and British Horse Society (BHS) to make the purchase process more efficient for both buyer and seller.
BEVA says the new Declaration is a more extensive, stand-alone document which the buyer should request from the seller directly before the formal process of the PPE commences.
In this way the seller is obliged to disclose any pertinent information, such as previous lameness, stereotypies, specific management requirements, previous veterinary interventions and details of preventative dental care and worm control, prior to the PPE proceeding.
Lucy Grieve, Veterinary Projects Officer at BEVA, said: “BEVA’s new Seller’s Declaration will iron out the PPE process to make it smoother and more efficient for all three parties involved: buyer, seller and vet.
“The advantage is it cuts out the vet as a middleman… asking if the horse has received any medication, or coughs on dry hay and so on.
“The new Seller’s Declaration means that the seller should declare those things to the buyer straight off.
"If completed in advance, it should give the buyer more robust information on which to base proceeding with the PPE or not.”
https://www.beva.org.uk/Resources/Clinical-resources/PPE-toolkit
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
The College says the findings address evidence gaps from previous research and highlight the importance of routine veterinary otoscopic ear checks.
Although previous research has suggested that lop-eared rabbits may be more susceptible, the researchers say it relied on small samples and retrospective clinical records or owner reports.
For this study, RVC Rabbit Welfare Research Assistants, Maria Jackson RVN and Michaela Betts MRCVS, examined 435 pedigree rabbits volunteered by British Rabbit Council (BRC) breeders.
Between October 2023 and February 2024, the team travelled to BRC shows and breeding studs to record each rabbit’s ear type, head shape, estimated adult bodyweight, age and other features before performing a structured otoscopic examination in which the outer ear, the diverticulum and the full length of the external ear canal were checked for signs of inflammation, narrowing, discharge or crusting.
By combining these observations with multivariable statistics, the team was able to compare ear health across 49 breeds and identify which conformations were most strongly associated with specific ear abnormalities.
The results showed that ear shape plays a central role in predisposing rabbits to hidden ear disease.
Lop-eared rabbits were more likely to show 9 of the 11 abnormalities assessed, including ear canal narrowing, abnormal colour, flaky and wet discharge, behavioural reactivity to ear examination, dermatological changes to the pinna and crusts in the diverticulum.
The shape of a rabbit’s head was also associated with the types of ear problems they were likely to develop, but not in a consistent manner.
Brachycephalic rabbits had narrower ear canals, while dolichocephalic rabbits were more likely to have crusts in the diverticulum.
Body size mattered too, with heavier rabbits more likely to show problems such as redness, narrowing, flaky discharge and traumatic pinna changes, as well as stronger behavioural reactions during examination.
Other physical and signalment factors showed mixed results, highlighting the complexity of ear health across breeds.
Maria said: “Our findings have once again shown that rabbits with lop ears are more likely to develop ear problems – specifically, signs of otitis externa – than rabbits with upright ears."
Dr Charlotte Burn, Associate Professor in Animal Welfare and Behaviour Science at the RVC, and senior author on the paper, said: “This is the first study to have directly and systematically examined rabbit ears outside a clinical context, and it confirms that the seemingly endearing shape of lop rabbits’ ears really do risk deeper ear disorders.
"Alongside the physical changes we observed, we documented rabbit behaviour, such as avoidance, shaking their heads and scratching at their ears, and found that the lop-eared rabbits reacted significantly more to having their ears examined than rabbits with ‘up’ ears.
"To me, this indicates that their ears were not only physically affected, but they also hurt more, highlighting the animal welfare burden of this hidden problem.”
The collection, which is free to read until 7th January 2026, explores:
Laura Nath said: “This collection highlights important and exciting work and improves our understanding of arrhythmogenic mechanisms, diagnosis of arrhythmias and recognition of cardiac pathology in both clinical and research settings.”
https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1001/(ISSN)2042-3306.current-progress-in-equine-cardiology
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.
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