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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.
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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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Krka says Robexera injectable acts within an hour, has a 24-hour duration and that its high COX-2 selectivity reduces wider systemic impact.1
The company says that in cats, the perioperative case is particularly strong, pointing to research which it says showed robenacoxib to have the best proven safety profile in cats of all NSAIDs.1
Krka adds that it is also highly effective in reducing post-operative pain, with evidence of superior efficacy to meloxicam,2 and a proven anaesthetic-sparing effect during feline surgery.3
Will Ridgway, Head of Animal Health at Krka UK, said: “Practices want product assurance and commercial value. As a bioequivalent to the originator product,4 Robexera injectable delivers both."
https://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/productinformationdatabase/files/SPC_Documents/SPC_3090863.PDF
References
Serotonin has been implicated in several canine diseases, including myxomatous mitral valve disease, pulmonary hypertension and dilated cardiomyopathy, but direct measurement in blood is challenging because of its short half-life in serum.
In humans, urinary 5‑HIAA is considered a more accurate marker of serum serotonin concentration.
However, whilst urine 5-HIAA has previously been measured in dogs using gas chromatography mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection, these techniques are expensive and not widely available.
For the study, which was funded by BSAVA PetSavers and published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice, researchers collected urine samples from 26 dogs undergoing routine diagnostic evaluation at a referral hospital.
Each sample was analysed using both a commercially available ELISA testing kit, BA-E-1900 from Immusmol, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, the current gold standard method.
The ELISA was found to be reliable with acceptable precision and repeatability, particularly at low concentrations, although it had a slightly higher observed error at higher concentrations.
The researchers recommended further validation work to improve understanding of the various preanalytical factors that may influence measurement of 5-HIAA concentrations.
They also said further work should investigate whether measuring urinary 5-HIAA will be a good surrogate marker for physiologically active circulating serotonin in dogs, and whether it will be useful in studying disease pathogenesis.
Dr Penny Watson, senior author of the study, said: "I am very hopeful that, after further validation, this ELISA will prove to be a reliable, simple and cheap test for 5-HIAA in the urine, facilitating further research into the role of serotonin in the pathogenesis of canine diseases.
"We have long suspected that some individual dogs and breeds may have higher circulating serotonin than others and that this might predispose them not only to heart disease but also some common diseases such as chronic pancreatitis and kidney disease.
"They would also be more susceptible to serotinergic syndrome when medicated with drugs such as tramadol or trazadone.
"Further research in this area would thus be directly relevant to small animal practitioners."
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jsap.70123
The charge was that between June and October 2022, the vet imported or arranged for the importation of approximately 1950 to 2010 tablets of a medicine which purported to be norethisterone when there had been no Special Importation Certificate (SIC) issued by the VMD.
The vet was also charged with supplying or arranging the supply of the medicine to a number of greyhound trainers, with a view to the medicine being administered to greyhounds.
Finally, the vet was also charged that he knew there was no SIC, that the medicine contained substances other than norethisterone, that he had made no assessment of whether any or all of the other substances were appropriate for administration to the greyhounds, and that the Greyhound Board of Great Britain did not permit greyhounds to race with the other substances found in the medicine in their system.
The vet admitted all the charges against him at the start of the hearing.
The Committee said aggravating factors included risk of injury to an animal or human, recklessness, and break of client trust.
It also noted that despite his practice being rated 4 out of 5 in a 2025 Veterinary Practice Premises Inspection Report in relation to the VMD’s most recent inspection of his practice, the report raised four matters relating to the issuing and labelling of medication.
In mitigation, the Committee accepted that the vet had imported the norethisterone from India with good intentions, in that he believed he was assisting the greyhounds to keep them racing.
It also noted that while this was not an isolated incident, he only ordered the norethisterone twice and supplied it over a five-month period in 2022.
He had also practised without incident since importing and supplying the norethisterone.
The Committee decided that the conduct amounted to serious professional misconduct, and that he had breached sections 1.5, 6.4 and 6.5 of the Code of Practice for Veterinary Surgeons in 2022.
Deciding the sanction, the Committee also noted that the vet had a previous disciplinary finding against him relating to findings of dishonesty regarding his communications with the Animal and Plant Health Agency in the taking of blood samples for horses due to be exported to Serbia, which resulted in a six-month suspension from the Register.
Neil Slater, chairing the committee, said a six-month suspension would allow the vet time to “develop insight and understanding of the importance of regulatory compliance” and reflect on his practice, while also signalling to the profession and the public that such compliance is essential.
He said the committee had considered whether removal from the register was warranted, particularly given a previous similar disciplinary finding, but concluded that this could be “career ending”. A longer suspension was also ruled out on the same basis.
However, the committee expressed significant concern that the case, alongside the earlier finding, demonstrated a “persistent disregard for regulatory legislation”. It said the sanction imposed was necessary to protect animal welfare and maintain confidence in the profession.
The vet will be suspended for six months following the expiry of the appeal period.
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/veterinary-professionals/conduct-and-guidance/concerns-for-veterinary-professionals/disciplinary-committee-hearings
Julia Albright, MA, DVM, DACVB, and Martha G. Cline, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition) will share the latest insights on how nutrition influences behaviour, cognition, and learning in dogs and cats.
https://events.purinainstitute.com/login/purinainstitute/CollaborativeCare-2026
The new system allows members to subscribe to a daily, weekly or monthly email digest summarising recent discussion topics raised by colleagues, replies to ongoing conversations and the latest veterinary news published on the site.
Crucially, the subscription settings for the digest have been placed prominently in the title bar across most pages of VetSurgeon, making it very easy for members to change their preferences at any time.
For example, you might choose to receive daily updates while following an interesting discussion, before switching back to a weekly or monthly digest once the conversation has run its course — or switch it off entirely when you’re on holiday.
The change is intended to make it easier for veterinary surgeons to engage in professional discussion outside the algorithm-driven environment of social media platforms.
While social media groups have become a common venue for professional conversation, they also have structural limitations.
Posts and replies are filtered by algorithms, discussions very quickly disappear into fast-moving feeds and useful exchanges of professional information can be difficult to find later.
They can also encourage echo chambers, with users primarily exposed to views similar to their own, while the format of short comments and rapid replies can make it difficult to express complex reasoning or nuanced clinical judgement.
Another limitation is provenance.
In many social media discussions it is not always clear who contributors are, what experience they bring to a topic, or the context in which advice is being offered.
Veterinary medicine is, fundamentally, a scientific profession.
Progress depends on the exchange of experience, the testing of ideas and the careful discussion of evidence.
Platforms that favour speed, brevity and engagement metrics are not always well suited to that kind of conversation.
Forums such as VetSurgeon allow discussions to develop in a more structured way.
Threads remain searchable and can be referred back to months or years later, replies appear in sequence rather than being prioritised by engagement metrics, and contributors post under identifiable profiles that provide context for their views and experience.
For veterinary surgeons, time spent reading and reflecting on professional discussions also contribute towards continuing professional development (CPD) requirements, using the built-in feature to record time spent on a discussion.
Until now, however, one drawback of forum discussions has been the volume of email notifications generated when users subscribe to individual threads.
The new digest system is designed to solve that problem by allowing members to stay informed about discussions without receiving a constant stream of individual alerts.
Just one digest — daily, weekly or monthly.
Several new discussion threads have already appeared on the forum as members start using the new system, covering things like anti-parasitic prescribing, the oddest things you've taken out of a dog's gut, choline deficiency, and the people who have made the biggest mark on your career.
Come and join us! Join an existing discussion or post a question.
And whilst you’re there, choose a daily, weekly or monthly digest to follow along.
Caroline uses the five domains framework — nutrition, physical environment, health, behavioural interactions and mental state — to provide welfare assessments to help owners navigate some of the increasingly difficult choices that modern veterinary medicine now offers.
In particular, Pet Lighthouse aims to bridge the gap between Dr. Google and clinical reality, to support informed decision-making, and to give clients the long consultations that they may need to process difficult news, which may be difficult to provide in general practice.
Caroline, who has over 15 years experience in first-opinion work and eight years as the RSPCA's Chief Vet, does not prescribe or treat, and clients are directed back to their local practice for clinical care.
She said: "I am here to ensure that when a family returns to your consulting room, they are informed, calm, and focused."
"My goal is to support the profession by providing the intensive advocacy and client support that a standard consultation window simply cannot accommodate."
Caroline is inviting practices to signpost clients directly to the Pet Lighthouse website or reach out for an initial discussion.
www.petlighthouse.co.uk
The first episode features equine veterinary surgeon Fiona Farmer, BreathEazy Director and veterinary surgeon Jon Slattery, and international event rider Harry Meade.
They discuss the impact respiratory health can have on performance horses and the practical management of respiratory challenges in competition settings.
The opening episode also focuses on the relationship between respiratory health, performance and recovery, and on how veterinary understanding can inform everyday horse management.
The episode also explores the science behind nebulisation, and Jon Slattery discusses its role in administering medications and in broader respiratory management in horses exposed to dust, pollen and other environmental particles.
Fiona said: "By combining veterinary knowledge with real-world experience from the top of the sport, we hope to share useful insights that riders, owners and vets can apply."
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7FHQ6XRR3VYUawgH6sppsP
The funds were raised through donations from dog owners who accessed the team's on-site service during the event.
One of the team, Rita Johnson RVN, said: "After learning about the challenges facing veterinary teams in Ukraine, the Crufts volunteer vet team wanted to support this appeal to help them continue their vital work."
Mark Johnston, Vice President of the Prosalus Foundation, said: "We were deeply moved to receive this generous donation from the volunteer vet team at Crufts.
"We thank them for their concern for veterinary teams in Ukraine and the millions of animals caught up in the conflict."
He added: "We hope more vets in the UK will follow their example and help us to help our dedicated Ukrainian colleagues through these desperate times."
UK veterinary professionals can support the campaign by donating veterinary medicines, equipment and supplies, making a cash donation online via The ProSalus Foundation's website, or bidding in a silent auction of Ukrainian art.
www.prosalusfoundation.org
Dignipets says that as well as supporting clients, referring this aspect of care to qualified counsellors can also reduce the emotional strain on veterinary teams.
Last year, Dignipets launched a free app for pet carers that offers quality of life scoring tools and a connection with the Dignipets hospice team.
Dignipets says that the app can strengthen the relationship between vet practices and their clients, in a partnership where the vet team provides the best care for the pet, Dignipets provides specialist hospice support and QOL guidance, and the APBC offers professional emotional support for clients, reflecting a more holistic model of veterinary care.
Merel Taal, Founder and Principal Director at Dignipets, said: "Coping with the loss of a pet can be extremely difficult and there is no shame in seeking professional support to get through such a challenging time.
"But what really excites me is that we can now reach pet carers so much sooner - before loss, during those incredibly hard weeks and months of anticipatory grief.
"This is an amazing extra feature that means we hopefully get more pet carers struggling with anticipatory grief the support that they need - sooner."
https://www.dignipets.co.uk
Behind the redesign was one simple question: what will make prospective candidates more likely to respond to a job advert?
Everything has been designed to reduce friction and present the information candidates want to see in a clear, professional format.
There is no requirement to create an account or apply through a messaging system.
In an increasingly impersonal world where CVs are often filtered by algorithms, many candidates simply want to pick up the phone or send an email directly to the employer.
The new format also addresses some of the limitations of recruiting through social media platforms such as Facebook, where jobs posted into feeds can quickly disappear from view and are only seen by people who actively use those platforms.
By contrast, jobs posted on VetSurgeon remain live for a month, are optimised for Google search, shared with subscribers, and featured roles are highlighted in the VetSurgeon newsletter.
At the same time, each advert provides a professional “shop window” that practice teams can easily share across their own social media channels.
VetSurgeon Jobs is currently free to use while the new advert format is beta tested.
Practices interested in trying the new format can post a vacancy now and see how their advert appears both on the site and when shared across social media.
https://www.vetsurgeon.org/veterinary-jobs
The study, which was led by Beth Reilly, Senior Teaching Fellow in Small Ruminant Health and Flock Management at the RVC, and JP Crilly, Lecturer in Small Ruminant Health and Flock Management, used an anonymous online survey distributed to sheep farmers across the UK via social media, with 421 farmers taking part.
The findings showed that 88.8% of respondents had identified orf lesions in their sheep, despite which only 23.8% consulted a veterinarian when orf was suspected.
Farmers reported a median treatment cost of £5 per affected lamb and £100 per affected flock, highlighting the ongoing economic impact of the disease.
Although uncomplicated orf cases do not require antibiotic treatment, topical antibiotic sprays were the most reported treatment used by 65.2% of respondents, while 26.7% used injectable antibiotics and 22.7% reported using both injectable and topical antibiotics.
A total of 13.6% of respondents reported using salt licks as part of orf treatment practices.
Only 34.5% of respondents reported using pain relief in affected animals.
The study also highlighted important human health considerations.
Nearly a third of respondents reported having contracted orf themselves.
Those who reported wearing gloves some or all the time were significantly less likely to contract orf, with their likelihood of infection only 64% of those who never wore gloves.
The researchers say that discussions between sheep farmers and veterinarians should be encouraged to cover current treatment options for orf lesions, the zoonotic risk, the importance of ensuring that other diseases with similar clinical presentations are not overlooked and that antimicrobials are used only when necessary.
Reference
The three-day event, for which super early-bird discount tickets are now available, will offer more than 90 hours of CPD across advanced imaging, orthopaedics, reproduction, behaviour, ambulatory care and practice management.
The 2026 programme is chaired by Edd Knowles, who said: "We want people to leave Congress thinking differently about how they approach cases.
"That might be a new diagnostic approach, a different way of managing a case, or simply more confidence in the decisions they’re already making."
Programme highlights include "How Does Advanced Imaging Help Interpret Basic Imaging" on Saturday at 13:30, "Modern Equine Veterinary Businesses" on Thursday at 08:30, "From Stress to Success for Horses and Humans" on Saturday at 16:00, "On the Road with Responsibility: Ethics in Ambulatory Equine Nursing" on Friday at 15:40, "The First Year of Life" on Friday at 10:45, and "Controversies in Orthopaedic Surgery" on Friday at 15:30.
Super early bird tickets are now available with an additional 15% discount over the 50% that BEVA members get until Wednesday 1 July 2026.
The discounted three-day pass for BEVA veterinary members is £627.90, with a concessionary price of £376.74 for recent graduates and those on lower incomes.
http://www.bevacongress.org
Krka says Prazemo is the first generic to offer this combination of actives in this format, and is bioequivalent to the originator product.
Prazemo is available in three dosage strengths for different cat weights and can be used from 8 weeks of age and during pregnancy and lactation.
For cats that also require ectoparasiticide treatment, it can be used alongside a mono-isoxazoline (fluralaner) treatment.
Will Ridgway, Head of Animal Health at Krka UK, said: "Prazemo strengthens our feline parasiticide portfolio with an effective spot-on solution that veterinary practices can be confident delivers affordability combined with Krka’s high standards of product efficacy and supply chain control."
For more information, email: animalhealth.uk@krka.biz
The drug monographs in Part A were revised and updated by the Editorial Panel during 2025, and new monographs include citalopram, enflicoxib, ilunocitinib and verdinexor.
Part A also denotes drugs available as extemporaneous products, also called "veterinary specials", as VSP in the formulations section of the monographs.
Additional content in Part A includes information on drugs used for the management of urinary incontinence, while the Appendix now includes a seizure algorithm, guidance on supplements and nutraceuticals, and expanded information on contrast agents.
There are also 7 new client information leaflets in Part A, including bezafibrate, chloramphenicol, clomipramine and memantine.
Part B covers mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, and its drug monographs were reviewed and updated by the Editorial Panel during 2025 under Editor-in-Chief Joanna Hedley.
New monographs in Part B include afoxolaner, atorvastatin and danofloxacin, and emergency drug doses for rabbits, rodents, ferrets, birds and reptiles have been added to the inside front cover.
Part B also adds Appendix information on barium and iodinated contrast agents for diagnostic imaging, and includes client information leaflets on inhaled medications, injectable medications, oral medications, topical ear medications and topical eye medications.
Additional information on proprietary fish medicines and drug doses for different species of British wildlife, including badgers, deer, foxes and hedgehogs, is available via the BSAVA library.
Eligible BSAVA members will receive a printed copy of Part A: Canine and Feline as part of their membership from April 2026 onwards, while all BSAVA members will have access to the online version via the BSAVA library and the BSAVA app from mid-April.
Printed copies are available for £37.70 for BSAVA members and £58.00 for non-members.
https://bsavaportal.bsava.com/s/store#/store/browse/cat/a0w8d000000Mh3FAAS/tiles
The new hydrolysed diet contains hydrolysed proteins, AuraGuard, fibres and Zeolite.
Dechra says the new formula featured in both diets offers superior palatability and works in a multi-action way with support of the gut-kidney axis to help optimise protein absorption and maintenance of muscle mass, gut barrier integrity and a healthy microbiome, while lowering uremic toxins in the blood.
The company says both diets control levels of protein, phosphorus and sodium and offer high levels of the Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.
Becky Morris, marketing manager at Dechra, said: "Chronic kidney disease is a lifelong progressive disease in dogs and cats, and nutrition is an important part of management to help slow disease progression, improve quality of life and reduce the risk of secondary complications.
"Our new and updated highly palatable Specific Heart & Kidney Support diets will help keep dogs and cats in good condition, prolonging the progression of the disease and the lifespan of the pet."
https://www.specific-diets.co.uk
The course, which has been produced as part of Dechra's collaboration with Not One More Vet, is presented by vets who specialise in mental health counselling.
The four new topics are: client communication: the human side of veterinary medicine; professional identity development for students and recent graduates; executive function management and mental health; and the science of mindfulness.
https://academy.dechra.com/learn/catalog/view/502
Among the programme highlights is "Managing complaints post-CMA, what do you need to know?", featuring BVA President Rob Williams, Jennie Jones, Head of Veterinary Client Mediation Service, and Gavin Durston, Director of Thrums Vets.
In another session, "Hot topic: CMA remedies - what do they mean in practice?", Rob Williams, Kate Higgins, owner and Director of Village Vets Formby, and Lyndsay Hughes, BVNA Senior Vice President, will debate where we are with the investigation, what comes next, and the possible impact of the CMA remedies on practices.
The programme also includes sessions on clinical practice, leadership in the workplace and the role of vets in ethical decision making.
Clinical stream highlights include euthanasia in small mammals, birds and reptiles, anaesthesia in comorbid patients, updates in ocular pharmacology, optimizing hospital care for long-term patients, and managing anxiety in "pandemic puppies".
The BVA Interactive Zone will also return, with President Rob Williams, Senior Vice President Elizabeth Mullineaux and Junior Vice President Gwen Rees leading debates on overtreatment, managing and improving a toxic workplace and contextualised care.
Rob said: "As the profession emerges from the CMA investigation, BVA Live will be one of the first opportunities for vet teams to come together to access practical CPD to move forwards and comply with the CMA remedies."
https://bvalive.vetshow.com/conference-programme
The documents, provided to VetSurgeon by a whistleblower from within IVC, reveal the company's plans to stop issuing prescriptions and replace them with a new Pre-Scription service.
IVC Pre-Scriptions will include:
VetSurgeon understands that Pre-Scriptions will be charged at £85.68
The whistleblower also shared a draft public price list which the company is said to be preparing in anticipation of the CMA’s proposed requirement for practices to publish pricing information online.
The leaked price list includes entries for first consultations, repeat consultations, out-of-hours consultations, nurse consultations, nail clipping, anal gland expression, microchipping, animal health certificates, primary and booster vaccinations, kennel cough vaccination, pet care plans, prescription and dispensing fees, dental work, neutering procedures, physiotherapy, laser therapy, diagnostic imaging, blood tests, euthanasia and cremation.
At first glance, many of the prices shown in the draft appear surprisingly low.
Among the figures listed are:
First consultation: £5
Repeat consultation: £4
Nurse consultation: £3
Nail clipping: £1
Anal gland expression: £2
Microchipping: £2
Booster vaccination: £2
MRI scan (per body part): £7
CT scan (per body part): £6
VetSurgeon contacted Intrepid Veterinary Care for comment.
Company spokesperson Dr Flora Olip MRCVS said the group was “committed to embracing the spirit of transparency while continuing to innovate in client experience”.
She said: “The proposed CMA remedies create an important opportunity for veterinary businesses to present pricing clearly and consistently. We believe pet owners deserve not only transparent pricing, but also choice.
“The Pre-Scription offer is not a prescription fee.
"It is a wider premium service built around documentation, presentation and client convenience, within which a prescription may be provided.”
The leaked document also included indicative pricing for procedures not listed on the CMA-mandated price list, including TPLO surgery, which is listed at 'fixed cost price' of £4,475,000.26.
The webinar, "The Thyronorm Precision Masterclass: navigating comorbidities, compliance and complex cases", will be presented by Sam Taylor, an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Feline Medicine based at Lumbry Park.
The session will look at balancing thyroid control alongside CKD, cardiac disease and other common concurrent conditions.
It will also cover approaches for improving long-term treatment success in the home environment.
Sam will also cover challenging presentations, atypical progressions and decision-making frameworks for case management.
Registration is free, and the webinar will also be available on demand after the live event.
https://membership.elearning.vet/sam-taylor-thyronorm-free-webinar-registration
The plan includes a redesigned digital experience to give members access to BSAVA clinical resources and the launch of LUMOS, which is billed as a new, modern, flexible CPD programme and platform.
The Association is also developing its AI-powered search tool call Rover, which will help clinicians navigate BSAVA resources at the point of care, including the Formulary, Manuals and Library content.
A redesigned BSAVA mobile app is also in the pipeline, along with regional and digital community spaces to help members stay connected between events.
Stacy Woodman, Interim CEO of the BSAVA, said: "The small animal veterinary profession is evolving rapidly, and the BSAVA must evolve with it.
"Our new strategy focuses on making knowledge, learning and professional support easier to access throughout a veterinary professional's career."
She added: "We're revitalising our simple but powerful premise of 'the profession supporting the profession' and are encouraging our members to share their views by taking part in our ongoing Membership Survey and helping to create a BSAVA for the future."
https://research.potentia-insight.co.uk/survey/selfserve/53b/2602105?list=1
The new line incorporates integrated sound-dampening materials to reduce noise both within and outside the kennels both for the patients and clinical teams.
It also features a proprietary antibacterial polymer and toughened safety-glass doors, which Casco says improve biosecurity and support more efficient cleaning protocols.
According to Casco, testing has shown CareKennels take around 40% less time to clean than stainless-steel cages.
Casco Pet CEO Matthew Bubear said: "CareKennels bring together many of the strengths our products are known for - design quality, thoughtful construction and a wellness-first approach - while offering an accessible option for clinics looking to improve their housing standards."
"Creating calmer, more comfortable spaces for patients supports better clinical outcomes as well as contributing to a more positive working environment for veterinary professionals."
https://cascopet.com
The company said that from April 6, 2026, umbrella companies, along with the agencies or end clients using them, will become liable for unpaid PAYE tax.
Ronda.vet said that if an umbrella company fails to pay HMRC, the liability can be passed directly to the end client, the veterinary practice.
The company also said HMRC could potentially pursue the end client for unpaid tax without first exhausting recovery options against the non-compliant umbrella company or agency.
The new rules apply to any payments made to workers employed by an umbrella company on or after April 6.
Ronda.vet said that for veterinary practices there are two scenarios.
If a practice is using an agency, the recruiters will generally be liable first.
If the practice is contracting directly with an umbrella company, the liability falls squarely at their door.
Ibra Hernando, co founder of Ronda Vet said: "Many practices use umbrella companies without fully understanding where liability sits.
"From April, ignorance won't protect a practice from a significant unexpected tax bill if a provider further up the chain fails to pay HMRC.
"These changes are a bit of a wake-up call for the entire profession to know exactly how their locum staff are being paid."
www.ronda.vet
The three-storey development includes Research Laboratories, Student Laboratories, teaching rooms, a 400-seat lecture theatre and social learning areas for students and staff.
https://www.rvc.ac.uk
The nurse was suspended from the Register for three months after admitting dishonesty over a dog's bile acid stimulation test, falsely saying she had taken a second blood sample when she had not.
She also admitted removing blood from the first sample and presenting and/or labelling it as if it were a second sample, falsely telling colleagues that the second sample had been taken, and falsely saying a veterinary nurse colleague had assisted her.
She also admitted a second charge that she had been dishonest and misleading.
The Committee said the conduct breached the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses on honesty, integrity, trust and accountability.
It found aggravating factors including a risk of harm to the dog, breaches of employer and colleague trust, false implication of a colleague in the dishonesty, and repeated misconduct.
In mitigation, it said there had been no actual harm to the dog.
Paul Morris, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "All the charges found proved involved not only misleading statements or behaviour but also dishonesty.
"On three occasions the respondent lied to her colleague about having taken a second blood sample.... BAST is an important test of liver function.
"Such behaviour struck at the heart of the profession of an RVN where honesty is crucial in the undertaking of professional work and is a fundamental tenet of the profession.
"The respondent breached the trust of her colleague as well as her employer's trust, and had the potential to interfere in the care which was being given to the dog... thereby creating a clinical risk, because the correct procedure was not being carried out, and the veterinary surgeon did not know about this.
"The Respondent did not act in the dog's interests."
In deciding sanction, the Committee considered a medical report on the nurse's ill-health at the time, along with mitigating factors including no financial gain, limited opportunity for reflection, insight and remorse, positive testimonials, admissions, a previously unblemished career, and the fact the dishonesty was confined to a single day.
It also said the dishonesty was not premeditated, but arose after she had mistakenly fed the dog when she should not have, meaning the second blood sample should not then have been taken.
Paul added: "The respondent has insight into her conduct and as set out above, there is no real risk of repetition.
"There are no concerns about the respondent's competence or clinical practice in general, and there is no evidence that she would be unfit to return to practice after a period of suspension.
"This process has been a salutary lesson.
"The Committee, therefore, concluded that a period of suspension of three months would be proportionate in this case."
The main note of caution came from the RCVS, which said it had concerns about proposals around publishing anti-parasitic medicine prices and about recommended changes to the College’s governance structure.
The Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) also warned the package would bring significant operational and commercial consequences for practices, echoing an earlier VetSurgeon.org analysis that suggested implementation could cost some practices several thousand pounds.
Elsewhere, the BVA, BVNA and BSAVA all backed the measures proposed by the CMA, and the PDSA welcomed the exemption for charities.
However, whilst greater transparency is undoubtedly a good thing, there are reasons to doubt how much difference some of the CMA’s measures will make in practice.
A price comparison website may make fees for commoditised services easier to compare, but it cannot capture the qualities that many owners actually choose a vet for: judgement, experience, bedside manner and clinical philosophy.
A tool that judges veterinary services primarily on price risks devaluing precisely those aspects of care.
The bigger difficulty is that the reforms focus mainly on transparency, not on the other underlying drivers of cost.
Veterinary medicine has become steadily more sophisticated and expensive, shaped by scientific progress, vets’ understandable desire to do the best possible for the patient in front of them, regulatory expectations, pet insurance, commercial pressures, and society’s changing tolerance of risk.
Until the profession is willing to confront the question of whether modern veterinary medicine is too often presenting clients with levels of investigation and treatment that they cannot afford, or that cost more than they believe it is right to spend on a pet animal, transparency measures alone will not make the controversy disappear.
Without addressing that deeper issue, the negative headlines are unlikely to go away.