VetSurgeon News

Poster prize goes to study of hidden GI inflammation in dogs on long-term NSAIDs

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Research from Carus Animal Health and the University of Bristol has won the top poster prize at the Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance Conference (VOACON) 2026 for work suggesting faecal calprotectin testing could help veterinary teams identify gastrointestinal inflammation in dogs receiving long-term NSAID therapy.

The poster, by Lucy Williams BVSc MRCVS, Marketing and Veterinary Technical Services Manager at Carus Animal Health, Tristan Cogan BSc (Hons) PhD FHEA FRSBHE, Christina Maunder BVM&S CertSAM DipECVIM-CA FRCVS FHEA, Helen Howell PhD DSc (Hons) from Bristol Veterinary School, was based on a study from Carus Animal Health and the University of Bristol.

Data presented at VOACON demonstrated that faecal calprotectin was elevated in some dogs receiving oral NSAIDs, even in the absence of obvious GI signs.

The findings build on previous validation work from the University of Bristol.

The research was conducted using GIQuest, Carus Animal Health's patient-side faecal calprotectin test.

Lucy said: "Veterinary teams are becoming increasingly proactive in how they manage osteoarthritis patients.

"We know NSAIDs can have a hugely positive impact on quality of life, but clinicians are also looking for ways to monitor patients more closely and identify potential issues before they become clinically significant.

"The response to this research at VOACON reflects the profession's growing interest in objective biomarkers that can support more informed treatment decisions and enhance patient care."

Jolian Howell, Chief Business Officer and Director of Carus Animal Health, said: "This award is a significant achievement, not only for Carus but also for the wider field of gastrointestinal biomarker research. It recognises the value of building an evidence base around earlier detection, patient monitoring and preventive healthcare.

https://carusanimalhealth.com/giquest

BSAVA launches LUMOS online CPD platform for vets

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

The BSAVA has launched LUMOS, an online CPD platform for vets and veterinary nurses that offers modular learning, saved progress and a framework for tracking development.

LUMOS delivers case-based learning through Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced modules created and reviewed by qualified veterinary professionals.

The platform allows users to complete learning in short sessions, saves progress automatically, and lets learners pause and resume training without losing their place.

Learners can track individual module completions and work towards BSAVA LUMOS Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.

LUMOS also includes community forums for peer interaction.

It is available to all vets and veterinary nurses, with BSAVA members receiving a 25% discount on all modules.

Pricing ranges from £75 to £400, depending on module level and audience.

Stacy Woodman, Interim CEO at the BSAVA, said: "We are delighted to launch BSAVA LUMOS, our innovative online learning experience developed for small animal vets and veterinary nurses.

"This marks a significant step forward in how the BSAVA supports learning, professional development, and career progression across the small animal veterinary profession."

"Our team of CPD experts, volunteers, and support staff have worked tirelessly to bring LUMOS to life, which has been deliberately designed with flexibility and relevance at its core in response to the changing needs of the profession."

https://www.bsava.com/education/lumos

Vets invited to take part in SPVS 2026 salary survey

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

The Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons has launched the SPVS Salary Survey 2026 Questionnaire, inviting veterinary surgeons to contribute pay and benefits data and receive a summary report on remuneration across the veterinary sector.

The annual survey captures data including basic salaries, bonuses, dividends, overtime, and benefits such as accommodation, company vehicles, car allowances and pension contributions.

SPVS is inviting responses from everyone working in the veterinary sector, including veterinary surgeons, nurses, practice managers, support staff, and those working in industry or non-clinical roles.

The main findings will be published in a summary report, which will be made freely available to all participants who provide their email address at the end of the survey.

SPVS members will be able to access the full report, including detailed analysis and expert commentary.

Participants will also have the chance to enter a prize draw to win a Bose SoundLink Plus portable speaker.

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/3YMX1O/

Vets Now opens booking for Leeds ECC Congress with 80 hours of CPD

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Vets Now has announced the full programme for ECC Congress 2026, giving vets and nurses access to 80 hours of CPD across seven learning streams at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds on Thursday 05 and Friday 06 November.

The programme features more than 30 speakers from the UK and overseas covering ECC anaesthesia, advanced surgical techniques, oncology, diagnostics, sepsis, nursing care and complex case management.

This year's keynote speaker is Professor Patrick Pollock, Professor at the University of Glasgow, and confirmed speakers also include Professor Kate Hopper, Associate Professor Claire Sharp and Marlaina Hrosch.

The programme includes practical workshops, case-based discussion and non-technical sessions on communication, teamwork and wellbeing.

The event includes access to session recordings after the congress, allowing delegates to revisit content.

Tickets are available now.

www.vets-now.com/congress-2026

New ear gel for dogs with Malassezia-associated otitis externa

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Dechra has launched DuOtic otic gel, billed as the first licensed steroid and antifungal combination for the treatment of otitis externa in dogs associated with susceptible strains of Malassezia pachydermatis.

DuOtic contains terbinafine 10 mg and betamethasone 1 mg and is supplied in pre-measured single dose 1.2 g tubes.

One tube should be applied per ear canal by a vet and repeated after seven days.

Jamie Walker MA VetMB MRCVS, veterinary technical manager at Dechra, said: "DuOtic has been available in Ireland and Northern Ireland for some time and feedback from vet professionals has been positive, both logistically as no refrigeration is required, but also practically as dog owners have appreciated the product being vet-applied, reducing the stress associated with treatment.

"Some owners also appreciated the targeted nature of the treatment in the broader context of antimicrobial stewardship."

RVC gait study could support mobility care for canine amputees

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Royal Veterinary College researchers have shown that three-legged dogs use different gait strategies at different speeds, giving veterinary teams new evidence on how canine amputees load and move after limb loss.

The study¹ was led by Dr Zoe Davies, a former Postdoctoral Researcher at the RVC, supervised by Jim Usherwood, Professor in Locomotor Biomechanics at the RVC, and co-authored by Aimee Savage, who was an RVC undergraduate at the time.

It involved six dogs with forelimb amputations and six with hindlimb amputations recruited from across the UK through the RVC's social media channels.

Using a 3D motion capture system and force plates in the RVC's Structure and Motion Laboratory, researchers analysed how the dogs adapted their bodies at different speeds.

At higher speeds, the dogs used a gallop-like gait similar to that seen in four-legged dogs.

At slower speeds, the dogs adopted two different movement strategies.

One involved a slowed-down version of the gallop.

The other involved a gait in which the pair of remaining limbs moved in a walking pattern, while the single remaining limb contacted the ground more than once during each stride.

When analysing forces acting on the limbs, the researchers found that forelimb amputee dogs placed around 50% of their bodyweight through their single remaining front limb, whereas weight in hindlimb amputee dogs was distributed more evenly across their three remaining limbs.

The RVC said the research provides a foundation for future work into rehabilitation and mobility support for canine amputees and may also inform the development of adaptive legged robots capable of responding to limb loss.

https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article/293/2069/20253159/481426/Locomotion-on-three-legs-the-tripedal-gaits-of

Reference

Zoe T. Self Davies, Aimee L. Savage, James R. Usherwood; Locomotion on three legs: the tripedal gaits of canine amputees. Proc Biol Sci 1 April 2026; 293 (2069): 20253159. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2025.3159

MPs call for end to veterinary self-regulation

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 06:47:00 GMT

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee of the House of Commons has called for an end to veterinary self-regulation and, as part of reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, for a new independent regulator to be created.

If adopted, the move would end the RCVS's 182-year role as regulator of the veterinary profession.

In its report, "A sustainable veterinary workforce", the committee said the Government should separate the RCVS's professional leadership role from any regulatory functions within the veterinary profession, creating a new independent body that can oversee the expanded role of a reformed Act.

The report argued that the current system of self-regulation makes the veterinary sector an outlier, pointing towards professions such as medicine and law where regulatory functions have been separated from professional bodies.

It added that self-regulation is increasingly unsuitable for a profession where vet practices and services are coming under the ownership of corporate entities and the management of non-vets.

The recommendation sits within a wider package on veterinary workforce pressures, veterinary education, Competition and Markets Authority remedies and reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act.

On workforce, the report said pressures in the profession are no longer driven primarily by an overall shortage of qualified individuals, but by challenges in retention, distribution and alignment with specific roles.

It recommended that Defra should, within six months, commission a sector-wide review of retention challenges across the profession.

The report also said the Home Office, in collaboration with Defra, should review the Skilled Worker Visa salary thresholds for veterinary roles by early 2027.

On veterinary education, the committee said the current funding model is not sustainable and recommended a full review of funding within the next Spending Review.

It also said the Government should ensure the CMA's remedies are fully rural proofed, and that the CMA, in partnership with the RCVS, should establish a monitoring framework by September 2027.

The RCVS welcomed the majority of the recommendations but said the idea of establishing a new veterinary regulator "seems to be based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the current role and functions of the College."

In a statement, the College added: “The report appears to assert that this reform is necessary because the functions of the RCVS are in conflict with one another, or that it is otherwise undesirable for these functions to be carried out by one organisation.

"Comparison with the legal sector – in which the regulatory and representative functions of professional bodies were separated by statute in 2007 – strongly implies that the committee considers the same reform necessary in the veterinary sector because the RCVS has similarly conflicting functions, which it does not, and suggests a conflation between professional leadership and representation.

“Furthermore, the report fundamentally misunderstands the concepts of self-regulation and regulatory independence.

"In the context of modern regulatory regimes, 'self-regulation' refers to the independence of a regulator from government, not whether a profession makes rules for itself. In this sense most professional regulators, including the General Medical Council, are both self-regulating and independent.

“The press release accompanying the report is more explicit on these points, arguing that the establishment of a new regulator would allow the RCVS to “specialise in continuing to represent the profession’s interests.”

"To be clear, the RCVS does not represent the interests of the veterinary profession as a whole, nor those of the individual veterinary professionals we regulate.

“While it is true that the RCVS is currently both a statutory regulator and a professional leadership body, we carry out our statutory regulatory function in the public interest under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, and we carry out our professional leadership function in the public interest in line with the objectives in our Royal Charter.

"There is therefore no conflict between the two functions; indeed, they are complementary, allowing us to take a holistic approach to setting, maintaining and advancing veterinary standards.

“Furthermore, our Royal Charter has enabled us to innovate and plug gaps in our aging legislative framework, for example through regulating veterinary nurses and providing quality assurance of veterinary care through our Practice Standards Scheme.

"Far from detracting from or conflicting with our regulatory function, our professional leadership function, underpinned by the Charter, has reinforced our ability to take action in the public interest where we may not have statutory powers to do so.

“In relation to any suggestion that the RCVS should no longer be the veterinary regulator because it is unduly influenced by the profession through its governance arrangements, we would emphasise that the College has for some time been advocating for legislative reform that would replace its governing Council with a fully appointed board with lay parity, which would remove any risk, real or perceived, of the profession setting and marking its own homework.

"We are pleased that Defra has adopted this recommendation in full as part of its proposed reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.”

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5902/cmselect/cmenvfru/270/report.html

Analysis

The recommendation to create a new veterinary regulator is arguably the most significant proposal in the report, yet the committee’s case for such a fundamental change appears relatively thin.

The report argues that regulation should be separated from professional leadership, bringing the veterinary profession into line with sectors such as medicine and law. It also points to increasing corporate ownership of veterinary practices and the need to maintain public confidence.

However, the report does not provide evidence that the current regulatory model is failing, nor does it explain why reform of the RCVS itself would not achieve the same objective.

The result is that the recommendation appears to rest more on an ideological preference for separating professional leadership from regulation than on evidence that the existing model is producing poor outcomes.

Photo: EFRA committee chair Alistair Carmichael, whose committee has called for an end to veterinary self-regulation.

New veterinary image library launches with 5,000-plus animal photos

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

The Trimble Group has launched the Animal Health Image Library, giving veterinary practices and veterinary suppliers access to more than 5,000 clinically accurate images of companion and farm animals for education, training and communications use.

The new library provides images of companion and farm animals with the purpose of helping animal health teams find the right images quickly, and with confidence in their clinical accuracy for appropriate use.

Toby Trimble, founder of Trimble Group, said: "We repeatedly saw a common issue in the veterinary sector of inadequate images and teams were having to spend significant amounts of time searching for usable images.

"To remedy this, we have created the Animal Health Image Library.

"Every image is clinically accurate, and features a mixture of breeds, signalments and scenarios.

"Furthermore we have clearly categorised images into categories which makes finding the right image a quick and easy process.

"We truly believe this resource will aid both those working in the industry creating content, and consumers who will benefit from seeing accurate imagery.”

www.vetimages.com

VMD approves three-month injection for canine osteoarthritis pain

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Zoetis has announced VMD approval for Lenivia (izenivetmab injection), giving UK vets a new injectable option to alleviate pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs for up to three months with a single injection.

Lenivia is the first long-acting canine anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibody therapy administered three-monthly.

It acts via its binding to nerve growth factor (NGF), a recognised mediator of pain and inflammation.

Julia von Gablenz, Regional President, Europe & Middle East of Zoetis, said: "Lenivia's approval marks a meaningful milestone in our continued innovation for canine osteoarthritis pain."

She added: "With Lenivia's approval, we're proud to bring UK(GB) veterinary professionals a new, long-acting option that can help alleviate osteoarthritis-associated pain and support sustained comfort with a single injection."

Accord launches lower-cost dexmedetomidine option for UK practices

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Accord Animal Health has launched Dexmedocord in the UK, giving veterinary practices a new dexmedetomidine injection option for dogs and cats that the company says is competitively priced and supported by commercial rebates.

Dexmedocord is a dexmedetomidine 0.5 mg/ml solution for injection for dogs and cats and is available through all major UK veterinary wholesalers.

It is indicated in cats and dogs for non-invasive, mildly to moderately painful procedures and examinations requiring restraint, sedation and analgesia.

In dogs, it is also indicated for deep sedation and analgesia in concomitant use with butorphanol for medical and minor surgical procedures, and as a premedication in dogs and cats before induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia.

Dexmedetomidine is the active dextrorotatory enantiomer of medetomidine.

Bob Ferguson, Director of Animal Health at Accord Animal Health, said: "Veterinary practices need trusted products backed by accessible pricing and reliable supply."

"Dexmedocord marks an important milestone as our first POM-V pharmaceutical launch in the UK and reflects the established expertise and strong heritage in high-quality pharmaceuticals that we bring through the wider Accord group."

accordanimalhealth.com

The Pet Vet and Optivet partnership brings specialist ophthalmology referrals to London

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

The Pet Vet and Optivet Referrals have announced a partnership which gives pets in Greater London easier access to advanced eye care.

Specialist-led veterinary ophthalmology care is now available at The Pet Vet's Waltham Forest surgery, saving London-based pet owners the need to travel to Optivet's specialist hospital in Hampshire for advanced ophthalmology treatment.

The Pet Vet and Optivet will remain fully independent organisations, with Optivet delivering specialist ophthalmology services within The Pet Vet surgery.

Optivet London will be led by Dr Gemma Turner BSc DVM MANZCVS FANZCVS MRCVS, Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology, working in collaboration with The Pet Vet Waltham Forest Head Vet, Dr Katarina Krasna MVDr CertAVP MRCVS.

Optivet's services will cover a wide range of ocular conditions including distichia and ectopic cilia correction, entropion surgery, medial canthoplasty, superficial keratectomy, corneal crosslinking, cataract surgery, retinal reattachment surgery, enucleation and evisceration, orbitotomy procedures, and retrobulbar abscess management.

Optivet.com

Jade Urquhart-Gilmore, Anna Hewison and Rachael White vie for BVA Young Vet of the Year

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Jade Urquhart-Gilmore, Anna Hewison and Rachael White are in the running for BVA Young Vet of the Year 2026 after being shortlisted by the British Veterinary Association ahead of its awards dinner in June.

The award, sponsored by Zoetis, is now in its ninth year and recognises early-career vets.

The winner will be announced at the BVA Awards Dinner at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Thursday 11 June 2026, the first day of BVA Live.

Jade Urquhart-Gilmore, a small animal vet, is shortlisted for the second consecutive year.

A 2021 Royal Veterinary College graduate, she is lead vet at Crofts Veterinary Practice in Haslemere, Surrey, and is also studying for a Master’s in Clinical Animal Behaviour.

The BVA said she was nominated for the care she gives patients, clients and colleagues, her work to improve communication between clinical and client care teams, and her advocacy around chronic illness, neurodivergence and disability in the workplace following a brain injury in 2025.

Anna Hewison, a farm vet at Shepton Vets in Somerset, qualified from the University of Nottingham in 2022. She was shortlisted for her standards of care, commitment to development and support for colleagues, particularly in surgery.

She also runs the practice’s Youngstock Club, which the BVA said she has developed into a more collaborative programme bringing vets, technicians and farmers together on youngstock management.

Rachael White, a small animal vet at Emerson’s Green Veterinary Surgery in Bristol, qualified from the University of Bristol in 2019. The BVA said she was nominated for her clinical and surgical progress, attention to detail in planning and performing procedures, and leadership within the practice.

The BVA announced the Young Vet of the Year finalists alongside shortlists for its Wellbeing Awards and three newer categories: the Veterinary Mentor Award, the Veterinary Leader Award and the One Health and Sustainability Award.

BVA president Dr Rob Williams said: “Vet teams have a profound impact both on the lives of individual animals and people, but also on society at large.

"The BVA Awards enable us to take a moment out of our busy schedules to recognise these achievements and celebrate the fantastic work of our community.

"This year’s award finalists stand out as shining examples of the very best of the veterinary profession and it’s going to be very difficult to choose winners for each award.”

New diagnostic tool aims to show where practice owners are carrying too much pressure

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

The Veterinary Leadership Academy has launched "Practice Performance Diagnostic", a tool to help veterinary practice owners identify where operational and leadership pressure is compromising both performance and wellbeing.

Practice Performance Diagnostic is a structured investigation tool which combines leadership analysis, operational performance data, team feedback and financial analysis into a single integrated report.

The process includes a leadership systems assessment, operational dashboard creation and analysis, financial performance review, employee feedback analysis, a comprehensive written report, and a one-to-one debrief session with the founder of the Veterinary Leadership Academy, Dave Nicol MRCVS.

The resulting report identifies where operational pressure accumulates, where ownership breaks down, where financial performance is leaking, where leadership dependency remains too high, and where the business is relying too heavily on owner intervention to remain stable.

Dave said: "What I keep seeing are practices that are delivering excellent care for clients and patients, but the owner is carrying far too much of the business personally.

"Decisions continue to route back to them. Standards rely heavily on their direct involvement. Team issues escalate upward. Problems accumulate quietly until the owner steps back in to stabilise things again. Over time, that creates a level of pressure that simply isn't sustainable."

www.drdavenicol.com/diagnostic

New BSAVA neurology manual adds five chapters and 100-plus videos

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 29 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

BSAVA has released the fifth edition of the BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Neurology, giving veterinary professionals updated reference material on neurological cases alongside more than 100 videos through the BSAVA Library.

The new edition includes five new chapters covering acute myelopathies, chronic myelopathies, emergency protocols, neurotoxicology and neuro-oncology.

The accompanying videos offer demonstrations of neurological examinations, clinical presentations, diagnostic procedures and case management.

Nicola Lloyd, Publishing Manager said: "Whether you're a general practitioner seeking practical guidance, or a specialist aiming to refine your expertise, this edition remains an indispensable reference for anyone involved in the care of neurologically compromised dogs and cats."

The manual is available to buy from the BSAVA store, priced at £61.75 for BSAVA members and £95.00 for non-members.

https://bsavaportal.bsava.com/s/store?#/store/browse/detail/a1BTw0000097b5hMAA

Small animal surgery certificate approved as streamlined route to Advanced Practitioner status

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

The RCVS has confirmed that a new ISVPS General Practitioner Certificate in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery is now recognised as an eligible qualification for vets applying for RCVS Advanced Practitioner status.

This is the first ISVPS-awarded certificate programme that has been directly accredited by the College without the prior requirement for a university Postgraduate Certificate (PgC), creating a new, streamlined route to Advanced Practitioner status.

The newly approved ISVPS GPCert combines 10 hands-on practical surgery days with structured online learning, human factors training, and additional active learning activities such as error management training.

Aidan McAlinden, Academic and Content Director at Improve International, said: "Over the last 12 months we have invested significant time and resources to develop an innovative, contemporary, and relevant Soft Tissue Surgery programme that meets the needs of the profession today."