17th April 2024
RCVS Knowledge has welcomed Professor Peter Cockcroft as editor-in-chief for Veterinary Evidence.
A world-renowned expert in evidence-based veterinary medicine, Prof Cockcroft will lead the strategic development and editorial quality of the open-access journal. He was previously in the role from 2017-2020.
Katie Mantell, CEO of RCVS Knowledge, said: "We are excited about the extensive knowledge of evidence-based veterinary medicine and clinical veterinary research that Peter brings, and we look forward to working with him over this next phase of the journal's development."
A world-renowned expert in evidence-based veterinary medicine, Prof Cockcroft will lead the strategic development and editorial quality of the open-access journal. He was previously in the role from 2017-2020.
Katie Mantell, CEO of RCVS Knowledge, said: "We are excited about the extensive knowledge of evidence-based veterinary medicine and clinical veterinary research that Peter brings, and we look forward to working with him over this next phase of the journal's development."
2nd April 2024
Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) is returning this summer, running from 24-28 June 2024. The theme for this year will be 'Healthy Diet, Happy Bunnies'.
The focus on rabbits' diet comes after the most recent PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report report revealed that 42 per cent of veterinary professionals identified inappropriate diet as one of the five most important rabbit welfare issues that need to be address.
The campaign will include veterinary blogs, videos, and digital waiting room resources. Practices can sign up to receive updates about RAW.
The focus on rabbits' diet comes after the most recent PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report report revealed that 42 per cent of veterinary professionals identified inappropriate diet as one of the five most important rabbit welfare issues that need to be address.
The campaign will include veterinary blogs, videos, and digital waiting room resources. Practices can sign up to receive updates about RAW.
20th March 2024
Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.
Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.
Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."
Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"
Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online.
Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.
Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."
Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"
Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online.
14th March 2024
Pet Blood Bank has revealed that its annual fundraiser, 'Around the Coast in 30 Days', will now include mini challenges.
It is the fourth year of the challenge, which asks people to walk, run, swim or cycle a part of a 11,232 mile goal.
However this year's fundraiser, starting 1 May, includes extra challenges throughout the month. Pet Blood Bank says these tasks will showcase its work.
The challenge can be completed individually, or as a team, with miles recorded on the participant's fundraising page.
Register here.
It is the fourth year of the challenge, which asks people to walk, run, swim or cycle a part of a 11,232 mile goal.
However this year's fundraiser, starting 1 May, includes extra challenges throughout the month. Pet Blood Bank says these tasks will showcase its work.
The challenge can be completed individually, or as a team, with miles recorded on the participant's fundraising page.
Register here.
5th March 2024
The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has produced a new Scientific Information Document on Dirofilaria immitis (commonly known as heartworm).
The document provides veterinary professionals in small animal practice with information about the transmission, diagnosis, treatment and management, and prevention of the condition.
The number of heartworm cases is increasing in the UK, although it is not currently endemic. Most cases involve dogs that have spent time abroad in regions such as southern and eastern Europe.
The document is available online alongside other Scientific Information Documents in the BSAVA Library.
The document provides veterinary professionals in small animal practice with information about the transmission, diagnosis, treatment and management, and prevention of the condition.
The number of heartworm cases is increasing in the UK, although it is not currently endemic. Most cases involve dogs that have spent time abroad in regions such as southern and eastern Europe.
The document is available online alongside other Scientific Information Documents in the BSAVA Library.
26th February 2024
The University of Bristol's veterinary school is celebrating 75 years of educating veterinary students.
Since the first group of students were admitted in October 1949, the school has seen more than 5,000 veterinary students graduate.
Professor Jeremy Tavare, pro vice-chancellor and executive dean for the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, said: "I'm delighted to be celebrating Bristol Veterinary School's 75 years.
"Its excellence in teaching and research has resulted in greater understanding and some real-world changes benefiting the health and welfare of both animals and humans, which is testament to the school's remarkable staff, students and graduates."
Since the first group of students were admitted in October 1949, the school has seen more than 5,000 veterinary students graduate.
Professor Jeremy Tavare, pro vice-chancellor and executive dean for the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, said: "I'm delighted to be celebrating Bristol Veterinary School's 75 years.
"Its excellence in teaching and research has resulted in greater understanding and some real-world changes benefiting the health and welfare of both animals and humans, which is testament to the school's remarkable staff, students and graduates."
12th February 2024
Dr Chris Tufnell has announced that he will stand down as chair of the RCVS Fellowship Board.
Dr Tufnell, who was elected to the role in 2022, said he made the decision due to an increased workload and staffing challenges. He will be focusing on his work as an equine clinician.
There will be an election to replace Dr Tufnell in the summer. Until then, Fellowship vice-chair Dr Niall Connell will be interim chair.
Dr Tufnell, who was elected to the role in 2022, said he made the decision due to an increased workload and staffing challenges. He will be focusing on his work as an equine clinician.
There will be an election to replace Dr Tufnell in the summer. Until then, Fellowship vice-chair Dr Niall Connell will be interim chair.
31st January 2024
Alison Hammond will present the new series of For the Love of Dogs, ITV has announced.
The series, previously hosted by the late Paul O'Grady, follows the rescue animals cared for by Battersea.
Ms Hammond said: "I am very aware that I can never replace the iconic Paul in this wonderful series, but if I can continue to shine a light on the brilliant work done at Battersea and help to tell the stories of these beautiful dogs, then it will be an absolute privilege to give it my all."
The series, previously hosted by the late Paul O'Grady, follows the rescue animals cared for by Battersea.
Ms Hammond said: "I am very aware that I can never replace the iconic Paul in this wonderful series, but if I can continue to shine a light on the brilliant work done at Battersea and help to tell the stories of these beautiful dogs, then it will be an absolute privilege to give it my all."
18th January 2024
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has written to Lord Douglas-Miller at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), about the lack of action in Parliament to finalise a ban on using hand-controlled electric shock collars on cats and dogs.
In the letter, BVA president Anna Judson wrote: 'Although it is due to come into force on 1 February 2024, and has been carried over into the current parliamentary session, it has yet to be allocated parliamentary time in the House of Commons.'
A Defra spokesperson said: "We remain committed to delivering our pledge to ban the use of hand-controlled electric shock collars. Parliamentary business will be announced in due course."
In the letter, BVA president Anna Judson wrote: 'Although it is due to come into force on 1 February 2024, and has been carried over into the current parliamentary session, it has yet to be allocated parliamentary time in the House of Commons.'
A Defra spokesperson said: "We remain committed to delivering our pledge to ban the use of hand-controlled electric shock collars. Parliamentary business will be announced in due course."
9th January 2024
Scottish athlete and veterinary surgeon Laura Muir has been retrospectively awarded a bronze medal for the Women's 3000m at the 2015 European Indoor Championship.
Although Dr Muir finished fourth, winner Yelena Korobkina has been found guilty of doping offences and her results from July 2013 to July 2016 have been expunged.
Dr Muir told Scottish Athletics: "Missing out on that special moment, especially as I was not on the podium on the night, was very difficult. But, looking back, it made me more determined than ever to ensure the same outcome didn't happen for future championships. Which luckily has been the case!"
Although Dr Muir finished fourth, winner Yelena Korobkina has been found guilty of doping offences and her results from July 2013 to July 2016 have been expunged.
Dr Muir told Scottish Athletics: "Missing out on that special moment, especially as I was not on the podium on the night, was very difficult. But, looking back, it made me more determined than ever to ensure the same outcome didn't happen for future championships. Which luckily has been the case!"
27th December 2023
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has reminded veterinary professionals of its anti-parasitic prescription-only veterinary medicine (POM-V) guidance, which comes into effect on 12 January 2024.
The instructions form part of the RCVS' Under Care Guidance, which was largely implemented in September, but anti-parasitic rules were delayed after feedback from the profession.
When prescribing anti-parasitic POM-Vs, patient records should include enough information that any person supplying it knows what to do.
Full information on the guidance here.
The instructions form part of the RCVS' Under Care Guidance, which was largely implemented in September, but anti-parasitic rules were delayed after feedback from the profession.
When prescribing anti-parasitic POM-Vs, patient records should include enough information that any person supplying it knows what to do.
Full information on the guidance here.
21st December 2023
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has reported three new cases of bluetongue in cattle in Norfolk, and a further infected animal near Sandwich, Kent.
This brings the total number of bluetongue cases in the UK to 27. There is no evidence that it is circulating in midges.
There are movement restrictions to animals in zones displayed on an interactive map.
APHA is asking people to continue to look for and report new cases of the disease.
This brings the total number of bluetongue cases in the UK to 27. There is no evidence that it is circulating in midges.
There are movement restrictions to animals in zones displayed on an interactive map.
APHA is asking people to continue to look for and report new cases of the disease.