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BSAVA Congress News Archive
Pet Blood Bank announces twists to annual fundraiser
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.
BSAVA issues new guide to heartworm
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.
Bristol uni celebrates 75 years of teaching vets
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."
Chris Tufnell steps down as Fellowship chair
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.

Alison Hammond to host For the Love of Dogs
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."
BVA calls on minister to act over shock collars
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."
Laura Muir awarded bronze medal nine years after race
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!"
RCVS reminds vets of January 'Under Care' guidance
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.
Over 25 bluetongue cases confirmed in UK
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.
Online advice hub launched for horse owners
19th December 2023
The charity World Horse Welfare has launched a new section on its website to provide owners and care-givers with the latest advice on equine welfare.

Resources are available for free on a range topics, covering areas such as health, nutrition, behaviour, and environment.

Rebecca Boulert, World Horse Welfare research and education officer, said: "We are fortunate that we are able to bring up-to-date, evidence-based advice and guidance into the public forum, with the support of a range of industry experts and professionals."

The advice pages can be accessed here.
Search dog who served for 12 years dies
8th December 2023
Red, a search and rescue dog with the Staffordshire Search and Rescue Team, has died after 12 years of service.

The National Search and Rescue Dog Association (NSARDA) announced on Facebook that he had died from cancer.

The border collie joined the team in 2011 at eight weeks old. During his career, he helped in over 250 searches.

Red retired in 2022, due to his diagnosis. Despite a prognosis of six weeks to six months, he lived for 12 months.
VMG president joins House of Lords
27th November 2023
Miles Russell, president of the Veterinary Management Group (VMG), has been elected to the House of Lords as a crossbench hereditary peer.

He will join Lord Trees as a representative of the veterinary sector in the second chamber of the UK parliament.

Lord Russell said: "Those of us working in the animal health and veterinary sectors are only too aware of the importance of the work we do and the challenges we face.

"I will use my platform in the House of Lords to increase understanding of our sectors and to promote positive change."