Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

UK vets can now use the title 'Dr'
vet neutering
Of those to respond, 81 per cent said they were in favour of using the Dr title.
Move approved after overwhelming support from the profession

As of today, vets in the UK will be able to use the courtesy title "Dr" if they wish. The move brings UK vets into line with international colleagues.

Most international veterinary surgeons already use this title and in the UK, veterinary surgeons are the only profession of the three main clinical degrees (medical, dentistry and veterinary medicine) who do not use it.

In Australia and New Zealand, the title is linked with registration and professional standing.

Aligning the UK with international practice hopes to provide vets with greater clarity, whilst reassuring clients and the pet-owning public that registered vets have veterinary degrees of a suitable standard.

The issue has received much support among members of the profession. A consultation launched officially on January 6, 2015 received 11,202 responses to a consultation on the issue - the majority of which came via the online survey. This is largest ever number of responses to an RCVS consultation.

Of those to respond, the majority (81 per cent) said they were in favour of using the Dr title, while 13 per cent were against it and 6 per cent did not mind either way.

The move was approved by the RCVS Council at a meeting yesterday (March 5).

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.