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

BVA Live session planned on reptile emergencies
The session will be held on 11 May.
The session will look at common reptile emergency presentations.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has announced details of a forthcoming training session on reptile emergencies as part of this year’s BVA Live.

'Handling reptile emergencies in practice' will inform delegates on how to provide emergency care to reptiles, covering areas such as fluid therapy, analgesia, and nutritional support.

The lecture will be delivered by Tom Dutton, clinical lead exotics at Great Western Exotics, and will be held in Clinical Theatre One at 10.15am on 11 May.

The treatment of exotic pets has been receiving renewed attention after the BVA launched a new policy position on non-traditional companion animals (NTCAs) in February of this year.

One of the key recommendations of the policy position is that all veterinary surgeons, at time of graduation, should be able to confidently handle the most commonly seen NTCAs, advise on basic husbandry, conduct a clinical examination, use the medicines Cascade appropriately, identify what is normal for the species, and provide first aid, pain relief and euthanasia.

BVA senior vice-president Justine Shotton said: “This is a really important session for every member of Team Vet. All vets will have been through training at vet school so they are able to confidently handle common species of reptiles and provide the emergency care and first aid they may need. But, with some vets seeing increasing numbers of non-traditional companion animals like reptiles in practice, this session is a good reminder of the best ways to do so in an emergency.”  

BVA Live 2023 is taking place at the Birmingham NEC from 11-12 May. The full programme of events for this year’s BVA Live can be accessed online.

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

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."