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WSAVA appoints new committee chairs
Ann Hohenhaus has been made chair of the WSAVA Oncology Working Group.
Four new chairs have been appointed to three committees.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has appointed four new committee chairs.

Paulo Steagall and Jo Murrell are the new co-chairs of the WSAVA Global Pain Council, which focuses on eliminating the gap between pain incidence and pain treatment.

Dr Steagall is a professor of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia at the City University of Hong Kong. Dr Murrell works in referral practice in the UK and has previously been an academic at the University of Bristol, where she studied pain mechanisms and clinical analgesic protocols in dogs, cats, and horses.  

Ann Hohenhaus has been appointed as chair of the WSAVA Oncology Working Group, which works to raise awareness of effective and accessible treatments for cancer. Dr Hohenhaus has practised oncology at a veterinary centre in New York, USA, for more than 30 years.

Jane Sykes has been made chair of the WSAVA’s Scientific Committee, which makes sure that WSAVA clinical guidance and educational material is based on the best-possible scientific evidence. Dr Sykes is a professor at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine.

The WSAVA has 12 committees in total, each focusing on an area of companion animal practice. The committees create WSAVA Global Guidelines and other educational resources.

WSAVA president Ellen van Nierop said: “Our chairs lead their committees with great dedication and ensure that the resources and continuing education they create support our goals of setting global standards of care for companion animals and campaigning for change on key issues affecting our members.

“We’re delighted to welcome our new chairs and thank them for stepping up to serve our global veterinary community.”

Image © WSAVA

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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. 

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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.