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Winners announced for Veterinary Evidence Student Awards 2023
Rebecca Hearne has been awarded first place.
A University of Surrey student takes the top prize.

RCVS Knowledge has announced the winners of its Veterinary Evidence Student Awards 2023.

The award recognises students who have demonstrated academic and research skills by submitting a Knowledge Summary to RCVS Knowledge’s journal Veterinary Evidence.

Students are asked to produce a Knowledge Summary, using evidence to answer a focused and specific research question, to the open access, peer-reviewed journal. All submissions are considered for publication, with the top three receiving awards.

The 2023 top prize has been awarded to Rebecca Hearne, a University of Surrey student, for her academic study into the use of prazosin for treating urethral obstruction in male cats.

Speaking about her win, Rebecca Hearne said: “During my time in practice I had experienced mixed opinions from practitioners of the use of prazosin in preventing recurrent urethral obstruction in male cats. I challenged myself to go through the publication process. 

“It is rewarding knowing I have been able to contribute to the available evidence base and influence clinical decisions.”

University of Sydney student Rachel Garrett took second place, for her Knowledge Summary into the treatment of feline immunodeficiency virus. She said: “I wanted to challenge myself to produce a Knowledge Summary of high quality which could make a meaningful contribution to the veterinary industry's evidence base.”

Ebony Crump, from Murdoch University in Perth, was awarded third place for her entry, ‘Effectiveness of F3 feline facial pheromone analogue for acute stress reduction within clinical veterinary practice’.

RCVS Knowledge chief executive officer Katie Mantell said: “I’d like to congratulate all the award winners whose papers have helped to grow the evidence base in the treatment of cats. It’s fantastic to see so many students contributing to evidence-based veterinary medicine and I hope it’s something they’ll continue to do throughout their careers.

“If you’re an undergraduate student and have an interest in improving your research skills, I’d urge you to write a Knowledge Summary and submit it now for next year’s awards.” 

Entries for the Veterinary Evidence Student Awards 2025 will be open from February 2024, with prizes of up to £200 for first, second and third place.

Images © RCVS Knowledge

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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...
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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."