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Wellbeing support still needed in practice, survey suggests
Eighty-two per cent of veterinary professionals used medications and supplements to calm pets.
Forty-three per cent of vets felt wellbeing could be improved.

A survey has highlighted the methods that veterinary professionals use to care for their wellbeing, as well as keeping their animal patients calm.

Despite 93 per cent of respondents agreeing that the mental health of veterinary staff should be taken seriously, 43 per cent of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses felt staff wellbeing could be improved in their practice.

The Big Chill survey, conducted by the NVS Group, was designed to raise awareness of how veterinary teams can manage the stress levels of their patients, as well as their own personal wellbeing. Respondents were asked what methods they used to to handle anxious animals and look after their own wellbeing.

On the matter of their personal wellbeing, most veterinary surgeons and nurses said that they made sure they took regular breaks and kept their workload manageable. They valued supportive workplace environments, which foster a positive team culture and out of work team activities.

Self-care activities, including fitness and hobbies, were also important tools to wellbeing.

Stressed and nervous animals proved to be a common occurrence in veterinary practice, with 92 per cent of veterinary professionals encountering stressed animals daily. Veterinary surgeons and nurses said that they would take their time with these patients, using treats and pet remedies to keep pets calm and quiet.

Medication and supplements were used by 82 per cent of veterinary professionals to calm animals during consultations.

Gemma Vardy, a spokesperson for NVS Group, said: “The responses we received have been very thought provoking. There are some strong common themes that run through all the answers, such as the need for open communication and a supportive team.

“We hope that veterinary teams find these results useful and think about how these techniques can be incorporated into daily working life.”

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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...
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."