BSAVA Clinical Abstract winners announced for 2025
Christine Pye wins the Medicine Award for her research into feline biomarkers.
The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has unveiled the winners of the 2025 Clinical Abstract Awards.
Presented during the BSAVA Congress and Expo, the clinical abstracts gave researchers the opportunity to showcase the latest advances in veterinary medicine. Submissions came from a variety of backgrounds, including practice, industry and academia.
The recipient of BSAVA's Medicine Award was Christine Pye, who presented a study into the age, sex and health-related changes affecting physical biomarkers in pet cats. Dr Pye is a clinical vet at the RSPCA and a research assistant at the University of Liverpool, where she is completing her PhD.
Dr Pye said: “This study was the culmination of many years of hard work from everyone involved in the Cat Prospective Ageing and Welfare Study, and I’m incredibly grateful to them all! Receiving this award has further inspired me to continue our research into improving the health and welfare of ageing cats.”
The Surgery Award went to Alberto Sesana, who shared the outcomes of 46 cases of lip-to-lid subdermal plexus flaps being used to reconstruct small animals' lower eyelids.
Dr Sesana is completing the final year of his residency in small animal surgery, which he hopes to specialise in. He said: “This recognition not only validates the hard work and dedication put into my research but also encourages further exploration in advancing surgical techniques to improve outcomes for patients.”
Winning this year's Practitioner Award is Deborah Komianos, for her review of a clinician-led research project to reduce the use of critically important antibiotics.
Dr Komianos said: “Winning this award for my abstract is an exciting moment in my career as a clinical lead. It recognises my commitment to responsible, evidence-based care that safeguards both animal and human health for the future.”
Rosemary Perkins was the recipient of the Poster Award, which presented data on how swimming dogs increase environmental exposure to parasiticides. An active member of a parasiticides research group, Dr Perkins also promoted a One Health approach to their use.
Dr Perkins said: “Attending this year's BSAVA Congress was a fantastic experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to share this research with colleagues. This recognition was a wonderful surprise and a true honour.”
The Student Award has been given to RVC student Claudia Franzini, who explored how surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament rupture affected a dog's outcome. Her final year project followed an elective rotation in orthopaedic surgery.
Ms Franzini said: “This achievement motivates me to continue working towards my goals and make a positive impact in first-opinion veterinary practice - I am grateful to the BSAVA for their support in this.”
Submissions for the 2026 Clinical Abstracts are to open on 8 September 2025.
Image © BSAVA
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
