National Disease Surveillance Programme Established
The British Small Animal Veterinary Association is working in conjunction with veterinary scientists at the University of Liverpool to develop a national network for monitoring diseases in small animals.
The establishment of the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network follows the conclusion of a three year pilot study aiming to bring together data on diseases in pets across the UK.
Since funding ended for the project in August 2011, the BSAVA have decided to work in partnership with the University of Liverpool to continue the work and create a vital national surveillance programme. This will provide a single resource for accessing data on pet animal disease for veterinary scientists, veterinary surgeons, members of the public and policy makers.
Andrew Ash, BSAVA President, said: "SAVSNET ticks all the boxes for BSAVA. High quality large scale epidemiological research helps us fulfil our obligations as a charity to public good, the information on disease surveillance gives us the information to treat animals better, and the research papers help us inform veterinary policy and education."
He added: "This is an important scheme for both animal and human health."
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. 
