SAVSNET take questions at congress
Image: SAVSNET, Steve Burden Photography
The new Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network, or SAVSNET, was launched at BSAVA Congress. A unique project in the UK, it aims to improve knowledge of diseases in companion animals.
During a press meeting at the event, members of the SAVSNET team answered a range of questions relating to the project.
There was an interest at the meeting in how owners would be made aware of the project, and how time consuming it would be for vets.
Head of the project Alan Radford explained that as the project requires large amounts of information, it is essential that high numbers of practices participate. Therefore it must not be a time-consuming burden to vets.
Thus the process is largely automated, and integrates into the practice management system. Practices simply display posters explaining SAVSNET, and clients fill out a post-consultation form where they can opt-out of the project.
A member of the press asked how SAVSNET integrates into practices, bearing in mind how many different practice management systems are in use across the UK. Dr Radford explained that the team are developing a system for compliance, which will allow it to be built into any PMS.
Addressing the question of cost, Dr Radford said that SAVSNET reports would be issued to vets and laboratories free of charge for benchmarking purposes.
Charities looking to use the data for the benefit of the public will receive only a small admin charge, whereas companies looking to use the reports for market research purposes would be charged at a higher rate than this.
As only postcodes are recorded for client anonymity, a member of the press asked how individual animals could be tracked in order to address the success or failure of particular treatments.
Dr Radford explained that a number is assigned to each animal, allowing their progress to be tracked. This could have implications for improving the use and dosage of antibiotics, as well as other treatments.
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. 
