The study first set out to address whether the higher proportional mortality previously reported for Pugs with PLE in referral care is also seen in dogs managed only in primary care by looking at 51 cases from VetCompass data.
In the study, 43% of Pugs died presumed due to PLE, with over half of these deaths occurring within three months of diagnosis.
Most deaths were recorded as euthanasia (64%), with the remainder recorded as unassisted deaths.
The underlying cause for the PLE diagnosis in most Pugs in the study was not identified.
Clinical signs at diagnosis commonly included diarrhoea, vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, weight loss and increased drinking.
At the time of death, additional signs reported included pale mucous membranes, seizures and anaemia, which the authors noted have not been reported in the literature previously.
Treatments prescribed were variable and included dietary therapy, prednisolone, clopidogrel, chlorambucil, cyclosporin and/or cobalamin supplementation.
Pugs treated with prednisolone or clopidogrel were significantly more likely to be alive after three months, but this effect did not persist at one or two years after diagnosis.
Dr Aarti Kathrani, lead author of the study, said: “The results of our study will help to increase awareness and highlight the outcome and various causes of death in Pugs with protein-losing enteropathy.
"We hope the results will also help drive much-needed further research into the mechanism, pathophysiology and consequence of this disease, which is needed to help discover effective therapeutic targets that could help improve the prognosis of this guarded condition.”
Reference
The course, which has been produced as part of Dechra's collaboration with Not One More Vet, is presented by vets who specialise in mental health counselling.
The four new topics are: client communication: the human side of veterinary medicine; professional identity development for students and recent graduates; executive function management and mental health; and the science of mindfulness.
https://academy.dechra.com/learn/catalog/view/502
The updated resources include sanitation protocols for clinical and non-clinical areas, plus staff training materials to standardise hygiene across teams.
They also includes guidance on positive surveillance for nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections, and an online self-audit tool designed to help practices review current procedures and identify gaps.
The update is intended to support infection prevention and responsible antimicrobial use, and to reduce the risk of resistant infections affecting animals and their owners.
The Foundation said it is expanding educational materials for veterinary professionals and pet owners, supported by a new board of trustees, veterinary student educators and clinical advisors.
https://www.thebellamossfoundation.com/veterinary-professionals
The mixed-methods survey of 525 veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses found that while some employers offered thoughtful and effective support, more than one in five respondents had left — or wanted to leave — their role as a direct result of how their situation was managed.
Participants described experiences including being expected to continue clinical duties while actively miscarrying, limited or no time off for fertility treatment or bereavement, breaches of medical confidentiality, and dismissive comments from colleagues.
Concerns were also raised about exposure to anaesthetic gases, heavy lifting and workplace stress, particularly when trying to conceive or during pregnancy following a previous loss.
Some male veterinary professionals reported being unable to take time off to support hospitalised partners or to grieve.
Crucially, respondents who recalled receiving any form of workplace support were five times less likely to subsequently want to leave their job than those who reported no support at all.
Positive experiences were often linked to relatively small actions, such as kind words or a card, or workload adjustments and time away from work.
Study participants recommended improved education, clearer workplace policies, and increased paid leave for bereavement and fertility treatment.
The study was led by four vets under the umbrella of the VetMINDS Research Team and funded for open access by the British Veterinary Association.
Lead author Jenny Stavisky MRCVS said the findings highlighted how deeply the issue resonated with veterinary professionals, and expressed hope that more open discussion would help avoid compounding the pain experienced by those affected.
The study authors also note that whilst many veterinary employers offer discretionary accommodations, there is no current legislative requirement.
However, under proposed changes to the law there will be a statutory entitlement to bereavement leave following miscarriage, something which is subject to a Government consultation which can be accessed here: Make Work Pay: leave for bereavement including pregnancy loss - GOV.UK
The Seller’s Declaration has been revised with the support of British Equestrian (BEF) and British Horse Society (BHS) to make the purchase process more efficient for both buyer and seller.
BEVA says the new Declaration is a more extensive, stand-alone document which the buyer should request from the seller directly before the formal process of the PPE commences.
In this way the seller is obliged to disclose any pertinent information, such as previous lameness, stereotypies, specific management requirements, previous veterinary interventions and details of preventative dental care and worm control, prior to the PPE proceeding.
Lucy Grieve, Veterinary Projects Officer at BEVA, said: “BEVA’s new Seller’s Declaration will iron out the PPE process to make it smoother and more efficient for all three parties involved: buyer, seller and vet.
“The advantage is it cuts out the vet as a middleman… asking if the horse has received any medication, or coughs on dry hay and so on.
“The new Seller’s Declaration means that the seller should declare those things to the buyer straight off.
"If completed in advance, it should give the buyer more robust information on which to base proceeding with the PPE or not.”
https://www.beva.org.uk/Resources/Clinical-resources/PPE-toolkit
The session, From Early Care to Lifelong Health: Diarrhoea Management in Puppies and Kittens, will explore evidence suggesting early-life acute intestinal disorders can have lasting effects on gut integrity, immune function and the risk of chronic disease.
Purina says the discussion will focus on practical approaches that teams can apply in practice, including when antibiotic therapy is appropriate in young patients and how to minimise antibiotic-associated dysbiosis.
Topics include mechanisms by which enteritis — including giardiasis and parvoviral enteritis — may compromise gut integrity and increase chronic disease risk, along with best-practice protocols for managing acute diarrhoea to mitigate dysbiosis, preserve gut barrier function and potentially reduce future gastrointestinal and dermatological disorders.
The round table will be chaired by Jan S. Suchodolski MedVet, DrVetMed, PhD, AGAF, DACVM, with contributions from Ana Rostaher Prof, Dr med vet, Dipl ECVD, RCVS; Camille Torres-Henderson DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline), DACVIM (Nutrition); Stefan Unterer Prof, Dr med vet, Dr habil, Dipl ECVIM-CA; and Michelle van Lienden DVM.
Natalia Wagemans, Head of the Purina Institute, said the aim is to provide “practical, evidence-based insights” that veterinary professionals can apply “immediately to improve long-term outcomes for pets”.
The event is free to attend, will be recorded and made available on demand for registered participants, and will offer live audio and subtitles in more than 50 languages.
https://events.purinainstitute.com/login/purinainstitute/MicrobiomeForumRoundTable2026
In the first episode, host Ian Wolstenholme will be joined by Dr David Reader, Senior Lecturer in Competition Law at the University of Glasgow, and Dr Scott Summers, Lecturer in Law at the University of East Anglia.
David and Scott, who've used the CMA investigation as a focus for their research, will talk about what prompted their investigation, what the CMA is seeking to understand and why this scrutiny matters for practices, clients, and the wider veterinary sector.
They'll provide insights into things like transparency, pricing, consumer trust, and how regulatory attention may influence day-to-day clinical and business decisions.
Ian said: “We will try and hone in on what the changes will mean in reality for independent practices with advice and guidance on implementation and delivery, drawing on the experience of our own team and other experts in the profession.”
FIVP Practice Matters is available from Spotify, Apple, and the FIVP website.
Vista IQ is designed for non-invasive screening of dermal and subcutaneous masses commonly seen in veterinary practice.
Building on the original HT Vista, Vista iQ retains the same Heat Diffusion Imaging (HDI) technology.
The new device features faster calibration, improved imaging resolution and Wi-Fi connectivity to tablets and smartphones.
HT Vet says Vista iQ has been designed with clinical workflow in mind, with an ergonomic design, full portability and multi-user functionality intended to support use during routine consultations.
Updates include a redesigned user interface for faster navigation, improved light and vibration indicators for real-time feedback, and built-in precision tools including a laser grid and accelerometer for accurate measurements.
Alongside the device, the Vista iQ application includes enhanced case documentation features, allowing clinicians to record mass characteristics, case histories, diagnostics and treatment plans within a single system.
HT Vet has confirmed that the original HT Vista device will be discontinued, with future development focused on Vista iQ.
Practices currently using the original device will continue to receive full technical support.
https://ht-vet.com
Each year, the Louise O’Dwyer Bursary recognises a Vets Now nurse who exemplifies a commitment to advancing veterinary nursing and upholding Louise’s passion for shared learning.
The winner gets a £2,000 CPD allowance to further their professional development and inspire others.
During her time as Principal Nurse Manager (Maternity Cover) at Hemel Hempstead, Alice has championed team development, mentoring colleagues and encouraging further qualifications.
She introduced a skills rotation programme to ensure all team members, nurses, vets and animal care assistants alike, remain confident in essential procedures, and has played an important role in supporting new clinicians and fostering a collaborative approach to complex cases.
Alice plans to use the bursary funding to pursue a Post Graduate Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (Medical Nursing) at the Royal Veterinary College, aiming to bring fresh insights back to both the Hemel Hempstead and Milton Keynes teams.
Alice said: “I’m truly honoured to receive the Louise O’Dwyer Bursary.
"Louise’s dedication to education and her infectious enthusiasm for emergency and critical care have inspired so many of us.
"I hope to use this opportunity to deepen my expertise in medical nursing and share that knowledge with my colleagues, just as Louise did.”
Focusing on “The Gut-Brain Axis in Practice", the symposium will use talks, discussions and case studies to explore how gut–brain science, the pet–human relationship and probiotics may relate to canine behaviour.
Registration is open to veterinary surgeons, vet techs, RVNs, behaviourists and nutritionists.
Speakers named include Dr Clara Palestrini (University of Milan), Dr Sarah Heath (European Veterinary Specialist in Behavioural Medicine), and Dr Marta Amat Grau and Dr Xavier Manteca Vilanova (University of Barcelona), among a total of 10 speakers.
The programme also includes a round-table discussion and a session focused on evidence-based insights and real-life case reports.
Simultaneous translation will be available in French, Spanish, German, Italian and Portuguese alongside English.
https://www.vet-center.eu/pro-plan-calming-care-symposium
The College response welcomes Defra’s incorporation of many of the College’s longstanding recommendations for legislative change in its proposed reform of the VSA.
This includes giving the RCVS statutory powers to regulate veterinary businesses and protection of title for veterinary nurses, alongside reforms that could allow VNs to take on more roles and responsibilities.
It also supports enabling statutory regulation of the wider veterinary team, including allied professionals such as equine dental technicians and behaviourists, and a modernised registration and licensing system.
The response also backs an updated, forward-looking, fitness to practise regime with a greater range of sanctions available and interim powers of suspension.
In terms of the future governance structure for the RCVS, its response strongly favours Option 1 in Defra’s proposals - the ‘Royal College that regulates’ model – rather than Option 2, which would see the RCVS shorn of its broader public interest and professional leadership objectives and left with a purely regulatory remit.
RCVS President Professor Tim Parkin said: “It is our strong belief that the ‘Royal College that regulates’ model retains the best of both worlds, because it takes a proactive and holistic approach to regulation and fitness to practise.
“For example, professional leadership projects such as the Mind Matters Initiative and our reasonable adjustments campaign have opened up conversations around mental and physical health, and how we can better support our registrants to continue to meet professional standards in the public interest, while the RCVS Academy helps our registrants understand and navigate their professional responsibilities via innovative learning content.
“Furthermore, given the importance of supportive, preventative approaches to modern professional regulation, there can be no clear or fixed dividing line between the College’s regulatory and Royal College functions.
"Not only would Option 2 not create clarity, it would also risk undermining and leaving in limbo, without funding, much of the good work we have done with projects in mental health, workforce, environment and sustainability, and through our Fellowship.
“If you want a balanced and holistic approach to regulation for the benefit of animal health and welfare, public health and wider society, then please make sure you support Option 1 when you complete the consultation.”
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/veterinary-professionals/consultations/vsa-reform-time-for-change
CrCLD has previously been suggested to be associated with gonad status, but there has been no clear consensus on how “early” gonadectomy should be defined in male or female dogs.
The study carried out a secondary analysis of data from more than 20,000 dogs spanning 36 years to explore the association between cumulative gonadal hormone exposure and risk of CrCLD.
Rather than categorising dogs using arbitrary age cut-offs, the researchers treated gonadal hormone exposure as a continuous variable.
In the dataset analysed, the prevalence of CrCLD was 2.49% in females and 1.89% in male dogs.
The risk of CrCLD was highest in dogs with the least gonadal hormone exposure — before 1054 days (approximately 2.9 years) in females and 805 days (approximately 2.2 years) in males.
The minimum risk was observed at around 2.9 years for females and 2.2 years for males.
The authors say that these findings suggest gonadectomy is very likely to be associated with an increased risk of CrCLD, and that previously suggested arbitrary cut-offs of two years of age may not be scientifically grounded.
Overall, the paper concluded that removal of gonadal hormones should be performed after musculoskeletal maturity, if at all.
Lead author Dr Daniel Low said there is an increasing body of evidence linking the development of CrCLD with neutering in both male and female dogs, and that the timing of neutering matters.
He added that the health benefits of neutering in reducing the risk of other diseases should not be overlooked, and that every decision to neuter should be made on a case-by-case basis by the attending veterinary surgeon in consultation with the animal owner.
The two webinars, which were developed by the company's veterinary team, are titled "Raw feeding for veterinary professionals" and "Raw feeding for puppies + kittens".
Bella+Duke said the webinars were developed in response to growing interest in raw diets across the companion animal sector and are intended to address knowledge gaps, tackle common misconceptions, and support confident, safe implementation of raw nutrition in practice and at home.
Carolanne Cicero RVN, Lead In-house Veterinary Advisor, said: "We know that veterinary professionals are fielding more and more questions about raw feeding, and we want to make sure they have access to reliable, safe and balanced information.
"These webinars are our way of bridging that gap - offering practical, trustworthy guidance developed by our own in-house veterinary team."
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5023526141933896800
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/923010778917784412
The workshops have been co-authored with a workplace wellbeing company called Ultimate Resilience, and will be delivered by two of the company's clinical psychologists: Dr Felicity Baker and Dr Jackie Allt.
The sessions will focus on leadership skills, recognising early signs of stress and burnout, and practising conversations to support colleagues.
The workshops will run for designated groups across the profession during March, April, May and June.
Places are limited to 16 per workshop and cost £150 per person and online places cost £120.
The RCVS is also running a free ‘Work, mental health and mood’ webinar on Monday 30 March, 6.30pm to 7.45pm.
The webinar will cover recognising mood and affective disorders at work, supporting colleagues, reducing stigma, and signposting to help.
Speakers are clinical psychologist Dr Marco Vivolo, veterinary mental health researcher James Glass MRCVS, and wellbeing instructor Emma Sadler RVN.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-mental-health-in-the-workplace-for-everyday-veterinary-leaders-tickets-1981567626112
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/events/mmi-work-mental-health-and-mood-webinar
DuOtic contains terbinafine 10 mg and betamethasone 1 mg and is supplied in pre-measured single dose 1.2 g tubes.
One tube should be applied per ear canal by a vet and repeated after seven days.
Jamie Walker MA VetMB MRCVS, veterinary technical manager at Dechra, said: "DuOtic has been available in Ireland and Northern Ireland for some time and feedback from vet professionals has been positive, both logistically as no refrigeration is required, but also practically as dog owners have appreciated the product being vet-applied, reducing the stress associated with treatment.
"Some owners also appreciated the targeted nature of the treatment in the broader context of antimicrobial stewardship."
Veterinary surgeons will also be asked to verify each horse’s health status via a brief questionnaire (around 4 minutes).
The results of the questionnaires will be used to develop a scoring algorithm to measure the impact of health on a horse’s quality of life.
Zoetis says support from the veterinary profession is going to be pivotal to its ability to deliver a valid and reliable measurement tool, one that has the potential to transform the welfare of horses worldwide.
To that end, vets who contribute will gain early insight into a scientifically validated HRQL instrument designed to:
If you would like to participate, of if you would like more information contact Dr Cory Noble at cory.noble@zoetis.com.
The app and desktop-based service connects practices directly with locum vets and nurses, allowing shifts to be posted instantly and applications handled without agency involvement.
The company says uptake reflects increasing pressure on practice teams, alongside rising costs and frustration with traditional recruitment models.
Ronda Vet includes a mutual review system designed to help both practices and locums make more informed decisions, and operates on a 24/7 basis to support last-minute cover.
Early adopter practices report faster turnaround when filling urgent shifts, including weekends and out-of-hours periods.
Founded by veterinary surgeon Ibra Hernando and Dimitra Sepou, the platform was developed in response to what the founders describe as inefficiencies and lack of transparency on both sides of the locum market.
The company says its focus for 2026 will be further growth and the introduction of additional features aimed at supporting workforce wellbeing and operational efficiency.
https://www.ronda.vet
The charge was that between June and October 2022, the vet imported or arranged for the importation of approximately 1950 to 2010 tablets of a medicine which purported to be norethisterone when there had been no Special Importation Certificate (SIC) issued by the VMD.
The vet was also charged with supplying or arranging the supply of the medicine to a number of greyhound trainers, with a view to the medicine being administered to greyhounds.
Finally, the vet was also charged that he knew there was no SIC, that the medicine contained substances other than norethisterone, that he had made no assessment of whether any or all of the other substances were appropriate for administration to the greyhounds, and that the Greyhound Board of Great Britain did not permit greyhounds to race with the other substances found in the medicine in their system.
The vet admitted all the charges against him at the start of the hearing.
The Committee said aggravating factors included risk of injury to an animal or human, recklessness, and break of client trust.
It also noted that despite his practice being rated 4 out of 5 in a 2025 Veterinary Practice Premises Inspection Report in relation to the VMD’s most recent inspection of his practice, the report raised four matters relating to the issuing and labelling of medication.
In mitigation, the Committee accepted that the vet had imported the norethisterone from India with good intentions, in that he believed he was assisting the greyhounds to keep them racing.
It also noted that while this was not an isolated incident, he only ordered the norethisterone twice and supplied it over a five-month period in 2022.
He had also practised without incident since importing and supplying the norethisterone.
The Committee decided that the conduct amounted to serious professional misconduct, and that he had breached sections 1.5, 6.4 and 6.5 of the Code of Practice for Veterinary Surgeons in 2022.
Deciding the sanction, the Committee also noted that the vet had a previous disciplinary finding against him relating to findings of dishonesty regarding his communications with the Animal and Plant Health Agency in the taking of blood samples for horses due to be exported to Serbia, which resulted in a six-month suspension from the Register.
Neil Slater, chairing the committee, said a six-month suspension would allow the vet time to “develop insight and understanding of the importance of regulatory compliance” and reflect on his practice, while also signalling to the profession and the public that such compliance is essential.
He said the committee had considered whether removal from the register was warranted, particularly given a previous similar disciplinary finding, but concluded that this could be “career ending”. A longer suspension was also ruled out on the same basis.
However, the committee expressed significant concern that the case, alongside the earlier finding, demonstrated a “persistent disregard for regulatory legislation”. It said the sanction imposed was necessary to protect animal welfare and maintain confidence in the profession.
The vet will be suspended for six months following the expiry of the appeal period.
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/veterinary-professionals/conduct-and-guidance/concerns-for-veterinary-professionals/disciplinary-committee-hearings
The platform allows vets to write prescriptions for medications which clients can buy instantly at the point of care, with delivery to their home later.
Practices then receive a share of the revenue from medicine sales that have been fulfilled through vetsuremeds.com, mitigating against the losses if practices simply direct clients to the Internet, where there is a strong chance they will end up in the arms of a corporate-owned dispensary.
VetSurgeon understands that Vetsure is not aiming to compete with the cheapest online dispensaries, but is expecting that clients will be happy to pay a little bit more for the frictionless process which means they don't have to think, the medication will just arrive, and for the knowledge that they are supporting their independent practice.
In addition, the company highlights that because the prescription is processed at the point of care, vetsuremeds.com eliminates the risk of fraudulent multiple use of prescriptions.
In terms of revenue to the practice, the system will not completely replace the profit margin on drugs sold in practice, but against that, there is a reduction in the administrative burden and it also mitigates against the risk of clients giving their details to a corporate-owned group which may later decide to open in the local area.
The platform is rolling out across the Vetsure network in coming weeks and is currently in beta testing, with wider market availability planned later in the year.
Ashley Gray, Managing Director of Vetsure, said: "As a company founded, owned and run by vets, we were driven to act in the face of a rapidly changing marketplace.
"Our mission has always been to champion independent clinics.
"The CMA investigation highlights a very real risk to practice income, particularly when such a significant proportion is tied to medicine sales.
"Vetsuremeds.com enables practices to meet evolving regulatory expectations, deliver outstanding client service, and continue to thrive as independent businesses."
vetsuremeds.com
www.vetsurevet.com
Krka says Robexera injectable acts within an hour, has a 24-hour duration and that its high COX-2 selectivity reduces wider systemic impact.1
The company says that in cats, the perioperative case is particularly strong, pointing to research which it says showed robenacoxib to have the best proven safety profile in cats of all NSAIDs.1
Krka adds that it is also highly effective in reducing post-operative pain, with evidence of superior efficacy to meloxicam,2 and a proven anaesthetic-sparing effect during feline surgery.3
Will Ridgway, Head of Animal Health at Krka UK, said: “Practices want product assurance and commercial value. As a bioequivalent to the originator product,4 Robexera injectable delivers both."
https://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/productinformationdatabase/files/SPC_Documents/SPC_3090863.PDF
References
The one-hour session is aimed at veterinary staff undertaking radiography.
It will focus on hands-free techniques, with practical approaches to stable patient positioning and producing consistent, repeatable images without relying on manual restraint or complex setups.
It will also cover will also cover what defines a good radiographic image, using real-life examples such as ‘what a lateral elbow should look like’.
The webinar will include an overview of legal obligations around ionising radiation.
The session will be presented by VET.CT radiologist Dr Lisa Friling (pictured), who said: "Improving radiation safety in practice does require change, which can be challenging.
"However, this change is important - to improve health and welfare of patients and the safety of staff, and it is absolutely possible with the right support and guidance.”
The recording will be added to VET.CT’s free X-Pert Radiation Safety Centre, which includes downloadable toolkits for small animal and equine practice, including positioning guides, top tips, chemical restraint protocols and case studies.
Morning registration: https://events.zoom.us/ev/AoUvrzk-_2uzZnp4qAmFOGXmRcK1aTTw-6qvuXG9dcE1R9P6nekq~Anw9-XhUxtsFzbNTgw72jB-z7T3VYWaNeeenRj7ewgvpDl2-SZXIsQQCoA Evening registration: https://events.zoom.us/ev/AhNUeTTJeRFdCzhNTqhFXC51TVI4oiPcHToPFDrNJGeKzxSD9KjG~As1a8XpiRKr-QcSd8p2-ki8MyicKNFrSRGNG8ZTRBTLssfxmt46S5Xfv9Q
The X-Pert radiation safety resources for small animal practice: https://uk.vet-ct.com/welcome-to-x-pertEquine resources here: https://uk.vet-ct.com/welcome-to-x-pert-equine
The six bite-sized modules are designed to give whole practice teams GDPR training that reflects day-to-day veterinary workflows, and to provide a simple way for practices to evidence staff training for compliance purposes.
Training-Progress said the aim is to move GDPR training beyond generic, “box-ticking” content by focusing on real scenarios and data-handling habits inside practices.
The programme is split into two learning streams.
A “Team Stream” is aimed at all roles across the practice, covering core GDPR principles and typical data processes in a veterinary setting.
A “Leadership Stream” is described as a deeper dive for practice leaders, focusing on policies, processes and data management.
Laura Shaw, Training-Progress, said the company is frequently asked for GDPR training written specifically for vets, adding: “Generic courses simply aren’t relevant enough to change behaviour.
"Our modules address the real issues that occur in practices every day—issues that cause stress, risk client trust, and can lead to significant consequences with the ICO.”
Nicola Major, practice manager at VetDentist in Harrogate, which trialled the training, said: “The course breaks down everything you need to know about GDPR in a clear, practical way, making a complex subject easy to understand and apply.”
https://www.training-progress.com/gdpr
For the first time, the three-day programme will use a different clinical theme each day.
Friday 26th June will focus on gastrointestinal disease.
Saturday 27th June will focus on respiratory disease.
Sunday 28th June will focus on cardiology.
Delegates will be able to tailor their itinerary across the themed days without pre-booking sessions or paying extra.
Ticket prices are being held at 2025 rates and International Cat Care has also introduced a choice of three-day and one-day tickets for 2026.
An Early Bird discount is available on three-day tickets.
Professor Séverine Tasker, International Cat Care’s veterinary strategic lead, said, “I’m excited to welcome veterinary professionals in all roles, at all career stages, to World Feline Congress 2026, to join with us to advance their knowledge in cat friendly veterinary care.”
https://icatcare.org/events/world-feline-congress-2026
The event will explore how referral and second-opinion care fit within the contextualised care model and how the profession can strengthen delivery of compassionate and sustainable specialist care.
The meeting is aimed at veterinary specialists, general practitioners, veterinary nurses, practice managers and others interested in referral practice, ethics, patient welfare and professional wellbeing.
Sessions include a presentation by Dr Rachel Dean FRCVS of VetPartners examining whether the concept of a veterinary “gold standard” can act as a barrier to contextualised care.
Other talks will explore how market structures influence veterinary care, the impact of changing ownership models on client relationships, and ethical dilemmas in practice.
Additional sessions will cover story-based approaches to contextualised care, collaborative contextualised care, clinical communication tools, and whether contextualised care differs within corporate practice settings.
The programme will also include discussion of RCVS Knowledge research alongside workshops and networking opportunities.
https://www.vsavet.org/events/contextualised-care-in-a-changing-veterinary-landscape
The policy pulls together current research on potential long-term health and welfare impacts of neutering and ways these may be reduced, including different methods, delaying the procedure, or not neutering.
It recommends assessing male dog castration on an individual basis, taking factors such as age, breed and lifestyle into account.
Advice for cats is unchanged, with male and female cats still recommended for neutering at around four months of age, before sexual maturity.
The Associations say the general consensus is that male and female dogs should be neutered at around 12–24 months, when many breeds are considered to have reached skeletal maturity, to reduce the risk of developing orthopaedic conditions.
A joint FAQs resource has also been produced to summarise the conclusions and recommendations for practice teams.
BVA Senior Vice President Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux said: "The updated policy position brings together the latest evidence to support small animal vets with making context-based decisions on a case-by-case basis and what that might mean for discussing neutering options with clients."
BSAVA President Julian Hoad added: "The evidence base underpinning decision-making continues to evolve and although the policy position covers many key research outputs, ambiguities still exist.
"BVA and BSAVA have made recommendations based on existing knowledge and how best this can be applied in practical scenarios.
"The resulting aim of the policy is to support veterinary professionals in clinical practice by equipping them with the tools that help them in offering tailored neutering advice to pet owners."
https://www.bva.co.uk/take-action/our-policies/neutering-of-cats-and-dogs/