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VetNurse.co.uk publishes a curated feed of veterinary nursing news for registered veterinary nurses (RVNs), students (SVNs) and veterinary nursing assistants, with a primary focus on the UK profession.
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Lyndsay is a Small Animal Director at Drove Veterinary Hospital in Wiltshire and served as BVNA President from 2023 to 2025, during which time she played a pivotal role representing the association and veterinary nurses across the UK with dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment
She is the only veterinary nurse on the hospital board at Drove, contributing to strategic decision-making, clinical governance, operational development and team progression.
The award was one of the BSAVA’s 2026 awards, which recognise contributions from across the veterinary profession.
BSAVA Honorary Secretary Adam Gow said: "Each of them has demonstrated remarkable dedication to the veterinary profession, and we’re proud to recognise the positive impact they make on animals, clients, and colleagues every day."
BEVA said the guidance is intended to help vets ensure good welfare during the necessary euthanasia of horses insured for mortality.
Led by Ian Beamish, the Association reviewed its guidance with input from vets and representatives from the insurance industry.
Ian said: "The veterinary surgeon's primary responsibility is undoubtably to ensure the welfare of the horse, regardless of whether the horse is insured.
"The new guidelines are a modernised version of the outdated 2009 guidelines, with a carefully revised List of Conditions and their prognoses, updated language, and revised protocols on grounds for euthanasia."
He added: "It is important to note that whilst we may advise euthanasia, we may not advise on the insurance policy conditions; this is a matter for the insured and insurer to discuss."
The Equine Insurance Providers Group has approved and adopted the new guidance.
https://www.beva.org.uk/euthanasia-guidelines-for-insured-horses
BVEDS was founded in 2016 to support BAME vets, nurses and students.
The organisation says that the book, entitled ‘Veterinary Diversity and Inclusion: Race, Ethnicity and Religion’, will be a significant move for the professions and it is keen to ensure that veterinary nursing is well represented by RVNs and SVNs from different religious and ethnic backgrounds.
If you'd like to get involved, contact: vetedibook@gmail.com
www.bveds.com
The course, which is a combination of online learning and practical tasks, is designed for veterinary care assistants who have already achieved their Level 2 certificate.
The school, which is part of VetPartners but also welcomes students from outside the group, delivers training to apprentices studying for the Level 2 Animal Care and Welfare Certificate and Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing.
Launched in 1996 with one class of six trainees, Lynwood now supports 120 apprentices from veterinary practices across five counties and claims to have helped more than 1,500 students pass their exams.
Val Belbin, joint head of the school, said: "We are hugely proud of everything the school has achieved over the past three decades and are delighted to be offering this new training opportunity to veterinary nursing assistants.”
https://www.lsvn.co.uk
The CPD events, which are part of the College's Next Steps project, are aimed specifically at returning parents, those coming back from a career break, and individuals moving into management.
They offer a blend of practical guidance, peer support, professional networking, and careers expertise.
Tash Goodwin Roberts, RCVS Projects Implementation Manager, said: "Navigating change can be exciting, but it doesn’t come without challenges.
"Our Next Steps project is designed to make those transitions as smooth as possible, to make sure you feel confident in reconnecting with your professional identity."
The events will take place on 12 May, 21 May, and 18 June at the RCVS' offices in London.
Tickets cost £50 for those booking at least six weeks in advance.
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/rcvs-next-steps-4825743
For the study, the team at the RVC conducted an online survey of the owners of 9,402 UK dogs to investigate the behaviour of three popular designer Doodle breeds – Cockapoo, Labradoodle and Cavapoo.
Behaviours were compared between the Doodles and their purebred parent breeds, including Cocker Spaniels; Cavalier King Charles Spaniels; Labrador Retrievers; and Toy, Miniature, and Standard Poodles.
Behaviour was assessed using the validated Canine Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) which quantifies diverse behavioural challenges including aggression, fear and anxiety, separation-related behaviour and attention-seeking.
The results show that designer Doodles differed from their purebred parents in approximately 54% of behavioural comparisons.
Where differences were identified, Doodles showed more undesirable behaviours in 82% of comparisons.
Some of these common undesirable behaviours included non-social fear (e.g. fear of traffic, loud noises); separation-related problems (e.g. vocalisation and destructiveness when left alone); and excitability (e.g. strong reactions to exciting events such as walks and doorbells).
Doodles showed less undesirable behaviours in only 18% of the comparisons where a difference was identified, for example Labradoodles scored lower for dog rivalry (e.g., conflict with dogs they live with) compared to Poodles.
Considerable variation between the three individual Doodle breeds was also identified, demonstrating that designer crossbreeds should not be treated as a single, uniform group in terms of behaviour.
For example, Cockapoos displayed a higher level of undesirable behaviours compared to their purebred parent breeds, exceeding that seen in Cavapoos and Labradoodles.
In particular, Cockapoos showed higher levels of aggressive behaviours, such as owner-directed aggression and dog rivalry, than their purebred parents.
Dr Rowena Packer, Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the RVC and senior author of the paper, said: “Realistic expectations are key to happy dog ownership.
"When expectations and reality don’t align, both dogs and owners can struggle.
"Preconceived beliefs, such as the idea that designer-crossbreeds are naturally easy to train or are safe with children, can have serious consequences if they aren’t supported by evidence.
"Our research shows that many designer-crossbreeds do not always behave as expected, particularly regarding training, anxiety and aggression, which were more common than in their parent breeds.
"We also found that not all ‘Doodles’ are alike, with Cockapoos tending to display more undesirable behaviour compared to Labradoodles and Cavapoos, highlighting that each breed is unique.
"By providing reliable scientific data, we can help puppy buyers to make better-informed choices that support both human wellbeing and canine welfare.”
Reference
The online invitation survey was conducted among 6,500 pet owners from around the world, 1,000 of whom were based in the UK.
Whilst the survey didn't glean any further information about the nature of the infections, such as what percent of them were endoparasites versus ectoparasites, it did reveal that 61% of respondents said their pet experienced discomfort or illness, 39% said they showed behavioural changes and 38% reported that it made them feel anxious.
However, 38% see a parasite infection as not serious or just slightly serious.
Seventy per cent of owners said they get their parasite information from vets, compared to 43% from the internet.
Forty-five per cent use prescription treatments and 40% use vet-administered treatments in a clinic.
According to the company, 71% of UK pet owners said they would like clearer guidance on parasite protection, yet 35% have not been informed about parasite risks in their area by their vet.
Ian Wright MRCVS, Chairman/Director of ESCCAP (European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites), said: "It has never been more important to be aware of parasites and the risk to companion animals – the increased movement of pets and people, as well as climate change, has fuelled a rapid shift in the distribution of parasites and their proximity to pets.
"Pets can carry parasites which affect animal and human health - although there are familiar types, such as fleas – we need to be vigilant for unexpected parasites moving into new countries and regions.
"With simple precautions and preventative measures, we can minimise the risk of diseases they may bring, and continue to enjoy the wonderful benefits of pet ownership."
IVC started writing to the practices at the start of last year, threatening legal action over their use of the term 'Pet Health Club', which the company says infringes its trademark rights.
In March 2025, IVC sent follow-up letters to affected practices, offering an extension until 31st December 2025 to comply with its demands, but according to We Are Spartacus, there has been no contact since the deadline passed.
Meanwhile, We Are Spartacus reports that 200 veterinary professionals have registered their opposition to IVC's claims via its website.
Dr Natalie Morris-Webb, owner of Malthouse Vets, one of the affected practices, said: “Last year was a worrying time for lots of independent practices with a ‘Pet Health Club.’
"Many of those that came forward had been using the term long before IVC registered its wordmark in 2019 and either had to face the cost and hassle of rebranding their health plans or enter into a legal dispute with IVC.
“Neither of these are appealing options for independent practices, or their owner managers.
"Although IVC appears to have ceased defending the ‘pet health club’ wordmark, with none of the affected practices reporting any further correspondence for many months, the uncertainty is still there.
"It’s unacceptable that IVC has not yet achieved a commercial settlement, or revealed whether they have given the industry a reprieve and no longer plan to take legal action.”
An IVC Evidensia spokesperson said: "We have no current plans to approach anyone we haven’t previously contacted on this matter, but of course, we reserve the rights available to the company, as trademark holder, to protect our trademarks and customers in the future, as in any sector."
"A material number of those previously infringing our trademark have now updated their branding.
"Anyone still in breach was given clear notification, so the position is unambiguous - they are required to update."
The Pet Health Club website does not currently state that the scheme is owned by IVC Evidensia.
www.wearespartacus.co.uk
Although the regulator says the changes should impose only limited administrative costs, VetSurgeon.org estimates that implementation may still run to several thousand pounds for some practices.
Under the reforms, practices will need to:
In total, the CMA package introduces more than a dozen new operational requirements for veterinary practices.
Practices will also have to pay a new levy to the RCVS to fund its expanded role running the price comparison service, estimated at £450-£550 annually, after a £150-£250 setup charge.
Once the Order is made — currently expected in September 2026 — most of the transparency measures will need to be implemented within three months by larger veterinary groups and six months by smaller practices.
More operational changes, such as written estimates, itemised billing and the new prescription rules, follow later, with smaller practices typically given up to 12 months to comply.
The final stage will see practices submitting data to the RCVS for its upgraded Find a Vet comparison platform once the system has been built.
Prescription fees will be capped at £21 for the first medicine prescribed in a consultation and £12.50 for each additional medicine, with both figures rising annually in line with CPI, and practices will need to assess the impact on their business model.
Sarah says that while some patients do benefit from seeing multidisciplinary hospital teams, many are easily managed in practice and benefit from local care.
Oncotails offers early intervention at the time of diagnosis, either with advice for the GP or an owner consultation to discuss treatment options and likely prognosis, and to answer those difficult questions.
This, says Sarah, frees up time for the local vet who keeps management of the case but with the expert guidance of a specialist.
https://www.oncotails.com
The CertAVN was introduced in 2019 as a modular, more flexible postgraduate route for veterinary nurses, replacing the Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (DipAVN).
The RCVS says the update includes a new programme standard focused on creating a positive learning culture.
Julie Dugmore, RCVS director of veterinary nursing, said the standard is intended to ensure providers foster “inclusive, reflective and student-centred learning environments”, and that it strengthens expectations around academic support, how the qualification should advance knowledge, and the need for institutions to take student wellbeing into account.
For course providers, the changes signal clearer expectations not just around content and outcomes, but around the support structures and learning environment wrapped around the programme. For veterinary nurses considering the CertAVN, the framework highlights what providers are expected to put in place around academic support and student experience.
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/certavn
The branding will sit alongside existing practice names, appearing on signage, uniforms, client materials and digital channels.
Lime Trees Vets in Stoke-on-Trent is the first site to adopt the identity, with further practices transitioning in phases through the year.
IVC Evidensia says the move is intended to bring its first-opinion, referral, farm and equine services together under a single banner, reflecting the scale of its UK network and communicating its core values simply, whilst preserving local clinical independence.
George Dymond, CEO of IVC Evidensia UK and Ireland, said the aim is to make it clearer how practices within the group are connected while retaining their local presence.
Website updates, client campaigns and social media channels will be updated as the rollout progresses.
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
The survey of 2,256 horse owners examined current EHV vaccination rates, owner understanding of the disease, and perceived barriers to uptake.
While 95% of respondents reported vaccinating for influenza and tetanus, only 17% said they vaccinate for EHV despite 86% believing vaccination significantly reduces disease spread.
The most commonly cited reason for not vaccinating against EHV was that their vet had not recommended it, reported by 65% of respondents.
40% said they were unaware that a vaccine was available.
Although 98% recognised equine gatherings as a risk factor for EHV transmission, more than a quarter did not fully understand how the virus spreads or the risks posed to their horse.
75% reported frequently taking horses off their home premises.
94% understood that nose-to-nose contact could transmit the virus.
However, one in four did not know EHV could also spread via airborne droplets, shared equipment, handlers or bedding.
78% of owners not currently vaccinating said they would be likely to do so after learning more about the potential impact of the disease.
Zoetis National Equine Veterinary Manager Dr Wendy Talbot said the findings reinforced the influence of veterinary recommendation in reducing the risk of EHV outbreaks.
Meghan Conroy RVN and Lauren Hargrave RVN will take up their three-year terms at the RCVS Annual General Meeting on Friday 3 July 2026.
The RCVS has published both candidates’ biographies and statements.
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/who-we-are/vn-council/vn-council-elections-2
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 clinic sits within the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals’ Nephrology and Urology service and will monitor dogs during the three months after an AKI episode, when ongoing complications such as high blood pressure can emerge.
Access is via referral from the patient’s primary care veterinary practice.
Ahead of each appointment, owners complete a pre-appointment questionnaire about the dog’s wellbeing at home.
Patients then receive a clinical re-examination with the Nephrology and Urology team, with support from Emergency and Critical Care specialists.
Monitoring includes blood and urine testing and blood pressure measurement, with ultrasound considered depending on discussion at the appointment.
Owners attending the clinic can opt into a longitudinal research study looking at longer-term outcomes after AKI.
Professor Rosanne Jepson, Professor in Small Animal Nephrology and Internal Medicine at the RVC, said: “We hope that clients who are keen to attend this clinic will be willing to also participate in a study so that we can keep in touch with owners and dogs that have been treated for AKI, monitoring their clinical response and also quality of life, so that in the future we can better understand and continually give the very best care in this important recovery period.”
https://rvc.uk.com/renal-clinic
Dates and venues are:
Each event provides six hours of interactive CPD designed for the whole veterinary team.
The sessions will be led by QI speakers Lou Northway RVN, Julie Gibson MRCVS and Rachel Clay MRCVS.
RCVS Knowledge said the expanded in-person programme is intended to make hands-on quality improvement support more accessible across regions.
Content will cover applying QI principles to real workplace projects, building systems that learn from errors, and approaches including clinical audit and significant event analysis, with peer discussion across practices.
RCVS Knowledge Clinical Lead Lou Northway said: “It’s time to put ‘we’ve always done it this way’ in the bin and embrace a ‘could it be better?’ mindset.”
London tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/qi-in-a-day-london-tickets-1976907557722 Bristol tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/qi-in-a-day-bristol-tickets-1980388235523 Newcastle tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/qi-in-a-day-newcastle-tickets-1980388352874
The main note of caution came from the RCVS, which said it had concerns about proposals around publishing anti-parasitic medicine prices and about recommended changes to the College’s governance structure.
The Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) also warned the package would bring significant operational and commercial consequences for practices, echoing an earlier VetSurgeon.org analysis that suggested implementation could cost some practices several thousand pounds.
Elsewhere, the BVA, BVNA and BSAVA all backed the measures proposed by the CMA, and the PDSA welcomed the exemption for charities.
However, whilst greater transparency is undoubtedly a good thing, there are reasons to doubt how much difference some of the CMA’s measures will make in practice.
A price comparison website may make fees for commoditised services easier to compare, but it cannot capture the qualities that many owners actually choose a vet for: judgement, experience, bedside manner and clinical philosophy.
A tool that judges veterinary services primarily on price risks devaluing precisely those aspects of care.
The bigger difficulty is that the reforms focus mainly on transparency, not on the other underlying drivers of cost.
Veterinary medicine has become steadily more sophisticated and expensive, shaped by scientific progress, vets’ understandable desire to do the best possible for the patient in front of them, regulatory expectations, pet insurance, commercial pressures, and society’s changing tolerance of risk.
Until the profession is willing to confront the question of whether modern veterinary medicine is too often presenting clients with levels of investigation and treatment that they cannot afford, or that cost more than they believe it is right to spend on a pet animal, transparency measures alone will not make the controversy disappear.
Without addressing that deeper issue, the negative headlines are unlikely to go away.