The awards celebrate the commitment and hard work of staff who support veterinary nursing students, recognising their talent, skill and dedication.
They're open to anyone involved in training and educating veterinary nurses in the UK, with the winners nominated by students and fellow professionals.
CQ Director Jacqui Garrett said: “We’re delighted to celebrate the Veterinary Nurse Educator of the Year Awards once again.
"The awards are a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on the individuals who go above and beyond in training the next generation of veterinary nurses.
"I would encourage anyone who has been inspired by their tutor or colleague to submit a nomination and help us recognise their contribution to the veterinary nursing profession.”
The awards will be presented during the CQ Graduation and Awards Ceremony at Central Hall, Westminster, on Saturday, 28 March 2026, where there'll be a keynote speech from wildlife photographer and filmmaker, Gordon Buchanan.
Nominations close on Friday, 6 February.
The charity says it is facing serious financial pressures, with the cost of caring for rescued animals having increased by £17M over the last 5 years.
Meanwhile, claims for emergency treatments payments have dropped by 87% in the last two years because of a greater awareness by vets of their responsibilities under the RCVS Code in providing treatment to injured wildlife and stray animals.
Rebecca Ashman, the RSPCA’s Head Vet for Operations, Partnerships and Prevention, said: "Thanks to this, and better understanding of the role and remit of the RSPCA, we have been able to focus our charity resources on managing cases of cruelty and neglect."
She added: “The RSPCA has always worked closely with the veterinary professions and we are very grateful for the ongoing support of practices with our work.
"Colleagues will be aware that we have increasingly needed to focus on our core work of rescuing and rehabilitating neglected and cruelly treated animals, in the face of growing demand.
“We have seen the number of animals in our care grow; we are now caring for double the number of cats and dogs since the pandemic, many of whom need longer, more complex rehabilitation due to the nature of why they came into our care.
“Despite work to put the RSPCA on a more sustainable footing, between 2020 and 2024, the annual cost of rescuing and caring for animals has gone up by £17m, due to rising energy prices, veterinary costs, the increased need to pay for private boarding and the increase in the number of animals in our care.
"Alongside this, unforeseen costs such as the hike in national insurance, high inflation, rising fuel and increase in the cost of living, means it is a challenging climate for all charities, putting us under pressure at a time when donations are slowing across the sector.”
The RSPCA says it will continue to allocate log numbers for IET until the end of 2025 and vets have until the end of January 2026 to make any requests for payment in the usual way.
Vidas Equine Insulin provides insulin levels in approximately 20 minutes, which the company says will help with the diagnosis and management of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), commonly associated with insulin dysregulation in horses.
Vidas Equine ACTH provides dysregulation level testing of the adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) hormone related to the development of Equine Cushing’s Disease (aka Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction - PPID) in about 45 minutes.
Pierre Rouppert, Global Veterinary Product Manager at bioMérieux, said: “Our new endocrinology tests, because of their rapidity and ease of use, will bring clinical value for veterinary practices, directly at the Point of Care.
"Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Cushing’s Disease are chronic conditions that often evade detection in their initial stages, making early testing crucial in achieving proper management and animal care.”
David Smart, Global Veterinary Business Developer at bioMérieux, said: “This dedicated equine immunoassay test for insulin and ACTH represents a transformative step forward in animal care.
"Veterinary practitioners will be able to achieve fast, reliable and cost-effective laboratory grade results that can aid early detection and subsequent diagnosis for two prolific and debilitating medical conditions in horses.
"The fast and accurate results from these two new tests will allow quicker clinical decisions that will ultimately help more horses receive an improved standard of care and reassure horse owners.”
https://www.biomerieux.com/corp/en/our-offer/clinical-products/vidas-equine-insulin.html
The College says the findings address evidence gaps from previous research and highlight the importance of routine veterinary otoscopic ear checks.
Although previous research has suggested that lop-eared rabbits may be more susceptible, the researchers say it relied on small samples and retrospective clinical records or owner reports.
For this study, RVC Rabbit Welfare Research Assistants, Maria Jackson RVN and Michaela Betts MRCVS, examined 435 pedigree rabbits volunteered by British Rabbit Council (BRC) breeders.
Between October 2023 and February 2024, the team travelled to BRC shows and breeding studs to record each rabbit’s ear type, head shape, estimated adult bodyweight, age and other features before performing a structured otoscopic examination in which the outer ear, the diverticulum and the full length of the external ear canal were checked for signs of inflammation, narrowing, discharge or crusting.
By combining these observations with multivariable statistics, the team was able to compare ear health across 49 breeds and identify which conformations were most strongly associated with specific ear abnormalities.
The results showed that ear shape plays a central role in predisposing rabbits to hidden ear disease.
Lop-eared rabbits were more likely to show 9 of the 11 abnormalities assessed, including ear canal narrowing, abnormal colour, flaky and wet discharge, behavioural reactivity to ear examination, dermatological changes to the pinna and crusts in the diverticulum.
The shape of a rabbit’s head was also associated with the types of ear problems they were likely to develop, but not in a consistent manner.
Brachycephalic rabbits had narrower ear canals, while dolichocephalic rabbits were more likely to have crusts in the diverticulum.
Body size mattered too, with heavier rabbits more likely to show problems such as redness, narrowing, flaky discharge and traumatic pinna changes, as well as stronger behavioural reactions during examination.
Other physical and signalment factors showed mixed results, highlighting the complexity of ear health across breeds.
Maria said: “Our findings have once again shown that rabbits with lop ears are more likely to develop ear problems – specifically, signs of otitis externa – than rabbits with upright ears."
Dr Charlotte Burn, Associate Professor in Animal Welfare and Behaviour Science at the RVC, and senior author on the paper, said: “This is the first study to have directly and systematically examined rabbit ears outside a clinical context, and it confirms that the seemingly endearing shape of lop rabbits’ ears really do risk deeper ear disorders.
"Alongside the physical changes we observed, we documented rabbit behaviour, such as avoidance, shaking their heads and scratching at their ears, and found that the lop-eared rabbits reacted significantly more to having their ears examined than rabbits with ‘up’ ears.
"To me, this indicates that their ears were not only physically affected, but they also hurt more, highlighting the animal welfare burden of this hidden problem.”
References
The new law allows the Government to:
require that the owner travels with the pets, or within 5 days of the pets arriving.
Danny said: “As a vet, I've treated many dogs with cruelly cropped ears or docked tails, leaving them physically scarred and emotionally traumatised.
"Knowing this Bill will help us put a stop to this abuse and have a bigger impact on animal welfare than I could possibly have achieved in a lifetime treating individual animals, demonstrates how important this legislation will prove to be.
"Thanks to the support of organisations like the BVA and other animal welfare nonprofits, we got the Animal Welfare Bill through the Commons, through the Lords, and today passed into law."
The webinar will be presented by Jenny Helm Cert SAM Dip ECVIM-CA FHEA MRCVS EBVS and RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Medicine.
Jenny will explain the latest knowledge about lungworm in dogs, including an update on prevalence, clinical case management and treatment and prevention options.
Louise Longstaff, National Veterinary Manager at Zoetis said: “Jenny will not only cover some of the challenges with diagnosing lungworm but will also discuss the latest prevention strategies including the use of Simparica Trio."
https://cloud.mc.zoetis.com/LungWormWebinar2025
The service, which is called 'The Inside Series', analyses recorded communications to show teams which behaviours they use consistently and what adjustments can be made to build trust, transparency and clarity.
The series comprises of three different analyses practices can choose from:
Rebecca said: “Veterinary teams work incredibly hard to communicate well, but so much of what truly shapes a client’s understanding happens in the small details that usually go unnoticed.
“The Inside Series makes those details visible.
"When teams can finally see how and why their conversations land in real life, the learning is immediate, practical and transformative.”
http://www.inside-minds.com
This year, there were over 41,000 nominations for the five awards which were set up 26 years ago to recognise the nation’s most outstanding veterinary professionals.
The other four winners were:
Vet of the Year: Claire Phillips, Wright & Moreton, Cheshire
Practice of the Year: Coastal Veterinary Group, King’s Lynn
Practice Support Staff of the Year: Hannah Reid, Westport Veterinary Clinic, South Queensferry
Practice Manager of the Year: Fiona Leathers, Westport Veterinary Clinic, South Queensferry
Joanna Maclennan, Director of Trading at Petplan said: “A highlight in our calendar, last night was an evening of celebration of the incredible work that goes on in veterinary practices on a daily basis."
The new study will examine the genetic changes that occur in osteosarcoma tumours.
By understanding which genes drive the disease, researchers hope to identify biomarkers – genetic clues that could help diagnose the cancer earlier, predict prognosis for individual patients, and ultimately lead to new treatment options.
The study is looking for dogs with a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of osteosarcoma, whose treatment plan includes surgical removal of the tumour at the QVSH.
With the owner’s permission, tissue samples will be collected from the amputated limb after surgery, as well as from nearby healthy tissue for comparison.
The researchers say participation involves no additional procedures, discomfort, or hospital visits for dogs, and there is no cost to owners for the research elements of the study.
Dr Louise Van Der Weyden, study co-lead at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said: “Our new study aims to apply genomic sequencing techniques, which have benefited humans, to canine osteosarcoma to uncover what drives these bone tumours and gain a deeper understanding of why they happen.
"We hope that by doing so, we can pave the way for the development of potential biomarkers to help early diagnosis and possibly provide future treatment options for dogs who currently have no cure.”
https://www.hospital.vet.cam.ac.uk/news/new-research-improve-diagnosis-and-treatment-canine-osteosarcoma
oncology@vet.cam.ac.uk
Camilla, who was shortlisted as a finalist for Innovator of the Year at the 2025 Digital Women Awards, says her mission has always been to give first-opinion vets the tools and confidence to get the most from ultrasound in everyday practice – and the new tool is a big step forward in that vision.
The tool:
Camilla says the final report is fully editable, but much of the “heavy lifting” is done — saving time, reducing second-guessing, and producing reports that are more useful for colleagues, clients, and patient care.
https://www.fovu.co.uk/
https://www.fovu.co.uk/fovu-report-video
The research surveyed 647 UK-based employees of CVS’ companion animal practices between December 2022 and March 2023.
Participants included veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, patient care assistants, receptionists and administrative staff.
The survey explored injury prevalence, the context in which injuries occurred, and the behaviours of injured persons.
Over 77% of respondents reported experiencing a work-related injury at any point during their career.
Injury rates were highest among veterinary nurses (60.2% injured in the last year), followed by veterinary surgeons (58.3%).
Most injuries occurred in clinical areas such as consulting rooms, prep areas, and wards.
Unsurprisingly, animal-related injuries were the most common, particularly involving cats and dogs during restraint or clinical procedures.
However, a significant number of injuries to receptionists and administrators also involved restraining animals, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of these roles.
Clinical examinations were the most common activity occurring at the point of injury for vets.
Another common situation for vet and nurse injuries were when animals were recovering from anaesthesia.
Nearly 10% of all injuries in the study were needlestick-related, often linked to handling practices.
The study also uncovered a strong culture of presenteeism, where staff continue to work despite injury, often due to fear of letting colleagues down or their dedication to their patients.
Between 16 and 23% of staff attended hospital for their most recent injury and more than 25% needed more than seven days to recover from their injury.
Despite this fewer than 14% of respondents took more than seven days off work.
When outlining reasons for the injury occurring, particularly during animal restraint, participants attributed their injury on a colleague’s actions or a miscommunication.
Around half of respondents said they would not change their behaviour if faced with the same situation again, even after being injured.
Thematic analysis revealed a weak safety culture, particularly among veterinary surgeons, who were the least likely to report injuries.
Many viewed injuries as inevitable or not worth reporting.
Dr. Tulloch said: “This research highlights the everyday risks faced by veterinary professionals, particularly those in companion animal practice.
"While many injuries are accepted as part of the job, our findings show that many are preventable with the right training, equipment, and safety culture.
“Our study calls for a shift toward a positive safety culture, built on open reporting, shared responsibility, and reflective learning.
"It highlights the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas such as animal restraint, anaesthetic recovery, and sharps handling.
“Achieving this safety culture shift requires strong organisational leadership across the profession and a commitment to fostering a work environment where all staff feel they speak openly and take accountability for workplace safety.”
Imogen Schofield, Director of Clinical Research at CVS, said: "As a result of the research, CVS has set up a working group looking at how we can reduce the top causes of accidents and improve the under-reporting figure.
"We are also looking at how we can use information held within our practice management system to understand more fully rates of accident per consult numbers or numbers of needlestick injuries per injections given.”
CVS says the full findings of the research will be shared with the wider veterinary community in due course, to support industry-wide improvements in occupational health and safety.
The research took the form of a voluntary survey asking those voluntarily leaving their registers to explain why.
202 veterinary nurses took part.
The vast majority were white females under the age of 50.
34% had been registered for between 15 and 19 years.
31% had been registered for between five and nine years.
54% said they were leaving to work in an altogether different field.
12% planned to retire.
The College says the free text responses were dominated by comments about financial stress.
Vicki Bolton, RCVS Research Manager, said: “Thank you to all those veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses who responded to these exit surveys.
"This data is invaluable to us in understanding the reasons why people choose to leave the RCVS Registers.
“The reasons given don’t always make for easy reading, especially when they are to do with dissatisfaction over the direction the professions are taking, physical and mental health and wellbeing, financial pressures and concerns about regulation and its costs.
“However, it is important to remember that, overall, relatively few veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses leave the professions each year.
"There is no mass exodus from the professions and the numbers joining the UK Register annually well exceed those leaving, as demonstrated by consistent year-on-year increases in the number of veterinary surgeon and veterinary nurse registrants.
“That being said, these results will form an invaluable part of our ongoing work on veterinary workforce and gives the RCVS food for thought about how and where we can better support veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to stay in the professions rather than leave prematurely.”
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/our-consultations/exit-survey-2022-2024
Animalcare says that failing to attend to dental care at home results in 9 out of 10 dogs needing advanced dental treatment or procedures at the vets.
Plaqtiv dental sticks are designed to complement dental care by helping reduce plaque and tartar build-up and freshen breath in a tasty, once-daily treat.
Animalcare says the five-point star shape helps target hard-to-reach areas and the length and width of each stick means that teeth can be reached front to back and top to bottom during chewing.
In addition, the active algae ingredient contained within each stick is scientifically proven to help prevent plaque and the inclusion of zinc helps freshen breath.
Rachel Smithson, Country Manager at Animalcare, said: "The addition of the Dental Sticks to the Plaqtiv+ range gives practices and pet owners another option for maintaining oral health.
"With multiple formats now available, the Plaqtiv+ range caters to individual pet needs and owner preferences while supporting long-term home dental healthcare."
https://dental.pet
The CMA proposed that veterinary practices should be compelled to:
Most of these, along with the CMA's support for reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, have been welcomed not just by the BVA, but by the RCVS and the BVNA which also issued their responses on Friday.
The big sticking points, however, are the proposal that veterinary practices should cap prescription fees at £16, and that all practices should inform clients that they may buy medicines cheaper online.
The BVA argued that the proposed prescription price cap would be unlikely to reduce costs, and that 65% of vets who took part in its Voice of the Profession Survey said it would risk practice viability.
The proposal that vets should tell clients they can buy medicines cheaper online was more controversial, because of course two of the largest veterinary pharmacies are owned by corporate groups, and it is hard to think of any other area of business where small companies are legally required to direct customers to their corporate competitors.
BVA President Dr. Rob Williams MRCVS (pictured) said: “The measures outlined in the CMA’s provisional decision report are much more measured and proportionate compared to earlier proposals and that clearly shows they have listened to our concerns.
"As vets, we welcome the measures that increase transparency and help us to better support our clients.
"However, it’s vital that the CMA gets the detail right or it risks unintended negative consequences.
“BVA particularly welcomes the CMA backing our calls for reform of the outdated Veterinary Surgeons Act, including the need for practice regulation.
"Vets have been pressing for reform of this woefully outdated legislation for many years, and reform will go a long way to addressing many of the concerns raised throughout the CMA investigation and will help build trust with our clients.
“We do, however, have serious concerns about the medicines proposals – it is simply unreasonable to expect vet practices to actively promote online pharmacies, which are in direct competition for customers and some of which are run by large veterinary groups.
"In addition, the proposed £16 price cap for prescriptions will be ineffective and is unlikely to lead to lower vet bills for consumers.”
https://www.bva.co.uk/media/6641/bva-bsava-bvna-spvs-vmg-joint-response-to-cma-provisional-decision-report-final.pdf
The new guidelines are freely available in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (JFMS), along with new consensus guidelines for vets and a guide for caregivers.
Samantha Taylor, iCatCare Veterinary Specialist Consultant and co-author and panel chair for the guidelines said: “There have been significant developments in the treatment of feline diabetes mellitus since the publication of the 2015 ISFM diabetes guidelines.
"Experts in the disease from the USA, Netherlands, UK, Australia and Italy have collaborated on a much-needed update and the resulting 2025 iCatCare consensus guidelines are an essential information resource for vets diagnosing and treating diabetes mellitus in cats.”
https://internationalcatcare.cmail20.com/t/i-l-znwll-tykyklax-k/
Liberty (pictured) was nominated for her calm and reassuring presence and her ability to make every client feel heard and cared for.
One of her nominators said, “Liberty is the heartbeat of Poplar Vets.
"Her professionalism and empathy set the standard for our whole practice, and her calm, reassuring presence makes every client feel heard, understood and cared for.
"She has an unwavering willingness to go above and beyond, often stepping in without hesitation to keep the practice running smoothly no matter how busy or challenging the day.
"Liberty is the glue that holds our team together and a true hero in every sense of the word.”
Galedin Vets in Galashiels was awarded Reception Team of the Year.
Victoria Cuthbert nominated the reception team at Galedin, describing them as “just phenomenal.”
She explained how, despite some tough times, the team has remained dependable, positive and supportive, always looking after clients and colleagues with a smile.
One team member even gave up her own time to create a beautiful garden space outside the practice where staff can relax and unwind.
Victoria added “They keep everything running smoothly day after day and we’d be lost without them.”
Runners-up for the team award went to the Graylands Cat Clinic team in Horsham and Vets for Pets Chester Caldy.
Runners up for the individual award went to Alicia Armstrong of Vets for Pets Leeds Colton and Sue Gear of Tamar Vets, Bude.
Linda Buckle, Country Brand Manager at KRKA UK said: “Receptionists really are the hub of every practice
“They’re the friendly face clients come to know and trust and the vital link that keeps the whole practice running smoothly. It’s a demanding role that deserves more recognition and these awards are our way of saying thank you for everything they do.”
The winning entries received a trophy for their reception areas and gift vouchers to celebrate their success and hard work.
The installation is a collaboration between Vet Sustain and IVC Evidensia, supported by MSD Animal Health.
Laura Gelder-Robertson, CEO of Vet Sustain, said: “We want to show the best of what already exists within veterinary sustainability, to bring to life the business benefits for veterinary teams in a really hands-on, practical way that people can touch and feel and relate back to their everyday practice.
"This is a really positive news story where by sharing knowledge and collaborating across the profession, we can continually improve the health and wellbeing of animals, people, the environment and business.”
https://vetsustain.org/
The awards are an opportunity to acknowledged unsung heroes within the veterinary profession, celebrating those who have made significant contributions to veterinary science, research, clinical practice, education and the welfare of small animals.
The award categories are:
Nominations are welcome from both BSAVA members and non-members.
Nominations will close on 9th January 2026 and the winners will be announced in February 2026.
Adam Gow, BSAVA Honorary Secretary said: “Each year, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on individuals who have truly made a difference in our profession.
"Nominating a colleague is a meaningful way to show appreciation and celebrate the impact they’ve had, so we encourage everyone to get involved and put forward those who inspire them.”
https://www.bsava.com/awards
The bundle includes:
To be in with a chance of winning, take the Lec Medical voucher from the Vet Show voucher book to stand T64.
https://www.lec-medical.co.uk/en-gb
Brainchild of Tom Towey MRCVS, an ECC clinician, the new service allows vets to upload case details, including the level of urgency, and then browse the referral centres that can meet the need, listed by the distance to the practice or to the client and the level of expertise available (eg. Specialist / Advanced Veterinary Practitioner).
The vet then selects the ones that look interesting, presses submit, and the request is sent on their behalf.
The referral practices they've contacted can then reply with their estimate for the procedure and details of when they can see the case.
The owner is notified about each new estimate and can decide which to accept.
When they do, the referral clinic then calls the owner to make an appointment.
Tom highlights part of the Competition and Markets Authority provisional report which says:
"10.16: Our provisional view is that, in a well-functioning market, where multiple referral providers are available and clinically appropriate, we would expect pet owners to be made aware that they can choose a referral provider and to be able to access information about those providers including the nature of the treatment, the skills and experience of the referral vet, the availability of appointments, and, in many cases, the likely cost."
Tom's new service seems to fit the bill precisely.
www.rapidreferrals.co.uk
This, says the company, highlights a missed opportunity for earlier cancer detection, which in turn limits the ability of veterinary teams to improve medical outcomes for their patients.
243 veterinary professionals took part in the survey, most of whom HT Vista says were general practitioners.
On average, they reported seeing 13.5 dermal and subcutaneous masses per vet per week, less than six of which lead to a diagnosis.
HT Vista says around 15% of these lumps will be malignant.
Veterinary oncologist Gillian Dank said: “Every week, thousands of dogs leave practices with undiagnosed masses.
"While many are benign, others are malignant, and delaying diagnosis can mean lost treatment opportunities and poorer prognoses.”
The number one reason why respondents said they don't test more widely is the assumption that a mass is benign by its gross characteristics, followed by owner concerns around cost, time constraints during consultations, and limited access to in-house cytology.
Vista HT Chief Commercial Officer Asher Fink and Managing Director Liron Levy-Hirsch will be presenting “20 dogs in your waiting room with lumps and bumps – how do you spot the 3 with cancer?" at the London Vet Show on 20th November from 1–1:50pm in Exhibitor Showcase Theatre 2
https://info.ht-vet.com/lump-and-bump-survey-results
https://www.cliniciansbrief.com/continuing-education/syllabus/lesson/cracking-code-lumps-bumps-fast-efficient-diagnosis-everyday-practice
https://london.vetshow.com/conference-programme-2025/session-title-coming-soon-38
Photo: www.depositphotos.com
The procedure, called transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER), is a minimally invasive alternative to open heart surgery.
TEER is performed on a beating heart using a specially designed “V-Clamp” device which brings the mitral valve leaflets together, reducing the severity of mitral regurgitation.
The procedure is guided by real-time 3D echocardiography and performed via a small thoracotomy, typically 6–8 cm in length.
CVS, which owns Bristol Vet Specialists, says dogs undergoing TEER generally experience a rapid recovery, with most discharged within 48 hours and minimal need for intensive care.
The company says that once heart failure is diagnosed, the average survival time is between nine and 12 months, but that after TEER surgery, 95% of dogs are discharged successfully, and 85% survive for two years post surgery.
The procedure costs £12,000.
http://www.bristolvetspecialists.co.uk
Miss Davies faced four charges:
Miss Davies made no admissions to any of the charges.
Miss Davies wrote to the College prior to the hearing stating that she would not be attending and she was not represented.
The Committee found all charges bar one proved.
Charge 1a, relating to the anaesthesia increase, was found not proved due to lack of evidence.
In deciding on whether the proven facts amounted to serious professional misconduct, the Committee took into account the aggravating factor that all charges caused risk of injury to an animal or human.
There were no mitigating factors.
The Committee found that Miss Davies’ conduct indicated an unwillingness and inability to act according to the veterinary surgeons’ instructions/directions.
It noted that Miss Davies acted on at least seven occasions contrary to the instructions given or without seeking direction or authorisation, despite her position within the surgical team.
It also found that Miss Davies had breached multiple areas of the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses, including the Code obligations that veterinary nurses must make animal health and welfare their first consideration when attending to animals and that veterinary nurses must communicate with veterinary surgeons and each other to ensure the health and welfare of the animal or group of animals.
It therefore found that, with the exception of administering intermittent positive-pressure ventilation without direction or authorisation, the remaining proved facts amounted to serious professional misconduct.
The Committee then went on to consider the most appropriate and proportionate sanction.
In doing so, it took into account aggravating and mitigating factors.
Aggravating factors included that the conduct was sustained over a period of approximately eight months and took place during four separate surgical procedures, and that Miss Davies posed a risk to animals on each occasion.
The Committee considered that there were a number of mitigating factors including the fact that Miss Davies had been on the Register of Veterinary Nurses since 17 January 2006 with no previous disciplinary findings against her, positive testimonials from a colleague working with Miss Davies at the time of the incidents, and the fact that Miss Davies had expressed some remorse in a letter regarding her conduct in relation to charges 3 and 4.
Colin Childs, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee found that the charges represented a serious departure from the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses and also that there was evidence that Miss Davies had put her own interests before the health and welfare of animals either by not following the instructions of veterinary surgeons or by acting unilaterally, in relation to the administration of medicines or the placement of a catheter or feeding tube during four surgical procedures.
“Since the Committee could not assess Miss Davies’ future risk or her insight in her absence, it therefore decided that removal was the only proportionate sanction because any other sanction would not protect animals or the public in the future without those matters having been adequately assessed.
Such a sanction also met the wider public interest.
“The Committee therefore directed that the Registrar remove Miss Davies from the Register of Veterinary Nurses.”
www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary
Vikaly is indicated for the nutritional and medical management of chronic kidney disease in adult and senior cats with proteinuria, from IRIS stage 2.
The new diet delivers the same therapeutic dosage as benazepril tablets (0.5–1 mg/kg bodyweight/day).
Nutrition-wise, Vikaly is low phosphorus (0.5% as fed), has reduced protein (30% as fed), contains omega-3 fatty acids (1.2%, including 0.6% EPA & DHA) and offers high metabolisable energy (416 kcal/100g).
Virbac highlights data showing that CKD remains the leading cause of mortality in cats over five years old and affects up to 40% of feline patients over the age of ten1,2.
The company says administering daily treatment is recognised as a major issue for CKD cat owners with 45% of owners not administering treatment daily as they should and 51% of owners citing administration difficulties as the reason why3.
This new product eliminates the need to administer medication separately, which could completely transform treatment compliance, removing the risk of missed doses and reducing stress for both cats and their owners.
Virbac says that due to the pharmacokinetic profile of benazepril, which is incorporated into the kibble, at an equivalent dose Vikaly displays greater ACE inhibition than benazepril tablets4.
The rate of food consumption also does not affect plasma Benazeprilat levels, ensuring consistent treatment efficacy regardless of the cat’s feeding behaviour5.
Virbac says that in practice, this means that even if the cat being treated consumes less than 50% of their daily ration, efficacy is maintained with ACE activity similar to that of benazepril tablets.
Benazepril has a wide therapeutic margin, tolerated to 20x the minimum effective dose (10mg/kg) for 52 weeks, with the first signs of toxicity being reduced erythrocytes counts & ovary/oviduct weights6.
Virbac says that with Vikaly, these levels cannot be reached because the active ingredient is contained in food, which would require a cat to consume more than 10 times their daily ration.
Vikaly is presented in a 1.5kg bag, which equates to a 30 day supply for a 4.5kg cat with normal bodyweight.
It can be fed alongside wet food, providing that the cat consumes at least 50% of their daily ration before being given the wet food.
The daily ration can also be administered in several smaller meals throughout the day, to accommodate the individual preferences of the cat and to promote consistent food intake.
Vikaly is a prescription diet. Or 'POD', I guess.
Finalists are chosen by a panel of industry leaders on the basis that they embody the qualities that define veterinary excellence: compassion, teamwork, innovation and a relentless commitment to animal welfare.
The finalists this year are:
Vet Nurse of the Year
Vet of the Year
Practice Support Staff of the Year
Practice of the Year
The winners will be announced at the London Vet Show on Thursday 20th.
Good luck, one and all!