The BSAVA announces Clinical Research Abstract winners for 2026
18 June 2026
The BSAVA has today (18th June) announced the winners of the Clinical Research Abstract Awards for 2026.
This year’s Clinical Research Abstracts took place at BVA Live in Birmingham, providing more than 60 authors with the opportunity to showcase their work through oral presentations and poster displays within the exhibition hall.
Spanning a diverse range of small animal veterinary topics, from preliminary study findings and innovative techniques to compelling case discussions, the two-day programme offered delegates valuable insight into the latest advances in veterinary medicine.
Outstanding Oral Abstract Presentation – Henry Cloete
Risk factors associated with the development of suspected feline injection site sarcomas identified in a sentinel network of UK primary care veterinary practices
Henry is a Small Animal Internal Medicine resident at the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital. He graduated with a BVSc from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, in 2019 and subsequently completed an MSc investigating the prevalence of tick-borne co-infections in dogs in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. With a strong interest in academia, One Health, and advancing veterinary medicine and companion animal care within the African context, Henry is committed to contributing to specialist training, research and capacity building in veterinary medicine.
“I am honoured to receive the BSAVA Clinical Abstract Award for Outstanding Oral Abstract. It is particularly rewarding to see this work recognised, as it reflects a collaborative effort between researchers, clinicians, and the veterinary practices and pet owners contributing data through SAVSNET.
“I hope these findings contribute to a better understanding of feline injection site sarcomas and help support evidence-based discussions around feline vaccination in clinical practice.”
Outstanding Poster Abstract Presentation – Emily Clark
Serum thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations help to predict azotaemia following radio-iodine treatment of hyperthyroid cats
Emily graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2023 and subsequently worked in a busy first-opinion practice in Inverness for 18 months. She then returned to the University of Glasgow to complete a rotating internship, with the goal of pursuing a residency in Internal Medicine.
“I am delighted to receive this award from the BSAVA. It is exciting to be involved in research that can help guide clinical decision-making in practice, and presenting my findings at BVA Live was a fantastic opportunity to share this work.”
Outstanding Student Abstract Presentation – Katie Ennis
Hot Cats: Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness in cats under UK emergency veterinary care during 2022 and 2023.
Katie is a final-year veterinary medicine student at the Royal Veterinary College, with a background in companion animal research following her undergraduate BioVeterinary Sciences degree. Following graduation, Katie is entering a mixed small animal and equine practice and hopes to pursue her interest in research further.
BSAVA PetSavers Clinical Research Abstract Award – Izzy Adams
Pride and Purr-judice: Perception of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) by veterinary personnel, animal shelter staff and cat owners.
Izzy is a student and feline enthusiast at the Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, set to graduate in July 2026. Their presentation is the culmination of a three-year project investigating whether perceptions and attitudes towards Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), a disease once thought to be a death sentence, have changed alongside scientific understanding. Its results reveal that veterinary personnel still overestimate FIV’s transmissibility and its impact on life expectancy.
“It was an incredible honour just to receive a BSAVA PetSavers grant and present my abstract at BVA Live. This award has redefined my expectations of my own capabilities as a veterinarian and researcher. I am beyond excited to share my project with a larger audience, and reaching this many people makes me feel that I truly can make a difference to the welfare of FIV-positive cats.”
BSAVA President Julian Hoad was one of the judges for this year. Speaking about the Clinical Research Abstracts, he said: “The standard of submissions this year was exceptionally high, reflecting the strength and diversity of clinical research taking place across the profession. The quality, enthusiasm, and innovation on display were truly inspiring, and it’s clear that these researchers are helping to drive veterinary medicine forward. A huge congratulations to all of this year’s winners and all who presented for their outstanding contributions.”