News

BSAVA Congress, the world’s leading small animal veterinary conference, united the profession with resounding success again this year. Packed lectures and a buzzing exhibition hall accommodated a grand total of more than 6500 delegates and enthusiastic feedback has been received from exhibitors and attendees.

The BSAVA is delighted to announce that Samantha Taylor has been appointed as the new editor of its magazine, Companion. Sam takes over in April from Simon Tappin, who has edited Companion for the past five years but whose involvement with the CPD content of the magazine goes back even further.

Dr Stephen DiBartola, Professor Emeritus at the Ohio State University, USA, is to receive the 2019 WSAVA Award for Scientific Achievement in recognition of his global contribution to small animal clinical practice, particularly in the areas of nephrology and acid-base disorders.

The government has recently announced that as of 1 April 2019, employers with an annual pay bill of less than £3 million will now only be required to contribute half the rate they previously did towards apprenticeship fees. Small (non-levy paying) employers contribute to apprenticeship fees in a ‘co-investment’ with the government in which the government will now cover 95% of the course fees.

The FECAVA newsletter brings you the latest news from across Europe.

The BSAVA Veterinary Nurse Merit Award (VNMA) in Wound Management has been launched in conjunction with the Veterinary Wound Library. It will be the seventh VNMA offered by the BSAVA. The Vet Nurse Merit Award in Wound Management is designed to develop veterinary nurses’ knowledge and skills in taking care of patients with wounds.

PetSavers' mission is to fund vital clinical research into the prevention, treatment and/or cure of illnesses and conditions affecting pets. To achieve this aim, PetSavers award grants to researchers in universities, practices and research organisations, enabling the veterinary profession to advance clinical investigations into the problems associated with pet animal medicine and surgery.

Susan Paterson, RCVS and European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology, has been appointed President of the BSAVA for 2019/2020. Qualifying from Cambridge in 1984, Sue spent some time in mixed practice in Devon before taking her Certificate and then British and European Diplomas in Veterinary Dermatology. She has been an RCVS and European Specialist for more than 20 years. She has recently been elected as a Fellow of the RCVS for meritorious contributions to clinical practice, is an elected memb...

The BSAVA convened an outstanding line-up of speakers to help navigate the unpredictable and unexpected challenges for the profession during the Big Issues stream this year’s BSAVA Congress. In a series of debates, leaders from government, industry and veterinary professional bodies tackled many political, scientific and economic challenges facing the companion animal veterinary sector.

Winners aren’t born - they are made from losers with the self-awareness to examine their own shortcomings and work hard to overcome them, BSAVA members heard at the Congress opening ceremony yesterday. Matthew Syed, author, journalist and former Olympic table tennis star, was the keynote speaker at this year’s BSAVA Congress. He highlighted the psychological and cultural factors that shape high performance in sport, science and many other fields.