BSAVA Companion - 2016, 12, December

Animal Welfare Coalition, volunteering opportunities, income protection offer, and more.

A group of researchers are constructing a precision tool that will be used to shape the future health of the UK dog population. That team is made up of geneticists rather than engineers, and the technology they are developing will help them identify the genes responsible for inherited diseases in pedigree breeds. Dr Cathryn Mellersh, head of canine genetics at the Animal Health Trust, told John Bonner how it works.

Dogs with early signs of mitral valve disease can live longer, healthier lives if treated early with the standard cardiac drug, pimobendan, according to a multinational clinical trial. But could the same drug also help those patients’ best friends when they are affected by the equivalent condition? John Bonner talked to one of the leaders of the study, Professor Adrian Boswood of the Royal Veterinary College.

It’s never been easier for those working in general practice to submit papers to the Journal of Small Animal Practice (JSAP). The Editor, Nick Jeffery, has an open invitation for contributions with your name on it. Andy Rea reports.

In a joint article, the RCVS and the Veterinary Client Mediation Service explain how mediation and collaboration are at the heart of their new alternative dispute resolution trial.

In 2017 we are very excited to be launching new wet lab sessions being held at the Birmingham Medical School. These new CPD opportunities join our fantastic range of practical and small group sessions designed to involve and inspire you in April.

Practitioners should not always trust the evidence of their own eyes when examining a patient – they must also take account of the information provided by their other senses, BSAVA members will hear at Congress.

Mission Rabies has an aim – to eliminate rabies from the world by 2030 and this October the team got one step closer to making this a reality, with their annual intensive dog vaccination drive in Goa. Frédéric Lohr, Global Operations Officer, describes how a team of international volunteers joined the project in the Bardez region and succeeded in vaccinating 11,185 dogs.

Rebecca George reports on the latest WSAVA Congress.

Judy Puddifoot was born and raised in Hertfordshire. By her own admission she was a late developer academically, having left school at 16. But driven by a deep desire to become a vet, she eventually achieved her goal.

News and events from the BSAVA’s regions.

A calendar of forthcoming central and regional CPD events December 2016–March 2017.

Yvonne McGrotty from Vet Specialist Services Ltd presents notes on SDMA.