BSAVA Companion - 2021, 5, May

A PDF of the full May Companion

Free respiratory disease testing for backyard hens; Latest addition to the BSAVA Webinar Library; New publications catalogue; Volunteers… breaking news… breaking news…

  Sheldon Middleton was elected President of the BSAVA at its AGM in April. Like the rest of us, Sheldon hasn’t been able to get out and about much lately, so hasn’t had the chance to introduce himself to the association’s membership. So who is the latest companion animal vet to wear the BSAVA’s presidential chain and what are his plans for the next year?

 Carmen Tamayo, a member of the SAVSNET-Agile team at the University of Bristol tells us about the recent 2020 outbreak of prolific vomiting in UK dogs investigated by SAVSNET-Agile. Here we can read about the challenges faced, the lessons learned, and future SAVSNET work.

Events like the 2021 BSAVA Congress couldn’t happen without the dozens of members who give their time to help its officers and staff to plan and run the biggest small animal CPD event in the world. This year, of course, there was the additional challenge of organizing a meeting conducted entirely online. Four members of this essential support group reflect on their experiences of what they sincerely hope will be a unique event in the Association’s history.

 Vet Kate Main is a research assistant for the Generation Pup study and brings us up-to-date on the initiative so far, and lists how you and your practice can get involved.

May heralds Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month which helps create awareness of the importance of the veterinary nursing profession and of the provision of responsible pet care. To celebrate the dedicated hard work nurses put in every day we thought to highlight some BSAVA resources that support veterinary nurses of all levels, from undergraduates to experienced practitioners handling advanced cases.

Coronaspeck is what they call it in Germany – the extra centimetres that have appeared around our waistlines due to lack of exercise and increased food and alcohol consumption during lockdown. With life now showing signs of returning to normal, many vets and VNs, who are unused to enforced relaxation, will be not only looking to shed a few pounds but more importantly reduce any pent-up stress. A team of fellow veterinary professionals with plans to get the UK’s clinical workforce back into shape could be the answer!

 Sean Taylor was the first UK veterinary practitioner to enrol for the master’s degree in veterinary forensics and law, organized by the University of Florida. That training has helped inform his work as an expert witness in animal welfare cases. He is the founder of the consultancy Lockgate Animal Forensics and also works in practice in Greater Manchester.

Article abstracts from the latest issue of JSAP.

A calendar of forthcoming online events.