James Westgate

James WestgateJames Westgate graduated from Greenwich University in 1997 and, after testing the water in a number of different jobs, made his first tentative steps into journalism six years later.
After working as a reporter for the Coalville Times, Stamford Mercury and Peterborough Evening Telegraph James found his niche with Veterinary Business Development in 2012. Starting as a reporter on Veterinary Times, he is now the editor of Vet Times and VBJ.
Tel: 01733 383547  •  email: jameswestgate@vbd.co.uk

January 2025

Yellowstone actor Kevin Costner delivered the opening address at VMX 25, with almost 30,000 veterinary professionals travelling from the around the globe for the four-day event in Florida. 

6 mins

Ian Jennings from Rowe Referrals in Bristol becomes first vet recognised by the RCVS as an advanced practitioner in veterinary neurology.

3 mins

November 2024

The research, which aims to explore how the treatment affects quality of life in dogs, is being conducted in collaboration with the University of Surrey and is funded by the Morris Animal Foundation.

5 mins

The forum was created by Webinar Vet founder Anthony Chadwick who has announced the fourth edition will be held in Montpellier from 11 to 13 June 2025.

5 mins

The research has been approved by the RCVS ethics review panel and has been launched to reveal the impact of outside influences on the clinical advice given by veterinary surgeons to clients. 

3 mins

October 2024

US company says its DNA test can provide insights into 15 distinct behavioural dispositions in dogs. 

4 mins

Initiative resulted in a 32.2% increase in routine blood pressure monitoring and a 27% rise in the prescription of medications to manage feline hypertension. 

5 mins

Company invests £1.5 million on five-consult room practice in Kidderminster, where clients will also be able to download a 24/7 app offering advice from qualified vets.

4 mins

CVS income has risen by almost 10% during the past 12 months with the company generating revenues of more than £647 million.

7 mins

September 2024

More than 300 delegates attended the event featuring two days of business focused CPD as well as a glittering awards ceremony and a charity raffle, which raised more than £30,000.

6 mins

A team of staff completed a gruelling 5km course featuring river swims and wall climbs to raise more than £1,000 for the charity.

3 mins

The winner of the award this year was Will Balhatchet from The George Farm Vets in Wiltshire.

7 mins

CPD on 1 October will feature experts who will take a close look at how trusts work and how they can help businesses.

3 mins

Team at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists used leeches to improve blood flow in their bid to save the tongue of eight-year-old Summer.

3 mins

Mobile Vet Referral is bringing a range of specialist-led internal medicine services direct to practices.

3 mins

Budget is king when it comes to any building project – no more so than when the project in question happens to be a new veterinary practice. The physical and regulatory complication of these buildings means informed decisions must be made at every stage if the money isn’t to run out before the doors open…

20 mins

August 2024

Remote radiology and specialist consultancy marked its 15th anniversary at its Cambridge headquarters last month.

9 mins

July 2024

Doorstep Vet in Newcastle-upon-Tyne has been proposed for the 2024 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

4 mins

New research from the RVC has shown that hippos can get airborne when moving at high speeds.

8 mins

June 2024

Creature Comforts has just opened its second site, in the capital’s St John’s Wood.

6 mins

Members of professions have until 22 July to give feedback on wide ranging proposals that include more than doubling the number of laypeople on RCVS council.

11 mins

The department at the University of Glasgow’s Small Animal Hospital is set to introduce vCreate, which can be used for research, remote diagnosis and management of epilepsy.

6 mins

Watford-based firm intent on UK and European expansion hopes to increase its current 160 branch partners with modernised model featuring more favourable exit options.

7 mins

Veterinary teams are reporting that XL bullys appear to have “more friable tissue” that “bleeds more readily”, with several of the dogs needing to go back to surgery to find the source of bleeding.

5 mins

May 2024

Burgess Pet Care’s census reveals top five reasons why keepers take their rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and gerbils to the vet.

5 mins

April 2024

The Celia Hammond Animal Trust is looking for professionals to offer help for one if its regular events in London.

4 mins

VetCompass study shows breeds including cavapoos, cockapoos, goldendoodles and cavachons have higher risk of becoming infested by ticks.

7 mins

CVS-owned The Harrogate Vet will become the first practice providing an emergency service in the town for five years when its new hospital opens in July.

5 mins

Southfields Veterinary Specialists in Basildon likely to stay shut for two weeks after staff, clients and patients were evacuated due to a blaze in a nearby building.

6 mins

Vet group refuses to confirm job cut numbers, despite speculation dozens of roles could be axed.

7 mins