Congress Times
“We're all evolving – the association’s evolving, the profession is evolving – and sometimes you feel like you’re hanging on to the coattails of change because it happens so fast in these recent times. But we’re determined, as an association, that we’re going to be at the forefront of what’s going on with the veterinary profession.”
3 mins“Our content is very much focused towards the experience of the live, present delegate rather than a virtual experience… experience from last year was very much that the panel sessions were extremely well received, and they were such a positive yet reflective type of learning – and to really get the most out of those, that’s a face-to-face event.”
The digital version of BSAVA Congress Times includes podcast discussions and clinical webinars ahead of this year’s event, which returns to Manchester Central from 23-25 March.
Ahead of her lecture in the preventive health care stream at BSAVA Congress, Georgia Woods-Lee describes the profession’s role in ensuring companion animals are fed correctly while growing, as adults and at the senior stage, and how making appropriate suggestions at the right times is vital for maintaining owner engagement…
Ahead of her lecture in the urinary surgery stream at BSAVA Congress, Rosanne Jepson describes the types of stones commonly found in the upper and lower feline urinary tracts, as well as clinical presentations, diagnostic options and medical management…
Chickens are being increasingly kept as pets – and with it comes the likelihood of presentations in practice. Henrietta Kodilinye‑Sims addresses some of the challenges – from identifying clinical signs to responsible prescribing in line with legislative requirements – as well as tips for nursing care plans…
BVA past‑president Robin Hargreaves discusses the impact of the cost of living crisis and how he thinks the veeterinary profession will find imaginative solutions to the challenge…
Ahead of BCVA Congress, we catch up with Colin Mason and Elizabeth Berry to discuss objectives, new initiatives and this year’s event.
Ahead of BCVA Congress, we catch up with Fiona Lovatt to discuss progress with the Farm Vet Champions project, which launched last year.
Georgina Sharman describes the steps veterinary teams can take – both as a practice and as professionals – to reduce risk, as well as how to get ready for basic and more advanced cases…
Lucy Grieve discusses the impact of this “taboo subject” on the UK equine population, as well as how vets can empower owners of overweight horses to make achievable changes.
Congress Times editor Tom Jackson speaks to the BSAVA president ahead of the association’s first congress in Manchester from 24 to 26 March 2022. The event is also being held online.
BSAVA vice president Alison Speakman joins Congress Times editor Tom Jackson to discuss her aims and ambitions for the presidency she inherits in May 2022, as well as her journey with the BSAVA.
Sean Wensley discusses the success of the BVA animal welfare strategy and considers how it may develop further over the next five years.
Anne McBride discusses ways VNs can encourage owners to provide a good quality of life for senior pets by explaining how age is a physical state, but being old is a state of mind.
Jay Tunstall is working with Dai Grove White, Helen Mary Higgins, Joanne Oultram and Karin Mueller at the University of Liverpool to establish a baseline of evidence regarding this issue. Here, Jay discusses how it will help vets support their clients.
Mark Senior shares his thoughts on the challenges presented by these patients, and discusses how these can be mitigated to improve anaesthetic-related outcomes.
Looking at various studies and types of surgical attire through history, Claire Roberts discusses its efficacy in reducing surgical site infections.
Ron Ofri discusses the causes of this eye condition and their clinical implications – as well as diagnosis methods, the aims of treatment and indications for surgical intervention.
Patrick Pollock discusses how advances in imaging and overground endoscopy have improved the understanding of this issue, and how more efficacious therapies have enhanced horse welfare.
Luca Ferasin outlines how the diagnostic approach to this common complaint can be complicated by inaccurate interpretations and tackles the controversies of clinical management.
Emma Goodman Milne – well known for her appearances on BBC1’s Vets in Practice – is the BVNA Congress keynote speaker. She talks to Congress Times about how the profession has changed since the programme, the role of VNs in practice, the importance of work-life balance, and her series of children’s books.
Jamie Robertson discusses methods of monitoring this essential nutrient at farm level – and interpreting sample results – and offers guidance on how to sort issues.
The components used in orthopaedics – including plates, screws, pins, wires, washers, bolts and clamps – are similar to those found in Meccano kits. Alison Young explores those similarities by discussing the implants used in small animal patients.
Amy Newfield details the latest studies and the importance of best practice in this ever-evolving field of veterinary medicine, by defining the facts among the fiction.
Andy Fiske-Jackson discusses whether equine practitioners are able to subjectively assess horses that present with "sore backs" by looking into various assessments of pain.
Several drugs are available for managing psychiatric disorders in small animals. Sagi Denenberg discusses why knowledge of these drugs – including applications, pharmacokinetics and side effects – is paramount when treating patients.
David Sargan provides a detailed picture of what is known about the health and welfare of these dogs – looking at the general health of breeds, whether better individuals exist and how these can be recognised.
With research suggesting many vets are concerned with clients’ use of the internet for their pet’s health care needs, Louise Buckley ponders whether engagement with their search interests would strengthen vet-owner relationships.
We all know social media is a necessary evil of modern veterinary practice. However, as Julia Bramble spotlights, it can be used as a powerful, bottom line-boosting tool…
Zoe Belshaw takes an evidence-based look at these consults, unwrapping their complex and multi-layered nature...
An often poorly understood and cared for species, Matthew Rendle spotlights the key steps VNs and vets can take to help when presented with a rabbit in need of urgent help…
Stephanie Hedges helps RVNs navigate the world of pet behaviour – from its importance and how to get involved, to how influential the vet nurse is in the field.
Developing a social media strategy is fundamental for your practice's ability to communicate with existing clients. However, as Justin Phillips states, it is also vital in attracting new pet owners and differentiating yourself from the others in town...
Should care bundles replace nursing care plans in veterinary practice? Helen Ballantyne looks at a tool widely used in human nursing and discusses the potential benefits.
The global nature of the equine industry makes it vital to consider the constant risk of notifiable exotic diseases. Josh Slater lists those relevant to the UK and emphasises the importance of awareness and risk-based biosecurity.
Difficult calvings are common events for farm animal vets and are rarely straightforward. However, as Paul Wood explains, they can be a good way for new vets to gain clients’ respect.
Sarah Heath looks at the emotional motivation for dog bites and explains the profession’s role in improving understanding of canine mental health.
James Russell explores the challenges of addressing immunosuppression by reviewing a project at one farm to improve transition cow management.
Better knowledge of supplements can help vets strengthen relationships with farmers. Peter Bone explains how these skills can also be used to create monitoring plans to boost herd production and productivity.
Congress Times editor Rebecca Hubbard talks to Send A Cow's Ritchie Alford about the charity's mission of sending cows to Africa, and how cattle vets can get involved.
The ability to perform basic mathematical calculations is a vital skill for all veterinary nurses. Megan Brashear looks at the basics of performing medical calculations to prepare readers to learn more advanced mathematics.
Beginning with the end in mind is a vital skill to set targets and measure success. Libby Sheridan discusses the benefits of planning nurse clinics using this approach.
Ophthalmic patients have some unique and, often, challenging nursing needs in first opinion practice. Tina Presnail demonstrates this using case studies of patients presenting with fragile eyes.
With much debate about the under-representation of women in leadership roles, Sarah Page-Jones discusses how a gender-neutral approach could be more accessible for female leaders.
Septic peritonitis is life-threatening if intervention is not rapid. Here, Andrew Linklater explains how guidelines from a human medicine campaign can help direct patient management.
Olivier Taeymans looks at the similarities and differences between the two techniques – and explains why both are needed in a state-of-the-art imaging department.
Daniela Murgia outlines the indications of a splenic issue in companion animals, precautions to take before and after removal, and potential side effects.
While disorders of parrots' endocrine systems are rare, Yvonne van Zeeland insists the principles of diagnosis and treatment in mammals are a good starting point in suspected cases.
Kenichiro Yagi explains why the ability to recognise abnormalities during a blood transfusion – using knowledge of both the clinical signs of complications and appropriate interventions – is vital for a positive outcome.
Distal limb wound healing in horses is well known for being problematic, prolonged and expensive. Sarah Boys Smith considers two simple graft techniques achievable in standing, sedated patients.
Common diseases are common, but, as Gayle Hallowell explains, "zebra"-type cardiac conditions do occur – and can be diagnosed using a care-based approach.
Despite the introduction of advanced endodontic procedures to equine dentistry, extraction of severely diseased teeth is still appropriate and essential – and Tim Barnett says it will likely remain so.