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One in six farm vets suffer injuries - survey
Eighty-one per cent of production animal vets who suffered injuries reported being kicked.
Robust health and safety procedures needed, BVA says 

Vets and farmers are being urged to develop robust health and safety procedures, after a survey revealed 61 per cent of vets working with production animals suffered injuries in a 12-month period.

Equine practice and mixed practice revealed similar results, with 65 per cent and 66 per cent injured by animals respectively.

One in five production animal vets responding to BVA’s Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey rated their injuries as either very or quite severe.

The most common injury was bruising caused by kicks, with 81 per cent of production animal vets who suffered injuries reporting this. Other injuries included crush injuries, lacerations, scratches and bites. Nearly a fifth of vets (19 per cent) had to take time off work as a result of their most severe injury.

BVA president Simon Doherty described his own experience of having to cease working in large animal practice after rupturing a spinal ligament while calving a heifer with a uterine torsion. He has also been stood on, kicked and suffered a broken arm whilst working with cattle, as well as experiencing back problems due to the physical aspects of repeated lambing and calvings.

“These figures show the serious risk of injury that production animal vets run in the course of their work, even when handling facilities are relatively good,” he said. “Animals on a farm can be large, heavy and unpredictable, and farmers and vets up and down the country have seen colleagues injured on farms and frequently unable to work as a result.”

Vets, farmers and veterinary employers are advised to reduce injuries and save lives by using health and safety assessments to minimise avoidable risks. This includes making sure facilities and restraining equipment, such as cattle crushes, pens, gates and escape routes, are safe and well-maintained.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), offers a guide, Farmwise, to give farmers practical advice on creating a safe environment for all workers. The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) also offers guidance on workplace safety for those working with equines. 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.