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WSAVA appoints new committee chairs
Ann Hohenhaus has been made chair of the WSAVA Oncology Working Group.
Four new chairs have been appointed to three committees.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has appointed four new committee chairs.

Paulo Steagall and Jo Murrell are the new co-chairs of the WSAVA Global Pain Council, which focuses on eliminating the gap between pain incidence and pain treatment.

Dr Steagall is a professor of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia at the City University of Hong Kong. Dr Murrell works in referral practice in the UK and has previously been an academic at the University of Bristol, where she studied pain mechanisms and clinical analgesic protocols in dogs, cats, and horses.  

Ann Hohenhaus has been appointed as chair of the WSAVA Oncology Working Group, which works to raise awareness of effective and accessible treatments for cancer. Dr Hohenhaus has practised oncology at a veterinary centre in New York, USA, for more than 30 years.

Jane Sykes has been made chair of the WSAVA’s Scientific Committee, which makes sure that WSAVA clinical guidance and educational material is based on the best-possible scientific evidence. Dr Sykes is a professor at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine.

The WSAVA has 12 committees in total, each focusing on an area of companion animal practice. The committees create WSAVA Global Guidelines and other educational resources.

WSAVA president Ellen van Nierop said: “Our chairs lead their committees with great dedication and ensure that the resources and continuing education they create support our goals of setting global standards of care for companion animals and campaigning for change on key issues affecting our members.

“We’re delighted to welcome our new chairs and thank them for stepping up to serve our global veterinary community.”

Image © WSAVA

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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.