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Winners announced for Veterinary Evidence Student Awards 2023
Rebecca Hearne has been awarded first place.
A University of Surrey student takes the top prize.

RCVS Knowledge has announced the winners of its Veterinary Evidence Student Awards 2023.

The award recognises students who have demonstrated academic and research skills by submitting a Knowledge Summary to RCVS Knowledge’s journal Veterinary Evidence.

Students are asked to produce a Knowledge Summary, using evidence to answer a focused and specific research question, to the open access, peer-reviewed journal. All submissions are considered for publication, with the top three receiving awards.

The 2023 top prize has been awarded to Rebecca Hearne, a University of Surrey student, for her academic study into the use of prazosin for treating urethral obstruction in male cats.

Speaking about her win, Rebecca Hearne said: “During my time in practice I had experienced mixed opinions from practitioners of the use of prazosin in preventing recurrent urethral obstruction in male cats. I challenged myself to go through the publication process. 

“It is rewarding knowing I have been able to contribute to the available evidence base and influence clinical decisions.”

University of Sydney student Rachel Garrett took second place, for her Knowledge Summary into the treatment of feline immunodeficiency virus. She said: “I wanted to challenge myself to produce a Knowledge Summary of high quality which could make a meaningful contribution to the veterinary industry's evidence base.”

Ebony Crump, from Murdoch University in Perth, was awarded third place for her entry, ‘Effectiveness of F3 feline facial pheromone analogue for acute stress reduction within clinical veterinary practice’.

RCVS Knowledge chief executive officer Katie Mantell said: “I’d like to congratulate all the award winners whose papers have helped to grow the evidence base in the treatment of cats. It’s fantastic to see so many students contributing to evidence-based veterinary medicine and I hope it’s something they’ll continue to do throughout their careers.

“If you’re an undergraduate student and have an interest in improving your research skills, I’d urge you to write a Knowledge Summary and submit it now for next year’s awards.” 

Entries for the Veterinary Evidence Student Awards 2025 will be open from February 2024, with prizes of up to £200 for first, second and third place.

Images © RCVS Knowledge

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.