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Demand for course leads to a double in capacity
Image: Dr Frances Barr
BSAVA make contingency plans for course

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association's (BSAVA) Surgery and Medicine Certificate course has "sold out" in record time for a second year running.

As a result, the BSAVA has arranged to run a second intake of 60 students from January; 30 for the medicine programme and 30 for the surgery programme.

As a result, there will be two identical courses running alongside each other, allowing for double the capacity, without losing its quality of provision and personal support to students.

The BSAVA made records last year when its brand new Surgery and Medicine Certificate sold out within 20 minutes of opening up for registration; however, the course sold out in just five minutes this year.

Dr Frances Barr, BSAVA’s Academic Director, said: "Whilst we had only envisioned taking 30 new students onto each course this year, it quickly became clear that there is such a great appetite for this kind of accredited CPD in the profession right now… So we are effectively going to run each programme twice in one year."

The second programme will take place at two sites; BSAVA HQ in Gloucester and the College of Animal Welfare in Huntingdon. Click here for more information.

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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.