FIVP, BVA and RCVS respond to CMA provisional findings

The RCVS has revealed the recipients of its 2025 mental health research grants.

Two projects evaluating reasonable adjustments for student veterinary nurses and workplace wellbeing have been awarded a share of £20,000 of funding from the RCVS Mind Matters Initiative (MMI). 

A £5,000 Discovery Grant was awarded to a project evaluating the implementation of reasonable adjustments in addressing mental health and neurodivergence for SVNs during clinical placement. 

The project is being carried out by Dr Heather Imrie MRCVS, Dr Lauren Cooke MRCVS, Dr Gregory Steele MRCVS and Nicola-Jayne Johnson RVN, at Nottingham Trent University.

Professor Elinor O’Connor from the University of Manchester, and Dr Kevin Teoh from Birkbeck, University of London, were awarded a £15,000 Impact Grant for their project researching interventions to support veterinary wellbeing in the workplace.

RCVS director for the advancement of the professions, Angharad Belcher, said: “Research has an essential role to play in creating evidence-based support, which can then go on to directly support veterinary professionals and the wider sector.

“Since 2019, through Mind Matters we’ve provided over £155,000 of funding to a wide range of veterinary mental health research projects focused on contemporary challenges and are proud to be supporting work which has tangible outcomes.”

Discovery Grant recipient, Dr Heather Imrie, said: “We are delighted and grateful to receive this grant, which will allow us to explore the challenges of mental health and neurodivergence faced by student veterinary nurses in their clinical placements.

“As a pro-active educational institution, with many years’ experience of training student veterinary nurses, we at Nottingham Trent University plan to shine broader light on this under-represented but essential group within the veterinary community.”

Impact Grant recipient Professor Elinor O’Connor, added: “Our project will develop evidence-based, practical guidance for veterinary workplaces on identifying and implementing effective interventions to support staff wellbeing. In particular, the focus will be on interventions that address systemic sources of stress, such as workload, rather than interventions that rely largely – or solely – on individual coping skills. 

“This shift in approach has the potential to foster healthier workplace cultures, reduce burnout, and enhance staff engagement and retention in the veterinary sector.”

Image (C) © fizkes/Shutterstock.com

New vaccine has the potential to protect animals and prevent transmission. 

The Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA) has confirmed a third phase of field trials for a cattle vaccine and companion skin test for bovine tuberculosis (bTB). 

The trials, which are taking place on commercial livestock farms across the Low-Risk Area in England and the Low TB Area in Wales, are scheduled for completion in 2026. 

Phase one and two successfully demonstrated that BCG and its companion Detect Infected among Vaccinated animals (DIVA) skin test are safe to use. The third phase of the trials will gather further data on the performance of the DIVA test and explore options for optimisation. 

UK chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, added: “The UK is at the forefront of global efforts to develop effective TB cattle vaccines, and we are moving ever closer to having an operable vaccine.
 
“That we are reaching this stage is testament to our world leading scientists in organisations like the Animal Plant Health Agency, but also to the vets and farmers that have taken part in this trial and previous trials.
 
“If this next phase is successful, we are one step closer to a vaccine which used in conjunction with other measures will help tackle this insidious disease that impacts livestock farmers across the globe.”

Phase 3 will involve at least 10 farms with a total of 750 animals participating. All the animals enrolled will receive the CattleBCG vaccine and the companion DIVA skin test.

Upon completion, APHA will use data from all three trials to support applications for GB Marketing Authorisations for both the cattle vaccine and the skin test. 

Dr Camille Szmaragd Harrison, lead scientist for TB at the APHA, said: “Launching this next phase of the trials has been a collective effort, which was only made possible by the unfailing support from across the farming industry. The team and I are particularly grateful to the hundreds of farmers who expressed their interest in taking part in this trial, without them this would not have been possible.” 

Chief veterinary officer for Wales, Richard Irvine, added: “I welcome the start of Phase 3 of the field trials on a farm in Wales. It marks another important step towards having a deployable Cattle TB Vaccine to support the eradication of TB from the national herd and to meet the target of a TB free Wales by 2041.”

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Volunteers will help raise a new litter of golden retriever Labrador cross puppies.

UK charity Medical Detection Dogs is appealing for volunteers to help raise its new litter of assistance puppies.

The four golden retriever Labrador cross puppies were born on 19 July and will one day, be trained to detect serious illnesses such as bowel cancer and Parkinson’s disease, much faster and less invasively than other methods. 

The dogs may also go on to provide life-changing support as Medical Alert Assistance Dogs.

Medical Detection Dogs is specifically looking for volunteers to assist with the puppies’ basic daily training, and gradually increase their exposure to public environments.
                             
Chris Allen, head of dog supply and training at Medical Detection Dogs, said: “The arrival of this new litter is a joyful milestone for us, but it comes with a pressing challenge. To continue our groundbreaking work in the fight against life-threatening diseases, we urgently need more volunteer puppy socialisers to step forward. 

“Their role is absolutely critical; without them these dogs cannot gain the vital foundations they need to one day save lives as disease detection and assistance dogs”.

Volunteers should ideally be based within an hour of Medical Detection Dogs hubs in Milton Keynes, Essex or Perth. 

Socialisers should also be at home regularly with their puppy, provide them with their daily nutritional needs, follow positive training methods, and introduce them to a wide variety of everyday environments.

Image (C) Medical Detection Dogs.

A survey has revealed more than a third of owners can’t recognise the signs. 

Almost a third of guinea pig owners cannot recognise signs of stress in their pet, according to new research.

The survey of 248 guinea pig owners also found that while owners are deeply bonded with their pets — 99 per cent regularly talk to their animals — almost half are unconfident in how to reduce stress when it occurs. 

Experts say the data highlights the crucial role of the pet care sector in supporting owners to bridge the gap between emotional connection and practical care.

Mary Coles, postgraduate researcher specialising in small animal health and welfare, and trustee of leading charity Guinea Pig Welfare UK, said: “Stress is one of the biggest hidden contributors to poor health in guinea pigs. It can suppress the immune system, disrupt digestion, and make animals far more susceptible to issues like bloat, respiratory infections and urinary tract problems.
 
“In rescue and clinical settings, we see the effects of chronic stress all too often — and they’re usually preventable. By helping owners understand subtle stress signals and the importance of environmental stability, we can make huge strides in improving welfare outcomes.”

John Chitty, qualified vet and rustee of charity Guinea Pig Welfare UK, added: “The data shows that owners genuinely care about their guinea pigs — they’re talking to them, observing them, and wanting to do right by them. But we need to bridge the gap between emotional connection and practical knowledge.
 
“The industry can play a pivotal role here: vets by reinforcing stress awareness in consults, retailers by guiding on social housing and enrichment, and rescues by modelling best practice.
 
“The benefits of better awareness include improved welfare for the animals and more confident, engaged owners who provide better lifelong care.”

The survey was commissioned by Burgess Excel for Guinea Pig Awareness Week (20-24 October).

Image © Leiter1940s/Shutterstock.com

Miniature schnauzers among those more likely to receive diagnosis.

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has shared new insights into the risk factors of a rare adrenal tumour in dogs.

Researchers analysed health records from dogs with a phaeochromacytoma diagnosis to assess breed disposition, and other risk factors, of the life-threatening condition.

Phaeochromocytoma, which occurs in both dogs and humans, is a rare tumour which develops in the adrenal medulla. It results in the over-production of hormones, including ephinephrine and norephinephrine, due to cardiac complications.

Among the clinical signs are hypertension, collapse, an increased heart rate, and an irregular heart rate. These can be intermittent and can be easily mistaken for hormonal, neurological and cardiovascular conditions.

Diagnostic biochemical tests for the tumour are relatively new to veterinary practices, and there are limited reports of the frequency of the condition.

To improve understanding, researchers analysed RVC VetCompass Programme’s health records for phaeochromocytoma diagnosis in dogs. This included annual prevalence and frequency, as well as the demographic risk factors for the tumour.

The findings revealed an annual incidence risk of 1 per 100,000 dogs – statistics 25 times higher than human phaeochromocytoma.

There were several dog breeds which had a predisposition to the adrenal tumour. This included the soft-coated wheaten terrier (30.9 times more likely), German pointer (11 times more likely), and the miniature schnauzer (4.7 times more likely).

Terrier breeds were identified as having an increased risk of phaeochromocytoma, as were breeds that are predisposed to endocrine tumours.

Other risk factors included being a neutered male and aged between nine and 15 years, with such dogs more likely to receive the diagnosis than entire males and those under the age of nine..

Floryne Buishand, senior lecturer in small animal soft tissue surgery at the RVC, said: “The findings of our study are important for both veterinary and human surgeons and scientists.

“For the first time, we demonstrated that the overall incidence of phaeochromocytoma in dogs is up to 25 times higher compared to the incidence of phaeochromocytoma in humans.

“This underpins the value of spontaneous canine phaeochromocytoma as a translational study model for human phaeochromocytoma because canine phaeochromocytoma samples are more readily available for molecular studies, unlike human phaeochromocytoma samples.” 

The full study can be found in the journal PLoS One. 

Image © Royal Veterinary College

The count enabled charities to obtain an accurate headcount. 

National equine charity World Horse Welfare (WHW) has deployed drones to assess a population of semi-feral ponies on a Welsh common.

This is the first time the technology has been used in the UK in this way, and forms part of wider efforts to develop a long-term management plan for the herds. 

On Wednesday, 24 September, staff from World Horse Welfare and volunteers from local organisation, Hungry Herds, carried out a comprehensive head count of ponies on Gelligaer and Merthyr Common.

The drones carried out 30 flights, helping the team map the common and take photographs of all ponies seen on the day. After reviewing the data to ensure no duplications, the team identified a total of 182 ponies.

WHW chief field officer, Claire Gordon, said: “We had to cover an area of 3,000 hectares during daylight hours on a single day to ensure we could capture all the main herds as well as smaller satellite groups and not risk double counting.

“On the day, where visibility and the terrain allowed, the team were able to use binoculars to see that some areas clearly had no ponies, so a total of 30 flights were carried out, rather than the 48 originally planned. Given the scale of the common and how well the ponies blend into their environment, it is a truly challenging task to carry out an accurate headcount and we’re delighted with how it went.” 

Commons like Gelligaer are under increasing pressure from the unchecked breeding of abandoned and unowned horses and ponies. The sheer numbers in the herds are also highly problematic, as they compete against other livestock for water and food.

WHW field officer, Rachel Andrews, has seen firsthand the struggle faced by the vulnerable ponies. She said:

“We had a number of locals stop to ask what we were doing and the feedback was generally really positive when we explained that we were using the drones to obtain an accurate count of the ponies. The ponies weren’t fazed by the drones, so we didn’t have to go too high and could obtain good photographs of the individuals in each herd.” 


Roxane Kirton, MRCVS, RSPCA head vet (Equine), said: “The drone count, the first of its kind on the commons, has enabled the organisations working on the project to get an accurate headcount. This is a crucial stage which will inform decisions on how to relieve population pressures in ways that best support the welfare needs of the ponies.


“The quality of the drone footage allows us not only to know overall numbers, but also the proportions of foals and youngsters in the group. Regular monitoring of population size and dynamics like this is incredibly important in order for us to make good decisions in population management and understand the impact of our interventions so far.”

Image (C) World Horse Welfare.

The resources have been launched to mark Guinea Pig Awareness Week.

With Guinea Pig Awareness Week (GPAW) fast approaching (October 20-24), a pack of free, downloadable resources has been made available to help owners provide the best care for their pets. 

It is the fifth year that GPAW has taken place, and this time will focus on the importance of reducing stress for guinea pig wellbeing under the theme ‘Comfort, Care, Companionship’.

The packs are available for vets, rescues, and retailers, and have been updated in response to feedback from caregivers. The practical, family-friendly content includes:

    •    colourful posters to display at home
    •    step-by-step guides on stress, care, and companionship
    •    myth-busting facts to challenge common misconceptions
    •    fun activity sheets for children
    •    shareable social media posts to spread awareness. 

The pack also includes a practice newspaper, the GPAW Gazette, containing expert tips, advice, and enrichment ideas.

Dr Suzanne Moyes, deputy managing director and in-house vet at Burgess Pet Care, said: “Guinea pigs are often seen as simple starter pets, but they have very specific needs. This Guinea Pig Awareness Week, we want to challenge those misconceptions and highlight what proper care looks like.”
 
Peter Lancaster, head of marketing at Burgess Pet Care, added: “Each year, we’re impressed by the reach and impact of Guinea Pig Awareness Week, and this year introducing our most comprehensive set of resources yet.
 
“From child-friendly activity sheets to the Gazette, we’re supporting guinea pig owners across the UK in providing the highest standard of care for their pets.”

GPAW is supported by the RSPCA, Blue Cross, Woodgreen, Raystede, and Guinea Pig Welfare UK. 

Image (C) Shutterstock.com/Rita_Kochmarjova

The alliance will focus on sharing best practices and expertise. 

Three major zoos — Chester Zoo, UK, Toronto Zoo, Canada, and Dublin Zoo, Ireland — have announced a strategic international partnership to advance wildlife cryobanking.

Announced at the IUCN World Congress in Abu Dhabi, the alliance aims to safeguard genetic material from native and globally threatened species through live cell cryobanking, including sperm, eggs, embryos, tissue, and cultured cells.

When cells are stored in ultra-low temperatures, they can remain viable for decades, enabling conservationists to support further breeding programmes by maintaining or restoring genetic diversity.

Cryopreservation can be used in assisted reproductive technologies and is especially valuable for declining populations at risk of inbreeding due to small size or isolation.

Dr Sue Walker, head of science at Chester Zoo, said: “The use of cryopreservation is an actively growing field. Species survival depends on thriving and genetically healthy populations, and by building cryopreservation to support conservation efforts, it is becoming an effective tool in the fight against extinction. 

“Alongside Toronto Zoo and Dublin Zoo, the goal of this international partnership is to support each other and our global zoo community with effective biobanking initiatives.”

The multi-zoo alliance will focus on sharing best practices, enhancing cryopreservation techniques across species, and coordinating regional and international efforts. The partnership also aligns with broader global initiatives, including the IUCN Animal Biobanking for Conservation Specialist Group.

The zoos will also work together to raise awareness of the potential of wildlife cryobanking among conservationists, academic researchers, and the public.

Dr Andrew Mooney, senior conservation and science officer, Dublin Zoo, said: “This partnership with Toronto Zoo, a global leader in biobanking and cryopreservation, is a vital step to secure a genetically healthy future for wildlife, both in Ireland and globally.

"Together we can preserve the genetic diversity of wild species, locally and internationally, helping to ensure populations remain healthy and resilient in a rapidly changing world for generations to come. 

“This collaboration directly supports Dublin Zoo’s Conservation Master Plan and goal to establish Ireland’s first National Wildlife Biobanking Hub. By aligning our efforts internationally, we can amplify the impact of our local initiatives.”

Image (C) Chester Zoo.