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Isoflurane shortage: Webinar launched to help vets
The webinar covers the use of low flow anaesthesia and monitoring techniques.
Professor discusses alternative solutions 

The nationwide shortage of isoflurane has prompted the BSAVA to commission a webinar discussing alternative solutions for vets.

It was announced last month that the third-party manufacturer of isoflurane had to cease production, owing to a mechanical problem on the production line.

The webinar, ‘Anaesthesia without isoflurane’, was delivered by Ian Self, a European and RCVS specialist in veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia at the University of Nottingham.

It was designed to answer questions supplied by BSAVA members since the shortage was announced. It covers the use of low flow anaesthesia and monitoring techniques, to spare gaseous anaesthetic agents and offers tips on partial and total intravenous anaesthesia (PIVA and TIVA).

The webinar will be available online until March and is free for BSAVA members, costing £25+VAT for non-members. BSAVA is also offering free access to a chapter on ‘Injectable anaesthetics’ from the Manual of Canine and Feline Anaesthesia and Analgesia, 3rd edition.

Both are available as a collection in the BSAVA library.

Lucie Goodwin, BSAVA head of education, said: “BSAVA is taking important action to ensure we support the whole veterinary profession during these challenging times, and the information we have made available has been tremendously well received.
 
“The webinar hopefully answers many of the questions the profession has about what to do during this nationwide shortage of isoflurane, and the manual chapter is a useful additional resource that offers practical advice throughout.”

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.