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First EBVM Conference raises questions
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Veterinary professionals discuss emerging issues in veterinary medicine

The role of evidence in veterinary medicine has formed the subject of the first international Evidence Based Veterinary Medicine Conference this week.

Veterinary professionals gathered in Windsor for the two day event this week, to share information and benefit from a thought provoking programme.

Conference discussions raise a number of questions on the veterinary profession's sources of information, how reliable these sources are, whether there are conflicts of interest and the role and reliability of drug company representatives as a source.

Commenting on Twitter, Alison Lambert, managing director of Onswitch, said: "Conflict of interest [is] key. Who do you let in your practice to help you who has conflict of interest?"

Speakers at the conference have included GP Martin Brunet, who described the way human medicine has been transformed by evidence-based medicine (EBM). Following his talk, Dr Brunet commented on Twitter: "Great to be there and to cross fertilise with the world of veterinary medicine. Fascinating to see we face similar dilemmas".

Commenting on the talk, Alison Lambert tweeted: "Great session from Dr Martin Brunet - 'Drug companies are not a good place to get evidence - they are not independent'".

We are grateful to Alison Lambert of Onswitch for providing information from the conference.

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.