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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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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.