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Bristol vet school hosts talk on tortoise medicine
Focus on challenges of tortoise medicine and surgery

The Small Animal Practice at the University of Bristol’s School of Veterinary Sciences have organised a talk about tortoise medicine to be held on Wednesday 9 October.

Delivered by Colin Blakey, a vet who heads up the exotic pet service in the Small Animal Practice, the talk will provide tortoise owners with essential information about how to care for their tortoise properly in order to keep it in good health.

“Cracking the carapace – the challenges of tortoise medicine and surgery” will explore health problems in tortoises and how owners can prevent their pets getting ill.

Colin Blakey said: “The shell of tortoises offers particular difficulties when it comes to working out what is going on inside but with the use of advanced imaging technologies we can now look inside these mysterious creatures to find out what is wrong.”

Colin’s talk will discuss the challenges of investigating a sick tortoise and how they can be prevented or spotted early on.

The talk will be held at 7pm in the Hodgkin Lecture Theatre, Pearson Building, Langford. Admission is free for Langford Veterinary Services clients or £5 for non clients.

To book a place at the talk, contact the Small Animal Practice on 01934 852422 or book online at www.langfordvets.co.uk/tortoise_event.

The Small Animal Practice is run by Langford Veterinary Services and is a totally owned subsidiary of the University of Bristol.

 

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Vets launch new podcast for pet owners

News Story 1
 Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.

The venture, called Vets Talking Pets, provides advice and information on a range of topics, including how to select a suitable pet, where to obtain them and how to get the best out of your vet. Maggie and Vanessa will also discuss sensitive subjects, including end-of-life care, raw food diets and the cost of veterinary care.

The podcast can be found on all the usual podcast sites, including Podbean, Apple, Amazon Music and YouTube. 

Click here for more...
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RCVS Regional Question Time heads to Edinburgh

The RCVS is to bring its Regional Question Time (RQT) to Edinburgh for 2026.

The event will take place at Novotel Edinburgh Park in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

It will begin with supper and drinks at 6.30pm, with an evening programme from 7.30pm. This will start with an update on RCVS' activities, followed by questions and answers with representatives.

RCVS is encouraging an 'open dialogue', in which queries can be raised in a friendly, informal environment.

While discussions are expected to be audience-led, the RQT is expected address major issues including the VSA, the CMA's remedy package and the VN Vision project.

Tim Parkin, RCVS president, said: "It's an important time for the professions, and I'm looking forward to meeting colleagues in Scotland as we navigate this period of change together so we can come out stronger."

Tickets can be booked here.