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How many vets do we need?
Professor the Lord Trees speaking at BVA Congress
BVA hosts debate on vet schools at congress

On the second day of BVA Congress, which is being held at London Vet Show, a debate has been held to thrash out opinions on the rising number of veterinary students.

Christopher Ogden, senior vice-president of the Association of Veterinary Students (AVS), opened the debate against more vet schools.

Mr Ogden raised concerns that where new vet schools open over a relatively short period of time, there is the potential for declining teaching standards due to a lack of professors.

Waiting lists for EMS placements, he added, can extend as far as 12 months, and are likely to get longer with the opening of a vet school at the University of Surrey in 2014.

A recent survey by the RCVS was cited, which found that it was taking graduates slightly longer to find a job than in previous years, and that there had been a slight rise in the number of respondents who left their first job after a relatively short time.

Mr Ogden voiced the concern that if more graduates are forced into non-clinical roles, job satisfaction may decline resulting in wellbeing issues.

Professor the Lord Trees, however, argued that the debate is largely "pointless" as there is little that can be done to change the growing number of vet students. Therefore he asserts that the profession should look for the opportunities, as well as the threats.

He noted that as many vets from overseas are looking for work as those being trained within the UK, which is not something that the government, RCVS or any other organisation can change.

Commenting on the issue of EMS placements, he argued that there are sufficient opportunities, but co-ordination could be improved.

As the debate opened up to delegates, BVA president Robin Hargreaves voiced concerns that veterinary graduates are not valued enough by employers, which he feels is reflected in salary dips.

It was also debated that more could be done to raise awareness of the other employment options after a veterinary degree, to give potential students a greater understanding of the possibilities.

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Dechra launches checklist for veterinary sustainability

Global animal health specialist Dechra has announced the world's first Veterinary Green Theatre Checklist (VGTC) to help make surgery more sustainable.

Endorsed by leading veterinary organisations, including the BEVA, BVNA and RCVS Knowledge, the checklist is designed to reduce the environmental footprint of veterinary care, while supporting better animal health outcomes.

The checklist was launched at the World Congress of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia in Paris and will be followed by an internal training and awareness campaign. For more information, visit dechra.com