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Calls for more focus on clinical nutrition
dog food
Research shows more than 90 per cent of pet owners want nutritional advice but fewer than 15 per cent feel they receive it.
Greater training needed in vet schools, WSAVA says

WSAVA is urging veterinary schools to include more training on clinical nutrition, and vets to include nutritional assessments in every client visit.

The organisation’s Global Nutrition Committee (GNC) aims to improve awareness of the importance of nutrition, and to advance the role of veterinary surgeons and nurses as the source of expert information for pet owners.

GNC co-chair Dr Marge Chandler said: “Based on its importance to overall health, we continue to remind veterinarians that a nutritional assessment should be the fifth vital assessment in a standard physical examination and that the veterinary healthcare team should provide nutritional recommendations for each animal as an integral component of patient care.

“The role of nutrition in optimum health and in alleviating the impact of disease is increasingly recognised yet, while there are excellent nutrition programs in some veterinary schools, many still struggle to offer sufficient training in small animal nutrition. As veterinarians and students continue demand more knowledge and, as owners expect more information from their veterinarians, we expect the situation to improve and are already working with some schools to facilitate this.”

According to co-chair Dr Gregg Takashima, research shows more than 90 per cent of pet owners want nutritional advice but fewer than 15 per cent feel they receive it.

“The GNC Global Guidelines and Nutrition Toolkit help the veterinary healthcare team to address nutrition at every patient visit and to counter inaccurate and misleading information available online,” he added. “We are delighted that our resources are now so widely used within the profession and that they are one of the most frequently downloaded resources on the WSAVA website.”

Last year GNC members presented and published articles on various aspects of clinical nutrition around the world. The committee also took part in a One Health Symposium on Obesity in Humans and Companion Animals. This year, GNC has another ambitious programme of presentations and publications to keep nutrition high on the profession’s agenda.

 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.