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VDS launches new initiatives for the profession
"These important initiatives will enable the VDS to use our unique knowledge and experience to support and empower veterinary professionals..."

Vetsafe and VDS Training aim to enhance veterinary care 

The Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) has announced the launch of new initiatives to help understand why mistakes happen and provide solutions to improve veterinary care.

Vetsafe is a confidential service for significant event reporting and risk management.

A website and accompanying app capture information about incidents in practice that result in patient harm or other losses. Data gathered will help the VDS and its members to understand these mistakes, provide feedback and develop solutions.

The society also launched VDS Training, which will use data gathered from Vetsafe to create and deliver multi-model training, tools and strategies to improve care, reduce risk and develop individuals, teams and businesses.

VDS chief executive Norman Macfarlane, said: “I am very pleased to announce the launch of Vetsafe and extension of the Society’s training provision through VDS Training.

"These important initiatives will enable the VDS to use our unique knowledge and experience to support and empower veterinary professionals, teams and businesses to achieve their personal and collective aspirations.

“They also go straight to the heart of our mutuality by helping to reduce veterinary risk and, in turn, we anticipate lower the frequency of claims or the severity of claims when they do happen. This benefits the members of the Society and helps the VDS to continue its support of the profession.”

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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
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.