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Winners announced for Veterinary Evidence Student Awards 2023
Rebecca Hearne has been awarded first place.
A University of Surrey student takes the top prize.

RCVS Knowledge has announced the winners of its Veterinary Evidence Student Awards 2023.

The award recognises students who have demonstrated academic and research skills by submitting a Knowledge Summary to RCVS Knowledge’s journal Veterinary Evidence.

Students are asked to produce a Knowledge Summary, using evidence to answer a focused and specific research question, to the open access, peer-reviewed journal. All submissions are considered for publication, with the top three receiving awards.

The 2023 top prize has been awarded to Rebecca Hearne, a University of Surrey student, for her academic study into the use of prazosin for treating urethral obstruction in male cats.

Speaking about her win, Rebecca Hearne said: “During my time in practice I had experienced mixed opinions from practitioners of the use of prazosin in preventing recurrent urethral obstruction in male cats. I challenged myself to go through the publication process. 

“It is rewarding knowing I have been able to contribute to the available evidence base and influence clinical decisions.”

University of Sydney student Rachel Garrett took second place, for her Knowledge Summary into the treatment of feline immunodeficiency virus. She said: “I wanted to challenge myself to produce a Knowledge Summary of high quality which could make a meaningful contribution to the veterinary industry's evidence base.”

Ebony Crump, from Murdoch University in Perth, was awarded third place for her entry, ‘Effectiveness of F3 feline facial pheromone analogue for acute stress reduction within clinical veterinary practice’.

RCVS Knowledge chief executive officer Katie Mantell said: “I’d like to congratulate all the award winners whose papers have helped to grow the evidence base in the treatment of cats. It’s fantastic to see so many students contributing to evidence-based veterinary medicine and I hope it’s something they’ll continue to do throughout their careers.

“If you’re an undergraduate student and have an interest in improving your research skills, I’d urge you to write a Knowledge Summary and submit it now for next year’s awards.” 

Entries for the Veterinary Evidence Student Awards 2025 will be open from February 2024, with prizes of up to £200 for first, second and third place.

Images © RCVS Knowledge

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.