The winners of the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstract Awards 2026 have been announced.
Held at BVA Live in Birmingham, the event gave more than 60 authors the opportunity to showcase their work through oral presentations and poster displays within the exhibition hall.
Topics spanned a wide range of small animal medicine, from preliminary study findings and innovative techniques to compelling case discussions. The two-day programme offered delegates valuable insight into the latest advances in veterinary medicine.
BSAVA President Julian Hoad was one of the judges for this year. Speaking about the Clinical Research Abstracts, he said: “The standard of submissions this year was exceptionally high, reflecting the strength and diversity of clinical research taking place across the profession.
“The quality, enthusiasm, and innovation on display were truly inspiring, and it’s clear that these researchers are helping to drive veterinary medicine forward. A huge congratulations to all of this year’s winners and all who presented for their outstanding contributions.”
This year’s Outstanding Oral Abstract Presentation went to Henry Cloete, a Small Animal Medicine resident at the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital.
Henry received the award for his presentation titled Risk factors associated with the development of suspected feline injection site sarcomas identified in a sentinel network of UK primary care veterinary practices.’
He said: “I am honoured to receive the BSAVA Clinical Abstract Award for Outstanding Oral Abstract. It is particularly rewarding to see this work recognised, as it reflects a collaborative effort between researchers, clinicians, and the veterinary practices and pet owners contributing data through SAVSNET.
“I hope these findings contribute to a better understanding of feline injection site sarcomas and help support evidence-based discussions around feline vaccination in clinical practice.”
Emily Clark, a graduate of the University of Glasgow, was awarded Outstanding Poster Abstract Presentation for her project titled: ‘Serum thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations help to predict azotaemia following radio-iodine treatment of hyperthyroid cats’.
Emily said: "I am delighted to receive this award from the BSAVA. It is exciting to be involved in research that can help guide clinical decision-making in practice, and presenting my findings at BVA Live was a fantastic opportunity to share this work.”
BSAVA’s Student Poster Abstract Presentation went to Katie Ennis for her poster titled Hot Cats: Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness in cats under UK emergency veterinary care during 2022 and 2023.
A final-year veterinary student at the Royal Veterinary College, Katie has a background in companion animal research following her undergraduate BioVeterinary Sciences degree. Following graduation, Katie is entering a mixed small animal and equine practice and hopes to pursue her interest in research further.
Finally, the BSAVA PetSavers Clinical Research Abstract Award was awarded to Izzy Adams for her poster ‘Pride and Purr-judice: Perception of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) by veterinary personnel, animal shelter staff and cat owners’.
Izzy, who is a student and feline enthusiast at the Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, said: "It was an incredible honour just to receive a BSAVA PetSavers grant and present my abstract at BVA Live. This award has redefined my expectations of my own capabilities as a veterinarian and researcher.
“I am beyond excited to share my project with a larger audience, and reaching this many people makes me feel that I truly can make a difference to the welfare of FIV-positive cats."
Image (C) BSAVA.
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