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Avian vet wins inaugural award

Neil A. Forbes becomes the first ever recipient of the Helga Gerlach Award.

Neil A. Forbes, BVetMed DipECZM(avian) FRCVS, a European Specialist Avian Vet, who runs Great Western Exotics, operating out of the Vets Now Referrals hospital in Swindon has become the first ever recipient of the  Helga Gerlach Award for Excellence in Avian Veterinary Sciences.

Neil was nominated and selected as the winner of the award from a selection of European contemporaries, who were required to meet a strict level of requirements, including having practised avian medicine for 15 years, and undertaken extensive teaching, writing, research and clinical performance in this field.

Commenting on his award Neil says: “To be the first recipient of this award is a great honour, especially knowing that I have been nominated and selected by my contemporaries across Europe. This is an area of veterinary medicine that I am extremely passionate about and want to encourage more vets to become involved in. The Helga Gerlach fund celebrates and recognises the work being done by Specialist Avian vets across Europe and the world, and is an excellent recognition of the vast contribution that Professor Gerlach made to the advancement of Avian medicine. ”

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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.