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Vets to debate how to engage Gen Z in disease prevention
"It is essential the profession understands this grwing demand and ensures pet owners have access to accurate information" - Justine Shotton, BVA vice-president.
The BVA Congress session will explore the challenges and opportunities for reaching a younger generation of pet owner.

A panel debate exploring how to reach a younger generation of pet owners to prevent disease will take place at London Vet Show on Friday (18 November).

The BVA Congress session, titled Preventative Health and the Gen Z Client – engaging a new generation of pet owners with disease prevention, will explore the issues and opportunities presented by this new, tech-savvy generation.

Chaired by BVA senior vice president Justine Shotton, the session will look at how young people access, digest and share information in new ways. 

Joining her on the panel will be Tanya Michelsen, associate director of CM Research; Marnie Brennan, associate professor in epidemiology at the University of Nottingham; Rebekah Ellis, brand and customer manager, MSD Human Health, and Ben Sweeney, founder and CEO of Vidivet.

Dr Shotton said: “The rapid proliferation of telemedicine and the growth of online advice groups on platforms like Facebook are clear signs that clients are looking for additional ways to access veterinary services and advice. 

“It is essential the profession understands this growing demand and ensures pet owners have access to accurate information. This session at BVA Congress promises to be extremely insightful, exploring the challenges but also the opportunities for reaching a new, younger generation of pet owner.” 

The session takes place on Friday, 18 November, 1:50 pm.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.