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WSAVA appoints first chief learning and development officer
From top left: Dr Jennifer Granick; Dr Fergus Allerton; Dr Heather Bacon; Debbie Gray.
New appointments also made to two committee

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has appointed its first chief learning and development officer (CLDO) to lead the organisation’s work providing continuing education resources to its members.

Debbie Gray, who qualified as a veterinary nurse in the UK before moving into the education sector, has taken up the role. She holds a Diploma in Leadership and Operational Management and is studying for a Master’s in Business Administration.

The global veterinary association also announced the appointment of new chairs to two of its clinical committees.

Dr Heather Bacon is the new chair of the WSAVA Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee, which aims to make animal welfare a routine consideration for small animal veterinary professionals. She is dean of the school of veterinary medicine at the University of Central Lancashire and was awarded an OBE in 2021 for services to veterinary education and animal welfare.

Dr Fergus Allerton and Dr Jennifer Granick have been appointed as co-chairs of the WSAVA Therapeutics Guidelines Group. The committee works to improve access to veterinary medicines around the world and reduce inappropriate antimicrobial use.

Dr Allerton is a practising veterinary surgeon at a small animal referral centre in the UK and Dr Granick is an associate professor of small animal internal medicine at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, USA

WSAVA president Dr Ellen van Nierop said: “We’re delighted to welcome our new CLDO, Debbie Gray. She’ll help us harness new technologies and the latest learning approaches to ensure we deliver an exceptional educational experience to our members and equip them with the clinical and non-clinical skills they need to build rewarding careers and engage effectively with their colleagues and clients.

“We’re also delighted to welcome our new committee chairs and look forward to working with them towards our goals of setting global standards of care for companion animal practice and campaigning for change on key issues affecting our members, such as the inequity in access to veterinary medicines around the world.”

Images © WSAVA

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Zoetis apologises for EVA vaccine shortage

News Story 1
 Zoetis UK has apologised for a supply shortage of Equip Artervac, caused by a manufacturing issue.

It is expected to become available in June 2025.

Equip Artervac is used for the active immunisation for horses against equine viral arteritis (EVA) to reduce the clinical signs and shedding of the virus.

For more information, contact a Zoetis account manager or Zoetis Head Office on 0345 300 8034. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue restricted zone extended

Following the discovery of a new case of bluetongue virus serotype 3 on the Buckinghamshire/Northamptonshire border, the restricted zone has been extended to include all of Northamptonshire.

The zone now covers Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Greater London, part of Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, part of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, Surrey, and West Sussex.

Susceptible animals in the restricted zone should only be moved if it is essential. A specific licence is needed to move a susceptible animal from within the restricted zone to outside of the zone.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. Suspected cases in Northern Ireland should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the area where movement restrictions apply can be found here.