Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Rabbit and guinea pig veterinary awards open for nominations
Nominations are open until 22 November.
The winners will be revealed in December.

Nominations have opened for this year’s Burgess Excel Vet Awards, which celebrate the work of veterinary professionals to improve the health and welfare of pet rabbits and guinea pigs.

The awards, which are in their fifth year, are free to enter. There are seven categories:
  • Rabbit Vet of the Year: open to registered veterinary surgeons practising in the UK
  • Rabbit Vet Nurse of the Year: open to registered veterinary nurses practising in the UK
  • Rabbit Support Staff of the Year: open to staff currently working in a registered practice in the UK
  • Rabbit Practice of the Year – in association with Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF): open to practices in the UK which are members of the RWAF and hold RWAF Gold or Silver accreditation  
  • Small Animal Student of the Year: open to students studying in the UK for a veterinary or animal-nutrition-related degree
  • Guinea Pig Practice of the Year: open to practices registered in the UK
  • Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) Campaign of the Year: open to any UK-based practice or individual.

The winner of each category will receive a trophy and a cash prize of £250. The winners will be announced on 17 December.

The judging panel for the awards is made up of Suzanne Moyes, deputy managing director and veterinary director at Burgess Pet Care, and spokesperson for the Rabbit Awareness Action Group (RAAG) and RAW; Rae Walters, director of the RWAF; John Chitty , co-director of a small animals/ exotics practice; Sophie Jenkins, founder of a practice for rabbits, cats, small mammals and exotic pets in Cardiff; and Dani Sewell, communications director at Fred Marketing.

Dr Moyes said: “Both rabbits and guinea pigs have complex and very specific welfare needs, which is why it’s so important that owners have access to fantastic veterinary professionals who can help them care properly for these wonderful creatures.

“We would love to hear from owners about their veterinary heroes and why they should receive an award this year – this could be a vet, nurse, vet student or a whole practice! We also welcome nominations from veterinary professionals who want to highlight the fantastic work of one of their peers.”

Nominations are open until 22 November and can be made here. Veterinary practices and professionals can nominate themselves.

Image © Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

VMD responds to Solensia injection concerns

News Story 1
 The VMD has added anaphylaxis to the SPC of Solensia 7 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Cats.

It says that this is a rare side effect, with such adverse events affecting fewer than three animals for every 1000 doses of Solensia sold.

Solensia is used to alleviate osteoarthritis pain in cats. It contains the active ingredient frunevetmab.

Anaphylaxis joins effects such as alopecia, dermatitis, pruritus on the list of adverse effects.

The VMD says that is constantly reviewing adverse event data for all medicines. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
More bird housing measures introduced in England

The Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) is to enforce mandatory housing measures in five more regions, as it tackles the spread of avian influenza in kept and wild birds across England.

From 16 February the measures will apply to Cheshire, Herefordshire, Lancashire, Merseyside and Worcestershire. The regions join eight other locations which are already following the measures.

Bird keepers in these areas must house their birds, as well as following strict biosecurity measures. Any locations within a Protection Zone outside these areas must also keep birds housed.

An Avian Influenza Protection Zone, mandating enhanced biosecurity measures, remains in place across Great Britain. On 10 February, APHA also banned the gatherings of poultry, galliforme and anseriforme birds in England, Scotland and Wales

All disease control zones can be checked on APHA's interactive map. Further guidance on additional housing measures can be found here.