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BSAVA publishes new end-of-life collection
"This new collection provides a handy resource for this important area of veterinary practice" - Julian Hoad.
Resources cover euthanasia decision-making and how to support clients.

The BSAVA has published a new collection of resources focusing on end-of-life care and decision-making, designed to help support both clients and the veterinary practice team.

Using information gathered from BSAVA manuals, articles from Companion, webinars and congress lectures, the collection is split into four key areas: general information, client communication, client support and practitioner support. 

Some highlights include:
  • euthanasia decision-making: a case-based discussion
  • how to discuss euthanasia with your client
  • quality of life and decision-making around end of life care
  • the client journey: supporting the client before and after the last appointment
  • euthanasia and how it affects veterinary nurses’ mental health
  • euthanasia support in practice.

Julian Hoad, chair of the BSAVA Publications Committee, commented: “Death and taxes are the only two certainties of life, according to Benjamin Franklin. 

“Our pets don’t have the worry of taxation, but managing the end of life for them is something that all owners must face. It is probably the most challenging part of our veterinary work also – managing the emotional, sometimes highly charged, aspect of the situation whilst maintaining an objective focus on the patient. 

“This new collection provides a handy resource for this important area of veterinary practice. The collection will enable the recent graduate to gain confidence in dealing with these cases; tips for improvement that even the more experienced clinician will find useful are also included.”

The collection is £20.00 for BSAVA members and £45.00 for non-members and is available via the BSAVA Library.

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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.