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New obesity insights to be shared at BVNA Congress
"Nurses play a key role here in providing ongoing owner support." - Dr Libby Sheridan.
The research will be delivered by the Purina Institute and authors. 

New research into obesity management will be delivered by the Purina Institute at the BVNA Congress.

The session will be delivered together with research authors, and will explore the role of behavioural science in achieving pet weight management, with speakers sharing their insight into how nurses can use the findings to support pet owners with weight management.

Behavioural psychologist Dr Thomas Webb and Purina corporate affairs manager Hugues du Plessis will speak on a new research project that advances understanding of how owners beliefs and behaviours are associated with canine obesity. 

Attendees will learn how psychology has the potential to aid in understanding owner beliefs and motivations, and how behavioural science can be used to assist pet owners in changing their actions. 

Dr Libby Sheridan, Purina scientific affairs manager, will host the symposium. She commented on the usefulness of these insights for veterinary nurses: “Veterinary teams know that successful obesity management depends upon owners changing their habits and routines, but this can be very challenging to achieve.

“Nurses play a key role here in providing ongoing owner support. At Purina we’re delighted to share our latest research to help nurses learn how to do this most effectively.”

Consisting of three twenty minute talks, each followed by a ten minute Q&A session, the symposium will last for 90 minutes, beginning at 11am on Saturday 2 October.

Pre-registration is not necessary for the Purina Institute symposium, but all attendees must have a ticket for the BVNA Congress. 

Those interested in attending can sign up for the BVNA Congress here

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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.