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BSAVA Congress to shine spotlight on geriatric cats
Former BVNA president Alex Taylor will be joining the panel discussion at BSAVA Congress.

A panel discussion will explore meeting the needs of older felines.

Environmental changes for geriatric cats will be discussed at the 2023 BSAVA Congress.

Speakers will include three veterinary nurses, a veterinary physiotherapist and a veterinary surgeon, who will each share their viewpoints on the challenges associated with identifying and meeting the needs of older felines. 

Registered veterinary nurse Kelly Eyre will be joined by nutrition expert Georgia Woods-Lee RVN and former BVNA president and feline RVN advocate Alex Taylor. Veterinary physiotherapist Emily Cowderoy and veterinary surgeon Zoe Belshaw will also be joining the panel.

Alex, Kelly and Georgia believe that the first step in making environmental modifications for older cats is helping the owners realise that there is an issue. 

Kelly said: “Often it is veterinary nurses that are best placed to speak with owners about making environmental modifications for senior and super-senior cats. They usually have more time with owners, and clients tend to open up with them.

“Conversations which invest in the clients’ knowledge, can strengthen the relationship between client and practice, adding value and helping to improve retention, but ultimately, it is about improving welfare.”

Alex added: “I might see a little muscle wastage and ask owners if they’ve seen any changes. Usually, the answer is no until we go through a mobility checklist.”

For Georgia, it is about having the time to spend with owners and asking the right questions, such as "Are they using their litter tray properly? Is there any inappropriate urination or defecation? Are they using the same number of rooms in the house, including the upstairs? Are they going outdoors as much as they used to?”

The panel discussion, ‘Small changes, big impact for the geriatric cat’, will take place at BSAVA Congress, Manchester Central, on 23rd-25th March 2023. More information is available at bsavaevents.com

Image (C)  BSAVA.

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Submissions open for BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026

News Story 1
 The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.

It is an opportunity for applicants to present new research on any veterinary subject, such as the preliminary results of a study, discussion of a new technique or a description of an interesting case.

They must be based on high-quality clinical research conducted in industry, practice or academia, and summarised in 250 words.

Applications are welcome from vets, vet nurses, practice managers, and students.

Submissions are open until 6 March 2026. 

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