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WSAVA to launch certificate in pain management
"The certificate provides recognition to professionals advancing their knowledge on pain management." - Dr Bea Monteiro

Course will promote the importance of companion animal pain management.

Veterinary professionals are invited to register their interest for a new certificate in pain management which is being launched by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) with support from Zoetis.

The certificate will promote the importance of companion animal pain management as a discipline, and give individuals an internationally recognised qualification in the subject for the first time.

It is based on the updated Global Guidelines for the Recognition Assessment and Treatment of Pain that were released by the WSAVA Global Pain Council (GPC) at the end of 2022. The GPC says that despite rapid advances in pain management, pain in companion animals is underdiagnosed and undertreated.

The online course is available free of charge to all companion animal veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses/technicians and includes content that’s tailored to their different roles. 

The course includes three modules that will be delivered via recorded lectures from members of the GPC and other global experts. The modules will cover:

  • Understanding and assessing pain 
  • Preventing and treating pain 
  • Pain management in practice 
The International Veterinary Academy for Pain Management (IVAPM) is supporting the dissemination of the Certificate.

Chair of the WSAVA Global Pain Council Dr Bea Monteiro said: “The new WSAVA Certificate in Pain Management will help veterinary professionals to understand the critical importance of pain management for companion animal health and welfare. It will show them how to assess pain using the latest knowledge of pain-related behaviors and validated pain scales. Finally, it will guide them in treating pain effectively, using the most appropriate drug and non-drug therapies, based on the availability of particular analgesics and other therapies in the region of the world in which they are in practice. 

“The Certificate provides recognition to professionals advancing their knowledge on pain management. It is the next step in the Global Pain Council’s campaign to raise awareness of the importance of pain management and to support veterinary teams in diagnosing and treating it effectively – a development which will benefit companion animals around the world and the humans who gain so much from their companionship. We are grateful to Zoetis and the IVAPM for their support and hope that WSAVA members will enjoy the course we have created.”

Those who are interested in the new certificate can register their interest online.

 

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.