May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to reflect on how we can nurture our mental health and support one another. While there are many avenues for emotional care—therapy, medication, mindfulness—one powerful and often underappreciated ally in this space is the companion animal. Whether it’s a dog, cat, rabbit or even a bird, pets offer more than cuddles; they can play a crucial role in supporting emotional well-being.
Everyone is already familiar with the vital role veterinary nurses play in the day-to-day running of a practice. But, what if there was more? What if Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) could be even more involved, truly embedded in a team-based approach that supports the whole practice? Imagine a world where vets and RVNs work seamlessly together, where everyone gets proper rest breaks, and there’s time to thoroughly work up cases… What if we told you that some vets and RVNs were already doing it?
Every May, the veterinary community comes together to celebrate Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month (VNAM) – a campaign led by the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA). It’s a time to shine a light on the compassion, skill, and unwavering dedication that veterinary nurses bring to animal care every single day.
Neurodiversity is a topic that is gaining more traction within the veterinary community. Recent estimates suggest 15-20% of the population is neurodiverse, so the growing interest is understandable (Ringie, 2024).
University College London (UCL) and working animal charity Brooke have partnered to discuss the vital role of working animals for women during disasters.
I remember the exact day in my clinical career when I realized something had to change. I was twelve years out of school, working in a busy, independently owned companion animal general practice. By then, I had experienced the full range of veterinary medicine—corporate and independent clinics, general and emergency care.
As we move through spring, May brings a fresh new lineup of high-quality CPD/CE content from The Webinar Vet. Whether you’re in small animal practice, equine, exotics, farm, or veterinary nursing, there’s something for everyone this month. From cutting-edge clinical updates to practical tips for everyday cases, this month’s webinars are designed to inform, inspire, and empower.
Blood transfusions are a critical tool in small animal practice, but they must be used with clear clinical justification. In our recent webinar, Blood Transfusions – When, How and Why, Simon Tappin, in collaboration with Pet Blood Bank and ManyPets, explored when transfusions are indicated, which products to use, and how to administer them safely.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet), in collaboration with the University of Padova in Italy, have identified a novel genetic mutation linked to progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) in Labrador Retrievers (Stull, 2025). This discovery has significant implications for veterinary professionals, particularly those involved in ophthalmology and breeding programmes.
Flexible working. It's a phrase that's gone from a nice-to-have to a must-consider in today’s job market- especially in veterinary practices, where retention, wellbeing, and work-life balance are more important than ever.
As our beloved guinea pigs are living longer lives in captivity—often reaching 5 to 8 years of age—recognising and managing health concerns in their senior years has never been more important. In the recent webinar, "Health Concerns in Geriatric Guinea Pigs," veterinary expert Emma Keeble took a deep dive into the most common issues faced by ageing guinea pigs and offered practical advice for veterinary professionals and owners alike.
In a timely and informative session, John shed light on the growing concern of the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) and its potential impact on the UK’s ecosystems and agriculture. First identified in south-west France in 2004, this invasive species—also known as the yellow-legged hornet—has since spread rapidly across Europe, with confirmed sightings in the Channel Islands and now, worryingly, parts of southern England.