PetSavers News

We awarded 13 grants amounting to £145,000, had four peer-reviewed papers published, and launched a brand-new Research Fellowship during 2021. These are just some of the highlights of our work during the year as we continued towards our goal of achieving excellence in veterinary practice to improve the health and welfare of small animals.

Hanna Machin and Chiara Adami provide a report on their BSAVA PetSavers-funded investigation into the analgesic effect of dry needle acupuncture on dogs undergoing surgical treatment of type I intervertebral disc extrusions.

Little is known about the diagnostic value of corneal cytology and whether the level of training affects its reliability. This BSAVA PetSavers-funded study showed that appropriate training and expertise is required for the evaluation of corneal cytology for canine ulcerative keratitis cases to prevent misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

At the spring meeting, the BSAVA PetSavers grant awarding committee awarded funding to three Master's Degrees by Research proposals: two at the University of Edinburgh and one at the University of Oxford.

Mycobacterium bovis and M. microti cause tuberculosis (TB) in a wide range of animals. Both produce identical macroscopic lesions, but they differ with respect to their zoonotic potential. This BSAVA PetSavers-funded study compared histological and immunohistochemistry patterns of feline TB granulomas to help differentiate between the two causes of TB in cats.

As part of the prestigious BSAVA awards, the PetSavers veterinary achievement awards (sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition) for 2021 and 2022 have been made to Vicky Ironside and Ross Bond, respectively.

Christina Maunder at Bristol University received BSAVA PetSavers' funding for a Master’s Degree by Research project as part of the BSAVA 60th anniversary celebrations. The Master’s student, Josh Kennils, investigated diagnostic approaches to feline subclinical bacteriuria and urinary tract infections, and the responsible use of antimicrobials.

Valeria Bergomi investigated the islet microenvironment in canine and feline diabetes mellitus as a BSAVA PetSavers-funded Master’s Degree by Research at the University of Cambridge under the supervision of Kate Hughes, and with support from Lucy Davison. Read on to find out what their research revealed.

Tim Williams and Nick Bexfield received BSAVA PetSavers funding for the student research project (SRP) entitled 'A study to determine the effects of time and storage conditions on the stability of total serum thyroxine in feline blood'. Student Rory Scrace describes the project and its findings.

BSAVA PetSavers have launched a new Research Fellowship which will provide a grant of up to £35,000 for work in companion animal clinical research to be spent over a maximum of two years.