Autumn Conference for AVSPNI
Veterinary education and social networking in beautiful County Fermanagh
The Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in Northern Ireland (AVSPNI) is the largest vet association in Northern Ireland, with over 530 vets in practice as full members. AVSPNI represents vet practitioners at a large number of stakeholder groups, providing pragmatic and practical input from the ‘coal-face’ of the veterinary profession on a wide-range of policy issues affecting both farm and companion animals.
AVSPNI also delivers many educational and social events for both vets and vet nurses, one of the highlights of which is the Autumn Conference, held recently at the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen. This event, a popular and long standing element of the NI veterinary calendar, includes a full programme of lectures and the chance for vets to meet socially and exchange news and ideas in a relaxed environment away from the hustle and bustle of practice.
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The addition of a programme of activities for children makes this a unique opportunity for busy vets to upskill and learn in a beautiful setting, bringing their families along too, for a weekend that is also enjoyable for them. No other vet conference is quite like this one!
The first day of vet lectures, delivered by DAERA, focussed almost entirely on bovine TB, with the addition of an important update on the current BTV3 situation.
Days two and three focussed on “Youngstock” for farm vets and “The Collapsing Dog - cardiology and neurology” for companion animal vets. Speakers included Katie Denholm, Aaron Brown, Helen Carty, Mike Martin, Clare Rusbridge and Sarah Tomlinson and AVSPNI is grateful to them for providing such a fantastic educational experience for well over 170 vets.
A wide range of specific topics were covered, including Colostrum Management in Dairy Calves; Lungworm; Neospora; plus Congestive Heart Failure, Neuromuscular Disease and Epilepsy in Dogs.
The Gala Dinner on Saturday, October 26 was the social highlight of the event and AVSPNI President Iain Smith, of Lisburn Vet Clinic, was delighted to host conference speakers and guests, including Glen Cuddy representing the UFU; Gemma Daly representing the Chief Veterinary Officer, Brian Dooher; Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) President Silvia Janska; Veterinary Ireland President Hazell Mullins; CEO of AFBI, Stanley McDowell; Junior Vice President of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA), Susan Little; Chief Executive of the Livestock and Meat Commission, Colin Smith; veterinary surgeon and previous member of the TB Eradication partnership, David Rea; North of Ireland Veterinary Association (NIVA) President, Sharon Verner and William Sherrard of the Veterinary Surgeons Supply Company (VSSCo).
The event also provided a great opportunity for vets to find out more about the latest veterinary products and services by visiting the trade exhibition, which ran all weekend. AVSPNI would like to extend a big thank you to all exhibitors for contributing to the success of the event. Premium sponsors included Agria, Agrimin, Ceva, Duggans, IMV Imaging, MSD, Norbrook, VSSCo and Zoetis. Other exhibitors included Boehringer Ingelheim, Forte, Hills, Hipra, Interchem, Kela, KRKA, The Vet Pod, Tulivin Laboratories, Veterinary Instrumentation, Virbac and Woodley Equipment.
The Farm Family Health Check van performed thorough health checks on delegates booking an appointment - it proved to be a worthwhile addition to the programme, flagging up health issues in a small but significant number of people.
AVSPNI President Iain said: “Knowledge is power and some of our AVSPNI Conference delegates now have an opportunity to address their previously undiagnosed health issues and head off longer term problems. I cannot thank the Farm Family Health Check team enough and I would encourage anyone to look out for the team at marts and agricultural shows and nip in to get your own health check.”
