Looking forward to London Vet Show 2021

The London Vet Show, a constant in the annual veterinary event calendar, is returning for 2021 with as packed a diary as ever. The conference will take place on 11 and 12 November 2021, returning to the ExCel in London after its 2020 edition had to be cancelled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The event boasts over 150 hours of world-class sessions to choose from, with participants able to claim up to 17 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) over the two days. With content for every member of the team, and across all specialities, this event strikes the ideal balance between clinical and non-clinical content and is one not to be missed.

The London Vet Show will be the first major gathering of the veterinary profession in London for 21 months. So, despite the 21 streams of content available throughout the two-day event, the team behind the scenes recognise the importance of the social aspect of the conference as well, reminding delegates that the bulk of the show’s content is recorded and available through the Vet Show Academy. Networking is a large part of any event as it is well known that it can aid in moving forward your career, but networking also offers delegates an opportunity to give and receive mental health and well-being support and to relax and socialise with friends and colleagues.

Speaking in a recent press release, Rob Chapman, MD of CloserStill Media’s Vet Portfolio, said: “The London Vet Show in 2019 was the last major in-person event pre-COVID-19 pandemic. We are delighted to be gathering once more… Our team is busy putting the final touches in place – including our new COVID-safety features; our speakers are excited to present to live audiences again, the delegates are making plans to see old friends. And, very importantly, our exhibitors are busy organising fantastic giveaways and getting stock ready. There has been so much fantastic R&D in the veterinary sector over the past two years and vet professionals will get to try it out first at the London Vet Show.”

With so much on offer, what should you look out for?

Lectures

There will be 21 lecture streams running throughout the London Vet Show, allowing delegates to “build their own education track” according to their speciality and interests.

Three companion animal theatres in partnership with the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) will be showcased, as well as the RVC nursing theatre and the IVC Evidensia referrals theatre for small animal practitioners. The IVC Evidensia referrals theatre will also feature content for equine practitioners alongside the comprehensive equine programme provided by two RVC equine streams and the British Veterinary Association (BVA)/British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) associated equine theatre. For farm animal practitioners there will be a BVA farm theatre.

There will be 21 lecture streams running throughout the London Vet Show, allowing delegates to “build their own education track” according to their speciality and interests

There is also plenty of non-clinical content on offer, with a non-clinical business theatre, the annual BVA careers development theatre and content from the BVA Congress. The Zoetis Learning Academy will also be returning for 2021.

“More than one option” in the companion animal streams

As the education partner of the event, the RVC is hosting three small animal clinical streams with a common mini-theme of “more than one option”.

Speaking in a recent press release for London Vet Show, Jill Madison, professor of general practice at the RVC, explained: “The idea with this mini-theme is we [w]on’t say this is how you manage lymphosarcoma or this is how you manage the patient with epilepsy. [Instead] the speakers [will] give lectures that provide a range of options with the pros and cons presented, and where the differences in opinion might lie… Options are [sometimes] dictated by the client finances or the client themselves and the situation that they’re in so we need to be prepared.”

‘The idea with this mini-theme is we [w]on’t say this is how you manage lymphosarcoma or this is how you manage the patient with epilepsy. [Instead] the speakers [will] give lectures that provide a range of options with the pros and cons presented’

There are a large number of sessions adopting this theme for conditions such as acute hindlimb collapse in the dog, feline diabetes, lymphosarcoma, hypoadrenocorticism and the management of hyperthyroidism. For a full overview of the programme, be sure to visit the London Vet Show website and keep an eye out for the lectures titled “More than one option”.

Some of the talks will also be presented by a multi-disciplinary panel of experts who will discuss the different approaches for the same case. Examples of this are “Saving lives: A multi-disciplinary approach to the patient with haemoabdomen”, with four speakers – an ECC specialist, an oncologist, a soft tissue surgeon and an anaesthesia specialist – focusing on different aspects of case management, and “The jaundiced patient – is it medical or surgical?” with three lecturers focusing on a medical approach, the diagnostic imaging approach and the surgical options too.

IVC Evidensia referrals theatre

Along the same lines, IVC Evidensia have decided to shake things up with their small animal and equine lecture streams as well. Their plan is to have a series of topics relevant to both first opinion vets and nurses, with IVC Evidensia network specialists from different disciplines talking about how they would approach each topic.

Speaking in a press release for London Vet Show , Richard Artingstall of Vale Referrals and the IVC Evidensia Referrals Strategy Group said: “Working our referrals and equine streams like this gives delegates the opportunity to gain a real insight, from different disciplines, into how our specialists work up a case.”

Small animal practitioners would be able to attend a series of talks looking at the collapsed patient with sessions from an emergency and critical care specialist, a cardiologist or a neurologist

For example, small animal practitioners would be able to attend a series of talks looking at the collapsed patient with sessions from an emergency and critical care specialist, a cardiologist or a neurologist. Other topics approached in this way include: BOAS patients (medical management, anaesthesia, surgery and recovery); jaundice (internal medicine, diagnostic imaging and surgical management); and pelvic fractures (ECC, orthopaedics and soft tissue surgery).

The equine lectures will be grouped into two series: “Triple Crown” looking at synovial sepsis and the blackthorn, colic surgery and fractures; and “Grand Slam” focusing on foaling from an ECC point of view and guttural pouch mycosis.

Human factors and well-being

It is clear that understanding what affects behaviour and performance in the veterinary workplace has been a big focus over the last 18 months, so the team behind London Vet Show have placed a spotlight on well-being and human factors in veterinary medicine at this year’s show.

Tom Reilly, head of clinical support services at Willows Veterinary Centre, will be discussing the promotion of well-being in practice on Thursday 11 November in the RVC Nursing Theatre. On the Friday, Zoe Belshaw from EviVet Research Community and Rowena Packer from the RVC will be explaining why vets should care about owner experiences, specifically looking at lessons on epilepsy, brachycephaly and beyond. Later in the day, Zoe Belshaw will also be highlighting ways veterinary professionals can support clients who have to make end-of-life decisions about their pets.

The team behind London Vet Show have placed a spotlight on well-being and human factors in veterinary medicine at this year’s show

The BVA Career Development stream will be showcasing a number of talks with a strong wellness focus. These include “Finding joy in first opinion practice” and “Embracing change to enrich your career” on the Thursday, as well as “How to overcome ‘imposter syndrome’ in the workplace” and “Juggling work and family life – finding balance” among others on the Friday. Speakers include big names such as Niall Connell of the RCVS and Daniella Santos, BVA President 2019-2020, Cat Henstridge, also known as “Cat the Vet”, and Nat Scroggie of VetMinds.

BVA Congress

The London Vet Show is proud to host the BVA Congress at its annual event, and this year’s BVA Congress stream has some key talks not to be missed. From “Dogs in demand”, looking at the findings of the recent documentary Britain’s Puppy Boom, to “Agriculture beyond Brexit”, there is sure to be something for everyone in this year’s BVA Congress stream.

The London Vet Show is proud to host the BVA Congress at its annual event, and this year’s BVA Congress stream has some key talks not to be missed. From “Dogs in demand” … to “Agriculture beyond Brexit”, there is sure to be something for everyone in this year’s BVA Congress stream

On Friday 12 November, UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, and head of animal health, welfare and community development at Brooke, Klara Saville, will be discussing the role of vets in pandemics. Their talk will look at the role of vets and animal health systems in global health security, the current gaps in animal health systems that require strengthening in order to effectively operationalise One Health, and how Action for Animal Health is working to influence and advise at global and national levels to ensure recognition of veterinarians in pandemic prevention and One Health.

There will also be a focus on sustainability within the BVA Congress, with a session focusing on the role of the veterinary profession in tackling climate change entitled “The Race to Zero”, as well as two sessions looking at “Reducing the carbon pawprint” and “Effective and responsible use of parasiticides”.

Exhibition and more

Don’t forget to check out the exhibition as well, to meet with current and new suppliers to discover ground-breaking technologies and how they could improve your practice. The London Vet Show hosts vendors from around the world, covering a huge range of products and solutions. No matter what challenges you face in daily practice or what stage you are at in your career, you will find answers within the world-famous exhibition.

Other popular features from previous shows will also be returning, such as the Community Masterminds, a forum where online peers can meet in person and discuss topics that matter most to them.

There will also be London Vet Show’s very first “Very Happy Hour” on the exhibition floor from 5.30 to 6.45pm on Thursday 11 November: “There will be drinks available for everyone to enjoy in a relaxed, spread-out fashion to celebrate being back together again,” explained Rob Chapman.

Feeling overwhelmed by all that is on offer?

‘Discussion post-learning is key. It goes into the realm of active learning and that means retention of what you have listened to will exponentially increase’

With everything that is on offer at the London Vet Show, it is very easy to go and just sit in lectures for the two days, but it’s important to make the most of the rest of the show as well.

In her press release, Jill Madison also recommends talking to others: “Discussion post-learning is key. It goes into the realm of active learning and that means retention of what you have listened to will exponentially increase.

“Whenever I do my introduction at LVS, I always say, don’t just sit in the lectures. We obviously talk with friends that are at the show but keep the conversations going. Go back to your practices and talk about the sessions you attended. As well as spreading the love, it will increase your retention of what you’ve listened to and learned.”