Sara Higgins, Veterinary Advisor within the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), and Victoria South, equine internal medicine specialist, discuss West Nile Virus (WNV) and what equine vets need to know. As cases continue to spread across Europe and surveillance findings raise awareness closer to home, they explore the current UK risk, clinical signs, diagnostics, reporting routes, and the APHA Test to Exclude scheme. The conversation also covers surveillance, vector control, vaccination, and why keeping West Nile virus on your differential list could play an important role in early detection and preparedness.

Links

• BEVA Infectious Disease Hub - West Nile Virus (WNV)

• BEVA Vaccination Guidance

• EIDS 2025 Q2 Quarterly Report: Focus Article - West Nile virus in horses: The latest on surveillance, diagnosis and prevention in a changing landscape

• Mosquito Watch: submit a mosquito - GOV.UK

• Test to exclude West Nile Virus in horses - GOV.UK

• West Nile virus in horses: surveillance, diagnosis and prevention in the UK

• Vector-Borne RADAR | Mosquito-borne viral diseases of wild birds

A rundown of the most important news from the last month that you need to know as a veterinary professional including:

• BEVA News

• BEVA Congress 2025 - 10th-13th September in Birmingham

• MonitorME

• EIDS

• BEVA Trust volunteering opportunities

• BEVA CPD

• BEVApod

• Equine Veterinary Journal Podcasts

• Equine Veterinary Education Podcast

Council members Ian Beamish and Nicky Housby-Skeggs discuss the new BEVA Splinting Guide — an interactive resource designed to help equine vets confidently manage fractures and limb injuries in emergency situations. The conversation explores practical splinting techniques, field challenges, welfare considerations and the collaborative effort behind creating an accessible, evidence-based tool for everyday practice.

Links

• BEVA Splinting Guide

• Association of Racecourse Veterinary Surgeons (ARVS)

In this series of BEVApod Life, Senior Marketing Executive Fiona chats to the winners of our member of the month campaign. This month we get to know our August winner, Becky Parkes. Executive Manager at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Becky is nominated for inspiring everyone around her and championing equine welfare. Think you know someone who deserves a pat on the back? Put them forward as our member of the month here

A rundown of the most important news from the last month that you need to know as a veterinary professional including:

• BEVA News

• BEVA Congress 2025: 10th-13th September in Birmingham

• MonitorME

• EIDS

• BEVA Trust volunteering opportunities

• BEVA CPD

• BEVApod

• Equine Veterinary Journal Podcasts

• Equine Veterinary Education Podcast

From ski seasons and ranches in Malawi to jam factories, grooming jobs and late-night biology A-level revision - this episode of BEVA Pod Life proves there’s no single route into vet school. Lucy chats with Nottingham Vet School students Vilma, Ellie and Chota about chasing the dream of becoming a vet, surviving EMS placements, building confidence, and why “you get paid in experience first” might be the best advice in the profession. Whether you’re horsey, non-horsey, a prospective vet student, new grad, or just wondering if veterinary medicine is really for you - this episode is packed with reassurance, relatable chaos, and proof that sometimes the winding route is the best one.

Links

• BEVA Student Hub

• BEVA EMS Guidance

• Nottingham September Veterinary Society Instagram account

• Riding for the Disabled (RDA)

• British Horse Society: Find a riding centre or livery yard

• BEVA Apps

In this thought-provoking BEVApod Focus episode we explore the risk of head injuries in equine veterinary practice through a powerful personal account from Grace Twitchett and expert insight from Dr John Tulloch. Together, they examine why these injuries are more common than many realise, the barriers to wearing hard hats, and how the profession can move towards making head protection a normal part of everyday PPE.

Links

• Future Safety

• BARTA

• uvex pheos alpine safety helmet - EN 12492

• PG Mutual Income Protection (BEVA member discount)

• Head Safety in Equine Practice: A Guide to Selecting Protective Headwear