AVA Conference program: Find the best sessions for Small Animal Veterinarians

07 Mar 2025
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AVA Conference is only a couple months away and it promises to be a hugely valuable opportunity for small animal practitioners, with the comprehensive topic-based scientific program offering cutting-edge insights, practical skills, and engaging discussions that will appeal to all small animal vets.  

Visit the Program page on the conference website and use the filter system to select relevant ‘tracks’ to tailor for a particular interest or speaker. 

Our 5 keynote speakers – Drs Crystal Loh, Chris Tan, Greg Ogilvie, Jaume Fatjo and Duncan Lascelles – will share their expertise and innovative approaches, keeping you abreast of the latest advancements in small animal medicine. 

By selecting the ‘small animal’ track, you can view tailored sessions including ‘Reactive dogs: Practical tips for GP vets and their clients’ with Dr Jennifer Nesbitt-Hawes, and ‘Introduction to laparoscopic reproductive surgery’ with Dr Xavier Schneider, where he will introduce the equipment needed and the basic technique for some common reproductive surgeries. 

In total, the AVA Conference program  features an impressive 46 tracks! Some highlights for small animal veterinarians include:  

  • Bitey Behaviour 
  • Managing Cat-astrophies 
  • We dig Dentistry 
  • General Surgery 
  • Reproduction 
  • Succeed in Surgery 
  • The Down-Low on Desexing 

Selecting the track, ‘Bitey Behaviour’ for example, offers the following sessions: 

  • Reactive dogs: Practical tips for GP vets and their clients, Jennifer Nesbitt-Hawes 
  • Diagnosing osteoarthritis pain in dogs through behaviour, Duncan Lascelles 
  • Dog bites: new insights from a community survey and public health campaign in South Australia, Susan Hazel 
  • A new multi-axial approach to behaviour problems, Jaume Fatjo 
  • Can you manage osteoarthritis pain in dogs with supplements? Duncan Lascelles ‘ 

‘The Down-Low on Desexing’ offers actionable insights that you can take straight back to your clinic, including: 

  • Update on the effects of desexing, Xavier Schneider 
  • The Human factor in surgery: Improving outcomes and decreasing complications, Chris Tan 
  • The pros and cons of neutering in behaviour: Are we facing a new paradigm? Jaume Fatjo 
  • Introduction to laparoscopic reproductive surgery, Xavier Schneider 

But it’s not all about the clinical side. The 2025 AVA Conference also acknowledges the unique challenges of working in veterinary practice, with sessions focused on mental health, resilience, and business management. Learn strategies to prevent burnout, enhance client communication, and build a more sustainable and rewarding career in veterinary medicine.  

Register before 31 March to take advantage of up to 25% off the standard registration price. 

And don’t miss the opportunity to join your small animal colleagues on Wednesday 14 May, for a Harbour Cruise. This social event will bring together the Australian Small Animal Veterinarians Group (ASAV), the Veterinary Business Group (VBG), Australian Veterinary Behavioural Medicine (AVBM) and Australian Veterinarians in Industry Group (AVI) for an evening of socialising with scenic Sydney Harbour views.   

With a comprehensive program designed to elevate your knowledge and skills, the 2025 AVA Conference is the perfect place for small animal veterinarians to grow, learn, and be inspired. Secure your spot today and be part of this premier veterinary event!