Renowned small animal surgery specialist Dr Chris Tan to speak at 2025 AVA Conference

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is delighted to welcome highly respected and widely recognised small animal surgery specialist, Dr Chris Tan, as a keynote speaker at the 2025 AVA Conference. Dr Tan is known for his dynamic approach to surgery, education, and research, and is celebrated within the veterinary community for his commitment to advancing surgical standards and improving patient outcomes. 

The 2025 AVA Conference will be held for the first time in over 2 decades in Sydney, at the International Convention Centre (ICC Sydney), Darling Harbour, from 12–15 May 2025. Themed ‘Cutting Through’, the conference will bring together leading local and international experts in veterinary surgery and medicine, offering delegates a week of learning, networking, and professional development right in the heart of Sydney.  

A range of flexible registration options, including single day passes, are available – with big discounts for AVA members. Visit the conference website for full details. (Note, late fees apply for registrations after 9 May). 

Dr Chris Tan is a Sydney-based specialist in small animal surgery who expertly balances clinical practice, education, and research. As the hospital director at SASH Alexandria, he leads a team delivering 24/7 emergency and specialist care.  

In academia, Dr Tan serves as an associate professor at the University of Sydney and holds an academic appointment at the University of New South Wales, where he collaborates across veterinary and human surgical fields to enhance patientcare. He is also a board member of AOVET Asia Pacific, focusing on delivering high-quality education to veterinary professionals.  

Despite his demanding schedule, Dr Tan values time with his family away from the city, reflecting his belief in work-life balance. 

Dr Tan will be presenting on the following 4 topics: 

• The human factor in surgery: Improving outcomes and decreasing complications: Tuesday, 13 May 9:00am-9:55am 

• When the wounds are small, but the damage is severe: Blunt force trauma and penetrating injuries: Tuesday 13 May, 4:30pm-5:25pm 

• Too big to close? What to do with very large wounds: Wednesday 14 May, 9:00am-9:55am 

• Fractures in the juvenile patient: Special considerations and treatment strategies: Wednesday 14 May, 4:00pm-4:50pm 

Alongside Dr Tan, the ‘Small Animal’ track of the AVA Conference program will also feature: 

• Xavier Schneider: Update on the effects of desexing 

• Shelby Chew: The bloody guinea pig: Diagnostics, workup, medical and surgical options 

• Peter Bennett: Managing the comorbidities of the older cancer patient to facilitate oncological treatments 

• Susan Hazel: Dog bites - New insights from a community survey and public health campaign in South Australia 

• Claire Cannon: Chemotherapy safety for our staff and clients: Real and hypothetical risks 

• Michelle Joffe: Should we still offer perneal urethrostomy? 

• Mariko Yata: A review of treatment options for common arrhythmias in dogs and cats 

• Rachel Basa: Snap judgements: Rapid decisions in orthopaedic triage 

• Tunbi Idowu: Where have all the platelets gone? Canine immune mediated thrombocytopenia 

• Annie Quain: Just a GP vet: Ethical challenges associated with defining scope-of-practice for general practitioners. 

Visit the program page on the conference website and select ‘Small Animal’ to read the full list of related sessions available. 

An AVA membership entitles you to substantial discounts on an AVA Conference registration, check out the full program and registration here.