11th Annual BVNS Symposium 2026
“Back to the future: innovations in vertebral implants”
Fri 24th April 2026, The John McIntyre Conference Centre, The University of Edinburgh
Programme:
08:30-08:50 – Registrations & Coffee
08:50-09:00 – Introductions/Welcome
09:00-09:45 – Nick Carleton-Bland BSc MSc PGCert Dip. Interprof.Spine Care MBBS(Lond) MRCS(Eng) FRCS(Neuro.Surg), NHS & University of Liverpool –
“Introduction to spinal biomechanics, instrumentation and cervical fusion in man”
09:45-10:30 – Colin Driver BSc BVetMed (Hons) MVetMed PhD DipECVN FRCVS, Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists –
“Cervical fusion in dogs – indications, technique, complications”
10:30-11:00 – COFFEE BREAK
11:00-11:45 – Nick Carleton-Bland BSc MSc PGCert Dip. Interprof.Spine Care MBBS(Lond) MRCS(Eng) FRCS(Neuro.Surg), NHS & University of Liverpool –
“Robotics & Neuronavigation”
11:45-12:30 – Sebastien Behr DVM(Hons) DipECVN MRCVS, Willows Veterinary Centre –
“Thoracolumbar stabilisation”
12:30-13:00 – Jeremy Rose MA VetMB AFHEA MRCVS, Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialist –
“Lumbosacral Fusion in Dogs: Indications, Case Selection, and Technique”
13:00-14:00 – LUNCH
14:00-14:10 – Sponsors Presentation
14:10-15:40 – Clinical Case Panel Discussions
15:40-16:00 – COFFEE BREAK
16:00-17:00 – Clinical Research Abstracts
ORAL Presentations (10mins each – 8mins presentation, 2mins questions)
Polidoro D. et al. Myoclonus as a neurological manifestation of hypoglycaemia in dogs
Shah N. et al. Intramedullary T2-weighted hyperintensity on magnetic resonance imaging in 163 dogs with cervical intervertebral disc extrusion and associations with clinical presentation and outcome
Dauden D et al. Presumed idiopathic bilateral trigeminal neuropathy in dogs
FLASH Presentations (5 minutes each, 4mins presentation, 1min questions)
Doherty N. & Fentem R. Acute cervical vertebral subperiosteal haematoma in a Cocker Spaniel
Hadju D. et al. Regional morphometric comparison of the cervical and thoracolumbar spinal cord and vertebral canal in clinically normal dachshunds using computed tomography
Mace C. et al. End-on fluoroscopic guidance for accurate pedicle screw placement in a small breed dog with a vertebral fracture luxation at T9-10
Mustatea M.I. et al. Recurrent self-limiting non-ambulatory paraparesis in two dogs with spinal arachnoid diverticulum
Robinson M. et al. Angiostrongylus vasorum as a cause of neurological abnormalities: presenting clinical signs and prognostic indicators
Fisher A. et al. Rapid Improvement of Severe Generalized Myasthenia Gravis in a Dog with a Novel Targeted Active Immunotherapy
17:30-20:00 – Informal gathering at the Salisbury Arms
Registration:
Please complete the Registration form and forward it to George Nye (George.Nye@bristolvetspecialists.co.uk).
Please note: This is an In-Person event and not available online
‘Early bird fee’ with payment received BY 10th April
• BVNS symposium fee + annual membership (payment received by 10th April): £150
• Undergraduate veterinary student BVNS symposium only fee (payment received by 10th April): £40
• Veterinary nurse BVNS symposium only fee (payment received by 10th April): £40
We kindly ask to ensure funds are received in our bank by 10th April to qualify for early bird.
Fees with payment received AFTER 10th April
• BVNS symposium fee + annual membership (payment received AFTER 31st March): £200
Registration deadline: 23:59 on the 22nd of April.
Abstract Submission
Abstract Format
Submission guidelines for all abstracts:
Papers, reports or articles containing the work submitted in the abstract must NOT have been submitted or accepted for publication prior to submission of the abstract. Abstracts must NOT have been presented elsewhere prior to presentation at the BVNS meeting.
- Submit the abstract as an MS Word file (.doc or .docx)
- Indicate whether ethical approval was obtained for the study
- Font: Times New Roman, size 12
- Paragraphs: 1.5 spacing and fully justified
- Indent each paragraph three spaces
- The abstract should be a maximum of 500 words
- The first line should contain the title in capitals; the second line all author(s); the third the institution(s) the author(s) are affiliated with
- Organise the body of the abstract as follows:
- A statement of the purpose of the study
- A statement of the methods used
- A summary of the results presented in sufficient detail to support the conclusions
- A statement of the conclusions reached
- Do not use subheadings (e.g. methods, results)
Please e-mail submissions to Tom Cardy at Thomas.Cardy@Cave-Vet-Specialists.co.uk
The deadline for abstract submission is the 15th March 2026 at 11:59pm. Accepted abstracts will be printed in the Symposium Proceedings. Authors of accepted abstracts will receive free registration to the 2027 BVNS Symposium.
