The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies Bicentenary

2023 News

News from 2023

To view articles from previous years, please see the news archive.

Students support homeless people and their pets

Volunteers collect clothing, other essentials and pet supplies in partnership with local charities.

Vitamin D study sheds light on horse health

Supplements can help stabled Thoroughbred racehorses maintain an adequate vitamin D status, research indicates.

Class of 2023 enjoys winter graduation

The winter cohort has graduated from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, supported by their families and friends.

Time capsule buried to mark School’s bicentenary year 

Staff and students submit items to reflect veterinary science in 2023 for future generations. 

Head of School presents inaugural lecture 

Professor Lisa Boden wears an academic robe on the occasion of her inaugural lecture
Professor Lisa Boden outlined her vision of empathy at the core of scientific decision-making, in a celebratory lecture. 

Blood test monitors progress of cancer in dogs

Spinout company launches rapid, sensitive liquid biopsy for canine cancer patients.

Plaque commemorates site of School’s first lecture

Edinburgh restaurant celebrates historical connection with School as location of inaugural lessons.

Improved donkey health could empower women, study suggests 

A woman and child sit close to a resting working donkey in a street in India
Understanding how the health of working equids impacts the women who use them could enable effective policymaking. 

Wild red deer gene analysis informs management plans

Genetic studies highlight the species’ genetic diversity and population structure, with implications for conservation and wildlife management.

Alumni gather to mark School’s bicentenary

Dick Vet graduates travel from across the globe to join celebration at the School’s former premises.

Gala dinner celebrates School’s bicentenary year

Friends and family of the School gather to celebrate milestone and support charity.

Chair of General Veterinary Practice appointed by the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

Professor Adam Tjolle has been appointed Chair of General Veterinary Practice at the Dick Vet.

Data reveals genetic diversity in horses' immune systems

Insights into the genetic makeup of horses point to a wide variety of newly discovered immune-related genes to identify and fight disease.

Experts support golden eagle conservation in Japan

Wildlife conservation team meet Japanese experts to inform national strategy for endangered species.

Modified surgery resolves cattle neuromuscular condition 

White male cattle stand in a green field.
Farm specialists develop speedy, simplified method of surgery to treat disorder affecting hind limbs. 

Lecture marks 200 years of veterinary science

Professor David Argyle delivers William Dick Memorial Lecture in celebration of school bicentenary.

Dick Vet alumna runs 38 marathons in 38 days

Staff and students join health coach on her epic challenge to promote mental health

Routine cat blood pressure tests can curb health risks

Two Maine coon cats relaxing together
Increased awareness around the importance of regular blood pressure checks could help detect feline hypertension early, survey finds.

Condition score system identifies likely outcomes for dogs 

vet weighing dog on scales
Screening test for nutritional health at time of diagnosis with protein-losing enteropathy can predict outcome for dogs. 

Study offers path to diagnosing gut conditions in cats

Danielle gun moore cats
Biological molecules found in blood serum could be used to distinguish between gastrointestinal cancer and chronic bowel inflammatory diseases, pilot study finds.

Dogs’ cognitive decline may be worsened by other ailments  

Older canines with mental impairment more likely to have concurrent physical conditions, and vice-versa, owner survey shows. 

French bulldogs puppies prone to elbow fractures 

A brown French bulldog puppy stands in an urban park, looking to the left.
Breed’s risk of front limb injury in first year of life may be linked to common bone fissures, scans suggest. 

Rapid infection test could curb antibiotic resistance 

A boxer dog being examined
Novel system speeds diagnosis of bacterial infections, enabling effective choice of treatment. 

Diversity summer school offers glimpse of student life

Initiative supports potential vet students from under-represented backgrounds.

Class of 2023 enjoys summer celebration

group of BVM&S graduates
Family and friends gather to celebrate the achievements of new graduates at end-of-year ceremonies.

Interventional laser surgery cures incontinence in young dog

Alternative to major surgery delivers immediate benefits.

Report on reintroduction of species draws on expert voices

EFRA Committee recommendations include a call for compensation and clarity on planning.

US$1million gift to boost future vets’ business skills at the Dick Vet

Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies receives generous gift from former student.

Successful Royal Highland Show for the Dick Vet

Visitors meet vets, researchers and teaching staff during busy four days for Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

Dog makes full recovery following mechanical ventilation

Multiple specialist services at Hospital for Small Animals worked collaboratively to save critically ill pet.

Skin lesions can be linked to dental disease in dogs

A West Highland white terrier dog wearing a blue bandana collar sits in a doorway.
Referral cases highlight underlying simple dental problems as cause of skin conditions.

Life-saving blood donation gives kitten new life

Local cat saves the day following emergency appeal for feline blood donors.

Vet School performs strongly in independent student surveys

Postgraduate student community scores their overall experience highly.

Professor Lisa Boden appointed new Head of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

Professor Lisa Boden pictured indoors at the Dick Vet
A leading specialist in veterinary public health and population medicine has been appointed as the new Head of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

Method offers boost to safety profile of live vaccines

A girl sits in a woman's lap while having a vaccine jab in her left leg.
Weakening virus by amending genetic code promises route to large-scale production of live vaccines. 

Project aims to curb losses from major cattle pest

Tiny red Asian blue tick Rhipicephalus microplus larvae cluster on a blade of grass in a cattle field.
Experts join collaboration to mitigate impact of Asian blue tick on cattle herds around the world.

Expert joins UK Government animal welfare committee

Professor Anna Meredith joins newly formed Animal Sentience Committee to support animal welfare in policymaking.

£35.5m investment supports next phase of Roslin research

Structure and design
BBSRC funding helps to further understanding of animal genetics and infectious diseases.

Human genes linked to life-threatening Covid-19

Large-scale study of patient data highlights 49 genetic differences associated with critical illness.

Sports day brings campus community together

Staff, students and tenants from across Easter Bush Campus enjoy fun competitions at summer gathering.

Pet therapy brings paw-sitive benefits for students

Dick Vet staff and students co-design pioneering project to deliver benefits of time spent with dogs.

Campus expands team of mental health first aiders

Over 60 trained volunteers available to support mental wellbeing of staff and students.

Acupuncture helps treat arthritis in South American mammal

Coatimundi responds well to pioneering treatment from Dick Vet team.

Antelope conservation aided by genetic management

Scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) and calf in desert grasslands in Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim nature reserve in Chad.
Effective conservation of oryx populations underscores successful reintroduction in the wild.

Wildcat conservation plans informed by expert collaboration

Scottish wildcat looks directly at the camera as it sits in a tree at the RZSS Highland Wildlife park
Five-year project assesses Scottish wildcat population and proposes measures to safeguard the species.

Experts advise UK Government on bird flu 

A flock of wild birds flies over grassland against a grey sky
Scientific specialists contribute to action plan on managing current and future severe bird flu strains. 

Fellowships recognise leading research talent 

scientist working in a lab
Prestigious awards from University and BBSRC nurture outstanding scientists and pioneering projects. 

Connectivity in dolphin DNA may aid conservation plans

Dolphins at sea
Atlantic white-sided dolphins shown to be strongly connected across their population, challenging common assumption of divided groups in cetacean species.

Long-term approach on bird flu is best, study finds

A colony of gannets is seen nesting on Bass Rock in Scotland.
Lasting conservation measures targeted at most vulnerable species are recommended in a report for the Scottish Government.

Teaching tools aid students in developing key practical skills

Inexpensive 3D models help undergraduates practise essential surgical procedures.

Student led workshops support vulnerable children

three vet students holding teddies of dogs and cats
‘Be a Vet for the Day’ initiative teaches compassion and empathy.

Intense physiotherapy gets Beau back on her feet

three images of french bulldog in physiotherapy sessions
French bulldog with slipped disc benefits from laser treatment and specialised therapy.

Multi-species study aids understanding of bird flu

Response to infection in birds from chickens to crows points to biological factors linked to disease resistance.

Proactive cat healthcare can prevent common conditions

Danielle gun moore cats
Dental care, weight management and parasite prevention shown as priority conditions for cat owners to be aware of, to improve their pet's quality of life.

Marking two centuries of veterinary expertise 

Black and white image of vet school founder Prof William Dick against a tartan backdrop
This year marks the bicentenary of the Dick Vet, with a series of celebratory events at the School and beyond. 

Webinar series gives insight into life as a Dick Vet student

veterinary student holding puppy
Taking students on a journey through studying veterinary medicine at Edinburgh.

Gene activity and digit structure define fingerprint pattern 

close up of human fingerprints detailing arch, loop and whorl features
Fingerprint formation is initiated by a specialised molecular process, influenced by the anatomy of the developing hand, research shows. 

DNA reference for key fish species aids food security

Resource detailing genome of Nile tilapia supports sustainable farming of important strain of livestock.

Inclusive multi-species research improves pack mule welfare

Breaking camp at Tazrit 2
An approach based on deep listening and genuine dialogue involving animals has helped transform conditions and welfare for working equines.