Delegates enjoy bustling day of CPD and networking

After a hugely busy and successful first day, London Vet Show 2013 is beginning to draw to a close as delegates file out of the last lectures.

The booming popularity of this event is clear to see, as thousands of members of the veterinary profession pack out London's Grand Hall Olympia.

Fascinating streams of lectures are complimented by the bustling atmosphere of the exhibition hall, which showcases the most recent achievements and developments within the veterinary industry.

Over the course of the two days, Virbac is celebrating the first birthday of its social media-based service, Parvo-Alert, which warns vets and pet owners about outbreaks of parvovirus.

Since this time last year, the service has attracted nearly 2,000 followers on Twitter, and recently expanded to Facebook, where the page has 5,000 likes already.

Vet Emma Milne, who is helping to mark its birthday, said: "Anyone who has seen this devastating disease and the suffering it causes will never want to see it again. Anything we can do to raise awareness of this preventable disease and to increase levels of vaccinations is a great thing."

During the afternoon, cheques were also presented to the beneficiaries of BCF's Vet Charity Challenge. Animals Asia, SPANA and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People were each awarded £16,700 thanks to the fundraising efforts.

On receiving the cheque, corporate fundraiser for Hearing Dogs, Deborah Bourne, said: "On behalf of everyone at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, thank you so much for the tremendous amount of money you've raised for us.

"The money will be spent training and matching more hearing dogs for deaf adults and children across the UK. Your gift will be truly life-changing and enable the deaf people we help to lead an independent life."

As well as a variety of stands to enjoy, visitors to this year's event are benefitting from small animal, farm, equine and business lecture streams, and the ever-popular BVA careers fair.

Tomorrow at the Olympia promises another day packed with activity and learning, with lectures on surviving strangles, why vets run late during consultations and imported diseases in dogs and cats.