What is the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists? 
The Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists is an active, enthusiastic group of veterinary surgeons and others (e.g. researchers, technicians, pharmacologists) who share an interest in animal anaesthesia, analgesia and animal welfare. We hold meetings twice a year at various venues in Europe which are open to all those who share our common interest. The Association was established in 1964 to promote the study of, and research into, the subject of anaesthesia and analgesia in animals. It also publishes the Journal of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia and has been active in the founding of the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia. We are keen to promote collaboration between anaesthetists in all places, and actively encourage the establishment and taking of diplomas and degrees in veterinary anaesthesia.
The Association also has an educational Trust Fund to support training in anaesthesia.
For all information about the Spring AVA meeting, Cambridge go to: cambridge.ava.eu.com/
AVA ethics and welfare
Read more about the mass euthanasia of goats in The Netherlands to stop the outbreak of Q Fever.
AVA statement creates waves in Europe: 
Hans Nieuwendijk, AVA committee member has been very active in The Netherlands publicising the AVA statement on use of CO2 anaesthesia for castration in piglets. On 17th December he visited The Hague to ask members of parliment if they were willing to try the "pig sleeper". All declined but some journalists and passers-by were willing to try and this video link shows their responses. There is a short advert before the video begins. This initiative has resulted in more newspaper and media publicity. To read a summary of whats been happening in The Netherlands download the full story here. Thanks to Hans for raising the profile of this important welfare issue in The Netherlands.
Post your views on this issue by logging into the members only section and clicking more on the news item icon. A summary of responses to the issue of CO2 castration from AVA members can be downloaded from the Ethics and Welfare page.
The AVA makes a statement on castration of piglets using CO2 anaesthesia
The AVA position statement on castration of piglets using CO2 anaesthesia is now clear and can be summarised as follows: "with respect to animal welfare and the aim of alleviating pain during and after castration of piglets, carbon dioxide anaesthesia would not seem to be an appropriate or advisable technique". The full document outlining the background to this statement can be downloaded here.
This statement has been sent to stakeholders in the pig industry and leading experts in animal welfare throughout Europe.
In order to see how piglets respond to CO2 anaesthesia for castration watch the following video www.trouw.nl/video/: The video commentary is in dutch, but the video illustrates extremely well how aversive castration under CO2 anaesthesia is for piglets.
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Upcoming AVA meetings!Spring AVA meeting 2010 March 29th (training day) until March 31st (main conference 30th, 31st March). Go to cambridge.ava.eu.com/ for all information about the meeting Autumn AVA meeting: Santorini Greece The meeting will be held between 2nd Sept (training day) and 4th September (AVA congress 3/4th Sept) AVA Spring meeting 2011, Bari, Italy 13th -15th April (13th April is the training day) WCVA 2012: Advance details of the venue and dates 24th-28th September 2012, Cape Town, South Africa
Please email Jo Murrell if you would like a position advertised in the members' jobs area on the AVA website.
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