Published: 30 Sep 2025 | Last Updated: 30 Sep 2025 16:23:04

Two RVC students were placed in the top three in the BSAVA’s Companion Student Research Project Competition. Companion is the British Small Animal Veterinary Association’s (BSAVA's) monthly membership magazine. The entries were judged by the publication’s Editorial Panel.

Yan Phu, who graduated in June, took second place in the competition for her project ‘The epidemiology of tibial tuberosity fractures in dogs under one year of age born in 2019 under primary veterinary care in the UK.’

Yan’s study investigated the frequency, risk factors, clinical management of tibial tuberosity fractures and the role of muscularity as a breed-related risk factor on the incidence risk and odds of tibial tuberosity fractures occurring in dogs under one year of age under primary veterinary care in the UK.

The study drew on the RVC’s VetCompass project’s epidemiological data, gathered from practices across the UK. Yan was supervised by Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology, and Carlos Sanchez Villamil, Lecturer in Small Animal Orthopaedic Surgery.

Commenting on their project, Yan said: “Having the privilege of using such an expansive database (VetCompass) whilst under the incredible supervision of Dan O’Neill and Carlos Sanchez Villamil, has enabled me to obtain significant findings pertaining to the impact of breed morphology and conformation on the occurrence of tibial tuberosity fractures, especially on a pathology which has minimal reports.”

She also said: “My hope is that my research project would, in the future, add to the currently limited literature surrounding this type of fracture in young dogs. I believe the vastness of databases like VetCompass would be able to facilitate further developments on this topic.”

As the second prize winner, Yan can select a BSAVA Manual of her choice.

Fluoxetine study

Third place in the competition went to fellow 2025 graduate Hollie Bryant for her study ‘Epidemiology of fluoxetine use in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2023’. She was supervised by Dr O’Neill and Carrie Tooley, and external supervisor and specialist in behavioural medicine.

The specific serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine is used mostly off-license to manage canine anxiety-related undesirable behaviours. The research addressed clinical benchmarking in relation to fluoxetine use in primary veterinary care, with the aim of aiding behaviour modification research and canine welfare.

Commenting on the research process, Hollie said: “The process of writing my research project was so rewarding. I loved pulling data from the amazing VetCompass platform and creating understandable conclusions on the role fluoxetine can play in canine behaviour. I plan to work in the charity and rescue sector, where undesirable behaviours are commonly seen. With more research into anxiolytics, like fluoxetine, we can continue to improve the mental health and ultimately the overall welfare of our canine companions.”

As the winner of the third prize, Hollie will receive a copy of the BSAVA Pocket Book for Vets.

Speaking about the value of the VetCompass initiative for veterinary student research, Dr O’Neill commented: “The RVC has developed VetCompass as a major resource for education, evidence-generation and advocacy, based on primary care veterinary research in the UK. The RVC veterinary students awarded prizes in the 2025 Companion Student Project competition wonderfully exemplify how research using primary care veterinary data can amplify the student learning experience and also support good research.”

He added: “The aim over the coming years is for more and more undergraduate students to experience the ‘VetCompass world’ and embrace contextualised care as a solid foundation for successful practice-based careers.”

In the October issue of Companion, the editorial team states: “All the entries in this, the second year of running the Companion Student Research Project Competition, were of an exceptional calibre and once again the Companion Editorial Panel thoroughly enjoyed reading each entry.”

“The panel is in agreement that by showcasing these outstanding projects, we can champion the efforts of the students involved (and their supervisors) and hopefully encourage others to share their findings with the wider veterinary community.”