Welcome to the website of the British Deer Veterinary Association, a subdivision of the British Veterinary Association (BVA).
The Veterinary Deer Society (VDS) was established in 1981 with the object of aiding those vets interested in deer to exchange information more easily. The Society became a non-territorial division of the British Veterinary Association in 1989. In 2021, the society was renamed as the British Deer Veterinary Association. Our aims are to provide a forum for discussion and the exchange of ideas on matters of science, biology and veterinary medicine pertaining to deer. Also, to assist the BVA in its activities by advising on matters relating to deer. Deer matters may include those related to wild and captive deer, including those related to farmed, rescued (wildlife centres), park and zoological collections.
We aim to hold a meeting once a year with the aim of disseminating new information and to pass on knowledge gained by experience to support those already familiar, and those wishing to start working, with deer. These meetings are relatively informal and held in a relaxed atmosphere and are an excellent way to make contacts with others working in this sector.
Previous meetings have explored topics such as the needs of reindeer kept in the UK. Also, Mycobacteria infection (Tb), transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSEs), the role of deer and ticks and Lyme disease, and contraception. Online meetings have explored clinical pathology topics as well as the perennial topic of infection of deer with Mycobacterium bovis.
A report of the meeting in Edinburgh in 2022 is available from the Vet Times Deer discussions at former Royal Dick school residence | Vet Times
Members receive discounted delegate rates for BDVA meetings. Also access to the Management and Diseases of Deer book and other resources.
Deer Veterinary Medicine (new book title)
BDVA will be publishing a new book called Deer Veterinary Medicine in 2025 with Wiley Blackwell. The book is partly based on the Veterinary Deer Society book Management and Diseases of Deer. There will be 34 chapters with 38 authors and it will explore deer species, in particular muntjac, reindeer & white-tailed deer; deer in various management systems and diseases using a body system approach.