XLVets Ireland

03/09/2025

The 41st AETE Annual Meeting kick off today in County Cork, with preconference workshops in equine and bovine taking place. XLVets Member and Bluepool Veterinary principal, Eamon O'Flynn, will be giving a talk today at 3pm as part of the bovine preconference on animal health strategies applied to donors and recipient.

More info on the conference and proceedings can be found here➡️https://www.aete.eu/annual-meeting/program-proceedings/

✨ All is ready — we are looking forward to meeting you at AETE 2025!
We can’t wait to connect with colleagues, share knowledge, and exchange ideas on the latest advances in animal reproduction. See you soon!

02/09/2025

Established in 2010 when 18 independent practice came together with a shared vision of strength through collaboration, our network has grown to 31 members with 54 practices spread throughout Ireland. As our network has grown, so to has our commitment to deliver the highest standards of veterinary practice, animal health and commercial productivity

Our members ➡️ https://xlvets.ie/our-members-directory/

28/08/2025

Autumn is just around the corner. The cattle trade is booming and farmers all over Ireland are preparing to wean their suckler calves once again. Weaning is a pivotal event in the life of a suckler calf, the transition from milk to grazing and solid feed has profound implications for the health, welfare, and future productivity of that calf.

In this article, Kathleen Clarke DVM of Castlerea Veterinary Clinic provides tips and advice for both pre weaning and weaning of suckler calves to maximise their future productivity ➡️ https://xlvets.ie/suckler-calf-weaning/

27/08/2025

Last week XLVets Ireland attended the Irish Farmers Journal Autumn Mart Series in Ballinasloe and Castleisland marts. The event was open to farmers and those working in the agricultural industry and covered the theme of achieving targets with healthy animals this autumn. Speaking at the events were XLVets members Conor Geraghty of FarmGate Veterinary Group and John Quille of Castle Veterinary, covering topics such as housing and disease prevention.

A special thanks to everyone involved in organising the event and to all the speakers.

22/08/2025

XLVets Ireland would like to wish the Clare Masters team the best of luck this weekend in the All Ireland challenge cup semifinal. The team face off against the Limerick Masters at St Patrick's GAA.

19/08/2025

XLVets Ireland are proud to share that our research has been included in a recent article in the latest issue of the Veterinary Ireland Journal.

The article on congenital defects in cattle includes findings from a surveillance research project, conducted in association with Teagasc, where veterinary practitioners from across our network recorded cases of bovine defects via a mobile phone recording system, to identify trends in endemic conditions, or the emergence of novel, congenital, or other conditions.

Many thanks to our colleagues who participated in the project in gathering and recording the data.

18/08/2025

The Irish Farmers Journal in association with XLVets Ireland, Munster Bovine and MSD Animal Health Ireland - Livestock are delighted to invite you attend the 2025 Autumn Mart Series. The series will focus on achieving targets with healthy animals this autumn, with talks delivered by XLVets Ireland vets Conor Geraghty and John Quille.

When:
➡️ Tuesday 19th of August – Ballinasloe Mart
➡️ Thursday 21st of August - Castleisland Mart

Register here for FREE➡️ https://form.jotform.com/252231840563351?fbclid=IwY2xjawMPwERleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETB4Qk52N3Byc2oyOGZ6NFJSAR4PM38Y_8wp025y6YgPhTCyYrCWWtSZDdqLfdlhKcn3F04zr_oRNyGpd1h8Bw_aem_z2FobXi4ea9Tbs9P4geXtQ

13/08/2025

Fifteen years ago, a group of like-minded veterinary professionals in Ireland came together with a shared vision: to support independent veterinary practices in an increasingly commercialised sector. Among them was Padraig Duggan, MVB, Cert Dhh, MBS, practice principal of Killenaule Vets, one of the founding shareholders who saw the potential for a collaborative model inspired by the success of XLVets in the UK.

Read about his experience with XLVets, from the early days of establishing the network, through to what has worked well and the challenges he has seen the network overcome ➡️ https://xlvets.ie/xlvets-ireland-15-years-of-strength-through-togetherness-a-shareholders-experience/

11/08/2025

In July, XLVets Ireland organised a number of member cluster meetings at veterinary practices in our network. These cluster meetings are designed to bring our community together in a practical, engaging way to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions and explore the unique ways each practice operates. The meetings provide an opportunity to tour a practice and take part in meaningful peer-to-peer discussion. By seeing how others approach shared challenges and opportunities, the meetings offer insights and ideas for our shareholders to bring back to their own practice, in their strive for excellence in veterinary care.

Many thanks to Longford Animal Health Centre, Mulcair Vets and O'Connor Julian Veterinary for hosting this first round of meetings, and we are looking forward to the next set.

06/08/2025

Module 9 of the XLVets Graduate programme took place last week in Co. Tipperary, delivered by trainers Donal Lynch, MVB MRCVS Cert DHH Slieve Bloom Veterinary and Michael O’Connor, MVB, O'Connor Julian Veterinary.

This module covered common equine emergencies in mixed practice. The morning session consisted of a theory session on various topics, followed by an afternoon practical session in O’Connor Julian practice in Cashel. Graduates will have come away from the session with the confidence to deal with handling equine calls in day to day practice.

This module was kindly supported by Medray Veterinary.

The XLVets Graduate Programme is a two-year comprehensive mix of 13 practical and theory-based modules, providing essential CPD for a new graduates first job in practice.

31/07/2025

Mixed Vet required - Buttevant Veterinary Centre

Buttevant Veterinary Centre, a member of XLVets Ireland, require an experienced mixed practice vet to join their busy practice in county Cork.

➡️ Six-vet practice, with a focus on herd health and preventative medicine.
➡️ Recently renovated companion animal element, and LA/SA ratio can be tailored to suit individual preferences.
➡️ Access to XLVets grad program for recent graduates.
➡️ Practice vehicle supplied if required.
➡️ Focus on work life balance, with time off in lieu of weekend worked.

Please send enquiries for further information or CV to [email protected]

30/07/2025

XLVets Ireland today publish a summary of the XLVets Bovine Congenital Defect Tracker findings from the 2025 Spring season. The surveillance project, run in conjunction with Dr. John Mee, Teagasc , has completed its 5th year, with a significant increase in the number of cases logged in 2025 compared to previous years. This increase in cases reported highlighted increased engagement & commitment from vets in the XLVets network to the project, to help highlight the presence of congenital defects as well as valuable insights into their geographical spread throughout Ireland.

Read the full summary of results here ➡️ https://xlvets.ie/xlvets-ireland-bovine-congenital-defect-tracker-spring-2025-highlights/