19th December 2023
The charity World Horse Welfare has launched a new section on its website to provide owners and care-givers with the latest advice on equine welfare.
Resources are available for free on a range topics, covering areas such as health, nutrition, behaviour, and environment.
Rebecca Boulert, World Horse Welfare research and education officer, said: "We are fortunate that we are able to bring up-to-date, evidence-based advice and guidance into the public forum, with the support of a range of industry experts and professionals."
The advice pages can be accessed here.
Resources are available for free on a range topics, covering areas such as health, nutrition, behaviour, and environment.
Rebecca Boulert, World Horse Welfare research and education officer, said: "We are fortunate that we are able to bring up-to-date, evidence-based advice and guidance into the public forum, with the support of a range of industry experts and professionals."
The advice pages can be accessed here.
8th December 2023
Red, a search and rescue dog with the Staffordshire Search and Rescue Team, has died after 12 years of service.
The National Search and Rescue Dog Association (NSARDA) announced on Facebook that he had died from cancer.
The border collie joined the team in 2011 at eight weeks old. During his career, he helped in over 250 searches.
Red retired in 2022, due to his diagnosis. Despite a prognosis of six weeks to six months, he lived for 12 months.
The National Search and Rescue Dog Association (NSARDA) announced on Facebook that he had died from cancer.
The border collie joined the team in 2011 at eight weeks old. During his career, he helped in over 250 searches.
Red retired in 2022, due to his diagnosis. Despite a prognosis of six weeks to six months, he lived for 12 months.
27th November 2023
Miles Russell, president of the Veterinary Management Group (VMG), has been elected to the House of Lords as a crossbench hereditary peer.
He will join Lord Trees as a representative of the veterinary sector in the second chamber of the UK parliament.
Lord Russell said: "Those of us working in the animal health and veterinary sectors are only too aware of the importance of the work we do and the challenges we face.
"I will use my platform in the House of Lords to increase understanding of our sectors and to promote positive change."
He will join Lord Trees as a representative of the veterinary sector in the second chamber of the UK parliament.
Lord Russell said: "Those of us working in the animal health and veterinary sectors are only too aware of the importance of the work we do and the challenges we face.
"I will use my platform in the House of Lords to increase understanding of our sectors and to promote positive change."
13th November 2023
Fellows of the RCVS have elected three members to the Fellowship Board.
Dr Niall Connell was elected as vice-chair, Professor Richard Piercy was elected as chair of the Credentials Panel for Meritorious Contributions to Knowledge, and Andrew Robinson was re-elected as chair of the Credentials Panel for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession.
Dr Connell said: "I'm delighted to be part of the Fellowship Board team. I'm very much looking forward to doing my best to work with Chris [Tufnell] our chair, the board, and the Fellowship for the benefit and advancement of our professions."
Dr Niall Connell was elected as vice-chair, Professor Richard Piercy was elected as chair of the Credentials Panel for Meritorious Contributions to Knowledge, and Andrew Robinson was re-elected as chair of the Credentials Panel for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession.
Dr Connell said: "I'm delighted to be part of the Fellowship Board team. I'm very much looking forward to doing my best to work with Chris [Tufnell] our chair, the board, and the Fellowship for the benefit and advancement of our professions."
6th November 2023
Veterinary Management Group (VMG) has opened registration for VMG Congress 2024, which will be held at Stratford-upon-Avon on 25-26 April 2024.
Dr Andy Cope, a mental health and wellbeing expert, will be the keynote speaker.
VMG director Liz Somerville said: "Building on the success of our 2023 Congress, VMG is committed to giving our delegates access to vibrant and innovative speakers, who offer relevant content to support them in their goals as leaders, managers and business owners."
Full details of the programme can be found on the VMG website.
Dr Andy Cope, a mental health and wellbeing expert, will be the keynote speaker.
VMG director Liz Somerville said: "Building on the success of our 2023 Congress, VMG is committed to giving our delegates access to vibrant and innovative speakers, who offer relevant content to support them in their goals as leaders, managers and business owners."
Full details of the programme can be found on the VMG website.
30th October 2023
The Scottish SPCA is asking people not to dump their pumpkins in wooded areas after Halloween.
Although some people believe that they are providing food to help wildlife, the charity says that pumpkins can actually be harmful.
Chris Hogsden, manager at The National Wildlife Rescue Centre, said: "Pumpkins aren't a natural food source for most of our native wildlife and, as with any food source that is not natural, it has the potential to makes animals such as hedgehogs, foxes and badgers unwell.
"More importantly, there may be a disease risk especially if they have been decorated with man-made substances or have contained candles and other items that may not have been removed from the pumpkin shell."
Although some people believe that they are providing food to help wildlife, the charity says that pumpkins can actually be harmful.
Chris Hogsden, manager at The National Wildlife Rescue Centre, said: "Pumpkins aren't a natural food source for most of our native wildlife and, as with any food source that is not natural, it has the potential to makes animals such as hedgehogs, foxes and badgers unwell.
"More importantly, there may be a disease risk especially if they have been decorated with man-made substances or have contained candles and other items that may not have been removed from the pumpkin shell."
27th October 2023
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has been awarded the highest Investors in the Environment 'Green' level accreditation for the second year running.
The title recognises the association's Green Group's work to improve sustainability, such as tree planting, litter picking, donating and an annual pledge.
BVA president Anna Judson said: "This is a fantastic achievement and testament to the dedication of BVA's Green Group, who have really driven the work towards maintaining this accreditation."
The title recognises the association's Green Group's work to improve sustainability, such as tree planting, litter picking, donating and an annual pledge.
BVA president Anna Judson said: "This is a fantastic achievement and testament to the dedication of BVA's Green Group, who have really driven the work towards maintaining this accreditation."
19th October 2023
The Scottish SPCA is asking the public to help care for young hedgehogs by putting out suitable food and water.
The charity sees an increase in hoglets arriving at its rescue centres every autumn, when hedgehogs can face difficulties finding food as they try to gain weight before hibernation.
Chris Hogsden, manager of the Scottish SPCA's National Wildlife Rescue Centre, said: "Members of the public can help hoglets have a better chance of thriving by putting a shallow dish of water in the garden.
"They can also leave out hedgehog food or wet cat food, as long as it isn't in jelly and is not fish based as this isn't something found in their natural diet."
The charity sees an increase in hoglets arriving at its rescue centres every autumn, when hedgehogs can face difficulties finding food as they try to gain weight before hibernation.
Chris Hogsden, manager of the Scottish SPCA's National Wildlife Rescue Centre, said: "Members of the public can help hoglets have a better chance of thriving by putting a shallow dish of water in the garden.
"They can also leave out hedgehog food or wet cat food, as long as it isn't in jelly and is not fish based as this isn't something found in their natural diet."
4th October 2023
Vetlife's Christmas card design competition has returned for a third year.
Previously, the competition was open to children aged 14 and under. But this year, 'by popular demand', the competition is open to adults too.
This year's theme is 'Winter Wonderland' and the entries will be judged by Vetlife president James Russell. The winning design will appear on cards sold on the Vetlife website to raise funds for the mental health charity.
Entries should be emailed to info@vetlife.org.uk with the subject line: 'Vetlife Christmas Card Competition Entry'. The deadline is 24 October.
Previously, the competition was open to children aged 14 and under. But this year, 'by popular demand', the competition is open to adults too.
This year's theme is 'Winter Wonderland' and the entries will be judged by Vetlife president James Russell. The winning design will appear on cards sold on the Vetlife website to raise funds for the mental health charity.
Entries should be emailed to info@vetlife.org.uk with the subject line: 'Vetlife Christmas Card Competition Entry'. The deadline is 24 October.
25th September 2023
RCVS Knowledge has appointed Katie Mantell as its new chief executive officer.
After working for more than two decades in the human health and science sector, she will be taking up her role on 4 December 2023.
Ms Mantell said: "It will be an enormous privilege to lead an organisation that seeks to support the veterinary professions. High-quality veterinary care plays a crucial role in society, from ensuring the health and welfare of animals to playing a vital role in safeguarding public health."
After working for more than two decades in the human health and science sector, she will be taking up her role on 4 December 2023.
Ms Mantell said: "It will be an enormous privilege to lead an organisation that seeks to support the veterinary professions. High-quality veterinary care plays a crucial role in society, from ensuring the health and welfare of animals to playing a vital role in safeguarding public health."
20th September 2023
The Cevac Chlamydia vaccine, used to protect sheep from enzootic abortions, is available again, Ceva Animal Health has announced.
There have been issues around the supply of the vaccine in the UK this year, which the company blamed on delays in the manufacturing and distribution process.
Fiona Lovatt, former president of the Sheep Veterinary Society, said: "It has been such a challenge recently to get hold of the vaccines and this has been incredibly frustrating for both sheep farmers and their vets. So, it is really very good news that there is new EAE vaccine stock available and it should be just about in time for those tupping later in October."
There have been issues around the supply of the vaccine in the UK this year, which the company blamed on delays in the manufacturing and distribution process.
Fiona Lovatt, former president of the Sheep Veterinary Society, said: "It has been such a challenge recently to get hold of the vaccines and this has been incredibly frustrating for both sheep farmers and their vets. So, it is really very good news that there is new EAE vaccine stock available and it should be just about in time for those tupping later in October."
13th September 2023
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has asked for veterinary opinion on the new UK Antimicrobial Resistance National Action Plan (AMR NAP).
The feedback would finalise the outcomes and commitments that will feature in the UK AMR NAP 2024 to 2029, as well as the work which Defra will contribute.
Veterinary surgeons and nurses are invited to watch a 14 minute webinar on the topic before completing a survey with their views by 19 September 2023.
The feedback would finalise the outcomes and commitments that will feature in the UK AMR NAP 2024 to 2029, as well as the work which Defra will contribute.
Veterinary surgeons and nurses are invited to watch a 14 minute webinar on the topic before completing a survey with their views by 19 September 2023.