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Winners of Hill's Pet Nutrition Nurse Awards revealed
Laura-Jean Hammersley of White Cross Vets, Coulby Newham won the Senior Support Nurse Award.

Hard-working nurses and nursing teams celebrated during difficult year

Veterinary nurses who have shown outstanding dedication and commitment to supporting pets and owners have been recognised as part of the annual Hill's Pet Nutrition Nurse Awards.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who entered our awards during this very ‘unusual’ year,” said Fi Marjoram, nurse programme coordinator at Hill's Pet Nutrition.

“It has been a challenging year for everyone, but as expected, the commitment and dedication shown by vet nurses around the country has not wavered and we are thrilled to give them the recognition they deserve.”

The finalists and winners in each category are as follows:

The Senior Support Nurse Award

Laura-Jean Hammersley of White Cross Vets, Coulby Newham – winner
Jane White of Abbey House Veterinary Hospital, Morely
Becky Smith of Wilton House Vets, Guisborough.

The Managing Weight with Excellence Award

The nursing team from Heathside Veterinary Surgery, Southampton – winners
Alex John of St James’ Vets, Swansea
Becky Smith of Wilton House, Guisborough.

Hill's Pet Nutrition also announced the Canine and Feline Slimmers of the Year, who undertook incredible weight loss journeys across 2020.

The winner in the canine category was Willow Mason from Guisborough. She entered the awards in 2019 and has lost 40 per cent of her start weight since then. Overall Willow went from 27.5kg to 16.5kg with the help of Becky Smith from Wilton House Vets.

The nursing team at Pennard Vets in Allington helped feline winner Timmy Howell to go from 14.4kg to a more manageable 6.9kg. Overall the cat has lost an amazing 48 per cent of his start weight.

For more details on how to apply for the 2021 awards, please speak to your local Hill’s Pet Nutrition territory manager.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.