Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
Return to BSAVA Home page
Search Our Jobs
MRCVSonline on Twitter

BSAVA Congress News Archive
Noel Fitzpatrick speaker blog
7th June 2012
Noel Fitzpatrick is to become the first veterinary surgeon to give a keynote address at the annual joint UK Radiological Congress, to be held in Manchester at the end of June. The event is aimed at imaging professionals from both medical and veterinary backgrounds, and Noel Fitzpatrick's lecture on 'advanced imaging in small animal veterinary practice' will form part of the 'hot topic' programme of the first day. In addition, there will be an advanced veterinary imaging forum which will discuss the development thus far of veterinary imaging and its future.
Dental Care Month blog
29th May 2012
June is Dental Care Month, and all vets and vet nurses are being encouraged to raise awareness of dogs' oral health. Gum disease amongst dogs is a significant problem, with four out of five dogs over the age of three suffering from it. Over 90% of owners, however, believe their dogs' teeth to be in good condition. Vets are therefore being urged to join in Dental Care Month and educate owners about dog dental health, and over 1800 practices in the UK will be providing free dental check-ups.
Nigel Ferris
23rd May 2012
Congratulations go to Dr Nigel Ferris MBE, who has been awarded the 2012 OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) Meritorious Award in honour of his outstanding contributions during a long career researching foot-and-mouth (FMD) and other diseases. Dr Ferris was presented with the award in Paris during the 80th General Session of the OIE World Assembly of Delegates. He expressed his gratitude for the award and said: "FMD continues to be a serious problem in many countries and there is still work to be done."
Vat Pharmacy - illegal
21st May 2012
A letter published in the Veterinary Times (vol. 42, No. 20, 21/5/2012) has drawn attention to the use of the term 'vet pharmacy' as being illegal. Robert Morris, Andrew Cairns and Michael Jepson from the Veterinary Pharmacy Forum Committee pointed out that internet businesses are being labelled as 'vet pharmacies' in an "inappropriate way." It is stated that while pharmacists have the utmost respect for veterinary surgeons and are themselves valued customers of practices, the use of the term "pharmacy" for many internet veterinary medicine businesses which are not owned or run by pharmacists, is "not only inaccurate, but would be illegal."
Blog - Wallaby sighted in Kent
16th May 2012
A dog walker was surprised to see a wallaby while walking along a farm track in Kent. Alex Pooley, 29, was also able to film the wallaby on her mobile phone, although where the animal came from is still a mystery. Commenting, Ms Pooley said that "I was a bit surprised to say the least and the dog was off the lead at the time and he went off to investigate. They ran around for a couple of minutes and then he came back and I put him on the lead. Then I saw it hopping down the path towards us. It seemed pretty friendly and quite intrigued because it came right up to us."
Condor chick gets first check-up
25th April 2012
A six-week-old Californian Condor chick has been given its very first veterinary check up at San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The chick, named Saticoy, was given a vaccination for the West Nile Virus and microchipped before a blood sample was taken for analysis to determine its gender. Interest in the chick's health is high because the critically endangered Californian Condor (adult pictured) numbers only 386 specimens and twenty thousand people watched the chick's birth online via Condor Cam on March 10th. Image - Gary Kramer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Adult white killer whale spotted
24th April 2012
A group of Russian scientists have made what is believed to be an unprecedented sighting of an adult white orca off the coast of Kamchatka. The killer whale, a male dubbed 'Iceberg', appears to be in good health other than having a 'somewhat ragged' fin and also appears to be a successfully socialised member of the pod. The cause of his distinctive colouring is not known, although the scientists have expressed reluctance to take a biopsy that could clarify the issue without a pressing need. Image - Far East Russia Orca Project.
Highland Wildlife Park to get new animals
3rd April 2012
The Highland Wildlife Park near Kincraig is shortly due to receive a new tiger and a new polar bear. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) secured a young male tiger named Amur and a polar bear named Arktos from overseas zoos, and RZSS staff have high hopes that Amur will breed with a female tiger already at the Park. Arktos the polar bear is intended to provide company for the HWP's Walker (pictured), who is currently the only polar bear in a public zoo in the UK. Image - Andrew Milligan/PA
Herring Gull sightings increase
28th March 2012
The 'Big Schools Birdwatch' survey by the RSPB has found that herring gulls are an increasingly common sight on school playing fields. The herring gull, which has declined in numbers by more than 50% over the past 25 years and was placed on a conservation 'red list' as a result, was seen in 10% of Welsh schools (reflecting sightings of previous years) but the survey reveals that the number of individual specimens recorded during those sightings has risen by 46% over 5 years. Image - Dave Hitchborne.
CVO for Wales honoured
27th March 2012
The Royal Agricultural Societies have made Dr Christianne Glossop, Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, an Associate of the RAS in recognition of her work in the fields of animal health, productivity and welfare in the farming sector. Dr Glossop, who has served as Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales since 2005, is highly regarded as a lecturer at both UK and overseas universities, veterinary schools and agricultural colleges. Image - fwi.co.uk
big fox blog
6th March 2012
A fox believed to be the largest in Britain has been shot and killed after attacking lambs on an Aberdeenshire farm. Alan Hepworth, 69, shot the 4ft 9in fox while on a friend's farm and was astonished to realise it was dramatically larger than normal. "When we went over to pick it up, we were amazed by quite how big it was. I could only hold it for a while because it was so heavy and was nearly as big as a roe deer." said Mr Hepworth, who is 5ft 7in. The fox weighed in at 38lbs/17.2kg, while the average fox usually weighs only about 15lbs/6.8kg. Image/Central Scotland News Agency.
Edinburgh Zoo Penguins
2nd March 2012
Edinburgh Zoo's famous penguin parade has been temporarily suspended for the next three months to permit maintenance work to the penguin enclosure. Many of the 160 birds will be transferred to other zoos in England, Denmark and Belfast while the work is in progress, and the Zoo plans to start a breeding program when the birds return to the refurbished quarters. Commenting, Bird Team Leader Colin Oulton said "Our penguins are all going to zoos with dedicated facilities and it goes without saying that they will be extremely well cared for." Image - Nigel Chadwick.