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.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Palm oil poisoning ongoing in Cornwall
Dog on beach
Vets in Truro say they saw daily cases of poisoning until three weeks ago.
Truro vets report daily cases of poisoning in dogs

Vets in Cornwall say they had been seeing daily cases of palm oil poisoning in dogs until recently but the problem is still ongoing.

Reports of a white substance washed up on beaches first began to appear in October when one dog died after ingesting it and two others became seriously ill. Shortly after this, this substance was identified as palm oil.

Cases of a white substance washed up on beaches have since been reported in Devon and Guernsey.

Chris Gardner of St Clements Vets in Truro says three weeks ago they were seeing a dogs on a daily basis that had ingested palm oil.

"It went quiet for a week or so until we had another dog two days ago," he adds. "It is possible that there were less dogs on the beaches due to poor weather, more awareness of the problem, or that the storms had moved the palm oil further down the beach to the quieter end, as there seems to be a lot of flotsam and jetsam there."

Each dog brought to St Clements Vets recovered after vomiting was induced with apomorphine and liquid charcoal administered.

Members of the public have been helping to clear up the beach, with some collecting boulders of around 60cm across.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.