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Poultry health course returns after five year break
The course will run from 24-28 June.
Avian influenza and Newcastle disease will be among the diseases covered.

The Pirbright Institute is relaunching its poultry health course after a five-year break.

Providing CPD training for veterinary surgeons, as well as technical staff and poultry managers, the week-long course will look at best practice in poultry health.

Experts from Pirbright, alongside guest lecturers from the poultry sector, will look at topics including enrichment, hatchery practice, and field investigations, as well as virological, bacteriological and parasitological poultry diseases.

Munir Iqbal, head of Pirbright’s Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease group, will be providing insights into avian influenza and Ian Brown, who leads Pirbright’s Avian Virology Group, will be sharing his expertise on Newcastle disease.

The course will include demonstrations and lectures as well as practicals held at the University of Surrey.

Prof Brown said: “The course is specifically designed for those who work within the poultry industry and have a basic understanding of poultry health.

“By the end of the week, students will be able to recognise the clinical signs of key poultry diseases, perform a postmortem examination, and outline key diagnostic techniques including real-time PCR to detect viral genome, bacterial culturing, and microscopy.”

Prof Iqbal added: “In addition to recognising and understanding disease, and challenges to vaccination and vaccine failure, it will provide students with the ability to identify necessary biosecurity measures for a poultry farm, perform a field investigation, establish best practices for enrichment, and understand current industry issues including antimicrobial resistance.”

More details about the course, which will run from 24-28 June 2024, can be found on the Pirbright website.

Image © Shutterstock

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Vets launch new podcast for pet owners

News Story 1
 Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.

The venture, called Vets Talking Pets, provides advice and information on a range of topics, including how to select a suitable pet, where to obtain them and how to get the best out of your vet. Maggie and Vanessa will also discuss sensitive subjects, including end-of-life care, raw food diets and the cost of veterinary care.

The podcast can be found on all the usual podcast sites, including Podbean, Apple, Amazon Music and YouTube. 

Click here for more...
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RCVS Regional Question Time heads to Edinburgh

The RCVS is to bring its Regional Question Time (RQT) to Edinburgh for 2026.

The event will take place at Novotel Edinburgh Park in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

It will begin with supper and drinks at 6.30pm, with an evening programme from 7.30pm. This will start with an update on RCVS' activities, followed by questions and answers with representatives.

RCVS is encouraging an 'open dialogue', in which queries can be raised in a friendly, informal environment.

While discussions are expected to be audience-led, the RQT is expected address major issues including the VSA, the CMA's remedy package and the VN Vision project.

Tim Parkin, RCVS president, said: "It's an important time for the professions, and I'm looking forward to meeting colleagues in Scotland as we navigate this period of change together so we can come out stronger."

Tickets can be booked here.