18th March 2016
Applications are now being accepted to become a member of the new RCVS Ethics Review Panel (ERP).
The panel has been set up to facilitate access to ethical review for those wishing to undertake practice-based research outside of a university or industry context.
More details about the roles, the function of the ERP and how to apply can be found at rcvs.org.uk/ethics.
Those who are interested in applying can also email ethics@rcvs.org.uk for an informal discussion. The closing date for applications is 15 April 2016.
The panel has been set up to facilitate access to ethical review for those wishing to undertake practice-based research outside of a university or industry context.
More details about the roles, the function of the ERP and how to apply can be found at rcvs.org.uk/ethics.
Those who are interested in applying can also email ethics@rcvs.org.uk for an informal discussion. The closing date for applications is 15 April 2016.
17th March 2016
The world's first open heart surgery to treat a stenotic tricuspid valve in a dog has been successfully carried out at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC).
Taking more than an hour to complete, the surgery was performed by professor of small animal surgery Dan Brockman, who was assisted by a large team of RVC specialists.
To read the full story, log in to VetCommunity: vetcommunity.com/vs/world-first-open-heart-surgery-carried-out-at-rvc/
To read the full story, log in to VetCommunity: vetcommunity.com/vs/world-first-open-heart-surgery-carried-out-at-rvc/
14th March 2016
Plans to overhaul the governance of the RCVS were approved by the council at its March meeting. The changes would see the council size reduced by nearly half in a bid to improve efficiency and accountability.
After two years of debate and consultation, the college plans to shrink the council to 24 members, whilst formalising lay and veterinary nurse membership.
To read the full story, log in to VetCommunity
After two years of debate and consultation, the college plans to shrink the council to 24 members, whilst formalising lay and veterinary nurse membership.
To read the full story, log in to VetCommunity
11th March 2016
Northern Ireland's first ever 'Manifesto for Cats' has been launched in Parliament ahead of the Northern Ireland Assembly elections.
Produced by Cats Protection, the 10-point document pinpoints actions which are urgently needed to protect the welfare of cats.
The charity hope the public back the manifesto, after a YouGov poll found that animal welfare matters more to voters in Northern Ireland than anywhere else in the UK.
Produced by Cats Protection, the 10-point document pinpoints actions which are urgently needed to protect the welfare of cats.
The charity hope the public back the manifesto, after a YouGov poll found that animal welfare matters more to voters in Northern Ireland than anywhere else in the UK.
1st March 2016
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) have launched VN Futures, a companion project to Vet Futures, which aims to draw up a blueprint for the future of the veterinary nursing profession.
For more details log in to vetcommunity.com: vetcommunity.com/vs/vn-futures-project-launched/
For more details log in to vetcommunity.com: vetcommunity.com/vs/vn-futures-project-launched/
29th February 2016
A group of senior politicians in Scotland joined the Kennel Club on Thursday (25 February) for the launch of the 'A Dog's Life' Manifesto.
Richard Lochhead MSP, Sarah Boyack MSP, Christine Grahame MSP and Sir Jamie McGrigor MSP all spoke at the joint Kennel Club and Scottish Kennel Club event, held in Scottish Parliament.
The Manifesto sets out the Kennel Club and Scottish Kennel Club's vision for legislative changes that may help to protect dogs. Its launch follows the success of the first ever dog-specific manifesto in the lead up to the 2015 UK general election.
Richard Lochhead MSP, Sarah Boyack MSP, Christine Grahame MSP and Sir Jamie McGrigor MSP all spoke at the joint Kennel Club and Scottish Kennel Club event, held in Scottish Parliament.
The Manifesto sets out the Kennel Club and Scottish Kennel Club's vision for legislative changes that may help to protect dogs. Its launch follows the success of the first ever dog-specific manifesto in the lead up to the 2015 UK general election.
22nd February 2016
Keepers at ZSL London Zoo have welcomed the arrival of a critically endangered baby monkey.
The three-week-old Sulawesi crested macaque was born to 17-year-old Winoo after a gestation period of 174 days.
Yet to be named, the infant is expected to triple his weight before the end of 2016. He will be nursed by his mother for another six months, before moving on to a diet of leaves, fruit and insects. (Image: ZSL London Zoo)
The three-week-old Sulawesi crested macaque was born to 17-year-old Winoo after a gestation period of 174 days.
Yet to be named, the infant is expected to triple his weight before the end of 2016. He will be nursed by his mother for another six months, before moving on to a diet of leaves, fruit and insects. (Image: ZSL London Zoo)
17th February 2016
A new tiger enclosure costing in the region of half a million pounds is to be developed at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo.
"Tiger Tracks" will house a pair of critically endangered Sumatran tigers and will launch in June 2016. It will be three times the size of the existing Sumatran tiger enclosure, boasting heated rocks, ponds, and a new indoor house.
Experts hope that the pair will eventually go on to have cubs and increase numbers of this extremely rare species.
Image (C) RZSS Edinburgh Zoo
"Tiger Tracks" will house a pair of critically endangered Sumatran tigers and will launch in June 2016. It will be three times the size of the existing Sumatran tiger enclosure, boasting heated rocks, ponds, and a new indoor house.
Experts hope that the pair will eventually go on to have cubs and increase numbers of this extremely rare species.
Image (C) RZSS Edinburgh Zoo
16th February 2016
The One Live concert, hosted by Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, will return on Saturday, 4 June this year. The music festival is held in support of the Humanimal Trust and aims to raise awareness of one medicine.
Prof Fitzpatrick says: "I truly believe that ONE MEDICINE is the only rational solution to finding cures for diseases like cancer and the only rational thought process to look after all animals too, both domestic and wild, in our ever shrinking planet. I have committed my entire life and everything I stand for to this goal. The future of our children and the planet they inherit depends on what we do right now."
This year's line up consists of headliners Reef, who will be joined at Loseley Park by The Feeling, Scouting for Girls, Sound of the Sirens and Sunshine Underground. The concert will start at 6.30pm. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster: ticketmaster.co.uk/event/3500504999C64EC2
Prof Fitzpatrick says: "I truly believe that ONE MEDICINE is the only rational solution to finding cures for diseases like cancer and the only rational thought process to look after all animals too, both domestic and wild, in our ever shrinking planet. I have committed my entire life and everything I stand for to this goal. The future of our children and the planet they inherit depends on what we do right now."
This year's line up consists of headliners Reef, who will be joined at Loseley Park by The Feeling, Scouting for Girls, Sound of the Sirens and Sunshine Underground. The concert will start at 6.30pm. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster: ticketmaster.co.uk/event/3500504999C64EC2
15th February 2016
The RCVS is looking to recruit experienced veterinary surgeons to take the next stage of its Fellowship forward.
Filling the roles of chair and vice chair, the successful applicants will be responsible for leading the development of the Fellowship.
In addition, the College is also looking to recruit three credentials panel chairs. Successful applicants will be responsible for coordinating panel members in the assessment of applications and will also serve on the Fellowship Board.
For more information about these roles and details on how to apply visit: www.rcvs.org.uk
Filling the roles of chair and vice chair, the successful applicants will be responsible for leading the development of the Fellowship.
In addition, the College is also looking to recruit three credentials panel chairs. Successful applicants will be responsible for coordinating panel members in the assessment of applications and will also serve on the Fellowship Board.
For more information about these roles and details on how to apply visit: www.rcvs.org.uk
11th February 2016
Researchers at the University of Glasgow's MRC Centre for Virus Research have been awarded a £300,000 grant to study the Zika virus alongside a research centre at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Brazil.
Zika has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organisation. It has spread to more than 20 countries in Central and South America and has been linked with microcephaly (abnormal smallness of the head) in newborns.
The research teams will study the presence and epidemiology of the virus in Brazil and hope to improve understanding of how the immune system responds to infection. Their work will be used to support vaccine development studies.
Zika has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organisation. It has spread to more than 20 countries in Central and South America and has been linked with microcephaly (abnormal smallness of the head) in newborns.
The research teams will study the presence and epidemiology of the virus in Brazil and hope to improve understanding of how the immune system responds to infection. Their work will be used to support vaccine development studies.
10th February 2016
The Kennel Club has approved a new health programme for dalmatians, which supports a DNA test for the SLC2A9 gene associated with hyperuricosuria. The test sample must be taken by a veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse, who must comply with certain protocols to ensure the test results will be accepted.
To find out more about the requirements, log into VetCommunity.com
To find out more about the requirements, log into VetCommunity.com