16th July 2012
An online survey has been launched by the European Platform for the Responsible Use of Medicines in Animals in order to determine how aware stakeholders are of the organisation and the activities it undertakes. Please click here if you wish to participate in the survey, entries close on August 31st.
13th July 2012
Congratulations to Professor Alexander Trees, who was yesterday introduced to the House of Lords as a cross bench peer. Only the second vet to be ennobled, Professor Sandy Trees is now Baron Trees of the Ross in Perth and Kinross. His introduction to the House of Lords was televised live on 12th July 2012.
12th July 2012
More than 2500 farmers from across the UK joined forces in Westminster yesterday (Wednesday 11th July) to protest against the milk price cuts which farmers fear could force them out of business. NFU deputy president Meurig Raymond said: "I have never seen such frustration in the farming industry and a show of unity to right wrongs that have been imposed on us in the dairy industry." To rapturous applause and a standing ovation, Mr Raymond called on Farming Minister Jim Paice to provide a "permanent fix" in the form of working legislation over milk contracts.
28th June 2012
The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) has announced Charlotte Burn as the winner of the 2012 UFAW Young Animal Welfare Scientist of the Year award. Dr Burn, lecturer in animal welfare at the RVC, looked into the effects of husbandry regimes on rat welfare, earning her the award and a prize of £1,000. The award recognises achievements of young scientists, studying for a doctoral degree or in post doctoral work, who have made significant contributions to improving animal welfare.
26th June 2012
Dogs Trust, AA and the National Trust are launching a "Hot Cars Can Kill Dogs" campaign in order to raise awareness about leaving dogs locked in cars during the summer months. Over the past year the AA have rescued 832 pets locked in cars and a new survey released by Dogs Trust has revealed 66% of people have seen a dog locked in a car on a sunny day and yet over a third of them did nothing about it.
25th June 2012
Pets are almost 25% more likely to go missing in summer than winter, it has been revealed. Since 2000, over 20, 000 more pets were reported missing in summer, rather than winter. Celia Walsom, Executive of Petlog, said: "It is worrying that so many more pets go missing in summer rather than winter, which is why it really is vital that pet owners take action now and make sure that if their pet goes missing they have done everything they can to find them again."
21st June 2012
Battersea dogs home is urging dog owners to ensure their pets have adequate identification, as the charity expects to see a rise in the number of stray dogs during England's quarter-final game against Italy on Sunday. During the last World Cup, the charity saw a 70% increase in the number of stray dogs and in the 24 hours following England's defeat, Battersea took in almost 60% higher than the Home's average daily intake.
15th June 2012
As a public consultation into compulsory microchipping draws to a close today (15th June), the results of a survey have been released from Petlog, the UK's largest lost and found pet database, which reveals that almost 90% of the British public believe that microchipping dogs should be compulsory. The majority of responses believed microchipping should be to speed the return of a lost pet, while 38% believed it would help tackle dangerous dogs. To take part in the survey, click here.
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.
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.
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."
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."