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BSAVA Congress News Archive
Missing dogs blog
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."
Football dog blog
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.
Microchipping survey
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.
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.