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Further warnings after fatty deposits wash up on beaches
Some of the substance that washed up at Port Erin.
Some of the substance that washed up at Port Erin.

Reports of substance on beaches on the Isle of Man and Hampshire

There have been further warnings to dog walkers to keep their pets away from a lard like substance washing up on beaches.

Two dogs died after the fatty deposits, believed to be palm oil, washed up on beaches in Cornwall and south Wales in October and November last year.

There were further reports of dogs becoming seriously ill after eating a similar substance that washed up in Port Erin on the Isle of Man late last month.

Now it has been found on other beaches on the island including Port St Mary, Fleshwick bay, Fenella beach, Ballaugh, the Lhe,  Perwick Bay, and most recently from Scarlett.

The substance has also been reported on beaches in Hampshire.

Tests on the Isle of Man confirmed the deposits are either animal or vegetable fat.

Chris Burton, senior watch officer at the Marine Operations Centre at Douglas, told how his own dog was "Touch and go" after eating the material on Port Erin beach late last month.

Maryja Judkowska, a veterinary surgeon at The Strand Veterinary Practice in Port Erin, treated two dogs after the material washed up in Port Erin.
 
"I would advise vigilance. If an owner is concerned about their dog I would recommend that they contact their vet promptly for assessment/treatment.
Aside from the violent vomiting, if this compound is fat based it may cause pancreatitis, which is painful and can be serious," she said.

Image by Chris Burton

 

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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
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.