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The impact of online pharmacies
pills
"Online pharmacies could pose a serious threat to the profitability of veterinary practices."
Survey aims to find out if practices in the UK are already affected

Are veterinary practices in the UK already feeling the impact of online pharmacies? This is the question Edinburgh researchers hope to answer with a new online survey.

Online pharmacies are an increasingly popular alternative source for buying pet medication. Some insurance companies even require clients to buy medicines online rather than from their veterinary practice.

Furthermore, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate's (VMD) accredited online retailer scheme may be helping to improve client confidence in drugs bought online.

A survey has been launched by the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute to find out if this increasing threat is already being felt by practices in the UK.

The survey was announced in the letters section of the latest Veterinary Record (Vol 175, No 11).

Hannah Henderson wrote: "Online pharmacies could pose a serious threat to the profitability of veterinary practices."

The short survey aims to find out how aware practices are of this threat and whether they have already noticed a change in client behaviour.

To complete the survey, visit: www.surveymonkey.com/s/MQ97VJF

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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.