Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 2nd December 2014
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

MPs debate control of antifreeze
antifreeze
More than 20 cases of antifreeze poisoning have been reported in one village.
Spate of antifreeze poisonings in cats prompts Westminster debate

MPs are today debating the control of antifreeze products after a spate of cat poisonings in Nottinghamshire.

Mark Spencer, MP for Sherwood, has raised the issue in parliament where an adjournment debate is taking place at Westminster Hall today.

The RSPCA is investigating more than 20 cases of suspected antifreeze poisoning in just one Nottinghamshire village.

Sadly, this situation is not isolated. In July this year, five cats were poisoned on the same street in Padiham, Lancashire.

Antifreeze is sweet tasting and commonly contains ethylene glycol. Ingesting even small amounts can lead to fatal kidney failure, particularly in cats.

Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination, seizures, difficulty breathing, increased thirst and urination.

Earlier this year a Yorkshire cat charity joined international calls to add a bitterant to antifreeze products. A petition on Change.org urging the same has so far received more than 22,500 signatures.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.