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Fake eye for bullied fish
fish surgery
Vets attached a taxidermy eye using nylon sutures and titanium clips.

US vets perform surgery to prevent bullying

A one-eyed fish has undergone surgery to attach a new prosthetic eye to stop it being bullied by other fish.

The copper rockfish had to have one of its eyes removed when it developed cataracts, but other fish began to show aggression towards it.

Dr Martin Haulena, head vet at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, used a taxidermy eye to replace the real eye.

Working alongside Dr Lesanna Lahner, Seattle Aquarium's head vet, Dr Haulena attached a taxidermy eye to the bone above the eye socket using nylon sutures and titanium clips.

According to Vancouver Aquarium, the surgery was successful in preventing the bullying behaviour and the rockfish is once again on display at the centre.

The surgery had never been performed at the aquarium before, but a yellowtail rockfish has since undergone the same procedure.

To watch the video of the surgery, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og70cLV04uo

Image ©Vancouver Aquarium/Danny Kent

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.