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.
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

Dog blood donors celebrate milestone achievement
After a health check, the dogs donate blood in a painless procedure that takes less than 10 minutes.
Over 2,000 dogs have been helped by blood from their fellow Scottish canines.

Dogs in Edinburgh have saved the lives of over 2,000 other dogs after donating blood at the University of Edinburgh's Hospital for Small Animals.

The University highlighted the milestone achievement on World Blood Donor Day, which took place last week (14 June).

Over seven years, the hospital, in collaboration with the Charity Pet Blood Bank, has collected 514 units of blood, which has helped to save the lives of up to 2,056 dogs.

The Pet Blood Bank has run sessions every eight weeks at the hospital, with 34 donation sessions held so far.

Nicole Osborne, marketing manager at Pet Blood Bank, said: “It is such a delight to partner with the Hospital for Small Animals to run our donation sessions in Edinburgh.

“It is only thanks to their support, and the support we receive from venues across the UK, that we can keep our lifesaving service running.”

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.