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Don’t dump pumpkins after Halloween, public urged
“Pumpkins aren’t a natural food source for most of our native wildlife” – Chris Hogsden.

Charity warns of the harm discarded pumpkins can cause to wildlife.

The Scottish SPCA is asking people not to dump their pumpkins in wooded areas after Halloween.

Although some people believe that they are providing food to help wildlife, the charity says that pumpkins can actually be harmful.

Chris Hogsden, manager at The National Wildlife Rescue Centre, said: “Pumpkins aren’t a natural food source for most of our native wildlife and, as with any food source that is not natural, it has the potential to makes animals such as hedgehogs, foxes and badgers unwell.

“More importantly, there may be a disease risk especially if they have been decorated with man-made substances or have contained candles and other items that may not have been removed from the pumpkin shell.”

 

Image (C) Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.