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Welsh Chief Vet Issues Advice for Pets in the Cold
The Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Dr. Christianne Glossop, has issued advice on keeping pets and birds warm and well as the severe weather conditions continue.

She is advising pet owners to move hutches or cages should be inside where possible, to a shed or garage, provide extra bedding and also check their animals’ water supplies regularly and make sure they are not frozen.

Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Christianne Glossop also suggests: “If you have fish outside, float a large ball on the pond’s surface so that if the water freezes you can remove it, allowing your fish to get enough oxygen.


Dr Glossop also pointed out that wild birds need extra help with access to food in these weather conditions: “Snow and ice make it difficult for birds to find food and water, so feeding birds with nuts, seeds, or high quality kitchen scraps and making sure they always have access to water could be key to their survival. Putting out nesting boxes can also provide them with some much-needed shelter."

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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.