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Mice may well be musical
Mice can learn songs in a similar way to humans and birds 

New research has revealed that mice may have the ability to learn songs based on the sounds they hear, and that they share some behavioural and brain mechanisms involved in vocal learning with song birds and humans.

Scientists in the US found that when male mice were housed together, they learned to match the pitch of their songs to each other. It has already been established that male mice sing complex ultrasonic songs when exposed to females, but it has long been assumed that they were incapable of modifying their sequence or pitch.

But now, the new research suggests mice have the brain circuits and behavioural attributes which are consistent with vocal learning - a phenomenon previously thought to be limited in the natural world only to some birds, whales, dolphins, sea lions, bats and elephants.

Dr Erich Jarvis, from Duke University in North Carolina, oversaw the study. He said: "In mice we find that the pathways that are at least modulating these vocalisations are in the forebrain, in places where you actually find them in humans."

However, he says the study does not have clear evidence that mice have the very same vocal abilities as birds and humans, and believes there is a spectrum where difference species have vocal skills to different degrees. He explained: "We think mice are intermediate in this ability between a chicken and a song bird, or even a non human primate and a human."

Other scientists, however, are less certain, including Dr Kurt Hammerschmidt, a vocal communication expert at the German Primate Centre in Goettingen, who was less convinced by the study's claim about the vocal behaviour of male mice due to the number of animals used.

The full details of the study can be found in the Journal, Plos One.

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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.