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75 per cent of rats 'resistant to poison'
Three quarters of rats in parts of West building up resistance

An increasing number of rats in parts of West England are becoming more resistant to commonly sold poisons, scientists at Huddersfield University have found.

Researchers from the university have said that roughly 75 per cent of rats in Bristol, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire had built up a resistance, with the most serious mutations affecting rats in Bath and Wiltshire.

Experts have attributed this rise to the incorrect use of poisons where the dosages are too low, which mean the rats which are resistant to the poison are fattened up by the bait. They then survive and go onto mate with other resistant rats, thereby creating a generation of rats resistant to existing poisons.

Although mutations have been found in many areas of the UK, this study marks the first time the extent of the mutation has been measured in the west.

 

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Submissions open for BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026

News Story 1
 The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.

It is an opportunity for applicants to present new research on any veterinary subject, such as the preliminary results of a study, discussion of a new technique or a description of an interesting case.

They must be based on high-quality clinical research conducted in industry, practice or academia, and summarised in 250 words.

Applications are welcome from vets, vet nurses, practice managers, and students.

Submissions are open until 6 March 2026. 

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News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk