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Human heart surgeons set to operate on young dog
Facebook campaign hoped to fund operation

A labrador with a rare heart malformation may undergo human heart surgery following a Facebook campaign to save his life.

Nine-month-old Lycka was referred to the Montsouris hospital - for humans - in Paris, after vet surgeons said the operation to repair his ruptured artery was too difficult.

Surgeons at the hospital agreed to perform the operation for free, in order to save the young dog from being put to sleep. However, the operating costs for specialist equipment still amount to €3,000 (£2,400).

Lycka's owner, Christian Collin, who adopted the dog when it was abandoned at three months old, is unable to afford the bill, so the French Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA) said it would cover 70 per cent of the costs.

The SPA launched a Facebook campaign for the remaining money, which it is confident will be raised in time for Lycka's operation date, December 20.

Orianne Vatin, a spokesperson for SPA, said: "This operation is not usually done on animals. So surgeons for humans will operate Lycka… The only technique that can save him uses cutting-edge technology and so is very costly."

Donations can be made via Lycka's Facebook page.

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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
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.