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Equine grass sickness warnings
AHT reminds owners to remain vigilant

 The Animal Health Trust (AHT) has reminded owners to be vigilant for cases of equine grass sickness (EGS) as spring arrives.

Cases of the debilitating and largely fatal disease tend to rise in the spring, and particularly May, prompting the AHT's warning.

The trust notes particular clinical signs for owners to be aware of, including depression, colic, constipation, muscle tremors and drooping eyelids.

Other signs mentioned include rapid heart rate, drooling, naso-gastric reflux, patchy or generalised sweating and problems with swallowing.

Owners have been warned to contact their vet immediately if any of these signs are displayed, as the disease has a mortality rate of 85 per cent, and only mild cases have a chance of survival.

Along with the EGS Fund and the Universities of Edinburgh and Liverpool, the AHT has developed a nationwide EGS surveillance scheme.

In order to improve understanding of the prevalence of EGS, the trust is calling on vets and owners to confidentially submit information on any cases of the disease seen since the year 2000.

Click here for more information on EGS or the EGS surveillance scheme.

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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
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.