RCVS president outlines vision of 'mentorship and respect'
The new president of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has called for more ‘mentorship and respectful, constructive dialogue’ as he begins his presidential year.
Professor Tim Parkin FRCVS was inaugurated at this year’s RCVS Day, which took place on 4 July 2025 at One Great George Street in Westminster.
In his speech, Prof Parkin urged members to consider a route into mentorship, and to reflect on how they could ‘inspire and influence those who will do better than us in the future’. He suggested members could work with veterinary schools and VetGDP, or speak to children in schools.
The speech reflected on the changes that the veterinary industry had seen in the past ten years, particularly noting Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. He mentioned how adaptations such as hybrid working had changed how the industry works.
Prof Parkin compared these changes to the industry’s ongoing challenges, calling for respectful dialogue during the ongoing discussions.
He said: “There will be many discussions to be had over the next few years – in particular related to legislative reform and much of our direction of travel will be taking us away from the modus operandi of the last 50 years – but we all have to recognise the need for change and that none of us will get everything we want.
“Please do not shy away from engaging – but please do so in a manner that is respectful of those working on your behalf.”
Prof Parkin, who is also head of school at the University of Bristol’s Veterinary School, succeeds outgoing president Linda Belton in the role.
Dr Belton’s speech reflected upon her presidential year at RCVS. She explained how her presidency had cemented her view that the veterinary voice needed to be central.
She stated that, while animal owners may view veterinary care as an essential service, it is provided in a commercial environment. She said this made it particularly important to understand the economics of veterinary care in order to make good professional judgements.
Her speech also highlighted the issue of trust, describing how, despite negative headlines, levels of public trust in the veterinary sector remain high.
Dr Belton said: “We all have a contribution to make, not just in holding each other to account but also the systems and processes under which we work. It is difficult, and arguably impossible, to do so alone.
“However, together we can support our professions to not only have individuals fit for practise, but professions fit for purpose that meet the needs of today’s society and the animals we care for and does so in a sustainable way for both the people working to deliver veterinary care and services and for the wider environment.”
Image © RCVS
Less extreme body shapes becoming more popular in flat-faced dogs
A new study from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has discovered that UK pet owners now prefer flat-faced dogs with less extreme body shapes.
The public revealed that they found brachycephalic dogs with less extreme body shapes to be more attractive, healthier, more ethically bred and more desirable to own.
The project saw nearly 5,000 members of the general public complete an online questionnaire to explore their preferences. Participants saw images, created by artificial intelligence, which showed less extreme, super extreme and currently typical versions of a French bulldog, pug and English bulldog.
Of the respondents, 25.9 per cent owned a purebred brachycephalic breed, 8.8 per cent owned a crossbred brachycephalic breed and 61.9 per cent owned a non-brachycephalic breed. 3.4 per cent were not dog owners.
A series of questions aimed to assess their preference for varying degrees of muzzle length, eye size, eye shape, skin wrinkling and tail length in these breeds. Participants also scored the images based on perceived attractiveness, health, happiness their appearance induced, ethics of breeding and ownership desire.
Results overwhelmingly showed that the less extreme variant of each brachycephalic breed was preferred across all aesthetic and perceptual characteristics.
Similarly, the typical version of each dog consistently scored above the super-extreme conformation dog.
Researchers believe that these findings could pose opportunities to reverse the normalisation of extreme body shapes in flat-faced breeds. It may also mark a positive step forward for raising awareness of the welfare crisis.
However, RVC says that this task will require acceptance of outcrossing to return more moderate features. The 'less extreme' variants are extremely rare in the current purebred population and not typical of dogs meeting breed standards.
RVC is currently undertaking research into the health and welfare of brachycephalic outcrosses, in order to make evidence-based recommendations on outcrossing breeding programmes.
Elizabeth Youens, lead author of the study, said: “This study shows that general preference is for less extreme body shapes in brachycephalic dog breeds, even amongst those who are attracted to the current extreme conformations typically displayed.
“This implies that current breed standards could be amended to reduce the glorification of these extreme body-shapes, thereby promoting better health, without reducing popularity and demand.”
The full study can be found in the journal VetRecord.
Image © Shutterstock
Study reveals scale of eyelid disorders in dogs
Some diseases are so common they are ‘almost normal for the breed’.
The scale of serious welfare issues linked to dogs with abnormal eyelid positioning has been revealed in a new study.
Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) analysed a sample of 3,029 dogs diagnosed with conformational eyelid disorder cases in UK primary care practices during 2019.
Of these cases, 2,752 involved entropian, where the eyelids are tuned inwards, and 344 were ectropion, where the eyelids are turned outwards.
The findings show some dog breeds are diagnosed with much higher levels of eyelid disease each year than others.
Moreover, researchers say this may even be an underestimate, as it is likely many more dogs from predisposed breeds won’t have received a formal diagnosis. This is because the eyelids are perceived as ‘normal’ for the breed.
In a single year of study, conformational eyelid disorder was confirmed in the shar-pei (15.5%), chow chow (9/5%) and the Neapolitan mastiff (6.3%), among others.
Dr Dan O’Neill, associate professor of companion animal epidemiology at the RVC, and lead author of the paper, said: “This new paper highlights that even though some diseases are so common that they become almost ‘normal for breed’, this should never be interpreted as being ‘normal for a dog’.
“This paper shows the huge scale of suffering caused by conformational eyelid disorders in some dogs breeds and suggests it is finally time that everyone who cares about dogs stands up and shouts ‘no more’ to these forms of planned canine suffering due to our human desire to own unnatural and extreme body shapes in dogs.”
Researchers hope this findings will encourage people to avoid acquiring types of dogs with innately unhealthy eyelids and to effectively manage these disorders in dogs to minimise suffering.
Dr Minna Mustikka, clinical instructor, department of equine and small animal medicine at the University of Helsinki, and co-author of the paper, added: “As a dedicated specialist in veterinary ophthalmology, I witness firsthand the heart-wrenching consequences of conformational eyelid problems.
“In my daily practice, I meet dogs suffering from pain and distress from eye issues caused by improper eyelid positioning, often stemming from unhealthy appearance goals in dog breeding.
“This reality fills me with sadness, as such suffering is not only unnecessary but entirely preventable. While it takes considerable effort and numerous carefully weighed choices, it should be everyone’s duty to make this change happen”.
The study, Conformational eyelid disorders in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK - Epidemiology and clinical management, is published in PLOS One.
Image © Shutterstock
Vet sector still facing racism, study finds
A new study has revealed that racism continues to be a persistent problem to members of the veterinary profession who are ethnic minorities.
While racism has been investigated in professions with high ethnic diversity, there has been limited research in those with low ethnic diversity – such as the veterinary sector.
The research has seen the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), London South Bank University and the British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society collaborate to investigate the extent to which racism is experienced by ethnic minorities in the vet sector. They particularly sought to focus on its psychological effects.
Veterinary professionals and students from ethnic minority groups were invited to complete an online questionnaire, asking open questions about their experiences.
The surveys revealed three key themes about people’s experiences with racism. These were alienation and insecurity; homogenisation and inferiorisation; and disappointment and futility.
Researchers concluded that racism was a persistent problem for those in ethnic minority groups, often resulting in personal and professional identity conflicts.
They suggest that more work needs to be done to acknowledge, raise awareness of and tackle systemic racism. It is hoped that further research will improve rates of change and highlight members of society who are overlooked.
Christine Thuranira-McKeever, vice principal (equity, diversity and inclusion) at the RVC, said: “At the RVC, we are committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within the sector and have implemented several initiatives – aligned with our Strategic Plan in which EDI is a core component – to encourage participation from underrepresented groups.
“This includes the RVC For All campaign and Veterinary Gateway Programme to broaden access to veterinary education; the RVC's Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee and Race Equality Task Group to focus on addressing racial disparities and shaping policy; and Animal Aspirations, founded in 2019 by RVC students, to support individuals from minority backgrounds.
“However, there is more to be done, and the findings of this study emphasise a significant need for the veterinary profession to come together and do more to acknowledge and raise awareness of the systemic and often overlooked forms of racism, to challenge and dismantle them, and to empower those who are affected.”
The full study can be found here.
Image © Shutterstock
Articles by
Steph Cook
R Eddie Clutton
Clinical director
Siuna A Reid
Exotics specialist
Stephenie Malone
Specialist employment solicitor
Karen Wild
Clinical animal behaviourist
Claire Hodgson
Equine clinician
Kerry Doolin
Emergency and critical care clinician
Hilary Orpet
Senior lecturer and veterinary nurse
Clara Ashcroft
Marketing and communications writer and journalist
Jemma Fry
Veterinary physiotherapist and hydrotherapist
Stephanie Williams
Diagnostic radiographer
Norman Johnston
Dental and oral surgery specialist
Kieran Borgeat
Specialist in veterinary cardiology
Claire Hargrave
Animal behaviourist and lecturer
Emma Purnell
Veterinary nurse
John Hill
Bee enthusiast and experienced veterinary surgeon
John Matthews
Veterinary surgeon with a specific interest in goat care
Hayley Walters
Welfare and anaesthesia veterinary nurse
Helen Ballantyne
Human and veterinary nurse
Rob Tillyard
Specialising in veterinary practice management systems
Jane Ellison
Senior information scientist at the Veterinary Poisons Information Service
Alice Allbrook
James Yeates
Chief veterinary officer of the RSPCA
Joanne Webster
Head RVN, specialist in veterinary nurse training
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Canine TV habits vary by personality, study finds
Dogs were most likely to react to on-screen animals.
A new study has revealed how a dog’s personality might affect its TV viewing habits.
The research explored the difference in interactions from excitable dogs, which enjoyed the on-screen objects, and the more fearful dogs, which responded to cars and doorbells.
Researchers from Auburn University in Alabama anonymously recruited 453 dogs, aged two months to 16 years old, to the study. There were 300 dogs of breeds recognised by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and 153 mixed breed dogs not recognised by the AKC.
They also constructed a TV viewing scale, observing dog viewing habits based on responses from their owners.
Using this survey, the team investigated the trends in the dogs’ viewing habits. This included whether their owner taught them to watch TV, the average number of hours a week that the TV was on, and the average number of seconds that the dog paid attention to the screen.
The dogs were assessed on their reaction to animal and non-animal stimuli, as well as the extent that they followed objects on the screen.
Dogs were found to be most reactive to seeing animals on-screen, with 45 per cent of dogs always responding to dog noises. Those that were identified as ‘excitable’ were also more likely follow objects moving on-screen as if they were real.
Fearful or anxious dogs, however, were more likely to respond to non-animal triggers. This includes stimuli such as car horns and doorbells.
Researchers suggest that these temperament differences could inform future training strategies to tackle problem behaviours.
The study may have limitations though, as all the participants were dogs which regularly interacted with television. This means the findings may not be representative of all dogs.
Nonetheless, researchers have concluded that engaging with TV could pose an enriching and meaningful experience for dogs.
The full study can be found in the journal Scientific Reports.
Image © Shutterstock
Survey launched to investigate EHV
The virus can cause severe or fatal disease.
Zoetis has launched a new survey to identify management techniques for Equine Herpes Virus (EHV).
EHV is a contagious, airborne virus that can cause respiratory problems and severe diseases in horses and ponies. It spreads among horses over short distances, direct contact and through shared equipment.
The survey will explore current knowledge and management practices with EHV in the UK. It is quick to complete and participants could win one of 10 equine first aid kits.
Complete the survey here.
Image © Shutterstock
WSAVA launches pet travel guidance factsheet
The guidance will ensure cat and dog welfare during relocation, rescue or personal travel.
A new pet travel advice factsheet for veterinary professionals and caregivers has been developed by the WSAVA in collaboration with the World Veterinary Association.
The Dog and Cat Welfare During Transport factsheet provides step-by-step guidance for all stages of a journey, from pre-travel checklists to post-travel care.
Brachycephalic breeds or animals prone to travel-related anxiety are given special focus in the guide, which also provides links to IATA container regulation and WSAVA vaccination guidelines.
Image (C) Shutterstock.
App to track endangered flapper skates
A free mobile app is set to help conservation scientists track numbers of critically endangered flapper skates in Scotland.
The SkateSpotter app allows users to take pictures of flapper skates they have spotted on the Scottish coastline, which are then used to identify the fish and track its movement.
It follows the success of an online database of flapper skate photos, which began in 2018. Ronnie Campbell, an angling charter skipper, gave 400 photographs to the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS).
Since then, NatureScot has received contributions from even more anglers. The database now contains over 4,000 photos of over 2,500 individual flapper skates.
The flapper skates’ distinctive patterns mean that, with the help of artificial intelligence, the SkateSpotter app can now use the database to identify individual fish.
The app, available on both Android and iPhone, allows members of the public to submit photographs of flapper skates they have seen on the go. Older photographs can also be uploaded, as the app can recognise the photograph’s time stamp data.
When submitting a photo, users will be asked to log additional information about where the skate was seen, whether it was male or female, and its size. Once submitted, the skate will be matched against others on the database or added as a new individual.
Contributors will even be given updates on the skate if it is reported again, however sensitive information like fishing marks will not be shared without permission.
Data collected through SkateSpotter is already in use by the Marine Directorate in Aberdeen. The scientists modelled the population of flapper skates in the Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura Marine Protected Area (MPA) last year.
The model revealed that numbers of skates had been recovering faster within the MPA than outside.
Jane Dodd, NatureScot’s elasmobranch specialist, said: “We encourage anglers, divers, fishermen and marine surveyors from all over Scotland to download the SkateSpotter app and become citizen scientists, helping us to understand and restore these amazing animals.
“An army of volunteers using SkateSpotter could generate a much more significant amount of data than a handful of scientists.
“Flapper skate are generally resident or show site fidelity (leaving and coming back to a site), but they do travel longer distances and we might be underestimating these because most of our SkateSpotter submissions come from specific areas. Imagine being the person who submits a photo of a skate from Shetland only to find the skate originated from Orkney or the west coast of Scotland!”
Image © Fenella Wood
BVNA reveals incoming officer team and council members
The successful applicants will formally take up their seats in October.
The incoming BVNA officer team and council members for 2025/26 have been announced.
This year, there are five successful candidates for the officer team, who will be presented to the BVNA AGM for ratification in October.
They include Sarah Holliday RVN, who will become BVNA president, and Lyndsay Hughes RVN and Steph Worsley RVN, who will take up the roles of senior vice president and junior vice president, respectively.
Also joining the officer team are Nikki McLeod RVN as honorary secretary and Hamish Morri RVN as honorary treasurer.
The successful candidates for BVNA council were approved at its most recent meeting (12 July), and include one student member and four full (RVN) members:
Student seat
Alice Langstone
Full (RVN) seats
Emily Bacon RVN
Macauly Gatenby RVN
Dan Lidgbird RVN
Krishna Mistry RVN
It follows a call for applications by the BVNA from its RVN members to join BVNA Council and champion the voice of the veterinary nursing profession.
A total of 17 applications were received for council during the application window (Monday 31st March - Saturday 31st May). Applications were assessed by a selection panel by an anonymous scoring process and then selected for interviews.
All successful applicants will formally assume their roles on Saturday, 11 October 2025 at the BVNA AGM.
Image (C) BVNA.
BVA welcomes Wales Sustainable Farming Scheme
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed a new Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), which is due to commence on 1 January 2026 in Wales.
The scheme will aim to support the sustainable keeping of livestock, tackling issues such as climate change and environmental sustainability.
Farmers will be encouraged to collaborate with their veterinary practice to support the health and welfare of their livestock. Veterinary teams will be closely involved with optimising animal health on the farm, as well as supporting other initiatives in place.
The SFS suggests thats ‘prevention is better than cure’ approach will promote healthy and productive animals.
The Animal Health Improvement Cycle (AHIC) should be implemented on farms where livestock are reared or farmed to produce food and goods. However, it will not be needed on small-scale enterprises with farmgate sales of private livestock.
Farmers are asked to work with their veterinary practice to action the AHIC, which should be completed within a 12-month period.
The AHIC covers four different steps: identify at least one health metric that could be improved, agree on an action plan, carry out and record a number of action plans, and review the impact of the actions.
The completed AHIC template must be signed by the farmer and the veterinary surgeon, acting as evidence it has been completed. There should also be an annual biosecurity assessment.
There will also be requirement for farmers to complete training in Body Condition Scoring (BCS), as well as mobility scoring, at least once every five years.
BVA’s Welsh Branch has been in involved in the Ministerial Roundtable. It will continue to work with the Welsh government to develop animal health aspects of the optional and collaborative tiers.
Elizabeth Mullineaux, BVA president, said: “We all have a responsibility to tackle climate change and sustainable farming and food production plays a crucial role. The Sustainable Farming Scheme brings much needed clarity to farmers and vet teams in Wales looking to play their part.
“We are especially pleased to see the ethical imperative of animal health and welfare recognised as part of the scheme, as this is fundamental to farming sustainably.”
Image © Shutterstock
Nominations open for RCVS Knowledge Awards 2026
Applications have now been opened for RCVS Knowledge Awards 2026, with nominations welcomed from all settings and all species.
The awards are designed to recognise organisations and practice teams which implement Quality Improvement (QI) methods to improve their standards of care. This includes evidence of innovation, leadership and evidence-based practice.
Nominations can be submitted until Friday, 9 January 2026.
The award categories are:
• The Antimicrobial Stewardship Award – celebrating practices which use QI methods to promote the responsible use of antibiotics
• The Quality Improvement to Lead Organisational Change Award – commending organisations making organisation-wide change using recognised QI methods
• The Quality Improvement in Practice Award – showcasing veterinary teams using QI techniques to drive improvements in care.
A panel of reviewers, consisting of experts from across different roles in the veterinary sector, will judge the nominations blind against a framework. They will be looking for examples of QI methods being used to make measurable improvements in practice.
A strong application will detail the problem the team is tackling, evidence for the full audit cycle, recognisable QI techniques to achieve measurable progress, and discussion of its real-world impact with qualitative and quantitative data.
The top three entries from each category will win the Champion Award and an invitation for a representative to attend the ceremony. First, second and third place will be awarded with a cash prize of £300, £250 and £200 respectively.
Applicants who meet assessment criteria, but do not place in the top three, may be named ‘Highly Commended Runners-up’. Meanwhile those with a strong QI foundation, but no full audit cycle yet, could be named ‘Ones to watch’.
Ashley Doorly, head of Quality Improvement at RCVS Knowledge, said: “Now in its seventh year, the RCVS Knowledge Awards continue to highlight the incredible work being done across the veterinary professions to improve patient safety and outcomes, boost team morale, embed evidence-based veterinary medicine, and support more fulfilling careers. Over the years, we’ve seen how strong team culture lays the foundation for successful Quality Improvement projects.
“This year, we’re especially excited to receive applications that explore emerging priorities such as sustainability, One Health, and contextualised care.”
Apply for the RCVS Knowledge Awards here.
Image © Shutterstock
Blue-green algae warnings as temperatures rise
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and Dogs Trust have each issued warnings as temperatures rise again in the UK.
Dog owners are being urged to take care around bodies of water, as blue-green algae begins to spread in the hot weather.
Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, often develops in lakes, ponds and rivers. In warm and sunny weather this develops into algal blooms, which can prove dangerous for dogs, livestock and birds.
Even ingesting a small amount of blue-green algae can cause serious illnesses in dogs. It can even be fatal, due to its effect on their liver and neurological system.
Dogs may ingest the harmful bacteria by drinking contaminated water or licking it off their fur after swimming. BVA also warns that toxic blooms can drift to the edge of bodies of water.
Symptoms of poisoning can appear within minutes. This includes vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, muscle tremors, seizures, breathing difficulties and collapse.
Owners that suspect their dog have ingested blue-green algae should contact their veterinary practice urgently. Although there is no antidote for the poison, if caught quickly, they may be able to flush the toxins from the body.
Dogs Trust is urging dog owners to keep their pets away from still or stagnant water during hot weather, looking out for warning signs around the water. BVA recommends the UKCEH’s ‘Bloomin’ Algae’ app, where users can submit details of suspected algal blooms.
If a dog has been in potentially contaminated water, they should be washed thoroughly to remove the algae. Contact your veterinary practice immediately for advice.
Rob Williams, BVA junior vice president, said: “Lots of dogs love water and won’t hesitate to dive straight in when they see a lake or go for a paddle in a pond. But toxic blue-green algae is very difficult to identify and, if ingested, can make dogs seriously ill and can even be fatal.”
Charles Matthias, senior veterinary surgeon at Dogs Trust, said: “We’re urging all dog owners to avoid letting their dogs swim in or drink from lakes or rivers that look green, scummy, have surface foam or have warning signs nearby. Blue-green algae is not always easy to spot, so if in doubt, don’t let your dogs swim in or drink from the water.
“And, if you are walking your dog near water where blue algae have formed, keep them on a lead.”
Image © Dogs Trust
Young Farm Vet of the Year 2025 announced
Hui Pin (Julia) Lee has been named as Young Farm Vet of the Year at the National Egg and Poultry Awards in London.
The Norfolk-based associate veterinarian was praised as a ‘dynamic’ leader, who had worked with farms to reduce antibiotic use and improve performance.
Dr Lee came to the UK in 2016, having learned English at an international school in China. She studied at the Royal Veterinary College, from where she graduated in 2021.
She completed her Master’s degree on animal welfare in Canada, before returning to work at Crowshall Veterinary Services in Norfolk.
Although Dr Lee’s interest was originally in companion animals, she decided to focus her career on animal welfare medicine. She now works across the entire poultry sector, including broilers and layers.
She provides clinical advice, supports welfare initiatives and manages complex export schedules for the global poultry trade.
Dr Lee is also closely involved in education and knowledge, hosting ‘lunch and learn’ sessions with fellow veterinary professionals and students. She presented on cage-free systems at a major international welfare conference in Shanghai.
She has been praised by Crowshall Veterinary Services director Henry Lamb, who previously won the Young Farm Vet Award, for her ‘gold standard service’.
The judges said: “She has quickly become a dynamic leader in poultry health and welfare, helping farms achieve dramatic reductions in antibiotic use and improved performance.
“Her commitment to evidence-based advice, education and industry advocacy has earned widespread recognition.”
Dr Lee’s achievements were celebrated at a ceremony in London, sponsored by Zoetis, which was attended by hundreds of guests from the industry.
Image © Zoetis
Noisy breathing sign of suffering for flat-faced dogs, experts say
The International Collaborative on Extreme Conformations in Dogs (ICECDogs) has warned that noisy breathing could signify severe health problems in brachycephalic dogs.
Experts are now calling for flat-faced dogs with noisy breathing to not be described as ‘healthy’ when promoted, bred from, sold, shown or rehomed.
The guidance, which draws on research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), warns that noisy breathing during rest or light exercise is a sign of severe respiratory disease in flat-faced dogs. This includes awake-snoring and raspy breathing.
These breathing issues are one of many health problems which are linked to extreme body conformations. Flat faces leave dogs with narrow nostrils, compressed noses and elongated soft palates, which block the movement of air through the nose and throat.
This condition, known as Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), affects 60 per cent of pugs, 50 per cent of French bulldogs and 40 per cent of English bulldogs.
Despite this extreme conformation, there has been a rising demand for flat-faced dogs – which the RVC has termed the ‘flat-faced dog crisis’. French bulldogs have increased in popularity by 166 per cent in the UK since 2009, while English bulldogs are 64 per cent more popular.
The RVC’s VetCompass data estimates that there are 503,798 French bulldogs, 186,725 pugs and 132,024 English bulldogs in the UK.
ICECDogs advises prospective dog owners to avoid breeds with extreme conformations, especially if they display noisy breathing.
Those who already have a flat-faced dog are encouraged to manage their dog’s weight and regularly attend annual veterinary health examinations. They should carefully monitor their pet’s breathing for signs of distress, especially as their dog ages.
Veterinary practices should also be grading dogs’ respiratory function to establish the severity of its breathing problems.
Dan O’Neill, chair of the UK Brachycephalic Working Group and co-founder of ICECDogs, said: “Owners need to recognise that it is never ‘normal’ or healthy” for a dog to have noisy breathing at rest or when lightly exercising – including snoring, snorting, wheezing or raspy breath.
“Air hunger like this is evidence of a lifetime of severe suffering. Owners should also be aware that breathing problems in flat-faced dogs generally worsen with age, if their dog is overweight and during hot weather.”
Image © Shutterstock
Queen Camilla opens new Battersea dog garden
Her Majesty The Queen paid a special visit to Battersea on Monday (14 July) to open the charity’s new dog garden.
In her first visit to Battersea since 2016, Her Majesty was greeted by a guard of honour featuring dogs Bertie, Phoenix, Bella and Dipsy, as well as staff, volunteers and supporters of the charity.
During her visit, Queen Camilla toured the garden with Battersea’s chief executive Peter Laurie and lead horticulturalist Dawn Richards, who explained that it would be a space for dogs to play, train and exercise.
Designed by Monty Don and Jamie Butterworth, the garden had originally been created for the Chelsea Flower Show, before being kindly donated to Battersea by the Royal Horticultural Society and BBC Radio 2.
Her Majesty spoke with Monty Don, Battersea gardening volunteers and others involved with the development of the garden before unveiling a commemorative plaque.
Battersea’s Chief Executive, Peter Laurie, said; “It was an absolute honour to welcome our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, to Battersea and introduce her to our dedicated staff, volunteers and supporters. During the visit, Her Majesty officially opened our new dog garden – a sensory space that the dogs in our care will benefit from tremendously. With so many animals arriving at our centres each year, it is vital that we create calm and enriching environments where they can exercise, train and relax.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have a Patron that has been a longstanding supporter of Battersea and who understands the importance of the work that rescues do. Today was a wonderful opportunity to talk with Her Majesty about the work we are doing at our centres and further afield, as well as share our ambitions for the future to help millions of dogs and cats worldwide.”
Image (C) Battersea.
Blue Cross celebrated for livestock attack prevention
Blue Cross has been named as ‘Wales Rural Project of the Year’ for its educational work surrounding responsible dog ownership.
The charity is partnered with police forces in Wales, sharing educational modules on responsible dog ownership and livestock incident prevention.
The Blue Cross Responsible Dog Ownership Course (RDOC) is particularly designed to support dog owners who have been involved in minor dog related offences. Participants are referred by the police and local authorities, either proactively to prevent incidents or in reaction to an offence.
The course is designed as an alternative to court proceedings, as well as potential prosecution. It is hoped that completion of the course might lead to long-term behaviour change and a reduced risk of reoffending.
Blue Cross’ latest module, launched in September 2024, specifically focuses on dog safety around livestock.
Police forces across Wales have already implemented Blue Cross’ RDOC to improve awareness and prevent repeat incidents. They have praised the scheme for building safer communities and supporting owner responsibility.
Its success in Wales has prompted police forces to utilise the livestock module across the UK.
Jason Cortis, Education Officer at Blue Cross said: “We are delighted that our educational activities to prevent dog attacks on livestock in Wales has been recognised with this award.
“Our work with the Welsh Government has strengthened the livestock worrying and countryside safety content within RDOC. It now forms part of a wider, fully integrated course covering legislation, responsible ownership, training, and support for dog owners involved in incidents.
“It saves costs, time and avoids court and prosecution where education and support is the most effective path to take.”
Rob Taylor QPM, UK NPCC Police Livestock attack lead said: “The partnership with Blue Cross has been an outstanding success and a major contribution to our fight against livestock attacks throughout the UK.
“Our initial trial in Wales was such a success that we're proud to announce that the livestock module is now part of the Blue Cross Responsible Dog Ownership Course across the UK to allow more police officers the ability to engage with Blue Cross and provide this valuable course.”
Image © Shutterstock
Stray snake reports expected to rise
Owners urged to be extra vigilant as the weather warms up.
The RSPCA is warning snake owners to be extra-vigilant this summer after a ‘python’ was rescued from a chip shop in Greenwich.
When RSPCA animal rescue officer Adam Tasker arrived, he identified the stray snake as a juvenile corn snake. As there were lots of flats above the shop, he suspected that it was likely to be an escaped pet and was able to safely return it to his owner.
Now, with more warm weather on the way, the charity is bracing itself for a rise in similar snake-related incidents.
RSPCA senior scientific officer Evie Button said: “Snakes are excellent escape artists and will take the opportunity of a gap in an enclosure door, or a loose-fitting lid to make a break for it.
“The RSPCA urges all pet snake owners to be extra vigilant at this time of year, invest in an enclosure suitable for the particular species and make sure that enclosure is kept secure - and locked if necessary - when unattended.”
In 2023, the RSPCA received 982 reports of stray snakes, with the highest number coming in during the summer months. The charity is also keen to help members of the public differentiate between active snakes, which may have escaped from their owner or have been abandoned.
Evie continued: “We received more than 907,000 calls to our emergency line in 2024, averaging 75,650 calls per month or one call every 32 seconds. Our frontline officers are flat out trying to rescue animals that may be in life-threatening situations. So a few extra minutes checking that your snake is secure could help save our officers’ time and allow them to save an animal that’s in danger.”
Image (C) RSPCA.
Vaccination scheme halves sheep lameness in Wales
A sheep vaccination project has more than halved sheep lameness across ten farms in Wales.
The scheme, which involved MSD Animal Health, explored the benefit of vaccinating against endemic diseases, after NOAH released its Category One Livestock Vaccination Guidelines.
Launched in 2022, the project aimed to cut flock lameness towards the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FACW) target of two per cent. It would also reduce antimicrobial use, reducing the risk of antimicrobial resistance.
The project involved just under 6,000 ewes, living in hill, upland and lowland systems.
During the project, a Five Point Plan was applied to the ewes – treat, cull, avoid, quarantine and vaccinate. Farms were also monitored using MSD Animal Health’s sheep lameness control planner.
As a result of the plan, average flock lameness fell from 6.3 per cent to 2.7 per cent.
Sonja van Dijk, from MSD Animal Health, said: “The plan provides a clear framework for tackling lameness and, when implemented properly, builds resilience, reduces infection pressure and improves immunity,
“All ten farms improved their lameness control scores by 94%, rising from 12 to 23 out of 25 — and that translated directly into healthier sheep and financial gains.”
Lameness was estimated to be costing the ten farms a collective £84,000 in lost productivity and medicine. By 2025, this had fallen to £30,000.
In one participating farm, owned by Gerwyn Evans, lameness prevalence dropped from 8.8 per cent in 2022 to 0.8 per cent at the end of 2024. He is now stricter on culling repeat offenders and quarantines all incoming rams for at least four weeks.
Mr Evans said: “We’re delighted that lameness has fallen to such a manageable level, especially through some of the wettest weather we’ve ever had,
“This has always been our biggest flock health challenge — and our daughters were spending hours catching and treating lame sheep. But being part of the project helped us really focus on the issue. The difference has been transformative.”
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Study reveals new findings into nesting deaths
Chicks dying after becoming entangled in plastic materials.
New research led by the University of East Anglia has revealed the extent to which discarded plastic materials are harming birds.
Scientists spent four years monitoring and photographing 32 white stork colonies and nests in Alentejo and the Algarve, southern Portugal.
Their findings, published in the journal Ecological Indicators, reveal that human-derived materials were present in 91 per cent of the 568 stork nests monitored.
Over the course of a year, 35 nestlings (12%) became entangled, with many of those dying due to injuries, such as limb loss and necrosis.
Soft plastics were the most common material, found in 65 per cent of the nests, followed by synthetic ropes, the main cause of entanglement (42%). Baler twine, a slow degrading polypropylene rope used in agriculture, accounted for 63 per cent of the entanglements.
In light of their findings, scientists are warning that the entanglement of white storks underscores a broader environmental issue not limited to that species or Portugal.
Lead author Ursula Heinze said: “Our findings offer new insights into the extent of nestling deaths caused by entanglement, and highlights the urgent need to remove and replace hazardous materials such as polypropylene baler twine from both agricultural use and the environment, given its harmful impacts on nestlings.
“This study suggests that the threat posed by human-derived materials to terrestrial birds may be far more severe than previously recognised.”
Co-author Prof Aldina Franco said: “This is a serious issue. These chicks get entangled in synthetic ropes when they are very young and the ropes slowly strangle their limbs as they grow, mostly legs and feet, leading to necrosis and amputations, they suffer a horrible death.
“Our paper is really timely, it highlights a widespread issue with poorly quantified consequences. In Ukraine, for example, solders are finding nests with fibre optic wires from remote controlled drones. In the UK, several passerines, such as goldfinches and wrens, have also started using different colour polypropylene threads to build their nests. People spotting empty nests at the end of the breeding season may have started to notice this.
She continued: “We show that the impact of plastic in the nests can be underestimated because the negative effects of the ropes and other human-produced materials tend to happen in the early life of the chicks, at an average age of two weeks, and the deaths can go unnoticed.
“Our main goal has been to identify the nesting materials that may pose significant risks to terrestrial bird species and pinpoint their origins, in order to develop effective strategies to mitigate these risks to wildlife.”
Image (C) Shutterstock.
Puppies needed for Dogs Trust research
Dogs Trust is calling for puppies aged under 16 weeks to join its generational study into dogs’ health and behaviour.
Generation Pup is seeking a few hundred puppies to join the project, as it aims to recruit 10,000 dogs across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
The project is the first of its kind to follow dogs of every breed throughout their entire lifetimes, tracking their development. It will seek to understand how different factors influence the dogs’ health and behaviour.
Researchers are collecting information about the puppies’ environment, family, health, behaviour and experiences.
Dogs Trust will investigate how important specific factors, such as social interaction, diet and daily routine, are to the welfare of dogs. The data will enable the charity to examine how these factors contribute to a range of health and behaviour conditions.
This could help the charity look into more preventative measures against common dog health issues.
The ‘basic level’ of involvement asks puppy owners to complete questionnaires regularly throughout their dog’s lifetime. However Dogs Trust hopes that some participants will offer to share their dog’s veterinary records, as well as mouth swabs or urine, to give them a better understanding.
Generation Pup’s latest paper, ‘Owner-perceived Undesirable Behaviours in Young Dogs and Changes with Age’, examined data from dogs aged from six months to 18 months old.
The highest proportion of dogs showing undesirable behaviours were those aged 12 months old. Owners reported issues including barking, recall issues, pulling on the lead and jumping up.
Dogs Trust say this might be the ‘sassy teenager’ phase in dogs’ lifetimes.
Jane Murray, welfare project and grants deputy head of research at Dogs Trust, said: “This important research study aims to deepen our understanding of how early life experiences influence the health and behaviour of dogs throughout their lives.
“Your participation will make a valuable contribution to improving the welfare of dogs now and in the future.”
For more information about Generation Pup, or to sign up, visit their website.
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Lemurs experience ageing differently to humans, researchers say
A new study has suggested that lemurs do not experience age-related inflammation, also known as 'inflammaging'.
The project, which explored age-related inflammation in ring-tailed and sifaka lemurs, could have implications for how inflammaging in humans is treated.
Since lemurs and humans share common ancestors, scientific research into lemur health can offer insights into human evolution. Similarly, the differing lifespan and life pacing of ring-tailed and sifaka invites useful comparisons.
To investigate levels of inflammation in the lemurs, researchers had to measure oxidative stress in the animals' blood, urine or saliva. The team opted to measure oxidative stress in the lemurs' urine.
This experiment was conducted on both lemurs kept in captivity as well as those living in the wild.
In contrast to the researchers' predictions, neither the ring-tailed lemurs or the sifaka lemurs showed any age-related change in their oxidative stress levels. Similarly, neither species showed any inflammaging.
The researchers even found signs that ring-tailed lemurs had a decline of inflammation with age.
The evolutionary similarities between lemurs and humans has prompted the team to reconsider inflammation in humans. Inflammaging appears to increase with age in humans, causing heart disease, strokes, diabetes, cancer and osteoarthritis.
Researchers say that, if inflammation is not a universal feature of ageing for humans, it could open up opportunities to explore its causes and preventative measures.
Elaine Guevara, who worked on the study, said: “There are a lot of good reasons to think that aging can be quite different in captivity and in the wild, and that in itself, is informative to evaluating the degree to which human inflammation is intrinsic versus environmental,”
She notes the research's possibility for human health, adding: “These insights are essential for mitigating disability and improving quality of life in later years.”
The study can be found in the Journal of Comparative Physiology B.
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Coronavirus caused FIP outbreak, study reveals
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute have revealed that a new strain of coronavirus caused the spread of a harmful feline disease in Cyprus.
Thousands of cats are believed to have died from feline infectious periodontitis (FIP) in Cyprus, with a handful of cases also confirmed in the UK.
The virus which led to the outbreak has proven to be a hybrid of cat coronavirus combined with dog coronavirus. This had resulted in a recombinant virus, named FCoV-23.
Usually, a feline coronavirus will mutate within a cat's system to cause FIP. The disease is severe but, once established, does not usually spread.
The newly developed coronavirus, however has a protein acquired from the canine virus.
This adaptation has enabled FCoV-23 to avoid the existing immunity and frequently mutate in cats of all ages. This is what caused the FIP cases to multiply.
Researchers say that the outbreak demonstrates a need for international cooperation to monitor and control disease transmission.
It is believed that Cyprus' large feline population caused it to become a hotspot for the spread of FIP. Researchers are now calling for strict guidelines for moving pets across borders, as well as a improved awareness for disease control among veterinary professionals and pet owners.
An additional study from the University of Washington has explored the role of the newly acquired protein in influencing the virus' behaviour.
The research revealed that, because mutations occurred in individual cats, the virus was able to quickly enter cells to cause infections. However, the protein was also found to pose limited risks to humans.
Christine Tait-Burkard, from the Roslin Institute, said: “Introduction of a more successful, spreading variant to a dense population, such as the cats in Cyprus, may be sufficient to allow this virus to cause an outbreak.
“More research is needed to better understand this virus, and this type of coronaviruses more widely. The development of new vaccines and optimisation of antiviral treatment regimes could help mitigate the consequences of this devastating disease.
“For the future, we must consider how we could intervene earlier and prevent disease spread.”
The studies have been published in the journal Nature.
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Device could 'capture' exhaled anaesthetic from surgeries
A research project from the University of Nottingham has explored how a volatile gas capture device could reduce the impact of anaesthetic gases on the environment.
Scientists estimate that 21 per cent of carbon emissions from a canine orthopaedic procedure is the result of volatile anaesthetics.
The study sought to investigate the efficiency of a volatile gas capture device in collecting gases from anaesthetised dogs and cats. The technology could be used in future to capture the gases, and then reprocess and reuse them as anaesthetic drugs.
It is hoped this could lead to a move from a linear (take-make-waste) economy to a circular (reuse-repair-recycle) economy.
Researchers were able to demonstrate a 65 per cent capture of isoflurane. It prevented an average release of 3.75kgCO2e for each 20-minute period of the study – the equivalent of 14 miles driven in a car.
However, they did identify that the device’s capture was dependent on multiple factors, including the patient’s blood pressure.
Kate White, who led the study, said: “Reducing the carbon footprint associated with anaesthesia and surgery, in humans or animals, is an important issue, and one way we can do this is to capture the waste gases to prevent environmental damage.
“My team have been evaluating the capture of isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane using SageTech's technology in dogs, cats, horses, ruminants and even zoo animals and teaching the veterinary students at the University of Nottingham about the concept.
“The technology in combination with interventions such as reducing single use items and low flow anaesthesia offers significant potential as we transition to a low carbon world.”
The study has been published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia.
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