VMD launches world-first AMR surveillance study
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is to develop the world’s first dedicated surveillance system of antibiotic-resistant infections.
Using the surveillance system, it hopes to detect antimicrobial resistance (AMR) levels in pets and prevent the transmission of diseases between pets and humans.
With over half of UK adults living with pets, the VMD says that bacteria can spread easily between animals and humans. While much of this bacteria does no harm, antibiotic-resistant bacteria can lead to serious health consequences.
The surveillance project will aim to improve understanding about the levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria living in household pets across the UK. This will provide the first AMR surveillance data from healthy companion animals.
The programme will include outreach to households and veterinary practices, calling for faecal samples from the animals they live with and look after.
The study will be led by Scotland’s Royal College (SRUC) over the course of four years. SRUC has previous experience in this field, having established surveillance programmes in other countries.
It will build upon the VMD’s existing surveillance programmes, which currently cover a limited number of clinically unwell animals.
John Berezowski, professor in disease surveillance at SRUC, said: “This initiative is critical for a better understanding of the transmission and maintenance of AMR in our pets. Our experts have worked hard to develop a practical AMR surveillance system.
“We plan to follow a team approach, working with pet owners and their vets as we explore how best to collect samples for surveillance throughout the UK.”
Abi Seager, VMD CEO, said: “Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most serious global health threats that we face.
“I am proud to launch this ground-breaking AMR surveillance project in healthy cats and dogs with SRUC, who have a proven track-record of establishing surveillance programmes from the ground-up, and this new study is a truly One Health intervention to tackle AMR.”
Image © Shutterstock
Vet students graduate from schools across the UK
Veterinary students from universities across the UK have been celebrating their graduations from a range of veterinary courses.
Many of these students started their academic careers amidst the coronavirus pandemic, meaning they faced lockdowns, social distancing and other measures during their studies.
Among the universities honouring graduates is Keele University. The university, in collaboration with Harper Adams University, launched its Harper & Keele Veterinary School in 2020.
This means that this year’s graduating class, of 90 students, were the first students to complete its new veterinary course.
The group had one graduation in the morning at Keele University, before their second ceremony at Harper Adams University. Their second ceremony also saw them welcomed to the RCVS, with the new veterinary students pledging their commitment to the health and welfare of animals in their care.
Matt Jones, founding head of the Harper & Keele Veterinary School, said: “We are incredibly proud of our first graduates, many of whom secured jobs during their final year, embarking on an inspiring range of careers within the industry. Our new vets are contributing to animal, human and planetary health, working with companion and farm animals, and in supporting food security and research.”
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies has marked the graduations of more than 150 undergraduates and postgraduates in two ceremonies.
Held at the University of Edinburgh’s McEwan Hall, the event saw graduates of the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree make their declaration in front of RCVS chief executive Lizzie Lockett and RCVS’ chair of the education committee Professor Tim Parkin.
The university awarded an honorary degree of veterinary medicine and surgery to Dr Christine Middlemiss. Dr Middlemiss was appointed chief veterinary officer for the UK in 2017, having previously worked for Defra to detect, assess and respond to animal disease outbreaks.
Professor Lisa Boden, head of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, also hosted the school’s annual undergraduate prize-giving. Over 80 prizes were awarded, recognising graduates’ academic and sporting achievements.
Image © Shutterstock
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
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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Female gorilla study challenges male power narrative
Females were able to overpower male gorillas.
A new study into gorilla relationships has further challenged traditional understandings of the male power narrative.
Behavioural observations have revealed that female gorillas are able to overpower males, even where there are biases in size and strength.
The findings have supported theories, first made over 50 years ago, which challenged the idea that male mammals have universal social power over female mammals. Although spotted hyenas and some species of lemur were initially considered exceptions to rule, growing evidence suggests a more complex situation.
Some research suggests that these species instead sit at one end of a continuum of intersexual power dynamics, from strictly male-based to strictly female-based.
The new gorilla study, from researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and the University of Turku, aimed to develop on this work. The team sought to investigate the female-male power relationship, challenging theories that there is male-biased power over females.
The theory comes from the extreme male-biased asymmetries that gorillas exhibit in body and canine size, enabling them to show male-biased power over females.
Researchers conducted behavioural observation over three decades and four social groups, examining the relationships between wild mountain gorillas.
The observations revealed that almost all the female gorillas in a multi-male gorilla group could overpower at least one male. Despite them weighing half as much as their male counterparts, female gorillas were able to win one in four conflicts and overpower one in four of the non-alpha males.
One theory is that the alpha male gorillas are supporting the female gorillas to overpower the other males. Similarly, another theory is that the non-alpha males are yielding to the females to keep their place in the group.
However, another theory suggests the female gorillas are motivated by gaining priority access to food resources over the males they fight. This could contradicts suggestions that females and males compete over different resources – with previous theories stating females fought over food, while males fought over females.
Martha Robbins, director of the long-term Bwindi mountain gorilla research project, said: "Our results showed that females were more likely to outrank younger and older adult males, which are still so much larger than adult females.
“This suggests that other mechanisms influence female-male power relationships besides basic size and strength."
The full study can be found in the journal Current Biology.
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.
More training needed on dog nail clipping, RVC says
A new study from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has called for more training for veterinary professionals in providing nail care for dogs.
Despite overgrown nails being identified as the fourth most diagnosed disorder in dogs, RVC says it is one of the most underfunded areas of research.
To examine how demographic data affected nail clipping frequency, researchers from RVC, the University of Edinburgh and Scotland’s Rural College analysed data from RVC’s VetCompass programme. A random sample of 2,440 nail clipping cases was selected from over 2 million dogs in primary practice care during 2019.
The study suggests that 5.64 per cent of dogs get their nails clipped at least once per year as part of their primary veterinary care. Of these dogs, nail care was the primary reason of the visit of 59.4 per cent.
Among the most common reasons for nail clipping visits were overgrown or ingrown nails (12.66 per cent) and broken claws or dewclaws (8.84 per cent).
Through their analyses, researchers have also identified how differing dog breeds and body shapes may impact the nail care needs of such dogs.
In comparison to crossbreed dogs, the four breeds with the highest percentage of dogs getting nail clips each year were the Chihuahua (13.29 per cent), beagle (12.58 per cent), greyhound (11.98 per cent) and pug (9.36 per cent).
Flat-faced dogs, such as pugs and French bulldogs, were found to be 1.67 times more likely to have their nails clipped. Meanwhile longer faced dogs, such as greyhounds and whippets, were 1.32 times more likely to have their nails clipped than dogs with medium-length skulls.
Dogs with shortened, often twisted, legs (known as chondrodystrophic breeds) were also 1.44 times more likely to get their nails clipped than those with straight legs.
Researchers believe that these insights could inform more tailored, breed-specific guidance from veterinary practice. It calls for more comprehensive education into nail care in both veterinary and veterinary nursing courses.
RVC says this could reduce cases of overgrown nails, ingrown claws and their associated pains and infections.
Alison Skipper, veterinary and research advisor at the Kennel Club, said: "It's easy to overlook nail clipping as a minor intervention, but this study reminds us of the importance of providing good routine healthcare that improves canine lives.
“It's also interesting to see that some breeds are more likely to need nail care. This confirms anecdotal evidence that some foot shapes or lifestyles may influence nail wear and reminds owners to make sure they keep an eye on nail growth as they care for their pets.”
The full study can be found in the Journal of Small Animal Practice.
Image © RVC
Call for research into antibiotic resistance in environment
A review of thousands of studies into antimicrobial resistance has highlighted a lack of research into its presence in the environment.
The analysis also revealed key limitations within these studies, which researchers believe could pose difficulties for human health.
The study involved the review of more than 13,000 studies across three decades. It was led by the University of Surrey, alongside the University of Galway and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.
Researchers discovered that fewer than 750 studies were concerned with the spread of antibiotic resistance in air, water and green spaces.
The majority of the studies focused on wealthy countries and freshwater settings. Meanwhile low-income regions and other environmental settings were overlooked.
Experts are calling for knowledge gaps to be filled, to avoid the spread of antibiotic resistance in under-studied environments.
Among the research projects suggested by experts include monitoring wastewater release and improving understanding of climate change’s impact on atmospheric pollutants. They also call for a better understanding of the exchange of antibiotic-resistant bacteria between the land, air and sea.
A survey revealed that one third of the studies had been completed in China, with the USA producing the second most number of studies.
However fewer than one per cent were led by researchers in Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Uganda. According to a study in Environmental International, these are the countries where the impact of antibiotic resistance on health will be the highest.
The research team noted an absence of studies linking antibiotic resistance to climate change and microplastics. Though this trend may have since changed, researchers believe it will not have changed enough to answer key questions.
Meanwhile the two most studied organisms were the Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas, while genes conferring resistance to medicines were also prominently researched.
Dr Iñaki Deza-Cruz, of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, said: “To understand the development of AMR in the environment, it is key that we study it comprehensively, across a range of circumstances and socio-economic settings.
“This complex, urgent challenge needs to be understood in terms of its impact across the health of people, animals and the environment, so that mitigating measures can be effective.”
The full analysis can be found in the journal Environmental International.
Image © Shutterstock
Birmingham facing 'cat crisis' as charity overrun
The RSPCA has warned of a ‘cat crisis’, as its Birmingham-based animal centre reaches capacity with cats and kittens.
The charity’s Newbrook Farm Animal Centre and Hospital, in Frankley Green, is currently responsible for 474 cats and kittens. This includes 69 cats at the animal centre, 27 in foster homes, 300 in private boarding and 78 cats in its hospital.
It is believed to be the result of so-called ‘kitten season’, which occurs from May to September. This is when it most litters of kittens are born, resulting in charities across the country seeing an influx of cats and kittens coming into their care.
However in some locations, such as their Birmingham premises, the RSPCA is seeing an unprecedented number of cats.
One intake included Tiger-Lily, a heavily pregnant stray who came to the charity in July. Although she was microchipped, her details were out of date and staff could not trace an owner.
A few weeks arriving, Tiger-Lily gave birth to a litter of nine kittens.
Emma Finmore, cattery supervisor, said: “We try to place nursing queens into foster homes to prevent spaces being blocked for weeks until the kittens are old enough.
“Obviously these won't be ready for adoption for another nine weeks so if we can place them in a foster home this allows us to free up the space and help more cats that need to come in.
“It's best for the nursing queen and the kittens to be in a loving foster home too, receiving around the clock care and socialisation in a home environment.”
This is a particularly challenging time for cat rehoming, since there is often a reduction in cat rehoming during the summer holidays. This is believed to be due to families going away on holiday.
Ms Finmore said: “It feels like we’re facing a cat crisis with more cats coming in than we can find homes for - so we need people’s help.
“In particular, we have quite a lot of nursing cat mums and young kittens, who aren’t old enough for adoption yet, and so we are desperately looking for foster homes for them to help free up space in our cattery for other cats who can be rehomed.”
Fosterers are provided with all the necessary equipment and veterinary care by the RSPCA. They will also have the support of RSPCA staff when needed.
For more information, visit the RSPCA website.
Image © RSPCA
Analysis calls for breed-specific dog population management
An analysis of over 11 million dog registrations reveals that only a small proportion of pedigree dogs are used for breeding.
The Roslin Institute says that the statistics could prompt new considerations about the future of canine health, population sustainability and breeding practices.
The project saw experts collaborate with The Kennel Club to analyse over 11 million dog registrations made in the UK between 1990 and 2021. The registrations covered all 222 pedigree breeds.
Researchers used the data to collate within-breed statistics for each of the UK pedigree breeds, before conducting a meta-analysis. This saw them study various demographic parameters, including the proportion of dogs used for breeding and rates of population changes,.
By collating data from each breed, the researchers assessed how far the variation was related to differences between breeds rather than chance. It also leads to an accurate understanding of specific breed populations, rather than treating pedigree dogs as a single group.
Their findings identified a decline in the overall pedigree dog population, with only a small number of pedigree dogs used for breeding.
Although dogs successful with conformation shows and field trials have historically been used for breeding, there has been a recent decline. There has also been increased reliance in imported dogs, with higher volume of breeding dogs being imported into the UK.
The research team suggests that breed health and sustainability is handled with a targeted approach, with responsible breeding practices tailored to individual breeds. They call for breed-specific recommendations on breeding thresholds, genetic testing and the use of imported dogs.
The Roslin Institute says that its findings highlight the importance of demographic context when considering how dogs are bred and raised. It believes this will support experts in more effectively managing genetic diversity, reducing inherited disease and maintaining viable population sizes.
Veterinary professionals are advised to support informed breeding by encouraging breeders and owners to think about health screening and genetic diversity when selecting mates.
Joanna Ilska, genetics and research manager at The Kennel Club, said: “This study used statistical tools to help us develop most effective methods to balance selection for health and genetic diversity – especially on breeds where population sizes are low.
“The smaller the gene pool gets, the more challenging it will be to balance responsible breeding choices with keeping a sustainable population, unless the situation is managed carefully.
“Our aim now is to work with breeders and those committed to safeguarding the breeds they love.”
The full study can be found in the journal Companion Animal Health and Genetics.
Image © Shutterstock
New grant launched for animal welfare research
Applications have opened for a new grant intended to fund master’s degree research into animal welfare.
BSAVA PetSavers has partnered with the Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) to offer up to £42,000 to cover a postgraduate student stipend at BBSRC standard rates.
The grant can also cover university fees, equipment and consumables of up to £10,000 depending on the project. A veterinary stipend can be requested.
Primary applications must be made by the prospective supervisor, and can be submitted before or after they have chosen a potential student. Applications close midnight on Wednesday, 15 October.
The applicant does not need to be a veterinary professional. However, they must have an appropriate level of veterinary experience for the project they wish to conduct.
Applications should include a letter of support from the head of department or practice principal. It should also include evidence that ethical approval has been obtained or applied for.
Applicants will be notified if their proposal has been shortlisted at the end of November 2025, with a funding decision made in spring 2026.
Sarah Williams, BSAVA PetSavers fundraising and grant awards manager, said: “We look forward to initiating this funding partnership with AWF. By pooling our resources and expertise, we can further increase our impact in animal welfare and help the next generation of researchers get started in this important field.”
Julian Kupfer, chair of the AWF board of trustees, and trustee Charlotte Burn continued: “We are delighted to join forces with BSAVA PetSavers to fund a Master of Research postgraduate degree.
“We are aware of the importance and scarcity of research funding especially in disciplines such as animal welfare, so collaborating with BSAVA PetSavers presents an ideal opportunity for researchers in companion animals to focus on the welfare of pets as well as clinical research.”
For more information or to apply, visit the BSAVA PetSavers website.
Image © Shutterstock
Jersey tiger moths on the rise
Reports up 78% after warmest-ever spring
Members of the public are being urged to keep their eyes peeled for an exotic species of moth.
The call from Butterfly Conservation comes as the charity reaches its mid-way point in its annual Big Butterfly Count.
According to the latest figures, Jersey tiger moths are doing particularly well at 5,300 — a 78 per cent increase on 3,496 for the whole of last summer.
Scientists believe the warm and reasonably dry summer has enabled the species to spread and settle in parts of the country they may never have been seen before.
Dr Richard Fox, head of science at Butterfly Conservation, said: “Butterfly and moth numbers fluctuate naturally each year depending on the weather, and this summer’s warm, sunny conditions have created a much more favourable environment than last year’s cool, wet season, which saw numbers recorded during Big Butterfly Count plunge to record lows.
“It’s certainly uplifting to see more butterflies and moths this summer, but one good year can’t undo the long-term decline many species are facing”.
The Jersey tiger moth was largely restricted to the south coast and Channel Islands a decade ago, but today they are being frequently sighted across the south of England, East Anglia and the Midlands.
During this year’s Big Butterfly Count, they have been photographed in Cardiff, Birmingham, Essex and Cambridgeshire displaying their striped forewings and vibrant red-orange or yellow hindwings.
Dr Richard Fox added: “The increase we’re seeing in Jersey Tiger moth sightings is a striking example of how climate change is reshaping the distribution of wildlife.
“While it’s a delight to spot such a vibrant moth in gardens, parks and green spaces, it’s also a reminder of how rising temperatures are altering our natural environment.
“This is why the Big Butterfly Count matters. The more people who take part, the more we can learn about how species are adapting, or struggling, in the face of climate change and extreme weather.”
Image (C) Luigi Sebastian, Butterfly Conservation.
VN Futures ends after nine years of initiative
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) have announced the retirement of their VN Futures initiative.
The project, first launched in 2016, has seen the two organisations work to ensure that the veterinary nursing profession remains rewarding and sustainable.
As a result of the project, the RCVS and BVNA noted a need for more effective utilisation of veterinary nurses in the team. They suggest this will promote job satisfaction, progression opportunities and deliver high standards of patient care.
The organisations now say that, after nine years, the initiative has reached its natural conclusion.
The RCVS and BVNA say that the promotion of the veterinary nursing profession remains a joint goal. However, with their different roles as regulator and representative body, the organisations suggest they would benefit from working more independently.
The RCVS recently announced the second phase of the VN Vision initiative, launched under the VN Futures project umbrella. It will build upon work carried out in 2024, as it seeks to more effectively integrate veterinary nurses into multidisciplinary teams.
A series of workshops will be held across the UK for the whole team this year, with an additional session held at BVNA Congress.
Meanwhile the BVNA has released a set of resources on how practices can maximise the RVN role. It will launch its ‘RVN utilisation champions’ campaign later this year, which will be accompanied by associated streams at BVNA Congress.
It is also compiling a ‘Nurse Utilisation Toolkit’ for its members, which will launch in late 2025/early 2026.
Belinda Andrews-Jones, RCVS’ veterinary nurses’ council chair, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to be part of the collaborative VN Futures project, and I am so proud of all we have achieved together.
“We have undertaken numerous important projects including the launch of the VN School Ambassadors Scheme, wellbeing projects in collaboration with the RCVS Mind Matters Initiative, the provision and creation of veterinary nurse-specific resources in areas such as leadership, and the inception of our Diversity, Inclusion and Widening Participation Group.
“The project may be coming to an end, but the legacy of all we have achieved will continue to live on and fuel further invaluable projects within the veterinary nursing profession for many years to come.”
Lyndsay Hughes, BVNA president, added: “The joint decision to end the project marks an end of an era, but also the beginning of an exciting new chapter. We will continue to work with each other on activities and projects that support the veterinary nursing profession on an ongoing basis.”
Image © RCVS
ICatCare launches International Cat Day 2025
The day will explore what it means to be ‘cat friendly’
With International Cat Day 2025 fast approaching (8 August), organisers iCatCare are exploring what it means to be ‘cat friendly’.
Throughout the day, the charity will share cat-friendly tips showing how to respect each cat’s unique nature and meet their environmental and social needs.
Among them are understanding the signs for better cat-friendly interactions, the importance of cat-friendly play for health and wellbeing, and tips for a cat-friendly environment at home or in the veterinary clinic.
Nicola Martin, iCatCare CEO, said: “At iCatCare, we know that even little changes in how we interact with cats in our daily lives can make a big difference to their physical health and mental wellbeing. From making cat-friendly adjustments to the home environment, to taking steps to reduce the stress of veterinary clinic visits, we hope our #CatFriendlyEveryDay campaign for International Cat Day 2025 will encourage people to consider the positive changes they can make every day for the cats in their care.
“We'd like to thank our supporters, partners and sponsors whose generous funding enables iCatCare to continue to provide our charitable services through sharing feline knowledge and expertise, and to everyone who dedicates their time to improving the lives of cats around the world”.
International Cat Day highlights important feline-focused topics and raises awareness of cats as a species. It will see charities, veterinary professionals and feline enthusiasts share resources and information to support the care of cats across the world.
Further advice and information from International Cat Care about this year’s event can be found on their social media platform, including a special 15 per cent discount on their cat-friendly courses.
Image (C) Shutterstock.
Rarest breeding birds raise four healthy chicks
A pair of Montagu’s harriers, Britain’s rarest breeding birds, have raised four healthy chicks.
The youngsters made their first flights at the end of July, marking the first successful nesting of the species in England since 2019.
Despite the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) recording nine successful Montagu’s harrier nests in 2011, the species’ breeding population has continued to decrease. In 2021, they were officially placed on the UK Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern.
However, in May, an adult male and adult female were seen at a now secret location in England.
With hopes that the pair would breed, the RSPB located the nest with the licensed use of a drone. It was then closely monitored by a volunteer birdwatcher and the RSPB.
Both the adult birds were ringed, which meant the RSPB was able to identify them from photographs. The male had hatched from a UK nest in 2015, whereas the female was tracked to a nest in France in 2023.
Once they were sure the chicks had hatched, the RSPB entered the field under licence to install a protective fence to safeguard the nest from ground predators.
Conservationists are now hopeful that the birds will migrate safely to Africa, before returning to breed in 2026.
Mark Thomas, Montagu’s harrier species lead, said: “We are overjoyed that a pair have returned, they managed to find each other, and, through the close protection of a dedicated farmer and the RSPB, have managed to raise four youngsters.
“What’s even more remarkable is that we have been able to work out that the male was colour-ringed by the RSPB as a chick in a UK nest in 2015 and that his partner is wearing a ring indicating she is from France. This Anglo-French alliance could just be the springboard needed to save this species in Britain.”
The farmer of the land, who is remaining anonymous to protect the location, said: “It’s fantastic to have these amazing birds on the farm and a just reward for the extensive conservation work we have been undertaking for decades.”
Image © Shutterstock
Dogs Trust warns of rise in stray dog numbers
A report from Dogs Trust has highlighted a ‘worrying’ increase in stray dogs, with the numbers increasing year by year.
For the first time ever, the charity says that more dogs are taken into welfare organisations than are being reunited with their owners.
The recorded number of stray dogs has seen an overall decline since 1997. However, in the last three years, the Dogs Trust has been concerned as numbers rise again.
The Dogs Trust Stray Dog Survey revealed that over 36,000 dogs had been handled by local authorities between April 2023 and March 2024. However, only 39 per cent of dogs taken in by dog wardens were later reunited with their owners.
These are the lowest reunion numbers in recent years, with 43 per cent of dogs reunited with owners in 2022/2023 and 54 per cent in 2021/2022.
The data also shows a recent increase in the number of dogs being euthanised, despite euthanasia numbers steadily reducing in previous years. In 2023/2024, there was a six per cent increase in the estimated proportion of dogs euthanised by local councils.
Dogs Trust suggests this could translate to an increase of over 1800 dogs across the UK. Among the reasons were ill health (25 per cent) and behavioural issues (42 per cent).
Some dogs were also euthanised due to the requirements the Dangerous Dogs Act – 24 per cent compared to seven per cent the previous year.
Staffordshire bull terriers were most likely to be found as stray dogs, with 45 per cent of authorities reporting them as one of the top three breeds found straying. Lurchers, crossbreeds and Jack Russells also topped the list.
Maria Murray, director of behaviour and community services at Dogs Trust, says: “While the exact causes are unclear, financial pressures on local authorities may be limiting their ability to trace and return dogs, pushing more into the care of charities.
“At the same time, rising numbers of stray and unwanted dogs appear to reflect the ongoing cost of living crisis, which we know is hitting dog owners particularly hard. Our own research shows dog-related costs have soared, putting many owners in the heartbreaking position of no longer being able to care for their pets.”
Image © Dogs Trust
RVC awards Honorary Degrees
Leading figures in science and veterinary medicine have been honoured.
The Royal Veterinary College has awarded Honorary Degrees to two eminent leaders in science and veterinary medicine.
Professor Dame Angela McLean and Professor Gary England received their degrees at the RVC graduation ceremony in 2025. The pair were honoured for ‘significant contributions to research, education and public service and a profound impact in the veterinary and scientific communities’.
RVC president and principal Stuart Reid CBE, who conferred the degrees, said: “Honorary degrees are a means by which we at the RVC can recognise and promote the excellence of outstanding members of our community.
“We are now fortunate to be able to count both of our honourees amongst our alumni and to hold them up as role models for future generations of our student body. To both Angela and Gary, I offer our congratulations and, more importantly, our thanks.”
Dame Angela has served as the chief scientific adviser to the government since 2023. She was recognised for her outstanding leadership and innovative applications of mathematical models to aid understanding of the evolution and spread of infectious agents.
She was an elected Fellow of the Royal Society and the Gabor Medal and Weldon Memorial Prize. A renowned academic, she has used her expertise in this area to formulate evidence-led public policy. In 2018, she was awarded her Damehood for services to mathematical biology and to scientific advice to government.
Professor England is Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University of Nottingham. He was recognised for his pioneering contributions to veterinary clinical practice, education and research, particularly in the field of small animal reproduction.
He has held various leadership roles at Guide Dogs UK and led ground-breaking research, including the first successful in-vitro fertilisation in dogs and studies linking environmental chemical exposure to declining fertility.
Professor England has played a central role in strengthening veterinary education in the UK, founding multiple organisations focused on postgraduate training development, and establishing the UK’s first new veterinary school in decades at the University of Nottingham.
Image (C) RVC.
Penguin chick recovers from life-saving eye surgery
A Northern rockhopper penguin chick has recovered from surgery to remove her eye, which was affected by an infection.
Poly, who lives at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo, was discovered to be have an eye ulcer during a routine health check.
When the team discovered that the ulcer was not responding to medication, they had to make a decision quickly. They decided that surgery to remove the affected eye was the best option for Poly.
Stephanie Mota, veterinary surgeon at RZSS, said: “Surgery is always a last resort due to the additional risks it carries, especially for such a young chick. But in this case, it was the only option left to keep her comfortable.
“Eye problems can be painful and unfortunately there was no way to save the eye.”
Poly became sick after the surgery, and the keepers were concerned that she would not survive. She was kept in intensive care, with the zoo’s keepers and veterinary team working extra shifts to look after her and provide extra feedings.
During this time, Poly lived in a specialised creche away from the main penguin colony.
When she was showing positive signs of recovery, Poly was reunited to her parents – who immediately began to take care of her. The veterinary team performed daily check-ins and she required ongoing medication until her recovery had progressed.
She has now been cleared by the veterinary team, is off her medication, and no longer requires daily monitoring.
Dr Mota said: “It’s especially exciting because not only is Poly a sweetheart, but due to the rockhopper’s Endangered status, every new addition to the colony is a meaningful step toward securing the future of the species.”
Northern rockhopper penguins are classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. They have seen a population decline of over 90 per cent since the 1950s.
In the wild, the penguins are found in the Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island group in the South Atlantic Ocean. RZSS supports long-term conservation efforts here, including genetic analysis to assess population connectivity and diversity.
Poly, and the other Northern rockhopper chicks, can be seen at Edinburgh Zoo’s Penguins Rock.
Image © RZSS
DAERA calls for 'vigilance' as avian flu circulates
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is urging vigilance among poultry and bird keepers, as avian influenza continues to circulate.
The calls come after Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in a backyard flock in County Donegal, as well as six locations in England – including Somerset, Devon and Norfolk.
Previous weeks have seen multiple cases of avian influenza detected in wild birds. Cases are particularly common in the coastal regions of Ireland and Great Britain.
A case has also been reported in a wild bird found in County Down.
Detections of HPAI H5N1 have been reported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) in Ireland and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
DAERA says the findings show a persistent and serious threat to both commercial and backyard flocks. All bird keepers, regardless of the size or the type of flock, should take the necessary steps to minimise the risk of infection.
It particularly emphasises the importance of strict biosecurity to prevent the introduction and spread of disease.
DAERA says that biosecurity is the most effective defence against avian influenza. Bird keepers are directed to the Biosecurity Checklist and Biosecurity Guidance documents on the DAERA websites.
Bird keepers are also reminded that, unless they keep their pet birds exclusively within their home, they are legally required to register their birds. Dead wild birds can also be reported using DAERA’s online reporting tool.
Image © Shutterstock
RVC to offer minimally-invasive equine spine surgery
The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is to offer a minimally-invasive operation for horses with cervical spinal nerve compression.
The uniportal endoscopic foraminotomy, offered as part of an expansion of its Equine Referral Hospital, provides a treatment option for the condition.
A cervical spinal nerve compression is often the result of a narrowing of the intervertebral foramen (IVF). This can be caused by pathological changes to the ventral (non-synovial) intervertebral joint and the dorsal (synovial) articular process joint (APJ).
Horses may exhibit one or many symptoms, including neck pain/stiffness, intermittent or persistent forelimb lameness, and proprioceptive deficits.
The equipment was funded by the RVC Animal Care Trust and the Follett Trust. They also enabled RVC’s equine surgeons to train in Germany with Jan-Hein Swagemakers, who developed the surgical technique.
The RVC team will perform a clinical examination of the patient, before identifying suitable candidates for surgery using a Qalibra CT machine. The procedure is then performed under general anaesthesia, removing excess bone, relieving nerve compression and creating space within the spinal canal.
The procedure should reduce the horse’s pain and improve neurological function.
There is only one other equine hospital in the UK which is able to provide the procedure. However, there have been more than 300 surgeries performed worldwide.
The RVC says that early outcomes are showing an 80 per cent success rate for the procedure. It encourages veterinary surgeons to consider the procedure for horses with foraminal stenosis, especially those not responding to conservative management techniques.
Alex Hawkins, lecturer in equine surgery at the RVC Equine Referral Hospital, said: “We are excited to introduce uniportal endoscopic foraminotomy as a surgical option at the RVC’s Equine Referral Hospital.
“Developed by Dr Jan-Hein Swagemakers, this innovative, minimally invasive surgery offers new hope for owners with horses suffering from chronic or debilitating neck pain, helping to improve their comfort, mobility, and overall quality of life.
“It also offers referring veterinarians a reliable, evidence-based option for managing suitable cases of cervical spinal nerve compression.”
Image © RVC
BVA calls for 'holistic approach' to drug resistance
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has called for a holistic and evidence-based approach to parasite control in grazing animals.
The organisation has launched a new policy position on the responsible use of parasiticides in grazing animals, providing best-practice guidance for veterinary organisations and livestock owners.
As part of its policy, the BVA has advised that the use of anthelmintics and ectoparasiticides in cattle, sheep, horses and goats should be more targeted and based on diagnostics. This strategic response is to replace the use of blanket treatments at certain times of the year, which can contribute to drug resistance.
The BVA describes drug resistance as a threat to the efficacy of all parasite groups. It has mainly been reported in gastrointestinal nematodes, liver fluke, with evidence of resistance also appearing in lungworm.
There is also evidence of parasiticides affecting invertebrate species in the environment, causing wider implications for biodiversity and soil health.
Organisations which represent veterinary surgeons, livestock owners and Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs) are asked to work with members to implement the policy guidance. Species-specific organisations are also advised to work with members to incorporate holistic parasite control into their health plans.
BVA’s policy also calls for an increased focus on diagnostics and monitoring of annual sales data, as well as a more careful assessment of product’s environmental impact.
It recommends that the SQP Code of Practice is amended to increase its emphasis on evidence-based prescribing, with reclassification of POM-Vs a possibility if necessary. It calls for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) to work with the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) to restrict promotion of parasiticides, and work with SQP representatives to give prescribers access to prescription histories.
Organisations working to reduce the use of antimicrobials, such as the Responsible use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA), are also asked to include parasticides in their remit.
Elizabeth Mullineaux, BVA president, said: "As with dogs and cats, the treatment of grazing animals with parasiticides is one of the ways in which these products enter the environment, which is why it is vital they are used appropriately, when needed, and their impact monitored.
“Maintaining the safety and efficacy of parasiticides in the future is important not only for animal health and welfare but also human health and food security.“
Image © Shutterstock
RSPCA urges holidaymakers to avoid 'cruelty tourism'
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has called on holidaymakers to avoid a number of animal experiences which involve animal cruelty.
Activities such as posing with tigers, riding elephants and swimming with dolphins have been linked with animal exploitation and suffering.
Under the Animals Abroad Act, holiday companies based in England and Northern Ireland are banned from advertising activities exploiting wildlife, which are illegal in the UK. However, because this law has never been implemented, some travel agents continue to advertise these experiences.
In 2024, the RSPCA joined other organisations to call for travel agents TUI to join the rest of the travel industry in rejecting venues keeping cetaceans, such as SeaWorld.
It explains that, in the ocean, orcas can usually swim up to 150 miles a day. However, in marine parks, they are kept in concrete tanks approximately 10,000 times smaller than their natural range.
Tourists are also asked to think carefully about the animal experiences they take part in when on holiday.
If a lion or tiger allows a tourist to get close enough to cuddle them, it is likely that they have been sedated with drugs to make them docile. Similarly, snakes, chimps and monkeys are often left in the sun without food and water while tourists take photos with them.
In some cases, a monkey may be taken from the wild as a baby from the wild and kept in inappropriate conditions for the use of photographers.
Elephant riding has also become a huge part of tourist activities in Asia. The elephants are often illegally captured for the tourism industry, where they are beaten until they are compliant.
These ‘breaking techniques’ can involve them being chained and tortured until they submit to demands. When not transporting tourists, they may be kept in unsafe conditions.
Among the other animal experiences the RSPCA advises against are swimming with captive dolphins, running with bulls and purchasing souvenirs such as ivory and animal skins.
David Bowles, head of public affairs at the RSPCA, said: "Riding an elephant, swimming with dolphins, cuddling a tiger cub, or taking a picture with a monkey may seem like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but all of these can often have very serious animal welfare and safety risks for tourists. No animal deserves cruelty, wherever they are in the world - and all our fellow living creatures deserve our respect.
"If there is a demand for activities like these and money to be made, then cruel practices will continue, which is why we urge people to research the activities and, if in any doubt, look for ethical alternatives."
Image © Shutterstock