Current Affairs

Jul- 2013 -

16 July

New research into deadly cat virus

New research published by Emerging Infectious Diseases journal suggests that a virus that normally affects cats only mildly could turn into a serious infection. The research shows that a mutation in one of the viral proteins is causing the virus to turn from mild to aggressive. Usually a common infection…

15 July

Fatal parasite is now endemic in the UK, experts warn

Vets warn that the potentially fatal lungworm parasite has reached endemic proportions, with 150 veterinary practices across the UK reporting 952 suspected cases and 81 deaths caused by the parasite this year alone. The Angiostrongylus Vasorum parasite, carried by common slugs and snails found in the typical UK garden, is…

12 July

RCVS Charitable Trust relaunches as RCVS Knowledge

The RCVS Charitable Trust, has announced a complete rebranding that includes a change of name to RCVS Knowledge and the refocus of its mission on supporting the flourishing evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM) movement across the globe. For the past 50 years, the charity has been known as a small funder…

11 July

Mr Loophole represents different breed of defendant

One of the country’s most high-profile lawyers has launched a new website which aims to give a full and fair hearing to the Staffordshire bull terrier. Nick Freeman, aka Mr Loophole, has been a staff owner for almost 20 years and his latest canine companion is a red, 12-month-old Stafford…

10 July

Disciplinary committee strikes off Somerset practicing vet

The Disciplinary Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has directed that the name of a Somerset-based veterinary surgeon be removed from the register, having found him guilty of serious professional misconduct. During the 11-day hearing, the disciplinary committee heard eight, separate and unrelated complaints against Dr Marcus Hutber,…

May- 2013 -

30 May

Physios say some owners are killing their pets with kindness

A recent poll of chartered veterinary physiotherapists, conducted by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), highlighted how owners may be unwittingly risking their pets’ health. Some 82 per cent of members of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT) told the CSP they feel the main cause of…

23 May

One step closer to cat-friendly law

The Environment Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee has recommended that Defra extends the law on dangerous dogs to cover dog attacks that injure a protected animal and this could include cats. Cats Protection welcomes this recommendation and is pleased that the issue was raised in the House of Commons debate.…

16 May

Landlords encouraged to accept pets in rented properties

A specialist insurance policy available through Endsleigh Insurance Brokers and Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, encourages more landlords to accept pets in their properties. Launched in May, theSpecialist Landlords Insurance policy, in partnership with Lets with Pets,is available to individual landlords through Dogs Trust’s Lets with Pets…

14 May

Pedigree in partnership with Paul O’Grady

Pedigree has partnered with the award winning ITV show ‘Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs’. The partnership has seen Pedigree become the fully integrated sponsor of the new series, which aired on 9 May and follows Paul O’Grady as he helps staff to rehome dogs at the Battersea Dogs…

2 May

PIF lays down industry guidelines for grooming

The Pet Industry Federation is launching a Quality Assurance Standard for groomers to lift public confidence in the grooming industry. Recent media coverage of tragedies in grooming salons has cast a dark shadow over the entire sector, with damaging aspersions made about groomers’ concern for the safety and wellbeing of…