Current Affairs

Aug- 2018 -

1 August

RVC makes breakthrough in treatment of Alabama rot

Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College’s (RVC) Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (QMHA) have made a ground-breaking discovery in the treatment of Alabama rot, a deadly disease which affects dogs. Alabama rot, properly known as Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV) first emerged in Alabama in the 1980s, giving it…

Jul- 2018 -

31 July

Channel 4 series reveals life with Britain’s busiest vets

The realities of day-to-day life in two busy pet hospitals in the UK is being highlighted in a new TV series set to be broadcast on Channel 4. Cameras spent six months behind the scenes at vet charity PDSA’s two Liverpool pet hospital sites, to create the new series called…

16 July

Animal welfare sector rejects calls to add Staffordshire Bull Terriers to the Dangerous Dogs Act

The Kennel Club, RSPCA, Dogs Trust, and Blue Cross have collectively released a statement urging MPs to reject calls from “misguided activists” that Staffordshire Bull Terriers be added to the list of banned breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act. The animal welfare organisations said that they strongly believe that current…

13 July

NOAH gives cautious welcome to government Brexit plans

The National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) says it “cautiously” welcomes the government’s white paper out today that details plans for the UK’s departure from the EU. NOAH’s announcement comes less than a month after British Veterinary Association (BVA) resident John Fishwick said Brexit would threaten the capacity of veterinary…

13 July

Pet owners advised to look for early warning signs as vet costs rise

New analysis from Direct Line Pet Insurance has revealed that the average cost of veterinary treatment for dogs and cats has risen by four percent over the past year, with the average claim rising by £29, from £728 to £757. The overall cost of medical treatment claims for dogs and…

4 July

BRC calls for two-year freeze on business rates

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has asked the government to consider freezing business rates for two years to ease the pressure on retailers. By proposing a two-year freeze on increases, the BRC said it would give time for the government and industry to develop a proposal for an updated taxation…

3 July

Holyrood Committee to review dog control law

The effectiveness of legislation that aims to ensure dogs are kept under control is to be examined by a Holyrood Committee. As part of its post-legislative scrutiny of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010, the Public Audit and Post-Legislative Scrutiny Committee will examine the role of local authorities in…

2 July

Vets warned to prepare for a spike in emergency calls

Veterinary practices are being warned to prepare for a spike in emergency calls during July and August by telephone answering service provider Moneypenny. In a two-year study of telephone calls to the company’s veterinary clients, it was found that the highest number of emergency-related enquiries were received on 25 July…

Jun- 2018 -

29 June

Over 1,600 EU vet professionals respond to second RCVS Brexit survey

Over 1,600 EU-qualified veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses have already responded to a second survey by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) on the implications for them of the UK’s decision to exit the European Union. The original survey was sent last year to more than 5,000 UK-registered veterinary…

28 June

Cat trapped in three inch gap in house rescued

A Cambridgeshire cat has been rescued by firefighters after getting stuck in a three inch hole in the wall of a house. The cat had to be cut out of the hole by firefighters who sawed through brickwork, after he could not be coaxed or tugged out. Cotton, the cat…