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Farmers discover ‘unicorn’ in Iceland
Einhyrningur only has one horn growing from the middle of his forehead.
Einhyrningur the ram was first mistaken for a goat 

With the launch of the ‘unicorn frappuccino’ and booze fans hailing the arrival of ‘unicorn tears gin,’ it felt like the internet had reached peak unicorn. But reports from Iceland suggest that the craze is showing no signs of slowing down.

According to the Iceland Monitor, an Icelandic ram, affectionately named Einhyrningur (unicorn), only has one horn growing from the middle of his forehead. The majority of Icelandic sheep have two horns, and there are some that have three or even four. But farmers say both Einhyrningur’s parents had two horns, and that it must be some kind of mutation.

Einhyrningur was rounded up into the mountains last Spring, not long after he was born. When the sheep were gathered for winter, however, he was accidentally left behind. Luckily for Einhyrningur, farmers found him just before Christmas - although he was mistaken for a goat at first.

“It was funny, the shepherds saw him through binoculars, and had no idea what this thing was. Thought at first it was a billy goat with this high horn. Then when they got closer they saw it to be a sheep, with such a peculiar horn. Both horns grow together like one, and split at the end,” says farmer Erla Þórey Ólafs­dótt­ir of Hraun­koti at Land­brot, Einhyrningur‘s owner.

“This seems special, and he has a peculiar look because of this. The horns stretch his face, particularly around the eyes so he always seems to be a bit surprised. He kind of looks like people that have had a facelift,” she added.

Erla says that Einhyrningur has a calm and good-tempered nature, although he has had a few run-ins with the other rams because of his unique appearance.

“He quickly finds his own way. The horn gets in his way but he manages to get about his business in a sheepcote even though it's not designed for unicorns,” said Erla.

Image (C) NBCDFW.com.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.