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Vets urged not to carry out amputations on hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are the second most common species admitted to WAF's centre and a fifth of these animals have suffered limb injuries.
Experts say wild hedgehogs face a ‘bleak future’ with three legs 

Vets are being warned not to carry out limb amputations on injured hedgehogs, as they are unlikely to survive in the wild.

The Wildlife Aid Foundation (WAF) issued the warning following a recent case, in which a vet amputated a hedgehog’s leg in a well-meaning attempt to save the animal’s life.

WAF recommends that limbs are repaired where possible, or if this cannot be achieved, the most humane course of action is euthanasia.

Hedgehogs are the second most common species admitted to the charity’s centre and a fifth of these animals have suffered limb injuries, such as fractures, luxations or amputations. While these mammals respond well to medical and surgical treatment, in some cases the injury may be too severe.

WAF founder Simon Cowell said: “Vets may believe they are doing the right thing by amputating broken and damaged limbs because hedgehogs are hardy enough to survive such procedures, but once the animal is back in the wild it needs to be able to dig for food and scratch and groom effectively.

“Hedgehogs pick up a lot of ticks and lice and over the years we have seen many cases where hedgehogs with missing and injured limbs get completely infested. The bites become infected and they die very slow and painful deaths.

“As hedgehogs released back into the wild after amputation are likely to suffer and unlikely to survive, the kindest course of action if a limb cannot be saved is to euthanise.”

Cases such as these underline the importance of vets and wildlife rescues joining together to share knowledge, he added. WAF encourages vets to contact them or another reputable wildlife rehabilitation centre with any doubts about the appropriate treatment for wildlife. 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

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News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."