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Ducklings get stuck in melting road
duckling
Staff used butter to loosen the tar, then washed the birds in washing up liquid before rinsing carefully.

Family of birds are said to be recovering well

A family of ducklings were left stuck to the road last week as scorching temperatures melted the road they were trying to cross.

Passers-by found the five stranded ducklings on a tarmac road in Ashill, Norfolk, and took them to RSPCA East Winch for treatment.

The weather was so hot it started to melt the tarmac, so when the birds tried to cross they got covered in tar and became stuck.

Staff at East Winch wildlife centre used butter to loosen the tar on their feathers, followed by a bath in washing up liquid, then careful rinsing.

"All five ducklings were so poorly when they came in we weren’t sure they were going to make it," said centre manager Alison Charles. "They were absolutely covered in the thick, black muck and were very dehydrated.

"But we got to work quickly and started smothering them in the Lurpak butter to try to loosen the tar, before washing it off with washing up liquid and warm water.

"It might seem like an odd combination but the butter is an old fashioned remedy for removing tar and it really works. "Following this process with a warm washing-up liquid bath is really effective."

Three of the ducklings were so weak staff could only remove the worst of the tar. Once they are fitter, they will have another bath.

Alison said the birds are now "eating, drinking and chirping away in our orphans room quite happily."

The RSPCA is asking for donations of butter (not margarine) to help it cope with other cases of animals stuck in tar.

Image courtesy of the RSPCA

 

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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.