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H. lusitanicum tick imported into UK on a dog
puppy in a cage
A Hyalomma lusitanicum tick has been imported into the UK on a dog that had recently returned from Portugal.

Event described as extremely rare

A Hyalomma lusitanicum tick has been imported into the UK on a dog that had recently returned from Portugal and submitted to Public Health England’s Tick Surveillance Scheme (TSS).


The discovery was reported in Veterinary Record (Vol 179 - No 16) by Public Health England and the Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr Ricardo Jorge.


It is the first known record of H. lusitanicum in the UK and the second Hyalomma species detected by the TSS. In 2009, a single Hyalomma marginatum male was imported into the UK on a horse that was also from Portugal.

‘This importation event provides evidence of the potential for movement of Hyalomma species from endemic areas into the UK via dogs, a route that has not been considered previously,’ the authors write.

‘The absence of published reports of this tick species feeding on dogs in endemic areas and the lack of evidence of this species on recently travelled dogs in the UK based on TSS and Big Tick Project data suggests this is an extremely rare importation event.’

H. lusitanicum ticks are common in Southern Europe where conditions are warm and dry. While they are mostly associated with domestic and wild ungulates, reports show they have also bitten dogs and humans.

H. lusitanicum is an important vector of Theileria annualata - a major cause of livestock disease -  and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) - a disease that can be fatal in humans.

In September 2016, health authorities in Spain reported two confirmed cases of CCHFV - the first instance of local transmission of CCFH in Europe. The primary case - a 62 year-old-man - died in hospital in Madrid. He had no history of travel, but noticed a tick bite after a country walk in Avila, Castilla-León.

Due to the significance of CCHFV, Public Health England tested the tick that was imported into the UK, but no CCHFV RNA was detected. 

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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. 

Click here for more...
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New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.