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Reminder on antibiotic use in neonatal lambs
‘We would particularly ask colleagues to refrain from using high-priority critically important antibiotics in sheep.’
Vets and farmers provide advice on responsible use 

Sheep vets are being reminded not to treat all neonatal lambs with an antibiotic from the start of the new lambing season.

In a letter to Vet Record, specialist vet Fiona Lovatt and others raised concerns about the high number of neonatal lambs that have, historically, been given a dose of prophylactic antibiotics.

Sales of lamb oral antibiotics reached 10.5 million doses in 2015. Anecdotal reports also suggest that ‘in some regions, there may be a significant use of either tablets or other antibiotics that are not licensed for use in sheep’.

Authors of the letter continued: ‘Although veterinary surgeons are in the privileged position of being allowed to prescribe medicines under the veterinary cascade, the use of unauthorised products must be fully justified and have clearly auditable clinical evidence.

‘We would particularly ask colleagues to refrain from using high-priority critically important antibiotics in sheep.’

The letter, which was signed by representatives from the Livestock Board NFU, National Sheep Association and Sheep Veterinary Society, said: ‘In individual flocks with close veterinary supervision, it may be appropriate use targeted control measures that include antibiotic treatment.’

Further information on the responsible use of antibiotics in sheep can be found in the Sheep Veterinary Society’s Responsible Use of Antimicrobials Good Practice Guidelines. This guidance aims to provide a summary of current information on disease control, whilst encouraging the replacement, refinement and reduction in antibiotic use.

Resources and case studies can also be found on: www.farmantibiotics.org/sheep 

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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."