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Young seal found with air filter around his neck
“It is just so heartbreaking to see a wild animal suffer through this and I hope people can get more involved in reducing plastic in the environment.”

Rescued seal learnt to swim on his back to reduce pain

A wild seal is recovering in Norfolk after being found with an air filter stuck around his neck.

The injured young seal, who has been named ‘Relashio’, was spotted off the coast of Burnham Overy Staithe by two local teachers, Sarah Jones and Tracey Johnston.

Authorities were alerted and he was quickly rescued by a volunteer from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue and staff from Sea Life Hunstanton.

Veterinary surgeon Christopher Tansley, of Coastal Veterinary Group, said: “Relashio was immediately brought to us to examine him and then remove the object around his neck.

“The circular plastic piece of air filter had obviously been around the poor animal’s neck for some time as it had cut deep into the fat as he grew in size. We have seen similar injuries in cats before, but we have never seen anything as severe as this in a seal.”

Relashio is now recovering at Sea Life Hunstanton. Staff monitoring him soon realised he had learnt to swim and sleep on his back to help cope with the pain caused by the air filter. He is learning to swim upright again as he mimics other seals at the sanctuary.

Aquarist Nicky Nelson commented: “If he hadn’t been discovered then he would have almost certainly perished a slow and painful death as he continued to grow in size, the wound would have continued to deepen until it stopped him from eating or breathing.

“It is just so heartbreaking to see a wild animal suffer through this and I hope people can get more involved in reducing plastic in the environment.”

Relashio is expected to make a full recovery and could be released back into the wild in the next four weeks.

Image © Sea Life Hunstanton
 

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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. 

Click here for more...
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.