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Pet owners warned of toxic algae
Two dogs have already died after ingesting the algae earlier this summer.
Hot spell leads to surge in blue-green substance

A long spell of hot weather in Scotland has led to an increase in potentially toxic algae in rivers and lochs.

According to BBC News, the warm weather has allowed blue-green algae to thrive, which can poison people and animals if they come into contact with the substance.

Two dogs have already died after ingesting the algae earlier this summer. People who swim in or swallow the algae can suffer from eye irritation, skin rashes, diarrhoea, fever and joint pain.

The public is now being urged not to touch or ingest anything they suspect may be a bloom or allow children or pets to come into contact with the water. They are also being encouraged to help scientists monitor blooms via an app so that appropriate action can be taken.

Professor Laurence Carvalho from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology who helped devise the Bloomin’ Algae app said: “Algal blooms can be a major health hazard as they commonly produce potent toxins that can result in people experiencing skin rashes, eye irritations, fever, muscle pain and worse. They can also be a significant hazard to animals; dog owners and farmers need to ensure their pets or livestock do not drink from waters affected by blue-green algae.

"People can download the app from Android and Apple app stores and if they then come across an algal bloom, they can use the app to send us a photo and details of its location. We will then alert the UK environment and health agencies so they can take appropriate action.”

Blue-green algae cannot be seen by the human eye unless they cluster together. When this happens, the clusters float to the surface and form greenish bundles in lakes and steams. 

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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.