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BSAVA reminds small animal vets to practise safe bat handling
The most recent case of rabies in a bat in Britain was in July 2020 in Wimbourne, Dorset.

New statistics on bat rabies in the UK prompt statement

Following the release of new statistics from Defra on rabies in UK bats, the BSAVA is advising primary care small animal practice staff to ensure that they know how to work safely with bats.

In Great Britain, there have been 11 cases of rabies in a bat since 2018, with the most recent case being reported in July 2020 in Wimbourne, Dorset.

European bat lyssaviruses (EBLVs) 1 and 2 – also known as bat rabies – are found in the saliva of infected bats and is typically spread through the bite of the infected bat. The rabies virus can also enter the body through open wounds or mucous membranes.

Although risk of transmission to humans is largely considered low, anyone who regularly handles bats may be at an increased risk of contracting the disease and should therefore be vaccinated against rabies and wear appropriate gloves for the species of bat being handled to avoid injury. For further advice on how to safely handle a bat, please visit the Bat Conservation Trust website.

If an individual is bitten, scratched, or exposed in any other way to bat saliva or nervous tissue, they should seek medical guidance immediately. Any wounds should be disinfected, and the contact area washed with soap and water. The NHS and PHE websites contain further information on treatment after a bite or scratch.

President of the BSAVA Professor Ian Ramsey said: “Whilst the risk of human rabies infection from bats is low, the publication of the new statistics show that EBLVs are circulating in a small number of wild bats. Injured bats are often presented to small animal vets, so we have taken this opportunity to remind our members and others of the potential risks of rabies transmission, and how to mitigate against these.”

Image (c) Secret World.

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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...
News Shorts
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.