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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
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."