Animal lovers are being urged to nominate their pet heroes for the Blue Cross Medal 2019.

Celebrating inspirational pets for almost 80 years, the Award is open to pets that have done something brave, life-changing partnerships, assistance animals and serving or working animals.

To find out more about the awards and to nominate a pet, visit www.bluecross.org.uk/medal. The closing date for entries is 15 February 2019.

An official new DNA testing scheme has been approved for neuroaxonal dystrophy (NAD) in papillons, the Kennel Club has announced. NAD is an early onset neurodegenerative disease that involves severe swelling of the nerve fibres. Clinical signs usually appear between one and four months of age. They include head tremor, wobbly gait and inability to stand and walk, progressing to cerebellar ataxia, inability to eat, blindness and deafness. Most affected individuals do not survive past the age of seven to eight months.

The RSPCA has applauded the actions of three boys from Sussex that saved a badger found in a 20ft-deep pit. Eleven-year-old brothers Elias and Idris, and their friend Aaron, discovered the stricken animal in an old pump house whilst helping on their elderly neighbour's farm.

After spotting the badger, the boys rushed home to fetch a boiled egg and a chicken water trough and lowered them down into the pit and poured water through a hose from a watering can. The boys' parents then called the RSPCA for help.

RSPCA inspector Liz Wheeler used her extendable net to scoop the badger out of the pit and, after examining the animal, released him back into the wild. "The three boys were lovely and did an amazing job helping this badger," she said. "I'd like to say a big well done and thank you to them - they saved this badger's life!"

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) has launched a new online dental resource for vets and horse owners.

The veterinary section of the resource is aimed at primary practice equine vets who are performing dentals for clients as part of a routine care programme. Information includes 'how to perform a thorough oral exam,' guidelines for charting, and a list of BEVA equine vets with postgraduate qualifications in equine dentistry.

Free to BEVA members, the new resource is supported by a range of practical courses, veterinary CPD, workshops and webinars. To find out more visit the BEVA website

Animal welfare organisation StreetVet held its first ever skills conference in September as a thank you for all its hardworking volunteers.

The event in central London included clinical lectures by leading specialists, interspersed with talks on wellbeing, mental health and panel discussions. It also included some emotional talks by people whose lives had been turned around by the charity.

StreetVet cofounder Sam Joseph said: "The conference was an overwhelming success. The speakers were fantastic, and really tailored their talks to veterinary work on the street."

New figures published by the RSPCA show that the charity has received more than 1,000 calls already this year in relation to animal hoarding.

RSPCA vet Kayleigh Hill is leading a scheme in Manchester to help those hoarding animals. She said that, since the scheme started, she and her team have visited 60 houses in the area, with each household having an average of 19 cats.