Two new DNA testing schemes have been approved for multi-drug resistance (MDR1) and Imerslund-Grasbeck syndrome (IGS) in border collies. The Kennel Club has approved the new tests following consultation with the Border Collie Breed Council.

According to the Border Collie Club of Great Britain, IGS causes changes to the hematopoietic system and irreparable damage to the brain and nervous system, as vitamin B12 cannot be absorbed from the intestine. In affected collies, the function of the MDR1 gene is impaired, meaning toxins can leak into major organs.

Nominations for Petplan's Veterinary Awards 2015 will close on 16 January 2015. The awards recognise members of the veterinary profession who have gone above and beyond in their daily roles.

Nominations for all categories, which include Vet of the Year, Vet Nurse of the Year, Practice of the Year, Practice Support Staff of the Year, and Practice Manager of the Year, can be made at www.petplanvet.co.uk/vetaward.

Wood Green, the Animals Charity, has announced that it helped to find 100 pets new homes over the festive season.

In the lead up to Christmas, the Animal Charity was being inundated with animals whose owners could no longer care for them. Its 100 kennels were at bursting point and it had just under 700 cats on its list waiting to come in to find new homes. The 100 animals re-homed from December 24 - December 31 include 29 dogs and 47 cats, as well as eight chickens, five rabbits and other small furries.

Wood Green's dog welfare manager Tracey Binham said: "We're over the moon to see so many people offer Wood Green residents forever homes in time for the new year - we would like to say a huge thank you to all their new owners - and hope people continue to be as caring and compassionate in the months to come."

For the first time in five years, a barn owl has set up home in the purpose-built tower at the Lost Gardens of Heligan. The Barn Owl Tower was built in February 2010, but until now its only resident has been a field wood mouse.

As the Barn Owl Trust reports 2014 has been a fantastic year for barn owls, Heligan staff are hoping for another breeding pair in 2015. This year, just one chick hatched on the estate. Barn owl fans can view the tower's newest resident through Heligan's wildlife webcam, which has had nearly 140,000 views this year.

A disaster team has been deployed in Cabo Verde after a volcanic eruption has left animals and people desolate. Lava flows have destroyed two villages on the island in the central Atlantic Ocean. It is the first eruption for 20 years and has displaced 1,500 people, leaving their livestock in dire need.

The economy in Cabo Verde is largely based on agriculture but very little veterinary care is available. World Animal Protection's disaster team is aiming to help around 20,000 animals over the next two months by providing food and veterinary treatment.

Bat Conservation Trust volunteers from across the UK have spent over 42,000 evenings monitoring bat populations as part of the National Bat Monitoring Programme. The results of their study, published in Biological Conservation, reveal that ten species of bats show stable or increasing trends.

Dr Kate Barlow, lead author of the study, said: "We are delighted to be able to show that their [the volunteers] hard work and dedication allows us to produce a convincing and generally positive picture for the populations of some of our more widespread bat species. This is however only the start of recovery for some of these species and there is still a long way to go."

Image (C) Barracuda1983