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Guinea pig portrait causes a squeal
Three Unknown Elizabethan Children, Unkown Anglo-Netherlandish artist, c.1580 privately owned

Earliest known painting of species revealed for the first time

A painting has been unveiled in London's National Portrait Gallery, of what is believed to be the earliest portrait of a guinea pig.

The painting depicts three Elizabethan children, two boys aged five and six, with a girl aged seven who is cradling a beige, brown and white guinea pig.
 
The portrait was revealed during the making of the exhibition "Elizabeth I and her people", which is supported by the Weiss Gallery and due to open on October 10, 2013.

Guinea pigs were introduced from South America by Spanish traders and are said to have been popular pets during Queen Elizabeth I's time.

Due to the expensive and fashionable dress of the children in the portrait, it is suspected that they belonged to a wealthy family of nobility or gentry. Portraits of children became popular among the sixteenth century across Europe, as they allowed families to document lineage and fertility.

In the portrait, the youngest boy also clutches a small bird, which is thought to be a finch.

Guinea pigs are not the only animal to feature in the exhibition, as horses, stags and dogs also make appearances, as well as more exotic animals displayed on the subject's jewellery, purses and crests.
 
The exhibition will be open until the new year. Click here for more information.

Image courtesey of the National Portrait Gallery

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue cases lead to restricted zone extension

Following the detection of new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3), the restricted zone has been extended to include additional parts of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and North Yorkshire, as well as Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and part of Dorset.

The zone now covers 28 counties and unitary authorities in England. As of 16 December, 185 cases of BTV-3 have been confirmed in England and Wales during the current vector period.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. Suspected cases in Northern Ireland should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the area where movement restrictions apply can be found here.