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Zoological Society of London holds CPD session
Sarah Forsyth, Curator at Colchester Zoo

Contraceptive products and vaccine updates were on agenda.

A CPD session held by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) in February proved a great success with more than 50 delegates attending the event.

An overview of the classes of contraceptive products available to zoo vets was covered. Presentations from Yedra Feltrer, Veterinary Officer, London Zoo, Catriona Curtis, Veterinary Advisor, Virbac, and Dr Christelle Fontaine, DIR Med Technical Manager, Virbac, explored this topic further.

Discussions were held about the use of contraceptive medicines in reproduction and case discussions of their use in zoo animals, including osaterone acetate in a macaque with prostate disease and deslorelin in a pig with an endometrial tumour.

Updates surrounding advancements in vaccines and immune modulators were also on offer. Delegates discussed the principles of immunology and vaccine technology with Callum Blair, Senior Veterinary Advisor for Virbac. Tai Strike, Zoo Veterinary Officer at ZSL, spoke about a website run by the University of Edinburgh which collates information about vaccine use in zoo animals.   

Potential uses of recombinant feline Interferon in zoo species with viral infections was then covered by Alex Allen, Senior Veterinary Advisor for Virbac.  Discussions included the use of recombinant feline interferon in two Tapirs with pox virus.

Tai Strike, Zoo Veterinary Officer at the ZSL and the event organiser, said: "The combination of Virbac's scientific veterinary expertise and our zoo veterinary knowledge made for a synergistic cutting edge CPD event, tailored specifically to zoo vets and highly appreciated by those who attended.”

 

 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.