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Vet squad to tackle pet welfare issues
vet squad
The PDSA vet squad consists of over 50 vets and nurses who will educate pet owners on the importance of preventative healthcare.

Charity initiative hopes to educate pet owners
 
A new charity vet squad is on a mission to tackle some of the UK's troubling pet health and welfare issues.

The team consists of over 50 vets and nurses, one for each of the PDSA's pet hospitals.

They will educate animal owners on preventative healthcare, with the aim of boosting the uptake of vaccinations, neutering, parasite treatments and microchipping.

Figures from the latest PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) report show more than 6 million pets are not receiving their booster vaccinations, while 4.1 million dogs, cats and rabbits have not been neutered, leaving them open to a number of potentially deadly, preventable diseases.

Furthermore, the report found 6.3 million pets in the UK are not microchipped. Many owners remain unaware of upcoming legislation making this procedure compulsory for all dogs in England.

The PDSA formed the vet squad with the help of a £550,000 funding award from the People's Postcode Lottery.

Nicola Martin, the charity's head of pet health and welfare, said the money will make a huge difference in addressing some of the main welfare issues affecting our pets.

Funds will also enable the charity to hold open days at its hospitals to engage with the public, as well as developing a new range of pet health advice materials and hosting live Q&A sessions on social media with vets and nurses.

Image courtesy of PDSA

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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
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.