Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Suffolk road named after respected vet
Donald Mackintosh Way sign
Donald Mackintosh Way leads up to Ipswich Veterinary Centre, a new, state-of-the-art hospital.
New veterinary centre built on 'Donald Mackintosh Way'

A new road in Ipswich has been named after the highly regarded veterinary surgeon, Donald Callendar Mackintosh, who sadly passed away in 2013 at the age of 81.

Affectionately known as 'Mr Mac', Donald was one of the early partners of the Stowe Veterinary Group in Suffolk. Now, 'Donald Mackintosh Way' leads up to the group's newest addition, Ipswich Veterinary Centre, which is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art hospital.

Upon hearing of the decision to name the new road 'Donald Mackintosh Way', his family said: “We are so pleased to learn that the road to Ipswich Veterinary Centre is being named after Don.

It is a lovely way to remember his contribution to the veterinary profession 
“He would have been very honoured, as he very much enjoyed his long career with the Stowe Veterinary Group, its staff and clients.”

Donald was well known and respected in Suffolk's farming community and amongst his peers. He spent the majority of his working life caring for animals in East Anglia, though such was his renown in the pig farming industry, his skills were required all over the country.

Born in Glasgow in 1931, Donald's decision to study veterinary medicine was perhaps a surprising one. At the time, it was not a popular career choice and, in fact, many of the places on the veterinary course had to be filled by students from Norway and Denmark.

Donald Mackintosh in the army
After graduating in 1954, Donald spent two years in the army – mostly in Kenya – then as a small animal vet in Surrey.
After graduating in 1954, Donald spent two years in the army – mostly in Kenya – then as a small animal vet in Surrey. He also worked towards the eradication of Brucellosis in cattle during his time with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Although he enjoyed the travelling and hard work, his aversion to paperwork put paid to his career as a government vet.

After getting married in October 1960 and fathering his first child, Donald and family found themselves in Suffolk, where the 'Shorter and Mackintosh' veterinary practice was launched.

Through sheer hard work and competence, the practice expanded, moving to Crowe Street in Stowmarket, before being renamed the Stowe Veterinary Group – which remains a trusted network of practices today.

Roger Harvey, a friend and colleague of Donald's and a partner at the Stowe group, said of the new road name: “It is a lovely way to remember his contribution to the veterinary profession, during a career that spanned over 50 years.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.