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Wiltshire lamb born without wool
Wool
Skippy's lack of wool is not a common condition.

Farmer fashions coat out of old fleece jacket 

A farmer in Wiltshire has come up with a novel way to keep a lamb warm that was born without any wool.

Sally-Ann Fisher from Chilton Foliat fashioned a fleece jacket out of an old jumper to keep the lamb warm at night.

Eleven-day-old Skippy, so called because he resembles a kangaroo, was abandoned by his mother.

Ms Fisher and her partner are now hand-rearing the lamb at their farm near Ramsbury.

Ms Fisher told the BBC that they were not aware that Skippy’s lack of wool was a condition or health problem.

“He’s just unlucky, but he’s doing great,” she said.

But Hannah Park from the National Sheep Association said that the condition was not common.

“Some breeds with less wool might be susceptible but it is extremely unusual and not something we would see,” she said. 

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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Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November.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.