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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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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.