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Chief Whip hints at fourth Westminster cat
Larry with Barack Obama and David Cameron
More paws on patrol? A fourth mouser could join the ranks of Larry (pictured), Gladstone and Palmerston.

New mouser may be called Cromwell

There are rumours amidst at Westminster that a fourth Battersea mouser may be joining the ranks.

According to The Telegraph, the Chief Whip Gavin Williamson reportedly told Steve Back, a political photographer, that the new cat may be called Cromwell.

"The Chief Whip was going into Number 10 and Larry was on the doorstep. He said 'Oh, there's Larry!' and came to speak to me," said Mr Back.

"He said we are thinking of getting a cat in the Cabinet Office. I asked what they were thinking of calling it and he said 'Cromwell' in a tongue-in-cheek manner - but it seemed he had the name ready."

A Cabinet Office spokesperson told the Telegraph they are "looking into it" at the moment, but nothing is confirmed at this stage.

Just last week, Her Majesty's Treasury adopted a new cat, Gladstone, to help conquer the growing mouse problem at Westminster.

Joining Downing Street's Larry and Foreign Office cat Palmerston, he was the third feline to be adopted from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

Image (C) Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.

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Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November.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