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Vets urge pet owners to get ‘fireworks ready’
In the last 12 months, some one thousand pets have been treated for fireworks-created issues.
PDSA Action Plan to help relieve pets’ fears

A leading vet charity is urging owners to take immediate action to prevent their pets suffering from extreme distress and trauma triggered by fireworks.

Figures published by the PDSA reveal that owners of eight million dogs and cats report that their pets are afraid of fireworks. In the last 12 months, some one thousand pets have been treated for fireworks-created issues, such as injuries and phobias.  

To help pet owners prepare for fireworks season, the PDSA has teamed up with the People’s Postcode Lottery to produce a Fireworks Ready Action Plan. The plan includes the use of pheromones and sound CD’s, how to build a noise-reducing fireworks den for pets and a checklist for the day itself.

“The PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report found that around 40 per cent of UK owners of cats and dogs report that their pet is afraid of fireworks, and anyone who has seen their pet go through this misery knows how serious their anxiety and fear of firework sounds can be,” explained PDSA senior vet Sean Wensley.

“Many shake and tremble, are unable to settle, toilet in the house, destroy furniture, and can even cause themselves physical injury if they panic, try to escape or run away.”

Through its Action Plan, PDSA aims to help pets like Zakk, who received severe but unexplained injuries to his legs after he was spooked by fireworks. Zakk was in the garden when a neighbour suddenly set off fireworks, causing him to panic and leap over the gate.

Zakk was discovered the next day covered in blood and suffering from nasty cuts to his paws. He was taken to a nearby pet hospital for treatment, but the wounds took over a month to heal.

Sean continued: “We don’t know exactly what caused Zakk’s injuries – he could have been hit by a car, or cut himself on something as he panicked. But his story highlights how important it is to be aware of the significance of firework phobia for pets and to know that help is available from your local veterinary practice.”

PDSA’s advice on preparing pets for fireworks can be found at pdsa.org.uk/fireworksready.

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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
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."