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Zebrafish study reveals insights into spinal cord injuries
The immune system plays a key role in helping zebrafish nerve cells to regenerate after injury.
Macrophages are vital for fish to repair damaged connections 

New research into how zebrafish repair their damaged nerve connections could help in the creation of treatments for people with spinal cord injuries.

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh found that the immune system plays a key role in helping zebrafish nerve cells to regenerate after injury. It is hoped the discovery could eventually help people with spinal cord injuries regain control over their movement.

In the study, researchers found that large immune cells, known as macrophages, are vital for fish to repair damaged connections. Whilst these cells normally help the body with of infections, they also have a vital role to play in wound healing.

The team found that macrophages produce key molecules that deepen inflammation at the site of the spinal cord injury, enabling nerve cells to bridge the gap and repair lost connections. Researchers say the next step will be to ascertain how these molecules function in human beings.

Researchers at the University’s Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences have established a system to examine the complex interactions between immune cells at the site of spinal injury and how they contribute to the repair of damaged nerve connections in zebrafish.

“Zebrafish are interesting to us because they can regain full swimming ability after spinal cord injury,” said Professor Catherina Becker, of the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences. “Our research is focused on understanding the factors involved in this process so that we can look for potential ways of developing treatments for people.”

The study was published in Nature Communications and funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

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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
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.