Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Yorkshire RVN warns dog owners after mystery illness
Defra is aware of the situation and is in contact with APHA over the reports.

Practices “inundated” with pups suffering sickness and diarrhoea.

Dog owners are being urged to avoid walking their pets along the North East coast following multiple reports of animals falling seriously ill.

Yorkshire Coast Pet Care posted a warning on its Facebook page urging people not to take their dogs onto the beaches until local authorities have investigated the matter. 

Veterinary nurse and Yorkshire Coast Pet Care Owner, Brogan Proud, wrote: “I work within several practices up and down the North East coast and we have recently been inundated with dogs coming off the beaches with vomiting and diarrhoea.

“Personally, until the local authorities have got to the bottom of it, I would not recommend taking your pets on the beach for the foreseeable future. I have been in touch with governing bodies, and they are currently looking into it.”

She adds: “If your dog is showing symptoms please make the local authorities aware as well as seeking veterinary attention should your pet need it.”

The post prompted replies from local dog owners who described their experiences of the illness in recent weeks.

One pet owner said: “I walked my two-year-old on Whitby beach on New Years Day and the next day sickness and diarrhoea. I have never seen my dog so lethargic and literally not moving”.

Another wrote: “My dog has been poorly after visiting Redcar beach on Bank Holiday Monday.. just picking up today so seven days ill; vomiting and diarrhoea, lethargic and really poorly... dog walkers beware.”

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said that it is aware of the situation and is in contact with APHA over the reports, adding: "We are not aware of any link with the issue of crustaceans washed ashore in the area late last year.
"

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.