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Sugar glider discovered in a London nightclub
The sugar glider was rescued from the nightclub, and transferred to a specialist keeper.

The lost party animal was rescued by the RSPCA. 

A lost sugar glider became a party animal on Sunday 23 January, when it was discovered in a nightclub in South Kensington!

The little marsupial shocked nightclub staff when they discovered him inside the club in the middle of the afternoon, and took him to the vet, who contacted the RSPCA. 

Mike Beaman, RSPCA rescuer who collected the sugar glider, said: “This little guy was found inside a nightclub in the middle of the afternoon. Either he was a little early to the party or somehow he has escaped and is a lost pet.

“This sugar glider wasn’t too friendly but had clearly been kept as a pet. They are cute animals and it’s easy to see why people might be tempted to buy sugar gliders as pets but we would urge them to reconsider; these animals need very specialist care and we don’t believe they are suitable as pets.

“Unfortunately, we do see these sorts of animals escaping or being given up from time-to-time when their owners realise how difficult it is to meet their needs in a household environment.”

The sugar glider has been transferred to a specialist keeper in Peterborough, and the RSPCA are warning the public about the complex needs of exotic pets, reminding them that the needs of sugar gliders are so difficult to meet in a household environment that the creatures do not make suitable pets.

Mike added: “They are nocturnal animals who need to be allowed to sleep during the day and to be awake and active at night. They must be fed an appropriate diet and be provided with UVB light in captivity, to prevent metabolic bone disease.

“They are arboreal, meaning they spend their lives up in the trees, and can glide for 50m or more, which would be extremely difficult to provide for in a typical home. 

“They’re also incredibly sociable so should never be kept on their own, and can live for over 10 years.”

 

Image (C) RSPCA

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Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November.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