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

SRUC launches new rural animal health course
Students on the Rural Animal Health course will perform permitted procedures and provide advice on multiple farm and rural animal species.
The HND in Rural Animal Health is the first of its kind in the UK.

As it works towards growing Scotland’s first tertiary model of veterinary teaching and learning, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) has announced an array of new courses, including a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Rural Animal Health.

Designed to support veterinary teams working in rural animal practice, the Rural Animal Health course is the first of its kind in the UK and comes amid growing demand for veterinary technicians to support rural veterinary teams. 

Other courses to be offered by the College in September include the BSc (Hons) course focusing on Animal Welfare Science and the first BSc (Hons) Equine Science and Management course in Scotland. A postgraduate Master of Research (MRes) in Zoonoses and Epidemiology will also be delivered from Inverness, mainly via distance learning.

Students on the Rural Animal Health course, taught at SRUC's Craibstone campus, will work both within a team and independently, performing permitted procedures and providing advice on multiple farm and rural animal species. 

The only degree programme of its kind in the UK, the Animal Welfare Science course at SRUC's Edinburgh campus draws on the expertise of one of the largest animal welfare research teams in the world. 

Students on the Equine Science and Management course will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to make an effective contribution to the equine industry. The degree is the first to be offered at SRUC’s Oatridge campus in West Lothian and the first of its kind in Scotland.

Focusing on developing research skills in the epidemiology of animal diseases and the transmission of zoonoses, the one-year Zoonoses and Epidemiology course can also be studied part-time.

SRUC academic director, Jamie Newbold, said: “These new courses add to SRUC’s strength and depth of provision in animal welfare and veterinary science as we move towards becoming an enterprise university at the heart of our sustainable natural economy.” 

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

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.