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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 20th September 2022
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Professionals invited to parrot nutrition symposium
The speakers will present different aspects of parrots' and indoor birds' health and welfare concerning nutrition and feeding behaviour.
Keynote talks will be delivered by Chester Zoo's Lauren Samnet and Mark Vercoe.

Avian veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses are being invited to attend a symposium about parrots and their nutrition, health and management when kept in captivity.

Hosted by the Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA), the event promises a series of talks on different aspects of parrots' nutrition, feeding, health and welfare, and an opportunity for group discussions. 

It follows the success of the PFMA's Rabbit Symposium in 2018, which brought together more than 60 pet food manufacturers, retailers, welfare organisations, vets and academics to discuss the latest science on rabbit welfare topics.

Similarly the parrot event will include a lineup of renowned avian experts including Alan Jones MRCVS, Tariq About-Zahr (DipECZM(Avian) MRCVS and Vicki Baldrey MRCVS. 

The speakers will present different aspects of parrots' and indoor birds' health and welfare concerning nutrition and feeding behaviour. Keynote talks will be delivered by Lauren Samet (Animal Nutritionist) and Mark Vercoe (Deputy Curator of Birds) from Chester Zoo. 

Sarah Hormozi, head of science & education at PFMA said: “We are hoping to make it a worthwhile event, where parrot experts, welfare groups and parrot food industry can share their knowledge and experience. Through discussions, we will come up with collective decisions and steps forward to improve the health and welfare of parrots that are kept in captivity, especially from a diet and nutrition perspective.”

The symposium takes place at Chester Zoo on 21 September, 9.30 am to 3 pm, with registration including the symposium attendance, refreshments, lunch and admission to Chester Zoo. 

For more information and the full programme details, visit pfma.org.uk

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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."