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

Runaway emu brought back home
Emus can grow to 1.9 metres in height, making them the second-tallest living bird.
The escapee roamed for a mile before he was found.

Jon and Laura Cardy were on their first holiday in years when they received a call saying that their emu had escaped.

Despite being locked in by the pet-sitter the evening before, one-year-old Rodney had leapt over a fence during the night and made his getaway.

Quickly returning to their home in rural Suffolk, Mr and Mrs Cardy set about trying to track down the missing bird, reporting his disappearance to the RSPCA, the RSPB, and the police.

Mr Cardy told the BBC: ”He's a big running bird and can cover a lot of ground quite quickly, so we didn't know where he might be.

"I think he might have been spooked by the storm overnight, and while he's very friendly, he's also very large and inquisitive - and he has a very large beak.

"Rodney is fascinated by anything shiny like rings and earrings and I was worried that if someone saw him coming towards them at high speed they might be a bit freaked out."

After hours of searching, Mr Cardy was sent a video in a local WhatsApp group about a peacock which had been found about a mile from where they lived. It wasn’t a peacock, it was Rodney.

Helped by a friend, Jon located his emu and brought him back home.

Rodney has been part of the Cardy household since he was two weeks old. Mr Cardy added: "He grew up in our kitchen and he is like one of the family.”

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

Greyhound Board announces change to vaccination guidance

News Story 1
 The Greyhound Board of Great Britain has published new vaccination guidance, with all greyhounds registered from 1 January, 2027 required to have the L4 leptospirosis vaccination, rather than L2.

The change comes in response to the reduced availability of the 'L2' Leptospirosis vaccine across the UK, and aims to support best biosecurity practice across the racing greyhound population.

GBGB veterinary director Simon Gower, said "While rare, Leptospirosis is a serious infectious disease that can affect both dogs and humans, so it is vital that we offer our greyhounds the broadest possible protection.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Free webinar explores congenital heart disease in dogs

A free webinar is to provide veterinary professionals, dog breeders and pet owners an new insights into congenital heart disease.

Chris Linney, a cardiology specialist and Veterinary Cardiovascular Society (VSC) member, will present the webinar from 7.00pm to 8.30pm on Wednesday, 12 November.

Dr Linney will explore the types, causes and clinical presentation of congenital heart conditions. This will include diagnostic approaches, treatment pathways and emerging research opportunities.

The session is the third to be organised by The Kennel Club, with the VCS, following an introductory webinar and a talk on acquired heart disease. Dr Linney's webinar consists of a one-hour presentation, followed by a 30-minute question and answer session.

Dr Linney said: "This webinar will be an opportunity to deepen understanding - not just of the diseases themselves, but of how breeders, vets and owners can work together to support affected dogs and improve outcomes for future generations."

Click here to register for the webinar.