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Vet warns of threat to donkeys from plastic pollution
Donkeys feed at waste sites on Lamu Island.
Donkeys at a Kenyan clinic are presenting with nutritional colic.

An increasing number of donkeys are dying as a result of plastic pollution, the lead veterinary surgeon at The Donkey Sanctuary’s clinic on Lamu Island in Kenya has warned.

The team at the clinic are seeing up to five per cent of donkeys presenting with signs of nutritional colic, caused by animals foraging at waste sites for food due to a lack of grass or edible vegetation.

Obadiah Sing'Oei, clinic lead at The Donkey Sanctuary’s clinic in Lamu, explained: “At the dumpsites the donkeys will eat all sorts of things, from plastics to clothes to cartons – everything.

“This brings a lot of issues for donkeys’ health – with the majority of the donkeys suffering from colic, as a result of foraging at the dumpsites. Nutritional colic in donkeys is usually fatal. But we also lose donkeys to poisoning, for example, from residual rat poison, which can find its way to the dumpsites after domestic use.”

There are also concerns about livestock being exposed to plastic pollution on the island, after 35kg of plastic waste was discovered in a cow’s stomach at an abattoir on Lamu.

The team at The Donkey Sanctuary’s clinic has been joined by researchers from the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth to investigate the issue. This has included holding community focus groups with local livestock owners, veterinary surgeons and residents.

The researchers’ initial findings will be published later in the year, but early results suggest that donkeys are at greater risk of death from ingesting plastic than cattle owing to their behaviour and biology.

Emily Haddy, postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Portsmouth, said: “From previous discussions with the community, we know there is growing concern about the links between plastic pollution, ecosystem health, animal welfare and human wellbeing. 

“However, the picture is complex, livestock owners often cannot afford to feed their animals and through necessity let their animals loose to graze. The community focus groups have helped us understand more about how these complex issues affect the people and animals involved.”

Image © University of Portsmouth

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Free bloat webinar planned for dog owners

News Story 1
 The Kennel Club is inviting dog owners to attend a free webinar on gastric dilation-volvulus syndrome, also known as bloat.

Part of its health webinar series, the session will take place from 7pm to 8pm on 12 November. It will explore what scientific research has revealed about causes, symptoms, breed susceptibilities, diagnostic approaches, and treatment options, as well as looking at what future research could uncover.

The talk will be hosted by Mark Dunning, professor of small animal internal medicine at the University of Nottingham, and will include a 30-minute Q&A session.

Places can be booked here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
FIVP to represent independent practices at London Vet Show

The Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) will be at stand (S05) at this year's London Vet Show.

The not-for-profit organisation will be explaining how its expertise and resources can help independent practices to thrive in a competitive industry. It will also share how it has been representing independent practices in the ongoing CMA investigation.

On Thursday, FIVP member Steve Carter will be available to discuss how veterinary surgeons and nurses can pursue practice ownership.

FIVP will also be offering independent practices three months of free membership if they sign up at the stand.

Rita Dingwall, FIVP business development manager, said: "It's a wonderful opportunity to discuss our representation in the CMA enquiry and connect with like-minded individuals who share our passion for independent practice."