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Charity funds emergency surgery for retired police dog
“I can’t thank the Thin Blue Paw enough for what it’s done for Neo and for our family” – Rob James.
Neo was taken to the vets suffering from gastric torsion.

A retired police dog is recovering from life-saving surgery after a charity stepped in to cover the costs.

Neo, who served with Humberside Police, was taken ill at home in Hornsea, East Yorkshire, on 8 September. The German shepherd started making strange noises, had a hard stomach, and was trying to be sick.

Owner Rob James was called home from his work as a police officer by his partner and headed straight to the vets where a friend had driven the dog.

On his way to the practice, PC James contacted the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, a charity which provides help for serving and retired police dogs in the UK. Retired police dogs do not receive any financial support from the force they worked for after they retire.

The veterinary team at the practice found that Neo had gastric torsion and needed immediate surgery. The charity agreed to cover the full cost of Neo’s surgery and the operation was a success.

PC James said: “Neo is doing really well after his surgery. I find myself thinking a lot about how life might have turned out if the Foundation hadn’t stepped in to help with the costs of this surgery – I'm so pleased he’s been given a chance.

“I can’t thank the Thin Blue Paw enough for what it’s done for Neo and for our family. I will forever be thankful for what you’ve done.”

Thin Blue Paw Foundation trustee Kieran Stanbridge added: “Poor Neo was seriously ill when Rob called us on the way to the vets and he wasn’t sure how he’d cover the costs of the emergency treatment. We knew we needed to help and we agreed to cover the full costs.

“We’re so pleased we were able to step in at Neo and Rob’s time of need, and that Neo is now back at home with his family recovering well.”

Image © Thin Blue Paw Foundation

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BEVA gives RVNs right to vote

News Story 1
 The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is to allow its registered veterinary nurse (RVN) members the right to vote.

RVN members will now be able to take part in key decision-making processes and stand for BEVA council.

Marie Rippingale, chair of BEVA's Nurse Committee, said: "I am very proud to be a part of BEVA.

"This change will help to empower nurses to speak up and contribute, but more importantly, it will give them an opportunity to collaborate with other members of the equine veterinary profession to bring about change that is positive for all." 

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Farmer survey to reveal on-farm impact of bluetongue

A nationwide survey has been launched to better understand how the bluetongue virus is affecting UK farms.

Results will inform the support that farmers receive for bluetongue, as well as preparing the livestock industry for the future.

The short online survey is open to all livestock farmers, regardless of whether they've had a confirmed case of bluetongue on their farm. It asks how many animals have been affected, the severity of their clinical signs and how it has impacted farm business.

The survey takes five minutes to complete and is fully anonymous.

It is led by Fiona Lovatt, of Flock Health Limited, and the Ruminant Health & Welfare bluetongue working group, in collaboration with AHDB and the University of Nottingham.

Dr Lovatt says: "We need to find out what level of clinical signs farmers are seeing in their animals, whether they are experiencing mortality with BTV-3 cases, and what their appetite is to vaccinate in future for bluetongue serotype 3."

The survey can be found here.