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.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 24th April 2025
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

Cat rehomed by charity after cancer scare
Gracie's ears were amputated at the base to prevent disease spread.
Gracie's ears were amputated after becoming severely sun damaged.

Cats Protection has issued a health warning after a cat arrived with severely sun damaged ears.

Gracie received emergency surgery after a veterinary examination suggested her sun-damaged and 'crispy' ears could be cancerous.

Veterinary surgeons urgently amputated both of seven-year-old cat's ears at the base as a precaution to prevent disease spreading. Later tests confirmed the presence of cancerous cells, which could have proved fatal if not removed.

Gracie's health scare has prompted Cats Protection to remind cat owners of precautions they can take against sun damage.

Cat owners are advised to keep their pets indoors when the sun is at its hottest. This is usually between 10am and 3pm.

When cats are outdoors, they should easily be able to access shaded areas. Providing outdoor water sources can reduce the risk of cats becoming dehydrated.

It is also recommended that cat owners speak with veterinary professionals about suitable sunscreen options for their cat.

As a light-furred cat, Gracie is particularly vulnerable to the effects of sun damage. Cats Protection believes that, if the veterinary surgeon hadn't spotted the signs of sun damage, Gracie could have died.

Gracie is recovering well from the surgery, supported by an aftercare plan to reduce the risk of infection around the surgery site.

She is quickly learning to compensate for her lack of outer ears, tilting her head to better locate sounds. After building her confidence in the care of fosterers, Gracie has now found a home which can care for her needs.

Nikki Butcher, co-ordinator at Cats Protection Bracknell & Wokingham, said: “After all she has endured, Gracie has settled wonderfully in her new home. She has the run on the house and two people who dote on her.”

Gracie's intensive treatment was costly for the charity, which does not receive government funding. Volunteers have launched an online fundraiser to reach £1,000 to cover treatment costs.

Visit Gracie's JustGiving page to make a donation.

Image © Cats Protection

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

Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA publishes fifth Manual of Canine and Feline Neurology

The BSAVA has published the fifth edition of its BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Neurology.

The new edition has been reviewed and updated, including new developments in diagnostics, therapeutic approaches and clinical decision-making. It is structured to support clinicians through diagnosis, treatment and long-term management.

The guide features five new chapters covering acute myelopathies, chronic myelopathies, emergency protocols, neurotoxicology and neuro-oncology.

It also includes over 100 videos, including demonstrations of neurological examinations, clinical presentations and diagnostic procedures.

Nicola Lloyd, publishing manager, said: "Whether you're a general practitioner seeking practical guidance, or a specialist aiming to refine your expertise, this edition remains an indispensable reference for anyone involved in the care of neurologically compromised dogs and cats."