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Top Marks For Clever Collie
RSPCA staff have taught an old dog new tricks by teaching a Polish pooch to understand English.

Cent the Border Collie was brought to the RSPCA centre in Oldham, Greater Manchester in September when his Polish owners could no longer look after him.
 
Staff initially thought that he may be deaf but after testing his hearing, they realised there was language barrier.
 
Animal care assistant Luke Johnson said: “At first, we were baffled because Cent couldn’t understand what anyone was saying to him. It was only a few days later when it dawned on us that he must be used to hearing commands in Polish.”
 
Staff at the centre searched on the Internet for some basic translations and also asked the former owner’s family for assistance. Four months later, after using a reward-based training method, Cent is now bilingual and responds to commands in both English and Polish.
 
This is not the first time staff at the Oldham branch have come across a bilingual pet as they previously had to retrain a cat, which had Asian owners and only responded to commands in their native tongue.

(Photo courtesy of RSPA.)


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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
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.