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Horse Owners Urged to Register with Alert Service
Horse owners are being urged to register with Animal Health’s disease alert service.

Animal Health, the government agency tasked with minimising the risk and impact of notifiable animal diseases in Great Britain, is reminding horse owners to keep track of outbreaks of exotic equine diseases by registering with its Disease Alert Subscription Service.

By signing up, subscribers to the free service can receive information about diseases such as Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) and West Nile Virus via their choice of text, fax, voicemail or email.

 Rob Paul, Chief Operating Officer for Animal Health, said the system was an important part of Animal Health’s efforts to keep horse owners informed, and to minimise the impact of equine disease outbreaks. “Outbreaks of exotic equine disease in Great Britain are, thankfully, rare,” he said.

 “When disease outbreaks occur, as with the recent cases of EIA in Northumberland and Devon, it is important that horse owners are kept abreast of developments and receive the right information to protect their animals.”

The disease alert service provides registered users with the latest news specific to exotic notifiable animal disease outbreaks in Great Britain. Horse owners can subscribe to Animal Health’s disease alert service by visiting www.defra.gov.uk/animalhealth/alerts/subscribe.htm

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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.