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Passive Smoking Problematic for Pets
A professor from Glasgow University has highlighted the effect of passive smoking on pets.

The Professor of Small Animal Medicine and Oncology at the University of Glasgow's Small Animal Hospital will address the effect of second-hand smoke on animals in a seminar hosted by the NHS.

Professor Clare Knottenbelt will speak about the research and mounting evidence which shows how damaging second-hand smoke is to the health of pets at a seminar on the 26th October, held by NHS Ayrshire & Arran.

Professor Knottenbelt said: "We are all aware of the risks to our health of smoking. As well as the risk to the smoker, there is the danger of second-hand smoke to others, including chldren, but pets are also at risk too."

She drew attention to several published studies which have shown increased risk of lymphoma and oral cancer in cats, and an increased risk of lung, nasal and sinus cancer in dogs.

Professor Knottenbelt added: "While veterinary medicine is advancing all the time and we have the ability to treat some cancers in pets, it is expensive and provides no guarantees of long-term survival."

"The best way of avoiding damage to your pet's health is not to smoke around them - or better still, to give up."

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

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News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.