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Squirrels affected by climate change
Hibernation is prolonged for Columbian ground squirrels

Columbian ground squirrels from the Rocky Mountain range in Canada are hibernating ten days longer than they used to, due to the affects of climate change.

A team from the University of Alberta (U of A) in Canada have been researching the hibernation trends of these squirrels over the last 20 years, and have discovered that they are now hibernating for ten days longer, which is having a harmful affect on the species.

Trends show that the late spring snowfall in the Rocky Mountain area may be the cause for the late wake up call, and the research teams' concern is that the squirrels are already on a tight schedule.

'Losing just ten days during their short active period reduces their opportunity to eat enough food so they can survive through the next hibernation period of eight to nine months,' said Jeff Lane, U of A Evolutionary Ecologist. 'Our data shows that over the life of the study, the survival rate of adult females has fallen by 20 per cent'.

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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. 

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News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."