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Hyena communication techniques
A report has found that hyenas communicate using odours

Hyenas communicate using bacteria in their scent glands, according to a study in the current issue of Scientific Reports.

The study highlights a relationship between hyena clans and the microbes in their scent glands, which contain "odour-producing bacterial communities". Hyenas can distinguish these odours, which differ for each social group, using their noses.

This information was gathered from paste samples of a sour-smelling hyena secretion on the grassy Kenyan plains, as well as samples from hyenas' scent pouches. The samples revealed similarities between deposits left by members of the same clan.

Further studies will look deeper into the relationship between the bacteria and individual hyena clans, as well as finding out what information is being conveyed in this way.

"A critical component of every animal's behavioural repertoire is an effective communication system," said Michigan State University postdoctoral researcher and co-author of the study, Kevin Theis. "It is possible that without their bacteria, many animals couldn't 'say' much at all.

"The complex social lives of [hyenas] may ultimately be reliant upon their unheralded symbiotic microbial communities," added Theis.

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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."