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UK birds 'poisoned' by lead gunshot
Lead poisoning killing UK waterbirds

Scientists have revealed that lead poisoning from spent gun ammunition is a significant cause of death among the UK waterbirds.

Ten per cent of dead waterbirds collected from 1971 to 2012 died from lead poisoning, and a third of a sample of living birds were also affected. Over 2000 post-mortem examinations were conducted on individual waterbirds across 28 species across Britain over the past four decades, and up to 438 pieces of lead shot were found in the dead birds. The primary cause of death was lead poisoning in one in ten cases.

Scientists believe this shows that laws restricting the use of lead gunshot are not effective, but shooting groups have disagreed, stating that few people still use lead gunshot, but there is a 'historical legacy' of lead shot in the environment.

The study, conducted by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), is published in the European Journal of Wildlife Research.

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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
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."