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Homemade construction helps piglet walk
Image: Chris P Bacon
Piglet gets second chance thanks to wheelchair

A piglet that was born with a congenital defect, leaving him unable to use his back legs, has been given a homemade wheelchair to help him get around.

The 10-day-old piglet was brought to Eastside Veterinary Hospital in Clermont, Florida, to be put down, because his owner felt he would have a poor quality of life being unable to walk. However, vet Len Lucero, said he would keep the piglet alive as long as he could, if the owner would agree let him take the animal home.

Dr Lucero was given permission to take the otherwise healthy piglet, named Chris P Bacon, back to his family to see how he could give the animal a better life. After a long play together, he decided to construct hind support for Chris P Bacon out of K'Nex – his children's building set.

Though Dr Lucero said the animal didn't like the two-wheel harness at first, he has already adjusted to it, adding that the Walkin' Wheels organisation has donated a sturdier wheelchair for when Chris P Bacon gets bigger.

"Chris weighs two pounds so he is too small now but should grow into [the donated wheelchair] before long. For now we'll have to stick with K'Nex," he commented.

Click here to watch a video of the Chris P Bacon getting about using his wheels, which has received more than 180,000 views since it was posted on January 26.

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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. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS members invited to question Council candidates

RCVS members have been invited to submit questions to candidates for this year's RCVS Council election.

With 15 candidates standing for three available positions, vets have been invited to submit a question of their choosing before voting starts. These questions will be collated, with each candidate answering one question of their choice.

It is recommended that members read the candidates' biographies and statements before submitting questions. One question per member can be submitted to vetvote26@rcvs.org.uk before Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The RCVS Council election is due to start in March.

With only two candidates for two positions on the VN Council, there will be no VN Council elections this year. Meghan Conroy RVN and Lauren Hargrave RVN will begin their three year terms at RCVS' AGM in July.