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Mouse attacks snake to free friend
Image: Hangzhou Zoo
Snake's dinner comes back to bite it

A mouse that tried to save his friend from being eaten by a snake has been freed by zookeepers.

Both mice were being fed to the poisonous snake at China's Hangzhou Zoo. However, the little hero wasn't willing to go without a fight.

According to zoo keepers, mice usually attempt to hide in the enclosure before becoming dinner. The mouse's bravery was therefore very out of character.

"I have never seen anything like that before," said zookeeper Wen Shao, who was responsible for feeding the snake. "Usually the mice keep as far away from the snake as possible but this one caused a lot of damage."

Mr Shao added that the mouse had been given its freedom after the attack, but it was too late for his friend.

Furthermore, the snake is now having to recover from the ordeal.

"We always give the snakes live food… but the mouse attacked the snake when it saw it trying to eat the other mouse," Mr Shao explained.

"It didn't do the snake any good either. It was expensive and the mouse did a lot of damage biting it on the head."

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue cases lead to restricted zone extension

Following the detection of new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3), the restricted zone has been extended to include additional parts of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and North Yorkshire, as well as Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and part of Dorset.

The zone now covers 28 counties and unitary authorities in England. As of 16 December, 185 cases of BTV-3 have been confirmed in England and Wales during the current vector period.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. Suspected cases in Northern Ireland should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the area where movement restrictions apply can be found here.