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Equine grass sickness warnings
AHT reminds owners to remain vigilant

 The Animal Health Trust (AHT) has reminded owners to be vigilant for cases of equine grass sickness (EGS) as spring arrives.

Cases of the debilitating and largely fatal disease tend to rise in the spring, and particularly May, prompting the AHT's warning.

The trust notes particular clinical signs for owners to be aware of, including depression, colic, constipation, muscle tremors and drooping eyelids.

Other signs mentioned include rapid heart rate, drooling, naso-gastric reflux, patchy or generalised sweating and problems with swallowing.

Owners have been warned to contact their vet immediately if any of these signs are displayed, as the disease has a mortality rate of 85 per cent, and only mild cases have a chance of survival.

Along with the EGS Fund and the Universities of Edinburgh and Liverpool, the AHT has developed a nationwide EGS surveillance scheme.

In order to improve understanding of the prevalence of EGS, the trust is calling on vets and owners to confidentially submit information on any cases of the disease seen since the year 2000.

Click here for more information on EGS or the EGS surveillance scheme.

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.