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Student vets offer free treatment for homeless people’s pets
Biana Tamini (left) treats a dog under the supervision of Dr Andrew Gardiner.

All4Paws will offer basic treatment and behaviour advice

Veterinary students have launched a free treatment and advice service for pets belonging to homeless people in Edinburgh.

Run by students at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, the All4Paws clinic will offer basic treatments to people living in the city without a permanent home.

They will also be offered advice to help them better manage their pet’s behaviour.

Biana Tamini, a fourth year student at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, said: “We hope to provide those who have very few options for their pets with the best care possible.

“At the moment there are hardly any services in Edinburgh that support the pets of those that are homeless, but they deserve the same veterinary care and attention as any others.”

Under the guidance of qualified vets, the students will offer vaccines, flea, tick and worm medications free of charge.

Owners will also be encouraged to sign up for the Dogs Trust Hope Scheme, which provides microchips and free spaying and neutering.

Furthermore, All4Paws will also provide animals’ basic supplies such as winter coats, collars, leashes, toys, bed and food.

Dr Andrew Gardiner, senior clinical lecturer at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies said: “We’ve offered a limited veterinary service for companion animals within several Edinburgh hostels since 2008, but the students’ initiative is more ambitious and allows the opportunity to give more in depth care and advice when it is needed.” 

Image (C) University of Edinburgh

 

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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
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.