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Calls to improve welfare of fish used in research
Zebrafish are now the second most commonly used lab animal in the country.
Charity warns lab fish welfare is ‘years behind’ mammals 

The RSPCA is calling for greater action to reduce the use and suffering of fish in scientific research, as recent figures suggest over half a million fish were used in experiments in 2017.

While rats, mice, dogs and monkeys are thought of as more common research animals, the charity is raising awareness of the rising number of fish being used for testing and research.

In the UK, fish were used in 16 per cent of experimental procedures in 2017, including as models for disease, to study how embryos develop, or to produce genetically altered animals. Zebrafish are now the second most commonly used lab animal in the country.

Dr Penny Hawkins, head of the RSPCA’s research animals department said: “Fish use in research and testing is becoming ever more commonplace, but sadly they are years behind mammals when it comes to being provided with an interesting environment, adequate pain relief and effective welfare assessment.”

This is despite evidence to suggest that fish have advanced cognitive abilities, including logical reasoning, counting and the ability to recognise individual human faces. One species, the cleaner wrasse, has even been found to outperform chimpanzees in a learning task, and also passed the ‘mirror test’, which suggests self awareness.

However, Dr Hawkins said fish are still sometimes seen as presenting less of an ethical and animal welfare issue than other animals in research.

“Unbelievably, fishes are sometimes described as ‘replacement alternatives’,” she added.

The charity is calling for greater consideration for lab fish when it comes to reducing suffering, animal welfare and replacing with humane alternatives.

Dr Hawkins said: “As fish use has risen, people within the scientific community are increasingly challenging assumptions about fishes being ‘lower’ animals, and pointing out that the ethical and animal welfare issues are not somehow solved by using fish instead of mammals.

“The RSPCA completely agrees, and wants to see vastly increased efforts being made to reduce the use and suffering of all animals in research, regardless of whether they have fur, feathers or fins.”

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.