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WVS launches equine training course for veterinary students
Students will gain practical hands-on experience in managing caseloads.

Course designed to support national shortage of practical placements. 

A five-day crash course in equine ambulatory essentials is being launched by veterinary charity Worldwide Veterinary Services (WVS) in collaboration with the Homing Ex-Racehorses Organisation Scheme (HEROS).

The course, based in Wantage, Oxfordshire, aims to support veterinary students facing a national shortage of practical placements in equine care, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. It will run throughout the year, with training based around how WVS delivers equine care abroad.

Students will learn how to overcome obstacles such as a lack of equipment and a shortage of consumables. Experienced equine clinicians will also guide students through a variety of cases, where participants will gain practical hands-on experience in triage, treatment and management.

“Attendees should expect to deal with all types of scenarios and emergencies – from wound and colic care to lameness cases and other common scenarios seen on ambulatory clinics,” explained Dr Francesca Compostella, international project director for WVS and course director. “This course will be an unforgettable experience for any vet – students or graduate – willing to gain practical experience and a deeper understanding of all aspects of working abroad.”

The course will be situated at HEROS North Stud Farm - home to more than 120 horses, including rescues, athletes and geriatric. It is suited to veterinary students from their third year upwards, as well as new veterinary graduates or veterinarians seeking a change of specialities.

“We have been taking veterinary students for handling and work experience for over 15 years, and are therefore thrilled to partner with WVS in this new venture,” commented Grace Muir, CEO for HEROS.

“This course will provide essential training at HEROS Charity for young vets. The horses we get presented with are so diverse, that participants will gain a widespread view of many different ailments and emergencies which will allow them to gain quality knowledge and experience.”

For more information about the course and to sign up, visit wvs.org.uk/training

Image (C) WVS.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.