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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 10th September 2021
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New resources for advising owners on puppy socialisation
"This accessible guide gives invaluable support when discussing socialisation with clients." - Sheldon Middleton, BSAVA president.

The resources have been created by the BSAVA. 

BSAVA has put together a question and answer resource on puppy socialisation for veterinary professionals to use when advising clients.

Written in accessible language with clear answers to common questions asked by pet owners on the topic of puppy socialisation, the resource is accompanied by a resource with 10 'top tips' on puppy socialisation.

The Q&A resource provides information on puppy socialisation, whilst the top tips resource provides bitesized tips to guide pet owners on productive puppy socialisation. 

BSAVA president Sheldon Middleton commented on the new resources: “We have seen a surge in puppy ownership during the pandemic when opportunities to meet up were limited, which may have resulted in some puppies missing out on the key socialisation period.

“This accessible guide gives invaluable support to our members when discussing socialisation with clients.”

Topics included in the Q&A resource include what socialisation is, when it should begin, and how to socialise a puppy in different environments.

Alongside the new resources for providing accessible information to pet owners on puppy socialisation, the BSAVA has also created a special collection on puppy socialisation.

Bringing together chapters, podcasts and leaflets on the reasons behind puppy socialisation and how to do it successfully, the special collection provides extra information to help veterinary professionals when advising puppy owners. 

The Q&A resource is available to download here, and the 'Top 10 Tips' resource is available to download here. 

Daniella Dos Santos, president of the BVA, commented on the importance of puppy socialisation: “We know that puppy socialisation is a very important part of a young dog’s development and long term welfare.

“This has been especially highlighted during the pandemic, when a surge in pet ownership at a time when socialisation opportunities were limited has led to vet concerns over longer-term behavioural challenges.

“Veterinary practices are well placed to provide pet owners with advice and information about how to socialise a puppy to both a home and an outdoor environment.”

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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.