Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 10th August 2022
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Dog lover raises thousands for canine cancer research
Golden retriever Zoe was diagnosed with stage three lymphoma in 2015.

Jayne May founded Zoe's Journey UK to help make new treatments a reality.

A dog lover has raised more than £250,000 to support canine cancer research after her own dog, Zoe, was diagnosed with the disease.

Jayne May founded Zoe's Journey UK in honour of her four-legged companion to help other dogs and their families experiencing similar diagnoses.

The campaigner set herself a goal of £5,000 to fund research into canine cancer and never imagined what she would go on to achieve.

When her golden retriever Zoe was diagnosed with stage three lymphoma in 2015, Jayne's wish was to help other owners and their dogs undergoing a similar experience and champion research into improved treatments.

Seven years on, Jayne and her supporters have raised an incredible £250,000 to further crucial research into the disease, initially at the Animal Health Trust (AHT) and later at the Royal (Dick) School of Animal Studies.

Canine cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs, with around one in every three developing the disease. Certain breeds and older dogs are more susceptible to specific types of cancer, and researchers at the University of Edinburgh are working hard to develop a greater understanding about how it develops and how to improve treatment outcomes. 

Despite a poor prognosis, Zoe overcame all odds and, following several chemotherapy sessions, became free of cancer and went on to live a happy, healthy life. She passed in her sleep, cancer free, in 2016.

Dr Maciej Parys, veterinary clinical lecturer at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, said: “I am very grateful to Jayne May and to everyone who has taken part in Jayne’s fundraising auction, donated to our JustGiving page, or set up a regular donation to Edinburgh University through Direct Debit. Better knowledge of canine cancer should ultimately lead to more successful treatments for this awful disease. 

“Thanks to the donated funds we are working on novel tools to study cancer and to make new treatments a reality. Research is both time consuming and expensive, and we are extremely grateful to everyone at Zoe’s Journey UK for their continued and very generous support of vital research into canine cancer.”

Image (C) University of Edinburgh.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.