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‘Superhero’ police dog saved thanks to specialist treatment
The vets ran a series of tests, including gait analysis, to determine the loss of Audi's mobility.  

German Shepherd Audi 'getting stronger' after losing the use of his legs.

A retired police dog from Staffordshire has embarked on a course of specialist veterinary treatment to help get him back on four paws.

German Shepherd Audi is getting ‘stronger and stronger’ after the multi-step procedure, made possible by the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, a charity that supports working and retired police dogs.

Audi lost the use of his legs last Autumn and couldn’t stand. While he did regain the use of his legs, vets were concerned. His adoptive owner, Katie Wright, a police staff member, reached out to the foundation for advice.

Katie was put in touch with a specialist in Leicestershire who ran a series of diagnostic procedures to establish the cause of his joint issues. 

Katie said: “The whole team were absolutely amazing and took such good care of our superhero!” 

"They drained 2mls of fluid from each elbow and injected collagen around the joint to act as a shock absorber. The x-rays found Audi is suffering from arthritis in his elbows and hips, as well as spondylosis in the spine, for which they gave a pain relief injection. 

“When we got Audi home, he relaxed and was spoiled with lots of cuddles. The next day, he was bright as a button, running and spinning, but we tried to keep him calm while his medication was getting to work.”

Audi served Staffordshire Police from 2018 to 2024 as a general-purpose dog, helping to find wanted suspects and missing people, and supporting at football matches.  

In 2019, he was stabbed twice in the head while detaining a suspect in Stoke-on-Trent. His attacker was the first person to be prosecuted and convicted under Finn’s Law for causing unnecessary suffering to a service animal, for which he was jailed. 

Katie added: “[Audi] is getting stronger and stronger, and we really hope that this treatment will seriously improve his quality of life. We will forever be grateful to the Thin Blue Paw for its support. Audi is such a superhero , and we love him so much.”

Image (C) The Thin Blue Paw Foundation.

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.