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National pet slimming contest returns
  PDSA head nurse Lindsay Atkinson with Ruby

20 overweight pets compete in annual competition

Twenty overweight pets are taking part in the Pet’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) annual pet slimming competition.

The 13 dogs, five cats and two rabbits are collectively carrying over 30 stone in excess weight and will take part in a six-month diet and exercise programme, courtesy of the PDSA’s Pet Fit Club.

The pet slimming contest has been very successful in previous years and has now been running for almost a decade.

Mizzy, a five-year-old Bullmastiff, is the heaviest dog to ever take part in the programme, weighing in at 72 kilos (158 pounds). She is joined by the heaviest ever cat, Ulric, who tips the scales at 12.6 kilos (27 pounds).

Each pet is currently classed as obese or morbidly obese and their owners will receive coaching from PDSA vets and nurses in how to help their pets lose weight during the programme.

All 20 pets will be competing for the title PDSA Pet Fit Club slimmer of the year.

Research from the annual PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report has revealed that more than 18 million pets are fed bad diets that could seriously harm their health. When coupled with little or no exercise, these diets could result in obesity-related conditions such as arthritis, diabetes and heart disease.

Commenting on the contest, Elaine Pendlebury, PDSA senior veterinary surgeon, said: "The owners of the pets in this year’s competition are taking the vital first step towards a healthy new future for their animals."

The winning cat and dog will win a year’s free food from Hill’s and the winning rabbit will win a year’s free Burgess Excel food. The overall Pet Fit Club champion’s owner will win a pet-friendly break with cottages4you.

Image courtesy of PDSA

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.