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Loo surprise as snake found in bathroom
Image Lou
Lou
Scottish SPCA appeals for owner of 'Lou'

An Ayrshire resident has discovered a young male corn snake lurking in a vent in his bathroom, the Scottish SPCA has announced.

A resident of Grant Place in Kilmarnock made the discovery on Thursday, January 2, and alerted the animal welfare charity.

The 20-inch long snake has since been named Lou and is being cared for at the SPCA's Glasgow Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre.

Animal Rescue Officer Tricia Smith, said: "I think it's safe to say the man who found Lou got quite a fright. He was in the bathroom when he heard a strange noise coming from inside the vent.

Image Lou

"When he went to investigate, Lou came out of the vent and wrapped himself around the toilet roll holder, where he stayed until I arrived. Lou is around a year old and he's a feisty wee snake. He was flicking his tail as I tried to contain him but he's calmed down now.

"It's likely Lou has strayed from home but unfortunately no neighbours recognised him or knew who he might belong to. Hopefully someone will come forward following our appeal but if we're not able to reunite Lou with his owner we'll find him a new home."

The charity is asking anyone who recognises Lou to contact their helpline on 03000 999 999.

Images courtesy of the Scottish SPCA.

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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.