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RVN raises money for Macmillan with sponsored walk
Pictured: Nicola Tooth with Nelson.
Nicola Tooth is walking 100km over November with her dog Nelson.  

Nicola Tooth, an RVN from Cave Veterinary Specialists, has undertaken a challenge to walk 100 kilometres with her dog over the month of November.

Along with her chocolate Labrador Nelson, Nicola is taking part in a walking challenge organised by UK charity Macmillan Cancer Support.

Nicola commented on the challenge: “I have a close relative who has survived breast cancer and I feel strongly about supporting the ongoing research to fight this terrible disease. 

“I do love outdoor walking and as long as we can manage at least 3.3k per day, we will be right on target to complete it in the 30 days. I’m pretty confident as that’s the sort of daily distance I normally do with Nelson.”

The challenge is even more difficult for Nicola, who has mild undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy of the spine, which is a form of arthritis which affects the vertebrae. 

“The challenge is to walk 100km with your dog in November and that suits both me and Nelson. Because of my spinal disease I am unable to do any hardcore exercise so this is an ideal challenge for me, something that was little and often throughout November,” Nicola said. 

“Nelson’s only seven months old so little and often exercise is perfect for him too because he’s still developing.”

Claire Lawrence, Cave's hospital director, added: “Everyone at Cave is super proud of Nicola and Nelson for undertaking this challenge for such a worthy cause.”

Donations to support Nicola's fundraiser can be made here

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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.