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Pet Blood Bank freezes blood product prices
The charity works 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure blood products are available.
Fundraising means it will not be increasing its prices.

Pet Blood Bank UK is to freeze the prices of its blood products, after fundraising support enabled it to not increase its prices.

Donations have also meant that the charity can continue to subsidise costs of fresh frozen plasma, and provide free blood products to veterinary charities.

The price freeze is a result of fundraising that Pet Blood Bank UK has received throughout the year, including donations from veterinary practices, individuals and business across the country. The charity says that these donations help with the significant running costs involved with its work.

The cost of living crisis has also made affordable access to vital veterinary services a concern for many.

Pet Blood Bank UK was set up to provide a blood service for pets, advancing blood banking and transfusion medicine.

It runs blood donations sessions across the country, where owners can bring eligible pets to give blood. These donations are then transported to Loughborough, where it is separated into different products and stored ready for veterinary use.

The charity operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure that blood products are always available.

As well as supplying blood products, Pet Blood Bank UK also shares knowledge and offers free education to veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses. It works with veterinary professionals to protect high welfare standards for all pets.

Katrina Wilkinson, managing director of Pet Blood Bank UK, said: “Our hope is that as the charity continues to grow and we build our support, we will be able to continue making these lifesaving blood products as accessible as possible.

“A huge thank you to all our veterinary colleagues who support the charity and help us to make our mission possible.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.