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Snowboarding opossum clip goes viral
Image - YouTube.com
Marsupial takes to the slopes

A short video clip of a jumper-wearing opossum named Ratatouille taking to the slopes of Emmitsburg, Pennsylvania on a small Burton Riglet Snowboard has, perhaps inevitably, attracted great interest on the internet. The marsupial, with a Season Pass for the slopes at the US Liberty Ski Resort around his neck, can be seen hitting the slopes from both an external perspective and from a miniature 'board-cam'. His striped blue and lime-green jumper may not constitute normal snowboarding apparel, but Ratatouille does not appear to register any objections.

At the time of writing, the brief clip had won in excess of 600,000 hits on YouTube and had even more on other sites. It has also thus far been featured on The Today Show, Sportcenter Top 10, Good Morning America, Buzzfeed, Red Bull, Yahoo.com, AOL.com and HuffingtonPost.com, and is likely to spread even further as momentum gathers.

The clip, which is 56 seconds long, may be found here.

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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.