Commenting on the Government's announcement regarding the fate of its quangos (quasi autonomous non-governmental organisations), Harvey Locke, President of the British Veterinary Association, said: "The BVA is relieved that the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) has not been abolished entirely, however its reconstitution as a committee of experts must be done in such a way...

There may be a fundamental link between aspects of an individual's personality and their capacity to exercise or generate energy, recent research suggests...

Responding to the higher education review by Lord Browne in the run-up to the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review, the British Veterinary Association raises concerns about the impact of the reforms on young people studying longer degree courses such as veterinary medicine...

A study has gained new insight into the minds of dogs, discovering that those that are anxious when left alone also tend to show 'pessimistic' like behaviour. The research by academics at the University of Bristol, and funded by the RSPCA is published in Current Biology tomorrow (12 October)...

Certain Blue Buffalo dry dog foods may have too much vitamin D in them, which could harm the pet's health, so the company has issued a recall. The affected products include Wilderness Chicken, Large Breed Adult Chicken, and Basics Salmon - all marketed under the BLUE brand. According to the company, adding vitamin D can be good for a dog's health, however, some samples have excessive amounts...

Researchers in the US say they have found a unique combination of a virus and a fungus that could explain Colony Collapse Disorder, a mysterious illness that is wiping out beehive colonies around the world. A paper on their findings was published online on 6 October in the journal PLoS ONE...

Kim Selting, assistant teaching professor of oncology at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine, is the principal investigator in a study that examines the efficacy of Attaxol™ in dogs with naturally occurring cancer. Attaxol™ was developed, and is produced, by CritiTech, a Lawrence, Kan. drug development company...

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) announced $500,000 in veterinary school loan repayments as part of a program to combat a growing shortage of food animal veterinarians. The five recipients of the $100,000 incentives-spread over four years of service in areas of need-are Dr...

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) want to remind producers that their efforts to build Canada's livestock traceability systems are keeping animals safe...

Eating a bag full of chocolate Halloween candy is more of a trick than a treat for the average household pet, according to a Kansas State University veterinarian. K-State's Susan Nelson, assistant professor of clinical services, says chocolate consumption by many pets, including dogs, cats, ferrets, birds and rats, can be extremely hazardous...

Researchers at the Basque Institute of Agricultural Research and Development, Neiker-Tecnalia, have undertaken a study of ticks, tick-borne diseases and the reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens, which has confirmed the importance of continous surveillance programs to monitor these arthropods...

Kathleen Alexander, associate professor of wildlife in Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment, has discovered a novel tuberculosis (TB) species in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, a group of pathogens that have adapted by using mammals as hosts...

The U.S. House of Representatives approved an expansion of the Public Health Workforce Grants and Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Programs to support veterinarians in public health. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) urges the Senate to approve the bill...

Children with eczema may benefit from having a dog, while having a cat may have negative effects, say researchers from the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine. Eczema, which most commonly occurs during childhood, but can sometimes persist into adulthood, is a chronic (long-term) condition that causes the skin to dry and become irritated...

LSU has received a $15 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence, or INBRE, program. The grant is centered in the School of Veterinary Medicine, or SVM, and the Department of Biological Science in the LSU College of Science...

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) joins partners around the world in commemorating World Rabies Day on September 28. This initiative raises awareness of the effect of the disease on humans and animals and how the disease can be avoided. "Rabies is preventable, and yet the disease remains a serious health concern in many countries," says Brian Evans, Chief Veterinary Officer of Canada...

When the first veterinary medical college opened in Lyon, France, 250 years ago, one had to already be a physician to even qualify to study for a degree in veterinary medicine. Today's veterinary medical student is well versed in MRIs, lasers, and graduates with a degree in comparative medicine that impacts the health and welfare of people, animals and the environment worldwide...

EUREKA project E! 4104 ECOPROMAT has developed a novel and environmentally-friendly type of matting for use in protection against the spread of contagious animal diseases such as avian influenza, and for routine hygiene in animal and food production. Soaked with disinfectant solution, the matting can be used for disinfecting vehicle tyres, and the shoes and boots of personnel...

AquaBounty Technologies Inc. has developed a genetically engineered (genetically modified) salmon that reaches full adult weight much faster than ordinary non-engineered salmon. This new type of salmon, called AquAdvantage® Salmon will provide compelling economic benefit to salmon farmers, the company says. Additionally, there will be less need for ocean pens...

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has responded to a survey carried out on behalf of the online pharmacy Vet-Medic which found that internet pharmacies charge on average half the price for medicines when compared to veterinary practices...