James Yeates

Optimum age for neutering cats.

HISTORICALLY, the veterinary profession has advised that cats are neutered from around six months onwards. Recent years have seen a growing prevalence towards, and literature on, ‘early neutering’. Research undertaken by veterinary surgeons has led to endorsement of the procedure by many veterinary bodies, including the Cat Group. There are potential benefits of neutering at younger ages, both to the individual and for population control, by …

Definition of suffering

RECENT scholarship within this journal (Baumgaertner and others 2016) found evidence of disputes between experts concerning the definition of suffering. I thought it might be useful – and simple – to remind readers of the definition of suffering. As Morton (2016) points out, ‘suffering’ is defined in the Animal …

Working as an RSPCA nurse: benefits and opportunities

RVNs, and those planning to join their esteemed ranks, have a variety of career options. Here, to help those making career choices, we present some of the benefits of working for charity practice. ...

Diagnosis and reporting of antifreeze poisoning

FOR many years animal welfare charities have warned cat owners about the hazards of antifreeze (ethylene glycol) poisoning. In 2014, the RSPCA received around 800 calls reporting incidents of suspected antifreeze poisoning of animals, with the majority relating to cats. Other cat charities deal with similar inquiries. The lethal dose in cats is reported to be around 1 to 1.4 ml/kg of bodyweight. Cats that present for veterinary care late after exposure to ethylene glycol, for example, when ingestion of antifreeze has not been witnessed, are likely to have a poor prognosis. We know almost nothing about the social and behavioural aetiology of why cats get antifreeze poisoning. How much is deliberate versus accidental? Why are cats attracted to it? For example, previous reports of antifreeze poisoning have resulted in campaigns to improve product labelling and the addition of bittering agents based on the rationale that animals are attracted to antifreeze due to the ‘sweet’ taste of ethylene glycol. However, in fact, cats do …

Subsidised neutering by practices

THE irresponsible breeding of dogs and cats is a major source of welfare issues. The veterinary profession has always been very supportive …