The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies Bicentenary

2014 News

News items from 2014.

Dog DNA test warning for pedigree breeders

Breeding dogs on the basis of a single genetic test carries risks and may not improve the health of pedigree lines, experts warn.

GPS dog collars help vets monitor health

Painkillers can help dogs with osteoarthritis to run about nearly in the same way as healthy dogs, a study of their movements has shown.

Animal Welfare MOOC

The School's popular Animal Welfare and Behaviour MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) will return on the 9th February for a second run and is open for sign ups now!

Chancellor marks new era for Easter Bush

The University Chancellor has planted a tree to mark the start of work on Easter Bush Innovation Centre.

University and SRUC celebrate top REF ranking for agricultural and veterinary research

Agricultural and veterinary research at the University of Edinburgh and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has been ranked as most powerful in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework (REF).

"Do you have what it takes to be a veterinarian?" MOOC to run again

The Dick Vet’s ‘Do you have what it takes to be a veterinarian?’ MOOC is to run for a second time in january 2015.

Student exchange visit to Hokkaido

A group of nine undergraduate veterinary students from the Dick Vet has recently returned from a study trip to Hokkaido Island in the north of Japan.

Animal experts tackle infection threat

Animal health experts are joining forces to combat emerging infectious diseases that affect farm animals and household pets across Europe.

Boost for bioscience PhD training

Business Secretary Vince Cable announced a boost for postgraduate training in Scotland’s biosciences during a visit to the University of Edinburgh.

Midlothian Science Festival at the Easter Bush Campus

On the 4th October 2014 the Easter Bush Campus opened up to the public as part of Midlothian Science Festival, offering talks, tours and activities at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute.

Research shows new threat to Red Squirrels

Red squirrels in Scotland are facing a threat from a form of leprosy, as found by research from Professor Anna Meredith of the Dick Vet Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service.

Wildlife experts join to tackle infections

Animal experts are calling for better health surveillance of wild species to help stop the spread of diseases.

Livestock research boost

Challenges faced by livestock farmers in tropical developing countries are the focus of a new alliance involving researchers from Scotland and Africa.

Bill Gates visits Easter Bush

Bill Gates has visited the Easter Bush Campus to hear about research to improve the health and welfare of people and farm animals worldwide.

Bid to rescue rare bird earns student award

A student’s mission to save an endangered bird in Africa has been recognised with a prestigious award.

Honour for School Fundraiser Caroline Freedman

The School was delighted to learn that Caroline Freedman, who has raised funds for the School for more than a decade, has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Honourary Degrees Celebrated at Graduation

The University of Edinburgh conferred honorary degrees on Dr John Brown and Dr Theo Kanellos at the recent summer graduation ceremony.

New MOOC on Animal Welfare and Behaviour

Animal welfare is often an emotive subject provoking heated debates and sometimes radical action.

Hayley Walters wins RCVS Golden Jubilee Award

Veterinary Nurse Hayley Walters has won the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Golden Jubilee Award, in honour of her exceptional contribution to her profession.

Roslin Institute Receives Grant

The Roslin Institute Receives Grand Challenges Explorations Grant For Ground-breaking Research in Global Health and Development.

Junior Vets Returns

We’re delighted to announce that Series 2 of Junior Vets, will be airing from Monday, 2nd June at 7:45am on the CBBC channel and it will then be available on the BBC iPlayer if that’s a bit early for you (UK only - sorry!).

Vet students brush up on dental skills

Vet students have been given a fresh perspective on animal oral health thanks to a new collaboration with Edinburgh Dental Institute.

Laminitis Awareness Day at the Equine Hospital

The School's Equine Hospital and Equine Practice hosted a hugely successful Laminitis Awareness Day on Saturday the 3rd May at the Easter Bush Campus.

Film showcases Indian partnerships

The work of animal health and welfare experts from Edinburgh is the subject of a new University film.

New MOOC examines first year of vet degree

The Dick Vet’s ‘Do you have what it takes to be a veterinarian?’ MOOC is proving popular with students from all over the world.

National Student Survey 2014

There's still time for final-year undergraduate students to complete the independent National Student Survey and give views about the University of Edinburgh.

The Art of Being A Vet Student

In 2013 the School ran an art competition in conjunction with the Vet Student Council entitled 'The Art of Being A Vet Student'.

Student Wins World Horse Welfare Bursary

Congratulations to Christian Byrne of Third Year who has been awarded a Bursary by World Horse Welfare.

Dick Vet and Roslin staff head for India

Animal health and welfare experts from Edinburgh are taking part in an international conference in Bangalore.

Red squirrels thriving on island

Red squirrels living on a Scottish island are fighting fit, say University vets.

Research Advances Understanding of Canine Liver Disease

Research by the Dick Vet’s Medicine Team, along with colleagues at the Royal Veterinary College, has offered insight into why dogs may suffer from neurological abnormalities as a common complication from liver disease.

Sudden Equine Death Research yields clues

Research at the Dick Vet, funded by the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB), is yielding some clues regarding the provenance and risk factors for sudden death in equine racehorses.

Clinical Club CPD schedule released for 2014

Referring practitioners are invited to join the Dick Vet’s Medicine Division team at a monthly Clinical Club CPD.

Vet School Alumni in New Year Honours list

Two alumni of the Dick Vet have been recognised in the New Year’s Honours list.

Dick Vet to run three MOOCs in 2014

The Dick Vet is proud to be offering three MOOCs in 2014 including the returning Equine nutrition course which attracted over 24,000 learners when it ran in 2013. New MOOCs will look at Animal Welfare and becoming a veterinarian.

Equine nutrition MOOC open to more online learners

An equine nutrition course that attracted 24,000 online learners when it was launched by the University of Edinburgh in the summer is to be repeated in January 2014. A second MOOC in Animal Behaviour and Welfare will be run for the first time in July.