Did you know that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a world-wide health threat, as bacteria are becoming resistant to many antibiotics that we use in human and veterinary medicine?

Antibiotics are an essential treatment for many conditions in humans and our horses, so we must use antibiotics with care and dispose of them safely to keep them working when we need them.

Safe Disposal

Did you know that the safest way to dispose of your horse’s unused antibiotics is to return them to your veterinary surgery?

Throughout November 2022, we are holding a Veterinary Antibiotic Amnesty. Please check your cupboards for any unused or partially used antibiotic medicines, including any out of date, and return them to us for safe disposal by 30^th November 2022.

For those who are able to, please complete a short survey to tell us how you dispose of antibiotics. Please click on the link or the QR code: rumacae.org.uk/antibioticamnesty/

What’s the risk of re-using antibiotics?

A third of people hold onto their own unused antibiotics for potential future reuse (either for themselves or friends and family) and horse owners may similarly store unused antibiotics for their horses.

We all want to make our horses feel better when they are unwell. However, re-using antibiotics in your horse or other horses for a recurring condition, or similar or different symptoms, poses a greater risk of AMR spreading or emerging. Antibiotics for your horses should only be administered under the advice and direction of your veterinary surgeon.

Why are we asking for your help?

Disposing of unused antibiotics (human and veterinary) down toilets and sinks – and even in household waste – can contribute to environmental contamination; traces of antibiotics have been detected in rivers throughout the UK and in all four inhabited continents of the world. A recent Beach-Bum survey found that surfers were three times more likely to be carrying an antibiotic resistant E. coli in their gut than non-surfers.

We care about our environment and thank you for helping to keep all of us and our horses and our environment healthy and safe.

We are delighted to announce a new SignVideo service for our deaf clients who use British Sign Language (BSL).

The free SignVideo service for deaf clients who use British Sign Language (BSL) works using video calls connected to fully qualified BSL interpreters and enables deaf clients to communicate through SignVideo either by calling the practice from home or when they attend the practice with their pet, for consultations, to pick up food, medication or for advice etc.

A client will need their own smartphone, computer or device with video and sound and their own data to use the service. The service is accessed by clicking on the SignVideo practice link from the practice contact us page on the website or using the SignVideo app.

You don’t need to go to the Horse Health Programme practice finder referred to in the video if you are already viewing this video from our practice website, you can access the Sign Video link from the Contact us Page on our website.

More information

To find out more about this service including the equipment you need, and to view the terms, click on the Deaf BSL Service page on our website.

The new service is available from 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays. Please note that this service may not cover all our opening hours, which you can check on our website.

To contact us now, using the new SignVideo service, click on the direct practice SignVideo link on our Contact Us page on the website.

The Cinnamon Trust is our charity of choice for 2020.

The charity provides support and peace of mind for elderly, hospitalised and terminally ill pet owners and their pets. The Trust’s primary objective is to respect and preserve the treasured relationship between owners and their pets.

What does The Cinnamon Trust do?

The Trust operates a national network of over 15,000 community service volunteers providing practical help when any aspect of day to day care poses a problem – for example, walking the dog for a housebound owner.

There is a national fostering service for pets whose owners face a spell in hospital – volunteers take pets into their own homes and care for them until owner and pet can be reunited.

The Trust also provides long term care for pets whose owners have died or moved to residential accommodation which will not accept pets.

When a pet is in the Trust’s care because the owner is in care, where possible the owner is kept in touch with visits or regular photos and letters.

How we can help The Cinnamon Trust?

In addition to the financial support that we can give through fundraising throughout the year, we all have the opportunity to make a positive difference for Cinnamon Trust by raising awareness of the work that they do throughout the UK.

The Trust is always on the lookout for volunteers who can help with dog walking or offering short term foster care for pets. Their website includes a map indicating the areas where they have the most urgent need for volunteer support. This is updated weekly.

The more volunteers they have the more people and pets they can help.

If you want to help, view the real time map and download a volunteer registration form.

The Cinnamon Trust regularly post heart-warming news and valuable information on their Facebook page, be sure to give them a like to stay updated.

They are also happy to accept personal donations via their Facebook page as Facebook does not not charge a fee for this service.