Tim Dale Email and Phone Number

Providing veterinary services in companion animal practice

Veterinary surgeon at a private veterinary practice.

Continued investigation of pathogens in red squirrels found in the UK and their impact of red squirrel populations.

The PhD investigated the pathogenesis and epidemiology of squirrelpox in red and grey squirrels. The project represented a collaboration of the University of Liverpool, National Trust and Lancashire Wildlife Trust. Disease risks that posed a threat to red squirrels in the UK were identified and the impact of the disease highlighted (squirrelpox virus, SQPV) on the population dynamics of red squirrels was determined by retrospective analysis of squirrel survey and mortality data using mixed model regression. Longitudinal field studies were also carried out to determine the epidemiology of SQPV in wild populations of both species. Diagnosis of the infection was underpinned by the development of a 'gold standard' quantitative PCR assay.