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New heart scheme trialled for Cavaliers
The KC/VCS scheme will provide a ‘traffic light’ system to inform owners about the level of MVD in their dog.
Testing scheme hopes to reduce prevalence of MVD 

A new scheme has been developed to reduce mitral valve disease (MVD) in Cavalier King Charles spaniels.

Created by the Kennel Club and Veterinary Cardiovascular Society (VCS), the scheme is set to be trialled on 100 dogs over the coming months, before being rolled out to all owners and breeders later on in the year.

MVD is a serious, progressive heart disorder that affects more than 40 per cent of Cavaliers in the UK alone.

The scheme was adapted from a Danish method of testing for early MVD in the breed, which resulted in a 73 per cent reduction in the risk of mitral valve murmurs in dogs whose parents were tested. It is the only Cavalier heart scheme to be validated by scientific evidence in a 10-year period.

Professor Lisbeth Hoier Olsen from the University of Copenhagen recently provided training for 18 members of the VCS, using the Danish method.

The KC/VCS scheme will provide a ‘traffic light’ system to inform owners about the level of MVD in their dog, so they can make informed decisions about breeding.

Working alongside the VCS, the Kennel Club is organising trial sessions with representatives of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel community. It is the first official collaboration between all parties involved in the working group for Cavalier heart problems.

VCS cardiologist Hannah Stephenson said: “The cardiologists involved with the new scheme, and the VCS as a whole, are delighted that further progress is being made with heart testing of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in the UK.

“As a society we are keen to reduce the incidence of Mitral Valve Disease in the breed, a condition that we all see on a daily basis. We look forward to working with the Kennel Club and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel owners and breeders through the trial and beyond.”

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.