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Dental disease ‘most common issue facing pet greyhounds’
Researchers also found that traumatic injuries, overgrown nails and osteoarthritis are major concerns for pet greyhounds.
Researchers study more than 5,000 greyhounds seen by first opinion practices

Dental disease is the most common issue facing pet greyhounds, according to a study by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and the University of Bristol.

The study, published in the journal Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, assessed 5,419 greyhounds seen by first opinion practices in 2016. Researchers found that 39 per cent of greyhounds suffered dental problems - far higher than has been reported for other large dog breeds.

Researchers also found that traumatic injuries, overgrown nails and osteoarthritis are major concerns for pet greyhounds. Overgrown nails affected 11.1 per cent of greyhounds in the study, wounds 6.2 per cent, osteoarthritis 4.6 per cent and claw injury 4.2 per cent.

An increasing number of greyhounds are being rehomed as pets after their racing careers finish. Researchers say their findings add significantly to the available evidence on the welfare issues surrounding greyhound racing.

They also believe their findings will help breeders and regulators prioritise activities to reduce the worst of the harm to greyhounds from their racing careers. The findings could also help greyhound rehoming organisations advise adopters on optimal preventative care options.

Lead author Dr Dan O’Neill of the RVC, said: “Pet greyhounds are now a common breed treated in general veterinary practices in the UK. Retired racing greyhounds can make very good pets, but these results sadly show that they also carry health legacies from inherent breed predispositions as well as impacts from their prior racing careers.”

Dr Nicola Rooney, co-author and lead researcher on Greyhound Welfare Project at the Bristol Veterinary School said “Greyhounds can make fantastic pets and live long healthy lives, but it has long been suspected that they are particularly prone to dental problems which can negatively impact upon their quality of life.

“Here we have the first evidence that levels of dental issues are higher in greyhounds than in other breeds. This highlights the importance of conducting research into ways of improving dental health.”

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.