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New Insights for Mixed Breed Dog Population?
DIY DNA kits may offer insights for mixed breed owners.
A newly launched cheek swab DNA test may help owners better understand and care for their loveable mutts.

Where does Max get his curly tail from? Why does he love digging holes in the garden? A dog’s DNA holds many answers. The new do-it-yourself doggy DNA test kit from Mars Veterinary, namely Wisdom Panel Insights, made its debut today at the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) Congress.
 
Roughly one million dogs in the UK are mixed breed and it’s likely that many owners are unsure of their pet’s breed composition. With the simple swipe of a cheek swab, Wisdom Panel Insights can determine the ancestry of a mixed-breed dog by testing for more than 170 breeds, the largest database of any canine DNA test on the market. Within three weeks, dog owners will be e-mailed an official Ancestry Report that reveals the dog’s genetic background.
 
A dog’s ancestry can influence him in surprising ways. Obvious and not-so-obvious physical traits plus behaviours like digging, herding and barking all come from the various breeds in a dog’s family tree. Once an owner understands a dog’s natural tendencies, it makes it possible to create a tailored training, exercise and nutrition program to fit his one-of-a-kind needs.
 
“We’re excited to give dog owners easy and affordable access to the best-in-class canine genetic analysis to help them understand what breeds make their dog so special,” said Neale Fretwell, PhD, Director, Research and Development at Mars Veterinary and one of world’s foremost experts on companion animal genetics. “But it’s not just about curiosity.  The smarter you are about your dog’s past, the smarter you can be about his future.”

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

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News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."