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Genetic factors could explain Labrador obesity
labrador eating
"People who live with Labradors often say they are obsessed by food, and that would fit with what we know about this genetic change."
Study sheds light on genetic variant that is linked to obesity

Scientists have discovered a genetic variation that could explain why Labradors appear to be more prone to obesity. Researchers believe their work may also offer "important lessons" for human health.

Labrador retrievers are the most popular breed of dog in the UK, US and many other countries. The breed is known for being 'food obsessed' and particularly prone to obesity.

New research published in the journal Cell Metabolism describes a variant of one gene, POMC, which scientists found to be strongly associated with weight, obesity and appetite in Labrador retrievers and flat coat retrievers.

The gene is known to be important in the brain's recognition of hunger and the feeling of being full after a meal. Around one in four (23 per cent) of Labradors are thought to carry at least one copy of this variant.

An international team led by the University of Cambridge studied 310 Labradors, including pets and assistance dogs. In both breeds, they found that for each copy of the gene carried, the dog was 1.9kg heavier.

Lead author Dr Eleanor Raffan, explained: "This is a common genetic variant in Labradors and has a significant effect on those dogs that carry it, so it is likely that this helps explain why Labradors are more prone to being overweight in comparison to other breeds…

"People who live with Labradors often say they are obsessed by food, and that would fit with what we know about this genetic change."

But the picture is "not straightforward", Dr Raffan added, as the variant is even more common in flat coat retrievers, a breed that has not previously been flagged as being obesity-prone.

Senior co-author Dr Giles Yeo said Labrador owners need to be aware of their dog's susceptibility to obesity, in order to actively manage their dog's weight. Labradors are eager to please and relatively easy to train, which is what makes them particularly successful pet and working dogs. Carrying the variant may make dogs more motivated to work for food, but it is a "double-edged sword", as it may also make them more likely to gain weight.

Gaining a better understanding of the POMC gene may also have important implications for human health.

Professor Stephen O'Rahilly, co-director of the Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science at the University of Cambridge, said:

"Common genetic variants affecting the POMC gene are associated with human body weight and there are even some rare obese people who lack a very similar part of the POMC gene to the one that is missing in the dogs. So further research in these obese Labradors may not only help the wellbeing of companion animals but also have important lessons for human 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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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.