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BVA puts the spotlight on brachycephalic cats
Pet owners are being urged to avoid choosing pedigree cats with extreme or unusual features.
Pet owners urged to avoid pedigrees with extreme features

On a day when cats are being celebrated the world over, the BVA and International Cat Care are putting the spotlight on some of the health and welfare problems faced by brachycephalic breeds.

Figures published to mark International Cat Day (8 August) show that 28 per cent of brachycephalic cats seen by vets have had or would benefit from having treatment for conformation-related health or welfare problems.

They also show that just a quarter of brachycephalic cat owners are mindful of the issues, and only one in 20 were aware of the additional costs associated with the breeds before choosing their pet.

A survey of companion animal vets last year found that the most common confirmation-related treatments carried out for Persians and exotic shorthairs were for:

    •    Eye problems - 69 per cent
    •    Respiratory problems - 60 per cent
    •    Dental issues - 45 per cent
    •    Skin problems - 32 per cent

BVA and International Cat Care are now calling on pet owners to avoid choosing pedigree cats with extreme or unusual features.

“Everyone knows that the internet loves cat photos and videos. But as time passes we’ve noticed a growing appetite for novelty creeping in - with quirky and unusual cat breeds proving increasingly popular on social media,” said BVA senior vice president Gudrun Ravetz.

“Currently the UK population of pure breed cats is very small as most cat owners opt for regular non-pedigree ‘moggies’. However, we are worried that the popularity on the internet of breeds with extreme conformation, such as the very flat-faced Persians and Exotic Shorthairs, or gene abnormalities such as cause the ears to bend forward in the Scottish Fold breed, may prompt increased demand among consumers who are unaware of the potential serious health and welfare issues associated with such breeding.”

She continued: “These figures show that many, many owners are choosing pets without understanding either the possible welfare implications of their extreme features or the potential cost of treating them.”

Claire Bessant, chief executive of International Cat Care added:  “No owner wants to think that the cat which they love is suffering and that the person who bred and marketed the breed did not have its best welfare at heart.  However, the reality is that, in the complex world of human needs and wants, the welfare of the cat is not always prioritised.

“We have the evidence for problems in these breeds and vets have ways to help owners to care for them.  The important thing is to recognise the problems and not perpetuate them. People buying cats can make a difference if they are aware of the issues and vote with their buying power and for cat welfare.” 

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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. 

Click here for more...
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.