Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 24th February 2016
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

New dog health report published
labrador
The Kennel Club contacted 385,000 owners of registered dogs from 215 recognised dog breeds.
Results highlight common conditions and causes of death
 
Lipoma and skin cysts are the two most common conditions affecting live dogs, according to the Kennel Club's latest breed health survey.

Other conditions in the top five were hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorders, arthritis and otitis externa (ear infection).

The survey received responses about more than 43,000 living dogs and over 5,600 deceased dogs, making it the largest of its kind. It aimed to identify the most common conditions affecting living pedigree dogs, as well as the most prevalent causes of death and reasons for euthanasia.

In total, the Kennel Club contacted 385,000 owners of registered dogs from 215 recognised dog breeds. Of those to respond, more than 65 per cent of living dogs were said to be unaffected by any disease conditions.

The top five most frequently reported causes of death were old age, unspecified cancer, unknown conditions, cardiac heart failure and kidney failure. The average life span was 10 years.

Aimee Llewellyn, head of health and research at the Kennel Club, commented: "The information collected from the survey is invaluable in prioritising health concerns for pedigree breeds as a whole as well as on a breed by breed basis.

"This will help everyone from owners and breeders to vets and researchers identify any potentially inherited conditions across different breeds and help improve the health of future generations of dogs.

"These results give an idea of where progress has been made, where it still needs to be made, and how it is best to make appropriate changes."

The survey was carried out in 2014, a decade after the Kennel Club's 2004 Purebred Dog Health Survey. A more in-depth study of the results will hopefully be published as a scientific paper later in the year.

To read the full report, visit: http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/vets-researchers/pedigree-breed-health-survey-2014

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.