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Charity rescues seven French bulldogs in a month
Five per cent of the 162 individual dog breeds Mayhew has cared for over the past year have been brachycephalic.

Mayhew reports a rise in brachycephalics at its rescue home   

A rescue centre in London has seen seven French bulldogs come through its doors in just one month, fuelling concerns about irresponsible breeding.

Animal welfare charity Mayhew said the dogs were all brought separately to the home and are aged between one and four years old.

They had been used for breeding and had a multitude of health issues among them, including chronic ear infections, skin conditions, dental problems and inverted tail.

Five per cent of the 162 individual dog breeds Mayhew has cared for over the past year have been brachycephalic. The charity also reported a five-fold increase in the number of brachycephalics brought in compared to the previous year.

The popularity of brachycephalics has soared in recent years and is likely being fuelled by celebrity owners and the prevalence of pugs, French bulldogs and English bulldogs in marketing campaigns. The BVA’s #BreedToBreathe campaign is urging practices to tackle this prevalence in advertising and social media.

Images © Mayhew

 

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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. 

Click here for more...
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."