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Indoor cat study to look at joint disease
"... participants will help us to identify the earliest signs of joint disease.”
Activity monitors will be used to track mobility 

Bristol vets are seeking indoor cats to take part in a new study, looking at the impact of joint disease on activity levels.

Researchers from Bristol Veterinary School are planning to use activity monitors to measure the activity of cats with and without mobility problems, to improve understanding of joint disease.

Dr Emily Blackwell said: “By taking part in the study participants will help us to identify the earliest signs of joint disease which could make a difference to the lives of millions of cats in the future.”

The Feline Activity Study is part of ‘Bristol Cats’, a longitudinal project that launched in 2010. It follows the lives of over 2,000 cats to advance scientists’ understanding of common behaviour problems and diseases.

Cats participating in the activity study must be happy to meet and be stroked by strangers. They should be over six years of age, kept indoors and live within one or two hours’ drive from Bristol. They should not be on any pain medication.

The owners of the cats (aged 18 or over) will be required to complete two 15-minute questionnaires. Researchers will visit the cat at home and carry out a gentle examination of its joints. The animal will need to wear a breakaway collar with a light activity monitor attached for two weeks.

For more information view the Facebook page or contact Evelyn Maniaki on cat-study@bristol.ac.uk

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.