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Dental disease ‘most common issue facing pet greyhounds’
Researchers also found that traumatic injuries, overgrown nails and osteoarthritis are major concerns for pet greyhounds.
Researchers study more than 5,000 greyhounds seen by first opinion practices

Dental disease is the most common issue facing pet greyhounds, according to a study by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and the University of Bristol.

The study, published in the journal Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, assessed 5,419 greyhounds seen by first opinion practices in 2016. Researchers found that 39 per cent of greyhounds suffered dental problems - far higher than has been reported for other large dog breeds.

Researchers also found that traumatic injuries, overgrown nails and osteoarthritis are major concerns for pet greyhounds. Overgrown nails affected 11.1 per cent of greyhounds in the study, wounds 6.2 per cent, osteoarthritis 4.6 per cent and claw injury 4.2 per cent.

An increasing number of greyhounds are being rehomed as pets after their racing careers finish. Researchers say their findings add significantly to the available evidence on the welfare issues surrounding greyhound racing.

They also believe their findings will help breeders and regulators prioritise activities to reduce the worst of the harm to greyhounds from their racing careers. The findings could also help greyhound rehoming organisations advise adopters on optimal preventative care options.

Lead author Dr Dan O’Neill of the RVC, said: “Pet greyhounds are now a common breed treated in general veterinary practices in the UK. Retired racing greyhounds can make very good pets, but these results sadly show that they also carry health legacies from inherent breed predispositions as well as impacts from their prior racing careers.”

Dr Nicola Rooney, co-author and lead researcher on Greyhound Welfare Project at the Bristol Veterinary School said “Greyhounds can make fantastic pets and live long healthy lives, but it has long been suspected that they are particularly prone to dental problems which can negatively impact upon their quality of life.

“Here we have the first evidence that levels of dental issues are higher in greyhounds than in other breeds. This highlights the importance of conducting research into ways of improving dental health.”

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.