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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 23rd April 2020
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App to help owners monitor congestive heart failure in their pets
"Having a means of remote monitoring is more important than ever."
Tool generates data that can be shared remotely with veterinary teams.

A new at-home tool to help pet owners monitor congestive heart failure in their pets has been developed by pharmaceutical firm, Vetoquinol.

The free web-based app and digital tracker enables pet owners to monitor their pet's sleeping respiratory rate (SRR) and indicates the status of their medical condition.

The app also generates data that can be shared remotely with veterinary teams, something that may be particularly useful during the COVID-19 lockdown when practices are trying to minimise face-to-face contact with clients.

"Being able to monitor patients with congestive heart failure is important at any time but during lockdown, with some routine checks having to be postponed, having a means of remote monitoring is more important than ever,” explained Helen Hunter, product manager at Vetoquinol.

“This tool will help veterinary professionals make the judgement call about whether the pet needs to be seen, especially when the results are provided in the context monitoring that has taken place over time, providing an assessment of what is normal for that patient."

The app is one of several free resources available to veterinary surgeons available at www.uplife.uk. The resource includes various webinars, diagnostic aids and case challenges.

To complement the addition of the new app, the site also contains a webinar delivered by RCVS Recognised Specialist in Cardiology, Dave Dickson. The presentation discusses the ‘10 Golden Rules of Congestive Heart Failure' and covers topics including the importance of clear radiography and why a cough is not diagnostic of CHF.

Commenting on the new app, Mr Dickson said: “Sleeping respiratory rate is one of the most useful ways to monitor an animal in CHF or to look for signs of CHF developing.

“By encouraging pet owners to monitor and track the dog's sleeping respiratory rate at home, owners can provide vets with a valuable insight into the success of the current treatment regime.”

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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
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.