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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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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.