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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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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.