Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 26th October 2021
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Dog owners sought for autoimmune disease research
The study will collect information about dogs that have been recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disease.
Study will be the largest of its kind ever conducted in veterinary medicine.

Owners of dogs with autoimmune diseases are being called upon to participate in a vital piece of new research being undertaken by the RVC.

The research will be one of the largest studies of autoimmune diseases ever conducted and aims to collate data and insight into the diagnosis, treatment response and outcomes of dogs with autoimmune conditions.

Results will be distributed among local veterinary practices and specialist hospitals to help owners and vets make informed decisions when their animals are diagnosed.

Dr Barbara Glanemann, lead researcher and senior lecturer in Small Animal Medicine at the RVC, said: “This study will be the first time that the treatment and progress of dogs with autoimmune diseases has been investigated outside universities, providing an essential perspective on the challenges faced by affected dogs and their owners in wider veterinary practice."

The study, named the ImmunoRegistry, has been launched to address the current shortage of information about autoimmune diseases. It will garner information about dogs that have been recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, following them for a year in real-time to learn how they respond to treatment.

In total, the team aims to collect information from 400 dogs, making it the largest planned study of autoimmune diseases ever conducted in veterinary medicine globally and providing a crucial resource for future research.

James Swann, a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University, New York, said: "There is an urgent need to optimise the treatment of dogs with autoimmune diseases, and this study represents an important first step in gathering vital information to make clinical recommendations and guide future research projects.”

For more information about the study, along with the criteria for enrolment, visit rvc.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/immunoregistry

 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.

 

Click here for more...
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.