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Dogs can detect imminent epileptic seizures - study
"...these dogs were clearly able to discriminate the seizure odours from odours of the same patient outside seizures and for all patients tested"
All study dogs were able to distinguish odours associated with seizures 

A new study has provided the first evidence that epileptic seizures are associated with specific body odours, which dogs can be trained to identify.

Whilst various studies have shown that diseases including breast or lung cancer are associated with certain odours, no study has yet looked at epileptic seizures, perhaps owing to the large number of seizure types.

Researchers from the University of Rennes presented breath and sweat samples collected from five patients with different types of epilepsy. Samples were collected from patients during a seizure, a calm period and a sports session, then presented to five neutered dogs from Medical Mutts, a non-profit organisation based in the US.

The dogs were trained to approach and stand above the can containing the target odour. In each trial, only one out of the seven cans contained a seizure odour.

According to results published in Scientific Reports, all dogs succeeded in selecting the correct can. Three out of five dogs had 100 per cent specificity and sensitivity, while two out of five had 67 per cent sensitivity and 95 per cent specificity.

Researchers said the sensitivity and specificity shown during this research is among the highest so far for the detection of diseases.

The authors wrote: ‘…these dogs were clearly able to discriminate the seizure odours from odours of the same patient outside seizures and for all patients tested. From the first trial on, they responded to the “right” odour and explored it longer than any of the other odours. This clearly demonstrates for the first time that there is indeed a seizure-specific odour across individuals and types of seizures.’

Scientists said the study has opened up new lines of research; and future work should include a larger number of dogs and patients.

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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
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."