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.
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

Hip and elbow screening improves long-term dog health, study finds
"Breeders are increasingly choosing breeding stock with better scores," Dr Tom Lews, genetics research manager at the Kennel Club.

Kennel Club research shows schemes are being used more widely 

Kennel Club research has revealed a significant improvement in hip and elbow scores for some of the UK’s most commonly health-screened dog breeds.

The study, published in the journal Frontiers, assessed the importance of hip and elbow screening on the long-term health of dogs. Researchers analysed data from six commonly-screened breeds (Labrador retriever, golden retriever, German shepherd, rottweiler, Bernese mountain dog and Newfoundland).


Scientists found that not only have the proportion of dogs screened for hip and elbow dysplasia increased over time but that the grades and scores of dogs used for breeding have also been improving. In most of the reviewed breeds, there was a marked decline in severe hip scores and a more modest, but still notable, decline in severe elbow scores.

Researchers also looked at from Estimated Breeding Values (a resource that links hip scores and elbow grades to family/pedigree data) and found that in the six breeds studied, recent generations of dogs are genetically at a lower risk of dysplasia than dogs bred 30 years ago.


“Our research shows that these screening schemes have become more widely used, resulting in fewer puppies being born from untested parents,” explained Dr Tom Lewis, quantitative geneticist and genetics research manager at the Kennel Club.

“Breeders are increasingly choosing breeding stock with better scores and this careful consideration is significantly helping to improve dog health, demonstrating the significant positive impact that responsible breeders can have, and have had, on the health of dogs.”


Bill Lambert, senior health and welfare manager at the Kennel Club added: “The Kennel Club closely collaborates with breed clubs, vets and researchers as part of our Breed Health and Conservation Plans project which aims to identify, prioritise and tackle inherited breed-specific diseases. 


“This research will be used to help the six breeds studied develop strategies for continuing to reduce the risk of dysplasia in future generations and also demonstrates to other breeds – particularly those that are currently trying to tackle hip and elbow dysplasia – how their concentrated efforts can make a significant difference to dog health and welfare.”

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

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.