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Kennel Club announces collaboration with Dogs New Zealand
The organisations have agreed to operate the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme which assesses dogs for for BOAS.
Collaboration will help to improve and protect brachycephalic health.

The Kennel Club has announced a collaboration with Dogs New Zealand (The New Zealand Kennel Club) to improve and protect the health of brachycephalic dog breeds.

The organisations have agreed to operate, under licence, the Kennel Club/University of Cambridge's Respiratory Function Grading (RFG) Scheme, which assesses bulldogs, French bulldogs and pugs for Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS).

“We are delighted to work with Dogs New Zealand to help improve brachycephalic health and make a difference for dogs,” commented Tony Allcock OBE, executive chairman at the Kennel Club. “The Respiratory Function Grading Scheme enables breeders and owners of Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and Pugs to make informed decisions and aims to create a healthier future for these breeds.

“This move also enables further and international data collection on those complex health conditions related to brachycephaly which is vital for ongoing research and developing evidence-based solutions.”

Dogs New Zealand president Mr Brian Harris said that adopting the RFG scheme was part of a scientific, evidence-based approach to help breeders to improve the health of pugs, bulldogs and French bulldogs in New Zealand.

“The RFG Scheme will be one of the compulsory health tests available for these three brachycephalic breeds should they adopt our Litter Registration Limitation (LRL) Health schemes,” said Mr Harris.

“In addition, the RFG Scheme will be immediately designated as a mandatory test for the three breeds under our Accredited Breeders Scheme. We look forward to all Pugs, Bulldogs and French Bulldogs in New Zealand having the opportunity to participate in this evidence-based scheme.”

Tony Allcock OBE added: “We encourage other Kennel Clubs across the world who are committed to improving the health of brachycephalic dogs globally to follow New Zealand’s lead and contact the Kennel Club’s health team. By working together we can make a difference for dogs and we look forward to collaborating with other Kennel Clubs and organisations internationally to license the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme.”

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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. 

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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.