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Vet professionals asked to contribute to senior dogs survey
"The veterinary survey focuses on the perceived barriers to care for senior dogs, end-of-life care including quality-of-life, and the potential design of the BSAVA PetSavers guidance tool" - Dr Carri Westgarth.
The survey focuses on senior dog preventative healthcare. 

BSAVA PetSavers is seeking veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and veterinary physiotherapists for a survey on senior dog preventative healthcare treatment.

The survey is part of BSAVA PetSaver's Old Age Pets project, and requires responses from veterinary professionals who currently conduct, or have recently conducted, consultations on senior dog preventative healthcare treatment in order to assist in the development of a guidance tool. 

Taking around 20 to 25 minutes to complete, the survey provides veterinary professionals the opportunity to contribute to the development of the guidance tool, and to help guide discussions with owners on senior dog care in practice. 

Funded by BSAVA PetSavers, the research project at the University of Liverpool aims to help veterinary professionals and owners provide the best cate for senior dogs. In the initial stage of the study, veterinary professionals were interviewed about current services provided for senior dogs, and owners were asked about their experiences living with their senior dogs. 

Lisa Wallis, postdoctoral researcher on the project, said: “The interviews obtained rich qualitative data that captured the thoughts and feelings of the owners living with and caring for a senior dog.

“Their depth and detail encouraged people to expand on their individual experiences and open up new topic areas that we might not have initially considered.”

Commenting on the new veterinary survey, Dr Carri Westgarth said:  “The veterinary survey focuses on the perceived barriers to care for senior dogs, end-of-life care including quality-of-life, and the potential design of the BSAVA PetSavers guidance tool. 

“We would be grateful if any veterinary professional could take a few minutes from their day to help us with this project.” 

Any participants are given the opportunity to win an Amazon voucher, and the survey can be accessed here.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.