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Campaign highlights brachy health issues
The charity is concerned that unhealthy features have become normalised.
Public and vets urged to sign pledge.

The RSPCA has launched a campaign to raise public awareness about the health issues experienced by brachycephalic dogs.

The ‘Born to Suffer’ campaign features images of brachycephalic dogs wearing nasal cannulas, highlighting the breathing difficulties that affect flat-faced breeds.

The charity is also asking people to sign a pledge to say “no” to unhealthy breeds and not to celebrate brachycephalic dogs online or in day-to-day life.

Despite the health issues faced by brachycephalic dogs, breeds such as pugs, French bulldogs and English bulldogs continue to be among the most popular breeds with UK dog owners. The extreme features that cause them health problems are often considered to be ‘cute’ by owners.

Vanessa Howie, head veterinary surgeon of companion animals at the RSPCA, said: “The three breeds with the greatest health and welfare issues - pugs, English bulldogs and French bulldogs - have become increasingly ‘normalised’ and popular, and are routinely celebrated across advertising, promotion and social media.

“If you Google ‘cute dogs’, it is these breeds which often come up first. They are ubiquitous in advertising and social media and this relentless exposure has fuelled demand but it has also normalised what is totally abnormal.”

Earlier this month, the RSPCA was among the charities which criticised Crufts after a French bulldog with what the charity described as “an extremely short muzzle and pinched nostrils” was awarded the Best in Breed prize.

The RSPCA has appealed to veterinary professionals to support its new campaign and sign the pledge.

Dr Howie said: “We know that many vets share our concerns about brachycephalic dogs and that they will get behind our new campaign - as they too often see the reality of the life many of these dogs face, and the health problems they sadly experience.”

Image © RSPCA

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Free CPD announced for BVNA members

News Story 1
 Zoetis is to present a CPD event for free to members of the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA).

Led by veterinary consultant Ruth Moxon, the one-hour online session is designed to help veterinary nurses discuss parasiticide options with clients. It will advise on structuring recommendations, factors for product choice and moving away from 'selling'.

'How do you recommend parasite treatments to your clients?' will be presented on Tuesday, 20 May at 7.30pm. It is free for BVNA members, with £15.00 tickets for non-members.

Veterinary nurses can email cpd@bvna.co.uk to book their place. 

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News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.