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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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BEVA gives RVNs right to vote

News Story 1
 The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is to allow its registered veterinary nurse (RVN) members the right to vote.

RVN members will now be able to take part in key decision-making processes and stand for BEVA council.

Marie Rippingale, chair of BEVA's Nurse Committee, said: "I am very proud to be a part of BEVA.

"This change will help to empower nurses to speak up and contribute, but more importantly, it will give them an opportunity to collaborate with other members of the equine veterinary profession to bring about change that is positive for all." 

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News Shorts
Farmer survey to reveal on-farm impact of bluetongue

A nationwide survey has been launched to better understand how the bluetongue virus is affecting UK farms.

Results will inform the support that farmers receive for bluetongue, as well as preparing the livestock industry for the future.

The short online survey is open to all livestock farmers, regardless of whether they've had a confirmed case of bluetongue on their farm. It asks how many animals have been affected, the severity of their clinical signs and how it has impacted farm business.

The survey takes five minutes to complete and is fully anonymous.

It is led by Fiona Lovatt, of Flock Health Limited, and the Ruminant Health & Welfare bluetongue working group, in collaboration with AHDB and the University of Nottingham.

Dr Lovatt says: "We need to find out what level of clinical signs farmers are seeing in their animals, whether they are experiencing mortality with BTV-3 cases, and what their appetite is to vaccinate in future for bluetongue serotype 3."

The survey can be found here.