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VetSurgeon.org publishes a curated feed of veterinary news for practising veterinary surgeons, with a primary focus on the UK profession.
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Daxocox is a COX2 selective NSAID administered orally, with a dosing interval of seven days.
When given preoperatively, its weekly duration of action means postoperative analgesia is already in place, with the NSAID being active throughout and following the surgery.
Colin Capner, Animalcare Senior Technical Vet, said: "Administering analgesia ahead of surgery can be an important part of perioperative planning.
"This licence extension enables Daxocox to be used pre-operatively with the confidence that the NSAID contribution to analgesia is available even during surgical preparation (often neglected) in suitable patients.
"That continuity of analgesia can also provide reassurance beyond discharge, supporting a smoother transition from practice to home.
"For veterinary teams, knowing analgesic cover remains in place may help provide additional confidence when patients leave the clinic.
"For owners, it may help reduce concerns around managing a dog recovering from surgery, particularly where discomfort could affect behaviour, mobility or appetite during the first few days at home."
Full prescribing information is available in the GB/NI Summary of Product Characteristics.
www.animalcare.co.uk
The award, sponsored by Zoetis, is now in its ninth year and recognises early-career vets.
The winner will be announced at the BVA Awards Dinner at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Thursday 11 June 2026, the first day of BVA Live.
Jade Urquhart-Gilmore, a small animal vet, is shortlisted for the second consecutive year.
A 2021 Royal Veterinary College graduate, she is lead vet at Crofts Veterinary Practice in Haslemere, Surrey, and is also studying for a Master’s in Clinical Animal Behaviour.
The BVA said she was nominated for the care she gives patients, clients and colleagues, her work to improve communication between clinical and client care teams, and her advocacy around chronic illness, neurodivergence and disability in the workplace following a brain injury in 2025.
Anna Hewison, a farm vet at Shepton Vets in Somerset, qualified from the University of Nottingham in 2022. She was shortlisted for her standards of care, commitment to development and support for colleagues, particularly in surgery.
She also runs the practice’s Youngstock Club, which the BVA said she has developed into a more collaborative programme bringing vets, technicians and farmers together on youngstock management.
Rachael White, a small animal vet at Emerson’s Green Veterinary Surgery in Bristol, qualified from the University of Bristol in 2019. The BVA said she was nominated for her clinical and surgical progress, attention to detail in planning and performing procedures, and leadership within the practice.
The BVA announced the Young Vet of the Year finalists alongside shortlists for its Wellbeing Awards and three newer categories: the Veterinary Mentor Award, the Veterinary Leader Award and the One Health and Sustainability Award.
BVA president Dr Rob Williams said: “Vet teams have a profound impact both on the lives of individual animals and people, but also on society at large.
"The BVA Awards enable us to take a moment out of our busy schedules to recognise these achievements and celebrate the fantastic work of our community.
"This year’s award finalists stand out as shining examples of the very best of the veterinary profession and it’s going to be very difficult to choose winners for each award.”
BEVA said the guidance is intended to help vets ensure good welfare during the necessary euthanasia of horses insured for mortality.
Led by Ian Beamish, the Association reviewed its guidance with input from vets and representatives from the insurance industry.
Ian said: "The veterinary surgeon's primary responsibility is undoubtably to ensure the welfare of the horse, regardless of whether the horse is insured.
"The new guidelines are a modernised version of the outdated 2009 guidelines, with a carefully revised List of Conditions and their prognoses, updated language, and revised protocols on grounds for euthanasia."
He added: "It is important to note that whilst we may advise euthanasia, we may not advise on the insurance policy conditions; this is a matter for the insured and insurer to discuss."
The Equine Insurance Providers Group has approved and adopted the new guidance.
https://www.beva.org.uk/euthanasia-guidelines-for-insured-horses
The programme features more than 30 speakers from the UK and overseas covering ECC anaesthesia, advanced surgical techniques, oncology, diagnostics, sepsis, nursing care and complex case management.
This year's keynote speaker is Professor Patrick Pollock, Professor at the University of Glasgow, and confirmed speakers also include Professor Kate Hopper, Associate Professor Claire Sharp and Marlaina Hrosch.
The programme includes practical workshops, case-based discussion and non-technical sessions on communication, teamwork and wellbeing.
The event includes access to session recordings after the congress, allowing delegates to revisit content.
Tickets are available now.
www.vets-now.com/congress-2026
This year's theme is: "Patient Safety in Action: Being a Champion for Safe Patient Care".
Over the course of the day, delegates will take part in practical workshops, shared experiences, expert-led discussions, and have the chance to connect with colleagues who are equally passionate about improving veterinary patient safety.
Hannah Godfrey, Client Relationship Lead at VetLed, said: “This year’s theme really focuses on patient safety in the real world. It is more than a day of discussing theoretical concepts; we want our delegates to leave feeling inspired, empowered, and equipped.”
There are 30 Early Bird tickets priced at £135 inc. VAT available until midnight on 15 June 2026.
Once sold out, the price will be £145 inc. VAT until 31 July 2026.
Group discounts for five or more tickets are also available.
https://vetled.thinkific.com/courses/vpss2026
Among the programme highlights is "Managing complaints post-CMA, what do you need to know?", featuring BVA President Rob Williams, Jennie Jones, Head of Veterinary Client Mediation Service, and Gavin Durston, Director of Thrums Vets.
In another session, "Hot topic: CMA remedies - what do they mean in practice?", Rob Williams, Kate Higgins, owner and Director of Village Vets Formby, and Lyndsay Hughes, BVNA Senior Vice President, will debate where we are with the investigation, what comes next, and the possible impact of the CMA remedies on practices.
The programme also includes sessions on clinical practice, leadership in the workplace and the role of vets in ethical decision making.
Clinical stream highlights include euthanasia in small mammals, birds and reptiles, anaesthesia in comorbid patients, updates in ocular pharmacology, optimizing hospital care for long-term patients, and managing anxiety in "pandemic puppies".
The BVA Interactive Zone will also return, with President Rob Williams, Senior Vice President Elizabeth Mullineaux and Junior Vice President Gwen Rees leading debates on overtreatment, managing and improving a toxic workplace and contextualised care.
Rob said: "As the profession emerges from the CMA investigation, BVA Live will be one of the first opportunities for vet teams to come together to access practical CPD to move forwards and comply with the CMA remedies."
https://bvalive.vetshow.com/conference-programme
The new materials include a downloadable guide to each CMA remedy and short videos on providing information about ownership, prices, services and treatments, on prescribing veterinary medicines, managing complaints and offering cremation services.
Whilst the CMA's detailed Orders have not yet been released, with more information expected over the summer, the BVA said its information will continue to be updated.
BVA President Dr Rob Williams MRCVS said: "Given the CMA's starting point, following significant pushback from BVA, the final remedies now better balance the needs of the pet-owning public, with practical delivery of vet services."
He added: "However, we understand that the next steps may still feel a bit daunting.
"The first thing to say is that most of you will already be undertaking many, if not most of the measures required by the CMA in your day-to-day work and this next step will be about formalising these processes.
"We're here to support the profession as it gets ready for change later in the year with practical resources to help you comply."
Further discussion of the changes is also planned at BVA Live at the NEC Birmingham on 11 and 12 June, including sessions on complaints handling after the CMA outcome and what the remedies mean in practice.
https://www.bva.co.uk/resources-support/misc-resources/competition-and-markets-authority-measures-for-vet-businesses-get-ready-get-compliant
The new edition includes five new chapters covering acute myelopathies, chronic myelopathies, emergency protocols, neurotoxicology and neuro-oncology.
The accompanying videos offer demonstrations of neurological examinations, clinical presentations, diagnostic procedures and case management.
Nicola Lloyd, Publishing Manager said: "Whether you're a general practitioner seeking practical guidance, or a specialist aiming to refine your expertise, this edition remains an indispensable reference for anyone involved in the care of neurologically compromised dogs and cats."
The manual is available to buy from the BSAVA store, priced at £61.75 for BSAVA members and £95.00 for non-members.
https://bsavaportal.bsava.com/s/store?#/store/browse/detail/a1BTw0000097b5hMAA
The report presents the full dataset collected over two decades and contains post-operative complication data from 90,363 neutering cases in dogs, cats and rabbits carried out between 2005 and 2025 in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Among the results published for the first time are pan-UK complication rates by species and procedure for the last two decades.
For spay procedures where no abnormality was present, the benchmark outcomes were 76% in dogs, 86% in cats and 81% in rabbits.
For castrate procedures where no abnormality was present, the benchmark outcomes were 75% in dogs, 95% in cats and 78% in rabbits.
The benchmarks exclude patients lost to follow-up and are representative of 76,222 cases across all species.
The rabbit dataset is much smaller than the data for cats and dogs, so RCVS Knowledge said the rabbit benchmarks are less robust.
RCVS Knowledge said the report can be used by practices as a reference point to understand their own audit data, highlight strengths and work towards improvements in the quality of care.
Katie Mantell, Chief Executive Officer at RCVS Knowledge, said: "Over the last 20 years, the NASAN has become a respected data set that provides veterinary professionals with reliable data to help them benchmark and audit complications associated with neutering in their own practices.
"The NASAN can only exist because veterinary professionals across the UK and Ireland willingly contribute their data for the betterment of surgical outcomes for dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs.
"Thank you to everyone who has submitted their data over the last two decades.
"Once you've finished reading the benchmarking report, I hope you'll be inspired to start contributing your own practice's data to the NASAN."
https://www.rcvsknowledge.org/subject/audits-and-benchmarks/national-audit-for-small-animal-neutering-nasan/nasan-benchmark-reports/
www.rcvsknowledge.org/NASAN-submit
The three-storey development includes Research Laboratories, Student Laboratories, teaching rooms, a 400-seat lecture theatre and social learning areas for students and staff.
https://www.rvc.ac.uk
The annual survey captures data including basic salaries, bonuses, dividends, overtime, and benefits such as accommodation, company vehicles, car allowances and pension contributions.
SPVS is inviting responses from everyone working in the veterinary sector, including veterinary surgeons, nurses, practice managers, support staff, and those working in industry or non-clinical roles.
The main findings will be published in a summary report, which will be made freely available to all participants who provide their email address at the end of the survey.
SPVS members will be able to access the full report, including detailed analysis and expert commentary.
Participants will also have the chance to enter a prize draw to win a Bose SoundLink Plus portable speaker.
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/3YMX1O/
The study, published in Veterinary Record, compared observations made during unloading with those carried out later in lairage holding pens1.
Over the course of the study, thousands of animals, including cattle, sheep and pigs, were observed at a UK abattoir.
The research was led by the RVC team including final-year veterinary student Sayaka Mochizuki and Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Public Health Kurt Arden, with assistance from Declan Arden from the University of Plymouth.
They found that observing animals during unloading significantly increased the detection of welfare issues such as lameness, slipping and falling.
Across all species, welfare problems were far more likely to be identified at this stage, with detection rates increasing more than tenfold in some cases.
This, say the researchers, is largely because issues become much easier to spot while the animals are in motion, rather than while they are stationary.
As a result, the research team propose a new, practical inspection approach called Animal-Based Measurement (ABMs), which implements simple visual checks during unloading to identify potential health issues.
Incorporating this strategy could enable vets to identify problems earlier, provide more effective feedback to farmers and transporters and take action to reduce suffering.
It also offers a straightforward, evidence-based way to improve food safety standards.
Importantly, this method can be implemented in real-world settings without disrupting abattoir operations.
Sayaka Mochizuki said: "Animal transport ultimately serves the human economic and commodity interests.
"While the experience is relatively brief, it defines the final moments of the lives of production animals and the nature of their death.
"We have a moral obligation to undertake this process as ethically as possible, and our proposal provides a simple but effective way toward a more improved norm."
Kurt Arden said: "Improving animal welfare does not always require complex solutions, sometimes all it requires is a new perspective.
"This study demonstrates how simple, practical changes can reduce suffering, and underscores the important role veterinary students play in producing research that delivers real-world impact."
Reference
The webinar, Beyond Antibiotics: Navigating Otitis Management, will be presented by Ellie Wyatt BVSc DipECVD MRCVS, EBVS and RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology (pictured).
The session will focus on current best practice in otitis management, including antimicrobial stewardship and the role of targeted, anti-inflammatory-led therapy.
Delegates will be guided on how to apply antimicrobial stewardship principles when diagnosing and managing otitis externa without compromising clinical standards or patient outcomes.
The webinar will also cover the role of topical steroids in addressing the underlying inflammatory process and how early inflammatory control can resolve acute flares of otitis externa and help prevent long-term structural ear pathology.
The session will look at how to construct treatment plans that combine acute flare management with proactive, long-term therapy, as well as practical clinic protocols and client communication strategies to support consistent management of otitis cases.
Registration is free and includes access to the live session and on-demand viewing.
https://bit.ly/NavigatingOtitis
WellVet was founded in 2019 and was established and run as a not-for-profit by vets Liz Barton, Ru Tipney, Nat Scroggie and Katie Ford.
It provided in-person and online events to help people build their own wellbeing toolkit.
It also developed and hosted free expert-led resources on perimenopause.
Vet Empowered is a coaching and wellbeing platform run by Claire Grigson and WellVet team member Katie Ford, and it will host the WellVet resources on its website.
Liz said: "WellVet was developed at a time when the conversation around wellbeing was growing, but many resources were not reaching colleagues who could benefit.
"Our aim was to connect people with solutions to live happier and healthier in mind, body and soul.
"We have been honoured to host outstanding expert speakers and to receive many moving testimonials demonstrating real positive impact.
"However, securing funding for WellVet’s activities has become increasingly challenging in the current climate.
"Bringing WellVet’s resources into another established wellbeing platform is the best way to ensure these materials remain freely available and continue to benefit the veterinary community.”
https://www.vetempowered.com/wellvet
Presented by Dr Sam Taylor BVetMed(Hons) CertSAM DipECVIMCA FRCVS, the series is aimed at the whole practice team, from new grads to experienced surgeons and nurses.
The sessions are:
Virbac says the series "provides a practical, flexible learning format that fits around busy clinical schedules, offering clear guidance on diagnosis, treatment and longterm management."
https://www.virbac-hub.co.uk
The web-based Selective Nutrition Guide was developed in partnership with specialist veterinary expert Molly Varga from The Exotics Animals Vets (pictured).
In addition to weight and body condition, the guide takes into account whether the rabbit lives indoors or out, is a picky eater or not, and whether it has any clinical issues such as dental problems or digestive issues.
Claire Hamblion-Jennings, Supreme Marketing Director, said: "Rabbits and guinea pigs are intelligent, social, and deeply rewarding companions, and we know that most pet owners want to do the right thing."
"But our research has shown that what's been missing until now is definitive, actionable feeding guidelines.
"Our simple, expert-led approach should finally clarify any confusion, and the new app will put precise, expert-level nutritional guidance in the palm of everyone's hand."
https://app.supremepetfoods.com
The study1 was led by Dr Zoe Davies, a former Postdoctoral Researcher at the RVC, supervised by Jim Usherwood, Professor in Locomotor Biomechanics at the RVC, and co-authored by Aimee Savage, who was an RVC undergraduate at the time.
It involved six dogs with forelimb amputations and six with hindlimb amputations recruited from across the UK through the RVC's social media channels.
Using a 3D motion capture system and force plates in the RVC's Structure and Motion Laboratory, researchers analysed how the dogs adapted their bodies at different speeds.
At higher speeds, the dogs used a gallop-like gait similar to that seen in four-legged dogs.
At slower speeds, the dogs adopted two different movement strategies.
One involved a slowed-down version of the gallop.
The other involved a gait in which the pair of remaining limbs moved in a walking pattern, while the single remaining limb contacted the ground more than once during each stride.
When analysing forces acting on the limbs, the researchers found that forelimb amputee dogs placed around 50% of their bodyweight through their single remaining front limb, whereas weight in hindlimb amputee dogs was distributed more evenly across their three remaining limbs.
The RVC said the research provides a foundation for future work into rehabilitation and mobility support for canine amputees and may also inform the development of adaptive legged robots capable of responding to limb loss.
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article/293/2069/20253159/481426/Locomotion-on-three-legs-the-tripedal-gaits-of
The poster, by Lucy Williams BVSc MRCVS, Marketing and Veterinary Technical Services Manager at Carus Animal Health, Tristan Cogan BSc (Hons) PhD FHEA FRSBHE, Christina Maunder BVM&S CertSAM DipECVIM-CA FRCVS FHEA, Helen Howell PhD DSc (Hons) from Bristol Veterinary School, was based on a study from Carus Animal Health and the University of Bristol.
Data presented at VOACON demonstrated that faecal calprotectin was elevated in some dogs receiving oral NSAIDs, even in the absence of obvious GI signs.
The findings build on previous validation work from the University of Bristol.
The research was conducted using GIQuest, Carus Animal Health's patient-side faecal calprotectin test.
Lucy said: "Veterinary teams are becoming increasingly proactive in how they manage osteoarthritis patients.
"We know NSAIDs can have a hugely positive impact on quality of life, but clinicians are also looking for ways to monitor patients more closely and identify potential issues before they become clinically significant.
"The response to this research at VOACON reflects the profession's growing interest in objective biomarkers that can support more informed treatment decisions and enhance patient care."
Jolian Howell, Chief Business Officer and Director of Carus Animal Health, said: "This award is a significant achievement, not only for Carus but also for the wider field of gastrointestinal biomarker research. It recognises the value of building an evidence base around earlier detection, patient monitoring and preventive healthcare.
https://carusanimalhealth.com/giquest
Bringing together the latest research, practical guidance and case studies, the resource is designed to help veterinary teams managing chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disease in cats.
Carus says that while faecal calprotectin is well established in human medicine, the veterinary evidence base in cats continues to build.
The publication includes findings from a University of Bristol validation study demonstrating that the GIQuest faecal calprotectin test differentiated cats with chronic inflammatory enteropathy from healthy controls with 100% specificity and 92% sensitivity.
The booklet also features case studies from UK veterinary professionals, illustrating how faecal calprotectin testing has been used to support diagnosis, monitor treatment response and identify inflammatory flare-ups in complex chronic GI cases.
Lucy Williams BVSc MRCVS, Marketing and Veterinary Technical Services Manager at Carus Animal Health, said: "Feline gastrointestinal disease can be particularly challenging to manage.
"Clinical signs are often non-specific, diagnostics can be limited by patient temperament or owner factors, and monitoring treatment response isn't always straightforward.
"The growing evidence around faecal calprotectin is exciting because it offers clinicians an objective measure of intestinal inflammation that can support decision-making throughout the patient journey."
https://content.carusanimalhealth.com/feline-only-booklet-download
Henry, a Small Animal Internal Medicine resident at the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital, won the Outstanding Oral Abstract Presentation award for "Risk factors associated with the development of suspected feline injection site sarcomas identified in a sentinel network of UK primary care veterinary practices."
Henry said: "It is particularly rewarding to see this work recognised, as it reflects a collaborative effort between researchers, clinicians, and the veterinary practices and pet owners contributing data through SAVSNET.
"I hope these findings contribute to a better understanding of feline injection site sarcomas and help support evidence-based discussions around feline vaccination in clinical practice."
Emily graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2023 and subsequently worked in a busy first-opinion practice in Inverness for 18 months.
She then returned to the University of Glasgow to complete a rotating internship, with the goal of pursuing a residency in Internal Medicine.
She won Outstanding Poster Abstract Presentation for: "Serum thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations help to predict azotaemia following radio-iodine treatment of hyperthyroid cats"
Emily said: "I am delighted to receive this award from the BSAVA. It is exciting to be involved in research that can help guide clinical decision-making in practice, and presenting my findings at BVA Live was a fantastic opportunity to share this work."
Katie, a final-year veterinary medicine student at the Royal Veterinary College, won Outstanding Student Abstract Presentation for: "Hot Cats: Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness in cats under UK emergency veterinary care during 2022 and 2023."
Izzy, a student and feline enthusiast at the Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, is due to graduate in July 2026.
She won the BSAVA PetSavers Clinical Research Abstract Award for "Pride and Purr-judice: Perception of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) by veterinary personnel, animal shelter staff and cat owners."
Her presentation is the culmination of a three-year project investigating whether perceptions and attitudes towards Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), a disease once thought to be a death sentence, have changed alongside scientific understanding. Its results reveal that veterinary personnel still overestimate FIV’s transmissibility and its impact on life expectancy.
She said: "It was an incredible honour just to receive a BSAVA PetSavers grant and present my abstract at BVA Live.
"This award has redefined my expectations of my own capabilities as a veterinarian and researcher.
"I am beyond excited to share my project with a larger audience, and reaching this many people makes me feel that I truly can make a difference to the welfare of FIV-positive cats."
BSAVA President Julian Hoad was one of the judges for this year. He said: “The standard of submissions this year was exceptionally high, reflecting the strength and diversity of clinical research taking place across the profession.
"The quality, enthusiasm, and innovation on display were truly inspiring, and it’s clear that these researchers are helping to drive veterinary medicine forward.
"A huge congratulations to all of this year’s winners and all who presented for their outstanding contributions.”
The first episode features equine veterinary surgeon Fiona Farmer, BreathEazy Director and veterinary surgeon Jon Slattery, and international event rider Harry Meade.
They discuss the impact respiratory health can have on performance horses and the practical management of respiratory challenges in competition settings.
The opening episode also focuses on the relationship between respiratory health, performance and recovery, and on how veterinary understanding can inform everyday horse management.
The episode also explores the science behind nebulisation, and Jon Slattery discusses its role in administering medications and in broader respiratory management in horses exposed to dust, pollen and other environmental particles.
Fiona said: "By combining veterinary knowledge with real-world experience from the top of the sport, we hope to share useful insights that riders, owners and vets can apply."
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7FHQ6XRR3VYUawgH6sppsP
The guide combines evidence-based information with practical owner-focused support and encourages earlier conversations around joint health and proactive intervention.
It covers weight control, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, pain management, environmental adaptations and owner engagement.
Professor Stuart Carmichael FRCVS, who has collaborated with KRKA on a range of OA educational initiatives, said: "One of the biggest opportunities we have in osteoarthritis is identifying risk earlier and supporting owners before significant joint deterioration occurs.
"Helping owners understand that OA can begin much earlier in life allows practices to take a more proactive and individualised approach to joint care."
The guide also draws on insights from Danielle Everett PgD qualified Veterinary Physiotherapist and Canine Hydrotherapist.
Danielle said: "Simple lifestyle adjustments, tailored exercise and appropriate rehabilitation support can make a significant difference to comfort and mobility in dogs with OA.
"Resources that help owners understand those changes are incredibly valuable in improving quality of life and long-term health."
https://www.krka.co.uk/veterinary-knowledge-hub/
Anna, a farm vet in Shepton Mallet, qualified from the University of Nottingham in 2022 and joined Shepton Vets, where she runs the practice's Youngstock Club, developing it into a more collaborative and effective programme by restructuring the scheme to encourage closer working relationships between vets, technicians and farmers.
The award, supported by Zoetis, was presented at the BVA Awards Dinner 2026.
Anna said: "I cannot believe that I have won this award and feel incredibly honoured."
"It is especially meaningful given the high standard of nominees."
"I genuinely love being a farm vet and find it hugely rewarding."
"I'm extremely grateful to my colleagues at Shepton Vets for their support, encouragement and the knowledge they have shared with me throughout my career so far."
"They have provided me with fantastic opportunities to learn and develop, and this award is very much a reflection of that."
British Veterinary Association President Dr Rob Williams MRCVS said: "Anna is an outstanding veterinary surgeon, and her clinical excellence and leadership is impressive at such a young age and so early in her career."
"It's inspiring how dedicated she is to developing her skills and strengthening relationships and collaboration with farmers, other veterinary professionals and her team."
"She should be exceptionally proud of her achievements so far and we're delighted to award her this prestigious title - it's very well deserved."
Other BVA award winners this year were:
For the research, the RVC’s VetCompass Programme analysed anonymised veterinary records from 2.25 million dogs attending UK primary-care veterinary practices during 2019.
From this population, researchers identified 28,345 giant dogs and examined their demographic data, disorder frequency and lifespan records.
The study also involved a detailed manual review of clinical records from a random sample of more than 4,300 giant dogs to assess the most common health disorders and causes of death.
The data showed that the average lifespan of giant dogs was 8.9 years.
This is more than three years shorter than the average lifespan previously reported within VetCompass for dogs overall in England.
The RVC says this finding aligns with other research reported in many countries that more rapid growth in giant dogs leads to more rapid ageing.
The findings also showed that almost three-quarters (73.8%) of giant dogs had at least one disorder recorded annually, significantly higher than the average for all dog breeds (65.8%) within VetCompass.
The most common general groups of disorders overall were skin disorders, musculoskeletal disease and ear disease.
The most common specific diseases were ear infections (8.2%), overweight or obesity (8.0%) and aggression (5.6%).
The frequency of aggression in these giant breeds was more than double the 2.2% level recorded in dogs overall.
Additional findings included:
Professor Dan O’Neill, Professor of Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC and lead author of the paper, said: “Humanity has reshaped the domestic dog into the most physically diverse mammalian species on earth to create over 1,200 distinct dog breeds.
"Among these, the giant dog breeds can offer wonderful companionship for humans, but our findings suggest that the lifespan and welfare costs for these dogs, linked to their extreme body size, are substantial.
“The relatively short lives of giant dogs compared to the wider dog population should prompt wider discussion on the welfare limits of selective breeding towards extreme giantism.
"To protect these cherished breeds and make them sustainable for the future, moving towards more moderate body sizes within these breeds may help to improve both the quality and length of life for these dogs, while still giving owners a fulfilling dog-ownership experience.”
The formulation “enables fast and efficient absorption” of ingredients in the intestines and contains: calcium carbonate to help naturally bind phosphorus; prebiotic fibres to support digestive health; and essential nutrients to help maintain overall well-being.
Additionally, Nutravet says, it aids normal phosphorus levels, boosts appetite and encourages water intake. Each box contains 4x150ml drink.
Email info@nutravet.co.uk or visit www.nutravet.com.