Page 11 - Clinical Connections - Autumn 2023

Research News

DOG BREEDS AND MANAGING HEAT-RELATED THE MOST COMMON
UNACCEPTABLY EXTREME ILLNESS IN DOGS DISORDERS DIAGNOSED IN
CONFORMATIONS PET CATS
VetCompass researchers studied cooling
Growing concerns over health and welfare methods used to manage heat-related Members of the RVC’s VetCompass team
impacts from extreme conformations (body illness in dogs presented to primary care investigated the most common disorders
shapes) in several common dog breeds UK veterinary practices between 2016 and diagnosed in pet cats in the UK. The
have created an urgent need for reliable 2018. study population included 1,255,130 cats
demographic information on the wider Heat-related illness (HRI) is a potentially under primary veterinary care at clinics
population of UK dog breeds. An RVC fatal disorder that can occur in dogs following participating in the VetCompass programme
VetCompass epidemiological study has exercise or exposure to hot environments. during 2019.
now filled this critical information gap. While many risk factors can affect the A random sample of cats was selected,
The study included the largest probability of HRI occurring, the priority for and their clinical records were manually
demographic dataset of dogs in the UK treating dogs with HRI is early and rapid reviewed to extract the most definitive
ever assembled, with 2,237,105 dogs under reduction in their body temperature. diagnoses recorded for all disorders in 2019.
primary veterinary care during 2019, at From 18 249 cats sampled, 12 042
practices participating in VetCompass. (65.99%) had at least one disorder recorded
The paper reported detailed breakdowns during 2019. Males (67.55%) were
on the frequency of common breeds, body statistically more likely to have at least one
conformations, bodyweight, sex, and neuter disorder recorded than females (64.60%).
status. The median age of cats with at least one
Across all ages of dogs, the most common disorder recorded (6.88 years) was older
specific breeds were the Labrador retriever than for cats that had no disorders recorded
and Jack Russell terrier. However, rapidly (3.77 years).
changing public preferences was evident,
with diverging desire for breeds with
extreme conformations being matched by
the emergence of new designer-crossbred
hybrid breeds. Among dogs aged under
one year, the most common specific breeds
were French bulldog and cockapoo.

Post-exercise dogs (image credit Anne
Carter)
It is the largest study to date using
Cold-water immersion and water spray general practice veterinary data to report
with air movement are the recommended the prevalence of commonly diagnosed
treatments for dogs with HRI, with cooling disorders in cats in the UK.
attempts strongly advised to take place The most frequently diagnosed disorders
prior to transportation for veterinary care. in cats were periodontal disease (15.23%),
However, this retrospective study found obesity (11.58%), and general dental
Brachycephaly was a highly popular that just 21.70% of dogs were cooled prior disease (9.23%).
phenotype for UK dog owners, with dogs to transport, and only 23.97% of dogs were Awareness by owners of the high
from flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds cooled using the recommended methods. frequency of dental and obesity issues
representing 17.6% of all UK dogs, raising These results highlight the need for clearer in cats is important because these are
substantial questions about the negative messaging to the public and to veterinary conditions that are amenable to prevention
effects from our collective breed choices on professionals on optimal management of and control, and therefore represent real
overall canine welfare. dogs with HRI, with priority on promoting welfare opportunities for pet cats.
wider sharing of the advice to “cool first,
transport second”.
Research paper: O'Neill, D.G. (2023) 'A study of
the most common disorders diagnosed in pet
Research paper: O'Neill, D.G., McMillan, K.M., cats in the UK', Companion Animal, 28(6), 88-92,
Church, D.B. and Brodbelt, D.C. (2023) 'Dog
breeds and conformations in the UK in 2019: Research paper: Hall, E.J., Carter, A.J., Bradbury, available: http://dx.doi.org/10.12968/coan.2023.0009.
J., Beard, S., Gilbert, S., Barfield, D. and O'Neill,
VetCompass canine demography and some D.G. (2023) 'Cooling Methods Used to Manage
consequent welfare implications', PLoS One, 18(7), Heat-Related Illness in Dogs Presented to Primary Care
e0288081, available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal. Veterinary Practices during 2016-2018 in the UK',
pone.0288081
Veterinary Sciences, 10(7), 465

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