Page 11 - Clinical Connections - Summer 2024

Research News

PREGNANCY LOSS IN RVC RESEARCH PREDICTS THE MOST COMMON
THOROUGHBREDS AND LIFE EXPECTANCY OF CATS DISORDERS IN UK PET
INBREEDING GUINEA PIGS
RVC researchers, in collaboration with
RVC researchers, in collaboration with Taiwan’s National Chung Hsing University, RVC research has identified the most
Cornell University, found that inbreeding have taken a major step forward in how we common disorders recorded in pet guinea
is a contributing factor to mid and late- understand lifespan in cats and revealed pigs in the UK. Several of these common
term pregnancy loss (MLPL), but not early new information on factors influencing conditions are linked to sedentary lives.
pregnancy loss (EPL) in Thoroughbreds. mortality rates. The guinea pig is a hugely popular pet in
It is the first study exploring the effect Using records from the RVC’s the UK. Prospective owners often consider
of genomic inbreeding levels on late term VetCompass programme, researchers them docile and easy to care for. These
pregnancy loss in the horse and will help analysed data from 7,936 cats under beliefs may reflect limited awareness of
inform mating choices to minimise the risk primary veterinary care in the UK that died common disorders and a lack of research
of miscarriages. between January 2019 and March 2021. into pet guinea pig health.
As horses with desirable traits are highly The results were broken down by breed and The RVC VetCompass research
prized for breeding, inbreeding is a common sex and presented in ‘life tables’. investigated anonymised veterinary clinical
practice. However, excessive inbreeding records of a random sample of 3,785 from
increases the probability of uncovering 51,622 guinea pigs under primary veterinary
homozygous recessive genotypes, which care in the UK.
have previously been associated with an
increased risk of retained placenta and
lower semen quality in horses.

Life tables predict the remaining life
expectancy and probability of death across
a range of one-year age bands.
Understanding typical remaining lifespan
can support owners and veterinarians when Researchers analysed diagnosis and
making complex decisions about the best mortality information to learn more about
treatment option to protect a cat’s overall the most common disorders diagnosed and
Approximately 5 to 10 per cent of equine wellbeing and even whether to rehome an lifespans.
pregnancies end in early pregnancy loss. older cat. Overgrown nails was the most commonly
A further 7 per cent of pregnancies are lost recorded disorder, with a one-year
after day 70 from gestation. However, the Key findings include: frequency of 26.55%. Other commonly
association between genomic inbreeding • The overall average life expectancy recorded disorders included ringworm
levels and pregnancy loss in horses had not from the first year of life for UK (6.02%), corneal ulcers (4.99%), anorexia
been previously investigated. companion cats was 11.7 years. (4.04%) and abscess (4.02%).
Therefore, the researchers analysed DNA • Females had a 1.33-year longer overall Males had shorter lifespans overall and
samples from 189 mares, including a control life expectancy than males. were predisposed to bite injuries and dental
group. • Burmese and Birman breeds had the disorders. Females were more susceptible
The study found that Thoroughbred greatest overall life expectancy, at 14.4 to eye disorders.
pregnancies lost in mid and late gestation years, followed by crossbreed (11.9 The findings can help veterinary teams
had significantly higher inbreeding metrics years) and Siamese (11.7 years). improve clinical care and provide owners
than UK Thoroughbred adults. However, • Sphynx cats had the shortest overall life with evidence-based information so they
pregnancies lost early in gestation showed expectancy, at 6.8 years. can provide more natural living conditions.
no significant difference in inbreeding
metrics compared to the adults.
Research paper: Tzu-yun Teng, K., Brodbelt, Research paper: O’Neill, D.G., Taffinder, J.L.
D.C., Church D.B., and O’Neill, D.G., (2024) ‘Life Brodbelt, D.C, Baldrey, V. (2024) ‘Demography,
Research paper: Lawson J.M., Shilton C.A., tables of annual life expectancy and risk factors for commonly diagnosed disorders and mortality of guinea
Lindsay-McGee V., Psifidi A., Wathes D.C.,
Raudsepp T., et al. ‘Does inbreeding contribute to mortality in cats in the United Kingdom’. Journal of pigs under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2019 – A
pregnancy loss in Thoroughbred horses?’ Equine Feline Medicine and Surgery VetCompass Study’. PLOS ONE
Veterinary Journal

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