Science

Oct- 2018 -

22 October

Chocolate Labradors found to have shorter lifespan than rest of breed

Chocolate Labrador Retrievers have a significantly shorter lifespan than their black and yellow counterparts, according to the results of a study. The median lifespan for chocolate Labradors is 10.7 years, which is 1.4 years shorter than black or yellow Labradors. This latest research, carried out by the Royal Veterinary College’s…

11 October

RVC study discovers dog breeds most at risk of fatty lipomas

Springer Spaniels, Dobermann Pinscher, Weimaraners and Labrador Retrievers are the most susceptible to lipomas ( fatty masses or fatty lumps), according to the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). The news comes as part of the findings from the world’s largest study of the lipoma tumours carried out by the RVC’s VetCompass…

Sep- 2018 -

24 September

RVC unveils new ‘state of the art’ CT scanner

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has announced it has successfully installed one of the most advanced CT scanners of any veterinary facility in the world, and says it will “revolutionise” the treatment of animals at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (QMHA). The new CT scanner was funded by the…

12 September

World-first surgery combination saves puppy’s life

Surgeons from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) have successfully carried out the surgical repair of a complex combination of heart defects in a dog. The abnormalities required tricuspid valve repair surgery along with the repair for the common atrium. It is the first time these procedures have been carried out…

4 September

VetPartners to partner with professionals for research in ‘UK first’

Veterinary group VetPartners is to offer members of the profession a chance to become partners in clinical research in what the company describes as a ‘UK first’. The York-based group wants to raise the standard of healthcare across the industry and believes that improving the evidence base through practice-based clinical…

Aug- 2018 -

31 August

Royal Canin to host webinar on feline ageing

Pet food manufacturer Royal Canin is to offer a new webinar for vets on “extending healthy life in your feline patients”. The webinar will be led by Nathalie Dowgray a lead researcher at the recently launched Feline Healthy Ageing Clinic. A long-term study, the Clinic researches the many factors associated…

6 August

Vets develop blood test to spot early signs of liver disease

Vets at the University’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh have developed a blood test that can quickly identify the early signs of liver disease in dogs, a study has suggested. Experts say that the test – based on insights gained from human patients – could help vets…

1 August

RVC makes breakthrough in treatment of Alabama rot

Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College’s (RVC) Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (QMHA) have made a ground-breaking discovery in the treatment of Alabama rot, a deadly disease which affects dogs. Alabama rot, properly known as Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV) first emerged in Alabama in the 1980s, giving it…

Jul- 2018 -

31 July

Sony says lonely dogs can learn social skills from ‘Aibo’ robot dog

Sony has said dogs can learn social skills from its new Aibo robot dog. A Sony mammalogist, Tadaki Imaizumi, conducted an experiment in which 13 dogs were introduced to the robot. Imaizumi said the dogs recognised the robot as a “living creature” and showed a sense of friendship and concern…

30 July

Grain-free dog food causes heart disease concerns

British pet food manufacturers have expressed concern following a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation into links between heart disease and grain-free dog food. The probe followed a “highly unusual” number in cases of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. DCM can be fatal, weakening and enlarging the heart,…