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Ageing Canine Toolkit launched
The toolkit includes a checklist for pet owners to work through as part of a home triage.

BSAVA PetSavers toolkit aims to help vets and pet owners care for senior dogs. 

Following research undertaken by the University of Liverpool, BSAVA PetSavers has launched the Ageing Canine Toolkit (ACT). The toolkit is designed to assist veterinary surgeons and pet owners provide the best care for senior and geriatric dogs.

The BSAVA PetSavers-funded study, ‘Old Age Pets (OAP) research project’ revealed that many pet owners find it difficult to identify between ‘normal’ age-related changes, and signs that could indicate possible diseases. The ACT aims to assist pet owners identify changes that would benefit from veterinary advice and treatment.

The ACT 40 page leaflet includes information about more common health problems affecting older dogs, as well as a checklist for pet owners to work through as part of a home triage. Answers of ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘maybe’ are coded using a traffic light system: green, amber and red. For answers coded amber or red, pet owners are encouraged to seek guidance from their veterinary practice.

Questions on the checklist cover some of the main reasons why senior dogs attend veterinary appointments, and are grouped into topics including ‘dental', ‘mobility', ‘weight changes’, ‘behaviour’, and ‘quality of life’. Concerns regarding ‘end of life’ are covered in a separate section.

To monitor their dog’s health, pet owners are encouraged to go through the checklist at least every six months, keeping a note of the answers for future comparison.

Professor Carri Westgarth from the University of Liverpool said: “We conducted this research project kindly funded by BSAVA PetSavers in order to help owners and veterinary professionals provide great care for our loved pets as they age.

“Our investigations uncovered common physical and behavioural signs in dogs that owners observe and for which support from the veterinary practice would be beneficial. Our simple evidence-based checklist is designed to engage owners and importantly stimulate efficient discussion with their veterinary team.”

UK veterinary practices are able to download digital copies of the ACT leaflet, as well as an accompanying poster to display in waiting rooms. Printed copies are also available to order.

A number of articles aimed to support veterinary professionals care for senior dogs can be viewed on the BSAVA website.

Image (C) BSAVA PetSavers

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Vivienne Mackinnon elected BVA Scottish Branch President

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has elected Vivienne Mackinnon as its new BVA Scottish Branch president.

Dr Mackinnon has over 30 years of experience in veterinary care, encompassing both small animal and mixed practice. She has worked in practices in Scotland, England, New Zealand and Australia, before joining APHA to work in frontline disease control.

In her speech, Dr Mackinnon reflected on the changes in Scotland's veterinary industry and highlighted her commitment to veterinary education.

Dr Mackinnon said: "I look forward to working with colleagues across the veterinary professions to improve animal health and welfare in the country and support veterinary workplaces."