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Survey launched on pedigree dog heart health
“The results will allow us to direct new research to areas that require further attention” – Charlotte McNamara.

The Kennel Club and the Veterinary Cardiology Society want to hear from owners. 

A survey has been launched to learn more about the types of heart disease affecting pedigree dog breeds and their prevalence.

Developed by The Kennel Club and the Veterinary Cardiology Society, the online survey is open to owners of any breed of dog.

Owners can compete one survey per dog, includings dogs that are living or have passed away. The dog does not need to have been affected by heart disease.

The information gathered through the survey will be used by researchers to better understand the need for heart testing across different breeds and to discover breed-specific nuances that could have an influence of the development of heart disease.

The results will also help researchers to decide on future areas of study. Such research plays an important role in the development of the The Kennel Club’s Breed Health and Conservation plans, which are based on thousands of research papers.

All personal information collected in the survey will remain confidential and the findings presented anonymously.

Charlotte McNamara, head of health at The Kennel Club, said: “We are asking dog owners to kindly spend a few minutes to complete the survey for all dogs owned, either now or in the past, even if they have never been affected by heart disease.

“The results will allow us to direct new research to areas that require further attention. We thank everyone for taking the time to contribute to this research and for help in improving canine heart health.”

The survey can be completed here.

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."