Primary-care Veterinary Practices Research Articles

Antimicrobial use practices in canine and feline dental procedures performed in primary care veterinary practices in the United States

This study examined the utilization of antimicrobials in canines and felines receiving dental treatments in veterinary clinics in the United States, retrospectively. A total of 818,150 animals (713,901 procedures in dogs and 104,249 procedures in cats) underwent dental procedures under general anesthesia in 2020. These included dental prophylaxis and extractions. Patient demographic data, antimicrobial treatment, treatment duration, dose, periodontal disease score, whether tooth extractions were performed and how many extractions were performed was recorded. Our results showed that local or systemic antimicrobials were used in 116,723/713,901 (16.4%) procedures in dogs and 14,264/104,249 (14%) procedures in cats. Age, weight, extraction of one or more teeth and diagnosis of periodontal disease (any stage) were associated with increased likelihood of antimicrobial administration using univariable analysis (all P<0.001) and in the multivariable model. Clindamycin, amoxicillin-clavulanate and amoxicillin were the most common oral antimicrobials used in dogs and cats. Drugs classified as highest priority clinically important antibiotics (HPCIA) were administered to 30,960/116,723 (26.5%) of dogs and 7,469/14,264 (52%) of treated cats. The results obtained can inform interventions to optimize patient care and promote prudent use of antimicrobials during dental procedures in canine and feline patients.

Cooling Methods Used to Manage Heat-Related Illness in Dogs Presented to Primary Care Veterinary Practices during 2016-2018 in the UK.

The management of heat-related illness (HRI) in dogs has received limited attention in the veterinary literature, especially regarding effective cooling methods. Guidelines published in 2016 for prehospital management of dogs with HRI advised "cool first, transport second", and recommended using cold-water immersion and evaporative cooling (water application with air movement) as the optimal approaches to reduce the patient's temperature. The current retrospective cross-sectional observation study analysed electronic patient records from the VetCompass programme to describe the cooling methods used in dogs with HRI presented to primary care veterinary practices during 2016-2018. Of 623 HRI events identified, 341 (54.74%, 95% CI 50.81-58.60%) included information on cooling in their clinical record. Of these, 74/341 (21.70%, 95% CI 17.65-26.38%) were cooled prior to transport for veterinary care. Overall, 23.97% (95% CI 19.24-29.44%) were cooled using one of the two recommended cooling methods, whilst the most common cooling method recorded was the application of wet towels (51.31%, 95% CI 45.34-57.24%). Canine cooling guidance and messaging in both the public and veterinary sectors requires urgent review to ensure that the most effective cooling methods are promoted because delays to canine temperature reduction worsen patient outcomes.

Epidemiology and risk factors for mammary tumours in female cats.

This study aimed to estimate the incidence and risk factors for mammary tumours in female cats attending UK primary-care practices. The study hypothesised that middle-aged, intact and certain breeds are associated with increased mammary tumour risk. A case-control study design identified mammary tumour cases by assessment of electronic patient records, nested within a denominator population of 259,869 female cats attending 886 primary-care VetCompass participating veterinary practices in the UK in 2016. From 2858 potential mammary tumour cases identified within the denominator, 270 cats met the case definition, giving an incidence risk of 104 per 100,000 (0.104%, 95% confidence interval 0.092 to 0.117%) during 2016. In the risk factor analysis increasing age, purebred compared to crossbred and veterinary group were associated with increased odds of mammary tumour. Median survival after the diagnosis of mammary tumour cats was 18.7months. The current study provides an updated estimate of the incidence of mammary cancer in cats seen in primary care veterinary practice in the UK with increasing risk seen in older cats and with purebred status. This study can aid veterinary surgeons to identify cats at greater risk of mammary tumour and advise on survival after diagnosis.

Risk factors for unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture diagnosis and for clinical management in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK

This study aimed to evaluate demographic risk factors associated with unilateral cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture diagnosis and to explore demographic and clinical risk factors associated with management of unilateral CCL rupture in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. A retrospective cohort study design was used. Clinical records were automatically searched and manually verified for incident cases of unilateral CCL rupture during 2019 and additional clinical management information extracted. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to evaluate associations between risk factors and: (1) CCL rupture diagnosis; and (2) clinical management (surgical or non-surgical). The analysis included 1000 unilateral CCL rupture cases and a random selection of 500,000 non-cases. After accounting for confounding factors, dogs aged 6 to < 9 years, male neutered and female neutered dogs, insured dogs, and Rottweiler, Bichon Frise, and West Highland White terrier breeds, in particular, had increased odds of unilateral CCL rupture diagnosis. Insured dogs and dogs ≥ 20 kg had increased odds of surgical management, while dogs ≥ 9 years and dogs with one non-orthopaedic comorbidity at diagnosis with CCL rupture had reduced odds. These findings inform identification of at-risk dogs, with Rottweilers and Bichon Frise particularly predisposed. Additionally, they contribute to a greater understanding of the clinical rationales used in primary-care veterinary practices to decide between surgical or non-surgical management of unilateral CCL rupture.

Knowledge and attitudes towards surgical safety checklists: a survey of veterinary professionals

To determine the knowledge and use of safe surgical checklists (SSCs) and surgical safety practices (SSPs) in different sectors of veterinary medicine. 1,235 small animal veterinarians who perform surgery in the United States and Canada. An online survey was distributed to veterinarians through social media platforms, specialty listservs, and the Veterinary Information Network. Respondents provided information regarding their role, practice type, as well as knowledge, attitudes, and use of SSCs. Respondents also provided information about performance of SSPs including team introductions; confirmation of antibiotic prophylaxis, patient identity, procedure to be performed; and confirmation of completion of all procedures. A greater proportion of Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (49/77 [64%]) reported using an SSC than other veterinarians (257/1157 [22%]; P < .0001). A greater proportion of veterinarians working in university and multispecialty hospitals reported using a SSC (71/142 [50%]) than in other practice settings (235/1092 [22%]; P < .0001). Use of a SSC correlated with consistent performance of surgical safety practices listed above (P < .0001). Primary care veterinarians commonly reported not using a SSC because they did not know about them (359/590 [61%]). Of the 507 respondents who had ever used a SSC, 333 (66%) believed the checklist had prevented an error or complication. Despite widespread knowledge and adoption of SSC use in human medicine, knowledge and use of SSCs is lacking in primary care veterinary practice. Checklist use has previously been shown to decrease post operative complications and in this study was correlated with increased use of SSPs that decreased complications.

Approach to initial management of canine generalised epileptic seizures in primary-care veterinary practices in the United Kingdom.

To investigate how primary care clinicians in the UK approach initial management of canine generalised epileptic seizures, including factors potentially associated with prescription and choice of anti-seizure drugs. Electronic health records concerning 3,150,713 consultations (917,373 dogs) were collected from 224 veterinary practices by the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network. Free-text clinical narratives were reviewed to identify those consistent with generalised epileptic seizure activity, including only those recording the first presentation for seizures. Dogs older than 6 years were excluded. Five hundred and seventeen cases were included. Sixty-seven dogs (13.0%) received anti-seizure drugs at first presentation; this was significantly more likely in dogs presented withcluster seizures (odds ratio 13.8, 95% confidence interval 7.3 to 26.1). Phenobarbital (n=36) and imepitoin (n=29) were the most frequently chosen anti-seizure drugs. Presentation for a single epileptic seizure occurred in 321 dogs; seven were prescribed anti-seizure drugs. Eighty-six dogs were presented with cluster seizures; 38 were prescribed anti-seizure drugs, most frequently imepitoin (n= 19) and phenobarbital (n=17). Of the dogs presenting with a single seizure and at least 6-month follow-up (n=165), 33 (20%) did not have subsequent seizures recorded. Primary care clinicians rarely prescribed anti-seizure drugs following a single epileptic seizure in accordance with International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force recommendations. Less than half of dogs initially presenting with cluster seizures were prescribed anti-seizure drugs. Imepitoin was frequently selected in the treatment of cluster seizures despite no authorisation for this purpose. These findings may ultimately contribute to improved cohesion in the management of canine epileptic seizures between primary care and referral institutions.

Incidence of alimentary and respiratory disease in brachycephalic dogs presenting to primary care veterinary practices participating in the SAVSNET project.

Brachycephalic dogs clinically affected by brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome have been shown to have a high incidence of gastrointestinal disease, with French Bulldogs (FBD) identified as a particularly affected breed. Clinical records of 750 brachycephalic dogs attending over 500 practices participating in the small animal veterinary surveillance network (SAVSNET) project were analysed in this cohort study to determine the incidence of alimentary and respiratory disease within FBD, Bulldogs (BD) and Pugs attending primary care veterinary practice. Electronic clinical records were studied for treatment or acknowledgement of specific clinical signs that could be attributed to different anatomical locations. Disease of the different anatomical locations was marked as either being present or not present which allowed for statistical analysis. Significant differences in the incidence of oesophageal (p=0.006), gastric (p=0.001) and intestinal (p=0.001) diseases were present among the breeds studied. FBD had significantly increased odds ratios of having oesophageal (2.0, 2.2), gastric (2.4, 1.5) and intestinal (1.7, 1.5) diseases relative to Pugs and BD, respectively. Pugs had significantly increased odds ratios of having upper respiratory tract disease relative to BD (1.9). The results show the incidence of gastrointestinal disease and upper respiratory tract disease is significantly different between the brachycephalic breeds studied. Furthermore, the general population of FBD has the highest incidence of gastrointestinal disease.

Breed and conformational predispositions for prolapsed nictitating membrane gland (PNMG) in dogs in the UK: A VetCompass study.

BackgroundProlapsed nictitating membrane gland (PNMG) is the most common disorder of the third eyelid in dogs. However, the epidemiology of PNMG in the wider dog population remains understudied.MethodsUsing de-identified clinical data from the VetCompass Programme, this cohort study aimed to report the prevalence, demographic and breed-related risk factors of PNMG in dogs attending UK primary care veterinary practices in 2016.ResultsThere were 1,802 PNMG cases identified from 905,543 dogs, yielding an annual prevalence of 0.20% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.19–0.21). The median age at first diagnosis was 0.63 years (IQR 0.33–1.98, range 0.11–18.00). Dogs aged under 1 year had 10.82 times the odds (95% CI 9.17–12.76) compared with dogs aged from 2 to under 4 years. Neutered animals had higher odds than entire animals within both sexes. Breeds with the highest odds of PNMG compared with crossbred dogs included Neapolitan Mastiff (odds ratio (OR) 34.26, 95%CI 15.92–73.75), English Bulldog (OR 24.08, 95% CI 20.62–28.13), Cane Corso (OR 14.66, 95% CI 8.18–26.28), Lhasa Apso (OR 12.37, 95% CI 10.26–14.92) and American Cocker Spaniel (OR 11.57, 95% CI 5.59–23.96). Purebred dogs had 1.43 times the odds (95% CI 1.26–1.63) of PNMG compared with crossbreed dogs. Breeds with brachycephalic skull conformation had 6.71 times the odds (95%CI 5.89–7.64) compared with breeds with mesocephalic skull conformation. Insured dogs had 1.89 times the odds (95% CI 1.65–2.16) compared with uninsured dogs.ConclusionsThis study reports the largest cohort of primary-care PNMG cases assembled to date. The results showing young age at diagnosis along with the breed, purebred and brachycephalic skull conformation predispositions suggest a hereditary involvement in PNMG development. These results may help to guide breeding strategies to reduce the prevalence of PNMG and improve welfare in predisposed individuals.

Analysis of canine cardiovascular therapeutic agent prescriptions using electronic health records in primary care veterinary practices in the United Kingdom

Introduction/objectivesCanine cardiovascular (CV) diseases are often managed in primary care settings. The objectives were to describe CV therapeutic agent (CVTA) prescribing patterns in primary care practices in the United Kingdom (UK) and to evaluate recorded clinical signs, diagnostic tests and justifications for use of torasemide, a recently marketed and authorised loop-diuretic in the UK. Animals, materials and methodsElectronic health records (EHRs) describing 3,579,420 consultations (1,043,042 unique dogs) were collated (1 April 2014 and 31 December 2018) by the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network from 270 veterinary practices. Consultations prescribing at least one CVTA were identified. Annual variation in individual CVTA prescriptions was analysed using mixed-effects binomial regression models. Free-text clinical narratives were manually read to determine the first-prescribing event for torasemide. ResultsTwenty-nine thousand and seven consultations (0.81% of all consultations, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76–0.86) prescribed CVTA in 14,148 (1.36%) dogs. Furosemide (52.8% of CV-prescribing consultations, 95% CI 50.7–54.9) and pimobendan (51.9%, 95% CI 50.1–53.7) were most prescribed. Longitudinal analysis (2014–2018) showed a significant negative temporal trend for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (p < 0.001), and furosemide (p = 0.003) and a positive temporal trend for pimobendan (p = 0.020) and torasemide (p < 0.001). First prescriptions of torasemide were identified in 16.5% of torasemide-prescribing consultations. Where justification for prescription of torasemide was identified (32.5%), furosemide resistance was the most common (92.0%). ConclusionsEHRs can be used to temporally monitor prescribing habits, including responses to market authorisations. Despite authorisation in the UK for torasemide use as a first-line diuretic, it was most commonly prescribed after furosemide resistance.

Cross-sectional study of approaches to diagnosis and management of dogs with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia in primary care and referral veterinary practices in the United Kingdom.

To determine whether veterinarians in primary care practices (PCPs) and board-certified clinicians (BCCs) approach treatment of dogs with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) similarly, and whether practitioners with more experience treat similarly to those with less experience. We hypothesised those in PCPs would show more variation in their approach to similar cases than BCCs. A cross-sectional study was conducted by distributing a questionnaire to BCCs and veterinarians in PCPs. The questionnaire included direct questions and a number of clinical scenarios intended to capture approaches to common treatment problems. Questionnaire responses were received from 241 veterinarians, including 216 in PCPs and 25 BCCs. Veterinarians in both settings used similar tests for diagnosis of IMHA, but BCCs performed more tests to exclude underlying causes of 'associative' disease. All veterinarians reported use of similar initial dosages of glucocorticoids (median 2 mg/kg per day in both groups, p = 0.92) but those used by more experienced practitioners were higher than those with less experience. Most veterinarians made allowances for the weight of dogs, using lower prednisolone dosages in a clinical scenario involving a 40 kg dog compared to a 9 kg dog (p = 0.025 for PCP, p = 0.002 for BCC). BCCs reported greater use of combinations of immunosuppressive drugs (p<0.0001) and of antithrombotic drugs (p<0.0001); use of antithrombotic drugs was also less common among more experienced practitioners compared to less experienced. Approaches to treatment of dogs with IMHA differ between BCCs and those in PCP. These differences may affect design and implementation of future research studies and clinical guidelines.

Otitis externa: the role of the veterinary nurse

Otitis externa is a common problem in primary care veterinary practice. While the diagnosis and treatment of disease is the responsibility of the attending veterinary surgeon, the veterinary nurse, as an integral part of the veterinary surgeon-led team, plays an important role in the investigation and management of disease. Veterinary nurses are more than capable of assessing the external ear canal both macroscopically and cytologically to help the veterinary surgeon to make a diagnosis. Client facing nurse communications can help with the administration of therapy, provide owner support during treatment to increase compliance and help with follow-up assessments.

Machine-learning based prediction of Cushing\u2019s syndrome in dogs attending UK primary-care veterinary practice

Cushing’s syndrome is an endocrine disease in dogs that negatively impacts upon the quality-of-life of affected animals. Cushing’s syndrome can be a challenging diagnosis to confirm, therefore new methods to aid diagnosis are warranted. Four machine-learning algorithms were applied to predict a future diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome, using structured clinical data from the VetCompass programme in the UK. Dogs suspected of having Cushing's syndrome were included in the analysis and classified based on their final reported diagnosis within their clinical records. Demographic and clinical features available at the point of first suspicion by the attending veterinarian were included within the models. The machine-learning methods were able to classify the recorded Cushing’s syndrome diagnoses, with good predictive performance. The LASSO penalised regression model indicated the best overall performance when applied to the test set with an AUROC = 0.85 (95% CI 0.80–0.89), sensitivity = 0.71, specificity = 0.82, PPV = 0.75 and NPV = 0.78. The findings of our study indicate that machine-learning methods could predict the future diagnosis of a practicing veterinarian. New approaches using these methods could support clinical decision-making and contribute to improved diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome in dogs.

Proposing the VetCompass clinical grading tool for heat-related illness in dogs

Heat-related illness is a potentially fatal condition in dogs. Rapid and accurate recognition of the severity can improve clinical management in affected dogs and lead to better outcomes. This study explored retrospective VetCompass veterinary clinical records to investigate the clinical signs recorded for dogs presenting with heat-related illness to primary-care veterinary practice from 2016 to 2018. The relative risk of death associated with these clinical signs was reported and used to develop a novel clinical grading tool. From the clinical records of 856 heat-related illness events, the most frequently recorded clinical signs were respiratory changes (68.73%) and lethargy (47.79%). The clinical signs with the highest relative risk of death were neurological dysfunction, gastrointestinal haemorrhage and bleeding disorders. The novel VetCompass Clinical Grading Tool for Heat-Related Illness in dogs defines three grades: mild (altered respiration, lethargy), moderate (gastrointestinal signs, a single seizure, episodic collapse) and severe (neurological dysfunction, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, bleeding disorders). This novel grading tool offers a simple, evidence-based device to improve recognition of heat-related illness in dogs and promote improved decision-making for earlier interventions such as cooling and hospitalisation. This could improve outcomes and protect the welfare of dogs in the face of rising global temperatures.

Mortality Resulting from Undesirable Behaviours in Dogs Aged Three Years and under Attending Primary-Care Veterinary Practices in Australia.

Simple SummaryThere is increasing evidence that undesirable behaviours (UBs) in dogs can compromise the welfare of both canine companions and their associated humans. Indeed, in a recent UK study of patient records from primary-care veterinary practices, UBs emerged as the predominant cause for mortality in young dogs. The current companion study of dogs attending veterinary practices in Australia from 2013 to 2018 reports a comparable proportion of mortality (29.7%) due to UBs among dogs aged three years and under. The most commonly reported UB was aggression. Neutered dogs and purebred dogs (and specifically Australian Cattle Dogs and American Staffordshire terriers) had an elevated risk of death ascribed to at least one UB. The risk factors associated with these UBs are also reported, including interventions applied by the attending clinician (if any). The results highlight the influence of UBs on dog welfare in Australia, and infer the benefits of educating dog owners and veterinary professionals in modifying and managing UBs.There is increasing evidence that undesirable behaviours (UBs) in dogs can compromise the welfare of both canine companions and their carers. Veterinarians are regularly consulted about affected animals and may be asked to euthanase the more severely affected individuals. A recent study of veterinary records showed that UBs were the predominant cause of mortality in young dogs in the UK. This companion study from Australia reports the proportion of mortality due to UBs among dogs aged three years and under that attended veterinary practices from 2013 to 2018. Deidentified patient records were extracted from the VetCompass Australia database and manually assessed to reveal the prevalence and type of UBs reported. The results reveal that 29.7% of the 4341 dogs that died at three years of age or under had deaths ascribed to at least one UB, and that the most commonly reported UB was aggression. Neutered dogs had 2.5× the odds of death due to an UB compared to intact dogs, and crossbred dogs were found to have 1.43× the odds of a UB related death compared to purebred dogs. The breeds at highest risk were Australian cattle dogs (odds ratio (OR) 4.77) and American Staffordshire terriers (OR 4.69). The attending veterinarian referred behaviour cases to a behaviourist or dog trainer in 11.0% of all UB cases, and attempted pharmacological therapy in 5.9% of cases. The results reveal how often UBs affect dogs and their owners in Australia, and infer the beneficial impact that educating dog owners and veterinary professionals in modifying and managing UBs may have.

A retrospective evaluation of complications associated with forkless tibial tuberosity advancement performed in primary care practice.

To report postoperative complications associated with forkless tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) performed in primary care veterinary practice and to compare results with previous publications. Retrospective study. Three hundred seventy-four forkless TTAs in 329 dogs performed by six nonspecialist veterinarians. Medical records of dogs treated with a standard forkless TTA (2013-2016) and with at least 12 months of postoperative follow-up were reviewed. Complications recorded by the referring practice or the operating veterinarian were classified as minor (medically treated) or major (surgically treated). Complications occurred in 57 of 374 (15.2%) TTAs; 28 (7.5%) complications were major, and 29 (7.7%) complications were minor. Postliminary meniscal injuries were documented in 12 of 374 (3.2%) TTAs (12/57 major complications) and were more common when the ratio of cage size to bodyweight was ≤0.25 (P = .019). Mean TTA (cage size) was greater in this population than what has been previously reported for a lower median bodyweight. The incidence of major complications was low and within the range previously reported for TTA in referral practice after adjusting for study design. The magnitude of advancement was greater, and the incidence of postliminary meniscal injury was lower than what has been previously reported, after accounting for dogs that had a preliminary meniscal injury or medial meniscal release. Forkless TTA may be successfully performed by experienced veterinarians in primary care practice with a low rate of complications. The incidence of postliminary meniscal injury may be reduced by a greater degree of advancement of the tibial tuberosity.

Epidemiology of recurrent seizure disorders and epilepsy in cats under primary veterinary care in the United Kingdom.

BackgroundLittle epidemiological evaluation of recurrent seizure disorders in cats currently exists in veterinary literature.ObjectivesTo report the prevalence and risk factors for recurrent seizure disorders (RSD) and epilepsy in cats presented to primary care veterinary practices in the United Kingdom (UK).AnimalsA total of 285 547 cats under veterinary care during 2013 presenting to 282 primary care clinics in the UK.MethodsCohort study using multivariable logistic regression modeling for risk factor analysis.ResultsThere were 458 confirmed RSD cases, giving a 1‐year period prevalence of 0.16% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.15‐0.18). A subset of 114 (24.89%) cases was recorded as having epilepsy, giving a 1‐year period prevalence of 0.04% (95% CI, 0.03‐0.5). Increasing age was significantly associated with increasing odds of RSD. Breed, sex, neuter status, and body weight were not associated with RSD. Epilepsy was most frequently diagnosed in adult to middle‐aged cats. Cats aged 3.0 to <6.0 years had 3.32 times higher odds of epilepsy diagnosis compared to cats <3.0 years of age. Insured cats were more likely to be diagnosed with epilepsy compared to noninsured cats.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceAlthough less common than in dogs, RSD and epilepsy still comprise an important disorder group in the UK cat population. Aging is a significant risk factor for these disorders in cats.

A review of the frequency and impact of periodontal disease in dogs.

Periodontal disease is a frequent problem seen in veterinary practices. Primary-care veterinary practices, where diagnosis of periodontal disease is predominantly based on visual oral assessment of conscious dogs, report an average prevalence of 9.3 to 18.2% within the dog population. Detailed examinations of anaesthetised dogs report much higher prevalence of between 44 and 100%. The prevalence and severity of periodontitis varies between sizes of dogs, breeds and individuals. The lack of robust evaluation of these variances opens the opportunity for a review of the topic. A literature search was therefore undertaken to determine the frequency and extent (severity and oral location) of periodontal disease in the dog population. Both clinical and retrospective data based surveys of veterinary records, show there is an increased likelihood of developing periodontitis as age increases and with bodyweight decreases. The maxillary and mandibular incisors, fourth premolars and first molars are likely to develop the disease first although in some breeds the canines may also be involved. Poor oral care is a significant risk factor for the development of periodontal disease although diet, behaviour, environment and genetics are also likely to play a role. The information provided in this review can be used by veterinarians to improve the effectiveness of their diagnosis, treatments and interventions by focussing their efforts on the sizes, breeds and individuals most at risk. Given the potential link between periodontal disease and systemic health, veterinarians have the opportunity to positively impact the quality of life of a large number of dogs and therefore their owners.

Demography and commonly recorded clinical conditions of Chihuahuas under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2016

BackgroundThe Chihuahua, the world’s smallest dog breed, is a popular breed in the UK today. The VetCompass™ Programme collates de-identified clinical records from primary-care veterinary practices in the UK for epidemiological research. This study aimed to characterise the demography, age at death and common disorders of Chihuahuas under primary veterinary care during 2016 in the UK.ResultsChihuahuas comprised 11,647/336,865 (3.46%) dogs under veterinary care during 2016. The annual proportional birth rate for Chihuahuas rose from 1.01% in 2005 to 5.35% in 2016. Median adult bodyweight was 3.4 kg (interquartile range [IQR]: 2.7–4.3, range 0.8–9.8).).Median age was 2.8 years (interquartile range [IQR] 1.6–4.9). Median age at death from this young expanding population was 8.2 years (IQR 3.5–12.1). Females (10.2 years) outlived males (6.9 years) (Mann-Whitney U test: P = 0.005). The most common grouped causes of death were heart disease (18.8%, 95% CI: 10.9–29.0), lower respiratory tract disorder (16.3%, 95% CI: 8.9–26.2) and traumatic injury (13.8%, 95% CI: 7.1–23.3). The most common specific disorders were periodontal disease (13.5%, 95% CI: 12.6–14.4), obesity (5.9%, 95% CI: 5.3–6.5), retained deciduous dentition (5.7%, 95% CI: 5.1–6.4), anal sac impaction (4.9%, 95% CI: 4.4–5.5) and aggression (4.2%, 95% CI: 3.7–4.8). Among the 28 most common fine-level disorders, males had statistically (P < 0.005) higher probability than females for 5 disorders (aggression, heart murmur, otitis externa, conjunctivitis and upper respiratory tract infection). There were no disorders with statistically (P < 0.005) higher prevalence in females.ConclusionsThis study documented rising ownership and a currently youthful population of Chihuahuas in the UK. These results suggest that the Chihuahua is currently undergoing a popularity boom but veterinarians need to be watchful for welfare issues related to impulse purchase of Chihuahua puppies by owners with limited experience of dog care. Periodontal disease, obesity, retained deciduous dentition, anal sac impaction and aggression were identified as common health issues within the breed. The unique veterinary care needs of this popular miniature breed suggest that veterinarians should consider the value of advanced training in anesthesia and dentistry in small-sized dogs.

West Highland White Terriers under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2016: demography, mortality and disorders

BackgroundThe West Highland White Terrier (WHWT) is a relatively common breed in the UK, although Kennel Club registrations have declined in recent years. The VetCompass™ Programme collates de-identified clinical data from primary-care veterinary practices in the UK for epidemiological research. Using VetCompass clinical data, this study aimed to characterise the demography, longevity and common disorders of WHWTs under primary veterinary care in the UK.ResultsWHWTs comprised 6605/905,544 (0.7%) dogs under veterinary care during 2016 from 886 clinics. Mean adult bodyweight was 9.6 kg (standard deviation [SD] 1.8 kg). Males (10.1 kg, SD 1.8 kg) were heavier than females (9.0 kg, SD 1.6 kg) (P < 0.001). Median age was 7.8 years (interquartile range [IQR] 4.3–11.1). Median longevity was 13.4 years (IQR 11.0–15.0). Males (13.8 years) outlived females (12.9 years) (P = 0.045). The most common grouped causes of death were lower respiratory tract (10.2, 95% CI: 5.5–16.7), neoplastic (10.2, 95% CI: 5.5–16.7) and spinal cord disorder (7.8, 95% CI: 3.8–13.9). Overall, 71.5% WHWTs had > 1 disorder recorded during 2016. The most prevalent specific disorders were periodontal disease (15.7, 95% CI: 14.1–17.3), otitis externa (10.6, 95% CI: 9.3–12.0), overgrown nails (7.2, 95% CI: 6.2–8.4), allergic skin disorder (6.5, 95% CI: 5.5–7.7) and obesity (6.1, 95% CI: 5.1–7.2). The most prevalent grouped disorders were cutaneous (22.7, 95% CI: 20.9–24.6), dental (17.8, 95% CI: 16.2–19.6) and aural (12.3, 95% CI: 11.0–13.8). The median age of dogs affected with the 27 most common disorders varied from 6.7 (pododermatitis) to 13.9 years for cataracts.ConclusionsThese findings highlight that, despite a recent decline in popularity, WHWTs are still relatively common in the UK. Dental disease, ear disease, overgrown nails, allergic skin disorder and obesity were identified as common health issues within the breed. Cutaneous disorders were the most common disorder group in the breed but showed a lower prevalence than might be expected. These results can be used by breeders, veterinary practitioners and owners as an evidence base to predict, prevent and manage key health and welfare issues for WHWTs.

Identification of Microchip Implantation Events for Dogs and Cats in the VetCompass Australia Database.

Simple SummaryThe implantation of a microchip can maximise an animal’s chance of being returned to its owners, if separated, but is also a statutory requirement for companion animal owners in many jurisdictions across Australia. This study of the electronic patient records of 1000 randomly selected dogs and cats in the VetCompass Australia database revealed that the median age at microchip implantation was 74.4 days for individual dogs and 127.0 days for individual cats. Further exploration into the reasons for later microchipping in cats may be useful in aligning common practice with legislative requirements.In Australia, compulsory microchipping legislation requires that animals are microchipped before sale or prior to 3 months in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, and by 6 months in Western Australia and Tasmania. Describing the implementation of microchipping in animals allows the data guardians to identify individual animals presenting to differing veterinary practices over their lifetimes, and to evaluate compliance with legislation. VetCompass Australia (VCA) collates electronic patient records from primary care veterinary practices into a database for epidemiological studies. VCA is the largest companion animal clinical data repository of its kind in Australia, and is therefore the ideal resource to analyse microchip data as a permanent unique identifier of an animal. The current study examined the free-text ‘examination record’ field in the electronic patient records of 1000 randomly selected dogs and cats in the VCA database. This field may allow identification of the date of microchip implantation, enabling comparison with other date fields in the database, such as date of birth. The study revealed that the median age at implantation for dogs presented as individual patients, rather than among litters, was 74.4 days, significantly lower than for cats (127.0 days, p = 0.003). Further exploration into reasons for later microchipping in cats may be useful in aligning common practice with legislative requirements.