Page 11 - Clinical Connections - Autumn 2019

Research News
NEUTERING AND IDIOPATHIC EPILEPSY
A VetCompassTM study has examined the association between neutering and the severity and survival of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, published data on which was previously sparse.
This recent study used VetCompass data on 117 Labrador retrievers and 57 Border collies, diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy, to examine the evidence-base for these associations.
Prior published research had suggested some beneficial effect of neutering in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. However, these new VetCompass results do not support a recommendation to neuter dogs with idiopathic epilepsy within an evidence-based treatment plan.
The recent RVC study found
the majority of neutered epileptic dogs were neutered before the onset of seizures, the age at onset did
not differ between intact and dogs neutered before onset and that the probability of cluster seizures did not differ across sex-neuter groups.The researchers also found that intact males and intact females had longer median survival times than dogs neutered before onset.
The study, ‘Associations between neutering and idiopathic epilepsy in Labrador retrievers and Border collies under primary veterinary care in the UK’ is available in The Veterinary Journal.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ article/pii/S1090023319300930
KEY FINDINGS FROM PERSIAN CAT STUDY
Issue: Autumn 2019
64.9%
OF PERSIAN CATS HAD
AT LEAST ONE DISORDER RECORDED
THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF DEATH WERE KIDNEY DISEASE (23.4%) AND CANCER (8.5%)
DENTAL DISEASE WAS MORE COMMON IN MALES
CLAW/NAIL PROBLEMS WERE MORE COMMON IN FEMALES
THE MOST COMMON
12.7% HAIRCOAT 11.3% DISORDER
SPECIFIC DISORDERS:
5.8%
13.5 YEARS AVERAGE LIFESPAN OF
7.2%
DENTAL DISEASE
OVERGROWN NAILS
EYE DISCHARGE
PERSIAN CAT HEALTH RISKS
Almost two thirds of Persian cats suffer from at least one health condition, according to the largest every study of this breed.
The researchers, from the RVC in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, analysed the clinical records
of 3,325 Persian cats using the RVC’s VetCompass programme. This enabled them to identify health trends of cats treated under first-opinion veterinary care across the UK in 2013.There are an estimated
100,000 Persian cats in the UK.
The high levels of dental and eye problems
seen in Persians are thought to result from the brachycephalic headshapes of these cats. The study findings can help breeders to select which cats to breed from, veterinarians to spot diseases earlier and owners to ensure that they take preventive measures for common conditions in the breed.
The study is published in Nature Scientific Reports
and is freely available on open access: https://www. nature.com/articles/s41598-019-49317-4
A PERSIAN CAT
BRITISH BULLDOG OWNERSHIP DOUBLES DESPITE HEALTH THREATS
Ownership of British bulldogs doubled between 2009 and 2013, according to
the largest ever study of British bulldogs treated in first-opinion veterinary practices.
The research, led by the RVC’s VetCompass programme, revealed that British bulldog ownership rose from 0.35% of all puppies born in 2009 to 0.60% in 2013. Sadly, however, the findings also show that 12.7% of British bulldogs suffer from ear infections, 8.8% from skin infections and 8.7% from obesity.
The study also demonstrates that there are a number of conditions that are more
prevalent in British bulldogs than in other dog breeds.These include skin fold dermatitis (7.8%), prolapsed gland of the third eyelid or ‘cherry eye’ (6.8%), interdigital cysts (3.7%), entropion or inward turning of the eyelid (3.6%), and corneal ulceration (3.1%). Many of these issues are linked with certain ‘desired aesthetics’ encouraged when breeding British bulldogs, such as the wrinkly face.
Disturbingly, only 3.5% of the 1,621 British bulldogs analysed in the study were formally diagnosed with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS).This suggests owners consider breathing problems such as snoring as normal for this flat-faced
breed and are therefore not taking the dogs for much-needed check-ups with their vet.
Other key findings by the researchers include: Males are more to develop skin infection, interdigital cysts, atopic dermatitis and aggression, whereas females are more likely to develop dental disease and obesity. The most common causes of death are heart disease (11.8%), cancer (10.9%) and brain disorder (9.1%).The average lifespan of bulldogs is 7.2 years.
The study is published in PLOS ONE and is freely
available on open access: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/ journal.pone.0217928
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