BVA – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Licensing canine fertility services

New plans to improve animal welfare

Proposals to introduce a strict licensing framework for canine fertility businesses have been announced.

The planned licensing scheme will clamp down on unethical breeding practices, regulate the services offered, ensure higher standards of care and protect animal welfare.

Businesses offering canine fertility services will be licensed annually, and subject to regular inspections to ensure compliance with licensing conditions.

The proposals are a response to concerns raised by those in the veterinary profession and key animal welfare organisations regarding the unregulated nature of businesses offering canine fertility services.

Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie said: “It is clear to me that there are significant concerns about the activities of canine fertility businesses. It is unacceptable that these businesses can operate with little in the way of regulatory oversight or accountability.

“Our decision follows careful consideration of the views expressed following public consultation last year, as well as extensive discussions with those in the veterinary profession, animal welfare organisations and local authorities.

“Our intention to bring in these measures demonstrates that we remain firmly committed to upholding the highest standards of animal welfare in Scotland.”

Scottish SPCA Director of Innovation and Strategic Relations Gilly Mendes Ferreira says: “We have seen a surge in the establishment of canine fertility businesses in recent years, especially involving high value breeds like French Bulldogs who often struggle to give birth naturally.

“We welcome the Scottish Government’s responsiveness to our concerns and support the move to license these businesses. It will be imperative that licensing inspections are conducted by registered, experienced veterinary surgeons.

“We look forward to collaborating closely on the details of the new framework for licensing these establishments in Scotland.”

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed proposals announced today (16 August) by the Scottish Government to crack down on unregulated canine fertility clinics and unethical dog breeding practices in Scotland, following a sustained nationwide campaign by vets and animal welfare organisations.

Under the planned scheme, any businesses offering dog fertility services will need to get an annual licence and be subject to regular inspections.

The announcement follows recommendations published by BVA and BSAVA earlier this year, which included the licensing of establishments offering canine breeding services, a strengthening of enforcement of existing animal welfare regulation, and the closure of the legal loopholes that are allowing unregulated breeding practices to flourish.

Responding to the Scottish Government announcement, BVA President Dr. Anna Judson said: “The British Veterinary Association is pleased to see the Scottish Government act on the veterinary profession’s recommendations and take the lead in clamping down on unregulated canine fertility clinics.

“Vets across the UK have raised concerns over the growth in facilities offering dog breeding services without any qualifications or veterinary oversight over the last few years, fuelling a potential animal welfare disaster.

““Licensing is a hugely important first step in this crackdown. Any dog breeding facility must also have a named RCVS-registered vet in place, with requirements for active veterinary involvement and oversight at the facility at all times.

“Of course, licensing can only be successful if it is accompanied by mandatory inspections, sufficient funding for local authorities, and tough penalties for anyone found to be operating outside the law. We look forward to working with the Scottish Government in the development of a robust licensing framework.

“We are now calling on governments in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to follow suit and act swiftly to address this pressing issue of dog welfare and breeding.”

Recommendations from BVA and BSAVA’s joint policy position on canine breeding services, published in January this year, can be seen at:

https://www.bva.co.uk/take-action/our-policies/canine-breeding-services/

CMA takes next procedural step in vet services investigation

The Inquiry Group – made up of independent experts who will lead the market investigation – has set out its areas of focus

Following the launch of its market investigation into the vets sector, and in line with our usual market investigation procedures, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has today published an issues statement which sets out the Inquiry Group’s initial theories on what might be affecting competition in the sector and the potential solutions or ‘remedies’ that could be considered.

These reflect the concerns and potential remedies set out during the CMA’s market review. The issues statement covers the types of further evidence the Group plans to collect in order to test these theories and explore any remedies needed.

The issues statement does not set out any findings or conclusions at this early stage of the investigation – it is for the Group to determine whether there are competition concerns in the market and how best to address them.

In determining its initial areas of focus, the Group – chaired by Martin Coleman – has considered all the work carried out so far, including evidence gathered during the market review and responses to the consultation on whether to launch a market investigation.

The Group will gather a wide range of evidence including information from veterinary professionals and businesses of all sizes, suppliers to those businesses, regulators and pet owners. The Group plans to hold hearings and roundtables, visit veterinary practices and referral hospitals to understand the vet sector more fully, and publish working papers to share its emerging thinking at certain points in the investigation.

At this early stage in the investigation, publishing this issues statement will assist those submitting evidence to focus on the issues the Group is most concerned about. As the investigation progresses, further issues may be identified.

The CMA must generally conclude a market investigation within 18 months from the date that the reference is made (with a potential additional 6 months for putting remedies in place) and the final report is expected by November 2025 at the latest.

The consultation on this issues statement is open until midnight on 30 July 2024 and responses should be sent to vetsMI@cma.gov.uk. The Group will consider the views it receives as part of its ongoing investigation.

For more information, including the full administrative timetable and members of the Inquiry Group, visit the Vets case page. This page includes a video to Martin Coleman, Chair of the Inquiry Group and a member of the case team, answering questions about the investigation.

The Investigation timeline so far:

The CMA launched a market review on 7 September 2023.
A consultation on the proposal to launch a market investigation reference opened on 12 March 2024.
On 23 May 2024, the CMA, in exercise of its powers under sections 131 and 133 of the Enterprise Act 2002 (the Act), launched a full market investigation in relation to the supply of veterinary services for household pets in the United Kingdom.

BVA President: Reform of Veterinary Surgeons Act necessary to support profession in challenging times

Speaking at the British Veterinary Association (BVA) annual Scottish Dinner in the Scottish Parliament last week (8 May), BVA President Dr. Anna Judson highlighted how vets in Scotland have shown resilience in the face of ongoing challenges to the profession. She also called for important legislative reforms for animal welfare and for futureproofing the veterinary professions.

Addressing guests including Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, BVA Honorary Member Edward Mountain MSP, other Members of the Scottish Parliament, as well as senior representatives from animal health and welfare organisations and colleagues from across the veterinary profession,

Dr Judson highlighted issues including the significant threats from avian influenza and the expected spike in Bluetongue virus cases; the impact of the XL Bully ban on vets in practice; and the intense pressure on vet teams following the negative media coverage of the proposed Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation into the UK’s vet services market for pets.

Speaking about the CMA review, Dr Judson reiterated BVA’s support for “healthy competition and informed consumer choice”, highlighting the organisation’s new guidance to help vet practices provide greater client choice by improving transparency around fees and practice ownership.

She also cautioned about the impact of “inaccurate and unfair media reporting” on vet teams, saying: “We’re keen to see healthy competition and informed consumer choice within the veterinary services market and this external scrutiny is a welcome opportunity to reflect and ensure we’re continuing to deliver the best possible service for both patients and clients.

“However, we are also acutely aware of the impact the CMA review is having on the profession. Inaccurate and unfair media reporting, characterising vets as scammers who are preying on pet owners’ desire to do the very best for their animals, is leading to many vet teams reporting increased levels of abusive behaviour from clients, both in person and online.

“Of course, this portrayal of vets simply isn’t true and as a practising vet of more than 30 years, who knows first-hand the quality of care which vet teams deliver day in, day out, it’s painful to see our profession misrepresented in this way.

“I’m pleased to be able to stand here and tell you that BVA is tackling this issue head on, both with the media and by ensuring the veterinary profession’s perspective is fully heard and understood by the CMA.”

Dr Judson emphasised the importance of reflecting on what the profession can do “to rebuild the trust between us and our clients” and the steps BVA is taking to support all vets.

She said: “We have developed guidance for our members and the wider veterinary profession on how practices can be more transparent in relation to vet fees and practice ownership, improving how we explain prescribing and dispensing options for veterinary medicines, and ensuring we explain different treatment options which take into account the full range of clients’ circumstances, known to vets as providing ‘contextualised care’. It’s a positive step that will help move the profession forward.”

Despite the challenges posed by the CMA investigation, the BVA President acknowledged that it also presented an opportunity for positive change and expressed the hope that it would act as a catalyst for a much-needed reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

Dr Judson called on gathered delegates to help BVA put pressure all political parties to keep this issue on the agenda and ensure this UK-wide legislative change happens, saying: “We cannot build a modern and effective veterinary profession on the foundations of legislation which was created in a very different era.

“The current Veterinary Surgeons Act fails to embrace the potential of the wider veterinary team. We do not work in isolation as vets, we are closely supported by others – such as registered veterinary nurses, vet techs, musculoskeletal professionals and equine dental technicians, yet these important roles are not recognised.

“The legislation fails to offer any legal protection for the title of veterinary nurse. Highly skilled and qualified, registered veterinary nurses work closely with veterinary surgeons, yet no formal training or qualifications are actually required for someone to call themselves a ‘veterinary nurse’.

“This must be rectified. As must the Act’s failure to regulate veterinary practices, meaning that individual vets and veterinary nurses are held accountable for business decisions which can directly impact on animal health and welfare. This is simply not appropriate.”

Dr Judson went on to highlight BVA’s calls for another key legislative change for animal welfare and public health. Speaking about the recent bans against XL Bully-type dogs, she welcomed the opportunity to work closely with Scottish Government as the details of the ban were developed.

However, she cautioned that breed-specific legislation has “consistently failed to protect people since its introduction,” saying: “Alongside our work to support the veterinary profession through these bans, we are continuing to press the UK Governments, in Scotland working alongside MSPs, for a complete overhaul of the dangerous dogs legislation.

“Breed specific legislation as enshrined in the Dangerous Dogs Act is ineffective and hard to enforce. It must be replaced with breed neutral legislation which deals with aggression in all dogs, and has responsible dog ownership and training at its core. Only then can we properly protect the public.”

The BVA President ended her speech by thanking BVA Scottish Branch colleagues for all their hard work and support, and welcoming Vivienne Mackinnon, who was formally elected as the new Branch Junior Vice President at the AGM on Tuesday afternoon.

Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, responded to the speech as BVA’s Guest of Honour.

More lost pets to return home as microchipping system reformed

Reforms will help reunite thousands of lost or stolen animals every year and deter pet theft

Lost or stolen pets will be reunited with their owners more quickly under reforms to the pet microchipping system announced today (29 March).

With over nine million pet dogs and nine million pet cats in England, it is devasting for owners when they are lost or stolen. Microchipping is the most effective and quickest way of identifying pets, with microchipped dogs more than twice as likely to be reunited with their owner.

Reforms set out today will help reunite stray pets by making microchip records easier to access, improving the accuracy of microchip information, and standardising database operator processes.

The new measures will help deter pet theft by creating more opportunities for suspicious activity to be flagged. This will include requiring database operators to provide a field indicating whether the pet has been reported as ‘missing’, strengthening the process for transferring keepership of a pet by ensuring the current keeper has 28 days to object, and preventing the creation of duplicate records.

The changes also include the creation of a central portal that approved users – including vets, local authorities, and police – can use to search microchip records rather than having to contact separate databases individually, which can delay the time taken for pets to be returned home.

Animal Welfare Minister Lord Douglas Miller said: ““Pets are treasured members of the family so it can be devasting for owners when they are lost or stolen.

“These vital reforms will simplify the microchipping system to make it quicker for vets, local authorities and police to access important information when they need it, helping to safeguard pets from theft and increase the likelihood of lost pets being returned home.”

Michael Webb, Battersea’s Head of Policy & Public Affairs, said: “Battersea is incredibly pleased with these reforms to the microchipping system, which will improve services for owners, enforcers and rescues alike.

“We see dogs and cats arrive at our centres every day with out-of-date microchips, or sadly no microchip at all, making it near impossible for our staff to reunite people with their pets.

“These reforms, which we have been calling for for some time, will not only help rescues like Battersea reunite more pets in less time, but also hopefully better protect dogs and cats from theft.

“With only several weeks to go until the law requires millions of cats to be microchipped, it is vital that the country’s microchipping system is as effective and robust possible and we will continue to work with Defra and other organisations to ensure that this is the case.”

RSPCA Chief Executive Chris Sherwood said: “Microchipping our pets is so important and provides reassurance and security, should they go missing, that they’ll be able to be identified and returned home quickly.

“A centralised portal with more accurate records will ensure that animals who end up with vets, local authorities and charities, like the RSPCA, can be traced back to their owners as quickly as possible, minimising the stress and anxiety they may feel being away from everything they know.”

British Veterinary Association President Anna Judson said: “Microchipping is a vital tool for vets working to identify lost pets and to successfully reunite them with their owners. The British Veterinary Association has been pressing for action to address issues with the current database system, which have been a source of ongoing frustration.

“These new measures are a positive step forwards and the new portal should help vet teams to check multiple databases quickly, identify and reunite cats and dogs with their owners and provide prompt treatment where needed.”

Today’s announcement follows a government consultation on the issue in which over 96% of respondents expressed support for the measures, and progresses an Action Plan for Animal Welfare pledge and key recommendations from the Pet Theft Taskforce.

It also builds upon wider work to make it easier for lost, stray, or stolen pets to be returned home safely, including making it compulsory to microchip all pet cats in England by 10 June 2024.

Westminster is also clamping down on pet theft by taking forward key recommendations from the Pet Theft Task Force, and have recently confirmed Government support for the Pet Abduction Bill.

These commitments are part of a wider Government effort to build on our existing world-leading animal welfare standards.

Since publishing the Action Plan for Animal Welfare in 2021, Westminster has brought in new laws to recognise animal sentience, introduced tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences; announced an extension of the ivory ban to cover other ivory bearing species; supported legislation to ban glue traps, the import of detached shark fins and measures to ban the advertising and offering for sale of low welfare activities abroad.

Watchdog identifies ‘multiple concerns’ in veterinary industry

The CMA has today published its main concerns following an initial review into the veterinary sector

CMA provisionally decides it should launch a formal Market Investigation.
Initial review prompts over 56,000 responses from public and vet industry.

The review by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) highlights multiple concerns in the market, including:

Consumers may not be given enough information to enable them to choose the best veterinary practice or the right treatment for their needs.
Concentrated local markets, in part driven by sector consolidation, may be leading to weak competition in some areas.
Large corporate groups may have incentives to act in ways which reduce choice and weaken competition.
Pet owners might be overpaying for medicines or prescriptions.
The regulatory framework is outdated and may no longer be fit for purpose.

The CMA has provisionally decided that it should launch a formal Market Investigation focused on its provisional analysis of the issues in the sector and is now consulting on this proposal.

A Market Investigation enables the CMA to investigate its concerns in full and to intervene directly in markets if it finds that competition is not working well. Along with compelling those under investigation to provide information, it gives the CMA access to a wide range of legally enforceable remedies, such as mandating the provision of certain information to consumers, imposing maximum prescription fees and ordering the sale or disposal of a business or assets.

Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said: “We launched our review of the veterinary sector last September because this is a critical market for the UK’s 16 million pet owners. The unprecedented response we received from the public and veterinary professionals shows the strength of feeling on this issue is high and why we were right to look into this.

“We have heard concerns from those working in the sector about the pressures they face, including acute staff shortages, and the impact this has on individual professionals. But our review has identified multiple concerns with the market that we think should be investigated further.

“These include pet owners finding it difficult to access basic information like price lists and prescription costs – and potentially overpaying for medicines. We are also concerned about weak competition in some areas, driven in part by sector consolidation, and the incentives for large corporate groups to act in ways which may reduce competition and choice.

“Given these strong indications of potential concern, it is time to put our work on a formal footing. We have provisionally decided to launch a market investigation because that’s the quickest route to enable us to take direct action, if needed.”

The CMA’s concerns

Based on the evidence gathered so far, the CMA has 5 key concerns that it proposes to investigate further:

Consumers may not be given enough information to enable them to choose the best veterinary practice or the right treatment for their needs.

Most vet practices do not display prices on their website – of those practices checked, over 80% had no pricing information online, even for the most basic services. Pet owners tend not to shop around between vet practices and assume prices will be similar, although that is not always the case.
People are not always informed of the cost of treatment before agreeing to it – around one fifth of respondents to the CFI said that they were not provided with any cost information before agreeing to tests, around one in 10 said they were not provided with cost information before their pet had surgery, and around half said they were not informed about costs before agreeing to out of hours treatment.
A company can own multiple vet practices in a local area without making that clear – for example, only 4 out of 6 of the largest groups don’t change the name or branding when they take over an independently owned vet practice. This means pet owners are not always comparing competitors when choosing a vet practice.

Concentrated local markets, in part driven by sector consolidation, may be leading to weak competition in some areas.

Market concentration measures how many competitors operate in a particular market – the fewer firms operating in a market, the more concentrated it is.

In 2013, around 10% of vet practices belonged to large groups, but that share is now almost 60%, and many of the large groups have expressed an intention to continue expanding their business through acquisition of independently owned practices.
To illustrate this another way, since 2013 1,500 of the 5,000 vet practices in the UK have been acquired by the 6 large corporate groups (CVS, IVC, Linnaeus, Medivet, Pets at Home and VetPartners).
This may reduce the number of business models in locations where most or all of the first opinion practices are owned by one large corporate group, giving less choice to consumers because they tend to choose practices close to home.

Large integrated groups may have incentives to act in ways which reduce choice and weaken competition.

Given the significant and ongoing growth of large corporate groups, the CMA is concerned that:

The large, integrated corporate groups (especially those whose business models include significant investment in advanced equipment) may concentrate on providing more sophisticated, higher cost treatments, meaning that consumers are less able to access simpler, lower cost treatments even if they would prefer that option.
To varying extents, the large vet groups have also bought businesses which offer related services such as specialised referral centres, out of hours care, diagnostic labs and/or crematoria. These large groups may have the incentive and ability to keep provision of these related services within the group, potentially leading to reduced choice, higher prices, lower quality and exit of independent competitors.

Pet owners might be overpaying for medicines or prescriptions.

Vets must use signs in reception or treatment rooms to tell customers that they can get a prescription for medicine and buy it elsewhere, but the CMA is concerned that these may not be effective. While it can be convenient to buy a medicine directly from the vet as part of a consultation, around 25% of pet owners did not know that getting a prescription filled elsewhere was an option – meaning they are missing out on potential savings, even with the prescription fee.
Some vet practices may make up to a quarter of their income selling medicines – so there may be little incentive to make pet owners aware of alternatives.
The current regulatory regime may contribute to concerns by restricting veterinary practices’ ability to source cheaper medicines online.

The regulatory framework is outdated and may no longer be fit for purpose.

The main regulation in the industry dates from 1966, before non-vets were able to own vet practices. It relates to individual practitioners, not practice owners or vet practices as businesses. This means that the statutory regulator, the RCVS, has limited leverage over the commercial and consumer-facing aspects of veterinary businesses, for example how prices are communicated or whether there is transparency about ownership of vet practices or related services.
The RCVS has put in place a Practice Standards Scheme which applies to the vet practice rather than individual vets. Only 69% of eligible practices have signed up to this voluntary scheme, meaning that almost a third of the market has not committed to this approach.
The provisional view is that outcomes for consumers could be improved if regulatory requirements and/or elements of best practice could be monitored or enforced more effectively.

Next steps

The CMA has launched a 4-week consultation to seek views from the sector on the proposal to launch a market investigation. The consultation closes on 11 April 2023 at which point it will consider the responses received and a decision will be made on how to proceed.

For further information visit the veterinary services case page. This includes the consultation document which sets out more details and statistics on today’s update.

A response from the British Veterinary Association to follow

Vets call on Government to license unregulated dog fertility clinics

British Veterinary Association and British Small Animal Veterinary Association urge crackdown on services linked to organised crime and unethical breeding of fashionable dog breeds

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) are calling on Government to license premises offering unregulated fertility treatments for dogs, such as ‘canine fertility clinics’, many of which are undertaking medical procedures on animals without any veterinary involvement, putting the health and wellbeing of dogs and their litters at risk.

Regulation would also help to close the legal loopholes that are enabling unethical and irresponsible breeding. Some of these services have been linked to organised crime and potentially dangerous breeding practices, as reported by BBC One’s Panorama in January 2022 and BBC Three’s ‘Britain’s Puppy Boom’ exposé in July 2021.

Undercover footage showed people with no veterinary qualifications or regulation illegally taking blood from animals, advocating the unlicensed use of medicines, demonstrating poor animal handling and hygiene, as well as potentially illegal acts such as entering a body cavity during artificial insemination.

The call comes as BVA’s latest Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey shows that irresponsible breeding or sourcing of animals is the top animal health and welfare concern for vets in the UK, with over half (55%) vets in clinical practice citing it as the most pressing issue.

More than 9 in 10 (93%) vets are concerned about the boom in unregulated breeding services, such as canine fertility clinics, which offer procedures like semen collection and analysis, progesterone testing, ultrasound scanning, and trans-cervical or intra-vaginal artificial insemination without any veterinary involvement. Worryingly, among vets who work in companion animal practice, 30% said they were aware of such establishments operating in their local area last year.

BVA has now launched its new joint policy position on canine breeding services with the BSAVA. Key recommendations for government include:

Amend current animal welfare licensing legislations across the UK [Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 and equivalent devolved regulations] so all operators of establishments operating without direct involvement of an RCVS-registered veterinary surgeon requirea licence, with mandatory inspections by trained Local Authority personnel.
Increase the penalties for those in breach of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, including non-veterinarians and non-veterinary nurses or non-RCVS-registered vets carrying out acts of veterinary surgery.
Strengthen Local Authorities’ (and other relevant devolved bodies’) enforcement capacity.
Improve data sharing between Local Authorities and establish a framework so that there is a consistent application of existing regulations.
Strengthen the legislation regarding the use of stud dogs under the dog breeding licensing regime and address the current legislative loopholes around the ownership of breeding bitches. It is currently possible for breeders breeding three or more litters in a year to circumvent licensing requirements by making use of a co-owning agreement with another person, who will take ownership of the dog while it is pregnant.

British Veterinary Association Junior Vice President Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux said: “Vets across the UK are extremely concerned about unscrupulous individuals cashing in on the huge demand for certain fashionable puppy breeds by offering dog breeding services like artificial insemination and blood sampling without any qualifications or veterinary oversight, fuelling a potential animal welfare disaster.

“The British Veterinary Association would like to see the Government act swiftly to clamp down on these unregulated and dangerous practices, including bringing in licensing, mandatory inspections, and tough penalties if they are found to be operating outside the law.

“Our advice to anyone looking to get a puppy or to breed their dog is to always speak to their vet first. Ask any dog breeding premises the right questions before using their services to avoid getting duped. This includes questions around the staff’s qualifications and training, how they are regulated, and about relevant health tests to make sure the dog is fit to breed in the first place.”

British Small Animal Veterinary Association President Carl Gorman said: “The surge in the number of commercial businesses offering canine breeding services in the UK, driven by an increased demand for puppies, is a real cause for concern among vets in small animal practice.

“The procedures advertised by some such businesses, if carried out by unqualified laypersons, pose potential risks to the health and behaviour of the dogs involved and also their puppies.

“BSAVA would encourage breeders and prospective owners of puppies to do their homework when engaging the services of a breeding clinic or when getting a new puppy. For clinics, always ask who the veterinary qualified professionals are for the premises and also if the business provides an out-of-hours service.

“For prospective puppy buyers, the new addition to the family is a long-term commitment and brings with it responsibility, so it’s important to find out about the breed of your new puppy and ask to see its parents, especially the mother.

“BSAVA would like to see canine breeding services better regulated and unscrupulous breeding practices robustly tackled to protect animal health and welfare.”

BVA and BSAVA’s recommendations on canine breeding services can be viewed at: https://www.bva.co.uk/take-action/our-policies/canine-breeding-services/

Vets urge owners to create safe spaces for pets ahead of Bonfire season

As fireworks season approaches, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) is urging pet owners and animal keepers to start preparing now to prevent possible injury and distress to their pets and livestock in the run up to Bonfire Night (5 November), Diwali (12 November) and New Year’s Eve (31 December).

Each year, vets across the UK treat animals with firework-related injuries. By far the most commonly reported cases were self injuries caused by fireworks-related anxiety, such as tooth injuries to dogs from chewing furniture or fractures in horses that had bolted from their fields. The debris and remnants of fireworks and paper lanterns in fields and surrounding countryside can also pose a serious risk of injury to livestock, wildlife and zoo animals.

Signs of fireworks-related distress can vary from animal to animal. While some pets show obvious signs of fireworks-related anxiety, such as panting, drooling and attempts to escape, there are also more subtle signs that owners should be aware of, including restlessness and toileting in the house.

Cats often hide, while rabbits may keep very still and thump the ground with their back feet. Poultry are especially at risk of ‘smother’, where in a fear response birds huddle together, which can result in death for some.

British Veterinary Association Junior Vice President Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux said: “The loud whizzes, bangs and whistles of rockets, Roman candles and sparklers can be fun for some of us, but fireworks displays can be extremely traumatic for animals. Each year, vets treat animals with injuries as a result of stress and fright, as well as burns.

“Contact your vet now to discuss noise desensitisation techniques, pheromone products and other treatments that may be appropriate for your pet. Make sure pets are microchipped with up-to-date details in case of escape. You can also take simple steps around the house now, such as creating a den for dogs and cats, to keep them safe and calm when fireworks start.

“If your pet gets significantly distressed by fireworks, ask your vet about longer-term treatment options, which can be successful with professional input and owner commitment and patience.”

BVA suggests ten top tips to help pet owners and livestock keepers prepare animals as fireworks season approaches.

Top tips to keep animals safe:

Talk to your vet to discuss treatment options for fireworks-induced stress. This may include drugs to help dogs with noise phobias or pheromone products to apply next to your pets’ den and around the house to keep them calm.
Create a well-padded den for your pet to access ahead of fireworks season so they have a safe place to hide when fireworks start.
Ensure your pet is microchipped and your details are up to date on the database, in case it runs away from home.
Move small pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs to a quiet place indoors.
Close windows and curtains and provide background noise to help mask the fireworks.
If your pet is distressed, remain calm yourself. Restlessness or toileting in the house can be signs of stress, so don’t punish them.
Keep livestock housed at times when fireworks are likely to be set off locally and remove any firework debris from grazing pasture before letting them out.
Horses may be better turned out in a field than stabled, as in a stable they may feel enclosed and unable to move. Owners should consult a qualified equine behaviourist if they have significant concerns about their horse’s response to fireworks.
If you’re hosting a fireworks display, avoid setting them off near horses, livestock or companion animals. Dispose of any debris and remnants of fireworks responsibly.
Before lighting a bonfire, remember to check for any wild animals that may be hiding in it.

Expert dog welfare group shares advice for helping to keep flat-faced dogs safer in the heat

‘WHEN IN DOUBT DON’T GO OUT’

During summer last year, when the UK faced record-breaking high temperatures of over 40C in July, over 50% of dogs treated for ‘heatstroke’ by PDSA* were those with flat faces (brachycephalic breeds) such as Pugs, British & French Bulldogs and Shih Tzus.

With the summer season underway, a group of UK dog welfare experts is urging owners of flat-faced dog breeds to take extra care to protect these dogs in the warm weather.

The poor ability of these types of dogs to keep themselves cool by panting because of their abnormally flattened faces means that they are at huge risk of heatstroke in hot weather.

A survey by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) showed that over half of vets surveyed had treated flat-faced dogs for heatstroke in the past year.

In a separate BVA survey, following last year’s record-breaking heatwave, many vets also reported being especially concerned about the impact of hot weather on flat-faced dogs, with some vets worried that owners often did not recognise visible or audible signs of heat stress in their dogs.

The Brachycephalic Working Group (BWG), a national group of the UK’s leading dog health and welfare organisations and vets, has issued advice specifically aimed at owners of flat-faced breeds, to help protect these dogs in the hotter temperatures and summer sunshine:

Help them stay cool in hot weather – Dogs don’t sweat like humans do; instead the main way they cool themselves down is by panting. The limited breathing abilities of some flat-faced dogs means they often struggle to cool themselves down and ineffective panting in these dogs only further exacerbates their breathing difficulties.

Encourage your dog to stay in shaded areas, avoid exertion (such as outdoor walks or a game of fetch) and stay indoors through the heat of the day. Never leave flat-faced dogs in a car or conservatory, where they can overheat rapidly even on a relatively mild or overcast day.

Plan your walks – Always avoid the warmest parts of the day to head out with your dog. Plan your walks for dawn and dusk. If this isn’t possible, it’s far better to skip a walk rather than risk a flat-faced dog going outside – a dog can develop heatstroke in as little as 15 minutes in warm conditions.
Keep cool with fresh drinks – Ensure your dog stays well hydrated by placing bowls of fresh water around the house. And for an extra cool drink, you can add in some ice-cubes.
Spot the early signs your dog is struggling with the heat – Being aware of physical changes to your dog from over-heating can enable owners to intervene earlier, hopefully before heatstroke sets in. Look out for the following changes in your dog: breathing more heavily than usual, having less energy, less playful than normal, panting more, stumbling or laying down.
Recognising the signs of heatstroke – Being able to spot the signs of heatstroke and knowing when to act can save your pet’s life. Signs can vary from excessive panting, confusion, bright red gums, foaming at the mouth, vomiting, diarrhoea, collapse or even seizures.
Cool your dog down quickly – if your dog shows any of the above signs, it’s essential to cool them down as quickly as possible. Move them into a cool area, pour cool water from the cold tap and offer them small amounts of water to drink. Be sure to contact your vet as soon as possible so they can offer the best advice for your situation. Always remember to ‘cool first, transport second’1 when taking your dog for veterinary care for heatstroke.
Knowing Pet First Aid could save your pet’s life – Being comfortable and able to perform Pet First Aid before you get to a vet could be vital for your dog in an emergency, especially in cases of heatstroke. PDSA has a free Pet First Aid guide, full of tips and tricks for pet owners, should the worst happen.

Due to their flattened skull shapes, flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs do not have the naturally longer nose that helps other types of dogs to lose heat during panting, meaning flat-faced breeds often struggle more than other types of dogs to lose heat effectively.

These problems are exacerbated in hot weather and especially if the dogs are exercised. Owners of flat-faced breeds should be extra vigilant in the summer months when it’s likely to be warmer than usual. Warm weather can be fatal for all breeds of dogs, so it is important all owners are aware of the severe dangers.

Dr Dan O’Neill, Chair of the BWG, said: “Flat-faced dogs are currently hugely popular in the UK but owners of these breeds need to especially vigilant to protect their dogs from heatstroke.

“Avoid exercise during hot parts of the day and wet these dogs liberally as soon as they show are any signs of overheating.

“If you are concerned, contact your vet as soon as possible. The core message is ‘when in doubt, don’t go out – Dogs Die on Hot Walks’.”

The BWG, which is made up of veterinary associations, welfare organisations, universities, the government, breeders and dog owners, has more information about heat-related illness in brachycephalic dogs, and an infographic with advice, on the Group’s website.

Veterinary education ‘sits on a precipice’

In a speech at the Scottish Parliament this week (Tuesday 16 May), British Veterinary Association (BVA) President Malcolm Morley warned that the future of veterinary education in Scotland ‘sits on a precipice’ and called for adequate long-term funding to secure sustainable provision of inclusive veterinary education and, with it, the future of the country’s agrifood economy.

Addressing more than 80 guests at BVA’s Annual Scottish Dinner, Dr Morley highlighted that Scotland had long been at the forefront of veterinary education but that the impressive work of its vet schools, including the new development of SRUC’s school of veterinary medicine, needed crucial Government support to remain sustainable and to plug veterinary workforce challenges, especially in Scotland’s rural and remote areas.

Dr Morley said: “Scotland has long been at the forefront of veterinary education and is home to two of the oldest veterinary schools in the UK. The exciting development of SRUC’s School of Veterinary Medicine is timely, offering a new model and aiming to increase access to the profession and encourage graduates to stay in rural areas once qualified — complementing the impressive work already underway in Scotland’s existing vet schools.

“However, more than ever, it’s crucial that the Scottish Funding Council provides the necessary financial support. The reality is that current funding per Scottish vet student doesn’t meet the cost of providing this education — and while the vet schools have been increasingly resourceful in implementing innovative models, the future of veterinary education in Scotland sits on a precipice if sustainable long-term funding is not assured.”

Addressing guests including George Burgess, the Scottish Government’s Director of Agriculture and Rural Economy, MSPs, and key representatives from animal health and welfare organisations and colleagues from across the veterinary profession, Dr Morley also underlined the importance of investing in the people and infrastructure of crucial public sector veterinary services.

He said that central to this was the recognition that investing in people was not just about investing in vets, but other members of the vet-led team, such as vet techs, musculoskeletal professionals and equine dental technicians.

Dr Morley called for Scottish Government to join BVA in lobbying Defra for urgent legislative reform of the “outdated” Veterinary Surgeons Act, which “doesn’t recognise these important roles or enable us to embrace the full potential of the wider veterinary team”.

He also welcomed potential plans for a Scottish Veterinary Service and recognised the work of the Highlands and Islands Veterinary Services Scheme (HIVSS), and its coordinator Freda Scott-Park, in supporting veterinary provision to remote crofting communities.

Speaking about agricultural transition in Scotland, Dr Morley underlined that veterinary engagement will be key to its successful development and that it must support animal health and welfare and sustainability.

He said: “The new agricultural policy offers the opportunity to harness the unique and trusted relationship which exists between vets and farmers, empowering collaboration to drive positive outcomes on all levels. Central to this is developing sustainable agricultural practices that minimise environmental impact and prioritise animal health and welfare.

To enable this, we must ensure there is veterinary engagement and representation on key bodies such as the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board, AREOB, and safeguard animal health and welfare as a central component of agricultural transition — alongside our custodianship of the land.”

Turning to aquaculture, Dr Morley highlighted the recent publication of BVA’s position on UK sustainable finfish aquaculture and vets’ critical role in taking a One Health approach to it.

“We’re calling for dynamic, consolidated regulation, with a more joined up approach to how new and existing fish farms achieve consent to build on a new site. We are also calling for improved research and development in the aquaculture sector – particularly around issues like the measurement of welfare outcomes and welfare at the time of slaughter.”

The BVA President ended his speech by thanking BVA Scottish Branch colleagues for their energy, commitment and expertise, as well as outgoing Scottish Branch President Romain Pizzi for his contributions. He welcomed Gareth Hateley to his new role as BVA Scottish Branch President.

Mild spring weather potentially more dangerous for pets than extreme summer heatwaves, vets warn

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has released new statistics showing that during last year’s record-breaking heatwave, where temperatures soared to in excess of 40C, vets saw fewer cases of heat-related conditions in pets, such as heatstroke, burnt paw pads, sunburn and breathing difficulties, than the hot summer of 2018, which was by comparison significantly cooler.

Responding to BVA’s Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey, vets pinpointed the extensive media coverage and a red extreme heat warning issued in 2022, but not in 2018, as a key factor in generating higher awareness of the dangers and appropriate preventative action being taken among owners to protect their pets.

In 2022, half (51%) of all vets in the UK saw cases of animals requiring treatment for heat-related conditions compared with 66% in 2018. In both surveys, dogs were the most common type of animal seen with heat-related conditions, seen by 51% of small animal vets in 2022, followed by rabbits (9%) and cats (6%).

As the weather begins to warm up, BVA is urging owners to start taking extra precautions now, during these seemingly cooler months, to keep pets safe from heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses. The advice comes as vets fear that owners may have their guard down in these deceptively milder days, which can be as risky for dogs, cats, rabbits and other pets as during peak summer months.

British Veterinary Association Junior Vice President Anna Judson said: “These new figures are a stark warning to pet owners not to be caught off guard by the seemingly cooler months of late spring and early summer.

“We might not be in the midst of a record-breaking heatwave, however, when the sun comes out from behind the clouds, cars, pavements and spaces like conservatories can quickly heat up and pets are at risk of overheating.”

Dogs need extra care

Dogs are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They can struggle to stay cool in high temperatures and humid conditions since, unlike humans, they are unable to cool down quickly through sweating, making them vulnerable to overheating. Even a very short walk in the middle of the day or being locked in a car for a few minutes can prove to be fatal.

Flat-faced breeds such as English or French bulldogs and pugs are at even greater risk, as their short muzzles can make breathing difficult, and therefore they struggle to cool down through panting, which is a dog’s main way to cool its body temperature.

Anna added: “Each year, vets across the country report seeing large numbers of cases involving dogs who require treatment for heat-related conditions. Dogs won’t stop enjoying themselves and exercising because it is hot, so owners need to take action to prevent them overheating .

“This includes making sure pets aren’t walked or exercised in the middle of a hot day or left inside a car or conservatory, even when it is overcast or even for a little while, as ‘not long’ can prove fatal. Early signs of heatstroke in dogs include heavy panting, drooling, restlessness, bright red or very pale gums, and lack of coordination.”

Other animals

Anna outlines some of the signs of heat related illness in other pets: “Signs of heatstroke in rabbits include drooling, lethargy, short and shallow breaths, red and warm ears, wet nose and seizures.

“If your pet has overheated, take it to a cool, well-ventilated place, give it small amounts of cool (not ice-cold) water to drink, and pour room-temperature water over it to cool it down. Seek immediate advice from your vet.”

Vets’ top warm weather tips:

Make sure all pets always have access to fresh water to drink, adequate ventilation and shade from direct sunlight at all times. This includes birds in cages or aviaries and rabbits in hutches. Provide extra shade to guinea pigs by covering the top of wire mesh runs with damp towels.
Don’t exercise dogs in the hottest parts of the day: especially older dogs, overweight dogs, flat-faced breeds or dogs that you know have heart or lung problems. Stick to early morning or late evening walks.
Do the five-second tarmac test before taking a dog out for a walk; if it feels too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
Never leave dogs in vehicles. If you see a dog in distress inside a hot car, call 999.
Rabbits and guinea pigs cannot sweat or pant to regulate their body temperature and cool down. Keep the hutch or run away from direct sunlight at all times of the day.
Flystrike is a life-threatening risk for rabbits and guinea pigs in the warmer months, Check their bottoms twice daily to see if they are clean and to spot early signs of fly eggs or maggots. A ‘sticky bottom’ is not only at much higher risk of flystrike, it may be due to a problem with your rabbit’s teeth or digestion. Speak with your vet for advice on how reduce the risk of flystrike.
Some breeds of cats and dogs, particularly those with lighter-coloured or finer fur, may also benefit from pet-appropriate sun cream, especially on the ear tips, which are prone to sunburn.
Spare a thought for wild animals. Keep out bowls of water for wildlife such as birds and hedgehogs.