Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 16th August 2021
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Vet leads campaign to raise awareness of arthritis
Arthritis is thought to affect 35 per cent of all pet dogs in the UK.
Hannah Capon is fronting the Virtual Big Walk 2021 to raise funds for Canine Arthritis Management.

An Essex-based vet is leading a campaign to help dog owners spot the signs of arthritis and learn how to manage the condition before it progresses.

2020 RCVS Impact Award winner Hannah Capon is fronting The Virtual Big Walk 2021 through the organisation she founded, Canine Arthritis Management (CAM). The event is taking place throughout September, and she is calling on dog owners to get involved.

Hannah, who was named the 2019 Ceva Vet of the Year and Vet Personality of the Year 2019, will use the funds raised to spread awareness about arthritis - a disease thought to affect 35 per cent of pet dogs in the UK.

“It [arthritis] really is the silent killer,” commented Hannah. “It’s a leading cause of dog euthanasia; a cruel fate especially because the dog may have been showing signs of problems for a long time and owners just haven’t noticed or been aware that they are witnessing changes in their dog that are related to pain… If we can raise awareness of the signs and encourage people to catch it early, we have more options of how to successfully manage it, which will give the dog a longer life.”
 
She added: “If it’s caught early, many of the effective management strategies are free, or at least more affordable than the costs associated with complex drug regimes and other means to control pain and maintain mobility. The lives of beloved family animals can be improved and prolonged by simple, effective management of the disease with little cost, with a few simple adaptations to lifestyle, diet, and owner attitude.”

The Big Walk 2021 will celebrate the arthritic dog and take participants to locations like ‘Valley of the Kongs’, ‘Central Bark’ and ‘Bandana Beach’. It will also include a 30 day series of emails taking people on a fictional journey through the eyes of an arthritic dog, with sound bites from experts.

The money raised will go towards a new CAM website that will provide more advice, support and guidance to owners of arthritic dogs. To find out more, visit caninearthritis.co.uk/thebigwalk2021

 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.