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: 9th January 2024
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

New questionnaire to identify dog mobility issues
The questionnaire will detect mobility issues, even where they are mild.
The results can detect even mild mobility problems.

A new questionnaire will be able to establish if a dog is experiencing mobility issues, even if they are mild.

The GenPup-M questionnaire, created by researchers at the University of Liverpool with Dogs Trust, provides veterinary surgeons with a selection of questions to ask owners about their dog’s wellbeing and physical abilities, to assess their dog’s mobility.

The researchers say that it is estimated that up to 50 per cent of UK dogs are diagnosed with reduced mobility between the ages of eight and thirteen years. However, many mobility questionnaires only monitored the condition once it had become severe.

The new questionnaire is expected to detect mobility issues even when they are mild, enabling owners to start discussing their dog’s mobility early and consider ways they can improve its welfare.

A study into the efficiency of the questionnaire was conducted by the university, assessing how well it identified mobility issues in 62 dogs.  Of these dogs, 31 had mobility impairments and 31 did not.

The responses of the GenPup-M questions were then compared to the results of further specialist tests, including gait analysis, in a validated orthopaedic examination.

The results suggested that the questionnaire was accurately able to detect mobility issues, including where the impairments were early in onset. The GenPup-M questionnaire correlated positively with three other measures of canine mobility, including the gait analysis.

Natasha Clark, a veterinary surgeon and researcher in the Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science at the University of Liverpool, said: “Over time and if done at every check-up, the GenPup-M questionnaire can detect subtle changes in a dog's mobility, without the need for time consuming and expensive gait analysis. The tool can also aid vets in diagnosing and hopefully mitigating the development of mobility issues.

“Our research does not stop here and we will continue to research and develop GenPup-M to refine it as an even more effective tool for vets and dog care-givers.”

The academic paper on the questionnaire is published in the journal PlosOne.

Image © Shutterstock

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.