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Heat-related illness (or heatstroke) is a potentially fatal condition in dogs that can be triggered by hot environments or physical activity. Awareness by dog owners and veterinary professionals of the key risk factors and triggers for heat-related illness can promote mitigation strategies to reduce the incidence and severity of the condition. Owners should seek veterinary treatment if their dog develops heat-related illness, but should always ‘cool first, transport second’ before travelling to their vet clinic. Recommended active cooling methods include immersing the animal in water or pouring water over the animal and ensuring air movement, for example using a fan or air conditioning. This article summarises recent research exploring the epidemiology of heat-related illness in UK dogs and aims to debunk common myths related to canine cooling.

Cats are a hugely popular pet in the UK, so greater awareness of common disorders affecting owned cats would assist owners to make better healthcare decisions. This article summarises a recent paper reporting on the most commonly diagnosed disorders in cats within VetCompass during 2019, with dental and obesity conditions at top of the list. Veterinary teams can improve feline health and welfare by sharing this information with owners.

Domestic rabbit breeds vary substantially from the wild rabbit body type. However, little is known about how the conformation of pet rabbits influences their health. Data were extracted from VetCompass anonymised clinical records of rabbits under UK primary veterinary care during 2019. The study included 162,107 rabbits. Based on 88,693 rabbits with relevant breed information recorded, skull shape was classified as brachycephalic (79.69%), mesaticephalic (16.80%) and dolichocephalic (3.51%). Based on 83,821 rabbits with relevant breed information recorded, ear carriage was classified as lop‐eared (57.05%) and erect‐eared (42.95%). From a random sample of 3933 rabbits, the most prevalent disorders recorded overall were overgrown nail(s) (28.19%), overgrown molar(s) (14.90%) and obesity (8.82%). Compared to those with a mesaticephalic skull shape, brachycephalic rabbits had lower odds of obesity, anorexia and gastrointestinal stasis and higher odds of perineal faecal impaction, tear duct abnormality and haircoat disorder. Compared to erect‐eared rabbits, lop‐eared rabbits had higher odds of perineal faecal impaction and tear duct abnormality. A large proportion of records with incomplete breed information hindered full analysis for breed‐related and conformation‐related attributes. Limited evidence for major links between skull shape or ear carriage conformations and overall disorder risk suggests that factors such as husbandry or even just living life as a domesticated species may be bigger drivers of common health issues in pet rabbits in the UK.

Dogs are exposed to increasing environmental risk for developing heat‐related illness (HRI), with 2022 recorded as the hottest year to date in the UK and most of Europe. This study used VetCompass data to report the incidence risk, event fatality rate and canine risk factors for HRI in dogs presenting to Vets Now emergency care practices in the UK during 2022. From the clinical records of 167,751 dogs under care at Vets Now emergency clinics in 2022, 384 HRI events were identified. The 2022 incidence risk of HRI within the Vets Now caseload was 0.23% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21%‒0.25%), with an event fatality rate of 26.56% (95% CI: 21.66%–32.25%). Multivariable analysis identified breed, age and sex/neuter status as risk factors for HRI. Brachycephalic dogs had 4.21 times the odds of HRI compared to mesocephalic dogs (95% CI: 3.22‒5.49, p< 0.001). The clinical data used in this study were not primarily recorded for research and had some substantial levels of missing data (especially patient bodyweight). In order to protect canine welfare, improved long‐term mitigation strategies are urgently needed to minimise HRI risk and associated fatality in UK dogs.

Some prior evidence has suggested that lop‐eared rabbits and those with brachycephalic skull conformations have a higher dental disease risk. This retrospective cohort study reports the frequency and conformational risk factors for primary‐care veterinary diagnosis with dental disease in companion rabbits in the UK. Anonymised VetCompass clinical records were manually reviewed to confirm dental disease cases. Risk factor analysis used multivariable binary logistic regression modelling. From 161,979 rabbits under primary veterinary care in 2019, the 1‐year period prevalence of overall dental disease was 15.36% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.78–15.96). The prevalence of dental disease affecting incisors was 3.14% (95% CI: 2.87–3.44), and for cheek teeth it was 13.72% (95% CI: 13.17–14.29). Neither lop‐eared conformation nor brachycephalic skull conformation was significantly associated with increased odds of dental disease. Dental disease odds increased as age increased and decreased as bodyweight increased. This study retrospectively accessed clinical records, so breed names may sometimes be imprecise. The high overall prevalence of dental disease represents a major welfare concern for all companion rabbits, regardless of conformation. This information can be used to encourage regular routine dental assessment of rabbits of all conformations to promote earlier diagnosis, paying particular attention to older rabbits and those with low bodyweight.

The paucity of published veterinary clinical audits suggests that clinical audit is an under‐used tool for quality improvement (QI) in the veterinary profession. Therefore, a continuous QI process was designed and implemented at a UK multisite small animal emergency practice, focusing on audit of clinical management of canine dystocia. Data collection phases were undertaken in 2014, 2019 and 2021, with intervening knowledge dissemination activities. Nine variables relating to clinical management of canine dystocia were selected as audit criteria in the initial dataset, and 21 variables were measured in each subsequent phase. Between 2014 and 2021, statistically significant increases (p< 0.05) were demonstrated in recording of bodyweight, use of diagnostic imaging, use of ultrasonography, recording of fetal heart rates, use of calcium gluconate, and use during caesarean section of intravenous fluid therapy, multimodal analgesia, full agonist opioids, paracetamol and local anaesthesia. Statistically significant decreases were demonstrated in median first quantity and median first dose of oxytocin, and in the use of NSAIDs during caesarean section. A clinical audit planning template was created for future audits. Typical case presentation and management of canine dystocia cases may vary between dedicated emergency and non‐emergency primary‐care settings. This study demonstrates the feasibility of large‐scale veterinary clinical audit and suggests that the application of the clinical audit process promotes learning within the veterinary team and improved clinical outcomes.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important endocrine disorder in dogs. This study explored prior exposure to glucocorticoids or antibiotic treatment as risk factors for developing DM in dogs attending primary‐care VetCompass clinics in the UK. A breed frequency matched case–control study nested in a cohort of dogs (n= 480,469) aged 3 years or over was used to explore associations between glucocorticoid and antibiotic exposure and the odds of developing DM. A total of 565 cases and 2179 controls were included. Dogs with DM had over four times the odds of exposure to glucocorticoids within 6 weeks prior to diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] 4.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.41–6.89, p< 0.001) compared to controls within 6 weeks prior to a randomly selected quasi‐date of diagnosis. Dogs that had only one unique documented antibiotic course had a decreased odds of developing DM (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.46–0.91, p= 0.012) compared to dogs that had no documented courses of antibiotics. This study only included selected breeds, so the results may not be generalisable to all dog breeds. Exposure to glucocorticoids is associated with a substantial increase in the risk of developing DM for the dog breeds included in this analysis.

To estimate the annual incidence risk of leptospirosis diagnosis in practice‐attending dogs in the UK during 2016 and identify risk factors for diagnosis. Incidence of leptospirosis diagnosis in dogs during 2016 was estimated from dogs in primary‐care practices from the VetCompass Programme (n= 905,543). A case‐control study of laboratory cases (n= 362) versus VetCompass controls explored factors (age, sex, neutering, breed, Kennel Club group, urban‐rural location, indices of deprivation) associated with leptospirosis diagnosis through multivariable logistic regression. Annual incidence risk of leptospirosis in the VetCompass population was 0.8 cases per 100,000 dogs (0.0008%, 95% CI 9.1 × 10–8–5.2 × 10–5). Adult dogs, especially 1‐ < 5 years olds (odds ratio [OR] = 0.38, 95% CI 0.27–0.54), and dogs attending urban clinics (OR = 0.26, 95% CI 0.19–0.35) had reduced odds of leptospirosis versus dogs < 1 year old and rural dogs, respectively. Dogs attending clinics in less deprived areas had increased odds of diagnosis (OR = 3.63, 95% CI 2.28–5.78) compared to crossbreds, Cocker Spaniels (OR = 4.25, 95% CI 2.65–6.84), Collies (OR = 3.53, 95% CI 2.22–5.62) and Lurchers (OR = 3.49, 95% CI 1.50–8.11) had increased odds of diagnosis. Leptospirosis is rarely diagnosed in clinical practice, suggesting that many true cases may be missed. Demographic risk factors identified here may inform the index of suspicion and encourage increased use of confirmatory diagnostic testing.

Background: Non‐neoplastic anal sac disorders (ASD) are frequent presentations for dogs in primary‐care practice but evidence‐based information on disease occurrence and risk is sparse. This study estimates prevalence, breed associations and other risk factors as well as reporting on clinical management. Methods: A cohort study of dogs attending VetCompass practices between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2013. Risk factor analysis used multivariable logistic regression methods. Results: Of 104,212 dogs attending 110 UK practices, the 1‐year period prevalence of ASD was 4.40% (95% CI: 4.22–4.57). Compared to crossbreds, six breeds showed increased odds of ASD (Cavalier King Charles spaniel, King Charles spaniel, Cockapoo, Shih‐tzu, Bichon Frise and Cocker spaniel), and six breeds showed reduced odds (Labrador Retriever, Border collie, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Lurcher, German Shepherd Dog and Boxer). Brachycephalic types had 2.6 times the odds for ASD compared to dolichocephalic types. Medication prescribed for ASD included antimicrobials (n = 480, 20.24%) and analgesics (n = 284, 11.97%). Anal sacculectomy was performed in under 1% of cases. Conclusions: High prevalence, strong breed predispositions and evidence of severity suggested from the antimicrobial and analgesic therapies combined with current substantial knowledge gaps identify ASD as a key research‐neglected syndrome in dogs.

The domestic rabbit is a common pet species, but limited research exists on the health of pet rabbits. This study aimed to characterise common disorders of pet rabbits and reasons for mortality as recorded by veterinary practices in England. This cross‐sectional study covered anonymised clinical records of 6349 rabbits attending 107 primary veterinary care clinics. The median age was 3.2 years (interquartile range (IQR) 1.6–5.1), and the median adult bodyweight was 2.1 kg (IQR 1.7–2.6). The most common breed types were domestic (n=2022, 31.9 per cent), lop (1675, 26.4 per cent) and Netherland dwarf (672, 10.6 per cent). For those rabbits that died during the study period, the median age at death was 4.3 years (IQR 2.1–7.0). The most common causes of death were recorded as myiasis (prevalence 10.9 per cent, 95 per cent confidence interval (CI): 7.4 to 15.2), anorexia (4.9 per cent, 95 per cent CI: 4.0 to 10.4), recumbency/collapse (4.9 per cent, 95 per cent CI: 4.0 to 10.4) and ileus (4.3 per cent, 95 per cent CI: 3.5 to 9.5). The most prevalent specific disorders recorded were overgrown claw/nails (16.0 per cent, 95 per cent CI: 14.5 to 17.5), overgrown molar(s) (7.6 per cent, 95 per cent CI: 6.6 to 8.7), perineal soiling (4.5 per cent, 95 per cent CI: 3.7 to 5.4), overgrown incisor(s) (4.3 per cent, 95 per cent CI: 3.5 to 5.2) and ileus (4.2 per cent, 95 per cent CI: 3.4 to 5.0). This study augments the limited evidence base on rabbit health and can assist veterinarians to better advise owners on optimal animal husbandry priorities.

Canine dystocia is a relatively common veterinary presentation. First opinion emergency care clinical data from 50 Vets Now clinics across the UK were used to explore dystocia management and outcomes in bitches. Caesarean section (CS) was performed on 341/701 (48.6 per cent (95 per cent CI 44.9 to 52.4)) of dystocia cases. The bulldog (OR 7.60, 95 per cent CI 1.51 to 38.26, P=0.014), Border terrier (OR 4.89, 95 per cent CI 0.92 to 25.97, P=0.063) and golden retriever (OR 4.07, 95 per cent CI 0.97 to 17.07, P=0.055) had the highest odds of CS among dystocic bitches compared with crossbreds. Brachycephalic dystocic bitches had 1.54 (95 per cent CI 1.05 to 2.28, P=0.028) times the odds of CS compared with non‐brachycephalics. Oxytocin was administered to 380/701 (54.2 per cent) and calcium gluconate was administered to 82/701 (11.7 per cent) of dystocic bitches. 12 of 701 dystocia cases (1.7 per cent) died during emergency care. These results can help veterinary surgeons to provide better evidence on the risks to owners who may be contemplating breeding from their bitches. In addition, the results on the management and clinical trajectory of dystocia can facilitate clinical benchmarking and encourage clinical audit within primary care veterinary practice.