BACKGROUND: The inability to adopt a hands-on approach can be viewed as a limitation to provide veterinary care virtually. The objective of this study was to establish guidance to support the remote delivery of a compani...BACKGROUND: The inability to adopt a hands-on approach can be viewed as a limitation to provide veterinary care virtually. The objective of this study was to establish guidance to support the remote delivery of a companion animal physical examination by video. METHODS: A modified approach to the Delphi method was followed. Five interviews with experienced veterinarians and existing literature were used to identify potential components for the companion animal physical examination conducted by video. The results informed an initial questionnaire, which was distributed to veterinarians with telemedicine experience using purposive and snowball sampling. Three rounds of online questionnaires were distributed, with consensus set a priori at 90%. RESULTS: Fourteen participants were recruited and completed round 1. Of these, 10 participants completed round 2, and seven completed round 3. A total of 42 physical examination components were evaluated throughout the three rounds. Of these, consensus was reached that 19 components were possible to perform via video. Another 15 components were deemed not possible to perform by video. Eight components did not reach consensus either way. LIMITATIONS: Loss to follow-up was experienced, which may weaken the strength of the consensus. CONCLUSION: The findings offer guidance and support for veterinarians in conducting components of the companion animal physical examination by video when the clinical context is appropriate.
BACKGROUND: Extreme cephalic conformation has been theorised to be associated with compromised health in rabbits. However, recognition and assessment of such phenotypes remain largely subjective. This study aimed to deve...BACKGROUND: Extreme cephalic conformation has been theorised to be associated with compromised health in rabbits. However, recognition and assessment of such phenotypes remain largely subjective. This study aimed to develop and validate a visual, semi-quantitative system for head shape phenotype in rabbits. METHODS: Images of rabbits were collected and visually analysed for comparative phenotypic patterns, with a 1-5 grading scale subsequently created. Initial validation of the system was conducted via an online pilot survey across 24 experienced individuals. Interobserver agreement across scores was calculated to assess the reliability of the system. RESULTS: The proposed system yielded strong, 'almost perfect' and statistically significant interobserver agreement for cephalic assessment (W = 0.908, 95% bias-corrected and accelerated [BCa] confidence interval [CI]: 0.858-0.950; α = 0.880, 95% CI: 0.875-0.885), with largely positive feedback from veterinary professionals. LIMITATIONS: Further development and validation of the system are required for complete, reliable assessment of all rabbits, particularly those with longer fur. Wider participation in the validation of this method from across the profession is also necessary. CONCLUSION: This system has the potential to enhance conformational assessment in rabbits. Implementation of the system in clinical practice may help to promote awareness of potential conformation-associated health risks and catalyse discussions regarding responsible ownership. The system may also support further studies into the precise influence of conformation on disease risk.
BACKGROUND: Our observational study aimed to investigate the interobserver agreement between mobility observers of different research institutes. METHODS: Interobserver agreement when using a four-point mobility score wa...BACKGROUND: Our observational study aimed to investigate the interobserver agreement between mobility observers of different research institutes. METHODS: Interobserver agreement when using a four-point mobility score was assessed among 10 experienced observers. Video footage comprised of individual clips of 207 unique cows recorded while walking on nine different farms. Gwet's agreement coefficient (AC1) and Fleiss' kappa were calculated and reported to measure the agreement between observers. RESULTS: Lameness (mobility score ≥ 2) prevalence estimates for the video footage sample varied from 36.2% to 57.0% between observers. The pairwise interobserver agreement (Gwet's AC1) ranged from 35.6% to 74.5%. The average observer agreement was 47.8%-66.9%, with three observers below 60%. Measuring across all observers, overall agreement was poor (Fleiss' κ = 0.28) despite their high level of experience. LIMITATIONS: Our study used a small pool of observers with considerable experience in mobility scoring. We also used videos to ensure consistency in the cows presented to the observers, which may not be reflective of real-world scoring conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Standardisation procedures for lameness outcome assessments (among researchers and by logical extension, assessors working in the field) urgently require further development.
BACKGROUND: There is concern that feeding instructions on commercial cat food labels may overestimate energy needs of cats, especially with the high prevalence of overweight and obese cats. This study aimed to evaluate a...BACKGROUND: There is concern that feeding instructions on commercial cat food labels may overestimate energy needs of cats, especially with the high prevalence of overweight and obese cats. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the feeding recommendations provided on cat food labels in Belgium against the Fédération Européenne de l'Industrie des Aliments pour Animaux Familiers (FEDIAF) average recommendations for adult cat energy intake. METHODS: Feeding instructions from cat foods, labelled as nutritionally complete for adults and available in Belgian shops, were analysed. Energy intake recommendations of individual labels and intake medians across groups of labels were evaluated against average energy factors established by FEDIAF. RESULTS: Most of the individual cat food labels analysed recommended a mean daily energy intake within the average FEDIAF-established range. Statistical medians of label recommendations across groups of products were compared with FEDIAF-recommended energy factors in both weight groups. Feeding instructions given in grams aligned more closely with FEDIAF guidelines when compared to those using the package as the measuring unit. LIMITATIONS: Feeding instructions were interpreted based on label content, which may not reflect owner practices. Additionally, some estimates relied on assumed food energy values using information available on the package labels. CONCLUSIONS: While feeding recommendations on cat food labels offer a useful starting point for determining daily portion sizes, this study highlights the importance of cat owners' understanding in how to adjust daily food intake to maintain their cat's ideal bodyweight.
BACKGROUND: Social media is a major source of pet health information. On platforms such as TikTok, algorithm-driven recommendations may expose users to health-related content even without active searching. This study des...BACKGROUND: Social media is a major source of pet health information. On platforms such as TikTok, algorithm-driven recommendations may expose users to health-related content even without active searching. This study described tick prevention videos on TikTok. Understanding how tick prevention is portrayed online can inform evidence-based communication. METHODS: The 50 most-engaged English-language TikTok videos under the hashtag #tickprevention addressing tick prevention for dogs or cats were analysed. Video characteristics and content categories were coded using inductive content analysis. RESULTS: Videos showed substantial engagement, with median values of 1652 likes (range 146-8583), 40 comments (range 9-207), 330 shares (range 15-2074) and 495 saves (20-2181). Most videos (92%) were created by influencers (i.e., non-veterinary creators), and over one-third contained paid promotions, primarily for non-prescription or natural products. Topical tick repellents (33%) and non-prescription products (30%) were commonly promoted, often framed as 'chemical-free' or 'safe'. The most common content categories were demonstrating usage (27%) and promoting natural or holistic methods (26%). LIMITATIONS: Only analysing the top 50 English-language videos under one hashtag may underrepresent lower-engagement and non-English content. CONCLUSION: TikTok tick prevention content is mostly influencer driven with limited expert participation, but high engagement suggests opportunities for veterinarians to share evidence-based messaging on short-form platforms.
BACKGROUND: Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) are retroviruses that affect cat longevity and health. This study aimed to assess the impact of retroviral status on life expectancy in a...BACKGROUND: Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) are retroviruses that affect cat longevity and health. This study aimed to assess the impact of retroviral status on life expectancy in a feline sanctuary population, which includes cats with behavioural issues and retroviral infections. METHOD: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on 132 cats, including 22 uninfected, 82 FIV, 24 FeLV and four FeLV/FIV individuals. Lifetime clinical records were analysed, lifespan analysis estimates were calculated using Kaplan‒Meier analysis and common clinical conditions were assessed. RESULTS: The median life expectancies were 160.3 months for uninfected cats, 149.1 months for FIV, 41.5 months for FeLV and 74.2 months for FeLV/FIV. Both FeLV and FIV infections significantly reduced longevity (p < 0.001 for FeLV and p = 0.037 for FIV), although this reduction was less marked for FIV. Neoplasia, especially lymphoma (76.9%), was strongly associated with FeLV (p < 0.001), and oral disease was significantly linked to FIV (p = 0.004). LIMITATIONS: The study is limited by the low number of animals, particularly in the FeLV/FIV and uninfected cohorts. Statistical analysis of these groups should therefore be considered with caution. CONCLUSION: FeLV infection markedly shortens lifespan and increases the risk of lymphoma, whereas FIV-infected cats are less likely to live to extremely old age.
Josh Loeb reports on new Vet Record research exploring the health and welfare of donkeys working across a range of licensed activities in Great Britain.Josh Loeb reports on new Vet Record research exploring the health and welfare of donkeys working across a range of licensed activities in Great Britain.
Chris May proposes a pathway to identify increased suicide risk by recognising a novel mechanism leading to existential fatigue.Chris May proposes a pathway to identify increased suicide risk by recognising a novel mechanism leading to existential fatigue.