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Questionnaire for Italian spinone owners
Study to improve breed genetics

Italian spinone owners have been asked to participate in a survey to help understand and treat common health defects in the breed.

Specialists at the Kennel Club Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust (AHT) are looking into cancer, epilepsy and gastric dilation/torsion (bloat) to help them treat such conditions in future patients.

Owners of Kennel Club (KC) registered Italian spinones that were born between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2011 are urged to complete a questionnaire.

The questionnaire forms part of a genetics study. By understanding these health defects, it is hoped that breeders will be able to rear healthier Italian spinone generations in the future.

The AHT and KC have already worked together to develop DNA tests for various other breeds in a similar way, including beagles and cavalier King Charles spaniels.

KC Secretary Caroline Kisco said: "Breeders and breed clubs all want to understand, treat and ultimately eliminate conditions that can affect their beloved breed. The Kennel Club registers around 250,000 puppies each year and these vast pedigree records and our contact with breeders are vital to helping us improve the health of all dogs in the future.

"We are grateful to the Italian Spinone Breed Club of Great Britain for supporting this study and look forward to working with breeders and the Animal Health Trust on this important project.”

Cathryn Mellersh, head of genetics at the centre, added: “At the moment we don’t have a clear picture about the incidence of cancer, epilepsy and bloat in the Italian Spinone. By working with the breeders of Kennel Club registered dogs, we hope to considerably increase our understanding of these diseases, so that we can find treatments and develop tools that will help breeders to breed future generation of Spinones that are less likely to be affected.”

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Germany FMD import restrictions eased

The UK government has lifted the import restrictions placed on FMD-susceptible commodities from Germany.

The decision comes after the country was recognised as foot-and-mouth disease free without vaccination on 14 May.

Imports of FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products from Germany were originally banned, after the country reported a case of FMD near Brandenburg in January. In March, the UK government permitted imports from outside of the outbreak zone.

Germany will now be able to import FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products into the UK, providing they meet other import conditions.

The decision follows rigorous technical assessment of measures in Germany. Defra says it will not hesitate respond to FMD outbreaks.