K-BAD: Estimating the Kanine Burden of Animal Disease in the UK (In Progress)

People: David Brodbelt, Dan O'Neill

Vet Compass Project Type: Dog

This project aims to assess canine disease burden in the UK, focusing on key breeds, and model the effects of potential changing breed ownership patterns on the overall health of the UK dog population. 

Pre-owned pooches: Characterising commercial and private re-homing and re-selling systems for dogs aged > 16 weeks in the UK and implications for canine welfare (In progress)

People: Rowena Packer, Dan O'Neill, Bree Merritt

Vet Compass Project Type: Dog

This PhD project will explore the re-sale of dogs over 16 weeks old that are sold through online advertisements in the UK: the demographics of dogs advertised; the demographics, motivations, and experiences of their sellers and buyers; and how the UK public perceives the online re-sale of dogs compared to other rehoming options.

Morris Animal Foundation Canine Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme (In progress)

People: David Brodbelt, Dan O'Neill, Sandra Guillen, Collette Taylor

Vet Compass Project Type: Dog

This project aims to explore the frequency of different cancers and factors associated with these cancers in dogs from the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study cohort. Alongside this, VetCompass health data will be examined to explore cancer frequency and risk factors in both Golden Retrievers and the wider, UK primary-practice attending population. 

A solution right under our nose? Exploring health implications and public demand for brachycephalic ‘designer’ outcrosses (In Progress)

People: Dan O'Neill, Rowena Packer

Vet Compass Project Type: Dog

Do brachycephalic-outcrosses exhibit improved respiratory and ‘innate’ health characteristics compared to their extreme-brachycephalic parent-breed?

Do brachycephalic-outcrosses meet the aesthetic-preferences of people who desire extreme-brachycephalic purebreds?

Validating the VetCompass Clinical Grading Tool for Heat-related Illness in Dogs (In Progress)

Vet Compass Project Type: Dog

This MRes project aims to extend an earlier body of theoretical work based on general first opinion caseloads by evaluating and validating the VetCompass Clinical Grading Tool in real-world clinical cases presenting for emergency veterinary care in the UK.

Canine health and welfare research funding in the UK: Current status and future opportunities (Complete)

People: Dan O'Neill, Rowena Packer

Vet Compass Project Type: Dog

This project, supported by four leading UK canine charities in partnership with the RVC, explored the levels and distribution of UK canine health research funding over the last decade, and analysed the areas of research this has included. Through collaborative discussion with funders, vets, scientists, dog breeders and owners, the project developed a joint strategy to agree priorities for future research funding decisions.

The DogWeb Survey (Complete)

People: Michelle Farrow, Rowena Packer, Dan O'Neill

Vet Compass Project Type: Dog

This study aims to explore whether and how online information sourcing affects the decision-making of UK canine caregivers when deciding whether to seek veterinary care for dogs exhibiting clinical signs of disease.

Improved Stewardship to Protect Veterinary Antimicrobial Usage in UK Cats and Dogs (In Progress)

People: Stuart Becker, David Brodbelt, Dan O'Neill, Sian Frosini, Noel Kennedy, David Church

Vet Compass Project Type: Dog, Cat, Small Animal

Funded by the Petplan Charitable Trust, this project aims to identify and promote effective and practical antimicrobial stewardship interventions for widespread adoption in veterinary practice.