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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

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 ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥˜designerÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥™ outcrosses (In Progress)

People: Lizzie Youens, 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 (In Progress)

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, will explore the levels and distribution of UK canine health research funding over the last decade, and analyse the areas of research this has included. Through collaborative discussion with funders, vets, scientists, dog breeders and owners, the project will develop 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.

RCVS VetCompass Equine Pandemic Project (Complete)

People: Sarah Allen, Dan O'Neill, Jackie Cardwell, Kristien Verheyen, David Brodbelt

Vet Compass Project Type: Horse

The COVID-19 pandemic presents a serious challenge for the customer-facing veterinary profession.  To ensure minimal disruption to essential veterinary services, new COVID-mitigated working protocols were quickly implemented, however, little is known about the impact of the pandemic on equine veterinary care in the UK.  The aim of this project was to describe equine veterinary activity before and during the pandemic and explore the contribution of telemedicine to case management. 

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

People: 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.

Are lop-eared rabbits more predisposed to dental and ear diseases than erect-eared rabbits? (Complete)

People: Charlotte Burn, David Brodbelt, Joanna Hedley, Dan O'Neill

Vet Compass Project Type: Rabbit

We aim to deepen understanding of the animal welfare impacts of dental and ear disease in rabbits, and to identify breed related risk factors for these. We plan to use the new information to improve rabbit welfare by raising awareness of any dental and ear health implications from selecting for rabbit with extreme morphology.  

VetCompass eClinical Trials (In Progress)

People: Dan O'Neill, David Brodbelt, Ruby Chang, Noel Kennedy

Vet Compass Project Type: Dog

The study aims to develop innovative statistical approaches to veterinary electronic patient records to evaluate the effectiveness of clinical interventions in dogs.

BVetMed RP2 Research Projects (In Progress)

People: Dan O'Neill, David Brodbelt

Vet Compass Project Type: Dog, Cat, Small Mammal, Exotic

All BVetMed veterinary undergraduates at the RVC are required to complete a formal piece of research (named Research Project 2 “RP2”) as part of their route towards gaining a veterinary degree. This project is a Level 7 body of work that is at the level of a master’s project. VetCompass supports students to undertake these RP2 projects at the RVC. The Kennel Club Charitable Trust has supported several VetCompass RP2s annually on topics related to canine health.

Use of Systemic Antimicrobials in UK Equine Practice (Complete)

People: Kristien Verheyen, Dan O'Neill, David Brodbelt

Vet Compass Project Type: Horse

The project aims to investigate the use of systemic antimicrobials in UK equine practice using anonymised veterinary electronic patient record data.

Diabetes mellitus and antibiotics ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥“ exploring the use of antibiotics as a risk factor for the disease (Complete)

People: Lucy Davison, David Brodbelt, Dan O'Neill

Vet Compass Project Type: Dog

The project aims to report the incidence of canine diabetes mellitus cases diagnosed in primary care veterinary practices in the United Kingdom and to describe and explore systemic antibiotic usage prior to dogs developing diabetes mellitus.

RVC Pandemic Puppies Research Programme (In Progress)

People: Rowena Packer, Dan O'Neill, Claire Brand, Kim Stevens, Bree Merritt

Vet Compass Project Type: Dog, Pandemic Puppies

The ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥ (RVC) is calling for respondents for its survey on puppy buying experiences both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Antimicrobial usage in farm animal veterinary practice in the UK: A mixed-methods approach (In Progress)

People: David Brodbelt, Dan O'Neill, Richard Booth

Vet Compass Project Type: Farm Animal

The aims of this study are to estimate current antimicrobial usage in Farm Veterinary Practice and investigate the intrinsic factors and extrinsic factors associated with farm veterinarian decision-making when prescribing antimicrobials as well as exploring the drivers behind farmers' decision when using antimicrobials.

Hot Dogs ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥“ investigating the epidemiology of canine heatstroke presenting to UK primary care veterinary practices (Complete)

Vet Compass Project Type: Dog

The project, funded by Dogs Trust, aims to improve our understanding of the incidence, underlying causes and risk factors associated with heatstroke in dogs. and  at Nottingham Trent University are working in collaboration with Dr Dan O'Neill at the ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥ on this project.

Canine leptospirosis: Improving diagnostics and understanding of the epidemiology of disease in UK dogs (In Progress)

People: Brian Catchpole, David Brodbelt

Vet Compass Project Type: Dog

The project, co-sponsored by BBSRC and MSD, aims to improve the diagnostics of Leptospirosis in canids. 

Re-Inventing Diagnosis and Management of Canine Hyperadrenocorticism (Complete)

People: Dan O'Neill, David Brodbelt, David Church

Vet Compass Project Type: Dog

This project, funded by Dechra, aims to determine better methods for the earlier detection and monitoring of hyperadrenocorticism in dogs.  More effective diagnosis and monitoring may result in improved quality of life.

Earlier Onset Urinary Incontinence in the Bitch and its Association with Neutering (Complete)

People: Dan O'Neill, David Brodbelt

Vet Compass Project Type: Dog

Funded by BSAVA PetSavers, this project aims to evaluate major risk factors for development of urinary incontinence in bitches.  In particular, it will explore the association between neutering and age at time of neutering with onset of early incontinence. 

Equine VetCompass: Guiding Evidence-Based Equine Healthcare (Complete)

People: Kristien Verheyen, David Brodbelt

Vet Compass Project Type: Horse

Funded by the RVC’s Mellon Fund for Equine Research and RCVS Knowledge, this project aims to estimate the prevalence of, and determine risk factors for, the most common disorders affecting horses attended to by veterinary practitioners in the UK.