Martin Whiting

Estimation of the number and demographics of companion dogs in the UK

BackgroundCurrent estimates of the UK dog population vary, contain potential sources of bias and are based on expensive, large scale, public surveys. Here, we evaluate the potential of a variety of sources for estimation and monitoring of the companion dog population in the UK and associated demographic information. The sources considered were: a public survey; veterinary practices; pet insurance companies; micro-chip records; Kennel Club registrations; and the Pet Travel Scheme. The public survey and subpopulation estimates from veterinary practices, pet insurance companies and Kennel Club registrations, were combined to generate distinct estimates of the UK owned dog population using a Bayesian approach.ResultsWe estimated there are 9.4 (95% CI: 8.1-11.5) million companion dogs in the UK according to the public survey alone, which is similar to other recent estimates. The population was judged to be over-estimated by combining the public and veterinary surveys (16.4, 95% CI: 12.5-21.5 million) and under-estimated by combining the public survey and insured dog numbers (4.8, 95% CI: 3.6-6.9 million). An estimate based on combining the public survey and Kennel Club registered dogs was 7.1 (95% CI: 4.5-12.9) million. Based on Bayesian estimations, 77 (95% CI: 62-92)% of the UK dog population were registered at a veterinary practice; 42 (95% CI: 29-55)% of dogs were insured; and 29 (95% CI: 17-43)% of dogs were Kennel Club registered. Breed demographics suggested the Labrador was consistently the most popular breed registered in micro-chip records, with the Kennel Club and with J. Sainsburys PLC pet insurance. A comparison of the demographics between these sources suggested that popular working breeds were under-represented and certain toy, utility and miniature breeds were over- represented in the Kennel Club registrations. Density maps were produced from micro-chip records based on the geographical distribution of dogs.ConclusionsA list containing the breed of each insured dog was provided by J. Sainsburys PLC pet insurance without any accompanying information about the dog or owner.

Comparison of veterinary drugs and veterinary homeopathy: part 1

For many years after its invention around 1796, homeopathy was widely used in people and later in animals. Over the intervening period (1796-2016) pharmacology emerged as a science from Materia Medica (medicinal materials) to become the mainstay of veterinary therapeutics. There remains today a much smaller, but significant, use of homeopathy by veterinary surgeons. Homeopathic products are sometimes administered when conventional drug therapies have not succeeded, but are also used as alternatives to scientifically based therapies and licensed products. The principles underlying the veterinary use of drug-based and homeopathic products are polar opposites; this provides the basis for comparison between them. This two-part review compares and contrasts the two treatment forms in respect of history, constituents, methods of preparation, known or postulated mechanisms underlying responses, the legal basis for use and scientific credibility in the 21st century. Part 1 begins with a consideration of why therapeutic products actually work or appear to do so.

The authors of ‘Comparison of veterinary drugs and veterinary homeopathy: part 1 and 2’, respond

We welcome the opportunity to emphasise our concerns regarding what we view as an unethical practice by responding to the points raised in the above letter. As explained in our review, we believe that homeopathy requires the existence of a ‘healing power’ with multiple supernatural properties. According to scientific understanding, such a thing is extremely implausible, as homeopaths – including De Beukelaer and others – acknowledge. To counter this problem, the term ‘plausibility bias’ has been used in an attempt to make credulity appear a positive thing.1 We argue that plausibility bias applies in the case of all similar claims including ghosts, clairvoyance, telekinesis, miracles and yetis. Given the consensus that homeopathy is implausible, we believe it imperative that this is explained to clients before treatment …

Survey of veterinary clients' perceptions of informed consent at a referral hospital.

This retrospective questionnaire study evaluates the perceptions of veterinary clients of the informed consent process and the consent form in a veterinary referral hospital. Replicating a validated perception survey from human medicine, 470 clients at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals were surveyed on their perceptions during the consenting process through postal survey examining their understanding, experience and recall of informed consent. Of the 165 responses (35 per cent response rate), the majority of clients recalled the process and signing the form; however, half of the clients did not feel in control (51 per cent) or reassured (53 per cent) by the process. There was limited understanding of the purpose of consent, with 45 per cent thinking it removed their right to compensation for negligence and 31 per cent thought the veterinarian could do something different from the agreed procedure. Sixty per cent of clients did not read the form, as they trusted their veterinarian, but 33 per cent of clients felt frightened by the process. This survey highlights the need to understand the process of consent from the clients perspective, and adapt the consenting process to incorporate this into professional communication to ensure that the professional and contractual objectives of consent are met fully.

Evaluating #VetFinals: Can Twitter help students prepare for final examinations?

Abstract Twitter is increasingly used in education. In this article, Twitter was evaluated for its potential to aid veterinary students in their preparation for final examinations. “#VetFinals” revision sessions were facilitated by experts on a variety of topics. The initiative was evaluated through consideration of potential participants, session content and student experiences. In analysis of nine sessions, 52 students participated from eight veterinary schools. During a session, the facilitator tweeted 66 times on average, primarily asking a general question. Students on average tweeted 84 times, mostly in response to facilitators. They also asked novel questions and responded to fellow students. Focus groups and interviews with 11 students suggested that: sessions are useful for preparation/self-testing to succeed in exams; the facilitator and session style impact on learning; the sessions feel like personalized learning; there are elements of safety and exposure leading to some fear of tweeting; peer-learning promotes competition; a community of learners was formed; Twitter has become a part of normal professional life. Whilst not all students will take part in this type of social media use, many found it beneficial. The importance of the facilitator suggests the need for faculty development.

Microchipping very small dogs.

WE would like to draw attention to the case of a seven-week-old female chihuahua puppy weighing 750 g that was referred to the Royal Veterinary Colleges Queen Mother Hospital for Animals following accidental microchip placement through the caudal aspect of the skull and into the rostral brainstem. CT images were …

Building capacity to reduce biological threats in the Middle East

THE 2012 World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) vision statement describes ‘A world that is safe and secure from the accidental or deliberate release of animal pathogens, including zoonoses.’ Infectious disease agents and toxins found in animal populations and products are a considerable on-going threat to global animal health, agricultural economies, food security (crops and livestock) and public health. To address this threat the OIE has developed a strategy of capacity building and solidarity that seeks to ensure all OIE member countries have the capacity, expertise, resources and governance to comply with international standards, guidelines and recommendations for the reduction of risk from animal pathogens through malicious use or accidental release. This strategy is being achieved through a number of initiatives including ‘the development of twinning between veterinary education establishments in order to promote relevant concepts on bio-threat awareness and reduction, and to create a culture of responsible and ethical science among students’ (OIE 2012). It was within this context that a twinning initiative between the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) began in January 2015, with funding for an initial three year period to achieve biological threat reduction …

Veterinary and Animal Ethics: Proceedings of the first international conference on veterinary and animal ethics, September 2011

Contributors vii Foreword by John Webster x Preface xiii Session I Principles of Veterinary and Animal Ethics 1 Patrick Bateson 1 The History of Veterinary Ethics in Britain, ca. 1870 2000 3 Abigail Woods 2 The Idea of Animal Welfare Developments and Tensions 19 Peter Sandoe and Karsten Klint Jensen 3 Lessons from Medical Ethics 32 Carolyn Johnston 4 Veterinary Ethics, Professionalism and Society 44 Stephen A. May Session II Justifying Ends The Morality of Animal Use 59 Judy MacArthur Clark 5 Justice of Animal Use in the Veterinary Profession 63 Martin C. Whiting 6 Telos 75 Bernard E. Rollin 7 Agriculture, Animal Welfare and Climate Change 84 Steven P. McCulloch 8 Ethics and Ethical Analysis in Veterinary Science: The Development and Application of the Ethical Matrix Method 100 Kate Millar 9 The Ethics of Animal Enhancement 113 James Yeates Session III Ethical Analyses of Animal Use 133 Peter Jinman 10 Wildlife Medicine, Conservation and Welfare 135 James K. Kirkwood 11 Veterinary Ethics and the Use of Animals in Research: Are They Compatible? 155 Colin Gilbert and Sarah Wolfensohn 12 Production Animals: Ethical and Welfare Issues Raised by Production-focused Management of Newborn Livestock 174 David J. Mellor 13 Companion Animals 188 Sandra A. Corr 14 Ethical Analysis of the Use of Animals for Sport 201 Madeleine Campbell Session IV Cultural, Political, Legal and Economic Considerations 217 John Webster 15 Global Cultural Considerations of Animal Ethics 219 Michael C. Appleby 16 Animal Ethics and the Government s Policy: To Guard and Protect 229 Sophia Hepple and Nigel Gibbens 17 Veterinary Ethics and Law 245 Marie Fox 18 Ethical Citizenship 261 Bjorn Forkman 19 Principles, Preference and Profit: Animal Ethics in a Market Economy 271 John McInerney Debate: Is It Better to Have Lived and Lost than Never to Have Lived at All? 286 Patrick Bateson Index 300