PetSavers Old Age Pets Research Project

16/12/2024

https://bsava.com/article/bsava-petsavers-partners-with-idexx-animana-to-promote-toolkit-for-senior-dog-owners/

BSAVA PetSavers has partnered with IDEXX Animana practice management software, to include the Ageing Canine Toolkit contents in their UK release of the Veterinary Content Cloud, further increasing its reach to veterinary professionals and senior dog owners across the UK. The Ageing Canine Toolkit wa...

12/12/2024

The third research paper from our OAP study is out! Thanks to BSAVA PetSavers for funding this Wag-Lab Westgarth Anthrozoology Group Research study. Here Jodie used electronic health records to identify when vets start using words related to old and ageing dogs and classify which conditions were being discussed.

When do dogs enter old age? New study provides answers

29/10/2024

Do you have your copies of the Ageing Canine Toolkit yet?

In 2022 BSAVA PetSavers funded a major research project – the PetSavers Old Age Pets Research Project – at the University of Liverpool. The aim was to help vets and owners provide the best care for their senior dogs. Key findings from the study were used to develop a traffic light colour-coded checklist to help owners know whether to seek advice from a veterinary practice and to guide discussions during consultations. This became known as the Ageing Canine Toolkit or ACT. Digital versions of the leaflet as an editable pdf and a poster are freely available to download https://ow.ly/irrA50TMB4V.
Veterinary professionals from the UK can request FREE printed copies of the leaflet and poster for their practices through the BSAVA Store.

26/08/2024

Delighted that our Ageing Canine Toolkit is being built into practice management software.

This we’re really excited to announce that we’ve partnered with IDEXX Animana practice management software to include the Ageing Canine Toolkit contents within their UK release of the Veterinary Content Cloud. This further increases its reach to veterinary professionals and senior dog owners across the UK.

The Ageing Canine Toolkit includes a leaflet and accompanying poster for practice waiting rooms. The leaflet contains information about the more common health problems affecting ageing dogs, and several copies of the checklist for owners to use regularly at home to monitor their dog as they age.

Find out more: https://ow.ly/52HV50T5ufl

17/05/2024

The team at Zero Pain Philosophy are happy to share details of an exciting new quality of life assessment tool for senior dogs, the ACT toolkit, available digitally for free using the link below.
https://bit.ly/4dGa3nO

Funded by BSAVA PetSavers and developed by Professor Carri Westgarth, Dr Lisa Wallis, and their team at the University of Liverpool, this new toolkit is the result of research into owner and veterinary experiences, expectations, and attitudes to ageing in dogs.

What were the results?
Owners often find it difficult to distinguish between ‘normal’ age-related changes (signs of ageing) and signs that may indicate disease, for which seeking veterinary care is appropriate.

What does it focus on?
The tool covers the clinical signs associated with the common age-related conditions, including mobility, dental disease, weight changes, cognitive decline, incontinence, excessive thirst, and masses. It also asks owners if they have any concerns regarding their dogs’ quality of life and introduces them to preparing for end-of-life discussions.

How is the toolkit designed to be used?
The aim is for pet owners to begin using the traffic light colour-coded checklist when their dog is middle aged, ~7-8yrs old depending on breed. It is advised to complete the checklist every 6 months, keeping previous results filed for reference.

The hope is that this can encourage regular health screening, helping owners identify changes easier and encouraging them to communicate more with veterinary practices and seek care earlier in a disease process.

09/05/2024

Great to see our most recent publication funded by BSAVA PetSavers reported in the Vet Times

Team at the University of Liverpool finds vets and owners disagree on how many times an older dog should visit a practice and whether senior dogs still need