• Microchipping is front of mind for UK pet owners as new regulations come into force
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier identified as the most popular dog breed across the Pets at Home Vet Group
• Growing Alabama Rot and feline TB threats to increase pet health awareness
• Reptile wellbeing in focus, with further insight into causes and treatment of diseases

The first annual Vet Report draws on vast surgical and clinical data from across 305 practices in the Pets At Home Vet Group, providing insight into the health issues that pets will be facing in 2015 and beyond.

Primarily aimed at pet owners, the report is an equally interesting read for veterinary professionals, containing further information on the potential concerns that clients may bring into the surgery.

Microchipping is chief among these concerns, following recent changes in legal requirements for dog owners to ensure their pet is suitably chipped and registered with database providers. In 2013 alone, the Pets At Home Vet Group practices implanted 126,066 microchips. With compulsory chipping gradually coming into force, this will be a significant area of growth for vet practices across England and Wales – Scotland has yet to decide about compulsory chipping. In March 2015, Wales will join Northern Ireland in making microchipping compulsory, while England’s dogs will have to be microchipped from April 2016.

The report includes a geographic analysis of dog and cat ownership, with the North of England and Scotland predominately owning dogs, while cats remain the preferred companion for pet owners in London and the South East. In addition, the report reveals an alternative calculation of the most popular dog breeds in the country to the Kennel Club data, based on the information from the Pets at Home Vet Group. The findings suggest that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was the UK’s most popular dog breed in 2014– edging out the Kennel Club’s leader, the Labrador Retriever.

Turning to current canine and feline health risks, the report identifies an increase in the geographical spread of Alabama Rot, a severe disease in dogs that can result in kidney failure, as a serious consideration for veterinarian surgeries across England and Wales. The report maps all cases of Alabama Rot in the UK – including The New Forest and a growing hotspot in Greater Manchester, an area of significant dog ownership.

Further findings reveal that domestic cats are still at risk from TB through contact with badgers and other animals harbouring the disease. A further comprehensive guide included in the report helps to recognise the symptoms of the disease and details available treatments.

Last but not least, the report contains a comprehensive guide to four common diseases affecting reptiles, including incomplete shedding, parasites, metabolic bone disease and impaction, as well as the core principles of reptile care for owners.

Sally Hopson, MBE, Chief Executive Officer of the Pets At Home Vet Group, commented: “With owners increasingly treating their pets as part of the family, there is a greater emphasis on pets’ health and wellbeing today than ever before. In this report, we wanted to share with consumers and veterinary professionals some of the industry insight from within our Vets group, as we strive to increase awareness, help prevent common health conditions and ensure a greater quality of life for the nation’s pets.”

Huw Stacey, Head of Clinical Services at the Pets at Home Vet Group, added: “Our first Vet Report draws on the experience of our 841 veterinary surgeons as well as the unparalleled expert knowledge of our collaborators such as VetCompass, the knowledge hub from the Royal Veterinary College. As the largest network of surgeries in the UK, we have been able to identify and highlight health trends and owner issues which will help to shape the future of the entire profession.”

For more information visit www.thevetreport.com