UK animal therapists' confidence in executing professional skills in clinical practice.

Background: Veterinary physiotherapy and hydrotherapy are popular modalities in the UK, yet little is known about the confidence of therapists responsible for performing these treatments. A lack of confidence may have a detrimental impact on patients; therefore, this study investigated the effect of age, species specialisation, educational level, occupation, qualifications, experience and years practising on animal therapists' confidence in executing professional skills.

Methods: An online survey was conducted to collect quantitative data regarding UK-based therapists' confidence in the completion of entrustable professional activities (EPAs).

Injury Risk Factors Associated With Training and Competition in Flyball Dogs.

Flyball is a fast-paced, high-energy canine sport which has received negative press regarding the potential for injury, and possible welfare implications for canine competitors. Whilst frequency of injury within the sport has been investigated, evidence gaps remain regarding cause. The aim of this study was therefore to identify risk factors for injury within the sport, with a view to improving competitor safety.

Frequency of Owner-Reported Bacterial Infections in Pet Guinea Pigs.

Domestic guinea pigs suffer morbidity and mortality due to a range of bacterial infections amongst other causes. Microorganisms such as and are commonly implicated in respiratory disease; however, there is a lack of research surrounding the prevalence of these bacterial infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency with which owners reported bacterial infections in pet guinea pigs and to assess owner knowledge of correct husbandry practices to inform prevention of the development of bacterial infections.

Peak forelimb ground reaction forces experienced by dogs jumping from a simulated car boot.

Many dog owners allow their pets to jump out of a car boot; however, to date, there has been no study that has investigated whether this places dogs at risk of injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between height and peak vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) in static start jumps. Fifteen healthy adult dogs performed three jumps from a platform that represented common vehicle boot sill heights (0.

ExNOTic: Should We Be Keeping Exotic Pets?

There has been a recent trend towards keeping non-traditional companion animals, also known as exotic pets. These pets include parrots, reptiles, amphibians and rabbits, as well as small species of rodent such as degus and guinea pigs. Many of these exotic pet species are not domesticated, and often have special requirements in captivity, which many owners do not have the facilities or knowledge to provide.

An Investigation into the Relationship between Owner Knowledge, Diet, and Dental Disease in Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus).

Recent studies have highlighted a high prevalence of dental disease in domestic guinea pigs, yet the aetiology of this multi-factorial disease is still unclear. Factors that have been associated with dental disease include feeding a diet that is high in energy but low in fibre, feeding an insufficiently abrasive diet, a lack of dietary calcium, and genetics. As many of these factors relate to the husbandry requirements of guinea pigs, owner awareness of dietary requirements is of the utmost importance.