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From ‘Lionesses’ to Labradors: Study shows how dogs, like humans, can benefit from surgery for cruciate ligament injuries

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury can be a serious blow to the careers of professional athletes such as England Lioness’s captain, Leah Williamson, NFL quarterback, Tom Brady, and Brazilian footballer, Neymar Júnior, but did you know dogs often suffer cruciate ligament injury too?

A new study from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has shown that surgery can support better recovery from CCL ruptures in dogs, just like your favourite footballer or professional sportsman. The study found surgery was more effective than non-surgical management of the injury, helping to reduce injured dogs’ short-term lameness by a quarter (25.7%) and long-term lameness by a third (31.7%).

This evidence will help vets recommend the best course of care and management for owners deciding on treatment for CCL ruptures in their dogs. Like human ACL injuries, CCL ruptures in dogs are a serious and common problem, but are usually caused by gradual degeneration of the cruciate ligament until it finally ruptures in dogs.

Previous RVC VetCompass research* had reported that CCL rupture affects approximately 1 in 180 dogs and that Rottweilers, Bichon Frise, West Highland White Terriers and Golden Retrievers are at greatest risk of CCL rupture, with dogs most commonly affected in middle-age.

Treating CCL rupture often requires owners to decide between surgical and non-surgical management. However, until now, the evidence comparing clinical outcomes between surgical versus non-surgical management in dogs has been limited. Most previous veterinary studies were limited to reporting associations rather than showing true causal links between treatment and outcome.

To fill these data gaps, this new study measured clinical outcomes following surgical vs non-surgical treatment for CCL rupture to report on short- and long-term lameness as well as the use of pain relief medication prescription. These data were analysed using novel causal inference methods and demonstrated a substantial causal link between receiving surgical management and better outcomes.

Led by the RVC’s VetCompass Programme and supported by an award from Dogs Trust, the study was based on anonymised clinical records from more than two million dogs under first opinion veterinary care in the UK in 2019.

This study applied causal inference methods to the analysis of random samples of 815 dogs with CCL rupture aged between 1.5- and 12-years-old to replicate a randomised clinical trial and explore the impact of the different treatment methods. Balancing the arms of the study for variables including age, breed and bodyweight, the researchers compared the outcomes for the dogs who received surgical management for CCL ruptures to those that were managed non-surgically.


The results showed that dogs managed surgically were 25.7% less likely to show short-term lameness at 3 months post-diagnosis and 31.7% less likely to show long-term lameness at 12 months post-diagnosis than dogs managed non-surgically.

Surgically managed dogs were 38.9% less likely to have a pain relief prescription at 3 months post-diagnosis, 34.1% less likely at 6 months and 32.7% less likely at 12 months than dogs managed non-surgically. These findings also similarly demonstrate lower longer term pain in surgically managed dogs.

Camilla Pegram, VetCompass PhD student at the RVC and lead author of the paper, said:

“This study used an exciting new approach that allowed us to determine ‘cause’ rather than being limited to ‘association’. Surgical management for CCL rupture is often considered as providing better outcomes than non-surgical management, but this study now provides an evidence base to support this. Whilst surgical management might not always be feasible for some dogs, the findings allow vets to quantify the benefit in their discussions with owners.”

Dr Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC and co-author of the paper, said:

“Uncertainty when deciding on the best treatment option for their ill dog is one of the hardest challenges for any owner. This new VetCompass research uses Big Data analyses from millions of dogs to give owners of dogs with cruciate rupture the best evidence to support the best possible treatment decisions. Good science should be caring as well as scientific.”

Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director at Dogs Trust, said:

“We’re delighted that Dogs Trust can support a wide range of ground-breaking studies through its Canine Welfare Grants. This study has revealed useful data that can help vets guide owners to make the most appropriate decision to deliver the best outcome for their dog. We hope this new insight will lead to improved dog welfare.”

References

The new paper:
PEGRAM, C., DIAZ-ORDAZ, K., BRODBELT, D. C., CHANG, Y., FRYKFORS VON HEKKEL, A., WU, C., CHURCH, D. B. & O’NEILL D.G. 2024. Target Trial Emulation: Does surgical versus non-surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs cause different outcomes? Preventive Veterinary Medicine.

The full paper is available from Preventive Veterinary Medicine and can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2024.106165

Previous supporting paper:
* PEGRAM, C., DIAZ-ORDAZ, K., BRODBELT, D. C., CHANG, Y., FRYKFORS VON HEKKEL, A., WU, C., CHURCH, D. B. & O’NEILL D.G. 2023. Risk factors for unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture diagnosis and for clinical management in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. Vet J.

The full paper is available from Vet J. and can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.105952


About the Royal Veterinary College

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the UK's largest and longest established independent veterinary school and is a Member Institution of the University of London. It is one of the few veterinary schools in the world that hold accreditations from the RCVS in the UK (with reciprocal recognition from the AVBC for Australasia, the VCI for Ireland and the SAVC for South Africa), the EAEVE in the EU, and the AVMA in the USA and Canada.
The RVC is ranked as the top veterinary school in the world in the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2023.
  • The RVC offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences.
  •  The RVC is a research led institution with 88% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world class in the Research Excellence Framework 2021.
  •  The RVC provides animal owners and the veterinary profession with access to expert veterinary care and advice through its teaching hospitals and first opinion practices in London and Hertfordshire. https://www.rvc.ac.uk

About the VetCompass™ Programme


VetCompass™ (The Veterinary Companion Animal Surveillance System) is an epidemiological research programme at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) which investigates anonymised clinical records from veterinary practices to generate evidence to support improved animal welfare. VetCompass shares information from more than 1,800 veterinary practices in the UK (over 30% of all UK practices) covering over 28 million companion and equine animals. To date, VetCompass™ has led to over 120 peer-reviewed publications that have supported welfare-focused work across the range of animal stakeholders including the wider general public, owners, breeders, academics, animal charities, universities and government.

For more information, visit: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass
X (Twitter): @VetCompass

MEDIA RELEASE, 18th March 2024

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Cruciate Ligament Injuries on the Increase: Prevention & Recovery



NurseKind Campaign launches after survey reveals industry looking for growth and further recognition

Royal Canin®, a leading provider of pet health nutrition, has launched the NurseKind campaign, encouraging pet owners to be aware of and utilise the expertise and training of Vet Nurses and Technicians across Australia, and provide much needed resources and additional education opportunities for Vet Professionals.

This comes after Royal Canin® and the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA) recently conducted an extensive survey examining the experiences and perspectives of more than 750 Vet Nurses and Technicians in the Australian veterinary industry. The survey reveals the profession wants greater recognition of their role caring for our pets, with almost three-quarters of Vet Nurses and Technicians supporting mandatory registration of Vet Nurses.

The study highlighted over 90% of Veterinary Nurses across Australia and New Zealand are hungry to keep learning as they support pet owners across both countries. The results showed Vet Nurses are skilled professionals, with over 95% of Australian Vet Professionals having, or midway through studying, advanced qualifications in veterinary nursing, with the most likely reasons for further study being looking to build on their knowledge or expanding the services they can offer to pet owners in clinic.

Royal Canin is teaming up with Lincoln Institute of Veterinary Business to support this growth mindset of Veterinary Nurses in Australia, jointly sponsoring 150 Australian Nurses and Technicians to undertake a 12-month pilot with education from a training program called Emerging Leaders, starting this year. The program will provide tailored non-clinical skills development for them, assisting in areas such as greater effectiveness in their roles, fostering healthier workplace relationships and enhancing their leadership.

“As a Vet Professional myself, formal qualifications prepare you well for the clinical aspects of the role, but less so for the complexities of running a clinic, how to handle difficult conversations with pet owners, or help contribute to a strong working culture,” Royal Canin ANZ Chief Health Officer, Dr Bronwen Slack said.

“We are so pleased to be coming together with the VNCA and respective education provider, the Lincoln Institute of Veterinary Business, to launch the Emerging Leaders program.

“Vet Nurses and Technicians are dedicated and have a passion for animal welfare. Without them, the healthcare of our pets will suffer. Pet owners can play a role in supporting Vet Nurses by demonstrating our appreciation for the skill and commitment they show to the care of our pets,” Dr Slack said.

“This targeted non-technical competency training has proven over the last 11 years to support more wellbeing, satisfaction, and effectiveness for Veterinary Professionals, as well ensuring healthier cultures and enhanced outcomes for the organisations they work within, ”Lincoln Institute of Veterinary Business Director, Dr Michael Powell said.

“We are delighted to be involved with this initiative aimed at empowering Nurses and Technicians to experience more success and fulfilment in the important work they do, as we appreciate the critical role they play in the success and sustainability of the profession.”

With the support of the VNCA, we want to develop the professionalism of Vet Nurse and Technician specialisation by also advocating for mandatory registration of all Australian Vet Nurses – something 75% of Australian Vet Nurses surveyed support.

A Day in the Life of a Veterinary Nurse - Laura Bennington RVN

“With mandatory registration and protection of titles this will provide greater support for the hardworking Vet Professionals in the industry, stronger recognition of the role, standardised education and a more solid career path for those in the industry,” VNCA President, Gary Fitzgerald said.

“We are so excited to be providing the Emerging Leaders program to our VNCA members and look forward to sharing the Express of Interest process in early 2024,” Mr Fitzgerald concluded.

Additional key findings from the survey also showed:

Over 95% of Australian vet professionals surveyed possessed advanced qualifications in Vet Nursing, or were mid-study, yet there exists a disparity in how their expertise is perceived by pet owners in comparison to veterinarians. This lack of recognition can be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of not only our pets, but the vet nurses themselves.



32% felt as though their jobs would be made easier with something as simple as being acknowledged and recognised for their work, being made to feel appreciated from pet owners for the hours and multiple roles they are doing.

● With preventative health at the forefront of discussion vet nurses are having with pet owners, the top four issues discussed were worming and flea prevention, vaccinations, dental/oral health and nutrition. However, only an average of 70% of the time are these topics being brought up, with time being the number one barrier. The survey showed that the lack of staff and acknowledgment from pet owners is impacting on the conversations and ultimately the health of our pets.

“For the long-term success of your vet clinic and the vet professionals that work in it, take the time to say thanks and acknowledge the expertise of your local vet nurse and technician for the work they do, to offer the best care to our pets,” Dr Slack concluded.

Tips for how to be Nursekind 


"Learning how to interact effectively with your Vet Nurse / Technician can not only improve your experience but can positively impact your pet’s health and wellbeing." said 
Royal Canin Chief Health Officer, Dr Bronwen Slack.

Here are her top tips for interacting with your Vet Nurse or Technician:

1. Be Respectful and Courteous: Just like with any healthcare professional, it's important to treat veterinary nurses with respect and courtesy. They play a crucial role in your pet's care, and showing kindness goes a long way.

2. Provide Clear Information: When discussing your pet's condition or symptoms, be as detailed and clear as possible. This will help the vet nurse understand the situation and relay accurate information to the rest of the vet team.

3. Ask Questions: Vet nurses are highly knowledgeable and can provide valuable insights about your pet's health. Don't hesitate to ask questions about treatments, medications, procedures, and nutrition. They can offer explanations in an accessible language. Communicate any concerns by asking questions on how to best manage the issue.

4. Update Medical History: If your pet has had any recent medical issues, surgeries, or changes in behaviour, make sure to update the vet nurse. A comprehensive medical history helps them provide the best possible care.

5. Discuss Costs: If cost is a concern, you can discuss it with the vet nurse. They can provide estimates for treatments or procedures and help you explore different options.

6. Express Gratitude: If the vet nurse has gone above and beyond in caring for your pet, expressing gratitude is always appreciated. A simple thank you can make their day.

Remember that veterinary nurses work alongside veterinarians to provide the best care for your pet. Building a positive and respectful relationship with them can lead to better outcomes for your pet.


MEDIA RELEASE, March 2024


Back by popular demand, Australia’s National Pet Show is returning to Melbourne promising to be bigger and better than ever before.

Following a sold out event last year, the highly anticipated Pet Show Melbourne will take place 
on Saturday 13th April and Sunday 14th April 2024 at Melbourne Showgrounds.

Announcing a pawsitively exciting line up of over 250 experts and exhibitors, the multi-zone event will bring together the best of the pet industry, giving Aussies the chance to immerse themselves into a world of dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles, and small animals, gaining knowledge and creating lasting memories.




Managing Director, Cameron Just, says, “We’re thrilled to once again be taking over Melbourne Showground, giving Aussies the chance to experience our unique event. After receiving such a positive response in 2023 (which saw tickets sell out), it’s clear there is a strong appetite in Melbourne for a show that champions positive pet parenting for both traditional and non-traditional pets.



“Perfect for those who are already proud pet parents or, looking for a new pet but unsure of where to start, The Pet Show is all about education, entertainment and the latest in products for pets from scales to tails and everything in between.”






 


Joining the program as presenters will be Vet and TV host Dr Lisa Chimes, pet expert and director of Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, Ben Dessen, Dr Katrina Warren and Kelly Gill along with The Wonderdogs as well as Melbourne locals, Dr Dennis Wormald, Kerryn Martin and Mel Vincent.


Children’s favourites, Bluey and Bingo, will also provide entertainment and photo opportunities across the weekend alongside Dog Arena demonstrations, a Scales & Tails touch zone, face painting, food trucks, a kid’s agility course, Pet Pack Treasure Hunts, meet and greets with birds, chickens and ducks and much more! 




Visitors will also have the chance to engage with a number of exhibitors including Refuresh, Kitty Rescue Squad AUS, Project Underdog Rescue, Evolution Animal Care, the Queen of Ants, KZ pet homes, Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs and Dymax Australia.

Tickets are currently available online from www.thepetshow.com.au/melbourne with part proceeds donated to RSPCA Victoria

Note: Attendees will also be able to take advantage of public transport to travel to the event with trains operating all weekend.

Following the Melbourne expo, The Pet Show will once again tour the nation travelling to:
  • Adelaide | 18th - 19th May 2024
  • Brisbane | 22nd - 23rd June 2024
  • Sydney | 16th - 17th November 2024

About The Pet Show

The Pet Show is Australia’s first national pet show. A multi-zone consumer show, it enables potential pet owners, existing pet owners and animal lovers of all kinds to immerse themselves in all things pets. The Pet Show’s vision is to create the perfect pet parent experience incorporating education, entertainment, and products for dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles and small animals.

You can find The Pet Show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thepetshowaustralia and @thepetshowaustralia on Instagram.


MEDIA RELEASE, March 2024


Rottweiler owners are being encouraged to keep their pet pooch in tip-top condition after a James Cook University study found they could suffer from reduced lifespan after the snip.

A recent analysis of available clinical records collated by VetCompass Australia of 3,085 intact and 4,100 neutered Rottweilers from July 1994 to June 2021 found those dogs neutered before one year of age had a shortened lifespan of one-and-a-half years in males and one year in females when compared to their intact counterparts.

Dogs neutered before the age of four-and-a-half years produced similar results.

“Most other studies have found that neutering dogs increases their longevity but ours is one of the first that went against that,” study lead author and JCU Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Reproduction Dr Carolynne Joone said.

“It was a bit of a shock when that wasn’t what we found. We were fortunate with the data we had because we could determine when a dog was desexed and when they died.”

Despite the findings, Dr Joone strongly encouraged owners to desex their dog, suggesting that owners should focus on managing their dog’s weight gain which was common after the procedure.

“There are serious consequences for not neutering a dog, such as the risk of a life-threatening uterus infection known as Pyometra, mammary tumours and unwanted puppies,” she said.

“There’s a strong suspicion that the reduced lifespan is more to do with weight issues than the neutering itself, so I would encourage owners to go ahead and neuter their dog but make sure you keep it at a good, healthy weight.”

While it is currently unknown if there is an optimal age to neuter a Rottweiler that does not impact their lifespan, the study noted several factors which could influence the lifespan of a dog, including genetic predisposition, nutrition, exercise, healthcare, and environmental factors.

Screening for genetic disorders and selecting healthy breeding pairs may also help reduce the prevalence of hereditary health conditions in Rottweilers and help boost their longevity.

Dr Joone said she now wanted to expand her study to other popular dog breeds, such as Greyhounds and Golden Retrievers, to see if the results could be replicated.

JCU Senior Lecturer in Information Technology Dr Dmitry Konovalov was a co-author on the study.

Reference:


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In early 2022, Golden Retriever Hunter was treated for bone cancer. Only 30% of dogs with this type of cancer live longer than 12 months. Hunter now has no evidence of cancer thanks to his treatment, which included a novel vaccine therapy developed by a Yale researcher.

During a sunny morning on Florida’s Gulf Coast last month, an 11-year-old Golden Retriever named Hunter bounded through a pine grove. Snatching his favourite toy, a well-chewed tennis ball attached to a short rope, he rolled through the tall grass, with an energy that seemed inexhaustible. A passer-by might not have even noticed that this playful Golden has only three legs.

Two years ago, Hunter, who worked as a search-and-rescue dog for a decade, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer that kills upwards of 65% of the dogs it afflicts within 12 months.

But now, thanks in part to a novel cancer vaccine developed by Yale researcher Mark Mamula, Hunter has no signs of cancer.

The treatment, a form of immunotherapy that is currently under review by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has undergone clinical trials. And the results are promising; for hundreds of dogs, including Hunter, the vaccine has proved effective.

He received his first vaccine dose ahead of his amputation surgery, his second before initiating chemotherapy, and a booster last summer. Twenty-two months since his cancer diagnosis, Hunter is now considered a long-term osteosarcoma survivor and owner, Deana Hudgins, says he’s thriving.

About 10,000 dogs are diagnosed each year with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. With typical treatment, only 30% of dogs with this type of cancer live longer than 12 months - Photo Deana Hudgins

Mamula, a professor of medicine (rheumatology) at Yale School of Medicine, believes the vaccine offers a badly needed weapon in the fight against canine cancer.
"Dogs, just like humans, get cancer spontaneously; they grow and metastasise and mutate, just like human cancers do,” said Mamula. 
“If we can provide some benefit, some relief — a pain-free life — that is the best outcome that we could ever have.”

There are about 90 million dogs, living in 65 million households, in the United States alone. Around one in four dogs will get cancer. Among dogs 10 years or older, that ratio jumps to around one in two.

Yet the therapies used to treat these cancers remain fairly antiquated, Mamula says.

Researchers have found that in dogs, as is the case for humans, several types of cancer overexpress proteins known as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). These include colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and osteosarcoma. 

One type of treatment currently given to human patients with these cancers involves monoclonal antibodies, proteins that can bind to and affect the function of EGFR and/or HER2. However, patients can develop a resistance to them and their effects wane over time.

In developing the new treatment, Mamula and his team wanted to take a different approach.

Monoclonal antibody treatments are produced from one immune cell and bind to one part of the EGFR/HER2 molecules, but Mamula and his team wanted to induce a polyclonal response. Doing so, he says, would create antibodies from multiple immune cells, rather than just one, that could bind to multiple parts of the EGFR/HER2 molecules instead of a single area. This would, in theory, reduce the likelihood of developing resistance.

The research team tested many different candidates in order to find just the right compound. They eventually found one. After first testing it in mice, and finding promising results, they initiated their first clinical trial in dogs in 2016.

To date, more than 300 dogs have been treated with the vaccine through clinical trials that are still ongoing at 10 sites in the U.S. and Canada. The findings, which have been published in a peer-reviewed study, have shown that the treatment creates antibodies that are able to home in on and bind to tumours, and then interfere with the signalling pathways responsible for tumour growth.

According to the research team, the vaccine increases the 12-month survival rates of dogs with certain cancers from about 35% to 60%. For many of the dogs, they have found, the treatment also shrinks tumours. While launching clinical tests of the vaccine’s effectiveness in humans may be a logical future step, for now Mamula is focused on getting USDA approval of the vaccine for dogs and distributed for wider use.

“I get many emails from grateful dog owners who had been told that their pets had weeks or months to live but who are now two or three years past their cancer diagnosis,” Mamula said. “It’s a program that’s not only valuable to me as a dog lover. Witnessing the happiness that successful therapies provide to families with dogs is incredibly rewarding.”


Media Release, 6th March 2024

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The Cancer Connection in Dogs and Humans





New survey reveals concerning pet travel safety worries in Australia

·      A new survey by Compare the Market finds that 21.2% of Australian pet owners don’t secure their animals when taking them for a drive
·      An extra 4.8% say a passenger holds the animal but they aren’t kept secure
·      Almost half pet owners surveyed say they use a collar to seat belt attachment, but these can be dangerous in an accident

A new survey by Compare the Market AU has found some concerning trends in how people transport their pets in the car.

Just over 80% of Australian pet owners take their pets in the car, but of these, more than one-in-five don’t do anything to secure their pets while travelling. An additional 4.8% have the animal sit in a passenger’s lap, but without properly securing them.

Animal Welfare Victoria notes that your dog should be adequately restrained with an appropriate seatbelt or restraining device,1 and drivers who don’t secure pets within the car could risk fines and penalties.

In 2022, the RSPCA Queensland reported that up to 500 dogs are injured or killed every year in Australia from falling from a moving vehicle, and failing to secure your dog could lead to thousands of dollars in fines. 

 When your pet is travelling in the car, how are they typically secured?

Almost 50% of pet owners who transport their pets in the car use a collar to seat belt attachment to keep them secure. However, according to tests done by The Center For Pet Safety,2 many pet seatbelt attachments are unsafe and can lead to severe injuries in an accident. They recommended a harness that goes around the pet’s body or a specialised pet car crate.

According to Compare the Market’s data, just over 20% of pet owners use the recommended style of enclosed car crate when transporting their pet.


The insurance experts also explored where pets sit while in the vehicle

Where do pets sit in the car in Australia?
As it turns out, the majority of furry friends sit in the back middle seat (20.8%) or the back passenger seat (20.5%), with 18.4% sitting in the front passenger seat next to the driver.

A prior Compare the Market study found that the most comfortable place for a dog to sit in the car was the back seat on the passenger side, where they could view their owner as they drive the car. The front passenger seat was relatively comfortable for dogs, but not as much as the back seat.4

Regardless of whether the pet is kept secure or not, Compare the Market’s Executive General Manager of General Insurance, Adrian Taylor, explains pet insurance could help pay for veterinary treatment if they are injured in the car during an accident.

“Most pet insurance companies here in Australia will cover injuries from car accidents to insured pets, regardless of whether they are secured or unsecured in the car. It’s important to read through the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to check any exclusions,” Taylor said.

“Despite this, it’s always best to make sure our pets are kept safe in the car so we don’t need to take them to the vet for severe injuries. Importantly, keep them secure in accordance with your local state guidelines as you could risk infringements and fines if you don’t.”

For more information and comparisons to survey results from the US and Canada, visit: www.comparethemarket.com.au/pet-insurance/features/pet-car-travel-safety-survey

References

Compare the Market commissioned PureProfile to survey 1,006 Australian, 1,012 Canadian 1,003 American adults in September 2023.
1 Travelling with dogs. Animal Welfare Victoria, Agriculture Victoria, Victorian Government. 2020.
2 Extension Tether Advisory. Center for Pet Safety. 2020.
4 Pooch Perfect Pets. Compare the Market. 2021.

About Compare the Market

Compare the Market is a comparison service that takes the hard work out of shopping around. We make it Simples for Australians to quickly and easily compare and buy insurance, energy, and home loans products from a range of providers. Our easy-to-use comparison tool helps you look for a range of products that may suit your needs and benefit your back pocket.



Experience a holiday worth woofing about at Dorsett Melbourne

You can now indulge in a little luxury with your furry friend at Dorsett Melbourne, thanks to the introduction of their Holidays for Hounds packages.

Dorsett Melbourne firmly believes that pets are family too and have thought of everything when it comes to enjoying a comfortable and memorable stay for you and your pampered pooch.





The upscale hotel’s suite of pet-friendly rooms come complete with an Australian-crafted Snooza Snuggler Orthopaedic foam bed, ensuring a restful night's sleep. Owners can also expect a blissful night’s sleep with Sealy beds and a bespoke pillow menu. Other pet amenities include a Pottery Barn phthalate, BPA and lead free stainless water and food bowl, made with mango wood.


Taking it one notch further, you can also order your pooch a gourmet meal from the ‘Pet Menu’. 

Created by the Dorsett Melbourne team in collaboration with Jacinta Malone from Chadwick Nutrition (one of Melbourne's top Canine and Feline Nutritionists), the menu utilises natural ingredients to help increase longevity and help hounds live happy and healthy lives. 

Drool-worthy options include chicken meatballs, beef tartare and pup cakes. Additionally, all pet stays at Dorsett Melbourne will receive 10% off orders from Supaw Bakery and 10% off consultations with Chadwick Nutrition.


The Dorsett Melbourne ‘Paw-cierge’ team will also point you in the direction of dog-friendly spots and parks that are located nearby. 

Located within the new West Side Place precinct at the southern end of the CBD, Dorsett Melbourne is conveniently located a short stroll from Southern Cross Station, where hounds can ride the metro trains for free.




Holidays for Hounds packages are available now. The hotel allows a maximum of one dog per room for overnight stays. Dogs must be 20kg or less (except for guide dogs). The packages are strictly for dogs and their owners only.

Book your Holidays for Hounds package here: www.dorsetthotels.com

A Holidays for Hounds brochure can be found here
 
About Dorsett Melbourne

Dorsett Melbourne is an upscale hotel which opened in April 2023. It is located at 615 Little Lonsdale St, within the new West Side Place precinct. The hotel comprises 316 modern and stylish guest rooms and suites over 8 levels, designed by award-winning architects Cottee Parker. They have been designed to reflect Melbourne’s rich history and culture, with accessible rooms and intuitively designed social spaces, unique dining options and a club lounge and a dedicated health and wellbeing space.

MEDIA RELEASE, 7th March 2024

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Virgin Australia has announced its intention to be the country’s first airline to operate flights with pets onboard under a plan unveiled today.

The Australian-first service, which will have pet lovers rejoicing around the nation, is subject to regulatory approval, and is expected to launch within 12 months.

In a social media survey of Virgin Australia’s Facebook followers in 2021, 85 per cent of respondents voted in favour of the airline launching pets in cabin flights. In more recent research conducted by Virgin Australia with Australian pet owners, nearly 70 per cent of respondents advised they would travel with their pet in the cabin, with 57 per cent saying they would fly more regularly if the service was a reality.

Almost all major carriers in North America offer a pets onboard service for domestic flights, including United Airlines and Air Canada.

Proposed pets in cabin in-flight experience




For the comfort of all guests, Virgin Australia has today announced a number of parameters for pets in cabin flights:

The service will be limited to small cats and dogs on specific domestic routes.

Pets will be restricted to a limited number of designated rows and will not be allowed to roam freely or sit on laps.

Pets must also be carried in a Virgin Australia approved pet carrier under the seat in front of the owner for the duration of the flight.

Speaking at a press conference at Melbourne Airport, Virgin Australia Group CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka, said Virgin Australia is thrilled to finally reveal its plans to be the first Australian airline to offer pets onboard flights.

“Our love for animals has always been in the Virgin Australia DNA and we are excited at the prospect of taking off with Australia’s first-ever pets in cabin flights,” said Ms Hrdlicka.

“Overwhelmingly, our guests tell us they want to travel with their pets, and we are now on a journey to make that a reality. It’s something that commonly happens overseas and is proven to work well.
“Almost 70 per cent of Australian households have a pet, so this announcement is really significant for a large proportion of the country. It’s also a great thing for pet-friendly accommodation providers who will benefit greatly from increased connectivity and the ease for travellers to fly with their pets. It really will be a whole new economy for pet travel in Australia.

“Pets on flights is another example of Virgin Australia leading the way with new and improved service offerings and first-to-market experiences for our guests.

“Innovation has always been a hallmark of Virgin Australia. We were the first airline in the country to offer online check-in. This year we were the first Australian airline to launch baggage tracking and a fully integrated self-service disruption management tool. It’s this innovation and first-to-market drive that underpins who we are in the market,” she said.

Melbourne Airport CEO, Lorie Argus said the airport was looking forward to helping Virgin Australia deliver the Australian-first.

“We’ve been investing significant effort into providing relief areas for assistance animals and these facilities have ample capacity to serve Virgin Australia’s new guests,” she said.

“Animals being carried on board Virgin Australia flights will be required to remain in their approved pet carriers at all other times within the terminal.

“We expect the pets in cabin concept will prove a popular offering and we look forward to working with Virgin Australia to make it a reality.”

More details on pets in cabin flights, including available routes, and the cost for bringing a pet onboard, will be announced in due course.

No changes to assistance animals

The proposed pets in cabin flights will not result in any change to approved assistance animals being able to travel in the cabin of Virgin Australia aircraft at no additional cost. The existing procedure for assessing the eligibility of these assistance animals to travel onboard will not change. Additionally, Virgin Australia will continue to offer pets to be transported as cargo through approved pet carrier services, as this remains an important part of the Virgin Australia pet offering.




Notes:
  • For the comfort of all guests and crew, pets will be limited to a small number of designated rows on eligible routes and will not be allowed to roam freely or sit on laps. Animals must also be carried in a Virgin Australia approved pet carrier under the seat in front of the owner for the duration of the flight.
  • Virgin Australia will charge a fee for guests who are eligible to bring their pet onboard.
  • The service is subject to regulatory approval and is likely to launch within 12 months, pending planning and stakeholder consultation.
  • Virgin Australia will continue to offer pets to be transported as cargo through approved pet carrier services. 
  • Approved assistance animals will continue to be able to travel in the cabin of Virgin Australia aircraft at no cost.
* In a survey by Animal Medicines Australia in 2022, it was found that 69 per cent of Australian households own a pet, with almost 29 million pets calling Australia home. 

** Virgin Australia market research in April 2023 of 643 Australian travellers. Out of the 426 pet owners, 286 selected more than zero to the question "If it was allowed by the airline, how often would you most likely fly with your pet(s) in the cabin?". 164 pet owners selected they would take at least one extra return flight a year to the question “Would being able to fly with your pet in the cabin increase the number of flights you take per year? - Selected Choice”.

MEDIA RELEASE, 7th March 2024


Ride the Waves with Pups: the 2024 VetShopAustralia Surfing Dog Championships, an unmissable spectacle!

Get ready for a wave of excitement at Noosa Main Beach this coming Saturday 9th March at 3:00 pm, as the 2024 VetShopAustralia Surfing Dog Championships are set to dazzle spectators. 

This event promises an afternoon of sun, surf, and sensational surfing dog action, featuring twelve teams of talented dogs and their humans competing for the prestigious Best Wave Award. This competition is a highlight of the beloved Noosa Festival of Surfing, attracting a wide audience of dog lovers and surf fans.

Surfboards waxed and tails wagging - competitors lined up and ready to catch some epic waves.



Dr. Mark Perissinotto, the lead veterinarian at VetShopAustralia, anticipates this event to be the most spectacular yet, promising an unforgettable experience for attendees. The Surfing Dog Championships have been a cornerstone of the Noosa Festival of Surfing for over a decade, captivating thousands of onlookers with incredible performances both in and out of the water.

Hugsley paddling out with the family to catch his final waves in 2023 before retiring from surfing!




This year's competition showcases a mix of veteran champions and promising newcomers. Notable participants include the Dane and his Staffy, Bu, and Banjo the Kelpie, known for his ball-catching prowess, with owner Chris Oakley. 

Also, keep an eye out for Poppy the Groodle (lead image) who won Best Wave Award in 2023. Look out for Team Bear and his owner Isaac, at just 16 years old he made his Surfing Dog debut last year and blew the crowd away with his skills on the waves.

Adding to the excitement are “newcomers” Rodrigo and Loui the Border Collie. Travelling from Byron Bay, this duo is eager to impress with their surfing skills at First Point. We also have Brian and his dog Zoe joining this year's event, coming from the Gold Coast he is known for taking his dogs around the local beaches on skate boards.

Mark and Coco made a splash in their first-ever Surfing Dog Championships in 2023



VetShopAustralia is proud to continue its partnership with Simparica Trio. Dr. Mark highlights Simparica Trio as an “essential chew for active dogs, offering protection against heartworm, fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms.” Be sure to visit the VetShopAustralia and Simparica Trio pop-up stand on the beach for free samples and information on keeping your pet protected in the Sunshine Coast environment.

Pack your beach essentials and join us for a day of fun at the 2024 VetShopAustralia Surfing Dog Championships. It's an event not to be missed, where the spirit of canine companionship and the thrill of surfing come together in a spectacular display.




About VetShopAustralia:

Since 1999, VetShopAustralia has been a leading online retailer for pet supplies, based in Forest Glen, Queensland. Offering over 4000 pet products, including top international brands like Simparica Trio, Revolution Plus, and Royal Canin, VetShopAustralia is dedicated to providing the best for your pet.

Awards 

2013, 2014, 2016 & 2017 – Word of Mouth Service Award – Queensland 2017 – Power Retail Top 100 Retailer 
2017 – Golden Brontos Most Successful Campaign Finalist 
2017 – Google Regional Online Heroes (Steven) 
2018 – Power Retail Top 150 Retailers 
2019 – Internet Retailing Top 50 in e-Commerce (Steven) 
2021 – The Dotties APAC Marketing Team of the Year Winner

For the latest updates, you can follow Surfing Dogs FacebookSurfing Dogs Instagram and #surfingdogchampionships

For more information on the Noosa Festival of Surfing, please visit www.noosafestivalofsurfing.com

WALKS

AUTUMN

DOG SPORTS

DOG HERO STORIES