Crufts 2024: Vets reveal top questions to ask when buying a puppy to avoid unwanted health issues

Katie Court — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Ahead of international dog show Crufts, the British Veterinary Association issues advice to prospective dog owners on how to buy a healthy puppy.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is encouraging anyone considering buying a puppy to always ask five important questions first to make sure they get a healthy, happy puppy from a responsible breeder. The warning comes as vets report seeing puppies with serious health and welfare issues directly linked to the poor conditions and irresponsible way they are bred, reared or sold.

BVA's recent Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey shows that irresponsible breeding or sourcing of animals is the top animal health and welfare concern for vets in the UK, with over half (55%) vets in clinical practice citing it as the most pressing issue.

Responsible breeders will always be happy to answer any questions and will also ask prospective owners questions in turn to make sure the puppy is going to a suitable home.

BVA recommends asking these five key questions of any puppy breeder or seller:

Did you breed the puppies yourself? If the answer is 'no', walk away regardless of the answers to the other questions. By law, a breeder can only sell puppies they have bred themselves and from the location where they were bred and reared.

Have you started to house train and socialise the puppy? Ask to see the puppy socialise with its mother and brothers and sisters. It is also a good idea to visit the puppy more than once in the time before you take them home to spot any potential problems more easily.

Were both the puppy's parents screened for testable inherited diseases? Health testing and screening, such as the BVA/ Kennel Club Canine Health Schemes, allow responsible breeders to screen dogs for certain inherited diseases to help lower the risk of health conditions being passed on to puppies. Ask for health screening certificates and run the results past a vet. This is especially important given a recent rise in unregulated dog fertility services working without proper veterinary oversight, many of which are focused on in-demand breeds that often have serious health and welfare issues.

Will the puppy be microchipped and given their first vaccinations before homing? Puppies must be microchipped by the time they are eight weeks old, and before they go to their new home. The breeder should supply you with microchip paperwork which includes your puppy's individual identification number and database they are registered with. Puppies over 6 weeks old may have started their vaccination courses. Vaccination records should be stamped by a veterinary practice and signed by a veterinary surgeon.

Has the puppy or its parents had any health problems? It's important to be aware of any health problems the puppy or its parents have had as they could have been passed on to your puppy. If your puppy has received any treatment, the breeder should provide details of anything abnormal that the vet noted.

British Veterinary Association Junior Vice President Dr. Elizabeth Mullineaux said:
"While there are lots of responsible breeders, there are many unscrupulous individuals cashing in and not prioritising the welfare of the animals above making money. Sadly, vets frequently see puppies that have been bred in poor conditions or bought without a proper understanding of their welfare needs, leading to health or behavioural issues. That is why anyone looking to get a dog should find out how the puppies have been reared and cared for in the first few weeks of their lives. Use The Puppy Contract to help ensure you are buying a healthy, happy and well-socialised puppy from a responsible breeder. If a breeder is not willing to provide answers to your questions, then you should walk away to avoid getting a puppy that might have a poor quality of life and perpetuating irresponsible dog breeding."
The Puppy Contract is a free, one-stop guide developed by the RSPCA and BVA's charity the Animal Welfare Foundation. It gives prospective puppy owners all the information they need at their fingertips, including all the right questions to ask the breeder about important aspects of the puppy's care, such as socialisation, vaccination, microchipping and health tests. It also provides a legally binding contract of sale between buyer and breeder.

The Puppy Contract is available at: https://puppycontract.org.uk/

Remember, remember to prepare your pets early for firework season

Your Pets Daily Editor — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 12:07:18 +0000

With fireworks season fast approaching, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) is warning millions of animal owners to start preparing now if they suspect their pet may become distressed. At up to 150 decibels, fireworks can be as loud as a jet engine and, with many animals particularly sensitive to noise, this can be a traumatic and distressing time of year for dogs, cats and other pets.

If your pet is severely distressed by fireworks or other noises, an early visit to your vet to discuss treatment options can help to keep them calm and reduce their stress in the period around Diwali (24 October) and Bonfire Night (5 November). It is particularly important this year as many vet practices are experiencing staff shortages, meaning owners may need to allow more time to secure an appointment.

A phobia of fireworks can be effectively treated with behaviour-modification techniques, administered with professional input, and owner commitment and patience. For less-severely affected animals BVA is offering simple evidence-based advice to help owners make informed decisions about their pets’ health and welfare this fireworks season.

Five top tips to help keep your pets calm during fireworks:

Prepare a den for your pet around two weeks before fireworks season and give them praise when they are relaxed there, so they come to view it as a safe retreat.
Use pheromone products next to the den and around the home. These are scents that we can’t smell but can help to reduce a pet’s stress.
Provide background noise and close curtains and windows on nights when fireworks are expected.
Remain calm yourself. Never punish your pet – remember, if they toilet in the house it’s not their fault.
Move small pets, such as rabbits and guinea pigs, to a quiet place indoors when fireworks are expected, and provide lots of bedding to mask the sounds.

British Veterinary Association President Malcolm Morley, said:

“The loud noises and bright flashes that delight crowds during fireworks season can prove extremely frightening for our pets. We encourage all owners to make themselves aware of the specific symptoms of noise phobia in their animal and to contact their veterinary practice now to discuss any potential issues.

“Veterinary services across the country continue to experience unprecedented pressures and we know that this is making it harder for some clients to get appointments. But the fear responses we see among some pets can be extreme and distressing so if you suspect your pet may be affected, we recommend seeking advice early rather than risking an emergency visit with a traumatised or injured pet.”

Signs of distress can vary among different animals. While some pets show obvious signs such as panting, drooling and attempts to escape, there are also more subtle signs that owners should be aware of, including restlessness, toileting in the house, changes to facial expression, reluctance to be on their own or other changes in behaviour. Cats often hide while rabbits may keep very still and thump the ground with their back feet.

Your Pets Daily - British Veterinary Association

Crufts 2024: Vets reveal top questions to ask when buying a puppy to avoid unwanted health issues

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Remember, remember to prepare your pets early for firework season

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