The six dog breeds most likely to get DIARRHOEA revealed by scientists – and why Jack Russells evade dreaded ‘poonami'
There may even be a "genetic element to the condition," the study said
SCIENTISTS have revealed the six dog breeds most likely to suffer from diarrhoea.
It turns out some pups are unfortunately more susceptible than others.
5
5
5
Roughly one in every 12 dogs in the UK will be diagnosed with diarrhoea each year, according to a new study.
The study, published today in the journal PLOS One, revealed that the following dog breeds are most at risk of a "dreaded poonami":
Maltese
Miniature Poodle
Cavapoo
German Shepherd
Yorkshire Terrier
Cockapoo
There may even be a "genetic element to the condition," the study said.
That means there's something within the genes of these six breeds that makes them more likely to get diarrhoea than others.
With a pool of about 2.25million dogs, lead author Dan O'Neill, of the Royal Veterinary College, UK, and his colleagues, discovered that there were two breed least likely to suffer.
According to researchers, the Jack Russell Terrier and Chihuahua are less likely to experience the messy condition.
The researchers note that it is the diets and exercise habits of different breeds may influence this.
The study relied on data from vets around the country.
So the researchers added that the different likelihoods of owners taking their dog to the vet in the first place could have skewed the results.
Dogs prefer EVs to fuel-powered cars with heart rates revealing exactly how your pet feels on drive, study shows
The condition is most common in dogs under three years old or older than nine years, the study said.
Young pups that often eat things they shouldn't may also have digestive issues, while older dogs may experience it as a complication of ageing.
More than 80 per cent of suffering pups get better after one trip to the vets, the researchers also found, suggesting the condition is short-lived.
'Experiencing the dreaded 'poonami' with your dog is one of those events any dog owner fears," Dr. O'Neill said in a statement.
"This new study shows that diarrhoea events are very common in dogs but that owners should not panic.
"No matter how bad the deluge, most dogs will recover in a few days after veterinary treatment.'
5
5
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
19 minutes ago
- The Independent
Foreign aid cuts could lead to millions more dying from superbug infections by 2050, study warns
The growing global health crisis of superbug infections could undo decades of progress in medicine, according to a new report, which warns that foreign aid cuts could lead to millions more dying worldwide by 2050. Without collective global action, growing cases of infections caused by such antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) microbes could cost the global economy nearly $2trillion, the UK government-funded research says. The research forecasts the future impact of AMR on global economies under different scenarios of interventions across regions, income groups, and countries. Bacteria have been evolving resistance to the antibiotics used by doctors to kill them in recent years, causing even what used to be the simplest-to-treat infections to become potentially life-threatening. With scientists locked in a race to create and improve access to a 'new generation' of drugs capable of defeating even the most resistant of such superbugs, global research funding cuts risk stalling progress. If the superbug spread continued at the same trend as seen since 1990 in a 'business-as-usual' scenario, it could lead to nearly 39 million deaths between 2025 and 2050, a growing body of studies suggests. However, if there is improved access to antibiotics against such bacterial infections, it could avert 90 million deaths over this period, the latest report estimates. Better access to antibiotics could lead to a $19bn annual reduction in healthcare costs by 2050, they say. 'This scenario would increase global GDP by $269bn over the business-as-usual scenario. The health benefits from this intervention would be worth half a billion dollars if disability-adjusted life years are valued at the GDP per capita of a given country,' scientists noted. In comparison, the worst-case scenario of an accelerated rise in AMR at the rate of the bottom 15 per cent of countries could lead to an additional 6.7 million people dying from infections, they warn. The report comes following the UK government's Thursday announcement that it was axing the Fleming Fund – a major £265m British programme combating AMR in developing countries. 'Without effective interventions, health care costs could increase by $176bn per year by 2050, and global output could be $1.7trillion lower than in the business-as-usual scenario,' the report noted. Previous research suggests that combating superbugs would require 6 to 15 new drugs developed for treatment per decade. Scientists estimate this could require an annual additional research and development cost of $2.2bn. 'If all high-income countries funded this research and development in proportion to their GDP, it would cost them 0.0036 per cent of GDP in 2025,' they wrote. 'For these new drugs to provide the promised health benefits, people across the world must have access to them. We estimate that it would cost $59bn to ensure that all countries have outcomes for bacterial infections that match the quality of treatment currently available in the 85th percentile of countries,' researchers noted. Considering these economic and health benefits, scientists say there would be 'excellent value for money' offered by these global interventions.
The Independent
19 minutes ago
- The Independent
Bluetongue has been detected in England. Here's what you should know
A tiny midge, no bigger than a pinhead, is bringing UK farming to its knees. The culprit? A strain of the bluetongue virus that's never been seen before. As of July 1, the whole of England has been classed as an 'infected area' due to bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3). There are movement restrictions and testing in place in Scotland, Wales and the island of Ireland. No animals from England – or that have passed through England – are allowed to attend this year's Royal Welsh Show on July 21-24, for example. The virus, which causes illness and death in sheep, cattle, goats and other ruminants, is spread by biting midges. Although it poses no risk to humans and can't be transmitted from one animal to another, the latest outbreak is more severe than previous ones. And it could cause lasting damage to UK farming. Bluetongue isn't new to the UK, however. A different strain, BTV-8 was detected in 2007 and contained. But BTV-3 is a different story. First detected in the Netherlands in late 2023, it was quickly spotted in the UK, where an early containment effort initially appeared successful. But the virus made a comeback in autumn 2024 – and this time it spread. On its second attempt, the virus was able to circulate and caused an outbreak. With little existing immunity, BTV-3 has now established itself, prompting concerns about animal welfare, food production and farming livelihoods. What does the disease do? Sheep tend to be the most severely affected, though all ruminants are at risk. Clinical signs are species-specific but can include swelling of the face, congestion, nasal discharge, ulcers in the mouth and nose, difficulty breathing and abortion or birth deformities. Bluetongue can cause the animal's tongue to swell. It can also turn blue from a lack of blood flow – although this is somewhat rare. Bluetongue disease causes suffering in animals, and while there is a vaccine, there is no treatment for the disease once it's contracted. BTV-3 appears to be more lethal than earlier strains. In the Netherlands, vets report that BTV-3 is causing more severe symptoms than BTV-8 did. Vets in England reported that in some herds 25-40% of cows failed to get pregnant, and there was a high rate of birth defects and stillborn calves. One farm in Suffolk started the calving season with 25% of their cows not pregnant and ended with just 48 calves from 97 cows. Belgium has seen a fall in calf births, reduced milk deliveries and higher mortality in small ruminants compared to the previous three years. How is it spread? Bluetongue virus is transmitted by midges from the Culicoides genus. These are tiny, biting insects that thrive in mild, wet conditions. Multiple midges can bite the same animal, and it only takes one of them to carry BTV before that animal becomes a host for further transmission. When animals are transported long distances, infected individuals can be bitten again and introduce the virus to previously uninfected midge populations. Climate change is making outbreaks like this more likely. Milder winters and cooler, wetter summers are ideal for midges, increasing both their numbers and their biting activity. While there's no danger to human health, the consequences of BTV-3 are far-reaching. Limitations on movement, exports and imports are being imposed to help prevent the spread of the disease, but this could also hamper farming practices and trade. The disease and its associated restrictions pose another source of stress for farmers, 95% of whom have ranked mental health as the biggest hidden problem in farming. Genetic pick and mix One of the reasons bluetongue is so tricky to manage is its ability to evolve. It has a segmented genome, meaning its genetic material, in this case RNA, is split into ten segments. This characteristic is exclusive to 'reassortment viruses' and means that they can easily exchange segments of RNA. It's like a genetic pick and mix with ten different types of sweets that come in an unlimited number of flavours. This allows BTV to create new, genetically distinct 'serotypes', which may have a selective advantage or a disadvantage. Those with an advantage will emerge and spread successfully, while those with a disadvantage will not emerge at all. This process, known as 'reassortment', is partly responsible for the numerous influenza pandemics throughout history and has even allowed diseases to jump the species barrier. Although bluetongue doesn't affect humans directly, its spread poses a growing threat to the UK's livestock sector and food supply. It's important to learn from other countries that are further along in the BTV-3 outbreak so that the likely effects can be anticipated in the UK.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Former England and Tottenham legend Paul Gascoigne rushed to hospital
Former England and Tottenham Hotspur star Paul Gascoigne has been rushed to hospital following a collapse at his home in Dorset according to reports. The Sun reported that the former England midfielder was found in a semi-conscious state in his house in Poole, Dorset on Friday and was admitted to an intensive care unit. The 58-year-old has since been moved to an acute medical unit at Poole Hospital and is recovering in a 'stable condition'. He is expected to spend several more days in hospital for treatment. Fromer Brighton defender and Gascoigne's friend, Steve Foster, reportedly found him at his home in Dorset. He spoke to The Sun newspaper saying: 'He [Gascoigne] would like to thank everyone for the support he's received so far from so many old friends who wish him well and want to see him back to his best.' Gascoigne is regarded as one of England's best midfielders and a playmaker. He won 57 caps between 1988-1998 and was famously part of the England teams that went close to winning the World Cup in 1990 and the 1996 European Championship. Gascoigne has also endured a long public battle with alcohol and mental health problems which started during his playing career and worsened after his retirement from football in 2004. Last March, he told the High Performance podcast that he was a "sad drunk" living in a spare room at the Dorset home of his agent Katie Davies. But, earlier this year he gave a positive health update to The Mirror saying he feels better than he has in years. 'I feel better now than I have in years,' he said. 'I hope I am at a point that I can look back over everything I've gone through with a different, more positive, perspective. 'After so many years in the spotlight, I feel like it's time people got to know the real me.'
