Latest news with #vetcare
Daily Mail
28-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
VetPartners tycoon Jo Malone raking in millions
A leading chain of vet surgeries set up by a woman inspired by the James Herriot books saw its sales leap as bills for pet owners soared. Turnover at VetPartners, founded in 2015 by veterinarian Jo Malone, surged by nearly 18 per cent to £853 million from £723 million. It comes as the rapid, debt-fuelled growth of big vet firms has sparked an investigation by the competition watchdog due to fears pet owners are being hit with crippling bills. Malone, 50, became a partner at a York vet surgery in 2009, having followed a career dream that began when, as a girl, she had a pet goldfish. She took inspiration from the books of James Herriot, the pen name of Yorkshire vet Alf White. VetPartners began as a start-up six years later but over the next ten years, with the involvement of two private equity firms, has become a huge chain with 800 locations. 'There's not one bone in my body that's financially motivated,' claims Malone. But the married mother-of-two lives in a £2 million, nine-bedroom home near Thirsk in North Yorkshire, near where White once lived in a modest terraced house. The stone mansion sits at the end of a long, gravel drive, surrounded by extensive gardens with sculpted shrubs and a swimming pool. Despite the sales rise, costs – including servicing £1 billion of debt – ultimately resulted in a £253 million loss after tax in the recently released accounts for the year to June 30, 2024 – far higher than the £81.9 million loss in the previous year. VetPartners' annual reports say Malone and two other executives were paid undisclosed sums via BC Partners. The private equity firm handed £21.3 million to 28 unnamed 'members' the previous year, meaning their payday is likely to be in the hundreds of thousands of pounds. Pet ownership exploded in the pandemic, spelling big business for major UK vet chains, which control nearly two-thirds of a market previously dominated by independent vet practices. This leaves owners increasingly at the mercy of large corporations, with few other options if prices are raised. The Competition and Markets Authority began its investigation into the sector last year due to 'multiple concerns' pet owners were being ripped off. According to the watchdog, spending on vet services rose by 10 per cent a year from 2013 to 2020 and by 20 per cent a year from 2020 to 2023. The number of UK households with a pet has increased from 41 per cent in 2019 to an estimated 60 per cent last year. VetPartners was approached for comment.
Gizmodo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Gizmodo
These Are the Dogs Most Likely to Get Diarrhea
Researchers in the U.K. analyzed vet records from over two million dogs to uncover the messy truth about canine diarrhea. Speaking from personal experience; fewer things in the world are messier than a dog with the runs. New research out today reveals how often people will take their dog to the vet for a bout of diarrhea, as well as some potential factors that could raise a pup's risk of it, such as their breed. Scientists at the Royal Veterinary College in the U.K. conducted the study, which examined the vet records of several million dogs. They estimated that one in every 12 dogs experiences diarrhea serious enough to prompt a vet visit each year, with certain breeds, including German Shepherds, more likely to experience it. The study also suggests that dogs are often getting overprescribed antibiotics as a result. Much like their human owners, dogs commonly suffer from diarrhea, and the study's researchers wanted to better understand how often it's diagnosed in primary care vet clinics and how it's typically managed. To do so, they analyzed the (anonymous) medical records of more than two million U.K. dogs that visited vets in 2019. They also studied the characteristics of 1,835 randomly selected cases of confirmed diarrhea within this sample. They calculated that 8.18% of dogs are diagnosed with diarrhea by their primary vet in a given year. But this risk was higher for six breeds in particular compared to the average mixed breed dog: the Maltese, Miniature Poodle, Cavapoo, German Shepherd, and Yorkshire Terrier. Conversely, only two breeds—the Jack Russell Terrier and Chihuahua—had a lower risk of diarrhea. Dogs younger than three and older than nine were also more likely to be diagnosed with diarrhea compared to middle-aged dogs. About a third of the cases they studied involved blood in the stool, a sign of more serious illness; nearly half of all dogs studied also experienced vomiting. But most cases in general cleared up without too much trouble, with more than 80% only meriting a single trip to the vet. In other words, as is true with people, doggy diarrhea is usually miserable but short-lasting. 'Experiencing the dreaded doggy poonami is one of those events every dog owner fears. This new study shows that diarrhea 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 with good veterinary treatment,' said lead study researcher Dan O'Neill, an associate professor of companion animal epidemiology at the RVC, in a statement provided to Gizmodo. The findings might also provide some insights into the nature of doggy diarrhea. It's possible that the higher-risk breeds highlighted in the study are more genetically vulnerable to digestive problems, for instance. The researchers also found other factors tied to a higher diarrhea risk, such as scavenging (the tendency for a dog to try eating things off the ground or from other non-intentional sources). On the more worrying side, the findings indicate that antibiotics are getting overused in dogs as well as humans. Veterinary guidelines have long advised against using antibiotics for mild to moderate cases of diarrhea in dogs, the researchers note. These drugs are not only unlikely to speed up a dog's recovery, but can incidentally increase antibiotic resistance. Despite these guidelines, however, nearly 40% of the cases they studied were still treated with antibiotics. 'High antibiotic use within veterinary clinical management against years of recommendation to the contrary raises concerns about unnecessary antibiotic therapy for this condition,' the researchers wrote in their paper, published in PLOS ONE. Dogs deserve nothing but the best healthcare, of course. But for most cases of diarrhea, time and less intrusive measures like switching to blander foods (boiled chicken, white rice, etc.) are all you need to help your dog through their gastrointestinal ordeal.
CTV News
04-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Canada-wide veterinarian shortage raises concerns in the Maritimes
The Atlantic Veterinary College in P.E.I. says it's looking for ways to address a widespread veterinary shortage as increased demand causes strain on local clinics. Being a veterinarian is not just a job for Dr. Christina Chong – it's a passion. A vet since 1990, Chong owns Vet-Champlain in Dieppe, N.B. 'I am almost retired but have not been able to because there's still the demand for me to come in to help out,' she said. Over the last few years, Chong says there has been an increased demand for vet care at her clinic. 'We're struggling to schedule clients and we're struggling to find appointment slots for new clients, let alone our regular clients that we are struggling to see. So there is definitely an influx or higher demand,' she said. 'Unfortunately, we have turned away clients that require care, but thank goodness we have two urgent care facilities here that could accommodate.' The veterinary industry across Canada is currently facing a labour shortage. The Atlantic Veterinary College says there's a few reasons behind it, pointing at economic growth, an aging population, and the increase of pet ownership seen during the pandemic. 'The Canadian Vet Schools right now are graduating just enough veterinarians to replace the ones that are retiring, so any growth in the profession, any growth in the number of animals, then we don't have enough vets to service all the clients,' said Dr. Daniel Hurnik, a veterinarian and professor at the college. The college graduates around 70 students each year. While it's looking at ways to address the shortage, Hurnik says it's going to take time. 'To become a veterinarian in our program is four years and then students will study before that, so the process from when you start to when you become a licensed veterinarian is multiple years. So, it takes time to change that process. To build a new vet school is a major undertaking. To increase the class size, and that's one of the things that we're looking at, also takes some structural change,' he said. When students graduate they are able to work in Canada, the United States, Australia and the UK. While many graduates chose to travel, Hurnik says a lot end up coming back to the Maritimes as well. The school is also welcoming students who did their studies elsewhere to complete their clinical year in P.E.I. 'One success story is a recent student that was trained in the Caribbean did their final year with us and took a job in New Brunswick and it's a win-win situation,' he said. Overall, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association says the workforce shortage is an increasing concern. According to the Canadian Occupational Projection System, veterinarians are expected to face labour shortage conditions until 2031. Breaking it down even further, data points to there being 5,000 job openings and only 4,300 looking for a position. 'The workload is too much. Mental health issues, it is a demanding career, it's not for everyone, so it combines,' said Chong. 'It's not for the money. Definitely the money aspect of it could be a problem for some new vets coming out with the tremendous student debt loan that some of these new graduates are coming out with, which kind of falls back onto veterinarian hospitals. The private owners have to pay a lot, which again, that is a problem by itself, so it's a multi-factorial issue in terms of veterinary shortage in Canada. Not just one thing.' Looking at a solution, Chong says more seats at schools would be a start to fixing the problem. She'd also like to see students accepted in a more holistic approach as opposed to just on their grades, but for now, she'll keep managing the influx of clients the best she can. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Beloved dog left with horrific injuries after being bitten by venomous snake during walk through housing estate
A dog suffered horrific injuries when it was bitten by a venomous adder while out on a walk through a housing estate. Owner Adam Penn's nine-year-old Springer Spaniel Willow was left with a shocking open wound on her face, leaving Adam with a £2,500 vet bill. Adam first noticed Willow had swelling behind her head and a lack of appetite. Initially he believed she had been stung by a wasp. Her symptoms got worse and the lump became an open wound. Adam took her to the vets where they discovered Willow had been bitten by a venomous adder. Adders are the only venomous snake in Britain, while their venom is of little danger to humans, a bite can prove fatal for dogs. Adam, a dad-of-two, said: 'I was really shocked. 'She's unlucky but she's lucky to be alive. If it was a smaller dog, then it could have been fatal.' Willow was placed on a drip and given antibiotics, as it was too late for her to be given anti-venom medication. She is still on antibiotics and painkillers and she will need ultraviolet light treatment which will help the healing process and so far, the vets have charged Adam £2,500. Adam, of Northwich, Cheshire, said: 'It was really touch and go because her blood pressure had dropped. 'She's nine-years-old but she's a young nine so before this had happened, I thought we might have another six or seven years with her. 'I didn't question saving her - I asked the vets to do what he could do with her. 'When the anaesthetic had worn off, she started to recover and she's just been a fighter.' Adders normally live in open habitats like heathland, moorland, woodland edges and coastal areas so Adam, a manager of a pub, was shocked that Willow was bitten while walking on a housing estate. He said: 'I live on a normal housing estate. 'But around six or seven years ago, I saw an adder - we have a river near us so that's where they are expected to be. 'We were in the middle of the houses so to find out that it's an adder, was scary. 'My whole family also weren't aware that adders could be in the middle of a housing estate.' According to the Pet Health Club, every dog can react differently to an adder bite but some symptoms could be having two small puncture wounds, drooling, bruising, swelling and an increased heart rate. Adam, who is originally from Warrington, Cheshire, now wants other animal owners to look out for the symptoms and signs that their pet has been attacked by an adder. He said: 'Dogs can get bitten by adders on their neck or on their nose or on their bellies when they are rooting through bushes. 'You need to realise when your pet isn't normal and then investigate it.' Last month, a Jack Russell was killed after being bitten by the venomous snake in Thetford Forest, Suffolk. The family dog, Donnie, was out being walked by Logan Mathers, 17, when an adder shot out and bit the two-year-old Jack Russell on the face. Donnie was taken straight to a vet for treatment while slipping in and out of consciousness. Logan's 19 year-old-sister, Molly, rushed to meet her brother who was left 'traumatised', and little Donnie's health deteriorated despite being given anti-venom medication and antibiotics. Sadly, the beloved family pet died in the early hours of Saturday morning, mother Ali said. She said: 'The whole family went over on Saturday morning to say goodbye to our beautiful boy. 'He really was so full of life. 'We are absolutely heartbroken and just can't believe it. We want to stop another dog being hurt.' The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) advise that swelling can cause serious problems to dogs if bitten on the face or neck - and the venom can cause severe illness and death.
