Dave Brodbelt

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• MA VetMB PhD DVA DipECVAA FHEA FRCVS
• Medical Professional at Royal Veterinary College

Little information has been published on the recorded disorders of pet chelonia. This cohort study aimed to report on demography, commonly recorded disorders and mortality recorded in chelonia under UK primary veterinary care in 2019. Electronic health records on a random sample of chelonia in VetCompass during 2019 were reviewed to extract species...

Background Dental disease is a painful and highly prevalent condition in companion rabbits. However, the dental disease management techniques currently employed by UK primary‐care veterinarians and potential associated clinical welfare implications are scarcely described. Methods Anonymised clinical records from primary‐care practices participatin...

Standard bodyweights are an essential component of calculations that summarise many population-level measures in companion animals, including the defined daily doses for veterinary species (DDDVet) reporting antimicrobial usage. Standard species bodyweights may originate from data derived from clinical records, but current methods to obtain these v...

Background Beagles are a popular companion animal dog breed and are generally stated to be a healthy breed. This VetCompass study aimed to report the demography, common disorders and mortality of Beagles under primary veterinary care in the UK. Anonymised clinical records within VetCompass were followed over time to extract disorder and mortality d...

Insulinoma is the most common pancreatic tumor diagnosed in dogs. This study aimed to report incidence risk, breed predispositions and other demographic risk factors for insulinoma diagnosed in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. The VetCompass Program supports research on anonymized electronic health records (EHRs) from dogs under UK vet...

Background Domestic rabbit breeds vary substantially from the wild rabbit body type. However, little is known about how the conformation of pet rabbits influences their health. Methods Data were extracted from VetCompass anonymised clinical records of rabbits under UK primary veterinary care during 2019. Results The study included 162,107 rabbits...

There is growing evidence supporting clinically important associations between age at neutering in bitches and subsequent urinary incontinence (UI), although much of this evidence to date is considered weak. Target trial emulation is an innovative approach in causal inference that has gained substantial attention in recent years, aiming to simulate...

Objectives: The aims of the present study were to generate the first life tables for the UK companion cat population overall as well as broken down by sex and breed status, and to quantify associations between mortality and traits such as sex, neuter status, breed status and body weight in relation to mortality. Methods: Life table construction...

Objectives The purpose of this study is to report the prevalence and risk factors for tick infestation in dogs in the UK based on anonymised electronic patient records. Materials and Methods Clinical records of dogs under veterinary care in 2016 at clinics participating in the VetCompass Programme were followed over a 5‐year period to identify cas...

Introduction Guinea pigs are popular as domestic pets but there is limited information on the health of the wider pet population. This study aimed to report demography, commonly diagnosed disorders and mortality of guinea pigs under UK primary veterinary care. Methods Diagnosis and mortality information on guinea pigs was extracted from anonymised...

Background Some prior evidence has suggested that lop-eared rabbits and those with brachycephalic skull conformations have a higher dental disease risk. This retrospective cohort study reports the frequency and conformational risk factors for primary-care veterinary diagnosis with dental disease in companion rabbits in the UK. Methods Anonymised V...

Background Shih Tzus are a popular dog breed in the UK although there is relatively little reported information on their health. This study aimed to characterise the demography, common disorders and mortality of Shih Tzus under primary veterinary care during 2016 in the UK using de-identified clinical records from the VetCompass™ Programme. Result...

Background The English Cocker Spaniel (ECS) is one of the most popular dog breeds in the UK but information on disorder predisposition and protection is limited. Using anonymised veterinary clinical data from the VetCompass™ Programme, this study aimed to compare disorder predisposition and protection between the ECS and the remaining dogs under pr...

Background The Shar Pei is a common dog breed with a distinctive appearance caused by hyaluronosis that has been linked with several health conditions. Anonymised primary-care veterinary clinical records were explored to extract data on the demography, common disorders and mortality of Shar Pei in the UK in 2013. Results The study population of 45...

Background During the COVID‐19 pandemic, equine health care in the UK may have been adversely affected due to mandated changes in the delivery of veterinary healthcare and the potential for reduced health‐seeking behaviour. Methods Electronic patient records (EPRs) were analysed to describe veterinary activity for all equids under the active care...

Introduction Dog bites continue to be a serious public health issue due to their association with the transmission of rabies virus. In Kenya, there are no studies estimating dog‐bite incidence. Annual mortalities resulting from dog‐mediated rabies are estimated at 523 (95% confidence interval 134–1100). The main objective of this study was to asses...

Target trial emulation applies design principles from randomised controlled trials to the analysis of observational data for causal inference and is increasingly used within human epidemiology. Veterinary electronic clinical records represent a potentially valuable source of information to estimate real-world causal effects for companion animal spe...

Introduction Growing concerns over health and welfare impacts from extreme phenotypes in dogs have created an urgent need for reliable demographic information on the national breed structures of dogs. Methods This study included all dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK during 2019 at practices participating in VetCompass. Demographic data...

Background: Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone neoplasia that has high welfare consequences for affected dogs. Awareness of breed and canine conformational risk factors for osteosarcoma can assist with earlier diagnosis and improved clinical management. Study of osteosarcoma in dogs also offers translational value for humans. Anonymised clinical dat...

Plain English summary The Boxer is a medium-large sized, active dog with a short coat and a moderately flat-faced (brachycephalic) skull shape. Despite many decades of popularity in the UK, there is limited published evidence on the overall health profile of Boxers. White-coloured Boxers are thought to be at higher risk of deafness from birth and a...

Plain English summary The English Cocker Spaniel (ECS) is a popular family dog in the UK, but there is limited information regarding common disorders affecting the breed. The goal of this study was to describe demography (age, sex, neuter, and bodyweight), disease occurrence, lifespan, and reasons for death in ECS by using data from the VetCompass™...

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the incidence and risk factors for mammary tumours in female cats attending UK primary-care practices. The study hypothesised that middle-aged, intact and certain breeds are associated with increased mammary tumour risk. Materials and methods: A case-control study design identified mammary tumour cases by...

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important endocrine disorder in dogs. This study explored prior exposure to glucocorticoids or antibiotic treatment as risk factors for developing DM in dogs attending primary-care VetCompass clinics in the UK. Methods: A breed frequency matched case-control study nested in a cohort of dogs (n = 480,469)...

Objectives: Periodontal disease is a multifactorial inflammatory disease that can have major welfare implications in cats. This study aimed to report the frequency and demographic risk factors of periodontal disease and to explore associations with common comorbid disorders in cats in the UK. Methods: The study included a random sample of 18,249...

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing One Health problem. Monitoring antimicrobial usage in farm animals is crucial for tackling AMR. A cohort study using the electronic clinical records during 2019 from 23 farm animal veterinary practices across the UK belonging to two corporate groups, with a range of 2-14 veterinarians per practice, estima...

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to generate a robust evidence base on the prevalence of common disorders in cats and develop a deeper understanding of disorder associations with sex and age that could offer important opportunities for targeted veterinary care to improve feline health and welfare. Methods: A random sample of 18,249...

This study aimed to evaluate demographic risk factors associated with unilateral cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture diagnosis and to explore demographic and clinical risk factors associated with management of unilateral CCL rupture in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. A retrospective cohort study design was used. Clinical records w...

Background Judicious antimicrobial use (AMU) is important for preserving therapeutic effectiveness. Large‐scale studies of antimicrobial prescribing can provide clinical benchmarks and help identify opportunities for improved stewardship. Objectives To describe systemic AMU in UK equine practice and identify factors associated with systemic and Ca...

Background Hypothyroidism is a commonly diagnosed endocrinopathy in dogs. This study aimed to investigate the frequency and risk factors for diagnosis of hypothyroidism in UK primary-care practice. Dogs diagnosed with hypothyroidism were identified by searching electronic patient records of primary-care practices participating in VetCompass. A coho...

Background Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that is found globally and affects most mammalian species. Vaccination of dogs against leptospirosis is an important approach to preventing clinical disease, or reducing disease severity, as well as reducing transmission of the infection to humans. Although it is generally considered to be a ‘core’ vac...

Skin fold dermatitis (intertrigo) is an inflammatory process of closely apposing skin surfaces. Extreme conformations towards folded skin in many dog breeds are linked with higher risk. Using anonymised primary-care veterinary data from the VetCompass Programme, this study aimed to report the frequency, demographic risk factors and clinical managem...

Background The English Bulldog has risen sharply in popularity over the past decade but its distinctive and extreme conformation is linked to several serious health conditions. Using multivariable analysis of anonymised veterinary clinical data from the VetCompass Programme, this study compared the odds of common disorders between English Bulldogs...

Background: Hamsters are popular pets worldwide but there is limited evidence on the overall health issues of pet hamsters. This study aimed to characterise the demography, disorder prevalence and mortality of pet hamsters in the United Kingdom. Method: The VetCompass study included anonymised clinical records of 16,605 hamsters. Results: The...

Objectives To quantify and explore risk factors in dogs seen at primary care UK veterinary clinics for general anaesthetic (GA)/sedative-related death overall, in addition to neuter-specific procedures. Study design A nested case-control study within UK primary-care veterinary electronic patient record surveillance programme, VetCompass, including...

Plain English summary Pugs have become phenomenally popular in the UK over recent decades. The breed has a flat-faced look (brachycephalic) that many humans find highly attractive and ‘cute’ but this flat face is also linked to several serious health problems. Consequently, there is growing concern about the welfare issues associated with the popul...

Surveillance of antimicrobial usage (AMU) is essential for preserving clinical effectiveness and minimising the potentially devastating consequences of antimicrobial resistance on animal and human health. Veterinary electronic patient records (EPRs) offer a potentially valuable source of AMU data. This work used veterinary EPRs to describe systemic...

A life table is a tabulated expression of life expectancy and mortality-related information at specified ages in a given population. This study utilised VetCompass data to develop life tables for the UK companion dog population and broken down by sex, Kennel Club breed group, and common breeds. Among 30,563 dogs that died between 1st January 2016 a...

Background Urethral obstruction (UO) has a negative effect on welfare of cats. Objectives This study aimed to determine incidence, case management, and outcomes of UO in cats in primary‐care practice in the United Kingdom. Animals All male cats under veterinary care within the VetCompass database in 2016. Methods A retrospective cohort study was...

Background Prolapsed nictitating membrane gland (PNMG) is the most common disorder of the third eyelid in dogs. However, the epidemiology of PNMG in the wider dog population remains understudied. Methods Using de-identified clinical data from the VetCompass Programme, this cohort study aimed to report the prevalence, demographic and breed-related...

Undesirable behaviours (UBs) in dogs are common and important issues with serious potential welfare consequences for both the dogs and their owners. This study aimed to investigate the usage of drug therapy for UBs in dogs and assess demographic risk factors for drug-prescribed UBs within the dog population under primary-care veterinary care in the...

Background The French Bulldog is a highly popular dog breed but is linked with many serious health issues. A holistic view of breed health in French Bulldogs would assist efforts to appreciate the overall health strengths and weaknesses in the French Bulldog and to take appropriate steps to mitigate these. Based on random sampling of French Bulldog...

Objectives To estimate the frequency and risk factors for Cushing's syndrome in dogs under UK primary veterinary care. Materials and Methods Dogs with Cushing's syndrome were identified by searching electronic patient records of primary-care veterinary practices. Pre-existing and incident cases of Cushing's syndrome during 2016 were included to es...

To evaluate the incidence and risk factors for aural haematoma in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. A cohort study design. Dogs diagnosed with aural haematoma during 2016 were identified from the VetCompass database. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression modelling were used for risk factor analysis. There were 2,249/905,554...

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Addressing antibiotic use is essential to tackle antimicrobial resistance, a major human and animal health challenge. This review seeks to inform stewardship efforts in companion animals by collating research insights regarding antibiotic use in this group and identifying overlooked avenues for future research and stewardship efforts. The developme...

Background Otitis externa is a commonly diagnosed disorder in dogs and can carry a high welfare impact on affected animals. This study aimed to report the prevalence and explore the role of breed and aural conformation as predisposing factors for canine otitis externa in the UK. The study used a cohort design of dogs under UK primary veterinary car...

The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds worldwide, therefore it is important to have reliable evidence on the general health issues of the breed. Using anonymised veterinary clinical data from the VetCompass Programme, this study aimed to explore the relative risk to common disorders in the Labrador Retriever. The clinical reco...

Objectives To estimate the frequency and breed-related risk factors for keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in dogs under UK primary veterinary care. Methods Analysis of cohort electronic patient record data through the VetCompass Programme. Risk factor analysis used multivariable logistic regression. Results There were 1456 KCS cases overall from 3...

Leptospirosis is an important global zoonotic disease that affects a wide range of mammalian species. Canine leptospirosis outbreaks have been reported after metereological events such as flooding (eg. in Brazil and the United States of America) suggesting an environmental association, but there has been no such study in Great Britain (GB). The dis...

Objectives: To estimate the annual incidence risk of leptospirosis diagnosis in practice-attending dogs in the UK during 2016 and identify risk factors for diagnosis. Methods: Incidence of leptospirosis diagnosis in dogs during 2016 was estimated from dogs in primary-care practices from the VetCompass Programme (n = 905,543). A case-control stud...

The loss of a pet can be particularly distressing for owners, whether the method of death is euthanasia or is unassisted. Using primary-care clinical data, this study aimed to report the demographic and clinical factors associated with euthanasia, relative to unassisted death, in dogs. Method of death (euthanasia or unassisted) and clinical cause o...

Cushing’s syndrome is an endocrine disease in dogs that negatively impacts upon the quality-of-life of affected animals. Cushing’s syndrome can be a challenging diagnosis to confirm, therefore new methods to aid diagnosis are warranted. Four machine-learning algorithms were applied to predict a future diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome, using structur...

Singleton and colleagues publish in Nature Communications an intervention study to reduce antimicrobial usage in companion animal practice. They identify significant reductions in antimicrobial usage with their more active intervention group over approximately a 6-month period. The study offers an exciting way forward to explore further the trial i...

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for overweight status in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. Materials and methods: A retrospective study design was used to estimate the 1-year (2016) period prevalence of overweight status. The clinical records were randomly ordered and manually validated for dogs with overweigh...

Background Osteosarcoma is an aggressive and painful bone neoplasm in dogs. Previous studies have reported epidemiological associations suggesting that large body mass, long bone length and the genetics of certain breeds including the Rottweiler are associated with elevated osteosarcoma risk. However, these studies were often limited by selection b...

Background: Non-neoplastic anal sac disorders (ASD) are frequent presentations for dogs in primary-care practice but evidence-based information on disease occurrence and risk is sparse. This study estimates prevalence, breed associations and other risk factors as well as reporting on clinical management. Methods: A cohort study of dogs attending...

‘EBVM Learning’ is a freely available resource created in 2015 by an international team with the support of RCVS Knowledge. The resource comprises a series of online modules teaching the fundamental concepts of evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM) (Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply & Assess) supported by case studies, exercises, worked examples an...

Background Although dogs are a commonly owned companion animal in the UK, the species experiences many health problems that are predictable from demographic information. This study aimed to use anonymised veterinary clinical data from the VetCompass™ Programme to report the frequency of common disorders of dogs under primary veterinary care in the...

Objectives: To estimate the frequency, clinical approaches and risk factors of hypoadrenocorticism in dogs under UK primary veterinary care. Materials and methods: Dogs diagnosed with hypoadrenocorticism were identified from the UK VetCompass™ programme by searching anonymised electronic patient records. Pre-existing and newly diagnosed cases of...

The loss of a pet can be particularly distressing for owners, whether the method of death is euthanasia or is unassisted. Using primary-care clinical data, this study aimed to report the demographic and clinical factors associated with euthanasia, relative to unassisted death, in dogs. Method of death (euthanasia or unassisted) and clinical cause o...