Pies: Dogs normally have between one to sixteen or even more puppies

Evidence: 59 • authority: 88

Heart murmurs in puppies and adult dogs. Heart murmurs in puppies and adult dogs are common findings in first-opinion veterinary practices during routine health checks. Heart murmurs in puppies can be innocent or pathological. Differentiating between innocent and pathological heart murmurs in puppies is important as, for some congenital cardiac diseases, life-saving treatment is available if early intervention is initiated. Therefore, referral of puppies with a heart murmur to a cardiology specialist is recommended to reveal congenital heart diseases. Ideally, referral takes place before the puppy is sold to a new owner and before the puppy develops clinical signs of heart disease. Heart mu…

Evidence: 59 • authority: 92

Effect of Dietary Vitamin A, Breed, and Kidney Function on the Onset of Urinary Vitamin A Excretion and the Vitamin A Transport Complex in Growing Dogs.. Vitamin A (retinol and retinyl esters) is present in substantial amounts in the urine of healthy adult dogs, but the mechanisms affecting its excretion are poorly understood. To assess whether the onset of urinary vitamin A excretion is dependent on dietary vitamin A intake, breed, and/or parameters of kidney function, 48 puppies from two breeds, the Labrador Retriever and the Miniature Schnauzer were included. Dogs were given four diets with increasing vitamin A content (5000; 12,500; 75,000 and 100,000 IU vitamin A/1000 kcal metabolizabl…

Evidence: 59 • authority: 92

Impacts of the 'Cost-of-Living Crisis' on UK-Based Owners of Pandemic Puppies.. Since 2021, United Kingdom (UK) residents have faced a decline in disposable income termed the Cost-of-Living Crisis (COLC). For pet owners, this has been compounded by the costs of veterinary care rising faster than the rate of inflation. Animal welfare charities have reported increased rates of relinquishment and owners making cost-reducing savings on multiple aspects of their dogs' care. This study aimed to quantitatively assess the nature and prevalence of impacts of the COLC on a cohort of dogs acquired in 2020 and their owners. A cross-sectional survey collected data between 2022 and 2024 from n = 770 owne…

Evidence: 59 • authority: 92

Dog Breeding in Italy: A Technical Overview of Husbandry and Reproductive Management.. Background Appropriate reproductive management is essential for improving pregnancy outcomes and neonatal survival in dogs. However, information on the practices adopted by Italian dog breeders remains limited. Objectives This study aimed to describe reproductive and neonatal management practices among certified Italian dog breeders, compare them across Northern, Central and Southern Italy, and assess their consistency with current veterinary recommendations. Methods An anonymous online questionnaire comprising 41 questions was distributed to Italian dog breeders between October 2023 and March 2024. It co…

Evidence: — • authority: 38