A guide, supplied by vets within the IVC group, aims to help clients gain a better understanding of the health problems suffered by brachycephalic breeds.

The UK’s biggest veterinary group is targeting its clients in a huge initiative aimed at highlighting the health problems suffered by brachycephalic dogs.

Independent Vetcare (IVC) said it viewed owner education as the best way to proactively react to the rapidly growing number of brachycephalic animals suffering serious health issues in the UK.

As a result, the company has decided to supply its 800-plus sites with copies of “A Guide to Brachycephalic Breeds” that outlines a range of health issues such breeds are susceptible to, not just brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome.

Education

The information in the guide – which also contains advice about precautions and treatment – has been supplied by vets within the IVC group, but written and delivered in a way calculated to make it easy for owners to digest.

Edward Davies, IVC chairman of the UK clinical board and project lead in the board’s welfare working party, said: “We need to educate owners, not alienate them.

“Veterinary-based Facebook pages can get absolutely out of hand and can be incredibly negative, with vets demanding to know why people continue to buy and breed brachycephalic dogs.

“At the end of the day, the owners are laypeople – so what’s the point in us shouting at them? What we need to do is educate them.”