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| PET GAZETTE | TRADE TALK
GPS DOG COLLAR BRAND MISHIKO SIGNS
DISTRIBUTION DEAL WITH EXERTIS
The collar features real-time GPS and tracks the fitness of pets
COMPLICATION
RATES OF
NEUTERING
REVEALED IN
NATIONAL AUDIT
The data was compiled using over 30,000
cases from vet practices in the UK
The first major audit of routine neutering
of cats and dogs in the UK has revealed
the complication rates associated with
the procedure, including the number of
abnormalities requiring medical treatment
or further surgical intervention.
The audit data, comprising over 30,000
individual cases from veterinary practices
across the country, provides benchmarks
against which the profession can measure
its performance and levels of improvement.
The data analysed and released by
vetAUDIT in August 2018:
Bradley Viner, one of the team behind
vetAUDIT and the chair of the Quality
Improvement Advisory Board at RCVS
Knowledge, said: “Benchmarking is a
great way to compare how your practice
is performing compared to the national
average, but it needs to be the first stage in
a quality improvement process.
“Veterinary teams invariably want to do
the best for their patients but we have to
recognise that we work in complex systems
that do not always function perfectly.
Recognising that we can always do
things better and discouraging defensive
behaviour are the first steps in driving
forward quality of care.”
Practices can include themselves in the
audit by submitting data using the form on
the vetAUDIT website: www.vetaudit.rcvsk.
org. It will be analysed free of charge and
incorporated into the national benchmarks
where results can be compared with the
UK averages. All published data will remain
anonymous.
Practices can carry out their own
audits and produce internal benchmarks,
guidelines and checklists to help monitor
their progress by using the free resources
on the RCVS Knowledge website:
www.rcvsknowledge.org/quality-
improvement/tools-and-resources/.
www.petgazette.biz
Mishiko, GPS and fitness tracker brand,
has announced it has signed a distribution
agreement with technology distributor
Exertis.
The firm which deals with technology
products for the B2B, mobile and retail
markets will be distributing the Mishiko GPS
and fitness tracker for pets to designated
resellers in the UK.
Mishiko features include real-time GPS
tracking, an obesity diagnostic tool based
on Artificial Intelligence and a tailor-made
health and well-being fitness planner.
The Mishiko tracker is waterproof and
lightweight and comes in a hard-wearing
snap collar with a light. Battery life is on
average two to three days with a wireless
charger that takes less than three hours
to recharge. The device can be controlled
and monitored using the free Mishiko app.
The GPS tracking can trace a pet within four
metres and a geofence can be activated
to prompt alarms if it strays outside of a
certain area.
In addition, the market growth is further
boosted by concern over obesity in pets
with the PFMA estimating that 52 percent of
dogs and 47 percent of cats are overweight,
reducing life expectancy by two to three years.
Roman Plyushchenkov, managing
director of Mishiko, said: “We are delighted
to be working with Exertis. Their retail and
logistics expertise will ensure that our
retailers have enough product to meet the
demands of a growing market. Our product
has received excellent reviews due to its
innovative features and price-performance
ratio and has great potential in a largely
untapped market.”
OWNERS DITCH VETS FOR CHEWING
GUM AND HUMAN TOOTHPASTE TO
CURE BAD DOG BREATH
The owners surveyed admitted to spending less than £100 on the dog’s dental health since
owning them
Chewing gum, facial haircuts and brushing
teeth with human toothpaste are just some
of the ways owners are trying to combat
their dog’s bad breath, according to a study.
The survey of 2,000 dog owners revealed
over half believed their dog suffered from
bad breath – and yet the same percentage
thought it was normal for canines.
Dog owners have spent on average less
than £100 on their dog’s dental hygiene
since having them, indicating owners are
underestimating the importance of dental
health. Furthermore, owners are not making
the connection between poor dental health
and the implications it can have on their
dog’s overall health.
A fifth of those polled said they would
worry about dog breath being a sign of a
serious health problem. However, six in 10
owners admitted to having tried to combat
their dog’s bad breath and over half have
used a dental chew to do this. Nearly a third
of owners said they didn’t know how often
to clean a dog’s teeth.
The survey, commissioned by Lily’s
Kitchen pet food via OnePoll.com to
coincide with the launch of Woofbrush.
More owners thought dogs’ bad breath was
associated with what their dog has eaten
rather than a sign of poor dental hygiene.
A more confident 40 percent however will
let their dog lick their face regardless of how
they smell. Under half of those dog owners
who were polled said they take their dog
for an annual dental inspection. Some six in
10 owners who believed that dental chews
were an effective solution said they used
them to combat their dog’s breath.
December 2018