91°µÍø Animal Welfare Science and Ethics - Projects
The impacts of vision-loss on dog and owner Quality of Life
We aim to investigate the impacts of canine Progressive Retinal Atrophy, a leading cause of hereditary blindness, on dog and owner quality of life (QoL) to improve the welfare of both
Objective assessment of the quality of life of equines with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction
Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is a common disease of older equines affecting >25% of animals over the age of 15 years. It has various associated clinical signs that could impact quality-of-life (QoL) including the painful hoof condition laminitis, weight loss and lethargy. Owners frequently mistake some of these clinical signs as being associated with ageing and not important enough to seek veterinary advice. Additionally, owners face increased physical care burden (time, money and physical exertion), along with increased emotional burden such as a changed mental state caused by affected animal encountering challenges that require additional care.
A solution right under our nose? Exploring health implications and public demand for brachycephalic ‘designer’ outcrosses
Brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs continue to grow in popularity internationally despite their well-documented health challenges. This study explores two questions: (1) Do brachycephalic-outcrosses exhibit improved respiratory and ‘innate’ health characteristics compared to their extreme-brachycephalic parent-breed?; (2) Do brachycephalic-outcrosses meet the aesthetic preferences of people who desire extreme-brachycephalic purebreds?
Empirical assessment of welfare in wild American mink and Eurasian otters: the effects of intra- and inter-specific population density
Scientific and societal interest in the welfare of free living wild animals is increasing, but it's study rem