PetSavers Research Roundup – From inception to impact
9 November 2026
Our new Research Roundup feature in Companion connects BSAVA PetSavers-funded research projects featured in earlier issues of Companion with their recently published findings. Revisiting a study from its inception and the knowledge gap it aimed to address, to the key findings from the resulting publication to offer a complete picture of the research journey and its contribution to advancing veterinary knowledge and practice.
Glomerular ultrastructural change and vascular endothelial growth factor-A expression in diabetic cats
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease in humans in the western world, but little is known about its development in diabetic cats and clinically overt DN is not recognized in them. This PetSavers-funded student research project at the University of Bristol was the first to characterize glomerular ultrastructural changes in diabetic cats and measure the expression of the angiogenic and endothelial cell growth factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, which plays a key role in the development of DN in humans.
Under the supervision of Dr Natalie Finch, Holly Reyes-Hughes, then a Bristol undergraduate veterinary student, analysed kidney samples collected at post-mortem examination from four diabetic and five control cats. Glomerular ultrastructural changes, including glomerular endothelial cell fenestration density and width, and glomerular basement membrane, were assessed using transmission electron microscopy. Glomerular VEGF-A expression was determined in eight diabetic and five control cats, using immunohistochemistry.
The research found, for the first time, that ultrastructural changes may develop in the glomeruli of diabetic cats, consistent with diabetic nephropathy. In diabetic cats, glomerular basement membrane width was significantly increased and there was a loss of glomerular endothelial cell fenestrations, compared to control cats. Diabetic cats also had increased glomerular VEGF-A expression, similar to diabetic nephropathy in other species. Despite similar renal histopathological scores between control and diabetic cats, ultrastructural changes in the glomeruli of diabetic cats were present. This highlights the need for electron microscopy for fully evaluating renal changes in diabetic nephropathy.
As diabetic nephropathy may contribute to decreased glomerular filtering capacity and proteinuria, monitoring and treating proteinuria should form an important part of diabetic monitoring.
Holly Reyes-Hughes said: “This is exciting and novel data that challenges the paradigm that cats with diabetes do not develop diabetic nephropathy and highlights the importance of monitoring renal function and development of proteinuria in diabetic cats.”
The effect of pterygoid bone medialization on BOAS severity and surgical outcome in brachycephalic breeds
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is a multi-lesional disease arising from artificial selection of the ‘flat-faced’ feature, in which the skull becomes shortened, but upper airway soft tissues do not reduce in size proportionally and thus lead to airway obstruction. Although many anatomical lesions are associated with BOAS, including soft palate thickness, tracheal diameter and aberrant nasal turbinate conformations, the effect of bony malformation on nasopharyngeal narrowing had not been reported.
A student research project at the University of Cambridge, supervised by Dr Nai-Chieh Liu and funded by PetSavers in 2021, therefore became the first known to investigate the effect of pterygoid bone medialization on BOAS severity and surgical outcome in French Bulldogs, Pugs and Bulldogs, which are currently the most popular brachycephalic breeds.
Sze Lynn Yuen, then a Cambridge undergraduate veterinary student, analysed computed tomography (CT) images of the head and neck of 144 brachycephalic dogs and compared with 30 non-brachycephalic control dogs. A BOAS index was determined both pre-operatively and post-operatively.
Medialization of the pterygoid bones was more severe in brachycephalic breeds compared to non-brachycephalic breeds and was associated with nasopharyngeal narrowing. French Bulldogs were particularly affected, and those with more severe pterygoid bone medialization were far more likely to have a poor BOAS surgical outcome.
There are currently no effective surgical interventions to correct the deformities of the pterygoid bones in BOAS-affected dogs. These findings highlight the importance of evaluating pterygoid malformations as part of clinical assessments to make more informed predictions of surgical prognosis and advise owners. Medialization of the pterygoid bones can be easily identified via CT scans, or alternatively, simple palpation of the pterygoid bone during surgery from the oral cavity can give an indication of how medialized the pterygoid bones are.
Sze Lynn Yuen said: “BOAS is a complex disease which encompasses breed-specific anatomical lesions. The medialization index will be useful for vets in practice to guide them on the likely prognosis prior to surgery. It would be beneficial to identify the significance of the medialization index on a larger dataset of BOAS-affected patients as the next step.”
Comparing peri- and post-operative outcomes for bitches neutered via laparoscopic ovariectomy and ovariohysterectomy by celiotomy
Neutering is undertaken to prevent bitches from producing offspring by removing the hormonal source controlling reproduction. Ovariohysterectomy (OVH) by celiotomy is reportedly the most common neutering technique taught in vet schools and performed in practice, although laparoscopic techniques and ovariectomy (OVE) surgeries are becoming increasingly common.
Familiarity and experience with techniques and equipment are known to have a positive influence on laparoscopic OVE surgery time and outcomes. This student research project, funded by PetSavers and carried out at the University of Nottingham under the supervision of Professor Gary England, tested the hypothesis that laparoscopic OVE (LAP-OVE) would have a shorter duration, with fewer peri- and post-operative complications reported, than OVH by celiotomy (OVH-CEL). The aim was to support the requirement to teach LAP-OVE to veterinary students and promote its use in practice to benefit bitch wellbeing.
Elaine Yarwood, then a Nottingham Vet School student, analysed data from 519 bitches neutered by either LAP-OVE or OVH-CEL at four UK veterinary practices, in collaboration with other researchers from Guide Dogs and Feldon Veterinary Centre.
Fewer bitches developed wound redness or swelling at the surgical site following LAP-OVE (16%), compared to those that underwent OVH-CEL (36%). Intraoperative complications were reported for 2% of dogs neutered by LAP-OVE and 3% of those neutered by OVH-CEL. Postoperative complications were reported for 0.5% of the LAP-OVE group and 1% of the OVH-CEL group.
Unusual behaviours (inappetence, discomfort, licking or chewing) in the postoperative period were less common in dogs neutered by laparoscopic ovariectomy. There was no significant difference in surgical duration between the two techniques.
The findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that postoperative complications, including those related to wound healing and those requiring further veterinary intervention, are lower for laparoscopic than open surgeries for bitches neutered by experienced veterinarians.
Lead author, Dr Rachel Moxon, said: “While there is already evidence from other studies relating to complications following neutering surgeries in bitches, this is the first time that the outcomes have been compared between what are anecdotally reported to be the two most frequently performed neutering surgeries for female dogs in the UK. The results will be of interest not only to vets, but for pet owners and others that have to make choices about neutering their dogs. Understanding the surgical risks is an important factor to consider, and decision making is made easier when it can be informed by evidence”.
Interested in carrying out your own clinical research study? BSAVA PetSavers offers a range of research grant types, supporting every stage of your career. Find out more here.