👋 Hi, and welcome back to my free newsletter where I share hand-selected dog research, news, and tips every week.

In this week's edition, you’ll learn how vets can detect OA earlier, why dogs bury and hide items and how 250 dogs were saved from a living room.

Enjoy reading! ✨

📑 STUDY

Porous bones

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has uncovered novel indicators that could enable earlier diagnosis of osteoarthritis in dogs, using advanced high-resolution three-dimensional bone mapping.

This cutting-edge technique, never before applied in this way, even in human studies, has provided fresh insights into how osteoarthritis develops. The findings deepen understanding of the earliest structural changes within affected joints, potentially paving the way for much earlier detection in both dogs and humans.

Osteoarthritis is a widespread condition, affecting around one in seven people globally and one in five dogs. It is a leading cause of long-term pain and disability, impacting more than 600 million people worldwide, including approximately 10 million in the UK. According to the World Health Organization, these figures are expected to double by 2050.

Although any dog breed can develop osteoarthritis, data from the RVC’s VetCompass programme indicates that some breeds are at higher risk.

These include Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds. Current treatment options for both humans and dogs mainly focus on managing pain or replacing damaged joints through surgery.

However, detecting the disease in its early stages remains a major challenge, despite its importance for slowing or even reversing progression.

In this study, researchers at the RVC employed ultra-high-resolution micro-computed tomography (CT) to create a full three-dimensional map of the femoral head: the ball portion of the hip joint.

They examined osteoarthritic tissue from dogs that had undergone total hip replacement surgery at the RVC’s Queen Mother Hospital for Animals. Unlike earlier human studies, which focused only on small, localised samples, this approach allowed scientists to analyse the entire bone structure.

As a result, they discovered that different regions of the femoral head can respond differently at the same time during disease development.

A key finding was that, in the earliest stages of osteoarthritis, the inner regions of the bone show consistent and predictable structural changes. These patterns could serve as early markers for identifying the disease.

As osteoarthritis advances, the dense bone layer just beneath the joint surface becomes increasingly porous, with this change correlating to disease severity, helping to distinguish between mild and more advanced stages.

This research marks an important step toward earlier diagnosis of osteoarthritis in dogs.

Looking ahead, researchers aim to link these structural findings with clinical imaging techniques, with the goal of developing improved, non-invasive methods for detecting joint disease much earlier.

The study builds on the RVC’s established strengths in orthopaedic surgery and musculoskeletal science, further solidifying its role as a leader in both animal healthcare and translational research.

Professor Richard Meeson, Professor of Orthopaedics at the RVC, and senior author of the paper, said, “Osteoarthritis is a devastating disease affecting both people and our pets. Every day in our orthopaedic referral clinic, I see dogs suffering from its severe effects. What is truly exciting is that through our clinical work, we can transform the lives of dogs through hip replacement surgery, and we have also been able to drive forward pioneering research at the RVC. This research has provided new insights into the disease and, crucially, brings us closer to diagnosing osteoarthritis at a much earlier stage.”

Dr Gareth Jones, former PhD Student at the RVC and lead author of the paper, said, “Uniquely, our pet dogs share our environment and lifestyles and often develop the same diseases. It is therefore pleasing to see greater acceptance of the opportunity to learn from veterinary diseases to also understand human diseases, through our One Health approach, with this work on dogs being published in such an esteemed human research journal.”

The RVC is also inviting applications for a fully funded three-year PhD studentship based in London. The project will explore how bone marrow lesions (BMLs) and subchondral bone cysts (SBCs) could play a crucial role in enabling earlier detection of osteoarthritis.

Share

 🧠 BEHAVIOR

Burying stuff

Have you ever caught your dog sneaking off with a sock, slipper, chew toy, or even the TV remote, only to discover it hidden away days or weeks later? It might seem random or a little chaotic, but this behavior is actually very common.

It turns out dogs don’t do this just to be mischievous or because they’re bored. There are several natural reasons behind it, and in most cases, it’s completely normal.

Burying and hiding items is deeply rooted in dogs’ instincts. Their wild ancestors used to stash extra food to keep it safe from other animals and return to it later. Even though modern dogs are well-fed, that instinct hasn’t disappeared.

Today, dogs may feel the urge to “save” items they find valuable, whether it’s food, toys, or even your belongings. This can be triggered by excitement, having extra energy, or simply not wanting something at that moment but wanting to keep it for later.

In homes with multiple pets, hiding items can also serve as a way to protect prized possessions from others.

Breed can play a role, too. Dogs originally bred for hunting, digging, or working independently, like terriers, hounds, and northern breeds, are often more likely to bury or hide things because those traits were encouraged over generations.

Age also influences this behavior. Puppies often do it as part of play and exploration. Adolescent dogs may hide things more as they test boundaries and develop independence. Older dogs tend to do it less, although changes related to aging can sometimes bring the behavior back.

Dogs that experienced limited resources earlier in life may also be more likely to hide items frequently, as a leftover survival habit.

Occasional burying or hiding is perfectly normal. However, if it suddenly becomes frequent, intense, or obsessive, it could signal stress or anxiety.

Dogs showing stress-related hiding behavior may also display other signs, such as:

• Moving cautiously or sneaking around with items

• Watching others closely while guarding their “stash”

• Panting, pacing, or appearing tense

In some cases, dogs may begin guarding the place where they’ve hidden something. This can become problematic if they react defensively when someone approaches.

A sudden increase in hiding behavior can also point to unmet needs. Dogs that don’t get enough physical activity or mental stimulation are more likely to develop unusual or repetitive habits.

Interestingly, not all exercise helps equally. Busy neighborhood walks can sometimes overstimulate or stress certain dogs due to noise, traffic, and unfamiliar animals. Calmer environments like quiet parks, open fields, or natural trails can provide more relaxing and beneficial activity.

There are also situations where medical issues play a role. Pain, reduced mobility, or neurological changes can alter a dog’s behavior and lead to new habits, including repetitive hiding.

If your dog is hiding things often, there are gentle ways to manage it without increasing their stress.

One effective approach is teaching trade games. The idea is to show your dog that giving something up leads to a positive outcome. For example, when your dog brings you an item, you offer a reward and then give the item back. This builds trust and reduces the urge to hide things in the first place.

Dogs that think their belongings will always be taken away are more likely to guard or hide them. Teaching them that sharing leads to good things can make a big difference.

It’s also important to make sure your dog gets enough enrichment, both physical and mental, in a way that keeps them calm and engaged rather than overstimulated.

If your dog’s hiding behavior changes suddenly, becomes excessive, or is paired with other unusual signs, it’s a good idea to consult a veterinarian.

Warning signs to watch for include:

• Obsessive or disruptive hiding

• Increased anxiety or guarding behavior

• Changes in appetite

• Confusion or disorientation

• Reduced mobility

Any behavior that feels out of character or starts affecting your dog’s well-being or household safety is worth checking out. A professional can help rule out medical issues and guide you toward the right behavioral support.

In most cases, hiding and burying items is just your dog following instincts that go back thousands of years. With a little understanding and the right approach, you can manage the behavior while keeping your dog happy and secure.

📰 NEWS

Saved from hell

More than 250 dogs were discovered at a single property in conditions so alarming that the RSPCA had to publicly refute claims that images of the scene had been generated using artificial intelligence.

The charity reported that it removed 87 dogs from the site, while the remaining animals were taken in by the Dogs Trust. The exact location of the property has not been disclosed.

After the RSPCA shared photos online showing large numbers of dogs packed tightly into a living room, some members of the public suggested the images were fake and created using AI.

In response, the RSPCA confirmed the images were genuine and highlighted a growing trend, noting a 70% increase in incidents involving multiple animals, defined as cases with 10 or more, across England and Wales since 2021.

According to inspectors, the owners explained that they had lost control of breeding among the poodle-cross dogs, and the situation quickly “got out of hand”.

Jo Hirst, an RSPCA superintendent, said: “This shocking image is the reality of many multi-animal cases and the situation our frontline officers seem to be confronting more and more, with reports of cases involving 10, 20 and even 100 animals on the rise.

“We understand that people are so aghast they don’t believe what they are seeing. But this photo is not AI, it’s real. This is the staggering reality of what can happen when even well-meaning owners become overwhelmed – over-breeding can take over and conditions can spiral out of control.”

The charity considered the owners to be “extremely vulnerable” and chose not to pursue criminal charges.

It also noted that cases involving large numbers of animals at a single address may be connected to mental health issues, financial pressures linked to the cost of living, or irresponsible breeding practices. Experts at the RSPCA say that situations like this often begin with good intentions but can escalate rapidly.

Among the rescued dogs were Stevie and Sandy, who are currently being cared for at the RSPCA’s Southridge Animal Centre and are looking for permanent homes.

In the past year alone, the charity dealt with 4,200 incidents across England and Wales involving at least 10 animals at one location.

Leave a comment