Real-world solutions for extreme conformation in dogs: A toolbox for vets and vet nurses (LVS25)

This session explores the evolving role of the veterinary professional in safeguarding animal welfare, especially in relation to extreme conformation, where complex ethical, welfare, legal and clinical decision-making is needed.

Dr Dan O’Neill and Dr Tim Kirby will use a real-world case study of a dogs with extreme conformation to explore the ethical, emotional, and financial challenges that veterinary professional encounter daily and need to solve within a contextualised care framework.

Drawing on well over a decade of collaborative work, including RVC VetCompass research and the APGAW Innate Health approach, and linking in work from organisations such as BWG, ICECDogs, LAGECDogs, the session will offer attendees a practical “toolbox” to support the work of vets and vet nurses in general practice in making welfare-led decisions around extreme conformation.

Attendees will gain insight into how insurance, practice culture, and emerging frameworks like AWAG can empower clinicians to improve outcomes for animals, owners, and veterinary teams.

• Recognise the ethical and clinical challenges faced by veterinary professionals when treating animals with extreme conformation and how to manage their owners.
• Understand how both individual actions and also practice culture along with effective communication can help navigate the challenges of extreme conformation to benefit animals, owners, and veterinary teams.
• Learn some practical tools and evidence-based frameworks to use to reduce the negative welfare impacts of extreme conformation in dogs.