NHS staff were shown around the College's small animal referral hospital.

Groups agree ongoing education is important

The impact of smoking on pets was the subject of a recent NHS trust delegation hosted by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC).

NHS staff visited the College’s small animal referral hospital, where they were shown around by Dr Stijn Niessen, senior lecturer in internal medicine.

They also heard about the advanced treatments and diagnostic imaging capabilities at RVC Small Animal Referrals, which is located at the Hawkshead campus near Potters Bar in Hampshire.

"It is one of the RVC's main aims to improve health outcomes for all creatures great and small, and therefore for animals as well as for us humans. Spending time with a group of NHS professionals discussing the benefits of stopping with smoking for pets and people was an eye-opener for everyone involved,” commented Dr Niessen.

“Apart from the science behind the negative health effects of smoking for humans and their pets, we shared thoughts about how to best change people’s behaviours; it was remarkable to hear how similar the challenges in this respect are for both a human health care professional and a veterinarian.

“We agreed that in order to create behavioural change, ongoing education about the specifics of these health effects is very important. Nevertheless, this also needs to translate into a positive, non-belittling, supportive and realistic action plan.”

The RVC has long been at the forefront of the One Health initiative, which considers the interrelationships between human and animal health.

The ill effects of smoking fits into the One Health model as exposure to tobacco smoke can harm the health of pets, just as it can harm children and other family members. However, there is less awareness of the impact on second-hand smoke on domestic pets.

Other examples of “One Heath” initiatives the veterinary world and specifically the RVC are involved with are the study of diabetes, obesity, cancer, infection, environmental toxin-induced disease and immune-mediated disease. 

Image (C) RVC