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The high rate of antibiotic resistance constitutes a global threat to the continuous use of these drugs, because of increasing treatment failures. The aim of this study was to survey antibiotic prescription practices of veterinarians and the possible contribution to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in Nigeria during the COVID era. This was a cross-sectional study that used a 33-question survey questionnaire administered to registered veterinarians in Nigeria. The study was both online survey and hard copy administered during the annual meeting of the veterinarians from July to October 2021. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis using Chi-square test were also done to analyze the results, while a two-tailed P-value of0.05 at 95% confidence level was considered statistically significant. IBM SPSS Version 26 was used to analyze the data. A total of 172 respondents completed the online and hard copy questionnaire. Majority of the respondents engaged majorly in mixed veterinary practice (72.1%). A total of 53.5% were aware of the country's policy concerning antibiotic prescription, while majority (64.5%) do not do culture and sensitivity before antibiotic prescription. Majority (34.3%) felt that the risk of potential adverse drug reaction could affect their decision when choosing to prescribe an antibiotic to the owner. Majority (51.2%) felt that some antibiotics were over prescribed, while 26.7% opined that all antibiotics were appropriately prescribed. To improve antibiotic use and practice amongst veterinarians in Nigeria, dependence on laboratory services for antibiotic prescription, enforcement of national guidelines and monitoring of antibiotic prescription amongst the veterinarians is essential to curb over-prescription and strengthen antimicrobial stewardship.

OBJECTIVE To describe and compare veterinary professionals’ use of shared decision-making during companion animal appointments. DESIGN Multi-practice cross-sectional study. SAMPLE A purposive sample of 4 companion animal veterinary clinics in a group practice in Texas. PROCEDURES A convenience sample of veterinary appointments were recorded January to March 2018 and audio-recordings were analyzed using the Observer OPTION5 instrument to assess shared decision-making. Each decision was categorized by veterinary professional involvement. RESULTS A total of 76/85 (89%) appointments included at least 1 decision between the client and veterinary professional(s), with a total of 129 shared decisions. Decisions that involved both a veterinary technician and veterinarian scored significantly higher for elements of shared decision-making (OPTION5 = 29.5 ± 8.4; n = 46), than veterinarian-only decisions (OPTION5 = 25.4 ± 11.50; P = .040; n = 63), and veterinary technician-only decisions (OPTION5 = 22.5 ± 7.15; P = .001; n = 20). Specific elements of shared decision-making that differed significantly based on veterinary professional involvement included educating the client about options (OPTION5 Item 3; P = .0041) and integrating the client’s preference (OPTION5 Item 5; P = .0010). CLINICAL RELEVANCE Findings suggest that clients are more involved in decision making related to their pet’s health care when both the veterinary technician and veterinarian communicate with the client. Veterinary technicians’ communication significantly enhanced client engagement in decision-making when working collaboratively with the veterinarian.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo é compreender como indivíduos vivenciam os desafios de viver seu chamado ocupacional. Foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa, com o método grounded theory, por meio de entrevistas narrativas. Assim, desenvolvemos uma teoria substantiva que sustenta que um chamado ocupacional pode ser vivenciado sobre diferentes significados construídos pelos trabalhadores - no caso particular, os veterinários pesquisados -, que essas diferentes construções de sentido levam os trabalhadores a vivenciar diferentes emoções e desafios de curto e longo prazo no trabalho, bem como que esses diferentes desafios são superados por distintas estratégias de superação. Assim, este trabalho contribui para a literatura no sentido de romper com a visão tradicional de que ter um chamado ocupacional enseja um significado monolítico em si. Ao contrário, o estudo sugere que diferentes significados relativos a um chamado podem produzir efeitos díspares na trajetória de carreira dos sujeitos. Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue comprender cómo los individuos experimentan los desafíos de tener una vocación profesional. Se realizó una investigación cualitativa, utilizando el enfoque de teoría fundamentada, a través de entrevistas narrativas. Así, desarrollamos una teoría sustantiva que sostiene que: a) una vocación profesional puede ser experimentada sobre diferentes significados construidos por los trabajadores (en el caso particular, los veterinarios investigados); b) estas diferentes construcciones de significado llevan a los trabajadores a experimentar diferentes emociones y desafíos a corto y largo plazo en el trabajo; c) estos diferentes desafíos se vencen mediante diferentes estrategias de superación. Así, este trabajo contribuye a la literatura sobre vocación al romper con la visión tradicional de que tener una vocación profesional da lugar a un significado monolítico en sí. Por el contrario, el estudio sugiere que diferentes significados relacionados con una vocación pueden producir diferentes efectos en la trayectoria profesional de los sujetos. Abstract This study aims to understand how individuals experience the challenges of living their occupational calling. We performed qualitative research using the grounded theory approach through narrative interviews. We developed a substantive theory that argues that: a) workers, veterinarians in this study, can experience an occupational calling under different self-constructed meanings; b) these different self-constructed meanings lead workers to experience distinct short - and long-term emotions and challenges; c) workers apply a variety of strategies to overcome these challenges. Thus, this work contributes to the literature on callings by parting with the traditional view that having an occupational calling reflects a monolithic meaning itself. In contrast, the study suggests that different meanings related to a calling may produce different effects on the subjects’ career path.

OBJECTIVE To compare pet owners’ and veterinarians’ perceptions of veterinarian-client conversations concerning pet weight and identify challenges related to communication about weight. SAMPLE POPULATION Veterinarians (n = 24) and pet owners (27) in southern Ontario, Canada. PROCEDURES 3 veterinarian and 5 pet owner focus groups were conducted with a semistructured interview format. Thematic analysis of verbatim transcripts was conducted. RESULTS Pet owners valued weight as an important health indicator for pets yet did not expect to discuss weight extensively at every appointment. Owners expected veterinarians to provide options and tailor recommendations when discussing weight management. Owners appeared more concerned with underweight animals, whereas veterinarians focused on obese animals. Veterinarians identified communication challenges, including the perception that owners are uninterested in discussing weight and conversations can become adversarial. Veterinarians reported various benefits and challenges of using humor to address pet weight and emphasized that weight-related conversations often depend on the existing veterinarian-client relationship. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Some perceptions of pet owner expectations expressed by veterinarians in this study align with owner preferences, yet several opportunities exist for changes to veterinarians’ approaches to weight-related communication with clients.

Formulating sophisticated fluid therapy plans can be complicated and time consuming. Consequently, veterinarians in the field who lack experience, time, or confidence may formulate suboptimal fluid therapy plans.Compare conventional and app-guided fluid therapy plans for simulated cases of neonatal calf diarrhea.Third and fourth year veterinary students (n = 55) from The University of Sydney.We developed a web app to assist fluid therapy formulation (http://calfaid.com) that was evaluated in a randomized case simulation trial. Participants were instructed to perform fluid therapy calculations and formulate an integrated fluid therapy plan for case scenarios using conventional methods and using the fluid therapy app. Responses were scored by a blinded study investigator using an a priori scoring guide and groups (conventional vs. app-guided) were compared using linear mixed models.On average, total scores for app-guided fluid therapy calculations were 20.6% points higher (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.1-27.1) than calculations completed using the conventional method (88.2% vs. 67.5%, respectively). On average, total scores for app-guided integrated fluid therapy plans were 14.2% points higher (95% CI, 6.3-22.2; 65.8% vs. 51.2%). Eighty percent of respondents indicated they would prefer to use the app-guided method over the conventional method.Our findings suggest that fluid therapy plans can be improved using apps.

Antimicrobials have been fed to livestock for more than 60 years. Veterinarians and producers saw tremendous gains in health and performance, and usage became widespread. Over time, improved management reduced some of the benefit of many feed-through antimicrobials except for a few important diseases. As a result of concerns about antimicrobial resistance, the US FDA restricted the use of medically important antimicrobials. Starting in 2017, medically important antimicrobials were restricted to therapeutic purposes only, and only under the order of a veterinarian. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of commonly used antimicrobials in livestock feed and regulatory changes regarding the veterinary feed directive. When used judiciously, in-feed antimicrobials are an important tool to ensure the health and welfare of food animals while preserving the effectiveness for animals and humans.

Objective Veterinary medical providers face many of the same stressors related to the therapeutic relationship that human medical providers face, and have reported high rates of emotional distress as an aspect of Veterinary practice. Balint Group work is relatively novel in Veterinary Medicine, and the Balint method has yet to be evaluated in the veterinary community. We hypothesized that applying the Balint method in veterinary medicine would be feasible and offer similar benefits to veterinary providers. Method The authors offered monthly in-person Balint groups, co-led by two American Balint Society trained leaders and evaluated feedback from Balint group attendees to determine the value and feasibility of adapting Balint groups from Human Medicine to veterinary professionals. Balint groups were offered to the veterinary community at a non-profit urban specialty and emergency hospital. During the pandemic, the group transitioned to an online format. All participants were sent an anonymous email survey to collect feedback about their experience. Results Monthly Balint Groups were offered to veterinary professionals, with traditional Balint structure and parameters and co-led by ABS trained leaders. Feedback was obtained, indicating that Balint Group discussions were helpful to Veterinarians. Conclusions Balint Groups are a useful tool for veterinary professionals and are likely to provide similar benefits to those enjoyed by human healthcare providers.

Wearables are an up-and-coming tool in veterinary health care. This article reviews the current and prospective wearable technology for veterinary patients and the future of wearables in veterinary medicine. These devices allow veterinarians to monitor a patient's vital signs remotely, in addition to other variables, and push the profession away from a reactive health-care system toward a proactive culture that is able to identify diseases earlier. Advances in this technology have the potential to profoundly change the way veterinarians obtain and use patient data to practice medicine.

The usage of antibiotics in pig production is much debated due to the risk for antimicrobial resistance where routine usage is necessary to protect animal welfare. Denmark has a relatively low usage of antibiotics in pigs. Thus, the Danish context provides critical insight on how to achieve a lower usage of antibiotics in pigs, and experiences from Danish farmers and veterinarians are useful when debating possibilities for reduction. In this study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with ten pig farmers and six pig veterinarians in Denmark to examine how they perceived animal welfare to be affected in herds where the usage of antibiotics or pZnO had been reduced. The study aimed to explore dilemmas and difficulties in relation to protection of animal welfare while having a low usage of medicine. The interviews were conducted in spring 2022, thus, prior to the ban on pZnO in June 2022. We found that the participants in the study had many positive experiences with achieving a lowered need for antibiotics and pZnO. By upgrading on feeding and management and focusing on prevention of diseases, many herds had succeeded in lowering the usage of medicine with no harmful effect on animal welfare. Many years of strict regulatory measures was highlighted as a major reason for this success, but other contextual factors such as production within the “Pure Pork” concept, which provides an economic reward for pigs raised without use of antibiotics, were also acknowledged to play a positive role. The study illustrated how antibiotics are an integrated part of everyday practice in pig herds. Systemic conditions like difficult employee situations, breeding for high prolificacy and bad economy came forward as major explanations for usage of antibiotics. The study also pointed out how antibiotics were sometimes used routinely and thereby highlighted how reductions should still be achievable. Examples were systematic injections to all piglets at birth and to sows post farrowing. In some cases, routine use was explained by having many employees in the pig herds with no education in how to take care for pigs or how to recognize disease. Avoiding pen or batchwise medication of weaners and thereby avoid treatment of healthy animals was a point of controversy, putting spotlight on grey zones and challenges between productivity and animal welfare.

Practical relevance: Many veterinarians – even those engaged in small animal reproduction – are uncomfortable with taking care of cat breeders or being in charge of catteries. Likely reasons for this are that feline reproduction is largely under-represented in undergraduate and graduate reproduction teaching, as well as in postgraduate education and science, whereas cat breeders themselves are often well informed and actively share knowledge with other cat breeders via the internet and social media. Clinical challenges: A variety of problems can exist within a cattery, and collaboration between veterinarian and breeder to solve these is ultimately beneficial for the breeder, for the veterinarian, and for the health and wellbeing of the individual cats and of the cattery as a whole. Aim: This review presents a comprehensive overview of aspects of cattery management that might negatively impact reproduction, including sanitation, hygiene and infectious disease control. It also discusses monitoring of reproductive performance, breeding recommendations, and the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to some common and specific problems. Equipment and technical skills: Reproductive management in the cattery requires no specialised equipment, as such. What it does need is an open mind, in terms of seeing how things are done, an open ear, for listening to the breeder, and the veterinarian’s clinical skills in palpation, auscultation and, where required, further examination of the animals. Keeping abreast of the latest information on infectious diseases, disinfection and genetics ensures proper advice is provided. Evidence base: Current knowledge of reproductive management in catteries is summarised in order to apply an evidence-based approach, whenever possible. Notwithstanding, much of the information remains empirical.

In Uganda, delivery of veterinary services is vital to animal health and productivity, and is heavily dependent on well-trained and skilled animal health professionals. The purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize areas for refresher training and continuous professional development of animal health professionals (veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals), with the overarching aim of improving veterinary service delivery in Uganda. A survey was administered electronically to 311 animal health professionals during the period November 14–30, 2019. Data were collected on relevant parameters including demographics, knowledge on preventive medicine, diagnostics, disease control and treatment, epidemiology, and One Health, as well as participants’ opinions on training priorities, challenges faced, and constraints to veterinary service delivery. Most respondents were veterinarians 26–35 years old, were male, and worked in clinical practice. Lowest perceived knowledge was reported on subjects relating to laboratory diagnostics, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and nutrition. Training topics considered to be of most benefit to respondents included laboratory diagnostics, treatment of common livestock diseases, AMR, and practical clinical skills in reproductive and preventive medicine. Participants preferred to receive training in the form of practical workshops, in-practice training, and external training. This study highlights the need to prioritize training in practical clinical skills, laboratory diagnostics, and AMR. Wet labs and hands-on practical clinical and laboratory skills should be incorporated to enhance training. Provision of targeted and successful trainings will be dependent on the allocation of adequate resources and support by relevant public and private stakeholders across the veterinary sector.

Clinical practice-based training/work-integrated learning is an applied, social, and high-impact element of the veterinary curriculum. Within this context, students are learning on the job with clinician–educators who are carrying out their professional duties at the same time as supporting learning. To equip clinician–educators with role awareness and general teaching skills, it is recommended that all have access to basic teacher training. However, delivering this training can be challenging to organize and potentially costly when busy, time-poor clinician–educators are distributed across many geographical locations. This Teaching Tip shares our insights about developing and delivering a set of novel clinical teacher resources for veterinarians and veterinary nurses/technologists new to clinical teaching. The resources, underpinned by the principles of participatory design, integrate contemporary clinical educational theories with practical strategies and are interwoven with video clips capturing staff and student perspectives on key topics. While initially focused on creating just an online resource, we ultimately produced an A6 ring-bound booklet version and face-to-face workshops. In this article, we unpack considerations involved in committing to such a project and designing and creating the resources. We hope that this information may be of use to others when developing similar resources.

Cattle veterinarians have long been encouraged to take on a role as proactive health consultants. How-ever, the process so far has been slow in Sweden and elsewhere, and only a rather small proportion of cattle work conducted by veterinarians involves vet-erinary herd health management (VHHM). The aims of this exploratory study were to explore Swedish cattle veterinarians' interpretation of VHHM services and to understand the factors that might affect the extent to which cattle veterinarians perform VHHM. Six focus group discussions with cattle veterinarians complemented with 5 individual telephone interviews with clinic managers were conducted in 2020. In total, 33 cattle veterinarians participated, all employed by the largest employer of Swedish cattle veterinarians: Distriktsveterinarerna (Swedish Board of Agriculture). Participants were chosen from 6 geographical regions with the aim to present variations in gender, age, coun-try of education, proportion of dairy cattle work at the clinic, experience in the veterinary profession, and ex-perience in work with dairy herds and in VHHM. The focus group discussions and interviews were recorded and these recordings were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Participants interpreted VHHM as work associated with the process of advising and included both ad hoc advising and more strategic forms of ser-vices. Prebooked visits per se were not seen as VHHM. We identified 4 different themes among the factors af-fecting the extent of VHHM services: (1) farmer trust and demand; (2) veterinary competence; (3) time avail-able for VHHM; and (4) the individual veterinarian's commitment and motivation. To gain farmers' trust and to create a demand for VHHM services, the results of VHHM work and the veterinarian's competence were deemed central by the participants. The veterinarians' skills in communication and relation building were considered especially important. Some farmers were perceived as having little interest in, or lacking deeper knowledge about, VHHM services. The promotion of VHHM services was mentioned as an important fac-tor to increase farmer demand. Participants described VHHM as work demanding high skills and continuous capacity development. Veterinarians' personal commit-ment and motivation were also described as important for the extent to which VHHM services were performed. This was in turn affected by the psychosocial work environment (e.g., workload, interest and recognition from farmers and managers, and acceptance, priority, and support by colleagues and managers). Clinic man-agers had a central role in the extent to which VHHM services are offered by an individual veterinarian due to their responsibility for staff scheduling, which highly affects the conditions for capacity development, inter-collegiate networking, and cooperation. Lack of time was a major barrier for VHHM. On-call duty time and subsequent compensatory leave affected the total time available, and participants described time conflicts between VHHM and emergency services; moreover, it was perceived as challenging to find sufficient time for capacity development in several different species for veterinarians working in mixed practice. The slow de-velopment toward more proactive approaches for cattle veterinarians can be explained by the numerous dif-ferent factors that together constrain the veterinarian to the traditional role of diagnosing and treating sick animals.

The purpose of this article is to provide veterinarians with an understanding of what it means to use a conditionally approved drug. This article summarizes information that has been used to satisfy the reasonable expectation of effectiveness (RXE) standard for conditionally approved companion animal oncology drugs and compares that standard to the substantial evidence of effectiveness (SEE) standard. For conditional approval, the drug company must establish a RXE but need not demonstrate SEE. For a full approval (ie, New Animal Drug Application), the drug company must demonstrate SEE. Information to support a RXE for conditional approval of companion animal oncology drugs has included open-label pilot studies, retrospective analysis of medical records, use of a related formulation, and clinical field studies not meeting their primary effectiveness variable. Oncology drugs are highlighted in this article as they have made up many of the conditionally approved drugs to date. Veterinarians should understand that a conditionally approved drug does not have the same assurance of effectiveness as a drug receiving full approval. However, whether conditionally or fully approved, the drug has been demonstrated to be safe for the intended use. This report did not undergo scientific peer review.

OBJECTIVE Merck Animal Health Veterinarian Wellbeing Study III was conducted to continue to monitor mental health and well being within the veterinary profession in the US and to identify factors associated with high levels of wellbeing and lack of serious psychological distress. METHODS A questionnaire consisting of several instruments and questions for measurement of mental health and wellbeing was completed by 2,495 veterinarians and 448 veterinary support staff. Results for veterinarians were weighted to the US AVMA membership. RESULTS This study revealed that wellbeing and mental health of some veterinarians declined over the past 2 years, driven in part by the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme labor shortages. Burnout remained at a high level, but there was no increase in suicide ideation. A new companion survey of veterinary support staff demonstrated that staff scored lower in wellbeing and mental health, and higher in burnout than veterinarians. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Importantly, these studies identified techniques that both individuals and employers may find useful in fostering wellbeing and good mental health. A healthy method for coping with stress and good work-life balance was important, as was engaging a financial adviser for those with student debt or other financial stresses. Employers should create safe environments where employees feel comfortable seeking help, reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues. In addition, employers can provide Employee Assistance Programs and health insurance that covers mental health treatment. Fostering a healthy work culture was also important, one with good communication, teamwork, trust, and adequate time allotted to provide quality patient care.

The purpose of this study was to replicate in the veterinary context a BMJ study using Google to assist in diagnosis of complex cases.To assess percentage of diagnoses identified using Google as a diagnostic aid in veterinary medicine.None; 13 cases in cats and 17 in dogs published in JAVMA.Cross-sectional survey of Google results from searches using keywords generated independently by a generalist and a specialist veterinarian who reviewed the published case history and diagnostic components while blind to the diagnosis. They offered diagnoses and generated up to 5 search strategies for each case. The top 30 Google results for each search were reviewed by the generalist to inform a final Google-aided diagnosis. Both veterinarians' initial diagnoses and the Google-aided diagnoses were compared with the published diagnoses.Google searching led to 52 diagnoses out of 60 possible. Twenty-two (42%, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 29%-55%) Google-aided diagnoses matched the JAVMA diagnosis. This accuracy rate does not differ significantly from 58% (n = 15/26, 95% CI 38%-77%) identified in the BMJ study. Google-aided results were not statistically different from those achieved unaided by each veterinarian (33%, 95% CI 16%-50%).Published information found searching Google using keywords related to complicated or unusual cases could assist veterinarians to reinforce their initial diagnosis or consider other differential diagnoses. Search strategies using words representing either signs or the preliminary diagnoses can yield results useful to confirming a correct diagnosis.

The One Health approach asserts that the health of animals and people is closely connected. Under this approach, the CDC and AVMA work globally to attain optimal health outcomes for both animals and humans. One facet of optimal health involves access to safe and effective anesthetics and analgesics. The anesthetic and analgesic drug ketamine possesses unique properties that make it particularly important for both veterinary and human patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These properties include its portability and stability, low cost, ease of administration, and wide therapeutic margin. China advocates regularly to the United Nations for global scheduling of ketamine as a controlled substance. However, this would disproportionately restrict access to ketamine in LMICs, imposing bioethical challenges related to animal patients, human patients, and communities. In alignment with the One Health vision, opposing global scheduling of ketamine in LMICs creates a unique opportunity for collaboration between veterinarians and physicians in LMICs and high-income countries to prevent these bioethical challenges.

Focused cardiac ultrasound examination (FoCUS) is rapidly emerging for point-of-care cardiac assessment using hand-carried ultrasound (HCU) devices. A specific FoCUS protocol for horses and adequate training guidelines currently are not available.To gain knowledge about the training necessary to become proficient in performing FoCUS using a HCU device.Three healthy Warmblood horses were used for practical training of veterinarians and veterinary students in equine focused cardiac ultrasound (eFoCUS).Prospective educational study. An eFoCUS protocol and 1-day training course were developed. Pre- and post-course written tests were administered to participants to evaluate proficiency in knowledge of echocardiography and echocardiographic pathology. A post-course practical examination involved performing eFoCUS and storage of representative images. Images were evaluated using an image quality score and compared between participants with some practical experience and participants with no practical experience.Participants' knowledge of echocardiography increased significantly. Recognition of echocardiographic pathology pre-course ranged from 40% to 90% (mean score, 65.7%) and post-course from 85% to 100% (mean score, 92%). Eighteen of 21 participants were proficient in performing eFoCUS with a median image quality score of 79% (range, 42%-95%). Image quality did not differ between participants with some practical experience compared to participants with no experience.Veterinarians and veterinary students independent of previous experience can become proficient in performing eFoCUS after completion of a 1-day training course.

The veterinary medical workforce is increasingly female; occupational feminization often transfers stereotypes associated with the predominant gender onto the profession. It is unknown whether within veterinary medicine a feminized public image is a possible contributor to the reduction in male applicants to training programs. The influence of stereotypically gendered messaging on how male and female undergraduate students perceive veterinary medicine was investigated in 482 undergraduate students enrolled in five introductory or second-level biology courses. Two short videos introducing the field of veterinary medicine were developed with imagery and language selected to emphasize either stereotypic feminine ( communal) or masculine ( agentic) aspects of the field. Participant groups were randomly assigned one of the two videos (feminine/communal or masculine/agentic) or no video (no exposure). An outcome survey elicited impressions of the field of veterinary medicine and gathered demographic data. There was a significant linear trend of condition on perception of the profession as feminine or masculine and on perception of the activities of a veterinarian as feminine/communal or masculine/agentic. Female participants were significantly more likely to agree that someone of their gender would be valued in the profession. Male participants reported significantly higher self-efficacy scores for performing the tasks of a veterinarian when they viewed the feminine stereotype video. These results demonstrate that gendered perceptions of the field can be manipulated. Intentional gendered messaging should be further explored as one strategy to broaden the talent pool in the workforce by attracting men back to the field.

It is a responsibility of veterinarians and veterinary nurse/veterinary technician practitioners to ground their decisions on sound, objective, and current evidence. Fundamental to this process is the ability to critically analyze available evidence and apply this alongside existing clinical expertise to inform clinical decision making and practice. This teaching tip describes the design and implementation of a knowledge summary and peer feedback as elements of a summative assessment of third-year veterinary nursing degree students at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London. Underlying educational theories and practical details on how to carry out the proposed innovation are discussed. Students’ feedback of this assessment method was largely positive, with acknowledgment of its value in facilitating the answering of clinically relevant questions in a practical, structured, and evidence-based format that is directly transferrable to veterinary practice. For those continuing to the fourth year of the Bachelor of Science (BSc) program, it was considered good preparation for the research and literature review conducted as part of the final-year project. Feedback from faculty suggests that the assessment fulfilled its aim of ensuring improved constructive alignment and facilitating the development of higher-order cognitive skills. Others are encouraged to adopt this method of assessment to develop students’ interpersonal skills, encourage their critical appraisal of evidence, and challenge traditional theories and practice.

Understanding antibiotic prescription patterns and non-clinical factors influencing antibiotic use is essential for implementing strategies to promote appropriate antibiotic use. There is, however, limited research exploring these issues with Ecuadorian veterinarians. Therefore, a questionnaire was developed and applied cross-sectionally to veterinarians (n = 173) from two professional organizations to explore the antibiotic prescription patterns and non-clinical factors (e.g., attitudes and perceptions) influencing antibiotic use, and to identify strategies to reduce antibiotic use. The response rate was 78.4%. Responses were compared between veterinarians working mainly on cattle and poultry farms using Mann-Whitney U tests. The most important attitudes, beliefs and perceptions towards antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antibiotic use were identified with the Relative Importance Index (RII). Veterinarians showed high awareness of AMR and its implications for public health, as well as the necessity of reducing antibiotic use. However, some veterinarians appear to underestimate the potential contribution of veterinary antibiotic use on AMR in humans. Veterinarians self-reported high prescription (> 20%) of antibiotics for cattle and poultry that are critically important for human medicine, such as 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins, polymyxins and quinolones. Further, antibiotic therapy was not tailored to disease type. Cattle and poultry veterinarians perceived similar barriers to increasing antibiotic stewardship including: poor biosecurity measures, animal confinement, low feed quality, farmers’ behaviors (such as stopping antibiotic treatment, storing antibiotics on farms, buying antibiotics in veterinary supply stores), and sales agents’ roles as non-professional prescribers of antibiotics. Overall, veterinarians were broadly supportive (>90%) of most strategies to promote appropriate antibiotic use. They saw more merit in improving biosecurity of farms and implementing educational programs for farmers and veterinarians. This study provides insight into the complexity of antibiotic use on Ecuadorian farms and the need for holistic strategies in a One Health context, to achieve antibiotic stewardship.

In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists

In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists

In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists

In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists

In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists

To develop a taxonomy of positive and negative occupational and organisational factors reported that impact the mental health of veterinary professionals.Veterinary professionals working in Australasia were surveyed between February and June of 2021. The survey comprised two questions related to participants' perceptions of the positive and negative aspects of their job role that impact their mental health and wellbeing. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to analyse the responses and generate two taxonomies of occupational and organisation stressors and protectors reported by participants.Fifty-three responses from veterinary professionals were analysed. The final stressor taxonomy generated contained 9 overarching themes and 36 subthemes. The most common of these were negative work conditions, challenging relationships with clients, and adverse events and patient outcomes. The taxonomy of protectors contained 11 overarching themes and 32 subthemes, with the most common including fulfillment and satisfaction, positive work conditions, and relationships with colleagues.This study is the first to examine both positive and negative factors in the veterinary industry reported by veterinary professionals in Australasia. The results highlighted stressors that can be addressed on both an individual and organisational level to promote the mental and health well-being of professionals working in the animal care industry.

To investigate the relative differences in the perceptions and awareness of outbreaks of photosensitisation in Australian livestock stakeholders, including veterinarians, livestock traders and producers.A questionnaire was developed and circulated to livestock veterinarians, producers and traders in Australia via email addresses obtained from public access sources. The questionnaire was designed to evaluate participants' awareness and perception of health, welfare, and production issues associated with outbreaks of photosensitisation and towards the incidence and importance of photosensitisation in livestock.One hundred and twenty-eight online responses were received in total. Nearly half of the respondents (49.0%) indicated they would encounter 1-3 outbreaks annually. The majority of veterinarian and livestock producers stated that outbreaks of photosensitisation were common and economically important, with cattle and sheep being equally considered as susceptible species to this condition, and secondary (hepatogeneous) photosensitisation is the most common type.This survey confirms the anecdotal evidence that photosensitisation in livestock in Australia is commonly encountered by veterinarians and livestock producers. However, there is no industry-wide common acceptance of the issue, broader opinions should be canvassed when considering impacts on stakeholders regarding photosensitisation outbreaks in livestock in Australia or abroad in the future.

In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists

In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists

Equine pastern dermatitis has a high prevalence in the equine population, especially in draft breeds. This skin condition is difficult to treat, and it is suspected that owners often decide on a treatment without consulting a veterinarian. The objectives of this study were to describe owner-reported clinical signs, severity, and reasons to consult a veterinarian. Moreover, we inquired about preventive measures and treatments, both instituted by owners without previous consultation or prescribed by their veterinarians. A total of 123 horses (owners recruited over social media) were included in the study. All horses suffered from equine pastern dermatitis at least once in the two years preceding the study. Standardized questionnaires collecting information on management, housing conditions, clinical signs as well as preventive measures and treatments were filled out by participants. The data was recorded, and descriptive statistics were performed. Most horses (71 out of 115 available answers, 62 %) had shown clinical signs of equine pastern dermatitis at least four times in their lives. A total of 113 horses (92 % of all included horses) were affected by equine pastern dermatitis at the time of the interview. For 37 horses (32 %) out of 114 available answers the owners consulted their veterinarian only after the horse showed signs of pain or lameness. Usually, treatments that did not require a medical prescription were applied without consulting their veterinarian (e. g. only 9 % (14 out of 150 prescriptions) of topical creams promoting wound healing were prescribed by a veterinarian). A total of 31 treatment decisions (55 %) with creams containing anti-bacterial, anti-mycotic and/or anti-inflammatory agents and 100 % of systemic medications containing anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic or anti-inflammatory agents were prescribed by veterinarians. Overall, 69 % of treatment decisions were made without consulting a veterinarian, making it then more difficult to determine underlying causes for the pastern dermatitis and rendering the treatment often longer and more onerous. To raise owner awareness of possible consequences if a veterinarian is consulted too late in the disease process, specific information campaigns to improve animal welfare should be considered.Mauke hat eine hohe Prävalenz in der Pferdehaltung, insbesondere bei Kaltblutpferden. Die Therapie dieser Hauterkrankung gestaltet sich schwierig, und vermutlich entscheiden sich Besitzer oft für eine Behandlung ohne einen Tierarzt zu konsultieren. Die Ziele der vorliegenden Studie waren die klinische Beschreibung der Hautveränderungen durch die Besitzer, den Schweregrad und die Entscheidungsgrundlage einen Tierarzt zu konsultieren abzuklären. Zusätzlich wurden die Prophylaxe und Behandlungen durch Besitzer mit oder ohne tierärztliche Konsultation abgefragt. Insgesamt wurden die Daten von 123 Pferden (Besitzer über soziale Medien rekrutiert) analysiert. Alle Pferde erkrankten mindestens einmal in den zwei Studienjahren an Mauke. Die Resultate wurden mit standardisierten Fragebögen zu Management, Haltungsbedingungen, klinischen Symptomen sowie vorbeugenden Massnahmen und Behandlungen gesammelt. Die Daten wurden mittels deskriptiver Statistik dargestellt. Die meisten Pferde (71 von 115 verfügbaren Antworten, 62 %) hatten mindestens viermal in ihrem Leben klinische Anzeichen einer Mauke. Insgesamt 113 Pferde (113/123, 92 %) waren zum Zeitpunkt der Befragung an Mauke erkrankt. Bei 37 Pferden (37/114, 32 %) konsultierten die Besitzer ihren Tierarzt erst, nachdem das Pferd Anzeichen von Schmerzen oder Lahmheit zeigte. Behandlungen, die keiner tierärztlichen Verordnung bedurften, wurden in der Regel ohne Rücksprache mit dem Tierarzt durchgeführt (z. B. nur 9 % (14 /150) der topischen wundheilungsfördernden Cremes wurden von einem Tierarzt verschrieben). Insgesamt 31 Behandlungsentscheidungen (55 %) mit Cremes mit antibakteriellen, antimykotischen und/oder entzündungshemmenden Wirkstoffen und 100 % systemische Medikamente mit antibakteriellen, antiparasitären oder entzündungshemmenden Wirkstoffen wurden von Tierärzten verschrieben. 69 % der Behandlungen wurden ohne Rücksprache mit einem Tierarzt durchgeführt, welche die Bestimmung der Ursache oft schwieriger und die Behandlung der Mauke länger und belastender macht. Informationskampagnen sind für das Tierwohl notwendig, damit Besitzer die Vorteile einer frühen Konsultation eines Tierarztes erkennen.La dermatite du paturon a une prévalence élevée dans la population équine, en particulier chez les races de trait. Cette affection cutanée est difficile à traiter et on soupçonne que les propriétaires décident souvent d’un traitement sans consulter un vétérinaire. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient de décrire les signes cliniques rapportés par les propriétaires, la sévérité et les raisons de consulter un vétérinaire. De plus, nous nous sommes renseignés sur les mesures préventives et les traitements, qu’ils soient mis en place par les propriétaires sans consultation préalable ou prescrits par leurs vétérinaires. Un total de 123 chevaux (propriétaires recrutés via les médias sociaux) ont été inclus dans l’étude. Tous les chevaux ont souffert de dermatite du paturon au moins une fois au cours des deux années précédant l’étude. Des questionnaires standardisés, recueillant des informations sur la gestion, les conditions de logement, les signes cliniques ainsi que les mesures préventives et les traitements, ont été remplis par les participants. Les données ont été enregistrées et des statistiques descriptives ont été réalisées. La plupart des chevaux (71 sur 115 réponses disponibles, 62 %) avaient présenté des signes cliniques de dermatite du paturon au moins quatre fois dans leur vie. Au total, 113 chevaux (92 % de tous les chevaux inclus) étaient atteints de dermatite du paturon équin au moment de l’entretien. Pour 37 chevaux (32%) sur les 114 réponses disponibles, les propriétaires ont consulté leur vétérinaire uniquement après que le cheval a eu montré des signes de douleur ou de boiterie. En général, les traitements qui ne nécessitaient pas de prescription médicale étaient appliqués sans consulter leur vétérinaire (par exemple, seuls 9 % [14 sur 150 prescriptions] des crèmes topiques favorisant la cicatrisation des plaies étaient prescrites par un vétérinaire). Au total, 31 décisions de traitement (55%) avec des crèmes contenant des agents antibactériens, antimycosiques et/ou anti-inflammatoires et 100% des médicaments systémiques contenant des agents antibactériens, antiparasitaires ou anti-inflammatoires ont été prescrits par des vétérinaires. Dans l’ensemble, 69 % des décisions de traitement ont été prises sans consulter un vétérinaire, ce qui rend plus difficile la détermination des causes sous-jacentes de la dermatite du paturon et rend le traitement souvent plus long et plus onéreux. Pour sensibiliser les propriétaires aux conséquences possibles d’une consultation trop tardive d’un vétérinaire dans le processus de la maladie, des campagnes d’information spécifiques visant à améliorer le bien-être des animaux devraient être envisagées.La dermatite al pastorale (Equine pastern dermatitis) ha una grande prevalenza nella popolazione equina, specialmente in quella a sangue freddo. Questa condizione della pelle è difficile da trattare, e si sospetta che i proprietari spesso decidano di trattarla senza consultare un veterinario. Gli obiettivi di questo studio erano di descrivere i segni clinici riportati dai proprietari, la gravità e le ragioni della consultazione dal veterinario. Inoltre, abbiamo raccolto informazioni sulle misure preventive e i trattamenti, sia intrapresi dai proprietari senza consultazione precedente che prescritti dai veterinari. Un totale di 123 cavalli (i proprietari sono stati reclutati sui social media) sono stati inclusi nello studio. Tutti i cavalli hanno sofferto di dermatite al pastorale almeno una volta nei due anni precedenti lo studio. Ai partecipanti è stato richiesto di completare dei questionari standardizzati che raccoglievano informazioni sulla gestione, le condizioni di stabulazione, i segni clinici, le misure preventive e i trattamenti. I dati sono stati registrati e sono state eseguite statistiche descrittive. La maggior parte dei cavalli (71 su 115 risposte disponibili, 62%) aveva mostrato segni clinici di dermatite al pastorale almeno quattro volte nella sua vita. Un totale di 113 cavalli (92% di tutti i cavalli inclusi) erano affetti dalla dermatite al pastorale al momento dell’intervista. Per 37 cavalli (32%) su 114 risposte disponibili, i proprietari hanno consultato il loro veterinario solo dopo che il cavallo ha mostrato segni di dolore o di zoppia. Di solito, i trattamenti che non richiedevano una prescrizione medica sono stati applicati senza consultare il veterinario (ad esempio, solo il 9% (14 su 150 prescrizioni) delle creme topiche che promuovono la guarigione delle ferite sono state prescritte da un veterinario). Un totale di 31 decisioni di trattamento (55%) con creme contenenti agenti antibatterici, antimicotici e/o antinfiammatori e il 100% dei farmaci sistemici contenenti agenti antibatterici, antiparassitari o antinfiammatori sono stati prescritti da veterinari. Nel complesso, il 69% delle decisioni di trattamento sono state prese senza consultare un veterinario, rendendo così più difficile determinare le cause alla base della dermatite al pastorale e rendendo il trattamento spesso più lungo e oneroso. Alfine di sensibilizzare i proprietari sulle possibili conseguenze di una consultazione veterinaria tardiva nel processo della malattia, dovrebbero essere prese in considerazione campagne di informazione specifiche per migliorare il benessere degli animali.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether career choice and starting salary of new DVM graduates in the US were associated with their educational debt accrued during veterinary school. SAMPLE Up to 48,527 fourth-year students at US veterinary schools who responded to the AVMA Senior Survey in 2001 through 2021 and accepted a full-time position or advanced education opportunity. PROCEDURES To determine whether career choice was associated with educational debt, multiple linear regression was performed, controlling for graduation year, gender, age, marital status, having children, tuition level, and school location. The correlation between educational debt and starting salary was also determined. RESULTS On average, mean educational debt increased by $6,110 each successive year. A mean of 60.5% of respondents accepted positions in private practice (public practice, 3.3%; advanced education, 36.2%). Respondents choosing public practice had a mean of $24,913 less debt than those choosing advanced education, controlling for other factors. Respondents choosing public practice also had less debt than those choosing private practice, but debt did not differ significantly between private practice and advanced education. The correlation between educational debt and starting salary was significant but low (r = 0.177). CLINICAL RELEVANCE Findings suggested that the amount of debt incurred during veterinary school was associated with new veterinarians’ career paths. Notably, graduates with higher debt levels appeared to seek higher paying jobs or clinical training that might lead to higher paying jobs, leaving public practice—a field in which critical needs have been identified—underrepresented despite the availability of loan forgiveness programs and other incentives.

OBJECTIVE Pet weight may be difficult for veterinary professionals to address with clients, particularly when pets are overweight or obese. The objective of this study was to characterize the communication processes and content of weight-related conversations occurring between veterinary professionals and clients. SAMPLE Audio-video recordings of 917 veterinarian-client-patient interactions involving a random sample of 60 veterinarians and a convenience sample of clients. PROCEDURES Companion animal veterinarians in southern Ontario, Canada, were randomly recruited, and interactions with their clients were audio-video recorded. Interactions were reviewed for mentions of weight, then further analyzed by means of a researcher-generated coding framework to provide a comprehensive assessment of communication specific to weight-related interactions. RESULTS 463 of 917 (50.5%) veterinary-client-patient interactions contained an exchange involving the mention of a single patient’s (dog or cat) weight and were included in final analysis. Of the 463 interactions, 150 (32.4%) involved a discussion of obesity for a single patient. Of these, 43.3% (65/150) included a weight management recommendation from the veterinary team, and 28% (42/150) provided clients with a reason for pursuing weight management. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Findings illustrate opportunities to optimize obesity communication to improve the health and wellbeing of veterinary patients.

In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists

In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists

In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists

In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists

近年の動物や飼い主の高齢化、飼い主のライフスタイルの変化に伴い、動物訪問看護の必要性と重要性が増してきている。しかし、訪問看護に関する研究や調査が十分に行われておらず、実態や課題の把握ができていない。そこで、訪問看護経験のある動物看護師、獣医師にインタビューまたはアンケート調査により、訪問看護の役割と課題を明確化するために調査した。訪問看護を行った経験を持つ3名を対象に半構造的面接法またはアンケート調査により得られたデータを質的分析した。その結果、訪問看護のメリットとして動物、飼い主、診察に対しての3項目が、デメリットとして診察、検査、準備に対しての3項目のカテゴリーが抽出された。今後必要なこととして普及啓発、連携した管理、動物看護師の自立の3項目のカテゴリーが抽出された。訪問看護は飼い主と動物のストレスや負担の軽減、丁寧なケアができる一方、予想外の検査や処方は対応しにくいことが分かった。今後は、周りの動物病院との連携や動物看護師と獣医師の訪問看護の分担を明確にすることの重要性が示唆された。

BACKGROUND: During Finnmarksløpet (FL, one of the longest distance sleddog races in the world), veterinarians are exposed to extreme environmental conditions and tight working schedules, with little and fragmented sleep. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this case study was to examine cardiovascular parameters and sleep-wake patterns among veterinarians working within FL, during and after (for a month) the end of the race. METHODS: Six female veterinarians volunteered for the study. The participants wore a wrist device for a total of eight weeks in order to passively and semi-continuously record physiological responses throughout the day (i.e., heart rate, heart rate variability, number of steps, and sleep quality). Moreover, perceived sleep quality was assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at three time-points. RESULTS: During and for one month after completion of the FL, most veterinarians presented an alteration of cardiovascular parameters and sleep quality. The heart rate circadian rhythm returned to pre-race values within about two weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The long-lasting alteration of the veterinarians’ cardiovascular parameters and sleep-wake patterns might have negative consequences for their health in the long-term, especially if similar experiences are repeated more times though the course of a year or season. More research is needed in order to understand the health risks, as well as how to prevent them, among veterinarians in long-distance sleddog races or other similar events.

In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists

In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists

This article responds to recent calls to further incorporate the study of animal health care into the sociology of health and illness. It focuses on a theme with a long tradition in medical sociology, namely clinical communication, but explores matters distinctive to veterinary practice. Drawing on video recordings of 60 consultations across three small animal veterinary clinics in the United Kingdom, we explore how clients and veterinarians (or “vets”) fashion fleeting “coalitions of touch,” that aptly position the animal to enable the performance of medical work, often in the face of physical resistance. Building on recent developments in the study of haptic sociality, we analyse how care and emotional concern for animal patients is communicated through various forms of embodied action; thus, how the problematics of forced care and restraint are mitigated through distinctive ways of touching and holding animal patients. Moreover, while prior studies of small animal veterinary work have highlighted the significance of talk within the clinician–animal–client triad, we reveal the fundamentally embodied and collaborative work of managing and controlling patients during sometimes intense and fast-moving episodes of veterinary care.

In food animal production medicine (FAPM), the success of control programs for infectious diseases that have serious animal health and economic consequences frequently rely on the veterinarian's effective communication and producer adherence to veterinary recommendations. However, little research has been conducted on communication skills of practicing FAPM veterinarians. During this study, we developed a communication training workshop intervention to support the Atlantic Johne's Disease Initiative. Seventeen FAPM veterinarians across 10 clinics practicing within Maritime Canada participated in a pre-post intervention study design. Communication skills were evaluated utilizing 3 assessment tools; an objective structured clinical exam (OSCE), standardized client feedback, and an instrument designed for veterinary participants to assess their self-efficacy. Study results showed that before training, communication skills of participating veterinarians had limitations, including skill deficits in communication tasks strongly associated with increased adherence to veterinary recommendations. Based on the 3 assessment tools, communication skills of participating veterinarians improved with the training provided. Significant increases were detected in pre- to postintervention self-efficacy percentage scores, OSCE percentage and global scores from expert raters, and OSCE percentage and global scores from standardized client feedback. These improvements emphasize the importance of communication skills training specific to FAPM.

In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists