Veterinary Record最新文献

Fiona Shuttleworth, parliamentary veterinary intern to Lord Trees, discusses the three welfare-related Private Members' Bills drawn from the ballot last month and what they might mean if they become law.

Background: Veterinarians have poorer mental health and have higher levels of alcohol consumption compared to the general population. This study aimed to explore perceptions and experiences of problem drinking within the veterinary profession in the UK.

Methods: Online semi-structured interviews were completed with multidisciplined practising veterinarians in the UK. The data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results: Seventeen veterinarians were recruited. The participants were predominantly female (n = 15, 88%). Seven participants (41%) reported personal experience of problem drinking. Four main themes were identified: a normalised culture of drinking, the impact of drinking on mental health and suicide risk, perceptions and attitudes towards problem drinking, and impacts of formal intervention. Drinking to cope was normalised and widespread among veterinarians. Problem drinking was reported to negatively impact mental health and provoke high self-stigma. Both alcohol-related stigma and fear of involvement from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) were barriers to help-seeking.

Limitations: No other veterinary professionals or participants with lived experience of RCVS investigation for problem drinking were included.

Conclusion: Alcohol-related stigma and fear of RCVS involvement reduce veterinary help-seeking for problem drinking, which may have a negative effect on veterinarians' mental health.

Standing still wasn't an option for Meta Osborne and she started her race to the top of the equine reproduction game soon after graduating from University College Dublin and gaining experience in the USA.

Liz Mullineaux reflects on our new Great Workplaces by BVA accreditation scheme, which is going from strength to strength, with five workplaces now securing 'silver' status.

Speaking at BVA's 2024 Northern Ireland Dinner in Stormont last month, BVA President Liz Mullineaux outlined the opportunity presented by the government's proposed EU veterinary agreement to resolve the ongoing vet medicines access issue facing Northern Ireland as a result of Brexit.

Background: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is the most important animal health concern in Wales. Annual testing across all cattle herds in Wales commenced in 2010. In 2017, a new geographic division of Wales was conceived, with bespoke cattle controls and eradication milestones reflecting the geographical heterogeneity of bTB distribution.

Methods: This observational study uses descriptive analysis and Poisson regression modelling to analyse bTB surveillance data from all herds in Wales.

Results: Since 2010, there has been a significant decrease (p < 0.0001) in bTB incidence (8.6%‒6.3%) and plateauing prevalence across Wales. Conversely, there has been an increase in bTB incidence and prevalence in discrete areas. Recurrence and persistence remain important drivers of bTB infection. One of the sharpest declines in bTB incidence was observed in an intensive action area where enhanced cattle control and wildlife vaccination were implemented in an area of high bTB prevalence. Increased herd size, dairy herd type and herd location are important risk factors affecting the rate of bTB incidents in Wales.

Limitations: This study includes data from Wales only.

Conclusions: Improvements in trends of bTB occurred from 2010 to 2021, but the spatial variations described in this paper support the continued need for regionally adapted surveillance and control measures.