Veterinary Record最新文献

Background: This study aimed to assess veterinary practices in pain recognition and perioperative analgesic therapy in pet rabbits.

Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed German veterinarians from July to October 2022, containing questions on the frequency with which they treated rabbits and the methods they used to evaluate pain in this species. Additionally, participants were asked detailed questions about their approach to perioperative pain management when performing soft-tissue surgery, specifically an ovariohysterectomy, in rabbits.

Results: One hundred and fifty-four questionnaires were considered for final analysis. The most commonly reported indicators to detect pain in rabbits were assessment of food intake and behavioural observation. A total of 23.4% of the participants stated that they used the Rabbit Grimace Scale. Overall, 24.5% of the 110 veterinarians who performed ovariohysterectomies in rabbits reported no use of preoperative analgesia; however, 95.5% administered multimodal analgesia in the pre- and intraoperative phases combined and 60.0% administered analgesia postoperatively. The most commonly mentioned drug combination pre- and postoperatively was metamizole and meloxicam. Opioids and local anaesthetics were used less frequently.

Limitations: The survey had a small sample size and notable selection bias, with 90.3% female participants.

Conclusion: Respondents used different indicators to detect pain in rabbits. Analgesic therapy in ovariohysterectomies, as reported by participants, can be considered suboptimal in several cases.

In the first part of a series of articles considering bovine TB (bTB), Josh Loeb looked at the history of approaches to bTB control in Great Britain and mysteries surrounding the causative agent, Mycobacterium bovis. This instalment covers novel ways of identifying potentially infected cattle, in the form of supplementary tests that could be used alongside the statutory skin test, as well as what constitutes risky cattle purchasing and worries about international trade restrictions.

BVA President Rob Williams urges members to seize the opportunity to nominate a colleague, team - or themselves - for a BVA Award.

In light of the latest research and in collaboration with BSAVA, we've launched an updated and more detailed policy position on neutering of cats and dogs.

The AWF is looking for people with the time and expertise to help govern and direct the charity and play a key role in its education and research work.

Background: Erector spinae plane (ESP) block is a regional anaesthetic technique described in dogs, but clinical evidence of its perioperative effects in abdominal procedures remains limited. This study evaluated its antinociceptive efficacy during elective ovariohysterectomy in bitches.

Methods: Sixteen healthy client-owned female dogs were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 8). All the patients received 0.05 mg/kg acepromazine and 0.3 mg/kg methadone intramuscularly, followed by propofol-based induction and maintenance. Ultrasound-guided bilateral ESP blocks were performed at the first lumbar vertebra using 0.25% bupivacaine (0.5 mL/kg per side) in the bupivacaine group or 0.9% saline in the saline solution group. Vital signs and nociceptive responses were recorded intraoperatively; 2.5 µg/kg fentanyl intravenously was used as rescue analgesia. Postoperative pain was assessed over 24 hours using the short-form Glasgow pain scale.

Results: The ESP group required significantly fewer intraoperative fentanyl rescues (8 vs. 19; p = 0.031). No significant differences were observed in postoperative pain scores or analgesic rescue requirements.

Limitations: The small sample size and use of physiological nociceptive indicators may limit generalisability. Only a single non-opioid postoperative rescue was needed, potentially masking postoperative differences.

Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided ESP block reduces intraoperative opioid use in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy but has limited impact on postoperative pain control.

Background: Spontaneous vocalisation is a common reason for dogs to be presented to veterinary practices. However, the cause can be unclear, making prioritisation of investigations challenging. Although vocalisation has been associated with syringomyelia, and anecdotally with cervical disc disease, the most common causes are not reported.

Methods: The medical records of dogs presented at a single institution with spontaneous vocalisation between 2016 and 2022 were retrospectively analysed.

Results: A total of 115 dogs were included. The most common breeds were crossbreeds (n = 23), Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (n = 10) and French Bulldogs (n = 9). Patients were most frequently referred to the neurology department (n = 93). Cervical myelopathy was most prevalent (n = 41), with a further 14 neurologically normal dogs with cervical hyperaesthesia. The most frequent diagnoses were intervertebral disc extrusion (n = 41), neoplasia (n = 9), intervertebral disc protrusion (n = 7), steroid-responsive meningitis arteritis (n = 7) and meningoencephalitis/myelitis of unknown origin (n = 6).

Limitations: This was a retrospective analysis of patients within a single institution identified using terms within patient records, relying on comprehensive recording of information by the clinician at the time of presentation.

Conclusions: In this cohort, spontaneous vocalisation most frequently localised to the cervical spine, with intervertebral disc extrusion as the most common diagnosis. This information may aid in clinical decision making, especially when advanced imaging is unavailable.

Background: Veterinary professionals encounter myriad stressors that challenge their wellbeing and mental health. Positive psychology provides an evidence-based approach to improving mental health by emphasising individual strengths, effective coping mechanisms, and the promotion of overall wellbeing. The specific objectives of this narrative review were to: (1) provide an overview of positive psychology concepts applicable to the veterinary profession, (2) synthesise the growing body of literature on positive psychology concepts researched within the veterinary context while also providing insights from other healthcare professions, and (3) inform the integration of positive psychology concepts in education and/or daily veterinary practice of veterinarians.

Method: This narrative review was conducted by examining peer-reviewed literature on positive psychology relevant to the veterinary profession.

Results: The review highlights the promising potential of positive psychology for veterinary professionals. For example, meaningful experiences such as helping clients and patients can foster veterinarian job satisfaction and mental wellbeing. Emotional intelligence, empathy, and compassion can enhance professional interactions and counteract negative mental health outcomes. Furthermore, practices such as mindfulness and flow have the potential to foster focus and emotional regulation, whereas self-esteem, self-efficacy and self-confidence contribute to a sense of competence and self-worth.

Limitations: This review did not follow a systematic method for selecting and examining literature, and only includes peer-reviewed literature published in English.

Conclusion: The evidence from this review provides encouraging possibilities to strengthen positive psychology skills applicable to veterinary professionals, bearing in mind that incorporating strategies for organisational wellbeing is equally important to promote a healthier and more sustainable veterinary field.