in Practice最新文献

The veterinary profession is built on compassion, skill and a commitment to the welfare of animals; however, as with any service industry, it must also be financially sustainable. With the Competition and Markets Authority reviewing the sector's pricing practices as part of its ongoing inquiry into the household pets sector, the need for greater transparency around costs has become evident. Clients want to understand what they are paying for and feel that they are getting good value for money. Veterinary teams often struggle with discussing pricing confidently, fearing it may make them seem ‘all about the money.’ In reality, understanding and effectively communicating pricing is not only essential for the financial health of a practice, but also for maintaining trust with clients. This article explores why fair pricing is necessary, where the money goes, how to discuss fees confidently and assertively, and how to handle grey areas with professionalism and empathy.

Background: Since 2011, agriculture has been the largest anthropogenic source of methane emissions in the UK, the vast majority of which comes from enteric fermentation by ruminants, predominately cattle. Given methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases but is only present in the atmosphere for a short amount of time, globally there is a unique opportunity to slow climate warming if emissions can be reduced. It is essential for the public, policymakers and veterinarians to understand the key facts about the climate impacts of, and the methane mitigation methods available within, agriculture. Given the role of vets in herd health management and their crucial relationship with farmers, understanding the role of ruminants in global warming and what mitigation tools can be implemented will help their clients reduce the climate impact as well as provide other financial and animal welfare benefits.

Aim of the article: This article is a review-style article which aims to inform veterinarians of the methane mitigation strategies currently available or in development in the livestock industry. This will provide background knowledge of where each strategy may be most appropriate, their co-benefits with other environmental issues and the overall cost-effectiveness of these strategies in terms of farmer economics, animal health and welfare, and practicability within the UK.

While no veterinary clinic will ever be completely stress free, there are strategies that can be implemented to make it as smooth an experience (for patients and owners) as possible. Indeed, some owners may avoid the vets altogether due to their pet's reactions to the clinic environment, which may in turn compromise an animal's physical and mental health. There are many clear indications of stress in patients (eg, growling and snapping), and these can often be predicted. Some of these responses stem from ‘stress stacking’, which can occur when an animal reacts due to cumulative stressors and reaches an emotional tipping point. This article outlines how to identify and subsequently manage and minimise signs of stress in the clinical setting.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is common in dogs. Management is potentially expensive, time-consuming and stressful. Effective use of a pragmatic, evidence-based protocol can create excellent clinical outcomes, control costs and reduce stress for pets, vets and owners. This article is based on a talk given by the authors at BVA Live in 2023. It details the experience of the authors in using a standard management PDSA national protocol for DM for over 10 years, and is not intended to be a ‘gold standard’ which is applicable to more complex cases and in different settings; instead, it focuses on a contextualised approach. Contextualised care is defined by the RCVS as a ‘way of delivering veterinary care that acknowledges that there are different ways to approach the diagnosis and treatment of an animal, depending on the circumstances of the individual animal and their caregivers, and the context in which the care is delivered.’ This article describes management of canine diabetes within the context of PDSA, a veterinary charity which funds veterinary treatment for pets with lower income owners. The charity environment means that use of financial and people resources must be optimised without compromising patient care.

Aim of the article: This article details how diabetes mellitus can be diagnosed and treated successfully in a contextualised way using a protocol developed in a charity environment, but which is applicable to all circumstances. Evidence for the efficacy of this approach is given. Management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is not discussed.

Background: Placentitis, or inflammation of the placenta, is a leading cause of late-term pregnancy loss in mares. It poses serious risks to the developing foal, often resulting in abortion, premature parturition, or the birth of a compromised neonate. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are critical to improving outcomes. This article outlines the types of placentitis, diagnostic approaches and best management strategies to improve outcomes.

Aim of the article: This article highlights the steps involved in identifying and managing placentitis in the mare.