in Practice最新文献

Background: There is a wide range of neuromuscular disorders recognised in cattle. Some of these conditions are fetopathic, others are clinically evident at or soon after the birth, and some are not apparent until the animals are older. The advancement of genotyping techniques has enabled the identification of animals that are carriers of many of these hereditary conditions, and breeders can make informed choices when selecting sires and dams to avoid high-risk matings.

Aim of the article: This article considers the principal conditions which may occur in calves and young cattle and the methods for establishing definitive diagnoses.

Euthanasia revolves around essential principles of compassion towards owners and gentleness towards patients which apply to all species, regardless of circumstances. That we can ensure a ‘good’ death (in sometimes trying circumstances) is something that we, as a profession, excel at; however, farm and equine work, because of the size of animals involved and the relatively remote conditions of work, do bring additional challenges. This article is based on a presentation given for many years at the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons final-year seminar and is aimed especially at new or recent graduates. It is more an approach than an absolute instruction manual.

Background: After a letter published by the chief veterinary officer in February 2021 highlighted an increase in the number of positive Brucella canis dogs, the frequency of B canis testing in the UK has increased substantially. To date, roughly 160 positive cases have been reported by the APHA. Amid growing unease, veterinary teams have implemented practice protocols to mitigate risk associated with this non-endemic, zoonotic infection. Although well-meaning, blanket policy and inappropriate application of serological tests can negatively impact client and patient welfare while fuelling health anxiety among staff. The combination of increased pet travel, increased popularity of importing dogs and a lack of centralised border requirements for dogs, means B canis is likely to be increasingly encountered and warrants regular, evidence-based discussion to empower the profession and preserve canine welfare.

Aim of the article: This article summarises the clinically relevant issues surrounding Brucella canis, focussing on epidemiology, transmission, human health and safety, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment. Governmental recommendations and recent risk assessments by the Human Animal Infection and Risk Surveillance group are drawn on where appropriate. Moreover, the article aims to instil confidence in veterinary personnel when rationalising B canis infection risk, and help to ensure that canine and staff health are protected.

The surroundings in which employees spend their working lives are an important source of job satisfaction, and have an impact on work motivation and patterns of interaction with others. On the other hand, they can be as much of a source of pressure as a heavy workload, poor work-life balance or significant organisational change. This article provides an overview of the impact of elements of the physical working environment on staff wellbeing, including the building design, workspace, materials, furniture, lighting, temperature, noise and how much control the team have over their work environment. These factors need to be considered to ensure that the physical characteristics of the veterinary environment do not have a negative effect on engagement, productivity and wellbeing, but instead promote job satisfaction, improved performance and team cohesiveness.

Background: Considering over 80 per cent of canine and feline patients over the age of three years have dental disease (Kortegaard and others 2008), dental extractions are undoubtedly some of the most commonly performed surgeries in first-opinion practice. Yet, general knowledge and confidence with regards to these procedures is often lacking, resulting in veterinary dentistry having an undeserved reputation for being difficult and unrewarding. However, with the correct knowledge, a basic set of instruments and proper techniques it can quickly become a much more straightforward and immensely rewarding task.

Aim of the article: This two-part series provides readers with the tools needed to perform extractions successfully. Part one, published in the previous issue of In Practice, reviewed clinical anatomy, dental instrumentation and the basic principles of exodontics, while this article will focus on extraction techniques.

This article focuses on the complex aspects of veterinary euthanasia and aims to highlight the emotional, ethical and logistical challenges of euthanasia in veterinary practice. It advocates for compassionate and consistent euthanasia protocols to improve experiences for pets, owners and veterinary teams, and stresses the importance of understanding and respecting the diverse views within veterinary teams regarding euthanasia. This article also details the considerations in selecting and administering euthanasia protocols for a stress-free and painless procedure and addresses the need for aftercare and support for both pet owners and veterinary teams after euthanasia, including external grief support resources.

Background: Threats such as African swine fever (ASF) are in close proximity to the UK; therefore, it is a crucial time to protect the British pig herd from exotic notifiable disease, which can be best achieved through legislative adherence. This is especially the case for laws around the feeding of pigs, which remains the likely route for ASF to enter the UK. Keepers of pigs on a small scale, including keepers of pet pigs, may show variable adherence to the relevant legislation. Furthermore, general farm practitioners, often responsible for supervising small-scale pig holdings, may be less familiar with legislative requirements than those vets who deal solely with pigs. Despite this, legal requirements must be met on all holdings and overseeing vets are key to encouraging legislative compliance among keepers.

Aim of the article: This article, the first in a two-part series on working with small-scale pig keepers, serves as a reference for vets so that they can provide their clients with up-to-date advice on how to keep pigs within the legal framework for the UK. It also offers advice on how this information could be shared among pig keepers. Part two, which will be published in a subsequent issue of In Practice, will focus on how we, as vets, can encourage antibiotic stewardship on smallholdings.