Assessment of Veterinary Students’ Responses to Questions Regarding Small Animal Pain Recognition and Analgesic Treatment Options

As backyard poultry (BYP) ownership has increased in the US, the demand for veterinarians who treat BYP has also increased. However, veterinarians who treat BYP remain scarce and are mostly small animal veterinarians and exotic animal practitioners who have limited training in food animal regulatory practices. To gauge whether veterinary students are interested in learning more about BYP and what BYP topics to include in an online training program for veterinary students, a BYP knowledge assessment was conducted. Pre-clinical veterinary students were asked to self-rate their level of knowledge on various topics for both small animal practice and BYP using Likert-type ordinal scales. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests of those Likert data showed significant differences ( p < .01 at α = .05) between self-assessed knowledge of poultry and small animal medicine for all surveyed topics. Specifically, veterinary students ranked themselves as less knowledgeable on poultry concepts than on small animal medicine concepts. Nevertheless, students expressed interest in an online training program for treating BYP and drug residue avoidance in BYP, despite having chosen future career tracks that are not exclusively poultry. Specific topics students expressed interest in with respect to BYP training included anatomy, husbandry, prescribing medications, treatment options, food safety, antimicrobial resistance, and extra-label drug use.

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A Systematic Review of Musculoskeletal Mobilization and Manipulation Techniques Used in Veterinary Medicine

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11102787 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 2787

Author(s):

Kevin K. Haussler ◽

Amie L. Hesbach ◽

Laura Romano ◽

Lesley Goff ◽

Anna Bergh

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Small Animal ◽

Axial Skeleton ◽

Scientific Quality ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Clinical Effects ◽

Outcome Parameters ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Canine Study

Mobilization and manipulation techniques are often used in small animal and equine practice; however, questions remain concerning indications, dosing and efficacy. A bibliographic search was performed to identify peer-reviewed publications from 1980 to 2020 that evaluated the clinical effects of musculoskeletal mobilization and manipulation techniques in dogs, cats and horses. The search strategy identified 883 papers for review. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. The clinical indications, dosages, outcome parameters, and reported efficacy within each publication were recorded and categorized for comparison with scientific quality assessed according to a standardized grading system. Fourteen articles were included in this systematic review of which 13 were equine and one was a canine study. Seven of these were cohort studies and seven were randomized controlled clinical trials. The canine study involved carpal immobilization-remobilization and all equine studies focused on the effects of passive mobilization (n = 5) or manipulation (n = 8) of the axial skeleton. Study quality was low (n = 4), moderate (n = 7), and high (n = 3) and included a wide array of outcome parameters with varying levels of efficacy and duration of therapeutic effects, which prevented further meta-analysis. Therefore, it was difficult to draw firm conclusions despite all studies reporting positive effects. Optimal technique indications and dosages need to be determined to improve the standardization of these treatment options.

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Clinical Evidence of Lyme Disease in Dogs and Disease Awareness Among Students and Veterinarians in Veracruz, Mexico

Veterinary Science Research ◽

10.30564/vsr.v1i2.1280 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Blanca Paola Boria-Gamboa ◽

José Alfredo Villagómez-Cortés ◽

David Itzcoatl Martínez-Herrera

Keyword(s):

Differential Diagnosis ◽

Lyme Disease ◽

Professional Practice ◽

Clinical Evidence ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Small Animal ◽

Apparent Absence ◽

Veterinary Students ◽

Disease Awareness ◽

Veterinary Curriculum

Background: Lyme disease is a relatively new and zoonotic canine pathology mostly unknown by people involved in the management and care of dogs. Objective: to assess the knowledge about Lyme disease by veterinarians and veterinary students in Veracruz, Mexico. Methodology: three questionnaires were designed and applied to 290 individuals (40 small animal veterinarians, 50 in other professional practice and 200 veterinary students). Results and discussion: in general, the three groups were unaware about the disease, although there is a high interest in learning about this problem. Graduates from seven universities included in this study stated that Lyme disease was not part of the veterinary curriculum in their schools. Five clinical cases suggestive of Lyme disease occurring in dogs in the area were detected at the time of this research. Conclusion: although the presence of the agent causing Lyme disease has not been demonstrated in the studied area due to the lack of laboratory support and the apparent absence of the vector, it cannot be ruled out; furthermore, it is important that veterinary practitioners and student alike be aware of the potential presence of Lyme disease, paying particular attention to differential diagnosis when resembling clinical signs are observed.

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Bioengineered Muscle Implants

10.1115/imece2000-2546 ◽

2000 ◽

Author(s):

G. L. Bowlin ◽

Barbara Wise ◽

L. Terracio ◽

D. G. Simpson

Keyword(s):

Injection Site ◽

Cardiac Tissue ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Small Animal ◽

Scar Tissue ◽

Specific Domain ◽

Complete Replacement ◽

Cell Based Therapy ◽

And Function

Abstract Fundamental research has defined many of the mechanistic events that mediate congenital malformations and the pathological disease processes that alter cardiac structure and function. Despite these efforts, there are a limited number of clinical treatment options available for many of these conditions. In many cases, even for disease processes that cause focal defects in the ventricular wall, the only viable treatment is the complete replacement of the damaged organ by transplant. Unfortunately, the supply of cardiac tissue that is available for transplant therapy remains chronically, and critically, short of demand. The reconstruction of a specific domain of dysfunctional ventricular tissue with a cell-based therapy is a potential avenue of treatment. One of the most direct strategies in this type of treatment regime is the injection of a suspension of fetal or neonatal cardiac myocytes into the injured domain. In small animal models, two limitations have become apparent with this strategy. First, differentiated myocytes do not undergo migration when they are injected into scar tissue and as a result they tend to remain concentrated in the vicinity of the injection site. Second, the myocytes that survive in the injection site are not well integrated into the healthy tissue and contract at rates that are independent of the surrounding myocardium. The long-term objective of this project is to circumvent the limitations of injection therapy by fabricating a cardiac muscle prosthesis that mimics the three dimensional architecture of the intact heart.

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Complications of diabetes mellitus in canine and feline patients

The Veterinary Nurse ◽

10.12968/vetn.2020.11.5.218 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 218-222

Author(s):

Laura George

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Urinary Tract Infection ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Tract Infection ◽

Diabetic Neuropathy ◽

Home Environment ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Small Animal ◽

The Common

Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrinopathy diagnosed in small animal patients, and once stable can be managed and well controlled in the home environment. Complications can occur, however, when unexpected factors arise which can cause destabilisation of the patient. This article will provide a brief review of diabetes mellitus in canine and feline patients before describing some of the common complications that may be observed including hypoglycaemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, urinary tract infection, diabetic neuropathy and cataracts. The aim is to ensure the veterinary nurse has a good understanding of these complications, for them to be aware of the clinical symptoms that may be displayed, and for them to appreciate the different treatment options available allowing them to be efficient advocates for their patients should the need arise.

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Assessing the Impact of a Virtual Shelter Medicine Rotation on Veterinary Students' Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes Regarding Access to Veterinary Care

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2021.783233 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Christy L. Hoffman ◽

Terry G. Spencer ◽

Kathleen V. Makolinski

Keyword(s):

Curriculum Design ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Companion Animals ◽

School Curriculum ◽

Control Group ◽

Veterinary Students ◽

Pet Owners ◽

Post Test ◽

The Impact ◽

Experimental Group

Strong bonds commonly form between companion animals and people of all socio-demographic backgrounds, yet many pet owners face numerous barriers to accessing veterinary care for their companion animals. For example, they may have difficulties paying for care; they may lack veterinary practices in their community; and they may experience language barriers that impede their ability to utilize veterinary services. Various strategies exist that can help veterinarians address the diverse needs of pet owners in their communities, but these techniques are not commonly covered in the veterinary school curriculum. This study explored how including in-depth, purposefully curated information about access to veterinary care issues within a required shelter medicine rotation impacted fourth-year veterinary students' knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding the problems clients commonly face when seeking access to veterinary care. Students participated either in a control group of a virtual, four-week rotation delivered via Zoom meetings and self-study, or in an experimental group that additionally completed an interactive online learning module. The online module heavily featured issues surrounding access to veterinary care. Irrespective of which version of the rotation students enrolled, their opinions grew more favorable from pretest to post-test regarding the role of not-for-profit veterinary clinics in communities, as did their expectations that veterinarians should provide affordable treatment options. Additionally, students in the experimental group demonstrated from pretest to post-test increased awareness of the potential for implicit bias toward pet owners within veterinary practice and showed a reduction in their tendency to be judgmental of veterinary clients. By the end of the study, students in the experimental group also expressed greater confidence in their ability to offer incremental care treatment options to veterinary clients. These findings suggest that providing content that focuses on increasing access to veterinary care enhances students' awareness of the need to offer a variety of treatment and payment options to clients. Findings from this study can inform curriculum design in veterinary schools and continuing education programs for veterinary professionals.

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Development of Educational Virtual Reality Teaching Materials in Small Animal Practice for Veterinary Students

Journal of the Japan Veterinary Medical Association ◽

10.12935/jvma.74.249 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 74 (4) ◽

pp. 249-254

Author(s):

Satoshi TAKAGI ◽

Yoshiharu FUJITA ◽

Yukihiro FUJITA ◽

Takuma AOKI ◽

Miyoko SAITOH ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Small Animal ◽

Teaching Materials ◽

Veterinary Students

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Urine dipstick precision with standard visual and automated methods within a small animal teaching hospital

Veterinary Record ◽

10.1136/vr.104841 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 183 (13) ◽

pp. 415-415 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Marisa da Fonseca Ferreira ◽

Marta Garcia Arce ◽

Ian Graham Handel ◽

Craig Robert Breheny ◽

Adam George Gow

Keyword(s):

Teaching Hospital ◽

Visual Analysis ◽

Small Animal ◽

Urine Samples ◽

Veterinary Students ◽

Private Hospitals ◽

Reading Methods ◽

Urine Dipstick ◽

Veterinary Surgeons ◽

Automated Methods

Urine dipstick results may vary between operators/methods. The magnitude of variation across the veterinary field is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the precision of urine dipstick results between standard direct visual and automated reading methods when performed by several operators. Urine samples were pooled and divided into three aliquots: one plain, one with glucose and one with serum. Final year students, veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, blinded to each sample, were then asked to perform dipstick analysis with direct visualisation and an automated analyser, and their technique was observed. A subsequent session was undertaken with samples which had pH titrated to achieve an acidic, neutral or alkaline value. Sixty-four veterinary students, 20 veterinary surgeons and seven veterinary nurses performed the first (n=61) or second (n=30) part of the study. Precision was greater using the automated reader. The most common observed technique errors were: lack of sample mixing, for both visual and automated methods, and not timing readings as per manufacturer instructions when performing visual analysis. This study suggests that in an environment with multiple operators, as is the case in veterinary teaching or large private hospitals, automated urine dipstick reading improves precision of results.

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A retrospective study of 109 dogs with mandibular fractures

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology ◽

10.3415/vcot-12-01-0003 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 26 (01) ◽

pp. 01-05 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

H. de Rooster ◽

S. M. Ferreira ◽

G. Steenkamp ◽

A. M. Kitshoff

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Small Animal ◽

Fracture Morphology ◽

Mandibular Fracture ◽

Fracture Repair ◽

Fracture Line ◽

Mandibular Fractures ◽

Anatomical Location ◽

New Treatment

SummaryObjective: To determine patient factors and fracture morphology of dogs presented with mandibular fractures to a small animal referral centre in South Africa.Methods: Patient data on age, sex, breed and aetiology of dogs with mandibular fractures were recorded. The fractures were classified according to the anatomical location, displacement, fracture type, fracture line direction, periodontal pathology, and whether there were teeth in the fracture line or not by evaluation of preoperative radiographs. Clinical observations indicated whether these fractures were open or closed.Results: In total, 109 dogs with 135 mandibular fractures were included in the study. Small breed dogs and dogs less than eight months of age predominated (102/109). Dog fights were the most common aetiology in this study (68/109). The molar region was the most commonly affected region (56/135). Evaluation of the radiographs revealed that transverse (73/135), relatively unstable (116/135), and displaced (112/135) fractures were the most common. The majority of fractures involved teeth in the fracture line (100/135), with the first molar frequently involved (54/135). The majority of fractures were open (104/135).Clinical significance: The results obtained from this study may be used to guide patient and fracture morphology selection in biomechanical studies of mandibular fracture repair techniques. Screening of this patient population may inspire the search for new treatment options for mandibular fracture repair in South Africa.

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