8,934 research outputs found
International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force consensus report on epilepsy definition, classification and terminology in companion animals
No full textDogs with epilepsy are among the commonest neurological patients in veterinary practice and therefore have historically attracted much attention with regard to definitions, clinical approach and management. A number of classification proposals for canine epilepsy have been published during the years reflecting always in parts the current proposals coming from the human epilepsy organisation the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). It has however not been possible to gain agreed consensus, “a common language”, for the classification and terminology used between veterinary and human neurologists and neuroscientists, practitioners, neuropharmacologists and neuropathologists. This has led to an unfortunate situation where different veterinary publications and textbook chapters on epilepsy merely reflect individual author preferences with respect to terminology, which can be confusing to the readers and influence the definition and diagnosis of epilepsy in first line practice and research studies.
In this document the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force (IVETF) discusses current understanding of canine epilepsy and presents our 2015 proposal for terminology and classification of epilepsy and epileptic seizures. We propose a classification system which reflects new thoughts from the human ILAE but also roots in former well accepted terminology. We think that this classification system can be used by all stakeholders
Mechanisms of drug resistance in veterinary oncology – A review with an emphasis on canine lymphoma
No full textDrug resistance (DR) is the major limiting factor in the successful treatment of systemic neoplasia with cytotoxic chemotherapy. DR can be either intrinsic or acquired, and although the development and clinical implications are different, the underlying mechanisms are likely to be similar. Most causes for DR are pharmacodynamic in nature, result from adaptations within the tumor cell and include reduced drug uptake, increased drug efflux, changes in drug metabolism or drug target, increased capacity to repair druginduced DNA damage or increased resistance to apoptosis. The role of active drug efflux transporters, and those of the ABCtransporter family in particular, have been studied extensively in human oncology and to a lesser extent in veterinary medicine. Methods reported to assess ABCtransporter status include detection of the actual protein (Western blot, immunohistochemistry), mRNA or ABCtransporter function. The three major ABCtransporters associated with DR in human oncology are ABCB1 or Pgp, ABCC1 or MRP1, and ABCG2 or BCRP, and have been demonstrated in canine cell lines, healthy dogs and dogs with cancer. Although this supports a causative role for these ABCtransporters in DR cytotoxic agents in the dog, the relative contribution to the clinical phenotype of DR in canine cancer remains an area of debate and requires further prospective studies
Veterinary parasitologists: not lost but proactive!
No full textThe letter ‘Parasitologists lost?’ by Barnish et al. [1] records the concern of medical parasitologists that, if present trends continue, there will soon be no teachers with the necessary skills and background knowledge to impart broad field experience and to give instruction in basic, but important, diagnostic skills. This problem is not unique to medical parasitology because the same tendency has been evident for some time in veterinary parasitology.
Of course, in western countries, the overall importance of animal parasitism is decreasing. Over the past three decades, great progress has been made towards the improved control of many important parasitic infections of domesticated animals. These advances have been achieved mainly through the introduction of highly efficient antiparasitic drugs and also through a better understanding of the epidemiological factors that determine disease and of parasite bionomics (i.e. environmental influences on developmental dynamics of non-parasitic life-cycle stages). In more recent years, immunology and molecular biology have contributed new knowledge, which is gradually being applied to diagnosis, molecular epidemiology and vaccine development. Nevertheless, new problems are constantly appearing that demand specialist input from veterinary parasitologists. Recent examples are listed in Box 1. For additional information on the current problems and needs of veterinary parasitology, see Refs 2 and 3
ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF THE COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
No full textColleges of veterinary medicine are often asked to provide evidence of the economic impacts of their activities. This report presents methods for evaluating a veterinary college and applies them to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. Short-run impacts on income and employment are assessed as well as the long-run benefits of the research, extension, teaching, and clinical services of the college.Public Economics,
ADOPTION OF VETERINARY SURGEON SERVICES BY SHEEP AND GOAT FARMERS IN QWAQWA
No full textA number of technology transfer (diffusion) programmes involving amongst others veterinary surgeon services subsidised by the government, were launched in the former homelands of South Africa between 1980 and 1993. Many of these programmes were discontinued after the general election of 1994. In order to evaluate the adoption of technology in Qwaqwa, a former Sotho speaking homeland, two Logit models were fit using the conventional definition of an adopter and an adapted definition, which included potential adopters with the adopters. Where the conventional definition of adoption was estimated, livestock income per LSU, ram technology, roads and suppliers of livestock inputs are significant variables contributing to adoption. The results of the adapted model reveal that farming efficiency (weaning percentage), type of farmer (sheep as percentage of the total small ruminant herd) and ram technology, prove to be significant variables predicting adoption. It was also found that the characteristics of potential adopters gravitate more to adopters than to non-adopters. These results indicated that the adapted definition presented a more accurate prediction than the conventional definition. The results of this study indicate the policy necessary to further accelerate the diffusion of veterinary surgeon services by means of the development of a better infrastructure, the reintroduction of subsidised veterinary surgeon services at the sheering sheds as well as a better flow of information to farmers in Qwaqwa.Livestock Production/Industries,
Rhetoric and Reality: The Development of Professional Identity in UK Veterinary Medicine
No full textVeterinary Medicine does not have a history in the social sciences and is therefore a fascinating field of study. Despite the growth of education research in the veterinary schools, the social and relational aspects of veterinary training and practice are under-examined, and could have profound effects on the ability of students to make a successful transition into qualified work. This thesis explored the development of occupational identity in veterinary students and newly-qualified veterinary surgeons, using narrative interview techniques and organisational policy analysis.
From interviewees’ stories, a clear distinction could be drawn between the majority, who were vocationally-motivated, and a smaller group who were drawn to a veterinary career by the high academic standards required. All identified several influences on their own professional identity development: role models, the need to perform as competent and confident, and presenting an approved personality type in order to gain access to the practical experience required during training. The predominant story arc is that of becoming increasingly ‘vetlike’ as they progress through the course.
Animal welfare is a substantial silence in the organisational discourse of veterinary medicine. The discourse analysis revealed the overwhelming presentation of the elite academic nature of the profession, at the expense of any mention of animal care or welfare, or acknowledgement of vocational motivation. A compelling collective responsibility was also identifiable in terms of upholding a professional reputation and its high standards. A strong occupational history contributes to this, leading to a very bonded occupational group. The idea of veterinary medicine not being a nine-to-five job is expressed in policy and resonated very strongly with interview participants. However, there exists a very clear, organisationally-sanctioned, officially-approved attitude towards veterinary life and work, allowing very little deviation. This has the subsequent effect that tolerance of weakness, unhappiness, or complaint is low; so that members are forced to either internalise their unhappiness or leave the profession entirely.
Veterinary medicine is perceived as a career with high job satisfaction and a positive public image. However, awareness is increasing of worryingly high levels of mental illness, stress, unhappiness and dissatisfaction with their work among the veterinary workforce. This thesis suggests that one factor that could underlie this is a mismatch between a new entrant’s ideas of what a vet is and does, and the reality of a working life in veterinary practice. From the conclusions presented in this thesis - in particular the finding that, as a profession, veterinary medicine strives to distance itself from an animal care or animal welfare focus - I suggest that it is the confused messages received as part of the process of socialisation during training that could connect to many of the problems facing the modern entrant to the veterinary profession.
This research specifically focused on the development of occupational identity in veterinary students and newly-qualified veterinary surgeons in the UK and is the only current work to examine the processes, presentation and experiences of veterinary training in this comparative manner. As a relatively new, and very interdisciplinary, field of study, the capacity for future work in veterinary social sciences is considerable, with much to be learnt from allied fields as well as further explorations of just what makes veterinary medicine unique, and such a valuable source of social inquiry given the significance of pets and livestock to the lives of a nation of animal lovers. This is potentially a very rich field
International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force Consensus Proposal: Diagnostic approach to epilepsy in dogs
No full textThis article outlines the consensus proposal on diagnosis of epilepsy in dogs by the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force. The aim of this consensus proposal is to improve consistency in the diagnosis of epilepsy in the clinical and research settings. The diagnostic approach to the patient presenting with a history of suspected epileptic seizures incorporates two fundamental steps: to establish if the events the animal is demonstrating truly represent epileptic seizures and if so, to identify their underlying cause. Differentiation of epileptic seizures from other non-epileptic episodic paroxysmal events can be challenging. Criteria that can be used to make this differentiation are presented in detail and discussed. Criteria for the diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy (IE) are described in a three-tier system. Tier I confidence level for the diagnosis of IE is based on a history of two or more unprovoked epileptic seizures occurring at least 24 h apart, age at epileptic seizure onset of between six months and six years, unremarkable inter-ictal physical and neurological examination, and no significant abnormalities on minimum data base blood tests and urinalysis. Tier II confidence level for the diagnosis of IE is based on the factors listed in tier I and unremarkable fasting and post-prandial bile acids, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain (based on an epilepsy-specific brain MRI protocol) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. Tier III confidence level for the diagnosis of IE is based on the factors listed in tier I and II and identification of electroencephalographic abnormalities characteristic for seizure disorders. The authors recommend performing MRI of the brain and routine CSF analysis, after exclusion of reactive seizures, in dogs with age at epileptic seizure onset 6 years, inter-ictal neurological abnormalities consistent with intracranial neurolocalisation, status epilepticus or cluster seizure at epileptic seizure onset, or a previous presumptive diagnosis of IE and drug-resistance with a single antiepileptic drug titrated to the highest tolerable dose
The potential and limitations of quantitative electromyography in equine medicine
No full textThis review discusses the scope of using (quantitative) electromyography (EMG) in diagnosing myopathies and neuropathies in equine patients. In human medicine, many EMG methods are available for the diagnosis, pathophysiological description and evaluation, monitoring, or rehabilitation of patients, and some of these techniques have also been applied to horses. EMG results are usually combined with other neurophysiological data, ultrasound, histochemistry, biochemistry of muscle biopsies, and clinical signs in order to provide a complete picture of the condition and its clinical course. EMG technology is commonly used in human medicine and has been subject to constant development and refinement since its introduction in 1929, but the usefulness of the technique in equine medicine is not yet widely acknowledged. The possibilities and limitations of some EMG applications for equine use are discussed
Advances in diagnostics and molecular typing of Mycoplasma synoviae
No full textThe increased clinical and economic relevance of M. synoviae a poultry pathogen causing arthritis and eggshell apex abnormalities and egg production drops prompted the Dutch poultry industry to launch a mandatory control and eradication programme for this mycoplasma species in 2013 This programme is based on monitoring of commercial poultry aiming at detection of infected flocks improving awareness, and the implementation of control measures to prevent vertical and horizontal transmission. The success of a disease control and eradication programme depends on the accurate and early detection of infected flocks. This is achieved by the regular monitoring of flocks, using adequate diagnostic tests. A qPCR for the detection of M. synoviae in case of infectious synovitis in poultry was developed and may as such contribute to the reduction of economic damage due to this disease. Adequate diagnostics become especially relevant when intervention strategies such as live M. synoviae vaccination are introduced as they jeopardize seromonitoring due to the induction of vaccinal antibodies. To overcome these problems development of a DIVA (differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals) PCR is beneficial. Test parameters of the differentiating M. synoviae qPCR were excellent, while field validation yielded good results also. Horizontal spread of the MS-H live vaccine strain from vaccinated to non-vaccinated birds located at different houses on the same farm was demonstrated. The test is recommended for assessing freedom from field M. synoviae in MS-H vaccinated flocks, but can also be used to determine shedding of MS-H. Using this PCR it was shown that vaccination with MS-H significantly reduced the shedding and horizontal spread of a M. synoviae challenge strain. Based on this findings this vaccine could be used in successive rearing flocks to populate M. synoviae infected multiple age layer farms. Although elimination of infected flocks can be a very effective disease control strategy in case of low prevalence, this is not attainable in poultry categories with high prevalence. In such cases antibiotic treatment and vaccination may be used to diminish the impact of clinical signs. Drawbacks of antibiotic treatment are the occurrence of resistance, residues and birds remain infected despite treatment. Furthermore, vaccination may help to prevent or reduce clinical signs it does not protect against infection with field M. synoviae. One of the main pillars in a control and eradication programme is the implementation of effective biosecurity measures to separate M. synoviae free flocks from those infected. The identification of risk factors for infection and subsequent adjustment of named programmes, is crucial. This can be achieved by tracing M. synoviae infections, for which reproducible molecular typing techniques are necessary. The shortcomings of M. synoviae vlhA typing prompted the development and evaluation of a Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) for molecular typing of M. synoviae. MLST allows both, local and global phylogenetic analysis as well as source investigation of outbreaks. Tracing of M. synoviae to unravel high risks for M. synoviae outbreaks are strongly advised if the efficiency of biosecurity programmes, which are of utmost importance in disease control, is to be maximized
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