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Information about several papers in the Veterinary Records in Great Britain is presented. The inclusion of communication skills training in the undergraduate veterinary programs will benefit students. Canine leptospirosis will be diagnosed using the dipstick. Fractures in birds will be treated through external fixation.

The article presents the summaries of research papers that address updates in veterinary medicine in Great Britain published within the issue, including "Metabolic Profile Analysis of Dairy Cows in the UK," "Veterinarian's Attitudes to Pain and Analgesic use in Cattle," and "Health Status of Organic Dairy Cattle in Ireland."

The article presents several research papers for veterinary medicines as of the week ending March 4, 2006 in Great Britain. The World Trade Organization has provided information on the mast cell tumor on dogs. Veterinarian David Halloy and colleagues studied the effects of treating respiratory diseases caused by bacterial infections in pigs with antibiotic ceftiofur. Animal doctor Marcela Uhart and colleagues describe the health status of several adult, free-ranging rheas.

Presents research papers on veterinary in Great Britain. Performance of echocardiography in parrots in healthy parrots; Risk involved to livestock of transmitting disease through the use of composted waste as fertilizer on land; Utilization of magnetic resonance imaging in the management of sacral osteochondrosis in a dog.

Presents various papers relating to veterinary medicine released in Great Britain as of July 19, 2003. Studies on culicoides pulicaris as a vector for bluetongue virus; Survey of foodborne pathogens in Swedish wildlife; Hepatitis due to reovirus-like infection in farmed halibut.

The article offers updates related to veterinary reports. It cites the discussion of Neil Hudson and associates regarding the admission processes to the veterinary degree courses at each of the seven veterinary schools in Great Britain. Meanwhile, it discusses research of Takeshi Tsuka and colleagues in using the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine the residual cleft cysts of Japanese black cows. Nick Sutton and colleagues identify cases of exposures of cats to neem oil.

The article presents three studies of animals in Great Britain. A study investigated the presence of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) O157 in animals on 31 public amenity premises in England and Wales. Another study examined the responses of pigs to reinfected with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae after initial challenge and antimicrobial treatment. A study investigated the potential of three different catheter connectors to harbour bacteria.

The article offers information related to veterinary medicine studies in Great Britain. A study by Tim Geraghty and colleagues explored the usefulness of ultrasonography for determining subclinical thrombophlebitis in horses with a venous catheter. Another research focused on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of an insulin preparation in dogs. Sian Mitchell and Sandra Scholes described an outbreak of malignant catarrhal fever in cattle.

The article offers an overview of various studies related to veterinary medicine. A study revealed that being neutered is one of the factors affecting the likelihood for pet cats in Great Britain. A study discussed the association of bilateral laryngeal paralysis (BLP) with hepatic disease in horses. A study conducted on dogs indicated the involvement of infected foxes and invertebrates in the spread of Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in dogs in Great Britain.

The article presents several veterinary researches in Great Britain. It states that a study on the provision of supplements by dog owners shows that 98.8 percent of the private veterinary practices clients reported feeding a commercial maintenance or dietetic diet to their dog. While another study on abnormalities in sperm chromatin have been linked with abnormal morphology and poor fertility in bulls.

The article presents several veterinary medicine-related studies in Great Britain in 2008 including an investigation on the usefulness of measuring cortisol precursors in the diagnosis of pituitary-independent hypercortisolism (PDH) in dogs; an examination on the effects of antibiotic dry-cow therapy with or without an internal teat sealant; and a research whether different techniques of processing barley can improve its pre-caecal digestibility.

The article reports developments related to veterinary medicine in Great Britain. The author presents the comparison of medetomidine and dexmedetomidine in dogs. They have discussed the efficacy of hand scrub methods in reducing bacterial counts. It is also discussed the use of an ovine growth hormone assay in acromegalic cats.

This article provides information on several issues including adrenocortical function of small-breed dogs with alopecia, postanaesthetic morbidities in four UK equine hospitals, and the epidemiology of an outbreak of classical swine fever in Spain. The Study shows that pomeranians and miniature poodles can suffer alopecia characterized by progressive and symmetrical hair loss and changes in coat color and quality.

The article presents developments related to veterinary medicine. It was reported that anthrax has been well recognized in livestock and humans in Zimbabwe and outbreaks have been reported in the surrounding countries. According to another report, distension of the gallbladder can arise as a result of an obstruction or because of anorexia. Another report cites that Mycoplasma bovis is not a common cause of mastitis in herds in Great Britain.

The article offers news briefs concerning veterinary in Great Britain. The intranasal and injectable vaccine of puppies against Bordetella Bronchiseptica and canine parainfluenza virus which is used to protect dogs against kennel cough can be given together effectively. The killing animals through cutting the major vessels of the neck with a knife is done in shechita slaughters. The assessment of bluetongue infection being spread by windborne Culicoides midges is in the outbreak.

The article reports on developments related to animal diseases in Great Britain. Details of all confirmed clinical cases are of Scrapie are recorded in the Scrapie Notifications Database. In 2001, verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli infection occurred in 12 people who had visited a wildlife park in Norfolk, England, which is associated with wild rabbits. Babesiosis has been diagnosed in dogs that have traveled to enzootic areas under the Pet Travel Scheme.

The article presents several researches related to veterinary medicine. A four-point photographic scale was used to assess footpad dermatitis in broiler chickens at two processing plants in Great Britain. An investigation on the purported bias system in France that may lead to inaccurate estimates of the prevalence of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in sheep and goats in European countries has been done. A research on the lesion found in the oral mucosa of sheep is also conducted.

The article reports developments related to the research on animal diseases in Great Britain. A study shows that pigs that are being transported to slaughter are more likely to die during transportation when the environmental temperature is high. One study shows that listeria monocytogenes causes neurological disease in cattle. Another study revealed that helminths appear to have a little effect to limit the development of anthelmintic resistance.

The article reports developments related to veterinary medicine in Great Britain. An examination on dermatological conditions in cats and dogs were the topic of the research conducted by Peter Hill and colleagues. Darren Shaw and Emma Keeble determined the prevalence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in healthy pet rabbits. An assessment on the effects of therapy program in dog behavioral problems was conducted by Emily Blackwell and colleagues.

The article reports on developments related to veterinary medicine in Great Britain. The knowledge of the associations between the prion protein genotype of sheep and their risk of clinical scrapie has been used to develop genotyping and breeding programs that aim to eradicate the disease. According to a questionnaire survey concerning parasite management, the sheep farmers use variety of strategies based on information from the farming press, agricultural merchants and veterinary surgeons.

Presents updates of various clinical studies regarding diseases of animals in Great Britain. Effects on the used of a live intranasal vaccine in livestock with hemorrhagic septicemia; Causative factors for hypocalcemia in adult dogs; Identification of the genotype for cryptosporidium parvum infection in horses.

Focuses on studies about veterinary medicine in Great Britain as of August 7, 2004. Relationship between lameness and back problems in horses; Pathology of digestive tract lesions in stranded sea turtles; Variability of the prion protein gene in goats.

Reports developments related to veterinary medicine in Great Britain as of June 2004. Examination of the role of PrP protein in copper metabolism; Production of the acute phase proteins; Analysis of the prevalence of canine leucocyte adhesion deficiency in Irish setters.

Reports developments related to veterinary medicine in Great Britain. Relapse rate after discontinuing therapy for atopic dermatitis; Heart rate variable in cat exposed orally to bovine spongiform encephalopathy; Risk factor for seropositivity to Neospora caninum in dogs.

There is on-going debate regarding whether veterinary students should focus on one (or a small number of) species during their undergraduate training (ie, track). The aims of this study were to: evaluate UK stakeholders' opinion on partial tracking (whereby students continue to qualify able to practise in all species) and full tracking (students qualify in a limited number of species necessitating restricted registration); and evaluate students' career aspirations in relation to the UK veterinary profession's employment profile. This paper presents the quantitative results of surveys completed by practitioners, students and university staff. The majority of respondents (69.4 per cent) disagreed or strongly disagreed with full tracking, however, there was widespread support for partial tracking (79.0 per cent agreed or strongly agreed). Students favoured partial tracking more so than practitioners (P<0.001). Univariate analysis of demographic factors did not identify differences in opinion regarding tracking within stakeholder groups. Students' knowledge of the UK veterinary employment profile appeared accurate. However, their career aspiration changed with year of the course, and only final year students' intentions were aligned with the profession's current profile. Qualitative data from these surveys are presented in a second paper and include the advantages, disadvantages and implications of partial and full tracking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is ongoing debate in the profession as to whether veterinary students should focus on one (or a small number of) species during their undergraduate training (ie, track). This paper presents the qualitative data from surveys evaluating UK stakeholder opinion on introducing partial tracking (whereby students continue to qualify able to practise in all species) and full tracking (students qualify in a limited number of species with restricted registration). Surveys were distributed to practitioners, students and university staff; 1061 responses were completed. Thematic framework analysis was conducted on the free-text responses; responses were coded to a hierarchical framework developed inductively from the data. Six major themes were identified: choice, flexibility, competency and knowledge, stakeholder implications, specialisation and 'what is a vet?'. The majority of the themes related to both full and partial tracking, usually being more pronounced in full tracking. The theme 'choice' is particularly important in light of the study's quantitative findings on students' awareness of the profession and their career aspirations (presented in a previous paper); should tracking be implemented, veterinary schools will need to take a proactive role in educating and assisting students while making career choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic sample of 2800 articles published between 1970 and 2000 in 14 major biomedical journals was analysed to assess the implementation of the 'Three Rs' (replacement, reduction and refinement) in biomedical research. During this period the total number of articles published annually by the journals more than doubled, but the proportion of studies using animals decreased by 30 per cent. There was a significant increase, from 21 per cent to 35 per cent, in the proportion of animal studies which made use of untreated euthanased animals as donors of biological materials, a gradual decrease in the number of chronic studies on animals, and a 50 per cent decrease in the average number of animals used per published paper. There was an improvement in the reporting of the specification of the animals' husbandry, conditions of care and environment. Parameters of importance for the evaluation of the scientific quality of the research and the welfare of the animals were generally poorly reported, but the proportion of papers with adequate information on most of the parameters analysed increased between 1970 and 2000. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents abstracts related to veterinary medicine topics in Great Britain which include the pregnancy complications of calve infected with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), the response of broodmares on vaccination integrated with live Lawsonia intracellulari and the signs of thrombocytopenia and antiplatelet antibodies in dogs with leishmaniosis.

The article presents abstracts of veterinary research conducted in Great Britain. They include "Adjunctive treatment of dogs undergoing immunotherapy," by Dr. Silva Colombo and colleagues, "Ultrasonographic examination of the omasum in cows," by Professor Ueli Braun and colleagues, and "Bacterial infections in farmed rabbit does in Spain," by Dr. Pablo Segura and colleagues.

Early-warning surveillance provides an essential component of the evidence required to protect animal health. Assessing the proportion of the population included in surveillance systems (coverage) provides a measure of the effectiveness of early-warning surveillance, and contributes to ensuring that these systems are efficient. This paper describes an investigation of methods used for assessing the coverage and representativeness of the 'FarmFile' early-warning surveillance system. This system uses information collected with samples submitted to diagnostic laboratories by private veterinary practitioners in England and Wales. Available data on pig holdings and veterinary practices in four English counties, selected to represent a range of diverse population characteristics, were supplemented using surveys of veterinary practices. Coverage assessments were based on submissions made to FarmFile in 2009. The proportion of holdings covered varied from 5-62 per cent in Devon and Cumbria, and 16-97 per cent in Norfolk and East Riding of Yorkshire. The results suggest that while the proportion of individual pigs covered by the current early-warning surveillance system is high, small and breeding-only holdings in some regions may be poorly covered. Coverage assessments vary depending on the methods used for their assessment, and multiple assessment methods can provide a 'range' within which coverage lies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which aims to compare the opinions of dairy farmers and farm veterinary surgeons on herd health plans (HHPs) and herd health and production management (HH&PM) in Great Britain to discover differences in their opinions. The study distributes two paper-based questionnaires, one for farm dairy farmers and one for farm veterinarians. The study reveals that cost-effectiveness is a major concern among farmers and veterinarians.

This paper reports the results of a case-control study of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) cases born in Great Britain after the statutory reinforcement of the ban (BARB) on the feeding of mammalian-derived meat and bone meal on 31 July 1996. A total of 499 suspect clinical cases of BSE, born after 31 July 1996, and reported negative by July 31, 1996 and were compared with the set of 164 confirmed Great BARB cases in Great Britain detected by both passive and active surveillance. Animal-level risk factors (age and type of feed offered) and herd-level risk factors (herd size and type, number of prereinforced feed ban BSE cases born on the holding, the presence of other domestic species and waste management) were obtained for the analysis. BARB cases were 2.56 times (95 per cent CI 1.29 to 5.07) more likely to be exposed to homemix or a combination of homemix and proprietary feeds were 0.59 times (95 per cent CI 0.50 to 0.69) as less likely to be exposed to the unit increases in the number of prereinforced feed ban BSE cases diagnosed on the natal holding. A supplementary spatial analysis of these cases revealed three areas of excess BARB density: Northwest and Southwest of Wales and Northeast of Scotland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines UK farmers' levels of confidence in vaccinating badgers against bovine tuberculosis (bTB) and their trust in the Government's ability to deal with bTB. In 2010, a badger vaccine based on the BCG vaccine was licensed following field trials and used as part of the UK Government's Badger Vaccination Deployment Project. A stratified random sample of cattle farmers in five different locations of England was surveyed using a telephone survey to elicit their views of badger vaccination. The survey provided a total of 341 responses with a response rate of 80 per cent. Results suggest that the farmers are cautious about badger vaccination, appearing to be neither overly confident nor unconfident in it. However, the farmers did not reveal high levels of trust in the Government to manage bTB policy or badger vaccination. There were no differences in the levels of confidence or trust between farms that were under bTB restrictions at the time of the survey and those that were not or between farms with historically high levels of bTB. Analysis of principal components suggests that 33 per cent of the farmers accepted badger vaccination, but that acceptance is dependent on the wider social and political environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this paper were to characterise lesions found at the hock and to establish their prevalence across a large sample of dairy cows in the UK. In addition, the study aimed to examine farmers' perceptions of these lesions. Seventy-seven farms were visited; both hocks on a random sample of approximately 50 cows were scored on a categorical scale for hair loss, ulceration and swelling. In addition, the size and location of lesions were marked on a hock map. A questionnaire designed to explore attitudes towards lesions was conducted with the owner. Hair loss and ulceration were seen at five locations. Hair loss was identified on 5,619 of 6,896 hocks (mild: 43.7 per cent; moderate: 25.1 per cent; severe: 12.6 per cent) and 1,137 of 6,896 hocks had areas of ulceration (mild: 8.6 per cent; moderate: 5.8 per cent; severe: 2.1 per cent). The majority of lesions were small; however, a small proportion had extensive areas of hair loss (maximum size 113.3 cm²) and ulceration (maximum size 95.5 cm²). Moderate swelling was recorded on 20 per cent of hocks, and 2.0 per cent had severe swelling. Interview results suggested that more than 90 per cent of participants were aware of hock lesions and a third had sought treatment for them; most felt that lesions had at least some impact on productivity and welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pig health schemes based on abattoir inspections provide an integrated system to optimise the postmortem detection and the reporting of pathological lesions. In Great Britain, two initiatives have been implemented by the pig industry: Wholesome Pigs Scotland (WPS) and the BPEX Pig Health Scheme (BPHS). These schemes record the presence of a range of pathological lesions detected by means of detailed inspection of the pluck and the skin of the slaughtered pigs. The lesions are those associated with a reduction in performance traits or are indicators of animal welfare problems. This paper aims to provide an overview of the objectives behind the BPHS and their activities, outlining similarities and differences between WPS and BPHS on five main operational topics: the lesions monitored, the administration of the schemes, flow of the information, inspection strategies and the major idiosyncratic characteristics of the schemes. These initiatives inform individual producers and their veterinarians of the occurrence of pathological conditions affecting their pig herds. Additionally, they offer the added value of providing nationwide disease monitoring information and have the potential to be a useful surveillance tool for emerging and enzootic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the management and health problems of donkeys on loan to independent carers from The Donkey Sanctuary are characterised, and the demographics of the UK's donkey population are described using data from a variety of sources. All carers that fostered a donkey from The Donkey Sanctuary between September 2004 and August 2005 (1432 donkeys) were surveyed using a postal questionnaire requesting information about the donkey, its premises, daily care, health and preventive medicine. The response rate was 77.8 per cent. The mean (sd) age of the donkeys was 20.8 (7.4) years. The majority (92 per cent) of the donkeys were kept as pets. Approximately one-third (33.6 per cent) of the donkeys were overweight. The most common medical problems were hoof, dermal and oral problems. A total of 86 per cent of the donkeys had a dental examination at least every 12 months, and at least 45 per cent had at least one dental problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proportion of UK veterinary surgeons who die by suicide as opposed to other causes is approximately four times that of the general population, and around twice that of other healthcare professionals. Recent research suggests that veterinary surgeons report high levels of psychological distress. This paper proposes a portfolio of evidence-based interventions, for both organisations and individuals, which have the potential to improve mental health and wellbeing in the veterinary profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major challenge in veterinary undergraduate admissions is to select those students with most suitability for veterinary training and careers from a large and diverse pool of applicants with very high academic ability. This paper describes a review of the admissions processes of the seven veterinary schools in the UK. There was significant commonality in the entry requirements and the criteria upon which the schools made decisions on candidates. There was some variation in the procedures used by individual schools to select candidates, but common themes existed within these processes. All of the schools evaluated both academic and non-academic factors for individual applicants, and all used interviews in some format as a selection tool after an initial short-listing process. The procedures and approaches to selection processes are compared and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a rapid, standardised method for testing the susceptibility to bluetongue virus (BTv) of northern Palaearctic Culicoides species midges that can be used to assess the competence of both field-caught and laboratory-infected midges. The method has been used to show that Culicoides scoticus can replicate BTV serotype 8 and BTV serotype 9 strains to more than 3 log10 ICID50/midge, the first evidence of the potential of this species to transmit BTV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the statements from the 12 candidates in the election of members to the Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in Great Britain. John Bailey recognized the effect of RCVS decisions on the livelihoods, business costs, job satisfaction and patient care. Professor Neil Gorman identified the issues that need to be clarified by the College and the profession. INSET: Papers in this week's veterinary Record.

Two serovars of salmonella which are currently of particular importance in both human and animal infections are Salmonella enterica serovars Enteritidis phage type 4 (PT4) and Typhimurium definitive type 104 (DT104). This paper describes the trends in the relationships between the levels of infection of people and a range of farm animal species with these two serovars and explores some of the reasons behind them. In 1996, there was a peak of 520 reports of S Typhimurium DT104 infection in people in Scotland, but the number has decreased every year since, to 96 in 2001. In cattle the incidence of S Typhimurium DT104 also peaked in 1996, with 138 incidents, and it has similarly decreased every year to 2001 when there were 10 reported incidents. Similar declines have been observed in its incidence in sheep and pigs. In people the number of reports of S Enteritidis PT4 peaked in 1997 at 1684 and then declined to 457 in 2001. In chickens, the number of reports of S Enteritidis PT4 peaked in 1998 at 34 incidents, but no incidents were reported in the following three years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about several papers discussed at the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Animal Welfare Foundation Discussion Forum held on May 14, 2012 on the use of animals for human benefit is presented. Topics include the manipulation of the appearance of dairy cattle, educating children about animal welfare in schools in Austria, and animal welfare problem. The forum featured several speakers including David Pritchard, Andrew Coe, and David Martin.

A monophasic group B Salmonella enterica 4,12:a:-- was first isolated in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in Scotland in 1991. This paper reports the isolation of the same group B S enterica from harbour porpoise carcases found stranded along the Cornwall and Devon coastlines. Between 1991 and 2002, 80 harbour porpoises were submitted for postmortem examination and subjected to bacteriological examination under the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme. A total of 28 Salmonella isolates were recovered and subjected to several tests, including biochemical, molecular and serological analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors discusses the use of attitudes and antimicrobial in Great Britain. The authors cite a paper that deals with veterinary attitudes to the use of antimicrobials around surgery. Moreover, they mentions that the paper describes the use of antimicrobials by a population of British veterinary surgeons, including when they used them, what they used them for, and why they used them in some cases and not in others.

The article offers information on the position paper published by the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) earlier in August 2014 on antibiotic resistance and antibiotic use in livestock. It mentions that the paper aims to clarify the position of RUMA on antibiotic resistance and how antibiotics can be used responsibly in livestock in Great Britain. Moreover, RUMA is also supporting calls for the collection of better data on the use of antibiotics in animals.

The author reflects on veterinary education in Great Britain. Topics discussed include the outcome-based education as a dominant health profession education paradigm, the papers by E. Crowther and colleagues on the concept of tracking system in British veterinary education, and the professional competency among veterinary students and schools.

In this article the author discusses the paper that proposes how to update the regulation of the veterinary profession made by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Veterinary Legislation Group. He is critical of the paper as just a way to cover the mess identified by the Great Britain's Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee by discussing developments in human professions' regulation. The role of the government on the concerns of veterinary profession is also investigated.

The article focuses on a research paper by Fieke Molenaar and colleagues, which compares the serum concentrations of biochemical indicators of iron metabolism in free-living and captive black rhinoceroses, using 27 free-living animals in Kenya and 12 captive animals in Great Britain. The paper mentions that captive animals in Kenya had higher serum transferring saturation, iron, urea and gamma glutamyl transferase and lower unbound iron binding capacity and inorganic phosphorus.

The article reports on the publication of the papers based on the Freedom of Information Act of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in Great Britain. The papers outline proposals to meet modern requirements to improve management of information. The papers would be available to Council members and non-council members of the relevant committee.

The author reflects on the use of ovulation induction in broodmare practice in Great Britain. She says that ovulation induction can optimise pregnancy rates by administering in the most appropriate time of ovulation. She relates the paper by Henderson and colleagues which shows that Ovuplant implants without removal may not be of big managerial significance in the interovulatory intervals in mares.