Guidelines for resident training in veterinary clinical pathology. IV: Laboratory quality management-Teaching domains, competencies, and suggested learning outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The 2019 ASVCP Education Committee Forum for Discussion, presented at the annual ASVCP/ACVP meeting, identified a need to develop recommendations for teaching laboratory quality management principles in veterinary clinical pathology residency training programs. OBJECTIVES: To present a competency-based framework for teaching laboratory quality management principles in veterinary clinical pathology residency training programs, including entrustable professional activities (EPAs), domains of competence, individual competencies, and learning outcomes. METHODS: A joint subcommittee of the ASVCP Quality Assurance and Laboratory Standards (QALS) and Education Committees executed this project. A draft guideline version was reviewed by the ASVCP membership and shared with selected ACVP committees in early 2022, and a final version was voted upon by the full QALS and Education Committees in late 2022. RESULTS: Eleven domains of competence with relevant individual competencies were identified. In addition, suggested learning outcomes and resource lists were developed. Domains and individual competencies were mapped to six EPAs. CONCLUSIONS: This guideline presents a framework for teaching principles of laboratory quality management in veterinary clinical pathology residency training programs and was designed to be comprehensive yet practical. Guidance on pedagogical terms and possible routes of implementation are included. Recommendations herein aim to improve and support resident training but may require gradual implementation, as programs phase in necessary expertise and resources. Future directions include the development of learning milestones and assessments and consideration of how recommendations intersect with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists training program accreditation and certifying examination.

Discerning the effect of the relationship between disclosure and responsiveness on depression, anxiety, and compassion fatigue among veterinarians.

OBJECTIVE: Previous scholarship has posited that veterinarians experience more anxiety, depression, and compassion fatigue symptoms than the general population. Disclosure of psychological stressors, combined with positive responsiveness, may reduce psychological symptoms. The goal of this study was to test the relationships between disclosure, responsiveness, compassion fatigue, anxiety, and depression. SAMPLE: 230 veterinarians from a private Facebook online support group. PROCEDURES: Veterinarians from a private Facebook online support group were administered a cross-sectional survey using established scales measuring disclosure, responsiveness, compassion fatigue, anxiety, and depression. All scales reported strong reliability and validity. RESULTS: Pearson correlations and mediation models were used to analyze the data. A small, negative, direct relationship between disclosure and depression was found, yet the more interesting results were that responsiveness had a significant, indirect effect on the relationship between disclosure and compassion fatigue, anxiety, and depression. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Disclosure may be related to decreased experiences of compassion fatigue, anxiety, and depression when responsiveness is also present. Veterinarians may benefit from improved mental well-being knowing that there are opportunities to disclose concerns to peers. Additionally, fellow veterinarians can benefit from understanding how to respond to disclosures in a positive, nonstigmatizing manner.

The effect of adding lactic acid to canine whole blood on platelet aggregation as measured by impedance aggregometry.

BACKGROUND: Acidemia in sick dogs often results from the accumulation of lactic acid. The resulting decrease in blood pH can have many physiologic effects, including alteration of platelet function. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the effect of hyperlactatemia and subsequent acidemia on platelet aggregation in canine blood using impedance aggregometry. METHODS: Platelet aggregation was measured in blood from 27 healthy dogs using the Multiplate analyzer at baseline and after in vitro addition of two different volumes of lactic acid to adjust the pH. The area under the curve (AUC), reported by the Multiplate analyzer, was used to assess the extent of platelet aggregation in each sample. A linear mixed effects model was used to test for the association between platelet aggregation and pH. The association of baseline platelet aggregation with HCTs, platelet counts, and WBC counts was assessed using Pearson's correlations. RESULTS: Acidemia was associated with a significant decrease in platelet aggregation. No significant correlations were detected between platelet aggregation and HCT, platelet count, or WBC count. Platelet aggregation measured using the Multiplate analyzer showed substantial individual variation. CONCLUSIONS: Worsening acidemia due to the addition of lactic acid caused a mild but significant decrease in platelet aggregation in canine blood. The clinical significance of this change is uncertain but could be important when combined with other abnormalities of hemostasis associated with illness.

Animal models of GM2 gangliosidosis: utility and limitations.

GM2 gangliosidosis, a subset of lysosomal storage disorders, is caused by a deficiency of the glycohydrolase, ß-N-acetylhexosaminidase, and includes the closely related Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases. The enzyme deficiency prevents the normal, stepwise degradation of ganglioside, which accumulates unchecked within the cellular lysosome, particularly in neurons. As a result, individuals with GM2 gangliosidosis experience progressive neurological diseases including motor deficits, progressive weakness and hypotonia, decreased responsiveness, vision deterioration, and seizures. Mice and cats are well-established animal models for Sandhoff disease, whereas Jacob sheep are the only known laboratory animal model of Tay-Sachs disease to exhibit clinical symptoms. Since the human diseases are relatively rare, animal models are indispensable tools for further study of pathogenesis and for development of potential treatments. Though no effective treatments for gangliosidoses currently exist, animal models have been used to test promising experimental therapies. Herein, the utility and limitations of gangliosidosis animal models and how they have contributed to the development of potential new treatments are described.