UK veterinary professionals' perceptions and experiences of adverse drug reaction reporting.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is the cornerstone of pharmacovigilance. Despite this, it is believed that there is significant under-reporting in the veterinary setting. Low reporting rates delay marketing authorisation holders (MAHs) and regulators taking mitigating action in the case of safety concerns. METHOD: We designed a survey to explore the perceptions, attitudes and experiences of UK veterinary professionals towards ADR reporting. The survey was advertised widely through conventional and social media and at several conferences. RESULTS: In total, 260 respondents completed the survey, including 210 veterinary surgeons, 49 veterinary nurses and one suitably qualified person. Respondents generally understood the need to report ADRs. The main barrier to reporting was the suspected ADR being well known, and the most popular potential facilitator identified was the ability to report via the practice management system. Facilitation via education in the form of a pharmacovigilance themed continuing professional development event was particularly popular among veterinary nurses, who reported time as being less of a barrier to reporting than their veterinary surgeon counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that technological interventions to facilitate reporting and empowerment of veterinary nurses to report through a tailored training event should be explored further.

An update on FIV and FeLV test performance using a Bayesian statistical approach.

BACKGROUND: Screening tests for feline retroviruses are thought to have high sensitivity and specificity, although previous studies that evaluated these tests have limitations. Novel statistical approaches have been developed that allow the estimation of sensitivity and specificity in situations where the true state of the disease in individual animals cannot be assured. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a variety of retrovirus tests, including some screening tests, in a population of cats potentially infected with either feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and/or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) by using a Bayesian statistical approach. METHODS: Four hundred and ninety blood samples from cats being evaluated for FIV infection were tested by 2 rapid immunomigration tests (Witness single [WS], Witness combi [WC]) and a plate-based ELISA (Petcheck) for FIV antibody, and by a newly designed real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for FIV provirus. Four hundred and ninety-five blood samples from cats being evaluated for FeLV infection were tested by 2 rapid immunomigration tests (WS, WC) and a plate-based ELISA (Petcheck) for FeLV antigen, and by a FeLV virus isolation technique. Results were then analyzed by using a Bayesian statistical method. RESULTS: For FIV tests, median sensitivity estimates were 0.98 for WS, 0.97 for WC, 0.98 for ELISA, and 0.92 for PCR. Median specificity estimates were 0.96 for WS, 0.96 for WC, 0.93 for ELISA, and 0.99 for PCR. For FeLV tests, median sensitivity estimates were 0.97 for WS, 0.97 for WC, 0.98 for ELISA, and 0.91 for virus isolation. Median specificity estimates were 0.96 for WS, 0.96 for WC, 0.98 for ELISA, and 0.99 for virus isolation. CONCLUSIONS: The use of Bayesian statistical methods overcomes a variety of methodologic problems associated with diagnostic test evaluations, including the lack of a definitive reference test. The sensitivity and the specificity of all 6 evaluated screening tests was high: however, specificity estimates were slightly lower than those reported by most recent studies.

Veterinary pharmacovigilance in Europe: a survey of veterinary practitioners.

A web-based survey was conducted by the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe with the support of the European Medicines Agency to gain a better insight into the adverse event reporting habits of veterinary practitioners and the level of information on reported adverse events that flows back to them. It was completed by 3545 veterinarians. The findings indicate marked under-reporting and that the system is poorly equipped to deal with lack of expected efficacy, with few cases reported and most found to be inconclusive. It was also found that feedback systems are greatly lacking. In order to increase spontaneous reporting, there is a need to make reporting easier (eg, by developing mobile apps, to incorporate the reporting into the practice management system software) and to make veterinarians better aware of the importance of reporting and the added value it may bring. Feedback systems should be improved. The best way to motivate reporters is to demonstrate that the reports they submit are indeed useful and contribute to the improved use of veterinary medicinal products. The major role veterinarians can play in improving animal health, welfare and public health by reporting adverse events needs to be further promoted.

Characteristics of relinquished dogs and their owners at 14 rehoming centers in the United Kingdom.

In the United Kingdom, each year many companion animal (pet) caregivers (owners) hand over dogs to shelters for rehoming. Studies conducted in the United States and Australia have shown that accommodation issues and problematic behaviors are the most common reasons for dogs to be relinquished. The purpose of this study was to provide a clearer understanding of common characteristics of relinquished dogs in the United Kingdom. A descriptive study conducted during 2005 collected data on 2,806 dogs relinquished to Dogs Trust's rehoming centers in the United Kingdom. The most common reasons for dogs to be relinquished were their problematic behaviors and their need for more attention than the owner could provide. The results of this study identify several common characteristics of relinquished dogs as well as differences between its results and those found in studies conducted in the United States and Australia. An improved knowledge of characteristics of relinquished dogs should inform the development of strategies for improved management of the rehoming process.

Inherited defects in pedigree dogs. Part 2: Disorders that are not related to breed standards.

Recent debate concerning health problems in pedigree animals has highlighted gaps in current knowledge of the prevalence, severity and welfare implications of deleterious inherited traits within the pedigree-dog population. In this second part of a two-part review, inherited disorders in the top 50 UK Kennel Club registered breeds were researched using systematic searches of existing databases. A set of inclusion and exclusion criteria, including an evidence strength scale (SEHB), were applied to search results. A total of 312 non-conformation linked inherited disorders was identified, with German shepherd dogs and Golden retrievers associated with the greatest number of disorders. The most commonly reported mode of inheritance was autosomal recessive (71%; 57 breed-disorder combinations), and the most common primarily affected body system was the nervous sensory system. To provide a true assessment of the scale of inherited disorders in the pedigree dogs studied more effort is required to collect accurate prevalence data.

Inherited defects in pedigree dogs. Part 1: disorders related to breed standards.

The United Kingdom pedigree-dog industry has faced criticism because certain aspects of dog conformation stipulated in the UK Kennel Club breed standards have a detrimental impact on dog welfare. A review of conformation-related disorders was carried out in the top 50 UK Kennel Club registered breeds using systematic searches of existing information. A novel index to score severity of disorders along a single scale was also developed and used to conduct statistical analyses to determine the factors affecting reported breed predisposition to defects. According to the literature searched, each of the top 50 breeds was found to have at least one aspect of its conformation predisposing it to a disorder; and 84 disorders were either directly or indirectly associated with conformation. The Miniature poodle, Bulldog, Pug and Basset hound had most associations with conformation-related disorders. Further research on prevalence and severity is required to assess the impact of different disorders on the welfare of affected breeds.