The moral of the Swaledale tups.

A story from early in Liz Barton's career demonstrates the high expectations those in the veterinary world often have of themselves - and the value of self-compassion. Being kind to oneself is something she and her colleagues are now trying to embed widely.

Veterinarian perceptions on the care of surplus dairy calves.

Both male and female calves that are not required in the dairy herd sometimes receive inadequate care on dairy farms. Veterinarians work with farmers to improve animal care, and farmers often view veterinarians as trusted advisors; however, little is known about the attitudes of veterinarians on surplus calves. This study investigated the perspectives of Canadian cattle veterinarians on the care and management of surplus calves, as well as how they view their role in improving care. We conducted 10 focus groups with a total of 45 veterinarians from 8 provinces across Canada. Recorded audio files were transcribed, anonymized, and coded using thematic analysis. We found that veterinarians approached surplus calf management issues from a wide lens, with 2 major themes emerging: (1) problematic aspects of surplus calf management, including colostrum management, transportation, and euthanasia, and suggested management and structural solutions, including ways to improve the economic value of these calves, and (2) the veterinarian's role in advising dairy farmers on the care of surplus calves, including on technical issues, and more broadly working with farmers to better address public concerns. We conclude that veterinarians are concerned about the care of surplus calves on dairy farms and believe that they have an important role in developing solutions together with their farmer clientele.

Surrogate Humane Endpoints in Small Animal Models of Acute Lung Injury: A Modified Delphi Consensus Study of Researchers and Laboratory Animal Veterinarians.

OBJECTIVES: In many jurisdictions, ethical concerns require surrogate humane endpoints to replace death in small animal models of acute lung injury. Heterogenous selection and reporting of surrogate endpoints render interpretation and generalizability of findings between studies difficult. We aimed to establish expert-guided consensus among preclinical scientists and laboratory animal veterinarians on selection and reporting of surrogate endpoints, monitoring of these models, and the use of analgesia. DESIGN: A three-round consensus process, using modified Delphi methodology, with researchers who use small animal models of acute lung injury and laboratory animal veterinarians who provide care for these animals. Statements on the selection and reporting of surrogate endpoints, monitoring, and analgesia were generated through a systematic search of MEDLINE and Embase. Participants were asked to suggest any additional potential statements for evaluation. SETTING: A web-based survey of participants representing the two stakeholder groups (researchers, laboratory animal veterinarians). Statements were rated on level of evidence and strength of support by participants. A final face-to-face meeting was then held to discuss results. SUBJECTS: None. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Forty-two statements were evaluated, and 29 were rated as important, with varying strength of evidence. The majority of evidence was based on rodent models of acute lung injury. Endpoints with strong support and evidence included temperature changes and body weight loss. Behavioral signs and respiratory distress also received support but were associated with lower levels of evidence. Participants strongly agreed that analgesia affects outcomes in these models and that none may be necessary following nonsurgical induction of acute lung injury. Finally, participants strongly supported transparent reporting of surrogate endpoints. A prototype composite score was also developed based on participant feedback. CONCLUSIONS: We provide a preliminary framework that researchers and animal welfare committees may adapt for their needs. We have identified knowledge gaps that future research should address.

[Euthanasia in horses - Results of a survey addressing horse owners and veterinarians]. / Euthanasie von Pferden ­ Ergebnisse einer Tierärzte- und Besitzerbefragung.

OBJECTIVE: Euthanasia represents a procedure with high responsibility for veterinarians in equine practice. The procedure should avoid pain and suffering for the horse and be carried out with the least possible stress for the patient and its owner. The presented study investigated the emotional impact of a horse's euthanasia procedure on the owner in order to enable development of future recommendations in improving the management of this procedure in horses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Questionnaires concerning euthanasia of a horse for horse owners and veterinarians, respectively were developed and sent by mail or published online. RESULTS: Questionnaire for veterinarians: A total of 12 equine clinics participated. The main reason for performing euthanasia was stated to be acute disease, especially colic. In 75 % of the cases the owner was present. The location of the euthanasia procedure as well as the premedication used varied strongly between hospitals. In most clinics (n = 8) T61™, a combination of embutramid, tetracain hydrochloride and mebezoniumiodid, was used for euthanasia. Muscle twitching and "final gasps" were frequently observed during the procedure. Analysis of the 273 completed owner questionnaires revealed chronic disease, especially in older patients and colic as main reasons for euthanasia. Most owners assessed the attending veterinarian's empathy as being good and felt well-informed about the procedure. In addition, 64.8 % of the owners stated that their presence during the euthanasia aided them to emotionally cope with the loss of their horse. A subset of owners that had their horse euthanized in an equine clinic criticised the hospital's atmosphere as well as being insufficiently educated about the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: According to the obtained data, detailed information of the horses' owners regarding the euthanasia procedure and its costs is advisable. In addition, owners should be educated about possible accompanying symptoms, such as muscle twitching or "final gasps".

Quantitative and thematic analysis of complaints by clients against clinical veterinary practitioners in New Zealand.

AIMS: To provide a descriptive analysis of all notifications and complaints received by the Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ) during 1992-2016 and to use a thematic analysis of complaints made by clients to the VCNZ during 2013-2015 to determine the underlying reasons for their complaints. METHODS: A mixed methods approach was used. Notifications and complaints against veterinarians between 1992-2016 (n=1218) were summarised based on complaint categories and by gender of the veterinarian respondents, the number of years registered with the VCNZ and the animal species to which the complaint related. In-depth thematic analysis was made of the content of clients' complaints between 2013-2015 (n=141) to identify details of the key themes and subthemes underlying the complaints. RESULTS: The VCNZ categorised 595/959 (62.0%) of the complaints made between 1992-2016 as related to technical competency, and 308/959 (32%) to professional behaviour. Of the 1,218 complaints, 818 (67.2%) were not investigated or were dismissed, and 18 (1.5%) cases were upheld due to technical competency concerns. Of the complaints in which animal species was identified, 623/738 (84.4%) involved companion animals and 104/738 (14.1%) involved large animals. Male veterinarians were the subject of 855/1,218 (70.2%) complaints. Of the complaints that recorded the number of years the respondent had been registered, 488/1,121 (43.5%) involved veterinarians who had been registered ≥21 years. Thematic analysis identified client expectations as the one overarching theme, within which were four subthemes; a veterinarian would be trustworthy and honest, provide good quality care, communicate in a way that the client finds acceptable, and charge fairly. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Notifications and complaints against male practitioners outnumbered those against female practitioners, and companion animal practitioners were over-represented. Many complaints that were ostensibly related to technical failures, were shown by thematic analysis to also represent underlying failures of professional behaviour. Key issues included lack of trustworthiness, honesty, good quality care and acceptable communication with the client. These data should not be interpreted as an accurate indicator of the prevalence of misconduct in practice, as the proportion of dissatisfied clients who did not raise a notification or complaint is unknown. Accurate classification of complaints will enable veterinary regulators and educators to identify competencies that could be developed or improved through training and experience.