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Abstract
β-Hemolytic Streptococcus (BHS) species are important pathogens with both human and veterinary significance. In human medicine, BHS are considered universally susceptible to β-lactams while BHS of veterinary origin have been reported with up to 8% β-lactam resistance. Recently, veterinary diagnostic laboratories were made aware of significant variability of test method performance for BHS among laboratories. This article explores potential sources of error in antimicrobial susceptibility test performance and result interpretation that may have contributed to the unusual rates of resistance to β-lactams observed in this bacterial species. In addition, potential impacts to research, clinical practice, surveillance, and public health will be discussed.
Abstract
The world is losing wildlife species at an unprecedented rate. Habitat destruction, overexploitation, and pollution are the leading causes of biodiversity decline. As a threat multiplier, climate change exacerbates these processes as demonstrated by the death of several billion wild animals in the last few years from wildfires, floods, heatwaves, and other natural disasters. In the face of these challenges, veterinarians have unique and important skillsets to contribute to wildlife conservation and the preservation of biodiversity at many levels. Veterinarians can organize and train to mobilize wildlife extraction, rescue, and rehabilitation units during natural disasters as well as build relationships with rehabilitators to provide their services for general wildlife rehabilitation needs. They can work in transdisciplinary teams to provide veterinary expertise for ecosystem health and rewilding projects. They can become sustainability champions by providing pollinator and wildlife friendly habitats at their clinics and reducing clinic waste and energy consumption, and they can engage in science communication and advocacy. When provided with the necessary information, resources, and action items, veterinarians can increase their positive impact and personal well-being through purposeful, value-driven, community-building efforts to support wildlife conservation and biodiversity.
Abstract
Salaries apportioned to veterinary interns and residents have been historically low. The impact of this financial strain on the lives and career choices of young veterinarians has recently been evaluated. Subsequent effects of low remuneration are not limited to simple personal finances; rather, the implications may be more far-reaching, including playing a role in mental and physical wellness, affecting diversity in various segments of the profession, influencing career paths, creating barriers to educational and professional opportunities, and shaping decisions regarding family. We evaluated progress made in salaries offered for positions listed in the Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program between the previous analysis in 2021 and at present for the 2023 match. In addition to considering financial improvements, we discuss potential drivers contributing to change, including recent documentation of living wage requirements relative to salaries, labor market forces, and the increasingly competitive salaries offered through other career paths. We also consider implications for increasing intern and resident compensation; besides well-being, diversity, career path, and family factors, we discuss the potential relationship of postgraduate educational programs to hospital revenues and implications for how educational program structure may be affected. While compensation is far from the only element that drives career selection or satisfaction, understanding the effects of a fiscal overhaul to this educational experience can play a critical role in solving components of the workforce issues in our profession.
Abstract
The medication misuse epidemic continues to be a major concern for both human and veterinary health-care providers. Medication misuse of veterinary prescribed drugs is contributing to the public health crisis. Education of students regarding appropriate prescribing, communication with clients about medication storage, recognition of signs of vet shopping and animal abuse, and appropriate pain management strategies are essential steps for ensuring our students are prepared for the world that awaits them outside the halls of academic veterinary medicine. This is the moment where veterinarians can make a difference in the lives of patients, students, and the public health.
Abstract
Rabies is the deadliest viral infection known, with no reliable treatment, and although it is entirely preventable, rabies continues to kill more than 60,000 people every year, mostly children in countries where dog rabies is endemic. America is only 1 generation away from the time when rabies killed more than 10,000 animals and 50 Americans every year, but 3 to 5 Americans continue to die annually from rabies. Distressingly, > 50,000 Americans undergo rabies prevention therapy every year after exposure to potentially rabid animals. While enormous progress has been made, more must be done to defeat this ancient but persistent, fatal zoonosis.
In the US, lack of public awareness and ambivalence are the greatest dangers imposed by rabies, resulting in unnecessary exposures, anxiety, and risk. Veterinarians have a special role in informing and reassuring the public about prevention and protection from rabies. This summary of current facts and future advances about rabies will assist veterinarians in informing their clients about the disease.
Abstract
Biomedical waste is a well-recognized environmental problem, yet less is known about the waste generated in the delivery of veterinary care compared to human medicine. The objective of this project was to develop and pilot a waste audit protocol for veterinary medicine that could inform waste management at a US university veterinary teaching hospital and the broader veterinary community. We conducted a multi-day review of the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s small animal surgery and anesthesia units to measure the types and amounts of waste generated during routine surgeries. Metrics included total weight, number of bags, and individual counts for specific items of concern and items with sustainable alternatives. We calculated frequencies and percentages of waste by waste audit material category and noted any erroneous materials sorted. Despite waste being a prioritized sustainability issue in veterinary medicine, this work highlighted opportunities for better education on managing and optimizing existing resources through behavior modification. This article explores ways the 5Rs (Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Research) could be better operationalized in veterinary hospitals.
ABSTRACT
Friction can occur between veterinarians and their clients when they are not aligned on the goals of care for a pet and what constitutes the best outcome of a case. Veterinarians frequently concentrate on providing the diagnostic and treatment protocol that is perceived to result in the best medical outcome for their patient. Pet owners frequently consider a myriad of factors relating to the pet as well as how different diagnostic and treatment recommendations will affect individual family members and the family as a whole in both concrete and subjective terms. This misalignment can lead to veterinarians experiencing moral distress and families feeling guilt and shame about their pet’s care decisions. In this paper we examine the interdependencies of families and their pets and the factors that pet owners may consider in making care decisions. These factors, adapted from the concept of Family Quality of Life as used in the human health field, can be divided into three domains including pet-centric factors, family-centric factors, and external factors. By better understanding that there are a multitude of considerations that influence owners’ care decisions and communicating with owners in a nonjudgmental manner, veterinarians can more holistically support families, decrease their own moral distress, and arrive at diagnostic and treatment plans that represent the overall best approach for the family and the patient.
Abstract
The American Association of Veterinary Clinicians (AAVC) convened a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity working group in March 2021 to address the limited diversity (including but not limited to ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity) in clinical post-DVM graduate training programs and academic faculty. Concurrent with a working group formation, the AAVC developed a strategic plan. The central mission of the AAVC is to develop, support, and connect academic leaders to fuel the future of the veterinary medical profession. House officers and their training programs are central to all goals outlined in the strategic plan. Amongst other strategic goals, the working group identified best practices for intern and resident recruitment and selection. We report herein from the current health profession literature ways to identify and recruit talented, diverse candidates especially those with non-traditional (atypical) preparation and experience. We also provide recommendations on best practices for intern and resident selection. This document highlights holistic approaches, some of which are incrementally being incorporated into the Veterinary Intern Resident Matching Program application, that emphasize diversity as a selection criteria for intern and resident selection an important step towards building a more resilient and inclusive workforce. These include expanding candidate assessment beyond grades and class rank into a more standardized method for screening candidates that includes consideration of life experiences and talents outside of veterinary medicine.
Abstract
The US swine industry is currently challenged by the potential of transboundary animal disease (eg, African swine fever) entry to the national herd and the relentless pressures of domestic diseases (eg, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome). The task of the swine veterinarian is to biosecure both the national herd and their customers’ local farms to mitigate these risks. This Viewpoint raises 4 questions that swine veterinarians, including practicing (private and corporate), industry, research, academic, and regulatory (state and federal) veterinarians who spend a portion of their time controlling, treating, preventing, or eradicating diseases of swine, must answer to meet the needs of their farms to compete globally and survive. In addition, it appears that there is sufficient science-based information to move forward in a collaborative manner and that the goals of prevention of African swine fever and elimination of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus are technically possible. Therefore, as previous generations of swine veterinarians led the US industry in the elimination of foot-and-mouth disease virus, classical swine fever virus, and pseudorabies virus from the national herd, the central challenge is whether the next generation of veterinarians will provide the necessary leadership to deal with the current industry and its next-generation challenges.
Abstract
The veterinary profession has a unique responsibility to animals during the final stages of their lives. The veterinarian’s obligations extend to humane endings, involving all species of animals in a range of circumstances including, but not limited to, euthanasia of individually owned animals, euthanasia of animals for research purposes, depopulation of animals during emergencies, and slaughter of animals raised for food. The veterinary profession continues to improve animal welfare through advances in end-of-life decision-making and humane killing techniques, – but the psychological impacts on veterinarians have not received the same level of consideration. Building on the influential AVMA Humane Endings Guideline, the AVMA recognizes that support for the mental health of veterinarians engaged in such activities needs to be a priority. This article aims to provide the foundation and rationale for improved preparation and establishment of sustainable mental health resources and to offer recommendations on pragmatic solutions to support and prepare veterinary professionals as leaders impacted by participation in humane endings–related activities. While end-of-life decision-making and implementation may present mental health challenges to veterinarians, it is crucial to recognize that there are stressors specific to each situation and that every individual’s experience is valid. Addressing the mental health issues surrounding the decision-making process and implementation of humane endings activities start with a comprehensive understanding of each activity’s unique context and the veterinarian’s leadership role. Therefore, this article highlights the psychological impact of depopulation and its similarities and exclusive challenges compared with euthanasia and humane slaughter.
