Opinions of veterinarians about the age at which kittens should be neutered

The mean age recommended by veterinary practices for neutering kittens is 22.6 weeks, with only 28 per cent of veterinarians considering it appropriate to neuter 12- to 16-week-old kittens. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with veterinarians' opinion that 12 to 16 weeks is an appropriate age at which to neuter kittens. Significant risk factors included time since graduation, perception of the problem of there being too many unwanted domestic cats and their practice's policy on the recommended neutering age. Veterinarians who thought that neutering eight- to 11-week-old rescue kittens before homing was justified and veterinarians who had neutered 12- to 16-week-old domestic kittens within the previous year were more likely to consider that neutering 12- to 16-week-old kittens was appropriate. Veterinarians who thought that surgical complications, anaesthetic complications and lower urinary tract disease were, or might be, more likely to occur in kittens neutered at 12 to 16 weeks than in those neutered at six months of age, were significantly less likely to think that neutering 12- to 16-week-old kittens was appropriate.     

Attitudes and concerns of Canadian animal health technologists toward postoperative pain management in dogs and cats.

Three hundred and twenty-two Canadian animal health technologists (AHTs) were surveyed to determine their attitudes toward postoperative pain management in dogs and cats following 6 surgical procedures, their concerns regarding the use of opioid analgesics, and their role within veterinary practices with respect to postoperative pain control. Two hundred and sixty-four (82%) returned the questionnaire. Pain perception was defined as the average of pain rankings for dogs and cats (on a scale of 1 to 10) following abdominal surgery, or the value for dogs or cats if the AHT worked with only 1 of the 2 species. Maximum concern about the risks associated with the postoperative use of morphine or oxymorphone was defined as the highest rating assigned to any of the 6 risks evaluated in either dogs or cats. Animal health technologists reported significantly higher pain perception scores than did veterinarians who completed a similar survey 2 years previously. Higher pain perception scores were associated with decreased satisfaction with the adequacy of analgesic therapy in their practice, higher pain control goals, and attendance at continuing education within the previous 12 months. The majority of AHTs (55%) agreed that one or more risks associated with the use of morphine or oxymorphone outweighed the benefits. The 3 issues that were perceived to pose the greatest risk were respiratory depression, bradycardia, and sedation and excitement, for dogs and cats, respectively. Most AHTs (68%) considered their knowledge related to the recognition and control of pain to be adequate, compared with 24% of veterinarians who responded to a similar previous survey. As for veterinarians, experience gained while in practice was ranked as the most important source of knowledge, while the technical program attended was ranked as least important. Over 88% of the AHTs provided nursing care during the postoperative period, monitored animals for side effects of postoperative analgesic therapy, informed veterinarians when animals were in pain, recommended analgesic therapy when they believed it was warranted, reported that animals received analgesics when they believed it was warranted, administered analgesics under the instruction of a veterinarian, and believed they were part of a team working to provide adequate postoperative pain control.     

Animal abuse and family violence: survey on the recognition of animal abuse by veterinarians in New Zealand and their understanding of the correlation between animal abuse and human violence

AIMS: To establish the incidence, frequency and type of deliberate animal abuse seen in veterinary practice in New Zealand, and ascertain veterinarians' knowledge of human abuse within the families where animal abuse was occurring. To explore attitudes of veterinarians to and knowledge about the correlation between animal abuse and human violence, and their perceived role in dealing with such issues. METHODS: A postal questionnaire was sent to practising veterinarians in New Zealand. It covered demographics, frequency and type of animal abuse cases seen, awareness of violence towards humans, within families where animal abuse was seen, the methods used for managing animal and human abuse, the incidence of psychological abuse of animals, and the attitudes of veterinarians towards and their beliefs about the link between animal abuse and human violence. RESULTS: A total of 383/1,412 (27% response rate) questionnaires with useable data were returned. Within the group of respondents, the sexes were evenly represented; 40% of respondents worked in small-animal practice, 50% in mixed practice and 10% in large-animal practice. Deliberate animal abuse had been seen by 63% of respondents in the last 5 years; 37% of these had seen such cases once a year or less, while 9% had seen abuse cases at least four times a year. Dogs were the species most commonly reported as abused, followed, in numerical order, by cats, cattle and horses. Among respondents who had seen deliberate animal abuse, 16% either knew of (4%) or suspected (12%) human abuse within the families of the abused animals. A clear majority of responding veterinarians agreed with the statement that people who abuse their animals are more likely to abuse their children (77%) or spouse (70%). CONCLUSIONS: The survey indicated that the majority of respondents had seen cases of animal abuse within the previous 5 years, and dogs were the species most often reported abused. Responding veterinarians felt a strong ethical duty to deal with cases of animal abuse, but they were less comfortable about issues of human abuse, even though the awareness of the link between abuse of animals and abuse of humans was relatively high. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The greater the awareness of animal abuse and its linkage with human abuse, the greater the possibility that veterinarians can contribute in a meaningful way to the reduction of violence in society.     

Perpetration-induced traumatic stress in persons who euthanize nonhuman animals in surgeries, animal shelters, and laboratories.

This study explored possible identification of Perpetration-induced Traumatic Stress (PITS) in workers whose occupations required euthanizing nonhuman animals and determining whether event or person-related factors influenced symptoms. The sample included 148 animal workers: veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and research and animal shelter staff. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) assessed traumatic stress. Experimenters constructed additional scales measuring satisfaction with social support, participation in various types of training, and concern over animal death. More than 70% of participants reported affinity toward animals had strongly influenced their occupation selection. Half the sample perceived animal death--particularly euthanasia--as one of the least desirable jobs. Of the sample, 11% reported experiencing moderate levels of traumatic symptoms. The study found lower levels of euthanasia-related stress were associated with increased satisfaction with social support and length of time working with animals. Those who reported high levels of concern about animal death reported higher levels of euthanasia-related stress. The study found occupational context was not associated with different levels of euthanasia-related stress symptoms--even though reasons for administering euthanasia differed significantly between occupations.     

Use of the anesthetic combination of tiletamine,zolazepam, ketamine,and xylazine for neutering feral cats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of the anesthetic combination tiletamine, zolazepam, ketamine, and xylazine (TKX) for anesthesia of feral cats at large-scale neutering clinics. DESIGN: Original study. ANIMALS: 7,502 feral cats. PROCEDURE: Cats were trapped by their caretakers for a feral cat neutering program from July 1996 to August 2000. The anesthetic combination TKX was injected IM into cats while they remained in their traps. Each milliliter of TKX contained 50 mg of tiletamine, 50 mg of zolazepam, 80 mg of ketamine, and 20 mg of xylazine. Females were spayed by veterinarians, whereas males were castrated by veterinarians or veterinary students. Yohimbine (0.5 mg, IV) was administered at the end of the procedure. Logs were kept of the individual drug doses, signalment of the cats, and any complications encountered. These data were analyzed retrospectively (1996 to 1999) and prospectively (2000). RESULTS: Of the 5,766 cats for which dosing records were complete, 4,584 (79.5%) received a single dose of TKX. The mean initial dose of TKX was 0.24 +/- 0.04 ml/cat, and the total mean dose of TKX was 0.27 +/- 0.09 ml. Overall mortality rate was 0.35% (26/7,502) cats, and the death rate attributable solely to potential anesthetic deaths was 0.23% (17/7,502) cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of TKX for large-scale feral cat neutering clinics has several benefits. The TKX combination is inexpensive, provides predictable results, can be administered quickly and easily in a small volume, and is associated with a low mortality rate in feral cats.     

Prevalence of occupational exposures and protective practices in Australian female veterinarians

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of exposure to potentially harmful occupational hazards in Australian female veterinarians and to report factors associated with prevalence of occupational hazards in this profession. DESIGN: National cross-sectional survey of a cohort population. PROCEDURE: A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 5748 veterinarians (males and females) graduating from Australian veterinary schools from 1960 to 2000. This paper reports the prevalence of occupational exposures in 1197 female veterinarians in their current job including radiation, anaesthetic gases, pesticides and long working hours. Comparisons were undertaken between respondents by practice type and decades of graduation. Multivariate logistic regression was undertaken to predict the risk for exposure to occupational hazards in female veterinarians by age, type of practice, graduation year and number of hours worked. RESULTS: The response rate for females was 59%. We found that age under 30 years, small and mixed animal practice, graduation year after 1990, and working more than 45 hours per week were all associated with greater exposure to putative risk factors. Mixed animal practitioners worked more than 45 hours per week (53%) and reported the highest exposure to anaesthetic gases (94%) and pesticides (54%). Twenty two percent of those who were exposed to anaesthetic gases did not have waste anaesthetic gas scavenging systems. Small animal practitioners reported they took more X-rays (90%). While taking X-rays, 56% of respondents reported physically restraining animals, and only one in five of respondents used film holders and lead screens. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of potentially harmful exposures among female veterinarians and lack of use of protective equipment at work needs to be considered in developing and planning the safety of veterinary work.     

Age at death and cause of death of pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) seen at an exotic animal clinic in Tokyo,Japan: a retrospective study of 898 cases (2006–2020)

BackgroundAs the quality of care received by pet rabbits improves, the age at death of these animals is expected to increase; however, reliable data on the age at death of pet rabbits is lacking. The present retrospective study aims to clarify the age at death and cause of death of pet rabbits.Materials and MethodsThe age at death, cause of death, and clinical details of 898 rabbits that died between 2006 and 2020 were obtained by reviewing paper-based medical records, including necropsy and/or biopsy reports, at a referral exotic animal hospital in Japan.ResultsThe median age at death in the 898 rabbits was 7 years (interquartile range: 5to9 years), and 18% of all rabbits lived beyond 9 years. The main causes of death included neoplasia (n = 223; 24.8%), gastrointestinal disease (n = 135; 15.0%), bacterial abscess (n = 90; 10.0%), urinary disease (n = 85; 9.5%), trauma (n = 44; 4.9%), and cardiac disease (n = 27; 3.0%). Gastrointestinal disease was the most common cause of death in younger-aged rabbits (4 years or less), while neoplasia was the most common cause of death in the middle to older-aged rabbits (5 years or more).Clinical significanceThis is one of the largest retrospective studies on the age at death in pet rabbits conducted to date; thus, the findings will serve as a useful reference for veterinarians working with such rabbits. Nevertheless, additional studies are needed to elucidate differences in the age at death of rabbits according to sex and neutering status.     

Perioperative use of analgesics in dogs and cats by Canadian veterinarians in 2001

A random sample of 652 Canadian veterinarians was surveyed to determine perioperative use of analgesics in dogs and cats following common surgeries. The response rate was 57.8%. With the exception of taildocking in puppies, at least 85% of animals received preincisional analgesics, and 30% to 98.1% received postincisional analgesics. A similar survey was conducted in 1994; since then, analgesic usage has increased markedly, as have ratings of the pain caused by different surgeries. In 2001 most veterinarians (62%) used at least 2 classes of analgesic perioperatively. However, strong opioids, local anesthetics, and alpha-2 agonists were underused, and there was an overreliance on weak opioids (butorphanol, meperidine). Up to 12% of veterinarians did not use any analgesics. Nationally, this may have affected many animals monthly; for example, approximately 6000 dogs or cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Continuing education (provincial level) and review articles were considered effective ways to inform veterinarians about optimal analgesic practices.     

Australian veterinarians who work with horses: an analysis

OBJECTIVE: To define and describe the population of Australian veterinarians who work with horses. METHOD: Questionnaires were mailed to 866 veterinarians who had been identified as working with horses, and 87% were completed and returned. Data were entered onto an Excel spreadsheet, and analysed using the SAS System for Windows. RESULTS: About 12% of Australia's veterinarians were doing all the veterinary work with horses, and about 3% worked exclusively (> 90%) with horses, but did more than half (58%) of the horse work. Veterinarians working with horses included more males (80%) than the veterinary population as a whole (approximately 60%). Males had an average age of 47 years, females 35. Almost all (94%) worked in private practice, with 31% being employees, 28% partners and 41% sole owners. Females were more likely to be employees than males. Males reported working 55 hours/week; females 49. More females (44%) than males (16%) had worked less than full-time for more than a year. Males expected to work for another 12 years in full-time equivalents, and females for 16. One quarter (24%) saw only horses, but treated 58% of total horse cases. One-half had < 25% horses, and 29% had < 10% of horses in their caseloads. More of the older (54% of those aged > 60) than younger respondents (27% of those < 40) had grown up on farms with animals. One-quarter (24%) decided to become a veterinarian while in primary school, and females decided at a younger age than males. Overall, younger respondents decided at a younger age than did their older counterparts. A veterinarian contributed to the decision for 21% of these veterinarians. CONCLUSION: In this survey, Australian veterinarians who work with horses were found to be typically male, and advanced in their careers. As these older veterinarians retire, there may not be enough veterinarians who are committed to and competent with horses to take their places.     

Factors influencing the postoperative use of analgesics in dogs and cats by Canadian veterinarians.

Four hundred and seventeen Canadian veterinarians were surveyed to determine their postoperative use of analgesics in dogs and cats following 6 categories of surgeries, and their opinion toward pain perception and perceived complications associated with the postoperative use of potent opioid analgesics. Three hundred and seventeen (76%) returned the questionnaire. An analgesic user was defined as a veterinarian who administers analgesics to at least 50% of dogs or 50% of cats following abdominal surgery, excluding ovariohysterectomy. The veterinarians responding exhibited a bimodal distribution of analgesic use, with 49.5% being defined as analgesic users. These veterinarians tended to use analgesics in 100% of animals following abdominal surgery. Veterinarians defined as analgesic nonusers rarely used postoperative analgesics following any abdominal surgery. Pain perception was defined as the average of pain rankings (on a scale of 1 to 10) following abdominal surgery, or the value for dogs or cats if the veterinarian worked with only 1 of the 2 species. Maximum concern about the risks associated with the postoperative use of potent opioid agonists was defined as the highest ranking assigned to any of the 7 risks evaluated in either dogs or cats. Logistic regression analysis identified the pain perception score and the maximum concern regarding the use of potent opioid agonists in the postoperative period as the 2 factors that distinguished analgesic users from analgesic nonusers. This model correctly classified 68% of veterinarians as analgesic users or nonusers. Linear regression analysis identified gender and the presence of an animal health technologist in the practice as the 2 factors that influenced pain perception by veterinarians. Linear regression analysis identified working with an animal health technologist, graduation within the past 10 years, and attendance at continuing education as factors that influenced maximum concern about the postoperative use of opioid agonists.     

A survey of the risk of zoonoses for veterinarians

The objectives of this study were to identify factors associated with zoonotic infections in veterinarians, the incidence of physician consultation and treatment and the incidence of diagnostic and treatment errors. Veterinarians in any area of practice were solicited to participate in an online survey through an invitation letter sent to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association. Proportions of respondents to various factors were analyzed for differences among gender, age, time since graduation and type of practice in which they worked. In all, 216 complete responses were received. In all, 13.9% of respondents had never been vaccinated against rabies, and 20.8% had been exposed to suspect rabid animals, mostly (64.4%) a single time. Other zoonoses were reported by 47.2% of respondents: mostly diseases transmitted via contact (57.4%) especially ringworm, followed by those with oral transmission (21.7%). Most zoonotic infections were reportedly acquired by young veterinarians working in primary care veterinary practice. Cats were the species most commonly reported as the animal source of a zoonotic infection. Veterinarians likely self-diagnosed zoonotic diseases, especially those transmitted by contact. Medical care providers were consulted for diagnosis of more serious diseases. Diagnosis and treatment errors were uncommon. Results of this study emphasize the need to educate future veterinarians during their early years in veterinary school about the risks associated with their future jobs.     

Attitudes and concerns of French veterinarians towards pain and analgesia in dogs and cats

OBJECTIVE: To compare the attitudes of French veterinarians to pain, and their provision of analgesia to animals, with that reported from other countries. STUDY DESIGN: Epidemiological study. METHODS: In June 1999, 379 French veterinarians were surveyed to ascertain their views on pain evaluation and control in dogs and cats, and their use of analgesics in daily practice. Survey results are expressed as a percentage of responses. RESULTS: The questionnaire was returned by 189 veterinarians (49.9%). The response rate was influenced by age (younger veterinarians were more likely to respond) but not gender. A majority (99.5%) expressed moderate to extreme concern over pain in their patients. Pain evaluation was based on the animal's attitude (88.3% dogs, 82.5% cats), interaction with the caregiver, response to palpation of the painful area (66.5% dogs, 62.7% cats) and inappetence (29.3% dogs, 46.3% cats, p < 0.001). Only 14.3% of respondents considered their knowledge of pain recognition to be inadequate. Many (58.8%) considered their methods of pain quantification and control (47% dogs, 59% cats) to be inadequate. Difficulties in recognizing pain (58.3%), a lack of knowledge in the appropriate use of analgesics (41.7%) and fear of drug side effects (30%) were used to explain inadequate provision of analgesia. Only 16.1 and 8.1% used opioids in dogs and cats, respectively. This low level of use resulted from the imposition of French narcotic legislation (79.9%) and lack of knowledge of opioid pharmacology (73.7%). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and glucocorticoids were the most commonly used analgesics in both species (100% (dogs) and 96.7% (cats)). The most popular NSAID used in France was tolfenamic acid, followed by meloxicam (dogs), ketoprofen, nimesulide (cats) and carprofen (dogs). The type of surgery performed influenced the use of analgesics, from 17.2% for castration to 83.7% for orthopaedic procedures. Nonsurgical conditions believed to warrant analgesia included osteoarthritis (97.8%), trauma (97.3%) and bone neoplasia (93.4%). Female veterinarians were more likely than males to evaluate pain and provide analgesia. CONCLUSION: French practitioners demonstrate a level of interest in analgesia, which appears to be at least equivalent to that reported from English-speaking countries. The signs used to indicate the presence of pain do not, in general, appear to differ. Excessive confidence in their ability to recognize pain (despite a general ignorance of the subject), the minor role of animal health technicians in pain management and misconceptions about analgesics (mainly opioids) are French pecularities.     

Human-directed aggression in miniature pet pigs

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether associations exist between human-directed aggression and sex, neutering status, age of weaning, the presence of other pet pigs, or the presence of environmental enrichment objects in miniature pet pigs. DESIGN: Internet survey. STUDY POPULATION: Responses from 222 owners of miniature pet pigs. PROCEDURES: Pet pig owners were requested to complete a 48-item multiple-choice and short-answer Internet survey for each pig that they presently owned. RESULTS: Among 222 surveys that met enrollment criteria, human-directed aggression that occurred on at least 1 occasion was reported in 64% (n = 142) and aggression that occurred once or more per month was reported in 31% (69). No significant differences were found in the prevalence of human-directed aggression among castrated males, sexually intact females, and spayed females. Ages of weaning and neutering and the presence of objects intended to serve as environmental enrichment were not associated with frequency of aggression. A significant inverse association was detected between presence of other pigs in the same household and human-directed aggression, such that 21% (20/95) of pigs that lived with at least 1 conspecific were aggressive on a frequent basis, compared with 39% (49/126) of pigs that lived with no conspecific. A similar inverse association was evident regarding aggression that occurred on at least 1 occasion. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that human-directed aggression is a common problem in miniature pet pigs. The presence of a conspecific can be expected to reduce the likelihood of human-directed aggression.     

Clinical skills and knowledge used by veterinary graduates during their first year in small animal practice

Objective To determine the clinical skills and areas of knowledge used by veterinarians in small animal practice during their first year after graduation and the degree of assistance and supervision they received while developing these skills. Design A postal survey was sent in December 1999 to 59 veterinarians who completed their training at Murdoch University in December 1998. Procedure The first part of the survey asked for information on veterinary work patterns since leaving university. The second part consisted of a list of diagnostic and therapeutic skills of varying complexity and the graduates were asked to indicate whether they had used these skills in practice and whether they had been assisted or supervised while doing them. The respondents were also asked if they had had the opportunity to practise these skills as undergraduates at university or during extramural experience. In the third part the areas of knowledge used in practice were assessed by analysis of a series of consecutive cases. Results Forty replies were received but since three graduates had done no small animal work the analysis of the skills section is based on 37 responses. Thirty graduates supplied information on 994 canine cases and 308 feline cases. The distribution of the mean work time was dogs and cats 69%, horses 13%, farm animals 11%, birds 3% and others 4%. Skills used by over 90% of graduates included general anaesthesia, examination of the tympanic membrane, taking and interpreting an abdominal radiograph, catheterising a male cat, fine needle aspiration of a mass, neutering dogs and cats, tooth scaling and extraction and treating an aural haematoma. The survey also identified the opportunities for undergraduates to practise some of these skills during extramural experience and the extent of assistance given to new graduates during their first year in practice. The areas of knowledge used in over 10% of the cases included vaccination, anaesthesia/sedation, skin/coat problems, general advice on pet health, neutering and musculoskeletal diseases. Conclusion Veterinarians, in their first year after graduation, use a wide range of complex diagnostic and therapeutic skills. Although many of these skills are acquired during the undergraduate training, a significant contribution is made by extramural practical work undertaken during the clinical years of the undergraduate course and in the first year following graduation. Practising veterinarians play an important role in providing opportunities and supervision for clinical training.     

Longitudinal study of veterinary students and veterinarians: effects of growing up on a farm with animals

OBJECTIVE: To compare the career paths of veterinarians who had grown up on farms with animals with those of veterinarians from other backgrounds, during the first 15 years after they graduated. PROCEDURE: Questionnaires were completed by veterinary students in their first and fifth year, and after 1, 5, 10 and 15 years after they graduated. The most recent questionnaires were returned by 134 of 137 graduates, 20% of whom had grown up, or lived for at least two years, on farms where animals were a primary source of income. This paper includes findings from that questionnaire but also contains comparisons with previous ones. RESULTS: Fifteen years after they graduated, veterinarians who had grown up on farms with animals were more likely than those of other backgrounds to be living in centres with < 10,000 people (58% farm, 20% other), irrespective of the type of work they were doing. Although they were more likely to be doing no veterinary work (42% farm, 21% other), they were also more likely to be working in mixed practice (15% farm, 9% other) and with cattle and sheep generally (11% full time equivalent farm, 5% full time equivalent other). However, > 80% of those who had started their careers in mixed practice were no longer in mixed practice after 15 years. Veterinarians of farm origin who were in private practice were more likely to be sole or part owners (93% farm, 46% other) and less likely to be employees (7% farm, 54% other). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, veterinarians who had grown up on farms with animals seemed slightly more likely than those from other backgrounds to continue working in mixed practice and to work with cattle or sheep, although the numbers were small and the differences not significant. Whatever their background, the majority who started their careers in mixed practice left over the next few years, and by 15 years only 15% remained.     

Postoperative use of analgesics in dogs and cats by Canadian veterinarians.

Four hundred and seventeen Canadian veterinarians were surveyed to determine their postoperative use of analgesics in dogs and cats following 6 surgical procedures, and to determine their opinions toward pain perception and perceived complications associated with the postoperative use of potent opioid analgesics. Three hundred and seventeen (76%) returned the questionnaire. The percentage of animals receiving analgesics postoperatively ranged from 84% of dogs and 70% of cats following orthopedic surgery to 10% of dogs and 9% of cats following castration. In general, with the exception of orthopedic surgery, roughly equal percentages of dogs and cats received postoperative analgesics. Opioids were used almost exclusively to provide postoperative analgesia, with butorphanol the most commonly administered drug to both dogs and cats. Analgesics were usually administered either once or twice postoperatively. With regard to the administration of potent opioid agonists, the 3 major concerns included respiratory depression, bradycardia, and sedation in dogs, and excitement, respiratory depression, and bradycardia in cats. Seventy-seven percent of veterinarians considered their knowledge of issues related to the recognition and control of postoperative pain to be inadequate. Experience in practice is currently the major source of knowledge, with undergraduate veterinary school and research articles in journals ranked as the least important sources. Lectures or seminars delivered at the regional level were the preferred format for continuing education.     

Acceptance of killing of animals: survey among veterinarians and other professions

Professional veterinarians are one of the most affected professions when it comes to killing animals. However, in some situations the opinion about the acceptance of killing of animals differs between people, which can cause a dilemma for the executing person. In a pilot study based on questionnaires, veterinarians from different working fields and students of different branches stated their acceptance of killing of animals in diverse concrete situations. The result clearly demonstrates a higher acceptance of killing of animals among veterinarians with longtime experience in contrast to other groups and the almost same acceptance among agricultural students. The acceptance increased with age, however, we could not find a gender specific difference except of within a narrow age interval. The variability of acceptance within the same profession group differs between the situations. Veterinarians should be aware of their different thinking about killing of animals in some situations compared to other people and should know the reason of such differences. This is important not least to protect themselves and their opinion and to contribute to their societal responsibility by their veterinarian activity.     

Demographic profile of the veterinary profession in New Zealand, 1985

The demographic characteristics of the veterinary profession in New Zealand are examined using information supplied by registered veterinarians to the Veterinary Surgeons Board in their applications for annual practising certificates in 1985. Comparisons are made with the veterinary professions in other similar countries, and with the medical and paramedical professions in New Zealand. In 1985 1308 registered veterinarians were working in New Zealand and 304 were overseas, whereas in 1976 the equivalent figures were 748 and 182. This represents an increase of 73% in the number of registered veterinarians in the last 10 years. Eighteen percent of veterinarians were female. The mean age of veterinarians was 38 years, but females in the profession were on average much younger (32 years) than males (42 years). Clinical practice provides employment for 70% of veterinarians: of these 59% work principally with farm animals and 41% with non-farm animals. The remaining veterinarians are employed by Government (22%), University (5%) and Industry (3%). The current demographic structure of the profession has been markedly influenced by the opening of New Zealand's only veterinary school at Massey University in 1963. Differences from other medical professional populations in New Zealand and overseas principally reflect the marked change in the number and sex ratio of graduates entering the veterinary profession since that time. It will take about another twenty years before the population reaches a stable age and sex structure, assuming that current graduation patterns persist throughout that period. Because the structure of the population is changing, considerable caution is needed in predicting future employment trends from data for a single year.     

Demographic profile of the veterinary profession in New Zealand, 1985

The demographic characteristics of the veterinary profession in New Zealand are examined using information supplied by registered veterinarians to the Veterinary Surgeons Board in their applications for annual practising certificates in 1985. Comparisons are made with the veterinary professions in other similar countries, and with the medical and paramedical professions in New Zealand. In 1985 1308 registered veterinarians were working in New Zealand and 304 were overseas, whereas in 1976 the equivalent figures were 748 and 182. This represents an increase of 73% in the number of registered veterinarians in the last 10 years. Eighteen percent of veterinarians were female. The mean age of veterinarians was 38 years, but females in the profession were on average much younger (32 years) than males (42 years). Clinical practice provides employment for 70% of veterinarians: of these 59% work principally with farm animals and 41% with non-farm animals. The remaining veterinarians are employed by Government (22%), University (5%) and Industry (3%). The current demographic structure of the profession has been markedly influenced by the opening of New Zealand's only veterinary school at Massey University in 1963. Differences from other medical professional populations in New Zealand and overseas principally reflect the marked change in the number and sex ratio of graduates entering the veterinary profession since that time. It will take about another twenty years before the population reaches a stable age and sex structure, assuming that current graduation patterns persist throughout that period. Because the structure of the population is changing, considerable caution is needed in predicting future employment trends from data for a single year.