Survey of the views of graduates (1993 to 1997) on the undergraduate veterinary clinical curriculum in the British Isles

In 1998 a questionnaire was sent to graduates from all the veterinary schools in Great Britain and Ireland who had obtained their veterinary degree within the previous five years, to assess their opinions of the undergraduate clinical veterinary curriculum. Ninety-five per cent of the graduates who responded were working full time in veterinary practice, with small animal work occupying 90 per cent of them for a median of 70 per cent of their time. Their assessment of the curriculum suggested that they were generally satisfied, but that there were some subjects they considered important in which the teaching and extramural studies had failed to provide adequate learning opportunities. Twelve subjects were rated as 'very important', two subjects, small animal medicine and anaesthesia, were considered to be 'very well' taught, and extramural studies were considered to be 'very useful' for three subjects, small animal surgery, cattle medicine and cattle surgery. The survey provided evidence that graduates are keen to continue learning and specialise after they graduate.     

Recent veterinary graduates over the last five decades: recollections and perceptions

OBJECTIVE: To describe the attitudes of veterinary graduates over the last 50 years to their experiences as recent graduates DESIGN: A questionnaire, sent by mail. PROCEDURE: A questionnaire seeking information on experiences as a recent graduate was sent to about 100 veterinarians who graduated in or about 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000, and 68% responded. Data were entered onto an Excel spreadsheet, and analysed with the SAS System 8 for Windows. RESULTS: Most veterinarians who graduated in 1970 and earlier were generally satisfied with their conditions, even though these were often taxing. In the 1970s the cattle industry faltered and rural practice suffered a downturn. Veterinary positions became scarce, and there were few opportunities for graduates to move on from an unsatisfactory workplace--as many were at that time. By 1980 many recent graduates were questioning their decision to study veterinary science. Many of them, working long hours under often stressful conditions, felt that that they were not receiving adequate help or support--or remuneration--from their employers, or respect from their clients. This also afflicted many who graduated in 1990, but by 2000 graduates were reporting an improvement. Their hours of work and the expectations placed on them were more manageable, and the level of help and support, and remuneration, were more acceptable. As a result they found their first year much more enjoyable than had those who had graduated since about 1970. Many of the factors contributing to this improvement resulted from changes in society generally. Specifically, both graduates and employers have become more conscious of what might reasonably be expected, an Award specified minimum levels, the AVA started accrediting New Graduate Friendly Practices, publishing a most informative New Graduate Guide, and helping in other ways. Remuneration, especially when compared with comparable professions, continues to be a source of discontent. Furthermore, despite improved conditions on average, many graduates still suffer under substandard conditions, and these can have an adverse effect on their health and their attitude to their career in veterinary science. CONCLUSIONS: Average conditions of employment of recent veterinary graduates have improved somewhat after a nadir in the 1970s and 1980s, but they are still substandard for some. Remuneration remains the greatest source of dissatisfaction for recent graduates.     

Characteristics of commercial pig farms in Great Britain and their use of antimicrobials

A mail survey of 1889 pig producers in Great Britain with more than 100 sows or more than 1000 pigs was carried out to investigate their use of antimicrobials and other health-related management practices. The response rate was 25.5 per cent. Antimicrobials were most commonly administered in feed. Depending on the production system, between 60 and 75 per cent of the farms had used antimicrobials in their weaner rations and 20 to 62 per cent had used them in their grower rations. Antimicrobial injections had been used on 59 per cent of the farms. The use of antimicrobials in pigs of different age groups was variously associated with the scale of production, membership of a quality assurance scheme, the use of vaccination and whether the farmer thought the farm environment could be improved. Half the respondents (49 per cent) indicated that they used growth promoters in their weaners, but fewer used these in their growers (45 per cent) and finishers (34 per cent). Although 63 per cent of the farmers felt that the continued use of antimicrobials for disease prevention was justified, only 21 per cent felt that their continued use as growth promoters was justified.     

Criteria used by employers to select new graduate employees

OBJECTIVE: To find out what criteria and methods are used by Australian employers to select new graduates to work in their practices. DESIGN: Questionnaires were completed by 258 employers and the responses were analysed using the SAS system. RESULTS: During selection, employers placed most reliance on formal interviews or visits to the practice. These occasions were used to assess the applicant's personal qualities including their ability to interact effectively with clients and colleagues. Employers used resumes mainly in selection of applicants to interview and many discounted nominated referees as being insufficiently critical. Academic knowledge was regarded as less important than personal qualities and very few employers reported using gender as a basis for selection. CONCLUSIONS: Senior veterinary students need to be aware of the importance placed by employers on interpersonal skills and personal qualities and should make every effort to engage in practical work, paid work and other activities that will help develop these attributes. They should be conscious that practitioners with whom they work may be contacted by potential employers and they should learn to present themselves realistically in a resume.     

Employer and new graduate satisfaction with new graduate performance in the workplace within the first year following convocation from the Ontario Veterinary College

Mailed questionnaires administered to employers of graduates and to graduates of the Ontario Veterinary College in 2000 and 2001, 7 to 10 months after convocation, surveyed new graduate performance in the workplace. Proficiency at 9 species-specific (in 4 practice contexts) and 7 nonspecies-specific clinical activities were rated as "high," "some," or "low." Fifteen nonvocation-specific attributes, reflecting interpersonal, communication, and business skills, and the new graduate's competence to do his/her job were rated as "very good," "good," or "poor." Ninety or more percent of employers reported "high" to "some" proficiency in 8/9, 5/9, 3/9, and 1/9 activities relative to small animal, food animal, equine, and exotic animal practice, respectively, and in 5/7 nonspecies-specific clinical activities. Ninety or more percent of employers assessed workplace proficiency as "very good" to "good" in 13/15 nonvocation-specific work skills and overall competence to do the job for which the new graduate had been hired.     

Postal survey of ovine caseous lymphadenitis in the United Kingdom between 1990 and 1999

Members of the Sheep Veterinary Society and three terminal sire breed societies (A, B and C) were surveyed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of ovine caseous lymphadenitis in the UK. In total, 264 veterinary surgeons and 510 farmers responded. Eighteen per cent of the vets had seen at least one case of the disease, and 45 per cent of the farmers had seen abscesses in their sheep. Relatively few farmers had had the cause of the abscesses investigated, but 24 of the 32 flocks that had submitted samples to a laboratory had had the disease confirmed. The incidence of the disease and abscesses increased from 1990 to 1999. The disease was more likely to be investigated in certain breeds and when male sheep had abscesses. Risk factors for the disease included the presence of sheep of breed B in the flock, the presence of half-bred sheep, showing sheep, and the use of shearing contractors. Dipping sheep appeared to be protective.     

Owners' assessments of their dog's quality of life during palliative chemotherapy for lymphoma

The owners of 25 dogs with multicentric lymphoma which were treated by multidrug chemotherapy were interviewed to assess the quality of their pet's life during treatment. Sixty-eight per cent of the owners considered their dog's quality of life to be the same as before the lymphoma occurred, and the remaining 32 per cent felt that their pet's quality of life on chemotherapy treatment was acceptable but poorer than before the lymphoma occurred. Treatment complications were reported by 52 per cent of owners. Ninety-two per cent of owners had no regrets about treating their dog with multidrug chemotherapy. The results suggest that, while many dogs developed treatment complications during multidrug chemotherapy, most owners felt that the quality of life of their pets was good during treatment and had no regrets about opting for palliative chemotherapy.     

Owners' assessments of their dog's quality of life during palliative chemotherapy for lymphoma

The owners of 25 dogs with multicentric lymphoma which were treated by multidrug chemotherapy were interviewed to assess the quality of their pet's life during treatment. Sixty-eight per cent of the owners considered their dog's quality of life to be the same as before the lymphoma occurred, and the remaining 32 per cent felt that their pet's quality of life on chemotherapy treatment was acceptable but poorer than before the lymphoma occurred. Treatment complications were reported by 52 per cent of owners. Ninety-two per cent of owners had no regrets about treating their dog with multidrug chemotherapy. The results suggest that, while many dogs developed treatment complications during multidrug chemotherapy, most owners felt that the quality of life of their pets was good during treatment and had no regrets about opting for palliative chemotherapy.     

A survey on the question of how well veterinarians are prepared to predict their client's human-animal bond

In a survey of 63 military veterinary facilities, actual responses from 961 clients were compared with 86 servicing US Army Veterinary Corps practitioners' predictions of the clients' responses. The survey questions were designed to evaluate the degree of human-animal bonding of the military clients. The survey revealed that the effects of human-animal interaction on community, family, and animal health have extensive impact on the military member, the military installation, and the military health care delivery system. Results revealed sociologic and psychologic factors that influenced the quality of life of mobile military members and their families. The survey also revealed that although the newly graduated veterinarians understood the professional and scientific values of their clients, they often underestimated the social interdependence between client and pet. The military veterinarians in this survey were considered to be representative of the new graduate, and the results are relevant to any civilian practitioner concerned with client relations or hiring new graduates.     

Final-year student and employer views of essential personal, interpersonal and professional attributes for new veterinary science graduates

Objective To describe the perceptions of final‐year veterinary science students regarding the importance of a variety of personal, interpersonal and professional attributes for new graduates, and to compare these with the views held by employers of new veterinary science graduates. Design Final‐year veterinary science students at The University of Queensland and a sample of employers of new graduates from The University of Queensland were surveyed using a written questionnaire. Results The distributions of responses given by students and employers did not differ significantly for 44 of 54 attributes listed. Communication skills, teamwork, respect for co‐workers, honesty and an awareness of personal limitations were valued highly by students and employers. Conclusion Final‐year students and employers of new graduates from The University of Queensland ascribe similar importance to a variety of personal, interpersonal and professional attributes for new veterinary science graduates.     

Technical and financial evaluation of assays for progesterone in canine practice in the UK

The concentration of progesterone was measured in 60 plasma samples from bitches at various stages of the oestrous cycle, using commercially available quantitative and semi-quantitative ELISA test kits, as well as by two commercial laboratories undertaking radioimmunoassay (RIA). The RIA, which was assumed to be the 'gold standard' in terms of reliability and accuracy, was the most expensive method when analysing more than one sample per week, and had the longest delay in obtaining results, but had minimal requirements for practice staff time. When compared with the RIA, the quantitative ELISA had a strong positive correlation (r=0.97, P<0.05) and a sensitivity and specificity of 70.6 per cent and 100.0 per cent, respectively, and positive and negative predictive values of 100.0 per cent and 71.0 per cent, respectively, with an overall accuracy of 90.0 per cent. This method was the least expensive when analysing five or more samples per week, but had longer turnaround times than that of the semi-quantitative ELISA and required more staff time. When compared with the RIA, the semi-quantitative ELISA had a sensitivity and specificity of 100.0 per cent and 95.5 per cent, respectively, and positive and negative predictive values of 73.9 per cent and 77.8 per cent, respectively, with an overall accuracy of 89.2 per cent. This method was more expensive than the quantitative ELISA when analysing five or more samples per week, but had the shortest turnaround time and low requirements in terms of staff time.     

Retrospective study of indications for and outcome of perineal urethrostomy in cats

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate indications for and outcome of perineal urethrostomy in cats. METHODS: The medical records of 59 cats that had undergone perineal urethrostomy were evaluated. Short-term follow up information (for a period of four weeks following surgery) was available for all of the cats. Long-term follow up information (for a period of at least four months) was available for 39 cats. RESULTS: Early complications occurred in 25.4 per cent of cats and late complications were observed in 28.2 per cent of cats. The most frequent late complication was recurring bacterial urinary tract Infection. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Despite frequent complications and recurring signs of lower urinary tract disease, 32.2 per cent of the cats had a disease-free long-term outcome (mean four years, median 3.9 years), and 88.6 per cent of clients interviewed thought that their cats had a good quality of life after surgery.     

Survey of mistakes made by recent veterinary graduates

To investigate the incidence and types of mistakes made in veterinary practice, and to assess the impact the mistakes had on the veterinarians involved, a questionnaire was sent in November 2002 to all the veterinary graduates of the Universities of Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Liverpool in 2001. One hundred and eight (27 per cent) of 402 questionnaires were returned completed; 87 of 106 respondents (82 per cent) worked frequently or always unsupervised and only 46 (43 per cent) could always rely on support from other veterinarians in the practice. Since starting work, 82 of 105 respondents (78 per cent) stated that they had made a mistake, defined as an erroneous act or omission resulting in a less than optimal or potentially adverse outcome for a patient and in many cases these mistakes had had a considerable emotional impact on the veterinarians involved. The survey highlights that a large number of recently graduated veterinarians work with little supervision and that many veterinarians beginning their year in practice do not always have access to assistance from other veterinary colleagues.     

Survey of the provision of prophylactic dental care for horses in Great Britain and Ireland between 1999 and 2002

A survey of 854 horse owners, trainers and equestrian managers in 10 regions of Great Britain and Ireland showed that 83 per cent provided their horses with routine prophylactic dental care at fixed intervals, including 49 per cent at intervals of 12 months and 30 per cent at intervals of six months; a further 10 per cent provided it only when they felt it was required and 7 per cent did not provide it at all. Overall, 44 per cent of the owners had their horse's wolf teeth (first premolar) extracted routinely; when prophylactic dentistry was provided, it was carried out solely by equine dental technicians (EDTS) for 53 per cent of owners, solely by veterinarians for 35 per cent, by both EDTS or veterinarians for 10 per cent of owners and by other than veterinarians or EDTS for 1 per cent. There was confusion among some horse owners concerning the qualifications of the EDTS, because no recognised British qualification was available until towards the end of this survey in 2001. Several reasons were cited by owners for choosing between veterinarians and EDTS including their perceived qualifications, personal recommendations, costs, the availability of a wide range of dental equipment and sedation, and the time and effort devoted to the procedures.     

Prevalence and characterisation of, and producers' attitudes towards, hock lesions in UK dairy cattle

The objectives of this paper were to characterise lesions found at the hock and to establish their prevalence across a large sample of dairy cows in the UK. In addition, the study aimed to examine farmers' perceptions of these lesions. Seventy-seven farms were visited; both hocks on a random sample of approximately 50 cows were scored on a categorical scale for hair loss, ulceration and swelling. In addition, the size and location of lesions were marked on a hock map. A questionnaire designed to explore attitudes towards lesions was conducted with the owner. Hair loss and ulceration were seen at five locations. Hair loss was identified on 5,619 of 6,896 hocks (mild: 43.7 per cent; moderate: 25.1 per cent; severe: 12.6 per cent) and 1,137 of 6,896 hocks had areas of ulceration (mild: 8.6 per cent; moderate: 5.8 per cent; severe: 2.1 per cent). The majority of lesions were small; however, a small proportion had extensive areas of hair loss (maximum size 113.3 cm2) and ulceration (maximum size 95.5 cm2). Moderate swelling was recorded on 20 per cent of hocks, and 2.0 per cent had severe swelling. Interview results suggested that more than 90 per cent of participants were aware of hock lesions and a third had sought treatment for them; most felt that lesions had at least some impact on productivity and welfare.     

Field study of the prevalence of lameness in horses with back problems

A population of 805 horses (70 per cent dressage, 20 per cent show jumpers and 10 per cent trotters) with orthopaedic problems was examined for signs of lameness and back problems, irrespective of their original complaints. In the horses with a back problem the prevalence of lameness was 74 per cent, and back problems were diagnosed in 32 per cent of the lame horses. These percentages were significantly higher than those recorded in a control population of 399 horses, of which 20 per cent were lame and 12 per cent had back problems. In the group of horses with orthopaedic problems there was a strong association between lameness and back problems and, in particular, there was a high prevalence of lameness among the horses with back problems.     

Morbidity and mortality in 928 Dobermanns born in the Netherlands between 1993 and 1999

The morbidity and mortality among 928 dobermann dogs born between 1993 and 1999 were investigated by sending questionnaires to their owners; 340 (37 per cent) responded. Eighty-one of the dogs had died. Proportional mortality was high for heart failure (14.8 to 22.2 per cent), behavioural problems (19.8 per cent) and cancer (13.6 per cent), but low for hepatitis (3.7 per cent) and cervical spondylomyelopathy (2.5 per cent). Of the 259 surviving dogs, 132 were suffering from various disorders, with a high prevalence of skin problems (22.4 per cent) and urinary incontinence (15.8 per cent).