Leptospirosis: an occupational hazard to veterinarians

Leptospirosis occurred in two veterinarians in Alberta, following their exposure to leptospires of domestic animal origin. The disease at onset resembled “flu” with fever, muscle and joint pain, and lassitude. It progressed through an extremely debilitating period with mild to severe hepatic and renal dysfunction, icterus and hemorrhage in one case, and cerebral meningitis in the other. Both patients were hospitalized for 11 to 14 days, where they responded to supportive and specific antibiotic and steroid therapy (penicillin G 10⁶ IU q.i.d. and steroids, or tetracycline 500 mg q.i.d.). Diagnosis rested in one case on clinical signs and the observation of leptospires in blood and urine. In the other case, a tentative diagnosis of leptospirosis based on history and clinical signs was confirmed by serological test results and by the isolation of Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona from the patient's blood on day 6. Current occurrences of leptospirosis in man are reviewed. Convenient diagnostic methods, treatment and behavioural sequellae of leptospirosis are discussed.     

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.     

Diseases transmitted from pets to man: an evolving concern for veterinarians.

Pets are not a major source of human infections but they can transmit certain diseases to man. This transmission usually is complex, requiring close contact with pets or their excretions and frequently involves a breach of sound hygienic practice. In some instances, pathogens of animal origin are acquired inadvertently because infectivity can persist after evidence of gross contamination has gone. Veterinarians participate in controlling zoonotic diseases by encouraging rabies vaccination and hygienic treatment of pet feces and urine, by supporting community efforts toward responsible pet ownership and by advising on precautions for handling sick animals. It is recommended that veterinarians discourage the keeping of wild or exotic animals as pets and excess fondling of pets (particularly by children and pregnant women). Clients and kennel workers should be advised to use caution with animals that have aborted.     

IVADM appeals to veterinarians

Madam:—Last year, the Executive Board of the International Veterinary Academy on Disaster Medicine (IVADM) asked for Dr L. Stipkovits, Budapest, to convene a meeting of the veterinarians participating in the 5th International Congress of Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War. About 20 veterinarians met (Dr Jack Lawrence, Freeport, New York attended from the USA), and drafted the following appeal to all veterinarians of the world, and asked that it be published in the veterinary press worldwide. The Directors of the IVADM have approved the statement. They respectfully request that you print it for consideration by your readers before the next meeting of the IVADM in Montreal during the 23rd World Veterinary Congress. Of course, your readers are cordially invited to attend and participate in the meeting. Thank you.     

Nutritional tips for veterinarians

As a herd‐living, nonruminant, hindgut fermenting, primarily grazing herbivore the horse has evolved with a specialised gastrointestinal tract capable of utilising a wide range of plant species, which are hydrolysed and/or fermented to yield energy and nutrients for bodily processes. Domestication has resulted in the horse often being fed and managed to suit human requirements rather than their own, which can lead to digestive, behavioural and clinical issues. Appropriate nutrition not only reduces the risk of a nutritional component being a limiting factor to performance, but it also supports the maintenance of health and appropriate behaviour. A basic understanding of the digestive processes therefore can be very valuable when deciding how to feed horses optimally for both health and activity. This article provides a general overview of the gastrointestinal tract from a nutritional perspective and points out a few key practical areas where knowledge of feeding practices can be helpful for veterinarians.     

Jewish veterinarians in Germany, 1918-1945

In 1998 there were only twelve Jewish veterinarians known who practised in Germany between 1918 and 1945. 133 of them have now been found. Most of the Jewish veterinarians had their roots in merchant families and were general practitioners in the countryside. To be "Jewish" did not concern until 1933. Compared with the other medical professionals like human medical professionals (10,9 %), in 1933 the number of Jewish veterinarians was low (1,6 %, whole German Jewish population 0,77 %). Right with the beginning of the National Socialistic rule Jewish veterinarians were exposed to different forms of harassment. Soon after, on April 7th 1933, with the so-called Gesetz zur Wiederherstellung des Berufsbeamtentums (BBG; law for the restoration of civil service), the prosecution took on an official quality. The Reichstier?rztekammer (Chamber of veterinary service) was very eager to Aryanize the German veterinary service. The BBG made the Jewish veterinarians who worked in public positions lose their jobs with the single exception of those who had the status of a so-called "Frontk?mpfer" (a soldier who fought at the frontline during World War I). Many of the Jewish veterinarians who were still in Germany in November 1938 were arrested after the pogrom of November 9/10th and kept in concentration camps and prisons for about one month. The few students of veterinary medicine who already had started their studies in 1933 still could make their exams in Germany, but they did not get a licence. On January 31st 1939 all Jewish veterinarians in Germany lost their licence. 55 Jewish vets managed to emigrate in time. Nineteen German Jewish Veterinarians died in concentration camps and ghettos. Two are known to have committed suicide. Until 1997, there was no act of appreciation or rehabilitation of German Jewish veterinarians. In 2003 the degrees of two Jewish veterinarians, Hermann Cussel and Paul Stern, were renewed posthumously by the Hanover School of Veterinary Medicine, while the President of the school also apologized for any injustice which was done by the school during the time of National Socialism.