Chemoreceptor Tumors Diagnosed at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine 1967-1979

Twenty-nine chemoreceptor tumors submitted to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan between 1967 and 1979 were compared with those previously reported. The prevalence was low, with 28 cases occurring in dogs while only one was diagnosed in a cat. Old male dogs and the Boxer, Boston bull terrier and Collie breeds were affected most commonly. The prevalence in Collies (five of 28 dogs) was unexpected but may have been coincidental in this size of sample. The chemoreceptor tumor was often of clinical significance because in two-thirds of the cases it was either the presenting complaint or considered at necropsy to have caused illness or death.     

Factors affecting the career path choices of graduates at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine

The objective of this study was to describe the demographics of the Class of 2006, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, and to determine which factors influenced the graduates' career path choices. Data were collected via an on-line survey and the response rate was 95.7% (67/70). The majority (57%) of graduates were starting their veterinary career in a food animal-related (FAR) job. Two factors were significantly associated with this choice: 1) those raised in, or near, a small center (population < 10 000) were 3.4 times (P = 0.03) more likely to accept a FAR position than were those raised in a large center (> 10 000), and 2) graduates with a bachelor of science in agriculture (BSc Ag) were 4.5 times (P = 0.04) more likely to begin their career as a FAR practitioner than were those without such a degree. However, 9 of the 16 graduates having a BSc Ag had an urban upbringing.     

Factors affecting breeding soundness classification of beef bulls examined at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine

Breeding soundness evaluation records from 2110 beef bulls, for the period of 1986 to 1999, were analyzed to determine the prevalence and importance of factors affecting breeding soundness classification. The percentage of all bulls classified as satisfactory ranged from 49.0% in January to 73.3% in May. The percentage of physically normal bulls with satisfactory semen quality ranged from 65.7% in January to 87.5% in June. Poor body condition or excessive body condition, below average or below the recommended minimum scrotal circumference, lameness, and severe scrotal frostbite significantly reduced the probability of a satisfactory breeding soundness classification. The percentage of sperm with midpiece defects declined significantly and the percentage of sperm with head defects increased significantly with the approach of summer. Photoperiod, cold stress, poor or excessive body condition, and reduced feed quality may interact to reduce semen quality in the winter months.     

Large-animal handling at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine

Colleges of veterinary medicine face many challenges in teaching the handling of large animals. It is imperative that students be taught how to manage large animals, however, not only for their safety but for that of their clients and of the animals themselves. Confident, safe, and efficient handling can improve job satisfaction and may encourage students to enter large-animal practice. There is wide variation in the large-animal-handling components of US veterinary curricula.     

Aetiology and prevalence of canine anaemia in Zaria: a review of 2139 cases observed at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria (1990-2003)

An investigation was conducted at the Ahmadu Bello University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (ABUVTH) between January, 1990 and September, 2003 to determine the aetiology and prevalence of canine anaemia in Zaria, Nigeria. Out of the 5278 mongrel dogs presented during the period 1990-2003, 2139 (40.5%) were found to be anaemic, with packed cell volume (PCV) values ranging from 7 to 36%. The clinical signs presented by these dogs include: Pale mucous membranes, weakness, depression, anorexia/inapettence and reduced activity. About 50 dogs (about 1%) with helminths and haemoparasitic infestations had high PCV values (37-40%) without clinical presentation of anaemia or disease. Most of the dogs with anaemia (n = 2016 or 94.2%) had parasitic infestations. About 1580 (about 74%) of the anaemic cases, attributed to parasitic infestations occurred between May and October. A few dogs (n = 55, 2.6%) had anaemia due to poor nutrition, while 68 (3.2%) had anaemia with unknown cause. The public health significance of the parasites reported in this study is discussed.     

基层中西兽医结合治疗动物疾病及中兽医发展探析

中兽医起源于中国古代,是具有独特理论体系和丰富诊疗手段的传统兽医学,历史悠久。西方兽医传入我国后,因诊疗便捷且收益较高,基层兽医从业者大多采用西兽医技术防治动物疾病,严重冲击中兽医的在基层的应用。本文通过分析中兽医现状与调查基层中兽医从业及发展情况,剖析其存在的问题和发展机遇,初步探讨提出解决思路,使中兽医得以更好的传承与发展。     

Haemophilus somnus infection: A retrospective analysis of cattle necropsied at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine from 1970 to 1990

Results of necropsy examinations of 297 bovine carcasses with naturally occurring disease caused by Haemophilus somnus infection, and necropsied at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in the period from 1970 to 1990, were analyzed with reference to the ages of affected cattle, seasonal occurrence of disease, the relative frequency of encephalitis, pneumonia, and myocarditis, and interrelationships among these conditions. The cattle came from 177 separate herds in the province of Saskatchewan. There was a range in age from one week to 10 years, and a mean age of 38 weeks. The diseases had a marked seasonal fall and winter incidence. The data indicated a trend characterized by an increasing percentage of cattle with pneumonia and myocarditis and a decreasing percentage with encephalitis during the period.     

Equine glaucoma: a retrospective study of 13 cases presented at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine from 1992 to 1999

The prevalence of equine glaucoma seen by the ophthalmology service at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) was 6.5%. The majority of cases (11/13) were associated with clinical manifestations of uveitis. Congenital glaucoma was documented in 1 case, and primary glaucoma was diagnosed in a 12-year-old quarter horse. There were no breed or sex predilections evident. Affected horses were middle-aged to old (average age = 9.5 years, ranging from 2 weeks to 23 years). The clinical manifestations of equine glaucoma included blindness, diffuse corneal edema, corneal vascularization, buphthalmia, corneal striae, recurrent secondary ulcerative keratitis, and less commonly, iris bombé, tapetal hyper-reflectivity, complete pupillary occlusion from posterior synechiae, and optic disc cupping. Elevated intraocular pressure confirmed the diagnosis (n = 10), while 3 cases were normotensive with signs of glaucoma including corneal striae and buphthalmia. Affected eyes were treated medically and/or surgically. Regardless of the therapy instituted, the visual outcome was poor. Most affected eyes were blind at presentation or became blind within a few weeks.     

动物医学专业“3+1”培养模式下生产实习教学环节的探索

随着动物医学专业教学质量国家标准以及专业认证标准建议稿的出台,培养高素质应用型动物医学专业人才已成为今后发展的必然趋势。动物医学专业“3+1”培养模式的实施有助于应用型人才的培养,而其中的“1”即生产实习则成为重中之重。因此,为保障相应的生产实习教学质量,必须确立“3+1”培养模式下动物医学专业生产实习教学培养体系和生产实习教学评价考核体系。同时,建立适应“3+1”培养模式下的教学生产实习基地及管理模式。通过加强生产实习教学环节的建设和管理,既提高了学生实践能力,又顺应了社会变革需要和教育部相关要求,极大地增强了毕业生就业能力。     

Part III: a case study at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine

This article presents a history of curriculum revision. Internal and external factors prompting the initial curriculum review included the Pew Report, a vision in the college for reform, and faculty retreats focusing on curriculum. The reformed curriculum was designed around a "core plus elective" strategy and was implemented following development by faculty representatives and approval by college and university levels of review. The curriculum was reviewed after being revised and after new courses were first offered, with further review of a few courses with specific challenges. Outcomes assessment was performed and curricular adjustments made. Challenges that arose during the process included organizing and documenting content as well as communicating the content and philosophy of the new curriculum to the various affected constituencies. A summary of factors considered essential to the successful design, implementation, and review of the new curriculum is presented; the majority of these factors would be applicable to reforms at other institutions.