Development of antiparasitic drugs in the 21st century

Prospects for discovering new antiparasitic drugs for veterinary medicine in the coming century will be determined by economic, social and scientific factors. Consolidation in the pharmaceutical industry in general, and the animal health industry in particular, changes the business conditions in which drug discovery for veterinary medicine occurs. Social pressures on traditional animal agriculture and companion animal ownership have shifted the interest of animal companies primarily to pet medicine. Antiparasitic drug discovery is more than ever targeted to the most lucrative market segments, but the excellence of available drugs, and the apparent lack of resistance in important parasites, reduces industrial motivation to invest in parasitology. Veterinary parasitologists in academia will still have the chance to interact with their industrial counterparts in the traditional ways of supporting drug discovery and development. Nonetheless, there are many new opportunities to expand the research horizons of veterinary parasitology to strengthen the case for retaining a significant presence in the animal health industry.     

Numbers of dogs, cats, birds, and exotic animals in veterinary practices in the Netherlands 1994-2005 and possible consequences for the veterinary curriculum

The species of pets owned in the Netherlands are constantly changing, and it is important that veterinary practitioners have information about the number and species of pets presented in veterinary practice. Using the same methodology as in 1994, we determined the relative importance of the various pet species in 2005 and compared these data with those for 1994. The most notable findings were a 25% increase in the number of birds and exotic animals seen in small and large animal practices (from about 10% to about 12.5%), a doubling of the number of birds and tripling of the number of pigeons seen in mixed practices, a doubling of the number of reptiles seen in small animal practices, and a 10-fold increase in the number of fish seen in veterinary practices in general. There was a significant decrease in the proportion of cats (from 46% to 40.7%) and an increase in the proportion of dogs (from 44% to 46.7%). These trends in veterinary practice consultations did not parallel those seen in pet ownership. The increase in the number of birds (especially pigeons), reptiles, and fish seen in veterinary practice emphasizes the need to pay attention to these species in the standard companion animal curriculum.     

“P & P” practice

Extract

Madam:– Page 15 of the new Guide to Professional Conduct under practice categories lists the categories which may be used: Domestic pet (or companion animal) veterinary services. Equine (or horse) veterinary services. Farm (or production animal) veterinary services. General veterinary services, which are ”standardised to avoid any confusion or misleading of the public“.     

All creatures great and minute: a public policy primer for companion animal zoonoses

Approximately 63% of US households have at least one pet, a large percentage of which are considered family members. Pet owners can derive substantial physical and psychological benefits from interaction with companion animals. However, pet ownership is not without risks; zoonotic diseases are increasingly drawing the attention of healthcare professionals, policy makers and the general public. While zoonoses of 'traditional' pets are widely recognized and their prevention and treatment factors are generally known, the growing popularity of 'non-traditional' pets has the potential to facilitate human exposure to novel zoonoses. However, the greatest risk of zoonoses probably arises from animals taken directly from the wild to serve as pets. Non-governmental organizations, state veterinary associations and others have been calling for increased regulation of animal imports, some proposing that all 'exotics' be banned from the pet trade. Because zoonotic diseases of companion animals are influenced by interacting factors of ecological, technical, socio-economic, and political origin, efforts to minimize their impact need be multi-dimensional, simultaneously addressing both the ecological and socio-political drivers of disease emergence and transmission. This study is intended to serve as a primer for animal care professionals seeking to engage with policy makers and the pet industry on the prevention of companion animal zoonoses. We provide background on the human-animal bond, risks of zoonoses associated with groups of companion animals, and the public policy context, as well as identify the factors needed to build a comprehensive approach to companion animal zoonoses risk management. Also included are examples of innovative, non-regulatory initiatives designed to limit the spread and impact of companion animal zoonoses, including a reptile salmonella poster, the National Reptile Improvement Plan, Habitattitude campaign, Pet Zoonoses Committee, and a wildlife disease surveillance initiative known as Project TripWire.     

Veterinary service usage and animal ownership in Ohio, U.S.A.: Results of telephone surveys in 1983 and 1984

A telephone survey of three sub-populations in Ohio was conducted to compare the utilization of veterinary services in 1982 with 1983 and to characterize animal ownership. A response rate of approximately 90% was achieved for all three sub-populations namely (1) food-animal producers, (2) horse owners and (3) pet owners. There was no significant difference between the percentage of respondents using veterinary services in 1982 and 1983. In both years, over 85% of dairy producers purchased veterinary services compared with approximately 62% for beef producers, approximately 70% for swine producers, and over 97% for horse owners. In 1983, approximately 69% sheep producers, 50% of goat producers, 81% of dog owners, 67% of cat owners, 12% of bird owners and none of the fish owners used veterinary services during the previous year. The 1983 median expenditures for veterinary services per farm or household using veterinary services were $465 for horses, $450 for dairy cattle, $111 for beef cattle, $115 for swine, $66 for sheep, $0 for goats, $75 for dogs, $44 for cats and $18 for pet birds. The average number of times animals were seen by a veterinarian varied by species but did not vary much from year to year. For all three groups, preventive services were used more frequently than were treatment and surgical services.     

US market for food animal veterinary medical services

American agribusiness is undergoing significant change and stress. In the future, agriculture faces continued instability and uncertainty because of ever-changing global economic conditions, rapid technological advances, increasing production efficiencies, shifts in demand for agricultural products, and a growing dependence of US producers on increasingly competitive world markets. In order to better understand changes and trends facing food animal veterinarians, the AVMA's Executive Board at its March 1986 meeting approved a proposal from the Council on Public Relations for a study of the US food animal market for veterinary medical services. The objectives of the study were to describe the current market for veterinary medical services, products, and information; determine and explain the demand for food animal veterinary services provided by private practicing veterinarians; and identify markets representing potential demand for which marketing strategies could be developed.     

Rural veterinary services in Western Australia: Part B. Rural practice

OBJECTIVE: To determine the current status of rural veterinary services in Western Australia. PROCEDURE: A questionnaire was sent to all eligible rural practitioners registered in 2006 and the replies were transferred to Microsoft Excel for analysis. RESULTS: Of the rural practitioners invited to participate in the survey replies were received from 67%. There were equal numbers of females and males. Their mean age was 44 years. Ninety per cent of respondents considered knowledge gained as an undergraduate was sufficient to equip them for practice, but only 60% considered their practical skills adequate. Thirteen per cent of those in rural practices in 2005 had left by 2006. Eighty-nine per cent of respondents were in mixed practice, the balance in specific species practice, such as equine, large animal and production animal consultancy. The majority of rural practitioners relied on servicing companion animals for their viability; 7% earned their income from servicing production animals only. Seventy per cent utilised merchandising and the sale of pet foods to supplement the income received from the traditional veterinary services and 34% found it necessary to earn an independent income. A quarter considered that rural practice did not have a future. CONCLUSION: The majority of rural practitioners in Western Australia depend on companion animals, not production animals, to remain viable, with very few operating production animal services. Poor remuneration is a major reason why veterinarians leave rural practice, and many find it necessary to supplement their income or develop an independent income.     

In this issue: September 2011

Racing 2‐year‐old Standardbred horses · Review of viral infections affecting the CNS in ruminants · Subacute rumen acidosis in beef cattle · Intralesional amphotericin B for feline sporotrichosis · Market for companion animal veterinary services in Australia · Blood parameters of lace monitors · Development of quarantine services in Australia     

A focus group study of veterinarians' and pet owners' perceptions of the monetary aspects of veterinary care

OBJECTIVE: To compare veterinarians' and pet owners' perceptions of client expectations with respect to the monetary aspects of veterinary care and identify challenges encountered by veterinarians in dealing with pet owners' expectations. DESIGN: Qualitative study based on focus group interviews. PARTICIPANTS: 6 pet owner focus groups (32 owners) and 4 veterinarian focus groups (24 companion animal veterinarians). PROCEDURES: Independent focus group sessions were conducted with standardized open-ended questions and follow-up probes. Content analysis was performed on the focus group discussions. RESULTS: Pet owners expected the care of their animal to take precedence over monetary aspects. They also expected veterinarians to initiate discussions of costs upfront but indicated that such discussions were uncommon. Veterinarians and pet owners differed in the way they related to discussions of veterinary costs. Veterinarians focused on tangibles, such as time and services. Pet owners focused on outcome as it related to their pet's health and well-being. Veterinarians reported that they sometimes felt undervalued for their efforts. A suspicion regarding the motivation behind veterinarians' recommendations surfaced among some participating pet owners. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggested that the monetary aspects of veterinary care pose barriers and challenges for veterinarians and pet owners. By exploring clients' expectations, improving communication, educating clients, and making discussions of cost more common, veterinarians may be able to alleviate some of the monetary challenges involved in veterinarian-client-patient interactions.     

Behavioral medicine as a part of a comprehensive small animal medical program

The rationale of incorporating behavioral medicine into veterinary practice is that it can expand the range of medical services offered, help obtain happier, more acceptable pets, and lead to longer pet ownership. In doing so, veterinarians should be able to increase their business both through an actual increase in pet ownership and retention and through increased services for individual pets. The range of services offered can differ from practice to practice but may include preventive, interventive, and ancillary services, as with other areas in contemporary veterinary medical practice. Each area of behavioral practice can be an economically feasible addition to veterinary practice from the perspective of medical services rendered, as a method of practice promotion, or as an area of public service. The choice depends on the level of competence of the practitioner, the practice philosophy, and the need for the services in a given service area.     

Nutrition and health of dogs and cats: evolution of petfood

Maintaining the health of dogs and cats by feeding wholesome nutritional diets is becoming an important component of responsible pet ownership. Pet owners now seek a long and healthy life for their pet and look to nutrition, as well as to veterinary medicine, to provide such support. Quality of life, measured in terms of reduced incidence of diseases and the ability to maintain an active life, would appear to be able to be enhanced by appropriate nutrition and nutraceutical supplementation. As a consequence numerous improvements in companion animal nutrition have resulted in development of a wide array of foods that provide complete and balanced nutrition. As a result emphasis also has to be placed on product safety and quality parameters, in connection with traceability. The origin of products, including product characteristics and properties, processing conditions and further handling throughout the period chain, is becoming ever increasingly an issue for collective chain management.     

Nutrition and Health of Dogs and Cats: Evolution of Petfood

Maintaining the health of dogs and cats by feeding wholesome nutritional diets is becoming an important component of responsible pet ownership. Pet owners now seek a long and healthy life for their pet and look to nutrition, as well as to veterinary medicine, to provide such support. Quality of life, measured in terms of reduced incidence of diseases and the ability to maintain an active life, would appear to be able to be enhanced by appropriate nutrition and nutraceutical supplementation. As a consequence numerous improvements in companion animal nutrition have resulted in development of a wide array of foods that provide complete and balanced nutrition. As a result emphasis also has to be placed on product safety and quality parameters, in connection with traceability. The origin of products, including product characteristics and properties, processing conditions and further handling throughout the period chain, is becoming ever increasingly an issue for collective chain management.     

From horse doctor to cow leech to veterinary manager. Regulation of the market for veterinary services in historical perspective

In the course of the last two centuries veterinarians succeeded in gaining a monopoly with respect to a number of specific tasks within society under the motto "to the benefit of man and animal alike". Today, a veterinary infrastructure exists in the western world, which is usually taken for granted by society. Before the responsibility for maintaining animal resources and protecting both animal and human health were entrusted to veterinarians, both the process of scientific progress and professionalization of veterinary medicine were necessary. In this paper the regulation of the market for veterinary services in The Netherlands is decribed. Until World War II, the military and the colonies represented a major demand for veterinary services. A healthly livestock has always been considered as a main concern by the Dutch government with respect to the domestic food supply as well as exports. State intervention concerning veterinary medicine therefore focused on the organized campaigns against livestock diseases. Early national veterinary legislation originated from this concern, as is still the case today within the EU framework. The protection of human health only became part of the veterinary professional domain at a relatively late stage. Due to a strong economic growth from the 1960s onwards, veterinary practice was extended with the care for an increasing number of companion animals. The veterinary profession and its employment are subject to changes in society, such as the number of animals and the significance that is paid to the different species. In 1900 there were 4 million production animals in The Netherlands, while the human population counted 5 million. One century later, not less than approximately 130 million farm animals and 30 million companion animals are living in this country, which now has about 16 million inhabitants. Consquently, the total number of active vets increased from about 250 to 4,000 in the same period, while the number of group and solo practices both increased.     

Companion animals and human health: Benefits,challenges, and the road ahead

Fossil evidence indicates an association between human beings and animals dating back at least half a million years. Today, this relationship remains strong, as evidenced by millions of visits to zoos annually, high rates of pet ownership, and the economic prosperity of the pet industry. A review of the literature indicates that human-animal interactions can remarkably enhance human physical health and psychological well-being. Yet despite reported benefits and public enthusiasm for animal-related activities, human affiliation with animals and nature is rapidly on the decline largely owing to a shift toward industrialized city living. Future research should not only continue to examine the mental and physical health implications of companion animal ownership, but also the ways to most successfully incorporate them into modern lifestyles and communities.     

Nutrition and Health of Dogs and Cats: Evolution of Petfood

Maintaining the health of dogs and cats by feeding wholesome nutritional diets is becoming an important component of responsible pet ownership. Pet owners now seek a long and healthy life for their pet and look to nutrition, as well as to veterinary medicine, to provide such support. Quality of life, measured in terms of reduced incidence of diseases and the ability to maintain an active life, would appear to be able to be enhanced by appropriate nutrition and nutraceutical supplementation. As a consequence numerous improvements in companion animal nutrition have resulted in development of a wide array of foods that provide complete and balanced nutrition. As a result emphasis also has to be placed on product safety and quality parameters, in connection with traceability. The origin of products, including product characteristics and properties, processing conditions and further handling throughout the period chain, is becoming ever increasingly an issue for collective chain management.

     

The future of radiotherapy in small animals – should the fractions be coarse or fine?

Radiation therapy has been used to treat animal cancers for more than 100 years. Clinical experiences and experimental results have been widely published and provide a basis for the recognition of radiation therapy as an integral component of multimodal cancer management in veterinary oncology. As the expectations of pet owners and the demand for treatment of companion animals with cancer have increased, veterinary oncology itself has undergone dramatic advances in the past several decades both in terms of improved diagnostics and treatments, including increased accessibility of radiation therapy. Synchronous with development of the specialism of veterinary radiation oncology, confusion and controversy have arisen with regard to distinguishing between different types of radiotherapy and methods of treatment delivery. Importantly, the confusion extends beyond semantics, and includes opinionated debate about defining which forms of therapy (if any at all) are optimal for a given patient. This exemplifies how, despite marks of maturity including age and a robust publication history, the field of veterinary radiation oncology is in some ways still in its infancy. The purpose of this article is to review the evidence base for daily (fine) fractionation versus weekly (coarse) hypofractionation in veterinary oncology, using selected tumour types as examples.     

Cross-sectional survey of pet ownership,veterinary service utilisation,and pet-related expenditures in New Zealand

ABSTRACT

Aims: To describe the demographics of and predictors for pet ownership, reasons for visiting a veterinarian, and pet-related expenditure in pet owners in New Zealand.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from 18–22 June 2015 using a permission-based panel of New Zealand residents aged ≥18 years. Questions included demographics of respondents, number of pets and reasons for owning or not owning pets, number of visits and reasons for visiting a veterinarian, and pet-related expenditure.

Results: Of the 1,572 respondents who completed the survey, 1,013 (64.4%) owned ≥1 pet. Of these, 443 owned dogs, 696 cats, 32 horses, 103 birds, 55 rabbits, and 159 owned fish. Companionship was the most common reason for getting dogs, cats, and birds; horses were mostly owned as a hobby, rabbits to provide fun for children, and fish as a source of relaxation. The majority of dog, cat, and rabbit owners considered their pets to be family members; horse owners almost equally considered their horses a hobby or a family member. The odds of pet ownership increased for respondents from a rural region, having a higher household income, having children and being female. Overall, 711/1,013 (70.2%) pet-owning respondents had taken ≥1 animal to the veterinarian in the previous year, with the most common reasons being for vaccination or annual check-ups or health issues. Respondents who considered their pets trusted companions, had a higher income, and owned dogs or cats compared with other species, were most likely to have taken their pet to a veterinarian. The greatest pet-related expenditure for all species was food. The median yearly veterinary expenditure was $200–499 by dog owners, $100–199 by cat owners, and <$100 by horse, bird, rabbit, and fish owners. The best source of information for pet-related issues was considered to be veterinarians by 724/1,001 (72.3%) owners, and the internet by 509/1,001 (50.8%) owners.

Conclusions: Among survey respondents, pet ownership was common and pets filled a variety of roles in the household. Pet owners reported spending considerable amounts of money on their pets each year, but some of them may be underutilising veterinary services despite veterinarians being considered as valuable sources of information about pet-related issues.     

Attitudes of the public towards dogs and cats as companion animals

A questionnaire was used to collect information on attitudes toward dogs and cats as companion animals. Thirty-nine attitudinal questions on dogs were grouped using principal component analysis (PCA) into six independent major factors; whereas, 38 items on cats were grouped using principal component analysis (PCA) into four independent major factors. In addition, 18 items which did not fit the PCA model but that were related to the respondents' attitudes towards dogs and cats as companion animals were analysed separately. The hypotheses tested, using analysis of variance (ANOVA) were that there was no significant relationship between the factors and five variables, i.e., pet ownership, age or sex of the respondents and their like or dislike of either dogs or cats. The respondents' like or dislike of dogs or cats influenced their attitudes towards ownership of companion animals. Furthermore, nonowners stated they derive minimal value from a dog or cat as a pet and viewed the negative characteristics of the animal itself per se as a more important factor in determining ownership. Female respondents were more emotionally involved and younger owners derived more of a feeling of importance-vanity from dog or cat ownership.     

Endemic disease control and regulation in Australia 1901-2010

At Federation in 1901, Australia retained separate State veterinary services responsible for the control of endemic animal diseases. By 2010 the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and the livestock industries had coordinated a structure with supporting activities and shared finances that provides Australia's veterinary services and its livestock industries with preparedness and control programs for nominated exotic and endemic animal diseases. Animal Health Australia operates as the coordinating body for these programs. Since 1901, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, bovine brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis have been eradicated, providing considerable industry benefits. While the entry of exotic diseases has been restricted, tick fevers, tick infestation, bluetongue infection, avirulent and velogenic Newcastle disease, Hendra virus, lyssavirus infection and Menagle virus infection have arisen from either hosts within Australia or from insect incursion from neighbouring countries. The control of endemic livestock diseases has been accompanied by the development of veterinary laboratory services by the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments. The Australian Animal Health Laboratory operating since 1985 in Geelong has ensured Australia remains at the forefront of technological advances in veterinary diagnostic techniques. From the 1970s animal welfare has become an important component of national initiatives that remain focussed on satisfying community and international expectations.     

Evaluating the economic and noneconomic impacts of the veterinary medical profession in Michigan

This study reaffirms the diversity and breadth of the veterinary profession. As it turns out, some of the furthest-reaching impacts of the veterinary medical profession were largely non-quantifiable. The veterinary medical profession had a substantial direct economic impact in Michigan during 1995. The total economic contribution of the veterinary medical profession to Michigan during 1995 that was attributable to expenditures on salaries, supplies, services, and their multiplier effect was approximately $500 million. In addition, the profession was associated with nearly 8,500 jobs (combined professional and lay positions). The veterinary medical profession was also considered to have an impact on the prosperity of the live-stock, equine, and pet food industries in Michigan, even though the economic contribution in these areas could not be directly quantified. Economic well-being of the individual businesses in these industries is directly related to the health and productivity of the associated animals, and improvements in output or productivity that accompany improved animal health likely carry substantial economic benefits in these sectors. In addition, progressive animal health management provides a crucial method of managing risk in the animal industries. Similarly, although the economic contribution could not be quantified, the veterinary medical profession enhances the safety and quality of human food through research, regulation, and quality assurance programs in livestock production, minimizing the risk of drug residues and microbial contamination. During 1995, approximately 5.3 million Michigan residents benefitted from the physical, psychological, and emotional well-being that accompanies companion animal ownership. By preserving the health and longevity of companion animals, veterinarians sustain and enhance these aspects of the human-animal bond. As Michigan enters a new century, it is likely that the state's veterinary medical profession will continue to make a highly valued societal contribution. Pets, equines, and food animals will continue to have prominent roles in Michigan for the foreseeable future, as will the human-animal bond, food safety, and medical research. Clearly, for economic and noneconomic reasons, it will be in the interest of the people of Michigan to seek opportunities to maintain and enhance the vitality of the state's veterinary medical profession. It was our hope that results of this study would provide university administrators, legislators, MVMA executives, and others with information needed to justify the ongoing provision of public support for the veterinary medical profession. In addition, we expect that the results will supply useful material for public relations and marketing campaigns by the MVMA and the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine and will provide the media with public interest stories to promote the veterinary profession. Although this study considered the economic and noneconomic impacts of the veterinary medical profession only in Michigan, the results can provide an important reference point for educators, policy markers, and legislators in other states. In addition, this study could serve as a methodologic model for veterinary organizations in other states, or at the national level, to emulate.