An inconvenient truth: global worming and anthelmintic resistance

Over the past 10-15 years, we have witnessed a rapid increase in both the prevalence and magnitude of anthelmintic resistance, and this increase appears to be a worldwide phenomenon. Reports of anthelmintic resistance to multiple drugs in individual parasite species, and in multiple parasite species across virtually all livestock hosts, are increasingly common. In addition, since the introduction of ivermectin in 1981, no novel anthelmintic classes were developed and introduced for use in livestock until recently with the launch of monepantel in New Zealand. Thus, livestock producers are often left with few options for effective treatment against many important parasite species. While new anthelmintic classes with novel mechanisms of action could potentially solve this problem, new drugs are extremely expensive to develop, and can be expected to be more expensive than older drugs. Thus, it seems clear that the "Global Worming" approach that has taken hold over the past 40-50 years must change, and livestock producers must develop a new vision for parasite control and sustainability of production. Furthermore, parasitologists must improve methods for study design and data analysis that are used for diagnosing anthelmintic resistance, especially for the fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). Currently, standards for diagnosis of anthelmintic resistance using FECRT exist only for sheep. Lack of standards in horses and cattle and arbitrarily defined cutoffs for defining resistance, combined with inadequate analysis of the data, mean that errors in assigning resistance status are common. Similarly, the lack of standards makes it difficult to compare data among different studies. This problem needs to be addressed, because as new drugs are introduced now and in the future, the lack of alternative treatments will make early and accurate diagnosis of anthelmintic resistance increasingly important.     

On ethics,the pursuit of knowledge,truth and status in the hallowed halls of academe

Advancement in academe is largely on the basis of research output; that is, refereed journal papers. This paper first explores pressures on academics, especially emerging researchers, when English is not a first language. We assess why, when faculty members rush to improve their station that they may elect to circumvent ethical protocols to accelerate their promotion and status. The resulting unethical behavior includes plagiarism and forms of duplication such as co‐submission. Consideration is then given to the wider implications of both plagiarism and the theft of intellectual property, and the role these have played in the development of individuals, the university and society.     

The R.A.N.A. Scheme and Small Animal Practice—I. Integrating the R.A.N.A. Trainee and Graduate into Practice

Abstract— Calling on his own experience, the author reviews the position regarding the employment of lay helpers in small animal veterinary practice before the introduction of the Registered Animal Nursing Auxiliary Scheme.
The provisions of the scheme are broadly commented on and the various practical aspects of the employment of the trainee and graduate are discussed.
Résumé— –Se référant à sa propre expérience, l'auteur fait la critique de la situation relative à l'emploi d'aides non vétérinaires en médecine vétérinaire pour les petits animaux, avant l'introduction du projet sur les Auxiliaires Vétérinaires Diplômés.
Il discute grosso modo les articles du projet, ainsi que les divers aspects pratiques résultant de l'emploi des élèves Auxiliaires et des Auxiliaires Diplômés.
Zusammenfassung— Der Autor spricht aus eigener Erfahrung über die vor der Einführung des Systems der registrierten Tierpflegehelfer übliche Einstellung von Laiengehilfen in der Kleintier-praxis.
Es wird allgemein über die Bestimmungen des Systems, sowie über die verschiedenen praktischen Gesichtspunkte der Einstellung von studierenden oder ausgebildeten Helfern gesprochen.