The myth of compassion fatigue in veterinary medicine.

Knowing why you’re struggling is important, so it’s not helpful to label every negative experience in the veterinary profession as compassion fatigue. When I took an honest look at how I was feeling, I wasn’t running out of compassion. My fatigue stemmed from making ethical decisions within the boundaries of clients’ (often) illogical values or unreasonable budgets. Dani McVety, DVM explians further ;his thoughts on compassion fatigue to Alice Villalobos, DVM, and how he thinks it’s an overused term in the veterinary industry. He told her that he felt more drained in emergency work than in hospice care, and that’s when Dr. Villalobos said something that will stick with me forever: “I believe what we really struggle with in our profession is not so much compassion fatigue as ethical fatigue.” continue

To solve world hunger, recruit more veterinarians.

Across one-fourth of the globe, people aren’t getting the nutrients they need to stay healthy, according to the newly released Global Hunger Index. In many countries, the cause isn’t a lack of food -- it’s a lack of safe food. The risk of malnutrition caused by unsafe food is increasing, as human populations grow and continue to urbanize. This public health problem can be solved -- not by doctors but by veterinarians. They’re crucial to safeguarding the health of animals that are the foundation of the world’s food supply. Unfortunately, well-trained veterinarians are in short supply worldwide. To improve global food safety, that has to change. The world’s population will increase by 2.6 billion by 2050. Feeding these billions of new mouths will require a 70 percent boost in food production, including 200 million tons of meat. Increasing levels of urbanization will make it harder to meet the demand for animal protein. Seven in 10 people will live in cities by 2050. Vets are essential to the security of the production of foods like eggs, milk and meat. They ensure that animals are healthy and treated humanely, whether on farms, in transit, or in slaughterhouses. Food-safety vets are also critical to warding off illnesses that can kill livestock and lead to food shortages. Consider Rinderpest, or cattle plague. As recently as 20 years ago, epidemics of the disease could wipe out 95 percent of an infected herd, and thus lead to mass human starvation. In 2011, Rinderpest was declared eradicated, thanks largely to the vaccination efforts of public-health veterinarians. Unfortunately, food-animal veterinarians are in decline. Just 17 percent of U.S. vets work with food animals at all -- and only 2 percent do so exclusively. Seventy percent of our nation’s veterinarians specialize in dogs and cats. As the demand for food rises, this shortage could have dangerous consequences for public health. To secure our future food supply, we must recruit and train aspiring food-animal vets now. continue

Vaccines and biosecurity to replace antibiotics in pig industry.

The increase use of vaccines and better sanitation and biosecurity are the 2 most common changes US pig, cattle and poultry producers are making in response to the loss of shared use antibiotics.That was a key finding of a new study just completed by animal health and nutrition consulting company Brakke Consulting, headquartered in Dallas, TX. 

 The survey, New Strategies for Health and Performance in US Livestock and Poultry Production, was conducted among beef, dairy, swine and poultry producers in late 2016. Since January 1, 2017, new antibiotic regulations as well as the Veterinary Feed Directive have been effective in the United States. 

 In a press release, the consulting firm wrote, “Although there was some variation among species groups, vaccination protocols and improved sanitation were the top 2 strategies for 70% or more of all producers. Other strategies included reduced co-mingling of animals/birds, changes in feed additives, changes in facilities, use of immune modulators and changes in genetics.” 

 The study was conducted late in 2016; half of producers said they had already made changes to their operations. About 75% indicated that they were ready for the changes, of which the poultry sector was the most prepared source

Breaking: Case of ‘Atypical BSE’ identified in cow in Ireland.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has confirmed that it has identified a case of ‘Atypical BSE’ in an 18-year-old cow, through its surveillance of ‘fallen’ animals (died on farm) at knackeries. The animal tested positive on a screening test carried out at a Department approved, accredited private laboratory over the weekend and was then subject to follow up confirmatory tests at the Department’s Central Veterinary Research Laboratory. There are no associated public health risks with this event – a comprehensive set of public health controls are in place and the animal in this case was excluded from the food chain and its carcase will be incinerated, the Department said. There are two types of BSE recognised: 1) Classical BSE Classical BSE, the basis of the extensive incidence of BSE which commenced some in the 1980s, which was associated with the feeding of meat-and-bone meal, where scientific evidence indicates that BSE is acquired in the first year of life. 2) Atypical BSE; which has is the case that has been identified, has been identified more recently and which is thought to occur spontaneously.Atypical BSE occurs sporadically in older animals with a low incidence rate. It was first recognized in the early 2000s in Europe following the large scale testing of livestock for BSE that was put in place at that time.Atypical cases of BSE have also been identified in Brazil (two cases) and the USA (three cases). BSE does not transfer horizontally from animal to animal – no risk to other animals arises from this case animal. source

Rare strain of E. coli strikes across Canada: source unknown.

A dozen cases of E. coli O121 have been confirmed in three Canadian provinces, according to matching genetic fingerprint data, but the source of the outbreak has not yet been identified. The Public Health Agency of Canada reports four of the rare O121 cases were confirmed in British Columbia, four in Saskatchewan and four in Newfoundland and Labrador. The illness onset dates were in November and December of 2016. Four of the victims have been hospitalized. Those individuals have recovered or are in the process of recovery. An investigation to determine the source of the relatively rare E. coli O121 contamination is ongoing. The Public Health Agency of Canada says improper handling of ground meat and eating raw ground meat are two of the most common sources of E. coli illnesses. Other common sources are contaminated raw fruits and vegetables, untreated water, unpasteurized raw milk and raw milk products, and unpasteurized apples juices or cider. Young children, older adults and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk of E. coli infections, but everyone is susceptible. Cooking food properly and following other food safety tips can greatly reduce the chance of infection. Public health officials recommend using the a cooking thermometer, washing fruits and vegetables, and cooking meat to suggested temperatures. Severe stomach cramps, watery or bloody diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and headache with little or no verer are all symptoms of E. coli infection. Most of the time, symptoms will clear up in five to 10 days. However, sometimes serious conditions develop, including kidney failure. source

Frozen turkey dog food recalled for Listeria; people also at risk.

Blue Ridge Beef is recalling its frozen, raw turkey pet food from retailers in four states because it a poses a danger to people and their animals because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. “This recall was initiated with FDA inspection and sampling of the product,” according to the company’s recall notice posted on the Food and Drug ADministration’s website.“Listeria can affect animals eating the product and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surface exposed to these products.”continue

The best ways to prepare for a new pet.

Perhaps you have wanted a dog for years and finally have the time to bring one into your home. Maybe a kitten appeared on your doorstep and you suddenly found yourself a new pet owner. Perhaps the kids were begging for a puppy and you finally decided to adopt. Whatever the reason, the decision to adopt a pet can be both an exciting and stressful time, as you carefully consider which animal is right for you. irst, you have to decide what type of pet is right for you. Cat, dog, or exotic animal? Active or laid back? Young or adult? You also have to consider all of the financial demands that come with pet ownership, including veterinary visits, emergency funds or insurance, training, and supplies.continue