bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Copper
Authors: Duncan Adam
Published: October 2010

COPPER absorption and metabolism is very complex, being influenced by many factors including the presence of antagonists (eg, molybdenum and sulphate) and species and breed variations in susceptibility. Of the major farm animals, sheep are the most susceptible to copper toxicity, followed by cattle, pigs and poultry, with estimated maximum safe dietary copper levels of 15, 100, 150 to 400, and 250 to 500 ppm, respectively. There are significant differences in susceptibility between breeds of sheep ‐ North Ronaldsays being most susceptible, and Texels more so than Scottish Blackfaces.
Open all hours ‐ is it really necessary?
Authors: Hyde Phil
Published: October 2010

IN October 1996, a number of small animal practices in the Cardiff area joined forces to provide a combined emergency service. Although, when it started, the scheme was little more than a hopeful experiment, it is now an established part of life for the practices involved. Here, Phil Hyde explains how the scheme operates, and argues that similar schemes could be introduced elsewhere.
Feline liver disease
Authors: Rutgers Carolien
Published: October 2010

THERE are several liver disorders specific to the cat, which may be partially explained by certain unique features of the cat's hepatic metabolism and anatomy. Signs of hepatobiliary disease in the cat are often vague and, therefore, liver disease should be included in the list of differential diagnoses for any cat presenting with non‐specific signs of illness. This article sets out an approach to diagnosis ‐ which is based upon a combination of laboratory evaluation, hepatic imaging, and liver cytology or biopsy ‐ and describes the disease processes affecting the liver.
Management of ovine vaginal prolapse
Authors: Scott Phil , Gessert Mary
Published: October 2010

PREPARTUM vaginal prolapse raises major animal welfare and economic concerns, affecting up to 15 per cent of ewes in modern intensively managed lowland sheep flocks in the UK. While some control can be effected by culling ewes which have previously prolapsed, this policy does not address the immediate treatment and management needs of vaginal prolapse cases presented to the veterinary practitioner or (of much greater concern) those cases which receive no veterinary care. This article outlines an approach to the treatment and management of ewes with vaginal prolapse based upon the authors' practical experience, and reasons that the treatment of vaginal prolapse must be considered an act of veterinary surgery, not least for animal welfare reasons. Furthermore, complications associated with vaginal prolapse cannot be dealt with by the shepherd.
Employment legislation?
Authors: Wakelin Mark
Published: October 2010

OVER the past 20 years or so, employment law has become increasingly complex. Successive changes in government, coupled with the ever increasing influence of EU law, has resulted in an intricate web of statutes and case law ‐ a web that could prove to be a trap for the unwary. In this article, Mark Wakelin answers some of the questions commonly asked about employment law.
Non‐traumatic causes of lameness in the forelimb of the growing dog
Authors: Scott Harry
Published: October 2010

CANINE lameness, as a result of non‐traumatic causes, has assumed greater importance in recent years as the number of dogs presenting with injuries resulting from road traffic accidents has declined. Coupled with an apparent increase in the prevalence of osteochondrosis, a significant proportion of young dogs now present with lameness with a non‐traumatic aetiology. It is not known whether this is because of an increased awareness of these disorders by the practitioner or a genuine increase in prevalence due, for example, to changes in genetic or environmental influences. Owing to difficulties with diagnosis and controversy surrounding treatment regimens, appropriate management of the young dog presented with forelimb lameness can be problematic. This article discusses the salient points of the diagnosis and treatment of the more common conditions responsible for forelimb lameness in the skeletally immature dog. A second article, to be published at a later date, will discuss hindlimb lameness.
A guide to the investigation of porcine abortion/stillbirth
Authors: Barlow Alex
Published: October 2010

WHEN beginning any investigation into porcine abortion/stillbirth it is important to recognise that a number of different factors may be involved, either alone or in combination. The level of investigation undertaken will obviously depend on the seriousness of the problem. It could range from checking the clinical history, which might indicate an obvious fault, through to a thorough laboratory work‐up on a number of submissions.
Radiotherapy in small animal oncology
Authors: Blackwood Laura , Dobson Jane
Published: October 2010

OVER the past 20 years there has been a great deal of progress in the treatment of cancer in animals and radiation therapy has an important role to play in this treatment. By combining direct antineoplastic activity with analgesia, it can afford many patients a much improved quality of life, as well as an extended survival time. This article discusses the principles and practical considerations underlying current radiotherapeutic regimens in small animal medicine.
Medical treatment of equine colic
Authors: Mair Tim , Edwards Barrie
Published: October 2010

COLIC is not a specific disease or diagnosis; it is a clinical syndrome involving abdominal pain. A large number of different diseases, both intestinal and non‐intestinal, can cause abdominal pain, and a thorough and systematic physical examination is required in each case to diagnose the cause, or at least to differentiate the 'benign' colics from the life‐threatening and surgical causes. The majority of colic cases encountered in first opinion practice are associated with mild and non‐specific signs and will often, therefore, be amenable to medical therapy. In many cases, the response (or lack of response) to simple medical treatments will also be helpful diagnostically.
Vets on the Net 3. Present and future
Authors: Gerrard Bill
Published: October 2010

ARTICLES in the last two issues of In Practice have traced the origins of the Internet and looked at some of the veterinary websites that have been developed. In the final article of this series, Dr Bill Gerrard explores the attitudes of UK veterinarians towards the Internet and discusses what the future may hold.
Rationale for the use of drugs in the treatment of cardiovascular disease
Authors: Boswood Adrian
Published: October 2010

VASODILATORS represent the area in the treatment of both veterinary and human patients with heart failure which has most dramatically and fruitfully advanced in the past two decades. The treatment of hypertension in people and animals also frequently involves the administration of drugs which affect vascular tone. This article discusses the ways in which vascular tone is controlled, the role of the vasculature in the development and progression of heart failure, and how vascular tone may be modified to benefit patients with cardiac disease. The use of diuretics in the treatment of heart failure patients was discussed in an earlier article (Boswood 1996).
Toxic mastitis in cattle
Authors: Green Martin
Published: October 2010

TOXIC mastitis ‐ mastitis which results in a toxin‐induced shock syndrome ‐ is most commonly caused by the coliform organisms Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, Enterobacter species and Serratia species. A cow with toxic mastitis is a veterinary emergency and a challenge to the practitioner. Difficulties arise because the pathogenesis of the disease has not been fully determined; there are many suggested treatments but little information on which, if any, significantly improve the chances of survival; preventive measures are not well understood and appear to vary in effectiveness; and there may be important individual cow factors which dictate the incidence and severity of disease.
For cats' eyes only ‐ the formative years of a feline‐only practice
Authors: Godfrey David , Anderson Rosie
Published: October 2010

HAVING a strong interest in cats and wanting their own practice, David Godfrey and Rosie Anderson decided to combine the two. In this article they discuss some of the factors they considered important when setting up their feline‐only practice and, three years on, look at whether the practice is performing as well as expected.
Blood transfusions in the dog and cat Part 2: Indications and safe administration
Authors: Knottenbelt Clare , Mackin Andrew
Published: October 2010

TECHNIQUES for the collection of blood from donor dogs and cats were described in the last issue in the first part of this article (pp 110‐114). Here, the indications for blood transfusions are reviewed and the safe administration of blood and blood products discussed. The recognition and management of transfusion reactions is also addressed.
CPD: what it should mean to every MRCVS
Authors: Lewis‐Jones Charmian
Published: October 2010

IN July 1997, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons launched the CPD Record Card. Since then, CPD has had a higher profile in the profession than ever before. Here, Charmian Lewis‐Jones, chairman of the Royal College's CPD subcommittee, explains the background to the record card system and highlights some of the recent developments.
Use and abuse of topical dermatological therapy in dogs and cats Part 1. Shampoo therapy
Authors: Curtis Cathy
Published: October 2010

THE accessibility of the skin has meant that for centuries topical preparations have formed an important component of dermatological therapy. The opportunity for the clinician to deliver drugs directly to the diseased target organ should be exploited whenever possible, as this often permits the use of lower potency products and reduces the risk of systemic side‐effects. In this, the first of two reviews on topical dermatological therapy, the indications for, and potential problems associated with, the various categories of shampoos available for use in the dog and cat are discussed.
Diagnosis and treatment of canine scabies
Authors: Bond Ross
Published: October 2010

CANINE scabies (sarcoptic mange, sarcoptic acariasis) is a common, transmissible, zoonotic, pruritic skin disease of dogs caused by infestation with the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var canis. Severe skin disease often develops in dogs which do not receive appropriate therapy and scabies therefore represents a serious threat to welfare. Canine scabies accounted for approximately 5 per cent of 500 referred small animal dermatology cases recently seen at the Royal Veterinary College, illustrating that this disease is not always readily diagnosed. Anecdotal reports suggest that the disease is currently particularly prevalent in the south of England.
Export certificates ‐ more than a piece of paper
Authors: Johnson Barry
Published: October 2010

CERTIFICATION is surrounded by a minefield of dangers and export certification is one area where specific problems often arise. Despite the relaxation of EU directives and the extension of the single market, export documentation still requires time and considerable effort from the veterinarians involved. The world is continually shrinking with regard to transportation, communication and trade and export certification is a growing area of veterinary practice.
Controlled breeding in cattle
Authors: Penny Colin
Published: October 2010

OESTRUS synchronisation is a useful technique in cattle practice as it allows the use of fixed‐time artificial insemination (Al) or improved heat detection efficiency. It can also be used to prepare donor and recipient cattle in embryo transfer programmes. As synchronisation techniques have improved, the number of beef cattle being served by Al has steadily increased. Not only does oestrus synchronisation with fixed‐time Al eliminate the practical problems of heat detection in beef cattle, it also allows the use of superior, easy‐calving sires. Until recently, oestrus synchronisation and fixed‐time Al, while often used with replacement dairy heifers, was seldom used in lactating dairy cows in the UK as results tended to be poor compared to Al to observed heats. However, interest in synchronising oestrus in dairy cows has increased with the introduction of improved techniques utilising combinations of gonadotrophin releasing hormone and prostaglandin. The theory and current methods of oestrus synchronisation for fixed‐time Al in cattle are briefly reviewed in this article.
Making the transition from student to veterinary surgeon
Authors: Knottenbelt Clare
Published: October 2010

A NEW graduate's early experience of practice has the potential to make or break their future as a veterinary surgeon. Most graduates enter the veterinary profession with high expectations, having spent five years working towards this goal. Many become disillusioned with their chosen career, a fact that is usually blamed on veterinary education systems or the undergraduate selection process. This fails to acknowledge the common problems encountered by new graduates and, in this article, Clare Knottenbelt looks at what these problems are and suggests how they could be addressed.
Making the transition from student to veterinary surgeon
Authors: Robinson Andrew
Published: October 2010

WHEN all is said and done, the first year in practice is bound to have its ups and downs, as Andrew Robinson describes.
Bovine lamninitis: the lesions and their pathogenesis
Authors: Ossent Pete , Lischer Christoph
Published: October 2010

CAREFUL postmortem examination and interpretation of findings, assisted by good clinical records, does much to throw light on the pathogenesis and nature of hoof disorders in farm animals and horses. Although there is much speculation surrounding the pathogenesis of laminitis in cattle, the principal mechanisms have largely been determined. These mechanisms and their associated lesions are described in this article.
General principles of cytological interpretation
Authors: Dunn John , Villiers Elizabeth
Published: October 2010

THE aim of cytological evaluation is to establish an aetiological and/or morphological diagnosis for a lesion and thereby obtain a more accurate prognosis. The technique offers many advantages over surgical biopsy and histopathology. As described in the last issue (pages 370‐377), samples can be collected quickly, easily and inexpensively; also, being less invasive than surgical biopsy, cytology gives rise to fewer complications. On the basis of cytology, lesions can be categorised as inflammatory (septic or non‐septic) or non‐inflammatory (hyperplastic, dysplastic or neoplastic). If neoplastic, an attempt can be made to ascertain the origin of the cells present and to assess the degree of malignancy. In this article the principal cytological features of inflammatory disease and neoplasia are described. An article in the next issue will focus on the collection and handling of pleural and peritoneal effusions.
Charting recent trends in practice
Authors: Gunn Dixon
Published: October 2010

THE BVA‐SPVS Practice Survey has been carried out annually since 1985. In a follow‐up to an article published last year (In Practice, September 1997, p 445), Dixon Gunn analyses some of the results recorded during 1997 and early 1998 and compares them with results obtained in previous years of the survey. Turnover per veterinary surgeon has increased over the past year, as has the value of drug sales in both large and small animal practice. There appears to have been real growth in both equine and small animal practice since the survey began in 1985.
A practical approach to feline symmetrical alopecia
Authors: Hill Peter
Published: October 2010

THE majority of cats presenting with skin disease will have one of four predominant patterns: miliary dermatitis, lesions of the eosinophilic granuloma complex, head and neck pruritus, or symmetrical alopecia. This article describes a practical approach to the diagnosis and management of feline symmetrical alopecia.
Aspects of clostridial disease in sheep
Authors: Lewis Chris
Published: October 2010

THE clostridial diseases recognised in sheep may be divided into the enterotoxaemias (caused by Clostridium perfringens B, C and D), tetanus (C tetani), braxy and malignant oedema (C septicum), black disease (C novyi) and blackleg (C chauvoei). The potent toxins produced by the various clostridial species are responsible for the rapid demise of an affected animal. Treatment is unsuccessful, even if the condition is diagnosed early in its course. In view of both the economic importance and the welfare aspects of these diseases, efficient vaccination programmes are required to effect good control. Recently, C sordellii has gained prominence. There is currently no vaccinal protection available against this organism in the UK and control must be by management.
Conducting a veterinary practice through a limited company 1. Legal considerations
Authors: Openshaw Nick
Published: October 2010

FOLLOWING the modification of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' advice on incorporation (see In Practice, March 1998, p 154), it remains to be seen whether there will be a rush to set up companies to provide veterinary services, or to convert existing partnerships or sole‐trader businesses into limited companies. In this article, Nick Openshaw offers a brief introduction to the corporate world and explores some of the legal issues which will have to be addressed by those taking this route. A second article, to be published in the next issue, will look at the financial aspects of incorporation.
Vets on the Net 2. Tools and services
Authors: Gerrard Bill
Published: October 2010

AS described in the last issue (September 1998, pp 463‐465), the Internet has grown from a simple communication and data exchange medium to an integral part of today's society. It offers a variety of services to veterinarians, ranging from information sources and discussion groups, to practice advertising and access to expert clinical opinion. In the second of three articles, Dr Bill Gerrard considers how veterinary practitioners have adapted to using the Internet in their everyday working lives, and discusses some of the tools and services that are currently at their disposal.
Skin lesions in pigs
Authors: White Mark
Published: October 2010

PIGS are susceptible to a wide range of pathological lesions affecting the skin. While the sparse hair covering and lack of colour in the vast majority of modern farmed pigs mean that many lesions are obvious to the stockman, the ability to recognise and interpret the significance of lesions is a challenge for the veterinary surgeon dealing with pigs. Skin lesions can be the result of parasitic disease, infectious agents, physical damage by the environment or other pigs, and developmental as well as other, uncertain, causes.
Paying for partnerships
Authors: Gunn Dixon
Published: October 2010

THE decision by an assistant to accept the offer of a partnership in the practice is often the most significant commercial decision in a veterinary career. It offers not only opportunities for greater profits, but also the risk of greater losses. In this article, Dixon Gunn looks at ways an incoming partner can pay for his or her share in the partnership.
Maternity rights?
Authors: Brown Wendy
Published: October 2010

THE law governing maternity rights for women at work is very complex, and the cause of much confusion among employers and employees alike. The Government, in its White Paper 'Fairness to Work', sets out how it plans to simplify the law, while other developments in the near future include the implementation of the Parental Leave Directive which will provide for three months parental leave for working parents, plus time off for urgent family reasons. At present the law relating to maternity rights is contained mainly in the Employment Rights Act 1996, but this area is also affected by sex discrimination, social security and health and safety legislation. Here, Wendy Brown answers some common questions on maternity rights, based on the law as it stands at present.
Prostatic disease in the dog
Authors: Williams John , Niles Jacqui
Published: October 2010

THE prostate is the only accessory sex gland in the dog and, in the normal adult male, it is a bi‐lobed structure with prominent dorsal and ventral sagittal grooves. It is a common source of clinically significant disease in the dog. Cats do possess a prostate gland, but it is rarely diagnosed as being diseased.
Blood transfusions in cattle
Authors: Soldan Andrew
Published: October 2010

THE timely administration of a blood transfusion in cases of life‐threatening anaemia in cattle is relatively simple and clinically very rewarding. The whole procedure takes about 60 to 80 minutes and, at a cost to the farmer of approximately £80 to £100, is often economically justifiable.
Common cutaneous diseases of the canine foot
Authors: Jackson Hilary
Published: October 2010

SKIN diseases of the canine foot are often a component of a more generalised skin disease or a concurrent systemic condition. A thorough history and physical examination is therefore mandatory in every case. The feet should be examined very carefully and specific note should be made of which areas are involved. This article discusses the diagnosis and management of some of the more common cutaneous diseases of the canine foot, as well as briefly reviewing those cases likely to require further investigation.
Vaccination in cats ‐ an update
Authors: Dawson Susan , Gaskell Ros , Jarrett Os
Published: October 2010

VACCINES are marketed in the UK for feline parvovirus, feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus, feline leukaemia virus and Chlamydia psittaci. Rabies virus vaccines are also available for special purposes. Individual vaccination regimens depend on many factors, including husbandry systems and prevalence of disease. This article discusses current general recommendations.
The Working Time Regulations 1998: a guide to the requirements
Authors: Thorpe Catherine
Published: October 2010

THE results of the recent RCVS Manpower Survey showed that, on average, veterinary surgeons work 48 hours a week and spend 34 hours on call. Sole practitioners work a 55‐hour week and spend 55 hours on call. Thirty per cent of veterinary surgeons in general practice in the UK work more than 50 hours a week. This rises to 48 per cent for sole practitioners. With these figures in mind, the range of rights and obligations introduced by the Working Time Regulations, which came into force on October 1, 1998, will clearly have an impact on most, if not all, veterinary practices. This article considers the various requirements imposed by the Regulations.
Chemical restraint in the dog and cat
Authors: Johnson Craig
Published: October 2010

CHEMICAL restraint can be extremely useful as an aid to diagnostic or minor surgical procedures or in the control of animals which have a potentially dangerous temperament. Selection of appropriate combinations and doses of drugs to provide ideal restraint for the spectrum of patients and procedures encountered in clinical practice requires experience of a wide range of agents and their effects in different circumstances. A suitable combination for a particular individual may be completely ineffective in another animal of similar breed and size, but different temperament, undergoing the same procedure. The administration of chemical restraint is therefore a much more difficult skill to acquire than that of general anaesthesia. By the same token it can be one of the more satisfying areas of veterinary anaesthesia.
Differential diagnosis of diarrhoea/illthrift in goats at grass
Authors: Mitchell George
Published: October 2010

GOAT rearing is extremely important economically worldwide as a source of meat, milk and fibre, particularly in Third World countries. In recent years, importation of Angora and cashmere goats into the UK to produce mohair and cashmere, respectively, has increased the number of domestic goats to around 84,000 and added significantly to the number of small goat herds kept largely on smallholdings. With this has come an increased risk of the importation of disease and its subsequent spread to indigenous goats and sheep in the UK. Disease remains one of the major limiting factors affecting animal welfare and profitability of goat enterprises. This article discusses the diagnosis, treatment and control of the common diseases in young (over four weeks of age) and adult goats at pasture which present as diarrhoea with weight loss.
Home or away? The veterinary laboratory
Authors: Jagger Tim
Published: October 2010

IT is becoming increasingly feasible for veterinary practices to provide a range of in‐house laboratory facilities. However, the external laboratory still offers many advantages, says Tim Jagger, including quality, expertise and a wide range of services.
Principles of oncological surgery
Authors: Lascelles Duncan , White Dick
Published: October 2010

SURGICAL treatment of neoplastic disease is playing an ever‐increasing role in the veterinarian's approach to cancer therapy. In order to carry out successful oncological surgery, surgeons require more than a comprehensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and resection and reconstruction techniques for the specific area or organ involved. A thorough understanding of general tumour biology, the specific characteristics of the neoplasm involved, the stage of the disease and thus the prognosis, and the adjunctive therapies that may be appropriate, is also essential in each case.
Non‐traumatic causes of lameness in the hindlimb of the growing dog
Authors: Scott Harry
Published: October 2010

THIS is the second of two articles on lameness in the young growing dog. The first discussed the commonest causes of forelimb lameness (In Practice, November/December 1998, pp 539‐553). Here, the more common conditions responsible for hindlimb lameness are considered. In the author's clinic, forelimb and hindlimb lameness are seen with equal frequency in the immature dog. In comparison with the forelimb, osteochondrosis is a less frequent cause of hindlimb lameness. Osteochondritis dissecans occurs in the talocrural joint and less commonly in the stifle joint of large‐ and giant‐breed dogs and care should be taken to identify its presence, particularly in individuals with concurrent hip dysplasia, where it can easily be overlooked. Lameness, pain and debility associated with hip dysplasia in large‐breed dogs remains common in the UK despite attempts to reduce the prevalence of the condition by the selective breeding of pedigree stock since 1965. Two important causes of hindlimb lameness that tend to affect smaller breeds of dog are patellar luxation and Legg‐Calvé‐Perthes disease. Panosteitis and metaphyseal osteopathy have already been discussed as causes of forelimb lameness.
Surgical haemostasis
Authors: Niles Jacqui
Published: October 2010

EFFECTIVE haemostasis is vital for a successful surgical outcome because severe or prolonged haemorrhage can lead to critical blood loss, resulting in shock, hypoxia and death. In addition, bleeding obscures the surgical site, reducing the accuracy of the surgical technique; blood on drapes, instruments and gloves provides an ideal medium for bacterial growth and increases the likelihood of infection; and fluid that collects between tissue layers, resulting in haematoma or seroma formation, can delay healing by preventing apposition of tissues, interfering with the blood supply and inhibiting the influx of phagocytic cells to the area, encouraging bacterial growth. Therefore, it is important not only that surgeons are familiar with techniques available for achieving meticulous surgical haemostasis, but that they understand normal haemostatic mechanisms as well as diseases that affect haemostasis.
Use of anthelmintics in sheep
Authors: Taylor Mike
Published: October 2010

ANTHELMINTICS are used both prophylactically and therapeutically for the management of helminth infections in sheep, but the rationale behind some of the anthelmintic strategies employed on farms remains questionable. This article reviews the spectrum of activity of the principle groups of anthelmintic drugs and emphasises the importance of combining strategic anthelmintic usage with grassland management in order to achieve effective worm control and reduce the risk of anthelmintic resistance.
Common causes of poisoning in small animals
Authors: Campbell Alexander
Published: October 2010

WHILE there are no national statistics on the incidence of poisoning in animals, and the full extent of the problem is therefore unknown, the Veterinary Poisons Information Service in the UK has, in the six years that it has been in operation, kept records of every inquiry it has received which, when collated, give an indication of the types of poisonings that are relatively commonplace and those that are rarer but which are potentially serious when they do occur. This article reviews the VPIS data to examine what the common causes of poisoning are, with the aim of advising on appropriate management of the animal patient and, where possible, highlighting instances where preventive measures might be taken. Management regimens for a number of potentially toxic agents have been covered in earlier articles in In Practice's series on poisons. This overview will not repeat that information, but will remind readers of those articles, where appropriate.
The business and ethics of referrals
Authors: Ness Malcolm
Published: October 2010

THAT veterinary referral is becoming more commonplace is beyond doubt; not only have a number of private referral practices appeared, but there has also been a huge expansion in the referral services offered at each of the UK veterinary schools. Here, Malcolm Ness explores some of the business and ethical aspects of referrals from the personal viewpoint of a referral clinician. On page 274, John Bower gives a general practitioner's view.
The business and ethics of referrals
Authors: Bower John
Published: October 2010

THAT veterinary referral is becoming more commonplace is beyond doubt; not only have a number of private referral practices appeared, but there has also been a huge expansion in the referral services offered at each of the UK veterinary schools. Here, Malcolm Ness explores some of the business and ethical aspects of referrals from the personal viewpoint of a referral clinician. On page 274, John Bower gives a general practitioner's view.
Complications associated with castration in the horse
Authors: Railton David
Published: October 2010

CASTRATION is possibly the most common equine surgical procedure performed in general practice, with horses of all types, temperaments and ages being presented for this surgery. Abnormalities of the genital tract which may complicate the procedure may be present, often without the knowledge of the owner. Additionally, in the practice situation, castration is often performed in a less than optimal environment and sometimes without adequate assistance. Complications associated with equine castration range from minor and self‐limiting problems, such as postoperative swelling of the surgical site, to life‐threatening sequelae, such as severe haemorrhage, eventration (evisceration) or even anaesthetic death. Advanced planning of the castration can help to minimise potential intra‐ and postoperative problems and a protocol should be in place to manage all potential complications as effectively as possible.
Promotion of PML medicines sales in practice
Authors: Macfarlane John
Published: October 2010

ALL veterinary practices retail PML medicines to some extent, but only a few actively promote their sale so that they become an integral and important element of practice turnover. Here, John Macfarlane considers whether PML promotion is a worthwhile practice objective.
Theft and embezzlement: how safe is your practice?
Authors: Manning Paul
Published: October 2010

NO practice is free from the risk of theft and embezzlement. Even practices that have only just opened are vulnerable ‐ perhaps even before they have opened. Here, Paul Manning looks at some of the types of fraud and theft that occur in veterinary practices and suggests systems that can be put in place to help protect against the problem.
Communication ‐ a key skill in practice
Authors: Stobbs Christine
Published: October 2010

GOOD communication skills do not always come naturally and, very often, vocational training covers this topic only very briefly, if at all. Dealing with difficult people and situations is a large part of any vet's job and, says Christine Stobbs, being able to communicate in an appropriate way will bring benefits in all areas of practice life. Here, she aims to stimulate readers to think about the way in which they communicate with their clients, staff and colleagues.
Symmetrical alopecia in the dog
Authors: Cerundolo Rosario
Published: October 2010

ALOPECIA is characterised by the absence of hair or by its loss from areas where it is normally present. It may be congenital or acquired and may reflect a cutaneous problem or may be the consequence of underlying internal diseases, the recognition of which is fundamental for the health of an animal. A variety of pruritic and non‐pruritic diseases, such as those caused by ectoparasites (eg, scabies and demodicosis), dermatophytes, bacterial or yeast infections, and hypersensitivities, may initially show patterns of focal or multifocal alopecia which, if incorrectly managed, can progress to produce a more or less symmetrical generalised alopecia. In this article, however, discussion is restricted to the approach to the diagnosis of diseases causing symmetrical alopecia in dogs, including diseases of the endocrine glands and of the hair follicle unit. These are usually characterised by a non‐inflammatory, non‐pruritic, progressive alopecia affecting the head, neck, flanks, perineal area and/or thighs.
Equine recurrent uveitis ‐ an update
Authors: Matthews Andrew
Published: October 2010

UVEITIS may arise from a number of causes, including blunt or perforating injury to the globe and, rarely, haematogenous spread of bacterial pathogens such as Streptococcus equi var equi or Rhodococcus equi. Occasionally, uveitis may be seen in cases of neonatal septicaemia. However, horses may be presented with an apparently endogenous form of the disease, usually referred to as equine recurrent uveitis (ERU). This term is synonymous with the obsolete nomenclature of 'moon blindness' or 'periodic ophthalmia'. ERU is typically a non‐granulomatous anterior uveitis or panuveitis affecting any age, type or sex of horse, and is a potential cause of blindness. Both eyes may be affected, although not necessarily simultaneously, and the disease is potentially, but not inevitably, recurrent. ERU is relatively uncommon in the UK, but is an important differential diagnosis in cases of acute ocular pain.
Motivation ‐ why and how?
Authors: Shilcock Maggie
Published: October 2010

A MOTIVATED and committed workforce brings rewards ‐ some quantifiable, some less so ‐ to all aspects of practice life and business. But motivation is a personal thing and what is a strong motivational factor for one person, may be much less important for another. Here, Maggie Shilcock discusses a range of 'motivators' and describes how these can be used to best effect in the practice situation.
Gastric Helicobacter species infection in dogs and cats
Authors: Simpson Kenneth , Burrows Colin
Published: October 2010

THE discovery of an association between Helicobacter pylori and gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric neoplasia has led to fundamental changes in the understanding of gastric disease in humans. Investigation of the relationship between gastric disease and Helicobacter species in other animals has resulted in the discovery of H mustelae in ferrets with gastritis and peptic ulcers, H acinonyx in cheetahs with severe gastritis and H heilmannii in pigs with gastric ulcers. The presence of gastric Helicobacter‐like organisms in the stomachs of dogs and cats has been recognised for many years but the relationship between those organisms and gastric disease is unresolved. This article summarises the current knowledge of gastric Helicobacter infection in dogs and cats.
Use and abuse of topical dermatological therapy in dogs and cats. Part 2
Authors: Curtis Cathy
Published: October 2010

THIS article discusses the topical ectoparasiticidal, antimicrobial and anti‐inflammatory preparations currently available in the UK for canine and feline dermatological therapy and highlights the advantages and disadvantages of each. The benefits and potential problems associated with the use of shampoo therapy in the dog and cat were discussed in an earlier article (Curtis 1998).
Trends in small animal practice 1. Management issues
Authors: Cormack David
Published: October 2010

THE Fort Dodge Index allows companion animal practitioners and practice managers to monitor a number of key marketing performance indicators and thereby compare the performance of their own practice with that of other participating practices. In a follow‐up to his introductory article published in the February issue of In Practice, David Cormack looks at some of the results from the 1998 index, concentrating particularly on the management issues raised by the data generated. A future article will discuss trends in the health status of companion animals under the care of the practices participating in the index.
The practice fridge ‐ all too often left out in cold
Authors: Blowey Roger , Davis Jennifer
Published: October 2010

THE refrigerator must be one of the most used ‐ and abused ‐ items of equipment in the practice. This despite the fact that it is used to store a number of items indispensable to everyday practice such as drugs, vaccines and samples. Here, Roger Blowey and Jennifer Davis suggest some simple, practical measures for ensuring best use of the practice fridge.
An approach to clinical problems on pig farms
Authors: Green Laura
Published: October 2010

IT is possible to investigate most clinical problems on farms using a similar approach. In this article, which is orientated towards pigs, the description of the approach is detailed and will result in a careful, systematic clinical investigation. In practice, clinicians will use their experience and knowledge of a unit to help them move rapidly through some stages of the investigation.
Investigation of lower respiratory tract disease in the dog
Authors: McCarthy Grainne
Published: October 2010

CANINE lower respiratory tract disease can present a considerable diagnostic challenge to the veterinary practitioner and the choice of diagnostic procedures may seem daunting. The initial approach to a dog with suspected lower respiratory tract disease involves taking a complete history, performing a clinical examination and obtaining thoracic radiographs. Armed with the information this provides, the veterinarian can then make a more informed decision as to which further diagnostic procedures are warranted.
Bacterial counts in bulk milk ‐ an update
Authors: Blowey Roger , Edmondson Peter , Davis Jennifer
Published: October 2010

THE use of differential culture methods to investigate the possible causes of high total bacterial count (TBC) or Bactoscan values, high somatic cell counts or a high mastitis incidence was described in an earlier article (In Practice, March 1997, pp 122‐127). This has proved to be an extremely useful and popular method of investigation and represents a good opportunity for practitioners to become involved in mastitis control advisory work. The aim of this article is to provide a brief update on changes in target values and to discuss some additional parameters measured.
Pet insurance ‐ a delicate balancing act?
Authors: King Neal
Published: October 2010

THE five major providers of pet insurance over the past couple of decades have recently been joined by a large number of new entrants to the marketplace. With the everincreasing number of companies involved in pet insurance, changes are inevitable in the balance between client, veterinary surgeon and insurance company. In this article, Neal King, a member of the Veterinary Advisory Group to the insurance companies, approaches the subject of pet insurance from the point of view of both insurer and veterinary practice and explains how changes in an increasingly competitive field may affect this balance in the future.
The National Minimum Wage Act?
Authors: Lloyd Reg
Published: October 2010

WHO is entitled to the national minimum wage (NMW) of £3.60 per hour, to whom can the lower hourly rates of £3.20 and £3.00 be paid, and who is not entitled to the NMW? How does the provision of accommodation affect the NMW rate and does an employee on call need to be paid the NMW? Here, Reg Lloyd answers some common questions relating to the National Minimum Wage Act 1998, and explains its implications for veterinary practice, based on the law as it stands at present.
Points make discounts: a loyalty card scheme for veterinary practice
Authors: Finlay David
Published: October 2010

VETERINARY practices, as stand‐alone businesses, respond, like other businesses, to recognised business disciplines. Here, David Finlay describes how one of the fastest growing marketing tools in recent years ‐ the loyalty card scheme ‐ may be implemented for use in practice, based on his experiences of having introduced such a scheme into his own practice two years ago.
Resuscitation of the newborn calf
Authors: Grove‐White Dai
Published: October 2010

THERE is little or no hard data regarding resuscitation procedures, and their various success rates, in calves. Consequently, the methodology used in cattle practice is based largely on human procedures and principles and their application. This article discusses the resuscitation of the newborn animal, which is based on the 'airway‐breathing‐circulation' approach. In addition, the veterinary obstetrician will frequently be presented with newborn animals that have established a respiratory rhythm, but are otherwise in a poor state, suggestive of hypoxia and severe acidosis. Such animals are likely to benefit from the administration of bicarbonate and supplementary oxygen via a nasal tube, if available.
Chest drains and drainage techniques
Authors: Dugdale Alexandra
Published: October 2010

THIS article discusses the anatomy and physiology of the thorax and considers the conditions requiring chest drainage. The techniques of needle thoracentesis and tube thoracostomy are described, followed by a discussion of patient aftercare and potential problems.
Cost‐effective CPD for part‐time vets ‐ is it possible?
Authors: Davies Claire
Published: October 2010

UNDERTAKING CPD is just as important for part‐time veterinary surgeons as it is for their full‐time colleagues. A practice has an obligation to ensure that all its vets keep their skills and knowledge up to date and each individual has a responsibility to meet the annual minimum of 35 hours CPD recommended by the RCVS. However, as both the necessity for continuing education and the number of part‐time vets increase, providing a cost‐effective CPD programme for all the vets employed by a practice becomes more of a challenge. In this article, Claire Davies explores some of the more cost‐effective ways in which a part‐time vet could meet his or her 35‐hour obligation.
Small intestinal surgery 2. techniques
Authors: Baines Stephen
Published: October 2010

DISEASES affecting the small intestine are relatively common in the dog and cat and surgical management of these disorders is frequently indicated. An article in the previous issue dealt with the principles relating to small intestinal surgery and the preoperative management of the patient (In Practice, October 2000, pp 502‐517). This article describes some of the techniques likely to be required in the surgical management of small intestinal disease and the appropriate postoperative care of the patient. The role of these techniques in managing specific diseases of the small intestine is illustrated.
Experiences of a working sabbatical
Authors: Head John
Published: October 2010

TRAPPED in practice? Daily grind getting you down? Indispensable within the workplace? Not so in John Head's practice. Since 1976, partners and assistants in his nine‐person practice in Cornwall have been able to take a sabbatical, whether to return to university, or to work for a period of time in a different country. In this article, he reflects on a sabbatical he took in South Africa and explores some of the practicalities of setting up such a trip.
Smoothing the flow of practice life
Authors: Jones Jennifer
Published: October 2010

THE flow chart and its more detailed derivative, the flow process chart, are an under‐used management tool in veterinary practice, according to Jennifer Jones. In this article, she describes each and suggests how they might usefully be applied to procedures commonly performed in practice.
Diseases involving the anterior chamber of the dog and cat
Authors: Sansom Jane
Published: October 2010

THE anterior chamber is an optically empty space which allows visualisation and access to the inside of the eye. Diseases that affect the iris, ciliary body, iridocorneal angle or corneal endothelium will compromise the appearance of the anterior chamber, producing changes that are perceptible to client and veterinary surgeon alike. This article discusses the investigation and management of the principal diseases and conditions that involve the anterior chamber of the dog and cat.
Bovine embryo transfer
Authors: Dawson John
Published: October 2010

EMBRYO transfer was developed to overcome fertility problems in humans and is now routinely used in human medicine. The technique has since been adapted for use in the animal field and has proven to be very useful. Early techniques for bovine embryo transfer involved general anaesthesia with surgical collection and transfer of embryos. These have, however, been superseded by a quick, non‐surgical, repeatable technique, the elements of which are described in this article.
Control of intestinal parasites in horses
Authors: Proudman Chris , Matthews Jacqui
Published: October 2010

INTESTINAL parasites are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in horses of all types. The prevalence of many intestinal helminths is high and, within any population of horses, certain individuals can harbour large numbers of parasites, which may lead to disease. There is widespread misunderstanding and ignorance about parasite control strategies among the horse‐owning public, with the consequence that many horses are unnecessarily exposed to pathogenic burdens of intestinal parasites. It is the duty of all veterinary surgeons engaged in equine preventive medicine to be able to give sound advice to horse owners on the best anthelmintic strategy for their particular situation. This article reviews the problems of the control of intestinal parasites in horses, discusses some of the pharmaceutical and managemental control measures that can be used, and offers advice on putting this information into practice.
Blood pressure measurement in dogs and cats
Authors: Stepien Rebecca L.
Published: October 2010

SYSTEMIC hypertension occurs as a primary condition or a complication of several diseases in dogs, and complicates several disease conditions of cats. The ability to measure blood pressure accurately and repeatably, and to interpret blood pressure measurements in the light of other patient information, is integral to the recognition and evaluation of symptomatic or asymptomatic hypertension.
Johne's disease in sheep and goats
Authors: Greig Alastair
Published: October 2010

JOHNE's disease, or paratuberculosis, is a chronic enteric disease of ruminants and has a worldwide distribution. Economic losses from the disease can be measured in terms of reduced production as well as culled animals. Unlike cattle, in which the disease has been more extensively studied, chronic diarrhoea is not a consistent feature of Johne's disease in sheep and goats; the predominant clinical sign in these smaller ruminants is weight loss over a period of weeks or months. Johne's disease is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. Sheep strains generally fail to grow, or grow only poorly, on routine culture media which support luxurious growth of the organism isolated from cattle. Goat strains tend to be more akin to cattle strains.