BackgroundVeterinary medical care requires communication and collaboration among members of the veterinary team. Coordinating the efforts of diverse team members can increase the potential for conflict, which can adversely impact team satisfaction and patient care when not managed productively. Awareness of conflict management styles and self‐awareness of one's own preferred mode(s) of navigating conflict are imperative to enhancing a broader understanding of conflict. The purpose of this pilot study was to characterise first‐year veterinary medical students’ preferred modes of conflict management at a single institution.MethodsEighty‐seven students (n = 87) completed the Thomas‒Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) and descriptive statistics were performed.ResultsResults revealed that accommodating (n = 35/87; 40.2%) was the most common preferred conflict‐handling mode, followed by avoiding (n = 29/87; 33.3%). Collaboration, a highly assertive and cooperative mode, was the least common preferred conflict mode (n = 7/87; 8.0%).LimitationsOur results are based on self‐reported data at a single point in time and may not translate to real‐world behaviour. Future research pursuits will focus on exploring how the conflict styles of veterinary students may change over time as they progress through their training and professional socialisation.ConclusionThis research suggests an opportunity for additional training in how to navigate conflict, with specific instruction on assertive and cooperative approaches to resolution. Future educational interventions related to conflict management training should be explored and additional research is needed to evaluate the most effective ways in which to incorporate these skills into veterinary medical training.

BackgroundHelminth control on communal farms of South Africa, primarily relies on anthelmintic drugs, administered by farmers without veterinary supervision. This study investigated risk factors associated with farmer‐reported anthelmintic control failure on communal sheep farms in Oliver Tambo District of the Eastern Cape of South Africa.MethodsA semi‐structured questionnaire capturing farm characteristics, helminth control practices and treatment failure was administered to 107 farmers between January and August 2024.ResultsMost of the farmers encountered were older males (56%) aged over 65 years. Helminth eggs were identified in sheep faecal samples, revealing four genera: Haemonchus spp. (100%), Strongyloides spp. (67%), Moniezia spp. (61%) and Trichuris spp. (17%). A total of 15 anthelmintic drug brands were recorded. The most commonly used compounds (46%) were Valbantel, Maxicare and Prodose Orange, all co‐formulations of benzimidazoles and salicyanilides. Anthelmintic control failure was reported by 62% of farmers. The predominant sheep crossbreed raised on the farm (Dorper‒Merino), the use of 5‐ or 10‐mL syringes for anthelmintic drug administration, and the absence of sheep weight estimation were statistically associated with farmer‐reported anthelmintic control failure.ConclusionThese findings underscore the need for improved helminth management strategies to enhance the effectiveness of anthelmintic treatments in communal farming systems.

BackgroundThis study investigated environmental contamination by Sporothrix spp. in a veterinary facility specialised in treating cats with sporotrichosis.MethodsTwelve samples were collected from frequently touched surfaces and cages of three cats at different treatment stages. Sampling sites included a procedure table, door handle, faucet, ethanol sprayer, an identification card with visible secretions, and cage components. Samples were cultured on Mycosel agar. Fungal growth was assessed through micromorphological analysis.ResultsSporothrix was isolated from four samples (33%), one from the stainless‐steel procedure table and the others associated with the cages of two symptomatic cats. Cat #1, with active ulcerative lesions, had positive cultures from both the cage grid and latch. Cat #2, in early treatment and showing respiratory signs, had fungal growth on the cage grid. No contamination was detected from Cat #3's environment, and for the remaining sports swapped.ConclusionThese findings suggest that cage surfaces in veterinary settings can be a source of environmental contamination and potential occupational exposure.

BackgroundNeonatal lamb mortality affects the sheep flock's productivity. In Algeria, data are very limited, making investigations quite relevant. This study aimed to determine risk factors associated with neonatal lamb mortality, describe gross and histopathological lesions on affected organs, and identify bacterial pathogens involved.DesignThirty‐five sheep farms located in Constantine participated in this survey between February and December 2022. An epidemiological questionnaire was used to describe monitoring practices and to identify associated risk factors. Twenty‐two collected lamb corpses (immediate postmortem changes) underwent detailed postmortem examinations, including anatomopathological, histopathological and microbiological analyses.ResultsThe recorded neonatal mortality rate was 5.74%. Statistical analysis revealed significant associations between mortality and factors such as soil and livestock building hygiene, as well as the breeding system used (p < 0.05). The lungs, liver, kidneys and heart were the most affected organs. Causes of death included respiratory disorders, omphalitis with septicaemia, stillbirth, trauma and starvation‐hypothermia syndrome. From these organs, 218 bacterial strains were isolated, mainly Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Providencia spp., Citrobacter spp.), causing primary infections, alongside non‐fermenting Gram‐negative bacilli (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Comamonas spp., Acinetobacter spp.), responsible for the associated septicaemic evolution. According to the EUCAST breakpoints, isolates were resistant to commonly used antibiotics: amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline. Notably, only Klebsiella spp. strains harboured blaSHV genes.ConclusionThis study concluded that improved sanitary protocols, early diagnosis and antimicrobial testing are crucial to prevent neonatal mortality. It also recommended larger studies and farmer training programmes to enhance lambing and neonatal care practices.

IntroductionParatuberculosis (PTB) is a disease caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). In Italy, voluntary PTB control plans have been implemented; nonetheless, so far, data on the prevalence of PTB in dairy herds are fragmented and incomplete, especially in the south of the country.ObjectivesThe objectives were to determine the apparent (AP) and true (TP) prevalences of MAP infection, at the inter‐herd (between‐herd, BH) and intra‐herd (within‐herd, WH) levels, and the odds ratio (OR) to assess the probability of both cattle and herds testing positive in the provinces of Apulia, in southern Italy.MethodsA total of 6056 serum samples collected from 341 different dairy farms were analysed by ELISA. The number of farms and cattle required, BH and WH prevalence estimates, ORs, 95% confidence interval values (CIs) and p‐values (p) were calculated.ResultsA low overall TP was estimated at both the BH level (17.14%) and WH level (0.82%). Statistically significant differences in OR (p < 0.05) were found for the provinces of Foggia, with a high risk of positive animals at both BH (OR = 2.6569) and WH (OR = 2.5583) levels and Taranto, with a low risk at the WH (OR = 0.5043) level.ConclusionsOur results provide the first data on the prevalence of PTB in Apulian dairy herds, according to the following criteria: (i) use of a multi‐step sample size calculation procedure considering the test's imperfection; (ii) selection of larger sample sizes of both herds; (iii) inclusion of herds and cattle from the Apulia region only recruited randomly; and (iv) analysis of the test results using non‐Bayesian approaches.

BackgroundA significant contributory factor to the brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome index of bulldogs is the diameter of their tracheas. Bulldogs are predisposed to tracheal hypoplasia. A non‐invasive, financially reasonable and widely accessible screening test for tracheal diameter would be useful for assessing the most appropriate dogs to breed from within bulldog populations and may help in predicting results following upper airway surgery.MethodA prospective method comparison study involving 10 client‐owned brachycephalic dogs was conducted. Each patient underwent tracheal ultrasonography using a handheld ultrasound device (Butterfly IQ+) followed by extubated computed tomography (CT) scanning of the head and neck. Ultrasonographic tracheal measurements were compared with CT tracheal measurements and analysed for agreement, accuracy, and inter‐observer and intra‐observer repeatability.ResultsBland‒Altman analysis showed there was good agreement between the ultrasound and CT tracheal measurements; however, the 95% limits of agreement were wide (+0.43 and ‒0.29 cm), indicating that the ultrasound measurements lacked a high level of accuracy. Ultrasound in general overestimated the tracheal diameter by 0.07 cm (p < 0.05). Intra‐observer repeatability (mean range: 0.12 cm, average coefficient of variation [COV]: observer one;7.36%, observer two;5.53%, observer three;6.10%) was more consistent than inter‐observer repeatability (mean range: 0.26 cm, average COV: 8.47%).ConclusionThe accuracy of tracheal diameter measurements using an affordable handheld ultrasound device in unclipped brachycephalic patients was relatively low. However, technique modifications may significantly improve results, and further investigation is warranted to explore the utility of this method as a screening tool for tracheal hypoplasia in bulldog populations.

BackgroundMobile phones are commonly used in clinical areas, including theatre, anaesthesia and patient preparation. Contamination rates of 72.6%–100% for mobile phones are reported in human healthcare, including multidrug‐resistant bacteria in more than 30%. Veterinary studies are limited to Staphylococcus only, but similarly high levels of contamination are reported.MethodsThe personal and work mobile phones of veterinarians and nurses were swabbed for bacterial culture. Gram morphology and colony‐forming units per millilitre (CFU/mL) were recorded for each bacteria grown. Participants completed an anonymous survey detailing habits of phone usage and hygiene.ResultsSwabs from 39 mobile phones were collected, with 16 of 39 (41%) positive for bacterial contamination. Gram‐positive cocci were most common (38.4%), with 5.13% Gram‐positive coccobacilli, 5.13% Gram‐positive rods and 2.56% Gram‐negative rods. Veterinarians’ mobile phones had a significantly higher incidence of contamination than nurses’ (62.5% vs. 6.7%; p = 0.007). More personal phones were contaminated than work phones (52.6% vs. 30%). Two mobile phones had growth of colonies more than 4000 CFU/mL. Mobile phone usage in clinical areas was reported by 76.2% of 21 participants, 57.1% cleaned their mobile phone less than weekly, 23.8% used non‐antibacterial items to clean with and 23.8% had recently used their mobile phone in the bathroom.ConclusionsBacterial contamination of mobile phones was common, with veterinarians having a significantly higher incidence compared to nurses. Gram‐positive cocci were most common, but Gram‐positive coccobacilli, Gram‐positive rods and Gram‐negative rods were also present. Mobile phone hygiene could be usefully included in infection control guidelines as they are potential fomites for healthcare‐associated infections.

BackgroundWorkplace and educational discrimination remain institutional issues, particularly for minoritised individuals, and can negatively affect performance and opportunity. This study sought to investigate the experience of discrimination and identity disclosure (being ‘out’) of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and others (LGBT+) members of the UK veterinary professions and students.MethodsA mixed‐method approach was utilised to analyse 130 survey responses and examine associations between respondents’ identity disclosure (being ‘out’ or not) and other variables. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted, based within minority stress theory, to generate themes to explain findings.ResultsOver half the respondents reported having experienced or witnessed a range of discriminatory behaviours, and over half were not ‘out’ to all. When considering people's decisions around identity disclosure negative associations were detected for those who had witnessed discrimination and those who were unsure about antidiscrimination policy, and positive associations for those who felt supported at their place of work or study and by veterinary community in general. Three themes were generated that begin to explain respondents’ experiences.LimitationsFurther research is required for institutions to know how our findings relate to their settings and to obtain additional in‐depth understanding of individuals exposure to discrimination.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that LGBT+ discrimination remains an issue for some veterinary professionals and students in the UK. For the profession to move towards a more equitable future, we suggest that a multifaceted approach is needed to bolster institutional support and the active promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives.