Veterinary Administration Research Articles

Karen Brown and Daniel Gilfoyle (eds), Healing the Herds: Disease Livestock Economies, and the Globalization of Veterinary Medicine, Ecology and History Series (Athens, OH: Ohio University Press, 2010), pp. x + 299, £22.50, paperback, ISBN: 978-0-8214-1885-7.

Karen Brown and Daniel Gilfoyle (eds), Healing the Herds: Disease Livestock Economies, and the Globalization of Veterinary Medicine, Ecology and History Series (Athens, OH: Ohio University Press, 2010), pp. x + 299, £22.50, paperback, ISBN: 978-0-8214-1885-7.

Data warehouse for assessing animal health, welfare, risk management and –communication

The objective of this paper is to give an overview of existing databases in Denmark and describe some of the most important of these in relation to establishment of the Danish Veterinary and Food Administrations’ veterinary data warehouse. The purpose of the data warehouse and possible use of the data are described. Finally, sharing of data and validity of data is discussed. There are databases in other countries describing animal husbandry and veterinary antimicrobial consumption, but Denmark will be the first country relating all data concerning animal husbandry, -health and -welfare in Danish production animals to each other in a data warehouse. Moreover, creating access to these data for researchers and authorities will hopefully result in easier and more substantial risk based control, risk management and risk communication by the authorities and access to data for researchers for epidemiological studies in animal health and welfare.

The Role of Veterinary Medical Librarians in Teaching Information Literacy

This qualitative study seeks to determine the nature of the instruction librarians provide to veterinary medical students at all 28 United States veterinary colleges. A secondary goal of the study was to determine in what ways and to what extent librarians participated in other instructional activities at their colleges. Over half of the librarians formally taught in one or more courses, predominantly in the first two years of the veterinary curriculum. One presentation per course was most common. Over half of the librarians interviewed stated that evidence-based veterinary medicine was taught at their colleges, and about half of these librarians collaborated with veterinary faculty in this instruction. Many librarians participated in orientation for first-year veterinary students. The librarians also taught instructional sessions for residents, interns, faculty, graduate students, and practicing veterinarians. This study found that librarians teach information literacy skills both formally and informally, but, in general, instruction by librarians was not well integrated into the curriculum. This study advances several recommendations to help veterinary students develop information literacy skills. These include: encourage veterinary faculty and administrators to collaborate more closely with librarians, incorporate a broader array of information literacy skills into assignments, and add a literature evaluation course to the curriculum.

The importance of governance and reliable veterinary certification

Good veterinary certification is possible only if a country's veterinary governance complies with the quality standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The standards in the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code stipulate that the main prerequisite for good veterinary governance is for Veterinary Services to be independent, that is to say they are able to carry out their mandate while remaining autonomous and free from any commercial, financial, hierarchical or political pressures that could lead them to make technical decisions that were contrary to OIE standards. Veterinary Services should include, in particular, a veterinary administration with nationwide jurisdiction for implementing the animal health measures and veterinary certification procedures recommended by the OIE and for overseeing or auditing their implementation. They should also include veterinary authorities and persons authorised by the veterinary statutory body to perform tasks under the responsibility and supervision of a veterinarian (veterinary paraprofessionals). This veterinary governance must be sustainable over time in order to administer long-term animal health policies. Good governance relies on appropriate legislation that is in compliance with OIE guidelines and on the requisite human and financial resources for ensuring its enforcement. The evaluation of this governance, either by an importing country in the context of international trade, as authorised by OIE standards, or by the country itself (self-evaluation or an evaluation requested from the OIE [using the OIE Tool for the Evaluation of Performance of Veterinary Services]), helps to facilitate the proper operation of Veterinary Services and to ensure the reliability of any certification granted under the authority of the veterinary administration.

Foot-and-mouth disease: The question of implementing vaccinal control during an epidemic

The question of whether or not to use vaccines during an epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has interested veterinary administrators for many decades. This review assesses the historical uses, successes and failures of vaccinal control, and addresses the questions of where, how, and when to use vaccination against FMD. Approaching the problem in this manner can aid in identifying which tools are likely to be most effective during an epidemic, and how successful a given contingency plan might be. The infection status (endemic, semi-endemic, disease-free) of a region has historically mapped where global vaccination has been implemented according to the generality: endemic>semi-endemic>disease-free. More specifically, biomodels and cost-benefit analyses can indicate when vaccination should be implemented for optimal disease control. Finally, numerous local epidemiological factors will provide useful insights into how vaccinal controls can be used effectively.

Disclosure and compliance: The 'pillory' as an innovative regulatory instrument

Enforcement agencies increasingly use disclosure as a regulatory instrument to promote compliance and govern societal risks: data about companies are disclosed to expose their level of compliance. This innovative instrument, called the 'pillory', differs from traditional instruments such as financial incentives ('the carrot'), legal sanctions ('the stick') and government communication ('the sermon'). The 'pillory' aims to inform and activate the stakeholder environments of companies and, in so doing, encourage them to push for better compliance. Based on case studies of the National Veterinary and Food Administration, the British Environment Agency and the Dutch Provincial Environmental Inspectorate, this article attempts to determine the conditions under which Internet-mediated disclosure contributes to the moderation of societal risks. It is concluded that inspectees (businesses, supervised organizations) are sensitive to reputational damage even though they are seldom confronted with the visible actions of stakeholders. Disclosure affects the behavior of 'small offenders', who care about their reputations, more than that of 'large offenders', who only react to harsh measures. The 'pillory' is a useful instrument, even though serious offenders still need to be punished with 'the stick'. In the reflection, we argue that the rise of this innovative regulatory instrument can be attributed to the availability of technology and the changing role of government in a network society.

Clinical neosporosis in three dogs in Shahrekord, Iran

Three crossbreed male dogs were referred from the veterinary administration of Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari province in Iran with clinical signs of acute hind limbs ataxia and rigid hyperextension. Serum samples and cerebrospinal fluid were collected for serologic investigations. Evaluated samples had no detectable antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, but all three dogs had high titers of IgG antibodies to Neospora caninum; two cases were sero-positive with titers of 1:3,200 and one with a titer of 1:6,400. Evaluated cerebrospinal fluid samples showed detectable anti-N. caninum IgG antibodies. The dogs were treated with clindamycin hydrochloride, and recovery was seen within 2 weeks.

A foot and mouth disease simulation exercise involving the five Nordic countries

Simulation exercises are considered a very valuable tool for testing contingency plans established for the control and eradication of rapid spreading animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease, classical swine fever and avian influenza. An inter-Nordic simulation exercise was conducted in 2005 with the objective of testing the national foot and mouth disease contingency plans adopted respectively by Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The Central Veterinary Administrations of the five countries jointly prepared a scenario which involved about 40 livestock holdings, 4 reindeer flocks, 6 slaughterhouses and approximately 500 people. An Excel spreadsheet with information on the events to take place and the timetable to follow during the exercise was a valuable tool for ensuring that the exercise was kept on track. The evaluation of the exercise dealt both with inter-Nordic activities and the activities of individual countries.

Flavouring Group Evaluation 15, Revision 1 (FGE.15Rev1) - Aryl-substituted saturated and unsaturated primary alcohol/aldehyde/acid/ester derivatives from chemical group 22 - Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in contact with Food (AFC).

Flavouring Group Evaluation 15, Revision 1 (FGE.15Rev1) - Aryl-substituted saturated and unsaturated primary alcohol/aldehyde/acid/ester derivatives from chemical group 22 - Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in contact with Food (AFC).

Flavouring Group Evaluation 5, Revision 1 (FGE.05Rev1):Esters of branched‐ and straight‐chain aliphatic saturated primary alcohols and of one secondary alcohol, and branched‐ and straight‐chain unsaturated carboxylic acids from chemical groups 1, 2, and 5 (Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 of 18 July 2000) ‐ Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in contact with

Flavouring Group Evaluation 5, Revision 1 (FGE.05Rev1):Esters of branched‐ and straight‐chain aliphatic saturated primary alcohols and of one secondary alcohol, and branched‐ and straight‐chain unsaturated carboxylic acids from chemical groups 1, 2, and 5 (Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 of 18 July 2000) ‐ Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in contact with

Mortality Rates in Poultry Species and Categories during Transport for Slaughter

Transport-related mortality rates were compared for various poultry species and categories where published data are limited. The numbers of broilers, hens and cockerels, turkeys, ducks, and geese transported for slaughter, and the numbers that died during such transport, were recorded from 1997 to 2006 in cooperation with the State Veterinary Administration of the Czech Republic. The mortality rate for individual poultry species and categories was calculated overall, and was also recorded for the following transport distances: up to 50 km, from 51 km to 100 km, from 101 km to 200 km, from 201 km to 300 km, and over 300 km. Transport of poultry for slaughter was accompanied by varying mortality rates depending on poultry species and categories. The highest mortality rates occurred in hens and cockerels (1.013%), followed by turkeys (0.272%), broilers (0.253%), ducks (0.103%), and geese (0.056%). Differences among the mortality rates estimated were highly significant (p < 0.001). Mortality rates highly correlated with transport distance. The lowest mortality rates were for the shortest transport distances: In broilers (0.154%), turkeys (0.164%), and hens and cockerels (0.595%) for a transport distance up to 50 km; and in ducks (0.069-0.111%) and geese (0.021 - 0.053%) for transport distances up to 300 km. Highest mortality rates in hens and cockerels (1.892%), turkeys (0.341%), and broilers (0.536%) were observed for transport distances over 200 km, while in ducks (0.147%) and geese (0.253%), highest mortality rates were with transport distances exceeding 300 km. The highest mortality rates for all transport distances were in hens and cockerels, followed by turkeys and broilers. The mortality rate in turkeys for a transport distance up to 50 km was significantly higher than that in broilers. No significant differences were found between mortality rates in turkeys and broilers for transport distances of 51-100 km and 101-200 km whereas, for a distance of 201-300 km and in distances exceeding 300 km, the mortality rates in broilers were significantly higher compared to turkeys. The lowest mortality rates were observed in ducks and geese, with a significant difference between them only for transport distances of 51 to 100 km, where the mortality rate in ducks was higher, and over 300 km, where the mortality rate in geese was higher. When planning the transport of poultry for slaughter, susceptibility to stress induced by transport and transport distance (i.e. the duration of transport) of poultry species and categories should be considered.

Monitoring the mycotoxins in food and their biomarkers in the Czech Republic

Testing of the presence of toxigenic microfungi and mycotoxins in foodstuffs in the food chain is an important part of the food safety strategy in The Czech Republic. At the national level, control of their presence in the entire food chain is assured by Public Health Protection Agencies, by the Veterinary Administration and by the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority. This article summarizes surveillance activities of Public Health Protection Agencies and mycotoxins findings in dietary raw materials and foodstuffs from the 1990s to 2004 in the Czech Republic. At present, the health risk from the mycotoxins exposure from foodstuffs is assessed to be relatively low in the Czech Republic, especially as far as the foodstuffs of the Czech origin are concerned. It may result in late toxic effects (e. g., carcinogenic risk) following a single or repeated ingestion of low mycotoxins doses from foodstuffs. Nevertheless, the overall situation may change due to the globalization of the food market. In order to minimize the risk associated with mycotoxins and eliminate their impact on Czech public health, continuous monitoring of the presence of toxigenic moulds, mycotoxins, and their biomarkers is necessary, in conjunction with strict respect to European Union legislation.

The Styrian Salmonella Monitoring Programme for Pork Production

The Styrian Salmonella Monitoring Programme for pork production is based on a representative analysis of the current status, serological meat juice monitoring and bacteriological tests of carcass halves and parts and has been in operation since 1999. A total of 34 170 meat juice samples from 3417 finisher herds were tested using the meat juice SALMOTYPE-ELISA (Labor Diagnostik, Leipzig, Germany) in the period from 1999 to 2003. More than 95% of the samples investigated were below the negative cut-off of <20% based on the 5-year average. The mean extinction values for meat juice samples showed regional differences, which were visualized for epidemiological purposes using the VETGIS geographical information system (Department of Veterinary Administration, Graz, Austria). Salmonella spp. were detected in only 15 cases (0.13%) of a total of 11 330 bacteriologically tested wipe samples from meat-processing plants. The Salmonella isolates detected included four S. Typhimurium, two S. Enteritidis PT 4, five S. Infantis, one S. Bredeny, one S. Saintpaul, one S. Brenderup and one S. Livingstone isolates. The proportion of Salmonella-contaminated pork in the total population estimated from the annual sample showed a falling tendency. It decreased from 0.48% (CI: 0.23 < or = P < or = 0.85) in 1999 to 0.14% (CI: 0.07 < or = P < or = 0.24) in 2003. The contamination of Styrian pork with Salmonella is extremely low and thus poses a negligible risk of infection to consumers.

Effect of Calf Diseases on Mortality during Transport for Slaughter

The aim of this study was to determine the general effect of calf diseases on the mortality rate in connection with a journey distance and, furthermore, to determine the tendency of development in this field. During the period of 1997 - 2004 inspectors of the State Veterinary Administration in the Czech Republic recorded the number of healthy calves transported for standard slaughter and numbers of calves that died in connection with this transport; furthermore, they recorded numbers of diseased calves transported for emergency slaughter and numbers of calves that died in connection with this transport. The calf mortality rate in connection with transport for standard slaughter and in connection with transport for emergency slaughter was 0.026% (29/113144) and 3.266% (2260/69207), respectively. The mortality rate during transport for emergency slaughter is considerably higher, an expression in the form of a ratio index is 127.4. The total number of calf deaths during transport for slaughter significantly increased (p &lt; 0.01) due to calf diseases. The effect of the journey distance on calf mortality in connection with transport was manifested as follows: during transport up to 50 km the recorded mortality rate was 0.019% for standard slaughter and 3.029% for an emergency one. In case of a longer journey distance, up to 200 km, a higher mortality rate was detected, namely 0.110% for standard slaughter and 5.177% for an emergency one. Due to diseases the number of calf deaths during transport up to 50, 100 and 200 km significantly increased (p &lt; 0.01). A long-term tendency concerning increase or decrease of calf disease effect on the mortality rate in calves during transport for slaughter depending on individual years of the period monitored was not proved. Calf disease significantly decreases calf welfare during their transport for slaughter and considerably increases number of calves that died in connection with transport for slaughter.

Labelling and Content Evaluation of Commercial Veterinary Probiotics

The aim of our study was to evaluate the contents and labelling of five commercial probiotics marketed for veterinary administration. The information on the product was obtained from the inserted leaflet or the data on the package. Quantitative bacteriological culture was performed in all products, and isolates were identified via biochemical characteristics. Comparison of actual contents versus label claims was performed. Four products correctly provided information on expiry dates, species and quantity of bacteria per gram or kilogram of product. In one product, there was no probiotic species mentioned in the Czech text on the package. Culture examinations of all the three products containing Enterococcus faecium resulted in finding the declared quantity of bacteria. They also contained Lactobacillus sp. not mentioned in the leaflet. Culturing the mixture of Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus paracasei, we found only Bacillus subtilis in a quantity by one order lower than declared. In an incorrectly labelled product, Lactobacillus sp. was found instead of yeast species. Most commercial veterinary probiotic preparations are not accurately represented by label claims.

Regionalisation: A strategy that will assist with bovine tuberculosis control and facilitate trade

It is expected that the revised chapter on bovine tuberculosis in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the Office Internationale des Epizooties (OIE) will embrace regionalization as a functional means of assisting countries, states or regions to meet the requirements for freedom from tuberculosis and to facilitate trade. The benefits and applications of regionalization, which comprises zoning and compartmentalisation, are discussed. Regionalization requires that a country's veterinary administration is able to implement transparent and auditable biosecurity measures that will ensure that the tuberculosis-free status of a subpopulation of cattle is maintained despite the presence of infection in another cattle subpopulation, or in other domestic or wild animal species. Zoning, which requires cattle subpopulations to be separated by geographic boundaries, provides a practical basis whereby countries, states or regions, can progress towards freedom from tuberculosis, regardless of the source of infection for defined cattle subpopulations. Compartmentalisation however, requires that husbandry or management practices will be used to prevent a tuberculosis-free cattle subpopulation from contacting interspecific and intraspecific sources of infection. This will be difficult to achieve except for specialised cases such as artificial breeding centers.

Fish Health Management in Slovenia

Slovenian aquaculture system is quite specific because we have small water sources and small fish farm facilities, which is reflected also in the organisation of fish health management. In fish health management we pay close attention to the prevention of fish diseases. The technology of fish farming, fish handling and nutrition are controlled both, from the economic and fish welfare point of view. Brown trout, marble trout, lake trout, brook trout, huchen, grayling, common carp, nase and chub are bred for restocking. Besides fish production for restocking, rainbow trout and common carp are produced for human consumption. In the last 15 years the number of fish farms has considerably increased. In compliance with the National Programme financed by the Veterinary Administration of Slovenia of the Ministry for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, all hatcheries have to be examined to IHN and VHS viruses, all carp for restocking have to be examined to spring viraemia of carps and eritrodermatis. In Slovenia, whirling disease is also a notifiable disease and all trout fingerlings have to be examined on Myxobolus cerebralis. Other fish farms are examined according to the epizootiological situation or with regard to clinical and pathoanatomical changes presumptive of notifiable diseases.

Curriculum Development in The Netherlands: Introduction of Tracks in the 2001 Curriculum of Utrecht University, The Netherlands

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Utrecht has recently introduced two major curriculum changes in order to keep pace with developments in research (the vast increase in scientific knowledge), in society (the quality awareness of veterinary clients), and in the veterinary profession, where a species and sector differentiation can be observed. After about 15 years during which the curriculum remained more or less unchanged, a radical curriculum revision was introduced in 1995. A further revision, with the introduction of separate study tracks, began in 2001. The 2001 curriculum focuses on academic and scientific training, active learning and problem solving, training in communication and professional behavior, and lifelong learning. It is divided into a four-year core curriculum, in which a broad, cross-species pathobiological insight is central, and a two-year track curriculum, through which students achieve a starting competence in a specific species or sector. The main teaching methods are tutorials and group tasks; practical work is used mainly to achieve specific veterinary skills. Teaching hours represent 30-35% of all study hours. Self-teaching is encouraged by providing study materials, self-teaching questions, teachers assigned to assist with self-teaching, and adequate facilities. The five tracks offered are Companion Animals/Equine; Food Animals; Veterinary Public Health; Veterinary Research; and Veterinary Administration and Management. All students follow a uniform 30-week clinical rotation program, while the track program is 42 weeks. A summary of admission procedures is given, as well as the times and procedures for track selection.

Models for teaching career development and practice management.

Published in 2002, the “Template for a Recommended Curriculum in ‘Veterinary Professional Development and Career Success’” compiled a comprehensive list of recommended topics to develop an effective complement of nontechnical skills, knowledge, aptitudes, and attitudes (SKAs) in veterinary students.1 Authors of the curriculum recognized that developing an effective delivery system for the suggested material would likely present a challenge and formulated a set of recommendations to help achieve that end. These included collaborating with the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues (NCVEI) to achieve visibility and broad-based support across the veterinary profession; seeking support from private practitioners and academic administrators in Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) member institutions; developing liaison with the Association of Veterinary Practice Management Consultants and Advisors (AVPMCA) to garner both their input and support; and coordinating meetings to help fine-tune the recommended curriculum and to work together on overcoming implementation constraints. To that end, a workshop was conducted on July 19, 2003, for veterinary college administrators, educators, and practice management consultants. The workshop had two objectives: (1) demonstrating educational methods that have been successfully used for teaching in the arena of career development and practice management and (2) developing a professional network to facilitate communication and collaboration toward effective teaching and learning. Sponsored by the NCVEI Working Group on SKAs (with additional financial support from Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.), the program included presentations from several individuals on methods being used to successfully teach career development and practice management by their respective institutions. Each presentation was allocated 15 to 20 minutes, followed by five to 10 minutes of discussion. Summaries of several of these presentations follow.

Migration of 2-butoxyethyl acetate from polycarbonate infant feeding bottles

An enforcement campaign was carried out to assess the migration of 2-butoxyethyl acetate (2-BEA) from polycarbonate infant feeding bottles intended for repeated use. Migration was measured by three successive migration tests into two of the European Union official food simulants: distilled water and 3% acetic acid testing at 40°C for 10 days. The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA) has assessed that a migration above 0.33 mg for 2-BEA and a group of eight related substances kg−1 foodstuff from plastics articles used exclusively for infants is unacceptable. Migration of 2-BEA was found from eight of 12 bottles. However, migration above the target value of 0.33 mg kg−1 was not observed in the third decisive test from any of the 12 different brands of polycarbonate feeding bottles. A migration of between 0.05 and 0.26 mg kg−1 from seven of 12 bottles was measured to 3% acetic acid in the third test, whereas no migration to distilled water was observed in the third test. The average recovery of 2-BEA after the 10-day exposure at the target value of 0.33 mg kg−1 was 77% into distilled water and 36% into 3% acetic acid. The limited recovery was understandable as 2-BEA was partly hydrolysed in the aqueous food simulants and 2-butoxyethanol, a hydrolysis product and one of the related substances was identified. Quantification was carried out using gas chromatography after liquid/liquid extraction of the food simulant.