The effectiveness of humane teaching methods in veterinary education.
(1/23)
Animal use resulting in harm or death has historically played an integral role in veterinary education, in disciplines such as surgery, physiology, biochemistry, anatomy, pharmacology, and parasitology. However, many non-harmful alternatives now exist, including computer simulations, high quality videos, ''ethically-sourced cadavers'' such as from animals euthanased for medical reasons, preserved specimens, models and surgical simulators, non-invasive self-experimentation, and supervised clinical experiences. Veterinary students seeking to use such methods often face strong opposition from faculty members, who usually cite concerns about their teaching efficacy. Consequently, studies of veterinary students were reviewed comparing learning outcomes generated by non-harmful teaching methods with those achieved by harmful animal use. Of eleven published from 1989 to 2006, nine assessed surgical training--historically the discipline involving greatest harmful animal use. 45.5% (5/11) demonstrated superior learning outcomes using more humane alternatives. Another 45.5% (5/11) demonstrated equivalent learning outcomes, and 9.1% (1/11) demonstrated inferior learning outcomes. Twenty one studies of non-veterinary students in related academic disciplines were also published from 1968 to 2004. 38.1% (8/21) demonstrated superior, 52.4% (11/21) demonstrated equivalent, and 9.5% (2/21) demonstrated inferior learning outcomes using humane alternatives. Twenty nine papers in which comparison with harmful animal use did not occur illustrated additional benefits of humane teaching methods in veterinary education, including: time and cost savings, enhanced potential for customisation and repeatability of the learning exercise, increased student confidence and satisfaction, increased compliance with animal use legislation, elimination of objections to the use of purpose-killed animals, and integration of clinical perspectives and ethics early in the curriculum. The evidence demonstrates that veterinary educators can best serve their students and animals, while minimising financial and time burdens, by introducing well-designed teaching methods not reliant on harmful animal use. (+info)
Teaching veterinary students using shelter animals.
(2/23)
Surgical approaches for cesarean section in cattle.
(3/23)
Bovine practitioners are often presented with dystocias that require a cesarean section. Many practitioners perform this surgery using the same approach each time due to their comfort with one specific approach or lack of familiarity of other available options. The goal of this article is to explain the advantages, disadvantages, and indications for each of the different approaches to aid the practitioner in achieving better surgical success rate. (+info)
Surgical oocyte retrieval (SOR): a method for collecting mature mouse oocytes without euthanasia.
(4/23)
A novel surgical method for collecting oocytes from unique and irreplaceable mice is described. This method, surgical oocyte retrieval (SOR), facilitates the collection of ovulated oocytes, does not require euthanasia, and preserves reproductive potential. The surgery involves a small incision in the ampulla region of the oviduct, through which the cumulus oocyte mass is removed with a gel-loading pipette. The incision then is closed by using a tissue adhesive, which is required to ensure healing of the incision and containment of any oocytes ovulated after SOR. Two anesthetics, isoflurane and tribromoethanol, were compared for oocyte toxicity during SOR. More dead oocytes were recovered when tribromoethanol was used than when isoflurane was used. Combining SOR and traditional oocyte collection methods yielded more oocytes per BALB/cByJ than did traditional methods alone (41 versus 28 oocytes, respectively). Oocytes collected by using SOR were fertilized and subsequent embryos developed to term comparable to controls. This technique provides an alternative method for oocyte collection and will be valuable for maximizing the number of oocytes from irreplaceable mice. (+info)
Alcohol consumption among veterinary surgeons in the UK.
(5/23)
The prevalence of bacterial contamination of surgical cold sterile solutions from community companion animal veterinary practices in southern Ontario.
(7/23)
Surgical cold sterile solutions are commonly used in veterinary practice, yet sterility cannot be verified under practical clinical conditions. Surgical cold sterile solutions were sampled and bacteria, including opportunistic pathogens, were recovered from 13% of the sampled solutions. Attempts to sterilize surgical instruments with cold sterile solutions should be avoided. (+info)
A case of facial deformity due to bilateral developmental maxillary cheek teeth displacement in an adult horse.
(8/23)
A 7-year-old mare presented with facial deformities associated with oral discomfort and weight loss was found to have bilateral, palatal, developmental displacements of the maxillary 08s, with secondary diastema. Following repulsion of both displaced teeth, the horse regained weight and resumed training. Bony deformities remained visible 9 mo after discharge. (+info)