The economic impact that registered veterinary technicians have on Ontario veterinary practices.

In Canada, registered veterinary technicians (RVTs) are highly trained, regulated professionals working as an integral part of the veterinary team, but there has been little work to quantify their impact on veterinary practices. The objectives of the study were to explore the utilization rates of RVTs and quantify the economic value that RVTs bring to veterinary practices in Ontario, Canada. An online survey was deployed to explore the function of RVTs and their non-credentialed counterparts in practices.

Correction: Evaluating the impact of meloxicam oral suspension administered at parturition on subsequent production, health, and culling in dairy cows: A randomized clinical field trial.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

A Pilot Study To Evaluate The Effect Of A Novel Calcium And Vitamin D-Containing Oral Bolus On Serum Calcium Levels In Holstein Dairy Cows Following Parturition.

Background: The initiation of lactation challenges the ability of the modern lactating cow to maintain calcium homeostasis, and typically results in a drop in blood calcium levels, leading to mobilization of calcium reserves from skeletal stores. As such, the recommendation to provide supplemental calcium at parturition to older cows has become an industry-standard practice.

Methods: Mature cows were treated at calving and 12 hrs later with either the novel calcium bolus (NB) or a commercially available calcium bolus (CB).

Evaluating the impact of meloxicam oral suspension administered at parturition on subsequent production, health, and culling in dairy cows: A randomized clinical field trial.

Parturition is a painful event experienced by cows at the onset of lactation. This pain could lead to a reduced feed intake, altered metabolic and immunological status, and a host of other diseases that could seriously limit her productive herd lifespan. The objective of the current study was to assess the effect of administration of a single dose of oral meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), on the production and health status of cows during their lactation.