Cross-sectional survey of rural and nonrural veterinarians indicates similarities in intent to stay or leave practice and differences in community attachment and satisfaction.

Objective: The primary objective was to identify veterinary workforce characteristics and factors contributing to staying in or leaving a veterinary practice. A secondary objective was to compare workforce characteristics and factors related to retention between survey respondents working in rural versus nonrural areas.

Methods: Veterinarians were surveyed via a questionnaire distributed with the use of a state veterinary medical association listserv or veterinary program alumni listserv from February 2022 to January 2023 and social media postings on X (formerly known as Twitter) and Facebook in April 2022.

Implementing Competency-Based Veterinary Education: A Survey of AAVMC Member Institutions on Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategies for Success.

Competency-based education is increasingly being adopted across the health professions. A model for competency-based education in veterinary medicine was recently developed by a working group of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) and is being used in institutions worldwide. The purpose of this study was to gather information on progress in and barriers to implementing competency-based education (including use of the AAVMC competency-based veterinary education [CBVE] Model) by AAVMC member schools to inform the development of strategies to support institutions in successful implementation of the CBVE Model.

Equine gamma herpesvirus presence and viral load are not associated with equine glandular gastric disease.

Objective: To investigate the role of equine herpesvirus-2 (EHV-2) and equine herpesvirus-5 (EHV-5) in equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) by visualizing and quantifying these gamma herpesviruses in EGGD-affected and normal glandular gastric mucosa of horses. A secondary objective was to describe the histopathological abnormalities in the equine gastric glandular mucosa in horses with EGGD.

Animals: 29 horses (n = 21 postmortem and 8 gastroscopy) categorized as normal (11), EGGD (12), or both EGGD and equine squamous gastric disease (6).

Field study examining the mucosal microbiome in equine glandular gastric disease.

Equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) is a common disease among athletic horses that can negatively impact health and performance. The pathophysiology of this EGGD remains poorly understood. Previous studies using controlled populations of horses identified differences in the gastric glandular mucosal microbiome associated with disease.

Characterization of gastrointestinal inflammatory cell type in equine glandular gastric disease.

Objective: To compare small intestinal inflammation with gastric inflammation in horses with and without equine gastric glandular disease (EGGD), we evaluated endoscopic, macroscopic, and microscopic findings of the glandular stomach and microscopic findings of the small intestine.

Animals: 36 horses.

Methods: Horses underwent endoscopy and were scored for EGGD.

BEVA primary care clinical guidelines: Diagnosis and management of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.

Background: Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is a prevalent, age-related chronic disorder in equids. Diagnosis of PPID can be challenging because of its broad spectrum of clinical presentations and disparate published diagnostic criteria, and there are limited available treatment options.

Objectives: To develop evidence-based primary care guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of equine PPID based on the available literature.

Dietary and management factors influence the equine gastric microbiome.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize the relationship of diet and management factors with the glandular gastric mucosal microbiome. We hypothesize that the gastric mucosal microbial community is influenced by diet and management factors. Our specific objective is to characterize the gastric mucosal microbiome in relation to these factors.

Teaching veterinary surgical skills: Comparison of massed versus spaced instruction.

Objective: To determine the effect of massed instruction (MI) versus spaced instruction (SI) of veterinary surgical skills on students' cognitive load and skill retention.

Study Design: Prospective randomized cohort study STUDY POPULATION: First-year veterinary students from Louisiana State University (LSU; n = 47) and Lincoln Memorial University (LMU; n = 101).

Methods: Students were randomized to MI (two skills in a single session of twice the duration) or SI (one skill per session on two consecutive days).

Approaches to endocrinopathic laminitis in the field: Results of a survey of veterinary practitioners in North America.

Endocrinopathic laminitis is the most common cause of laminitis in the field. Insulin has recently been implicated as a key factor in development of endocrinopathic laminitis; however, it is unclear whether diagnostic, and treatment approaches reflect insights derived from recent research. This study sought to evaluate North American veterinary practitioners' approach to endocrinopathic laminitis in the field.

Building Clinical Skills Teaching Materials: A Study of Cognitive Task Analysis Versus Free Recall Instruction to Teach Canine Indirect Ophthalmoscopy.

Ophthalmoscopy is a core component of a complete ophthalmic examination. Due to its complex technical aspects and patients becoming uncooperative if the procedure is prolonged, it can be a difficult skill for a novice to learn and develop proficiency in. Skills instruction is typically provided by subject matter experts (SMEs) through free recall without an agreed-upon instructional framework.

Gastric microbiome in horses with and without equine glandular gastric disease.

Background: The role of the gastric microbiome in development or persistence of equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) remains to be investigated.

Hypothesis/objectives: The objective was to characterize the glandular mucosal and gastric fluid microbiomes of horses with and without EGGD. It was hypothesized that differences in the mucosal microbiome are associated with EGGD.

Development of and Validity Evidence for a Canine Ocular Model for Training Novice Veterinary Students to Perform a Fundic Examination.

Indirect fundoscopy is challenging for novice learners, as patients are often intolerant of the procedure, impeding development of proficiency. To address this, we developed a canine ocular simulator that we hypothesized would improve student learning compared to live dogs. Six board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists and 19 second-year veterinary students (novices) performed an indirect fundic examination on the model and live dog.

Impact of concurrent treatment with omeprazole on phenylbutazone-induced equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS).

Background: Phenylbutazone is commonly prescribed for treatment of various painful or inflammatory disorders in horses, but is associated with gastrointestinal (GI) adverse effects. Anecdotally, many practitioners prescribe omeprazole concurrently with phenylbutazone to reduce development of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS), but the efficacy and safety of this practice remains unknown.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of omeprazole on phenylbutazone-induced equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) and equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD).

Equine glandular gastric disease: prevalence, impact and management strategies.

Equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) is an increasingly recognized disease of the glandular mucosa of the equine stomach. Diagnosis is confirmed by gastric endoscopy and scored based upon one of several different endoscopic scoring systems. Prevalence appears to be variable, depending upon breed and discipline.

Comparison of the glucose and insulin responses of horses to 2 formulations of corn syrup.

The objectives of this study were to compare the insulin and glucose responses of horses to 2 formulations of corn syrup, [Karo Light (Karo) available in the United States, and Crown Lily White (Crown), available in Canada]. Horses were evaluated under both fed ( = 14) and fasted ( = 10) conditions. Using a randomized crossover design, each horse underwent an oral sugar test using Karo or Crown syrup.

Prevalence of and risk factors for equine glandular and squamous gastric disease in polo horses.

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence rates and risk factors for equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) and equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) in a population of 63 polo horses in competition. The prevalence of EGGD grade ≥ 1 was 69% and EGGD ≥ 2 was 31%. The prevalence of ESGD grade ≥ 1 was 54% and grade ≥ 2 was 37%.

Comparison of two methods for measurement of equine adrenocorticotropin.

Accurate measurement of equine adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) is important for the diagnosis of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Several radioimmunoassays (RIAs) and chemiluminescent immunoassays (CIAs) are used for measurement of ACTH concentration in horses; whether these methods yield similar results across a range of concentrations is not determined. We evaluated agreement between a commercial RIA and CIA.

Comparative efficacy of oral meloxicam and phenylbutazone in 2 experimental pain models in the horse.

The efficacy of oral phenylbutazone [PBZ; 4.4 mg/kg body weight (BW), q12h], a non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and oral meloxicam (MXM; 0.6 mg/kg BW, q24h), a COX-2 selective NSAID, were evaluated in 2 experimental pain models in horses: the adjustable heart bar shoe (HBS) model, primarily representative of mechanical pain, and the lipopolysaccharide-induced synovitis (SYN) model, primarily representative of inflammatory pain.

Relationship of skeletal muscle inflammation with obesity and obesity-associated hyperinsulinemia in horses.

Local (skeletal muscle and adipose) and systemic inflammation are implicated in the development of obesity-associated insulin resistance in humans. In horses, obesity is neither strongly nor consistently associated with systemic inflammation. The role of skeletal muscle inflammation in the development of insulin dysregulation (insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia) remains to be determined.

Relationship of oxidative stress in skeletal muscle with obesity and obesity-associated hyperinsulinemia in horses.

In horses, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance (insulin dysregulation) are associated with the development of laminitis. Although obesity is associated with insulin dysregulation, the mechanism of obesity-associated insulin dysregulation remains to be established. We hypothesized that oxidative stress in skeletal muscle is associated with obesity-associated hyperinsulinemia in horses.

Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of 2 meloxicam oral dosage formulations in healthy adult horses.

Meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is approved for use in horses in several countries, but an equine formulation is not available in North America. However, meloxicam is being used in an extra-label manner in horses in Canada. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to assess the bioequivalence of an approved oral meloxicam suspension (Metacam 15 mg/mL for horses; Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmBH, Ingelheim, Germany) from the European Union with human meloxicam tablets (Meloxicam 15 mg tablets; TEVA Canada, Toronto, Ontario) compounded with molasses to improve palatability and administration.

Comparison of two methods for measurement of equine insulin.

Diagnosis of equine hyperinsulinemia requires an accurate method for quantification of equine insulin concentrations. The objectives of the current study were to compare 2 commercially available techniques for measurement of equine insulin, the radioimmunoassay (RIA) and chemiluminescent immunoassay (CIA). Recovery was poor for both assays, but worse for the CIA.