2024 analysis of compensation, job duties, and benefits among US shelter medicine veterinarians.

Objective: To understand the salary, benefits, hours, and job duties of shelter medicine veterinarians.

Methods: Similar to a 2018 survey, an anonymous survey on compensation and duties of shelter medicine veterinarians was conducted via a commercial platform from January 4 to 31, 2024. The survey was distributed through social media, message boards, and specialty listservs.

Determinants of Salary for Veterinarians Employed in the Field of Shelter Medicine in the United States.

Despite recent growth in the field of shelter medicine, there is a paucity of wage data available. Understanding determinants of salary is helpful for new graduates deciding on a career path as well as employees and employers with regard to budgeting, professional development, and negotiations. An anonymous online survey was distributed via commercial survey platform to shelter veterinarians.

Surveys of Salary, Benefits, and Job Responsibilities for Veterinarians Employed in the Field of Shelter Medicine in the United States Conducted in 2011 and 2018.

According to American Veterinary Medical Association statistics, veterinarians employed in the not-for-profit sector account for the smallest group by type of employment. However, this group has experienced the greatest amount of change, with an increase of 52% between 2008 and 2013 and 55% between 2013 and 2018. Despite this growth, there has been a paucity of information regarding the salary, benefits, hours, and job duties that come with a career in shelter medicine.

Evaluation of a Community's Risk for Canine Parvovirus and Distemper Using Antibody Testing and GIS Mapping of Animal Shelter Intakes.

This cross-sectional study aimed to identify where dogs with negative antibody tests to canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine distemper virus (CDV) originated when entering a community shelter, using a commercially available ELISA antibody test and Geographic Information Systems mapping. Of 2745 canines entering during a three-month period, 1056 test results were obtained. Dogs or puppies weighing over 2 lb were eligible if they could be humanely, nonchemically restrained for phlebotomy.

Evolution of the hemagglutinin gene of H3N8 canine influenza virus in dogs.

With the widespread use of a recently developed canine influenza virus (CIV) H3N8 vaccine, continual molecular evaluation of circulating CIVs is necessary for monitoring antigenic drift. The aim of this project was to further describe the genetic evolution of CIV, as well as determine any genetic variation within potential antigenic regions that might result in antigenic drift. To this end, the hemagglutinin gene of 19 CIV isolates from dogs residing in Colorado, New York, and South Carolina humane shelters was sequenced and compared to CIV strains isolated during 2003-2012.

Evaluation of virus isolation, one-step real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay, and two rapid influenza diagnostic tests for detecting canine Influenza A virus H3N8 shedding in dogs.

Sustained transmission of canine Influenza A virus (CIV) H3N8 among U.S. dogs underscores the threat influenza continues to pose to canine health.

A survey of North American shelter practices relating to feline upper respiratory management.

An internet-based survey was conducted to determine common strategies for control of feline upper respiratory infections (URI) in animal shelters. Two hundred and fifty-eight North American shelters responded, representing a spectrum of 57% private non-profit, 27% municipal and 16% combined private non-profit-municipal shelters. All but nine shelters reported having a regular relationship with a veterinarian, 53% had full-time veterinarians and 62% indicated full-time (non-veterinarian) medical staff.

A lifesaving model: teaching advanced procedures on shelter animals in a tertiary care facility.

It is estimated that there are over 5 million homeless animals in the United States. While the veterinary profession continues to evolve in advanced specialty disciplines, animal shelters in every community lack resources for basic care. Concurrently, veterinary students, interns, and residents have less opportunity for practical primary and secondary veterinary care experiences in tertiary-care institutions that focus on specialty training.

Evaluation of pradofloxacin for the treatment of feline rhinitis.

Forty humane society cats with suspected bacterial upper respiratory infections (URIs) were studied in order to compare amoxycillin and pradofloxacin for treatment of rhinitis and describe common pathogens. Nasal discharges were collected prior to random placement into one of three treatment groups. Cats failing to initially respond were crossed to the alternate drug.

Efficacy of amoxycillin and azithromycin for the empirical treatment of shelter cats with suspected bacterial upper respiratory infections.

Thirty-one cats showing clinical signs of upper respiratory tract disease with a presumed bacterial component based on clinical signs were administered either amoxycillin or azithromycin to determine which drug protocol was optimal for empirical use. A clinical score was determined and nasal and pharyngeal swabs were collected for bacterial culture, virus isolation and polymerase chain reaction prior to the start of therapy. Cats failing to respond to the initial antibiotic were then administered the other drug.

Prevalence of selected infectious organisms and comparison of two anatomic sampling sites in shelter cats with upper respiratory tract disease.

In order to describe the isolation rates of potential pathogens and to compare anatomic sampling site suitability, nasal and pharyngeal swabs were taken from cats with acute clinical upper respiratory disease in a humane society. DNA of feline herpesvirus-1 was amplified from 51 of 52 cats sampled, Mycoplasma species were cultured or detected by PCR in samples from 34 of 42 cats sampled for both culture and PCR, and Bordetella bronchiseptica was isolated from three of 59 cats sampled for aerobic culture. A single swab was positive for calicivirus and no swabs were positive for Chlamydophila felis.