The use of bipolar electrosurgical forceps for haemostasis in open surgical ovariectomy of bitches and queens and castration of dogs

Objectives

To describe a technique using bipolar electrosurgical forceps for haemostasis during open ovariectomy of bitches and queens and for castration of dogs and to determine whether these forceps reduced surgical time compared to ligation with suture.

Materials and Methods

Bipolar electrosurgical forceps were used for haemostasis in 3744 open surgeries including ovariectomies in bitches (n=1406) and queens (n=859) and castrations in dogs (n=1335). The forceps were also used to assist with ovariohysterectomy in bitches (n=89) and queens (n=55). The effect of bipolar electrocoagulation and other likely factors influencing surgical time was examined using linear regression analysis of 367 surgeries.

Results

The use of the forceps reduced surgical time by 9·7 ±2·8 minutes in bitches and by 3·0 ±1·5 minutes in queens. The complications encountered initially were small superficial skin burns requiring topical treatment and one case of haemorrhage associated with surgical technique.

Clinical Significance

Bipolar electrosurgical forceps reduce surgical time in ovariectomies, and complications are rare. This technique has promise for widespread application in veterinary practice to assist with haemostasis in ovariectomy of bitches and queens.     

Castration of calves: a survey among Swiss suckler beef farmers

In fall 2004, a survey of a representative sample of 1185 Swiss suckler beef farmers was carried out by questionnaire (return rate 51.9%). 32.7% of the respondents castrated their calves without the help of a veterinarian, 37.8% mandated a veterinarian to carry out the castrations and 29.4% did not castrate their bull calves at all. On average, 8 calves were castrated per farm and year at an average age of 7 days when the castration was carried out by a farmer or 34 days when the castration was carried out by a veterinarian. Almost all farmers castrated their calves with the rubber ring, and a majority considered no other method as feasible. 73.9% of the veterinarians used the Burdizzo technique, 14.9% applied rubber rings, and 11.2% performed a surgical procedure. 22.6% of the farmers and 85.4% of the veterinarians used sedation; local anaesthesia was performed in 32.1% of the castrations carried out by farmers and in 84.5% of the castrations carried out by veterinarians. 65.7% of the farmers were concerned by the change of the Swiss Animal Protection Ordinance (2001), when pain relief became mandatory. 47.6% of these farmers changed their castration routine: 53.1% now mandated a veterinarian, 33.0% used sedation or local anaesthesia and 8.9% abandoned castration of their calves. 59.8% of the farmers intended to participate in a future course for laymen, to study and train the technique of local anaesthesia for castration. Castration of their calves is for many suckler beef farmers an inevitable husbandry procedure. The political goal, that all calves shall be castrated with local anaesthesia can only be reached when livestock owners are informed about the distress caused by the castration and convinced of the benefit of the local anaesthesia.Veterinarians are important information carriers in this process. The implementation also produces work, be it the more complex castration procedure or the education of the farmers who want to carry out the local anaesthesia themselves.     

Delegation of castration of calves and lambs to the livestock owner: internet survey of members of the Swiss Association for Ruminant Medicine

According to the Swiss Federal law on animal protection and welfare, painful manipulations in animals have to be performed by a veterinarian under local or general anaesthesia, except for some specifically listed surgical interventions (article 65 of the by-law on animal protection). On September 1, 2001, castration of calves and lambs has been deleted from this list of exceptions. Since then, several pressure groups have requested these interventions to be delegated to the producers for economical reasons. The current article describes the results of a web-based survey on this subject, conducted among the members of the Swiss Association of ruminant practitioners (SARP). Two separate questionnaires--one focused on calves and one on lambs--were made available to the members of the SARP for a duration of 3 months as pdf-files on the homepage of the SARP (www.svwasmr.ch). On December 31, 2002, the deadline for submission of the completed questionnaires, the membership of the SARP was constituted of 360 practicing veterinarians. The response rate was 25%. Close to a hundred percents of the responding veterinarians expressed the expectation that the SARP publish guidelines on the castration of calves and lambs. An overwhelming majority refused the delegation of castrations to the producers, and further stated that they were not ready to accept any responsibility for interventions performed by the producers. However, a third of the responding veterinarians judged the expected workload for the castration of lambs to presumably exceed their current capacity. It is concluded from the results of this survey that the board of the SARP should urgently elaborate, discuss, and propose novel and innovative concepts to solve the issue of castration of calves and lambs.     

Diagnosis, surgical treatment, and performance after unilateral castration in breeding bulls: 21 cases (1989-1999)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate signalment, surgical treatment, postoperative complications, and future breeding success or semen production in a group of bulls with naturally occurring disease of the scrotum or testis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 21 bulls that underwent unilateral castration after evaluation for scrotal swelling. PROCEDURE: A computer-assisted search of medical records at 2 veterinary teaching hospitals was performed. Historical, diagnostic, surgical, and follow-up data were collected and analyzed for those bulls with scrotal swelling that underwent unilateral castration. RESULTS: Four of 5 pasture breeding bulls and 9 of 10 semen collection-center bulls successfully bred cows or produced viable semen within 6 months of surgery. Fourteen of 21 surgical procedures were performed after induction of general anesthesia. Sixty-six percent of procedures were performed as open castrations. Seventy-one percent of bulls developed postoperative complications, most of which were mild swellings. Unilateral castration returned 13 of 15 bulls with unilateral disease of the scrotum or testis to productive service by 6 months after surgery. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Unilateral castration is an effective treatment for unilateral disease of the,scrotum or testis in bulls, allowing return to reproductive function.     

Comparison of the use of a braided multifilament transfixation suture for field castration with other castration techniques

Complications with castrations occur commonly and are usually not life-threatening, with the exception of evisceration or haemorrhage, which are uncommon. Primary closure castration (closing deeper tissue layers and skin) or use of a transfixation ligature alone to prevent evisceration has been recommended. The goal of this study was to investigate the use of a closed technique with multifilament suture for transfixation of the spermatic cord alone in field castrations. The results of this study support our hypothesis that a closed castration technique with a multifilament, transfixing ligature (No. 2 polyglactin 910) did not result in additional post-operative complications when compared with a closed castration technique without ligature placement or a primary closure castration technique in a hospital setting.     

Survey of how different groups of veterinarians manage the use of neuromuscular blocking agents in anesthetized dogs

Objective

To analyze practice habits associated with the use, reversal and monitoring of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) in dogs by different groups of veterinarians.

Comparison of post-operative inflammatory response in horses undergoing elective castration treated preoperatively with ceftiofur crystalline free acid or procaine penicillin G

Castration is among the most common surgical procedures performed in the horse (Equus Caballus) and a variety of post-operative complications can occur. This study aims to determine if a single dose of long-acting ceftiofur crystalline free acid (CCFA) used as a preoperative antimicrobial in equine field castrations offers any reduction in post-operative inflammatory markers when compared to procaine penicillin G (PPG). Sixty-five horses aged 8 months to 2 years were randomly assigned to the CCFA (n = 33) or PPG (n = 32) treatment groups. Horses were castrated under general anaesthesia using a closed castration technique with removal of the median raphe. Quantitative and qualitative inflammatory markers were measured and short-term complications were recorded post-operatively on Days 3, 8 and 14. No clinically significant difference in any post-operative inflammatory markers between the CCFA and PPG group was detected. In the CCFA group, 48% of horses experienced short-term post-operative complications compared to 31% in the PPG group. Regardless of the preoperative treatment, castration induced significant elevation in serum amyloid A (P<0.0001), preputial oedema (P<0.0001) and scrotal oedema (P<0.0001) at Day 3. These values returned to baseline levels by Day 8. Horses with grade 3 or above preputial oedema had elevated serum amyloid A values (P<0.001). The data from this study indicate CCFA used as a preoperative antibiotic for routine castration offers no advantages over PPG. The difference in complication rate between groups is likely of minimal clinical importance, as all complications were mild and self-limiting.     

Changing incidence of bovine babesiosis in Ireland

Background

In Ireland bovine babesiosis is caused by the tick-borne blood parasite, Babesia divergens. A survey of veterinary practitioners and farmers in the 1980’s revealed an annual incidence of 1.7% associated with considerable economic losses. However, two subsequent surveys in the 1990’s indicated a decline in clinical babesiosis. Recent evidence from continental Europe suggests that, probably due to climate change, the distribution of the tick vector of B. divergens, Ixodes ricinus is extending to more northerly regions and higher altitudes. In addition, milder winters are thought to widen the window of tick activity.In order to determine whether any such changes have affected the incidence of bovine babesiosis in Ireland, a questionnaire survey of farmers and veterinarians was carried out and compared with data from previous surveys.

Results

Our survey indicates that while the incidence of clinical disease has continued to decline, cases can occur at any time of year. In contrast to previous surveys, affected farms were the same size as unaffected ones. There was no correlation between disease risk and the presence of deer on the land. Disease severity and mortality rates were increased because many infections were advanced by the time they were detected and treated.

Conclusion

While the precise reasons for the decline in the incidence of redwater are unknown, changes in agricultural practice are likely to be of importance. A reversal of the trend could be devastating, as vigilance among farmers and veterinarians is flagging and the national herd is losing its protective immunity to disease.     

Effect of local anaesthesia and/or analgesia on pain responses induced by piglet castration

Background

Surgical castration in male piglets is painful and methods that reduce this pain are requested. This study evaluated the effect of local anaesthesia and analgesia on vocal, physiological and behavioural responses during and after castration. A second purpose was to evaluate if herdsmen can effectively administer anaesthesia.

Methods

Four male piglets in each of 141 litters in five herds were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: castration without local anaesthesia or analgesia (C, controls), analgesia (M, meloxicam), local anaesthesia (L, lidocaine), or both local anaesthesia and analgesia (LM). Lidocaine (L, LM) was injected at least three minutes before castration and meloxicam (M, LM) was injected after castration. During castration, vocalisation was measured and resistance movements judged. Behaviour observations were carried out on the castration day and the following day. The day after castration, castration wounds were ranked, ear and skin temperature was measured, and blood samples were collected for analysis of acute phase protein Serum Amyloid A concentration (SAA). Piglets were weighed on the castration day and at three weeks of age. Sickness treatments and mortality were recorded until three weeks of age.

Results

Piglets castrated with lidocaine produced calls with lower intensity (p < 0.001) and less resistance movements (p < 0.001) during castration. Piglets that were given meloxicam displayed less pain-related behaviour (huddled up, spasms, rump-scratching, stiffness and prostrated) on both the castration day (p = 0.06, n.s.) and the following day (p = 0.02). Controls had less swollen wounds compared to piglets assigned to treatments M, L and LM (p < 0.001). The proportion of piglets with high SAA concentration (over threshold values 200, 400 mg/l) was higher (p = 0.005; p = 0.05) for C + L compared to M + LM. Ear temperature was higher (p < 0.01) for controls compared to L and LM. There were no significant treatment effects for skin temperature, weight gain, sickness treatments or mortality.

Conclusions

The study concludes that lidocaine reduced pain during castration and that meloxicam reduced pain after castration. The study also concludes that the herdsmen were able to administer local anaesthesia effectively.     

Surveyed attitudes, perceptions and practices in Norway regarding the use of local anaesthesia in piglet castration

The last two years piglet castration in Norway has been performed by veterinarians and with the use of anaesthesia. In order to evaluate this new policy, veterinarians and pig producers were asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding their experiences with the new castration practices. The answers showed that the piglets were most often castrated using a combination of subcutaneous and intratesticular administration of lidocaine with adrenaline at an average age of 10 days. The effect of the anaesthesia was regarded as good by 54% of the veterinarians and 19% of the producers. Post-operative complications were rare. The overall evaluation showed that two-thirds of the veterinarians, but only one-third of the pig producers were satisfied or very satisfied with the implemented policy. However, while two-thirds of the pig producer had a negative attitude to the policy before it was implemented, only one-third were dissatisfied after two years experience.     

Current attitudes to,and use of,peri-operative analgesia in dogs and cats by veterinarians in New Zealand

AIM: To investigate the attitudes of veterinary practitioners in New Zealand to pain and analgesia, and their use of analgesic drugs, in dogs and cats.

METHODS: A questionnaire posted to 1,200 practising veterinarians was used to gather information about the use of analgesia in dogs and cats, assessment of pain, attitudes to pain relief, analgesic drugs and procedures used, factors affecting choice of analgesic agent, and veterinary demographics, continuing education and staffing.

RESULTS: Three hundred and twenty questionnaires with useable data were returned, a response rate of 28%. Male and female veterinarians were evenly represented. The analgesic agents most commonly used were morphine (opioids) and carprofen (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; NSAID). Use of peri-operative pain relief ranged from 50% for castration of cats to 91% for fracture repair in dogs. For most procedures, female veterinarians scored pain at a significantly higher level than their male colleagues. Fifty-eight percent of respondents considered their knowledge in the area of assessment and treatment of pain was adequate.

CONCLUSIONS: This survey was considered representative of veterinarians working in companion animal practice in New Zealand. Results indicated a relatively high use of peri-operative analgesia, including both pre-emptive and multi-modal analge- sia, in cats and dogs, although there was still some disparity between the perception of how painful a procedure was and the consequent use of pain relief.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The establishment of current attitudes and practices indicates to practising veterinarians how their own use of analgesics compares with that of their colleagues. It also provides information to educators on potential areas of focus, given that 42% of respondents felt their knowledge in the area of assessment and treatment of pain was inadequate.     

Costs and complications of equine castration: a UK practice-based study comparing 'standing nonsutured' and 'recumbent sutured' techniques

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Clinicians are often asked to guide owners and trainers over the relative advantages and disadvantages of equine castration performed in either the standing horse with an open unsutured scrotal wound with healing by second intention, or a recumbent horse under general anaesthesia in aseptic conditions, with sutured scrotal skin allowing primary wound closure. OBJECTIVES: To identify types and frequency of complications following the 2 differing approaches, and to compare the financial cost associated with each procedure, based on practice charges. METHODS: Veterinary expenses of 217 horses castrated by a Newmarket equine veterinary practice over an 18-month period were analysed. Of these, Group 1 (n = 121) were castrated standing and nonsutured by one of 2 ambulatory clinicians and Group 2 (n = 96) castrated in recumbency, in aseptic equine hospital conditions. RESULTS: Group 1 had a complication prevalence of 22% with no mortalities, and Group 2 a significantly lower complication prevalence of 6% (P = 0.001) with a mortality rate of 1%. The financial cost of Group 1, without complications, was approximately one-third of the cost of uncomplicated Group 2. However, the cost of Group 1 with complications increased to approximately two-thirds of the cost of an uncomplicated Group 2 castration. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the complication prevalence for Group 1 castrations leaving an open scrotal wound was significantly higher than for a recumbent horse with a sutured scrotal wound in a hospital, the average cost of Group 1 was still less, even taking into account the additional follow-up costs associated with treating such complications. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: This report provides a benchmark for the outcome of 2 methods of castration based on a database obtained from particular circumstances within the practice involved. Further studies are required to corroborate and take into account future development in surgical and anaesthetic techniques.     

Modified rib pivot lateral thoracotomy: a case series

Objective

To describe a modified rib pivot thoracotomy and its clinical application in client‐owned dogs and cats.

Study design

Case series of 24 dogs and 1 cat requiring a thoracotomy.

Methods

A lateral thoracic incision over the required thoracic segment was made. The latissimus dorsi muscle was reflected dorsally. The predetermined rib was identified and the periosteum overlying the rib was elevated circumferentially, avoiding the intercostal neurovascular structures. Holes were pre‐placed above and below the proposed osteotomy site. The rib was osteotomised and pivoted cranially. The pleura was incised and the required intrathoracic procedure was then performed. The thoracic cavity was closed by pre‐placement of a suture through the pre‐placed holes within the osteotomised rib. The pleura and intercostal musculature were closed, avoiding the intercostal neurovascular structures. The rib was re‐apposed and the lateral approach was closed. The cases included were reviewed for both the rib pivoted as per the procedure required and postoperative complications.

Results

The study group comprised 8 Staffordshire Bull Terriers, 2 Poodles, 2 German Shepherd Dogs, 1 each of Basset Hound, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Golden Retriever, Australian Shepherd, Vizsla, Bull Mastiff, Schnauzer, Jack Russell Terrier, Bulldog, Deerhound, Labrador Retriever and Australian Terrier, and 1 cat. A modified rib pivot thoracotomy was performed for lung lobectomy (n = 11), oesophagectomy (7), subtotal pericardectomy (5), patent ductus arteriosus ligation (1) and thoracic duct ligation (1). Follow‐up ranged from 2 to 40 weeks postoperatively. Postoperative complications included seroma formation in two dogs.

Conclusion

A modified rib pivot thoracotomy should be considered as an alternative lateral thoracic approach with good exposure, minimal complications and low morbidity.     

Evaluation of dog owners' perceptions concerning radiation therapy

Background

External radiation therapy (RT) has been available for small animals in Sweden since 2006. This study was designed to obtain information on owner experiences and perceptions related to RT of cancer in their dogs. Another survey was used to determine the attitudes about use of RT in a group of Swedish veterinarians. Their responses were analyzed and compared to their level of knowledge of oncology and RT.

Methods

Owners of all dogs (n = 23) who had undergone RT for malignancy at Jönköping Small Animal Hospital between March 2006 to September 2007 were interviewed. A questionnaire was given to a selected group of veterinarians.

Results

All 23 owners responded. All owners thought that their dog did well during RT and most that their dog was also fine during the following phase when acute RT-related skin reactions occur and heal. Three owners stated that their dog had pain that negatively impacted quality of life because of radiation dermatitis. Five owners reported that RT positively impacted quality of life of the dog during the first weeks after RT because palliation was achieved. The owners were not disturbed by the efforts required of them. All but one owner (22 of 23) stated that they would make the same decision about RT again if a similar situation occurred. The most important factor for this decision was the chance to delay occurrence of tumour-related discomfort. The chance for cure was of less importance but still essential, followed by expected side effects. Time commitments, travel, number of treatments required and financial cost; all had low impact. The veterinarian survey showed that less background knowledge of small animal oncology/RT was associated with more negative expectations of RT for small animals.

Conclusion

The results show that for these owners, RT was a worthwhile treatment modality and that the discomfort for the dog was manageable and acceptable relative to the benefits. Improved continuing education about small animal RT in Sweden will likely result in increased evidence-based and positive treatment recommendations concerning RT by veterinarians.     

Castration of lambs: a welfare comparison of different castration techniques in lambs over 10 weeks of age

Seventy male lambs over 10 weeks of age were castrated using Burdizzo, rubber rings, or surgery to assess the acute and long-term effects of castration. All castrations were performed under local anaesthesia. The surgically castrated lambs were additionally sedated with xylazine and the sedation reversed with tolazoline. The frequency of abnormal postures and immediate behavioural responses indicated that surgically castrated lambs were most distressed; the lambs castrated using Burdizzo and rubber rings were not dissimilar to those of the control group. Between 1.5 and 9 h after castration, signs of pain and distress were at a lower level in lambs anaesthetised with bupivacaine compared with those treated with lidocaine. Due to the markedly faster wound healing, Burdizzo castration seemed to be preferable (fewer signs of long-term pain) when compared to the rubber ring technique. It was concluded that local anaesthesia with bupivacaine, followed by the Burdizzo method is the preferable technique for the castration of lambs older than 10 weeks of age.     

Veterinary attitudes towards pre-pubertal gonadectomy of cats: a comparison of samples from New Zealand,Australia and the United Kingdom

AIM: To compare the attitudes and practices of a sample of veterinarians in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom (UK) towards pre-pubertal gonadectomy of cats.

METHODS: Respondents' demographics were gathered using an electronic questionnaire distributed via professional veterinary associations in the target countries, as were minimum age at gonadectomy and typical age of puberty. Desirability of prepubertal gonadectomy was gauged using three response categories (‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘sometimes’), respondents were then able to justify the response given. Two-way Analyses of Variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc Tukey HSD tests were used to test whether there were differences in minimum ages for gonadectomy within and between countries and between providers and non-providers of services to pounds (or animal welfare centres). Views on the desirability of prepubertal gonadectomy relative to demographics were explored using a Likelihood Ratio Test.

RESULTS: The survey received 717 responses. Most respondents believed pre-pubertal gonadectomy was either entirely or ‘sometimes’ desirable (556/621), few thought it was undesirable (65/621). Minimum age at gonadectomy was significantly affected by country surveyed and provision or non-provision of services for pounds. Post hoc Tukey HSD analysis indicated the mean age of both spaying and castration (4.3 months) in the UK was significantly different from both Australia (spaying: 3.4 months, castration: 3.2 months) and New Zealand (spaying: 3.4 months, castration: 3.2 months) (all p<0.001). Mean ages at spaying and castration were also significantly different (p= 0.008; p= 0.019, respectively) for non-providers (spaying: 3.9 months, castration: 3.8 months) of services to pounds when compared to providers (spaying and castration: both 3.6 months).

Likelihood Ratio Tests indicated significant effects amongst countries and between genders relative to the desirability of pre- pubertal gonadectomy. Respondents from the UK were more likely to answer ‘no’ (p = 0.004) or ‘sometimes’ (p = 0.050) as compared to those from New Zealand or Australia. Females were more likely to respond with ‘sometimes’ as opposed to ‘yes’ than males. Reasons for considering pre-pubertal gonadectomy desirable or sometimes desirable focussed on reducing unwanted pregnancies and improving population control, as well as improving rates of adoption, owner compliance and cat behaviour and health.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In general, pre-pubertal gonadectomy is considered a desirable procedure by those practitioners that responded to the survey. However age at which any such procedure occurs differs depending upon a number of factors. Differences among countries may relate to the specific veterinary association's guidelines or possibly differences in social discourse which affect perception of cats. There is substantial overlap between the reported minimum age of gonadectomy and the age at which cats can enter early puberty, allowing a window for unintentional pregnancy when pre-pubertal gonadectomy does not occur.     

Intratesticular and incisional line infiltration with ropivacaine for castration in medetomidine–butorphanol–midazolam sedated dogs

Objective

To evaluate whether intratesticular and incisional ropivacaine infiltration produces sufficient intra- and postoperative analgesia for castrating dogs under sedation.

A cross-sectional survey on wounds in horses in New Zealand

AIM: To determine the frequency and type of skin wounds encountered by New Zealand veterinarians in their equine patients, the duration and estimated costs of treatment as well as the expected outcomes for these wounds.

METHODS: An online survey was sent to all veterinarians registered with the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association. The survey comprised questions on the location and experience of respondents, the number of wound-related cases in relation to the total equine caseload, the type and anatomical location of wounds treated, the frequency, duration and costs of treatments, the outcome of wound treatment and an estimate of the most common causes of death or euthanasia in their equine patients.

RESULTS: The survey response rate was 110/262 (41.9%). The median number of equine cases seen by respondents was 20 (interquartile range (IQR) 6–60) per month; of these, five (IQR 2–10) were wound related. Wounds ranked third after lameness and respiratory disease for the relative frequency with which respondents encountered them. Of 102 respondents 59 (58%) reported that their clients frequently treated wounds incurred by their horse without consulting a veterinarian. Wounds on the distal limb, whether involving only the skin or also deeper structures, were reported by 86/101 (85%) respondents as the most frequently encountered. Wounds in this location also incurred the longest treatment period and were the most prone to develop complications. Finally, wounds ranked second, after colic, as the most common cause of death/euthanasia in the veterinary respondents’ equine patients.

CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained via the survey indicate that skin wounds, particularly on the distal limb, are a common occurrence in horses in New Zealand and, when they involve structures underlying the skin, are costly and time-consuming to manage and may lead to decreased performance, retirement or euthanasia. Consequently, we recommend that more effort be devoted to the education of equine veterinarians and owners, and that appropriate research funds be allocated to help improve patient outcomes.     

Evaluation of farmers’ diagnostic performance for detection of diarrhoea in nursery pigs using digital pictures of faecal pools

Background

Overconsumption of antibiotics in the pig industry is of concern in relation to antimicrobial resistance. False positive disease diagnosis may result in the treatment of healthy animals. In Denmark, diarrhoea is the most common cause of antibiotic treatment in pigs. Farm personnel are not professional clinicians, which could result in inappropriate antibiotic treatments of diarrhoea.The primary objectives of this pilot study using digital pictures of faecal pools was to evaluate farmers’ diagnostic performance in the assessment of faecal consistency in nursery pigs and to investigate the effect of different co-variables, including practical experience. A secondary objective was to compare the diagnostic performance of farmers with that of veterinarians.At a pig congress, observers (farm personnel and veterinarians) working professionally with pigs participated in a faecal consistency test consisting of 16 pictures of faecal pools (eight diarrhoeic and eight non-diarrhoeic). The faecal pools had previously been collected and subjected to faecal dry matter determination. The true status of the faecal pools was determined by the faecal dry matter content (diarrhoea: faecal dry matter ≤ 18%). The true status was used to evaluate the farmers’ and veterinarians’ diagnostic performance.

Results

A total of 119 farmers and 18 veterinarians were included in the statistical analysis. For the farmers, the mean proportion of faecal pools assessed as diarrhoeic was 0.48, the mean proportion of correctly classified faecal pools was 0.84, the mean diagnostic sensitivity was 0.83 and the mean diagnostic specificity was 0.86. Farmers with less than four years of practical experience detected clinical diarrhoea more accurately than farmers with more than four years of practical experience (p < 0.05). No significantly differences between farmers and veterinarians was observed (p > 0.20).

Conclusions

The results, using digital pictures of faecal pools, suggest that farmers and veterinarians have similar diagnostic performance in relation to diarrhoea. False positive classification of non-diarrhoeic pigs appears to be a larger problem than false negative classification of diarrhoeic pigs under Danish conditions. If these results can be confirmed under practical conditions, training in, and validation of, clinical diagnoses may be an important factor in reducing antibiotic consumption in the pig industry.