The Clinical Investigation - Thesis Example

Zoonotic Disease This article focuses on collaborative efforts at various levels that would yield a better understanding of how zoonotic disease agents increase their range of hosts. These efforts, would give rise to development of effective control and prevention strategies. The collaborative efforts are between vets, physicians, public health officials and researchers. The article focuses on collaborations at three levels which include at the individual level, population level, and the comparative medicine level. At the individual level, concerns are on the individuals who are in close contact with animals e.g. pet owners and animal handlers. At the population level the concern is on the general population and outbreaks occurring within the human or animal populations. At the level of comparative medicine focus is on collaborative efforts between the physicians, vets and other stakeholders. Kahn, Laura. “Confronting Zoonosis, Linking Human and Veterinary Medicine.” Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases 12.4 (2006): 556-561. Web http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/12/4/05-0956_article.htm 2. Euthanasia This article focuses on the interactions between the bereaved pet owners and veterinarians. It focuses on managing the emotions of the bereaved pet owners in time when they are faced with the difficult decision to make. Many pet owners are often attached to their pets and when the time comes to make a radical decision, they often have difficulty in making the decision. The negotiations and emotional management work is undertaken by a group of professionals who help the client come to terms with the impact of the limited options that they have. In doing so, they facilitate a timely decision making while at the same time minimizing the impact of the actions on the pet owner. Morris, Patricia. “Managing Pet Owners’ Guilt and Grief in Veterinary Euthanasia Encounters.” Journal of Contemporary Ethnography 41.2 (2012): Web. http://jce.sagepub.com/content/early/2012/03/14/0891241611435099.abstract?rss =1 3. Legal Issues This particular article focuses on the issues that pertain to the reporting of cases involving mistreatment of animals. In pursuing this issue, the article seeks to get legal definitions of certain terms often used when referring to a case of mistreatment. Such terms include abuse, and cruelty to animals. Many veterinarians encounter issues that relate to mistreatment of animals and find it difficult to report such cases for lack of a legal framework that clearly defines what would be termed as an abuse to animals or cruelty. The absence of this legal framework gives rise to none reporting of cases of animal mistreatment. Patronek, Gary. “Issues for Veterinarians in Recognizing and reporting Animal Neglect and Abuse.” Society and Animals 5.3 (1997): Web http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/brill/saa/1997/00000005/00000003/art00 008 4. Humane Societies This article focuses on the colonies of feral cats whose population is on the increase and a concern is raised on the potential effect of these cats on the ecosystem. The cats are predators and destroy certain forms of wildlife and in the process destroying the ecosystem. Various methods have been explored by the author of the article and the legal ramifications of each of the methods critically reviewed. Such methods like trap and kill have been critically assessed as opposed to trap neuter return method and vice versa. The article also focuses on the pitfalls that lay within the law itself and the impact it has had on the cat population. LaCroix, Anthony. Detailed discussion of Feral cats Population Control. Michigan State University. 2006. http://www.animallaw.info/articles/ddusferalcats.htm 5. Veterinary Technician Specialty Issues The article outlines the effect of various anticoagulants on the pets. These drugs are used to kill rodents in different areas of the house. The dogs and cats may ingest these agents and get intoxicated. This article outlines the mode of action of these agents, and how to handle a case of an animal that has ingested the agent. The article includes symptoms that an animal displays e.g. lethargy, anorexia, mucus membrane paleness and dyspnea. It gives various treatment options available for the sick animals e.g. blood transfusion, chest tap etc. It also provides critical information on how to care for animals that have ingested the agents e.g. vitamin supplementation, and exercise restriction. Moorman, Margaret. Rodenticides-Now more Toxic to Pests and Pets. Veterinary Technician 23.1 (2002). http://www.aspcapro.org/animal-poison-control-center-articles.php#vettech 6. Emergency Veterinary Issues The article reports on a prospective observational clinical investigation that was conducted on 32 adult horses which were undergoing exploratory celiotomy. It focuses on the changes in bile acid, blood ammonia triglyceride, bilirubin, concentration of glucose and activities of liver enzymes in the perioperative colic patients. It then demonstrates the association between these laboratory findings with the short term survival of the animal patient. The study defined short term survival as being able to survive till discharge. Analysis of blood samples that had been obtained at 24-36 hours and 72-84 hours postoperatively, revealed alterations in hepatobiliary function and metabolism in the colic patients. Underwood, Claire, Southwood Louise, Walton, Raquel, and Johnson, Amy. “Hepatic and Metabolic Changes in Surgical Colic Patients: A Pilot Study.”Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care 20.6 (2010): 578-586. Web. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1476-4431.2010.00597.x/abstract 7. Equine/Large Animal medicine Issues The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect that the antiulcer drugs have on the development of neonatal foal diarrhea. The study involved 1710 foals which were in 6 different hospitals. The use of the anti-ulcer drugs on these foals was noted and recorded. The investigators examined in hospital acquired cases of diarrhea, neonatal sepsis salmonellosis and diarrhea associated with Cl. Perfringens. Based on the findings, the investigators concluded that the use of anti-ulcer drugs in hospitalized foals increased the odds of diarrhea developing and may fail to reduce the cases of gastric ulcerations in the hospitalized neonates. Furr, M, et al. “Treatment with Histamine-type 2 Receptor Antagonists and Omeprazole Increases the Risk of Diarrhea in Neonatal Foals Treated in Intensive Care Units.” Equine Veterinary Journal 44.s41, (2012): 80-86.Web. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00499.x/full 8. Exotic Animal Medicine The article focuses on analysis of the urine and blood sample of rabbits and pints out the significance of such findings or results. It sheds light on how the laboratory results of the rabbit can be interpreted and then the information used in decision making in terms of the next course action. The article focuses on certain hematological parameters like the red blood cell count (RBCC), the (WBCC) white blood cell counts which reveal the body’s response to foreign agents. Liver function tests and the interpretation of these results are also explored in this article. The article also covers serological tests performed to detect certain bacteria have been incorporated into the article and the significance of serum protein electrophoresis in developing an understanding of disorders associated with proteins emphasized. Melillo, Alesssandro. “Rabbit Clinical Pathology.” Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine, 18.3 (2007): 135-145. Web. http://www.exoticpetmedicine.com/article/S1557-5063%2807%2900085- 7/abstract 9. Veterinary Research FDA/USDA This article focuses on the models both traditional and new that are used in the study of listeriosis. It also focuses on how these models can be used in the interpretation of current data and the design of future studies. It outlines the challenges that researchers are faced with while conducting research on listeriosis. Animal models have often been used in the past in studying the pathophysiology of listeriosis and emerging information is casting doubt the validity of the findings due to the species differences. The article is a review of current models used in conducting research on listeriosis. It focuses on models in humans and animals and looks at how the information obtained from these models can be used to devise better models for listeriosis research in the future. Hoelzer, Karin, Pouillot, Regis, Dennis, sherri. “Animal Models of Listeriosis: A comparative Review of the Current State of the Art and Lessons Learned.” Veterinary Research 43.18 (2011): 1-55. Web. http://www.veterinaryresearch.org/content/43/1/18/abstract 10. Management Principles The author of the article focuses on the most important management principles that a veterinarian needs. The principles are derived from the author’s extensive work with veterinarians. The articles lists some ten management principles which include the creation and updating of a business plan, use technology e.g. computers, monitor the progress towards goal achievement and quantify it, have a good service concept, offer a wide range of services, appraise employee’s performance, have staff meetings regularly, have the staff empowered, and invest in both self and employees. Mathew, Brent. “Ten Key Principles of Veterinary Management.”Canadian Veterinary Journal 36.1 (1995): 51-54. Web. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1686366/ 11. Client Communication This article focuses on some of the areas that veterinarians need to change in order to improve their communication with clients and in effect retain them. The article suggests that the veterinarian has to have a great start. The vet should open the conversation with a handshake and smile. The vet has to try and connect with the client and present the right body language that will encourage the client to give more information. The article emphasizes the importance of correct communication because this allows the vet to present the treatment plan well and explain the invoice with ease. Most importantly effective communication allows the vet to attract and retain the customers to his practice. Myers, Wendy. Is your hand on your Heart or Balled into a Fist? Communication Solutions for Veterinarians. 2008. http://www.csvets.com/library/is_your_hand_on_your_heart_or_balled_into_a_fis t.pdf Read More