André Vrins

Comparison of efficacy and safety of paste formulations of firocoxib and phenylbutazone in horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE To compare efficacy and safety of paste formulations of firocoxib and phenylbutazone in horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. DESIGN Randomized controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS 253 client-owned horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. PROCEDURES Horses were treated with firocoxib (0.1 mg/kg [0.045 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h) or phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg [2 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h) for 14 days. Physical examinations and lameness evaluations were performed prior to treatment and after 7 and 14 days. Clinical improvement was defined as a reduction of at least 1 lameness grade or a combined reduction of at least 3 points in scores for pain during manipulation or palpation, joint swelling, joint circumference, and range of motion. RESULTS Proportion of horses clinically improved on day 14 for the firocoxib group (104/123 [84.6%]) was not significantly different from the proportion for the phenylbutazone group (103/119 [86.6%]). Proportion of horses that were improved on day 14 was significantly greater for horses treated with firocoxib than for horses treated with phenylbutazone with regard to score for pain on manipulation or palpation (P = 0.028), joint circumference score (P = 0.026), and range of motion score (P = 0.012), but not for overall lameness score or joint swelling score. No direct treatment-related adverse effects were detected during the study. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that overall clinical efficacy of a paste formulation of firocoxib in horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis was comparable to efficacy of a paste formulation of phenylbutazone.

Effect of using an audience response system on learning environment, motivation and long-term retention, during case-discussions in a large group of undergraduate veterinary clinical pharmacology students.

Background: Teaching methods that provide an opportunity for individual engagement and focussed feedback are required to create an active learning environment for case-based teaching in large groups. Aims: A prospective observational controlled study was conducted to evaluate whether the use of an audience response system (ARS) would promote an active learning environment during case-based discussions in large groups, have an impact on student motivation and improve long-term retention. Methods: Group A (N = 83) participated in large group case discussions where student participation was voluntary, while for group B (N = 86) an ARS was used. Data collection methods included student and teacher surveys, student focus group interviews, independent observations and 1-year post-course testing. Results: Results indicated that the use of an ARS provided an active learning environment during case-based discussions in large groups by favouring engagement, observation and critical reflection and by increasing student and teacher motivation. Although final exam results were significantly improved in group B, long-term retention was not significantly different between groups. Conclusions: It was concluded that ARS use significantly improved the learning experience associated with case-based discussions in a large group of undergraduate students.

Evaluation of variations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in horses with recurrent airway obstruction

OBJECTIVE To determine variations in cytologic counts of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid attributable to month of collection, first and second aliquots, and left and right lung sites in horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO). ANIMALS 5 horses with RAO and 5 healthy horses without respiratory tract disease. PROCEDURES Horses were housed in a stable for 5 months prior to and throughout the study. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected from the right and left lung of each horse 3 times at monthly intervals (February, March, and April). Each BAL fluid collection was performed by use of 2 incremental instillations of 250 mL of isotonic saline (0.9% NaCl) solution in the same bronchial site. Analysis of BAL fluid included volume of BAL fluid recovered, a CBC, and differential cytologic counts. RESULTS Volume of BAL fluid recovered and cytologic counts did not differ in horses with RAO across time or between right and left lungs, except for the number of mast cells. Horses with RAO had significantly lower volumes of BAL fluid recovered, significantly lower percentages of macrophages and lymphocytes, and significantly higher percentages of neutrophils than did healthy horses. Despite individual variation, all horses with RAO had > 25% neutrophils throughout the study period. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Despite variation among horses, BAL fluid cytologic counts were repeatable over short and long periods and samples can be used for longitudinal studies as a diagnostic tool of pulmonary inflammation in horses with RAO.

The Importance of Knowledge, Skills, and Attitude Attributes for Veterinarians in Clinical and Non-clinical Fields of Practice: A Survey of Licensed Veterinarians in Quebec, Canada

To improve content validity and the pertinence of outcome assessment tools used for the undergraduate Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at the University of Montreals Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, a survey of members of the Quebec veterinary association was conducted. This survey aimed to determine the importance of a list of 71 attributes-categorized as knowledge, general skills, specific skills, and attitudes-for clinical and non-clinical types of professional activities. The results indicated that all basic knowledge components, general skills, and attitudes were equally important for all types of veterinary professional activities, while the importance of specific skills was significantly different for clinical practice and non-clinical fields. It was therefore proposed that outcomes assessment surveys of stakeholders, such as alumni and employers, be analyzed separately for each type of career option.

Respiratory and metabolic effects of massive administration of isotonic saline solution in heaves-affected and control horses

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY It has been suggested that rapid administration of isotonic saline solution relieves airway obstruction in heaves-affected horses, but the efficacy and tolerability of this treatment is poorly documented. OBJECTIVES To determine the respiratory and metabolic effects of a rapid administration of isotonic saline solution in control horses and those with heaves. METHODS Thirty litres isotonic saline solution were administered i.v. to 5 control (Group C) and 9 heaves-affected horses (Group H). Pulmonary function testing and arterial blood gas analysis were performed prior to saline infusion, at 90 and 180 mins after starting the infusion, and 1, 3, 6 and 10 days later. PCV, plasma total solids, plasma electrolytes (Na+, Cl- and K+) and venous blood gas analysis were performed prior, during and after saline infusion. RESULTS Rapid saline administration was shown to have no beneficial effects on lung function during infusion in Group H. On the contrary, they had significantly increased pulmonary resistance (RL) at 180 mins following the initiation of saline administration compared to baseline. In Group C, saline administration resulted in a significant increase in RL at 180 mins and a significant decrease in PaO2 at 90 mins. These results suggest a transient decrement in lung function caused by rapid saline administration. Group H had a metabolic alkalosis with hypochloraemia at baseline compared to control horses. This resolved following i.v. saline administration and returned to baseline within 6 h after treatment had been discontinued. CONCLUSION The administration of saline to Group H did not improve airway function significantly, but resulted in mild and transient side effects. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE Rapid administration of isotonic saline alone is not an effective therapy for heaves in horses.

Use of Alumni and Employer Surveys for Internal Quality Assurance of the DVM Program at the University of Montreal

Annual alumni and employer surveys, initially designed as outcomes assessment tools, were integrated into a new internal quality assurance strategy to improve the doctor of veterinary medicine program at the University of Montreals Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire. Data collected annually from the classes of 2004-2007 indicated that alumni and their employers were generally satisfied with their level of preparation after one year of professional activity. Specific weaknesses were found in non-technical skills such as communication and resource management. These data were used in support of other forms of feedback to guide curricular reform.