Broiler farming and antibiotic use through an agency theory lens. A case study from West Bengal, India

Chicken meat (broiler) production is a rapidly growing livestock sector in India and one dominated by contract farming. Studies have reported high levels of antibiotic use in Indian broiler farms which is concerning given this is one of the driving forces for the development of antibiotic resistance. This study uses the economic lens of agency theory to examine strategic decisions which occur during contract broiler production and their potential impact on antibiotic use, using West Bengal as a case study. Agency theory focuses on the informational asymmetry and opportunism between service providers and seekers and the subsequent agency cost needed to avoid aberrant outcomes. Interviews were conducted with key informants (n=6) and stakeholders (n=20) associated with broiler production, and broiler farmers (17 contract and four non-contract), using online and face-to-face interviews. Data were analysed descriptively using manifest content analysis and interpretatively using reflexive thematic analysis. Contract farming in West Bengal exists within a series of inter-dependent relationships, many of which contain information asymmetry and can be subject to opportunism. Positioning contract companies as principals seeking labour from agents, we see how out-sourcing of production to distal farms leads to antibiotics being used as a risk mitigation strategy. This is further compounded by concerns about the Mycoplasma status of breeding stock resulting in use of antibiotics belonging to classes deemed critically important for human health. While antibiotic use decisions are predominately made by contract companies, they are dependent on the decisions farmers and breeding companies make concerning biosecurity and production practices. In turn, farmers’ decisions are shaped by factors such as access to financial and social capital. Thus, efforts to reduce antibiotic use in West Bengal’s broilers must not just focus on changing the behavior of individuals but more broadly consider the environment within which contracting exists

Clinical Value of Various Histological Factors in Cutaneous and Subcutaneous Mast Cell Tumors in 197 Dogs

Background: Many histological tests have been correlated with outcome in mast cell tumors (MCTs)in dogs, but their statisticalindependence is uncertain.Objective: To investigate the clinical value of histological factors in the prognostication of dogs with MCTs.Animals: One hundred and ninety-sevendogs with 199 histologically diagnosed cutaneous (n = 153) and subcutaneous (n = 43)MCTs treated surgically in primary care practice. All had a commercial prognostic panel performed (Patnaik and Kiupel grade,mitotic count, Ki67, AgNOR, KiAg, c-kitmutation in exons 8 and 11 and KIT localization).Methods: Retrospective cohort study identifying dogs from searching a commercial laboratory's records (January 2017–August2020). Follow-upwas collected from clinical records. Outcome measures included MCT specific survival (MSS) and recurrence.Results: Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression identified only mitotic count > 5 (HR 10.2; 95% CI 3.2–32.8; p < 0.001)predicted poorer MSS across all MCTs. In Patnaik grade I or II and Kiupel low-gradecutaneous MCTs, only c-kitmutation inexon 11 (HR 20.8; 95% CI 1.80–224.8; p = 0.015) predicted MSS. A c-kitmutation in exon 11 (HR 10.0; 95% CI 3.0–32.9; p < 0.001),age, and histological tumor free margins < 2 mm independently predicted cutaneous and subcutaneous MCT recurrence. InPatnaik grade I or II, and Kiupel low-gradecutaneous MCTs, c-kitmutation in exon 11 (HR 23.20; 95% CI 2.3–231.3; p = 0.007)and AgNOR (HR 13.73; 95% CI 1.6–115.6; p = 0.016) predicted MCT recurrence.Conclusion and Clinical Importance: This study suggests a comparatively greater role of c-kitmutations in exon 11 andAgNOR in the prognostication of MCTs, while Ki67 appears less important

Survey of cattle foot trimmer involvement in UK beef animal lameness

Background Cattle lameness is a significant welfare and economic problem facing the livestock industry, with published research investigating foot trimming practices on dairy herds. The objective of this convenience sample survey was to obtain information about current practices of professional cattle foot trimmers concerning beef cattle trimming within the United Kingdom. Methods An online survey was created using JISC, comprising sixteen questions, and was open for three months. Results There is a significant difference (p<0.05) between the proportion of dairy cattle receiving preventative foot trims in comparison to beef cattle. Digital dermatitis, followed by white line disease, is the most recorded cause of lameness when a lame beef animal is trimmed by the respondents. Thematic analysis of foot trimmer opinion of barriers to engagement on beef farms is presented, in addition to opinion of veterinary involvement with beef lameness. Limitations Distribution bias may have affected the results, as the survey was distributed online with support from the Cattle Hoof Care Standards Board and the National Association of Cattle Hoof Trimmers. The percentage of foot trimmers not affiliated to either professional body is not known, so it is unknown if the data analysed is affected by this. Conclusion Further research on the impact of lameness in suckler and finishing cattle is warranted, including investigations into preventative action to reduce lameness in beef systems

Hollow-fibre infection model: adaptations for the culture and assessment of fastidious organisms

The Hollow-fibre Infection Model (HFIM) is a valuable in vitro platform for emulating antimicrobial drug (AMD) pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles. Despite its potential, standardized protocols for HFIM operation, especially concerning fastidious organisms, are lacking. This study addresses this gap by examining challenges in culturing Pasteurella multocida and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, two fastidious organisms, in the HFIM.Our findings reveal effective strategies to prevent system clogging, involving multiple freeze-thaw cycles of horse blood, centrifugation, and cell straining to enhance the clarity of the Mueller-Hinton fastidious (MH-F) medium defined by the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) and Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Additionally, we demonstrate that the provision of a CO2 atmosphere, along with the utilization of gas-permeable tubing and gas vent filters, significantly facilitates the growth of fastidious organisms. Remarkably, both P. multocida and A. pleuropneumoniae were sustained for a period of up to 10 days under these optimized conditions.This study provides crucial insights into the modifications necessary to successfully culture fastidious organisms in the HFIM, paving the way for more accurate and representative in vitro models for antimicrobial drug testing. These advancements hold promise for advancing research in the field of antimicrobial pharmacokinetics and efficacy against challenging pathogens

Dental disease in companion rabbits under UK primary veterinary care: frequency and risk factors

Background-Some prior evidence has suggested rabbits with lop ear and brachycephalic skull conformations have higher dental disease risk. This retrospective cohort study reports the frequency and conformational risk factors for primary-care veterinary diagnosis with dental disease in companion rabbits in the UK. Methods-Anonymised VetCompass clinical records were manually reviewed to confirm dental disease cases. Risk factor analysis used multivariable binary logistic regression modelling. Results- From 161,979 rabbits under primary veterinary care in 2019, the one-year period prevalence of dental disease overall was 15.36% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.78-15.96). Prevalence of dental disease affecting incisors was 3.14% (95% CI: 2.87-3.44) and cheek teeth was 13.72% (95% CI: 13.17-14.29). Neither lop ear conformation or brachycephalic skull conformation were statistically significantly associated with increased odds of dental disease. Dental disease odds increased as age increased, and decreased as bodyweight increased. Limitations-This study retrospectively accessed clinical records, so true breed names may sometimes be imprecise. Conclusion- High overall prevalence highlights dental disease as a major welfare concern for all companion rabbits, regardless of conformation. This information can be used to encourage regular routine dental assessment of rabbits of all conformations to promote earlier diagnosis, paying particular attention to older rabbits, or those with low bodyweight

The Need for Recovery: An investigation into short-term work-related fatigue in veterinary nurses

Veterinary nursing is physically and emotionally demanding, putting veterinary nurses at risk of acute work-related fatigue, with potentially negative consequences including chronic occupational syndromes such as burnout. The Need for Recovery (NFR) scale measures inter-shift fatigue and the need to recuperate from this. The growing demand for veterinary services has increased research into retention and recruitment in the profession; whilst there has been improved recognition of the impact of burnout and compassion fatigue in recent years, few studies have investigated how short-term fatigue affects individuals and their intentions to leave the profession. An anonymous online survey open to all UK-based registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) was distributed via email and social media to investigate individuals’ work patterns, hobbies outside of work, opinions and intentions to remain in the veterinary profession over the next year. An English translation of the NFR scale was used to quantify short-term work-related fatigue. The median NFR score from 387 responses was 81.8, indicating high levels of work-related fatigue in this population. Long shifts, sole-charge work and overtime were associated with higher levels of fatigue. Having additional responsibilities and hobbies outside of work were associated with lower levels of fatigue. RVNs reporting more help and support at work, better work-life balance and higher levels of work enjoyment had lower NFR scores. Whilst intentions to leave the profession are multifactorial, increasing levels of fatigue were significantly correlated with intention to leave the profession, suggesting this is an important factor in the retention of RVNs

Impacts of Puppy Early Life Experiences, Puppy-Purchasing Practices, and Owner Characteristics on Owner-Reported Problem Behaviours in a UK Pandemic Puppies Cohort at 21 Months of Age

Problem behaviours are a leading cause of relinquishment and euthanasia of young dogs. Previous research has identified associations between owner-reported problem behaviours and risk factors, including how dogs were acquired as puppies, early socialisation experiences, and owners’ experience levels. Puppies acquired during the 2020 phase of the UK COVID-19 pandemic (“Pandemic Puppies”) were more likely to be exposed to many of these risk factors compared to puppies acquired in 2019; however, consequences for their adult behaviour are, as yet, unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the impact of these early-life and provenance-based risk factors, in addition to owner management strategies (including training methods) into early adulthood, upon adult dog behaviour aged 21 months. An online longitudinal cohort study of n = 985 Pandemic Puppies was conducted, recruited from a cohort of n = 4369 puppies originally surveyed in November–December 2020, which included data on how and why they were acquired and their socialisation/habituation experiences <16 weeks of age. Nearly all owners (96.7%) reported that their dog had exhibited at least one problem behaviour up to 21 months of age (median: 5; IQR: 3–7). Almost one third of dogs (30.9%) were reported to have displayed separation-related behaviours. Multivariable linear regression modelling revealed that owners reporting more problem behaviours were more likely to use multiple aversive training techniques (e.g., physical punishment), the use of which was notably high in this population (82.3%) compared to previous studies. Attendance at online puppy classes was the sole protective factor against owner use of aversive training methods. Almost one third of owners had underestimated how hard training their dog would be; this view was more likely among first-time owners. Urgent efforts are required to support this vulnerable population of dogs, including providing owner education regarding humane training techniques, to improve canine emotional health and avoid future relinquishment and/or behavioural euthanasia

Prevalence of Microbial Isolates Cultured from Endometrial Swab Samples Collected from United Kingdom Thoroughbred Mares from 2014 to 2020

Determining whether endometrial microbial isolates are pathogens, contaminants, or even part of the “normal” microbiome is extremely complex, particularly given the absence of “gold standard” tests for endometritis. Population-level benchmarking and temporal monitoring can provide novel insights and a wider context to improve understanding. This study aimed to (i) estimate the prevalence of endometrial isolates from swabs of Thoroughbred broodmares in Newmarket, UK between 2014 and 2020; and (ii) evaluate the effects of year, mare age, and cytology findings on isolate prevalence. Generalised linear mixed models with a logit link, both null models and models using year of sampling, mare age, or cytology findings as predictors, were fitted to estimate isolate prevalence. Over the 7-year period, data were available from 18,996 endometrial-swab samples from 6050 mares on 290 premises. The overall isolate prevalence was 35.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 33.0–37.9), and this varied significantly between years. The most prevalent isolates were β-hemolytic Streptococcus (17.9; 95% CI: 17–19) and E. coli (10.3%; 95% CI: 9.0–11.6). Isolate prevalence increased with mare age except for E. coli isolates, and with increasing category of cytology findings except for α-hemolytic Streptococcus isolates. The results provide novel estimates of isolate prevalence and highlight knowledge gaps around potential complexities in the interpretation of findings

'I want to be the sort of owner that he wants me to be': Rationales for biosecurity implementation among British horse owners

BackgroundHorse owners play a critical role in mitigating the risk of pathogen spread between horses. However, little is known about how they view biosecurity and whether they experience barriers to the uptake of preventive measures.ObjectivesTo explore horse owners' attitudes, perceptions, and experiences of biosecurity and identify how these factors shape horse owners' decisions for biosecurity implementation.Study designQualitative study using semi-structured interviews.MethodsInterviews were conducted with 23 horse owners across Great Britain. Participants were purposively selected to include those in different geographic regions, with different management arrangements, and varied length of horse ownership experience. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using a critical realist thematic analysis.ResultsParticipants felt a moral obligation to prioritise their horse's happiness, which became a challenge when certain biosecurity measures (e.g., quarantine) were perceived as compromising their horse's happiness or comfort (Theme 1). A lack of biosecurity was the social norm among shared yards and competition venues (Theme 2), which made it difficult for participants to implement biosecurity measures effectively on their own. Combined with the sense of moral obligation participants felt towards their horse, this meant that participants had to 'care double' (i.e., be more vigilant than they would otherwise) to compensate for collective inaction (Theme 3).Main limitationsParticipants may have been more interested in and/or knowledgeable about biosecurity than the general horse owning population.ConclusionsThe findings highlight several challenges that could be addressed to improve biosecurity implementation among horse owners. Efforts to encourage improved uptake of biosecurity measures should focus on communicating how reducing the risk of disease aligns with horse care. Further research on social norms in the horse industry is needed, in addition to identifying strategies to encourage a collective adoption of biosecurity measures