strategies | Horse Racing Free Tips

Many veterinarians feel pressured to be on call for their clients round the clock, especially if they're one of the only equine caretakers in the area. Vets are often called out for an after-hours “emergency” that turns out to be a non-life threatening situation that could have been resolved during normal business hours. That constant hustle is taking its toll on many veterinarians, so many are trying to provide guidance on how to reduce burnout.

EquiManagement suggests there are some ways to alleviate this near-constant pressure, including working for (or opening) a multi-doctor clinic or collaborating with other practices in the area to share the on-call burden. Young veterinarians are often eager to take on emergency cases and the sharing of the caseload offers older vets a unique opportunity to mentor younger colleagues.

Additionally, being forthcoming with clients about professional boundaries can assist vets in regaining a work-life balance. While discussing new “office hours” for an equine veterinarian may feel uncomfortable in an already-established practice, loyal clients often stay loyal – they just want to be kept in the loop. Offering customers alternatives should be a priority; this could be as simple as providing phone numbers for another veterinarian who is available for after-hours care. Adjusting the time in which a vet practices (which might include later openings and closings) is another option to remain available for clients, yet regain the opportunity for some down time.

The option to treat only equine emergencies is another possibility to avoid burnout. After-hours emergency care is often more financially lucrative than dealing only with cases seen during the day.

Seeking to educate owners on what a true emergency is can also go a long way to alleviating the possibility of burnout for veterinarians in general. An emergency situation is scary for many owners; reassuring clients that reaching out via text, email or phone call is always OK leaves them feeling less alone.

Read more at EquiManagement.

The post A Focused Strategy Needed To Prevent Veterinarian Burnout appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Vesicular stomatitis (VS) is a painful viral disease that causes lesions on the lips, tongue, muzzle, ears, udder, sheath or coronary bands of horses and other livestock. Though most horses recover from the virus on their own, some horses need supportive care to recover.

VS is endemic in southern Mexico and occasionally travels toward the United States. In 2019, 1,144 premises were affected in eight states: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. Thus far in 2020, premises in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas have been affected by the disease.

VS can be spread in two ways: through insect vectors and through direct contact with infected animals. To prevent either mode of transmission, increased biosecurity measures should be put in place. This includes implementing strategies to prevent contact of infected animals and contaminated items like feed troughs, tack and equipment.

Using fly spray, fly predators and other methods to control black flies and biting midges, which are known to carry the disease, is important to protect equines from VS. Biting midges love wet areas, so removing wet leaves and mud around troughs or ponds will help minimize potential habitat.

Though most insect activity occurs in warmer months, midges can be more cold-tolerant and spread the disease even in cooler months. It is not known if other insects can transmit the disease, so it's important to control insects on multiple levels, including premise, barn and animal level. This may include keeping horses inside at dusk and dawn or using fans to keep air moving; maintaining well-draining footing around water sources, mowing vegetation and reducing the use of bright lights at night, which attract insects.

Applying insecticides and repellents to animals that are outside is important, but they must be applied repeatedly to be effective. Fly masks, sheets and leg wraps can also be helpful, but must cover where VS lesions occur.

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Multi-pronged Approach To Insect Control Helps Minimize VS Risk