Gina Pinchbeck

Background: Broodmares are at increased risk of gastrointestinal colic. However, colic risk factors specific to this population have not been investigated. Objective: To investigate horse‐ and management‐level risk factors for post‐partum colic in a cohort of Thoroughbred broodmares in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Study Design: Prospective, nested case–control study. Methods: Twenty‐nine Thoroughbred stud farms in the United Kingdom and Ireland were recruited, and 1044 mares were followed over the 2021 and/or 2022 foaling seasons. Data were collected on signalment, medical and management history for post‐partum colic mares and matched (3:1) controls. Multivariable analysis was conducted using conditional logistic regression. Results: Due to strong collinearity between days post‐partum and time spent stabled, two multivariable models were built. Days post‐partum (Model 1: OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.8–0.9; p < 0.001) and increasing hours stabled (Model 2: OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1–1.3; p < 0.001) were strongly associated with increased risk of post‐partum colic. Colic risk was highest immediately post‐partum, with reduction in likelihood of colic up to 50 days after foaling. NSAID use in the previous 28 days (Model 1: OR 6.2, 95% CI 2.0–65.5; Model 2: OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.1–15.0; p = 0.048) and a history of previous colic (Model 1: OR 7.4, 95% CI 1.2–7.9; Model 2: OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.7–17.1; p = 0.01) were also associated with increased colic risk. Calcium supplementation was associated with increased likelihood of post‐partum colic in Model 1 only (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.3–15.7; p = 0.04). Main Limitations: Mares comprised a small sub‐population of UK and Irish Thoroughbred broodmares. Pre‐partum colic was not investigated. Conclusions: Maximising turnout in post‐partum broodmares may reduce colic risk, immediately post‐partum and up to 50 days. Broodmares who have recently received NSAIDs, have a history of colic or are receiving a calcium‐based supplement may be at increased risk of post‐partum colic.

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a globally relevant public health priority requiring coordinated One Health responses. In recent years, the emergence of novel AMR phenotypes and increasing AMR trends in bacteria from companion animal and horses have become an apparent concern worldwide; nevertheless, limited national resistance monitoring programmes in Europe systematically collect and analyse data from companion animal and equine infections. In the UK, private veterinary microbiology diagnostic laboratories hold valuable AMR data, however, there is a lack of alignment in the methodologies used by diagnostic laboratories to generate these data. Gap Statement: Substantial knowledge gaps exist in the current landscape of veterinary microbiological diagnostic testing approaches for AMR in companion animals and horses. The VetCLIN AMR initiative aims to engage with UK veterinary diagnostic laboratories to capture methods used for generating routine antimicrobial susceptibility data which impacts on national AMR surveillance. Aim: To perform a UK-wide survey of veterinary laboratories processing companion animal and equine specimens evaluating the standard practices used for microbiology testing with a focus on AMR screening. Methodology: An online survey targeting veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the UK processing clinical specimens from companion animals and horses. Results: Twenty-one (n=21) UK veterinary microbiology laboratories responded, comprising commercial (10/21), university (7/21), and in-house veterinary practice/hospital laboratories (4/21). Methodological heterogeneity in bacterial identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), AMR detection and reporting was identified across UK veterinary laboratories. Overall, the laboratories’ preferred AST method was minimum inhibitory concentration (43%), with most of these using the VITEK-1/VITEK-2 system (52%). A combination of CLSI and EUCAST standards was most used by these laboratories (62%) for AST interpretation, with limited adoption of the lower clinical breakpoints for Enterobacterales (amoxicillin–clavulanic acid and fluoroquinolones). Detection of AMR mechanisms was focused on clinical guidance and phenotypes commonly encountered among companion and equine isolates, such as screening for methicillin resistance in staphylococci (95%) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-production in Enterobacterales (48%). Up to 30% of UK veterinary laboratories screened for carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. Detected AMR phenotypes are infrequently characterised or referred to reference laboratories and, in the case of carbapenem resistance, these are often not reported to clinicians. Conclusion: This study identified a variety of workflows used by veterinary diagnostic laboratories for bacterial identification, methodologies and interpretative criteria used for performing and reporting AST, as well as AMR screening approaches. Several gaps hindering national AMR surveillance in dogs, cats and horses in the UK have become evident. Strengthening surveillance capacity should prioritise consistent screening and characterisation of AMR mechanisms such as ESBL and carbapenemase production, to enable effective responses to AMR emergence and spread in companion animals and equine clinical infections.

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a globally relevant public health priority requiring coordinated One Health responses. In recent years, the emergence of novel AMR phenotypes and increasing AMR trends in bacteria from companion animal and horses have become an apparent concern worldwide; nevertheless, limited national resistance monitoring programmes in Europe systematically collect and analyse data from companion animal and equine infections. In the UK, private veterinary microbiology diagnostic laboratories hold valuable AMR data, however, there is a lack of alignment in the methodologies used by diagnostic laboratories to generate these data. Gap Statement: Substantial knowledge gaps exist in the current landscape of veterinary microbiological diagnostic testing approaches for AMR in companion animals and horses. The VetCLIN AMR initiative aims to engage with UK veterinary diagnostic laboratories to capture methods used for generating routine antimicrobial susceptibility data which impacts on national AMR surveillance. Aim: To perform a UK-wide survey of veterinary laboratories processing companion animal and equine specimens evaluating the standard practices used for microbiology testing with a focus on AMR screening. Methodology: An online survey targeting veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the UK processing clinical specimens from companion animals and horses. Results: Twenty-one (n=21) UK veterinary microbiology laboratories responded, comprising commercial (10/21), university (7/21), and in-house veterinary practice/hospital laboratories (4/21). Methodological heterogeneity in bacterial identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), AMR detection and reporting was identified across UK veterinary laboratories. Overall, the laboratories’ preferred AST method was minimum inhibitory concentration (43%), with most of these using the VITEK-1/VITEK-2 system (52%). A combination of CLSI and EUCAST standards was most used by these laboratories (62%) for AST interpretation, with limited adoption of the lower clinical breakpoints for Enterobacterales (amoxicillin–clavulanic acid and fluoroquinolones). Detection of AMR mechanisms was focused on clinical guidance and phenotypes commonly encountered among companion and equine isolates, such as screening for methicillin resistance in staphylococci (95%) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-production in Enterobacterales (48%). Up to 30% of UK veterinary laboratories screened for carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. Detected AMR phenotypes are infrequently characterised or referred to reference laboratories and, in the case of carbapenem resistance, these are often not reported to clinicians. Conclusion: This study identified a variety of workflows used by veterinary diagnostic laboratories for bacterial identification, methodologies and interpretative criteria used for performing and reporting AST, as well as AMR screening approaches. Several gaps hindering national AMR surveillance in dogs, cats and horses in the UK have become evident. Strengthening surveillance capacity should prioritise consistent screening and characterisation of AMR mechanisms such as ESBL and carbapenemase production, to enable effective responses to AMR emergence and spread in companion animals and equine clinical infections.

Background: While veterinary surgeons are known to have particularly high rates of injury compared to other sectors, little is known about rates of injury among veterinary students. This study aims to understand animal-related injury rates, injury context and mechanisms, attitudes to reporting injuries, and behaviour change among UK and Irish veterinary students. Methods: A survey was distributed to students across all veterinary schools operating in the UK and Ireland in 2021. Questions explored participants experience of injury through asking about their most recent and most severe injuries via quantitative and free-text questions. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and qualitative content analysis. Results: 533 responses were included in the analyses. Overall, 47.5% of students reported having been injured by an animal during the veterinary degree, 35.5% of students reported being injured within the last 12 months. Most recent injuries were caused by companion animals (38.0%), livestock (37.6%), and equids (23.5%). For their most severe injuries, 48.7% involved livestock, 28.7% companion animals, and 22.1% equids. The content analysis highlighted that students normalised injuries and infrequently reported injuries to the university. It was very rare for students to take time off from their studies or placements, due to course pressures. Conclusions: These findings reflect concerningly high levels of injury, which are being under-reported and reflect a culture of injury acceptance and expectation among students. Veterinary schools should consider lessons learnt in other work environments which have been successful in changing safety culture.

Salmonella was isolated from 23/79 (29.1%) gecko stool samples from households in southern Malawi. Whole genome sequencing of 47 isolates revealed 27 Salmonella serovars spanning two subspecies. Our results demonstrate that geckos play an important role in the carriage and potentially, transmission of Salmonella within households.

Human assessment of equine wellbeing is fundamental to ensuring the optimal care of domestic horses. However, terminology associated with wellbeing is still not fully defined and there are currently no validated quality of life (QoL) assessment tools. Furthermore, little is known about what equine wellbeing or QoL means to horse owners, or how their beliefs impact on the management decisions they make for their horse. This study sought to establish how UK leisure horse owners use wellbeing-related terminology by exploring their accounts within a focus group setting. Four online focus group discussions (FGD) were held and qualitative data were collected. FGDs involved a semi-structured discussion, followed by a group activity to compare seven equine wellbeing-related terms of interest introduced by the facilitator. The collected data were analysed using a constructivist grounded theory approach, and also by content analysis, to examine the frequency and subjective meaning of the terms of interest. The results showed that horse owners did not clearly delineate between different terms, rather, they used the terms in the context of their own assessments of their horse. The meanings assigned to what owners experienced with their horse were individual and subjective, shaped by past experiences, relationships with their animal, and peers or social groups. This individualised construction of equine wellbeing impacted on the meaning conveyed when using wellbeing-related terminology. In this study, we extend the literature on equine wellbeing terminology usage, and highlight differences between the academic literature and the real-world experiences of horse owners.