Abstract: Granulomatous colitis in French Bulldogs

Winner, Cases and Abstracts category
Alison Manchester, Cornell University

GRANULOMATOUS COLITIS IN FRENCH BULLDOGS IS ASSOCIATED WITH INVASIVE E. COLI AND CLINICAL RESPONSE TO FLUOROQUINOLONE ANTIBIOTICS.

A Manchester1, S Hill2, B Sabatino3, R Armentano4, B Kessler1, M Miller1, B Dogan1, SP McDonough1, KW Simpson1. 1. College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. 2. Veterinary Specialty Hospital, San Diego, CA. 3. College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. 4. College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

   French bulldogs have been reported to develop a form of inflammatory bowel disease that is histopathologically similar to granulomatous colitis of Boxer dogs (GCB). GCB is associated with mucosally invasive E. coli, whose eradication correlates with clinical remission. We sought to determine the clinical features, presence or absence of intramucosal bacteria and E. coli in colonic biopsies, and response to fluoroquinolone antibiotics in French bulldogs with GC.
 FISH staining to identify multifocal accumulations of intramucosal E. coli in colonic biopsies
   Five French bulldogs (4M, 1F; median age 10mo, range 5-12mo) with a histological diagnosis of GC were studied. Bacterial colonization was evaluated using eubacterial (EUB-338) and E. coli-specific FISH probes. E. coli were isolated and antimicrobial resistance was determined by broth microdilution MIC from available fresh biopsies. Response to fluoroquinolone antibiotics was determined by monitoring clinical signs.

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Should we incorporate ourselves?

Corporations and private investors are becoming a growing part of veterinary medicine.  What are the advantages and disadvantages of increasing numbers of corporate owned veterinary clinics? What are your experiences with this type of system, and will you or are you considering getting involved in corporate veterinary medicine in the future?  Why or why not?

Winner, Forum category
Becky Lee, UC Davis

 “Don’t work for them if you can help it.” This was advice I received from a vet working at one of the large corporate-owned veterinary hospitals. For some veterinarians, the reputation of these corporations can be dismal. In my personal experience, working for these corporations in the summers during vet school and on externships, I feel I’ve gained a general understanding of the pros and cons.  Although I try to keep an open mind, I have seen sides of the corporate behemoths that would make me think very carefully before signing a contract.

    I must admit that the compensation from some of these companies is very appealing, and the benefits they offer help keep our industry standards high. In some ways, I am grateful. This is important to us as students with our colossal loan debt. Of course, money is not the bottom line for us; otherwise, we would all be working on Wall Street or managing hedge funds instead of being vets and treating hedgehogs.  

    Large corporate-owned practices also have an abundance of resources. There is consistency in staff training and likely similar technology available between practices. If you are out of heartworm tests, you can drive over to your neighboring corporate location and borrow a few. Or if you have a staff member out sick, it’s probably easier to find a back-up technician as a substitute compared to working at a single, independently-owned practice. I also have to admit that I think wellness plans can be a good thing and encourage preventative medicine, so long as these plans are not rammed down the client’s throats, and the pets aren’t receiving unnecessary services.  Fortunately, I think the medical services provided with these plans have improved over the past few years. Lyme vaccine and tonometry, anyone?

However, despite the ample resources these corporations have, one issue that left a negative impression with me was the pressure to sell. “Were you sure to offer the wellness plan?  Did the receptionist, nurse and doctor all offer the plan to the client? Why aren’t you getting people to sign up for these wellness plans?” Questions like these were emphasized and re-emphasized by regional directors in their visits to the hospitals. In my opinion, the pressure to sell was much stronger in corporate veterinary medicine than compared to the independently-owned practices where I’ve worked.

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Relationships

Winner, Life as a Vet Student category
Sharon Ostermann, UC Davis

Dating in vet school is a hot topic! Not so much because it is terribly exciting but rather because vet school seems to be overwhelmingly dominated by heterosexual women which presents a challenge for many people looking to date. Yet, gender and sexual orientation aside, forming new relationships, romantic or otherwise, revolves around the same basic principle – branching out.

Not long ago, I met up with a future vet student and she asked me, “So what’s dating like in vet school?”

Hmmm…

I wasn’t really sure what to say.
Don’t get me wrong, there are people who have started relationships in vet school, both with other vet students as well as with people outside of vet school, but, for the most part, people who came into vet school single remained single for much of first year. But that’s not to say that’s how it has to be. It is possible to date or start a relationship during vet school; it’s just slightly more difficult given time constraints and the demanding curriculum that vet school entails. That is why, in my opinion, having a friend or partner who is aware and understanding of the demands of your course load is imperative, above and beyond any other traits. I also believe that a person who can support you and keep you focused on your work as opposed to constantly distracting you from it is crucial.

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Experiences: Parawild African wildlife management course

Winner, Experiences category
Bradley Venable, Auburn University '14

Do you know just how adventurous the veterinary profession can be? Full of twists and turns, some of which you could never be prepared for.  Our profession provides a world of opportunity waiting for you to take advantage of it. I definitely didn’t anticipate the story I am about to tell you.

The minute I signed up for the Parawild African Wildlife management course at Western Kentucky University, I knew I was in for a treat. I was set for a month long stay at various locations throughout South Africa, which involved capturing and relocating wild game for conservation purposes. Just about 22 hours of flights put this small town Kentucky boy in a daze. I was exhausted but exhilarated to be working with leopards, kudu, elephants, giraffes, and impala among othWorking on a kudu.ers including the infamous zebra. Throughout the course of the trip we were given crash courses on darting, animal behavior, conservation biology, anesthesia, and animal restraint. None of which could ever prepare me for what was to happen. It was our last day at the Phelwanna game lounge and it was absolutely perfect. The winter sun was glaring and the wind was just enough to provide relief but not quite strong enough to reveal our ninja like movements. That day, our mission was to capture three zebra and relocate them via horse trailer. We had successfully immobilized and loaded up the first two targets by means of an M99 cocktail and were administering the reversal to the third when it happened in a flash. One second I stood firmly on two feet; the next, I was flat on my back on the dry South African soil. In shock, I was left to wonder if I had signed up for this kind of adventure.

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