When asked to consider the core activities of a large animal practitioner, many would conjure up images of vets standing at the back end of a cow performing rectal palpation, or ultrasound for pregnancy diagnosis. However, the essential skill in any large animal practitioner's toolbox is the ability to perform a thorough and accurate clinical examination. This article discusses approaches to the ovine clinical examination, the nuances and differences expected for rams and neonates.

How to: ovine clinical examination

When asked to consider the core activities of a large animal practitioner, many would conjure up images of vets standing at the back end of a cow performing rectal palpation, or ultrasound for pregnancy diagnosis. However, the essential skill in any large animal practitioner's toolbox is the ability to perform a thorough and accurate clinical examination. This article discusses approaches to the ovine clinical examination, the nuances and differences expected for rams and neonates. 


 Clinical audits have been used in human healthcare for a long time, however, their use in the livestock sector is low, with very few examples in the literature. By using clinical audits to assess treatment procedures and outcomes, evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM) guidance can be drawn up to influence medication selection and usage. One of the key benefits of this is to help reduce antibiotic over-prescription and, influence the category of an antibiotic selected (using the European Medicines Agency categorisation of antibiotics).This case study will use an ovine caesarean section and assisted vaginal delivery (AVD) clinical audit (Charles and Stockton, 2022) as a case example. This case will also reference unpublished data assessing the impact of the 2022 audit recommendations which was discussed at the Sheep Veterinary Society Conference, 2023 (Charles, 2023b).
 
 
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Can Clinical Audit Influence the Actions of Farmers and Vets to Benefit Sheep Health and Welfare?

LivestockVol. 29, No. 1 EditorialImproving care for animals and clientsDavid CharlesDavid CharlesSearch for more papers by this authorDavid CharlesPublished Online:29 Jan 2024https://doi.org/10.12968/live.2024.29.1.5AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article References Allerton F, Russell J. Antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary medicine: a review of online resources. JAC Antimicrob Resist. 2023;5(3):dlad058. https://doi.org/10.1093/jacamr/dlad058 Crossref, Google ScholarCharles D, Stockton D. Ovine Caesarean sections and assisted vaginal deliveries: a clinical audit. Livestock. 2022;27(6): 282–287. https://doi.org/10.12968/live.2022.27.6.282 Link, Google ScholarRCVS Knowledge. Welcome to Farm Vet Champions, Learn. 2021. https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/amr/farm-vet-champions/ (accessed 20 December 2023) Google ScholarRCVS Knowledge. Resources, RCVS Knowledge. 2023. https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/quality-improvement/tools-andresources/ (accessed 20 December 2023) Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 2 January 2024Volume 29Issue 1 ISSN (print): 2053-0862ISSN (online): 2053-0870 Metrics History Published online 29 January 2024 Published in print 2 January 2024 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download 

Improving care for animals and clients

Obstetrical difficulties in sheep traditionally account for the majority of sheep veterinary work in the spring. Throughout the 2021–22 lambing season 21 practices provided data on assisted vaginal deliveries (lambings) and ovine Caesarean sections. Information including lamb presentation, medicines administered, surgical preparation, morbidity and mortality were all recorded with the aim of understanding the choices made by practitioners and any variation in outcomes, and to compare these to the existing literature to produce best practice advice to the group. 7-day survival rates were favourable (86.2% of ewes lambed and 94.8% of ewes undergoing Caesarean section). All ewes undergoing Caesarean section received meloxicam, however, wider variation in other medicines administered was recorded, alongside significant variation in surgical preparation techniques of both the patient and the surgeon. A series of safe operating procedures and information guides were produced relating to antibiotic selection (following European Medicines Agency guidance), local anaesthetic use in sheep and, performing the sacrococcygeal epidural. 

Ovine Caesarean sections and assisted vaginal deliveries: a clinical audit

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Ovine Caesarean sections and assisted vaginal deliveries: a clinical audit