OBJECTIVE To determine complication rates associated with sutureless scrotal castration (SLSC) performed in a large number of pediatric and juvenile dogs and investigate whether procedure duration differed from that of traditional prescrotal castration (TPSC). DESIGN Prospective case series and clinical trial. ANIMALS 400 shelter-owned dogs that underwent SLSC and 18 shelter-owned dogs that underwent TPSC between 2 and 5 months of age. PROCEDURES In the first phase of the study, SLSC was performed for 400 dogs, which were monitored for ≥ 24 hours after surgery to identify surgery-related complications such as hemorrhage, signs of pain, self-trauma, swelling, and dermatitis at the incision site. In the second phase, the durations of 18 SLSC and 18 TPSC procedures were measured and compared. RESULTS No hemorrhage-related complications were identified in any dog during SLSC in the first phase. Complications were all minor and self-limiting and included peri-incisional dermatitis (9/400 [2.3%]), skin bruising (4/400 [1.0%]), and swelling (1/400 [0.3%]). No self-trauma was observed for any dog, nor did any dog require additional analgesic treatment after surgery. Procedure duration was significantly briefer for SLSC (mean ± SD, 1.0 ± 0.2 minutes) than for TPSC (3.5 ± 0.4 minutes). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that SLSC as evaluated was safe and significantly faster than TPSC when performed in healthy 2- to 5-month-old dogs. The SLSC technique has the potential to improve morbidity and mortality rates as well as financial costs associated with castration, particularly in high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter programs.
Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine offers comprehensive training in shelter medicine to veterinary students based on a set of core job skills identified by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians. In 2012, this program began teaching online distance education courses to students and practicing veterinarians worldwide who sought additional training in this newly recognized specialty area. Distance learning is a novel educational strategy in veterinary medicine; most instruction at veterinary medical schools is classroom based. No previous studies have shown whether online courses can prepare veterinarians to practice shelter medicine. In this study, we investigated how an online, graduate-level course titled "Shelter Animal Physical Health" changed student self-reported confidence. First, we compared pre-course confidence regarding eight specific shelter medical practice scenarios to post-course confidence through statistical analysis. Quantitative analysis showed a significant (p<.001) increase in self-reported confidence for all eight scenarios. Next, we used open coding to identify themes within reflection papers that students were asked to write during the course and used those findings to corroborate or refute the quantitative results. Qualitative analysis of students' reflection papers identified six themes: confidence, communication, population management, outbreak management, medical care, and application. The results of this study show that distance education can be an effective method of preparing veterinarians and veterinary students to practice shelter medicine.
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