S urgery can be a lucrative field for veterinarians, but the specialty can also be demanding and stressful. Although surgical principles may not differ among species or practice types, related daily activities and career outcomes and achievements may differ greatly among veterinary surgeons. Specific and practical information about surgeons' experiences may be helpful for veterinarians considering a career in surgery, negotiating contracts, and considering career modifications as well as for practice managers and academic administrators seeking ways to improve work environments.Definitive measures of success for veterinary surgeons may differ between those in academic versus private practice settings. Income is a quantitative measure of prosperity in both settings; other measures of achievement, such as promotion, selection for more prestigious administrative roles, and practice owner-

Articular stress fracture arising from the distal end of the third metacarpal bone (MC3) is a common serious injury in Thoroughbred racehorses. Currently, there is no method for predicting fracture risk clinically. We describe an ex-vivo biomechanical model in which we measured subchondral crack micromotion under compressive loading that modeled high speed running. Using this model, we determined the relationship between subchondral crack dimensions measured using computed tomography (CT) and crack micromotion. Thoracic limbs from 40 Thoroughbred racehorses that had sustained a catastrophic injury were studied. Limbs were radiographed and examined using CT. Parasagittal subchondral fatigue crack dimensions were measured on CT images using image analysis software. MC3 bones with fatigue cracks were tested using five cycles of compressive loading at -7,500N (38 condyles, 18 horses). Crack motion was recorded using an extensometer. Mechanical testing was validated using bones with 3 mm and 5 mm deep parasagittal subchondral slots that modeled naturally occurring fatigue cracks. After testing, subchondral crack density was determined histologically. Creation of parasagittal subchondral slots induced significant micromotion during loading (p<0.001). In our biomechanical model, we found a significant positive correlation between extensometer micromotion and parasagittal crack area derived from reconstructed CT images (SR = 0.32, p<0.05). Correlations with transverse and frontal plane crack lengths were not significant. Histologic fatigue damage was not significantly correlated with crack dimensions determined by CT or extensometer micromotion. Bones with parasagittal crack area measurements above 30 mm2 may have a high risk of crack propagation and condylar fracture in vivo because of crack micromotion. In conclusion, our results suggest that CT could be used to quantify subchondral fatigue crack dimensions in racing Thoroughbred horses in-vivo to assess risk of condylar fracture. Horses with parasagittal crack arrays that exceed 30 mm2 may have a high risk for development of condylar fracture.

Background: Barriers to achieving work-life balance, as well as gender-based differences, exist in the male-dominated surgical specialty in veterinary medicine. Similar information does not exist for the more feminized American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). Hypothesis/Objectives: To provide data on the professional and personal lives of Diplomates of the ACVIM so as to help define the state of the specialty, including genderrelated differences, and identify areas requiring intervention to improve work-life balance. Sample: A total of 896 surveys (781 completed) of Diplomates of the ACVIM, including cardiology, large animal internal medicine, neurology, oncology, and small animal internal medicine. Methods: An 82-item online survey was distributed in February 2017 to ACVIM Diplomates via their respective ACVIM listserv. Participation was voluntary. Results: Thirty percent of the total ACVIM registered membership responded and 26% completed surveys; 25% were men and 75% were women. Specialists in academia worked significantly more hours, with larger numbers of diplomates per specialty section, and made less money compared with those in private practice. Women were less likely to report full-time employment, practice ownership, or higher academic rank, and reported 20% lower income overall (after adjustment for relevant factors) as compared with men. Men and women differed in their subjective assessment of the effect of gender in the workplace. Eighty-three percent of respondents were somewhat satisfied or better with their career. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Specialization in the ACVIM is a satisfying and potentially profitable career. However, despite a highly feminized workforce, significant gender-related imbalances are evident.

PERIDAN™ Concentrate was safely administered intraperitoneally to healthy horses undergoing celiotomy and anastomosis.

A career in veterinary surgery can be demanding.Although the potential exists for substantial financial compensation, results of a recent survey of ACVS diplomates indicate that surgeons generally work more (in some situations, substantially more) than a traditional 40-hour work week, spend a mean of 1 to 2 weeks on-call per month, 1 and may also be subject to additional institutional expectations for research, teaching, and public speaking. These demands and others can make it challenging to find a balance between one's professional career and one's responsibilities outside of work. Achieving such balance may be even more challenging for professionals who wish to have children and who must consider financial implications, timing of childbirth and family leave, and division of labor at home.In the United States, women with a master's, PhD, or other postgraduate degree are significantly less