What is it and how can I get my vet involved Dr Maggie Roberts BVMampS MRCVS Director of Veterinary Services Cats Protection UK What is Shelter Medicine No idea What is Shelter Medicine ID: 559506
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Shelter MedicineWhat is it and how can I get my vet involved?
Dr Maggie Roberts BVM&S MRCVSDirector of Veterinary ServicesCats ProtectionUKSlide2
What is Shelter Medicine?
No idea???Slide3
What is Shelter Medicine?Shelter Medicine is a field of veterinary medicine dedicated to the care of homeless animals in shelters or other facilities dedicated to finding them new homes
.Defined by the Association of Shelter VeterinariansSlide4
Why is this different to normal vet work?
Individual pet
OwnedGood general health
Adequate resourceAdequate attentionMany animals living together
No owner
Varying health problems
Limited resource
Limited time per animalSlide5
Herd Health
Looking after the welfare of the herd while still considering the needs of the individual.
Have to consider the greatest good of the greatest numberSlide6
Challenges in a shelterLarge number of animals in a confined spaceConstantly changing population
Coming from different locationsVarying health statusMany different infectious agents presentStressful environmentSlide7
Aspects of shelter medicineVeterinary careHousing
Husbandry (every day care)Rehabilitation (physical andbehavioural)
Disease prevention policiesPopulation controlEarly veterinary involvement is ideal!Slide8
Pragmatic decision-makingPragmatic means: dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations.Slide9
Pragmatic decision-makingResources are limited – time, people and moneyAim to help as many animals as possibleTrying to resolve health issues quickly
Trying to get animals into new homes quicklySlide10
DiagnosisCan be very expensive!Don’t do every test straight away
Follow a logical patternOnly do tests that will affect the outcomeSlide11
TreatmentChoose the cheapest appropriate course of treatment
Some treatments may not not appropriate in the shelterDelay homingCause sufferingExpensiveLimited chance of success Slide12
Prevention is better than cure!Health check on entryVaccinationParasite control
NeuteringScreening for diseaseMicrochippingSlide13
What makes a good shelter vet?Empathy with your causePuts animal welfare first
Makes pragmatic decisionsInvolves shelter staff in decision makingPlays a part in the every day running of the shelterHelps you to help as many animals as practicalSlide14
Remember…….……the vet who offers cheap prices for neutering and vaccines may not be the cheapest (or best) overall!Slide15
How to get your vet involvedShelter medicine is a specialty in the USAssociation of Shelter VeterinariansShelter medicine programmes
Further professional qualificationsResourcesSlide16
In Europe
We’re a bit behind the US!Association of Charity Vetsadvice and support for vets working for or with shelters or low cost clinics
Animal Shelter Veterinary Platformrun by Eurogroup for AnimalsSlide17
Resources - booksSlide18
Resources - books
Coming in 2017!
The BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Shelter Medicine
Advert alertSlide19
WebsitesAssociation of Shelter Veterinarianswww.sheltervet.org/
Association of Charity Vetswww.bsavaportal.com/taocv/
Cats Protection – information for vets www.cats.org.uk/cat-care/vets-info Slide20
Working with universitiesSome run shelter medicine programmes
ResearchWork experience for studentsSlide21
Vet studentsGet them young!Slide22
Thank you