Vetnuus | Januarie 2024 48 « BACK TO CONTENTS End of another year that has been very difficult but gone like the wind. On an extension of last month’s topic I have been thinking of the changes seen in practice over the last 50 years. Some have been improvements and others of questionable value to the profession. One very definite change is the use of electronics of all forms – from digital xrays that can be transferred anywhere over the world at the push of a button. A vast improvement over the xrays that had to be developed in a three compartment tanks with its complex chemicals. And then blood analysis machines that can handle any number of tests very rapidly. The first photocell we had in our practice took ages to test each element needed and this was purchased in 1976. The assistance afforded by these electronic machines can aid greatly in making a meaningful diagnosis but possibly assist too much, making a hands on diagnosis less likely and brings to mind a statement made by Prof Kaai of the Medicine Department when he said to me “young man you will make far more mistakes for not looking than you will ever make for not knowing”. Another very sad negative to me is the demise of the Ondersteport Biological Products. This was world acclaimed until relatively recently. When we qualified 50 years ago its integrity could not be questioned in any way. The vaccines produced were readily available, at reasonable prices and highly effective. The cost of vaccinating cattle herds or sheep flocks was more related to the effort involved that in the cost of materials. And what of government veterinary services? They could not be questioned in those early years with the state and private vet being extremely supportive of each other with very positive results for the farming community and the agricultural industry as a whole. Today? The last six months Gross National Product has shown a decline in the Agricultural sector of just over 6%, and the reason being totally veterinary in nature – Foot and Mouth, Avian Flu and Swine fever. To the state vets of old it would have been seen as a total disgrace despite the complexities of the control of each of these diseases. Horse Sickness has always been a problem but seems to be a far bigger problem currently probably as a result of no vaccines been available – the effect of this deficiency readily causes panic amongst the horse fraternity with requests being placed on social media and available vaccine traversing the country under unknown condition. In the small animal industry what is happening with the corprotization of practices. Seems to be a world wide plague. When practicing in the UK it was slowly Life plus 25 without parole Mike Lowry Mike Lowry has been in veterinary practice for "life plus 25" years. In this column, he shares his experiences and opinions. Regulars I Life plus 24 +25
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