Understanding barriers to veterinary involvement in dairy calf health management
The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to identify barriers to veterinary involvement in calf health and assess knowledge gaps in calf care among American and Canadian bovine veterinarians. A questionnaire was administered to veterinarians, collecting data on demographics, satisfaction wi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1503915/full |
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| author | Kristen Y. Edwards Angel Abuelo Stephen J. LeBlanc Trevor J. DeVries Michael A. Steele Joao H. C. Costa David L. Renaud |
| author_facet | Kristen Y. Edwards Angel Abuelo Stephen J. LeBlanc Trevor J. DeVries Michael A. Steele Joao H. C. Costa David L. Renaud |
| author_sort | Kristen Y. Edwards |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to identify barriers to veterinary involvement in calf health and assess knowledge gaps in calf care among American and Canadian bovine veterinarians. A questionnaire was administered to veterinarians, collecting data on demographics, satisfaction with calf health management knowledge, involvement in decision-making, satisfaction with calf health involvement, frequency of calf health record analysis and feedback, topics of interest for further learning, and preferred learning formats. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess associations between variables and outcomes. Only 28% of veterinarians frequently reviewed calf health records, and 44% made actionable recommendations after reviewing them. Female veterinarians were more likely than male veterinarians to frequently review calf health records (Odds ratio – OR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.2–7.3). Additionally, the odds of frequently reviewing records increased with the amount of time spent working with calves (OR: 10.2 per 10% increment, 95% CI: 10.0–10.5). Veterinarians highly satisfied with their knowledge of neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) prevention were more likely to make recommendations based on records (OR: 11.6, 95% CI: 1.9–72.4). Additionally, those frequently reviewing records were more likely to provide feedback (OR: 15.5, 95% CI: 4.0–60.3). Incomplete records was the most common reason for not reviewing records (60% of respondents) and why actionable recommendations were made less frequently than “most of the time” (67% of respondents). Veterinarians were least confident in their knowledge regarding milk feeding and weaning recommendations but they were interested in learning more about post-weaning nutrition and automated calf feeders. Further, they preferred conference presentations for continuing education. These findings suggest that veterinary involvement in calf health could be improved by facilitating better data capture and enhancing veterinarian knowledge. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2a2c7091211d4031bdfd3dea46f0f6f7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-2a2c7091211d4031bdfd3dea46f0f6f72025-02-12T07:26:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-02-011210.3389/fvets.2025.15039151503915Understanding barriers to veterinary involvement in dairy calf health managementKristen Y. Edwards0Angel Abuelo1Stephen J. LeBlanc2Trevor J. DeVries3Michael A. Steele4Joao H. C. Costa5David L. Renaud6Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, CanadaDepartment of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United StatesDepartment of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, CanadaDepartment of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, CanadaDepartment of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, CanadaDepartment of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United StatesDepartment of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, CanadaThe objectives of this cross-sectional study were to identify barriers to veterinary involvement in calf health and assess knowledge gaps in calf care among American and Canadian bovine veterinarians. A questionnaire was administered to veterinarians, collecting data on demographics, satisfaction with calf health management knowledge, involvement in decision-making, satisfaction with calf health involvement, frequency of calf health record analysis and feedback, topics of interest for further learning, and preferred learning formats. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess associations between variables and outcomes. Only 28% of veterinarians frequently reviewed calf health records, and 44% made actionable recommendations after reviewing them. Female veterinarians were more likely than male veterinarians to frequently review calf health records (Odds ratio – OR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.2–7.3). Additionally, the odds of frequently reviewing records increased with the amount of time spent working with calves (OR: 10.2 per 10% increment, 95% CI: 10.0–10.5). Veterinarians highly satisfied with their knowledge of neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) prevention were more likely to make recommendations based on records (OR: 11.6, 95% CI: 1.9–72.4). Additionally, those frequently reviewing records were more likely to provide feedback (OR: 15.5, 95% CI: 4.0–60.3). Incomplete records was the most common reason for not reviewing records (60% of respondents) and why actionable recommendations were made less frequently than “most of the time” (67% of respondents). Veterinarians were least confident in their knowledge regarding milk feeding and weaning recommendations but they were interested in learning more about post-weaning nutrition and automated calf feeders. Further, they preferred conference presentations for continuing education. These findings suggest that veterinary involvement in calf health could be improved by facilitating better data capture and enhancing veterinarian knowledge.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1503915/fullanalysisfeedbackhealth recordsbovineveterinarian and farmer |
| spellingShingle | Kristen Y. Edwards Angel Abuelo Stephen J. LeBlanc Trevor J. DeVries Michael A. Steele Joao H. C. Costa David L. Renaud Understanding barriers to veterinary involvement in dairy calf health management Frontiers in Veterinary Science analysis feedback health records bovine veterinarian and farmer |
| title | Understanding barriers to veterinary involvement in dairy calf health management |
| title_full | Understanding barriers to veterinary involvement in dairy calf health management |
| title_fullStr | Understanding barriers to veterinary involvement in dairy calf health management |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding barriers to veterinary involvement in dairy calf health management |
| title_short | Understanding barriers to veterinary involvement in dairy calf health management |
| title_sort | understanding barriers to veterinary involvement in dairy calf health management |
| topic | analysis feedback health records bovine veterinarian and farmer |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1503915/full |
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