Veterinary practice and occupational health. An epidemiological study of several professional groups of Dutch veterinarians. I. General physical examination and prevalence of allergy, lung function disorders, and bronchial hyperreactivity.

The prevalence of allergy, lung function disorders, and bronchial hyperreactivity was studied in 102 Dutch veterinarians, subdivided into five professional groups (predominantly working with either swine, cattle, poultry, companion animals, or as a non-practitioner). The mean age of the participants was 43 years; 6 participants were females. Twenty-two per cent of the participants were overweight, and relatively more non-practitioners than practitioners were overweight. Approximately 23% of the vets reported complaints of prolonged fatigue. The data suggest a relationship between complaints of prolonged fatigue and a more than average number of daily working hours. Only a small proportion of vets were sensitized against several allergens. There were no significant differences in prevalence of distinct lung function disorders or bronchial hyperreactivity between professional groups. It is hypothesized that the respiratory complaints (chronic coughing, chronic phlegm production, stuffed nose, sneezing) reported by the vets predominantly working in swine and/or poultry practice could be caused by irritation and/or inflammation of the first part of the trachea-bronchial tree that has no measurable and permanent consequences for changes in lung function or increased bronchial hyperreactivity. The results of a skin test against allergens and determination of allergen-specific IgE in blood indicated that the respiratory complaints were probably not related to allergy against the panel of allergens tested.

Veterinary practice and occupational health. An epidemiological study of several professional groups of Dutch veterinarians. II. Peak expiratory flow variability, dust and endotoxin measurements, use of respiratory protection devices, and time distribution of professional activities.

Dust and endotoxin exposure was measured in the Spring and Autumn in 96 veterinary practitioners, subdivided in four professional groups ((predominantly working with either swine, cattle, poultry, or companion animals). Furthermore, peak expiratory flow (PEF) variability was measured four times a day over a week in Spring and Autumn in order to detect occupation-related respiratory disorders. The participants kept a log book in which they recorded their activities during these periods. Practitioners working with swine, cattle, or poultry had a significantly higher exposure to dust (+/- 5 times) and endotoxin (+/- 10 times) than companion animal practitioners. PEF variability measurements gave no indications for an increased prevalence of bronchial hyperreactivity related to occupational activities. Respiratory protective devices (RPD) were used selectively. Only a small proportion of the practitioners used them at any time when entering a animal confinement building. Swine and cattle practitioners worked for approximately 3.6 hours per day in animal buildings, whereas poultry practitioners worked in the environment of poultry buildings for approximately 2.8 hours per day.

Prevalence of self-reported respiratory disease symptoms among veterinarians in the Southern Netherlands.

In June 1991, 831 veterinarians registered in the Southern Netherlands were mailed a questionnaire to obtain details of work practice and health problems. One hundred fifty-two veterinarians were not eligible (retired or not working regularly), 497 practitioners returned a complete questionnaire (73% response rate). The purpose was to assess the prevalence of respiratory disease symptoms (RDS) and to compare the prevalence of RDS between occupational specialties and with a group of swine farmers. The professional specialty of each veterinarian was grouped as: small-animal practice (17%), large-animal practice (51%), mixed-animal practice (14%), and other practice (i.e., government, industry) (18%). Adjusted for age, gender, smoking, history of atopy, and use of respiratory protective devices, large-animal practitioners had a two times higher odds of chronic cough (OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.8) or chronic phlegm production (OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-3.7) and a three times higher odds of chest wheezing (OR = 2.8, 95% CI 1.3-6.3) than veterinarians with another specialty. Modelling the occurrence of RDS in veterinarians with exposure variables indicated that working more than 20 hr per week in swine confinement buildings increased the odds of occurrence of chronic cough and chronic phlegm production approximately three times, in addition to a significant effect of smoking. Besides a significant effect of smoking and history of atopy, no exposure variables other than occupation were associated with occurrence of asthmatic attacks in swine farmers and large-animal practitioners. Large-animal practitioners had a two times higher odds of asthmatic attacks (OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.9) than swine farmers. Large-animal practitioners have a considerably higher proportion of symptoms like cough, phlegm production, a stuffed up nose, sneezing, and tearing eyes than small-animal practitioners during, and 4-8 hr after, working with animals.

[Could mycotoxins in Dutch pig-farming explain certain management problems?]. / Kunnen mycotoxinen in de Nederlandse varkenshouderij bepaalde bedrijfsproblemen verklaren?

The author reports a number of practical cases, indicating that moulds and mycotoxins may play an important role in Dutch pig farming. Therefore it seems desirable to him to form a study group that after investigation advises how problems with mycotoxins in farm animals can be restricted in the future.

[Professional practice and health status of veterinarians]. / Beroepsuitoefening en gezondheid van de dierenarts.

By carrying out an inquiry by mail to 925 veterinarians in the Southern Netherlands, there was looked after a relationship between the professional practice of the veterinarian and his health status. The inquiry was completed and returned by 453 veterinarians. The questions about the health status dealt with complaints about: the respiratory tract, the stand and motion apparatus and the hearing. Based on over 75% of the work package the veterinarians were divided into: veterinarians in the large animal practice, veterinarians in the small animal practice and veterinarians with an other job. The results are compared with the results of a comparable inquiry by pig farmers. Veterinarians, who do smoke, have twice as much respiratory complaints than no smoking veterinarians. Veterinarians in the large animal practice have more respiratory complaints, more complaints about elbows and wrists and more deafness. Veterinarians in the small animal practice have more complaints about allergies, and more complaints about the back and the knees and feet.

[The effect of vitamin administration to sows during weaning on the weaning-estrus interval and on the number of live piglets in the next litter]. / De invloed van het toedienen van vitaminen aan zeugen, bij het spenen, op het interval spenen-bronst en op het aantal levend geboren biggen in de volgende worp.

The effect of injection of additional vitamins in sows during weaning on the weaning-oestrus interval and on the number of piglets born alive in the next litter was studied in 735 sows. On five commercial farms, a total of 735 sows were divided into 3 groups. The first group was injected with 10 ml of a preparation of AD3E. The second group was injected with 10 ml multivitamin. The third group was not treated. It is concluded that injection of additional vitamins did not have any effect on the weaning-oestrus interval and on the number of piglets born alive in the next litter.

[Preliminary communication. Applicability of the Welsh breed in Dutch pig breeding]. / De toepassingsmogelijkheden van het Welsh ras in de Nederlandse varkensfokkerij.

An experimental cross-breeding scheme using Welsh Pigs in the 'Gemert District' integrated group is described in this preliminary communication. This experiment was carried out to examine whether it would be possible to produce F1 sows (Welsh x Dutch Landrace), the longevity of which was superior to that of the current Great Yorkshire (GY) crossed with the Dutch Landrace (NL) when the Welsh breed was used, unaccompanied by any loss of performance among the offspring. F1 animals having Welsh blood included a larger proportion of halothane-positive pigs than did the GY x NL cross-bred animals. In addition, animals crossed with those of the Welsh breed showed increased back-fat depth. However, this would appear to be of minor importance as these F1 animals, mated with GY boars, produced fattening piglets, the carcass qualities of which were equivalent to those GY x (GY x NL) animals. The growth rates of animals having Welsh blood would seem to be even more satisfactory. A definite conclusion regarding longevity cannot be reached at this stage as the findings concerning the majority of animals were recorded up to and including the third litter. The studies are being continued in order ultimately to arrive at more definite and more justified conclusions.