Veterinary Opinion and Evidence-Based Medicine Regarding the Best Management Practice for a Bovine Uterine Prolapse

Abstract

Hypothesis: The analysis of veterinary opinions
from cattle practitioners and a comparison of these findings
with the existing literature can be used to establish
a valuable 'best clinical practice guideline' for bovine
practitioners on how to manage a bovine uterine prolapse.
Evidence based medicine is used to base clinical
practice on scientific evidence. This evidence can be provided
in many forms, for example text books, journals,
letters, websites, and personal communications. The collected
information on a particular topic is then assessed
to find the most valid techniques that can be used in
practice. Often there is a lack of evidence based medicine
for common cases. By studying existing literature
and investigating opinions of veterinary practitioners,
knowledge can be shared among individuals within the
veterinary field. Given the paucity of clinical research
studies in bovine medicine, using veterinary opinions
may be a useful tool for producing clinical guidelines.
There is a wealth of experience present in the field, and
with the current technology we can easily tap into that.
Within cattle practice, management of a bovine uterine
prolapse can vary considerably. Each veterinarian can
justify their own reasons for this, but why are there so
many options, and how do veterinarians chose what they
believe to be the best? Is it possible to develop clinical
guidelines based on veterinary opinion, to help clinicians
choose the appropriate management for each case? This
study provides information for cattle veterinarians to
base or improve their current practice upon. Veterinarians
can hear what others in their profession do, compare
it, and possibly alter their own technique.