What Do Younger Workers Want?

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Change is a constant force. New ways of thinking can make intergenerational relationships challenging. Our lead article discusses some of those changes.

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Work Expectations from Vet Students

Over the past decade, labor force participation rates in the US have declined, impacted by business cycles and the retirement of Baby Boomers. This trend is evident in veterinary medicine, which faces challenges in recruiting and retaining employees due to high turnover costs. Since 2017, starting compensation and signing bonuses for new veterinary graduates have increased in both nominal and real terms. While monetary incentives are crucial, nonpecuniary benefits also play a significant role in attracting and retaining talent. 

The veterinary workforce has shifted, with Millennials surpassing Gen X’ers and Baby Boomers since 2021. With Gen Z soon entering the workforce, it is important to understand their job preferences, which are influenced by individual life circumstances rather than just age, location, or education. Traditional job considerations for veterinary graduates include salary, health insurance, vacation days, retirement benefits, and continuing education allowances. However, nonpecuniary benefits related to work flexibility are increasingly important. 

A study was conducted to estimate the appeal of work flexibility benefits among current veterinary students using a choice-based conjoint experiment. The study evaluated the monetary trade-offs associated with attributes like the number of days worked, hours per week, and paid time off (PTO). The results showed that students prefer working arrangements that allow for a better work-life balance, such as working full-time but with fewer hours or days per week. The study found heterogeneity in preferences, indicating the need for further research into these diverse preferences. 

The results suggest that students value nonpecuniary benefits, especially working only four days a week and a 40-hour work week. Students should focus on nonmonetary aspects when considering employers and ask probing questions during interviews and negotiations. Employers should include motivational elements that contribute to job flexibility, such as autonomy, competence, and a sense of belonging, in line with the Self-Determination Theory. Mentorship and the transition from student to professional were also important to students. 

While the study employed robust methods, it had limitations, including a small sample size and a focus on those pursuing companion animal practice. The study used convenience sampling and did not perform extensive market segmentation. Future research could explore job applicant preferences for various job benefits through market segmentation, which could help employers better match job offers to employees' preferences. Additionally, examining other benefits, such as mentorship, well-being, and personal financial management, using rigorous qualitative methods would provide a more comprehensive view of nonpecuniary job benefits. 

 Neill, C. L., Lee, D. E., & Gupta, T. (2024). Veterinary students are willing to accept job flexibility by trading off some salary. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.01.0070 

Bottom line — Students prefer work-life balance.

Biogels for Resistant Local Bacterial Infection

The study investigated the use, adverse events, and outcomes of amikacin in 30% poloxamer 407 (P407) hydrogel (amikacin-P407) in veterinary cases at a single institution. It aimed to evaluate whether amikacin-P407 is well-tolerated in dogs and aids in successful wound healing and infection resolution. 

Key points include: 

Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens in Veterinary Medicine: 

• MDR pathogens in infected tissues necessitate higher-tier antibiotics, increasing the risk of harmful drug effects. 

• Local instillation of antibiotics minimizes systemic side effects and achieves higher bacterial death rates, better penetration of necrotic tissues, and lower bacterial mutation risk. 

  Antibiotic Carriers: 

• Sustained-release carriers such as cements, sponges, antibiotic-impregnated implants, and hydrogels (e.g., poloxamers) are used to deliver antibiotics locally. 

• Poloxamers, like P407, are thermoreverse hydrogels that are liquid at lower temperatures and solidify at higher temperatures, making them easy to handle in wound applications. 

  Amikacin-P407: 

• Amikacin-P407 matched or exceeded inhibitory concentrations for biofilm-producing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in vitro. 

• Clinical use has shown successful application without complications, indicating good tolerance in dogs for both open and closed wound applications.

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  Clinical Studies and Results: 

• In 29 dogs, amikacin-P407 was used with no complications, supporting its well-tolerated nature. 

• The study couldn't firmly conclude the effectiveness of amikacin-P407 in combating infections due to the retrospective nature and concurrent antibiotic use. 

• Successful outcomes were observed, including in six dogs without concurrent systemic antibiotic use. 

• Application and Versatility: 

• Amikacin-P407 was easily applied to open wounds and gelled appropriately over wound surfaces and partially closed areas. 

• It can be injected into closed wounds via a catheter or needle, with no complications reported. 

• The study highlighted the versatility and ease of use of P407 in various wound management scenarios. 

• Comparison with Other Carriers: 

• Amikacin-P407 offers advantages over antibiotic-impregnated beads, such as immediate mixing and application, smaller volume requirements, and effective local delivery. 

• Concerns and Limitations: 

• Single dosing and potential for increased resistance patterns are concerns, though high enough concentrations of amikacin are rapidly bactericidal. 

• Limitations of the study include the retrospective design, lack of precise wound measurements, and absence of follow-up chemistry and urinalyses. 

• Conclusion: 

• The study demonstrated the versatility and potential applications of amikacin-P407 in veterinary wound management, with no adverse events noted and good outcomes in cases where it was used. Further investigation is warranted to confirm its efficacy in combating infections. 

Overall, amikacin-P407 shows promise as a topical antibiotic delivery system in veterinary medicine, offering an effective and versatile option for managing wounds and infections in dogs. 

Risselada, M., Spies, K. E., & Kim, S. Y. (2024). Amikacin in 30% poloxamer 407 is a versatile local therapy with method of application and outcome documented in 29 dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.01.0048 

Bottom line — Early results support this as a beneficial protocol

Cushings Disease and Muscle Atrophy

Hypercortisolism (HC) is a condition characterized by elevated cortisol levels, which leads to various metabolic disturbances and clinical manifestations, including muscle weakness and atrophy. In both humans and dogs, muscle atrophy and intramuscular (IM) fatty infiltration associated with HC can significantly impair quality of life and potentially reduce survival time. In humans, these conditions are linked to poorer outcomes in diseases like cancer, chronic heart disease, and chronic kidney disease. 

In dogs, HC is a common endocrine disorder, with muscle atrophy affecting 30% to 50% of cases. This muscle atrophy results in exercise intolerance and motor function impairment. Previous studies indicated that muscle weakness and low body condition scores in dogs with HC were linked to worse prognosis, though these assessments were subjective and lacked quantitative analysis. 

The study aimed to evaluate muscle atrophy and IM fatty infiltration in dogs with spontaneous HC using quantitative computed tomography (CT) scans. The research found significant muscle mass reduction and IM fatty infiltration in dogs with HC compared to healthy controls. This supports that hypercortisolemia primarily causes muscle atrophy, despite potential influences from other factors. 

Key findings include: 

• Muscle Atrophy: HC dogs had significantly lower muscle mass, corroborated by CT scans. This atrophy is attributed to suppressed muscle protein synthesis and enhanced protein degradation due to high cortisol levels. 

• IM Fatty Infiltration: Lower muscle attenuation values (measured in Hounsfield units, HU) on CT scans indicated fatty infiltration in the muscles of HC dogs. This infiltration impairs muscle function and may not be fully reversible even with HC treatment. 

• Prognostic Value: Dogs with severe muscle atrophy or IM fatty infiltration had shorter survival times, suggesting these conditions could serve as prognostic markers for dogs with HC. 

The study utilized visual cross-sectional area (VCSA) and histogram-based cross-sectional area (HCSA) to measure muscle mass. Both methods confirmed muscle atrophy in HC dogs, though each has its strengths and limitations. VCSA relies on visual distinction of muscle tissues, while HCSA uses standardized muscle attenuation for automated segmentation. 

The research also highlighted limitations, such as potential selection bias, small sample size, and lack of necropsy data to confirm causes of death. Despite these limitations, the study concluded that muscle atrophy and IM fatty infiltration are associated with shorter survival times in dogs with HC and could be used as negative prognostic markers. 

 Yoshida K, Kobatake Y, Takashima S, Nishii N. Evaluation of muscle mass and intramuscular fatty infiltration in dogs with hypercortisolism and their association with prognosis. J Vet Intern Med. 2024; 38(3): 1334-1344. doi:10.1111/jvim.17065

Bottom line — Dogs with severe muscle atrophy or IM fat infiltration had shorter survival times.

Just putting things in perspective …