Cases Showing "Value" Of Board Certification - Dr. Lisa Tokach, from the 2015 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference, September 19-22, 2015, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. More presentations at http://www.swinecast.com/2015-leman-swine-conference-material

1. The Value of ABVP
Board Certification
Lisa Tokach, DVM, Dipl. ABVP
Leman Swine Conference
September 21, 2015

2. A Recent Case Study
O A group of 780 finishing hogs weighing an
average of 230 lb developed diarrhea over the
weekend that progressed to explosive, watery
diarrhea by Monday.
O A group of 800 nursery pigs and 789 early
finishing pigs were also on the same site.
There were no clinical signs in these pigs.
O The diarrhea coincided with a new feed
delivery. No nursery pig deliveries or
slaughter truck loads had been on site for the
past 3 weeks.

3. A Recent Case Study
O The decision was made Monday to auger out
the feed and bring in a new delivery. The vet
was scheduled in on Tuesday to take
diagnostic samples.
O Rule Outs over the phone:
O PED
O TGE
O Ileitis
O Dysentery
O Toxin

4. A Recent Case Study
O On Tuesday, diarrhea was better. The
other barns with younger pigs remained
non-clinical. This site was thought to be
PRRS negative, mycoplasma positive,
and had a recent infection with SIV H1N2
that came in from the sow farm.
O The veterinarian was met on site by the
owner and two representatives from the
local feed company supplying the feed to
these pigs.

5. A Recent Case Study
O Upon inspection, the younger pigs were
completely normal.
O The heavy finishers had varying degrees
of diarrhea from squirting water to paint
the walls, to cow pie consistency.
O The most curious thing, however, was the
skin lesions.

6. A Recent Case Study

7. A Recent Case Study
O Post mortems were performed on two of
the heavy finishers that were clinical and
not recovering well.
O Gross observations:
O normal lungs, some old mycoplasma
lesions in pig #2
O Watery diarrhea, but normal looking
mucosal linings, no gross evidence of
ileitis, dysentery, or salmonellosis.

8. A Recent Case Study
O Enlarged inguinal lymph nodes noted and
sampled (PCV or PDNS?)
O Skin was scalded like a 3rd degree burn,
seemed to be where there was direct
contact with the fecal diarrhea.
O No other gross lesions were noted.

9. A Recent Case Study
O PCR results: PRRS, SIV, PED, TGE,
Lawsonia, PCV negative.
O Bacterial culture no significant findings.
O Histopathology –
O Lymphoplasmacytic, eosinophilic, and
ulcerative enterocolitis
O Haired skin; epidermal necrosis with
neutrophilic crusts

10. What is ABVP certification?
O The American Board of Veterinary
Practitioners (ABVP) advances the quality
of veterinary medicine through certification
of veterinarians who demonstrate
excellence in species-oriented clinical
practice.
O One who meets these criteria are referred
to as Diplomates of ABVP in their
respective fields.

11. ABVP Process
O Entrance exam
O Program
O Final exam
O Recertification – every 10 years
O Reviews
O Test questions
O Re-sit for the exam

12. Why ABVP?
O ABVP certification is available to
practicing veterinarians without the need
to pursue a formal residency.
O Purpose is self-improvement through
demonstrating specialist level skills and
knowledge.
O There are currently 11 recognized
specialties of which Swine Health
Management is one.

13. Why Did I Choose ABVP?
Mom, you
did all that
work for
that piece
of paper?
Doc, how
many letters
you need
behind your
name before
you’re done?

14. The Learning Curve
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Amount of Learning
Amount of
Learning

15. What you might think about
ABVP…

16. What my clients might think
about ABVP…

17. What my parents might think
about ABVP…
My daughter has a B. S., D.V.
M., &
Dipl. of A.B.V. P. and she
better bring the grandkids
home P.D.Q.!

18. The Reality
O No additional salary when you are in
private practice
O My clients respect the effort, but don’t
really care about the letters behind my
name, they just want me to know what is
going on and expect me to tell them what
they should do about it
O My family just wants my time

19. Why ABVP?
O Keeps the learning curve from going flat
O Gives you new incentive
O Builds your networks
O Earns the respect of your colleagues
O Opens doors for you

20. Clout
O The reality is, board certification carries
clout.
O It may not matter to your clients or your
family, but it will matter when you are
asked to serve on various committees,
boards, panels, or even as an expert
witness.

21. Current Issues that Could Use
Your Help
O Animal Rights vs. Welfare
O Antibiotic Use
O GMOs
O Science vs. public opinion

22. ABVP: the bottom line
O Would I recommend it? YES
O Is it easy? NO
O Would I do it again? YES
O Would I recommend it over other forms of
advanced degrees? Not necessarily, I
think all have their merits, I chose this one
because it worked for me to continue to
work as a practitioner.

23. Back To My Case Study
O Further investigation into the feed
revealed that a manufacturing error had
occurred.
O A significant amount of magnesium sulfate
had been accidentally added to the ration.
O This would be like overdosing them on
Epsom Salt, a known cure for constipation
in sows (and other species).

24. Any questions?