Veterinary Education and Information on Equine Ticks and TBDs
While 73.7% (42/57) of veterinarians responded that clients have asked
them for information regarding ticks, only 28.6% (16/56) said they had
any coursework on ticks in vet school (Table 2). Furthermore, 68.4%
(39/57) of veterinarians were concerned about ticks on horses in their
care, but 59.3% (35/59) of veterinarians did not feel that enough
information was provided to vets on TBDs and tick bite prevention (and
an additional 15.3% (9/59) of respondents did not know if enough
information was provided). Similarly, over 53% (31/58) of responding
veterinarians thought there was not enough information available for
horse owners and caretakers on tick bite prevention and TBDs in horses.
These responses were not different by U.S. region.
When asked about the frequency of education that veterinarians receive
on TBDs for horses, the average from all respondents was between every
year and every 2-3 years, with 34% (20/59) of veterinarians receiving
continuing education yearly, 42% (25/59) receiving continuing education
every 2-3 years, and almost 24% (14/59) receiving continuing education
infrequently (more than every 3 years) or never receiving continuing
education on this topic. Regionally, the education frequency was higher
in other regions of the United States compared to the Northeast
(P=0.025). In contrast, over 52% (31/59) of veterinarians indicated
that they would prefer to receive yearly education. The desired
education frequency did not differ between the Northeast and the other
regions of the United States. There was a significant difference between
the current frequency at which continuing education is offered and the
desired frequency of education, with more veterinarians preferring a
higher frequency of education (P=0.009).
When searching for information regarding ticks, tick prevention, and
tick control, over 39% (30/76) of all respondents received information
from veterinary organizations and groups, followed by information from
continuing education offerings (29.0%, 22/76; Table 3). There were
similar responses when veterinarians were asked about references for
TBDs, specifically. Veterinarians most often found information on TBDs
from veterinary organizations or groups (30.3%, 23/76). Alternatively,
27.6% (21/76) of veterinarians referred to colleagues and the same
percentage received information about TBDs from continuing education
offerings. University Extension-led education on ticks, tick prevention,
and tick control and TBDs were used by 19.7% and 18.4% of
veterinarians, respectively.