The Journal of Small Animal Practice (JSAP)
The Journal of Small Animal Practice (JSAP) is the BSAVA's monthly scientific journal, featuring original, peer-reviewed articles, case reports and other scientific and educational information from around the world. The aim of JSAP is to facilitate the dissemination and implementation of new ideas and techniques relating to clinical veterinary practice, and ultimately to promote best practice.
JSAP is provided to BSAVA members as part of their membership benefits. Members - to access JSAP, log in then click on the 'read latest issues' button at the bottom of the page.
You can search for JSAP articles from within the BSAVA Library by clicking on the JSAP tab from the search results page. If you are a BSAVA member and already logged in, you can click through from the search results to access the full article.
You can view a selection of infographics which give a summary of JSAP papers on a variety of topics here.
May issue - in JSAP this month
Enhanced cleaning protocols, staff training and routine hygiene monitoring reduce contamination in veterinary practices by over 70%, a study in this month’s JSAP shows. The study measured contamination across 13 small animal practices using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) testing before and after implementing a staff training session and standardised cleaning protocols. Before intervention, average contamination levels in practices were 14.7 times higher than recommended thresholds. However, after intervention, contamination levels reduced by 61% within 70 days and by 71% within 128 days. Fomite surfaces such as door handles, kettles, and keyboards saw the greatest improvement, with an 80% reduction in contamination levels, while general surfaces had a 56% reduction. The study recommends that practices appoint an Infection Control Champion, implement routine (ideally monthly) ATP testing, raise awareness with the whole team about infection sources, transmission routes, and use two-step sanitation comprising cleaning followed by disinfection.
April issue - in JSAP this month
A study in this month’s JSAP evaluated the clinical use of preoperative computed tomography (CT) planning and a novel aiming guide to place humeral transcondylar screws in dogs with humeral intracondylar fissures. Measurements from CT scans were used to define screw entry and exit points, and an aiming device was used to place either 5.0 mm or 2.7 mm transcondylar positional locking screws from medial to lateral. Forty-five locking screws were placed in the elbows of 32 dogs, of 7 different breeds. All screws were successfully placed within the humeral condyle, with no intraoperative complications and short-term postoperative complications in only 6.7% of elbows. The technique offers a safe, reliable, and repeatable minimally invasive technique to place transcondylar locking screws in dogs of a variety of breeds and sizes with humeral intracondylar fissure.
March issue - in JSAP this month
More than 90% of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses have experienced a work-related injury, indicating that a health and safety cultural shift is needed, a study published in this month’s JSAP has revealed. Animal-related injuries were the most common type for vets, nurses, and animal care assistants, with injuries frequently occurring during animal restraint (particularly cats), anaesthetic recovery, and from needlesticks. After the injury, 16% of nurses and 19% of vets attended hospital, and fewer than 10% of vets and nurses took time off work, either because they thought the injury was genuinely minor, could still work with a reduced workload, used annual leave, or wanted to “just get on with it”. Most staff didn’t report their injuries because the injury was minor, it was too much effort, they forgot to, or because of the perception that it’s “just one of those things”. The study highlights a poor injury culture, marked by a lack of knowledge of practice health and safety protocols and policies, underreporting injuries, and a culture of presenteeism.
You must be logged in and a BSAVA member (excluding veterinary nurse student member) to use the links.
A collection of JSAP reviews for primary care practice is freely available to all.
If you are not a member of BSAVA and wish to receive JSAP, you can either become a member or subscribe to the journal via our publisher, Wiley.