2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

120 responses were received. The majority (73%) of respondents worked in private specialty practice, with 27% working in academia. 60% of the respondents had 2-4 ACVECC diplomates in their practices, although 25% were the only diplomate, and 4% had more than 6. Out of hours, 86% were able to perform myelograms, 85% Computed tomography (CT) scans, and 48% Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Both during business hours and off-hours, neurologist sand neurology residents, and surgeons and surgery residents operate the majority of the cases on a shared basis. 33% of practices have no neurologist on staff; in the remaining practices with neurologists, 21% of the time a board-certified neurologist (BCN) evaluates case out of hours at least 50% of the time, 79% of the time a BCN does not. Of practices with veterinary surgeons, 25% of the time, the case is evaluated out of hours. Out of-hours imaging is read by the radiologist or radiology resident in 54% of cases, and by a teleradiology service in 34%. 43% of practices operated at least 10 dogs per month with spinal cord compression. The potential for myelomalacia was discussed in for all dogs by 38% of respondents and only dogs with no deep pain sensation by 25% of respondents.