Philanthropic funds contribute to Tasmanian devil vaccine research
Tasmanian Devil Honours Scholarship and will work under the supervision of Andrew Flies, an Associate Professor and Select Foundation Principal Research Fellow at the University of Tasmania’s Menzies Institute for Medical research, in Hobart. The ‘bait’ vaccine trials are designed to work when eaten by devils and Flies said the first iteration has been in hand for about 18 months.
“We need to make enough for trials in 22 captive devils, and we need permits to do that but we’re hoping to be testing around October,” he said.
Donations made to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal will be distributed across five research grants this year to fund projects that include the development of a ‘bait’ vaccine. This will differ from the vaccine type developed several years ago that aimed to slow the progression of the facial tumour disease that has ravaged populations of devils in the wild for more than 20 years.
( The Veterinarian March 2015.)
The grants will assist established and early-career researchers and higher degree students to ensure that conservation skills are fostered in the next generation of researchers and will be reviewed through the Tasmanian Devil Research Advisory Committee.
Khal Glinda is the recipient of The Tall Foundation Dr Eric Guiler
WSAVA calls for a reproductive paradigm shift
Committee (RCC), and published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice.
These new guidelines emphasize the importance of providing pet owners with comprehensive information to make informed decisions about neutering. The guidelines aim to support WSAVA members in making science-based choices regarding reproductive management while ensuring animal welfare and strengthening the human-companion animal bond. The document covers current practices and introduces newer surgical and non-surgical approaches, weighing their health benefits and potential drawbacks, and addressing ethical considerations.
Other grant projects focus on different areas of research which build on the knowledge and understanding of DFTD with the ultimate goal being to prevent tumours forming in devils. Funds supporting the grants are collected through the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal, and whether they are a single dollar donation or a much large amount Flies said all the money that is collected will be put to good use.
“Some of the other grants will allow us to thoroughly dissect this vaccine trial, and the more trials we can do the closer we get. We’ve got great support, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to try to help devils.” he said.
■ ANNE LAYTON-BENNETT
Budget falls short on student debt relief
With the release of the 2024/25 Federal Budget in mid-May, some financial relief was offered to students and graduates still carrying educational debt.
The Government announced that the indexation of HECS/HELP education debt will be adjusted to be the lower of either the consumer price index (CPI) or the wage index, with CPI currently at 7.1 per cent and wage index 3.2 per cent. Taking the lower of the two will reduce debt overall, whilst also ensuring that education debt doesn’t grow faster than wages.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) is calling for a significant shift in the approach to reproduction control in companion animals, urging veterinarians to move away from routine neutering practices. The call comes with the release of the first Global Guidelines on Reproduction Control, prepared by the WSAVA's Reproduction Control
RCC Chair Professor Stefano Romagnoli highlighted the necessity for change: “Reproduction management is a crucial and rapidly evolving field in companion animal practice. For years, we’ve advised routine neutering and spaying, but new scientific evidence suggests it’s time to rethink this approach. Emerging data indicate that gonadectomy can negatively To page 30
Other budget announcements which could help the veterinar y industry include energy rebates of $325 for small businesses, and the small business instant asset write-off being extended until the end of the next financial year, giving eligible businesses with a turnover of less than $10 million the ability to write off $20,000 per eligible asset. To page 30
NEWS Big cat product decline
Stefano Romagnoli
Through innovation, invention, and strategic partnerships with worldwide leaders in diagnostics, Heska provides the bene ts of latest generation technologies to veterinary professionals. From our ever-growing and wide range of in-house lab and imaging solutions, to outstanding service and support, discover all the ways Heska helps you provide a voice for your patients.
Combatting crown-of-thorns starfish destruction
All animals are influenced by the changing seasons, and this is particularly true for tropical marine animals that experience relatively small changes in daylight and annual temperatures.
Aworld first study led by two University of Queensland PhD candidates, that was published recently in the journal PLOS Biology, looked at how the seasons might be affecting the crownof-thorns starfish, one of several threats impacting the Great Barrier Reef.
For their research Marie Morin and Mathias Jönsson, from UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience, analysed the genetics of the toxic coral-eating invertebrates which reproduce exclusively in the summer. They identified more than 2000 protein-coding genes which changed significantly between summer and winter, as well as ways to isolate the genes that communicate during the starfish’s reproduction process. Ms Morin said this was a promising sign as it could help in finding ways to disrupt the communication genetically and stop the starfish reproducing.
“By understanding how crown-of-thorns starfish genes work, we can unlock the mechanisms
behind their key behaviours and find ways to stop them breeding. We looked at ‘gene expression’ in this study, the process by which information is encoded in a gene used to create afunctional gene product, such as protein or RNA,” Morin said.
Fairywren research shows cooperation in the face of environmental challenges
“Cooperation is not merely a result of individual traits or environmental pressures; rather, it emerges from the complex interplay between social structures and external conditions”.
Superb fairywrens are found south of the Tropic of Capricorn through eastern Australia and Tasmania to the south-eastern corner of South Australia. They are small insect eating birds and are known for their high-pitched trills, which are given by both sexes.
During the breeding season, individual groups defend territories, while in the non-breeding season, these groups coalesce into larger communities. By observing their behaviour in response to distress calls during both seasons, lead author Ettore Camerlenghi said the researchers assessed how social dynamics and environmental harshness influence cooperative behaviour.
Senior author Bernard Degnan, Professorial Research Fellow at UQ’s School of the Environmental Faculty of Science, said the importance of analysing wild starfish as opposed to captured ones was critical as analysing marine animals in a lab can cause changes to the animal and its functional genetics.
“By capturing crown-of-thorns starfish in the deep heart of the Great Barrier Reef we were able to find out what’s really happening in wild populations,” he said.
The next step in the research will involve further genetic analysis and potentially the development of natural pest control measures onthe GBR.
The project was supported by an ARC Linkage grant to UQ and partners The Great Barrier Reef Foundation and the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators Limited.
■ JULIAGARDINER
For more information visit: doi.org/10.1371/ journal.pbio.3002620.
Study finds gaps in relationships between DVs and sheep farmers
Astudy by the University of Sydney,published in late April, found that while district veterinarians (DVs) play an important role in providing technical services and support to sheep farmers, differing concerns and preferred communication methods between the two groups could be causing a gap in the working relationship between the two groups.
The perceptions and practices of sheep farmers with regards to their knowledge of sheep health management can have a significant impact on the overall health, welfare, and production of their animals and on the economics of their farming enterprise and while veterinarians are a valuable source of relevant information, in Australia veterinary services are highly regarded but underutilised by producers.
An international study led by researchers from the Monash School of Biological Sciences has shed light on the intricate relationship between social structure, environmental conditions, and cooperative behaviour in superb fairywrens.
The research explored how seasonal changes affect the social dynamics and behaviour of superb fairywren communities, which provided an ideal system to study due to their multilevel society, which undergoes seasonal restructuring.
“Cooperation among animals has long intrigued scientists, yet understanding the factors driving it has remained elusive,” study senior author Anne Peters said.
“The findings reveal a remarkable shift in cooperative behaviour during the harsher non-breeding season,” Camerlenghi said.
“We observed a significant increase in cooperative behaviour and a decrease in aggressive territorial behaviour among superb fairy-wrens during the non-breeding season compared to the breeding season, [suggesting] that when faced with environmental adversity, superb fairywrens prioritise cooperation over aggression, potentially enhancing their survival prospects”.
This increase in cooperation was more pronounced within breeding groups, highlighting the importance of social bonds To page 30
The low levels of veterinary contact reported when seeking general information and/or reporting disease outbreaks is in part due to the remoteness of farms and the distance between producers and veterinary services, with more than 50 per cent of surveyed sheep farmers perceived their local veterinar y services to be quite a long distance from them, and most producers reported ‘moderate’ as opposed to ‘easy’ access to veterinary assistance.
All participating DVs and most sheep producers indicated that the latter would benefit from greater knowledge and access to information on sheep health. All nominated areas of sheep health within the survey were of To page 30
Picture Sandie Degnan
NSW
Interventional Radiology at Animal Referral Hospital (ARH) Homebush
ARH Homebush’s Internal Medicine Specialist, Dr Tim Hugo BVSc (Hons 1) FANZCVS (Small Animal Medicine) recently undertook specialised training in cardiac interventional radiology procedures in the USA led by renowned professor of cardiology at Colorado State University Dr. Brian Scansen. Focused on treating common congenital heart diseases such as patent ductus arteriosus and pulmonic stenosis, the training emphasised catheter-based treatments. Interventional Radiology offers new possibilities for conditions previously treated with open surgery, resulting in reduced patient morbidity and shorter hospital stays. ARH Homebush provides various interventional radiology treatments, including stenting and coiling for intrahepatic portosystemic shunts.
For enquiries or referrals contact (02) 9758 8666
New Airvo system at Animal Emergency Centre (AEC) Moorabbin and AEC Frankston
The Airvo 2 system is now available at AEC Moorabbin and AEC Frankston, offering high-flow nasal oxygen therapy for veterinary patients. This advanced treatment delivers a steady flow of humidified and warmed oxygen at up to 60 L/ min, significantly benefiting those with respiratory distress, pneumonia, or severe pulmonary conditions. The high flow rates create a slight positive airway pressure, helping to reduce the work of breathing and aid in alveolar recruitment. By optimising oxygenation and enhancing mucociliary clearance, Airvo 2 therapy marks an important step forward in veterinary respiratory care.
For enquiries or referrals to AEC Moorabbin contact (03) 9532 5261, and for AEC Frankston contact (03) 9770 5555
Uretral Stenting Surgery at the Centre for Animal Referral & Emergency (CARE)
Ureteral obstruction is increasingly recognised as a cause of acute renal dysfunction in cats. Fortunately, there is a range of options for renal decompression using tubing, or stents, to divert urine past the site of obstruction to external collection systems (percutaneous nephrostomy) or to the bladder, placed either within the ureter (endoluminal) or external to it (Subcutaneous Ureteral Bypass). Dr Guy Yates and the surgery team at CARE regularly perform ureteral stenting surgery and have recently published an evolution of a common stenting procedure that minimises postoperative complications and simplifies surgical placement. Many factors influence the post-operative prognosis, however, re-establishment of urine flow from the kidney preserves renal function and achieves a favourable outcome in many patients.
For enquiries or referrals contact (03) 9417 6417
QLD
Animal Emergency Centre (AEC) Kedron is now open 7 days a week!
Recently re-opened, AEC Kedron is now open seven days a week to enhance its support for local pets. As a committed provider of emergency and critical care services for pets, AEC Kedron caters to the needs of the Kedron community and surrounding regions. The team collaborates closely with general practice veterinarians to deliver after-hours veterinary care for their patients.
AEC Kedron has emergency vets available from 5pm to 8am on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays. For enquiries or referrals contact (07) 3350 1333
Signs the trade in big catderived products is declining Conference ends with workforce shortage relief in sight
South Korea was once one of the world's largest importers of tiger (Panthera tigris) bone and a major manufacturer of tiger-derived medicinal products. The country introduced trade bans on big cat body parts when it became a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in 1993.
A collaborative study involving researchers from the Zoological Society of London, University College London, and the Tiger and Leopard Conservation Fund inKorea, found Korea has made considerable progress to curb the trade over the past thirty years, but while highlighting the conservation achievements that have been made, the study, published recently in the journal PLOS ONE,also warns that the small-scale illegal trade remains a risk.
Lead author Joshua Elves-Powell, a PhD researcher at ZSL’s Institute of Zoology and UCL, said the results offer reasons to be optimistic.
“Just 30 years ago South Korea was one of the world’s most important markets for tiger bone, with around 750 skeletons worth of bones imported into the country between 1970 and 1993. Ending this largescale and deeply unsustainable trade is a major conservation success. At the same time it’s clear action is needed from the South Korean government to address the small-scale, illegal trade that persists, yet remains largely overlooked,” he said. Together with habitat loss the over-
Illegal medicinal products at a market in China, including tiger claw and tiger penis
exploitation of tigers for body parts, both for use within some traditional Asian medicine, and as status symbols, are key reasons why many of the big cat species are under threat. Critically endangered amur leopards that were native to South Korea had been hunted to extinction there by 1970. It is believed there are fewer than 100 of these animals remaining in their alternate ranges in China and Russia. To page 30
The annual Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Conference wrapped up inlate May with a panel session which brought together economists and veterinarians to discuss the landscape and emerging trends in the sector.
Chaired by Moss Siddle and Paul Blanc, information presented showed that while recruiting continues to be a challenge for many practices, there are signs of an easing of the workforce shortage, with continued improvements in 2025.
A factor driving the change has been slower demand growth for vet services, which has allowed the natural growth in veterinarian numbers to make progress in catching up with demand; however, this is only a short-term solution.
Veterinarian Diana Barker explained that demand for services can at times be cyclical. “There was a large increase in pet ownership
during COVID and when you consider the lifecycle of those animals, they had a high level of demand for veterinary services in their early years. That's now past, but we'll see them back in clinic in significant numbers again in five years,” she said.
Panellist Laura Thorbecke showcased how changes to hiring practices has also assisted with the workforce shortage, with veterinary practices embracing flexible part-time staff, which manages the need for locums.
BOQ economist, Peter Munckton recognised that the macroeconomic conditions are difficult now, but also noted that next year is likely to be better, while Barker counselled delegates to use the slower demand now to get their systems right so they will be able to capitalise on the boost in demand that will come in a few years.
■ JULIA GARDINER
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Habitat crucial when returning bilbies to former homes
A study published recently in the journal Animal Behaviour has revealed vital clues about how to successfully manage the reintroduction of the threatened greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis)into their former temperate habitat ranges. Bilbies have not lived within Australia’s southeastern and southwestern temperate zones for over 100 years. Since European settlement the species experienced a significant decline in these temperate ranges due to predation by foxes and feral cats, and competition with rabbits for food.
Scientists from the University of New South Wales Sydney, and Taronga Conservation Society Australia, used a large sanctuary atthe Taronga Western Plains Zoo inDubbo – part of the temperate zone – to better understand bilby habitat requirements. Bilbies are being bred for release into the wild at the Dubbo Sanctuary but according to Kate Cornelsen, a freelance wildlife ecologist, PhD Alumni of UNSW,and lead author, very little is known about what bilbies do and need in the temperate zone.
“If bilbies are to be restored in the temperate zone where they once thrived, we need to know much more about where they like to go and what they need there,” she said.
To demystify how bilbies behave and move about, the researchers fitted tiny GPS tracking devices to the tails of 20 greater bilbies. These
recorded where the bilbies were every hour and gave a unique insight into their nocturnal habits and preferences in the area.
Co-author Andrew Elphinstone, Conservation, Recovery and Restoration Programs Manager at TCSA, said bilbies are important ‘ecosystem engineers’ as they turn over and aerate the earth which improves soil health.
“Understanding the habitat preferences and needs of bilbies is critical to restoring the species to awider area so that they can have apositive impact over as wide an area as possible,” he said.
Food biomass, or its general availability, was found to have a strong influence on where the animals preferred to hang out, and the study showed they were pretty good at discovering where food was. Results showed there was a preference for certain soil types, with females more choosy in this regard than males.
With parental care falling exclusively to the females, the researchers noted a trade-off appeared to be made between making their burrows in soft sandy soil that is easy to dig through or basing themselves in more silty soil
more likely to contain food, despite the latter being more of a flood risk since it is usually closer to water. They also found bilbies generally spent more time in areas further from water sources since these were areas more likely to have food available throughout the seasons.
“What’s interesting about this is that it shows the diversity of soil types bilbies can exploit as they’re not just limited to sandy soils good for burrowing. Food is probably less patchy and more predictable in this study area too compared to the desert where they’ve been studied before. Areas further away from water probably still provide sufficient food for bilbies, and because they get all the water they need from their food, being further from water might help them avoid competition with other species that do need to drink,” Cornelsen explained.
The study demonstrates the importance of how environmental conditions can impact on what a species needs to thrive, and in the case of bilbies, how digging deeper into their preferences and movements has produced novel insights into how they select resources, which is a valuable contribution to their conservation.
“For future bilby reintroductions we’ll now have greater confidence in the resources required by the species within temperate regions,” Cornelsen said.
■ ANNELAYTON-BENNETT
Picture Rick Stevens
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How many veterinarians are needed in the US?
An uproar recently occurred when members of the veterinary community were trying to balance the need for enough veterinarians to meet future demand for their services without flooding the market with too many practitioners.
The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) recently commissioned a report that estimated 53,000 veterinary graduates will begin work in the US through 2032. However, the report projected this will only meet 76 per cent of the 70,000 new veterinarians the US will need.
“The supply shortfall can be addressed by reducing veterinarian turnover, improving efficiency, and increasing the supply of graduates,” the report said. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) leaders disagreed, sending a letter to the AAVMC board of directors on April 1, stating the report exaggerated the need for more veterinarians. They argued that the report underestimated the number of new graduates entering the profession while overestimating the future demand for veterinary care. Consequently,the AAVMC withdrew the report –but for another criticism. The AAVMC withdrew its report after criticism from the Women's Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative (WVLDI) that the report did not respectfully describe the increasing contribution of women to the profession. WVLDI is not well-known. It is aWest Virginia Library Association committee dedicated to improving distance and electronic learning in the state's libraries.
Maintaining balance between the need for enough veterinarians and not too many, is critical to make sure pay,working conditions, and professional standards are not negatively impacted. The two groups have different opinions on demand and supply, which support their missions. The AVMA is responsible for safeguarding the interests of veterinarians, while the AAVMC is responsible for meeting the needs of veterinaryschools.
The authors of the AAVMC report said they adopted a new measurement approach based on “10-year projections of occupational growth
and turnover” from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. By the early 2030s, US veterinary schools will need at least 1,600 new spaces, including places already planned to be added. The number of students enrolled in veterinary schools in the United States during the 2022–23 academic year was 15,000, as reported by the AAVMC. The AVMA criticised the report for underestimating the number of new graduates and did not consider what makes people want to visit veterinarians, such as how many animals need to be treated and how much money pet owners have. The AVMA feared that depicting the AAVMC data as definitive could lead to recommendations for far-reaching proposals not in the best interest of patients, clients, orcolleagues.
The AAVMC and AVMA have disagreed about workforce needs in the past. The AVMA letter noted concerns about the AAVMC's method, similar to those of two previous workplace studies published by the AAVMC in 2021 and 2023. While the authors of the 2024 AAVMC report acknowledged that previous studies were not perfect, they pointed out that the AVMA's previous workplace predictions had similar issues. The 2024 report supported other parts of earlier AAVMC reports but argued that its most recent evaluation is more precise.
Why is the veterinary profession undersupplied? The AAVMC concluded it is due to two demographic shifts. First, there are more women in the profession. Second, there are fewer baby boomers. These shifts have caused the average number of hours veterinarians work to shrink. Female veterinarians averaged 4.6 per cent fewer hours than men, because a greater share of women work part-time. The authors wrote, “The implications of the generation shift are less clear, but at least some millennials place a high value on work-life balance and may thus prefer to work fewer hours than the baby boomers they are replacing.” The report quoted US Labor Department statistics that estimated 70 per cent of employed and self-employed veterinarians in 2022 were women, up from 56 per cent in 2010.
YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? Is there a topic you’ve wanted to tell everyone about?
Have you ever thought you would like to write a clinical review but don’t know where to start? Do you have a hobby or historythat you think vets everywhere would like to learnmoreabout? Then don’t delay –email The Veterinarian at editor@vetmag.com.au and let us know – because your words could be in the pages of next month’sissue!
In the 2022–23 academic year, more than 80 per cent of veterinary students identified as female, suggesting that this trend will continue.
What is causing more women to enter this profession? The AAVMC report said that “the lack of a residency requirement, compared to human medicine, is an easier path to employment than physicians; and more moderate, controllable working hours” are the main reasons for the situation. Those more moderate hours “make veterinary medicine an attractive career for women who continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of household chores.” In an online April 15 post, the WVLDI responded that women do not choose to become veterinarians because they see an easier path to employment but “because of our commitment to advancing animal health worldwide.” The WVLDI agreed that many working women do more household chores than men, but they did not agree that women are more interested in veterinary medicine because “they want more time for housework.” The online post stated: “We did not choose an ‘easier’ career in veterinary medicine, which involved eight or more years of challenging college education, because we wanted more time to follow our true passion for folding socks and vacuuming floors.” The AAVMC released a statement on April 18, stating that it had removed the report from its website because they recognize the importance of women's leadership in veterinarymedicine and support its efforts to advance women's leadership. “While this was an independent assessment, AAVMC takes full responsibility for the lack of inclusivity represented in the report,” it said. “We have removed the report from our website, and it is pending further review by the authors.”
Whether the pending review will affect the report's determinations on workforce needs is unclear,though it would seem unlikely,given that the WVLDI said the focus of its concern is not the accuracy of the report's projections but the “lens through which the authors discussed” the impacts of demographic shifts on veterinarian supply.
Thomas Donnelly, BVSc, DipVP, DipACLAM reports from the US.
elcome back to a Day in the Life – this month we are joining Katerina Skarbek from Somersby Animal Hospital, which is located on the Central Coast of New South Wales. While Somersby Animal Hospital may sound like it is a generic veterinary practice, the reality is anything but – largely due to its proximity to theAustralian Reptile Park, which is home to more than 2,000 animals. Asaresult, Skarbek describes herself as a mixed animal veterinarian who works primarily with exotics, wildlife and zoo animals.
Inmany ways, working at Somersby Animal Hospital is a dream come true for Skarbek. “I grew up on a horse stud and was telling people I was going to be a vet from the second I could talk,” she said. “I was always coming home with an animal that needed ‘help’ and I hand raised various animals from kittens to goats to ducks. Luckily, I had an animal-loving family who tolerated this very well.” Not surprisingly, Skarbek opted to study aBachelor of Biomedical Science at Newcastle University when she finished high school, and followed this up with a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Diploma of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Sydney,which she completed in 2019. “I always wanted to work with horses and exotics but did not think I would be able to do both until I did a University placement at Somersby Animal Hospital as a student,” Skarbek said. “I fell in love with the clinic and was lucky enough to be offered a job then and there.”
Aregular day at Somersby Animal Hospital sees Skarbek attending to apacked and varied schedule. “I see at least six or seven different species aday, from macaws to alligators to
zebras,” she said. The clinic has aregular clientele who bring in domestic animals for treatment, but Skarbek and the rest of the team at Somersby Animal Hospital also treat animals from six different zoos and wildlife facilities, as well as for multiple wildlife groups. As a result, Skarbek has to deal with an unpredictable case load and long hours.
“A twelve-hour day is pretty normal, as our varied patient base often results in the need for a fair bit of research,” she said. “Weirdly, they don’t teach us how to take blood from a crocodile or how to anaesthetise a lion at university!”
Skarbek loves working with such a diverse patient caseload. “I’ve never heard of a ‘regular’ veterinary clinic that sees the variety of species that we do,” she said. “Not many clinics can say they have cheetahs, giraffes and Komodo dragons as patients.”
That said, working with such an assortment of species also presents challenges, particularly when working with animals for whom there is not a lot of published data. “Due to significant inter- and intra-species differences in reptiles, for example, we often don’t have sufficient data to guarantee adequate anaesthesia in these animals,” Skarbek said. “And did you know that the eye of an echidna has not been fully described in the literature?”
The challenging aspects of Skarbek’s role have ended up becoming the most rewarding parts of her job. “I love problem-solving and working with species outside of the ‘norm’,” she said. “Whether it’s making an anaesthetic mask to fit a kookaburra’s beak, or figuring out how we can lift a 170kg Galapagos tortoise to access its plastron, this role throws me curve balls on a daily basis and I love it!”
■ JAI HUMEL
And now, we conclude our day in the life with Katerina Skarbek by asking our ever-so-slightly cheesy Creature Questions:
Doyou currently have any pets?
Considering I live in an apartment, I have lots of pets! I currently have one tabby cat, three dogs (a chihuahua cross, a French bulldog and an American bulldog), three snakes and a galah.
What is your favourite animal?
If I had to choose, I would probably pick a big cat of some description. But, quite honestly,Iam just obsessed with all animals.
If you could transform into any animal, what would you be and why? Ithink I would transform into a leopard! Anyone who knows me is well aware of my strong affinity for leopard print.
Building a supportive workplace culture
Enhancing morale, reducing stress, and improving job satisfaction
In the demanding field of veterinary medicine, fostering a supportive workplace culture is crucial for maintaining team morale, reducing stress, and enhancing job satisfaction. A positive work environment not only benefits the mental and physical health of veterinary professionals but also translates to better care for the animals they serve. This article explores the importance ofa supportive workplace culture and offers evidence-based strategies to cultivate such an environment within veterinary practices in Australia.
Theimportance of a supportive workplace culture
Asupportive workplace culture is one where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered. It is characterised by open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to the practice's goals and values. According to the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), apositive work environment can significantly reduce stress levels, prevent burnout, and improve overall job satisfaction among veterinary professionals .
Benefits of a positive work environment
Enhanced team morale: When employees feel supported and appreciated, their morale improves. High team morale fosters collaboration, creativity, and a sense of belonging, which are essential for a productive and harmonious workplace.
Reduced stress and burnout: Veterinary professionals often face high-stress situations and emotional challenges. A supportive work culture can provide the necessary resources and emotional backing to cope with these demands, thereby reducing the risk of burnout.
Improved job satisfaction: Job satisfaction is closely linked to the quality of the work environment. Veterinarians who work in supportive settings are more likely to find their work
fulfilling and meaningful, leading to higher retention rates and lower turnover.
Strategies for building a supportive workplace culture
1. Promote open communication
Effective communication is the cornerstone of a supportive workplace. Encouraging open and honest dialogue helps build trust and ensures that team members feel heard and valued.
Regular meetings: Hold regular team meetings todiscuss practice goals, address concerns, and celebrate successes. This fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose.
Feedback channels: Implement anonymous feedback channels where staff can voice their concerns without fear of retribution. This can help identify and address issues promptly.
2.Encourage work-life balance
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for reducing stress and preventing burnout.
Flexible scheduling: Offer flexible work hours or shift rotations to accommodate personal commitments and reduce overwork.
Encourage breaks: Ensure that staff take regular breaks and use their vacation time to recharge. This can prevent burnout and improve overall well-being.
3. Provide mental health support
Mental health support is crucial in a high-stress profession like veterinary medicine.
Access to counselling: Provide access to professional counselling services, either in-house or through external providers. The AVA offers resources and support for mental health.
Wellness programs: Implement wellness programs that focus on stress management, mindfulness, and resilience training.
4.Foster professional development
Investing in the professional growth of your team demonstrates that you value their contributions and are committed to their career advancement.
Continuing Education: Support continuing education opportunities, such as workshops, seminars, and conferences. This not only enhances skills but also keeps staff motivated and engaged.
Mentorship programs: Establish mentorship programs where experienced veterinarians can guide and support newer staff members.
5. Recognise and reward contributions
Acknowledging the hard work and dedication of your team can boost morale and job satisfaction. Employee recognition programs: Implement recognition programs to highlight outstanding performance. This could include ‘Employee of the Month’ awards or public acknowledgments during meetings.
Incentives and rewards: Offer incentives such as bonuses, extra time off, or professional development opportunities as rewards for exceptional work.
6.Create a safe and inclusive environment
Asafe and inclusive workplace ensures that all team members feel respected and valued, regardless of their background or identity.
Diversity training: Provide training on diversity, equity, and inclusion to promote a respectful and welcoming environment for everyone.
Zerotolerance policy: Enforce a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, harassment, and discrimination. Ensure that all staff are aware of this policy and feel safe reporting any incidents.
Case study: Success in practice
One notable example of a veterinary practice successfully implementing these strategies is Greencross Vets, one of Australia's leading veterinary service providers. Greencross has prioritised creating a supportive work culture through initiatives such as flexible work arrangements, ongoing professional development, and comprehensive mental health support programs. These efforts have led to high employee satisfaction and retention rates, demonstrating the effectiveness of their approach.
Conclusion
Building a supportive workplace culture in veterinarypractices is not only beneficial for the well-being of veterinary professionals but also enhances the overall quality of care provided to animals. By promoting open communication, encouraging work-life balance, providing mental health support, fostering professional development, recognizing contributions, and creating a safe and inclusive environment, veterinary practices can cultivate a positive work culture that supports their team and improves job satisfaction. As the field of veterinarymedicine continues to evolve, prioritising the well-being of those who dedicate their lives to animal care is more important than ever.
References
1. Australian Veterinar y Association. (2023). Workplace Wellbeing. Retrieved fromava.com.au
2. Australian Veterinary Association. (2023). Mental Health Resources. Retrieved fromava.com.au
PEXION® is the only targeted therapy developed specifically for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, balancing seizure control whilst preserving quality of life in patients.1,2
Scan to rediscover the role of PEXION in managing canine idiopathic epilepsy*
“PEXION has provided a vital new tool for the treatment of epilepsy in dogs. As a neurologist, I now use it as my first choice anticonvulsant in drug-naive patients, because of its improved side effect profile over more traditional drugs, its improved hepatic safety, and its short half-life (which means I know whether it’s working fairly quickly). It is also one of the few anticonvulsants that has a sound body of evidence to support its use and it gives us one more option to use in our never-ending quest for that most elusive of things: perfect seizure control.” – Dr Sam Long BVSc PhD DipECVN, Veterinary Referral Hospital.
Analysis of substantiated welfare investigations in extensive farming systems in Victoria, Australia
Substantiated incidents of poor welfare affecting cattle, sheep and goats (livestock) in non-dairy extensive farming systems continue to occur. This study sought to describe the common causes of poor welfare of livestock and the associated circumstances, by analysing 39 years of de-identified, livestock welfare investigation records. There were a total of 2179 alleged offenders (AOff), defined as individual/s that had an incident of poor welfare affecting livestock on at least one occasion. Approximately 27 per cent of AOff were found to have poor welfare on more than one occasion. The majority of livestock welfare incidents were associated with neglect, more specifically, inadequate nutrition (56 per cent), treatment (65 per cent) and management/husbandry (83 per cent). Records of malicious acts were rare (one per cent). In the analysis, cases were allocated to 10 animal welfare severity categories (AWSC) based on the number of incidents and visits, whether the AOffreoffended, or if the incident was ongoing and whether the welfareissue was likely to affect the whole herd. A significantly higher proportion of cases in the most severeAWSC had a failure to shear, mark, dip/drench, draft and wean/cull, wereoverstocked or were not providing proper and sufficient feed, compared to the least severe AWSC (P < 0.05). Reoffending was significantly more likely when animals were found to be injured/unwell, recumbent, stuck in mud/yard/pen or in poor body condition, or when therewas a failure to wean/cull, mark, dip/drench and draft. Some of the issues identified here may be risk factors more commonly identified on farms with poor livestock welfare.
NWilliams1,L Hemsworth1,S Chaplin2,R Shephard3,A Fisher1 Aust Vet J. 2024 May 26.doi: 10.1111/avj.13342.
1Animal Welfare Science Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
2AgricultureVictoria, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Tatura, Victoria, Australia.
3School of Electrical and Data Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & IT,University.
Why are some people in the UK reluctant to seek supportfor their pets?
Drawing upon data from a study examining experiences of accessing support for pets from the UK animal welfare charity Blue Cross, this paper illuminates reasons why people might not seek support when they need it. This applies to those who are struggling financially and are eligible for, but do not take, free/reduced cost veterinary care, or are having other problems (e.g. the animal's disruptive behaviour or ill health, struggling to care for the pet due to changing circumstances or health problems, or coping with pet loss).
Twenty Blue Cross service users (15 female, five male, age 29-67) took part in individual online interviews using a semi-guided narrative approach, where they were encouraged to share their experiences of reaching out. They werealso asked to reflect upon why others may not do the same, and if they had any recommendations for organisations to help them reach these people. Findings echo other studies that highlight a fear of being judged, disclosure and stigma. Guilt, shame, lack of awareness, financial concerns, and wanting to manage independently, all play important roles. These factors have implications for the way supportservices areadvertised and delivered to ensure animals receive the care needed. We describe these reflections and recommendations and identify three broader ideological narratives underpinning participants' stories: 'giving back'; 'equity', and 'sacrifice'. These reveal how wider societal attitudes and values shape identities and behaviours. It is vital that support on offer is reframed to explicitly counteract these influences to ensureoptimal animal and human welfare.
Janine C Muldoon1,Joanne M Williams1
Anim Welf. 2024 May 3:33: e25.doi: 10.1017/awf.2024.19. 1Children, adolescents and animals research (Caar), Clinical and Health Psychology,University of Edinburgh, Doorway 6, Medical School, Elsie Inglis Quad, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK.
Social sham chewing in sows?
In this short communication, we describe chewing behaviour in sows with no apparent edible substrate in their mouth as a potential social behaviour. Chewing in sows during interaction with unfamiliar sows was unexpectedly observed in a study assessing social abilities and damaging behaviours in grouphoused dry sows. Such chewing was observed frequently and performed by almost all sows. To our knowledge, this behaviour has not been described previously in a social context in pigs, but rather as an oral stereotypic behaviour related to chronic hunger. We describe the behaviour in its social context and speculate on reasons for its occurrence in that context.
Claes Anderson1,Linda Marie Backeman Hannius2, Daiana De Oliveira2,Anna Wallenbeck2 Behav Processes. 2024 May: 218: 105042.doi: 10.1016/j.beproc.2024.105042.
1Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,P.O. Box 7068,Uppsala 75007,Sweden. Electronic address: claes.anderson@slu.se.
2Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,P.O. Box 7068,Uppsala 75007,Sweden.
Free article
Medication errors in veterinary anesthesia: a literature review
Objective: To provide an overview of medication errors (MEs) in veterinary medicine, with a focus on the perianesthetic period; to compare MEs in veterinary medicine with human anesthesia practice, and to describe factors contributing to the risk of MEs and strategies for error reduction.
Databases used: PubMed and CAB abstracts; search terms: [("patient safety" or "medication error*") AND veterin*]. To page 30
Acceptability and effects of acquiring an assistance or companion dog for families of children on the autism spectrum
Purpose: Assistance and companion dogs have numerous positive effects for family of autistic children, such as supporting their rehabilitation and improving their quality of life. To date, very few studies have compared the effects of both types of dogs. This comparison, considering the limited access to assistance dogs, could be helpful for families wanting to adopt a dog.
Methods: An explanatory sequential design with a mixedmethod approach was used. First, 85 parents (nassistance dogs= 57; ncompanion dogs= 28)of children aged between 3 and 17 years old (M =10.73, SD= 3.67) completed an online questionnaire including sociodemographic questions and the Treatment Acceptability Rating Form-Revised (TARF-R). Then, 17 of these participants (nassistance dogs= 14;ncompanion dogs= 3) completed a semi-structured interview.
Results: The quantitative data analyses showed that parents with assistance dogs weresignificantly moresatisfied: t (83) = -2.12, p =.037,d=0.49. Significant associations between some sociodemographic variables (e.g., number of children, comorbid condition, reasons for acquiring a dog) and acceptability/satisfaction (TARF-R total scores) werefound. The qualitative analysis revealed that families with both dog types observed positive effects.
Conclusions: In brief, having an assistance dog constitutes a significant added value; nevertheless, both types of dogs are appreciated.
1Department of Psychology,Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Treating early with VETMEDIN® is proven to delay the onset of clinical signs by 63% and extend life in preclinical DCM.1
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the second most common form of acquired heart disease in dogs1
To learn more about identifying preclinical DCM in dogs, scan the QR code to visit Boehringer Ingelheim Cardiology Hub. If you do not have an Animal Health Academy account, please register using the access code “myAcademy”.
For more information talk to your Boehringer Ingelheim Territory Manager today or call our Customer Care Team on 1800 808 691.
The easiest becomes the rule: beliefs, knowledge and attitudes of equine practitioners and enthusiasts regarding horse welfare
Inadequate management conditions can impair the welfare of captivebred horses. Understanding individuals' viewpoints and the factors influencing their decisions about adopting or avoiding certain practices may provide insights into their motivations and decision-making processes. This is particularly relevant in the equestrian community, where equine practitioners and enthusiasts often engage in harmful practices. We explored the beliefs, knowledge, and attitudes of equine practitioners and enthusiasts about horse welfare and the barriers that prevent them from employing better management practices that areessential to promoting horses' welfare. The study consisted of in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted in person with 31 individuals directly involved in the equestrian environment in Brazil. Responses wereanalyzed through thematic analysis with a data-driven deductive approach. Participants' beliefs, knowledge and attitudes to horse welfarewere divided into three themes. The first theme, "Let the horse be a horse", capturedparticipants' perceptions about how physical and mental aspects related to the nature and welfare of horses. The second theme, "Everyone does it like that", includes the social norms that influence decisions about the practices that impact on the welfareof the horses. The third theme, "Beyond utopia: how and why horses are managed the way they are", covered barriers that participants perceived as impediments to the use of best practices for the welfareof horses. While participants demonstrated awareness of welfare issues and acknowledged factors that negatively impact horses, therewas a notable discrepancy between this knowledge and the implementation of improved management practices. This could be explained by several perceived barriers to implementing management practices that could enhance horse welfare, including lack of financial resources, limited physical space, shortage of qualified labor, time constraints, inadequate tools, and insufficient knowledge. Additionally, we identified deeply rooted social norms within the equestrian community and culturally established practices that limit approaches to horse welfare. Participants underscored the influence of these norms and different interpretations of "letting the horse be a horse" based on the horse's value and purpose. Concerning low-value horses, the primary justifications for stall housing and concentrated feeding were linked to elevated costs involved in spatial demands and labor; in contrast, for high-value horses used in performance and aesthetics, the arguments shifted to potential benefits to the horses' well-being. From an ethical perspective, ideally, individuals should refrain from owning horses if they cannot ensurethe animals' welfare. Additionally,if the equestrian community neglects public attitudes towards animal welfare, it risks eroding its social license.
Letícia Santos Maurício1,Denise Pereira Leme1,Maria José Hötzel1 Animals (Basel). 2024 Apr 24;14(9): 1282.doi: 10.3390/ani14091282. 1Laboratory of Applied Ethology and Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science and Rural Development, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88034-001, SC, Brazil Free article
Immune-mediated equine vasculopathies
Immune-mediated vasculopathies occur secondary to infection or another noninfectious stimulus. Potential triggers include heterologous antigens including viruses, injected proteins and drugs; or auto-antigens including immunoglobulins or other endogenous proteins. Although these conditions are rare in horses, immune-mediated vasculopathies can cause considerable morbidity,with variable clinical signs depending on severity and organ system affected. Examples include purpura hemorrhagica, systemic lupus erythematosus, drug-induced vasculitis, paraneoplastic vasculitis, and idiopathic immune-mediated vasculitis. Diagnosis is presumptive or based on histopathology of skin biopsies if cutaneous signs arepresent. Treatment relies on removing the inciting cause, immunosuppression, and supportive care.
Rana Bozorgmanesh1
Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2024 May 23: S0749-0739(24) 00028-2.doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2024.04.002.
1UC Davis, UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Large Animal Clinic, 1 Garrod Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA. Electronic address: rbozorgmanesh@ucdavis.edu.
The best protocol to treat equine skin wounds by second intention healing
Equine skin wound treatment continues to be a challenge for veterinarians. Despite being a frequent practice, it remains difficult to choose an evidence-based treatment protocol. This study aimed to comprehensively explore the literature and provide a scoping review of therapeutic strategies for equine skin wounds and identify knowledge gaps and opportunities for future research. This review was conducted using specific criteria to select literature that described methods to manage second intention wound healing. After removing duplicates and screening papers for suitability, 81 manuscripts were included for data extraction. Of these, 59 articles were experimental studies, 10 were case reports, nine were case series, and three were clinical studies. The most frequent wound location was the distal limbs. Macroscopic assessment was the main tool used to evaluate treatment effectiveness. All of the case reports, case series, and clinical studies reported positive outcomes with regard to the treatment used, while only 36 per cent of the experimental studies found significant healing improvement in treated wounds compared to control groups. It was found that there are many treatments that have exhibited controversial results, and there exists a lack of evidence for the adoption of specific treatment protocols.
Gesiane Ribeiro12, Lúcia Carvalho1, João Borges13, José Prazeres1 Animals (Basel). 2024 May 18;14(10): 1500.doi: 10.3390/ani14101500.
1Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal.
2Veterinary and Animal Research Centre (CECAV), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University-Lisbon University Centre, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal. 3MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Évora University, Pólo da Mitra Apartado 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
Free article
Updated ACVIM consensus statement on equine herpesvirus-1
Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is a highly prevalent and frequently pathogenic infection of equids. The most serious clinical consequences of infection are abortion and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM). The previous consensus statement was published in 2009 and considered pathogenesis, strain variation, epidemiology, diagnostic testing, vaccination, outbreak prevention and control, and treatment. A recent survey of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine large animal diplomates identified the need for a revision to this original consensus statement. This updated consensus statement is underpinned by 4 systematic reviews that addressed key questions concerning vaccination, pharmaceutical treatment, pathogenesis, and diagnostic testing. Evidence for successful vaccination against, or effective treatment of EHV-1 infection was limited, and improvements in experimental design and reporting of results are needed in future studies of this important disease. This consensus statement also updates the topics considered previously in 2009.
David P Lunn1,Brandy A Burgess2,David C Dorman3,Lutz S Goehring4,Peggy Gross3,Klaus Osterrieder5,Nicola Pusterla6, Gisela Soboll Hussey7
J Vet Intern Med. 2024 May-Jun;38(3):1290-1299.doi:10.1111/jvim.17047.
1School of VeterinaryScience, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
2College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.
3College of VeterinaryMedicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
4Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
5Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
6School of VeterinaryMedicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
7College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, VeterinaryMedical Center,East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
A live, in-person three year executive veterinary leadership and business development program for practice owners and senior managers culminating in a vibrant workplace culture, improved talent retention, enhanced clinical outcomes, and sustainable financial prosperity.
Leadership, Non-Technical Skills, and Business Development education that is evidence-based and tailored for veterinary professionals at all levels in your organisation
Lead ing Edge
Across weekly video modules, this RACE-Accredited continuing education is crafted to proactively empower practicing veterinarians to enjoy improved fulfilment, effectiveness, and wellbeing with techniques and strategies proven to support longer, happier careers in general practice.
An immersive, four day leadership development program delivered live and in-person for prospective and current team leaders that equips them with new essential skills to elevate individual performance and become more successful and influential team leaders.
Emergi ng Leaders
fo r Ve te ri na ry Te am s
This RACE-Accredited online videomodular series collectively enhances the behavioural competencies of your veterinary team, often overlooked in traditional education, to engage and empower every team member to contribute to a healthier culture, increased engagement, and enhanced performance.
www.lincoln-institute.vet
Warm and wet weather creates ideal conditions for spread of Toxocara spp. roundworms and other canine soil-transmitted helminths
Dogparks provide an ideal urban space where dogs and their owners can exercise, play and socialise in a safe environment. These parks can however also increase the risk of exposure to infectious and parasitic agents including canine soil-transmitted helminths which are endemic to Australia, such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and Strongyloides spp. A recent study showed that almost half (42.6%) of all dog parks across Australia were contaminated with at least one species of canine soil-transmitted helminth, with on average more than 1 in 10 faecal samples (12.7%) testing positive.1 Climate (higher average rainfall and temperature) and socioeconomic factors (lower socioeconomic indices score) were shown to be associated with agreater risk of contamination. A consideration of these parasites is important as they impact not only animal health and wellbeing but also potentially human health, with many also being zoonotic.
Recent wet weather across the country and the forecast of an unusually warm winter by the Bureau of Meteorology may increase the risk of exposure of dogs and people to canine soiltransmitted helminths. Worm larvae develop more quickly in warm and wet conditions and can survive for longer periods of time. Additionally, heavy rain can result in the spread of worm eggs and larvae across the park, rather than having them found in or immediately next to deposited faeces.
Toxocariasis
Toxocariasis is an infection in humans caused by the larvae of Toxocara spp. roundworms. It is aclinically significant zoonosis, yet it remains apersistent problem in dogs and cats worldwide despite readily available and effective anthelmintics. Three species of roundworm are known to infest dogs and cats: Toxocara canis (canine only), T. cati (feline only) and Toxascaris leonina (canine and feline). Toxocara canis and T. cati are the most clinically significant species due to their zoonotic potential and capacity to cause disease in dogs and cats.2
ocular larva migrans, covert or common toxocariasis, and neurotoxocariasis.6,7 In addition to more overt clinical manifestations, studies have also shown that infection with roundworm can be positively associated with asthma and epilepsy in children.6 Additionally, a recent, large national study in the United States reported a strong association between serologically confirmed infection with Toxocara spp. and diminished cognitive function in children aged 6-16 years in the general population.8 This relationship was independent of factors such as socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender and rural residence. There is also evidence linking infection with Toxocara with neurodegenerative conditions in older individuals, including Parkinson’s disease and dementia, although more rigorous studies are needed to fully understand the significance of these associations.6
Whilst severe consequences of human toxocariasis such as blindness are fortunately rare, infection is likely common and is potentially linked to a growing body of evidence of clinical and subclinical effects. A recent meta-analysis of published data estimated that seven per cent of Australians are seropositive for Toxocara antibodies, indicating current or prior infection.9 It is likely that community awareness of the zoonotic potential of Toxocara is low. Knowledge of the risks can be a driving force for owner behaviour change and veterinarians play a crucial role in driving owner compliance for control measures such as regular anthelmintic treatment. The Australian Veterinary Association policy on the role of veterinarians in the management of zoonotic disease states, “Veterinarians should have knowledge of common and locally endemic zoonoses and their clinical impact on both animals and humans, actively educating all clients in strategies to minimize the risk of infection” 10 For Toxocara roundworms, such strategies would include:
■ Prompt disposal of dog faeces on a daily basis
■ Protecting playgrounds, garden areas and covering sandpits
■ Ensuring good hygiene practices, washing hands after handling pets and prior to eating
■ Preventing children from ingesting soil and faeces
■ Deworming pets monthly
■ Limit pet’s access to potential paratenic hosts (e.g., rodents)
NexGard SPECTRA is Australia’s #1 parasite protection brand.† It provides the most complete protection against fleas, ticks, mites, heartworm and intestinal worms, all in one monthly treatment. Using NexGard SPECTRA monthly aligns with the Australian Companion Animal Zoonoses Guidelines which recommend year-round flea control and monthly deworming of all cats and dogs to reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.
A major challenge in preventing zoonotic Toxocara infections is the ability of roundworm eggs to survive for years in the environment. Human infections occur through the accidental ingestion of eggs from contaminated soil (gardens, sandpits and parks), or on unwashed hands, objects or raw vegetables.3,4 Studies from all over the world have demonstrated high rates (13-35%) of soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs in public places such as sandpits, parks, playgrounds and beaches.5 These worms can also infect a range of other animals such as chickens and cattle and the ingestion of raw orundercooked meat is another potential source of transmission. While roundworm cannot complete maturation in humans, developing larvae can migrate through the body and result in signs of disease.
In humans, Toxocara larvae can penetrate the intestinal mucosa and migrate to the liver,lungs and other organ systems (e.g., skeletal muscle, heart, brain and eyes). Migrating larvae are attacked by host immune responses, resulting in local inflammation. A number of clinical syndromes are recognised as being caused by Toxocara infection: visceral larva migrans,
Dr Vito Colella, a parasitologist from the University of Melbourne commented, “The effect of weather on infection of animals and humans has been studied throughout the world. Optimal rainfall, humidity, and temperature have all been shown to be associated with an increased risk of human infection with Toxocara roundworms. Given the record-breaking wet weather we have seen recently, it is important that pet owners areaware of the risk and how to manage it. To help minimise the risk roundworms pose to people, infectious disease experts recommend promptly picking up and disposing of pet faeces, hand washing after interacting with potentially contaminated soil and objects and deworming dogs monthly with appropriate products. This is important for all dog owners, but particularly so for those with young children who we know areat greatest risk.”
The Australian Companion Animal Zoonoses Guidelines cover 19 important zoonoses, providing recommendations and strategies to minimise the risk of zoonotic disease transfer from dogs and cats in the veterinary clinic and community setting. To download a copy of the Guidelines, visit Animal Health Academy (www.animalhealthacademy.com.au) by scanning the QR code to your right. If you don’t already have an account, it is simple to create one using the access code: myAcademy.
Article written and supplied by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
†CEESA International Sales Services MAT Q4 2023 See product label for full claim details and usage instructions.
References
1. Massetti, L. et al. (2022) Faecal prevalence, distribution and risk factors associated with canine soil-transmitted helminths contaminating urban parks across Australia. Int J Parasitol, 52, 637–646.
2. Despommier, D. (2003) Toxocariasis: clinical aspects, epidemiology, medical ecology, and molecular aspects. Clin Microbiol Rev, 16, 265–72.
3. Robertson, I. D. & Thompson, R. C. (2002) Enteric parasitic zoonoses of domesticated dogs and cats. Microbes Infect,4, 867–873.
4. Carvalho, E. A. de A. & Rocha, R. L. (2014) Visceral Larva Migrans Syndromes Associated with Toxocariasis: Epidemiology, Clinical and Laboratory Aspects of Human Toxocariasis. Curr Trop Med Rep,1, 74–79.
5. Fakhri, Y. et al. (2018) Toxocara eggs in public places worldwide - A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environ Pollut, 242, 1467–1475.
6. Ma, G. et al. (2018) Human toxocariasis. Lancet Infect Dis,18, e14–e24.
7. Chen, J. et al. (2018) Toxocariasis: a silent threat with a progressive public health impact. Infect Dis Poverty, 7, 59.
8. Walsh, M. G. & Haseeb, M. A. (2012) Reduced cognitive function in children with toxocariasis in a nationally representative sample of the United States. Int J Parasitol,42, 1159–1163.
9. Rostami, A. et al. (2019) Seroprevalence estimates for toxocariasis in people worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Neglected Trop Dis,13, e0007809.
10. Australian VeterinaryAssociation. The role of veterinarians in the management of zoonotic disease. https://www.ava.com.au/policy-advocacy/ policies/professional-practices-for-veterinarians/ the-role-of-veterinarians-in-the-managementof-zoonotic-disease/Accessed 29 May 2024.
Embryonated Toxocara canis egg
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Pain relief, sedation and regional anaesthesia in equine dentistry
What the vet should know
The patients we are called on to examine vary greatly in many factors which all play a role in the plan for, response to, and need for sedation, pain relief and regional anaesthesia.
Modern sedative analgesics are widely available, safe, stable, effective, easily administered via a variety of methods to suit each patient and available at low cost. These are all excellent reasons to utilise an appropriate level of sedative or analgesia in each case, however a further very important consideration must be the welfare of the patient.
ShannonLeeBVSc
MANZCVSc. D.ICEVO obtained his veterinary degree from the University of Queensland. He travels widely and is in demand as an international lecturer and educator.
In2010 Leebecame the firstveterinarian to obtain Membership of the Australian and New Zealand College ofVeterinary Scientistsin Equine Dentistryin Victoria. At the time he was alsothe youngest veterinarian to have attained the qualification. Lee has served as a Subject examiner in Equine Dentistryfor the College(Australia and NewZealand's peakpost graduate Veterinary body) and is a pastPresident of theDentistry chapter. In2015 he successfully completeda Diplomat pathway training program to continue hisknowledge andtraining. Lee was the first person to identify EOTRH in Australasia. Heis a consultant equine dental veterinarian at AdvancedEquine Dentistry,and is available by appointment.
Dental procedures a) require a detailed and often relatively invasive examination and b) procedures and the conditions leading to procedures often involve a significant level of pain and discomfort for the patient.
Both the dental structures and the surrounding soft tissues are sensitive, taking sensory innervation from branches of the trigeminal nerve (the largest of the cranial nerves).
Regardless of the sensory input the nerve receives this nerve signals any noxious stimulus in the same way: with pain.
The teeth themselves are complex structures comprising three key mineral components
■ Enamel
■ Cementum
■ Dentine
Afourth and equally important soft tissue component is the pulp. The pulp contains both blood vessels and nerve endings and injury to this tissue resulting in pulp death is a frequent reason for dental extraction. In cases of acute pulp exposure such as recently fractured teeth because of trauma, administration of both anti-inflammatories and antibiotic therapy is advised.
The pulp communicates with the dentine via odontoblastic processes extending through tubules within the dentine to the border of the enamel.
thresholds for pain are individual and difficult to measure whilst at the same time being affected by both memory and emotion. So this leads us not only to the need for sedation and analgesia for each patient but to examine how we might go about providing the most appropriate sedation and analgesia in each patient.
For dental procedures a strong case can be made for standing sedation to be used for most procedures including many surgical approaches.
Whilst each case is unique and must be examined on its own merits some points to consider in weighing up a decision between standing sedation and a general anaesthesia include General anaesthesia in equids still carries a morbidity mortality rate of 1:100 with no change in this rate in the last 30 years,1 this compares with 1:1000 for small animals and 1:200,000 for humans
Procedures inside the oral cavity are difficult and access and exposure is further compromised with the addition of dorsal/ lateral recumbency and or gaseous anaesthesia.
So examining the available options there will be plenty of room for opinions and personal preferences however it is important that we look at the evidence before making any decisions.
Let’s start first with the pharmacological groupings
■ Tranquilisers
■ Sedatives
■ Analgesics
Tranquilisers
Acepromazine Maleate
Phenothiazine tranquilisers are used to produce calming effects, they do not produce analgesia, although it’s believed that there use in conjunction with alpha-2 agonists and or opioids potentiates the analgesic effects of these compounds.
Acepromazine can be administered orally,IM or IV and increasing dose
that geldings also carry some risk of priapism.
Acepromazine acts to block the action of the neurotransmitter dopamine both peripherally and centrally.
Onset of action is between 20–40 minutes and duration may last between 4–6 hours.
Sedatives
■ Alpha-2 agonists
■ Xylazine, detomidine, romifidine
The alpha-2 agonist family of drugs is notable for its predictable and quick onset of effective sedation
Alpha-2 agonists produce sedation with muscle relaxation, ataxia, and analgesia when given orally, intravenously, or intramuscularly. Xylazine, detomidine, and romifidine are used in horses. Alpha-2 agonists produce several cardiorespiratory and other side effects, the significance of which are dose dependent in the clinical dose range. Heart rate decreases, and sinus arrhythmia, first degree atrioventricular blockade, and seconddegree atrioventricular blockade are common. Arterial blood pressure is initially increased because of druginduced increases in peripheral vascular resistance. Hypertension may be sustained (20–60 min), particularly when detomidine and romifidine are used. Decreases in heart rate and increases in peripheral vascular resistance produce significant decreases in cardiac output, often to levels 50% of the pre-drug values. Respiratoryrate is usually decreased, but tidal volume increases to compensate for the drop. Relaxation of the muscles of the upper airway occurs and can predispose the horse to stridor. The administration of an alpha-2 agonist decreases salivation, gastric secretions, and gastrointestinal motility, and it also increases urine volume. Swallowing is depressed, and thus, passage of nasogastric tubes may be more difficult. Other incidental effects of alpha-2 administration include increases in intrauterine pressure, hyperglycemia, and hypoinsulinemia. While they do have significant dose dependent cardiovascular effects, they are partially reversible with alpha2 antagonists; atipamezole, tolazoline and yohimbine. Care needs to be exercised however in the use of alpha-2 antagonists as their use can lead to excitement, confusion, respiratory distress and cardiovascular compromise.
Changes to the osmotic pressure within these tubules result in sensation to the teeth with any noxious stimulus experienced as pain. For this reason procedures performed in all patients have the potential to cause significant discomfort
As this pathway of nerve endings is of the pain–temperature type sensation,
does not appear to increase the clinical effect of the drug rather it increases the duration of action. Acepromazine (10mg/ml) can be administered at 0.02–0.05mg/kg. Acepromazine has been linked to a risk of priapism in male horses and for this reason it is generally advised that it not be administered to stallions. It should be noted
Elective reversal of alpha-2 agonist sedation with atipamezole, tolazoline or yohimbine is not without serious risk of idiosyncratic and potentially fatal consequences in the horse; as evidenced by clinical reports of drug reaction and possible death resulting from administration of aplha 2 antagonists to reverse the effects of alpha2 agonist sedation for veterinar y procedures in the horse.2
Xylazine was first formulated in 1962, however it was the early 1980s before clinicians realised its benefits as a sedative or analgesic.
Sold in several concentrations but most used in horses at 100mg/ml, xylazine shows the least alpha-2 selectivity amongst this class of drugs with
160:1 Alpha-2 / alpha 1 selectivity as compared to260/1 for detomidine3 and romifidine 340/1. metodetomidine 1620/1.4
Itis a non-narcotic sedative and analgesic as well as muscle relaxant. Its sedative and analgesic activity is related to central nervous system depression. Its muscle-relaxant effect is based on inhibition of the intraneural transmission of impulses in the central nervous system. The principal pharmacological activities develop within 10 to 15 minutes after intramuscular injection, and within 3 to 5 minutes following intravenous administration in horses.
A sleep like state, the depth of which is dose-dependent, is usually maintained for 1 to 2 hours, while analgesia lasts from 15–30 minutes. LD50 for this compound in the horse has been reported at between 15–27mg/kg IV for a 500kg patient this equates to 75ml at the lower rate of 15mg/kg) and 60–70mg/kg IM, however reports exist of horses dying following dose rates of between 0.5–2.8mg/kg IV.
For routine dental procedures (examination ofthe patient and performance of shorter procedures such as “floating”, wolf teeth extraction, and deciduous tooth removal etc a suggested dose with or without the addition of acepromazine and or an opioid would be between 0.2–1.0mg/kg.
Care should be taken when handling Xylazine as reports of human overdose exist.5
D etomidine is an imidazole derivative and alpha-2-adrenergic agonist, used as a large animal sedative. It is usually available as the salt detomidine hydrochloride.
Detomidine is a sedative with analgesic properties. Alpha-2-adrenergic agonists produce dose-dependent sedative and analgesic effects, mediated by activation of alpha-2 catecholamine receptors, thus inducing a negative feedback response, reducing production of excitatory neurotransmitters. Due to inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system, detomidine also has cardiac and respiratory effects and a diuretic effect.
A profound lethargy and characteristic lowering of the head with reduced sensitivity to environmental stimuli (sound, pain and so on) are seen with detomidine. A short period of reduced coordination is characteristically followed by immobility and a firm stance with front legs spread. These effects are mostly beneficial for the practitioner performing dental procedures. Following administration there is an initial increase in blood pressure, followed by bradycardia and second-degree atrioventricular block (this is not pathologic in horses). The horse commonly sweats to excess, especially on the flanks and neck. Other side effects reported include pilo erection (hair standing erect), ataxia, salivation, slight muscle tremors, and (rarely) penile prolapse. An agonist of receptors, adrenergic alpha-2 that is used in veterinary medicine for its analgesic and sedative properties. It is the racemate of dexmedetomidine. As detomidine is an arrhythmogenic agent, extreme care should beexercised in horses with cardiac disease, and in the concurrent administration of other arrhythmogenics. The concurrent use of IV potentiated sulfonamide antibiotics is considered particularly dangerous due to the risk of fatal cardiac dysrhythmias. (this applies to all alpha-2 agonists) Detomidine is a sedative with analgesic properties. 2-adrenergic agonists produce dose-dependent sedative and analgesic effects, mediated by activation of catecholamine receptors, thus inducing a negative feedback response, reducing production of excitatory neurotransmitters. Due to inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system, detomidine also has cardiac and respiratory effects and adiuretic effect.
Due to the potential prolonged lowering of the head mucous discharges from the nose and oedema of the muzzle and head may be seen. Supplied at a concentration of 10mg/ml, the
manufacturer recommends dose rates for detomidine between 0.1–0.8ml per 100kg via IV or IM injection. Detomidine can also be administered sublingually. As discussed previously detomidine is more alpha-2 selective than Xylazine and is 100 times more potent. It also has a duration of action roughly twice that of Xylazine. Onset of action following administration is claimed to be roughly five minutes IV and 15mins IM however clinically following IV administration it appears effects can often be observed much sooner than the stated 5 minutes. The Ld50s for detomidine are 60mg/kg oral. 35mg/kg IV. So for a 500kg patient this equates to1.75litres IV or 3 litres orally.
Due to the prolonged duration of action, the greater alpha-2 selectivity and the greater margin of safety it could be argued that detomidine provides a better platform for dental procedures, especially for veterinarians moving over in to longer, more complex and more painful procedures.
The dose rates given by the manufacturer make no distinction with regards to method of administration however consultation of other resources will show that generally the dose rate required to achieve the same clinical effect with IM administration is double that of the IV dose. When given orally the dose rate is tripled. It should be pointed out that an oral detomidine gel is available however with reference to any form of oral/sublingual administration it is not generally suited to dental procedures due to inconsistent results (long time to take effect, long duration of action, however generally a very mild level of sedation or at least still a strong reaction to external stimuli) It’s role in these situations therefore really lies as an adjunct to the management of fractious or injection phobic patients.
It should be noted that the study population was small (see figure with table) however as can be seen for dental procedures it was felt that the addition of butorphanol did not improve the quality of oral examination and that both romifidine and detomidine scored highly. However the addition of butorphanol to any alpha-2 was perceived to increase the depth of sedation with the deepest visible effects seen in combination with Xylazine. Detomidine scored the highest overall for quality of examination.7
Opioids are a class of drugs are used to provide analgesia however the use of these drugs alone can cause excitement and they are used in combination with alpha-2s alone or with the addition of a phenothiazine tranquiliser
Butorphanol is a synthetic opioid agonist/ antagonist that produces analgesia.
It produces less excitement than either fentanyl or morphine, however at higher doses the levels of ataxia can be profound. In humans butorphanol has been demonstrated tohave between 5–7 times the analgesic effect of morphine. The analgesic benefits of butorphanol must be weighed against the potential for twitching, jerking, head pressing and the “torb walk”, all of which have the potential to complicate dental procedures. Literature will recommend administering a heavy dose of an alpha-2, waiting at least 5–10 minutes before adding butorphanol to avoid or reduce these effects, however it is the authors experience that this makes little difference. Supplied at 10mg/ml with a recommended dose range between 0.2–1.0ml per 100kg IV.
The tolerance of butorphanol has been well tested in horses with both singular and repeated IV doses up to 10 times the maximum dosage of 0.1mg/kg (1.0ml per 100kg )
The IV LD50 for the Dog Is 10mg/kg, mouse 36mg/kg and rat 17-20mg/kg
Butorphanol is best used in combination with an alpha-2 agonist.
Local and regional anaesthesia
Regional nerve blocks are largely simple, quick to perform and low cost in relation to those used to facilitate equine dental procedures. However that being said some are not without risk either of injury to the operator or to the patient. It is advisable to seek assistance in learning to perform these blocks correctly, safely and ultimately effectively, thereby reducing the chances of injury or complication.
Equine dental nerve blocks
Care should be taken when handling detomidine as case reports of accidental human overdose exist and as well as the IV and IM routes of administration exposure can occur dermally, orally, and via inhalation.6
Romifidine is an alpha-2 agonist with greater alpha-2 selectivity than either Xylazine or detomidine. (340:1) Supplied at 10mg/ml the manufacturer recommends 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2ml per 100kg for light sedation, deep sedation and deep sedation with prolonged effect respectively. It produces less lowering of the head and less ataxia than either Xylazine or detomidine, however it has the longest duration of action of these three.
Itproduces less depth of sedation when compared with detomidine (based on head droop) and its analgesic effects carrysome controversy however they appear like the others to be shorter in duration than the sedative effects.
Romifidine Hydrochloride is supplied at a concentration of 10mg/ml.
Oral LD50 (rat) 255mg/kg and IV
In a PhD study at the university of Liège examining alpha-2s alone or in combination with opioids the following results were recorded:
Local and regional anaesthesia in combination with sedation and analgesia provides the equine practitioner and patients with several benefits, coupling that with the relative ease and simplicity along with a need for minimal equipment, expense or time dental nerve blocks are something any practitioner should make themselves familiar with. The removal or reduction of painful stimuli associated with dental procedures such as tooth extraction results in the following. Patients are easier to examine and perform procedures on resulting in improved working conditions and outcomes. Regional anaesthesia can provide diagnostic information often allowing better prognostic information for owners. The use and application of regional anaesthesia can reduce dose rates for systemic sedatives and an increased number of procedures can be undertaken in the standing patient thereby potentially reducing the costs and risks involved with general anaesthesia and patients that do require a general anaesthetic can be maintained at a lighter plane of anaesthesia. If effective preoperative analgesia is achieved using these techniques, then post-operative pain can be reduced.
Nerve supply to the head region
Several nerves supply innervation to the head region of the horse, the nerve of interest for this
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article is the trigeminal nerve (CNV) and its branches. CN V is a sensory nerve supplying innervation to the teeth, gingiva.
The major sensory innervation of the head is the trigeminal nerve (CN V) which has three main branches: ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular. The maxillary branch enters the caudal maxilla ventral to the orbit via the maxillary foramen and runs thru the maxilla giving off branches that supply the maxillary cheek teeth. The nerve exits at the infraorbital foramen which lies just rostral and dorsal to the facial crest.
The mandibular branch runs medially along the mandible branching into smaller nerves including the inferior alveolar nerve which innervates the mandibular cheek teeth. The nerve exits the mandible at the mental foramen on the rosrolateral aspect of the mandible in the diastema.
Local anaesthetic agents
Local anaesthetic agents block nerve conduction in all types of neurons, including pain, sensory, motor, proprioceptive, and sympathetic nerve fibres. The minimum concentration of local anaesthetic necessary to block conduction is higher for motor nerve fibres than for sensory fibres, so sensory anaesthesia can occur without muscle blockade. Several agents are commonly used these include lignocaine and mepivicaine and bupivicaine,each with their own duration of action. Local anaesthetics can be administered at specific sites (local block), near nerves (regional block), topically, and by infusion.
Local anaesthetics produce analgesic, antiarrhythmic, antishock, central nervous system depressant, anaesthetic sparring, mild antiinflammatory, and gastrointestinal promotility effects. Symptoms of toxicity in horses include bradycardia, heart block, hypotension, delirium, seizures, and respirator y and cardiac arrest. These effects are exaggerated in hypoxemic and acidotic horses. These can occur as a result of intravascular injection or entry into the bloodstream through excessive perfusion. Local tissue sloughing can occur in thin skinned breeds such as Arabians and thoroughbreds.
has been advocated as a diagnostic aid in the evaluation of headshaking horses
The infraorbital foramen can be found in most horses by placing the ring finger on the rostral aspect of the facial crest and the thumb in the nasal notch, dividing this distance in half with the middle and index finger the dorsal rim of the foramen can usually be palpated two finger widths above dorsal to this line. In some horses the levator naso labialis muscle will need tobe pushed dorsally to palpate the foramen. There is great variation on the diameter of the opening, so it is beneficial to spend sometimes palpating to determine how easy passing a needle into the foramen is likely to be. The nerve block involves direct stimulation of the nerve while the practitioner is directly in front of ornear the front of the horse. Hence proper preparation and safety is essential to avoid serious injury. The horse should be sedated, and an opioid should be administered, it is advisable toplace the horse in a crush if available and anasal twitch should ALWAYS be used. The horses head should be directed to one side to allow the person administering the block to stand to one side of the horse’s front feet and sufficient time (five minutes) should be allowed for the opioid to take effect. A small bleb of local can be applied over the injection site however care should be taken not to use too much as it will make palpation and determination of the location of the foramina difficult. A 21 gauge 1 1/2 inch needle should be directed into the foramina at an angle consistent with palpation and parallel with the dorsum of the nose, the needle should be tapped with the thumb or tip of the middle finger to avoid the needle falling out as it contacts the nerve, and the horses head moves. Injection of 3–5ml of local anaesthetic followed by digital pressure following removal of the needle should provide good regional anaesthesia to incisors, upper canines and premolars. The depth the needle is inserted the volume injected and anatomical differences will determine how far back the block is effective. As with all nerve blocks time should be given for the block to work and the block should be tested before invasive procedures begin.
communication G.Wilson). The maxillary block can be performed using two different approaches however due to the close proximity of large blood vessels. The maxillary nerve is closely apposed to the internal maxillary artery and the cranial nerves II, III, IV and VI. The maxillary foramen is accessed between the zygomatic bone and the mandible at the level of the posterior one-third of the eye. It is helpful to examine a skull before performing the block to aid in identifying this area and the exact location of the maxillary foramen. Several different approaches and materials have been described and recommendedfor this block, including the use of a blunt ended touhy needle. As the complications around this block primarily are the result of iatrogenic damage to blood vessels, approaches that rely on a shallower depth of insertion of the needle are more favourable and carry a reduced risk of complication. Furthermore whilst most patients tolerate this block extremely well it is the author’s opinion that the use of a smaller diameter shorter needle and effective sedation reduces risk of haemorrhage. In the approach I favour a 21g 1/2 needle is inserted just below the zygomatic bone at the level of the posterior third of the eye at a 90°angle to the patient, following identification of superficial blood vessels and where possible having identified by palpation the location of the space between the rostral aspect of the ramus of the mandible and the caudal aspect of the maxilla just ventral to the facial crest. Needle is advanced to the hub. If the nerve is contacted, the horse will show aslight head jerk., injection of 20–25ml of local anaesthetic should provide effective regional anaesthesia blocking sensory innervations to all of the ipsilateral cheek teeth, as well as the upper canine or wolf tooth if present and the middle and lateral incisor teeth, 02,03 modified triadan system (remember that for central incisor teeth sensory innervation comes in bilaterally so for these teeth effective anaesthesia requires bilateral blocks).
How to perform nerve blocks
Dental blocks
Infraorbital nerve block
The infraorbital nerve is a sensory continuation of the maxillarybranch of the trigeminal nerve. This nerve supplies sensory innervation to the ipsilateral upper lip, cheek, and nostril as well as the upper incisors, canines and premolars. Desensitisation of this nerve can greatly enhance procedures involving dental conditions and
Maxillarynerve block
The maxillary block is one the author uses frequently preferring it over the infraorbital HOWEVER whilst the block is relatively simple to perform. This block carries the risk of potential serious complication, there is a risk with this block of haemorrhage leading to peri ocular swelling as well as the possibility of retro bulbar infection. The author is aware of at least one incidence of exophthalmos (personal
You will find descriptions for this block that suggest using a longer and larger diameter stylette or needle and advancing all the way in until you hit bone, it is the authors opinion, that these methods increase the risk of potential serious complications. Regardless of method used following the administration of the block patients should be monitored for any peri ocular swelling and the risks and potential complications associated with this block should be clearly identified to owners before the procedure is carried out and their consent obtained.
Mental nerve block
The mental foramen is located between the lower corner incisor and the first cheek tooth
Locations of foramina
Maxillary nerve block
(2nd premolar) on the lateral aspect of the mandible. In male patients it is usually located half way between the lower canine tooth and the 1st cheek tooth. The foramen may be obscured by the pressor labii inferioris muscle which is easily displaced dorsally or ventrally. This block is similar to the infraorbital block in that the nerve is likely to be contacted and the horse needs to be well restrained, sedated and have opiod analgesia. A 22-gauge, 1- or 1.5-in. needle, is inserted towards the foramen from a rostral to caudal direction and 5 mL of local anaesthetic isdeposited at the foramen location.
Mandibular nerve block
The mandibular foramen is located by palpating or visualising a line thru where the upper and lower cheek teeth meet running rostro caudal. A second line is then visualised from the lowest point of the ramus of the mandible to the lateral canthus of the eye. Where these two lines intersect will approximate the location ofthe mandibular foramen on the medial side of the mandible.
If a skull is available this will assist the practitioner in orientating these landmarks/locations. Good sedation and restraint/support should be used when performing nerve blocks.
is in the correct location. At this point 20–25ml of local anaesthetic can be slowly diffused into the site. Whilst tissue sloughing has been reported in thin skinned breeds and care must also be taken with dose related toxicity the author has seen another approach utilised for this block if long (5?) stylettes are not on hand. Because these are readily available and inexpensive the following is mentioned for emergency use only, the Author is aware of practitioners performing this block with short (2–3) inch stylettes and perfusing 60ml of local anaesthetic. As with all blocks at least 1015 minutes should be given to allow the block to take effect before commencing any invasive procedures. It is also agood idea to test the effectiveness of the block at the end of this interval; this can be done by inserting a needle into the area or pressing on the area and observing whether a painful stimulus response is elicited.
Local perfusion
Any site not readily desensitised by a regional nerve block can be directly infused with local anaesthetic solution to affect analgesia. Typical uses include skin desensitisation for procedures involving the sinuses, laceration repairs, mass
quickly with little equipment or expense and practitioners can become proficient in the procedures in a short period. Complications of the procedures have been recorded however the occurrence rate is low; complications that could be encountered include haemorrhage, oedema, haematoma, neuritis, infection and tissue trauma.8 Application of correct technique and a good understanding of the local anatomy should minimise the likelihood of such complications, and furthermore practitioners are encouraged to seek out professional development opportunities to learn, refresh orupdate these skills in a safe and professional setting.
References
1.Johnston GM et al The confidential enquiry into perioperative equine fatalities (CEPEF): mortality results of Phases 1 and 2. Vet Anaesth Analg. (2002) 29:159–70
2. Zeiler GE, A review of clinical approaches to antagonism of alpha2-adrenoreceptor agonists in the horse. Equine Veterinary Education Volume 27 issue 1 Jan 2015 pgs 48–54
3. Virtanen et al Comparison of the effects of detomidine and xylazine on some á2-adrenoce
Each practitioner will have their preferred combinations and dose rates to suit the patient and situation; however as a starting point 0.8mg/kg xylazine in combination with butorphanol used on patients restrained in stocks will provide good sedation and analgesia. Local anaesthetic can be used at the site of entryof the needle. The author uses a 14-gauge 5 1/4 inch styllete from a catheter inserted at the lowest point of the jaw in line with the landmarks described above. Before inserting the needle, it is advisable to measure on the lateral side approximately how far the needle will need to be inserted. The needle is then inserted on the medial aspect of the jaw line. Examining a skull will demonstrate that this part of the jaw is curved so that the lower third of the mandible rolls medially Initially the needle should be directed to follow this curve with the bevel orientated to face the medial aspect of the mandible the practitioner should feel the needle skip over the bone and should adjust the angle to be more vertical after approximately 2–3cms. If the nerve is located by the tip of the needle the animal will usually give visible signs (such as a flick of the head) that the needle
removals, or biopsies. Manipulations within the paranasal sinuses are better tolerated after instilling 50–60mL of local anaesthetic into the sinus. Standing procedures of the ear can be performed after instillation of local anaesthetic (approximately 20 mL) in a ring block around the base of the external ear.
Procedures involving the incisors and wolf teeth can be simplified using local perfusion of anaesthesia. Toperfuse local anaesthetic around wolf teeth 2ml is injected both palatally and buccally into the free mucosa, not the gingiva which having no free space underneath will be hard to inject into, care should be taken on the palatal aspect to avoid damage to the palatine artery.
Local anaesthetics are metabolised in the liver, and metabolites are excreted in the urine. Metabolism and elimination are affected minimally by anaesthesia.
Discussion
Dental Nerve blocks and local perfusion allow the veterinarian many benefits and aid in diagnosis and treatment of a range of conditions. The procedures can be performed
ptor-mediated responses in the central and peripheral nervous systems European Journal of Pharmacology Volume 115 issues 2–3 September 1985 pgs 277–284
4. Hubbell J.E. Practical standing chemical restraint of the horse . Proc. Am. Assoc. Equine Pract. 2009 volume 55 pgs 2 – 6 .
5. Spoerke D.G et al Human overdose with the veterinar y tranquiliser xylazine. American Journal of Emergency Medicine Volume 4 issue 3 May 1986 pg 222–224 Spoerke D.G Et Al
6.Cummins FH Accidental human poisoning with a veterinar y tranquilliser Emergency Medicine Journal Volume 22 issue
7. July 2005 6 Barbary S et al Evaluation of sedation depth and quality of performed procedures following administration of á2-agonists combined or not with butorphanol in horses. AVA Autumn Meeting Oct 2008 Poster presentation.
8. Tanner BR et Al A Retrospective Study of the Incidence and Management of Complications Associated With Regional Nerve Blocks in Equine Dental Patients Journal of Veterinary Dentistry Volume 36 issue 1 May 2019.
Mandibular nerve block
CVS launches secondment program
CVS Australia has announced an innovative secondment program, offering Australian veterinary professionals a unique opportunity to work in the UK for up to two years. This initiative, which is believed to be a first for the Australian veterinary market, also allows UK colleagues to experience work in Australia.
The program is designed to provide CVS Australia vets and nurses with international career development opportunities. Eligible vets with more than one year of experience and nurses with more than two years of experience can apply. The secondment is also open to colleagues in support office roles, ensuring a broad range of professional development opportunities.
Participants will have the chance to return to their original roles in Australia for up to 12 months after their secondment, with a similar role guaranteed in their region thereafter. This flexibility aims
to encourage professional growth while maintaining continuity in their careers.
“Our vision is to be the veterinary company that most people want to work for,” Graeme Cramb, Managing Director of CVS Australia said. “We believe this Australia–UK secondment scheme represents an attractive option for our colleagues. By being the first veterinary company to offer such a program, we hope it will facilitate learning from new territories, enhance careers, and inspire an exciting exchange of ideas.”
Interested colleagues will be contacted by amember of the CVS recruitment team to discuss potential opportunities. Applicants must meet the visa requirements to work in the UK. Those selected for the secondment will receive a relocation package, continued salary payments in Australia, and may be eligible for a cost-of-living allowance in the UK.
With over 500 high-quality Small Animal, Equine, and Farm practices, including first
opinion, referral hospitals, and out-of-hours services, the CVS family spans England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. This extensive network ensures that seconded colleagues will have access to a diverse and enriching professional environment.
For more information on careers with CVS, visit careerswithcvs.co.uk.
AI-powered veterinary diagnostic assistance service launches
South Korea’s SK Telecom has officially launched its AI-based veterinary X-ray image diagnosis assistance service X Caliber in Australia, in association with ATX Medical Solutions, an Australian medical device business. The service uses AI to analyse X-ray images of dogs and cats within around 15 seconds.
The service uses cloud to store and retrieve data, resulting in no requirement to install a separate server within the hospital. Veterinarians can examine the results of the AI-based image diagnosis on their mobile devices or PCs.
The sensitivity of X Caliber stands at 86–94 per cent: 94 per cent for detection of 16 different abnormal patterns from abdominal X-ray
images of dogs; 88 per cent for detection of 10 different abnormal patterns from chest X-ray images of dogs; and 86 per cent for detection of seven different abnormalities from musculoskeletal X-ray images of dogs.
Since entering a strategic partnership with ATX in November 2023, SKT has been working closely with the company to prepare for the commercial launch of the service by running beta tests. Now the system is live, it can be used by more than 100 Australian veterinary clinics.
ATX will integrate X Caliber into its cloud software, ITX PACS, a cloud-based storage facility that allows to access, store, manipulate and share X-ray data with other computers on the network.
SKT and ATX attended the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Conference 2024 in Melbourne in late May to introduce XCaliber to the industry. SKT also announced it has signed a commercial contract with MEDIVET Pet Hospital & Clinic, Indonesia's largest premium veterinary hospital chain, to supply its outposts with the service with the aims of broadening its reach into Indonesia and, ultimately, the rest of the Southeast Asian market.
SKT is current providing beta X Caliber services to veterinary clinics in North America, Europe and Asia.
For moreinformation on ITX PACS, visit atxvet. com.au/services/itx-pacs.
Federal Government responds quickly to latest avian flu outbreak
In late May the Australian Government enacted emergency animal disease response plans to support the Victorian Government following detection of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) at two Victorian poultry farms.
Avian influenza is a global viral disease of birds and there are many strains of the virus that cause infections of differing severity, and all bird species are considered vulnerable to avian influenza. High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses are associated with severe disease and high mortality in poultry.
Although there is a current global outbreak of the HPAI H5 strain of the virus, testing
from the two locations confirmed the Victorian outbreak is an HPAI H7 strain, which in 2020 was also responsible for the largest outbreak of HPAI in Australian history.
After confirmation of the outbreak, Agriculture Victoria began providing on-the-ground support, with control orders enacted, restricting the movement of poultry, poultry products, equipment and vehicles on or off properties in designated areas around the two infected premises. Poultry and other domestic birds and wild birds in the area are closely monitored for any additional cases.
Australia is well practiced in responding to disease incidents in poultry and has successfully responded to eight outbreaks of HPAI in poultrysince 1976 and has been free of HPAIs since February 2021.
Wildlife Health Australia advice for veterinarians and other animal health professionals states it should be assumed that all bird species may be infected by HPAI virus, including native and feral species of wild birds, with domestic poultry and captive birds being particularly susceptible to the virus.
Additionally, HPAI infections have been reported in nonhuman mammal species, including domestic mammals, such as livestock and pets.
Clinical signs of infection include neurological signs (ataxia, paralysis, seizures, tremors, abnormal posture), respirator y signs (conjunctivitis, increased nasal secretions, oedema of the head, dyspnoea), gastrointestinal signs (diarrhoea), and sudden death.
Some species may be asymptomatic or show only very mild clinical signs. In some cases, birds may die suddenly without displaying any clinical signs, therefore HPAI should be considered as adifferential diagnosis in wild birds where there are small groups or clusters (five or more) of sick or dead wild birds of any species, or individual or less than five sick or dead wild seabirds, waterbirds, shorebirds or birds of prey.
Avian influenza is a notifiable disease. All suspected or confirmed cases of avian influenza must be reported to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on freecall 1800 675 888, and to the Department of Primar y Industries or Agriculture in the State/Territory in which the event has occurred.
Fairywren research shows cooperation in the face of challenges
From page 3
in promoting cooperative behaviour.
Environmental conditions also played a crucial role, with harsher conditions during the nonbreeding season correlating with heightened cooperative responses.
“The interaction between social structure and environmental conditions drives the seasonal switch in cooperation. This supports the hypothesis that multilevel societies can emerge to increase cooperation during challenging environmental conditions,” Peters said.
■ JULIAGARDINER
Signs the trade in big cat-derived products is declining
From page 5
Tiger bone wine, along with tiger and leopard skins, persist as illegally traded items and the study identified multiple attempts to sell big cat-derived products online in South Korea.
Researchers also found that between 1994 and 2016 customs officials in the USA and New Zealand intercepted several illegal imports of big cat products from South Korea, with one example involving 1200 tigerderived ‘traditional medicine’ products.
“There’s still more progress to be made, but current evidence suggests a major shift around public attitudes to trade. Despite the long history of using and trading big cats in Korea, including for traditional medicinal practices, these recent changes highlight how strict bans can help reduce demand by introducing social stigma towards trade. This is especially effective when accompanied by increased public concern and decreased social desirability of wildlife products,” Elves-Powell said.
He also highlighted recent reports of big cat trade linked to South Korea that involved foreign nationals trying to smuggle products from Africa and the Russian Far East through South Korea’s Incheon International Airport.
“Greater vigilance is needed at airports globally to intercept the movement of wildlife across borders. By directly intercepting illegal trade - coupled with policies and initiatives to reduce demand - we can tackle this global threat to wildlife,” he said.
■ ANNE LAYTON-BENNETT
For more information visit doi.org/ 10.1371/journal.pone.0299783.
Study finds gaps in relationships between DVs and sheep farmers From page 3 considerable concern to over 30 per cent of respondents; however, the main areas of concern differed between the groups. For DVs the areas of greatest concern were in providing advice on sheep husbandry, nutrition, and lamb mortality, whereas for sheep producers the most concerning sheep health issues were parasitology, nutrition advice, and disease outbreaks.
The study’s authors suggest that the greater concern of sheep farmers compared to DVs about parasitology and disease outbreaks may indicate a need for extra support or targeted training of veterinarians in these areas that will specifically meet the needs of the farmers in their Local Land Services (LLS) district, with DVs also identifying that sheep producers would benefit from increased knowledge about parasite management.
Budget falls short on student debt relief
From page 1
Funding for the sector includes more than $ 500b for biosecurity protection in new funds over the forward estimates, while the live export phase-out is seeing the Government spend $ 107m over five years in support for industry transition.
The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) announced that while the budget will bring some relief to students to education debt, it will continue to push the Government to go much further, working up until
The study also found that the communication methods used by the two surveyed groups varied substantially, with most sheep farmers preferring emails followed by meetings and workshops. In contrast, DVs preferred to communicate with producers via phone call and in person, which were not preferred communication methods identified by farmers. Further, email communication, which was preferred by producers, was not commonly used by DVs. While further research is recommended, the study suggests access to DV services needs to be improved, while information needs to be tailored to the concerns of both groups, and dissemination strategies need to be implemented to ensure the information is being delivered most effectively.
■ JULIAGARDINER
Budget day in an attempt to have vet students included in the recently announced Federal Government promise to fund financial support for nursing, teaching, midwifery and social work students on unpaid placement.
Whilst unsuccessful on this front, the AVA had plans to meet with the Minister for Higher Education and Minister for Skills and Training post-budget, as well as meetings with MPs, Senators, and departmental officials, saying their focus is squarely on ensuring their Federal Election platform is widely disseminated within all levels of government.
■ JULIAGARDINER
WSAVAcalls for a reproductive paradigm shift
From page 1 impact the health of some animals and that late castration might actually increase the risk of prostatic carcinoma in older dogs.”
The guidelines also express concerns about the growing trend of early neutering and its use as a behavioural control method. They call on veterinarians to update their knowledge and dedicate more time to discussing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both surgical and nonsurgical castration with their clients. This comprehensive consultation should consider factors such as breed, age, and any behavioural issues to ensure owners are fully informed and can choose the most appropriate solution for their pets.
Available for free download on the WSAVA website, the guidelines recognize that shelter animals have different needs, providing tailored recommendations to help these animals secure new homes. Establishing global standards for companion animal care is a key objective of the WSAVA, with the RCC working to provide veterinarians worldwide with the latest resources and knowledge in this area. The committee’s efforts are supported by Virbac.
“We hope WSAVA members find these guidelines to be a valuable resource and that they serve as a catalyst for change in reproduction control practices globally,” Romagnoli said.
Abstracts - medication errors
From page 14
Conclusions: Human anesthesia is recognized as having arelatively high risk of MEs. In veterinary medicine, MEs were among the most commonly reported medical error. Predisposing factors for MEs in human and veterinary anesthesia include general (e.g. distraction, fatigue, workload, supervision) and specific factors (e.g. requirement for dose calculations when dosing for body mass, using several medications within a short time period and preparing syringes ahead of time). Data on MEs are most commonly collected in self-reporting systems, which very likely underestimate the true incidence, a problem acknowledged in human medicine. Case reports have described a variety of MEs in the perianesthetic period, including prescription, preparation and administration errors. Dogs and cats were the most frequently reported species, with MEs in cats more
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commonly associated with harmful outcomes compared with dogs. In addition to education and raising awareness, other strategies described for reducing the risk of MEs include behavioral, communication, identification, organizational, engineering and cognitive aids.
Renata H Pinho1, Maryam Nasr-Esfahani2, Daniel S J Pang3 Vet Anaesth Analg. 2024 May-Jun;51(3):203-226. doi: 10.1016/j.vaa.2024.01.003.
1Faculty of VeterinaryMedicine, University of Calgary, Calgary,AB, Canada. Electronic address: renata.pinho@ ucalgary.ca.
2University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada.
3Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of VeterinaryMedicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, PQ, Canada
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CREATURE Feature
Scottish fold (Felis catus)
Adistinctive breed of domestic cat characterised by a genetic anomaly affecting cartilage and causing the animal’s ears to ‘fold’. All Scottish fold cats suffer from osteochondrodysplasia, which can result in painful degenerative joint diseases at an early age, leading to breeding of the cats being prohibited in several countries. PictureMihai Matei
Fight the most common otitis externa pathogens. Just ONE dose. Administered by YOU.
Neptra is not recommended in cases with rod-shaped bacteria present on cytology sample, as these may represent Pseudomonas aeruginosa. C & S testing should be performed when appropriate to determine the identity and susceptibility of the causative organism(s). Read and follow label instructions.
