transition to a centralised care model. With a greater need for the RSPCA’s services the expansion of its Animal Care Centre at Spreyton near Devonport on the north-west coast, would future proof the facility for the next 20 years.
“The Spreyton expansion includes providing more Safe Beds to care for the animals of those fleeing family violence, refurbishing and building more kennels, and better facilities for larger animals, including horses. We’re focusing on the ‘one-welfare’ model where we wrap services around vulnerable people and their animals, and retail doesn’t form any part of that model,” Dawkins said.
The decision to close the two facilities at Latrobe and Launceston, which ran at a loss of around $100,000 over the past year, parallels the national situation where similar retail outlets have also run at a loss.
No final dates have been set for closure and all staff have been offered other roles across the organisation. Dawkins said no change was expected to adoption numbers as most of the animals that were adopted came through the Spreyton facility.
Containing cane toads
The first phase of collaborative project involving traditional owners, rangers, pastoralists, and scientists from Curtin University, Deakin University, Rangelands NRM, Nyangumarta Aboriginal Corporation and Karajarri Traditional Lands Association, and that began over a decade ago to halt the advance of cane toads by limiting their access to water, is being funded by the WA State Government. (The Veterinarian, February 2013).
Ben Phillips, a Population Biologist at CU’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences, said developing the Total Containment Zone, or ‘toad-break’, on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, that was devoid of water the invasive toads need to survive, will be used to prevent the animals infiltrating the Pilbara region, protecting its 27 million hectares of sensitive habitat, significant Aboriginal cultural heritage and native wildlife.
Another example of the cost-of-living pressures on the not-for-profit-sector is the decision by the RSPCA’s Tasmanian branch to close two of its Adoption and Retail Care centres in the state’s north.
RSPCA Tasmania CEO Andrea Dawkins said the organisation was taking action to ensure it was able to meet the growing needs of the community, and an important part of that was the ongoing
“The RSPCA isn’t immune to the cost-of-living crisis which has put upward pressure on our costs and increased the number of animals being surrendered into our care. This expansion will not only ensure we can care for more animals, it also ensures we have the most contemporary facilities to care for cats, dogs, pocket pets, horses and more,” Dawkins said.
■ ANNE-LAYTON BENNETT
Australian research on the rabies frontline
Australian veterinarians are playing a critical role in supporting the rabies response in Indonesia, after an outbreak of the infectious disease earlier this year.
A collaboration between staff from the Australian-Indonesia Health Security Partnership (AIHSP) and the Nossal Institute, based at Melbourne University, has been providing continued support for the ongoing rabies outbreak in West Timor, following on from a donation of 400,000 doses of dog rabies vaccines by the Australian Government last year.
Rabies, a zoonotic (transmitted from animals to humans) viral disease remains a major public health issue in Indonesia, with significant impacts on human health, the economy, and society and in mid-August,
A team from the Nossal Institute recently travelled recently travelled to the island to gather information for economic and epidemiological modelling to support decision-making and advocacy for the rabies responses.
Veterinarians Angus Campbell and Max Barot, and agricultural economist Justin McKinley, visited four districts of West Timor to
engage with key partners from the animal health, disaster management, quarantine, and human health authorities. They also visited field vaccination sites and village communities in the Timor Tengah Selatan
“Developed from more than a decade of scientific research, the TCZ was a key recommendation from the 2019 Federal Senate Inquiry and a priority action in both Nyangumarta Warrarn and Karajarri Indigenous Protected area plans,” he said.
(TTS) district, witnessing firsthand some of the successes and challenges of local rabies control efforts.
The team also presented their preliminary findings to provincial decision-makers and technical staff at a Zoonotic Diseases workshop, emphasising how
critical mass dog vaccination was to help control rabies in both animals and humans.
Preliminary economic analysis focused on canine vaccine intervention, given the high risk of dogs infecting humans they encounter and found that for the cost of one human rabies post-exposure treatment, 24 dogs could be vaccinated. A control program centred on mass dog vaccination could be expected to stop further human deaths once 70 per cent of the dog population is fully vaccinated.
Economically, this would equate to a saving of approximately $5.9m per year over the next decade, compared to efforts mainly focused on treating humans after potential exposure to rabies.
Local animal health staff have administered over 120,000 doses of canine vaccines in the past year and researchers emphasise that the momentum of the outbreak response is critical, as it offers the real possibility of eliminating the disease from West Timor.
■ JULIA GARDINER
The removal of access to water at more than 150 man-made water points in a narrow coastal strip – or ‘toad-break’ between the Kimberley and the Pilbara – aims to create an effective barrier against toad invasion.
“Toads invade by steadily moving across the landscape in the wet season, but they need water points to survive the long, hot dry season. Without access to water toads in the containment zone will perish, effectively stopping their advance. Cane toads are currently less than 150km from Broome and are projected to reach the containment zone by the 2027/2028 wet season so the urgency to implement this plan is critical,” Phillips explained.
Chris Curnow, manager at NRM Rangelands, said the initiative was a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to prevent an ecological catastrophe across the entire Pilbara.
“Ever since the idea of the ‘toad-break’ arose nearly 10 years ago, the Nyangumarta and Karajarri traditional custodians have been on board guiding and informing the way ahead. Their knowledge of the area has helped pinpoint the various water sources and has guided scientists to where the zone will have its best chance of success,” Curnow said.
■ ANNE-LAYTON BENNETT
Further information about the TCZ can be found at toadfree.zone/the-tcz-1.
Andrea Dawkins
Picture The University of Melbourne
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Man-made ‘saunas’ protecting frogs from chytrid
potential lifeline for the green and gold bell frog, whose populations have vanished from over 90 per cent of its native range since the chytrid fungus arrived in Australia in 1978 from the Korean Peninsula. The research included contributions from experts at the Universities of Melbourne, and Tasmania, Arkansas in the US, and New Zealand’s University of Auckland.
The deadly fungal disease that has caused the extinction of at least six amphibian species in Australia and contributed to the extinctions or presumed extinctions in the wild of90 species globally, could soon be stopped in its tracks following the development of sauna-like shelters able to maintain the higher temperature levels at which the chytridiomycosis fungus is unable to survive. The findings by an international team led by Macquarie University researchers, offer a
Australia’s national science agency
Lead author Anthony Waddle, a Schmidt Science Fellow and Visiting Scholar at Macquarie University’s School of Natural Sciences, said the artificial ‘hotspot’ shelters, made from everyday materials like bricks and PVC greenhouses, can help frogs fight off infections by raising their body temperature to a level that stops the fungus from growing. Due to its sensitivity to heat chytrid will die within four hours if exposed to temperatures of 37°C, and within 30 minutes at 47°C.
“The whole thing is like a mini med spa for frogs. By making hotspots available to frogs in winter we empower them to cure their infections – or to not get sick at all,” he said.
Yorick Lambreghts, a PhD candidate at UTAS’ School of Natural Sciences, said the simplicity and high accessibility of the new hotspot shelter treatment provided exciting opportunities for the wider public to become involved in important global issues such as the conservation of some of the most vulnerable amphibians in the world. The saunalike shelters can be cheaply and easily reproduced by community members to help the return of a frog species into suburban backyards where it once was commonly found.
Although the research involved only one frog species, researchers said it offered some hope in tackling a deadly disease that has
driven multiple amphibian species toextinction.
Work is currently underway to implement hotspot shelters at Sydney’s Olympic Park – home to one of the largest and most vulnerable green and gold bell frog populations.
“We’ve shown that it works, now we’re putting it into one of the most vulnerable populations where weexpect to see an immediate impact,” Waddle said.
■ ANNE LAYTON-BENNETT
Australian expertise fights infectious diseases BaoLei honoured by WSAVA
CSIRO will partner with governments across the Pacific and Southeast Asia to help them better prepare for, and respond to, disease outbreaks.
In July it several new partnerships were announced as part of the Australian Government’s five-year $620m Partnerships for a Healthy Region initiative, which is supporting partner nations to build resilient and equitable health systems.
The news comes as recognition grows that emerging and endemic infectious diseases in humans and animals pose a major challenge in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions, with more than 75 per cent of emerging infectious diseases globally zoonotic (transmitted from animals to humans), with a 300 per cent increase in outbreaks over the past 30 years.
CSIRO will partner with nations including Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, and Fiji to improve their ability to identify,track and react to health emergencies.
CSIRO Chief Executive Doug Hilton said an investment in the health of the region is an investment in the health of Australia.
“Building stronger,more resilient health systems in the Pacific and
Southeast Asia creates shared success, prosperity, stability and trust in science,” Hilton said.
“It protects human and animal health; ensures equitable and inclusive health outcomes;and strengthens regional economic security, productivity, trade, tourism and development.”
Guided by regional priorities identified by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and regional partners, CSIRO will begin by helping with laboratory capacity building, biomedical manufacturing training, digital health expertise, and building health networks.
CSIRO will also offer access to its multidisciplinar y expertise across animal and human health as well as its facilities, such as the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), National Vaccine and Therapeutics Lab, and Australian e-Health Research Centre.
The ACDP projects will strengthen animal health laboratory networks through cross-region lab placements and by building lab leadership capability in Vietnam, as well as developing regional networks and building laboratorydiagnostic and leadership capacity for avian
influenza in Indonesia and across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
ACDP will also support the development of field animal health diagnostic capacity and networks for Pacific Island nations and territories, the development of a network of biorisk leaders across Southeast Asia and the Pacific, as well as viral emerging infectious disease testing at high-risk locations such as wildlife markets in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, and the Philippines.
Abiomanufacturing partnership will also strengthen Thailand and the Southeast Asia region’s capabilities to develop and manufacture vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, and small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
CSIRO will help build capability and skills in Thailand in the process development and scale-up capabilities needed to produce complex products, starting with the development of an anti-cancer drug and an anti-viral.
The Australian e-Health Research Centre will use its world leading capabilities in digital health to assist partners in the Philippines and Fiji adopt international open health data and interoperability standards. To page 30
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has recognized Bao Lei as the recipient of the 2024 Companion Animal Welfare Award, celebrating his outstanding contributions to advancing animal welfare in China and his unwavering commitment to veterinary education and practice.
Bao Lei's journey in veterinary medicine is distinguished by his pioneering efforts and persistent advocacy for animal welfare in a country where the concept was once in its infancy. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Veterinary Medicine from Xinjiang Agricultural University and a Master's Degree in Clinical Veterinary Medicine from Southwest University. His academic background has been instrumental in his mission to elevate veterinary practices in China.
Early in his career Bao emerged as a trailblazer, introducing and advocating for the principles of animal welfare within the veterinary industry. He significantly influenced the standards of hospital diagnostics and treatments, prioritizing the reduction of animal To page 5
In what could be an Australian first, a festival will be held in Woodfordia, to celebrate veterinary and allied-health professionals in support of mental health and wellbeing.
Queensland veterinarian, Elaine Cebuliak is organising the Vetfordia festival, which will take place on Sunday October 6 this year. The tagline for the festival is ‘Every beat isaprescription for fun’, and the day will include music, arts and food, as well as entertainment for kids, with the aim of bringing together those in the industry, and their families in a relaxed environment.
Vetfordia aims to be a catalyst for change in the veterinary profession, with the festival’s emphasis on community, mental health education, and relaxation to create an environment where veterinarians can recharge and gain the tools they need to thrive both personally and professionally.
The veterinar y industry in Australia has highlighting the need for additional government support in recent years, as staff shortages, barriers to training, and the cost of education has put pressure on the mental health and wellbeing of staff.
Cebuliak hopes Vetfordia can make a difference by creating a sense of community, using music as therapy, while providing family-friendly activities, mental health workshops, and networking opportunities.
“When walking on the beach early one morning pondering why my good friend – a specialist veterinary surgeon – died by suicide, I had a vision [of] what is missing in my profession, and why is there such a high rate of mental health concerns. Then it came to me – we need community, we need to celebrate life – and so the idea for the Vetfordia festival was born!” Cebuliak said.
“Isolation is a significant factor contributing to the mental health struggles of veterinarians. Vetfordia will bring together veterinarians and their families, providing a supportive environment where they can share their experiences, build relationships, and find solace in knowing they are not alone.”
The festival will feature workshops and seminars led by mental health professionals who specialise in veterinary care. These sessions will offer practical advice, coping strategies, and
resources to help veterinarians manage stress and emotional burnout. Vetfordia will also showcase a diverse lineup of musical acts, allowing attendees to unwind and enjoy the healing power of music,” she continued.
“I want it to encourage the exchange of ideas and foster collaborations, building connections that could lead to new friendships, mentorship opportunities, and a stronger sense of belonging
After a three-year legal battle by Tasmania’s RSPCA to close a labradoodle puppy farm in the state’s northern Midlands town of Epping Forest on animal welfare grounds, the organisation finally achieved a historic win towards the end of July. The owners of Tasmanian Labradoodles were first charged with more than 70 counts of over-breeding in early 2023 but concerns about animal welfare issues at the puppy farm initially began in early 2021.
With the permanent and immediate closure of the facility an urgent need for more than 250 labradoodles to be rehomed and cared for was required. The response by the Tasmanian public to the RSPCA’s appeals for financial support to cover vet checks, vaccinations, de-sexing and temporaryrehoming was overwhelming, and the target of $300,000 was exceeded within afew days. RSPCA Tasmania’s CEO Andrea Dawkins said many of the dogs had never been in contact with a human and they would need alot of care before they were ready to be
BaoLei honouredby WSAVA
From page 3
suffering through improved anaesthetic and analgesic techniques. These efforts set a new benchmark in veterinary care across China.
Bao has held influential positions throughout his career,including serving as the Executive Director of Chengdu Harmonious Animal Hospital, where he improved clinical practices and heightened awareness of the importance of animal welfare. In his role as head of the technical department at Zoetis China, Bao continued to champion animal welfare through various initiatives. Wendy Leadbeater, RVN and Vet Nurse Education Manager at MARS VeterinaryHealth, noted, “Dr.Bao’s advocacy for animal welfare was evident during the 2017 Anesthesia and Pain Management Tour across China. His integrity, sincerity, and devotion to promoting animal welfare were inspiring.”
Beyond clinical practice, Bao extended his influence into the corporate sector, persuading pharmaceutical companies to make animal welfare a core focus of their
within the veterinary community,” shared Cebuliak.
“Vetfordia is not just an event; it is a movement toward better mental health for veterinarians and their families. Let us come together to support our veterinarians and our allied health workers, because when they thrive, so do our pets and our community.”
Vetfordia is an event listed as part of Queensland’s Mental Health week.
■ JULIA GARDINER
Vetfordia: the vet day out Tasmanian puppy farm shut down
part of a loving family with the life they deserved.
“We’ve been blown away by the support, especially at a time when the cost-of-living pressures are so big. It really has been incredible. We’ve never seen this kind of generosity from the Tasmanian community so there have been alot of tears,” she said.
Having reached its fundraising target, Dawkins said the excess money would be used to cater to the dogs’ immediate needs and upgrade the RSPCA’s kennels where the dogs would stay until they were ready for a new home.
“We’re working through each foster and adoption offer and will be in touch with everyone in coming days as we take the necessary time to ensure these animals are set up for success in the best environments possible. These dogs have had a rough start to life, and every single dollar that’s been donated will help to give them the best start in their next chapter,” she said.
■ ANNE LAYTON-BENNETT
development strategies. YuXiaoxiao, a Zoetis Medical Consultant, praised Bao for balancing commercial success with genuine advancements in animal care, influencing many professionals, including herself.
Bao’s dedication to education is equally remarkable. He played a crucial role in securing funding for several educational initiatives, including the Veterinary Welfare Training Program at Animals Asia Foundation (AAF). Mandala Hunter-Ishikawa, Senior Veterinary Trainer at AAF, lauded Bao’s leadership in securing donations that enabled AAF to provide continuing education focused on veterinary welfare and pain management in China.
Bao’sefforts have had a profound impact on veterinarystandards in China. Through international fundraising and collaboration with AAF, he has introduced high-quality training courses that raise awareness of animal welfare among veterinary teams across the country. To page 30
Elaine Cebuliak
Bao Lei
Secure your spot at the Greencross National Clinical Symposium!
Early Bird tickets now on sale!
Join us at the Greencross National Clinical Symposium – one of Australia’s largest veterinary industry events.
Held over two days at the beautiful Royal Pines on the Gold Coast, the Greencross National Clinical Symposium 2024 will feature leading speakers with multiple streams Wellness, Leadership, Vets (Essentials/Mastery/ECC) and Nurses (Essentials/Advanced). You’ll gain insights from an exciting lineup of speakers discussing the latest industry innovations.
Over two days, you can earn up to 10.5 CE points by choosing from over 70 lectures spanning seven educational streams, tailored for GP and ECC clinicians.
Speakers include:
• Dr Charles Kuntz, DVM, MS, MACVSc, DACVS
• Dr Olivia Oginska, DVM MRCVS PgCertSAS MSc MAPP
• Dr Claire Cannon, BVSc (hons) DACVIM (Oncology)
• Dr Kathleen O’Connell, BVSc FANZCVS (Oncology)
• Dr Maurine Thomson, BVSc FANZCVS (SA Surgery)
• Dr Annika Oksa, BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Path) DAVP
• Dr Jessica Moore-Jones, BVMS, MBA, MSc
Dates: 19-20 October 2024
Venue: Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, QLD Symposium Tickets: Veterinarians $1,200 (save $300) Veterinary Nurses & Vet Students $720 (save $180)
Early Bird registrations close 3 September.
Risks from strains of the avian influenza virus
The bird flu currently causing havoc overseas is known as the highly pathogenic H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b. Although it has reportedly still to reach Australia this strain appears to have adapted to new environments and may also explain its ability to infect many new bird species, according to Frank Wong, a senior research scientist at the CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, and a World Organisation for Animal Health Reference Laboratory expert in avian influenza.
Coincidentally there have been three separate outbreaks of strains of the H7 virus detected across poultry farms in Victoria, NSW and the ACT recently which has impacted on egg and chicken meat supplies, but the H7 strains are not considered a serious risk for people or mammals.
Wong said migratory ducks and geese are the main hosts of the H5N1 virus but as their flyways donot cross Australia the risk of the virus reaching Australia was relatively low. The concern for scientists centres on the ability ofthe H5N1 virus to infect a wider variety of bird species, and the increased the risk of the virus being introduced through regional or bridging species.
overseas. The information is then provided to authorities and animal health working groups to support them in making decisions for responding to outbreaks. We share information about the circulating strains around the world and any new spillover events, such as the H5N1 infections of dairy cattle in the US earlier this year. The work has helped us be as ready as we can be with diagnostic capabilities and response advice,” Wong said.
An observational study conducted by researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, that was published recently in the journal Nature,found 69 cattle herds in the US were infected with the H5N1 virus.
Technology repurposed to analyse endangered species sounds
Ajoint research project conducted by the University of New South Wales and the University of Warwick in England has repurposed existing technology to analyse animal sounds inendangered species.
The new method, called the Superlet transform, was adapted from technology used to analyse brain waves in neuroscience and researchers used it to analyse animal sounds from various endangered species, including types of elephants, whales and birds.
“Scientists have noted that whenever H5N1 spreads, it has mixed with local bird ‘flu strains. It’s also spilled over into several mammal species such as foxes, and marine mammals such as sea lions and elephant seals, and on rare occasions it’s spilled over into cats and dogs. It was reported in farmed minks and fur farms in Europe, and since March this year the virus was detected in dairycows for the first time in the USA,” he said. (The Veterinarian,March 2023).
“At the ACDP we’re assisting Australia’s surveillance efforts to conduct research to characterise the virus to understand it better. We’re helping to keep track of bird ‘flu and which strains are spreading through poultry and wild birds, not only in Australia but in our region and globally,” he said.
Bird samples are tested to confirm the presence of avian influenza and genetic sequencing of the virus is carried out to identify the exact strain and to understand if and how it is changing.
“This way we know if the virus is alocal one already present within Australia’s wild birds, or whether it could be a strain introduced from
The scientists took samples from an infected cow’s milk to test how itworked in ferrets and mice and found the virus can spread to the mammary glands of these animals with some lactating mice passing the virus on to their young. They said the virus can also bind to acids found in human upper airways in a way older H5N1 viruses may not have been able to do. The scientists suggest that among other features they saw, the virus may be better at infecting and transmitting in mammals.
The purpose of the study was to collect data vital in developing environmental management and conservation strategies. The analysis of animal sounds can be used to provide additional insight into estimates of the population size of various species, to identify what animals live in a particular area, to understand their migration patterns, and to understand any negative impacts they may experience due to the increasing levels of noise created by human activity that are occurring in most of their habitats.
Lead researcher Ben Jancovich explained that initial findings show that the new technique is more accurate than the conventional methods for analysis of animal sounds.
“Our new study highlights that sometimes, the accepted tools that we've become comfortable with, may not actually be the best tools for the job,” Jancovich said. To page 30
Frank Wong
VOLUNTEERING FORDUTY
icture yourself arriving for work one morning: a guard greets you through a peep hole in a closed steel gate and lets you inside a fortified compound surrounded by thick outer walls topped with razor wire. You enter, knowing that within the compound are multiple safe rooms, enclosed spaces with reinforced walls and steel doors lockable from the inside. You could be forgiven, based on this description, for thinking your place of employment might be a maximum-security prison. If you were Dr Lachlan Campbell, however, you would know you had arrived for a day’s work as a veterinarian at the Nowzad Animal Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan. Since early 2022, Campbell has been volunteering his services as a veterinarian in war zones and disaster-stricken areas across the globe. In addition to a recent trip to Afghanistan, Campbell has made two trips to Ukraine since the Russian invasion, and he was also deployed to Fiji as part of a Vets Beyond Borders mission providing support to the Animals Fiji clinic in Savu Savu. While volunteering is something that Campbell had been sporadically involved in throughout his career, his decision to step up his involvement in outreach programs over the past few years has seen him travel across the world – and well outside of his comfort zone.
Campbell has never been one to do things by halves. His parents were both university professors (in Human Anatomy and Cardiovascular Research), so he opted to use what he described as his “naturally science-based mind” and was awarded undergraduate degrees in Science and Applied Science (in Parasitology) in 2002 and 2003 respectively. “I achieved my honours with high distinction and was offered four scholarships to undertake my PhD,” Campbell explained. “I enjoyed research and completed myhonours but felt it wasn’t something I could do long term, so I decided to make a change and pursue a veterinary career.”
Making the switch to veterinaryscience proved to be a good fit for Campbell, who had adeep and abiding interest in animals from an early age. Although he spent his childhood in Melbourne and subsequently in Brisbane, his family always had a property which ran cattle on the side. “We had lots of animals when I was growing up, ranging from dogs – we had seven at one stage – horses, cattle, mice, rats, rabbits, aturtle, cockatoos and galahs,” he said. “We also used to care for wildlife.” By 2008, Campbell had completed a Bachelor of VeterinaryScience, and had the bonus of meeting his wife, who is also a veterinarian, while studying for his degree.
Campbell’s veterinary career began at Gympie Veterinary Services, where he worked as a mixed animal veterinarian in a busy clinic with 13 other vets. “It provided a great start to my career, with avast array of learning opportunities,” he said.
“My wife and I then moved to the UK to locum for a couple of years, working primarily in small animal practices, and we took the opportunity to travel as much as possible while there–toAfrica, throughout Europe, and into the Arctic Circle –beforereturning to our old clinic in Gympie.”
Even though they both liked the team and the work in Gympie, Campbell began looking for other opportunities once the couple realised staying in Gympie could prove difficult without family support once they decided to have children. When he was offered a Veterinary Directorship at Greencross Vets in Caloundra, therefore,Campbell leapt at the chance.
For the next five years, Campbell devoted himself to developing himself as a small animal clinician. He clocked up hundreds of hours of Continuing Professional Development in all facets of small animal practice, particularly in relation to ultrasound and surgery. “My journey began purely to improve my surgical knowledge and skills, but as I studied more, I decided to pursue my ANZCVS Memberships, which
Iattained in Surgery in 2018,” he said. “Despite the hard work, long hours and study it was a highly valuable experience, and I recommend anyone wishing to improve their surgery to a high standard to consider undertaking these, too.” To round out his skillset, Campbell also completed a Diploma of Management to ensure he was well-qualified to manage the day-to-day operations of the practice.
The Greencross clinic in Caloundra also benefited from Campbell’s burgeoning expertise, particularly after he was named Greencross’ Veterinary Director of the Year in 2016. “I was grateful to receive this award, as I am extremely driven and ahard worker, and was lucky enough to have agood team and great practice manager,” Campbell said. “I was proud of the high quality of care our clinic provided, our level of client service, the culture our team had and the high performing business that was created.”
Not surprisingly, in 2019 Campbell was offered the opportunity to step into a management role as Queensland Veterinary Manager for National Veterinary Care (NVC). While he was initially managing 28 clinics across the state, when NVC was acquired and merged with VetPartners, Campbell retained and expanded his role as Veterinary Manager and ended up overseeing 54 clinics throughout Queensland. “I decided to step into management because it gave me the ability to impact the industryon a larger scale,” he said.
Asimilar mindset saw Campbell become involved as an equity partner called Your PetPA in 2021, where he hoped to use the skills and knowledge he had acquired over the years to create something new.“This, unfortunately, did not end up heading the direction Iwas hoping it would, so I took the
‘I enjoyed research and completed my honours but felt it wasn’t something I could do long term, so I decided to make a change and pursue a veterinary career. ’
me thinking: Who is helping them? Who is looking after them? It was never something I’d ever really considered before.” Campbell realised if he was ever placed in the same position, he would grab everything as quickly as he could – his wife, his children and, of course, his dogs – and leave, just like the refugees he was seeing on news broadcasts. He also realised the refugees and their pets would morethan likely be hungry, thirsty and cold, and that some of them would be suffering from chronic diseases, while others might be old or injured. “The more I thought about it, the more I thought to myself: you can help them. You have the ability to do it. You’re an experienced vet, have unique operational skills, can set up pop-up clinics, coordinate people and help with emergency responses –you’ve been doing it for years,” Campbell said. “So, I started approaching charities to see what I could do to help.”
chance to combine my business and surgical knowledge and took a position as Business Development Manager at Knight Benedikt,” Campbell explained. “Whilst I enjoyed some aspects of the role, I found it hardnot being directly involved with clinics and, ultimately, I’m not a salesman – I like to help.” As a result, Campbell is now employed as General Manager of Veterinary Services for Vets Central, a rapidly growing group which currently boasts 56 clinics across Australia. “I enjoy supporting our teams,” he said. “I aim to ensure they have the resources, skills, knowledge and culture to provide great standards of patient carewhile having an enjoyable and fulfilling career.”
Campbell’sown career path might have continued uninterrupted along the same sort of trajectory,were it not for the fact that on 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. “Like a lot of people, I was shocked and horrified by what I was seeing as events unfolded on the news,” he said. “As the images kept coming in, Inoticed refugees carrying their pets, and it got
Within days of the first graphic images Russian invasion appearing on his television screen, Campbell reached out to dozens of charities in Ukraine, Poland and Romania. He only received replies from two Polish organisations, neither of which provided a great deal of detail other than to say that they needed help and would be glad if he could assist them. “All the charities were inundated with what was going on, so they couldn’t possibly reply to some random Australian vet offering to help,” he explained. “It wasn’t until I got over there that I could see why. I think Ihad an exchange of maybe two emails with both charities and that was enough for me to make up my mind to go.”
At this point, Campbell had a serious discussion with his wife, asking her whether he should head to Poland. “She said, ‘I know you’regoing to end up going anyway, so hurry up: make the decision, book the flights, and go – otherwise you’ll keep annoying me about it!’” Campbell said.
“My original plan was to meet up with the two charities I had made contact with, and head to
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the Polish/Ukrainian border to help animals being carried by the millions of Ukrainian refugees fleeing to Poland.” Within five days, Campbell had booked his flights and a hire car and was on a plane bound for a war zone. There is an old Ukrainian proverb which says ahungry wolf is stronger than a satisfied dog, and Campbell saw evidence of this as soon as he arrived in Poland and made his way into Ukraine. The Russians were far from satisfied with the gains they had made during their invasion, and the resulting displacement and suffering of people and animals was staggering.
Campbell began helping however he was able to, offering veterinary care that ranged from providing routine vaccinations, worming and microchipping to caring for severely injured or malnourished animals. While some local veterinarians remained in Ukraine, many had fled from the war – particularly if they lived near the front lines – leaving a skills and knowledge gap that was unable to be filled by untrained volunteers who recused animals but could not perform veterinary work on them. “Isearched through abandoned and destroyed apartments, houses and back yards for animals in need of rescue,” Campbell said. “People had obviously left in a hurry as the Russians advanced, leaving cooking on the stove, and food on their benches. There was clear evidence some people had tried to escape but had not made it out alive.”
Despite the unmistakable challenges, Campbell was fortunate to find like-minded people on missions like his own. “I met Pen Farthing on one of my trips into Ukraine,” Campbell said. “He is a British former Royal Marines commando who founded Nowzad, acharity which has been helping animals in war zones since 2007. We spent days driving together deep into Ukraine and to the front line on a rescue mission, and I have been supporting Nowzad as their veterinary advisor ever since.”
Even so, some of the sights and situations Campbell encountered while in Ukraine made adeep impression on him and will not be easily forgotten. He described entering Irpin, a suburb of Kyiv utterly devasted by the war,under special military convoy the day after the Russians had pulled out. “Some of the things Iwitnessed arenot appropriate to share in this magazine,” he said. “But on this visit, we rescued a Rottweiler which has been abandoned byits owner when the Russians attacked. The owner’s house and the neighbour’s house were destroyed, and debris partly covered the dog’s pen. It had been trapped there without food or water for a full month and was emaciated and weak. It was frightened and unsure when we approached, but it was so happy to see us when it realised we werethere to help. How it survived is anyone’s guess.”
Campbell was also aware that well-intentioned people attempting to help animals were not exempt from Russian attacks and explained, by way of example, what happened when an animal shelter in Borodyanka was overrun by the Russians. “The carers had to flee and leave the animals, because at another shelter in another part of the country the keepers had been corralled into a cold room and shot –Isaw it on the news when I was over there,” Campbell said. “When the keepers left in Borodyanka, 350 animals were left for a month without food or water. Only 150 survived, and all werein horrendous condition. One dog which I treated – and which survived – had had its back legs chewed offto mid-tibia.”
On his second and more recent trip to Ukraine, in October 2023, Campbell was glad to be able to provide pro-active assistance in
addition to acting as a veterinary first responder. Working with Pen Farthing’s charity Nowzad, he helped build shelter housing for over 80 animals inKramatorsk (about 50km from the front-line), and was also able to treat, vaccinate, worm and microchip hundreds of animals. Despite the genuine horrors and inherent dangers of working in a war zone, Campbell did not recall feeling specifically unsafe during his time in Ukraine. “You just focus on the job at hand,” he said. “When visiting the front line on my most recent trip I had body armour and a combat helmet. I have had no specific training but pay close attention to guidance from the Ukrainian army and from my colleagues who are ex-military.” He also tries to stay in contact with his family in Australia when he is overseas, particularly knowing that his children miss him when he is gone and his wife – quite understandably – worries about him. “My wife is incredibly supportive,” he said. “She trusts my judgment and knows I’ll look after myself, but maintaining consistent contact can be challenging due to unreliable communications and the time difference. I do my best to call and share video messages whenever possible to stay connected.”
In 2023, Campbell was excited to be able to take his wife and children with him on a very different volunteering expedition from his trips to Ukraine, when the family travelled to Fiji to work at an outreach clinic in Savu Savu. “My wife and I have always wanted our children to experience giving back, and we chose Fiji because it is safe and close and provides a good startto our family volunteering experiences,” he said. “It was a fantastic experience for the children, as they got to experience how others who may not be as fortunate as us live.” Since the Campbells lived within the community while in Fiji, their children also made friends with the local children and played daily with them. Meanwhile, Campbell and his wife attended to routine veterinary care. “We handled whatever came through the door: eye enucleations, splenectomies, wound management, vaccinations, desexing, and so on,” he explained. “The children also helped us in the clinic caring for the animals, cleaning surgical instruments, folding towels and more.”
Campbell’snext trip, however, was once again a far cry from a family adventure on a tropical island: in June 2024, he set off for Afghanistan to work with Nowzad in Kabul. Going to Afghanistan is an inherently risky exercise. According to the Global Peace Index, Afghanistan is rated as the most dangerous countryin the world, and security concerns resulting from the continued presence and
activity of ISIS K, Al Qaeda, The Northern Alliance and the Taliban are ever-present. “Ireceived briefings from ex-military colleagues onwhat to be prepared for and what to do in certain situations – particularly those compromising safety, as the risks in Afghanistan are different from those in Ukraine,” Campbell said. “The day before I arrived, we received a report stating an improvised explosive device had gone off under a street cart in the suburb neighbouring the clinic.” Evidently, there are good reasons why the Nowzad Animal Hospital stands behind thick walls topped with razor wire, and why the compound contains multiple safe rooms. Nowzad has been operating in Afghanistan since 2007, when Pen Farthing began rescuing street dogs. Nowzad is named after one of the dogs he rescued which was, in turn, named after the Afghan town where the dog was found. The charity provides essential services including free vaccinations and spay or neuter procedures for pets, care and treatment for injured cats and dogs, and operates a cattery for up to 40 cats who are awaiting rehoming. While their large-scale dog sanctuary is currently unable to operate, Nowzad operates a Working Animal Program that treats working donkeys, horses and mules and provides animal husbandry education for their owners. The organisation also runs rabies education in local schools and assists with rabies prevention via TVNR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) programs. There is an Afghan proverb which says there is aroad to the top of even the highest mountain, and after seeking a Western veterinarian to train their Afghan staff at for seventeen years, Campbell may have helped the staff at Nowzad Animal Hospital reach the proverbial mountain top by being that vet. “I am honoured to be the first, particularly because Nowzad is dedicated to empowering the local community,having employed and trained Afghan nationals who, most importantly, included the country’s first ever female veterinarians,” he said. “I enjoyed being able to help and make a real difference to the veterinarians at Nowzad.” That said, Campbell also acknowledges the challenges of working in Kabul arereal: in addition to the ongoing security concerns, vets also contend with a lack of basic equipment. “Not one veterinaryclinic in the whole of Afghanistan has an x-ray machine, and that’s something I would really like to change,” he said. “Nowzad are always looking for support through donations, whether these be financial or practical, including contributions of equipment.”
Now that he is safely back in Australia, Campbell is open to new challenges and opportunities which allow him to make a positive impact. He is a Vice President and non-Executive Director of Pets In The Park and encouraged vets to volunteer their time to the charity. “Volunteering can be a powerful tool for maintaining mental resilience in a demanding field,” he pointed out. “It provides a healthy balance, fosters and sense of accomplishment, and strengthens our connection to the core values of veterinary medicine.” He also serves on the Australian VeterinaryAssociation’s Education Advisory Committee, with his involvement primarily driven by his desireto contribute to his profession beyond his clinical role. “I’ve accumulated a wealth of experience throughout my career and felt compelled to share this knowledge and support the development of futureveterinarians,” Campbell said. “The veterinary community is unique in its shared empathy and values, which makes giving back particularly rewarding. Ihope my experience can benefit those I am able to impact within the profession.” To page 30
Eagle Post
The New York Times has increasingly reported on the role of pets in their readers' lives. A recent article was ‘Why You're Paying Your Veterinarian So Much’. Several non-veterinarian friends sent me the article. For decades, veterinarians typically ran their clinics, shepherding generations of pets from birth to death. They neutered, vaccinated, and pulled thorns from paws and noses. When animals became seriously ill, veterinarians often had little to offer beyond condolences and a humane death. Think of the James Herriott stories. But in recent years, as people have grown more attached to their pets, and more willing to spend money on them, animal medicine has transformed into a big business that looks much like its human counterpart.
In 2023, the global pet care market size was valued at US$247b and is projected to grow
cent over the past ten years. With growth in pet ownership and surveys showing that Americans are willing to go into debt to pay for their animals' care, vet clinics have become increasingly attractive to investors. Private equity firms and large corporations have bought hundreds of facilities nationwide, an acquisition spree reminiscent of the corporate buying of doctors' offices. The low interest rates, slow but stable economic growth of veterinary practices, and abundant available capital during the pandemic increased corporate buyouts. In 2017, about 10 per cent of veterinar y practices were corporate, and in 2024, about 30 per cent were corporate. However, around 65 per cent of specialist hospitals are corporate-owned.
Corporations do not buy just any practice. They look for a multi-veterinarian business that generates at least $1.5m yearly.Over the years,
dentists who make 30–50 per cent. The reason is that veterinarians undervalue their services and often discount or give away services for free.
Inaddition, many veterinarians do not use trained veterinary assistants who can do many procedures, such as drawing blood, far less cheaply and efficiently than a veterinarian. Several years ago, the ideal ratio of vet assistants to veterinarians was estimated at 7:1. Many practices only have a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2.
Advances in medicine and corporatization have resulted in an increasingly emotionally and financially unsustainable situation for animal owners. Most American pet owners do not have pet insurance. Only about four per cent of pet owners have insurance, and the options are limited even for them. Pet insurance often excludes pre-existing conditions and costs more for older pets more likely to get sick.
The NY Times asked readers to share their stories about expensive vet bills, and hundreds responded. Many pet owners reported paying off bills of an average $1500 to $5000 for several years. Many pet owners take out credit on specialty medical credit cards sold by outside companies available at the veterinary clinic. The cards do not charge interest for 6 months, but if not paid off within six months, they charge 30 per cent or more interest. For clients who lack good credit and are not eligible for a medical credit card, there are special veterinary financial plan packages marketed to veterinarians to offer their clients. In 2023, the Biden administration warned that these medical credit cards, which doctors and dentists also promoted, drove many consumers into debilitating debt. One company, CareCredit has said that about 80 per cent of cardholders paid off their debt before the no-interest introductory period ended.
Several veterinarians who have worked in corporate practices said they were pressured to drive more business. One vet from California said she quit her job after she was told her "cost per client" was too low. Another, from Virginia, said she was told she needed to see 21 animals per day. A third, from Colorado, said she was taken aback when she overheard a manager saying some of the vets at her office needed coaching on “getting the client to a yes.”
from $260b in 2024 to $428b by 2032, exhibiting acompound annual growth rate of nearly seven per cent during the forecast period. North America dominates the pet care market, with amarket share of 34 per cent in 2023. Many oneperson veterinary clinics have been replaced by hospitals equipped with CT and MRI machines, sophisticated inhouse laborator y equipment (point of care), and 24-hour emergency and intensive care units. The number of veterinary specialists has increased, and dogs and cats often see highly trained specialists in neurology, cardiology, and oncology.
This high-tech care has spurred a booming market. According to US federal statistics, veterinaryprices have soared more than 60 per
companies have found that if they buy small practices or fixer-uppers, they do not do very well with them. Less than half of independent veterinary practices fit that category.
Anecdotally, some vets have complained that their corporate managers were pushing clinics to become more efficient profit centers. This may not be bad. A veterinaryfriend told me that veterinarians make the worst managers because they adopt three-legged dogs and cats without ears. They do the same when hiring people and often select recovering alcoholics, individuals down on their luck, who are not the most reliable workers. Corporations have found that most veterinarians make only 10 per cent of their annual income, compared to doctors and
Other vets said corporate ownership did not influence the care they provided. However, one veterinarian said that when someone's pay is tied to how many procedures and tests they perform, and even wellness plans and food they sell, incentives could be challenging to ignore, especially for vets just starting. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median veterinarian salaryis $103,260 in 2024. Moreover,the average veterinaryschool debt is around $150,000, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. However, some vet students reported debt loads of more than $400,000. In large urban areas with high living costs, corporate practices can offer $50,000 for anew graduate to start. This bonus is paid over two to five years, so if the veterinarian leaves before their contract ends, they do not get the total bonus. After completing their residency program but before becoming board-certified, some veterinarians have been offered $150,000 to start in practices where their specialty is unavailable.
Thomas Donnelly, BVSc, DipVP, DipACLAM reports from the US.
INSEPARABLE
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.
Severe cases of Buruli ulcer (infection
with Mycobacterium ulcerans)in common ringtail possums in Victoria adversely affect animal welfare
Buruli ulcer is a chronic ulcerative disease of the skin and subcutaneous tissues caused by infection with Mycobacterium ulcerans Although Australian possums are known to be susceptible to Buruli ulcer, many aspects of the disease in possums, including welfare impacts, remain largely unreported. Severe clinical Buruli ulcer was identified in four common ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) from Melbourne, Victoria. All four possums were euthanased due tothe presence of deep ulcerative lesions on paws, with extensive tissue necrosis that exposed bones and tendons in three cases. Histologically, there was severe ulcerative necrotising pyogranulomatous dermatitis, panniculitis and myositis, with intralesional acidfast bacteria. M. ulcerans was detected by real-time PCR in all swabs, tissues and faeces collected from all four cases. Buruli ulcer may be an important and under-recognised cause of poor possum welfare in endemic areas. The physical impacts of the severe cutaneous lesions, especially those extending to underlying bones and joints, would have directly impaired the mobility of these possums, affecting navigation of their natural environments and expression of natural behaviours including foraging and socialising. Topage 30
Landscape review about the decision to euthanize a compromised pig
Timely euthanasia of a compromised pig in farming practice has been identified as a critical topic in veterinary medicine. The questions 'why and when are pigs euthanized' and 'what influences the decision-making process' need to be answered to improve the situation. In the past five years, work addressing these issues has been published in the literature, however, a synthesis of the findings is missing. With the help of a quantitative and qualitative analysis, this paper has generated a landscape review to outline major topics, the role of clinical signs and further influences on the decision to euthanize a pig. Due to the quantitative content analysis, 58 topics have been identified with the role of welfare as a justification and training for caretakers in making euthanasia decisions as the most frequently mentioned. The qualitative analysis of why and when apig is euthanized generated a set of clinical signs for organ tracts, and a set of categories influencing the decision-making process. The results outline the need to increase research on details specific to understanding how clinical signs evolve over time before euthanasia. In summary, the analysis provides an overview of work in the field and ideas on how to close knowledge gaps in the future. Moreover, the article contributes to harmonize efforts in the field and underlines the need for more research about the care of compromised and injured pigs.
Porcine Health Manag. 2024 Jul 20;10(1): 27.doi: 10.1186/s40813024-00378-6.
1Institute for Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing (IBEI), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 2, 30559, Hannover,Germany. julia.dorothee.stoffregen@tiho-hannover.de.
2Institute for Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing (IBEI), University of VeterinaryMedicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 2, 30559, Hannover, Germany.
3Field Station for Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover,Foundation, Buescheler Str.9, 49456, Bakum, Hannover, Germany.
4Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior,University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173, Hannover, Germany.
5Centre for E-Learning, Didactics and Educational Research (ZELDA), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 2, 30559, Hannover, Germany. 6ISN-Projekt GmbH, Kirchplatz 2, 49401, Damme, Germany.
Cardiovascular physiology of decapod crustaceans: from scientific inquiry to practical applications
Until recently, the decapod crustacean heart was regarded as a simple, single ventricle, contraction of which forces haemolymph out into seven arteries. Differential tissue perfusion is achieved by contraction and relaxation of valves at the base of each artery. In this Review, we discuss recent work that has shown that the heart is bifurcated by muscular sheets that may effectively divide the single ventricle into 'chambers'. Preliminary research shows that these chambers may contract differentially; whether this enables selective tissue perfusion remains to be seen. Crustaceans are unusual in that they can stop their heart for extended periods. These periods of cardiac arrest can become remarkably rhythmic, accounting for a significant portion of the cardiac repertoire. As we discuss in this Review, in crustaceans, changes in heart rate have been used extensively as a measurement of stress and metabolism. We suggest that the periods of cardiac pausing should also be quantified in this context. In the past three decades, an exponential increase in crustacean aquaculture has occurred and heart rate (and changes thereof) is being used to understand the stress responses of farmed crustaceans, as well as providing an indicator of disease progression. Furthermore, as summarized in this Review, heart rate is now being used as an effective indicator of humane methods to anaesthetize, stun or euthanize crustaceans destined for the table or for use in scientific research. We believe that incorporation of new biomedical technology and new animal welfare policies will guide future research directions in this field.
Iain J McGaw1,Rahana A Ebrahim1
JExp Biol. 2024 Oct 15;227(20): jeb247456.doi: 10.1242/jeb.247456.
1Department of Ocean Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 0 Marine Lab Road, St John's, NL, Canada, A1B 0C4.
Evaluation of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome breeding test results inFinland from 2017 to 2022
Background: Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), observed in many flat-faced dog breeds, is one of the most urgent welfare problems in pedigree dogs. Various breeding schemes against BOAS have been implemented in many countries during recent years, but their impact on breed health remains unknown. The BOAS breeding test, used by the Finnish Kennel Club (FKC), includes an exercise component with a recovery assessment, BOAS grading by a veterinarian that evaluates upper respiratorysigns beforeand after exercise, and a nostril stenosis assessment. The aim of our study was to evaluate BOAS breeding test results and estimate the heritability of the BOAS grade using parent-offspring regression from FKC data collected during 2017–2022.
Results: The majority (80 per cent) of dogs (n = 957) participating in FKC BOAS testing were English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs. In 2022, 89-100 per cent of the litters from these three breeds registered with the FKC had at least one parent tested for BOAS. The proportion of dogs failing the exercise test was highest in English Bulldogs (11 per cent), followed by French Bulldogs (4 per cent) and Pugs (3 per cent). In these three breeds, moderate to severe BOAS signs were reported in 28 per cent, 22 per cent and 30 per cent of dogs, respectively. The proportion of moderate to severe nostril stenosis was highest (71 per cent) in Pugs, followed by French Bulldogs (55 per cent), and English Bulldogs (40 per cent). Estimates of heritability for BOAS grade were separately calculated for these three breeds and for all dogs, and the estimates were moderate to high, ranging from 0.39 to 0.58.
Conclusions: The exercise test alone did not sufficiently identify dogs with moderate to severe BOAS signs. To better consider the complex nature of BOAS and breed differences, exercise tolerance, the severity of upper respiratorysigns (BOAS grade) Topage 30
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.
Reference:
2023-08
Practice sale tax: some frequently asked questions
Understanding the tax implications of a practice sale is crucial to ensuring that you know the net proceeds that you will walk away with.
We constantly receive questions about the taxes payable on the purchase and sale of a business.
Here are answers to some of the frequently asked questions that we get:
Dobuyers need to pay GST on the purchase of a practice?
Any business that is sold in Australia as a going concern does not attract GST.
Simon Palmer is the Managing Director of Practice Sale Search, Australia’s largest vet practice brokerage. If you’d like more information on practice sales or want to have a confidential discussion about your practice’s circumstances, email Simon Palmer at info@practicesalesearch. com.au or call 1300 282 042.
So, if you are a buyer of a vet practice, how do you know if the business you are buying is a going concern?
Buying a business that is agoing concern means that:
■ the business is being sold with everything required to continue operating the business AND
■ carries on the business until the day of sale.
While you may think that this would include all vet practice sales, there are some common exceptions to look out for:
■ Sometimes, the vendor will not sell or licence the name of the practice to the purchaser. This usually happens when:
■ The vendor’s practice name is the same as their own name or
■ They own another practice with the same brand
■ Where the vendor wants to keep some item of equipment necessary for the operations of the practice post sale.
■ Where the vendor owns the real estate and doesn’t have a lease (with themselves) to assign. This should be an easy fix.
If the practice isn’t deemed to be a going concern, the buyer will have to pay GST on the practice that they purchase. They can usually
DO
YOU
later claim this back, BUT this can take time and could significantly impact your cash flow in this time.
How does the apportionment of the purchase price between equipment/fit-out and goodwill influence the amount of tax I need to pay when I buy or sell mybusiness?
Apotential point of tension in any sale of business is how to allocate the price between Goodwill and Equipment/Fit-out.
Purchasers often want more proceeds allocated to equipment/ fit-out as they can later get the tax benefit from depreciating these assets post sale.
Conversely, vendors find it tax advantageous to have more of the price allocated to goodwill.
In Australia, one solution that many use to avoid what could be a protracted and acrimonious apportionment negotiation is to agree to leave the sales price unallocated in the contract, so that both parties are able to allocate for their respective tax forms as they see fit.
In Australia, the purchaser’s allocation does not need to match the vendor’s allocation in the sale contract but, if audited by the tax office, the vendor and purchaser must each be able to justify their reasonable apportionment, based on the relevant market values of the separate assets at the time of making the contract.
Do I need to pay Capital Gains Tax on the sale of my practice?
When you sell your business, the difference between what you bought the business for and what you sold it for is either a capital gain or loss that you made on the sale.
Capital Gains Tax is the tax that is payable on any capital gain.
There are four generous small business CGT concessions that
the Australian government offers that allow some business sellers to reduce, disregard or defer some (or all) of the tax associated with a capital gain from an active asset used in a small business.
If you are selling a business, the idea of paying little or no capital gains tax should sound pretty good. So, how do you work out if you are eligible for some of these tax concessions?
There are many variables that influence which, if any, of the CGT concessions you are eligible for, including:
■ The structure of the sale
■ The aggregated turnover of the business
■ Your net assets
■ How long you’ve owned the assets
■ If the sale has to do with retirement
■ Your age
■ If you are going to be buying another business with the proceeds ofthis sale
There really is no substitute for receiving tax advice from a good accountant well in advance of a transaction in order to give yourself the best possible chance of being able to avail yourself of these CGT concessions.
Disclaimer: As always, given the unique natureof each business sale, it's essential to consult with a tax professional or accountant to get insights into your specific circumstances. The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional tax advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, tax laws and regulations are subject to change and may vary based on individual circumstances. Therefore, we recommend consulting with a qualified accountant or tax advisor to obtain advice tailored to your specific situation. The content in this article is not a substitute for personalised professional guidance.
HAVE SOMETHING TO
SAY? Is thereatopic 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 learn more about? 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’s issue!
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your clients with
- Dr Trevor Pavey
Vetplus provides veterinary business with a number of unique digital tools, including the Digital Pet Health Passport app and First Aid for Pets app to help foster deeper relationships between your clinic and clients. If you’re looking for an organic solution to price sensitivity and shopping around, scan the QR code or talk to your Boehringer Ingelheim Territory Manager to discover what Vetplus can offer your practice.
How to see stress in chickens: On the way to a Stressed Chicken Scale
For many species, scales are used to classify discomfort and stress (e.g., facial expression/pain scales). Although a significant number of vertebrates used for scientific purposes are chickens, a corresponding scale for birds has not yet been established. We developed a Stressed Chicken Scale (SCS) to investigate whether it is possible to assess discomfort in a chicken by its body posture. A selective review with additional hand search was conducted to find suitable parameters for visual stress assessment. Seven potential body signals were identified: Tail and head position, eye closure, beak opening, leg and wing position, and plumage fullness (ruffled or fluffed up feathers).
The SCS was evaluated for interobserver reliability with veterinary students (n = 20), using randomized pictures of stressed and unstressed chickens in lateral view (n = 80). Observers were able to identify the body signals on the pictures after a brief training session. Agreement scores for interobserver agreement ranged from ê = 0.31 (fair agreement) for eye closure to ê = 0.78 (substantial agreement) for beak opening. We found that the number of body signals displayed in a stressed expression had an impact on observers' overall assessment of the chickens, for example, chickens were more likely to be rated as stressed if more than 4 signals indicative of stress were present. We conclude that the 7 individual body signals can beused to identify discomfort in chickens.
Larissa Schlegel1,Anne S Kleine2,Marcus G Doherr3, Carola Fischer-Tenhagen4
1Farm Animal Clinic - Division for Poultry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany; German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: larissa.schlegel@fu-berlin.de.
2Clinica Alpina, Scuol, Switzerland.
3Institute for Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Veterinary Medicine, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
4German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, German Centre for the Protection of LaboratoryAnimals (Bf3R), Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: carola.fischer-tenhagen@bfr.bund.de.
Decoding halal and jhatka slaughter: novel insights into welfare and protein biomarkers in slow-growing broiler chicken
Background: The first evidence of blood biochemical and proteomic changes in slow-growing broiler chicken subjected to ritual slaughter like halal (HS) and jhatka (JS) without stunning and commercial slaughter with electrical stunning (ES) was decoded.
Results: Significant stress indicators like cortisol and triiodothyronine were markedly elevated in JS birds, whereas increased (P < 0.05) levels of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase wereobserved in JS and ES birds. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled to MALDI-TOF MS elucidated the overabundance of glyceraldehyde3-phosphate dehydrogenase and l-lactate dehydrogenase that are positively correlated with stress in JS broilers. Bioinformatic analysis explored the multifaceted landscape of molecular functions.
Conclusion: The study has uncovered that ritual slaughter performed without stunning against commercial slaughter with ES practices elicit varying levels of stress as evident from blood biochemistry and novel protein markers.
Prasad M Govindaiah1,Naveena B Maheswarappa2,Rituparna Banerjee2,Muthupalani Muthukumar2,Balaji B Manohar2,Bidyut Prava Mishra3,Arup R Sen1,Ashim K Biswas1
1Division of Livestock Products Technology,ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India.
2Meat Proteomics Lab, ICAR-National Meat Research Institute, Hyderabad, India.
3Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, India.
Risk of invasive waterfowl interaction with poultry production: Understanding potential for avian pathogen transmission via species distribution models
Recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have devastated poultry production across the United States, with more than 77 million birds culled in 2022-2024 alone. Wild waterfowl, including various invasive species, host numerous pathogens, including highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV), and have been implicated as catalysts of disease outbreaks among native fauna and domestic birds. In major poultry-producing states like Arkansas, USA, where the poultry sector is responsible for significant economic activity (>$4 billion USD in 2022), understanding the risk of invasive waterfowl interactions with domestic poultry is critical. Here, we assessed the risk of invasive waterfowl-poultry interaction in Arkansas by comparing the density of poultry production sites (chicken houses) to areas of high habitat suitability for two invasive waterfowl species, (Egyptian Goose [Alopochen aegyptiaca]and Mute Swan [Cygnus olor]), known to host significant pathogens, including avian influenza viruses. The percentage of urban land cover was the most important habitat characteristic for both invasive waterfowl species. At the 95 per cent confidence interval, chicken house densities in areas highly suitable for both species (Egyptian Goose = 0.91 ±0.11 chicken houses/km2;Mute Swan = 0.61 ±0.03 chicken houses/km2) were three to five times higher than chicken house densities across the state (0.17 ±0.01 chicken houses/km2). We show that northwestern and western Arkansas, both areas of high importance for poultry production, are also at high risk of invasive waterfowl presence. Our results suggest that targeted monitoring efforts for waterfowl-poultry contact in these areas could help mitigate the risk of avian pathogen exposure in Arkansas and similar regions with high poultry production.
Reilly T Jackson1,Percival M Marshall1,Chris Burkhart1, Julia Schneck1,Grant Kelly1,Caleb P Roberts2
1Department of Biological Sciences University of Arkansas Fayetteville Arkansas USA.
2U.S. Geological Survey, Arkansas Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research Unit University of Arkansas Fayetteville Arkansas USA.
Review: Myopathies in broilers: supply chain approach to provide solutions to challenges related to raising fast growing birds
This review is a summary of a Poultry Science Association symposium addressing myopathies in broilers' breast meat, focusing on the interactions between genetics, nutrition, husbandry, and meat processing. The Pectoralis major myopathies (woody breast [WB]; white striping [WS]; spaghetti meat [SM]) and Pectoralis minor ("feathering") are described, followed by discussing their prevalence, potential causes, current and future ways to mitigate, as well as detection methods (in live birds and meat) as well as ways to utilize affected meat. Overall, breast myopathies remain an important focus across the poultry industry and whilst a lot of data and knowledge has been gathered, it is clear that there is still a lot to understand. As there are multiple factors impacting the occurrence of breast myopathies, their reduction relies on a holistic approach. Ongoing balanced breeding strategies by poultry breeders is targeting the longer-term genetic component but comprehending the significant influence from nongenetic factors (short-term solutions such as nutrition) remains a key area of opportunity. Consequently,understanding the physiology and biological needs of the muscle through the life of the bird is critical to reduce the myopathies (e.g., minimizing oxidative stress) and gain moreinsight into their etiology.
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CANCV4: canine autologous nanoparticle cancer vaccine (V4)
IMMUNOTHERAPY FOR DOGS
■ Dr Chris Weir, Principal Scientist
■ DR.C.W@outlook.com
Some cancers produce unique proteins or antigens on their surface which differ from that of a normal cell. These proteins can provide a target for the immune system. CANCV4 utilises the dog's own cancer tissue to produce a vaccine which ‘re-educates’ and stimulates the immune system so it recognises and targets the cancer.
THE EVOLUTION: CACV1 - CANCV4
Over a period of seven years CANCV has been tested, refined, and improved to increase levels ofimmune stimulation and response:
CACV1
Used a commercially available adjuvant - immunity waned over time and no apparent response in tumour types like Melanoma. Results of this initial cohort were published Vet. Sci. 2018, 5(4), 87; doi.org/10.3390/vetsci5040087.
CANCV2
Nanoparticle adjuvant was introduced to replace commercially available one after increased efficacy was seen in rodent cancer models.
CANCV3
Higher dose nanoparticles and improved cancer protein isolation and extraction. Introduction of immune stimulant into the vaccine to draw more immune cells into the vaccination site.
CANCV4
Further modified nanoparticles for increased immune stimulation immune with improved dendritic cell uptake and antigen presentation to T cells. Incorporation of tumour antigens into or onto the nanoparticle for slower release and improved immune cell uptake Ability to use fresh, frozen, formalin fixed or paraffin embedded tumour tissue.
THE PROCESS: Fresh or frozen tissue is collected and sent it to the lab for processing. Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue can also be used to make a vaccine, but this takes longer to process (four days). The process involves:
1.Processing the tissue to a singular protein level.
2.Treat the proteins to expose more potential antigens.
3.Combine with or incorporate the antigens into the nanoparticles with immune stimulant.
4.Bottle for administration.
0.2g of fresh, Paraffin embedded, or formalin fixed tissue is required to an initial eight dose course of vaccine
CANCV4 DOSING SCHEDULE: Initial doses (0.4 mL) are given intramuscularly 4x weekly, 2x weekly and 2x fortnightly or 4x fortnightly and then four monthly boosters are administered. Depending on your dog's cancer scenario and sample size, more doses can be made and administered after initial course.
SAFETY: Various versions of CANCV have been used to treat over 700 dogs with different types ofcancer. Minor, temporary side-effects, lasting 24 – 48 hours may occur, such as lumps at the vaccination site, malaise, fatigue, or loss of appetite. No major side effects or anaphylaxis seen.
SCENARIOS FOR USE
Primary treatment –following tumour removal bysurgery (clean/narrow/dirty margins) - to prevent or slow tumour regrowth.
Combined with standard of care treatments (e.g., chemotherapy) - particularly single agent chemotherapy.
Asan accessory to debulking large tumours -to aid regression, ‘stabilise the tumour’ or slow tumour regrowth.
As part of palliative care. In dogs with advanced disease combining the vaccine with prednisone can in some cases improve expected survival.
CANCER TYPES: RESOURCES: www.akcchf.org https://acfoundation.org/
Lymphoma
In early 2020, a phase 2 placebo trial of CANCV2 (version 2) combined with CHOP for Multicentric B and T-cell lymphoma was commenced just as the covid pandemic started which severely affected the study. The aim of the study was to see if adding vaccine to CHOP or palliative care extends survival. Of the twenty-eight dogs recruited four died prior to receiving vaccine or placebo vaccine (adjuvant only) of the remaining 24, 13 received vaccine and 11 placebos. The results were inconclusive due to low recruitment with median survival times of 10-11 months in both groups. Despite this the trial produced some important observations: 1) That vaccination with adjuvant only can have an immune boosting benefit on its own 2) Only 20-25 per cent of dogs probably benefit from the addition of vaccine or adjuvant with CHOP 3) Single agent Dox + vaccine could be another cheaper treatment option 4) Boosting with adjuvant prior to surgery and treatment maybe another option to improve survival times 5) While palliative prednisone is immunosuppressive approximately 10-15 per cent dogs will have a significant extension of survival with the addition of vaccine over prednisone alone (4-6 weeks)
Haemangiosarcoma
Dogs with haemangiosarcoma survive between 30-90 days if treated with surgery alone. Standardof caresurgery and chemotherapy (Doxorubicin) improves average survival to 6months. If the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body (metastasized), evidence indicates that treatment with CANCV2/3 can improve survival times, with some dogs surviving for morethan 2 years. No dogs have been treated with CANCV4 yet.
Mast cell tumours (MCT)
Nearly two hundred dogs have been treated for both high and low grade MCT with vaccine alone or with chemotherapy (CCNU, Vincristine) or palladia. Figure A: Shows the significant lower rate of recurrence in dogs with low grade treated with CANCV-2-4 compared to CACV-1 which vaccine formulation has now been abandoned. FigureBshows that no dogs with recurring low grade MCT have recurred again after CANCV 2-4 treatment compared to CACV-1. FigureCcompares the outcomes of high grade MCT’streated with CACV-1 v CANCV2-4 alone or with CCNU/Palladia/Vincristine – Demonstrating a significant extension of survival. Data collected 2017-2023
Melanoma
CACV1 showed no efficacy against melanoma, and this was a driver to switch to a nanoparticle adjuvant. CANCV2 to CANCV4 have demonstrated they can slow progression, reduce metastatic disease, and extend survival in some dogs with melanoma.
Osteosarcoma
Standardtherapy of amputation and treatment with chemotherapy (Carbo/Cisplatin), gives a median survival time of 11 months with 20 per cent of dogs surviving for over 2years. Seventy dogs have been treated with a combination of carboplatin and CANCV2 to 4. Dogs treated with CANCV-3 and carboplatin have a median survival of 14 months with 30 per cent of dogs surviving to 31 months.
Currently nineteen dogs have been treated with CANCV-4 and carboplatin. These results will take another 18-24 months to fully obtain and see if there is an improvement on CANCV-3.
Soft tissue sarcoma
These tumours recur in approximately 20 per cent of dogs after surgery alone, with metastatic spread to other tissues occurring in 25 per cent. CANCV4 has successfully stopped recurrence and slowed regrowth in dogs with high grade residual tumour.
Carcinoma (various types and tumour locations)
CANCV4. can potentially stabilize disease, prolong survival, or prevent recurrence. Combined with chemotherapy, dogs with anal sac carcinoma benefit from the inclusion ofCANCV4 in the treatment regime. Several dogs with mammary carcinoma have extended survival expectation with some having no recurrence over a 12 to 24 month period post-surgery + vaccination.
Rare cancers
CANCV-2 to-4 have been used to treat rare cancers. Some have far exceeded expected survival/recurrence rates but with low case numbers this evidence is purely anecdotal.
Other species
Cats: Around twenty feline patients have been treated for cancer with CANCV-2 to 4. While small numbers the vaccine appears to slow the grow and spread of melanomas and fibrosarcomas.
Horses: Most horses treated with CANCV-2 to 4 have been with Melanoma. The dose size for horses is 1ml and while anecdotal there is evidence the vaccine stops recurrence or slows regrowth. Two horses have been treated for sarcoid tumour’s one of which had no response to vaccine or other treatments, the other has just been treated so too early to see benefit.
Disclaimer
While we have seen excellent results when treating dogs with CANCV2-4 we cannot guarantee that this treatment will be effective for your dog. While every effort is made to obtain the best outcome for your dog, there can be many factors that have an impact on the effectiveness of the vaccine. Variables may include how advanced the cancer is, what type of cancer, age of the dog, the level of disease, prior treatments for the cancer,as well as the quality of the tumour sample used to create the vaccine. For best potential outcomes, the full course of recommended vaccinations must be completed.
Cases and Testimonials
This initial publication from 2018 reported initial data obtained from CACV-1 which incorporated acommercially available adjuvant. This study between 2016-2018 was designed to show safety and look for evidence of efficacy with the CACV-1 vaccine formulation. The study also compared the relative response rates of adding an extra stimulant (Rhizavidin) to the vaccine versus without. At the time of publication dogs receiving Rhizavidin in there vaccine had lower survival rates (50 per cent) compared to dogs receiving vaccine without it (75 per cent). By 2019 all dogs with vaccine formulated with rhizavidin were deceased and approximately 20 per cent of those not receiving remained alive. One key observation from the study was that weekly vaccinations to start appeared to improve survival and this practice has been followed with CANCV-2 to 4 or with slight variations. The study highlighted also that the age of a dog effects efficacy of this autologous vaccine approach with dogs greater than >12 years of age less likely to gain benefit.By the end of 2019 CACV-1 was being phased out after the remaining dogs relapsed. Many of these were switched to CANCV2/3 and a proportion of these dogs remain alive today.
Dr Michaela Swan BVSc Hons MANZCVS (Small Animal Medicine), Oncology Registrar Ihave being using autologous vaccines created by Dr Weir since 2020. The process of submitting tumour samples, receiving the vaccines, and communicating with Dr Weir has always been easy.I have used the vaccines for a wide variety of cancers in both cats and dogs. The vaccines are well tolerated, and I have not seen any side effects of the vaccines. These personalised vaccines harness the patient’s immune system to attack their cancer. Thus, this is another form of treatment in addition to more traditional therapies for cancers such as surgery, chemotherapy,and radiation. The lack of side effects and possibility of a benefit from these vaccines, entices owners to elect this therapy often in addition to other more traditional treatments. Anecdotally,Ihave seen improved survival times in dogs with osteosarcomas who have had amputations, chemotherapy, and ongoing autologous vaccine therapy.Immunotherapy is rapidly growing field, and it is becoming a huge component of therapy for a number of human cancers.With ongoing research like Dr Weir’s, hopefully it can have a similar role in veterinary medicine.
Dr Roger Blackwell BSc. BVMS, Meander Valley Veterinary Service Pty Ltd
We have been using the autologous cancer vaccine treatment now for several years, often in a situation where clear margins were not necessarily achieved at surgery, and hence usedas an “insurance” type intervention in the hope of preventing recurrence – hence positive outcomes not necessarily the credit of the vaccine. However,we have also used it on some
cases where clean margins were not achieved which was confirmed with histology, but with no subsequent tumour re-growth. As such it is fair to say we have some patients alive post treatment that would have otherwise been amputated or euthanased
We have used the vaccine on a variety of cancers across mostly dogs, but with the occasional cat and horse. We have found the vaccine to be well tolerated by patients, with only a couple of minor adverse reactions (out of several hundred doses). We tend to use it where there is evidence of spread, likelihood of metastasis, or known dirty margins, as well as at times an insurance policy.
Effectiveness is purely anecdotal for us, however I am confident to say that despite many deaths over the several years we have been using the vaccine, I can also say we have patients alive and well that I expect would otherwise be deceased by now. This concept was being talked about when I went through Uni over 40 years ago, and it is truly exciting to be part of offering adeveloping reality.
For most clients, a diagnosis of cancer in their pets is overwhelming, let alone the decision upon which treatment to embark on. Clients are more and more aware of immunotherapy, and it's been fantastic to be able to offer this as a treatment option for our patients.
We have used the cancer vaccines as adjunctive treatment alongside other treatment modalities as well as a treatment on its own. Turnaround time from sample collection to vaccine administration was quick and the vaccines were well tolerated in our patients.
Wepersonally found clients were also really comfortable having the vaccine administered in a consult, rather than their pet admitted to hospital for treatment. Finally, treatment options for neoplasia can be costly and not always an option for all clients. Our clients were happy with the cost of the vaccines and were able to manage this.
Dr Alison Trainer
Being able to access this vaccination trial for my Giant Schnauzer Clyde with a T cell lymphoma has given him the potential for a longer life. He is now over a year from diagnosis when I had been told he would likely only have around 6 months. Working in a cancer hospital, Ihave seen the benefits that immunotherapy has brought in human patients and so was excited to see such innovations as this trial now being available for all my family members, both humans and much-loved goofy fur balls like Clyde.
Dr Felicia Tam
Chris’ dedication to his work is inspirational. It makes such a difference to be able to offer this autologous vaccine to our patients, and he is so generous with his time and expertise in this area.
Ms Amanda McHutch
Ihave seen firsthand how Chris has been able to extend the life of animals who otherwise had very limited time left due to their cancer.His work has literally saved the lives of so many and given owners precious extra time with their pets.
Emma Cameron
We were lucky enough to be able to offer my sister and her dog with a MCT this vaccine, they were able to spend 3 more years together because of it. His generosity, tenacity and genuine empathy is beyond outstanding.
Dr David Witcombe
I would like to express my thanks and recognition of the work Dr Weir has been performing with the individualised canine vaccine approach.
TREATING SMALL DOGS WITH ADVERSE FOOD REACTIONS?
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InAugust 2019, our beloved pug, Reggi, had an aggressive MCT on her paw requiring amputation of the affected leg. There was also evidence of metastasis to other sites. We have used the vaccine made by Dr Weir and Reggi has adapted to her three legs and is still with us in 2024 with no recurrence of MCT.
Dr Gordon Heslop – Beach and bay vet Chris Weir of the University of Sydney and the Kolling Institute has been tireless in making autologous vaccines to help in the management of one of the most aggressive and frequently fatal cancers in dogs.
Mast call tumors affect dogs in the prime of life and can rapidly spread from a seemingly innocuous skin nodule both locally and via metastases throughout the body. Treatment of these tumors previously has required extensive surgical excision - cutting out tissues wide and deep around the tumour, usually disfiguring, often affecting the dog’s lifestyle, and sometimes necessitating amputation of a limb. These extensive surgeries may have to be repeated at short intervals on frequent occasions and be followed with chemotherapy.
The autologous vaccines that Chris Weir develops are a game changer They target the mast cell tumours at the source and can destroy tumours and metastases before they are clinically evident. Dogs survive longer. Surgeries are avoided. Chemotherapy is unnecessary. Lives are saved and the overall cost of treatment is significantly reduced.
Chris Weir has been tireless is the production of these autologous vaccines, creating individual vaccines for veterinar y surgeons and their patients in 24 hours, an impressive and invaluable service to the world of dogs.
River Cowan Feline Fibrosarcoma
Towards the end of 2021, River had begun to lose weight and show disinterest in most foods. Wenoticed she had something in her mouth right around the same time we noticed she had stopped grooming herself. This was removed in January 2022 – it was diagnosed as an oral fibrosarcoma, and unfortunately clear margins could not be achieved. We were offered a chance to try the cancer vaccine created from the tumour, and River went through two courses of this (each course involved an injection weekly for 4 weeks, then monthly for 4 months).
During this time, River developed a gut issue affecting her eating and litter use. This was suspected to be an intestinal lymphoma, so she was prescribed prednisolone to treat it in August 2022. This seemed to have a positive effect, and she was able to eat and use the litter normally again.
In February 2023, River had a soft tissue sarcoma on her back diagnosed and removed with a wide clear margin.
As River attends Allambie Vet for a Vitamin B12 injection (for her lymphoma) every month, her mouth was checked for any sign of regrowth, and it was not until partway through 2023 that it was detected for certain (although quite small). As we were told that this type of growth usually came back pretty quickly, it was surprising how long it had taken to regrow, especially as it was not able to be completely removed initially. It was not until February 2024 that the decision was made to have the growth surgically removed again.
The removal was postponed when River was diagnosed with diabetes, so treatment was started for that with twice daily insulin injections and monitoring via a sensor for the first week. During this time, the prednisolone was swapped out for chlorambucil (a chemotherapy tablet given three times weekly) and her diet was changed to wet food only,to give her the best chance of going into remission from her diabetes. River's diabetes was confirmed to be in remission by the end of March 2024.
InApril 2024, River's oral fibrosarcoma was removed, but was again unable to be removed completely, so a decision has been made to proceed with a cancer vaccine course once again. Despite everything she has gone through the last couple of years at her advanced age, River has responded well to the various treatments and procedures, so it made sense to us to give her every opportunity to fight off her ailments.
DrFiona Coghill BVSc MANZCVS MVM DECVS EBVS European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, Brindabella Veterinary Referral Service, Canberra
and at this point we decided that if we were not going to commit to microscopic level disease control (i.e., chemo), then there was no point in putting the dog through further surgery. At this stage we also started her on concurrent H1 and H2 antihistamines.
The tumour continued to grow steadily for the following 4 months and in the last week it grew rapidly and changed from a firm mass to a soft one. On the 5th of November 2023, the tumour lysed and caused significant oedema around her ventral chest. Ruby was lethargic, vomiting, in appetent and suffered significant malaise.
We provided supportive care and started her on prednisolone 1mg/kg/day (on a tapering course) and continued the antihistamines and paracetamol and another cancer vaccine dose.
Over the next week she continued to improve and over the next 3 weeks all the swelling subsided, and the tumour appeared to vanish all together. Ruby clinically improved and was well and seemingly disease free for several weeks. Again, the tumour reappeared with rapid and aggressive local disease in late December 2023. On the 21st of January2024 – the tumour again lysed, a drain was placed under sedation and drained 400ml bloody malodorous material. The drain was removed after 3 days, and the oedema of the last episode and general malaise seen last time was avoided.
“Floki” an 8-year-old Dogue de Bordeaux cross who is full of life, 4 months after treatment with mandibulectomy and CANCV4 for stage 3 oral malignant melanoma.
Iuse Canine Autologous Nanoparticle Cancer Vaccine V4 (CANCV4) in my patients after oncological surgery. It is well tolerated by patients and is easily combined with conventional chemotherapy protocols. Having the vaccine made is as easy as posting a frozen sample of the tumour to Dr Chris Weir at Dog Oncology Group (DOG). The vaccine is made quickly, usually having it back intime for the first post-surgical recheck. In my experience, owners are excited to consider CANCV4 due to the safety aspect of a vaccine created from their dog’s own tissue and the knowledge that immunotherapy is an additional weapon in the fight against their dog’s cancer My current osteosarcoma and oral malignant melanoma cases are surviving beyond expected median survival times using the combination of surgery, chemotherapy and CANCV4.
Dr Sammi Cohen – Terrigal Vet Hospital
Ruby 13-year-old FN Labrador Retriever Ruby was diagnosed in January 2023 with a subcutaneous Mast cell tumour on her central dorsal neck. Surgery was performed and the tumour was shaved off the nuchal ligament. Narrow clear margins and a mitotic rate of twenty was found. Although there is no grading system for subcutaneous MCT it had high grade features. The high MI was a poor prognostic factor.
Options were discussed with an oncologist who advocated for traditional chemotherapy and a poor prognosis of 3-4 months survival without it was postured. As a family we decided against chemotherapy in our 13-year-old dog. We started treatment with the cancer vaccine as per the protocol. After the initial course we continued with a monthly vaccine in alternate HL musculature.
In July 2023, the tumour returned. Again, it was excised and had narrow clear margins and now a mitotic rate of fifteen. Unfortunately, within 8 weeks the tumour had started to regrow
Unfortunately, on the 7th of February 2024 the tumour required drainage again. Again, Ruby has remained fairly well through this episode and the drain was placed easily under sedation and local anaesthetic. She has recovered well from the most recent procedure and although the tumour remains, she is having avery good quality of life. So, this has been aconfusing case for me to manage as this is my own dog. Wemade our peace early on, that without traditional treatments we were looking at losing Ruby prematurely in the process. I really believe that it has been the cancer vaccine that has not only kept my dog alive for > 13 months (when the prognosis was just 3 months) but has also allowed her to continue to have an excellent quality of life. Although I have not looked for evidence of metastatic spread, her clinical picture suggests local disease predominates and she is otherwise clinically verywell for a 13-year-old Labrador.
It has been such a fascinating time to watch immunotherapy at work and I look forward to seeing how cancer treatments develop in this space in the future.
Jess Bryant (Bailey’s owner)
Bailey was diagnosed with intestinal adenocarcinoma September 2020 and after an initial appointment with his oncologist the treatment on offer was only palliative due to the aggressive nature of this cancer. His survival time was one month to 12 months if we opted for the palliative surgery. With out options the outcome looking grim, I took to the internet and was thankfully directed to Chris work. We've been using the vaccine since Bailey's intestinal surger y in December 2020. To-date Bailey has been doing really well, his weight has been maintained and we have seen no sign the cancer has returned. He had another scan November 2021 which showed no change, and we will continue to monitor this.
This research gave us a chance to do something for Bailey, one which was noninvasive (after the initial tumor removal which we would have done for the palliative care option) and has minimal to no side effects. It gave us hope, where current conventional medicine could not. Bailey remains active, healthy and will soon be celebrating his seventh birthday. This is something I did not think we would be doing after diagnosis at age 5 and we are grateful of every extra day we have with him.
With cancer rates increasing and affecting our beloved pets, we are limited with treatment options and cost. This cancer vaccine research has provided owners another desperately needed avenue to support their pets through this horrible diagnosis and I am forever grateful we could use it to support Bailey.
Wayne Madge – Shiraz’s owner Shiraz’s Journey 7 years on July 2017 was when this all started with a small lump on her knee suddenly growing overnight into a 20mm lump which was soon diagnosed as a “Mast Cell Tumour”. Within a week she was having major surgery to remove it which also required a skin graft to cover the knee as they had to remove a massive amount of skin and tissue. The pathology found the tumour to be low grade and the Specialist was hopeful that it would be removed in time, but sadly could not make any guarantees.
Her recovery progressed well, and the graft healed quickly. Yet, within a week, numerous small lumps emerged on her body. By October, she underwent surgery to remove another 10 MCTs. Although her recovery was swift, this time, all pathology results indicated medium-grade Tumors. The decision was made to administer Palladia, a specialized cancer-fighting drug for canine cancer.
Initially responding positively with no new Tumors, by late November, more MCTs surfaced. Just after Christmas, she underwent surgery to remove another 13 lumps. With Palladia
proving ineffective, the only options left were chemotherapy or allowing the cancer to run its course – an option we never considered. Opting for chemotherapy, which cost over $8000, a week before commencing, we stumbled upon a post about a cancer vaccine trial. We got in touch with Dr Chris Weir, who agreed to provide Shiraz with his trial vaccine.
Tocreate the vaccine, some of her Tumors needed removal, freezing, and sending to Sydney for conversion into a vaccine. In early February 2018, Shiraz underwent surgery to remove another nine lumps, which were then transformed into her first vaccine doses.
Fast forward 7 years, and Shiraz, now 13 years old, remains healthy and happy. In October 2017, when more Tumors appeared, we were informed of a life expectancy of around 12 months. She receives top-up vaccine doses every 2-3 months. Though she occasionally gets small MCTs, we marvel as her body fights them off, causing them to disappear. Shiraz is our wonder dog, a testament to Dr.Weir's exceptional work, and living proof of his vaccine's effectiveness. Without this ground-
breaking treatment, we would have sadly lost Shiraz many years ago. Dr. Chris has been a constant presence, consistently checking in and passionately providing his vaccine as a treatment for the future.
Dr Matthew J Muir BVSC/BVetBiol (Hons) MRCVS – All-Natural Vet
I have been using the new autologous immunotherapy platform from Dr Chris Weir on select cancer cases for the last 3 years, at least twenty patients. We have had many dogs exceed expectations when incorporating this into our individualised protocols, especially, we are seeing very durable remissions of appendicular osteosarcoma and high-grade mast cell tumours. Weeven removed a pulmonary metastatic node from a dog with mammary adenocarcinoma that had 1.5 years of survival beyond the demonstrated pulmonary metastatic disease. It is important to note we did not use this as a single agent, rather as adjunct to heterogenous integrative care which sometimes used conventional chemotherapy, oncosurgery and radiation but also herbal medicine, targeted nutritional strategies, repurposed drugs, intravenous nutrition, and other modalities. We have felt this immunotherapy has improved our clinical outcomes and will continue to use it with the appropriate informed consent.
Chris Weir (BSc, PhD) is a Research Fellow at the Northern Blood Research Centre in The Kolling Institute at Royal North Shore Hospital and principal scientist at Dog Oncology group PTY LTD. His research focuses on cancer vaccines and other immunotherapies to stimulate and reeducate the immune system to fight cancer. His love of dogs and lack of improvement in canine cancer patient treatments and outcomes has led his work to focus on cancer immunotherapies for man’sbest friend and cats and horses.
Knowledge Hub now available to Australian partners
CVS Australia is extending its industryleading Knowledge Hub platform to its Australian colleagues, providing access to over 450 high-quality courses, programs, and webinars available on demand. This platform, which has been a cornerstone of professional development within CVS, is now set to enhance the skills and knowledge of veterinary professionalsacross Australia.
The Knowledge Hub's extensive online portfolio is tailored to meet the needs of
all veterinary roles, including veterinarians, veterinary nurses, patient care assistants, and receptionists. By categorizing content into specific disciplines, CVS ensures that each team member can easily access the training necessary for their career growth and continuedprofessional development (CPD).
Created by an in-house team of 35 professionals, the Knowledge Hub's content spans across various species, including small animals, equines, farm animals, and exotics. It also offers comprehensive support programs for patient care assistants and front-ofhouse staff, covering essential topics such as customer care, medication dispensing, and infection control. Additionally, the platform includes courses in leadership and management, as well as coaching and mentoring, to foster the development of future leaders within the profession.
To streamline the learning experience, CVS has organized exclusive ‘hubs’ within the platform for small animal vets, nurses, patient care assistants, and receptionists. Each hub features a curated libraryof peer-reviewed courses and training materials, allowing colleagues to easily find relevant content tailored to their roles.
The Knowledge Hub offers a flexible learning experience, with courses ranging from hour-long ‘bite-sized’ sessions to Level 7 accredited certificates in leadership and management. Designed for completion at each learner’sown pace, these courses emphasize interactive and reflective learning,
moving away from the traditional CPD approach as merely a ‘tick box’ exercise.
“CVS invests heavily in learning to support and encourage the development of our colleagues,” Nigel Stansbie, Head of Online Learning at CVS Group said. “Since the launch of Knowledge Hub in 2017, we have built an extensive library of high-quality content. Our Australian colleagues can now benefit from the wide variety, breadth, and depth of CPD we have available.”
Five veterinary practices in Perth --Dalkeith
Five veterinary practices in Perth - Dalkeith Veterinary Clinic, Grantham Street Vet Clinic, Mosman Park Veterinary Hospital, North Perth Veterinary Centre, and Northam Veterinary Centre - have collectively decided to join CVS Australia. This strategic move brings together a group of well-established practices from across the western, central, northern, and eastern areas of Perth, Western Australia.
The six owners (Cameron Murray, Graeme Penno, John Rees, Paul Davey, Philippa Hodgen and Lisa Penno) chose to join CVS Australia to leverage the company’s vast resources and support network. They believe this partnership will elevate their practice culture and expertise to new levels. All owners will remain active within their practices, continuing to serve their communities.
With a rich history spanning over 20 years, these practices are well-known in their local areas and are equipped with modern facilities to offer a comprehensive range of veterinary services. These services include routine health checks, vaccinations, surgeries, radiology,dental care, and more. Additionally, they provide grooming, boarding kennels, and puppy training, making them integral parts of their communities.
The group is passionate about the diverse cases they encounter.
John Rees, for example, thrives on challenging orthopaedic surgeries, while Philippa Hodgen has recently introduced acupuncture services for her patients. Graeme Penno and his wife Lisa have been dedicated to serving the rural upper Avon Valley region for over 25 years,
apicturesque area known for its hot-air ballooning.
The practices collectively employ a team of 61 professionals, including 23 veterinarians who primarily treat dogs and cats but also care for a variety of wildlife. Supported by 33 veterinarynurses and staff, the team is committed to providing high-quality care and conducting surgical cases, running nurse clinics, and managing patient care.
Continuing professional development is a cornerstone of these practices. They offer extensive training programs to nurture and develop their clinical staff, including participation in the Australian Veterinary Association’s Graduate Mentoring Programme to support new vets as they begin their careers.
Paul Davey expressed his enthusiasm about joining CVS.
“Our group chose CVS because of their focus on people,” he said. “I’m looking forward to enhancing the already great culture in our clinics through the impressive resources and expertise within CVS. This partnership offers fantastic opportunities for career progression for my team.”
“We’ve been in a partnership for a long time, and it feels like we’ve been welcomed into a larger group of friendly partners,” Cameron Murray said. “Everyone has been so welcoming, and I’m excited about building more connections.”
“This is an exceptional group of practices with outstanding people at its heart,” Graeme Cramb, Managing Director of CVS Australia said. “We are thrilled to welcome Cameron, Graeme, John, Lisa, Paul, Philippa, and their teams into our family.We look forward to supporting them as they continuetheir best-in-class work to care for animals.”
New Bravecto Quantum -- now available in Australia
Bravecto Quantum, the only injectable parasiticide to provide year-long flea and paralysis tick protection for dogs is now available in Australia!
The active ingredient in the product is fluralaner,an isoxazoline that has been used by Australian veterinarians to protect dogs from fleas and ticks since 2014. Bravecto Quantum is a groundbreaking injectable suspension of fluralaner crystals. Following subcutaneous injection, the innovative crystal struc-
tures slowly dissolve and fluralaner is continuously released from the injection site, allowing it to be sustained over a 12-month period. The product is well tolerated with the only treatment-related finding limited to transient, non-painful injection site swellings that resolved over time, with no further treatment required.
Poor owner compliance such as missed doses, incorrect redosing intervals or prematurely discontinuing treatments poses
asignificant challenge for the veterinary profession when it comes to achieving optimal flea and tick control. However, with the introduction of Bravecto Quantum the responsibility for ensuring compliance and effective flea and paralysis tick control now rests in the capable hands of veterinarians. As this innovative suspension is specifically indicated for use by or under the supervision of a veterinarian, it empowers veterinary professionals to take charge of the entire process, providing year-long flea and paralysis tick protection for treated dogs.
Bravecto Quantum is now available to order from your preferred veterinar ywholesaler. Please visit au. bravectovets.com for more information or contact your local MSD Animal Health representative.
Nigel Stansbie
From page 5 Through international fundraising and collaboration with AAF, he has introduced high-quality training courses that raise awareness of animal welfare among veterinary teams across the country.
Upon receiving the WSAVA Award, Bao expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am deeply honoured to receive the WSAVA Companion Animal Welfare Award,” he said. “I believe [it] recognises the collective efforts of all those committed to advancing
animal welfare in China. I hope this will highlight the importance of compassionate veterinary care and inspire further progress in small animal welfare standards."
Ellen van Nierop, President of WSAVA, commended Bao’s “Dr. Bao Lei’s commitment to animal welfare and his contributions to veterinary education are truly inspiring,” she said. “His work has transformed the veterinary field in China and set a global example. We are honoured to present him with the WSAVA 2024 Companion Animal Welfare Award.”
Technology repurposed to analyse endangered species sounds
From page 7
“The new method we demonstrated offers increased accuracy and requires less expertise to use, so it should prove to be a hugely valuable tool for animal sound researchers that don't have an engineering background.”
While testing the Superlet transform, the recordings also revealed some previously unreported or disputed details in animal sounds.
The study showed the Asian elephant call isn't just made up of continuous tones, but also contains sounds that are "pulsed," or comprised of regularly timed bursts of sound energy, which was also shown in the southern cassowary and American crocodile calls.
New evidence was also uncovered that helps to solve a debate around the characteristics of the Chagos pygmy blue whale's song.
Current methods (including the Short-Time Fourier Transform, or
Abstracts - buruli ulcer
From page 14
Systemic distribution of M. ulcerans throughout all major internal organs, as observed here, may further impact the health and fitness of infected possums. Faecal shedding of M. ulcerans in all four cases supports the role of possums as zoonotic reservoirs. Further research is needed to investigate the epidemiology, pathogenesis and welfare impacts of Buruli ulcer in possums and to inform the design of interventions that may protect their health and welfare.
EC Hobbs12,P Loukopoulos1, TP Stinear3,J L Porter3,Jyh Lee3,
From page 11
In the future, Campbell is focussed on supporting veterinarians and ensuring they have fulfilling and enjoyable careers and on driving improvements in animal care standards and contributing to the overall advancement of the veterinary industry for the benefit of animals, owners and staff alike. He also plans to continue helping animals and communities in need and has another trip to Afghanistan planned before the end of 2024, where he hopes to check on the changes he has made to the hospital and to support the team he has already begun mentoring. “I wish to continue to support Nowzad in the work they are doing in both Ukraine and Afghanistan,
Australian expertise fight
From page 3
DFAT will provide $15m in funding for the partnership, and CSIRO a further $9.2m, plus access to its researchers, expertise and facilities.
“We look forward to working with regional partners to help them build more resilient health systems, address their current and future challenges, and ensure they have the right tools and training to protect our region from the spread ofdisease,” Hilton said.
Abstracts - brachycephalic
TheVeterinarian
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STFT) have difficulties in accurately revealing both the rhythms and pitch of sounds at the same time.
These limitations are more pronounced at lower frequencies, affecting the analysis of sounds like those made by endangered species such as blue whales.
While not conclusive findings, as each one is based on just a single recording, the scientists believe this new method can be used in future to clarify details that previously might have been ambiguous, with more research needed to confirm to confirm the initial findings.
The new technology will be available for people to use for free, via a simple to use app, making it easy for researchers from different fields to use, without needing extensive knowledge of audio signalanalysis.
■ JULIA GARDINER
PWhiteley1,L F Skerratt1,K B
Gibney2,A Meredith14
Aust Vet J. 2024 Jul 25.doi: 10.1111/avj.13360.
1Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
2Department of Infectious Diseases, Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
3Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
4Faculty of Natural Sciences, The University of Keele, Keele, UK.
as well as continuing to grow the national coverage of the Pets In The Park charity and enable it to provide consistent and increased care to animals owned by people experiencing homelessness,” Campbell said. “I’d also love for my family to experience another volunteering adventure with Vets Beyond Borders again soon.”
Whether it’s volunteering for Nowzad in a Kabul compound behind razor wire and thick walls, working in his role at Vets Central, or supporting homeless people and pets in suburban parks across Australia, it’sclear that Dr Lachlan Campbell believes in the importance of giving his time and expertise back to the community – locally and globally – and he wants to encourage other veterinarians to do the same. “As empathetic and
From page 14 and nostril stenosis should all be assessed together in breeding animals. The heritability estimates for veterinary-assessed BOAS grade indicated that BOAS grade could be used in selective breeding to obtain less-affected offspring.
Liisa Iiris Onerva Lilja-Maula1 2, Katariina Helena Mäki3, Mimma Kristiina Aromaa4, Minna Marjaana Rajamäki4 Acta Vet Scand. 2024 Jul 18;66(1): 35.doi: 10.1186/s13028-024-00755-9.
1Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 57, 00014, Helsinki, Finland. liisa.liljamaula@helsinki.fi.
3International Partnership For Dogs, Helsinki, Finland.
4Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veteriary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 57, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
Abstracts - poultry science
From page 16 Poult Sci. 2024 Aug;103(8): 103801. doi:10.1016/j.psj.2024.103801. 1Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada. Electronic address: sbarbut@uoguelph.ca.
2Perdue Foods LLC, Salisbury, MD 21804, USA.
3Simmons Prepared Foods, Siloam Springs, AR 72761, USA. 4Aviagen Ltd., Newbridge, Edinburgh, EH28 8SZ, Scotland. 5Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA.
6Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
caring people I believe veterinarians are givers,” he said. He pointed out that vets often volunteer their knowledge and time regularly, sometimes withouteven being aware they are doing so: they might come in on their day off to check on patients, help colleagues when they are not meant to be at work, or provide advice to family and friends about their pets. “We do it because we care, and we like the feeling of giving,” Campbell said. “The great thing about being a veterinarian is that we help animals, who in turn enrich the lives of people – so by helping one animal, we can positively impact entire families and communities.”
If you would like to donate to Nowzad (or if you have a portable batterypowered x-ray generator/digital processor Lachlan Campbell could take on his next trip to
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CORRECTION: The Jai Humel story ‘Words Matter’ that appeared in the July issue of The Veterinarian misspelled Sophie Putland’s name. The publication and author regret the error.
Afghanistan!), you can find out more about the charity at www.nowzad.com.
If you would like to get involved with Pets In The Park or to make a donation, please visit www.petsinthepark.org.au.
You can find out moreabout Campbell’s volunteering expeditions (and help fund them) by following him on Instagram at drlachlancampbellausvet or get in touch with him directly via email on dr.lachlan.campbell@gmail.com.
■ JAI HUMEL
Face to Face
BaoLei honouredby WSAVA
CREATURE Feature
Chiahuahua (Canis familiaris)
Also known as the Chihuahueño, this dog breed is named for the Mexican state of Chiahuahua. It is descended from native American dogs which wereisolated for 9000 years pre-European contact. Ren and Stimpy character Ren Hoek is a caricatureof the breed’spropensity to anger (and yapping).
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.
References: 1 Paterson S, 2018. ¨The use of antibiotics and antimycotics in otitis.¨ Companion Animal. 23(11): 608-613
