The Veterinarian Magazine December 2022

Veterinarian

COVID-19 vaccine technology benefits devils

the process and allowed them to develop a much more advanced technique.

“It’s allowed us to see the best way to do it, how to get the permits to do it, and what safeguards are needed. Technology just got a huge boost, and that’s helped us, and will hopefully help the devil,” he said.

After first establishing that major histocompatibility proteins are the main immune response targets, Flies said the new vaccine uses a weakened, and modified, adenovirus able to stimulate a devil’s immune system. Laboratory tests showed that delivery of the weakened virus prompted the animal’s immune system into both recognising it and learning how to fight against the real thing.

“The immune system goes and investigates, and says, ‘This one doesn’t look good, I’m going to kill that cell. The introduction of the weakened virus forces DFTD cells to show the major histocompatibility proteins they normally hide, making the cells ‘visible’ to cancer-killing immune cells,” he explained.

In order to vaccinate as many devils as possible in wild populations the researchers are utilising the oral bait method, developed by European scientists during the 1970s. The baits helped control the spread of rabies among foxes in America, protecting raccoon populations.

Since the emergence of the facial fungal disease during the mid-1990s that has decimated Tasmanian devil populations in the wild, scientists have been working on developing a vaccine that can protect the species and slow the spread of the fatal cancer. Although there was limited success with an earlier immunotherapy trial, that saw some captive-bred devils develop an immune response to DFTD, the vaccine failed to protect the animals from developing tumours. (The Veterinarian, March 2017).

COVID-19 has brought the development of vaccines to the forefront of many in the scientific community during the last two years. It prompted researchers from the Universities of Tasmania and Queensland to use techniques that helped create the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, to develop a vaccine able to protect devils from DFTD.

Andy Flies, Senior Research Fellow in Immunology from UTAS’ Menzies Institute for Medical Research, said the COVID-19 technology helped to speed up

Initial studies that used placebo baits found they were also being accessed by other species, but further clinical trials planned for next year will be conducted at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, near Hobart, where special devil enclosures are currently under construction. An automatic bait dispenser, supplied by the team’s collaborators at the US Department of Agriculture National Wildlife Research Center, has shown devils are able to retrieve baits, but the ‘off target’ consumption by eastern quolls, brushtail possums and Tasmanian pademelons, is reduced.

“We put vaccine in the baits, put the baits out, and the devils eat it and get vaccinated, so now we’ve started doing some initial trials on what bait devils like to eat that hopefully other animals don’t like to eat, but it turns out that a lot of animals like to eat things they’re not supposed to!” Flies said.

■ ANNE LAYTON-BENNETT

Report into biosecurity readiness released

The AVA has welcomed the latest Senate report on improving Australia’s biosecurity and response preparedness.

The report recommends that the Federal Government work with the industry to improve the capacity and capability of production animal vets, especially in the regions.

AVA Head of Veterinary and Public Affairs Cristy Secombe said the report’s recommendations recognise the role vets play in the detection and management of biosecurity threats and demonstrate the need for greater support.

“This report highlights that preserving a robust biosecurity system requires a thriving veterinar y community, particularly rurally,” Secombe said.

“Attracting and retaining rural vets is complex and challenging and we welcome the report’s acknowledgement that a coordinated response

between government and industry is required to address this issue.”

Secombe added that the AVA is looking forward to working with Government to implement the recommendations and improve biosecurity.

The AVA and other submitters such as the National Farmers’ Federation warned of the dangers of critical veterinary workforce shortages, especially in rural and regional areas.

The report stresses the importance of incentivising rural practice, and of the initiatives to address this is for the Government to wipe HECS debts of veterinary graduates living and working in the regions.

“We have been strenuously advocating for the Federal Government to wipe the HECS debts of new veterinary graduates who live and work in the regions, but we are yet to hear a clear answer,” Secombe said. To page 30

Woolworths’ $586m PETstock punt

Supermarket chain Woolworths is set to acquire a 55 per cent stake in pet food and services company Petspiration Group, for a price of $586 million.

Petspiration is the owner of retail brand PETstock, which has 276 outlets across Australia and New Zealand.

The Woolworths move follows a sell-down of the supermarket chain’s stake in alcohol retailers, including Dan Murphy’s.

Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci told The Sydney Morning Herald that the animal care sector stretches beyond the pet food varieties found in supermarkets, and that market research indicates new possibilities for engaging owners of larger animals. To page 30

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Greencross partners with Melbourne University

Australian pet care provider Greencross has announced a commercial partnership with the University of Melbourne to operate the University’s Animal Hospital facility at Werribee.

The new partnership will see the business offer both veterinary clinic and 24-hour specialist and emergency hospital services at the Werribee site while assisting veterinary students in their pursuit of practical educational advancement.

The University chose to partner with Greencross due to its breadth of experience in the Australian veterinaryindustry. The company operates more than 180 hospitals and clinics across the country.

The partnership is committed tosupporting academic excellence in the next generation of vet professionals. Both Greencross and the University are committed to offering students access to leading facilities, equipment and services that will complement educational programmes.

“We are excited to be partnering with the University of Melbourne to bring our exceptional care to pet parents while nurturing the next generation of vets and vet nurses,” Greencross CEO George Wahby said.

“This new location expands our geographic footprint and is consistent

with our strategy of bringing care close to home for our patients no matter where they are. The partnership will ensure convenient access to the most advanced health care and services for pet parents in the Port Philip area.”

“In Greencross, we have found an organisation that shares our commitment to the training of an outstanding veterinary workforce

Dry food diets better for the environment

Companion animal populations around the world are growing and the US, Brazil and China are leading the way. The USA is estimated to have 76.8 million dogs and 58.4 million cats, while Brazil has 52.2 million dogs, and China has 53.1 million cats.

A Brazilian study published recently in the journal Scientific Reports evaluated the impacts, in respect of sustainability, that pet food has on the environment. As well as assessing greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water usage involved in the manufacture of the commercial wet diets and dry diets found on the websites of three major Brazilian pet food retailers, researchers also looked at the nutritional and calorific make-up of the different diets.

Co-author Marcio Brunetto, a professor at the University of Sao Paulo, said 618 diets for dogs and 320 diets for cats were examined, and compared with homemade diets involving either food produced by companies, or food cooked at home using recipes provided by companies.

“For all variables, wet diets for cats and dogs had the greatest environmental impact, particularly compared to dry diets. Homemade

diets tended to have intermediary environmental impacts, although water usage in homemade cat diets was similar to dry diets,” he said.

A previous Japanese study observed that ‘the ecological pawprint of a dog can be similar to that of one Japanese citizen’, while an earlier US study found the canine population ‘was responsible for between 25 percent and 30 per cent of the animal production impact regarding land use, water and fossil fuels.’ However different methodologies were used to evaluate the diet compositions.

Dry diets were found to provide the highest amount of energy per gram, while wet diets and homemade diets provided higher amounts of protein. In wet diets, almost twice as much energy was provided by animal ingredients compared to dry diets (45.42 per cent versus 89.27 per cent), which may contribute to their greater environmental impact.

Brunetto said the results highlighted the extensive environmental impacts of pet foods, the need to make them more sustainable, and an indication of how this may be achieved.

■ ANNE LAYTON-BENNETT

and service to the community and their animals,” Moira O’Bryan, Dean, Faculty of Science at the University of Melbourne said. “The University has an unwavering commitment to the delivery of a high-quality Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.”

Greencross’ Vet Services business is led by Chief Operating Officer Michelle Kellaway, a veterinarian with an extensive executive career,

who is passionate about education.

She completed her veterinary degree at the University of Sydney and is an advocate for continued learning, having completed her MBA at the University of NSW and studied at Harvard, Stanford and INSEAD Business Schools. Her qualifications – and experience working in the Vice Chancellor’s Unit at the University of Wollongong – brings a solid understanding of university operations to the partnership.

Partnership operations will be overseen by David Mason, who completed his Bachelor of Veterinary Science at the University of Melbourne. He is the past Chairman of Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching and is the national Co-Convenor and National Inspector for the Australian Veterinary Association, Accredited Veterinary Hospital.

“As a University of Melbourne alumnus, I look forward to collaborating with the university to build on the dedicated teaching and training that our specialist and emergency hospitals already provide students through their final track rotations,” Mason said.

The facility is expected to launch in mid-January 2023 in time for the return of students.

Urban rewilding could help wildlife conservation

A recently released report from the UK’s Zoological Institute of Zoology has found that adopting urban rewilding as an environmental management strategy could be a solution to help slow down biodiversity loss, reduce the impacts of climate change, and improve human health and wellbeing.

Some of the practical and sustainable opportunities for urban rewilding include home gardens, cemeteries, council parks and gardens, urban waterways and wetlands, and railways.

Lead author Nathalie Pettorelli, Senior Scientist at the Zoological Society of London’s Institute of Zoology said that although urban rewilding was unlikely to help recover the world’s giraffe and lion populations, its benefits could improve human-wildlife coexistence through a recognition everyone has a role to play in helping to address the environmental crises we all face.

“Wildfires, floods, and heatwaves across the world have brought the climate crisis to the fore for many people this year.The interconnection of the climate crisis with the loss of nature is thankfully now widely recognised and rewilding as an approach is being increasingly embraced,” she said.

The report cites examples of rewilding projects in Singapore

Pettorell

and Germany where they have had a positive effect, although professional advice and support are essential aspects to be included to avoid the accidental spread of invasive species, disease transmission risks, and increased human-wildlife conflicts.

“Large-scale rewilding of urban spaces, including the creation of native corridors and wild spaces around city infrastructure, is something that’sso far been relatively overlooked as part of the solution, but we believe it’s a high-impact solution to jointly address the climate and biodiversity loss crises in a low-cost, hands-off way,” Pettorelli said. To page 30

Nathalie

Taronga Wildlife Hospital’s window on wild healing

Guests at Taronga Western Plains Zoo can now see firsthand how Taronga cares for an array of animals with previously behindthe-scenes hospital activities now ondisplay to the public at a brandnew Wildlife Hospital.

The new $14.6 million hospital opened in early December. It was funded by the NSW Government and philanthropic donations.

The new hospital will increase Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s capacity to treat and rehabilitate native wildlife, improve its ability to act as first responders in emergencies and play a pivotal role in conservation programs for critically endangered species such as greater bilbies, plains-wanderers, chuditch and regent honeyeaters.

“Taronga is the largest single contributor of veterinary services in wildlife rehabilitation in NSW, and the new Taronga Wildlife Hospital inDubbo is a hub for the treatment ofnative animals like Koalas, Platypus, reptiles and raptors,” Cam Kerr of the Taronga Conservation Society Australia said.

“Guests are now able to view animal surgeries and health checks as they take place through windows and via monitors. This unique experience will raise awareness and educate guests about wildlife conservation and the threats to native animals.”

“Taronga Western Plains Zoo is home to some of the world’s leading experts in veterinary medicine and they now have a hospital to match. The new hospital will provide care for a unique array of animals but also play an important role as a wildlife teaching hospital.

“New, larger spaces and viewing windows will increase our ability to deliver training in wildlife first aid and conservation medicine, upskilling an army of vets and vet nurses and increase the nation’s

capacity to respond to wildlife crises,” Kerr said.

The new hospital has been specially designed with facilities to match a multidisciplinary skillset and varied demands. It has equipment for the treatment of burns and dehydration and for the treatment of koalas. It also has specialised housing and care facilities for raptors, with a flight tunnel that will allow birds to increase their flight fitness.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo Director Steve Hinks said the new

hospital will benefit the region in many ways and Zoo’s role as the state’s number one tourism destination provides an amazing opportunity for storytelling.

“The fact that over 300,000 Zoo visitors each year can now observe this life-saving work is incredible and will act as a major drawcard for Dubbo,” he said. “By drawing back the curtain and showing our guests what goes on in our hospital, we’ll be able to forge connections with and recruit a future generation of conservation champions, equipping them with the knowledge that they have the power to protect wildlife.”

Taronga’s Wildlife treat more than 1,500 wildlife cases each year with demand for their skills increasing. Large numbers of distressed and malnourished animals were treated at Taronga’s Wildlife Hospitals during the summer of 2019/20, suffering from the impact of drought and bushfires. This included 160 Koalas treated in the field by Taronga’s veterinary team and across the two hospitals.

The Taronga Wildlife Hospital, Dubbo forms part of the Wild Futures project which also includes an Amphibian and Reptile ConserConservation Centre and second Wildlife Hospital at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.

Trees can help reduce Hendra spillover risk

It is now widely accepted that human activities such as land clearing can have a negative impact on many wildlife species and upset the fine ecological balance that helps maintain both ahealthy environment and a healthy human population, while increasing the risk of diseases to jump species that can potentially lead to a pandemic.

The results of a study published recently in the journal Nature have found that interactions between habitat destruction and climate have led to flying foxes (genus Pteropus), persisting in agricultural areas in southeast Queensland and northeast NSW.This has brought them into closer proximity with horses and facilitated the spread of Hendra virus.

Researchers led by Peggy Eby, an academic researcher and Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of NSW’s Centre for Ecosystem Science, examined 25 years of data, from 1996 to 2020, on land use change and bat behaviour, and found winter roosts of the nomadic bats

had become quite rare in southeast Queensland. The findings showed bats had responded to changes in land use, and more frequent El Niño events, by shifting their distribution and forming smaller roosts in urban and agricultural areas to feed on introduced plants, such as those found in horse paddocks, during the winter months.

“Flying foxes track nectar flow in native forests over vast distances and play a critical ecosystem role in pollinating our native trees. When large areas of eucalypts burst into flower, flying foxes congregate in roosts of up to 100,000 individuals to enjoy the abundant food. Our study showed that large winter flowering events have a protective effect on the risk of spillover and are therefore critical to the health of horses and people as well as bats. We found that no Hendra spillovers have been detected at times when flowering is abundant,” she said.

Eby said extensive clearing of forests that flower in winter has led to a reduction in the number of years when abundant flowering

occurred. This not only reduced the reliability of anatural source of protection, it also increased the risk of spillovers.

“We used modelling to integrate our long-term data into a framework that allows us to understand the how, why and when of viral spillover. We identified climate thresholds that enable us to predict periods of high risk of Hendra virus spillover up to two years in advance,” she said. The study shows the importance of restoring and replacing critical habitat that has been destroyed. Planting trees would help ensure abundant winter flowering is more reliable, and limit opportunities for disease spillover.

“We propose that restoration of this critical habitat will restore functioning ecosystems, improve the health of flying foxes, reduce their reliance on urban and agricultural areas, and protect horses and people against spillover of Hendra and other viruses,” Eby said.

■ ANNE LAYTON-BENNETT

Reference: 1. APVMA number 88412. 2. De Ridder, T., Campbell, J., Burke‐Schwarz, C., et al. Randomized controlled clinical study evaluating the efficacy and safety of intratumoral treatment of canine mast cell tumors with tigilanol tiglate (EBC-46). J Vet Intern Med 2021;35(1):415-429

Dr Jane Miller Veterinarian Victoria

Free specialist services for rescued sea turtles

Teleradiology company VetCT is providing free reports and specialist advice to rescued sea turtles globally. Wildlife charities, zoos and clinics are invited to sign up to receive free advice from the company’s experts to help with the treatment and rehabilitation of sick and injured sea turtle species.

The company, a world-leader in providing teleradiology, teleconsultancy and education services, includes a team of exotics experts to advise on sea turtle diagnostic imaging and management. To date, clinics, zoos and aquariums in North America, Australia, South Africa and Europe have registered to use the free service.

“We have a green sea turtle, dubbed LJ, who had severe injuries presumed to be from a boat propeller blade,” Trevor Zachariah, veterinarian at Brevard Zoo, FL, USA, said. “LJ had suffered full thickness carapace fracture with coelomic membrane exposure and entrapped lung tissue. We had managed the injuries for two months with vacuum-assisted closure, debridement, and bandage changes and performed a CT to check healing progress.

The VetCT report was great, showing detailed annotations of fracture healing and remaining lung changes, guiding ongoing management and continued rehabilitation for LJ. It’sgreat they’re providing free reports and advice that helps us to treat these amazing animals.”

“We are delighted to be working with partners globally to provide free access to our services for rescued sea turtles,” David Reese of VetCT Asia-Pacific said. “Sustainability is a guiding principle in all we do at VetCT, and supporting this key marine species is vital for the future health of many delicate marine ecosystems. Following the stories of these wonderful turtles to final release is also incredibly rewarding.”

Inaddition to providing veterinary support, the company has also been raising awareness through hosting in person and online sea turtle talks, running company-wide events to reduce plastic pollution, and fundraising for Wildlife Vets International, which supports conservation projects for sea turtles and other endangered species.

Organisations, clinics and charities wishing to access free services for rescued sea turtles should visit can register by emailing sales@vet-ct.com.

Page from anonymized report for LJ

LJ the turtle

David Reese, Managing Director at VetCT

VETERINARY IMAGING SPECIALIST

Aguide to recruiting overseas workers in the veterinary industry

Foreign veterinarians and veterinary nurses bring plenty of value toany veterinary practice, but it’s important to ensure all hires are working under the correct visa.

It’s no secret that Australian employers are finding it difficult to source skilled workers domestically. According to the National Skills Commission, there are now 286 occupations with national shortages1,an 87 percent increase since last year. The veterinary industry is no exception to this problem.

Many vet clinics have seen a drastic decline in both veterinarians and nursing staff, due to a range of factors including The Great Resignation, lower university entries, and mental health-related career changes. Furthermore, the increase inpetadoptions over the COVID19 pandemic has driven greater demand for veterinary services, which has in turn led to many veterinary staff experiencingburnout.

This national workforce shortage has seen more stress on staff members, and clinics reducing their opening hours including limited after-hours and emergency services. In regional areas, this is particularly problematic.

While these issues in our domestic market are complex and take time to resolve, a great short-term

solution for veterinary practices is to sponsor an overseas worker. Overseas veterinarians can bring plenty of value to any veterinary business, bringing new perspectives, new skills and a much needed helping hand. But to avoid breaches of the Migration Amendment Act 2013 and serious financial penalties, it’s important that veterinary businesses take steps to ensure all employees are working under the correct visa status for their role.

Occupations able to be sponsored by employers include Veterinarian and Veterinary Nurse. There are several visa options, however for employers looking tosponsor workers, a subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visa or subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa –Employer sponsored stream are the best options.

Both visa options are temporary. In most cases, they allow Veterinarian occupations to stay up to four years and Veterinary Nurse occupations to stay up to two years on the subclass 482 visa and up to five years on the subclass 494 visa. Depending on the occupation and visa chosen however, there may be pathways to permanent residency.

The subclass 482 visa allows Australian employers to sponsor suitably skilled foreign workers to fill a position they can’t find

asuitably skilled Australian worker to fill. Applicants must be nominated for a skilled position – veterinarian or veterinary nurse – by an approved sponsor and must meet the relevant English language requirements.

The subclass 494 visa is a regional visa and can only be used by sponsors employing staff outside of Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney, whereas the subclass 482 visa can be used nationwide.

When employing an overseas worker, it’s important to always obtain evidence of each worker’s ID or passport photo page so you can undertake a Visa Entitlements Verification Online (VEVO) check for non-citizens. Ensure the expiry dates of the worker’s documents are kept in a calendar or reminder system.

It’s also vital to ensure your employment contract includes provisions that employment is conditional on the employee having rights to work in Australia. That way, your business may terminate the staff member if they no longer have rights to work.

Creating a watertight approach to employing veterinary workers is simple with the right legal help. By implementing procedures from the beginning, veterinary practices can hire foreign vets and vet nurses confidently.

Rebecca is the Practice Director of Holding Redlich’s national Migration team. Rebecca has more than 15 years’ experience providing migration advice and assistance to a broad range of clients. Working closely with Australian businesses to obtain Australian work visas for skilled professionals, she provides guidance and support to businesses to ensure positive outcomes are delivered and matters of compliance and record keeping are met.

1 https://www.theguardian.com/ australia-news/2022/oct/06/ staggering-occupations-facing-skillsshortages-in-australia-almost-doubled-in-past-year#:~:text=The% 20National%20Skills%20Commissi on's%20annual,compared%20 with%20153%20in%202021.

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As 2022 draws to a close I doubt any ofus ever expected it to be as turbulent as it has turned out. The war inUkraine came as a particular shock to European sensibilities as itresurrected large scale strife and violence on the continent for the first time since 1945.Until this year Europeans believed that wholesale barbarism had been consigned to the past. In modern Europe disagreements could be amicably talked through by innumerable late nights of discussion and argument inBrussels. Unfortunately, European history is peppered with ruthless ‘strongmen’ (Hitler, Stalin, Napoleon etc.) who come to believe, perhaps through becoming distanced from reality, that achieving their ‘vision’ is more valid than the life and welfare of millions of their fellow Europeans.

Britain has long considered itself immune from extremism: home to the ‘mother of parliaments,’ a place of fairness, policing by consent and civilized politicking, but this year our venerable democracy descended into farce as three prime ministers rushed in and out of No.10 like Black Friday bargain hunters. Boris Johnson, the chief proponent of Brexit, was forced out because of numerous personal and political abuses of the rules. Next Liz Truss delivered a quickfire cocktail of economic naivety and political cant during her deservedly short tenure. The current incumbent Rishi Sunak, and the only pair of ‘safe hands’ left standing, has been dogged by criticism of his cabinet appointments, either for their questionable skill, character, or as blatant political payback appointments. To this background add: rampant inflation, the energy crisis, climate change, widespread strikes, health and social care chaos, unprecedented illegal migration, simmering Scottish independence, suspended government in Ulster and the inevitable economic consequence of severing close economic ties to the EU and you can understand that Britons don’t feel much has been going right lately. ‘Now is the is the winter of our discontent …’ is the opening line of Shakespeare’stragedy Richard III. The term ‘winter of discontent’ was first borrowed to describe the widespread industrial and social unrest in the UK during the winter of 1978/79 during the leadership of Labour’s James Callaghan. The term has already been resurrected in the press to describe what is to come here as 2022 rolls over into 2023.

Against such a difficult background, the veterinaryprofession

Pigeon post from the UK

Ian

seems to be struggling to find a way forward. The multiple problems that have been lingering for many years still appear unresolved. Issues of affordability, costs, short-staffing, low morale, recruitment, distanced management, and retention all persist and threaten to blow up like astrafed Ukrainian atomic power plant. A recent example of future

and artificial insemination. A recent survey found that 93 per cent of UK vet respondents were concerned about these clinics. The phenomenon seems to have arisen in response to (or reaction against) responsible veterinary advice not to breed brachycephalics to extremes just to satisfy the popular demand for ‘fashionable’

The BVA has appealed to vets to report unregulated clinics to the authorities to avoid an ‘animal welfare disaster.’

uncertainty in the profession is the current RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) ‘under care’ review which seeks to modify the circumstances in which vets can prescribe prescription only medication. The definition since the 1968 VeterinarySurgeons Act has been that this means the vet has had physical contact with and understands the history and circumstances of the animal(s) in question. This was thrown into confusion during the Covid pandemic when the inability to physically examine many animals led to a pragmatic decision to allow remote prescribing to take place. With its hand forced by circumstance the RCVS has now decided to review ‘under care’ in the modern context and concluded a much more liberal interpretation which would allow remote prescribing in some circumstances and certainly remove the currently reinstated ban on such prescribing. It seems like a technicality, but as more services move online it has become a critical point in deciding what direction the profession should move in the future. The RCVS, after taking legal advice, seems set on relaxing the definition, which has the potential to shake up the way practice is conducted. The BVA (British VeterinaryAssociation) has voiced its dissatisfaction with the scope of the review and its opposition to the change which it believes will ‘… fail to adequately protect employed vets …lead to confusion, complaints and animal welfare harms which could exacerbate the recruitment and retention issues which already exist.’

Another example of circumstances moving faster than the profession is the recent emergence of unregulated ‘fertility clinics’ for dogs. The services offered can include ultrasound scanning, vaginal cytology, progesterone testing, semen storage and analysis,

flat faced dogs. Some breeders and individuals are offering their services to satisfy this demand, sometimes from substandard premises and without suitably qualified staff conducting the procedures, then pocketing the profit. Thus far, enforcement seems to be patchy.

Finally, 2022 has been an equally grim year for the avian population ofthe UK. The outbreak of avian flu that began in October 2021 is still with us. After an initial phase where most deaths were occurring in the wild bird population, notably waterbirds and seabirds, the situation has deteriorated further during the autumn and commercial poultry flocks are succumbing again. Control and surveillance zones are currently widespread across central and eastern England. Over 200 outbreaks have been recorded in commercial flocks to date. In response, since early November, all captive birds must be housed inside once again, and it looks like free range turkey will not be on anyone’s Christmas table this year.

Neville BA(Hons) BVSc MRCVS reports from Britain.

The term ‘winter of discontent’ was first borrowed to describe the widespread industrial and social unrest in the UK during the winter of 1978/79 during the leadership of Labour’s James Callaghan.

Why get a business valuation?

ValuVet has been valuing vet practices across Australia for over 25years.

Many people feel that the only time to get a business valuation is when you are about to buy or sell abusiness. While this is a reason that many people come to use our services, there are actually many, many reasons that business valuations are needed.

Here are the top 10 reasons why people are requesting valuations be done on their business (note, these reasons are not in any particular order).

To set a price when selling a practice

Some people who are selling their practice will set a price themselves and base their appraisal upon:

■ their (often misunderstood or misapplied) understanding of articles they read online about valuation techniques or

■ what a friend in the industry said that they received, for what sounds like a similar practice (buyers and sellers are often unreliable narrators of their own transactions and the metrics of their practice) or

■ what they need to pay off loans and achieve for their lifestyle post sale.

A vendor valuing their own practice gives the perception of being emotionally compromised, and it often leads to disastrous results. It could mean that they either miss out on substantial value (if they undervalue) or price themselves out of a sale entirely (if they overvalue).

Getting a professional appraisal done:

■ allows a level of objectivity in the appraisal, as it is done by an independent industry professional means that the valuation is based upon known comparatives

■ gives the buyer and their banks a structured approach for how the value was arrived at

To do exit planning

Getting an appraisal several years before selling allows the seller to identify weaknesses in the practice that could affect the achievable price if it were to be listed for sale, and do some course correction, if necessary, in order to get a better result.

To plan for retirement

Many people are relying upon the sale of their practice to help fund their retirement. If you are in this category, getting a sense of what your practice is worth should help

you get a sense of when you can afford to retire.

Todo business planning

Even if you don’t plan on selling, getting a regular valuation is a great way to measure business improvement and create a strategic roadmap to create value going forward, and shape the future growth of the company.

For partnership buy-outs

Partnerships don’t always work out. If a part-owner decides they want out of a partnership, an independent business valuation will usually be required to arrive at a fair settlement of ownership interest.

For succession planning/internal divestment

If your exit plan involves a partial or complete internal sale to an employee in the practice, the price will usually be set via an objective, independent business valuation. Internal sales may be planned years in advance, and getting an appraisal done early can help all parties understand the size of the pending transaction better and prepare for it.

In order to price a practice for purchase

If your career strategy includes buying a practice or merging

To page 30

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 tohave a confidential discussion about your practice’s circumstances, email Simon Palmer at info@practicesalesearch. com.au or call 1300 282 042.

I hear you guys switched to a mucosal vaccine?

Yes, we’re using Bronchi-Shield Oral

What prompted the change?

We all agreed the benefit of increased mucosal immunity to protect against respiratory disease was worth it!

BTW, mucosal vaccines are also strongly recommended by WSAVA for high risk environments such as shelters1

SHELTER

We considered it but it’s a hassle to change protocols

We got the rep in, they sorted out the vaccination protocol and trained our staff. The new protocol worked out to be more cost effective too!

We’re also not sure if our clients would like it...

Hmmm...if the flu vaccine came out as an oral mucosal form, how many people would still stick with injections?

…

Simply administer 1 mL of Bronchi-Shield Oral in the buccal cavity for 12 months’ protection against Bordetellabronchiseptica . Protects puppies with a single dose from 8 weeks of age. Over 2 million doses sold in Australia2

Dr Claire Adams

Dr Claire Adams

Dr Claire Adams

Dr Claire Adams

Dr Henry Jones

Dr Henry Jones

Dr Henry Jones

Dr Claire Adams

Dr Henry Jones

Dr Henry Jones

Lead pulling as a welfare concern in pet dogs: what can veterinary professionals learn from current research?

Veterinary professionals (VPs) are often the first source of advice for clients struggling with their dog's behaviour, and pulling on the lead isacommonplace undesirable behaviour VPs will encounter regularly in practice. Excluding bites, being pulled over while walking on a lead is the leading cause of non-fatal dog-related injuries in the UK. This narrative review investigates lead pulling as a welfare concern in pet dogs, highlighting aspects of the literature of particular interest to VPs. Lead pulling could negatively affect walk quality, frequency and duration, causing weight gain, while decreased environmental enrichment could trigger other undesirable behaviours. Aversive equipment to prevent lead pulling can cause pain, distress, and injury, but even equipment considered humane can have welfare consequences. Punitive training methods could cause dogs stress, fear and anxiety and trigger aggressive behaviour. While these lead pulling outcomes arewelfare concerns in themselves, they could also weaken dog-owner attachment, a risk factor in pet dog relinquishment. Given lead pulling could affect the welfare of patients in a VPs care, clinical implications and opportunities for client education are outlined. Educating clients on humane prevention and modification of lead pulling could make walks easier, safer and more enjoyable, with positive outcomes for clients, canine welfareand the practice.

Lesley Townsend1,Laura Dixon2,Louise Buckley1

Vet Rec. 2022 Nov;191(10): e1627.doi: 10.1002/vetr.1627.

1The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, UK.

2Animal and Veterinary Science Research Group, Scotland's Rural College, Ayr, Scotland, UK.

Interventions for treatment of cutaneous melanoma in horses: astructured literature review

Several therapies have been developed to treat equine cutaneous melanoma, but formal comparisons among different treatment options arecurrently unavailable. It was our intent to assess the efficacy of different treatment protocols and the quality of the studies based on the original published data and summarise the knowledge concerning the outcome after equine cutaneous melanoma management. This structured review followed PRISMA procedureto search for treatment protocols on equine cutaneous melanoma published from 1960 until June 2021. Studies were assessed for the risk of bias. A descriptive analysis was performed, considering the disease control rate, the recurrence rate of the tumour,comorbidities, need for anaesthesia, and horses' welfare. Twenty-three studies were included, from which the treatment outcomes of 173 horses were assessed. The homogeneity of the included trials was low. The percentages of each treatment arm achieving a partial response and curative effects accounted for 93.1 per cent (surgical intervention), 90 per cent (medication), and 39.4 per cent (immunotherapies), respectively.Avariable efficacy of different therapies of equine cutaneous melanoma was observed. Surgical intervention performed the best from the perspective of local antitumor effects alone. This literature review and descriptive analysis can serve as a source to assist in designing quality therapy research and can potentially aid in providing a clinical treatment reference for equine cutaneous melanoma.

Ziwen Yi#1,Yu Gao#2,Feng Yu#3,Yiping Zhu1,Haoqian Liu1, Jing Li4,Hugo Murua Escobar5 Vet Res Commun. 2022 Nov 4.doi: 10.1007/s11259-022-10023-8.

1Equine Clinical Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agriculture University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, 100094, Beijing, China.

2University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, Hannover, Germany. To page 30

lesions associated with clinical lameness in a cohort of group-housed sows euthanized for lameness

Lameness in sows is reported as the most frequent cause of early culling from commercial farms and results in reduced productivity, economic losses, and a negative impact on animal welfare. Osteochondrosis was reported as the leading cause of lameness in North American sows and, although more recent European studies report infectious arthritis as the leading cause, lameness in US production facilities using group housing for gestating sows has not yet been evaluated. This study's aim was to characterize lesions associated with lameness in the appendicular musculoskeletal system of 26 sows euthanized for lameness using pathologic, radiologic, and microbiologic analyses. Of 178 total lesions, infectious lesions were most common (54 per cent), predominated in distal limb segments (i.e., at or distal to carpi andtarsi) and more often correlated with the clinically lame limb, whereas osteochondrosis and degenerative osteoarthritis predominated in proximal limb segments (ie, at or proximal to cubital and stifle joints) and rarely correlated with the clinically lame limb. The location and characteristics of infectious lesions, including mixed bacterial growth isolated from 22/22 orthopaedic sites representing 19 sows with Trueperella pyogenes isolated in 16/22 (73 per cent) of samples, suggest an etiologic component involving trauma. Radiography had a 70.6 per cent sensitivity and 93.9 per cent specificity for detecting infectious lesions affecting tarsocrural, antebrachiocarpal, and digital (ie, claw) regions combined. The frequency, type, and location of infectious lesions identified in this cohort of sows euthanized for lameness differ from previous reports, indicating the need for further investigation of the etiopathogenesis, earlier detection methods, and prevention.

Julie B Engiles1,Nathan Fanzone1,Kathryn B Wulster1, Justin Schumacher1,Meghann K Pierdon1 Vet Pathol. 2022 Nov;59(6):960-972. doi: 10.1177/03009858221114470.

1University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA.

Vector-borne and other pathogens of potential relevance disseminated by relocated cats

Large populations of unowned cats constitute an animal welfare, ecological, societal, and public health issue worldwide. Their relocation and homing arecurrently carried out in many parts of the world with the intention of relieving suffering and social problems, while contributing to ethical and humane population control in these cat populations. An understanding of an individual cat's lifestyle and disease status by veterinaryteam professionals and those working with cat charities can help to prevent severe cat stress and the spread of feline pathogens, especially vector-borne pathogens, which can be overlooked in cats. In this article, we discuss the issue of relocation and homing of unowned cats from a global perspective. Wealso review zoonotic and non-zoonotic infectious agents of cats and give alist of practical recommendations for veterinaryteam professionals dealing with homing cats. Finally, we present a consensus statement consolidated at the 15th Symposium of the Companion Vector-Borne Diseases (CVBD) World Forum in 2020, ultimately to help veterinary team professionals To page 30

Gross, histopathologic, microbiologic, and radiologic characterization of

A review of current methods used to control free-roaming cat populations and their effects on feline welfare

Introduction

After recent debate over the best method for reducing free-roaming cat populations (Robertson, 2008), the general consensus is that methods should be effective, practical and, most of all, humane. Free-roaming cats present a variety of issues, such as the spread of zoonotic diseases, wildlife predation, threats to native species, spread of disease to pet cats, and public nuisance (Schmidt et al., 2009). However, cat welfare is also a critical issue, especially inhumane methods of control used on the animals, and alarmingly high rates of disease, ill health and abuse among colonies (Lepczyk et al., 2010; Farnworth et al., 2011). This review assesses different methods of control, with due consideration of cat welfare.

Discussion

Euthanasia has long been the standard approach to management. This involves either trapping cats and taking them off-site to be euthanazed, or having them destroyed on-site by techniques such as poisoning or hunting (Robertson, 2008). Euthanasia is the only method that instantly reduces the threat feral cats pose to native species (Farnworth et al., 2010).

On-site destruction has been criticised as inhumane, since many of methods used can result in a painful death. Poisoning can inadvertently destroy other species in the area (Robertson, 2008). Euthanazing cats off-site is a more humane method, but the concept of euthanazing healthy animals is often raised in ethical debates. It has been suggested that feral cats have a high morbidity and mortality rate and that pre-emptively euthanazing them is more humane than allowing these diseases to develop (Robertson, 2008). Free-roaming cats are generally in poor health due to parasitism, injuries and inadequate food (Lepczyk et al., 2010).

The public majority view is that lethal control is acceptable for feral cats but not for strays (Farnworth et al., 2010). At many animal shelters feral cats are routinely euthanazed (Slater et al., 2010). Assessment of cats in animal shelters is an imperfect system as stray cats in unfamiliar or unpleasant environments can often display fear aggression and put up a struggle (Rodan, 2010). Owned cats could possibly be deemed feral and euthanazed (Slater et al., 2010). Microchipping of all owned cats should be strongly enforced so that they can be

identified in these circumstances.

Trap, neuter and return is widely perceived as the most ethically appropriate form of control for free-roaming cats (Farnworth et al., 2010). Cats are caught, neutered by aveterinarian and then returned to the area from which they came with the option of receiving additional medical care such as vaccinations or worming (Robertson, 2008). Studies have shown that although population decreases are not immediate following TNR implementation, a gradual decrease in both cat intake by shelters and euthanasia occurs (Schmidt et al., 2009). When neutered cats are returned to their colonies, they keep the population at its carrying capacity and hence minimise excess resources that would otherwise attract and maintain immigrant cats (Schmidt et al., 2009). Also, it has been shown that TNR programs are more costeffective than euthanasia as they decrease animal control costs and obviate the cost of euthanasing the neutered cat’s potential offspring (Robertson, 2008). Hence, TNR is a viable alternative to euthanasia on the premise that it can be implemented to a sufficient degree and that enough volunteers and funding can be sourced.

Additionally, there are medical advantages to neutering cats. Feral cats are often emaciated and neutering has been shown to improve their body condition (Robertson, 2008). Neutering lowers the prevalence of fighting, which would reduce disease transfer of Feline Immunodeficiency Disease (Farnworth et al., 2011).

A paper by Finkler and Terkel (2010) has found that neutered female cats display reduced aggression (presumably due to decreased social and reproductive pressures), and have lowered cortisol concentrations. As stress detrimentally affects the health of animals, it was concluded that neutering positively affects the welfare of individual cats. Hence, TNR programs may greatly increase the long-term welfare of feral cats (Robertson, 2008).

Another option for management is a trap, neuter and adopt program. If kittens are caught during their socialisation period (before 9 weeks of age) and handled by humans, there is a chance they may go on to become household pets (Slater et al., 2010).

Rehoming kittens has been shown to reduce local populations of free-roaming cats significantly (Farnworth et al., 2011). This method has the disadvantage of

relying on the availability of homes for the kittens, and on shelters being able to hold the cats until they are adopted, which can be problematic (Fantuzzi et al., 2010). Methods of non-surgical contraception may soon become feasible options for feral cat management. These alternative treatments, such as melatonin implants, immunisation against endogenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone or luteinising hormone, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist implants, are already being produced (Goericke-Pesch, 2010). However, at this stage most are short-term alternatives designed to last a year or less and hence are not yet viable alternatives to surgical contraception (Goericke-Pesch, 2010).

The young of unneutered cats and newly abandoned or lost cats are the primary source of influx for free-roaming populations. Cats have a ver y high reproductive capacity. Even with high mortality rates or the enforcement of TNR programs, feral numbers can be maintained (Robertson, 2008).

Unwanted pregnancy is a common occurrence for intact pet cats with outdoor access, and kittens are often dumped (Goericke-Pesch, 2010). For control programs to be successful, there must be a concurrent public education effort informing owners of the benefits of neutering their pets and not allowing them to stray (Farnworth et al., 2010; White et al., 2010). Responsible pet ownership should be encouraged, subsidised neutering programs should be available, and owners discouraged from letting their cats roam outside (Lepczyk et al., 2010).

Conclusion

Of the various methods presented above for the management of free-roaming cat populations, the trap, neuter and return program has recently been shown to be the most ethically acceptable (Farnworth et al., 2010). This method, when combined with adoption programs and public education, would be successful in reducing free-roaming cat numbers and increasing the level of feral cat welfare (Robertson, 2008).

■ LAURA ELLYSE HODGES

References Fantuzzi, J.M., Miller, K.A., Weiss, E. (2010) Factors relevant to adoption of cats in an animal shelter. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 13:2, 174-179.

Farnworth, M.J., Campbell, J., Adams, N.J. (2011) What’s in a name? Perceptions of stray and feral cat welfare and control in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 14:1, 59-74.

Farnworth, M.J., Dye, N.G., Keown, N. (2010) The legal status of cats in New Zealand: A perspective on the welfare of companion, stray, and feral domestic cats (Felis catus). Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 13:2, 180-188.

Finkler, H., Terkel, J. (2010) Cortisol levels and aggression in neutered and intact free-roaming female cats living in urban social groups. Physiology & Behaviour 99:3, 343-347.

Goericke-Pesch, S. (2010) Reproductioncontrol in cats: New developments in non-surgical methods. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 12:7, 539-546.

Lepczyk, C.A., Dauphiné, N., Bird, D.M., Conant, S., Cooper, R.J., Duffy,D.C., Hatley,P.J., Marra, P.P., Stone, E., Temple, S.A. (2010) What conservation biologists can do to counter trap-neuter-return: Response to Longcore et al. Conservation Biology 24:2, 627-629. Robertson, S.A. (2008) A review of feral cat control. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 10:4, 366-375. Rodan, I. (2010) Understanding feline behaviour and application for appropriate handling and management. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine 25:4, 178-188.

Schmidt, P.M., Swannack, T.M., Lopez, R.R., Slater, M.R. (2009) Evaluation of euthanasia and trapneuter-return (TNR) programs in managing free-roaming cat populations. Wildlife Research 36:2, 117-125. Slater,M.R., Miller,K.A., Weiss, E., Makolinski, K.V., Weisbrot, L.A.M. (2010) A survey of the methods used in shelter and rescue programs to identify feral and frightened pet cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 12:8, 592-600. White, S.C., Jefferson, E., Levy, J.K. (2010) Impact of publicly sponsored neutering programs on animal population dynamics at animal shelters: The New Hampshire and Austin experiences. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 13:3, 191-212.

This essay is one of a number selected for The Veterinarian magazine Prize for Written Communication for Sydney University third-year veterinaryscience students.

Airgid

Hemostatic Gelatin Collagen Sponges with Silver

Airgid is a gelatin sponge containing colloidal silver that can be used to prevent wound infection and post-extraction bleeding. Unlike pure gelatin sponges, the presence of silver helps to provide antibacterial activity during the entire absorption time.

HOW IT WORKS

When applied, an Airgid sponge can absorb more than its own weight in blood, reducing the ‘dead space’ of the wound and stabilising the blood coagulum. This is the first step in gaining haemostasis. Primary haemorrhage is arrested as the Airgid fits snuggly into the cavity.

Reactionary haemorrhage is deterred as the closefitting Airgid prevents gaps and secondary cavities from forming when the blood coagulum contracts.

Airgid helps to prevent secondary haemorrhage which is usually caused by infection and can occur up to fourteen days post-surgery. The silver ions of the colloidal silver, which is bound to the gelatin sponge, are activated and as they are highly responsive to the moist environment, they readily reduce the presence of bacteria at the site. As the sponge is resorbed, the silver continues to be released extending the antibacterial effect, preventing infection and further promoting healing. Local delivery of the silver directly at the intended site of action means less systemic circulation and reduced risk of systemic side effects.

HOW TO USE AIRGID

Once the tooth has been extracted and the site has filled with blood, dry Airgid is applied into the wound. Airgid can be cut to size to fit snuggly but should not be compressed.

The sponge will fill with blood and at once works to encourage the formation of blood coagulum and stop bleeding. There is no need for further irrigation as the placement of Airgid stands as treatment of the alveolus. If required, the wound can now be sutured with Airgid in place.

Extraction site of tooth 209. Extraction site filled with Airgid before suture closure.

Environmental enrichment for growing pigs: Could novelty be the key?

Introduction

Freedom to express normal behaviour is often neglected in intensively farmed animals (de Greef et al., 2011). Failure to provide domestic pigs (Sus scrofa) with suitable substrates to encourage exploratory behaviour, such as rooting, has led to the development of harmful social behaviours towards pen mates (Statham et al., 2011). Tail-biting (TB) is one behavioural manifestation that compromises productivity, profitability and welfare of these animals (Sutherland & Tucker, 2011). Producers are moving away from traditional low-cost/lowbenefit practices, such as tail-docking, as they do not account for what is inciting the redirected TBbehaviour. Understanding the multifactorial causes of TB may have a higher likelihood ofeliminating the behaviour (Turner, 2011). This paper explores recent reports on how providing environmental enrichment in commercial settings encourages natural pig behaviours and minimises damaging social behaviours.

Discussion

Providing substrates, such as straw and compost, is an effective form of enrichment as it encourages natural rooting behaviour (Beattie et al., 1995). However, these materials are impractical in commercial piggeries with slatted flooring, as substrates easily pass through the slats and block sewage systems (Van de Weerd et al., 2006). A study by Statham et al. (2011) found that providing straw bi-weekly on solid floors did not significantly decrease TB outbreaks. Atotal of 706 pigs were followed from birth to slaughter and split among four treatments: straw throughout life (ST), straw from weaning (SW), straw in finishing (SF) and no straw (NS). Due to pen design, groups ST and SW had less straw provided at finishing with a concurrent increase seen in TB. The incidence of TB in the SF group was reduced. These results concur with the suggestion by Day et al. (2002) that it is the change in straw provision, the novelty factor, rather than the straw itself that alters social behaviours. If straw is offered commercially, the level of straw should remain constant or be augmented to avoid increasing TB behaviours.

Statham et al. (2011) found that providing straw prior to weaning did not offer a protective effect against TB after weaning. Interestingly, Oostindjer et al. (2011) have shown that piglets moving from barren housing pre-weaning to enriched housing post-weaning display increased levels of interaction with enrichment and lower TB behaviours. However, piglets moving from enriched housing pre-weaning to barren housing post-weaning display decreased levels of play and increased TB behaviours. This suggests that the best period to offer enrichment is post-weaning. If a production system is unable to incorporate enrichment post-weaning, it should not be presented in the farrowing crates as this may increase the incidence of TB post-weaning (Oostindjer et al., 2011).

The need to account for novelty in enrichment devices was also established by a study by Van de Perre et al. (2011). Their paper compared the use of a single chain for enrich-

ment to seven point-source objects (objects restricted to a single location): rubber bars and balls, yellow and purple ribbons, yellow and grey garden hoses, and orange ropes. The pointsource objects were offered in sequence, with a new object provided each week to 108 pigs split among 12 pens. This was found to decrease incidences of TB compared to providing a single object. However, repeating the sequence of objects a second or third time had less effect on reducing TB behaviour. Habituation to point-source objects has previously been shown tooccur very rapidly in pigs, perhaps due to their long-term presence in the pen (Van de Weerd et al. 2003).

Van de Perre et al. (2011) demonstrated that popular objects actually encouraged TB behaviours by inducing competition for them. In comparison, Manciocco et al. (2011) showed that by offering an increased variety and quantity of enrichment, competition for individual objects was reduced. Four types of enrichment were used (rubber hose, hemp rope, steel chain in rubber hose, and balls) with a density of 19 items per 50 pigs. Offering a large quantity of objects made individual interaction with these items easier and safer and lower levels of TB were seen in the enriched pens (5 per cent) compared with control pens (27 per cent). The study also found a decrease in daily interaction with enrichment objects from 35 per cent after two weeks to 13 per cent during the sixth week. This is in accordance with the findings of Van de Perre et al. (2011) and Statham et al. (2011) and further emphasises that novelty plays a crucial role when providing enrichment. The larger quantity and variety of objects may explain why it took six weeks in the current paper for the “novelty factor” to diminish compared with one week in the Van de Perre et al. (2011) study. If enrichment objects are offered in commercial piggeries, a larger variety and number should be provided per pen to reduce competition for them.

Enrichment devices must have certain characteristics to be suitable for growing pigs (Van de Perre et al., 2011). The best have a mix of complexity, ingestibility, odour, chewability, flexibility and destructibility (Van de Weerd et al., 2003). Manciocco et al. (2011) observed changes in object preference with age. Younger animals preferred rubber hoses lying on the ground while older pigs preferred ropes hung from the ceiling. This may be a facet of increasing body size and reduced space, making hung articles more accessible. Steel chains inserted in rubber hoses remained attractive throughout the study, potentially owing to the complexity of the device and the novel sensation ofbiting steel (Manciocco et al., 2011). Van de Perre et al. (2011) found a similar preference in pigs for hanging objects, with orange rope and ribbons being the most attractive to pigs of all ages. This implies that hanging complex objects are most suitable for finishing pigs in commercial premises.

Conclusions

Novelty is an important aspect of any enrichment scheme, especially in preventing habituation. Offering a greater variety and

number of objects combined with rotation seems to result in the lowest level of competition and lowest number of TB outbreaks. However, further work is required to identify robust solutions to eliminate TB behaviours from intensively farmed pigs.

■ NICOLEMACE

References

Beattie, V.E., Walker, N., Sneddon, I.A. (1995) Effects of environmental enrichment on behaviour and productivity of growing pigs. Animal Welfare 4,207-220.

Day, J.E.L., Burfoot, A., Docking, C.M., Whittaker, X., Spoolder, H.A.M., Edwards, S.A. (2002) The effects of prior experience of straw and the level of straw provision on the behaviour of growing pigs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 76, 189-202.

de Greef, K.H., Vermeer, H.M., Houwers, H.W.J., Bos, A.P. (2011) Proof of principle of the comfort class concept in pigs. Experimenting in the midst of a stakeholder process on pig welfare. Livestock Science 139, 172-185.

Manciocco, A., Sensi, M., Moscati, L., Battistacci, L., Laviola, G., Brambilla, G., Vitale, A., Alleva, E. (2011) Longitudinal effects of environmental enrichment on behaviour and physiology of pigs reared on an intensive-stock farm. Italian Journal of Animal Science 10:52, 224-232.

Oostindjer, M., Van den Brand, H., Kemp, B., Bolhuis, J.E. (2011) Effects of environmental enrichment and loose housing of lactating sows on piglet behaviour before and after weaning. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 134, 31-41.

Statham, P., Green, L., Mendl, M. (2011). A longitudinal study of the effects of providing straw at different stages of life on tail-biting and other behaviour in commercially housed pigs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 134, 100-108. Sutherland, M.A., Tucker, B.C. (2011) The long and short of it: A review of tail docking in farm animals. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 135, 179-191.

Turner, S.P. (2011) Breeding against harmful social behaviours in pigs and chickens: State of the art and the way forward. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 134, 1-9.

Van de Perre, V., Driessen, B., Van Thielen, J., Verbeke, G., Geers, R. (2011) Comparison of pig behaviour when given a sequence of enrichment objects or a chain continuously. Animal Welfare 20, 641-649.

Van de Weerd, H.A., Docking, C.M., Day, J.E.L. Avery, P.J., Edwards, S.A. (2003) A systematic approach towards developing environmental enrichment for pigs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 84, 101-118.

Van de Weerd, H.A., Docking, C.M., Day,J.E.L., Breuer, K., Edwards, S.A. (2006) Effects of species-relevant environmental enrichment on the behaviour and productivity of finishing pigs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 99, 230-247.

Discusses the effects of environmental enrichment and the important role played by novelty when enrichment is provided on commercial pig farms.

Urine sample with cocci

Urine sample with calcium oxalate dihydrate crystals.

Faecal sample with roundworm eggs & larva.

Overview of prolonged gestation in sheep and cattle

Definition

MPhil

Penny has worked extensively in private mixed practice, and in animal biosecurity and welfare for both government and not-for-profit organisations. She manages a 212 hectare Dorper sheep breeding property in NSW, and is co-Director ofYour Hobby Farm Success, helping hobby farmers enjoy their lifestyle, and reap the benefitsof having healthy and happy animals.

The definition of what is a ‘normal’ and a ‘prolonged’ gestation length is arbitrarily defined. The normal or average length of gestation varies between species – goats (145–155 days), sheep (144–151 days), horses (330–342 days), cattle (279–292 days) and pigs (112–115 days). One definition for normal gestation length is the mean length of gestation of a population (e.g. 279 days for HolsteinFriesian cattle) ±3 standard deviations (SD), (e.g. SD = 7 days x 3 = 21 days; 258–300 days), which will include at least 99.7% of gestations. Those outside this range are considered to be ‘outliers’ (physiologic).

Prolonged gestation is generally regarded as pregnancy exceeding normal or average gestational length by more than three weeks. The cause/s are multi-factorial and include genetics, foetal mummification, infections (especially uterine), toxins (i.e. plants) and iatrogenic causes.

Prolonged pregnancy is quite common in camelids. Most llama and alpaca owners calculate the due date onthe basis of a 345-day gestation period. It is not uncommon to see pregnancies of up to 380 days in length. The gestation length is unique to each foetus, but approximate gestation lengths can be assigned to each species and to breeds within species.

The mechanisms involved in pregnancy and parturition are highly complex and involve both the maternal and foetal systems. All three pathwayshormonal, neural and immune - are active.

Genetics and foetal mummification are the most common influences on the length of gestation. Underlying anatomical or functional abnormalities in the foetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis prevent the initiation of parturition and hence, the end of gestation. Depending on the cause, the foetus may be viable or nonviable.

Diagnosis of a prolonged pregnancy is made once the animal has not given birth within three weeks beyond the expected date for a normal or average full-term gestation for the species.

It is also possible that the external signs of late pregnancy, including abdominal enlargement, udder development, vulval oedema and relaxation of the sacrosciatic ligament, are less obvious when compared with other members of the group that are at a similar point in their gestation, or even in their post-pregnancy period.

Treatment may be initiated. It usually involves induction of parturition and if needed, caesarean section.

Perinatal mortality in humans

In humans, perinatal mortality at 42 weeks gestation is twice that at term (40 weeks) and is increased fourfold at 43 weeks and five- to sevenfold at 44 weeks. Factors that contribute to perinatal death are: uteroplacental insufficiency, meconium aspiration, intrauterine infection, and uteroplacental insufficiency

After the 42nd week of gestation, the placenta starts to age and will eventually fail. Post-term infants are larger than term infants, and possible complications include prolonged

labour, cephalopelvic disproportion, and shoulder dystocia. Follow-up work has shown that prolonged pregnancy in humans does not appear to be associated with any long-term neurologic or behavioural sequelae.

End of gestation

The foetus determines the length of gestation (i.e. day of birth) in sheep and cattle, and the dam determines the timing of parturition (i.e. time of birth). Foetal stressors such as hypoxia and hypercapnia in association with maturation and activation of the foetal pituitary gland induce increased adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) production, resulting in increased cortisol secretion. There is a sharp rise inthe rate of secretion of cortisol by the foetal adrenal.

Cortisol acts on the placental enzymes with a resultant decrease in progesterone output and an increase in oestrogen production. These changes facilitate enhanced prostaglandin and oxytocin secretion that drive the contractions of labour. The change inoestrogen to progesterone ratio, and particularly the rise in oestrogen, stimulates the release of prostaglandin (PGF2alpha) from the maternal placenta and, to a lesser extent, from the myometrium. PGF2alpha increases the myometrial response to oxytocin and, after a latent period, stimulates uterine contractions. Softening and distension of the cervix also occurs at this time. So, increasing foetal cortisol causes the cascade in maternal hormones, and subsequent initiation of parturition. When there is insufficient foetal cortisol and consequent failure of placental conversion of progesterone and pregnenolone to estrogens in ewes and maternal prostaglandininduced luteolysis of the corpus luteum in cows (i.e. the HPA axis is not working optimally), the gestational length becomes prolonged. Exogenous prostaglandins will induce labour or abortion at all stages of gestation and administration of prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors will delay the onset of labour and lengthen the induction-abortion time interval. In situations where there is an abnormal pregnancy (e.g. a mummified foetus is present), pregnancy can be terminated by a single intramuscular injection of PGF2alpha This causes the foetus to move from its position in the uterus, and it can be manually removed about 48 hours later.

Pathogenesis of prolonged gestation

The main factors influencing the length of gestation are:

■ breed (has the greatest influence)

■ sire – breed (within breeds, variation exists between individual bulls/rams in offspring gestation length). Sire genome and epigenome can influence gestation length via regulation of embryonic development. Gestation length is a moderately heritable trait (30 per cent – 50 per cent), and has been used in breeding programs for selection of the ‘best’ sire

■ foetus - genotype, gender and plurality

■ dam - parity, age and milk yield, and the individual sire (sire-within-breed genetic effects)

■ environmental – is of lesser importance, and includes nutrition, season and ambient temperature.

In sheep, the normal gestation length is around 144 to 151 days, but the exact length is not often known unless, for example, the ewes were part of an artificial insemination program. In most flocks, the ewes run with rams for a set joining period and, if served by ram wearing a raddle crayon, receive a mark on their rumps to indicate that joining has occurred. Often the estimated joining date is taken as the last day the ram was able to join the ewes.

Inmost cases, the underlying pathophysiology of prolonged gestation is a defective hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis. This inhibits the initiation of parturition and the end of gestation. Causes of the anatomic or functional abnormalities in the pituitary and/or adrenal glands are unlikely to be investigated and/ or resolved.

The most commonly documented reason for a prolonged gestation is genetic. While mummification actually occurs more commonly, it is often not recorded. In cases of mummification-associated prolonged gestation, the cause of the prolongation is a nonfunctioning HPA axis in a retained dead foetus, whereas in other cases, the foetus may be alive, but the HPA is malfunctioning.

In sheep and cattle foetal abnormalities, most cases of congenital deformities of the pituitary and/or adrenal glands that lead to prolonged gestation are associated with pituitary gland abnormalities. Pituitary gland abnormalities are thought to be caused by a recessive gene that results in a non-functional or aplastic pituitary gland. These abnormalities have been reported in Ayrshire, Guernsey, Holstein-Friesian and Jersey cattle breeds.

An autosomal recessive gene causes prolonged gestation in HolsteinFriesian cows due to foetal adrenal malfunction. The foetal adrenal glands fail to produce corticosteroids at term in response to foetal ACTH. As a result, the foetus continues to grow until it outgrows its blood supply, resulting in foetal gigantism.

Combined pituitar y and adrenal gland abnormalities can occur in both cattle and sheep. This condition is caused by hypoplasia of the pituitary gland and the adrenal gland. It has been reported in Ayrshire, HolsteinFriesian and Swedish cattle breeds; gestation can be prolonged by 21 to 150 days.

Other commonly diagnosed causes of prolonged gestation are: infection (maternal-foetal infection with pestiviruses such as bovine viral diarrhoea virus and border disease virus) and arboviruses (Akabane virus, bluetongue virus, Rift Valley fever virus and Schmallenberg virus), iatrogenic causes and plant toxins.

Baburamani (2021) studied brief episodes (10 minutes) of severe foetal hypoxia in sheep in late gestation (131 days) using umbilical cord occlusion. Systemic parameters and blood chemistry indicated complete recovery

Penny Linnett BSc (Zool Hons) BVSc

MANZCVS

HEALTH Y S KI N COM ES FROM WITHI N

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within 1–2 hours, although the long-term effects on foetal brain functions remained unknown. They reported that the normal patterns of foetal behaviour, including breathing movements, episodes of high and low voltage electrocortical activity, eye movements and postural (neck) muscle activity, were disrupted for 3 to 10 days after the umbilical cord was occluded. Also, preterm labour and delivery occurred in a significant number of the pregnancies after umbilical cord occlusion compared to the control group.

‘Spontaneous large offspring syndrome’ in calves is also known as foetal gigantism or foetal macrosomia. It may occur after normal gestation length. The cause or causes have not yet been definitively determined, but there is some evidence to indicate that epigenetic conditions are involved. Congenital defects have been reported with normal gestational age foetal macrosomia. In a percentage of pregnancies (<0.3%), gestation length is extended by a few days to a few weeks (e.g. in Holstein-Friesian cows the range is over 300 days but less than 321 days). These cases are thought to be physiologically extended gestations, as the foetus is not oversized and the dam calves normally.

Possible sequelae of prolonged gestation

Prolonged gestation (i.e. 3 weeks over the expected normal or average gestation) is associated with a significant number of increased risks such as dystocia, stillbirth, morbidity and mortality, and reduced productivity. There is also increased incidence of retained foetal membranes and metritis.

Prolonged gestation can result in relative foetal oversize (leading to macrosomia/gigantism). In cattle, the foetus grows at approximately 350g/day in the last trimester of gestation. Calves born following prolonged gestation have greater postweaning mortality, lower pregnancy rate, and a higher risk of being culled.

Diagnosis

Cattle and sheep are usually diagnosed with prolonged gestation when owners notice that external signs of late pregnancy, including abdominal enlargement, mammary gland development, vulvar oedema, and sacrosciatic ligament relaxation, are less obvious than for other pregnant animals in the group at a similar point of gestation.

True prolonged gestation needs to be differentiated from false prolonged gestation. When artificial insemination (AI) is used, exact breeding dates are known, and calculation of the gestation length will confirm the presence of prolonged gestation. However, when natural mating is used (e.g. sheep, beef cows, and dairy cows after the end of the AI period) and pregnancy is not detected or dated, prolonged gestation can be misdiagnosed. Other factors that can lead to an erroneous diagnosis of prolonged gestation include failure to record a subsequent service, incorrect pregnancy diagnosis (twins, incorrect dating of a foetus, missing non-pregnancy), and misidentification of animals. The most commonly reported causes of a cow/ewe failing to calve/lamb at term are mistakes being made in the breeding or identification records, or non-pregnancy,and not the presence of a true prolonged gestation.

Given the myriad of causes of prolonged gestation, the appearance of the foetuses can vary from being small, mummified, and/or premature to large, morphometrically normal, or abnormal foetuses.

Investigating a suspected prolonged gestation

The main steps to investigating a suspected prolonged gestation are: establish whether it is definitely a prolonged gestation (i.e. through breeding histor y and sighting of breeding records), conduct a full clinical examination of the pregnant dam, including rectal examination, ultrasound the foetus, and post-mortem any

dead foetus. If a true prolonged gestation is established, follow-up investigations are warranted. Atrue prolonged gestation is uncommon in all species, though it is most commonly reported in cattle albeit at a very low percentage (estimated <1%). Most cases are investigated as a result of a cow or ewe not calving/lambing when expected atterm.

Prolonged gestation may be accompanied by the development of excessive amounts of foetal fluid. To determine the origin of the excessive foetal fluid, a sample can be aspirated and the sodium and chloride concentrations determined. Amniotic fluid contains sodium at ~120 mmol/L and chloride at ~90 mmol/L, while allantoic fluid contains sodium at 50 mmol/L and chloride at 20 mmol/L. Any correlation between hydrops amnion and hydrops allantois and prolonged gestation remains to be definitively determined. Interestingly, foetal giants often have oligoamnios which results in decreased amniotic fluid volume for gestational age. Low amniotic fluid volumes can be the result of foetal, maternal, or placental complications, and may lead to poor foetal outcomes.

there is a medical reason. Evaluation of pregnancy status, and foetal and placental assessment should be performed, to determine the health and viability of the foetus. Intervention will be based on this assessment. In cria, the most likely reason for extremely long pregnancies is intrauterine growth retardation; induction of parturition will often result in loss of the cria because of immaturity.

Treatment is targeted at delivery of the foetus with minimal injury to any viable foetus and the dam. When a large foetus is present, the dam can be distressed by the weight of the foetus and its associated fluids. Also, oedema in front of the udder may indicate that the prepubic tendon has ruptured or is stressed to the point of rupture. In these cases, a sling-support around the abdomen is useful to prevent any further injury until the pregnancy is terminated. Carefully and regular monitoring is essential during this time and including after birth as milk production may be compromised.

In cows, prolonged gestation occurs due to insufficient production of foetal cortisol and the failure of maternal prostaglandin-induced

Post-mortem examination of the foetus may reveal the characteristic features of foetal gigantism (macrosomia, overly long hair coat, long hooves, and large teeth) and possibly pituitar y or adrenal abnormalities. However, depending on the cause, prolonged gestation foetuses can have a heterogeneous phenotype.

After prolonged gestation has been diagnosed, further investigation may include evidence of exposure to toxic plants or feed materials, and undertaking maternal tests for evidence of exposure to, or presence, of possible foetal pathogens. Sometimes, pedigree analysis or foetal karyotyping can be useful to detect genetic causes. However, the cause of a prolonged gestation will most likely not be determined.

Treatment

The veterinarian is often asked to intervene in cases of prolonged gestation/pregnancy.The clinical approach should include verification of the breeding dates. Prolonged pregnancy does not usually justify induction of parturition unless

luteolysis. Pregnancy is maintained by continual production of progesterone by the corpus luteum, which occurs irrespective of whether the foetus is alive or dead. Treatment of a prolonged gestation involves administration of exogenous corticosteroid (live foetus/viable placenta only) to induce parturition and administration of prostaglandin (for a live or dead foetus) to imitate the spontaneous induction of parturition.

Drost and Holm (1968) studied the complete bilateral removal of the adrenal glands of sheep foetuses in utero. Thirty-seven ewes with dated pregnancies were operated on approximately one month before term. The ewes failed to undergo labour. Eight foetuses were carried in utero past full-term; all showed signs of post-maturity.

Induction

Birth can be induced by administration of a corticosteroid (e.g. dexamethasone) followed by PGF2alpha (or one of its synthetic analogs such as cloprostenol) by intramuscular injection. The corticosteroid initiates the maternal hormonal cascade that precedes parturition, while the

Mrs White 63 and ‘Chilli’ (24 hours old) in the lambing pen

‘Chilli’ wearing a lamb jumper that is usually put on 3-4 week old lambs

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prostaglandin induces luteolysis. A single dose of these two drugs is normally effective, with parturition starting about 24 to 72 hours post-treatment. Goats can be induced with prostaglandin (10 mg of Lutalyse®), and kidding or abortion typically occurs in 30 to 36 hours. Induction is relatively uncommon in sheep due to the poor survival rate of premature lambs, and the lack of accurate information confirming the stage of gestation of the ewe.

Recommended dose rates are:

■ cows - 20 mg dexamethasone and 500 mcg cloprostenol

■ sheep - 16 mg dexamethasone (and 125 mcg cloprostenol). Induced parturition should be monitored carefully. If the ewe is at full-term, she will start to lamb about 36hours after the corticosteroid.

Obstetrical assistance may be required if uterine inertia is present, if there is damage to the abdominal wall or if the birth canal is not sufficiently dilated or if the foetus is not in the correct position.

Inaprolonged gestation, the foetus can be disproportionally big relative to the dam’s pelvis, so monitoring and manual examination is essential in case careful traction or repositioning of the foetus or even a caesarean is needed. Sometimes a decision made early to perform acaesarean is best, especially if the dam is not well or if the foetus is a veryvaluable one. Foetal dysmaturity can be a problem in this case and intensive neonatal care may be needed.

After delivery, uterine involution can be encouraged by the administration of oxytocin. Analgesia (using NSAIDs such as flunixin meglumine or meloxicam) helps with the dam’s recovery, and it is usually prudent to provide antibiotic cover. Fluid therapy should also be administered if warranted.

Retention of foetal membranes is not an uncommon or unexpected finding after a traumatic or prolonged birth. The membranes are normally expelled within two to eight hours after birth and are considered to be retained if not expelled by 12 to 18 hours after parturition. Occasionally,they are retained in the uterus and if not treated, may jeopardise the health of the dam and cause problems with future breeding. A high incidence of retained placentae in the flock/herd situation can indicate the presence of a disease. Retained placentae commonly accompany difficult births, multiple births, short (and long) gestations and in the case of cattle, the birth of bull calves.

Causes of retained foetal membranes in sheep and goats include dystocia, hypocalcaemia, dam obesity, selenium deficiency, vitamin A deficiency, and infectious abortion (e.g. campylobacteriosis, listeriosis and toxoplasmosis). In does and ewes, retained foetal membranes are less common, although an increased incidence has been reported in dairygoats.

Treatment usually involves waiting for about 24 to 48 hours after birth, and then giving injectable antibiotics along with uterine boluses or uterine infusions. Membranes may be carefully removed by hand, depending on the case. The dam should be closely observed for signs of systemic illness or swelling of the vulva. Research has shown that manual removal of retained placentae decreases future fertility.

Initiation of parturition

The initial mechanism for the timing of birth may be encoded in the foetal genome and is closely linked to, and activated, when certain developmental events have occurred. Factors that help in initiation of parturition and then parturition itself include biochemical, neuroendocrine, and physical factors. Many biochemical, hormonal, and molecular changes precede parturition. The universality in animals of the foetal glucocorticoid surge (sudden rise in levels) preceding normal labour at term is indicative that it is a fundamental common signal.

Physical factors also contribute to initiation of parturition. These include increased size of the foetus, uterine distension, and fatty degeneration of the placenta and presence of infarcts. The latter interferes with foetal nutrition and contributes to the separation of the foetus from the uterus.

Regulation of uterine activity during pregnancy can be divided into four distinct physiologic phases.

Phase 0 –the uterus is in a state of functional quiescence (inactivation) through the action of various inhibitors including progesterone, prostacyclin (prostaglandin 1-2), relaxin, parathyroid hormone-related peptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide, adrenomedullin and vasoactive intestinal peptide.

Phase 1 –myometrial activation. As term nears the uterus responds to the effects of uterotropins (e.g. oestrogen). There is increased expression of a series of contraction-associated proteins including myometrial receptors for prostaglandins and oxytocin, activation of specific-ion channels. Connexin-43 expression also increases; it isa key component of gap junctions. Increased gap junction formation between adjacent myometrial cells leads to electrical synchrony within the myometrium and effective coordination of contractions.

Phase 2 – stimulator y phase. The ‘primed’ uterus can be stimulated to contract by the action of uterotonic agonists, such as the stimulatoryprostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha and oxytocin.

Phase 3 –involution phase. Involution of the uterus occurs after delivery and is mediated primarily by oxytocin.

Signs of Parturition in sheep

■ The animal keeps away from others.

■ The vulva is swollen and the skin is loose. The animal becomes restless and does not eat well.

■ Adischarge from the vulva will start a few days before parturition.

■ The sheep will lie down and stretch the neck back to look at the sky (star gazing) and lick its lips.

Clinical case study

A2017 White dorper x Wiltshire ewe (‘Mrs White 63’) was joined with a full-blood Dorper ram for 6 weeks. She was drenched with Alben® and received a booster 6-in-1 vaccination prior to joining, as did the 42 full-blood Dorper ewes. The ewes were joined for 6 weeks, and the ram was removed at 6:30am on Day 42.

For the purposes of this case, Day 1 of gestation is defined as Day 1 that the ram was in with the ewes.

Following the joining period, the ram was moved well away from the ewes into the ‘ram paddock’ with 11 other rams, and well out of sight and sound from the ewes. The rams were routinely observed twice daily for feeding with some sheep-nuts and 1-2 biscuits of lucerne hay, and it was confirmed that none of the rams had an opportunity to re-visit the ewes.

The ewes were in a native grass paddock for their pregnancy before being walked to the yards for drenching and a booster vaccination on Day 140 of gestation. Due to other timecommitments, the ewes had their pre-lambing treatments later than usual. The yards are located close to the lambing paddock. At this time, blood was taken from 12 ewes to confirm pregnancy status. Mrs White 63 tested positive with the BioPRYN assay with a pregnancy-specific protein-B level of 0.731. PSPB is a pregnancyassociated glycoprotein which is produced by the placenta and enters the animal’sblood when a viable foetus is present; it aids in maintaining the corpus luteum. Other pregnant ewes had similar

levels (0.715, 0.724) vs the non-pregnant ewes (0.045, 0.048, 0.054, 0.056). The BioPRYN assay can be reliably applied to detect pregnancy status in ewes 30 days post breeding (DPB) by AI or from when the ram was removed from the pen.

The first Dorper lamb was born overnight on Day 148 and the second at 5:00am on Day149. The second-last ewe to lamb delivered twins on Day 174. At this stage, Mrs White 63 did not have any noticeable udder development to indicate pregnancy; her abdomen ‘looked’ pregnant (shape-wise) but there were no other signs of pregnancy. Mrs White 63 was kept with the ewes and lambs and monitored daily until the calculated last possible lambing dates (i.e. Day 150-155 since the morning the ram was removed at the end of joining).

On28 May (now 174 days since the morning the ram was removed at the end of joining or 216 days since the ram first went in with the ewes) Mrs White 63 gave birth unassisted in the afternoon to a big, solid healthy male lamb. She cleaned him well and he suckled from her udder. He was caught for a quick health check and weighing the following morning. ‘Chilli’ weighed 6.3 kg and was a very quiet solid fellow. His coat was clean and fluffy; and no abnormalities were detected. Given the ram was with the ewes for a definite six-week period, and assuming that the ewe joined with the ram on the last possible morning, the gestation length was confirmed to be definitely no shorter than 174 days.

Due to the inclement weather, ‘Chilli’ and his mum were moved by trailer to the warmth and security of a lambing pen for a week. He was given/offered some supplementary Divetelact just to make sure he was receiving sufficient milk from the ewe. And another ewe and lamb were moved into an adjacent pen for company.

In terms of breeding history, Mrs White 63 was atwin and her twin sister had had two successful pregnancies, raising single lambs each time. Mrs White 63 had failed to get pregnant at her first joining; the only ewe in the flock to do so. This suggests that there may have been an underlying hormonal problem at that time and given her prolonged gestation once she did get pregnant, it would seem to have been confirmed. Mrs White 63 will be part of the next breeding program in early 2023, and it will be interesting to see if she has a normal gestation.

References

1.Baburamani A. et al (2021) Brief hypoxia in late gestation sheep causes prolonged disruption of fetal electrographic, breathing behaviours and can result in early labour. The Journal of Physiology.Available at https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/JP281266

2. Drost M and Holm LW(1968) Prolonged gestation in ewse after foetal adrenalectomy. Journal of Endocrinology 40:293.

3. Ingoldby L and Jackson P (2001) Induction of parturition in sheep. Available at https://www. researchgate.net/publication/254738447_ Induction_of_parturition_in_sheep

4. Hossein A (2014) Parturitionmechanisms in ruminants: A complete overview. Available at https://www.primescholars.com/articles/parturition-mechanisms-in-ruminants-a-completeoverview-91722.html

5. Liggins GC et al (1977) Parturition in sheep. Available at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/205398/#:~:text=Parturition%20in%20shee p%20is%20initiated,increased%20fetal%20 concentrations%20of%20corticotropin.

6. Mitchell MD (1994) The initiation of parturition. Available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/ science/article/abs/pii/0957584794900191

7. Van Kempen KR & Ellis LC (2000) Prolonged gestation in ewes ingesting Veratrum californicum: morphological changes and steroid biosynthesis in the endocrine organs of cyclopic lambs. Available at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/4622911/

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Alternative solutions to beak trimming in layer hens to reduce feather pecking and improve welfare

Introduction

Feather pecking (FP) is one of the most significant welfare and economic problems in the egg production industry (Wysocki et al., 2010). For many years the solution to this problem has been beak trimming, which typically involves removing approximately 30 per cent of the upper and lower mandibles with an electrically heated blade (Dennis & Cheng, 2010). However, this practice is now under scrutiny due to growing concerns for animal welfare. The procedure causes acute pain and distress in the bird and there is also evidence to suggest chronic pain due to the formation of neuromas (Cheng, 2006). Furthermore, removing part of the beak mechanically impairs the birds’ ability to express natural behaviours such as foraging. Therefore, it is reasonable to suggest that the practice of beak trimming is simply substituting one welfare issue with another. This essay endeavours to explore the reasons behind FP in layer hens and how these may underpin the potential of alternative solutions to this problem.

Discussion

The reasons for FP in layer hens aremultifactorial (Petek & McKinstry, 2010; Wysocki et al., 2010). The behaviour is generally thought to be a form of redirected foraging behaviour, but it is also recognised that fearful birds have agreater tendency to develop FP behaviour (Kjaer & Guemene, 2009). While it is firmly established that genetic selection may reduce the incidence of FP in layer hens (Rodenburg et al., 2010; Wysocki et al., 2010), the impact that this selection may have on fear responses and foraging behaviour has remained largely unknown (de Haas et al., 2010).

The first study to be addressed in this essay explored the relationships between each of these factors in order to establish a clearer understanding of the mechanisms underlying FP. This was accomplished by de Haas et al. (2010) by examining the behaviour of 16 birds from a High Feather Pecking (HFP) line and 16 birds from a Low Feather Pecking (LFP) line inside a plus-maze. In the novel maze-test, HFP birds had a significantly shorter latency to vocalise and walked a significantly longer distance than LFP birds. In the forage test, both lines had a preference for worms compared to grass, feathers or regular food pellets. Nevertheless, HFP birds ate worms significantly faster and also tended to have morewormeating bouts relative to LFP birds. The results ofthis study indicated that HFP birds responded moreproactively to fear-eliciting situations (de Haas et al., 2010). This suggests that rather than a preference for consuming feathers, HFP have a stronger pecking motivation than LFP birds (de Haas et al., 2010).

Therefore, it stands to reason that by reducing pecking motivation therewill be a reduced incidence of FP.One way of achieving this is discussed in an article by Matauschek et al. (2010), in which the effect of taste aversion learning to eliminate FP in layer hens was investigated. In this experiment 60 birds from

LFP lines and 60 birds from HFP lines were each randomly allocated to control or treatment groups. Birds in the treatment group had their feathers coated in quinine, a bitter tasting substance. Behavioural observations were then recorded during the “rearing period”, the “early laying period”, and the “laying period”.

It was found that there was an overall reduction in severe FP behaviour in both the “rearing period” and significantly so in the “early laying period”. However, during the “laying period”, when birds in the quinine treatment group were no longer treated with quinine, FP occurred at significantly higher levels compared with the “early laying period”.

The implication of this study for animal welfare is that coating feathers in quinine offers aless invasive solution to control FP, provided that the chemical is always detectable on the feathers (Matauschek et al., 2010). However, this means that quinine would need to be re-applied at least every 2 weeks in order to maintain effective control of FP (Matauschek et al., 2010). This is impractical and expensive in the commercial situation, so the development of a more durable formulation may be necessary, or the implementation of automated spraying systems (Matauschek et al., 2010).

This study used positive punishment as a learning mechanism for preventing FP. Due to the potential for habituation, future research could investigate an alternative method using negative punishment as a learning technique.

Another method of reducing pecking motivation may be to provide enrichment. It is widely accepted in the literature that enrichment reduces FP (Petek & McKinstry, 2010; McAdie et al., 2005; Steenfeldt et al., 2007). Arecent paper by Dixon et al. (2010) investigated what constituted the best form of enrichment to reduce FP. To determine this, agroup of birds was rotated through each of four treatments: forages, novel objects, dust baths, and no enrichment. The degree of FP behaviour and the number of pecks to the enrichments were recorded.

The results illustrated that providing forage reduced the incidence of FP significantly more than any other treatment. FP levels werestatistically similar between dust bathing and novel objects, but they were still significantly lower compared to the non-enrichment treatment. The implication of this research is that providing forage may be the best form of enrichment to reduce the incidence of FP. Furthermore, past studies have demonstrated that forage also improves nutrition and egg production (Steenfeldt et al., 2007). From a production perspective, this is a positive relationship. This further highlights the importance of providing birds with forage substrates. Futureresearch should focus on developing an economic and user-friendly substrate that is still effective in reducing FP (Dixon et al., 2010).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the causes of FP are multifactorial in nature, which suggests that the solutions

may also be multifactorial. From the evidence presented in this essay, an approach that integrates genetic selection and environmental modification to reduce FP motivation is likely to be the best way to improve welfare and the best alternative to beak trimming.

■ SAMANTHA KEYES

References

Cheng, H. (2006) Morphopathological changes and pain in beak trimmed laying hens. Worlds Poultry Science Journal 62:1, 41-52. de Haas, E.N., Nielsen, B.L., Buitenhuis, A.J., Rodenburg, T.B. (2010) Selection on feather pecking affects response to novelty and foraging behaviour in laying hens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 124:3-4, 90-96.

Dennis, R.L., Cheng, H.W. (2010) Effects of beak trimming on pecking force. International Journal of Poultry Science 9:9, 863-866.

Dixon, L.M., Duncan, I.J.H., Mason, G.J. (2010) The effects of four types of enrichment on feather-pecking behaviour in laying hens housed in barren environments. Animal Welfare 19:4, 429-435.

Kjaer,J.B., Guemene, D. (2009) Adrenal reactivity in lines of domestic fowl selected on feather pecking behavior. Physiology & Behavior 96:2, 370-373.

Matauschek, A.H., Beck, P., Rodenburg, T.B. (2010) Effect of an early bitter taste experience on subsequent feather-pecking behaviour in laying hens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 127:3-4, 108-114.

McAdie, T.M., Keeling, L.J., Blokhuis, H.J., Jones, R.B. (2005) Reduction in feather pecking and improvement of feather condition with the presentation of a string device to chickens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 93:1-2, 67-80.

Petek, M., McKinstry, J.L. (2010) Reducing the prevalence and severity of injurious pecking in laying hens without beak trimming. Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi, Uludag Universitesi 29:1, 61-68.

Rodenburg, T.B., de Haas, E.N., Nielsen, B.L., Buitenhuis, A.J. (2010) Fearfulness and feather damage in laying hens divergently selected for high and low feather pecking. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 128:1-4, 91-96.

Steenfeldt, S., Kjaer,J.B., Engberg, R.M. (2007) Effect of feeding silages or carrots as supplements to laying hens on production performance, nutrient digestibility,gut structure, gut microflora and feather pecking behaviour.

British PoultryScience 48:4, 454-468.

Wysocki, M., Bessei, W., Kjaer, J.B., Bennewitz, J. (2010) Genetic and physiological factors influencing feather pecking in chickens. World's PoultryScience Journal 66:4, 659-672.

This essay is one of a number selected for The Veterinarian magazine Prize for Written Communication for Sydney University third-year veterinary science students.

Ertugliflozin: a new treatment option for laminitis

Ertugliflozin belongs to a relatively new class of human anti-diabetic drugs known as sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). SGLT2i have been used in human medicine to treat type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, heart failure and obesity for almost a decade. More recently, equine veterinarians have been using ertugliflozin in the treatment of endocrinopathic laminitis with very promising results.

Avon Ridge

Equine Veterinary Services, Brigadoon, WA, Australia

Tania Sundra graduated from Murdoch University in 2009 and completed an equine internship at a busy performance horse hospital in the USA.

Upon returning home she spent a few years working in racetrack and repro clinics in Western Australia.

In 2015, Sundra founded Avon Ridge Equine Veterinary Services – an ambulatory equine practice servicing Perth and surrounding regions.

In 2019, she successfully completed examinations to become a member of the Australian &New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, Equine Medicine chapter.

She has a keen interest in all things related to equine medicine, particularly gastroenterology, endocrinology and emergency and critical care.

Laminitis and obesity-related endocrine dysfunction is a daily challenge in equine practice (Figure 1). Hyperinsulinemia is central to the development of endocrinopathic laminitis, however to date, there are no treatments which specifically target hyperinsulinemia in horses. SGLT2i exert their effects by inhibiting the re-uptake of glucose in the kidney, thereby promoting glucosuria and lowering insulin concentrations.

A recent case series, published in Equine Veterinary Education in November 2022, highlighted the potential benefits of ertugliflozin in clinical cases of laminitis. The retrospective study was conducted at Avon Ridge Equine Veterinary Services in Western Australia on 51 horses with post-prandial hyperinsulinemia and laminitis that was refractoryto diet and management changes and who received ertugliflozin at 0.05mg/kg PO SID for at least 30 days. The majority of patients were pony-type breeds and the median age was 17 years. Lameness from laminitis had been present for a median of 41 weeks despite all horses being managed on a low-NSC diet. The results of this study indicated that ertugliflozin significantly lowered insulin concentration (from a median of >300u/ml to 43u/ml; p<0.001), improved lameness grade (from a median of 10/12 to 1/12; p<0.001) and promoted weight loss (p<0.001) (Figure 2) within 30 days. All but 4 horses displayed hypertriglyceridemia however, no clinical signs of hyperlipemia were observed. Ten owners reported polyuria and polydipsia. Despite no adverse events being reported, the authors recommend horses are closely monitored whilst on treatment with ertugliflozin. Medication with SGLT2i should be temporarily discontinued if horses are being fasted to prevent hyperlipemia and water should always be available to prevent volume depletion.

The authors also highlight that whilst the potential welfare benefits for ertugliflozin may prove to be huge, treatment with SGLT2i is not a substitute for proper diet and management. Veterinarians still need to counsel owners on the importance in restricting dietary calories/sugar and maintaining a regular farrier schedule for high-risk horses. It should, in theory be straightforward to manage the weight of domestic horses, however owners find traditional approaches to weight management (such as dietary restriction) difficult to implement as they perceive these interventions to have an immediate negative impact on their horse’s welfare and the horse-human relationship. Many

veterinarians are hesitant to use drugs in the treatment of obesity and hyperinsulinemia, however this study demonstrates that ertugliflozin has the potential to reduce suffering through accelerated recovery from laminitis and suggests that pharmaceuticals should no longer be considered a last resort.

The authors are currently using ertugliflozin in the following clinical scenarios:

■ Horses with endocrinopathic laminitis. The authors are using ertugliflozin alongside diet and management changes to lower insulin concentration more rapidly than is possible with management change alone, and hasten the recovery from laminitis.

■ Horses with persistent hyperinsulinemia despite dietary management to prevent the development of laminitis. In a recent study of UK native ponies, the risk of laminitis in animals

that had a fed serum insulin concentration of >21.8u/l was a staggeringly high 21.5%. With the risk of laminitis being so high in certain populations it seems entirely appropriate that a more pro-active approach to management is taken to prevent unnecessary suffering.

Whilst diet and management should always form the basis of preventing the development of obesity-related endocrine dysfunction, ertugliflozin offers veterinarians a new therapy in cases which have failed to respond to conventional management and has the potential to rapidly ameliorate suffering in patients with endocrinopathic laminitis.

The full study can be found here: Sundra, T., Kelty, E. and Rendle, D., 2022. Preliminaryobservations on the use of ertugliflozin in the management of hyperinsulinaemia and laminitis in 51 horses: A case series. Equine Veterinary Education. https://doi.org/10.1111/ eve.13738

Tania Sundra BVSc. (Hons) BVMS MANZCVS (Equine Medicine)

Figure 1. An obese Welsh Pony, shifting weight caudally in the typically laminitic stance

Figure 2. Before and after images of a quarter horse mare who lost 100kg following 120 days of treatment with ertugliflozin

FIRST-IN-CLASS non-COX inhibiting NSAID UNIQUE MODE OF ACTION specifically blocks the EP4 receptor, a key mediator of OA pain, but does not interfere with homeostatic mechanisms mediated through other prostanoid receptors FOR ALL STAGES of OA from the earliest clinical signs

Aconscious decision: Including octopus in welfare laws on the basis of their self-awareness

Discusses the needs that octopus show for an improved standard of care in captivity, especially for a more stimulating and enriched environment.

Introduction

Octopus are intelligent, curious predators with aremarkable ability for problem-solving (Dolev etal., 2011: Mather, 2008). But with animals so unlike humans, it is harder for us to place a similar value on them. In the USA, octopus are legally “invertebrates” and as such, are not protected under normal Animal Ethics and Welfare laws (Harvey-Clark, 2011; Moltschaniwskyj et al., 2007). One consequence of this is that octopus are often seen as “acceptable” replacements for mammals in experiments, and do not require review from ethics committees. This is all done under the assumption that all invertebrates are “lowerorder” life-forms with little or no self-awareness (Mather, 2011). In the past decade, behavioural experiments have brought forth the idea of cephalopods having a form of primary consciousness similar to that of higher-order vertebrates (Mather, 2008). These developments in the understanding of octopus should be considered before reforming current welfare laws.

Discussion

Defining consciousness has been a controversial topic, but it has been narrowed down to a basic self-awareness and an ability to adapt to unique situations (Edelman & Seth, 2009). Selfawareness of individuals is regarded as a key feature of high-order phyla, characterised by the ability to recognise others, and the starting point of self-awareness. Tricarico et al. (2011), explored the ability of octopus to display individual recognition. Octopodes (n=24) werecaught off the coast of Naples and taken to a laboratory. They were paired and placed together in tanks, each pair separated either by a transparent or opaque barrier. The octopodes remained in these tanks and were given three days to acclimate to each other. Each pair was then transferred to a shared tank where they were allowed to interact with each other for 15 minutes, once a day for three days. Finally, each pair was either switched or kept with its original partner, and allowed to interact with the new octopus for 15minutes. Unfamiliar pairs tended to react physically towards one another more quickly, ending more often in aggression and ink-jetting. Those that were in familiar pairs avoided each other and established dominance sooner than octopus paired with an unfamiliar partner. The quickest assessments of dominance were performed by octopus pairs that were in visual contact for all seven days. Tricarico et al. (2011) hypothesised that the visual assessments made by octopus beforehand reduced the need for tactile reinforcement. This avoidance behaviour persisted through the entire experiment, leading the researchers to conclude that octopus do remember individuals for at least one day.

Along with individual recognition, self-monitoring is also a precursor to self-awareness, to apoint wherethe animal bases its actions on the evaluation of sensoryinput (Edelman & Seth, 2009; Mather, 2008). Do octopus actively evaluate their environment beforeacting?

Until 2011, researchers wereunclear if there was a connection between the peripheral

nervous input and the central neural control. To establish whether octopus have this link, Gutnick et al. (2011) constructed a three-choice maze that forced each trial animal to locate food in a particular compartment with the use of just one of its limbs. Although it took at least 20 trials to learn, successful limb movements changed from straight, pushing movements, to careful probing actions. The octopus also positioned themselves to be in visual contact with the extended limb. Gutnick et al. (2011) concluded that the octopus were making a connection between the visual input and the voluntary motor control. The change in arm movements demonstrates that the octopus were actively changing their behaviour to suit the task. This change was based on the visual input they were receiving, an indication of their ability to self-monitor.

In addition to providing evidence for higher-range cognition, seeing how an animal responds to varying standards of captivity assesses its need to be stimulated. Yasumuro and Ikeda (2011) investigated the effects of enriching the environment on octopus behaviour. Five adults were hand- and net-collected from Okinawa Island and reared in each of three experimental environments. The Poor environment had only a PVC pipe; the Standard had a black cover cloth with sand and coral grit; and the Enriched was a standard tank with coral skeleton and plastic kelp. Each octopus spent seven days in each tank, during which their exploratory and other behaviours wererecorded, along with their reactions to stimuli (a pipette with a rubber cap) and their colour changes.

While no differences were observed between the Standard and Enriched environments, behaviour was markedly different for octopodes in Poor tanks. In the Poor environment, octopodes were less exploratory and tended to ignore the stimulus, whereas in the other two environments octopodes showed a preference for attacking the stimulus. While in the Poor environment, octopodes were acutely mottled and exhibited ink-jetting, both of which are signs of stress in cephalopods (Moltschaniwskyj et al., 2007). It was concluded that the best way to enrich the surrounding environment was through addition of a substrate. Much the same way rats are required to have environmental stimulation, octopus seem to benefit in a similar manner (Ras et al., 2002; Yasumuro & Ikeda, 2011). The octopus’ need for environmental stimulation points towards the possession of a cognitive capacity at least equal to that of vertebrates. What is more important to note though, is their adverse reaction to minimal conditions. The reduction of natural exploratorybehaviour and the increase in stress-signalling behaviours in the Poor environment highlight the need for stimulation in captivity. This is often not considered when containing octopus in commercial and research situations (Uriarte et al., 2011; Moltschaniwskyj et al., 2007).

Conclusions

Octopus engage in complex social interactions, learnrapidly and display a high level of exploratorybehaviours (Uriarte et al., 2011;

Tricarico et al., 2011; Dolev et al., 2011). Their self-monitoring, ability to recognise individuals and, more importantly, their adverse response to degraded conditions, all point towards a sense of consciousness (Borrelli & Fiorito, 2008; Mather, 2008; Mather, 2011). In many respects, octopus are mentally comparable to many higher-order vertebrates, so, in captivity, they must be treated with the same standard of care.

■ LOUISE FISHER

References

Borrelli, L., Fiorito, G. (2008) Behavioral Analysis of Learning and Memory in: Cephalopods. In: Learning and Memory: AComprehensive Reference. Editor-in-chief: H.B. John. Oxford: Academic Press.

Dolev, Y., Kuba, M.J., Hochner, B., Loewenstein, Y. (2011) Decision making and operant conditioning in Octopus vulgaris. Society for Neuroscience Symposium, 41.

Edelman, D.B., Seth, A.K. (2009) Animal consciousness: a synthetic approach. Trends in Neurosciences 32, 476-484.

Gutnick, T., Byrne, R.A., Hochner, B., Kuba, M. (2011) Octopus vulgaris Uses Visual Information to Determine the Location of Its Arm. Current Biology 21, 460-462.

Harvey-Clark, C. (2011) IACUC Challenges in Invertebrate Research. ILAR Journal 52, 213-220. Mather, J.A. (2008) Cephalopod consciousness: Behavioural evidence. Consciousness and Cognition 17, 37-48.

Mather, J.A. (2011) Philosophical Background of Attitudes towardand Treatment of Invertebrates. ILAR Journal 52, 205-212. Moltschaniwskyj, N.A., Staudinger, M., van Gelderen, R., Villanueva, R., Warnke, K., Hall, K., Lipinski, M.R., Marian, J.E.A.R., Nishiguchi, M., Sakai, M., Shulman, D.J., Sinclair, B., Sinn, D.L. (2007) Ethical and welfareconsiderations when using cephalopods as experimental animals. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 17, 455-476.

Ras, T., Van de Ven, M., Patterson-Kane, E.G., Nelson, K. (2002). Rats' preferences for corn versus wood-based bedding and nesting materials. Laboratory Animals,36, 420-425. Tricarico, E., Borrelli, L., Gherardi, F., Fiorito, G. (2011) I Know My Neighbour: Individual Recognition in Octopus vulgaris.PLoS ONE,6, e18710.

Uriarte, I., Iglesias, J., Domingues, P., Rosas, C., Viana, M.T., Navarro, J.C., Seixas, P., Vidal, E., Ausburger,A., Pereda, S., Godoy,F., Paschke, K., Farías, A., Olivares, A., Zuñiga, O. (2011) Current Status and Bottle Neck of Octopod Aquaculture: The Case of American Species. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 42, 735-752.

Yasumuro, H., Ikeda, Y.(2011) Effects of environmental enrichment on the behavior of the tropical octopus Callistoctopus aspilosomatis. Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology,44, 143-157.

This essay is one of a number selected for The Veterinarian magazine Prize for Written Communication for Sydney University third-year veterinary science students.

From page 3

Co-author Andrew Terry, Director ofConservation and Policy at ZSL’s Institute of Zoology said rewilding was an approach to the recovery of dynamic and diverse ecosystems that placed a focus on how ecosystems function. Although once seen as anarchic and challenging, the strategy was increasingly being considered inspiring and empowering and was rapidly becoming mainstream.

“Rewilding calls for strong connections with wildlife to be built and become central to decisionmaking around future restoration. We want to see strong connections to nature to help support the next generation push for the mass recovery of wildlife. The growing set of global examples shows that ‘wild’ urban areas can moderate local temperatures, improve health and wellbeing, and provide important habitats for wildlife to thrive, providing an important part of the response to the global climate

From page 1

“If they can do it for doctors, they can do it for veterinarians.”

The AVA also called for greater surveillance of feral animal populations through engagement of private

Abstracts - relocated cats

From page 14 understand the problem and the role they have in helping to prevent and manage vector-borne and other pathogens in relocated cats.

Ricardo Guillermo Maggi #1,Vicky

Halls #2,Friederike Krämer #3 , Michael Lappin #4,Maria Grazia

Pennisi #5,Andrew S Peregrine #

6,Xavier Roura #7,Bettina

Schunack #8,Valeria Scorza #4 , Séverine Tasker #910 , Gad

Baneth #11,Patrick Bourdeau #

12,Dwight D Bowman#13, Edward B Breitschwerdt#14, Gioia Capelli #15,Luís Cardoso #

16,Filipe Dantas-Torres #17 ,

Gerhard Dobler #18,Lluís Ferrer #19,Luigi Gradoni #20,Peter Irwin #21,Frans Jongejan #22 ,

Volkhard A J Kempf #23,Barbara

Kohn #24,Susan Little #25 ,

Maxime Madder #26,Carla Maia # 27,Mary Marcondes # 28 ,

Guadalupe Miró # 29,Torsten

Naucke #30,Gaetano Oliva #31 ,

Domenico Otranto #32,Barend L

Penzhorn #22 , Martin Pfeffer #

33 , Ángel Sainz #29 , SungShik

Shin #34 , Laia Solano-Gallego #

19,Reinhard K Straubinger # 35 ,

Rebecca Traub #36,Ian Wright #37

Parasit Vectors.2022 Nov 8;15(1): 415.doi: 10.1186/s13071-02205553-8.

1Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA. rgmaggi@ncsu.edu.

2International Cat Care, Tisbury, Wiltshire, UK.

3TransMIT GmbH, Giessen, Germany.

4Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.

5Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy

6Department of Pathobiology,

and biodiversity crisis,” he said.

The report suggests that urban designs that support biodiversity can also effectively accelerate public health and wellbeing measures, as well as be cost-saving strategies in the long-term as the effects of climate change become an increasing economic burden. Urban rewilding projects can provide new ways for city-dwellers to engage with nature including through monitoring and stewardship processes.

“For the rewilding of urban spaces to work, we need the buy-in and support of policymakers, funders, conservation scientists and of course, local communities. There’s so much that the everyday person can do to support a positive change, like leaving part of the garden wild, and avoiding artificial turf and pesticides. We can all do our bit to secure a future where wildlife and people thrive,” Pettorelli said.

■ ANNE LAYTON-BENNETT

Urban rewilding could help wildlife conservation Report into biosecurity readiness released

veterinary practices, and publicprivate surveillance initiatives.

The report is available at apo.org.au/ node/321155.

■

SAM WORRAD

University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.

7Hospital Clínic Veterinari, UniversitatAutònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

8Bayer Animal Health, Elanco Animal Health Inc, Leverkusen, Germany.

9Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford, UK.

10Linnaeus Veterinary Limited, Shirley, UK.

11Koret School of Veterinar y Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.

12Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire, Nantes, France.

13Department Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.

14Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.

15Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy.

16Department of Veterinary Sciences, and Animal and Veterinar y Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-Os-Montes E Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.

17Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Recife, Brazil.

18Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany.

19Department Animal Medicine and Surgery,Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

20Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Rome, Italy.

21College of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia.

22Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa.

23Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control and National Consiliary Laboratory for Bartonella

Woolworths’ $586m PETstock punt

From page 1

“Ive certainly come to understand that as you get out to country Australia, there are many, many other pets that people have a high affiliation (with) and very different needs for those pets,” he said.

“[For instance] I have become pleasantly surprised by just how passionate the horse community is.”

■ SAM WORRAD

Abstracts - melanoma

From page 14

3College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agriculture University, Beijing, China.

4Equine Clinical Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agriculture University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, 100094, Beijing, China. jlivet@cau.edu.cn.

5Department of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine III, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst Heydemann Street No. 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany hugo. murua.escobar@med.uni-rostock.de.

#Contributed equally.

(appointed by the Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany), Goethe-University, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany.

24Clinic of Small Animals, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany

25Department of Pathobiology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.

26Clinglobal, Tamarin, Mauritius.

27Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.

28School of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, Brazil.

29Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.

30LABOKLIN GmbH, Bad Kissingen, Germany.

31Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.

32Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.

33Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.

34College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea.

35Chair for Bacteriology and Mycology, Faculty for Veterinar y Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.

36Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.

37The Mount Veterinary Practice, Fleetwood, Lancashire, UK.

#Contributed equally.

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Anhinga( Anhingaanhinga )

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